No. 10 (Nov. 7, 2012)

INSIDE: 2012 SLU

U University News Wednesday, November 7, 2012

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A student voice of SLU since 1919

FOUR MORE YEARS

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Obama, McCaskill re-elected SLU community comes to vote

By KRISTEN MIANO News Editor WOLF HOWARD Associate News Editor

By DERRICK NEUNER Enterprise Editor

Emily Diehl/Multimedia Director

Yes, he did – again.

A divided America voted to return Barack Obama to the White House for four more years, despite a tepid economic recovery that has plagued the incumbent since he took office in 2009.

Obama and his vice president Joe Biden now face a deeply divided Washington and a nation searching for leadership on the national budget, tax rates, and the role of government.

“You, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back,” Obama said in his victory speech from Chicago. “We are an American family, we rise and fall together as one nation, as one people. For the United States of America, the best is yet to come.”

While Obama captured the presidency by a slim 50-49 margin, the Democrats failed to regain the majority of the House of Representatives; the Senate, meanwhile, stayed in the Democrats column, with at least 51 seats, giving the president important allies to implement his second-term policies.

Among those allies is Claire McCaskill.

In the 2012 election, people in the 18-29-yearold age range contributed in a significant way to the re-election of President Barack Obama.

According to a report by NBC, 59 percent of the demographic voted for the Democratic candidate.

For many students at Saint Louis University, the 2012 election was the first time they had voted for a president. How the majority of SLU students voted has not yet been reported, but many made an effort to get out and cast their vote.

To make voting more convenient for SLU students who were registered to vote in Missouri, a polling place was set up in the Saint Louis Room on the third floor of the Busch Student Center.

This is the second presidential election for which the BSC polling place has been open.

The location was previously available for the 2008 election and catered to approximately 1,000 students Students who registered to vote this year

See “Election” on Page 3

See “Voters” on Page 3

Kristen Miano / News Editor

McCaskill waves to her supporters after being re-elected as Missouri Senator.

Fr. John Kavanaugh, S.J. dies at 71

By KRISTEN MIANO News Editor

INSIDE:

On Monday, Nov. 5, John Kavanaugh, S.J. passed away at 71 from long-term health complications in Saint Louis University Hospital. Kavanaugh was a philosophy professor at Saint Louis University and the founder of the Ethics Across the Curriculum program, an initiative at SLU aimed at encouraging and sustaining ethics-based research, service and teaching among the University’s faculty.

Kavanaugh was ordained a priest in the Society of Jesus in June 1971. He spent some of his early years as a

NEWS

John Schuler / Photo Editor

Students line up to vote in the Saint Louis Room

priest working with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, where he helped care for the dying patients she was working with.At SLU, Kavanaugh taught a course in Medical Ethics and was an outspoken opponent of the U.S. military involvement in Iraq and of the death penalty.

He was a regular columnist on issues of ethics for America Magazine, a Jesuit publication, and wrote several books, including “Following Christ in a Consumer Society” and “Who Counts as Persons? Human Identity and the Ethics of Killing.”

Theodore Vitali, C.P., chair of the philosophy department and a co-worker

of Kavanaugh’s, said that he felt Kavanaugh was a man with a strong sense of faith and theology who served as a role model for all at SLU. “Fr. John Kavanaugh was an extraordinary teacher and educator in the fullest sense of the Jesuit ideal. In a word, John was what he taught: a man profoundly committed to the Catholic faith and to its mission to the poor and marginalized people of the world,” Vitali said.

“John was an extraordinary man. In so many ways, he was the soul of Saint Louis University. He was legendary as a teacher and writer. Now he becomes part of the great legends of

2 OPINION

Students watch the election in the Billiken Club

Students targeted in employment email scam

By WOLF HOWARD Associate News Editor

John Kavanaugh S.J. Saint Louis University.”

The funeral Mass for Kavanaugh will be on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Francis Xavier College Church.

A recent wave of phishing scam emails targeted Saint Louis University students looking for jobs. One such student-scam resulted in $200 lost in what Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness described as very legitimate looking interactions.

The student was contacted by an individual through email, offering the student a position as a representative of his company, which was described as a global business consultancy. Upon

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ARTS

responding to the email, the student was instructed to take a $2,900 check he received and deposit it in his bank account. Upon depositing the check, the student was told to go to a Western Union office and send $200 to some other person.

The check was fraudulent and the student lost $200.

According to DPSEP these emails have been going out to multiple students, though they are unsure of how many students have actually been targeted by See “Scam” on Page 3

11

BARACK OBAMA...

America wants you!

>> Meet the Party Presidents

>> Second Term Expectations

>> Basketball is here!

>> Celtic Thunder comes to Fox

2 NEWS

NOVEMBER 7, 2012

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Let Us Introduce You: The Presidents of SLU’s politcal parties Amy Lutz: President of SLU College Republicans

Eric Behna: President of SLU College Democrats

By IAN SULLIVAN

By IAN SULLIVAN

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

President of Saint Louis University College Republicans, Amy Lutz, has been involved with the group since her freshman year.

Whether volunteering on and off campus, scheduling weekly speakers or speaking for radio ads, Lutz always seems to have plenty to keep her hard at work.

The College Republicans meet once a week. Lutz said that their primary focus during these meetings is discussing foreign policy and the economy. Lutz said the economy has been College Republicans’ number one issue lately, as she finds it to be the most pertinent to college students.

“Most of us are worried about getting a job after college,” Lutz said. “This is our future on the line. We have everything to gain or everything to lose.”

Lutz also stated that we, as college students, have a certain advantage over politics and campaigns outside of campus.

“We have connections that campaigns don’t have.

We are in the college classes they talk about and can reach across the aisle,” Lutz said. “We can have big speakers and hand out flyers, but the No. 1 way to reach people is by making personal connections. We can do just that [and] more easily.”

But what many find difficult is the conflict between Republicans and Democrats. Though the two sides often disagree on most issues, Lutz said that there are a few things they can come to a consensus on.

“The College Republicans and College Democrats had a debate the other day. At times, we wanted to jump at each other. However, by the last question, regarding the importance

As president of Saint Louis University College Democrats, Eric Behna has inherited many responsibilities since he joined the group his freshman year.

Behna served as vice president last year, and holds the position of president as a junior. Saint Louis University College Democrats meets each Tuesday, coordinating events, and uphold what Behna summarizes as the organization’s purpose.

“Our two primary goals are to make our campus more politically aware and informed, and secondly to be a democratic organization, discussing different candidates and policies,” Behna said.

One of their top priorities this election season was voter registration. Members of the group approached Metrolink and Metrobus stops and knocked on doors throughout the city of St. Louis to encourage voter registration.

“We focused primarily out in the communities of St. Louis to encourage those who may not have been approached to vote,” Behna said.

Though groups express their opinions, there are some limitations among both College Democrats and College Republicans.

“If we want a big speaker to come to campus, though one group might find it helpful, it may be considered controversial,” Behna said.

While some restrictions are placed on organizations from endorsing candidates, the group has many other purposes and opportunities that Behna puts to use.

“In the past, we, along with the College Republicans, have done charity events. We plan on doing

John Schuler / Photo Editor

of educated voters, we both agreed that was most important,” Lutz continued, “I think that the contention is not person versus person, but between ideas. The more informed a person is, the less radical they will become.”

Outside of campus, Lutz can be found interning for Dana Loesch at 97.1 FM radio.

She plays the piano and tennis and always enjoys reading a good political book when she finds the time.

“I am a social media addict and politics junkie. I do a lot of writing and blogging,” Lutz said.

Lutz had her first interaction with politics after the 9/11 terror attacks.

“After September 11th, our local newspaper had

a giant flag on the back, and on the other side was George Bush’s quote, ‘These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.’

I put the paper in my room window with the flag outward and the quote inside,” Lutz said. “I woke up to that quote every morning.

It was the first time I ever saw our country come together, and the first time I felt there was something bigger than myself. So, I began reading and persuasive speaking. I can be kind of stubborn and opinionated, so I decided I wanted to be active about it.”

After graduation, Lutz hopes to involve the creation and giving of speeches into her career. She also hopes to have her own radio show.

John Schuler / Photo Editor

even more this year and possibly a game of dodge ball, Republicans versus Democrats,” Behna said.

The two groups have often collaborated on events in spite of their differences.

Behna said while there is disagreement, there is always good discussion between the two parties.

“It’s nice to have a discussion or do an event with someone who’s equally passionate, even if we don’t share some of the same ideas,” he said. “We’re very welcoming, open to having a good debate and have a strong commitment to the community around us.”

Outside of the organization, Behna participates in building houses for Habitat for Humanity. He also holds a position on the SLU club rowing team, from which

he has taken a semester off to focus primarily on the election season. Additionally, he is currently interning on a campaign.

Behna, a leader in many different ways, attributes his inspiration to his past.

“I had a very different experience growing up than others around me.

Important people in my life lost their jobs, and so I grew up finding my own opinions and values. And it kind of pushed me toward becoming more politically active,” Behna said.

He hopes to attend law school or graduate school or to become involved in Teach for America.

“After I graduate, I want my career to involve helping people and contributing actively to social change,” Behna said.

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NOVEMBER 7, 2012

Pumpkin Launch ’12 lets gourds fly Modern day trebuchet records a lauch of 153 feet

By WOLF HOWARD Associate News Editor

Tegeler Field was cleared of lacrosse sticks and Frisbee-hucking students on Sunday morning to make room for the engineering marvels at play in the fourth annual Great Pumpkin Launch.

The line-up looked something like a devious schoolboy’s siege unit, featuring three jumbo-slingshots of various constructions, built

by Saint Louis University’s physics department, a group of Spanish students calling themselves the Spaniards, and the iScholars team, made up of graduate students Robert Caruso and Patrick Andrus. There was also an impressive trebuchet built by SLU’s chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Two new categories, innovation and target, were considered in judging this year’s pumpkin launch. In previous years, distance was the only category taken into consideration.

The iScholars team won the overall competition walking away with $100 in prize money. ASME notched second place and earned a $35 Vito’s gift card. The Spaniards took third place and won a $20 Pappy’s gift card. The physics students came in last.

“We were ecstatic when we had a 100 percent launch,” Robert Caruso said, commenting on the iScholar’s great success in the target category. The group was the only to make direct contact in the target competition. He attributed the success of the iScholar’s design to repeatability.

In the target category, a cone was placed a reasonable distance away from each launcher. The distance between the cone and first impact of the pumpkin measured success.

In the innovation category, groups were graded based on their slingshot design, the materials used and the ways in which launchers changed from last year.

ASME presented a trebuchet roughly 18 feet tall and made out of wood, with two large jugs of water and sand sealed in a wooden cage. Team leader Joe Lewandowski estimated the counterweight to be a combination of 30 gallons of water and 100 pounds of sand, with the cage weighing in at roughly 40 pounds by itself.

It took five people to prepare the device for launch.

“We worked very well together,” Lewandowski said of his team’s performance.

“We built [the trebuchet] in four days before the launch.”

The trebuchet had the longest pumpkin chucks by far, their longest launch

Wolf Howard/ Associate News Editor

Members of ASME participate in the annual Great Pumpkin Launch on Sat. Nov. 3. measuring 153 feet.

The physics department managed to transform their original concept for a catapult in to a slingshot made with rubber tubing and a taped-together T-shirt. “[Our performance was] admirable, considering our ordered parts never arrived and we had one night for our new design,” Alex Reinisch, senior and physics team member, said.

The Spaniards used surgical elastic bands, a base made from wood, and all the rest was made out of duct tape.

“It was a good experience because it was almost everything improvised,” senior Carlos Herrero said.

“We wanted to build [the slingshot] the same morn-

ing of the contest and that is what we did!” Their slingshot was built on a budget of $100.

The iScholars team utilized a cloth rest and braided exercise bands on a wooden support.

In a bout of after-competition hijinks, the Spaniards used a sledgehammer to putt a pumpkin into a trash bin.

The iScholars accidentally ripped through their base when the laws of physics denied Caruso his best intentions to get a higher release on a launch.

