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The WEEKEND Cavalier Daily Dai EDITION Thursday, September 20, 2012
U.Va. self-reports Dimas’ ineligibility Coaching staff discover NCAA violation Sept. 10 after rival school’s coaching staff question soccer standout’s athletic status By Ben Baskin
Cavalier Daily Associate Editor Virginia self-reported the rules violations that prompted the NCAA to declare men’s soccer player Ari Dimas ineligible for the remainder of the 2012 season. In a Sept. 19 letter to the NCAA obtained by The Cavalier Daily, Athletic Director Craig Littlepage said Virginia coaches learned of the violation Sept. 10 after coaching staff at an undisclosed school inquired about
Dimas’ eligibility. Coaching staff promptly informed the University’s Athletics Compliance Office of a potential violation of NCAA Bylaws 14.2 and 14.2.3.7 regarding “Seasons of Competition.” Virginia declared Dimas ineligible the next day, forcing him to miss a home contest against Mount St. Mary’s. Dimas, who was playing his fourth year on the varsity team, began competing on the squad as a walk-on during his second year at school . His first year at Virginia Dimas played for
the school’s club soccer team, which according to NCAA rules counts as a season of his varsity eligibility. NCAA Bylaw 14.2.3.7 states: “An individual is charged with a season of competition for participation in intercollegiate competition as a member of an institution’s club team if that institution sponsored the sport as a varsity intercollegiate sport and as a club sport at the time of participation.” Because Virginia sponsored soccer as a varsity intercolle-
giate sport when Dimas played on the club team in 2008, the NCAA ruled that his varsity eligibility had expired at the conclusion of the 2011 season. The NCAA, however, did not adopt the bylaw until June 24, 2009 — a year after Dimas’ began competing on the club team. During the 2008 fall term, Dimas practiced with the Virginia women’s varsity soccer team and played on the club soccer team . Because Dimas’ time practicing with the women’s team came prior to his
membership with the club team, his NCAA paperwork did not list his club participation. “When speaking with the coaching staff, they were aware that Mr. Dimas was a practice player for the women’s soccer team and knew that he was practicing for the UVA men’s soccer club team but they were not aware he competed for the team,” Littlepage said in the letter. “When Mr. Dimas completed his NCAA, ACC, and UVA Please see Dimas, Page A3
Blank announces grant Department of Commerce gives University-managed innovation fund $1 million By Donald Sensabaugh Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
Courtesy US Department of Commerce
Rebecca Blank, acting U.S. secretary of commerce, visited Grounds Wednesday with good news for the Virginia Innovation Partnership — $1 million in federal funds.
Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank and University President Teresa Sullivan announced Wednesday the Virginia Innovation Partnership — a fund that supports startups and early-stage technologies — will receive a $1 million federal grant. The award is part of $7 million in new grants available through the i6 Challenge, an annual initiative led by the Department of Commerce that funds innovation-based entrepreneurial projects. The Department of Commerce selected the partnership and six other organizations from about 80 applicants from across the United States. “These centers will help provide the tools and the support entrepreneurs and researchers
need to take their product to market, to launch businesses, to drive innovation, and to create jobs,” Blank said in the Rotunda Dome Room Wednesday morning. The partnership is managed by the University, Virginia Tech and SRI International, an independent, nonprofit research institute. It will dispense between $40,000 and $80,000 to 20 Virginia entrepreneurial and technological projects. The partnership will hold entrepreneurs accountable to certain benchmarks for product development and to ensure the long-term viability of the project. “Applicants must prove that the concept will continue to create jobs, that it is not just a flash in the pan,” said Matt Erskine , the acting assistant secretary of commerce for economic development and a
University alumnus. No portion of the pool of money awarded to the partnership is set aside specifically for the University. To benefit from the grant, the University will need to have projects compete for funding from the partnership. “Our inventors and researchers are welcome to compete, but they won’t have a free pass,” Sullivan said. Through its investment the partnership will create an estimated 2,000 jobs after eight years, according to a Department of Commerce press release. Though many Virginia businesses and start-ups are eligible for funding from the partnership, certain sectors may be particularly likely to lobby for investment funds, particularly Please see Partnership, Page A3
Judge overturns sentence Law School’s Innocence Project helps wrongfully-accused man walk free By Kelly Kaler and Andrew D’Amato Cavalier Daily Staff Writers
After years of work on the part of the University Innocence Project, Maligie Conteh boarded a bus as a free man for the first time in several years. A wrongful robbery conviction in 2010 had put him behind bars. Lawyers from the University Innocence Project managed to get his conviction overturned Sept. 13 — just days before Conteh was scheduled to be deported to Sierra Leone. Conteh was arrested for robbery after police identified
him as matching the physical description of someone who had committed robbery at knifepoint 15 minutes earlier. “He didn’t need money,” said Deirdre Enright , director of investigation for the Innocence Project. “He didn’t have a knife or money on him when the police searched him.” His conviction was overturned because the prosecution failed to reveal a prior criminal history of a major witness in the case. “Just a month before the robbery, the alleged victim had himself been charged with possessing fraudulent documents and driver’s license which would
have caused the judge to doubt his testimony,” Enright said. Enright became aware of the situation when a fellow professor introduced her to a lawyer at the firm McGuireWoods, who was working on Conteh’s deportation case. Conteh’s lawyer, Jonathan Blank, was confused about the deportation case because, as he explained to Enright, he feared Conteh was getting deported for a crime he did not commit. Conteh said he was on the Internet at the time the crime was committed. A Facebook photo Please see Conteh, Page A3
Nash, students talk honor Committee’s roundtable series seeks student input Cavalier Daily Staff Writer
Jenna Truong | Cavalier Daily
Please recycle this newspaper
The Honor Committee held the first in a series of seven roundtable discussions Wednesday evening in an attempt to bring students into a dialogue about honor at the University. Honor Committee Chair Stephen Nash described the discussions as an opportunity for students to “share their experiences about honor and what it has meant to them during their time [at the University] and ways they think the Honor Committee and honor system can improve.” The Committee invited all of the more than 600 students who Please see Honor, Page A3
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News Sports Life
Coursera adds 17 online partners Columbia, Brown, Vanderbilt, others join digital course platform; University begins courses Jan. 28
By Kaelyn Quinn
Honor Chair Stephen Nash, above, discussed honor with students Wednesday.
Cavalier Daily Photographer
The Innocence Project at the Law School, above, helped throw out Maligie Conteh’s wrongful robbery conviction.
By Grace Hollis and Erik Payne Cavalier Daily Staff Writers
The online learning service Coursera, which announced a partnership with the University July 17, added 17 universities to its list of participating institutions Wednesday. Coursera is a free online course service available to anyone with computer access. It currently partners with six of the schools in the U.S. News and World Report’s top 10, as well as 27 other institutions. The company’s expansion bodes well for the future of online learning at the Uni-
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versity — a topic of debate this summer during the ouster and reinstatement of University President Teresa Sullivan. Coursera’s new partners include Vanderbilt, Berklee College of Music, Brown and Columbia. Coursera spokesperson Nikki Sequeira said in an email that the company’s expansion would positively impact the University’s online learning initiatives. “As Coursera continues to experiment with online education strategies and learn Please see Coursera, Page A3
Life Opinion Sports Comics Arts&Entertainment Classifieds
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Comics Thursday, September 20, 2012
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DJANGEO BY STEPHEN ROWE
OROSCOPES
ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re looking for a thrill. It’s in the little things, like the curiosity and fun of playing a new game. Singles, be on the lookout: You’ll know your love by the ease in which he or she makes you laugh.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Where help is needed, pitch in -- especially if it’s outside the boundaries of “your job.” It’s when you’re doing what is not required of you that you feel most satisfied.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re the go-to person today. Everyone seems to think that you have the answers -- because you do. If only you could cover more ground by cloning yourself. Saying no is just as effective.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Even if you don’t see progress, work your plan. Your efforts are effective on many levels, some of them unknown to you for weeks to come. Friends in high places support you when you ask them to.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). An unusual mood strikes, and it feels best to act in an unusual way. You may find that you prefer to do things backward, upside down or any other way than normal.
GREEK LIFE BY MATT HENSELL
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Usually you take a conservative approach to dishing news, keeping personal details on a needto-know basis. Today it seems that everyone needs to know just what’s making you so happy. Share!
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Mix and mingle with the fun people. It seems there’s not a problem in your heart that can’t be overshadowed, if not overcome, by the right music, fine food and jovial company.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There’s a Spanish proverb that states, “Since I wronged you, I have never liked you.” Don’t assume you’ve done something to create waves in a relationship. It could very well be the other person.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When you apply criticism well, you are a star. Your work is a thousand times better than it was when you began. Pat yourself on the back, or wait for others to do it -- either way, back pats are forthcoming.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your luck is tied into good PR. Your family, friends and acquaintances are talking you up to the right people. Your reputation is more important than money in the bank.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Authenticity is always attractive, and unlike other heretoday-gone-tomorrow attributes, authenticity never goes out of style. Someone worthwhile will fall for your subtle yet lasting charms.
