inside this issue:
King of the Mountain Details on p. 5
University of Maine at Presque Isle Volume 40 Issue 2
I’ll Stand by You.... Details on p. 17
Journalism for Northern Maine
Visit us at utimes.umpi.edu
MARCH 2, 2012
The Year of the Dragon Donna DeLong STAFF WRITER
The new year for this country is celebrated on the night of Dec. 31 into the first hours of January, symbolizing the end of one year and the potential opportunities that wait in the year to come. Our event usually lasts one night and the following day. The bulk of our activity is the night before as we usher in the new year. On Monday, Feb. 6, at 5 p.m., the Chinese students in the International Students club put on an educational presentation on what this important celebration is in
Stephanie Jellett
their culture. The event was is a celebration of the family board trains that will take held in the Alumni Room in on the mother’s side. Huge them home to be with their the Campus Center. The lines of travelers wait to families. In 2012, three biltables that lion people went lined the far home for the wall were covChinese festival. ered with many This event is the authentic biggest that’s Chinese dishes held all year. that are served Carbohydrates during the fesare the bulk of tival. This food that the event in China Chinese conis held for 15 sume during the days. The first year because day is a celethey’re cheaper bration of famto buy. The fesily on the tival it is a celefather’s side. Left to right: Donna DeLong, Zicong “Joe” Zhou and Qiao bration of food The second day “Jordan” Dan. where the pri-
mary base is protein. There are many types of meat dishes. The dishes vary from east to west and north to south. There are 56 nationalities in China. Each has its own distinct culture. Food plays a big part in the different culture as well as language. “My grandmother lived in one of a village separated by a river less than 100 feet away. The language is totally different, but the language tells what the culture is. The difference is huge,” Zicong “Joe” Zhou said.
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An Eye-Opening Experience: A Journey to Tanzania
STAFF WRITER
A sea of bright colors and patter ned tablecloths lit up the Campus Center’s multipur pose room on Feb. 2. Shirley Rush, an associat e p ro fessor of socia l work on campus, and her st ud e n t org a nizati on o f social work members Paige Nichols, Abbey Atcheson, Kelsey Al ber t, Ash ley B rewe r and Ni col e Michaud, gave a reflection of t h e ir se rvic e in Tanzania. They had photo albums and memorabilia
set up on tables for visitors. Rush welcomed everyone to the reflection in Swahili—one of the spoken languages of Tanzania. “This was my nugget,” Rush said, as she held up a photo of their two tour guides who looked after them while in Tanzania. Rush exp l ain e d what ser vi ce lea r n ing i s: i t p rovides unmet needs in a com muni ty th at re q u ire s a p art ner ship th at i s in t e g r ated int o acad e mi c s. “It is more than volunteerism,” Rush said.
The SOSW members started fundraising more than a year ago, raised twelve thousand dollars and became well known within the county. They went to every festival in Aroostook County, held bake sales, sold lemonade and Avon products, had a raffle on cords of wood and sold snow cones. John Deere donated a tractor to them, on which they sold tickets. Top row L-R: Paige Nichols, Abbey Atcheson and Kelsey “The community was a Albert. Bottom row L-R: Ashley Brewer and Nicole Michaud. huge support. Everyone from Aroostook County,” S e e Ta n z a n i a , came together to help. We Atcheson said. really appreciate the people
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The University Times Staff Editor Lanette Virtanen Assistant Editor Kayla Ames Stephanie Jellett Staff Writers Kayla Ames Stephanie Corriveau Donna Delong Cole DuMonthier Shara Gardner Sarah Graettinger Stephanie Jellett Mika Ouellette Ben Pinette Jessie Rose Carlos Villoria Lanette Virtanen Brianna Williams Kathleen York
Contributors Chris Corsello Dick Harrison Jim Stepp Don Zillman
Adviser Dr. J The U Times welcomes submissions from the campus. Send digital versions of articles, photos, etc., to utimes@maine.edu and jacquelyn.lowman@umpi.edu
University Times
ampus
March 2, 2012
Dear readers, Break is over and itʼs back to classes. I hope everyone had a great week off and that you enjoyed the snow that we got. With more snow coming, it looks as if winter isnʼt through with us. So donʼt put away your hats and gloves just yet. Make sure to get out to see the hypnotist whoʼs coming next week. Take a look inside this issue to see what else CAB has coming up. There will be many interesting things taking place over the next few weeks. And we canʼt forget mid-terms. So have some fun, study and good luck. Lanette Greetings, I hope everyone had a pleasant break. I imagine many of you did homework, relaxed, went to work. You probably spent time with family and friends, as well. Iʼd like to bring attention to the importance of time spent with other people, of making connections, not just with those close by, but people all around the world. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that everyone is “…caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” I agree: we affect one another, which makes learning about other places and people important. Youʼll find that this issue has a few stories about different cultures and distant locations. Also, our University Day theme this year is, in fact, global connections. I encourage you to read these stories and consider what theyʼre saying. I also hope that youʼll think about the wisdom of Kingʼs words and the power we have as diverse, linked human beings. Thank you, Kayla Correction: As the editor of the paper, I would like to apologize for misspelling Carly Langley’s name underneath her photo on page 5 of the last issue.
D at es fo r Subm issi o ns t o t h e U T im es March 5 March 12 Apr. 2 Apr. 23 Any submissions received after a deadline will be published in the following issue. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Lowman at 768-9745.
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From Don’s Desk
Bold Thinking and Innovation The mid-February appointment of Dr. James Page as the next chancellor of the University of Maine System ended a suspenseful search for the next leader of public higher education in Maine. It also marks the start of an exciting time for the UMS and UMPI and our six fellow System campuses. By way of background for the unfamiliar: the seven campuses are governed by a 15 member board of trustees. The members are Maine citizens who serve in an unpaid and part-time role to lead higher education in the State. Most of the trustees have full-time jobs. They add additional hours of work every week for their trustee duties. Trustees are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Maine Legislature. The trustees, however, do not serve as members of the governor’s
cabinet. Maine law provides been selected from the ranks of the trustees with an independ- university presidents. Dr. Page ent status in order to preserve a has university teaching experidistance between their duties ence and has served on several and the regular political work of the state. The full-time work of running the UMS and the campuses is delegated to the System Chancellor (Dr. Page’s new position), members of the System office and the campus presidents and other colleagues. The chancellor is the boss of the presidents and the System staff. The chancellor then reports to the board and serves at the pleasure of the board. One duty of the trustees is the appointment of campus presi- Dr. James Page dents upon the recommendation of the chancellor. campus advisory boards. His Most prior chancellors have primary work, however, has
been in the business community in Maine. Dr. Page is also the rare lifelong Mainer appointed to the chancellor’s position. I think Dr. Page’s appointment is an exciting change in the governance of Maine higher education. In 2012 the major work of the UMS Chancellor needs to be with state government (the governor and the legislature), the Maine business community, the people of Maine and the board of trustees. He certainly needs to remain in close contact with the campus presidents and other campus leaders. The operation of the campuses, however, should be in the hands of the presidents with only “big picture”
supervision by the chancellor and trustees. They should set broad policy objectives and then see that the presidents carry them out. If the presidents don’t, the chancellor and trustees should look for new leadership. The chancellor should spend most of his time promoting the UMS to the leaders and people of Maine. Only the chancellor can speak for the entire System. The fact that he speaks as a Mainer and as a member of the business community are valuable assets in these days of tight budgets and strong attention to student needs and the needs of the citizens of the State of Maine. Dr. Page has made clear that the trustees expect him to be a bold thinker and an innovator. The System needs that. The State needs that. We look forward to working with Dr. Page in carrying out that mission over the next months and years.
