The University of Maryland’s Independent Student Newspaper
M O N DAY, A P R I L 2 7, 2 015
SEE postpones Sniper screenings to fall By Michael Errigo @M_Errigo Senior staff writer Controversy struck this campus last week when SEE decided to postpone two screenings of the film American Sniper as part of its spring movie series as a result of concern from student organizations. Student Entertainment Events announced Wednesday that it had
decided to postpone the screenings and that it hoped to organize “a thoughtful, respectful program and discussion surrounding the screening” to take place next fall. In a statement posted on the organization’s website that same day, SEE President Isha Aggarwal wrote: “SEE supports freedom of expression and hopes to create space for the airing of opposing viewpoints and differing perceptions. ... While not
easy, we want to start having these hard conversations.” The situation began April 8, when SEE announced on its Facebook page it would be replacing Jupiter Ascending with American Sniper as the last film in its spring movie series, to run in Hoff Theater on May 6 and 7. A Change.org petition sponsored by the Muslim Students Association, one of several student groups that voiced concern against the
mov i e, s t ate d t h at t h e f i l m “dehu ma n i zes Musl i m i nd ividuals, promotes the idea of sen seless m a ss mu rder, a nd portrays negative and inaccurate stereotypes.” In response to the backlash, SEE posted a statement standing by the choice. In it, the organization’s public relations director, See sniper, Page 2 The Board and Brew gained financial assistance with a retail grant. tommy piantone/for the diamondback
Little-used city retail fund helps local shops
Inextinguishable spirit VIEW MARYLAND DAY PHOTO GALLERY ONLINE AT DBKNEWS.COM
By Joe Atmonavage @Fus_DBK Staff writer
ryan stepney, 10, of Catonsville extinguishes a fire Saturday at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute technology booth on Maryland Day. Students, alumni and other visitors from the university community celebrated Maryland Day with activities and events around the campus, including those at Stamp Student Union, Campus Farm and on McKeldin Mall. rachel george/the diamondback
For Brian McClimens, opening a new business came with unexpected costs. But with the help of the College Park Retail Attraction & Expansion Fund, the co-owner of The Board and Brew avoided major monetary struggles as he started the endeavor. “There are a lot of unexpected costs that come up along the way,” McClimens said. “Without the fund, we would have been in some trouble.” The Board and Brew, a coffee shop with more than 500 board games for patrons, and Laser Essential, a specialized cosmetic center with skintreatment services, are the only two College Park businesses that have taken advantage of the fund since it was created in February 2013, said Michael Stiefvater, the city’s economic development coordinator. New or expanding businesses can apply for matching grants of up to $25,000 to help cover their improvement costs and extensions of 1,000 square feet or more. They designed the fund to attract independent, locally owned businesses to vacant retail spaces in the city, according to city documents. See Retail, Page 3
LGBT students take to Stamp in drag for Pride Prom Event features drag, burlesque performers By Jess Nocera @jessmnocera Staff writer Will Soergel attended his high school prom without a date. He felt insecure about identifying as bisexual and the stigma attached to asking a date who was also part of the LGBTQ community. But Saturday night, Soergel was able to go to the prom he couldn’t fully enjoy back in high school. “[Pride Prom] is the most inclusive place especially for what it is trying to do, an exciting place with people that are LGBT and that are reliving prom,” said Soergel, a sophomore
classical languages and literatures and history major. About 50 students were dressed in traditional prom clothing as well as corsets and drag attire for Pride Alliance’s annual Pride Prom in Stamp Student Union’s Atrium. The prom is held at the end of Pride Month as a cumulative celebration, said Pride Alliance President Camille Veselka, and this year was the first time there was a theme: Drag and Dragons. Pride Alliance’s mission is to provide a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ students within the university community, Veselka said. “Pride Prom is the chance for a lot of queer people to go to prom in a way that they weren’t allowed to or couldn’t for safety reasons in high school,” said Veselka, a sophomore economics major who identifies as bisexual. The prom featured performances by drag king Goldie Peacock and burlesque dancer Glam Gamz. With neon-blue hair, Peacock performed — as what they like to call — very flamboyant performances.
Child center gets new playground
See Pride, Page 3
See playground, Page 2
ISSUE NO. 106 , OUR 105 TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION DBKNEWS.COM
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Univ architecture class uses kindergartners’ advice for project By Jeremy Snow @jeremyM_snow Senior staff writer Kindergartners at the Center for Young Children asked for new playground equipment. One wanted a rocket ship to fly to space. Another asked for a dress-up stage. And though not all the requests were realistic, a university architecture class is using the kids’ suggestions to build new playground equipment for the CYC. Over the past two weeks, the playground received a new vegetable garden, a performance stage and a play teepee, said plant science and landscape architecture professor Steven Cohan. The class carved a slide from an industrial pipe and curved
A child slides down a carved industrial pipe at the Center for Young Children’s playground. A university architecture class is using children’s suggestions to build new equipment. rachel george/the diamondback willows around the top, and on Maryland Day, they added a drawbridge between two trees. Continued funding will allow the CYC to begin a second phase of renovations by May, Cohan said. The CYC will build a “secret stage” near some of the plants and install a weather station on a playhouse. For the performance stage, they
also hope to build a pergola — an outdoor roof-like feature — and set up amphitheater-style seating around the stage. “Children learn through play,” said CYC Director Francine Favretto. “They experiment and develop id e a s t h rou g h e x plorat ion . …
SPORTS
OPINION
BROWNED OUT
PACKAGE: American Sniper decision
Johns Hopkins attackman Ryan Brown scored eight times on Saturday to hand the Terrapins men’s lacrosse team a 15-12 loss in its regular-season finale P. 8
Responses to SEE postponing American Sniper screenings P. 4
DIVERSIONS
HOLEY COW In search of this university’s fistulated bovine P. 6