Volume 90, Issue 17

temple-news.com VOL. 90 ISS.17

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Software will target donors

“That’s what you want in a president. Peter had the ability to seize the opportunities that were presented.”

KATE KELLY The Temple News As part of a three-part vision to increase philanthropic giving, as well as alumni donations and engagement, the Office of Institutional Advancement has begun implementing a new software this month. The software, called the Reeher Platform, allows higher education establishments to more effectively identify undetected opportunities for fundraising.

Senior Vice President for Institutional Advancement David Unruh said that his goals for his department are threefold.

First, he hopes to grow alumni giving participation to 15 percent annually. Currently, participation is between 8 percent and 10 percent annually.

“We effectively want to double over the next several years the annual fund participation,” Unruh said. “That’s a really important benchmark for a lot of reasons. It’s important because undergraduate alumni giving is one of the benchmarks for the quality of the institution.”

“If more alumni give back to Temple, it’s a sign of confidence in the institution and it actually helps our ranking as well as drives our revenue back up,” Unruh added.

The second goal Unruh has is to increase overall philanthropic support to $100 million a year, essentially doubling the current average. His third goal is centered on other forms of alumni participation, rather than simply economic contributions.

“I want to dramatically grow our overall alumni engagement, the number of alumni that are engaged in some way, giving, coming to an alumni reunion, volunteering, supporting students, whatever it might be to be actively engaged with the university,” Unruh said. “I think that will make us an incredibly vibrant, dynamic place.”

Unruh said the Reeher soft-

ANGELO FICHERA TTN

Decreases in state funding puts pressure on the university to find more donors.

David Adamany / former president

Setting Precedent Peter Liacouras’ storied presidency continues to shape the university, as it grows into its North Philadelphia home. Twelve years later, he still affects the university.

SEAN CARLIN ANGELO FICHERA The Temple News

W

hen Temple’s 10th president takes the reigns, he or she will inherit an institution shaped by so many leaders who came before. Its founder.

Its first female president. Its administrators. But the university nestled in North Philadelphia as it’s known today is largely a result of its seventh commander-in-chief, Peter Liacouras.

The 80-year-old chancellor is perhaps the most influential leader of the university to come along since founder Russell Conwell, said Trustee James White, who was the executive vice president during Peter Liacouras’ presidency.

History tends to agree.

Thirty years after assuming his presidency, and a dozen years since stepping down, Peter Liacouras continues to

DONORS PAGE 2

OPINION RESPECT YORKTOWN, p. 5 After the decision to ban most student housing in Yorktown was upheld, Joel Faltermayer supports respecting the ban.

LIVING BOOTY DROP, p.7 Alexandra Olivier reports on BootyDrop.com, a website where college students can post, read and rank each others’ hot hookup tales.

A&E BOLLYWOOD FEST, p.9 Indian culture arrived in Philly with music and dance routines at this year’s PhillyFest.

SPORTS STREAKY SCORING, p.20 The Owls’ backcourt has led the men’s basketball team consistently in scoring this season.

embody Temple, even despite personal setbacks.

Peter Liacouras suffered a stroke in November 2010, which left him partially paralyzed. Still, he is able to understand his surroundings and greet friends and family with a smile and a kiss on the hand despite his difficulty communicating, his 46-year-old son Gregory Liacouras said in an email. He’s made it to most basketball and football games this year, too.

Gregory Liacouras said that, true to his father’s tenacious character, Peter Liacouras spends weekdays doing physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and aquatics therapy.

“Everyone is hopeful that down the road, with all of his therapy, that his brain can be rewired and he can at least get some speech back,” Gregory Liacouras said. “Through the therapy, he is maintaining, and even adding, strength to both his strong and weak sides.”

Before his stroke, Peter

Liacouras was still active at the university, in his chancellorship and as a trustee, raising money for Temple. He was in the process of writing his memoir. He also traveled at least twice a year to Greece, where he has a vacation home, and continued to swim more than a mile in the Mediterranean Sea, his son said.

When Peter Liacouras joined Temple’s faculty as an associate law professor in 1963, the Philadelphia native had an impressive résumé under his belt. He attended University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Harvard University, Yale University, College of William & Mary and the Fletcher School of Law & Dilpomacy. He moved up the ladder quickly, becoming dean of Temple Law School in 1972.

When Marvin Wachman, the university’s sixth president, stepped down in 1982, Peter Liacouras was named president.

Despite a reported budget

shortfall of $52 million, Peter Liacouras spent his initial years making hard decisions to increase revenues and decrease excess spending. When he wasn’t delivering a balanced budget, he was perfecting the university’s appeal.

Under his presidency, Peter Liacouras instructed Tyler School of Art to adopt a seminar to create a crest for the Temple community to rally under. The result was the inception of the iconic Temple “T.” In line with his marketing skills, Peter Liacouras advertised national commercials for Temple in the early 1980s, some using alumnus and Trustee Bill Cosby, to increase Temple’s prominence.

He put banners along North Broad Street, marking the university’s place in the city.

Peter Liacouras envisioned Temple Town, a residential campus equipped with resources necessary for stu-

LIACOURAS PAGE 3

TSG survey to assess gen-ed A survey will be available this semester to evaluate the general education program.

KHOURY JOHNSON The Temple News Utilizing its role as a liaison between students and university administrators, Temple Student Government is set to debut a survey dissecting student perception of the general education program.

The five-minute online questionnaire survey is the brainchild of TSG Director of Academic Affairs Zack Groff, and has been in the works since December 2011.

Groff considers the unorganized gripes concerning gen-ed classes as one of the primary reasons for initiating the survey, rather than relying on feedback from students in TSG general assembly meetings and casual conversations around ampus.

Its purpose is to produce a more concise consensus of student opinion regarding the gen-ed program, providing TSG members with more factual data when advocating in front of university officials and administrators after the survey’s results are compiled into a tangible reportlike format.

“We’re hoping to put together a voice of the students,” Groff said. “We don’t have anything specific at this point, so we developed this survey to get more specific responses.”

The survey consists of 10 “ranking” questions, and a voluntary open response section where students can voice their opinions.

Groff added that these specific and organized responses are the missing links in the gened equation.

“With gen-ed, I don’t see the student voice articulated well,” Groff said. “All that’s been articulated is that students are fed up with gen-ed, but nothing really in much detail.”

Groff said various university officials were aware of the fact that some students were generally unhappy with gen-ed

GEN-ED PAGE 3

Improvement district draws mixed opinions A district to clean and secure the area near Main Campus was discussed last week.

SEAN CARLIN Assistant News Editor North Central Philadelphia residents met Jan. 25, in the Gesu School library at 17th and Thompson streets in response to City Council President Darrell Clarke’s proposed “North Central Neighborhood Improvement District.”

The meeting, hosted by the Community Land Trust Corporation, gauged the residents’ opinions on development projects before focusing Clarke’s proposal. The main point of contention for residents is a fee that would be imposed on

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property owners in the area to fund the district, along with an undisclosed amount of money from Temple.

Hillel Hoffman, assistant director of university communications, said Temple would announce its contribution within the calendar year.

“Enough is enough, I mean when you are just taking everybody’s money,” Vivian Vanstory, president and founder of the CLTC, said. “We have the Liberty Bell here, there’s no liberty.”

Speakers at the meeting included Maria Yuen and John Yuen of the Chinatown North section of the city. A similar bill was introduced in their neighborhood and was defeated as a result of pressure from residents, led by the Yuens.

“What’s unfair about this bill is that they sell this bill as

cleaner neighborhoods...and green neighborhoods,” John Yuen said. “Who does not want that?”

The Yuens explained the process of how the improvement districts are implemented and how they were taxed on top of their real estate tax for the services from the district.

Maria Yuen expressed concern that such districts take away from the tradition of the neighborhoods.

“I never knew who these people were. They wanted my money. So they have to come to my neighborhood, tell me how to run my neighborhood, how to clean up my neighborhood,” Maria Yuen said. “So, what I’m saying to you is that people SEAN CARLIN TTN have to take charge of their own State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas speaks to North Philadelphia neighborhoods.” residents about the proposed neighborhood improvement district that aims to improve the community landscape.

DISTRICT PAGE 2

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Officials to seek donors DONORS PAGE 1 ware will help his office meet these goals by allowing it to be more strategic about its appeals to alumni and other potential donors. “[Reeher] allows us to really understand characteristics of our donors better and make smarter decisions about to whom we mail,” Unruh said.

“When we understand what the motivators are, the behaviors of consistent donors are, we can begin to understand how and when to approach them for a gift. We’re trying to be smarter and more cost-effective to reach our potential donor population.”

The Reeher website claims that the software can help a university find up to 40 percent of donors they were unaware of, as well as eliminate 30 percent of time wasted appealing to unresponsive alumni.

“Remember that we have nearly 300,000 alumni out there and not all of them are interested in giving, not all of them have the ability to give,” Unruh said. “We can spend a lot of money sending lots of mail and emails to people who are never going to respond and that’s okay, but I’d rather spend money sending it to people that already have responded and who we think will respond again.”

Reeher Marketing Manager Nick Wassenberg said the software works by segmenting schools’ existing donor bases and analyzing trends within them. For example, the software can group together all donors who gave three years in a row or five or 10 years in a row. It can also identify which class years are most responsive to appeals for giving or which appeals were most effective.

“We incorporate three pieces [in our software]: predictive models that show the advancement team who the most likely candidates for making a donation are, a web-based set of tools that are used at all levels of advancement and contact to what’s essentially a peer network to people doing the same kind of work at universities across the country,” Wassenberg said. “The point of having that peer network is that it kind of fosters collaboration across schools and connects leaders at Temple to similar higher education advancement teams.”

In light of recent cuts in state funding, Unruh said, more pressure is placed on his office to boost revenue. The Reeher platform will allow them to better meet the increased demands, he added.

“The Reeher platform allows us to be much smarter about how we [meet our goals] because we don’t have the resources to reach everybody so [we have to] use the resources we do have to be the most effective, most efficient and the most thoughtful and the most intentional way to reach out and invite people to give,” Unruh said. “It doesn’t remove the fact that we still have to have a compelling case for support, we still have to reach out and personally approach alumni, we still have to do all the things we would do but it just allows us to be much more focused and smart about it.”

Kate Kelly can be reached at katekelly@temple.edu.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Republican leader talks GOP at teach-in TUCR President Erik Jacobs led the latest Dissent in America teach-in.

ALI WATKINS The Temple News Politically conscious students were treated to a comprehensive overview of the 2012 GOP nomination race on Friday,

Jan. 27, at a weekly Dissent in America teach-in organized by professor Ralph Young, Ph.D. The teach-in, led by Temple University College Republicans President Erik Jacobs, presented information and sparked political debate and predictions among students.

Jacobs opened the teach-in with a very extensive look in to the major players of the GOP nomination game. Attendees of the teach-in were able to weigh

what they believed to be the good and bad sides of the candidates involved.

When it comes to frontrunner Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor, Jacobs predicted the nomination would have his name on it.

“I don’t know how long [Rick] Santorum or Newt [Gingrich] will stay in the race,” Jacobs said. “I believe it’ll carry on after the Florida [Primary], but I would say all signs point

ALI WATKINS TTN

TUCR President Erik Jacobs led a teach-in on the GOP primary race. Jacobs said Mitt Romney’s success thus far would likely earn him the nomination.

to Romney getting the nomination.”

However, Jacobs was quick to point out that, while still being widely supported by the political right, Romney has been critiqued for ‘flip-flopping’ on his political stances.

“I’ll be frank,” Jacobs said. “I share a lot of these concerns. He’ll say anything to get elected. He says a lot of things, but what does he really mean?”

These sentiments were echoed in Jacobs’ opinion of Gingrich.

“There are a lot of issues where Newt has been on both sides. He’s not ‘Minnesota nice,’” Jacobs said, referencing the term used for former candidate Tim Pawlenty’s ‘pushover’ reputation.

After some in-depth looks into the major players in the race, Jacobs devoted time to a candidate who, he said, has gotten shafted by the mainstream media but holds a lot of potential to attract democrats and younger voters.

“A lot of people around my age support Ron Paul’s libertarian approach to the republican

party. His foreign policy, opening up and talking to people, opening up trade – he’s got a lot of cross-over and young voter appeal,” Jacobs said.

Although some students in the audience told The Temple News they didn’t identify as republicans, many said it was nice to hear a different point of view.

“It’ll be interesting,” said Jacobs, referring to the presidential election.

Erik Jacobs / Between tucr president rising gas prices, the state of the economy, and the threat of another credit downgrade, Jacobs is confident that the GOP can secure a victory.

“In my opinion, any [Republican candidate] would do better than who is in there now,” Jacobs said. “Right now, [TUCR is] being independent, so our members can support whoever they want. Once there’s a nominee, we’re going to do whatever we can to garner support.”

“Once there’s a [GOP] nominee, we’re going to do whatever we can to garner support.”

Ali Watkins can be reached at allison.watkins@temple.edu.

Improvement district re-introduced in council DISTRICT PAGE 1 Vanstory agreed with the Yuens and said the money needs to go to the neighborhoods, not to a third-party company.

“We need to make sure the block captains get the money, not their third party,” Vanstory said. “We’re going to make them give it back to us.”

Though the plan has aroused discontent in some residents, proponents said there are misconceptions surrounding the plan that have caused anger in the community.

“We are not going to be imposing any assessment on residents,” Peter Crawford, a local developer and member of the executive committee of the Temple Area Property Association, said. “Anybody who is an owner occupant of their residence is exempt. The improve-

ment district is simply for landlords, and landlords are footing the bill and the residents will be getting the benefit.”

Crawford added that some of the benefits of the district include additional safety patrols and litter pick-up.

“The real point I want to get across to the residents is that they are not going to have their taxes raised, they are not going to be subject to these assessments,” Crawford said.

The neighborhood improvement district was reintroduced to City Council on Thursday, Jan. 26, and Crawford said that as time goes on, there will be meetings with residents to discuss issues surrounding the district.

Crawford added that Temple students living in the area off of Main Campus will ben-

efit from the community.

“I think it will have an effect on anybody who lives in the area because we would like to hire a service to clean up the sidewalks and the streets on a regular basis – and, by the way, we would like to provide jobs to local residents through that service,” Crawford said.

“I think students and community members will benefit from that. I think that everybody that lives in the community whether they be a student or a resident benefits.”

Clarke’s office was unavailable for comment at time of press.

Sean Carlin can be reached at sean.carlin@temple.edu.

SEAN CARLIN TTN

Community members discuss the re-introduced improvement district at a meeting held last week. Opinions varied.

Political groups to hold debate, garner support College democrats and republicans are planning to host a debate in March.

and executive chief of staff of Temple Student Government, said.

In a follow-up email, Lo-

pez said the groups are awaiting approval to hold the debate on March 27, at 6 p.m.

TCD and TUCR members

ROWDY RATHORE The Temple News As national GOP primary debates take place, Temple College Democrats and Temple University College Republicans are in the process of planning a debate between the two organizations for this semester.

Students leading in the effort to hold the debate are still in the process of figuring out how to administer the debate in an appropriate manner.

The representatives themselves said they are unsure of the details.

“We are still in the process of figuring out the logistics of the debate. We won’t have the details until mid-February,” David Lopez, president of TCD

KATE McCANN TTN

David Lopez, president of Temple College Democrats, said his group will debate with TUCR this semester.

also said that the subjects to be debated on are yet to be decided.

“We really don’t have any details about the debate yet, except it is tentatively going to happen,” Erik Jacobs, president of TUCR, said in an email.

Jacobs said he would not comment further until more details were confirmed.

Lopez added that the debate has not been held in a few years and the content of the debate is likely to focus on important issues on both a national and local level.

“It’s been three or four years since we’ve had a debate between [the] two organizations,” Lopez said. “I am sure the issues will focus from a national limelight to a local limelight.”

“Really anything could become hot topic,” Lopez added.

“Healthcare will most likely come up. Voter ID bill is another topic since it is currently going through the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and

the Senate.”

The debate will likely be geared toward topics pertaining to colleges students.

“We plan on targeting all kinds of students to get involved in the debate, both politically interested and nonpolitically inspired,” Lopez said.

Rowdy Rathore can be reached at

rowdy.rathore@temple.edu.

CORRECTIONS The Temple News strives to be a newspaper of record by printing factually correct and balanced articles. Accuracy is our business, so when a mistake is made, we’ll correct it as soon as possible.

Anyone with inquiries about content in this newspaper can contact Editor-in-Chief Brian Dzenis at editor@templenews.com or 215.204.6737.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

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Liacouras’ presidency still influential, 12 years later

Survey may have pull on gen-ed GEN-ED PAGE 1

WALBERT YOUNG TTN

Students sit in “Race & Poverty in the Americas,” which fulfills a gen-ed race and diversity requirement.

MIKE KOROSTELEV TTN file photo/ TTN archive photo

(Top) Peter Liacouras sits in his office in Barack Hall in 2008. The chancellor and former president suffered a stroke in November 2010, but is still present at university events. (Bottom) Liacouras poses with Hooter T. Owl at a basketball game.

LIACOURAS PAGE 1 dent achievement.

Even with a tight budget, Peter Liacouras planned to build for the future by fundraising money to pair with commonwealth capital appropriations.

