Hannah Friedstein tells us what’s behind the curtains on Birthright trips
Freshmen fuel Minutemen in weekend games
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THE MASSACHUSETTS
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DAILY COLLEGIAN DailyCollegian.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Sorting through the rubbish
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A guide to Ebola By Jaclyn Bryson Collegian Staff
SHANNON BRODERICK/COLLEGIAN
Eco-reps audit the trash stream from residential halls to separate trash and recyclables during the annual Eco-Rep Trash Sort on the Goodell Lawn Tuesday.
Serving the UMass community since 1890
So far, approximately 4,546 people have died from Ebola, and with one sick person recently falling through gaps in the United States public health system, the future remains unknown. Without a cure, the World Health Organization recently predicted that there could be as many as 10,000 new diagnosed cases of the virus per week by the end of 2014. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added the possible worst-case scenario of 1.4 million new cases by Jan. 20 in Liberia and Sierra Leone alone. But there is good news in the midst of this frenzy. On Oct. 17, Senegal was officially declared Ebola-free, and just three days later the WHO reported the same news for Nigeria. In the United States, after a three week quarantine period, 43 patients who had been in contact with Thomas Eric Duncan, who recently died from the virus, are considered Ebola free, while another 120 remain under
monitoring.
Question: How did the virus originate? Answer: According to the CDC, Ebola first appeared in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976, near the Ebola River. The disease quickly spread due to use of contaminated needles in hospitals and personal, close contact with infected people. During that outbreak, 318 people were diagnosed and 280 died – a survival rate of only 12 percent. The current outbreak that began in March of this year has already affected 8,900 people. There are five species of the virus, four of which can cause illness in humans. The natural host of this virus is still unknown, but is believed to probably originate from animals, most likely bats.
Q: How is it spread? A: Ebola is not spread through air, food or water. The CDC says you can only see
EBOLA on page 2
Permaculture Initiative to Gov. Deval Patrick visits add three new programs town of Amherst Tuesday Repopulation and energy will be focus
$1.5 million grant to fund projects
By Brendan Deady
By Jason Kotoch
The U n iv e r s i t y of Massachusetts Permaculture Initiative collaborated with local organizations to add three new programs to the edible gardens on campus this semester. The innovations are the initiative’s latest contributions to improve UMass’ status as a vanguard of campus sustainability. The new programs, located in Franklin Garden, include a new Edible Mushroom Cultivation Program, the instillation of pollinator hotels to provide a nesting area for pollinator insects and a solar charging station which provides a renewable energy source for cell phones and USB-powered electronics, according to Sustainability Coordinator of Campus Gardening Lilly Israel, a graduate from UMass. UMass Permaculture, a student-staff run collaborative, began in 2010 with the conversion of a patch of grass in front of Franklin Dining Commons with half-a-million pounds of compost material to an edible and educational growing space. Since its inception, the initiative now contributes more than 3,000 pounds of produce directly to the dining commons annually, according to a press release. The mushroom cultivation program will expand to contribute organic food to UMass Dining Services. Working with Fungi Ally, a cultivation group based in the area that consists of recent graduates from
Gov. Deval Patrick announced Amherst will receive a $1.5 million MassWorks infrastructure grant for downtown improvements in a speech at Kendrick Park Tuesday. The funds will be used for the North Downtown Improvement Project, which will allow Amherst to reconfigure East Pleasant and Triangle Street by burying wires and utility lines in an effort to create space for economic development. The award is part of a statewide $66 million grant that will go toward funding development projects across the state. In total, the grant is expected to help fund 31 new infrastructure projects across Massachusetts. Speaking under a tent to about 100 people, Patrick said, “This improvement will serve as a catalyst for local investment that supports existing business along this very busy corridor and fosters new retail and housing growth in the district.” Following the announcement, Patrick toured the Kendrick Place construction site, which is located across the street from the park. Once completed, that site will be home to 36 market rate living units and provide 4,800 square feet of commercial space. Also in attendance was Amherst Town Manager John Musante, who said the award was “huge” for Amherst. Musante referenced the creation of an innovation district, as laid out in
Collegian Staff
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CHRISTINA YACONO/COLLEGIAN
The new programs will include an Edible Mushroom Cultivation Program. the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, a mushroom lawn was installed in the Franklin Garden. The lawn consists of 50 logs inoculated with spawns of shiitake and oyster mushrooms that will be available for use by The University Club this spring. Holes are drilled into the logs and then filled with mushroom spawns, which will then spread their roots and pores, according to Israel. Along with providing organic produce, the mushroom program also assists in sustaining a healthy ecosystem, according to Israel. “Fungi are essential to an ecosystem, they recycle nutrients and some can form symbiotic relationships with plants called mycor rhizal networks that allow other plants to absorb more nutrients from the soil than they normally would,” Israel said. The pollinator hotels are being installed to aid the effort of sustaining a healthy ecosystem. Constructed in collaboration with UMass’ graduate entomology organization, The Fernald Club,
pollinator hotels will provide nesting and hibernation habitats for beneficial insects and local bees, according to the release. Accommodation for pollinators has become increasingly important due to the declining population numbers of all pollinators globally, according to Israel. A study published by the Society for Conservation Biology said the last five years of losses of honeybee colonies in North America leave us with fewer managed pollinators than at any time in the last 50 years, and that the management and protection of wild pollinators is an issue of paramount importance to our food supply system. “The expansion of urban environments has infringed on pollinators’ natural habitats. Without them, crop growth and vegetation would crumble,” Israel said. “A safe guess for their decline would be destruction of habitat and pesticide use.” Israel also noted the possibility of allowing a repopulation. see
INITIATIVE on page 3
“This improvement will serve as a catalyst for local investment that supports existing business along this very busy corridor and fosters new retail and housing growth in the district.” Gov. Deval Patrick
JASON KOTOCH/COLLEGIAN
Gov. Deval Patrick speaks about upcoming plans for development in Amherst. a recent report produced by U3 Advisors that was funded by the University of Massachusetts in cooperation with the town. The report suggested creating mixed use spaces like Kendrick Place for business, learning, making and living. The funds that will help bury the utilities will make development easier and save space in town, preserving the small town character of Amherst while providing more housing. According to the findings in a recent report funded by UMass and Amherst, housing is in very short supply. “Housing in Amherst is expensive relative to surrounding towns and getting more exclusive as housing supply does not keep pace with local demand,” cited a report by the Philadelphia-
based U3 Advisors. Both UMass and town officials hired the advisors to complete a town analysis that addressed growing concerns over affordable housing. According to Patrick, this award is the first of its kind given to Amherst. “Some of the grantees (in the state) have won other grants in the past, this is the first one that Amherst has won,” Patrick said. According to Patrick, these grants are meant to stimulate growth, not simply fund individual projects. “The whole point of these MassWorks grants is to catalyze private sector development and growth so they’re not just one off projects,” he said. Jason Kotoch can be reached at jkotoch@umass.edu.
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THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
THE RUNDOWN ON THIS DAY... In 1954, the first Burger King was opened in Miami, Fla. The company originally began as Insta-Burger in 1953 before running into financial difficulties, being bought out and renamed.
