The Torch 10-27

D’Angelo Center food court receives critical health violations NELL O’CONNOR Managing Editor

TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

S.G.I. President Patrick Brewer listens to budgetary concerns at a floor meeting on Monday.

Overspending causes cuts and strain JUSTIN THRIFT Editor-in-Chief Student Government, Inc.’s cuts to their 2010-2011 budget have left some student organizations with shrunken support and less funding than in years past.

S.G.I. president Patrick Brewer recently told the TORCH that the $1,118,000 S.G.I. yearly budget, which is comprised of student activity fees, has been affected by “errors in book-keeping by past executive boards.”

Michelle Walker, a senior and current president of the Fashion Club, says that her organization has been “affected drastically” by cuts to their funding.

“When I first got the email with our line of budget, I was confused and didn’t understand how that could be for the whole year,” said Walker. “S.G.I. overspent and the orga nizations are currently suffering from that.”

Walker, who also serves as the club’s treasurer, said she has the responsibility to secure outside sponsors to keep the club run ning financially.

“Fortunately, last year’s fashion show brought in a sufficient amount of money,” said Walker.

Gabi Dickens, who is president of the St. John’s Advertising Club, said that her organization’s budget allocation saw a decrease to last year’s budget.

“We can only have one ‘networking event’ this year because we cannot afford to cater/set up the event twice a year, like they have done in the past,” said Dickens.

As reported in the Oct. 13 issue of the TORCH, Brewer said he regrets the decrease in funding that student organizations must deal with, describing it as one of “the most unfortunate changes” that had to be made to this year’s budget.

The S.G.I. president also mentioned that certain budget maneuvers were being looked at to cushion the impact made to

WHAT’S INSIDE News......................1-7 Comics.....................16 Opinion................8-10 Entertainment....17-20 Features..................15 Sports.................21-24

organizations.

“To alleviate the crunch, we are placing special emphasis on the S.G.I. and Cultural Budget Committees, the Inter-Greek Coun cil, and Campus Activities Board as alternative sources of funding for student organiza tions,” said Brewer.

The S.G.I. budget, which totals more than $1 million, is comprised of three sepa rate budgets: the operating budget, the government budget, and the organization budget. Each budget is responsible for funding different areas of S.G.I., including each student organization.

The operating budget, which totals $358,650, covers many of the costs of operating S.G.I. Brewer noted that this budget also includes “all Public Safety and Facilities expenses incurred at events held by student organizations.” These two things alone make up for aproximately $218,000, or twothirds of the entire operating budget.

-Continued on page 3 THE CHAPPELL PLAYERS Living for Today The Chappell Players Theatre group bring RENT to St. John’s.

ENTER RTAINMENT Pg. 16

The D’Angelo Center Food Court received several critical violations in its most recent health inspection, performed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Inspected on Oct. 22, the less than one-year old facility received a score of 50 points, much higher than the “A” grade of 0-13. The food court received five scored sanitary violations and one unscored administrative violation.

Of the sanitary violations, four were deemed critical and have to be corrected immediately, according to Health Department standards.

Resident district Chartwells manager Dennis Lestrange has been working with the University to address the issues raised by the inspection.

“Food safety, we take very seriously,” he said. “We’re trying to make sure that we serve food in a safe environment.”

In the inspector’s report, released on the Health Department’s website, the critical sanitary violations included both hot and cold food items being stored at improper temperatures, a lack of hand washing facilities and improper cleaning of food contact surfaces.

The general violation was the improper construction of a non-food contact surface. The administrative violation stated that there was no valid permit to operate the establishment available at the time of inspection.

-Continued on pg. 5 TORCHONLINE.COM Should the University allow a gaystraight alliance to form on campus?

70% Yes 30% No Check out our new poll every Wednesday “Think Outside. . .”

2

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

Photo Editor

Chief Copy Editor

ADELLE PLATON

BRIAN LOPEZ

ELIZABETH MILLER

Entertainment Editor Asst. Photo Editor

Layout Editor

JOSÉ SILVA

ELLEN CAREY

Online Editor

Advisor

Business (718) 9906756 Advertising 990-6756 Editorial Board 990-6444

Features 990-6445 Letters 990-6445 News 990-6444 Sports 990-6444

Special thanks to Richard Rex Thomas for assisting in the design of The TORCH

Entertainment The Activity Begins Paranormal Activity returns with a prequel that’s sure to scare this Halloween.

Inferno Pg. 17

Features Green Gardens With an organic vegetable garden, a compost machine, and recycling bins placed around campus, Earth Club is bringing green to campus.

Features Pg. 15 Men’s Soccer Four in a row Men’s Soccer team records fourth straight shootout.

NEWS

Sports Pg. 22

SHELTER FROM THE STORM PG. 9

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The TORCH

27 Oct. 2010

OPINION

TORCH Corrections In the Oct. 13, 2010 issue of The TORCH, an article mistated the Executive Board budget of Student Government, Inc. It is actually $32,000.

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

DaSilva field at sunset. The Manhattan skyline provides a backdrop to colorful nightfalls on campus.

3

2010-2011 S.G.I. BUDGET BREAKDOWN Operating Budget: Salaries/Benefits

$90,000.00

DirecTV

$650.00

Maintenance

$75,000.00

Insurance

$0.00

Auditing Fees Legal Fees

$15,000.00 $12,000.00

ASCAP/BMI/SESAC

$6,000.00

Equipment

$1,500.00

Co-Op/Xerox Security/Cadets

$43,000.00 $79,000.00

Supplies

$5,500.00

Postage

$500.00

Gifts/Mass/Flowers $3,500.00 Contingency/Miscellaneous $8,000.00 Telephone

$0.00

Printing Department CoSponsor

$7,000.00 $12,000.00

Total operating budget: $358,650.00 Expenditures since start of school year: $23,165.54

Government Budget: Gift for class of 2015

$3,500.00

Public Relations

$1,000.00

SGI Awards Night

$8,000.00

Research & Devpt.

$800.00

Torch Ads

$5,000.00

School Spirit

$31,198.00

Gov’t Workshops

$0.00

Student Affairs

$60,000.00

SGI Conferences

$6,000.00

Student Services

$400.00

Executive Board

$32,000.00

Concerts

$45,000.00

Donations

$1,500.00

Senior Senator

$55,000.00

Academic Affairs

$15,000.00

Junior Senator

$500.00

Budget

$300.00

Sophomore Senator

$500.00

Elections

$4,200.00

NY Times Readership $8,000.00

Events Review

$500.00

Organizations

$800.00

OrgSync Senior Gift

TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

S.G.I. Representatives discuss budgetary issues.

S.G.I. budget (cont.)

-Continued from pg. 1

Total government budget: $292,198.00 Expenditures since start of school year: $24,104.61

Organization Budgets: $75,000.00

Haraya

$48,000.00

IGC Special Allocations

$30,800.00

CBC Special Allocations

$4,000.00

IFC Panhellenic Council

$3,000.00 $10,000.00

SPB Vincentian Yearbook RHA Muslim Students Ass. Tri Council

$72,000.00 $55,000.00 $39,000.00 $4,000.00 $42,200.00

Organizations Allocations $65,400.00 APHA/ASP ALFSA LASO

$6,500.00 $5,500.00 $6,750.00

Total organization budgets: $467,150.00 Expenditures since start of school year: $38,132.44

Overall Proposed Budget (Total) $1,117,998.00 $1,118,000.00

Figures come from the official Student Government, Inc. Proposed Operating Budget 2010-2011, released by S.G.I. at the October 13 floor meeting.

torchonline.com

Total Expenses Total Revenue

27 Oct. 2010 The TORCH

SGI Special Allocations

NEWS

The operating budget also helps fund licensing fees for music played at events and games.

“It is more appropriate to view this section as the operating expenses for student events, rather than just the institution of student government,” said Brewer.

The organization budgets, which make up almost half of the entire S.G.I. budget, provide funds to many organizations around campus. For example, Haraya, the St. John’s PanAfrican Students’ Coalition, has been allocated $48,000 for the year.

The Vincentian Yearbook, another one of the larger student organizations, is budgeted to receive $55,000 for the year.

Cynthia Garcia, who is Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook, said that this is much less than last year’s allocation.

According to the S.G.I. budget, one line from the government budget allocated $0 expenses for the year, while $1,737.45 has already been spent from that line.

Another area of S.G.I.’s finances that has been a topic of discussion at floor meetings is a $50,000 earned income account which is comprised of funds from various student organizations.

In the summer of 2009, S.G.I. dipped into that account to cover a “shortfall of available cash,” according to associate vice president for Student Affairs and S.G.I. advisor Darren Morton.

“This process is similar to a bank that is using deposited money for other purposes, such as loans, etc.” Morton said.

“The use of Earned Income was necessary at the time as a result of several unforeseen and increased expenses associated with student programming.”

The $50,000 earned income account is referenced in the minutes from an Aug. 30 S.G.I. meeting this year, where the account is described as “one lump account-orgs were not notified.”

Brewer has refused to comment on the earned income account in the past, and was not able to be contacted this week.

The $50,000 earned income account is not listed on the 20102011 official budget.

$8,000.00 $5,000.00

4

Shouts and boos at candidate forum Congressional and Senatorial candidates appear at Law School panel TERENCE CULLEN Staff Writer

LIAM LE GUERRE Staff Writer

TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

Anthony Weiner elicited shouts from the crowd that he “stick to the issues.” would caution doing so.”

Kyle Collins, a senior and president of the College Republicans, felt that Ackerman’s demeanor throughout his entire speech was lax and unbecoming.

“He had a very inflammatory way of addressing things,” Collins said after the forum.

Collins pointed out that Ackerman wouldn’t elaborate on his plan to impose a tax on marijuana. During the forum, he voiced that he supported the legalization of the drug.

The candidates in the forum

were not the only attendants who received criticism for their actions during the evening.

Congressman Anthony Weiner, a Brooklyn native and representative of New York’s 9th Congressional District, compared his platform against his opponent’s, Robert Turner.

Supporters wearing Turner t-shirts who were sitting in the back of the courtroom proceeded to voice their complaints loudly.

Weiner said he did not support the privatization of Social Security and Medicare

27 Oct. 2010 The TORCH

torchonline.com

BRIEFS Staircase Update

NEWS

Congressional and senatorial candidates voiced their platforms and faced questions and criticism in front of St. John’s students and local residents at a forum Monday night.

