2014
THE NEXT BIG THING
Opinion:
Music’s most important moments
Charlie Hebdo, the new Congress, what’s next for standardized tests and more
PAGE B5
PAGES A5 & A6
PAGE B1
THE MASSACHUSETTS
A free and responsible press
DAILY COLLEGIAN DailyCollegian.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
UM plans partnership with NASA
Serving the UMass Community since 1890
News@DailyCollegian.com
It’s ice to be back
Search is on for president
Aeronautics center to open at Westover ARB
Current UM President Caret to resign in July
By Shelby Ashline
By Marie MacCune
Former Gov. Deval Patrick announced in December he planned to allocate up to $5 million to the University of Massachusetts to support the creation of an Aeronautics Research, Development and Training Center at the Westover Airport in Chicopee. The project is one of four initiatives outlined in the former governor’s new business plan, which focuses on growth opportunities at the airport. Specifically, the plan aims to help “grow the economy in Western Massachusetts and to support the mission of Westover Air Reserve Base (ARB),” according to a Dec. 19 news release. The Westover ARB, the largest Air Force Reserve base in the country, is the joint user of the 91-acre public use airport. The UMass Amherst Center in Chicopee is part of the Aviation/ Aerospace Education Initiative outlined in the plan. Funds allocated for the project will be used to renovate a vacant Westover ARB building. According to the release, when the building is finished it will house “state-of-art” laboratories. John Collura, associate dean for Research and Innovation at UMass’ College of Engineering, said the new aviation center will include a particularly noteworthy 360 degree air traffic control simulation that will be used to train air traffic controllers and pilots. “There will be a 360 degree screen where you can see planes taking off,” Collura said in a recent phone interview. “You’ll be able to hear air traffic controllers.” The 3-D simulation will also be able to produce different weather conditions. “The aviation center will provide us with a more effective environment to teach students so
The search process for the next president of the University of Massachusetts system is in its beginning stages, with plans to be completed before the resignation of current president Robert Caret in July. President Caret announced his resignation in December to become chancellor of the University System of Maryland. He has held his position at UMass since 2011. A press release from the University cited the many accomplishments of Caret’s tenure, including the opening of the first UMass system center in Springfield, instituting an Efficiency and Effectiveness program, the American Bar Association’s provisional accreditation of the Commonwealth’s only public law school at UMass Dartmouth and rising rankings both nationally and internationally. Before his time at UMass, Caret served as the president of Towson University, part of the University System of Maryland, for eight years. In a statement released by USM, Board of Regents Chair James Shea said, “The Board of Regents is very pleased that Bob Caret will take the helm as USM’s fourth chancellor. He brings years of experience as the outstanding leader of two public universities and a public system of higher education. He is adept at building partnerships that benefit institutions and the surrounding communities.” Rick Berndt, chair of the search-and-screening committee for USM said in a news conference held in Baltimore that Caret’s appointment is a
Collegian Staff
see
CENTER on page A4
Collegian Staff
ROBERT RIGO/COLLEGIAN
As spring semester kicks off, many students arrived to an icy campus Monday. The temperature hovered around freezing all day.
Gov. Baker’s inauguration met with mixed reactions
UM students uncertain after inaugural speech By Jaclyn Bryson Collegian Staff
The front doors of the State House swung open on Jan. 7 as Deval Patrick emerged. Following the blasts from the 19-gun salute that echoed through the air, he took the traditional “lone walk” down the steps on Beacon Hill, marking the end of his eight years as governor of Massachusetts. The next day, Charlie Baker would take his place. “I’m well aware of the authority and privileges that come with this office. But they’re inconsequential in comparison to the responsibility of serving and pro-
tecting the people of this great state,” Baker said at the beginning of his inaugural address. “And the obligation to always live up to their trust.” Fellow Republicans Mitt Romney, Chris Christie and Scott Brown applauded as Baker placed his left hand on the bible and swore the oath at the State House on Jan. 8, officially making him the 72nd governor of Massachusetts. And while many University of Massachusetts students said they didn’t take much interest in Baker’s inauguration, those who did had differing opinions. Ilana Morris, a sophomore, said she heard bits and pieces of his address on the radio and has mixed feelings.
“The part I did hear, I thought it was interesting because I was agreeing with some of his views,” she said. “But I’m afraid he’s just saying what we want to hear.” “I’m definitely Democratic, but I’m trying to be optimistic about this,” junior Aldila Yunus said. “I feel like he’s going into this the correct way. I think he’s starting off incredibly bipartisan.” In his speech, Baker addressed what he believes are the big issues facing Massachusetts today, including public education standards, the budget deficit and opiate addictions. “I’ve said a thousand times, I want every community to be a place where people believe see
BAKER on page A3
see
PRESIDENT on page A3
IPO gives UMass students a chance to study abroad About 400 programs are offered around the world By Jaclyn Bryson Collegian Staff
With the help of the International Programs Office, five percent of University of Massachusetts students take their studies across the globe, learning the Romance languages of Europe, tasting the food of Asia, experiencing the culture of Africa or meeting the people of South America. “Study abroad is widely known as a high-impact educational practice in the world of higher education pedagogy,” said Jack Ahern, vice provost and director of IPO. “Students gain a greater appreciation for diversity. They appreciate that the world doesn’t stop at the borders of the United States.” IPO has been around since the 1970s and was first started by Barbara Burn, who worked there for decades until her death. Today, the office is divided into two sections – education abroad and
international student and scholar services. With a team of advisors and staff educated in different parts of the globe, the goal of IPO is to guide students through the study abroad application process so they are prepared for a chance to live in a foreign country. “We have a large advising staff who are experts in different regions of the world,” Ahern said. “The advisers try to understand the students’ personal interests and also the needs of their academic programs.” “(Advisers) help from step one,” said peer adviser Gabrielle Cook, who added that her job begins when a student enters IPO knowing they want to study abroad, and continues until the advisers have helped them set up an online account, talked with them about their finances, helped them choose exactly where they wish to travel and what program is the best fit. According to Ahern, there are approximately 400 programs around the world offered at UMass. Last year, 1,200 students took part in many of these programs, a slight increase from
the year before. According to the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors, only about one percent of students in the United States study abroad. “We recently signed onto a program that’s coordinated by the Institute of International Education. They are on an ambitious program to double the number of American students who study abroad by the year 2020,” said Ahern, who has also made this a goal of IPO. “We’re aiming for a substantial increase, hopefully to double the number of students who study abroad.” And in order to offer these students a wide variety of study abroad opportunities, there are three distinct categories of foreign programs students can participate in through IPO. Faculty-led programs are created when professors take a personal interest in creating their own study abroad program for students, while exchange programs are designed to allow for UMass students to go abroad while a foreign student comes to campus in their place. The most popular
JACLYN BRYSON/COLLEGIAN
Eleven programs are offered in Paris, France through UMass’ International Programs Office. however, according to Ahern, is partner programs, where UMass forms ties with private businesses that specialize in study abroad programs. “Every program has its own story,” he added, and according to Ahern, making these options available is no easy task. Facultyled programs require a strong
initiative from UMass staff, and today, this has resulted in various programs such as biology studies in the Amazon and theater classes in South Africa. For many exchange and partner programs, staff will research what foreign see
IPO on page A2
A2
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
THE RUNDOWN ON THIS DAY... In 1986, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was celebrated as a federal holiday for the first time.
AROUND THE WORLD
China BEIJING — Chinese police shot and killed two members of the Uighur minority group late Sunday as they attempted to cross the border illegally into Vietnam and assaulted Chinese border guards who tried to stop them, state media reported Monday. It was latest clash between police and Uighurs – a largely Muslim ethnic group from China’s western frontier – who were apparently trying to flee the country. According to state media, the would-be exiles clashed with police in Pingxiang, a town near the border with Vietnam. A third Uighur escaped. China Daily reported that the three attacked police with knives, a detail not included in a report from the China News Service. Uighurs are a Turkicspeaking ethnic group, largely Muslim, whose homeland is what is now China’s Xinjiang region. Many resent China’s rule over the area, and some have rebelled against increasing restrictions on their ability to travel and practice their religion. China has characterized many of the would-be exiles as “terrorists,” attempting to foment unrest from abroad. Human rights groups say some simply are trying to escape persecution and threats of violence at home. Because of China’s increasingly close ties with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to the west, the exodus of Uighurs from Xinjiang has shifted over the last decade to countries that border southern China. These include Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. In April, two Vietnamese borders guards and five Chinese nationals were killed in an apparent clash over immigrants trying to cross the border illegally into Vietnam. Some 16 people, many believed to be Uighurs, were reportedly detained and sent back to China by Vietnam. Their fate is unknown. Last week, China announced it had arrested 10 Turkish nationals in Shanghai for allegedly supplying Uighur “terrorists” with fake passports to escape the country. So far, China has yet to provide details to support claims that the Uighurs arrested had links to insurgent activities, at home or abroad. Some experts say the exodus of Uighurs from China is relatively small and largely confined to those trying to escape Xinjiang because of continued violent unrest there. Chinese officials have claimed that more than 100 “Xinjiang terrorists” have joined Islamic insurgents in Syria and Iraq, a figure not easily confirmed. As of Monday, Chinese media had not reported any capture of the suspect who reportedly had escaped from Sunday’s clash with border police. According to China News Service, the Uighur-speaking man is about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and wore a red t-shirt and jeans. He was last seen in a mountainous border region where one could easily slip into the jungle. MCT
DailyCollegian.com
UM ends confidential informant program
Decision comes after a full review By Aviva Luttrell Collegian Staff
U n ive r s i t y of Massachusetts Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy has decided to end the University’s confidential informant program, he announced in a campuswide email on Jan. 15. The decision comes after an 11-member working group completed a full review of the school’s confidential informant policy this week. Subbaswamy suspended the program in September after a report by the Boston Globe about a student informant who died of a heroin overdose in 2013 raised concerns that the University was not doing enough to protect members of the program. “After careful consideration of the panel’s findings, I have concluded that enlisting our students as confidential informants is
IPO
fundamentally inconsistent with the core values of our community and I have ordered an end to the program,” Subbaswamy wrote. The panel’s report stated that the UMass Police Department considers confidential informants a “core component” of its drug enforcement strategies. During the 18-month period from September 2012 to February 2014, nearly half of drug arrests made by UMPD were based on the cooperation or information provided by informants. However, the panel found numerous costs associated with retaining the program in its current form, including potential missed opportunities to intervene with students who have drug addictions, increased distrust of UMPD and lack of communication about informants’ status with other offices on campus, including the Dean of Students office, Residential Life and University Health Services. The report also cited concerns about poten-
tial adverse effects on informants themselves and lack of parental notification regarding drug use or confidential informant status. The student in the Globe’s initial story, Eric L. Sinacori – identified as “Logan” – became a confidential informant for UMPD after he was caught selling LSD and Molly to an undercover police officer a year before his death in October 2013. Police also seized a hypodermic needle during the bust. By becoming a confidential informant, UMPD allowed Sinacori to keep the incident a secret from his parents, who would have otherwise been notified of the offense. The UMass junior was found dead of a heroin overdose in his offcampus apartment a year later. The Globe’s story on Sinacori raised questions about whether the University did enough to help the student who was struggling with addiction, and whether officials failed
to recognize a heroin problem on campus. On Thursday, the Globe reported that Sinacori’s mother began receiving anonymous hate mail after her son’s story was published, including some that suggested his heroin dealer poisoned him on purpose for being a confidential informant. Now she wonders if her son was murdered. According to the panel’s report, all 11 members unanimously found that the program in its current form should be ended, but deferred to the chancellor on the ultimate question of whether to completely end the program or whether to mitigate its costs by imposing various safeguards. In October, the Student Government Association found that there were no potential safeguards that could address student concerns with the program. “The personal, social and ethical costs of the confidential informant program clearly outweigh its
benefits and the review’s findings, along with the administrative realignment of the police department under Student Affairs and Campus Life, will allow campus police to employ other approaches as they continue to combat illegal drug use, possession and sales, and protect the members of our campus,” Subbaswamy wrote. According to the Globe, Sinacori’s mother applauded the chancellor’s decision. The panel was chaired by Diane Curtis of the political science department, and was comprised of UMass students and staff. In his email, Subbaswamy wrote that he was also advised by former Middlesex County District Attorney Gerard Leone, who is currently an attorney with Boston law firm Nixon Peabody LLP.
from UMass. They are also investing time in increasing student interest in programs abroad, through events such as their annual education abroad fair, to be held this year on March 4. But despite the challenges and efforts that go into getting UMass students to embark on a study abroad program, many agreed that
it was all worth it in the end. After spending a semester in Barcelona herself, Cook was motivated to become part of the IPO advising team upon her return to UMass. “When I studied abroad my junior year fall semester, I had the most amazing time ever, and I really owe it to the peer advisors who
were helping me when I was abroad,” she said, adding that her advisors helped push her out of her comfort zone. “(Study abroad) taught me to say yes to things – to not be scared of different experiences and to take advantage of everything that is happening.”
