/02.17.2011

on board

in good taste

Locally owned restaurants bring new tastes to Ithaca this year, page 13

Thursday

Febr ua ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

fundraise

Winter sports program volunteers help disabled people get back on the slopes, page 23

The college needs to raise money before raising students’ tuition, page 10

The Ithacan

Committee to write final IC20/20 draft

BY Alexandra Evans News Editor

Last week, members of the Ithaca College community gathered for the first time to discuss the task of writing the “rough” final draft of the IC20/20 document as participants of the IC20/20 Steering Committee.

Eight task forces have been working to create their proposals for each section of the IC20/20 draft.

T h e WOODWARD said the committee will IC20/20 Steercollate the final ing Committee IC20/20 draft. will serve as the central body to mesh those proposals into one final document, which will head to the President’s Council for finalization in the last week of April.

Interim Provost Gregory Woodward created the IC20/20 Steering Committee to ease communication with each task force and collate their recommendations into one strategic plan.

Woodward said the separate work of the eight IC20/20 task forces and additional subcommittees poses a problem of losing the cohesive IC20/20 vision.

“The task forces and committees are all doing their work kind of in a vacuum and doing it in different ways, and we’ve got to find a common language, and a common way of reporting out all their work so that it can create one holistic document,” he said.

Woodward said the committee members represent all experiential levels at the college.

Each member has been assigned as a liaison for one task force or standing committee. Their goal is to become experts in that group, then present at upcoming committee meetings so members can then identify overlapping work between the task forces.

Three students, including senior and Student Government Association President Kevin Fish, serve on the committee. Fish said he likes being viewed as an equal by administrators.

“It’s giving students the opportunity to be a very influential part in this decision process,” he said.

Carol Henderson, associate provost for academic policy and administration and a member of the committee, said overlap is inevitable. For example, both the committee working on faculty promotion and tenure as well as the faculty development group are discussing mentoring.

See committee, page 4

I t h a c a , N . Y.

Volum e 7 8 , I s s u e 1 8

Payback time

Graduates leave Ithaca College with big hopes and big bills

$75,000

$80,000

$24,000

$12,000

$120,000

$30,000

$40,000

$20,000

$10,000

$39,000

$35,000

$26,000 File Photo/the ithacan

BY patrick duprey staff writer

Rachael Maier ’06 graduated from Ithaca College ready to jump into the job market. She wanted to become involved with public service, but after graduation she found herself living with her parents and dipping into her savings to finance necessities. As she had throughout college, she worked several odd jobs, preparing for the on-

slaught of student loan payments she would face in six months.

Despite paying off the interest rates in college to help defray the cost of her loans, she graduated with about $26,000 in student loan debt.

Five years and one loan deferment later, she faces a debt of about $20,000. She said it’s a monthly struggle to cover basic living expenses, let alone make loan payments.

“I’m saddled with about $400 in student loan payments a month,” she said. “That’s kind of scary because, on top of trying to make the rent, you think, ‘Oh, yeah, and I also have to try to make my student loan payments once a month.’”

Maier’s predicament is not a rarity, as debt among college graduates stands at record levels.

See debt, page 4

College calls on alumni to fill proposed budget gap

BY Melanie Breault Senior writer

President Barack Obama announced his $77.4 billion spending proposal Monday, which would reduce support for higher education by $89 billion over 10 years. In light of this issue, colleges and universities — including Ithaca College — are stepping up appeals to alumni and other private donation resources for funding.

Shelley Semmler, vice president of the Office of Institutional Advancement, said the college has raised $22 million in private dollars to date this fiscal year, which is $6.7 million more than was raised the previous year from alumni, parents, other individuals and organizations. The fiscal year runs from June to May. If Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed $132.9 billion state budget is passed April 1, state funding to the college would be cut by 10 percent and may cause tuition and room and board fees to increase. Semmler said institutions will most likely turn to their alumni with stronger appeals when they go through economic downturns.

“That’s one of our strategies: to help alumni realize that their dollars, no matter how big or small, collec-

high expectations

To date, Ithaca College has raised an estimated $22 million in private donations.

The college is expecting increases in all areas by the end of the fiscal year.

$600,000 $750,000

$3 million

$17 million

estimated figures

Organizations Alumni Parents

Individuals Designed by Yu-Chen (Jane) Chen Source: office of institutional advancement

tively make such a difference in being able to either bring tuition down or financial aid up,” she said.

William Kay, director of Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations, said though these proposed budget

cuts are not directly related to the college’s fundraising efforts, they will be increasing its efforts because scholarship support is a critical area of need.

Semmler said since 85 percent of students are on some kind of scholar-

find more. online. www.theithacan.org

ship, financial aid or merit, her office sees upticks when they put out an appeal for scholarship support.

“Most of our students are getting help, so it’s a great thing to pass on, and when there are budget cuts, that’s the area I think where you see the most interplay,” she said. “[Alumni] understand from their own situation that the financial aid is so important.”

Out of the $15.3 million the college raised last year, Semmler said $2.3 million came from alumni. She said contributions from alumni would be above this figure and hopefully close to $3 million this year.

“We’ve gone as high as $3 million in 2008 and now we seem to be hovering around $2.5 million,” she said. “It’s a good trajectory, but we’ve got a ways to go.”

Kay said the college’s operating budget is made up of tuition and fees, endowment income and a smaller amount from private dollars. These private dollars make up the Ithaca Fund, which brings money to the college on an annual basis. “[The Ithaca Fund] contributes to a different set of programs on campus,” he said. “It’s not so much the big

See donations, page 4

[ Thursday Brie f i ng ]

2 The I thacan

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Nation&World Iranian opposition remains defiant

Iran’s opposition leaders remained adamant yesterday despite calls from hard-liners for them to be brought to trial and put to death, with one reform advocate saying he was willing to “pay any price” in pursuit of democratic change.

Iran’s beleaguered opposition brought tens of thousands of its supporters into the streets Monday, ostensibly to display solidarity with Egypt’s anti-government protest movement. It was also a chance for the opposition to put on its first significant showing of strength in more than a year, and as a result it set off clashes with police that killed two people and injured dozens.

A day later, furious hard-line lawmakers pumped their fists in the air in parliament and called for opposition leaders to be tried and sentenced to death.

House to vote on pricey fighter jet

The Obama administration’s campaign against a costly alternative engine for the Pentagon’s next-generation fighter jet faces a critical vote in the GOP-controlled House, with its fate to be decided by more than 90 freshmen lawmakers who haven’t had to choose sides between two major defense companies before.

The expected vote yesterday comes as the House enters its second day of debate on a $1.2 trillion spending bill that would make deep cuts while wrapping up the unfinished business lawmakers inherited after last year’s collapse of the budget process. This includes $1.03 trillion for agency operating budgets that need annual approval by Congress and $158 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The engine battle pits Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates — who say the engine would waste almost $3 billion over the next few years — against GOP leaders like House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, whose state is a chief beneficiary to the plan.

Mideast migrants head to Europe

Almost 100 Egyptians have arrived in Sicily in two boats, the latest sign of what authorities say is a potentially huge wave of

this week 17

thursday

Taking Back the Block, sponsored by the African-Latino Society, is an auction fundraising event that will begin at 8 p.m. in IC Square.

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migration to Europe because of popular unrest in the Arab world.

One large boat carrying 66 migrants, including 10 possible minors, also was intercepted in Italy close to Pozzallo, the Geneva-based International Organization for Migration said yesterday. Another boat carrying 30 migrants, all but four of them minors, landed nearby in Ragusa, it said.

More than 5,330 Tunisians have already arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa, off the coast of Africa.

U.N. officials say European governments are bracing for a large influx of migrants because of turmoil in the Middle East.

Somali admits piracy in NYC court

Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse has admitted he’s a modern-day pirate. The U.S. government says he also had an old-school sadistic streak.

The prosecutors argued Muse’s ruthlessness is one reason he should get nearly 34 years of sentencing yesterday in a Manhattan courtroom. Defense attorneys have countered in their court papers that their client, who’s from Somalia, is an impoverished and naive young man whose crimes were born of desperation.

Muse’s involvement in a high seas attack on a U.S.-flagged vessel and the dramatic rescue of the ship’s kidnapped captain in 2009 made him an instant symbol of a 21st-century brand of piracy targeting shipping routes off the coast of Africa — and of stepped-up efforts to punish offenders through 19th-century maritime laws.

Japanese whaling hunt suspended

Japan has temporarily suspended its annual Antarctic whaling after repeated harassment by a conservationist group, a government official said yesterday.

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ships have been chasing the Japanese whaling fleet for weeks in the icy seas off of Antarctica, trying to block Japan’s annual whale hunt, planned for killing up to 945 whales.

Japan halted the hunt since last Thursday after persistent “violent” disruptions by the anti-whaling protesters.

The attacks have not caused any injuries or major damage to the vessels, he said, but the protesters are throwing rancid butter in

sunday

friday

Shabbat Services will begin at 6 p.m. in Muller Chapel.

Shabbat Dinner will begin at 7:15 p.m. in Terrace Dining Hall.

Catholic Mass will be held at 1 and 9 p.m. in Muller Chapel.

IC BIGS’ “Rock for Kids’ Sake,” a concert with Premium Blend and IC Voicestream to benefit the Ithaca Youth Bureau, will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in Emerson Suites.

21

Yemeni government supporters shout slogans as they attempt to enter Sana’a University, where protestors gathered yesterday. Policemen blocked thousands of students at the university from joining other protesters who were holding demonstrations for the sixth straight day.

Hani Mohammed/associated press

bottles, and once the protesters got a rope entangled in the propeller on a harpoon vessel.

Japan says the whaling is for scientific purposes, and it is given permission by the International Whaling Commission.

Germany to authorize more noise

Children of Germany take heart — it may soon be perfectly legal to make noise.

Germany is so desperate to encourage people to have more children that the government is proposing a bill allowing citizens under six to laugh, shout and play at any volume.

Germany is a land of many rules, especially about noise. The government’s move comes after a series of lawsuits about children and noise, and a recent call from a senior citizens’ chapter of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, who seek to ban kindergartens from residential areas because they are too loud.

Vintage toy collection up for sale

You wouldn’t want to throw these toys in the playroom bin, even if you had one big enough.

Sotheby’s auction house of New York is brokering the sale of American collector Jerry Green’s 35,000 vintage toys and trains. He hopes that an institution or individual will buy them and donate them to a museum.

Sotheby’s is putting 5,000 pieces on display until the end of the month. The whole collection is valued in the tens of millions of dollars but will not be auctioned.

The toys date from 1850 to 1940 and include rare, handmade and historically significant European pieces. There are replicas of actual train stations, bridges and buildings that were destroyed during both world wars. There are also villages, carousels and Ferris wheels.

SOURCE: Associated Press

Clarification

february 17-23, 2011

IC Justice,sponsored by Free the Slaves, is a gathering of human rights groups across campus and will go from 8 to 11 p.m. in IC Square.

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Chain reaction

monday

An Interview with Tony Kushner, as part of the Distinguished Speaker in the Humanities Lecture Series, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Ford Hall. A book signing will follow.

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saturday

Meditation Minyan will begin at 11 a.m. in Muller Chapel.

Chili Cook-off and WinterFest, where more than 30 restaurants compete for the title of “Best Chili,” will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on The Commons.

22

tuesday

Active Minds Speaker Stacy Pershall will speak about her book “Loud in the House of Myself” between 7 and 9:30 p.m. in Textor 103.

Applications due for Orientation Leaders and Student Leadership Consultants.

add your event Drop events for “This Week” in the marked box in The Ithacan office, or e-mail Assistant News Editor Kelsey O’Connor at koconno3@ithaca. edu by 5 p.m. Monday.

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In her original submission, Asma Barlas titled her commentary “Egypt’s Days of Rage” and included specific links to other websites in the text. To read the corrected version, visit theithacan.org/9271.

copy editors David Andersen, Nicole Belott, Zoë Epstein, Dina Grimaldi, Rebecca Hellmich, Jillian Kaplan, Ryan Sharpstene, Carly Sitzer

wednesday

Evensong, a Protestant Community worship service, will begin at 9:30 p.m. in Muller Chapel.

City Year Employer Session, an information meeting about job opportunities, will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. in Career Services in Muller Center 101.

Got a news tip?

Contact News Editor Taylor Long at tlong2@ithaca.edu or 274-3207.

Multimedia Can’t get enough of our stories? There’s even more online.

Check out our multimedia at theithacan.org.

Video

See students dance the night away at an all-night party to raise money for charity at the Dance for Courage.

Video

Check out this week’s 1-on-1 with senior Jeremy Stierly, captain of the wrestling team.

In Depth

Catch a sneak peak of construction inside the Athletics and Events Center in the second installment in a series of special projects.

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Thursday, Februa ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 3

Initiative strives to unite grad students By brian rank staff writer

In an effort to expand its student community, Ithaca College's graduate and professional studies department is creating more opportunities for graduate students to interact and network with peers.

Charleen Heidt, research and marketing manager for graduate admissions, said GPS expanded their social networking initiatives and increased college-sponsored social events this year. The department also hired two graduate assistants to manage the effort and organize events by updating the program’s Facebook page and IC Grad Students group on myHome.

Despite these efforts, graduate student Maegan Krifchin, a graduate assistant for the office, said the amount of community interaction within the graduate program is low. Krifchin said she hopes the number of graduate students involved in community events and network gatherings increases as GPS steps up its social planning.

Rob Gearhart, associate dean of the department of graduate and professional studies, said interaction between graduate students outside of class is important because it makes new students who have not completed their undergraduate degrees at the college feel less isolated.

“It’s part of our strategy for recruitment to get them to feel good about that — being accepted and deciding to come to Ithaca College,” he said. “Then it continues when they’re here, so they feel like they’re a part of a community.”

The college’s graduate program began in 1943 with music and physical education programs and has grown to offer 19 masters degrees and 1 doctorate degree in 10 programs including occupational therapy, sport management and business administration. Currently, there are 447 full-time and 60 part-time graduate students.

