The Signal: Fall '11, No. 1

Kicking it back-to-school style

Looking back

Women’s soccer team, preseason favorites, sets high goals for 2011 season.

A review of the many changes made to the College through the years.

See Features page 11

tcnjsignal.net

See Sports page 20

The College of New Jersey Student Newspaper since 1885

August 31, 2011

No. 1

Vol. CXXXV.

Two students indicted in year-old sexual assault case

By Matt Huston Editor-in-Chief and Laura Herzog News Editor

Matthew Mance and Tim Lee / Staff Photographers

Hallway signs advised students to take precautions when leaving the dorms.

A student (right) walks the boarded link between Travers and Wolfe halls.

Hurricane Irene disrupts Welcome Week, move-in

By Emily Brill News Editor

The College braced for the worst, but from the moment Category 1 storm Hurricane Irene hit campus on Saturday night to the moment it cleared as a tropical storm Sunday morning, it spared the College much of the impact felt by other regions.

The storm’s primary effects on campus were the cancellation of some Welcome Week events — including Convocation — and the postponement of upperclassman move-in day and the first day of classes. Classes were postponed until Wednesday, but officials changed their mind Monday afternoon and postponed classes until 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

“The campus did not sustain any significant damage as a result of the storm,”

Stacy Schuster, executive director of college relations, said in an email.

No injuries were reported from the storm, said Lions’ Emergency Medical Service (LEMS) training captain Manil Shah, junior biomedical engineering major.

Other areas of the region were not so lucky, The Times of Trenton reports. A Princeton First Aid and Rescue squad member died Monday from injuries sustained while searching a submerged car during the hurricane. The Trenton Transit Center flooded, and all service was halted as of Monday. Large swaths of the state are without power, including sections of Ewing Township.

“Our house is without power for the next week,” said Brian Guo, senior finance major, see IRENE page 2

Two College students were indicted on Aug. 3 in the sexual assault of a freshman and face up to ten years in state prison if convicted, according to Casey DeBlasio, a spokesperson for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

Samuel Sarpeh and Christen Solomon, both sophomores at the time, allegedly assaulted the female student on Sept. 1, 2010, during the first week of the fall semester.

As of early June, the charges were undecided: Solomon’s case remained pending, and Sarpeh was expected to be charged with a lighter, two-year probationary sentence after pleading guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, according to a report by the Trenton Times.

However, the victim’s written testimony moved Superior Court Judge Gerald Council to call for a tougher penalty on June 2. The county prosecutor’s office presented the case to a grand jury, which charged both men with a second-degree offense, DeBlasio said.

According to The Times, Assistant Prosecutor Renee Robeson said the victim was attacked after she became intoxicated at a party in Sarpeh’s dorm and approached Sarpeh, a friend of

hers, for a place to stay.

The College declined to discuss the case.

“The College takes the safety and security of its students very seriously,” said Stacy Schuster, executive director of college relations. “As is the case with all matters of a sensitive and ongoing nature, in the interests of privacy, the College respectfully declines to comment on ongoing or possible student disciplinary matters.”

According to the website of the Office of Anti-Violence Initiatives (OAVI), in 2001 the College was fined by a federal agency for allegations of underreported rape statistics. It has since attempted to promote an environment that not only educates students about how to avoid sexual assault, but also encourages them to report concerning events.

In 2004, the number of reported incidents of rape (eight) was four times the number reported in 2002.

The OAVI was established in 2004 as an on-campus resource for a number of issues including stalking, domestic violence and sexual violence. Students can report an incident of sexual assault to a Student Anti-Violence Education Peer Officer at the office’s new location in Room 307 of Holman Hall, or by calling the office at 609-771-2272.

The “Hookup Bill of Rights” and more information on ways to avoid sexual assault are available online at oavi.pages.tcnj.edu.

College ranks highly, but at what cost?

By Brianna Gunter Managing Editor

Every year, the College ranks high on “Best College” lists and does well in reviews of higher education.

These accomplishments are openly announced by the College and links to the reports can be found on the home page of the school website.

What isn’t so openly announced, however, is that the College also frequently ranks high on another list — the most expensive public colleges in the United States.

Pricey tuition and fees are nothing new. In 2007 the College was listed at No. 10 of the most expensive public colleges, with undergraduate in-state tuition and fees being $11,307. For the 20092010 school year the College fell

to No. 11, but prices still rose to $12,722 (its lower ranking therefore a result of other schools also raising tuition). These same tuition and fees then spiked to $13, 293 for the 20102011 school year, and based on this data, the College is currently ranked in the No. 8 spot on the list of most expensive public colleges.

Despite its expense, U.S. News & World Report ranks the College as the fourth-best regional school in the North, and it is the only public school in the top ten. U.S. News backed this up by referencing the College’s high selectivity and high retention rates, among other things.

Forbes also highly ranks the College, placing it at No. 174 overall in its list of the top 20 percent (650 schools) in the nation.

The College is also in the top 100

“Best Value” colleges as ranked by the Princeton Review. Aside from Princeton University, it is the only New Jersey school to make the list.

These rankings were announced in February however, long before the latest rise in tuition.

“We are in the same position as the last several years,” College President R. Barbara Gitenstein said in May 2011 when the next rise in tuition was being discussed. “We don’t know how many resources we will have. We can no longer cut back in areas where we have before.”

Gitenstein later announced in July that tuition would be raised $210 for full-time, in-state undergraduates and $421.50 for full-time, out-ofstate undergraduate students for the

see VALUE page 2

Graphic by Brianna Gunter

The College has appeared on lists delineating the top public colleges in the U.S. It has also been featured on lists ranking the nation’s most expensive public colleges.

Bustin’ the Blockbusters Correspondent Justin Mancini reviews two summer flicks.

Late-night cookie monsters Lovin’ Cookies delivery service makes mouths water.

See A&E page 15

See Features page 11

INSIDE Nation & World Editorial Opinions Features Arts & Entertainment Sports

5 7 9 11 15 20

page 2 The Signal August 31, 2011

August 31, 2011 The Signal page 3

Bookstore offers textbook rental Irene / Campus spared severe storm damage

By Julia Corbett Production Manager

The campus bookstore has good news for students pinching their pennies. Students now have the opportunity to rent textbooks, saving up to 50 percent off select titles.

Students who opt for the rental system keep the textbook for an entire semester, paying half of the listed price upfront.

At the end of the semester, the book is simply returned, not sold back.

“It’s all about the students,” said store manager Josie Tavarez. “We’re giving them options.”

There are several key differences between the buyback program and book rental, Tavarez said.

When a student buys a book, he or she must pay in full and has the option of selling the book back to the store at the end of the semester.

However, this buy-back system does not guarantee that the bookstore will take back the book. Professors may not use the same titles the following semester.

“This is saving students a lot of money and students do not have to deal with buy-back,” Tavarez said.

With book rental, the bookstore will automatically take back the book, regardless of its usage, or lack thereof, for the next term.

“Renting is a good opportunity for students because many professors require students to use newer volumes of textbooks each year,” said sophomore marketing major Brian Green.

“This is a really great option, especially if you’re taking a class that is not in your major,” said Rachel Kolb, a sophomore biomedical engineering major. “If you know you aren’t going to keep the book anyway, you save money up front.”

Students must use a credit card in order to secure the rental and then provide personal contact information.

Failure to return the book at the end of the term results in assessed fees.

According to Tavarez, 40 percent of textbooks are rentable and the title selection is based on supply and demand.

Popular titles nationwide and within the College book-

continued from page 1

Kate Stronczer / Photo Assistant

A student browses textbooks at the bookstore.

store are deemed rentable.

“Why order something on Amazon and risk getting the wrong book and have to send it back when all you have to do is walk across the campus and everything is in one spot?” Tavarez said.

Tavarez hopes the rental system will strengthen the oncampus bookstore’s appeal, especially since renting has proven successful in Barnes & Noble campus stores nationwide.

“It’s all about what students want and what the industry is going for,” Tavarez said.

Despite its appeal, renting and buying ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Junior economics major Brendan McGrath said, “I often need to keep my books for later on, so I would rather risk selling them back if I find out that I don’t need them, but I won’t know that until the end of the semester.”

Another new way to get books Nook Study is a free e-textbook program available for students who want to keep textbooks, class notes and assignments all in one spot. The program is a study aid that does not require an actual Nook. It simply keeps students organized and is compatible with PCs and Macs. Students can purchase textbooks by using the program and create folders for classes, storing all information, from SOCS notes to assignments, all in one folder. “It helps students study smarter, not harder,” said Tavarez.

who lives off Green Lane.

Students on campus during the hurricane were instructed not to leave their dorms from 11 p.m. Saturday until approximately 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, when Sean Stallings, executive director of Residential Education and Housing, sent out an email lifting the “shelter in place” order.

ResEd instructed students to notify student staff if they planned to leave the building during the storm. Students were also told to sign out on a sheet provided in their residence hall and note when they left and where they were going.

Police were stationed outside freshmen buildings — Cromwell Hall and Travers and Wolfe Halls — during the worst of the storm to ensure freshmen didn’t venture into the hurricane.

“We went outside and hung out on the steps and talked to the cops outside, because it’s unbelievably hot on the floor,” said Jacob Andriola, freshman communication studies major and Wolfe 10 resident, who left the building at about 2 a.m. with friends from his floor.

Beyond that, “we kind of camped out in my room,” Andriola said.

“We watched three movies in a row,” added Mariah Black, freshman psychology major.

Students were provided with two meals Saturday night to sustain them for the duration of the “shelter in place” order.