Aviva Luttrell can be reached at aluttrel@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @AvivaLuttrell.
continued from page A1
institutions are best suited for UMass students, for example, by going to the NAFSA conference where 10,000 people gather for academic sessions and a trade show where study abroad programs are on display. “I guess we can say we’re a little ‘status in rankings’ conscious,” Ahern said. “We’re not obsessed with
that, but we like to aim high and we like to work with equivalent or better partners.” And the IPO staff doesn’t stop working once a student has chosen a study abroad program. Ahern added that the office pays attention to risk management, making sure students are safe during their time away
Jaclyn Bryson can be reached at jbryson@umass.edu.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
DailyCollegian.com
UMass to replace textbook annex with Amazon store By Aviva Luttrell Collegian Staff
A new contract between the University of Massachusetts and Amazon. com will soon make the Textbook Annex a thing of the past, replacing the brickand-mortar store with a virtual bookstore that is expected to save students money. This will be Amazon’s first online university store in the Northeast and its third in the nation, according to a UMass press release. The deal is expected to save students 30 percent compared with current prices on course materials, with potential savings adding up to about $380 per student. It will also provide free, oneday shipping to campus and surrounding communities. “We know students struggle with the high cost of textbooks and other course materials, and they have been moving to online purchasing,” said James P. Sheehan, vice chancellor of administration and finance at UMass, in the release. “We are delighted to help them get the most competitive prices and first-rate service.” Beginning in May, students will be able to order and rent textbooks, digital textbooks and other course materials through Amazon or through personalized
BAKER
links in SPIRE, according to the release. Amazon will also include course and section information on customized product pages to make finding textbooks easier for UMass students. The University’s fiveyear contract with Amazon will provide free shipping to campus, as well as to addresses in Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, Pelham, South Deerfield and Sunderland. “For years we’ve offered students low prices on everything from textbooks to electronics to dorm essentials on Amazon,” said Paul Ryder, vice president of media and student programs at Amazon, in the release. “We’re excited to team up with UMass to bring a new bookstore experience to campus that saves students money and makes it more convenient to get the course materials and other school supplies they need.” The University’s 8,553-square-foot textbook annex will be replaced by a staffed 3,000-square-foot Amazon pick-up location in the Campus Center in June, according to the release. Students will also be able to pick up their orders from Amazon Lockers at residential areas on campus. Additionally, Amazon Student and Amazon Prime members at UMass will be
eligible for free one-day pickup on other items purchased through Amazon.com when shipped to the new Campus Center pick-up location, according to the release. Follett Corp., which manages the University Store and textbook annex, will continue to operate the University Store in the Campus Center, which sells clothing, electronics and more. According to the release, UMass officials selected Amazon from six companies that submitted proposals because of its low prices and “superior” customer service. Amazon will also work with faculty to collect information on textbooks and course materials each semester, according to the release. It will also provide faculty with an online tool to find, compare and select course materials, and will work with the UMass Libraries and the Online Web-Based Learning program to ensure that professors and students can access free or low-cost course materials on campus. Amazon currently has similar arrangements with Purdue University and the University of California, Davis. Aviva Luttrell can be reached at aluttrel@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @AvivaLuttrell.
continued from page A1
tomorrow is going to be better than today,” Baker added in his address. “I say that not just because I believe it, but because I believe in it.” Junior Brian Jing said he hopes to see Baker decrease unemployment, while Yunus said she wants to see a change in education, agreeing with some of Baker’s statement about the importance of highperforming public charter schools. And while Baker said he was hopeful for the future, he made it clear there is more to be done. “We’re nowhere near our full potential,” he said in his speech. “Some of our tough-
est challenges have been ignored and lost amid the successes. Or have become the equivalent of kicking a can down the road because they’re not politically convenient or easy to fix.” “I agree,” Jing said. “I feel you should always strive to be better.” But some UMass students are skeptical. “Obviously we have our shortcomings but I think that is being a little too pessimistic,” Yunus said. “I think he should be focusing on good stuff about Massachusetts too.” In Hampshire County, Charlie Baker earned only 34.9 percent of the vote
during the 2014 gubernatorial election, but won with 48.5 percent of the total Massachusetts vote. Yet despite the mixed opinions across the state, many UMass students agreed they will just have to wait and see what the future holds. “I have a lot of concerns, but at this point you just have to see how it plays out,” Morris said. “ G e n e r a l ly, our Republican governors have been really good,” Yunus said. “I’m hopeful.” Jaclyn Bryson can be reached at jbryson@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @MackyMouse93.
Obama, Republicans clash and
By Matt Fuller Humberto Sanchez CQ-Roll Call
WASHINGTON — A revitalized President Barack Obama and newly empowered Republican leaders are heading into Tuesday’s State of the Union address on a collision course. At their joint retreat in Hershey, Pa., Republicans – fresh off triumphant midterm elections – said they are looking for the president to become a legislating partner – even as they promise bold, or even quixotic, clashes with Obama. But Obama has been on offense, pushing a bolder agenda while raining down veto threats on the new Congress. And even if many of his initiatives seem destined to become legislative cannon fodder, his pen-and-phone agenda has been in hyperdrive, most notably with his temporary executive amnesty for millions of immigrants. Obama’s poll numbers have been buoyed in recent weeks amid signs of an improving economy, with the president looking to build momentum heading into what he calls the “fourth quarter” of his presidency. “America’s resurgence is real. Our job now is to make sure that every American feels that they’re a part of our country’s comeback,” he
said in his radio address previewing the speech, adding Congress should join him and stop the “games.” Obama’s agenda, headlined by a push for free community college and middle-class tax cuts paid for by new tax hikes on the wealthy and the biggest banks, represents the initial Democratic ask heading into negotiations over a tax overhaul and the budget. It’s effectively a dare to Republicans to side with the rich or come to the table on fighting income inequality. Either Obama gets an unlikely win or Democrats get campaign talking points for 2016. Republican leaders have generally panned Obama’s policy rollout, but they are holding out hope for deals on trade, transportation and a tax overhaul later this year and are hopeful he’ll send signals Tuesday that he’s ready to meet them in the middle. Republicans – whose retreat featured speakers like comedian Jay Leno, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, columnist Peggy Noonan and pollster Frank Luntz - seemed to be angling for a return to the deal-making 1990s, when Bill Clinton worked with the GOP after they took over Congress. “There’s much we can accomplish for the American people, if the president is
willing to work with us,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on the Senate floor Friday. But alongside those hopes for productivity, they readily acknowledge some of their most ambitious legislative plans are aimed at showing stark differences ahead of the 2016 elections. “We’re going to take actions where we want to show the country how we would do things differently, pass our bold reform ideas, and know that the president won’t support them,” Ways and Means Chairman Paul D. Ryan told reporters in Hershey. Fundamentally, the two sides remain at odds. Obama wants more spending and higher taxes on the rich; new majority makers like Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, picked by GOP leaders hopeful her heartland demeanor will win over voters, ran a campaign ad talking of castrating hogs to demonstrate her commitment to cutting spending and make Washington “squeal.” And Republicans remain concerned about Obama’s pen-and-phone approach as he looks to cement his legacy. “What I’m hoping to hear is the president is going to work with us and not go it alone,” said Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
PRESIDENT result of his “dynamic and effective” methods as well as his successes in “advanc(ing) diversity and inclusion.” During that same news conference, Caret called the search and vetting process challenging. He said, “It’s an emotional experience, especially as a president. You become attached to your campuses, it is a very personal endeavor. … You feel like you’re abandoning children when you leave, so you want to do it in the most positive way for everyone.” He continued, saying that his move to the USM has both professional and personal motivations. “Twenty-nine years of my professional career I spent with the University System of Maryland,” Caret said. He added that he was looking forward to being able to spend more time with his only grandchild and other members of his extended family in Maryland. According to UMass spokesperson Robert Connolly, the Board of Trustees is in the process of “doing outreach to potential candidates” to replace Caret. He added that the Universities are also in the process of “developing a search committee that will
A3
continued from page A1
COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO
University of Massachusetts President Robert Caret is resigning to become chancellor of the University System of Maryland. consist of alumni, faculty, students, community leaders, and so on.” Connolly predicted committee members would be finalized by the beginning of February. Sarah Freudson, student trustee from the Amherst campus, said of Caret’s resignation: “President Caret’s announcement … was something I was in support of. He loves UMass, it became his home but I understand why he had chosen to resign. Being back in Maryland with his family is honorable and I am extremely happy for him.” In terms of what she is looking for in potential candidates to replace Caret, she said, “I personally hope we can find a candi-
date who makes UMass his home as President Caret had. Someone who is dedicated to the wellbeing of the students and strives for success in all matters pertaining to running such a large university system.” “But not only that,” Freudson continued, “I hope we can find a candidate who has the passion to bring UMass to the next level. UMass is the best and we deserve the best candidate who can bring our culture to the next level, unifying in creating school spirit for students and spectacular futures for our alumni.” Marie MacCune can be reached at mmaccune@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @MarieMacCune.
A4
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
THE PAST FIVE WEEKS: A RECAP
Dec. 19
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama criticized Sony Pictures Entertainment on Friday for retreating on a film that seemingly instigated a devastating cyberattack now blamed on the North Korean government. Amid escalating concerns over porous U.S. electronic security, the FBI said it had amassed evidence linking North Korea to the massive hack. Obama denounced the cross-border assault even as he said Sony “made a mistake” in canceling the planned Dec. 25 release of the film “The Interview.” “I’m sympathetic that Sony as a private company was worried about liabilities and this and that and the other,” the president said, but “I wish they had spoken to me first. I would’ve told them, ‘Do not get into a pattern in which you’re intimidated by these kinds of criminal attacks.’“ In an interview on CNN after the president’s remarks, Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton took issue with Obama’s interpretation of what the company did and why. “I don’t know exactly whether he understands the sequence of events that led up to the movie not being shown in the movie theaters,” Lynton said. “Therefore I would disagree with the notion that it was a mistake.” McClatchy Washington Bureau
Dec. 20 BEIJING — Denying U.S. allegations that it was behind a cyberattack on Sony Pictures as an “unfounded rumor,” North Korea on Saturday proposed a “joint investigation” into the hacking that prompted the studio to cancel the theatrical release of the comedy “The Interview,” which centers on a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “We have a way to prove that we have nothing to do with the case,” North Korea said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency, quoting an unidentified spokesman from the North Korean Foreign Ministry. Pyongyang warned that the “U.S. should bear in mind that it will face serious consequences in case it rejects our proposal for joint investigation and presses for what it called countermeasure(s).” The FBI on Friday blamed North Korea for the cyberattack on the studio, which divulged executives’ salaries, sensitive emails and scripts. The attackers took and released full-length films including “Annie” and “Fury.” Los Angeles Times
Dec. 21 NEW YORK — The man who gunned down two New York Police Department officers in their patrol car Saturday had a long criminal record in Georgia and Ohio and expressed his anger at police and government in “rants” on social media, police said Sunday. Ismaaiyl Brinsley traveled to New York on Saturday after wounding his ex-girlfriend in Maryland. He shot the two officers – Wenjian Liu, 32, and Rafael Ramos, 40 – at point-blank range four times as they sat in their patrol car in Brooklyn’s
Bedford-Stuyvesant section. Just before the killings, Brinsley, 28, told two male witnesses, “Watch what I am doing to do,” Boyce said, adding that Brinsley told the two to follow him on Instagram. He then walked past the officers, circled around and came up behind them, Boyce said. The officers never saw him coming, Boyce said. Boyce said, through surveillance video and eyewitness statements, they had been able to track Brinsley’s movements starting in Maryland and up until his suicide on a New York City subway platform. Newsday
Dec. 28 New York City Police Commissioner William J. Bratton Sunday rebuked members of his department who publicly turned their backs on Mayor Bill de Blasio at a funeral for a slain police officer. The protest occurred Saturday when the mayor spoke at the funeral of Officer Rafael Ramos, one of two patrolmen killed on Dec. 20 by an assailant who had vowed to avenge the deaths of blacks at the hands of police. The mayor has been criticized by a police union leader and others for some of his remarks about relations between police and blacks, and for his administration’s closeness with Al Sharpton, the minister and cable television talk show host. Scores of officers turned their backs when De Blasio’s remarks at the funeral were broadcast outside on a giant video screen. Los Angeles Times
Dec. 29 JAKARTA, Indonesia — The hunt for an AirAsia passenger jet lost over Indonesian waters resumed under gray skies Tuesday after the first full day of searching ended with few clues to its disappearance and a grim acknowledgment by one official that “the worst may have happened.” The U.S. Navy said late Monday it was sending a guided-missile destroyer to help other nations in the region look for the airliner carrying 162 mostly Indonesian passengers and crew. Investigators suspect the plane crashed into the water after losing contact during a severe thunderstorm. The plane departed Surabaya roughly on schedule at 5:35 a.m. Sunday. Indonesian transport authorities said the pilot communicated with air traffic controllers at 6:12 a.m. asking permission to take a left turn off the scheduled flight path and climb from 32,000 feet to 38,000 feet to avoid clouds. State-owned AirNav Indonesia, which provides navigation services, approved the left-turn request but relayed the altitude question to Singapore, which said the plane could only climb to 34,000 feet due to other aircraft in the area, the Jakarta Post reported. “But when we informed the pilot of the approval at 6:14 a.m., we received no reply,” AirNav safety and standard director Wisnu Darjono told the newspaper. The plane disappeared from radar at 6:18 a.m. Los Angeles Times