ASME continued to aim for longer hucks and physics student Wesley Gardner did a reenactment of David and Goliath in a pumpkin patch.

Kristen Miano / News Editor

Students at the Rainbow Alliance’s annual Homocoming preform a coordinated dance on Sat. Nov. 3 in the St. Louis Room. The dance’s theme was “U.S. of Gay” in the spirit of the 2012 election season.

Election: Obama’s electoral margins nearly equal 2008; McCaskill rides rural vote to victory The incumbent Missouri senator eked out a victory against Rep. Todd Akin, who draw bipartisan fire for an August remark declaring some instances of rape as “legitimate.”

McCaskill’s victory was key in the Democratic Party’s hold of the Senate.

“The political chattering class called this race months ago,” McCaskill said. “But I don’t give up.

And now, we’ve shown the nation what Missouri is made of.”

For Obama, the president nearly replicated his 2008 victory with two exceptions – Romney won Indiana and North Carolina.

Incredibly, Obama’s so-

called “Midwest firewall” of Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa held strong against Republicans’ charges of racking up trillions of dollars in debt and gutting Medicare.

Like 2008, Obama’s campaign assembled a coalition of women – suburban wives, single moms, and college-aged – minorities, and Rust Belt middle-class voters driven to support Obama because of his support of the aut0 industry bailout.

“Our economy is recovering, our decade of war is ending, and the long campaign is over,” Obama said.

“And whether I have earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you have made me a better president.

NEWS

3

Voters: Students come out strong ments from the presidential candidates,” Noel said.

“Romney never seemed to take one side for too long using their SLU mail box before he was on the other address were automatically side. I knew at least where set up to vote in the BSC Obama stood.” polling place. The polling Pike, however, wrote in place opened at 6 a.m. and a candidate for president closed at 7 p.m. because he felt the current “This was my first time trend in both political parvoting in the presidential ties was not the best course. election and I voted in the “I believe the conservaBSC,” Daniel Pike, junior, tives have a better financial said. “It was super easy and plan, but I wanted someone only took about 10 minutes, who was also liberal on sotops.” cial issues,” Pike said. “I Over the course of the also don’t like recent trends semester, there were also like denying global warmseveral different efforts to ing and some of the reliregister students at SLU. gious tendencies.”

The political party groups To encourage students at SLU worked to register to get out to vote, establishstudents and there was a ments around SLU offered registration initiative by the deals to students who preStudent Government Assosented ciation. their “I “I say big v o t e d snaps to the s t i c k e r. ” student effort I’m a public health P i c k l led by Matt Ryan and in major and I really e m a n ’ s Gour met coordination with Blake thing we need the Af- Café gave Exline that fordable Care Act to out free cookies, 500 students while Salregistered to move forward. sarita’s, vote through located all of the stu- -Aroona Toor in SLU’s dent opporBilliken tunities made Club, gave out free chips available on campus,” Dean and salsa. of Students Mona Hicks After the polls closed, said. “Civic learning and a “bipartisan” watch party democratic engagement was held for students in the gets at the heart of our JeBilliken Club. The Black suit, Catholic mission, as Student Alliance also hostwell as our shared future ed a watch party at the Flats in our diverse communiat Three Seven Four. ties depend on a more inNot all students could esformed, engaged and globcape their studies to follow ally responsible citizenry.” the election night coverage, When it came to dehowever. ciding how to vote, many Junior Kara Morrall students voted based on stated that she was a little their own, personal values. disappointed that she could Junior Aroona Toor supnot follow the results more ported Obama because of closely. her concern for health care “I did an absentee balrelated issues. lot, but I haven’t been pay“I’m a public health maing attention to the current jor, and I really think we coverage because I had an need the Affordable Care exam and a video project Act to move forward,” Toor due today, and now I have said. to do some work for the Senior Adam Noel stated organizations I’m involved he voted the way he did af[in],” Morrall said. “As hapter following the discourse py as I am to be involved in of the candidates throughand vote in this election, it’s out the duration of the camupsetting that I can’t participaign. pate in the hoopla of it all.”

“I followed the stateContinued from Page 1

Homocoming celebrates the United States

Continued from Page 1

I return to the White House more inspired and more determine about the work there is to do.”

Exit polls suggested that the economy was, by far, the main issue on Election Day. Romney edged Obama nationally by six points among voters, according to NBC News.

Obama outperformed Romney on questions of empathy, and voters nationwide were virtually tied on the more direct question of who would better handle the economy and the budget deficit.

In his concession speech, Romney thanked supporters, his running mate Paul Ryan, and wished the president well.

“This is a time of great

challenges for America, and I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation,” Romney said.

In Missouri, the changing electorate and a coalition similar to Obama’s lifted McCaskill to a secondterm in the United States Senate. Rural voters, independents, and a highly criticized opponent bolstered the incumbent.

McCaskill did not mention her opponent’s remarks in her victory speech, instead focusing her remarks on being a Missouri for all of Missouri.

The senator also paid homage to her mother, Betty Ann, who passed away last week.

“Mom, this one’s for you,” McCaskill said.

= BARACK OBAMA

303

Electoral Votes

= MITT ROMNEY

206

Electoral Votes Source: CNN Politics / Politico as of 1:00 am, November 7, 2012

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Scam: U.S. Secret Service steps in to protect students Continued from Page 1

by the scammers.

Sgt. Pasquale Signorino stated that it was impossible to know just how many students were actually receiving these emails due to the fact that some might not be reporting the incident and others might be simply ignoring the emails.

According to Investigator Mark Chambers, the lead investigator on the case, the SLU Internet Technology department tracked the IP address from the most recent emails to Taiwan. The IP address from earlier reports was located in South Africa. At least 357 students received emails from the South African IP address.

Chambers stated that the emails look like very legitimate offers and have been showing up in inboxes as opposed to being sent straight to a junk mail folder.

With every email the scammers are claiming to represent businesses that actually exist but using fake names and personal information. In the latest case the criminals claimed to represent a business consultation firm in Cypress. The email accurately described the company’s focus and had a link to the company’s actual website. The checks used in the scam were delivered

by UPS and in earlier cases,

by FedEx. “They identify themselves,” Chambers said. “‘My name is Richard Fryer. Here’s my address and my phone number,’ and they really come off as totally legit.”

The scam emails offer

students a job as a distributor between the company, buyers and distributors throughout the area. They tell students they can make up to 10 percent of the money they distribute a week for simply moving money around.

The perpetrators sent the victim forged personal checks of an actual 86-yearold woman living in Stillwell, Kan. The student realized the unusual nature of a personal check being delivered by a business upon receiving his second check. Details following the student’s transfer are hard to track because the money was sent overseas, said Signorino.

This is the third wave of reports DPSEP has received concerning fraudulent emails offering fake jobs. The most recent wave, starting on Oct. 4, seemed to focus on international students.

The first wave, which reportedly began on Jan. 24, 2012, involved collecting emails from students applying for jobs through CareerLink. CareerLink has since changed its procedures to prevent this sort of security issue.

Four students reported receiving similar emails around the same time. Tellers at the on-campus bank caught all of the fraudulent checks that students attempted to deposit.

The case has been transferred to the U.S. Secret Service. After a wire transfer was involved, the scam became a federal offense.

The Secret Service has been given a preliminary report by Chambers and will stay in touch with DPSEP as the case develops.

U OPINION

Editorials

Editorials are opinion pieces written by the Editorial Board of The University News.

The editorials printed in this space represent the opinion of The University News.

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

BARACK OBAMA...

America wants you!

Mike Hogan/ Opinion Editor Mike Hogan/ Opinion Editor

Hopes and fears for four more years When the activist and academic Cornel West spoke at Saint Louis University in 2010, he said that he supported Barack Obama until Obama was elected president in 2008. The day after, West became Obama’s fiercest critic. Here we are again, and with Obama reprising his role as commander-in-chief, it’s time for ever y American—his supporters included—to begin challenging their president to improve. After all, politics don’t disappear after the election, though thankfully, political advertisements do.

What would we at The University News like to see from Obama? Mr. President, above all, we want you to be honest. We get it: When you’re running for reelection, you have an image to maintain. But that’s all over now, so own up. What have been your biggest mistakes? Did you underestimate the economic crisis? What happened in Libya? In 2008 you said that you’d talk to Americans like adults. Well, it’s 2012, but you can still start now; better late than never.

Along those same lines, don’t be afraid to take credit as well as blame. Recognize your own accomplishments; your political opponents certainly aren’t going to. But when things go sour in bipartisan discussions, don’t just blame it on the other side. What actually happens in those meetings? When our representatives are locked in a squabble, how do you as our nation’s leader act to encourage compromise, and how could you do it better?

Moreover, take a stance on issues that were neglected during the campaign, but are still important to voters. Without having to worr y about winning an-

other term, you should be free to speak your mind on things such as same-sex marriage and environmental concerns. Many of your constituents voted for you based on your stance on these issues; now is the time to live up to their faith in you.

So come out in support of same-sex marriage. We already know you’re in favor of it; you couldn’t hide your views from conser vative voters during the election, and you shouldn’t tr y to hide them now. If you believe in something, use your position as a leader to act on it and make a statement about it. And, especially after Superstorm Sandy, resume the discussion of climate change. Though voters may have had more pressing concerns during the election, climate change will affect America and the world far beyond your term as president. Push for progress in this area.

More broadly, simply do the things you said you’d do in the campaign. Of course you’re largely dependent on the cooperation of Congress, but in some areas you have significant power on your own. In particular, end the war in Afghanistan. You said you would end it, now follow through. Americans on both sides of the aisle are tired of war.

Finally, listen to your critics, but stand up to them as well, whether they be Republicans, members of your own party or the editorial board of The University News. Assert yourself and get work done in Washington. Be the leader America needs. A second term gives you considerable freedom to make positive changes for this countr y. We hope that you will make the most of that freedom.

Making the best of the Board’s decision Last week Saint Louis University’s Board of Trustees released a statement announcing its intent to hire a consulting firm to sur vey the SLU community in regards to “issues that have led to the recent faculty and student resolutions.” This is the board’s first public step in addressing the current situation on campus, but the exact nature of that step remains unclear.

Indeed, it isn’t even clear that this step is in the right direction.

An email announced that the board “is aware of the actions taken by the University Faculty Senate and the Student Government Association.” While the representative bodies of the University’s two largest constituencies probably appreciate the board’s “awareness,” it seems likely that they were looking for something more along the lines of “recognition.”

By hiring an external consulting firm to gauge the opinions of the University community, the board is effectively sidestepping SGA and the Faculty Senate. What is the purpose of these bodies if they aren’t recognized as representing their constituents? Moreover, the board has not demonstrated any awareness of the public demonstrations of discontent by students and faculty outside of those governing bodies.

The sense that the board is ignoring both SGA and the Faculty Senate is exacerbated by the fact that in hiring a consulting firm, they are “acting upon the recommendation from Fr. Biondi.” That is, Lawrence Biondi, S.J., president of the University, as in, the man in whom SGA and the Faculty Senate both just voted no confidence.

The board’s decision is in many ways indicative of the lack of shared governance that SGA and the

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Faculty Senate have perceived at SLU. These two bodies, each composed of dozens of representatives, both voted with over whelming majorities to take the most drastic measure in their power to tr y and effect change at SLU, and all this ser ved to make the board “aware.” Biondi makes a recommendation and the board acts.

At any rate, the board has made a decision and the SLU community must deal with the consequences of that decision. What will this consulting firm look like?

And how will their sur vey be conducted? Whatever form this investigation takes, hopefully it will paint a complete and representative picture of the opinions of the SLU community to the board. If significant changes are to be made at this university, it would be best to have input from the entire SLU community before they are made; hopefully, these were the thoughts of the board members when they decided on this course of action.

If it turns out that this sur vey misrepresents the opinions of the SLU community, or if the board chooses to place as little weight on the results of the sur vey as it seems to have placed on the resolutions of SGA and the Faculty Senate, SLU may be in for a prolonged struggle over governance. The board doesn’t need a sur vey to know that no one wants that.

