September 27, 2012 (No. 5)

U University News Thursday, September 27, 2012

the

Vol. XCV No. 5

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A student voice of SLU since 1919

50 of 57 cast ‘yay’ vote on No Confidence

By KRISTEN MIANO New Editor TJ KEELEY Managing Editor

John Schuler/ Photo Editor

Mark Kneupher (left) and Blake Exline (right) field s questions during the Student Governement meeting on Sept. 26

Faculty senate head, VP, field questions and chairs so they might also give feedback, Patankar said.

The FSEC labeled the draft policy “irremediably This week’s Student flawed.” The SLU adminisGovernment Association tration withdrew the review meeting was highlighted proposal on Sept. 17 due to by appearances from Vice the harsh criticism it faced President of Academic Affrom various sources. fairs Manoj Patankar and Patankar announced Faculty Senate President that a blue ribbon commitMark Knuepfer concerning tee was being formed, at the recent controversy surthe behest of the Board of rounding Patankar’s faculty Trustees, with the intention review policy draft. of “developing better poliPatankar and Knuepfer cies and, more importantly, presented their respective communication processes.” sides of the story and fieldThe blue ribbon committee ed questions from students. is to include nominations Patankar consistently from students, faculty and emphasized issues with administrators. communication as the When queried by stusource of most of the condents as to why there was troversy between the facsuch backlash concerning ulty and administration at the review Saint Louis process proUniversity. posed, PaPatantankar called kar talked I don’t think the ad- it an issue of about various oppor- ministration has shown “ o p e r a t i n g from differtunities and initia- that our system has ent mental tives that failed... If anyone isn’t models” in terms of had taken place over doing their job, they’re what is important and the last supposed to be fired. how to comyear to enmunicate. sure SLU -Mark Kneupfer He also atfaculty was tributed engaged in some of the backlash to the process of drafting an hysteria. evaluation policy focused Knuepfer apparently on improving the perforagreed, and opened his premance of SLU professors sentation by saying, “On alin educational effectivemost everything we have a ness and research. There different point of view.” were multiple open forums He defended the FSEC held in the spring of 2012. claim of fundamental Three faculty-administrator changes in the policy becommittees were formed tween their conversations and worked over multiple with Patankar and its premonths on recommendasentation to the faculty by tions for a new policy. pointing out that they were He also pointed out that discussing proposals until post-tenure review is not a the committee voted to renew concept, citing top-50 move them entirely. schools with similar poli“I don’t think the admincies: the list included Washistration has shown that our ington University, Rice Unisystem has failed,” Knuepversity and Vanderbilt. fer said. He pointed out that According to Patankar, there are already policies in he asked for feedback about place that allow the adminhis review policy from the istration to remove faculty Faculty Senate Executive that are severely underperCommittee (FSEC) by Sept. forming.

30. The Senate planned for “If anybody isn’t doing the Faculty Academic Aftheir job, they’re supposed fairs Committee to hold to be fired,” Knuepfer said. two meetings in September Knuepfer also stated that to go over the policy and recommended he release See “SGA” on Page 2 a draft to university deans

In the Faculty Senate Meeting on Sept. 25, the Senate took a vote on their confidence in the ability of Manoj Patankar, Vice President of Academic Affairs, to serve in his role. By a vote of 50 to 3, with four senators abstaining, the Senate took a vote of no confidence against Patankar.

“After careful deliberation and with full understanding of the gravity of its actions, the Faculty Senate has voted no confidence in the leadership of the current Vice President for Academic Affairs and requests that the President begin the process of selecting a successor and carrying out

an orderly transition in that position, “the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate stated in a letter sent to Saint Louis University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J. on Sept. 26.

The primary reasons cited by the Faculty Senate for the vote of no confidence included the proposed faculty review policies which violated the Faculty Manual; the evaluation procedures used to evaluate the College of Education and Public Service; inadequate response and leadership to issues remaining after the reorganization of the Graduate School; the complex procedures to gain approval for administrative activities such as hiring and sabbaticals; and a lack of consideration for faculty input and poor collaboration on vari-

ous matters, including the role and the goals of the Strategic Plan.

The letter also said that should the University begin a search for a new leader for the Office of Academic Affairs, the Faculty Senate would be willing to work in collaboration to achieve the best possible outcome in an effort to promote the success of the University.

During the Faculty Senate meeting, senators voiced their concerns with Patankar’s leadership and his collaboration with the faculty. Senators also worried about possible damage not only to faculty morale but the ability of the University to attract and retain effective professors.

This vote comes after the College of Arts and Sciences Council voted no

confidence in Patankar on Sept. 18. The council then brought the vote to the Faculty Senate, which conducted the vote after some deliberation. The council also sent some comments and feedback to the Office of the President, expressing their concerns and reasons for their actions.

On Sept. 24, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Thomas Brouster, released a letter to all faculty, staff and students stating that at the Sept. 22 meeting of the Board, the Trustees unanimously affirmed their confidence not only in the President and his Vice Presidents, but also affirmed their approval of the University’s strategic planning efforts and its goal to See “Vote” on Page 3

Quarter century of progress

Biondi’s record: buildings,campus beautification

By WOLF HOWARD Associate News Editor

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INSIDE:

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NEWS

Bri Radici/ Design Director

Lawrence Biondi S.J. through the years. Biondi has been president of Saint Louis University for the last 25 years, making his tenure as president on of the longest in history.

By KRISTEN MIANO News Editor

On Sept. 30, 1987, representatives from Saint Louis University and numerous other American institutions of higher education gathered in Powell Symphony Hall to attend the inauguration of SLU’s 31st president.

When Lawrence Biondi, S.J., began his time as SLU’s president, he was 48 years old and had formerly been the Dean of Arts and

sing an aria from Il Trovatore or, better yet, La Traviata,” Biondi said. “For me, a lover of opera in particular and music in general, such is the stuff that dreams are made of.”

“But then,” he continued. “So is becoming the President of Saint Louis University.”

Twenty-five years later, Biondi is still living that dream.

By the time Biondi succeeded Thomas Fitzgerald,

S.J. as the University’s president, he had already built a resume in academia approximately 15 years long.

After receiving his Ph.D. in Socio-linguistics from Georgetown University in 1975, this Chicago native went on to become the chair of the Modern Language Department at Loyola University Chicago. Four years later, he became the dean of Loyola Chicago’s College of See “Biondi” on Page 3

SGA, administration tackles mailroom boondoggle

By KATHERINE KELLIHER Staff Writer

Long lines outside of the mailroom are now a thing of the past.

Due to technical difficulties, the Saint Louis University mail services was severely behind for the first few weeks of classes, also known as the ‘peak’ mail time as students are receiving textbooks and school supplies. These issues were then reported to Dr. Mona Hicks, dean of students.

By Sept. 14, however, the management staff and Student Development were made aware of the dilemma and, by the following Monday, mail services was

2 OPINION

>> Meet SLU’s head wizard

Sciences at Loyola University Chicago. He opened his inaugural address not by speaking about his new position, but by disclosing his dream of being an opera singer.

“No one named Biondi could stand spotlighted here at Centerstage in one of our nation’s premiere concert halls without becoming an Italian Walter Mitty, imagining you are all assembled in trembling expectation of hearing me

>> City sights to see

caught up to speed.

In an e-mail sent to students on Sept. 17, the Dean’s office reported: “Due to the recent increase in mail and packages at this time of year, as well as technical issues, we recognize that students may have experienced a delay in receiving their mail. Please know that the Busch Student Center Student Mail Services is committed to getting mail to students in a timely manner. We are working diligently to address this issue.”

According to Blake Exline, Student Government Association president, the See “Mail” on Page 3

4 ARTS

John Schuler/ Photo Editor

Students wait for packages in the Busch Student Center Mailroom

9 SPORTS

>> Forest Park’s Jazzfest

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>> Graydon’s American dream

2 NEWS

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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Let Us Introduce You: Molly Carroll Student brings magic to campus with Dumbledore’s Army

By HANNAH WILEY Staff Writer

Dumbledore’s Army stands 300 strong. At least that’s how many names have been added to the club’s mailing list, something President and founder, sophomore Molly Carroll is humbly proud of.

What was originally an idea posted on the Saint Louis University’s Class of 2015’s Facebook page last year has rapidly grown into one of the largest student organizations on campus.

Carroll, an English major, has had a deep relationship with the Harry Potter books since an early age.

In 1997, at the age of five years old, Caroll laid hands on her first Harry Potter book. She said she remembers her mom bringing home a book with a cover picturing a boy flying on a broom for her to read.

“I remember thinking ‘Why does that boy get to ride on a broomstick?

I want to do that. It’s not fair!’” Carroll said. Her devout loyalty to the series and her tendency toward leadership lead Carroll to begin Dumbledore’s Army when she was only a freshman at SLU. The one and only Harry Potter-centric club on campus quickly attracted memebers. Now that the fan club has finished the probationary period mandated for all new student groups, the newly chartered organization is beginning to plan their events for the year.

Carroll and her “team” are working to plan Wizard Rock (or Wrock) concerts, Harry Potter movie showings, trivia nights and a spring Yule Ball. The Dumbledore’s Army Quidditch Team is already gearing up to compete against the Quidditch teams at Webster, Fontbonne, Mizzou and Washington University.

The team is also aspiring to play in the Midwest Tournament of the International Quidditch Association.

Though the events are aimed at the big Potter fans

THE SLU SCOOP All Information Provided by Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Monday, Sept. 24

8:05 p.m. - SUPPLEMENTAL

John Schuler/ Photo Editor

on campus, Carroll wants to cater to the less enthusiastic as well. Membership in the group is not mandatory and all are welcome at Dumbledore’s Army meetings and events. Carroll said her reasoning for this is that she wants to exude the core values of Harry Potter in her leadership position: loyalty and acceptance. When one takes into account Carroll’s emphasis on these two virtues, it is not surprising that her favorite character from the series is Severus Snape, the potions master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

“I identified with him a lot in the fifth book; he was picked on a lot,” Carroll said. “And I think that he would be one of my friends.

I loved his story with Lily; I actually had to put the book down and cry when he died.”

Carroll said Snape is easy to relate to because he was bullied, something many people have dealt with in their lives. It is because of this that Carroll wants Dumbledore’s Army to be a very welcoming group. It

is also not much of a surprise that Carroll’s favorite book was “The Order of the Phoenix”, the fifth book in the overall series, as it is in this book when Dumbledore’s Army formed and fought against the injustice of the new headmistress.

“There’s a certain spirit of rebellion when they all go against establishment.

And that’s kind of what student organizations are all about” Caroll said.

In everything that Carroll has accomplished thus far in her time as Dumbledore’s Army president, she has used the passion she discovered in J.K. Rowling’s writing.

With a keen interest in fantasy and Sci-Fi writing, Carroll wants to eventually use media in the same way she believes Rowling to have done. She wants to make the world a better place.

As the might of Dumbledore’s Army saved the day in the beloved story, the SLU chapter of Dumbledore’s Army is well on its way to bringing some much needed magic to campus.

A RA contacted DPSEP in regards to a harassment complaint from a previous incident. Officers were informed that a student that was involved in a room search for possible marijuana was harassing other students by way of Facebook.

8:06 p.m. - SICK CASE

for a report. The student had minor damage to her vehicle.

Tuesday, Sept. 25

During the storm, two window panes in the Salus lobby were blown out and water began running in the lobby area near the fountain.

Maintenance was notified and responded. Maintenance notified a company to board up the windows.

A DPSEP officer responded to a call at Walsh Hall in regards to a student who was ill. Upon arrival of the officers, the student was alert, conscious and breathing.

EMS was contacted. The student was transported to the SLUH ER. Pro Staff is aware.

3:44 a.m. - PROPERTY DAMAGE

A student drove into the gate arm on the Seattle lot breaking off the bolt that holds it on. DPSEP responded to take the necessary information

6:19 .m. - PROPERTY DAMAGE

Be a Responsible Billiken STOP. CALL. REPORT. 314-977-3000 witness.slu.edu dps.slu.edu

“Report a crime by texting a summary to 274637 (CRIMES). Text STOP to 274637 to cancel. Text HELP to 274637 for help. Message and data rates may apply.”

