March 8, 2008 issue 18 Loquitur

Thursday, Mar. 8, 2007

C a b r i n i

C o l l e g e

The Loquitur Y o u S p e a k, W e L i s t e n

www.theLoquitur.com

Radnor, Pa.

Vol XLVIII, Issue 18

Academic changes to take place KATHERINE BRACHELLI NEWS EDITOR

KB727@CABRINI.EDU MEGHAN HURLEY

WRITING COACH/WEB EDITOR MLH722@CABRINI.EDU

For the 2007-2008 academic year, at the recommendation of Dr. Jonnie Guerra, the vice president of academic affairs, the English and communication department will split into two separate departments, the fine arts and graphic design departments will merge into one department and the Honors Program will have two directors, Dr. Paul Wright, assistant professor of English, and Dr. Leonard Primiano, associate professor of

WHAT’S INSIDE

religion.

The decision to split the English and communication department came directly from the administration.

Dr. Seth Frechie, associate professor of English, will be the chair of the new English department and Dr. Jerry Zurek, the current chair of the combined department, will be the chair of the communication department.

“I thought the college had an opportunity to enhance both the major in English and the major in communication by housing them each in a separate department with separate leadership and giving each the opportunity to devel-

ALL PHOTOS: EMILY BUERGER/PHOTO EDITOR

Autism rates rise among children JESSICA HAGERTY

JH729@CABRINI.EDU

SPORTS Player profile Page 13

As of 2007, the English and communications department will no longer be combined.

However, there will be separate majors offered for English and communication. The decision to split the department came directly from administration.

ACADEMICS, page 3

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

A&E PLUG Awards Page 11

The facilities in the fine arts wing will no longer be occupied with studio art majors because it is being retired. Currently, there are 13 studio art majors at Cabrini.

Steve Infanti knew his everyday lifestyle would change when he became the father of triplets.

He expected perfectly healthy children, as no ailments run in his or his wife’s families.

Eighteen months after the three boys were born, Dominic was diagnosed with autism. It was soon after when Ethan and Cole were diagnosed as well.

Recent studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that one in every 150 children are diagnosed with autism or a related disorder like Asperger’s syndrome by the age of 8. As of today, the study is the most accurate analysis of the disorder to ever take place in the

United States.

Fourteen states were analyzed in the years 2000 and 2002. The study shows that number of autistic children has risen from the one-in-200 estimate made of the 1980s.

There has been much controversy over whether more children are actually developing autism or if the increase is a result in better studies.

Infanti said, “I think autistic children were often classified as ‘shy,’ ‘dumb’ or other names.

People are more educated to it now.”

“We know so much more about autism today than we did before. At one point people were saying that bad parenting was a cause,” assistant professor of psychology Dr. Melissa Terlecki said.

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, doctors have recently reported that genetics may be linked to autism.

However, they cannot prove that this is always the case. Autism is also four times more likely to occur in males than females.

Autism was not hereditary in the Infanti family.

Symptoms for the triplets were similar; delays in communication, missing of developmental benchmarks, lack of gross motor skills and lack of fine motor skills.

Dominic, Ethan and Cole were placed in the middle of the autism spectrum after many rounds of evaluations at West Virginia University and the Capital Area Intermediate Unit.

Many places are working on being more educated on the topic

in order to diagnose autism earlier and to help treat patients and families.

“The need for autistic help was just so great. Parents didn’t know how to interact with their child so we knew we had to do something,” co-founder of the Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research at Texas Tech University Dr. Robin Lock said.

Lock has been running the center for over two years with cofounder Dr. Carol Layton. They acted out on this project as a response to the community.

“Autism can really take a toll on families. It’s not something you can turn off after school; it sticks with the child in every

AUTISM, page 3

2 | NEWS

EDITORIAL

Eng-Com split leaves majors with sour taste As college students, we are constantly being bombarded by family and friends with the same age-old questions. It’s the old, “Where do you go to school again?” followed by, “What are you majoring in?”

All we editors on the Loquitur can proudly respond, “English and communication,” which usually triggers a “Wow. You’re a double major?” from the other end. No, it’s no double major but leading people to believe it is, is just one of the many perks of being an English and communication major. The English and communication department is the only major on campus which lets majors have the best of both worlds; literature and writing with a professional twist.

But as the fall 2007-2008 academic year rolls around, incoming students will no longer be able to reap the benefits of the English and communication major due to the split of the English and communication department. Along with the split came the retirement of the studio art major and the merging of the fine arts and graphic design departments.

These decisions were made solely based on the recommendations by the college administration.

As current English and communication majors, we see things internally. To us, why fix something that isn’t broken?

The English and communication majors are exposed to all aspects in the field.

Communications is not just public relations and advertising. It’s journalism, editing, publishing, teaching and so much more. Writing is a part of a communication major’s everyday life, regardless of the career.

The Loquitur is a direct product and prime example of how well English and communication work together. We are not only well-prepared in writing to go out into the work world, but we have acquired the necessary professional skills as well. No one department could achieve such a feat on its own.

One point that has been brought up is that having communication majors with little literary knowledge in high-level English courses doesn’t allow the class to reach a potential that English majors might expect. Yet, isn’t the point of college for it to be a learning experience and aren’t the point of classes for everyone to flourish and to contribute?

Should students be banned from taking any course that is outside of their major because they will bring down the intelligence level of the class?

Students were asked “If I were to choose a college again, I would major in a department that offered English only, communication only, a combined English and communication department, or some other major entirely.” Of the 164 students who answered this question, about two-thirds would choose the combined English and communication department again. The major has graduated the largest number of students in the past three years and is the third largest major among incoming students. Dr. Jerry Zurek, chair of the combined department, was named Pennsylvania professor of the year in 2005.

The statistics stand alone. The administration should have asked faculty and students how they felt about splitting the department. There is more than one opinion at Cabrini.

The English and communication major is what distinguishes us from other colleges. With a school so concerned about their image, you think they would have thought twice about the split.

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Thursday, Mar. 8, 2007

FDA approves nonprescription diet pill BRITTANY LAVIN

ASST. FEATURES EDITOR BLL722@CABRINI.EDU

The Food and Drug Administration has released the first government-approved nonprescription diet pill. Orlistat, which is available by prescription, will now be sold over the counter in a reduced strength version.

The new version, known as “Alli,” is being sold by GlaxoSmithKline PLC. In an article for USA Today, Dr. Charles Ganley, the FDA’s director of nonprescription products, stressed that the pill is intended for people 18 and older and should be used along with a low-fat diet and regular exercise.

“Using this drug alone is unlikely to be beneficial,” Ganley said.

According to Ganley, this drug is the first approved by the agency for weight-loss and is unlike other supplements that claim the same thing. When used in trials, Ganley said that “for every five pounds people lost through diet and exercise, those using orlistat lost an additional two to three pounds.”

“I think this will have a big effect because of the amount of people who struggle with weightloss in this country,” Susan Fitzgerald, the coordinator of health services, said.

Like Ganley, Fitzgerald said that because the pill doesn’t do anything for the fat on people’s bodies the only way it will be beneficial is if it is used along with diet and exercise. Fitzgerald also stated that it is not something that necessarily has to be used forever.

The pill does have side effects.

According to the FDA, the most common of these is a change in bowel habits. These include loose stool and oily spotting. However, it was said that a low-fat diet would reduce the chances of these side effects.

The effects that the pill will have is just one of the vital concerns that the release of this drug might raise. Now that the pill is available over the counter, the potential for abuse and possible addiction may increase among people with eating disorders. This is according to an article on USNews.com.

“There’s potential for abuse in any kind of medication,” Fitzgerald said. “I would encourage everyone to check with their physician before trying it.”

“The approval of this drug is

the height of recklessness,” Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group, said in the same article in USA Today.

Wolfe has called for a withdrawal of the prescription version due “to studies that have associated it with precancerous lesions of the colon.”

When asked if they would consider using the diet pill, most Cabrini students answered in the negative. They said that the side effects alone were enough to make them wary of trying it.

The price has yet to be set, but the nonprescription version is expected to cost $1 to $2 a day.

This means it could cost $30 to $60 a month. The company estimated that 5 million to 6 million Americans a year will buy this drug over the counter.

LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER/MCT

Orlistat, the first government-approved nonprescription diet pill, will now be sold over the counter in a reduced strength version.

2006-2007 Loquitur Staff Editorial Staff

Editor in Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor News Editor News Editor A & E Editor A & E Editor Features Editor Perspectives Editor Sports Editor Sports Editor Photography Editor Web Editor Events Editor Writing Coach Graphic Designer Adviser

Amanda Finnegan Elizabeth Brachelli Stacey Turnbull Katherine Brachelli Brittany Liberatore Matt Donato Nicoletta Sabella Ashley Randazzo Daina Havens Jason Radka Patricia Sheehan Emily Buerger Meghan Hurley Yadira Toledo Meghan Hurley Charlie Grugan Dr. Jerome Zurek

Asst. Managing Editor Nicole Osuch Asst. News Editors Ashley Cook Jamie Hufnagle Elizabeth Lavin Vickie Papageorge Asst. A&E Editors Megan Pellegrino Jillian Smith Grayce Turnbach Asst. Features Editors Katherine Clark Brittany Lavin

Asst. Sports Editors Kaitlin Barr Jessica Hagerty Kasey Minnick Asst. Perspectives Editor John Fennell Jackie Turchi Diana Vilares Asst. Copy Editor Jessica Chesko Asst. Writing Coach Elizabeth Kerstetter

Staff Writers Monica Burke, Christina Cimmino, David Damiano, Jennifer Davis, Colin Mason, Pat McGowan, Karli Morello, Brittany Such

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Thursday, Mar. 8, 2007

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NEWS | 3

Changes in departments to be instated next year ACADEMICS, page 1 op a distinct identity,” Guerra said.

Frechie also felt that it would help to develop an effective humanities atmosphere as opposed to the professional culture that he feels the communication department facilitates.

The departments will continue to have a level of integration between the two curriculums.

Some courses, like the creative writing course, will be slash-listed for both majors.

Frechie emphasized that placing communication majors in upper-level English classes without any literary background lowers the standards that English majors expect.

“This has undermined the intellectual character of our upper division English offerings,” Frechie said, “and that’s a situation we will be able to address under the new plan.”

Also, Guerra hopes for the English major to become the kind of strong humanities major that history already is.

“I applaud the initiatives underway for the communication major and outlined in the department’s program review.

However, the college and students would benefit from a different set of aspirations for its English majors,” Guerra said.

According to both Zurek and Frechie, not all faculty members felt that the split of the department was necessary.

“I don’t see it as a clear cut decision and I don’t see it as all the evidence going in one direction or all the evidence going in the other direction,” Zurek said.

“I felt that when we were together we were a really impressive bunch of faculty. You know there were 10 of us and I think we worked very well together.”

“I believe that there are faculty members in the department who would have preferred that we remain a combined English and communication department,” Frechie said.

