Ex-dean comes home after making bail IN-DEPTH COVERAGE Timeline A detailed chain of events Pg. 4 Man on the street Students react to the Chang scandal Pg. 6 Flames of the Torch Editorial staff weighs in Pg. 6 Online coverage Visit our website to read the original news story and vote in next week’s poll torchonline.com TORCH PHOTOS/BRIAN LOPEZ
Cecilia Chang’s house in Jamaica Estates. Chang returned home from Rikers Island jail yesterday.
SARA CAHILL MARRON News Editor Cecilia Chang, the former dean of St. John’s Institute for Asian Studies is no longer at Rikers Island after posting $1 million bail yesterday morning, according to the Queens District Attorney office. The full bail package was approved Fridday by Judge James P. Griffin of the State Supreme Court. Chang’s attorney Ronald Rubinstein, a criminal attorney in Manhattan, offered a glimpse into her defense during a tele phone interview with the TORCH. “Any money she spent was spent on behalf of St. John’s, there was no embez zlement. She raised millions of dollars for
the University for over 30 years,” Rubin stein said. “We’re talking about a woman that invested her life’s effort on behalf of St. John’s and we’re hoping to show that this case is just bookkeeping mistakes.” According to Rubenstein, her overseas expenses were for the benefit of the Uni versity, confirming that she travelled over seas multiple times to raise money for St. John’s. “They knew about it, authorized it, and endorsed it. I’d like someone to show me where she spent the money that she got improperly,” he said. Joseph Oliva, general counsel for the Office of the President and the acting at torney for St. John’s said the University is fully cooperating with law enforcement regarding the investigation but had no further com-
WHAT’S INSIDE News......................1-5 Comics....................18 Opinion..................6-9 Entertainment....19-23 Features.............10-12 Sports.................24-28
ment at this time. Kevin Ryan, spokesperson for Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, con firmed that the reason Chang waited two weeks in jail before posting her bail was because of investigation being conducted by the FBI. “Just this morning she has decided not wait to see what is going to happen with the federal investigation. She posted bail, she is released,” Ryan said. “We are in the pre-trial stages, but she is out of jail.” Reached by phone late Tuesday after noon, Chang repeated several times that fundraising is different in China and Tai wan. At her home in Jamaica Estates later that evening, Chang sat outside on the stoop with her son, Steven. While pac ing up and down the stone stairway, she refused to comment for legal reasons and
MUSIC
Songbook of Emotion Inferno reviews R&B crooner, Trey Songz, latest album, PASSION, PAIN, AND PLEASURE in Hit or Miss ENTER RTAINMENT Pg. 16
asked to not be quoted from the previous phone interview. A “For Rent” sign was posted on the property where Chang is required to wear an ankle-bracelet that electronically moni tors her movements and restricts her to the five boroughs, Nassau, and Suffolk coun ties, according to Ryan. If she leaves these designated areas, an alarm will be set off by the ankle-bracelet that will immediately notify the police. Ryan also said she was required to sur render her passports. Chang has dual-cit izenship in Taiwan and the United States. “She made numerous trips overseas,” he said. “We just felt it was necessary in order to ensure that she didn’t flee the country.” continued on Pg. 3
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Directory
Managing Board LXXXVIII
JUSTIN THRIFT, Editor-in-Chief NELL O’CONNOR, Managing Editor MARK MCDONALD, General Manager SARA CAHILL MARRON BILL SAN ANTONIO
MICHAEL MONTIJO
News Editor
Sports Editor
Art Director
CAROLYN WARGULA
KRISTEN FARMER
SARAH LANE
Features Editor
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Chief Copy Editor
ADELLE PLATON
BRIAN LOPEZ
ELIZABETH MILLER
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Entertainment Surf’s Up CBS’ newest TV series Hawaii Five-O revives the original with a modern twist.
Inferno Pg. 21
Features Gay-Marriage March 7th Annual Wedding March took place to support samesex marriage in New York state.
Features Pg. 12
Women’s Soccer Strange Times The Women’s Soccer team is 1-2 in conference play
NEWS
Sports Pg. 25
OPINION PG. 7
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The TORCH
29 Sept. 2010
LATINO HERITAGE
FOR MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS: 718-990-6756 The TORCH is the official student newspaper of St. John’s University. The Torch is written, edited, designed and produced by students of the University. All contents are the sole responsibility of the editors and the editorial board and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of St. John’s University unless specifically stated.
To contact The TORCH by mail: The TORCH, St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439
The TORCH is typically published on Wednesdays, approximately 20 issues throughout the academic year. Circulation per issue is 3,500 copies distributed free on campus. This copy of The Torch is worth $ .75.
TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ
The new fountain in front of Lourdes Hall is completed and operational. The stairway is expected to be finished by October.
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NY Times readership program decreases on campus NATASHA VELEZ Staff Writer Circulation of the NewYork Times has dropped substantially on campus compared to recent years. This drop reflects the financial setback of various academic departments and Student Government Inc., who fund the NY Times Readership Program. S.G.I has been collaborating with representatives from the New York Times since funds have been cut, and are working on other alternatives for the next academic year if the University is financially unable to fund the program. Copies of the New York Times can be found at various Kiosks around campus, in the D’Angelo Center and in Marillac. Some students say they rely heavily on the free issue of the New York Times to complete homework assignments, and keep up to date with current events. Senior Shanice Duckett reads the New York Times daily. “Many of my professors stress the importance of reading it daily,” she said. “I use the New York Times app. on my iPhone and it’s convenient, but I still prefer the print version.” USA Today and the New York Times created the Collegiate Readership Program. Their mission statement on USA Today’s website is “to enhance the learning environment on campus by exposing students to the news in their living, working and community spaces.”
One of their main goals in implementing this program is “to provide students with access to newspapers, share them with their peers, and create a community of awareness,” according to the USA Today’s website. St. John’s is not the only university suffering from lack of funding for the College Readership Program. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University eliminated the program all together in 2009, according to articles from their school’s websites. Nick Hirshon, a reporter for the Daily News and adjunct professor at St. John’s does not think the program is a waste of money. “Sure, students have access to news on their Blackberries and iPhones, but are they actually reading it? Students who might never read the Times, or any news at all, may pick up a copy if they pass the stacks in Marillac,” he said. Hirshorn utilizes the readership program on a regular basis. “When I was a student here, I remember grabbing copies before my 7:35 classes on Tuesdays/ Thursdays,” he said. “On days when I came to campus around 9, all the copies were gone. It was that popular.” Senior Lee Champagne accesses the New York Times from the internet, but prefers the free issue of the paper. “I’m old fashioned and traditional, I like the print copy,” he said. “Students can still read the Times online of course, but
TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ
The New York Times is decreasing in availability on campus this year. it’s not the same.” Hirshon spoke about the value of having newspapers accessible to all students. “I think many students who otherwise might never read newspapers picked up the Times to fill in a few minutes before or after a class,” he said. “Even during that limited time, they probably picked up a lot of knowledge. For some, it might be the only time during the day that they read, hear or watch news.” Senior Megan McEntee said
the lack of issues on campus has not affected her because she uses the online version of the newspaper to keep up with the news for her classes. “My professors frequently refer to articles in the New York Times during class lectures,” she said. Sophomore Julian Marin uses the free paper on campus to stay up to date. “I read the newspaper everyday to stay informed of current events, the free issue is useful,” she said.
Hirshorn stressed the importance newspapers have on news consumption. “It turns the casual news consumer into a more active one,” he said. “Maybe they grow hungrier for news and start purchasing other newspapers or watching CNN, and that continues after they graduate. “That’s a very happy thought for educators and journalists, especially at a time when newspapers are fighting for their lives,” he said.
TERENCE CULLEN
Contributing Writer
torchonline.com
The two politicians state that the current government in Albany must be restored to order and steps must be taken to fix the infamous budget problems that plagued the state this summer. The candidates have sprung into a heated competition on whose plan will be most effective at bettering the state. Junior Anthony Barracca feels that when it comes down to the wire, people are willing to break from the typical politician. “Everyone’s sick of it,” Barracca said, referring to the general feeling toward the condition of politics today. Barracca said he may ultimately be swayed by the fresh image of the older Paladino. He did not completely rule out Cuomo’s promise to become a strong leader in Albany. “The safer bet would be experience, but I think people are willing to take a chance,” he said. The gubernatorial election takes place on Nov. 4. Current governor David Patterson withdrew from campaigning on Feb. 26 of this year, in a public press conference, to focus on the immediate matters concerning the state.
The TORCH
developing low income housing for those in need. He went on to become secretary of the Department for Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration, according to his campaign website. As attorney general, Cuomo’s campaign seeks to highlight his pursuit to prosecute political and corporate corruption within New York. According to a poll released by Quinnipiac University on Sept. 22, Cuomo is leading the race 49% to 43%. Cuomo has received several major endorsements in the last few weeks, including that of New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. “Andrew Cuomo is the kind of effective leader to clean up the state government and put our state back on track,” the Mayor said to Businessweek. Paladino has already been criticized for sending out racist and sexist e-mails. The e-mails were first posted this spring by WNYmedia.net, a blog site, and later investigated by news outlets such as the New York Daily News. Both Cuomo and Paladino list similar platforms on their campaign websites.
29 Sept. 2010
As Election Day draws near, St. John’s students are trying to determine which candidate running for Governor is right for them. Many are asking whether to vote for the candidate with a rich political background or the underdog. The state’s incumbent attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, is running uncontested in the Democrat spot on the ballot. His opponent, Carl Paladino, has already taken most of America by surprise when he defeated ‘top pick’ Rick Lazio in the Republican primaries on September 14. Lazio has since been backed by the Conservative Party until his decision to dropout earlier this week. Many are considering this to be one of the most important elections in the state’s history. Sophomore Jessica Cambiero does not feel New York necessarily needs a fresh start. Cambiero said she planned on voting but had not selected a candidate yet. When introduced to each politician’s
platform, she said she would side with a candidate like Cuomo. “I would go with the experience,” she said, “because then we at least know our governor has some idea of what they’re doing.” Bayside native Michael Guzowski disagrees and feels that Paladino is the safer choice.” People are tired of voting for the same politicians who are going to do the same exact things in Albany,” he said. “I’m not poor, but by no means am I rich. That’s who he is campaigning for, the people caught in the middle.” Paladino is campaigning with the support of the Tea Party. According to Jack Cunningham, a member of the organization’s chapter in Morristown, New Jersey, the Tea Party is a grass roots “party that does not label itself a party.” Paladino’s “I’m Mad As Hell!” campaign is intended to express the concerns of the Tea Party. Paladino’s intent to take office is based upon lowering taxes on the middle class and a smaller government. Andrew Cuomo, son of former New York governor Mario Cuomo, has been involved in politics since the early 1980’s when he became involved in
NEWS
Gubernatorial elections pit Paladino against Cuomo
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Chang returns to estate in Queens continued from page 1 Chang was arrested Sept. 15 for allegedly embezzling more than $1 million from St. John’s. She faces a 205-count indictment that includes first-degree grand larceny, seconddegree forgery, and first-degree falsification of business records, according to the District Attorney’s office. Chang’s next appearance in court is set for Nov. 3. Rubenstein said that Chang’s release will allow her to participate in reviewing the documents involved in the case. “It’s important to have her out of jail because the documents are luminous,” he said. “We need her to go through the documents with us. She’s not going to do it alone, but she is the best person to point out things to prove she’s innocent.” St. John’s is holding 60 boxes containing credit card statements and billings to be used as evidence of wrong doing, according to Rubinstein. “She made a presentation to them when the problem came up, that she thought was satisfactory. Months later, she winds up getting arrested,” he said. “I don’t know if they’ve treated
her fairly, she was terminated after being an employee for 30 years.” Dominic Scianna, vice president of media relations, refused to comment on Chang’s release from jail. He indicated her actions against the University were addressed in a statement released previously by media relations. “If these allegations are true, Ms. Chang’s actions are a complete betrayal of what our University stands for,” the statement said. Although Judge James P. Griffin of the State Supreme Court in Queens set bail at her arraignment, Chang declined to post the bail at that time. Rubinstein said he advised his client to wait until more was known about the federal investigation before she posted bail at the state level. Posting bail at the federal level is cheaper than at the state level because there is no premium from using a bail bondsman. “We didn’t make bail in the federal court,” Rubinstein said. “The premium on the state bail was $60,000.” According to Rubinstein, the money used to post bail was not Chang’s. “The money came from people who believe in her,” he said.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS Jan. 6 Chang is suspended from her position as Dean at the Institute of Asian Studies March Authorities are contacted after an internal audit conducted by the school found that evidence of fraudulent activity committed by Chang. June Chang is fired from the University Sept. 15 Chang is arrested at her home in Jamaica Estates. She is charged with embezzlement , grand larceny, forgery, and first-degree falsification of business records. Sept. 28 Chang posts bail at $1 million. Both of her passports are seized and she is ordered by the court to wear a tracking-bracelet around her ankle, but she is allowed to return back to her home in Queens. Nov. 3 Chang’s next scheduled appearance in court.
