The Statesman: Volume 55, Issue 23 by The Statesman

The Statesman informing stony brook university for more than 50 years

Volume LV, Issue 23

Monday, April 9, 2012

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SBVAC funds finally approved By Emily McTavish Contributing Writer

After the resolution of a series of paperwork problems – including an address error and late audit reports – the Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corps will receive the first round of checks from its 20112012 budget from the Undergraduate Student Government. SBVAC had not received any checks because it didn’t have a proper address on the contract for its budget and had not filed its audits from last semester, according to USG Treasurer Thomas Kirnbauer. The organization is required to fill out audit reports and submit them to USG because it is a Direct Pay Organization, as opposed to other clubs on campus, Kirnbauer said. The address error on the contracts, however, has gone unfixed for years, according to Daniel H. Wolbrom, chief of operations for SBVAC. “[In] the last six years, USG paid us regardless of a typo on the contract, but chose this year to hold back our payments for an additional two months because of this,” he said. “The address on our contract was for a building that no longer exists on campus. It was where we used to be located prior to 2005, but was never fixed on the contract by the USG." The issue was delayed further because the USG Senate tabled the voting for the budget several times, Kirnbauer said. SBVAC, a New York State certified ambulance corporation, serves the SBU campus and surrounding area and provides mutual aid to neighboring fire and emergency medical services departments with about 70 to 90 volunteers and three operational ambulances, according to its website. SBVAC normally receives three checks a year from USG to pay for basic life support and advanced life support supplies, the maintenance and repair of the ambulances, insurance for the vehicles and volunteers, radios and pagers for communication and other necessary expenditures, according to SBVAC President Joseph Park. However, SBVAC is only now receiving the money – halfway through spring semester. “Personally, I have not had problems receiving money," Park said. "As president the previous year as well, we received our funds with no problems." The USG Budget Committee and senate recently approved SBVAC's budget for the 2011-2012 Academic Year due to the urgency of the Continued on Page 3

ANUSHA MOOKHERJEE/ THE STATESMAN

USG has approved funds for SBVAC, an emergency response group on campus, although there were also cuts.

Students protest USG financial revisions By Margaret Randall Staff Writer

More than 60 students, mostly from sports clubs on campus, gathered outside of the Undergraduate Student Government's Legislative Review Committee's meeting on March 28 to protest a proposed revision to the Financial Bylaws. The fourth revision the Senate has considered this semester would eliminate the National Tournament Grant in an attempt "to bring the Undergraduate Student Government into better compliance with its Constitution." According to the Senate, the grant is unconstitutional because it establishes "separate criteria for club/organization funding based on the purpose of the entity." The protest was organized by CJ Kottuppallil of Seawolves Rugby, Derek Cope of Men's Club Soccer and Kathryn Michaud of Women's Club Soccer. Senator David Adams said that the National Tournament Grant violates the USG Constitution and the laws of the State University of New York because it segregates sports and non-sports clubs. He called getting rid of the National Tournament Grant "the right thing to do." He also pointed out this will not affect the clubs’ line budgets. "I understand the clubs’ concern," Senator Najee Simmons

said. Without the National Tournament Grant, clubs could only apply for an Event Grant of $1,500 maximum if the club's budget is $10,000-1,000; $2,500 maximum if the club's budget is $10,000.01-20,000; and $3,500 is the club's budget is more than $20,000. Simmons said the grant needs to be removed because it is unconstitutional, but the separate Event Grant should be modified to allow sports clubs to make up for it. “Personally I was opposed to [the legislation] completely,” USG President Mark Maloof said. “I’m happy that the clubs agree.” The National Tournament Grant was implemented in September of last year, according to Executive Vice President Deborah Machalow. The revision was brought up by Senator Jason Sockin, who was not at the meeting. After protestors stated their opinion, the Legislative Review Committee voted to table the bill until the senate could form an ad hoc committee to gather club input, which happened the next day. The committee will meet with representatives and members from clubs and organizations to hear their concerns about the revision and willthen present its findings to the Senate on April 19. From there, the Senate will decide what to do about the revision.

Low sales drive food truck away By Christine Powell Contributing Writer

A common complaint among Stony Brook University students is the lack of food choices on campus. To make matters worse, another dining option has just announced it is officially gone. After a decline in sales, the Grey Horse Tavern's food truck – a rolling kitchen that used to serve organic and local food to students on campus – is no longer a dining option at SBU, according to the Faculty Student Association. Angela Agnello, the director of

marketing and communications at FSA, said in an email that "Grey Horse Tavern will no longer be operating their mobile truck on campus as it is no longer feasible for them to do so." Linda Ringhorse, one of the owners of the establishment, said that a few factors contributed to the decision to end the business agreement. The main reason, though, was that after the truck's initial semester on campus, which was "very, very busy," sales dropped off. "It seemed to be that anyone who Continued on Page 6

STATESMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO

The Grey Horse Tavern's food truck left because of low sales.

Monday, April 9, 2012

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Campus rec center takes shape Take a look inside Stony Brook's new campus recreation center. The recreation center, which will open in the fall of 2012, has been a facility conceived and planned for the past thirteen years. PAGE 5

From battlefield Gamers Guild to books explains their club and future Brian Ivory has done a lot. He's been to Kuwait and video games Iraq. He's flown C-130s and other military airplanes. He's pulled a person out of a burning car and been awarded a Carnegie Medal for it. PAGE 6

Poetry reading taps donations SPORTS: for UNICEF All Pat As a part of Islamic Awareness Week, the Poetry Cantwell wants Slam on Tuesday, March 27, is for his team featured activist performers from Suffolk County, New to win. York City and England in the Student Activities Center auditorium. PAGE 6

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Gamers battled zombies, bad guys and otherworldly beings on Friday as The Gamers Guild and The Weekend Life Committee presented “Gaming with Gamers” at the GLS/ HDV Center. PAGE 11

NEWS

News literacy resources on the way By Chelsea Katz Staff Writer

The Center for News Literacy is one step closer to its goal of creating educated news consumers in all 50 states by 2017. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awarded a $285,000 grant to the School of Journalism's Center for News Literacy to continue spreading its message across the country. “We are going to use the money to build a national digital teacher resource center where teachers from all across the country can come to get material that they can use to launch news literacy courses,” said Howard Schneider, the dean of the School of Journalism. News literacy, according to the School of Journalism website, is "the ability to use critical thinking skills to judge the reliability and

credibility of news reports and news sources." The center was established in 2007 and is the only one of its kind in the United States. The resource center will provide materials for high school teachers and college professors who teach a modified version of Stony Brook University's news literacy curriculum. Schneider intends on using the grant money to take the Center for News Literacy to “the next level” in a way that would not be possible otherwise. Schneider said that if teachers are looking for materials to use regarding course concepts such as the First Amendment or separating news from propaganda, they need only use the new digital database. The web-based system will also allow teachers to discuss effective ways to teach their own adapted curriculums. Currently, the Center for News Literacy sends out materials to

teachers through Yousendit. com, and teachers need to adapt the curriculums to their English, history and journalism classes. The new web-based system will tailor more toward their needs with fresh and current ideas. The Center for News Literacy also plans to develop byte-size video tutorials for students to use on their own outside of class to sharpen their skills and study for tests at their own pace. Schneider and Shirley Strum Kenny, former president of SBU met with Robert L. Galucci, the president of the MacArthur Foundation and an SBU alumnus, over a year ago to discuss the news literacy program at the university. Galucci encouraged Schneider to apply for a MacArthur grant. “They thought that it was important that they support news literacy,” Schneider said. “They in particular are interested in trying to foster civic society and

civic participation and democracy and I think they thought that news literacy was one way that that could be accomplished.” Last year, the McCormick Foundation gave the Center for News Literacy a grant for $330,000. Part of the money was used to start building the online digital database for teachers. The grant was also used to create an online teacher training course. The McCormick grant also helped fund a new summer institute for high school teachers in Chicago. There is currently an institute on Long Island where teachers gather to develop lesson plans and syllabi to take back to their own school districts. At the moment, the Center for News Literacy has a $1.75 million grant from the Knight Foundation to support the news literacy classes at SBU. The grant will continue to fund the SBU program until it teaches its

10,000th student. Thirty-one universities are currently teaching news literacy classes based on SBU's model, according to Liz Farley, the staff assistant for the Center for News Literacy. News literacy classes are taught in about 25 states, including Hawaii and overseas schools in New Zealand, Australia and Puerto Rico. The Center for News Literacy aims to have news literacy courses in all 50 states by 2017. Dean Miller, director of the Center for News Literacy and a journalism professor, has also started working with the Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy to incorporate news literacy classes throughout the new country. “It’s all part of the same big program which is to see if we can get this kind of training embedded into the education of the next generation of students,” Schneider said.

Sewage plant tour exposes tricks of campus environment By Jasmin Frankel Staff Writer

Flush. It’s gone, never to be seen or thought of again. For some it may be difficult to talk about or even think about what happens to the waste one’s body produces. Like making a quarter disappear in a magic trick, it is imagined that one’s waste disappears as well. If one knows the first thing about magic, that would be that it is not magic but indeed a trick. The Environmental Club set out to expose this trick by taking its members to the sewage plant located on Stony Brook University’s campus. The event coordinator for the club, Jane Karetny, came up with the event idea after she found out a professor from the sustainability program took his class to visit the sewage plant. Karetny says it is important to understand the process of sewage. “By viewing ones effects on the environment one finds himself staring at what is the affect of his

EZRA MARGONO / THE STATESMAN

Students who took the tour of the sewage plant were able to see the oxidation ditch, where organic materials turn into sludge. own actions and that creates a sense of urgency and responsibility," said Karetny, a sophomore majoring in environmental studies.

The sewage plant sits by the north entrance of the campus. Since 1989, the plant has been removing harmful constituents from the wastewater.

EZRA MARGONO / THE STATESMAN

Members of the Environmental Club took a tour of the sewage plant on March 28.

Between 75 to 80 percent of the wastewater comes from the university’s campus and hospital. The other 25 percent comes from residents south of the campus. “It’s alive,” said Eugene Brewer, acting director of operations for the Suffolk County Department Public Works, Division of Sanitation. Brewer is referring to the sewage water's being processed biologically instead of chemically. “Naturally controlled organisms with strict control of the aeration,” said Brewer, explaining how the plant treats the wastewater. The wastewater is processed in a circular basin called an oxidation ditch. Microorganisms that naturally develop in the sewage break down organic material, which then forms into activated sludge. The treated water is sent to a settling tank, where the activated sludge is separated from the clean water. Once the sludge is separated, the water is then pumped into the Port Jefferson Harbor and Long Island Sound.