THE ADVENTURES OF THE AMAZING <THE> A-MAN BY EMILIO ESTEBAN
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 20). You’ve set your sites on a different kind of life this year, and the improved version is quickly coming into view. The closer you get to your goal, the more there is to do. This is the pathway to greatness, and you’re willing to do what it takes. Supportive team members come into your life in February. May brings money. Libra and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 1, 17, 7 and 12.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The stars return you to school days. Be ready to answer for yourself. In the classroom of life, sometimes you are called on when your hand is raised, and sometimes you are called on when it’s not.
A BUNCH OF BANANAS BY GARRETT MAJDIC & JACK WINTHROP
(NO SUBJECT) BY JANE MATTIMOE
JUST CUTE BY IRIS WANG
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation BEAR NECESSITIES BY MAXIMILIAN MEESE & ALEX STOTT
LAST SOLUTION:
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Solution, and computer program at www.sudoku.com For tips Information Call: 1-800-972-3550
MOSTLY HARMLESS BY PETER SIMONSEN
For Thursday, September 20, 2012
Edited by Will Shortz ACROSS 1 Swiss ___ 6 Derive (from) 10 Multimillionselling band from Australia 14 Sacré-___ (Paris landmark) 15 Syringe 16 Actress ___ Flynn Boyle 17 Aetna competitor 18 Blood-sharing? 19 Bloodhound’s lead 20 Prison guard system? 23 Level of achievement 25 These days 26 Healthful cooking option 27 “Let’s see that again in ___” 29 D.O.J. heads 30 Hipster Capitol Hill worker after collapsing?
TWO IN THE BUSH BY STEVE BALIK & DANA CASTNER
35 Sighs over, say 37 “… might ___ quietus make”: Hamlet 38 Taylor on “The Andy Griffith Show” 39 Bill at the “Star Wars” cantina? 44 E-mail suffix once required to join Facebook 45 Make grand statements 46 Klemperer of “Hogan’s Heroes” 48 Company that introduced coinslide washers in laundromats 51 Gives a thumbsdown 52 Restyle a bit of a D.C. hockey player’s hair? 55 Not just a talker 56 Taylor of “Say Anything …” 57 Click or clack
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE B E H E S T
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T U P E R I T B U S I D O A N W L A S
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G T S I H O L E M A M M B E D A I R S T S S Q U A U N D T E O U R S L A P A C A R T E P E E S U P S
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P L E B O N S Y A E E T R O U O N X S A T M F E E
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60 Heraldic band 61 “That’s cool, man” 62 Unbeatable 63 Singer with the 1986 #1 album “Promise” 64 It’s not meant to be used on nails 65 Quick to flip
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DOWN 1 New Deal work program, for short 2 ___ polloi 3 Cyclades setting 4 Totals 5 Speaker of the line “Listen to them — the children of the night” 6 Outline 7 Preschooler 8 More awesome than awesome 9 Late-night talk show feature 10 Much work ahead 11 Core members 12 Mouth watering? 13 Nickelodeon title girl 21 Asia’s ___ Sea 22 Kind of recognition 23 Chicken pox result, often 24 Go back before proceeding 27 Skyline feature 28 In the cellar 31 All ___
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Puzzle by Ethan Cooper
32 Like a policy allowing unfettered air traffic 33 Ream 34 Prefix with -pathy
41 Twist-tie alternative 42 Not reporting, maybe 43 “You can be sure”
36 Unpunished
47 Alter, as a program
40 Quod ___ faciendum
48 Windows forerunner
49 Now, in Nicaragua 50 Investor’s info 51 Two-finger salute 53 Gofer 54 “Swan Lake” move 58 Didn’t sell 59 England’s Isle of ___
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
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NEWS
Thursday, September 20, 2012 | The Cavalier Daily
Three-Day Weather Forecast
Provided by the Cavalier Weather Service
TODAY High of 75˚
TONIGHT Low of 50˚
TOMORROW High of 79˚
Patchy fog will clear before sunrise, bringing mostly sunny skies with a light north wind.
Partly cloudy skies with a light and variable wind.
Mostly sunny skies with a calm south wind around 5 mph.
TOMORROW NIGHT Low of 56˚ Partly cloudy with a south wind around 5 mph.
Expect morning clouds/fog to clear out before comfortable temperatures and clear skies take over. High pressure will remain moving into the weekend, and the next chance for rain doesn’t come until another system brings a chance of rain Saturday night into early Sunday.
SATURDAY High of 79˚ Partly sunny skies with a slight chance of showers moving into the evening. Chance of precipitation 20 percent. To receive Cavalier Weather Service forecasts via email, contact weather@virginia.edu
Dimas | Athletics department incurs $3,000 fine Continued from page A1 required paperwork to be a practice player, it was prior to his competing for the club team and he did not list his participa-
tion on the form.” After learning of the possible infraction, the University immediately withheld Dimas from participating in future games. Dimas had played in the team’s
two exhibition matches and first four regular games this season. The athletics department incurred a $3000 fine, and the team will not have to forfeit any of the games Dimas par-
ticipated in before the NCAA’s ruling. Both Dimas and men’s soccer coach George Gelnovatch declined to comment for this story. Dimas will continue his
graduate studies with plans of pursuing a master’s degree in commerce . He has chosen to remain with the team for the remainder of the season as a volunteer coach.
Partnership | Innovation partnership seeks to create jobs Continued from page A1 biomedical industries, Sullivan said. Vice President for Research
Thomas Skalak said firms will be able to reapply for grants if they are not successful this year. “We believe that talent is
all around Virginia,” Skalak said. “Even those who don’t get funded can come back to the network. There is a support network.”
2012 marks the third year of the i6 Challenge. The i6 Challenge is also awarding grants of up to $1 million to similar centers in California, Florida,
Indiana, Missouri, New Mexico and Wisconsin. Krista Pedersen contributed to this report.
Conteh | “Mistakes” cause wrongful conviction, Enright says Continued from page A1 posted by Conteh proved he could not have been at the scene when the robbery occurred, Enright said. “We went to the judge and
obtained the Facebook records, which was very easy to do,” Enright said. Because these records were not revealed during Conteh’s first trial, the judge made it clear he would acquit Conteh if the Attorney
General’s Office attempted to retry the case. Enright said a series of clear mistakes had been made during the judicial process that led to a wrongful conviction and potential deportation.
“Our entire system relies on everyone doing the right thing, and, in this case, this is what happened,” Enright said. “The kid isn’t the kind of kid who would do this. He didn’t match the description of the suspect.”
Enright will attend a small celebration in northern Virginia in honor of Conteh’s acquittal this week. The Attorney General’s Office declined to comment on pending litigation.
Honor | Meeting examines student engagement, faculty inconsistency Continued from page A1 signed up for last Tuesday’s honor roundtable event, which featured University President Teresa Sullivan and other University leaders. Of the 30 students who responded online, 16 showed up for Wednesday evening’s discussion. The Committee plans to draw a diverse group of students to
its roundtable series. “Our goal is to reach as many individuals from as many different parts of the University as we can,” Nash said. The student feedback gathered at the discussions will be used to improve the Committee’s operations, Nash said. Before the summer the Committee’s top priority was to engage students, Nash said. But
the controversy surrounding the University administration this summer changed things. “The summer really put into the spotlight of what it means, in a broad sense, to live within a community of trust,” Nash said. In trying to create this community students said the honor system’s varying standards are a source of confusion. Students related cases of professors
enforcing the honor code with differing degrees of severity and suggested the Committee attempt to remove such ambiguities. Another issue raised at Wednesday’s discussion was the Committee’s single-sanction policy. Students described the difficulties of reconciling a community of trust and forgiveness with a procedure that leaves no room for second chances.
Nash said he wanted the community to understand the Committee was for students, not against them. “It’s rewarding to keep honor in the forefront and [know] that it is not just punitive,” firstyear Architecture student Alexa Hazel said after the event. “It is very much a part of University life and a lot of people don’t recognize that.”
Coursera | 20,000 sign up for online philosophy course, Green says Continued from page A1 from the experience of teaching online courses, institutions like UVa will have access to information about student learning and other insights to help improve teaching on campus and online,” Sequeria said. Philosophy Prof. Mitchell Green already has 20,000 students signed up for his Coursera course titled “Know Thyself.” That figure, however, may be
deceptive. “There’s a huge drop-out rate,” Sullivan said last week in an interview with The Cavalier Daily. “It is more a taste of a course.” The University is not just interested in following a trend in higher education. Green said it is eager to experiment with a new learning platform. “I did not get the sense that ‘Stanford is doing it, Princeton is doing it, we better do it,’”
Green said. “Coursera is exciting because it offers people without access to higher education access to it.” The University’s decision to partner with Coursera took many by surprise when it was announced three weeks after Sullivan’s reinstatement as president. It was a move University Rector Helen Dragas also supported. Sullivan last week referenced the success the program had
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at Michigan, where she served as provost, as well as at Stanford, where faculty said that Coursera changed the way they approached residential students. “We think that the experiment is worth doing and that the benefits at schools like Michigan and Stanford are worth looking into,” Sullivan said. She expressed optimism that Coursera could help improve the University’s international expo-
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sure, as students from abroad could get an online taste of the school’s academic offerings. “To me, the fact that students in other countries have an easy way to learn more about U.Va. strikes me as a good thing,” Sullivan said. The University will offer five courses using Coursera this academic year. The first, a fiveweek business course taught by Darden Prof. Edward Hess, launches Jan. 28.