Dec. 30
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Recovery teams early Wednesday pulled bodies of people aboard Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 – including a woman in a flight attendant’s uniform – from the rough, shallow waters of the Java Sea as the three-day mystery over the plane’s whereabouts reached a heartbreaking resolution for the families of the 162 people aboard. The discovery of a metal cylinder, a near-intact blue suitcase and other debris floating about six miles from the plane’s last known location confirmed that the Airbus A330-200 jet crashed into the sea during a thunderstorm and moved the multination search operation into an urgent recovery effort. Indonesian officials said bodies would be taken ashore to a town on Borneo island, where more than 162 coffins had been prepared, before being brought to relatives in the Indonesian city of Surabaya, where the flight originated Sunday morning before vanishing from radar during a two-hour trip to Singapore. Los Angeles Times
Jan. 5 BOSTON — A federal judge began the search for a jury in the April 2013 Boston Marathon bombing case, holding two preliminary sessions with juror candidates Monday and asking defendant Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to stand and present himself to those who may decide whether he lives or dies. U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. has repeatedly rejected requests from Tsarnaev’s legal team to move the trial out of the Boston area, deflecting the lawyers’ insistence that Tsarnaev cannot receive a fair trial in a city still grappling with the worst U.S. terrorist attack since Sept. 11, 2001. Three people were killed and another 260 were injured when two pressurecooker bombs exploded near the finish line. Tsarnaev, 21, has pleaded not guilty to 30 felony charges, including 17 that carry the death penalty, such as using a weapon of mass destruction. O’Toole said the jury – not he, the lawyers, the press or the local community – will decide whether Tsarnaev is guilty, and if so, whether he should be sentenced to death or spend the rest of his life in prison, without the possibility of parole. “What you do need is a commitment to justice,” he told the potential jurors, 1,200 of whom will be summoned this week. The chosen 12 jurors and six alternates must show that they would be willing to sentence Tsarnaev to death if the government proves beyond a reasonable doubt that he and his older brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, were responsible for the twin bombings. Tribune Washington Bureau
Jan. 6 WASHINGTON — The first Republican-controlled Congress in eight years got off to a rocky start Tuesday after a brazen revolt by GOP conservatives failed to oust House Speaker John A. Boehner but cast a familiar shadow over his ability to lead the emboldened majority. Boehner ultimately won the opportunity to return as speaker with the biggest
GOP delegation since the World War II era, but the surprisingly robust effort to topple him was just as historic. In all, 25 rank-and-file Republicans withheld their support, more than twice as many as during a similar 2013 coup attempt and the highest number of party defections in a speaker’s race since 1923. The dramatic opening, occurring on an otherwise heady, ceremonial first day of the 114th Congress, renewed doubts about the Republican Party’s ability to implement its agenda, despite an impressive showing in the November election. Acknowledging the difficulty ahead as a Republican-led House and Senate prepare to confront President Barack Obama, an upbeat Boehner told colleagues they could still accomplish big goals. Tribune Washington Bureau
Jan. 7 PARIS — Gunmen struck the heart of Paris with a commando-style execution of a dozen people Wednesday at the offices of a satirical magazine that had caricatured the Muslim prophet Muhammad, angering the Islamic faithful with its taunting push against the boundaries of free speech. The dead are the chief editor of the Charlie Hebdo weekly, Stephane Charbonnier, nine others at the magazine office and two policemen. One of the officers was gunned down in the street by the masked attackers as their escape was captured on video broadcast by French television. Attacks by outraged Islamic militants had been threatened for years, and the raid on the magazine offices in the shadow of the Bastille monument shattered the nervous calm and creeping complacency that had settled over the French capital in the absence of major terrorist attacks since Charlie Hebdo’s publication of controversial cartoons in 2011. “#JeSuisCharlie” – I am Charlie – became a rallying cry among journalists and average citizens who took to social media by the tens of thousands to send messages expressing horror at the deaths and support for the magazine’s provocative lampooning of religious and political leaders. Los Angeles Times
Jan. 9 PARIS — Three days of terror that left at least 20 people dead across greater Paris ended violently Friday when police stormed a suburban printing plant and killed two brothers with al-Qaida connections as a nearly simultaneous raid in the capital took out an accomplice holding hostages. SWAT team commandos shot to death Said Kouachi, 34, and Cherif Kouachi, 32, as they attempted to flee the print shop in the small town of Dammartinen-Goele near Charles de Gaulle Airport, authorities said. The Kouachi brothers, suspects in Wednesday’s massacre at the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine, were killed as they exited with a blaze of automatic weapons fire. Los Angeles Times
DailyCollegian.com
CENTER
continued from page A1
they’re better prepared to enter the aviation workforce,” Collura said. Collura explained that engineering students will have the option of using the Westover facility or staying on campus, where they will be able to view the simulation on computers. He said that all related classes will still be taught on campus. Together, UMass and its industry partner M2C Aerospace, a Massachusetts based female-owned small business, will conduct research at the aviation center. Additionally, UMass is in the process of partnering with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on several research projects. They hope to produce new technologies that will “promote efficiencies, safety and economic growth in aviation,” according to the press release. “This partnership involving UMass Amherst, NASA and industry will address vital national needs in the aviation sector and help revitalize the Western Massachusetts economy (sic),” Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy said in the news release. “This is a perfect match for our role as one of the country’s top research universities, applying our expertise to enhance the safety of air travel and foster economic opportunity.’” According to Collura, the aviation center will operate “under the umbrella of the UMass Transportation Center.” Mike Knodler, director of the Transportation Center, said the addition of the new center also
reflects recent efforts by the Transportation Center to become more “multi-modal.” Knodler explained that in the past few years, the Transportation Center has broadened its area of research to include public transportation, biking, rail travel, etc. However, up until now, he said there hasn’t been much focus on air travel. “We’re really excited about this new center and the opportunities that come with it,” Knodler said in a recent phone interview. The addition of the aviation center will provide new opportunities for graduate students who intend to conduct research, as well as for undergraduates, who may see more aviation-related electives become available. Knodler said that there aren’t many aviation training centers in New England and that the new facility will help meet the demand. According to Collura, one of the next steps is to secure additional research funding. He hopes that either NASA or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), or both, will contribute funding. Knodler said that the design plans for the building renovation are nearly finished. Collura explained that they need to modernize it to accommodate the computer facilities. Both Knodler and Collura expect that the aviation center will be operational sometime during spring 2016. Shelby Ashline can be reached at sashline@umass.edu.
Biden tries to unify police and citizens Community policing promoted by VP By Michael A. Memoli Tribune Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Citing the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Vice President Joe Biden said Monday that the U.S. needs to “bridge that separation” that exists between law enforcement and communities of color and suggested a return to “genuine community policing” to restore trust between the two. In a possible preview of recommendations coming from the president’s so-called Task Force on 21st Century Policing, Biden recalled a major component of the 1994 crime bill he wrote was an infusion of billions in federal dollars to help hire 100,000 new police officers through what was known as the COPS program. Funding for that program has dropped by 87 percent since 1998. “That means fewer cops in the streets, in the neighborhoods, building recognition, trust – seeing one another,” Biden said at a Martin Luther King Day breakfast in Wilmington, Del. “The result - more separation, less communication, more hostility, and a place for crime to thrive in a neighborhood (where there) are decent and honorable people.” Biden used the holiday speech to discuss the polarizing political issue, presenting himself as a bridge between the two camps by playing up his reputation as a law-andorder politician and his personal connection to the local black community without which, he said, he “wouldn’t have this job.” “I know when I see the decency and the honor and the dignity that exists in each of the communities of this
city, they’re a reflection of the decency all of you represent,” he said. “But through that same period of time I’ve also worked with thousands of honorable women and men wearing a uniform. ... And at times I’ve seen in their eyes the uncertainty and fear that comes with being asked to put their lives on the line, them wondering, ‘Who has my back?’“ He said Americans all need to agree on two points: that “cops have a right to go home at night” and that minorities “no matter what the neighborhood, have a right to be treated with respect and with dignity.” Weeks after he attended a funeral service for one of two New York police officers who were murdered in the line of duty, he noted that both were minorities - and that in fact the city police department is now a majority-minority force. “They had a humanity that was denied them by an assassin’s bullet, who judged them by the color of the uniform they wore, as Dr. King would say, not by the content of their character,” Biden said. President Barack Obama formed the policing task force in December in the wake of violent confrontations between law enforcement and individuals protesting the death of an unarmed black man, Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Mo. Its recommendations were to be delivered in 90 days. In addition to beefing up community policing programs, Biden said the commission was looking at ways to increase diversity in police forces, increase the use of technology like body cameras, and new training methods that would educate officers “how to respond to dangerous situations without inflaming them.”
A5
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Congress still doesn’t look like America Not surprisingly, the face of According to Pew Research the newly inaugurated United Center data, people without States’ 114th Congress is a religious affiliations are also underrepresented in Brianna Zimmerman hugely Congress. While 20 percent of Americans do not have face of privilege: male, white, religious affiliations, only Christian and wealthy. What 0.2 percent of Congress, one does this mean for citizens who Congresswoman, reflects this do not fit these criteria? trend. While 92 percent of It means that the rest of us Congress is Christian, 73 perare severely underrepresented cent of American adults conin lawmaking in a country that sider themselves Christians. considers itself the ultimate Half of representatives in upholder of democratic values. Congress are millionaires, According to The while one in sixteen houseWashington Post, about 80 holds are worth one million percent of the members of the dollars. 114th Congress are men while I should also mention that only 20 percent are women. Of the 114th Congress is also course, this does not reflect our the most diverse Congress in nation’s reality. Women are not American history. a minority in American society, Lack of diversity in the legmaking up just over half of the islature is an issue because population and 64 percent of it means that the interests of the electorate. Yet in Congress, these underrepresented groups the voices of women are far and may not be heard or considered few between. Drastic under- by lawmakers. This is not a representation aside, this num- liberal or conservative issue; it ber has increased from nearly is a serious flaw in our democzero in the 1960s, but has gone racy. In theory, lawmakers up only slightly in the past 15 should represent voters, but years. when mainly wealthy white As for race, House members Christian males dominate the are 79.8 percent white, and the political scene, the views of othSenate is 94 percent white. Only ers (minorities, women, non10.1 percent of the House and Christians or the middle class) two percent of the Senate is may be illegitimated. black, 7.8 percent of the House Whether this illegitimizaand 3 percent of the Senate is tion is intentional or not is not Hispanic, and 2.3 percent of the the question. American dissatHouse and one percent of the isfaction with lawmakers is eviSenate is Asian. dent, and this may be a result
of privileged lawmakers’ disconnection from the American public. Voter turnout is decreasing, and it may be because individuals consider their votes to be insignificant. Only 36.6 percent of eligible voters actually voted in the 2014 midterm election, and only 22 percent of voters were minorities. When citizens do not see their votes making impacts or when their concerns are not reflected through lawmaking, there is no reason to vote, representing a flaw democracy that does not truly reflect citizens’ views. Disapproval of Congress is extreme. According to a Dec. 2014 Gallup poll, only 16 percent of people approve of “the way Congress is handling its job,” and 81 percent of people in September 2014 said that most Congress members were out of touch. Americans are clearly dissatisfied and underrepresented in Congress, but how can this be fixed? Creating more incentives to vote (such as a tax deductions for voters) could result in higher voter turnout but may not change citizens’ approval ratings of Congress. But if more eligible voters participated in elections, there may be more responsibility inherently placed on Congress members. For example, issues regarding race would need to be considered more heavily
since the number of constituents would increase and would hopefully be more diverse. The other solution is simply encouraging more diversity in politics by improving education, particularly in urban areas with failing school systems and large minority populations. Reducing the cost of higher education could also allow more minorities and middle or lower-class citizens to receive a college diploma. This may improve economic inequality by assuring that a quality education is not only intended for wealthy white children, but for everyone (hence President Obama’s recent proposal to make community college free). This could eventually allow for more political representation and increased voter turnout because educated citizens are more likely to vote. The new Congress may be the most diverse in American history, but this does not even come close to representing the demographics of our society. This lack of diversity and abundance of wealth in politics may be contributing to Americans’ dissatisfaction with lawmakers. In an improved democracy, I must hope that as a woman, my vote starts to become more valuable. Brianna Zimmerman is a Collegian columnist and can be reached at bzimmerman@ umass.edu.