The ditch can process up to 2.5 million gallons of water a day. It currently cleans an average of 1.9 million gallons while the academic year is in session. According to Brewer, the plant has been running smoothly since it began processing wastewater. There are some fears of more wastewater being produced when the new buildings, such as the hotel, come into use. The plant cannot accept more water, and there is no more room to build another ditch near the current plant location. As to how the ditch runs now, freshman Alexa Agathos found learning about the sewage process on campus interesting and necessary. “I thought it was cool,” said Agathos. “Sewage is a big part of life.” For those who are interested in visiting the plant, email Eugene Brewer at eugene.brewer@ suffolkcountyny.gov. The Environmental Club meets on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in SSO, which is on the first floor of Roth Dinning.

Monday, April 9, 2012

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Monday, April 9, 2012

Recreation Center takes form for fall 2012

EZRA MARGONO / THE STATESMAN

SBU introduces new rec center State-of-the-art facility to benefit many By Walter Plotz Staff Writer

“This is going to create a healthy environment for our students,” Associate Dean and Director of Student Life Susan Dimonda said regarding the new Campus Recreation Center that has taken shape between the Sports Complex and the Student Union. “It’s going to be the hot place on campus, a state-of-the-art facility. Our peer institutions have these facilities, so us not having them makes a difference.” The recreation center, which will open in the fall of 2012, has been a facility conceived and planned for the past thirteen years. “I’ve been working on this project since 1999,” Dimonda explained at a press conference on March 21. “Back in 1999, students were coming to us complaining about the lack of space for basic open rec or participation with their sports clubs, or just be able to come and recreate or do anything.” In 1999, DiMonda went on tours with students to the University of New Hampshire and Northeastern University, where students saw that SBU needs similar facilities for recreation. “We started the process in 1999, I think that’s at the time when the athletic program went to Division I and there was more demand on the facilities.” “Undergraduate students deserve to have their own facility,” Senior Associate Director of Athletics Matt Larsen said at the same conference. “Certainly the rec center is a huge boost.” The center has always been an idea whose existence is owed to student input. “Back in 2000 students voted to pay to build the facility. They voted to tax themselves $75 once the building opened, to build the facility back in 2000,” Dimonda said. “And that I think spoke volumes to the legislature, that our students are willing to pay for it.” For the 20122013 academic year, the University is proposing an increase of $95.50 per semester for undergraduate students, with $75 of it slated for the CRC. Students from all levels and areas of the campus have been involved with the creation of the center. “Students were complaining about similar things. So in response to that,

By Walter Plotz we sat down with the Undergraduate Student Government to talk about it,” Dimonda said, “and that’s when we decided to go on the tours and look at other campuses that had just recently built facilities. They went there, they saw the energy in the building.” The CRC will be run mainly by students, who will perform jobs from operating administrative tasks to refereeing games and teaching some of the classes. “This facility, when we open, will be hiring about 75 additional students. That’s about $400,000 that will go directly into the pockets of students,” Dimonda said. These 75 new student employees will join an existing number of 125, making Campus Recreation the third largest employer at Stony Brook. “We’ve been meeting with students, we’ve talked with them about what they want in the facility. We’ve had an active advisory board made up of students from across campus. We meet monthly to talk about everything from what’s going to go into the facility.” Alexandra Harouche Rubio, a senior who currently teaches abattack and beach body blast classes in the SAC, is excited for “the big studios, the spin studio, and not having a limit to fitness classes. For me that’s the exciting part about it, bigger space, more classes.” “A university this size, with 25,000 students, you need a rec center that’s going to help us recruiting prospective student-athletes, and I think it’s going to help the admissions office in recruiting students to attend Stony Brook,” Larsen said. The center received its initial funding in 2007 but did not obtain the remaining $18 million of its overall $37.5 million budget. “It just took us this long to get the funding. The biggest challenge was getting the funding,” Dimonda said. The CRC is going to be a stateof-the-art facility, with features such as a wireless network and air conditioning throughout the entire building. It will be open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to midnight. “I think this will be heavily used by our students,” Dimonda said, “the SAC is the place to be now, the rec center is going to be the next place to be.”

Staff Writer

Among a skeleton of metal studs, wires and ductwork, a dream 13 years in the making is fulfilled. “You’re going to see rows and rows of fitness equipment and people working out, and to me that’s the pleasure of this, seeing that students are getting a healthy benefit from using the facilities,” Associate Dean and Director of Student Life Susan Dimonda stated. She has been working on the creation of the Campus Recreation Center since its inception in 1999.

ONLINE For more photos of the rec center, check our website.

The CRC will be a state-of-the-art facility inspired by other campuses like Northeastern, UMass and the University of New Hampshire, and built to stay competitive with their recreational facilities. “Our sport clubs will have more access. They currently don’t have any access to indoor facilities because we’re so tight with space,” Dimonda said, “right now if you try to attempt to go to a fitness class, a lot of times people get turned away. We can only accommodate twenty-three students in a class.” The recreation center will be a controlled-access facility, with only one entrance where students will swipe their ID card to enter the turnstiles. On the ground floor, there will be a space for free weights as well as 28 machines. It will also house an administrative suite where student employees will make up a considerable percentage of the staff. “Students are applying for the position in the Career Center through Zebranet. We’ve already got about 75 students,” Dimonda said. A multipurpose room will be able to host general meetings for groups like captains and referees in addition to staff instruction including CPR and first aid training. This room will also be able to show the World Cup and hold Wii competitions. A nearby fitness studio able to accommodate

49 people, the largest of three studios in the building, will welcome classes for yoga, Zumba, and similar fitness activities. The largest part of the buolding will be the three-court gymnasium in the middle of the building. On its wood floor, there will be three courts where basketball, volleyball, and badminton will be played. “This will be heavily used for open recreation, for intramurals, and other activities,” Dimonda stated. On the second floor, there will be a cardio room where 110 pieces of cardiovascular equipment and an 18-piece line of equipment will be stationed. Dean Bowen, the manager of fitness & wellness programming said, “It’s really user friendly. There’s really no adjustments to the equipment. You walk up to it, do whatever you need to do, and walk away.” The Interactive Spinning Studio will have one instructor bike in front of 30 participant bikes that will take advantage of the latest virtual reality technology. “You can be riding in Central Park and be on that spin bike at the same time. It will be really

exciting to have state-of-the-art spin bikes,” Bowen described. On this floor will also be a Wellness Resource Room, where students can use computer stations to log in their workouts and get assessments. It will also replace the SAC lobby as a more suitable setting for blood pressure and cholesterol screening. Other uses planned for this area include massage and chiropractic therapy. In the third fitness studio general body sculpting and kickboxing classes will be held. “All the studios will have a wood floor,” Dimonda said, “and each will have their own built-in audio system.” Marie Turchiano, the associate director of campus recreation, said. “These spaces are reservable by clubs and organizations. It’s a great opportunity in addition to the SAC.” Circling above the gymnasium will be a 1/10th mile long track. “While you're on the track you can watch what’s going on down on the basketball floor,” Bowen said. There will also be a lower level which will feature a multiactivity court. The rubberized

EZRA MARGONO / THE STATESMAN

SBU officials guide students through the new recreation center, which is set to be a "state-of-the-art" facility.

News

Monday, April 9, 2012

SBVAC gets funding, cuts too Continued from Page 1 situation. “We have to pay our bills, and when our ambulances and equipment need repairs, we have to fix them right away. Without the funds we cannot provide the best quality care to our patients,” Park said. SBVAC’s budget this year was $141,250, down from $165,000 in the previous year. “These cuts were pretty significant considering the past year to two years, we have seen dramatic rises in our operating costs due to increased insurance, increased fuel prices and more ambulance repairs due to their increasing age and wear and tear,” Wolbrom said. SBVAC, like many of the other clubs and organizations on campus, is asking for an increased budget for the 2012-2013 academic year. The organization asked USG for a 41 percent increase in funding. But more money going to SBVAC would be less money going to other clubs and organizations, Kirnbauer said. “It’s a tough position for USG," he said. "Every student on USG, including me, thinks what SBVAC does is great." Wolbrom said that with the rising

student population, SBVAC needs a bigger budget to serve that population. “[The] increase in amount of students on campus … leads to us using more medical equipment and fuel to go on those 911 calls that occur more frequently,” Wolbrom said. If SBVAC were to be dissolved, the Stony Brook and Setauket Fire Departments would not be able to pick up the approximate 1,200 911 EMS calls that SBVAC responds to each year, Wolbrom said. An ambulance fee, on top of other fees that students pay, has been suggested as an option for SBVAC to have a steady income in the future, according to Kirnbauer. However,

this isn’t likely to pass anytime soon because it would have to go through state legislation, Kirnbauer said. SBVAC also receives $25,000 from the state, according to Wolbrom. There have been negotiations for SBVAC to receive more state aid, but there will not be an increase to that budget at this time, he said. “So my main concern now is regarding next year’s budget,” Wolbrom said. “I am afraid USG won’t realize they [are] our only real option and cut our budget even more.” The USG Senate will be voting on the final budget for the 2012-2013 academic year this week.

ANUSHA MOOKHERJEE / THE STATESMAN

Although there were cuts, SBVAC will receive funding.

The Statesman

Food truck: MIA Continued from Page 1 tried the food and took note of what we were doing with the food and what our mission was really got it," she said. "So in one aspect we had really great response, but with regard to how much it is to put that kind of food out every day and staff it and just maneuver the truck alone, unfortunately it didn't pan out." Known as the GHT Rolling Kitchen, the truck was stationed outside of the Javits Lecture Center from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every weekday except for Wednesday, when it was parked outside the Stony Brook Union. The truck, which first arrived on campus last April, prepared onthe-go meals for students with fresh ingredients sourced from local and sustainable farms. It served food items like gourmet grilled cheese, fried plantains, banana-Nutellamarshmallow crêpes and blackberry limeade at price points ranging from 2 to 7 dollars. The food truck did not accept meal points, though, only cash. Ringhorse said that while the

decision to leave SBU is definite, it's not necessarily permanent. "We were very grateful to Stony Brook for giving us the opportunity," she said. "It might have been just that the timing was off. If things change and there's another opportunity for us we would definitely give it another try." Another campus dining facility is also closing down soon. California Pizza Kitchen is closing operations on campus this summer, according to the Campus Dining Office. Crystal Samuel, a marketing intern for Campus Dining, said that she used to conduct surveys on customers at the Rolling Kitchen. "A lot of people who used it were commuters, because they were the ones that didn't really want to use meal plans and they liked that there was another option there besides Admin and the MarketPlace," said Samuel, a junior double majoring in psychology and women's studies. Angello also said that "due to the level of interest from the campus community, the Faculty Student Association is currently exploring other possibilities for new vendors," although specifics were not given.