Krifchin said she will be planning one event per week, including a gathering at the Bandwagon Brew Pub today, where graduate students will have the opportunity to interact with their peers from different programs at the college as well as graduate students from Cornell University.

Krifchin said she recently reached out to Cornell’s Graduate and Professional Student

By Mike McCabe staff writer

Graduate students take notes Tuesday in their “Adult Aphasia and Related Disorders” course in Smiddy Hall. Students are organizing networking events to foster a sense of community in the program.

James Earl/the ithacan

Assembly in hopes of including Cornell graduate students in events on a regular basis to network. “[It’s] a nice way to open up connections and have access to more people,” she said.

Nicole Baran, chair of the events committee for Cornell’s student graduate council, said the committee also sponsors events for its graduate students and is glad to collaborate with the college on plans to host joint events in the future.

“Our events committee especially likes to encourage mixing between different fields, departments and colleges within Cornell, and now we have the opportunity to mix with other members of the Ithaca graduate student community,” she said.

Krifchin said she plans to drum up interest in social programs by coordinating with Cornell, but some students said coordinating with the university

doesn't make events any more appealing.

Graduate student Nicole Lattanzio, who is in the teaching students with speech and language disabilities program, said her workload doesn't leave much time for socializing.

“When you have free time to be doing something, you want it to be fun and something that is motivating, because all we do is sit around and study and go to class and read books,” she said.

Krifchin said an increase in community building initiatives by the department is driven by a desire to reach out to students who have trouble making connections with other students.

“Whether it’s Cornell or not, if they’re going out, having a good time and having a drink or two, and just mingling and relaxing and taking a breath from school, that’s what we’re trying to do,” she said.

Leadership Conference draws student interest

By Lauren Barber staff writer

Available spaces for the ninth annual Women in Leadership Experience conference filled in record time this year, indicating the growing interest of students.

Registration for the conference began on Feb. 1. Michele Lenhart, director of student leadership and involvement and coordinator of WILE, said 32 of the 40 available spaces filled in the first two days of registration, and within 10 days, all of the spaces had been filled.

“I think that students must know about the retreat and were waiting for registration to open,” Lenhart said.

The conference is a day-long event sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs where students, faculty and speakers come together in Seneca Falls, N.Y. — the host place of the first women’s rights convention in 1848.

The conference focuses on exploring the perceptions of progress for women, including a look at challenges faced by past generations.

Lenhart said the conference also gives participants the opportunity to network with fellow participants and featured speakers.

Lenhart said the theme of this year’s conference is “Communicating with ‘Confidence and Power’” and will feature Phyllis Mindell as a guest speaker. Mindell, who wrote “How to Say it for Women: Communicating

Committee to recognize top faculty

with Confidence and Power Using the Language of Success,” will share tips for interacting in the workplace with students at the conference.

Lenhart said last year’s participants spent the morning at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park to learn about the experiences of past female leaders. The group then spent the afternoon listening to two guest speakers — Maria Coles, City of Ithaca alderwomen and Beth Prentice, president of the Board of Directors for Educate the Children International, an organization that works with women and children in Nepal to improve health, welfare and self-sufficiency. Students also engaged in a series of exercises to hone skills necessary to successfully hold leadership positions in the future.

Senior Amritha Jacob, who attended the conference last year, said it was extremely helpful and eye-opening.

She said it provides a historical context for the oppression of women while offering advice on how to battle that oppression today.

“There were so many different women from so many different backgrounds, different stories, different realities,” she said. “Coming together and talking about their experiences was very compelling.”

After receiving positive feedback from past attendees, Lenhart said the institute decided not to stray from last year’s program.

Lenhart said events like the con-

From left, then-freshmen Elizabeth Stoltz and Jenna Jablonski prepare for the 2010 Women in Leadership Experience in Seneca Falls, N.Y. file photo/the ithacan

ference give female students the chance to gather the perspectives of women of different backgrounds.

“This is an opportunity for students to see some of the historical experiences that they may not have learned in classes, network with peers and prominent women leaders and engage in a meaningful dialogue about their own perceptions of women in the workforce,” she said.

Lenhart said her favorite part about the experience is getting to work with students on personal leadership development.

“It is important for student leaders to have strong women modeling leadership practices, so that they can enhance their own leadership

skills and behaviors,” she said.

Lenhart said WILE has three specific goals in mind for this year’s conference: for students to collaborate with others through active group participation, to examine their own cultural identities and to demonstrate critical thinking to address personal and community concerns.

Senior Zena Patel, a student leadership consultant in the Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs, helped coordinate the conference and will also attend. She said she hopes to learn more about how women rise to leadership positions.

“More often than not, women leaders are overlooked,” she said. “It is important to empower women and highlight role models for them.”

The Faculty Development Committee is currently accepting nominations for the 2011 Faculty Excellence Awards.

The Faculty Development Committee gives out the Excellence Awards every year to JACOBSON said the awards are a full-time faculty great way to honor members and exceptional faculty. offers $1,500 in cash to each award winner. This year, applications are due March 25.

Nancy Jacobson, assistant professor of biology and chair of the FDC, said the awards are presented to five professors who achieve excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. The five are selected by the FDC after reviewing all applicants. Originally, only three awards were given — one for each category — but for the past three years, Jacobson said, the committee has given out five awards that incorporate all three values.

Jacobson said applications must include information about the candidate and three letters of support from a colleagues, students or alumni. The nominee also must include their curriculum vitae and a letter from the nominee expressing why they believe they deserve the award, she said.

Arhlene Flowers, assistant professor of strategic communication and FDC member, said the excellence awards are a good way to recognize the exceptional work of the college’s faculty.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to honor the accomplishments of the talent here at IC,” Flowers said.

“And there are a lot of talented people here.”

Susan Allen-Gil, associate professor and chair of the environmental studies and sciences department, received the award last year. Allen-Gil was recognized at the ceremony for her collegewide stainability initiative and for convincing the president’s council to switch to using recycled and double-sided papers, she said.

“I certainly think a large part is that I’ve taken the college from a place that it wasn’t to the place that it is now with the help of a lot of other people,” Allen-Gil said.

Jacobson said the awards will be presented to the winners at the annual Faculty Recognition Luncheon in May. Winners also take part in the convocation ceremony the following year, she said.

Flowers said five awards are not enough to reward the “repository of talent” at the college.

Luke Keller, associate professor of physics, also received the award last year after he helped build an infrared camera for NASA while continuing to teach classes at the college. Keller said he was impressed by the quality of fellow award winners and was honored to be a part of ceremonies last year.

“One of the things that absolutely was amazing to me was how excellent the other folks that were chosen were,” Keller said. “I felt even more honored to have my name with them.”

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4 The Ithacan

College asks IC alumni to give back donations from page 1

dreamy projects. It’s more about enhancing programs within each of the schools with a steady stream of income, and that really requires reaching out to the broadest number of alumni.”

Semmler said it is harder to raise money for unrestricted purposes than for smaller gifts. She said individuals’ collective giving encompasses the Ithaca Fund.

“It’s all part of SEMMLER said a general strategy private donations to raise as much increased at the money as we can college this year. from as many people as we can and hopefully to have those numbers increase every year because the needs just keep getting greater,” she said.

In order to fill the gap, Semmler said, the college raises money for specific projects. In February 2008, she said, the college completed a campaign that raised $145 million for the Dorothy D. and Roy H. Park Center for Business and Sustainable Enterprise and $7.2 million for the Athletic and Events Center. The campaign also established 140 new endowed scholarships.

Currently, the college is in the early phase of several other mini campaigns, including one to raise money for the men’s and women’s crews to build a new boathouse.

“At any given time, we are juggling a whole number of things in terms of what can come from the budget, from tuition and what can come from outside money,” she said. “We knew we could raise money for a boathouse from people who wanted to get a boathouse. So, we took a project that was identified and needed and lined it up with the feasibility of raising money.”

Semmler said contributions from organizations, which include corporate and foundation gifts, is a reason for this year’s increase in private dollars. So far, the college has raised $17 million from organizations, which includes major pledge payments from the campaign that ended in 2008.

Kay said competition among colleges and universities for foundation dollars has increased because of the lack of funding elsewhere.

“Competition there has gone up dramatically,” he said. “At the same time, there’s been a lot of investment in K-12 education and so there’s even less support from foundations that’s accessible.”

For the 2010-11 fiscal year, only 84.5 percent of student’s education — including basic operating needs for the college — was covered by tuition, Carl Sgrecci, vice president of finance and administration, said.

Semmler said the money from alumni donations is just one of several resources that cover the remaining 15.5 percent of costs.

“The library still needs to be run, the lights still need to go on and the tuition does not pay for all expenses,” she said. “What we raise does help fill that gap between what tuition brings in towards the operating budget, what the endowment earns towards the operating budget and what private dollars can do.”

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Graduates struggle with debt debt

from page 1

According to an October 2010 report by The Project on Student Debt, in 2009, students earned an undergraduate degree with an average of $24,000 in federal student loan debt. In 2004, the average debt was $18,650. Among New York colleges and universities, the average college graduate faced nearly $26,000 in federal student loan debt, ranking 11th highest among the country’s 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The average Ithaca College graduate of the Class of 2010 faced more than $20,000 in federal student loan debt. This number, however, does not take into account private loans, which are not governmentsubsidized and are secured through a private lender.

Nate Viebrock ’05 said he graduated with about $12,000 in undergraduate student loan debt, which he said he believes is relatively low compared to fellow graduates.

Viebrock now attends the University of Georgia School of Law and said he expects to face around From left, seniors Charlie Parker and Marlee Rutberg visit the office of Student Financial Services $120,000 in student loan debt after commencement yesterday. The college meets 88 percent of students’ financial need, according to a college report. in May from both undergraduate and law school. james earl/The Ithacan Viebrock said he’s not overly concerned with his specializing in young adult economic issues, high debt number because, as an aspiring public students must have “partial financial hardship.”

John Connelly ’06, a writing major, said the cur- said despite higher debt numbers, a college eduinterest lawyer, government programs exist to help public service employees pay off federal student rent state of the economy coupled with his student cation remains an easy sell because of its longloans. Viebrock said he plans on putting a maxi- loan debt is forcing him to consider giving up his term benefits.

“We know from many years of historical data passion for a more financially mum of 10 percent of his inthat, if you go to college, you’re more likely to get stable job to pay his bills. come toward student loans “Whether writing as a pro- a job with a pension,” she said. “You will, on averfor the next 10 years. He said fession is going to be financial- age, have a higher paying job than those who did the government will then ly viable, I do question every not go to college, even if you’re only enrolled for a erase his remaining federal few years.” day,” he said. loans as part of the College A September 2010 survey conducted by the Connelly declined to proCost Reduction and Access vide an approximate number National Association of Colleges and Employers Act of 2007. for his student loan debt but predicts an uptick in the projected job market for “If I was paying out of acknowledged that it influ- 2011 graduates. pocket for all the loans I Employers that participated in the survey exences his career options have, it would probably be pected to hire 13.5 percent more new graduates moving forward. at least 20 years before I paid “Honestly, it’s come to a this year in comparison to 2010. them off,” he said.

Senior Liana Garcia-Osborne, an English major, point in my life where every An Income-Based Re— John Connelly ‘06 financial decision is made said she estimates her upcoming student loan debt payment plan enacted into around bills and being able to to be around $80,000 but said she does not regret law July 1 may help graduates manage their debt. If a student pays fed- get by,” he said. “There’s not a day or week where I the decision to enroll in college.

“I’m in the mind-set where things are going to eral loans under the IBR for 25 years as well as can go buy and spend like Donald Trump.”

Kathryn Edwards, a research assistant at the work out,” she said. “I’m probably going to be paying meets certain conditions, the government will then forgive their remaining loans. To qualify, Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., back loans for a big chunk of my life.”

“Honestly, it’s come to a point in my life where every financial decision is made around bills and being able to get by. There’s not a day or week where I can go buy and spend like Donald Trump.“

Committee seeks feedback on IC20/20 committee from page 1

“We’ll find a way to structure the final version of it so that there aren’t quite as many overlaps,” she said. “It’ll be easier once we see what the different committees are recommending because they have a pretty broad span of things they’re looking at now.”

Virginia Mansfield-Richardson, associate dean of the Roy H. Park School of Communications and interim chair of the journalism department, said she is happy to do the work, which includes making a rough template to frame their report.

Role call

“It will allow me an opportunity to really just completely immerse myself in it from top to bottom and to really fully understand what is going on at the college,” she said.

Woodward said once they have received the task forces’ proposals, the challenge will be writing the final draft in such a short time span.

The Steering Committee will present the document to the community through a series of meetings.

A faculty meeting will take place from noon to 3 p.m. April 17. There will also be an open staff meeting from noon to 1 p.m. and an open student meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 19.

The committee will also create a time line outlining the implementation of the IC20/20 initiatives as well as a plan of how to carry it out over the next nine years.

Fish said he wants to stress the importance of gathering student feedback during this process of finalizing the IC20/20 document because there are certain aspects of the proposal administrators are detached from. “[Students] know their experience better than the faculty and administration do, so their input is much more valuable,” he said. “If we have a group of administrators talking about what the residential experience should be

like and they’ve never actually lived in IC’s residence halls, then they won’t know what’s best for the students.”

To share thoughts and suggestions for the final IC20/20 document, Fish said to reach out to him and the other two students on the committee, or visit the IC20/20 myHome blog.

Woodward said watching the work done on IC20/20 is inspiring.

“There’s probably 200 people on this campus working really hard on IC20/20 right now,” Woodward said.

“What a cool thing that we have the whole college rethinking what it means to do student learning in the best possible way.”

Each member of the IC20/20 Steering Committee has been appointed as a liaison for the task forces or other standing committees.