Media-monitoring panel a success
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The TORCH
29 Sept. 2010
NEWS
SARA CAHILL MARRON News Editor A panel discussion on women in the media held last Monday night filled every seat in the D’Angelo Ballroom. Four panelists commented on the most recent findings of the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) that focused on women’s representation in the media. The Division of Mass Communication and World Association for Christian Communication (WACC), a nongovernmental organization, co-sponsored the event. The St. John’s Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists provided refreshments for those who attended. The GMMP took place on Nov. 10 last year. Groups from 130 countries monitored the news from major media outlets based on density and diversity. Internet news
was monitored in 25 countries. Sophomore Nicole Stanley attended in order to get extra credit for her class. She took notes on the information presented during the two hour discussion. “I thought the information was interesting and inspiring,” Stanley said. “It made me want to be a journalist even more to help change the face of women in the media.” Marilyn Greenwald, Sarah Macharia, Heidi Evans, June Nicholson discussed the results of the report in front of a large crowd of students and professors. Greenwald is a professor at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, Macharia is a staffer at WACC, Evans is a reporter for the NY Daily News, and Nicholson is professor and director in the School of Mass Communication at Virginia Commonwealth University. Macharia presented the statistic that 24% of people interviewed, heard, seen, or read about in mainstream broadcast
and print news are female. Stanley also noticed and pointed out that there were more females than males in attendance. “I looked around the room, and most of the people sitting near me were female. That was interesting to me. Maybe this generation of students will bring a new face to these statistics,” she said. According to the report, one-fifth of top editors are female. Marilyn Greenwald spoke about the way that these women are presented. Specifically, that thee “talking-heads” on television news programs are often chosen for their physical appeal. Greenwald pointed out that physical attributes often affect ratings on television newscasts. The figures presented were news to some students. “I had no idea things were this unequal,” Stanley said. “This has really opened my eyes.”
Religious diversity grows on campus LIAM LA GUERRE Staff Writer St. John’s maintains its status as a tolerant institution in part by supporting various religious organizations. As a well known Catholic, St. John’s extends its acceptance to a variety of students regardless of their religious affiliations. Katie Finn assists with Campus Ministry and called St. John’s a “friendly place” because of the acceptance of other religions. “I think that people come to St. John’s because it is such a welcoming place. You will be welcomed no matter what religion you believe in,” she said. The diversity level of the school has risen steadily over the years. According to The St. John’s University Fact Book, in 1999 Roman Catholics Students made up 55% of the population compared to 47% in 2009. In 2009, The Princeton review ranked St. John’s 17 out of 368 colleges in the diversity category. This diversity has allowed for acceptance of individuality,
and that has created an area where various religions can thrive simultaneously on campus. More than ten student organizations based on religion are listed on the University’s website, half of which are not related to Catholicism or Christianity. Organizations like the Jewish Student Association (JSA) and the Muslim Student Association (MSA) educate students about their beliefs and provide a community for members and believers. Muslim Student Association President Amina Sanders extended the welcome to students of all religious backgrounds. “We cater to Muslims, but at the same time, we encourage anyone to come to our events,” she said. Recent MSA events have featured a fast-A-thon, group prayers, lectures, and a movie screening about Muslim children in America. Noffy Arabov, Secretary of the Jewish Student Association, encouraged all students to seek membership. “We encourage Jews to sign up, of course, but all are welcome to experience our religion” said Arabov. The Jewish Student Association plans
to host more events this year that include sports, dinners, speakers and parties this year. These groups welcome anyone interested in learning their culture and beliefs much like the Catholic community encourages students to join them at various events and weekly mass at St. Thomas Moore Church. According to the university’s website, “Catholics comprise about 51% of the population, with the remainder representing all the major Protestant religions, Jewish, Russian and Greek Orthodox, Hindu, Islam, Buddhist and Mormon, as of fall 2004.” Sanders and Arabov agreed that their organizations have been able to function well despite being in a Catholic university. “We want everybody from all religions to come,” Sanders said. “A lot of our events are about teaching non-Muslims.” “St. John’s University has been really supportive,” Sanders said. “They are not basis or impartial, they have taken care of us. It’s a testament to how much they respect religion as a whole, and are respectful of our religious needs.”
TORCH
BRIEFS Compiled by Nell O’Connor and Sara Cahill Marron
Taffner memorial service A funeral service was held for Eleanor Taffner this past Saturday at St. Thomas More Church. Taffner passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 15 in New York City. She and her husband, Donald Taffner, had been generous benefactors and supporters of the University, resulting in the renaming of the Athletic Fieldhouse in 2005. They were frequent staples at Red Storm men’s and women’s basketball games at Madison Square Garden. Father Harrington presided over the Mass, which was attended by family, friends, and members of the University community. Both of the basketball teams, as well as the volleyball team, all of whom use the Taffner Fieldhouse for practice, were present. After the Mass, a memorial service was held in the facility. Student athletes Da’Shena Stevens and Paris Horne remembered meetings with the Taffners and seeing their appreciation of the players. Women’s ead oach Kim Barnes Arico and volleyball coach Joann Persico also participated in celebrating Mrs. Taffner’s life. Eleanor Taffner is survived by her husband, Donald, her children and grandchildren.
Immunization Forms Immunization and Meningitis Forms for new students are required by New York State Law. The forms must be submitted to Student Health Services by Oct. 1. Students should make a copy of all completed documentation before submitting it to Student Health Services. Once health records are submitted to the office, students requiring a copy must provide written authorization and a $5 fee payable to St. John’s University for each copy requested. Students must allow adequate time for their request to be processed.
Iron Chef Runner-up Chef Jehangir Mehta, The Next Iron Chef Runner-Up will be featured at the Academic Internship Fair on Thursday. Mehta graduate from the Culinary Institute of America and owns the restaurant Graffiti in the East Village. He plans to open a new eatery called Mehtaphor in Tribeca. The seminar takes place at noon in the Taffner Field House in conjunction with the internship fair.
Internship Fair The Annual Academic Internship Fair will take place this Thursday in the Taffner Field house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to all students and will feature representatives from over 100 organizations in various careers fields. The first fifty students to arrive will receive a complimentary Metrocard or iTunes gift card. Can’t get enough TORCH news? Visit our Web site for online exclusives. torchonline.com
Latino Heritage month celebrates empowerment RAMIRO FUNEZ Staff Writer The 2010 Latin Heritage Month Committee held its annual Latino Heritage Dinner on Thursday to celebrate the different cultures of Latin America and recognize the hard-work of the organizations involved in hosting the events. The dinner was held in the D’ Angelo Center Ballroom where traditional Latin American food was served. The celebration dinner also featured introductory prayers, a key-note speaker, live performances, and music. The dinner was part of a long line of events emphasizing the theme of this year’s Latino Heritage Month; “Celebrating History and Empowering Communities”. Nashia Whittenburg, associate director of multicultural affairs, felt that the dinner was an excellent demonstration of Latino pride and that it successfully celebrated the contributions of multicultural organizations on campus. “I loved the great turnout of the dinner and I think it was excellent that our students came out to the event dressed professionally,” Whittenburg said. “Latino Heritage Month is always one of the most passionate time periods that involves students who participate in multicultural events, and it seems like this year will be no exception” she added. Members of most Latino fraternities and sororities, the Latin American Students
Organization (L.A.S.O.), and Los Unidos Dance Group assisted in facilitating and coordinating the dinner. One member of Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority, Inc. and two members of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. were presented with awards for outstanding student leadership. Maggie Bach, coordinator of Leadership Development and service, was also awarded for her involvement in planning Latino Heritage Month events. Former soccer star Angela Hucles, the key-note speaker of the event, spoke about areas of her life as a professional soccer player in the United States. She emphasized the importance of work ethic and of taking pride of one’s accomplishments. “The key to success as a person striving to achieve their goals is working hard, having fun, believing in yourself, and maintaining balance in your life,” Hucles said. Hucles has won two Olympic gold medals and participated in two World Cup Championships with the United States Women’s National Soccer Team. She was also a player for the Boston Breakers, a professional women’s soccer team in the Women’s United Soccer Association. “Always find the strength within your community and your surroundings and use it to your advantage,” she said. Student leaders who assisted in organizing the Latino Heritage Dinner and other Latino Heritage Month events felt that the event was a success because of the significant amount of people who attended that
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TORCH PHOTO/KRISTEN FARMER
Latino Heritage is commemorated through a month of special events. were not just Latino. “I was very excited that many people of different cultures came out to the event because it perfectly symbolizes the beauty of a large multicultural presence here at St. John’s,” said Vanessa Lopez, president of L.A.S.O., Lopez said that the main goal of this year’s Latino Heritage Dinner was to attract students outside of the Latino culture in order to cultivate a sense of unity. “The best part of it all is that since my freshman year on campus, Latino Heritage evolved from being a week to
becoming a month and is also beginning to incorporate all cultures,” she said. Preparations for Italian Heritage Month, Black History Month, and other multicultural celebrations are already in the works. Whittenburg, who will be directing most of these events, offers a proactive stance on improving future Latino Heritage Month celebrations. “For next year’s Latino Heritage Month celebrations, I want to see more students actively involved and more educational programs being presented,” Whittenburg said.
“If you haven’t already involved yourself in these celebrations, come out and support,” she added. “If you have already involved yourself, continue the excellent work,” she added. Latino Heritage Month will continue to feature a few more movie nights, karaoke events, and luncheons. Towards the middle of October academic and political events like the “Arizona Immigration Law Debate” and “Hugo Chavez and Left-Winged Politics” will conclude the month of celebrations.
