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The Pace Chronicle
Volume I, Issue XVI
Inside News..................1,3,4 Feature.............2 Health......................5 Opinion.........6,7 Entertainment....9,10 Sports.......11,12
Pace University, Pleasantville/Briarcliff Manor, NY
www.PaceChronicle.net
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
Equality Ripped Apart
The G-Spot, page 7
Unglamorously Sexy Health, Page 5
Savitex Marijuana Spray
Sports, page 11
Photos by Christine Gramlich (left) & Samantha De Lillo (right) (Left) The Gay-Straight Alliance’s Equality Wall early last week. (Right) The Equality Wall on Sunday morning. Student Center last weekend. Junior psychology student and GSA President Samantha De Lillo stated she found out about the ripped banner on Sunday after a friend sent her a picture of it. “I cried,” said De Lillo, who expressed disappointment with the incident. “The reason why
we did the equality wall was to spread awareness that everyone is equal, we’re all human.” According to De Lillo, the purpose of the equality wall was to spread awareness that everyone is equal. Students had the opportunity to paint their hands and place it on the banner, regardless
of their race, ethnicity, physical appearance, religion, sexual orientation, and other stereotypes. Junior political science student Christine Gramlich, a member of GSA, said, “It defeated the
Pace Gets Ready to Relay
Pace Ranked Top Four for Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Michael Oleaga Managing Editor
Michael.J.Oleaga@pace.edu
After a weeklong fundraising effort by the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), an equality wall was ripped from its walls in the Kessel
Setter’s Basketball Entertainment, page 9
Continued on Page 3 “Equality Wall Demolished”
Shyam Nooredeen Featured Reporter
Shyam.Nooredeen@pace.edu
Photo by Colleen Murray/The Pace Chronicle The stage of the Gottesman Room promotes the Relay for Life slogan. Paris, Milan Men’s Fashion
Setter Spotlight, page 12
Carla Gross
Colleen Murray Featured Reporter
Colleen.M.Murray@pace.edu
Providing food, games, and a commitment toward finding a cure for a deadly disease plaguing mankind, Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) drew students to the spring kickoff for Relay for Life on Feb. 8. Relay for Life is a 12-hour event held annually on the Pleasantville campus. Students and faculty join together and walk or run on the track to raise money for cancer research.
Senior applied psychology student Alyssa Seidel is the Senator and Philanthropy Chair for CAC. She explained the purpose of the kickoff. “We’re excited [for Relay] and we want to get everyone else excited too,” Seidel said. Later, Seidel along with senior education student and Co-Vice President Allyson Dyl, welcomed students and told them about this year’s Relay. “This year’s event is focusing on caregivers,” Dyl said. She explained that a caregiver is anyone, including friends and
family who provide support in any way for someone with cancer. Seidel discussed the importance of caregivers and expressed her hope for a world without cancer. Seidel discussed luminary bags. These are paper bags with glowsticks inside of them. They are bought and decorated by students and dedicated to those who have lost their lives to cancer, as well as those who have survived. They are ten dollars and all funds go to that particular team’s account.
Continued on Page 3 “Pace Gets Ready to Relay”
In a ranking released January by U.S. News & World Report, Pace ranked in the top four for their Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs and was listed on the national honor roll. The survey includes 196 schools with Pace being 3.4 points away from the number one spot. According to U.S. News, the rankings were based on student engagement and assessment, student services and technology, and faculty credentials and training. Chairperson of Special Program at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems Dr. Nancy Lynch Hale said, “This award validates Pace’s commitment to online education and we are highly honored to be ranked in the top four amongst so many schools.”
Continued on Page 3 “Pace Ranked Top Four”
Want to attend a live taping of “Anderson,” hosted by Anderson Cooper? See page 8.
Health
Feature
The Pace Chronicle
Page 2
Meet the Greeks: Omega Phi Beta
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
The Pace Chronicle Editorial Staff Rose Fava
Editor-in-Chief Michael Oleaga Managing Editor
Tafasha Pitt Layout Editor
Erika Bellido Web Editor
Adam Samson Photography Editor
Kelly Povero Copy Editor
Mark Robertson Copy Editor
Samantha Finch News Editor
Alexandra Silver Feature Editor
Delis DeLeon Colby Hochmuth Entertainment Editor Health Editor Martin Totland Opinion Editor
Gabrielle Davina Columnist Editor
Susana Verdugo-Del Real Sports Editor
Operational Staff
Photo by Adam Samson/The Pace Chronicle Omega Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated during the fall 2011 Circle of Greeks in Willcox Hall. Alexandra Silver
Feature Editor Alexandra.R.Silver@pace.edu
Three years ago, Pace’s Greek Life decided to expand by welcoming sororities of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) to campus. On Nov. 18, 2008, the Beta Delta chapter of Omega Phi Beta Sorority Inc. (OPBSI) became the first NALFO affiliated andoriented sorority on campus. “OPBSI was founded at SUNY Albany on March 15, 1989 by 17 women,” said senior management and human resourc-
es student and OPBSI President Lotus M. Feliz. “Our motto is ‘Sirviendo y Educando Atraves de Nuestra Diversidad,’ Serving and Educating through our diversity.” OPBSI represents themselves through their colors of black, forest green, and gold, but that is not the only thing that defines OPBSI. “Our national philanthropy is raising an awareness of violence against women and our chapter philanthropy is drug and alcohol abuse,” said Feliz. During the week of Feb. 26 to Mar. 3, OPBSI will host their fourth annual Week Of Illumination. “Programming will consist
of various educational and social events including The Vagina Monologues and our ‘My Lady, My Heroine’ banquet,” said Feliz. Throughout the month of April, OPBSI hosts “Girasol Sweets en Abril,” which is a weekly bake sale of various treats to raise funds for both philanthropies. OPBSI prides itself in their members’ involvement on campus outside of sorority life. Sisters can be found involving themselves in various types of organizations including, but not limited to: the Prfohemizers Honors College; Student Nurses at Pace; University Peer Leader; Association of Latino Profession-
Sungi Clark Business Manager
als in Finance and Accounting; African American, Latino, Asian, Native American Mentorship Program; Organization of Latin American Students; and the Student Activity Manager. “OPBSI prides itself on the life-long commitment of its members,” said Feliz. “It is because of this that our chapter alumni are still very connected with all undergraduates. We host monthly gatherings, and out alumni are always present at our annual Week of Illumination.” For further information about Omega Phi Beta Sorority Inc. contact Lotus Feliz at Lotus.M.Feliz@pace.edu.
Teacher Feature: Dr. Susanna Cahn Alexandra Silver
Feature Editor Alexandra.R.Silver@pace.edu
Some who intend to go into the field of physics should have a creative mind and a passion for making things. Dr. Susanna Cahn fits into this mold perfectly. Cahn is a New Jersey native from Asbury Park who migrated towards New York and never looked back. Cahn attended Columbia University where she majored in applied physics as an undergraduate and industrial engineering in their graduate program, from which she attained her Masters and Ph.D. After graduating, Cahn taught at City College and Columbia University before planting herself at Pace in Westchester for 25 years. Due to her long period of employment at Pace, Cahn has been able to see first-hand the growth of the campus. “The campus changed with an advent of more virtual connections,” said Cahn. “Now, the different campuses are more tightly connected. Twenty-five years ago it seemed like two separate schools, you had to travel to know what was going on. Now, there are web conferences and the administrative structure is tighter than it used to be.” Cahn loves the classroom experience at Pace because of her
great students, who she always expects to be attentive and honest. At Pace, Cahn currently teaches Management-355, management science and production; business strategy; and business in society. However, she feels many students are afraid to take these courses. “There is a prerequisite in math because 355 is very closely related to quantitative analysis, which tends to scare off students from registering,” said Cahn. Although students are iffy of this course because of math, Cahn highly recommends students take it as early as possible so that they can use those great tools in other courses that come later on. Cahn enjoys her role at Pace, but she would like to bring back a course she used to teach. “I used to teach production management, which is rarely offered due to low enrollment,” said Cahn. “I think it’s important for a business school to have an understanding that the product is the identity of the company and if you don’t have a good product to sell you can’t keep your company going. Also I feel management science needs to be highlighted more.” Cahn does not focus all of her attention in the classroom. Recently, she wrote an article for the Journal of Business Ethics Education about something she had
Shiga Sunny Circulation Melissa Recine Alumni Advisor Prof. Michael Perrota Faculty Advisor mperrota@pace.edu
Featured Reporters Colleen Murray Colleen.M.Murray@Pace.edu Shyam Nooredeen Shyam.Nooredeen@Pace.edu Timothy Doyle Timothy.M.Doyle@Pace.edu Torraine Humes Torraine.A.Humes@Pace.edu
Columnists
CJ Dudek Christopher.J.Dudek@Pace.edu Ebony Turner Ebony.Turner@Pace.edu
Photography
Jasmine Diaz Jasmine.P.Diaz@Pace.edu Mychael Lotocky Mychael.K.Lotocky@Pace.edu
Contributors William Link WLink@Pace.edu
The Pace Chronicle is published by Trumbull Printing: (203) 261-2548
Photo by Michael Oleaga/The Pace Chronicle Dr. Susanna Cahn, of the Lubin School of Business, this week’s teacher feature.