Faculty Development

Carol Henderson, associate provost for academic policy and administration

Student evaluation Senior Kevin Fish and Changhee Chun, associate of teaching professor of cinema, photography and media arts

Faculty Handbook

Jennifer Haywood, associate professor of music education

Civic Engagement

David Garcia, executive associate dean of humanities and sciences

Assessment

David Garcia, executive associate dean of humanities and sciences, and Virginia MansfieldRichardson, associate dean of the Park School and interim chair of the journalism department

Graduate and Professional Education

Melinda Cozzolino, associate professor of occupational therapy and chair of graduate program

Other

Carol Henderson, associate provost for academic policy and administration

Instructional Delivery Models

Jeff Lippitt, associate professor of accounting

Liberal education and Integrative learning

Stephen Clancy, professor and chair of art history

Strategic Diversity

Brian McAree, vice president of student affairs and campus life

Residential models

Brian McAree, vice president of student affairs and campus life, and Nancy Reynolds, health promotion center program director of counseling and wellness

NAtional/ International Initiatives

Junior Elma Borcilo and Virginia MansfieldRichardson, associate dean of the Park School and interim chair of the journalism department

Student Advising

Freshman Robert Hohn and Annemarie Farrell, assistant professor of sport management and media

Provost Items

Gregory Woodward, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs

Thursday, Februa ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

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‘Angels in America’ author to visit class

By Anne Gould Northgraves senior writer

“Angels in America,” the Tony Award-winning play, has been a focus of Claire Gleitman’s study since the show first appeared in 1991. Now the professor and chair of the English department at Ithaca College will get the chance to meet and talk with the author of the work that has been a large part of her career.

Gleitman will not be alone in welcoming Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner to campus.

Students and faculty campus and disciplines are preparing for Kushner's upcoming visit by participating in Gleitman's honors seminar — “Tony Kushner and 'Angels in America'” — and putting on a reading of the play.

As this year’s Distinguished Speaker in the Humanities Lecture Series, an annual event that began in 2000, Kushner will be participating in a public interview conducted

by Gleitman at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Ford Hall.

In addition to Kushner’s visit, Gleitman is directing a staged reading of the first part of the play, “Angels in America: Millennium Approaches,” on April 14. The production, which will feature theater arts department faculty and students, is another opportunity for the campus community to engage with the work.

“Angels in America” follows the intersecting stories of men and women dealing with issues like homosexuality, faith and reality in the mid 1980s.

Gleitman, who has taught the play multiple times, said she is eager to meet the author.

Gleitman said in her years teaching the text she has developed an intimate understanding of these characters and their narratives.

"I have taught the play pretty much every year since it first appeared," Gleitman said. "I've seen it performed many times, and I've been involved in a couple of staged readings here at IC.” In teaching the seminar, she said she has been able to revisit the text once again in order to prepare for Kushner's visit.

“It’s always exciting to teach and to revisit 'Angels in America,' which I think is a rich, fascinating and really important contemporary American play,” Gleitman said.

Senior Nia Sciarretta said she enjoys studying the play from both literary and theatrical perspectives with Gleitman. She became interested in the class because of Kushner’s visit.

“When we’re looking at plays, and other literature as well, you always get the idea that, ‘Well, what did the author intend?’” she said. “It’s really exciting to actually be able to ask him what he meant by this.”

Distinguished speakers are chosen by a committee including chairs of departments within the school of humanities and sciences. Executive Associate Dean David Garcia said the committee’s focus is on finding people like Kushner, whose work is relevant for all humanities students.

“His work is very much about the preoccupations of American culture

Claire Gleitman, professor and chair of the English department, holds a discussion about key themes from Tony Kushner's “Angels in America” Tuesday, as sophomore Matthew Prigge follows along in his copy of the book.

during this time and is suggestive of the way in which the study of the humanities might make the world a better place,” he said. “There’s something really powerful about that.”

Junior Max Lorn-Krause said he has read “Angels in America” more than once. Though he is not an honors student, he said he signed up for the one-credit course because getting the chance to see Kushner on campus and in class is an opportunity to meet a theater legend.

Both Lorn-Krause and Sciarretta found the sprawling production also includes an engaging story. “Angels in America” is a huge scale produc-

tion, made up of two five-act plays that when viewed together during the recent Broadway revival, take about seven hours over two nights to see.

Lorn-Krause said the themes of Kushner’s plays are accessible.

“You read his plays and the themes that he tackles and deals with — religion, classes — as cheesy as it is, there’s something for everybody.”

Sciarretta said “Angels in America” is so moving because it combines the individual and universal.

“The characters in his plays are dealing with, sometimes very specific issues — the issue of AIDS, the issue of homosexuality — and some of them

yiwei zhu/the ithacan

are kind of the huge, universal issues, like abandonment,” she said.

Gleitman said Kushner has asserted himself as a public intellectual by addressing some of the most important contemporary themes.

“He’s spoken out about very courageously and very eloquently about a range of issues that are not easy to talk about and probably not talked about enough in American culture,” she said.

Garcia said it is important for students to engage with guest speakers.

“It is an enriching and empowering experience, regardless of what it is that you think you're going to do for your career,” he said.

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The Ithacan 7

Local site gives aid to Ghana Online entrepreneur by day and Top Shelf Liquor store clerk by night may sound like an odd mix, but that’s how Cornell University graduate Nii Andrews ’08 makes a living.

Andrews started an online business, GhanaRemit, which aims to give Ghanians and U.S. citizens the opportunity to transfer money to their relatives or business partners at affordable rates. Not only will he help people with the ANDREWS said service, but he plans to send he wants to make proceeds to Ghanian citizens. money transfer to Ghana easier.

Staff Writer Thad Komorowski spoke with Andrews about why he wanted to start up an online business and send proceeds to Ghana.

Thad Komorowski: Where are you from originally, and what did you study at Cornell?

Nii Andrews: I’m from Ghana; I lived there from 1994 to 2002. I came from New York City to Ithaca to study applied economics and management at Cornell and graduated with a bachelor’s degree.

TK: How did you end up working at Top Shelf?

NA: The owner, Peter Ingrassia, is a good friend of mine. We used to play soccer together, so it’s pretty cool working here. I started a company online, so I needed a job where I could still have the flexibility to work on my company online and still make some money to stay afloat. So working at a liquor store has been a perfect match for me.

TK: Why did you choose money transferring?

NA: It’s definitely possible to transfer money cheaper than Western Union is offering. They really don’t transfer money anyway, because they already have the money at their branches

all over the world, so when you want to send money, they don’t send it, it’s already there. So why it costs $9 or $10 for them to transfer $100, I’m not really sure, but a lot of companies haven’t given them much competition. GhanaRemit only charges $3 per $100.

TK: What do you hope to achieve with the site?

NA: It’s always been my goal to contribute to Ghana in some form or fashion, and this is one of the ways I figured I’d be able to do it.

TK: How successful has the site been so far?

NA: I’m about 55 percent where I want to be so far because I can’t do the money transferring just yet. I wanted to work with partner banks in Ghana, but there’s a lot of red tape and politics involved with that, so I decided to create my own payment system. That’s why I want to use prepaid debit cards, so money can be sent to the people in Ghana and they can access their money from an ATM, anytime and anywhere.

Once I get the prepaid debit cards, I’ll be able to get GhanaRemit going full-swing.

GhanaRemit also has an Internet store, which allows the Ghanaian people to shop online. It’s up and running right now, and it’s doing very well.

TK: What else do you hope to achieve with the new business?

NA: I’m also donating a significant amount of our profits from the business to help medical outreach. My father is the only neurosurgeon in Ghana, just to give you an idea of the scarcity of medical care there. ... My main goals with this business are to just help people transfer money conveniently all around the world and help all the unfortunate people in Ghana who don’t have access to medical care.

For a full video interview with Andrews, visit theithacan.org.

Weaving culture

Chapuchi “Bobbo” Ahiagble, a master weaver from Denu, Ghana, weaves Kente cloth Tuesday in Emerson Suites as part of the second annual Engaging Communities event. Ahiagble learned how to weave from his father, but the tradition originated 300 to 400 years ago in Nigeria. claudia pietrzak/The Ithacan

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The Ithacan 9

College & City ITS to add Mac training to meet rise in interest

To accommodate overbooking, the Technology Learning Center is adding more sessions of its training topic “Best Practices for the Mac” to the training schedule. In this workshop, participants will learn how to access Mac tools quickly, save files efficiently, personalize their interface and maintain data and privacy.

Information Technology Services is offering computing workshops every week on different topics in the Technology Learning Center — located in Textor 101 — free to all faculty, staff and students.

To register for the session, visit www.ithaca.edu/its/workshops.

College to feature comedy about arranged marriage

Ithaca College is hosting a free public screening of the cultural romantic comedy “When Harry Tries to Marry” at 4 p.m. tomorrow in the Park Auditorium. A discussion with three participants of the film will follow the screening.

The film is about an IndianAmerican college student who surprises his parents when he expresses interest in an arranged marriage.

Writer, director and producer Nayan Padrai, producer Sheetal Vyas and actress Lauren LoGiudice will take part in the discussion following the screening.

ITS looking for volunteers to pilot software program

Information Technology Services is seeking help from faculty and staff who would be willing to participate

Speaker to share studies on immigrants’ conditions

in a limited summer pilot of the Sakai collaboration and learning environment as ITS is preparing to make the system available in August for Fall 2011 courses.

ITS will run Blackboard in conjunction with Sakai and fully support it through Summer 2012.

The pilot will be small, with representation from all five schools on campus, and therefore ITS may not be able to accommodate all volunteers. Applicants will be notified of their status by March 1.

The Ithaca College Center for the Study of Culture, Race and Ethnicity will continue to celebrate its 10th anniversary Wednesday with the free lecture “Domésticas Demanding Dignity: Latina Immigrant Workers and the Racial Politics of Domestic Service.” The talk MARTINEZwill be held at MATSUDA 7 p.m. in Clark Lounge in Campus Center.

Martínez-Matsuda studies the intersections between labor and citizenship, focusing on immigrants’ social movements and cross-border organizing efforts for improved living and working conditions. Her current research examines the role of the Migratory Labor Camp Program, established and managed by the U.S. Government during the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Sociologist to give lecture on kinship and marriage

Sociologist Naomi Gerstel will present a free lecture, “Who Cares? Kinship, Marriage, and Privilege,” at 4:30 p.m. Monday in Textor 101.

Gerstel is a scholar and public sociologist whose research and teaching focuses on family, care work, job GERSTEL hours and schedules, gender, race, and family and work policy. Her current research is focused on two projects, one on care to relatives and friends and the other on why Americans spend so much time on the job.

The lecture is sponsored by the Eastern Sociological Society’s Robin M. Williams Jr. Distinguished Lectureship Award and by the department of sociology.

For more information, contact the sociology department at sociology@ithaca.edu.

Volunteer positions open for service on Saturdays

The Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs is hosting a Service Saturdays program. The program gives students the opportunity to volunteer in the Ithaca community.

Two opportunities are available.

The first is Saturday and the second is April 16. Those interested in volunteering Saturday can get involved at the Level Green Institute, Beachtree Care Center and Ithaca Chili Festival.

Transportation is provided, and

Public Safety Incident Log january 29 MEDICAL ASSIST LOCATION: Tallcott Hall SUMMARY: A caller reported an intoxicated person. Officer determined person had a medical condition and was not intoxicated, and the person declined medical assistance. Patrol Officer Mark Denicola.

UNLAWFUL POSS. OF MARIJUANA LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: A person was judicially referred for unlawful possession of marijuana.

Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke.

IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF ALCOHOL LOCATION: West Tower SUMMARY: A caller reported an intoxicated person. A life safety officer determined the person had fallen and sustained a head injury. The person was transported to CMC by ambulance and judicially referred for irresponsible use of alcohol. Patrol Officer Mark Denicola.

V&T VIOLATION LOCATION: Flora Brown Drive SUMMARY: During a traffic stop, one person was arrested for DWI and was issued uniform traffic tickets for Ithaca Town Court for DWI and driving with blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater.

Driver was issued a campus summons for speed in zone and was judicially referred.

Patrol Officer Christopher Teribury.

IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF ALCOHOL LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: A caller reported that an intoxicated person was attempting to enter rooms. The officer determined the

person was only attempting to find their residence. One person judicially referred for irresponsible use of alcohol. Patrol Officer Christopher Teribury.

LARCENY LOCATION: L-Lot SUMMARY: Officer reported an unknown person entered a vehicle and stole a GPS and an iPod. Investigation pending.

Patrol Officer Jeffrey Austin.

V&T VIOLATION LOCATION: A-Lot SUMMARY: Officer reported an unknown vehicle damaged a parked vehicle and then left the scene. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Jeffrey Austin.

FIRE ALARM LOCATION: Hilliard Hall SUMMARY: A fire alarm was accidentally activated because of burnt food. System reset. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke.

LARCENY LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person stole a laptop computer. The item was returned by a person who had taken the item accidentally. Larceny unfounded. Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke.

january 30 IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF ALCOHOL LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: Caller reported an intoxicated person fell and sustained head injuries.

Person was transported to CMC by ambulance and judicially referred for irresponsible use of alcohol. Patrol Officer Mark Denicola.

selected entries from january 29 to january 30.

IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF ALCOHOL LOCATION: Grant Egbert Blvd. East SUMMARY: An officer reported that an operator had consumed alcohol.

One person judicially referred for irresponsible use of alcohol. Patrol Officer Mark Denicola.

MENACING LOCATION: Circle Apartments SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown male displayed a knife in a threatening manner to him at a gathering earlier in the night. Investigation pending. Master Patrol Officer Erik Merlin.

LARCENY LOCATION: Circle Apartments SUMMARY: Caller reported an unknown person stole a jacket. Investigation pending.

Master Patrol Officer Donald Lyke.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF LOCATION: Terraces SUMMARY: A caller reported an unknown person damaged a card reader. Investigation pending. Patrol Officer Jeffrey Austin.

For the complete safety log, go to www.theithacan.org/news

Key cmc – Cayuga Medical Center CCV – College Code Violation DWI – Driving while intoxicated IFD – Ithaca Fire Department IPD – Ithaca Police Department MVA – Motor vehicle accident RA – Resident assistant SASP – Student Auxiliary Safety Patrol V&T – Vehicle and Transportation

participants under 18 must have a liability release.

Visit surveymonkey.com/icservice.

Lifeguard program to offer summer re-certification

For students that are interested in renewing their lifeguard certifications or CPR/AED, a lifeguard certification challenge will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. March 30 and April 12.