Student Events 2012 March
5--Hypnotist Michael C. Anthony 7 p.m. Wieden 15--Comedian Anton Shuford 7 p.m. Wieden 19--Dinner and a movie “Forks Over Knives” 6 p.m. MPR 21--Movie Night “Love and Basketball” 8 p.m. Alumni Room
April
6--Cardboard Boat Regatta 3:30 p.m. Gentile 11--University Day all day Folsom-Pullen 12--Dinner and a movie “Unnatural Causes” 6 p.m. MPR
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Chrisʼ Corner
I realize by the time this hits the press, Valentine’s Day will have come and gone. The sentiments surrounding the day of love, however, should be present every day. Here’s hoping you keep love in your heart…. John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn’t: the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun 13 months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf, he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner’s name: Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped
Love: Always in Season overseas for service in World War II. During the next year and one month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A romance was budding. Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn’t matter what she looked like. When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting - 7 p.m. at Grand Central Station in New York. “You’ll recognize me,” she wrote, “by the red rose I’ll be wearing on my lapel.” So at 7 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he’d never seen. I’ll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened: A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as
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flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a
small provocative smile curved her lips. “Going my way, sailor?” she murmured. Almost uncontrollably I
made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own. And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small, worn, blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her. This would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be grateful. I squared my shoulders and saluted and held
out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment. “I’m Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?” The woman’s face broadened into a tolerant smile. “I don’t know what this is about, son,” she answered, “but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!” It’s not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell’s wisdom. The true nature of a heart is seen in its response to the unattractive. “Tell me whom you love,” Houssaye wrote, “And I will tell you who you are.” Happy Valentine’s Day – All Year ‘Round! With special thanks to author Kathy Ragsdale (February 1997).
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Unive r sity Ti m e s ! CAMPUS ! M a rch 2 , 20 1 2
Top of the World Cole DuMonthier STAFF WRITER
There are all sorts of songs and expressions that ask us to imagine being on top of the world. On Wednesday, Feb. 8, the University of Maine at Presque Isle community had the chance to hear from a man who’s been there. Ed Webster, distinguished lecturer, gave a riveting presentation to a packed multipurpose room of his trek up a never before tried route of the tallest mountain in the world: Everest. Through a thrilling combination of breathtaking pictures and stunning firsthand accounts, Webster brought the audience up the mountain with him. Webster’s climb was special on many levels. This climb was not going to be a huge expedition with many people. Instead, Webster’s team consisted of only four. They would be climbing up a route that no one had ever climbed before, and they would be doing this without radios, Sherpa guides or oxygen. Even the name of the presentation, Everest the Hard Way, spoke to the difficulty of the climb. As UMPI President Don Zillman said, “This is for those of us who have done Everest the easy way.”
Ed Webster grew up in the mountain, they would only they encountered gigantic ice Lexington, Mass. Even from an have themselves for assistance. walls and deep crevasses. early age, it became apparent Also adding to the danger was Webster was almost crushed in to Webster’s mother that her the fact that the team was going one by falling ice. As they son liked to climb. She realized to forgo the usual oxygen and climbed higher and higher, the this when she found him up in radios. The team would also be mountain began to take its toll. a particularly tall tree. At age climbing without the aid of After reaching the South Col, 11, Webster really began which is the final stop to get into climbing. He before the main summit, traveled throughout Teare was forced to turn New England, and evenback due to a cerebral tually the country, climbedema. There was a ing any peaks he could debate among the other see. His ultimate goal, three who would lead however, was Everest. Teare back down. This, though, was before Webster was ready to do the days of guided it when Teare said he was climbs up the mountain. not going to jeopardize In order for you to go anyone else’s chance at up, you had to be invitthe summit. And so the ed. Eventually Webster remaining three watched was invited, not just as he started back down once but twice. Webster the mountain. Upon was unable to summit on reaching the lower sumboth of these expedimit of Everest, Webster tions. This, however, only Distinguished Lecturer Ed Webster. and Anderson were forced fueled him to try again. to turn back. Webster In 1988, the four man team Sherpa guides. Webster com- stopped only a few hundred of Steven Venables, Robert mented that the reason they vertical feet short of the top of Anderson, Paul Teare and Ed went up without guides was so the world. Webster set out for the summit. that they would not risk the lives Webster said, “I did not want The team planned on climbing of any of their Sherpa friends. to die on the mountain. I had the remote East Face, also Their trip up the mountain other dreams to live.” known as the Kangshung Face, was plagued with dangers. Out of the original four of Everest. Part of the danger They had to be ever vigilant climbers, only Venables was of this climb was the isolation because of the constant threat able to make it to Everest’s that the East Face offered. If of avalanches on this side of the main summit. something were to go wrong on mountain. On their journey, Eventually, the three climbers
ATTENTION: All Canadian and International Students! Please complete your International Student Check-in Form. Upon returning to campus each new semester or when you start student teaching, you must complete an international student check-in registration form to have your SEVIS record updated and activated. You may either come to the South Hall information desk to complete a paper check-in registration form or you may complete this form online at: http://wp.umpi.edu/forms/is-check-in/ (PLEASE NOTE THE URL CHANGE)
5 regrouped at a lower camp and began to make the journey back down the mountain. It took them four days to reach their camp at the very bottom of the Kangshung Face. They were exhausted, weak and had lost a considerable amount of weight. They had, however, done it. They had done what no one had done before them and all four of them had returned alive. Unfortunately, during the climb Webster’s fingers and toes had become severely frostbitten. He lost eight of his fingertips and three of his toes to the mountain. Webster now lives in southern Maine on Orr’s Island with his family. He travels around the world giving presentations. He still has much of the gear he used during his historic Everest climb. Webster has also written some books on Everest. His latest is entitled “Snow in the Kingdom: My Storm Years on Everest.” This book goes in depth into Webster’s time spent both on and off the highest peak in the world. How did the presentation go over? People loved it. The consensus was a big thank you to Ed Webster for coming to UMPI to share his amazing experiences with us. We hope that he comes back to visit soon.
Want to have your message seen and heard in print or on radio? Consider placing an ad in our school newspaper, The University Times. Another possibility: our campus radio station, WUPI 92.1 “The Owl.” Contact Sales Manager Donna DeLong (left) at 227-0070 to inquire.
