Vol. XCIII, No. 13, December 5, 2013

UNEWS unewsonline.com

ARTS

Seize the Lou!

SPORTS PAGE 7

OPINION PAGE 10

Sports of all sorts: Fall sports recap

A Christmas wishlist, from us to you Connect with The UNews:

Thursday, December 5, 2013

A student voice of Saint Louis University since 1919

Vol. XCIII No. 13

Cheating in n o i t a c u d e higher cceed?

12. What’s the best way to su a) W or k Ha rd b) M ee t th e rig ht pe op le

By TONY TRAINA Managing Editor

It’s printed on every syllabus a student receives at the beginning of a semester: Saint Louis University’s “Academic Integrity Policy.” “The University is a community of learning, whose effectiveness requires an environment of mutual trust and integrity,” it reads.

While the causes of academic dishonesty are varied and often debated, what cannot be debated is its prevalence on college campuses across the country. Statistics and studies vary, but consistently report that anywhere from 50 percent to 75 percent of college students admit to cheating, and it has become more pervasive in recent

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c) Fo llo w yo ur pa ss io n d) C he at

years. But how prevalent is it at SLU, and in what form does it most often manifest itself?

“I don’t think [cheating] is a common occurrence, but it definitely happens,” a senior biomedical engineering major said.

“I wouldn’t say it’s prevalent, but it does occur, mainly in bigger classes,” a senior biology and pre-medical student said.

This pre-medical student talked specifically about the physics class pre-medical students are required to take and the cheating that became widespread in the class.

“It was such a difficult class, and a See “Cheating” on Page 3

Students and university clash on free speech

By JESSICA WINTER Associate News Editor

While students at private institutions enjoy many luxuries, these students are not always afforded the same level of First Amendment protection as students at public universities. In choosing to attend a private school, one relinquishes certain aspects of one’s freedom of speech on campus and is subjected to an institution’s conduct code and disciplinary system. This trade off raises the question of just how much a school can limit a student’s First Amendment rights—including their right to peaceably assemble.

Students all over the nation have been exercising their right to free speech in a coordinated effort to stop actions which damage the climate. Organized by the Rainforest Action Network (RAN), a campaign against Bank of America and Citibank has engaged college students to stage protests when these bank recruiters See “Policy” on Page 3

FSA hosts Typhoon Haiyan benefit concert

John Schuler / Photo Editor

Concert: A Filipino-American choir singing at Monday’s Typhoon Haiyan benefit concert.

By JACKIE STACHIW Staff Writer

On Nov. 7, Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines. With at least 5,680 dead, it has become the deadliest Filipino typhoon on record. Before the storm hit, the Philippines issued a public storm warning signal at the highest warning degree, meaning that the typhoon had reached speeds of over 115 mph. People quickly tried to prepare themselves for Haiyan, but the typhoon wiped out large parts of the Philippines and other areas, deteriorating already impossible housing conditions and devastating the lives countless people.

As of Nov. 13, the Red Cross has estimated that 22,000 people are missing while hundreds of thousands have been left homeless.

Large parts of the Philippines have been left without power or any assistance since Haiyan.

In the United States, sub-

stantial efforts have been made to aid the Philippines and other affected countries.

Now, SLU is doing its part to assist in this effort. On Dec. 2, the Filipino Student Association (FSA) hosted a benefit concert to raise money for those affected. Corinne Casino, FSA President, said that she was approached by her cousins who live in St. Louis to put on a benefit concert, and after word got out, other SLU organizations were more than willing to help out the cause.

With the help of her family, Casino was able to provide speakers such as Fr. Manny Cruizon to open and close the ceremony. The event included a musical performance from a Filipino-American choir and participation from certain SLU organizations such as Astha A Cappella, Bare Naked Statues, XQuizit, SLU Tai Chi Society, and SLU Karate.

“Since the magnitude of See “Benefit” on Page 3

Tinker lab gives designs some shape

By VIVEK GORIJALA Staff Writer

Turning a simple idea for a product into a full-fledged prototype is one of the main goals of the tinker lab in McDonnell-Douglas Hall. The tinker lab, which contains a laser etcher, multiple 3D printers and other equipment, is extremely helpful in allowing engineering students to transform concepts into realities.

Although it is mostly engineering students that use the tinker lab, all students are welcome. However, the equipment and software in the lab is oriented towards engineering students; it helps them through the design process by providing a space to develop physical project prototypes.

Rob Caruso, a secondyear mechanical engineering graduate student and one of the people that oversees the tinker lab, has seen many projects go through the design process. A few of those projects include a putter, an airplane wing and even a re-

Photo courtesy of Nicole Germain

Printer: An engineering student using the equipment available in tinker lab. cyclable pen.

“Regular pens have metal and plastic, and so can’t be recycled because they are made of two different materials,” Caruso said of the pen project. “The pen that is being worked on right now is made of just one material, which could allow it to be re-

cycled in the future.”

The wing is an extremely lightweight, wooden prototype of a real airplane wing, and the laser etcher was used to cut out the pieces required to design the wing. Most of the students that utilize the tinker lab are engineers working on their senior de-

sign projects and members of the Innovation Scholars (iScholars) program, a SLU initiative that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship across campus. iScholars is unique in that it helps See “Tinker lab” on Page 3

Christmas Facts & Figures There are approximately 22,000 “rent-a-santas” in the U.S. each year.

In Syria, Christmas gifts are distributed by a gift-giving camel.

Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

NEWS

Let Us Introduce You: Becky Mitrovich Environmental engineer used to build legos to the ceiling

Wolf Howard / News Editor

By WOLF HOWARD News Editor

Becky Mitrovich loved legos as a child; her massive creations required the help of her six-foot-four father to stay standing while she put on the finishing touches.

“I used to build [legos] to the ceiling in the living room,” Mitrovich said. “My dad…would have to hold it and [he would] get really annoyed because it wouldn’t stand by itself until it reached the ceiling.” Her passion for design and invention began in fourth grade when a civil engineer gave her class a demonstration on bridges.

He used a program to show the students what went into

constructing bridges, how they stay standing and what happens when the design doesn’t work. Since then she has dreamed of building bridges.

Mitrovich is in her senior year at SLU. She’s studying civil engineering and chemistry, a combination she finds perfect for her more recent interest in environmental engineering. Mitrovich’s focus on environmental engineering is an extension of her aim to help create a cleaner and healthier environment. Indeed, her decision to go into engineering was also fueled by her passion for improving the daily lives of others. “[Civil engineering] is a lot of basic stuff you kind

of take for granted,” Mitrovich said. “You just expect the roadway to be there and you expect to be able to get to where you need to go. So it’s a lot of stuff you need to maintain our lifestyle. I liked that aspect because I felt like I was giving back to the community.”

Civil engineering is more than building roadways and bridges though. Mitrovich is part of a team of innovation scholars (iScholars) in the process of developing a recyclable pen. The iScholars program is multi-disciplinary initiative funded by the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network that promotes entrepreneurship and innovation across SLU’s campus.

The group’s work on producing recyclable pens may serve as an important step in creating a more sustainable community. Office waste is a major contributor to environmental waste and one that’s rarely considered when people talk about recycling and waste prevention.

Though the concept is only in its developmental stages, Mitrovich entered her pen concept in the ‘Real’ Elevator Pitch Competition, an event hosted by SLU’s Center for Entrepreneurship.

Her submission was selected for the next round, and in the next few weeks she will participate in the final round of the contest.

“I get to go downtown to the tallest building in St. Louis…and I have 30 seconds to pitch [the idea to 12 judges],” she said. If judges like a contestant’s idea the contestant receives one of their business cards and whoever has the most cards at the end of the event wins. The first place prize is $2,500.

Mitrovich is a Chicagoarea native, born and raised in Oak Park. She said one of the things she appreciates the most about the city is how easy it is to travel from one area to the next, as she likes to stay on the move.

However, while she loves her hometown, Mitrovich’s favorite city is London.

“London is the most walkable city I’ve ever been to in my life,” she said. “You can get anywhere you want to go.”

Though she isn’t sure of exactly what she will do when she graduates, Mitrovich wants to do her part to help people.

Happy Holidays!

With Love, The 2013 UNews Editorial Board

Events Calendar Holiday Rooms in Bloom Thursday, Dec. 5, 5:00 p.m.

(Samuel Cupples House) Samuel Cupples House will kick off the holiday season with a celebration of their Christmas-decorated rooms, the lighting of the Christmas tree, and vocal and instrumental performances

BNS Fall Concert: Statues of the World Saturday, Dec. 7, 7:00 p.m.

(CGC)The Bare Naked Statues, SLU’s all male A Capella group, is hosting its fall concert in the CGC. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

The group will be tabling on the BSC all week.

Reindeer Rooftop 5k Run Saturday, Dec. 7, 10:00 a.m.

(Clocktower Plaza) Habitat for Humanity is hosting its annual 5k run/ walk in order to raise money to support the organization. A place in the race is $15 before the event and $20 the day of the run. The first 100 to apply receive a free t-shirt.

NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

Continued from Page 1

students recognize a market need, create a prototype for a product that can solve the need and ultimately encourage students to market their products to companies.

“The Innovation Scholars program helps combine engineering and entrepreneurship,” Caruso said. “There are needs in the market that these students find, and then they try to improve them with their own ideas.”

Nicole Germain, the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network Grant Program Coordinator at SLU, and also one of the iScholars’ advisors, explained more about iScholars’ projects.

“The students are working on a one-year project.