Terrorizing free speech Speech is perhaps the sin- were police officers, and injurgle most important byprod- ing 11, to a discussion about uct of liberty. People often censorship and appropriate speech. Charlie Hebdo, a newsIsaac Simon paper known for pushing the envelope of political satire and say that actions speak louder particularly for publishing carthan words but forget the fact toons depicting the prophet that words themselves are Muhammad, lost 10 journalindeed actions. In a 1775 let- ists. ter to Representative Archibald Charlie Hebdo editor Stuart, Thomas Jefferson Stephane Charbonnier, known wrote, “I would rather be as Charb, was killed in the exposed to the inconveniences attack and had a strong-held attending too much liberty belief system regarding free than those attending too small speech rights. When the maga degree of it.” While those azine received death threats words were written over two for depicting the prophet hundred years ago, their mean- Muhammad in 2012, he told the ing still seems to echo similar French newspaper Le Monde, sentiment in today’s world. “I’d rather die standing than The attack on the French live on my knees.” satirical newspaper Charlie The sanctity of speech is Hebdo comes at a very con- important to those that deditentious time. Whether it cate their lives to it. Many is the continued grief over have argued that we as a socithe beheadings of journal- ety should understand speech ists James Foley and Steven within its proper context. Sotloff over the summer or the Therefore, we must undersystematic beheadings of 75 stand Charlie Hebdo through Syrian soldiers in mid July, the the lens of a satire. Satire, like spread of global jihad has left so many other forms of humor, many perplexed as to how to is used to shed light on events effectively resolve such trag- and issues that are important edy and devastation. But while to people. Part of satire is to watching news feeds reporting shed light on the stupidity of on the world’s most recent ter- seriousness when it comes to ror attack, another issue – one I certain issues and the taboo wouldn’t have considered to be qualities they may possess. part of the national conversa- The Colbert Report, for tion – began to surface. example, can be thought of The focus seemed to change as a nine-year satire on confrom the Kouachi brothers servative political ideology. killing 12 people, two of which And while some vehemently
disagree with the premise of the show and might even take offense to Colbert’s style of delivery, no one is trying to kill Stephen Colbert, or any of his writers. All democracies should have this country’s first amendment. But again, others in our society have diverted away from the real issue of terrorism, and instead moved towards the issue of permissible speech, a debate that seems unnecessary. And of course, the issue of what is and isn’t permissible should not be decided by terrorists. To concede to the real haters, the Islamic fundamentalists who practice and profess the views of radical Islam, and to then appease their viewpoint through censorship is not how a democracy should be run. Rather, we should protect all speech regardless of whom it may offend. Since the attack occurred, people have used the words ‘blasphemous’, ‘provocative’ and ‘offensive’ to describe the kinds of cartoons Charlie Hebdo published. But what we have to remember is that blasphemy is in the eye of the beholder and can be considered a byproduct of satire. The events that unfolded should not initiate a dialogue about whether it is okay to depict the prophet Muhammad, but how we can live in a free society where people are not killed for expressing their opin-
ions and ideas. The truth of the matter is this: there is nothing specific in the Quran saying that you can’t depict the prophet Muhammad. Disagreements, however upsetting or unnerving they may be, should stop at disagreements. Censorship is something that will ultimately never be achieved in part because of the varieties of interpretation that arise from any given issue. The countless French citizens holding up signs saying “I am Charlie” are not so much supporting news venues which print cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad as they are fighting for the right to protect speech of all kinds. The words of Patrick Henry in his speech that became known as “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” still seem to resonate today: “If we wish to be free if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight!” To be offended is one thing. To take away someone’s right to be offensive is another. Isaac Simon is a Collegian columnist and can be reached at isimon@umass.edu.
‘Death to standardized testing’ Ask any public school student between the ages of nine and eighteen about their
Noosha Uddin thoughts on standardized testing and chances are they’ll all say something along the lines of “it’s a total waste of time,” despite the strong measure of accountability they offer on a national scale about school and student performances. It seems as though some Republican Senate aides share the same outlook about these tests; in fact, the aides are working on a bill that “would leave decisions about testing schedules up to states” and nullify the federal mandate for annual testing with the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act that’s due later this year. It’s a suggestion that’s favorable for education organizations, but not so much for civil rights organiza-
tions, a problem that will resurface when the decision is made. The idea is still in its infancy. But that’s not stopping people from constructing their own alternatives to standardized tests. NPR reports that the growing concern over standardized testing from its inception back in 2002 is “the number of tests kids take and the time they spend taking them.” The network also provides us a detailed list of testing methods that could fill in for these tests, with significant emphasis on the social and behavioral aspects of learning and less on the technical skills like mathematics and grammar. It’s hardly a surprise. Surely the lack of attention given to the arts and critical thinking skills in schools is detrimental to a student’s academic growth, but can we just lift standardized tests straight off from their ever-growing, ever-unyielding
roots? Texas House Bill 5 limited the number of benchmark exams for public schools at the district level, but individual campuses are still holding fast to the practice in fear of being left behind. Schools want to diversify their academics to include social and emotional skills, high-order thinking and student learning on national tests, but any pioneer is sure to be lost in a system obsessed with efficiency. Public schools just can’t afford that loss. I feel that standardized tests are a time-consuming insults to my intelligence, but I’ve been privileged enough to graduate from a high school of a higher standing. Funding based on Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) scores was inconsequential for my hometown, but that’s not the case for everyone. I hope Congress has a solid backup plan if they erase these tests,
or that we can find a balance between logic and creativity for future exams. So is it fair to say that the No Child Left Behind Act killed innovative practices in schools, replacing them with exam-oriented syllabi? Perhaps. Sure, it may be a waste of time for almost everyone involved, but higher performing schools gain more funding from the state, which in many cases can be the only source of funding for that entire district. New age schools and their students can afford to be pretentious and complain about standardized tests, but if critics have an alternative that’s as widely accountable as testing and has the potential to be practiced across the nation, I’m all ears. Noosha Uddin is a Collegian contributor and can be reached at nuddin@umass. edu.
DailyCollegian.com
Opinion Editorial THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
“Our summers of riots are caused by winters of delay.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Editorial@DailyCollegiancom
Where’s the ‘national dialogue’ on terrorism? Meaningful discussion of other nations that we would be the terrorism and its implications vanguard of counter terrorism. appears to have been replaced Next month there will be an “antiextremist conference” held by the Julian del Prado White House, apparently meant to discuss extremism within immiin the United States with a ques- grant communities abroad. This tion: “are all Muslims terror- is laughable. After eight years of ists?” This is an asinine question, being president, Barack Obama which adds no value to any dia- and his administration have logue, and which Democrats and shown a poor understanding of Republicans in the media enter- terrorism. tain every time innocent people This lack of understanding has die because of terrorism. made the world less safe in very While France made sure to concrete ways. Libya has splinproject unity among its people tered into a hotbed of terrorist against terror, gathering and activity and civilian casualties. marching in support of the fall- Obama has dropped the Syrian en at every opportunity, citizens Civil War as a topic of discussion, of the United States sat at home even though this is the true epiwringing their hands and ponder- center of radical Islam and terroring whether there is a “Muslim ist activities at the moment. This problem.” is probably due to the “red line”
Hey Dems: Support new small business. Fight inequality. Win. As Matt Yglesias at Vox noted in we’ve seen with Walmart decimatDecember, Barack Obama has been ing the mom-and-pop shop industhe most successful president since try. On average, people work more hours and make less money, and Zac Bears profits are still on the rise. Unjust practices on Wall Street Lyndon Johnson. He passed huge caused homelessness, unemploynew legislation that has helped to ment and poverty, and yet no one control health care costs, a prob- is in jail and they have insiders lematically large percentage of our in Congress, like Trey Gowdy, and economy, while insuring a near- the Treasury Department, where record percentage of Americans. ‘Goldman Sachs’ on a resume seems But with the media focusing the to be an employment guarantee. public gaze on scandal and image, Banks are still risking public and they barely noticed student loan private retirement money on stock reform, military reform, the great- market gambles. est pro-environmental record of any Streamlining regulation for small president, the most diverse execu- businesses, means taking thousands tive cabinet and staff of all time of outdated regulations off of the or the record number of judicial books, but not making it easier appointments. Not to mention the for big corporations to gobble up increase in Democrat-nominated competitors and use market share majorities on the 13 U.S. Appeals and power to outcompete everyone. Courts from one to nine or the exec- That’s bad for innovation. It’s also utive action on the large number of anti-capitalist, even in purely neoundocumented persons languishing classical theory. in the nation’s shadows. This status gives him immense power over the next two years. Republicans, still playing from a weakened position and having internal discord both at party headquarters and now on two sides of the U.S. Small businesses, particularly Capitol, will only play into Obama’s newly founded ones, drive American political hand, allowing him to box success. Recent research into small them in on every issue, no longer businesses shows that firms less having to kowtow to a third power than one year old offered almost all new jobs over the last 30 years, center in Harry Reid. Now it’s Obama vs. Republicans. as Derek Khanna discussed in a The Democrats in the minority May 2014 “American Conservative” are far more united, allowed by GOP article. The data show that “existgerrymandering in the House, the ing businesses,” more than one year Blue Dog evisceration of 2014 and old, lost about one million jobs per a strong 2016 Senate map to con- year, while new businesses added solidate into a more liberal faction three million jobs per year. Clearly, without facing the splintering that continuing down the path of corpothe GOP has faced when moving rate consolidation won’t be the key to boosting job prospects or raising more rightward. Economic numbers for the aver- incomes. age citizen are not promising. In 25 The biggest barrier to wage and years, national GDP has gone up job growth in the U.S. is not the 83 percent. Profits have doubled as federal government, which has seen a percentage of the economy and a drastic shift in regulatory policy worker productivity has doubled. So as American politics have moved what have workers seen in return rightward, but the growth of corfor a generation of corporate prof- porations and big business through its? The median wage is down in consolidation. As large corporations 81 percent of U.S. counties over the gained more influence in the 1980s and 1990s, they attacked campaign past 15 years. Democrats across the country finance laws, further opening the can rally around a message that political avenues for increasing the corporations have too much power. return on lobbying while reducing Unfair competition hurts small the return on investment. businesses around the country, as The public nature of profit endan-
“Now it’s Obama vs. the Republicans.”
“From 2006-2011, Muslims comprised 82-97 percent of terrorism-related fatalities, and Muslim majority countries “bore the greatest number of attacks involving 10 or more deaths.”
gers America’s economy. Corporate leaders now need the best lobbyists and the best workers, the best government relations team and the best R&D team. That hampers innovation. Small businesses, where all job growth comes from, cannot hire a lobbyist. The next Apple in a Los Altos, California garage cannot partner with a government relations firm. Khanna calls these issues to attention for Republicans for an obvious reason: they would be incredibly popular. But getting the anti-government activists, of whom the GOP establishment is very afraid, on-board may be impossible. Regulating the economy for innovation is not libertarianism. Creating an economy that supports small businesses is not in the interests of the major party corporate backers. But the GOP establishment and message machine is far more intertwined with corporations than the Democratic Party. And Republicans have not had a truly pseudo-populist message since the 1994 Contract with America, while Democrats often only win as candidates of the people, like Obama and Bill Clinton. Democratic candidates, activists and voters can campaign for rolling back the corporate takeover of America, an American deal that returns economic power to the people on economics, small business, cutting regulations and retirement, and shows the people that government can be used as an instrument of good. Khanna talks about making the GOP the party of innovation. I think the Democrats need to get there first, and realize that a people’s contract making the business environment fairer and more competitive is good for wages, innovation, civic responsibility and respect for government and its service of the public good. Using the congressional minority to work with an empowered Obama to create a real Democratic message for 2016 that Elizabeth Warren or Hillary Clinton could rally around? That’s the lesson of 2014.
Worse still, an acceptable response to generalizations about Muslims and terrorism appears to be separating Islam from terrorism entirely. The result is a complete lack of dialogue, and a lack of any demonstrable sympathy for the victims of these attacks from U.S. media. Islam and terrorism in the modern world, at least for now, have an intertwined destiny and relationship. Radical Islamic terrorism does not comprise a small percentage of violence due to terrorism. Sunni extremists accounted for 70 percent of the fatalities caused by terrorism in 2011, according to the National Counterterrorism Center. Furthermore, Muslims bear the brunt of terrorist attacks across the globe. From 2006-2011, Muslims comprised 82-97 percent of terrorism-related fatalities, and Muslim majority countries “bore the greatest number of attacks involving 10 or more deaths.” Terrorism done in the name of jihad is particularly violent, and particularly prevalent in the modern world. So even though it is particularly provocative phrasing when Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly call international terrorism a “Muslim problem,” the fact is that Muslims are the people who bear the real burden of international terrorism. To reduce all terrorists to the lowest common denominator (a terrorist is a terrorist and nothing more) is to sabotage any nuanced approach to combating terrorism done in the name of Islam. As a pointless war of semantics rages on in the United States, through both televised and social media, world leaders have made a clear stand on terrorism. David Cameron, shortly after a three million strong rally for solidarity in Paris, called radical Islam a “fanatical death cult.” According to the Prime Minister of France, Manuel Valls, France is at war “against terrorism, against jihadism, against radical Islam.” There is no solidarity in the United States regarding terrorism, despite the promises made on behalf of the American people to
Zac Bears is the Opinion & Editorial Editor and can be reached at ibears@umass.edu.
debacle that effectively restricted U.S. involvement in Syria indefinitely. And yet, when millions rallied after the attack in France, nobody represented the United States in that show of solidarity. Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande, David Cameron, Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas all stood in support of the international war on terror. Barack Obama “revealed” that we would be discussing terrorism in February. The United States declared the war on terror, but it could not be bothered to stand with its allies when that war spilled into friendly territory. The 24-hour news cycle is an easy target when discussions throughout the country become more about semantics than information. And yet social media reflects the kind of information people our age seek out. So is your feed populated by statistics on where terrorists are from and what they want? Is it a place where your friends have pondered on the social ramifications of such an attack? My experience thus far, and the experience of my peers, has been pointless debates and observations that delay the inevitable confrontation with what it means to fight terrorism. Maybe #jesuischarlie isn’t the best hashtag, after all some of the views of that magazine are quite offensive and I could not possibly be those people. We should all be careful not to be hasty, and understand that there are Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia who aren’t part of international terrorism. Derisive sound bites showing how ignorant and racist your least favorite commentator is. These are the thoughts that populate my feeds, and it is clear that nobody wants to talk about fighting terrorism. As a group, Americans have decided they would rather moderate the discussion, telling others what they should and should not believe about terrorism. Hopefully this is a temporary trend. Julian del Prado is a Collegian columnist and can be reached at jdelprad@umass.edu.