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Dragon
Continued from Page 1 “Kowtow” is the word that describes how people wish elders a happy New Year. People get on their knees on the floor and clasp their hands and bow. This is not shameful in any way to the people who are honoring their elders. It makes those who bow feel good that they are honoring them. Every New Year, people give gifts that are usually a package of money called “lucky money.” As Joe said humorously, If you don’t Some of have a job you can still get money by kowtowing to many elders. It is important to satisfy all the senses during this celebration: your taste from the food; your touch with family and
Tanzania Continued from Page 1 SOSW invested a lot of time into planning and organizing every event they held and the members all agreed that it was a good way to bond with one another and learn communication skills. “Fundraising was a sense of accomplishment. It added a lot to my experience,” Albert said. While in Tanzania, the SOSW members had different services. Nichols was assigned to create a business plan for selling chickens and avocados, while others worked in the juvenile detention facility and created brochures. At the juvenile detention facility, members worked with children and teens from ages 7 to 18 who were convicted of theft, fighting, murder and rape. They would teach them math and English and told stories about themselves. Working in the facility made the members
Uni ve r sity Ti m e s ! CAMPUS ! M arch 2 , 20 1 2 dragon. The zodiac calendar is based on a 12-year span. Your sign is determined by the year you were born. All the signs have an attachment with the earth and nature and show a progression from the animals closest to the ground , such as the snake, to signs such as the dragon that have many animals combined to make up that sign. For example: the dragon has skin like a snake, scales like a fish and horns like a deer. The most important year in a person’s life is age 60. Decorative artwork on display during the Chinese New This is the five sets of Year presentation. 12. This birthday is the largest celebration pieces from China were on also mentioned that the of people’s lives and sale. Jewelry made in China Chinese New Year presentaeveryone comes to was also on display and for tion will be repeated at the sale. The female students CultureFest during University the food served at the event. honor them. were in traditional dress from Day. UDay is scheduled for This event was very China that would be worn April 11. buildings with large displays of entertaining and the food was during the celebration. Even though the celebrared lanterns that form won- delicious. Examples of the Those present clearly had a tion had ended in China, we derful forms of art. The color ancient art of calligraphy terrific time. Barbara had a taste of our own were created and displayed. red is considered to be lucky. Devaney, adviser of the Chinese New Year celebration This year is the year of the Many original calligraphy International Students Club, right here at UMPI. remember what it was like to be issues and poverty. 7 years old and realize had “I have a greater awareness much they had. of how educated we are,” Nichols recalled trying to Michaud said. explain to the kids in the facil“Two-and-a-half weeks I fority what a moose was. She got I was a college student. It said, “It’s kind of like a zebra made me realize that school Interested in building your with horns.” and work help create and resume? Do you want to hone “Even with a language bar- change awareness. I was blind marketable skills, get involved on rier it still worked. It was very to what really mattered,” textures; your eyes with the massive fireworks displays that can last two hours; and your ears with the large sounds that the fireworks make. The Lantern Festival, held on day 15, is celebrated all over China. Beautiful red lanterns line the streets and
Attention, Attention! Hear all about it!
campus and make a difference? There’s a place for you here at the U Times, UMPI’s student newspaper! Writing is only the beginning. We’ll help you find your niche, and it’s a thrill to see your name in print. touching,” Nichols said, “I did a lot more of the learning: being able to connect with people from across the world without understanding one another.” Now back in the county, the SOSW members agree that the trip was a real eyeopener to socioeconomic
Nichols said, “Two-and-a-half weeks changed my life.” Those who took the Tanzania trip will not forget it. All brought back little pieces of Tanzania with them to share with families and friends in the county and beyond.
Meetings: Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. in Normal 102/the media lab. FMI: please contact adviser Jacquelyn Lowman at jacquelyn.lowman@umpi.edu.
Unive r sity Ti m e s ! CAMPUS ! M a rch 2 , 20 1 2
An Assortment of Gifts Kayla Ames STAFF WRITER
People sat and waited. Not far away, officials in white lab coats drew blood, offered assistance and moved on, from one person to the next. They weren’t in a hospital or lab. They were, in fact, in the multi-
purpose room of the Campus Center. And the people weren’t being tested or treated. They were giving blood. On Wednesday, Feb. 1, UMPI students, faculty and staff as well as community members filed in and out between the hours of 12 and 5 p.m. They were determined to help others. It was a Red Cross event, one of three annual blood drives UMPI hosts. Sponsors included the Residence Life Office, Brothers of Kappa Delta Phi and Sisters of Kappa Delta Phi NAS. The room was filled with chairs, tables, screens and a variety of donors. Some were there to give their time. These volunteers were responsible for handing out snacks and drinks, keeping blood donors seated for 15 minutes after their donation and alerting a professional if something went wrong. Jim Stepp, assistant dean of students and director of resident life, noted that some people who registered to volunteer didn’t show up. Stepp guessed that the Red Cross would end
up collecting between 70 and 80 pints of blood. When the final numbers came in, he was very excited. “We ended up with 84 pints of blood. As I mentioned, we were expecting about 75, so 84 was good news,” Stepp said. This is compared to the 98 pints collected last semester, 99 pints in 2010 and 108 pints in 2008. It ties for the second best spring blood drive ever, missing the ultimate winner of 85 pints — collected in 2009 — by only one pint. “Imagine what we could have done if we didn’t have six inches of snow,” Stepp said. Each time there’s a blood drive, the dorms hold a competition to see which floor has the highest participation rate. The third floor of Park came in first with 35.3 percent. The first and second floors of Merriman tied at 19.5 percent. They were followed by the first and third floor of Emerson with 16.1 and 10.4 percent, then the third floor of Merriman with 10 percent and the first floor of Park with 5.9 percent. Finally, the second floor of Emerson had a 1.9 percent participation rate. The third floor of Park, with the most participants, won a pizza party. Still, that’s not the only -- or primary -- reward blood drives have to offer. Donation saves lives and knowing that you’ve helped someone is one of the greatest prizes imaginable. Time spent with others who care can also bring people closer together. The next blood drive is scheduled to take place this summer on June 25 from noon to 5 p.m. If you’re interested in making a difference, that’s a terrific chance to do so.
Going Places Candice Rivera STAFF WRITER
Rhoads, an UMPI junior who works for conferences and special programs here at UMPI, runs the sound for the performers. Rhoads said, “Yeah, I take care of the sound and I am expecting a good crowd tonight. I’m looking forward to it.” The trio played originals that made people feel as if they already knew the songs. Their original, “Pins and Needles,” was beautifully sung with perfect harmonies from the three men. Their style appealed to every age
Those who attended the University of Maine’s Open Mic, held in the Owl’s Nest weekly, got a special treat Feb. 13. Aside from the usual talent of UMPI students such as Kathleen Higgins, who sang and played her guitar beautifully, there was a guest appearance by the Chicago based trio, Scott Wesley Band. The members, all in their early twenties, are: Scott Wesley on lead guitar, Nick V on acoustic bass and Gavin Ninow on cojon, an African derived percussion i n s t r u m e n t . E v e r y t h i n g acoustic, they played a set that had feet tapping and heads bobbing. According to Nick V, “When the power goes out, the show can go on.” They also drew a great crowd. The room filled during their first set as students came in and gathered in groups on benches and chairs. Jeffrey The Scott Wesley Band
as they played songs with wonderful melodies from artists such as Elvis Costello and Sublime. They played a 45 minute set and allowed UMPI students to then take the stage. There’s a lot of talent at UMPI. The band members are playing throughout Maine and then on to Boston and other areas to promote their new CD. If you were lucky, you purchased one of the CDs they sold for $5, since many are convinced that this is a band to look for in the near future.