From 1981 to 1982, the university fundraised $6.49 million.

In Peter Liacouras’ last year as president, Temple raised $44.4 million.

It wasn’t uncommon for Temple’s numbers to go up, under Liacouras’ presidency.

The average SAT scores for incoming freshmen went up 109 points. Temple’s endowment grew from $15 million in June 1982 to $109 million in June 1999.

Research coming out of the university went up 300 percent. The number of students and staff living within three blocks of Main Campus went up by 205 percent.

During his presidency, the Liacouras Center, Student Pavilion and Tuttleman Learning Center were built. Even though Peter Liacouras is no longer spearheading restructuring projects on Main Campus, his influence has undoubtedly served as the foundation for the university’s present and future landscape.

Known for sticking to his beliefs, Peter Liacouras is remembered by many as a leader who overcame any obstacles that threatened his vision for the university.

“He loved to take a challenge and in terms of his leadership skills, he always looked to challenge the other side to do better and do things in a way that was different,” Trustee Nelson Diaz told The Temple

News. “Whether it was the teacher’s union at the university or whether it was a professor who was teaching a course in international affairs or whether it was the hospital in a way of the delivery system, he always looked for a way to challenge the status quo.”

From bringing Tyler School of Art to Main Campus to pushing for a regional rail stop near Main Campus, Peter Liacouras found ways to get the job done, those close with him said.

“He [fed] upon opportunities that the times presented,” said Chancellor David Adamany, Temple’s eighth president and Liacouras’ successor. “That’s what you want in a president.

Peter had the ability to seize the opportunities that were presented.”

But even with a large Nelson Diaz / faculty strike trustee in 1990 that setback enrollment for a few years, and community members’ concerns of being displaced, Peter Liacouras showed a commitment to the people of North Philadelphia.

In 1989, when a university armory building caught fire and threatened the homes of community members on Carlisle Street, Liacouras arrived to keep tabs on the situation, White, the city’s managing director at the time, said. Peter Liacouras opened the doors of Johnson and Hardwick residence halls to the evacuated residents, like he did for another incident years earlier.

“I came to the university with great admiration for him

“He always looked to challenge the other side to do better, and do things in a different way.”

as a leader and as a person who always kept the welfare of people upmost in his mind,” White said.

Human dignity and the well-being of students and faculty were important to Liacouras.

White joined Peter Liacouras’ administration not too long after the armory fire, and became a key figure in the major construction projects unveiled in the 1990s. James S. White Hall opened in 1993 on the site of the former armory building.

Under Peter Liacouras’ administration a number of innovative thinkers were charged with advancing Temple on various levels. Provost Barbara Brownstein created a 10-year academic plan and pursued the university’s Carnegie Research I University title. Hall of Fame Basketball Coach John Chaney was hired – a decision that would bring more visibility to the university’s athletic program.

Before stepping down in 2000, Peter Liacouras established relationships with community colleges locally, and approved campuses and university presence in a number of countries. As a result, Temple continues to expand its international presence, today, and the number of students studying abroad continues to rise.

But, on an intimate level, Peter Liacouras created lifelong friendships with members of the university community.

“He was always around the campus, talking to students, talking to employees,” White said. “It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to serve under him.”

Trustee Richard Fox, Board of Trustees chairman during Peter Liacouas’ presidency, said the former president is a “dear friend,” who he misses spend-

ing time with.

Gregory Liacouras said his father had a way of bringing the university to his family, too.

“Temple law school students and professors were frequently at our house, and we would often be at the law school at nights or weekends tagging along with dad as he worked,” Gregory Liacouras said.

Peter Liacouras and his wife, Ann, a 1977 Temple Law School alumna, have four children – Gregory, Lisa, Jimmy and Stephen – and three grandchildren.

While sitting in the building renamed in his honor in 2000, the Liacouras Center, watching the men’s basketball team take on St. Joe’s last weekend, the chancellor was surrounded by family members, former coworkers and fellow trustees – many of whom just call themselves friends.

Even more than a year after his stroke, Peter Liacouras’ presence at university events demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the school he once led.

Like the presidents that came before and after him, Peter Liacouras brought something unique to the table, White said. To many, it was escalating the image of the university, sparking a renaissaince in North Philadelphia and teaching others how to represent Temple to a “T.” He tends to be a bit more modest.

“Life didn’t start at this university in 1982,” Peter Liacouras told The Temple News in a 2008 interview. “There was a lot before it, a lot after it.”

Sean Carlin and Angelo Fichera can be reached at news@temple-news.com.

courses, but without an ac- were instrumental in the projcurate description of what ect’s development, including students really felt, there was the gen-ed department and the little that could be done to try Measurements and Research to remedy the situation. A situ- Center, said it was important ation, political science pro- to recognize that there was no fessor Alistair Howard said, guarantee that anything sigdoesn’t warrant the amount of nificant would come out of the measures taken up against it. survey. “[Gen-ed classes] help “I strongly believe that, in lay intellectual foundations, terms of representation in front not disciplinary foundations,” of university officials students Howard said in an email. have a right, not a privilege, Howard to be given explained how an audience,” the predecesGroff said, sor to the gen“But whether ed curriculum, any changes CORE, utilized will be made learning techin accord with niques congruour voice, all ent with those that is beyond of his home me.” country, EngIstvan land, and were Varkonyi, diconsiderably rector of the less instructive gen-ed proin their nature Zack Groff / gram, said that tsg director of academic affairs “ d e p e n d i n g because they were merely on what the “introductions response rate to the disciplines rather than will be, we’ll be able to see courses designed to be use- whether there’s a critical mass ful to students who were not that’ll used to generalize the going to be majoring in that information.” topic.”

Varkonyi suggested that a Gen-eds, Howard argues, 10 percent to 15 percent stuoffer a better alternative than dent response rate would be taking classes that only apply a good outcome for a survey to your major because “they that was “rushed together at are delivered in a way that will the last minute.” help you develop...skills that By comparison, the offiwill apply in life more gener- cial university student survey ally.” that every student is required “[Gen-eds] are alright,” to take at least once, and which Naveed Ahsan, sophomore is scheduled to come out only film and media arts major, two weeks after the TSG said. “Some of them are actu- backed survey, has a response ally pretty important, and can rate of around 16 percent. be really interesting. You learn “Part of the test here is to stuff that you can use for a see what the response rate will long time.” be and once we have response But for some students, rate, we can determine what to including sophomore history mine from it,” Varkonyi said. major Davea Livingstone, “But to what extent students those effects are more idealis- will reply to the survey, I have tic than realistic. no idea.”

Livingstone went on to Junior African-American voice a common concern studies major Kiersten Gibamong many students regard- son-Cooper said she would ing gen-eds, and one that gladly take the survey, adding Groff was particularly aware that gen-ed teachers are too leof, in that gen-eds rob students nient toward the performance of precious studying time for of their students. their major courses.

“Some teachers genuinely The fact that there is no care about whether or not you empirical evidence to sup- do well and the class, and othport this type of claim is all ers…they just hand you an A the more reason Groff views just for showing up,” Gibsonthe TSG survey as an impera- Cooper said. tive to getting students’ voices Khoury Johnson can be heard by university decision reached at makers. khoury.johnson@temple.edu.

“It’s pretty hard to advocate when all you have is that everyone is generally frustrated with gen-ed,” Groff said. “I want to make sure students are heard.”

But Groff, and others who

“It’s pretty hard to advocate when all you have is that everyone is generally frustrated with gen-ed.”

FOR THIS WEEK’S TEMPLE STUDENT GOVERNMENT COVERAGE, VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.TEMPLE-NEWS.COM

OPINION

A watchdog for the Temple University community since 1921.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS

The Temple News is an editorially independent weekly publication serving the Temple University community. Unsigned editorial content represents the opinion of The Temple News. Adjacent commentary is reflective of their authors, not The Temple News.

Visit us online at temple-news.com. Send submissions to letters@temple-news.com.

The Temple News is located at: Student Center, Room 243 1755 N. 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19122

EDITORIALS

Eternally Grateful

T

he Temple News would like to acknowledge Peter Liacouras for his contributions to the university community from his time as dean of the law school through his presidency. His passion for making the university a better place for the student body showed through all the improvements to the university that still have an impact today.

Under Liacouras’ leadership, Temple began to shake off its commuter roots with the addition of four residence halls as part of his “Temple Town” vision. He also commissioned Tyler School of Art to create the now-iconic Temple “T” and oversaw the construction of the Student Pavilion and Tuttleman Learning Center.

He also cared for the North Philadelphia community in its moments of need by opening Johnson and Hardwick halls’ doors for residents when an armory fire threatened their

Gen-ed Restructure

S

ince the implementation of the general education curriculum in 2008, many students have voiced their frustration with gen-ed courses, which has prompted Temple Student Government to create a survey that will serve as proof as “a more concise consensus of student opinion regarding the gen-ed program,” as Khoury Johnson reports in “TSG survey to assess gen-ed,” page 1. The results of this survey will be presented to university officials and administration to advocate the demands that students have regarding the overall effectiveness of this program.

The Temple News urges students and university officials alike to take this survey seriously. The survey is 10 questions and will not take long to complete. The results of the survey have the potential to strengthen the program. As consumers of the university, students have the right and responsibility to have a say in the structure of the

The Temple News would like to thank Peter Liacouras for his many contributions to Temple. homes.

Sports fans can also appreciate what Liacouras has done. With football, Liacouras facilitated the team’s moving up to the Division-I level and in 1991, the Owls became members of the Big East Conference. In basketball, Liacouras’ decision to hire John Chaney as the men’s basketball coach would pay some major dividends as it would usher one of the most successful eras in Temple sports history. One also can’t overlook the impact of the Liacouras Center on the North Philadelphia landscape as businesses popped around it and turned Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue into one of the more vibrant areas of Temple.

The Temple News wishes its former president well as he recovers from his November 2010 stroke and would like to say this one more time: Thank you.

JOEY PASKO TTN

PHOTO COMMENT

WALBERT YOUNG TTN (Left) UCLA Nashaa performs during PhillyFest 7. (Right) Kaajal Baheti of UCLA Nashaa rejoices with her team after learning they are the first-place winners of the festival that focused its theme on South-Asian culture. More than 1,400 people attended on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Merriam Theater.

TSG has created a survey as a way for students to voice their opinions about the gen-ed program. gen-ed program. Classes should be worth the amount of money and time that students invest in them.

Students should be wary of thinking of gen-eds as just an economic gain for the university, but rather curriculum that is both required and necessary to add to the enrichment of one’s education. As political science professor Alistair Howard said, “[Gen-ed classes] help lay intellectual foundations, not disciplinary foundations,” and “they are delivered in a way that will help you develop…skills that will apply in life more generally.” When considering the comments of Howard, students should recognize that gen-eds are instrumental to the overall package of a well-rounded education.

With that said, when the surveys arrive, give open and honest answers about how the gen-ed program can be more tailored to students’ needs, both financially and academically.

POLLING PEOPLE Last week on temple-news.com, we asked: Do you think that college coaches have too much power and influence over the universities they serve?

67% 11%

Absolutely. The educational aspect of the university is overshadowed by the power of collegiate sports.

No. I don’t see what the big deal is. Collegiate sports bring in big revenue and deserve all the support they can get.

17% 5%

Yes, but I accept that is the nature of college sports.

No. Power and influence among college administration is generally well balanced. *Out of 63 votes

NEXT WEEK’S POLL Do you think that North Philadelphia needs a Neighborhood Improvement District, as Darrell Clarke has suggested?

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

Visit temple-news.com to take our online poll, or send your comments to letters@ temple-news.com. Letters may regard any current issue but must include your full name, position and location. Students can give year and major. Submissions should be 350 words or fewer.

CITY VIEW

Great African-American leaders of American History Contributors like Malcom X, Ida B. Well-Barnett and W.E.B. Du Bois are African-Americans that are often left out of American history. See Keona Gabbodon’s article, “Black history extends beyond February,” on page 5.

NOTABLE QUOTEABLE “With prices catered to upper-middle class suburbanites and insufficient parking for commuters and JOEL FALTERMAYER students who retain a Page 5 vehicle, most residents are forced to swallow discontentment and inconvenience, resulting in tension and insult.”

Illustration Ana Tamaccio

COMMENTARY

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 5

Respect the independence of Yorktown

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emple students and faculty – both exurbanites and Philadelphians alike – rarely regard neighborhoods surrounding Temple with an appropriate degree of respect.

JOEL Whether one comes from the FALTERMAYER sprawling NEast, affluent Mount Airy, South Philly or any numFaltermayer ber of suburbs, attending Temple argues the resounds with a unique flavor of racial and economic polarization. decision to ban While busy commuting corridors absentee landlord buzz with glitzy construction and development in investment, the tumble-weeded, Yorktown should graffiti-stricken blocks of apparbe respected ent decay in the surrounding areas above Diamond, and recently, West and preserved of 17th Street appear in stark confor its history trast. However, recent opposition created before in the Yorktown community souththe expansion of east of Main Campus challenges Temple. the archetypal “island in the hood” stereotype that Temple has grown accustomed to.

For Yorktown, a vibrant middle-class collection of proud home owners, the arrival of both students and commerce spells more than just “growing pains.” Members of the 653-home community that stretches from Girard to Cecil B. Moore avenues, from 13th to 10th streets, have seen prosperity in a way that no other North Philadelphia community has.

Yet stereotypes would not exist if they didn’t contain a shred of

truth. Consequently, if I were to claim certain neighborhoods in the area were independently successful despite Temple’s expansion, I would be received just as skeptically as if I claimed that Greece was in the G8. Yorktown, in this way, is an anomaly. Not only did it defy the pattern of urban decay since its establishment in 1960, but Yorktown’s very success hinges on isolation from Temple’s expansion.

Just as former Mayor Wilson Goode praised Yorktown in 1987 as the “only community where the first owners were black,” residents interviewed in a short documentary done by Scribe Video Center seem equally aware that the key to success in this neighborhood is ownership. The racial polarity, though certainly the most visual effect of Temple’s influx, is not the reason that residents are angry.

Furthermore, I think that those of Yorktown have an argument that is not racially, economically, nor logistically charged, but expresses Yorktown’s desire not to become defined by its proximity to Temple.

Each neighborhood surrounding Temple, regardless of their level of affluence, has ultimately been hushed in the light of expansionist success stories. From the newlybuilt Fresh Grocer, Pearl Theater and Liacouras Center, the effect of Temple’s recent residential demo-

graphic looks great on paper. Yet with prices catered to upper-middle class suburbanites and insufficient parking for commuters and students who retain a vehicle, most residents are forced to swallow discontentment and inconvenience, resulting in tension and insult.

“The community is where people live and play, work and have babies. The education community is a place where 90 percent of folk are dropping in for four or five years, getting an education, and ‘bye’,” former Reverend William H. Gray III of Bright Hope Baptist Church said on 12th and Oxford in the Yorktown documentary.

Darrell Clarke, the fifth district Councilman who recently called for a controversial ban on all absentee landlord development in the area has been misunderstood. By this act of ambitious defiance, Clarke attempted to establish boundaries between the educational and residential community, which, regardless of their success, act as checks and balances on Temple’s unbridled expansion.

After a small zoning ordinance victory at the state level, the Yorktown neighborhood was given its first glimpse of hope. Pamela Pendleton-Smith, president of the Resolute Alliance in Yorktown said to philly.com “[f]or the first time the long dollar or the deep pockets did

not win out.”

Temple, its students and private developers need to distinguish between neighborhoods that are open or closed to development. Philadelphia has been, and will continue to be a collage of unique neighborhoods, even though Temple Town is at an utter loss for character, culture or class. Just as a prosperous, mutually-respective community cannot possibly survive on fouryear residents, neighborhoods like Yorktown will evaporate if certain boundaries are not maintained.

Regardless of how much Temple claims to be monitoring offcampus students, or the student’s individual respect for surrounding neighborhoods, Yorktown is one battle that should not be fought.

While citizens’ are already under siege from encroaching shopping plazas on Oxford Street and Girard Avenue, the threat of private development reduces the “Yorktown success story” to that of an open market. If this neighborhood is not preserved to the highest possible degree, then Temple will lose any remaining credibility as a benevolent patron of urban renewal.

Joel Faltermayer can be reached at joel.faltermayer@temple.edu.

Hebrew major cut deserves a fair compromise

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his year, many of the interdisciplinary programs have fallen to the wayside, in the wake of budget cuts and student apathy toward certain academic subjects. ReDONALD cently, Temple administration anHOPKINS nounced its intentions to eliminate the Hebrew major effective Fall Hopkins 2012 and consolidate it within the argues that Jewish studies major. Furthermore, while the the administration plans to elimidecision to cut nate the only non-tenured track Hebrew as a position for Hebrew – occupied by Dr. Ayala Guy. Temple has justified major is logical, this consolidation as part of a larger the non-tenured trend to save money as well as a track position is response to lack of student interest.

Two questions have to be adstill necessary. dressed, when considering whether this elimination and consolidation of the Hebrew major is a good idea for the university and its’ student body. First, is there a benefit to Hebrew existing outside the Jewish studies program as a separate major? Second, is the plan to eliminate

the only stable teaching position for the Hebrew language, conducive to the study of language?

