Breaking news, blogs, and more at TCNJSignal.net. Vol. XXXX, No. 7
March 5, 2014
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Laughing at ‘A Funny Thing’
Employment opportunities at Career Fair By Evan Cardin Correspondent For senior economics major Nick Malmi, the College’s Career Fair is a prime opportunity to gauge employment prospects. He began attending the biannual event as a sophomore, using it to learn exactly what employers look for in an undergrad. Now, as he prepares for graduation, Malmi hopes to narrow down his options and make some concrete headway with a firm or two. He’s eager to move forward, but he’s still deciding on the best path to take. “I’m trying to get as much face-to-face interaction with employers as I can,” Malmi said. “Asking questions is key because most companies have limited information on their websites. If you get the right person, sometimes they’ll open up and tell you exactly what you need to know.” Held last Friday, Feb. 28, the College’s Spring Career Day brought together hundreds of welldressed students with employers from all breeds of business. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Recreation Center was transformed from an athletic facility into a bustling forum for employment opportunity. Although finance companies had the most representation, the variety of offerings was wide and balanced. Displays by U.S. armed forces sat near offerings from the Peace Corps, while corporate giants like Target and Chase Bank shared space with small startups and fledgling technology firms. For students hoping to create relationships with potential employers, the Career Fair provided a rare opportunity to personally interact with business contacts. Senior international studies major Elizabeth Maricic found that just a few hours of face-toface conversation at the Fair provided her with good leads and plenty of information. see CAREER page 5
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
TMT fills Kendall Hall with continuous laughter and applause during their phenominal production of ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’ this past weekend. See more on page 12.
Breaking Muslim stereotypes By Tiffani Tang Correspondent
Muslimgirl.net founder and Rutgers University Political Science major, Amani Alkhat, visited the College to talk about the power of social media and how she uses it to spread the truth and break Muslim stereotypes. “I don’t see myself on the news,” she said about how Muslim women are represented on television. “I never see myself
on the news. Their creation (the image of Muslim women) is.” Alkhat became restless with the way Muslim women are portrayed to the people — she wanted change but she felt helpless. That’s when she turned to the Internet. In 2009, Alkhat created muslimgirl.net to expose how the modern Muslim girl goes about her everyday life. She wanted to prove she is more than a woman who hides her
face in a Halal, a traditional headscarf that covers the entire face except the eyes. If one looks up “Muslim woman” on Google images, one will be greeted with pages of women shrouded in black and wearing Halals that cover up the woman’s identity. Alkhat said this is the “type of picture (that social media) wants people to think of.” “It’s all very one-dimensional,” she said.
Alkhat took it in her hands to write about being oppressed as a Muslim woman, and by doing so, she found herself being oppressed by the Rutgers newspaper, The Daily Targum. Alkhat worked with the paper’s opinion column for two years. Her critics labeled her as biased and the Targums Board of Trustees demanded that she see ALKHAT page 5
Highlighting freedom limitations in Russia Kim Ilkowski Staff Writer
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Aristarkhova speaks out about Russian issues. INDEX: Nation & World / Page 6 The Signal @TCNJsignal
With the recent mass arrest of hundreds in Russia, which included two members of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot, global feminist and LGBTQ issues were addressed at the College on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Library Auditorium. Irina Aristarkhova, the associate professor of arts and design, history of art and women’s studies at the University of Michigan, spoke on the Pussy Riot phenomenon and shared her insight on the civil rights protests taking place in her homeland. At the university, the women’s studies program likes to teach what Aristarkhova called “active distancing,” which aims to leave students to make up their own minds about
Editorial / Page 7
Opinions / Page 9
Features / Page 10
feminism by teaching them multiple truths — not just one ultimate truth. Following the recent events in Russia, including continued “repression of the freedom of expression,” as well as the signing of legislation against homosexuality by President Vladimir Putin, students have a lot to digest. Pussy Riot has been hailed in the Western Hemisphere for their music videos showcasing real footage from protest rallies — most recently in Sochi during the Olympics — where they were whipped by several people from a variety of militaristic communities known as the Cossacks. At home, they are under constant and extreme criticism, being called sell-outs, fake artists and fake feminists. see RUSSIA page 3
Arts & Entertainment / Page 12
Sports / Page 24
Wrestling Lions send four to Nationals
Nursing New simulation for victims of domestic violence
“Her” Delving into the future of cyber-love
See Sports page 24
See Features page 10
See A&E page 11
page 2 The Signal March 5, 2014
‘Spring Back’ to spring forward with SFB funds By Julie Kayzerman News Editor
The sophomore class council is getting ready for the spring season, as they were allocated $7,127.60 to host the annual “Spring Back” event for the classes of 2016 and 2017. “Spring Back” looks to help freshmen transition into their upcoming sophomore year by having them interact more directly with upperclassmen. This year, the event will include a volleyball tournament, in addition to a threelane obstacle course, a three-sided EuroBungy, a wrecking ball, a gladiator joust, a mechanical bull and several other activities for the students to enjoy free of charge. “I really like this because ... as freshmen, we get cooped up in our rooms for so long, and to bring us back outside is really nice,” freshman representative Sarah Speight said. SFB’s board members agreed with Speight and voted to fund the event, which is scheduled to take place on the T/W lawn on Sunday, April 6. The next highest requests for funding came from the Asian American Association — however, they were met with concern by the board. The organization requested $5,820 in funding to host their
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
SFB also funds a night of Hatian culture and food.
annual “Mystique of the East” show, featuring several of the College’s performance groups. However, AAA asked for money to go toward buying new costumes and equipment for each group — a request that met the SFB board with disfavor. “I like the event, and I really like the concept of the event,” Speight said. But, regarding their request to fund materials for other clubs at the College, Speight said that she “(feels) like they’re trying to pull one over on us.” The board was in complete agreement and unanimously decided to table the event. AAA also presented for a $4,666 multicultural buffet to be held this semester, despite having
the same event last semester. “Given the balance in our special appropriations fund, I think this would be a terrible allocation,” assistant financial director Kevin Lakritz said. Soon after, a motion to zerofund the event was passed. The Haitian Student Association was also amongst the multicultural groups presenting during the day, requesting $9,103 for their event, “Ambiance.” The board was in favor of the event, which highlights Haitian and Haitian-American culture through a comedic host, food, a dance company and more. Within their request, HSA asked for $6,060 to fund a band. The board members, however,
felt the request was too expensive, stipulating that they look for an alternative band or look into a DJ as they allocated $3,343 toward the event. “Ambiance” will be held on Saturday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m., in Room 202 of the Brower Student Center. In addition, Student Government’s class of 2015 requested $4,016 for the “5th Annual TCNJ’s Got Talent.” However, SFB agreed only to allocate $1,741, suggesting that spending hundreds of dollars in creative publicity would be fiscally irresponsible. Rather, they could find a photographer for cheaper than $300. The Student Government requests continued with a presentation by the class of 2017, which asked for $1,249 in order to fund a freshman class trip to Colonial Bowling and Laser Tag in Lawrenceville, N.J. As they requested about $1,050 to cover the costs of the bowling and laser tag games for each student, members of SFB mentioned that they didn’t particularly fund CUB or any other organization for the cost of the events during bus trips — they only fund the bus. As a result, SFB passed the motion to fund
only the buses, allocating $200 to the group. The event will take place on Sunday, March 23, at 4:40 p.m. The class of 2017 was also allocated $3,013.95 for a freshman class New York City bus trip on Saturday, April 12. CUB also presented their event “Frozen Sing Along,” which was unanimously funded by SFB. The board allocated $375 to cover the costs of assorted candies, ice cream and other supplies, allowing students to build edible snowmen during the movie screening. The event will take place on Saturday, April 12, at 8 p.m., in the T/W lounge. Finally, the Art Students Association was fully funded with $175 for their “TilePainting” event on Wednesday, March 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Brower Student Center. The event, which will allow students to get together with a hands-on activity and paint tiles, was unanimously funded by the SFB board. “ASA always has amazing events,” sophomore representative Tom Athan said. “The only problem is that they run out of supplies because too many want to go.”
Testing the state’s resiliency in times of crisis By Gabrielle Beacken News Assistant
People’s own expectations of government during natural disasters shapes the kind of response they receive and feel they deserve. However, in many countries, due to low government expectations, minimal and poor natural disaster aid is considered a government success. Analyzing government responses to natural disasters, based on its citizens own government expectations, Hillel David Soifer, assistant professor of political science at Temple University, illustrated to students divergent government expectations of Latin American countries at the College’s Politics Forum on Thursday, Feb. 27. “It’s really interesting, Latin America, because it’s the most unequal region in the world — highest level of inequality in the world, but there’s lots of democracies,” Soifer said. “These democracies are a way to keep the international community ‘off your back.’” People’s expectations of their country’s government affect politics greatly, according to Soifer. “Expectations affect how people act collectively,” Soifer said. “Not just their individual attitudes about government.” Soifer discussed four examples of natural disasters in different Latin American countries: Chile’s Chaitèn volcano eruption in 2000, Mexico’s Mexico City earthquake in 1985, Colombia’s Armenia earthquake in 1999 and Peru’s El Niño flood in 1998. The government’s response to the crisis, how people evaluated that response and how politics of the response played over time were, were three key points of Soifer’s lecture. In southern Chile, lava and ash from a volcanic eruption covered the adjacent town’s river and buildings, ultimately creating an unlivable environment. However,
due to a 24-hour notice and governmentissued evacuation of the town, only one person suffering from a heart attack was killed. The Chilean government issued $1,000 and a monthly allowance to the townspeople, while additionally issuing each family $25,000 to resettle in another town. This money was more than a yearly average income, according to Soifer. New institutions, buildings and infrastructure were also created in a location agreed upon by the townspeople. However, regardless of the government’s total intervention, the townspeople were not pleased. According to Chilean polls shown by Soifer, 63 percent of the people thought the government intervention was “adequate,” while 24 percent thought it was “insufficient.” The townspeople protested in front of television cameras, holding the Argentinian flag. “They were so upset with the Chilean government,” Soifer said. “This is a dramatic thing to say.” Even though government intervention was strong, Chilean’s high expectations were not met. The Mexico City earthquake affected tens of millions of people and killed 25,000 of them. The Mexican government, after much pressure from its citizens, bought every damaged building, tore it down and built a new one. Since citizens did not want to leave their neighbors, the Mexican government arranged the housing placements to keep the same sense of community. Within 18 months, the government built 48,000 housing units, according to Soifer. “I’d be stunned if this much building happened in New Orleans in 18 months,” he said. Yet, the citizens of Mexico City had high expectations of their government and were not happy. “They felt like ‘nobody was there to
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Soifer notes that people’s expectations of government are typically low.
help us,’” Soifer said. “The citizens felt that the government response was confused and ineffective.” Following these two examples, Soifer’s analysis of Colombia was “very different and a lot sadder.” Columbia’s Armenia earthquake led to 1,200 deaths and a large economic downfall, largely because Armenia is a key coffee-producing region, according to Soifer. “The government response was an absolute disaster,” Soifer said. “Hundreds (of people) died weeks after because they couldn’t control people looting.” According to Soifer, Red Cross trucks were driven away from towns by shooter looters. It took three weeks for the government to create a consensus about which towns were affected by the earthquake. The government set aside $300 million, divided the regions affected by the earthquake, and said to various aid organizations, “here’s your budget, fix it,” according to
Soifer. The president held a cabinet meeting in the effect region and then left, Soifer said. Despite the seemingly weak government intervention, in a poll, 32 percent of Colombians said the government response was “excellent” and 41 percent said it was “pretty good.” “That’s what people expect from their government,” Soifer said of the polls. “They have low expectations.” “It was interesting to compare countries and the varying levels of response,” freshman political science major Katherine Wallentine said. “Especially in (countries like) Peru because of the manipulation. People didn’t know what was going on.” According to Soifer, in order for people to demand high expectations from their government, they have to decide whether living in a democracy or dictatorship is significant. “We don’t think about natural disasters in political science,” Soifer said. “But I think we should.”
March 5, 2014 The Signal page 3
Grace of grade before probation Russia / A winter of division Sydney Shaw News Assistant
Feedback was gathered for the Academic Standing and Dismissal policy at the Student Government general body meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 26. According to the current policy, “good” academic standing is defined as having a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.75, while having taken between four and eight courses. With 8.25 or more courses, the minimum GPA increases to 2.0. A student will be placed on Academic Probation if “the student has attempted credits, in letter-graded courses, from more than four to eight courses and has a combined GPA of less than 1.75,” or “the student has attempted credits, in lettergraded courses, more than eight courses and has a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0,” according to the policy. “We’ve recommended that there be some sort of grace period,” Vice President of Academic Affairs Adam Bonanno said. “If someone is struggling in their classes and then they switch majors, we think they should have a two-semester grace period to bring their grades back up.” Bonanno added that this possible addition to the policy would affect “students who change majors and attain at least a 2.0 GPA in their first semester of the new major.”
continued from page 1
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
In addition to grade policy, SG discusses ‘Paint the Campus Purple.’ Earlier in the meeting, Mike Chiumento, Senator of Science, asked about the possibility of the College hosting a Scholarship Workshop. It would be similar to a College Fair, but instead of providing information about prospective schools, it would teach students about available scholarships. “We don’t tend to realize as college students how many scholarships exist for current undergraduates, rather than just incoming college freshmen,” Chiumento said. Manetas suggested that the workshop could, in addition to showing which scholarships exist, teach students how to better
search for scholarships that apply specifically to them. In addition, Jaimie DeMarco, Senator of Education, announced that “Paint the Campus Purple” is this week, starting at Relay for Life. She talked about events coming up such as the Piccolo Trattoria fundraiser on Monday, March 3, a Zumba-thon on Tuesday, March 4, and Purple Theme Night at Eickhoff on Thursday, March 5. DeMarco encourages people to sign up for Relay for Life before Friday, March 7, as the price will double to $20 from the original $10 after the date.