They teamed up based on their interests, and by May will have a final 3D product,” said Germain.

The equipment used to achieve these goals includes a laser etcher and 3D printers.

The laser etcher loads a sketch, and utilizes the

sketch as a guide to cut out certain shapes or engrave images on materials. According to Caruso, the laser etcher has numerous unconventional uses that helps aid students’ projects.

The 3D printers develop fully-realized models out of digital images through various procedures. In one process the printer takes a sketch and lays down layers of melted plastic to match the design, similar to a glue gun. Another type of printer, called a polyjet printer, acts similarly to an inkjet printer.

This printer also lays out plastic and then cures the plastic with light.

In addition to these hightech, valuable pieces of machinery, there are many things in the tinker lab that are of a more conventional nature. In some of the lab’s closets are stacks of paper and even boxes of pasta that students can use to develop their designs. All in all, the tinker lab is a space to help students transform ideas into products in a myriad of ways.

Groups work to revitalize communities

By DEIRDRE KERINS Contributor

The Greater Ville neighborhood in St. Louis represents the rich history and complex future of the city as it struggles to show fellow citizens “there’s life up North.”

“The State of St. Louis” theme allowed four locals to present to students seated at their respective table about their work within the Greater Ville and Old North neighborhoods.

Representatives from Northside Community Housing Project, Revitalization 2000 (R2K), Midtown Catholic Charities and Old North Neighborhood Revitalization commented on their companies’ grassroots movements within the area.

The Ville area has seen its fair share of changes throughout the decades. The neighborhood, which grew to prominence in the 1930s and 40s as a historically African American region, fell into decay as the professional class families moved to outer suburbs, leaving the

neighborhood with less sohope to attend institutions of cioeconomic diversity. higher education.

However, the Political Other R2K initiatives Round Table did more than include a community garjust talk about problems den and collaborations with facing St. Louis’s neighborother area organizations like hoods, their guest experts the Northside Community explained the projects curHousing Project. rently implemented and Erin Szopiak, a representheir positive effects on the tative from R2K, touched on Ville and Old North commua Ville neighborhood comnities. munity celebration, which The R2K saw all of established the local ora lawn mowganizations We can’t think in ing business working to‘isolation’ terms, for youth in gether to but [rather] a hothe neighoffer a fun borhood. event for listic approach [to The R2K esresidents to problems]. tablished a meet and -Erin Szopiak, R2K lawn mowprov ide ing business commentary representative for youth in on the prothe neighgrams. borhood.

“We can’t Children in the business think in ‘isolation’ terms, but mow lawns and tend gardens [rather] a holistic approach in the neighborhood. Half [to problems]” Szopiak statof a young worker’s salary is ed, adding that the collabogiven directly to him or her ration of local community for personal expenditures, groups allows more progress and the remainder is put to be made than the groups into a post-secondary bank working alone could ever account. The program aims produce. to provide work experience Likewise, the Northside and support for youths that Community Housing pro-

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Benefit: SLU community comes together Continued from Page 1

Super Typhoon Haiyan is so huge, everyone knows about this natural disaster,” said Casino. “I have had people willingly ask me if there is anything that FSA is doing to support the cause, and if they could help out. I think that people are aware of this issue and are looking for ways to aid the typhoon victims, so they [were] more than willing to attend this benefit concert.”

Casino also said that this benefit concert was a great way to showcase some of SLU organizations to those who may not know about them for a great cause. The overall purpose of the concert was to raise awareness about the consequences that a natural disaster can have on a nation. For developing countries like the Philippines, the effects can be more detrimental and widespread.

“Relief organizations are calling on us as Americans

John Schuler / Photo Editor

Relief Benefit: Concert attendees were provided with authentic Filipino food. to provide aid to a country in need. While we are trying to shed light on this disaster, the benefit concert also shows the unity and compassion of the SLU community, as many people have come together to help out a common cause,” added Casino.

“I take great concern for those affected by the typhoon,” stated sophomore Mahiwish Ahsan, an attendee of the concert. “Helping those affected does not stop just by going to the concert.

There are others ways to get involved such as the Red

Cross to help those in need.

Natural disasters happen everywhere, and that means everyone should help.”

The FSA greatly thanks those who participated in the concert and encourages people to continue to support relief efforts.

does occur, mainly in bigger classes,” a senior biology and pre-medical student said.

This pre-medical student talked specifically about the physics class pre-medical students are required to take and the cheating that became widespread in it.

“It was such a difficult class, and a lot of people didn’t do well first semester.

Second semester, people really started cheating a lot- it was rampant by the end of the year,” she said.

“Everyone wants to get that A and that perfect GPA, so there’s a drive to do anything to get that grade,” she added.

This illustrates a trend seen nationwide; while academic dishonesty has traditionally been associated with students struggling to get by, it has recently been associated with high-achieving groups as well. Whether it be high school students striving to get into an elite university or college students hoping to get into medical or law school, cheating has become more common.

Harvard University made national news in 2012 when a widespread cheating scan-

dal involving 125 students was revealed. The students copied answers on a takehome exam, and the incident sparked conversation around the country.

“In classes where people don’t cheat, there isn’t a need to. Professors teach the content well and students can really study for what’s going to be on the exam,” said this pre-medical student. “Compare that to a class where kids can attend lecture, take notes, study hard, and the exam doesn’t reflect anything you learned in class; it becomes frustrating and kids start to cheat.”

Jonathon Zimmerman, chair of humanities and social services at New York University and frequent commentator on higher education, has expressed a similar view.

“As educational researchers have repeatedly demonstrated, students are more likely to cheat when they feel disengaged,” he wrote in the wake of the Harvard scandal.

“If you think your professor doesn’t care whether you’re learning, you probably won’t care either.”

The biomedical engineering student echoed these sentiments.

“There are little forms of what is technically cheating, like copying homework, that go on a lot. Usually that’s only for assignments that are more busywork than actual learning though,” he said. “There are times when people will pass around past versions of tests they’re not supposed to have, but I don’t know if I would consider that cheating.”

In addition to disengaged professors, research suggests that classroom and campus environment are contributors to cheating; those with more tight-knit social circles, whether it be as members of Greek life, athletic teams, or in other student organizations, are more likely to cheat. If cheating is viewed as “acceptable” on campus or a class is hyper-competitive, it becomes more common; cheating begets cheating.

While SLU’s Academic Integrity Policy works to stem dishonesty before it begins, the University is continually looking for new ways to enforce the policy and maintain SLU’s community of integrity.

“The most frustrating thing about that physics class was that someone went to the professor, telling him

that people are cheating,” the pre-medical student said. “Over the summer, they asked people who knew that cheating occurred to come forward and testify; but people would know your name, So the issue ended up being dropped.”

While she says strategies ranged from “trading Scantrons or motioning answers to each other,” no one ended up being punished.

While incidences like this are rare, they are not unnoticed, and the administration makes efforts to prevent them in the future.

Individual events of academic integrity are addressed by the academic units involved, but an Academic Integrity Task Force has been created that will be charged with “developing an academic integrity policy that can apply Universitywide and guide unit policies,” according to Dr. Lisa Dorsey, Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Education.

“The mission of Saint Louis University is the pursuit of truth,” reads SLU’s mission statement. Academic dishonesty cuts to the very core of this pursuit of truth; and yet it continues to become more common.

gram aims to convert abandoned apartment buildings and houses into affordable options for families looking to rent in the Ville neighborhood.

The organization currently rents 180 housing units at affordable prices for lower-income residents. The tenants receive tax credits, which can be applied towards eventually purchasing the house or apartment.

The Northside Community Housing representative, Jessica Eiland, emphasized the organization’s use of vacant houses in the Ville and the importance of providing residents the opportunity to purchase their own home. .

She said that the values of properties that are owned, rather than rented, tend to increase.

The city of St. Louis continues to be plagued by neighborhoods riddled with crime, high poverty rates and low economic and educational opportunities. But make no mistake, the Ville and Old North neighborhood residents and community organizations are working hard to reverse trends.

Policy: Students challenge sanctions Continued from Page 1

Cheating: ‘Everyone wants to get that A’ Continued from Page 1

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Tinker lab: 3-D Printer builds pens, wings

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visit their campuses. Bank of America and Citibank are among the largest funders of the coal industry; by protesting, these students hope these banks will divest in their funding of fossil-fuels.

In September, this protest movement reached Saint Louis University after RAN contacted a couple of students about the cause.

Citibank was visiting SLU’s campus for the job fair and recruitment purposes, but their plans were altered after a handful of students protested at Citibank’s recruitment presentation. The action caused Citibank to withdraw their position at the job fair and the students involved soon saw the limitations of their First Amendment protection.

“This situation has developed into quite a different issue,” stated Landon Brownfield, one of the students involved with the protest. “Through struggle with student conduct and the administration, the situation has turned into a disagreement over students’ right to free speech.”

The students were given a variety of sanctions from Student Conduct and were charged with failure to comply, disorderly conduct, and inappropriate conduct.

“All of our sanctions are intended to be educational,”

said Student Development Coordinator Diana Foster.

“The University does not prevent students from protesting... but [it] says that there is a time, place and manner that you can do that.”

Foster pointed out that the school has a stated policy in the student handbook on protests, and that one person’s protest cannot disrespect another’s speech.

“We want to make sure that students are being respectful in the process [of their protest],” said Foster.

The students involved with the protest disagree with this sentiment and feel that their protest was not done in an unnecessary fashion.