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Opinion Thursday, September 20, 2012
The Cavalier Daily “For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it.” —Thomas Jefferson
Matthew Cameron Editor-in-Chief Aaron Eisen Kaz Komolafe Executive Editor Managing Editor Gregory Lewis Anna Xie Operations Manager Chief Financial Officer
Featured online reader comment “This is a great message and great writing too. This is what we should be shouting.”
“jennifer,” responding to Sept. 19 lead editorial, “Bright and gay”
Penalty kick
The NCAA is wrong to apply a rule retroactively that renders Ari Dimas ineligible The story had been going so well. Ari Dimas, a walk-on in 2009, began this year a senior captain for the Virginia men’s soccer team; all of his goals for the Cavaliers had come as game-winners. Dimas was never recruited for athletics — he made it into the University with the intellect that would later grant him ACC academic awards while as a midfielder. He played 336 minutes in the first six games of this season and blogged once a week for the team, which then asked him to walk off. To Dimas, this is not too fair of an ending, especially because the NCAA bylaw he infringed was not even codified at the time of his breaking it. College athletes are given four years of eligibility to play for their team. This would have been Dimas’ fifth year playing soccer, according to NCAA bylaws. His first year at the University he competed in club soccer and practiced with the women’s varsity team. He started competing for the men’s varsity team his second year, and it won a national title; he remained on the roster as he went into grad school. But this same arc that vaulted Dimas from the club team to a national champion has now turned against him: His eligibility expired because of his year of club play. Last season was his last season; this was just overtime. The varsity team followed the books in doing things right. Virginia coaches were notified about Dimas’ status by another institution Sept. 10; the University declared him ineligible the very next day. The University’s immediate turn-around and its self-reporting of
the violation to the NCAA were responsible actions. The NCAA must have agreed, leniently deciding to dock nothing against the men’s soccer season save a $3000 fine. Nor is Dimas at fault. NCAA bylaw 14.2.3.7 states that a year of club sports counts as a year of eligibility if the school with the club team also has varsity. This bylaw was adopted in June 2009 — Dimas had played club in fall 2008. At that time, the bylaws said nothing about club sports with regard to eligibility. Before 2009, relevant compliance forms did not even question students about club sports involvement, Eric Baumgartner, the associate athletics director for compliance, said in an email. So the notion that club sports could count as a year of varsity was largely alien when Dimas was playing club. Thus, Dimas — who at that point had hopes to join the men’s team — had no way of knowing that a year playing club soccer could have counted against future NCAA eligibility. There ought to be a conversation about whether club athletics at a school that has varsity should count as varsity play. But that is not the issue in this case. Many legal systems guard against retroactivity, so that a law enacted after an event does not count against actions committed before it. The University was acquiescent enough to the NCAA to retire a fan favorite forever. The NCAA should understand, in turn, that a player should not be punished for a rule he, or in this case no one, had been aware of at the time. Sub Ari back in.
Editorial Cartoon by Peter Simonsen
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OPINION
Thursday, September 20th, 2012 | The Cavalier Daily
Finding the right words
I
The new Language Jumpstart program is a good initiative to offer people in the community a chance to learn languages
N COLLABORATION with the dollar fee. Overall, the objective Department of Spanish, of the program is to introduce Italian and Portuguese, the members of the University and Lorna Sundberg International wider community to different Center has recently initiated a cultures and initiate greater understanding new program to between the local encourage memFARIHA KABIR community and bers of the UniverOPINION COLUMNIST the global commusity and Charlotnity. tesville communiOn the whole, I think the proties to learn new languages. The program, Language Jumpstart, gram is a wonderful idea. Underwill offer Spanish and Italian standing a country’s language is instruction, a total of two Satur- often the first step to better day sessions for each language. understanding its culture. In a Each session is approximately society where adherence to misthree hours. The language conceptions and stereotypes of instruction will include “every- different cultures is not unheard day phrases, greetings, basic of, the program would play an grammar, alphabet phonetics, interesting role in breaking and much more. Instructors down those barriers on a small will teach the lessons in short scale. For University students, the lectures followed by practice in small groups with native speak- program can help them decide ers. The majority of each lesson what language they want to will be dedicated to interactive pursue at the University — if it is participatory learning to ensure an option — and lets them “test the waters” so to speak, espethat content is memorable.” The program is offered at a cially for first and second years. first-come, first-served basis, I concede that at the moment, and is available for members the opportunity is rather limited of the University and Charlot- because only two languages are tesville communities. The appli- being offered. Nonetheless, if cation process involves a $45 the program can be expanded
— as is expected — to include of Virginia: School of Continuing other languages such as Arabic, and Professional Studies. Both Hindi, and Persian, then it can places offer a range of language be extremely beneficial. This courses, though the price can program can be useful in pro- vary depending on the language. Some of the moting the wide less common range of lan“Be it business or the languages are guages offered medical profession, more expenat the University, especially knowing more languages sive to learn, there are ones that are allows for greater com- and fewer available less known. Yet if a non- munication with clients, resources. So, University indi- and allows an individual while the Language Jumpvidual wants to appeal to a broader start program is to study a lanarray of people.” a viable option guage, does he for many, furor she also have ther pursuit of the same opportunities to pursue this further the language may not be. Nonetheless, the benefits of outside of Language Jumpstart? In contrast, if students like a spe- learning a language are extencific language via the program, sive, especially in a society then they can simply enroll that is becoming increasingly in the corresponding class the diverse. There are professional next semester as a part of their benefits to speaking more than one language. Be it business or course schedule. But it is obviously different the medical profession, knowfor those who aren’t students. ing more languages allows for At the moment, there are some greater communication with resources available for anyone clients, and allows an individual interested in learning a language to appeal to a broader array of more extensively, such as Speak! people. In addition, being multilinLanguage Center and University
gual has positive effects on the human brain. Multilingualism allows the brain to have greater cognitive functioning; people are better able to separate important and unimportant details in a situation. Furthermore, research has indicated that multilingualism can delay the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. However, in order to receive the full benefits of multilingualism, a person has to use the other language or languages regularly. Many are often hesitant about pursuing another language because it is not an easy task. It does take a lot of time and effort, and occasionally it can be frustrating. But the benefits are wide ranging. The Language Jumpstart program does not obligate a participant to continue learning the language, so try a language and see if it holds your interest. If not, try another language. The program is really a great first step in connecting with all types of people and cultures. Fariha Kabir’s column appears Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at f.kabir@cavalierdaily.com.
Quantitative appeasing
“D
For a number of reasons, using QE3 is unlikely to stimulate job growth
ON’T BUY anything ber 7th, I believe the Federal y o u d o n ’ t u n d e r Reserve’s (Fed) actions to buy stand,” seems to be mortgage securities and Treathe most universally ignored suries from banks and other advice on Wall St. Some would investors as part of Quantitative Easing 3 (QE3) argue that only a will not proselect few underANDREW KOURI duce the effect stood the toxic assets OPINION COLUMNIST necessary to which brought down fix the U.S. companies such as Lehman Brothers in 2008, economy beyond Wall Street. Quantitative Easing is one way and accordingly, I argue that the average American would the Fed spurs the U.S economy not comprehend such factors. out of recession. Having already Unfortunately, the consequences used other monetary policy to of the recession still linger today its fullest extent by lowering the and apply to Americans who interest rate to near zero, Quanmay not have even heard the titative Easing is essentially phrase “Subprime Mortgage another form of medicine when the economy has shown that it is Crisis.” In August, the U.S. unemploy- immune to traditional forms of ment rate fell to 8.1 percent, stimulus. Some problems exist with QE3, down from 8.3 percent in July. While this is a significant piece which I feel have been stubof good news, reflected by the bornly tuned out by investors Dow Jones Industrial Average and U.S citizens. First, there is climbing 3.88 percent since the no guarantee that QE3 will lower news release from the Bureau unemployment as is intended. of Labor Statistics on Septem- Second, it further extends our
debt, which is set to reach a the bond asset-class shrink, other ceiling yet again. Third, the risk securities like stocks become of future inflation should not more attractive — hence last be discounted even though it week’s rally. The government’s money has simply pushed invescannot be fathomed right now. t o r s QE3 is mostly a b o n d - b u y - “Herman Cain recently related f r o m bonds i n g p r o g ra m QE3 to Einstein’s famous t o intended to definition of insanity: ‘Doing stocks; push the yields again, down on mortthe same thing over and there gage-backed expecting a different result.’” i s n o bonds specifiguarcally. By printantee ing money and buying these mortgage- here that hiring will occur in backed bonds from banks, the droves — wasn’t that supposed Fed pushes more money into to be the point of QE1 and QE2? Second, the indefinite $40 bilthe economy. The intention is for this money to be lent to lion per month program will companies for investment in only extend the central bank’s equipment. This is a boon for the current $2.85 trillion balance economy, but how does it affect sheet. With credit rating agencies warning of another credit the unemployment rate? There is no guarantee that the downgrade if the U.S. cannot banks will use the money to lend reduce its $16 trillion debt outto small business for hiring, or for standing, the Fed should conindividuals to buy homes, cars, sider our national debt before etc. Instead, when the yields on printing more money.