In terms of the consolidation of Hebrew into a larger department, it seems logical to make Hebrew part of the Jewish studies program.

If students are legitimately not interested in a Hebrew major, in a time of limited resources for education, it makes sense to consolidate it within a department that bears relevance to the subject at hand.

Hebrew is a necessary part of any complete Jewish studies education.

The story of ancient biblical Hebrew and its renewal as part of the cultural Jewish project is essential to the understanding of Jewish culture, history and religion. Consolidating it within the Jewish studies program allows the continuation of the teaching of a necessary subject while address questions of efficiency and scarce resource distribution.

However, the elimination of the non-tenure track position and

the disappearance of a permanent, stable teaching position for the Hebrew program is problematic. The effectiveness of teaching language requires consistency and removing this stable position will mean that Jewish studies students taking Hebrew classes will not be guaranteed the same professor for their Hebrew classes as they move up in difficult levels, disrupting a continuity that is often vital in language comprehension.

Furthermore, the elimination of Guy’s position as a non-tenured track position is worrisome from a perspective of faculty job security.

Professor Eliot Ratzman, professor of secular Jewish studies, said that with the elimination of the NTT position, benefits and job security will be lost for the Hebrew teaching faculty, which is a cause for alarm for other non-tenured track positions during a period of budget cuts. The implication of this discussion bears on the importance of stable and se-

cure faculty positions and reaches beyond the elimination of the Hebrew major.

While it makes sense for students and faculty to support valid decisions by the administration to respond to student interest and be responsible with limited resources in a time of educational austerity, the student body and the faculty must be on guard for actions that undermine the necessary security faculty positions and the educational needs of the students. The Hebrew major should be consolidated into the Jewish studies major, but the non-tenured track position should remain as a necessary compromise with the Jewish studies department’s educational needs and the wellbeing of our faculty.

Donald Hopkins can be reached at donald.hopkins@temple.edu.

Black history extends beyond February

B

KEONA GABBADON

Gabbadon points out that many of the contributions of AfricanAmericans are left out of American history.

lack History Month is the shortest month of the year. During this month, grade schools all accross America teach about Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Harriet Tubman. Schools usually base their curriculum on the same historic episodes: Rosa Parks’ refusal to move seats on a bus, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream,” speech and Harriet Tubman’s work with the Underground Railroad.

While social studies is a main subject during the entire school year, there aren’t any mentions of African-American contributors, except for this one month. Social studies textbooks do not tell you about all the great things blacks did throughout history and without the work of African ancestors, America would not be what we know today.

In an interview with CNN, Michael Eric Dyson, a professor at Georgetown University said, “If

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

we’re talking about American history and being – shying away from the history of oppression, we’re not talking about American history.”

“What’s interesting is that ethnic studies are rife in American history. But the ethnicities happen to be Polish, Irish and Italian,” Dyson added. “They happen to be white, European, western and Eastern European identities that are the basis of ethnic identity and what constitutes American history.”

Some may argue that it is unfair to teach a course to a targeted demographic, and I agree. I feel that would be unethical and an act of repeating our past. Students should not be segregated according to race and taught about their race, however, what I am saying is that African American history is American history.

Many African Americans don’t know their relevance here in America.

Tyrone Williams, an English

JESSICA YOO

FRESHMAN

professor at Xavier University and author of “The Problem with Black History Month,” commented on the general lack of history in our education system and said, “I don’t think we are getting enough education at [the elementary and high school level]. I mentioned Carter G. Woodson to my university students and they had never heard of him.”

That is a problem. Many people may also argue that education starts at home, but what if it doesn’t? When a child doesn’t learn about their roots at home, does that deny that child to learn them at all?

I believe that this situation coincides with the outstanding percentages of African-American incarcerations. If a child goes to school every day and is never taught about anyone they can positively identify with, then that child may began to feel that they have no place in this country.

Huey P. Newton said in his autobiography, “Like adolescents

CHRISTIAN GUINAN

“There are majors that are more important to get you further in terms of money and a career, but I don’t think any major is useless. People have different interests.”

“The rise of Newt Gingrich makes me want to check the calendar. He’s literally the return of the ’90s when he was ascendant but culturally he evokes the late ’60s when his true antecedent, Richard Nixon, was dominant. Both are angry, insecure, grandiose, smart political lifers.”

Touré,

time.com on “Nostalgia: Our Favorite Cultural Copout”

“He took the sons of coal miners and steel mill workers and farmers in rural Pennsylvania. He gave us the idea that we could come together and do it the right way - the Paterno way.”

Jimmy Cefalo,

former Penn State wide reciever, philly.com on “Former players fondly recall ‘the Paterno way’

“A new study shows that college freshmen do indeed hold more liberal views than ever before on social issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and immigration rights.

But today’s students are not necessarily motivated to act on these views.”

Carolyn Gregoire,

huffingtonpost.com on “New Study: College Students Increasingly Liberal, Yet-Less Politically Active”

“[Obama] says one thing and does another. Where has he been for over three years? He’s had the Justice Department.

There are existing laws that could prosecute and convict Wall Street crooks. He hasn’t sent more than one or two to jail.”

Ralph Nader,

former presidential candidate, democracynow.com, on “Ralph Nader Responds to Obama’s State of the Union Address”

“We cannot lose our humanness. Because we will not care what happens next until it happens to us.”

Mayor Nutter,

metro.us/philadelphia, on “Nutter targets ‘unprecedented’ violence with new measures”

HISTORY PAGE 6

FRESHMAN

DAN IRWIN

BIOLOGY

UNDECIDED

Do you think some college majors are useless?

everywhere, he wants an image to model himself after, and he becomes confused because there is such disparity between what he is taught and what he sees.”

As a result, that child may begin to shy away from school and enter a life that self destructs, especially those children of impoverished areas. According to a November 2002 national report by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, only 55 percent of AfricanAmericans graduated high school and although African-Americans only make up 12 percent of the U.S. population, 37 percent of prisoners in the U.S. are African-American.

At 23 years old and a senior, I have to admit I learned the most I have ever learned about African American history in college classes than I ever did in all of my entire years of high school. The only reason why I have learned so much

SOMEONE ELSE’S OPINION

“I feel like everyone has a different opinion of what they want to do when they get older, so you have to have a variety of majors to choose from. Every subject is important in its own way.”

SOPHOMORE

MIS

“It depends. The general arts or English might be because it seems like there isn’t a big need for jobs in those areas in our society right now.”

GRACE DICKINSON TTN

OPINION DESK 215-204-9540

LETTERS@TEMPLE-NEWS.COM

COMMUNITY

PAGE 6

on the

WORD WEB...

temple-news.com

Unedited for content.

Sam Adams says on “Video of raucous arrest involving Temple police surfaces online” on Jan. 26, 2012 at 12:51 a.m.

The TU police look justified. There is no evidence to suggest that the subject is being harassed prior to the apprehension. In this neighborhood I would probably have done the same thing, and drawn my weapon in the heat of the moment.

The one TU cop was lying on the ground with the individuals hand on his shirt collar, and the shirt over his eyes. Not only that, but there was a growing crows, and the two cops were outnumbered.

China says on “Not snitching reflects survival, not character” on Jan. 25, 2012 at 6:14 p.m.

Personally, I was born in the 70s and raised in the 80s & 90s. After my mother divorced my father we moved to north philly. I can truly say that I have experienced different realms of both spectrums at a very early age, into adulthood. What happened to “stand for something or fall for anything”?

It is sad that this no snitching has become such the norm when research reflects through Philadelphia Federal Prisons that 78% of the inmates make plea bargins to get lesser time. In other words they “snitch”. Philadelphia is heavily known in this past decade to now produce a city of criminal snitches.

There is no honor amongst theives, yet our inner communities band together to an unlawful street code of “ethics”. They shield the criminals by not coming forward, when these same animals cannot even shield each other. Programs like ones of Jeff Canada in NY have shown when the resources are there, the children of the inner community vastly excel. We will not be able to build as a community, as a people, as a unit, until everyone becomes distgusted with the killings, the robberies, the rapes, the flash mobs. Start Snitching isnt a need, it’s an absolute MUST in order to not just survive, but to begin “living”.

Mike says on “Ceasing violence” on Jan. 25, 2012 at 7:02 a.m.

If there are many explanations for rampant violence, poverty being one of them, then why are these causes of violence being recast as “excuses”?

Nominally calling something an explanation and then immediately calling it an excuse afterwward seems to imply that the author doesn’t believe that those explanations for rampant violence are legitimate factors or contributors to inner-city violence.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

COMMUNITY VOICE

Community member reflects on history Christine Whaley describes what she wants America to remember most about African-American history.

DOMINIQUE JOHNSON The Temple News Christine Whaley, restorative practice program manager of the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs, wants America to remember the contributions of African-Americans during the years, and not the senseless violence and negative stereotypes that are sometimes associated with them.

Whaley does not want the constant images of faces that reflect her own race continuing to occupy the front pages of newspapers and being depicted as evil or menacing. But, rather African-Americans have rose up against adversities and are major contributors to this country.

Whaley, 61, has been with the organization Project HOME for 17 years. She spends her time at the HLCCTL teaching second grade students at the after-school

program.

When she isn’t teaching, Whaley can be found assisting others in her community.

She often mentors both the young and old at other nearby Project HOME sites.

“Even with the country’s background, we elected a black president,” Whaley said.

“To me, that’s one of the most awesome things that has happened to this country.”

When mentioning the contributions, Whaley associates the great people who were inventors and leaders during the civil rights era who accomplished great tasks and still inspire her to this day.

“We don’t stay stagnant. We work hard and we get there,” Whaley said. “We try to figure out what else can we do in our communities to make it better, not just in our communities, but possibly the world.”

Dominique Johnson can be reached at dominique.johnson@temple.edu.

Sarah says on “Beyonce’s “Countdown” becomes party anthem” on Jan. 25, 2012 at 12:45 a.m.

Kev you are right about everything except one. The entire album is a masterpiece. They might not all be the same as Countdown but trust me there is a song for every mood. Crazy, mellow, whatever, 4 just hits the spot. You cannot skip past Start Over, Rather Die Young is so worth the wait as the end is just a finale, Schoolin Life and End of Time must be mentioned of course. And without a doubt, Countdown just gets the heart rate going everytime. Not to forget her career-defining I Was Here. Damn straight she was here. Glad to see an article bout Countdown, favourite song.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, Throughout the world there are countries where the government dictates to businesses how to run the business, but a free United States is the last place you would expect to see it, until now. In Philadelphia there are oil refinery plants that are closing because they are unprofitable. These plant closings will have a major impact on the area, which I think everyone will agree. I have several family and friends that have been and will be affected by these plants closings. It is important to resist the first urge to go overboard in our actions just because this will affect our community, those who do go overboard will do so while ripping the fabric of freedom our country was founded on. Unfortunately U.S. Senator Bob Casey seems to have no problem ripping that fabric to shreds.

On Jan. 27 the Daily Times reported in “Casey Not Ruling out Hearings” that, Casey said, “This is not a decision [the oil companies] can make in isolation.” Casey also said, “I heard concerns that the company was placing parameters and restrictions on the sale of their facilities.”

This is the reason that Casey wants to pull these companies in for hearings in front of the senate. Be

sure to pay special attention to what he said “parameters” and “restrictions,” such as price? This is a dangerous path, just think if your parents were selling their house and they put the restriction on the sale that they would not sell for a penny less than $200,000. The house stays on the market for six months and your parents turned all the offers because it was below the asking price. Then the local officials start talking and say that having the house up for sale for the last six months is lowering the property value of the others houses because no one is living in it and it is just sitting empty. The officials tell your parents they are putting too many restrictions on the sale of their house and that the city is going to force them to sell it for $120,000 because that is plenty for them to live on. If this happened to you would you be OK with it?

We must all embrace the benefits of the free market when things are going well and work through the hard times when things are not going well. It will correct itself by the laws of supply and demand, if we let it.

Sincerely, Paul Fritchey Temple College Republicans

DOMINIQUE JOHNSON TTN

Christine Whaley advocates that African-American leaders should be remembered for their contributions to America.

High school classes lack black history HISTORY PAGE 5 about African-American history is because I chose to take specific courses like the black family, the black church and the black woman, which focused solely on African-Americans. I found it odd and upsetting that I took a woman studies class and learned about all white women.

The problem with black history month is black history month. The fact that February is the shortest month of the year only adds fuel to my already lit fire. There shouldn’t be one month that students learn

about a certain race of people. When students learn about their country they should be learning about the country in its entirety.

Black history is American history.

Keona Gabbadon can be reached at keona. gabbadon@temple.edu.

COMMUNITY VOICE

The proposed Neighborhood Improvement Bill sparks discussion Community members weigh in on their opinions concerning City Council President Darrell Clarke’s proposed Neighborhood Improvement Bill.

“For people that can’t afford it, like me, and with the taxes going up, I think it’s atrocious. And anything I can try and do to help this bill not pass, sign me up.”

Clydie Jones

“I have a hard time seeing [Temple] take the lead. [But I will do] whatever it takes to keep from having to pay a third party to take care of my neighborhood. I’ve been doing it myself.”

“We don’t need someone from the outside to come in and tell us how to clean our neighborhood. We will do whatever we need to do to fight the bill. Now the first thing is to get a communication network…so we can start talking…then we can distribute information efficiently to make sure we are all on the same page about how we’re going to kill this bill.”

Elouise Edwards

June Hayes-Cobbs

For complete coverage, see page 1.

LIVING temple-news.com

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 7

Illustration Joey Pasko

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“I could completely diss somebody and destroy their reputation [on CollegeACB].

[Texts from Last Night] is a bit more regulated, yet you couldn’t really tell a story.”

BOOK OF BALLET

TTN reporter Priscilla Ward met with Brenda Dixon-Gottschild, a professor emerita who recently published a book.

LIVING DESK 215-204-7418

ture of college was destroyed,” Lance said.

“When you register [on BootyDrop], you are randomly assigned a student ID and must use a .edu email address to sign on.”

“We want to keep this website college only,” Lance added. “We don’t want to be the next Facebook and Twitter, we just want funny stories by college students for college students.”

Weaver is a junior English major at Indiana University and Lance is a junior business and communications major at the University of Maryland.

They met at Indiana their freshman year in their residence hall, which is where the idea for BootyDrop originated.

“Freshman year, we noticed all our friends would hang out in the lounge after they came back from Friday and Saturday nights and share their stories,” Weaver said.

“They would hang out there until the late hours in the morning. We thought, ‘What if we were able to transfer this to the online realm, no matter where they were at?’”

Constructing the website came with a number of difficulties that Weaver and Lance said they worked around. Studying at two different universities and not knowing how to create a website were just two of many.

“It was somewhat difficult but we used Skype and were able to communicate pretty easily,” Weaver said.

Lance and Weaver hired someone to design and program the website after they decided on a name.

“We were fooling around rapping one day, and ‘booty drop’ was just flying around,” Lance said. “[We] had some kind of eureka moment that it fit for the context of our website.”

Since the website’s launch in August

BOOTY RANKING When posting a story to BootyDrop.com, it’s up to the audience to rank the tantalizing tale as either “Bootylicious” or a “Booty Fail.” This like or dislike system is a way for the audience to give their opinions without leaving a comment and create an interactive community amongst fellow booty droppers. Depending on if the story is hot or not, the combination of votes help move the user through the rankings.

BOOTY AMATEUR 0-99 VOTES So you posted a few lines, but your story is pretty bland or your title just isn’t catchy enough. Maybe revisiting the hookup drawing board is in order.

BOOTY DROPPER 100-149 VOTES You’re moving up the ranks, but you’re not close enough to even think about hanging with the pros yet.

Kind of like a sophomore, you’re in that awkward middle stage of too young to do this and not old enough to do that.

BOOTY PRO 150-199 VOTES Now you know who you’re audience is and how to tickle their funny bone or make them cringe – which ever works for you. With steady votes flocking to your fables, you’re well on your way to taking over.

BOOTY MASTER 200 + VOTES Your theme song is “Can’t Touch This,” and while you cruise through writing hook ups everyone dreams about, you do so in your free BootyDrop.com T-shirt and sunglasses.

-Alexandra Olivier

BOOTY PAGE 8 @TUPROBLEMS

Luis Fernando Rodriguez discusses the various Templethemed social media sites: Colin Saltry Doing Things, TECH Temptations and @TUProblems.

NEXT WEEK

you can view it as a snapshot of this group of students who choose to participate.”

Nevertheless, Lance and Weaver said they hope to encourage as many students as possible to post their stories by keeping the website solely for the college community and completely anonymous.

Lance said that websites including ColALEXANDRA OLIVIER lege ACB, which stands for Anonymous The Temple News Concession Board, and Texts From Last o one likes a kiss and tell – un- Night, are popular yet extremely unreguless it’s funny and completely lated.

“I could completely diss somebody and anonymous, of destroy their reputation [on course.

College ACB],” Lance said.