Students could pick up their meals, which consisted of bagels, turkey sandwiches, fruit, juice, water and snacks, at T-Dubbs.

Six EMTs were stationed at the LEMS response room in Decker Hall for the duration of the hurricane.

“We were prepared for the worst. We were prepared for any emergency to happen on campus,” Shah said.

For more than 24 hours, the EMTs stayed in the response room, equipment fully charged in case of power outages, waiting for emergency calls that—by and large—did not come.

“Playfair was probably more dangerous than Hurricane Irene to students on campus,” said EMT Megan Wyles, sophomore biology major.

Check out tcnjsignal.net to see an extensive photo slide show of the hurricane’s impact on campus.

Stud bathrooms renovated, Education Building underway

By Juliana Fidler Copy Editor

The numerous construction projects on the College’s campus are almost all on schedule, said Stacy Schuster, executive director of College Relations, in an email interview.

Summer saw the completion of new Armstrong offices, a new roof, interior painting and carpeting in New Residence Hall and initial remodeling of four Brower Student Center bathrooms, said Schuster.

According to Campus Construction’s web page, handicap toilets were built in updated student center bathrooms.

Green Hall’s bathrooms underwent the same renovations this summer, and the building’s fire doors were finished as well.

Continuing work on Green Hall, set to conclude during this semester, consists of the exterior envelope, the new generator and HVAC upgrades to the data center, Schuster said.

The other large-scale construction project, the new Education Building, will

also be completed on time, said Schuster. So far, “roofing has been completed, much of the exterior walls are up and brick has been set,” she said.

The exterior should be “completely finished” by October of this year, and the entire building “remains on schedule for a spring occupancy,” Schuster said.

The Eickhoff Eatery Phase III Expansion, which was expected to come to a close before the semester started, “will need a few extra weeks to wrap up,” said Schuster, “but this was not unanticipated.”

The Campus Construction website says that the expansion will add extra seating to the dining hall, and “the existing space/ offices will be relocated to Holman, into newly created offices.”

This fall, Campus Construction will replace the roofs of Travers Hall, Wolfe Hall, Decker Hall, Armstrong Hall, Centennial Hall and Eickhoff Hall, as well as the clerestory windows in Eickhoff.

Other projects that are scheduled to end this fall are the generator replacement in Holman Hall and the waterproofing and

Janika Berridge / Photo Assistant

Construction on the new Education Building continued this summer. connecting-link replacement in Bliss Hall.

(The “connecting-link” is the glass hallway between the two sections of the building.)

“All of the projects” that are ongoing this semester, said Schuster, are “relatively on schedule.”

Value / Students weigh College’s cost against its quality continued from page 1

2011-2012 school year. The increase could have been more severe, but increased donations to the College and the discontinuation of certain scholarships along with other factors helped the Board of Trustees keep tuition rises at a minimum.

The actual price of a semester varies from student to student; out-of-state students are charged higher tuition than those with in-state residences (about $10,000 more according to the general estimates), students living on campus tend to pay more than those living off-campus and scholarship amounts vary. Additionally, graduate students and part-time students are paying different amounts.

Tuition rises affect almost everyone, however, and many

students expressed their distress in an online survey distributed

by The Signal to more than 100 students. Some entering their final year at the College pointed out that tuition and fees had risen by well over $1,000 since they first enrolled.

“A lot of people think that this school is so much cheaper than private schools, when in reality private schools tend to give their students a lot more money in scholarships, balancing it out,” wrote one College junior. “I remember applying to both public and private schools, and if I had gone to one of those private schools I’d actually have ended up paying around the same as (the College). I’m not sure what this means exactly in terms of (the College’s) value, but if tuition keeps spiking then I may regret my choice.”

Many students blamed the state for their costly education.

Several students referenced governor Chris Christie’s controversial budget slashes from last year, voicing the impression that the politician does not seem to like public schools. Others recognized the overall costliness of New Jersey, which has some of the highest property taxes in the nation.

Half of those surveyed nevertheless described the tuition and fees as being reasonable when considering the College’s value, even if they weren’t happy with the statistics.

“I did think I was saving money coming here, but even though I know now that I’m still going to be stuck with heavy loans to pay off, I’m really happy I was accepted to (the College),” wrote a College junior. “The beautiful campus and my friends and great classes make me not care so much about the expense.”

page 4 The Signal August 31, 2011

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APPLY FOR

HELP MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING THE

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STUDENT

ACTIVITY FUND! POSITIONS AVAILABLE

TWO (2) FRESHMAN REPRESENTATIVES ONE (1) JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVE PICK UP THE APPLICATION IN THE STUDENT CENTER ROOM 231 OR DOWNLOAD IT AT WWW.TCNJ.EDU/~SFBOARD

DIRECT ALL QUESTIONS TO SFBOARD@TCNJ.EDU OR CALL 609-771-3187

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August 31, 2011 The Signal page 5

Nation & World

Gadhafi’s wife, 3 children flee to Algeria TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) – Moammar Gadhafiʼs wife and three of his children fled Libya to neighboring Algeria on Monday, firm evidence that the longtime leader has lost his grip on the country.

Gadhafiʼs whereabouts were still unknown and rebels are worried that if he remains in Libya, it will stoke more violence.

In Washington, the Obama administration said it has no indication Gadhafi has left the country.

Rebels also said one of Gadhafiʼs other sons, elite military commander Khamis, was probably killed in battle.

The Algerian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Gadhafiʼs wife Safia, his sons Hannibal and Mohammed and his daughter Aisha entered the country across the land border.

Ahmed Jibril, an aide to rebel National Transitional Council head Mustafa AbdulJalil, said officials would “demand that Algerian authorities hand them over to Libya to be tried before Libyan courts.”

Gadhafiʼs children played important roles in Libyaʼs military and economic life.

Hannibal headed the maritime transport company; Mohammed the national Olympic committee. Aisha, a lawyer, helped in the defense of toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in the trial that led to his hanging.

Ahmed Bani, military spokesman of the council, said he was not surprised to hear Algeria had welcomed Gadhafiʼs relatives.

Throughout the six-month Libyan uprising, rebels have accused Algeria of providing Gadhafi with mercenaries to repress the revolt.

Over the weekend, the Egyptian news agency MENA, quoting unidentified rebel fighters, had reported that six armored Mercedes sedans, possibly carrying Gadhafiʼs sons or other top regime figures, had crossed the border at the southwestern

Libyan town of Ghadamis into Algeria.

Algeriaʼs Foreign Ministry had denied that report.

Rebel military spokesman Ahmed Bani said Monday that rebel forces may have killed Khamis Gadhafi in a clash Saturday.

Rebel clashed with a military convoy in the town of Tarhouna, 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Tripoli, destroying two vehicles in the convoy.

The bodies in the cars were burned beyond recognition, he said, but captured soldiers said they were Khamis Gadhafiʼs bodyguards.

“We are sure he is dead,” Col. Boujela Issawi, the rebel command of Tarhouna, told AP. But then he cast some doubt, saying it was possible Gadhafiʼs son was pulled alive from the car and taken to Bani Walid, a contested interior area.

Col. Abdullah Hussein, a former pilot in the Libyan airforce who is part of the rebelsʼ command center in Tarhouna, said that “we heard from Bani Walid that he (Khamis) died in the hospital there.”

Rebel leaders have started to set up a new government in the capital Tripoli after their fighters drove Gadhafiʼs defenders out over the past week.

Gadhafiʼs whereabouts are still unknown, however, and people close to him have claimed he is still in the country and leading a fight to hold onto power.

“Gadhafi is still capable of doing something awful in the last moments,” rebel leader Abdul- Jalil told NATO officials earlier Monday in Qatar.

The focus of concern is Gadhafiʼs hometown of Sirte, his last major stronghold in the country.

The town, 250 miles east of Tripoli, is heavily militarized and shows no signs yet of surrendering even though rebels say they are trying to negotiate a bloodless

Col. Muammar Gadhafiʼs family has reportedly absconded into Algeria, a rumored ally of Gadhafiʼs regime. Libyan rebels have claimed that Gadhafi himself has been escorted to the safety of Algeria, though Gadhafiʼs whereabouts are still officially unknown. takeover.

There was some fighting Monday on the eastern and western approaches to Sirte. Some have speculated that Gadhafi and other senior regime figures may have fled there.

A NATO officer, who asked not to be identified because of alliance rules, said there was fighting 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Sirte.

He said there are still clashes around Sirte, Bani Walid south of Misrata and Sebha further south. Taking Sirte will mean getting past entrances that are reportedly mined and an elite military unit.

The rebels asked NATO Monday to keep up pressure on remnants of Gadhafiʼs regime.

Afghans scuttle US-Taliban Talks KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – Infuriated that Washington met secretly at least three times with a personal emissary of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Afghan government intentionally leaked details of the clandestine meetings, scuttling the talks and sending the Taliban intermediary into hiding, The Associated Press has learned.

In a series of interviews with diplomats, current and former Taliban, Afghan government officials and a close childhood friend of the intermediary, Tayyab Aga, the AP learned Aga is hiding in Europe, and is afraid to return to Pakistan because of fears of reprisals.

The United States has had no direct contact with him for months.

A senior U.S. official acknowledged that the talks imploded because of the leak and that Aga, while alive, had disappeared. The United States will continue to pursue talks, the official said.

The United States acknowledged the talks after Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who apparently fears being sidelined by U.S.-

Tayyab Aga, a personal emissary of a major Taliban leader, is rumored to be hiding in Germany.

Taliban talks, confirmed published accounts about them in June, but has never publicly detailed the content, format or participants.