SGA: Blue Ribbon Committee discussed Continued from Page 1

the evaluation system the FSEC proposed to Patankar was not present in his draft policy. He stated that the FSEC is in support of a post-tenure review process that’s focused on development. An example he mentioned wassending professors to centers focused on improving educators’ performance.

Knuepfer said the policy was shared with SLU Faculty due to the controversial nature of the proposal. The Faculty Senate’s vote of no confidence in Patankar on Tuesday night cited his failure to provide leadership on issues concerning faculty performance amongst others.

Knuepfer stated that his greatest concern with the drafted policy was that, de-

spite the potentially positive effects of a post-tenure review process, the final decision of employment fell in the hands of Patankar.

Another big concern for Knuepfer has been the lack of communication between President Lawrence Biondi and the faculty.

“I know people at other Jesuit universities that sit down with their president quite often and discuss matters,” Knuepfer said, whereas he finds it hard to get in contact with Biondi.

SLU faculty is also left out of budgetary talks, one reason Knuepfer believes that the faculty at SLU is the most underpaid of any American Catholic university.

In the debate following the presentations, some students wanted SGA to rail against Patankar and pass their own vote of no confidence due to the constant

controversy and perceived failures resulting from his time in his position.

Other students denied a call for no confidence, arguing that removing Patankar would only create more uncertainty and turmoil. No vote was taken.

The assembly concluded with a bill introducing five new senators.

Another bill proposing an amendment to allow SGA to call a special meeting at the end of a school year was brought up. The amendment is a response to the pocket veto SGA President Emeritus Matt Ryan used at the end of the last school year.

Despite the senate’s passage of a bill banning tickets in SGA executive elections, Ryan vetoed the bill before the end of the school year, effectively making the senate’s votes null.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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NEWS

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Group fights hunger in El Salvador Vote: Senate

By WOLF HOWARD Associate News Editor

Tortillas for Tepecoyo works to fight hunger in and form relationships with the rural community of Tepecoyo, El Salvador.

The newly formed group hopes to help support the comedor, similar to a soup kitchen, in La Javia, Tepecoyo through communication and donations. The comedor in Tepecoyo was created and is maintained by a local woman named Angelica Portillo. “’Tortillas is an opportunity not only to make sure mouths are fed but to make a real connection between two vastly different realities,” Lindsay Noeson said.

Portillo decided to try to open a comedor in order to help children get proper nutrition and continue to develop and grow healthily.

La Javia is a small community in El Salvador which used relied heavily on its agriculture. Bad weather and overuse of the land has destroyed the agricultural options for the community in recent years.

This left many of the families of Tepecoyo without a steady form of income, and as a result it became harder and harder for parents to feed their children regularly. This in turn meant that children weren’t eating properly, if at all, and thus struggling both in terms of health and education, un-

able to learn and develop properly in school.

Portillo’s kitchen serves as a place where parents can send their children when they are struggling to pay for food and support their families.

According to Alexa Phillips, the group’s vice president, Portillo thought it would be impossible to successfully open a comedor.

Even now, she struggles to keep her service running.

Students that were in the community with the Casa de la Solidaridad have done their best to help support Portillo’s work.

Casa de la Solidaridad is a study abroad program based in El Salvador that brings together Salvadoran and American students at the university level to live in community with each other.

The program focuses on accompaniment, spirituality and relationship.

The comedor has been supported by various groups since it was opened 13 years ago, but never has enough funding to remain open indefinitely. There have been multiple occasions when Portillo had to shut the program down entirely.

Portillo’s kitchen now serves roughly 26 young people, ranging from ages five to 18, and functions solely on donations, most of which come from students interested in helping the community succeed.

Lindsey Weston, a se-

nior in the School of Social Work, with the help of Ella Guimond of University of San Diego and Katie Long of Marquette University started Tortillas for Tepecoyo in an attempt to further support the community of Tepecoyo.

Weston created a website for the program in January of 2012 to try to gather donations. The organization was based at Saint Louis University and began last Spring when Weston applied for a Bright Ideas Grant through the school.

Weston’s application for a grant highlighted the importance of nutrition in academic success, and the grant was written with the intention of heightening cultural awareness at SLU. Weston hopes that by getting involved with Tortillas for Tepecoyo, students can have valuable experiences with people from an entirely different culture.

“I believe there is an entirely different type of learning that can be gained through living, through conversations with people you’ve never met and through the exploration of other cultures,” Weston said. “Our goal is to share the knowledge we gained in El Salvador with as many people we can.”

Tortillas held their first meeting on Sept. 24.

“We did not want to come in as outsiders with the mentality that with our money, we could do any-

thing,” said Weston. “[We] did not want to simply ask for donations.”

Tortillas for Tepecoyo wants to focus on forming relationships between American students and the community of Tepecoyo first and foremost.

They hope to do this through a pen pal program where students correspond with children that benefit from the comedor.

Those currently involved in the program are all deeply attached to Tepecoyo, having already spent time there through the Casa program.

“The days I spent with the moms cooking and feeding the kids were some of the best experiences I had during my time [in El Salvador],” said Lindsay Noesen, a Casa alumnus and Physical Therapy student at SLU. “We want members who are invested in making relationships,” Weston said.

“We want people to write letters and to be open to sharing and to be open to listening.”

A long-term goal of the group is to generate donations for the comedor to remain open for as long as the people of Tepecoyo need it.

According to Weston, Tortillas plans to hold small funding events throughout the fall semester.

There is also a Night of Solidarity planned for the spring, an event including food, music, speakers and dances.

Biondi fields questions from Greek community

awaits response

John Schuler/ Photo Editor

Manoj Patanker answers questions from students at Wednesday’s SGA meeting.

Continued from Page 1

become a top-50 school.

“In advancing the University’s efforts for excellence, the Board of Trustees further stated its support of the September 14, 2012 agreement of the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate, the Academic Deans, the Vice Presidents and the President to proceed with meaningful and continuous faculty development within the context of a collaborative process and implementation in order to continue to advance the University,” the letter from Brouster stated.

According to Clayton Berry, Assistant Vice President for Communications, the administration was disappointed by the vote.

“We believe we have acted reasonably and collabor-

Mail: Package delivery delay resolved Continued from Page 1

Kristen Miano / News Editor

Lawrence Biondi S.J., the president of Saint Louis University, meet and answered the questions of represenatives from the different fraternities and sororities of SLU’s Greek Life on Sept. 26 at 7 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room in Demattis Hall.

atively in responding to the faculty’s concerns,” Berry said. “We don’t believe the vote was warranted.”

Berry further noted that the University’s Board of Trustees has expressed its support for Biondi and all of SLU’s vice presidents.

He added that Patankar will continue to work on the University’s strategic planning process, while seeking ongoing collaboration with deans, academic department chairs and members of the faculty.

“I don’t think you can doubt Dr. Patankar’s commitment to the institution and to moving the university forward,” Berry said.

“He remains committed to working with the faculty and the Faculty Senate in a collaborative way.”

The Faculty Senate asked that Biondi respond to their letter by Oct. 2.

mail services should be up to date. Exline also noted, “[there are] still improvements to be made.”

The mail dilemma has had a grave effect on students. Sophomore Shannon Doherty waited a month before she received important packages such as medicine and her drivers’ license.

Another sophomore Katie Maslar, agreed with Exline on the need for improvement.

“I wish I could get my packages much faster.”

Maslar said.

Sophomore Joseph Dubuque said he understood why the delay in mail happened, but would like to see a faster turnover time from the mailroom signing for the package to the student being notified and being able to pick up package.

“I understand the mailroom has times when a lot of packages come in at once and it takes an extra day or two for the packages to be processed, but that hasn’t

been the case,” Dubuque commented. “For those of us who ordered text books or perishable goods, a wait that long is unacceptable.”

According to Exline, discussion to solve the mail room dilemma has been ongoing since last school year when the Residential Affairs Committee in SGA brought the matter to light.

The RAC did research on why mail was not reaching SLU from the U.S. postal office in a timely fashion.

This past summer, Exline spent time with the management of mail services and researched the process of how mail goes from the U.S. postal office to SLU’s mail services. During this process, inefficiencies were found and progress was made in the processing procedure, but not as much as he had hoped.

“SGA will be pursuing any and all avenues to repair and advocate for a better mail system,” Exline said, “We encourage anyone and everyone to email SGA with any feedback and suggested improvements.”

Biondi: President aims to improve SLU’s ranking Continued from Page 1

Arts and Science, where he remained until 1987.

Though Biondi had his beginnings at Loyola Chicago, his involvement at SLU began even before he became president. Beginning in 1982, he served as a member of the SLU Board of Trustees and his promotion was met with approval by the chair of the Board at the time, William Bush.

“We are vey enthusiastic about Fr. Biondi’s appointment and feel that he will be a very capable leader for this fine and versatile university,” Bush said.

When Biondi first took office, his main goal was to improve the academic standing of SLU. “The building boom of the eighties is all but concluded,” Biondi said in his address, “And our aim now must be to fill them with the very best professors and the most gifted and professional students.”

Keeping his promise, Biondi wasted no time in creating a platform for

SLU academics to improve.

In January 1989, he announced the creation of a strategic planning committee to develop goals that would guide the university into the next century.

Based on a survey sent to students, faculty and staff, Biondi laid out eleven goals for the strategic planning committee in an interview with Joe Muelenkamp of The University News, including commitments to academic quality, the Jesuit mission, student success, financial responsibility and continued communication and planning.

After 25 years in office, it is undeniable that Biondi has improved the University. As of 2012, the University is ranked 92nd in the country. SLU is the only Jesuit institution with a school of Public Health and boasts a Health Law Program ranked number one in the county. The average ACT score of incoming freshmen is a 27, and over 90 percent of students receive some form of financial or meritbased aid. The number of

the Billiken Basketball profaculty on campus has ingram a permanent home, creased significantly in the but also brought a new last 25 years and SLU now business venture into the features and approximate area. The construction Ho13-1 student to faculty ratio. tel Ignacio, an upscale hoBeyond academics, Biontel located on Olive St., can di has also made strides also be attributed to Biondi. in the University decisionThe hotel has making been a noteprocess. worthy part Early in his tenThe building boom of the reviure, he of the eighties is all but talization of the Midtown created the Presi- concluded, and our aim area.

The moddent’s Co- no must be to fill them o r d i n a t - with the ver y best pro- ern campus in nearly ing Council, which fessors and the most unr ecognizfrom came to gifted and professional able the campus be a con- students of 25 years sulting ago thanks body com- -Lawrence Biondi to numerous prised of building and student, renovation projects, which faculty and staff representook place during Biondi’s tatives who serve to advise term. He has worked to decision making as a means create an “urban” campus, of shared governance. an endeavor that has inDuring his time as presicluded the creation of malls dent, Biondi has also overon both the Frost and the seen some defining changMedical campuses, lined es to SLU’s campus and with trees, flowers and surrounding Midtown area. sculptures. He also oversaw The completion of Chaifetz the renovations of the John Arena in 2008 not only gave

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Cook School of Business, the Pius Memorial Library and the Simon Recreation Center. Biondi also added parking lots to the area and integrated Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology with the Frost Campus.

Despite the accomplishments he has achieved, Biondi’s term has not been without controversy. In 1998, he came under fire for selling SLU teaching hospital for $330 million. In 1999, the Student Government Association voted ‘No Confidence’ on his administration after parking rates increased by approximately 65 percent.

The effectiveness of shared governance at the University has been called to question several times over the years, resulting in some tension between the faculty, administration and students.

Biondi’s lawsuit against Communication professor and former adviser of The University News, Avis Meyer, in 2007 over his use of SLU’s copyrighted name

when he tried to create an option for the student newspaper to move off campus drew fire from some students, faculty and other groups. The suit was settled in 2009, according to reporting by the Post-Dispatch.

In recent months, Biondi was criticized when Annette Clark, former dean of the Law School, resigned her position. Clark alleged the Biondi had wrongly transferred funds from the Law School to the President’s Opportunity Fund and had neglected to consult her on the decision to relocate the Law School to a downtown location.

After 25 years as president, Biondi is tied with Paul Reinert S.J. for the longest tenure as SLU’s president. Biondi has no known plans to retire and will continue to work to improve the University.