From student credit to credit scores By Mike Nunes Staff Writer It is no secret college is getting more expensive every year. With student debt hitting higher levels, it is easy for college students to feel as if they are under a mountain of debt that will take years to pay off. America Saves Week has tried to raise awareness among college students and those fresh out of college about the loan process and saving money for retirement since 2007. This year, the Department of
Labor held a webinar about student loans and how to use credit wisely. “The sooner you start saving, the longer your savings will grow,” Department of Labor member Patricia Humphlett said. Humphlett highlighted the importance of saving as early as possible for retirement. For many college students, having to pay off loans after college is a horrifying thought. “Absolutely,” junior mechanical engineer major John McGroarty said when asked if he was anxious about paying
off loans. “Those types of loans can haunt you forever.” The average college senior, according to the speaker Mjiba Frehiwot, averages about $24,000 to $26,000 when they leave school. When this far into debt, it is very attractive for students to use credit to make ends meat. According to Frehiwot, half of the income is spent paying off debt. Keeping your credit score high could increase your chances of being hired by prospective employers. “Nearly half of all prospective employers look at credit
score to decide eligibility,” Frehiwot said. But some believe this is an ineffective approach in gauging the job market. “Basing employment on credit score, in my opinion, does not gauge your ability at all — only your financial capability to budget successfully,” sophomore history major Robert Wesner said. While the webinar assisted in teaching students the ins and outs of the credit and loan system, its implications on their post-graudate careers are just as daunting.
she also shared what the older generation had to say about the changes taking place. She called her mother in Russia one day and asked if she and her friends talk about Pussy Riot. “We talk about it all the time,” her mother said. “We all agree that they are very bad mothers.” Adding to the animosity between the old and new generations, Aristarkhova has overheard members of the Orthodox Church call the band “sinners that have to pay.” While talking to her mother again, Aristarkhova brought up the topic of homosexuality. “Why don’t they keep it to themselves?” her mother asked her. With everything she has studied and believes in, Aristarkhova could not keep these questions to herself, regardless of the answer. “These cannot become taboo subjects,” she said. “One cannot hope to always be safe.” Eventually, her mother had a change of heart when she watched anti-gay activists on the television, describing them as violent and rude. Aristarkhova went on to define the significant historical changes that have taken place with women’s roles in everyday life. “Everyone must show their loyalty,” she said. “Before, quiet meant approval. Now, keeping quiet isn’t enough. Quiet can mean disapproval. Now (women) must be openly approving.” The large turnout suggested that the audience seemed to be intrigued in the subject. As a sophomore history major, Amanda Mastronardi enjoyed seeing aspects of her Soviet Union class play out in modern Russian issues such as feminism. “It was really amazing to realize that people in Russia right now are so devoted to equality and standing up for freedom that they’re willing to risk their personal safety to fight this cause,” Mastronardi said. But women, specifically, are standing up. “The post-Soviet woman demands freedom in the streets and in the church,” Aristarkhova said of the ever-changing cultural and political landscape. For that ultimate goal, “she risks her life.”
Unlocking autism’s answers rather than its flaws By Lianna Lazur Staff Writer
On Thursday, Feb. 25, Alicia A. Broderick visited the College to discuss advocacy for autism, or the lack thereof, in her presentation, “The Autism Culture Wars: Hope, Fear and the Politics of Narrative.” Broderick began her talk by displaying a blue puzzle piece on a PowerPoint slide and asked her audience if anyone knew what it represented. The audience responded by identifying it as the icon used by the organization Autism Speaks. Ultimately, this symbol would help tie in the metaphor with the presentation’s main focus. Broderick explained there is a distinct division between what is considered the autistic community and those with autism. This separation derives, according to Broderick, from the multitude of definitions of what exactly
autism is. Autism by many is viewed as a disease, something to be cured. Autism is associated with cancer and diabetes. The commonality between these three suggests they are all detrimental, in need of expulsion from human life. Broderick went on to state that associating autism with a lens of biodiversity — the same lens through which cancer and diabetes are rightfully examined — would be unfair. Broderick went on to suggest viewing autism through a neurodiversity lens instead. Returning to metaphor, she explained the lens in two ways: through fear and hope. Viewing autism as a disease, like Autism Speaks advertises, creates a fear of autism “spreading,” including ominous outcomes such as “epidemics.” If autism is solely labeled as a disease, the only hope would be to find a cure or work toward prevention.
Broderick then described the hope and fear of autism being represented through an autistic, disabled-centric and progressive point of view. There were marginal differences. Through this viewpoint, the fear centers around discrimination, oppression and inequality, while the hope drives toward an acceptance of autistic children and adults, valued support, accommodations and nondiscrimination. With Broderick’s use of metaphor, she spoke out against false advocacy’s effect on autistic members of society, as well as others. Their voices have gone unheard through organizations such as Autism Speaks. Not a single autistic voice is represented in the organization, not a single opinion or vision is shared through an autistic point of view. Broderick left the audience with a resounding message: the acknowledgement of autistic individuals is necessary and
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Autistic voices are underrepresented in their own advocacy.
the treatment of an autistic mind should be determined based off the discretion of the autistic individual, not of the community that surrounds that individual. Broderick shared an alternative advocacy group for autism with faculty and students, The Autisitic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). She also invited the
College to join the national conversation on autism in order to deepen our collective understanding. In effect, to join the conversation is to promote an advocacy for autistic individuals, rather than solely focus on their disability. It is the hope that society can champion their unlimited abilities and not their restraints.
page 4 The Signal March 5, 2014
March 5, 2014 The Signal page 5
Career / Pinpointing future job candidates
continued from page 1
“I think the most important part of the event is the personal connection,” Maricic said, looking over information she received from AmeriCorps and Environment America. “At my age, most people’s résumés look about the same. You really need the personal touch if you want to get your foot in the door.” The prospect of face-to-face contact is a major motivator for businesses as well. Smaller companies use the career fair to pinpoint likely candidates with looming graduation dates, while some larger companies look for underclassmen to groom. This year, United Way attended the fair in hopes of finding hard-working, impassioned young people with a drive to help others. “We’re really here to try and foster relationships with students,” said Jenna Johnston, a young United Way employee. “By talking with folks, we can find out who’s interested and who shares our values. Then, we can point out additional skills that the student might need.” Another newcomer this year was Cinema 6, a recently minted software company from Princeton, N.J. The firm was on the lookout for computer science and graphic design majors with an interest in video editing. “It’s important to actually meet our potential hires,” Cinema 6’s Stephanie Sotober said. “Our business is just
Photo courtesy of Tom Verga
Students engage in conversation with possible future employers during the Career Fair. starting out, and our employees need to be able to learn and adapt in a startup environment.” Sotober knows how it feels to walk the aisles of the Career Fair. As a recent graduate of the College, she put in her fair share of hours asking questions and hunting for
leads. One of those leads stuck and led her all the way to a job at Cinema 6. “Two years ago, I was in the shoes of these students” Sotober said. “I know how important this interaction is, and it’s really interesting to be on the other side of the table.”
Alkhat / Muslim culture New seal for the College A ‘step over’ censorship By Julie Kayzerman News Editor
continued from page 1 write pro-Israel content, going against journalistic integrity. She planned to reveal the Board of Trustees’ censorship in her goodbye column, but they refused to publish it. She ultimately decided there were only two options she could pursue: to “succumb to it” or “step over it.” Alkhat chose the latter, taking her original column to the online newspaper The Huffington Post. The website published her goodbye column, exposing the true nature of The Daily Targum’s Board of Trustees. Soon after, it went viral. “There are many ways to create your own voice,” Amani said. “We have something called the social media and the Internet.” In other words, she is “taking back the narrative” in her own hands. The Quran does not claim that women have to follow these stereotypes — there is no mention of a Halal or behavior models. This fight is no longer about religion. These stereotypes have been constructed by society and culture. Alkhat was not afraid to acknowledge this. She faces criticism and death threats trying to stand up for what she believes in.
Photo courtesy of Madeha Khalid
Alkhat addresses Muslim issues.
“I thought it was interesting,” sophomore international studies major Emma Kumpf said. “We don’t hear a lot from American Muslims.” Alkhat’s presentation wasn’t solely directed at Islam as a religion — it also asked young women to raise their voices. “This presentation was needed for women in college,” junior biology major Meher Ahmed said. “Muslim women shouldn’t be afraid to have a voice. We need a voice to break these barriers.” That’s why Alkhat decided to take a stand. “Social media is the primary weapon of war,” she said. “It’s a voice powerful enough to potentially change the world.”
The College’s website visibly changed over this past weekend with a “mark of distintion,” as the new seal was premiered. It was approved by the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, Feb. 25. “The design incorporates significant elements of our Trenton State College shield, which was used from 1958 until the school changed its name to The College of New Jersey in 1996,” said John P. Donohue, vice president for College Advancement, according to an article on the College’s website. “This is appropriate given the fact that TCNJ is the extraordinary institution it is today because of everything — and everyone — that comprises its rich history.” According to the article, the goals of the design were to highlight the quality of the College’s educational experience as well as pay tribute to its past and “carry it into the future.”
tcnj.edu
The new seal exemplifies quality education at the College.
‘12 Years a Slave’ wins Oscar for best picture Mattel Inc. agrees to buy Mega Brands Inc. By Courtney Wirths Opinions Editor
• “12 Years a Slave” took home this year’s Oscar for Best Motion Picture. The historical, true story beat out “Gravity,” which had already received seven Oscars that evening, according to The Wall Street Journal.
chain’s financial difficulties are an extremely high level of debt and a poor relationship with franchise owners, according to The Wall Street Journal.
• Mattel Inc., the world’s largest toymaker, has agreed to buy Mega Brands Inc. Mega Brands is the second largest producer of construction toys and snap-together blocks and Lego’s largest competitor in the toy market, according to Bloomberg.
• There is a shift in beer drinkers’ preferences. According to an industry report, demand for craft beers rose 9.6 percent in 2013, while overall beer production declined 1.4 percent, according to CNBC.
• Sandwich chain Quiznos is making plans to file for bankruptcy. The primary causes of the
• Apple, the largest tech company in the world, doesn’t have a Twitter. The company
has created accounts for smaller areas of business such as iTunes and the App Store, but analysts suspect that Apple simply doesn’t have much to gain from an account and prefers to inform the public and investors the traditional way, according to CNBC.
the teen-clothing market, according to The Wall Street Journal.
• Abercrombie & Fitch has plans to lower clothing prices and cut production costs in attempts to combat quarterly losses. The complain says the changes come with teenagers and young adults spending less and the high level of competition in
• Food labels will be receiving significant changes for the first time in two decades if a new Obama administration bill passes through Congress. The bill would change the font size of the calories portion and require more realistic serving sizes to be used, according to The Wall Street Journal.
• Walt Disney Company will end funding and donations to the Boy Scouts of America starting this year. The company’s decision is due to the Scout’s policy that bans gay troop leaders, according to the Associated Press.
page 6 The Signal March 5, 2014
Nation & W rld
Venezuelans protest over violent crime and inflation
AP Photo
Anti-government protesters in Venezuela walk through Bolivarian National Guards’ tear gas.
By Samantha Liebman Correspondent
What started in the beginning of February as a student protest in the Western states of Tachira and Merida has spread throughout the country, where many unsettled
Venezuelans have taken to the streets. The students initially began their protests in response to the failure of the Venezuelan police to take action after a female student was allegedly raped. Since then, the protests have flourished into something much more. Inflicted by an unseemly high crime rate, increasing levels of inflation at 56 percent, and the diminishing amount of basic goods available to the public, the unrest in Venezuela has been brooding within the borders of the country. According to The Huffington Post, the discourse could have been foreseen through a poll that analyzed the way Venezuelans feel about their lives. As a new Gallup study reports, in 2013, 35 percent of the citizens felt as though the standard of living had been increasingly getting worse — an increase of 24 percent from the previous year. 80 percent claimed they felt unsafe walking around at night in their hometowns. BBCNews noted that the student movement started its protests in the city of Caracas on Wednesday, Feb. 12, and have since been joined by two hardliners from the Table for Democratic Unity (MUD), who have been in support of the public’s ongoing opposition of President
Nicolas Maduro. Former mayor Leopoldo Lopez and MP Maria Corina Machado began “#lasalida,” which translates as “the exit” and “the solution” in Spanish, in order to garner support and gather people to join the protests in Caracas. Venezuelan officials ordered the arrest of Lopez on Thursday, Feb. 13, on charges of terrorism and murder linked to the opposition and protests. Leading the opposition group is Henrique Capriles, a former presidential nominee who narrowly lost to the president in April of last year and, according to BBCNews, did not initially support the marches. However, after more than 500 arrests were made and around 13 people found dead due to the violent nature of the marches, Capriles joined the demonstrators and protestors on the streets with a more moderate sector of the opposition, in order to encourage peaceful demonstrations. The protests in Venezuela do not seem to be dying out, despite the security forces’ use of tear gas and fervent arrests. According to CBC News, the government has reacted to the demonstrations by shutting down media outlets through direct orders by President Maduro. As of Friday, Feb. 28, 17 people have died and over 260 have been injured.