A childhood friend of Agaʼs, who spoke to the AP on condition he not be identified because he feared retaliation, said Aga was in Germany. A diplomat in the region said Aga fled to a European country after

his contacts with the United States were revealed.

Collapse of the direct talks between Aga and U.S. officials probably spoiled the best chance yet at reaching Omar, considered the linchpin to ending the Taliban fight against the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan.

Perhaps most importantly they offered the tantalizing

prospect of a brokered agreement between the United States and the Taliban — one that would allow Afghan political life to move forward.

The United States has not committed to any such deal, but the Taliban wants security assurances from the United States.

The talks were deliberately revealed by someone within the presidential palace, where Karzaiʼs office is located, said a Western and an Afghan official. The reason for the leak was Karzaiʼs animosity toward the U.S. and fear that any agreement Washington brokered would undermine his authority, they said.

A former U.S. official familiar with the talks said the loss of the Aga contact further eroded thin trust in Karzai.

As the Afghan war slides into its 10th year and Washington plans to withdraw its combat forces by the end of 2014, a negotiated settlement between the Karzai government and the Taliban has become a stated goal for the United States.

“Even after the fighting ends, we still need logistical and military support from NATO,” Abdul-Jalil said in Qatar.

NATO has been bombing Gadhafiʼs forces since March under a United Nations mandate to protect Libyan civilians.

Survivors and human rights groups have said Gadhafi loyalists retreating from Tripoli afterdecades of brutal rule killed scores of detainees and arbitrarily shot civilians over the past week.

Council spokesman Ghoga said his representatives have collected names in cities rebels have liberated, resulting in a list of some 50,000 people rounded up by the Gadhafi regime since the uprising began six months ago.

He said rebels freed 10,000 from prisons, leaving at least 40,000 unaccounted for.

News Bits New York City subways resumed service Monday with a major test as millions of commuters ventured to work for the first time since the Tropical Storm Irene forced an unprecedented closure of the nationʼs largest mass transit system.

Former International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique StraussKahn left the IMF headquarters on Monday after having a meeting with staff members. Last week, prosecuters in New York formally dismissed all criminal charges of attempted rape and criminal sexual contact against him.

A federal judge temporarily blocked Alabamaʼs new law cracking down on illegal immigration. U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Blackburn ruled Monday that she needed more time to decide whether the law, opposed by the Obama administration, is in fact constitutional.

With extra police and earlier closing times, Londonʼs Noting Hill Carnival successfully opened Monday, suggesting the city is recovering from the chaotic riots that shook the capital city earlier this month.

Information from AP Exchange

page 6 The Signal August 31, 2011

August 31, 2011 The Signal page 7

Editorial

Seven tips for a good college life

By Emily Brill News Editor Sup freshmen. Unless you write for The Signal or happen upon me during your cross-campus travails, you’ll probably never meet me. This makes my advice all the more worth listening to. Don’t you love taking advice from strangers? No? Well, then — first rule of college: Unlearn everything you know. That’s not actually my advice; Ralph Nader said that when he apAP Image peared on campus last year. Below, you’ll find a couple Having fun yet? News Editor Emily Brill encourages newbies to the College to words I didn’t steal from a beleagured third-party pres- explore campus, open their minds and perhaps most importantly, avoid floorcest. idential candidate.

Though my hunched stance and grizzly demeanor Quotes of the Week may suggest otherwise, I was once a freshman. These are the lessons I took from the FYE, which I pass on to “I tasted it and you now: How was your hurricane experience?

said ‘Don’t do 1. RESIST THE URGE TO BANG YOUR NEIGHanything to this.

BOR. It’s called “floorcest,” and it can result in some * What hurricane?

This is perfect.“ messy situations.

The Weekly Poll:

2. OPEN YOUR MIND. It’s college. And it’s also the motto of WTSR. What’s WTSR? There’s your first mind-opening mission - go find out.

3. DO SHIT. Although it’s never safe to make assumptions in journalism, I’m going to ignore that rule of thumb and assume that since you’re in college, you have done shit at least once in your life. Continue to do so here. “Get involved,” yadda yadda — but really.

4. TALK. Find out fun facts about your new friends.

What are they all about? What languages do they speak?

Do they like to color? Do they have any communicable diseases? (This could also be useful information if you choose to ignore No. 1.)

* A bit windy. * My house is taking on water. * Awful. It really screwed things up.

Results of last semester’s poll: xx% Tim Lee / Staff Photographer

cast your vote @ tcnjsignal.net

5. DON’T JUDGE TCNJ BY YOUR WELCOME WEEK T-SHIRTS. Self-explanatory.

6. EXPLORE CAMPUS. Swim in the fountain. (You didn’t hear it from me.) Climb a tree by the lake. Sneer at Centennial Hall. Heck, swim in the freakin’ lake.

(Actually, don’t do that one.)

7. ENJOY YOURSELF. You’re not in high school anymore! Even if things feel strange at first, cling to that golden nugget of truth and you’ll be fine. Freshman year is a wonderful, weird time. Everything’s up in the air, everyone (well, almost everyone) is hot and tan and right now, and the world is under your 17- to 19- year old thumb. Go do something about it.

— Emily Brill PS: WRITE FOR THE SIGNAL! (Shameless plug, but I had to.)

Editorial Content Unsigned editorial opinions are those of the Editorial Board, which consists of the Editor-in-Chief, the Managing, News, Features, Arts & Entertainment, Opinions, Photo and Sports editors and the Business Manager, unless otherwise noted.

Opinions expressed in signed editorials and letters to the editor are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Signal.

tcnjsignal.net Telephone:

Production Rm - (609) 771-2424 Business Office - (609) 771-2499 Fax: (609) 771-3433 E-mail: signal@tcnj.edu

Editorial Offices Matt Huston Editor-in-Chief huston4@tcnj.edu Brianna Gunter Managing Editor gunter2@tcnj.edu Emily Brill Laura Herzog News Editors brill3@tcnj.edu herzog2@tcnj.edu Alex Wolfe Sports Editor wolfea1@tcnj.edu Jamie Primeau Features Editor primeau2@tcnj.edu Shaun Fitzpatrick Arts & Entertainment Editor fitzpa28@tcnj.edu Danny Pazos Opinions Editor pazos2@tcnj.edu Tom O’Dell Photo Editor odell3@tcnj.edu

Mailing Address:

The Signal c/o Brower Student Center The College of New Jersey P.O. Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718

Julia Corbett Production Manager Cameron Dering Web Editor Tom Ciccone Nation & World Editor Emilie Lounsberry Advisor Juliana Fidler Hilarey Wojtowicz Copy Editors Kevin Lee Sports Assistant Janika Berridge Kate Stronczer Photo Assistants Business Office Daniel Lisi Business/Ad Manager Natalie Schiavi Business Assistant For ad questions, contact signalad@tcnj.edu.

— Robin Vitullo, owner of Lovin’ Cookies, on flavor exploration.

“We watched three movies in a row,” — Mariah Black, freshman psychology major, on the impact of Hurricane Irene on campus.

“I’m not sure what this means exactly in terms of (the College’s) value but if tuition keeps spiking then I may regret my choice.”

— College junior answering survey on the school’s rising tuition.

page 8 The Signal August 31, 2011

TCNJ STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES asks… do you know about our services?

Services provided Include: 

Assessment, diagnosis & treatment of your medical condition or injury



Curriculum required physical exams (fees may be incurred)



Vaccinations (fees may be incurred)



Laboratory tests (i.e. blood work)



Women’s Health Care on Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment through our collaborative agreement with Planned Parenthood of Mercer County

Cost of Services at Student Health Services:

Making an Appointment: 

 

Hours of Operation: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Thursday and Friday



Student Health Services is available and FREE to all currently enrolled TCNJ students during the 15 weeks of each semester.



Students who have the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) receive laboratory tests, x-rays and medications without charge (within their plan limits).



Students who do not have the Student Health Insurance (SHIP) plan receive a bill for laboratory tests, x-rays and medications according to their private insurance plan coverage limits.

Upcoming Events: •

8:30am-6:00pm (evening hours) 8:30am-4:00pm

Tb testing clinics: (cost $5.00) Tues, Aug 30st 3:30-5:00pm – Loser Hall Room 19 Tues, Sept 6th 3:30-5:00pm – Loser Hall Room 19

Call to schedule your appointment (609) 771-2483

•

If you or a friend are experiencing a medical emergency, you should call 9-1-1 from an on campus/TCNJ phone or (609) 771-2345 from your cell phone

Flu shot clinics: (cost $15 or FREE with SHIP) Wed. October 5th 2-4pm – Loser Hall room 106 Wed. October 12th 2-4pm – Loser Hall room 106 Fri. October 14th 11:30-1:30pm – Loser Hall 106

Politics Forum: fall 2011 our 10th season!!

THE NEED FOR BLOOD NEVER TAKES A BREAK

Sept. 15 (Constitution Day event): Abbey Wallach (Hist.) and Rebecca Stefaniak (Hist.), Rob McGreevey (Hist.), Daryl Fair (Poli.Sci.), “On the Constitutionality of the Federal Requirement to buy Health Insurance: History and Current Debates” [11:30-12:45, library auditorium] Sept. 29: Winnifred Brown-Glaude (Af.Am.), “Race, Space, and Women’s Informal Work in Jamaica”

“HEY TCNJ!” Donate platelets at our facility in Ewing, show your school ID & receive a food voucher!