Poetry reading taps donations for UNICEF From battlefield to books By Emily McTavish Contributing Writer

As a part of Islamic Awareness Week, the Poetry Slam on Tuesday, March 27, featured activist performers from Suffolk County, New York City and England in the Student Activities Center auditorium. Stony Brook’s United Nations Children’s Fund collaborated with the Muslim Students’ Association in order to raise awareness and money for UNICEF’s Tap Project. Audience members enjoyed the fusion of the Islamic culture and global issues that UNICEF works to correct. “We chose to work closely with UNICEF in organizing this event because one of the most integral parts of Islam is caring for the poor and less fortunate,” Adam Ranginwala, vice president for MSA, said. “While the event was an Official TAP Project/Islamic Awareness Week program, the performers were only

required to shed light on the global water crisis. As it turned out, all of our performers were Muslim, which was entirely coincidental,” David Ali, president of SB UNICEF, said. The call to the sunset prayer for Muslims was also scheduled for the beginning of the event and many members from the clubs and audience went on the stage or in the back of the room for prayers. Taruna D. Sadhoo, an officer of Volunteer and Community Partnerships for UNICEF, followed the prayer by giving a presentation about UNICEF’s missions and the Tap Project. The Tap Project was started in 2007 in New York City to raise money for UNICEF’s efforts across the globe to bring millions of children the means for access to clean water according to their website. The concept was to have restaurants suggest that their customers donate one dollar for the free tap water they receive with the money going to the Tap Project.

Police Blotter Student Arrested with Pot Brownies Stony Brook University Police arrested a resident student who attempted to flee an officer after dropping a bag of marijuana brownies on the floor at Tabler Quad on March 23. The student is being charged with misdemeanor drug possession. Weapon Found in the Hospital University Police arrested a male patient at the University Hospital on March 20 for illegal possession of a loaded firearm. Police said the man had no affiliation with SBU.

Larceny at Schick College and University Hospital A female resident student reported that her wallet, which was clipped to her backpack, was taken while she was in an elevator at Schick College on March 19. On the following day, a wallet and sunglasses were reported stolen from a patient at the University Hospital. On March 24, a student reported that his backpack and laptop were taken while he was in a class in the Hospital. None of the items have been recovered yet and an investigation is ongoing. -Compiled by Nelson Oliveira

SBU is among 125 colleges that fundraise for UNICEF efforts like the Tap Project. The project has raised almost $3 million in the United States to provide clean drinking water to children since its inception in 2007. SBU also claims the number two spot for most money raised on a college campus for UNICEF efforts, according to Sadhoo. “A lot of progress has been made, and a lot of progress still has to be made,” Sadhoo said. She also thanked the audience for “being agents of change.” “I’m from Brooklyn. This is a stick-up,” Gareth Bryant said after the performance of his poem “The Narrative of a Victim” in order to garner donations for the Tap Project. “All of us here tonight have the opportunity to save lives,” Bryant said in regards to the stewardship of Muslims. “We really need to step it up." SBU alumnus Sayed Bhuiyan, also gave a short talk about how in the Islamic faith charity, as one of the five pillars of Islam, is correlated with the Tap Project. “Giving charity makes sure you don’t fall in love with the material items,” Bjuiyan said. He asked the audience to tell five more people about the information presented and what they learned. “I thought it was really moving, both for UNICEF and the creative side. There’s a lot of talent,” GraceAnne Taylor, sophomore marine science major, said. “It was a really eye-opening on all aspects.” Taylor came to the Poetry Slam because she is a writer herself and has an interest in creative writing. According to Ali, $566 for the Tap Project was raised through the Poetry Slam, and Ranginwala reported raising $300. “Our audience’s satisfaction has always been the determining criteria for ‘how well’ we did, and I think it is safe to say that everyone had a great time,” Ali said.

By Catie Curatolo Staff Writer

Brian Ivory has done a lot. He's been to Kuwait and Iraq. He's flown C-130s and other military airplanes. He's pulled a person out of a burning car and been awarded a Carnegie Medal for it. But that was back when he was in the Marines. Now, he’s sitting in lecture halls and studying for tests like the rest of Stony Brook University students. Ivory, 31, is here because of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Called the “G.I. Bill 2.0” and signed by President Obama in 2010, the bill aims to help veterans in the same way the original G.I. Bill did after World War II. For veterans like Ivory, this means the government will pay 100 percent of their tuition and a monthly living stipend for 36 months, or four years of schooling, as well as having other expenses taken care of in exchange for at least 90 days of active duty service from Sept. 11, 2001, onward. Since the end of the war in Iraq and the start of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, the number of veteran students has increased by 16-fold, according to an article in The New York Times. And with about 22,000 troops scheduled to return from Afghanistan by the fall, this number is expected to jump even higher. The plan worked out well for Ivory. A native of Ronkonkoma, he enlisted in the Marine Corps after trying and struggling with school. “I went to school a little bit but I wasn’t 100 percent there,” he said. “I also knew that school was really expensive - I’d already rung up some debt from school - so I knew that my only viable option was to go to the military or to do something of that nature so I could pay, because I come from a large family.” Ivory enlisted in July of 2001,

right before the terrorist attacks of September 11th. He left for boot camp in November, traveling up and down the East Coast before being sent to Kuwait and Iraq. He spent his last two years in North Carolina flying planes out of the country on missions. When he finished in 2006, he returned to school, starting at Suffolk Community College and then transferring to SBU. “I originally went because I wanted to go for school and I knew the military pays for your schooling,” he said. “That’s why I initially joined. I didn’t know September 11th was going to happen, and that kind of put my school off for a bit. But once I got out I started going to school.” School is a little different for Ivory than for the typical student. While most undergraduates are struggling to find direction and decide what they want to do with the rest of their lives, the Biochemistry major is focused. He has his military training to thank for that. “It’s different being in a military vibe where it’s so structured - here you pretty much answer yourself,” he said. “You have to have selfdiscipline.” Ivory, who was a sergeant in the Marines, also had to adjust to being treated like everyone else. “It’s a little different because I was already established as a sergeant and I was going to be a staff sergeant,” he said. “I had already earned seniority in a sense.” While some other colleges offer specific classes and support groups to help veterans get back into the swing of a normal undergraduate life, SBU does not offer those options. Veterans need to find their way on their own. Although it was a little hard to adjust at first, Ivory said that, for him, “overall it’s worked out.” “It’s better now because I’m more focused,” he said.

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Enroll today to receive TFCU E-Statements to save time and paper and help the environment. • Your statement will be available sooner — generally the first business day after month-end. • Decrease the threat of identity thieves who can go “dumpster diving” for your account information. • Cut down on paper clutter — E-Statements replace mail delivery of paper statements. • View or print your statements any time. • They’re safe, secure and FREE!

Convenient Locations Stony Brook University Student Activities Center Health Sciences Center Plus On-Site Campus ATMs

With TFCU E-Notice alerts you’ll know exactly what’s going on with your account in real time. Sign up to receive an e-mail to your computer or an instant text message to your web-enabled mobile device as soon as activity occurs on your account. You’ll be advised of events such as: • Account balances above or below your designated amount • ATM transactions • Bill payments sent • Your checks clearing • Automatic debits You can sign up for E-Statements and E-Notice alerts through TFCU Online Banking at www.teachersfcu.org. Make the Smart Move to TFCU Teachers Federal Credit Union, Stony Brook’s on-campus banking services partner, offers a complete range of financial services to Stony Brook students, faculty, staff and their families. All Long Islanders† can now bank with TFCU.

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The Statesman

Monday, April 9, 2012

Semester by the Sea at Stony Brook Southampton Two unique undergraduate residential programs for Fall 2012

THE OCEAN Immerse yourself in marine studies as you explore Long Island’s bays, estuaries, salt marshes, beaches and open ocean in this full-semester program at one of the nation’s premier oceanographic institutes. Offered by Stony Brook’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, it ranks sixth among U.S. graduate programs in marine and atmospheric sciences by the National Research Council. HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE You will work side by side with Stony Brook University’s world-renowned faculty on our research vessels and in our waterfront lab facilities, and you can earn up to 15 credits. WALK TO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN Take advantage of the unique campus location on the shores of Shinnecock Bay for direct access to the Atlantic Ocean and nearby marine and coastal habitats. Program runs August 27 to December 14

THE ARTS Free your muse this fall in our “study abroad” college arts program right in the heart of the Hamptons. Got a great idea for a play? Itching to make a movie? In 10 weeks you will write, stage and perform a play or write, shoot and edit a film — all while earning 15 college credits. You will work closely with top-notch creative writing, theater and film faculty of Southampton Arts. GREAT GEAR, GREAT CAMPUS Filmmakers, you will be trained with state-ofthe-art equipment. Playwrights, you will stage your work in the 400-seat Avram Theater. Throughout your 10 weeks you will work in small groups, with plenty of personal attention. GREAT LOCATION The cultural legacy of the Hamptons is rich with noted playwrights and filmmakers, from Tennessee Williams to Steven Spielberg. Program runs September 11 to November 18

Registration begins April 9, 2012 To register or for more information visit www.stonybrook.edu/sea

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 12031239

The Statesman

Monday, April 9, 2012

A Celebration of Creativity A bigger, bolder and more brilliant than ever festival of Stony Brook’s talented student artists

April 11 to April 30, 2012 Join us for the Shirley Strum Kenny Student Arts Festival, showcasing the diversity of our students through their creative endeavors

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Stony Brook's LGBTA history and upcomming Drag Show By Atiba Rogers Staff Writer

Laura Drapkin is the treasurer of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered Alliance (LGBTA) community at Stony Brook University. She revealed a little bit about the group's history and their motives, and she said that everyone who is a part of the LGBTQ, which stands for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered Queer or Questioning, community is very welcoming. This coming April, “We are going to have our Drag Show. It is an amazing night with all kinds of performances from students,” Drapkin said. The LGBTA will have its drag show on April 12 and 13 at 8:30 p.m. in the Tabler Arts Center Black Box Theater. Atiba Rogers (AR): How long has the LGBTA been active on campus? Laura Drapkin (LD): We have been a club on campus for a really long time. It's hard to give an exact date, but some sources say 1974, but I think we were here in some form since the '60s. AR: What is the organization’s mission statement? LD: Our mission is to provide a safe space for all members for the queer/LGBTQ community on campus and help educate the campus about LGBTQ issues. Sometimes the word queer is used to encompass the whole community, but it is sorta up for debate. Due to it being a reclaimed word, it can still make some people feel uncomfortable. AR: What kind of activities does the LGBTA community provide for students to become more engaged with the group? LD: Our first event of the year is “Guess the Straight Person,” a panel in which audience members ask a panel of volunteers questions to try to guess their

orientation. This sets a really fun tone for the year because it is lighthearted, but it also brings up the important issue of stereotyping. We also have Ducky Doolittle, a sex educator, talk about all different kinds of sex. Throughout the year, we have various speakers and dances as well as the amazing drag show April 12 and 13 this year. AR: What is the nature of your relationship with your peers in the LGBTA? LD: I've become really good friends with a lot of people in LGBTQ. Having a commitment to the LGBTQ community is a really strong common bond that helped bring us together. Especially as a straight, cis-gendered woman, I have been able to learn so much from all the experiences members have shared. AR: Are there any outreach programs? LD: We work with CPO (Center for Prevention and Outreach) to help provide information about Safe Space training. We also meet with faculty to help push for more gender inclusive options such as preferred name options and gender neutral housing and bathroom facilities. Mostly, we try to educate campus with speakers and events. AR: What message would you like to spread? LD: We want everyone to know that they are welcome. They can be straight, bi, pansexual, asexual, transgendered, intersex, gay or just curious. Anyone who is in support of these rights is welcome to join. AR: Do you have any concerns; is there anything else you would like to add? LD: I don't really have any other concerns. Maybe just tell people where the office is and that they can find our office hours online at our Facebook group, and that they're always welcome to drop by and hang out. We have lot of rainbows and condoms.