AROUND THE WORLD
Hong Kong HONG KONG — Student protest leaders on Tuesday debated Hong Kong officials on the future of democracy in this former British colony, the first time the two sides have confronted one another since street demonstrations erupted in late September. The meeting was broadcast live on Hong Kong television, giving residents a chance to hear the students make their case against the system. It was a reminder of how different Hong Kong remains from the rest of tightly controlled China and of the freedoms many fear could disappear if they don’t stand up to Beijing.
North Korea WASHINGTON — Jeffrey Fowle, one of three Americans held by North Korea, was released and headed home after six months in captivity, the White House announced Tuesday. Fowle, 56, an Ohio municipal worker who visited on a tourist visa, was arrested after he left a Bible in a club in the reclusive country. “We remain focused on the continued detention of (the other two men),” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. “We will continue to work actively on their cases.”
Canada An attack Monday that killed one Canadian soldier and injured another was a “deliberate act,” according to police officials in Quebec, as speculation swirled that the incident might have been a terrorist act. The soldiers were run down by a car as they were walking in a parking lot near a military academy in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada. In a statement released Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the suspect, who has not been identified, “had become radicalized,” according to national security services. Los Angeles Times
France France’s national debate about overt displays of religion in public – specifically full veils worn by some Muslim women – has resurfaced after an incident at the Paris Opera. A female spectator was asked to remove her veil or leave an Oct. 3 performance of Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the company’s Opera Bastille venue, according to reports from Le Monde and Agence France-Presse. The woman, reportedly a tourist from the Middle East, was seated just behind the conductor and was wearing a veil that covered her mouth and nose. Certain members of the opera chorus threatened to stop the performance if the woman didn’t leave. Los Angeles Times Distributed by MCT Information Services
EBOLA
DailyCollegian.com
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become infected with the disease after making direct contact with either an infected animal or infected human. The disease is transmitted from human to human through blood or bodily fluids, including urine, sweat, saliva, vomit or syringes that have been in contact with an infected individual. As of now, only mammals have spread the Ebola virus.
Q: So then how did this virus spread to America? A: There have been eight cases of Ebola treated in the United States, most are patients who were diagnosed with the virus in Africa and were then sent home. However, on Sept. 30, 2014, the first case of Ebola was confirmed in the United States. The New York Times writes that the patient, Duncan, traveled to Texas from Liberia on Sept. 19, and thus showed symptoms on Sept. 24, days after his arrival in the United States. The patient later died on Oct. 8. Two nurses who were tending to the patient, Nina Pham and Amber Joy Vinson, both would later develop symptoms of Ebola. Pham tested positive for the virus on Oct. 11, a day after Vinson boarded a plane bound for Cleveland. She would later be diagnosed with Ebola, and was only allowed to travel back and forth from Dallas because she did not show any risk at the time for spreading the virus. However, the CDC believes that there is little risk to passengers who were on board the flight with those who tested positive for Ebola. Ebola is not contagious until symptoms show in a patient.
Q: What are the symptoms? A: From anywhere between two and 21 days after being infected with the virus, symptoms will begin to appear. These include fever, muscles aches and pains, severe headaches, weakness or fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unexplainable bleeding or bruising. Recovery depends on proper clinical care and the patient’s own immune system.
Q: What is the potential for a widescale outbreak in the United States? A: According to the CDC, very low. The center, along with other organizations, are now working on isolating the infected, contacting anyone who has come in contact with the infected and providing further monitoring of patients when the symptoms progress. The CDC also added that in the past, the U.S. has dealt head on with viruses of a similar makeup to that of Ebola. Five cases of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, similar to Ebola, have been imported to the US in the past decade and no outbreak occurred.
Q: Is there a cure? A: As of right now, there is no FDA-approved vaccine or treatment to cure Ebola. However, there are some practices that, if used early enough, can save a patient’s life, including treating other infections if they occur and providing fluids intravenously.
Search by Swedish military continues STOCKHOLM — Swedish navy vessels, as well as helicopters, other aircraft and army units, continued searching on Tuesday for a suspected foreign submarine among islands off the capital, Stockholm. Sweden’s Supreme Commander Sverker Goransson said on Tuesday the alleged intrusion into Swedish waters was “very serious.” Russia has already denied that a Russian submarine was involved. Swedish authorities have not accused any particular country. “It is awful that someone
or something is on Swedish territory in such a manner,” Goransson told reporters. “The indications and reports we have are very credible,” he said after briefing parliament’s committees for defence and foreign affairs. The military have described the search as “an intelligence operation.” Civilian boats and planes have been banned from approaching the military vessels or airspace above the operational zone. Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist, said: “It is important that we show that we want to protect our national integrity.”
Q: What is being done to stop this from spreading? A: The CDC is implementing a screening system at five airports that receive 94 percent of the travelers from African countries such as Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Travelers are checked for a fever and asked questions about their travels and health. CDC site managers will also be deployed to any hospital with patients who have been diagnosed with Ebola, as to protect the public and any health workers. The CDC also recently updated their protocol regarding the way health care workers treat Ebola patients. After two nurses who worked at Texas Health Presbyterian were diagnosed with the virus, the CDC emphasized the importance of healthcare workers being thoroughly trained with their personal protective equipment.
Q: How does this affect UMass? A: University of Massachusetts Health Services recently sent out an email to the student body saying UHS, “continues to collaborate with key departments at UMass Amherst, health representatives from the Five Colleges, hospitals, area health officials and emergency response agencies to prepare for the unlikely possibility of an Ebola exposure in our community.” According to the email, no faculty member, staff or student has returned from any of the areas that have been affected by Ebola. Anyone who has traveled
from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea or thinks they have been exposed to the virus is advised to call UHS at (413) 577-5000 before going to their healthcare facility. Currently, UHS is monitoring the latest regional, national and global news and is following the guidelines of many organizations devoted to controlling the potential Ebola outbreak. This includes, according to the email, using the CDC
checklist for Ebola symptoms as a screening tool, conducing person-to-person training of necessary emergency equipment and conducting reviews of current plans and procedures at UMass. A fact sheet about Ebola has also been posted to the UHS, International Programs Office and Parent Services website to inform students about the basics of the virus. Jaclyn Bryson can be reached at jbryson@umass.edu.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
DailyCollegian.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
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Oscar Pistorius to serve 5-year prison sentence Olympian to begin time for culpable homicide By Robyn Dixon Los Angeles Times
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — South African double amputee Olympian, Oscar Pistorius, went from global sporting icon to prisoner, Tuesday, when he began a five year jail sentence for the negligent killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year. Judge Thokozile Masipa sentenced Pistorius to five years after convicting him of culpable homicide – negligent killing without intent to murder – in September. She had acquitted him of murder. She also gave him three years prison for recklessly firing a gun in a restaurant in the upscale neighborhood of Melrose Arch north of Johannesburg, but entirely suspended the sentence. Pistorius, looking distressed after the sentence, was taken downstairs by police to holding cells under the court, briefly touching the hands of shocked members of his family as he passed. Pistorius’ uncle, Arnold Pistorius, with whom the athlete has been living, looked grim. Shortly afterwards, a police van left the court with Pistorius, headed towards Kgosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria.