DON’T FORGET: Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 11! Turn your clocks ahead one hour. A sure sign that Spring is on its way....
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Stayin’ Alive?
Cole DuMonthier STAFF WRITER
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, as part of Frozen Frenzy, CAB sponsored a showing of the movie “Eight Below,” a film directed by Frank Marshall. The story follows the adventures of eight sled dogs that are left to fend for themselves in the Antarctic wilderness. The story started at the National Science Foundation research base in Antarctica. The base was fairly small, housing only five human residents, one of whom was the Antarctic guide Jerry Shepard, played by Paul Walker. Shepard was entrusted with leading the other members of the research team across the harsh Antarctic terrain. To do this, Jerry had a team of eight well-trained sled dogs. His team consisted of Maya, Max, Shorty, Shadow, Buck, Truman, Dewey and Old Jack. When a visiting scientist, Dr. Davis McClaren, played by Bruce Greenwood, requested to travel to a remote location late in the year, Jerry went against his instincts and agreed to the expedition. After a few
hair rising encounters, the expedition arrived at the designated spot. They were forced cut the expedition short, however, because of an approaching storm. The doctor pleaded with Shepard to stay just a little while longer. Shepard agreed, but said that all he’d give was an extra half day. Nearing the end of their allotted time, the doctor managed to find what he was searching for: a rare meteorite from Mercury. After they loaded up their cargo, they began the long journey back to base. At one point, the team was forced to stop while Shepard tended to the bleeding paw of one of the dogs. While stopped, the doc attempted to establish radio contact with the base. While he was trying to find a signal, the soft snow that he was standing on crumbled and he tumbled down a steep slope. During the
fall, he injured his leg and came to rest on thin ice. Shepard and some of the dogs made their way down the slope just as the
doctor fell through the ice. In order to rescue the doc, Shepard gave Maya a rope, which she then brought out to the doc. The team pulled him out of the frigid water. Shepard and the team
made a desperate dash back to base camp. When whiteout conditions from the intensifying storm and exhaustion hampered Shepard’s ability to direct the team, the two men were forced to rely on the dog’s sense of direction to guide them home. Eventually, they made it back to camp, although Shepard was severely dehydrated and his fingers had become frostbitten. Due to the rapidly intensifying storm, the whole research base was forced to make a hasty evacuation. Unfortunately, the plane was too loaded down with people and supplies to bring the dogs. Despite Shepard’s objections, they were forced to leave the dogs behind until a time when they could return to retrieve them. Shepard’s final sight before he closed his eyes and passed into sleep is of the dogs tethered together in the howling wind. When Shepard awoke, he was at the infirmary.
The doctors were able to save his fingers. He soon learned, however, that the dogs were still at the camp and there was little hope of going to retrieve them. Shepard pleaded with the captain of the base, but to no avail. The storm was just too strong and no planes could be spared. If they delayed the evacuation any longer, everyone at the base might be stuck there until winter ended. Shepard was forced to leave his beloved sled dogs alone and tightly tethered in the bitter cold and driving wind. Unknown to Shepard, who had begun adapting to life back on the mainland, most of the dogs had broken their bonds and were running free. Unfortunately, Old Jack lacked the strength and refused to try to break free. The other dogs were forced to leave him as they went on their way. In their struggle for life, they faced other hardships and loss. To discover what happens to the dogs on their six month adventure and what becomes of Shepard and the rest of the crew, pick up a copy of “Eight Below.”
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Read It Up
Brianna Williams STAFF WRITER
Although it might not have been the Oscars, some of UMPI’s A-listers did recently gather in the Normal Hall Faculty Lounge. They were there to celebrate the Fall/Winter publication of “Upcountry,” UMPI’s online literary journal. The lounge was crowded with people eagerly awaiting readings of some of the journal’s works. The night got started with Melissa Crowe, the journal’s faculty adviser. She spoke about what “Upcountry” does and how they got the publication started. “I’m very proud of the work that is in this journal,” Crowe said. There were 18 people – all UMPI students or alumni —
who put their work into the Fall/Winter publication, a collection of poems and stories. There were five people who came to read their work. First, Shawn Cote read his story about splitting up with his girlfriend. Candice Rivera read five different poems: some of them not yet published. Chris Morton read his story about going to the dump with his father. Chelsie Hawkins read her story about two young women going to Spain on a trip. “I went to Spain in the summer of 2009 and it was a really beautiful place, so I wanted to share that somehow. I think too often great people die alone and other people are too shy or selfish to care. I wanted to write about a person who was dif-
ferent and who would drop go online to read ing: the next publication will everything to help a sick “Upcountry.” And keep wait- be coming! woman: even though nothing was really offered in return,” Hawkins said. Anthony Scott read three poems that night also. “Our realities, our lives, are made of words. So when I write, I try to be three things: absolutely honest, absolutely humble and absolutely fearless. Through these I try to achieve a higher level of clarity and power over my words, a greater power over my own life. If I lie on the page, I die on the page,” Scott said. Overall, the night was a success. Those who attended got complementary hard copies of the journal and appreciation for how much talent UMPI has. Did you miss Melissa Crowe, faculty adviser for “Upcountry.” the reading? You can always
Upcountry: Hot off the Presses Mika Ouellette STAFF WRITER
The faculty lounge in Normal Hall was full the night of Thursday, Feb. 9. Walking by, you might have thought that the professors were throwing a party. They were sitting on various chairs and couches in the lounge while eating snacks and listening to p e o p l e singing and reading poetry. But you also saw some students so that couldn’t have been a staff only affair. Truth is, it was a party put on to celebrate the release of the Fall 2011 issue of UMPI’s literary journal “Upcountry.” “I’m super excited about the print version of the journal,” Dr. Melissa Crowe, the faculty adviser of the journal, said.
According to Crowe, this is the first print issue of the journal that had been available in many years. This past issue had 18 contributors along with two student editors. Five of the contributors came to share their work by reading aloud pieces of poetry and prose that
they had published in the journal. The contributors are all current students, alumni and staff of UMPI. The reason that there were not more contributors at the event is that many of the alumni contributors live far away. Regardless of this, the event had an excellent
turnout, which Crowe hopes will happen again when the Spring 2012 issue of the journal comes out later in the semester. All of those who attended this event received free print copies of “Upcountry” as a thank you gift for supporting this campus publication. The journal is already looking for submissions for the coming issue. They’re due at the end of the month of February with hopes of the next issue of the journal being published in April. It’s looking for prose, poetry, photographs or other artwork from UMPI staff, students and alumni. For more information on submitting to “Upcountry,” you can e-mail the journal staff at upcountry@maine.edu.