Since the program is a “challenge re-certification,” participants need to be ready to test out their skills and take a written exam.

The cost for CPR is $35 and $65 for lifeguarding. For more information, e-mail Nate Brisley at nbrisley@ithaca.edu.

Artists needed to design exposition for IC Theater

The Ithaca College Theatre is presenting “L’Orfeo” in the Clark Theatre from Feb. 22 to March 4.

To promote the production, IC Theater will be creating a display for the academic quad outside of Campus Center. The display will feature a large, three-sided sign to promote the show.

IC Theater is looking for an art student to paint the sign within the next two weeks.

For more information, e-mail Sam Gates at sgates2@ithaca.edu.

Career fair to showcase positions in government

More than 60 local, state and national organizations will be attending the Government and Nonprofit Career Fair to discuss full-time job positions, volunteer roles, intern-

ships and summer jobs. The fair will take place from 1 to 5 p.m.

Thursday in the Statler Ballroom at Cornell University.

Recruiters from the CIA, the FBI, Environment America, Masa Israel Journey, New York City Economic Development Corporation, Southside Community Center and other groups will be at the event.

For more information, visit www. career.cornell.edu/careerFairs/nonprofgovtCF.html.

County begins initiative to cut down on tobacco

According to a Tompkins County press release, a media campaign was launched Friday statewide to educate New York residents about the effect that tobacco products and marketing in stores have on youth smoking.

Tobacco Free Tompkins is a Community Partner of the New York State Tobacco Control Program and is funded by a grant given to the Tompkins County Health Department from the New York State Department of Health.

Language halls to host community open house

The three residential language learning communities on campus — Vecinos, Stockwerk Deutsch and Quatier Francais — are having an open house at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the Terrace 7 lounge.

The community members will also be showing “L’Auberge Espagnole,” or “The Spanish Apartment,” a French film based in Barcelona about a group of college students from Europe living together.

Opin ion

10 The Ithacan

Thursday, February 17, 2011

editorials

Planning the future

If state funding is cut, Ithaca College needs to find other options to raise money instead of increasing tuition

W

hile a New York state budget proposal may cut funding for private colleges, Ithaca College needs to look elsewhere to raise money.

If Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal is passed, state funding to the college would be cut by 10 percent — increasing tuition and room and board fees. The reduction would shrink the college’s Bundy Aid, a program that provides direct financial aid based on the number of students the college graduates.

The college could take a significant hit if tuition increases. The economy is still hurting, and families need to be fiscally responsible. Prospective students may decide not to enroll at the college, and next year’s freshman class could be underenrolled. Current students may not be able to afford the increase, and our retention rate could also drop. Those who do stay may have to take out more student loans — landing themselves and their families in more debt.

The college needs to find areas to raise more money. It already raises millions by calling alumni and receiving contributions. But that alone won’t help. Right now, almost the entire operating budget is made of tuition fees — a dangerous place to draw from when the economy is not ideal.

Departments and programs should do fundraising similar to how sports teams raise money. The college has been reaching out more to alumni to contribute large gifts, and it is urged to make this the top priority. In October of 2006, the college started a fundraising campaign that far surpassed its goal of $145 million in Spring 2008. Another fundraising campaign could be a realistic option.

In order to keep students, fundraising options need to be the primary method ­— not tuition hikes.

Green Campus

Attempts to achieve sustainability with new facilities have been successful

I

thaca College is well on its way to becoming a green machine. The Peggy Ryan Williams Center has become the second building on campus to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certification — the highest possible national recognition of sustainability.

Sustainable features in the Peggy Ryan Williams Center include a vegetated roof area that reduces airborne pollutants and adds oxygen to the atmosphere, as well as sensors that control light fixtures and ventilation that is based on natural light levels and room occupancy. All of the features promote an effort to conserve electricity.

But the college isn’t stopping at the Peggy Ryan Williams Center and Dorothy D. and Roy H. Park Center for Business and Sustainable Enterprise. New construction and renovation projects, including the Athletic and Events Center, will hopefully be at least LEED Silver certified. The college will also look into ways residence halls can save energy and should do the same with its oldest, most wasteful buildings.

Earlier this year, the college received a B+ grade on the College Sustainability Report Card.

Low grades in “Endowment Transparency” and “Investment Priorities” brought its rankings down.

But as the campus continues to grow, the college is finding new ways to help the environment.

The college has made sustainability a top priority.

And so far, it has been successful in “going green.”

your letters Faculty offer additions to editorial

The faculty of the Center for the Study of Culture, Race and Ethnicity shares some of the optimism found in a recent editorial in The Ithacan regarding the dismantling of the Division of Interdisciplinary and International Studies (College-Wide Learning, Feb. 3). However, we also want to make some points and offer some clarifications.

First, we question the casting of interdisciplinarity in zero-sum terms, which suggests that we could either have had DIIS or campus-wide interdisciplinarity. No one has made a compelling intellectual argument as to why this is the case. Second, we question the procedural similarities between the ways in which the Center was relocated and the recent attacks on black/race/ethnic studies on other campuses, including Cornell University. In this context, we wonder why the The Ithacan did not interview any faculty in the center for our views on this subject.

Further, while the editorial rightly “applauds” Provost Greg Woodward for the difficult work he had to do to dismantle DIIS, we feel that The Ithacan missed an opportunity to applaud the years of

Lastly, the editorial claims that DIIS programs will be moving to new locations.

This is not the case for CSCRE, which will stay in its current space — 101 Center for Health Sciences.

Asma Barlas, professor and program director in CSCRE Sean Eversley Bradwell, assistant professor in CSCRE Paula Ioanide, assistant professor in CSCRE Gustavo Licón, assistant professor in CSCRE LETTER POLICY The Ithacan welcomes correspondence from all readers. Please include your name, graduation year, organizational or college title/position and phone number. Letters must be 250 words or less. The Ithacan reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity and taste.

All letters must be received by 5 p.m. the Monday before publication.

All letters must be signed, submitted in writing and either e-mailed to ithacan@ithaca.edu or delivered to Park 269.

comment online.

Now you can be heard in print or on the Web. Write a letter to the editor at ithacan@ithaca.edu or leave a comment on commentaries and editorials at theithacan.org.

Letters must be 250 words or less, e-mailed or dropped off by 5 p.m. Monday in Park 269

The Ithacan Elizabeth Sile editor in chief Casey Musarra Managing editor Jacqueline Palochko opinion Editor Taylor Long news Editor Alexandra Evans news editor Kelsey O’Connor assistant news editor Kelsey Fowler accent editor

service and leadership of former DIIS Dean Tanya Saunders. The unique vision and charge of DIIS, which generated innovative and interdisciplinary programs, festivals, centers and initiatives, are the result of Saunders’ leadership.

We want to make it clear that we look forward to working with Dean Leslie Lewis, who has built up an impressive record in her time here. Having said that, the School of Humanities and Sciences has a large and multifaceted administration that, in practical terms, means that there are new forms, new committees, new reports and additional meetings to deal with. In the grand scheme of world events, these are excruciatingly small changes, but they require hours and hours of extra labor and time on all our parts.

It is also important to note that, because of our courses, our participation in collegewide committees and our interactions with student clubs, the CSCRE faculty did not feel isolated being part of DIIS. We did, however, understand that DIIS students “did not have the same resources” as perhaps other students, and we hope moving the programs to H&S will rectify this situation.

269 Roy H. Park Hall, Ithaca College Ithaca, N.Y. 14850-7258 (607) 274-3208 | Fax (607) 274-1376

Megan Devlin assistant accent editor Andrew Weiser Sports editor Kevin McCall assistant sports editor Michelle Boulé photo editor Graham Hebel photo editor James Earl assistant photo editor Kaydi Poirier online media editor

ithacan@ithaca.edu www.theithacan.org

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Single Copies of the ithacan are available free of charge from authorized distribution points on the Ithaca College campus and in the ithaca community.

Multiple copies and mail subscriptions are available from the office of The Ithacan. Please call for rates.

Opinion

Thursday, Februa ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

The I thacan 11

Guest commentary

Pro athletes’criminal behavior unfairly forgotten

B

efore Super Bowl XLV retreats into history and the threat of a lockout of the players dominates the coverage of the National Football League, let’s take a moment to reflect on how 111 million people managed to watch this sporting festival without encountering a single examination of the way in which “Big Ben” Roethlisberger and his history of reckless, if not criminal, behavior was “presented.”

The District Attorney in charge of the case refused to bring charges against Stephen Roethlisberger for an incident Mosher in a Georgia bar last May because he could not reasonably expect a conviction. He clearly stated, “We do not condone what Roethlisberger did. We do not prosecute morals.

We prosecute crimes.” The “redemption of Big Ben” immediately swung into full force, and eight months later, the Super Bowl Sunday television coverage on several different networks of Roethlisberger included words such as “foolish,” “nonsensical,” “dumb” and “stupid” to describe the Pittsburgh quarterback’s behavior. How could it be that actions called “repulsive,” “unsettling,” “sexual assault” and “rape” in May are now nothing more offensive than “boys will be boys?”

The answer is that the sport media are coconspirators with the leagues and players they cover.

Sports reporters are more cheerleading enablers than objective journalists. The Tuesday before the Super Bowl came and went without one substantive question put to Roethlisberger.

The NFL and its commissioner, Roger Goodell, are no better. In May, when announcing his decision to suspend Roethlisberger for six games, Goodell said, “My decision today is not based on a finding that you violated Georgia law. . . . That said, you are held to a higher standard as an NFL player, and there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville

Sam Adams

Revolt in Egypt will help US

T From left, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger speaks with Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin during Super Bowl XLV as the Steelers took on the Green Bay Packers on Feb. 6 in Arlington, Texas.

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans.”

During the next few months, the league, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Roethlisberger maneuvered their way through a labyrinth of media relations to reduce the suspension to four games.

During the season, the NFL cracked down on dangerous hits to the heads of vulnerable players precisely at the same moment that the iconic Brett Favre’s disgusting cell phone habits came to light.

Favre was ultimately fined $50,000 and allowed to slink away to his latest retirement, further demonstrating that in the hyper-masculine world of the NFL, women are less than worthless.

This narcissistic guy culture is not limited to

the NFL but is deeply ingrained in almost all male sports. Consider that Florida International University is threatening to revoke working credentials of any member of the press who asks Garrett Wittels any non-baseball related questions at a press conference scheduled this week. Wittels is on a 56-game hit streak and on the verge of breaking Robin Ventura’s NCAA Division I record. He also is facing rape charges in the Bahamas for a Dec. 20 incident, having posted $10,000 bail. FIU has not yet made a decision on whether Wittels will play when the season opens. And ESPN still intends to televise FIU’s games on opening weekend.

Stephen Mosher is a professor of sport management and media. E-mail him at smosher@ithaca.edu.

Guest commentary

College students need to be more active in politics

Y

oung people don’t vote.

Young people are irresponsible. And the worst one: Young people don’t care.

You, me and every other young person out there has heard these stereotypes when it comes to society, government and current events. The student body of Ithaca College comes close to breaking that stereotype. Ithaca is full of extremely passionate students who care about the world around them and want to see things change for the better.

There’s only one problem: You’re not doing anything about it.

I’m a former politics major at the college. Since the time I started attending Ithaca, I was President of the IC Democrats, served as co-chair of Broome County’s chapter of Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, ran for County Legislator twice and currently serve on the Village Board where I live in Whitney Point, N.Y. I attended Ithaca full-time during some of these activities, and I currently work full-time in addition to my involvement in government and politics.

It’s absolutely vital that young people get involved in government and politics. Simply reading the newspaper and talking to your friends isn’t enough. As I’m sure you know, our country and our society are facing many problems. Every country, state, county and municipality is feeling the budget crunch and are going

The Think Tank

From left, then-junior Kaitlyn Golden and former IC Democrats president Ryan Reynolds discuss the presidential election Oct. 21, 2008 in Friends Hall.

File Photo/The Ithacan

broke. Our health care system is in the midst of a giant overhaul that is likely going to need more reform. We may or may not have Social Security when our generation begins retiring. Our country is involved in a number of conflicts around the world, and recent events in the Middle East could completely reshape the region. There are countries around the world where people don’t have running water or freedom of speech. We’re sitting on a looming energy and fuel crisis, with

our environment at stake. The list of problems that our country is facing goes on and on.

No matter what your expertise is, you are needed to help solve the problems our generation is facing. Whether you’re at Ithaca to become an economist, doctor, teacher or even President of the United States, the governments of our country and of the world need your participation, your ideas and your passion.

Passion is something young people will always have that older

generations cannot take from us. We may not have the most knowledge or life experiences and some may even call us naive or idealistic, but let’s face the facts: Our future is at stake, and we need to take control of our own destiny. If we don’t step up to the plate now, we may not have the chance later.

You know that moment when you’re learning about past events or a social issue in history classes and you think to yourself, “Wow, how did ‘they’ not see this coming? Why didn’t someone do something about this?” We have the opportunity to stop future generations from having that same thought about us. Dedicate yourself to a cause, without hesitation or apology, and get involved. Join a group or committee dedicated to your passion, vote, call your representatives, become one yourself — do something. I went as far as leaving college to pursue my involvement in government. Simply graduating college and getting a job in your field just isn’t enough anymore. We need to take action and build the future. Instead of talking about changing the world, let’s actually do something that can help. The rest of the world is waiting.

Ryan Reynolds is a village board member in Whitney Point and a former Ithaca College student. He can be reached at ryanreynolds08@gmail.com.

All opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of The Ithacan. To write a guest commentary, contact Opinion Editor Jacqueline Palochko at 274-3208.

he Egyptian revolution is the Obama administration’s most critical diplomatic crisis to date. Egypt is the most populous Middle Eastern country. More than half of the population is under the age of 25. The tech-savvy youth have managed to organize the population via social networking and ousted a 30-year regime. Not only does Egypt border southern Israel and Gaza, but it also has direct access to both the Mediterranean and the Red seas. An open Suez Canal is vital to the flow of oil in the region.