Oct. 13: Ben Rifkin (Dean -HSS), “My Scrapes with the KGB: Stories of an American who Lived in the Soviet Union” Oct. 27: David Redlawsk (Director, Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling, Rutgers Uni.), “Feelings Drive Thinking: Motivated Reasoning and Candidate Evaluation in American Politics” [11:30-12:45, library auditorium] Nov. 3: Holly Haynes (Classics), “Making Tyrants of Ourselves: the Crisis of Democracy in the Age of Spectacle” Nov. 17: James Stacy Taylor (Phil.), “Why We should Legalize Markets in Votes” Thursdays, 11:30-12:30 Location: 223 Social Science bldg. (except where indicated otherwise) Please join us, and bring your friends and colleagues.

Opinions

August 31 2011, The Signal page 9

The Signal Are you there, Republicans? It’s me, an Independant says ...

By Danny Pazos

Stop: surfing in a

hurricane, staying in your dorm all day, putting off doing laundry, only hanging out with your floor.

Caution: falling trees, long lines at the bookstore, Welcome Week activities, “Modern Warfare 3”.

Go: call your mom, Skype a friend who goes to another school, get ready for classes, get to know your professors, get involved around campus, show more school spirit, play fantasy fo o t b a l l . skateboard to class.

Policies

The Signal is published weekly during the academic year and is financed by the Student Activities Fee (SAF) and advertising revenue. Any student may submit articles to The Signal. Publication of submitted articles is at the discretion of the editors.

The letters section is an open forum for opinions. Submissions that announce events or advertise in any way will not be printed. All letters should be sent via e-mail to signal@tcnj.edu. Handwritten letters should be sent to The Signal, c/o The Brower Student Center, The College of New Jersey, PO Box 7718 Ewing, N.J. 08628 or placed in our mailbox in the Student Life Office.

Letters must be received by the Friday before publication and should not exceed 300 words.

The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity.

All letters must be signed, with a phone number and address of the author. Requests to withhold the author’s name will be honored only if there is a legitimate reason.

All materials submitted become the sole property of The Signal. The editors reserve the right to edit or withhold all articles, letters & photographs.

The Signal willingly corrects factual mistakes. If you think we have made an error, please contact The Signal at (609) 771-2424, write to the address listed above or e-mail us at signal@tcnj.edu.

Opinions Editor

So as most of us who go to the College know, the presidential election of 2008 was a big deal. A record number of young voters turned out and the country elected its first black president. On both sides of the political coin, you had engaging candidates. Both were senators — one a community activist talking about hope and change, and one a maverick conservative. Throw in the little-known female vice presidential candidate from Alaska and you have yourselves a presidential race for the ages.

Now, as a registered Independent, I feel that on social and economic issues I sometimes agree with liberals, and sometimes with conservatives. My vote isn’t automatically set even before the candidate opens their mouth to speak. I do not ride party lines, and I am no one’s voter base.

It seems that so many people today who are interested in politics are automatically swayed to one side due to family ties or the way they were brought up. They will support a candidate based on the idea of conservative or liberal philosophy without considering what the person is actually saying. We are responsible for electing the most important politician in the nation.

This brings me to a dilemma with the Republican primary race for the next election.

With Obama, I know what I’m getting. He has been president for almost four years now, and I can remember his promises and ambitions when he was running. No matter how they have changed, I know what I’m getting with our current president. He has been on the news every day since 2007.

Now, with the Republican race being so chock-full of contenders, I wanted to do as much research into each of them as I can. If there is someone out there who will make a better president than Barack Obama, I would like to give that person a listen.

So far, with the research I have done, I

Signal Spotlight

AP Photo

Candidates for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination attend a 2011 Republican debate at Saint Anslem College in Manchester, N.H. on June 13. haven’t really found anyone worth backing.

As an independant voter, I don’t usually go to FOX News or MSNBC to find out things about certain candidates, for the same reasons any journalist would know. I usually check out CNN and John Stewart The Daily Show for an update on the race. What I have seen hasn’t really impressed me. None of the candidates seem to be focusing on the independent voters or people who aren’t extremely conservative.

The only talk I hear is of Michele Bachmann refusing to talk about her previous antihomosexual stance. I read an article in Rolling Stone about her winning America back for Christians, though i’m not sure that will go over too well with everyone else.

Rick Perry reminds me a lot of George Bush (sorry, it’s the whole Texas governor/ cowboy thing).

I can’t tell Tim Pawlenty and Rick Santorum apart. Luckily for me, Pawlenty dropped out of the race.

Ron Paul’s ideas are apparently so insane

that the media actually jokes about not getting footage of his speeches for broadcast. They don’t really mention him too much, even though he finished second in the Iowa Straw Poll, something Republicans take very seriously. Check out the John Stewart piece on the media and Ron Paul — it’s fantastic.

I do, however, know that Mitt Romney will never raise taxes on the top 2 percent of earners in the U.S. and thinks “corporations are people.” I can see where his allegences lie.

Most of these candidates are still pandering to their voter base — the religious right and tea party conservatives.

I’m just wondering when these candidates will start to talk about issues that weigh heavily on the minds of independent voters and not just the easy topics that their voter base will automatically agree with. I understand that only registered Republicans can vote in the primaries, but I feel like I don’t even exist to someone who could potentially be president of the United States one day. Maybe this will change next year. I can only hope.

What do you want to get accomplished in the Fall 2011 semester?

“Straight A’s.”

“Raise my GPA.”

“Make my art honor club better.”

“Get in shape for a marathon.”

— Alex Haberman, sophomore, finance major

— Kristy Winchock, sophomore mechanical engineering major

— Matt Pembleton, senior art education major

— Peter Palmisano, sophomore business major

Rick would never give you up.

Neither would The Signal.

Show your love and write for Opinions.

Email Pazos2@tcnj.edu

page 10 The Signal August 31 2011

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August 31, 2011 The Signal page 11

Features

Ch-ch-changes: the evolution of the College

State of New Jersey Normal School Report 1897

Horses and carriages were a mode of transportation back in 1897, as seen circling student housing above.

By Brianna Gunter Managing Editor The College you know today consists of 39 major buildings (excluding affiliated off-campus buildings) nestled together on 289 acres of land in an area of Ewing Township known as Hillside Lakes, with almost 7,000 students enrolled. This would all be unrecognizable to the College’s original students and faculty however — our school has a long history of change.

The original campus was not at 2000 Pennington Road in Ewing, but at what is now 159 North Clinton Ave. in Trenton.

The old buildings have since been demolished, but the location can easily be found at what is now Grant Elementary

School, constructed in 1938.

If you’ve been to the Trenton Transit Center on South Clinton Avenue, you’ve been near this area.

It is common knowledge that “The College of New Jersey” is not the school’s original name, but did you know that there have been six names? The first was the New Jersey State Normal School. At the time, “Normal School” was the name given to teaching schools in the U.S., and Trenton’s was the first in the state and among the first 10 in the nation.

According to the Trenton Historical Society, the Normal School opened its doors on Oct. 1, 1855 at Trenton City Hall, quickly moving to temporary accommodations at a building on the corner of Hanover and

Stockton Streets. Meanwhile, the Normal School’s first building was constructed on North Clinton Avenue, costing $17,000. The new building’s first class consisted of only 43 students, and there was no tuition fee for those who agreed to teach for at least two years in N.J. after graduation. Records show this policy remained for decades.

Additions were made to the campus during this time, including boarding halls, a gymnasium and auditorium. In 1908 the school’s name was elongated to New Jersey State Normal School in Trenton after other normal schools were established in the state. In 1929, however, the school began offering a B.S. in education, and the name was accordingly changed to State Teachers’ College and State Normal School at Trenton. This name was even shorter-lived, being changed again in 1937 to New Jersey State Teachers College at Trenton. Normal schools were becoming a thing of the past.

While the College underwent name changes, the board of trustees decided it was time for a bigger campus. The current location in Ewing was purchased in 1928 with construction beginning right away. By the mid-1930s, the former campus was vacant.

In 1958 the board decided to

change the school’s name again — to Trenton State College.

“TSC” was a well-rounded college by this point, offering more than just teaching degrees. Nevertheless, in 1996, the name was at last changed to The College of New Jersey (despite protests from students, alumni, faculty and others). Officials at the time said they wanted to embrace state pride and become less locally focused. Various personal websites and bloggers claim that the real reason was to separate the school from the negative reputation the city of Trenton had developed by that point.

Today you can still see remnants of the past: Many alumni lovingly refer to the College as Trenton State, more than a few

Trenton State shirts show up on homecoming and numerous books in the library are stamped with former names of the College (depending on when they were put in circulation). Feel pride in your school and treasure your time here, for you too are part of a history that will continue long after you have graduated.

State of New Jersey Normal School Report 1897

The College is barely recognizable from its days as the State of New Jersey Normal School.

Two smart cookies open baked goods delivery business

By Emily Brill News Editor

Lovin’ Cookies sits inside an unassuming plaza on Scotch Road in Ewing, doling out joy to the masses for a nominal fee.

OK, so that’s a little grandiose; it’s just a cookie shop. But when Robin and Laurie Vitullo opened Lovin’ Cookies last May, looking for a creative outlet and a new career, establishing the buildyour-own cookie shop and delivery service made them quite happy. And it’s probably not too much of a stretch to say the recipients of their warm, homemade cookies are feeling the love, too.

Students can call or order online — even late at night — to customize a batch of cookies to be delivered hot to the College. Students can order three ($4.50), six ($8.50), nine ($12.50) or 12 ($15.50) cookies, choosing the dough and ingredients from drop-down menus online, but they will get more flexibility over the phone.

(Larger, custom orders are welcomed.)

Orders usually take approximately 30 minutes to arrive.

Available doughs include plain (the type used in chocolate chip cookies), oatmeal, peanut butter, chocolate and red velvet. All doughs are made at Lovin’ Cookies daily.