Masipa’s judgment was a firm rejection of Pistorius’ plea to avoid jail time and instead do three years of house arrest with community service. She placed significant weight on the fact Pistorius deliberately fired four shots into a small toilet cubicle, knowing there was someone inside and nowhere to escape to. “Using a lethal weapon, a loaded firearm, the accused shot not one by four bullets through the door,” Masipa said. It would have been different had he believed there may have been a stray animal behind the door, not a person. “In the present case the aim was to shoot the intruder,” Judge Masipa said. “The toilet was a small cubicle. An intruder would have had no room to maneuver or to escape and what is more, the accused knew this fact,” Judge Masipa. She said these facts were “very aggravating.” She said he had significant training in the use of firearms and knew what the impact would be. “In my view a high degree of responsibility would be required from such a person.” “I’m of the view that a noncustodial sentence would not be appropriate,” Masipa said. Gerrie Nel, the prosecutor, had sought 10 years prison but Masipa added that a long sentence also would be inappropriate since it wouldn’t show mercy. She said the court’s job was to balance the severity
of the crime, interests of society and personal circumstances of the accused. “Society cannot always get what they want as courts do not accept to win popularity contests but solely to dispense justice,” she said. “The general public may not even know the difference between vengeance and justice.” “An appropriate sentence should be neither too light nor too severe,” Masipa said. She said the public would lose confidence in the courts if the sentences was too lenient. But a sentence that showed no mercy could break a convicted person, rather than rehabilitating them. “At the time the deceased met her death she was young, vivacious and full of life. The loss of life cannot be reversed. Nothing I say or do today can reverse what happened on Feb 14, 2013 to the deceased and her family,” Masipa said. But she hoped the sentence would bring some closure to the family. Masipa said she was disturbed by the fact witness after witness called by defense on sentencing placed great emphasis on Pistorius’ disability and his vulnerability. She said despite this, he had coping mechanisms. She rejected the evidence of a probation officer, Annette Vergeer, called by Pistorius, who recommended three years house arrest. Vergeer’s testimony was slapdash, disappointing, outdated and biased
against prisons, according to the Judge. But she accepted the testimony of the acting commissioner of correctional services, Zach Modise, who said the prison system had facilities suitable for disabled people. Modise told the court last week that Pistorius would serve his term in a hospital wing at the nearby jail, and could use his own doctor and therapist. However Pistorius may serve less than a year in jail. Within a year, Pistorius could apply to the Department of Correctional Service to serve the remainder of his term under house arrest. Steenkamp’s mother, June, looked relieved as the court adjourned. Her father, Barry Steenkamp, told journalists he was very glad the trial was over. A lawyer for the Steenkamp family, Dup de Bruyn, told journalists outside the court that the Steenkamps felt justice has been done. “They feel it’s right,” he said. Kim Martin, Steenkamp’s cousin, the only representative of the victim’s family to address the court, last week testified that she felt three years house arrest would not fit the crime. “We just feel that to take someone’s life to shoot someone that’s behind a door (who) is unarmed, (who) is harmless, needs sufficient punishment,” Martin said. “Our family are not people who are after revenge. Mr. Pistorius needs to
pay for what he’s done, for taking Reeva’s life.” “We need a message to society that you cannot get away with this and do this.” Were Pistorius to appeal against the sentence, he risks a higher court increasing the penalty. Arnold Pistorius indicated to journalists that there was no plan to appeal the sentence. However there was legal speculation in South Africa that the state might appeal the case, because of doubts on whether Judge Masipa erred in her legal reasoning, acquitting Pistorius of murder. Law professor at Witwatersrand University, Professor James Grant, said in a television interview Tuesday that one aspect of South African murder law was in “utter chaos” and needed to be clarified by the Supreme Court of Appeal. Under South African law, a person who foresees the risk of killing someone, but does it anyway, is guilty of intent to murder. Some analysts suggest that, as an expert trained in the use of firearms and ammunition, Pistorius must have foreseen shooting into the bathroom would kill. Had Pistorius been convicted of murder, he would have faced a minimum 15 year jail term. Any appeal would have to be lodged within two weeks.
Manhunt continues for Despite petition, Toys ‘R’ Us suspect in trooper slaying won’t pull action figures
Schools in Poconos closed during search
another Monday, have prompted police to shift their search area. An intensive manhunt for Frein has been underway in the B y Emily B abay Poconos for more than a The Philadelphia Inquirer month. Some schools in the Police reported Monday Poconos are closed today night that a law enforceafter several recent poten- ment official spotted Frein, tial sightings of the man 31, near the Swiftwater suspected of shooting two Post Office, which is near troopers last month. Pocono Mountain East The Pocono Mountain High School. School District said this On Friday night, a morning that all schools woman walking near the would be closed today. school said she saw a Monsignor McHugh man with a rifle matching School, a Catholic school Frein’s description, and in Cresco, Pa., also said police believe she spotted classes wouldn’t be held the gunman. today. The manhunt has large The school closures co ly focused on the wooded me after two recent pos- area around his parents’ sible sightings of Eric home in Canandensis but Frein, who authorities officials have moved their say shot two Pennsylvania search area in light of the State Police troopers in an recent reported sightings. ambush attack in north- Other leads in the eastern Pennsylvania on search for Frien haven’t Sept. 12, killing 38-year-old panned out: Residents in Cpl. Bryon Dickson. two homes near Cresco in The two reported spot- Monroe County reporttings, one on Friday and ed finding blood on their
porches last week, but law enforcement officials said Monday that DNA tests showes that the droplets didn’t belong to Frein. Schools were also shut down at the beginning of the manhunt, but reopened after several days. Classes were in session at the high school, which Frein attended, and other schools in the district on Monday, with extra officers stationed nearby after Friday’s sighting. Frein, described as a “survivalist” is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-de g ree murder and other offenses in the shooting outside the state police barracks in Blooming Grove in Pike County. The wounded trooper, 31-year-old Alex Douglass, was seriously injured but released from the hospital last week.
Breaking Bad toys to stay on shelves By Joan Verdon The Record (Hackensack, N.J.)
The “Breaking Bad” action figures in the aisles at Toys “R” Us stores are making some parents mad, including a Florida mother who launched an online petition to get the retailer to pull the products. Toys “R” Us, however, has heard this kind of complaint about action figures before, and it isn’t alarmed. The figures, which feature drug lord Walter White and his sidekick, Jesse Pinkman, from the award-winning television show “Breaking Bad,” are carried in the adult action figure section of the store in limited quantities “for our collector customers,” and the company has no plans to stop selling them, according to Toys spokeswoman Kathleen Waugh. The Florida mother who started the Change.org petition was reacting to a Walter
UHS to offer more flu vaccines this fall Clinics have seen a higher turnout By Marleigh Felsenstein Collegian Staff
With flu season just around the corner, the University of Massachusetts Health Services is running flu vaccination clinics to try to keep students, families and faculty safe and healthy. The flu, otherwise known as Influenza, is a contagious virus. Symptoms often include a fever, cough, sore throat, congested nose, chills, an achy body, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. “The flu affects everyone, even healthy, young people,” said Ann Becker, UHS’ public health nurse. Becker said college students are especially susceptible to the flu because of the close quarters they live in. “(The flu) is a terrible virus that can knock you off your feet for a couple of weeks,” she said, and stressed the importance of students getting a
vaccine to protect themselves, as well as their friends and families. Becker said the flu vaccine is recommended by doctors, nurses and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccine is available to all UMass students, faculty, staff and students’ dependents whose primary care provider is at UHS, according to the UHS website. Becker noted UHS expects more people to come in for vaccinations this year, as compared to last. “We have had a great turnout so far and we hope to continue. There has been a very nice interest and we have a good amount of flu vaccines,” Becker said. The vaccine is available through both injection and inhalation. A full list of clinics can be viewed on the UHS website. UHS will be holding mobile clinics, such as the ones in the “It does not take that long checklist every year,” she said. dining commons, to make vac(to get the flu vaccination). It cinations more convenient for Marleigh Felsenstein can be reached students, according to Becker. should be on everyone’s health at mfelsenstein@umass.edu.
