The Commonwealth Times; February 23, 2012

BRIEFS

On

the cover:

VCU student Carolina Perez died Wednesday morning after fellow VCU student Varinder Chahal's car hit the car in which she was riding.

Illustration by Marleigh Culver

Local & VCU National & International

Petersburg city manager charged in assault on wife

Petersburg City Manager William E. Johnson II, who has been on the job for less than a year, was charged over the weekend with assaulting his wife.

Johnson was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery for an incident that occurred Feb. 18 involving his wife, Gloria Wright Johnson, a clerk with Petersburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations District confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

Johnson is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning, Petersburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Cassandra Conover said.

Petersburg City Council is aware of the situation facing City Manager William Johnson, but Council has not met to discuss the issue,” according to a statement from the city.

The statement says Johnson will continue to work as city manager until the City Council meets and the matter has been referred to Petersburg’s acting city attorney, William Hefty.

Johnson was appointed city manager in June 2011 to replace longtime city manager B. David Canada, who retired. Johnson is a former deputy city manager in Richmond.

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Senate welfare drug screening bill faces uncertain future

A Senate measure to drug screen some welfare recipients was sent Tuesday morning to the House of Delegates' money committee – the same panel that voted earlier this session to carry over a House version of the measure to 2013 to study the costs.

The House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee this morning conformed the bill brought by Sen. Stephen Martin, R-Chesterfield, to the House version sponsored by Del. Richard P. Bell, R-Staunton, and sent it to the House Appropriations Committee.

The House money committee earlier this month carried Bell's measure over to next year’s General Assembly session to allow more time to study its potential costs – pegged at $1.3 million out of the general fund in the first year and about $1 million annually after that.

Del. John M. O’Bannon III, R-Henrico, this morning noted the questions about the House bill's potential costs, saying "I think it's fair to treat these the same way."

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Magnitude 2.7 aftershock shakes central Virginia

A magnitude 2.7 earthquake in Louisa County shook central Virginia early Sunday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The aftershock, centered about 8 miles south-southwest of Mineral and 39 miles northwest of Richmond, occurred shortly after 2 a.m., the USGS said.

More than 100 aftershocks have occured in the Louisa area since a 5.8 quake Aug. 23.

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Cancer drug shortage eased

Federal regulators have approved new suppliers for two crucial cancer drugs, easing critical shortages that had been ratcheting up fears that patients, particularly children with leukemia, would miss lifesaving treatments.

There are 283 prescription drugs in short supply or unavailable nationwide, and regulators and manufacturers say shortages are a long-term problem that will continue to give patients and doctors nightmares.

On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration said it temporarily will allow importation of a replacement drug for Doxil, used to treat recurrent ovarian or bone marrow cancer. The Johnson & Johnson drug hasn't been available for new patients for months because J&J's contract manufacturer had to shut down production over serious quality lapses.

Brief by the Associated Press

Loss of license ordered in Kansas abortion case

A state administrative judge has ordered the revocation of a Kansas doctor's license over her referrals of young patients to the late Dr. George Tiller for late-term abortions, concluding their care was "seriously jeopardized" by inadequate mental health examinations.

In an order that became public Tuesday, the judge said Dr. Ann Kristen Neuhaus failed to meet accepted standards of care in performing exams on 11 patients, ages 10 to 18, who had late-term abortions at Tiller's clinic in Wichita from July to November 2003. The judge said Neuhaus' records did not contain the information necessary to show she did thorough exams.

Kansas law required Tiller to get an opinion from another doctor to terminate the pregnancies. Neuhaus said each patient's mental health issues were serious enough to allow each procedure to go forward.

The order must be reviewed by the State Board of Healing Arts, which licenses and regulates physicians, most likely at an April 13 meeting. If the board makes Gaschler's order final, Neuhaus still could file a legal challenge.

Brief by the Associated Press

Woman in Texas struck by bullet from Mexico

A woman shopping on a busy downtown El Paso street became the first victim of bullets flying across the border from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Tuesday when she was hit in the calf and wounded, authorities said.

The 48-year-old woman, whose name has not been released, was pushing a stroller when she was struck. Gregg Allen, El Paso's chief of police, said the wound was caused by a "full metal jacket hard-nosed bullet" like those used in assault rifles. Because of that, he said, the projectile caused a clean exit wound. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was treated and released.

El Paso Mayor John Cook asked residents to remain calm, saying there is "no way to prevent incidents like this from happening" and the odds of getting hit by a stray bullet are minimal.

She was struck at the same time Juarez police were battling alleged carjackers a few hundred feet from the U.S. border. Allen said reports indicate up to 50 shots were fired in that gunfight.