St. John’s has been hosting forums for candidates in the last few weeks, working with the Queens Chronicle and Times Ledger, to inform local residents and students about the issues and the candidates.

Those present included incumbent Congressmen Anthony Weiner and Gary Ackerman, as well as Senate hopeful Jay Townsend and several others. The forum was held in the Belson Moot Court Room at the law school.

Candidates were each given five minutes to deliver their platforms.

Ackerman, a Democrat who has represented the New York 5th Congressional District, was asked by the secretary of College Republicans if he supported the controversial decision to build an Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero.

After crowd members complained that he was avoiding answering the question in his response, he said that he supported the constitutional right to build the center.

“As long as you have the zoning rights to build it you should,” he said. “Of course I

TORCH

TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

Jay Townsend criticized the incumbent candidate Charles Schumer’s campaign.

and that his opponent was in favor. Turner supporters booed and shouted at Weiner, one woman yelling above the crowd that Weiner should “stick to the issues.”

The shouting continued before the spectators were asked to allow the Congressman to speak or they would be escorted out.

Alexander Marion, development director of the College Democrats of New York and the organization’s representative for the panel, commented on the outrage from Turner’s supporters.

“It was disrespectful whether you agree with him or not, he is an elected official,” Marion said.

Weiner was able to lighten the crowd when answering one of his final questions concerning his call for the removal of nearly 700 videos from YouTube that he claims promote terrorism.

“It certainly embarrassed my wife,” Weiner said, eliciting laughter across the room.

Republican Jay Townsend, who is running against current New York Senior Senator Charles Schumer, was not shy about sharing his criticism on the way things were being handled in Washington and how his opponent was not succeeding on Capitol Hill.

“The job of Congress is to get things done,” Townsend said.

As well as criticizing Schumer for the policies and taxes he has implemented, Townsend promised to cut taxes to help reduce the cost of living in New York and bring jobs back.

Outside of policy, Townsend criticized the incumbent senator for what he felt was poor campaigning.

Townsend accused the senator of refusing “to do anything but the most controlled press conferences.”

Two months of the semester have gone by and the staircase connecting the Marillac walkway to the lower level of the University has not been completed.

According to Ibi Yolas, the executive director of Design and Construction and Brij Anand, vice president of Facilities, the delay is because they are waiting for the cement to fully strengthen before completing the project.

The stairs were scheduled to open at the beginning of October.

“We are hopeful that they will be completed by Thanksgiving,” said Anand.

Once the cement has fully strengthened, they will begin to install the railings and granite on the staircase.

The granite will serve to beautify the project as well as create a rugged slip-proof surface.

The old staircase will be turned into a green terrace by next spring. Plants and flowers will be placed in the space the old stairs occupied, according to the facilities department.

The construction of the stairs and beautification of this area is all part of the plan to enhance the lower level of the University. According to Facilities, the entire plan incorporates the D’Angelo Center as well as the lawn in that area.

Food for Fines JESSICA COLE Contributing Writer The Food for Fines Drive is to be conducted at the library for the sixth year in a row. The St. John’s library will waive over-due book fees in exchange for canned goods.

The program runs from Nov. 1 until Dec. 19. All non-perishable food items are accepted at the donation box located in the lobby of St. Augustine Hall.

Over the last five years, Food for Fines has collected and donated 6,133 food items to families in need. This year, the collected food at the Queens Campus will go to Our Saviour Lutheran Food Pantry, located nearby in Jamaica. The Staten Island Campus, also participating in Food for Fines, will donate their collected food to Project Hospitality.

Our Saviour Lutheran Food Pantry gives out 85 bags of food or more per week to families in need. This number increases during the holiday season.

Foods that are needed the most are canned meats/fish, canned soups and vegetables, pasta, and pasta sauce.

Fines for overdue books are five dollars. One can of food is required per fine.

Can’t get enough TORCH news? Visit our website for online exclusives. torchonline.com

D’Angelo Violations - Continued from page 1

Graded under the city’s new system for the first time, the University has at least a week to fix the violations before they are re-inspected and given a pending-letter grade of A, B or C. This summer, the Health Department did an overhaul of the old grading system, which was based strictly on points, in favor of the letter grade and points system that was more accessible for consumers.

Restaurants are inspected and given a points value. Those given between 0-13 points receive an A grade, are considered to pass. B grades receive between 14-27 points, while C’s, failing grades, receive 28 or more points.

Marillac Hall’s facility, as well as Starbucks and the Library café, have so far received A grades. The Law School has been inspected twice, resulting in a B grade pending one final inspection in coming weeks, according to the University.

Montgoris and the Faculty Club have not yet been inspected.

While the D’Angelo Center received 50 violation points, they have not yet been given a letter grade.

They will receive that grade after the re-inspection, and will have the opportunity to appeal it if they receive a B or C. They will also receive a “Grade Pending” card, according to the guidelines set by the Health Department, until they are re-inspected for a third time, after which the grade becomes final.

According to Lestrange, the biggest problem identified by the inspection was the lack of a proper hand-washing station for employees in the Chop’d Salads and Boar’s Head section.

“There was some construction delay in there,” he said. “There wasn’t a hand sink, we put a temporary hand sink in.”

Lestrange stated that on the day of the inspection the hand sink in question wasn’t working, resulting in a 28-point infraction, the maximum amount for a critical violation.

He added that the Health Department was satisfied by the use of a temporary sink, but the inspector did acknowledge that it was what prevented the food court from receiving a B grade.

“There will be a permanent sink put in,” he said.

“Once that happens, we’re not going to have an issue of a sink failing anymore.”

In terms of the violations having to do with food storage temperature, Lestrange was unsure of whether it could be considered a hazard, or “if it was like a degree off.”

He assured that the Chartwells staff monitors temperatures consistently.

“We do check foods regularly throughout the day,” he said. “We have temperature logs, refrigerator logs. We do have a system in place to do that.”

“Cold food has to be cold, hot food has to be hot,” he added.

In terms of the administrative violation, which stated that the facility’s permit to operate could not be located, Lestrange believes that a clerical error was to blame.

“Right now it’s more of an administrative issue,” he said. “The renewal was rejected because two components were missing.”

The lack of a permit had no impact on the amount of points, as it is considered an unscored violation.

Lestrange spoke with the head of the Health Department the day of the inspection, and has been working around the clock with University and Chartwells staff to improve on the conditions.

He cited the many initiatives in place to prevent something like this from happening again.

A third-party organization, the Office of Health, Safety and Security, is regularly brought in to perform their own inspections and give managers and staff an idea of what to look out for.

“The whole purpose of that is to make sure, obviously, that we are not in violation of health codes,” Lestrange said.

All employees in any of the dining areas must also be certified food handlers. Managers also go through ServSafe Food Safety programs to learn proper protocol.

Lestrange said that the Chartwells and University staffs are doing everything possible to be ready for the next inspection.

The sink in question is being checked several times a day, and members of both staffs sat down Tuesday to discuss the issues.

Lestrange wanted students and University community members to know that the next inspection could be dramatically different.

“When they do the inspection, they’re going to reinspect everything,” he said. “They could come back and we could get a nine and that would be an A.”

5

D’ANGELO FOOD COURT REPORT CARD Hot food item not held at or above 140° F. VIOLATION POINTS: 7 Cold food item held above 41° F (smoked fish and reduced oxygen packaged foods above 38° F) except during necessary preparation.

VIOLATION POINTS: 7 Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.

VIOLATION POINTS: 28 Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

27 Oct. 2010 The TORCH

Non-food contact surface improperly constructed.

Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/ or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

NEWS

VIOLATION POINTS: 5

VIOLATION POINTS: 3

TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

Santitation grades displayed in Marillac caffeteria. There are no grades displayed in the D’Angelo Center, pending the reinspection.

torchonline.com

TOTAL VIOLATION POINTS: 50

6

Support program aims to recognize LGBTQ students SARA CAHILL MARRON

News Editor St. John’s Safe Zone Program is emerging on campus as an alternative to a gay-straight alliance. The program was created to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students within the context of a Catholic and Vincentian mission, according to the University’s website.

For the third time since April, an all day training program will be held for faculty and administrators that want to become an “ally.” The Safe Zone’s website describes an ally as an administrator or faculty member that is willing to assist students who need support.

The program has 25 trained allies so far.

Dr. Kathryn Hutchinson, senior associate vice president for Student Affairs, worked with the students that initially proposed starting a gay-straight alliance on campus.

“We sat down and said, ‘we hear you,’ to the students,” Hutchinson said. “We hear that there is a need and we wanted to find the best way to meet that need.”

Pam Shea-Byrnes, vice president for University Ministry and Events was also a part of

the process.

“It’s been positive working with these student leaders. They have been so understanding with us,” Shea-Byrnes said. “They worked hard to try to understand how to work within the mission statement of the university.”

The program has been in the works since last fall. Research and review of Catholic doctrine was necessary in developing a manual and training program for allies, according to Shea-Byrnes.

“To prepare for Safe Zone training, we reviewed the Church’s documents and writings on homosexuality,” Shea-Byrnes said. “We tried to understand them [doctrines] and where they fit in with today’s society.”

According to the mission statement listed on the University’s website, St. John’s strives to respect “the rights and dignity of every person.”

Shea-Byrnes described the compromise necessary to uphold the mission.

“STJ is not ours to change if we want to call ourselves Catholic and Vincentian,” she said. “We are a part of a worldwide community and we can’t presume to change what the church teaches.”

“We own our Catholic identity in the midst of this mixed community,” she said.

Safe Zones are designed to combat incidents of homophobic remarks and potential isolation of LGBTQ students, according to its website. A list of the trained allies is also available on the webpage.

The webpage encourages students who wish to talk with an ally to “feel free to email or phone their offices.”

Ally training is one day long and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Allies can then choose if they want their information displayed online. Hutchinson called the training a “sizeable commitment.”

The Safe Zone program can be found in many schools across the country. Hutchinson described its loose structure as beneficial because it allows flexibility.

“The goal has been to make sure people are safe, welcome, and at home,” she said. “Last year we thought, if we’re doing this, we’re doing it right.”

“In the real world, there’s compromise. That doesn’t mean that everyone is 100 percent happy,” Hutchinson said.

“We recognize that with some of the integration efforts, we are at the cusp. We try to put it all into the fabric of the University.”

Senior Shreshth Jain spoke out about the importance of recognizing the LGBTQ

community on campus.

“It’s important to foster the acceptance of the LGBTQ community and to promote self acceptance and pride within the students who identify as such,” he said.