Uncle Sam long relied on friendly military relations with Hosni Mubarak’s government.

By using Egyptian airspace and equipping the army with U.S. weaponry, the United States has managed to stabilize a region notorious for being anything but. This relationship helped benefit not only the United States and Egypt but also Israel.

Egypt is Israel’s biggest and most influential Arab ally. Without Egypt’s support, Israel will have fewer armed friends and risk a weaker economic presence. An Egypt without Mubarak jeopardizes Israeli security. At the present, there is no evidence to suggest that Egypt will adopt another pro-Israeli government.

In a rapidly changing geopolitical area of the world, could it be in America’s best interest to remain quiet and avoid deciding the path of this revolution? Is this a good time for us to accept the fact that Egypt’s future is for Egypt to decide and not for America?

Newt Gingrich, former House speaker and a potential 2012 republican candidate, is critical of President Barack Obama’s response to Egypt’s revolution, saying Obama’s envoy should have pressured Mubarak to step down behind closed doors. Betraying a 30year ally in public, he added, might cause our allies to question, “Why should I trust the United States?”

While I loathe the prospect of Egypt turning into a breeding ground for al Qaeda, I admire and support the Egyptians standing up and banding together. The United States should support Egyptians and allow them to form a new government. While American soldiers will not help stabilize Cairo, firm U.S. diplomatic support of Egypt will bring the two countries closer than before. Good diplomatic ties between America and Egypt will promote a freer Egypt and could help regional security more effectively than America’s previous armed democracypromotion initiatives.

Sam Adams is a senior integrated marketing communications major.

E-mail him at sadams1@ithaca.edu.

12 The Ithacan

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Thursday, Februa ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

accen t

t n a r u Resta ce

The Ithacan 13

Lance Nichols works the bar at Mercato Bar & Kitchen on a busy Saturday night.

Michelle BOulé/The Ithacan

n a s s i a Ren

g Ithaca’sr, n i t h g i l h g n hi gethe A rundowaces to gather to w down newest pl ersation and cho v share con

unday.

Mexeo, oné/SThe Ithacan Mex café, he xul Te Bo s e hi ll in Mic illas lla fries tort Sebastian Vi

By kelsey fowler Accent Editor

TAKE A DATE

Mira Mediterranean Bistro 311 Third St. 272-6472

Tucked behind a gas station in the middle of a shopping strip, adjacent to a Rent-A-Center, rests the steel-blue façade of Mira Mediterranean Bistro, glimmering with tea candles in the entryway.

The cool hues of the decorations inside find balance with the dark wood tones of the furniture, creating an inviting, peaceful space. Jazzy, upbeat music plays and large mirrors line the entire length of one wall.

Sconces, dried alliums and glowing orb lights all give Mira’s a modern flair of romance and fun. The atmosphere is ideal for a first, second or even third date because of the bistro’s lively mood and reasonable pricing.

Owner Samira Reamer said she cooks with a Lebanese influence, tweaking recipes from her father. She said 90 percent of business so far has been repeat customers, and she gets a lot of couples, especially on Fridays.

Reamer said she changes the menu slightly every month to reflect seasonal, fresh and local food items. She said the dish she recommends most often is the salmon.

“It’s back to the classics,” she said. “We serve staple, Middle Eastern Mediterranean food people weren’t able to get in Ithaca until we opened.”

Mira Mediterranean Bistro will also be opening for lunch soon to turn up the charm and bring the romance during the day as well.

BRING YOUR PARENTS

Mercato Bar & Kitchen 108 N. Aurora St. 319-5171

Clusters of lemons, limes and oranges sitting in individual bowls line the solid wood bar, contributing to the faint aroma of citrus and fish. In Mercato Bar & Kitchen, the single length of booths against the far wall parallels the long bar fitted with high, redcushioned chairs. With maximum seating capacity at 47, by 5:30 p.m. on a Saturday

night the restaurant was nearly packed.

The cramped space lends itself to good conversation, with fresh bread served to customers ranging from parents out with their college students to middle-age couples enjoying an evening together.

Owner Eric Pirchon ’98 said running the restaurant is a family affair.

“We created somewhere we would want to go to when we were dining out,” he said.

The menu features gnocchi, butternut squash ravioli and pan seared diver scallops, along with flavorful house cocktails with fresh juice inspired by the 1920s.

With an open stove cook line, warehouse spots on wall posters and colorful chalk decorating the overhead blackboard, Mercato embodies the artistic, eclectic spirit of Ithaca and the town’s green, local food philosophy. Though the space is small, a family should still have no problem recapping their student’s latest accomplishments over an authentic Italian dinner.

VEGGIE LOVERS

Sahara Mediterranean Restaurant 118 N. Aurora St. 319-4522

The faint smell of spice, coupled with Middle Eastern music playing, contributes to the welcoming cultural atmosphere of Sahara Mediterranean Restaurant.

Five salads, a falafel pita with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and tahini dressing, and a hummus wrap with romaine lettuce, roasted red peppers and marinated artichokes are just a few of the veggie-friendly menu selections.

The menu also includes grilled swordfish, lamp chops and beef shish kabob.

Sophomore Zoe Coleman works as a waitress at Sahara and said the restaurant has delicious options for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.

“The veggie plate is my favorite,” she said.

“It has salad with hummus and baba ghanoush, dolma and pita bread. There’s a ton there, and it’s all really good.”

A hand-painted yellow sign over the door reads, “The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table,” a mantra reflected in the restaurant’s spacey layout. The tables are scattered throughout the wide-open

room, creating an ideal atmosphere for conversation, which contributes to the friendly ethnic experience.

MEET A FEW FRIENDS

Mexeo 213 Dryden Road 272-9367

After a year of running his Vietnamese café, Xeo’s, Sebastian Villa ’07 decided to change the entire philosophy of his restaurant last fall. Now, he has a new name and a new cuisine, serving Tejano-style (Tex-Mex) taquitos while still using fresh, local ingredients.

A whiteboard hanging above the cash register lists every farm in the area where his beef and vegetables originated. In order to try another cuisine he was familiar with, Villa said he wanted to revamp the restaurant.

“It’s done in a way that’s really specific to the region where I grew up,” he said. “They are all old family recipes for food I grew up eating, and have been around my entire life.”

While Villa prepares the ingredients throughout the day, it’s not until someone orders that everything is put together.

The tortillas are filled with local pork or beef. The vegan taquito includes marinated tofu and potatoes. It’s not a vegetable-heavy cuisine but there are still vegetarian options.

A straw sombrero hangs on the back door behind Villa as he flips tortillas in a pan, searing them to a crispy brown.

He said he is glad to be sharing part of his culture with the community.

“My idea was to recreate a restaurant like in my hometown,” he said.

COMFORT FOOD

Delilah’s on Cayuga 112 S. Cayuga St.

277-9143

Tex Mex chicken mac and cheese, country fried chicken, creamy shrimp and grits and seafood jambalaya are just some of the comforting menu ideas of the Savannahstyle Southern cooking found at Delilah’s on Cayuga, which also infuses elements of French and Caribbean cuisine.

With paper cutout hearts hanging from its windows over Valentine’s Day weekend, Delilah’s, formally WildFire Lounge, is not only a vibrant and unconventional restaurant, but also an art and music venue.

Vibrant red, exposed brick and cream walls showcase the work of local artists in this well-lit space. The long booths against the wall lend themselves to family-style dining, and the silver tables and chairs add a modern feel to the layout.

As a live music venue, diners can also head up to the second floor to catch local bands.

Senior Taylor Horton said when she ate at Delilah’s, she enjoyed the casual atmosphere.

“The food was very creative, nothing like I’d seen around Ithaca before,” she said.

Samira Reamer works the front of house at Mira’s Mediterranean Bistro Saturday.

MIchelle Boulé/The ithacan

[ a ccentuate]

14 The Ithacan

Hot or Not

Th ursday, February 17, 2011

This week’s hits and misses

Assistant Accent Editor Megan Devlin rates the best and worst suggestions of ways to beat the winter weather blues.

Hot

Get active Whether it’s hitting the slopes for some skiing or boarding, or signing up for yoga classes at the gym, staying active in the winter is one of the best ways to beat the blizzards. Physical activity boosts serotonin (a mood-elevating chemical) levels in the body, helping fend off any signs of seasonal depression. Hit the cardio machines alone, try group fitness with friends at the gym or get outdoors for some extra vitamins to boost your mood. Any type of exercise will not only help shed some of those holiday pounds but also tone muscles for that killer spring break bod.

Lukewarm

Have a spa day While going to a four- or five-star spa can easily break the piggy bank, a DIY “spa day” is a great relaxation treat. With a quick trip to the pharmacy for some bath and beauty necessities — and a few other goodies to bribe the soon-to-be masseuse down the hall — those in need of some pampering can give themselves facials or invite some friends over for manis and pedis. Though it may require some penny-pinching, rejuvenating dry and cracked skin with homemade or natural treatments and indulging in some fun yet relaxing therapy is a great way to beat the winter weather.

Not

Start a project With college students multitasking every which way, health gurus are still suggesting that they take on additional projects to help them get out of the snowy slumps. In between papers and exams, or group projects and extracurricular activities, college students today have little time to do their work — let alone sleep — with time to spare. Giving people more indoor projects to do, claiming they’re good “distractions,” completely defeats the purpose of allotting time to spend outdoors in the natural sunlight for the mere five or six hours of peak lighting.

To see a video of the Arts Across Campus event, visit theithacan.org.

Clowning for a cause

ICircus performs at Arts Across Campus on Sunday in Emerson Suites. The event included acts by on-campus groups to raise funds for music students Joshua Oxford ’07 and senior Michaela Bushney, who were both involved in severe accidents this summer.

Parker Chen/the ithacan

omg!

titillating shower accessories may help improve cleanliness

Introducing every boy’s new best friend — BoysStuff’s Shower Breasts. This little gag gift is one of BoysStuff’s many gizmos and gadgets that are “serious fun.”

Though their provocative design may shock more than a few conservative blokes, this plastic set of bosoms has much more practical allure than the au naturel pair. Featuring two separate compartments dispensing shampoo from one teat and conditioner from the other, this naughty nipple-topped bathroom accessory is both tile-adhesive and a spacesaver. If getting your brother or boyfriend to spend quality time working on his hygiene is like pulling teeth, look no further than Shower Breasts for a likely solution.

— Megan Devlin

blog week of

the

providing incognito cyber bashing for what your ex ought to hear

Didn’t get the Valentine’s Day bouquet of roses and box of chocolates you were expecting? Or worse, get a text-message breakup instead? Well, look no further than the web for some honest ventilation. With pages full of passion, fear, frustration and rage, Letters I’ll Never Send is for every lover, friend, neighbor and stranger who, for whatever reason, will never hear words spoken straight from the heart. The forum encourages anonymous posts as a form of emotional and spiritual release.

So whether you’ve been cheated on or your boss is being a pain in the derriere, this site helps you reach your inner Zen — and lets you get a little personal.

— Megan Devlin

quoteunquote “There’s a brand of red-velvet cake; her mouth is made of that.”

— Russell Brand to NextMovie.com about lip-locking with co-star Jennifer Garner while filming the film trailer for “Arthur.”

celebrity

OOPS!

In defense of ... fashion?

Making a public statement — that is, one of fashion — on her Feb. 10 court date, Lindsay Lohan showed up to the courthouse as though she were making a red carpet appearance. Sporting a skintight white mini-dress, the surprisingly sober star pleaded “not guilty” to felony grand theft. Lohan, who has been in and out of rehab and court since 2007, was accused of stealing a $2,500 necklace from a small Los Angeles jeweler.

Though boldly professing her innocence — both in wardrobe and a series of pity tweets following the hearing — the star’s lawyer said Lohan is willing to entertain any plea deals to keep her out of the slammer and let her “move forward with her recovery and career.” Lindsay, isn’t it time you find a new alibi?

— Megan Devlin

Thursday, Februa ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

ACCENT

The Ithacan 15

Will the real ‘Slim’ please stand up?

Freshman hip-hop artist to give premiere at The Haunt

By Megan Devlin

Assistant Accent Editor

Bright purple Phoenix Suns snapback cap? Check. White Ralph Lauren zip-up jacket?

Check. Crisp If you Go pair of jeans?

Two Fresh with Check. Fresh Brendan “Slim” Nike kicks?

Wilkins When: 8 p.m.

Check. FreshSunday man Brendan Where: The “Slim” Wilkins Haunt puts the finishHow much: $13 ing touches on his outfit for his first ever live performance.

“I usually work from the hat down,” Wilkins said.

Mixing tracks and laying down beats in his 12-by-12-foot dorm room, Wilkins — nicknamed “Slim” for his skinny physique — is preparing for his premiere Sunday at The Haunt.

He will open for Two Fresh with Mux Mool and Body Language.

Wilkins, an exploratory student, creates his own rhymes — only set to other artists’ backbeats. He said his idol, rapper Mac Miller, was his main motivation for contacting Dan Smalls of Dan Smalls Presents, who represents talent in the Finger Lakes region and is sponsoring Sunday’s event.

Upon hearing Slim’s music, Smalls said he liked the local performer’s work and passed it along to the mainstage artists of Two Fresh.

“It comes down to the artist approving it,” Smalls said. “They were happy with him as a support.”

Wilkins said the rhymes of other young hip-hop artists inspired him to create his own lyrics.

“I try to get a flow just like them but do my own thing,” he said.

The top hit on Wilkins’ MySpace music page is his identity song, “I Will,” about “a dude comin’ from the 860, the place where I be reppin’.’” His witty lines and clown-like character promise to win over the ladies at “IC, the place where I be preppin’’.”

Wilkins’ clever lines are laid over a catchy chorus that lyrically echoes everything this new artist promises to bring to the “real world.”

Wilkins, who records all of his own music and started rapping in high school, said he wants to see how college students react to his music, which has primarily focused on college life, going out and being with his friends — including the ladies. He said rapping is similar to keeping a diary.

“If there’s something going on personally, I like to listen to songs with similar problems,” he said. “It puts me in a better mood.”