The board has taken a step. Where that step takes SLU remains to be seen. The futures of students, faculty, administrators, staff and alumni are affected by ever y move. We ask the board: Move quickly, so that SLU may move past these controversies, but tread softly because you tread on the future of this university.

Letters

to the editor The University News reserves the right not to publish any letters that are deemed intentionally and/or inappropriately inflammatory, more than the 300-word limit or unsigned by the original author. The following are letters and/or website comments. Because the identities of website posters cannot be verified, all website comments should be treated as anonymous. Actual letters to the editor may be submitted online at unewsonline. com or e-mailed to opinion@unewsonline. com. Please include your cell phone number.

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-Theodore Vitali C.P.

See Page 1.

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I felt that our seniors were the difference makers. We wanted to defend Hermann all year and that’s what we did tonight.

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-Nick Shackelford, goalkeeper

See Page 7.

“

Neiman Marcus and Target share a passion for great design and delighting customers in new and unexpected ways.

-Karen Katz, president and CEO of Neiman Marcus

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See Page 9.

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I think they will be surprised with how vibrant our show is and how amazing our fans are singing along to all our songs.

-Emmet Cahill, Celtic Thunder

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See Page 11.

2012-13 EDITORIAL BOARD editor-in-chief Brian boyd eic@unewsonline.com

”

John was an extraordinary man.

In so many ways he was the soul of Saint Louis University.

General manager connor berry gm@unewsonline.com account executives Rachel Cambell natalie grasso Nick Steinauer advisors laura thomson don highberger advisor@unewsonline.com the editorial board of the university news recognizes avis meyer, ph.d. as the newspaper’s faculty mentor.

“Freedom of the press—print, online and broadcast—is a basic right in a democratic society and is valuable in promoting the development of students as socially responsible persons ...

The University News is a student voice, not the student voice. The views of The University News are the expressions of the students involved ... If [The University News] can represent a point of view around which discussion may develop, it serves a legitimate and needed purpose.”

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

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OPINION

5

Students need civilized discourse, not sensationalism

A call for reason amid tension

The voices of a small set of Saint Louis University students have been broadc a s t through our governing body, o u r newspaper and h a v e reached notoriMaggie Foster ety in national media. For the sake of tempering their language, we would like to begin a more balanced discussion. With this commentary, we hope to inspire more measured dialogue from all parties.

Let us begin by making it clear that, at its heart, the faculty’s contention with SLU’s leadership is not a student conflict. Our professors do not need us to advocate on their behalf.

The tenure-threatening policy draft was revoked just as the professors desired.

However, if they still have qualms, they have a representative body of their own.

There is no reason to put students in the midst of a faculty-administration skirmish because it is not in our interest to complicate and sensationalize the issue.

Whatever the end goal of our professors might be, we are naïve if we trumpet their cause. The professors’ access to the student body is used as bargaining power for their own purposes. We should not so happily adopt the stereotype of the revolting youth on their behalf. If we have our own agenda, then let it

The current issues at and I pray that you do not Saint Louis University have take advantage of that trust. reached You are here only because a fever we are here, and you have pitch. my respect as long as the T h e University and the students phrase come first. But I am wary if “no conyou continue down the path fidence” I believe you to be headed. seems To Fr. Biondi: You have to have done great things for this replaced school; no one is denying “Go Bilthat. You have proven that likens!” you can do what you think Nicholas Jesse as the is right for the University school even if it is unpopular. You cheer. The faculty takes have proven that you are a vote, throws out statisunyieldingly stubborn. tics and the administration Here is your opportunity. counters with their own Prove yourself to be a verfigures. It is a daily saga satile leader, one who will played out for all to see on a not ignore controversy local and national scale, and but confront it head on; to a stain on the reputation of be willing to bend for the Saint Louis University. good of the school. Show a I intended to write this little bit of transparency. I letter backing Fr. Lawrence do believe that you and the Biondi, and what I believed administration are the only to be the best course of acpeople who should be maktion for this University going decisions with regards ing forward. But the more to the financial future of this I thought institution, about the but please root causes continue to of this conUse the brains and give us the flict, the less numbers.

I wished to drive that got you to this T h e r e e n t r e n c h University to propose le- have been myself in improveone side, gitimate solutions to the ments, but which will ver y real issues at hand. there have accomplish also been little for the failures.

University.

Work with Rather, I the faculty wish to address all parties even if they have no conwith the hopes that these isfidence. Be the leader we sues are resolved in a manneed. Step up. ner befitting of the instituTo SGA: Your role in this tion that everyone involved controversy has done little hopes to see prosper. but exacerbate the situaTo the faculty: I have the tion. The letter sent to the utmost respect for you and Board of Trustees is well your work at this school. outside of what I elected That being said, the situyou to do as my student ation at hand is the direct government. result of the public nature You do not yet have fiof your dispute with the nancial degrees, nor any administration. From my experience in the realm of understanding, and the inUniversity administration. formation provided by the Your conflicting grievances faculty themselves, you about tuition costs, budfelt the standards by which get cuts, teachers’ salaries, you would be judged to be rankings and the compariunfair; and I fully agree. son of SLU to schools like The central idea of tenure Georgetown and Boston review, however, is not a College demonstrate this means with which to force lack of expertise. There is you to live in constant fear only so much money to go of your job any more than around without directly inpassing out four challengcreasing costs. And to coming tests a semester is reapare our school with others son for students to fear failwho have more expensive ing. We should all be held tuition and endowments to an exacting standard. Ultwice the size of SLU’s is timately, yes, the proposal irresponsible. Please stick was terribly flawed, but I to your role as a representathought the faculty I admire tive of the student body. would have had a more And to the students I say: eloquent and level-headed Keep yourself informed. response. Where were the Do not succumb to party counter proposals? Where politics and back-biting, was a faculty that could rise but, rather, use the brains to a challenge, with a firm and drive that got you to stance on its own behalf, this University to propose yet an understanding that legitimate solutions to the it should be held to a high very real issues at hand. Firegard? nally, fellow Billikens, hope So now we are at an imlike hell the faculty and adpasse. You want nothing ministration in which you short of the removal of our have put your utmost trust president. You have the can set aside their grudges support of an overwhelmand move this University ing majority of students, forward.

be thoughtfully developed and made known. As things currently stand, we are not approaching the conflict adeptly because we have not yet identified our own concerns.

While we cannot speak to our professor’s complaints, there are very few of our so-called grievances that hold under scrutiny.

Firstly, let us address rankings: A few weeks ago, university rankings suddenly dominated student concerns about Fr. Lawrence Biondi’s competency. Yet rankings are widely recognized as a flawed scale that cannot truly measure an education. We can agree because, as students, we know that grades and standardized tests do not account for the true worth of our intellect. What is more, we do not attend a college for its ranking but for how it will help us grow. The value of a SLU education resides in our treasured community and in the values of balance and reason graced to us by our Jesuit roots. That is why SLU has a significance to its alumni that goes beyond competition with other universities’ graduates.

Furthermore, our grievances only date to midAugust at the earliest, and our student leaders already proclaim that they “will not be attending any meeting in which the President or Vice President of Academic Affairs are presiding.” This rash timeline does not suggest that our student leaders are any more willing to partake in polite discussion than their supposed

Mike Hogan/ Opinion Editor

opponents. By leaping to incendiary reactionism as a means of conflict resolution, we are choosing the low road. It is difficult to fathom why our student leaders are undermining their own arguments thus.

Nor why our faculty does not vote “no confidence” in the student body, for the little we seem to have learned from them. Fire is not fought with fire, and you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

In raising this clamor, we only harm the microcosm we claim to champion.

Sensationalism as we have exhibited forfeits our posi-

tion as a respectable entity at the bargaining table, and this has been noticed by the world beyond St. Louis. If rankings are what we cherish, then we had best focus on our contributions to our University’s reputation rather than tearing down its leader. We the students have never had a climate of fear at SLU, and again, it is disappointing that our student leaders have not distinguished between our student interests and those of the faculty. Let us make a commitment to civilize our discourse, focus our rhetoric and choose our battles wisely.

A tale of two Taylors, from ‘Love Story’ to ‘Teardrops’ I love a good love story.

Adam and Eve. Romeo and Juliet. Jack and Rose. Taylor and a Kennedy. Baby, just say yes!

T h e b e s t thing about a love story is the Derrick Neuner people.

After all, two is better than one. My favorite part of Harry Potter is when Ron finally gets the girl. What better magic than love after war, safe and sound after the defeat of the enemy. It’s riveting, it’s enchanting, it’s burning red!

Unfortunately, I’ve never had a good love story.

I did, however, once date a Taylor Swift. Here’s the story of us.

We were in high school, Taylor and I. Having never actually “gone out” with someone, well, I was a little scared. Innocent, if you will. But, after an extensive

courtship that saw her date my best friend first, I took the leap and said, “Taylor, baby, you belong with me.”

Pretty fearless, if I do say so myself.

She said yes.

I should have known she was trouble.

She should have said no.

See, it turns out that I’m one of those rare guys that finds hopeless romance, well, romantic. Taylor was my world. There wasn’t a day that went by that we didn’t pass notes, hold hands at the lunch table, kiss each other goodbye in the junior parking lot after school. I bought her flowers, and she put a smile on my face everyday.

You should have seen me then. She had beautiful eyes. She captivated me like a firework show. I was wonderstruck, enchanted; it was flawless, really something.

I was ready to propose. It was a state of grace.

She called it off after four months.

Which brings me to the

singing, song-writing Taylor Swift. It seems to me you can’t have a civil conversation about her without getting into an argument.

Maybe she should run for president.

My cousin can’t stand Taylor Swift. According to her, Taylor can’t sing, can’t dance and can’t write good music. Why does she have to be so mean?

But what my cousin can’t deny is that Taylor Swift has grown up with us, and the words she sings are so relatable, so real, that she has seemingly written our life stories into song. How can it be that a 22-year-old can write better songs than Tim McGraw?

I think I know why, and since this is my column, I get to tell you. Any objections? Speak now. Okay, here we go.

See, Taylor is just one of us, searching for her white horse and someone to have and hold forever and always. Isn’t that the great quest of humanity, to find that perfect, simple,

everlasting love? There’s something about teenage heartbreak that defines us.

I’m still haunted by my high school break up. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through. Like, ever.

Wait. No, my parents’ divorce was. I lied.

I wonder what Taylor would have to say about my love life.

I also wonder what would have happened if Taylor and I were still dating. The non-singing Taylor, that is.

Yes, yes, I can see it now.

There we are, hand-inhand, walking by the Arch, going to Cardinals games, writing obnoxiously cute love notes to each other on Facebook. We sit in a café and our song comes on.

Too bad Taylor hated Taylor Swift. I assume she still does, but hey, people change.

Taylor broke my heart all those years ago. She’s married now, don’t you know. Apparently she’s not sorry, and we are never getting back together.

Ever.

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Breaking down bipartisanship: Why compromise isn’t always best for America The unity that people seek is as phony as the late October presidential campaign attack ads.

America w a s founded on the working principle that we debate different Patrick Olds opinions rather than masking them. No matter who wins the presidency of these United States of America, it looks increasingly likely that there will be a divided government.

And that’s not a bad thing.

Bipartisanship is often the ideal that Americans seemingly cling to during every election cycle. “Why can’t we be bipartisan?” the American people ask.

It depends on what kind of meaning one attributes to the word. Does it mean that compromise is always the best solution? Or does it mean that the ladies and gentlemen of Congress and the executive branch seek real answers through intellectual arguments and debate? I choose the latter.

Let me first address the false logic that compromise is always the best solution.

There are reasonable examples in real life where this logic does not maintain.

Take for example a person that has, unfortunately, slipped off a cliff. Clumsy as they might have been, everyone should agree that the person hanging on for dear life should be saved if possible. There is no inbetween; one cannot “sort of” save a person’s life in the event of such a quandary.

The individual that has the ability to save a life has two choices. Either they do, or they do not.