In the future, Biondi has plans to see SLU become the best Catholic institution in the nation break into the top 50 universities on the US News and World Report rankings.

U OPINION

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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Quotes

of the week Erika Klotz / Chief Illustrator Erika Klotz/ Chief Illustrator

Break out of the “SLU bubble” During SLU’s upcoming family weekend, many students will take their families on campus tours. A dorm or apartment building, College Church, the Busch Student Center, Simon Rec and Chaifetz will likely all be featured. Ever y need, physical, social or spiritual, seems to be provided for within these few city blocks, each one lined with blue SLU banners, bright flowerbeds and black metal arches with “Saint Louis University” in gold lettering.

SLU’s campus is undeniably beautiful, especially when the fountains are flowing and the flowers are in bloom. The facilities also leave little to be desired. Yet to remain within the box made by Compton, Laclede, Vandeventer and Lindell is to miss out on one of the principal benefits of attending SLU: its urban location.

Many universities, though they may have larger campuses or nicer amenities than SLU, are limited by their location. Oftentimes where the campus ends, the cornfield begins, and there is little to do off the campus. Not so with SLU; located in a vibrant and historic city, there are more things to do and places to visit than anyone could fit in a lifetime, let alone in four short years.

With the Grand Metrolink station open once again, car-free students can explore St. Louis with ease. Juniors and seniors may remember taking trips to the Loop or to a Cardinals or Blues game on the metro in their younger days. For SLU’s two newest classes, however, the new station offers up opportunities that they may have never even considered.

So this year, make a resolution to acquaint yourself with St. Louis. Enjoy the beautiful fall weather in Forest Park. Leaf through books in one of the Central

West End’s shops. See a concert in the Loop and grab some Froyo on the way out. Give your taste buds a multicultural experience in one of the many excellent restaurants on South Grand, or enjoy world-class art in Grand Center, just a block north of SLU. The Hill is a short taxi ride away, and the Italian fare offered there ranges from college-affordable (for that date you’re planning) to higher-end (for when the parents are in town).

For those who are of age, there are more nightlife options in St. Louis than just Humps and the Librar y Annex. Have a pint at one of Soulard’s many bars, or head to Laclede’s Landing for happening nightlife in a historic setting. St. Louis is also home to a number of excellent microbreweries, with Urban Chestnut and Six Row Brewing Company within walking distance of SLU. Of course, as in all cities, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings in order to stay safe. Travel in groups and make sure you know where you’re going.

A few precautions go a long way, and while there are risks associated with traveling through the city, they are often worth taking in order to get the most out of your college experience. And as always, drinking and driving is never acceptable; call a cab and you will never regret it.

So enjoy SLU. College is too brief not to make the most of it. But also broaden your horizons and take time to explore and enjoy the city. They say most learning occurs outside the classroom; it may be that your most valuable learning experiences occur outside the campus. Then, when the family comes in from out of town, you can show them more than just a campus. You can show them a city.

Making the most of your meals in college Short on cash and even shorter on time, most college students treat meals like a NASCAR driver treats a pit stop. Eating is an act of necessity focused more on refueling than on relaxation.

Perhaps this tendency is not limited to college campuses. How many families still sit down on a regular basis and eat a meal together? When they do, how often did they cook that meal themselves? The timehonored tradition of family mealtime has had its foundations shaken by demographic and social changes, as well as by the generally faster pace of contemporar y life.

How have these changes affected us? The impact may be greater than most people realize.

First, the move towards quick meals and fast food has resulted in a decline in appreciation for food as an art form. Sure, frozen pizza makes a good dinner in a pinch, but do you spend time savoring it? Is the flavor at all memorable? Most quick meals ser ve as a sort of “human chow,” low in flavor and mostly just filler.

Second, not paying attention to what you eat can have serious health consequences. When you take time to prepare a meal, you are more aware of what goes into it. Who knows what comes in that microwaveable box you bought at Schnucks? Take a look at the back and you’ll likely find that one cannot sur vive on cheesy bread alone. It’s a lot easier to get nutrients from fresh food, even if it takes longer to prepare and requires more frequent trips to the grocer y store.

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Yet perhaps the most harmful effects of the demise of the dinner are the indirect ones. Sitting down with friends or family for a meal is a socially cohesive experience. It blocks off a period of time in which people can communicate and form bonds, and even on a college campus few things are more certain to bring people together than food. When people work together to prepare a meal it provides even more time in which to build relationships. The social experience of a community meal is hard to reproduce in any other setting; mostly ever yone eats dinner, but beyond that people’s schedules tend to var y wildly.

Many people turn to restaurants to address these needs. St. Louis is full of great eateries, and it isn’t hard to find a place with tasty, healthy food that a group of friends can share together. Even on-campus dining works for the college student on a budget; many a freshman friendship has been forged over the ritual of Sunday brunch in Gries cafeteria.

Ultimately, however, it is important that we don’t totally give up on the old-fashioned home cooked meal. Tr y it sometime; it’s a fun learning experience to cook a meal with your roommates or friends, even if the results are under whelming.

Moreover, there is no better way to get to know your friends than to share stories over a meal. We’re all pressed for time in the rat-race of college life, but ever y once in a while be sure to take a moment to stop and smell the risotto.

“

Thre’s a certain spirit of rebellion when they all go against the establishment. And that’s kind of what student organizations are all about.

“

sports editor charles bowles sports@unewsonline.com

chief copy editor hilary korabik copy@unewsonline.com

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See Page 2.

It felt awesome. We were pretty intimidated, but it went really well.

-Christine Couch, hot air balloon crew member

”

See Page 7.

“

By understanding each other, we can begin to erase the misunderstanding and stereotyping between many Jews and Christians -Amy-Jill Levine, professor at Vanderbilt Divinity School

”

See Page 9.

“

I tried out in England but all I heard was, ‘you’re too small, you won’t make it because of your height and lack of strength.

-David Graydon, freshman midfielder

”

See Page 11.

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

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-Molly Carroll, Dumbledore’s Army President

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.

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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.”

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OPINION

5

Why fall is the best season of them all Doorway to adulthood Only an extremist would say summer or winter is the best season. It’s too much of one thing— Commentary which can never end well. Ever ything in moderation is a good rule of thumb: too much f o o d ?

Martina Boyter O b e s i t y.

Too much sunlight?

Skin cancer.

Okay, maybe I’m being a little too d r a m a t i c . But autumn is the absolute perfect combination of the best parts of the other seasons, and, of course, boasts its own unique charm, as well.

When I imagine my ideal morning, it’s fall. I wake up and feel warm between my covers, but am greeted by cool air when I hop out of bed. (Yes, I hop out of bed.

I’m a morning person.) I drink coffee outside, where I can almost see my breath, but don’t feel cold because the blazing sun still warms my skin. It’s absolutely divine.

Fall at SLU fits my bill.

Most obviously, the change of season provides respite from the humidity that characterizes and curses, St. Louis summers. Being able to take a deep breath of fresh air without feeling like I am drowning is preferable.

I am about to divulge a best-kept secret to you. To the few of you who have

the same treasured study spot as me, I apologize for perhaps ruining the peace and quiet. The best place to study on all of SLU’s campus is the Cupples’ patio. It has a romantic air about it that motivates me to read Victorian literature. The flora is exquisite, but not over the top, and for most of the day, half of the patio is shaded and the other half is under the sun, so I stay comfortable.

No season compares to fall in the number of distinctive pastimes perfect for family or friends. Every year, I look forward to apple picking, carving pumpkins and corn mazes. I cannot explain the thrill of walking in circles through a corn maze for hours, but I love it.

And it’s the best when the farm creates a cool design, like the Boy Scout logo or Abraham Lincoln’s profile!

No other season has such fun activities for everyone exclusive to that season.

I can’t forget the autumn holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving. They are two of the best holidays for very different reasons. The excitement of Halloween comes with the anticipation: the costume, strategic planning to get the most and best candy (chocolate rather than raw sugar), watching scary movies or Hocus Pocus in your best friend’s basement and attending costume parties.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because of the tradition. I run the 5K Turkey Trot with my family, listen to “Alice’s Restaurant” and eat obscene

Mike Hogan/ Opinion Editor

amounts of stuffing with the people I love most. Now, arguing against fall makes you seem like a jerk.

Another great part of fall is the freedom I have in choosing an outfit. Unless you are an indecisive person who feels overwhelmed by the notion of having more choices, you will agree with me. In the fall, you can wear shorts and a sweatshirt. You can wear jeans and a short-sleeved Tshirt. If you are one of those people who has poor circulation, wearing jeans and a jacket is finally acceptable!

Or, if you’re into this sort of thing, you can wear shorts and Uggs. My point is that all combinations of clothing pieces have free reign in fall.

Another enticement of fall is the Bath & Body Works fall product line.

Hear me out! This fall, Bath & Body works released five

different collections. The “Cider Lane” collection has five scents that appeal to the homemaker that wants home to smell like the outdoors. The “Halloween Bootique” collection (so cute!) includes scents like “Vampire Blood” and “Bat Bite.”

This line caters to mothers teaching their 10-year-old sons to wash their hands “because it’s fun!” It also finds customer loyalty in those boys 10 years down the road, when they know they need to buy soap, and were dragged into the store by a female, but would never be caught dead buying “Cashmere Glow.”

Fall is the best because of its authenticity. Enjoy nature, be with those you care about, wear whatever the heck you want and don’t freak out when you have to stick your hand inside your pumpkin to pull out the pumpkin guts.

Creating communities after the American Dream When my dad was growing up on the north side of Chicago, he lived in a predominantly Polish Commentary neighborhood, w h i c h was filled with immigrant families and firstgeneration U.S. Hilary Korabik citizens.

T h e h o u s e he was raised in was the house his father, my grandpa, was born in, and my great-grandparents lived on the first floor while my dad’s family lived upstairs.

Great-grandpa Valentine and Great-grandma Anna had come from Poland to escape from poverty and build a better life for themselves and their children — to chase the “American Dream”, like many immigrant families.

My great-grandpa was a tailor and never went to college and my grandpa earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Then my dad was the first in his family to get a master’s degree,

and in May I will be the first woman on my dad’s side of the family to get a four-year college degree. With each generation, my family has gained more opportunities for growth and experience and a higher quality of living. Check. Done. American Dream? Achieved.

My family’s story is nothing unique; many immigrant families have had similar stories of success.

We’ve definitely gained a lot — but have we lost something, too?

The journey of my family parallels that of our society from a community-based culture to one very much focused on the individual.

Not that family isn’t important anymore. In fact, quite the contrary. But I grew up on the other side of the city from most of my extended family. It was a big deal to go to an aunt or uncle’s house because they weren’t part of our everyday lives.

We saw them regularly, but not in the capacity that my dad saw his grandparents, aunts and uncles.

I recently saw a birthday card that read something along the lines of, “Happiness is a close-knit family that lives in different

zip codes.” Funny, at first.

Whose family doesn’t drive them crazy once in a while?

But after a little contemplation, it’s actually a bit sad.

My cousins in Ireland all live within a few minutes of each other and, undeniably, they get on each other’s nerves sometimes. But they also help babysit, drive each other’s kids around, visit each other for a cup of tea. As a culture, we’ve lost the art of being together.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. There’s no question that friends are the family we choose for ourselves, and our friends can be extremely positive influences on our lives. But wouldn’t it be nice if more of that village were filled with people who are related to us? Who have to love us, regardless of whether or not they like us at any given time? Alternatively, it’s still important to recognize that some of the most influential people in our lives are not in our family — they are our friends, our teachers, our random acquaintances, our role models.

My grandparents and great-grandparents were motivated to work hard and improve their quality

of life because every day was a struggle to make ends meet. Now, here I am, a senior at Saint Louis University, privileged more than I can understand. I’ve been told my entire college career that this time is for me, a time for me to better myself, to learn about who I am, to get a degree and get a good job. But there are many people who don’t have the privileges I do.

And at some point, my quality of life will stop improving — but the privilege I have been given doesn’t have to stop with me.

Our culture has become all about me, me, me. More, more, more. We’ve lost our concept of community.