learned while teaching. Cahn had discovered the understanding that people are more willing to compromise when it affects your own wallet. On her free time, Cahn enjoys hobbies that relate to her field of study. She enjoys sewing, fixing things around the house, and playing the piano organ, which is the home electronic version even though she was taught in church on a pipe organ. Cahn has had many memories while at Pace but there is one in particular she always draws on as the one that sticks out the most.
Who should be the next Teacher Feature? Let us know, PaceChronicle@pace.edu!
“I once had a student who didn’t do terribly well on tests,” said Cahn. “I challenged the students to find a place to actually use what we learned in the classroom in practice or someplace else. He ended up using it in a business he was working on with a partner, who was a friend of his, and he made money he didn’t expect to make.” Cahn urges students to take electives outside of their department, because sometimes descriptions do not always do a course justice.
Written and edited by the students of Pace University, The Pace Chronicle is published weekly during the academic year. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of administration, faculty and The Pace Chronicle staff. The Pace Chronicle encourages responses to the opinions expressed herein, and welcomes letters and comments. The Pace Chronicle cannot guarantee publication of letters to the editor or unsolicited manuscripts, and reserves the right to edit or comment editorially on them. Appearance of an advertisement in The Pace Chronicle does not imply endorsements by the members of the editorial board, the advisor, or Pace University of the products or services offered. All photos and copyrights reserved unless otherwise indicated. Subscription and advertising rates available upon request.
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Health
The Pace Chronicle
Page 3
Samantha.Finch@pace.edu
WASHINGTON D.C.,- After announcing a new administration rule that would require all health insurance plans, including the religious, educational, and charitable, to provide free birth control to female employees, President Obama created a plan intended to calm the political outcry over birth control and religious liberty. In attempt to balance the scale between individual liberty and public health, President Obama declared an “accommodation” aimed at showing support and respect to religious beliefs, customs, and traditions. Similar to laws in other states such as Hawaii, the accommodation would require conceptive coverage with no cost to insurance companies. The President stated that “religious liberty will be protected, and a law that requires free preventive care will not discriminate against women.” Administration officials acknowledged the alteration of the rule will sooth the tension in the White House.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
News
Pace Ranked Top Four
What’s Making News Beyond Campus? Samantha Finch News Editor
Continued from page 1
Recently, with a standing economy and qualifications for certain jobs becoming more competitive, working adults and nontraditional students are turning to convenient ways to complete a bachelor’s degree. Parents or individuals who put off obtaining a masters degree are also turning to virtual classrooms. Likewise, even current college students are giving online courses and degree programs a chance while securing available jobs or to lighten up their workload. The office of Online Support Services reported that there are 3,425 total enrollments with over 2,000 individuals being continuing Pace students. Manager at the Office of Online Support Services Danielle Plass stated, “More than one half of students say that they chose online learning because of flexibility and convenience.” Students seem to prefer online classes because you’re not force to sit in a classroom, debate
on what times of day to study or complete assignments, trying to balance work, family, and other commitments. However, skeptics question whether the education acquired online is similar to that offered in a classroom. The course material being taught in a traditional classroom setting facilitates student engagement, thinking and even peer work, while most ideas that centers around technology comes with distractions and easy access to other information that may influence an individual’s thinking. For freshmen computer science student Stefan Iliescu, “I generally follow the consensus that its not as well respected as an actual course […]A lot of people pay for a university name, and the institutions pay to insure that quality remains intact. I guess it really depends on the format of the lesson, broadly describing it as an ‘online course’ could mean the difference between a bad Skype call, and a well-produced
interactive multi-media lesson or program”. On the other hand, Hale added, “The success rate depends on a student’s learning behavior and their ability to focus. There are many components of an online class which is fairly similar to in-class procedures. For instance, our online courses are instructor led and provide online interactivity amongst students which is very much similar to group work or projects in a traditional class”. She mentioned that innovative technologies such as web conferencing are being added to Blackboard to promote student engagement. “Pace University strives to deliver online courses and programs equivalent in content and format to traditional face to face programs,” said Hale. Presently, it seems that the level of faculty commitment, the instructional materials, the availability of proctored exams and the student support services are
evidence of Pace’s commitment to deliver the highest quality of inline education. Sophomore in general accounting student Alec DeRoss stated that, “online classes are helpful because they are quick and efficient in getting your degree faster and allow people to be able to get work done at their own pace”. According to the U.S. News and World Report data, some of the most sought after programs are in the fields of business, engineering, nursing, education, and computer information technology. Prices for online courses are fairly inexpensive compared to regular classes. If you’re a commuting student, transportation costs is immediately deducted and if you’re a resident, meal plan and housing costs are abstracted from your tuition. Additions such as university and technology fee are also eliminated.
Equality Wall Demolished, Continued from page 1
KHARTOUM, Sudan - A tense and potentially dangerous game over millions of gallons of oil is underway between Sudan and the breakaway nation of South Sudan. The clash of the two has many expecting war. It is reported that 75 percent of oil pipelines are in the south. The African Union, China, and the United States urge the countries to resolve the issue immediately. Negations were set to resume this past weekend despite the seamless tension. Few analytical minds are optimistic a compromise will be reached.
Photo by Samantha De Lillo The Equality Wall depicted words such as Latina, Indian, Ginger, Black, tall, fat, gay, straight, and more in within a circle. BEIRUT, Lebanon - Syrian teleThe banner was ripped off its wall in the Kessel Student Center on Feb. 12. vision reported that in the city of Aleppo two targets associated with the military and police departments were struck with explosive devices. Simultaneously, the town of Homs was reported to be under siege with periodic tank fire launching through homes. The Health Ministry was quoted as saying 175 were injured and 25 killed in Aleppo in what appeared to be car bombings. The explosions occurred near the military intelligence directorate and the police headquarters. The media claims the explosions to be the work of terrorists.
KABUL, Afghanistan - Government officials in Afghanistan traveled to a Geyaba village where eight children were reportedly killed in a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) air strike. They met with residents who informed them that the bombing was based on bad information from an unreliable source. Officials stated that the informant was aiming to mislead French troops that control the area. All the children were under eighteen years of age and were herding their flocks only about a half mile from their homes when the explosion occurred.
efforts made by GSA to improve relations around the university, and it’s sad that we’re suppose to be receiving a higher level of education but instead there’s still people promoting ignorance, and
if you let something like that go, then you’re as guilty because you’re doing nothing to solve it.” “I’m planning to speak at [the Student Association] this Friday. Basically to let everyone know
Pace Gets Ready to Relay Continued from page 1
During Relay for Life, there will be a special ceremony with these bags, honoring the individuals they represent. There were laptops set up for students and teams to register for Relay for Life at the kickoff. There was also the chance for students to record testimonials about why they participate. Junior education student and second Co-Vice President Nora Rugova thought that the kickoff went very well. “We were hoping for a bigger turnout,” she said. “However, we did get nine or ten teams signed up for Relay just last night.” Seidel was also pleased with the event. She noted the many teams signing up and that many students participated in the testi-
monial portion. There were other activities for students including tie dying shirts and putting in purple or pink hair extensions. Professor Carter, CAC faculty advisor, initiated a trivia cancer game to inform students. Prizes were given out to students who answered correctly. The fall Relay for Life kickoff was held last semester on the Briarcliff campus. According to CAC, this was the first time that a kickoff event has been held on that campus. Pace’s Relay for Life will be from April 20 to 21. This year’s fundraising goal is $55,000 to donate to the American Cancer Society.