“Our protest was planned under the guidelines of nonviolence, respect for others, and minimal disturbance,” stated Claire Daaleman, another student involved. “I feel that in this situation, I was given an opportunity to stand up or stand by.”

The students have been in contact with other universities that hosted the same protest and to their knowledge no other university students have received repercussions for participating in the protests, including students at Washington University. They have appealed their sanctions and hope that others will see the significants of the free speech issues being discussed.

THE SLU SCOOP All Information Provided by Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Tuesday, Dec. 3

12:43 a.m. - SICK CASE A SLU student experienced lightheadedness and uncotrollable shaking after smoking nicotine from a hookah pipe at an off campus location. The student refused transportation to the hospital.

8:11 a.m. - INFORMATIONAL A burnt paper towel was found on the floor of the 1st floor men’s restroom.

7:24 p.m. - FIRE ALARM A smoke detector was activated by heavy steam in the shower of the bathroom area. The alarm was reset.

Be a Responsible Billiken STOP. CALL. REPORT. 314-977-3000 witness.slu.edu dps.slu.edu

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

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UNews

Arts Entertainment

December 5, 2013 arts@unewsonline.com Molly Rippinger, Arts Editor Kendra Cruse, Assoc. Arts Editor

KSLU: Music SLU students aim to seize the city picks of the week

“It’s a Big World Out There (And I Am Scared)” Kurt Vile Lo-fi/Psychadelic Critics might bicker over Kurt’s lack of new material considering two songs on his new EP are instrumental reprises and another two are alterations of tracks featured on “Wakin On a Pretty Daze,” thus leaving only three originals. “It’s a Big World Out There” is a testament to the subtle, but ever so intricate, nuances that abstract the multifaceted process of making an album. “Never Run Away (String Synth)” infuses a raspier, more mellow sound coupled with the addition of the string synth, while “Snowflakes Extended” is intensified by an aesthetic finale, elucidating the brokenhearted sentiment that introversion can leave behind. “Feel My Pain” is probably the most impressive track and, if it’s doing its job right, will undoubtedly leave you asking yourself how it didn’t make the cut in the first place. Admittedly, this EP primarily appeals to preexisting Kurt Vile enthusiasts; however, it is not to be mistaken that he’s not worth a listen – that is if you haven’t done so already.

Quentin Green, KSLU member.

“Singles Collection Volume Three” Thee Oh Sees Garage Rock Thee Oh Sees are frontrunners of San Francisco’s vibrant garage rock revival scene. “Singles Collection Vol. 3” collects rare tracks from their extensive discography, including songs from obscure seven-inch pressings, live performances and demos. Opening track “Ugly

Man” is pure self-loathing set to Nancy Sinatra-esque sunshine pop instrumentation, while “Crushed Grass,” “What You Need” and the live version of “Block of Ice Eagle” bring the fuzz and propulsive drums “Thee Oh Sees” are known for. The album highlight is the surprisingly faithful cover of early Sonic Youth cut, “The Burning Spear,” which finds the Sees perfectly presenting the no-wave skronk guitars of the original alongside seasick disco beats and a barrage of effects pedal noise.

Alex Cunningham, music director. This Is Your Life Now, Wednesdays 9-11 p.m.

“Unrequited” Repeated Measures.

Electronic/Post-Rock/Experimental Hailing from a small city in southern California, Repeated Measures manages to capture almost every emotion possible in his first LP since coming from Grn+Gld Collective. The sounds in “Unrequited” evoke nostalgic feelings that can easily take you back to that first late night drive. Fans of XXYYXX, Flume and Shlohmo will thoroughly enjoy this collection of songs. The light backdrop of guitar and synths gives it a unique post rock feel that not many electronic albums provide. Right now “Unrequited” is a free download on bandcamp. com, so check it out before they’re snatched up!

Jacqueline Wongso, Billiken Club director. CoreUs Music, Fridays 3-4 p.m.

“Minus One (Extended Edition)” The KVB Post-Punk/Darkware See “KSLU” on Page 6

Courtesy of City Museum Facebook

Courtesy of St. Louis Art Museum Facebook

Seize: The beloved City Museum (left) and St. Louis Art Museum (right) are two of the attractions featured on Seize the Lou’s website in an effort to draw attention to everything good the city has to offer, from single restaraunts to whole neighborhoods.

By JANAE SHEPHERD Staff Writer

One of the coolest courses SLU has to offer is English 401:New Media Advocacy.

This course uses the tools of new media (podcasts, short videos, blogs, twitter, etc.) to engage communities in productive, respectful and service –oriented ways. This semester this class, with the instruction of Professor Nathaniel Rivers, made it their mission to advocate for all the unique things St. Louis has to offer. This advocacy comes in the form of an organization called Seize The Lou. Seize The Lou (STL) is a grassroots, non-profit organization committed to

showcasing the best of St. Louis. The organization shows off St. Louis through media outlets. The main media outlet is the website www.seizethelou.com. According to one of Seize the Lou’s organizers, Pierre Louis, “This website offers an interesting perspective of St. Louis in a way people are not used to. It shows all the great and unique aspects of the city.” Seize the Lou’s website highlights three components that add to the beauty of St. Louis: housing and businesses, food and drink, and urban attractions.

In the Housing and Business section this organization speaks to three of the best places to live in the Lou: The Central West End, Tower Grove and Soulard.

While their job blog highlights employment opportunities and possible jobs for people majoring in the top ten majors at SLU. Seize the Lou’s food & drink blog aims to discover the best cuisine that St. Louis has to offer.

The food and drink reviewers fled to the many wonderful breweries and eateries that St. Louis has to offer, some of the reviewed eateries include Strange Donuts and my personal favorite, Crown Candy. The urban attractions section highlights a few of the unique aspects of the city of St. Louis. Some of these sights include The Pageant Theater, City Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum and even SLU’s very own Billiken Basketball.

One of the campaign’s

core missions is to keep the youngest generation of the workforce eager to make St. Louis its home. Seize the Lou is doing an amazing job selling St. Louis. According to a Seize the Lou student organizer, Dena Colantino, “I’ve been a student in St. Louis for almost four years now, and though I’ve always loved the city, I’ve never fully embraced everything it has to offer. Working with Seize the Lou has given me the opportunity to get to know St. Louis better and appreciate it for the cultural hub, vibrant metropolitan and welcoming home that it is.”

This campaign has the potential to grow St. Louis, improve its economic standing and sell all of its majestic beauty.

Choirs and orchestras ring in the season

Images courtesy of SLU Connection

MUSIC: Take a study break and celebrate the songs of the holidays with the Saint Louis University music program.

Beginning this Friday, catch a recital in Xavier Hall at 3:30 p.m. and the string orchestras in College Church at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday the string quartet will be in College Church at 2 p.m. with the university choir performing later in church at 6:30 p.m. On Monday the big band and jazz combos will take the stage in Xavier Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Celebrating the holidays at Sam Cupples’ house

By MOLLY RIPPINGER Arts Editor

Being a senior, I’ve found myself mentioning the “lasts” a lot more often as May quickly approaches. To be honest, it has turned into a bit of a litany with comments like, “the last time I’ll walk along West Pine lit up with beautiful autumn leaves” or “the last time I’ll register for classes.” It’s getting far too melodramatic and sentimental for me, so this week I’ve been looking for a “first” on campus and I’ve found it in the annual “Holiday Rooms in Bloom” at the Samuel Cupples House.

Somehow I have managed to miss this event each year, but now is the perfect time to experience a little bit of history while getting into the holiday spirit.

Beginning at 5 p.m. on Dec. 5 guests are welcomed into various rooms of the house in order to view stunning floral arrangements and decorations. Local florists, such as Always in Bloom and Walter Knoll, participate each year in the event by providing beautiful bouquets that sprawl across every mantle and accent each table. Each florist is assigned a specific room so they have complete freedom to take their decorations in the direction they wish. In the past there has been everything from Poinsettias to polar bears in the arrangements.

Professionals are not the only ones to participate, with both Alpha Phi Omega and the Fine and Performing Arts Department playing major roles in the event.

Each year Alpha Phi Omega does their part to help by

decorating the second floor for the season. Also, musicians and vocalists from the Fine and Performing Arts Department entertain guests with carols as they pass from room to room.

Also, you’ll want to stick around until 5:45 p.m. when the former Dean of Student Affairs and ex officio of the Saint Louis University Women’s Commission Mary Bruemmer will have the great honor of lighting the Christmas tree. It might sound a little cheesy, but the tree lighting is a tradition and that’s something you just don’t mess with around the holidays.

I can’t fathom how many times I’ve walked by the historic Cupples House during my time at SLU. With its tall Romanesque roof, rounded arches and intricate masonry you really can’t help but to

bask in the old house’s beauty. And yet, I have never set foot inside the building even though I have certainly seen it from every angle, light and season. “Holiday Rooms in Bloom” provides the perfect opportunity to walk amongst the halls of history while celebrating Christmas.

Even though I am embarrassed about ignoring one of our school’s most iconic landmarks, at least it has left me a “first” to enjoy as I near my last semester at SLU. Even if you can’t make it on Thursday night, “Holiday Rooms in Bloom” runs throughout the weekend; Friday 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Admittance is free, but donations of winter clothing are requested for the St. Francis Xavier Church parish help center.