As soon as the U.S. hits the debt ceiling that was controversially extended last year, the festivities may end. Nobody thinks about inflation when you are earning .05 percent in your main savings account, but there will come a time when all this printing will catch up. Printing more money devalues the current supply. In fact, the cash in your wallet is already being devalued. The common idiom “Anything too good to be true usually is” applies to the insanity of printing money to reliably sustain an economy. Herman Cain recently related QE3 to Einstein’s famous definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and expecting a different result.” Andrew Kouri’s column appears biweekly Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at a.kouri@cavalierdaily.com.
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Life
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Dear Edgar, I’m a third year in the Commerce School. It’s everything I hoped it would be except for one big problem. I don’t feel like my Integrated Core Experience group works well together. There’s one guy there who always shoots everyone down, and he’s super rude about it. There are two girls who don’t do any work. It’s awkward, and I feel like it keeps us from doing anything really productive. I’m also worried about my grades. How can I handle it like an adult without running to my professor? Yours, McIntire’s Most Frustrated Dear McIntire’s Most Frustrated, After you’ve spent the last two years fighting off the other thousands of your pre-Comm classmates for a coveted spot in the all-mighty Comm School where jobs, success and a superiority complex about plebeian College students can all be yours, you have to come back to reality and recognize the Comm School is not without problems of its own. Your classmates are going to be the highly motivated, ambitious students who survived the accounting, economics and statistics classes required for McIntire admission. If a grade distribution of only 8 percent As didn’t take them down, little will. Group projects are never easy. Group dynamics are often frustrating, but working with other people is an unavoidable part of life — engineers excluded — and the ability to compromise is an invaluable skill to possess. The best way to deal with the condescending group member is to prove him wrong — do your work, provide good evidence, present it clearly and don’t give him the chance to shoot you down. As for the girls who don’t do any work, start assigning individual responsibilities to each person so everyone is forced to pull his or her own weight. It can be disappointing when something you have dreamed of for so long turns out to be different from what you thought, but try not to start stressing out just yet. Remember that if all else fails, you can always get your M.R.S. or M.R. degree. Best, Edgar
Dear Ed, I’m pretty sure I’m going to fail one of my classes. I wanted to drop it, but totally forgot and missed the deadline. I don’t know where to go from here. I’m pretty sure no amount of effort would help me pass the class. Do I have options? Thanks bro, Delayed Drop Dear Delayed Drop, We’ve all been there before: stuck, for one reason or another, in a class that we really didn’t want to be in. There are the chemistry classes that seem like they should count for a foreign language requirement instead of science, French classes where the graduate student from Paris spends the entire first class screaming at everyone in French for not knowing enough about the French political structure and history classes where you have a 30-page paper due at the end of the semester. Some classes just aren’t going to be for you. Dropping the class in time would have been ideal, but you do have other options. If it’s the material you don’t understand, go to either the professor’s or the TA’s office hours and ask them to help you with the more difficult concepts; if nothing else, you’ll get brownie points for trying. If it’s the work you’re worried about, try breaking each assignment into smaller segments — writing two pages a week is a lot more manageable than 30 pages at once. If you find that after trying everything you’re still hopelessly failing the class, then you always have the option to withdraw. Withdrawing from a class doesn’t look great on your transcript, but failing looks worse. In pre-Commerce classes, however, SIS doesn’t even give you the option of withdrawing, so if this class happens to be a Commerce School prerequisite, you should probably just speed up the process and declare your economics major now. Right now, just give this class your best shot, and remember that for most classes you always have the option to withdraw. Fight the power, Ed
Dear Mr. Poe, I’m a fourth year feeling the pressure to start applying for jobs. I know there have been a lot of career fairs recently, but I just don’t understand how they work. How am I supposed to talk to these potential future employers? What if I don’t own a suit? Is my résumé right? Clearly, I’m lost. Please help! Sincerely, Was that profesh? Dear Unprofessional, As far as I know, and I’m always in the know, there have been only two career fairs so far: Commerce and Engineering. So, you haven’t missed the boat entirely — far from it! Your first step is finding out what resources are available to you. University Career Services is a great place to start. You’ll want to schedule an appointment or stop by during their drop-in hours Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The folks at UCS can help you prepare for the Graduate and Professional School Fair next Tuesday, if that’s an option you’re considering. But Edgar’s not just pawning you off on UCS; if there’s one nugget of wisdom he can offer you, it’s that old cliche: Fake it ‘til you make it. You may not feel perfectly professional based on your résumé or style of dress, but these are things that can be improved. And when they seem more impressive, you will feel more impressive. And swag like Edgar never fails. Sincerely, Mr. Poe Disclaimer: Edgar is not a medical professional nor a psychiatrist. Edgar listens to your problems and offers what he hopes are constructive comments. By taking his advice, however, you accept full responsibility for your own actions.
Top 10 things to do at the library Photo Courtesy UVA Library System
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1. Check email, Facebook, Twitter. Get coffee. Repeat. 2. Re-enact Harry Potter in the Harry Potter room. 3. Make a to-do list. Do none of it. 4. Read “Fifty Shades of Grey” in the Map Room. 5. People watch. 6. Stalk out free food and coffee. 7. Actually read the flyers people leave on tables. 8. Have sex in stacks. 9. Look for secret society letters. 10. Watch an episode (season) of your favorite TV show as a six-hour study break.
Sports
SECTION
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Thursday, September 20, 2012
The Cavalier Daily
www.cavalierdaily.com
INSIDE: Arts & Entertainment B3
FOOTBALL
Cavaliers visit Horned Frogs After last week’s deflating 56-20 defeat, team must remedy mistakes, face formidable No. 17 TCU By Matthew Wurzburger Cavalier Daily Staff Writer
Jenna Truong | Cavalier Daily
Junior quarterback Michael Rocco eludes the pass rush in a Sept. 8 game against Penn State. Rocco endured extensive scrutiny this week after throwing two interceptions in a humiliating 56-20 loss to Georgia Tech Saturday.
The Virginia football team travels to Fort Worth this Saturday in hopes of upsetting No. 17 TCU in front of a national audience. On paper, the Horned Frogs (2-0, 1-0 Big 12) are the toughest challenge the Cavaliers (2-1, 0-1 ACC) have faced in the still-young 2012 college football season. Virginia will try to erase the embarrassment of last week’s 56-20 loss to Georgia Tech by playing a more focused brand of football against a formidable TCU team only two years removed
from a Rose Bowl victory. “Our coaches tell us about their experience down there and how their stadium is packed,” Virginia sophomore wide receiver E.J. Scott said. “It’s just a great opportunity to go play a big team at their house, and I’m excited to bounce back.” Virginia looked completely out of sorts against the Yellow Jackets. The Cavalier defense had no answers for the vaunted triple option as they allowed 594 total yards and scoring plays of more Please see Football, Page B2
MEN’S SOCCER
Virginia hits the road Young group plays season’s first true away game against No. 8 Tar Heels By Jared Pasetsky Cavalier Daily Staff Writer
The Virginia men’s soccer team visits Chapel Hill Friday to clash with No. 8 North Carolina for the team’s first official away game of the season. The only other time Virginia (4-2-1, 1-0-0 ACC) has played away from the friendly confines of Scott Stadium this season was against Georgetown at a neutral site. Despite the Tar Heels’ (4-1-1. 1-0-1 ACC) top-10 ranking, a win for the Cavaliers would catapult them ahead of North Carolina in the conference standings and possibly move them into the top 25 in the nation. Virginia players know accomplishing such a feat, however, is easier said than done. After giving up a late goal to Xavier last Friday and set-
tling for a draw, the Cavaliers shut out Drexel 2-0 Tuesday night . Freshman midfielder Todd Wharton scored his first collegiate goal for the Cavaliers in the shutout win, which came on the heels of Virginia’s official announcement that senior co-captain Ari Dimas is ineligible to compete for the remainder of the 2012 season. With several other key players out with injuries, Wharton’s breakthrough and overall quality play are crucial for a team heading into the meat of its conference schedule. “He had a good game, and he has been very good for us,” head coach George Gelnovatch said of Wharton. “He is one of a bunch of first years who have been stepping up.” Wharton said the win against Drexel gave the team confidence after tying Xavier. “To come out and really set the tone
in this game [against Drexel] was a good test,” he said. Though senior forward Will Bates, who scored his teamleading fifth goal of the season Tuesday, is the lifeblood of the attack, Gelnovatch has relied on the freshman trio of Wharton — the 2011-2 Gatorade Player of the Year for Virginia — defender Zack Carroll and midfielder Scott Thomsen to supply both goals and stability to his offense. Sophomore forward Chris Somerville, whose two goals tie him with Carroll for second on the team , has also become a near-veteran presence in his second year in Charlottesville. Gelnovatch praised his offense for taking advantage of the few scoring chances it earned against the Dragons, calling the effort “economical.” Please see M Soccer, Page B2
CROSS COUNTRY
Team hosts strong field Men’s, women’s squads to encounter formidable foes at home invitational By Ian Rappaport
The Virginia cross country program is not playing around. Shedding a history of inviting local teams to Charlottesville for a lowkey regular season tune-up meet, the Cavaliers will instead host their most marquee field in recent memory Saturday. They will welcome the likes of No. 2 Oklahoma on the men’s side and perennial Big 10 power Wisconsin in the women’s race to the Virginia/Panorama Farms Invitational. Virginia last competed Aug. 31 at the Virginia Tech Alumni Invitational, and even then, most of the top runners were held out or instructed to maintain a controlled effort. In Blacksburg, men’s coach Pete Watson opted to rest his best athletes, and women’s coach Todd Morgan limited his runners to running what amounted to a fast-paced workout. That won’t be the case
Home:
WOMEN’S SOCCER
No. 5 women travel to Clemson Sizzling Miller, offense take nine-game streak to first conference road match; team eyes 10th victory
Cavalier Daily Sports Editor
Please see Cross Country, Page B2
Andy Locascio | Cavalier Daily
Freshman midfielder Todd Wharton, who scored his first career goal Tuesday, is expected to help compensate for senior Ari Dimas’ departure.