t h e m a s s a c h u s e t t s D a i ly C o l l e g i a n BUSINESS
NEWS
News Editor - Aviva Luttrell News Producer - Christina Yacono
NEWS ASSISTANTS Jaclyn Bryson Catherine Ferris Marie MacCune Anthony Rentsch
GRAPHICS
EDITOR IN CHIEF - Nick Canelas MANAGING EDITOR - Patrick Hoff MANAGING EDITOR/DAILYCOLLEGIAN.COM - Conor Snell
Business Manager - Omer Sander Advertising Manager - Andrew Carr Distribution Manager - Nick Gorius Advertising Production - Nick Damren
Production Manager - James Desjardin Special Issues Manager - Randy Crandon
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social Media Coordinators - Charlotte Hoff | Ariel Kallenbach
OPINION & EDITORIAL
ARTS & LIVING
SPORTS
PHOTOGRAPHY
COMICS
Op/Ed Editor - Zac Bears Op/Ed Producer - Claire Anderson
Arts Editor - Cory Willey Arts Producer - Robert Rigo
Sports Editor - Mark Chiarelli Sports Producer - Marc Jean-Louis
Photo Editor - Cade Belisle
Comics Editor - Tracy Krug
O p /E d ASSISTANTS
ARTS ASSISTANTS
SPORTS ASSISTANTS
PHOTO ASSISTANTS
GRAPHICS ASSISTANTS
Steven Gillard Ian Hagerty Kate Leddy Maral Margossian
Alex Frail Jackson Maxwell Sarah Robertson
Anthony Chiusano Andrew Cyr Ross Gienieczko
Araz Havan Robert Rigo Christina Yacono
Noa Barak Avery Campbell Caroline O’Connor
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian is published Monday through Thursday during the University of Massachusetts calendar semester. The Collegian is independently funded, operating on advertising revenue. Founded in 1890, the paper began as Aggie Life, became the College Signal in 1901, the Weekly Collegian in 1914 and the Tri–Weekly Collegian in 1956. Published daily from 1967 to 2014, The Collegian has been broadsheet since January 1994. For advertising rates and information, call 413-545-3500.
PRODUCTION CREW on staff for this issue NIGHT EDITOR - Nick Canelas | Patrick Hoff COPY EDITOR - Collegian Staff WEB PRODUCTION MANAGER - Christina Yacono NEWS DESK EDITOR - Aviva Luttrell O p /E d DESK EDITOR - Zac Bears ARTS DESK EDITOR - Cory Willey SPORTS DESK EDITOR - Mark Chiarelli COMICS DESK EDITOR - Tracy Krug GRAPHICS DESK EDITOR - James Desjardin
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Sports@DailyCollegian.com
@MDC_SPORTS
THE WAITING GAME HOCKEY
After missing the fall semester, the Minutemen’s most dynamic player has finally arrived.
CADE BELISLE/COLLEGIAN
Brandon Montour (far left) celebrates with teammates after assisting on a goal by Troy Power (22) in UMass’ 6-4 victory over New Hampshire on Jan. 16.
By Jason Kates
B
Collegian Staff
randon Montour was among hundreds of players which filed into the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia agonizingly close to their dream of becoming professional hockey players. Once there, he didn’t have to wait long. Surrounded by his family and advisor at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Montour’s dream became reality when the Anaheim Ducks selected him with the 55th pick of the draft. It was the highest any member of the Massachusetts hockey team was ever selected, and it happened before Montour ever stepped foot on the ice for the Minutemen. “It was an incredible feeling
that I’ll probably never forget,” the Ontario native said. “Me, my friends and my family used to watch it on TV in years past at home, and to see those guys walk up to the stage and get their jersey and meet the staff, it definitely gave me chills watching them. “For me to actually be there and hear my name called by Anaheim was definitely a moment I’ll never forget.” UMass coach John Micheletto, who made the trek to Philadelphia alongside assistant Joey Gasparini to be there, thought it was a wonderful moment when Montour’s name was announced. “It was nice to be there and nice to witness,” he said. “You know, you go through a period of rewards for the hard work and sacrifices that both the player and parents
make over time. Obviously, getting committed to school was a big one for Brandon and his family, to make sure he would get an education. “Being drafted where he was, it was a really special moment for Brandon and his parents.” Montour spent a week at Ducks rookie camp and was prepared to bring his game to Amherst. But the wait to see the Minutemen’s newest star would be longer than usual.
four years of his hockey career. “I always wanted to go to college, and didn’t really want to wait it out and look for another place to go,” Montour said. “I came for a little visit before last year started with my parents, and ever since then I loved it. The coaches were probably a big influence on that. I loved them and everything they’ve done for me. “I think the upside in this (program) was also a big boost and the facilities here did not make me Easy Choice think twice.” Despite Montour’s impressive Before receiving the commitcapabilities, he was a late-bloomer ment, Micheletto recognized on many schools’ recruiting radars. Montour’s talent and potential, UMass targeted him early and capiand knew it would be crucial to get talized. to him before others did. It took him just one visit to Amherst to realize UMass was the “In the recruiting process, it place he wanted to spend the next see MONTOUR on page B3
MEN’S BASKETBALL
UM needs defensive consistency
I
’ve long been a proponent of the old adage that defense wins championships. And while the Massachusetts hockey team isn’t in position to be discussed as a title contender this season, UMass’ hopes of finishing 20142015 on a positive note and advancing in the Hockey East tournament for the first time in six years rests on its defense. h e Anthony T Minutemen’s Chiusano offense has had its share of problems and inconsistencies this season. However, with a variety of players emerging as scoring threats this season – ranging from expected contributors such as Frank Vatrano, Steven Iacobellis and Dennis Kravchenko to more experienced breakout goal manufacturers like Shane Walsh – UMass’ offense has shown the potential to stay competitive and put up points. But more often than not, late defensive breakdowns, avoidable penalties leading to penalty-killing situations and careless turnovers have led to inescapable deficits and extended losing streaks. The Minutemen have allowed a conference-high 98 goals, 22 more than the next closest team. Of these conceded goals, 45 have come in the final period of play – also a Hockey East high. These third-period blunders have proved costly this season, turning competitive games into easy wins for the opposition, starting in UMass’ season opener against Boston University. The Minutemen appeared to find momentum heading into the final period against the Terriers, tallying a goal with 47 seconds left in the second to head into the locker room with a manageable 2-1 deficit. But BU hastily reestablished control after the break, scoring six unanswered goals and see
CONSISTENCY on page B3
SWIMMING AND DIVING
Coleman, Esho fuel comeback UMass heats up in
trip to Puerto Rico
Minutemen erase second-half deficit
Center. “It was very rewarding,” said Esho of Coleman’s play. “Right before I came out of the game I told him ‘Just By Mark Chiarelli hold it down.’ And he did Collegian Staff exactly that. It was real good Zach Coleman arrived at for him to do that.” the postgame press confer- Coleman replaced Esho ence, stopped, and looked after the senior forward around. picked up his fourth foul He was flanked by his with nine minutes, 15 seccoach Derek Kellogg and onds remaining. two veterans Maxie Esho After two URI free and Trey Davis, throws made it who have fulfilled 46-42, Coleman UMass 60 answered immetheir fair share of postgame comdiately, making a URI 56 layup as he was mitments during their time with the fouled. He hit Massachusetts the free throw to men’s basketball team. complete the 3-point-play. But this was all new to But the Rams extended the Coleman. lead to 53-47 with 6:22 left. “I don’t know how this Minutemen center Cady goes,” he said as he tried to Lalanne missed the frontgrab a seat. end of a 1-and-1 free throw If he keeps playing like he opportunity two different did Saturday against Rhode times as the lead grew. Island, he’s bound to get the But Coleman brought hang of it. UMass back. The redshirt freshman The Minutemen grabbed scored a career-high 13 two straight offensive points and helped UMass rebounds which set up a erase a six-point second half Coleman 3-pointer from the deficit en route to a 60-56 vic- wing to make it 53-50. He tory over URI at the Mullins forced a steal on the ensuing
10-day trip used as training, bonding By Matthew Zackman Collegian Staff
CADE BELISLE/COLLEGIAN
Zach Coleman scored a career-high 13 points in UMass’ victory Saturday. possession and dribbled the length of the floor, attempting what would’ve been a thunderous right-handed dunk. Only he hit the front iron as a Rams defender contested it. But Donte Clark grabbed another offensive rebound and the ball found Coleman, who was again camped on the wing, and he drained another 3-pointer. And like that, it was tied, much to the delight of the 5,273 in attendance. “It was a great feeling,”
Coleman said. “I was in the moment, and when I saw them I felt good when they left. So I wasn’t surprised with the result.” But he wasn’t done. After Clark gave UMass the lead with the layup, Coleman extended it to two possessions, hitting a fadeaway jump shot to give the Minutemen a 57-53 lead with 3:17 remaining. The Rams cut it to 57-56 on a Gilvydas Birutas layup with 90 seconds left. Davis see
URI on page B3
Many University of Massachusetts students spent their New Year’s bundled up inside, tucked away from the frigid temperatures. The Massachusetts men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams, however, did just the opposite. The group of approximately 60 swimmers and their coaches spent a portion of their winter break in Puerto Rico. It was not all fun and games, as the goal of the trip was improvement. “We improved our conditioning, we improved our skills and we improved our strength, power and speed,” men’s coach Russ Yarworth said. “You name it, we improved it.” The teams completed a serious, high-level workout regimen over their 10 day
stay in Puerto Rico. They spent five hours training during the day, which in the eyes of Yarworth brought home a better team than he had during the months leading up to the tropical excursion. “Everyone has really done what I have asked of them and we are starting to make some real big strides, and the progress we have made has been really positive,” Yarworth said. On the women’s team, Molly Smith blossomed over the span of the trip, according to coach Bob Newcomb. “She has been the distance leader since she has been here and she has really done an exceptional job of continuing her training and being able to perform at a very high level during the hard training that we have been doing,” he said Despite the remarkable improvement in the pool, the development of team see
PUERTO RICO on page B3
B2
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
DailyCollegian.com
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Freshman keys improvement UMass begins
to see progress
Cierra Dillard earns praise, accolades By Frank Corona Collegian Staff
While students returned home for winter break, the Massachusetts women’s basketball team solidified that it isn’t the same team the school is used to seeing. The Minutewomen (8-9,23 Atlantic 10) notched their eighth win of the season Thursday night, beating La Salle 71-68 at the Mullins Center. While it may not seem like much of a milestone, the eighth victory surpassed the accumulated wins of their previous two season CADE BELISLE/COLLEGIAN combined, and matched the total number of wins Cierra Dillard (15) dribbles into the lane against George Washington on Jan. 18 at the Mullins Center. from UMass’ 2011-12 campaign. Keep in mind, the Despite the eventual loss, Minutewomen still have McDerment and Lillard nearly half their schedule combined for seven points in left to play. a critical 9-2 run for UMass Not bad for a team previthat brought the game to ously pegged to finish dead within three. last within the conference. A week later, the “I think in terms of the Sharon Dawley, Minutewomen notched an mixture of talent this is UMass coach 18-point win on the road the best group we’ve had against St. Joseph’s, a game in a while,” coach Sharon along with men’s basketball phenomenal today.” that once again showcased As well as Dillard has player Maxie Esho on Dec. Dawley said. “We’re having been playing, there seems to the talented youth on this fun which wasn’t always the 16th case and this year I think it The freshman earned be a special connection with squad. these awards by breaking her and the team’s senior Dillard had an impressive shows”. During the Holy stat line against the Hawks So what’s been the her own career records in leader. Cross game, both Dillard that included 18 points, the process. X-factor? Although a lot is going She set career highs in both and Pierre-Louis posted four assists, four rebounds right for UMass – includ- points (21) and rebounds career highs to combine for and two steals. McDerment ing, but not limited to, its (six) during a Dec. 14 victory 48 of the team’s 72 points. added six points, all from defensive play keeping them over Holy Cross, a career The two were once again the charity stripe. in close games and the con- high in steals (four) despite in sync against St. Louis as “It’s been a great flow for sistency of veterans Kim a loss to St. Bonaventure on they combined for 49 points the last few months, me and Pierre-Louis and Rashida Jan. 3 and surpassed her off of an efficient shooting all the freshmen are really Timbilla – much of the buzz previous scoring best with night in which they for a enjoying it getting playing surrounding the team is 23 points during a loss to St. field goal percentage of 59.4 time,” Dillard said. “It’s a privilege as a freshman just percent. due to their younger play- Louis on Jan.7. ers; most notably freshman Dillard has been a cata- “I feel that we realized trying to help make a statelyst for the Minutewomen in the beginning of the sea- ment on the floor and help Cierra Dillard. “When I heard (Dillard) offense, and her ability to son that we had chemistry our upperclassman as much committed I was ecstatic pick her spots while oppos- even playing pickup and as we can.” because I knew the type of ing teams focus primarily on as the season went on my While Dawley was keen player she was and I knew Pierre-Louis is a large rea- teammates allowed for me on this year’s youth from to get comfortable on the the get-go, the underclassthat she could make a dif- son for the team’s success. ference right away,” Dawley “The upper classman and floor and they opened up man have quickly become said. “I think my favorite the coaching staff have been my eyes,” said Dillard. “[…] an integral part of this thing about her is that she really great at helping us as long as the post players team’s success and are helpjust loves to play basketball adjust,” Dillard said. “It’s and our guards are on the ing UMass raise its overall and when it comes to crunch been a great transition and same page, which they are, play. time you just see her out we have a lot of success due it opens up our game.” “Our future looks bright there having fun and that’s to our coaching staff and our Dillard isn’t the only young and we’re buying into what shining our coaching staff says and teammates with all of our Minutewoman really great to see.” for the team, as was evi- shows us and I believe that Dillard collected some of chemistry.” her first collegiate hard- Dawley is also quick to dent in the game against as the years go on we’ll have St. Bonaventure. Dillard a great program,” Dillard ware over the winter recess. praise her star freshman. She was recognized as the “I like the way we played, and fellow freshmen Leah said. “I’m so unbelievably Maggie happy and excited to conAtlantic 10 Rookie of the the intensity we had,” McDer ment, Week twice in the span of Dawley said after the Holy Mulligan and Ciara Rosten tinue with the success of less than a month for the Cross game. “Cierra Dillard, combined for 28 points, this program.” weeks of Dec. 15 and Jan. a freshman, dropping 21 including a career-high scor12, and was named UMass (points) and six (rebounds) ing night for McDerment, Frank Corona can be reached at Co-Athlete of the Week with four assists was also who notched 10 points. fcorona@umass.edu.