Obama’s new budget plan focuses on highway projects WASHINGTON (AP) — Striving for unity among Democrats rather than compromise with Republicans, President Barack Obama will unveil an election-year budget on Tuesday that drops earlier proposals to cut future Social Security benefits and seeks new money for infrastructure, education and job training. But Obama’s almost $4 trillion budget plan is likely to have a short shelf life. It comes just three months after Congress and the White House agreed to a two-year, bipartisan budget pact that has already set the parameters for this election year’s budget work. Democrats controlling the Senate have already announced they won’t advance a budget this year and will instead skip ahead to the annual appropriations bills for 2015, relying on new spending “caps” set by December’s budget deal that provide $56 billion less than what Obama wants in 2015. Obama would divide the extra money equally between the Pentagon and domestic initiatives like boosting manufacturing hubs, job training and preschool programs and cutting energy waste. Republicans are likely to balk at the idea, which would be paid for by curbing special interest tax breaks and
Obscure & Offbeat
AP Photo
A horse waiting in the hallway of a middle school in Michigan.
Lottery winner pulled over for speeding
A resident of Massachusetts was stopped by police on his way to claiming his prize from winning the lottery. The police let him go after he explained his reason for speeding.
Quit “horsing” around, Mr. Principal!
A principal of Swan Valley Middle School in Michigan brings his horse to a school assembly to get the students excited for Reading Month. Information from AP
making spending cuts elsewhere in the budget. Obama has also announced a four-year, $302 billion plan to boost spending on highways, rail projects and mass transit. Half of the initiative would be financed through corporate taxes. Funding for highway and mass transit projects expires at the end of September, and there’s bipartisan interest in finding a supplemental funding stream to augment stagnant revenues from the $18.4 cents-per-gallon gasoline tax. Obama’s budget arrives after a tumultuous year that began with Obama muscling through a 10-year $600 billion-plus tax increase on upper-bracket earners. Feeling stung, Republicans refused to yield on about $80 billion in automatic spending cuts that began in March. Then, conservatives in the GOP forced a 16-day partial government shutdown over funding to implement the nation’s new health insurance program. The small-bore, two-year budget deal struck by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., emerged from the wreckage to alleviate the toughest automatic cuts. With no design or expectation of luring Republicans into more budget negotiations in this election year, Obama’s blueprint presents his vision for boosting job growth and
AP Photo
President Obama’s 2015 budget will address social security, education and job growth.
favored initiatives like education. The White House announced earlier Obama was dropping a plan opposed by most Democrats in his budget proposal a year ago to slow Social Security cost of living increases.
Around the World:
Ukraine
Russia stations troops in Crimea IEV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian troops said to be 16,000 strong tightened their stranglehold on Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula Monday, openly defying the U.S. and the European Union and rattling world capitals and stock markets. The West struggled to find a way to get Russia to back down, but with little beyond already threatened diplomatic and economic sanctions, global markets fell sharply over the prospect of violent upheaval in the heart of Europe. For its part, Moscow reiterated its price for ending the crisis: restoration of a deal reached with the opposition less than two weeks ago to form a national unity government in Kiev that represents pro-Russian as well as Ukrainian interests, with new elections to be held by December. Ukraine, meanwhile, accused Russia of piracy for blocking two of the besieged country’s warships and ordering them to surrender or be seized. The U.S. originally estimated that 6,000 Russian troops were dispatched to Crimea, but Ukraine’s mission to the United Nations said Monday that 16,000 had been deployed. That stoked fears that the Kremlin might carry out more land grabs in proRussian eastern Ukraine.
AP Photo
The UN Security Council met at its headquarters on Monday, March 3, to further discuss the crisis in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was headed to Kiev in an expression of support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, and the EU threatened a raft of punitive measures as it called an emergency summit for Thursday. The Pentagon said it was suspending exercises and other activities with the Russian military. But it was Russia that appeared to be driving the agenda. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a U.N. Human Rights Council session in Geneva that Ukraine
should return to an agreement signed last month by pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych — but not Moscow — to hold early elections and surrender some powers. Yanukovych fled the country after sealing the pact with the opposition and foreign ministers of France, Germany and Poland. “Instead of a promised national unity government,” Lavrov said of the fledgling new administration in Kiev, “a government of the victors has been created.”
March 5, 2014 The Signal page 7
Editorial
Spring break is a time to relax and regroup
If you’re like me, you’ve been spending the entire semester with your plate full, trying to balance a million different things. And if you’re a senior like me, you’re also trying to jam pack as much fun and enjoyment into your last semester of college. After all, this is our last chance to make the most of it. With all that said, even though people are going off to exotic islands for a spring break they will never forget, I’m looking forward to my spring break in New Jersey where I’ll be able to relax. With an entire week, I’ve got plenty of time to regroup and catch up on several things, including sleep, the job hunt, work and some Netflix (although hopefully not too much of that). While it may not be glamorous, I’ll be saving some money and, for lack of a better term, getting my shit together — two things I’m currently in need of. Another great aspect of just kicking it at home for break is the ability to see family. I haven’t been home since the start of the semester, so it’ll be great to see my mom, dad, brothers amd grandma — not to mention any friends that have the same break as me. Does part of me wish I was going somewhere much warmer? Absolutely, especially with the frigid weather we’ve had, and are still having. Friends headed to various place, from Cancun to Florida, from California to Las Vegas, all have me feeling a tiny bit of jealousy. But I’ll be headed to Punta Cana once I graduate as a present from my parents, so that’ll be my spring break. For now, I’m fine being home — except for this whole weather thing. My point is that sometimes it’s good to use these breaks as exactly that — a break. I’m not opposed by any means to living it up and having the time of your life on spring break, but I can really appreciate those using it as a stress outlet and a chance to prepare for the second half of the semester. And, for the seniors, the second half of your last college semester, which can sound kind of frightening and hard to believe. I’m someone who tries to squeeze the most out of everything I do. I hate being bored, and I try to fill my free time at school with nearly any activity possible. But when I’m home next week, I think I won’t mind taking it easy for a little while. After all, once break ends, it’ll be back to the grindstone — and I’ll be ready. Hopefully everyone else is, too.
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Editorial Content
AP Photo
“The biggest reward for a student athlete — as just an athlete — is to win a championship. For the student aspect of it, it would be to excel in your class, get a degree and have a direction for what you’re gonna do following your education here. The combination of those things is to optimize your time here and develop — develop character, develop as a person and develop a plan you’re gonna use moving forward.” — Director of Athletic Communications Mark Gola.
— Chris Molicki, Managing Editor
Going to a beautiful beach is nice, but relaxing at home isn’t a bad way to spend break.
Quotes of the Week
Unsigned editorial opinions are those of the Editorial Board, which consists of the Editor-in-Chief, the Managing, News, Features, Arts & Entertainment, Opinions, Photo and Sports editors and the Business Manager, unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed in signed editorials and letters to the editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Signal.
“I’m trying to get as much face-toface interaction with employers as I can. Asking questions is key because most companies have limited information on their websites. If you get the right person, sometimes they’ll open up and tell you exactly what you need to know.” — Senior economics major Nick Malmi.
page 8 The Signal March 5, 2014
All proceeds benefit the Rescue Mission of Trenton
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Student Center 11am-2pm Clothes//Shoes//Accessories
March 5, 2014 The Signal page 9
Opinions
Humans vs. Zombies takes off at the College Students relieve stress with campus-wide game By Peter Fiorilla Sports Editor
We saw them this past week, creeping around corners, dueling outside of Green Hall and sometimes walking on campus like average students, albeit equipped with foam swords and mischievous grins: the players of the “Human vs. Zombies” game are a great mid-semester reminder of how important it is to let off steam and relieve anxiety. More and more College students are participating in this campus-wide game every semester, which is essentially an elaborate version of manhunt. All but one of the players are humans at the beginning, identifying themselves with strips of cloth, while a lone zombie kick-starts the game going by “killing” — or touching — humans. Once a human is touched, they are infected and must try to turn the remaining humans to win the game. Humans win by avoiding zombie contact for an entire week. It’s not unique to the College — hundreds of campuses in the U.S. have adopted “Humans vs. Zombies,” with varying rules and contestants — nearly 2,000
Photo courtesy of Jared Sokoloff
Participants in Humans vs. Zombies use the game as a great way to bond as a club and relieve some mid-semester stress. people regularly participate at University of Georgia, while it’s a sport of its own at host school Goucher College — and there are other fantastical clubs out there. At Middlebury College, for example, dozens of students flock to on-campus fields each Sunday to play Harry Potter-inspired
games of quidditch. These games are easy to dismiss, but there’s a reason they’re so popular: it’s important to relieve stress, even if that entails dressing up (down?) a little and laying traps for your friends in Bliss Hall. Last week, The Signal published a phenomenal
piece on “Generation Y” being the most depressed generation, called “Generation Y and the infinite sadness,” and it was just another piece of evidence on the seriousness and worsening state of mental health in the U.S. This is the most anxious country in the world — it’s not even close, according to a 2012 study by the World Health Organization — where 80 percent of college students frequently suffer daily stress, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. There’s so much to feel anxious about, from looking good every morning to wondering how you’ll convince an employer you’re worth being paid real, non-Monopoly money. It can be easy to feel weighed down by the pressure that comes hand-in-hand with college life, and it’s essential to find a release. That’s why it always brightens my day to see humans and zombies in a notso-epic battle on campus, three feet away from where I’m walking. I’ve heard a lot of complaints about the game, and I understand why it’s not for everyone. But if it helps some people completely escape the stresses of college life for a few hours, more power to them.
Hollywood still cuts women’s screen time short By Courtney Wirths Opinions Editor
While accepting her Oscar for best actress, Cate Blanchett proudly stated that, “those of us in the industry who are still foolishly clinging to the idea that female films with women at the center are niche experiences. They are not. Audiences want to see them, and, in fact, they make money.” This year’s Oscar-winning films were refreshing — filled with powerful women in many leading roles. The film for which Blanchett earned her Oscar was “Blue Jasmine.” The film starred two sisters played by Blanchett and Sally Hawkins. Disney’s “Frozen” won an Oscar for Best Animated
AP Photo
Sandra Bullock was the only character on screen for the majority of ‘Gravity.’
Film. It featured another sister duo as its heroines with the leading male as simply a sidekick. “Gravity” was a revolutionary film that took home a total of seven Oscars, including the Oscar for Best Director. For the majority of the film, there is only one character, Ryan Stone, the protagonist played by Sandra Bullock. Two of Hollywood’s greats, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep, paired up to take large roles in the drama “August: Osage County.” Other female powerhouses who received nominations or Oscars were Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence in “American Hustle.” While she didn’t have the lead, Lupita Nyong’o took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “12 Years a Slave.” The film was also the winner of Best Motion Picture. This year’s Oscars represented a big night for women in the film industry, but Hollywood still has a long way to go before it can be considered a place of gender equality. The New York Film Academy took a look at how women are portrayed in the top 500 films between the years of 2007 and 2012. The results are alarming. According to their data, only 30.8 percent of speaking characters are women and only 10.7 percent of films have a balanced cast — meaning 50 percent of the cast is female. Roughly a third of women are shown in sexually revealing attire or nude, according to the Academy. In contrast, only 10 percent of men in movies are shown in “sexy” attire or are partially nude. The statistics do not get any better when it comes to children’s and family films. In fact, the ratio of men to women in family films hasn’t changed since 1946. “From 2006 to 2009, not one female character was depicted in G-rated family films in the field of medical science, as a business leader, in law or politics. In these films, 80.5 percent of all working characters are male and 19.5 percent are female, which is a contrast to real
AP Photo
Cate Blanchett tells the film industry in her Oscar acceptance speech that audiences want women in films. world statistics, where women comprise 50 percent of the workforce,” according to a study done by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. Women are underrepresented behind the scenes as well. In 2012, only 20 percent of editors, 15 percent of writers, 9 percent of directors and 2 percent of cinematographers were women, according to the New York Academy of Art. Women purchase 50 percent of movie tickets every year. Each movie ticket is similar to a vote from a consumer. So while things are looking up for women in film, viewers should show support for quality films with strong female leads and balanced casts.
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page 10 The Signal March 5, 2014
Features
In Her Shoes: an eye-opening nursing simulation Students step into the lives of domestic violence victims
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Nursing students can now better understand what domestic violence victims go through with the new simulation.