We are striving to improve ourselves, to improve our lives, to make things easier for ourselves. What are we working toward as a human collective? What are we going to do that is not for ourselves, that contributes to the greater good, to a better world? No matter our individual backgrounds, we as SLU students are all privileged to be here, to be getting a college degree, to be learning every day. We can all afford to give a little something back.

There’s a doorway ahead of me blocked by a dense haze, and I don’t know what’s on the other Commentary side, but it seems like it keeps getting closer and closer to me, even though I’m not Wolf Howard moving. It makes me anxious, but at the same time I have this need to go rushing through it, as I always do when something challenges my courage.

There’s been a lot on my mind lately. It seems like there’s always a lot on my mind, but there’s something different about it now.

I just turned 20, I’m working steadily for the first time and I have actually allowed a schedule to dictate how I go about my day. I’ve been filling out W-4s and taking leadership roles and planning my life a year ahead of time.

That last point blows me away: I have actually begun to look at scholarships and applications for this summer, right now instead of in mid-January when half the deadlines have already passed. Perhaps you know those nifty sheets your major director hands out with all the credits you need to take and where you have time for what: I actually went through one of those to lay out my class schedule for the next two years!

I can’t name the last time I took a faculty handout seriously.

It’s a peculiar thing. I don’t have time to think about how much I have to do and when I have to do it while going through hours of photos on the internet and articles full of facts I’ll never remember. I actually have to start things, or they won’t get done so long as 24 hours make up a day.

I’m already more than halfway to adult life outside of academia (unless, of course, grad school is on the horizon, but god help me if I spend another 2 years pursuing a graduate degree in environmental physics for the sake of a job).

Soon I won’t be surrounded by a community of friends and classmates to grow closer to on a weekend night on the fringes of sleep and the sunrise.

It will be me, and maybe another roommate or two.

We’ll live together and go to work separately, talking about our goofy co-workers or what project is coming up. We’ll meet up with a few of our other older friends at the bars and shoot the breeze, drink a bit too much before work the next morning. There will be trips to Vegas and job promotions to consider. Taxes and bills and bank accounts; new cars, suits, computers.

I’m putting a lot of faith

in the fact that my friends and I will be prosperous.

Perhaps we won’t be, and all of this will change to looking for jobs, scraping together rent and playing in bands because we’ve run out of ways to salvage our sanity. Regardless, that moment is coming.

That moment where you look around and realize your parents aren’t watching over you constantly.

They don’t linger over your shoulder like an overzealous editor checking for typos. You aren’t doing their work anymore, you’re doing your own. They are beside you, and their most important project is done.

Slowly but surely, I, and all of those around me, are claiming our lives. All of our mix-ups and mess-ups will be left to us to solve. There will be dates and dates with friends and dates with parents. Talks of moving in and blending spaces. Talks of furniture and neighborhoods. Slowly, we’ll become the ones getting ready to stumble about trying to raise our own children.

I’ve gone a little far, perhaps. Let’s scale back.

I’m just settling in to the groove of my third year of college and as I said, I’ve been considering a lot of things. About my future and about my past and how everything’s coming together to be such a constant present. About who I am and what I aim to become.

I’ve been considering how all of us are what’s coming next to this world.

We are truly the future teachers and doctors and leaders. It’s not so distant and strange to think of as when they told it to me in high school. I can see how things might actually end up that way.

All those people that I used to see bustling about me, taking lunch breaks in suits when I went to downtown Chicago --- we are going to be them.

Some might feel anxiety at the prospect, unable to face the end of the fun that is college life. Others might be ready and rearing to dive head-on into money work instead of school work. It seems like these emotions are a function of age, with those closer to the end yearning for a restart at the beginning.

In all honesty, I don’t think any of us are truly prepared for what lies ahead of us. I mean mentally: I don’t think we realize what adult life is actually like, just like we never realized what high school was like in grade school nor college in high school. We have ideas, glimpses, but the reality always has so much more depth than our hopes, dreams and fears.

The real world is just on the other side, as all my advisers and uncles have told me, and the doorway is covered in a fog. But I believe it’s far better to charge in headlong than to keep fretting about the inevitable.

From the Parthenon to ‘Pawn Stars’: The decline of a television empire Most of my TV watching isn’t done on a TV at all. There aren’t that many shows that I Commentary want to watch, I don’t h a v e m u c h time to w a t c h them and the networks inMike Hogan considerately refuse to air new episodes based on my schedule. So when I want to turn my brain to mush, the laptop is typically my glowing rectangle of choice.

But every now and then my laziness reaches such heights that I can’t be bothered to find shows online.

There’s something to be said for walking in the apartment after a long day, flopping on the couch, pressing a button and simply vegetating. Perhaps because I feel guilty about zombifying myself when I should be doing homework, or perhaps be-

cause I’m a nerd, I have historically turned to The History Channel as my favorite inactive entertainment (get it? historically?).

Lately, though, I’ve been severely disappointed with the programming on my preferred educational-ish cable channel. See, The History Channel, or just History as it is now called, just doesn’t have any… well, history.

Gone are the days when shows about Nazis stood at attention at nearly all hours. For a while there was a phase where nearly every show was based on the latest movie fad; at least those contained plenty of bad battle dramatizations and animated maps. I liked the historical analysis of “Valkyrie,” even though I already knew the ending (Spoiler alert: Hitler gets away). But even Spartans are sparse on History nowadays, when just a few years ago there was a daily marathon of shows about Marathon followed by lengthy lessons on Leonidas.

If you went on one of

History’s shows today and asked the subjects, “What is your profession?!” they wouldn’t answer astronaut, aviator, sailor or “SPARTAN!” They’d probably say something like… trucker.

Now I’ve driven down plenty of highways in my time and it’s never exciting.

“But wait, Mike!” History fanboys say, “The highway is made of ice!” Fascinating. My interest has been piqued sufficiently to last me through one episode.

Seriously, though, unless you’re Napoleon or Jon Snow, I don’t have any interest in hearing tales of how you traveled for miles over a frigid, featureless tundra.

Then there’s the everpresent “Pawn Stars.” At first I thought the only thing keeping this show on the air was a steady stream of male viewers who misheard the title. By now, though, it seems to have displaced even the classic “Modern Marvels” as the flagship of History, now more aptly called the Home Shopping Network for Men. Granted, the show was fun for a

while, and it might make history more interesting for the weird people who don’t like endless reenactments of Gettysburg. After a few episodes, though, you realize how repetitive it is: Seller: “Hey I’ve got this (old thing) and I want to sell it.”

Rick: “Wow that’s cool!

Here’s some facts about (old thing) that I apparently have stored in my balding database of a head” (wheezing).

Meanwhile, Chumlee has bought something and is playing with it in the store.

Rick: “So how much do you want for it?”

Seller: “A lot of money.”

Rick: “How about a little money.”

Seller: “Ok.” (Alternate ending: “No.”) Congratulations, you have now watched every episode ever of “Pawn Stars.”

I could make an incisive social critique about how Americans have become such consumerists that we are now entertained by watching people buy things.

“I’m sorry, but this isn’t real history...

I’ll give you 10 cents for it.”

Mike Hogan / Opinion Editor

But I’m not going to. Frankly, I don’t really care. I just want History to bring back the Nazis, dinosaurs and Spartans. I want to watch a show about the Pyramids of Giza that doesn’t have aliens in it. I want to sit on my couch and passively learn about history, not hypothetical future scenarios or half-baked conspiracy theories. I’m told that the old shows air on History’s auxiliary channel, H2, but I’ll travel to Egypt and see the Sphinx myself before

I’ll pay to see it on an extra channel.

I haven’t given up hope on the old gold H yet. The “Hatfields and McCoys” miniseries was pretty good, and there’s a new show coming out about the American “Robber Barons” that looks intriguing. But if those fall through, I won’t have much use for my TV besides watching sports.

So if the Cardinals don’t do well next season, come watch me sell my TV at a local pawn shop. I’m sure it

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6 GAMES

CROSSWORD

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

SUDOKU

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

WORD SEARCH

U ARTS

OUT on the

TOWN

Arts Editor’s Picks

Music September 27 Anthony Hamilton Fox Theatre 7:30 p.m. from $40

September 29 Steve Vai The Pagaent 8 p.m. $30

September 29 The Fab Four Sheldon Concert Hall 7:30 p.m. $35

September 28-30 St. louis Symphony Opening Weekend: Pines of Rome Powell Symphony Hall Fri: 10:30 a.m., Sat: 8 p.m., Sun: 3 p.m. from $30

Theatre

SLU student’s band plays at Firebird Junior Andrew Long fronts band “Once Upon a Time”

By TONY TRAINA Associate Sports Editor

It’s arduous work avoiding the obligatory pun that effortlessly surfaces when writing about a band that calls itself Once Upon a Time, but here it goes.

Like the band name, the band itself is a bit of a childhood cliché, harkening fans back to the simpler days of falling in love with the girl at the rock show or along Ocean Avenue.

The band, led by SLU junior Andrew Long, an Arizona native, played their first out-of-state show this past weekend at the Firebird, opening for The Hollywood Ending and The After Party.

“It felt awesome. We were pretty intimidated, but it went really well,” said Long.

It didn’t take long to recognize the band’s audience, my elbows unkindly introducing themselves to the faces of a few avid pre-teen fans as I walked through the Firebird’s doors.

Indeed, the band makes no apologizes for its musical sound, playing covers of the 2001 boy band hit “Hey Juliet” and current overplayed humdinger “Call Me Maybe.” On this night, though, teenagers were outnumbered as SLU students showed up in mass.

“Our goal is simply to make catchy songs with lyrical substance,” said Long, the voice and pen behind the band’s lyrics.

It’s this simple strategy that has propelled Long and his five-piece pop-rock band to success; the boys released an EP on iTunes in February of this year, propelling them to seemingly overnight popularity in their home state of Arizona.

Bolstered by the EP release and subsequent summer shows on the West Coast, the band’s Facebook page jumped from a paltry 5,000 “likes” to more than 16,000.

Of course, the success was not overnight. The EP was over two years in the making and the band landed opening gigs for the likes of Allstar Weekend and The Rocket Summer before coming to St. Louis and leaving a footprint on the national stage.

One listen to Long’s lyrics leaves no doubt that Long has accomplished at least one of his goals. He writes about the elementary emotions every teenager experiences: hate, loneliness and, of course, love.

“Baby, open your eyes/ maybe you will realize that your Mr. Right/ is in plain sight,” he sings on “Open Your Eyes,” the title track of the eponymously named EP. And what teenage girl with elbows in her face can’t relate to that simplicity?

The band performed this song and two other originals in their Firebird set, along with well-known covers, leaving the audience with enough catchy and clichéd couplets to sing all the way home.

“We understand that our music typically caters to a younger audience,” Long said, adding that the band “hopes to keep developing a more mature pop-rock sound with [their] next record.”

The next album is still in the process of being written, but the band and fans alike are excited about what the future will bring. As for now, though, the band heads back home to Phoenix to open for The Holly-

Photo courtesy of Once Upon a Time

SLU junior Andrew Long performs as part of his pop-rock band “Once Upon a Time.” wood Ending again on Oct. 5.

The band’s sound is a welcome relief for the teenager in all of us, providing a chance to sing along and play our air guitar as the instrument inevitably comes crashing in for the hook

September 28-29 The Improvised Shakespear Comedy Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL Fri: 8 p.m., Sat: 5 p.m. & 9 p.m. $30

64th Emmy Awards Sunday, Sept. 23rd

September 28October 7

WINNERS:

Midsummer Night’s Dream Grandel Theatre Fri and Sat: 8 p.m., Sun: 2 p.m., Thurs: 7:30 p.m. $15

Other September 29 6th Annual Dancing in the Street Grand Center Arts and Entertainment District 1-8 p.m. free

September 28-29 St. Louis Scottish Games and Cultural Festival Forest Park Fri: 5-10 p.m.

Sat: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. $10-20

September 28-30 Charter Taste of St. Louis Soldier’s Memorial Fri: 4-11 p.m., Sat: 11 a.m.-11p.m., Sun: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. free

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

unewsonline.com

while Long sends his vocals soaring higher. In fact, college students could be seen around the Firebird doing all of this while Long and his band mates enjoyed themselves on stage.