The idea for the combination of the graphic design and fine arts department was derived from the lack of studio art majors and limited classroom space. Don Dempsey, assistant professor of graphic design, will be the chair of the new department. The current chair of the fine arts department, Dr. Adeline Bethany, declined the offer to co-chair the merging departments.

“I don’t have any problem really with the departments merging but I am very, very saddened by the retirement of the studio art major, which I instituted in 1980,” Bethany said.

“Right now we are at a disadvantage, competing with programs at other schools because we have such limited space,” Dempsey said. “We can’t offer courses like printmaking, ceramics and sculpture because we don’t have the facilities to do so.”

Currently, Bethany and Dempsey are looking for another full-time professor to join the soon to be fine arts and graphic design department. There has been no curriculum or guidelines decided on for the combination of the two departments.

“I’d like to see more students take advantage of the minor in studio art, because it can be an excellent addition to their liberal arts education,” Dempsey said.

EMILY BUERGER/PHOTO EDITOR

The idea of the combination of the graphic design and fine arts department was derived from the lack of studio art majors and limited classroom space. Studio art will only be offered as a minor starting in 2007.

Although studio art will only be offered as a minor, Bethany hopes the major will be reinstated eventually.

“You can not keep down the arts, you can not keep them down,” Bethany said. “They have been here since the cavemen.”

As co-directors of the Honors Program, Wright, the current acting director, and Primiano have several ideas for the improvement and growth of the program.

“We want to create an honors culture and an honors ethos that extends beyond the honors pro-

gram per se and in fact spills over into the entire campus, so that all students feel a kind of modeling going on, and so that honors isn’t just an isolated experience or a separate world only for certain students,” Wright said.

“I, therefore, want the program be one that also attracts students who show incredible intellectual potential and motivation after their first year at Cabrini, and one that invites faculty to keep vigilant about such students and their emerging talents,” Primiano said.

Plans to revamp and update the program’s website are in progress. The plans include highlighting possible grant opportunities, scholarship information, vocational and graduate school information and providing tips on writing. In addition, Wright and Primiano plan to hire a student assistant for the honors program.

“We want to continue the existing strengths and vitality of the program as it stands, but we also want to grow it,” Wright said.

Researchers uncover new information on Autism AUTISM, page 1 aspect of his or her life,” Layton said. “At Burkhart we help the children with treatments and offer support groups for the families.”

There is no autism center like

Burkhart near Infanti but he now has the triplets in speech therapy to help the disorder. He and his wife often network with other autistic parents for help and support. He believes that it is the best way to find many things out, like good dentists and doctors to take

autistic children to.

“Having autistic triplets does limit us to what we can do as a family but we make it work,” Infanti said. “I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”

Join Cabrini’s Conference offering workshops!

“Perspectives on Autism”

When:

Friday, March 30th

Time:

8:30 a.m. - 1p.m.

Where:

In the Mansion

Contact: mbare@cabrini.edu or 610.902.8359 Sponsored by: Cabrini’s Social Work Department and Social Work Club EMILY BUERGER/PHOTO EDITOR

The Center for Autistic Children in Philadelphia was the first clinic in the country to specifically treat autism. The above plaque is located outside of the center for the rehabilitation of autistic children.

CHARLIE GRUGAN/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

4 | NEWS

Thursday, Mar. 8, 2007

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20 seniors receive Who's Who Award

“Receiving this award made me feel like all of my hard work really paid off.”

“I think it is affirming to know that all of my hard work is paying off to be a well-rounded leader.”

“Always have an eye on the future.”

“Everyday is a new day to get something else accomplished.”

“I feel very lucky because I don’t do what I do for recognition; I do what I do because that’s what I want to do with my life.”

Jessica Bailey, elementary and special education major

Maria D’Alessandro, English and communication and Spanish major

Kimberly Feeny, English and communication and psychology major

Daina Havens, English and communication major

Meghan Hurley, English and communication major, Spanish and social justice minor

“My time at Cabrini has been very rewarding; I’ve learned a lot from my professors.”

“I am grateful to receive such a prestigious award and overwhelmed to have been chosen out of such an outstanding class of peers.”

“I feel so lucky to have obtained this award because I am only doing what I am incredibly passionate about- trying to help empower the world positively through my degree in social work.”

“It’s good to know that the opportunities I participated in have helped me to obtain my dream job.”

“The award is just a bonus on top of everything else that I’ve gained from my time at Cabrini.”

Kristine Jennings, elementary and special education major

Tracy Johnson, psychology major

Carrie Kirsch, social work major

Lynsey McStravick, accounting major

Jillian Milam, English and communication major

“I feel my four years at Cabrini have helped shape me into a well-rounded individual and it’s nice to know that all of my dedication and hard work do matter.”

“My old baseball coach said something that has always stuck with me‘Winners do what losers won’t.’”

“I believe my actions exemplify my confidence, responsibility, dedication, acceptance, tolerance and determination, which all merge to make me a great leader.”

“It was a nice surprise to be chosen for this award and definitely something that I’ve worked for.”

“There’s no shortcut to success.”

Lana Morelli, political science with a concentration in law and sociology minor

Megan O’Brien, elementary education major

Rachael Perrault, psychology and sociology major and criminal justice and Spanish minor

Angela Peso, political science/philosophy/history major

Laura Van DePette, English and communication major

JAMIE HUFNAGLE

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

JLH729@CABRINI.EDU ASHLEY COOK

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

AAC722@CABRINI.EDU

“I want to make the world a better place than it was before I was here.”

“Who’s Who has always been something that I have recognized as a distinguished award.”

“Go to class. The biggest part of the puzzle is showing up.”

Jessica Watson, psychology/sociology/religious studies major

Briana Weigand, social work major

Gail Ziegler, English and communication major

John Pino, English and secondary education major, and Janine Faulls, Spanish and political science major, were also recipients of the Who’s Who award but were unavailable for photos or comments. All photos collected by Jamie Hufnagle and Ashley Cook.

Twenty seniors have been selected to receive the Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities Award in a special ceremony during this year’s commencement.

The Who’s Who Award, presented by academic affairs and student development, is given to those students at Cabrini College whose accomplishments and contributions reflect the college’s commitment to scholarship,

leadership and service.

Dr. Christine A. Lysionek, the vice president of student development, said, “We consider the Who’s Who Award to be one of the more distinguished ways that we honor the accomplishments of our students as they reach the end of their undergraduate tenure at the College.”

The students chosen for the award had to go through a selection process.

“The Who’s Who Award is unique, though, because it is the only award that recognizes exceptional accomplishments in academics, service and leadership,” Dr. Charles McCormick, the dean of academic affairs, said.

Thursday, Mar. 8, 2007

www.theloquitur.com

NEWS | 5

6 I PERSPECTIVES

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Perspectives

Thursday, March 8 , 2007

Department split could lead to less-steady career paths

KARLI MORELLO STAFF WRITER

KRM723@CABRINI.EDU

Recently, the English and communication department has split into two separate majors. Basically, if you are a communication major, you

don’t have to be an English major and vice versa.

I personally am just an English major but I have taken a fair share of communication classes, including writing for the Loquitur.

I haven’t had any complaints about my class options and requirements so the split doesn’t necessarily affect me. But I do have a split decision if it is a good idea or not.

Since communication and English are both very broad subjects, I think it was a good idea to have them as one major because it opens up more options for the fu-

ture. A student with these majors has their choice of becoming a writer, a journalist, a radio producer, an advertiser and so on.

With the split in the departments, there might be less of a steady career path for students interested in these two majors.

For example, an English major now only has to take their core classes and English requirements which doesn’t leave them with much more of a skill rather than becoming a better reader and possibly a better writer.

It also doesn’t give an

English major the opportunity to experience communication classes as I have. Of course, a student can always pick them up as electives but without the want, there is no need.

I am very glad that I decided to take more communication classes rather than sticking with the requirements because I broadened my knowledge of what is out there after college. I also picked an internship in the communication field, just to try it out.

I now have experience in journalism, mass communications and public relations

which I really didn’t know much about before taking those classes.

The only dreaded requirement, in my opinion, is of course career development. Although it is only about three to four meetings a month and a senior skills presentation in your fourth year, it isn’t fun. One thing I did gain from that class was what the job life is like. I have heard people speak about what they did after college in the communication field and it helped me realize there is more than what I see.

With the split in the de-

partments English majors may not have that opportunity because career development is a communication class.

I have no regrets taking all of my communication classes, including writing for the Loquitur. They all helped me realize what I may or may not want to do after college because I really had no clue when I got here; I just knew that I liked to write.

The split in the department in my opinion may not be the best idea that Cabrini has in terms of giving their students opportunity for experience.

Beer-pong bacteria: You can leave the game with more than a buzz

JEN DAVIS STAFF WRITER

JED724@CABRINI.EDU

Beer pong has always been about the technique, the challenge and perseverance. Personally, I think it’s about the timing.

Clay Travis of cbssportsline.com introduced me to an entirely new light of the game. Little did I know beer pong only welcomes the door to a germaphobe’s nightmare.

Whether you have played the game yourself or heard about it, beer pong is a well known attraction at a party.

Through older cousins, I was first familiarized with beer pong quite a few years ago. According to Clay Travis, “If you are in your 20s and not familiar with the game, shoot yourself.”

Originally from Connecticut, I have always referred to beer pong as “Beirut.” This slight differentiation has become a major argument from town to town.

The game consists of a table in which six or 10 cups are stacked on each side, partially filled with beer. With two players per team, one or two balls are present. The object of the game is to sink as many balls in the opposing player’s cups as possible.

Of course I have questioned some of the unsanitary aspects of the game.

After all, how could a stupid game be so harmful?

According to Wikepedia online encyclopedia, beer pong (also called Beirut, Lob pong or Scud) is considered an American drinking game.

It involves propelling a ping pong ball across a table with the aim of making the ball land in one of the several cups of beer. The game is typically played with six or 10 cups. However, there are always those dare devils who insist on pushing their limits.

While the concept is quite amusing, the conditions of the game are completely disgusting. Pong balls are thrown from one end of the table to the other, strategically falling into that clump of dirt in the corner.

Cups are being shared from game to game with no clue as to where or who had that cup to their lips last.

Then there is that “ballwashing cup.” You know, that cup that is initially crystal clear and then as the night continues the water fills to the rim with dirt and scum from the floor.

Beer pong is more than just a game, it is a sport. So why wouldn’t the athletes take the time to insure cleanliness?

For Travis the answer was quite simple, “I vividly remember pulling up a ping pong ball once that was covered in about 15 strands of hair. All of different length and colors. It almost made me throw up. But I survived and kept playing,” he said.

For the average college student, he speaks words of wisdom. At www.beerpongcollege.com people can order their custom beer pong table. The idea is pathetic, funny and pretty cool all at the same time.

Pathetic because people actually take the time to create these websites; funny,

EMILY BUERGER/PHOTO EDITOR

The red cups, pong ball and the beer that used to be in the empty beer bottles shown above, create the components of a popular college drinking game. Lack of sanitation, while playing the game, can cause the spread of dangerous bacteria and viruses.

because people have and will continue to order the tables; and cool because who wouldn’t want their own personalized beer pong table?