Brief by the Associated Press

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NEWS

In this section:

More than 1,000 protest anti-abortion bills

Zack Budryk Capital News Service

More than 1,000 people turned out at the Capitol on Monday to silently protest a wave of legislation that they claim undermines women’s reproductive rights.

The demonstration focused largely on two measures: House Bill 1, which would give the legal status of a human being to a fertilized egg, and HB 462, which would require an ultrasound before undergoing an abortion.

Both bills have passed the House of Delegates and are being considered by the Senate Education and Health Committee.

“We want the state legislators to know that we are angry, and we will not stand idly by as our rights to privacy and access to health care are eroded; we will not be told we do not know what is best for us, or that access to care should be limited to those who can pay,” said Sarah Okolita, who helped organize the event.

“We will not have medically unneces -

sary procedures forced upon us. We will not give up our right to plan our families,” said Okolita, a graduate student in social work at VCU. “These are distractions. Virginia needs economic growth and recovery, not repressive, regressive and dangerous control over our bodies.”

Another organizer, Jordan Romeo, a global studies and international social justice major at VCU, said he hoped the rally would send a message to the General Assembly.

“We have been telling people to contact their legislators, to call their legislators, to write emails, to be a presence at the Capitol as much as possible,” Romeo said.

Eileen Davis, a health care provider, said that the wording of HB 1 had potentially dangerous ramifications.

“The law of unintended consequences is all over this bill,” Davis said. “Women who have to take birth control or have a barrier method such as an IUD because they’re on cancer treatment, according to this bill, would be breaking the law.

“This bill says that women who have migraine headaches cannot take birth control pills … This is a law that was written by people that don’t understand health care, medical care and the medical consequences of it.”

Delegate Bob Marshall, R-Manassas, the sponsor of HB 1, has disputed such comments as fear-mongering. The bill states that “Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as affecting lawful assisted conception.”

The demonstration began at 11 a.m. as participants silently lined the walkways on the Capitol grounds and linked arms.

Around 12:30 p.m., the protesters dispersed before reassembling at the Bell Tower for a rally. The rally’s featured speakers included various legislators, as well as activists such as Ramey Connelly of the Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project and Victoria Bragunier of the Richmond chapter of the National Organization for Women.

“Virginia is better than this,” Delegate Alfonso Lopez, D-Arlington, told

the crowd. “We represent something better. We have for 400 years. Let’s not go backwards. This is not what Virginia is.”

Participants and organizers said they were pleased with the turnout for the demonstration, particularly after Sunday’s snow.

“We were talking with the Capitol Police here,” said Vicki Yeroian, president of VCU Young Democrats and an advocate intern with Planned Parenthood. “And one of them was kind enough to let us know that in the 27 years that they’ve been working here, they have never seen a demonstration as big as the one that we’ve had today.”

Romeo said the size of the crowd reflected how strongly people feel about the issues.

“I think the turnout has been really wonderful,” he said. “I think the fact that the legislation is so absurd and so ridiculous (means) people are angry, which I think is a really good power to make people get involved.” CT

VCU student killed in car accident • 4 VCU introduces new sustainability lecture series • 4 Crime log • 5

VCU Young Democrats President Vicki Yeroian (left, with microphone) spoke to the group of about 1,000 protesters at the Capitol Bell Tower on Monday. Protesters spoke out against a wave of legislation affecting women's health issues. Lawmakers, like Delegate David Englin, D-Alexandria (right) lent their support as well.

VCU student charged in death of another student in car accident

later, police told the Richmond TimesDispatch.

Perez was a biology major at the school on the pre-med track. She was also pursuing a double minor in Catholic studies and chemistry at VCU.

Chahal, the driver of the Mazda, is a member of the Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity chapter at VCU. He has been charged with felony manslaughter, driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a blood or breath test.

Chahal and the four other passengers of his car were not injured in the crash.

Mason Brown Staff Writer

A VCU student was killed in a car accident Wednesday morning and a fellow VCU student is being charged for it.

Sophomore Carolina Perez from Virginia Beach was killed when Varinder “Vick” Chahal's Mazda 6, driving on East Canal Street, ran a red light and T-boned the Toyota Yaris Perez was riding in.

The Yaris hit a building after the collision. Perez was in the backseat of the car and was taken to VCU Medical Center where she died a few hours

VCU President Michael Rao addressed the accident in an email to students.

“On behalf of the VCU community, I express tremendous sadness at the tragic loss of one of our students early today in a car crash in Richmond,” Rao said.

Two other students who were in the Yaris are being treated for injuries at VCU Medical Center for their injuries. According to police, the injuries are not life threatening. CT

Counseling services are being offered at University Counseling Services in Room 238 at the Student Commons.