“When I heard (Dillard) commited I was ecstatic because I knew the type of player she was and I knew she could make a difference right away.”
UMass stymied vs. GWU By Frank Corona
Dawley said. “I thought our problem was after the press, then what, I didn’t think we The Massachusetts womattacked from that point.” en’s basketball team entered Junior forward Rashida Sunday’s game with high Tambilla led the team in expectations in front of a rebounding, finishing with 11 nationally televised audience. boards after collecting four in But the Minutewomen were the first half. She attributed slow out of the gates and it cost some early miscues to presthem as they fell to George sure both on and Washington 69-54 off the court. at the Mullins GWU 69 “It was a big Center. game, any time the ` “I walked in UMass 54 No. 1 team in your today totally conference comes expecting to beat to town, and you’re these guys,” said UMass coach on T.V. it’s big,” Timbilla said. Sharon Dawley. “I had no “Maybe nerves got in the way doubts that we were going to of that, but it is another game come out ahead.” and one that’s a good test of a `Although the confidence learning curve for us.” was there for UMass, sloppy The Minutewomen pulled play early contributed to a 24-6 within eight points with 30 deficit with nine minutes, four seconds remaining in the first seconds left in the first half. half. The Colonials opened in “When we got down early a full court press and forced we had just as many good early turnovers. Even after shots as they did but they just beating the press, it became didn’t fall, so it wasn’t like we evident that the UMass weren’t getting to the basket,” offense was taking a hit after Dawley said. “The play never constant defensive pressure bothered me. This team never from George Washington. quits; they don’t know what it “St. Joes has a good press, means.” La Salle has a good press, we UMass shot just 32 percent see it day in and day out we in the first half. just have to do a better job,” UMass was more efficient Collegian Staff
shooting in the second half (45 percent), but turnovers continued to haunt the Minutemen as the George Washington collected 20 points off of 24 Minutewomen miscues. UMass was also outrebounded 45-31. “There were a lot of defensive plays that I thought we did a really great job with, but then we couldn’t secure the rebound at the end of the play which was problematic and we lost the rebounding war by 14, Dawley said. George Washington opened the second half on a 7-2 run which pushed the lead to 43-28. UMass did not mount a comeback. Kim Pierre-Louis led UMass with 15 points. Despite the loss, Dawley was high on her team’s performance. “We talk about it in the locker room, the fact that we’re right there, pretty much this was a 10-point difference, we know that we’re right there we had 24 turnovers, a lot unforced, we have to take care of business there and we can’t wait to see these guys in the tournament.” Frank Corona can be reached at fcorona@umass.edu.
Catch up with the Minutewomen By Tom Mulherin Collegian Staff
Since the fall semester ended, the Massachusetts women’s basketball team continues to build on its early success with a modest 4-4 record in the previous eight games. With victories over Holy Cross, Boston University, La Salle and Saint Joseph’s, the Minutewomen (8-9, 2-3 Atlantic 10) have reached as many wins as the previous two years combined. UMass won just four games last year and three the year before. The last time the program was so close to a .500 record this late in the season was in the 2008-2009 campaign, where it posted a similar winter break record of 3-5. “The rebuilding process takes a while and a lot of patience,” Minutewomen coach Sharon Dawley said. “It’s looking like the pieces are coming together. Some of these seasons go better once you catch a break, catch momentum, and grab a couple more wins. That’s what we’re trying to do.” As the team enjoys improved success, here are some of the most important things that happened with the team over the break.
Freshmen providing good minutes With almost a third of the 13-player roster being true freshmen this season, UMass has depended on the younger core to produce opportunities and provide depth. As key veterans Emily Mital and Amber Dillon provide better numbers coming off of the bench, freshmen guards Leah McDerment and Cierra Dillard are left with the responsibility of starting regularly for the Minutewomen, while Maggie Mulligan and Ciara Rosten produce as role players. “(McDerment) has done a great job at the point… and Dillard at the two is a just a special basketball player,” Dawley said of the first-year players. “Maggie Mulligan has been a good sub for us. She’s a good shooter, good passer. An up and coming
post player for us is Ciara Rosten. Solid defender, good rebounder, I think you’ll see more of her in the conference (matchups). “I think all four freshmen are playing extremely well.”
Defense continues to thrive Along with the improving defensive play of the freshman group, the team as a whole has trended upward defensively since winter break began. The Minutewomen feature good defenders in Rashida Timbilla and Kymber Hill, which has helped them hold opponents to 63.8 points per game, 36.2 defensive rebounds per game and 15.7 forced turnovers per game. “Defensively we’re better,” Dawley said. “We’re adding more zones, so I hope to be that team that can show multiple defenses and make people really pause and take time off the clock to see what they’re going to run.” The Minutewomen have no t allowed more than 75 points in a game so far this season.
Kim Pierre-Louis receives A-10 honors The star senior forward continued to display her offensive dominance in the past month, highlighted by a career-best scoring output of 33 points in a win over Boston University. She added 14 rebounds that night and was awarded A-10 Player of the Week in the highest single-game scoring total for a UMass player since Melissa Gurile’s 38 points in 1993. When asked about some of the things that have stood out to her about the team in recent weeks, Coach Dawley mentioned the excellence of Pierre-Louis on the offensive end and the effort she has put in to improve. “Kim is a great scorer, obviously,” she said. “She’s pretty hard to defend, and had some games where she’s been a great rebounder as well. She made a commitment to conditioning, dropped 56 pounds, and she’s reaping the benefits of making that commitment.” Tom Mulherin can be reached at tmulheri@umass.edu.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
DailyCollegian.com
MONTOUR was readily apparent that he had a tremendous amount of skill, particularly a good skater, and a guy that could provide offense,” Micheletto said. “All of those things pushed us to a point pretty early on to want to pursue Brandon quickly because we thought his ceiling was going to be very, very high and that he was a bit under the radar at that point.” When the Minutemen received the commitment, the feeling amongst the coaching staff was of pure ecstasy. He was joining a recruiting class that also consisted of Dennis Kravchenko, Patrick Lee, Maddison Smiley and Dominic Trento. “It was good, we were really excited,” Micheletto said. “He and his parents drove down here from where they live in Ontario and spent a better portion of the day and then drove home. When he called to let us know that he wanted to be a part of what we were doing here, we were very excited and knew he would be a big piece of the puzzle moving forward.” The Minutemen were also getting a player rooted within the sport of hockey.
Family Matters Growing up as the middle child, Montour was always with his two brothers, Cameron and Colin. All three were put into skates by their father at a young age, and became a competitive trio. “We’re definitely a competitive family you could say,” Montour said. “A few broken windows and stuff like that, but it definitely helped us in our growth and our skill level throughout our careers.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
continued from page B1
“They don’t play too much anymore,” he added, “but they still give me texts and ask me how I’m doing, so it’s good motivation and good to have them with me.” Throughout their childhood, Cameron said that often there would be when times two of the three boys would be at the other one’s games, which brought them even closer . “All three of us were really close,” he said. “We spent basically every single day together. I’m a couple years older than (Brandon) so we’d watch our youngest brother play, and then we’d be playing so we were together a lot. “Whenever we weren’t actually playing on the floor, we’d be out shooting pucks around the road or playing catch in the yard with lacrosse sticks,” said Montour, who was also a gifted lacrosse player. With the amount of traveling required for hockey and lacrosse, there was a big weight on the shoulders of Montour’s parents Tammy and Cameron. To their credit, he said they delivered. “From my dad’s standpoint he was always working and traveling far away, so my mom had to do most of the traveling when we were younger,” said Montour. “We were three boys playing lacrosse in the summer and hockey in the winter, so it was definitely busy for her driving us three. “When my dad was around, he’d be all-in, and would come to every practice and game whenever he could, so they take full credit and I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done.”
Delayed Arrival Montour took an unorth-
odox path to Amherst. Before the season began, the freshman was ruled ineligible by the NCAA for the entire first semester due to Clearinghouse issues. So he improvised. Montour returned to Iowa to play for the Waterloo Black Hawks – a United States Hockey League team which drafted him a season before and a place he excelled. He did the only thing he knew how to do: he kept working. “It was definitely tough,” Montour said of his time out. “When I was in Waterloo I was just thinking about working on my skills, but as the weeks went on and (UMass) got closer, it was just all excitement. When I finally got here it was unbelievable.” Montour racked up the accolades while in Waterloo. He was named both the USHL Defenseman of the Year and Player of the Year in the 2013-14 season. Through 60 games played, Montour recorded an outstanding 62 points, including 48 assists. Playing there, Montour said, was probably the best decision of his life, even though he didn’t know much about where he was going. “I didn’t really know what Iowa was or what to expect from Iowa, but I headed out there last year and loved it ever since,” he said. “The team we had last year was probably one of the better junior teams in the USHL ever. The team and coaching staff helped me as a person and a player.” Montour’s oldest brother, Cameron, knew sitting out was not what Brandon had anticipated, but made sure to let him know to not get down on himself. “He kind of bummed
CADE BELISLE/COLLEGIAN
Brandon Montour (left) celebrates his first career goal Jan. 2 against Connecticut. out because he was pretty excited to start the season,” Montour said. “I just told him to keep his head up and that these things happen for a reason and that he’d be just fine where he was.” Micheletto credited Montour’s ability to handle the unfortunate circumstance and his willingness to continue his commitment to UMass and college hockey. “He definitely made the best of it,” Micheletto said. “It certainly could have gone south and he could have not used the time to continue to push his game, strictly from a hockey standpoint. “He certainly could have gotten discouraged and not done what academically needed to take place in order for him to be here, starting at the end of the first semester in the fall. “All in all, he took what could’ve been a really discouraging and negative situation and did everything he could to make sure that he
was here on campus ready to go to school and ready to play hockey.”
Time to Fly On Dec. 16, the wait for Montour came to an end. There was a game pitting the Minutemen against conference foe Northeastern, and he was able to suit up and put on a Massachusetts sweater for the first time. Eight games later, Montour has already collected his first goal and recorded six assists. Micheletto can already tell the freshman will play a major role. “Skating is a real obvious one,” he said regarding some of Montour’s greatest strengths. “You recognize it mostly on the offensive side, and people appreciate the fluid skating and mobility that allows him to play defense and not only be committed to the offensive side of it, but being able to get back and defend.
CONSISTENCY
URI
continued from page B1
missed a 3-pointer on the following UMass possession, but Esho and Lalanne grabbed two separate offensive rebounds to extend the possession. Clark hit two free throws to make it 59-56 with 15 seconds left. URI’s E.C. Matthews fumbled the ball away to Davis on the following Rams possession and the Minutemen walked away with a victory. “I thought we made some plays down the stretch to come away with the win,” Kellogg said. “It was nice to see some different guys make some big plays for us.” While Coleman starred in the second half, it was Esho who kept UMass within striking distance. He scored a game-high
18 points while grabbing six rebounds and registering three blocks in 23 minutes. He often went toe-to-toe with URI forward Hassan Martin (13 points, four blocks) and single-handedly kept UMass’ offense in the game. “Maxie carried us in the first half,” Kellogg said. “Zach carried us for that stretch and I thought Trey played a nice solid game as far as not turning the ball over.” It was UMass’ seventh straight victory over the Rams. The Minutemen beat URI three different times last season in similarly tight affairs. Clark (10 points) was the only other UMass player to score in double-figures.