No one in the field of science has ever really examined the germs associated with beer pong. Two men from George Washington University walked away from the table with more than just a loss.

Ben Morrissey and Aaron Heffner contracted three germ viruses from one game of pong. One night of playing these guys uncovered salmonella, E. coli and pneumonia germs under a microscope.

I have never really taken the time to examine the chances of catching a germ from a very common drinking game. After participat-

ing in a fair share of games, the words of Travis were shocking. Honestly, I cannot really see myself looking at a game of pong in the same light.

There will always be that thought of germs, germs and more germs.

I hope that by reading this people realize the importance of examining the

positives and negatives before engaging in an activity.

While beer pong can be considered a fun game, if one is not careful, it can be disgusting and unsanitary.

Unfortunately for Morrissey and Heffner, they passed the test of poor judgment. However, this is a story that I will never forget and I hope that you won’t.

Loquitur welcomes your comments and questions on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.co m. The editors will review your comments each week and make corrections if warranted.

Did we pin point your view point?

If you have something to say, E-mail your opinion to:

loqperspectives@googlegroups.com

Please include: your full name, year, major and E-mail addresswith your opinion in 150 words or less, double spaced.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

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Hybrids: The cars of today

MONICA BURKE STAFF WRITER

MCB727@CABRINI.EDU

Recent statistics have shown that America’s love affair with Sports Utilliy Vehicles is not over despite rising gas costs.

Cadillac’s number one selling vehicle this year was the Escalade, a gas guzzler no doubt. Gas prices have risen to new highs for the year, yet the sales of SUV’s

continue to climb.

The recent addition of more hybrid options to many mainstream automobile manufacturer lineups is a promising beacon. Americans tend to favor the look of a car before considering other factors. In this time of rising fuel costs, many are beginning to be conscious of the gas mileage.

Toyota, Honda and even Lexus have begun to revamp their most popular models into hybrid cars. This gives drivers and buyers the security of buying the most popular models and brands while still getting the benefit of efficiency and being good to the earth.

Those who advocate and support hybrid cars have come up with several viable arguments. The initial cost of a hybrid is highe but the return

in what the buyer saves in gas makes up for the first payout.

Some have suggested that the federal government should encourage hybrid buyers by giving a tax credit for those who buy hybrids.

The automobile industry has also stepped up. Many are providing lower cost hybrid options making it accessible with every budget.

Hybrids are no longer the cars of the future. They are the cars of today.

Hybrids were perceived as complicated and often misunderstood.

I think that if people took the time to research their options when buying cars and most importantly considering what is out there, they would consider hybrids a great option. Times are changing and we should too.

MCT

Fox’s new ‘1/2 Hour News Hour’ aims at conservatives; lacks humor

LIZ LAVIN

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

EAL723@CABRINI.EDU

Fox network recently introduced a fake news show, “The ½ Hour News Hour”. It has been described as “a ‘Daily Show’ for conservatives,” according to its creator, Joel Surnow, the writer and producer of “24”.

In other words, this show is giving Bush a break and making fun of everyone else in politics.

While this show is modeled after Jon Stewart’s “Daily Show” and Stephen Colbert’s “The Colbert Report,” there are two very obvious differences. The first is that “The ½ Hour News Hour” is not poking fun at Republicans, a very popular pastime, and the second is

that the show is, well, not Report”. I love that these men funny. can make fun of politicians I could not even bring my- every night and always have self to watch the premier of new material. I love that with “The ½ Hour News Hour,” these men, no one is spared. which was Sunday, Feb. 18. I “The ½ Hour News Hour” had already seen two different is not able to do what these clips of the show online and shows can. Maybe if it was not they were toraimed specifiture enough. cally to please And they were conservatives, only three minthe writers utes long. would have A sad part more material. of the show is Or maybe Joel not the fact that Surnow should the anchors stick to his hit look bored drama and stay with their job. away from It is not the fact comedy. that the anWhether or chors do not not you like use their real Jon Stewart or names, though Stephen ColORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/MCT their stage bert, there is no names are According to a study by Hardenying that vard University, more 18- to oddly close to 24-year-olds watch ʻThe Daily the men are taltheir real ones. Show With Jon Stewartʼ than ented.

The saddest read a major newspaper.

You may part of the not agree with show is that there is a live stu- all of their comedy but at least dio audience but there is still a you can agree with some. very loud and obnoxious laugh Not just anyone can do track. That is never a good what they do. And as this new sign. show proves, not everyone I personally enjoy “The should try.

Daily Show” and “The Colbert

PERSPECTIVES I 7

Letters to the Editor Community members discontent with Dixon facilities JACK L. LUDWIG

JAX000BUX@MSN.COM

As a college student some 45 years ago, I would never accept the weak kneed excuses and pap being handed out to the community about the conditions at the Dixon Center.

If you do investigative reporting of on-campus shortcomings, you’ll love the opportunities the following conditions there offer your paper.

Health problems: 1. There must be some technical and bacteriological reason for the frequency of total pool re-circulation within a set time; allegedly complete re-circulation every four hours. Malarkey!

A broken pump is a broken pump unless it’s a clogged pipe or mind.

2. The frequent “Cave of Winds” condition in the men’s locker room. Great for post swim/shower sneezing spells. Not to mention mega goose bumps by the senior geezer-load.

There was heat in the men’s lockers for the first time in years, if ever, in early January for about two weeks and then nothing but chills.

3. Erratic pool and air temperatures and condensation removal or excess due to another recirculation equipment failure and return of heater problem.

4. The expensive thermometer hanging on a piece of string on the pool ladder between two water inlets where occasional warm waters dribble in. see 1 & 3 above. This makes the location of the thermometer the probable warmest placement in the pool. Just what actually is the pool temperature and what is it supposed to be.

5. To be or not to be? That is a question about how dirty the pool bottom is from its antique filtration’s sands or is it another other source of innate material? How often is the “Shark” run to clean the pool bottom and is it effective?

6. The lack of heating for the Dixon Center staff for month’s on end may not use too much electricity from their space heaters as Spring arrives and proves Punxatawny Phil to be correct for once. Ok they can wear an extra sweater however it is extremely difficult to enter keystrokes into a computer with gloves on.

7. Inadequacy of the number of showers in the female locker room.

The senior community members deserve better and should get it when they depend on the pool as a valued source of maintaining healthy life styles through exercise.

Without the supra additional chlorine provided unhealthily last August, I now have to involuntarily bleach my clothes elsewhere. I will be happy to provide my pumpkin orange swim trunks that were originally purchased for their deep green conservative appearance. It only took one time in the pool then to accomplish the fashion exchange. Incidentally the hair on my arms seemed as if they were singed for several months thereafter.

Should you want additional information and insight just ask a few of the other pool patrons at the next aerobics class. Assuming they survive the above conditions to attend again.

PS Because the pool heater had to be replaced, the pool was closed for a couple weeks and 20 day membership extensions were granted to those who asked fore them.

Global warming articles generate heated response JOHN E. LINDROS

I found your February 22, 2007 article on this current ‘hot topic’ of Global Warming [pun intended] interesting in its breathless tone and charming in its youthful naiveté. Shame on all of you for scaring poor little Megan!

In all of the literature on this subject, not one credible person or study anywhere suggests that any of the proposed ‘solutions’ or ‘actions to be taken right now’ such as the Kyoto Accords will produce any result of any sort whatsoever or have any effect on global climate.

The IPPC report cited in the article makes interesting reading to the discerning. You did actually read the report closely, didn’t you? For example, in a table in the report on page 9 allegedly setting forth ‘assessments of human influence and projections for extreme weather events’ we are told that “Increased incidence of extreme high sea level is ‘more likely than not’ [meaning more than 50% likely] the result of a human contribution” to the perceived trend.

However, the footnote associated with the box in

the table tells us that the “[m]agnitude of anthropogenic [i.e., human] contributions [were] not assessed.

Attribution for these phenomena [is] based on expert judgement [sic] rather than formal attribution studies.”

In other words, they have no data to support that conclusion, but you should trust their judgment [even if the word is misspelled in the footnote] because they are experts. The same footnote applies to most of the conclusions they are drawing about human causation in their tables.

It’s amazing what you learn when you actually read some of this stuff. So, wellintentioned students eager to save the world, have fun changing your light bulbs if you want. As a shareholder of General Electric and WalMart, I applaud the opportunity for increased sales. In 5 years, this current hysteria du jour will have gone where ever the panic over Y2K went.

You do remember we were all going to die at the turn of the millennium, don’t you? So, sweet little Megan, fret not.

Like most things, this panic, too, shall pass as soon as the American public gets bored.

By the way, Editor, you might want to ramp up your fact checker department. For

example, in a story on this global warming subject in your February 1, 2007 Edition, writer Megan Pellegrino tells us that sea levels have risen more than 20 feet in the last decade! Wowee!

They are going to be really surprised in Sea Isle City when somebody tells them! Since 1992, the rate of sea level rise has actually been about 3 millimeters per year – that’s right, about 12/100ths of an inch per year!

That fact comes from data developed the Poseiden/TOPEX satellite altimeter used by NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Of course, many scientists believe sea level did rise about 400 feet – but it happened from 18,000 years ago to 6,000 years ago, over a 12,000 year period, as the glaciers from the last ice age melted, all on their own lonesome selves.

I swear humans weren’t guilty of that global warming – unless maybe those pesky Geico cavemen were building some really, really big fires! In any event, consider getting a fact checking editor to avoid publishing nonsense like Ms. Pellegrino’s article.

8 I FEATURES

www.theloquitur.com

Thuraday, March 8, 2007

Girls play games too, video games that is ASHLEY RANDAZZO FEATURES EDITOR

AAR722@CABRINI.EDU

It’s no doubt that women have been on a long road to dominating government positions, athletic fields and the workplace. Next up, an old boy’s club: video games.

Many are unaware of the new gaming revolution geared towards female gamers of all ages. Females are found to play on many different gaming systems.

One in particular can be found in the hands of many females. The pink handheld “Gameboy Advance” by Nintendo is not only appealing because of its color but because of the games Nintendo has created for it.

Such “oldies but goodies” games like, Super Mario Brothers and Sonic the Hedgehog attract female players. Other games that are built to attract much younger females to the gaming spectrum include Barbie 12 Dancing Princess and Dogz Fashion.

Nintendo is a maker of an upgraded version of the “Advance” system called, “Nintendo DS”.

This portable gaming system comes in three colors. Pink being one of them and has the capability of playing

ASHLEY RANDAZZO/FEATURES EDITOR

The latest edition to Nintendoʼs handheld family tree, Nintendo DS, is being bought off the shelves by female gamers. Nintendo is also featuring a lot of old school games, as well as new ones to create a greater popularity among females.

“DS” games and “Advanced” games.

Video game systems like these are going where they have never gone before, into a woman’s hands.

Aliza Greenberg, an area coordinator for Residence Life of Cabrini College likes the experience of the

games.