Now that event might be too much of an anomaly or rare happening for it to work as an example of the way compromise fails in politics, but it’s helpful to rid oneself of the mindset that for any problem, there exists a compromise. In the case of politics, the specifics can get complicated but that doesn’t mean that the right and wrong answers to the predicament are nonexistent.

Compromises should only be made in the event that logic prevails instead of a lacking fortitude. In those

cases of logic prevailing, not only does compromise suffice – it is recommended.

The American people that shout for unreasoned bipartisanship do not seem to carry any values or hope in their representation.

Granted, the leadership in the executive and legislative branches have fractured in recent history, but this just signals the uncertain and worrisome times that we live in, rather than the intentional lack of cooperation.

There are many that espouse, for any presidential election, that the stakes are higher than ever. In this election, that very well could be true. You have two political parties that have very different versions of future American success and how we attain it. We have a history of dealing with such dissent that can be traced to our founders.

Federalism as opposed to individual state control was such a contested issue that America wrote two constitutions. The first constitution entitled most power to the states, while the second, and now current, Constitution held to a divided government -- a

Mike Hogan/ Opinion Editor

government that provided for the recognition of power struggle and the dangers of excess. The founders came up with a solution that legitimately compromised the strong logic of each, but not before heated debate and fraction that would make the present-day struggle resemble a childhood fight in a sandbox.

The American people need not always espouse bipartisanship and com-

promise no matter the cost, because that leads us to a dangerous road in the future. That road consists of an even more apathetic electorate than we see presently. It signals a loss of values that are worth fighting for; it signals a loss of the American spirit that makes our country great. Appreciate the fact that we just survived a tremendously volatile presidential election, one that cost in excess

of 2 billion dollars.

Whoever loses will give up the fight and never consider the raising of arms in contest of the result. That is because Americans are capable of disagreeing with one another to such a large extent without ever resulting to violence. Bipartisanship at any cost is dangerous to the future. Continue the debate and compromise if it makes sense— otherwise, what’s the point?

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6 GAMES

Crossword

Sudoku

NOVEMBER 7, 2012

U SPORTS

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NOVEMBER 7, 2012

First up for Bills: USC-Upstate

WHO TO

CHEER

Charles Tillman

Courtesy of the Chicago Tribune

The man recorded forced four fumbles in the Bears’ 51-20 victory over Tennessee on Sunday. Even the most die-hard Packers fan has to respect that performance.

WHAT TO

JEER Kansas City Chiefs

Courtesy of sportslogos.net

At 1-7, our football brethren to the west have somehow managed to not lead for a single offensive possession this season. The last team to do that was the 1929 Buffalo Bisons…they folded the following year.

John Schuler/ Photo Editor

Rob Loe follows through after a shot. Loe will play a vital role in SLU’s success against South Carolina Upstate.

By BRIAN HAENCHEN Staff Writer

The Billiken men’s basketball team will tip off their season against South Carolina Upstate on Nov. 9. USC Upstate had a 2113 record last season (13-5 Atlantic Sun) and qualified for the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT). USC Upstate returns with their entire starting lineup from last season. Two key players return from last year’s team – junior forward, Torrey Craig, and sophomore guard, Ty Greene.

While based on name recognition alone, USC Upstate may not draw as much attention as some of SLU’s other non-conference opponents, they are a team to watch.

Spartan coach, Eddie Payne, won the Hugh Durham Award as the nation’s top mid-major coach after he led the Spartans to a 2113 finish in 2011-12, good for a share of second in the Atlantic Sun and a berth in the CIT. With its 21 wins last season, Upstate became just the second team to record at least 20 wins in its first full season of full-Division I

eligibility. conference team heading The Spartans return into this season. with all five starters from Sophomore guard Mario last year’s team, including Blessing leads the Spartans reigning conference Player defensively. The fans’ pick of the Year, Torrey Craig. for A-Sun preseason DeCraig (6-6, 215 pounds), fensive Player of the Year, who was also an Associated Blessing (6-4, 205 pounds) Press All-American honorrecorded 16 steals and able mention last season, pulled in 52 boards last seaaveraged 16.4 points per son. game and Despite pulled in having an n e a r l y advantage eight rein depth bounds and on deUpstate is not the per game. fense, the The dual- typical opponent that Billikens threat forwill face a ward has significant the abil- teams schedule to open size disity to beat advantage defenders the season Friday both off night. the dribble Craig (43.5-perand junior cent shootfor ward er from the field) and from Ricardo Glenn (7.3 RPG) behind the arc (34.9-3PT%). create a two-headed monWhile Craig is the censter on the glass for the terpiece of their starting Spartans, who averaged five, Upstate boasts a strong over 37 boards per game supporting cast, including last season, good for 48th in last year’s A-Sun Freshman the nation. of the Year Ty Greene (6-3, In terms of style of play, 185 pounds). The sophoUpstate utilizes an up-temmore guard finished secpo style, similar to what ond on the team in scoring SLU will encounter later with 11.4 PPG, earning him this season with VCU. Just a spot on the preseason allas the case will be later this

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season when the Rams travel to Chaifetz Arena, it will be imperative for the Billikens to dictate the tempo Friday evening. The Spartans love to take shots from behind the arc (615 3-pointers attempted last year), utilizing swift ball movement to create open looks.

Of course, it’s easier to throw up over 18 treys per game with a player like Craig patrolling the offensive boards. Defensively, the Spartans’ in-your-face style forces opponents into taking bad shots and gradually wears them down.

Upstate is not the typical “pushover” opponent that teams schedule to open the season. Their size and talented frontcourt has them among the favorites to win the A-Sun. That being said, this is absolutely a game that SLU should win. They have a significant advantage defensively and are much deeper in terms of dependable shooters.

If the Spartans manage to meet, or even exceed expectations, and build on their successes from last season, Friday’s game will give the Billikens’ strength of schedule rating a significant boost.

Bills blast Butler, secure two-seed in A-10 tournament

By CHARLES BOWLES Sports Editor

WHO TO

FEAR Alabama Crimson Tide

Courtesy of rolltidebama.com

Nick Saban and his top-ranked Crimson Tide simply cannot lose.

Trailing 17-14 with 90 seconds left in the game, they came back on an AJ McCarron-led drive to win the game. Did I mention the game was played in front of a record crowd in Baton Rouge?

By BRIAN HAENCHEN Staff Writer

The men’s soccer team rocked Hermann Stadium on Senior Day with an impressive 4-0 victory over Butler.

The Billikens ended their regular season with a bang and sent their seniors, Jordan Gladstone, Joda Holloway, Nick Maglasang, Michael Robson, Dillon Saffle, Jonathan Svigos and Alex Sweetin, out in style.

Now the Bills have to turn their attention to the Atlantic 10 conference tournament where they are a No. 2 seed in the eight team field.

“I felt that our seniors were the difference makers. We wanted to defend Hermann all year and that’s what we did tonight,” Nick Shackelford, goalkeeper, said.

The game was very important for Butler who was trying to make the A-10 tournament and needed the victory. The Bills prevented Butler’s entry into the tournament.

The game was very evenly matched until the very end of the first half when the Bills scored 2 quick goals.

The first goal came in the 42nd minute off a corner kick. David Graydon sent the corner kick into the box to Kingsley Bryce who deflected the ball off his right foot and into the back of the net. The Bills were not done scoring.

A mere minute later, forward Robbie Kristo got his 9th goal of the season. He is the leading scorer for the team this season.

Bryce passed the ball up to Robson, who got past the defense and then crossed the ball to Kristo, who knocked it in for the goal.

John Schuler/Photo Editor

Adnan Gabeljic looks to score the final goal of the match. He has six goals on the year.

Robson got an assist in his final game as a Billiken.

In the span of a minute, the Bills scored 2 quick goals and took the 2-0 advantage into halftime. The Bills, though, were not finished scoring.

In the 59th minute, Kristo attacked the Butler defense inside the box.

While the defenders were focusing on Kristo, he sent the ball back to Sweetin who sent the ball past the diving Butler goalkeeper, giving the Bills a 3-0 lead.

Finally, in the 88th minute, the Bills finished off the day with a goal by Adnan Gabeljic. Svigos earned the assist.

“Senior Day can be

an emotional day, and I thought the guys really wanted to send this group out on a high note… It was a really good performance” Head Coach Mike McGinty said to Saint Louis Athletics after the win.

The Bills finished the regular season with 13-4 overall record (7-2 A-10).

The regular season no longer matters as the team enters the A-10 conference tournament. They will likely be a part of the NCAA Tournament.

The Bills are the No.2 seed in the conference tournament.

They first play the No. 7 seed La Salle Explorers.

The teams did not play each

other during the regular season. They will play each other Thursday.

Charlotte holds the No.1 seed in the tournament.

They defeated the Bills earlier this season 1-0 at Hermann Stadium which was one of only two losses the Bills had during the conference season.

If the Bills defeat La Salle, they have the potential for a rematch with Xavier, who beat the Bills 3-2 in the conference season.

The Bills have had a great regular season, but the work is not over yet as they look toward the future with the A-10 conference tournament and an NCAA berth in their sights.

College basketball, an early Christmas gift My favorite time of year is here again; the day I have been praying for since the start of the coll e g e f o o t b a ll season.

College basketball is b a c k , and it is an excitCharles Bowles ing time both at S a i n t Louis University and around the nation.

This college basketball season will provide a lot of excitement for SLU. The Atlantic 10 is the strongest basketball conference in the nation. New opponents like Butler and VCU will make their first appearances at Chaifetz Arena, while old foes like Xavier and Dayton will return, looking to bring down this year’s media darling, the Billikens.

Nationally, college basketball is going to be very exciting. Nearly 21 million people watched the NCAA National Championship last year with Kentucky and Kansas. This year, teams like Indiana, Louisville, Ohio State, Michigan and Kentucky battle for the top spot in the polls this season.

However, everything is not perfect in college basketball; the conference and team realignment, while beneficial to the A-10, has destroyed some traditional rivalries in college basketball. There will be no more “border wars” between Kansas and Missouri, no more traditional rivalry between Kentucky and Indiana, and many other traditional games in other smaller conferences like the Horizon League, Colonel Athletic Association and many other leagues around the nation are lost.

Yet, there are plenty of key matchups for fans around the nation to watch this season. The biggest game to open the season is Duke vs. Kentucky. It is one of the biggest rivalries; Kentucky still holds a deep grudge about Christian Laettner. It will be a great way to kick off the intense college basketball season.

Another interesting matchup this season is North Carolina State and Michigan. Not exactly the traditional power matchup, but both teams are very good. Michigan returns with Trey Burke, one of the best point guards in the nation. However, NC State has a very talent laden team as well. Head Coach Mark Gottfried, CJ Leslie and Lorenzo Brown have done an amazing job at NC State.

This team will compete with Duke and North Carolina for the Atlantic Coast Conference title.

I got to see NC State last year in Columbus and it was an amazing sight. The team had incredible athleticism and poise. They might compete for the national title when all is said and done.

Finally, the last big game marked on my schedule is Louisville vs. Kentucky. I’m biased for including Kentucky twice, but the battle for the Bluegrass State will be the biggest rivalry game of the year. The two teams absolutely hate each other, and Louisville will be seeking revenge after their defeat by Kentucky in last year’s NCAA Final Four.

Will a Cincinnati-Xaviertype brawl ensue from this game? It could happen, considering these two teams and their recent history on the court.

That’s what to watch for on the national stage. However, there is also a lot of excitement around the campus for the upcoming men’s basketball season.

The Billikens will defeat Texas A&M, will win the Atlantic 10 conference, will be part of the NCAA Tournament and will go to the Sweet 16. I know this seems a bit bold, especially with many people counting out the Billikens with Head Coach Majerus being gone.

But it can be done.