The Safe Zone program is emerging at a time when schools like Rutgers University are being criticized for their lack of antigay hazing initiatives.

Jain said that in his experience he has felt the student body at St. John’s to be accepting.

“I haven’t experienced any hazing on campus,” Jain said. “The student body, in my experience, is very tolerant and accepting.

“I can imagine the situation being a lot worse for other students who are more readily visible in their differences.”

Fighting poverty abroad one small loan at a time Uche Muomah is a 32-year old Nigerian woman who, after suffering through a marriage with an abusive husband, is putting together a fresh start with the help of some St. John’s business students.

A seamstress by trade, Muomah was the recent beneficiary of a studentmanaged program at the Tobin College of Business which lends microloans to those in need in the developing world.

This is GLOBE (Global Loan Opportunities for Budding Entrepreneurs), a global microloan program that aims to fight poverty abroad by aiding local entrepreneurs and, in turn, their

local communities.

Last semester Muomah was granted one of these GLOBE loans, allowing her to expand her sewing business and support her children independently.

Graduate student Sanya Makhani, who is a member of the GLOBE Graduate Affiliate program, talked about the field of microfinance that GLOBE works in.

“Microfinance is a really new field,” said Makhani. “In our program, we give out loans to people mainly in Africa right now, ranging from 50 to 500 dollars.

It helps them start a business and lift themselves out of poverty.”

Microfinance involves characteristically small loans that require no collateral, and was started by Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel-Peace Prize winning economist who founded the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh twenty-

torchonline.com

The TORCH

27 Oct. 2010

NEWS

JUSTIN THRIFT Editor-in-Chief

TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

GLOBE participants hosted a bake sale on Tuesday.

five years ago.

The group is managed by juniors and seniors in the Tobin College of Business who must pass through an interview and application process before becoming official GLOBE team members. The selected students receive academic credit for their participation in the program, and a new group of undergraduates is selected every semester.

Julia Mignone, one the graduate students who organizes much of GLOBE, said that being able to do a lot with little is a central message of microfinance.

“What makes GLOBE so special is the relation between what the students are able to accomplish with such limited resources, and what the borrowers are able to accomplish with a tiny sum and life-changing ideas,” said Mignone.“The fact that the students are able to make such a difference, with so little as well, is what has made a lasting impression on me.”

GLOBE most recently lent one woman approximately $180 American dollars that helped her buy an oven.

According to Makhani, the oven will help this woman bake bread and other goods that she can sell and support her family and dependents with.

Mankani said the process of handing out GLOBE microloans involves an intermediary group called the Daughters of Charity, a Vincentian order of holy women dedicated to service and the poor.

“Since we are a Vincentian school, we have access to the Daughters of Charity,” said Makhani. “They bring the loan applications to us, and then we transfer the money to them and they bring the money to the borrowers.”

At the moment, all of GLOBE’s money is raised through donations to the program. Makhani told the TORCH there’s a 5 percent flat charge on all the loans that are given out, which comes back and goes straight into the program’s funds.

Makhani explained that the structure of the GLOBE program organizes accepted students into four different teams: marketing, accounting, finance, or information technology.

Rahel Solomon, who graduated last spring and participated in the GLOBE program on the finance and risk assessment team, says the experience helps improve the lives of others while enabling students to apply skills learned in the classroom.

“As a class, we read and watched popular books and videos on the subject of microfinance and eliminating world poverty,” said Solomon. “We reviewed loan applications from potential borrowers and evaluated the proposed business plans.”

Meanwhile, Makhani and Mignone are both a part of the GLOBE Graduate Affiliates program which is comprised of nine graduate students who work more closely with the program’s director, Dr. Linda Sama. Unlike the undergraduates, the graduate affiliates are strictly volunteers and do not receive academic credit.

“We help with higher level decisions and any structure or long term plans,” said Makhani, “stuff that the undergrads don’t have time for.”

Though the program has been exclusively for students in the Tobin College of Business, Makhani noted that this year the program accepted a student from the St. John’s College of Professional Studies.

For Mignone, GLOBE has given her education meaning and dimension.

“Being part of the Graduate Affiliate Program and being able to witness such close ties between the students’ environments and the borrowers’ environments has made me proud to be part of St. John’s,” said Mignone.

“Our ideas may be ambitious to some, but they are more than possible with a little bit of grit and drive.”

Middle East countries home to more than just Islam Christianity recognized as prominent Mid-East religion during a panel held at the Law School RAMIRO FUNEZ Staff Writer Concerns over denied religious freedoms from across the globe have impacted scholars of the local Vincentian community.

The Center for Law and Religion at St. John’s held an event concerning Christians in the Middle East on Thursday, shedding light on the variety of human rights issues facing the region.

Mark Movsesian, director of the Center for Law and Religion and Fredrick A. Whitney, professor of Contract Law, moderated the panel discussion at the School of Law. The group of panelists included Caroline Labib Doss, owner of a Jersey City law firm, Rev. Vahan Hovhanessian, primate of the Armenian Church of Great Britain, and Michael J.L. La Civita, vice president of Communications for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.

It also included Rev. Frank Marangos, dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York, and Piero Tozzi, a senior legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund (a conservative Christian non-profit organization).

Most of the individuals who attended the event were students, professors, and administrators connected to the issue of Christian marginalization in the Middle East.

“I’m delighted with the turnout,” said Marc DeGirolami, an assistant professor at the School of Law, as well as one of the main orchestrators of the event.

“I think that this is an extremely important topic that has been neglected and I am pleased as I think that it has been

given the attention that it deserves and the crowd that it deserves,” DeGirolami said.

This is the first year that the Center for Law and Religion has held an event that discusses the issue of Christian human rights in the Middle East. DeGirolami said that the local Vincentian community

of St. John’s could play a part in further addressing the topic of concern.

“The first thing that the St. John’s community can do to address this issue is to have more forums like this which gathers together a large number of people from different parts of the world to shed

TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

Panelists discussed the marginalization of Christians in the Middle East.

light on the issue,” DeGirolami added.

“After that, it will be up to the people who attend to react as they see fit,” he said.

Many of the panelists speaking at the event agreed that cultivating openmindedness and tolerance toward religion in the Middle East can help provide a positive impact for the recognition of Christians in the region.

La Civita, one of the participating panelists, proposed that knowledge is the best solution.

“The best way to help Christians in the Middle East is for Americans in the United States to learn more about Islam,” La Civita said.

“It’s when uninformed Westerners come into the Middle East and don’t understand the differences in religion are when we have problems,” he added.

Both graduate and undergraduate students at St. John’s had the opportunity to ask questions and react to statements made by the panelists. Some voiced their opinions on the topic.

Christopher Dekki, a law student, believes that the University can educate students more on learning about eastern religions and developing acceptance.

“Being an Arab Catholic, I agree with the statement that someone said about having to understand Muslims in order for them to really understand our problems in the Middle East and that violence and confrontation is really not the way to solve our issues,” Dekki said.

“As Christians, we want to stay in the Middle East and we want to continue being there but the only way to do that is by understanding our Muslim brothers,” he said. “I am one who believes that we are all one.”

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8

Editorial Board LXXXVIII JUSTIN THRIFT Editor-in-Chief

Illustrator’s Corner:

NELL O’CONNOR Managing Editor SARA CAHILL MARRON News Editor MARK MCDONALD General Manager

FLAMES OF THE TORCH

torchonline.com

The TORCH

27 Oct. 2010

OPINION

A warning sign for St. John’s This week the TORCH received two anonymous letters to the editor concerning the debate over recognizing the homosexual community on campus.

While one of these letters addressed the writer’s opinion in a respectful and professional manner, the other letter was offensive in nature and disturbing to every staff member who read it.

“It is so disgusting how you and your trashy newspaper are promoting homosexuality,” reads the letter, “The sad part is that young people today believe that homosexuality is just a life style. Well, it is… an abnormal lifestyle.”

The letter goes on — in poorly written English — to belittle the TORCH’s endorsement of an official LGBTQ organization at St. John’s and the “joke that is in the White House.”

But for many of us, the most disturbing part of this unsigned, typed letter was not the discriminatory tone or hateful intentions — it was the fact that this letter arrived in our mailbox via another St. John’s department. The letter came in an official St. John’s envelope, without postage.

Recent events at Rutgers University have shaken the nation, especially the LGBTQ community. This letter is proof that similar events could easily occur on St. John’s campuses and that the feelings behind the hateful acts that drove Tyler Clementi to suicide are present even in our own community.

The letter claims that there is no place at a Catholic institution for a homosexual organization. In addition, St. John’s has restricted their recognition of the LGBTQ community to their Safe Zone program, which is extremely limited in scope.

However, there is no reason a Catholic institution cannot also be an

institution that recognizes, protects and works with their gay community.

DePaul University, the largest Catholic institution in America and St. John’s Vincentian sister school, has a flourishing Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Allies (LGBTQA) Student Services.

According to its website, the office provides DePaul’s community with various programs, services and events that are reflective of the needs of the students who come to it. The University also offers a minor in LGBTQ studies, introduced only five years ago.

We urge St. John’s, now more than ever before, to seriously reconsider its official stance on an LGBTQ organization. It needs to wake from its slumber and confront the issues that are staring it in the face. Doing so will only enhance the college experience of all St. John’s students. The University can no longer afford to hide behind the veil of narrow ideas. The letter we received makes it all the more clear that not addressing the issue does as much damage as encouraging such ideals.

While we understand the tough position St. John’s administrators are in, we urge them to think of the students who make up the LGBTQ community.

The University should have the same courage it does in coming to school each day by defending the safety and peace of mind of all.

We fear that letters like the one we received this week are a scary reminder of a specific and serious social mindset that exists today. The University needs to do its part to keep these beliefs from permeating its intellectual community.

By taking precautions now, St. John’s can prevent serious issues from arising in the future.

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/MICHAEL MONTIJO

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/JAMES KERRIGAN

Letters to the editor To the Editor:

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 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.

It was truly moving to see the arrogance and disconnect from constituents (and possibly reality) demonstrated by our democratic congressmen at St. John’s University’s federal candidates forum monday night.

In particular, I enjoyed the refined arrogance of Congressman Gary Ackerman, an aged arrogance from 14 terms of ripening in the halls of Congress. He has mastered the art of being insulting, demeaning and pompous simultaneously, all with a smile on his face. Ackerman demonstrated these abilities best when he sunk his teeth into one of our student panelists like Edward Cullen on prom night.