Wilkins is considering performing his adaptation of “Coming Home,” originally made famous by Diddy and Skylar Grey, at The Haunt. The track features freshman Rachael Travers singing the original chorus while Wilkins enters echoing Diddy’s intro hook. Once the mainstream backbeats rip, he spits his own rhymes for the duration of the song.

Travers met Wilkins at summer orientation and their friendship continued to develop over their bond as members of the men’s and women’s track and field teams. Travers said she was initially anxious when recording the song because she hasn’t had much experience with music before.

“At first I was nervous because I’ve never done anything like this before, and so I messed up and made some funny noise,” she said.

After manipulating her “funny noise” on GarageBand, Travers said Wilkins’ comical distortion of her sound helped her relax. She said this trait of Wilkins’ is especially important if she plans to join him on stage.

“He has this humor that’s casual and makes me laugh,” Travers said. “So going in and having a relaxed environment just made me loose.”

Freshman Nate King, friend and dedicated fan of Wilkins, said Wilkins’ signature snapback accessory makes it easy to find his friend, no matter the size of the crowd.

“The snapback is how we always find him, at the cafeteria, on campus at parties,” King said. “He’s tall for one thing, but he’s got the brightly colored snapbacks, so we’re always like, ‘Hey, there’s Slim!’”

King has been Wilkins’ personal soundboard — bouncing back comments and criticisms about his rhymes since day one of college. He said Wilkins is currently looking for some real studio time outside his dorm room to practice.

“He needs to get a feel for the audience,” King said. “We also want to give him pointers on what to do, especially because he has some time to talk.”

Wilkins said he wants to prepare for what fans expect of him and what he wants to give them.

“I want to be movin’ around and dancing,” Wilkins said. “I don’t want people to just be listening to the iPod. I want it to be an actual show.”

Freshman Brendan “Slim” Wilkins rehearses his rap music Tuesday in the James J. Whalen Center for Music. He will perform Sunday at The Haunt.

Rachel Orlow/The Ithacan

Given 30 minutes of time onstage, Wilkins said he plans to sing five songs, including an exclusive premiere of his song “Good to Great,” which he recorded just this week.

King gave some insight as to what show goers can expect. He said Wilkins’ slick imitation of Chris Brown’s hat flip and other hip-hop moves that flow to his laid-back beats will keep the audience entertained.

Twirling a pencil between his finger, Wilkins confers with King, wondering whether he should pair his USA jacket with his gray Nike Blazers.

“A couple of days ago he was really worried about what he was going

to wear to the show,” King said. “We figured there were other things to worry about.”

As Wilkins still contemplates his wardrobe, Travers and King are busy selling tickets for the show to their friends on campus. Both said they hope Wilkins’ fun-loving character comes through in his performance.

“Slim is like an alter ego,” Travers said. “For him, it’s something outside of his name where he gets to fill this persona of track star or rap star. He’s got it all.”

To listen to Wilkins’ song “I Be Killin Em” visit theithacan.org.

16 The Ithacan

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Thursday, Februa ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 17

Accen t

18 The Ithacan

Thursday, February 17, 2011

DC superheroes boost game’s action

by Robert Rivera Contributing Writer

Over the past few years, DC Comics has brought its multimedia to new levels. With its Christopher Nolan “Batman” films, the upcoming “Green Lantern” film and the award-winning comic book crossovers in “Blackest Night,” the one realm the company hasn’t touched yet is the online video game industry — until now.

DC Universe Online is a spin on the classic genre of massive multiplayer online “DC Universe role-playing games. While DC Online” Comics does not add anything DC Comics Our rating: new to MMORPGs as a whole, HHH the novelty of creating superheroes to battle against classic DC comic book villains, or vice versa, is enticing.

The game’s premise is simple: In the near future, Lex Luthor will kill Superman along with most of the world’s other superheroes, thereby allowing the villain Braniac to enslave the people of Earth without any protectors to fight his evil tyranny. Luthor, sensing he has made a mistake by killing all those with superhuman powers, blasts back to the past to warn Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman of the impending doom.

While placed in a setup like most MMORPGs, where players can customize their characters in everything from appearance to fighting role, DCUO is different. Its distinct yet familiar story line pushes the game play forward and makes it easy for even new fans of the genre to enjoy.

Players can create disciplines for their superheroes, choosing from one of six options: power, fire, ice, mental, nature, sorcery and gadgets. DCUO also features variations of movement, flight, super speed and acrobatics along with a myriad of weaponry and fighting styles from which players can select. Players can also choose their medium for gaining power, such as Batman’s martial arts, and the combat role they wish to play, such as Superman’s defensive character. Also, choosing a mentor to base the origin of their powers becomes important. The mentor defines what type of armor and physical characteristics the superhuman characters adapt.

Unlike most MMORPGs, armor is entirely customizable. It also gives each character a particular

friday

Bernie Upson Trio, a jazz band, will play from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Felicia’s Atomic Lounge. Admission is free.

“Megamind,” a film presented

by SAB, will begin at 8 p.m. in Textor 102. Admission is $2.

From left, Superman battles evil Brainiac using his power discipline and technology. The defensive powers that come with Superman’s default armor make him invulnerable to the attacker’s threat.

courtesy of dc universe ONLINE

stat, either higher attack or defense, benefiting them during battle scenes. However, if gamers do not like their customized armor piece, they can return to their character’s default armory without losing the statistical boost the armor gives them. In DCUO, stat changes caused by armor are more important than the characters’ aesthetics.

The game is user-friendly and designed with novice players in mind, but that does not detract from the difficulty of the raids at the end of the game.

One of the toughest raids, against the “Doomsday” villain, requires a combination of well-equipped attackers: destructive tanks, health-managing healers and stat-boosting controllers. Even teams that have reached the highest level could fall to the immense difficulty of the raid.

Unfortunately, the game’s mechanics limit the power potential of some superheroes. Fan favorites, like the Green Lantern and Aquaman, are reduced

to non-playable characters that cannot mimic their distinctive powers or abilities. However, the release of these skills by mid-game mediates the problem.

Thanks to a little technical tweaking and the use of iconic powers such as super breath, heat vision and super strength, the game allows players to come close to embodying “The Man of Steel.”

As DC Universe Online was made to accommodate beginner players, its easy-to-defeat levels may turn off hardcore MMORPG fans. Also, because the game is only a few weeks old, it still has some viral bugs and technical glitches, including trapping players in buildings with no exit or disconnecting them from the site during important missions.

While the easily beatable levels and stale battle system renders the game mediocre, DC Universe Online’s concept and use of legendary superheroes and events fuel this game, leaving fans hopeful for a mind-blowing expansion pack.

Experimental sonic tones amplify through decade staff Writer

The Swedish masterminds behind The Radio Dept. may not be the best known, but they are certainly one of the most original and The Radio refreshing acts to exDept. periment with sonic “Passive structures of the past Aggressive decade. The group Singles recently released 2002-2010” Labrador “Passive Aggressive: Records Singles 2002-2010,” a Our rating: two-disc compilation HHH of its studio singles.

As a dream pop and shoegaze outfit, The Radio Dept. offers signature features such as lo-fi, buzzed-up guitars and bleary-eyed vocals. The band works with digital drum

Album Review

thursday

Fragments in Flight, a new exhibit by Werner Sun, will be held with an artist’s reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Gallery at FOUND. Admission is free.

“Open Couch,” a monthly open mic night featuring folk, multimedia and poetry, will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Sunbear Party Community Theatre (1106 N. Tioga St.).

Admission is free.

game Review

by jared dionne

hot dates

loops that sport crashing cymbals and steady drum hits, which push the tracks forward but don’t overpower the delicate vocals of lead Johan Duncanson.

Some may have heard of The Radio Dept. but just don’t realize it. Several songs in this compilation, including “Pulling Our Weight,” were featured in the Kirsten Dunst biopic “Marie Antoinette.” “Pulling Our Weight” starts up with light and accentuated drum beats accompanied by Duncanson’s hushed and airy vocals.

The fuzzy quality of the guitars and synthesizers give the song an authentic old-time record feel.

The group addresses the problems of social status and cultural norms in the single “We Made the Team.” Synthesized beats and a grooving bass line please the ear as Duncanson takes to

saturday

Chili-Fest, Ithaca’s annual chili tasting event and cook-off competition, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on The Commons. Tickets are five for $5 and 11 for $10.

“Discotheque,” a dance party birthday celebration with Radar Radar vs. DJ Double A, will begin at 8 p.m. at Castaways.

Admission is free.

sunday

Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, an orchestral concert featuring music by Piazzolla, Mendelssohn, and Arensky, will begin at 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Ithaca.

Admission is $5.

Band revives disco inferno by alex ash

contributing Writer

Courtesy of Labrador Records

his traditional glazy vocals. He stresses the importance of “making the team” as he reasons, “As long as we get laid and paid.”

“Passive Aggressive” not only serves as an excellent crash course in Radio Dept. 101 for listeners new to the band, but it also satisfies the hardened fan’s hunger for its familiar drowsy beats. With 28 songs, the compilation will hold over listeners until the group returns with its next studio album.

Dan Bejar, the lead singer of the Canadian band Destroyer, takes listeners back in time through the compositional use of disco, jazz and ’70s soft-rock instrumentals.

“Kaputt,” the band’s ninth full-length album, completely moves away from Destroyer the folk-rock in“Kaputt” fluences of its Merge previous albums.

Records Composed Our rating: with a theatriHHH cal flair, Bejar’s songs use free-flowing saxophone and spacey atmospheric synths.

His distinctively smooth yet raspy voice does not overtake the instrumentals, but rather blends with them nicely.

Standouts like “Chinatown” and the title track, “Kaputt,” focus

Album Review

on the saxophone while “Savage Night At The Opera” is heavily synthesized. The album’s disco infusion is far from corny and helps the band produce its strongest work to date.

This album may surprise veteran fans, but it won’t disappoint them. “Kaputt” is enjoyable for both old and new listeners who will appreciate Bejar’s stylistic makeover and poetic lyrics.

Courtesy of merge Records

quickies “Degeneration Street”

“end it all”

Despite their five-year hiatus, the hard rock band Ten’s comeback album lacks innovation and refreshing sounds. The album is simply a rework of their old material, leaving fans disappointed.

Rapper Beans’ latest album features pleasantly tongue-twisting raps and several collaborations with producers like Four Tet. With heavy beats and well-written rhymes, “End It All” showcases Beans’ signature style.

Beans Anticon

Ten Frontiers Records

The Dears Dangerbird Records This Canadian indie rock band seems to have plateaued with its fifth album. Lead vocalist Murray Lightburn shines with varied styles, but the concept of the album may be lost for some listeners. courtesy of dangerbird Records

“Stormwarning”

courtesy of frontier Records

courtesy of anticon

compiled by lara bonner

Accen t

Thursday, Februa ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 19

Film needs prayer to save sinful acting [ Lead characters fail to bring energy and edginess to their roles

by Matthew R. Reis

ticket stub

]

valid friday through thursday

cinemapolis The Commons 277–6115

staff writer

Truly terrifying movies rarely grace the big screen these days because of over-cooked turkeys like “The Rite.”

“The Rite” Inspired by Matt New Line Baglio’s book, this Cinema adaptation doesn’t Our rating: H take its source material seriously either. Inundated with a ghastly mix of drama and unintentional comedy, director Mikael Håfström’s latest film belongs in purgatory.

Supposedly based on true events, “The Rite” is immensely unrealistic because of its emotionally inept performances and over-the-top visual effects. The film follows American Michael Kovak (Colin O’Donoghue), a deacon who is second-guessing the clergy. He travels to Rome to take part in an exorcist-training course at the Vatican. Here, Kovak meets Rev. Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins), one of the most sought after exorcists in the Roman Catholic Church, who becomes his mentor and an unlikely friend. But when Trevant becomes possessed himself, Kovak must summon what faith he has left to defeat the devil within Trevant.

Just like his character who lacks religion, O’Donoghue comes up short with his acting. Though O’Donoghue is technically the star of the movie, the more well-known Hopkins gets more credit for his performance. Instead of embracing his role, O’Donoghue floats through the film with dumbfounded facial expressions that make him seem lost in his own part. Kovak’s impish nature also makes his charac-

war/dance 7 p.m. today only

Film Review

City Lights 7 p.m. Feb. 23 and Weekends 4 p.m.

Modern Times 4 p.m. Feb. 20 to Feb. 22 and 7 p.m. Feb. 18 to Feb. 22 Barney’s Version 7:05 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and Weekends 2:05 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. the illusionist 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Weekends 2:10 p.m.

Father Trevant (Anthony Hopkins) nicks himself shaving, leaving him fearful that the bloody mark is an indication of the devil. He is later possessed by the devil and must be saved with the help of the Roman deacons.

Courtesy of new line cinema

ter unpleasant. He couldn’t care less about being invited to the Vatican and has a poor habit of talking back to his priestly mentors. Even Hopkins fails to raise hell in “The Rite” as he did in his celebrated portrayal of cannibal Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Piggybacking on his great reputation to ill effect, Hopkins fails to bring any edginess to his role as Trevant.

The film’s inconsistent visual style is mind-boggling. Every breathtaking shot of Rome is paralleled with weak computer-generated effects that seem like the work of an amateur. But cinematographer Ben Davis’ cold, heavily-stylized technique is the sole reason why the movie doesn’t

completely flop. Davis doesn’t rely on typically over-filmed historic monuments like the Roman Colosseum to please viewers. Instead, he brings out the city’s past by sharply focusing on every crack and crevice in ancient buildings. The audience visually connects to this world, but unfortunately it is not enough to save the picture’s nonsensical plot.

It’s apparent from the opening scene that screenwriter Michael Petroni has no sense of cinematic storytelling. With poorly crafted dialogue and a plot that unravels like a ball of yarn, there are no memorable moments or characters. Also contributing to “The Rite’s” laundry list of failures is composer Alex Heffes’

Teenage Canuck stands by fans

“The Rite” was written by Michael Petroni, adapted from Matt Baglio’s book and directed by Mikael Håfström.