By Christine Aebischer Correspondent
Sophomore history major and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) peer educator Amanda Mastronardi slowly and unsteadily rolls down the hall in her newly appointed wheelchair, balancing a baby on her lap, a white garbage bag of her belongings tied to one chair handle, as she tries to find her way back home. After the grueling journey, she’s convinced to forgive and forget — ill-advised
guidance that soon sends her back to where she started, adding another Band-Aid to her rapidly-growing collection. Luckily for Mastronardi, she is not handicapped, she has no children and her Band-Aids are not covering actual injuries. These are all props she gathered while going from station to station in a new simulation to be used in the nursing school. But for victims of domestic violence, these props are their reality. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in four
women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. The Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence has developed the simulation “In Her Shoes: Living with Domestic Violence” to help participants understand the ups and downs that victims of domestic violence experience. The simulation will be used in a senior-level nursing class, Caring in Community Health, but members of Anti-Violence Initiatives (AVI) and CAPS demonstrated the simulation on Thursday, Feb. 27. “Victims often go unseen, because they’re admitted for other things, like depression or broken bones,” said Norma Brown, a clinical laboratory education coordinator at the College. “As health care professionals, we need to be sensitized to pick up on the underlying cause.” “It really is community health,” said Ann Fallon, a clinician educator at the College. “The learning takes place in the mistakes you make.” The simulation consists of eight simulated role plays based on the real-life experiences of domestic abuse victims. Students will work in pairs, one assuming the role of the victim and the other the shadow, following the path of their assigned victim around the 17 stations of the simulation. At each station, the student picks up the color-coded card corresponding to the victim whose identity they are assuming to see what will happen next.
Some cards simply tell students where to go next, while others give them a choice in how they would like to proceed. “We would really like them to get into character to understand how victims of domestic violence get themselves in a circular relationship they can’t get out of,” Brown said. “It’s then easier as a health care provider to break that cycle.” Mastronardi, who assumed the role of Denise, a 45-year-old mother of six who was confined to a wheelchair, found herself stuck in one such circular relationship. She bounced back and forth between trying to seek refuge from her abusive husband and forgiving him, which led to more abuse, and ultimately, her death. “I felt very limited,” Mastronardi said. “I’m not used to not getting better,” Brown said. “You can’t get better, you can’t get out of it and you can’t fix it. I hope that students get angry from this, so that when they encounter patients’ anger, they can step back and have perspective.” Nursing professor and interim chair Susan Mitchell said the simulation will give nursing students “a deeper understanding of the livedexperience of domestic violence.” “It’s one thing to discuss these issues in the classroom where you can talk about interventions and statistics and even case studies, but something very profound happens when you are so closely involved and ‘living’ real-life situations,” Mitchell said.
Opening the conversation on disability
By Colleen Murphy Features Editor According to sophomore history and urban studies double major Sam Fogelgaren, “disability at TCNJ is often seen as a topic that is ‘covered’ by the special education department.” However, he knew it was “important for the campus community to understand that disability impacts everyone, not just those with a disability or those who study it.” To spread that message across campus, Fogelgaren, along with 2013 College graduate Colin Be,
formed Students for Disability Awareness (SDA). “Growing up with an Autistic brother made me realize that, whether we are personally touched by disability or not, we all encounter it, and most people do not know how to understand it, or even begin to start understanding it,” Fogelgaren said. “SDA looks to provide that start.” SDA has several events planned in order to have a more open discussion with the community about disability. According to Fogelgaren, on Monday, April 7, SDA and the Bonner Center will be hosting a Disability Forum. Right after
that will be the club’s second annual Disability Art Show. “We are also developing an internship program with Trenton Special Parent Advocacy Group, a highly effective yet underresourced organization that works with parents of children with special needs and Trenton Public Schools,” Fogelgaren said. “As for the future, we hope to host a student-faculty forum on disability issues in the fall, and will be pushing
for the interdisciplinary inclusion of disability within the curriculum.” SDA hopes to change not only the College’s and local community’s outlook on what disability is, but also how the issues of dialogue, policy and activism should be approached, according to Fogelgaren. He hopes to work with other clubs, academic departments and organizations (both on and off campus) to promote dialogue about
disability issues. “SDA is a great opportunity to promote positive change at the College and beyond,” Fogelgaren said. “As college students, we take the values and experiences formed here and bring them into our adulthood — we bring them into the jobs we have, the communities we live in and the families we raise. Joining SDA is a chance to change your individual outlook, which in turn will change many other individual outlooks down the road.” SDA meets weekly on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in room 212 of the Education Building.
China’s air pollution worsens as it thickens
By Frank Saverino Columnist
China’s air pollution is becoming more and more hazardous to the health of its people. Beijing and other provinces have been enshrouded in a thick fog for several weeks. Beijing’s P.M. (particle matter) level is over 20 times the recommended density by the World Health Organization. These particles are 2.5 micrometers (0.00025 cm) in diameter, made up of a mix of acids, allergens and metals, and, when entering the lungs, they can rapidly increase the chances for heart and lung disease. Civilians are forced to walk the streets with face masks on, companies have ceased production, tourism is down and many flights have been canceled. The city is facing an economic downturn, and in provinces north of the city, agricultural workers fear for a severe epidemic to their crops. Investigation into the lack of sunlight
that farm plants are receiving by China’s Agricultural University have led them to predict a “nuclear winter” for China’s crops if the heavy pollution continues to persist. A seed in one of their control labs took 20 days to start growing, while in the open air outside, another of those seeds took several months to reach that same progress. The situation is growing more serious, and although the government has been repeatedly urged by business owners and farmers to address the growing problem, government action has been scarce. This week, 147 companies have stopped or halted production in an effort to cut down on emissions that were adding to the smog, although schools have remained open. The Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences already stated that Beijing was “uninhabitable for human beings” this month, and Li Guixin of the Hebei province north of Beijing is suing the government for “economic losses” his area has
been dealt because of the passing pollution from the city. He commented to a media outlet, “These losses should be borne by the government and the environmental departments because the government is the recipient of corporate taxes, it is a beneficiary.” Li is demanding 10,000 renminbi (1,368 U.S. dollars) in reparation for the hardships faced by Hebel. Last month, President Xi Jinping made a surprise visit to the city and was seen wearing no face protection, leaving many media and social commentators aghast at the lack of awareness the president showed for the harmful health effects the pollution has had on the people of Beijing. The city is second on the list of worst environments to live in around the world, and foot traffic in some of the city’s most popular sites has decreased by 75 percent. Beijing is not alone. Other major cities, like Shanghai, Hong Kong and Linfen, in China are facing similar environmental
crises and environmental activists of the country are hoping the large attention Beijing has continuously received by the global media for their high levels of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (such as the immense clean up that was called for before the 2008 Summer Olympics) will create more cause for improving the dangerous conditions that many of China’s cities are in.
AP Photo
Beijing’s P.M. level is over 20 times the recommended density.
March 5, 2014 The Signal page 11
Breakfast: more than good
Campus Style By Jordan Koziol and Heather Hawkes Columnists
A well-balanced breakfast is essential for a successful day. By Ruchi Shah Columnist As a teenager, you’ve heard “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” so many times that you learned to tune it out during your early high school days as you ran out the door with your mom shouting after you. However, your mom’s words were not in vain. It’s been scientifically proven that breakfast is indeed a vital component of one’s day. All too often, students compromise what should be their first meal of the day in favor of staying in bed longer or reviewing their notes one last time. This is a terrible exchange — breakfast deserves to take precedence over both of these activities. Not convinced yet? Here are some reasons that are sure to change your mind. According to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, breakfast improves important cognitive functions such as memory, which, in turn, contributes to better academic performance. Furthermore, better academic performance results in higher student motivation. Long story short: If you want to have a successful collegiate career, eat breakfast! (…And sleep and study, of course).
AP Photo
Now that you understand how necessary breakfast is in fulfilling all your future endeavors, you’re probably thinking that grabbing a cup of coffee should suffice. Wrong again. Coffee is a terrible substitute for a well-rounded breakfast because it contains little else in addition to caffeine. Calcium and Vitamin D are morning must-haves. Be sure to include some type of dairy product, such as milk or yogurt, and a calcium -rich beverage, such as orange juice. Another reason coffee is a bad breakfast choice is the fact that it only serves as a temporary source of energy. To power through your day, you must intake food containing protein and grains. Protein and grains provide more long-term energy. Potential breakfast items are numerous — oatmeal, cereal, toast and bagels. Lastly, it’s important to throw some color into your breakfast spread with some yummy fruit. Fruits are the perfect complement to any breakfast item. Cut up bananas to add to your cereal and milk or make a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Toss some fresh berries in your yogurt or oatmeal. Grab an apple on the go. The possibilities are infinite. Lifelong success starts with a good breakfast.
The next time you pick up People Magazine, flip through the first few pages. In almost every issue, you are guaranteed to see a photo of a celebrity or model gallivanting through an airport, en route to an exotic destination. However, take note that these women are never schlepping their carry-on bags in pajamas, sweatpants or Uggs. Rather, they are sporting expertly-crafted ensembles that literally turn heads. The greatest thing about these chic airport looks is that they require little time or thought — the key is that they are effortless. To achieve this stylish perfection, take tips from the pros.
seen in cuffed denim jeans, a fitted jacket and an enormously oversized scarf. She managed to make the look chic, even while toting two suitcases. Wherever your destination may take you this spring break, start your trip off on a stylish foot. Taking inspiration from celebs who combine wardrobe staples such as jean leggings, chunky sweaters, ankle booties and oversized scarves will help you create the perfect look. And even if your destination is your bedroom at home, don’t be shy to use these chic tips for everyday street style.
The Kristin Cavallari: Like this celeb did, pair liquid black leggings with a black tank top, and layer with a neutral, chunky-knit sweater. Finish the look with black ankle booties. We’re crossing our fingers she’s heading back to Laguna Beach. The Cara Delevigne: For an edgier take, master tomboy chic like this British model, who has been seen wearing a graphic tee, cool kicks, black leggings and a leather motorcycle jacket at the airport. The Emma Stone: Utilize borrowedfrom-the-boys charm in a classic chambray shirt, oversized jacket and studded loafers. Emma Stone executes this boyish airport look flawlessly. The Emma Watson: This A-lister has recently been seen traveling in a flouncy, cotton-white dress under an oversized sweater, black combat boots and dark shades. Emma shows firsthand that this combo is magical. The Rosie Huntington-Whitely: Take note from this stylish model, who was recently
Rosie always looks chic.
thelook4less.net
Doctor’s orders: Go to Doc’s Bar & Grill Doc’s Bar & Grill Where: 2420 Brunswick Ave. Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Contact: 609-882-7700 Hours: Mon. - Thurs.: 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. Fri. - Sun.: 12 p.m. - 11 p.m. Overall Rating (4 out of 5):
After a round of bowling, you can grab some pretty tasty food from Doc’s Bar & Grill. By Regina Yorkgitis Web Editor When I think of food in a bar/bowling alley, generally my expectations are low. Visions of stale pizza, dirty alleys and the memory of my Unfortunate Bowling Game of 2002 come flooding to my mind (always gutter, never strike). Monday night, I journeyed with a team of self-proclaimed food experts — my housemates Melanie and Laura — to see whether this thought applied to Doc’s Bar & Grill in Lawrenceville. Tucked inside Colonial Bowling and Entertainment, a bowling alley, laser tag arena and arcade center, Doc’s Bar & Grill was a pleasant surprise. The bar and grill, about 10 minutes away from the College, had a fun, friendly vibe. It is, thank goodness, clean. You have to have respect for a place that plays ’90s music videos on the big screens
over the bowling alleys — people who think “Save Tonight” by Eagle-Eye Cherry is not the greatest song ever should seriously reconsider their life decisions. Our food came in about 20 minutes, and good thing, because hours of finding new ways to avoid homework can make you very hungry, trust me. True to form, I ordered a Philly cheesesteak sandwich. I’ve had many cheesesteaks in my time, but this one was especially yummy. The cheese to steak ratio was right on point. The bun was fresh and well toasted, and I would definitely order it again. Laura, a vegetarian, ordered a cheesy margherita flatbread personal pizza. The tomatoes and basil were clearly fresh. Too often, flatbread pizza is cooked too long and burnt, but this one was cooked to perfection. Her one critique was that the pizza could have a little less oil, but that is a complaint Laura finds with most pizza.
Regina Yorkgitis / Web Editor
Melanie, our designated house baker, ordered a barbecue chicken sandwich. The chicken was cooked well, and she enjoyed her meal, but she hoped that the chicken would be barbequed, not just topped with barbeque sauce. The sea salt on the french fries was a superb choice, but she likes her fries with a little bit more crisp. Overall, we agreed that coming to Doc’s was an excellent decision and not just because we didn’t have to wash dishes, although that is always a bonus. The food was tasty, the serving size was generous and the atmosphere was hip-andhappening. I’ve heard great things about their build-a-burger dish option. The 21 and over crowd can enjoy a wide array of cocktails and beer selection. We’d definitely return to Doc’s, maybe for a karaoke night. Fingers crossed that we convince Laura to do her rendition of an Andrea Bocelli song.
page 12 The Signal March 5, 2014
Arts & Entertainment
Morals traded in for comedy in ‘Forum’
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
The crowd favorite was the hysterical three proteans.