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The Apple of Her Eye Jessie Rose STAFF WRITER
Has there ever been a bond stronger than the one we share with our beloved animals? Every year, pet owners spend billions of dollars in the pet industry as they buy everything from food to spa treatments. Part of those billions comes from Anne Chase, UMPI lecturer of science, for her companion Sassy. Sassy is an Akita. But fanciers of the breed might refer to her as an American Akita: even though the United States doesn’t separate the two. Sassy isn’t Chase’s first Akita, and won’t be her last, either. Chase got Sassy, her fourth Akita, nine years ago when she was just a puppy. Chase teaches different sci-
ences courses and chemistry dog that would tolerate peolab courses. She is knowledge- ple stopping by to purchase able in the area of science and eggs. Some people fear shows a strong love for the topic. But Chases’ true love is Sassy. Chase beams with pride when talking about Sassy. Some days Sassy can be seen sleeping in the office while Chase works. Chase decided on an Akita because she wanted a large dog that could scare off any unwanted visitors. But she Anne Chase with Sassy. also needed a
Akitas, since in the past they were a dog that had a reputation of being aggressive. “Buying a puppy from a reputable breeder, doing your research on different bloodlines and meeting the parents can help determine what you will get,” Chase said. “I wouldn’t buy a puppy without seeing it first.” When asked why she decided on a female, Chase said, “You can see her using
her mind to figure things out for herself.” For Chase, starting with a puppy is important as she has cats and chickens, plus has frequent people stopping by to purchase eggs. Sassy is one of the dogs you can find from time to time on the UMPI campus who welcomes a pat from students who miss their family dog while away at school. Plus Sassy is also a listening ear to some, when they feel as if they have no place else to turn. What could be better than talking to a dog who you know won’t reveal whatever you have to say? Next time you see Sassy around campus, ask Chase if you can pat her for yourself. You won’t be disappointed that you asked.
Sweets from the Heart Folsom Hall was the place to be on Valentine’s Day. Besides the usual classes, it held a special event. Native Voices held a fundraising bake sale to raise money for upcoming events that the club plans to attend this semester. A table held homemade goodies, from heart shaped cupcakes, to brownies, to several different flavors of cakes. Club members also raffled off a basket that held two Tshirts, two mugs, two stickers and a dream The Nick Paul, president of Native Voices. catcher. winner of the Jessie Rose
STAFF WRITER
raffle was announced at the end of the event: our own editor, Lanette Virtanen. “The money we raise is going toward Native Appreciation Day and an education trip for the whole club,” Nick Paul, president of Native Voices, said. Some of the places they plan to travel are New Y o r k , Connecticut, Rhode Island a n d Massachusetts. This will not only be an educational trip, but is sure to also be fun for the group. Let’s hope that you had a chance to sample some Left to right: of the delicious
goodies they had, which were all homemade. If you’d like to know more about Native
Voices, please attend one of their weekly club meetings, held on Thursdays.
Glen Bernard and Elizabeth Dupessis.
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Building the Future Shara Gardner STAFF WRITER
We all had that favorite teacher from school that we can remember who influenced our lives in one way or another and helped shape the people we have become. Teachers have a significant impact their students’ lives. The better prepared teachers are when they enter the workforce, the better off the future of education is in public and private schools for years to come. A strong foundation guarantees a better education for your children. The college of education has developed an innovative new tool for our future teachers. Censeo, Latin for “I Assess,” was created by Tony Albert of the UMPI computer services department. He worked with William Breton and the other members of the college of education’s faculty and staff. Censeo contains all the necessary steps that students need to successfully complete their education degree at UMPI and be
teachers in the field. “Censeo for me is an organizational tool for students to assist them in completing the requirements for the CoE and to get them to identify the key elements that are necessary to be a successful teacher. It was created for individuals who have aspirations of becoming teachers in the State of Maine. It was designed to fulfill all the elements necessary to meet the criteria set by the Maine Department of Education to obtain a teaching license,” Breton said. According to students, Censeo appears to be right on track with Breton’s sentiments. “I like how it enables us to be organized. It’s very straightforward and it’s a good backup to our actual professional portfolio,” Sara Ralston, post-baccalaureate teacher education major, said. Censeo was developed after much research. “UMPI investigated other alternative assessment tools and found them to be too costly or not flexible
enough to suit our needs. That led us to create our own Web based solution that would be accessible to anyone from anywhere,” Albert said. “From start to finish, it took about three full
the three levels of the program: Entry, Developmental and Clinical. They can view the requirements of each level and see what they need to do to be able to move on through the
months to create Censeo.” In the past, students did not have a place where they could go and view their entire program’s expectations in one place. Censeo has met that need. Students can now view
program without any surprises. “The first time logging in was kind of intimidating. But once I got past that, I found it was very user friendly. The additional detail links for each requirement are extremely
helpful; they answer any questions you may have. The expectations are really clear,” Margaret Selig, post baccalaureate teacher education student, said. “Censeo is going to help students be more organized and be able to meet all of their program’s requirements,” Albert said. “Education students can access Censeo by making sure that they have had their active directory accounts activated by computer services. This is essential, because it’s the same username and password that’s used for both the active directory account and for Censeo access.” Censeo is a work in progress. It will continue to grow and change with the program and the requirements put in place by the Maine Department of Education. If you have any questions about Censeo, contact Shara Gardner, administrative assistant for the CoE, either by phone 768-9419 or via email shara.gardner@umpi.edu.
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Bruce (left) and Vinnie (right) havin始 a ball. Henry in his owner始s loving arms.
PET PLAY DAY February 2012
Left to right: Hannah, Sadie and Ludy taking a biscuit break.
Left to right: Bruce, Hannah, Vinnie and Ludy dashing through the snow.
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What Is Love?
Mika Ouellette STAFF WRITER
When you think of love, what do you think of ? Do you think of Prince Charming sweeping Cinderella off her feet in the famous Disney movie? Or do you think of roses, diamonds and chocolates? Actually, real love is none of these things as Ann Lund explained at a ladies-only lecture that she gave on the Tuesday evening before Valentine’s Day at 6 p.m.. CRU, the nondenominational campus ministry, invited Lund to speak to young women on campus about what real love is.
Lund is a 2001 graduate of UMPI who still lives in Presque Isle but teaches Grade 1 in Mars Hill. She talked about the different struggles she went through in college that all young women go through, including body image issues, peer pressure and relationship problems. Although she did quote the Bible, her message was one that even those who are not religious could appreciate.
“I am a former hopeless romantic,” Lund said. Lund defined a “hopeless
women are this way and it leaves them with an empty feeling that they try to fill in
romantic” as someone who has unrealistic expectations about relationships and self-image. She said that many young
ways that are not always healthy. Often this empty feeling causes young women to have poor self-esteem.
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Lund learned how to love herself as she was by creating a new image of herself that she considered beautiful and through her faith. She encourages young women who have poor self-images to lear n to view themselves as beautiful to create new ones. Although this is not what most young women think of when they imagine love, it can be the best kind of l ov e t h e r e i s .
Looking for Love? Jessie Rose
STAFF WRITER
Are you looking for a new friend or maybe even the love of your life? Maybe you just want someone who will
be happy to cuddle with you. T hen maybe you’re l o o k i n g f o r B i g Jo h n . B i g Jo h n w a s f o u n d
as a stray in Presque Isle more than three months ago. Since then he has been waiting to find a forever home that will love him. He likes to play with anything
that has feathers and is a l s o a b i g f a n o f c a t n i p. He is 6-7 year s old and i s a l a r g e b o y. H e i s
fixed and up to date on all his shots. Jo h n w o u l d l o v e a nice, soft place to lie either for a cat nap or to bathe in the sun. He is looking for someone who can provide him love and daily meals, as he is always ready to eat. Do you have room in your home and heart for him? B i g Jo h n i s l o c a t e d a t Central Aroostook Humane Society here in Presque Isle. Their hours are 10-4 Tu e s d a y s - S a t u r d a y s . Come on by to meet Big Jo h n . H e m a y b e t h e o n e y o u ’v e b e e n l o o k i n g f o r.