“Some of the (cookie) companies around the country do it like a Domino’s — they’ll get their dose from a huge manufacturer. They’ll shape it into patties and freeze it and ship it out to these stores,” Robin Vitullo said. “We want

Photos courtesy of Robin Vitullo

Customers enjoy their custom-made cookies at Lovin’ Cookies (left) as others wait in line to place their orders (right). customers to know if they show up here, we’ll be way ahead of them in terms of quality.”

This commitment to quality spills over into the Vitullos’ ingredient choices as well.

“We made a determined effort to use only great ingredients. We use real vanilla as opposed to imitation. Belgian chocolate, real eggs, real butter,” Vitullo said.

“Moms wouldn’t cut corners when making cookies and neither do we,” Lovin’ Cookies’ website’s About Us section reads.

Lovin’ Cookies offers 21 choices of “fixins” — toppings and ingredients such as marshmallows, Reese’s cups, chocolate chunks and caramel syrup customers can elect to add to their dough.

Some of the most popular selections include the red velvet cookie with white chocolate chips and anything made with the plain dough. Red velvet cookies come with a complimentary cup of icing created by Laurie — it’s composed of cream cheese, cinnamon and vanilla.

“We put it on the side so if you want it, you want it. If you don’t you don’t.

What’s great about that in terms of its development is it’s the only thing we made when we were experiencing with recipes where the first version was perfect,” Robin Vitullo said. “I tasted it and I said, ‘Don’t do anything to this. This is perfect.’ The other stuff we messed with.”

Students can also order beverages (milk, chocolate milk, soda, tea, coffee or water) and pints of ice cream (Ben &

Jerry’s) with their order. Lovin’ Cookies also offers a special called “Cookies and Cream,” consisting of two cookies a la mode (served with three scoops of chocolate or vanilla ice cream).

“The drivers have an insulated pack so it stays cold,” Vitullo said.

Lovin’ Cookies serves neighboring universities Rider and Princeton as well.

Vitullo plans to expand the store’s offerings to include brownies.

“Starting the first week of September, we’re going to introduce a line of brownies,” Vitullo said. “There are four types of brownies — one is a basic brownie and then there are three varieties. One is going be a walnut caramel, the other is going be the regular brownie with peanut butter inside and Reese’s cups on top, and then we’re going have the chocolate brownie with white chocolate and raspberry inside and out.”

The store also continues to mix it up monthly by offering a “cookie of the month.” Past cookies offered include s’more, peanut butter and jelly, and lemon, almond and cranberry.

“And then (for) one cool one — it was either a love-it or hate-it kind of thing — I did a dark chocolate cookie with cherries and chipotle salsa,” Vitullo said. “So it was a hot-sweet thing.”

As the business continues to expand and experiment, one thing seems clear: this lovable shop is here to stay.

For more information about Lovin’ Cookies, call 609-323-7546 or visit lovincookies.com.

page 12 The Signal August 31, 2011

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Contact us at signal@tcnj.edu or stop by the Stud basement.

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The Signal is TCNJ’s weekly student newspaper. In 2011, the New Jersey Collegiate Press Association named The Signal #1 in news ������������������������������������������������������������������� Matt Huston can be at huston4@tcnj.edu. ����������������������� excellence.

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August 31, 2011 The Signal page 13

The ABCs of TCNJ – your guide to College culture

By Jamie Primeau Features Editor

This means being written up for a violation of student code.

When the name of your school is an acronym, it tends to set the tone for students’ vocabs. With abbreviations galore, here is your guide to campus colloquialisms.

No need to call poison control when someone tells you they’re getting a smoothie from the Rat. And now you won’t have to ask, “BTW, what’s a T-Dubs?”

Eick (Eickhoff Hall): The dining hall that doubles as an upperclassmen dormitory.

Ambassadors: These students possess an abundance of school spirit and knowledge about our college. Dressed in rugby shirts, they provide campus tours.

Bonners: Scholars who focus on community service activities.

Interested in volunteering at a soup kitchen or local school?

They’re your go-to group.

The C-Store: A convenient place filled with snackfoods and microwaveable munchies. Located next to Eick and open until 1:30 a.m.

Doc-ed: If someone tells you they got doc-ed, it’s not a good thing.

Fat Shack: This late-night eatery has a likeness to Rutgers’ Grease Trucks, delivering sandwiches filled with chicken fingers, fries, mozzarella sticks, etc.

Gym (The Physical Enhancement Center): Located in Packer Hall. Tip: Call ahead to reserve a treadmill or elliptical. You’ll be glad you did.

Hassan: Craving a $5 pizza? This Dominator’s delivery driver is only a phone call away on Tuesday or Thursday through Sunday nights.

ID: One thing you never want to misplace. This holds your meal points and allows you to access your dorm. You should probably also memorize your 6-digit student ID number.

Jogging: At all hours, it’s not uncommon to see students jog along Metzger Drive (or “The Loop”

encompassing campus). One lap is approximately 1.9 miles, and it’s much more scenic than the gym.

Points: Equivalent to dollars, the part of your meal plan used to purchase campus cuisine.

Kendall: This hall features the school’s main stage. It also has classrooms and is home to WTSR.

Quiet Hours: The time when residents are expected to be respectful of others’ studying.

If you’re noisy, you may get doc-ed. Looking ahead: During finals week, there are 24-hour quiet hours.

Loop Bus: This yellow bus will pick you up outside the student center and drop you off at various locations, including Quaker Bridge Mall and Target.

Meal Equiv: Students with certain meal plans get $6.50 worth of food from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day. This means lunches from the Stud, Rat or Library Café.

NJ Transit: A savior for students without cars, the 601 bus stops outside the student center throughout the day, making stops at train stations in Trenton and Hamilton. From there, you can head to NYC, Philly and other locations.

Off-campus: Pretty self-explantory. Refers to locations, such as students’ homes, in the surrounding neighborhood of Ewing.

The Rat (The Rathskellar): Home to greasy goodness and the College’s very own bar. Located in the Stud. You can also catch student musicians, magicians and other performers on its stage.

The Stud (Brower Student Center): Not the hunky jock in your math class. A central location on campus where you’ll find the bookstore, food and activities.

T-Dubs: Burritos, burgers and Ben & Jerry’s are only a swipe away at this spot located in the basement between Travers and Wolfe Halls. Open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Umbrella: You’ll be happy to have one of these on those

rainy days. Trust me: Going to class drenched is an unpleasant experience. Rainboots are a plus.

Vagina Monologues: Each February, Women in Learning and Leadership presents Eve Ensler’s production, the goal of which is to stop violence against women.

WTSR: Tune into 91.3 FM to hear the College’s own radio station, which aims to “open your mind.” eXams: In college, most tests are called this, and they count for a majority of your grade in some classes. Be sure to study since teachers don’t frequently offer eXtra credit.

You: Your college experience is all about bettering yourself.

Leave your mark, follow your heart and all that other seemingly cliché but true advice.

Zumba: A combination of dance and exercise. Classes are offered in the T/W Fitness Center along with yoga, pilates and other fun forms of fitness.

Presence takes practice: Relax and enjoy the ride

By Samantha Sorin Columnist

Janika Berridge / Photo Assistant

Freshman welcome short-lived Welcome Week began on Aug. 25 with freshman move-in. The incoming class participated in bonding activities that ranged from T-shirt decorating to a walkathon for Special Olympics NJ. Because of the storm, several weekend activities were canceled.

destination. Furthermore, if you wind up someplace you did not expect, savor the journey you took to get there.

As a college student, I do not have The intention set is more important a lot of responsibilities. I am not sup- than what actually happens. porting a husband and three children, Yes, there will be times where you I am not struggling to pay a mortgage may veer off the course you have on a house, and I do not have a 50-hour set out for yourself, or maybe you’ll workweek. Yet many of my fellow stu- come to a fork that you did not exdents worry about the years to come. pect to find on your road. Allowing The mind of a student is replete with yourself the gift of presence creates a abstract questions sense of lightness in such as, “Who am your life, a sense of I?” and “What do ease. By knowing I want to be when that you are exactly I grow up?” They where you need to are fraught with be, you are making pressures of makthe most of what the ing Dean’s List, present moment has pulling all nightto offer you. ers and impressIf you do not ing recruiters on presence Illustration by Brianna Gunter practice campus. throughout the jourThough it is important to think ney, how do you expect yourself to about the future, it is just as impor- be present when you arrive at your tant to think about the present. If you destination? So enjoy meeting new breeze through your stepping stones, people and forming new bonds. Relthe back roads that take you from point ish in the fact that your day does not A to point B and the bumps along the start until noon. Smile when you are way, you will never be able to enjoy getting ready to go out on a Tuesday the destination when you get there — night, knowing you do not have class wherever “there” may be. By being the next day. And above all, be happy in the present moment and practicing knowing that you are not in the fubeing present in the everyday ho-hum ture, you are not living in the past, of life, you will truly appreciate the but you are here, right now.

Start the school year off write!

Email primeau2@tcnj.edu to write for Features.

page 14 The Signal August 31, 2011

The Signal is calling you in.

www.thelensare.com

And summer is over.

Time to read and write for your favorite campus newspaper!

Don’t get lost in the sea of the unknown.

August 31, 2011 The Signal page 15

Arts & Entertainment

The good, the bad and the robots

A look at this summer’s must-see movie and its biggest flop

By Justin Mancini Correspondent Listen, “Transformers” franchise, I get it. You cater to people who like giant fighting robots. Hell, that’s the reason I went to see the first movie back in 2007.