It was amazing to watch Ackerman insult someone a quarter (?) of his age, based off a question he twisted the context of, and then used the non-contextualized question

to benefit himself. A true artist!

It is no wonder our current Congress has served our citizens so well, just look at the outstanding representatives we elect. I find it baffling that some candidates advocate term limits; Congressman Ackerman has served 28 years and is still able to outline his beliefs and policy objectives with the word “yes,” such as his beliefs on the legalization of marijuana.

There has never been a better time to vote Democrat. If our country is to continue to prosper as we have over the past 4 years, we must continue to elect arrogant, disconnected, democratic officials, like Ackerman.

Kyle T. Collins President College Republicans St. John’s University

TORCH Opinion

online at torchonline.com/opinion

9

Students fighting injustice with FIRE

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/MICHAEL MONTIJO

educational institution can commit: contradicting their mission statement and subsequently doing their students a serious injustice.

The message DePaul’s administration has sent forth is one of intolerance and insularity. The image they portray of themselves is not that of an institution against illegal drugs, but primarily of an institution with an insincere hidden agenda. In light of this incident, it is hard to claim there is a free exchange of ideas in DePaul’s political marketplace, as the University’s mission statement contends. There is only a confusion of the school’s mission statement and denial of an environment where a diversity of opinions is upheld.

Fortunately, the students who are the victims of this hypocritical administration are not accepting it.

They contacted the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), a group that represents civil rights in education and fights injustice on behalf of those who do not have the means. FIRE sent a letter to the President of DePaul, and in return received a response from the vice president of Student Affairs defending the school’s actions. They are currently engaged in an ongoing campaign to reverse the decision and publicize the school’s antics.

I commend these select students at DePaul University for their efforts. This story’s moral has developed into more than an advocacy of legalizing marijuana. It is much deeper than that. This controversy takes root in the writings of Thoreau, particularly his famous essay on civil disobedience where he implores citizens to take

action against laws and legislation they feel unjust.

Thoreau’s ideas and practical actions in the mid1800s have become clichés, fueling a generation of antiestablishment peace-seekers in the 60s and momentarily inspiring almost every high school student who first reads his counter-cultural words. Few are those who actually practice the ideas addressed in Civil Disobedience; these DePaul students are providing us with a tangible example.

The Students for Cannabis Policy Reform are dedicated to an effort of raising awareness against bad and unjust legislation, and now their cause has come up against an enormous institution that has unfairly ignored them. As the largest Catholic university in America, it is safe to say that the group’s adversary is a powerful one.

One should not have to be in favor of legalizing marijuana to feel compelled by this cause. It is a present example of the dangers of institutional introspection and the importance of demanding accountability.

To rally behind the Students for Cannabis Policy Reform, simply visit the FIRE homepage at thefire.org.

There, you can send a personal or pre-written message directly to the President of DePaul University, from one power institution to another.

Justin Thrift is a senior English major who is fully in support of the Students for Cannabis Policy Reform.

He can be reached at: torcheic@gmail.com

COMPILED BY THOMAS CARNEVALE

How do you feel about the 50 violation points awarded to the D’Angelo Center Food Court in a recent NYC health inspection?

27 Oct. 2010

STUDENTSPARKS: D’Angelo

OPINION

Right now at DePaul University there is a group of students trying to form a campus organization called Students for Cannabis Policy Reform.

As the name of the group suggests, the purpose of this organization, according to their official mission statement, is to “lobby and influence, by legal means, local representatives and lawmakers to reform the laws and policies regarding the Cannabis Sativa plant.

Emphasis will also be put on informing the public of the advantages or benefits of such policy reform.”

In theory, these students are well within their rights to form such a group, especially since DePaul’s organizations policy aims to promote “robust debate and exposure to differing points of view,” and the school’s student handbook states that “Students have the right to their own ideas, beliefs and political associations.”

So, last spring these students filed an application for official recognition from the University. They waited until Sept. 15 for a response. Finally, Director of Student Life Suzanne Kilgannon issued a formal rejection of the group’s application, issuing the follow statement: “Despite our best arguments, our vice president feels very strongly that having an approved group on campus would send an institutional message that he believes we are not prepared to manage.”

The Students for Cannabis Policy Reform were discarded because of the cultural stereotypes and stigmas of marijuana and those who use it recreationally or advocate for its legality. Even though the group’s intent is to challenge political ideas and laws that they feel are unfair—and not to simply advocate the illegal consumption of the plant— DePaul claims that by recognizing the group, it sends an institutional message of advocacy.

This is an interesting theory on behalf of DePaul.

To accept this notion would be to say that DePaul advocates the messages of every official student group that it has approved, regardless of their political or social stance. If this were the case, DePaul as an institution would be fundamentally contradictory and confused. Smothering Students for Cannabis Policy Reform violates that university’s proposed mission of free expression and association that is so important to a liberal education. The school has broken an authentic attempt by some of its students to contribute towards a real marketplace of ideas and cultural growth.

In short, DePaul is guilty of the worst crime that an

The TORCH

Mariah Hunter Sophomore

Gross, I’d like to know the food I’m eating is safe.

Steve Anderson Freshman

I’m upset, I didn’t know. It’s ridiculous since we pay so much to eat this food.

Morgan Wright Sophomore

It makes me nauseous; completely gross with all this money we pay.

Ashley Bailey-Roecher Spohomore

torchonline.com

I did not know the inspector came.

They should be keeping things safe and clean.

10

TORCH Opinion

torchonline.com

The TORCH

27 Oct. 2010

OPINION

Let’s just go back to coffee

There are a lot of things I just can’t understand. Why does our basketball team play at MSG at noon on Saturdays? Why do 95 percent of food places in NYC take cash only when it’s 2010 and even gas stations in rural Georgia take debit? What is happening in lacrosse? It looks like a bunch of guys from Long Island really aggressively chasing butterflies. If they weren’t so rough they’d probably catch more. It’s a butterfly, not the last open spot at the marina, relax.

But what puzzles and frustrates me the most now is the Tea Party. Sure, they get made fun of, but somewhere in my mind I thought, ‘hey, these are just upset people who have lost their jobs and are in tough economic times, and they have their own view on how to fix the political system. Are they really that different from you and I?’ Man, was I wrong. They are crazy. Every story I’ve read or seen on the Tea Party is usually met with a, “But that’s the liberal media skewing our message!” type of response. At some point, this can’t be the reason. Forgetting all of the standard stuff these candidates get mocked for: Carl Paladino’s bestiality porn e-mails, Rich Iott’s Nazi uniforms, Sarah Palin making up words, Rand Paul’s civil rights quotes, Christine O’Donnell’s…well, just everything she says, when you look at the “message” of this party, you can’t seriously be wanting to elect any of these people, right?

The problem is the Tea Party doesn’t even have a message. The co-founder of the party in Missouri went on Bill Maher last week and couldn’t even name one thing she would cut from the bloated government that Tea Partiers are always complaining about. Christine O’Donnell can’t name a recent Supreme Court case and doesn’t remember which amendment of the Constitution is supposedly the center of the entire Tea Party movement (the 16th – Income Tax).

Like Anderson Cooper said, it’s tough to have the whole Constitution memorized, but O’Donnell claims to be a Constitution expert, and is running for Senate. You and I aren’t. Even worse, regular Republicans now have nobody else to support and consequently are unfairly mixed in with these people.

You can’t be serious, America. Even a four-year old throws a tantrum and has a tea party.

There is no way these people should be in office.

There are many journalists who have reached the same conclusion about the Tea Party. Go to one of their rallies. (Actually, don’t.) The signs make no sense, especially when put next to each other. They want parts of the government cut – but only the parts they don’t like – and what they like varies from person to person so greatly that if you think our government does nothing now, wait until these people get in charge.

Hey Republicans, I’m not telling you to vote Democrat instead. Life in America has been pretty good for a long time now, when you think about it. When Democrats were in charge, the economy was up, then it was down, then we got into a couple of wars, then we made some positive social reforms; Sound familiar? Because when Republicans were in charge, literally the same thing happened. Sure, these wars varied in their ethical value but it’s important to note – we progress! Maybe we’re behind the times on some issues, but there is balance.

The most important thing is that every congressman, for the most part (OK, really only excluding Michele Bachmann) is educated. They know how Capitol Hill works. I could never have that job, and most of us couldn’t either.

The way to really fix our country’s problems right now?

Patience. Yes, things are rough, but you don’t need to elect these stupid, stupid people to office. The economy goes up, and it goes down.

No party can change that. It just happens that way because people make money, then save it thinking everything is going to go bad, then spend again. It will get better – I know the 24-hour news cycle wants you to think otherwise, but it WILL get better. So for now, please, can we just elect normal liberals and normal conservatives to Congress, keep the balance, and just ride it out for a year until the economy’s stable again? Please?

And will somebody please tell Carl Paladino to stop sending me emails? I can’t get my roommate’s dog off my computer when he sends a new one out. It smells like the “Dogs Playing Poker” dogs came to life and started acting out Eyes Wide Shut in there.

Jeffrey Gilbert is a Senior. He can be reached at: jeffreygilberttorch@gmail.com

online at torchonline.com/opinion

The importance of being a well-informed student

A few weeks ago, I was riveted to my laptop and television screen, watching in awe as the Chilean miners were one by one extracted from their prison almost a mile below the Earth’s surface. It was a story I had followed closely for the entirety of their time underground, checking at least once a day for updates on CNN and other news organizations.

However, I found that most people I brought it up to (which was several on a daily basis) frequently had to be reminded of a story that had dominated headlines for days just weeks before.

Too often, I bear witness to the incredible short attention span of the human population. Most often, but certainly not limited to, in my fellow students at this University. For example, when the TORCH was busy covering the story of Cecilia Chang, we found that many students had no idea who she was or what she did, despite ample coverage by both this and other media outlets.

It has been my experience that the prevalent issues of the day regularly remain just that: the issues of that day, or week or month when it is en vogue to care, or at the very least, seem to care. Unfortunately, it is typically these issues that we should always care about.

I’m not saying that every person has to care about every cause and throw themselves behind something just for the sake of being there. What I

am saying is that we need to be more educated on what is happening in our world, to know at least the bare minimum. Spending just a few minutes each morning or evening watching the news can enhance an individual’s life tremendously.

Picking up a newspaper (which you already have, thank you!) can help pass time during an otherwise monotonous commute. You don’t even have to do that much work, there are hundreds of thousands of news websites just waiting for you.