“In the game ‘Crazy Taxi,’ I like figuring out where to go while driving, which in real life I’m too terrified to do. In ‘The Sims,’ I get to decorate in the game, which I love,” said Greenberg.

Speaking of “The Sims,” in a story featured on Good

Morning America, video game experts claim that the game started a video game revolution and opened up a new market for game creators. Electronic Arts is the name of the company that created this extraordinary game that has been climbing sales charts ever since

its release of the first version. According to experts, $3 billion was made last year alone on Sims merchandise and half of those buyers were women. Full version of the Good Morning America story can be found at abcnews.go.com.

Senior English commu-

nication major, Melissa Stevens dates her sim-aholic tendencies back to high school. “It was fun to sort of have control over the little town,” said Stevens.

Jenna Chalmers is a software designer for the company Electronic Arts, the same company that created “The Sims.” She was also featured in the article on Good Morning America and has good insight to why women gamers rise to the challenge of a video game.

“There’s a lot of misconceptions about what women like,” she said. “Women gamers are often very intelligent people. They like a challenge, they like strategy, they like a game that has a lot of thinking. There are studies coming out now about women’s brains being more hard-wired. I don’t know why anyone would think we wouldn’t be good at that,” said Chalmers.

Play on girls, play on.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story.

Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.

Online Fantasy Sport games gain popularity DAVE DAMIANO STAFF WRITER

DMD724@CABRINI.EDU

Flashback: It’s the last week for the National Football League.

Senior human resource major Anthony Falcone is preparing to edit his fantasy football lineup for the last time of the season.

“I am a little nervous but I feel that there was a slim chance that my players would come through.” Falcone said.

Falcone, who started off the season with one win in five weeks, is now preparing to play in the championship game.

Fantasy football is just one of the popular sports that you can play online.

Other sports include baseball, basketball, golf, hockey and auto racing.

According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, over 16 million adults, ranging from ages 18 to 55, play fantasy sports.

“Fantasy football is a huge reason why the NFL has become so popular recently,” Falcone said. “It should be played by everyone.”

Each league is different but most teams consist of a quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight-end, one kicker and one defensive team.

The league maximum consists of twelve teams with one goal in mind: to draft the best players.

Each week, teams go head to head and based on a point system, they try to beat one another. For example, if a player on a team scores a touchdown, it counts for six points. How long the touchdown is also affects how many points one receives.

Fantasy sports was first made popular by Daniel Okrent, an American writer and public editor for The New York Times.

Okrent is also an avid baseball fan and first pitched the idea of Rotisserie League Baseball to a group of friends in 1979.

“I have been playing fantasy sports since I was 12,” Falcone said. “Besides football, I play fantasy baseball and basketball.”

The invention of the internet has helped create the phenomenon known as Fantasy Sports. In 1998, Yahoo Fantasy Sports first opened, consisting of private and public leagues. Any player can join a public league but they also have the option of creating their own group with a bunch of friends.

“When I was a kid, I used to set up tables and chairs for my father’s fantasy sports drafts in the backyard of my house,”

Fantasy football along with other online sports are becoming more popular as it helps promote the fan base.

Falcone said.

Besides Yahoo, other websites such as cbs.sportsline.com and easports.com offer fantasy sports. Not all of the leagues are free; easports.com offers basic packages starting at $9.99 and can range up to $49.99.

Falcone managed to win

the championship against a private group of Cabrini students, capping one of the most amazing comebacks in his career. After beating the number one and two seeds of the tournament, he destroyed the number three team, TommyGunzz, by a score of 95-47.

The fantasy baseball season started on Feb. 15.

“I feel I’m going to dominate the baseball season, just like in every other fantasy league I participate in,” Falcone said.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story.

Please send your comments

FEATURES

Thuraday, March 8, 2007

FEATURES I 9

www.theloquitur.com

Spend it, Save it, Charge it It’s All Money Clipping coupons cuts down expenses KARLI MORELLO

KRM723@CABRINI.EDU STAFF WRITER

Whether a college student is going grocery shopping, clothes shopping, going out to dinner or to the movies, it can hurt their pocket. A lot of college students take the time out to cut coupons out of newspapers and circulars or print them off-line but some don’t think it’s worth the effort.

Cydney Sponaugle, a senior marketing major, said, “I don’t use coupons. I am a marketing major and we learn about that kind of stuff.

You really aren’t getting much of a deal. You have to spend so much or buy so much to get the percentage off.”

According to about.com, Sponaugle is correct; but only some of the time. Most coupons are for name brand products when it comes to food and the coupon might say “30 cents off” when the generic brand is already 30 cents less. So where are the savings?

People will also cut coupons out for things they wouldn’t normally buy but are getting a good deal. So in reality, there is no good deal if you don’t need it because you are still spending money you don’t have to spend. “If you have a coupon for something you would normally buy, then go for it,” according to about.com Senior English and communication major Ian Lightcap said, “I definitely use them. We are college students and we need to save as much money as possible for more important things.”

Lightcap has a different

opinion than Sponaugle but is simply being frugal. “I take the time to cut them out because they save you money.

Who doesn’t want to save money especially if you’re in college?” said Lightcap.

There are a lot of good places to get useful coupons, especially for grocery shopping. Of course there is the Sunday newspaper which claims to be filled with over $250 worth of savings. There is also couponbug.com, freestuffhunter.com and thecoupons.com.

Online coupons seem to be the most convenient and are right at your fingertips as long as there is a printer onhand.

Besides only using coupons for grocery shopping, a lot of businesses offer percentages off clothing items, cleaning products or offer an incentive like a free appetizer or free soda at the movies. “I do use coupons for clothes or going out to dinner,” said Sponaugle.

Although new clothes and a good meal out aren’t ever necessary, if someone can afford to enjoy a night out they are saving money when they use coupons.

“Use coupons when they’ll help you save but don’t become a ‘coupon junkie,’” says about.com.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.co m. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.

ASHLEY RANDAZZO/FEATURES EDITOR

to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE/MCT

Coupons save some money but can also force unnecessary purchases.

ASHLEY RANDAZZO/FEATURES EDITOR

According to creditcards.com, the American consumer credit card debt reached $2.2 trillion in 2005.

The credit card plague: a never ending cycle of debt KATIE CLARK

STAFF WRITER

KAC729@CABRINI.EDU

In this generation, almost all Americans have at least one credit card in their name. According to creditcards.com/statistics, in 2004 there were 1.3 billion credit cards in circulation throughout the United States. Credit cards seem to be easy enough, pretty much a “getnow and pay-later” theory; however credit cards can be the reason why Americans fall into massive amounts of debt each year.

Credit card debt has been increasing throughout the years. According to creditcards.com/statistics, in 1994, Americans consumer debt reached $1 trillion. With an increase in almost a trillion dollars, the debt in 2005 reached $2.2 trillion. Even college students are falling into the habit.

Many college students and graduate students are finding themselves in this sort of problem. Credit card companies start sending out offers for their cards as soon as someone turns 18. There is a guarantee that you will find at least one offer every week in your mailbox. According to the Credit Card Industry, they have mailed out over 6 billion credit card offers in 2005, which on average is six offers per household per month.

Most students receive their first credit card when they begin college. Most parents set their children up with an easy first-time cardholder account. Once students become used to the

idea and understand how to take care of their credit card, many can become in fascinated with the idea of getting now and paying later. Soon many realize how easy it is to apply for all different types of credit cards, which becomes overwhelming for many.

This is what happened to Laura, who asked that her last name not be used.

Laura is an eighth-grade English teacher, who graduated from college in 2002.

While in college, Laura lived at home and commuted each day to Temple University. Laura received her first credit card the summer going into college. She was 18 at the time. Like many students, her parents signed for her and made sure it was used for emergencies only.

Laura seemed to be very responsible with her credit card. She only used it for emergencies or when she was low on cash. She became very confident with the idea of having a credit card and paying off the payments. Laura began receiving many different credit cards offers in the mail and in different stores. She decided to take up on a few of the offers.

Laura had three credit cards by the time she was 19 but unlike many other college students she had a steady job at a bank, so she was able to keep up with her payments so far. “I was making every payment on time with even a little more money than the minimum payment. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to keep getting different things and

paying it back monthly; it was just way too easy.”

By the time Laura graduated from college, she had about nine different credit cards. Laura was still keeping up with her payments until one month when she realized she missed a payment for her Old Navy card.

Once this happened, that next month she realized her credit card interest increased. This made it hard for Laura to keep up with that payment, therefore she missed a few more payments on some of her other cards. This then lead to more interest increases.

This did not stop Laura from still applying for more credit cards. It was like an obsession. “I loved to shop and credit cards just made it that much easier to spend money.” Once out of college, Laura received a job right away at a Catholic school in her hometown.

She remained at home considering the pay an eighthgrade Catholic school teacher makes. She owned 19 credit cards, the most she has ever owned and will ever.

Laura became swamped with different school loan bills, credit card bills and all her other general bills. “It was an ongoing stress builder, I was in complete debt.”

By this time, Laura was in major money problems.

She kept spending more than she was making and became irresponsible with her payments, just making the minimum payments and skipping some here and there. It soon came to the point where she had no idea what to do. She wasn’t re-

ceiving any call backs from public school, in which she applied to for a new teaching job and her parents couldn’t help her because of their own debt.

After awhile of stress building up on her, Laura finally realized what needed to be done. “There just wasn’t enough income for all my bills. I had to file for bankruptcy; it was my only choice.”

Filing for bankruptcy isn’t the easiest process.

Laura needed to hire a lawyer, which comes to about $2,000 or so in legal fees. She learned you can’t just claim bankruptcy and that is it. Laura had to go in front of the Pennsylvania bureau, which is like a judge. Then she explained her financial struggles to him/her. Soon the judge found her eligible to claim bankruptcy. Laura lost every credit card she owned, along with all her credit card history that she built throughout the years.

Some may think this is good but when you are a young adult out in the real world it becomes hard to have no credit history and have bankruptcy on your record while trying to find jobs, buying cars or a house.

“Don’t get suckered into the cheap and easy way, it’s not everything it seems to be,” said Laura.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story.

Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.

8 I FEATURES

www.theloquitur.com

Thuraday, March 8, 2007

Girls play games too, video games that is ASHLEY RANDAZZO FEATURES EDITOR

AAR722@CABRINI.EDU

It’s no doubt that women have been on a long road to dominating government positions, athletic fields and the workplace. Next up, an old boy’s club: video games.

Many are unaware of the new gaming revolution geared towards female gamers of all ages. Females are found to play on many different gaming systems.

One in particular can be found in the hands of many females. The pink handheld “Gameboy Advance” by Nintendo is not only appealing because of its color but because of the games Nintendo has created for it.

Such “oldies but goodies” games like, Super Mario Brothers and Sonic the Hedgehog attract female players. Other games that are built to attract much younger females to the gaming spectrum include Barbie 12 Dancing Princess and Dogz Fashion.

Nintendo is a maker of an upgraded version of the “Advance” system called, “Nintendo DS”.