Courtesy of Samuel Cupples House Facebook page

Christmas: The Samuel Cupples House is dressed for the holidays. Stop by to check it out starting Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Lighting up the Lou

KSLU: Picks Continued from Page 5

Courtesy of The Saint Louis Zoo Facebook page

Courtesy of The Missouri Bontanical Garden Facebook page

Walking through SLU’s campus on a chilly December night can sometimes feel like a stroll through a winter wonderland. There’s nothing like the magical twinkling of Christmas lights to bring out the holiday spirit and the kid in all. But, the beautiful lights illuminating the BSC, Cupples House and College Church are just a mere taste of the plethora of light displays throughout the St. Louis area.

“Garden Glow” in The Missouri Botanical Garden Most are familiar with the Missouri Botanical Garden’s magnificent natural works of floral and arboreal art; now, for the first time, the Botanical Garden has transformed into the “Garden Glow 2013” Light Exhibit. The festival kicks off for the this year, allowing St. Louisans to experience the wonder of

the gardens covered in hundreds of thousands of lights.

Walk through labyrinths of illuminated plant forms and take in an experience truly unique to St. Louis.

Garden Glow is open Wednesday– Sunday evenings from Nov. 23 to Dec. 17 and open nightly from Dec. 18 to Jan. 4 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd., south St. Louis. Admission is $16 adults, $12 members, $10 children and $6 for member’s children.

“Wild Lights” at Saint Louis Zoo Lions, tigers, bears and lights! The Saint Louis Zoo’s

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“Wild Lights” in Forest Park features not only 500,000 lights but the always-fascinating animals as well. The fantastic grounds of the zoo bring the animal habitats to new life with wonderful displays and attractions throughout the zoo.

W i l d Lights is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 29 to Dec. 15 and will be open nightly from Dec. 20 to the 23 and Dec. 26-30.

Wild Lights hours are from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. each night and tickets will be sold until 8:15 p.m. Admission is $4 for zoo members and $5 for the general public.

“The Way of Lights” in

There’s nothing like the magical twinkling of Christmas lights to bring out the holiday spirit and the kid in all.

“

By Emily Drenovsky Staff Writer

Belleville Those truly looking for a light show immersion experience unlike any other can adventure 20 minutes outside of St. Louis to Belleville, Ill., where Our Lady of the Snows Shrine presents its light display, “The Way of Lights.” The show tells the Nativity story through more than one million twinkling light bulbs. Driving through the light display is free for all and guaranteed to be an experience unlike any other.

In addition to the drivethrough display, viewers can amaze at the laser light show depicting the miracle of Jesus’ birth. The Way of Lights is open from Friday, Nov. 22 to Friday, Jan. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Grab your friends, your fuzziest winter gear and a steaming cup of hot chocolate and get ready to journey out into St. Louis to witness the city aglow with holiday spirit.

Courtesy of Our Lady of the Snow Facebook page

Lights: Go to Garden Glow (top right), Wild Lights (top left) or The Way of Lights (bottom) for holiday cheer.

The KVB hit all the London-scene shoe-gaze sweet spots with a remastered, extended release of their 2011 EP, “Minus One.” The opening track is bound to be an instant favorite with a display of catchy bass-lines, post-punk signature lo-fi vocals and eerie synth. DIIVesque distorted guitars on “Passing By” make it a quick stand-out and “Endless” will make you feel like you’re at a dim-lit basement show in 80s Notting Hill. The KVB exemplify true shoe-gaze tradition that comes out like the love child of “My Bloody Valentine” and “Joy Division” for your listening pleasure.

Liza DiStefano, internal promotions director. Watching Trees, Sundays 9-10 p.m.

the actual issue of slavery, but rather how slavery is depicted in the film. Any film about serious, real life material runs the inevitable risk of being Hollywood-ized. Ironically “12 Years a Slave” is especially susceptible to this treatment when it is, “based on a true story.” By dramatizing the events of slavery, no matter how respectful, it still fictionalizes elements of the tragedy, which diminish its atrocities and horrors to a palpable format for viewers.

However, this sentiment cannot be avoided when a subject matter as harrowing and daunting as slavery is portrayed in a format aimed at the commercialized masses. Some liberties must be taken with the original historical events in order to make a movie that holds wide appeal.

Even with the best intentions of a director, the film has the potential to completely undermine the tragic magnitude of its subject matter. Imperatively, the distinction must be made that “12 Years a Slave” is not a slavery film, but rather a film that uses the event of slavery as a conduit to express great-

er themes pertaining to life and humanity in the context of slavery.

This notion extends to other films about real life tragedies. The Holocaust is probably the event most analogous to slavery in terms of human tragedy and number of media depictions. However, there is a very important distinction to be made between the Holocaust and slavery. The Holocaust has been portrayed in so many different movies and retold in countless books that we’ve almost become desensitized to the issue.

It probably doesn’t help that the Holocaust occurred in a different country, which provides some emotional distance, and that the Holocaust is linked to World War II, an American victory. In a sense, the Holocaust represents a chance for America to showcase its triumphant militaristic, humanitarian and utilitarian defeat over Nazism.

By no means do I intend or wish to sound glib about the Holocaust and the tragedy it brought to millions of people. It’s one of the most

tragic events in human history, but by continuing to mine the event for entertainment value, we run the risk of forgetting the true horror of such an event.

This is exactly the reason for my concern of depicting slavery in film. We could never defeat or conquer slavery, only dissolve the morally depraved institution that perpetuated it. The ramifications of racial inequality are still felt today, with one of the most prominent examples being St. Louis’s Delmar Divide. Slavery will always remain a dark mark on our nation’s history and humanity in general. Yet, with something of this magnitude, I don’t want our only knowledge of slavery to come from various depictions in film.

Therefore, I have come to the pressing realization that it is of significant moral and personal importance that we learn about these events, lest we repeat them. Like the Holocaust, slavery is a gross exploitation and trivialization of human freedoms, dignity and life. The events that occurred are ineffable, but should certainly not be incommunicable. This phil-

on the

TOWN Arts Editor’s Picks

Theater Moscow Ballet: The Grand Russian Nutcracker Sunday at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $35-90 Peabody Opera House A Christmas Carol Dec. 5-8 Tickets $20-40 The Fabulous Fox Theatre

Movies Catching Fire Now Playing Moolah Theater & Lounge

“Songs From The Road” Royal Southern Brotherhood.

Blues Rock “Songs From The Road” is a live album release from blues-rock super group Royal Southern Brotherhood, which consists of Cyril Neville (of the Neville Brothers), Devon Allman (son of the Gregg Allman) and Mike Zito (a rising star in blues rock circles).

This album has a stronger blues sensibility than their debut album, with improvised solos by Allman and Zito giving tracks more raw emotion and feeling than possible on a studio album.

“Songs From The Road” debuts their new song “Gimme Shelter,” a track that draws on the strengths of each member of the group: Neville’s easy and smooth vocals, Allman’s improvisation skills and Zito’s strong rhythm blues guitar.

Charles Bowles, web content editor. The Magical Mystery Blues Tour, Thursdays 10-11 p.m.

Fictionalizing slavery in film I went to see the film “12 Years a Slave” over Thanksgiving break with my brother, and after the movie we found o u r selves divided on what we should h a v e taken Michael from the Schufreider film. On a strictly theatrical level, my brother declared it a four star film.

The symbolism, cinematography, performances and directing were all top-notch and were intertwined with a thematically rich story. I, on the other hand, couldn’t get the pestering idea out of my head that something was amiss about portraying slavery, or any horrific historical event, in a fictionalized manner.

My overriding concern for the film is that people will hail “12 Years a Slave” as a great film about slavery, a somewhat dubious and noxious claim, precisely because people will not talk about

OUT

osophical dilemma leaves me unsure of how to best communicate these horrific events, and the only solution I can surmise is to depict these events in the truest, most realistic sense possible.

This would mean documentaries, or non-fiction books, or any format that would aim to tell the story in an acutely accurate, factual and blunt fashion. I feel this would make the inherent issues of slavery, the Holocaust and any other real-life tragedy self-evident.

Topics of this nature are certainly not easy to talk about and are even harder to visualize, but are we doing ourselves a disservice by fictionalizing these heinous crimes, no matter how slight? It would seem in our best interest to report these events just as they happened so that by glimpsing the true immense emotional weight of these events, perchance we could come to some sort of illuminated insight, realization or complete understanding of the true horrors so that we may vow to never let these tragedies happen again.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Dec. 13-14 Midnight showing The Moolah Theater & Lounge The Book Thief Daily showings Chase Park Plaza 12 Years A Slave Daily showings Chase Park Plaza

Music Dave Simon’s Best of The Beatles Saturday at 7 p.m.

Tickets $5 Plush Chance the Rapper Sunday at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20-$24.50 The Pageant Drake Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.

Tickets $46-$96 Scottrade Center Martina McBride: The Joy of Christmas Tour Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets $40-$95 The Fabulous Fox Theatre

Events Garden Glow Wednesdays - Sundays Nov. 25- Jan. 4 Tickets $16-$18 Missouri Botanical Garden “Wild Lights” Now through Dec. 30 Tickets $4-$5 The Saint Louis Zoo “The Way of Lights” Now through Jan. 3 Our Lady of the Snows Shrine

UNews

Sports

December 5, 2013 sports@unewsonline.com Alex Kozich, Sports Editor Ryan Glover, Assoc. Sports Editor

For continued multimedia coverage of Billiken sporting events visit unewsonline.com

Sports of all sorts: Fall season recap Men’s Soccer While the Billiken men’s soccer team captured another regular season Atlantic 10 title, the season ended in heart break. A penalty kick by George Mason University in the 82nd minute of the A-10 Championship game ended the Billikens’ season, as they lost the title game 1-0. The Billikens were not named as an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament, robbing them of their second straight tournament appearance. The Billikens finished the season 14-5-2, and were ranked in the top 25 for much of the season.