What I got instead was muddled, noisy, robot roughhousing.

Sadly (and perhaps predictably) not much has changed. This time, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) rejoins his robot allies as they face an extremely convoluted plot, which eventually boils down to defeating the evil robots and rescuing Sam’s girlfriend (Rosie Huntington-Whitely). I have to wonder if screenwriter Ehren Kruger recruited conspiracy theorists on some shady forum to devise the backstory (“and then, Kennedy sent us to the moon to find the giant talking robots!”).

There’s no doubt about the special effects; they are top-of-the-line. But

what good are effects if we can barely make out which bot is fighting which?

While some sequences are impressively mounted, more times than not the action devolves into a flurry of metal and combustion.

Another gripe about giant fighting robots: Do they really have to talk?

Say goodbye to any intimidation factor they’ve earned from battle sequences.

The dialogue, which mostly consists of Saturday morning cartoon clichés, certainly doesn’t help matters.

Neither can the human actors improve the film. Most of Shia LaBeouf’s performance involves him running wildly and shouting things like “Optimus!” and “Bumblebee!” and “Nononononono!” Rosie HuntingtonWhitely fares little better than predecessor Megan Fox, proving that a British accent does not an actress make.

I’m reminded of a much better

Paramount Pictures / AP Photo

Brendan Gleeson stars as Sgt. Gerry Boyle, a cop who must fight a drug cartel within his own police force, in ‘The Guard.’

Sony Pictures Classics / AP Photo

Bumblebee returns to save the world (again) in the summer blockbuster ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon.’ Predictability ensues. movie involving fighting robots called “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” It says something when Arnold Schwarzenegger, playing a robot, generates more life than this recent “Transformers” turkey.

“The Guard,” on the other hand, is written the way I wish more comedies were written — fast-paced, acidically witty and with an attitude that just doesn’t give a bleep. John Michael McDonagh’s film is a heavy reminder of what’s sorely missing from American comedy these days.

The film centers on Sgt. Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleeson), an Irish police officer (the eponymous “Guard”). He is a seemingly apathetic and irreverent law enforcer, more likely to dole out wisecracks than justice in the course of a typical workday. After a series of mysterious murders within his jurisdiction, Boyle meets with FBI Agent

Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle), who informs him about an international drug smuggling ring within his area. Later, the two team up to eliminate the cartel amidst corruption within Boyle’s own force.

But there’s really no reason for me to belabor plot details any further: This is a movie more concerned with funny than anything else. Hijinks ensue. Hilarious hijinks, particularly in scenes where Gleeson and Cheadle share the screen.

Conversations between the two utterly demolish political correctness, paving the way for laughs.

Funny is the primary goal of the film, and funny it is. That said, this is not a film that seeks to entertain a mass audience. It’s going to make humor on its own terms, whether you like it or not.

And if that’s not your cup of tea, you’ve got to at least respect the film for having some real cojones.

Book examines biblical imagery, Plato’s influence in ‘Halo’

By B.J. Miller Correspondent

After the adrenaline rush of a successfully maneuvered killing spree in any typical match on “Halo,” the ensuing celebration usually does not begin with, “Nice moves, let’s keep up this lead. By the way, do you think Master Chief thinks about whether his life is worth living? I mean, think about it, he was stolen from his family and genetically engineered to be a super-soldier. That’s gotta screw with a guy’s head, you know, when he’s not thinking about navigating through hordes of angry Covenant troops, that is.”

These are the types of questions that Jeff Sharpless, contributing author of “Halo and Philosophy: Intellect Evolved,” proposes to his teammates between virtual fire-fights.

Since the original release of “Halo: Combat Evolved” in 2001, the pearlescent green of the Master Chief’s MJOLNIR body armor has shone through popular culture, marking this

iconic game as much more than just another first-person shooter.

Clearly understanding this, the authors of “Halo and Philosophy” explore the rich narratives of the “Halo” series, contemplate the meaning behind aspects of its gameplay and relate philosophical theories through the pop—culture lens of “Halo.”

The novelesque storyline presented in the game’s campaign harkens back to a tradition of video games using intricate narratives to engage players, predominant before the advent of the mass online multiplayer networks that now define gaming.

The chapter titled “Apocalypse Halo” interprets the overall tenor of the game to resemble the biblical genre of apocalypse.

It compares the story of the Master Chief and the Flood to that of Noah and the Flood, stating, for one thing, that it is more than just coincidence that the inhuman threat to all life in the universe is thus named.

One focus of the book is to delve deeper into the Master

Chief’s persona, and how in looking through the heads-up display of this silent and faceless enigma, a sense of ambiguity and yet relatability allows the player to project his or her own thoughts and feelings onto it.

Even so, contributing author Shane Fliger emphasizes that the Master Chief’s persona is that of a space-aged knight in shining armor, embodying the ideals of just war theory.

On the other hand, Fliger identifies the protagonist of “Halo 3: ODST,” a less-thanidealized portrayal of the average soldier, as a provider of counterpoint, filling in the blanks of the glorified tale of the Master Chief by rendering a gritty representation of absolute and total war within the “Halo” saga.

Reading through the book, there is a nearly endless supply of thought-provoking perspectives on “Halo” lying between the cleverly titled sections: “Easy-er,” “Normal,” “Heroic” and “Legendary.”

These include the idea that, in the act of virtually mimicking the heroic and selfless acts of

the Master Chief, one may be gaining these virtues in the same way Plato suggested citizens should be trained to create an ideal society in “The Republic.” They also include a look into the commentary that the popular “Halo” farce “Red Versus Blue” provides on war, identity and how all meaning in these and other areas eventually seem to erode.

Overall, this book is an

enjoyable read for those who often find themselves looking beyond the crosshairs and into the subtext of “Halo,” or anything else for that matter.

This book is only one of many belonging to the “Popular Culture and Philosophy” series, which includes other titles like “Star Wars and Philosophy,” “The Matrix and Philosophy” and even “The Grateful Dead and Philosophy.”

AP Photo

Contributing authors argue that ‘Halo’ is more philosophical than initially meets the eye.

page 16 The Signal August 31, 2011

Welcome Back, TCNJ!

monkey-pages.net

Have a great semester!

The monkey wishes you luck, too.

August 31, 2011 The Signal page 17 Field Hockey

Field hockey gearing up for big season

By Brandon Gould Staff Writer

At first glance the College’s field hockey team would seem to be on an uphill climb heading into the 2011 season after losing five of its 11 starters between last year’s New Jersey Athletic Conference championship team and graduation.

But Sharon Pfluger’s cupboard is hardly bare as the Lions look ahead to tomorrow’s season opener against Stevens Institute of Technology.

The Lions were the highest-ranked NJAC team in the Kookaburra/National Field Hockey Coaches Association preseason poll, taking the eight slot, even though they ranked second in their own conference’s preseason poll behind Rowan University.

Replacing some graduated players won’t be easy: Jessica Falcone, the Lions’ third leading scorer in 2010 on the offensive end of the field; Kristen O’Neil, third on the team in saves on the defensive side of things; and the all-around play by Mary Waller, a ThirdTeam All-American who finished first on the team in defensive saves (4) and second

in assists (8). However, senior midfielder/ forward Leigh Mitchell is confident that with the right mixture of players this year’s team can be just as effective.

“We lost quite a few key players that will be difficult to replace in the mid- and backfield,” said senior midfielder/forward Leigh Mitchell. “However, I think with the practice and improvement everyday, we should be able to find the right combination for our success this year.”

Back for the Lions are one of the most dangerous offensive duos in Division III field hockey in Mitchell and junior midfielder/forward Kathleen Notos. Mitchell is coming off a First Team All-American campaign that included 11 goals and 12 assists, while Notos hit the ground running in her first year on the Lions’ field hockey team with a team leading 17 goals and 40 points.

The defense is jam-packed with competitors as well, starting with last year’s NJAC Goaltender of the Year, Shannon Syciarz.

In front of Syciarz will be senior midfielder/defender Alex Okuniewicz, who has been named First Team All-NJAC the past two seasons, and junior defender Camille

Passucci, who has received honorable mention her first two years with the Lions and plenty of praise from her teammates.

“I think Camille Passucci will be key this year in stabilizing our midfield,” Mitchell said. “She is an extremely smart and consistent player that will help fill the gaps we have from graduation.”

Junior forward Jillian Nealon is another firm believer that Passucci, along with Okuniewicz, will have a strong impact in 2011, but Nealon also throws out another name that might be a wild card for the Lions in 2011.

“So far the whole team has been stepping up, but you definitely feel like Camille Passucci and Alex Okunewicz have been playing really well in the midfield along with Lauren Pigott,” Nealon said. “The three of them make a very strong core for us.”

Pigott, a freshman midfielder who made a name herself at the College last year as a lacrosse player, did not get to compete in field hockey last year due to injury, but this season she will be one of the Lions’ key components in compensating for what was lost from 2010.

“I think we have a few big shoes to fill, but we definitely could have another successful season and hopefully advance even further in postseason,“ Mitchell said. “The core of returning players we have combined with the added promise of some newcomers should lead to an exciting season.”

Courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Field hockey huddles up.

Football

Football looks to prove preseason ranking wrong

By Alex Wolfe Sports Editor The football team is beginning the season ranked fifth in the NJAC, a testament to their mediocre record of 5-5 in the 2010 season.

The team, however, is looking to overcome that ranking, and prove that they’re better than what the coaches’ poll projected. The team has been training hard in the offseason and added a new lifting program to their regimen to try and boost their in-game results.