The team returns with four of its starters from last season. Kwamain Mitchell See “Hoops” on Page 8

8 SPORTS BILLIKEN BRIEFS

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NOVEMBER 7, 2012

Volleyball seniors finish on a high note

Women’s Basketball

Basketball Preview

Follow us @TheUNewsSports for the latest Billikens coverage

poised to perform Continued from Page 7

The SLU women’s basketball season begins this friday in Columbia, Mo., as the Billikens take on the Missouri Tigers. Their home opener will be on Saturday, Nov. 24 against Western Illinois.

Look inside for this year’s basketball preview, a 16page special section with profiles on every player on the Billikens’ roster. The season opens on Nov. 9 at Chafietz Arena against USC-Upstate

Hoops: Billikens

Courtesy of Billiken Media Relations

Senior Carly Marcum spikes the ball against the La Salle Explorers. This was Marcum’s final game at Chaifetz Pavillion.

By CHARLES BOWLES Sports Editor

The volleyball team was able to send their seniors out on a high note. Although the team lost a tough fiveset match against Temple University Friday, Nov. 3, the team quickly rebounded Saturday to sweep the La Salle Explorers 3-0.

These two games were the last home games for the Billikens and the final games at Chaifetz Arena for seniors Aleksandra Niemiec, Andrea Bolt, Cassie Clarke, Carly Marcum and

Carly Schumacher.

The match against Temple was a hard and heartbreaking fight.

The Bills won an epic first set 30-28. Both teams played equally well, with the Billikens just edging out the Temple Owls.

The Bills dropped the next set 25-27, leading to a 1-1 tie heading into the third set.

The Billikens dominated the third set 25-15. Anna Church highlighted the set, leading the Bills in a 7-0 run, giving them a 13-7 lead in the set. However, the Owls took the next set from

the Bills, 25-21, leading to a final decisive set.

The Owls started strong with a 5-1 run. Despite the Bills best efforts to combat this, they fell short, dropping the final set to Temple, 13-15, and losing the match.

Clarke had a doubledouble in the match with 58 assists and 25 digs. Megan Gilbert starred with 14 kills.

Tides changed for the Bills going into Saturday.

Prior to the match against the La Salle Explorers, SLU honored the seniors, who ended their careers at Chaifetz Arena with a victory in their last game.

The Bills swept the Explorers in straight sets 2518, 25-23 and 25-18.

Church led the way for the Bills with 12 kills and 11 digs.

It was the third doubledouble of her career. Grace Bonoma had 17 digs for the Bills during the match.

The Bills took their overall record as 10-18 (4-9 Atlantic 10).

The Bills travel to Indianapolis to take on Butler University on Saturday, Nov. 10. The match starts at 4:00 p.m., their last match before the A-10 tournament on Nov. 16-18.

The team returns four of its starters from last season.

Kwamain Mitchell will be out for a while with his injury, but the team is loaded at the guard position so they can sustain a blow like this temporarily. The team will have to answer questions about its front line all season, but coaching staff and players haven’t expressed great concern.

SLU has a very deceiving schedule. It doesn’t look tough, but the Bills scheduled to improve their strength, which was a major problem last season. They will run into teams like Valparaiso, North Texas and USC Upstate. These three teams are likely to be the conference champions for the Horizon, Sun Belt and Atlantic Sun conferences, respectably. These non-conference games, combined with the strength of the Atlantic 10 conference schedule, make SLU’s season very entertaining and fun to watch from start to finish.

The best part about the conference schedule is seeing the new additions to the conference, Butler and Virginia Commonwealth. Brad Stevens and Shaka Smart are two of the hottest names in college basketball coaching. It will be interesting to see how they matchup against the Bills, particularly VCU, which prides itself on a “havoc” style of defense. It will be interesting to see how these teams adjust to the new conference.

Finally, expectations are high around campus. The players have faced setbacks this offseason but are ready to meet expectations head on when they begin their season on Friday. The tipoff of the college basketball season is almost here, and I for one can’t wait to watch one of the most interesting teams in college basketball, our very own SLU Billikens.

U FASHION

STL STYLE

Fashion Happenings

Third Friday Free Party: Keep on Truckin’ Jewelry Trunk Show and Sale Third Degree Glass Factory Nov. 16 6-10 p.m.

Free Glass blowing demonstrations, jewelry sale and food

Rock N Roll Craft Show Third Degree Glass Factory Nov. 23-25 Starts at 11 a.m.

Tickets starting at $3 Alternative craft exhibit and sale featuring clothing, jewelry, housewares and more with live music and food available

Holiday Magic Exposition Show America’s Center convention complex Nov. 23 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Nov. 24 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Nov. 25 12-5 p.m.

Adult tickets $10 Holiday-themed weekend with vendor gift shopping and entertainment, plus fun-for-all ages events like a petting zoo and carnival rides

Clasp Jewelry Exhibit Kranzberg Arts Center Now through Jan. 20 Free Jewelry is displayed to showcase the use, meaning and importance of clasps

Underneath It All Fashion Exhibit Missouri History Museum Now through Jan. 27 Free Undergarments throughout the ages are showcased next to dressed mannequins to explain how women achieved the ideal look of the time.

NOVEMBER 7, 2012

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Style by neighborhood: Wash. Ave. Downtown strip provides a unique shopping experience

By RITA WINIECKI Staff Writer

Washington Avenue is known as one of the main veins of downtown St. Louis nightlife, with trendy bars and restaurants peppered throughout, including Rosalita’s, the Dubliner and the Jive and Wail. This bustling area is also home to on-trend and unique boutiques that bring some spunk to Washington Avenue’s classy clientele.

Collective MX The newest edition to the Washington Avenue shopping district, Collective MX, opened on Oct. 29, 2012, according to the company’s Facebook page.

The unique shopping concept is housed in the new Mercantile Exchange building, which is one of St. Louis’ newest shopping, dining and entertainment destinations.

The large, pristine, white studio space is decorated with battered wood fixtures to give a new-meetshomegrown vibe to the studio. Rather than being a specialized boutique, director and managing curator Nicole Benoist wanted to bring a fresh concept to the downtown St. Louis shopping scene.

The retail co-op of 35 different stores gives shoppers a real sample flavor of what different St. Louis boutiques have to offer, with miniature stands seamlessly blended together into one, large studio space.

“Collective is a curated mix of the best of St. Louis shopping,” Benoist said.

Anne Keppler / Staff Writer

Collective MX, a recent addition to the popular downtown shopping district and retail co-op, offers items from 35 nationwide vendors.

“It’s a convenient outlet that boutiques spread out around St. Louis can use to reach more people.

We’re conveniently close to the convention center, so visitors can stop in and get a taste of different St. Louis boutiques after an event.”

Vendors from Chicago, L.A. and all around the U.S. are also invited to rent space to get their brands some exposure.

As shoppers can tell from perusing the wide variety of unique clothing, gifts, accessories and housewares, Collective is all about small-business exposure and provides its clientele with unique and trendy products.

St. Louis map jewelry, Alternative Earth pillows,

organic lounge clothes, kids toys, vintage pin-up bathing suits with daringly low necklines, tweed and pleather cocktail dresses and old-fashioned apothecary-style soaps all have homes in a cohesive amalgamation of small businesses; it’s definitely worth a look when you need something different and the Galleria and Plaza Frontenac just don’t cut it.

CLR-MNSTR Step into this funky boutique and art space, which opened its doors on July 20, 2012, for a unique collection of fashionable clothing, jewelry and shoes.

Bright, canvas paintings for sale speckle the walls, as racks of trendy clothing

Target to release designer holiday collection with Neiman Marcus

By DEIRDRE KERINS Staff Writer

Retail giant Target Corp. released details regarding its highly anticipated holiday collection earlier this season, setting off waves of excitement throughout the fashion industry. The exclusive holiday collection features Target and specialty retail store Neiman Marcus, according to a press release, in collaboration to provide customers with high-end designers at a “Target” price.

Twenty-four designers from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) produced pieces to be sold throughout the holiday season. Pieces in the collection range from a floral, vintage-looking, metalframed bike from designer Alice + Olivia, priced at $500, to Diane von Furstenberg yoga mat ($50.00) and Oscar de la Renta pooch collars, food bowls and leashes for anywhere from $29.99 to $39.99. The collection even features menswear, children’s fashion and home décor.

Karen Katz, president and chief executive officer for Neiman Marcus, explained in a press release statement that both companies looked forward to working together.

“Neiman Marcus and Target share a passion for great design and delighting customers in new and unexpected ways,” said Katz.

Ultimately, Target and Neiman Marcus aim to reach potential new audiences who may be unfamiliar with either store. Target will gain shoppers that enjoy name-brand items (now sold at discounted prices), and Neiman Marcus will acquire a demographic that either does not have access to designer duds or generally pays no attention to brands.

With clothing for men, women and children created by Tracy Reese, Thom Browne, Skaist-Taylor, Robert Rodriguez, rag&bone, Marc Jacobs, Lela Rose, Jason Wu, Prabal Gurung and Marchesa, the collection

Target Pressroom

Brand Proenza Schouler offers an artistic heather gray women’s sweatshirt ($29.99), along with an almost-matching iPad sleeve, for the Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection. will surely catch shoppers’ eyes as they complete their daunting holiday-gift lists.

For the often dreaded inlaw gift, the line showcases bikes and luggage from Alice + Olivia, cookware and serving supplies from Altuzarra, Carolina Herrera— even a lunchbox from designer Tory Burch. Label Rodarte takes the prize for the cheapest product: wrapping paper for gifts at $7.99.

If one wanted to continue the holiday spirit, the quirky cookie cutters from label Band of Outsiders keep the fun alive in offering bakers the chance to mold their holiday treats into “hipster”shaped glasses, hats, ties and oxford shoes ($29.99).

While most holiday shoppers and Target lovers can appreciate the merchandising department’s decision to branch out of typical “Target-esque” clothing and gifts, the prices that accompany the designer collection may not please all consumers.

Saint Louis University sophomore Joe DeBuque agreed with Target’s approach to partnering with high-end designers to bring a wide variety of affordable clothing and gifts is a good idea in theory.

“However, in practice, this concept could poten-

tially backfire if the public is not happy with the price, the craftsmanship and materials or overall design of the product being offered,” DeBuque said in an email interview.

Sophomores Ann Knezetic and Anna Marchiando agreed that the idea could be risky, stating that the prices of the Neiman Marcus collection are too high for a cost-effective retail store like Target.

Both women balked at the idea of browsing through the accessories section and finding a Marc Jacobs scarf for $69.99.

Knezetic and Marchiando each echoed the same sentiment: if a shopper is at Target, they are looking for fashion-forward clothing without the shocking price tag.

Overall, the limited press released pictures from Target showcase the array of fun novelties, sophisticated clothing and specialty items that will definitely fly off the shelves this holiday season.

Shoppers better be poised and ready come Dec. 1, because limited quantities of the collection items will be in store and are expected to be gone in the blink of an eye— if people are willing to stomach the price.

pack into the cozy boutique.

Vintage, burnt orange armchairs displayed with tongue-in-cheek machinegun printed pillows serve as the perfect resting spot for fatigued shoppers or an easy way to try on a new pair of spiked heels.

If spiked heels aren’t quite your style, CLRMNSTR has a wide array of wedge sneakers, Jeffrey Campbell sky-high heels and the infamous JC Litas boots, which are making their rounds in the fashion blogosphere.

The plethora of funky and fashionable clothing pieces can add some spice to your wardrobe. One of the refreshing parts about CLR-MNSTR is that they try to include local vendors

and artists in what they sell in the store.

Light-brown, paper bagwaisted trousers sit on a rack next to a handful of crimson-velvet pencil skirts from St. Louis’ designer, Blue Bird Apparel. A table has spike-shouldered denim vests next to a leather motorcycle vest and a striped cotton T-shirt.

The jewelry section is also definitely worth a stop in the boutique. There’s a mix of skulls, crosses, studs, collar necklaces and body harnesses that would delight any funky fashionjewelry connoisseur.

Presently, there is a hefty, 50 percent off price rack See “Downtown” on Page 10

Shaking up the average, overworn, weekday uniform

By JULIA CHRISTENSEN Fashion Editor

femme vibe perfectly, while remaining casual and comfortable.