Campus environmental groups launch new lecture series

Eileen Mellon

Contributing Writer

VCU is taking a step forward in its interest in the future of sustainability with an inaugural lecture by guest speaker Jeremy Rifkin on Feb. 23. It is the first of its kind through the collaboration of VCU Sustainability, VCU Life Science, VCU School of Business and the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences.

Rifkin, a renowned author and internationally acclaimed activist will discuss his latest book “The Third Industrial Revolution: How Lateral Power is Changing Energy, the Economy and the World,” while discussing the future of mankind.

Brantley Tyndall, VCU alumnus and co-founder of Green Unity who now works for VCU’s Office of Sustainability, said the focus of the program is to spread the goals of sustainability to the VCU community.

The lecture series serves as a tool to raise awareness about sustainibility. VCU has offered specific classes, but this series would be an opportunity that is open to the whole university community.

“It's about not just teaching sustainability, but instead making a pentagonal model that breaks down the silos," Tyndall said. "It’s interdisciplinary and cross-departmental and the nature is that people can collaborate and eliminate barriers for gaining access to good, sustainable knowledge.

"Rifkin already has the goals of spreading sustainable knowledge in mind and his approach is one that people can take some guidance from.”

Rifkin graduated with an economics degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania as well as a degree in international affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

The ideas in Rifkin's book, "The Third Industrial Revolution," have been formally endorsed by the European Parliament in 2007 and are now being implemented by various agencies within the European Commission as well as in 27 other member-states.

Tyndall also pointed out that being knowledgeable about environmental issues has a larger importance for everyone, even beyond VCU.

“We're trying for a cleaner environment because at some point down the road we will get to a place where health is being affected,” he said. “(Sustainibility) experts don’t agree on a timeline, but the future is launching in and we're trying to figure out the best way to plan for it based on today.”

The lecture will be followed by a facilitated question-and-answer session in which Rifkin will interact with a panel of specialists from different fields such as sustainability, economics and health. CT

The event will take place Feb. 23 in the Hermes A. Kontos Medical Sciences Building auditorium, 1217 E. Marshall St., at 7 p.m.

VCU student Varinder 'Vick' Chahal has been charged with felony manslaughter in the death of Carolina Perez.

CRIME LOG 2/17 –2/22

Friday, Feb. 17

Alcohol violation At the corner of West Broad and North Lombardy streets – A male visitor was arrested for possession of an open container of alcohol.

Assault offense 800 block of West Franklin Street – A female student advised that an unknown person assaulted her.

Assault offense Cary and Belvidere Dorms, 301 W. Cary St. – A female student advised that a known person assaulted her.

Drug offense/weapons violation Smith Peters Park, 900 block of Catherine Street – A male visitor was arrested for possession of marijuana. A male visitor was arrested for possession of a concealed weapon.

Saturday, Feb. 18

Burglary Gladding Residence Center, 711 W. Main St. – A male student advised that an unknown person(s) removed an item from a secure location.

Alcohol violation West Broad and Ryland streets – A male visitor was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Alcohol violation At the corner of West Broad and Goshen streets – A female visitor was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Sunday, Feb. 19

Alcohol violation Brandt Hall, 710 W. Franklin St. – Four female students were arrested for underage possession of alcohol.

Alcohol violation At the corner of West Marshall and Gilmer streets – A male student was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Alcohol violation 409 S. Harrison St. –A male student was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Drug offense Cary Street Dorms, 301 W. Cary St. – A male student was arrested for possession with intent to distribute.

Harassment Performing Arts Center, 922 Park Ave. – A male visitor was arrested for resisting/obstructing the legal process, harassing by computer and annoying phone calls.

Monday, Feb. 20

Alcohol violation 1001 W. Grace St. –A male student was arrested for being drunk in public.

Alcohol violation Rhoads Hall, 710 W. Franklin St. – A male student was arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

Alcohol violation At the corner of North Harrison and West Main streets – A male visitor was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Tuesday, Feb. 21

Alcohol violation At the corner of North Harrison and West Grace streets – A female visitor was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Assault offense Ramz Hall, 933 W. Broad St. – Three male students and one female student advised that several unknown person(s) attempted to assault them.

Burglary 1200 Park Ave. – A victim reported that an unknown person(s) removed items from a secured location.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Assault offense Ackell Residence Center, 1100 W. Broad St. — A female student advised that she was assaulted by a known person.

Grand larceny At the corner of West Cary and North Harrison streets – A male student advised that an unknown person(s) removed an item from an unsecured location.

Compiled from VCU Police crime reports

SPORTS

In this section:

VCU vs. George Mason preview • 7 Baseball opens season on West Coast • 8 Men's basketball escapes at UNC-Wilmington • 9

Karl making changes as field hockey head coach

Jim Swing Sports Editor

On the side of Shannon Karl’s desk sits her laptop and constantly buzzing cell phone. Out front lies a stack of stiffly thought-out applications that carry a heavy significance.