MTA increases fares and reduces its service ANTHONY O’REILLY
Staff Writer
Sophomore Jonathon Guzman thinks college students particularly are having a hard time coming up with cash for Metrocards. “Just about every college student has financial troubles,” Guzman thinks the MTA should give students like him a hand instead of elementary school students who are “more likely to get a ride from their parents.” Junior Evana Achibar disagreed. “It’s up to you to pay the fare. The city shouldn’t have to put up
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during this time period. The report describes that this increase in revenue is necessary to “reduce the NYC subsidy used to cover the costs associated with MTA Bus operations.” The MTA cites in its budget plan that “With most people’s wages not increasing in this economy, it is important to limit the financial burden to our customers.” Fare hikes are at the center of the controversy of the new budget plan. Many people are angry at the thought of paying even more money to ride transit.
29 Sept. 2010 The TORCH
TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ
Metrocard fares cause students stress when communting to school.
NEWS
MTA budget cuts have made it difficult for students that use the train system to commute to and from school. The MTA cut several lines on local trains and buses in order to close an $800 million gap in its 2010 budget, according to the MTA’s website. MTA says the budget cuts are necessary to help keep the transit system operational, but students are experiencing a decrease in the quality of service as a result. Sophomore Bianca Silva is a commuter student who takes the train to St. John’s everyday for classes. “The trains I take are intentionally coming later than they used to because of these budget cuts,” Silva said. According to the MTA 2011 Preliminary Budget and July Financial Play 2011-2014 report, a 7.5 percent increase in MTA consolidated fare box and toll revenue will take place on Jan.1, 2011. MTA’s plans include cutting over 900 administrative jobs, reduced overtime, cuts made in areas with least customer impact, and eliminating over 2,000 operating jobs. The plan details an expected rise in consolidated fare and toll revenues from $413 million in 2011 to $441 million in 2014. Additionally, the increase in fare rates will increase bus revenue by $13 million
for you,” she said. Lines such as the W and V train are no longer running and others are experiencing limited service. The frequency of trains has also been cut down; extending the time a rider has to wait at the platform. Thousands of New Yorkers that rely on the MTA to get to work or to socialize with friends have been affected by these cuts. Achaibar has noticed that the buses have more people than usual on them now. “There’s been fewer buses coming by and now more people are trying to fit on which makes it really uncomfortable,” she said. Guzman voiced similar problems on the bus as well as a 7 train that takes longer than usual to get to his station. Although St. John’s University has increased its on and off campus housing to allow students out-of-state to attend, a high percentage of students still commute. Sophomore Andre Mozeak has experienced difficulty balancing his class schedule with other activities on campus because of the trip he makes from his home to school. “They reduced bus service closest to my house, which makes coming back home anytime after eight a real pain,” Mozeak said. “I can’t stay too long at debate team or some other activities unless I can get a ride home.” Guzman also worries about his long commute back home after classes. “I try to get home as soon as possible after classes are done,” he said.
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Editorial Board LXXXVIII
Illustrator’s Corner:
JUSTIN THRIFT Editor-in-Chief NELL O’CONNOR Managing Editor SARA CAHILL MARRON News Editor
FLAMES OF THE TORCH
The TORCH
29 Sept. 2010
OPINION
Poor communication Two weeks ago, the University was shocked by the news that a former St. John’s dean was being charged with over 200 counts of criminal embezzlement. Here at the Torch, it disturbed us all that such a gross sum of University money had been stolen from one of its own, and that it took years for the administration to catch on. That Wednesday, the story was featured on the New York Times homepage, as well as covered by all the major New York papers. We also ran a breaking news story on our website. It was unfortunate that the biggest public news story out of St. John’s since the arrival of Steve Lavin last spring was of such a negative nature; we knew that this news was not only going to tarnish the school’s reputation, but cause hours of stress for those at St. John’s who work in public relations. This week, the biggest surprise for us here at the Torch was the overwhelming amount of St. John’s students we talked to that still had no clue who Cecilia Chang even was. Even after two weeks, these students had managed to conceal themselves from what was one of the biggest stories they may witness during their time as students; it shocked us that a story of this magnitude hadn’t yet registered with them. As we began compiling student quotes and harvesting reactions from around the St. John’s community, many students continually looked at our reporters with confused faces. Still, we found it almost impossible to believe that students could be this ignorant to
current events, especially events that involved an institution they pay thousands of dollars to. In one respect, this may reveal a job well done by the University, who have undoubtedly done all they can to both support the investigation of Ms. Chang and simultaneously keep it as low profile as possible. However, for students to remain uninformed on a story of this magnitude for this long demonstrates a general disregard for current events and an obliviousness that we feel is both disconcerting and troubling. Furthermore, it provokes the issue of communication at St.John’s by illuminating just how disconnected this community can be at times. While this issue proves that there are many students here who don’t properly inform themselves and seldom tap into sources of local news, it also reveals that the communication from the administration to the student body can be highly selective. The student body would have benefited from a direct administrative address of the Cecelia Chang investigation; if nothing else, it would have ensured that more students were made aware of the issue at hand. Understandably, this probably was not a topic that the University was rushing to share with its students; but there is a responsibility for strong communication, in good times and in bad. It is unfortunate that this news did not reach more students than it did, and while this is not necessarily the administration’s fault we feel it raises a lesson for the future.
STUDENTSPARKS: Dean arrested How do you feel about the arrest of Cecilia Chang?
It’s really suprising for someone who was here for so long.
She had a son here, I was surprised, it’s a shame she contributed to the budget cuts.
Lenora Fores Roso Freshman
Cecilia Manoz Freshman
I heard she had a huge house, she didn’t need to steal the money.
I feel like we should get our money back, they just keep taking our money, I am angry and not ok with it. Matt Heinsohn Sophomore
EDITORIAL POLICY Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of The TORCH. Columns are the opinions of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of The TORCH. Opin-
ions expressed in editorials, columns, letters or cartoons are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty or administrations of St. John’s University.
TO CONTRIBUTE torchonline.com
TORCH ILLUSTRATION/JENNIFER PEREZ
Mail letters to: The TORCH Letters, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Pkwy, Jamaica, NY 11439 E-mail letters to: torcheditorials@gmail.com
Please include your full name, year, and college (or department). Letters have a limit of 350 words and may be edited for content, grammar, or space. Unverifiable or anonymous letters will not be published. All letters are subject to the approval of the Editorial Board of The TORCH.
Dana Patrick Freshman
COMPILED BY THOMAS CARNEVALE
Calling all journalism students
7
Why getting involved in the TORCH is the best thing you can do
I’ve got to get something off my chest—some of the journalism students here at St. John’s really disappoint me. Not all of them, of course. Even though I’m an English major, many of my peers from the TORCH are either in the journalism department or have graduated from it, and I respect them as much as anyone. But there are also a vast number of aspiring journalists here that for whatever reason refuse to get involved in the TORCH. I know this because only five current editors and a handful of staff writers are actually journalism students. The rest of the TORCH staff comes from other departments around the University. The effects that this abysmal participation of St. John’s journalism students has had on the school’s student newspaper have not been good, and over the past three years I have seen it firsthand. As a news organization, we are significantly limited in what we can accomplish compared to some other college papers where the journalism departments are filled with students eager to work on their school’s paper. This is the case at many schools around the nation, such
as at Syracuse University, where the impressive Daily Orange is sustained by an active journalism department. Still every year, regardless of the hard work that goes on here at the TORCH, the number of journalism students getting involved is shockingly low, and it leads to the paper being perennially understaffed. It’s often a popular topic of discussion around the office as most editors and our staff advisor struggle to understand why so few St. John’s journalism students commit themselves to one of the biggest assets on campus for advancing their careers. Some theorize that internship opportunities around the city preoccupy students and get in the way of joining the TORCH. To me, this doesn’t add up. Internships rarely consume more than three days a week, and almost every editor I’ve ever worked with on the TORCH, including myself, has managed to balance an internship and a position on the TORCH simultaneously. To make matters worse most students aren’t able to intern until their junior year anyways. I’ve even heard of multiple journalism professors that offer extra credit to students who report a few times during the semester for the TORCH; still, nothing really ever comes of it. It’s one of the great mysteries of our time. But the TORCH’S small staff is just an example of a larger issue at St. John’s.We all complain about things around campus, but at the end of the day it comes down to how willing we are to get involved
and make something happen that counts. No matter how good or bad we think our resources are, or regardless of what we think of the school spirit level around St. John’s, we are the students who can make or break the organizations and image of this University.
“
We have a hand in our own student experience, for better or worse.
we need the journalism department to inspire students to get involved, to encourage them that the TORCH is their paper to work for. Emphasis in journalism classes should be placed on getting involved and being proactive in helping to transform a paper that has already evolved tremendously in recent years. Since its founding in 1922, the TORCH has existed as an independent entity of the University. This is the reason that University censorship of the paper does not occur, and the reason why we have an outside advisor, not a faculty one. This independent nature allows for the TORCH to report fairly and expose injustice, however, in order for this to function, students are needed. There is no safety net, no gaurauntee that the paper will continue to operate unless students get involved to maintain the work that needs to be done. To be fair, the responsibility also falls upon us at the TORCH, as our work and interactions around campus must aim to reach out to students, not alienate them. To all the journalism students here at St. John’s, I urge you to get involved in the work we do here at the TORCH. I’m calling on you to take interest in our paper, for the sake of your career, but also for the sake of the St. John’s community.
”
We have a hand in our own student experience, for better or worse. Many students here routinely shrug off campus events and organizations like the TORCH, but they fail to recognize the difference their participation may actually have. They are the first to ridicule and belittle in place of taking action. A college newspaper is always going to be defined by the willingness and participation level of the students at that school—this is why many institutions have student newspapers that can offer their communities daily publications; their journalism students care about the school paper. It is my hope that things can be changed in years to come. At St. John’s,
Justin Thrift is a senior English major who is looking for more students to get involved. He can be reached at: torcheic@gmail.com
Letters to the Editor To the Editor:
Jeffrey Gilbert Senior
torchonline.com
A few weeks ago, I was finally personally violated by somebody at St. John’s University. I wake up every morning, look in the mirror and expect to see me staring back. “How you doing handsome?” I say. “Great! And thanks for ask-
personal little billboard. I will not spread the gospel of St. John’s for you. I was violated, my free speech was violated when you took off what I was expressing on my shirt, and the integrity of the school is violated every time you pull some stunt like that. I’m sure STJ owns the image somehow, and since every photo on the trip was taken by students with personal cameras who were later asked to contribute photos for an information session about the trip, there is absolutely no way that I was posing for STJ or to be a poster boy for STJ. Therefore, I want compensation. That’s money, St. John’s! (Oh, sorry, I said that last part too loud – can’t just go around yelling “money” on campus, you might wake up Father Harrington). This image was changed in a direct intent to make me advertise your business, and last I checked people get paid for that. I am up on your website and people are presuming that, if they come to this school and go on this trip, they will be so happy that they will want to go out and buy STJ apparel and wear it around. And then, presumably, look like a complete tool in it.