Founders of Booty“[Texts From Last Night] is Drop.com Kevin Lance and a bit more regulated, yet you Matthew Weaver said they couldn’t really tell a story.” wanted to create a web“[BootyDrop] gives you site where college students the platform to tell a story, could chronicle their best but also protects the poster and worst hookup stories in and anyone involved in the hopes of getting a snapshot story – you can’t post last of each school’s culture. names or any identifying “We like to say Boofactors of those individuals,” tyDrop is the only college Lance added. community site where [stuTo ensure the anonymdents] can drop their stories ity of the poster and anyin full detail,” Weaver said. one included in the story, “Each university’s culture Lance and Weaver said they [is] on their own page. We take great responsibility in want to get enough people, screening each post before it to see how distinct the culgoes live on the website and ture is, get a sense of what Kevin Lance / delete any identifying facthe school is like and maybe tors while maintaining the co-founder, bootydrop.com a feel of the university.” writer’s story.

Human sexuality proWhen registering, a fessor Patrice Heller said user’s ID is computer-generated to further she doesn’t see how this website can proensure anonymity, and a college email adduce a snapshot of any campus’ hookup or dress must be used.

There is also a report party culture. function where those who read or post can “There are many who choose not to reflag a story for offensive content. port and you cannot generalize this to the “For Facebook and Twitter, the culcampus as a whole,” Heller said. “Instead

BootyDrop.com is a website for college students to post their hookup histories for other users to read and rank.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

The Temple News features its Movers and Shakers issue next week, highlighting the members of the community making a change.

LIVING@TEMPLE-NEWS.COM

LIVING

PAGE 8

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Website creates forum for sex stories BOOTY PAGE 7 2011, Lance and Weaver have learned basic cod- tylicious” or “booty fails” a post receives, a user ing so that they aren’t so heavily reliant on pro- can move up the ladder from “Booty Amateur” to grammers to manage the web“Booty Master.” After achieving site’s content. the rank of “Booty Master,” that The website has grown to user will be sent a free T-shirt or include 200 universities and it sunglasses. is more popular among southern “It’s all a way to promote the schools, including the University site and college kids love getting of Mississippi and the University free stuff, I love getting free stuff. of Maryland. While Temple does It’s not our website it’s a college have a page, no booty has been student website – for them, by dropped yet. them,” Lance said.

“I think posting things online With Lance and Weaver’s seis really stupid because I believe nior years around the corner, the personal business shouldn’t be future of BootyDrop.com could be out there on the Web like that,” swayed in any direction.

Antwain Johnson, a senior crimi“I think of the website as a Antwain Johnson / success already, I love it,” Lance nal justice major, said. “There’s senior criminal justice major a double-standard rule because said. “I’ve learned a lesson alguys are celebrated for it, and ready: When something goes girls are seen as [overly promiswrong I have to fix it. It’s interestcuous] for it, even if it was only ing, I have no reason to not tell a one time.” possible employer about this web“If they’re kept completely site.” anonymous then I don’t see a problem,” junior “After college, I’m sure it’ll continue,” Lance kinesiology major Josh Bedu said. “Though what added. “If not in our hands, [then] in someone is the purpose of sharing a story if the people else’s.” involved in said story are known to no one? It Alexandra Olivier can be reached at would seem like it’s for attraction or to just hear alexandra.olivier@temple.edu. themselves speak.”

The incentive of posting a story is not only to express your own tale, but also to get ranked.

Determined by the combined number of “boo-

“There’s a double-standard rule because guys are celebrated for it and girls are seen as [overly promiscuous].”

DROP THAT BOOTY Use the QR code to the left on your Web-enabled mobile device to access BootyDrop.com to read stories from other schools or drop your own tales from North Broad.

If you don’t have a smartphone, visit: http://www.bootydrop.com

temple-news.com/QR

Photo Illustration Sam Oshlag

BootyDrop.com, a website available solely to college students, allows users to rate and post hookup stories. Users can move up the ranks to “Booty Master.”

Alumnus produces music for good cause Andre Pascoe, known as ‘Drematic,’ uses hip-hop to spread the mission of bringing clean water to developing countries around the world. influence.

“The overall goals of the Water is Humanity project is to prove that hip-hop music has life-changing, life-saving capabilities, and we want to make that apparent through the actions,” Drematic said. “Overall we just want to be a positive force in the universe and use our talents and gifts to do something.”

Using hiphop to send powerful, positive messages is nothing new to Drematic. He is SAM LEVINE TTN known for chalAndre Pascoe, known as Drematic in the music world, writes songs to spread his message. He lenging his listenrecently collaborated with friends to found Water is Humanity to drill for fresh, clean water. ers and said that is key to his identity water wells in developing countries.

CHRISTINE FISHER and drive as an artist.

“I don’t want to create a sad story, The Temple News “The number one thing that I want a sob story,” Drematic said. “I really to get across is free thought, a certain Alumnus and hip-hop artist Andre don’t view what we do as a charity, sense of social responsibility and, I Pascoe, known in the music world as even though it’s for overall goodwill… guess the underlying thing would have Drematic, has set out to bring access It’s more of just an exposé.” to be love – love for your common Through sales of the recent album to clean and fresh water to people livman,” Drematic said. ing in developing countries around the “Water,” written by Drematic and pro“Even though I don’t come out and world. In doing so, he also wants to duced by Y?Arcka, the organization say explicitly let’s love one another, elevate the hip-hop genre to its fullest hopes to generate the funds necessary that’s really the whole point,” he addto provide as many people with clean potential. ed. “I want to get to that point where Drematic teamed up with water as they can. The organization we can see other human beings and acY?Arcka, a friend and fellow hip-hop hopes to raise awareness for informa- cept them and appreciate them for what artist, and a small team of collabora- tion including the fact that more people they bring to the table.” tors to establish Water is Humanity, a die from waterborne illness than from That message is something that, nonprofit organization with a mission wars, the AIDS epidemic and malaria, like his music, he has refined overtime. to raise awareness for the global water Drematic said.

Drematic said as he matured, he moved But the mission is two-fold. Drecrisis. The group is proactive in their away from “a lot of the crazy stuff and approach, and through donations and matic said he also hopes to “elevate the maybe some of the stuff that may be album sales, they plan to drill 100 fresh genre to where it’s more than just mu- distraction from the true message.” sic,” and to where it is has a positive

“I just want to do something that’s Temple. significant – that people can enjoy and He graduated in 2007 with his that, at the end of the day, it means bachelor’s degree in communications something,” he said. “It’s not just some and a minor in African-American stud‘boop-de-boop, we’re dancing in the ies. clubs, we’re making money.’”

“I met Y?Arcka [at Temple] and That refined quality and what he a bunch of the people who influenced calls a higher purpose is what Drematic me musically, influenced me from a sosaid sets the album “Water” apart from cial standpoint – raised my awareness,” his past work.

Drematic said.

The album is diHe said he considers rect in its mission. attending Temple one of Track names include the best decisions he has “Unfiltered” and “Puever made. rified,” and send clear Still based in Philamessages about the delphia, Drematic said he lack of access to clean, is currently “doing a lot fresh water. At the of listening” and trying same time, “Water” to plan shows to amplify is clearly a hip-hop “Water” and the Water album that combines is Humanity project as a Drematic’s talents and whole. style.

His next show in the He said that one area is tentatively planned song, “The Source,” for sometime in February, comes from the ideas and with the help of Genthat, “we owe everyAndre Pascoe / erosity Water, a Califorthing to water, and wa2007 alumnus and co- nia-based nonprofit, Water founder of Water is Humanity is Humanity hopes to drill ter really sustains our life.” their first well sometime “In that song in this summer. Through the particular, I was talking about the Ni- partnership, Drematic said one well ger, Congo and Nile rivers in Africa will cost approximately $3,000 deand how they pretty much gave birth pending on each drilling site. to civilization,” he said, adding that the Looking forward to that first well, song is about giving water the respect Drematic said, “I have to [see it]. After that it deserves. doing all this, I at least have to see it.

Drematic credits some of his so- That moment, that’s the greatest mocial awareness to the time he spent at ment. I can’t wait for that.”

Temple.

Christine Fisher can be reached at “From a mental standpoint, I don’t christine.fisher@temple.edu. know where I would be without the things I learned, the people I met while going to Temple,” he said.

Drematic moved from Jamaica to Philadelphia with his parents when he was five years old. He has lived in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs since, and in 2003 he enrolled at

“I just want to do something that’s significant – that people can enjoy and that, at the end of the day, it means something.”

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

BOLLYWOODSTYLE temple-news.com

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 9

WALBERT YOUNG TTN

UCLA Nashaa co-captain Kaajal Baheti performs during the seventh-annual PhillyFest on Jan. 28 at the Merriam Theater. The UCLA team won this year’s competition with a routine inspired by Indian patriotism.

PhillyFest celebrated South-Asian culture through performances on Jan. 28.

SARA KHAN The Temple News PhillyFest 7 turned Bollywood and Indian classical styles, mixed with contemporary American methods, into one colorful night of dance.

In its seventh year, the festi-

val brought South-Asian culture to Philadelphia Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Merriam Theater. A crowd of more than 1,400 people cheered on 10 teams battl PhillyFest 7 turned Bollywood and Indian classical styles, mixed with contemporary American methods, into one colorful night of dance.

In its seventh year, the festival brought South-Asian culture to Philadelphia Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Merriam Theater.

A crowd of more than 1,400 people cheered on 10 teams battling for the prestigious Philly-

Fest cup and more than $5,000 in prizes.

“It’s fun to bring something cultural to Philly that hasn’t been there before,” said Devan Dalal, financial chair and sponsorship chair and one of the original founders of the competition.

Some of the teams that fused different themes together for their dance narratives included the Broad Street Baadshahz, Penn State JaDhoom, University of Delaware Kamaal, Rutgers South Asian Performing Artists and UCLA Nashaa.

UCLA Nashaa won the competition, with Philly’s own Broad Street Baadshahz as runner-up. Brown Badmaash had the third-highest point totals.

“It feels like a dream come true,” UCLA Nashaa co-captain Kaajal Baheti said, moments after winning.

“I can’t ask for anything better this senior year,” UCLA Nashaa co-captain Amar Chatterjee said.

The UCLA dance narrative introduced a famous IndianAmerican author’s return to India for his next book. The dance

journey included his reinvigorated patriotism for India and his love for a local Indian girl.

“We all feel very strongly about our country and we wanted to get that across,” Chatterjee said.

“Their whole performance flowed really well,” junior psychology major Mohit Mahalan said. “The dances were good, the music was good, and it wasn’t all the same.”

The team’s background portrayed the streets of India and a Bollywood mountain sign, which was an allusion to

Hollywood’s cultural symbol.

Their performance’s final act used India’s national colors to remind the audience of their Indian roots.

While UCLA Nashaa transported the audience to India, Philadelphia’s Broad Street Baadshahz wowed the crowd with a “Gladiator”-style narrative based in ancient Rome.

Fareed Zahid portrayed a gladiator fighting for his people’s freedom against the tyrannical

PHILLYFEST PAGE 13

Old City violence emerges after dark With numerous bars and restaurants, a vibrant nightlife has emerged in Old City, but an increase in crime caused concern among patrons.

As home of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, the Old City district serves as the most historic area in Philadelphia during the day, and doubles as a rowdy drinking town at night. But in light of recent acts of violence within its cobblestone streets, the city is stepping in to take back the safety of the neighborhood.

So far this year, the homicide rate in Philadelphia has reached a total of 31 victims, up 5 percent from last year. This jump in crime is forcing police

to alter their patrols in various neighborhoods that were once perceived as relatively safe.

Old City has made it to the top of their list following the recent fatal beating of alumnus Kevin Kless in the heart of the neighborhood.

“My initial reaction is that it is getting worse, much worse,” senior geography major Emily Caron said, who has been employed at various restaurants in Old City for the past five years.

When asked about the violence she has seen during her time spent in the neighborhood, Caron offhandedly listed several events.

GOING SOLO

Meet junior guitarist and singer Chet Williams, who’s releasing his first solo CD, “We all Walk Fast and Nod in Unison.”

Feb. 25.

A&E DESK 215-204-7418

“The shooting at Cebu, come face-to-face with viothere was a lence. Senior Alex shooting at the liFindley, who venquor store across tures into Old City the street on for a night out every Second [Street], few months, found the shooting at herself in the middle Q [BBQ & Teof a scuffle last Febquilla],” Caron ruary when two insaid. “And fights toxicated men were – bad fights yelling obscenities at outside of the her and a friend.

Plough [& the When her boyStars].” friend attempted to The emdefend them, he was ployees of the Jen Lamb / attacked and beaten. neighborhood “Police didn’t senior risk management major show up until at least establishments aren’t the only five minutes after evpeople who have erything happened,”

“A lof of people around that area are so drunk, hot headed and ready to [fight].”

FRIDAY PREVIEW

First Friday falls on the last day of Restaurant Week, meaning it’s time to score some good eats while checking out local art.

Findley said.

During the day, Old City’s historic monuments, museums, locally ran boutiques and medley of restaurants draw in tourists equipped with cameras and creased maps. But come night fall, when school lets out and work is finished for the weekend, the area east of Fifth Street from Arch to South streets flood with crowds of women in revealing dresses, and men in button-down shirts.

The history of the neighborhood becomes obsolete amongst the belligerent yelling and visual displays of intoxication.

Many late night Old City

NEXT WEEK

JENINE PILLA The Temple News

visitors, including senior risk management major Jen Lamb, blame the violence on those who go out in the neighborhood. Lamb, who’s boyfriend lives in Old City at Second and Market streets said she visits Old City often, usually once or twice a week.

“A lot of people around that area are so drunk, hot headed and ready to [fight],” Lamb said. “When bars let out at 2 a.m., there are people running recklessly in the streets.”

Although Caron agrees that some violence stems from the common Old City bar-goer,

OLD CITY PAGE 10 MARRIAGE EQUALITY

The Marriage Equality Cabaret will put a varietyshow twist on the topic of marriage equality with a Feb. 4 performance.

ARTSandENTERTAINMENT@TEMPLE-NEWS.COM

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 10

Anyone considering attending February’s First Friday on Feb. 3 should be aware that it falls during Philadelphia’s Restaurant Week, held Jan. 29- Feb. 3.

For those unfamiliar with Restaurant Week’s mission, some of Philadelphia’s best restaurants participate during the winter and summer seasons each year. During these days, restaurants lower their prices and feature three-course dinner menus at set prices. Participating restaurants including Buddakan, Amada, Cuba Libre and Farmacia are going to require reservations during these days. But if reservations aren’t possible for a three-course meal, First Friday is always hopping with free food around Old City.

FREE EATS WITH DRINK PHILLY

One particular event attendees may want to arrive early for to score some free eats is at Drink Philly at 239 Chestnut St., the second floor, Unit B of the building. Drink Philly is an organization “by drinkers, for drinkers” in Philadelphia, and their gallery space is always alive with great artwork, music and beverages.

This First Friday, the organization is giving a nod to an up-and-coming restaurant called Rex 1516. During the event, representatives of Rex 1516 will serve samples of their “triple threat mac n’ cheese,” along with a traditional jambalaya. The mac n’ cheese is said to be an amazing concoction of gruyere, Swiss and fontina with stewed tomatoes – a free treat worth showing up for. The event will also include free tastings of winter sangria and wine, with some live jazz music and artwork to add to the food-crazed evening.

Two must-see artists at this event are Miguel Antonio Horn and Rachel Lynn Kotkoskie. Horn is a Philadelphia native with a residency at the Philadelphia Traction Company. His work focuses on the themes of conflict, specifically deterioration of traditions and western ideals of beauty.

Many of his sculptures and drawings are focused on the human body.

Kotkoskie is a photographer from Tyler

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

School of Art who recently had her BFA Thesis Exhibition at the school in December 2011. Some of her works will also be shown at this gallery event, so you can have free food, drinks and support a fellow student all in one go.

The Drink Philly Event is, again, free and goes from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. on Feb. 3. The organization is asking visitors to RSVP ahead of time.

F.A.N. GALLERY—AL GURY: NEW PAINTINGS

Another gallery worth stopping by is F.A.N., located at 221 Arch St. This month’s exhibition features the Painting Chair of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Al Gury. Gury is known for his still life paintings, and will be featuring new still life works as well as landscapes in this show. He is an artist who works with flat planes of color and airy brushstrokes, well regarded and the author of two painting books: “Alla Prima: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Direct Painting,” and “Color for Painters: A Guide to Traditions and Practice.” The opening reception will go from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

ARTISTS’ HOUSE—DON’T MISS KATHERINE FRASER

The Artists’ House is known for combination shows, featuring five or six artists at a time in their gallery located at 57 North Second St. Pennsylvania alumna Katherine Fraser will be featured for her paintings and portraits of women depicted in a “dream-like” manner. Fraser said in her biography that she sees life as a string of moments, “like film stills,” and she captures this essence in her oil paintings. The First Friday reception will run from 5-8:30 p.m.

Friday Festivities Use the QR code to the left on your Web-enabled mobile device to preview Al Gury’s show at the F.A.N. Gallery.

-Nicole Welk

If you don’t have a smartphone visit www.thefangallery.com

ABI REIMOLD TTN

The F.A.N. Gallery sits at Second and Arch streets.

F.A.N. will host a show by Al Gury for February’s First Friday.

temple-news.com/QR

Studio space slated to close

The Performance Garage hosts numerous dance companies and performances, but will close its doors Aug. 31.