Karl, in her first year as head coach of the VCU field hockey team, has implemented a new process when it comes to choosing captains.

First, players must fill out the application, which lists grade point average, people they look up to and goals among many other criteria. Then they must sit in front of an eight-person committee explaining why they are fit for the role, with a video camera recording in front of them.

This, among many techniques goes along with the changes Karl has made since the departure of former head coach Kelly McQuade, who stepped

down unexpectedly last November. Karl, who admits she’s not a morning person, has also instrumented early practice times before the crack of dawn.

“We're moving in a new and fresh direction where we kind of promote the term ‘Action,’” Karl said. “Where we don't talk about it anymore, we do it.”

Lacking pure leadership last season, the field hockey team suffered a 5-13 season and won just two games in the CAA, failing to qualify for the conference tournament. Associate Head Coach Laura Baker, who returns to VCU after formerly coaching and playing for the school, said the team is headed back in the right direction.

“One of the biggest things I've noticed change is that we have a focus and an idea of where we're going now,” she said.

In 2010 the Rams revived a oncedormant program by recording the team’s second winning season since

1993 and reached the CAA Tournament for the first time since 2003. They were led by a pair of Dutch seniors, Marle and Flore van Dessel, who combined for 41 goals and 112 points in their four years of eligibility. One year following a setback season in 2011, Karl and company are seeking the same kind of leadership.

“I think it's a difference in terms of the girls buying in,” Baker said. “The biggest one obviously is more control and organization.”

Setting out on the recruiting trail is nothing new for Karl and Baker, who’ve accounted for nearly all of the recruiting load in years past. Karl’s staff has penned four incoming recruits for 2012 and is on the hunt for 2013. Athletic Director Norwood Teague approved a trip for Karl and Baker to travel to recruit overseas in a couple of months for the first time in the program’s history. All prior recruiting had been done in

the United States or through a recruiting service.

“When you're a non-revenue making sport like field hockey, to have such backing from your athletic director and your senior woman administrator and associate athletic director it really makes you feel like you have purpose,” Karl said. “And you want to fight for them and they want to fight for you and that's a special feeling.”

Karl admits she has a lot to learn as the head of the program. And recovering from a less than stellar season will be no easy task. But just over three months on the job, she’s up for the challenge.

“I've always wanted to be a head coach,” Karl said. “I'm really excited to be here I can't think of a better place to be.” CT

After serving five years as an assistant coach for VCU, Shannon Karl was named head coach following the departure of Kelly McQuade.

VCU-George Mason Preview

Staff Reports

VCU (24-6 overall, 14-3 CAA) vs. George Mason (23-7 overall, 14-3 CAA)

Date: Saturday, Feb. 25

Time: 6 p.m. tip

Location: Siegel Center – Richmond

TV: ESPN2

Probable Starters with stats (season averages)

VCU: Bradford Burgess (13 points), Juvonte Reddic (10.5 points, 6.8 rebounds), Troy Daniels (10.3 points, 2.7 three pointers), Darius Theus (4.7 assists, 1.6 steals), DJ Haley (3.9 rebounds)

George Mason: Ryan Pearson (17.8 points, 8.6 rebounds), Andre Cornelius (6.7 points), Byron Allen (7.6 points, 1 steal) Vertrail Vaughns (8.9 points), Mike Morrison (9.1 points, 6.4 rebounds)

Preview

On Saturday evening, Shaka Smart will lead the Rams into battle with Paul Hewitt and George Mason for the first time since Sherrod Wright sunk a long three-pointer at the buzzer on Valentine’s Day to give the Patriots a 62-61 win and knock the Rams out of a threeway tie for first place in the CAA. Since then, both teams have held serve and continued to win as the ever-important rematch looms.

Before losing to Northeastern on Wednesday, George Mason was in the midst of a five-game win streak, which includes a 75-71 victory over Lamar in its BracketBusters matchup. The Patri-

ots have won 15 of 16 games at home this season, but have a pedestrian 7-5 record on the road. Their road struggles could play a factor on Saturday because VCU perennially has one of the best home-court advantages in the country. The Rams are 12-1 at home this season. For VCU, a win over George Mason would mean sole possesion of second place, leaving Drexel in first. A loss however, would mean that the Rams would have the third seed in the upcoming CAA Tournament and would also effectively end any hope they have at getting an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. CT

VCU is set to notch its 18th-straight sellout Saturday when George Mason comes to visit, a school and conference record.

VCU baseball on season-opening West Coast road trip

Staff Reports

The VCU baseball team traveled to California for the first five games of the season, playing three games against Long Beach State and two at Pepperdine.

