Volume 90, Issue 19

temple-news.com TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Aligning priorities

VOL. 90 ISS.19

Hart expected to lead U. of Ariz.

Temple’s leader is expected to be the next president at the University of Arizona.

BRIAN DZENIS ANGELO FICHERA The Temple News

Illustration Lucas Ballasy

The Faculty Senate has motioned to express its dissenting views to the provost’s White Paper.

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BRIAN DZENIS Editor-in-Chief

rovost Richard Englert’s White Paper, a 25-page document that, among many other functions, contains restructuring proposals for various departments around the university have been met with skepticism.

The Faculty Senate, Temple’s body of full-time faculty, has made it known with the motion they passed last Wednesday, Feb. 8, that they could not support the restructuring aspects of the White Paper without seeing more details regarding the financial and academic impacts of such moves.

“The Faculty Senate of Temple University cannot support the proposals involving the restructuring of existing schools or colleges, or the creation of new schools or colleges… without a cost-benefit analysis, and an analysis of the effects of any proposed restructuring on Temple’s mission, our students, our faculty, our reputation, and the impact on the university in general,” the Faculty Senate’s motion read.

The faculty most vocal in its response to the White Paper were faculty from the four schools that were mentioned as targets for restructuring: Tyler School of Art, the School of Communications and Theater, Boyer College of Music and Dance and the College of Education.

“We’re concerned about the lack of detail in the restructuring document,

particularly with respect to administration of various merged units, allocation of space, funding for graduate and undergraduate programs and a myriad of other issues that will arise as a result of such a major upheaval,” Stephanie Knopp, the Faculty Senate representative from Tyler said at the meeting. “It is hard to know how staying as is with our merging is going to work without clear and careful analysis.”

In the White Paper, two of the three proposed restructuring plans involve merging Tyler and Boyer into a center of fine and performing arts, a prospect that does not sit well with some Tyler faculty.

“We flourish with our identities,” Tyler faculty member Jo-Anna Moore said. “Why would you punish excellence by mushing it together with something else?”

At Boyer, the faculty have the same concerns with the White Paper that they had when the provost proposed two years ago that the theater department become part of Boyer. According to the minutes from a Boyer Collegial Assembly meeting, “a faculty member expressed grave concern that a group of Boyer faculty met with Provost Englert about two years ago about this very issue and raised virtually every one of the concerns raised today, yet not one of these concerns has been acknowledged in the White Paper.”

“The reaction is that the thoughts of our faculty have been simply ignored by the provost,” Jeff Solow, the Faculty Senate representative from Boyer, said. “I know that when Provost Englert addressed the Faculty Senate, he was saying that the White Paper addressed many topics, which only a

PAPER PAGE 2

Another proposed cut to Temple’s funding leaves its future as an accessible, public school in question.

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SEAN CARLIN ANGELO FICHERA The Temple News

f one travels to Harrisburg, they’ll find a familiar name carved on the frieze of the Pennsylvania department of education headquarters: Russell Conwell. But continued slashes to commonwealth appropriations have reminded Temple time and time again that its state support is far from set in stone.

When Gov. Tom Corbett gave his budget address on Feb. 7, his proposal for another 30 percent, or more than $40 million, cut to Temple left some questioning the feasibility of the university’s commitment to public education.

As financial state support continues to decline, and the university relies more heavily on tuition dollars for revenue, privatization seems to be a viable option for Temple. But administrators appear adamant in keeping Temple public.

BY THE NUMBERS

In 1965, Temple was designated a state-related university under the Commonwealth System for Higher Education. As a result, the university receives an appropriation each year, for the sake of providing affordable access to Pennsylvania residents. But with a struggling economy, the state has continued to decrease its support.

At the beginning of the academic year, the university requested $144.1

million for fiscal year 2012-13, a 3 percent increase in state appropriations.

Last week, Corbett’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year outlined a near $42 million cut to Temple’s funding.

The story is a familiar one for Temple.

In October 2010, for the 2011-12 fiscal year, Temple requested approximately $189 million, a 6.4 percent increase from the previous fiscal year.

Corbett proposed a 50 percent decrease.

By the time the state finalized its budget, Temple and the other state-related universities – Penn State, Lincoln University and University of Pittsburgh – were left with a 19 percent decrease.

This cut was worsened in January when, due to low state revenues, 5 percent of Temple’s $139.9 million appropriation was cut by Corbett.

“The governor called it a freeze, but essentially it’s a cut in the sense that we’ve been told that it’s very likely that $7 million or approximately 5 percent of the state’s appropriation would not be forthcoming and that would actually be withheld,” Anthony Wagner, executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, said.

The ratio of commonwealth dollars to tuition dollars has shifted dramatically during the years.

In 1972-73, state appropriations made up roughly 60 percent of Temple’s general revenues and more than 30 percent tuition dollars.

About 40 years later, in fiscal year 2011-12, state appropriations accounted for approximately 13 percent of the university’s general revenues, while increasing tuition made up approximately 60 percent.

In his recent State of the Union ad-

BUDGET PAGE 2

Alumnus opens discussion on Iran relations OPINION CROSS EXAMINING, p.5 Joel Faltermeyer argues that students should examine the university’s spending, in addition to Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget.

A teach-in examines America’s perception of Iran and its people in the media.

ALI WATKINS The Temple News

LIVING FOREIGN FESTIVITIES, p.7 The Temple News spoke to international students about their plans for Valentine’s Day and how the holiday is celebrated in their home countries.

A&E LOVE GRUB, p.9 Restaurants throughout the city are serving up special aphrodisiac menus for couples on Valentine’s Day.

SPORTS HIGH SCORING, p.20 The men’s basketball team defeated Xavier in front of a “white-out” crowd featured on ESPN2.

Armond James, a 2008 alumnus, returned to Main Campus Friday, Feb. 10, to pose a question to the Temple community: Do we know the truth about Iran?

James, who studied history at Temple, led Professor Ralph Young’s weekly teach-in, after returning from a trip to the Middle East.

James said he knew after graduating that he wanted to take an independent trip and Iran seemed a natural choice.

“I wanted to go somewhere dangerous, somewhere I shouldn’t go,” James said. “I

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didn’t care about going outside of my element.”

James’ trip began with a flight to Tehran, and led him all over the Iranian landscape.

Historic and domestic sites alike provided insight into how Iranian society functioned, and showed James the discrepancies in the media projected to Americans, he said.

“Once you got [Iranian people] in their element, they were just like any other American, any other human being,” James said, adding that he didn’t experience any of the hostility or negativity that so many Americans would expect.

“They’re intrigued with American culture and society,” James added. “They would say, ‘Make sure you tell people: We love Americans.’”

James said the worldly knowledge of Iranian people

TEACH-IN PAGE 3

President Ann Weaver Hart traveled to Arizona yesterday, Feb. 13, to scout out what will likely be her new stomping grounds.

Temple’s departing leader was selected as the top, and sole, candidate for the 21st president of the University of Arizona, according to a press release by its Board of Regents.

“Dr. Hart is a dynamic leader with a distinguished résumé and an impeccable track record of successfully managing and advancing world-class research institutions,” Board of Regents Chair Fred DuVal said in the press release. “We are extremely pleased that Dr. Hart has agreed to pursue the presidency.”

Hart, Temple’s ninth and first female president, announced her intentions to step down in September 2011.

When stepping down at the beginning of the academic year, Hart cited a need to be closer to her ailing mother in Salt Lake City, when the university officially announced her resignation.

“I just felt like it’s a good personal and professional time for a transition,” Hart told The Temple News on the day of her resignation announcement. “I began to talk about it with my family this summer, and decided soon after I returned from vacation.”

Hart’s contract at Te mple was renewed on a year-to-year basis.

Hart’s visit to the Arizona campus yesterday was arranged so she could meet with students and faculty, before the Board of Regents makes a final decision on the presidency.

If Hart is chosen and her contract is approved, she would start at Arizona on July 1, Katie Paquet, a spokesperson for the university’s Board of Regents, said.

Hart will remain Temple’s president until the end of June.

Hart declined to comment before her trip.

Patrick J. O’Connor, chairman of Temple’s Board of Trustees, said Hart has “seen Temple through a period of great accomplishment and progress,” in a press release. “We wish President Hart well at the University of Arizona.”

Before assuming her position at Temple, Hart was the president of the University of New Hampshire.

The search for Temple’s 10th president, by the Presidential Search Committee, is still underway.

Brian Dzenis and Angelo Fichera can be reached at news@temple-news.com.

ALI WATKINS TTN

Armond James, a 2008 alumnus, returned to Main Campus to talk about his recent trip to Iran.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Winning design would save birds through music The winner of the “Birds Eye View” contest was named last week.

KHOURY JOHNSON The Temple News The grand prize winner of a student art contest was revealed last week at the Graphic and Interactive Design at Tyler School of Art’s launching of the “Bird’s Eye View” initiative.

The initiative features an exhibit highlighting submitted entries of student artwork designed to combat the perpetual collisions of birds into clear glass windows.

In Philadelphia, there are more than 100,000 annual bird deaths-by-collision. They are caused by birds slamming into transparent or reflective glass that they perceive as a continuation of open sky or a tangible natural landmark, like a tree.

“We’re trying to use education and also some research on birds here in Philadelphia,” said Keith Russell of Audubon Pennsylvania, an environmental research center that examined the causes of bird window col-

lisions in Philadelphia for the past three years.

“Now we’re working on finding solutions. Temple has been a tremendous part in that,” he added.

Both Temple and a small quadrant of Center City were selected as primary target areas of research in 2009, an expansion from its original testing site of only a few blocks of downtown terrain.

Research gathered by the environmentalist group has scaled the number of collision based deaths on Main Campus at around 1,200 per year, mostly in Paley Library, the Student Center and Tyler School of Art. The exhibit’s goal is to shrink the lump sum of deaths by creating a new commodity in glass film covers that bare intricate design patterns able to ward off oncoming traffic.

Sophomore art major Molly Denisevincz took home the grand prize, out of four other finalists, incorporating multiple senses perceptible to birds, including sight and sound, making them aware that they’re approaching something tangible and potentially fatal if hit with a full head of steam.

“I looked for where birds

were safe in cities, and I found that they were most often found on power lines,” Denisevicz said. “From there I applied the concept to music in a piece called ‘The Cardinal.’”

Her film cover includes rows of black lines fitted with black silhouettes of various bird species arranged in a way to mimic the actual bars and notes of the aforementioned piece, or, in other words, sheet music with birds replacing traditional note symbols.

A general rule is that for whatever type a design is made, figures on the design have to be less than an inch apart, or else a bird in mid-flight won’t be able to detect and recognize the spacing as a solid object.

Film covers for glass seems to be a practical way to deter birds from flying into windows, Russell said. In his presentation, Russell noted how various forms of films have been tried and tested during the years, with probably the most common form coming in the film cover public transportation buses place over their seating and door windows, as well as in various store windows.

Russell said he sees the winning film project being the

Decreasing state funds fuel speculation of privatization BUDGET PAGE 1 dress, President Barack Obama called on states to prioritize higher education in their budgets – and on colleges to keep tuition rates down.

According to Grapevine, an Illinois State University publication that reports on state tax support for higher education, Pennsylvania ranked No. 45 out of all states for state appropriations per capita in fiscal year 2010.

MAKING A CASE

Dr. Erin McNamara Horvat, a professor in the College of Education with expertise in higher education, said it’s hard for higher education institutions to make a case for appropriations when funding for primary education is also tight.

But Temple Student Government and the university’s government outreach arm, Temple Advocates Legislative Outreach Network, continue to bring their cause to the capitol.

Wagner said the almost $43 million cut proposed for 201213, if passed, would near a 50 percent cut when combined with the 19 percent cut for 2011-12.

“It’s a substantial proposal, a substantial cut for the governor to propose and we’re just at the beginning of understanding what it could possibly mean,” Wagner said.

The university often credits lobbying and student interaction with state officials as crucial in decreasing last year’s proposed 50 percent cut to the approved 19 percent.

“We were successful in getting that 50 percent cut pared back in large part because of our students,” Wagner said.

“Temple students are passionate and they did a great job of working with other college students from around the state especially the state-related universities to go to Harrisburg and to really advocate for the university.”

SPENDING SCRUTINY

Last year’s 19 percent reduction in state appropriations resulted in a $1,172 and $1,170 increases in tuition for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively. In addition, the university reduced its operating budget by nearly $36 million.

But faculty have questioned

whether or not that’s enough.

A $94.2 million surplus, including the university’s health system and federal stimulus dollars, was recorded in fiscal year 2010-11. About $80 million was from Temple’s operating budget.

In Temple’s Faculty Herald, Phil Yannella, professor of English and American studies, questioned raising tuition rather than decreasing its surplus.

Kenneth Kaiser, associate vice president of the office of management and budget, told The Temple News that some surplus money goes back to individual schools.

“At the beginning of the year, it looked like we were going to take a 50 percent cut on our appropriation, which got called back down to 19 percent, so schools and colleges had prepared their budgets with a spending plan with a much more significant decrease in state funding in mind and therefore were able to save additional dollars,” Kaiser said.

“We didn’t want recurring expenses like salaries and health benefits reliant on a source of funding that is going to dry up in two or three years,” he added.

Wagner said the university “will be able to draw upon that operating margin to help not pass that cut onto the students for next year.”

“I would anticipate that the smoothing that will happen from last year to this year [will] help us keep a tuition increase at a reasonable level and not have to cut the schools and colleges’ in draconian ways,” Wagner added.

This year, the university expects to have a $30 million operating margin, Wagner said.

PRIVATE TALKS

If Temple was to privatize, some say the university would have a more consistent budget, the freedom to raise and maintain tuition rates, which could be offset with financial aid.

“Sometimes I think, ‘You know, without the state meddling in our affairs, we could have more consistent budgets, we would know what’s happening with our money,’” Horvat said.

“One of the things that you have to deal with when you’re

funded by the state is uncertainty,” Horvat added. “There’s a lot of politicking. You’re beholden to those people, and that takes effort and energy. And the uncertainty is not helpful in trying to run a strong organization.”

But Horvat said public universities are crucial in investing in the county’s youth, for the future.

That’s why, Wagner said, Temple is committed to its partnership with Pennsylvania.

“With respect to the commonwealth, we’re an important part of the economy, we employ a lot of people. Even more importantly a lot of students have gotten their educations here and have gone out to be amazingly productive citizens in all walks of life,” Wagner said. “First and foremost, we want to try to preserve that partnership. Temple is certainly not at this point contemplating becoming private.”

With a seemingly perpetual decline in state appropriations, though, the ultimate decision to privatize may not be Temple’s to make. State financial support is contingent upon government administration, its priorities and adequate revenues.

Some note the advantages private institutions have over public ones.

Horvat said private schools have the freedom to act independently to conduct and fund research and projects.

However, Saltry said, privatization can sacrifice a university’s commitment to accessibility to the masses.

“Private schools on the average tend to be a lot more expensive than public schools,” Saltry said. “You’d have a vastly different student population.

I think that affordability and diversity go hand and hand.”

Horvat said that Temple’s devotion to remaining public lies within its mission statement and its pledged accessibility to excellence.

Referencing Conwell’s founding of the university, Horvat added, “If you think about Temple’s mission...we started in a church basement for people that couldn’t go to school during the day.”

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

launching pad for a new commodity that he hopes can be affordable and accessible to the average resident, potentially saving thousands of birds.

“Work in the exhibition has the potential to be put to practical use on window films that would actually be produced, installed and monitored for effectiveness,” said Graphic and Interactive Design professor Alice Drueding.

“The exhibition is a spark that will hopefully catch fire,” Drueding said.

Drueding, who was on the panel of judges to determine the contest winner, said she believes that simple awareness and education will catapult this issue into the forefront of Main Campus consciousness.

“Awareness spreads from the faculty and students who participated in the project to their family and friends, to people who learn about it through seeing the exhibition and those who learn about it through media coverage,” Drueding said.

“Widespread knowledge of the ABI REIMOLD TTN problem is the first step in solvMolly Denisevincz designed window panels using music and ing it.” images to warn birds in flight that they are approaching an Khoury Johnson can be reached object. Collisions result in significant bird deaths on campus. at khoury.johnson@temple.edu.

Faculty request saving details for restructurings PAPER PAGE 1

small portion was devoted to reorganization, particularly in the arts.

“However, we felt that much of the White Paper appears to be very focused on the consolidation of the arts – eight pages are entirely devoted to it – so we thought that the view expressed that it was just one small portion is not actually correct,” Solow added.

In SCT, the department chairs of advertising, broadcasting, telecommunications and mass media, journalism, strategic communications, the media and mass communications doctoral program and communications have expressed to the provost that they currently want to remain a stand-alone school of communications.

“We do not see any of the options as making a significant economic improvement over the current structure for the school. Instead, any restructuring that diminishes the current strength and potential growth of the school will be an economic disadvantage for the school, for its departments and programs, for TUTV, and for the university,” a Feb. 7 letter from the SCT department chairs to the provost said.

The other two departments in SCT, theater and film and media arts, have expressed interest in exploring joining together to be part of a new College of Fine Arts.

The College of Education has also expressed that it would like to stay at its current configuration.

For Paul LaFollette, a faculty member in the computer information and sciences department and president of the Faculty Senate, he has seen his department relocate five times and, only the most recent move, the move into the College of Science and Technology, was beneficial to his department, he said.

“With any kind of restructuring that happens, it isn’t going to work if there’s not a commitment from the university and from the provost’s office that someone is going to act as gatekeepers from the benefit of

the schools and departments change is hard, but I don’t in the newly-formed colleges think you’ll find a student or to make sure they are not over a faculty member that doesn’t run by larger departments or by say that the move from Elkins deans whose primary interests Park to Main Campus wasn’t a is not in their particular area,” home run,” Englert added.

LaFollette said. “The provost’s With some ideas, like the office has historically been ut- idea of moving the theater deterly unwilling to assume that partment into Boyer, there was kind of responsibility and I see not much support from faculty no reason to believe that will to go forward with the plan ever change.” and it was For Englert, dropped bethe Faculty Senfore a proposate’s resolution al was drafted was seen as one and sent to the aspect of ongotrustees, Ening dialogue glert said. between the proIt is posvost and the facsible that ulty. discussions “[There regarding rewere] very structuring, as thoughtful comwell as other Jeff Solow / aspects of the ments, the facboyer representative ulty are great, White Paper, they just don’t could contintake anything for granted, they ue into the following year and raise issues, which is what this after a new president is hired. whole period is and I thought Englert said the next steps are the faculty resolution was a to continue to meet with the very good one,” Englert said. faculty and speak to them and While the provost and the draft a more concrete proposal faculty can exchange dialogue that will contain analysis of the on what they think is best in budgetary and academic imterms of restructuring, ulti- pact of such moves. mately the decision-making “It’s actually something power lies with the provost, we agreed on that I will do who drafts a proposal that is when I put a concrete proposal sent to the Board of Trustees on the table, so the next steps for approval. This can be done are to continue the conversawithout necessarily reaching a tion,” Englert said. full consensus with faculty.