This portable gaming system comes in three colors. Pink being one of them and has the capability of playing

ASHLEY RANDAZZO/FEATURES EDITOR

The latest edition to Nintendoʼs handheld family tree, Nintendo DS, is being bought off the shelves by female gamers. Nintendo is also featuring a lot of old school games, as well as new ones to create a greater popularity among females.

“DS” games and “Advanced” games.

Video game systems like these are going where they have never gone before, into a woman’s hands.

Aliza Greenberg, an area coordinator for Residence Life of Cabrini College likes the experience of the

games.

“In the game ‘Crazy Taxi,’ I like figuring out where to go while driving, which in real life I’m too terrified to do. In ‘The Sims,’ I get to decorate in the game, which I love,” said Greenberg.

Speaking of “The Sims,” in a story featured on Good

Morning America, video game experts claim that the game started a video game revolution and opened up a new market for game creators. Electronic Arts is the name of the company that created this extraordinary game that has been climbing sales charts ever since

its release of the first version. According to experts, $3 billion was made last year alone on Sims merchandise and half of those buyers were women. Full version of the Good Morning America story can be found at abcnews.go.com.

Senior English commu-

nication major, Melissa Stevens dates her sim-aholic tendencies back to high school. “It was fun to sort of have control over the little town,” said Stevens.

Jenna Chalmers is a software designer for the company Electronic Arts, the same company that created “The Sims.” She was also featured in the article on Good Morning America and has good insight to why women gamers rise to the challenge of a video game.

“There’s a lot of misconceptions about what women like,” she said. “Women gamers are often very intelligent people. They like a challenge, they like strategy, they like a game that has a lot of thinking. There are studies coming out now about women’s brains being more hard-wired. I don’t know why anyone would think we wouldn’t be good at that,” said Chalmers.

Play on girls, play on.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story.

Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.

Online Fantasy Sport games gain popularity DAVE DAMIANO STAFF WRITER

DMD724@CABRINI.EDU

Flashback: It’s the last week for the National Football League.

Senior human resource major Anthony Falcone is preparing to edit his fantasy football lineup for the last time of the season.

“I am a little nervous but I feel that there was a slim chance that my players would come through.” Falcone said.

Falcone, who started off the season with one win in five weeks, is now preparing to play in the championship game.

Fantasy football is just one of the popular sports that you can play online.

Other sports include baseball, basketball, golf, hockey and auto racing.

According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, over 16 million adults, ranging from ages 18 to 55, play fantasy sports.

“Fantasy football is a huge reason why the NFL has become so popular recently,” Falcone said. “It should be played by everyone.”

Each league is different but most teams consist of a quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight-end, one kicker and one defensive team.

The league maximum consists of twelve teams with one goal in mind: to draft the best players.

Each week, teams go head to head and based on a point system, they try to beat one another. For example, if a player on a team scores a touchdown, it counts for six points. How long the touchdown is also affects how many points one receives.

Fantasy sports was first made popular by Daniel Okrent, an American writer and public editor for The New York Times.

Okrent is also an avid baseball fan and first pitched the idea of Rotisserie League Baseball to a group of friends in 1979.

“I have been playing fantasy sports since I was 12,” Falcone said. “Besides football, I play fantasy baseball and basketball.”

The invention of the internet has helped create the phenomenon known as Fantasy Sports. In 1998, Yahoo Fantasy Sports first opened, consisting of private and public leagues. Any player can join a public league but they also have the option of creating their own group with a bunch of friends.

“When I was a kid, I used to set up tables and chairs for my father’s fantasy sports drafts in the backyard of my house,”

Fantasy football along with other online sports are becoming more popular as it helps promote the fan base.

Falcone said.

Besides Yahoo, other websites such as cbs.sportsline.com and easports.com offer fantasy sports. Not all of the leagues are free; easports.com offers basic packages starting at $9.99 and can range up to $49.99.

Falcone managed to win

the championship against a private group of Cabrini students, capping one of the most amazing comebacks in his career. After beating the number one and two seeds of the tournament, he destroyed the number three team, TommyGunzz, by a score of 95-47.

The fantasy baseball season started on Feb. 15.

“I feel I’m going to dominate the baseball season, just like in every other fantasy league I participate in,” Falcone said.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story.

Please send your comments

FEATURES

Thuraday, March 8, 2007

FEATURES I 9

www.theloquitur.com

Spend it, Save it, Charge it It’s All Money Clipping coupons cuts down expenses KARLI MORELLO

KRM723@CABRINI.EDU STAFF WRITER

Whether a college student is going grocery shopping, clothes shopping, going out to dinner or to the movies, it can hurt their pocket. A lot of college students take the time out to cut coupons out of newspapers and circulars or print them off-line but some don’t think it’s worth the effort.

Cydney Sponaugle, a senior marketing major, said, “I don’t use coupons. I am a marketing major and we learn about that kind of stuff.

You really aren’t getting much of a deal. You have to spend so much or buy so much to get the percentage off.”

According to about.com, Sponaugle is correct; but only some of the time. Most coupons are for name brand products when it comes to food and the coupon might say “30 cents off” when the generic brand is already 30 cents less. So where are the savings?

People will also cut coupons out for things they wouldn’t normally buy but are getting a good deal. So in reality, there is no good deal if you don’t need it because you are still spending money you don’t have to spend. “If you have a coupon for something you would normally buy, then go for it,” according to about.com Senior English and communication major Ian Lightcap said, “I definitely use them. We are college students and we need to save as much money as possible for more important things.”

Lightcap has a different

opinion than Sponaugle but is simply being frugal. “I take the time to cut them out because they save you money.

Who doesn’t want to save money especially if you’re in college?” said Lightcap.

There are a lot of good places to get useful coupons, especially for grocery shopping. Of course there is the Sunday newspaper which claims to be filled with over $250 worth of savings. There is also couponbug.com, freestuffhunter.com and thecoupons.com.

Online coupons seem to be the most convenient and are right at your fingertips as long as there is a printer onhand.

Besides only using coupons for grocery shopping, a lot of businesses offer percentages off clothing items, cleaning products or offer an incentive like a free appetizer or free soda at the movies. “I do use coupons for clothes or going out to dinner,” said Sponaugle.

Although new clothes and a good meal out aren’t ever necessary, if someone can afford to enjoy a night out they are saving money when they use coupons.

“Use coupons when they’ll help you save but don’t become a ‘coupon junkie,’” says about.com.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.co m. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.

ASHLEY RANDAZZO/FEATURES EDITOR

to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE/MCT

Coupons save some money but can also force unnecessary purchases.

ASHLEY RANDAZZO/FEATURES EDITOR

According to creditcards.com, the American consumer credit card debt reached $2.2 trillion in 2005.

The credit card plague: a never ending cycle of debt KATIE CLARK

STAFF WRITER

KAC729@CABRINI.EDU

In this generation, almost all Americans have at least one credit card in their name. According to creditcards.com/statistics, in 2004 there were 1.3 billion credit cards in circulation throughout the United States. Credit cards seem to be easy enough, pretty much a “getnow and pay-later” theory; however credit cards can be the reason why Americans fall into massive amounts of debt each year.

Credit card debt has been increasing throughout the years. According to creditcards.com/statistics, in 1994, Americans consumer debt reached $1 trillion. With an increase in almost a trillion dollars, the debt in 2005 reached $2.2 trillion. Even college students are falling into the habit.

Many college students and graduate students are finding themselves in this sort of problem. Credit card companies start sending out offers for their cards as soon as someone turns 18. There is a guarantee that you will find at least one offer every week in your mailbox. According to the Credit Card Industry, they have mailed out over 6 billion credit card offers in 2005, which on average is six offers per household per month.

Most students receive their first credit card when they begin college. Most parents set their children up with an easy first-time cardholder account. Once students become used to the

idea and understand how to take care of their credit card, many can become in fascinated with the idea of getting now and paying later. Soon many realize how easy it is to apply for all different types of credit cards, which becomes overwhelming for many.

This is what happened to Laura, who asked that her last name not be used.

Laura is an eighth-grade English teacher, who graduated from college in 2002.

While in college, Laura lived at home and commuted each day to Temple University. Laura received her first credit card the summer going into college. She was 18 at the time. Like many students, her parents signed for her and made sure it was used for emergencies only.

Laura seemed to be very responsible with her credit card. She only used it for emergencies or when she was low on cash. She became very confident with the idea of having a credit card and paying off the payments. Laura began receiving many different credit cards offers in the mail and in different stores. She decided to take up on a few of the offers.

Laura had three credit cards by the time she was 19 but unlike many other college students she had a steady job at a bank, so she was able to keep up with her payments so far. “I was making every payment on time with even a little more money than the minimum payment. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to keep getting different things and

paying it back monthly; it was just way too easy.”

By the time Laura graduated from college, she had about nine different credit cards. Laura was still keeping up with her payments until one month when she realized she missed a payment for her Old Navy card.

Once this happened, that next month she realized her credit card interest increased. This made it hard for Laura to keep up with that payment, therefore she missed a few more payments on some of her other cards. This then lead to more interest increases.

This did not stop Laura from still applying for more credit cards. It was like an obsession. “I loved to shop and credit cards just made it that much easier to spend money.” Once out of college, Laura received a job right away at a Catholic school in her hometown.

She remained at home considering the pay an eighthgrade Catholic school teacher makes. She owned 19 credit cards, the most she has ever owned and will ever.

Laura became swamped with different school loan bills, credit card bills and all her other general bills. “It was an ongoing stress builder, I was in complete debt.”

By this time, Laura was in major money problems.

She kept spending more than she was making and became irresponsible with her payments, just making the minimum payments and skipping some here and there. It soon came to the point where she had no idea what to do. She wasn’t re-

ceiving any call backs from public school, in which she applied to for a new teaching job and her parents couldn’t help her because of their own debt.

After awhile of stress building up on her, Laura finally realized what needed to be done. “There just wasn’t enough income for all my bills. I had to file for bankruptcy; it was my only choice.”

Filing for bankruptcy isn’t the easiest process.

Laura needed to hire a lawyer, which comes to about $2,000 or so in legal fees. She learned you can’t just claim bankruptcy and that is it. Laura had to go in front of the Pennsylvania bureau, which is like a judge. Then she explained her financial struggles to him/her. Soon the judge found her eligible to claim bankruptcy. Laura lost every credit card she owned, along with all her credit card history that she built throughout the years.

Some may think this is good but when you are a young adult out in the real world it becomes hard to have no credit history and have bankruptcy on your record while trying to find jobs, buying cars or a house.

“Don’t get suckered into the cheap and easy way, it’s not everything it seems to be,” said Laura.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story.

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10 I A&E

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Thursday, March 8, 2007

What is the most annoying song ever?

“‘The Real Slim Shady’ by Eminem is one of the most annoying songs ever. I don’t think he has talent. He’s too repetitive.”

Danielle Ferrari, sophomore biotechnology major

“The song ‘Jenny’

by Tommy Tu-tone is terrible. That and the ‘Lambchop’ song are so repetitive I can’t stand them.”