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that were weren’t mad, but hurt,” said De Lillo. “Its sad we’re in a place that hasn’t hit the real world, but not hit that reality.” When asked what she would like to say to the person who
ripped the banner, De Lillo said, “Your ignorance is undeniably sad. I feel bad for you.” Dean for Students Lisa Bardill Moscaritolo stated that there will be in investigation to the matter.
Health
News
The Pace Chronicle
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Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
Don’t Forget About FAFSA
Photo by Samantha Finch/The Pace Chronicle Outside the Financial Aid Office in the Pleasantville campus. The Financial Aid Office relocated this academic year to be alongside the Office of Student Assistance (OSA). Samantha Finch
News Editor Samantha.Finch@pace.edu
It is the time of year where high school seniors and college students around the United States start thinking about how they are going to pay for their education in the upcoming school season. This daunting time is also known as Financial Aid season. Feb. 15 marks the priority deadline for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application, which has been available online since Jan. 1, has allowed for students to apply for financial assistance for their higher education endeavors. Since the reopening of the Financial Aid Office on Jan. 3 for the spring semester, the administrative officials of the financial aid department have been advertising to remind students that they need to file their FASFA before the priority deadline. Through the use of frequent messages sent to the students Pace email accounts, flyers around campus, and eight financial aid workshops, four at the New York City campus and four at the Westchester campus between Jan. 25 and Feb. 7, the university has attempted to inform the student body that the deadline is slowly approaching. With an uncertain economy and limited available aid the priority deadline is set for students
to receive precedence for the most financial aid if they file beforehand. According to Pace’s website last year students at Pace received over $277 million dollars in aid. Junior business management student Kelsey Weinstein said “I think that it is very important [that universities extend financial aid] because no one should be held back from getting education…” There are many different kinds of aids that students potentially are eligible to receive based on factors such as income of the student, income of the student’s legal guardians, the university the student attends, and student’s housing plans. Most financial aid is need based and is determined by both academic qualifications as well as the financial need of the student. Examples of these forms of financial aid are campus based aid, state government administered aid, federal government administered aid, and special scholarships for other programs. Students who wish to apply for financial aid need to file their FAFSA online. The student needs to have access to their PIN and social security number to reapply or they can create an account if it
is their first time applying. The student will additionally need the tax information of both themselves and their parents unless they are considered “Independent” which is determined by the insinuation they are enrolled
Scholarships are available for academics as well as athletic programs. There is also the possibility of work study if the student if able to include it in his/her financial aid package. Many leadership positions in
in.
clubs or activities allows for the use of tuition remission. Tuition remission is when Pace pays for a designated amount of money towards the cost of attendance for the work put forth in the position. “While we do believe that it is important for universities to assist students of limited means to pay for college, it is expected that students and parents will take critical, financial roles in investing in students’ futures as well. It has
Junior media communications student Nadine Weilersbacher said “I think it is important to give out financial aid because it is an expensive school and it is a good school and it would be unfortunate if student’s with good grades couldn’t attended because of their financial situation.” Additionally students can lower their cost of attendance by engaging in programs on campus.
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been proven that college graduates fair much better in obtaining fulfilling careers than non-graduates,” said Pace’s Financial Aid Director Mark Stephens. “Therefore, a quality college education is a worthwhile investment. I like to refer to it as the “gift that keeps on giving.” Therefore, it is important for students and their families to do everything they can to assist themselves in financing students’ education. Taking advantage of federal student loan programs is merely one way to this end. There are a number of self-help measures at our disposal. For example, devoting earnings from summer or part-time jobs to educational expenses and researching outside scholarship opportunities are just two ways that students can help themselves in paying for their education. That said, Pace devotes a substantial amount of its own resources to students who demonstrate academic promise and financial need.” Students can apply for financial aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov . To speak with an administrator of the financial aid department call the Office of Financial Aid at (877) 672-1830.
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Health
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Page 5
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
Health
Organic or All Natural? Savitex Marijuana Which is the healthier choice?
Mouth Spray
Will there be an increase in marijuana use? Delis DeLeon
Health Editor Delis.M.DeLeon@pace.edu
Photo from MyLittlePatchofSunshine.com Whole Foods has more than 310 stores, leading the world in natural and organic foods. Delis DeLeon
Health Editor Delis.M.DeLeon@pace.edu
“Organic” and “all natural” labels line the isles of every supermarket these days. It’s a new year and many people have committed to getting fit and eating healthier, but are they educated on the healthy options that are available? It is important to know that organic and natural foods are not interchangeable terms. Foods must be grown, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards, to be labeled organic. These standards regulate how such foods are grown, packed and processed. The USDA organic seal can only be used on products that are 95 percent organic or more. Some foods that are 100 percent organic are fruits, vegetables, eggs, and other single-ingredient products. Foods that are 70 percent organic cannot use the USDA
seal, but the description may say “made with organic ingredients.” Any item that is less than 70 percent organic, however, may not use the seal or include the term in the description. Organic foods are believed to be a lot healthier because it has fewer chances to be poisoned by pesticides, additives, and other environmental factors. The downside is that because they are healthier, the prices are a lot more expensive than other foods. Similarly, all natural foods are highly priced as well. All natural foods are ones with no artificial colors, flavors, or other petrochemical additives. But most people will say that all natural foods mean whatever it is the food companies want it to. Unlike organic foods, the USDA does not have specific requirements or standards for all natural foods. The only regulation for natural products is that is does not have any food coloring, added flavors, or synthetic substances according to the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). All natural foods can be harmed by pesticides, toxins, non-natural substances, MSG, herbicides, etc. Today, the word “natural” appears on almost everything, which is a marketing tactic on behalf of the food industry. For instance, take the items that are labeled “natural,” such as chips, ice cream, frozen waffles, cereals, etc. People pick up these items believing they are selecting a healthier choice; however, natural is not the choice. The term can be very misleading. Just because a food is labeled all natural does not mean it is organic. However, there are products that can be all natural and organic. One of the largest and most popular healthy and organic stores is the Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods prides themselves on “selling the highest quality of natural and organic products available,” according to the Whole Foods website.
GW Pharmaceuticals in Britain are currently testing the new marijuana spray, named Savitex. About one in 11 people who try marijuana become addicted to the drug and many people are concerned that Savitex could benefit these individuals. Savitex is the first marijuana based drug made from extracted compounds of the cannabis plant. Previous drugs were made by synthesizing such compounds, like Marinol and Cesamet which were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1980’s. Savitex contains two main ingredients - cannabinoid (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The drug has been said to be used as a pain reliever and a potential treatment for cancer patients. The THC in Savitex could possibly create that “high” pro-
Jeffrey Bernstein. When asked about this new product, senior communications major Jenna Soloman said, “There are obviously medicinal benefits to marijuana, but if someone wants to use it recreationally and it’s legal, it should be their choice.” Some doctors argued that the drug will not be abused because it needs to be taken orally, but if it is, it is a much safer way to intake marijuana instead of smoking it. Savitex would also cut out the social patterns and benefits that come out of smoking pot with your friends such as “passing joints.” The plus side to Savitex is that it also leaves little risk of experiencing a drug overdose. Other painkillers can lead to death when abused, but this spray has a low chance of acute health problems. “Marijuana, in the scheme of things, is a relativity safe drug,” Bernstein said. “Even as a smokeable drug of abuse, it’s relatively
Do Guys Really Always Think About Sex? Study Shows That Men Think About Food & Sleep More Delis DeLeon
Health Editor Delis.M.DeLeon@pace.edu
It is a common assumption that all men think about is sex, but a new study shows that men actually think about what they are going to eat and when they will sleep more than they think about when they are going to get laid. The study, conducted by psychologist Terri Fisher of Ohio State University, found that college males think about sex 18 times a day as compared to college females’ average of 10 times a day. According to Fisher, the urban legend that “men think about sex every seven seconds” is false. The research done to prove how often sexual thoughts cross the minds of males are unreliable and inconsistent. Often times, males are just asked to think back and recall how many times they have experienced sexual
thoughts. Fisher’s study asked 60 percent of the participants to click a counter to tally how many times he/she thought about sex. The same was done with the remaining 40 percent in regards to sleep and food. Fisher found that there was no significant difference showing a gap in a male’s thoughts on sex, food, or sleep. This is believed to be because men are more aware of their physical state, more conscious of realizing when they are hungry or tired than when they have a sexual urge. Junior marketing student Ricky Cabral proved this statement to be true. When asked to rate sleep, sex, and food in the order of which he thinks of the most to which he thinks of the least, Cabral stated his order would be food first, then sex, and sleep last. Cabral agreed with Fisher’s findings. “I know I’m not going to
come across sex as easy as I’m going to come across food,” said Cabral. “And I don’t need sex daily in order to survive; therefore I seek food more since it is easier to access and around me wherever I go.” Senior marketing student Aaron White also supported Fisher’s findings. “I would rather eat then sleep. Then wake to up to sex,” said White. “You eat three times a day, therefore you’re usually thinking about food. Food and a long day will make you sleepy. Personally, I think food and sleep are more thought about than sex.” “If I didn’t eat or sleep I wouldn’t think about sex. If I didn’t have sex, I’d still think about eating or sleeping,” White added. Men seem to be more concerned with which of the three they need most and how quickly they can receive it.