What did Stony Brook students do over Spring Break? Anne Vinicombe, junior, psychology major I went to Miami Beach for the week. I basically just ate, slept and went to the beach the whole break. Now I look like I just came out of a toaster.

Daniel Lai junior, psychology major I did ASBO this Spring Break aka Alternative Spring Break Outreach. We went to Alabama to help people rebuild and repaint their houses and help out victims of the tornado that happened last year.

Kristen Temkin sophomore, English major I basically just hung out with friends and slept a lot.

Melissa Acebedo, senior, health science and business double major This spring break I worked and relaxed. Every minute I had to myself, I procrastinated doing "catch-up" school work. I never got to doing any of it.

YOON SEO NAM / THE STATESMAN

Last year's LGBTA Drag Show swept in dancing, cheering and some single ladies swag.

Compiled by: Emily Heller

THREE ARTSY EVENTS 1) New Traditions

Exploring the Asian American Experience, this performance mixes music, dancing and story telling to utilize this theater company’s talent. It will be on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Wang Center

2) Craft Center

The Craft Center will be hosting a painting open craft studio featuring canvas painting.

3) New York Voices

This grammy award winning a cappella group will be perfomring in the Staller Recital Center on Saturday at 8 p.m.

The Statesman

Arts & Entertainment

Monday, April 9, 2012

CAMPUS SPOTLIGHT Student Profile: Anna Lubitz

By Jaclyn Lattanza Staff Writer

One of her dreams as a little girl was to sing the national anthem at an athletic game. This dream came true her freshman year when Stony Brook asked her to sing at a basketball game. She has been singing at basketball and football games ever since. Anna Lubitz, a sophomore biology major on the pre-vet track from Setauket, NY, has been singing since she was three years old thanks to the encouragement she received from her grandmother. "I feel that when I sing, any stress that I may have disappears,” she said. While at Stony Brook, she has sung on WUSB 90.1 FM radio, open-mic nights, Hall Council meetings, the veteran’s home and charity events such as Sing for CommUNITY and CSC Fashion Shows. Anna usually sings for a crowd of 25 to 500 people, but the audience at the 2012 America East Basketball Championship, 5,000, and the 2011 Football Championship, 10,000, exceeded these numbers significantly. “No matter the size of the audience, I always get preperformance butterflies in my stomach!” she expressed. In fourth grade, Anna started playing the flute in the orchestra and band. Although she no longer takes lessons, "I practice on my own to keep fresh with the instrument,” she said. She also plays the

piano. She started private voice lessons in seventh grade, and she still continues with them. She has also participated in NYSSMA and private vocal recitals. “I was very involved in music throughout my high school (Ward Melville) career including Women’s Choral Ensemble, Concert Choir, Camerata Choir and Tri-M Music Honor Society,” Anna said. She had the opportunity to audition for Juilliard’s pre-college vocal program and, in the summer before her senior year, she auditioned and was chosen as a vocal participant for the C.W. Post Chamber Music Festival directed by Stony Brook’s Susan Deaver. In addition to singing, “I also love to act and dance – whether it be on stage or in front of a camera,” Anna said. She attended The Lee Strasberg Acting and Film Institute in NYC for a summer when she was fourteen. The first play she performed in at Theater Three in Port Jefferson was “Pinocchio” at the age of seven. From the ages of 7 to 16, she took ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and musical theater dance lessons. She also likes to draw and paint in her spare time, her favorite subjects being landscapes and still-lifes. “Overall, singing has only benefited my life,” Anna said. “I am truly happy whenever and wherever I sing.”

MAX WEI / THE STATESMAN

Anna Lubitz performs at open-mic nights, radio stations, and fashion shows.

Gamers Guild explains their club and future video games By Chelsea Katz Staff Writer

Two animated warriors arrive on a rooftop. They lean forward, place their hands on their knees and pant. “So, you made it here alive?” “Why am I doing this?” “You fools.” A giant red creature attacks. Gamers battled zombies, bad guys and otherworldly beings on Friday as The Gamers Guild and The Weekend Life Committee presented “Gaming with Gamers” at the GLS/ HDV Center. The Gamers Guild and The Weekend Life Council set up three plasma flat screen televisions and computer projectors as approximately ten people munched on complimentary snacks, preparing to enter a world outside of Stony Brook. Many members of The Gamers Guild were unavailable to attend the event due to Humans Versus Zombies, according to Brandon Supak, a sophomore history major who serves as the club’s vice president. When gaming, Supak is known as Nodnarb. The Gamers Guild has 35 to 40 members, Keith Boccio aka CaptainDarkblade, a sophomore computer science student, said. The club meets on Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 p.m. in SAC 305. During meetings, members alternate between playing video games and discussing them.

Topics of discussion include general video game habits, first amendment video games and video games that will be arriving in stores soon. “We discuss generic topics for all gamers to talk about,” Danielle Lewandewdski, a sophomore double majoring in journalism and information systems and treasurer of The Gamers Guild said. Lewandewdski is known to the gaming world as kamikazekiss. Many of the players in The Gamers Guild tend to game online so that they can all play together. Boccio enjoys playing Silkworm and Star Wars Republic, a game he calls “phenomenal and absolutely amazing.” Lewandewdski likes Bubble Bobble, a childhood game, in which the player acts as a dinosaur. The dinosaur has to blow a bubble around a dragon, catch the dragon and then eat it. She also enjoys the Mass Effect series. Members of The Gamers Guild look forward to playing the Zelda series because the games are incredibly immersive. They also look forward to Diablo 3 because so many people can play, Mass Effect 3 and Resident Evil 6. In other gaming news, a new SimCity computer game is currently being developed, and it is expected to arrive in 2013 according to gamepro.com. Also, gameinformer.com reports

that Disney is working on Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, its first musical video game. Rovio also recently announced that Angry Birds cannot be played on Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7. The game is still available on other smartphones including, but not limited to, Android, iOS, Mac and Windows, according to PC World. The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C. recently opened "The Art of Video Games" exhibition which explores the 40 year history of video games. The display features video games ranging from “Sonic Adventures” to “Diablo II” and “Pittfall!” The exhibit is set to run through late September.

MCT CAMPUS

Members of the Gamers Guild spend their time with games such as Mass Effect 3 and The Legend of Zelda. The club meets Thursdays, 10 t0 11:30 in SAC 305.

OPINIONS

The Statesman informing stony brook university for more than 50 years

Editor-in-Chief ............ Frank Posillico Managing Editor ............ Kenneth Ho Managing Editor ............ Erika Karp Managing Editor ........... Sam Kilb News Editor .................................................... Alessandra Malito Sports Editor ........................................................... Syed Hashmi Arts & Entertainment Editor ............................. Elvira Spektor Opinions Editor ................................................ Ravneet Kamboj Photo Editor ................................................................. Kevin Yoo Copy Chief ................................................................ Gayatri Setia Standards Editor ............................................ Gregory J. Klubok Online Editor ........................................................ Alexa Gorman Accociate News Editor .......................................... Sara Sonnack Assistant News Editor .................................. Deanna Del Ciello Assistant News Editor ...................................... Nelson Oliveira Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor.................. Will Rhino Assistant Sports Editor ....................................... Mike Daniello Assistant Sports Editor ................................... David O'Connor Assistant Opinions Editor .................................. Lamia Haider Assistant Photo Editor ................................... Lexus Niemeyer Copy Editors ............................... Dana Barclay, Maria Plotkina Business Manager ....................................... Frank D'Alessandro Contact us: Phone: 631-632-6479 Fax: 631-632-9128 Email: editors@sbstatesman.com Web: www.sbstatesman.com The Statesman is a student-run, student-written incorporated publication at Stony Brook University in New York. The paper was founded as The Sucolian in 1957 at Oyster Bay, the original site of Stony Brook University. In 1975, The Statesman was incorporated as a not-for-profit, student-run organization. Its editorial board, writers and photography staff are all student volunteers. The Statesman is published Mondays during the fall and spring semesters while classes are in session. No part may be reproduced without consent of the editor-in-chief. Disclaimer: Views expressed in columns or in the Letters and Opinions section are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Statesman. The Statesman promptly corrects all errors of substance published in the paper. If you have a question or comment about the accuracy or fairness of an article please send an email to editors@sbstatesman.com. First issue free; additional issues cost 50 cents.

Guidelines for Opinions Submission Letters to the editor or op-ed contributions can be submitted by email at Op-Ed@sbstatesman.com, online at www.sbstatesman.com, by hand at our office in the Student Union Rm 057. They must be received at least two days before the next printed issue. The Statesman reserves the right to edit or not print any letter based on appropriateness, length, timeliness or other reasons at the discretion of the editorial board. Letters should be no longer than 350 words, and opinion pieces should not exceed 750 words. Please include your full name (which we may withold if you request it), phone number and email address for verification. Phone numbers and mail addresses will not be printed. Letters submitted anonymously or under false names will not be considered for publication.

MCT CAMPUS

Quash revision number four By Gregory J. Klubok Standards Editor

One would think that all members of Undergraduate Student Government, or USG, would want to do everything they can to help Stony Brook’s teams succeed. While there are many elected officials at USG who support clubs, at least one wants to ensure that Stony Brook’s teams will be unable to compete by cutting funding. Currently on the floor is a proposed piece of legislation, “Revision #4 to the Financial Bylaws Act,” which would eliminate National Tournament Grants, which teams need in order to afford national competitions. It is undisputed that the current statute authorizing National Tournament Grants must be changed. Firstly, the National Tournament Grant, as it is currently written, only applies to sports clubs, which unfairly excludes all non-athletic-based groups. Secondly, this grant can only be used for national competitions, excluding all clubs that do not compete. All clubs, whether or not they are sports clubs or otherwise competitive clubs, should have access to a grant for national events. But some of the the supporters of Revision #4 are not interested in fixing the National Tournament Grant so all clubs can use it. They just want to eliminate it. Revision #4 assumes that clubs will be able to use regular event grants to fund national tournaments in lieu of grants specific to national competition. However, this assumption is wrong for one big reason: regular event grants have limits to them, while National Tournament Grants pay for all costs. For the vast majority of clubs, the limit for event grants is $1,500. If a club has a budget of more than $10,000, this limit is slightly higher; however, as per USG’s budget, most clubs have budgets of less than $10,000.