“I know that there has to be/ something else out

The wait is over: Mumford & Sons returns

By STEPHANIE MUELLER Staff Writer

Drama Series: Homeland Comedy Series: Modern Family Miniseries or Movie: Game Change Variety, Comedy or Musical Series: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Reality-Competition Program: The Amazing Race Lead Actor, Comedy: Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men Lead Actress, Comedy: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep Lead Actor and Actress, Drama: Damian Lewis and Claire Danes of Homeland

Modern Family took home five Emmy’s (of the 14 nominations) and the top awards in their category. Homeland was nominated for nine Emmy’s and took home six. Those two shows were the big winners this year.

Design by Bri Radici / Design Director

there for me/ but will I find it?” Long asks on another track, “What Am I Looking For.” Well, once upon a time, he found what he was looking for in the form of a vastly popular pop-punk band.

And there’s our pun.

They are the beautiful median between hipster and mainstream; the unexpected lull between power and calm; the musical horizon between a banjo in a forgotten barn and a fullstage production. Welcome to Mumford and Sons.

“Babel” is the newest release from the quartet and only their second studio album. Not like you could know that from their evergrowing fan base, seamless transition onto the musical A-List and an unprecedented six Grammy nominations.

Mumford and Sons had an innate, incomprehensible power to, at risk of being unnecessarily cliché, awake the soul in their freshmen release “Sigh No More.”

They had a power to drive emotions from their collective listeners with simple and beautiful lyricism, a talent that, when juxtaposed with such lyrical genius as, “We are never, ever, ever getting back together,” truly shines.

But “Babel” is not the diabolical experience that “Sigh No More” provided.

“I Will Wait,” released prior to the rest of the album, drew faithful Mumford fans in, hoping that this album would be as earthshattering as the first. Their wait might have been in vain, though, if they were in search of the Mumford sound with a new, matured twist.

The title track, “Babel” is remarkably similar to past Mumford gems, a downfall on the creativity front. From a commercialization standpoint, why fix something that isn’t broken, right? Someday, many years from now, the mainstreamed world will hear the token Mumford and

Sons song reincarnated for the umpteenth time and decide it’s time for a change. Today is probably not that day, a reassurance the band will need as the term “sophomore slump” is thrown around in the coming weeks.

In the wake of Mumford and Sons’ first release, a plethora of bands followed suit in their pursuit of Mumford-esque popularity. Popularizing the formerly hidden folk-sound, Mumford now finds themselves in the company of up-and-comers like The Head and the Heart and Imagine Dragons, all of which are tapping into the unprecedented realm of the coveted and genuine “unique.” Mumford and Sons needs more than this fallback sound to stay relevant. The true stars of this album come in the bonus tracks, particularly “Where Are You Now?” and the cover of a Simon and Garfunkel hit, “The Boxer.”

Inserting their trademark soul to the latter, the fact that a cover can outshine the original work of the album is a testament to the room to grow that Mumford has left.

“Where Are You Now?” has the classic narrative, if sometimes repetitive, style that Mumford has worked to perfect without incorporating the ingrained formula of the rising pluck of a banjo leading up to the admittedly cohesive harmony, eventually culminating with a raspy and bold high note of some songs on the album.

In my eyes, Mumford and Sons can do no harm.

“Babel” is, more or less, “Sigh No More: Part 2.”

But I, along with the millions that bought that first release, loved it because of that classic sound. “Babel” is not different or innovative but it is soul-rousing, ear-pleasing good.

8

ARTS

unewsonline.com

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Festival celebrates the ‘Second City of Jazz’

By SARAH MALLICK Staff Writer

Last Saturday was cool, crisp and windy in Herman Park, as the earthy tones of a tenor saxophone followed the trills of a piano during the second annual University City Jazz festival.

The festival was a pleasant opportunity for people in the area to come and appreciate a truly American style of music.

It included groups such as Tracer and St. Louis Metrobones.

The festival attracted more than 1,500 spectators last year, thanks to the diligent efforts of Mike and Rob Silverman. This year, the Silverman brothers predicted twice that amount, and many people of all ages were able to attend.

According to Mike Silverman, the mission of the festival is “to bring free jazz to the community and educate the younger generations about traditional music.”

The festival has certainly revived traditional music in University City, where blues and jazz have a strong presence. In fact, St. Louis itself is known as the “Second City of Jazz,” New Orleans being the first.

Rob Silverman says “jazz traveled up the river,” and it has proven true as many prominent jazz artists, such as Miles Davis and Chuck Berry, hail from St. Louis.

What really spawned the jazz movement, and what makes this style of music wildly popular even today, is what Diane Davenport terms the “freedom within the music.”

Photos by:Sarah Mallick / Staff Writer

A crowd gathers this past weekend to watch Tracer ft. Ptah Williams perform at the Jazz Festival in Herman Park, organized by Mike and Rob Silverman.

Davenport, who helped organize the festival, aptly describes how jazz is “characterized by harmony and improvisation where the actual melodic lines are not planned.”

Like many other art forms, jazz stresses the composition of the overall

piece rather than the individual parts. A jazz piece comes together beautifully in the end and is more spontaneous than a traditional, structured piece of music.

One could definitely hear the harmonizing of various instruments in “Caribbean Nights” by Bob James. Jazz

music is more free-flowing than other types of music; it’s almost as if the musicians are playing with the instruments and stumble upon something wonderful overall.

The Silverman brothers had their own contribution to the festival, with “Bach

to the Future.” Other artists included Dawn Weber and the Naked Rock Fight, a tribute to Miles Davis, and Trio Trés Bien.

The festival itself had many sponsors, including, but not limited to, St. Louis Public Radio 90.7 KWMU, Steinway and Sons, Vin-

tage Vinyl, 88.1 KDHX, 88.7 WSIE the Jazz Station and Autumn Hill music productions.

The festival was a fantastic success that allowed people in the area to enjoy jazz, which is a quintessential characteristic of St. Louis.

EOTO: improvised electronica Less than Jake brings Band gives unique concert experience

audience back to the 90s

By JASON MCCOY Staff Writer

There is nothing like a sleepy Wednesday night in St. Louis to go out and rock to some classic nineties nostalgia. I don’t mean Nirvana and Madonna, but something all together more angsty: hardcore and ska.

If your high school’s brass section had a nerdy child with the punk band who won battle of the bands, it would be ska. If those two divorced and punk went on to have a child with the long-haired metal-heads who wore T-shirts with logos you couldn’t read, it would be hardcore.

This particular day, Sept.

19, A Wilhelm Scream and Less Than Jake rolled up to The Firebird in a huge

Photo courtesy of B. Hockensmith Photography

Mike Travis and Jason Hann perform a completely improvised set as a part of the electronica band EOTO in front of a lotus flower that forms their set.

By JASON MCCOY Staff Writer

As the car rolled to a stop at 2720 Cherokee, a unique music and arts venue, the bass was audible even with the windows rolled up.

The dreadlocked, tutuclad, tattooed masses raged to Spankalicious’ steel drum in the re-purposed and graffitied store front.

The artist’s repetitive motto echoed through the space—”it feels good to feel good.” Not a single soul was in disagreement.

While Spankalicious was worthy of attendance, he was not the main attraction. EOTO’s pulsing electronic gear was nested in a huge, white Odyssean lotus flower. Unlike almost every other electronica con-

cert, EOTO (EE-oh-toh) is improvised every night on tour. Some tours have lasted as long as 200 days.

According to vocalist and drummer Jason Hann, EOTO uses “a spiderweb of cables, live instruments, computers, touch screens and MIDI controllers... helping us do our thing all improvised— no songs, no set lists—and to do it live in front of the audience.”

After a short break, Hann went back to experience what he described as the “jumping off the cliff feeling” of improvisation with Michael Travis (bass, guitar, keys).

Travis plucked out a bass rhythm that looped over and over as the lotus sculpture came to life. The petals transformed from white petals to leaves, circuit boards

and psychedelic fractals.

While Travis played improvised guitar and keyboard, Hann laid down another loop with the hi-hat and sang. The poi- spinning, hula-turning crowd writhed like a tumultuous sea of white capped waves.

Without songs, EOTO did not stop playing except for a short intermission. The 2 1/2 hour set had crests and valleys, as Travis and Hann reacted to the crowd and their own whims. Late in the night, Hann decided on a whim to sing “Roxanne,” originally by the Police, with Travis acting as a strange electronic backup band.

The concert ended with signature jam band solos, and the swarm of florescent fans walked out a bit more deaf than before.

silver tour bus. Both bands are usually more at home playing in larger venues, but you wouldn’t know it watching the ferocity they stirred up in the crowd.

A Wilhelm Scream punctuated every song with a Sports Center-like blast of sports banter or praise for Pappy’s barbeque that clashed oddly with the style of music they played.

After a short but energetic set, Less Than Jake took the stage. Chris Demakes (lead guitar, vocals) and Roger Manganelli (bass, vocals) shot insults back and forth about being old or not singing enough. The Firebird experienced one of the greatest Wednesday crowds in recent memory, as uncoordinated fans were lifted up to surf and came crashing back to earth.

Saxophonist Peter “JR” Wasilewski was absent from this tour and Chris Rhodes from The Mighty Mighty Bosstones took his place with no ill effect on the sound. Somewhere during the tail end of the act, Demakes made it very obvious that the show was being broadcast live to the Internet and asked everyone to moon the camera. Thankfully, the crowd refused.

During the glorious final circle pit, Less Than Jake fired a barrage of confetti cannons from the port side of the stage and exited after an encore or two. After the lights came up, Joseph Carufel, a junior communication major at SLU, remarked, “It was their 20th anniversary tour, but they played as if they were 20 years younger.”

U

RELIGION Calendar of Observances Sept. 28 Meskel - Ethiopian Orthodox Christian

Sept. 29 Michael and All Angels - Christian

Sept. 30 Full Moon

Oct. 1-7 Sukkot – Jewish

Oct. 2 Feast of the Guardian Angels – Christian

Oct. 4 St. Francis Day – Christian

Oct. 7 Hoshanah Rabbah – Jewish

Oct. 9

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

unewsonline.com

MOCRA presents retrospective of celebrated Irish painter

By SARA RAHIM Staff Writer

On Sunday, Sept. 23, Saint Louis University’s Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA) opened its exhibit, “Patrick Graham: Thirty Years – The Silence Becomes the Painting.”

Patrick Graham is frequently noted as Ireland’s most important contemporary artist. His retrospective of work, including paintings, collages and drawings, offers a unique glimpse into the 30-year window that marks Graham’s psychologically charged explorations.

A well-attended, free public opening reception was held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday. While the exhibit itself tackles controversial, difficult material, the response was generally positive.

“This is one of the more challenging exhibits I’ve attended,” John Lamb, SLU Box Office Manager, said.

“Your understanding of the pieces is dependent on knowing Irish history, so it’s challenging just trying to relate to the painting.”

Graham was born in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland in 1943, and he went on to study at the National College of Art in Dublin. His art been exhibited in Ireland and internationally since 1966. Graham’s work is represented in major public and private collections throughout the world.

Critics and historians have credited Graham with changing the face of painting in Ireland. Already, critics are praising this newest exhibit at MOCRA. “[Graham] confronts the viewer with drawings and paintings of shattering force,” exhibition curator and renowned historian, Peter Selz, said. “[He] makes us aware that great painting has a presence and a future.”

Art historian John Handley also noted that Graham’s work “addresses the timelessness of time, the repetition of history and the continuous cyclical nature of silence, abandonment and redemption in the creative process.”

The artist’s own words reveal what the creative pro-

Adnan Syed / Religion Editor

Aerial view from the inside of Saint Louis University’s Museum of Contemporary Religious Art, featuring the Patrick Graham Exhibit.

The exhibit will last until December 16. cess means to him. Graham said, “The silence becomes the painting, the painting comes from silence. It is the moment when painting is no longer an act of doing or making but of receiving.”

The exhibition reveals great insight into the Graham’s personal life.

“He’s really letting you into his soul,” David Brinker, Assistant Director of MOCRA, said. “Graham grew up in a time of transformation where some Irish towns weren’t getting electricity until 1950’s. He’s battled alcoholism, and he’s lived through a personal journey that he really brings to life.”