By Kelsey Wojdyla Correspondent
There truly was something for everyone at the College’s spring musical, “A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum.” The musical comedy was performed by the student-run organization TCNJ Musical Theatre (TMT) in the Kendall Main Stage Theater this past week. Based on the book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and inspired by the works of
the third-century Roman comic playwright Titus Maccius Plautus, “Forum” first opened on Broadway in 1962, where it won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical. The theatric show opened with Pseudolus, a Roman slave desperately seeking freedom, telling the audience that “the theater is a temple, and we are here to worship the gods of comedy and tragedy.” The curtain rose on an amusing second attempt to reveal three
houses set in ancient Rome. In the first house lived the beautiful and exotic courtesans and their owner. Hero, the young son of a Roman senator, occupied the middle house while his parents were away visiting his grandmother. Finally, the house on the right was left vacant by an old man searching for his two children who were stolen as infants by pirates. Comedy further ensues when Pseudolus learns that her owner, Hero, has fallen in love with a virgin courtesan. Pseudolus promises to help Hero win the girl in exchange for her own freedom, but a hysterical series of events bring about unexpected challenges to her plan. “I think I’m more of a funny person than a serious one, so I felt pretty in my element,” said Molly Crawford, a senior management major who played the character of Pseudolus, which was originally written as a male role. “I was doing things that I would say or do in real life.” The laughter, however, did not come from telling jokes, but by
using classic slapstick comedy similar to that of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. The cast of “Forum” did anything and everything to make the audience laugh, as seen when the three proteans, who played multiple roles as slaves, citizens and soldiers, literally pulled props from a trunk of comedian tricks on stage. Overall, the comedic timing of the cast was perfectly executed. “We really took the reigns on
a bunch of different numbers that we weren’t planning to choreograph,” said Erica Paolucci, senior urban elementary education and iSTEM double major and co-choreographer for the play. In the end, love prevails and there was a happy ending for all involved. “Forum” was pure fun, and the TMT cast and crew provided a more-than-entertaining escape from the real world as they sang, “Morals tomorrow! Comedy tonight!”
Courtney Wriths / Photo Editor
Despite rocky travels, there was a happy ending for all.
Lovato shows maturity on ‘Neon Lights Tour’
Lovato revamps old songs.
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Jonathan Edmondson Review Editor After a successful string of tours and albums, Demi Lovato has developed into
a seasoned performer. Her current “Neon Lights Tour” is her most ambitious show yet, for Lovato and music director Nick Jonas have developed a unique set list to feature songs ranging from her first album to her latest musical venture. Lovato took her “Neon Lights Tour” to the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, N.J. on Saturday, March 1, with opening support from Little Mix and Fifth Harmony. The two girl groups proved to be crowdpleasers, but nothing compared to when Lovato took the stage to sing the opening lines of her hit single “Heart Attack.” The set continued to take off when she launched into power-anthem “Fire Starter” and throwback “Remember December.” Lovato commands the stage with such confidence and energy that one would never
suspect she had just finished a stint in rehab over a year ago. Lovato has now found peace within herself and her music, admitting her flaws and using them to relate to the audience. Her high-energy pieces keep the crowd going, but it is when Lovato sits down at the piano and speaks directly to the audience that she really shines. As she normally does, Lovato declared how inspired she is by all of her fans and how grateful she is to be surrounded by so much love. The most heartwarming part of the show was when she told the crowd to forget about everything they were dealing with and just get lost in the music and the energy of the show. She then began a string of songs that showcased her emotional and vocal range: “Two Pieces,” “Nightingale,” “Warrior” and crowd-favorite “Let It Go.”
Very few artists manage to play with such bombastic passion and energy one minute and channel that power into an emotional performance the next. Lovato has continuously proved that she is a musical force and much more than a typical Disney pop-star. What was most impressive was her arrangement of her old songs. Through unique musical interludes from her backup band, Lovato transformed songs like “Don’t Forget” into new pieces of music that were entertaining for her oldest and dearest fans. My only hope for Lovato is that she continues to develop herself as a serious music artist and grows out of her adolescent audience. She is growing both as a person and a musician, and it is time that her audience is as mature as her.
Transit returns and Turnover is an instant hit By Kimberly Ilkowski Staff Writer
Avid fans and newcomers alike enjoyed intimate and unplugged performances from the bands Transit and Turnover on Friday, Feb. 28, in the Rathskeller. Both bands, which are going on major tours in the United States and Europe this spring, changed things up to hang out at the small on-campus venue to meet fans and grab a drink. Turnover vocalist and guitar player Austin Getz, alongside guitarist Eric Soucy, performed songs off their full-length album, “Magnolia,” as well as songs from their self-titled EP. The rest of the band, drummer Casey Getz and bassist Danny Dempsey, were seen hanging
around the merch table and rooting on their fellow bandmates. The band, hailing from Virginia Beach, Va., recently wrapped up a tour with New Jersey hardcore band Blind Justice and has a new EP out featuring the song, “I Would Hate You If I Could.” Freshman English major Brooke Schmidt went to the show to try something different. “I come to the Rat to discover new music,” Schmidt said. “The set definitely made me want to check out more of their stuff.” In mid-March, they are going on tour with I Am The Avalanche, which had to cancel headlining the night’s show. In its place, Transit made a triumphant return to the Rat, having played there over a year ago. Vocalist Joe Boynton and guitarists
Tim Landers and Torre Cioffi led the set, strumming away to Boynton’s impassioned singing. The indie post-hardcore group played songs from their 2013 album “Young New England” and 2011 release “Listen & Forgive.” “We just came back from Vans Warped Acoustic Basement Tour,” Boynton said. “The snow ended up canceling some of our shows. In Toronto, it snowed two feet, so we couldn’t play. In Alabama, it snowed two inches, so we couldn’t play.” The band played hits like “Long Lost Friends” and the so-called drinking anthem “Young New England,” as well as a cover from the New Jersey pop punk band Man Overboard, which played at Ratfest last spring. “Pick up a shirt, pick up a CD,
keep eating that sandwich,” Boynton said, scanning the crowd and sensing the mellow atmosphere of the night. In one of the last songs of the
evening, “You Can’t Miss It,” the band and audience sang the chorus, “you won’t miss us,” in unison. But it seemed that students in the Rat certainly would.
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Getz and Soucy win over the Rathskeller crowd.
March 5, 2014 The Signal page 13
‘Her’ brings new meaning to loving a phone
Phoenix, Johansson, Adams, Wilde and Mara give amazing performances in the controversial plot of loving an Operating System. By Christopher Minitelli Staff Writer
Every so often, a movie comes along that is just so unique and dynamic that it simply cannot be ignored or missed. For me, the film “Her” is one of these films. While I was initially skeptical about how this movie would be, I was completely proven wrong once I saw it. This film, which was written and directed by Spike Jonze, takes place sometime in the future when technology has continued to grow in importance, versatility and use.
In this time, a new groundbreaking product called the Operating System (OS) has just been released. Although this product has an unoriginal name, the product itself is astounding. The OS acts similarly to the modern-day Siri. However, it is capable of developing a mind of its own, having a personality and holding actual conversations with its user. “Her” centers around Theodore, a recently-divorced personal letter-writer who decides to buy an OS. Once he begins using his OS, Samantha, their
relationship quickly builds and intensifies, and ultimately becomes romantic. One of the things I loved about this film was how it was able to portray so many different layered messages and undertones, while still remaining simple. As the relationship between Theodore and Samantha develops, the film presents the audience with a number of questions and ideas about what is considered a normal relationship. While this is the case, “Her” does not only deal with romantic relationships, but it also presents its audience with a variety of other
important questions and thoughts. These range from having the audience think about friendship to how big of a role technology plays in society. While the original screenplay and direction of “Her” by Jonze is quite noteworthy, the performances in it are as well. Theodore is portrayed stunningly by Joaquin Phoenix, while the voice of Samantha is done by Scarlett Johansson. I thought the two actors were absolutely perfect for their respective roles. Johansson’s smooth and eloquent voice beautifully complemented Phoenix’s incredible
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expressiveness and movements. Other members of the cast include Amy Adams, Olivia Wilde and Rooney Mara, who all gave impressive performances. “Her” was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture. I was honestly quite surprised that Phoenix was snubbed a Best Actor nomination. While, I think “Her” deserved to win both of these awards, the film only walked away from the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, with the win for Best Original Screenplay — rightfully deserved.
Plants communicate via time-lasped videos
tcnj.edu
Hangarter presents ‘sLowlife.’
By Jamie Fonzino Correspondent
As a featured Brown Bag Series event at Mayo Concert Hall on Friday, Feb. 28, the College sponsored “Plants — They Whisper, Talk and Even Move,” a presentation that
focused on how the study of plants can be viewed both biologically and artistically. Through a series of photographs, movie clips from “The Lord of the Rings” and time-lapse videography, Roger P. Hangarter, a renowned biology professor at Indiana University, illustrated the idea of “plant blindness,” or the unawareness that people have toward the importance and beauty of plant life. “We are going to have fun today,” Hangarter said as he started his presentation. Hangarter described how plants, like most organisms, were living creatures that had the ability to “move, perceive and respond to stimuli, communicate with each other and communicate to other creatures,” even though they function through much slower processes. To illustrate the complex inner workings of vegetation, Hangarter showed several time-lapsed videos of his own plant observations and examples from his
“sLowlife” exhibit, displaying how both gravity and light can elicit movement from different plants. Hangarter’s videos of sunflowers, pumpkins, Venus flytraps and more flora and fauna showed the dance-like movements of plants as they opened their leaves, coiled their vines around objects, used their roots to mine for minerals in the earth, followed the sun throughout the day and beckoned to potential pollinators. “The video clips really accentuated the complexity and beauty of plant life,” freshman communication studies major Casey Facas said. “It really made for an interesting and informative lecture.” To further augment the aesthetic quality of plants, Hangarter introduced examples from “The Living Canvas,” a new project he collaborated on with different artists, where light was used to imprint clear images on the surface of leaves. According to Hangarter, light affects the
movement of the leaf’s chloroplasts, organelles that give plants their green pigment, so he, along with different artists, were able to draw faces, write words and even produce short films on the surface of leaves. With Hangarter’s scientific and artistic representation of vegetation in mind, the plants, flowers and leaves lining the College campus will certainly be seen in a different light and will no longer go unnoticed.
tcnj.edu
Still capture of ‘Corn phototropism.’
Controversey surrounds Haacke’s creativity
AP Photo
‘Blue Sail’ wows audience with depth found in simplicity. By Kelly Corbett Staff Writer
Parents are always telling their children that people cannot make
a living doing art. However, that didn’t stop Hans Haacke as he created his way to success. The College welcomed this crafty German artist to the Education
Building on Monday, Feb. 24, as part of the Visiting Artist Series. Known for unique ways of exploring natural and social processes in his art, he treated the audience to a “show and tell” of some of his favorite pieces. He began by presenting “Blue Sail,” a picture consisting of a blue chiffon sheet being blown up in the air by a fan. What seemed like a simple picture bedazzled the audience. He also showed his work titled “The Invisible Hand of the Market,” which stressed the importance of the concept of industry. Haacke continued with a photograph of a 3-year-old boy wearing a T-shirt with the word “Paradise” on it. Originally, the photo was aimed at portraying the boy, but he
later decided to make the boy’s Tshirt the center of the photo. He showed another photograph of a rainbow that he had taken. In the background, there was a construction crane. At first, Haacke was bothered by the crane in the back of the picture and wanted to wipe it out digitally, but he decided to keep it and grew to love the photograph. Likewise, Haacke also presented pictures with a collage effect. He combined everyone’s favorite donut-eating cartoon character, Homer Simpson, into a portrait of “The Last Supper.” He even showed photos of people looking at art and photos of colorful lego and puzzle pieces sprawled across the ground. Haacke strived to create art
that was more than pleasing to the eyes, but was also pleasing to the mind. He wanted to teach lessons in his work. He further explained to the audience that some of his work was censored in museums, which shocked him. He never considered his work to be objectionable. He even revealed how the curator of a museum was fired when he stood up for Haacke’s work. Overall, it was a very creative and artsy night. In remarks to the presentation, senior philosophy major Stephanie Chou said, “He does an amazing job of putting what is available to us in context, and he never implicates what should or should not be done.”
page 14 The Signal March 5, 2014
CHANGING MAJORS? The School of Engineering is accepting change of major/program plan applications for TCNJ students (including current engineering majors) interested in the following programs: Biomedical Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering Engineering Science (management specialization) Mechanical Engineering Technology Education iSTEM Change of Program/Plan (Change of Major) forms are available online http://recreg.pages.tcnj.edu/forms/
Completed applications are due by Friday, March 7th, 2014 in Armstrong 147 Acceptance depends on available space and previous academic performance. Decisions will be available to students by March 18th, 2014 For more information about our programs, visit www.tcnj.edu/~engineering Questions? Please call 609.771.2779
March 5, 2014 The Signal page 15
Vocals battle instruments in recital series By Kristen Lauletti Correspondent
Family members and peers gathered in Mayo Concert Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 26, for the Embracing Student Achievement recital series. The voices of Russell Teller and soprano Lauren Critelli began the show on a high note, as they grabbed the audience’s attention for what would be an overall impressive display of talent. Next came the unique blending of Ryan Wickham on double bass with Bronson Manley on the piano. Then, Nicholas Licitra, on the tuba, played a steady, mesmerizing piece called “Fantasy for Tuba,” composed by Malcolm Arnold. A crowd favorite was junior
music education major, Manuel Martinez, who belted out Takashi Yoshimatsu’s “Fuzzy Bird Sonata I. Run, Bird” on his alto saxophone. “I loved how the different sounds of the saxophone seemed to symbolize different movements of the bird,” said junior music education major Diana Befi, who was supporting her peer from the audience. Martinez explained the significance of the song he played and what made it stand out for him. “I remember listening to the song my freshman year and being drawn to the free character of the piece, which resembles a bird,” Martinez said. “Also, it presents this cross-over style of mixing elements of jazz and classical music — which
is great, as I love all kinds of music. It’s truly wonderful for styles that people see as opposites to go hand-in-hand.” After the primarily upbeat performance by Martinez came Eric Vanderzee, who effortlessly strummed his guitar to the soft tune of “Sons de Carrillhões (Maxixe-Chôro).” Closing the show was pianist Joanna Ju, who didn’t waste time in showing the audience she is not a novice. She dazzled listeners with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Sonata in C-Sharp Minor” as her nimble fingers grazed the keys artfully. The recital displayed talents on a diverse range of musical mediums, and after watching the performances, it’s difficult to believe these men and women
Courtney Wirths / Photo Editor
Critelli’s vocals impress and Teller tells all and sings all. are only in college. “Mainly, what I enjoy about performing for my peers and faculty members is the fact that
they kind of witness the journey I have taken as a musician, as well as the support I receive from them,” Martinez said.