The Billikens were well represented in the awards category, though. Senior Alex Sweetin was named Midfielder of the Year, Anthony Manning was Defender of the Year, and they were joined on the A-10 first team by junior forward Robbie Kristo.

Three more Billikens earned secondteam honors, while head coach Mike McGinty was named A-10 Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.

The loss to George Mason was the only loss to an A-10 opponent all season, and McGinty was still proud of his team.

Cross Country The men’s and women’s cross country teams set new school records with their performances at the Atlantic 10 championships this season. The men’s team finished seventh, its first top-10 finish in school history, and the women’s team tied their school high fourth place finish from last season.

Tim Zellmer set a new school record for the 8K with a time of 24.04.4.

For the women, Margo Richardson, Jessica Hoefert and Annika Gomell all earned All-Conference honors. For Richardson, this marks the fourthstraight season for her on the AllConference team, a SLU record.

Field Hockey The field hockey team concluded their season with a disappointing 1-19 record. Their lone win came against Ball State on Sept. 22. SLU announced Monday that coach Lauren Bruce has resigned and will not be back next season. For the season, Faith Mackin and Megan Rogers led the Billikens with five goals each. Caitlin Gibbons led the team in assists with five, Mackin close behind with four on the season. Caiti Brownell was named to the Atlantic-10 All-Academic team. It marks the first time since 2010 a Billiken has received that honor.

In total, the Billikens scored just 1.05 goals per game, while their opponents scored 5.40 goals per game on average. Megan DepewBrady led the team with 68 saves on the season.

Volleyball The Billiken volleyball team’s season was filled with ups and downs, culminating in a 13-17 record. The Billikens’ season ended with a 3-1 lost to the University of Dayton at the Atlantic 10 Championship in Washington D.C. While the squad struggled with consistent play throughout the

season, there was more than one spotlight. Freshman outside hitter Danielle Rygleski was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year; she accumulated the sixth most doubledoubles among NCAA freshmen. In addition, she averaged the secondmost aces per set in the conference, and will prove invaluable providing leadership for the Bills going forward.

Rygleski, along with sophomore middle blocker Megan Gilbert, was named to the All-Conference first team. Also earning All-Conference accolades were sophomore setter Meredith Boe and freshman outside hitter Mallory Dillon. This young core of women provides a strong foundation for the SLU program going forward.

The team had an especially solid conference showing, going 9-5 in A-10 play, proving the squad is poised to be a threat next season. Only one senior departs the squad, so experience promises to be on the Billikens’ side come next season.

Jenny Hummert, who earned secondteam All-Conference honors, Cristina Rodriguez, who earned All-Rookie honors, and Livi Logan-Wood, who earned All-Academic honors.

Logan-Wood and Jarrett, who notched five and four goals apiece, and Hummert who notched three goals and a team-high three assists, led the Billikens’ attack. The Billikens’ defense allowed just an average of one goal per game, including four shutouts in eight conference games. Sophomore Hanna Benben started 18 games for the Billikens at goalie and collected 64 saves to just 28 goals against.

Women’s soccer The women’s soccer team finished this season tied for second place in the Atlantic 10 with a 6-10-3 record, including a 5-2-1 conference record, and earned a third seed in the A-10 tournament. The season ended in disappointment, however, as they fell to sixth-seeded University of Massachusetts Amherst 5-3 on penalty kicks. Four Billikens earned conference honors including Jessie Jarret, who earned firstteam All-Conference honors,

Men’s basketball bounces back after close losses to top-ranked teams

From the pitch to the sideline

By BRIAN HAENCHEN Staff Writer

By CHARLES BOWLES Staff Writer

72 hours after they blew a seven-point second-half lead on their home floor to No. 12 Wichita State, Saint Louis took out their frustrations on Division-II Rockhurst.

The Billikens pummeled the Hawks 68-43 behind a 17-point performance from senior Dwayne Evans, who led the team in scoring for the fifth time this season. As team, the Billikens shot over 41 percent from the field and set a new Chaifetz Arena record with 54 rebounds.

Overall, it was a solid performance for a team that was playing its sixth game in 13 days.

“We’ve had a tough stretch,” coach Jim Crews said following Tuesday night’s game. “We’ve played a lot of basketball [and] had a lot of travel in the last 13 days.”

With trips to Valparaiso and Vanderbilt looming as their only “significant” nonconference tests remaining, Saint Louis could (and probably should) be 13-2 when they open Atlantic 10 play against Rhode Island on Jan. 7. The implication?

The 2013-14 Billikens would have a superior overall record entering the start of

Blake Schneider has constant reminders of the closeness between his past, present and potential future.

Schneider, 23, an assistant coach of the men’s soccer team, a mere two years ago concluded his final game at Robert R. Hermann Stadium after the team failed to make the post-season.

He rose from the ranks of a former player to an assistant coach in less than two years.

Yet, wherever he goes his past and present are never too far apart.

In his office sits relics of the golden years of Billiken Soccer with a few of the NCAA tournament trophies from the 1960s and old Conference USA titles. As one moves toward Schneider’s desk there are current travel schedule, calendars and Schneider himself tapping away at his Macbook feverishly preparing for upcoming 2013 men’s soccer matches.

On the field, a painted white sideline at Robert R. Hermann stadium divides the life he once had as a player and his life as a coach.

He now coaches many of the men that he once played with on the field.

“It has been a great expe-

CHEER

JEER

Ryan Quinn/Staff Photographer

Basketball: Jordair Jett scored 12 points in the Billikens 68-43 victory over Rockhurst. conference play. However, while last year’s team boasted a dominating New Year’s Eve victory over No. 20 New Mexico, the 2013-14 team’s résumé will be rather soft after it failed to cash in against a pair of highly ranked teams — No. 10 Wisconsin and No. 12 Wichita State.

SLU had an opportunity to win both games before their offense went cold late in the second half, but it was the blown seven-point lead to WSU at home on Sunday

afternoon that had the Billikens most aggravated.

“We can only miss so many opportunities to get statement wins throughout the year,” a visibly-frustrated Evans said afterwards. “I think we’re playing well, but we have to pull one of these out.”

Down one with 1:24 remaining, Mike McCall Jr. picked up the steal and drew the foul against Tekele Cotton to get to the free throw line with a chance to give

SLU the lead. The senior guard, who had not attempted a free throw since he knocked down a pair against Oral Roberts on Nov. 21, hit his first attempt to tie game at 64, but failed to convert on his second, which allowed Wichita State to reclaim the lead following a bucket from Ron Baker, who was left alone along the baseline.

See “Hoops” on Page 9

FEAR

WHO TO CHEER: CHRIS DAVIS There may never be a rivalry Saturday like last Saturday ever again. Ohio State held on to beat Michigan 4241 after Michigan failed to convert their two-point try with 30 seconds left. Even more exciting, Chris Davis returned a missed field goal 109 yards with no time on the clock to give Auburn the victory over #1 Alabama.

rience so far for me. It has been an honor and something that I really enjoy,” said Schneider reflecting on his memories watching, playing and now coaching the men’s soccer team. “Saint Louis soccer has always been an important part of my life.”

Schneider started his playing career in St. Louis winning three Missouri Class 1 titles at Whitfield and playing at Metro United Soccer Club. He began his collegiate career at the University of Evansville where he played his first three years as a defenseman and was named second team AllConference his junior year.

In 2011, he transferred to Saint Louis University where he finished his collegiate career. In 2012, he became a student assistant coach after ending his collegiate career and in March 2013 he was named an assistant coach after then assistant coach Mark Santel resigned.

He has been an assistant coach for nine months. This time has allowed him to gain a greater understanding of the level of detail it takes to being a coach of a collegiate soccer team.

“As a player you don’t reSee “Coach” on Page 9

By ALEX KOZICH, Sports Editor WHO TO JEER: NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE The “Leastern” Conference in the NBA is a joke. Only the Pacers and Heat are above .500 and the Wizards are the only other team that isn’t at least 1 game below .500 at 9-9. Meanwhile in the Western Conference, all but three teams are at or above .500. The West has been the stronger conference since Jordan retired but this is absurd.

WHO TO FEAR: NICK “SWAGGY P” YOUNG One of the league’s quintessential “chuckers,” Nick Young could go off for 30+ or 0 for the game. This year, Young has morphed himself into one of the most consistent players on the Lakers, even taking a game winning charge prompting Mike D’Antoni to call him “Swaggy D.” So, as his tattoo says, “In Swag We Trust.”

NOW LEASING FOR 2014!

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

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SPORTS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

RPI of SLU’s past opponents: SEMO — 195 at SIUE—311 at SIU—243 Oral Roberts—133 BGSU—233 vs. Wisconsin (L)—12 vs. Old Dominion—294 Wichita St. (L)—14 RPI of SLU’s remaining nonconference opponents: at Valparaiso—91 Wofford—317 Indiana St.—103 NC A&T—254 at Vanderbilt—124 Yale—200

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@TheUNewsSports For the latest Billiken coverage

Men’s Basketball Tuesday, Nov. 26 Wisconsin 31 32 Billikens 23 34

63 57

Wednesday, Nov. 27 Old Dominion 27 25 Billikens 29 33

52 62

Sunday, Dec. 1 Wichita St. Billikens

70 65

28 42 29 36

Women’s Basketball Saturday, Nov. 30 (0T) W. Illinois 30 42 15 Billikens 35 37 13

87 85

Tuesday, Dec. 3 Tulsa 25 29 Billikens 38 27

54 65

Continued from Page 7

Cleanthony Early capitalized on a missed free throw by Jake Barnett, hitting a layup to push the score to 68-65 with 14 seconds remaining.