“Last winter and spring we completed a new and very effective lifting program,” junior defensive back Kevin Reavey said. “We also had a great spring season and guys seemed to carry that work ethic into the summer. We look to be a much stronger and faster unit than last year’s team.”

In addition to this, the players are trying to treat

every time on the field, be it a scrimmage or a championship game, as an important event for the team. The team has used their offseason practicing and conditioning to help gear them up for their opening-week matchup against seventh-ranked NJAC rival William Paterson University.

Courtesy of theSports Information Desk

Jay Donoghue (9) will lead the team this year

Cheap Seats

“We just finished up a very intense preseason camp that included a game scrimmage against Albright, where we looked sharp,” Reavey said. “The next two weeks we’ll spend a lot of time watching Paterson film.”

The team is returning many veteran players, including quarterback Jay Donoghue, who will be looking to add to his 2010 campaign in which he passed for 547 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for two scores.

With many players returning and the improvements made in the offseason, the team is setting the bar high and expecting to do much better than last season.

“We have high expectations coming into the 2011 season,” Reavey said. “We have a lot of experience and leadership returning, with strong senior and junior classes. We look to continue the positive momentum we carried through the second half of last season (into this season).”

Tennis

TGIF: Thank God It’s Football Tennis set to make some noise

AP Photo

Football’s back, baby.

By Alex Wolfe Sports Editor There was a point where I legitimately considered a life without football. The lockout was in full effect, players were doing crazy stuff in the offseason and it seemed like the owners were further than ever from agreeing with the players.

Then came the glorious day when the lockout ended. And honestly, I could not be any happier.

First off, I get to see my favorite team play. I’m a St. Louis Rams fan, and I am really looking forward to seeing my team’s young quarterback develop. Ste-

ven Jackson, the star running back of the Rams, might be in the tail end of his career, and I didn’t want to see a year of it go to waste with a lost season.

On top of just seeing my team play, I’m looking forward to all of the fun that just comes with football in general. It’s one of the easiest games in the world to just pick a side and root for, and I love every Sunday of it.

Now this might seem silly, but the part that I’m almost most looking forward to this year is fantasy football. I was really worried that my waiver-wire Wednesdays were not going to be filled with waking up early and trying to get the major players of the previous week.

Fantasy football is one of those games where, when put into perspective, it all seems so trivial, but for some reason you can’t turn away.

Not only is fantasy a game for the competitive, but it’s also a social experience. In most cases, you play with a group of friends, throw some mostly insignificant money into a pot and then proceed to trash talk to your heart’s content for the entire season.

It’s very hard for me to imagine what it would’ve been like without football.

I’m glad that I’m not going to have to live through it.

By Alex Wolfe Sports Editor After a season in which they finished a great 9-5, the men’s tennis team will look to keep rolling this year and pick up some more wins in the fall part of their schedule.

The women’s team was dominant as well, going 15-3 en route to an eventual loss to Bowdoin College in the NCAA tournament.

For the women, returning sophomore Karisse Bendijo will look to replicate her successful freshman campaign in which she won 21 games.

Other big producers are coming back as well, including junior Lauren Belsamo, a 17-game winner in 2010-11, and junior Alison Tierney, who posted 15 wins in her sophomore season.

On the men’s side, senior Jeremy Eckardt, who won 12 games last season, returns to the fold this year looking to do even better. The men’s team has four more fall meets scheduled for this year compared to last, with six different teams looming on the schedule before the ITA regionals in October.

Also returning for the men is TJ Riley, who will try to improve upon his 2010-11 season total of 10 wins with the added meets on the schedule. The

team is also bringing back nine-gamewinning junior Steven Fernandez as well as eight-game-winning senior Jonathan Yu. The men will be opening their season on Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. at the College against Rider University in the first leg of the New Jersey Invitational.

The women open their schedule against Kean University on Sept. 2 at 4 p.m., at the home of the Cougars in Union, N.J.

Courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Karisse Bendijo returns a ball.

August 31, 2011 The Signal page 18

4 6

LIONS

AROUND THE

DORM 5 3

Alex Wolfe “The Ref”

Kevin Lee Sports Assistant

Brandon Gould Staff Writer

Hilarey Wojtowicz Copy Editor

In the first Around the Dorm of the new semester, the “Ref,” Alex Wolfe, challenges Sports Assistant Kevin Lee, Staff Writer Brandon Gould and Copy Editor Hilarey Wojtowicz to answer questions about which team will break out this season in the post-lockout NFL, the chances that the NBA takes to the hardwood again this year, and the toughest low-seed team in the AL playoffs in the MLB. ing to carry the team far this season. It may only be preseason, but the Pats are starting it off strong in first in the AFC with a DIFF of +52. They’ve already had big wins over Jacksonville and Tampa Bay. It may be early, but I have faith in my team.

AW: Kevin gets 3, because the Texans do have potent run and pass attacks, and made some moves on D. Brandon makes a good point that nobody’s expecting much from the ‘Boys and gets 2. Hilarey gets 1, because the Pats were already the best regular season team of last year and thus are not exactly a “breakout” candidate.

AP Photo

1.The NFL lockout is (thankfully) over, and this season is shaping up to be a memorable one. Give me your breakout team of the year and why.

KL: I’ll take the Houston Texans. The Texans have a dynamic offense, which was ranked fourth in passing and seventh in rushing in 2010. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson are an absolutely lethal combination, and the emergence of Arian Foster as a top running back will only make this offense more dangerous. The Texans’ defense last year was horrendous. However, the improvements they made this year have me believing in the Texans big time. The additions of Jonathan Joseph and Danieal Manning are huge upgrades in talent over what they had in the defensive secondary last season. Of course there is stud linebacker Mario Williams, but the real x-factor is the hiring of Wade Phillips. Phillips might not have what it takes to be a good head coach in the NFL, but he has a great track record as a defensive coordinator, most recently as the leader of the aggressive 3-4 defense of the San Diego Chargers from 2004 to 2006. I’ll predict the Texans go 11-5, good enough to dethrone the Colts for the division.

BG: For the first time in a long time, the Dallas Cowboys are not being hyped up as one of the teams poised to make a Super Bowl run, and that is exactly why I’m picking them to break out this season and surprise people. It’s not long ago that Tony Romo was one of the up-and-coming quarterbacks in the league, and the cabinet’s full this year with receivers we know (Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten) ones that could be poised to breakout (Martellus Bennett and Dwayne Harris) and a solid stable of running backs (Felix Jones, Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray). Wade Phillips is a tough defensive mind to replace, but if there was anyone who could do it, Rob Ryan would be the guy. Ryan has the pass rusher his brother wishes he had in DeMarcus Ware, and once the two get accumulated with each other, watch out. A team with a good offense paired with a solid defense that will also be able to fly under-the-radar in the shadow of the Philadelphia Eagles — what’s not to like?

HW: As it is the first AtD of the year, I have to be true to myself and let everyone know upfront if they don’t already who my team is — the Patriots. Of course Tom Brady is go-

2. Speaking of lockouts, give me the chances the NBA has a season this year, and why.

KL: I’ll say there’s a 10 percent chance there’s an NBA season this year. Many players already have deals in place to go abroad, and that takes away huge leverage from the owner’s side. This makes the situation even more complicated because NBA owners have said that the majority of them are losing money, which makes the owner’s side less willing to compromise. By the time the two sides agree on a deal, I think that it will be much too late to even start up a season. In addition to some players’ not having opt-out clauses from their abroad contracts, and the possibility of some players getting injured, I just don’t think it would be in the best interest of the league to resume if a deal isn’t agreed upon soon. It looks like I’ll be having as many rings as LeBron for one more year.

BG: The season is far off, but right now the chances that there will be one are grim.

The NFL lockout consisted of players and owners arguing over profits, but the chatter during this lockout has been about anything but profit. NBA teams claimed that they lost $340 million in 2009-10 and $300 million in 2010-11. Their concern over money is so severe that there have been rumors of possibly eliminating a few teams — an absurd idea, I know. However, the owners, who caused their own financial struggles by throwing ridiculous amounts of money at mediocre players, won’t admit their own fault in the matter and instead will continue to insist a decrease in the players’ salaries.

The players, meanwhile, will just play overseas and make their money in the meantime.

AP Photo

Add it all together and you’ve got a potential season-long lockout on your hands.

HW: Right now, it’s not looking too good for the NBA. Players last made a proposal on June 30, and as of Aug. 2, the day after the meeting where the league filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, a lawsuit went out against the players. As of right now, it looks like there has been no change and I doubt there will be any change until games start getting canceled.

AW: Brandon gets 3 for pointing out the owners’ stubbornness in the matter. Hilarey gets 2 for pointing out that both sides won’t see the severity of the matter until games are canceled. Kevin gets 1 for bringing up the possibility that some players might not be able to come back from abroad right away.

3. The Yankees and Red Sox are battling it out for the AL East Championship/Wild Card once again, but the two teams should be looking toward their future opponents. Which team is the toughest playoff draw, the Texas Rangers or the Detroit Tigers?

KL: The toughest playoff draw for both teams is definitely the Rangers, and that’s more of a response to how bad the Tigers are. The Tigers have absolutely no pitching whatsoever behind Verlander, and the lineup is just as bad.

Yeah, Verlander is going to be able to pitch two games in a short series, but seriously, who pitches the other games? Brad Penny?

Max Scherzer? Rick Porcello? Doug Fister?

Terrible. The Tigers don’t even have a good bullpen to shorten up some of the games. No, Valverede is not a shutdown reliever because he has 38 saves. Saves are a junk stat. Miguel Cabrera aside, the lineup is filled with low on-base percentage players and fluky players who have terrible split stats. Jim Leyland’s re-

fusal to move Austin Jackson out of the leadoff spot is beyond me. Your lead-off man is supposed to get on base, and an OBP of .306 is nauseating. I just feel badly for the Rays and the Angels, who are vastly superior to the Tigers and will miss the playoffs.