By Michael Eilbacher Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
Courtesy Virginia Athletics
Junior Bryan Lewis will join his teammates for the Virginia/Panorama Farms Invitational at Panorama Farms this Saturday morning.
The No. 5 Virginia women’s soccer team heads to South Carolina this weekend for a Sunday matchup with ACC foe Clemson . Riding a nine-game unbeaten streak, the Cavaliers (8-1-1, 1-0-1 ACC) look to keep improving upon their already strong play. Virginia’s offense has excelled lately. The Cavaliers scored two or more goals in each of their last nine games. Senior forward Caroline Miller scored four goals during the weekend, including both goals in Sunday’s draw against then-No. 6 North Carolina. Miller’s showing netted her the Disney Soccer/NSCAA Player of the Week award and moved her into the top 10 for career goals at Virginia.
“The thing about Caroline is that she’s a player who scores no matter the level of competition,” coach Steve Swanson said. “She scores in big games, and she’s always a threat when she’s out there.” Miller’s offensive prowess has helped her fellow players make an impact as well. “I don’t think she gets enough credit for creating goals for others as well,” Swanson said. “She’s been a consistent scorer for us these last three years, but we would like it that even if she doesn’t [score], that other people can score.” Despite the offensive firepower the Cavaliers have displayed in recent weeks, the North Carolina game provided the team with a good sense Please see W Soccer, Page B2
What to Watch for this Weekend Away:
Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m. each day, Men’s Tennis @ UVa Ranked+1 Invitational Friday, 7 p.m. Women’s Volleyball vs. Miami Saturday, 10 a.m. Cross Country @ Virginia/Panorama Farms Invitational Saturday, 7 p.m. Women’s Volleyball vs. Florida State
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Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m. each day, Men’s and Women’s Golf @ Mason Rudolph Championship Friday, 7 p.m. Field Hockey @ Boston College Friday, 7 p.m. Men’s Soccer @ North Carolina Saturday, Noon, Football @ TCU Sunday, 11 a.m. Field Hockey vs. Boston University (hosted at Harvard) Sunday, 1 p.m. Women’s Soccer @ Clemson
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SPORTS
Thursday, September 20, 2012 | The Cavalier Daily
Football| Sputtering running game must improve Continued from page A1 than 70 yards on back-to-back drives. “You go in each week wanting to win each game no matter the offensive style that they play in, but we just got to forget about this past week,” sophomore safety Anthony Harris said. Despite implementing a more conventional offensive scheme, the balanced Horned Frog offense can easily put up points and give defensive coordinators headaches. “It’s a little bit of everything,” Virginia coach Mike London said of TCU. “It’s an offense that obviously provides a lot of problems.” The Horned Frogs boast a top-20 passing offense with 305.5 yards per game and a top-30 scoring offense with 38 points per game. Quarterback Casey Pachall has
thrown for 536 yards and five touchdowns in two games and has posted a quarterback rating of 242.4. In 2011 he set TCU’s singleseason marks for completions (228), completion percentage (66.5) and passing yards (2,921). Ordinarily Pachall would be supported by the more-thancompetent duo of running backs junior Waymon James and senior Matthew Tucker, who have combined for 268 yards in two games and each appear on the Doak Walker Award watch list. But TCU announced Wednesday that James is out of commission with a season-ending knee injury. The TCU offense is still potent even without James’ assistance. “They pride themselves on being able to throw the ball, but also having the type of runners that can do well themselves,” London said.
The calling card of TCU football is not its offense, however, but its defense. The Horned Frogs annually rank near the top in the FBS in total defense and have allowed a total of six points during the first two games of the season, the fewest points yielded in the nation so far in 2012. “They’re very aggressive and very athletic up front, and their safeties are involved in a lot of play making,” London said. “They pose us a lot of problems.” This demanding matchup could not have come at a worse time for the Virginia offense, a unit that floundered miserably against Georgia Tech. Junior quarterback Michael Rocco completed only 15 passes for 143 yards and threw two interceptions before eventually being pulled for junior Phillip Sims. The team’s confidence, however, still resides in Rocco.
“I think there’s no controversy, there’s no quarterback controversy with us,” London said. “It is what it is. Michael is our starting quarterback.” Though the quarterback position continues to garner the lion’s share of the headlines, the Cavaliers must improve upon a disappointing running game to stand a chance against TCU. Before the season, Virginia’s three-headed monster of senior Perry Jones and sophomores Kevin Parks and Clifton Richardson was predicted to be the most dynamic aspect of the offense. But the backs have not been able to meet the lofty standards they set in 2011. Through the first three games, a Cavalier running game that ranked fifth in the ACC last year has averaged only 104.7 yards per game, ranking 109th in all of FBS. Jones in particular has struggled mightily,
running for just 81 yards on 27 carries for the entire year. Richardson has missed the majority of the first three games with a leg injury. He has ceded his playing time to sophomore Khalek Shepherd. “It’s an ongoing process when you have a running game,” London said. “We have to address it with personnel.” Saturday’s contest will prove a difficult test for the Cavaliers. The Virginia players have a great deal of respect for TCU, and they expect a hard-fought game. “I admire them because they’re a hard-working team,” sophomore fullback Zachary Swanson, a Texas native, said of TCU. “I like their coaching staff, and I like the way their players play the game.” Kickoff is slated for noon Saturday in Fort Worth. ESPN will broadcast the contest nationally.
M Soccer | Cavaliers look to avenge 2011 loss to UNC Continued from page A1 But the Cavaliers will need to create more opportunities against a defensively stout North Carolina to come out on top. The Tar Heels have allowed a paltry two goals in six games so far this year and are unlikely to cede any easy goals to a Vir-
ginia team relying on so many inexperienced players. North Carolina will be aiming to get back on track Friday. Ranked No. 1 entering last week, the Tar Heels fell 1-0 to James Madison before an insipid scoreless tie against Wake Forest. Spearheading the North Carolina attack is senior midfielder
Martin Murphy, who leads his squad with four goals on the campaign so far. 2011 First Team All-ACC goalkeeper senior Scott Goodwin anchors a sturdy defense. Virginia will also be looking to avenge a 1-0 overtime defeat to North Carolina in last season’s ACC Tournament semi-
finals. Virginia was outplayed the whole game but managed to keep the score tied before the Tar Heels scored in the first minute of overtime. To earn a monumental upset while still adjusting to life without Dimas, Virginia will have to dictate the tempo against the Tar Heels — a fact Wharton
understands. “I think just transitioning between offense and defense ... we need to make sure we set the tone and not let them control the whole game,” Wharton said. The game will be played under the lights in Chapel Hill Friday at 7 p.m.