“Stuck in a rut” never describes something good. It’s not a phrase you want associated with your job or your relationship; your personal style is no different.

While most any pressedfor-time person logically has go-to outfits, these wardrobe staples can become overplayed, which leads to the “stuck in a rut” routine.

When it’s become easier finding your clothes than your keys, it might be time for something new.

As students, the routine of waking up, going to class, then heading to work may not inspire much outfit creativity, but with small changes, these everyday looks can morph from mundane to magnificent, no matter which weekday uniform you normally follow.

When you feel like wearing jeans and a T-shirt…

When you feel like wearing sweats…

When comfort is key, gym clothes are understandably tempting.

Instead of wearing a normal sweat suit, try sticking to one piece and pair it with something more formal.

Considering that evening attire is often more expensive than everyday pieces, it seems logical to bring them out in the daylight to get more bang for your buck. A pullover sweatshirt tones down the formality of a dressy skirt or frock.

The combination looks best when the fit of the top is either shrunken or deliberately slouchy; a sweatshirt with tightened bands at the waist and arms brings too much “sport” to this style juxtaposition.

If the sweatshirt is free of pattern or is in a neutral color, pair it with a patterned, bright or textured skirt— a lace or ruffled option, both of which have been trendy in seasons past and might already be in your closet, plays up the relaxed-

There’s a reason jeans and a T-shirt is a classic look: it’s simple, it’s understated, and it looks good on everyone.

Assuming you’ve found your favorite fit of denim— be it skinny, boot cut or flared— there’s no reason you can’t translate that style into a more fashion-forward outfit.

A T-shirt with corduroys or velvet pants has all the simplicity of the standby without the boring, overdone aspect.

Considering these softer pants are available in practically every style that denim currently is, they shouldn’t be hard to find.

Those concerned about the change can stick to standard neutral colors; slate gray and deep blue match things the same way jeans do, but add an element of texture.

Bonus?

Velvet and corduroy pants tend to be warm. Remember, the temperature is bound to keep dropping before you write off this new look.

When you feel like wearing an oxford with a button-up cardigan…

This preppy combination is polished and puttogether. While none of those adjectives are bad, per say, even the cleanest look can benefit from a minor shake-up.

Try switching a standard button-up cardigan with something more relaxed for a less-than-formal afternoon look.

An oversized, tie-waist shawl cardigan adds some extra coziness to the outfit, while the crisp Oxford keeps the outerwear from looking too robe-like.

For an extra bit of autumn inspiration, find a patterned cardigan in fall tones like burnt orange, eggplant or muted teal.

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10 FASHION

Drugstore cosmetics create an affordable autumn look As the seasons change, so do the outfits. Peep-toed wedges are swapped for f a s h ionable b o o ties and light, a i r y scar ves for cable- knit, chunky options Anne Keppler to stay warm in the season’s most unpredictable weather.

The same thing can be done when it comes to makeup.

Fall fashion brings in a new, fresh palette to play with, which makes it the perfect time to experiment with colors that may have been too bold in the past.

Now is the time to rock the sultry red lip or pop a gorgeous plum or emerald green into the eye makeup routine.

According to a post on fashion guru Lauren Conrad’s blog, this season’s colors are all about rich jewel tones; think burgundies, emeralds, sapphires, plums and fuchsias. Mixing these colors into your wardrobe instantly updates your look. If done in the right way, these colors can also be very complementary in a makeup routine, without looking clown-like.

This can be easily accomplished without changing much of your routine or breaking the bank. While you may already have a cluttered makeup bag, feel guilt free in getting yourself a few new products that are sure to make you stand out from the crowd.

If you want to indulge yourself at Nordstrom’s makeup counter to snag brands such as Landome or Channel, go right ahead; however, penny-pinchers and thrifty college students can find more cost-efficient ways to achieve the newest makeup trends without breaking the bank.

Affordable drugstore items Going to the local Walgreens, I picked up three products to help spruce up my cluttered but boring makeup bag. To

stick with a college student budget, I spent less than $20, prior to tax.

I first went looking for a new eye palette. There were many fun ones to choose from, but it was Maybelline’s limited edition 10Q Prima Pink palette that caught my eye.

The name doesn’t suit the palate because it is the deep, rich purple that really stands out.

It has four colors that all complement each other, plus a how-to and where-to apply diagram on the back. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Maybelline’s eyeshadow palette was $6.49 at Walgreens and has a very similar color assortment to Lancome’s 306 Lavender Grace eye palette, which retails for $49.

Next, I looked for a new lip color with warmer undertones. I picked up L’Oreal Colour Riche lip color in 788 Golden Grape, retailing for $9.99.

Again, the name is misleading; I would rename the product Golden Rose. This lip product is comparable to Chanel’s ultra wear lip color 30 ROSE MORGANITE, retailing for $34 per tube.

Walgreens offered a buyone-get-one-50-percent-off sale on L’Oreal, so I chose my last product smartly— it should be noted these deals can be found often at drugstores and are a real benefit to students on a budget.

L’Oreal’s nail color 500 Violet Vixen was just what I was looking for. With the discount, the polish was only $2.99.

The nail color is not a perfect match, but it is pretty close to Chanel’s LE VERNIS NAIL COLOUR retailing for $26 per bottle, which shows quite a heavy discount. This color is sure to pop while carrying a festive fall clutch.

If anyone is doing the math, the products from Walgreens added up to a grand total of $19.47 prior to tax. If I had gone to a department store beauty counter, I would be dropping upwards of $110.

Tips and tricks If you are going to try a bold-eye look featuring a jewel tone, keep the lip

NOVEMBER 7, 2012

‘Girls’ brings wearable style to HBO viewers

By EMILY THELANDER Staff Writer

Anne Keppler/ Staff Writer

A Maybelline’s eye palette, L’Oreal Colour Riche lip color and L’Oreal nail color, all from Walgreens, work together to create a cost-effeicient, on-trend beauty look for the autumn season. color simple and vice-versa.

Also, using deeper eye shades may be difficult and frustrating. If your eyes do not look perfectly symmetrica,l remember to stay calm and blend, blend, blend!

If it is a bold lip that you are after, make sure to check your teeth. You do not want to flash your gorgeous smile only to have people noticing your new lip color on those pearly whites.

As for your nails, make sure to top them off with a clear top coat after applying your favorite fall color.

Deeper shades often

show more noticeable chipping. To avoid this, I recommend Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat, which promises to dry any nail color in 30 seconds to ensure a longlasting wear.

With these products and tips in mind, head to your local Walgreens and start rocking the newest fall makeup trends. By adding a couple fall colors into your makeup routine, your whole look will be complete from head to toe.

People will not only be noticing your outfits, they will be noticing you.

The new darling of HBO came out of left field for many avid fans of the premium channel, and brought a new sense of style to the table. Unlike many television shows, “Girls” showcases realistic fashions that viewers can use for outfit inspiration.

Lena Dunham joined the HBO family with her dramedy, “Girls,” in 2012, on which she serves as head writer, director and principle player, according to IMDb.com.

“Girls” follows the lives of four young college graduates living in New York, struggling to find love, employment and independence. “Girls” has often been compared to “Sex and the City” (something that Dunham alludes to in the pilot episode), in its quirky humor, femaledriven cast, occasionally graphic sexual content and in its undeniable influence on fashion.

“Girls” follows the concept that one’s personal style doesn’t need to be dependent on an expensive label or a worrisomely thin body type. It is all about the real-world struggles of young women in today’s society. Each character has their own unique manifestation of their personality traits in the form of their fashion.

Dunham’s character ,Hannah, has a style all her own. Some may call it thrifty, retro and may even deem it “hipster;” whatever name it’s given, Hannah’s fashion works for her character. Hannah, a relentless, aspiring author who has recently been severed from her parents’ bank account, is a vessel of creative energy without a proper outlet. Her outfits reflect the chaotic, artistic energy within her.

One day, Hannah is clad in fun, brightly printed blouses tucked in to highwaisted skirts; the next, she is in an A-line dress, paired with chunky platform heels.

She even rocks a peacesign Snuggie on occasion.

In another episode, she’s rocking a leather jacket, a deep, red lip complete with a matching, stiff attitude.

The lesson to be learned

from Hannah is to find what complements your personal flavor and run with it. Have fun experimenting with different eras of fashion and play with color and material. There is no need to be tethered to a specific “look” or style — gather from across the board to put together a look that represents you.

Marnie, played by Allison Williams, is Hannah’s best friend and roommate. She has a style that sharply contrasts Hannah’s freespirited garb.

Marnie’s style echoes an elegance of Jackie O and Coco Chanel, favoring soft pastels and conservative necklines.

Even as a young woman in the modern city of New York, Marnie embraces a look that represents her meticulous personality and clean-cut lifestyle. This look can be achieved by looking around vintage-wear clothing stores, and similar looks can also be found at stores like J. Crew, Banana Republic and Brooks Brothers.

The true beacon of style in Dunham’s “Girls” is Jessa, played by Jemima Kirke. Jessa has travelled all over the world, adopting different cultural characteristics along the way. In various episodes, Jessa adopts a new style unique to a specific place in which she has spent time, but each with its own flare specific to her personality.

Jessa’s more notorious getups include a bohemiangeisha look accented with a bold burgundy lip, chunky, metal jewelry and an ethereal, white-laced, above-the-knee wedding dress that slouched off the shoulder, complete with a delicate white hair garland.

The stars of “Girls” represent a new generation of women entering the big, bad workforce after graduating from college in a time of occupational and economic uncertainty. The common thread between them is that they are all unique characters with their own strengths and contributions, and they choose to punctuate these distinctions using their distinct fashion choices.

Season 2 of “Girls” on HBO begins Sunday, Jan. 13th.

Downtown shopping district brings trendy boutiques, unique stores to St. Louis shoppers Continued from Page 9

that enables trendiness no matter what the budget is, although many of the items range from about $10-$100. Men, never fear!

Lovers of cheeky graphic T-shirts, like those seen at Urban Outfitters, should check out the CLR-MNSTR selection for a less mass produced look.

Anne Keppler / Staff Writer

Anne Keppler/ Staff Writer

Anne Keppler / Staff Writer

Left, a colorful, leopard sweater and skirt outfit on display at CLR-MNSTR, located at 1300 Washington Ave., showcases the artistic vibe of the store and on-trend circle skirt. Top right, Collective MX, 626 Washington Ave., opened Oct. 29 in the up-and-coming Mercantile Exchange building and provides clothing, housewares and more. Top left, the shop of Eve’s Apple Vintage, 1136 Washington Ave., has a romantic vibe while the stock ranges from delicate to outrageous.

Eve’s Apple Vintage This boutique, with funky, purple walls and a darling velvet chaise with throw pillows, included a cozy collection of some solid vintage pieces that allow you to bypass digging through thrift stores for those cute “golden nugget” pieces that surface every once in a blue moon.

Prices start around $16, making this vintage outlet very college student friendly, although it is important to note that all sales are final. The vintage clothing ranges from a variety of eras, start with the 1940s and going up all the way through the 1990s.

Flirty sundresses, a blue leather jacket, an acidwash skirt, a white crochet blouse with cutout sleeves, sequined 80’s T-shirts and funky belts all come together in Eve’s Apple Vintage.

They also carry a variety of vintage bustiers; from lace-up, to lace, to neon stripes, there’s bound to be a layering piece that you would love thrown in the mix.Eve’s Apple Vintage also caters to the stylish men of St. Louis with a wide variety of vintage blazers.

Elbow patches, tweed, corduroy, houndstooth— you name it, and they probably have it, but without the outrageous price tag from a department store.

Being classy has never been so affordable. Eve’s Apple Vintage contains a variety of men’s cardigans and sweaters, which would be ideal to buy now that the weather has taken a crisp turn.

There’s also a collection of beat-up leather cowboy boots for men who want to forgo the painful process of breaking in a new pair.

Get the look While Washington Avenue is spotted with a variety of boutiques, there is not a cohesive “look” that each boutique strives to live up to, which is what makes this strip of road such an interesting shopping destination. Shooting for a more edgy-cosmopolitan look with spunky details enables one to fit in with the young, trendy, downtown crowd.