“The range of opinions is “I need to make my inde- fantastic, people don’t necespendent decision after talking sarily agree with each other, to everybody involved. So I which is fine – this is a univermake a decision based on what sity – if we had total agreement I hear and based upon what I on any one point, I’d worry bethink is the best thing to do,” cause we want to have lots of Englert said. discussion,” he added.

In the past, restructuring Brian Dzenis can be reached at moves have been done with brian.dzenis@temple.edu. varying levels of faculty support. Examples of faculty-supported moves include moving CORRECTIONS kinesiology and social work The Temple News strives into the College of Health Proto be a newspaper of record fessions. A move that was not by printing factually corinitially well received was Tyrect and balanced articles. ler’s move to Main Campus by Accuracy is our business, the school’s faculty. so when a mistake is made, we’ll correct it as soon as “There was a lot of oppopossible. Anyone with insition to that in terms of what quiries about content in this was going to happen,” Englert newspaper can contact Edisaid. “It was hard for people to tor-in-Chief Brian Dzenis at see how moving to Main Cameditor@temple-news.com pus was a step up.” or 215.204.6737.

“In those situations,

“The reaction is the thoughts of the faculty have been simply ignored by the provost.”

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

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GLBT needs survey assesses campus climate The results of a survey of the needs of GLBT students on campus will be known soon.

SEAN CARLIN Assistant News Editor The results of a survey addressing the needs of the GLBT community on Main Campus are expected to be released soon, more than a year after the assessment was announced.

The survey was administered to students, staff and faculty during the course of the past year and its results aim to give administrators an idea of the GLBT climate on Main Campus.

The questions asked in the survey ranged from the climate of the GLBT community to the effectiveness of outreach programs at the university, Dr. Scott Gratson, a GLBT advocate and director of the communications program, said.

“The questions really focused on the experience of people on campus dealing with the climate that has been created on campus,” Gratson said. “The questions dealt with offices that do effective outreach, to some extent the curriculum and also the overall reaction from other students, faculty and staff.”

The survey was advertised on Temple’s website and through emails from President Ann Weaver Hart, but a large presence in pushing and advertising the survey came from GLBT organizations on Main Campus.

“The queer organizations on campus were asked to get other students to fill [the survey

out],” Megan Carter, sophomore campus is very accepting and communications major and sec- mostly tolerant,” Carter said. retary of Queer Student Union, “We don’t have a lot of informasaid. “[The survey] was very tion which is why this survey is long so [administrators] were so important.” encouraging us as [GLBT] or“Even though there are organizations to encourage other ganizations like Queer Student students to take the survey.”

Union and Purple Circle, there’s Carter added not a significant that social media amount of all played a big part the [GLBT] stuin pushing the dents on camsurvey and overpus to make deall participation cisions on what in the survey was we should do to very strong. change things “For us, we on campus,” sent the survey she added. out to our [memCarter said bers] and there that while she were quite a few thinks there Megan Carter / sophomore was strong parstudents who communications major posted it on Faceticipation in the book in order to survey, it could get more people to fill it out,” have been stronger with extra Carter said. “I’ve heard that it incentive for students to take it. was a great response.”

“I think that the questions The needs assessment was on there were valid questions to first discussed in Fall 2010, ask,” Carter said. “I think that if when Gratson and Hart met to there was extra incentive to fill discuss the needs of the commu- out the survey, it [would have nity after a string of suicides by been] helpful.”

GLBT youth across the country.

When the results of the surGratson told The Temple vey are announced, Carter said News at the time of the an- it will be used and studied by nouncement of the survey that QSU. it was put into motion after the “We’re definitely going to theater department’s produc- utilize whatever results come tion of “The Laramie Project,” out of the survey to figure out a performance about Matthew what we need to focus on as a Shepard, whose 1998 death [GLBT] organization on cambrought attention to hate crimes. pus, to reach out to the rest of Carter said she thinks the the [GLBT] community on and climate on Main Campus to- outside of campus with other ward the GLBT community is colleges and organizations.” tolerant, but added that the surSean Carlin can be reached at vey’s results should give a clear sean.carlin@temple.edu. picture of what the community needs to do at Temple.

“From what I’ve gathered from other students and myself, for the most part, the climate on

“From what I’ve gathered... the climate on campus is very accepting and mostly tolerant.”

Teach-in highlights Iran TEACH-IN PAGE 1

ALEX UDOWENKO TTN

Members of the Queer Student Union met yesterday, Feb. 13. QSU members remain hopeful that the survey’s results, to be released soon, will paint a better picture of the needs of GLBT students on Main Campus.

Website offers public input in lawmaking Graduate students are hoping their website will allow citizens to work together on laws.

SARAH FLEISCHMAN The Temple News

ALI WATKINS TTN

Armond James presented at last week’s teach-in, discussing misconceptions about Iranian people and some negative images presented in American media. impressed him.

“You would be amazed how much Iranians know about American politics, everything we see [on the news] here, they see there,” he said, adding that he was able to watch the GOP primary debates on Iranian television.

Overall, James said the trip helped him see the importance of drawing your own conclusions and experiencing something firsthand before passing judgment.

“There’s a reason behind everything. There [are] two sides to every story,” he said, warning students to be wary of political motivations when it comes to Iran and the negative images in media. “Iran has [its] problems, but they have a right to those problems.”

People in attendance said that they agree with James’ opinion that many people form

opinions based off of one-sided media.

“He prompts people to question their own perceptions, and that’s what a higher education experience is all about,” said Luke Trama, a first-year law student. “It opens your eyes to this disconnect between what we believe and what’s actually happening.”

Keshav Patel, a sophomore biology major, agreed with Trama, and said that hearing James’ experience made him question his own opinions.

“I had a negative connotation towards Iran, but the way he opened the door – well, it made me think a little bit,” Patel said. “Before passing judgment, I should do some more research and create an opinion for myself.”

James said he returned from his trip hopeful that someday relations with Iran

could be repaired, but stressed that it would be impossible if people, especially college-aged citizens, were unwilling to look at both sides.

“Everyone’s concerned about left or right, pro-this or pro-that. What about being pro-human being? The way to create peace is to break bread, eat and talk. Not American to Iranian, but person to person,” James said. “Be radical, be aggressive. Test your mind, see how far it goes. Here in America, people don’t think outside the box. To me, the box doesn’t even exist.”

Next week’s teach-in, “Temple’s Protest History,” will be held in the Temple Gallery at Tyler School of Art on Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.

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

It’s an election year, and politicians are promising many reforms. One Temple doctoral student is seeking reform too, but in the form of a new website.

Direct Congress – directcongress.org – was initiated to build information technologies that empower people to create laws.

“Direct Congress is government 2.0. It tweaks our existing system,” said Cory Suter, a graduate economic student and chief steward of Direct Congress.

Direct Congress should not to be confused with a direct democracy. Suter’s website seeks to adapt the way Congress runs by rooting out corruption and giving people a say, he said.

Rather than placing all of the power in politicians that don’t necessarily represent everybody, Direct Congress is a way for everyone to have a voice, Suter said.

“We are all aware of grievances from multiple facets of society about the legislature not being sufficiently participatory in nature,” Keshar Ghimire, director of promotions and database management at Direct Congress, said. “Many people feel left out. Direct Congress provides a feasible solution to

that problem by letting eligible people create and vote on laws digitally at their convenience.”

Direct Congress is designed so that anyone can create a bill.

Ten users have to vote for a bill once it is proposed to move it on to the next stage where it gets put up for voting by active Direct Congress members.

If 20 percent of members vote on the bill, every Direct Congress member will receive an email notifying them that there is a new bill on the “voting floor.” A majority of the members must vote for it before the bill moves to the online “president’s desk.” Research and modifications can be made at various stages of this process. “‘The president’s desk’ means that this is a bill that Direct Congress thinks should be a national law,” Suter said. “We hope that some congressmen would take it seriously because it’s been through a long process to get it there.”

The website is not yet fully functional. It needs more testing, more members, publicity and funding, founders said.

Suter said he hopes that once Direct Congress is fully functional, members of Congress will bring the bills to the floor of the U.S. Congress and vote the way their constituents on the website do.

If members of Congress use Direct Congress in this way, it has the potential to make reelec-

tion easier, Suter said. Therefore, Direct Congress could be vital to a politician’s career in the political process.

Suter is pursuing his doctorate degree in economics and recently sold his company, BioNeighbors. He is leading Direct Congress as a proven entrepreneur and said he is confident in the business plan.

Like Suter, Ghimire is pursuing a Ph.D. in economics at Temple. The two are hoping the university community will help advance the website.

DiCory Suter / Congress chief steward rect needs more feedback and leadership, they said.

That’s where they hope Temple students will come into play.

“Just like Harvard was the guinea pig for Facebook, Temple [students and faculty are] to be the first adopters of Direct Congress,” Suter said.

But founders said the website’s records will be public and, in order for administration to make major changes to the site, members have to propose those changes as a law first. “[Direct Congress] on the Web has the potential of completely transforming our lives much like [Mark] Zuckerberg’s Facebook or even more,” Ghimire said.

“Direct Congress is government 2.0. It tweaks our existing system.”

Sarah Fleischman can be reached at sarah.fleischman@temple.edu.

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.

Brian Dzenis, Editor-in-Chief Valerie Rubinksy, Managing Editor Angelo Fichera, News Editor Kierra Bussey, Opinion Editor Cara Stefchak, Chief Copy Editor

Becky Kerner, Web Editor Kate McCann, Photography Editor Abi Reimold, Asst. Photography Editor Lucas Ballasy, Designer Cory Popp, Designer Ana Tamaccio, Designer Joey Pasko, Designer David Hamme, Advertising Manager Tatiana Bowie, Business Manager Sarah Kelly, Billing Manager

Alexis Sachdev, Living Editor Kara Savidge, A&E Editor Connor Showalter, Sports Editor Luis Rodriguez, Multimedia Editor Sean Carlin, Asst. News Editor Joey Cranney, Asst. Sports Editor Saba Aregai, Asst. Multimedia Editor Lauren Hertzler, Copy Editor Alexandra Olivier, Copy Editor

temple-news.com

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 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

Rebuilding Relations

A

s Brian Dzenis reports in “Aligning Priorities” on page 1, the Faculty Senate passed a resolution stating that it cannot support Provost Richard Englert’s White Paper in regards to restructuring proposals, on the basis that there is not enough analysis on the financial or academic impact of such moves.

The concerns of the faculty, particularly from the four targeted schools – Tyler School of Art, Boyer College of Music and Dance, the School of Communications and Theater and the College of Education – are very valid. The Faculty Senate’s requests for more information are understandable.

The Temple News does not see a protagonist or villain in this conversation. Both the provost’s office and the faculty seem to care very much about the future of the university and both motivations seem noble, but right now the two parties do not seem to be on the same page with each other.

On the provost’s side, if Englert is serious about restruc-

The provost and the faculty need to compromise on the issue of restructuring. turing the four aforementioned schools, more details about the impact of those moves should have been shown and discussed when the White Paper was originally published in December 2011, not in February after drawing the ire of the Faculty Senate. This is especially pertinent since it has become apparent that this is not the first time the faculty has had an issue with a lack of details about potential restructuring from the provost’s office.

For the faculty, it is very clear that each faculty member has a lot of pride in the department he or she teaches in and wants the best for their respective department, however, it is not necessarily OK to dig in and demand to keep the status quo.

Although the provost is not obligated to listen to the faculty when it comes to decision making, he should consider their insight and expertise before reaching a verdict. The best solution is for the two sides to work together, approach the situation pragmatically and ultimately compromise.

Encouraging Dialogue

The teach-ins at Temple aren’t new and students should take advantage of open discussion.

ince 2002 the history department and the History Honors Society Phi Alpha Theta has been hosting teachins every Friday at 3:30 p.m.

The Temple News supports this initiative, which stemmed from professor Ralph Young’s dissent in america course. The purpose of the teach-ins is to start an open dialogue about current political, historical and sociological issues.

The Temple News encourages students to actively participate in the weekly discussions.

Essentially the events enhance the higher education experience. Students can openly express their opinions about current issues. Moreover, students are exposed to varying perceptions, which can ultimately lead to more understanding among commonly misunderstood issues.

You may have noticed that The Temple News has been covering the teach-ins every week. The Temple News believes it is important to promote

a forum that introduces new topics of discussion.

This week Ali Watkins reported on the latest teach-in on page 1 in, “Alumnus opens discussion on Iran relations.” Armond James, a 2008 alumnus, hosted the teach-in, and gave his personal narrative on his visit to Iran. James commented on how well he was received in Iran and suggests that this should be more reason for students to challenge conceptions that the media develops about Iran. Ultimately, James advocated that students draw their own conclusions “before passing judgment.”

The Temple News agrees with this sentiment. It is more beneficial to form and draw your own conclusions based off of first-hand experience or through thorough research.

This requires being objective and challenging an issue when both sides aren’t given.

As students, we all have something to learn from one another through open discussion.

S

JOEY PASKO TTN

PHOTO COMMENT

WALBERT YOUNG TTN

(Left) Lucy Lou pulls a carriage. (Right) Fairmount Waterworks’ gazebos provide a romantic atmosphere for Valentine’s Day. Go to temple-news.com for more on romantic spots around Philadelphia.

POLLING PEOPLE Last week on temple-news.com, we asked: Do you find Tuttleman Counseling services useful?

30% 23%

No. I don’t feel they’d be able to help me with my situation.

Yes. However, their presence on campus needs to be felt more.

25% 22%

No, but I’d consider it if I needed to speak with someone.

Yes. They’re extremely helpful and understanding.

*Out of 63 votes

NEXT WEEK’S POLL Do you plan on reacting to Corbett’s proposed budget cut to Temple’s funding?

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

Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget plan On Tuesday, Feb. 7 Corbett laid out his proposed 2012-13 state budget. Higher education is expected to see major reductions in funding. Temple may see a 30 percent cut.

% $163.5 million % $95.2 million % $97.9 million

NOTABLE QUOTEABLE “Somehow though, the girl who accidentally fed us brownies with shards of glass in them on her birthday got off with a warning.”

% $330.2 million

Meghan White “HandMeg” Page 11

% $221.9 million

% $395.7 million Illustration by Lucas Ballasy

COMMENTARY

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

PAGE 5

Budget scrutiny should go both ways

G

JOEL FALTERMAYER

Faltermayer argues that while reaching out to local representives is an option in response to budget cuts, students should also hold the university financially responsible for its spending habits.

iven that I’m not usually prone to ostentatious shows of politicized angst or social lamentation, I watched Gov. Tom Corbett’s eagerly anticipated budget proposal last Tuesday without the panic or dread that President Ann Weaver Hart had strategically encouraged when she said, “If approved…this reduction will be felt by every student, parent and employee.”

Just as soon as last year, Temple’s appropriation fell 30 percent short of the enacted budget from the 2011-12 year, and I was summarily encouraged to “stay informed” and “contact my legislator.” Yet, though Hart lauded our frugal efforts at “stream-lining processes, eliminating redundancies and reducing administrative staff” during the past year, Temple’s central administration has effectively removed itself from culpability by demonizing Corbett under the pathetic banner, “and what of the children?”

Frankly, Hart’s eloquent knack for shifting fiscal accountability onto both students and faculty alike has not changed much in the past year, relying on vague euphemisms that are an integral part of administrative rhetoric. This is neither a death sentence, nor a call to march on Harrisburg. We have been brainwashed with the image of Corbett snipping the umbilical cord to public education, simply because Tem-

ple administration is reluctant to admit to its own fiscal indiscretion.

Even though Temple’s appropriation amounts to a small percent of the university’s revenue, Corbett rightfully questions where our public funding and tuition is being squandered, if Temple is able to physically expand while academically shrinking. The stream of funding has slowed to a trickle because the state will no longer commit funds to an institution that indulges in risky building projects, bureaucratic ineptitude, and a relentless, malicious desire to suck students and faculty dry of both money and patience.

While many students remain ignorant to this phenomenon, English professor and Faculty Herald contributor Philip Yannella discovered that the Temple Treasurer’s Report for 2011 noted a doubled surplus of operating expenses in the neighborhood of $94 million.

By strenuous feats of bureaucratic navigation, Yannella succeeded in making this conversation a little bit more transparent for faculty who were under the threat of Hart’s metaphorical red pen known as “stream-lining.”

Last year, Hart’s definitive promise was to “reduce Temple’s operating costs by $36 million,” noting that the “bulk of the cuts will come from trimming the administrative operations of the univer-

sity.” Yet after the State Appropriations Committee had supplemented Temple’s initial funding with an additional $58 million, Temple administration continued to push academic cuts and tuition raises while the administrative structure and senseless expansion actually grew.

Yannella, a professor in the English department, noted in the Faculty Herald how “faculty were being told that the fiscal sky was about to fall,” while “surpluses, created out of money paid by students…were being siphoned off into construction projects.” Thus, those of us who commute via the Broad Street line are greeted bitterly each morning with a $147.4 million dormitory so that a recessionera Temple can offer 1,275 more beds to those willing to pay for the “urban college experience.”

“Why should current students be ‘taxed’ to create a more entertaining, prettier and more convenient environment for future students?” Yannella said in the Faculty Herald.

With an additional $300 million worth of obscurely funded construction projections planned, Temple’s future planning comes at the expense of academic standards.

Consequentially, operating costs for integral academic programs, including the Hebrew department, are deemed unsustainable while non-tenured faculty and non-union-

ized employees are forced to justify their own wages and salaries.

Granted, some of these issues are not explicitly culpable, such as the increase in non-academic university professions, tuition inflation, and the commercialization of degree programs. However, if Hart claims that “Temple remains one of the best values in the nation,” then I am only exercising my rights as a consumer.

Perhaps I am too harsh. Hart has taken the pains to digest Corbett’s address in such simplistic terms as would befit a Chief Executive Officer of such a diverse, multi-interested institution. After all, we as students, parents, employees and faculty (both tenured and non-tenured), are far too preoccupied with tuition increases, salary freezes, costs of living and least significantly, education, to worry about how Temple is spending our money.

Rather than lobbying Harrisburg for a few extra bucks, Temple students need to ensure that they are earning a justifiable return on their investment. After all, the army of administrators employed

by Temple, (an estimated one-half of Temple’s academic expenditure) exists so that faculty and students can teach, learn and research.

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

Valentine’s Day should encompass all love

E

CARY CARR

In light of Valentine’s Day, Carr urges all to keep in mind that the GLBT community is still fighitng for equality to express their love.

very year when Valentine’s Day rolls around, I immediately think of a few things. Of course there’s the stuffed animals, the over-priced flowers and the stress of deciding where to go to dinner.