The TORCH
To the Editor:
TORCH ILLUSTRATION/JAMES KERIGAN
29 Sept. 2010
Daniel Bresee Sophomore
OPINION
I was recently discussing college basketball with my father who was a Wooden era UCLA alumnus. I always wondered what it would be like to attend a school whose basketball program was as good as its academic program. I wanted for St. John’s to once again be one of those schools. That is why I was so tremendously thrilled to hear during the off-season last school year that Steve Lavin was pronounced the new head coach. Like Lou Carnesecca and Joe Lapchick were, Coach Lavin will be the new face of St. John’s and I believe that it will be the fresh new look our historic basketball program and university needs. With Lavin’s successes in gaining top national recruits in a matter of months of formally taking his position and drawing coaching staff from the likes of Rico Hines and Mike Dunlap, it would be almost impossible to say that Lavin is not going to be one of the most competitive coaches in the Big East this season. Our basketball team has a tremendously tough road ahead of them but they also have the support of the university and New York City community behind them. St. John’s has been waiting a long time for this fortune and I can honestly say that if there is one great decision that St. John’s has made to begin the decade, it was choosing Steve Lavin as their 19th head basketball coach.
ing – you’re so courteous!”, I say back. “You’re welcome”. I don’t expect me to be anywhere else. But there I was – on St. John’s Central and stjohns. edu, standing in the Galapagos, a smile on my face, pointing to the camera like a giant tool and proudly wearing an orange St. John’s t-shirt. Except I don’t own an orange St. John’s shirt. And St. John’s doesn’t make any shirt that looks like that. And, man, I was skinnier two years ago. What happened? I had been inappropriately touched by a St. John’s employee, and I did not like it one bit. Yes, somebody in marketing or Global Studies was sorting through pictures of various student trips to the Galapagos, laughed when they saw me - giant tool pointing towards the camera circa 1977 Arthur Fonzarelli – and decided it would be funny to mess with this picture. In which I am totally looking like a tool. The day the photo was taken I was proudly wearing a shirt of a school my brother played soccer for – Clayton State University near Atlanta, Georgia (say it with me - go Lakers!). Apparently, St. John’s and Clayton State have some sort of massive feud – you guys know, you go to all the soccer and basketball games; we play Division II programs from suburban Atlanta all the time! So instead of picking any other photo where you couldn’t see the logo or one where I wasn’t looking like a complete tool, some employee decided they would Photoshop off what I was wearing and replace it with the STJ logo, obviously hastily removed from the top left hand corner of stjohns.edu. This was totally and completely unnecessary, and I am not remotely pleased. I am downright angry. Sure, maybe the marketing budget was used up by those bus ads for seeing our basketball teams play (maybe we’ll crack the top 12 in the Big East this year!), or the hold message bragging about how we are in the 2010 list of top 47,361 colleges (probably at spot 47,361), but this doesn’t give you the right to use me as an advertisement for you. I’m not here to do that. I am not your
8
3D not all it’s hyped up to be The fruits of student voting in the midterm elections
torchonline.com
The TORCH
29 Sept. 2010
OPINION
ANTHONY O’REILLY Staff Writer The midterm elections are just around the corner and it seems that America may once again be heading for change in its political infrastructure. Just two years ago Democrats enjoyed a sweeping landslide across the country by winning seats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Of course the biggest win of the 2008 elections for Democrats was the election of Barack Obama, our country’s first African American President. The Democrats came in promising change: change in our political system, change in the economy, and change in how the middle class workers were treated. It’s now 2010 and very little has changed. We are still in the midst of one of the worst economic crises in history, unemployment is in the double digits, and America is angry. Although Obama has been able to pass landmark bills such as Healthcare and Wall Street Reform it hasn’t done much to help his popularity. In fact the right has succeeded in making some people believe that these bills will harm the country instead of better it. An entire movement has now sprung in outrage to President Obama and the Democrats: the Tea Party. The Tea Party has now taken over the news cycle. Protests over spending in Washington, the size of government, and even the legitimacy of Obama’s place of birth have sprung up all over the country. Their voice was first thought of as a joke but with the recent nominations of Christine O’Donnell and Carl Paladino it seems that the Tea Party is as legitimate as anything else we have in our political system. If you look at a typical Tea Party rally though you’ll see that there is one thing missing: young Americans. The Tea Party is mostly made up of middle aged people. You rarely see a college student or somebody in their 20’s calling for reform in Washington. That’s not to say that there are none but perhaps there are not enough for the media to focus on. Not only that but the young voters that were such an essential part of Obama’s victory in 2008 have all but disappeared. The last presidential election saw the biggest turnout of first-time voters in history and now they are nowhere to be seen. The voices of tomorrow have been overshadowed by the voices of yesteryear. Everything that Washington does impacts everyone in this country. But as college students we will be the ones feeling the longterm effects of each and every law passed through Congress. There are laws such as the College Loan Bill and the Dream Act that affect us right now. Politicians can fight for these bills but it’s also up to those who will be most affected by it the most to get out there, spread the word, and have Washington know how we feel about it. We can’t be innocent bystanders in a game that will one day determine how we live. We have to be the ones who set the future of this country the way we want it to be. The majority of college students are eligible to vote. If we stand on the sidelines and let other people vote in politicians we don’t like or who don’t represent our ideals then we have no right to complain when things don’t go our way. Voting is not enough though. There needs to be an effort to inform the public of what’s going on. The College Democrats and College Republicans on campus are a great way to get involved in politics at a young age. Politicians are always looking for students to help with their campaign. No matter what it is you’re good at you can get out there and help. America is at a crossroads. Where it goes next is dependent on the next generation of leaders but for today we must pressure our politicians to do the right thing for the country’s longterm benefits. Right now life seems easy but when we’re out there in the work force we’ll pay the price. Tea Party or liberal democrat go out there and let America hear your voice. Can’t get enough TORCH editorials? Visit our Web site for online exclusives. torchonline.com
Everywhere you look lately, the hype around 3D technology is easy to find. From film, television, and video games all the way down to Crest 3D White Toothpaste (formerly vivid white), people can’t seem to get enough of this buzzword. However, while the word may be everywhere, the technology is not. The only place that 3D technology is consistently visible is the movie theatre. Since the release of James Cameron’s Avatar, Hollywood has been pumping out 3D and pseudo-3D movies to cash in on the hype. Sure, there have been some pretty good 3D movies, but I don’t think that the technology deserves the credit. The difference between a good movie and a bad movie does not come down to gimmicks. Now that the movie screen has been supposedly conquered by 3D technology, attention has turned towards the small screen. 3D television is solid, if not spectacular. Objects don’t appear as if they are popping out of the screen, but the screen looks incredibly deep, as if you could reach right in. The added depth, in particular, enhances sports programming. Seeing a quarterback rocket a pass across the field looks much more realistic than regular television can achieve. In the end, though, the glasses required to watch 3D television are its downfall. A 3D television generally comes with two pairs of glasses, and additional pairs usually cost 40-60 dollars. The glasses are usually battery-powered and require charging, and it is almost impossible to watch the TV without them. Overall, 3D television seems to be too much of a hassle to be worth the expense.
There is one application where 3D technology has received incredible praise: gaming. Of course, this does not apply to gaming on a computer or television screen (which has garnered its share of criticism), but on a handheld device. Nintendo’s upcoming glasses-free 3DS, the predecessor to the company’s incredibly successful DS line, has received positive reviews from almost all who have had the chance to experience the device. While I’m not a person to resist technological change, the 3D shift seems to be coming too soon for me. The bottom line is that until I don’t need glasses to watch a 3D television, I don’t want one. I am very intrigued by the 3DS, but the rest of the 3D world just seems boring, inconvenient, and overpriced. I like to watch TV while I work on homework, clean, or do any other number of boring tasks. Adding glasses into the mix just makes it tougher for me to accomplish anything while the TV is on. When I’m sick and want to pass the time by watching SportsCenter, I don’t want those glasses getting in the way. 3D technology has the potential to change the way we consume, create, and enjoy media. Digital art could become more immersive with the use of 3D displays, and gaming and television could get a needed jumpstart. In the end, though, 3D technology is too expensive, too cumbersome, and too awkward to replace the current standards with any ease. This whole push for 3D acceptance is reminiscent of Pioneer’s attempts to integrate Laserdisc technology into the home. Eventually, DVD’s and optical media became the standard when the public was ready for them. While 3D technology may be ready for the public, the public is not ready to wear glasses just to catch their favorite sitcom.
Mark McDonald is a junior business major. He can be reached at: torchads@gmail.com
Latino heritage month serves to celebrate culture RAMIRO FUNEZ Staff Writer As we near the beginning of the fall season, events throughout universities around the country celebrating Latino Heritage Month become commonly popularized. Flyers for movie nights, cultural celebrations, food fundraisers, athletic events and performances become increasingly common. There are even some events featuring distinguished speakers from various prominent fields. However, it has come to my attention that there aren’t as many events about Latino history or politics as there should be. And if there are events of this nature, they usually aren’t as popular as a party or dinner would be. Growing up in a country that rarely offers Latino history classes at young ages, many college students of Latin American descent find themselves unaware of their nation’s history and are often oblivious to the events occurring within their prospective homelands. As an involved college student who is primarily concerned with the progression of Latino education, this issue has captured my attention as a problem that must be addressed. According to CNN’s news special entitled Latino in America, the number of Latinos living in the United States who are fully aware of their country’s history and politics is declining, despite the growing number of Latino immigrants coming into the country. The news spe-
cial also says that many young Latinos living in the United States are more familiar with the historical and political structures of this country, instead of their original homeland. While I do believe that it is important to be aware of the history and politics of the United States, I feel that the declining rates of Latinos learning about their own history and culture demonstrate a waning rate of passion for progression in Latin America. This is a significant problem because if Latino students who attend college in the United States never learn about the history or political structures of their homelands (often in disrepair), they won’t have the drive or passion to use the magnificent resources available in this country to help their people back home. Typically, the individuals of Latin American descent who help empower communities within their impoverished countries study and attend college in the United States. If the population of Latino students in the United States isn’t accustomed to learning about their history, then they can never make a better path for the future of their country. Currently, there are several events at St. John’s that will be held during Latino Heritage Month like “Christopher Columbus, Hero or Murderer” and “Arizona Immigration Law Debate” that serve to discuss historical and political issues that concern Latin America. However, I believe that more events like these should be held in order to fos-
TORCH ILLUSTRATION/MIKE MONTIJO
ter and cultivate a strong appreciation of Latino history and politics so that people who attend these events can be influenced to make a difference in their community. As Latinos, we should take the time to learn about our roots so we can educate
ourselves to eventually uplift our communities. If not, we run the risk of completely forgetting about our roots and not solving the political and historical issues concerning the countries of Latin America.
10
Think Outside...