Zebra-patterned smoking loafers, a flirty lacey white shift dress and a studded-shoulder leather motorcycle vest with a slouchy light brown leather cross-body bag would be a great comfy, yet trendy, outfit with a handful of sass to wear while perusing the shops on Washington Avenue. It’s that little kick of spunk that adds the Washington Avenue feel.

Better yet, this look could easily be worn for appetizers or cocktails after a tiring shopping day downtown.

U ARTS

OUT on the

TOWN

Arts Editor’s Picks

Music November 8 Celtic Thunder Fox Theatre 7:30 p.m. from $45

November 8 Regina Spektor The Pagaent 8 p.m. $32.50

November 8 James McMurty Blueberry Hill 9 p.m. $22

November 8-17 Radio City Christmas Spectacular Peabody Opera House times vary $35

November 9 Sylvia McNair: Sketches of New York Sheldon Concert Hall 8 p.m. $40

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Cinephiles unite: Film Fest is here 21st annual St. Louis International Film Festival begins this week

By TJ KEELEY Managing Editor

Attention cinephiles, the 21st Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) begins this week.

Running from Thursday, Nov. 8 through Sunday Nov. 18, SLIFF provides hours of programming and an opportunity to see independent and foreign films that may be hard to find at the local multiplex. In case the long lineup is overwhelming, here are six films not to miss: 1. “Silver Linings Playbook” plays Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tivoli Theatre and Saturday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Plaza Frontenac Cinema.

This screwball comedy stars Bradley Cooper (“The Hangover”), Jennifer Lawrence (“The Hunger Games”) and Robert DeNiro (“Raging Bull”. Cooper plays a man suffering with an emotional disorder and struggling to readjust to his life after discovering his wife cheated.

He meets a woman (Lawrence), and an unexpected bond forms between the two that changes their lives.

“Silver Linings Playbook” won the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The film received high critical praise and even an early Oscar buzz, especially for Lawrence. “Silver Linings Playbook” kicks off the festival on opening night, which is always fun and ex-

Photo courtesy of Tribeca Films

Chris Colfer and Rebel Wilson star in “Struck by Lightning,” which will play at the St. Louis International Film Festival this weekend. citing.

2. “A Late Quartet” shows Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Hi-Pointe. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener are three members of a quartet torn apart by death and egos.

This film is a special presentation at SLIFF. Even though it has suffered middling reviews, the film should be interesting for the cast alone.

3. “Caesar Must Die” makes its SLIFF debut on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 4:15 p.m. at Plaza Frontenac Cinema. This intriguing Italian film blends fact and fiction, performance and reality, gray scale and color, to tell the tale of inmates in a highsecurity prison in Rome as they prepare their own production of “Julius Caesar.”

The film is Italy’s official submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the

St. Louis Symphony: Mozart Requiem Powell Symphony Hall Fri-Sat: 8 p.m., Sun: 3 p.m. $35 ($10 student tix)

November 10 Straight No Chaser Fox Theatre 8 p.m. from $29.50

Art 11th Annual ARTstravaganza St. Louis Artists’ Guild Fri: 4-9 p.m., Sat: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Other November 8-10 Festival of Dance Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL 8 p.m. $10 ($5 students tix)

85th Academy Awards.

4. “Struck By Lightning” shows Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tivoli Theatre. This one goes out to “Glee” fans. Chris Colfer (Kurt from “Glee”) writes and stars in this comedy about a young man who blackmails his fellow students into contributing to his literary magazine.

Somewhere in the plot, the assumption is he gets struck by lightning. Rebel

Wilson (“Bridesmaids”), Allison Janney (“The West Wing”), and Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”) co-star.

“This Is Not a Film” plays Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 1:45 p.m. at Plaza Frontenac Cinema. Yes, this is indeed a film, and a great one, according to reviews. Jafar Panahi is on house arrest, awaiting a return from the See “Film Festival” on Page 12

‘Top World Music Artist’ Celtic Thunder stops at Fox Theatre

November 9-11

November 9-11

NOVEMBER 7, 2012

Photo courtesy of Nine Network

Celtic Thunder singers: Emmet Cahill, George Donaldson, Keith Harkin, Neil Byrne, Ryan Kelly.

By KRISTIN MCGUIRE Staff Writer

Hailing all the way from Ireland, Celtic Thunder will make its way to St. Louis this Thursday, Nov. 8.

Surpassing sales of one million units combined, this

musical phenomenon has been hailed as Billboard’s Top World Music Artist, along with Top World Music Imprint and Top World Album of 2011 for “Heritage.”

Celtic Thunder is known for its eclectic style of repertoire, ranging from clas-

Writers stretch their fingers in “NaNoWriMo” challenge

sical Irish pieces to musical theatre and pop.

The five leading men are backed by the Celtic Thunder Band and their live shows are known for the use of dramatic effects and choreography, as well as a stage set resembling an ancient stone pathway sug-

gestive of those referenced in Celtic lore.

The group was formed in 2007 in Dublin, Ireland.

Emmet Cahill, the youngest member of the group, joined last year.

“What I thought was going to be a short lived spell has turned into a full time job,” Cahill said.

Originally from Mullingar, County Westmeath in Ireland, Cahill began playing music and singing at the age of five.

“I always used to sing in school, and the teachers saw I had a talent,” Cahill said.

As his talent and interest in music grew, he began to seek a degree in music, which is currently on hold while he travels with Celtic Thunder.

“I have a broad interest in music and music theatre. [Right now] I’m loving Mumford and Sons,” Cahill said.

Celtic Thunder is currently on tour around the U.S. and Australia.

Although the members love traveling together and experiencing so many different cities, Cahill admits that touring has its downsides as well.

“Sometimes when we come to a city we don’t get time to properly explore it.

Also after 14 weeks on a bus you are just craving for your own bed and a home cooked meal!”

The group performs in some incredible locations while touring.

“This year playing in the Pentagon was definitely the highlight for me. It was an amazing day,” Cahill said.

Other performances include opening for the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Cahill describes the show as “a mix of old and new Irish songs plus some mainstream songs as well.

It’s a mix for everyone and we try and give each audience a great night out.”

The group encourages SLU students to attend this Thursday.

“I think they will be surprised with how vibrant our show is and to see just how amazing our fans are singing along to all our songs!”

Cahill said.

To purchase tickets through the Fox Theatre box office, visit www.fabulousfox.com.

For more information about Celtic Thunder, visit www.celticthunder.ie

Cross Cultural Center exhibits ‘The Delmar Divide’

Until November 11 Facing the Shadow History Museum in Forest Park Thurs-Sat: 8 p.m., Sun: 2 p.m. $25 ($20 student tix)

November 11 MythBusters Behind the Myths Fox Theatre 7:30 p.m. from $45

November 10 Veterans Day Parade Downtown St. Louis 12 p.m free

Photo courtesy of www.nanowrimo.org

National Novel Writing Month began in 1999.

By MAGGIE NEEDHAM Associate Arts Editor

November is a month of gratitude, scarves and turkey. But for me, and for hundreds of thousands of other writers around the world, November means much more: National Novel Writing Month.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a challenge to anyone who’s ever thought about writing a novel but always been “too busy.” The goal is simple: write a 50,000-word piece of fiction in 30 days.

See “NaNoWriMo” on Page 13

Maggie Needham/ Associate Arts Editor

The Cross Cultural Center’s newest exhibit features St. Louis’ own Delmar Blvd., but unfortunately not for very positive reasons. The ten-mile road is one that divides two vastly different neighborhoods, separated by socioeconomic status and race after racist real estate regulations in the early 20th century. The informational exhibit will run every day until Fri. Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

12 ARTS

Taylor Swift’s ‘RED’ does not disappoint

Photo courtesy of www.taylorswift.com

Album artwork from Taylor Swift’s newest album, “RED”.

By BRIANNA RADICI Design Director

When I volunteered to write a review of Taylor Swift’s new album, “RED,” I thought it was going to be easy. I haven’t been listening to anything else lately.

And that’s no exaggeration.

I work on homework; I listen to “RED.” I sit waiting between classes; I listen to “RED.” I shower; I listen to “RED.” I even listen to a few songs before I go to sleep at night.

You’d think I’d be a pro at this whole “review” thing, right? Clearly I’ve listened to the album enough, so I should have an opinion one way or another.

NOVEMBER 7, 2012

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As I sat down to write this review, I quickly realized that I still don’t know exactly what to think about “T-Swift’s” newest musical project. When her first single from the album (“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”) debuted, I took the title to heart. I hated it. It wasn’t anything like the innocent, country girl that I had grown to know and love through the years.

I assured myself that I was done listening to Swift, and, much like her relationships in her songs, we were never EVER getting back together.

But then every radio station started playing the song. My friends became

obsessed, and I realized that I, too, loved this song.

That being said, I definitely have my favorites from the album. I could listen to “I Knew You Were Trouble” for hours on end and never get tired of it. It has that new, electro-popvibe that keeps you on your toes. It’s also great for blasting at full volume in the car.

Among some other toetappers are “22” and “Stay, Stay, Stay,” with catchy tempos and memorable lyrics. In “State of Grace,” Swift sings “love is a ruthless game, unless you play it good and right.” I couldn’t agree more.

“Begin Again” and “Red” brought me back to memories of the old Swift that I used to know. For both, Swift turned down the techno and let the lyrics speak for themselves in the wellknown scenario of young love and hopeless romance.

Which is why, I suppose, this album will inevitably become one of my new favorites.

Though it may have a completely different spin than her previous albums, I’ll always be a sucker for seemingly cheesy-but-true love songs that give girls like me reasons to believe that fairy-tale endings are possible or that there is such thing as love at first sight.

I’ll always find that song that relates back to the guy that sends my heart soaring every time I think of him or even that song that makes me think of the seeminglyperfect guy that turned out to be one of the biggest jerks I’ve ever met.

Whatever the case, I know there will always be a song from Taylor. Be it pop or country, I’ll welcome it with open arms. So far, “RED” doesn’t disappoint.

John Green tells a compelling story with ‘The Fault in Our Stars’

Photo courtesy of tumblr.com

The cover of young adult author John Green’s newest novel, “The Fault in Our Stars.”

By STEPHANIE MUELLER Staff Writer

Hazel Grace Lancaster is dying, but she’d be the first to point out that we all are.

Recently named one of the Publishers’ Weekly Top 10 Books of 2012, John Green strikes gold again with his January release, “The Fault in Our Stars,” featuring the dry-humored, 16-year-old Hazel.

Diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, Hazel is a notso-proud survivor of three years, the oxygen tank that follows her a constant reminder of a disease that just won’t go away.

As she sinks into a depression at the life that she’s living, the unlit-cigarette-yielding, painfully ironic, one-legged Augustus Waters swaggers in, and Hazel Grace’s story changes forever.

Drawing from “Julius Caesar” for the title, Hazel soon learns that the egregious cancer monster isn’t picky and that the fault that

lead her to this point was not her own but that of the world around her. There was no fault in her own stars, but her stars had undoubtedly been faulted.

Green’s fluid writing holds up his title as awardwinning while infusing his signature sarcasm and willingness to reach into the dark places in his writing.

Each page becomes the next without the reader even noticing. Stopping mid-novel, much less midchapter, is an impossibility for the enraptured audience as they yearn to hear what the wise-beyond-their-years duo will discover in their desire to really live before their chance expires.

This is not “The Notebook,” and Green is certainly not Nicholas Sparks, but that’s why this novel matters. There is love, undeniable from the moment the two meet at “Cancer Kid Support Group” to the very last page, where quantifying the love proves impossible with finality unlike any other. There is wit, from Isaac’s

blind video game play to an advertisement placed for a “vaguely pedophilic swing set.” There is rawness, from the reality of cancer that so often goes unseen to the acceptance that hits when “dying” becomes “died.”