Cross Country | Foley: difficult course ‘builds confidence’ Continued from page A1 Saturday morning. “We’re lining up the horses, and it’s time to run,” Watson said. “This weekend is the first weekend you can get very valuable at-large points for the national meet. Anytime you invite programs like Arkansas, Cal, Oklahoma and Michigan, you know it’s going to be competitive. We’re at home so we want to have a really good showing.” The performances nearly three weeks ago, although restrained, bode well for both Cavalier squads. The teams demonstrated depth and untapped potential. Sophomore Ed Schrom highlighted the men’s squad by finishing overall runner-up, and the women’s entire top five finished in a pack to claim places 10-14. “It was a pretty controlled
effort,” Morgan said. “We weren’t really racing. We left there knowing more about where the ACC meet is going to be held, and we’re looking forward to beginning the season now.” Having gained valuable experience on this year’s ACC Championships course when they visited Virginia Tech, the Cavaliers now look to add to their initial success at Panorama Farms — the grueling home course the Virginia athletes know inside and out. “Definitely it’s a big advantage knowing the course, knowing where the hills are, which parts to run hard on and where you sort of need to lay back and be a little more patient,” junior Chris Foley said. “It builds confidence, because Panorama is the hardest course we run on.” To the men, the home-course advantage will be key against
No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 13 Syracuse, No. 21 Michigan and No. 22 Arkansas. Oklahoma holds the distinction of being the only team in the past five years to break up rival Oklahoma State’s reign of dominance in the Midwest Region with a regional title in 2010. In the Northeast, Syracuse has been even more difficult for opponents to keep up with, as the Orange have won the region every year during the same span. Curiously, Virginia has closed in on these squads in the national polls despite being idle all month. The Cavaliers are now the top vote-getter outside of the 30 teams earning an official rank, and a positive result could bump them into the official rankings. “We aren’t going to race,” Watson said jokingly. “It seems like every weekend we don’t
race we just move up the rankings.” The Virginia women, ranked No. 15 nationally and No. 1 in the Southeast Region, are the only ranked women’s team in attendance but will nevertheless face stiff competition. California, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Wisconsin all pose threats to the Cavaliers’ attempt to defend their home course. Last year, California produced the best performance of Saturday’s bunch at the NCAA Championships with an 18th place showing, two spots ahead of Virginia and six in front of Wisconsin. California, however, graduated five of the seven runners who competed at the 2011 NCAAs. “It shows that teams across the country recognize that we’d be a quality team to beat,” Watson said. “They’re not coming here
to lose ... they’re coming here knowing if they beat us, it’s going to help them. We understand that, and that motivates us as well.” J u n i o r K a t h e r i n e Wa l ke r crossed first for the Virginia women in Blacksburg but is just one of several Cavaliers capable of leading the team this weekend. With their first big meet looming, the Virginia runners are itching to toe the line. Foley, who redshirted the outdoor season last spring, is among the Cavaliers eager to finally lace up their shoes and don the Virginia uniform. “It was frustrating at the time, but I definitely want to run a fifth year, so from that standpoint, looking long-term it was okay,” Foley said. “I’m very excited to race. It’s been a while.”
W Soccer | Scorching offense aims to exploit weak Tiger defense Continued from page A1 of areas in which they could improve. The Tar Heels were able to take a halftime lead on a late first-half goal and later tie the game on another late goal in the second half. “We saw a lot of good things,” junior midfielder Kate Norbo said. “At the same time, we saw a lot of things that we can work on. I think we had a few too
many unforced turnovers in the game, and I think if we can cut down on those, we could have a lot more success.” With the benefit of a full week of practice, the players see opportunity to improve before they face Clemson (7-3-2, 0-2-0 ACC) Sunday. “I think the main thing that we’re trying to focus on, regardless of who we’re playing, is just playing our [style of play],”
Norbo said. “Just not trying to play to somebody else’s game, but just moving the ball around.” Offensive chances may be the key to success against the Tigers. Clemson has struggled in the ACC so far this season, suffering a brutal 5-1 loss to No. 11 Boston College last Thursday and a 4-1 loss to No. 17 Maryland Sunday. They have allowed 1.3 goals per game — second
worst in the ACC this season — and will be tested sorely by a Cavalier attack averaging a conference-best 20.3 shots a game. Clemson’s Liska Dobberstein represents the Tigers’ most dangerous threat in front of goal. She leads the team with four goals. This weekend could be just the beginning for the Cavaliers as they look to pursue conference
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and national title aspirations, Swanson said. “The exciting thing is that I can see the team getting better, and I think that’s the thing we’re going to emphasize, especially with this full week to train,” he said. “If we do that, the kind of caliber competition we’re going to play will help us get there.” The Cavaliers and Tigers will square off at 1 p.m. Sunday at Clemson.
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DMB: OUT OF THIS ‘WORLD’ Dave Matthews Band returns to roots with inspired eighth album by katie cole
It’s been more than 20 years since the Dave Matthews Band was formed right here in Charlottesville. As with any band whose work and influences span decades, the Southern rock band has had numerous lineup changes and has experimented with multiple musical genres. I fell in love with DMB in the ‘90s when they were just coming into their own, and I’m happy to report that Away from the World, the band’s latest record, hearkens back to the classic DMB that first grabbed my attention. Between Matthews’ voice, the lyrics and amazing instrumentals, this album is a must-listen whether you are a die-hard fan or a hater of the legend that is DMB. The album is by no means perfect, but there are some songs that brought me back to the group’s ‘90s glory days. Album opener “Broken Things” summons the intensity and slow-burning energy of the band’s first few records. It has the same great vocals we’ve come to expect from Matthews, but in contrast to the band’s past three albums, his voice doesn’t get muddled in superfluous
instrumental lines. Jeff Coffin on the saxophone enhances the song rather than trying to steal the show, and Tim Reynolds rocks the guitar as usual. The track is upbeat, well-written and fresh despite recalling early DMB material. This song is definitely a go-to for a car ride with the windows down. Unfortunately, DMB falters a bit with songs such as “Belly Belly Nice.” The title
Album Highlights “BROKEN THINGS” “THE RIFF” “ROOFTOP”
is irritatingly strange, and the track itself is just as odd. I have no desire to hear a nursery rhyme (“Jack and Jill” to be precise) talked out in the middle of a DMB song. Furthermore, as if the song weren’t bad enough, the backup vocals are cringeworthy and unnecessary. The album gets back to the good stuff with “Mercy,” “Sweet” and “The Riff.” “Mercy” is a struggling-for-love song , with Matthews gently asking, “Mercy, can we overcome this?” It’s soft, inspiring, and
makes you want to cuddle by a fireplace with your significant other. Then we go on to “Sweet,” a beautiful song that is even better on live recordings because a jumpy instrumental background on the album version drowns out its soft, soothing vocals. It’s no secret DMB is always better live, a testament to the members’ incredible musical instincts. How many current artists can you say that about? With “The Riff,” I encountered a song that easily rivals “Broken Things” as my favorite on this album. It starts soft and pure, perfect in its rawness and clarity. Then it picks up and makes me want to jump out of my seat and rock out. The harmony is perfectly placed and the drums come in at just the right moment, turning this song into the type of strong ballad for which DMB is famous. Honestly, I could write about DMB for another 1,000 words, giving you the details of every song that rocked my socks off — including “Rooftop,” which reminded me why DMB is billed as a “rock” band. Instead, I implore you to listen and make your own judgments because the Dave Matthews Band deserves a second, third or even 10th look. They are truly too good to miss. You have to at least nod your head to legends who started in the best city in the world — you just have to.
september 20, 2012 arts & entertainment
arts & entertainment
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INSIDE Courtesy RCA Records
music
‘Tempest’ offers perfect storm
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Courtesy Columbia
by will keel Bob Dylan sounds downtrodden. And it’s perfect. In his latest release Tempest the 71-year-old Dylan plays the worn, grizzled storyteller, recounting his life and the lives of others in his timeless voice. Dylan’s infamous rasp plods steadily through the album and betrays more raw emotion than most singers could dream of expressing. None of the songs on Tempest are musical masterpieces, but the lyrics leave lasting impressions on listeners of all ages. Tempest can be regarded as a collection of stories, an anthology of songs that reflects spirit, as well as conscience. The title track Tempest not only vividly tells the story of the sinking of the Titanic, but also reflects the struggle between classes as the doomed passengers attempted to escape. The song lasts nearly 14 minutes and with vivid imagery tells the stories of individual passengers as it notes the inability of the poorer passengers to escape. Dylan brilliantly juxtaposes the malevolent with the pure by describing a struggle for lifeboat seats (“There were traitors, there were turncoats / broken backs and broken necks”) and a heartwarming story of self-sacrifice (“Jim Dandy smiled / He never learned to swim / Saw the little crippled child / And he gave his seat to him.”). A few of the songs have the thinly veiled political commentary
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for which Dylan has been known throughout his career. In “Pay in Blood” he sings, “Our nation must be saved and freed / You’ve been accused of murder, how do you plead?” and “Another politician comin’ out the abyss / another angry beggar blowin’ you a kiss.” The theme of class divide is echoed throughout, especially in the song “Early Roman Kings.” The music on Tempest recalls simple blues and folk from jolly visits to hole-in-the-wall bars; however, Dylan’s lyrics give the familiar progressions an almost magical feeling. He reminisces about a time long past and of people long gone. The lyrics are fairly dark when compared to Dylan’s previous work. Many songs include death, misfortune and catastrophe, but these heavier moments are interspersed with bits of happiness. In comparison to his other albums, Dylan’s most recent effort far surpasses Love and Theft (2001) and may generate even greater acclaim than Together Through Life (2009). Dylan does not present anything too new with this record, but its quality exceeds that of the vast majority of hits from today’s artists. Thirty-five albums into his illustrious career, Bob Dylan’s storytelling ability is undiminished and will be enjoyed for ages to come.