Brinker goes on to explain that the exhibit is a “transformative experience.”

The exhibit will be featured until Dec. 16. Regular museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free.

MOCRA is the world’s first interfaith museum of contemporary religious and spiritual art. Officially opened in 1993, MOCRA is dedicated to the ongoing dialogue between contemporary artists and the world’s faith traditions.

For more information, visit mocra.slu.edu.

Courtesy of Jack Rutberg Fine Arts.

A typical piece of art work by Patrick Graham, depicting two embracing figures at a window.

Faiths gather near SLU campus

Simchat Torah – Jewish

Hindu students observe Ganesh Chaturithi

By ADNAN SYED Religion Editor

Oct. 13 St. Edwards Day – Christian

Oct. 15 New Moon

Oct. 16-23 Navratri – Hindu

Adnan Syed / Religion Editor

Members of different faiths gather every Wednesday to study Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy books at Aquinas Institute of Theology, located at 23 S Spring Ave., St. Louis, MO.

By DJ BARGER Staff Writer

Dussera – Hindu

Amy-Jill Levine, Ph.D, a New Testament professor at Vanderbilt Divinity School, spoke for over an hour on Sunday at the Aquinas Institute of Theology.

Levine, a practicing Orthodox Jew, discussed a new version of the New Testament, which she coedited. Levine’s new version differs from other versions already available because it was edited and footnoted by leading Jewish scholars.

Levine began her speech on Sunday talking about the book, The Jewish Annotated New Testament, but

Waqf al Arafa – Islam

Oct. 26-29 Eid Ul Adha – Islam

See “Ganesh” on Page 10

Vandy professor discusses ‘New’ Testament

Oct. 24

Oct. 25

Ganesh Chaturithi is a religious holiday in Hinduism. It is a celebration of the birth or rebirth of Lord Ganesh, a Hindu deity widely depicted in pictures as the elephant-headed god. The day usually falls between the end of August and midSeptember. It was observed on Sept. 19 this year.

The story behind the festival, as told by Hindu Students Community’s president Deval Patel, is about a boy, Ganesh, who was created by his mother Parvati, a Hindu goddess and

wife of Shiva, out of sandalwood. Parvati puts her son to guard the door while she bathes. During that time, Shiva comes from somewhere and sees a stranger at his wife’s door. The two fight, ending with Shiva severing Ganesh’s head.

Parvati becomes very upset and vows to destroy the universe. In an effort to calm her, Shiva searches the woods and finds a young dead elephant. He consoles its mother and affixes the head of the elephant onto Ganesh’s body.

“Symbolism is very important in Hinduism, and

she finished with an exhortation to Christians, Jews and other faiths to keep up an interfaith dialogue with those around them.

Levine noted that the New Testament tells a story that appeals to Jews about people who were primarily Jewish. This fact allows it to be helpful in interfaith dialogue.

Christians can look at the Jewish annotations to understand the way in which many of their customs and beliefs follow directly from Jewish tradition. Modern Jews can read the New Testament as a historical text to gain insight on how some of their traditions were practiced at that time.

“From this new dialogue

can come understanding,” Levine said. “By understanding each other, we can begin to erase the misunderstanding and stereotyping between many Jews and Christians. After all, Jews and Christians did not become separate until 200 years later.”

Levine said that one thing Christians can learn from Jews is how they view inclusion into their faith and disagreements within members. She mentioned that one becomes Jewish by blood, not by choice. If a Jew disagrees with a Jewish practice, she can disagree with it her whole life, but See “Annotations” on Page 10

Photo Courtesy of Joe Mabel

Lord Ganesh portrayed at the end of the 2008 Summer Solstice Parade at the Fremont Fair in Seattle, Wash.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

unewsonline.com

RELIGION

President’s Interfaith Challenge: Year Two White House invites SLU to kick off year two in St. Louis area

Courtesy of US Department of Education

From left, Leah Sweetman; Ken Bedell; Brenda Girton-Mitchell; Bryan Sokol, director of the CSCE; and Sara Rahim, junior and member of Interfaith Alliance.

By ADNAN SYED Religion Editor

Last Wednesday, Saint Louis University students were invited to speak about their experiences with The President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge as a whole for its first year, at HarrisStowe State University, as part of the launch for year two. The U.S. Department of Education chose SLU, along with several other institutions of higher education, from the St. Louis area, to be part of the launch.

The challenge, known as “Interfaith Challenge” for

short, is led by the White House and supported by the Department of Education and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

President Barack Obama introduced the Interfaith Challenge in March of 2011. It asked institutions of higher education nationwide to commit to a year of “interfaith service” programming. Campuses were encouraged to tackle community challenges while engaging the tradition of those who were serving.

Sara Rahim, a junior spearheading this initiative, along with InterFaith Alliance, said that the Presi-

dent’s Challenge provided something that SLU had been lacking from years before.

“Although we had a student group on campus for interfaith programming, there was always a certain degree of complacency within our campus culture,” said Rahim. “The President’s Challenge allowed our campus to centralize our interfaith efforts and create an inclusive sense of community that we were unable to achieve years before.”

“We also networked with schools that were past participants and schools that were just signing on, but

The power of solidarity trumps fear Just last month there was a burning of a mosque in Joplin, Mo., and at the same t i m e , t h e r e Commentary were a series of attacks on mosques through the U.S., and six S i k h s Michael Barber, w e r e S.J. m u r dered in what police described as a domestic terrorist-type incident.

These events sadden and give us all pause.

Of course, insofar as Western cultures have been more heavily influenced by the Judeo-Christian tradition, one of our most cherished beliefs, deeply cemented in our minds and hearts and deriving from the Jewish tradition, is that we ought to care for the widow, the orphan and the stranger.

All three of these types of persons are often the most vulnerable among us; the ones who are different from most of us in that they do not have a husband, parents or loving family and friends surrounding them. They are the ones, who by their very condition, invite us to be concerned for them, and the invitation is always

there, however much the majority of us may not be sensitive to their plight or responsive.

The religious traditions most influencing the West require, then, that we respond to those who are most vulnerable among us, and this would, by extension, include all sorts of minorities, those who are different from us, especially those who might be victims of violence springing from distorted understandings of Judeo-Christianity.

Indeed, one does not have to be religious in order that that the vulnerability of our neighbors might make its claim on us. History is filled with examples of nonbelievers who have heeded the summons of our neighbors, defended their rights, and even given up life itself for them.

Of course, in a dangerous world, it is always possible that one’s first approach to the other person might be one of fear and anxiety that this other who is so different from me might harm me, might take away from me what is mine or might endanger my beliefs, faith or religious community.

Those who burn mosques or murder Sikhs are captive to such fear.

But the Jewish tradition of ethics that has shaped Western culture, points to another possibility: the oth-

er invites us first to be responsible for and to her and to act in solidarity with or for her. Indeed, think of the many common and everyday instances when solidarity trumps fear, for instance, when we give directions to the stranger who is lost, when we respond to the beggar requesting money from us (even if we politely state that we do not have money on us), or when we simply allow the other person to proceed before us through the doorway.

Of course, so powerful is the hold of the other upon us that parents can give their lives without reserve for a vulnerable child and moral heroes like Oscar Romero or Martin Luther King care about those are vulnerable more than they do about protecting their own lives. To be sure, it would be unrealistic for us not to care for ourselves and to protect ourselves against violence. But, if the murder of Sikhs or burning of mosques represents the basest possibilities of the human spirit, moral heroes reveal to us our highest possibilities, the triumph of the human spirit, the victory of solidarity over fear.

The spirit of solidarity lies deep within Western culture, presses us to be hospitable, and appears in the least gesture of politeness we show to another.

Ganesh: Lord of Beginnings, Obstacles Continued from Page 9

many different [symbols] exist in Ganesh’s body,” said Patel. “Ganesh has a very large belly, which signifies how he ‘swallows’ the sorrows of the world.

His big head symbolizes wisdom, and his large ears the ability to hear everything.

The actual idol of Ganesh portrays symbols of animals, depicting his unity with nature.”

Kavita Darji, a psychology major at the College of Arts and Sciences and HSC member said about the day: “ To me, it represents a way for everybody to come together and celebrate this wonderful day as a cohesive

unit, almost as a new beginning.”

Patel said some people celebrate simply by wishing “Happy Ganesh Chaturithi” to each other while others go to temple. Darji said the celebration for this holiday usually lasts ten days.

“We celebrate it at home by singing bhajans (holy hymns) and going to the temple,” said Darji. “It is celebrated by making models of Ganesh, decorating them, clothing them and placing them in temples.

Pujas (religious rituals) are conducted with bhajans and chanting of mantras in order to provide worship to Lord Ganesh.”

Puja is modeled on the idea of giving a gift or offering to a deity and receiving

their blessing, according to Hindu tradition.

“Whenever I begin something new in my life, such as a new school year or a new job, I always pray to Lord Ganesh for prosperity in my life,” said Darji.

“To me, Ganesh represents good luck when starting new beginnings and also wisdom.”

HSC celebrated with an information session and ice cream last year, but was unable to organize something on campus this year.

HSC’s next event will be Gandhi Service Day, in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi, on Oct. 2. Patel said it is a celebration of Gandhi’s life. “We carry his life mission, by planting and cleaning up roadsides,”

the event was primarily to recognize our efforts and Kick Off year two,” said Rahim.

The Center for Service and Community and Engagement (CSCE) has assisted in organizing and keeping track of the challenge on campus this past year. It actually approached Rahim to lead the challenge on campus.

“The CSCE is here to support and help coordinate these efforts, and especially to build unity through service,” the director, Bryan Sokol, Ph.D said.

“Multiple seed grants were requested through the center to fund new opportunities,” said Sokol.

“In the first year of the challenge, SLU sponsored nearly 50 interfaith events and activities on campus, with more than 7,000 participants. This made SLU one of the biggest and most active campuses in the region to participate.”

Sean Worley, the Student Government Association Vice President of Diversity and Social Justice, said about the challenge: “As a Saint Louis University student, being part of an institution focused on service and mutual respect, I thought it was appropriate to have here. I am exteremly excited for the second year of the challenge.”

Officials from the Department of Education were present at the launch, along with faculty and administration from schools in the St. Louis Area, including Uni-

versity of Missouri St. Louis, Fontbonne and smaller schools Rev. Brenda GirtonMitchell, director of the Department of Education’s Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, also present there, recognized Saint Louis University’s efforts to expand interfaith programming on campus this past year.

Examples of major events held for this challenge included Muslim Student Association FastA-Thon, which will be held again this year on Nov. 19, this event saw over 600 students pledge to a day of fasting. The event culminated in an informative and fun dinner in which people broke their fast while engaging in interfaith dialogue.

Another was Interfaith Prayer and Worship Service. The culminating event to SLU’s Challenge, this featured student and adult representatives from the Muslim, Jewish, Bahai, Jain, Sikh, Hindu, Coptic and Christian faiths. There was a student processional followed by songs, scripture and verses that shared the call to social justice from the various traditions.

An international dinner followed the service, in which further participants were given the chance to reflect on the experience. Almost 200 people were in attendance.

“We are hoping to make the InterFaith Prayer Service a signature event to kick off Atlas Week every year,” Rahim said.

InterFaith Alliance: Arts and Religion

10

Third annual Newman Convocation

By SARAH MALLICK Staff Writer

On Thursday, Oct. 11, at St. Francis Xavier College Church, the third annual Newman Convocation will take place. At this event, which is free and open to all students as well as the public, theologians from St. Louis will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.

The main speaker is Catherine Vincie, R.S.H.M , of Aquinas Institute of Theology; others include Daniel Finucane Ph.D, of Saint Louis University, and Fr. Jason Schumer, S.T.L., of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.

In 1962, on Oct. 11, the Second Vatican Council was opened, called by Pope John XXIII at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This council of the Catholic Church was a very extraordinary gathering; only twenty-one councils had ever been called in the two thousand years that the church has existed.

The first document of the Council was called “Sacrosanctum Concilum”, also known as “the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy”. In this document, the church elaborated on the worship of God. Other chapters explain about the most sacred mystery of the Eucharist, the divine office, and the liturgical year.

The story of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy is the topic of the coming event.