Angela Vitale, junior marketing major

“‘Cleaning Out My Closet’ by Eminem is terrible. It doesn’t take any talent to sing this song and it’s really disturbing.

He just needs to get over his past.”

John Jonas, sophomore English and communication major

“Beyonce’s song ‘Irreplaceable’ is so annoying; most of her songs are actually. It’s way overplayed.”

Amy Butler, sophomore history major

“‘Oops I Did it Again’ by Britney Spears. Most of her songs are really annoying actually. I don’t like any of them.”

Mike Atkinson, junior major

“‘My Humps’ by Fergie is really just too repetitive and it has a really stupid subject matter.”

Janene Gibbons, sophomore English and communication major

HEADSHOTS: KAITLIN BARR CUTOUT PHOTOS: MCT

KAITLIN BARR

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

KMB738@CABRINI.EDU

Everyone out there, no matter who they are, has one specific song or more then one song, that drives them up a wall. A song or group of songs that annoy them so much that you cannot wait more then a couple seconds to change the radio station or change the channel on TV. For me, some of the most annoying

songs in the world are by the band Sugar Ray. A lot of people love this former band and I used to too. But when I was getting my braces on in sixth grade, the entire Sugar Ray CD played over and over in the office, and ever since I have not been able to hear Mark McGrath’s voice!

Sometimes, all it takes is for the radio to overplay a song for someone to hate it. I used to love Beyonce’s song “Irreplaceable” but now when I hear it, I automatically change the station. It’s ridiculous how

much that song is played everyday.

Another thing about annoying songs is that not everyone feels the same way about every song. You could be in a car with four friends and you may despise the song that is currently playing, but the rest of the people you’re with may absolutely love it. Then you’re stuck because you have to listen to it.

There are always going to be new songs that come out to add to your list of the most annoying songs you’ve ever heard. Hope-

fully when you’re out with people, you’re able to listen to it for just that one time, or maybe if you’re lucky, they won’t like the song either.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com . The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.

YouTube digs up vintage show favorites DIANA VILARES STAFF WRITER

DVV722@CABRINI.EDU

YouTube.com and Digital Music Group, Inc. have made a deal that gives faithful YouTube watchers the opportunity to watch classic television shows whenever they want. “I Spy,” “Gumby” and “My Favorite Martian” are some of the television shows that will be available along with a selection of DMGI’s music collection.

“I think it’s a good idea because they’re not played anymore. If there was a good show I wanted to watch for old times sake, I would like it to be available,” freshman elementary and special education major Kelsey Marcoccia said.

DMGI, an online entertainment group, that, ac-

cording to an article on CNNMoney.com, “owns or controls the digital distribution rights to over 4,000 hours of video and controls the publishing rights to roughly 40,000 music recordings,” benefits from this agreement since their ads will be shown before any of these shows can be played.

“Shares of DMGI soared on the news, climbing over 27 percent in Nasdaq trade” CNNMoney.com stated on Monday, Feb.12.

Jon Moore, a senior graphic design major, said, “I think that older TV shows won’t be that big of a deal. They would make out better if they were showing newer shows.”

According to an article

by Clint Swett on popmatters.com, industry analyst Phil Leigh sees DMGI as a

helper in drawing the “older demographics to the youngskewing YouTube audience.”

“In my opinion, if DMGI and YouTube are benefiting from these showings then that’s great for them. I won’t be watching ‘Gumby’ or ‘I SPY’ on YouTube next time I sign on, but power to the people who will,” Laura Capper, a freshman elementary and special education major said.

Lindsay Runyen, a freshman history and secondary education major, agreed and said that she personally wouldn’t watch the new shows, but that it’s great for the people that do enjoy them and that it’s good attention for YouTube and DMGI. According to an article found on seekingalpha.com

by Jonathan Liss, Tuhin Roy, chief strategy officer for DMGI, said, “This is the step that needs to happen for YouTube to start monetizing its audience.”

YouTube, a Google Inc. video-sharing site, hit troublesome waters recently.

“Earlier this month, Viacom Inc. ordered YouTube to yank more than 100,000 unauthorized clips that users had uploaded to their website,” Swett said.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story.

Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com . The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.

MATT DONATO/A&E EDITOR

Screen shot of YouTube, which has become a haven for old school television shows.

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Thursday, March 8, 2007

NYC praises underground music MONICA BURKE STAFF WRITER

MCB727@CABRINI.EDU

The PLUG independent music awards took place in New York City on Feb. 10.

This awards show is all about breaking the rules of conventionalism.

Unlike the Grammy Awards or the Billboard Music Awards, the PLUG awards aim for giving recognition to the independent genre. They are unlike anything else. The musicians are accessible to their fans, tickets cost just 10 dollars.

Each band plays a 20 to 40 minute set, giving the audience the experience of a concert rather then an awards show. This year’s headliners featured groups such as Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks, Silversun Pickups, El-P, Deerhoof and Tokyo Police Club.

According to the PLUG website, 25 percent of the global music market is made up of independent artists. The goal of the PLUG awards was to give recognition to those artists who are not celebrated in the mainstream and generally overlooked.

PLUG calls itself, “a collection of music loverswriters, DJs, webmasters, artists, filmmakers, managers, indie retailers and most importantly fans- who gather together each year to celebrate the artists who live and flourish in the margins.”

The artists who are nominated for PLUG awards are

A&E EDITOR MCD724@CABRINI.EDU The 79th annual Academy Awards was a night full of first timers.

Ellen Degeneres hosted for her first time, and she did a decent job holding her ground among past greats.

Her jokes weren’t as potent and lasting as Billy Crystal’s nor were they as offensive as Chris Rock’s, but they certainly got the job done.

Martin Scorsese was another first timer as he took his first best achievement in directing award for “The Departed” after seven previous losses. There to pass along the torch to him were George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola.

Here is a quick overview of the night’s big winners.

Birthday Punches

CREATIVE COMMONS/MCT

The PLUG Awards host, David Cross, and headliner Stephen Malkmus chit-chat a bit on stage.

even found in unconventional ways. Their records were found through blogs, instant messenger chats, and conversations with the owner of local record stores and through other fans.

The awards show originated in 2001 after a group of friends who had been trading mixed tapes for years became exhausted with the mainstream music industry’s lack of attention for new and upcoming artists. They decided to celebrate the artists that were already flourishing and experiencing success, just not

in the mainstream.

An online ballot was created and sent out to 100 fans. They were asked to pick their favorite indie artists and releases. The future of PLUG was uncertain. Its creators weren’t sure they would receive any responses. After a few weeks they were shocked to find that they received not hundreds but thousands of ballots. Fans who had received the ballots had linked it to other fans and thus created a PLUG online frenzy.

PLUG took a break be-

tween 2001 and 2004, however they returned in 2004 with an awards show that was better then ever. The concert took place on February 9, 2005 in NYC which saw performances from nominees and award winners like RJD2, Saul Williams, Ted Leo + The Pharmacists, Dillinger Escape Plan, Aesop Rock and a lesser known Sufjan Stevens play to a packed house that included many winners like TV On The Radio and Jean Grae.

The 2006 PLUG awards voting tripled from the year. before.

And the Oscar goes to ...

MATT DONATO

A&E I 11

CHARLIE GRUGAN/GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR

March 8 • Freddie Prinze Jr. - 31 March 9 • Bow Wow - 20 • Chingy - 27 March 10 • Carrie Underwood- 24 • Robin Thicke - 30 • Sharon Stone - 49 March 11 • Thora Birch - 25 • Terrance Howard - 38 March 12 • Ron Jeremy - 54 • Aaron Eckhart - 39

Best Picture – “The Departed” Best Actor - Forest Whitaker, “The Last King of Scotland”

March 13 • Common - 35

Best Supporting Actor – Alan Arkin, “Little Miss Sunshine” ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/MCT

Best Actress – Helen Mirren, “The Queen”

Martin Scorsese holds up in triumph his first Oscar after seven past disappointments.

Best Supporting Actress – Jennifer Hudson, “Dreamgirls”

Achievement in Cinematography – Guillermo Navarro, “Pan’s Labyrinth”

Achievement in Directing – Martin Scorsese, “The Departed”

Best Film Editing – Thelma Schoonmaker, “The Departed”

Best Original Screenplay – Michael Arndt, “Little Miss Sunshine”

Achievement in Sound Editing – Alan Robert Murray, “Letters from Iwo Jima”

Best Adapted Screenplay – William Monahan, “The Departed”

Best Foreign-Language Film – “The Lives of Others”

Best Animated Feature Film – “Happy Feet” Best Original Score – Gustavo Santaolalla, “Babel” Best Visual Effects – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”

March 14 • Chris Klein - 28 March 15 • Phil Lesh - 67 • Judd Hirsh - 72 • Eva Longoria - 32 • Mark McGrath - 39 • Dee Snider - 52

12 I A&E

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Thursday, March 8, 2007

Shocking secrets unravel through PostSecret

CREATIVE COMMONS/MCT

Frank Warren, the creator of PostSecret, got his start as an internet blogger.

JILLIAN SMITH

ASST. A&E EDITOR

JKS724@CABRINI.EDU

Tacked on a white four-by-six inch postcard is a cardboard cut-out of a woman’s left hand. On the ring finger, a gold band with a sequin bead, representing an engagement ring. Written in black permanent marker on the back of the hand near the wrist, the words, written in all lowercase letters, “u changed my mind.”

A sappy marriage proposal acceptance?

Maybe. However, postcards like these are common for PostSecret, a place for secrets.

Started by Frank Warren in 2005, PostSecret has been revealing people’s deepest, darkest secrets for everyone to see all over the world.

According to postsecret.blogspot.com, “PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.”

According to CNN.com, “PostSecret has now received more than 100,000 cards, up to 200 a day, which have toured the country in exhibitions.”

CHARLIE GRUGAN/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

To send in a postcard, the rules are simple: create a four-by-six postcard out of anything that can be mailed. On the postcard, write or type the secret out. Jazz it up with pictures, photographs, graphics, artwork and anything else that will emphasize the secret.

The only tips that Warren administers are, “Be brief - the fewer words used the better. Be legible - use big, clear and bold lettering. Be creative - let the postcard be your canvas.”

Along with the website, Warren has also published three books, all filled with “extraordinary confessions from ordinary lives,” the tagline for the books.

Some secrets are jaw-dropping, while others make you smile. Some will make you shudder, and others will leave you speechless. “I cried for Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars III…” is written on the top of a postcard with a picture of a starry sky underneath it. At the bottom of the postcard is, “but not for the Tsunami victims.”

Some secrets are vague, like the marriage proposal postcard, others are vivid, and can stop you dead in your tracks.

On a postcard, a picture of a baby la-

beled, “When I was 16 I had an abortion.

When I was 33 I had a miscarriage. I think God was punishing me.”

PostSecret’s website is updated regularly, every Sunday to be exact, and is very easy to navigate. All the secrets are lined up underneath of one another so scrolling down is a piece of cake.

According to nytimes.com, “One virtue of the resulting chronological lineup is that you can look for patterns emerging, certain kinds of confessions clumping together.

