SPORTS WWE to merge with WWF in conservation project slated to save the panda species
TECHNOLOGY Local man still can’t figure out how to maintain a comfortable temperature with new sink
PUBLIC HEALTH Groundbreaking RU research reveals that lead in New Brunswick water is turning children gay
WEATHER
Serving the Rutgers community since 1970. Independent as long as the Targum has sucked.
It’s unseasonably warm as usual, but it’s fine, we’re not in New Orleans
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY—NEW BRUNSWICK
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017
ONLINE AT RUTGERSTHEMEDIUM.WORDPRESS.COM
DANCE MARATHON RAISES THOUSANDS IN SOCIAL MEDIA CAPITAL BY JAMES MULLEN NEWS EDITOR Dance Marathon has become a cherished ritual among Rutgers students since its foundation in the spring of 2000. The number of Rutgers students that have danced in the annual fundraising event has increased significantly since RUDM’s inception, and the Embrace Kids foundation has benefitted greatly from the exploding numbers of dancers. For many dancers, the event goes beyond just raising money to make a difference in the lives of children affected by cancer, sickle cell anemia, and other diseases. This is a rare opportunity for many students to experience the joy of raising social media capital and garnering hundreds of likes RUDM has made a real, positive impact on the lives of children like Nico. A few years ago, Nico was diagnosed with Evans Disease, is a very rare genetic autoimmune disorder which compromises the immune system. Thanks to RUDM, Nico and his family were given the opportunity to pair up with the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, which allows Nico to interact with student athletes and have some semblance of a normal social life. While this story is mildly uplifting, it doesn’t even hold a candle to the sheer rush of dopamine felt by SAS Junior and Beta Chi philanthropy chair Chad Smithmeyer as the likes start pouring in on his latest post asking for DM money. “It’s just a really good way to give back to the community,” says Smith-
Rutgers University Dance Marathon raised over 900,000 likes last year for the kids. meyer, who keeps glancing at his phone, which is buzzing with notifications from Instagram. “I don’t know what it is about Dance Marathon that just feels so good, but I can’t get enough of it.” Smithmeyer is just coming down from the wave of likes on his posts about spring break trip to Key West, and Dance Marathon is
picking up likes seamlessly after Smithmeyer headed back to school. In past years, DM has earned Rutgers Greek life thousands of likes, which has been almost enough to justify the constant scandals of students ending up in hospitals due to alcohol poisoning and repeated instances of sexual assault on
Rutgers to Decrease Student Funds Allocated for Printing
campus. This year, however, Greek life intends to get so many likes for the kids that none of that is any longer relevant. The massive influx of likes will make Rutgers fraternities and sororities a shining example of philanthropy and community involvement, and make heroes out of students that really just wanted to party.
U. Issues Recall On LeadContaining Water Bottles BY SIFAT MAHBUB EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
BY ANDREW BLUSTEIN MANAGING EDITOR After holding an emergency meeting last Thursday, the Rutgers Board of Governors lowered the printing allowance from $30 to $10. According to a source close to the situation, the University is in cost-cutting mode. “Rutgers University is in great standing,” said Nancy Winterbauer, Rutgers’ vice president for university budget-
ing. “Frankly, $30 was overly generous. Students will be able to make do with less, and the money the University is saving will only benefit the students in the long run.” There has yet to be any indication as to where the money will be diverted, but students do not seem to see the benefit. “I’m a civil engineering major,” said junior Steven Hernandez. “I print so much. I wind up spending like $15 a semester, and a lot of the time I print in
color. How is this supposed to help me? And where is the money going. You know Rutgers isn’t going to do anything with it, and if they do, they’ll do it like 10 years after I graduate. This printing allowance decrease follows a June decision by the Board of Governors to hike tuition by 1.7 percent for the 2016-17 school year. According to reports, the University will be funneling the SEE PRINTING ON PAGE 4
An outbreak of lead poisoning has prompted Rutgers Dining Services has issued a recall on all reusable water bottles. The water bottles were distributed this semester to every student with a meal plan as part of an effort to reduce waste, as styrofoam cups are no longer available for takeout. However, following the hospitalization of multiple Rutgers students, the university has requested that all bottles be returned immediately. Initial reports of lead poisoning began about one month ago, when freshman Nicole Walters was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital after complaining of severe abdominal pains. Once admitted, several tests concluded that the young woman had a high level of lead in her blood, and has been in the intensive care unit since. The physicians were not too concerned until 20 more students were admitted in the
following weeks with symptoms similar to Walters. After questioning the students and ruling out possible causes of the poisonings, RWJ reached out to Rutgers in order to inform them of the situation. The decision to recall the water bottles came once Rutgers officials admitted that the bottles were not made of aluminum but rather an aluminum and lead alloy. Due to the rising costs of aluminum, the university reportedly wanted to save money and opted to for the alloy bottles. While lead is much cheaper to produce and buy, longterm exposure to the metal is risky and is often avoided altogether. When asked for a comment, President Barchi stated, “We deeply regret our ill-informed decision regarding the water bottles. We wish the students a speedy recovery and are sending them positive vibes. However, can you really blame us for wanting to save money? Do you
VOLUME 53, ISSUE 8 • UNIVERSITY ... 3 • INSIDE BEET ... 5 • OPINIONS ... 6 • DIVERSIONS ... 8 • CLASSIFIEDS ... 10 • SPORTS ... BACK
SEE LEAD ON PAGE 4