Photo from Myheakthnewsdaily.com Instead of the hassle of rolling up a joint, a new marijuana spray titled Savitex is making the rounds. duced when smoking marijuana which is one of the fears of approving it in the United States. The CBD is used to balance out some of the effects of the THC which marijuana smoker’s experience. Despite the fact that inhaling the drug through a spray causes a delayed effect, Savitex does contain some of the same effects as pot. Because of this, researchers fear the possibility of abusing the drug and using it for recreational use rather than medical use. “There is no doubt in my mind that there will be people that abuse it,” said Director of the Florida Poison Information Center at the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine Dr.
safe…compared to cocaine or heroin.” Savitex also allows for patients to control the dosage amount when using the drug. GW Pharmaceuticals stated that patients can slow down how quickly the drug can enter the blood and therefore will prevent themselves from experiencing that marijuana “high.” The drug has already been approved in United Kingdom, Spain, Canada and New Zealand to treat muscle spasms due to multiple sclerosis. GW Pharmaceuticals plans to market Savitex in the U.S. for cancer treatment and is hoping to have it FDA approved by 2014.
Health
Opinion
The Pace Chronicle
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Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
Colbert’s Wonderful Campaign on Citizens United Martin Totland
Opinion Editor Karl.M.Totland@pace.edu
When the Supreme Court ruled five to four in favor of the United Citizens case in 2010, it was a landmark, yet controversial decision. The court decided that the First Amendment stops the government from imposing limits on political spending by corporations and unions. This reinforced the notion of so-called “corporate personhood,” which affords corporations the same rights and responsibilities as legal persons. The decision has had its critics, and rightfully so, but the most influential critic might be the unlikeliest, too: television comedian Stephen Colbert. The Citizens United case has led to the establishment of Super PACs (organizations that can accept money from anonymous donors and spend unlimited money on political ads) and a torrent of political attack ads that sink to previously unseen depths. And it’s all protected under the guise of free speech. It ought to be clear to everyone that allowing corporations (even foreign ones) to spend unlimited money to influence the outcome of the Presidential election undermines the efforts of the average American person who ac-
Photo by Richard Ellis/Getty Images Comedian Stephen Colbert organized his own Super Pace, with the motto “Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow.” tively participates in democracy. Even President Obama attacked Citizens United in his 2010 State of the Union speech by saying that it “gives the special interests and their lobbyists even more power in Washington, while undermining the influence of average Americans who make small contributions to support their preferred candidates.” Later, Obama stated that he “can’t think of anything more devastating to the public interest.” It appears that Stephen Colbert agrees with Obama (so do I, and I’m not even a citizen of this country), and he continues to ridi-
cule the farcical United Citizens case every chance he gets. Colbert started his assault by forming his own Super PAC and appearing in front of the Federal Election Commission in D.C. After meeting with the FEC, he held a speech on the steps of its office, instantly mocking the idea that corporations can spend money to influence elections. In his speech, he reiterated that clichéd American axiom that says “freedom isn’t free” and claimed that by forming his Super PAC “we have placed a sizeable down payment.” This was just the beginning. On his TV show The Col-
Violating Privacy, One Trimester at a Time Rose Fava
Editor-In-Chief Rose.Fava@pace.edu
There is no doubt that you have seen someone put way too much information on Facebook. Let’s be serious, chances are that you have been the one that posted a status that would’ve been considered a violation of privacy had anyone else posted it. But regardless, it seems that with the growing popularity of Facebook (ever since its creation) has come along with a growing popularity of giving out too much information in one way or another. But subjecting yourself to this “no secrets kept” lifestyle is one you get to make, so why does it seem like many current Facebook users are making this decision for their child? When I log onto my Facebook at any given time it looks like I either mistakenly opened the Babies ‘R’ Us website or I’m some kind of pedophile. My newsfeed is lined with picture after picture of sonograms, headshots of newborn babies, first birthday parties, and toddlers in dance costumes. It may just be my Facebook community, but apparently everyone is getting (or getting someone) pregnant. Of my 669 Facebook “friends,” about 100 of them have had a child within the past year. At least one-fourth of them have a child and probably more than half post about a child, whether it’s theirs or someone else’s. That’s a whole lot of baby. Obviously there is going to be excitement when anyone has a child, creating a flood of pictures, the same would go for if someone bought a new car or went on vacation to Miami. We see the new car. We ask our friends if they saw the new car. We look at pictures
of the new car. We “like” the new car, and we’re done, but the car isn’t going to grow up and want to live its own life. The babies we see on Facebook are not only being treated like things instead of people and they are having their lives tracked from the moment their mother pee’s on a pregnancy test. I’ve seen every status imaginable when it comes to pregnancy updates: “OMG just found out I’m going to be a daddy!!” – 37 likes, “It’s a girl!!!”-15 likes, “I can’t believe I’m at 25 weeks already!”-4 likes, “Can’t wait to meet my little prince <3”- 22 likes. Facebook apparently caught on to this pregnancy update trend and introduced an application for expecting mothers. “Birth Watch Pregnancy Facts” not only posts on your Facebook wall to tell you exactly how far along you are in your pregnancy but it also hits your friends with some interesting facts about your unborn fetus. An example: “(insert pregnant friends name here) is 34 weeks and 4 days along in her pregnancy: The baby enjoys music and will recognize the specific songs she or he heard in utero once born.” Interesting fact? Yes. Creepily stalker-ish to know the exact length of her pregnancy? Most definitely. But the tracking doesn’t stop after the umbilical cord is cut, it only gets worse. Status updates and mobile uploads seem to be the first concern of new mothers now a days, considering it seems that the baby doesn’t even have all the blood and guts wiped off of it before a picture is posted and has 30-plus comments on it.
Continued on Page 7 “Violating Privacy”
bert Report, he has continued the ridicule. During one of his nightly broadcasts after the FEC hearing, he explained his hope for the Colbert Super PAC: “… that Colbert Nation could have a voice, in the form of my voice, shouted through a megaphone made of cash ... the American dream. And that dream is simple. That anyone, no matter who they are, if they are determined, if they are willing to work hard enough, someday they could grow up to create a legal entity which could then receive unlimited corporate funds, which could be used to influence our elections.”