And then there’s the inevitable decision of trying to find a date or to accept spending the holiday with a surplus of chocolate candies. But most importantly, I associate Valentine’s Day with love of every shape and form.

Unfortunately, not everyone fully grasps the concept of love as something that is available for all, and often times the GLBT community is left out of the celebration.

Whether it’s Hallmark cards designated for heterosexual couples, cliché romantic comedies that fail to feature a diverse range of couples or events that neglect GLBT members, Valentine’s Day is portrayed as a straight couples’ holiday.

According to NBC10, St. Joseph University Alumni Association recently launched a Valentine’s Day Contest, “How I Met

My Hawk Mate,” in which alumni shared their stories of meeting on Hawk Hill on the association’s Facebook page. The couple with the most “likes” by Valentine’s Day wins a $100 gift certificate.

But the love-inspired contest clearly wasn’t open to all. Lesbian couple Megan Edwards and Katie MacTurk, both SJU alumni, found their entry was rejected because of their sexual orientation.

The alumni association attempted to justify their decision due to the Catholic Church not recognizing same-sex relationships, ultimately leaving one to believe that not all alumni are treated equally regardless of their dedication to the university. Fortunately, after receiving an overwhelming amount of support from upset alumni and media outlets, the association reversed their decision.

While I applaud St. Joe’s for eventually allowing the couple to participate, it’s mind-blowing that this was even an issue. Isn’t this a violation of our basic human rights? Shouldn’t everyone be al-

lowed to showcase their love? In a contest supposedly honoring affection and romance, why is there so much discrimination and hatred?

Although I am not a member of the GLBT community, I can sympathize with their hindrances.

I can’t imagine not being able to share my love for my boyfriend, even if it was in some silly contest. I look forward to the romantic antics of Valentine’s Day each year, regardless of how corny the traditions are. And the saddest part is this is just one example of the prejudice and intolerance GLBT members face.

But, however disheartening Valentine’s Day may seem for couples, who feel their love isn’t recognized, there’s still definite hope regarding the fight for equality.

Advocates for same-sex marriage are using Valentine’s Day for a nationwide campaign for the protections of GLBT love, according to ABC News. Activists are visiting courthouses and county clerks’ offices and requesting marriage licenses regardless of state laws that

prohibit gay marriage.

And the Valentine’s Day campaign is growing force as lawmakers in various states are weighing new legislation regarding same-sex couples. State legislators in Maryland and Rhode Island are mulling over bills that would legalize gay marriage while bills in Indiana and Wyoming, which would enforce constitutional bans on gay unions, are pending.

With an overwhelming 30 states with constitutional amendments banning gay marriage, let’s hope that one day Valentine’s Day can stand for something else. Maybe we will be able to look back on the holiday and instead of thinking of candy hearts and roses, we will remember a human rights campaign that shed light on the beauty and love of the GLBT population.

But we’re going to need everyone, including the straight population, and their support to make it happen.

A large majority of the videos like “stuff black guys say” or “Middle Eastern girls say” are played by someone of that race, but of the opposite sex. These videos are ways for men and women, who create the most stereotypes for each other, to playfully jab at each other.

In the “stuff black guys say” video, a group of girls imitate most likely guys they know, and their way of talking and behaving. They don’t necessarily represent all black guys, but maybe the friends they are trying to imitate, which appears to be the point in many of these videos.

There are some people who have taken offense to a number of videos including, “stuff white girls say to black girls.” In this video, the stereotypes are over-dramatic – like the others – and is acted out by a black girl wearing a blonde wig who is playing the “white girl-

friend.”

In the video, the actress says things that white girls stereotypically say to their black friends like “holler,” “not to sound racist,” “ghetto,” “is that yours” (referring to their hair), and “why can you guys say the N-word, but we can’t?”

For many, her statements missed the mark. But to have developed these stereotypes and then make a video probably means that she has come in contact with a few friends or associates who behave in this manner.

I’m not agreeing with the depiction she made of white girls, but I am urging those who watch these videos to not take them seriously.

If it doesn’t apply to you then there is no reason to get offended. We should be able to laugh at ourselves especially the farfetched, stereotyped versions.

On the other hand, attention

and offense should be targeted at the “stuff republicans say about black people.” These were real politicians who made those statements on air. This compilation is offensive and sad to see that, still in 2012, an urge for equality is still layered with bigotry and layers of racism.

The difference of races targeted doesn’t shape the opinion, but the facts are that the stereotypes in the “stuff white girls say to black girls” don’t hold the same weight as the opinions of those who are supposed to represent us in office.

We try so hard to appear as individuals that we end up falling into some form of a stereotype anyway, so why not laugh at the ones that remind us of Cher from “Clueless” or Toni from “Girlfriends?”

Cary Carr can be reached at cary.carr@temple.edu.

‘Stuff people say’ videos don’t carry cruel intentions

T

ALEXANDRA OLIVIER

Olivier argues that there are negative stereotypes and then there are stereotypes that people should be able to laugh at.

here is a stereotype for everything. If you’re a doctor your handwriting is sloppy, if you’re a male athlete you’re promiscuous, if you’re a white female you abuse the word “like” and if you’re black your choice of drink is grape KoolAid. We are all painfully aware of all of these silly stereotypes and have met someone who either fits or doesn’t fit the stereotypical mold provided. This consciousness allows us to watch television, read and even discuss these stereotypes and laugh at them.

So, now that YouTube users have followed suit in making their own “girls say” videos, why are some people getting offended?

The series of “stuff people say” YouTube videos are supposed to be watched for entertainment purposes, and are not to be taken seriously.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

MANVEER SINGH SERAH

JUNIOR

GREEK AND ROMAN CLASSICAL STUDIES

How will you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

WALBERT YOUNG TTN

“I believe I’ll just continue doing my work.

I mean, I’m not ‘in love,’ I can’t find anyone, so I’ll just continue carrying on with my work and hanging out with my friends, nothing special.

Valentine’s Day is more about marketing – that’s all.”

OPINION DESK 215-204-9540

ZACH GIBSON “Sadly enough, I don’t have any plans for Valentine’s Day. I guess I’ll just romanticize myself and be a loner.”

Alexandra Olivier can be reached at alexandra.olivier@temple.edu.

SOPHOMORE

ADVERTISING

SOMEONE ELSE’S OPINION “Most non-Catholics have little interest in the intricacies of Catholic theology.

Although I certainly knew that the church viewed contraception as morally wrong, I never thought that would mean my health insurance policy would not cover contraception or office visits to obtain contraception."

Jennifer Glass, special to

cnn.com on “Contraception’ issue more than just politics

“But the rash of illegal, exploitative situations has destroyed any notion that internships are inherently ‘win-win.’

The well-intentioned, structured, paid training experience of yesteryear is increasingly giving way to an unpaid labor racket that harms all of us. The case of Xuedan Wang, the 28-year-old plaintiff in the latest lawsuit over an unpaid internship, appears to be sadly typical: four unpaid months, working full time and often overtime, doing essential work for a huge media conglomerate.”

Ross Perlin, guest

columnist, nytimes.com on “These Are Not Your Father’s Internships”

“Given the historic import of Tuesday's ruling – this was the highest court ever to rule that the unequal treatment of gay couples violates the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause – the issue of Walker's gayness seems minor.

But by depicting him as a professional rather than a stereotype, the appeals judges have taken one more step down the road to tolerance.”

Dick Polman, Inquirer

National Political Columnists, philly.com on “The American Debate: Gay marriage is a dead political issue”

“Inspiring more people to get angry and involved is the top priority…take action on whatever issue is important to them, whether economic justice, the environment or peace.”

Bill Dobbs, a member of the press committee of Occupy Wall Street, huffingtonpost.com on “Occupy Movement Regroups, Preparing for Its Next Phase”

NATASHA SALEH

JUNIOR

TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

“It’s unfortunate, but me and my boyfriend just split up so I’m probably going to see ‘The Vow’ with my roommates so we can cry our hearts out since we don’t have any men.”

LETTERS@TEMPLE-NEWS.COM

COMMUNITY

PAGE 6

WORD WEB...

COMMUNITY VOICE

on the

temple-news.com

Fraud calls for new real-estate law

Unedited for content.

Just Some Guy 33 says on “Penn State: Mixed opinions” on Feb. 7, 2012 at 11:21 a.m.

Daniel, I must side with your father on this. Maybe it’s an age issue; maybe it’s a generational context issue.

Maybe as we get older we see the various layers of reality that make the greater whole (this was a lesson my father had continually tried to get across to me). Maybe as a generation growing up in the 60s/70s, we place a higher value on the meanings of our rights as citizens. (This point seems to be a real factor when dealing with those under 40.)

I would like to see you revisit this piece every ten years of your life just so you can see how your perspective may evolve. It should be an interesting exercise for you.

Best in everything (and to your father)!

Matthew Schilssel says on “Love songs convey what words can’t” on Feb. 7, 2012 at 3:18 a.m.

Excellent article. well written and right on point. I also love eclectic and well rounded song choices. Clay Aiken? really? oh well, i’ll give it a listen….

Dave says on “In memory” on Feb. 7, 2012 at 5:07 p.m.

I would like to validate what Jen said in response to the Sonstroem suicide. A few years ago, I felt the need to talk to a a professional about an issue. I came into Tuttleman, my answers to a survey were processed through a triage office, and I was given an appointment for a month later. I was anxious and had no idea how to handle the difficult situation without a psychologist’s input, but I had no choice but to brood over the problem, alone, until my appointment the following month. In contrast, I have never had to wait four weeks to speak with an academic advisor. I think Tuttleman should borrow The College of Liberal Art’s appointment approach–students are permitted to call in to arrange an appointment beginning when the building opens, and the call-in service continues until all appointments are filled for the day. That way, students in need of immediate assistance can receive it during the same day the problem arises. The current walk-in system is completely ineffective. I tried it once, and the walkin appointment was basically “let’s schedule an appointment for another time.” Not to mention, the walk-in window was very limited. If you happen to have class during the time, you are not be permitted to speak with a counselor earlier or later during the day. Temple needs to allocate greater resources to mental health–the students who are suffering unassisted have the potential to be tomorrow’s engineers, artists, teachers and activists, but if they can’t receive the health they need, their talent, drive, and heart may go to waste.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is faced with a difficult reality that is echoed across the nation.

A combination of rising costs including those from medical care for the elderly and unions, and revenues not meeting expectations fuel this reality. The difference between the state having a shortfall of funds and the federal government having a shortfall is that the state constitution requires the state legislature to pass a balanced budget. This is a great preventative measure that will hopefully prevent the commonwealth from ever reaching the debt crisis that we see in Washington.

Faced with the reality of the situation the leadership in Harrisburg simply has to make cuts somewhere. Unfortunately Gov. Tom Corbett has suggested a cut of 30 percent to the Temple appropriation amounting to almost $42 million. I personally feel it would be irresponsible to not expect a cut at all.

I feel that in this time everyone needs to share the sacrifice of our economic situation. Having said that, the current budget proposal has several sacred cows that are not being touched and programs that could be re-tooled to better serve people without being taken advantage of and wasting tax money.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania needs to look at reforming their welfare programs (fifth highest pubic assistants spending in the country) to make

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Judy F. Berman explains why a new real-estate law against fraud is necessary and how owners can protect themselves.

DOMINIQUE JOHNSON The Temple News The Graduate Economic Student Association recently launched DirectCongress. org, a website created to allow people to make and vote on laws.

Judy F. Berman, is a managing attorney for the Regional Housing Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm with expertise in affordable and sustainable housing.

Berman said she would like to see a real estate law created in light of fraudulent real estate sales.

“I’m a part of a working group called the Fraudulent Conveyance Working Group,” Berkman said. “In Philadelphia people oftentimes buy houses for cash and the people they buy the houses from are not the owners, [which] we call fraudulent conveyance.”

Berman said that if someone were to buy a house and learns later that the seller wasn’t actually the owner, the seller has committed fraud.

“We’ve created a new term, a ‘fraudulator,’” Berman said. “Sometimes the fradulator steals the house from the owner, who might be in the hospital, or deceased. Some-

times they will forge the name, [or] sometimes they trick the owner into signing it over and then they sell it to the people who are living in the house.”

Consequently, the people currently living in the house may spend a lot of time fixing and rebuilding their new home, only to find the original owners returning and wanting their home back because of a signed deed they possess.

Berman describes the issue as “unfair” because the current residents have already spent a large sum of money rebuilding their home.

“So what I would like to propose as a solution to this [issue] is twofold. More Judy F. Berman education [is needed],” Berkman said. “My proposal would be to have a law that says on every deed that title insurance can be purchased.”

Berman added that if a person purchases title insurance, some companies will research the title of the home and verify the owners as well as ensure that a sale is conducted properly.

“My proposal would be to have a law that says on every deed that title insurance can be purchased.”

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

sure that recipients of aid are actually those who are in need. It’s also time that we take a serious look at state medical programs as it takes up a 31 percent (second highest in the country) chunk of our budget.

This is understandably a difficult thing to touch considering the political implications of possibly cutting funding to the elderly in one of the oldest states in the country, but we must do it for our future.

We can all get involved in a number of ways through Temple Student Goverment, TALON and personal efforts but voting is the only foolproof method to have your voice heard. As the Vice President of the Temple College Republicans I look forward to working with the rest of our board to bring in great speakers this election year to help you make sound choices this coming election. While it is easy to look at the party next to the figure head of our state government and get angry at an entire party it is important to note that in the past education has been a bipartisan issue. This is a tough situation for republicans and cemocrats alike and we just need to be heard so they know making this funding decision is not a good one for them.

Sincerely, Darin Bartholomew Vice President, Temple College Republicans DOMINIQUE JOHNSON TTN

Judy F. Berman discusses her role at the Regional Housing Legal Services.

COMMUNITY COVERAGE

Union workers claim unfair representation Protestors argue that women and Latino workers are underrepresented in construction projects.

KIERRA BUSSEY Opinion Editor

Y

esterday, Feb. 13, at 8 a.m., members of the Coalition of Labor Union Women and Occupy Temple gathered at Broad and Oxford streets to protest against Temple’s alleged exclusion of minority workers from its construction projects.

Union carpenter and CLUW member Margarita Padin said Temple set a goal of 35 percent minority workforce participation for current building projects, and while this goal has been reached, women and Latinos specifically, are still excluded from the construction projects.

“I’ve been applying here every day for like three months and I’m in the carpenters union,” Padin said. “I’ve been in the carpenters union 23 years and we just want Temple University to abide by federal regulations, specifically executive order 11246, that bans discrimination in the labor force because of gender, race, or national origin.”

Padin is especially frustrated because she says there are qualified skilled workers that surround the community, who are being excluded.

“Temple has $400 million worth of current construction projects in the middle of one of the poorest districts in the nation,” Padin said. “The people in the community aren’t represented on the construction sites and the jobs that are well paid that bring people out of poverty, if they aren’t allowed to participate.”

“If you look out there and the only people for instance, that are African-American are security guards that aren’t even union workers, or laborers, which are the least paid workers [they’re not even considered skilled trades], then their 35 percent minority goal is a sham.”

The problem with the goal of 35 percent minority workforce participation is that it doesn’t use federal set percentages, Padin said.

“You could be complying with one demographic and not the other,” Padin said. “One trade might comply, one contractor might comply, but not the other. You might have 10 black carpenters for one company and zero black operating engineers for another. And we’re talking about being represented in every skilled trade out here for every demographic.”

And not only were workers visible at the protest, but

KIERRA BUSSEY TTN

Occupy Temple shows student support alongside Margarita Padin at Broad and Oxford streets. also local construction company owners. Joanna Harris, owner of ARB Construction, a local Philadelphia company, expressed her frustration with the situation as well.

“We are just not here for workers. We are here for company ownership,” Harris said.

“They are blocking minority companies by causing us to have excessive bonds amounts… for small companies. We need

to have companies as well as workers [represented] because minority companies will hire minority workers.”

Professor of keyboard studies and board member of CLUW Joyce Lindorff also support the protest affirming that women and Latinos have been underrepresented in Temple’s construction projects.

“Temple prides itself on being the ‘diversity university,’”

Lindorff said. “But it’s important that we should mean that literally from the ground up.

With all of the new construction going on, Temple has a real chance to honor its obligation to minorities. Diversity should reflect not only the students we see on campus, but also the people that are less visible, like the ones that actually make our buildings. Construction work opportunities should represent

minorities fairly, and that means including women and Latinos.”

Senior vice president for construction, facilities and operations, James P. Creedon responded to the allegations brought against Temple, which he said he’s hearing for the first time.

“We recognize that we need to be very aggressive in how we outreach to the Latino community and make sure they’re aware of what the opportunities are,” Creedon said. “We need to get to the point where they understand what we are trying to do and how they can help us.

We have an entire team that is focused on two things with this project. One is having more minority and women businesses participate and making sure that the workforce is representative of the community and includes the community.”

Creedone mentions that there is a lot more work to come.

“In the next several months we will have the need electricians, drywallers, plumbers, painters, and mechanical specialists. That’s when you’ll see the real opportunities come about.”

CLUW and Occupy Temple plan to protest every Monday from 8-10 a.m. until workers representative of their group are hired.

Kierra Bussey can be reached at kierrajb@temple.edu.

LIVING temple-news.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

PAGE 7

Exporting Affections

Columnist finds some bunny to love her

CARA STEFCHAK

Guest columnist Cara Stefchak reveals the identity of her cute and fuzzy Valentine’s date.

Illustration Valerie Rubinsky

roses and armed naked babies.

“We don’t celebrate Valen“This is my first tine’s Day where I am semester here at Temfrom,” he said. “This ple and in the United is my first time here in States,” Abdulraxma America, and I haven’t Bajabaa, a freshman had the chance to exelectrical engineerperience that holiday ing major from Saudi just yet.”

Arabia, said. “Here, Although Bajabaa you have so much isn’t in a relationship more freedom. I mean and doesn’t have any to just go hang out special plans for today, with your girlfriend or Feb. 14, he said he’s something like that – confident that he will you just can’t do that still be keeping himin front of everyone in self busy.

Abdulraxma Bajabaa Saudi Arabia.”

“I’ll probably just freshman electrical “Unlike in the be going out with my engineering major from United States, we are saudi arabia friends or something,” very private,” he addhe said. “And the girls ed. “It is not a religious here are just amazing. thing. It’s just how the culture is.”

It’s just like, wow.”

Having only been in the U.S. for Soukaina Carakat, a junior mea few months, Bajabaa said he is still chanical engineering major originally taking it all in. from Morocco, also has little experi-

International students talk about their first experiences with Valentine’s Day.

ence with Valentine’s Day. “I’ve been in the United States for two years now, but I have no idea how people here celebrate it,” Carakat said. “But from movies, I can tell it is pretty different.”

“They just began celebrating Valentine’s Day [in Morocco], actually,” she added. “People from different countries started to go there. It was never celebrated before, because of religion, but in the last five years or so they have been celebrating it.”