White figure sold online at the Toys “R” Us website that comes with accessories including a small bag of the illegal drug crystal methamphetamine. The White character on the show is a chemistry teacher who believes he is dying and starts making and selling crystal meth to pay his medical bills. As of Tuesday morning, the petition against the retailer had more than 7,000 supporters. Six-inch action figures, which became hot properties with the first Star Wars movies, have attracted controversy whenever the molded plastic toys have been used to depict material considered too adult for Toys “R” Us kids. One of the first action figures to raise a ruckus was that of Star Wars heroine Princess Leia. Chris Byrne, content director of TTPM.com, a leading toy review website, and the author of “Toy Time,” a history of America’s most beloved toys, said action figures such as the “Breaking Bad” dolls are commonly carried by toy stores, and they are not tar-
INITIATIVE “These habitats made of hollow flower stocks and bamboo housed in wooden boxes mimic their natural environments and provide a place for them to rest and repopulate. By providing habitats for these insects, it contributes to a selfsustaining vegetation system,” she continued. The Permaculture Initiative goes beyond sustainable planting and harvesting. The Solar Charging Station is intended to support an overall culture of renewable energy on campus. The charging station located on a picnic table in Franklin Garden was built by the Belchertown company HackerFarm01007. Israel said the company contacted UMass Permaculture and offered to build the charging station using low-cost and recycled materials. Small solar panels are situated on top of the water tanks in Franklin Garden. The panels con-
geted to children. “Not all toys are intended for children,” Byrne said. “The toy market is very broad. These are collector dolls for people who are fans of the series. And if your child is a fan of the series, there’s something wrong with how you’re editing what they’re watching on TV.” The collector market “is a fairly hefty percentage of the action figure market,” Byrne said. A similar parental protest arose in 2011 when Mattel produced a collector’s edition Barbie called the “Tokidoki Barbie,” after the artist who designed it. The doll was covered with artistic tattoos and had pink hair, and mothers protested that Mattel was using Barbie to encourage girls to get tattoos. Byrne said he has found that young children don’t even look at the collector action figures unless they are familiar with the television show or characters depicted by the figures.
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vert sunlight into electricity that is then stored in a small battery cell. The panels operate yearround and are able to capture sunlight regardless of temperature. The excess energy stored in the battery cell allows the station to be utilized by the public 24 hours a day, according to Israel. Permaculture’s innovations have not gone unnoticed. The program received global recognition and has become the most widely recognized campus permaculture program in the country. In 2012, it was honored by President Barack Obama as first place winner of the White House Campus Champions of Change Challenge. Brendan Deady can be reached at bdeady@umass.edu.
Opinion Editorial THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
“You got a question, you ask the eight ball.” - David Puddy
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Editorial@DailyCollegiancom
FBI director off the mark on data encryption In a speech at the Brookings for companies in the American Institute in Washington, D.C. private sector to build such last Thursday, James Comey, means of government access into their devices, undercutJohnny McCabe ting both an ignorance about the way such technology works the director of the Federal and of the global market for Bureau of Investigation, painted American technology. The a picture of a “very dark” future whole point of such encryption of unchecked crime and cyber is to ensure that the only people villainy. Built-in data encryp- with access to user data are the tion, he warns, will lead to a users themselves. Apple and disastrous and perilous dysto- Google’s forthcoming encryppia in which United States gov- tion software both are designed ernment organizations and law such that the “encryption keys” enforcement agencies will be needed to parse and dissemipowerless to act in a digital Wild nate user data are stored locally West, where the transgressions on said user’s device—not even of outlaws and criminals will Apple or Google has the means be safeguarded behind impen- to decrypt user information on etrable walls of “privacy.” its own servers. In the wake of Edward From a software security Snowden’s momentous rev- standpoint, this is objectively a elations about the National more effective means of protectSecurity Agency’s widespread ing private data than any preinillegal surveillance of both stalled or built-in access door, American citizens and of other back or front; the FBI won’t countries, this binary good- need to access cybercriminal’s versus-evil rhetoric is laugh- private information if cyberable, shortsighted and igno- criminals cannot access the prirant. Characterizing user data vate information of their wouldencryption as an obstacle to be victims. In short, Comey’s law enforcement is both coun- proposition is completely counterproductive and violates the terintuitive, since a backdoor spirit of the First Amendment. would merely serve as prospec The developments in data tive entry point for the dreaded encryption that Comey so fer- and insidious “hacker.” vently demonizes take the form Furthermore, Comey fails to of announcements by both grasp the notion that American Apple and Google that each tech manufacturers have a concompany’s new suite of devices sumer base outside of their own and software will feature user country. Apple’s iPhone 6, after data encryption “baked in” breaking sales records in the upon release. Data encryption U.S., was just released at the end is in high demand, especially of last week in China, one of the
“Characterizing user data encryption as an obstacle to law enforcement is both counterproductive and violates the spirit of the First Amendment.” following the “Celebgate” and “Snappening” scandals, in both of which user data, most commonly taking the form of explicit photos and videos, was forcibly accessed from supposedly secure servers. Now is as good a time as any to be fighting for better encryption. Why then, does the possibility of protecting the privacy of the average consumer intimidate Comey so much? Comey argues that encrypting user data means that the FBI would be “going dark,” allowing cybercriminals and terrorists to act with abandon on the internet, stripping law enforcement of its ability to protect American citizens. He goes so far as to imply that Apple and Google’s actions drive the U.S. to become “a country no longer governed by the rule of law,” and that the only way to prevent the impending cyber-Armageddon is for tech companies to create “front door access” in all of their products and software, allowing the FBI unmitigated access to private user data at any point. All of this comes from an agency whose companion security agencies have such sterling track records with the responsible and ethical use of metadata and digital surveillance. Comey cites an “obligation”
largest growing tech markets in the world and also one of the strictest countries in the world concerning the protection of its own data. It seems unlikely, after the Snowden leaks implicated the NSA in surveilling not only U.S. citizens but also chief officials in several European governments, that European and Asian consumers would readily adopt products with built-in access for the United States government. The idea that stronger and stricter data encryption could do anything other than protect the rights and privacy of U.S. citizens is completely ridiculous. Comey’s castigation of data encryption is utterly unfounded, and stems more from Cold War-style paranoia than any actual understanding of technology or data encryption. Comey wonders if “we are no longer a country … where no one is above or beyond the law.” There is ample evidence to prove that we are such a country – but protecting private data from our own government is defined in the First Amendment to the Constitution. The question remains, then: who is really breaking the law? Johnny McCabe is a Collegian columnist and can be reached at rjmccabe@umass. edu.