Whimsical acting mitigates adultery By janet early

contributing writer

By Casey musarra managing editor

There’s a reason why Bieber Fever is sweeping the nation. If anything, “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” turns up the temperature, making this epidemic a pandemic.

The inspiring true story of the teenage pop star opens with a fictional e-mail linking to recognizable viral videos, such as the sneezing panda.

After the goofy videos, Bieber’s “Justin Bieber: infamous Chris Brown cover of Never Say Never” “With You” pops up. The rest of Paramount the film hones in on producer Pictures Scooter Braun’s discovery of Our rating: Bieber — turning the youngster HHH1/2 from a YouTube sensation into a Grammy Award nominee.

Every scene in the film is tied together by the same medium that got Bieber to where he is today — the Internet. The movie begins with a promotional-type countdown 10 days before his first show at Madison Square Garden. Centered around this soldout performance on his My World Tour, the movie transposes his life on tour with archival and interview footage, giving viewers a glimpse into his world.

While Bieber’s tunes take over most of the film, the musical score by Deborah Lurie sets the pace.

Her original take on familiar songs, such as a contemporary twist on Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King” during a fan montage, blends well with both Bieber’s original tracks and covers.

The quick editing on top of masterful cinematography makes for a beautiful movie. Though some of the archival footage doesn’t lend itself well to the big screen, Bieber’s vocal performance in each concert clip puts the less-than-great visuals out of mind.

Director Jon Chu stands by Bieber’s mantra of

score. The music is moody and timely, yet it fails to haunt audiences watching a soulless movie. Heffes’ score is a cheap copy of other exorcism movies, most notably the bloodcurdling music of 1973’s “The Exorcist.”

Whether theatergoers are religious or not, it’s obvious Håfström’s poor direction mocks the real-life and well-intentioned work of Kovak and Trevant. Hopefully Håfström will spare future audiences from a sequel, because another one of his films would truly be sinful.

“for-and-by-the-fans” by including umpteen fan interviews and YouTube videos. Images of preteen girls crying and scenes of Braun giving out VIP tickets show the teen sensation’s loyalty to his roots.

Special appearances by Boys II Men along with Sean Kingston, Usher, Miley Cyrus and Ludacris make for one of the best concerts of all time. The explosiveness of the concert itself set against the heartfelt story of Bieber’s discovery leaves a sense of mixed emotions that adds depth to the film.

It’s not just one 16-year-old’s story but a story of the American Dream — even if it’s told from a Canadian perspective. This movie is bound to leave fans and haters alike in tears, but it will also have them saying, “I will never say never.”

Some problems can become so complicated that they have no simple solution.

Such a quandary is the premise of “The Dilemma,” in which Ronny (Vince “The Vaughn) catches the wife Dilemma” of his best friend Nick Imagine (Kevin James) in the arms Entertainment of another man.

Our rating: In his most solid perHH1/2 formance since “Wedding Crashers,” Vaughn delivers a humorous and convincing performance as a loyal best friend struggling with newfound adulterous knowledge. Entertaining scenes show Ronny stalking Beth and her lover (Channing Tatum) to obtain photographic evidence of the affair. He later preaches about honesty, personifying it as a bounty hunter tracking down disloyalty.

James plays the role of Nick, the wronged husband and stressed businessman, but fails to bring his own dynamic persona, as seen in the television sitcom “The King of Queens,” to film. Tatum, in an unusual but nevertheless likeable role, expertly plays “the other guy.”

Though peculiarly light for Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard, the film is still an enjoyable experience for viewers. While important details, such as Nick’s own acts of infidelity, are never given rightful attention, the film exposes all sides of a predicament: the struggle, the panic and ultimately, the reluctant confrontation.

“Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” was directed by Jon Chu.

“The Dilemma” was written by Alan Hoeb and directed by Ron Howard.

Film Review

Film Review

Justin Bieber poses for the camera crew on set of his film, which documents the teen’s pop life.

Courtesy of Paramount pictures

another year 4:10 p.m. and Weekends 2:05 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. blue valentine HHH 7:30 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.

The king’s speech HHH1/2 4:35 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. and Weekends 2:15 p.m. and 4:35 p.m. black swan HHH 7:20 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and Weekends 2:20 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

regal stadium 14 Pyramid Mall 266-7960

big mommas: like father, like son 1:40 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:40 p.m. i am number four 1:20 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:10 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 7:50 p.m., 9:20 p.m., 10:30 p.m. unknown 2 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 10 p.m. the eagle 3:50 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9:15 p.m. gnomeo and Juliet 3d 3:15 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 10:25 p.m. just go with it 2:40 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:50 p.m. justin bieber: never say never 2:20 p.m., 5 p.m. and 3D 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 10:35 p.m.

THE ROOMMATE H 3:30 p.m., 5:50 p.m., 8:20 p.m., 10:40 p.m.

Sanctum 3d HH1/2 1:50 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 7:40 p.m., 9:50 p.m., 10:20 p.m. no strings attached HH 2:10 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 7:40 p.m., 10:20 p.m. the green hornet 3d HH 6:20 p.m. true grit 1:30 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 9:30 p.m. the fighter 7:30 p.m., 10:10 p.m.

our ratings Excellent HHHH Good HHH Fair HH Poor H

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Thursday, Februa ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

The Ithacan 21

Divers ion s

22 The Ithacan

dormin’ norman

Thursday, February 17, 2011

sudoku

By Jonathan Schuta ’14

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crossword ACROSS 1 Desiccated 5 Balance-sheet guru 8 Manipulate 11 Take malicious delight 13 Fleur-de- — 14 Social Register word 15 Coronet 16 Kind of nerve 18 Messy quarters 20 Totality 21 Hiking trail 23 Toothpaste type 25 Grants approval 28 Dangerfield persona 30 U.K. fliers 32 Warmed the bench 33 Old Euphrates city 34 Uh-uh

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By United Media

Cobbler Laugh syllable Highest degree Bath fixture Sing praises to Comedian Danny CAT scan relative Potato skin Tampa Bay pro Many times Sonora snack Removed water Third-millennium year Head gesture Posh hotel lobbies Crumple up Printer’s measures Convince

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29 31 35 37 40 42 44 46 48 51 53 54 55 56 58 59

Two-timer “A pox upon thee!�

Make a pleasant sound Specialists New plant variety Worries over Prof’s goal Lisbon’s loc.

Whether Movie theater Glasgow duo CEO auto, perhaps Ms. Thurman of “Gattaca�

Weight unit Less than one “My — Sunday�

answers to last week’s crossword A R G O

C H I N A

V E J A S U RO A R ME

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MHO P E N H A S D E L E T A R Y A S P A L O RO S P H OP E N Y E

P UC I N S CU T GA S A UR F A I N A L O I N N S K J O I N AGNU L E T EWE

E T E E R G I S M S

Thursday, Februa ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

sports

The Ithacan 23

Carving a

new path

Greek Peak Adaptive Snowsports program gives disabled people chance to engage in sports Dallas Pace, 13, who lost her left leg this past year because of cancer, skis down the slope using a tri-track ski Sunday at Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland, N.Y.

graham hebel/the ithacan

ski and two adapted forearm crutches with ski tips to help her balance while going down the slopes.

“The people here are really easy to work with, and Erin Scala zooms down the mountain on her snowboard, carving left and right on her toes and heels, picking everyone is friendly here,” Pace said. “Before this I was up speed whenever she can. With a brand new board, the a total coach potato.”

And every week when Pace hits the slopes, she gets 25-year-old is untouchable on the mountain and catches to work with Robyn King, whose enthusiasm on the the attention of most skiers and riders as she passes.

Scala rarely falls while snowboarding, and it’s even mountain gives Pace an added boost.

King has been working with the program for the more rare to see her without a smile on. A day at the past 10 years and has been volunteering as an instrucmountain means nonstop laughter as tor for the past five. King’s hope to get her 14-year-old soon as she gets on the lift. When she son up and moving after he lost his leg in a car accident rides onto an open, powder-covered To see an audio slideshow of a in 2001 was what brought her to the program. trail, there is nothing holding her back session, visit She said teaching Pace reminds her a lot of her son’s from picking up speed. But if it weren’t theithacan.org. introduction to Adaptive Snowsports. for the bright orange vest she wears, no “You see Dallas smile when she gets it,” she said. one on the mountain would ever know she is blind.

“I love going fast,” Scala said. “I love just feeling it un- “That’s what it’s about. It’s about giving them something der the board that I’m cruising, and I’m like, ‘Ah, this is so that they can do well and giving them that self-confidence back, especially with kids.” cool!’ It’s like an adrenaline rush.”

Jim Cappellett, who is president of the organization’s Scala said the wind in her face produced by that board and an instructor, has been volunteering with the speed also helps to tell her if she’s even moving.

Scala has a medical condition known as retinis program for the past 15 years. More than 100 volunpigmentosa, an inherited disease that causes gradual teers, like Nicholson and King, are teaching lessons at retinal degeneration, and now for Scala, near com- the mountain this year. Ranging from retired teachers to college students, every volunteer goes through both dryplete loss in her vision.

Her first introduction to snowboarding was when land clinics and snow clinics beginning in November to she found the Greek Peak Adaptive Snowsports pro- prepare for the season’s lessons.

Cappellett said his involvement in gram three years ago. the program is more than worth it.

Interested in learning to snow“You get more out of it than you give board, Scala searched Google for — believe me,” he said. “For a lot of our “blind snowboarding” and came clients, it develops an independence across GPAS, a 37-year-old notthat they would not have if they were for-profit organization dedicated not skiing or riding.” to giving people with both physiThe program runs out of the Dr. Robcal and mental disabilities the ert M. Lovejoy Adaptive Ski Center — chance to enjoy all that winter named after the program’s first skier with has to offer at the mountain. She total blindness — with funding from immediately joined. both grants and personal donations. The Once in the program, Scala program is also a chapter of Disabled met Megan-Mack Nicholson, — Megan-mack nicholson Sports USA, a national not-for-profit orprofessor of recreation and leiganization that offers sport rehabilitation sure studies at Ithaca College and Greek Peak instructor, who became Scala’s other half on programs to those with permanent disabilities.

King said, while the program has continued to be the mountain.

“We’re like sisters,” Scala said. “Trust is a huge thing. successful during the past few years, he noticed that in We have to trust each other, and I have to trust her. We 2003 not as many people came for lessons. So King, in an effort to attract more people, helped create the prohave that scary bond.”

As Scala rockets down the mountain each week, gram’s scholarship week, Winter Challenge Week.

In its eighth year, the scholarship week offers free, Nicholson follows close behind yelling “Heel,” “Toe” or the occasional “Skier ahead!” And while the two laugh week-long ski and snowboard instruction for blind, paraabout their close relationship, Nicholson said her role is plegic and amputee adults from all different backgrounds, fully sponsored by Greek Peak Adaptive Snowsports. anything but a joke because she becomes Scala’s eyes.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be out here donating your More than 45 people have participated in the challenge time,” Nicholson said. “That’s a very scary bond when week since it began, which has helped people recover you’re relying on someone to keep your life, and you’re from accidents or illness at their own pace, King said.

“Everyone has a different story,” he said. “The most trying to keep someone alive.”

The lesson, which has now become just another important story, in my book, is always the story about rehang out session for Scala and Nicholson, is just one of covery. How do they make it work for them, [and] how do they get over those obstacles?” many in the adaptive program.

As Scala and Nicholson continue to goof off and chat From tri-track skiing to snowboarding, the program provides the more than 100 participants of all on the lifts about their future plans to go to Colorado, ages this year with a mountain experience. Thirteen- Nicholson said, their relationship is irreplaceable.

“Greek Peak’s adaptive program is amazing,” Nicholson year-old Dallas Pace is one of those individuals.

After losing her left leg to cancer this past year, said. “It’s super rewarding. But it will be hard if Erin ever Pace has been learning to tri-track ski. Pace uses one stops coming, it will be hard to find another bond.”

by rebecca webster senior writer

From left, Megan-Mack Nicholson, professor of recreation and leisure studies at Ithaca College, sits with Erin Scala at Greek Peak on Sunday.

graham hebel/the ithacan

From left, volunteer instructor Robyn King keeps pace with 13-year-old Dallas Pace down the slope Sunday at Greek Peak in Cortland, N.Y.

graham hebel/the ithacan

“That’s a very scary bond when you’re relying on someone to keep your life, and you’re trying to keep someone alive.”

Sports

24 The Ithacan

The Hot Corner Casey Musarra

Pitch and catch with the best

T

hey are the words all big baseball fans have been waiting to hear for three or four months (depending on how their team did) — pitchers and catchers report.

Like Punxsutawney Phil not seeing his shadow, the hurlers and their backstops starting up again in Florida or Arizona marks an unofficial beginning to spring. Even though opening day is more than a month away, spring training can be a good indication of what’s to come. Is there a small market team that can pull off a 1997 Florida Marlins-esque run? Here are my predictions for who will claim that coveted division title and make a run at the postseason.

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies The reigning NL East champs made all the right moves this offseason and put together arguably the best starting rotation of all time. The Phillies have done a great job re-signing their veterans and still have most of the same lineup that won the World Series in 2008 and made an appearance in 2009.

It would be a surprise if this team didn’t get back to the World Series for the third time in four years.

NL Central: Milwaukee Brewers After a mediocre 77–85 finish last year, the Brewers’ young team looks set to finally take off. With the big bats of Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun at their best, this offense has a chance to really explode. And with the addition of former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, they have one of the more complete rotations in the game.

NL West: San Francisco Giants The World Series champions look just as good, if not better, than last year. Brian Wilson’s swagger alone makes this team a force to be reckoned with. The young Buster Posey looks to continue to ignite this offense after claiming the NL Rookie of the Year award.

AL East: Boston Red Sox It’s hard for me to say, but the Sox look scary good. After making some of the best and biggest moves of the offseason in snatching up Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, this team is prepared to shut down the Rays and the Yankees.

AL Central: Chicago White Sox The Sox biggest move in signing Adam Dunn as their designated hitter will certainly boost this already-solid offense. If Mark Buehrle can perform up to his potential, the Sox have a fighting chance in this strong division.