Barnett had another opportunity to tie the game on SLU’s next possession, this time from the far left corner with less than 10 seconds left, but his shot was re-directed by a WSU defender and fell well short of its intended target. The Bills were forced to foul, and Fred VanVleet knocked down a pair of free throws to ice the five-point victory for Wichita State.

“We just have to close it out, especially against two ranked teams,” McCall said.

“We don’t get opportunities like this all the time throughout the season and when we get the opportunity, we just have to give it our all and finish it out.”

Evans netted a team-high 18 points for the Billikens, 16 of which came in the second half, including eight on nine free throw attempts.

He had difficulty establish-

alize all the preparation, attention to detail and all the little kind of ends and outs that go into being a coach. As a player, you wake up, practice, go to class, make sure you get enough rest, eat well, things like that,” said Schneider comparing the differences of between being a player and coach. “As a coach, now you are looking at a bigger picture with a lot of the little moving pieces. It is the dayto-day work as far as, what we did today, did we do this well or poorly, what we need to do tomorrow, how we get better in this area or how to we fix this problem.”

Schneider grew up in Wildwood, Missouri just outside of St. Louis. His father, John Schneider, was a major influence on him growing up. John played professionally and coached at Busch Soccer Club and later at St. Louis Scott Gallagher Club.

“My dad was the biggest influence on me when it comes to soccer,” said Schneider. “I remember as a kid being four or five-yearsold, he would take out to his practices no matter who he was coaching and I would run around on the field and kick the ball with the team. I have been around the game for so long, even being 23 years old, I have been out on the field for quite a bit of time… but as I started coach-

ing with him that’s when my inspiration really kicked in knowing this is something that I wanted to do.”

Schneider started every game his senior year on the Billikens defense. The team that year had some unfortunate breaks and ended the year with a 6-10-1 record.

Schneider described it as a “growing period” and wishes that they had caught some breaks, but was happy to play for his hometown team.

The following season, Schneider, after going to some professional combines and tryouts, decided to return to SLU and became a student assistant coach for the 2012 team. In March 2013, Mark Santel resigned to accept a position in private business. Head Coach Mike McGinty tabbed Schneider to become an assistant coach on the men’s soccer team.

“I think it is great to have Blake on our coaching staff,” said Head Coach Mike McGinty. “I think Blake has a bright future in coaching and he is also good because he can still get the feeling off of the guys, he can still have relationships with the guys and know what they are going through and that helps me quite a bit.”

This season, Schneider coached some of his former teammates including: Alex Sweetin, Jon Roeckle, and Nick Shackelford “I think is a weird position and transition to being

Calendar Thursday, Dec. 5 Swimming and Diving at USA Winter Nationals

Saturday, Dec. 7 Track & Field at Saluki Fast Start Women’s Basketball 2 p.m. @ Northern Iowa Men’s Basketball 7 p.m. at Valpraiso

Tuesday, Dec. 10 Women’s Basketball 7 p.m. vs Southeast Missouri State

ing himself inside in the first the team relaxed when they half, encountering a swarm are ahead in games, the seof Shocker defenders every nior guard responded, “I time he touched the ball. wouldn’t say we relax, it’s Their intense pressure forced just that certain aggression him to the outside, where he we have, once we make our did his best to remain effecrun, we just kind of slows tive, registering four assists, down instead of [staying] aga block and a gressive.” steal.

Tu e s d a y “I have to night’s game We can only start assertag ainst miss so many ing myself in Rockhurst the first half,” perfectly opportunities to Evans said. exemplified get statement “I’ve kind of M c C a l l ’s wins throughout gotten into a point. Aflousy trend ter racing the year. here of not to a 19-2 -Dwayne Evans really picklead midway ing things through the up until the first half, second half. So, I’ll address Saint Louis began to ease up that.” and Rockhurst responded, McCall was candid in his using a 20-6 run to trim the commentary following the margin to three with 4:24 regame, pointing to four areas maining. that the team must improve “We’re up 19-2, so it’s huon moving forward: “Turnman nature to want to relax,” overs, taking care of the ball, Barnett said. “It’s something running our offense and we’ve got to work on. Some once we have a lead, we have teams have the mentalto keep being aggressive on ity, let’s pull back, but other offense and keeping up the teams have the mentaldefense.” ity, let’s go up 10 more. We When asked if he thought didn’t do that in the first

“

half, we let them come back in, and in the second half we came out and set a precedent. I think it’s a good lesson learned in terms of our mentality. Just because you go up early doesn’t mean you have the game in hand.”

Fortunately for Saint Louis, with six games until the start of conference play and seven before its next major test on the road at Dayton, there’s still plenty of time to work out the kinks and rekindle that killer instinct that seemed to drive its successes in 2012-13.

“There’s a lot to clean up at this time of year,” Crews said prior to the WSU game.

“The kids are doing a good job… We do want more consistency. We strive for that in every department. It seems like you’re doing better things when you’re making shots. It looks like you know what you’re doing.”

Next up for SLU is a trip to Valparaiso on Saturday evening. Former Billiken Keith Carter transferred to Valpo last December, but is sitting out this semester, per NCAA regulations.

Coach: Schneider joins men’s soccer staff Continued from Page 7

Scoreboard

Hoops: Bills look to find groove

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Breakdown of SLU’s 7-2 record: vs. RPI 1-50: 0-2 (vs. Wisconsin, WSU) vs. RPI 101-150: 2-0 (Oral Roberts, Bowling Green) vs. RPI 150+: 4-0 (SEMO, at SIUE, at SIU, vs. Old Dominion)

9

Billiken Media Relations

Soccer: Blake Schneider immediately transitioned from star player to assistant coach. a coach from a player that quickly especially having guys on the team that you played with,” said Schneider.

“I think it is a thing where I just have to act professionally, where I just had to have a coach’s mentality and try to learn as much as I can … it’s different you go from being super competitive on the field all the time to competing in a different way. You are not running on the field with them anymore, but you are still keeping that competitive edge alive inside of you just through a different avenue.”

Missouri and the American Civil War Fridays 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The American Civil War has often been depicted as a “family feud” or a “brother’s war” that decimated families and community life throughout the United States. Beginning with the first shots fired at Fort Sumter, the nation quickly Civil War on the Home Front plunged into its most violent conflict in history.

Fought on various military fronts, the Civil War 1/24 - 5/16/14 th Celebrate the 150 Anniversary of the American Civil remains one of the most pivotal, and popular, War at UMSL by immersing yourself in the Civil War topics in American history. through learning in the field!

Sectional clashes and identity politics shaped the struggle in the “Show Me State” and Fridays 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. consequently provide a unique lens to view the nation’s most costly military and political dispute “Literature of the American Civil War” is a seminar class at both the state and national level. Fee: $250.00 investigating the literature focusing on the American Civil War. Selected readings include: Killer Angels, The Red To register visit: Badge of Courage, Enemy Women, Cleburne: a Graphic http://pcscatalog.umsl.edu/modules/shop/ Novel and Celia, a Slave. Fee: $250.00

Literature of the American Civil War

Included in the cost of each class will be five For course Information: Call 314-516-5655. field trips to significant Civil War sites.

University of Missouri – St. Louis One University Blvd. • St. Louis, MO 63121 • www.umsl.edu/~pcs

For Roeckle, who played with and was coached by Schneider, their relationship has been altered by Schneider’s transition to a coach.

“It’s nice having a former teammate as one of your coaches because you can really connect with him,” said Roeckle. “I know he has been in my exact same spot before, so if I have any question there’s a good chance he has the answer to it.”

A thin white line painted in Hermann Stadium has changed everything for Schneider. He is now adjusting to his new life as a

coach running toward his future as many of the players he played with won’t be there next season. Schneider is very excited at his present position and his future.

“I am very happy here at Saint Louis University,” said Schneider. “St. Louis is my home, I love the city. My family and all my friends are here. So being young at 23, you know, five years of being an assistant you have to pay your dues, but if there ever is a change, I know that soccer will always play a part in my life at some level and so will coaching.”

Remembering a legend Rick Majerus Feb. 17, 1948- Dec. 1, 2012 517-216 record (.705 win percentage) Averaged 21 wins per season Coached for 25 seasons Coached at Marquette, Ball State and Utah Coached at SLU for five seasons 95-67 record at SLU Led Billikens to 2012 NCAA tournament Win over Memphis was first for school since 1998

&

UNews

Opinions Editorials

December 5, 2013 opinion@unewsonline.com Ryan McKinley, Opinion Editor

Editorials are opinion pieces written by the Editorial Board of The University News. The editorials printed in this space represent the opinion of The University News.

Commentaries and Letters to the Editor represent the opinions of the signed authors but do not necessarily represent the opinions of The University News.

Letters to the editor

The University News reserves the right not to publish any letters that are deemed intentionally and/ or inappropriately inflammatory, more than the 300word limit or unsigned by the original author. The following are letters and/or website comments. Because the identities of website posters cannot be verified, all website comments should be treated as anonymous.

Actual letters to the editor may be submitted online at unewsonline.com or e-mailed to opinion@unewsonline.com. Please include your cell phone number.

Cheating at SLU: Endemic or not?

As we all come to the most dreaded week in each semester- finals week- some people may feel the need to begin skirting the rules and treat academic integrity with a little less respect. However, rather than keep the subject in the shadows where it seems to thrive, it’s time to give the idea of cheating some consideration.