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To the editor: My name is Hannah Friedstein and I am a past Taglit Birthright participant. I am writing this primer on Birthright to demystify its themes and binaries that exist in the understanding of the Birthright and its objectives. My goal is that you will ultimately gain a new and critical perspective and examine your role as a Birthright participant in Israel, for it is anything but neutral. Israeli vs. Jewish As you consider being a Birthright participant, I want you to ask yourself, what is your connection to Israel? Birthright tells you that coming to a Jewish nationstate will strengthen your Jewish identity. They are saying that your relationship to a “Jewish” nationstate will strengthen your relationship with your spiritual traditions. Is this really true? There are Jewish people all over the world who do not have the means or desire to travel to Israel. Are they any less Jewish? Do you feel a spiritual connection to this piece of land, and if so, why? One of Birthright’s main objectives is to maintain solidarity with Israel to “ensure continuity of the Jewish people by strengthening Jewish identity.” Can a blind support of a nation that has disobeyed international law ensure and strengthen your Jewish identity? Not necessarily. Does being an Israeli mean to be Jewish? Not necessarily. In the state of Israel, 20 percent of its inhabitants are not Jewish. Zionism vs. Judaism The Jew’s right to create and maintain a Jewish state is a political movement, not a religious movement. Modern Zionism is a political movement that calls for a “Jewish” state, not a nation for all its citizens. It traces back to the 1800s, and its earliest believers were quite secular. Many Jews opposed Zionism for they believed only God could give them a Jewish state. If we take a closer look at Zionism’s goal, it is a movement of ethnic cleansing of an indigenous people. The slogan for this movement shows that the Palestinian people are not even a thought, “a land without a people for a people without a land.” Zionism creates an illusion that there is no issue of displacement of the Palestinian people.
Anti-Semitism vs. anti-Zionism Supporters of Israel tend to equate anti-Semitism with antiZionism to silence resistance and opposition to Israeli policies. This is a notion shared by the great linguist and political commentator, Noam Chomsky. These false accusations of anti-Semitism against anyone who does not support Israeli policies are made in effort to distract individuals and groups from the problems of illegal occupation. Opposition to the creation of a Jewish state does not mean denying human rights to Jews in that territory. It means opposition to a state that denies the rights to certain racial groups over others. My testimonial I was offered a free trip to Israel because of my privilege constructed by Zionist ideals. I am not a Zionist. I have no connection to Israel as a Jew and did not find my long lost Judaism in the land formerly known as historic Palestine. What I did find was a hotbed of racial discrimination and skewed view of Palestine. While riding our tour bus from northern Israel to Jerusalem, we drove through the Occupied Territories. It was easy for us to get in and out of occupied territory because we were a clearly labeled Israeli Birthright tour bus. All of a sudden, my Israeli tour guide turns on his microphone and announces to the bus to close the curtains on the windows so that Jerusalem, our destination, will be a surprise. I was skeptical of this motive and peaked outside the curtain to find us passing the separation barrier and through a military checkpoint. Why would our tour guide want to hide certain aspects of Israel from us? Why are we not getting the whole story when we’re on Birthright? It is simply not convenient for Birthright to show its participants that Israel is a place worth dropping everything and moving to while such racial discrimination is taking place. I acknowledge that this “birthright” is a false construction created by those who wish to perpetuate racial exclusivity and ethnic cleansing of an indigenous people. My hope in going on this trip was to engage in a dialogue on serious issues that would not otherwise be touched upon in my 10 days in Israel. My main objective of Birthright was to extend my stay and travel to West Bank,
Palestinian land currently under Israeli control and authority. Birthright became aware of my plans and almost took me off the trip. But why were they so concerned about me going to Israelioccupied territory? My journey as a Palestine Solidarity activist was not an easy one, but at the end of the day my ethnic identity allowed me into Israel without an issue. Palestinians who were forced from their homes are not allowed to return because they are not Jewish. The binaries that I attempted to clear up above are strategically used by Birthright to shut out anyone who is for equality of all peoples, not just Jews. Israel claims to be the only democracy in the Middle East, yet free speech is not something that is encouraged. I was called a racist and an antiSemite, among other things by Birthright representatives. These types of accusations belittle the actual issues of racial discrimination that do exist against the Jewish people today. According to Birthright, I have a right to a piece of land given to me from my birth as a Jew. But I can identify as Jewish without ever stepping foot in historic Palestine. I am a Jew that stands in solidarity with the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. I am a Jew who believes in human rights and equality for all. I am a Jew who sees the opportunity to voice a call for human rights by Palestinian Civil Society. I almost had my “right” to Israel taken from me by the organization because I am an active member of Students for Justice in Palestine, but there are millions of Palestinian refugees who have been denied their right to return to their homes since 1948. If you take anything away from this letter, it is that you should not feel pressured by your religious identity to identify with a geographic plot of land or to discriminate against others. It is important to emphasize that to be Jewish does not mean to be Israeli. That to be Jewish does not mean to be Zionist. That to be proPalestinian does not mean to be an anti-Semite. Thanks for reading, Hannah Ruth Friedstein ‘14 Former Vice President, Students for Justice in Palestine
Letters to the editor should be no longer than 550 words and can be submitted to either to Editorial@DailyCollegian.com or to DailyCollegian.com
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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 2013, The Collegian has been broadsheet since January 1994. For advertising rates and information, call 413-545-3500.
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Arts Living THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
“You can never be wise and be in love at the same time.” - Bob Dylan
Arts@DailyCollegian.com
COMICS
A comic collector’s guide to stores in the Pioneer Valley A review of three NoHo comic shops By Jack Nichols Collegian Correspondent Comic collecting can be a confusing and expensive hobby, especially for a college student. Fortunately, Northampton offers collectors the opportunity to visit three unique comic shops within a short bus ride from UMass. Each of these shops provides comic lovers and prospective collectors with a different approach and experience to comic purchasing with their respective pros and cons. I started my Northampton comic journey by swinging into Newbury Comics located on 38 Pleasant St. The store was already sold out of most of the new releases by mid-afternoon. In addition to this unpleasantry, Newbury Comics appears to stock mainly “big-title” comics. While the staff at Newbury Comics is always friendly and welcoming, due to the overarching popular culture of the store, it is difficult to get accurate recommendations from employees. However, what Newbury Comics lacks in knowledge and inventory
is quickly redeemed by its affordability and ease of purchase. Newbury offers customers the ability to subscribe to certain titles with the perks of a 20 percent price cut on comics, boards, bags and boxes. Subscribed customers can simply walk in every Wednesday to the luxury of all of their reduced price comics stocked at the front desk. Newbury Comics is a store for collectors of solely modern issues who have an exact idea of what they are looking for. Even then, Newbury Comics is only a valid choice for collectors if they take advantage of the subscription system promising affordability and assuredness that your issues will be in stock. After my purchases at Newbury, I travelled down to Bob’s II Comics N’ More on 62 King St. The lack of a sign out front should have warned me that this was not your typical comic purchasing experience. The store had a very disorganized feel created by issues littering the floor along with graphic novels and disheveled comic boxes. After searching the back-issue boxes for an hour, I could not make heads or tails of the layout of the store. The owner’s knowledge and the store’s
FOOD
ANDY IHNATKO/FLICKR
A comic book store filled with collector’s on the hunt for the perfect items. current stock redeemed the disorganization. With a whole wall dedicated to up-to-date issues, Bob’s stocked comics from Marvel to the lesser-known Blue Juice Comics. Even by late afternoon, Bob’s did not appear to be sold out of any modern issues. The owner offered reliable comic suggestions as well. However, Bob’s proved to be the least affordable of the three shop choices. With no clear subscription process, Bob’s offered no
discounts and no promises that your issues would be in stock. Bob’s offers collectors with the best opportunity to find old issues, even with the confusing layout of the store. It’s a good choice for collectors who have ample time to search for vintage issues and series. If you are just looking for modern comics, the other two stores supply a more affordable option. The last stop on my Northampton comic trip took me to Modern Myths
Comics & Games on 34 Bridge St. The shop has a well-designed layout, placing all new releases in an easy to find alphabetical order. Stocking an even wider variety of issues than Bob’s, you are almost certain to find the series you are looking for. Striking a similar path to Newbury, Modern Myths also offers a subscription plan. The deal provides a 20 percent discount on comics and all comic supplies
in addition to ensuring that you will always be able to get your comics. The employees at Modern Myths were welcoming and helpful. The owner had a lengthy conversation with me regarding the best current series. His insight was incredibly helpful and his recommendations were entirely accurate. Modern Myths offers an inviting atmosphere that is perfect for novice and experienced collectors alike looking to purchase new issues at a reasonable cost from passionate employees. The three comic stores in Northampton provide collectors with an opportunity to expand their collections. However, after my search, two shops stand out. For the experienced collector looking to stock up on older issues and series, Bob’s II Comics N’More grants this opportunity. Collectors looking to catch up on relatively recent issues or continue reading a current series should turn to the affordable and knowledgeable staff of Modern Myths. Good luck to all my fellow collectors out there, and keep reading. Jack Nichols can be reached at jrnichols@umass.edu.