The Rams (1-3) opened the 2012 campaign with a win back on Feb. 17, defeating Long Beach State 5-4 in dramatic fashion, putting up four runs in the top of the ninth. Brent Mikionis, Vimael Macin and Paul Nice all had RBIs in the inning as VCU took the lead and secured it in the bottom of the ninth, thanks to Blake Hauser who came in and earned the save.

Since the opening-day win, however, VCU has dropped four straight as Long Beach State came back to win the

series by defeating the Rams each of the next two days by scores of 7-6 and 3-2. On Tuesday, VCU traveled to Pepperdine where they lost the first of a two game set 6-1, which ended a streak of three straight one-run contests. The two teams squared off again on Wednesday, where Pepperdine took an 11-2 win. Following the tour of California, the Rams will be at home for the next 11 games. From Feb. 24-26 they host Binghampton in a three-game set. After that, they play one against Norfolk State, three against Monmouth and one against Temple before playing their first conference series against Towson beginning on March 9. CT

After starting the season on an five-game road stint, the VCU baseball team returns home for the next 11 games.

VCU ESCAPES AT UNC-WILMINGTON

Staff Reports

A trip to UNC-Wilmington (9-19, 5-12) presented the ultimate trap game for a VCU team (24-6, 14-3) with hopes of an at-large and a rematch with George Mason one game away. The Rams survived the test with a 63-59 win over the Seahawks behind 21 points and six rebounds from sophomore guard Rob Brandenberg.

Juvonte Reddic was a force in the paint, recording 14 points and nine rebounds to combat Keith Rendleman's 24 points and 10 boards. VCU forced 18 UNCW turnovers, 14 of which were steals.

With George Mason (23-7, 14-3) falling to Northeastern (13-15, 9-8) 85-82, Drexel wraps up the No. 1 seed in the CAA Tournament leaving the No. 2 seed to be given to the winner of the Rams and Patriots Saturday night. CT

In this section:

Interesting People: �I kicked over a snow penis� • 11

Brush up on your Oscar nominees • 12

Music review: Masterpieces by ornithology majors • 13

Fashion department combs applicants for juried show’s models

Samantha McCartney Contributing Writer

VCU Fashion School’s model call on Wednesday, Feb. 22 gave students of all majors a chance to enter the glamorous world of fashion – including undeclared freshman, Sara Grandfield.

“I have a secret love of fashion that I don’t share anywhere else,” Grandfield said. “Except maybe the internet.”

Grandfield said that despite her nerves at being compared to other girls, she was excited for her first “public” run in the fashion world.

Exercise science major Chaz Epps, conversely, is already a client with the Modelogic Wilhelmina modeling agency – a company well-known for their appearance on the popular MTV show “Scouted.”

“I (still) want to gain more exposure to expand my modeling career,” he said.

Representatives from Modelogic Wilhelmina were in attendance at the open call to scout for potential clients. However, for the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising’s upcoming student-run juried fashion show, it was

up to the event’s student organizers Wednesday night to select the models they needed.

VCU’s fashion design and merchandising department is gearing up for this year’s show, titled “RAW,” which is meant to emphasize the return to the basics of fashion. The show will take place May 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Organizers hope to have plus-size and swimwear sections this year for a more diverse garment selection, as well as more segments to showcase a greater amount of student designs.

In addition to fashion students, graphic design majors at VCU took on the responsibility of designing all of the artwork for the anticipated show.

Local fashion critics will judge the competition, as well renowned fashion critics from New York City. Last year’s show featured judges from Wrangler Jeans, Isaac Mizrahi, Fashion Group International, Cotton Incorporated and Macy’s, among others.

Not only does the model call serve the purpose of finding models for the show, but it gives non-fashion students

a chance to be a part of something that they normally wouldn’t get the chance to do.

The arrival and participation of wellknown New York fashion insiders could also potentially benefit the designers and merchandising students in their future careers.

“RAW” director and senior fashion merchandising major Danielle Ashe said she was thrilled for the various stages leading up to the show.

“The show is a good way for students within the fashion merchandising major to get experience with planning events,” she said. “I’m really proud of what the department does and the garments that are created by our very own designers.” CT

For more information or to get involved, visit the VCU fashion design and merchandising department’s Tumblr, Facebook or Twitter pages under the title “Annual Juried Fashion Show: RAW.”

A line of hopefuls wait for their chance at fashion model stardom. The fashion department opened their doors to any interested applicants Wednesday night in preparation for their juried show this coming May.