ALEXSIA BROWN The Temple News Many Philadelphia performers and dance studio attendees are concerned about the fate of the Performance Garage, a studio space at 1515 Brandywine St. After more than eight years of housing dance productions and practices, the garage is closing its doors on Aug. 31.

Managing Director Bryan Matluk of Jeanne Ruddy Dance said that no decision has been made regarding the space’s use after closing.

The garage was a 19th century horse stable and car garage before its December 2002 renovation, when two studio spaces and office spaces were created. Both studios are equipped with professional quality sound and lighting equipment.

Since its opening in 2004, Jeanne Ruddy Dance Company’s garage has been a success within the dance community, allowing upwards of 100 dance companies to rent the space.

The Alchemy Dance Company, Annex Dance Company, Tommie-Waheed Evans of Philadanco, Ballet X, Dance Theatre X, KuluMele, Peek-A-Boo Revue School of Burlesque and Philadelphia Dance Project all use the space.

“We very much liked Philadelphia dance projects there and we’ve grown our audience there and we’ve brought new audiences to the garage,” said Terry Fox, executive director of Philadelphia Dance Projects. “Where are we going to anchor our programs now? We had actually booked time next fall but [now] it’s all up in the air.”

Fox recognized the change that will occur within the dance community with-

out the ability to utilize the Performance Garage space.

“There’s just not enough of them to go around and it’s a really wonderful space to see dance,” Fox said. “It seemed to be predominantly dance and that’s what I liked about it. The space is large for a number of dancers and they do have a good sound system and decent lighting in it, so you can really do a more professional production, so not having it is a shame.”

Matluk also expressed concern about the forecasted closing.

“Rehearsal space within Philadelphia is very tight to come by, which is why the Performance Garage has grown over the past couple of years,” Matluk said. “At this point, we serve 4,000 to 5,000 performances per year.”

“If the garage doesn’t exist it will be very difficult for them to find somewhere for them to hold their classes and performances,” he added.

Matluk said an open house held at the garage approximately two weeks ago showed the community support that exists behind the space. Six different companies that have used the space during the years attended the event, which brought in $1,200 in donations.

“That was a successful event, but it also shows what the community’s commitment to the garage is,” Matluk said.

Though the fate of the garage after Aug. 31 is unknown, Fox said that he hopes there is a chance that it will remain open to the dance community.

“It will be missed you know,” Fox said. “I hope they change their mind and decide to keep it open.”

Alexsia Brown can be reached at alexsia.brown@temple.edu.

Crimes threaten nightlife OLD CITY PAGE 9 she also said she believes that some stems from the presence of surrounding neighborhood residents who see the intoxicated college student as prey.

The Philadelphia City Council and Police Department are trying to find ways to regulate the lawless acts of Old City after the sun goes down.

City Councilman Mark Squilla, who represents the first district, said he does not wish to stop those who go out to the local bars “to have a few drinks and have a good time.” But he is attempting to put a stop to “those looking to cause trouble.”

With an understanding that the majority of violence occurs after the bars close their doors at 2 a.m., Squilla said that as of the first of the year, four more policemen were added to the 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. patrolling shift to provide a heavier police presence, with hopes to rapidly move people off the streets and on their way home.

Findley said she believes that crowd control should be a main focus of patrol.

This was seen in the fatal Jan. 14 beating of Kless, 23, which occurred around 2:30 a.m. as he was attempting to hail a cab out of Old City. Kless’s argument with the cab driver was mistaken by a group of three young men as a direct insult to which they responded by beating him to death in front of the Second National Bank of the United States near Fourth and Chesnut streets.

Following this incident, Squilla said that Philadelphia City Council and police are working to start a taxi stand somewhere between the 300 and 500 blocks of Market Street heading west.

Squilla said the main focus of the taxi stand would be to direct people out of the neighborhood in a “timely fashion,” and to clear the streets of large groups before violence can occur.

The institutions operating within the neighborhood would be informed about the taxi stand, and advised to direct their patrons in that direction so they can safely get into a cab and on their way home. Squilla said he strongly believes that it is important for those who go out to Old City for a good time to “respect the security we provide” to aid in the safety of themselves and others.

Lamb said she doesn’t believe this plan will change much, and that there should be more of a police presence in the neighborhood “trying to structure that part of the city.”

After being a victim of the violence of Old City, Findley said that increasing the police presence around the area when the bars are letting out would be a huge help in controlling the crowds.

Old City offers college students, as well as other city residents, the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of city life – and nightlife. And although they are considered some of the nicer areas of Philadelphia, it is still necessary to control one’s actions and be aware of surroundings.

“It doesn’t matter where you are, you need to watch your back,” Caron said.

Jenine Pilla can be reached at jenine.pilla@temple.edu.

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SAM LEVINE TTN

(Top) The Performance Garage sits at 15th and Brandywine streets.

Bronwen MacArthur (center) rehearses a routine with Bethany Formica (left) and Beau Hancock in studio space at the garage.

Blueprint LSAT Prep seeking student to distribute flyers at Temple and surrounding campuses. 2-10 hours per week, $10/hr for spring semester. To apply, email alexa.johnson@ blueprintprep.com.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012 HandMeg

I

MEGHAN WHITE

Game board inspires clay-molded earrings Columnist Meghan White uses a silicone mold to make her Ghost Hunter-inspired Ouija board earrings.

feel like this column should be prefaced with the fact that one of my best friends and I are somewhat obsessed with ghost-hunting shows.

We’ve spent far too many hours watching and cackling at people desperately searching for ghosts. Our favorite scenes of these shows, besides spiritual possessions, are when the family being haunted brought it upon themselves by summoning a spirit and then burning a Ouija board.

So making my friend Ouija-board jewelry out of polymer clay made all the sense in the world. Especially because I had most of the required materials and I only needed to buy the mold.

One of the best things about making polymer-clay jewelry is the multitude of things you can do with it.

I opted to use a mold, as sculpting has never been in my crafting-skill arsenal. Molds are accessible on the Internet and at craft stores.

My Ouija-board mold is silicone and was purchased on the Internet.

Silicone molds are fairly inexpensive and you can find anything from cameos with cats or mermaids to ice cream cones and stand mixers.

At craft stores there are often silicone molds in the same aisle as polymer clay. Most of these molds tend to be hearts or doll parts. There is also the option of using harder plastic candy molds if you make sure to only use them for clay, though these tend to be harder to work with as it is harder to pop out the clay once it’s molded.

SUPPLIES:

PAGE 11

- Mold - Polymer clay (I prefer Sculpey III for modeling purposes) - Toothpick - Butter knife - Earring findings - Jump rings or jewelry wire

- Needle-nose or jewelry pliers

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES:

- Pearl Ex powder - Paint brush Some of the supplies – including earring findings and jump rings – are sold in large quantities. A set of earrings will require two earring findings and two jump rings. You can always share supplies with a friend, or make your own little jewelry factory in your living room. I personally like hoarding all of my craft making supplies for doomsday. I may have been on the same set of earring findings since I was 10 years old, but I can keep crafting well into the apocalypse.

Steps: 1. Gather up your supplies and make sure your workplace is clean.

You don’t want to get any dust in your mold or clay.

2. If you’re using Pearl X, which can give a nice metallic effect to your piece, dip your paintbrush into the powder and tap off the excess. Then spread it around the mold. This gives more dimension to your design. And in my case, it also turned the clay I had on hand into different metallic colors.

3. Knead your clay and use just enough to put into the mold. This will take some experimenting, but I found it was better to mold thinner pieces in order to have it hang properly from my jump rings. Another option is to use jump rings with a larger diameter.

4. Pop the design out of the mold.

If you’re using a silicone mold, it should just pop out. If you’re using a harder plastic mold, such as a candy mold, you may have to manipulate both the clay and the mold to get it out without ruining the design or breaking the mold.

If there is excess clay around the edges of the design remove it with a butter knife. Or if you’re super fancy

you can use some sort of clay tool.

Here I would also suggest waiting for approximately 10 minutes – especially if your design is more three dimensional – for the clay to cool down a bit before you cut off the edges.

5. Poke a hole where you want to attach the jump ring. For my Ouijaboard earrings, I tried both the top center of the board and then to the top right of the board. Remember, if you royally mess up you can always just knead up the clay and remold it.

6. Make as many of your designs as you want.

7. Bake your clay pieces according to the directions on the package. Make sure you don’t overbake the pieces or they may become somewhat fragile, and if you listen to the packaging there may be issues with fumes, too. Underbaking just means you have to put them back in the oven.

8. Attach the jump ring to the clay design and then attach to the earring finding. For this step you can use needle-nose pliers, but this is a bit difficult as they aren’t the most delicate of tools.

You can also use your fingers if it really comes down to it. Ideally though, use a pair of jewelry pliers. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, or have jewelry wire on hand but not jump rings you can coil jewelry wire and use it to attach the clay piece to the earring finding.

I tried this after finding out my jump rings were on the small side and it was far more work than it was worth.

9. Enjoy your handiwork.

Meghan White can be reached at meghan.white@temple.edu.

MEGHAN WHITE TTN

The supplies for Ouija board earrings include polymer clay and a mold.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 12

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012 Hoot Coture

F

MARK LONGACRE

Chet Williams BRIANNA MCGRODY The Temple News Chester “Chet” Williams is the type of musician who doesn’t hold back – the kind that isn’t afraid to take risks and experiment with music.

He’s also no stranger when it comes to musical success. Currently a junior marketing major, Williams has played jazz festivals and 2009 Warped Tour with his former band Awkward Silence. Williams’ solo album “We All Walk Fast and Nod in Unison” is set for release on Feb. 25.

The album, which has a folk influence infused with pop and rock, was funded through a Kickstarter fundraiser and was recorded with the help of guest musicians. Hoping for even more success for his solo album than his former acts, Williams is preparing CD release shows in Philly and Scranton. The Philly show is set for Feb. 25 at PhilaMOCA. The Temple News sat down with Williams and discussed his solo project.

The Temple News: What made you decide to take up a solo project and move away from your previous bands: Awkward Silence and So Long, Pluto?

Chet Williams: When I came to college my bands went in separate directions. So, taking up a solo project was something I wanted to do for years. Having a band made it easier to get into the scene and made me realize what I had to do to succeed.

TTN: Your solo album incorporates different musicians to create a full-on collaborative album. What inspired that idea?

CW: I wanted to see what other

people would do. I showed them skeletons of the songs and they made it up and sent it back. I knew they were good enough and they did stuff I never even thought of. I had musicians from different states come in, too.

Some of the musicians I never even rehearsed with in person. It took longer than recording with a set band but it was worth it, [and] my songs sound totally different. Another reason I did it was because, due to the huge scale of the project, I didn’t want to keep it all to myself.

TTN: How did you come up the idea to finance your album through the website kickstarter.com?

CW: I had a realization that I didn’t have the money to pay for the album. I had to think of something that would make people want to donate and get something in return. I emphasized the rewards for their generosity. Seventy-nine people donated and I raised a little more than $1,800.

TTN: Each level of donation received something in return including a handshake for donating $1, to a personal performance for $150. How did you establish each reward?

CW: I tried to think of what I would want and how much it would be worth for me. Obviously, you don’t buy a CD for $25 so I had to think. To me, a CD is worth $10, so you pay the $10 for the CD and have a $15 donation.

TTN: What was the recording process like?

CW: I recorded at East Room Recording in Kensington, [Pa.] with Carl Yost. I wrote some of the songs a couple years ago, some a month before recording. But it was weird because every song was an acoustic guitar and my voice. I didn’t know what it would sound like with a full band. It was a risk but at the same time it was fun to leave that up to other people.

TTN: You’ve played a lot of different shows. What’s the most fun you’ve had playing?

CW: There’s a place called the Maggot House where I played an electric show. It was unbelievably insane. Things were getting knocked over, people were crowd surfing and it made me want to play more fullband shows – it was packed and full of energy. Nobody got hurt either so that was good. I’m trying to make my CD release shows even bigger and crazier.

TTN: Do you prefer more intimate, small shows versus large venues?

CW: I really like being right on top of the audience. Playing Warped Tour was kind of strange because it was me, the security guards and then the audience. I’m not trying to put down playing Warped Tour but there’s something about people grabbing the microphone off of you and singing the songs that you wrote.

That happens at really intimate places where people are really into what you’re doing.

Consumers question furry fashion

Columnist argues that humane animal treatment sets some fur sellers apart from others.

ur better or fur worse, everyone has an opinion on fur.

Some would die to own a black-mink jacket, others would die to splash red paint on it. I’m not trying to persuade members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to don a fox jacket or for Cruella de Vil to give up her fur vault. I wanted to learn more about the fur industry and form an educated opinion.

Originally, fur was one of America’s primary exports in the 16th century. Early Europeans traded their goods with Native Americans for pelts, which ultimately led to a vast fur-trade network between Native American tribes, colonists and British and French merchants.

As time passed, the demand for fur increased, which caused furriers to overhunt the most desired animals. Clothing manufacturers incorporated silk into clothing in lieu of fur because it was readily available, and the demand for fur declined.

As with any other type of fashion, the demand for fur is cyclical.

“The market has never been stronger for fur,” said Andre Ferber, proudly displaying one of the floor-length black mink coats from Jacques Ferber Furs at 17th

and Walnut streets.

More than 75 designers incorporated fur into their 2011 fashion lines, among them BCBG, Diane Von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Oscar De La Renta, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Vera Wang.

Fur trade has grown into a billion-dollar industry, but how does fur go from an animal’s back to a jacket on a human’s back?

According to Ferber, the animal is humanely euthanized, and the pelts are bathed in a combination of chemicals to preserve the fur’s integrity. After the preservation process, the pelts are cut into strips, and the strips are then used to make the garment.

Jackets are made by sewing strips from the pelts together. An animal may yield several strips depending on its size. For example, a stunning floor-length black mink coat required 60 strips, and each mink yields approximately one strip, ergo a single jacket requires approximately 60 minks.

However, not all fur requires a significant amount of animals. A fox jacket may require 15 foxes according to infurmation.com.

While there isn’t a perfectly humane way to deal fur, Jacques Ferber Furs stopped the sale of endangered species in the 1970s, and their most popular fur styles

HOOT COUTURE PAGE 13

Brianna McGrody can be reached at brianna.mcgrody@temple.edu.

KATE McCANN TTN

Junior Chet Williams will release his first CD Feb. 25.

MARK LONGACRE TTN

A coat hangs in Jacques Ferber’s outerwear store. The fur seller is located at 17th and Walnut streets.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 13

Bollywood and ornate costumes showcased at festival Handcrafted furs depend on quality of the craft PHILLYFEST PAGE 9

king, played by Rubin Mathew, a 2011 alumnus.

In the finale, the gladiator victoriously kicked the king off the stage.

During this planned fall, Mathew injured his back-right hip bone.

“I’ve had injuries similar to this before,” Mathew said backstage, while putting ice on his injuries.

The Broad Street Baadshahz is comprised of students from Temple, Drexel, University of the Sciences Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, according to team captain Fareed Zahid.

“We’re big fans of the Broad Street Baadshahz, they’re the reason why we came out tonight,” junior actuarial science major Parina Agarwal said.

At different times, the crowd broke out into chants for the Philly team and some audience members waved signs of support.

Brown Badmaash had the thirdhighest total scores for their dance narrative about Philadelphia hosting the 2012 Olympic Games. A torch-lighting ceremony was followed by performers using basketballs, paddles and oars to represent the sporting competitions.

Dancers mimicked boxing hooks and shuffled across the stage for a complete Olympics skit.

Rutgers South Asian Performing Artists also had a unique theme for their skit, presenting “Harry Potter: The Lost Chronicles.” The epic battle of Harry Potter and Voldemort was played out on stage with Bollywood and contemporary American songs.

In the introduction video, Harry Potter introduced the crowd to his

house. At one point, the Bollywood song they used chanted, “it’s magic, it’s magic,” while the performers danced in shiny, colorful robes, adding a special spin to traditional Harry Potter.

Stanford Dil Se had an Anastasia theme with the princess losing her memory and falling in love while dancing to Bollywood music, even including some well-known Hindi film dialogues for the romance sections.

Stony Brook University Khatra presented Cirque Du Khatra, in which a naïve girl is trapped in a circus. Six male dancers flashed the crowd when they bent down to show the crowd the team name written on their shorts.

University of Delaware Kamaal’s narrative focused on ancient Egyptian tomb raiders. When their actions unleash a horrible curse, a severe drought and famine comes to their people.

When the curse is lifted, the team dancers used Bollywood music that begged for rain and storm cloud props floated on top of the stage. At one point, a mummy dances to LMFAO’s “I’m Sexy and I Know It.” Singer Kiran Shergill and musician Serial James hosted the event.

Between the performances, the two dressed up in Spiderman and Superman costumes, copying the hair whipping and break dancing of an old Bollywood film song.

Superstars Jay Sean, Omarion and H-Dhami had previously taped messages for the audience. In his message, Omarion is first confused, but then learns how to perform Bhangra, an Indian dance style of Punjab, while Jay Sean also comically showed some dance moves. Penn Masala, an a capel-

FREE SCREENING OF ‘GROUNDHOG DAY’ TUESDAY, JAN. 31 7:30 P.M. CHESTNUT HILL LIBRARY 8711 GERMANTOWN AVE. FREE WWW.FREELIBRARY.ORG The Chestnut Hill Library must know that nobody would ever actually pay to see “Groundhog Day,” which is why, we’re guessing, they’re hosting a free screening.