‘House of Cards’ season two won’t collapse By Karl Delossantos Staff Writer “Game of Thrones” had the Red Wedding, “Breaking Bad” had Ozymandia and now “House of Cards” has Chapter 14. Netflix’s Emmy award-winning drama returned with all of the episodes of its second season released on Valentine’s Day. Sex, corruption, crime and a charming southern congressman all returned stronger than ever. The series, which stars Kevin Spacey as Vice President Francis Underwood, follows the under dealings in Washington politics. However, in this Washington, anything goes. For the writers, who based the series off the BBC miniseries of the same name, anything goes as well. Although many events have been taken from the original series, the writers have been unflinching in their portrayal. At times, you forget these characters are supposed to have souls. It’s guilty pleasure television at its best. However, the series has a serious singular problem and that is the lack of a problem. Every conflict is solved efficiently and often without a hitch. What the series is doing right is giving other characters storylines that give them depth. Robin Wright’s Claire Underwood has especially been given more attention. Too often in the first season of the series
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What may be seen as an over-the-top storyline remains a guilty pleasure.
was Claire pushed off to the sidelines and delegated to storylines that were tied up quickly. However, she is now front and center and equals with Spacey. Wright, who won a Golden Globe earlier this year for her work on the series, handles the added weight with grace. She was able to take Claire’s cold façade and allow viewers to see the humanity in her, especially in “Chapter 17,” which will
surely make her a threat for the Emmys this year. Also given the opportunity to display his talents was Michael Kelly. His portrayal of Francis’s Chief of Staff was threatening, cold and calculated, but similarly to Claire, he was humanized and Kelly rose to the occasion. Other supporting characters that have been stealing the spotlight are Jacqueline
Sharp (played by Molly Parker), Remy Danton (Mahershala Ali) and Raymond Tusk (Gerald McRaney). Hopefully, for the good of the series, the writers will make these characters worthy opponents to Washington’s power couple. What “House of Cards” does so well is it doesn’t patronize its audience. Beau Willimon knows how to move the storyline along at a pace that some regular television viewers may not be used to. But for the sake of the storytelling, it works. As the season progresses, the story becomes more twisted, the Underwoods become more menacing and the show becomes juicier. However, there is a legitimately solid footing that the directors create and the writers are able to build on. “House of Cards” is an often ridiculous, unrealistic and even pretentious show. However, that is what we need in television today. Too often are shows guilty pleasures or critical darlings. Why can’t we have both? “Breaking Bad” and now “House of Cards” have done it. The minds behind “House of Cards” were able to apply the event television format to a well-written character-driven series. Despite its ridiculousness, the series offers up a thrilling and engaging look at the government of our nightmares.
Life as an Islamic woman is ‘Unveiled’
AP Photo
Malik masters portraying five different Islamic women.
By Stephen Rajeckas Correspondent
Students slowly filled the seats as a musician played an enchanting
melody on the tear-shaped oud, an Arabic version of a guitar. A cloth with a colorful pattern of black, red and white sat on a table on the set, and a few simple objects sat on it:
a teapot, a cup a cooking pot and an orange. The Library Auditorium became a window into the Islamic culture for two hours on Monday, Feb. 24, when playwright Rohina Malik performed “Unveiled,” a one-woman play she both wrote and acted in. Accompanied by Scott Wilson playing the oud, the production explored racism and hate crimes in Islamic culture. Broken up into parts, each telling the story of a different character, Malik masterfully played the roles of five very different women. Malik did a fantastic job of keeping the audience entertained with light humor and getting across some very poignant points about the harsh realities of life as an Islamic woman.
Her portrayal of Shabana, an Islamic rapper from London in her twenties, seemed to be the favorite of the audience. The focus of Shabana’s story was her unorthodox rapping hobby clashing with her traditional Islamic heritage. Malik had a surprising flow to her rhymes, using hip-hop to express Shabana’s feelings on life as a female Islamic rapper. Malik held a Q&A session after her performance. “It’s a combination of me as a playwright and a person,” she responded when asked if the play was based on true events. When asked about what causes hate crimes, she said “negative stereotypes and degrading language” are at the core. The discussion turned to the
challenges inherent in becoming a playwright as an Islamic woman. As a South Asian, her parents naturally had a problem with her going into theater. She first got into theater as a teenager, and “it took a long time” for her parents to accept her decision, Malik said. After the show, some students left with a different view on Islamic culture Malik incorporated in her show. “It was an eye-opening experience,” said Amanda Voorhees, a sophomore special education and math dual major. With a slight grin on her face, Malik summed up her night as “a positive experience.” Going on the smiles on the faces of those leaving the theater, it was a sentiment shared by many.
page 16 The Signal March 5, 2014
Lions Fantasy World Nothin’ But Net This was a rather slow week in the NBA. The trade deadline has passed, the playoffs are still more than a month away and no teams are riding ridiculous winning streaks. So there isn’t really anything pressing to talk about, which means I now have the time to address something in sports that’s been bugging me for a while now. The sports world’s attention span is too dang short. Let me explain, quickly, in case any of you get bored and decide to turn the page. In today’s sports age, it seems as though no one cares about anything that happened more than a week ago. Prime example: a few weeks ago, Kevin Durant was the runaway favorite for MVP, and if anyone wanted to catch him they’d have to go completely crazy for the rest of the season while he did nothing. Then the Heat beat the Thunder, James had a good game (so did Durant), and all of a sudden LeBron was leading the MVP race. After one game. For another example, the Philadelphia 76ers retired Allen Iverson’s jersey this past weekend. In the 24 hours surrounding the ceremony, all the talk was about Iverson and all of the amazing things he’d done in his career. I swear I heard, “Best pound-for-pound player ever” (what does that even mean in basketball?) and, “He embodied Philly in a way no other athlete ever has” at least 4,000 times in a two-day span. And while that’s all well and good, I seem to remember doing all of this when Iverson “officially retired” from basketball right before this season started. So, you know, like five months ago. Yet everyone acted like they hadn’t shown these exact clips hundreds of times recently — reliving The Answer’s career was new. Side Note: Iverson’s kids are named Tiaura, Duece, Isaiah, Messiah and Dream. Greatest collection of baby names ever. It isn’t just basketball. Quick, name the last four World Series winners. Bet you can’t do it without looking online. The problem is that almost no one can. We only remember who won last year, and we only remember that until the new season starts. It used to be that a sports fan could remember his or her team winning a title within the last 10 years and still feel good. Now, unless you are the defending champs before the new season starts, you can’t feel good about anything, since your team is old news. Look, I don’t think that should be stuck living in the past when it comes to sports. That leads to a whole host of other problems and far too much conversation about the legacy of a 25-year-old. But we also shouldn’t act as though sports only count as far back as a day. A season takes months, and every game of it counts, even for individual awards. A team’s history, especially recent history, matters, especially to the fans of those teams. So I think that I’m going to keep a longer attention span when it comes to my teams. I’m going to enjoy the Giants’ two recent titles, even if they didn’t do well last year. And when I’m picking a league MVP, I’m going to base it on more than one game. Because my attention span lasts longer than the time it takes to watch a single ga — oooh, look, Noah just posted a triple-double! Guess he’s the best fantasy player in the world!
By Mike Herold Fantasy Sports Editor
The Scoreboard
Fantasy Guys (17-0)
1520
Off the Backboard (12-5))
1494
Owner: Mike Herold
Owner: Bryan Dunphy-Culp
Team Molicki (7-10)
817
Team Vazquez (11-6)
1272
Owner: Chris Molicki
Owner: Victor Vazquez
Team Jha (0-17) Owner: Ashray Jha
610
Team Matos (4-13)
1100
Rasheed Wallace (6-11)
1148
Team Amaral (11-6)
1676
Owner: Rob Matos
Owner: Pete Fiorilla
Owner: Marco Amaral
Team Reynolds (4-13) Owner: Amy Reynolds
Love Train (13-4) Owner: Gabe Allen
977 1622
Fantasy Player of the Week
AP Photo
I May Be Wrong, But...
Here’s what I would do in Fantasy Basketball this week: Add: Tristan Thompson has been playing better and better as of late, averaging a double-double over his last nine games. On a team making a playoff push he’s sure to keep getting minutes playing like this, so those numbers are more likely to increase than they are to go down anytime soon.
Be Cautious Of: The curse is back. By that, I mean the curse of this page, of course. Last week I said to add Danny Granger due to his trade to the Sixers, and Nene because he’d been playing well lately. Granger has since been bought out by Philly and signed with the Clippers, and Nene’s hurt. Just goes to show, predictions are more luck than skill.
Drop: Reggie Jackson, with Russell Westbrook back seemingly full-time, is no longer the quality fantasy point guard he was in Westbrook’s abscence. And Anderson Varejao is in no rush to return from his injury with the Cavs clicking with him out. Considering the big man’s injury history and just how valuable he is to this team when 100 percent, he might wait until the playoffs to come back. Look Out For: The Cavs? It’s still a question at the moment, but this is a team on the rise. Kyrie Irving is showing that he deserved that All-Star MVP, and Cleveland is just dying to show LeBron that they can make the playoffs without him (to entice him to come back this summer). Don’t look now, but they just might make it.
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March 5, 2014 The Signal page 17 Women’s Basketball
Snubbed guard ends College’s season early Borova scores 48 as WPU upsets Lions 81-70 By Gabe Allen Staff Writer
The College’s women’s basketball team was ousted from the NJAC Tournament last Tuesday, Feb. 25, in the semifinal round by William Paterson University, 81-70, all but officially ending the Lions’ season — and with it, the college basketball careers of four standout seniors: guards Tiffany DeTulio, Kelly Roddy and Colleen Duffy and forward Liz West. Lions head coach Dawn Henderson and her players were understandably emotional following the game. “I’m not crying because we lost,” Henderson said. “I’m crying because I’m not ready to say goodbye to them.” The Lions fought hard, as expected, and never gave up. But on this night, they were no match for Pioneers guard Floriana Borova, who scored a career-high 48 points and simply dominated the game. In the process, Borova exceed the Packer Hall record for most points by a women’s basketball player, set by Hillary Klimowicz with 35 points in 2009. Earlier that day, Roddy and DeTulio received All-NJAC honors for the second year in a row, while Henderson was voted by her peers as the NJAC Coach of the Year for the seventh time in her 21-year career. After Roddy and DeTulio both made the All-NJAC Second Team last season as juniors, Roddy earned a spot on the All-NJAC First Team and DeTulio was chosen as an Honorable Mention. Henderson admitted she was far from thrilled to find out that William Paterson’s Borova had not been chosen as the NJAC Player of the Year. “She considers herself the Player of the Year, and when she found she wasn’t (NJAC Player of the Year), I was very concerned,” Henderson said. “That being said, we certainly could have played better defense on her.” And DeTulio, one of the many Lions forced to try to contain Borova, shared
Photos courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Henderson, NJAC Coach of the Year, looks on as William Paterson delivers a heartbreaker in Packer Hall.
this sentiment. “She’s a great player,” DeTulio said. “We knew (Borova) was going to hit baskets, but our goal was to keep her at her average, not let her double it.” Dana Jeter, senior Pioneer and member of the All-NJAC Second Team, came out of the gates on fire, sinking her first seven shots and scoring 15 of her team’s first 21 points. Jeter led the Pioneers in scoring at the end of the first half with 16, while Borova chipped in 14 on four-of-12 shooting. All 10 Lions who saw the floor in the first half hit at least one shot from the field. In the second half it was the Borova show, though, as she poured in 34 points on 12-for-17 shooting from the field, equaling the Lions’ second half point total by herself and leading the Pioneers to victory. “My teammates did everything right, — setting screens, making good passes and spreading the floor for me,” Borova said. “I just played my game. My threes were falling early, and I just got into a good rhythm scoring the ball. I found (Dana) Jeter for a few baskets in the beginning, but then they started to shut
that down, and I just felt like I had to take over.” Borova admitted the fact that she had been overlooked for NJAC Player of the Year honors had something to do with her career night against the College. “It definitely gave me motivation, because I felt like I could have won it the last two years, but I didn’t,” Borova said. “But (Melissa) Tobie is a great player and very deserving as well.” For Tobie, it was her second consecutive NJAC Player of the Year Award. A few days later, Tobie led Montclair State University past William Paterson 67-64 to a second consecutive NJAC title. Despite the reality that the Lions will lose four of their key players this offseason, Henderson remains optimistic about next season, though it’s obvious she’s not quite ready to see the girls she’s grown so close to graduate just yet. “They’re very special kids,” Henderson said. “I’m coach of the year because they make my job easy. They demand a lot of themselves and from each other, so I don’t have to make sure they’re doing the right things. They’re vocal, they’re talented and they’re smart. They’re all scholar athletes, and they’re good people.