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Lindsay Lohan gets arrested again after tweeting derogatory comments about fellow Shakira announces she and child star Amanda Bynes’ Seth MacFarlane proves he’s boyfriend Gerard Pique are various legal troubles. disney vs. nick! actually still funny with his having their first child, begging hosting stint on the season the question: Will her hips still premiere of SNL. If only Family not lie after childbirth? Guy still were, too. is it a she-wolf or a he-wolf? check out his Ryan Lochte
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Music: The Killers Pink Kanye West Film: ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ TV: ‘Revolution’
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COLLECTIVE
Neo-psychedelic group continues to push music boundaries by will mullany You can take the beast out of the jungle, but you can’t take the jungle out of the beast. Until a few years ago, Animal Collective had the peculiar distinction of being the “strangest band alive,” due in no small part to the group’s psychedelic sensibility, radical sonic experimentation and blatant disregard for conventional conceptions of “music.” But in 2009 it looked like the band had ditched its odd routine in favor of the ethereal and accessible pop on Merriweather Post Pavilion, an acclaimed effort that earned the group a broader audience. While writing their next album, all four members of the band moved back to their hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, where as childhood friends they had originally begun playing music. Fortunately, this trip down memory lane appears to have paid off. The resulting record, Centipede Hz, marks a startling return to the band’s weird ways of old. When listening to this rock-solid record, one thing you won’t be is bored. On “Today’s Supernatural,” the band races through time signatures, starts and stops, and the music explodes into chaotic noise at arbitrary moments, with the organ creating a carnival-like atmosphere. Gone are the harmonious electronics of the last album. Instead we get the massive buzzing synths of “Moonjock,”
which sound like malfunctioning gas generators. To top it all off, the band has chosen to submerge the entirety of the record in a cacophony of distorted radio signals and recordings, which come across sometimes as humorous, but often as eerily disturbing. It’s tempting to write off such an out-there album as yet another strung-out, spaced-out freakout. Centipede Hz is imbued with a great deal of lyrical maturity that cynical ears could easily miss. The vocal lines of “New Town Burnout” and “Moonjock” are some of the best the band has ever devised, and several tracks are pleasantly reminiscent of Rubber Soul-era Beatles writing. And rather than put forth the same sorts of abstract lyrical collages that have spotted their work in the past, here Animal Collective presents vignettes of childhood, lamentations on growing older and a pining for the past. Take, for instance, the psychedelic “Today’s Supernatural,” in which the band remembers having “met you in Baltimore laughing so loud,” only to follow this recollection with absurd references to an “erratic see-saw” and a “bionic hee-haw.” Animal Collective has the capacity to produce melodies and songs that breach the barrier between the avant-garde and the universal, yet they choose, here and elsewhere, to drown their creations in swamps of digital gurgles,
squelches of radio feedback Album Highlights and hyperactive outbursts. “Rosie” N o w, why would they mar “Oh” their best work “Wide Eyed” with weirdness “Moonjock” for weirdness’ sake? An explanation can be found on the wistful “Rosie Oh,” where founding member Avey Tare sings: “As I left my home I cried / And a substituted figure tried / to reconcile the things I’d left behind.” The members of Animal Collective are no longer wide-eyed kids. They are grown-ups struggling with their newfound adulthood, attempting to reconcile their edgy adolescence with their maturity. They have work to do before they can strike a perfect balance, but for now, Centipede Hz serves as a touching milestone in the ongoing growth of a strange and singular band.
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Courtesy NBC
Kooky NBC series provides laughs, pathos by sofia economopoulos Matthew Perry is back on the air on NBC’s new series Go On, which follows the life of sportscaster Ryan King, who is forced into group therapy to deal with the recent death of his wife. The show, which premiered last Tuesday to almost 10 million viewers, is shaping up to be one of the fall’s biggest hits. As the episodes are only around 20 minutes each, this kooky, unconventional series is a must-watch for any college student who wants a break from the endless reading and paper writing that lie ahead this semester. Ryan (Perry) is a successful radio sportscaster who enters group therapy after he has an altercation with one of his interviewees, a football player, after his show. The football player was texting and driving, the same thing that killed Ryan’s wife. At first Ryan doesn’t take his grief meetings seriously, and he organizes a “March Sadness” tournament where the group competes against each other for who has it worst. The interactions between the two finalists — George, the old blind man (Bill Cobbs), and Fausta the sassy Latina (Tonita Castro), not to mention the crazy cat lady Sonia (Sarah Baker) and creepy Mr. K (Brett Gelman) — leave the audience chuckling in spite of itself. As the series goes on, however, Ryan realizes how important the group is to him, and it becomes clear that he will stick with the program. The series shows Perry in a new light. He isn’t quite as quirky as Chandler from Friends, and he channels a
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darker brand of comedy. Although he doesn’t break the mold of the average American funny guy, Perry does a good job of finding the appropriate level of comedic douchebaggery while harassing his personal assistant to work late and interrupting Lauren (Laura Benanti), the group leader, as she unsuccessfully tries to mediate the session with chants of “Action!” We also see Ryan connect on an emotional level with one of the other members of the group, Owen (Tyler James Williams), whose brother is in a coma after a tragic ski accident. By suggesting the group follow a Google Maps car in funny costumes, Ryan helps alleviate some of Owen’s pain. The viewer can see Ryan begin to understand the importance of the group in dealing with his grief. This little series impressed me. The topic was fresh; it was funny; it didn’t try too hard to use crude humor to appeal to a younger demographic. And despite the sometimes dark subject matter, it makes a great 20-minute pick-me-up. The cast of characters is quirky without being weird or annoying, and more importantly these people are actually funny. The most surprising thing, though, is that this whole show is based on grief, loss and coping with its uncomfortable presence in life. Who knew such a depressing topic could yield so many laughs?
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Couples therapy: Streep, Jones shine in sweet, conventional rom-com by stephanie dodge Hope Springs has great intentions and a spectacular cast, but unless you’re prematurely looking for some post-mid life crisis marital advice, the movie’s message will fall on deaf ears. If you feel like you may have missed something by not seeing Hope Springs yet, I wouldn’t be too concerned. Meryl Streep is brilliant as usual, Tommy Lee Jones dry, and Steve Carell funny, but you can enjoy these same actors in the numerous other movies they’ve done. The plot aims at a much older crowd and can be difficult to relate to. The movie explores the marital highs and lows of Arnold (Jones) and Kay (Streep) while they seek counseling from the notorious Dr. Feld (Carell). If I were a woman in my 60s struggling to keep the spark alive in my marriage, Hope Springs would really hit home. As a 20-something college student, although I could appreciate the jokes, the movie didn’t have me rolling over in my seat. Hope Springs follows the time-tested comedic formula of identifying a problem, making the problem funny and then following the leading players as they work their way out of it and into a cute ending. Only these actors could make this overdone storyline remotely interesting, and they succeed because Streep and Jones can’t help but be fabulous. Carell is hilarious but not in the knee-slapping way I’ve come to expect. Carell underplays his role and rarely even cracks a joke. This approach actually works well for him, as his humor can often be too silly and overthe-top. In Hope Springs, the humor comes from the writing and Carell’s
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subtle delivery. He manages to hold his own in the company of Streep and Jones, and the writing, although cliché, is witty and playful, which gives the movie a light feel. Set in a beautiful Maine town, the film’s great acting and uplifting ending make for a decent experience — for someone else. Don’t let me sway you though. For some folks, this movie might be worth a trip to the theater — or at least a trip to the video store in a couple of months.