It will be sponsored by the Marchetti Jesuit Endowment and the Dept. of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University, Aquinas Institute of Theology, Fontbonne University, and Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.

The Newman Convocation will be an amazing opportunity for students to learn more about the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and Second Vatican Council.

Annotations: Christianity in Judaism Continued from Page 9 John Schuler/ Photo Editor

Shabnam Majidi shown painting artwork at an Interfaith Alliance event this past Monday.

John Schuler/ Photo Editor

A close up view of a henna tattoo at an Interfaith Alliance event this past Monday.

John Schuler / Photo Editor

Aroona Toor (Left) putting henna on a fellow student at an Interfaith Alliance event this past Monday.

in the end, she will still be a Jew. One becomes a Christian by belief. If one disagrees then one is discounted as a Christian. Levine said she saw this as a weakness in the Christian faith.

“It could be better, and Christians would have more freedom to argue safely. If Christians took Baptism more seriously,” she said.

After speaking, Levine took questions from the audience. The topics of the questions ranged from the Jewish perspective of the Eucharist, to current Jewish eschatology, a branch of theology concerning the end of the world.

A diverse crowd of approximately 150 people attended the event, which was co-sponsored by the Aquinas Institute of Theology, Eden Theological Seminary and the Jewish Community Relations Council. The attendees consisted of many who identified as Catholic, Jewish or Protestant.

Levine is a nationally recognized author and New Testament and Jewish Studies professor. She described herself academically as combining “historical-critical rigor, literarycritical sensitivity and a frequent dash of humor with a commitment to eliminate anti-Jewish, sexist and homophobic theologies.”

The Jewish Annotated New Testament and many other books by Dr. Levine are available from Amazon. com in paperback, hardcover or e-book formats.

U SPORTS

unewsonline.com

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

David Graydon: Silencing his critics 5-foot 5-inch midfielder playing to make his family proud

David Graydon

BILLIKEN BRIEFS

Men’s Soccer Sophomore Raymond Lee was named to College Soccer News’ National Team of the Week after his performance against No. 7 Creighton.

Lee scored the Billikens’ first two goals, leading them to a 3-1 victory.

Hometown: Kildare, Ireland Position: Midfielder High School: Monteverde Academy

ESPN Rise 150 Recruit 1 goal, 0 assists

Homecoming

2012 Homecoming Weekend is upon us! See the Billiken men’s soccer team play Central Arkansas on Saturday night, highlighted by the annual fireworks show at halftime.

Men’s Basketball Interim head coach Jim Crews filled out his coaching staff this week, naming Jim Platt an assistant coach. See story for more coverage.

Courtesy of Billiken Media Relations

Number 19 David Graydon, midfielder, has been a key part of this year’s men soccer team. Graydon, a native of Ireland, hopes to return to Europe to play in the English Premier League.

By MARCO DIROMA Staff Writer

Hailing from Ireland, Saint Louis University midfielder David Graydon’s skills and tenacity on the soccer pitch are fueled by his doubters.

“I tried out in England but all I heard was, ‘You’re too small, you won’t make it because of your height and lack of strength,’” Graydon said when asked why he chose to play in America over Europe.

Comments like these are what give 5-foot-5-inch attacking midfielder Graydon the strength and determination he has on the training grounds and in every game he plays. Unlike other sports, soccer does not require you to be a certain height in order for an athlete to flourish; case in point, Graydon.

Graydon’s journey on American soil began at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla. where he made an immediate im-

pact. While at Montverde Academy, Graydon notched 10 goals, 18 assists and amassed numerous accolades, such as: ESPN Rise All-American, top 150 recruit, ESPN Player of the Week and league MVP. With his help, the Montverde Academy finished their season with a stellar 23-0-4 record.

After compiling a season like this, Graydon’s talents were highly sought after from several NCAA programs across the nation.

The list of schools ranged from the University of North Carolina, University of Clemson and University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Although these schools were all highly touted, Graydon always knew that he wanted to attend SLU. “I wanted to be a part of a re-building program, not a program that’s already at the top,” said Graydon.

He went on to add, “It was Coach McGinty’s overall attitude and track record that helped make my decision.”

Coach McGinty’s friendship with the Montverde Academy’s men’s soccer coach and former University of Clemson head coach, Mike Potempa, is what led him to recruit Graydon. McGinty sent assistant coach Jason O’Keefe to Florida to have a look at Graydon and O’Keefe came back with high praise for the Irish midfielder.

“We were looking for a player that thinks out of the box,” McGinty said, “David was just a little bit different.”

The difference in Graydon could be his ability to see the whole field, and deliver precise through balls that carve up the opposition’s defense.

Graydon’s transition from the European game of football to the North American style of soccer has been relatively smooth and seemingly effortless. However, this is not the case. American soccer players are noticeably larger and stronger compared to the players Graydon grew up compet-

ing against in Ireland.

Graydon said that was the most difficult transition in playing amongst American players for the past year, and that it was the sheer power, size are some elements of the game that he never came across in Europe. Although the transition has been challenging, it has not seemed to have had much effect on Graydon’s exceptional offensive abilities.

The Bills have played in seven matches this season.

As a freshman, Graydon has started all seven of the Bills’ matches and has been an integral part of his team’s success thus far. His role as an attacking center midfielder requires him to be the center piece of the Bills’ offensive attack. Graydon said that he loves it because he loves to have the ball on his foot. His crafty footwork and playmaking ability have helped the Bills get off to an early 5-2 start.

Crafty footwork and unique playmaking ability aside, Graydon’s hard work

off the field, as a studentathlete, was another challenge he has had to adapt to coming over from Ireland.

Being a college preparatory school, Montverde Academy played a crucial role in Graydon’s academic transition to the U.S. Graydon was taught to understand the importance of time management and organization; two essential tools in order to be a successful student-athlete at SLU. As the Bills embark on their third season under McGinty, expectations are high and Graydon is fully confident in their ability.

“I want to win a national championship,” Graydon said, when asked what his team goal is for the 2012 season.

Graydon feels as though the Bills have to adjust to teams that play a “kick-andrun” style of soccer. The kick-and-run style is when a team elects to send more long passes as opposed to numerous short, quick See “Graydon” on Page 13

Jim Platt named assistant hoops coach SLU

upsets No.7 Creighton

By BRIAN HAENCHEN Staff Writer

Follow us @TheUNewsSports for the latest Billikens sports coverage

BILLIKEN SCOREBOARD

Volleyball

L 1-3 L 0-3 Men’s Soccer

W 3-1

Jim Platt has been named an assistant coach for Saint Louis University’s men’s basketball team.

Platt, who was director of basketball operations at Liberty University last season, will fill the spot left by Jim Crews who was named interim head coach after Rick Majerus took a leave of absence due to health concerns. Platt brings with him 32 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience, including five years as an assistant coach at Army, four of which were under Crews.

“Jim has a great passion for coaching and the student-athletes,” Crews said in a press release. “He is a strong recruiter and is excellent at coaching the fundamentals and the details of the game. I’ve known Jim for more than 30 years and we were on staff together at Army, so that familiarity helps.”

Platt’s resume features nine years of head coaching experience and 12 postseason appearances, including 10 trips to the NCAA Tournament and a pair of NIT bids. He served as head coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock from 1990-94 and Charleston Southern University from 2000-05.

This will be the fourth different school in four years for Platt, who said he is excited for the chance to work with Crews again.

“I’m thankful to have the opportunity to join coach Crews, the coaching staff and the great student-athletes here at SLU,” Platt

By MARCO DIROMA Staff Writer

Brian Haenchen / Staff Writer

said. “Jim has been a great mentor for me during my career. I believe that under Jim’s leadership, experience and value system, the basketball program is going to be represented in a manner that emulates the values of Saint Louis University and Billiken athletics.”

Platt spent five seasons as head coach of Illinois’ Luther High School North before transitioning to the collegiate level as an assistant at Illinois State.

After a six-year stint at ISU, he returned to the Chicago area, this time as an assistant coach at DePaul University.

He helped lead the Blue Devils to six consecutive NCAA Tournament appear-

ances, including back-toback trips to the Sweet Sixteen from 1985-87. Platt’s success at DePaul earned him his first head-coach position in 1990 with Arkansas-Little Rock. He spent four years as the Trojans’ head coach, accruing a record of 56-59.

After two three-year stints as an assistant at Tulsa and Florida State, Platt was named head coach at Charleston Southern, where he earned Big South Conference Coach of the Year Honors after he led the Buccaneers to the Big South Tournament finals in his first season at the helm.

In 2005, Platt resigned to join Crews’s staff at Army.

He was 55-89 over five sea-

sons as Charleston’s head coach.Platt, who was among the potential candidates to replace Crews as Army’s head coach upon his termination in 2009, spent one more season with the Black Knights before returning to the state of Illinois as an assistant coach with Bradley.

He spent a season on the sidelines with the Braves before accepting a position as the director of basketball operations at Liberty.

“SLU represents the very best in collegiate athletics,” Platt said. “It’s a school with tremendous academics and one that is competing at the highest level of college basketball. It’s the best combination to represent as a college coach.”

Raymond Lee netted his first two goals of the 2012 soccer season as the Billikens collected their fifth victory of the season against No. 7 University of Creighton Blue Jays. This marks the Bills’ second victory over a nationally-ranked opponent.

SLU travelled to Omaha, Nebraska Friday afternoon to take on the Creighton Blue Jays. This was the Bills’ second match against a nationally-ranked opponent, after previously defeating the University of Louisville Cardinals 1-0 earlier in the season.

“It was key for us to come out really aggressive and not let their crowd into the game,” said Coach McGinty.

The plan to play with aggression was in full effect at the Bills applied constant pressure and prevented the Blue Jays from mounting a serious attack. The Bills’ fire and determination eventually paid off in the 38th minute when substitute Lee earned his first goal of the season.

“It was a relief, but I felt like I was back,” Lee said.

The Bills proceeded to take a 1-0 lead at halftime.

See “Men’s Soc” on Page 13

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12 SPORTS

WHO TO

CHEER Lance Easley Replacement Official

Courtesy of nytimes.com

Easley, who never worked a game above Division III, literally handed the sea pigeons a 14-12 victory over the Packers with his controversial touchdown call as time expired. While his ruling was incorrect, it put even more pressure on Roger Goodell to end this ridiculous referee lockout. Plus, for those who dislike Green Bay, anytime they lose is worth cheering.

WHO TO

JEER Bill Belichick

Courtesy of USA Today

Just days after NFL vice president of football operations, Ray Anderson, said the league would not tolerate disrespect toward replacement officials, Belichick grabbed a ref by the arm while verbally berating him after New England’s 31-30 loss to Baltimore. According to Belichick, he wasn’t trying to “abuse or be disrespectful” to the officials. He just wanted

an explanation.

WHO TO

FEAR Savannah State Tigers

Courtesy of teamlogos.com

Beware the Tigers.

After lying dormant through the first two games of the season, the Tigers’ offense sprung to life versus North Carolina Central, racking up a whopping 33 points, that’s right, 33. The Tigers actually lost the game 45-33 and have now been outscored 184-33. On a side note, people should probably be more afraid of the Cornhuskers than the Tigers as Nebraska scored 35 points in a single quarter.

By Brian Haenchen Staff Writer

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Volleyball’s win streak comes to a screeching halt

By NATE CREECH Staff Writer

The women’s volleyball team has dropped five straight matches in the past two weeks to make it a sixmatch losing streak.

Two weeks ago, the Billikens traveled to Northwestern University to play in the Wildcat Challenge.

Last Friday, Saint Louis University opened up A-10 play in Cincinnati, Ohio against the Xavier Musketeers and followed with a game in Dayton, Ohio against the Flyers on Saturday. After two weeks on the road, SLU is in need of a home court advantage.

The Wildcat Classic featured Western Michigan, Northwestern and Delaware. SLU played a hard contest against the Broncos of WMU on Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. but fell in three sets 15-25, 24-26, 26-28. Later that night, the Billikens faced the host team, Northwestern University, and dropped three sets 15-25, 15-25, 12-25.

The Bills went on to play the University of Delaware Blue Hens on Saturday, Sept. 15. After a 0-2 start in the tournament, SLU, despite losing the match, played their greatest match of the year. The Billikens fell behind the Hens 0-2, but climbed back and forced a fifth set, falling by two points in a five set finale of 21-25, 11-25, 25-21, 25-11, 15-17.