And clump they do.”

The week of Valentine’s Day was flooded with sappy love postcards. If they weren’t dripping with secret confessions of loving someone, they were oozing with loneliness.

On a plain white postcard, written in sad little letters are “I’ve become embarrassed by how many times I’ve been in love.” In the corner of the postcard, the author has drawn a cowering, naked human being with seven of Cupid’s arrows in their back, bleeding at the wound.

The following week’s secrets were family affairs. Among the screwed up family problems, this typed postcard takes the

cake: “My daughter had a double mastectomy today. Voluntarily. Because she wants to be a boy.”

Warren told CNN, “Even though sharing a secret is difficult, in many cases it provides motivation to take charge in life.”

Fast Facts ! www.postsecret.blogspot.com ! there have been three PostSecret books have been published

! the closest PostSecret event will !

be at Rutgers University – Camden Campus on April 12 to send a postcard, the address is:

PostSecret 13345 Copper Ridge Road Germantown, Maryland USA 20874-345

SPORTS I 13

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Thursday, March 8, 2007

Carabello breaks school and personal records

Andrea Carabello races in the Cabrini Invitational on Feb. 10.

MEGAN PELLEGRINO ASST. A&E EDITOR

MRP727@CABRINI.EDU

In the Cabrini Invitational, freshman elementary education major Andrea Carabello competed in the 50-meter freestyle and came only .06 seconds away from qualifying for the Eastern College Athletic Conference.

Carabello has had a record first season in swimming. She has broken Cabrini records and her own records in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle as well as the freestyle relays.

Coach Michael Kernicky decided to take a chance and enter Carabello in the ECAC for two reasons.

“Andrea worked harder than anyone on the team this year, deserving to go and sending a swimmer or a team is the next step for us, a step up for the program,” coach Kernik said.

Unfortunately, the ECAC turned down the request for Carabello to take part in the ECAC. Carabello did not make it because other coaches had similar requests just as coach Kernicky and could not make any exceptions to this rule. Therefore, there will

EMILY BUERGER/PHOTO EDITOR

be no Cabrini swimmers competing this year in the ECAC. “How I ended the season just makes me realize that I may have to work harder or more on different techniques for next year so that I can hopefully qualify then,” Carabello said.

Carabello has plans to become a stronger swimmer. She wants to work on different stroke techniques to get better and stronger in order for next year to qualify for the ECAC and be a better competitor.

Coach Kernicky hopes to make Andrea and the team as a whole more competitive.

Adding to their current opponents for next year will be Swarthmore College, a Rowan University Invitational and a Division III Invitational that will take place in Virginia.

“The more competitive schools we face, the more talented swimmers we will attract for the upcoming years, as well as the fast our current swimmers will swim,” coach Kernicky said.

The Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.

EMILY BUEGER/PHOTO EDITOR

Freshman Nailah Smith prepares for a practice.

Women’s indoor track takes second in ECAC JASON RADKA SPORTS EDITOR

JNR722@CABRINI.EDU

The women’s track team took second place in the Eastern College Athletic Conference championships on March 3.

According to the ECAC website, “St. Lawrence University’s women’s indoor track team became the first St. Lawerence track team to capture an ECAC Championship at the 2007 ECAC Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. On March 3, the Saints picked up eight points with a second place finish in the final relay of the day to overtake Cabrini for the team championship in a 55-team field.”

Coach James Williams said the team had trouble in the sprints, but reassured that better results will come in time.

“Technically in the sprint races we made so many mental mistakes,” Williams said.

“But we are a very young team and we have so much room for improvement. We were three points away from being champions with only three athletes competing in individual events, compared to the majority of the teams that had over 10 athletes.”

But those three individuals took over the meet.

Freshman history major Christiana Taylor received All-ECAC honors in four events event the 55m, 200m, 400m and triple jump.

Sophomore sociology Leslie Williams

scored in three events: the 4x200m relay, 200m and 400m.

Junior social work Lauren Deas won the 55m and also ran on the 4x200m in which she finished in third place.

Deas will represent Cabrini in the Williams wowed the crows as she placed second in the 200 meters and placed fifth in the 400 meters.

Taylor took seventh in the 55 meters, third in the 200 meters, fourth in the 400 meters and fifth in the triple jump.

Coach Tom O’Hora is proud of the team in their ECAC performance.

“This a very proud moment in the history of Cabrini, not only for track, but for the sports program in general. Our ladies had to beat some outstanding nationally ranked teams in order to finish a very close second. Coach James Williams and his ladies have worked very hard and are worthy of their success.”

According to the ECAC website, “Second place is the highest finish ever for the Cavaliers at the ECAC championships.

Deas, who will represent Cabrini at next week's NCAA indoor championships, captured the individual title in the 55 meters with a time of 7:16. She was the only Cavalier to win a gold medal.”

The Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.

14 I SPORTS

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Thursday, March 8, 2007

‘Dice-K’ strikes out 3 in Red Sox debut JASON RADKA SPORTS EDITOR

JNR722@CABRINI.EDU

Daisuke “Dice-K” Matsuzaka struck out three batters in his debut as a Boston Red Sock. The Red Sox signed Matsuzaka for $52 million over six years and paid the Seibu Lions in the Japanese league $51 million only in order to meet with him.

In 204 games in the Japanese league, Matsuzaka posted a 108-60 record and delivered a slender 2.95 earned run averaged.

Matsuzaka also topped out at around 1,300 strikeouts.

In his debut in a Beantown uniform, Matsuzaka’s fastball traveled the 90 feet to home plate at a swift 94 miles per hour. According to scouts, Matsuzaka has four great pitches (and possibly a fifth), including a fastball, changeup, slider and curveball.

Dice-K retired sophomore Hanley Ramirez on two pitchers, after a first pitch strike from the Japanese phenomenon.

Catcher Jason Varitek had fun with Dice-K in his debut; impressed with how his English has come along. According to cbsportsline sources, (Varitek) said, “Let’s throw a slider inside. Can you do it?” Matsuzaka said, “Yes. It was in English.” Varitek said he used sign language to aid the conversation. “He understood me, which I wasn’t sure,” Varitek said. “He made a good pitch.”

Rumored to throw the knee-buckling gyroball, often called the “miracle pitch” invented by Japanese scientists, Ryutaro Himeno and Kazushi Tezuka. According to the book “The Secret of the Miracle Pitch,” the gyroball’s release point has the pitcher move their arms toward the corner bags

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS/MCT

Seibu Lions president Hidekazu Ota announced their intention to allow Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka to make the move to Major League Baseball on Nov. 1, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan.

(third base for right, first base for a lefty) instead of having their arms propel the ball towards home plate. The motion creates such a spin that the ball has been rumored to break close to three feet. Matsuzaka has not confirmed or denied to reporters whether or not he will use the pitch this season.

In his first game, Dice-K threw 47

This week in sports NICOLE OSUCH

ASST. MANAGING EDITOR NAO722@CABRINI.EDU

Phillies sign National League MVP for one more year National League MVP, Ryan Howard’s contract was renewed with the Phillies for $900,000 for one-year. The contract took a while because the Phillies and Howard had a hard time agreeing on a more long-term contract. With one year in the majorleagues under his belt he is the first major-league player to make that much money in a one-year contract without arbitration. Still it was a nice bonus. Last year Howard made $355,000. Howard talked with the Inquirer about his disappointed and said, “But right now the whole contract situation is done. I’m getting paid to put on a uniform, and that’s what matters. Now, you just go out and try to help the team win a championship.”

According to Philly.com

pitches, 31 for strikes, went three scoreless innings, allowed 2 hits, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. In an already deep pitching staff that boasts Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, Matt Clement and first year starter Jonathon Paplebon, the Boston Red Sox may on paper put their best team since their 2004 World Series victory.

The Loquitur welcomes your comments and questions on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@googlegroups.com. The editors will reviewyour comments each week and make corrections if warranted.

Upcoming games Friday, March 9 Men’s Lacrosse vs. FDU- Florham (6 p.m.)

Tuesday, March 13 Women’s Lacrosse at Ursinus (6 p.m.)

Wednesday, March 14 Women’s Lacrosse vs. Rosemont (4 p.m.)

Softball at Widener (4 p.m.)

Friday, March 16

UNC takes down Duke One of the biggest rivalries in college basketball No. 5 UNC and No. 16 Duke played on March 4th. It was a close game resulting in UNC taking the lead in the last 5 minutes and winning the game 79-73. Duke left the Cameron Indoor Stadium with their third loss in a row in nearly eight years. The game leaders on UNC were Freshman Brandan Wright who scored 19 points, Tyler Hansbrough who scored 16 and Rookie Ty Lawson who scored 15 points. On the other side, Duke’s Freshman Jon Scheyer had a personal best of 26 points. After the game Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said “I thought we played a terrific game tonight, but it wasn’t enough to beat a terrific team. They’re very, very talented, and the depth that they have means they never take a break. So when they’re playing like that, you have to be incredibly resilient.”

According to ESPN.com Mavericks post 15 game win streak With the help of Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard and Jason Terry the Dallas Mavericks made a team record of 15th consecutive wins. Terry had 29 points and a season-high 15 assists during last Saturday’s game against Orlando. In addition, Howard stepped up and scored 21 points to overcome a six-point fourth-quarter deficit. Nowitzki added 24 points to the win, nine rebounds and seven assists. Nowitzki said, “Having a record is always great. It means you’ve done something that’s never been done before. But we’re not focused on the streaks. If we go 82-0, it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t win the championship. We know we have a lot of work to do until then.”

According to CBS sportsline.com

Softball vs. Marywood (3 p.m.)

Saturday, March 17 Men’s Lacrosse vs. Hampden-Sydney (1 p.m.)

Women’s Lacrosse vs. Wesley (4 p.m.)

Monday, March 19 Women’s Lacrosse at Misericordia (4 p.m.)

Tuesday, March 20 Women’s Lacrosse vs. Rowan (6 p.m.)

Softball at Alvernia (3 p.m.)

Wednesday, March 21 Women’s Lacrosse at Gettysburg (3:30 p.m.)

Thursday, March 22 Women’s Lacrosse at Stevens Tech (7 p.m.)

SPORTS I 15

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Thursday, March 8, 2007

Women’s basketball falls to Gwynedd KAITLIN BARR

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

KMB738@CABRINI.EDU

The Cabrini women’s basketball team competed in the final Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Championship game against Gwynedd-Mercy on Saturday, Feb. 24.

From the second the referee let go of the ball for the tip-off, until the very last foul shot, the Lady Cavaliers battled it out against the Griffins for the opportunity to win the PAC. Although having been on a seventeen game winning streak, GwyneddMercy showed to be no better than Cabrini in any aspect.

Running fast breaks, grabbing loose balls, as well as some turn-overs, occurred on both teams. The game moved at an extremely fast pace, but both teams were up for the challenge.

The first half consisted of back-and-forth points; Cabrini would score, then Gwynedd-Mercy would score in response.

Neither team held the lead at any point, until halftime rolled around when the Griffins had the upper hand with a 44-42 lead.