FOOD
How the climate is Some clarity on the gluten-free diet there any facts affecting your diet Are behind this craze? By Evan Halper Tribune Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Climate change threatens to undermine not only how much food can be grown but also the quality of that food as altered weather patterns lead to a less desirable harvest, according to a new study. Crops grown by many of the nation’s farmers have a lower nutritional content than they once did, according to the report by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Research indicates that higher carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have reduced the protein content in wheat, for example. And the International Rice Research Institute has warned that the quality of rice available to consumers will decrease as temperatures rise, the report noted. The U.S. should embrace research into animal biology and plant management with the kind of enthusiasm it did space exploration in the 1960s, the council said, warning that the consequences of inaction could be severe. The council has been examining the effects of climate change on food for several months as part of a project chaired by former Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and former Rep. Doug Bereuter, R-Neb. Scientists already have been investigating breeds of chicken and cattle that can thrive in triple-digit temperatures, grapes that are resilient to heat fungi and crops that won’t whither as temperatures rise. “Adaptation must begin now,” the report said. “Developing the necessary scientific breakthroughs and broadly disseminating them will require years, even
decades of lead time.” Climate change initially will produce both winners and losers when it comes to food production. Some agricultural industries are shifting north in search of cooler temperatures, for example, which can bolster the economies of northern growing regions. But, the report noted, climate research has indicated that growing regions everywhere will eventually suffer as a result of global warming. The report suggests that the U.S. meet the challenge with a renewed focus on agricultural innovation and collaboration. “Plants and animal breeds will need to be developed to better withstand climate stresses such as higher temperatures and weather variability,” it said. “Crops that can use water more efficiently, grow in marginal conditions ... have enhanced nutritional value and have higher yields will need to be developed. Plant and animal germplasm preservation for domesticated and wild species needs to be a priority,” it said. There also needs to be a massive outreach effort, according to the report, with farmers around the world including those working in industrial-scale operations as well as those tending tiny community plots - being trained in how to most productively use their land amid the changing weather conditions. “As temperatures rise, rainfall patterns change and variability increases, farmers will need to figure out what their new normal might become, and, in fact, whether change is the new normal,” the report said.
By Sarah Gamard Collegian Correspondent Gluten. What is it exactly? Jimmy Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live, recently interviewed strangers who were strictly gluten-free on the street for his famous, and hilarious, “Pedestrian Question” series. He found that even though these people avoided gluten like a plague they could not identify what it actually was. Local grocery stores are teeming with glutenfree products. Gluten-free labels can be seen on endless packaging, even bags of rice and jars of peanut butter, which in no way can contain gluten in the first place. College campuses like the University of Massachusetts have gluten-free options for those with celiac disease or other gluten-based dietary restrictions. The word “gluten” is everywhere. But how much of the gluten-free movement is actually catered to bettering people’s health, and how much is just a fad nurtured by health nuts and clever marketers? First for the facts, gluten is “a substance present in cereal grains, especially wheat, that is responsible for the elastic texture of dough,” according to the National Library of Medicine. It’s found naturally in barley, rye, oats, wheat, and spelt. This means that many of America’s favorite foods, like bread, pasta, pastries, cereals, crackers, granola and beer, a truly endless list, contain gluten. Not all grains contain the protein though, some
naturally gluten-free grains include rice, potatoes, corn and quinoa. Celiac disease is the most severe gluten-related dietary condition that causes intestinal damage after consuming gluten. It affects one in 100 people worldwide and, according to Celiac.org, 2.5 million Americans are currently undiagnosed. Something to note is that a wheat allergy is not synonymous with celiac; it is only an allergy to wheat alone. Gluten intolerance and sensitivity is more obscure and much less severe. It constitutes a reaction similar to celiac disease when gluten is consumed. This includes fatigue, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome and joint pains, but it is rare for long-term intestinal damage to occur. Curiously, it is still unclear whether gluten intolerance actually exists. Peter Gibson, a professor of gastroenterology in Australia, conducted a famous experiment that showed GI distress caused by gluten consumption in non-celiac patients. This study initiated gluten intolerance and sensitivity diagnoses to become common practice. Many doctors now recommend cutting gluten out of the diet even to non-celiac patients because of this study and others like it. However, gluten intolerance causing lasting damages to the body has never actually been proven. In fact, Gibson later theorized that the test subjects’ distress may have been caused not by gluten but by another element in many foods including but not limited to gluten called FODMAPs. Skeptics argue that gluten intolerance is not real but rather
ELANA’S PANTRY/FLICKR
Gluten-free nut bread. a placebo effect. Many “health-conscious” individuals in the past few years have diagnosed themselves as gluten intolerant. This, like all dietary fads, is what has fueled the insidious pop culture movement. Many falsely believe that cutting out gluten will reduce carbohydrate intake, but quite a few gluten-free products still contain the same amount of carbohydrates as those containing gluten. I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance last February when I had a blood test. Supposedly, the foods I was eating were a source of my many unexplainable physical ailments. I, like most people, had no idea what gluten was. I was told to eliminate it altogether, which would end up changing my relationship with food for the next six months. Everything, it seemed, contained gluten. I am also originally from Louisiana where gluten-free options are harder to find outside of Whole Foods. Many of the local Creole foods contain gluten. After avoiding it for a few weeks, all of my symptoms disappeared. I had
clearer skin, less fatigue and an increased appetite. There was a huge drawback though. I couldn’t eat a majority of my favorite foods, food prepared by loved ones or even my own birthday cake that year, which was pretty scarring. I started eating gluten regularly again once I came to college. It has been over a month and thankfully none of my symptoms have reappeared. It makes me wonder if my symptoms were simply caused by an unhealthy amount of stress. I pray for the latter because I never want to stress over restaurant menus again. If you are vacillating on whether or not to go gluten-free, the decision is completely up to you, but be warned. When your friends want to order a pizza, you have to pay for a pricey salad or eat nothing at all. Is it worth it? My opinion is if you don’t have celiac disease, don’t bother. Sarah Gamard can be reached at sgamard@umass.edu.