Fifteen hundred dollars is woefully insufficient when it comes to paying for registration, hotels and transportation for a national competition. Most clubs simply would not be able to afford a national competition on $1,500, and therefore would not be able to compete. This is why over 60 students from clubs that would be negatively affected by Revision #4 sat in on the March 28 meeting of USG’s Legislative Review Committee, where Revision #4 was discussed. These students all came with a message: that instead of punishing teams for their success in qualifying for national recognition, USG should do its best to ensure that these teams have what they need to succeed. After all, when a Stony Brook team competes at the national level, it brings prestige and awareness to Stony Brook and can even attract potential students. USG President Mark Maloof pointed out at the protest that funds for national competitions used to be part of clubs’ line budgets. However, this is no longer the case, which is why a grant to cover the cost of national was created. The protest was successful; the bill was tabled until the Senate forms an ad hoc committee to gather club input. I write from first-hand experience. I am the captain of Stony Brook’s mock trial team. This year, only our third in existence, we advanced past regional competitions to nationals in federal court in Washington, D.C. We performed exceptionally well; in fact, one of our attorneys received an Outstanding Attorney award. We were only able to compete in D.C. due to a National Tournament Grant, which we received even though we are not a sports team. If we had to use a regular event grant, we would not have been able to afford to go, which would have prevented the university from earning national recognition. However, there is a solution to

this. Men’s rugby team captain CJ Kottuppally, women’s soccer club president and founder Kathryn Michaud, and I are working with other clubs to find a reasonable solution for all clubs and organizations that will not deplete the available funds too quickly. In addition, any bill to eliminate the National Tournament Grant should be passed alongside an alternative; in other words, the two should be in the same bill. This is because USG has recently had trouble passing legislation, and clubs do not want to be left without a way to fund national events. Just last month, Stony Brook’s Roller Hockey Club, which has made it to the national championship for five consecutive years, had to forfeit its national championship bid because the USG Senate failed to vote on a bill amending restrictions on flying in a timely manner. This shows that USG does not always meet deadlines, and clubs do not want to be left in a similar situation as the Roller Hockey Club. Should USG eliminate National Tournament Grants without replacing it with a viable solution, clubs will not be able to attend national events. USG does not put funding for national events in line budgets since there is no guarantee that clubs will advance to national events. As previously stated, event grants are inadequate to provide funding for national events due to the increased funding that national events inherently require. Eliminating the National Tournament Grant without replacing it with a viable alternative is nonsensical; indeed, it would be a death sentence to clubs. Event grants are wholly inadequate due to their financial limits. Clubs, sports-related or not, require a grant that would allow them to compete within reasonable limits.

Opinions

The Statesman

Monday, April 9, 2012

SBVAC’S budget crisis, uncovered by true insiders By Daniel Wolbrom and Joseph Park Chief; President SBVAC Why does a college club like the Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corps, (SBVAC) which receives a six figure budget, need more money? This is a question that is asked by many individuals who are not familiar with the daily functions of SBVAC and its necessity on campus. However, digging deeper into the organization itself and seeing what we do each day may shed some light onto that question. SBVAC was founded in 1970 by a group of students who saw a need for a campus based ambulance company to cut down on the slow response times of neighboring fire departments. Since SBVAC’s first response to an emergency more than forty years ago, SBVAC has stayed true to the same mission. The organization’s mission is to prove the fastest and highest level of pre-hospital emergency care to the students, faculty, staff and visitors of the Stony Brook community. SBVAC operates 24/7, 365 days a year, responding to over 1100 emergency calls on campus and the surrounding area. With three advanced life support ambulances, an advanced life support first responder vehicle and 133 volunteer members (many of whom are paramedics and critical care EMTs), SBVAC provides around-the-clock care to the campus and community. Now, this accomplishment isn’t very different from the accomplishments of hundreds of fire departments and ambulance companies across Suffolk County. However, the uniqueness of our organization, which separates us from every other New York State Department of Health certified ambulance company, is our budget. SBVAC provides the same level of care to every patient as other agencies, but at a fraction of a basic operating budget. Although we have been providing quality care at only about 15% of the budget of most fire and ambulance companies on Long Island for over 42 years, we can no longer operate on such a low budget. It seems biased that the Chief and President of SBVAC are fighting for budget increases. However,

in reality, we are the most informed individuals to explain the need for a budget increase. We experience on a daily basis that running an organization charged with saving lives with an insufficient budget is nearly impossible. How have we survived so far? How have we continued to care for our patients, sometimes responding to over 15 emergencies a day in record low response times, despite having a lower than adequate budget for the past five years? The answer is that we have delayed the replacement of many vital items including our ambulances, stretchers, cardiac monitors, reflective jackets and radios. Recently we have even had to take money out of our savings, intended to replace an ambulance which is nearly 16 years old early next year, in order to make the payments to our loans and insurance carries. This year our agency was further deprived of necessary funds. SBVAC’s budget was cut by $24,000 by the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). While nearby agencies with over one million dollar budgets (SBVAC responds to roughly the same percentage of calls as most of these agencies) saw increases in their budgets last year, SBVAC’s $165,000 budget was reduced by $24,000. This year, adding to our already strained budget woes, we are mandated by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to replace all of our radio equipment due to a national adjustment to the radio spectrum. Without this radio equipment, it is impossible to function in emergency services. However, since this equipment replacement will cost nearly $10,000 by the end of 2012, finding these funds will be extremely difficult. Furthermore, to make matters worse, we have experienced huge increases in vehicle maintenance costs, due to operating a nearly 16-year-old ambulance. In the past ten months, SBVAC has spent over $35,000 on vehicle repair costs and maintenance alone. However, for our new 2009 ambulance; maintenance and repair costs have been close to zero due to the high quality of the vehicle and warranty coverage. So why not just replace the nearly 16-year-old ambulance? The reason is a new ambulance costs over $160,000

ANUSHA MOOKHERJEE / THE STATESMAN

Chief Daniel Wolbrom doing routine ambulance checks (larger than our entire allocated budget from the USG), and our savings for that have been nearly eliminated to make up for the difference in our allocated budget and our actual operating costs over the last five years. Without the necessary funds to make a purchase of a new ambulance, we will be forced to continue repairing an antiquated vehicle with no end in sight. It is impossible for us to look down the road and make the necessary purchases for the long term financial health of SBVAC without any adequate savings. Due to the low budget provided by USG, we can only look a year into the future to plan versus five to ten, hurting the company in the long run. How will SBVAC survive? Essentially, in order to keep SBVAC operating, there must be a budget increase. According to projections and estimates from our insurance carrier, SBVAC will operate at $200,000 in the 2012-2013 academic year, which is only 20% of the budget for most similarly sized ambulance companies. Allocation of anything less than $200,000 puts our company, and our

patients, at unacceptable risks. It is imperative that all parties involved in allocating our budget understand the risk when allocating us a budget of anything lower than $200,000 next year. We are vital to the safety of the Stony Brook University community. Our neighboring fire departments are physically and financially unable to pick up the over 1,100 emergency calls on campus (the local fire departments receive no tax money from the university since it is state property). We are unquestionably the cheapest and most cost effective method of providing emergency medical services to the entire population of this university, but we also have a minimum operating budget, and we hope that everyone realizes it. In the end, it is the students, faculty, staff and members of the Stony Brook University community that will inherit the risks of such a budget crisis. Without a budget increase, SBVAC cannot continue to provide the highest quality of emergency medical care to this campus, which we have been providing for the past 42 years.

USG shouldn’t cut life support to SBVAC

By Anusha Mookherjee Staff Writer

This school really needs to reconsider how clubs and organizations get their budgets, because after spending 24 hours riding along with the Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corps. (SBVAC), I can really say it deserves so much more than what the school provides for the corps. Riding along gave me a whole new perspective in how the company runs its calls, treats its patients, and how much it really does for the campus on the tiny budget that it receives. The fact that the organization is comprised of volunteers is what separates SBVAC from the surrounding agencies and the ones I've had encounters with. As a former patient of both SBVAC and another off campus ambulance agency that gave me a bill of 800 dollars, I'd choose SBVAC any day. As volunteers, the EMTs of SBVAC do everything because they care, rather than for the paycheck. Normally a call to 911 leaves you with a huge bill, but with SBVAC’s being a free service to students, one would only assume that SBVAC is being compensated well. Looking into the budget, or, more appropriately, the lack thereof, I got an opportunity to spend time riding along with SBVAC to learn more about why an ambulance corps budget was being cut, and it was managing without sufficient funds. One call that really stood out to me was one to the Long Island State Veterans Home. Here, patients are treated everyday for illnesses in their old

age, and SBVAC receives many calls from the home. On my ride along, I got a chance to see how well the crew on shift interacted with the patients. Within a minute of the call’s going out to pick up a bleeding patient from the veteran’s home, Dan was already in the ambulance with the lights and sirens ready to go. Frankie, the crew chief, sat in front getting his paperwork together, and in the back I watched Jack and Damian get the stretcher and their bags ready. Even Chief Daniel sped to the scene in his own car, and normally does so to make sure every calls run smooth. It took us about seven minutes to get the patient and leave, but within that time, the crew had somehow managed to make the patient comfortable and okay with the situation. Frankie kept checking his oxygen mask to make sure the patient was comfortable with a mask on, brought blankets and made sure no belongings would be lost. Dan got paperwork while Damian helped with patient care. On the ride to the hospital and at the emergency room, the crew did everything it could to keep the patient calm, comfortable and do its job at the same time. The crew’s attention to the small details is what separates SBVAC from many agencies. Sometimes, the crew can’t even do anything, as the patient is in need of a hospital rather than emergency care; yet in those situations, they treat the patient no different. It's very hard to convey emotions in writing, but it was honestly touching to see volunteer EMTs care so much about

a patient. They will never hear about the patient after they drop them off, so to them it could be a meaningless job, but it's this that makes SBVAC such an important organization to have on campus. It’s never a meaningless job or call. They take each call without judgment and respond to even minor issues as fast as they can. The other EMS agencies whom I've had encounters with only fought about who would take the patient so that they could bill them. It was a horrible experience altogether, and one I never had or will have with SBVAC. Getting into an ambulance as a sick patient is never fun or comfortable, but the effort SBVAC takes in order to make sure every member fits into the agency's dynamics really pays off. It was obvious through the patient care that I saw the EMTs give that they all understood the importance of their work, and how to work with each other to a level of perfection and, above all, make the patient their number one priority. It took a neighboring department 27 minutes to find Roth. It takes SBVAC 4. In the case of a life or death situation, though I’m not medically qualified to say so, it’s a safe bet to say an extra 23 minutes is way too long. In fairness to the neighboring agency, they normally don’t respond to campus calls, but what if they had to? If we didn’t have SBVAC, people would be waiting a lot longer for an ambulance and be paying more than they would want to, like I did. There are so many advantages of an ambulance corps on campus