Being aware of what is happening in the world around you will also help you in the workplace.

Companies are looking for bright young people who know more than the latest celebrity cheating scandal, although that may also come in handy.

Many college students argue that they don’t have the time to keep up with the news. Between classes, work, extra-curricular activities, social lives and relationships, the most they can do in their down time is browse their Facebooks and Twitters, making sure that they keep up on what is really important to them.

I’m not arguing that people have to constantly monitor what is happening in the world or even care. I’m arguing that they should want to. Paying attention to what goes on in the world can open a person’s mind and present them with previously unforeseen opportunities. Being able to communicate with others about important, and even trivial, issues can help make it easier to interact.

Whether it be a newspaper, online news source or even CNN playing in the background, take the time to pay attention. Take the time to care. Take the time to expand your horizons and be open to possibilities.

You’ll be glad you did.

Nell O’Connor is a Senior journalism student.

She can be reached at: torch.managingeditor@gmail.com

Think Outside...

Features

3

15

Section

Earth Club spreads awareness to go green MELISSA MCGRATH Contributing Writer

In the 21st century, it has become apparent that the Green Revolution has quickly risen from grassroots to mainstream. Not a day goes by where someone isn’t talking about the need to “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” This can be seen on our very own campus. The Earth Club, along with many helpful faculty and staff including Frank Cantelmo and Thomas Goldsmith, is making drastic changes to the way our campus operates, helping to make it greener and more earth-friendly.

The Earth Club, along with the Sustainability Coordinators and the Office of Sustainability, is hoping St. John’s will be a part of the “Campus Conservation Nationals,” in which schools compete to reduce the amounts of energy they use. Earth Club president, Erin Chalmers, is one of the many who support this initiative.

“We must unify the students and send out the message that it’s not just the Earth Club, but all of the students, who are trying to make this fundamental change,” said Chalmers.

The most obvious step St. John’s has taken is to increase student recycling by implementing the use of recycling bins.

Everyone has come across the red recycling bins somewhere on campus from the D’Angelo Center to St. John’s Hall to the Library, which helps keep students conscious about the kind of waste they are producing and whether or not it can be reused. There are also recycling bins throughout resident halls to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to go green.

Chalmers and the rest of the members of Earth Club are doing their best not only

to take action but to spread awareness because they believe action is no good “if no one knows about it.”

This awareness is spreading like wildfire because just this Wednesday the DNY lecture on sustainability had the ability to reach the entire freshman class. The lecture informed students about the changes St. John’s made through their own and government programs.

Besides the recycling bins, the Earth Club, in collaboration with Thomas Goldsmith, director of Energy and Environmental Conservation, received grants to design a fully organic garden next to the softball field by Donovan Hall. The garden produces vegetables that are given to the St. John’s Bread and Life soup kitchen.

This garden is special because not only is it organic, but it allows students to get their hands dirty and participate in the experience of sustainability. The garden is also a central part of St. John’s’ sustainability initiative.

Since its infrastructure is eco-friendly, it efficiently uses water and the soil comes directly from the Rocket compositing machine. The Rocket, which helps create compost useful for making the soil richer, is located behind Montgoris and uses leftover food from the cafeteria and coffee grinds to create the compost material.

Chalmers’ favorite accomplishment is the compost initiative.

“We’re harnessing the power of nature and it makes such a huge difference,” said Chalmers.

Calling the compost the “trash of treasure,” Chalmers realizes the significance of putting salvageable items to good use rather than letting the waste sit in a landfill.

Redefining the new goal for Earth

TORCH PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

Vegetables from the organic garden are given to STJ’s soup kitchen Club is Chalmers’ newest endeavor. All of Earth Club’s projects are in their rudimentary stage.

She says that besides bringing these programs to their full potential, her goal is to bring awareness to the administra-

tion.

“Incorporating sustainability is an inherent part of the University mission,” said Chalmers. “It’s about having a positive future and about taking care of creation.”

CAROLYN WARGULA Features Editor

torchonline.com

With numerous treadmills, exercise bikes, lifting equipment and dozens of exercise classes offered regularly throughout the week, students living on campus have no excuse not to exercise.

“I go to the gym twice a week for cardio. Mainly I do it because it’s the only time in my life I’m going to have a free gym,” said Kerns. “But I also do it to maintain an active lifestyle.”

Although Silie goes to the gym twice a week, she is less than excited to use the gym’s equipment.

“Sometimes I don’t go to the gym because I don’t feel like it. But my favorite forms of exercise are field hockey and biking outside which is not an option on campus,” said Silie.

Students can make healthy choices and exercise regularly by finding a routine that works for them. But even in stressful times, students must find a balance in their life to stay healthy. Students must be proactive to sustain their health on campus.

“When college started, time management got more demanding,” said Kerns.

“And for a lot of people, making healthy choices fell in priority.”

The TORCH

options with fast-food, such as Taco Bell and Burger King, having the longest lines. With D’Angelo Food Court’s recent health violations and Montgoris’ lack of selection for healthy dishes, students expressed contempt towards eating wellbalanced meals.

As a lifetime vegetarian, Silie expressed dissatisfaction towards the poor quality of vegetables at Montgoris.

“They have salads and they’re not the best stuff. But I make do with what they have,” said Silie.

Ramos tries to keep a balanced diet by regularly buying fruit and yogurt at Marillac or the C-Store. Most students shared the same opinion that it is difficult to sustain a healthy diet with the limited options on campus.

“I do care about eating healthy, but the institution of St. John’s does not provide the option,” said sophomore, Rob Kerns.

“Instead of providing the same general meals everyday, Chartwells should provide healthier alternative options.”

While the dining options at St. John’s do not garner much support, students believe that the gym in the Carnesecca Arena offers lots of options for students.

27 Oct. 2010

With philosophy papers, chemistry tests, Spanish quizzes and theology presentations, college students do not have the time or energy to make healthy choices with diet, exercise, and sleep. In the American College Health Association report from Fall 2009, 45 percent of college students felt they did not get enough sleep three to five nights in the past week.

Less than 30 percent of college students get the necessary three to four servings of vegetables and fruit a day, and less than 20 percent of students admitted to working out regularly throughout the week.

Yet, with a demanding schedule, how are students expected to eat three healthy meals a day, find an exercise routine that works for them and get the necessary eight hours of sleep at night?

Getting sufficient rest seems to be the biggest concern for students on campus. Whether it’s an overactive social life or a demanding cur-

riculum or work schedule, all students share a common dilemma – lack of sleep.

For sophomore Katie Ramos, getting enough sleep every night is a difficult task. Due to a loud common room in her suite and the fact that she has 7:30 a.m. classes twice a week, Ramos often feels drowsy throughout the day. Although Ramos uses her headphones to drown out the noise from her suite when she goes to bed early, she also takes naps throughout the day to catch up on her sleep.

“Without a good night sleep, I can’t concentrate or think straight,” said Ramos. “The naps during the day don’t help because they re-energize me and make it harder to fall asleep.”

In fact, the National Sleep Foundation states that a long nap during the day or a nap taken later in the day can severely affect sleeping patterns at night.

Sophomore Yenessi Silie admitted to only getting three to six hours of sleep on a given night and felt that it was difficult to function throughout the day. Yet, more than getting enough sleep, Silie is frustrated with the poor amount of healthy food options on campus.

In Marillac, there are very few healthy

FEATURES

Staying healthy in the midst of stress

TORCHCOMICS 27 October 2010

Kitaro Jennifer Perez

The Adventures of rufus

James Kerigan

Elevator Man Jordan Baum

1-800 ARMSTRACO Johnathan Roman

17

torchonline.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF PARANORMALMOVIE.COM

The TORCH

Pg. 18

27 Oct. 2010

Paranormal Activity 2 beats out the evil spirits in theatres nationwide

ENTERTAINMENT

HORRIFYING PLEASURE

18

The Sun Never Sets On The Tennessee Empire AN

IN-DEPTH

REVIEW

OF

THE

LATEST

KINGS

OF

LEON

ALBUM

MATT ZAZZARINO Contributing Writer

B

y the time that awkward segment of the encore break rolls around, everyone in the IZOD Center is sweating collectively. Matthew, Nathan, Jared, and ultimately, the smirking Caleb Followil walk out to deafening shrieks, in a manner that defies elaboration: they are only walking.

It is September of 2009 and after managing to spend two-and-a-half hours hardly 20 feet from Jeff Tweedy and Wilco at a minor league baseball stadium in upstate New York for a fraction of the cost that summer, I am feeling vaguely disillusioned as I fight the urge to stare at the big screens behind the stage. Kings of Leon kick off a murky album cut from their latest, Only By the Night, and it seems like my four friends and I are the only ones who’ve heard it before. The next song complicates the issue.

That bassline of “Knocked Up” is drawn slowly out of the speakers, as if summoned by the kick drum’s relentless call, but the incantation isn’t strong enough to raise the vast majority of still-seated spectators.

When the band dives right into “Use Somebody,” the surprise monster-hit which is single-handedly funding this tour, I am momentarily distracted from that eerie thing that is at work beneath the surface here.

Three minutes later, the fantasy collapses, as I watch half the arena clear out during the opening strains of “Black Thumbnail,” the kind of song that should be a quick-and-dirty coda to get the last of the energy out, but is instead a disheartening reminder of who is buying these tickets and why.

Now, I’ll admit, I am a “fan” of the band. When “Sex on Fire” broke the top ten on the Billboard Rock charts, I didn’t feel disenfranchised. When Trey Songz covered “Use Somebody” on MTV’s Unplugged, I wasn’t

PHOTO COURTESY OF KINGSOFLEON.COM

The Kings of Leon bring fans exactly what they crave in their latest album Come Around Sundown. offended. It was exhilarating to watch a band I grew up listening to cash in on our joint dream. My mother taught me well – I was alright with sharing. But without ever having accused the band of supposedly selling out, I can still say, with relative certainty, that Only By the Night was not the Kings’ best album, and like any fan would be after a release that is, in even the slightest way, disappointing, the two or three weeks leading up to the release of Come Around Sundown were fraught with nerves and unfounded prophesying.

The lead single, “Radioactive,” in no way aided by its atrocious Baptist choir barbecue video, went to number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart

The Activity Begins Again THE PA R ANO RM AL PREQUEL W INS OVER AUDIENCES NATIONWIDE JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN AMY RUBIO OUT OF 4 STARS

S

erving as a prequel to the original, Paranormal Activity 2 has been one of the year’s highly anticipated films.