PUERTO RICO chemistry grew by leaps and bounds. They were surrounded by one another for 10 straight days with similar aspirations, which created a common bond. The time the team spent in Puerto Rico was instrumental in enhancing the togetherness of the group. “We do so many things to try and get the team together,” Newcomb said. “Being in Puerto Rico for those 10 days is one of the best things we do. Everybody enjoys the trip… they spend so much time laying around getting a little sun, finding different places to eat and doing different
B3
Lalanne finished with four points and 10 rebounds. URI guard E.C. Matthews, who averaged 17.7 points per game entering Saturday, was held to 11 points. But UMass dominated Rhode Island on the offensive glass, grabbing 18 offensive rebounds and scoring 18 second chance points. Yet Kellogg said the play of his Coleman and Esho decided the game. “The one thing is, to get 31 points and seven rebounds from (Coleman and Esho) in 37 minutes, I think was huge for us tonight,” he said. “That was the difference in the game.” Mark Chiarelli can be reached at mchiarel@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @Mark_Chiarelli.
continued from page B1
things together. It becomes a great bonding experience for everybody.” The team took several afternoons off. In fact, for one of those afternoons the entire team traveled to a beach that neither Newcomb or Yarworth had been to in past Puerto Rico trips. There were opportunities for snorkeling and an up-close view of fish and coral. “We have taken them to Old San Juan for shopping and to see some of the beautiful history,” Newcomb said. “We have also gone into the rainforest. If the swimmers have little trips that they want to do or see
the island, we allow them to do that as long as it does not affect what they are doing training wise.” Looking forward, both teams will continue their arduous training in anticipation of the Atlantic 10 swimming championships that are just around the corner in mid-February. “The goal of our team is to perform at our best for that meet,” Yarworth said. “Our preparation is focused on that and we are finishing training camp and we have a couple more weeks of working on things.” Matthew Zackman can be reached at mzackman@umass.edu.
leaving UMass a sour taste to begin the season and the first of many lopsided defeats. A conference-high 14.6 penalty minutes per game has often attributed to these defensive struggles, especially late in games. With accumulations of losses and in-game struggles, frustration penalties can become a problem, as senior captain Troy Power admitted following a 4-0 loss to Notre Dame on Dec. 6 in which the Minutemen spent an astounding 48 minutes in the penalty box. However, even after an impressive comeback win the previous night, penalties still remained an issue on Jan. 10 against Maine. UMass committed nine penalties, including two 10-minute misconducts, in an uninspiring 3-0 defeat. It’s no secret that penalties kill a team’s offensive flow. In addition to putting pressure on a defensive backline that already shows inconsistencies at full strength, it prevents its offense from going into complete attack mode. This hindrance becomes apparent when examining these two particular games against the Fighting Irish and Black Bears in which the Minutemen tallied their highest penalty minutes, resulting in the team’s only two shutout losses this season. If UMass wants to reach its full potential on offense – and give its defense some much needed aid – then it must limit these transgressions. Fortunately for UMass, its defensive performances have improved since resuming play following winter break. With a large chunk of the gauntlet of a Hockey East schedule behind them, the
continued from page
“He’s a dynamic player and a guy who teams will have to pay attention to.” It is always a transition for players once they get their first taste of Hockey East action, but Montour thinks he’s adjusted well. “It’s been good,” he said. “I think I’m doing a lot of good things but there’s a lot of things I can work on, but that just comes with maturity and the games that keep coming. I thought I’ve played well and getting more comfortable with the guys is the biggest thing and getting to see what they like to do and see where they are on the ice, but I think it’s gone well so far.” If these last eight games have shown anything, it is that watching Montour over the next four years will surely bring joy to Minutemen fans. Jason Kates can be reached at jkates@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @Jason_Kates.
B1
CADE BELISLE/COLLEGIAN
UMass has allowed 98 goals this season, 22 more than any other Hockey East Association member. Minutemen have benefitted from much more consistency. This progress starts with the play in net by Henry Dill. In the weekend series against Maine Jan. 9-10, the freshman goaltender looked to be in his best form since his first two starts of his UMass career in October after unofficially seizing the starting job. Dill rebounded from December struggles to post 35 saves in a 3-2 victory over Maine. The next day, he responded with 34 saves in a 3-0 defeat in which he only allowed one goal in 5-on-5 play – once again proving the importance of penalty reduction. Dill’s emergence at the beginning of the season provided the Minutemen with a momentary boost and assurance in net. If he can continue to expand on his success to start the new calendar year, the freshman can offer a similar jolt come postseason play. But UMass’ defensive success truly hinges on the efforts in front of Dill or whoever is in net for the Minutemen. The UMass blue line is at its best when it blocks shots and creates turn-
overs to lead to transitional opportunities for its array of speedy forwards. While this type of defensive performance was evident in wins over inferior teams such as American International College and Air Force, the Minutemen have failed to maintain this high-pressure, aggressive approach for a full 60 minutes against the Hockey East’s elite. If UMass truly wants to compete in the postseason, now is the time to translate its in-season adjustments and defensive aggressiveness into success against some of college hockey’s best programs. With eight out of its last 10 games remaining against nationally ranked opponents, UMass now has this chance to make a statement and seek redemption for its early season struggles in Hockey East play. Whether the Minutemen continue to sink or pull off some surprise victories in this challenging stretch ahead largely depends on defensive persistence and execution. Anthony Chiusano can be reached at achiusano@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @a_chiusano24.
Arts Living THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
“Holy clam, Batman!” - Guy Fieri
LIFESTYLE
Arts@DailyCollegian.com
FA S H I O N
Keeping realistic resolutions Dressing functionally and Strive for greatness fashionably in the winter and attainability
grow on trees. At some point, we won’t be able rely on our parents to fall back on when funds become scarce. Maybe you don’t have to worry about By Beth Cormack paying your car insurance Collegian Staff or phone bill yet, but setting At one point in our lives, up a budget plan can help we have all attempted to you save for future plans. become a better version of Whether it be a backpack trip ourselves in the New Year. around Europe or an apartWe promise ourselves we’ll ment in San Francisco, havlose that extra 10 pounds, we ing money of your own as a promise ourselves that we’ll safety net is important. drop the nasty habit that is procrastination, we promise 2. Travel. ourselves to just be better. The problem is, the goals If I could, I would pack that we set for ourselves to my bags tomorrow and buy become better are naturally the next one-way ticket to unattainable and unrealistic. anywhere. It’s incredible Jan. 1 likely isn’t going to be what you can learn about the day that you you’ll give yourself when the familiar up cookies forever or even doesn’t surround you. Life is keep your room tidy all the easy when you have a set time. For most people, it’s routine in place. Having a just not possible. It’s impor- routine is safe, it provides a tant to set goals for yourself, feeling of content. Promise but it’s more important to not yourself to break that rouset yourself up for failure. tine in 2015. You don’t have to Not to say that you shouldn’t spend thousands of dollars to strive for greatness, but as travel. You can drive 2 hours students, there are some res- out of your way and explore olutions that are far more something you’ve never seen realistic than others and can before. Allow yourself to be aid us in setting up a more open to what else the world has to offer you and you’d successful future. be amazed at the people and places you will find along the 1. Become better at way.
budgeting your money.
Do you really need those heels? Will you wake up tomorrow morning be patting yourself on the back for buying three rounds of shots for your friends? Budgeting money means something different to all of us. Some people don’t need to worry about buying that extra pair of shoes, while some struggle to pay tuition on time. However, we can all agree on one thing: money doesn’t
3. Stop watching so much Netflix.
potato, take advantage of the minimal responsibilities you have now and pick up a new hobby.
4. Become acquainted with the Rec Center. Remember those 10 pounds you wanted to lose? You can make it happen. The gym is free for students and this will probably be the only time in your life you’ll have unlimited access to such a nice facility. There are many things in our lives that are out of our control, but the way we treat our bodies is something we can control. Hate the gym? Go for a hike and check out the beauty that western Massachusetts has to offer. You don’t need to completely alter your lifestyle or strive for a six-pack by graduation, but minor changes can make all the difference.
5. Let them go. Let him go. Let her go. Let anyone go who is no longer holds a fulfilling piece of your life. Moving on from past boyfriends, girlfriends and former best friends is one of the hardest things you can do. By holding on, you’re simply holding yourself back. You’re holding onto your past, something that you shouldn’t define yourself by. Don’t allow anyone to come into 2015 with you who will only constantly remind you of the disappointments of the past. Focus on yourself and your happiness. Letting go doesn’t mean you’re erasing your past, it means that you’ve realized that the future holds so much more
I love Netflix as much as the next person, but seriously, shut your laptop and go do something. There are hundreds of organizations around campus to get involved with that are far more rewarding than watching “Dexter” or “House of Cards” for countless hours on end. You have the rest Beth Cormack can be reached at of your life to be a couch bcomack@umass.edu.
Stay warm and stylish in the snow By Erica Garnett Collegian Staff
In the winter, female fashion lovers may think dressing warm takes precedence over looking hip and trendy. Truth is, there’s no competition. Fashion is possible and can be functional for the hectic schedules of a college student while still protecting them from the harsh winds and freezing temperatures in easy ways. When it comes to winter coats, a North Face is not a necessity to staying warm, especially on a student’s budget. Even a jean jacket can be worn throughout the winter – the key is not the jacket but the layers worn underneath. The simple use of accessories such as scarves, gloves and hats do not have to be of the gaudy, hand knit variety from grandma that your parents always forced you to wear. Popular beanies by the brand Neff can be purchased on Amazon for around $11 and are available in thirtynine different colors that will be sure to liven up any outfit. The popular store Forever 21 also sells trendy patterned scarves, almost all under $10, perfect to match your hat and gloves. Layering a thin thermal long sleeve shirt underneath a dress, and underlaying that with a thick sweater and a jean jacket can guarantee a combination of warmth and fashion. Complete the ensemble pair with fleece-lined tights and cover the tights with
COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO
Don’t get stuck wearing shorts in the coming cold months. thigh high socks. Although tights may seem like an easy way to catch hypothermia in the winter, for some people they can be warmer because they are so close to the body, whereas pants can let air in. This look is capped off with a beanie, scarf and gloves, and a pair of mid calf boots. For a professional, affordable and warm alternative to business attire in the winter is again accomplished by the art of layering. Start with a long sleeve thermal shirt underneath a button up shirt. For a third tier, pick your favorite blazer and wear an infinity scarf, instead of one that is very long or has fringe at the ends, as this suggests a more clean cut appearance. Rather than wearing a beanie to your internship, a wool hat is a sophisticated alternative that still keeps your head cozy, such as H&M’s select styles for $24.95. Choosing black, beige or white would be the most reasonable options in terms of matching to all outfit prints and colors.
After a long day of classes or work, a night on the town is needed. Just as necessary is a warm outfit to survive walking around in single digit weather. Instead of bare legs and open-toed shoes, take your favorite mini skirt and pair it with leggings and tall boots. Complete the look with a cute top of your choice. For another option, start again with a pair of leggings and wear them underneath your favorite pair of ripped jeans. For a pop of color, opt for a colored pair of leggings like purple instead of plain black. Pair with closed toed black pumps and a leather jacket for a sultry and savory look. Long sleeved jumpsuits and rompers also serve as easy, weather efficient and affordable looks to go out in. Purchasable at Forever 21 for around $30, you’ll still be able to afford drinks at the bar and wait outside for your cab without freezing. Erica Garnett can be reached at egarnett@umass.edu.
FILM
Academy Awards nominations continue a tradition of snubs 87th Oscar’s whiff on important films By Alexander Frail Collegian Staff
On Feb. 22, the 87th Academy Awards will air on ABC, but this season promises little surprises or excitement. The nominations, which were announced on Jan. 15, not only failed to offer any underdog upsets, but also snubbed several legitimate contenders for the coveted film awards. The Oscars, long the target of criticism for its pretentious conceit, didn’t help itself with this round of nominations. Take a look at the Best Picture category. It features four biopics, but only “Selma” was a truly excellent film, while “The Imitation Game,” “American Sniper” and “The Theory of Everything” were mired in the genre’s blander storytelling. Despite “Selma’s” excellence, courtesy of a concise and pointed narrative about Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic march to Montgomery, it probably won’t contend with “Boyhood’s” epic charge. The film, director Richard Linklater’s 12-year experiment, has become an unstoppable juggernaut that seems destined for Best Picture. The nominations of “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and “Birdman” are outliers here. Wes Anderson, a genius auteur, enjoys his first Best Picture nomination for “Grand Budapest.” Meanwhile, “Birdman,” an
MCT
David Oyelowo (second from left) was wrongly left off of the Best Actor list. avant-garde, faux one-act play, studies a washed-up actor (Michael Keaton) as he faces his last shot at stardom. It has the best chance of upsetting “Boyhood,” a possibility compounded by its originality amidst the cluttered biopic field. Although these biopics are great films, they’re classic Academy bait that clouds the chances for better, fresher films like “Gone Girl” and “Nightcrawler.” I wrote last year how “Gone Girl” wasn’t director David Fincher’s greatest effort, but that meant it was still better than almost anything else you’d see. I stand by that statement. Even after the awards-bait rush through December, no film, especially the nominated biopics, topped “Gone Girl.” Adding insult to injury, Fincher received no nod from the Academy. Similarly, “Nightcrawler” missed out big, snatching a single nomination for
Original Screenplay. While well written, the film’s script is actually its weak link. The film itself, Dan Gilroy’s direction, and Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance all stood out far more than the screenplay. A nod for Best Picture or director was unlikely, but Gyllenhaal’s taut performance of an unhinged lunatic should’ve made the Best Actor list. Only Keaton and Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything”) might’ve topped Gyllenhaal. Otherwise, no one in the Best Actor race had an edge on him. In this case, his greatest strength might’ve been his greatest weakness. Gyllenhaal, like “Nightcrawler,” was too edgy to survive as Academy bait. Another snub for Best Actor was David Oyelowo (“Selma”), who gave a stellar performance as MLK. Biopic roles often earn many trophies – six of the top ten acting nods were from biopics. Oyelowo, however, received
no recognition. “Selma’s” director, Ava DuVernay, also saw no Academy recognition. Controversy surrounded her film for its supposed depiction of President Johnson’s disposition towards MLK, complaints that have been disputed. You have to wonder if these grumblings dashed her chance. It wouldn’t be the first time the Academy let that happen. 2012’s “Zero Dark Thirty” seemed a shoein for Best Picture before people denounced its depiction of torture, and then its chances went up in a wisp of smoke. DuVernay represents the biggest snub this year. While she probably wouldn’t have won next to Linklater’s 12-year effort or Alejandro González Iñárritu’s mindbending direction in “Birdman,” her artistic revival of MLK’s pivotal march in the civil rights movement deserved Academy recognition. Like how her lead actor excelled in a field of biopics competitors, DuVernay brought style and intrigue to “Selma,” the best biopic this year. The Best Supporting acting categories saw more adventurous choices for the Academy. Emma Stone (“Birdman”) gave a performance that was equal parts unhinged, like when she gets high and berates her father, and powerfully contained, like when she glibly spars with her father’s cast. Both Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette scored for their transformation as separated
parents in “Boyhood.” The actors were as subtle as the script, slowly and patiently adding new layers to their characters as a decade came and went. Finally, J.K. Simmons, heretofore a minor supporting actor in films like “Juno,” scored big. The favorite in his category, Simmons leveled audiences as Fletcher, a sadistic and abusive maestro in “Whiplash.” Beside “Boyhood,” Simmons is the surest lock this year. Of course, this long list of snubs doesn’t detract from the truly excellent films that are nominated. As I said, however, the Academy has long faced criticism for its
tions, the “Gone Girls” and Jake Gyllenhaals of the year, then it would both make the race more interesting to a wider array of film fans and encourage directors, screenwriters and actors to pursue different types of films while maintaining the excellence of Academy bait roles. There have been a few glimmers of hope for shaking up the routine. “Argo” topped “Lincoln” in 2012, “Slumdog Millionaire” over “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” in 2008 and, of course, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” in 2003. We’ve seen the Academy encourage films that go against the grain in the past.