I’m going to miss them.” Looking forward to next season, Henderson admitted she’s not quite sure who’s going to fill the leadership roles. “I expect (junior guards) Kylie O’Donnell and Kelly Couglin to step up, and (junior guard) Angelica Esposito as well, but that’s probably the biggest thing: Who’s going to fill those shoes?” Henderson said. “Physically, we have kids who can play. The big mouths are graduating, and I say that lovingly, but we have a quiet group returning, so they’re going to have to step outside of their comfort zones.” While the season didn’t end how the Lions had hoped, it was undoubtedly a terrific year that had so many memorable moments. “We started playing together freshman year, and then Roddy and Duffy joined us sophomore year, and we’ve become a family,” West said. This is a team that, despite being past its expiration date, will live on a long time. “We’ve been together like every day of college,” DeTulio added. “Who knows what the rest of the year will bring for us, but I know we’ll be sisters forever.”
Lacrosse
Coach Pfluger’s Lions keep on keepin’ on Lacrosse opens the year in familiar fashion By Andrew Grossman Production Manager As players on the women’s lacrosse team come and go, there is one constant that has remained seemingly unchanged: Throughout the 27 years as being head coach, Sharon Pfluger has earned herself a reputation for winning, and she expects this new 2014 season to be no different. After a dominant 19-3 victory over FDU-Florham last Saturday, March 1, the No. 7 Lions could not have asked for a better way to start their season. “I thought the girls played really well together and communicated well,” Pfluger said. “I also thought the defense was nice and steady, and I thought the attack was creative, yet organized.” Leading the charge was junior attacker Ava Fitzgerald, who scored six goals. Also finishing with six points — four goals and two assists — was senior and 2012 NJAC Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Pigott.
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Junior attacker Erin Waller helps lacrosse win its opener, 19-3.
With only four seniors returning from last season, Pfluger believes the freshmen are ready for the big moments to come. “They have to step up like anyone else
— if they are given an opportunity on the field, then they are expected to play as well as anybody else so I think with confidence, they will do well,” Pfluger
said. “They just have to really take what they are learning at practice and execute it in a game situation.” While the 16-point victory was convincing, Pfluger wants the women to continue to progress and improve upon the minor issues. “I just think we need to tweak a few things, like finishing the play or concentrating on shots or shot selections,” Pfluger said. “As the season develops, you learn more and more strategy and how to handle those situations.” On Saturday, March 8, the lacrosse team will have their home opener at Lions Stadium against No. 18 Messiah College at 1 p.m. “We want to focus on getting better every day and then we will be closer to (reaching our) goals,” Pfluger said. “The girls want to play as well as they can to get into the postseason and reward themselves with the opportunity to play for a national championship.”
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March 5, 2014 The Signal page 19 Cheap Seats
2014 is Woods’s last chance for a major
Woods is combating age, a messy divorce and injuries.
By Matthew Bowker Staff Writer
Five years may not seem like all that long of a time to most people, but Tiger Woods is not most people. In 2008, Woods was the most highly-endorsed athlete in the world and had just won his 14th major golf tournament, just four shy of breaking Jack
AP Photo
Nicklaus’s record for most major victories. Today, however, Woods is still searching for his 15th major victory. Since his last major win five years ago, Tiger has lost many of his major endorsements, even the video game named after him, Tiger Woods’s PGA Tour. In the past five years, Tiger has appeared in 18 major appearances and only earned
six top-five finishes. For most players, this would be pretty good, but not for Woods. Not for the child prodigy who was named Golf Digest’s player of the year at age 15 and was an all-American in his first year at Stanford University. Tiger Woods was always destined to be something special. Now, at age 37, Tiger’s career has hit a speed bump. Woods has switched caddies, messed with his swing and has even changed clubs, but none of that has mattered. In the final round in major tournaments over the past five years, Woods has shot over-par seven times and missed the weekend cut twice in 18 majors. This is especially troubling for Woods, considering Woods was once known for strong closing rounds in tournaments. When tied or in the lead heading into the final round of competition, Tiger has won 14 out of those 15 tournaments, with the only loss coming in the PGA Championship in 2009. If Woods is to ever win another major, 2014 may be the year to end his drought. Woods has won at
Augusta National four times, and once each at Royal Liverpool and Valhalla, sites of this year’s British Open and the PGA Championship, respectively. This year’s U.S. Open is at Pinehurst, where Woods has finished third and second in two previous tournaments there. The door has not shut completely for Tiger, though. Nicklaus had 14 major victories at age 38, the same as Woods. However, only Ben Hogan has won five majors after his 38th birthday, which Woods would need to accomplish to break the record. The odds are stacked against Woods, but there is still a chance he can be the greatest golfer of all time. The window is closing quickly, however. Woods is facing stiffer competition than Nicklaus did during his career. Young players like Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day are entering their primes and stand in the way of Woods’s pursuit of Nicklaus’s record. So whether it’s old age, the distraction of his messy divorce or multiple injuries catching up to Woods, one thing is clear: It is no longer Tiger Woods’s PGA Tour.
GPA / Athletes competitive in the classroom Feature
continued from page 24
According to Telson, playing a varsity sport in college can also help prepare students for life after graduation. “I think it’s really taught me, one, how to manage my time and, two, how to thrive in a competitive environment,” he said. “I’ve learned how to work under pressure in a tennis match, and I think that’ll be really important when I’m working in accounting.” Compared to other schools, the College has it right in terms of the studentathlete balance, Gola said. In fact, in many schools, according to Gola, athletics are “completely blown up and out of control,” especially at the Division I level. Gola said
at many schools, sports have become more of a business. Although it’s a huge time commitment, for most student athletes, the time has been well worth the reward. “You can (learn) composure through varsity athletics because, in a game, there’s constant pressure situations or situations where you have to adapt and think and keep your emotions at bay, so I think that’s something that’s learned through athletics,” Gola said. “Teamwork, time management, work ethic, persistence, developing confidence in yourself, understanding your role in who you are — all those things are applicable to your professional life but also your personal life.”
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Telson maintains a spot on varsity tennis and a 3.95 GPA.
Track & Field
Men’s track wraps up 17th straight NJAC By George Tatoris Staff Writer
The College’s track team did well at the New Jersey Athletic Conference championships on Saturday, March 1, with the men’s team coming in first place for the 17th year in a row on 196 points and the women’s team coming in second with 191 points, just four points shy of first-place Rowan University. “Everyone came ready to compete at a high level and did just that,” sophomore Jake Lindacher said. The night was highlighted by amazing performances from Lions on both the men’s and women’s teams. “We knew it was going to be close in the end, but we all left everything on the track and in the field,” senior Megan Flynn said. Twenty-nine of the women’s 191 points were earned in just one race: the mile run. Junior Tara Nealon, senior Anginelle Alabanza, junior Megan Stack and senior Sarah Polansky took first, second, third and fourth, respectively — an impressive feat considering each school can only enter four athletes per event. According to Flynn, Nealon led for the entire race, while Alabanza and Stack managed to pass Ramapo’s Lindsey McKee in the subsequent laps to get into second and
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Lisa captures NJAC titles in the long jump and high jump.
third, respectively. In the last lap, Polansky snatched the fourth-place spot from McKee, earning the Lions a sweep. “Going into the last lap, everyone was screaming for Sarah to pass this girl, and she went by her with 150 meters left in the race,” Flynn said. Nealon and Alabanza also finished one after the other in the 3,000-meter. Nealon got first place and boasted a time of 10:28.27, while Alabanza came in second with a time of 10:33.69. The triple jump event also saw multiple
Lions take top spots. Sophomore Brigit Roemer and senior Erica Roberts took first and second place, respectively, with ECAC-qualifying distances of 11.04 and 10.97 meters. Roemer and Roberts also did well in the long jump with ECAC times, as Roberts’s 5.51-meter distance earned her second place and Roemer’s 5.17 meter jump earned her third place. Flynn met ECAC standards as well, getting second in the 5,000-meter with a time of 18:29.76 minutes.
The men’s team also had multiple athletes in the winner’s circle of a single event. Freshman Brandon Mazzarella, named NJAC Rookie of the Week five times this season, and senior Dominic Tasco took first and second place, respectively, in the 800-meter, earning the men’s team 18 points. Senior Scott Lisa, another five-time NJAC athlete of the week, toppled his competition in the long jump with a distance of 6.99 meters and also in the high jump with a height of 1.98 meters. The College dominated in two other field events as well. Junior Jamie LeRoy placed first with a heave of 14.90 meters and senior Juan Giglio placed first in the pole vault with a height of 4.55 meters. Lindacher took first place in the 60-meter hurdles with an ECAC-qualifying time of 8.33 seconds, a personal goal, he said. “Coming into the meet with a chance to do that, I knew I had to capitalize on that opportunity,” Lindacher said. Lindacher also got second in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.11 seconds. The men’s team has won first place at the NJAC Championships since the event’s inception in the 1997-1998 season. “Everyone on the team knows about the streak,” Lindacher said. “But we try not to concern ourselves with it too much.”
page 20 The Signal March 5, 2014
fun stuff The Thought of the Week:
Fun Facts with Morgan Freeman
Why do so many belts go to WAIST?
•The sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter in the alphabet. •The only 15-letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is “uncopyrightable.” •No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver or purple.
An Update on: twitch plays pokemon
• Nutmeg is extremely poisonous if injected intravenously.
Since last week’s issue, the thousands and thousands of players controlling a single game of Pokemon Red managed to defeat the Elite Four and finish the game, in just a shade under 400 total hours. The final team will surely go down in Internet history. After this amazing and glorious victory, the stream took a break for one day before beginning Pokemon Crystal, which they are now moving through, one spazztastic move at a time. This thing now has more than 40 million views and may never end.
You know you read these in my voice.
SUMMER AND WINTER SESSIONS
AT T C N J
Maymester: May 12-30, 2014* Session A: June 2-July 3, 2014*
Session B: July 7-August 7, 2014* * travel and blended courses may begin sooner
summer@tcnj.edu http://www.tcnj.edu/intersession
THE COLLEGE OF
NEW JERSEY
Check for winter courses, too. On campus, blended, and travel.
4 6
March 5, 2014 The Signal page 21
LIONS
AROUND THE
DORM 5 3
George Tatoris “The Ref”
Peter Fiorilla Sports Editor
Mike Herold
Fantasy Sports Editor
Matthew Bowker Staff Writer
In this week’s Around the Dorm, the “Ref,” George Tatoris, asks our expert panel three questions: how will the Sochi Olympics be remembered in years to come, should Carmelo Anthony stay on the Knicks for more money or leave New York to win a title, and is Derek Jeter’s retirement as big a deal as Mariano Rivera’s retirement was for non-Yankees fans?
1. Now that the Sochi Winter Olympics are over, how will they be remembered in the years to come? Peter: These Olympics will mostly be remembered as a cautionary tale to future hosts about preparation, as Russia’s significant inadequacies overshadowed what was a pretty dull event sportswise. Nothing captured America’s or the world’s imagination, which is the barometer for a good international sports event — see the 2010 World Cup — and there were a lot of disappointments from a U.S. perspective. Instead, we’ll remember how the $51 billion spent on having the Olympics did more harm than good for the host: Russia couldn’t keep its shortcomings out of the limelight, as shoddy buildings and services for journalists and athletes, a frightening hacker presence and oppressive government policies — including against homosexuals and free speech advocates — reminded everyone why Russia is such an undesirable place to live. Sochi 2014 was a dud.