Since then, he’s used donated money to broadcast satirical attack ads that make fun of Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, among others. Most notably one of his ads accused Mitt Romney of being a serial killer. The reasoning is as follows: Mitt Romney used to be the boss of Bain Capital, a company that bought up smaller businesses and shut them down for profit. According to Citizens United (and Romney himself) corporations are people. Thus Mitt Romney is a serial killer. In episode after episode, Colbert continues to mock Citizens United and the whole campaign financing farce that’s going on. It might be easy to dismiss the spectacle as a joke, but it’s worth keeping in mind that even Colbert’s lawyer, Trevor Potter (who helped Colbert establish his Super PAC), says that Colbert’s crusade is “having a real effect in terms of public understanding about how the system works.” Colbert’s attack on Citizens United perfectly encapsulates what makes him such a brilliant comedian: he takes a serious issue to such extremes that it becomes a parody of itself. Although the US is far from reversing the Citizens United decision, swaying public opinion is an important start, and few people have had as much influence as Stephen Colbert.
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ealth HH ealth
Page 7
The Pace Chronicle
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
The G-Spot B : G y
abrielle
Fpinion eature OOpinion
Davina
Unglamorously Sexy:
Ebony Turner
Featured Columnist Ebony.Turner@pace.edu
Black and Gold:
Why are blacks still winning Oscars for stereotypical characters? What is 40 Acres and a MacBook? Whether it’s the questionable news headlines on Fox or when we walk into Kessel and see all the same kids sitting comfortably on opposite sides of the cafeteria, it’s time to stop ignoring racial issues within our youth with our 40 acres and a Macbook - a modernized compensation for the world in which we are forced to live in. Unlike the majority of redblooded Americans from sea to shining sea, most black people are only interested in the Academy Awards for two reasons: are any of our people nominated? If so, what are they nominated for so we aren’t embarrassed on live television at the Oscars… again (See: 2005 Academy Award winners, Three Six Mafia)? On a more serious note, Hollywood’s role in showcasing a more diverse palette of actors and actresses has resulted in them limiting minority roles to images that America is comfortable with. Not only is this not helping the issue of breaking past societycreated stereotypes, but its perpetuating it. From mammies, to singers, to athletes and just downright troubled individuals, black actors have yet to win Oscars for roles that portray us in a positive light, but why? After reading a Twitter debate on this very topic between author and television personality Toure, and his 49,000 Twitter followers, I could not help but get slightly aggravated with my favorite writer’s opinion, which was a complete antithesis to mine. Toure suggested that Oscar winning roles such as Jamie Foxx in Ray, or Forest Whitaker’s in The Last King of Scotland were examples of blacks in Hollywood
winning roles for quality characters. Granted Ray Charles and Idi Amin are far from the Mammys and single mothers that were award-winning character concepts, but a narcissistic, murderobsessed dictator and a blind, piano-playing reformed heroin addict are not exactly positive images for black people either. If all that is left are these roles, black people nationwide can only assume that Hollywood would rather see our race at its worst rather than reward us at our best. While I really should not expect much from an institution that chose a white actress with not an ounce of tint in her skin to play the African queen Cleopatra or that allowed for Denzel Washington to win his first Oscar for playing a corrupt cop instead of Malcolm X, I still expect that in a post-racial society Hollywood would at least, for the sake of art imitating life, be as progressive as possible. Yet we are approached this Oscar season with Viola Davis being nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal as a mammy in the fabric softener commercial tale, The Help. This is one case in particular where I am hoping history does not repeat itself, not because I do not want Davis to win her first Oscar, but because a mes-
sage needs to be sent not only to Hollywood, but also to actors of color as a whole. These roles are not the kind of roles that make up for the void in quality opportunities for actors of color. Giving away Oscars to people of color for roles that are consistently negative is similar to hiring a person of color or admitting a person of color into a university just to fill a quota. While the Academy or institutions that share these methods feel as if they are attacking the issue, they are sweeping it under the rug hoping it will go away. The reality is that the last positive image of blacks our country has seen that was loved, known and accepted by every race was the Cosby family, which has now been off the air for over 20 years. I personally would not like to see any more black actors turning to Tyler Perry as their saving grace for work in the industry. I would like to live in a world where we get the chance to play important figures in our African history; a world where black actors win Oscars for gold-quality characters, not rust. However, I will still, for the first time ever, hope that Meryl Streep wins her millionth Oscar for the sake of mammy history not repeating itself.
Violating Privacy Continued from page 6
As time goes by, we learn more and more about these children. Whose baby said “mama” as their first word, whose baby likes to stay up until three in the morning crying, whose baby is just “too cute,” we see it all on our newsfeeds. By sharing all this information with anyone who can get access to your Facebook, parents are mak-
ing it almost unnecessary to ever meet this child in real life. This might be great for the relatives down in Florida but what about for the guy you once met at some bar by your friend’s school who added you as a friend but turned out to be a total creep? Do you really want just anyone to know all about you child? I’ll put it this way, if you don’t
want all of Facebook to know about when you take a new picture, cry, laugh, find a new past time, sleep, eat or defecate, then why would you want them to know that about your child? I say, we all leave the babies out of it and go back to meaningful statuses and updates, like the newest Drake lyrics and what’s happening on Jersey Shore.
“Sex isn’t always like it is in the movies. It’s way funnier.” What’s The-G-Spot About? "College is run by sexual tension. Many of us like sex, have sex, and have walked in on our roommate having sex. Why ignore it? Let’s be honest instead. In college, learning doesn’t only happen in the classroom, it happens in the bedroom. Don't be shy, now, welcome to the G-Spot." - Gabrielle Davina I was engaged in a long-timecoming make out session with this guy somewhat recently and everything was good and well. Mid-make out, he made an unusual face and a strange noise… ”Leg cramp!” he yelled. I couldn’t help but laugh. Thank God it was a leg cramp. Looking back on much of my sexual experience, laughter is a given. Movies, sex-ed, and teenage mentality all make sex and hooking up out to be something super serious. If something other than total pleasure and passion happens, it’s weird. If you don’t have 100 percent penetration concentration, you’re doing it wrong. Sex scenes in movies like The Notebook are hot, sure, but if you base your sex-pectations on the “reel” world, you’ll get a “real” life disappointment. Once upon a time, when I was with my high school boyfriend, I was…uh, making his night. Midfellatio, he farted. Loudly. His eyes got really wide, he gasped, and before he could apologize, we both burst out laughing. Really, what else was there to do? Yell at him and make him go cry in the corner? Call me crazy, but I’d rather take sex blunders just as lightly as I take the rest of the mishaps in my life. The situation would have been significantly more uncomfortable had we not laughed it off. I could’ve been an evil unaccepting See-You-Next-Tuesday or I could’ve been an awesome girlfriend by laughing it off and then getting back to business. Perfect for inclusion here is a story my friend told me the other night. She was having sex with her boyfriend and due to an unfortunate miss in rhythm and an unexpected attempt to change position, his penis slipped out of her vagina and started to enter another orifice. Oops! She screamed. Due to potential bodily harm, I can understand being a little mad here. However, are you really going to let it ruin your night? As long as nothing malicious
went down, shake yourself off and laugh about it. Changing positions in general can be awkward, especially if this is a new hook-up or something you’ve never done before. If you’re clumsy handling just your own body, it makes sense that handling a second would be a challenge, right? Then there’s the ever-popular queefing scenario - whether it’s one queef (vaginal fart) or a queefpalooza music festival, it can be a little embarrassing. Whatever, get over it. If you’ve never had this happen, you’ve either one, been incredibly lucky or two, not had enough sex. Guys, just pull out of your girl for a quick second so there’s no excess air inside of her causing that noise. Again, shrug it off. Even porn is full of hilarity. It looks perfect, but have you ever seen the bloopers? Funny as anything - and they laugh, too. These men and women get paid for sex and still manage to bonk heads and fall off the bed sometimes. Don’t put pressure on yourself with the assumption that you should be above succumbing to the same in-bed issues. If you’ve ever avoided eye contact in Kessel or the Briarcliff cafeteria post-hook-up based on shame from something “weird” that happened Thursday night after Paulie’s, you might as well just approach whoever you had the experience with so they stop feeling awkward, too. Sexy, glamorous sex is awesome. You’ll never hear me say otherwise, but if you aim to make it that way every time, you’re bound to fail. When you fail you’re bummed, and who wants to be bummed out by a hookup that could’ve been a million times better if it were treated as something to be enjoyed and laughed about? If laughter is the best medicine, it’s also the best way to alleviate sexual awkwardness. If someone blows you off because of something awkward that happened mid-hook-up, screw them. But not literally.