The 1993 film, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, follows Murray’s character, Phil Connors, a Pittsburgh weatherman, who travels to Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day, and then who relives the day again, and again and again.

If you can sit through the ‘90s fashion, Murray’s inexplicable disdain for rodents and his repeated – albeit hilarious – suicide attempts, it’s actually worth the see, though not nearly as iconic or laugh-outloud funny as “Caddyshack.”

FEB. 2 – MARCH 3 8 P.M. CURIO THEATRE COMPANY 4740 BALTIMORE AVE. $15-$20 It doesn’t matter if you’re a present-day citizen, inhabitant of Tralfamador or even if you experience interruptions in the spacetime continuum which transport you to World War II Germany, be sure to head down to Curio Theatre Company for the opening night of “Slaughterhouse-Five.” Kurt Vonnegut’s internationally-heralded 1969 satire has been adapted by Eric Simonson for the stage. Theatre-goers can witness Billy Pilgrim’s life moments – his alien abduction to alienation at the hands of his family in his old age, and everything in between.

HOOT COUTURE PAGE 12

WALBERT YOUNG TTN

The Broadstreet Baadshaz won second-place in this year’s PhillyFest. la group from the University of Pennsylvania that combines Bollywood music and American trends, had the crowd on their feet with their rendition of Bollywood favorite, “Chaiyya Chaiyya.”

“We’ve always loved coming here because people really enjoy this type of music,” Penn Masala Musical Director Vinay Rao said. “The crowd’s always jumping up and down and because we have a lot of dancers, they tend to dance.”

During the closing musical performance, Rutgers University Dhol Effect covered famous songs by adding Indian elements through the dhol, a double-headed drum primarily used in South Asia. Their rendition of the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme song especially struck a chord with the Philadelphia audience.

GROUNDHOG DAY HAWAIIAN SHIRT BEER BREAKFAST & LUCKY CAT BEER PROGNOSTICATION THURSDAY, FEB. 2 7 A.M. THE GREY LODGE PUB 6325 FRANKFORD AVE PAY AS YOU GO WWW.GREYLODGE.COM I’m not going to lie – we really don’t know what Hawaiian shirts have to do with Groundhog Day. We’re even more clueless on the relationship between Groundhog Day and Lucky Cat Day, or even what Lucky Cat Day is. But of this we’re certain: There’s beer involved, and lots of it.

Avoiding another Bill Murray reference, what else is there to do while waiting for that devilish little rodent to emerge? And, let’s face it, he’s only going to bring bad news of more winter weather. So bring the sunshine to Philly with an island T-shirt and warm up with some kegs ‘n eggs before class.

“People can see that we’re bringing the old school and the new school together and fusing sounds,” Neil Desai, Rutgers alumnus and RUDE singer, said.

“Honestly, I think the best part is that PhillyFest brings together so many teams from all over the nation and everybody gets to bond and do what they love—dance,” RUDE singer Anjali Arjungi said.

This fusion between classical Indian dance, Bollywood cinema and modern American dance was showcased before hundreds of people as some of the Indian dance teams in the country fought to become this year’s PhillyFest champion.

Sara Khan can be reached at sara.khan@temple.edu.

NATIONAL CARROT CAKE DAY FRIDAY, FEB. 3 VARIOUS LOCATIONS Carrot cake gets such a bad rep, but undeservedly so. Honestly, what better way to eat your veggies than baked into a sugary, sweet delight, topped with Philadelphia cream cheese icing? Carrot cake falls right up there with beet cupcakes and broccoli brownies, but way, way yummier.

If you’re an amateur pastry chef, Food.com has more than 1,000 carrot cake recipes, and Fresh Grocer has all the ingredients. But if the last time you tried making Ramen Noodles, the last thing you remember is a firefighter carrying you out of your scorched apartment, here’s a couple places in the city with a bangin’ carrot cake: Jones (700 Chestnut St.), Honey’s Sit ‘n Eat (800 N. 4th St.) and Schlesinger’s (1521 Locust St.) all offer carrot cake on their regular menus, and Schlesinger’s offers take-out as well. Or take it to go with a carrot cupcake from Brown Betty, with locations in Rittenhouse Square, Liberty Place and Northern Liberties.

-Alexis Sachdev

are American mink. According to the Fur Information Council of America, American fur standards for the treatment of fur farmed animals are significantly higher than those of the Chinese fur traders.

In October 2010, PETA produced a graphic video displaying the living conditions of animals involved in the Chinese fur trade. Because the Chinese government doesn’t enforce animalprotection laws, Chinese furriers are allowed to abuse the farmed animals without any repercussions.

Farmers will place their animals’ cages outside to roast in the sun during the day and freeze at night. They’re also exposed to the elements in cages barely large enough to allow movement. When the animal has grown to its ideal size, the Chinese furrier will skin the animal alive and dump the corpse into a landfill.

Because the Chinese fur industry is so gruesome, many fur dealers only sell humane fur. The seemingly guiltfree fur benefits the animal because they’re given a cage large enough to allow movement, an adequate food supply and tolerable living conditions.

Fur merchants benefit from humane fur because it removes the guilt some consumers may have about wearing fur.

Personally, I don’t have a problem with fur as long as the animal is treated humanely and its remains are used for something, whether it be pet food, fertilizer or animal feed. If animals are already killed for domestic pet and animal feed, why does it matter if their fur is used for fashion, especially a fashion as intricate as fur?

While speaking with Ferber, there was a sense of pride when discussing the craft of assembling a fur jacket.

Each coat is fabricated by hand, and it takes approximately a week’s worth of work to turn fur from a pelt into a coat.

When looking at and feeling a genuine fur jacket, the craftsmanship comes to life. It was fascinating that the fur and skin from the animal could be removed without damaging it or causing the hair to fallout. More importantly, the coats are incredibly warm, and some argue more environmentally friendly than the synthetic materials used in the production of faux fur.

As I mentioned earlier, I think people are entitled to their opinions regarding fur, and I respect both sides of the fur argument. While there are atrocious furriers like the Chinese farmers, there are also fur designers that are working to remove the negative stigma surrounding fur, and return the focus to the beauty of their craft.

Mark Longacre can be reached at mark.longacre@temple.edu.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012

LIVING

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012

PAGE 15

Warm weather calls Columnist advocates for fresh wardrobe against gay bar stigma GREEN SPACE

always designates items with a certain color tag to be on sale, so buyer’s remorse is not an issue.

If you’ve got an afternoon to kill, immerse yourself in what can only be described as your grandma’s attic times 10: Philly AIDS Thrift.

The 710 S. Fifth St. location is so packed with dirt-cheap goods that you will likely be overwhelmed. Thankfully, its website emphasizes “Aimless browsing is strongly encouraged.”

For straight-from-the-mall secondhand finds, Buffalo Exchange at 1713 Chestnut St. is your best bet. Thanks to recent renovations, the store’s square footage has massively expanded along with the clothing selection. Prices are not crazy low – expect $10 and up for most items – but everything is in nearly new condition.

For those of you looking to refresh your wardrobe with new duds, look for garments crafted from sustainable fabrics. SAVA’s collection of tailored women’s clothes made from organic cotton and non-toxic dyes are way more haute than hippie.

Check out the shop at 1700 Sansom St., which is located right next to the workshop where the majority of the merchandise is produced, for a sophisticated look to up your style from frat party to professional.

Let’s get back to your crowded seasonally confused closet. You know, if you just wipe the dust off your DIY glasses, you’ll see an entirely new wardrobe residing on all those wire hangers. Transform extra large T-shirts normally relegated to bedtime attire into simple crop tops with one swift slice of the scissors. Revive a boring button-down blouse as a skirt by wearing it on your waist and tying the sleeves into a bow it the front. Sounds grungy, but Google it – it’s classy, I swear. And, as a final and official goodbye to the winter that never was, you can snip the legs of your pants for some sweet shorts to kick off spring.

When you get the urge to hit the refresh button on your wardrobe, consider these options to decrease your environmental impact. If you find yourself incapable of walking around Rittenhouse Square without hitting up every store from Anthropologie to Zara, at least avoid the major environmental offenders like H&M, which was caught shredding unsold garments a couple years ago. And, of course, no matter where you shop, make sure to lug your loot in reusable bags.

“You will likely come across items whose existence may only seem explicable by drunk online shopping sprees.”

Marisa Steinberg can be reached at marisa.steinberg@temple.edu.

P

hiladelphia’s GLBT community is blessed with a variety of friendly – read: outrageous – bars to choose from, especially in a state that might have a measly one or two other bars of the like in its remaining BRANDON BAKER cities. In fact, it seems Columnist Philadelphia shines as the bright beacon of Brandon Baker hope for gays isolated asserts that in the “Pennsyltucky” GLBT bars areas of the state where don’t match dive bars and machistheir stigmas in mo sports bars are society. m o r e likely to be encountered than bars with drag show extravaganzas and cosmopolitan drink specials. For a small-town gay, walking past the rainbow-colored street signs in the Gayborhood is like passing through New York Harbor and witnessing the Statue of Liberty.

Rejoice, Philly gays: You are free to drink in peace.

Yet I’ve noticed during my time in the city that there is a certain reaction to words like “iCandy” and “Voyeur” when going through the motions of a conversation with a straight person. From women, there is the standard uprising of joy as they consider that they can finally dance somewhere without being poked and prodded by curious, drunk male prospects on the dance floor. From men, however, I get the apprehensive reaction of an eyebrow raise and an awkward half smile.

Is there supposed to be something extraordinarily tawdry about gay bars that I’m missing, or is that just another made-up stigma attached because of the “gay” placed before the “bar”?

A long-ago faded part of me partially understands why the perception of gay bars can be a bit daunting. When I was a newly out teen curious about gay bars, I imagined a scene straight out of “Queer As Folk.” That is, a sinful, rowdy gathering of a city’s most attractive and energetic gays looking to get laid. The idea appeared both terrifying and titillating – but mostly titillating.

Imagine my surprise when I arrived in PhilaQ CHAT

L

et’s face it: Winter isn’t happening this year. I’m having a tough time dealing with the regret of bringing my pea coat, snow boots and other chilly weather accessories from home only to sit idly in my MARISA STEINBERG closet, taking up valuColumnist able real estate. Real estate that could have Marisa Steinberg been happily occupied offers advice to by, say, more shoes. clean out your However this is closet the green no time to dwell on way. lost closet space. Consumers should focus on reducing their consumption of new goods, which puts a strain on our resources. Wardrobes can be refreshed through more ecofriendly means, instead.

Temperatures have been exceeding 60 degrees, the squirrels along Liacouras Walk are back to begging for, well, stealing food full-time and was that the Mister Softee truck I heard rolling by Beury Beach the other day? It’s spring and it’s time to shove your UGG boots aside for some fresh, eco-friendly fashions.

While rummaging through your closet and plastic storage bins, you will likely come across items whose existence may only seem explicable by drunk online shopping sprees. Don’t throw those neon floral patterned tights away. Instead, mass text every fashionable friend in your contacts and organize a clothes swap. Ask everyone to bring the clothes they would rather abandon on the lint-covered floors of a Johnson and Hardwick laundry room, and then get a barter system going. Trade a couple “witty” graphic tees that have lost their edge for a perfectly worn-in pair of denim shorts. If no one finds anything of interest, head to the nearest clothing drop box or consignment shop. You’ll be getting a head start on spring-cleaning your wardrobe and maybe even make a bit of cash in the process.

If your friends’ hand-me-downs don’t satisfy your sartorial needs this spring, try some local thrift stores. Walk a little past Mugshots on Cecil B. Moore Avenue to University Thrift Shop, located at 1723 Cecil B. Moore Ave. This is not your uppity hipster thrift shop that charges $20 for an oversized T-shirt with a wolf illustration on it. University Thrift crams its racks with vintage deals for men and women. I once found a pair of seemingly new Chuck Taylor low-tops hanging out in a $1 bin alongside a vintage leopard print dress that I’m pretty sure Forever21 was trying to sell for about $30-plus.

Hit up the Salvation Army at 21st and Market streets for two floors of shoes, accessories and clothes arranged by color. The shop almost

delphia and observed that the reality wasn’t quite as extravagant as the fantasy. Not that I haven’t witnessed gay paradise in the bar scene, but I recall my first gay bar visit to be one that was rather underwhelming. Not because it was a bad experience, but because it felt markedly normal. I didn’t see any go-go dancers, the bartender had a shirt on, and the men standing next to me waiting for a drink were middle-aged and dressed age-appropriately.

“What the hell kind of gay bar Wonderland is this?” I remember thinking.

Curiously, it is not even so much that I wanted a “traditional” gay bar experience, I had just conceived a notion of what to expect at any and every bar packed with gay men and women. Maybe it was a small town prejudice, or maybe there really is a certain universal reputation attached to gay bars that just isn’t true.

There are certain aspects of the imaginary gay bar that, of course, do ring true. If you’re there by yourself, sitting on a bar stool cruising down every passing person, you’re probably looking to get it in. But then again, the same could be said of any bar, regardless of sexual orientation.

I may never understand the reasoning behind the exact logic of the heterosexual community in finding gay bars to be strictly effeminate places of promiscuity, but I would hope that heterosexual men in particular would at least experiment with going to a gay bar before giving me the uncomfortable eyebrow raise upon mentioning one in conversation.

Regardless of the stigmas and the sometimes crude reputation, there remains something blissful about the gay bar experience that, in a way, could be likened to the thriving social scenes of the Harlem Renaissance.

I’m not, by any stretch of the imagination, claiming gay bars are providers of art in the same transformative way Harlem was, but there is a certain cultural experience to be had that can be enjoyed by all people. Harlem became known for attracting diverse crowds, after all.

Perhaps the GLBT community just needs its own version of Harlem to communicate that much-needed message of all-inclusiveness, and perhaps one day Philadelphia’s Gayborhood can and will be that cultural center.

“From men, however, I get the apprehensive reaction of an eyebrow raise and an awkward half smile.”

Brandon Baker can be reached at brandon.baker@temple.edu.

Hunting for hotties off-campus WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

U

ntil t o d a y,

March 20, I had previously not been able to legally go to bars to pick up a strapping young lad. That’s right, ALEXIS SACHDEV folks, I went to Columnist bars underage.

Ahem, I meant Alexis Sachdev to say that toscopes out day’s my 21st unconventional birthday. But as spots to locate I write this apyour next lover. proaching the big two-one, and after contributing to The Temple News’ Bar Guide, I can’t say I’m necessarily looking forward to the new hunting grounds I’ll gain admittance to.

Something about meeting “Mr. Right” or “Mr. Right Now” in a dimly lit, overcrowded big-kid frat party leaves a sour taste in my mouth. One that can’t, mind you, be washed away with another drink.

The myth of successfully picking up someone at a bar is just that: a myth. The odds of some stranger coming home with you after you’ve been bankrolling their bar tab all night are slim. The bartender will announce last call, and once the bar starts spilling out, you’re more likely than not going home alone. And, should you get lucky, the odds are against you again: Most people report those interactions don’t go further than a one-night stand.

After all, the journalism biz doesn’t supply enough funds to support a lush lifestyle of frequent nights out in Northern Liberties, especially the games at Barcade, or cabs to and from.

Disillusioned with the bar scene and lacking a furry friend to parade around Beury Beach to pick up the Internet’s next Cute Boy with Pets sensation, I’ve been left wondering where to go. If you’re like

me, here are some suggestions for some unconventional spots to scope out your next cutie.

FARMERS’ MARKETS

Being so close to Lancaster County, Philadelphia boasts a large array of farmers’ markets to choose from throughout the city.

Guys: Shopping for some organic asparagus is a great time to invite her over for a home-cooked meal and some, um, dessert. Whether its good or not, we probably won’t care. We’ll be more impressed by your effort. Unlike going out to a restaurant, cooking at home gives both of you a better opportunity to talk and allows for cute photo-ops after the expected food fight.

APPLE STORE

If you’re a Mac, head down to the Apple store at 1607 Walnut St. The store – and most locations nearby – are constantly crowded, so the odds are already in your favor. Besides, when your Macbook goes on the fritz, it’s always nice to have a gadget guru nearby to calm your frantic screams.

If you’re waiting for your appointment with the Genius Bar, strike up a conversation with a nearby shopper. Several locations offer workshops on iMovie, Garageband, podcasts or basic introductions to Mac products. Check with your local store to see which workshops are available and sign up. But don’t forget about those sales associates. A little appreciation for the cutie working on your computer can go a long way.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

True, the last thing you’re thinking about while squeezed between hundreds of people on the Broad Street Line is macking on one of them. But if you’re a commuter or just frequent rider, chances are you’ve started recognizing some of your fellow riders.

Next time you step on the Broad Street

Line, leave your leisure reading in your bag, put away Draw Something and sit near your prey. A simple and coy, “Hey, weren’t you in my Mosaics class?” should do the trick to get the ball rolling. Next thing you know, you’ll be walking arm-in-arm down Broad Street. It’s as easy as riding the bus.