Fans of the first film will not be disappointed as Paranormal Activity 2 elaborates on the original while introducing new characters. The movie begins 60 days before the death of Micah Sloat, who was killed in the original. Kristi (sister of Katie Featherston from Paranormal Activity) comes home on Aug. 7, 2006, with her newborn son, Hunter and her husband Daniel. After what seems to be a

break-in, Daniel has cameras installed around the house. Through these cameras and a personal camcorder, the audience is able to witness a series of unusual events, including a levitating baby and cabinets being flung open.

Kristi’s stepdaughter, Ali, does her research and finds that all evidence points to a demon in the house. After Kristi becomes possessed by the demon, Martine, the fired house maid, is welcomed back to help chase the evil spirits away.

The movie offers a more personal setting as a family becomes involved and the experience is captured on home video. Paranormal Activity 2 will have the audience on the edge of their seats as they anticipate the moment when something unexpectedly appears on the screen. Paranormal Activity 2 is easily the most thrilling movie of 2010.

torchonline.com

The TORCH

27 Oct. 2010

ENTERTAINMENT

Contributing Writer

PHOTO COURTESY O F PARANORMALMOVIE.COM

Paranormal Activity 2 uses a family setting in the prequel to recreate the effortless scare tactics that brought huge crowds to the theatre with the original film.

on Oct. 16, but has commanded a confusingly small radius of exposure compared to the omnipresence of “Use Somebody.” There was something from their recent singles notably absent in “Radioactive,” although not enough to make anyone take notice. In predicting the direction of the new album, the song betrayed little ammunition for those on either side of the discussion.

But much in the same way that Kings of Leon could do nothing but walk out to greet the masses a year ago in their New Jersey concert, Come Around Sundown does the musical equivalent: it walks out casually, it doesn’t strut out Gene Simmons-style, nor does it shuffle along like a Malkmus disciple. It’s the unassuming but indisputably adept encore to Only By the Night from a band that knows what it does best and how to keep doing it, even if that means having to watch a few people get up after the “good parts.” It’s not an alienating album by any stretch of the imagination, but it doesn’t reach out to anyone not already listening.

Come Around Sundown opens with “The End,” a track that functions like an abstract for the rest of the album. It immediately makes the differences between this album and the last clear: the sound they began to fashion on Because of the Times and realized on Only By the Night is still intact, but they achieve it in a more subtle way. “The End” begins with a roomful of drums and a single-note guitar lick dipped by its heel into a pool of reverb, and although the dynamic does shift for the expected sweeping chorus, it doesn’t do so by funneling itself through the trademark fuzz of earlier efforts.

Throughout the album, Kings of Leon manufacture open space that invites the listener in, instead of creating a sonic barrier that needs breaking. “Pyro,” the expected second single, makes a play to usurp the throne of Weepy Sing-along Smash, arguably left vacant in the rock world since the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Scar Tissue,” with an arrangement that does, in its own way, recall the interplay between Frusciante, Smith, and Flea and lyrics that are gibberish, yet seem to somehow feel profound. “Pickup Truck” closes the album by the same formula, although with an uncharacteristically perplexing rhythm that revolves around the juxtaposition of early snare accents and a snaky late bassline which give an otherwise standard mid-tempo tune a refreshing sense of urgency and consequence.

What’s striking about this album is the steady momentum of the back half, a department that Kings of Leon have managed to muck up consistently on every previous album. You’ll wait in vain for this year’s model of “Velvet Snow” or “I Want You” but surprisingly, nothing disrupts the brilliant sequence from “Beach Side” to “Pickup Truck.” “Beach Side” deserves mention in isolation for being the most honestly fun KoL song that, in a weird way, is legitimately unlike anything else the band has recorded. Even the skepticism a title like “Mi Amigo” might inspire is put to rest after its potent beat drops.

A one-to-one, track-by-track analysis of Come Around Sundown gives it a clear upperhand against most alternative album. What’s endearing and truly exciting about this album is that it gives the distinct impression of a band on the move. Some bands hurtle recklessly ahead, expending all of their energy at once to create a single memorable album, but Come Around Sundown establishes the Kings as a band still going somewhere.

Trick or Trends INFERNO OFFERS SOME QUICK DISGUISE TRICKS FOR CHEAP ANGEL KAEHL Contributing Writer

Hit or Miss INFERNO REVIEWS THE LATEST ALBUM AND MIXTAPE RELEASES TO DETERMINE IF THE MUSIC IS RIGHT ON TARGET RALPH BRISTOUT Staff Writer

highly anticipated debut album entitled Slime Flu. Initially expected to be a mixtape release, Slime Flu features the Dipset/U.N. affiliate, bringing listeners into his realm with the use of clever wordplay and undeniable lyrical cadence.

The contagiousness begins with the brass-sampled opener “Council Music,” which offers a ‘70s-style mafioso-esque sound. Here, Vado declares his introduction to hip-hop while boastfully denouncing his competitors, “You write rhymes, my lines defines movies…”

At first listen, it is apparent that Vado draws from the influence of early hip-hop music.

On songs like “The Greatest,” “Celebration” and “Snapped” among others, Cam’ron’s protégé rhymes with a nostalgic flow that is reminiscent to a ‘90s hiphop record while still maintaining a modern style.

Of the many highlights on Slime Flu, there are also some missteps. On tracks like the Ralph Lauren fanatic anthem “Polo,” the bass-heavy fashion ode strays away from the album’s street and soul-oriented vibe. The same can be said for the club-friendly “Speakin’ In Tungs,” which is questionably placed as the album’s closing track.

Overall, Vado’s Slime Flu remains resilient due to its embodiment of good quality music and hard-hitting lyricism.

and never apologized to and a girl who stole her boyfriend, respectively.

“Innocent,” already widely known from Swift’s performance at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards this past September, was inspired by rapper Kanye West and the incident that occurred between the two stars at the previous year’s awards show. However, Swift uses this song to forgive West and shows her hope to move on from the situation in peace.

The title track, “Speak Now,” is a fun, enjoyable song, although not as catchy as “Mine” and “Better Than Revenge” which are easily the best songs of the album. “Mine”

debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one for Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs back in August. The introductory song has that familiar Swift feel that listeners love, while “Better Than Revenge” is more bold and gutsy for the singer.

As great as the album is, Speak Now sounds like any other Swift album. It is exactly what a fan would expect from the artist: sparkles, fantasy, naivety, teen angst and heartbreak.

While the album doesn’t seem particularly unique, Swift does deserves recognition for writing the album entirely on her own.

There is also a deluxe version of the album which features a few more songs such as “Ours,” “Superman” and the acoustic versions of “Haunted” and “Back to December.”

If craving that familiar, fun and catchy sound from Swift, listen to Speak Now. Music fans are bound to love this album, which is definitely worth a listen.

VADO Slime Flu

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(Hip-Hop/Rap) 1/2 OUT OF 4 STARS

I

t has been several years since New York City has ridden the coattails of a rising hip-hop emcee from one of its five boroughs. It seemed as if the city suffered from a musical drought, with its lack of new and talented acts.

However, Harlem’s own Vado emerges from the same neighborhood made famous by his role models including the late Big L, Ma$e, and mentor Cam’ron. The rapper looks to shake things up in the Big Apple and hip-hop world with his

ABIGAIL HERNANDEZ Contributing Writer TAYLOR SWIFT Speak Now (Pop)

OUT OF 4 STARS

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27 Oct. 2010

aylor Swift is back with her tell-all album Speak Now. In her third effort, Swift, known for speaking her mind, takes things to a much more personal level.

The song “Dear John” is a prime example of her fearlessness in expressing her thoughts on a past relationship gone wrong. The somber song is rumored to be about former flame John Mayer, in which Swift’s heartbreak is felt through the hauntingly beautiful wails in the song. Other songs such as “Mean,” “Back To December” and “Better Than Revenge” also address specific un-named individuals such as a harsh critic, a person Swift hurt

ENTERTAINMENT

alloween costumes have changed a lot since the basic bedsheet ghost and toilet paper mummy. However, with a college student budget, both almost seem like a decent last-minute fix. Fear not! There are many alternatives to getting in touch with one’s inner ghoul or witch without breaking the bank.

For most, the trouble is finding out where to look for a good costume. Most go for the humorous side of Halloween while others like to embrace the classic terror theme. Whichever is chosen can be found and created with ease.

There are many costume stores within a few mile radius of the St. John’s campus. The closest, Spirit, is off of Union Turnpike and has a wide variety of the classic spooky costumes to the newest gag costume that will demand attention.

With new shipments weekly, Spirit is bound to have a costume for everyone.

But the question is: what to be? As Lucy Van Pelt said in It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, “A person should choose a costume that contrasts her own personality.” In other words, choose a costume that exceeds expectations and will be the talk of the party.

For women, the most popular choices are the classic witch costume or favorite heroine, and even the outrageous Lady Gaga. For men, the Banana costume and the inflatable ostrich cowboy hold the top spots for gag favorite. If attempting a group theme, no wrong can be done dressing up as the fist-pumping characters of The Jersey Shore. Even if you can’t get the “Snooki poof” or the Situation’s six-pack come Sunday, there are costumes dedicated to the cast that include a faux Snooki wig and a Situation t-shirt.

If a full costume is not within your budget, Spirit has a wide variety of wigs, fun-shaped glasses and face-painting kits. Not only would this be a cheaper solution, it would also give a lot of space for creativity and originality.

Using household items can also be a money-saving alternative. With some old clothes or fabrics, you can put a modern twist on the classic witch disguise. Accessories also make all the difference. Don some psychedelic earrings to achieve the hippie look or sport some fangs as a vampire. If opting for a pirate ensemble, be sure to bring your eye patch and fake parrot. It is also easy to rip up a pair of old jeans and a t-shirt, and pile on the dark make-up to become an instant zombie.

Still unsure as to what to be? Not a problem. Anyone can find inspiration for a costume anywhere! From your favorite movie, T.V. show or even friends. Keep a few of these tips in mind to ease the confusion and make shopping or creating a costume an enjoyable experience.

Halloween is a fun tradition at any age. From the thought process behind deciding a costume to wearing it on the actual night, the holiday is all about the experience more so than the outfit. So when looking for a disguise, consider these tips and don’t forget to bring the right attitude with your costume!

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OTHER ALBUMS ALSO AVAILABLE ON iTUNES...