Features
3
Section
Promoting healthy living and stress reduction on campus CAROLYN WARGULA Features Editor
torchonline.com
The TORCH
29 Sept. 2010
FEATURES
In a survey conducted by the American College Health Association in 2006, over 43% of students felt so depressed it was difficult for them to function at least once throughout the year. While 47% of students admitted to drinking and 38% chose smoking to reduce stress, St. John’s is promoting healthy ways for students to cope with the new challenges and stresses of college life. Dealing with stress associated to academics, time management, and family or relationship concerns, Student Wellness hopes to help students cope with these stresses. “When you come to college, you have multiple responsibilities,” said Dr. Kathryn Hutchinson, executive director of Student Wellness. “Often in college you’re still managing all the family issues. So just because you go to college doesn’t mean the family stressors go away – they continue.” Time management is the most significant issue students are faced with upon entering college. Students must adjust from their highly structured high school schedule to fit their new lifestyle with classes ranging from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at night. Also, numerous students do not use their off-time effectively be tween classes in order to succeed academically. “Time management is a huge issue for many folks throughout their lifespan, but this is probably one of the first times it really challenges people,” said Dr. Hutchinson. While students must find their own
solutions to manage their time effectively, St. John’s offers numerous activities to help students through workshops, tutoring and events sponsored b y Stressbusters. The Stressbusters offers programs such as Wellness Wednesdays, Time Out Tuesdays, and Java Johnnie’s every Friday night as a resource to prevent mental illness and unhealthy behaviors among students. Through these activities, student program leaders come up with ideas to help students stay healthy and wellrounded throughout the year. Marilena Minucci, the assistant director of Wellness Education needs students to understand that they must find their own way to mange stress caused by academics and time management. “We have to engage students in many ways because what works for one might not work for the other. Ultimately it’s going to benefit their health, improve their grades, and make them feel more in touch with all their resources they have available to them,” said Minucci. Any St. John’s student can become involved in Stressbusters by applying to the program. St. John’s also offers Wellness Peer Educators to be a role model and facilitate workshops and residents on mental health, substance abuse, eating disorders, and developing healthy relationships with one another. “It’s all about making you healthy as a whole person and that will overall reduce your stress,” said Minucci. The school also offers the Center for Counseling and Consultation located in Marillac Hall for students who need to talk to a professional about their issues. The center is free and confidential for students. Their health and counseling records
are not in their academic files allowing the information to stay specifically in the center. Also, it offers referrals to specialists in the local area for students who wish to see a qualified councilor off campus. Not only does the center help the individual, but hopes to educate students about mental health. “Sometimes students may not be having the problem but their roommate, boyfriend or girlfriend is and now they have significant stress because they don’t know what to do,” said Dr. Hutchinson. “We’re called Counseling and Consultation because we consult all the time with faculty and students concerned with their own life or someone else’s so they have appropriate information.” The website for the Counseling and Consultation center offers free screening tests for depression, bipolar disorder and other illnesses to help students understand the many disorders and symptoms.
Although the statistics from the American College Health Association do not exactly look bright, Dr. Hutchinson is confident that they show how comfortable students feel to discuss their problems with others. “I’m hopeful that part of what we’re seeing is that students over the last 10 years are much more willing to talk about things,” said Dr. Hutc hinson. “There is a stigma but some of it is lifting and that’s a very good thing.” With the Counseling and Consultation Center as well as the numerous programs offered through Student Wellness, Dr. Hutchinson is confident that they will reach their goal and help students evade a crisis during critical times. “It is out there, people are aware of it,” said Dr. Hutchinson. “We need to get the message out to college students that there is help available and you are not alone.”
STRESS Reduction Do’s of Studying: • Choose a quiet place to study • Learn to manage your time wisely • Take breaks • Recognize your limitations
Dont’s of Studying: • • • •
Don’t skip classes Don’t rely on cramming Don’t procrastinate Don’t hesitate to seek help
Hearing loss rises among college students PRINCY ABRAHAM Contributing Writer
Whether students are walking to class, driving to work, or attempting to do homework, they are usually blasting noise into their ears. If students are regularly venting to friends on their cell phones, blocking out noises with their iPods, or watching videos on Youtube they are also probably not allowing enough time for their ears to rest. This type of constant noise exposure can cause permanent hearing loss and irreversible damage to the ears. As a result of upgrades to batteries and music storage, today’s technology permits the youth to listen for longer periods of time. Consumers can listen to music for hours and choose between thousands upon thousands of songs, movies or books on their phones or mp3 players. Pauline Tummino, the director of Student Health Services at St. John’s, explains that students on campus have not come in reporting issues concerning their hearing. However, she does find the common behaviors students practice every day hazardous to their health. “Using cell phones, going to concerts, or using iPods could be unhealthy or dangerous,” said Tummino. Brian Fligor, an audiologist at Chil-
dren’s Hospital in Boston, claims that today’s youth listen to twice the amount of noise compared to prior generations. Fligor conducted another study among 200 New York college students and found more than half of the students listened to music at 85 decibels or louder – an equivalent to the noise of a lawn mower. Cell phones and mp3 players are only a few of the culprits to young adults concerning hearing loss. Movie theatres, concerts, amusement parks and even restaurants are turning the notch up on the volume of their venues, only adding to the problem. Not only has noise exposure become an environmental hazard but an issue of public health as well. According to the 2007 article “A Little Bit Louder, Please” published by Newsweek, over 28 million Americans have some form of hearing loss varying from mild to severe. This number is expected to rise dramatically to 78 million by 2030. “Many students don’t even think about hearing loss when they listen to music for long periods of time or are talking on cell phones for an extended time,” said Tummino. “Students don’t realize these actions may cause damage to the cochlea that has hair nerve cells and helps transmit sound impulses to the brain.” Tummino urges students to seek guid-
TORCH PHOTO/ BRIAN LOPEZ
Over 28 million Americans suffer from mild to severe hearing loss. ance from an appropriate health care provider such as their physician or an audiologist who can test and evaluate their hearing if they have any concerns. To avoid problems of hearing loss students must take minor steps towards prevention. Use noise-canceling headphones to eliminate background noise and throw
away ear buds that intensify sound signals. Limit time on cell phones to short conversations and take advantage of texting and emailing. From lowering the volume in the car, mp3 and phones, to staying away from the speakers or only staying for a limited time at noisy events, students should be proactive towards protecting their health.
Event list for an outstanding October
11
Plan some fun with this handy guide compiled by staff writer, Mary Jurado, and features editor, Carolyn Wargula.
Sunday
Mon. Tues.
Wednesday
Thursday 1
Bone Marrow Registry Drive will take place on campus from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the D’Angelo Center. It only takes 2 minutes to fill out the paperwork and cheek swab to save a life.
$ = 5 dollars and under $$ = 10 dollars and under $$$ = 15 dollars and under
3
Free!
4
5
6 Museums Now that most of us have Wednesdays off, we can beat the weekend mess at museums and get to enjoy the exhibits and not fight the crowds. - The Met - Museum of the City of NY Cost: $
Enjoy the first full fall month. Take a stroll through Central Park. Cost: $
10 Relax/Free 11
12
13
Food
7
14
18
19
20 Explore/Free 21
Free!
15
25
26
27
Shop
Oh no! Halloween in 4 days away and you still don't have a costume? Don't cut holes in your sheets yet! Hit Salvation’s Army and enjoy the half off price day. The perfect costume is a mere five dollars away! Cost: $-$$
28 Join the library’s “Reading Memoirs” book discussion group. This month they will read ‘This Boy’s Life’ by Tobias Wolf at 4:30 p.m. in D’Angelo Center Room 301. Registration is required.
2
Shop
Take the F train to Delancy, walk down Essex 3 blocks and enjoy the Flea Market at Hester Street. Cheap, delicious food paired with thrifty shopping = a good time. Cost: $...whatever you spend on food
9
Beach
Cling on to summer for just one more day and hit the beach. Take the LIRR from Jamaica station to Babylon, switch at Babylon to the Montauk bound train. Get off at Patchogue and take the Ferry to the Fire Island beach. Cost: $$$
Adventure 16Rides, Ocean Air, Hotdogs...Coney Island. Experience the re-done Coney Island. Relive your childhood memories of cotton candy, impossible to win games, and the general ambiance of a fair. Cost: $$/$$$
22
Music
23
Study the hipsters in their Play Grocery Bingo and natural habitat and see the win themed groceries wonders of New York such as breakfast foods gentrification. For $15 or cleaning supplies at dollars you can hear 3 the D’Angelo Center bands at the Music Hall of Coffee House from Williamsburg 2:00-4:00 p.m. Earn 4 Johnny Flynn, Everything MVP points. Everything, Chapel Club Cost: $$$
29
30
Film
There is no better way to kick off Halloween then a midnight 9 dollar showing of the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show. Head to the Chelsea Clearview Cinemas at 23rd St. and 8th Avenue. Cost: $$
29 Sept. 2010
Get to the bottom of Manhattan, explore Battery Park, then hop on the free Staten Island Ferry. It's just one of those things you have to do. Since you're in the area, may as well walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. Cost: $
Listen
Saturday
FEATURES
Make your way to 112th St. at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Whatever your religious persuasion, you can appreciate the sheer enormity of the place. Plus, the Seinfeld Restaurant is right there! Cost: $
24
8
Dr. Gail Steketee from Boston University will Hit the Nuyorican (Ave C explain the bad affects and E 3rd St.) at 10 p.m. Friday nights for a poetry of hoarding and slam. Basically, it's poetry intervene with students. Event is from karaoke. Saul Williams got his start here. It's a part of 9:30-1:00 p.m. at the NYC's beatnik history. D’Angelo Hall Room Cost: $$ A&B
Take the F or the E to West To celebrate Latin 4th. Walk to West 10th, and Heritage Month, a search for Jack's Coffee. political debate Honestly, some of the best concerning the intent of coffee in the city. Walk Hugo Chavez will take down the street and then place at Donovan enjoy your coffee and 1 Community Room dollar cookie and the great from 4:00-5:30 p.m. celebrity sighting turf. Cost: $
Spend the day at the Socrates Sculpture Garden in Long Island City. Take your study materials, a few snack, and bada-bing, you have a productive and lovely afternoon. Cost: $
17
Friday
31Halloween The TORCH
torchonline.com
So many things to do, Maybe you feel like hitting the Greenwich Village Parade? Maybe you feel like heading to Sleepy Hollow? Both are just a train ride away. There is no way NOT to find something to do!
Marching for marriage equality in New York ASHLEY LANNING Contributing Writer
1,500 people gathered in lower Manhattan on Sunday to march for the legalization of gay marriage in New York. The 7th Annual Wedding March, whose purpose is to find support for the marriage equality cause between local and state law makers, was organized by Marriage Equality New York, or MENY. Rob Zacchi, MENY’s founder and executive director, believes that marriage equality will be a pivotal step in gaining full equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender citizens. “Without marriage, committed samesex couples are denied over 1,138 federal rights and obligations including social security, hospital visitation, co-parenting rights, estate tax, and immigration, just to name a few,” said Zacchi. Zacchi founded MENY in 1998 in order to form a coalition committed to helping all people enter into a legally recognized gender neutral civil marriage. “Our mission is to educate the public by raising awareness. Through education, the media, community partnerships, and political advocacy, we hope to gain marriage equality for all citizens in New York State,” Zacchi stated. Rob Lassegue, the executive board secretary for MENY and the program director of the New York City and Long Island branches, said that the march “was able to bring this issue to light with the news media, our community businesses, and supporters.” “We were able to inform the community of the marriage issue. Marriage is a civil right that should not be denied to anyone,” said Lassegue. The Wedding March began with a rally downtown in Foley Square.