InterestIng PeoPle

Great Blizzard of ‘12 edition

Samantha

CT reporters asked the student populace this week how they survived the raging slush storm. Chris huTTon

�I just had a snowball fight with a couple friends.�

�The sixth floor of Brandt had a floor-wide football game in the snow. It was cold and I got sick, but it was worth it. Now I can tell my kids about it.�

�I went sledding. I took cardboard boxes and put them in trash bags and went sledding. My friends and I drank 40s and rode mini-bikes down the hill, but I kept tumbling down the hill. Then I went to the snowball fight in Monroe Park, and we used the sleds as shields.�

�I went out for five minutes, and I threw some snowballs, but I had work to do. Procrastination.�

�I admired it, and then went home and cuddled up in bed.�

�I’m from Boston, so I like the cold, so I fight the snow by buying ice cream.�

�I went to the midnight snowball fight. I hit some girl in the face, but it was an accident.�

Foster Staff Writer

ForensiC biology Freshman

ellioT Chandler meChaniCal engineering Freshman

Josh KadriCh Ph.d. sTudenT in biology

sydney bordeaux aFo Junior

hoPe Taylor aFo Freshman

�I kicked over a snow penis.�

henry Jensen PoliTiCal sCienCe soPhomore

Kyle raiChe TheaTer senior

ashley reynolds business managemenT Freshman

Film review special: Catch up on best Pictures for oscar sunday

Connor Burke, Alex Carrigan and Brian Charlton

Contributing Writers

With the Oscars just around the corner this weekend, three of Spectrum’s intrepid film reviewers have joined forces to provide the run-down on each of the nine nominees for Best Picture and catch you up on what you might have missed.

The 84th annual Academy Awards ceremony will take place this Sunday, Feb. 26, and will be broadcast live on ABC starting at 7 p.m. Those without television access are advised to instead watch their Twitter feed. CT

“The desCendanTs”

Based on the novel by Kaui Hart, “The Descendants” follows Matt King (George Clooney), a Hawaii-based lawyer and family man whose wife goes into a coma after a waterskiing accident.

Left to parent his two daughters alone with his wife comatose, Matt discovers that his workaholic lifestyle has put him at a distance to his children; meanwhile, Matt is in the process

“midnighT in Paris”

“Midnight in Paris,” which won a Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay, is perhaps the most talked-about and critically acclaimed Woody Allen film in years.

This romantic comedy follows Gil Pender (Owen Wilson), a Hollywood screenwriter who is vacationing with his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), in Paris. As Gil falls in love with Paris, he yearns to take a break from screenwriting so that he can pursue a more sophisticated career as a novelist.

One night, finding himself away from Inez, Gil winds up in an antique car that takes him back in time – to the golden age of 1920s Paris, where he meets artistic icons such as Alice B. Toklas, Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, Josephine Baker and Ernest Hemingway. Torn between the artistic guidance and inspiration of some of the literary greats and his present-day reality, Gil ultimately realizes that his relationship with his fiancée Inez is crumbling beneath his optimistic ignorance.

By Connor Burke

with those of his two brothers, as his father (Brad Pitt) raises them with discipline. A tale of love, life and loss, “The Tree of Life” stands apart in a genre of its own among the other Academy Award Best Picture nominees.

By Connor Burke

“moneyball”

Based on a true story, “Moneyball” follows Billy Beane, the manager of the Oakland A’s baseball team. He meets a young Yale graduate who proposes to Beane an algorithm he’s devised to pick

of lining up a transaction to sell a large and beautiful plot of family land on the island of Kaua’i.

His world is turned upside down when he learns from his oldest daughter that his wife was having an affair before the accident – and the “other man,” a Hawaii-based real estate agent, is a crucial player in Matt’s land deal.

With two major Golden Globe Award wins, one for Best Picture and another for Best Actor (George Clooney), “The Descendants” is a serious contender in the 84th Academy Awards.

By Connor Burke

“Tree oF liFe”

Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life,” winner of the Cannes Film Festival’s Palm d’Or Award, is a visually stunning amalgam of film genres, from experimental to historical to coming-of-age.

The film begins with Jack O’Brien (Sean Penn), an architect reflecting on his childhood after seeing a tree being planted in front of his place of work. It then flips between two different world perspectives – the macrocosm (the broad perspective, the astronomical beginning of the galaxy and the distant history of the Earth) and the microcosm (the coming-of-age tale of Jack O’Brien and his family).

The viewer follows Jack through the monumental moments of his childhood in idyllic 1950s Waco, Texas, juxtaposed

“The helP”

Tate Taylor’s directoral debut follows a young writer in 1963 writing about the experience of African-American hired help in white homes in Jackson, Miss. The dangers of publishing a book where three African-American women speak out against their white employers in the early ‘60s American South hover over both the author and the maids whose story she wishes to tell.

The film is most notable for its cast: Actresses Viola Davis, Ocatavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain have received numerous nominations for their roles, while the film itself won Best Ensemble Cast at the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards.