That’s the kind of book that deserves to be written, though—the kind that says, “don’t put me down yet” until the first page becomes the last page. It’s the type of novel that makes the reader think that Hazel and Augustus are sitting across from them at the dinner table, relaying the story from five feet away instead of from the quirky world of Green’s imagination.

More than anything, though, this story deserves to be written because it is real. So often, novels overlook reality in search for that ‘epic’ love story and, in the process, lose the intricacies of the fall which Hazel so aptly describes as “slowly, then all at once.”

The reader will fall in love with this story the same way.

Film Festival: Don’t miss these six flicks

Zina Saro-Wiwa, Sarogua Mourning, 2011. Digital video.

Courtesy of the artist. ©2012 Zina Saro-Wiwa

opening reception

Friday, November 16, 5 – 9 pm Free and open to the public on view

November 16, 2012 – April 20, 2013

the pulitzer foundation for the arts 3716 Washington Boulevard 314.754.1850 pulitzerarts.org

Photo courtesy of www.cinemastlouis.org

Bradley Cooper. plays a man struggling to get back on his feet after his wife’s infidelity in “Silver Linings Playbook.”

Continued from Page 11

Iranian appeals court. Panahi, one of Iran’s most celebrated filmmakers, crafts this introspective, pseudodocumentary and explores issues facing contemporary Iranian cinema.

In 2010, Panahi was banned from making films for 20 years. The documentary, shot with a digital camcorder and an iPhone, was smuggled out of the coun-

try on a USB drive inside of a cake.

So, if anyone asks, this is not a film.

“Starbuck” shows Saturday, Nov. 10 at 6:15 p.m. at Plaza Frontenac Cinema. A lot of buzz surrounds this French-Canadian comedy about a man who finds out his significant other is pregnant.

Actually, a significant amount of others: 142 women, as a result of artificial insemination, are claiming he

is their baby-daddy. Hilarity ensues.

The comedy hit was a crowd-pleaser in its native land, and plans for a Hollywood remake are already in the works. Catch the original before it’s too late.

These are just six of the films that should feature on any film fan’s “to-see” list.

For the complete lineup, visit www.cinemastlouis. org. And, as Roger Ebert was wont to say, I’ll see you at the movies!

unewsonline.com

NOVEMBER 7, 2012

Datsik brings dubstep to STL

Ryan Doan/ Staff Photographer

Datsick performs inside of an electronic eyeball during his stop on his Firepower Tour.

By JASON MCCOY Staff Writer

Like it or not, dubstep is growing and enveloping many subcultures into a spastic conglomerate. Nowhere has this been more evident than at Datsik’s Firepower Tour.

The early hours of the show featured two disc jockey groups: Xkore and Terravita.

Matthew Cavender stood alone behind his mixers and in front of the Pageant’s stage curtain. He did an excellent job supporting the show, playing tunes that excited the audience. While his mix was exciting, it was far too fast. One song would play for about a minute before another one was mixed in.

After dropping little clips of Tetris game music into his mix, he played “Chain Hang Low” by Jibbs and

Flux Pavilions’ “Bass Cannon.” Datskik also played “Bass Cannon” in his later set. This choice in music was sloppy, considering the music a DJ has available.

Glow sticks were thrown into the crowd. One fan even returned fire and hit Xkore in the face.

After Xkore’s set, the typical Mac Book swap occurred, and Terravita took the stage. Similar to Xkore, Terravita mixed exciting tracks together. Unlike Xkore, Terravita featured a rapper. Sometimes this rapper acted as master of ceremonies and rapped original material. He also sang along with lyrics mixed in by the DJs as a karaoke singer. It was difficult to understand why the DJs didn’t remove the lyrics from the songs.

The tracks played were as diverse as the audience gathered to listen. Terravita mixed “Minefields” by

Prodigy, “Paper Planes” by MIA and “Bulls On Parade”

by Rage Against The Machine into a very pleasing whole.

As the black curtains were drawn from the main stage, Datsik took his place at the helm. His mixers and instruments sat in a screen constructed to resemble a 20-foot-tall subwoofer. Behind the crowd, a projector the size of a Smart Car was hoisted to the ceiling to light up the subwoofer with images of circuits and neurons that flowed in a psychedelic blur.

The bass in the room was incredible. It seemed as if the speakers typically used for a show in a basketball arena were packed into the much smaller Pageant stage. After the first drop, listeners could feel the bass hit their chests, rebound off the rear wall, and hit their backs.

Datsik played this set like a DJ as his openers had, but his mix was subtler. One track flowed into another without drawing unwarranted attention. Early in the set he played his earlier remixes of top dubstep tracks.

Datsik’s made his background in rap evident near the middle of his set when he mixed over leading rap tracks from the 90s. This switch was inviting, and the bass was almost loud enough to be painful. Datsik heavily mixed tracks from his recently released first album, “Vitamin D,” into the end of his set. He also played a few tracks from a frequent collaborator Excision.

As the exhausted fans exited into the cold night, few disagreed that Datsik was, as his name suggests, “that sick.”

Excellence Awards 2013 Arts & Sciences Excellence Awards

ARTS 13

NaNoWriMo: A daunting deed

Lamar cracks the Top 100

By WOLF HOWARD Associate News Editor

Photo courtesy of mpclemens

The cover of young adult author John Green’s newest novel, “The Fault in Our Stars.”

Continued from Page 11

is a challenge to anyone who’s ever thought about writing a novel but always been “too busy.” The goal is simple: write a 50,000-word piece of fiction in 30 days.

Avoid watching TV, decline a few social invitations, stop mindlessly scrolling though Facebook and use that time to write the novel that’s always been in the back of your mind.

Because I know you’re thinking it, no, you can’t write a good novel in a month. No one can write a good novel in a month.

But no one can write a good novel in a first draft no matter how long it takes to write, so why not get it out there as quickly as possible?

That is the argument of NaNoWriMo, and it has inspired not only amateur writers but also professional ones. Best-selling books such as Erin Morgenstern’s “The Night Circus” and Sarah Gruen’s “Water for Elephants” had their humble beginnings as NaNoWriMo first drafts.

For most, though, publication and fame are not the aims of the month. The aim is simply to write -- not to talk about writing, think about writing, or plan to write, but to sit down and put words on the page.

NaNoWriMo makes the unusual argument for quantity over quality. Editing is what December is for.

Last year, more than 250,000 writers participated in NaNoWriMo, and more than 36,000 entered December as winners and novelists.

The number of participants has grown every year since the contest’s inception in 1999 with only 21 participants.

NaNoWriMo’s website

turns the usually solitary activity of writing into a sort of community sport. The forums offer a place to rejoice when writing is going well and vent frustration when it is not, as well as ask for tips and advice to make it through the month in one piece.

Participants can also add each other as “writing buddies” to keep tabs on each other’s progress and imbue a sense of competition among writers.

The writing community is not simply online, however. Participants can sign up for a home region, where municipal liaisons organize kick-off parties on Nov. 1, write-ins throughout the month and the always long-awaited “TGIO” (Thank God It’s Over) party on Dec. 1. More than 3,700 writers are signed up in the St. Louis region.

The most tangible outcome of participating in NaNoWriMo, of course, is a completed manuscript.

However, in my three years of participating, I’ve found that the most rewarding result of the month-long literary adventure isn’t the novel itself but the rediscovery of the joys of writing.

NaNoWriMo is difficult, sometimes painful and almost always inconvenient.

Social time, homework and (most of all) sleep are sacrificed in the name of writing. I face self-doubt, lack of inspiration and emotional breakdowns on an almost daily basis.

Through it all, somehow the most accurate word I can use to describe the experience is fun. Committing myself to writing a novel in a month is a terrifying risk, but it is worth it, because I never feel more alive than I do while writing.

National Novel Writing Month is a yearly reminder of that.

FRESH. Excellence in Undergraduate and Graduate Teaching Awards Excellence in Undergraduate and Graduate Mentoring Awards Excellence in Adjunct Teaching Award Arts and Sciences Staff Excellence Award

FAST. TASTY.

Faculty from the College of Arts & Sciences as well as undergraduates with majors in the College and graduate students pursuing an advanced degree are encouraged to submit nominations for the College's Annual Excellence Awards. One full-time professor in each of the College divisions (humanities, sciences, social sciences) will be chosen for an Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. An Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring Award will be given to one full-time faculty member from the College.

An Excellence in Graduate Teaching and an Excellence in Graduate Mentoring will be awarded to a faculty member in Graduate Education. An Excellence in Adjunct Teaching Award and an Arts and Sciences Staff Excellence Award are also being offered this year. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to submit nominations for the Staff Excellence Award.

Artist Kendrick

FREAKY FAST

DELIVERY! ©2011 JIMMY JOHN’S FRANCHISE, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Yes, perhaps your favorite rapper can convince a legion of attractive, shapely women to drop it to the floor with no hands while sipping on cognac and rolling on dubs: but can he deliver the wisdom of a preacher with voice of an average man and a style so much his own that he lands his debut album at 113 on the Billboard Top 200 without a single to his name? Then he’s probably not as talented as Kendrick Lamar.

The Compton rapper is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in hip-hop, heralded as the future of the genre by Nas and “the king of west coast rap” by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. By rap standards, that puts Lamar in contention for the title of “Best Rapper Alive,” one held by Lil’ Wayne, Drake, and essentially every other rapper to put lyrics to a beat. “Section.80” broke boundaries as an independent, digitalonly release and Lamar made his without touching the mainstream radio or the music video scene.

The tremendous hype swirling around Lamar led his follow-up, “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” to be one of the most anticipated albums of the year. I’m happy to say that Lamar in no way disappoints on his impressive sophomore attempt.

Unlike “Section.80,” which was meant to capture the apathy and self-destruction plaguing his generation and inspire his peers to fight for a better life, “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” takes a very personal look at Kendrick’s life as a man growing up in Compton.

It details the conflicts between his internal conscience and the dark and criminal tendencies of his friends and his city.

Skits are intertwined between songs, combining reenactments of phone calls from his mother, his interactions with gangsters and his friends to keep the story focused and fluid and help the listener to share in Lamar’s experience.

The most impressive quality of the album is its ability to deftly develop a context. The complex yet cohesive situation Lamar presents is testament to his skill as a storyteller. It’s obvious to us that Lamar is an outsider in the story, yet he never separates himself from the situation: at all times we are witness to a man truly trapped in a dangerous, destructive life.

Highlights include “Swimming Pools (Drank),” a disturbingly accurate portrayal of alcoholic over-consumption, and “The Art of Peer Pressure,” a real story demonstrating how the people you surround yourself with can alter who you are.

“Backseat Freestyle” first appears to be a strange and an uncomfortably common departure from Kendrick’s usual style, but within the context of the album it is a snapshot of his early days rapping under the name “K.dot,” and thus becomes one of the most interesting tracks on the album. “good kid” is a gripping account of the viciousness Lamar was subjected to, both by the gangs in his neighborhood and the police, and his constant fight to remain a good person in spite of it all.

“Compton” is the only disappointment on the album. It seems like it would be better suited as a bonus track, sitting with the likes of summer single “The Recipe.” The introspective “Real” would have been a much more impactful and resonant way to close out Kendrick’s otherwise brilliant piece of history.

Despite this, “good kid, m.A.A.d city” is easily one of the most intelligent and deep portraits of a young man’s life to date, and certainly one of the best albums released all year.

14 ADVERTISEMENT

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NOVEMBER 7, 2012

Jesuit Vocation Week - Nov.5-10 Co-sponsored by Mission & Ministry

Trivia Night with the Jesuits

Wednesday, November 7, 2012 Boileau Hall - 7pm

Gather your friends, team up with a Jesuit, and compete in the 2nd annual Trivia Night with the Jesuits! slu.edu/sjye

What’s In Your Wallet?

A discussion on perceptions of social class at SLU. Co-sponsored by SLU/Fused

@SLUGetInvolved Wednesday, November 14, 2012 4:00-5:30 pm BSC 253 A & D

www.slu.edu/ccc.xml ccc@slu.edu

SIGN UP for the next NOV. 27 & DEC. 5

greendot.slu.edu