BG: The Texas Rangers are a year removed from knocking the New York Yankees out of the playoffs on their way to the World Series, but it is the possibility of facing the Detroit Tigers that the Yankees should lose sleep over. The Tigers’ rotation is led by one of the only pitchers in the league that has the ability to best C.C. Sabathia — Justin Verlander. And the guys behind Verlander are no chumps either. As impressive as the Tigers’ pitching is, their offense is even more imposing. While the Tigers can’t claim the power numbers of the Yankees’ top sluggers, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira, they do have four of the league’s most consistent hitters. Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila each have posted 60-plus RBI this year in addition to maintaining a .300 batting average.

So, even though the Yankees’ minds should be set on winning the division, it wouldn’t hurt to take the wild card and head into the playoffs matched up with the Rangers.

HW: The Texas Rangers are definitely the tougher team to beat in the playoffs this year.

They have a better record and a better cohesive team that has the experience needed to beat teams like the Red Sox or the Yankees.

But of course, I don’t have any doubt that the Red Sox will still be able to beat the Rangers, as they just won that four-game series 3-1. The Rangers will definitely give both teams a better run than the Detroit Tigers could.

AW: Brandon and Kevin both get 3, because I couldn’t decide between the two. Good point

by Brandon about Verlander matching up well and the big four hitters for Detroit. Also good points by Kevin, talking about Pettis and saves being a bad stat for Valverde. Hilarey gets 1 for blatantly hyping up Boston.

Brandon wins the semester’s first AtD, 8 - 7 - 4.

“I’d call it beginner’s luck, but then I’d be lying.

Shibby!”

— Brandon AP Photo

AP Photo

August 31, 2011 The Signal page 19

LIONS ROUNDUP Pre-Season Fantasy Football Picks

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Late Sleeper

Kevin Lee

Aaron Rodgers

Jamaal Charles

Andre Johnson

Matthew Stafford

Brandon Gould

Aaron Rodgers

Adrian Peterson

Larry Fitzgerald

Jermichael Finley

Mike Vick

Arian Foster

Larry Fitzgerald

Mike Sims-Walker

Peyton Manning

Deangelo Williams

Santonio Holmes

Ladanian Tomlinson

Alex Wolfe

Tom Ciccone

Lion of the Week

Ray Nelan

Soccer After losing in the NJAC finals last year, the men’s soccer team heads into the 2011 season with lofty expectations, led by senior forward Ray Nelan.

Nelan was a First Team All-NJAC last year after scoring seven goals and tallying 14 points.

—Kevin

Lee, Sports Assistant

Men’s Soccer This Week In Sports Men’s Soccer Sept. 3 @ Keene State College, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 4 @ Fitchburg State, 12:00 p.m.

Women’s Soccer

Women’s Soccer Sept. 3 @ Ithaca College, 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 4 @ Stevenson College, 2:30 p.m.

Men’s Tennis No Scheduled Games

Women’s Tennis Sept. 2 @ Kean University, 4 p.m.

Trivia Question

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Sept. 3 @ Blue and Gold Classic (Rosedale Park), 9 a.m.

Justin Verlander is having a season for the ages, already throwing a no-hitter and being named an American League all-star. Verlander has a chance to win the Triple Crown of Pitching by leading the American League in wins, ERA, and strikeouts.

There have been 36 pitchers in baseball history to accomplish this feat, but who was the last pitcher in either the American League or National League to do so?

AP Photo

Field Hockey Sept. 1 @ Stevens Institute of Technology, 5 p.m.

Sept. 3 vs. Gywnedd-Mercy College, 1 p.m.

Football No Scheduled Games

SignalSports

Lions’ Lineup August 31, 2011

Lions preseason favorite in NJAC

Inside

46 53 Around the Dorm page 18

Field hockey revamps page 17 Courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

All-NJAC defender Annie McCarthy (19) and defender Lauren Diogaurdi (21).

By Hilarey Wojtowicz Copy Editor Walking onto the field this season, junior forward Jessica Davila can feel the chemistry between each of her teammates. With the majority of the women’s soccer team returning, there is a bond that will only get stronger as the season progresses.

The 2010 season ended in a loss to Johns Hopkins University in the NCAA National Tournament, leaving the Lions with an 183-1 record. But the team is ready to put up a fight this season and go even further.

“I think it’s going to be a great season for us this year,” Davila said. “We have a good new addition with the incoming freshmen that I think will help us be very successful this season.”

The Lions were picked as the New Jersey Athletic Conference preseason favorite for the 2011 season.

“I feel as if we deserve this,” said senior defender Nikki Migliori. “We still need to work hard to actually attain that title, though.”

Lions rivals Rowan University and William Paterson gained the second and third spots. William Paterson handed the College its first defeat last year, ending their bid for perfection in 2010.

“Rowan University and William Paterson University are the big games in the conference,” Davila said. “We are all very familiar with how each other plays and that will be very beneficial to us to win those big games.”

Not only are the women familiar with the way the returners play, but six of the women

Men’s soccer aims high

Shoots for NCAA tourney

By Kevin Lee Sports Assistant Goals need to be made both on and off the field in soccer. For the men’s soccer team, their 2010 season ended in a 1-0 game against Kean University in the New Jersey Athletic Conference title game. But with an overall record of 9-6-4 and a conference record of 7-1-1, the Lions are ready to achieve even more in the 2011 season.

“The goal is to make the NCAA tournament,” said head coach George Nazario. “The key to success is simple. We need to start off well and play well against the non-conference

Courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Senior Anthony DiPalmo dribbles.

teams. We need to be better than 2-5 last year.”

The team was selected to finish second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) behind Montclair State University, according to the 2011 NJAC coaches’ poll. George Nazario was named the 2010 NJAC Coach of the Year and knows what to do this fall with an experienced team.

This year’s team is led by senior forward Ray Nelan. Nelan was a First Team All-NJAC selection last year and led the Lions with seven goals and 14 points. Joining Nelan to lead the offensive barrage are seniors Chris Pisano, Luigi Moriello and Anthony DiPalmo.

“I think Chris Pisano is one player who will take the biggest step,” Nazario said. “He gets up and down the field quickly, and most of all his versatility is huge for the team’s success.”

Defensively, juniors Vince McEnroe and Ryan O’Donnell return to control the Lion’s backfield, both of which were NJAC honorable mentions last season. Junior goalkeepers Adam Friedman and Aaron Utman will compete for minutes. Not necessarily a bad problem to have considering the talents of both: Friedman won six games in 10 starts, while allowing 1.34 goals per game; Utman played just as well with a team-high 27 saves in eight starts, two of which were shutouts.

The Lions kick off their 2011 season on Sept. 3 against Keene State College as part of the Keene State College Tournament. The men’s team makes its home debut against Stevens Institute of Technology on Sept. 14.

Courtesy of the Sports Information Desk

Nikki Migliori says hard work is key.

were selected to All-NJAC teams last season. Senior defenders Annie McCarthy and Brittany McGinley received first-team honors. Other players named to the All-NJAC second team include junior forward Allyson Anderson, junior midfielder Amy Van Dyke, and junior defender Allison Foy. Sophomore goal keeper Kendra Griffith was named the NJAC Rookie of the Year for 2010.

Migliori is proud of her teammates for achieving honors, but she as well as the rest of the women understand that it is a team effort.

“All of the girls contribute greatly,” Migliori said. “We’re a team and everybody is in this together. I feel it is so honorable to play with everyone on this team.”

The Lions will open the season on Saturday, Sept. 3, against Ithaca College in the Elizabethtown Blue Jay Classic.

Football looks to improve page 17

Tennis gears up page 17

Cross country running it up

By Mike Pietroforte Staff Writer The 2010 season was a big success for the men’s cross country team. After a strong season in which they cemented their place as the New Jersey Athletic Conference champions for the 17th consecutive year, the team took fifth place at the regional qualifiers and was on the bubble to compete in the NCAA championship meet.

In previous years, this would have been enough to earn them an at-large bid to nationals, but unfortunately, only the top four teams qualified last year. The top two finishing teams in the Atlantic regionals are guaranteed bids to the NCAA championship meet, while the NCAA cross-country championship committee is left to select the next 16 teams for at large bids. Only the top-five teams are given consideration for at-large bids with the key qualification being Regional performance and place.

Coming into their 2011 campaign, the Lion’s greatest difficulty will be overcoming the loss of their previous captain, TJ Bocchi-

no, who was able to compete at nationals all four years he attended the College. Bocchino proved to be a leader on and off the track, and will be a hard member of the team to replace.

Going forward, the men’s cross country team returns with an abundance of strong runners, and a number of younger guys who should have the ability to develop significantly over the coming months. They have a strong returning nucleus consisting of senior captain Andy Herschman, senior Rob Nihen, senior captain Nick Bond, junior Andy Gallagher and sophomore Domonic Tasco. All are runners who posted strong performances in both the NJAC championship and the Atlantic regionals.

“With how close we came last year, we will all have our minds set on nationals this season, and I believe we have the potential to succeed,” Gallagher said.

The men’s cross country team opens up their season at the Blue/Gold Classic in Rosedale Park on Sept. 3, and follows that with the Fordham University Fiasco at Van Cortlandt Park on Sept. 10.

Courtesy of Sports Information Desk

Seniors Andy Herschman (left) and Rob Nihen (right) return for more running.