Sophomore English and communication major and gaurd Kayleen Smith took complete control of the court both on offense and defense. With 16 points and

nine rebounds, she was the leading scorer of the Cavaliers.

Not only was she the leading scorer, but also was the emotional leader on the court. If the team made a great play, Smith was the first one there to congratulate them.

Smith and sophomore exercise science major and forward Casey Kyler, was a major defensive threat, racking up 18 rebounds throughout the game.

Along with the 18 rebounds, Kyler added nine points to help her team during the game.

[Towards the end of the second half, after three made three pointers were mae by the Griffins,] the Lady Cavaliers struggled to regain the lead. In a fight to the finish game, Cabrini lost the battle to GwyneddMercy 68-61.

Looking ahead towards next season, Finfrock said, “Our team is so young, I am really looking forward to winning the PAC next year.

We made it there this year and we almost had it. Next year we will be a year older and we will be more experienced. We will definitely win the PAC and do great things.”

The women’s team qualified for the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference but lost 69-57 to Washington and Jefferson.

South Carolina welcomes men’s tennis some respect as a serious tennis program,” ASST. A&E EDITOR Casparro said.

GRT722@CABRINI.EDU “This year’s going to be a little different for me because I’m the captain so I Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis have to look out for the best interest of the Resort is where Cabrini men’s tennis team team, not saying I haven’t the previous stayed over spring break this year. Hilton three years though,” Ingram said.

Head Island has top-rated facilities as well Ingram has hopes to bring the team toas over 350 tennis courts. The team trav- gether even more than they already are. eled to South CarHe’s pushing to come olina on Saturday, out with a lot of individFeb. 24 for a week ual wins because he beand returned to chilly lieves that it will be great Pennsylvania on Sat- “We lost some great way to go into their seaurday, March 3. son especially against The team, coached players last year but I the talented teams at

by Rich Aldrete, Hilton Head. trained and played believe that coach Rich Casparro had some most of their matches individual goals as well at Hilton Head during is the best coach that we as team goals for this their stay. season. He said that he “It’s a trip the could have losing those would like to repeat as a whole team looks forfinalist in doubles in the ward to each year. players won’t matter.”

Pennsylvania Athletic It’s a real good way to Conference Champi-John Casparro onship this year. Caswarm-up for the upcoming season, and parro referenced back to the team gets tough, last season and excompetitive play with some Division II plained that they “dominated the tournaschools,” senior English and communica- ment having someone medaling in each tion major Matthew Ingram said. position except 6th singles and 2nd douJohn Casparro, a senior finance major, bles.” said that he looks forward to going to For the team, Casparro hopes to be Hilton Head. Casparro said he enjoyed able to compete for the PAC Champigetting out of the cold weather and being onship again this season. able to play tennis then walk to the beach.

“We lost some great players last year He says that’s the greatest part of the trip. but I believe that Coach Rich is the best “It really gives us time to focus on our coach that we could have and losing those season,” Casparro said. players won't matter,” Casparro said.

During the week, the team played Hilton Head was an opportunity for against Mercyhurst College, which is a the team to get some outdoor tennis under Division II school, Catholic University of their belts which helps them to prepare for America and St. John’s University of Min- the season. The idea for their spring break nesota. trip was to play tough teams and to phys“Mercyhurst has a great reputation. ically and mentally prepare them for their Contending with Mercyhurst will prepare upcoming season. us well for the season and should give us GRAYCE TURNBACH

KAITLIN BARR/ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Forward Casey Kyler looks to receive pass from teammate gaurd Kayleen Smith at Gwynedd-Mercy on Feb. 24.

Garcia traded to Tampa KASEY MINNICK

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

KM735@CABRINI.EDU

Philadelphia Eagles’ fans said goodbye to veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia, on March 3, who took the starting position after Donovan McNabb went down for the season and led them to a National Football Conference East Championship and straight into the playoffs. Garcia can now call himself a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.

After word got out that the Eagles were not going to sign Garcia and instead sign A.J. Feeley to a three-year contract extension, Tampa Bay jumped at the chance. This decision by the Eagles came as a surprise to many due to Garcia’s 5-1 record and their playoff berth. Not only did Tampa Bay get their one wish, but the Bucs’ worked out a trade to acquire yet another quarterback Jake Plummer from the Denver Broncos.

Garcia, proving himself last season, was looked at by other teams such as the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos. The 37-yearold believes he still has much more in his gas tank and does not want critics to think that he is too old for

the job. Garcia said, “Throw age out the window because that’s not how I play. That’s not how I focus.

That’s not how I mentally prepare. That’s not who I am.”

Coach of the Buccaneers J o n

Gruden has strong feelings for Garcia as well. Because he and his staff aren’t sure that they are ready to hand Bucs’ quarterback Chris Simms the No. 1 job yet, they want to see what Garcia has to offer the offense.

In 99 games, including 92 starts, Garcia has completed 1,811 of 2,972 passes for 20,385 yards and 136 touchdowns. With an efficiency rating of 86.4, he has thrown for more than 2,500 yards five times in his career according to ESPN.com.

Eagles’ quarterback McNabb said, “ I ’ m happy for him. I think it will be a good fit. I t h i n k he’ll be fine.”

Garcia believes he will be fine as well. “I signed to compete and I do want to start,” Garcia said.

MCT CAMPUS

SPORTS I 16

www.theloquitur.com

Thursday, March 8, 2007

III IV?

Campus Announcements YADIRA TOLEDO EVENTS EDITOR

YRT722@CABRINI.EDU

SGA formal tickets For students interested in attending SGAs annual formal, tickets will be on sale now through Friday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The tickets can be purchased from the office of student activities located on the first floor of the Widener Building adjacent to Jazzman’s; the cost is $45 per person.

This event will take place at the Inn at Valley Forge on Friday, March 16 between 8 p.m. and 12 a.m. For more information please visit the office of student activities.

Cabrini Idol

Div. III seeks possible split

CAP board and Up Til Dawn present Cabrini idol on Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m. in the Dixon Center. Students in attendance will enjoy several karaoke style performances; they will also have the opportunity to meet a very special American Idol guest star. Afterwards, students are invited to stay and celebrate the fundraising efforts of Up Til Dawn Tickets to enter will cost $10 with an addition $5 at the door to meet the American Idol guest star; tickets are available at the office of student activities located on the first floor of the Widener Building adjacent to Jazzman’s. All proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Stephen Heigh: Stories

JESSICA HAGERTY

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

JH729@CABRINI.EDU KASEY MINNICK

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

KM735@CABRINI.EDU

The National Collegiate Athletic Association has proposed to split its Division III into two divisions; one more restrictive and one more competitive. The idea has been contemplated for several years but has been brought up recently in many NCAA Division III conferences, including conferences in which members of the Cabrini athletic department were present.

Cabrini’s athletic director Dr. Leslie Danehy said she is not in favor of such a split. “We discussed this a few years ago and the Division III membership could not decide on how we would execute this type of split.”

Division III is the largest division in the NCAA and is made up of 420 colleges and universities that all ban athletic scholarships. The colleges and universities in Division III have enrollment rates that range from 400 to 40,000 students.

The Division III program can be considered to be the most diverse division in the NCAA program, according to the New York Times. A split may be in order because of how fractured the membership is over issues such as money, national championships and the appropriate mission of athletics in higher education.

Danehy said, “I don’t mind that we are the largest division and that we are diverse.

That makes it fun in my opinion.”

The biggest question professionals have to deal with is that if the nation’s top small colleges complete this split, will the impact be fatal on academic rankings used by

prospective students and parents?

The result of this split would be a Division IV. This new division would be made up of some of the more highly selective academic schools such as Haverford, Franklin and Marshall and Swarthmore Colleges in the area. These colleges would restrict outof-league play, limit preseason games and emphasize participation by fielding teams in many sports.

John Douglas, the co-acting director of athletics at Haverford College, said, “We are very interested in the discussion of the split but we are not an acting member as of right now.”

Douglas was reluctant to speak on behalf of Haverford’s entire athletic department.

However, some colleges believe the proposal has been going on long enough and they wish to see change soon.

John Fry, the chairman of the Division III President’s Council and the president of Franklin and Marshall College, said to the New York Times, “We must have a fundamental change in the structure of the division. The tent has been stretched far enough.”

Ultimately, the presidents of colleges and universities will make the decisions on how and whether to segregate Division III. According to the New York Times, if this rip in the system occurs, one division would require institutions to play a larger number of sports (possibly as many as 18), would restrict athletic departments in their area of recruiting, the lengths of playing seasons and the number of off-season practices. Then the other division would be more accommodating in its recruiting, practice and competition rules and require as little as six to 10 sports so that members are able to focus more on high profile sports.

At many Division III schools, athletic recruiting plays a big part in the admissions

process and has drastically diminished retention rates. Varsity athletes at institutions make up one third or more of the student body. Coaches at these institutions take as much time as Division I coaches in the recruiting process. With this split, recruiting top athletes to Division IV colleges could be more difficult.

Recruiting student-athletes is an important aspect at Cabrini for many coaches.

Most students choose to compete in the Division III program before enrolling because of coaches and admissions counselors’ persistence. Four out of the six admissions counselors also coach a varsity sport at Cabrini.

Steve Colfer, associate director of admissions and head men’s lacrosse coach, believes that it is true that Divison III is as competitive with recruiting as the Division I program is. Colfer said that he keeps his recruiting process competitive and extensive because he “knows that other coaches are doing the same thing.”

Some Cabrini athletes feel that the split would be a terrible idea for the athletic program.

“Who cares if it’s getting more competitive? I think the split would be awful and I totally disagree with it,” sophomore Lauren Magill said. Magill is a member of the women’s basketball and lacrosse teams.

Freshman accounting major and men’s soccer player Chris Lasher said, “That’s lame. Nobody would want to play for Division IV because Division III is bad enough.”

Colfer believes even a Division IV program would eventually become just as competitive as Division III. “That’s how the world is and everyone is always ‘keeping up with the Jones’,” Colfer said.

GRAPHIC BY CHARLES GRUGAN

The Grace and Joseph Gorevin fine arts gallery, which is located on the second floor of the Holy Spirit Library, will be the site of the opening reception for Stephen Heigh. At this exhibit, entitled Stories, the freelance author and children’s book author will display 30 paintings. This opening will be held between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Admission is free. Additional information regarding Stephen Heigh is available at www.stephenheigh.com. For more information please contact Adeline Bethany (610) 9028380.

Eating Disorder Awareness Counseling Services will sponsor a lecture entitled “How to help a friend you think has an eating disorder.” This specific event will be held on Wednesday, March 14 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the SET building’s lecture hall. For additional information on this event please contact counseling services at (610) 902-8561.

Calling all writers The Woodcrest magazine is looking for any of your best works such as poems and creative essays to be considered for publication in the Spring 2007 issue. This is a great opportunity for students to build their portfolio with these published works. If you would like to submit work, please contact Brittany Lavin via e-mail @ bll722@cabrini.edu.