We are happy to say that, since this story was written, Big John has been adopted. He was just one of the many animals in need of a loving home, though. There are plenty more waiting for you at Central Aroostook Humane Society. Pictured here: Fred, whoʼs also available for adoption.
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UMPI Men Cannot Hold UMFK Offense Carlos Villoria STAFF WRITER
The rivalry continues, but the Owls could not stop the Bengals’ offense. UMPI had lost the last four games against this Aroostook County foe and this time wasn’t the exception for the Owls: they lost 75-64. A f t e r t h re e ove r t i m e s i n t h e w o m e n’s g a m e, t h e c row d w a s a n x i o u s a b o u t t h e m e n’s g a m e. A s u s u a l , t h e g a m e s t a r t e d s l ow l y with both teams missing t h e f i r s t c o u p l e o f s h o t s. B u t Fo r t Ke n t q u i c k l y j u m p e d u p o n t h e s c o re b o a rd , a n d s t aye d i n t h e l e a d fo r t h e wh o l e g a m e. The game was very fast, back and forth, but at the
ports Lady Owls Lose in Triple Overtime Against Bengals
halftime the Bengals had a Carlos Villoria But it wasn’t enough for the STAFF WRITER 15 point lead 38-23. The Owls to come up with the Beng als kept it up with In a makeup game due to victory. This left tears on good offense and better snow, on Tuesday, Feb. 6, some faces of the UMPI UMFK beat UMPI 74-73 in women’s team. The lead was back and forth triple overtime to end the marathon battle between the and left people on the edge of rivals. It was the most excit- their seats. In the end, a deciding game of the season for ing factor was poor performance at the free throw line. both teams. The common feeling among This was the second time that the Owls faced the the women on the team was that they should have come up Bengals this season. UMFK also won the first game, 65-61. As a makeup game, the people in the community had a tough decision about whether to go to the defense. The Owls’ mis- classic Tuesday night takes were capitalized upon high school games at by their opponent. Presque Isle High The crowd started to School or come to leave with 10 minutes to go support the University in the second half. We of Maine at Presque stopped Matt Nadeau Isle to watch the to ask him why we has Aroostook County all leaving the game with time rivalry. Most of the com10 minutes to go. munity people and N a d e a u s a i d , “ I students came to d o n ’ t t h i n k t h e y ’ r e the UMFK versus coming back i n UMPI game to supt h i s g a m e . T h e y ’ r e port the Owls. The n o t p l a y i n g a s t h e y benches were full. The game was by usually do.” T h e O w l s we re far the best game of led by Pa t r i c k the season for both M a n i f o l d w i t h 2 1 teams and they played with heart points and 15 and gave 100 per- Players left to right: Taylor Boucher re b o u n d s. cent on the court.
(UMPI).
with the victory and that they were disappointed about how the game ended. “What a game!” Jordan Duffy, a student from UMPI said after the game, “I thought that we would win this game. Good job for the girls: they did an amazing job on the court!” Emily Moore and Rashell Saucier led the team with 14 and 17 points, respectively.
(UMFK) and Emily Moore
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UMPI versus UMPI: Home Team Takes the Win Stephanie Jellett
It was a chilly night on Feb. 1. Around 8:15 p.m., UMPI students started to arrive at the Presque Isle Forum for the first UMPI versus UMPI hockey game and also a Covenenth Cup event. The percentage of fans from each dorm decided who won the cup. The first 50 people to show up got free Tim Horton’s hot chocolate and cookies from the RAs. The clock started ticking down and before you knew, it was end of the first period. Fans sipped the delicious hot chocolate and filled their bellies with chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies. By the end of the first period, UMPI Home was in the lead 2-1. The second period was a battle back and forth until there was 9:55 left. Brett Goodin scored for the guests to tie the game up 2-2. UMPI Home didn’t let the goal get them down. Josh Mackinnon put the puck in the net with 2:19 left, making the score 3-2. Steven Thorne then put UMPI Home at a greater advantage by scoring, leaving UMPI Guest behind by 2. With less than a minute left, UMPI Home scored another goal, making the score 5-2. By the third period, UMPI Home didn’t slow down—they were on fire! When there was 9:43 left, Thorne scored again for the home team, leaving the guests behind by 4. Mackinnon shot the puck from the blue line and Tyler Kavanaugh blocked the shot. Kavanaugh fell to the ice but was OK. With 7:12 left of the third, Will Cole got the final goal, leaving the game at 7-2. “I had a good time. I really enjoyed it,” Ben Lulofs, a sophomore at UMPI, said. Skyway ended up having the highest fan percentage for the evening, followed by Emerson, then Park and Merriman. “Overall, our team did really well considering we wore off-colored jerseys. It was a little confusing,” Chris Moore, who played that evening, said. The fans were satisfied. It was another entertaining night for UMPI hockey. The fans cheered and the teams shook hands to end the evening. STAFF WRITER
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February 10, 2012
Learning From The Greats
Ben Pinette
STAFF WRITER
It was quite a shock to come home on Saturday, Feb. 11, and see CNN have the words “Breaking News: Whitney Houston Dead at 48” flashing on my television set. It was similar to the effect when I found out Michael Jackson died back in 2009. How could we lose another icon so quickly? You may or may not be a fan of Houston, but mostly everyone admired her for her powerful voice. She first hit no. 1 on the Billboard charts back in 1985 with “Saving All My Love For You.” It wasn’t a year later in 1986 when she scored another chart topper
with “How Will I Know?” In total, she produced 11 no. 1 hits, seven studio albums, other compilations and three soundtrack albums, as well as 53 singles. Many people have forgotten that Houston also sang the national anthem back in 1991 for the Super Bowl. It also was rereleased in 2001 after the Sept. 11 attacks. Many remember Houston on a reality show with husband Bobby Brown back in 2005: “Being Bobby Brown.” The show didn’t last long, but it showed the Browns abusing alcohol and drugs on a daily basis. I could go on discussing Houston’s numerous songs, why and how she got into drugs and alcohol, how she
ended up with Brown, and so much more, but this isn’t the time or place for that. This is more to remember her 53 singles and how she took control of the pop music landscape back in the mid 1980s and changed it. In doing so, she also got the title in 2009 from Guinness World Records as the most-awarded female act of all time. Well, another super star is gone. Lear n from some of the best who have fallen. Didn’t we almost have it all, Whitney.
Announcing: UMPI’s Creative Spirit Photo Contest Here is the chance for you to show your creative spirit. Share your view of the UMPI campus through your eyes. Between now and April 20, take pictures of UMPI-- the students, staff, activities, grounds, snow, buildings, etc. Select your favorite photos and enter UMPI’s Creative Spirit Photo Contest.