Letter to the Editor William Link
Contributor WLink@pace.edu
Dear Editor, In response to Mr. Sam Fandrich’s Letter to the Editor of January 25, 2012, what appears
to be a leaking pipe is actually a well head that is no longer in use. The University moved from well water to municipal water in 2007. Ground water is flowing up through the old well head causing it to spill onto the ground, which is being captured by our storm water system that flows to
the pond. No electricity is being supplied to the well pump and the well system is physically disconnected from the campus domestic water system. The University has not capped this well for two reasons; it is listed as an emergency back-up to our drinking water system should there ever be a dis-
ruption to our municipal supply and we may use the well for irrigation as we develop the master plan. I do apologize for the inappropriate response that you received from a member of my staff. Please be assured that the entire Facilities Management Department is
committed to sustainability and the environment. Respectfully, Bill Link, University Director of Physical Plant.
Health
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The Pace Chronicle
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
Health
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Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
Entertainment
The Walking Dead Reemerges on AMC Tim Doyle
Featured Reporter Timothy.M.Doyle@pace.edu
In late November, AMC’s The Walking Dead aired its mid-season finale, leaving our survivors and audiences alike in a state of awe. The final minutes of the episode “ Pretty Much Dead Already” crushed everyone’s chance of hope – spoiler alert - when little Sophia stumbled out of the barn as a Walker (the show’s classification of a zombie), ending a seven-episode hunt for the girl. After a two-month hiatus, The Walking Dead returned last Sunday night, picking up right where it left off. In a world that is dying (and coming back to life), the survivors soon realize there is nothing this cruel environment they’re surviving in has no mercy. The death of Sophia has shattered the group, leaving them all angered, saddened and most of all, in disbelief, that even the innocent do not stand a chance. Sunday’s episode, “Nebras-
ka,” showed that our group of survivors now face a grueling, rough road ahead, with potentially worse incidents yet to come. Hot-head Shane has officially lost it, nobleman Rick has become a leader without a cause, airhead Lori continues to make even more horrible decisions, and soft-spoken Hershel has picked up an old habit. Following the execution of the Walkers in the barn, Hershel demands Rick and his people leave his farm immediately. While some are convinced he knew Sophia was in the barn, Rick, naturally, gives him the benefit
Photo from American Movie Classics (AMC) The Walking Dead premiered its second season on AMC with 8.1 million total viewers.
of the doubt and heads in to town with Glenn to collect the elderly veterinarian, where he fled to the local bar. While in town, two men from the northeast walk in. After a long conversation, it is discovered their intentions are to return to the farm with our protagonists. However, Rick does not trust these men, ending in a shootout that sets the tone for the rest of the season. Although the actions of Rick seem out of character, there is an explanation for his sudden transformation from noble leader to heartless executioner. “Nebraska”
The Best of Paris and Milan Men’s Shows Torraine Humes
Featured Reporter Torraine.A.Humes@pace.edu
It’s obvious that Jil Sander is the perfect choice to open up men’s fashion week. Raf Simons came strong out the gate this season, knocking it out of the park . In his trademark, trail blazing way, Simons immersed himself into very dark territory for the Sander Fall/Winter 2012 collection. These guys look downright sinister in their all black ensembles. Leather was the focal point as it was used in every look. There were leather calf-length coats, sweatshirts, and baggy trousers. Simons even crafted leather carry-alls made to look like paper lunch bags. Everything was very severe, except for a few brief moments. For looks 27 and 28, Raf sent out brown and green sweaters with cartoon animals printed on them. What was the point? Comic relief? Who knows? Maybe they were just left over from his namesake line’s Fall 2011 show - they’d fit perfectly in there. Whatever it was, they weren’t too distracting. The message was still very powerful. The mixture of the black, the leather, the silhouettes, and the models’ hardened faces made the Jil Sander man seem a bit “off” this season; in a good way. Only Raf could make danger this sexy. For the past few seasons, creative director Christopher Bailey has been rejuvenated. The
Photo from style.com Fashion isn’t only shown in New York, but Paris and Milian are cities where fashion reign supreme. Burberry man is being taken in another direction and it’s much welcomed. It’s actually a great injustice to use one image to represent the collection when everything was so gosh darn perfect. There were lots of grey suits; they could have possibly been the same grey suit, but it goes unnoticed, which is the definition of great styling. The suit came with graphic sweaters underneath or a boldly patterned button down shirt and a bunch of other awe inducing combinations. The best looks were the ones with the short, cropped jackets (center image), which broke up these sinewy models in a very interesting
manner. The clothes were stunning, but the accessories were the scene-stealers. Bailey gave us an extravagant man this time around who wasn’t afraid to show a little flash. Many of the models walked out carrying umbrellas with sparkling, rhinestone covered animal heads as handles. Along with that, the gloves were leather and covered with the same rhinestones; as were the bags and some of the portfolios. Menswear has always been about nuance and details, so having one of these sparkling accents really makes mark. Marni designer Consuelo Cas-
tiglioni has had a lot on her plate as of late with the announcement that Marni would be the next designer collaboration for H&M. If the past collaborations are any indicator, Castiglioni should expect a heightened notoriety in the coming months. Could this be why the Marni Fall/Winter 2012 menswear collection is more extravagant than ever before? They are known for their prints and use of color and really sharp menswear. While in past seasons Castiglioni was going for modernized basics, the Marni man is a little more glamorous this season. The look this season opted for extroversion. There were very luxurious details in every look and fur-galore. There were furcolumned winter coats and fur collars. The Must Have Item: the brown fur cardigan. Can you get any more luxurious than that? Everything from the quilted pants to the heavy sweaters looked very expensive and worthwhile. It’s all about quality. Upon first hearing that Marni would be doing an H&M collection, the fashion world was excited. Not only because of the brand, but because it would stir up controversy. They’re not all about flash, leather, studs and rhinestones like the Donatella Versace. I was sure this collection would go under the radar leaving more product on the floor for us real fashion fanatics.Now after seeing this collection, it looks like I’ll have to put my football pads back on and buy a new sleeping bag.
was the first episode of The Walking Dead to not have the involvement of former front-runner, Frank Darabont. Over the summer, Darabont fought with AMC over the budget for the show. Being a show that depends heavily on special effects, when AMC reduced it significantly, Darabont was very unhappy, where he fought with the network to reconsider the cut. Considering this is the first series AMC owns entirely, they did not hesitate to fire the man that bought the Dead to life. Producers wanted to make the series 50 percent outdoor and 50 percent indoor (indoor being cheaper to film), with zombies not necessarily being in every episode. Sunday night we got a good Walker death, but it is apparent their airtime will be significantly less. For the sake of its fans, let’s hope the series continues to terrify us, while showing us some hope in the characters in this decrepit world. The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC.
Follow The G-Spot’s Gabrielle Davina on Twitter! @gspotcolumn
Have a review? From books, music, & TV, have it published here! Email PaceChronicle@ pace.edu! View the newspaper archives. Visit Pace Chronicle.net
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Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
The Meme Generation Kelly Povero
Copy Editor Kelly.A.Povero@pace.edu
Memes can often be considered the unit of cultural evolution. Because we’re talking about modern memes, the definition will remain to be a virally-transmitted cultural symbol or social idea. And boy, are these memes sure gaining in popularity via the internet. Have you ever seen a meme? Are you confused as to what a meme actually is? Here are a few examples: Rickrolling, LOLcats, and Epic Fail. Some more recent examples include: Foul Bachelorette Frog, Y U No, Stoner Dog, Success Baby, Socially Awkward Penguin, Lazy College Senior, and dozens upon dozens more. Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist and ethologist, is considered the father of memetics. This concept suggests that examples of memes can range from songs, ideas, fashions, and more that can be passed on from one person to another creating a mass movement. Dawkins stated that, “an idea [is] considered as a replicator, especially with the connotation that memes parasitize people into propagating them as much as viruses do.” What does this mean? It means that a meme can easily spread on a multilateral level causing one idea to be focused on the larger population.