Who knows, if all goes well, you can submit your love story next February. Each year for Valentine’s Day, SEPTA holds the “Moving Love Stories Contest,” where people who found love while commuting can submit their stories and enter for a chance to win.

At the end of the day, there are eligible bachelors and bachelorettes everywhere.

What matters more than the location, however, is the courage to strike up that initial conversation and lower your inhibitions.

One day about a year ago, walking from class to the newsroom, I was approached on the street by a friendly stranger. After I lowered my guard, I agreed to go on a date with him, and you know what? It was a great afternoon.

Alexis Sachdev can be reached at asachdev@temple.edu.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012

Party promotion business gains popularity CNO PAGE 7

TIMOTHY VALSHTEIN TTN

(Left to right) Campus Night Out founders Antonio Crudele, Tim McBrien, Devon Gorson and Craig Thom work for the party planning and promotion company founded last year..

“We really like to get out there and find the new talent and we like to sponsor them,” Thom said.

CNO remains a close business partner with Ground Up, sponsoring the band’s new tour

“The Get Up.” Last week, CNO members sold $10 tickets in the Student Center atrium for Ground Up’s mixtape release concert at the Theater of the Living Arts on March 24.

Before February, when

the CNO website was first launched, most of the event outreach was accountable to social networking including Facebook and Twitter. With CNO’s newly developed, comprehensive website, which took about six

months to develop, Thom said he hopes it will become the focal point that, “gives you a very accurate analysis of the events that will be pertained to our specific demographic.”

Within three weeks of the

website launch, Thom said the CNO website had more than 5,000 page views.

“We’re getting a great response, people are actually coming on and checking it out,” Thom said. “Average time on the site is like five minutes.

That’s enough to go through the whole site.”

People who are interested in promoting an event to the college demographic may submit their idea directly onto the CNO website, and after it’s reviewed, the event will be placed in the “around campus” section.

If an event is received that CNO members believe should be highlighted, they will place it in the “what’s the move” tab.

“You want to know what’s going on, you want to know where everybody is,” Langton said. “Our main mission statement is that we don’t just promote every event, we promote the most exciting ones, the most fun ones.”

Thom wants CNO to gain a large web following, in which students use the website to see what is happening around Philadelphia, ultimately pushing traffic to the sites where the events are occurring.

“Once we have that web presence, we’re going to use our hub to push traffic to mon-

etize that, and also host our own events,” Thom said.

Having a strong web following will contribute greatly to CNO’s sole-coordinated events, like one Thom has planned for April 5 at Whisper Club, 1712 Walnut St., featuring DJ NouveauBeats from Holland.

Still setting the framework down for the company, CNO has not been making enough money to sustain wages for employees.

But, Thom is currently creating a business plan with other CNO affiliates to get investors, and is entering CNO in Temple’s 2012 Be Your Own Boss Bowl, which has a grand prize worth approximately $115,000 in cash, Microsoft products and professional services.

“Campus Night Out is like my child, I’m seeing it grow in front of my own eyes,” Thom said. “The reason that I know that Campus Night Out is really starting to flourish is because I know a lot of people that [doubted] in the beginning are starting to hold their tongues.”

Lauren Hertzler can be reached at lauren.hertzler@temple.edu.

Men march in heels against sexual violence WALK PAGE 7 and trails the exterior of campus.

HEART and its collaborators have held shoe drives and opened donation boxes to collect shoes for the walkers.

On March 13, Temple College Democrats, Queer Student Union and FMLA collaborated to host a screening of 2011 documentary “Miss Representation.” The goal of the screening was to enlighten attendees of the media’s portrayal of women and to raise shoe contributions for the Walk a Mile event.

Holly Genovese, the events coordinator for TCD, said “Miss Representation” focuses on the media portrayal of women in the U.S and how that translates into fewer women in positions of power.

“FMLA wanted to do something for Walk a Mile so [they] had allocated the rights for the film,” Genovese said.

She added that the message of the film and the implications of Walk a Mile aligned with TCD’s beliefs, so they chose to host the event with FMLA. Schaffer said that the shoes the “Miss Representation” screening collected, added to the donations and other shoe drives held throughout campus, should provide enough shoes for at least 100 walkers.

Chestnut stressed that one of their main goals for Walk a Mile, in addition to raising awareness, is to encourage victims of sexual assault to report their attacks.

According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, approximately 60 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to the authorities.

Chestnut attributes this statistic to several factors, which includes a sense of guilt and shame, possible social repercussions or an unwillingness

to repeatedly retell the incident to authorities.

“We can’t echo enough the value of reporting,” Chestnut said. “It holds people accountable for behavior. Serial rapists or serial people who perform sexual assault don’t modify behavior without there being higher levels of consequences. If we only chose to share our story so that somebody else never had a story to tell…that’s really valuable.”

The hope, Chestnut and Schaffer said, is to make Walk a Mile an annual collaboration to continue raising awareness.

“It’s a really wonderful collaboration,” Schaffer said. “And not to a degree that doesn’t occur often or anything, but to a degree that we in our work here don’t often have the opportunity and the passion and drive from so many people across the university.”

“It’s just so amazing how many people have come out and, from the get-go, really expressed their personal and professional drive to have something like this occur on our campus and really shared stakeholders all the way, and shared resources and shared opportunities and word of mouth,” she added.

Registration is still open for walkers and for sponsors to pledge support and donate shoes. For more information about the Walk A Mile event on Main Campus, visit its website available through the Division of Student Affairs.

Alexis Sachdev can be reached at asachdev@temple.edu.

Watch the Walk online After Walk a Mile in Her Shoes on March 22, head to temple-news.com/multimedia for on-the-street coverage.

LIVING

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012

PAGE 17

Alumna wins Canon Imagin8ion contest Brooke Shaden, 1998 alumna, snapped the winning photograph to represent “Time,” one of eight themes in a film as part of Canon’s contest.

KARA SAVIDGE Arts & Entertainment Editor

T

wo girls run through a highgrass field in long dresses, in what appears to be a hazy early morning light or sunset. One’s carrying a lantern, they’re both looking behind themselves curiously. Director Ron Howard said the image perfectly embodies the concept of time.

The image, created and captured by 1998 alumnus Brooke Shaden, was chosen to inspire the concept of “time,” – one of eight theme’s in Howard’s new short film, “When You Find Me.” The eight images were chosen and the subsequent film was created as part of the Canon Project Imagin8ion contest. The winners were announced last August, and the movie premiered in November.

“I noticed the contest was about combining photography and filmmaking, my two passions, so I thought it’d be fun to see if the cinematic quality to my images would show through to judges,” Shaden said.

Evidently they did, and the feel of the photo isn’t incidental. When Shaden came to Temple in 1995, she had her sights set on and received a degree in filmmaking. After graduating, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the field. She spent a year as a receptionist for a production company and then as a legal assistant at Paramount Pictures, but quit the entertainment industry to become an artist and photographer full-time.

“I decided to try my hand at photography and sort of fell in love with it right away,” Shaden said. “I had a filmmaking background, which made the jump into photography really easy.”

She said that the process of filmmaking was a better fit given the way she likes to work.

“The end product is not any more satisfying, but I definitely prefer to work alone rather than with groups of people,” Shaden said. “There’s one concept then it’s all finished and out in the open in a matter of days rather than years.”

Taking photography from a hobby to a full-time gig, Shaden said her

career quickly picked up speed, but she was adamant about avoiding commercial or freelance photography. She waited until she had enough money saved to launch a strictly fine arts career.

“I figured that I have an interest in photography and just want to create the ideas in my head, so if I’m going to go for it [I should do so] as fully as I could and not look back,” Shaden said.

Since then, she’s been actively teaching photography workshops and said she hopes to do more in the future, especially for large-scale classes at conventions. She’s releasing a book next year, and currently has an exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography in L.A. She added that she hopes to do a little bit of experimental filmmaking in the future.

Her 350-photo portfolio includes many images possessing other wordly qualities, and Shaden said that aspect of her shooting has always been “really personal” to her.

“I’ve always been creative in a way. For a little I thought I’d be a writer, then filmmaking, then finally

photography, but all along the way I was inspired by anything dark, surreal and whimsical,” Shaden said. “That came largely from within, no outside inspiration, that’s just where my imagination takes me.”

And though her relocations to Philadelphia and then Los Angeles may suggest otherwise, Shaden said she prefers the countryside to city life, and many of the photos in her portfolio include natural surroundings.

The Lancaster, Pa., native now lives about an hour north of L.A. and said that her Central Pennsylvania roots have affected her style.

“I think being from a small town, a small place where you find nature everywhere you look, has hugely inspired my photography – I’m always trying to shoot natural locations instead of an urban landscape,” Shaden said.

She felt the photo was fitting for the concept of time because of both the timeless quality of the clothes and the setting, which could be interpreted as dawn or dusk. The foggy scene was constructed by Shaden’s friend running out in front of the camera for

one shot, Shaden doing the same in another shot, and then the two images being composited together. She submitted the photo in the spring of last year, and was notified that she won last July.

Since the film premiered, she’s returned to her hometown for a screening as well as others in New York and L.A. While the chosen photographers didn’t have a hand in crafting the movie, she said that Howard spoke with them individually about their photos. He told Shaden that he was drawn to her image because it “required almost no work on his part,” and “already looked like a movie image.”

“They did a good job incorporating every photo into the mix, and they very literally created every photo as a moving image – that was really neat, and I felt really happy with how they used mine,” Shaden said.

Kara Savidge can be reached at kara.savidge@temple.edu.

“All along the way I was inspired by anything dark, surreal and whimsical. That came largely from within, no outside inspiration, that’s just where my imagination takes me.”

Brooke Shaden / 1998 alumna

Courtesy Brooke Shaden

Brooke Shaden, 1998 alumna, snapped this photo, which won the Canon Imagin8ion contest under the “Time” theme.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Women’s basketball gears up for remaining A-10 play Double Dribble

supposedly, in the A-10,” coach Tonya Cardoza said. “Obviously that’s good for us. But there’s no cupcakes. I think that the parody in the A-10 is really great this year.”

Cardoza has traditionally been one to preach that no team is a bad team. And her team almost always buys into the philosophy.

Jake Adams “We don’t have one more big [game], I think we have eight,” Cardoza said about the The Owls have eight remaining A-10 games. “We A-10 remaining in the have eight big ones that we have to make sure that we take care season. of one at a time.”

Every win in the A-10 is omen’s basketball’s 65-55 win a good win, while a big win against Char- against a top opponent doesn’t lotte on Sunday necessarily justify a great seagave the Owls a 5-1 record in son. The conference is too wide open to dictate top the Atlantic Ten and bottom teams.

Conference, but Cardoza also more importantly said the team isn’t gave the team four focused on how wins in five meetA-10 leading St. ings against conBonaventure is doference opponents ing. The Bonnies with a .500 record are sitting atop the or better. conference at 7-0, The Owls the only A-10 foe have survived the to beat the Owls toughest part of this year. The Bontheir conference Tonya Cardoza / coach nies beat the Owls schedule with 74-65 on Jan. 11. eight games re“That was our maining. The only opportunity and team left on the schedule with a winning A-10 record is St. Jo- we let it slip away and now seph’s (14-6, 4-2 A-10), who the we’re just focusing on the game in front of us,” Cardoza said.

Owls will face two times.

The combined record of “We’re not looking and hopTemple’s next eight opponents ing.”

The third-place Owls are is 18-34 in conference play. By comparison the first six games now a half game behind Daywere against opponents with a ton, who Temple beat on the road 61-57. They also have the combined 26-8 A-10 record.

“Obviously you want to tiebreaker against Charlotte and win every game that you play in Richmond, who are the only and the fact that it’s been against teams outside St. Joe’s within some of the better competition, striking distance.

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“There’s no cupcakes.

I think the parody in the A-10 is really great this year.”

ABI REIMOLD TTN

Senior guard Shey Peddy was named Atlantic Ten Conference and Big 5 Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 23-29.

Those tiebreakers will be critical down the stretch and securing a top seed in the A-10 tournament. Dayton, in many ways, holds the key to where the Owls finish the regular season. The Flyers host Charlotte and the Bonnies in back-to-back games next week. A Dayton win against St. Bonaventure – who they’re 4-1 against the past four years – and the Owls sit tie for first. And if Charlotte upsets Dayton and Temple takes care of business, the Owls take sole possession of second place.

Duquesne can also play a key role. The Dukes, at 3-3 in A-10 play, look like the most

Owls share offensive load BASKETBALL PAGE 20

likely team outside Dayton to upset the Bonnies. During the past four seasons the series sits at 4-3 in favor of St. Bonaventure.

But this all depends on if Temple takes care of their own business and beats the teams they’re supposed to.

“There’s no easy games for us and we’re not expecting that,” Cardoza said. “We’re expecting everybody to give us their best shot and may the best team win.”

And that’s where St. Joe’s comes in. While outside forces could have a critical impact on the standings by the end of the

season as the top teams beat each other up for the top seeds, the second half of the Owls’ A-10 season boils down to two matchups against the Hawks.

History favors the Owls, as they have defeated their Big-5 rival in 11 straight games. But St. Joe’s has never been an easy win as two of those wins have come in overtime and six have been decided by five points or fewer. And that’s what Cardoza is focused on.

“We know that it’s going to be a dog fight, and that’s what we expect,” Cardoza said. “We don’t expect St. Joe’s to play bad because they never do.

They’re always going to play us well. We’re just hoping that we match their intensity level and do everything that we’re supposed to do and come out on top.”

Temple can’t afford to let these games get away, much less the other six on the schedule. They don’t hold their fate in their hands. Winning out secures them a top seed for the conference tournament, but they need help if they want the regular season title.

Jake Adams can be reached at jacob.adams@temple.edu.

Eric’s teammates rise to the occasion during injury CRANNEY PAGE 20

HUA ZONG TTN

Sophomore guard Aaron Brown posts a three-point percentage of .400 off the bench. guard Juan Fernandez displayed their abilities to put points on the scoreboard quickly during the Owls win against the Hawks. In the first half, the two guards shot a combined 13 of 17 from the floor and six of seven from behind the arc to score 32 of the team’s total 38 points by halftime.

“You got to take what the other team gives you, but at the same time we can’t rely on making shots,” Fernandez said during the post-game press conference. “There are going to be days where we’re not going to feel as good and we’re going to have to find other ways [to win]. The more open you are, the more chances you’re going to have of making those shots.

That’s what we work on, rather than making it, trying to get good shots.”

“When you can get those two guys, and [Wyatt] typically does the same thing, all three of those guys get in a rhythm and start making shots then it kind

of feeds off with everyone else,” Dunphy added.

One difference from last season to this season is that Moore is shooting a slightly lower percentage. While the Philadelphia native shot .447 percent from the field and .383 percent from behind the arc last year, he now averages slightly lower numbers as he owns a .430 field goal percentage and a .370 percentage from threepointers.

Despite the drop off in efficiency, Moore and the Owls are averaging 74.8 points per game, which is ranked second in the A-10 behind Massachusetts.

Last year the Owls were No. 4 in the league in scoring offense with 70.6 points per outing.

The team’s ball distribution is something that Dunphy has emphasized during the season.

Temple averages 15.7 assists per game, which ranks 29th overall in the country.

“I do think that these guys, while they like to score, prob-

ably like to set up and pass the basketball to their teammates equally as much if not more and that’s encouraging,” Dunphy said.

Although the Owls’ fourthbest scorer from last season, senior forward Scootie Randall (10.7 points per game) has been out all year with an injury, other players have stepped up in his absence. Wyatt and Fernandez continue to average double figures in points per game with 16 and 11.8, respectively. In addition, junior forward Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson has improved his offensive production by nearly five points per game this year and is currently averaging 9.1 points.

The Owls will play the league’s No. 13 scoring offense team in Fordham at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Liacouras Center.

Connor Showalter can be reached at connor.showalter@temple.edu.

16 games this year in place of Eric. Lee averages more than 21 minutes per game and is second to Eric in rebounding average while leading the team in blocks. “[Lee] has come a very long way,” Eric said. “He’s had to mature as fast as he could because situations like this happen. I appreciate what he’s done.” “[Lee] would not have the year he’s having without [Eric] getting hurt,” coach Fran Dunphy added.

Lee’s development in Eric’s absence has made him a valuable player in the frontcourt and will pay dividends next year when Lee will likely start at forward.

“I’m very impressed with [Lee],” Dunphy said after the St. Joe’s game. “Obviously we have [Eric] back now, but [Lee] has done a great job in stemming the tide for us.”

In addition to Lee’s progression, Eric’s absence also brought out a surge in scoring from Temple’s three starting guards, senior Juan Fernandez, junior Khalif Wyatt and redshirt- senior Ramone Moore.

Moore leads the Atlantic Ten Conference in scoring with 17.4 points per game, and Wyatt is four spots behind him with 16.0 ppg. Fernandez leads the team in assists and is second in three-point percentage.

Wyatt, in particular, stepped up while Eric was injured. Wyatt was suspended for the team’s first game for playing in an unsanctioned summer league game and averaged 12 points a contest during the next three games that Eric played in before getting hurt.

In the 13 games that Eric missed, Wyatt averaged 17.4

ppg and hit game-deciding of 60 percent on Saturday was shots against Buffalo, Dela- a season high. ware and Duke in three con“It’s a combination of havsecutive contests. ing [Eric] back and that we’ve Eric said that his team- been pretty effective shooting mates showed resilience during the ball,” Moore said after the his injury.