Cheating is a serious offense in the academic world, but other than the beginning of class, the subject is rarely discussed. As many students know, cheating is not always so easy to discern. This lack of conversation can allow the proliferation of cheating on this campus.

Cheating, for the student, comes in many forms. Whether it be copying a friend’s homework assignment, creating a cheat sheet to inconspicuously use during a test or even be so bold to take the answer sheet for a midterm or final. Students treat these various offenses with different levels of severity. So too does the university, where it is only the high profile cases that receive extensive administration attention, whereas the rest are handled by the professor.

The prevalence of cheating on SLU’s campus that one sees depends on which school or department they are in. One editorial board member hardly notices cheating, as his classes are small and the major

grades consist of essays. Other members of the editorial board find cheating to be much more prevalent.

Editorial board members spoke to the prevalence of cheating in their respective and varied majors. Often, they also spoke to the lenient or seemingly non-existent punishments handed down by professors.

While one would expect the punishment to be severe for crimes that cut into the very fabric of a university’s mission, there are certain restraints a university has when a large amount of students are involved in a scandal. As an example, when Harvard University 125 students were indicted in a cheating scandal, cases had to be reviewed on an individual basis, taking considerable time and effort.

SLU may be understandably lenient when many students are involved. However, the university’s leniency goes further than that. It’s commonplace to hear stories of students who have cheated or have plagiarized and were given but a slap on the wrist and told not to do it again.

Even worse are stories of students not getting caught and continuing to damage the community they claim to be a part of.

The problem of cheating also may be exacerbated within close-knit student communities and organizations.

One explanation for this leniency is due

to the decentralization of enforcement in these cases. Instances of cheating or plagiarizing are usually dealt with by the professor of the class. The professor doesn’t have authority to do more than give the student a zero for the assignment or class.

The student then goes through a hearing process to determine further university sanctions, where offenses are divided into Class A and Class B violations.

Another explanation may be the university’s desire to maintain appearances of integrity. While Class B violations may result in dismissal from the university, SLU also has motivation to ensure it maintains high graduation rates.

However, it is also important that the university maintains its commitment to hold all of its students accountable to academic honesty. SLU’s Academic Integrity Policy is printed on every syllabus and students implicitly agree to follow it by enrolling at SLU. While SLU may want to protect its image by not expelling students, letting students cheat their way through school creates an image problem within the university. Not only does it frustrate students doing it the ‘right way,’ but it also damages the very foundation of the university community, built around an idea of “integrity and mutual trust,” as stated in SLU’s academic honesty policy.

UNews Holiday Wishlist This will be the last edition of the University News before the winter holidays. Over the Thanksgiving break, all of us on the UNews editorial board had the opportunity to reflect on what they wanted over the holidays.

Rather than have them compile a “theme” paper to be written and presented to class, the way Ralphie had to do in the popular movie, “The Christmas Story,” the editor compiling the other editorial board members only had them write a sentence or two.

While unfortunately no one asked for an official Red Ryder, Carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle, the answers we did receive are almost as fun.

Cassie Boehm, one of the editorial board’s copy editors, was simple in her request for the holidays. She said she wanted a job, oh, and peace on earth.

Jessica Winter, the associate news editor, wants snow to fall on what we assume to be her quaint little town in Iowa on Christmas day.

Alex Kozich is graduating at the end of the semester and this will be his last week with the UNews. Alex, because he deserves it, asked for a bounty: he wants a career, for the Browns to get a new QB and to completely revamp the Cleveland Cavalier’s franchise, excluding Kyrie Irving. Alex says he can stay.

Bri Radici, our fearless leader, wishes for our Saint Louis Billikens to win the NCAA championship for men and women’s

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basketball.

Tony Traina is still waiting on that Hogwarts letter. He is adamant that a logistical error occurred when he was 11 and they still haven’t corrected the problem.

Ryan Glover, the associate sports editor, is asking for a new set of irons. We all assume he means golf clubs.

Ryan McKinley, the opinion editor, only wishes to go on an adventure and perhaps to see the fabled caves of Aglarond or to hike in Fangorn Forest with the Ents. Europe would be cool too.

Annalise Wilcox, the other copy editor, asks that the Packers win the Super Bowl, however unlikely that will be.

Molly Rippinger, the arts editor, wants a puppy, and not just any kind of puppy, a Weimaraner puppy, with those deep blue eyes that you can stare into for days.

John Schuler, the photo editor, just wants Netflix. He also asked for a beepers comeback because he feels the 90s are awesome.

Allegra Merriweather, the design editor, wants the Sims 3 complete pack and/or a really big iTunes card, preferably the size of a giant check.

Kendra Cruse, the associate news editor, asks for “swants.” It’s that thing where you turn a sweater into pants with mad sewing skills and she wants it.

Wolf Howard, news editor, wants a pony.

-Diana Oleskevich MPH SLU alum

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Quotes

of the week

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Molly Rippinger, UNews Arts Editor, Page 5

We’ve had a tough stretch, we’ve played a lot of basketball and had a lot of travel in the last 13 days.

Jim Crews, Men’s Basketball Coach, Page 7

The University does not prevent students from protesting... but it says there is a time, place and manner that you can do that.

Diana Foster, Student Development Coordinator, Page 3

THE UNIVERSITY NEWS 2013-14 EDITORIAL BOARD editor-in-chief Brianna Radici eic@unewsonline.com

sports editor ALEX KOZICH sports@unewsonline.com

online editor christopher webb webmaster@unewsonline.com

managing Editor TONY TRAINA managing@unewsonline.com

Assoc. sports editor RYAN GLOVER sports@unewsonline.com

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR JOHN SCHULER photos@unewsonline.com

News Editor WOLF HOWARD news@unewsonline.com

Arts editor MOLLY RIPPINGER arts@unewsonline.com

copy editor CASSIE BOEHM copy@unewsonline.com

Assoc. News editor JESSICA WINTER news@unewsonline.com

assoc. arts editor KENDRA CRUSE arts@unewsonline.com

copy editor ANNALISE WILCOX copy@unewsonline.com

OPINION EDITOR RYAN MCKINLEY opinion@unewsonline.com

design director ALLEGRA MERRIWEATHER design@unewsonline.com

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Now is the perfect time to experience a little bit of history while getting into the holiday spirit.

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Bri Kagy/Chief Illustrator

I found a disconnect between Jesuit/Gospel values taught at SLU and recent action by SGA’s student discipline committee against students at the career fair. The four students are, in my opinion, to be commended for their courage in coming before their peers, calling for transparency from a major “power” corporation. It is a good thing when what is “held in the darkness, comes to light”. While Citibank might offer jobs to some, and their mission statement may even sound nice, they are funding major destruction to both land and people. Listen to the voices of students inviting us to more deeply live Justice! Don’t follow the money, follow our values!

General manager NICK STEINAUER gm@unewsonline.com advisors laura thomson advisor@unewsonline.com

the editorial board of the university news recognizes avis meyer, ph.d. as the newspaper’s faculty mentor.

“Freedom of the press—print, online and broadcast—is a basic right in a democratic society and is valuable in promoting the development of students as socially responsible persons ... The University News is a student voice, not the student voice. The views of The University News are the expressions of the students involved ... If [The University News] can represent a point of view around which discussion may develop, it serves a legitimate and needed purpose.”

- From The University News’ Charter

The University News is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, the Student Press Law Center, the College Media Advisers and the Missouri College Media Association, a division of the Missouri Press Association.

First copy, free.

Each additional copy, $1.00.

OPINION & EDITORIALS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

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to continue with the Medical Scholars Program feel they were misled as incoming freshman is simply unacceptable.

This acceptance rate is barring exceptional students who would have otherwise attended SLU medical school.

Everything about that program opened up the door for me to attend SLU: the early admission, not having to stress intensely on the MCAT and the high acceptance rate.

While the Medical Scholars Program is still attractive to prospective students, the program may not have convinced me to attend an expensive private university for four years and then an even more expensive medical school for four more years.

When public medical schools are over $20,000 a year cheaper than SLU Medical School and just as respected, SLU must find ways to lure the best students into its Medical School.

The University has done a terrific job of that by creating the Medical Scholars Program for incoming freshman.

However, the University must be more forthright towards new students of the realities of the program.

WikiCommons

Now hiring: anything but liberal arts ticle: “The predominant vimajors, everyone knows that sion of the university has folSpark Notes, the History lowed a model of economic Channel and the O’Reilly determination. That’s deeply Factor are all anyone ever troubling. We need to focus needs to read or to watch to on what we think is valuable know everything there is to to the university, and in ways know about your discipline. that change our model in But don’t worry, all you terms of resource allocation.” liberal arts I-just-enjoyCasey: of course everyreading-I’m-in-it-for-thething the university does is sake-of-learning-academicbased on economic gain, this lettered elitists, colleges is America! Never mind that and universities across the the founding fathers were facountry are finally starting to miliar with John Locke and muster up the courage to get Adam Smith, two great porid of these budget-sucking litical thinkers and writers, liberal arts departments and everyone replace them knows that with somethe signthing much ers of the more finanWe want right anConstitucially benswers and positive tion created eficial: adthese United ministrative affirmations, laws States to be red-tape and not theories and the shining a marketable nothing that will beacon of lexicon (try make our heads economic Executive progress to Office of the hurt. the world.