Photos from memebase.com Coincidentally, at the time this article was written, a Pace Memes page on Facebook debuted, with students both both the New York City and Pleasantville campus sharing memes. Philosoraptor is a very popular meme seen mostly on websites like Tumblr and 9gag, but raises some of the most important questions of our time. For example, “If what you see is what you get, then why can’t you judge a book by its cover?” Or how about, “If the opposite of pro is con, is the opposite of
progress, congress?” This catchy picture of a thought-provoking dinosaur in multi-colored green background tends to catch viewers’ attention. Another hilarious meme is the Socially Awkward Penguin. Have you ever thought or experienced something and felt that you were the only person in the world this
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could possibly happen to? The comments generated by this cartoon penguin often reflect on experiences that many of us have every day. “Okay class, find a partner,” is a situation that everyone has experienced at least once in their educational career. It’s that completely awkward moment when you don’t know anybody in the class and are expected to find someone to work with. What kind of nonsense is that? How are you going to work with anybody when you have no idea who these other people are? It’s like being picked last in gym class – beyond awkward. Many students can probably relate to two of the most popular memes: College Freshman and Lazy College Senior. The first is a picture of a young male college-goer in his university sweatshirt with his backpack, ready for class, and the joys that college can bring. The text usually reads something silly about being a freshmen such as, “Had two beers, totally drunk!” Another favorite is, “Totally independent… have a full meal plan, mom does laundry, lives in dorms, has a personal tutor.” The second, Lazy College Senior, is a picture of a young guy, presumably an upperclassman in college, with a beer in his hand looking as if he could really care less about class and homework. One of the meme’s reads, “Due tomorrow? Do tomorrow.” This is the slogan for senior year (at least for the seniors I know). Another
reads, “Skips class to do work for another class.” This is also something is pretty relevant in the everyday life of your typical senior. According to Dawkins, these memes take form through pictures, videos, websites, hashtags (for all of you Twitter users), and social networks like Facebook. They circulate via the World Wide Web which as we all know, offers a lot of information and ideas that some latch on to, and some don’t. Memes can be created simply for fun, but is there a chance of a greater meaning behind them? The Pace Chronicle, for example, used two new advertisements in recent editions that were both types of memes. This is done by various companies and organizations in order to capture one’s attention and keep them interested. Using memes that are accepted and recognized by society may increase the chances of greater profits, new employees, or a wider variety of customers to that particular industry. What is so special about the internet meme phenomena? Absolutely nothing. They are created for pure amusement and certainly out of boredom. That doesn’t mean that we can’t all relate to a few of them. If you find the urge to waste some time, you can view tons of memes at m.quickmeme. com or memebase.com. It’s worth the look. But let’s be real: If you have x-ray vision and you close your eyes, can you still see? That is the question.
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Faculty, staff and students comprise the Commuter Advisory Board. This group meets weekly to develop long-term strategies for commuter student success. The advisory board designs programs, examines policies and institutes practices which address practices that encourage full involvement in the life of the campus. They advise the administration and make recommendations to Student Affairs regarding commuter-related issues, thus strengthening the community among commuter students. MEETING TIME: Every THURSDAY at Commuter Lounge from 12:00PM- 1:00PM! Contact: Email: kk23681p@pace.edu Facebook Group: CABoard@groups.facebook.com
Health
The Pace Chronicle
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Seniors Take Over Game Versus St. Rose
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
Sports
Sports on the Side:
The Answer to an Age-Old Question CJ Dudek
Sports Columnist Christopher.J.Dudek@pace.edu
Photo by Mychael Lotocky/The Pace Chronicle The Lady Setters’ seniors dominated during their basketball games last week. Susana Verdugo-Del Real
Sports Editor Susana.VerdugoDelReal@pace.edu
The women’s basketball team won their last home game against the St. Rose’s Golden Knights 57-36, with the spotlight on the seniors, both on and off the court. This win placed the Setters 14-5 in the Northeast-10 (NE-10) conference. They remain in third place in conference and advance 17-6 in overall records. Pace had the lead early on in the game. Coming into the second half, St. Rose attempted to gain points but Pace’s defense wasn’t letting anyone score. Senior guard and criminal justice student Carol Johnson had an all-around great match with 15 points, five rebounds, two assist and two steals. Senior forward and political science student Brittany Shields contributed with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists. Senior guard and biology student Kerri White added 11 points.
The Setters entered this game with a win no matter what mentality, playing with fierce confidence and making aggressive plays on the paint while at the same time opening up areas for three-throws. As it was the last home, regular season conference game for Pace, they took this opportunity to give tribute to the four seniors: forward and biology student Maral Javadifar, Shields, Johnson, and White on their academic and athletic careers at Pace. The win against the Golden Knights was a great comeback from their previous game against Southern Connecticut Owls in a home, conference match where they lost 70-57. The loss to the Owls was a competition that decided who would be second place rank in conference. Both teams played aggressively and interchanged leads throughout the first half, but ended the half with Southern Connecticut in the lead with 3530.
Men’s Basketball Ties for Fifth Place in NE-10
Photo from CSI-Photo (Archives) The men’s basketball team improved their stats in recent Northeast-10 conference games. Susana Verdugo-Del Real
Sports Editor Susana.VerdugoDelReal@pace.edu
Pace took a home a Northeast-10 (NE-10) conference win over the Saint Rose Golden Knights 73-63. The win ties them, record wise, in fifth place with Bentley in NE-10 placement. The victory
also improves the Setters record with 11-8 in conference and 1310 overall. On Sat. Feb 11, the Setters came out strong against the Golden Knights, gaining a lead early on. Saint Rose did not leave the first half with a big gap, accumulated for a 32-29 score at the break with Pace leading by only three points. Junior forward and business
A group of seven students at a local university are seated at various locations across a dimly lit dorm room with the sights and sounds of the Super Bowl filling the room. The four football fans in the room are all fixated on the screen; focused on the offensive players shifting in motion while the defensive players attempt to adjust their coverage. Soon after the adjustments, the ball is snapped, a pass is thrown, and the offensive team goes ten yards for a first down. The play gets a rise out of four students in the room and the conversation quickly shifts to plays that are superior in certain situations. The other three viewers see the same play unfold, but they elect not to join in the conversation the rest of the room is having. As the discussion carries on, one of the three students asks a question that catches everyone in the room off guard. “How can you guys talk about football so much?” The question is dismissed at first blush by the viewing audience in the room, but that one question raises several others; not only about football, but about sports in general. What is it about sports that are so compelling that cause people to tune in time and time again? How come people can talk about sports for hours on end? What is it about these games that cause everyday working people to riot in the streets, flip cars, and set objects on fire? And perhaps the most important question of them all: Why do people even care about sports? There are several different aspects of life that can receive the undivided attention of people, but why do so many people pay so much attention to sports? The answers to these questions reside within several factors that the world of sports provides to its viewing audience. The first factor in why people care so much about sports is because of how many people can relate to sports. Watching sports is one of the few aspects of global culture that does not discriminate against
race, sex, or age. Whenever somebody enters a stadium, there appears a melting pot of fathers, mothers, grandparents, daughters, sons, in laws, friends, and couples of all shapes and sizes can be seen wearing their team’s apparel. Whether it is a batter in the bottom of the ninth, a basketball player taking the last shot, a Hail Mary pass in the NFL, or a shootout on the ice, a team’s fans all share the same hope that their player will come through. The most frequent type of discrimination that occurs in sports happens when two different people are fans of different teams. Insults go back and forth between fans, but solace can be taken in the fact that these jeers of disapproval are done to put down a rival team as opposed to directly attacking the person his or herself. On a similar note, some people choose to enter the world of sports because their families and friends are so passionate about it. There are countless images of families at sporting events and seeing a young boy or girl holding up an “it’s my first game” sign. These children gain an interest in the sport because they grow up being around it all the time. The bonds of sports fans go beyond individuals rooting for their favorite teams. Everybody likes to hear stories of people who overcome adversity; and professional sports are filled with players who come from broken homes and bad circumstances only to be saved by the sport that they play. You may recall the film The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock regarding offensive tackle Michael Oher. It’s the story of a young man with a great deal of strength who tries to escape the rough neighborhood he grew up in. In fact, every aspect of Oher’s story is true and he is currently playing for the Baltimore Ravens. Or the story of Invictus which follows the South African Rugby team’s run to the World Cup of Rugby that brought an entire nation together. People love to see individuals overcome the odds, and the world of sports gives fans an aerial view of the lives these athletes lead. But it is not just the lives of
the athletes that get people to watch sports; it is also the dazzling plays that athletes make that captivate fans across the sport. Whether it be Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers hitting moonshot home runs, LeBron James bulldozing defenders before throwing down slam dunks that get audiences all riled up, Calvin Johnson making spectacular catches in the back corners of end zones, or Henrik Lundqvist standing on his head to make saves, there are so many athletic plays in sports that capture the imaginations of sports viewers. We are all captivated by things that we cannot do ourselves, and these athletes making great plays are something that everyone can be impressed by.