and no negatives. Some may find the budget to be a negative, but financially, SBVAC would be the cheapest and most convenient option for the school. It was on a Thursday overnight with Chief Daniel, Roxana, Zach and Rob that I figured out what SBVAC meant when members kept telling me no other agency could figure out the campus. Going through the buildings, I would have been lost if I wasn’t trained in the layout of the campus. Their knowledge of the campus is a skill set that is unique to the agency, and a lot of it has to do with the volunteers’ mostly being campus residents. Though other agencies can provide the same services at the same standards, the university is lucky to have a personalized service that strives to serve the students for free. The word free needs to be repeated over and over. SBVAC charges nothing for its services, yet has a basic operating budget of $200,000, of which $140,000 comes from the Undergraduate Student Government (USG). With this, it serves the campus, surrounding community, countless campus events such as sports, concerts and events such as the Roth Regatta. SBVAC is a vital tool that we have on campus, yet struggle every year to get a proper, functional budget. This year especially, it waited over a semester to receive a single check from USG, forcing the agency to dip into its savings. As a company, it’s doing everything possible to maintain standards and fight a lacking budget from the school. Those savings would have gone to a new ambulance to replace the rapidly aging, 16 year old

ambulance that barely starts up. On the call to the Veterans Home, Dan didn’t even switch the ambulance off (as per his training) because he knew it probably would have an issue starting up again, which this is a common problem. Dan can’t switch off the engine of an emergency vehicle because it’s too old to start up again. At this point I don’t need to point out that this is obviously beyond ridiculous, which is an understatement. I don’t understand how this is still up for debate in USG and, more importantly, how the administration hasn’t stepped in at this point. Though USG is not the only source of money, it is the largest and really the only source that gives something substantial. SBVAC isn’t asking for money to aimlessly spend. It’s asking for money to spend on the community. It wants to keep shaping the agency, but with such a struggle to receive money, its hard work is going unnoticed. No person in his or her right mind can call an agency greedy when it asks for more money to just meet the minimum operational cost, especially when its service is emergency medicine. I pay so many fees to this school, how come one can’t protect my health? On every single call I went to, I was truly amazed at the work a full-time student can do. I was so exhausted after my overnight with the crews, and to know that they all do it at least once a week is beyond dedication to this school and its population. SBVAC has supported our campus for over 40 years, and it’s time that someone helps them out.

DIVERSIONS FOR RELEASE APRIL 9, 2012

Horoscopes / Linda C. Black; MCT Campus

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Info in a folder 5 Mystical secrets 11 Polynesian paste 14 Prayer ender 15 Mazda roadsters 16 Landers with advice 17 Donald Duck’s title adventures, in a ’90s Disney series 19 Vigor 20 Ten Commandments verb 21 The house, to José 23 __ pig: experiment subject 27 Hallway 28 West Coast capital 31 Retrace one’s steps 33 Lament for Yorick 34 Pan-cooked in oil, say 35 Reach one’s limit on, as a credit card, with “out” 36 Heavy wts. 37 Pres. or gov. 38 Fell with an axe 41 Luau cocktails 43 Galileo launcher: Abbr. 44 Lunch box pudding brand 47 Emcees 48 “Dog the Bounty Hunter” channel 49 __ Pieces 51 H.S. class with microscopes 53 Jenna, to Jeb 56 Ancient 57 Expert 62 Casual shirt 63 Like some Coast Guard rescues 64 Native Nebraskan 65 Disruptive ’60s campus gp. 66 “__: rewind”: VCR rental reminder 67 Skinny DOWN 1 Website info source 2 Don of talk radio 3 Jacob’s first wife

Today’s Birthday (04/09/12). Things that seemed stuck now align with forward motion. Partners, family and friends serve as anchors and lifelines, despite the temptation to spontaneously dash off on adventures. Career and finances lead to more travel and education. Put aside a money cushion. Grow leadership. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

4/9/12

By Gerry Wildenberg

4 Confines, as a pet bird 5 Violin maker Nicolò 6 Slowing, in mus. 7 Siamese or Burmese 8 __ loss for words 9 Most common food additive, to a chemist 10 Inquire about 11 Tropical fruit 12 “Almost ready!” 13 Garaged for the night, gearwise 18 Heidi of “Project Runway” 22 Light rope 24 Jeremy Lin or Kobe Bryant, e.g. 25 __ de Cologne 26 Imitate 28 “Casablanca” pianist 29 Chicken __ king 30 Southern Cal. airport 32 Popular sneakers 34 Barbershop sound 36 Eschew the subway and bus 38 Owns 39 N.Y. clock setting

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved

40 Used to be 41 1450, in old Rome 42 Get an “A” on 43 Rhinoplasty 44 Wooden shoes 45 Got an “A” on 46 Battery terminals 47 Estate beneficiary 50 Three-time Masters winner Sam

4/9/12

52 Soft French cheese 54 “Elder” or “Younger” Roman statesman 55 Financial subj. 58 Noah’s refuge 59 CBS forensic series 60 Barbie’s boyfriend 61 Phi Beta Kappa symbol

Level: 1

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk SOLUTION TO SATURDAY’S PUZZLE

4/9/12

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 6 — Expanding into adventure? Intriguing. You’re gaining respect. Gather with family. There’s a promise of more money coming in. Keep communication channels open. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Assemble the team. You have no trouble getting the message across, and the group contributes. Do the numbers. Authorities may need persuasion. Ask for what you need. Gemini (May 21-June 21) — Today is a 7 — For the next two days, partnership is the name of the game. Hold off on travel. Impulsiveness causes accidents. Accept more responsibilities. Choose privacy over publicity. Cancer ( June 22-July 22) — Today is a 7 — It’s getting busy, and your creative juices are flowing. Get productive, and don’t be afraid to be unorthodox. Price your materials. Include your team. Save time and money. Leo ( July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — There’s another opportunity for income. Let your conscience be your guide. Avoid big promises. Leave time to play like a child (or with one). Your friends are your inspiration. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Make household decisions for the next two days. Clean up a mess, figuratively or literally. Consult a partner on a decision. Follow a dream to a mysterious destination.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Get a financial deal in writing. Learn from friends at a seminar or class. You’ve got the study advantage with your extra ability to focus. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — The people around you are more respectful. It’s a good time to ask for money. It could get spent easily. Keep track. Entering a two-day domestic phase. Express your sentiment artistically. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 6 — Your confidence can make a big difference, like a sense of ease and space. With new freedom comes a new responsibility and satisfaction. Enjoy the growth, and keep expanding. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 5 — Renew yourself through private examination, perhaps in the shape of an artistic project. Don’t worry about the money. Conserve resources out of habit. Create beauty. Aquarius ( Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 5 — See how you can use your connections to generate new income. You’d rather play than work now, but what if you could combine both? Choose romance. And fun. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 5 — Your community participation and creative mind for problem-solving makes you quite attractive. Listen to someone who loves you. It’s guaranteed to be better than internal radio.

The Statesman

April 16 to 22, 2012

Master’s Track in

MEDICAL HUMANITIES, COMPASSIONATE CARE, AND BIOETHICS Not just for health care professionals, this innovative, interdisciplinary program will serve students from a wide range of disciplines and professional backgrounds seeking further expertise and career development. Our world-class clinical faculty integrate perspectives from the humanities with their experience as health care providers. Upon completion, students will be awarded a Master of Arts in the Biological Sciences.

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR FALL 2012: Early Decision — March 15 International Students — May 15 All Other Students — July 1 For more information or to apply to the program, visit stonybrook.edu/bioethics/masters

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 12010820

1 6 T H A N N U A L S WA RT Z F O U N D AT I O N

The Swartz Foundation

Mind Brain Lecture

Monday, April 9, 2012

PROBING THE MYSTERIES OF THE MIND

TURNING THOUGHT INTO ACTION

The Human Neural Interface: Restoring Function by Merging Brain and Technology John P. Donoghue, PhD Professor, Neuroscience and Engineering, and Director of the Institute for Brain Science, Brown University

Monday, April 16, 2012 • 4:30 pm Staller Center for the Arts, Main Stage Stony Brook University

A paralyzed man operates a robotic arm simply by thinking, thanks to a tiny computer sensor implanted in his brain. This breakthrough is BrainGate™, a neural interface system developed in the lab of John P. Donoghue. Dr. Donoghue will discuss how BrainGate turns thought into action, how the human brain carries out the complex computations that result in moving an arm, and its implications for the future of neurotechnology.

www.stonybrook.edu/sb/mind Free Presentation • Intended for a General Audience

Sustainability: The Future Is Now Monday, April 16

Friday, April 20

• Green Architecture– Eco-friendly Housing Charles B. Wang Center Lecture Hall 1, 4 pm

Earthstock Festival

• Lecture: Salmon in the Trees— Life in Alaska’s Tongass Rain Forest Endeavour Hall, Room 120 5:20 pm

Highlights include:

• Shamanic Drumming Meditation Charles B. Wang Center Room 101, 6 pm

• Environmental and educational displays and exhibitors, 11 am

Tuesday, April 17 • Green Research Student Activities Center (SAC) Room 303, 2 pm • Lecture: Starving the Ocean Berkner Hall (Building 488) Brookhaven National Lab, 4 pm • Global Water Brigade: Expedition to Honduras Emma S. Clark Library, Setauket 7:30 pm

Wednesday, April 18 • Sustainability Studies Alumni Career Panel and Reception Brook Alumni Room (Wang 401), 1 pm • Panel: Forests in Peril: If a Tree Falls, the World Should Hear It! Humanities Bldg., Room 1006 4 pm

Academic Mall

Rain Location: Student Activities Center • Pride Patrol, 10 am • Live musical and dance performances on two stages

• Opening Remarks/Green Pledge Ceremony, 12:15 pm • Eco-scavenger Hunt, 1 pm • Rubber Duck Races, 2 pm • Ice Cream Social, 2:30 pm • Drum Line and Color Guard Showcase, 3 pm • Ecofeminism: Women Saving the Planet, SAC, Room 303, 3 pm Charles B. Wang Center

• Earthstock Environmental Student Research Exhibition Theater Lobby, 6:30 pm • Provost’s Lecture: “The Weather of the Future” Heidi Cullen, Vice President for External Communications and Chief Climatologist, Climate Central Theater, 7:30 pm University Café, SB Union

• GSO Presents: Stony Brooklyn— Razia, Sebu Nation University Café, 8:30 pm

• Acoustic music by Jack’s Waterfall 8:30 pm

Thursday, April 19

• Concert: Do It in the Dark 9 pm

• Great Debate: Population Bomb Humanities Bldg., Room 1006 4 pm • Film/Discussion: Between the Harvest SAC Ballroom B, 7:30 pm

Roth Quad

Saturday, April 21 • West Meadow Beach Clean-up Bus Leaving from Stony Brook 1 pm

Sunday, April 22 • Zoe Lewis in Concert on Earth Day University Café, 7 pm

For more information and a detailed schedule of events visit

www.stonybrook.edu/earthstock

Please call (631) 632-7238 for a disability-related accommodation or information. Seating is limited, so please arrive early to secure a space. Or view this lecture live on our website.