Secretary for Seriously, the Assistant college stuVice Presidents, by dent of Secnow it should be obvious ondary Academic Affairs). that measurable success is Take the University of the only worthwhile type of Montana, for example. Acsuccess. We want right ancording to the Missoulian swers and positive affirmanewspaper in an article from tions, laws not theories and Nov.14, administrators apnothing that will make our proved approximately $3 heads hurt. million in cuts at the univerAlexis de Tocqueville sity, mostly towards its libputs it beautifully in Deeral arts departments. Talk mocracy in America when about money well spent. he comments that American Of course, these sorts of principles are “to accept traaudacious administrative dition only as a means of insteps always meet criticism, as it did at Montana. As Engformation, and existing facts lish professor Casey Charles only as a lesson to be used whined in the Missoulian arin doing otherwise and do-

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“You know, we don’t need a lot more anthropologists in the state . . . we don’t need t h e m here. I want to spend our doll a r s giving people science, t e c h Paul Brunkhorst n o l o g y, e n g i neering, math degrees. That’s what our kids need to focus all their time and attention on.

Those type of degrees. So when they get out of school, they can get a job.”

--Florida Governor Rick Scott “How many Ph.D.s in philosophy do I need to subsidize?”

--North Carolina Governor Patrick McCrory As SLU gears up for finals, the beginning of the end of another semester, consider this question: what’s the point of college?

Come on, it’s easy. To get a job of course! All that mumbo jumbo about learning, truth seeking, critical thinking or becoming a better human being by understanding history and culture—it’s all just a marketing tool that colleges use to try and sell you on paying their tuition; it’s a product-advancing scheme that exemplifies the beauty of free market competition in higher education.

Oh come on, English, history and political science

ing better; to seek the reason of things for oneself, and in oneself alone; to tend to results without being bound to means, and to strike through the form to the substance.”

Alexis de Tocqueville knew the American dream better than the country’s founders! America is about innovation; critical thinking and reading are so last anypoint-in-human-history.

Another bastion of the new American college ideal is Minnesota State University-Moorhead. According to an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “officials at Minnesota State UniversityMoorhead notified chairs of 18 of its 31 departments that they could face significant cutbacks in fields such as philosophy, mass communications, history, political science, theater arts and English.”

The movement is catching on! As SLU liberal arts students fret about their upcoming exams on Shakespeare, Beowulf, the politics of Asia and the history of colonialism in Latin America, to name a few, they should take comfort in the fact that the perplexing and enduring questions that these exams present will soon not need to be thought about as the new wave of college mentality (degrees only for economically productive jobs) swells across the nation.

If you’ve read the article this far, please put the paper down, sit back, relax and play Candy Crush. You don’t want your head to hurt.

Latour would argue that There is this scene in Lars such dichotomous, dialecvon Trier’s “Melancholia” tical modes of thinking are where the lead character part of what got us so far (played into this mess to begin with. b y By separating what happens Kirstin in a presumed social realm Dunst) - the actions of politicians, looks the rhetoric of priests, the o n discourse of culture - from calmly, what happens in a scientific almost realm of “objective fact,” we medihave blinded ourselves to tatively, Roberta Singer the incredible amount of inas the tersections between the two, world the multitude of hybrids like comes to an end. Electricity genetically engineered crops crackles from her fingertips that are easily profligate simas the atmospheres of two ply because they have flown planets begin to collide. She under the radar of analysis at just watches it happen, stares the time of their inception. almost expectantly at what is He compares that to prethe inevitability of her fate. modern cultures, whose Since humans have been worldviews are far more adtelling stories they’ve been ept at maktelling the ing sense of story of the impact their own The question behuman acend, and so tion might it seems so comes now how have on easy to eswe process that, something chew the how we continue like the warnings of health of an climate scito come with inecosystem entists that novative and just because they would seem solutions. never saw it to anticipate as separate another type from human of apocaculture to lypse, this begin with. one brought Indeed, as Latour notes, “the on by our own actions. very notion of culture is an We don’t, possibly won’t, artifact created by bracketfully recognize what it is that ing Nature off.” It would be we’re facing, but we’re pretty more helpful to think of the much at a point where, for world terms of networks and even the most skeptical, it’s webs of interaction than to impossible to pretend it isn’t try to come to terms with it happening. The Earth of the via philosophies that try to near future looks greatly extricate us from the very different, and far less hospinature that we perceive to be table. plotting against us.

The question becomes Maybe a shift in philosonow how we process that, phy doesn’t ease the pain of a how we continue to come pending species death, but it up with innovative and just does help put it into context. solutions to problems maniFor me, at least, that context fested by global warming is invaluable, especially couwhile simultaneously learnpled with an understanding ing to see our species in of both geologic and cosmic the context of geologic and time scales that allow one to cosmologic time and accept view the existence of Homo the fact of our own eventual sapiens, and life overall, as deaths. scenes in a great cosmologiRoy Scranton wrote cal drama that began with about this recently for the a few particles and will end New York Times in an arwith who knows what, eons ticle called “Learning How from now.None of this medto Die in the Anthropocene.” itation should mean throwA veteran of the Iraq war, ing our hands up in the face he was used to meditating of destruction; when diagdaily on the possibility of nosed with terminal illness, dying, using the words and most don’t actively try to exphilosophies humans have acerbate their condition. cultivated for centuries as Regardless of circumsomething of a guidebook stance, what you do in the for this undertaking. Remoment does matte - this turning to the U.S. only to means continuing to make confront the mass destrucour cities greener, save spetion of storms like Katrina cies and pass legislation and Sandy, he realized that regulating emissions to give we must extend this meditaaide to developing countries tion much farther. which often bear the brunt of He writes, “Many thinkthe destruction brought on ers...have argued that studyby climate ing phichange, and, losophy is in general, learning how None of this to continue to die… This meditation means to struggle, is precisely throwing our this time the problem p e r h a ps of the Anhands up in the more ferothropocene. face of destrucciously, with The rub is tion. those agethat now we old queshave to learn tions of what how to die it means to not as indilive a just and moral life. viduals, but as a civilization.”

For inspiration, and as an Unfortunately, if philosoantidote to morbidity, I still phy is supposed to come to look to the awesomeness of our aide, our current one is human cultures, the crazy ill-suited. We have a difficult annals of history and literatime even seeing the inteture, because the existence grated systems that would of these can offer some ilallow a world where somelumination on the ultimate thing like human action question that Scranton reccould drastically change the ognizes, which is what it nature of nature, much less means to be human when postulating how to think of it all might be coming to an our own demise in any kind end. I find comfort in the of context. absurdity of Borges and CaHeralding from a tradimus, in these other humans tion of Cartesian dualism, that have gone before me where humans and objects and been just as perplexed, are thought to operate in and have committed their completely separate spheres cosmic confusion in elegant and there is such a thing as words to the pages of the a society-in-here that is encanon so that perhaps, like tirely distinct from worldTrier’s character, I can be — out-there, it’s hard to see the not resigned necessarily, but intersections between naunderstanding of — the end ture and culture. of the world (as we know it).

Anthropologist Bruno

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perclassmen were making plied sophomore year they their college decision. would be accepted into SLU The admission rate of Medical School the followSLU students enrolled in the ing summer.

Medical Scholars Program This didn’t happen to one into SLU’s Medical School of the Juniors I spoke to. His four years ago was over 90 GPA is near a 4.0, he is acpercent. I remember the figtive in the SLU community ure being 98 percent when I through a number of student was looking at colleges. organizations and is a very That figure, just four personable and dedicated to years later, is nowhere near his classes and other responas high: now at 58% for those sibilities. who fulfilled all their reYet, when he applied into quirements and made it to SLU Medical School he was the interview process. deferred for I’ve had a later indiscussions terview, and with a few while he still This acceptance junior stuhas a chance rate is barring exdents in to apply the Mediceptional students again next cal Scholars year, he will who would have Program likely choose otherwise attendabout adto forgo that ed SLU medical mission into option and SLU Mediattend a difschool. cal School. ferent, and All of much cheapthem talked er, medical about their school. perception of the Medical When I was in high Scholars Program coming school, I initially became to SLU being vastly differinterested in SLU because ent than the current realof its Medical Scholars Proity. They spoke about how gram and how much it cathe Medical Scholars Protered to students in the program was a security blanket gram. I have since changed amidst so much uncertainty tracks, but I can point to a in college. If they earned specific program that made high grades and were active me interested in SLU. in the university, they felt

The fact that fellow assured that when they apclassmates who have chosen

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For many Saint Louis University students taking the Pre-Med track, SLU was such an attractive university because of its Medical Scholars Program.

Ryan McKinley The Medical Scholars Program, according to the SLU website, “is an exclusive opportunity for freshman applicants who plan to eventually attend medical school. Students who are accepted into this highly selective program are placed on an early application track to Saint Louis University School of Medicine.”

Another benefit of the Medical Scholars Program is that students in the program who are accepted into SLU’s Medical School do not have to stress over the fabled MCAT, a standardized test that is crucial to the admission process of any medical school in America.

There is one aspect, however, of the Medical Scholars Program that is no longer mentioned on the website, but was four years ago, the time that many current up-

The End of the World We Know

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Current Med Scholars are misled

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013

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This fall, first year students are participating in twenty-five First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs). A FIG is a small group of students taking two to three courses together and living together in a residential Learning Community. Course sizes within the FIGs range from small with only FIG students enrolled, to larger courses that involve other students. A residential learning community houses a group of students on one or more floors of a residence hall with an academic unit tie (e.g. health sciences, honors, business) or a common interest (e.g. arts, diversity and unity).

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