St. Joe’s game. “We’ve played “My teammates stepped two good teams the past two up in big games,” Eric said. “It games and we’ve come out and shows how much of a team we played well.” are.” “[Eric] has helped a great Temple is 6-1 with Eric deal,” Dunphy added. “His and 9-4 without him. Eric was presence helped. The confileading the A-10 in rebounding dence levels that he brings to before getting injured, and in our other guys has helped. And losses to Bowling Green, Tex- obviously he has played well. as, Dayton and Richmond in He almost has all the rust off.”

Eric’s absence, the Owls were The fact that Temple went outrebounded by 9-4 and upset a a combined total Top 5 program of 149 to 106. without Eric, and But Temple will only get better was able to carry as he continues to a winning record get healthy, raises throughout his the question of, absence and even “How far can this upset a Top 5 proteam go?” gram in the Blue “It’s a proDevils. Now that gression,” Eric Eric is back, the said. “I have to Owls have to be crawl before I thinking that the walk. Game one Fran Dunphy / coach was hard part is over. a feel-in, “I think game two was there’s a trust in [Eric], that getting accustomed to movhe’s been around for a long ing, game three was gain contime and [players] know what fidence. Hopefully game four to expect from him,” Dunphy will get me be back to where said after the St. Joe’s game. I was.”

“Just his presence is valuable Joey Cranney can be reached to us, his size. He’s doing some at joseph.cranney@temple.edu. good things, he’s working really hard.”

The effect of Eric’s return on the play of his team has been outstanding in the past two games.

The Owls have defeated their past two opponents by a combined margin of 40 points.

They’ve shot a combined 57.4 percent from the floor, and Temple’s shooting percentage

“[Eric] has been around for a long time and [players] know what to expect from him.”

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

PAGE 19

All-around gymnast bounces back Adam Al-Rokh keeps career alive after injury.

CHASE SENIOR The Temple News After receiving multiple surgeries on both shoulders and his bicep muscle within a 12-month period, redshirtsenior all-around gymnast Adam Al-Rokh did not let injuries affect his career after sitting out his 2010 season.

“I’ve never had to sit out a whole year like that,” AlRokh said. “It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do, it was really depressing and demoralizing.”

For some gymnasts, sitting out for a season could have a permanent effect on their careers, but it didn’t stop Al-Rokh from coming back and making a lasting impression.

Last year, Al-Rokh not only returned to the sport, but he became the only member of the men’s gymnastics team to qualify for the 2011 United States Gymnastics National Championships. Competitors from all across the country ranging from junior qualifiers, to college gymnasts and even those in the professional ranks had the opportunity to compete in St. Paul, Minn.

“To be on that stage was amazing, I don’t know if I can find one word to describe it,”

Al-Rokh said. “It was exciting, but at the same time it was intimidating. I couldn’t of been more proud to get there because of all I had been through.”

Before undergoing surgery, Al-Rokh would ignore his minor injuries until they became so serious to the point where he would have to miss competitions. Now if he has even a minor ache he takes the cautious route and gets checked out immediately.

“I’ve been working mentally on eliminating the fear of messing up,” Al-Rokh said.

“It’s something I’ve already been through, and I’ve made it. The key to my success is not trying to inflate what I’m doing more then it is.”

As an all-arounder, AlRokh competes in a total of six events – floor exercise, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel and high bars – that he said works in his favor.

“Sometimes the break [between events] kills you mentally a little bit,” Al-Rokh said. “You get more of a physical rest, but mentally speaking you’re out of the game.”

Not only does Al-Rokh put in a tough dosage of work in the gym, but he has also performed in the classroom.

Recently, Al-Rokh was one of 69 gymnasts in the nation to be named as a first team All-American Scholar Athlete for attaining at least a 3.5 grade point average. The

The club ice hockey team defeats St. Joe’s, but falls to Montclair State.

SAMANTHA GRINNAN The Temple News

both teams exchange back and forth, depending on who comes out on top each year.

“It’s nice to have bragging rights for the city,” Franke said.

After coming away with a 4-1 record and beating cross-town rival Penn, the Owls now face a grueling schedule ahead.

Next weekend the team will travel to Evanston, Ill. for the Northwestern University Multi-Meet.

A combination of travel hours and major fencing institutions will prove a tough task for the Owls who will be facing undefeated Ohio State, Notre Dame, along with No. 4 Northwestern.

Franke said that the upcoming meet will provide a true test for the program with competition being at such a high level.

“I would like to see us come away with a ton of victories,” Franke said. “But Northwestern will be gunning for us and everyone is going to have to be on their game.”

The ice hockey club finished this past weekend with a win at St. Joseph’s on Saturday and a loss to Montclair State on Sunday.

The Owls out-played the Hawks Saturday. Sophomore goalie Chris Mullen got the start and allowed one goal, as Temple skated past St. Joe’s earning a 5-1 win. Goals were scored by senior forward Taylor Lockhart, senior forward George Rutter, junior forward Joe Pisko, freshman forward Brady O’Donnell and with his first colligate goal, freshman defenseman Chris Carnivalle.

Coming off the win on Saturday, the Owls took on the Red Hawks of Montclair State on Sunday. Temple started off the game with intensity but suffered when it came to getting shots on net, playing many of their possessions in the neutral zone.

“We got off to a slow start,” coach Jerry Roberts said. “We were outshot 14-2 in the first period so it’s hard to win a hockey game when you only play for 40 minutes.”

Despite being outshot, the Owls ended the first period tied at zero, thanks to a few great saves by senior goalie Will Neifeld.

The Red Hawks broke through in the second period and scored one goal, giving Montclair a one-goal advantage going into the third period.

A late third-period penalty led to a Montclair power play goal, giving them a two-goal lead. In a last effort to win, Temple pulled Neifeld, but it proved too little too late as the Red Hawk tallied an empty net goal, ending the game 3-0.

“My biggest concern with discipline in not necessarily penalties, as much as it is the discipline to execute our game plan,” Roberts said. “That’s what’s hurting us the most.”

Defensively, junior defenseman Matt Benedetto helped to keep the puck mostly in the Owls possession, while senior forward Jim McKenzie stood out offensively, setting up a lot of chances for Temple.

“We played good in the second and third,” Lockhart said. “We got shots through, but they have an awesome tender.”

Montclair’s graduate goalie Kevin Fox was the other goalie, along with Temple’s Neifeld, who was part of the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II Select Team, which traveled to Europe during winter break to compete against professional teams.

The Owls look to put the loss behind them quickly, as the season is close to an end and playoffs are just around the corner.

“It deflates us today, but motivates us tomorrow,” Lockhart said. “We’re going to lose some games, we can’t win them all.”

“Our players need to buy in, and we need to focus on executing properly.” Roberts added. “This game was just a wakeup call.”

The Owls have three regular season games left, including two home next weekend verse Rowan and William Paterson and an away game the following weekend at Delaware, before the start of Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs on Feb. 17.

“We just need to keep rolling,” Lockhart said.

“We need to stay focused for 60 minutes,” Roberts added. “If we stay focused, never get comfortable, and stay on our toes, we will be ready for anything.”

The Owls currently hold the eighth spot in the Southeast Region in the ACHA. The Top 2 teams from each region get a bid to nationals and teams ranked 3-10 compete at regionals, which begin Feb. 25, with a chance to advance to nationals.

Colin Tansits can be reached at conlin. tansits@temple.edu.

Sam Grinnan can be reached at sam.grinnan@temple.edu.

SAM OSHLAG TTN

Redshirt-senior Adam Al-Rokh was named a first-team All-American Scholar Athlete. men’s gymnastics as a team was named the 2011 National Academic Team Champions by the College Gymnastics Association as the team combined for the nation’s highest GPA of 3.519.

“Sometimes the balance [between athletics and schoolwork] doesn’t happen,” Al Rokh said. “At times the most important part is realizing that there isn’t a complete balance.

When there is a big test coming up, the focus goes directly towards school, and if there is a big meet coming up and your school schedule is rea-

sonable, then that will be the focus.”

This season Al-Rokh has a lighter course load as a fifthyear senior and is responsible for 12 credits. He hopes to repeat the success he experienced last year on the gymnastics squad.

During the Owl’s first meet of the season at the Navy Open on Jan. 21, Al-Rokh played a big role in the team’s first place finish and was named the Eastern College Athletic Conference gymnast of the week.

This past weekend Al-

Rokh continued his success and led the Cherry and White in all-around event with a third place finish.

After his career with the Owls, Al-Rokh said the next step is to train for the USA gymnastics team.

“I want to do this professionally for at least eight to 12 more years, and go to more than one Olympics,” Al-Rokh said. “Realistically speaking the 2016 Olympics would be my best shot.”

Chase Senior can be reached at chase.senior@temple.edu.

Marshall hopes to qualify for 2012 games MARSHALL PAGE 20 she began to come face to face with reality.

“The two following years after I graduated from college, I really struggled,” Marshall said. “I had everything pretty much laid out for me and had no worries [at Rutgers]. But after I graduated, all of the sudden I needed a job, a place to live and not to mention a place to train.”

“I had no money at all and all of the sudden I found myself close to giving track up altogether,” Marshall added. “It was a really hard time, but I had the support from my family and my coaches, and I got through it.”

When all seemed lost, it was a three-month trip to the Olympic Training Center in San Diego, that helped Marshall advance in her career as a long jumper.

“I went up there to just get my mind back on track,” Marshall said.

“I just went up there blindly with no place to stay, but I knew I had to go to keep my dream alive. I stayed at a friend’s place for two weeks and at the Center for the rest of it, and it really helped.”

As things began improving for Marshall, she picked up an assistant coaching position with Temple in

2008. Marshall now uses some of the methods and tricks from her technique to help the men and women’s track and field team.

“You don’t want to have fear going into a race or event,” Marshall said. “If you have fear, you’re kind of hesitating and you don’t want to go into anything hesitating, you want to go into it full blast.”

“That’s how I approach it myself and it’s little things like that that I try to teach the kids here,” Marshall added.

While she coaches at Temple, she still competes for team USA and is looking to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. In order to make the USA Olympic Track and Field Team, long jumpers need to place in the Top 4 at the Olympic qualifier meet.

At the past Olympic qualifiers, Marshall finished 21st in 2004 and was seventh in 2008.

“In 2004, it was just really cool,” Marshall said. “I jumped right before [world champion track star Marion Jones] and it was an amazing feeling.

It was just an honor to be there.”

This year Marshall is ranked seventh in the qualifiers field and said she wants to make 2012 the year she makes the Olympic team.

Courtesy Shameka Marshall

Assistant coach Shameka Marshall competes in the long jump at the 2011 Pan-American games in Guadalajara, Mexico. She has set a goal at qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Games.

“I’m putting all of my energy into right now and this upcoming Olympics,” Marshall said. “It’s time to move up the ladder, and for right now, it’s looking good and we’ll just have

to see.”

Drew Parent can be reached at andrew.parent@temple.edu.

No. 8 fencing team duels at Penn State multi-meet

The No. 8 fencing team beats No. 9 Penn in State College, Pa. COLIN TANSITS The Temple News The fencing team went 4-1 in team competition at the Penn State Multi-Meet on Saturday.

After two victories, the Owls faced top-ranked Penn State, against whom they struggled to find their rhythm.

The foil squad was the only team to find success against the Nittany Lions, with senior Alyssa Lomuscio and junior Mikayla Varadi each posting 3-0 records.

The Owls won their final two matches with 20-7 victories against North Carolina and Haverford College.

“Overall, we did well,” coach Nikki Franke said. “We handled North Carolina pretty well by dominating from the start.”

However, the biggest victory of the day for the Owls was against No. 9 Penn.

“We had a close match with Penn, and I saw many positive things from the girls,” Franke said.

The win gives Temple bragging rights within the city and a trophy that

Ice hockey splits pair of games

LESLIE FRAZIER TTN

Junior Jill Branton (right) competed on the epee squad at Penn State.

SPORTS temple-news.com

PAGE 20

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

THE TREMENDOUS TRIO

The men’s basketball team is led by its three starting guards.

CONNOR SHOWALTER Sports Editor

S

coring for the men’s basketball team has not been an issue this season. Even though two of the Owls’ Top 4 scorers from last year are no longer in the starting lineup, the team’s offensive numbers have improved.

The Owls (15-5, 4-2 Atlantic Ten Conference) are averaging the third-best field goal percentage (.471) and the second-highest percentage from behind the three-point line (.400) in the conference. Recently, the Owls outscored a St. Joseph’s team that entered Saturday’s game at the Liacouras Center with a better team field goal percentage, 78-60.

“That wasn’t much of a contest,” Hawks’ coach Phil Martelli said at the post-game press conference. “We were dominated, but they dominated, it wasn’t that we just gave in.”

Redshirt-senior guard Ramone Moore led the way offensively for the Owls with a game-high 21 points. The victory extended the Owls’ winning streak to four games, while the team is fourth in the A-10.

At the beginning of the season, Dunphy said that he was going to need Moore to average at least 15 points or more for the

Injury to Eric becomes blessing in disguise Insane in the Joe Crane

Joey Cranney

The Owls stepped up during Micheal Eric’s kneecap injury.

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hile graduate center Micheal Eric has had a welcome return to the lineup after missing 13 games due to an injured kneecap, his absence could actually be described as a blessing in disguise for the Owls.

Eric played 17 minutes in games against Charlotte and St. Joseph’s last week and scored 17 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Though his presence sparked his team, Eric’s greater contribution this season happened when his teammates all stepped up while he was out.

Redshirt-freshman forward Anthony Lee, who hadn’t played a minute on the collegiate level prior to this season, has started

CRANNEY PAGE 18

HUA ZONG TTN

Redshirt-senior guard Ramone Moore leads Temple in scoring with an average of 17.4 points per game. Moore scored a game-high 21 points on Saturday. team, which is the number of points he averaged per contest the year before. So far after 20 games this season, the 6-foot4-inch guard is averaging 17.4 points per game, which leads all

other A-10 scorers. “[Moore] knows that he needs to shoot the ball and he needs to score for us to be good,” Dunphy said after the St. Joe’s game. “That’s the great

thing about Ramone. He knows exactly what he does, when he does it.”

Moore has scored a team high in points during eight games this year, which is tied

for the most games with junior guard Khalif Wyatt. Known as a streaky-shooting team, there have been two stretches this season where Moore has scored a team high in points in three

consecutive games, while Wyatt once recorded four consecutive team-leading performances at the start of January.

Both Moore and senior

BASKETBALL PAGE 18

Track coach aims for Olympics Shameka Marshall renews passion for track and field.

DREW PARENT The Temple News When asked about her track career in high school, track and field assistant coach Shameka Marshall just sat back and laughed.

“It’s funny, I actually hated track back then,” Marshall said.

“I thought to myself, I only have eight years to do this and I’m done.”

While certainly not the response to be expected from the United States’ seventh best long jumper in the country, it provides a good contrast from her outlook in 1999 to her career today.

Marshall is a professional USA Track and Field long jumper, who is looking to make her third attempt at Olympic qualification. She recently competed in the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico and captured the silver medal.

“It was incredible,” Marshall said. “The competition was amazing. I’ve never been more excited about being at any other meet than that one.”

Marshall’s first jump at Pan-Am was her best of the day, but Brazilian jumper Maurren Maggi surpassed her in the final results. Still, the silver medal sat just fine with Marshall.

“I remember standing there and saying to myself, ‘I just got the silver medal,’” Marshall said. “It was an amaz-

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL p.18 The Owls defeated Charlotte 65-55 on Sunday to improve their Atlantic Ten Conference record to 5-1.

SPORTS DESK 215-204-9537

ing experience.”

When discussing her accolades, Marshall referred back to the high school years where she discovered that she had a natural talent.

During her high school years, Marshall was a standout. She excelled not only in the long jump, but in sprints and hurdles as well. Division-I programs began to take notice in the Quinton, N.J. native and Marshall received a full scholarship to attend Rutgers University.

“My career started to build from [Rutgers],” Marshall said.

“At first I didn’t even want to take the scholarship. I really didn’t like track, but I thought to myself, ‘I have a gift and it would be a shame to waste it.’”

Marshall might not have known it when she arrived at Rutgers, but she was about to embark on an illustrious career.

During her four years as a Scarlet Knight, Marshall became the school-record holder in both the indoor and outdoor long jump, as well as the record holder for the 60-meter dash, 60-meter hurdles, 100-meter hurdles and a leg for the record holding 4x100 and 4x200-meter relay teams. Marshall finished as a two-time All-American and the NCAA national runner up in the long jump in 2006.

The success Marshall saw in college motivated her to take the next step and compete professionally after college. However, it was at this point where

MARSHALL PAGE 19

ABI REIMOLD TTN

Assistant coach Shameka Marshall earned a silver medal at the 2011 Pan-American Games.

FENCING p.19 The No. 8 Owls defeated No. 9 Penn at the Penn State Multi-Meet on Saturday.

MEN’S BASKETBALL NEXT WEEK The Owls will play Atlantic Ten Conference opponents Fordham and Rhode Island this week.

SPORTS@TEMPLE-NEWS.COM