Newly adopted in Morocco, Cupid’s holiday is still only celebrated predominately by people who are married rather than unwed couples.

“I don’t know what they do here in the United States, but couples go out and do not spend the night together,” Carakat said. “Maybe they just go out to dinner. Married people do celebrate it more, though, because of the

“Unlike in the United States, we are very private. It’s not a religious thing. It’s just how the culture is.”

JOHN DAILEY The Temple News

L

ove may be an international language, but what Valentine’s Day represents is in the eyes of the beholder.

Main Campus has a large international student population – approximately 715 students to be exact. Some of those students come from cultures that simply don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, or have a different take on it than American culture. To help U.S. natives understand what that’s like, several international students explained what they make of all the chocolates,

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 17

National Condom Day encourages safe sex Students and faculty recognize the importance of protection during a time of rising STD rates.

ALEXIS SACHDEV REBECCA ZOLL The Temple News Cassandra Jeudin, a senior criminal justice major, knows the importance of using condoms, regardless of how serious the relationship may be.

“One of my ex’s ex-girlfriends came into the picture when I was dating him, so he basically cheated on me,” Jeudin said. “Eventually the story was that it was her prom night and she went over to his house and they had sex.”

According to Jeudin, her ex and his ex-girlfriend were using a condom, but decided they didn’t feel like it, so they took it off.

“A couple weeks later, she told him that she was pregnant, and I couldn’t put up with that drama,” she said.

It’s known throughout the world as a variety of strange, and often silly, terms: burying the bishop, shagging, bumping uglies, the mama-jama, getting physical, romping, the horizontal monster mash and so on. But getting down and dirty with that lucky person isn’t all fun and games.

Sexually active young adults from 15 to 24 years of age are among

the highest at-risk demographic to contract sexually transmitted diseases and infections. And for many STDs and STIs, the rate of infection has been increasing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 95,951 new cases of chlamydia have been reported from 2005 to 2009 for 20-to-24-year-olds. For the 15-to-19year-old demographic, approximately 94,743 new cases were reported in the same time span.

Though the CDC attributes the increase to a higher rate of STD testing, the public health agency still acknowledges that many young people – especially women – are not getting tested.

For both age demographics, the rates of primary and secondary syphilis more than doubled from 2005 to 2009, according to CDC data.

Cures exist for chlamydia, syphilis and other STDs, which usually consist of a week-long antibiotic treatment.

The trend of increased infection rate is generally observed worldwide, as well. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 448 million new cases of curable STDs occur yearly.

In terms of STIs – herpes, hepatitis, HPV and HIV – the rates are also increasing among young adults, and disproportionately among minority populations, specifically among African-Americans. These viral infections are incurable and lifelong. Though

Photo Illustration ALEX UDOWENKO TTN

The HEART Office, located the lower level of Mitten Hall, sells 10 condoms for $1. HEART program coordinator Kate Schaeffer recommends all sexually active students to be safe and to put their wellness first.

STEFCHAK PAGE 14

TTN reporter Jenine Pilla spoke with organizers and performers of “The Vagina Monologues,” to be performed on Main Campus later this week.

LIVING DESK 215-204-7418

LOVE THE PLANET

Columnist Marisa Steinberg discusses various ways to show love to your V-Day date and Mother Nature, including hand-made gifts and eating at establishments that support local growers.

NEXT WEEK

SAFE SEX PAGE 14 VAGINA MONOLOGUES

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othing says “I love you” more than a morning humpsesh.

While there are plenty of gushy ways to say “be mine” to your main squeeze this Valentine’s Day, I predict the love of my life will take a direct approach to ‘marking’ me as his better half, just as he does each and every morning – with a passionate, never solicited leg-hump-of-love.

I’d say my ‘boo’ and I are a pretty big power-couple on Main Campus, turning heads with every outing we take to Beury Beach. And even if my guy has a bit of a weight issue, people constantly come up to him wanting to know his life story to the point where our dates can get a bit exhausting, but I’m not intimidated by other ladies, I’ve got him on a tight leash – literally.

Before I give my entire writing fan base a heart attack – hey, Grandma – let me clear up that my valentine is my Flemish Giant rabbit named Pancake.

Even if he wanted to pick me up a chocolate heart at the supermarket, store security would probably have something to say if a 15-some-pound fluffy monster came hopping down the conveyor belt.

And let’s face it, a rabbit with an endless appetite wouldn’t have the discipline to get a dozen roses home without being tempted to munch the stems off every last one. All hopes of a romantic breakfast-in-bed disappeared when I named him after my favorite early morning nom-nom. Pancakes with Pancake?

That’s some all-too-ironic cannibalistic stuff that I’ll save for the post-breakuprevenge era.

I know most mentally sane people wouldn’t consider a pet rabbit a practical Valentine – I’m still fighting against Edible Arrangements’ rodent discrimination by their lack of chocolate-covered carrot bouquets – but when this single lady couldn’t coerce anyone to watch documentaries and eat Thai food, I had to work with what I had, and that just so happened to be a monster-sized rabbit companion.

But I guess I can’t fault the male population: Dating red flags would go up for me too if someone talked about their rabbit more than Internet trolls talk about the inaccuracies of Temple memes – yeah, it’s reached that irritating level.

Now that it’s already been established that the release of this column will put the last nail in my dating-life coffin, I might as well milk this boyfriend-rabbit metaphor to its fullest, most uncomfortable potential.

Everyone has that friend involved in an obsessive relationship where they

SERIOUS STUDIES

The Temple News will analyze new data suggesting that the class of 2015 is more studious than its predecessors.

LIVING@TEMPLE-NEWS.COM

LIVING

PAGE 8

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

‘Vagina Monologues’ combats negative feminist stereotypes

Editor recalls past loves

ALEXIS SACHDEV

A rollercoaster romance with V-Day forces Living Editor Alexis Sachdev to reconsider the meaning of love.

M LEE MILLER TTN File Photo

Last year, HEART hosted a performance of “The Vagina Monologues” on Main Campus in conjunction with the global movement, V-Day. This year, the office is putting on the show again from Feb. 16 to 18 in the Student Center.

As part of the global V-Day Movement, students and faculty are putting on performances of the play during the week.

JENINE PILLA The Temple News

Often, ‘V-Day’ is a term many associate with the holiday during which significant others are put on the spot and roses are passed out like pieces of paper. In terms of women’s rights, however, V-Day stands for so much more than just a candlelight dinner and a heart-shaped box of chocolates.

V-Day is a global activist movement that uses arts and creative events to raise awareness and aid to end violence including rape, battery and incest against women and girls. V-Day uses small communities and universities as well as large scale benefits to help spread the voice of their cause to every corner of the globe.

A popular event during V-Day is the various productions of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues,” which raises money while providing a boisterous outlet to promote awareness.

“The Vagina Monologues” is a production consisting of various monologues which are derived from interviews with real women from around the world. The play touches on topics that are representative of global issues faced by women, be it a young girl’s first period or a woman’s battle for equality and sexual rights.

Inspired by the performances in “The Vagina Monologues,” Ensler founded the V-Day movement in 1998. According to the V-Day website, Ensler’s goal is to “envision a planet in which women and girls will be free to thrive, rather than merely survive.”

Along with the work V-Day does to have on-going movements in areas including Africa, the Middle East and Asia, it spreads its cause via smaller communities

and universities by providing any organization the chance to produce its own benefit performance of “The Vagina Monologues.”

This provides communities, like Main Campus, the ability to educate the neighborhood on the global and communal problems women face.

Alison Stricker, a junior English major and co-director of the university’s production of “The Vagina Monologues,” said she thinks the play provides a brand new depiction of the feminist movement.

“The best thing [‘The Vagina Monologues’] has done is deterred us away from using the term ‘feminist,’” she said, adding that the term “feminist” has gained a negative connotation in the past.

Seeing the actresses stand confidently on stage and proudly talk about “My Angry Vagina” may lead those who are unaware of the cause to conclude that the play is a work of feminism. But V-Day and The Vagina Monologues presents what Stricker deems as “third wave feminism.”

Stricker said “The Vagina Monologues” is more than just a show.

“It is a production, a moral lesson,” she said.

Kate Schaeffer, the Health Education Awareness Resource Team program coordinator, said she’s been familiar with the play since 2001, and said she believes the play provides a universal way to observe women’s issues.

Schaeffer said she feels that “The Vagina Monologues” presents women’s suffrage and violence in such confidence that women are able to “feel correct and supported” in their quest for equality.

“The Vagina Monologues” goes beyond women’s rights by presenting worldly issues that are schemed down and acted out through women.

According to its website, members behind the V-Day movement believe that creating the opportunity for communities to interact in productions including “The Vagina Monologues” is beneficial because local women know their communities best, and “lasting social and cultural change is

spread by ordinary people doing extraordinary things.”

N’Keya Peters, a junior social work major and HEART peer educator, said she is anxious and excited about her first opportunity to work with a production about which she has always felt strongly.

“It’s very empowering,” Peters said. “A dream come true.”

Before becoming involved in “The Vagina Monologues,” Peters had little knowledge about the V-Day cause. She said she believes that bringing the production to more than just schools and producing it in a larger, more populated environment would help educate everyone.

Main Campus’ production of “The Vagina Monologues” is donating a portion of the funds to V-Day, while the rest will be given to a local organization: Women Organized Against Rape. In an attempt to raise as much money as possible, there will be a bake sale during each show, the proceeds of which will be donated, as well.

The production will consist of many of Ensler’s original monologues as well as a spotlight monologue, derived from a current major world event. According to Stricker, everyone should keep an eye out for “My Vagina was My Village,” which is an act so powerful it will give the audience chills.

Schaeffer said that acts including “I Was There in the Room,” which tells the story of a mother watching her daughter give birth, will move people to tears while other acts like “Reclaiming C***” will kill you with laughter.

“The Vagina Monologues” will be performed Feb. 16 through Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. in The Underground of the Student Center.

Tickets will be on sale from Feb. 13 to Feb. 17 starting at 2 p.m. in the HEART office in Mitten Hall, and cost $5 with a TUID and $10 without.

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

uch like an elderly man nestled in his rustic leather chair with a glass of scotch, recalling the ‘better times,’ I now lay on my West Elm comforter with a stuffed Eeyore, contemplating my youth. I envision a montage of golden summer days, LFO’s “Summer Girls” playing on loop over b-roll of children on swings, school buses driving through cookiecutter neighborhoods and the general carefree-ness of it all.

What I miss more than the Lisa Frank school supplies and “Clarissa Explains it All” is Valentine’s Day. That day was reserved for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cards – you’re totally tubular, dude – mounds of chocolate and monochromatic hot pink outfits. But alas, things have changed with the passing time.

What really kills me is that Valentine’s Day and I used to have a great relationship.

Every Feb. 14, I would wake up to a present from my mom hidden somewhere in the house. I’d put on a fuchsia sweater, pale-pink corduroy pants and light-up Sailor Moon kicks. Pigtails with pink scrunchies? Check. Candy hearts and Valentine’s cards for everyone except that one mean girl in math? Check. I skipped to the bus, ready to have the best day ever.

Once I hit middle school, I developed this delusional mindset that Valentine’s Day didn’t exist. It was just another day to me, but by no means did I harbor bitter feelings for the 14th. We accepted each other as we were – annoying, but with good intentions.

Fast-forward to high school. A job at Coldstone Creamery afforded my girlfriends and I the luxury of endless tubs of Founder’s Favorite. We’d eat our little hearts out and watch sappy Hugh Grant films, waiting for our parents to get home. Still

slightly delusional – and still single – but blissfully ignorant, nonetheless.

Now embarking on my third Valentine’s Day as a college student, I can’t help but look back fondly on my youth and vehemently curse past VDay dates.

On Feb. 14, 2010, I spent the day with my sister and her fiancé, slumped over my brunch at Café Lift, swolleneyed and miserable.

Nine hours earlier, my then-boyfriend of nearly a year abruptly ended the relationship for no rhyme or reason – and on the phone, no less. Our romantic plans for a French restaurant and a night on the town dressed to the nines was brutally annihilated.

It was then that my disdain for Valentine’s Day developed. There was no guarantee that love would be honored and cherished on the 14th.

The forced exhibition and excessive romanticism creates a situation for many lovers that scares them away, rather than bringing them closer.

The following year, I spent my formerly-favorite holiday with a friend. I made him dinner – a delicious Italian feast – that he hardly ate. We hung out with my roommates – who he barely spoke to. When he left around 11 p.m., I was more relieved than heartbroken for the night to finally be done. And, against my better judgment, I must admit: He was a purebred hipster, with a lumberjack beard and Levi’s to boot.

Recently it dawned on me that Valentine’s Day was so much easier as a child because my definition of “love” was all-encompassing. I loved my parents, siblings, friends, neighbors and Leonardo DiCaprio during the “Growing Pains” era. The increasing concern for adults is finding Mr. or Mrs. Right or Right Now. We’ve removed all extraneous lovers from the equation, when in reality, our love shouldn’t be solely reserved for one person.

So this year, I’m resolving to rekindle my relationship with Cupid. Instead of lamenting my singular status, and instead of becoming an extreme “Sex-and-the-City”-quoting, man-hating, “too independent for my own good neo-feminist,” I’m just loving the people who are already there, and the relationships that will last.

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

Broadi Gras celebration falls short of expectations Year-long plans for the Feb. 18 Broad Street party are not as big as once thought.

LUIS FERNANDO RODRIGUEZ The Temple News Last year, sophomore sports management major Dan Pulse came up with the idea of Broadi Gras.

The idea was to have a Mardi Gras celebration on Main Campus, in the same vain of Spring Fling and Penn State’s State Patty’s Day. Now, nearly a year since the Facebook invitation was originally sent out, the event has 3,749 attendees. But beyond the Facebook event invitation and some T-shirts being sold, there doesn’t appear to be any other tangible sign that Broadi Gras, which is scheduled to occur on Feb. 18, is actually happening.

“I’ve had several people Facebook message me asking about the

event, asking me what it’s going to be like since it’s right around the corner,” Pulse said.

“This year it isn’t going to be anything big since Temple isn’t sponsoring it, but I have been talking to Temple and they are fully up for it. I’m waiting to hear back from them to meet with them again to see if we can get this thing sponsored in the future,” Pulse added.

While the event may not have backing from any administration within the university, Pulse claims he has been in communication with Main Campus Program Board.

“I’ve been talking to [MCPB] about making this a real event for some time,” Pulse said. “They brought me in last semester to talk about everything and what my plans were and what my vision was for the future of this.”

Pulse admitted that he does not remember with whom he spoke from MCPB, but said he was well-received.

“I was in there for a meeting with them and they said how many students come to them with ideas but they said how my idea was one of the few ideas

they’ve ever heard where they actually to have lots of fun.” really liked it and they believe this can Pulse is aware that this year Broadi be something in the Gras will not be future,” Pulse said. on the scale it was “I have not expected to be but heard anything said it will still be about a Broadi Gras happening on a event,” Tania Nepsmaller scale. tune, president of “A bunch of MCPB, said. “This people say they is my first time plan on having hearing about it, a barbecue and I and it sounds really think that’s great,” cool actually.”

Pulse said. “I enviDan Pulse / Neptune said sophomore sports management major sion going to barthat when planning and organizer of broadi gras becues and seeing an event of this 20 to 30 people scale “a lot of strucwearing Mardi ture and commitGras colors, it’s ment from people” something I’d love is required, which may prove difficult to see.” for Pulse who has only been promotNeptune, who has experience in ing Broadi Gras through the Facebook planning larger events on Main Camevent and word-of-mouth. pus did have some advice for students “The bigger you want something wanting to create something to the the more people you will want to have magnitude of Spring Fling. on board,” Neptune said. “So coming “The first step would be talking to together and having meetings, a lot of Gina D’Annunzio, director of Student structure and making sure you’re going Activities, and Christopher Carey, as-

“This year isn’t going to be anything big because Temple isn’t sponsoring it.”

sociate director of student activities, and say ‘what is your take on this type of event?’” Neptune said. “You could also come to [MCPB] since we are familiar with planning large-scale events.”

“The first step is really getting involved with [student] organizations,” Neptune added. “It’s really hard to be a single student here and get things done.

So you definitely have to come up with a solid game plan. Be very focused, be very serious and have a backing. If you tell me, ‘I have support from 18 [student organizations] or 150 students.’

Then I’ll know students really do want to see this.”

Neptune also explained that Spring Fling is such a large-scale event because it requires a lot of participation from the different student organizations on Main Campus. MCPB is also only responsible for marketing, promotion and picking the theme – Student Activities and student organizations plan the rest.

Pulse remains optimistic about his

BROADI GRAS PAGE 17

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT temple-news.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Love Bites

Restaurants throughout the city are encouraging their patrons’ romantic appetites on Valentine’s Day with special aphrodisiac menus for the holiday.

PAGE 9

SCOUTING SWEET TREATS The only mushy aspect of my Valentine’s Day is going to be moist cake and icing blending together in my mouth. Despite your feelings on the “big V,” I think we can all get behind an excuse to eat sweets. Whether you chose to feed it to your beau while listening to Marvin

Gaye, sob into it while watching “Beaches” at your solo pity party or eat it because it’s Feb. 14 and you feel like treating yo’self right regardless of whatever fat babies with weapons are buzzing around – here’s the deal on where to find your sugar-fix in Philadelphia.

ALEXANDRA OLIVIER The Temple News

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CHRIS MONTGOMERY TTN

From Feb. 13-16, Matyson, a BYOB on 19th Street, will serve a special Valentine’s Day aphrodisiac menu. Seared diver scallops are one of the many menu options.

SWEET FREEDOM 1424 SOUTH ST. FLYINGMONKEYPHILLY.COM

ove and food easily go hand in hand. So it’s no surprise that many restaurants are offering a menu specializing in heightening that special someone’s feelings of love and desire.

Today, Feb. 14 restaurants in Center City, Old City, Rittenhouse Square and beyond are offering their special aphrodisiac menus to aid in wooing your valentine.

An aphrodisiac is a food or drink that supposedly helps heighten sexual desire. Appropriately, the word aphrodisiac stems from the name of the Greek goddess of sexuality and love herself, Aphrodite. Many remember the movie scene featuring candles and raw oysters to set the tone for the night ahead.

Presented in many forms, aphrodisiacs can be something organic, an appetizer or even a cocktail. Restaurants are showcasing these in every day, and not so every day, foods to make Valentine’s Day one to remember.

Some people suggest that aphrodisiacs include chocolate, which is rich with a feel-good chemical called anandamide, oysters, which help produce sperm and increase libido, bananas, which are full of minerals and vitamins that can enhance the male libido, and avocados and figs, which, to many, emulate sexual organs.