For a disability-related accommodation, call (631) 632-7320. Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 12031169

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 12021019

RECIPIENT OF THE SUNY OUTSTANDING STUDENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM AWARD

The Statesman

Monday, April 9, 2012

CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED

FOR RENT

Pro Bono Accountant needed to oversee operation of student newspaper. Once a month for approx. 2 hours (631) 632-6480. Nearby Chimney Company seeks telemarketers for our laid back office off 25A. (NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.) $10/hour. Email: chimneysalesforce@gmail.com

2 rooms for rent in beach area home on St. James harbor. $500 a month each room, full use of kitchen, laundry and living areas. Electric and heat, internet connection included. Owner on premises. 20 minutes drive to university... located next to Smithtown Marina. Call owners cell 347-234-1475 or office 212-966-2355 or house Sunday to Tuesday 631-862-9178.

We are currently looking for an outgoing leader as a Dell Campus Representative! Great pay, 10-15 hours per week and Dell company lap top provided. We need students with engaging personalities who enjoy meeting new people and are well connected on campus at SUNY Stony Brook. Position will continue into 2013 and will require working during the summer. For more information please contact Derek Jones via email Derek.Jones@ mosaic.com or by phone at 877-870-4800 ext. 5956

SUMMER SESSIONS AT

NASSAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE Flexible Sessions Begin May 29th

Stay Close Go Far VISITING STUDENTS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SUMMER SESSIONS

For more information about registration, course descriptions and class schedules, visit ncc.edu/summer the right course at the right 4Find time to fit your schedule to 1000 day, evening, weekend 4Close and online sections to choose from 4Affordable tuition

Summer Session Registration Begins April 12th

WWW.NCC.EDU/SUMMER

Stonybrook 9.750 x 8 ad 2:Layout 1

2/8/12

5:32 PM

Page 1

NCC_Summer_Stonybrook.indd 1

The

Graduate Center The City University of New York

Public Education to a Higher Degree Master’s degree students at the Graduate Center regularly take the same classes as doctoral students, taught by the school’s renowned doctoral faculty. The Graduate Center’s innovative and flexible Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) has eighteen interdisciplinary specializations, providing an advanced degree applicable to a wide range of fields in the arts and sciences. The specializations are: � Africana

Studies Studies � Approaches to Modernity � Archaeology of the Classical, Late Antique, and Islamic Worlds � Bioethics, Science, and Society � Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir � Digital Humanities � Fashion Studies � Film Studies � International Studies � Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies � Law and Society � New York Studies � American

� Psychology

of Work and Family and Technology Studies � Urban Education � Western Intellectual Traditions � Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies � Science

In-state tuition is currently just $4,345 per semester or $365 per credit. Out-ofstate tuition is $675 per credit. Master’s degree students may attend school full time or part time and most can begin their studies in either fall or spring semester. Please visit http://liberalstudies.gc.cuny.edu to learn more about the Master’s Program in Liberal Studies.

3/15/12 4:02 PM

The Statesman

Sports

Freshman pitcher lights up Stony Brook softball By David O’Connor Assistant Sports Editor

There is something very encouraging about the performance of Stony Brook University softball’s new pitching star, Allison Cukrov. It is not only the fact that she has 13 wins, more than half of Stony Brook’s 22 overall. It is not only the fact that she has pitched 15 complete games. It is not only that she has thrown more than 100 innings. It is not only even that she has accumulated 119 strikeouts so far this season. It is the fact that she is a freshman, and there are three more years of this for Seawolves fans to look forward to. “I really enjoy Stony Brook,” she said. “It’s different from California; it’s a different place. I really like it.” Cukrov is originally from Irvine, Calif., which is a little south of Los Angeles along the Pacific coast. California has turned out previous memorable players in the baseball and softball world such as Yankee legend Joe DiMaggio from the 1930’s and 40’s and current Yankee star C.C. Sabathia. Despite the strong schools on the west coast for softball, Cukrov decided on Stony Brook. “I thought it was a good school where I could get an education and still play Division-I softball,” said Cukrov, who is an environmental science major. “The old pitching coach saw me in a tournament in Colorado and contacted me after that. Coach Bryant told me about her philosophy of putting academics first. That’s what kind of sold me.” That’s in the past now, and the current season is the present, which Cukrov hopes will be a gift to Stony Brook softball fans who last saw their team win the conference championship in the 2008 season. The Seawolves were the regular season champion the following season and host of the championship series in early May of 2009, but they lost the matchup against Boston University.

No player on the current team (22-9, 5-1) was a part of that last championship, but that does not stop Cukrov and her teammates from being hopeful that, this year, they will hold a trophy of their own. “I’m really excited,” she said. “We’re pumped to get to the America East Championship. This is just the first step.” Stony Brook’s first step before advancing into conference play was starting the season with a record of 14-6. The first four games of the season occurred at the Charlotte Classic in Charlotte, N.C. Cukrov started the opening game of the Classic, allowing five runs in 5.1 innings of work. She would take two loses for the weekend but would earn a save in the other two. Despite some opening disappointments, Cukrov would prove to be a solid starter for weeks to come. She picked up her first win of the season against Siena College on March 2 at the George Washington Colonial Classic in Washington, D.C. Later in the Classic, she would allow only one hit in a tight 1-0 win against Robert Morris University. She would pick up another two wins in the LaQuinta Inn and Suites Spring Break Tournament in Fort Myers, Fla. but would drop one game to the host, Florida Gulf Coast University. During the Tournament, Cukrov would pick up Stony Brook’s first win against a Pac10/12 Conference opponent in the University of Utah. She would then drop Stony Brook’s home opener on March 14 against Texas Tech University, 4-1. The Seawolves would drop both games that day, but that would be the end of any woes they had for some time. After the lost doubleheader to Texas Tech, Stony Brook went on a seven-game winning streak and won 10 of its past 12 games. During this stretch, Cukrov picked up another six wins. Three of those wins came against conference opponents.

Staff Writer

Over the break, the Stony Brook University women’s tennis team opened its three game road trip strong with an impressive win over Towson; however, they faltered down the stretch, losing to both Georgetown and UMBC. The two losses bring the squad to a 6-6 record so far this season, with six games remaining before the 2012 America East Championship kicks off in Queens on April, 27. In the win against Towson, junior Nini Lagvilava and freshman Polina Movchan not only combined to win the Number 1 double match, but they both won singles matches Numbers 1 and 2, respectively. To give the Seawolves a 1-0 lead over Towson, Lagvilava and Movchan crushed their opponents en route to an 8-2 victory at the Number 1 doubles

spot. Senior Prerana Appineni and junior Chloe Pike were equally as dominant in the Number 3 spot as they rode an 8-3 advantage to give Stony Brook the early lead. In single action, Lagvilava continued to play well, loosing only a single game in the victory as she defeated Towson’s Aandria Carr, 6-0 and 6-1. Senior Salome Mkervalidze and Appineni both won straight sets in the Number 4 and Number 5 slots to propel the Seawolves to victory. At our nation’s capital, the Seawolves were hosted by Georgetown in their second match, yet despite two straight set wins from Movchan, they fell 6-1 on Thursday. The second game of the three game road-trip did not favor the Seawolves quite as well. Movchan improved to 7-2 at the Number 2 spot in singles play this season by defeating Georgetown’s Victoria Sekely in straight single sets,

Cukrov throws perfect game Continued from page 20

COURTESY OF STONY BROOK ATHLETICS

Freshman Allison Cukrov has quickly become a star. One of those wins was Cukrov’s first collegiate no-hitter, which came against the College of Holy Cross on March 17. Stony Brook’s offense also put up the numbers that day to make her feel more secure about the game as a whole. The Seawolves took the game 7-0. “I think it was a team effort,” she said. “No one person can win a game by themselves.” Cukrov would throw another no-hitter later in the season, but this effort resulted in a perfect game against Manhattan College this past Thursday. In the game, Cukrov struck out 12 batters, matching her total for her victory against the University of Utah. But where did Stony Brook’s new ace come from? “All of my dad’s side of the family played baseball or softball,” Cukrov said. “They taught me. I played first base, third base and shortstop. But then I started to focus on pitching when I got

Women's tennis struggles over the break By Adam Merkle

Monday, April 9, 2012

6-3, 6-3 Movchan’s play was just about the only bright spot for the team though as the Hoyas jumped on the Seawolves early, opening the match with two doubles victories to take a 1-0 lead. With Georgetown's winning the Numbers 4, 3, and 1 singles matches, a comeback for the Seawolves became out of reach. As the Seawolves traveled north through Maryland to Baltimore to take on the UMBC Retrievers, they were unable to capitalize in singles play and fell, 5-2, leaving them at 6-6 on the season thus far. Winning both their doubles games as well as the No. 1 and 2 spots in singles play brought the team success in the first game of the trip; however, UMBC fired back with four single positions to clinch the victory. The Seawolves will return home to host NJIT in their first meeting of the season, on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.

older. Now that’s what I primarily do.” Apart from learning to play, and therefore appreciate, the perspective of position players in her time before Stony Brook, another fundamental lesson about playing a game such as softball the right way presented itself. “I think learning to play with different types of people is something I really learned in high school,” she said, highlighting that the Seawolves wouldn’t be nearly as sound if the players were not there to support each other. “I feel like my whole team has my back when I’m on the mound. It makes everything seem so much easier.” This band of sisters will have to stick together to navigate through tough waters in the conference schedule and whatever else may lie ahead, because the America East conference has proven to be as competitive as ever throughout the past couple of semesters.

Stony Brook. Manhattan would take at least one victory for the day. Earlier in the week, Stony Brook defeated the Long Island University on Tuesday afternoon, 7-0. Cukrov was also the starter for Tuesday’s game. Cukrov was also supported by her teammates on offense, as well. Stony Brook's hiters in the first through fourth spots in the lineup went 10-for-16 at the plate, and there were Seawolves on base every inning. Stony Brook scored the first runs in the third inning when senior outfielder Suzanne Karath came home on a single from senior infielder Bernadette Tenuto. There was an error on the same play, which allowed to score as well. The Seawolves led 2-0 at the end of the inning. The most damage came in the fourth inning when the host team added on an additional four runs. The Seawolves made four hits and got eight players on base. Maloney brought in the first run of the inning when she hit a ball long enough to allow freshman designated hitter Lauren Kamachi to score. Giosia then hit a double to center field, scoring another two runs for Stony Brook. She would later come home to be Stony Brook's last run for the inning when Tenuto hit a double herself. The Seawolves led the Blackbirds by six at the end of the inning. Maloney and Tenuto both doubled in the sixth inning again, and the former would score on Tenuto's third hit of the game. Stony Brook's seventh run would also be Tenuto's third runbatted-in (RBI) of the game. Stony Brook will next play a doubleheader at home on Monday against Rider University, the first game starting at 2 p.m.