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Wednesday, October 22, 2014
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Comics
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This frost is really too much for me man.
XKCD
B y R andall M unroe
Chicken Rash
aquarius D inosaur C omics
HOROSCOPES Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
Today sounds like the right kind of day to take the bus from Lederle to the Integrated B y R yan N orth Learning Center.
pisces
Feb. 19 - Mar. 20
leo
Jul. 23 - Aug. 22
Some days, there‘s an extra chicken nugget in your order of ten, and you know what, that’s better than an extra french fry, for sure.
virgo
Aug. 23 - Sept. 22
A dog makes a better flotation device than a parachute, but not by much.
Start preparing your halloween feast today! Start with experimenting on things like Candy Corn hummus or Ghost–Pepper Pie!
aries
Mar. 21 - Apr. 19
libra
Sept. 23 - Oct. 22
taurus
Apr. 20 - May. 20
scorpio
Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
gemini
May. 21 - Jun. 21
Sometimes, you just need a large butterfly just painted on the side of your face in order to indicate you had fun at the fair.
I admire your enthusiasm, but you jack o‘ lemons were not as frightening.
To make Candy Corn hummus, add a whole bag to a food processor with a half cup of tahini. Pulse until smooth. Garnish with love.
To make Ghost–Pepper Pie, prepare normal orange jello, but add four whole sliced ghost– peppers. Use normal graham cracker crust.
sagittarius
Nov. 22 - Dec. 21
While many people looking to pump iron might slurp down several egg yolks, it‘s not acceptable to drink a fresh egg in class.
In case you were planning on getting it, Reese‘s pumpkins contain no real pumpkin or spice. The world can‘t take such miracles.
cancer
capricorn
Jun. 22 - Jul. 22
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
There ain’t nothing like a good frost to kill any A festive snack I would never recommend is desire you have of leaving the perfect warmth roasting a hallowed out jack o‘ lantern in the of your double bed. oven. That‘s just gross.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
DailyCollegian.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
7
MEN’S SWIMMING
Underclassmen shine in first meet for UMass
In loss, freshmen, sophomores excel By Tyler Fiedler Collegian Staff
On a team of 29 swimmers, only four on the Massachusetts men’s swimming and diving team are in their final season in the collegiate pool. And with only six juniors on the team this year, the door is open for 19 underclassmen to lead UMass. “We expect them to compete now,” diving coach Mandy Hixon said. “They have to be ready to go now.” In UMass’ first meet of the season last Saturday, the underclassmen showed what they are capa-
ble of doing in the pool. Though taking an overall loss against Army, the Minutemen proved there is something to look forward to this season from their young swimmers. The dive team consists of strictly underclassmen, and gave UMass a strong performance in its first meet. Freshman Trent Kindvall claimed a gold and silver in the first appearance of his collegiate career. Sophomore Robert Berry received gold in the low board, just beating Kindvall 244.20 to 243.37. The trio of Kindvall, Berry and freshman James Albanese all had strong performances to lead the dive team. “It doesn’t matter what
“You get a self-perpetuating culture developed by the kids who have been in the program for a while. So each time a freshman comes in, they are exposed to that right away.” Russ Yarworth, UMass coach year they are,” Hixon said. “They seem to step up really nicely and assume the role.” Later in the day, Kindvall earned his gold in the 3-meter board. He blew away the competition with a 44-point win, receiving a score of 271.81. Albanese took third in the event while Berry finished fourth. But it’s the upperclassmen that set the tone for the young swimmers. “You get a self-perpetuat-
ing culture developed by the kids who have been in the program for a while,” men’s swim coach Russ Yarworth said. “So each time a freshman comes in, they are exposed to that right away and I think that’s what we are seeing develop and will continue to see develop.” Yarworth believes the younger swimmers will only keep developing as the season progresses. New Zealand native Oliver Wyeth, a freshman,
had a strong day in his first collegiate event. He won his first college race in the 100meter backstroke, finishing with a final time of 50.75. He defeated school record holder in the event, senior Hao Luong. Another freshman, Owen Wright, had a solid meet as well. Wright finished as the runner up in the 100 free, and placed third in the 50 free. “The underclassmen performed really well,” Yarworth said. “I was really happy with the outcome in our first performance (of the season).” Yarworth went on to say that he expects hard work and good attitude the rest of the way for the Minutemen
and thinks this team can only get better. To cap off the weekend, Kindvall recently received the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors for his performance Saturday against the Black Knights. The men’s swim team will travel to Boston University on Saturday, Oct 25, where the underclassmen look to continue their hot start. “We are looking forward to them growing throughout the season,” Hixon said. “For them it is important to continue performing the way they did (in the first meet).” Tyler can be reached by email tfiedler@umass.edu and on Twitter @ Tyler_Fiedler
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Sports@DailyCollegian.com
@MDC_SPORTS
HOCKEY
Freshmen fuel Minutemen
WOMEN’S SOCCER
UMass controls its own destiny Four conference games left in 2014 By Arthur Hayden Collegian Staff
ALEC ZABRECKY/COLLEGIAN
Keith Burchett skates with the puck against Boston University in the season opener on Oct. 10. Burchett is tied for the team lead with two goals.
Trio of freshmen stepping up early By Ross Gienieczko Collegian Staff
In any college sport, it’s rare for freshmen to step in and contribute right away. Usually, the larger size and faster speed of college opponents results in new players struggling to adjust early in the season, and generally it takes a few weeks for freshmen to get their feet wet. For the Massachusetts hockey team, three players are bucking that trend. Freshmen Patrick Lee, Jake Horton and Keith Burchett have all contributed early for the Minutemen. Burchett and Horton have scored two goals each, and Lee has also added one tally on the year. Together, they account for five of the team’s eight goals on the through two weekends of play. Before the season, UMass coach John Micheletto said the nine freshmen joining the Minutemen would have to contribute right away. It’s doubtful, however, that he expected over half of the team’s scoring to come from the class of 2018. But that’s exactly what has happened. The freshmen have been put in scor-
ing situations, and so far, they have produced. Lee, a forward from Calgary, Alberta, has settled into a spot on the second line for UMass early in the year. Playing with sophomores Steven Iacobellis and Ray Pigozzi, Lee has added two assists to go along with his goal and has generated multiple scoring chances through three games. “Patrick has ridiculous hands to go along with his hockey sense,” Micheletto said. “Playing with those two guys is really good for him in the early going to learn how to approach work every day.” Lee’s goal came in a crucial spot for the Minutemen over the weekend. Tied 3-3 with Michigan State in the closing seconds of regulation, Lee received the puck in a shooting position near the left faceoff dot. He fired a shot towards the top left corner of the net, and it beat Spartans goaltender Jake Hildebrand to give UMass a 4-3 lead with only nine seconds left to play. The Minutemen would hold on for their first win of the season. Horton also notched a highlight reel goal in the win against Michigan State. Jumping into the rush from
his normal defenseman position, Horton finished a sweet sequence of passing between Iacobellis and Pigozzi that ended with him scoring from close range on the right wing. The defenseman from North Plymouth, Minnesota has shown a scoring touch early in the season. Along with another goal in the season opener against Boston University, Horton has put 11 shots on net, and is quickly evolving into a muchneeded scoring threat from the blue line. Burchett has also provided a scoring punch early in the year. Thanks to a twogoal effort in UMass’ Friday night loss to the Spartans, the Oak Brook, Illinois native is tied with Horton and Iacobellis for the team lead in goals with two. He’s played bottom-six minutes for the Minutemen, but has still found a way to be a productive offensive player, something that Micheletto attributed partially to his hockey sense. “He’s got good skills, but his sense is able to elevate his game to a higher level,” Micheletto said. “He’s very good in tight, he sees plays develop before other a lot of other guys, and he’s got a good enough stick to make those plays happen.”