Speakers included Jerrold Nadler, a US Congress Representative, Leticia James, a New York City Council Member, and Christine Quinn, the New York City Council Speaker. Over a thousand marchers began their walk across the two-mile long Brooklyn Bridge around noon carrying signs and shouting about their cause. “What do we want? Marriage Equality! When do we want it? Now!” After the march, supporters filtered off the bridge into Brooklyn’s Cadman Plaza. There they enjoyed a festival hosted by Blake Hayes, radio personality of 95.5 WPLJ-FM, Appolonia Cruz, a Puerto Rican Drag Show Diva from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and Tyra Allure-Ross, a top design model and recording artist. The festival included informational exhibitions from community partners and performances by LGBT supportive artists. The two dozen community partners included the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center and the Campaign to End AIDS. The LGBT Community Center, located in Manhattan on West 13th Street, is the second largest LGBT Center in the world. They pride themselves on providing groundbreaking social service, public policy, educational and cultural/recreational programs. The Campaign to End AIDS told the marchers about their current study involving young men and a new vaccine that may help stop the spread of HIV and AIDS. Performers that entertained the marchers in Cadman Plaza included the cast of “My Big Gay Italian Wedding,” a current off-Broadway play, Jenn Newman, a solo vocalist and LGBT advocate, and Justin Utley, a gay singer and recording artist. While 1,500 people were gathered in New York City supporting MENY’s cause, there were also marchers who held
smaller events in Rochester and Buffalo. About 300 people in Rochester and 150 people in Buffalo rallied to show local law makers their belief in marriage equality. Even though the wedding march was a success, Zacchi knows that his fight is not over. MENY is still holding monthly meetings at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center in Manhattan, and they are still looking for
supporters. “Our next big event will be Marriage Equality Day, where we’ll be heading straight to Albany to show the state government that this is a pressing issue that needs to be fixed immediately,” said Lassegue. People can get involved by attending MENY meetings or visiting the website at www.meny.us
TORCH PHOTO/ BRIAN LOPEZ
The Wedding March educates the public on same-sex marriage.
Kitaro
TORCHCOMICS Jennifer Perez
1-800 ARMSTRACO
Pam’s World
Jonathan Roman
Michelle Alerte
The Adventures of rufus James Kerigan
29 September 2010
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PHOTO COURTESY OF DEARJOHN-MOVIE.COM
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Pg.
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Inferno reviews their latest album Business Casual
29 Sept. 2010
Dresses Up For The Occasion
ENTERTAINMENT
Chromeo
Emma Stone Makes The Grade
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NEWEST TEEN COMEDY LEAVES VIEWERS WITH ANYTHING BUT A BAD REPUTATION VANESSA VILSAINT Contributing Writer EASY A -
OUT OF 4 STARS
In what is easily one of the funniest films this year, Easy A depicts high school social standards in a comedic way that makes the grade. Leading lady Emma Stone (as also seen in Superbad and Zombieland) plays Olive, a witty, sassy and confident high school girl, who pretends to sleep with a group of nerds for money. There’s an interesting trade off: if she says around school that she slept with them, they’re not harassed and in return, she gets gift cards. The scheme warrants her “bad reputation” which presents a scarlet letter, referring to the classic literary novel of the same name that she is studying in class. Throughout the film, Stone evolves into a modern-day Hester Prynne and is counseled by family and friends. She enjoys taking part in the high school scandal, and finds a sense of self-control and self-awareness in doing so. Olive wears her “A” as a badge of honor, even when Marianne (played by Amanda Bynes) is highly judgmental of her character as the leader of a church youth group. The cast of Easy A suits the characters, showing good chemistry onscreen. Stone is remarkable as a comedic actress. Her co-stars Lisa Kudrow and Malcolm McDowell add more laughter to the film but Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson are especially terrific as Olive’s parents. Thomas Haden Church is also hilarious as Olive’s high school English teacher. Although the film exaggerates the scenarios in today’s American high schools, it explores the important
PHOTO COURTESY OF LETSNOTANDSAYWEDID.COM
Easy A pits teenage morals against peer pressure in the high school setting as Marianne (left) imposes her church group values on Olive (right), who fakes promiscuity for the greater good. topics of virginity, sex and promiscuity among young adults in a funny way. The screenplay of this film is clever and smart. Director Will Gluck uses many references from classic teenage comedies, such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club. Easy A is a must-see for all ages.
History Repeats Itself THE CLASSIC TELEVISION SHOW HAWAII FIVE-0 RETURNS WITH A DIFFERENT CAST BUT THE SAME INTEGRITY ABIGAIL HERNANDEZ Contributing Writer OUT OF 4 STARS
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BS returns to the past with a revival of a beloved series from the ‘70’s. Hawaii Five-0 is a modern-day take on the hit TV show that has the potential to repeat the original show’s historic success. The pilot episode starts off at a fast pace and instantly sets the tone of suspense and excitement. The cinematography is exceptional, particularly during the action sequences. Steve McGarrett (played
29 Sept. 2010 The TORCH PHOTO COURTESY OF LETSNOTANDSAYWEDID.COM
Thomas Haden Church lectures his students on The Scarlet Letter as life imitates art in the film.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF CBS.COM/PRIMETIME/HAWAII_FIVE_0
The cast of Hawaii Five-0 comprises (from left to right) Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Alex O’Loughlin and Grace Park.
ENTERTAINMENT
HAWAII FIVE-0 -
by Australian actor Alex O’Loughlin) is faced with uncovering the story behind the murder of his father who was a well respected former cop for the Honolulu Police Department. During his last words, McGarrett’s father left him with a subtle lead on an important crime case that he must solve. McGarrett is paired up with Danny “Danno” Williams (played by Scott Caan), a rookie in the Honolulu PD. The two predictably butt heads, having slightly stubborn personalities and conflicting ideas on how best to approach crime scenes and cases. However, they both manage to create comedic scenes amidst all the action. Daniel Dae Kim of another cult hit series, Lost, was the first to be cast in Hawaii Five-0 as Chin Ho Kelly, an ex-cop who assists McGarrett and Williams. Completing their group is Kona “Kono” Kalakaua, who was cast as a male in the original series but is now a woman played by Grace Park. She is also Kelly’s cousin. Park’s character is the archetypal female who is immediately underestimated by the men but can then put them in their place with her sassy punches. However, Park manages to keep female viewers from rolling their eyes by overcoming the character’s stereotype with her fresh charisma. Together the four characters uncover an immigrant smuggling cartel and work to disband it while dealing with their own personal issues. However similar the show first seems to its predecessor, it is clear that the producers are trying to put a creative spin on the show while trying to maintain the original’s integrity. The changes, such as adding previously non-existent characters to enhance new plots instead of recycling the original’s and using upto-date police equipment, help to accurately depict the current era. The producers have other great actors cast in this remake such as Jean Smart as Governor Patricia “Pat” Jameson (another male role given to a female) and Masi Oka from the recently cancelled show Heroes. It is clear that CBS has faith in the remake of its classic hit TV show and is hoping to repeat history. The show definitely has a lot to live up to, but both fans old and new will certainly enjoy the remake.
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Hit or Miss Overdose INFERNO REVIEWS THE LATEST ALBUM RELEASES TO DETERMINE IF THE MUSIC IS RIGHT ON TARGET KONRAD LI Contributing Writer CHROMEO BUSINESS CASUAL (ELECTRONIC/POP) 1/2 OUT OF 4 STARS
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hromeo is back from a three year hiatus after their mainstream breakthrough, Fancy Footwork, with their third full length album. With tracks featured in numerous video games, television, and most recently Step Up 3D, the hype is well deserved. Self-proclaimed producers, Dave 1 and P-Thugg, create “lovers’ funk” and have produced some of this year’s most danceable music with a strong 80’s influence. Analog synths, talk box usage, and Dave 1’s mischievous humor are prevalent throughout the album, which creates an atmosphere of consistency, rarely deviating from their successful formula of retro yet contemporary electropop. Business Casual starts off with “Hot Mess,” which is a confession of being frustrated and lovesick, going so far as to claim “I would’ve committed a crime for you baby.” Dave 1 flaunts his invulnerability with a humble “I’m Not Contagious,” which he confesses the truth about his own charm, however he mentions he does have the
PETER LONG Contributing Writer JOHN LEGEND AND THE ROOTS Wake Up!
ENTERTAINMENT
(R&B/SOUL)
OUT OF 4 STARS
ANGELINA KAEHL
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The TORCH
29 Sept. 2010
Contributing Writer LINKIN PARK A Thousand Suns (ALTERNATIVE)
OUT OF 4 STARS
love to “knock you down.” Most of Chromeo’s songs revolve around the entire process of love, from initial lust to heartache and complications. Even though the songs are easy to dance to, thanks to solid production from P-Thugg; do not mistake this as a pure dance album. Dave 1 introduces adult themes that everyone can relate to, presenting them in a highly approachable manner. “Night by Night” and “Don’t Turn the Lights On” are the most obvious examples of Chromeo’s penchant for music inspired by the ‘80s. Both tracks are full of layered synths and electronic guitar chords and explore the physical aspects of a relationship. In “Night by Night,” Dave 1 encourages his date and himself to go slowly, taking the relationship further each time. Chromeo may come off as super-lovers, but their music shows that even their relationships get strained. “You Make It Rough,” “Don’t Walk Away” and “Grow Up” proves that they want to make everything work, as they try to mend the rifts that have appeared. Dave 1’s roots shine through in “J’ai claqué la porte”, a sentimental French ballad, meaning “I Slammed the Door.” As a finishing touch on the album, Chromeo makes sure to throw in a smooth and pleasant song to end on a good note. The duo has topped their previous album in so many ways and has improved their hallmark ’80s style, which is sure to please “retrophiles.” Their combination of funky dance tracks and serious lyrics make them truly unique, which is why they have a following of devout fans.
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ohn Legend returns with a new album, collaborating with Philly soul veterans The Roots, entitled Wake Up!, a collection of politically charged soul tunes from the ’60s and ’70s. Legend returns to the classic soul that is missing from so much of today’s R&B genre. One of the constants on this album is the instrumentation of The Roots. On tracks such as the Curtis Mayfield cover “Hard Times” and “Our Generation,” Questlove and company bring it to a whole new level. One disappointment is the title track
E
very band must take a leap of faith in order to evolve. Alternative group Linkin Park demonstrates once again that they are not afraid to experiment with a new sound in their latest album A Thousand Suns. The chart topping single “The Catalyst” caught fans’ attention and kept the anticipation going for the album’s debut on Sept. 14. After an intense performance of the song at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, Linkin Park showed that they still have the talent that had previously brought them success. Linkin Park strived to connect with their fans on a conceptual level
DANIELLE CAMPBELL
assion, Pain & Pleasure is the fourth studio endeavor from Virginia native Trey Songz. The R&B compilation comes almost a year after his hit album Ready. Songz tries to earn respect as an artist on this album by exploring different aspects of love beyond the bedroom. He shows tremendous growth by polishing up his vocals to find a sound that uniquely works. The first theme presented in the album is pain. It begins with a soft prelude that allows Songz to connect with his listeners by explaining his emotions. The single “Can’t Be Friends,” is a beautifully written song about an unrequited love that can never return to what it once was, even in friendship. This song is a huge step up for Songz, who rarely sings a ballad about heartbreak. “Please Return My Call” and “Made to Be Together” also strongly demonstrate
the pain theme, singing about love disconnected or lost. Both tracks reveal the singer’s emotional growth by showing his more vulnerable side. Pleasure is the second theme Songz introduces. The sensual interlude prepares the listeners for Songz as he brings out his freaky side by addressing the ladies. The song “Red Lipstick” is reminiscent of fellow R&B artist The Dream’s “Purple Kisses,” but more up-tempo. It is a song you would expect from Songz, but more mature. Songz also does an anticipated collaboration with rapper Drake in the song “Unusual,” proving that any project involving these two is an instant hit. Lastly, passion comes into play. “Unfortunate” is one of the stronger pieces in this section as Songz sings about the love of his life leaving for another who treats her badly. “Blind” is about a man that refuses to see the bad in his life, which leads to terrible consequences. Listeners may feel a strong emotional connection to this song. The last song, “You Just Need Me” is about Songz sweet-talking a woman. All in all, this album is a definite must have whether you are a Trey Songz fan or not. Some songs did not tie in with the themes but showcased Songz as the vocalist that made him successful, such as “Bottoms Up” featuring female rapper Nicki Minaj, “Love Faces,” and “Massage.” However, the entire album is a great listen. With 240,000 copies sold in its first week, PPP offers R&B fans more pleasure than anything.