This Sunday, Spencer and Chastain compete for Best Supporting Actress, while Davis competes against Meryl Streep, Glenn Close and newcomer Rooney Mara (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) for the coveted Best Actress award.

By Alex Carrigan

the best players to draft to the team. Desperate to save their team from collapsing, the two of them pick a team that goes on to win 20 consecutive games in the 2002 season.

The film currently has six Oscar nominations. Among them, one is for lead actor Brad Pitt, one for supporting actor Jonah Hill (of “Superbad” fame) and one for Aaron Sorkin’s adapted screenplay. Sorkin won the screenplay award last year for “The Social Network,” so it will be interesting to see if he can win two years in a row.

By Alex Carrigan

“War horse”

This film by Steven Spielberg follows a horse named Joey as he travels from owner to owner (some British, some German and some others) in the midst of World War I, including many of its major battles.

The film is up for a few awards, mostly in the technical fields, including Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. Spielberg knows how to shoot war films, so it is

likely the film could sweep the awards for the long and detailed fight scenes.

By Alex Carrigan

“hugo”

Martin Scorsese, one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic directors, captures the magic of movies in his adaptation of a novel based on Brian Selzick’s awardwinning New York Times best-seller, “The Invention of Hugo Cabret.”

“Hugo” follows the journey of a resourceful orphan, left to evade orphancollectors and keep the clockworks running after his father’s death. His natural gift for engineering inspires him to steal gears, tools and other doodads from the station’s toy-shop owner, Georges Melies (Ben Kingsley), who eventually employs him in toy repair. Through Georges, Hugo meets a young Isabelle (Chloe Grace Mortez), his goddaughter, who unknowingly possesses the key to Hugo’s father’s legacy.

“Hugo” has lead the Academy Award nominations this year, earning 11 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.

By Brian Charlton

“The arTisT”

In late 1920’s Hollywood, silent film idol George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) and his dog (Uggie) are at their peak: George is happy, he is loved, and he has just finished his latest premiere. Then, when Kinograph Studios announces their end of producing silent films, Valentin is dismissive; he insists sound in movies is just a passing fad.

Music review shearwater, ‘animal Joy’

“The Artist’s” 10 nominations this year are second only to “Hugo’s” 11, including Best Picture, Best Director (Michel Hazanavicius), Best Actor (Jean Dujardin), Best Supporting Actress (Bérénice Bejo) and Best Original Screenplay (Michel Hazanavicius).

By Brian Charlton

“exTremely loud and inCredibly Close”

Director Stephen Daldry’s “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” is one of six Best Picture nominees at this year’s Oscars that were adapted from novels.

Young Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) is introduced as the son of Thomas Schell (Tom Hanks), who died in the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. After his father’s funeral, Oskar wanders New York City, searching for the meaning of a strange key he finds inside a blue vase in his father’s closet. It’s contained in an envelope marked “Black.” Seeing there are 417 people with the last name Black in the New York City phone book, Oskar vows to meet each one of them to see if they knew his father – thus beginning Oskar’s mission to solve a family mystery.

At this year’s Academy Awards, “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” has been nominated for both Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Max von Sydow).

By Brian Charlton

Brian Charlton Contributing Writer

Austin, Texas’ Shearwater has released yet another theatrical journey for indie-deprived individuals, while trying its hardest to appeal to fans of The Decemberists and other NPR darlings.

The band is known for being underappreciated, but as many see it, they are more under-represented by the small following of dedicated fans they have acquired over the years.

Their new attempt at sonic expressionism, “Animal Joy,” is a deviation from their usual, more experimental approach to music. Produced by the newly acquired indie titan, Subpop, Shearwater has taken on a less exploratory, more radio-friendly approach, that consists of a conscious interbreeding of rock opera and pop album.

In select tracks – “Insolence” and

“Immaculate,” to pick two – we hear this showcased in particular. Shearwater’s trademark big-minded approach to man’s relationship with nature (no wonder – front man Jonathan Meiburg holds a master’s degree in geography and ornithology) shines here, with an added sweeping grandeur.

Meiburg has equipped himself with an amped-up emo-choirboy vocal style explicitly suited for magnetic gestures, without too much pop to give it an over-familiar feel. The music itself is quite sweet in its own disjointed way, consisting largely of churning guitars and occupied percussion and keeping this record on a higher accessibility level than their previous albums.

Listeners looking to experience a unique take on theatrical music with constantly folding, rearranging parts will find “Animal Joy” a good album to pick up. CT

PHOTO COURTESY OF W ARNER B ROS

OPINION

In this section:

Improving the pathway to graduation • 14 Empty ballots won�t fill leadership gaps • 15

VCU’s Quest for Distinction should take notes

Katherine Johnson Columnist

Although they are separated by hundreds of miles, the University of Texas and VCU may have more in common than their distant campuses might suggest.