Other not so popular aphrodisiacs are asparagus, caviar and gin-

Totally vegan cupcakes for those interested in healthy indulgences. Not only are they dairy-free, casein-free, egg-free and gluten-free but they also utilize only natural ingredients. The one thing they’re not free of: taste.

BROWN BETTY 1030 N. 2ND ST. BROWNBETTYDESSERTS.COM These are skip-your-lunch, real deal, big mama cupcakes, best enjoyed at the beginning of the day while they’re fresh. Though the primary location is in Northern Liberties, Brown Betty Petities can be found at Liberty Place in Center City and on South 20th Street, near Rittenhouse Square. The pineapple pound cake is worth writing home about, though with the flavors rotating daily, you might have to make a few trips there to catch it.

APHRODISIAC PAGE 11

PHILLY CUPCAKE 1132 CHESTNUT ST. PHILLYCUPCAKE.COM

Race and class take center stage “Pudd’nhead Wilson” opened on Main Campus Feb. 8.

The outrageously dressed storefront mannequin will draw you in – the cupcakes will make you stay. With a daily flavor list a mile long and curio cabinets housing rows of beautifully decorated cakes, this place is candy for the eyes and the mouth. The Jewish apple streusel cupcake would suit Granny, while those with a more adventurous sweet tooth might pursue The Coma or The Massacre.

MATT FLOCCO The Temple News An actor sits in blackface on the stage, strumming a banjo as the audience enters Randall Theater.

From this point forward, the audience knows that Temple Theaters’ production of “Pudd’nhead Wilson,” based on Mark Twain’s novel, is no ordinary play.

The play follows the townspeople of Dawson’s Landing, Mo. in the first half of the 19th century. At the onset of the play, Roxy, a slave who is only 1/16th black, secretly switches her infant son, 1/32nd black, with her master’s so that he may live a life of means. Years later, master Tom Driscoll – Roxy’s real son, Chambers – takes Valet de Chambers – the real Tom – as his slave.

Hilarity, sensitivity, shock and horror bring the stage to life in a simple narrative with complex themes.

“Our characters are engaged in racist behavior,” said Doug Wager, Pudd’nhead director, and the theater department’s artistic director who also heads a graduate directing pro-

WHIPPED 636 BELGRADE ST. WHIPPEDBAKESHOP.COM Whipped Bakeshop snatched up the Best of Philly award in the cupcake category, but you can be the judge of that. Expect the traditional flavors done to perfection and decadent flavors including chocolate truffle and pumpkin spice.

MATT FLOCCO TTN

Junior theater major Lia Simon (left) portrays Roxy and junior theater major Scott Gunner plays Chambers in “Pudd’nhead Wilson.” The show runs until Feb. 19.

PIANO MAN

Meet Orrin Evans, whose jazz stylings will set the mood at the World Cafe Live Valentine’s Jazz and Wine dinner tonight.

A&E DESK 215-204-7418

short rehearsal process,” said junior theater major Lia Simon, who plays Roxy.

“I purposely took all African-American studies classes this semester to help me learn

-Caitlin Weigel

PUDD’NHEAD PAGE 12

GETTING CRAFTY

Craft columnist Meghan White shares instructions for some Valentine’s Day decor, all appropriately heart shaped.

NEXT WEEK

gram. “It touches nerves, but it gives actors a platform to live out the origins of those [racial] tensions.”

And live it out they did.

“What I truly enjoyed was the growth and progression that occurred in our very

BLOCKBUSTER EXHIBIT

“Van Gogh Up Close,” makes its only American stop at the Museum of Art – find out more about where it came from.

ARTSandENTERTAINMENT@TEMPLE-NEWS.COM

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 10

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

WALBERT YOUNG TTN

Orrin Evans plays piano in his home in Mt. Airy, Pa. Evans is an acclaimed jazz pianist originally from Trenton, N.J. He’s playing a Valentine’s Day show tonight at the World Cafe Live.

ORRIN EVANS

J

JENELLE JANCI The Temple News

azz pianist Orrin Evans will set the mood for those attending the Valentine’s Wine and Jazz Dinner tonight, Feb. 14 at World Cafe Live.

Performing as part of the Orrin Evans Quartet, Evans is regarded by many as an absolute piano maestro. He plays with an unusual balance of skill and soul, and his deep roots in music are unsurprising. Born in Trenton, N.J. and living in Philadelphia since he was 11, Evans was introduced to music by his mother, whom he said sang everything from classical music to show tunes. His father, although not a musician himself, was a playwright, and Evans said he had a certain appreciation for music.

“There was art surrounding me,” Evans said.

It’s safe to say that while seemingly constantly touring and recording, Evans is still surrounded by art today. Last week he finished recording his and his trio’s next studio album,

and hopes to release the work in May. When he’s not making music, the former full-time teacher at the Germantown Friends School spends his time pursuing a second love. Through teaching college workshops, Evans said he enjoys the opportunity to work with students looking to pursue music, and also for those he sees as prospective future audiences.

The Temple News: As a Philadelphia native, is there something special about playing in your town rather than touring?

Orrin Evans: I moved here when I was 11 and to be honest, I love touring, I love playing other places, but there’s something special to playing in Philly. You get a different vibe that I really appreciate.

TTN: What can the audience expect to hear at the Valentine’s Day show?

OE: Hopefully just some good tunes.

Since it’s a Valentine’s Day show it’s going to be more focused on that – ballads, and just those songs that put you in that mood of love.

I have a great singer, Carolyn Leonhart, singing along with me, coming in from New York.

Really, I’m just hoping to get people in the

mood and to have an enjoyable night.

TTN: Why might jazz be appropriate for Valentine’s Day? OE: Because it’s sexy. I mean, there’s no other reason. It’s a very sexy and sensual music. It’s about love – not that any other music isn’t about love, but this is definitely a music that speaks to love and relationships.

TTN: What’s your favorite love song and why?

OE: There’s way too many, but one that I really like is Michael Jackson’s “She’s Out of My Life.” I know that’s not a good love song, but it’s pretty. It’s about love breaking up, but still, it’s beautiful.

TTN: It’s probably fair to say that jazz’s primary audience is not college-aged.

Where would you suggest that newcomers to the genre begin?

OE: As far as Philadelphia, I would just say substitute it – start substituting whatever you would normally do on Friday with jazz just every once in awhile. Like, “Hey what do you want to do? Go to the movies, or go to a party?” Just every once in a while – and I don’t even want to say jazz, to be honest.

Just substitute it with going out to hear live music, with real musicians. It doesn’t have to be a big concert like at the Wachovia Center.

Just a small club, go check out some music.

That’s the first step, and then you’ll get into just really appreciating the process of going and experiencing live music.

There’s already way too many resources to find out about new artists, whether it’s YouTube or anything else – there’s avenues to do it, but first just get that appreciation in your body for wanting to hear live music.

TTN: What’s special about the Philadelphia jazz scene compared to other cities?

OE: It’s big but small. There are a lot of different areas and a lot of different things you can get into, but everybody’s connected in some sort of way. There’s definitely a one degree of separation between everybody. It’s not even just jazz, it’s music in general. There’s more of a connection here than in other cities.

Jenelle Janci can be reached at jenelle.janci@temple.edu.

JAZZ MASTER

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Restaurant menus encourage romance for Valentine’s diners

PAGE 11

Heartfelt decor sets Valentine’s Day scene

seng.

Although there is no scientific evidence that suggests aphrodisiacs do heighten sexual desires, many restaurants are playing with the idea that they do. And if not, maybe the natural high of being in the presence of that special someone is the heightening ingredient masqueraded in the food you consume.

SERRANO AND TIN ANGEL

Walking through Old City can be a romantic venue in itself, so after working up your appetite for romance, stop by Serrano and Tin Angel at 20 S. Second St. for its Valentine’s Day feast.

“The chef always has a special menu very often catered toward couples if they’d like,” Kevin O’Malley, the manager at Serrano, said. “It’s customer friendly, the option is there and since the setting and appeal is already very warm it makes it

that much more cozy and warm for couples interested in that.”

Serrano, the main dining space and Tin Angel, a café and music venue, are not only concerned with having great food that highlights international cuisines like those found in Thailand and Hungary. They also incorporate great music played live in their restaurant.

For its fifth consecutive year, Hoots and Hellmouth will play upstairs in the Tin Angel on Valentine’s Day. If one’s not in the mood for the folksy tunes, downstairs in Serrano the ambiance will be set for diners to enjoy the sounds of their own conversation.

“Hoots and Hellmouth have played here before and about five or six years ago decided to create something like an annual, holiday tradition where they play two shows on Valentine’s Day,” said O’Malley, who’s been at Serrano for 14 years.

This tradition attracts diehard fans and allows for those who have made a reservation to get some of the best seats in the house.

POSITANO COAST BY ALDO LAMBERTI

On the second floor of 212 Walnut St. across from the Ritz 5 movie theatre, Positano Coast boasts a dining experience that is “sexy, bewitching and creative.”

Also inspired by the cuisine of Italy, Positano Coast incorporates its Crudo menu, essentially a raw-fish bar, and organic cocktails to make every dining experience one to remember.

Their Valentine’s Day-themed menu offers New York strip steak for hearty eaters and herb crusted Mahi for those a bit more adventurous.

Don’t forget to ask about two specialty aphrodisiac cocktails on the menu, “Give me Some More” and “Pearls and

Persecco.” A little booze always helps to set the mood.

VARALLI RESTAURANT

At 231 S. Broad St., Varalli’s prides itself in providing diners with a “memorable experience.” Its cuisine highlights gourmet Italian seafood and is influenced with Mediterranean flavors.

Its décor sets a tone of intimacy and playfulness with high-backed booths that can hold groups of six, private rooms for parties and a main dining room for couples and groups to enjoy not only food and company.

Chef de cuisine William Carroll, has prepared a menu special for Valentine’s Day that will be featured alongside their regular menu.

If the colossal crab cocktail loaded with avocado, mango, extra virgin olive oil, lime and cilantro or dark chocolate and strawberry valentine gelato heart doesn’t get you and your lover in the mood, perhaps the smooth swing jazz sounds of Mark Randall on piano and Robert Campbell on bass will help.

Not to mention the long stemmed rose you can request to be delivered to your table when making your reservation.

Whether on a date with friends or a special someone, diners can experiment with these various aphrodisiacs for “scientific reasons” and see if they’re left in a state of desire, or even more bitter than they were to begin with.

Alexandra Olivier can be reached at alexandra.olivier@temple.edu.

CHRIS MONTGOMERY TTN

A diner leaves Matyson. The BYOB restaurant is serving an aphrodisiac Valentine’s Day menu.

HandMeg

APHRODISIAC PAGE 9

I

Columnist Meghan White offers crafts for those celebrating Valentine’s Day.

MEGHAN WHITE

’ll be honest with you, I miss the Valentine’s Days of elementary school.

Everyone in class had to exchange valentines with everyone else. And more selfishly, I liked to see how much more creative I was than the rest of my class. From the mailboxes we had on the edges of our desks to the valentines themselves, I always had to try to outshine the rest of my class.

Every year I wanted to go the extra mile and give away hand-packaged treats, but that was deemed unsanitary. Somehow though, the girl who accidentally fed us brownies with shards of glass in them on her birthday got off with a warning.

For the college incarnation of Valentine’s Day, I treat it like any other day. I do whatever I need to do in terms of schoolwork and I may let my inner-wino come out. I’m fairly certain I’m not alone in this, and I know more than a few people who are pretending that this holiday doesn’t exist at all. This year I decided to jump out of my comfort zone and decorate my house a bit, while pretending I’m actually celebrating Dionysus – the god of wine for those of you playing along at home – instead of Saint Valentine.

You see, I have an inexplicable fondness for hearts.

Other than elephant butts, I can pretty much only draw hearts, so they wind up on nearly everything. The margins of my notes are filled with hearts, like I’m some sort of lovesick Libson girl, and the cork board above my desk has at least three hearts on it.

So this week I’m going to share how to make some heartthemed décor. I figure that even if a little late for the holiday, both of these crafts can be modified into spring-themed crafts with some simple modifications.

But in the interest of full disclosure, the first of the crafts I’m going to share with you came during winter break and uses Christmas ornaments.

I did, however, make it with this Valentine’s Day column in mind.

SUPPLIES FOR HEART GARLAND:

- Felt-heart shapes, I used ornaments because they already had holes in the top. Any felt shape with a hole in the top can be used. Be creative and make your own.

- yarn - bobby pin - scissors

STEPS FOR HEART GARLAND:

1. Gather up your supplies. The number of felt hearts you need depends on a few things including how long you want your garland to be and the size of your felt hearts. I used 12 hearts.

2. Cut your yarn to the length of garland you want.

I opted for my garland to be approximately 26 times the length of one heart.

3. Working from the center out and using the bobby pin as a needle, string on the first felt heart. Knot the yarn on both sides of the heart to prevent sliding.

4. Do the same for the rest of the felt hearts. I put about

the length of a heart in between each one as an attempt of spacing them evenly. Of course, if you’re interested you can always use more precise measurements.

5. Hang up your garland wherever you please. Mine is currently above my TV at home and I think it’s a nice twist on the more traditional pennant garland.

The second craft is Martha Stewart inspired. I say ‘inspired’ only because I will never be as good at crafts as Stewart’s bang-up team of crafting minions. I came to grips with this years ago doing Martha Stewart craft box kits every holiday season.

So I didn’t expect the outcome of these sun catcher crayon hearts to be perfect, but they were fun to make and they can definitely be cut into a multitude of shapes. And let’s just say pumpkins are definitely happening next Halloween.

Had I known about this craft while still living in the dorms, I totally would have done this. I personally think it’s a great alternative to crudely constructing lewd words out of Post-it Notes and sticking them on your dorm windows.

But please, for the love of Martha, just don’t use it to craft a “swag” sun catcher.

SUPPLIES FOR CRAYON HEARTS:

- crayons - pencil sharpener - wax paper - iron - newspaper or Kraft paper - scissors - tape

STEPS FOR CRAYON HEARTS:

1. Select the crayons you would like to use for the hearts and remove the label and sharpen the crayon using the pencil sharpener. Collect the shavings. I’d suggest using like colors, or at least ones that if they bleed into each other wouldn’t look horrible.

2. Tear off a sheet of wax paper and fold in half.

3. Open the wax paper and evenly distribute the crayon shavings on one side of the waxed paper. Fold in half, again.

4. Place wax paper between two layers of newspaper or Kraft paper.

5. Run the iron over the wax paper on medium heat until the crayon shavings have melted. Check frequently to prevent any burning.

6. Remove the waxed paper and allow to cool.

7. Once cool, cut out the now sun catcher-like waxed paper into patterns. Hearts, of course, are optimal for the holiday.

8. Tape onto windows to catch the light and decorate your room.

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

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Twain’s words brought to life PUDD’NHEAD PAGE 9

more about the history,” Simon said. “I didn’t want to jump into the role with the mentality of ‘I’m a slave.’”

“They didn’t think of themselves as ‘slaves,’ they were human beings who were oppressed and dealt with that the best way they could,” Simon added.

In Wager’s words, “Our racial identity is a fiction of law and custom.” There is much more of a gray area when the skin tone of a character does not matter so much as the clothes she wears and how she speaks. “[Vocal/dialect coach] Diane Gaary was instrumental in helping me develop the presence and tone of my character,” said senior theater major Alex Fraser, who played Tom Driscoll. “In addition to helping me speak in a solid southern accent.”

The dialect was one of the more challenging concepts for the director and actors to grasp.

Chambers, played by junior theater major Scott Gunner, was a white character speaking in a black slave’s dialect.

The N-word was essential to the script and came up a great deal in the play, reminding audience members that the word still carries the same weight that it did 150 years ago.

“It definitely pushes your buttons,” theater department chair Marie Chiment said. “It’s heart-breaking and difficult to watch, but it’s very important.”

“It’s a sensitive topic,” audience member Serena Austin said. “It’s hard to see such truth shown with such humor, because it’s really nothing to laugh at.”

The play’s humor is provided mostly by the character David “Pudd’nhead” Wilson, played by junior theater major Harrison Lampert, who is also a comedian and magician. He interacts with the audience and narrates the story, while simultaneously stepping in as a character.

He is given this nickname because the townspeople think he is slightly off or stupid, when it turns out he is actually none of those things. What the audience first perceives as light comedic relief narration is actu-

MATT FLOCCO TTN

(Above) Junior theater major Scott Gunner plays Chambers and senior theater major Alex Fraser plays Tom Driscoll in “Pudd’nhead Wilson.” (Below) Huston West dons blackface and portrays a minstrel player. ally a deep metaphor for those who are overlooked in American society.

“The play reminded me of the idea of segregation, and how badly some people want to change their status, no matter what it is,” audience member Elford Lawrence said. “Theater reminds us of the culture we come from.”

T h e r e seems no betSerena Austin / ter setting for audience member “Pudd’nhead Wilson” than in modern-day North Philadelphia, where race and class have a great deal to do with off-campus relations, but little to do with interactions where students are concerned.

There are a number of scenes in the play that easily echo what happens on nearby streets. In one exchange, Tom

“It’s a sensitive topic, it’s hard to see such truth shown with such humor because it’s really nothing to laugh at.”

MATT FLOCCO TTN

Driscoll wins a $20 bet. But later, when Roxy begs him for $1, he disgustedly refuses.

In another scene, Judge Howard, played by Jason Klemm, said, “You must look past what you think. That’s what being a judge is all about.”

Ironically, negative judgment is passed in North Philadelphia every day based on su-

perficial assumptions.

“Our perceptions of race and class in America are similar to what they were when Mark Twain wrote the book,” said Wager, in regard to the relevance of the play today. “[He] played with the subjective of what racism is,” Wager said. “Our racism has affected the economy of capitalism

– cheap labor is given to those of the lower class.”

Expressions on the faces of audience members varied as they exited the theater. Some were perplexed, some were content and others seemed amused.

The density and confusion about the matter is perhaps what playwright Charles Smith intended when he adapted the novel for

the stage in 2002.

In the words of the title character, “None of us really know where we belong.”

Matt Flocco can be reached at matthew.flocco@temple.edu.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 Hoot Coture MARK LONGACRE

Columnist Mark Longacre explains the appropriate attire for any Valentine’s Day excursion.

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Dress makes or breaks a date It’s that time of year again when couples show their affection for each other by buying the biggest box of chocolates possible or the softest teddy bear in existence. It’s great, if you’re turning 15.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the cutesy stuff, but my ideal Valentine’s Day involves good food, good wine and a great night. That’s my perfect Valentine’s Day – assuming I had a valentine – but there’s a wide range of romantic things to do in Philadelphia, each with a different set of outfit options.

The classic Valentine’s Day date involves a candlelit dinner at a restaurant somewhere in the city. When planning an outfit for a romantic dinner, first consider the ambiance of the restaurant and dress accordingly.

For example, lively restaurants like Devon’s Seafood or Parc in Rittenhouse Square require an upscale casual outfit.