If UMass hopes to build off its first win of the season and continue its success this weekend against Northeastern and Boston College, the trio of freshmen are going to have to continue scoring. The Minutemen have a lot of production to replace after losing their top three scorers from a year ago to graduation, and Micheletto said he is counting on the freshmen to help replace that production. “We’re anticipating that all of those guys are going to have to be productive for us,” he said. Despite how good they’ve been, though, it may not be realistic for the trio to continue scoring at their current rate. Defensemen like Horton rarely lead their team in goal scoring in hockey anymore, and Burchett is sporting an unsustainable shooting percentage, as he’s scored on half of his shots this season. However, the freshmen have proven they have the capability to contribute offensively. If they can chip in here and there, it will go a long way at the end of the year in terms of UMass’s overall success. Ross Gienieczko can be reached at rgieniec@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @RossGien
healthy Jackie Bruno and the rest of the UMass offense will continue to try and translate what they have done in practice to results in crunch time. “Our defense has played solid all year long,” Matz said. “They give us a chance to win every single game. When you’re giving up a goal a game, you can’t ask for much more than that...We’re able to finish in practice, it’s just a matter of when the game comes, when you have that one second to score, we’re not getting the job done.” That level of defensive consistency is impressive, considering true freshman Cassidy Babin has assumed goalkeeping duties since redshirt sophomore Danielle Kriscenski suffered an injury earlier in the season. “She’s certainly doing well,” Matz said of Babin. “She’s progressing. There are some things that we’d like to see her do better. We’d like to see her be a little bit more vocal, but that’s something that’s difficult for a freshman.” This week, Matz says Kriscenski will be returning to action, possibly to play against St. Bonaventure on Friday, but he did not specify who would get the start in net. “We have Dani back healthy this week,” Matz said. “(Kriscenski and Babin) are both very talented goalkeepers and I think they make each other better by battling in practice.” The one bump in the road for the Minutemen could be Richmond. An offensive powerhouse, the Spiders are tied for the A-10 lead in goals scored with thirty on the season, and the bulk of their production has come from two players. Meaghan Carrigan has 11 goals and Ashley Riefner is second on the team with eight. If UMass can keep those two off of the scoreboard, its chances of escaping Richmond, Virginia with at least a point increase significantly. The Minutewomen begin their quest to reach the other side of the A-10 bubble on Friday at Rudd Field against St. Bonaventure. The match begins at 3 p.m.
Through 14 matches, the Massachusetts women’s soccer team’s record isn’t pretty. The Minutewomen are 3-7-4 overall, but more importantly just 1-2-1 in conference play. After a 1-0 loss to Rhode Island on Saturday, UMass is on the outside of the Atlantic 10 playoff picture. Only the top eight teams in the conference qualify for the A-10 tournament, so the Minutewomen have some work to do over the final four matches of the regular season. That being said, they are only a win out of eighth place, so UMass still controls its own destiny. It’s a fact that coach Ed Matz is well aware of. “We don’t have to worry about other teams winning and other teams losing,” Matz said. “Would we like to be 4-0 at the top of the table? Sure ... But all we need to do is take care of business ourselves and we’ll make the A-10 playoffs.” For the Minutewomen, taking care of business involves navigating a relatively tame schedule to end their season. Of the last four opponents UMass faces, only Richmond has a winning record. The Minutewomen will face St. Bonaventure and Duquesne at home, followed by a two-game road trip against the Spiders and Davidson to end the season. “I think the fact that we have two [matches] at home and two away is appealing to us,” Matz said. “It’s basically in our own hands.” The numbers indicate opportunity is knocking on UMass’s door. The Bonnies have not won a road match all season, and St. Bonaventure - along with Duquesne and Davidson - averages less than a goal scored per game. H oweve r, the Minutewomen also score at a clip of under one goal per game. UMass’ strong defense has kept it in matches all season long. If the Minutewomen can find an offensive spark, they face three opponents who are very beatable. Finding that elusive game-winning goal, however, has been easier said Arthur Hayden can be reached at than done. An increasingly ahayden@umass.edu.
MEN’S SOCCER
Using Jess and Keys, UM changes shape
Minutemen switch attacking formation By Nicholas Casale Collegian Correspondent
A tweak in the lineup, a change of personnel or a well-rehearsed set play can change the tide of any game. Indeed, the correct use of space and intelligent deployment of players within a cohesive formation can be the difference between winning and losing. For the Massachusetts men’s soccer team (1-11-1, 0-3-1 Atlantic 10 Conference), finding a system that gets results has been a challenge. All that really can be done at this point is to try and shuffle around the deck until the pieces start to fall into
place. In the past few games, such a tactical change was made when interim coach Devin O’Neill deployed senior defender Matt Keys into the center forward position. It’s not rare for Keys to maraud forward and attack, as he is a regular threat on set pieces, but the alteration gives the Minutemen a 6-foot-4 target to consistently aim at up the field. The move also allows UMass to drop a player into the midfield to win possession, as Keys can play as the lone forward and hold the ball up for his team. “Matt is a great player, he can really play any position on the field,” O’Neill said. “In practice during shooting drills he is usually one of the best guys and more importantly he has scored
a couple goals this year. I think that he really gives us something different offensively.” The key to making this maneuver work is the player who has moved into Keys’ role. Strong in the air and never one to shy away from a tackle, versatile sophomore Josh Jess gives the Minutemen valuable minutes at the back. While Jess played most of the season as a center midfielder, he was able to move seamlessly into the role of center-half. Having been a defender for his high school and premier team, his new role felt natural. When asked about the change, Jess praised his teammates for his speedy development. “I had played every posi-
tion over the years, but playing alongside someone like Matt Keys has been hugely beneficial,” Jess said. “He’s a leader, and whenever you are doing something wrong he’ll take you under his wing and help you sort out those mistakes. Playing against him and everyone else in practice really makes you better as a player, and it’s fun to get the better of them too.” “Josh played center back back home for his club, but we didn’t know if he would be rusty and ready to go. To his credit, he slotted in really nicely and has done a really great job for us,” O’Neill said. The change in shape is one that could help the Minutemen find goals, but cannot account for some of
NICOLE EVANGELISTA/COLLEGIAN
Matt Keys recently moved from defense to forward for the Minutemen. the other issues UMass has faced this season. The team is incredibly young. It has been unlucky to lose in the dying minutes of several games, and at times have been simply outclassed by better competition. But going into the home
stretch of the season, Keys should start to score more goals for the Minutemen, and Jess will be a capable replacement in his absence on the back line. Nicholas Casale can be reached at ncasale@umass.edu.