“Wake Up,” which sounds like a sappier “Seasons of Love.” Not even Common, who is featured on the track, can save the song. Legend truly shines on the psychedelic “I Can’t Write Left Handed,” a touching ballad about a soldier losing his hand in the Vietnam War, which echoes the pain of the wars today. At times, it seems that the driving funk of The Roots contradicts Legend’s soft voice, especially on the track “Compared To What” causing the band to outshine the singer. Legend’s delicate tenor con-
quers The Roots though, on the Marvin Gaye cover “Wholly Holy,” but its discrepancies in volume hold the album back. Wake Up! is a solid album but it definitely could have been better. Legend and The Roots did a tremendous job choosing classics and new material that hold strong messages. It truly is a breath of fresh air to hear songs like these in the landscape of today’s shallow R&B. This album can be seen as a stepping stone for Legend but listeners will remember The Roots more by the end.
throughout A Thousand Suns. The entire album told a story, and each song contributed its own part. The themes of the album were easy to distinguish. In a rare expression of love, Linkin Park brings listeners an uplifting song in “The Messenger,” singing “When life leaves us blind/ Love keeps us kind.” The usual regret and angst from past albums was present in songs such as “Wretches and Kings.” Other stand out tracks showed emotional depth. “Waiting For The End” had a captivating beat along with meaningful lyrics that tell how letting go is not always as easy as it seems. “Burning In The Skies” is one of the few semi-
slow jams on the album, describing how everyone makes decisions they have to live with. The album’s downfall comes with songs that are overpowered by the electronic instrument use. The tempo of “Blackout” was fast-paced and dark along with heavy metal vocals by lead vocalist Chester Bennington. However, no two songs sound the same on the album, which keeps listeners eager to press next. When it comes to evolving in music, Lincoln Park ceases to quit. After five previous albums that brought Linkin Park straight to the top, A Thousand Suns has potential for success as well.
Contributing Writer TREY SONGZ Passion, Pain & Pleasure (R&B)
OUT OF 4 STARS
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OTHER ALBUMS ALSO AVAILABLE ON iTUNES... SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENE
SARA BAREILLES
JIMMY EAT WORLD
A Year Without Rain
Kaleidoscope Heart
Invented
(Pop)
(Pop)
(Alternative)
First Listen: Stalley On The Rise
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INFERNO PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON UPCOMING ARTISTS TO WATCH OUT FOR MARIA YAP Staff Writer
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PHOTO COURTESY OF THISISBANDIT.COM
Kyle Myricks switched career paths from basketball to music before he became the rapper known as “Stalley”.
yle Myricks, better known as Stalley, is your humble, all-American kid hailing from the Midwest who has dreams of making his mama proud. Taking a look at what he has accomplished so far and what he has in store for the future, it’s safe to say that Myricks is on the right track. From the small town of Massillon, Ohio, Myricks received his nickname “Stalley” on the basketball courts. “Stalley” is short for “stallion,” the animal that closely characterized his athleticism and work ethic. Stalley made the move to Brooklyn with basketball on his mind. Set to play college ball for Long Island University, Stalley had a change of plans. He decided to pursue his first love: music. Goin Ape was the first mixtape he debuted in April of 2008 and made with fellow Ohio native Terry Urban. Last year, his sophomore project MadStalley: The Autobiography was released. In an Inferno interview with Stalley, he said that MadStalley was his favorite project that he had worked on so far. He felt he had full control over the project and was able to rework all the production to fit exactly with the story he wanted to express. Stalley is currently working on his latest project, Lincoln Way Nights (Intelligent Trunk Music), which is scheduled for release on Oct. 30. With a couple of solid albums under his belt, Stalley has also built a reputation on stage. He has performed alongside some of hip-hop’s finest, including KRS-One, Ghostface Killah, Styles P, Method Man, Redman, Freeway and Camp Lo. Stalley has also headlined shows in Ohio, New York City and New Orleans, and performed in the Rock the Bells, and Sneaker Pimps tours, and the South by Southwest Festival. While working on his music, Stalley became well acquainted with hip-hop mogul Dame Dash. Having been introduced to Dash through a mutual friend, he welcomed Stalley into DD172, Dash’s creative loft that houses a studio, an art gallery and company office, where Stalley made music to
For more information on Stalley, visit the following sites:
www.myspace.com/madstalley
www.creativecontrol.tv/ www/#/shows/the-milq/
www.facebook.com/stalleymusic
further his career. Having been given the opportunity to work with well-known producer Ski Beatz resulted in timeless music and has aided in transforming Stalley into the artist he is today. Since his acceptance into DD172, Stalley has had the chance to work with artists such as Mos Def, Jay Electronica, Curren$y and The Cool Kids. Stalley will also be featured on Beatz’s latest project, 24 Hour Karate School, a mixtape which will showcase a variety of talented music artists. By the end of this year, Stalley will be releasing a free album for his fans, continuing his work with Creative Control (also part of Dame’s DD17 movement) and launching his own site. He will also be featured in a commercial for Def Jam’s “Rap Star” video game that will be released Oct. 5. With the progress Stalley has made we can only expect more and better from this rising hip-hop artist.
CHASE PROVES TO BE LITTLE MORE THAN A REPTITIVE FORMULA OF FIND, FOLLOW, CATCH, REPEAT KATIE CIMMINO Staff Writer OUT OF 4 STARS
The TORCH
PHOTO COURTESY OF NBC.COM/CHASE
U.S. Marshalls miss the target in NBC’s newest law drama Chase.
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NBC’s newest law enforcement show is not worth the pursuit. Chase revolves around a team of U.S. Marshalls located in Houston, Texas, whose job is to go after the worst criminal offenders that stumble into their area. The show consists of a simple formula of find, chase, catch and repeat for every criminal, leaving little room for unpredictability. The show’s characters reflect people that television viewers have likely seen before. U.S. Marshall Annie Frost (Kelli Giddish) is absorbed in her job, with a “beat up first, take names later” attitude. She is constantly going one-on-one with criminal offenders who often have several inches and twice the bulk on her. However, there is little substance to her character besides hints of an unstable childhood marked by her mother’s early death and lack of a model father. Another example is seen in recent academy graduate, Luke Watson (Jesse Metcalfe). His contributions to the team are few and far between. He appears on
If the plot did not solely rely on the action, viewers wouldn’t find themselves lost in the pursuit at all. 29 Sept. 2010
CHASE -
the show as a tagalong so that the older and more experienced members can show him the ropes. Although the cast has potential to make for interesting personalities, the pilot opted to focus mainly on the action instead of character development. Not much is revealed about the dynamics of the team, except for a few one-liners and slight flirting exchanged between Marco Martinez (Amaury Nolasco) and Daisy Ogbaa (Rose Rollins). A few cheap shots are delivered from Frost to her partner, Jimmy Godfrey (Cole Hauser), but other than serving as a strong backup man, Godfrey’s purpose seems to be as eye candy. To incorporate all of the action, the show is extremely fast paced. Several typical chase scenes are involved, where Frost jumps from a helicopter to detain the criminal and another where she leaps off of a bridge in pursuit of a suspect. It’s borderline unrealistic. The only good aspect of the show was guest star Travis Fimmel, who played one of the top 15 most wanted criminals named Mason Boyle. Boyle uses his looks and charm to break into rich people’s houses and steal their jewels before executing them. Fortunately, Fimmel played a convincing criminal and was interesting to watch. In short, Chase is nothing special. The show is not intriguing enough to captivate audiences long-term.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Pursuit of Unhappiness
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Johnnies get help in OT road win Men’s Soccer team wins in extra time after Yale scores on its own net MIKE CUNNIFF Staff Writer After playing a one-win Yale team to a 1-1 tie through 90 minutes, the St. John’s men’s soccer team pulled out a 2-1 road victory in the first minute of extra time last night at Reese Stadium in New Haven, CT. ST. JOHN’S
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The golden goal was an own goal scored just 54 seconds into overtime. Freshman midfielder Jimmy Mulligan put a shot on target just 24 seconds into the period, and then took a corner kick 22 seconds later. His kick bounced off a Yale defender and in for the golden goal that ended the game. After the teams traded chances for the second half’s final fifteen minutes, the game went into extra time. It was the first extra period played by the Johnnies this season and the fourth time Yale had gone past 90 minutes. After junior midfielder Pablo Punyed’s goal tied the score at 1-1 early in the second half, St. John’s kept up the pressure. Punyed followed his goal with another shot on target in the 66th minute, forcing Thalman to make a save. The Red Storm came agonizingly close to going ahead in the 74th minute, when Mulligan hit the crossbar from 15 yards out.
Yale struck first in the 37th minute, when junior midfielder Andy Hackbarth buried a penalty shot that put the Red Storm in an early hole for the second straight game. The goal seemed to light a fire under the Johnnies, who controlled play for the rest of the game. “I think we started playing better after they scored,” said head coach David Masur. The Johnnies’ best chance in the first half was in the 24th minute, when senior defender Sverre Wegge Gundhus had a chance in front of the net, but his left-footed shot from twelve yards out hit the post. Wegge Gundhus would redeem himself in the second half. In the 65th minute, he found Punyed on a corner kick, who put a long-distance shot past Thalman for his fourth goal of the season. The equalizer tied him with Terra for the team lead in goals scored. “Adam Himeno made a great first-post run. It was played in for [forward Walter] Hines. It was deflected in right off the six [yard] box. It was a well-driven cross by Jimmy Mulligan.” It was the first true road win for St. John’s in three tries this season. They had lost previously at Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. Masur will take the wins anywhere he can get them. “Every win is a big win,” said Masur “We showed some character coming back tonight.” St. John’s moves to 6-2 on the season with the win. They continue their road trip on Saturday when they travel to Kentucky to face Big East foe Louisville.
TORCH FILE PHOTO/LAURA AMATO
Jimmy Mulligan won the game for the Red Storm in overtime.
Volleyball team drops first home game to Villanova
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The TORCH
29 Sept. 2010
MIKE GURNIS Staff Writer Throughout the non-conference portion of their schedule, the St. John’s Women’s volleyball team cruised to its best start since 2007, going 13-4 behind a 7-0 home record. But the Red Storm knew the Big East portion of their schedule would present a major challenge, which became evident on Friday night when they dropped their Big East opener to Villanova in four sets, (25-19, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22), for their first home loss of the year. Although Villanova won in four sets, the final two sets were decided by three points apiece, presenting a silver lining for head coach Joanne Persico. “It was a close match, we’re talking three points, we’re not talking about a lot of points,” said Persico. “There’s a few things we need to work on, but overall I thought it was a good match. I wish we would’ve come out on top, but we need to work on a couple of things.” Junior outside hitter Darlene Ramdin led the way for the Red Storm, racking up
TORCH PHOTO/KRISTEN FARMER
Junior Darlene Ramdin led the Red Storm with 10 kills Friday. 10 kills in the losing effort. After a week of preparation for the match, Ramdin said the team wasn’t surprised by what it saw from Villanova, a team that had won ten straight matches entering the game. “We prepared thoroughly for this game,” she said. “We prepared all week for this game. We knew what was coming at us. I don’t think we gave it our all.