A-10 play opened on an easier note for SLU, claiming a quick 25-15 first set victory over the Musketeers. However, the Bills were unable to claim the match victory and fell 25-15, 20-25, 18-25, 15-25 in four sets. Grace Bonoma led the defense again with 25 digs, while Lauren Baumet and Lindsay Dinkelacker managed the offense with 12 and 10 kills, respectively.

Cassie Clarke registered 28 assists.

Courtesy of Billikens Media Relationsi

Megan Gilbert (left) and Carly Marcum (right) celebrating after winning a point in a volleyball match. The volleyball lost 6 straight matches after a 5 match winning streak.

The team opened their Atlantic 10 season with two losses.

Saturday featured a hard slate for the Bills, playing the Flyers at Dayton. The Flyers, ranked 22nd nationally, swept the Billikens in three sets, going 25-14, 2518, 25-11. Megan Gilbert and Carly Marcum had 8 and 6 kills, respectively, to lead the Billikens offense.

Gilbert owns the team’s third highest kill total on the year at 108. Clarke controls the assist column, collecting 470 on the year. Bonoma leads the team’s defense with 231 digs and leads the team at the service line with 15 aces, followed closely by Anna Church with 13.

The A-10 preseason rankings once again suggested a strong Dayton team and a strong Xavier squad, claiming the first and second place rankings. SLU, picked for the third spot, will need to make up some ground after a 0-2 start in A-10 play.

George Washington was selected for the fourth spot with Duquesne rounding out the top 5. VCU and Butler, newcomers to the A-10, finished right behind in sixth and seventh places.

Rhode Island, Charlotte and Fordham rounded out the top 10 in the conference, with Temple and La Salle

taking the last two spots.

One sleeper team this year, Temple University, has taken hold of the top spot this weekend with a 12-4 record overall and a 2-0 A-10 record. With Dayton and Xavier right behind Temple at 2-0 also, Duquesne holds the fourth spot at 1-0. SLU will need to recover fast if they want a shot at the title while holding a 0-2 record in conference.

The Billikens (5-10 and 0-2) look ahead to opening A-10 home play, hosting Duquesne (12-5 and 1-0) on Friday at 7 p.m. in Chaifetz Arena.

Smoothie Fields Forever and Ever

By TONY TRAINA Associate Sports Editor

In those dog days of summer far from Saint Louis University, it’s not the monotonous organic chemistry lectures or late nights at Pius Library that most students thirst for; rather, it’s the famous smoothies of the Simon Recreation Center they crave.

One of the most welcome additions of the 2006-2007 renovation and expansion of Simon Recreation Center was the Juice Bar and surrounding lounge area. It gives students a place to relax after a strenuous workout before returning to the grind of college.

It gives them a place to slowly sip the picayune parcels of pleasure doled out to loyal customers.

“I remember my first smoothie at Simon Rec Center. It was ‘Midnight at the Rec’, [and] they had free smoothies. I got coconut banana. From that moment on, I knew I belonged at SLU,” junior Maureen Brady said.

Of course, every campus tour makes the prescribed stop at the Juice Bar as student ambassadors gush over the succulent morsels to drooling prospective students.

To be a juicer, one must complete a few hours of intense training and shadowing shifts in which the trades’ deeply guarded secrets are transmitted.

The job is a “level 2” position that SRC workers reach after striving at various level 1 positions in the center.

It’s not all berries and bananas at the Juice Bar though; workers seldom have a free moment between serving up their famous smoothies and keeping the bar clean and stocked.

Many students complain about the high price points: four dollars for a smoothie, another 75 cents for a scoop of protein. You get what you

Tony Traina / Associate Sports Editori

A student worker pouring a scrumptuous straweberries ‘n banana smoothie at the Simon Recreation Center at Saint Louis University on Wednesday, Sept. 26. pay for; in this case, it’s 20 ounces of pure jubilation.

More than a few students have been heard on campus uttering various budgeting strategies so they can afford more of these scrumptious treats.

“I’ve passed on more than a few Fusz wraps to have another strawberries ‘n cream smoothie,” junior Karena Nguyen said, expressing the sentiments of many a student.

The Juice Bar is open from 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays, and until 7:30 p.m. on weekends. Peak hours are from 5 p.m.

to close. Students circle around the bar from open to close, waiting patiently for their own personal sip of heaven.

The Juice Bar serves a variety of purees and smoothies; the purees leaning toward the healthy and less caloric side of the spectrum.

Some of the smoothies do top out at over 400 calories. Looking for a healthier option? Try the intense green apple, which is just 300 calories, the fewest on the menu.

According to juicers, strawberry banana is the

most popular flavor. Personal favorites among juicers vary, from peachy banana to green tea honeydew. For those who walk to Simon Rec. with no intention of pumping iron, no judgment is passed, the juicers say, just a wink and a nod of understanding.

So enjoy that smoothie while you can, SLU, because before you know it, you’ll be sitting at home far away, licking your lips and wondering how long until that familiar tang comes screaming up the straw again, zeroing in on your taste buds.

Inconsistency in NCAA academic standards Think back to when you were in high school. Think about how hard you worked to get t h a t Commentary scholarship, athletic or academic, to the school of your choice.

N o w , Alex Kozich imagine it’s the first week of August, and amid packing your clothes and shopping for your dorm room, you are informed that your scholarship will no longer be honored because “the powers that be” have decided that the classes you took your senior year are invalid.

This is the exact nightmare scenario that University of Maryland recruit Sam Cassell Jr. and Xavier recruit Myles Davis are living through. The NCAA revoked their basketball scholarships and denied the boys’ appeals last week.

Both Cassell and Davis have been labeled “nonqualifiers,” meaning they don’t meet the requirements for eligibility, set by the NCAA, for classes that they took while attending Notre Dame Preparatory School in Massachusetts during the 2011-2012 school year.

The irony of this situation is that Notre Dame Prep wasn’t on the NCAA watch list or even under review, until after both players had finished their classes.

Eight other players who took the exact same classes the previous year were allowed to play as freshmen this past season because they were already enrolled at their universities. Cassell and Davis weren’t as lucky.

This latest controversy is yet another example of the selective enforcement the NCAA has come to practice. So why does the NCAA time and again punish athletes for circumstances that are not under their control?

It’s not as if Cassell and Davis decided they were going to take these classes because they were the easiest classes at the school.

These were the classes that their advisers told them they needed to take to graduate. Yet, because the NCAA cannot punish Notre Dame Prep, they are going after the student-athletes who are supposedly the “lifeblood” of the NCAA. Sam Cassell Sr., former NBA player and current Washington Wizards assistant coach, echoed this sentiment to CBS Sports calling the NCAA “neighborhood bullies” who “just want kids to fail.”

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that the NCAA wants kids to fail, but more and more it seems as though they are more interested in puffing out their chest and showing everyone who’s in charge, than in actually putting students first and making sure that they are in the best position to succeed not only on the court but in the classroom.

Punishing these students not only hurts them and their new teammates but also affects their parents. Both students were given full athletic scholarships covering room and board, tuition, books and fees. Now that these scholarships have been taken away, parents will have to cover their son’s costs on their own.

For some, this may not be as big of a problem, but for Davis and other students victimized by the NCAA, it is a sentence to years of student debt. Davis’ dad has said he will have to take out a five-figure loan to pay for his son’s first year at Xavier because he still wants his son to get a good See “NCAA” on Page 13

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

SPORTS 13

unewsonline.com

Men’s soccer upsets Creighton on the road

Graydon: Wants to win a national championship Messi of Spain’s professional club soccer team FC Barcelona.

In 2012, Iniesta, Grayones to make their way up don’s favorite footballer, the field. Teams such as won the award for Europe’s Denver and Drake, who debest player. feated the Billikens earlier Iniesta stands 5 foot 7 in the year, were effective in inches tall, which is charexecuting the kick-and-run acteristic Graydon deeply game plan. admires since he stands Besides having high at 5 foot 5 expectainches. tions for his The team, Graycombinadon has set of sia personal I just want to tion lencing critgoal that he would like make my fam- ics, making his famachieve at the end of ily proud because ily proud and playthe season. such “I want they have given up ers as Iniesta to be an All- so much for me. and Messi American. standing at Without the top of a doubt,” -David Graydon the football Graydon world gives Graydon the said. Graydon added, “I confidence and poise to atjust want to make my famtain his dream. ily proud because they have His dream is playing given up so much for me.” in the English Premier These goals and expectaLeague for a professional tions are a prime example of soccer club, and with his Graydon’s hard-nose, gritty “never say never” attitude, and competitive nature. it seems like that dream His tenacity on the pitch may come true and he will stems from idealizing his be able to silence his critics favorite soccer players once and for all.

Andres Iniesta and Lionel Continued from Page 11

“

Courtesy of Billiken Media Relations

Raymond Lee scored 2 goals to help the Billikens defeated No. 7 Creighton on Saturday Sept. 22, 2012. Lee had his first 2 goals of the season at Creighton.

Continued from Page 11

They had been successful in silencing the Blue Jay faithful just as Coach McGinty had hoped.

Heading into the second half, the Bills remained on point. They continued to a play as a cohesive unit, leading them to score a vital insurance goal.

In the 48th minute, Lee notched his second goal of the contest off a rebound from the Blue Jays goalkeeper Alex Bolowich, giving the Bills a 2-0 lead.

Lee’s insurance goal proved to loom large for the Bills. In the 61st minute, the Blue Jays answered with one goal of their own from forward Timo Pitter, mak-

ing it a one-goal game. on goal, 1 assist and was a However, with strong dedominant force throughout fensive efforts from the Bilthe 90 minutes of play. likens’ back four, the team “Robbie was fantastic. was able It was the to hold off best game the Blue I have ever Jays from seen him Robbie was fantastic. scoring an play. equalizer, It was the best game I He was and Robplaying bie Kristo have ever seen him play. at such a put the He was playing at such high level, game out we couldn’t of reach in a high level, we couldn’t take him the 82nd take him out. off,” Mcminute Ginty said. with his Lee’s efs e c o n d -Mike McGinty forts were goal of the a pleasant season. addition to Kristo played all 90 minthe Bills’ offense, as injuries utes of the game and was a had formerly set him back key figure in the Bills’ 3-1 from where he could be. win. He recorded 3 shots McGinty was delighted to

“

”

see Lee come out and have a great performance, as Lee had been fighting to stay fit and increase his minutes on the pitch.

Lee also added, with confidence, that there was more of this to come.

After successfully beating their second nationallyranked opponent, the Bills have earned some of their own national attention.

As of Sept. 24, 2012 the Saint Louis Billikens are ranked 22nd in the nation

by Soccer America, their first ranking of the 2012 season.

SLU will look to keep up their winning ways as they take on the University of Central Arkansas at Robert Hermann Stadium on Sept.

29 at 7:30 p.m.

”

NCAA: Inconsistent enforcement of academic standards should be applauded for going after some of these prep schools that have become basketball “factories,” education regardless of churning out top college rewhether plays basketball cruits year after year while or not. putting academics on the This may not seem like back burna big deal, er. as many The way students, they went including about punmany at The way they went ishing these SLU, have two athletes, to take out loans about punishing these h o w e v e r , to pay for two athletes, however, reeks of selective encollege.

But these reeks of selective en- f o r c e m e n t and punishathletes ing the vicwere told forcement tims. they had T h e received N C A A a scholarneeds to figure out a way ship covering most of their to enforce their bylaws so expenses, only to have it that those who are at fault taken away for something are the ones who are punout of their control by the ished, not the innocent athvery institution in charge of letes who are a by-product “student-athlete well-being of a system the NCAA has and protection.” helped perpetuate.

To their credit, the NCAA Continued from Page 12

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SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

First-Year Summer Reading Essay Contest

PRIZES:

Free use of your Spring Textbooks!

Dinner with the author of Enrique’s Journey, Sonia Nazario, on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

Essays are due, through SLU Groups,

by Sunday, September 30, 2012.

For more elections events and information, visit

slu.edu/election2012

For more information visit: www.slu.edu/first-year-experience/first-year-summer-reading