management student Keon Williams led the Setter offense and defense with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard and criminal justice student Justin Alston added 11 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Guard and communications graduate student Kevin Clark contributed 13 points, and sophomore marketing student Denzel Primus-Devonish totaled 12
points, seven rebounds, and five assists for the night. Previous to this game, Pace took on Southern Connecticut Owls in another home conference match where they led with an 8362 triumph. In the first half, Pace took the lead but the Owls responded towards the end of the half as they came close to taking the lead from Pace at the break, with the Setters up 42-39.
Sophomore and computer science student Kai Smith, Clark, and Alston hit three point shots from all over the court. Alston had 22 points and four steals while Williams also added 22 points, four rebounds, and five assists. Clark contributed with 12 points, sophomore and criminal justice student, Jonathan Merceus finished with 12 points, as well, and seven rebounds.
When these athletes make great plays, there are individuals who take the great moments and generate them into statistics that everyone can keep track of. Tracking sports statistics is the water cooler effect of sports in action. How common is it to see a group of five or so employees at work talking about the number of touchdown passes Aaron Rogers has compared to Tom Brady’s while in the office? There are various aspects of life that are just as beautiful and captivating as sports for different reasons. Some people may invest their time in following particular kinds of music. Others will spend their non-working hours watching reruns of their favorite television shows, and others may want to collect nickels from every year that nickels have ever been made. The possibilities are endless. Sports are so deeply ingrained in our culture that it becomes harder and harder to not pay attention. Whether it is baseball, football, hockey, basketball, bull riding, swimming, gymnastics, soccer, track and field, or something in between, the choice to watch is completely up to you. Just know that the world of sports is quite captivating if you look long enough.
Health
The Pace Chronicle
Page 12
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012
Sports
New Swim Coach Dives into Pace Susana Verdugo-Del Real
Sports Editor Susana.VerdugoDelReal@pace.edu
The swimming and diving season is still in full swingt, with a new coach on deck. Sean Raffile has entered the athletic department as the new head coach, hired early in September. “It’s been unique getting adjusted; definitely pretty late into the game. We got a lot of things, logistically, that we have to become organized and we are in the process of doing that. The interesting part is having the team starting to practice as we find our way through everything,” said Raffile about coming in as the season pushes its way in fast. Normally the swimming and diving preseason starts in September, as it’s a winter sport, and with the new change the team
had little time to adapt to a new system and start their season in October. Although Raffile started just on time, it is late for him to get to know his new team. “There are different personalities and their needs to be some sort of cohesiveness with a new head coach,” said Raffile. However, a swimming and diving team is his forte since he has been a head coach for four years prior to his new coach title at Pace. Raffile considers this “fairly familiar territory” and has started to take on the new 20112012 season on his shoulders. Before Pace, Raffile was an assistant for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s swim and diving program. He has years of experience with several other programs such as the one at Western Illinois, where he was recognized as the Summit League’s Women’s Coach of the Year, Wagner College, and University of Georgia
Photos by Jasmine Diaz/The Pace Chronicle Sean Raffile, the new head coach for Pace’s swimming and diving team. where he was working under the 2008 USA Olympic women’s team coach, Jack Bauerle. Junior political science and
criminal justice student Jordan Beberman shared her first impression of the new head coach as someone who “is tough but
knows what he’s doing and will make us a better team.”
Setter Spotlight with
Carla Gross Susana Verdugo-Del Real
Sports Editor Susana.VerdugoDelReal@pace.edu
For someone whose usual sport wasn’t offered by Pace, Carla Gross found the love and a teamenvironment that she once felt in field hockey but now in tennis. As involved as she is in Greek life with her Nu Zeta Phi sisters, she is also determined with career as she brings the business economics Bachelor of Science degree to the Pleasantville campus. The Manhattan-born senior moved to the Cape Cod area but stays close to the city. Before her interview, Carla was found in the library focused in studying cost accounting as she tries to land a job opportunity that was made possible by Pace’s career services. Pace Chronicle (PC): Why did you pick a New York City campus major? Carla Gross (CG): They have all of the courses I need to take for business economics here. I think that economics is a well-rounded major because I’m not specified in only accounting or finance. I have those backgrounds but it’s broader in terms of a career for me; it’s the best of both worlds. PC: When you say you brought that degree to the Pleasantville campus what do you mean, exactly? CG: No one has ever graduated with that degree here and I will be the first one to graduate with the business economics Bachelor of Science on this campus. PC: What are your plans with that degree? CG: I want to work in New York City in financial regulations. I want a job that enables me to use some of the love I have of being on a team or team-oriented characteristics. PC: Your sport in high school was field hockey, why did you
decide to play tennis? CG: Pace doesn’t have a field hockey team and I felt deprived of a team sport, plus the fact that I played tennis before made it easier for me to walk-on the tennis team and be competitive at the same time. It’s was a chance to get away from academics and relieve stress. PC: What are your individual goals for your last season? CG: Hopefully to improve my record. I finished pretty strong with five wins in a row last season. We have our second game on March 7. PC: How do you feel about this being your last year playing collegiate tennis? CG: Tennis is a lifetime sport; I’ll be playing throughout my life. I will miss being on the team though and sharing camaraderie. I want to enjoy it as much as possible. PC: Do you have any pre-game rituals? CG: We have a chant that we sing before our matches. We
made it up on the bus ride going to a match my sophomore year. PC: Is there anything you would want to change about tennis? CG: At the college level, there isn’t a lot of cheering going on; it’s more of a quiet sport. Cheering is allowed but it’s uncommon and in fact, is frowned upon. However, if it were encouraged throughout the game to cheer on the players, I think the game would be more exciting. PC: How do you feel about your last year at Pace? CG: It’s bittersweet. I’ve loved my time here at Pace. I’ve had great internships, made great friends, and I love my sisters. I feel like I’ve really benefited from getting my education at Pace. I will definitely miss it. PC: What kind of internships have you had? CG: I worked the summer of my sophomore year at Diesel in their finance department. Also, last summer, I did budget analysis at Fidelity investments. PC: How did you get those in-
Senior, tennis player, and Nu Zeta Phi sister Carla Gross Photo from Carla Gross ternships? CG: Through Career Services; every opportunity I’ve gotten has been through Pace’s Career Services. I feel like they offer the best opportunities out there, compared to any other college. They are great at job placement, especially in the New York City area. Every time I’ve applied to these internships I’ve seen other Pace students; Pace is looked at as one of the best universities to prepare you for your first job. PC: You have your career on your mind; did you see Greek life in your life as well? CG: I didn’t think I would have ever joined an organization my freshmen year. I ended up meeting girls on campus that I bonded with and it just so happened that most of them had Nu Zeta Phi in common so I thought, “why not pledge?” They are a group of really diverse and unique girls.
Which athlete should be the next Setter Spotlight? Let us know at PaceChronicle@pace.edu!
PC: Why did you choose Nu Zeta Phi? CG: I felt I belong with them because they are more than your average girls. No two members are alike, but yet they get along so well. All of Nu Zeta’s girls are strong campus leaders. The girls are really accomplished and continue to move forward in life and have really good jobs and great families. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to get involved on campus. PC: If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? CG: My grandpa. He passed away when I was in middle school and I would like to see him. He is the only family member who has passed away in my family. PC: What quote do you live by? CG: “She who has the will to win cannot be beaten,” – said by my field hockey coach in high school.