Girls can wear a pair of black skinny jeans with a pair of platform nude pumps, simple white V-neck and black cardigan. The outfit is elegant in its simplic-

FIRST PERSON ARTS STORYSLAM: THE EX-FILES TODAY, TUESDAY, FEB. 14 7:30 P.M. WORLD CAFE LIVE 3025 WALNUT ST. $8-10 FIRSTPERSONARTS.ORG Yeah, we get it: You hate Valentine’s Day. Your vehement status updates and vicious Tweets at your ex have been blowing up your friends and followers’ feeds for the past month. Instead of sitting in the dark with tears streaming down your face as your fingers pound your keyboard typing another “#ScrewValentinesDay” Tweet, why not channel that anger into something constructive?

First Person Arts StorySlam is a bi-monthly collective held at World Cafe Live and L’Étage, during which audience members and performers are invited up on stage to proclaim their inner-most thoughts and feelings. Today, the theme is The Ex-Files, where stories can range from bittersweet to downright bitter. Last year, StorySlam’s Valentine’s Day show sold out, so the company’s bringing the event back for a second year.

Tickets are $10 at the door and $8 for First Person Arts members, but be sure to call ahead to reserve a table. Upon arriving, be sure to sign up to tell your story and you may be one of 10 guests randomly selected to perform. We’re all dying to hear the tale of how one lover broke that Cherry & White heart of yours.

ity, so you should accessorize, or swap the shirt for something with color. A hint of color makes a simple outfit pop like the bottle of Dom Perignon your valentine hopefully got you.

Guys can complement their Valentine’s Day date by rocking a fitted blazer, sweater or dress shirt, dark wash jeans and dress shoes. The key to this outfit is in the color palate. For example, you can never go wrong with a gray blazer. Gray is perfect because it can complement either bright colors that give an outfit a hint of color, or it can accent basic traditional colors like black.

Normally style experts say jeans aren’t acceptable for even upscale casual settings, but as clothing companies increased the range of men’s denim styles, washes and fits, fashion denim has transitioned into a socially acceptable piece

of upscale attire if it’s paired with the correct upscale staples like a blazer and dress shirt.

If trendy restaurants aren’t your thing, try a college friendly picnic. OK, so Valentine’s Day lands on a Tuesday this year, but you could pause the celebration until the weekend and enjoy a romantic picnic in the city. I understand it’s the middle of February, but the weather has been incredibly warm lately, so take advantage of the next warm day by enjoying a gourmet lunch from Di Bruno Bros. and a bottle of wine in one of Philly’s countless parks.

Personally, I love picnics because they’re romantic and intimate while still being entertained by your surroundings. Unfortunately, picnics are incredibly hard to dress for because of the wide range of temperatures outside. The key to a

“Just don a sexy little black dress or a dapper-deep V-neck, hit the club and make someone be your valentine.”

VINTAGE MOVIE AD EXHIBITION HOSTED BY THE RARE BOOK COLLECTION THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA PARKWAY CENTRAL LIBRARY 1901 VINE ST. TODAY FEB. 14 – JUNE 17 FREE FREELIBRARY.ORG If you’re totally over hearing about Valentine’s Day – or, if you’re that terrible significant other who forgot to make plans for tonight, fear not. The Free Library of Philadelphia is unveiling an exhibit for all to enjoy tonight, sans candy hearts and tacky Hallmark cards.

Hosted by the Rare Book Collection at the Parkway Central location at 19th and Vine streets, the vintage movie ad exhibition will feature ads from the 1930s1960s. Accompanying the 11-inch by 14-inch posters will be newspaper clippings and reviews of the films, photographs and still shots from the films.

And if you couldn’t already tell, it’s free. What more can broke college kids really ask for?

successful picnic outfit involves layering.

Girls can embrace the urban, yet natural feel of a city picnic by incorporating earthy tones into their wardrobe’s color palate. Pair an olive peacoat with an oversized scarf, camel riding boots or chunky heels and distressed corduroy pants.

Guys should also channel their inner outdoorsman when designing an outfit. Think flannel, slim-straight denim peacoat, and desert boots and spice it up with some accessories like a knit hat or gloves.

Nature isn’t for everyone though. Isn’t that why we moved to the city? For the night owls, take your special someone to one of the countless clubs throughout the city, just be sure to keep your attention on your date. Bringing your date for a night on the town is arguably the most fun because you have the freedom to get sexy with your outfit.

Other places like the restaurants and picnic require a dress code either out of social pressure or temperature obstacles, but clubs are almost always hot, so

feel free to take advantage of the steamy atmosphere.

Every good club outfit starts with a sexy pair of underwear because after your skirt rides up or your pants fall down, your underwear is the only friend left holding you back from the public eye. Girls should check out Coeur Intimate Apparel at 17th and Sansom streets for a selection of undergarments unlike those hanging on the shelves at Victoria’s Secret.

As college students, we’re pretty familiar with what makes a great night-out outfit, so take your favorite outfit and run with it. Your date will love the effort to look hot, and surely make it a Valentine’s Day you won’t forget. Hopefully, your significant other does something romantic to show (s)he cares, but if you’re single on Valentine’s Day like me, just don a sexy little black dress or a dapper-deep V-neck, hit the club and make someone be your valentine.

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

RETROGRADE PRESENTS: GLAM! FRIDAY, FEB. 17 8 P.M. – 2 A.M. THE HEADHOUSE 122 LOMBARD ST. $10 HEADHOUSEPHILLY.COM It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Actually, it was just the worst of times. David Bowie resembled a cross between Sue Sylvester and Lady Gaga. Alice Cooper looked like the worst walk of shame known to man – and still kind of does. Gender roles didn’t matter, disco mattered even less. Raccoon-eyeliner and platform shoes became style staples. This magical era is known as the late ‘70s, and it’s when glam rock was born and tore through the music scene like a glittery tornado.

In case you missed the ‘70s the first time around, head down to The HeadHouse on Lombard and Front streets this Friday night for a night of sequined blazers, excessive makeup and hair resembling a rat’s nest.

It’s not all bad, though. Cover bands and DJs will be spitting out all your glam rock faves: Mott the Hoople, Alice Cooper, ELO, Ziggy Starship and more. So strap on those 5-inch dancing shoes and head-bang the night away.

The hair and wardrobe should be easy enough to coordinate, we recommend just channeling your inner Ke$ha. But if the makeup aspect of your outfit is a daunting task, fret not, my dear Lou Reed lovers and Elton John enthusiasts. For $15-$30, Styledelphia will make a glam rocker out of you, glitter eyes and all.

-Alexis Sachdev

LIVING

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Editor wishes all a ‘hoppy’ Valentine’s Day STEFCHAK PAGE 7

spend every waking moment intertwined – emotionally and physically – with that significant other. I have a few friends that I’d love to grab by the shoulders, shake and tell them there’s a whole undiscovered world out there that exists outside the confines of their co-dependent relationship.

When you’re involved with someone past the “I guess it’s cool if you brush your teeth in the bathroom while I’m in here peeing” stage, you tend to adapt the interests of your lover.

Whether you find yourself listening to new genres of music, using certain catch phrases, wearing your boyfriend’s baggy clothes to bed or hanging around a new group of friends, there’s no doubt that their likes and dislikes get mixed up with yours, leading some to enter a full-blown identity crisis. Pancake has turned my life into a rabbit gimmick.

My love for Pancake has been misconstrued into a love for everything rabbits by anyone who knows me – although they’re not totally off in left field with that assumption – I am a sucker for anything sporting those big-eared cuties. Bunny-printed sweatshirts and dresses have occupied more and more of my closet’s hangers during the past few months, a rabbit calendar hangs next to my bed, little bunnies jump around on my phone’s wallpaper and 95 percent of YouTube videos containing rabbits have occupied my Facebook timeline at one point in time.

I am officially that weird horse girl you knew in grade school reinvented.

I’m in bunny love – like puppy love minus fetching and barking and plus hops and twitching noses. Maybe some of you college boys out there can kind-of-sort-of relate to this, except your bunnies might be surgically enhanced models living with Hugh Hefner. We’re kind of on the same team. You get Playboy Magazine, I get Rabbits USA. My social-networking persona has probably left some with no other choice but to seek out the un-friend button to get away from the endless status and photo updates about Pancake that come along with my online friendship, just as you might feel toward that flawless couple you know. I’m talking about the one who’s Facebook defaults look like they should be the sepia-colored filler in all picture frames sold in department stores. But when you love “somebunny,” it’s hard not to brag. How can one not be proud when their babe gets chosen to be on dailybunny.org? I picked a winner.

But in my defense, I didn’t go totally off-the-chart looney yet and change my relationship status on Facebook.

That’s the day when my life hits rock bottom and I would understand if everyone held an intervention for me and placed Pancake in protective custody.

Just as much as Pancake can be the best guy ever, we also have our mo-

ments, just like anyone else who’s got someone to call theirs has experienced.

Pancake’s inability to resist the urge of chewing wires has racked up costs just as much as the dating life can. So while some of you got a dinner out in Center City this Valentine’s Day, I treated myself to a new laptop charger – for the third time this year.

Some of his shoe-eating endeavors have left him in the dating doghouse – or I suppose in this case it would be more like in the ‘Playboy Mansion.’

While this Valentine’s Day might be spent with Pancake and me watching movies in my bed – probably stopping midway through when he decides to jump on the keyboard and pause the movie – atleast I’ve got a “cuddle bunny” at all. Maybe I’ll even get sentimental and buy a heart of chocolates for us to share – I get to eat the chocolates and he gets to eat the cardboard box.

So what’s the deep-moral message of all this crazy bunny-love talk, you ask? Who can say? They just told me that if I write about Pancake, I could run pictures with him included, and he was “all ears” when he heard a photo shoot was part of the deal.

“I’m officially that weird horse girl you knew in grade school reinvented.”

Cara Stefchak and Pancake can be reached at cara.stefchak@temple.edu.

KATE McCANN TTN

TTN Chief Copy Editor Cara Stefchak holds her Flemish Giant rabbit Pancake. The “hoppy” couple plans to spend Valentine’s Day together.

Safe sex practices still relevant Keep V-day affections behind closed doors SAFE SEX PAGE 7

“Your wellness needs are going to last longer than your fun on the 14th.”

“I view sex as a responsibility,” Slominksi said. “It’s a lot of fun, but if you’re not ready to take on the responsibility of having children, you have to use at least one form of protection. I’m on the pill, but I always use a condom to make sure I don’t get any STDs or HIV. It’s booming, and so is AIDS, so it’s very important to use condoms for that.”

Slominski admitted to practicing unprotected sex on occasion, but added that she would get frequent HIV and STD screenings to be safe. “[Condoms] are one of those things that you may not like, but you should use it,” Slominski said. “Until you’re with someone that you know you’re going to be with for awhile, it’s important to keep yourself protected because if you guys are both sleeping around, who knows if, say, one of you gets chlamydia, and you’re passing it on.”

Slominski said that she always tells her friends to take a condom with them whenever they go out, because they can never be sure if their partner will have one. And that’s some advice any sexually active person should heed.

Alexis Sachdev and Rebecca Zoll can be reached at living@temple-news.com.

SEEN AND HEARD

treatments exist to suppress symptoms, as to buy condoms and get free rapid there is no guarantee of preventing trans- HIV tests on various days of the week. mission between partners.

For students with STDs or STIs, Though the rate of herpes infection Schaeffer said counseling is available. in the US hasn’t declined throughout the “We could talk to them about their past decade, the viral disexperience,” Schaeffer said. ease still infects approxi“A big thing that we try to mately one in six Amerihelp students with is to try to cans, or approximately 16 plan and manage the converpercent of the total populasation they have with their tion. partner, or what that might Approximately 1.2 look like in their lives.” million people live with She stressed, however, HIV, the precursor to AIDS. that HEART also makes The CDC estimates that sure students with STDs and one in five of these people STIs are getting treatment are unaware that they’re from Student Health Servicinfected, as well. Additiones and, if need be, seeking ally, the rate of contracting Kate Schaeffer / counseling from Tuttleman program coordinator, Counseling Services.

HIV with a pre-existing heart office STD or STI is two- to fiveSchaeffer’s advice for times greater. students getting busy on With today, Feb. 14 observed as Valentine’s Day is to just put themselves National Condom Day, it’s vital for all first. sexually active persons to be aware of “Your wellness needs are going to the risks and precautions associated with last longer than your fun on the 14th,” sex, and not just the benefits.

Schaeffer said. “Be safe, and have a good The Health Education and Aware- time safely. If you’re intoxicated, you ness Resource Team, a division of Stu- probably shouldn’t make that decision, dent Affairs, seeks to provide students because sex doesn’t go bad, and you can with such information so they can pro- have sex on the 15th. You don’t have to ceed with healthy sexual activity. have it on the 14th. Don’t make bad deciKate Schaeffer, a program coordina- sions because it’s Valentine’s Day.” tor in HEART, said students can come in Kerri Lynn Slominski, a first year to the office on a need basis to speak with graduate student seeking her masters in a program coordinator or a graduate ex- opera performance, agreed that sex can tern for sexual health questions, as well be fun, but it has to be done responsibly.

Victoria Marchiony

Columnist Victoria Marchiony reclaims the 14th as a day for loving all.

I

love Valentine’s Day. Despite never having been in a relationship during this Hallmark holiday, I have consistently been blessed with single friends who are in the mood to pamper me.

Back in middle school, my best friend and I decided that at the ripe age of 12, we were tired of feeling bad for not having boyfriends – apparently the two years between this and the end of the“bring in SpongeBob cards for the whole class” era were really hard on us. Our solution was to take the day that seemed to be dedicated to making us feel alone, and instead, use it as an opportunity

to be corny and loving, and enjoy ourselves as much as possible.

That year, we decorated each others’ lockers, exchanged sappy, sparkly cards and communicated almost exclusively through those conversation hearts that taste like medicine. Since then, my Valentine’s Days have been filled with every possible movie-worthy romantic gesture.

From steak dinners to being greeted with candy-grams in every class, I have had a pretty stellar run of V-Day experiences. However, although I have a soft spot for the holiday, I am very sensitive to the fact that other people do not.

For as much effort as I put in to make Valentine’s Day fun, I know that others put the same – or greater – energy into hating it vehemently.

Valentine’s Day is touchy, especially for anyone who had a recent breakup, feels like they’ve been single for a little too long and even for those, myself included, who are mildly nauseated by public displays of affection.

It is for the benefit of these people that I give you, people in relationships, advice on how to maneuver your celebration so that you can both enjoy yourself and still have

MARCHIONY PAGE 16

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

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LIVING

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MARCHIONY PAGE 14 friends on Feb. 15.

The first danger zone that you need to be aware of is virtual – Facebook, Twitter or whatever blog you use. My general rule of thumb is that if you’re posting something directed at your sweetheart, it should be addressed to them specifically and not posted somewhere that will require 800 other people to see it as they innocently skim through their newsfeeds.

Examples of things that should probably not go into your status include: “Best 46 days of my life, luv u baby,” “2nite is gonna be so fun, *wink* HAPPY VDAY! <3,” or anything else that would make you roll your eyes if someone else posted it while you were single.

The other area of concern is physical in the how-far-is-toofar-in-public sense. Last week, I almost stepped on a used condom while walking near Paley Library. As I sidestepped it, my foot almost landed on another used condom. I understand that Main Campus is in scenic North Philadelphia and is incredibly romantic and sexy, and that 50 degrees is pretty warm for February, but dear lord people, why?

First and foremost, there are much better places to fulfill the “outdoor fantasy,” if that’s what you’re going for. There’s also no way that it’s more convenient to do it outdoors than indoors at this time of year. Why anyone is making an extra effort

“Latex is not biodegradable – if you want to bone in nature, do nature a favor and don’t leave souvenirs.” to get it on near the Bell Tower is baffling to me.

Secondly, there are trashcans everywhere. Congratulations on using a condom, but please, don’t leave evidence of your super night for me to trip on. Also, latex is not biodegradable – if you want to bone in nature, do nature a favor and don’t leave souvenirs.

While I’m in no way implying that all couples are going to use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to have public sex, the

previous example of pre-Valentine’s Day exhibitionism makes me nervous about what I’ll see when you have built-in “out” for getting carried away.

My only advice is to consider that even short of full-on exhibitionism there are behaviors that will probably make people uncomfortable. As far as I’m concerned, do what you want as long as it doesn’t require you to come up with a creative way to rearrange clothing.

To those of you in relationships, I hope that you use this completely made-up holiday as an opportunity to celebrate how into your partner you are in a manner that is private enough to not gross out everyone around you. To those of you flying solo, I hope you follow my lead and embrace the chance to celebrate all of the people who you love in your life, even if it’s purely platonic.

GREEN SPACE Marisa Steinberg

Columnist Marisa Steinberg advocates for handmade gifts and local fare.

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here are few greater turn-offs than gazing into the eyes of your beloved knowing they just overlooked a recycling bin and tossed an empty soda bottle into the trash. Yes, perhaps had they seen the recycling bin they would have used it, but this overt display of obliviousness brings up the whole question of just how aware they are of what’s going on in this relationship. It’s a neurotic thought, but love makes people crazy, right?

Don’t risk coming off as ignorant this Valentine’s Day and spoil your sweetheart the ecofriendly way – being “blinded” by love is no excuse.

Deep down we all miss the thrill of unexpectedly receiving a handmade valentine. Whether or not you’re a Martha Stewart, crafting a heart-shaped card out of recycled materials – think the interior of cereal boxes, the ribbon handles from a Victoria’s Secret bag or the Queen of Hearts from an incomplete deck of cards – shows you put time and effort into something for your better half.

If you’re planning on dazzling your date with your cooking skills, opt for local ingredients that are sold in as little packaging as possible. Bring your reusable bag down to the Fair Food Farm Stand at the Reading Terminal Market for a variety of produce, dairy products and meat sourced from sustainable farms within Pennsylvania and New Jersey. When dinner is served, don’t forget to

BRANDON BAKER

Columnist Brandon Baker breaks down the five reasons he’s happy to be single on the 14th.

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ast down your ice cream tubs, single ladies, because single gay men hate Valentine’s Day just as much as you.

Or, at least I do.

Gay or straight, the hatred of Valentine’s Day is a farreaching feeling that unites even the most bitter of enemies. But as much as I hate Valentine’s Victoria Marchiony can be Day, I wouldn’t say that I necesreached at sarily hate being single, which victoria.marchiony@temple.edu. is a common misconception from relationship-blinded peoSee or hear something interest- ple who love to pat their single ing around campus? Let me know by friends on the back and declare, emailing living@temple-news.com. with as much smugness as pity, “Don’t worry, you’ll find someone someday.”

And let the eye-rolls ensue.

‘Tis the season to be single, I say. I do declare that I enjoy – no, I love – my gay, single self for five particular reasons, of which I only become more assured as time passes.