We took too long to come back [after losing the first two sets].” Sophomore setter Gabriela Petkova had 28 assists and 16 digs. Anzelika Lukjanska also had nine kills, and 11 digs. Persico attributed the loss to a very low team hitting percentage of .083, which was due in part to Villanova’s strong defensive play.
“Our hitting percentage was low, and that had a lot to do with Villanova, they dug us a ton,” Persico said. “I didn’t think our passing was good enough to run the middle attack, so we had to run outside a lot, which forced us to be predictable. They’re really good diggers (Villanova).” The tough Big East schedule will only get tougher for the Red Storm, as they will have to spend the next week working on their mistakes before taking on No. 25 Cincinatti Friday at Carnessecca Arena, a team not only ranked in the AVCA Division I Coaches poll, but also the team that was picked to win the Big East conference in the preseason coaches poll. “We’re going to have to look at the film. We’re going to have to serve a lot better, and probably will have to dig a lot better, and make sure we get to those easy balls,” Persico said. “There are some hits that are not diggable, but there are other plays where you can play it up, and those are things we have to work on.” “I’m not down at all about [the loss to Villanova]. We just have to keep pushing forward. I know it’s going to get a little tougher before it gets better, but we’re really working hard.”
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WOMEN’S SOCCER
So far, unprovidential Red Storm sputter to 1-2 start in conference play after loss to Friars KATIE BECKMANN Staff Writer Through 10 games this season, the women’s soccer team has scored just six goals. PROVIDENCE
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TORCH FILE PHOTO/LAURA AMATO
Senior Nicole Pasciola missed on a chance to tie the game early in the first half. played a great through ball to junior forward Jen Leaverton, who nearly tied the score up but was whistled for being offside. Minutes later, sophomore Runa Stefansdottir challenged the Providence defense minutes later when she sent a strong cross from the left side to freshman forward Francisca Okoko that Walker saved. The Red Storm kept the ball on their offensive side of the field for a majority of the second half but was un-
able to capitalize on their opportunities. Senior Raelynne Lee nearly tied the game up at the 17:21 mark when she faked out a defender and sent a low hard shot that a Providence defender deflected out of the net. The Red Storm had their last offensive opportunity when freshman forward Amy Marron was knocked down just outside the penalty box at the 5:32 mark. Freshman Michelle Murino took a low hard shot off the free kick that a Provi-
dence defender deflected out of the net. “To be honest, with 18 [sic] new players added to our roster this year, this was always going to be a process. I feel we are ahead of the game right now, due to the effort and hard work the girls put in on a daily basis,” said Stone. “One thing our team needs to come to terms with is that there are no easy games in Big East conference women’s Soccer. That is why it is one of the best conferences in the country.”
KATIE BECKMANN Staff Writer
“It has definitely been hard being injured over the years, but with the support of all the girls on the team, the coaching staff and the trainers it made things a lot easier,” said Torregiano. She even joked about how the Trainer’s room became a second home to her. “Going through so many injuries, it would be easy for one to just give up, but that never crossed my mind and I was determined to make it back on the field and get my shot,” she said. This year has been a long time coming for Torregiano, who has two assists so far, including one during the Red Storm’s 2-1 road win over Connecticut. “Being able to play my
senior year means a lot to me,” she said. “I have been working my whole life to play soccer at the college level, and to finally be able to do it, especially as a senior means a lot to me.” With the tough portion of the season ahead, Stone will be looking for others to feed off the success that she has this season. “[Torregiano] serves as an example of the type of adversity you can come through to excel if you truly love the game of soccer,” Stone said. “She also exhibits an outstanding soccer I.Q., which our young players can learn from. She is well on the way to becoming the complete soccer player that our program strives to develop on a daily basis.”
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Staff, we were being very cautious with Anna’s knee at the beginning of the season,” Stone said. “We had to see how much she could physically handle. She has thoroughly deserved to start and play for the majority of the game because she has been playing very well.” Stone had very high hopes for Torregiano prior to her freshman season. After a successful high school career at Friends Seminary in New York City, where she scored 90 goals and 42 assists, Torregiano was set to be an impact player for the Red Storm, but her debut on the soccer field was delayed after suffering a torn ACL and fighting off related injuries for the next three years.
The TORCH
During the St. John’s women’s soccer team’s 1-0 loss to Providence at Belson Satdium on Sunday, one of the most plaguing issues about the team was their inability to capitalize on offensive opportunities. With many rookies seeing time up front, the Red Storm have been relying on their veterans to control the midfield and create scoring chances. Throughout the past couple of games, senior midfielder Anna Torregiano has emerged to be an offensive catalyst for the
Red Storm. Torregiano, who had one shot against the Friars, dominated the midfield for portions of the game and created lots of offensive opportunities for the Red Storm. “Anna is a phenomenal soccer player,” said Coach Ian Stone. “Her skill level and range of passes is second to none on our team.” Her notable play has helped her move into the starting lineup and has made it hard for Stone and his coaching staff to take her out of the game, but what has been most impressive about her play is that she’s only appeared in two games prior to this season due to various knee injuries. “As a coaching [and] training
29 Sept. 2010
Torregiano gets chance after tough road back
SPORTS
Against Big East rival Providence, the Red Storm were only able to produce four shots on goal, resulting in a 1-0 loss to the Friars at Belson Stadium Sunday. “I felt that the Providence game highlighted our inexperience as a team,” said Coach Ian Stone. “After a huge road win at UConn, Providence came into Belson and showed more desire to win than we did. This inconsistency is what is hurting us right now.” St. John’s (4-5-1, 1-2-0) was playing without one of their starting defenders, Megan Klement. The junior suffered a minor injury during the Red Storm’s 2-1 road win over Connecticut on September 23. Junior goalkeeper Kristin Russell made four saves while Providence goalie junior Caitlin Walker kept the Friars in the game by making four saves. Providence (7-2-1, 1-1-1) got on the scoreboard at the 21:30 mark in the first half, when graduate student Jill Camburn out-muscled her way past defenders Patrice Casmir and Michelle Iannacchino to send a shot bouncing past Russell. Redshirt senior Nicole Pasciolla fired at the 21:11 mark with a hard lefty shot that Walker had to make a diving save to keep the Friars’ lead alive. The Red Storm came out energized in the second half, pressuring the Friars defense early. Senior midfielder Anna Torregiano
Storm breaking the cycle Women’s Soccer team forced to disrupt learning curve
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STORM
CAST
Leavin’ their Mark BCANY recognizes KBA
College sports tend to follow a cycle: players enter the school, they are groomed in practice and garbage time to eventually be stars, and they shine as upperclassmen. Then they leave and a new group comes in, and the process starts all over again. But what if the new players went directly from Move In Day to the start of conference play? What if the cycle is broken? Obviously, that’s where precocious talent generally comes into play, where you get the John Walls and Kevin Durants, the ones who win Player of the Year awards just as quickly as the ink on their SAT scores dry. But for others, the process is a little more arduous, and not all sports lend themselves to individual players rising above the rest and changing the course of a team’s season. That brings us to the St. John’s women’s soccer team and its inability to score. Two years ago, when I was a freshman, the women’s soccer team was inexperienced and struggled to score goals over a large portion of the season. Fast forward to the next season, when a senior-laden team—one who had battled through the adversities of gaining experience—was the first in program history to reach the NCAA tournament. That team had 16 seniors, and
Women’s basketball head coach Kim Barnes Arico was recognized as the Division I Statewide Coach of the Year by the New Balance Coaches Association of New York for the 2009-10 season. Barnes Arico was awarded at the BCANY’s annual fall clinic on September 24-25. The women’s basketball team finished 25-7 in 2009-10, with the No. 15 national ranking.
Zwirbulis takes West Point tennis tourney Junior Joanna Zwirbulis won the “A” singles bracket of the West Point Eastern Invitational for the St. John’s women’s tennis team Sunday. Zwirbulis dropped her first set of the tournament and proceeded to win four straight to advance to the championship match against Seton Hall’s Pui Wing-Sher, whom she defeated 8-2. Zwirbulis also finished second in the “A” singles bracket last weekend at Columbia. TORCH PHOTOS /KRISTEN FARMER
Men’s Golf team wins rain-shortened tourney The St. John’s men’s golf team won the rain-shortened Hartford Hawk Invitational, its first tournament win since 2008. The tournament’s final round, set to take place yesterday, was cancelled due to heavy thunderstorms in the South Kent, CT. area. All five St. John’s golfers finished in the Top 20, and the Red Storm led the field in nearly every statistical category. “Having everybody in the top 20, if we do that every tournament, we are going to have a chance to win,” fifth-year senior captain Evan Beirne said.
Headin’ this Way Red Storm home games
Volleyball: Sep. 24 Cincinnati
7 p.m.
Sep. 24 Louisville
2 p.m.
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-Women’s Soccer coach Ian Stone on his team’s performance Sunday
The TORCH
I felt that the Providence game highlighted our inexperience as a team. After a huge road win at UConn, Providence came into Belson and showed more desire to win than we did. This inconsistency is what’s hurting us right now.
29 Sept. 2010
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Blowin’ in the Wind
SPORTS
Jen Leaverton’s missed scoring chances Sunday hurt the learning curve of the freshmen on the women’s soccer team. they’re gone now. cycle all over again. They were replaced by 17 freshmen, Except now the cycle has changed. freshmen who have been thrown into The freshmen have had to mature on the intense Division I soccer earlier than job, and that process has been met with expected, freshmen who have started the strife. Through 10 games this season, the women’s soccer team has scored just six goals, and it is easy to see the parallel between the 2010 team and its 2008 predecessor. Though the team has only allowed eight goals, you can’t win if you can’t score. And in conference play, that is exactly what’s happened so far. The Red Storm are off to a 1-2 start, and an impressive 2-1 road win at Connecticut notwithstanding, it appears as though the team is going through the growing pains that come with young players thrust into big positions. Though the opportunities were present Sunday against Providence—both teams were about even in shots on goal, with the Friars landing five and St. John’s four—the Red Storm’s veteran offensive threats, Jen Leaverton and Nicole Pasciola, couldn’t hit the equalizer. If veteran players can’t find ways to score, that responsibility falls on the younger players. And in Division I soccer, in the Big East conference, that responsibility may as well be like taking the world off Atlas’ shoulders. Freshmen are still getting acclimated to the speed of the college game as well as their chemistry with teammates and coaches and the culture that makes up their school’s program. Imagine how overwhelming it must be when winning games and reaching the NCAA tournament for a second straight year is put before those other priorities. Things may seem somewhat bleak now, but there is little reason to fret. There are still eight regular season games remaining, and scoring problems tend to be streaky problems. If the team goes on a scoring tear in the coming weeks, the maturation process will have been accelerated. And the cycle will be back on track.
SPORTS 29 September 2010 | VOLUME 88, ISSUE 5 | TORCHONLINE.COM
TORCH FILE PHOTO/ KRISTEN FARMER
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The volleyball team lost to Villanova Friday, its first home loss of the season.
The men’s soccer team beat Yale in overtime last night.
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