AP Photo
Mike: Oh, they’ll be remembered all right — if only for all the mishaps we saw surrounding these Olympics. Most Olympics do not feature athletes getting repeatedly stuck in bathrooms, fireworks mishaps and the dozens of other funny and strange stories that came out of the Games, and the lesser conditions we saw in
Sochi will surely be brought up again in future Olympic years — especially when hearing bids from Russian cities. We’ll also remember these Olympics for the strange media mishaps, where the results graphics displayed the wrong flags next to winning countries, and for the heartwarming stories of Olympians rescuing the
many stray dogs wandering the city’s streets. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that Americans will remember the actual results of the Games very well, with the possible exceptions of recalling how both of our hockey teams collapsed in the medal rounds and remembering this as the year Shaun White finally stopped being the best in his field. These Olympic Games didn’t bring many fond memories for the American team, but they will definitely be remembered for other, less noble reasons. Matt: The Sochi Olympics will be remembered for being fairly uneventful. And that is a very good thing. With all of the talk of terror threats leading up to the games and Russia’s anti-gay policies, the games could have been a disaster. Thankfully, there were no incidents in Sochi. Well, besides events being postponed because of fog, athletes getting trapped in bathrooms and elevators, hotels not being fully ready for use, and drinking water that was a dark brown color, that is.
Mike wins for bringing up the failures of Olympic organizers, Peter gets 2 points for bringing up the failures of the U.S. , and Matt gets 1 point for bringing up the failures of terrorists. 2. Carmelo Anthony is at a crossroads. Mike: I think there are two different answers Matt: Anthony should strongly consider leavShould he stay on the Knicks, his con- to that question. For the majority of profes- ing the Knicks in the offseason. The Knicks are tract would guarantee him more money sional athletes, namely the younger players and a disaster right now, and will be again next year. in the long run, but the poor performance those who have never been superstars, caring With huge contracts for Amar’e Stoudemire, of the team gives him little chance to win more about money is the wise choice. It doesn’t Tyson Chandler and Andrea Bargnani, the a championship. Should professional ath- matter all that much to a career role player Knicks will have no cap space to spend if he reletes care more about the money or about how many titles he’s brought home if he goes signs. The team that is drastically underperformwinning championships? broke within five years of retirement. But the ing this year will have almost the same exact Peter: As soon as a player shows that winning a big players like Anthony have already earned look next year. Anthony has said he is willing to championship has become second fiddle to any- tons of money during their careers. I think those take less money to return to N.Y. so another top thing, including money, they are not doing their players, if they care about their professional free-agent can sign with the Knicks in the 2015 job as a professional athlete. It’s hard to get ex- legacies, should care more about winning titles offseason, but why would elite players want to cited about your team winning a Larry O’Brien than they do about their contracts. For Melo join such a dysfunctional organization such as Trophy your team doesn’t want to win. Only the specifically, it’s a tough situation — he always the Knicks? Winning championships should be excitement generated by NBA players and fans wanted to play in New York, he’s making the more important to Anthony — and all profesmake the trophy coveted like it is, and without most money he could possibly make there with sional athletes for that matter — than the monthat, people will lose interest altogether and the both his actual contract and endorsements and ey, and if he re-signs with the Knicks, he may league will hurt as a result. Anthony has already his family loves him playing there. This would never win a championship. Anthony should made enough money to guarantee his grandkids make it a lot tougher for him to leave and sign take the LeBron approach, and take his talents will be rich men and women. He should do his elsewhere, and his only real shot at a title is to to a team like Chicago or the Lakers — both job, justify the fans’ interest and go for a title become someone else’s second banana, which I teams that are unloading players and salary in with a team outside of New York. don’t think Anthony would be OK with. hopes of getting two top-tier players. AP Photo
Matt wins for saying the Knicks suck, Mike gets 2 points for distinguishing between veterans and rookies, and Peter gets one point for bringing up the importance of fans’ excitement. 3. Derek Jeter will be playing his final did less for the sport of baseball overall than season in the coming months. Should Rivera did. His contributions to the Yankees he be honored in every city like team- specifically were probably greater, so I think mate Mariano Rivera was last season or that the N.Y. organizations and fans should should Jeter go out with less spectacle? and will do much more for his final year than Peter: Jeter will leave the MLB with less spec- they did to honor Mo, but as he didn’t really tacle, through no fault of his own. The MLB impact that rest of the cities as much as Rivera goodbye tours have been overdone for a while did, I don’t think they should give Jeter all the now, especially as Rivera’s own season of sen- ceremonies that they honored the closer with. timentality was only a year ago. A lot of people Jeter has definitely earned a standing ovation were bored with these tours before the end of during his last at-bat in each ballpark this year Rivera’s tenure, and Rivera was a better athlete — which I’m sure he’ll get, and perhaps a litthan Jeter. He was convincingly the best player tle more from the Red Sox — but I don’t think at his position of all time, a genuine once-in-a- he should get more than that. I also think that lifetime spectacle, whereas Jeter has just been a Rivera’s sendoff last season was so much fun great baseball player. More importantly, no one and came with so much good publicity for the wants to see “Jeter Day” on the Sportscenter league and the individual teams that Jeter will sidebar every time Jeter visits a new stadium get much the same treatment. for the last time — “Jeter says goodbye to Fen- Matt: MLB will be losing the face of the way!” is one more sappy farewell story I don’t league after this season. Derek Jeter will retire need to hear. Jeter has been a fantastic profes- and will most certainly be honored at every sional and he deserves to be remembered as one park he visits this season. I do not believe he of the great players of his generation, but I will should get the league-wide send-off that Mariappreciate him a lot more in the future if his last ano Rivera received last year, though. Great season goes relatively quietly in the news. everyday players like Jeter come around once Mike: Should he be? That’s highly debatable every generation, but there will never be an— while Jeter is one of the very few athletes I’d other closer on Rivera’s level. Rivera dominatput in the same near-universally-respected cat- ed the league for nearly two decades, en route egory as Rivera, I would also argue that Jeter to setting a nearly-unbreakable record for most Peter wins for pointing out the overdone-ness of player sendoffs, Matt gets 2 points for pointing out Rivera’s greatness, and Mike gets 1 point for saying the MLB will embellish it.
AP Photo
career saves. He was the greatest closer to ever play baseball. On the other hand, Jeter will go down as an all-time Yankee great, but what he has accomplished over his career will be seen
again. Mike Trout in Anaheim is already turning heads for his numbers after just two seasons. Unlike Rivera, Jeter’s accomplishments and records will be broken.
Around the Dorm ends in a tie, 6-6-6
page 22 The Signal March 5, 2014
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March 5, 2014 The Signal page 23
ports Week In Review AP Photo
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Number of wins per season Women’s Lacrosse 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 0
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5
10
15
20
25
Check out the new and improved Signal web page! Team total: 204 Alex Spark 53 Jillian Nealon 35 Jen Garavente 34 Lauren Pigott 23 Erin Waller 20 Kendal Borup 11 Lauren Karpovich 9
ST U D E N T AT H L E TE O F
THE WEEK Brian Broderick Wrestling
Won the NCAA Northeast Regional tournament at 184-pounds
Senior Brian Broderick qualified for the Division III National Championship for the second consecutive year by winning the NCAA Northeast Regional tournament. The top seed had a bye in the first round and won three more bouts to capture the title. Broderick will head to Iowa in two weeks to compete for the national title. He was the runner-up last season.
This week’s picks from the staff Point leaders
(NBA) Suns (NBA) Rockets (NHL) Bruins (NCAAM) Iowa vs. vs. Warriors vs. Trail Blazers vs. Lightning Michigan State
Andrew Grossman 3 Mike Herold 3
Sports Track & Field March 7-8 ECAC Indoor Chamionships Baseball March 8 Wheaton College, 12:30 p.m. March 9 Suffolk University, 3:30 p.m. March 10 Dickinson College, 3:30 p.m. Softball March 8 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1 p.m. March 8 Manhattanville College, 3 p.m. March 10 United States Coast Guard Academy, 9 a.m. Women’s Lacrosse March 8 Messiah College, 1 p.m. Women’s Tennis March 9 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 11:30 a.m. March 10 Haverford College, 11:30 a.m.
Julie Kayzerman 3 Peter Fiorilla 2
Men’s Tennis March 9 Cornell College, 11:30 a.m. March 10 Illinios Wesleyan University, 11:30 a.m.
Chris Molicki 2 Amy Reynolds 1
?
Signal Trivia
?
The Horizon For
What is the only sport to be played in outer space?
AP Photo
Last week’s Signal Trivia Answer: The largest loss in international hockey play happened in 1987 when Australia defeated New Zealand 58-0. The second-largest loss was in 1949 when Canada beat Denmark 47–0.
Signal
Sports
Student-athletes averaging a 3.2 GPA College sports programs ‘getting it right’ By Amy Reynolds Editor-in-Chief
Being a student athlete at the College certainly comes with its set of challenges. Student athletes have multiple practices, games and tournaments, all while somehow managing to be a full-time student. The combined cumulative GPA for all varsity teams at the College this past fall was 3.2, and, in total, 17 of the 20 varsity sports had a team GPA of 3.0. “That release we put out about 17 out of 20 sports … is evidence that this institution has it right,” said Mark Gola, director of Athletic Communications. “Every team wants to win a championship, but (athletes at the College) have that same attitude and expectation in the classroom and in the community. This institution really has it right in terms of that student-athlete balance.” This past fall, each of the College’s eight fall sports finished with a team GPA of 3.0 or higher, supporting the belief of many that student athletes actually perform better when their team is in season. “Track and cross country actually help me manage my time better,” said Megan Flynn, a senior health and exercise science major who is on the track
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Women’s cross country leads all teams with a 3.66 GPA average.
and cross country teams. “It helps me to keep a schedule so I know exactly when I have to do homework. It keeps me from procrastinating because I know I don’t have much time so I make sure to stay focused in the time that I have.” Flynn said the most difficult part of being a student athlete is the time commitment. In fact, for some races, she’s away for two or three days at a time, oftentimes having to make up missed
classes, and each day requires at least three hours of practice. But despite the time commitment, Flynn has managed to earn a GPA of 3.943. “You want to make sure students are prospering in the classroom, because that’s why they’re here,” Gola said. “At an institution like this, the hope is that it’s a source of pride, that it’s a reflection of the institution’s values.” Howard Telson, a senior accounting
major, has played on the men’s varsity tennis team all four years, but has still managed to earn a GPA of around 3.95 — although it certainly hasn’t been an easy task. “Sometimes when we’re away, we’re away for a really long time, and I’ll have to study on the bus or study in the hotel when the other guys are kind of just fooling around,” he said. “It’s hard to focus when we’re on a bus or people are sleeping next to me or listening to music or watching a movie — I’d say that’s probably the biggest challenge.” The women’s cross country team has the highest overall cumulative GPA for female sports at 3.66. The men’s soccer team takes the lead for all men’s sports with a team GPA of 3.38. “The biggest reward for a student athlete — as just an athlete — is to win a championship,” Gola said. “For the student aspect of it, it would be to excel in your classes, get a degree and have a direction for what you’re gonna do following your education here. The combination of those things is to optimize your time here and develop — develop character, develop as a person and develop a plan you’re gonna use moving forward.” see GPA page 19
Broderick, Zotollo crowned at regionals Two other Lions moving on to nationals
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Broderick repeats as a Northeast Regional champion.
By Andrew Grossman Production Manager
Four wrestlers sealed their fate this past weekend at Kings College during the NCAA Northeast
Lions’ Lineup March 5, 2014
I n s i d e
Regional tournament when they qualified for the prestigious Division III National Championship hosted in Iowa. Sophomore 149-pounder Dylan Thorsen and freshman 125-pounder
Kevin Corrigan placed second and third, respectively, in the competition consisting of 16 other schools. Leading the pack and placing first at 174 pounds and 184 pounds were seniors Zach Zotollo and Brian Broderick. “I was real happy (with our performance at the tournament),” head coach Joe Galante said. “Coming in, I thought we could have had three to five qualifiers. To be honest, we didn’t know which of the guys it would be, but I liked the way we competed and proud of the way the guys represented the College.” Corrigan was the first to qualify for nationals after winning five bouts, including two against another freshman from Ferrum College. Shortly afterward, Thorsen booked his ticket after winning three consecutive matches to reach the finals. “I am unbelievably proud of them today because they wrestled awesome,” Zotollo said. “I
am very happy that they are taking the trip out to Iowa (with us) and I am just proud of them.” Galante is especially pleased with the two underclassmen and realizes the effect their qualification will have on the team for next season. “It is great to have the young guys going because that means they will be back on the team next year,” he said. “It is nice to say we have two national qualifiers in the room every day, so it is good for our program because the guys can look in the corner and know that this guy made the national tournament.” As for the others, Zotollo and Broderick both qualified for nationals for the second consecutive year and knew what was needed to be done to capture the title. “We competed as a whole very well today,” Galante said. “I’m not sure if it was the best we’ve wrestled all season (teamwise), but I thought we
competed hard and we did a lot of right things and our training definitely paid off.” With a little less than two weeks separating the four from nationals, everything the men have been training for comes down to two short days. “I want them to go out and have fun, and that’s what I tell them every time,” Galante said. “If they do that, then it should take care of itself … Our motto is to go out there, wrestle hard and have fun.” Regardless of the results, Galante has high praise for the future of the wrestling program. “I’ve been a coach for three years and we qualified three guys the first year, three guys last year, and now we’ve qualified four guys, so I think it is just showing that we are improving as a team,” he said. “We are becoming more solid because we are having more individuals that can compete at the national level.”
46 53 Around the Dorm page 21
Woods at a crossroad page 17
Lax dominates in opener page 19
Men’s track wins NJAC again page 17