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Thursday, 20, 2012 | The Cavalier Daily Thursday, September August 30, 2012 | The Cavalier Daily
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Courtesy NBC
Family matters: NBC drama hits stride in fifth season Fans of Parenthood, a comedy-drama that follows the lives of the Braverman family, breathed a collective sigh of relief in May when NBC announced it would be renewing the show for a fourth season. After a season-three finale that left fans with many unanswered questions about their favorite characters, it wasn’t clear the show would return. The only thing more agonizing for fans than yearning for assurance that the show’s plot would be fulfilled has been waiting for the fourth season’s premiere, which aired Sept. 11. Since 2010 , lovers of the eccentric Bravermans have grown to know the family well. It’s a credit to both the scriptwriters and the actors how intimate the relationship with these fictitious characters feels. Parenthood stands alone among typical relationship-driven dramas in its
her under immense ability to craft a family by ashley spinks pressure. Her nerves dynamic that is almost achingly familiar. While I’m watching manifest themselves as ungratefulness, Parenthood, it seems I could just as easily stubbornness and anger. Meanwhile, be watching my own relatives’ ani- Haddie’s mom Kristina (Monica Potter) mated interactions. The show doesn’t feel is heartbroken, stressed-out and highscripted and the humor is never forced. maintenance. Far from being annoyed by There are no punch lines delivered or the characters, I was sympathetic because one-liners thrown in purely for enter- I’ve been there. I can also recall with tainment’s sake. More often, viewers will striking clarity feeling cringingly uncomchuckle as they think, “My parents act this fortable in my own skin and desperate for way all the time!” or “That sounds like guidance as I navigated my high school years, exactly as sensitive teenager Drew something my best friend would say.” To me, the season four premiere was (Miles Heizer) is attempting to do. Needless to say, the season premiere particularly relevant because of how recently I had encountered many of the did not disappoint. It tactfully addressed issues the Braverman family is facing. such issues as moving away, religion, In the episode, Haddie (Sarah Ramos) is and adoption, and in a pleasant twist heading off to college, and the obligation that distinguished it from most shows, she feels to bond with her family and all past characterizations remained tie up loose ends before she leaves puts intact. Watching the episode felt more
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like coming home again than meeting new friends. Lauren Graham continues to shine as Sarah, the struggling and yet charmingly optimistic single mom to Drew, Adam (Peter Krause) and Kristina, balancing each other perfectly. My only complaint was the addition of Ray Romano into the cast as photographer Hank Rizzoli, who hires Sarah as his assistant. Throughout the episode, it was impossible to get a grasp on his character, and the issue of a possible Hank/Sarah relationship was tangibly, unsettlingly present. I’m nervous to see how his character develops but still incredibly excited to navigate countless ups and downs with the rest of the Braverman clan this season. Parenthood airs on NBC Tuesdays at 10 p.m.
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Kaling’s pet ‘Project’ makes grade by jamie shalvey The Mindy Project, premiering Sept. 25, is Fox’s latest sitcom, following the quirky style of Glee, New Girl, and Raising Hope. Produced by and starring The Office alumna Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project follows the professional and love life of Ob-Gyn, Mindy Lahiri. Mindy is established early on as a hopeless romantic in her early thirties, attempting to have the life she’s always admired in romantic comedies. The pilot episode showcases her need for romance in a hilarious way involving an ex’s wedding, a night in jail, and casual sex with a desirable coworker Jeremy (Ed Weeks). Kaling, a Dartmouth graduate who started writing for The Office at the young age of 24, produces the clever comedy, which is closely based on her own personality. For anyone who has read Kaling’s novel Is Everybody Hanging Out Without Me?, the characterization of Lahiri is very similar to Kaling’s actual persona. In Project, Kaling writes and delivers witty dialogue, situations that offer a chuckle and relatable workplace personalities. But if you’re expecting to see more of Kelly Kapoor, Kaling’s character in The Office, you’ll be disappointed. Kaling keeps the hilarious vanity and self-assurance of her previous character but is much less airheaded than she appeared on The Office. It’s refreshing to see, and it shows more of Kaling’s potential as an actress. Familiar faces Bill Hader and Ed Helms guest-star as Mindy’s ex-boyfriend and blind date, respectively, and assist Kaling in two of the funniest scenes in the episode. That
said, Courtesy Fox Kaling is and w i l l most likely stay the most entertaining character on the show. It truly is the “Mindy” project. Dr. Castellano (Chris Messina) is a coworker with whom Mindy often butts heads, but the two have obvious chemistry that we will likely see in episodes to come. True Blood’s Anna Camp plays Mindy’s best friend Gwen, a slightly more responsible woman who is married with kids, which, in this show, is portrayed as the ultimate success. But the show’s supporting cast hardly matters because Mindy is absolutely hilarious. Her sarcasm and dark humor make her a different kind of female lead than, say, Zooey Deschanel in New Girl; less “adorkable” and more real. She is more likeable than the stars of Girls, because at least Mindy has her career and education in order. The consistent allusions and relations to romantic comedies will be a theme as long as the series can maintain it, and the best part is that Mindy doesn’t even realize she’s in one herself. The Mindy Project had the potential to be another cheesy sitcom about adults in their thirties trying to find love, but, based on the pilot, it doesn’t seem like it will be. The Mindy Project has something different than those failed sitcoms. It has Mindy Kaling.
The XX marks spot in indie music by isaac buckley
The xx emerged in 2009 with a captivating and clearly defined aesthetic. The band’s hushed, minimal love songs won accolades, including Britain’s Mercury Prize. After the group established such a recognizable sound in its debut album, xx, fans wondered about the direction in which the band would take its sophomore effort, Coexist. Fans of the 2009 album will be relieved that the band does not stray too far from the sonic template that made it famous. The whispered vocals of Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim remain, layered over softly reverberating guitars and Jamie Smith’s clean and often unpredictable production. The band, however, has evolved since its debut. Smith’s solo forays into the worlds of dance and experimental music as “Jamie xx” seem to have informed some of the more danceoriented tracks such as “Reunion.” The themes of Coexist do not stray too far from what fans have come to expect. Most of the songs sound like whispered pleas in the middle of the night documenting failed or failing relationships. The lyrics occasionally veer close to coming across as trite or clichéd. There are few bands that could deliver lines like “I can see it in your eyes, some things that lost their meaning” with the sincerity and emotion of Croft and Sim and not make it sound corny. The xx are renowned for a strippeddown, muted sound. After the success of its debut the band opened its own studio, but even with all the benefits of mainstream success the group has resisted the temptation to inflate and
fill out its sound. Instead it has pared back even further to remove all nonessential elements from its music. Rather than scrambling to fill the gaps left by the departure of guitarist and keyboardist Baria Qureshi in late 2009, The xx allow the emptiness to linger and lengthen, expertly using space and silence to convey meaning and evoke emotion. The xx are an indie band influenced more by the crisp, nocturnal sounds of the late Aaliyah than any rock heritage. Even Smith’s choice to use a drum machine rather than a traditional set reflects the hip-hop sensibility the band brings to its music. Drake recently used Smith’s remix of a Gil Scott-Heron song as the beat for his hit single “Take Care.” The xx’s work has influenced modern R&B as well, notably the narcotized crooning of The Weeknd. Much like their songs, The xx evolves slowly. The band has subtly added and removed elements, growing methodically instead of overhauling its approach. Coexist’s album cover seems to reflect this incremental evolution. The band’s cover from the first album is reproduced, this time with iridescent color creeping across the face of its logo. Coexist is an admirable fleshing out of the aesthetic established in the group’s previous effort. Whereas some fans may have hoped for a more dramatic departure, it is hard to begrudge The xx’s return to familiar material considering the excellence with which it is executed.
music
Brotherly love: Folk trio builds instant classic by liz carleton
The beauty of the Avett Brothers is their approachability. You hit the chorus, and you can’t help but sing along. You listen to their lyrics, and you fall in love. You can get exactly what you want out of their music because they’re patient. The group’s folksiness is a fun, indie façade. The Brothers’ seventh album, The Carpenter, which arrived Tuesday, covers themes ranging from a parent’s grief to bitter breakups to an ambitious ballad about “Life” itself. With this latest effort, the Brothers show off not only their plucky skills on the banjo but also an ambition to become a force of rock. “Paul Newman Vs. the Demons” is more intense than the band’s usual bluegrassy crooning. The album culminates in the sound that started in “I and Love and You” but has been emerging for a while. The Brothers incorporate everything from break-ups to religious anxiety. And surprisingly, the distinct, even overt Christian motifs do not detract from their jamband appeal (The Carpenter? Get it?). They provide a refreshingly meaningful collection of poetry compared to, say, Ke$ha’s admirable attempt to string words together, “Blah Blah Blah.” The Avett Brothers are able to achieve pop stardom without compromising their lyrical beauty. Listen to the poignancy of their drawling North Carolinian accents, and you will have to admit
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I’m right. But you don’t have to listen to the words to enjoy the ride; these guys are fun on the surface too. The Brothers walked Album Highlights into my life when I fortuitously inherited some Courtesy Columbia “LIVE AND DIE” tickets to their concert “FEBRUARY SEVEN” two years ago. Not knowmore interested in hearing a lick about indie folk-rock and pro“I NEVER KNEW YOU” ing how the Brothers have nouncing their name “Ah-vet” as opposed changed as a group over “THROUGH MY PRAYERS” to “AY-vet,” I walked out dreaming of a time, check out “Pretty Girl “January Wedding.” From Michigan,” which is On the Brothers’ newest offering look another in a series of songs out for “Live and Die”, a track with serious pop-chart about noticeable faces from various places, beginning potential. There’s also the fun, frolicsome “I Never with “Pretty Girl from Matthews.” The different ladies Knew You,” an upbeat number that proves pop music “from Raleigh,” “from Chile,” etc. document the evolucan exist without auto-tune. tion of this ever-changing folk band. The band falls short, however, with “Geraldine,” which Whether you’re looking to ponder the complexities has a weird tinkling in the background that obscures of prayer or to press on after a difficult breakup, The the merit of the song. Fortunately it ends quickly, and Carpenter has something to offer. the rest of the record’s tracks more than make up for its mediocre instrumentals. Go listen to “February Seven” and “Through My Prayers.” Right now. They’re the perfect mellow melodies to study or relax to. If you’re
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Thursday, September 20, 2012 | The Cavalier Daily
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