Reason number one: I have homo-happy women at my beck and call.

Why throw a man into the equation? At the risk of perpetucity’s only sustainable wine list. ating the “hag” stereotype, all a Finish the night off as any gay man really needs to do in self-respecting romantic would: order to attract companions is With lots of chocolate. Resist notice a female’s hot and sexy Rite Aid’s sale on Dove chocolates and purchase some sweets from a local candy shop instead.

Shane’s Candies at 110 Market St. whips up decadent confections that perfectly complement the elaborate Victorian décor of the candy shop, which has housed candy-makers since 1863.

Of course, the most sustainable V-Day involves zero consumption, as the production of most goods has an impact on the environment. If your sweetheart’s looking to show Mother Nature some love too, “I love you” and a smooch should be enough to make them swoon.

‘Greenspace’ offers earthfriendly gift and date ideas dim the lights to set the mood and decrease your electricity consumption.

For some of us, however, the kitchen is a war zone equipped with an arsenal of appliances ready to sabotage our suave air of romance with a fit of cursing and a frantic fight with the fire alarm. No need to panic, because Philly is brimming with restaurants serving locally sourced fare for all budgets.

Yumtown food truck, typically parked on the corner of 13th and Norris Streets, offers dishes for less than $10 that contain ingredients from nearby farms. White Dog Café at 3420 Sansom St. serves up pricier meals sourced from sustainable farms in a cozy romantic dining room. To truly impress your eco-minded mate, head over to Talula’s Garden at 210 W. Washington Square for the

QCHAT

V-Day is cause for celebration Columnist forgoes 14th fun for both lovers and the lonely

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

heel choice or, conversely, obnoxiously comment on how insensitive and undeserving most men are. Bada-bing, badaboom – you’ve got a companion at your side for as long as your little gay heart desires.

Reason number two: I’m a career woman.

This is especially true for those in the general college-age bracket. I don’t entirely understand why so many youth find it necessary to dwell on finding love and chug from one troubled relationship to the next, when the reality is that the desired idea of “settling down” is probably not going to happen at the age of 19. Personally, I find being a “career woman” to be a builder of sorts for my long-term “love résumé,” that is, your profile for finding someone like-minded is bolstered by your individual attributes and accomplishments.

And aside from that, it is merely a guaranteed method of satisfaction that never fails.

Reason number three: Marriage? I thought that was for old people?

This hits a broader topic, but another common misconception many take from the GLBT community is that, because we – well, most of us – support marriage equality, we clearly all want to get married and adopt babies, Angelina Jolie-style. I strongly support marriage equality, and I may someday find myself walking down the aisle, but in the meantime it just seems like a silly way to gain the approval of others. And an even better bonus of not getting married from my perspective is not being forced to have the awkward conversation with the ‘rents about who foots the bill for the wedding, which, by gay standards, probably wouldn’t be under five digits.

Reason number four: I’m

too cool for commercial.

I highly doubt I’m the only one that thinks it’s an incredibly big waste of money to dedicate a day to a relationship that may be only a few weeks old, just for the sake of partaking in a holiday. It’s as bad as a sports-hater claiming to celebrate the Super Bowl, when really they’re just in it for the beer. You’re not really celebrating the Super Bowl, in that case, you’re celebrating the mass consumption of alcohol just to conform. If you feel the need to romantically celebrate with your partner, celebrate an anniversary of something – anything but Valentine’s Day, really.

Reason number five: Yo ho, yo ho, it’s the single life for me.

Do you really want to forgo your drunken iCandy Nightclub experiences so early on in life? There’s something innately exhilarating about being “on the prowl” as a single gay man, whether you are just looking for someone to flirt with, or seeking out a willing party to take home with you to “watch a movie.” Worry about Valentine’s Day when you are older, and when you can afford more than a candlelight peanut butter and jelly sandwich dinner with your beau.

If Valentine’s Day is really your thing, I won’t judge you too harshly, but I will say that my anti-Valentine’s Day party, complete with a heart-shaped piñata, will probably blow the socks off of your night of socalled ecstasy.

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

LIVING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

PAGE 17

International students experience American holiday INTERNATIONAL PAGE 7 religious reasons.”

Carakat isn’t currently in a relationship and said she has plans to spend the day with some good friends.

“I’m going to New York. Two of my friends there are single too, so we are going to celebrate together,” she said. “So it’s going to be like a friends Valentine’s Day.” Saphir Esmail, a freshman international business major from Kinshasa, in the Dominican Republic of Congo, is planning on entertaining a member of the opposite sex this upcoming Feb. 14. He stressed that the holiday should not be taken too seriously, though.

“I’ll take this girl out for dinner and spend some time with her,” Esmail said.

“I guess if you take the pressure out of the holiday, it’s actually a really fun day. It’s a good day to get to know someone better.”

Esmail said he thinks that Americans put too much emphasis on getting a date on Valentine’s Day. “Here, it’s like a big thing, I guess,” he said. “There’s this pressure to have a Valentine on Valentine’s Day. It’s a really structured holiday that you feel obligated to celebrate. It’s a lot bigger here than back at home.”

In Kinshasa, where Esmail is originally from, locals celebrate Valentine’s Day. However, Esmail was quick to point out that it is much more low-key than in the U.S. “Where I’m from, if you don’t have a Valentine it’s really no big deal,” Esmail said. “I guess it just depends on who wants a Valentine and who doesn’t. It’s not really a big thing like it is here.”

He said he believes that the emphasis placed on Valentine’s Day by those marketing holiday products put additional – and unnecessary – pressure on everyone.

“It’s, like, very marketed,” Esmail said.

“If you go to the store, you’ll see that a lot of products are oriented on Valentine’s Day. Back at home, we don’t really focus on Valentine’s Day at all. If you want to celebrate it, you celebrate it.”

“If you want to take part in it, you take part in it,” Esmail added. “They don’t really market it as much.”

Millie Gateka, a 2010 international

business alumna and native of Ethiopia, said she feels similarly about Valentine’s Day. “It’s different here in America,” Gateka said. “As with most things American, it’s very commercialized. Not that I believe it to be a good or bad thing, it’s just how it is.”

Gateka is of the opinion that this commercialized holiday creates undue societal pressures.

“It just bothers me a little how people become like, ‘Oh my God, nobody loves me,’ all because they did not have a Valentine that year,” Gateka said.

When asked whether people in her homeland of Ethiopia celebrated Valentine’s Day, she confirmed that they did, but differently than in the U.S. “The traditions there were kind of similar, but were still different.” Gateka said.

“When I was younger, we sold roses and exchanged cards, but it was never that big of a deal to me, personally.”

“I’m not anti-Valentine’s Day,” Gateka added. “I can’t be against celebrating love.”

Hiren Patel, a senior marketing major from Ahmadabad, India, said he isn’t against celebrating love, either.

“I’ve been in a relationship for about nine months now, and on Valentine’s Day weekend I’m going to travel over to Boston so that I can spend some time with my girlfriend,” Patel said. “I’m pretty excited about the situation and about seeing her.”

Patel views the upcoming holiday as an opportunity and an excuse.

“It definitely a good thing for me because, [with] her being in Boston and me living here on Temple’s campus in Philadelphia, it can be tough for us to spend time together,” Patel said. “This way, we feel kind of obligated to do something that we want to do anyway, but don’t always have the time to do.”

Patel is unfazed by the barrage of inyour-face advertising that accompanies Valentine’s Day in this modern age.

“It is what it is,” he said. “That’s just something that I like to do for her. I mean, do you expect stores not to do that? I don’t really think it’s a big problem, I’d be getting her something nice anyway.”

Patel said that for the most part, Indians do not celebrate Valentine’s Day.

“Valentine’s Day in India does not necessarily exist,” Patel said. “The culture is built primarily on family values, so even smaller public displays of affection are looked down upon. In the country of India, the intimacy culture is very shy and private.”

Roshan Choithram, a junior finance major, who was raised in Indonesia but is of Indian roots, said he believes that the westernization of his home country is a good thing.

“I think it’s a positive thing, it’s going in the right direction,” Choithram said.

“You know, globalization. It is going to happen sooner or later, either way.”

According to Choithram, Valentine’s Day is one example of that westernization.

“Valentine’s is getting really crazy there and it’s getting crazier and crazier as time progresses, Choithram said. “When you go to the store, it is heavily marketed to you. There [are] signs telling you to get this or get that, get roses. It’s getting bigger, it’s getting more westernized.”

For Choithram, Valentine’s Day in the United States is the same as in Indonesia.

“You bring roses to the girl. Take her out to dinner, the movies, maybe drive around a bit and then go home,” he said.

“No special twists.”

When asked if he had any special plans for the day, he jokingly said, “I’m single and ready to mingle, but I’ve got about four papers due around that day.”

Adopting a more serious demeanor, Choithram spoke on what Valentine’s Day really means to him.

“It’s basically a day to show that you value your girlfriend, your sister, your mother,” he said. “According to me, it is not specific to your girl. It’s more about showing love to people who really mean a lot to you.”

John Dailey can be reached at john.dailey@temple.edu.

JOHN DAILEY TTN

Hiren Patel (top), Millie Gateka (middle) and Soukaina Carakat (bottom) said they plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day with friends or lovers the American way, despite their home country’s culture.

N. Broad Street bash falters BROADI GRAS PAGE 8 plans for the future of Broadi Gras. He’s accepted February may not be the best time for this kind of event.

“An event in February obviously wouldn’t be the best thing with the weather,” Pulse said. “February’s nice this year but we don’t know what it’s going to be like two or three years from now, that was one of the biggest concerns we talked about.”

“An idea we had was maybe having [Broadi Gras] after a 12 p.m. football game in the fall,” Pulse added. “No families can come down for Spring Fling [on a weekday.] It would get them to come down here [on a weekend] to see the campus.”

Pulse also said he hopes to raise money through Broadi Gras, and donate it to something

similar to the Police Athletic League, an after-school program where, according to the PAL

“I envision going to barbecues and seeing 20 to 30 people wearing Mardi Gras colors.”

Dan Pulse / broadi gras organizer

website, children are provided with “free educational, athletic and cultural after-school pro-

grams in a safe environment.”

“It would be something great to give back to cops for all the hard work that they do everyday around this campus,” Pulse said. “If we could raise money while having our visitors, our friends and family come for a great event and raise money for a great [cause] – that would be incredible.”

Broad Street may not be taken over with an onslaught of green, purple and gold on Feb. 18, but that may not mean the end of Broadi Gras.

Luis Fernando Rodriguez can be reached at luis.fernando@temple.edu.

SPORTS

PAGE 18

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Doubles duo strive for success

Post player finds her groove MACAULAY PAGE 20

ABI REIMOLD TTN

Sophomore Yana Mavrina (left) and senior Paola Calderon (right) won their doubles match against Duquesne 9-8.

Sophomore pair sparks women’s tennis team.

CHASE SENIOR The Temple News Sophomores Yana Mavrina and Alicia Doms have come from across the globe to give the women’s tennis team one of the best up and coming doubles partners in the Atlantic Ten Conference.

Mavrina and Doms traveled to North Broad from Yaroslavl, Russia and Barcelona, Spain, respectively, and were unleashed on the court immediately as freshmen making an instant impact at the Division-I level. “[Mavrina] has a lot of energy and when I play with her I get motivated,” Doms said.

“I’m quiet on the court so it makes me play better. When you play with someone who has a lot of energy, it helps you a lot, so I think that is the most important thing.”

The duo bolstered the Owls with an overall team-best 17 wins in doubles play, finished at 10-2 at the No. 3 slot and ended the 2011 campaign with five straight wins.

Much of the success didn’t come as a surprise to coach Steve Mauro, who realized from the get go that these two women had all of the possibilities of dominating the competition as a one-two punch.

“They both complement one another,” Mauro said. “[Mavrina] was good at setting up [Doms], and [Doms] has very good hands up at the net, which is why they work so well together.”

Temple was picked to finish second in the preseason A-10 poll for this season. After falling to their first three opponents, Princeton, Cornell and Massachusetts, the Owls won their first match against Duquesne at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center in Philadelphia last Saturday.

So far the Mavrina and

Doms have yet to post a win in doubles play this season, coming up short in a 8-4 loss to Princeton on Feb. 1 and falling 8-5 to Cornell on Feb. 5. Doms sat out the Duquesne match with an injury, but expects to return next week.

Mauro had to go above and beyond to reel in Mavrina and Doms, and with his recruiting experience, the seven-year coach has found two young gems with potential.

“I’ve been in this business a very long time so I have contacts all around the world,” Mauro said. “I knew someone at a tennis academy in Barcelona, Spain and that is where I found [Doms]. [Mavrina] actually contacted me through an agency and I looked at video and knew she was a very good player.”

The scoring for doubles play differentiates from singles, as just one set is played. The first doubles team to reach eight wins in that particular set, instead of six in singles, receives

the victory.

“It’s a really fast pace game,” Doms said. “You have to be really focused because everything goes really fast.

You can be losing and it’s very tough to change the score so you have to keep your energy up at all times.”

While Mavrina and Doms have seen success playing together, both players prefer singles competition to doubles play. On the year, Mavrina is 2-1 in singles play this year, while Doms has posted a 0-2 record in singles competitions.

“In Spain you don’t play a lot of doubles. When I came here I didn’t like it at all but in the fall, coach [Mauro] told me that soon enough I would be No. 1 in doubles,” Doms said. “I started to practice a lot of volleys and serves and now I really like to play doubles.”

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

ear and out the other.”

“That was the most frustrating thing, that in practice [Macaulay] would dominate and then when it was time to play she didn’t do those same things,” Cardoza said.

“The past two years I just wasn’t as serious as I am now,” Macaulay added.

Cardoza consistently pointed out Macaulay’s inability to take over favorable matchups.

“I really feel it was my fault not producing, not helping my teammates out,” Macaulay said.

Then something clicked.

A double-double of 14 points and 10 boards against Western Michigan right before A-10 play built some confidence. Cardoza believes it happened when Macaulay finally learned to slow herself down and digest what was going on.

“You know that she could do some things but she’d try to do it too quickly and now she’s just taken a step back and slowed her game down, and now she’s blossoming,” Cardoza said.

It’s something the team needs if they want to win their first A-10 title under Cardoza.

Having a dominant center opens up the court for senior guards Kristen McCarthy and Shey Peddy, the focal points of the offense.

“They don’t have to look past me,” Macaulay said. “It’s not a guard’s game anymore, that feels good for us post players. We are options now.”

“The dynamic of the team has totally changed now, because now you might have to go double-team her,” Cardoza said.

“Now you can’t play us a certain way because of our guard play. So she’s just opened it up for us.”

Macaulay has always been a little different from her teammates.

“She’s a diva,” Cardoza said. “The most important thing to her is how she looks, what her hair is looking like, her outfits.”

It’s ironic considering Ma-

caulay plays a position notorious for physical play and it was something her teammates had to adjust to at first.

“Now she’s blended in well with them, where they appreciate her humor now, they love being around her and I think she enjoys being around them more so,” Cardoza said.

The chemistry is something she’ll have to build upon the rest of the season as the rest of the team is expected to feed her the ball more as she continues to dominate the paint.

But looking past this season, it will be even more important next year when senior guard BJ Williams, along with Peddy and McCarthy are gone and the focal point will turn to Macaulay.

Cardoza was once concerned that the team would struggle next year with freshmen guards Monaye Merritt, Tyonna Williams and Rateska Brown taking over for the graduating seniors. But that’s not the case anymore.

“The thing is, what she’s shown us now, there’s no going back,” Cardoza said. “You’ve shown everybody what you can do now, you have to live up to this.”

There’s also the added dimension that fellow center, senior Joelle Connelly, will be gone as well, leaving Macaulay as the lone true center on the team. While Cardoza stresses that they don’t need a big center in the A-10, it’s clear that not having someone to take the load off Macaulay while learning under her isn’t the ideal situation.

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot, because all the pressure might be on me but I do have to produce and dominate the post,” Macaulay said. “So the pressure really is going to be on me, but I think I can handle it.”

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

High Hoops

Soccer Women’s basketball ups intensity players go abroad BORDERS PAGE 20 Yurkovic and Gosnay said they were inspired to serve as role models to the young girls in the program.

“I feel like I was showing them that they can do anything they want,” Yurkovic said. “To be a role model and show them that girls are equally as important as boys, I know they are very strong girls, and are going to grow up to be amazing women.”

“The camp was a very diverse group of people in terms of personalities, but something we all had in common was that we love playing soccer,” Gosnay added.

The teammates also donated 50 pounds of new or gently used soccer equipment and paid $400 each, which went towards the programs events and their host family.

Yurkovic, a captain of Temple’s soccer team, is majoring in Early Childhood Education, while Jenna Gosnay is pursuing a degree in social work with a minor in Spanish.

“As big as this world is, soccer was able to make it smaller and more personal for all of the girls,” Gwilliam said. “It was a special opportunity and we are very proud.”

Liz Sim can be reached at liz.sim@temple.edu.

Alexandra Olivier

Senior guards Shey Peddy and BJ Williams get in sync.

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here is a chemistry on the women’s basketball team that is steering them towards success. This chemistry has resulted in yet another win, this time against the Massachusetts Minutewomen, 77-55, at the Liacouras Center on Saturday night.

Senior guards Shey Peddy and BJ Williams have consistently set the bar for the intensity on the court, as they have recorded team highs in points and assists, respectively, for the Owls.

“I think [Peddy] and I have been working very hard in practice and [coach Tonya Cardoza] puts us in great situations in practice where we’ve been working on our chemistry a lot,” Williams said. “Towards the beginning of the season I think we’ve struggled a lot and I think it’s been like the perfect timing now that we’ve found it and I think we both know where each other is going to be on the court. We just flow.”

Cardoza said she notices

the growth of each of these year I struggled and last year I players. thought that I was put in a lot “I mean obviously I knew of situations where I was able to what [Peddy] and [McCarthy] view the game from the bench were going to do because they first and listen to what coach played a lot of basketball, they was saying and be an extenstarted last year and I knew the sion of her from the bench,” things they contribute,” Car- Williams said. “This year [Cardoza said. “The biggest thing doza] and I get along very well for us was wondering what and the chemistry that I have [Williams] was going to do in with everybody on the team – it her new role. Where now she’s flows from the coaches onto the a starter and now she has to be team and now everybody trusts a leader.” me as much as they trust [CarAlthough Williams does doza.] She doesn’t have to say not lead the team in scoring, much because were just kind’ve the Gwynn in sync so I think Oak, Md. nathat’s what helps.” tive has a team Williams was leading and able to drop a seasonAtlantic Ten high 21 points against Conference Saint Louis on Feb. 8, best 4.9 assists showing her versatilper game. She ity as not only a playhas a knack for maker, but a shooter creating plays as well.