Like VCU, students at UT tend to favor a six-year plan for graduation. Based on numbers from VCU’s 2009 graduating class, only 50 percent of the students graduated after entering school in 2003. UT exceeds this, with 80 percent of their students graduating in six years.

Similar to VCU’s Quest for Distinction, UT has developed a new plan in which graduating in four years is the main goal. Unlike VCU’s plan, however, a “slacker” rule has been added for UT students.

This rule will increase the tuition of students who have enough credits to graduate, but don’t. While this may be a

drastic measure to improve graduation rates, we all know that money talks. Who wouldn’t graduate if they had enough credits? The main problem at VCU doesn’t seem to be students choosing not to graduate because they want to hang around, but not having the means to graduate.

The “slacker” rule probably wouldn’t apply well at VCU, but the university could learn from other ideas laid out in UT’s plan.

One example is by identifying bottleneck classes. These are classes that many students across various departments need to take in order to graduate. Since bottleneck classes often double as required classes, they fill up fast and leave students out. This leaves the possibility of students not getting into those particular classes, since

they’re so highly sought.

All VCU students are familiar with the frustration that comes along with registration and realizing that the class they needed is full.

Recently, Brittiny Wolfe, a VCU junior, circulated a petition requesting the university hire more teachers and offer more classes instead of putting money toward construction. To better accommodate the growing student population and increase graduation rates, VCU should realize that they need to offer more of these bottleneck courses.

Another one of UT’s ideas that may be useful for VCU students is an online tool that would help students and their advisers monitor their degree requirements. Ultimately, it’s the

student’s responsibility to keep track of their progress, but most struggle to do this. Some don’t take the time to read and understand what they must do to graduate until it’s too late.

If we had an online graduation worksheet that was automatically filled out based on our online transcript, students may find it easier to identify which courses they need or the requirements they still need to fulfill. Graduation rates would increase if more students understood their program and the requirements needed to earn their degree.

Rao’s plan to improve VCU’s graduation rate is exactly what the school needs, but may be lacking some basics. If VCU takes some notes from UT, students wouldn’t fall through the cracks because of something as simple as course availability or not understanding their graduation requirements. CT

ILLUSTRATION BY ALLEN WHITE

“Since bottleneck claSSeS often double aS required claSSeS, they fill up faSt and leave StudentS out.”

Lack of enthusiastic leadership leaves organizations in jeopardy

Shane Wade Opinion Editor

It’s that time of year again: Student organizations are beginning to hold elections to fill leadership positions for the next year.

But how effective can such a process be when so many members of our student body suffer from membership apathy? Although, VCU prides itself on having more than 400 student organizations, it doesn’t take much searching to see the lack of active involvement among members of certain organizations.

Organizations might boast of their 100 odd due-paying members, but what activities of substance and meaning do they engage in that have a positive effect on the VCU community?

Student apathy ruins strong organizations, and that student apathy abounds because of weak leadership.

The leadership of an organization goes beyond the routine maintenance of fundraising and continuing past activities. Maintaining the status

quo of an organization isn’t as taxing as fulfilling the presidential duty of growing and expanding the group to a new height.

For a student organization to be truly successful, they must continually thrive, even through changes in leadership. A year’s worth of faltering leadership could spell doom for the organization’s future as junior members become dejected by poor focus and limp direction.

True leadership is for those that seek it; too often have I seen leadership ballots passed about with candidates running unopposed, or worse yet, empty slots waiting to be filled by any willing member with a pulse.

Such elections do not inspire confidence. They depress the group, display the weakness of the organization and expose an atmosphere of apathetic decay. These elections are not elections intended to elect leaders; they are intended to elect replacements.

A viable excuse for this apathy could well be dependent on an individual student’s need to focus on

their academic endeavors, but that excuse ignores the value of having a well-rounded education, full of both academic and extracurricular success.

Though we may enthusiastically join organizations, we shrink at the thought of taking the next step into commitment. Too often do we college students forget the hours of volunteer work and club activities we trudged through in high school in order to get to college.

But just because we’re here now doesn’t mean we should become complacent. Future employers will look past our classes, grades and basic involvement in extracurricular activities. They’ll want to see that we’re capable of more than paying dues and that we’ve taken an active role in supporting a cause in which we believe.

Students: Be active members in your organization, have the courage to run for elected office and prevent an air of apathy from stunting the growth of a strong organization. CT

STERN Executive Editor SHANE WADE Opinion Editor

Opinions expressed are those of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Commonwealth Times or Virginia Commonwealth University. Unsigned editorials represent the institutional opinion of The CT.

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ADAM