MCT
JK Simmons’ nomination was a bright spot in a season full of snubs. predictability, lack of diversity and pretension. This field, while containing excellent films and performances, strays little from the assumed path that we could’ve predicted it taking. If it had sought those edgier nomina-
Even if they dropped the ball this year, I still have hope for a year when half of the race looks more like “Birdman” than “The Imitation Game.” Alexander Frail can be reached at afrail@umass.edu.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
DailyCollegian.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
B5
A year of unusual releases, surprise returns and innovation 2014’s best, most noteworthy albums
were broken, as electronic music legend Aphex Twin returned with “Syro,” his first album of new material since 2001, while soul music’s mystery man, D’Angelo, exceeded all expectations with the sudden, Dec. 15 release of “Black Messiah,” his first album in 14 years. New arrivals, like FKA twigs and indie rock favorite Frankie Cosmos also made considerable waves, altering the status quo in their respective genres. All in all, a bevy of unique records saw the light of day in 2014. Here are four of the best. Mac DeMarco, a Canadian singer-songwriter, first came to the music world’s consciousness in
sical lyrics about love, relationships and coming of age. His second album, “Salad Days,” released in April, is more or less a conBy Jackson Maxwell tinuation of the ground Collegian Staff DeMarco covered on “2”. But, on “Salad Days,” 2014 was a fascinating DeMarco sounds more selfyear for music. Superstars, assured and wizened, ready up-and-comers and to make his music a more unknowns alike brought personal affair. fresh sounds to the table, As such, “Salad Days” is while numerous artists a perfect mix of aloof breezsought to change the very iness and restrained serimethod in which new ousness. DeMarco’s lyrics music is released. U2 placed are grounded in reality, but “Songs of Innocence” in the the not-quite-in-tune guimusic library of anyone tars, light but catchy melwith an iTunes account, odies and relaxed tempos Azelia Banks simultaneousexist in a more open world. ly announced and released Though one might think that these two elements “Broke With Expensive contradict each other, they Taste” and Radiohead frontwork beautifully together. man Thom Yorke decid“Salad Days” can be carefree and positive, but also introspective and solemn. It is the rare sort of album that works equally well in both contexts. March saw the release of The War on Drugs’ magnificent third album, “Lost in the Dream.” Recorded over a tumultuous twoyear period, “Lost in the Dream” is an expansive masterpiece, with cavernous, densely layered songs that take numerous listens to fully decipher. Inspired CORRADO/FLICKR by the depression and anxiThom Yorke released “Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes” through BitTorrent Sep. 26. ety attacks the band’s lead singer and songwriter, Adam Granduciel, suffered ed to release his second 2012, with the release of his during the album’s lengthy solo album, “Tomorrow’s debut album, “2.” “2” estab- recording process, “Lost In Modern Boxes,” through lished DeMarco’s style- a the Dream” features a capmix of jangling guitars, tivating haze of psychedelic BitTorrent. Extended hiatuses laid-back vocals and whim- guitar leads, glimmering
keyboards and metronomic, steady percussion. Granduciel’s dark, tense mental state defines the album’s lyrics. But, the claustrophobic, foreboding emotions he expresses create ample room for the album’s massive musical scope. The ten songs on “Lost In the Dream” are almost infinite in scale, with impenetrable, but meticulously engineered layers of guitars and keyboards driving each track. The layers are meant to show the overwhelmed mind of the album’s creator, without actually overwhelming the listener themselves. It is an incredibly fine line, but one that “Lost In the Dream” walks with ease. Though musicians and listeners alike are constantly proclaiming that rock music is dead, one listen to Cloud Nothings’ third album, “Here and Nowhere Else,” is enough to prove that theory wrong. Released in April, “Here and Nowhere Else” is a visceral listening experience, culling the best of pop-punk, emo and noise rock. Its eight tracks attack the listener with hurricane force, with lead singer/ guitarist Dylan Baldi, bassist TJ Duke and drummer Jason Gerycz creating a breathtaking wall of noise. But, through the squall, one can easily lose sight of Baldi’s phenomenal songwriting. While the music is strictly in the vein of noise-rock and shoegaze, Baldi’s melodies are entire-
NRK P3/FLICKR
Mac DeMarco found the perfect musical and emotional balance on “Salad Days.” ly distilled from the poppunk and emo genres. Not only are the eight tracks on “Here and Nowhere Else” breathtakingly intense and enthralling, they are incredibly catchy as well, with choruses that will stick in your head for hours. As both a punk and a rock album, “Here and Nowhere Else” is the full packageexperimental, well executed, well played and riveting at every turn. It can be hard to view Mark Kozelek’s music through an objective lens, after his childish, meanspirited and mostly onesided feud with Adam Granduciel this past fall. Though the feud revealed the darker side of Kozelek’s character, and significantly damaged his reputation, it failed to damage the brilliance of “Benji,” the album Kozelek released under the Sun Kil Moon moniker on Feb. 11. Through painfully honest vignettes
culled from his own experiences, Kozelek ruminates on death, family, aging and love. “Benji” plays out more like a stream of consciousness than a set group of stories. Kozelek’s memories branch out from one another, with various characters slipping in and out of the album’s narrative. In that way, it works more like our own memories, with one recollection provoking another without warning. Over his omnipresent, prodigious acoustic guitar playing, Kozelek truly bares his soul, and gives the listener an insight not only into his conscience, but a look at his past and how it came to shape the person he is today. As both a cohesive narrative and an album, “Benji” still stands as a staggering achievement, one without parallel in 2014. Jackson Maxwell can be reached at jlmaxwell@umass.edu.
Icon Nicki Minaj leaves her ‘Pinkprint’ on hip-hop New record is her strongest work yet By Elena Lopez Collegian Staff
Inspired by the genius of Jay-Z’s 2001 album, “The Blueprint,” Nicki Minaj has paid deserved homage with her own masterpiece, “The Pinkprint,” released on Dec. 12. On “The Pinkprint,” Minaj lays to rest her alter egos Roman and Barbie, leaving only what Manaj’s die-hard fans affectionately call, “mixtape Nicki.” Some may say she never left, some may say she went soft in her past work. But, if there is anything to be said for Minaj as of now, it is that she is possibly the best rapper alive at the moment. Every year a hip-hop great seems to be crowned, either by himself or others, as the greatest of their time. For decades, various men have held the fictitious title – including Lil’ Wayne, Drake, Kanye West, Jay-Z and many others. But in 2014, it was Minaj who took her own turn at the top. Her non-album single, “Lookin Ass,” and her appearance on a remix of the Beyoncé track, “Flawless,” placed her in the upper echelon of hip-hop, months before “The Pinkprint” would even hit the airwaves. “The Pinkprint” delivered in a way no other rap album did in 2014. It marks Minaj as the only relevant female rapper at the moment, or rapper at all, for that matter. The album’s 22 tracks take the lis-
NRK P3/FLICKR
“The Pinkprint,” released Dec. 12, is Nicki Minaj’s most fully realized album to date. tener on an emotional journey from experiencing the destruction of her decade-long relationship to shutting down various rumors surrounding her and label-mates like Drake and Lil’ Wayne. In 2014, Minaj proved not only that she was one hiphop’s biggest starts, but that she has the staying power of one of the greats, if not the greatest. Minaj recently broke Michael Jackson’s record of
50 songs on the Billboard Top 100, with “Anaconda” being Minaj’s 51st appearance. Due to her range of guest spots, Minaj accomplished this feat in only four years. And, when it comes to guest spots, Minaj has made it clear that no one does it better. Considered by some rap critics as possibly the greatest verse of all time, Minaj’s spot on Kanye West’s “Monster” proved she had what it takes to roll with hip-hop’s elite boys
club before dropping her first album. Holding her own with the likes of West, Jay-Z, and Rick Ross, Minaj spat fire on the track, and has not let up since. Her undeniable presence on featured tracks has kept listeners consistently amazed and enthralled. Once Beyoncé crowned her worthy of a “Flawless” remix, Minaj was fire for the rest of the year. Blessing the masses with her radio-friendly hits “Anaconda,” “Pills
every bar, word, and rhyme on the album. I’ve have had a complicated relationship with Minaj in the past, my issue being the shrill voice alterations on her tracks, courtesy of her alter egos. On “The Pinkprint” though, Minaj trades in these characters for low-measured flows mixed with sung hooks by powerhouses Ariana Grande on “Get on Your Knees” and Beyoncé on “Feelin’ Myself.” The improvements Minaj has made over the years to her singing voice are obvious, while on the other side she continues to push her rap abilities. Minaj is the best rapper alive because she is constantly dismembering the pop/rap binary. On “The Pinkprint”’s opening track “All Things Go,” she firmly announces “this is the pinkprint,” Minaj refuses to let anyone else categorize her, telling her audience clearly that she is in charge of her music and her defining sound. 2015 will almost certainly continue Minaj’s rise, as both her and Young Money labelmates continue to dominate the charts. A woman at the top of what has long been a man’s world is just what the hip-hop and music community as a whole needs to keep both momentum and creativity flowing. If anything can be gathered from “The Pinkprint,” it is that Nicki Minaj is out for the blood of anyone who steps in the way of her rise.
and Potions” and “Bed of Lies,” critics wondered if the hardcore rap of her past was behind her. But, Minaj comes out hitting hard on tracks like “Only,” “Four Door Aventador,” “Shanghai” and “Want Some More.” Whether she is raving about her own talent, her skills in the bedroom, family and relationship woes, or the stresses of fame, Minaj man- Elena Lopez can be reached at ages to appear in control of aelopez@umass.edu.
B6
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Comics
DailyCollegian.com
WE WANT YOUR COMICS! Put your comics in front of thousands of readers. Questions? Comments? Email us: comics@dailycollegian.com
This is my last first day as comics editor.
P oorly D rawn L ines
B y R eza F arazmand
This is depressing.
aquarius D inosaur C omics
HOROSCOPES Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
Go about your last first day of school much like your first: with nutritious lunch of graham B y R yan N orth crackers and apple juice, followed by a nap.
pisces
Feb. 19 - Mar. 20
leo
Jul. 23 - Aug. 22
To another semester of spending over $10,000 just to sit and play solitaire in a lecture hall.
virgo
Aug. 23 - Sept. 22
Oh, so you think you can just waltz back onto While chicken and tuna taste great mashed campus this semester? Oh, you can? You up with mayonnaise and pepper, the same should consider joining ballroom dance. cannot be said for the idea of “boloney salad.”
aries
Mar. 21 - Apr. 19
taurus
Apr. 20 - May. 20
gemini
May. 21 - Jun. 21
Get back in the swing of things by going to the gym this week at 4, but to reintroduce yourself to your peer’s bodily outpours.
libra
Sept. 23 - Oct. 22
scorpio
Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
Inviting your friends over for a home–video film festival is not the same kind of “nostalgic reminiscing” night they thought it would be.
It was more important than anything that you Yes, bringing a single hard–boiled egg to your brought your whole wardrobe home with you 9 a.m. is odd, and yes, though nutritious, on break. there are other cheap options.
sagittarius
Nov. 22 - Dec. 21
Ain’t nothing quite like dining hall food to set your system straight after all that holiday food.
Go to sleep early tonight and wake up at 4 a.m. just to get your body in gear for the semester stress schedule.
cancer
capricorn
Jun. 22 - Jul. 22
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
If your goal was to go into every building on More than any pen or notebook, a small campus, the look on people’s faces tell you that portable shovel is the most useful tool to help it doesn’t mean to also go into each room too. you get through this semester.