Tonya Cardoza / coach and spread“I think everying the scoring body on the team has amongst her teammates. been doing a great job of giving “Obviously, she’s not our me confidence to shoot the ball leading scorer, she’s not our and they fell a lot during Saint leading rebounder but she’s our Louis and I have confidence most important player,” Car- now,” Williams said. “So, evdoza said. “She’s that exten- erything’s just flowing in there. sion of me on the floor. It’s to I’m just trying to contribute.” the point now even in practice Peddy and Williams do a I just say something to her and good job of changing the pace she runs the first squad. It’s so of the game and teaching the rewarding to see her grow from younger players how to control her freshman year to now.” the game.

Williams’ emergence as a Peddy’s aggressive attileader is an example that Car- tude toward playing defense is doza points out to the freshmen a model that the team obviously guards like Monaye Merritt takes after. When watching the who has struggled during this women play, Peddy’s intenseason. sity make her teammates try to “My freshman year I just match her. struggled a lot, sophomore Peddy managed five steals

“[Williams] is that extension of me on the floor.”

SAM OSHLAG TTN

Freshman guard Monaye Merritt shoots a layup against Massachusetts on Saturday night at the Liacouras Center. in 23 minutes of play against the Minutewomen. Her passion for defense is shared by her teammates who all attack the ball to capture their own steals like Merritt who grabbed two of her own.

“I don’t really think about scoring or trying to score. I just try to go out there and play defense. My offense will come with my defense,” Peddy said.

With four regular games left in the season, the trio is focusing on finishing out strong.

The emergence of this PeddyWilliams leadership will play an important role in the remaining matchups.

Alexandra Olivier can be reached at alexandra.olivier@temple.edu.

SPORTS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

PAGE 19

Men’s basketball defends Xavier guards XAVIER PAGE 20

ures with 18 and 11 points, respectively.

Wyatt added four assists and three steals, while Eric grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds.

When the Owls score 70 or more points this season they are 16-2. The two losses came to Purdue, 85-77, during the first week of the season on Nov. 18 and to A-10 foe Dayton at home in an 87-77 defeat on Jan. 7.

Coming off a 79-72 win at home against George Washington last Wednesday, the Owls sought for a statement win in the A-10 with its matchup with Xavier.

The Musketeers (16-9, 7-4 A-10) entered the ESPN2 nationally-televised matchup in a tie for second place in the A-10 with a chance to share the title with the Owls with a win.

The Owls knew if they were going to beat the Musketeers, they were going to have to slow down Holloway.

“You got to try to maintain guys like Holloway, you can’t really stop them,” Moore said.

Xavier won the series’ last meeting, 88-77, on Jan. 22, 2011, as Holloway led the way for the Musketeers with 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 40 minutes. Despite Holloway’s ability to score more points than last year’s matchup, Xavier couldn’t pull out another win.

Xavier junior guard Mark Lyons shot 4-of-15 from the field and 1-of-6 from behind the arc to add 15 points with four as-

sists in the game.

“That was our main focus just trying to stop Holloway and Lyons,” Moore said.

“Those two guys are what make that team go.”

From the start, Dunphy put senior guard Juan Fernandez on Holloway in half court sets. Fernandez accounted for the 6-foot guard on more than 20 possessions during the game.

Throughout the game, Dunphy substituted senior guard TJ DiLeo into the game to defend Holloway for about 20 possessions as well. Both DiLeo and Fernandez received help defense from their teammates in order to hold off Holloway’s knack for scoring. “[Holloway] got loose a couple of times. He’s really a talented guy,” Dunphy said. “I was pleased we didn’t give him any three [pointers] in the second half.

You can’t give him too many decent looks out there. He’s going to drive it to the rim, he’s going to make great plays because he’s so difficult to guard.”

Offensively, DiLeo and Fernandez added seven and six points, respectively.

“I thought we played pretty well,” Moore said. “The game plan was to get defensive stops and make open shots.”

CRANNEY PAGE 20

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

LESLIE FRAZIER TTN

Senior guard Juan Fernandez drives toward the basket against Xavier. Fernandez scored six points in the Owls’ win.

Women’s track aims for high-profile talent The Owls set milestones on and off the track.

DREW PARENT The Temple News Distance coach Matt Jelley said he is greatly enjoying his fifth season coaching Temple track.

That can be attributed to a muchimproved Temple squad for both the men’s and women’s teams, especially distance events.

“This is the best [women’s team] we’ve ever had, at least during my tenure,” Jelley said.

It’s hard to argue with Jelley’s claim. The women’s distance medley relay has been the big story thus far this season. The relay, comprised of freshmen Jenna Dubrow and Michelle Davis Timothy, junior Tonney Smith and graduate senior Tamisha Stevens, took third at the Penn State National Invitational with a time of

11 minutes and 59.73 seconds, good race to a solid 2011-12 campaign. for Eastern Collegiate Athletic Con“It’s been a work in progress,” ference qualification. The time also Jelley said. “Each year we’ve been shattered the previous able to improve the reDMR school record, set cruiting class and also in 1982. develop the girls that Dubrow has provwere already here.” en to be a key recruit.

Recruiting has Along with her contrihelped the Owls in rebution to the DMR, she cent years. An influx of also pushed her personyoung talent has turned al record in the 3,000 this once middle of the meter-run to 10:07 at road women’s squad into the Tribute to Torpey a legitimate force in the Invitational at the UniAtlantic Ten Conference.

Matt Jelley / coach versity of Rhode Island, “Recruiting is and grabbed second huge,” Jelley said. “If the place. distance team had all walk-on runSophomore Anna Pavone ran a ners, it would be hard to get anyone 5:14 mile time at URI coming off of to want to run for us. They’re seeing an injury, and will look to contribute how much our girls have improved going forward. Middle distance run- and how much the program has imner Victoria Gocht, also a sophomore, proved, and now we’re starting to crossed at 2:16.53 in the 800 meter get those looks from higher profile for third place, adding another great recruits.”

“Each year we’ve been able to improve the recruiting class.”

With their regular season schedule ending last week at Rhode Island, the primary focus is now on the postseason, with both the A-10 championships and the ECAC championships quickly approaching.

“We cover more areas and have more depth as a team than we ever have before going into the A-10 championships,” Jelley said. “We have a legitimate chance to win [the A-10 championship] this year and that’s what we’re going after. We want to score everywhere and we want to win the meet.”

“I think we have the tools to do it,” Jelley added. “It’s something we’ve talked about as a staff. When we look at this team and see all that we have to offer, we all feel that we’re in a good position to win the meet.”

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

Ice hockey remains optimistic about playoffs The ice hockey club prepares for postseason.

SAMANTHA GRINNAN The Temple News It was the same result, different week for the ice hockey club as the Owls made the 45-minute drive south of the city to take on the Delaware Blue Hens before a 5-4 overtime loss on Friday night.

Temple, coming off a shootout loss to William Paterson on Feb. 4, was looking to take the momentum from that game and end the season on a high note prior to playoffs. After that game, coach Jerry Roberts was impressed with his team as they showed up with great speed and intensity, something they lacked for most of the season. That same team showed up Friday, ready to play.

“We got over our biggest hurdle which was guys not playing with passion and drive,” Roberts said. “It is a reason we have been playing so well as of late.”

The first period ended scoreless while the total shots were 11-8 in favor of the Owls. Sophomore goalie Chris Mullen got the start for Temple and came up big for the team all night, making some sprawling saves.

“Mullen played a solid game tonight,” junior defenseman Matt Benedetto said.

After a second and third period of back-to-back scoring the Owls were down by one when junior forward Nick McMahon netted a goal with 34 seconds left, tying the game at four, sending it into overtime.

Other Temple goals were scored by freshman forward Brady

O’Donnell, senior forward George Rutter and senior forward Jim McKenzie. At the end of overtime, the game was still tied, forcing it into a shootout.

The shootout lasted five rounds when Delaware freshman forward Joe Bastone scored to give the Hens a 5-4 win.

“It was a little disappointing but I think we need to look at the positives,” Roberts said. “I thought it was nice to see us fighting at the end in the final minute. Obviously the overtime and the shootout wasn’t the way we wanted it to end but all in all it wasn’t terrible.”

Roberts said the team has confidence going into the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs, which start Friday.

“If you take a look at the record, we played a lot of top teams,” Benedetto said. “I can’t say not to go off the record because obviously the wins and losses speak for themselves, but I think now were starting to peak.”

The Owls ended the regular season with a record of 9-17.

“In the regular season you can get by in not losing games but in playoffs you actually have to win games,” Roberts said. “You actually have to be the team that wins the game as opposed to not being the team that loses it.”

The Owls are set to take on Delaware again in the first round of the MACHA playoffs on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Canlan Ice Sports in Vineland, N.J. Sam Grinnan can be reached at samantha.grinnan@temple.edu.

Moore leads A-10 in scoring

PAUL KLEIN TTN

Junior forward Kurt Noce skates in a regular season game.

Moore scored 30 points, two shy of a career high, and hit five threes to lead Temple (19-5, 8-2 A-10) to its 85-72 win against Xavier on Saturday night. Moore has led the team in scoring in seven of its past eight wins and has emerged as a leading candidate for A-10 Player of the Year.

“I’ve been in a nice groove,” Moore said. “I’ve been shooting the ball well. My teammates have been finding me in open spots and have allowed me to score the basketball.”

Coach Fran Dunphy said that while he’s not the one who decides on end-of-theyear awards, he’s certainly happy to have Moore on his team.

“That’s not very important to me,” Dunphy said. “What’s important is that [Moore’s] playing basketball at Temple and doing a terrific job. He’s having a very good season. That’ll be for somebody else to determine, not me.”

In front of a home crowd donned entirely in white for a “white-out,” in a game televised nationally on ESPN2, Moore’s game on Saturday adds to a list of some of his best performances that have come in big-game atmospheres.

Moore scored a then career-high 30 points against No. 9 Georgetown last year in Temple’s 68-65 upset win. He topped that earlier this season against Villanova, scoring 32 points in a 78-67 win in front of a sold-out crowd in another ESPN2 game.

Those two performances, along with his 30-point game in front of a national audience on Saturday, are the lone 30-point games of Moore’ career.

“I think [Moore] is terrific in big-game atmospheres,” Dunphy said. “I think he’s taken it upon himself to play really well.

He’s a terrific player, a good man and I’m very happy for his success.”

“I know I have to come out and be a contributor to my team,” Moore added. “I knew how much the [Xavier] game meant for our team to win, so I just came out and tried to be the best basketball player that I could be.”

Moore’s unselfishness and consistency may be a reason as to why he’s not gaining more national attention. He’s one of Temple’s best passers and rebounders, tied for second on the team in assists and third on the team in rebounds. He’s more likely to drive and kick the ball out to an open teammate than attempt a play that might end up on SportsCenter.

Moore said his focus is on helping his team win, and not on any individual achievements.

“I’m not really a fan of my numbers,” Moore said. “I just want to go out there and be the guy that helps my team win. I think I did that [against Xavier].”

Moore has also proven himself to be one of the team’s hardest workers. He leads the A-10 in minutes per game and played 39 minutes in the win against Xavier.

“We need him on the floor,” Dunphy said. “He’s smart enough to come to me and tell me he needs a [rest].”

Moore also has worked hard on improving a particular aspect of his game in his three-point shooting. After shooting 5-for40 from beyond the arc in his sophomore campaign, Moore’s numbers from three have improved during the past two seasons. He was second on the team last year in three-point percentage, hitting 41 treys, and his .418 percentage this year leads all shooters that have had at least 10 attempts.

After finishing one shy of his career high with five threes on Saturday, Moore said he has focused on improving his threepoint shot since the team finished building its new facility at Pearson and McGonigle Hall.

“Ever since our new practice facility was built, I’ve been in there a lot working on my shot,” Moore said. “I’m gaining confidence with each game.”

Though he has elevated his game to a level not many expected from the Philadelphia native who received very little recruiting attention coming out of Southern High School, Moore said he’s keeping his focus on Temple’s remaining six games and winning the A-10 Tournament in March held in Atlantic City, N.J. “We just have to finish out these last six games and hopefully go to Atlantic City and win it,” Moore said.

An expected response from a guy so humble he makes you think he doesn’t know just how good he is.

Joey Cranney can be reached at joseph.cranney@temple.edu.

SPORTS

FIERY OFFENSE

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temple-news.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012

Moore emerges as POY standout Insane in the Joe Crane

The Owls hold on for a win against A-10 foe Xavier after taking a 20-point lead at halftime last Saturday at home.

“We made some tough shots and we made some really timely shots,” said coach Fran Dunphy, during the postavier’s senior guard Tu Hol- game press conference. “Our guys were loway had to deal with Tem- ready to play and I think [Xavier’s] deple defenders shadowing fense is terrific. I think they’re going to be a very tough foe for everyone towards him during the end of the season.” much of Saturday night’s Redshirt-senior guard game at the Liacouras Ramone Moore paced the Center.

Owls with a game-high 30 The Musketeer’s gopoints to go along with two to shooter managed to assists and two steals in 39 record 23 points against minutes. The Owls shot 61.3 the Owls, but it wasn’t percent from the field and enough, as Temple (197-of-11 from the three-point 5, 8-2 in the Atlantic Ten line in the first half to create Conference) defeated the a 20-point lead at halftime, visitors, 85-72.

47-27.

The Owls’ defense Six different Temple had the challenge of limRamone Moore / players scored to open the redshirt-senior guard iting the Naismith pregame and the Owls jumped season watch list player out to a 21-5 lead against a from getting too many Musketeer defense that allowed oppopoints, as the Hempstead, N.Y. native nents to score 66.2 points on average is known for being able to take control of games. While Holloway went 7-for- entering the contest. The Owls held the 15 from the floor, 2-of-4 from the three- lead for the length of the game and saw point line and 7-of-9 on the free throw their largest lead at 23 points, two-andline to score a team-high 23 points on a-half minutes into the second half.

Xavier fought back in the second the night, it was the Owls’ offense that half to outscore Temple 45-38, but the exploded to secure the win.

Owls’ lead from the first half allowed

CONNOR SHOWALTER Sports Editor

X

Joey Cranney

Ramone Moore is a leading candidate for A-10 Player of the Year.

“We won that game in the first half, we got out to a nice marginal lead.”

LESLIE FRAZIER TTN

Redshirt-senior guard Ramone Moore elevates for two of his game-high 25 points in the 79-72 win against George Washington last Wednesday. them to hang on for the win. The Owls’ field goal percentage in the second half was 31 percent, while the Musketeers shot 48.4 percent.

“I think [Xavier] made some adjustments in the second half,” Moore said during the press conference. “But I think

we won the game in the first half, we got out to a nice marginal lead, and we just maintained it throughout the game.”

Junior guard Khalif Wyatt and graduate center Micheal Eric contributed to the Owls’ offense, scoring in double fig-

XAVIER PAGE 19

When asked if he thinks he could win the Atlantic Ten Conference Player of the Year Award, redshirt-senior guard Ramone Moore smiled and avoided the question.

“I let my game speak for itself,” Moore said. “I don’t want to get into a battle for who’s better and who’s not. I just want to come out and play for my team and try to win.”

Moore’s game has been saying some pretty good things this season, especially of late. Moore leads the A-10 in scoring with an average of 18.8 points per game and has averaged more than 22 points per contest during Temple’s eight-game winning streak.

CRANNEY PAGE 19

Sharing a sport abroad Macaulay steps up in A-10 play Victoria Macaulay fills a void in the Owls’ frontcourt.

JAKE ADAMS The Temple News

Courtesy Kate Yurkovic

Women’s soccer players, junior Kate Yurkovic and sophomore Jenna Gosnay, joined other participants in the Soccer Without Borders program.

A pair of women’s soccer players spread passion for soccer.

LIZ SIM The Temple News Women’s soccer players junior Kate Yurkovic and sophomore Jenna Gosnay gave back through love of the game.

Soccer is a universal sport, as Gosnay and Yurkovic experienced while participating in a volunteer program run by Soccer Without Borders during winter break.

The organization reaches out to underprivileged youth, through soccer and teamwork.

The student-athletes volun-

teered their time and skills this past January in Granada, Nicaragua.

“Soccer helped a lot with bonding with these girls,” Yurkovic said. “It was just awesome because one little thing made us feel so close and broke the language barrier.”

Yurkovic and Gosnay recently finished competing for the women’s soccer team last fall in a 5-12-1 season. The teammates found out about the Soccer Without Borders opportunity through their coach, Matt Gwilliam, when he forwarded the team an email.

“I was extremely excited to hear of [Gosnay and Yurkovic’s] desire to join Soccer Without Borders,” Gwilliam said.

The players said they were welcomed into the Granada community. They stayed with a host family for the trip and said they immediately experienced a dramatically different lifestyle.

While the balmy weather, reaching almost 90 degrees most days, provided one change, the biggest difference may have been seeing how such a different culture lived and dealt with not always the best circumstances.

Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central America, but the players said the commmunity was opened to share what resources they had.

WOMEN’S TENNIS p.18 Sophomores Yana Mavrina and Alicia Doms lead a onetwo punch for the women’s tennis team.

SPORTS DESK 215-204-9537

BORDERS PAGE 18

It’s night and day.

That’s what coach Tonya Cardoza called junior center Victoria Macaulay’s emergence during Atlantic Ten Conference play as a dual threat scorer and rebounder.

“Her whole game has changed and I’m happy to see it, because it’s rewarding to finally see something click,” Cardoza said.

Since the A-10 season started on Jan. 7, Macaulay has averaged 10.5 points and 8.9 rebounds, which puts her in the Top 5 in those categories for the conference during that timespan. In the past two weeks, she set career highs in points (21 vs.

St. Joseph’s), shots made (nine vs. Fordham) and tied her career high of 13 rebounds against Saint Louis.

Once the center of criticism in a weak frontcourt, the 6-foot4-inch Staten Island, N.Y. native is finally living up to the promise the coaching staff saw three years ago while recruiting her from Curtis High School.

Macaulay, who received little recruiting attention from college programs, was brought in with the idea that she would quickly become a starter. But for two seasons she struggled,

ICE HOCKEY p.19 The ice hockey club finished its season with a 9-17 record and will compete in the MACHA playoffs.

PAUL KLEIN TTN

Junior center Victoria Macaulay posts an average of 10.5 points and 8.9 rebounds in A-10 play. never averaging more than five points or five rebounds a game.

Cardoza tried to give her the reigns last year, but Macaulay didn’t earn the full-time starting gig until a loss against Duke at the end of December 2011.

After starting the final 21 games last season, Macaulay started just one of the first nine

games this season. She lacked focus, work ethic and most importantly, confidence.

Cardoza said Macaulay got frustrated when she didn’t see her practice translate into game success and when the coaches tried to help her it was “in one

MACAULAY PAGE 18 MEN’S BASKETBALL NEXT WEEK The Owls will play Atlantic Ten Conference games against St. Bonaventure and Duquesne this week.

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