FAR EAST MOVEMENT

KINGS OF LEON

Free Wired

Come Around Sundown (Alternative)

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(Pop)

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPIRITHALLOWEEN.COM

The Jersey Shore cast have become popular costume choices this Halloween, especially for fans of the show.

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Back Puts Bronx Back On The Map ALBE BRINGS HIP-HOP HOME AS THE INFERNO’S FEATURED ARTIST MARIA YAP Staff Writer

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ightfully named the birthplace of hip-hop, the Bronx has bred some of the most talented individuals in entertainment.

Alberto Daniels, better known as Albe Back, is one of them. While most recognize him from his role as Brooklyn in the hit movie ATL, Back’s talent goes well beyond the movie screen.

From poetry to hip-hop, this artist is no stranger to the mic and the spotlight.

Back’s father is the founder of The Lost Poets, so the art of poetry and rhyme has always been a part of his life.

Sharing the stage with some of this generation’s finest poets on HBO’s popular series Def Jam Poetry, Back has been able to perfect his craft.

One song that has helped push Back’s career is “Mira Mira Ven Aqui,” featuring rapper Fabolous. After the success and feedback he received from his music, Back took on the role of entrepreneur as well. JusBe is a multimedia company that Back created that dabbles in the arts, including music film, videography and creativity. Fans can even watch Back’s very own web series, One Minute Show, online, which is released under JusBe. Through his multimedia company, viewers can expect quality short films, songs and music videos.

As far as he has come, one thing Back will never forget or leave behind is his beloved Bronx. In an interview with the Inferno, Back discusses his hometown, inspiration and the current state of music.

Inferno: Why hip-hop?

Albe Back: I didn’t choose hip-hop; my mom is hip-hop. I was born and raised in the birthplace of hiphop, the Bronx, so it’s only natural.

Inferno: What is your opinion on the current state of music?

Back: I think music, the selling/marketing/product side

of it, is suffering, but the art of music isn’t. As a music fan, you just gotta know where to find the art you like.

There’s music for everybody; you just gotta know where to look. With that being said, the current state of music is exciting because it’s like we’re on this never-ending search for great art, great music.

Inferno: Who or what inspires you?

Back: The “wow factor” inspires me. I thrive off feedback from others. When somebody reacts to something I’ve said, done or created with a “Wow! Did he just say that?” or “Wow! Did he make that?” It inspires and motivates me to continue what I’m doing and become better at it.

Inferno: Favorite music collaborations you’ve done?

Back: DMC, MC Lyte, KRS-One, Dead Prez, Mos Def, Kanye West, Goapele, Whosane, Fabolous and Kidz in the Hall, just to name a few.

Inferno: What is a random fact that people don’t know about you?

Back: I’ve never kissed an asian girl.

Inferno: What can we expect from you in 2011?

Back: Releases of movie and short films we [at JusBe] shot this past year, and just more creativity.

Inferno: What advice would you give to college students?

Back: Lie to yourself until you become what you are saying. I say that in a good sense. It’s an amazing way to get through things in life. If a professor gives you a five-page paper to write, tell yourself “I’m gonna do six pages!” You might not be able to, but if you lie and say it, it just might happen. In a way, it motivates you.

From his extroverted personality, his lyrical abilities to his entrepreneurship, fans can only anticipate more from this talented artist who left home to pursue his dreams. No worries though; Albert says “Albe Back.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF XXLMAG.COM

Albe Back is the CEO of his multimedia company, JusBe, as well as a rapper and web series creator.

From The Big Stage To The Little Theatre CPTG’S RENT PUTS ON AN INSPIRING PERFORMANCE FOR THE ST. JOHN’S COMMUNITY

ENTERTAINMENT

SARAH FESTA Contributing Writer

torchonline.com

The TORCH

27 Oct. 2010

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SONYPICTURES.COM/MOVIES/RENT

RENT is based off the famous Broadway play and Jonathan Larson’s hit film of the same name.

ex, drugs, and rock and roll are three things rarely talked about at St. John’s University. Yet, these were the controversial issues discussed in The Chappell Players Theatre Group production of Jonathan Larson’s rock opera, RENT. Directed by Samantha Tella, the show follows a group of unique individuals squatting in New York’s Alphabet City. From the opening moments of the production, it’s clear that the Chappell Players were sure to live up to the famed likes of Taye Diggs, Jesse L. Martin, and Idina Menzel, some of the talented actors who played Larson’s characters in the beloved film.

Mark, performed by Chris Engler, opens up the show with his quirky and slightly awkward monologue which quickly makes him an endearing character and takes the audience back to the end of the millennium.

Mark narrates the story of his friends as they face death, AIDS, drug abuse, and the constant fear of losing their home to Benny’s (played by Aaron Poon) corporate power while simultaneously, and most importantly, losing their dignity.

Along the journey, the audience meets the rest of the intriguing cast who each find a way to relate with the audience as they come to terms with the hardships that surround them.

Director Samantha Tella said, “It really helps that we were in New York City doing this show. It was easy for them [the cast] to do some research and dive into the passion and hunger.”

Tella was also proud of her cast for finding their inner “activist, anarchist passion” despite facing hectic

schedules and dreaded mid-terms. She praised the cast’s quick acceptance of the show’s message, which they found to be both personally and socially relevant.

It was the personal investment of the cast that made the show possible in a short amount of time.

The RENT cast and crew had about a month to put on a full-scale musical, which included a full set and a double cast.

Some elements of the production that fell flat were the content of the risqué script and Mimi’s (played by both Amora Laucella and Melanie Hernandez) flashy outfit. Instead, it came when the nine-piece ensemble effortlessly blended in with the principle cast, creating an outstanding and unusually powerful presence onstage. Suddenly, the Little Theatre felt a lot more like New York City.

“This is an ensemble driven show,” said senior Justin Phillips, who played Tom Collins, a homosexual man who comes to love a male transvestite.

According to Phillips, each cast member is required to put in 10 hours of service to other areas of production, such as set building and advertising. The involvement paid off as seen by the strong audience response. Audience members enjoyed clapping along with the cast as they performed the Broadway favorite, “Seasons of Love.”

Despite the shortage of time and a few technical glitches during the production, the Chappell Players Theatre Group bravely and successfully created a world of actions, consequences and hardship for their audience, both onstage and off. Its cast proved to be both talented and inspiring, leaving the audience with messages of hope and perseverance.

As Tella put it, “RENT can change a life and convey a message.”

Other cast members included Dylan Frisina, Marquise Harris, Shakira Abney-Wisdom, Lonnita Belk, Ivana Williams, Ann Marie Mascioli, Katie Morgan, Yrena Jia, Katherine L’Esperance, Molly Dies, Tsebya Derry, Nathan McBrady, Kurt Cruz, Christian Schwoyer, and Ben Kistinger.

21

Finale’s torn and frayed Women’s Soccer team loses season finale to unbeaten Marquette TIMOTHY GIBBONS Contributing Writer

Solid defense but a failure to capitalize on offensive chances—the song remained the same Sunday in the women’s soccer team’s loss to Marquette.

TORCH FILE PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

Junior goalkeeper Kristin Russell made four first-half saves Sunday.

MARQUETTE

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ST. JOHN’S

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Marquette entered the game 10-0 in Big East play (14-3-2 overall), and though the Red Storm gave a gritty effort, the Golden Eagles won 2-0 and left the field still perfect in conference play. The loss brought the St. John’s season record to 6-10-2 overall and 3-7-1 in the Big East.

St. John’s kept the Golden Eagles off the board until early in the second half, when Rachel Sloan knocked one in from seven yards out in the 47th minute. For Sloan it was her sixth goal of the season.

Lindsey Page added an insurance goal to

push the score to 2-0 in the 68th minute.

St. John’s junior goalkeeper Kristin Russell kept Marquette off the board in the first with four saves.

Marquette had 20 shots on the day, but allowed just seven on target, a strong statement of the effort given by a back line led by Michelle Iannacchino, Kristina Quan and Megan Klement.

After the game, St. John’s head coach Ian Stone was proud of his young team for the efforts they produced all season long.

“It was a season where our young team gained some valuable experience,” head coach Ian Stone said. “We played hard right until the end of the season, after playing through a competitive nonconference schedule then on to Big East play where anything can happen. We had so many young players playing in our lineup, filling empty spots. We learned a lot of lessons during the season, which will carry over to next year. Especially, with a young energized team who have had a year of experience under their belt.”

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SPORTS

Providing a little bit of sunshine after the Storm

Bill San Antonio is a junior journalism major. He can be reached at torchsports@gmail.com

torchonline.com

volleyball team, for years now. What they haven’t had is a men’s basketball program that’s generated a lot of buzz.

This year, things are different— opposite, actually—and the same sports fan can’t get what he wants.

Not everyone can be world-class all the time. For every double-digit win season the USC football team has, its baseball team is reminded of past dominance in the Pac-10 and in the College World Series, and sometimes you need to take your sunshine with a little bit of rain.

By writing about men’s hoops and shying away from all the losing, I’m letting my reporters’ work stand on its own.

I’ll let them tell you their stories the way they should be told.

And in bracing the rain, I’ll be the one to throw a bit of sunshine your way.

The TORCH

I should have also done a better job of getting to more games this year—but in my defense, working two jobs (one on taking up both weekend days) and taking five classes affords me little free time, and certainly no free time when Dave Masur and Ian Stone’s teams take the field, and for that, I apologize.

But because of this, I’ve been able to take a step back and look at numbers and box scores — the bare essentials of sports, in essence—and try and come up with my own thoughts about the fall season, and I’ve come to one conclusion: the fall season’s been kind of a disappointment.

The women’s soccer team is on a two-game losing streak and hasn’t won

since a 1-0 home win over Seton Hall on Oct. 15, scoring just one goal in the last five games.

Despite pitching four straight shutouts, the men’s soccer team is 2-0-2 in those games, scoring only two goals over that span.

The volleyball team has lost seven of its last 10 games after a 12-3 start and has had too many sporadic individual performances at inopportune moments.

People want happy news? Well, there hasn’t been much to report—except for, yes, the potential of a very good men’s basketball team this year.

You want different news? Well, a potentially good men’s basketball team this year would certainly be different from the men’s basketball teams of years’ past, teams fans haven’t been too excited about.

But I’ll wager that you’re excited this year, right? I certainly am.

I find it sort of ironic in a way: the St. John’s sports fan has been spoiled with very good men’s and women’s soccer teams, as well as a top-notch

27 Oct. 2010

I know what you’re thinking, and I agree wholeheartedly: I’m sick of this guy writing about basketball all the time.