AL West: Texas Rangers Though the Seattle Mariners will surely put together a stronger year than their dismal 61-win season last year, the Rangers are still the best out west. The league leaders with a .276 batting average last year are set to continue their offensive dominance. Now that their young arms have played on the biggest stage, they’re composed enough to get back there. casey musarra is a senior televison-radio major. Contact her at cmusarr1@ithaca.edu.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Squad sinks opponents from distance By harlan green-taub staff writer

The introduction of the 3-point line forever changed the way basketball is played. The 3-point line — much like the shot clock sped up the game — allows for more spacing by the offense and the opportunity for shooters to better take advantage of their craft.

The men’s basketball team, 18–5 overall and 11–3 in the Empire 8 Conference, is one of the deadliest from downtown in Division III. The Bombers are shooting 38.8 percent from beyond the arc, good enough for 19th in the nation, while their 10.9 3-point field goals per game ranks fourth in the country.

The South Hill squad Head Coach Jim Mulconnected on 14-of-36 3-point shots Tuesday lins said while Division in its 93–61 win.

I basketball is geared toward a more athletic, cut-to-the-basket style game play, Division III is about finding good shooters who may not have the athleticism or size to play at the Division I level.

“Really for the last three years this has been our style of play, and we’ve recruited accordingly,” Mullins said. “We’re particularly strong at the guard position, and when we get the movement in our offense going we usually shoot pretty well.”

The Bombers’ two best shooters from downtown this season are junior guard Jordan Marcus, who through Tuesday’s game is shooting 44.1 percent, 80 of 181, and sophomore guard Andrei Oztemel, who is shooting 41.6 percent, 80 of 192.

Jordan said the Bombers’ style of play is what attracted him to Ithaca College.

“We have the green light from anywhere on the floor,” he said. “We make sure we’re not taking terrible shots, but if we feel like we can make it, coach has faith that we will.”

Jordan, who is shooting 10 percentage points higher from three this season than he did last year, said he worked all summer to improve his shot and become a smarter player.

In the Bombers’ 94–89 loss to Utica College on Feb. 5, Jordan had a stretch in which he made six 3-pointers in a four-minute span during the first half. Jordan finished with nine 3-pointers for the game — one shy of the school record.

“Sometimes you just get hot and feel like you can’t miss,” Jordan said. “The hoop starts

stat check

Sophomore Andrei Oztemel launches a 3-pointer as Rochester Institute of Technology senior guard Nate Korinchak goes for the block in the Blue and Gold’s 93–61 win Tuesday in Ben Light Gymnasium.

danielle d’avanzo/The ithacan

to look bigger and everything keeps going in.”

Oztemel, who has become somewhat of a 3-point specialist, attempting 185 of his 220 shots this season from distance, said not a lot changed in his game from last season when he drove to the basket more often; he just feels more comfortable in the offense.

“I have become more of a wing-type player, so I’m getting more open shots,” Oztemel said.

“Also, it has to do with personnel. We’re trying to

spread the floor so [senior Phil Barera] can work inside, and that involves working the perimeter and shooting more jump shots.”

Marcus and Oztemel even have a competition going to see who will finish the season with more successful 3-pointers, Marcus said.

“We joke about it in practice all the time,” he said. “It’s all in good fun. We’re both competitive people and want to win and that pushes us to do better.”

Seniors driven to cap off careers with league title By jesse cases staff writer

Leadership is a quality displayed best by the mature and experienced, and this holds true for the seniors of the women’s basketball team, not just this season but for their entire careers while wearing the Blue and Gold.

Seniors Jordan Confessore, Elissa Klie and Jane DeBiasse have been making an impact for the Bombers since stepping onto South Hill The Bombers for their freshare on the road man season in tomorrow at 2007 and have Hartwick College consistently in Oneonta, N.Y. improved their performances throughout their four years on campus.

DeBiasse said this year’s seniors helped bring solid team cohesion to the Blue and Gold from day one.

“Before we came here the team was very segregated,” she said. “Ever since our class has come through we’ve brought the team together, and it really adds something special to the program.”

In the past four seasons, Klie, Confessore and DeBiasse have helped guide the Blue and Gold to an overall record of 77–31 and a record of 57–5 in the Empire 8 Conference.

Confessore said it was an impressive accomplishment for the team, but it isn’t a big surprise.

“We’ve all put a lot of time and effort into this so we try to play our

next up

From left, Rochester Institute of Technology freshman Mallory Apperson falls behind senior Jordan Confessore in the Bombers’ 69–51 home win Tuesday. rachel orlow/the ithacan

best every game,” she said. “With a 57–5 overall record in the Empire 8, it looks like it’s really paying off.”

En route to their dominating record in the Empire 8, the seniors on this year’s squad were part of the first team in league history to finish a regular season 16–0 last season. The

Bombers ran through league play before being upset 38–37 by Utica College in the Empire 8 tournament championship Feb. 27.

Klie said lifting the elusive championship trophy is the one thing she hopes to accomplish before the season’s end.

DeBiasse said despite losing the championship, last season featured some of the best moments of her career as a Bomber.

“It was really the first season that I felt like all the players on the team were in it together,” she said. “We were all close friends; we weren’t just teammates.”

In their final regular season home game, Confessore, Klie and DeBiasse combined to score 31 of team’s 69 total points in a 69–51 win against Rochester Institute of Technology.

Confessore, a sport media major, has spent the past two summers working in the Athletic Communication and Sports Marketing Office at Rutgers University and said it’s a field she will explore after graduation.

“I’d like to get a job in sports industry,” Confessore said. “I’m leaning toward sport marketing or public relations for a professional team.”

Klie, who will be finishing up her television and radio major next semester but will have played out her four years of collegiate eligibility for the Bombers, said she’ll look to get involved next season by volunteering at basketball games.

As far as a career in basketball after college, Klie said she doesn’t have anything planned in terms of athletics for her future.

“If I have children one day, maybe I’ll coach them,” Klie said. “But I don’t think I’ll end up doing anything on the professional level.”

Thursday, Februa ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

Sports

The Ithacan 25

Pooling their talents Men’s swimming and diving team drives toward first title since 2004 by alex holt staff Writer

The men’s swimming and diving team has had a winning state of mind this season. At its next meet, that mind-set will be a perfect fit.

The Bombers, after a convincing 180–120 win against rival Union College in their last dual meet of the season, will look to maintain that momentum Wednesday at the Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association Championships in Webster, N.Y. The Bombers are confident and relaxed as they sit on the verge of capping a 15–1 regular season with their first state or conference title since 2004. Strong performances from the team’s 11 freshmen have given the Blue and Gold more depth on their roster than they’ve had in past years.

Sophomore Jake Lichter said the team’s success is the product of the great chemistry between the athletes.

“The younger guys have done a really good job this year of stepping up in big meets,” Lichter said. “The seniors and the juniors have done a really good job of explaining how things are supposed to go and really helped to motivate us.”

Senior co-captain Steve Croucher said while the team’s championship chances are as good as they’ve been in years, the team is less concerned with winning the meet than with doing well and having fun as they have all season long.

“I don’t think there’s been any pressure to win states,” Croucher

said. “We want to do the best we can, and if we win, that’s awesome.”

There are some additional differences between the Bombers’ regular season meets and the UNYSCSA Championships, which draw 13 of the best teams in New York state and the Empire 8.

The meet runs Feb. 23-26, a full day longer than any of the team’s other meets this season, takes place mostly during the middle of the week and contains five more teams than any of the Bombers’ other meets.

The squad will only be competing in two sessions per day, and, as a result, the team will spend just as much time warming up and trying to stay prepared as they will be swimming.

Senior co-captain Kramer Jakubek said there’s more to preparation than being physically ready.

“You’ve just got to stay mentally focused,” Jakubek said. “That’s the most important thing.”

There is typically some fatigue immediately after each race, but Croucher said it usually fades away after five minutes, and the only time it may actually get to the team is on the final day when they’re ready for the meet to be done.

What’s more, when the Bombers take to the pool in Webster, it will be their first competitive meet since Feb. 5, when they beat Union. The Bombers have also had their biggest successes this season at meets where they were coming off of long breaks — most notably in victories at the Don Richards Invitational in

Sophomore Jake Lichter swims backstroke during practice Friday in the Hill Center Pool. The Blue and Gold posted an overall regular season record of 15–1 this year and have won 10 consecutive meets dating back to Nov. 20. parker chen/the ithacan

Rochester, N.Y., coming off Thanksgiving break and the eight-team Henry Kumpf Invitational in Troy, N.Y., during winter break.

In order to mentally and physically prepare for meets, the team starts tapering, or gradually reducing their exercise leading up to a meet, senior co-captain Bobby Gendimenico said.

Tapering is a process the team practices where it scales back its highyardage and focuses on technique and stroke, Lichter said.

“You try and conserve as much energy as possible, so that when you

get into the championship meet, you give the best performance that you could all season,” he said. “You just know you’re going to swim fast and it doesn’t really matter what day of the week it is.”

Competing against a larger field of teams does have more of an effect on the Bombers’ mind-set though, Croucher said.

“In dual meets, it’s just eight guys swimming in one race,” Croucher said. “This is kind of like a big mob, so you can just focus on yourself, take everything outside your mind and really focus on that one race without

worrying about other people.”

Jakubek said the Bombers also have stronger “sprinter,” breaststroke and individual medley swimmers, even though they don’t have as much depth in terms of distance swimmers.

The Bombers will have plenty of competition, with 12 other teams competing in Webster. Aside from underdogs Hartwick College and Union College, there’s one team the Bombers are determined to beat.

“We’ve got our sights set on Stevens,” Gendimenico said. “Stevens is nationally ranked, but we think we can knock them off.”

26 The Ithacan

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Everybody has issues ...

... we have a new one every week.

The Ithacan every Thursday.

Look online for game stories from these sports: TOMORROW

• 6 p.m. Women’s basketball at Hartwick College • 8 p.m. Men’s basketball at Hartwick College

SATURDAY

• 10 a.m. Women’s indoor track at Cornell University’s Marc Denault Invitational in Ithaca, N.Y. • 10 a.m. Men’s indoor track at Cornell University’s Marc Denault Invitational in Ithaca, N.Y. • 1 p.m. Gymnastics vs. SUNY-Brockport, SUNY-Cortland and Wilson College in Ben Light Gymnasium • 2 p.m. Women’s basketball at Stevens Institute of Technology • 4 p.m. Men’s basketball at Stevens Institute of Technology

WEDNESDAY

• 10:30 a.m./6:30 p.m. Women’s swimming and diving at Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association Championships in Webster, N.Y. • 10:30 a.m./6:30 p.m. Men’s swimming and diving at Upper New York State Collegiate Swimming Association Championships in Webster, N.Y. • 7 p.m. Gymnastics at SUNY-Cortland Bold = Home game

danielle d’avanzo/the ithacan

The Ithacan

online | theithacan.org/sports

[the buzzer]

Thursday, Februa ry 1 7 , 2 0 1 1

by the

numbers

11

The Ithacan 27

57

The number of Empire 8 conference wins the women’s basketball team has picked up with the members of the senior class. See story on page 24.

The number of freshmen on the men’s swimming and diving team this season.

See story on page 25.

192

The number of 3-point shots sophomore forward Andre Oztemel has attempted this season. See story on page 24.

Ain’t no mountain high enough

Senior Cody Anderson climbs the rock climbing wall Tuesday in the Wood Floor Gym in the Fitness Center during recreational climbing wall hours. The Fitness Center offers semester-long passes for $30 and day passes for $5 per person.

Juan Tamayo/The Ithacan

Face-off Senior Jessica Bolduc Gymnastics

South Hill athletes weigh in on the latest stories in professional football, basketball and baseball.

Freshman Tom Sweeney Men’s Basketball

Sophomore Billy Savage Men’s Track

Junior Riley Dunn Women’s Basketball

Yes. The players will still want to play regardless.

I think they’ll be able to work something out.

I think so. I’m optimistic a deal will get done.

I hope so. There are a lot of sports fans that need to watch football.

What will happen to Carmelo anthony?

I’m pretty sure he’ll stay with Denver.

I’d love to see him on the Knicks. That’s where he fits in.

He’s made it pretty clear he wants to play in New York.

I don’t think he’s going anywhere.

Spring Training started this week. Who is your Favorite Baseball team?

I’m a Yankees fan. Ithaca teams are called the Bombers, so I feel like we share that connection.

The Phillies.

They have Cliff Lee and the best bullpen in the National League.

The New York Yankees. I grew up half an hour away from the stadium and always went as a kid.

The Red Sox. I’m originally from Boston, and I use to like to watch Nomar.

Will there be an NFL Season in September?

the foul line

Weird news from the wide world of sports Connecticut police arrested a 28-year-old man at the Connecticut Whale hockey game Jan. 28 in what has to be the most interesting run-in with a mascot since Randall Simon’s confrontation with the Italian sausage at Milwaukee’s Miller Park. While intoxicated at the minor league hockey game at the XL Center, East Hartford native Kevin O’Connell tackled and punched Pucky, the team’s official mascot, as he greeted children at the door. O’Connell was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree breach of peace. Connecticut Superior Court Judge Raymond Norko sentenced O’Connell to 10 days of community service and ordered him to read a book and write an essay on the situation. The team has invited O’Connell to have a center-ice apology session despite the fact that he is banned from the building, but his family said he declined because he was worried a fan would seek revenge.

— Kevin McCall

they saidit

We were talking to each other, we had our heads up, we weren’t putting anyone at risk and if they had one guy in there we tried to have at least one or two.

Islanders’ captain John Tavares on his team’s play in a 9–3 win over the Penguins on Friday.

The teams combined for 346 penalty minutes.

28 The Ithacan

photo finish Capturing the Bom bers at their be s t

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Taking success in stride

Senior Kristen DeStefano clears a hurdle in the women’s 60-meter hurdles Saturday at Cornell University’s Robert Kane Invitational at Barton Hall. The Bombers finished the meet with 16 top-20 performances and had two athletes qualify for the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships. The team returns to the track Saturday at Cornell’s Marc Denault Invitational. kevin campbell/the ithacan