Contest Criteria Must be a current UMPI student Must submit your own work Photographs must be 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10 Subject must show or be about UMPI (A student may enter up to two photos in each of the 3 categories) Most CREATIVE UMPI Photo· Having FUN at UMPI Photo· Best Photo of UMPI Scene Photos must include your name, contact number, category you are entering, title, specific location where photo was taken and names of subjects if applicable on the back of the photo. The photograph(s) will be returned to the student. Please bring your photos to the Reception Desk in South Hall by Friday, April 20, 2012. Pictures will be displayed and voting will be done by students, faculty and staff. Winners will be announced at the Student Appreciation Picnic on Thursday, May 3, 2012. For more information: Contact Bonnie DeVaney, UMPI Pride Committee chair, 768-9750, 205 South Hall, Barbara.devaney@umpi.edu UMPI’s Creative Spirit Student Photo Contest is sponsored by the UMPI Pride Committee.
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Hate Groups Push Anti-Gay messages Dick Harrison CONTRIBUTOR
Recent outcries from groups on the far right have called for boycotts of JC Penney and Home Depot and to put pressure on Starbucks because those companies defy these anti-gay organizations and won’t discriminate against LGBT, lesb i a n - g ay - b i s ex u a l transgender people, as the groups demand. There’s the JC Penney boycott. This originated with a group calling itself “One Million Moms” and is a project of the American Family Association. The AFA is “offended” by the department store chain because Penney’s has hired one of the most popular women in America, a same-sex-married and out lesbian, as the company’s spokesperson: Ellen DeGeneres. The AFA website states that it’s “funny that JC Penney thinks hiring an open homosexual [sic] spokesperson will help their business when most of its customers are traditional families.” JC Penney CEO Ron Johnson told “CBS This Morning,” “We stand squarely behind Ellen as our spokesperson . . . Our company was founded 110 years ago on the golden rule, which is about treating people fair and square, just like you would like to be treated yourself. And we think Ellen represents the values of our company and the values that we share.” “For several years, The Home Depot has given its financial and corporate support to open displays of homosexual [sic] activism on main streets in
America’s towns. Rather than remain neutral in the culture war, The Home Depot has chosen to sponsor and participate in numerous gay pride parades and festivals.” This is how the AFA begins its call for a boycott of another large corporation.
To support its outrage, the AFA website has a link to “Home Depot’s shocking gay pride parade float” in San Francisco in 2011. The YouTube video shows a tractor-trailer with an HD-orange colored cab, an oversized can of paint labeled “True Colors” pouring a rainbow of paint with “HOME DEPOT” lettering running the length of the flatbed upon which about three dozen men and women sing, dance, and wave rainbow flags. Shocking indeed! AFA claims that by seeing this gay pride parade float, Home Depot was “deliberately exposing small children to lascivious displays of sexual conduct by homosexuals [sic] and cross-dressers.” Maybe the children lining the streets should have been counseled to cover their eyes. Is it any wonder why the American Family Association is included in a listing of hate groups? The hate group designation originates with the
SPLC, the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights organization founded in 1971 noted for its legal victories against white supremacists, monitoring militias and extremist organizations, and offering educational programs that promote tolerance. The SPLC classifies as a hate group “an organization that denigrates or assaults entire groups of people, typically for attributes that are beyond their c o n t r o l . ” According to the FBI, a hate group’s primary purpose “is to promote animosity, hostility, and malice against persons belonging to a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin which differs from that of the members of the organization.” The SPLC’s list of anti-gay groups is based on their propagation of known falsehoods — claims about LGBT people that have been thoroughly discredited by
scientific authorities — and repeated, groundless name-calling. Viewing homosexuality as unbiblical does not qualify organizations for listing as hate groups. Other anti-gay groups include Concerned Women for America and Focus on the Family. CWA opposes legal recognition of LGBT rights as civil rights including the right to marry, hate crimes legislation, the right to have consensual sex in their own homes, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, and opposing anti-bullying programs that explicitly mention sexual minority youth. Wikipedia notes that the American Psychological Association and the Royal College of Psychiatrists expressed concerns that the positions espoused by Focus on the Family are not supported by science and create an environment in which
prejudice and discrimination can flourish. FoF became more active in the same-sex marriage opposition move-
ment in 2003 after the Supreme Court of Canada declared that restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples is a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Southern Poverty Law Center described both Focus on the Family and Concerned Women for America as two of a “dozen major groups [that] help drive the religious right’s anti-gay crusade.”
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Strong Solar Storms Hit the Earth Jim Stepp
CONTRIBUTOR
Every 11 or so years, the sun cycles through a sunspot cycle. This cycle is progressing toward a sunspot maximum in 2013 or 2014. As the number of sunspots increases, so do the number of solar flares and the number of nights in which northern lights will be visible. On Jan. 19, 2012, a large solar flare created a significant coronal mass ejection (CME). This CME contained charged particles and matter that headed toward the Earth. On Sunday, Jan. 22, at about 11 p.m. EST, this material hit the Earth and formed northern lights. People living in this region missed out on these northern lights due to the weather, but don’t worry, the next year will bring many more chances to see northern lights. When the material from a solar flare hits the Earth, it has three different effects at three different times. The first event occurs when the light from the explosion hits the Earth. This takes about eight minutes and 20 seconds to occur. Images of solar flares and CMEs are first collected by NASA’s SOHO satellite and are available at NASA’s SOHO site at http://sohowww.nascom.nas a.gov/. The second event is the flare’s radiation, in the form of protons, hitting the Earth. This radiation affects communication with satellites, interferes
with GPS systems, can increase the chances of cancer in astronauts in space and can cause communication issues with airplanes flying over the polar regions. This radiation leaves the sun flying at about 93 million miles an hour and hits the Earth just one hour after the flare occurs and continues to bombard the Earth for the next two or three days. Since it takes about eight minutes and 20 seconds for light to reach the Earth from the sun, only about 50 minutes exists to prepare for the incoming radiation. Finally, the plasma part of the solar material ejected hits the Earth. This material travels between 1 and 4 million miles per hour, thus taking between 23 hours and 93 hours to reach the Earth. This plasma interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field and causes northern and southern lights. This interaction can also cause disruption in electrical grid. In 1989, a solar storm caused a massive blackout in Quebec. For more information, go to http://www.washingtonpost.co m/national/health-science/biggest-solar-storm-since2005-underway-will-peak-tuesday/2012/01/23/gIQAivH6K Q_story.html?wpisrc=nl_most. THE NIGHT SKY The International Space Station is visible in the evening sky through March 4. After March 16, the ISS is visible in the morning sky. G o t o w w w. h e ave n s -
above.com for exact times and locations. You will need to register at this site and load your location to be able to get exact times. The University of Maine at Presque Isle is located
at 68d00m7.8s west longitude and 46d40m45.6s north latitude. To get a free sky chart, go to www.skymaps.com. Sun and Planet Visibility Planet visibility times are based on the planet being at least 5 degrees high and 30 minutes from either sunrise or sunset. 02/10 Sunrise 06:10 Sunset 17:18 Mercury 17:30 – 18:48 Venus 17:18 – 21:18 Mars 17:30 – 06:00 Jupiter 17:30 – 22:06 Saturn 21:24 – 05:42 Uranus not visible 02/27@08:05 Moon at apogee – farthest from the Earth – 405,000 km or 251,600 mi 02/29 Leap Year. 02/29@20:21 First Quarter Moon.