There is a TON of hype already surrounding Steve Lavin and the men’s basketball program, and Anthony Mason Jr. got cut from the Miami Heat, and all this guy wants to do is talk about how interesting this year’s team is—a team, mind you, that isn’t even in season right now. To paraphrase the great Vince Lombardi, what the hell is going on in that guy’s head?

I agree with you. I do write about basketball a lot. Too much, even. Of all the athletics programs St. John’s has, I’ve been around the men’s basketball team more than any other in my time at the TORCH, and as their beat writer, I’m going to be around them a lot in the coming months.

I should have written about soccer more than once, and I should have definitely tried to put the volleyball team’s rollercoaster ride of a season in perspective. I concede that, and I’m sorry.

22

In the nick of time Late goal from Hines helps Men’s Soccer team shut out DePaul KATIE BECKMANN Staff Writer

27 Oct. 2010

SPORTS

With the Big East playoffs rapidly approaching, the St. John’s men’s soccer team, reigning tournament champions, knew that it needed to turn things around.

ST. JOHN’S

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DePAUL

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Following a three game losing streak, the Red Storm are well on their way, posting three straight shutouts, including an impressive win over conference-rival Rutgers on Oct. 20.

Three days later, at DePaul, the Red Storm did it again, as junior forward Walter Hines kept good fortune alive in scoring the game-winner to lift St. John’s over the Blue Demons, 1-0 – its fourth straight shutout.

With the win, St. John’s improves to 8-5-2 (2-3-2 Big East) while DePaul remains winless in Big East play, falling to 3-9-4 (0-5-2).

“DePaul is a good offensive team, so I was pleased with how we limited their opportunities,” said head coach Dave Masur. “We got the result today because of a great team effort.”

Hines scored the game winner when redshirt senior Tadeu Terra took a hard shot at Blue Demons goalkeeper John Michael Kulnig at the 71st minute.

Kulnig blocked the shot and Hines collected the loose ball and slid a shot past him to get the Red Storm on the scoreboard.

St. John’s started the game off very strongly on the offensive end. In the first six minutes of play, the Red Storm had multiple attempts from Jamie Thomas and Scerre Wegge Gundhus that just missed finding the back of the net.

Junior midfielder Pablo Battuto Punyed, red shirt freshman midfielder Adrian L’Esperance and freshman forward Dom Sarle also had good

The TORCH

Junior forward Walter Hines scored the game-winner in the 71st minute against DePaul on Saturday. opportunities for the Red Storm in the first half.

Terra led the Red Storm with three shots while Hines, L’Esperance and redshirt senior Adam Himeno each added two shots. Senior defender John Tardy and junior midfielder Chris

Lebo each added a shot on goal.

On the defensive end, the unit of Connor Lade, who was recently named the Big East Defensive Player of the Week for the second straight week, Kyle Hoffer, Jamie Thomas, Tardy and redshirt freshman goalkeeper

Rafael Diaz posted their fourth straight shutout of the season, not allowing any shots on goal and extending their scoreless streak to 434:55.

The Red Storm return to play tonight as they host Big East-rival Villanova at 7:30 at Belson Stadium.

Golf teams finish fall season with strong tourneys BILL SAN ANTONIO Sports Editor

torchonline.com

TORCH FILE PHOTO/BRIAN LOPEZ

Both the men’s and women’s golf teams shared similar success in the final weekend of fall competition, as each team took third place in their respective tournaments and several individual golfers finished highly as well.

The men’s team shot a 25-over (889) for the Mission Inn Intercollegiate, eight strokes behind winner Johnson & Wales (881) and seven behind Florida Atlantic University (882), while the women’s team shot a 73-over

(649) in the Sacred Heart Fall Classic, 26 strokes behind Yale (623) and six strokes behind Brown (643) for its third Top 5 finish of the fall season.

Men’s golfer Evan Beirne, a fifth-year senior, won the individual title Sunday after shooting a 68 (4-under) in the tournament’s final round.

Beirne shot a 71 in each of his first two rounds and entered Sunday’s play three strokes back of Johnson & Wales’ Chris Hawley. On the final day, he had two eagles and nine birdies, edging Hawley and Stetson’s Sam Ryder by three strokes for his third Top 5 finish this season.

“It feels good,” Beirne said.

“I’ve played well and consistently for most of the fall with two seconds and a fifth [place finish], so I’ve been knocking on the door. Today, I got let in.”

The win was the second of Beirne’s career and the first of any St. John’s golfer since he and Keegan Bradley tied for first at the 2008 Princeton Invitational.

Freshman Ryan McCormick tied for 10th at 223 (+7) and had a team-high 12 birdies in his second Top 10 finish this season, having tied for ninth at the Hartford Hawk Invitational on Sep. 27-28. Senior Mark Costanza and sophomore Peter

Ballo tied for 24th overall at 230 (+14), with each tallying nine birdies. Sophmore Pat Wilson shot a 232 (+16) for the tournament and finished 33rd, and sophomore Jeremy Quinn finished 53rd with a 243 (+27).

Junior women’s golfer Ellen Oswald finished fifth individually at Sacred Heart, the highest she’s finished in her career and eight back of the winner, Yale’s Seo Hee Moon’s, 148 (+5).

Oswald shot a 156 (+12) in the two-day tournament, as the first day of action was suspended. It was her second top 10 finish of the season—she had tied for eighth at the Towson Invitational on Sep. 13-14.

Freshman Harin Lee finished with a 160 (+16) after shooting an 82 in her opening round, good for a 10th-place tie and fourth top 10 finish in five events this season. She tied for third in the Rutgers Invitational on Oct. 15-16, finished third in the Yale Women’s Intercollegiate on Sep. 25-26 and tied for fifth at Towson.

In shooting a 165 (+21), sophomore Sebin Kim marked her second top 25 finish of the year after also tying for 19th at Towson. Junior Mariana Barrios finished 30th after a 168 (+24), and freshman Stephanie Eybers finished 32nd after a 171 (+27).

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VOLLEYBALL

TORCH SPORTS

STORM

CAST

Leavin’ their Mark Big East-Big 10 Challenge announced The St. John’s baseball team is slated to face Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio State in the third annual Big East-Big Ten Challenge on Feb. 18-20.

Various venues, including former minor league complexes in St. Petersburg and Clearwater, Florida, will be host to this unique tournament.

St. John’s is 5-1 in the first two challenges, a mark that ranks tied with Ohio State as the best among the 17 teams that have appeared in both challenges.

St. John’s three Big Ten opponents have a combined 16 NCAA tournament appearances and nine Big Ten tournament crowns in the past 10 seasons.

Lade named Defensive Player of the Week for second straight week TORCH PHOTO/KRISTEN FARMER

Diana Banya recorded a career-high 21 kills in Sunday’s road loss to Seton Hall in five sets.

A big day but a bad result Volleyball loses heartbreaker as Banya records career-high

team like Louisville above the net, but they don’t make a lot of mistakes. I don’t think they made many serving mistakes, and they had a lot of aces. We outblocked them, but in

I’ve played well and consistently for most of the fall with two seconds and a fifth [place finish], so I’ve been knocking on the door. Today, I got let in.

-Senior golfer Evan Berine on his win Sunday at the Mission Inn Intercollegiate

”

Headin’ this Way Red Storm home games

Men’s Soccer: Oct. 27 Villanova

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 30 USF

7:30 p.m.

torchonline.com

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Blowin’ in the Wind

The TORCH

“

I think we were more business-like because we knew it was a big mountain to climb, and volleyball iss i z e ) about one game atlike a a time.

-head coach Joanne Persico

terms of assists, their setter had 57 assists while we only had 32 assists [from our setter], so there you go.”

Junior transfer Alyssa Bennett, who Persico says is still fighting through a tough season, recorded a career-high 32 assists.

“She’s still pretty new,” Persico said.

“We changed setters about two weeks ago. I think when you have these Big East matches that go to overtime, you need a good, experienced setter. I think she’s getting better, but there were a few sets there that probably could have been better.”

Diana Banya, who Persico said was “a valiant worker the whole match,” also tallied a career-high of 21 kills in the match. Junior Sabina Papala also registered a match-high of 10 blocks.

But despite the loss, Persico said her team still believes in itself, and is still able to keep things positive.

“We have a really positive group, and we try to keep it positive,” she said. “We vent on the sidelines, and we say stuff, but we really know that everybody on this team wants to win, and everybody here has come from winning programs. Everyone on this team is working hard to get better, and I think when you do the work, you refuse to lose, and I think we saw a little bit of that today.”

The Red Storm will try to recover, heading to South Bend on Oct. 30 to take on Notre Dame,

27 Oct. 2010

After winning two consecutive Big East matches, it looked as if the St. John’s Volleyball team was well on its way to saving its season.

But on Sunday, the team lost a heartbreaking five-set match to Seton Hall, 25-13, 27-25, 16-25, 16-25, 15-13. With the loss, St. John’s dropped to 15-10 overall and 2-6 in the Big East.

St. John’s fell behind by losing the first two sets, which gave the Red Storm a huge mountain to climb to get back into the match. But in the break in between the second and third sets, St. John’s took on a different mindset, which would prove to be what got them back into the match.

“We had more of a business-like attitude, which is really good for us,” said head coach Joanne Persico. “We changed from screaming and yelling.

I think we were more business-like because we knew it was a big mountain to climb, and volleyball is about one game at a time.”

The “one game at a time” approach helped the Red Storm, as they came out and won the next two sets handily, setting up a fifth set where the they would lose by just two points, putting a

damper on the valiant comeback attempt and sealing the tough victory for Seton Hall.

“Seton Hall has players from very good clubs, and you can see they’re very well-skilled,” said Persico. “They’re not necessarily standing high (in terms of

SPORTS

MIKE GURNIS Staff Writer

Junior defender Connor Lade has been recognized as the Big East Defensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week after helping St. Johns to a pair of shutout victories in route to a four-game winning streak.

Lade and the defensive unit allowed a total of just two shots on goal in a pair of 1-0 wins at Rutgers and at DePaul.

He is the first player this year to earn this honor twice.

SPORTS 27 October 2010 | VOLUME 88, ISSUE 8 | TORCHONLINE.COM

TORCH FILE PHOTO/ BRIAN LOPEZ

TORCHSPORTS.WORDPRESS.COM

The women’s soccer team lost its regular-season finale to Marquette on Sunday.

The volleyball team lost a heartbreaking five-set match to Seton Hall on Sunday.

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