03/01 The Soviet Venera 3 becomes the first space probe to crash land on Venus – 1966. 03/02@00:31 Mercury at perihelion – closest to the Sun – 46,000,700 million km or 28,583,500 mi from Earth. 03/02@01:12 Moon eclipses Beta Taurus: eclipse ends at 01:58. 03/03@15:47 Mars at opposition – directly behind the Earth – 101 million km or 62.7 million mi from Earth. 03/04 Jupiter’s rings were discovered by the US space probe Voyager 1 – 1979. 03/04@10:30 Mercury at half phase. 03/04@16:26 Mercury passes 2.4 degrees from Uranus. 03/04@21:30 Comet Garradd (Comet c/2009 P1) makes its closest approach to the Earth. Visible in binoculars between 18:48 and 04:36. 03/05@04:36 Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation (18.2 degrees) – visible in the evening sky. 03/07@18:34 Moon 9 degree from Mars. 03/08@04:39 Full Moon. 03/09 Voyager 1 discovers the first extraterrestrial volcano on Jupiter’s moon Io – 1979. 03/10@05:07 Moon at perigee – closest to the Earth - 362300 km or 225100 mi from Earth. 03/10@22:48 Moon 5.9 degrees from Saturn. 03/11 NASA’s Kuiper Airborne Observatory discovers rings around Uranus – 1977. 03/11@01:00 Daylight Saving
Time begins – lose an hour of sleep. 03/13 Percival Lowell, the discoverer of Pluto, was born – 1855. 03/13 William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus – 1781. 03/13@17:26 Venus 3 degrees from Jupiter. 03/14 Albert Einstein born – 1879. 03/14@20:25 Last Quarter Moon. 03/18 First ever space walk occurred on the Soviet Voshkhod 2 – 1965. 03/18@19:21 Mercury 4.2 degrees from Uranus. 03/19@22:11 Moon 5.6 degrees from Neptune. 03/20@00:14 Spring begins. 03/20@20:00 Venus at perihelion – closest to the sun – 107,479,000 million km or 66,784,500 mi from the sun. 03/21@17:19 Mercury passes between the Earth and the sun. 03/22@06:54 Moon 1.5 degrees from Mercury. 03/22@09:37 New Moon. 03/22@14:01 Moon 5.2 degrees from Uranus. 03/24@13:30 Uranus passes behind the sun. 03/25@17:33 Moon 2.7 degrees from Jupiter 03/26@01:22 Moon at apogee – farthest from the Earth – 405,900 km or 252.200 mi from Earth. 03/26@02:54 Moon 2.4 degrees from Venus. 03/27@02:30 Venus at greatest eastern elongation (46 degrees) – highest point in the evening sky.
Uni ver sity T im e s ! LIFESTYLE ! Fe b r ua r y 1 0, 2 01 2
The Reel Deal: ‘The Help’
Stephanie Corriveau STAFF WRITER
PG-13 146 Minutes **** Imagine that you were told that you couldn’t use your employer’s bathroom because of the way you looked. Sound impossible? Before segregation was abolished, this kind of thing happened all the time. “The Help” focuses on some of the discrimination issues that African-Americans faced in the segregation era, especially the maids who worked for white women. Set in the deep South (Mississippi), “The Help” is about a journalist’s connection with a group of hired AfricanAmerican house workers. Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone) wants to work in New York, but she must first prove her writing skills. She’s expected to write a book that focuses on the maids’ (mostly bad) experiences. This is a tricky task, though, especially since the laws prevent African-Americans from speak-
ing out. With Minny (Octavia Spencer) and Aibileen’s (Viola Davis) help, she begins to document their stories in secret. Soon, other maids join in to share their tales of working for white women. And once the book’s published, none of these white women want to admit just which character they are. You can’t help but love the storyline. It’s not only educational, but also entertaining. “The Help” touches on so many issues. First, you witness the terrible racism that occurred in the past. You feel much compassion for the African-American maids. Second, you see the bonds that can develop between people during tough times. It offers hope that people can reach out to one another, despite their differences. Yes, the film focuses on serious issues, but it also includes some humor. It’s quite funny to listen to the stories that the maids have to tell. Overall, “The Help” makes you laugh, cry and appreciate how far we’ve come in the fight for equality.
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Anti-Piracy or Internet Censorship? Kathleen York STAFF WRITER
You’ve come home from a long day, and after you make a snack and change into something more comfortable, eventually you find yourself sitting down at your computer. You have e-mails to read, messages to check on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and a slew of other social networking sites. You check the news and watch videos on YouTube. As you type YouTube in the search box, its URL automatically comes up in history. You click on it, the page redirects...and you find yourself looking at a notice that says, “YouTube has been blacklisted for containing copyrighted videos and music.” Maybe it’s just a glitch in the system, you reason, and attempt to find it on Google. But even there, YouTube doesn’t come up in any of your searches. It’s as if the site no longer exists. This is the worst case scenario that opponents of the SOPA, PIPA and ACTA bills fear will soon become a reality. The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Act, the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act and the Stop Online Piracy Act are being negotiated in the United States and, in the case of ACTA, abroad. All are designed to counter online piracy. In short, SOPA and PIPA, if passed, will allow the government to issue court orders against websites that contain copyrighted or pirated media, information and goods. Such orders would blacklist the sites. Search engines such as Google would no longer show a link to a blacklisted site. ACTA is a global version of this idea, receiving support from Canada, the European Union and Japan, to name a few. Supporters of these bills say that they will help end unlawful sales and uses of copyrighted
property. Opponents say that they are too broadly termed and will damage the freedom of speech and expression on the Internet, as well as cripple online businesses. For example, say a person decides to start her own blog. She goes online and finds an album cover from her favorite band to
of taste and tact is not bad. “There are things like safe searches, but kids can get around it,” Mika Ouellette, an UMPI student, said of censorship on the Web. “I think there should be limits, but not full-on censorship.” Michelle Greene, an employee at the UMPI library, com-
post on her page. If any of these bills are passed, worded as they are now, the entire host site could be blacklisted and fined for having that one image on a blog. This also possibly means that sites such as YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Wikipedia, which are known for hosting content that does not belong to the site, could be blacklisted as well. This concern has caused some of these sites, along with other companies such as Google and Mozilla Firefox, to engage in a daylong blackout to raise awareness. Wikipedia originally scheduled this on Jan. 18 of this year, with other sites following suit. People on and off campus are starting to become more aware of these bills, even those who aren’t often willing to voice their opinions on Internet piracy and censorship. Of the students and staff who were asked, a fairly large percentage of them said that partial censorship on the Internet for the sake
pared censorship to evidence in a courtroom. “If you have half of the evidence, then you have half of the information and half of a case.” As for piracy, some took the stance that the government should not get involved to the extent that SOPA, PIPA and ACTA are suggesting. “It should just stay between the copyright owners and the ones who are stealing the copyrights,” Martha FranklinWight, UMPI student said. When asked about the three anti-piracy bills, Tyler Ouellette said, “It would kill a lot of social networking sites that people use frequently. Being overly strict like that will kill certain industries.” Others are on the fence as to whether such extremes in legislation are necessary. The general consensus on campus is that piracy itself is wrong, but it is also wrong to put the basic principles of the Internet in jeopardy: the right to share and connect.
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Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Remember to wear green.