Senk, the father of SB baseball Continued from page 19 Nathan is the most successful player to have played for Senk, but there have been others that have played beyond college. Just recently, the Houston Astros drafted Nick Tropeano, and Senk has seen 35 players sign professional contracts, 25 of which have happened since the team went to Division I. In his coaching career, Senk has had 95 all-conference players, 36 allregion players and five All-American players. One of Senk’s greatest accomplishments came earlier in his career, when he went 23-111 in 1998. That was a 16-game turnaround from the 1997 season, and it led to his being named Stony Brook’s Men’s Coach of the Year for the fourth time in the decade. Senk is also a member of the American Baseball Coaches

Association. Over 90 percent of the players Senk coached graduated and moved on into careers or graduate school. Nathan was one of these, as he was an academic All-American twice during his career. As far as the future of Stony Brook baseball, Senk looks to improve on an already successful program. “Our goals are to compete for a conference championship every year and if we’re able to meet those goals then a lot of the other goals are winning a regional, going to a superregional and perhaps winning a superregional and hopefully making the College World Series,” Senk said. “We’d also like to continue to improve our facilities and make this facility the best in the Northeast. My vision here is stadium seating, an indoor hitting facility, a clubhouse and just making it as good as we possibly can, maybe on par with a Minor League facility."

Monday, April 9, 2012

The Statesman

CHI.ADELPHI.EDU

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The Statesman

Sports

Monday, April 9, 2012

Baseball's Matt Senk presides over ascending program By Mike Daniello Assistant Sports Editor

Back when baseball coach Matt Senk first started at Stony Brook in spring of 1991, the school was just Division III and the team was known as the Patriots. He has helped transform the Seawolves into a Division I threat in the America East division. Senk was a Cortland graduate. “I went to Cortland and actually went up there to play hockey more than baseball, but I had an opportunity to play freshman baseball and that went well,” Senk said. “That sophomore year I went up with the intention of playing both but hockey ended up not working out as well as baseball.” Senk was a catcher while at Cortland, one of the most demanding positions in any sport. Since catchers handle a pitching staff on a regular basis, they usually make good coaches, and that proved to be true with Senk. “Catching does give you a unique perspective. The whole game is in front of you. You are the field general and you are involved in every aspect of the game.” Some of the most successful coaches in the major leagues have been catchers, like Joe Torre, who won four World Series titles as a manager, and Mike Scioscia, who was also a former catcher who won a championship as a manager.

Before coming to Stony Brook to coach, Senk helped out the varsity baseball team at his old high school, John Glenn. Senk then became a fulltime teacher at St. Agnes Cathedral High School, where he coached varsity football and junior varsity baseball. After St. Agnes closed, Senk moved on to Uniondale, where he was the varsity baseball coach for three years. That high school became Kellenberg Memorial High School, where he also coached varsity for three years before coming to Stony Brook. “I had as a career goal, coaching full time in college, so when the opportunity came up, I left a fulltime teaching opportunity to take this part-time,” Senk said. Senk came to Stony Brook in the fall of 1990, but did not start coaching until the spring of 1991. Over his 22 seasons as head coach, Senk has seen a lot of success in most of his teams. In 1999 Stony Brook won 36 games and won the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference for the first time in school history. His team also went 35-16 in 2001, just two years after becoming a Division I school. Stony Brook then won an America East title and an NCAA bid for the first time in 2004. It advanced to the NCAA regionals in 2008, after defeating UMBC and Binghamton

EZRA MARGONO/ THE STATESMAN

Senk's players have gone on to major league clubs. in the America East tournament. The team made it to the NCAA regionals again in 2010, where five players made the All-tournament list. “We’ve come from Division III to Division II to Division I, so we’ve

had unique challenges from the very beginning all the way through to this season,” coach Senk said. Senk has also seen a few of his players make it to the next stage and into the major leagues. One of

the most recognizable names Senk has coached is Joe Nathan. Nathan is currently the closer for the Texas Rangers after having spent five seasons with the San Francisco Giants and eight seasons with the Minnesota Twins. He was a four-time All-Star with the Twins and also won the American League Rolaids Relief Man Award in 2009. Nathan is also the alltime saves leader for the Twins with 255 saves and has the single-season record for the Twins with 47. His reason for coming to Stony Brook is an odd one, as Senk’s roommate was Nathan’s high school coach. “Joe was probably the youngest kid in his class, and although he was outstanding student and a very good baseball player, he wasn’t as physically mature as other high school seniors,” Senk said. “He was undersized, so he was not getting recruited heavily. But my roommate and teammate kind of had a crystal ball and he was right.” Nathan was drafted in 1995 in the sixth round, 159th overall, by the Giants and signed the next day. “When Joe came here he had a tremendous gift as soon as he walked onto the field. He had a cannon for an arm and hit a growth spurt when he came here,” Senk said. Continued on page 17

Long Island's own wants to help lead baseball to promised land

Men's Lacrosse victorious in second conference game

By Catie Curatolo

By Adrian Szkolar

All Pat Cantwell wants is for his team to win. The senior catcher from West Islip helped take the Seawolves to the regional conference back in 2010 and he says that he wants to do it again. “That was great,” he said. “It was an experience I’ll never forget, so hopefully we’ll get back this year.” The health sciences major is a coach’s dream. He’s started at least 30 games per season for every year that he’s played at Stony Brook, batting over .300 his sophomore and junior years. He catches and plays the outfield equally well. He drives in runs, steals bases, scores and throws out runners. “He is a great teammate and the guys love him,” head coach Matt Senk said. “His energy level and work ethic is off the charts.” Although he was primarily the starting catcher his freshman and junior years, Cantwell spent most of his sophomore year in right field. “I’ve spent 22 years at college level and 32 years coaching, and he is one of the best all around baseball payers I’ve ever coached,” Senk said. “He could play any position at a high level.” And Cantwell is actually closer to being at a higher level than most. In 2011, he was the 39th draft pick for the Baltimore Orioles. Unfortunately, they didn’t make him an offer to play. “They just felt it was in my best interests to come back to school, so that’s what I did,” he said. He’s hoping to have better luck next year. “Next year, I’ll either be in grad

After a disappointing out of conference part of the season which saw the team go 1-7, the team looked forward to the start of America East conference play, saying it was a new season. With Saturday's 13-5 blowout win over Binghamton, the team is now 2-0 in conference play. Stony Brook jumped out to a 4-0 lead within the first 4 minutes of the game on goals from senior Robbie Campbell, sophomore Matt Bellando, redshirt freshman Mike Rooney and senior Adam Dahms. Binghamton's Brandon Planck and Kelly Donigan scored near the end of the first quarter to bring the Bearcats

Staff Writer

back to within two. After Stony Brook senior Russ Bonnano scored the lone goal of the second quarter, the Seawolves would outscore Binghamton 5-1 in the third quarter and blow the game open. Rooney scored Stony Brook's final four goals, finishing the game with a career-high five goals. Campbell and Bellando had two goals each, and junior Jeff Tundo had three assists. Binghamton out-shot Stony Brook 48-27 in the game. Michael Antinozzi, who led the Bearcats with 19 shot attempts, did not score. Stony Brook will look to extend it's two-game winning streak next Saturday, April 14, against UMBC.

COURTESY OF STONY BROOK ATHLETICS

Senior Pat Cantwell can play multiple positions. school,” he said. “Or, hopefully, fingers crossed, playing professional baseball.” But Cantwell’s not dwelling on what could’ve been or what might be right now. His immediate thoughts for the season rest on the team and what he hopes they’ll accomplish. “We really just have to have a solid conference season,” he said. “We want to go out and play well, every game counts but it doesn’t really matter until the conference tournament.” “We would like to win the conference tournament and go to a regional,” he said. The last time the Seawolves went to the regional tournament,

Cantwell was a sophomore. That year, he was named the America East tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He had the second highest batting average (.361) on the team, was the team’s second leading scorer with 46 runs, and recorded multihit games. For his last year as a Seawolf, Cantwell is trying to replicate that. In 21 games this season, he’s batting .241, with 21 hits. But of course, he isn’t focused on himself. He’s focused on the team and its success. “In all honesty, as long as the team’s doing well, I’m happy,” he said.

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The Seawolves are perfect in conference play thus far after defeating Binghamton University on Saturday.

Women's lacrosse wins fourth straight game By Amy Streifer Staff Writer

The Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team extended its winning streak to four games on Wednesday night after it defeated UMBC 16-6 at LaValle Stadium. With the victory, Stony Brook remains 2-0 in the America East and is now 9-3 overall. With the loss, UMBC falls to 4-7 overall and 1-2 in the conference. The Seawolves scored 12 of their goals in the second half, with half of them coming from junior Janine Hillier The six-goal game was a season-high for Hillier, who also had one assist. Freshman Michelle Rubino and junior Claire Petersen also greatly contributed to the win against UMBC on the chilly Wednesday night on Stony Brook’s campus. Petersen had three goals and two assists, and Rubino scored two goals, one assist and had six draw controls.

SPORTS

Softball takes two along with perfect game By David O’Connor Assistant Sports Editor

The Stony Brook University softball team had a successful week over spring break as it won two of three games against nonconference opponents. The first win of the week was a 7-0 shutout against the Long Island University Blackbirds on Tuesday afternoon, Stony Brook’s sixth win in a row at home. The Seawolves then split a Thursday doubleheader against Manhattan College on Thursday, the first game resulting in a perfect game victory for freshman pitcher Allison Cukrov (13-4), who pitched her ninth and tenth shutouts of the season this week. Up through the first game on Thursday, the Seawolves had 12 of its last 15 games. Everything went right for Stony Brook in the first game of Thursday’s trip to the city, a 9-0 victory. The game remained a tight contest early on; neither team scored a run in the first three innings. Cukrov threw 12 strikeouts overall, tying a career high. It is her ninth straight victory. She has only allowed six runs in her last 10 appearances, sporting an earned-run-average (ERA) of 0.70 during that stretch. Her perfect game that day was also her second outing where she allowed no hits to her opponent

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Freshman Shayla Giosia had four RBI's in Thursday's win at Manhattan College. this season. The first no-hitter came on March 17 against the College of the Holy Cross. Then the Seawolves put up five runs in the fourth inning, starting with a run-batted-in (RBI) single from senior infielder Lauren Maloney. Freshman outfielder Shayla Giosia then brought in another three runs with a double and got a helping hand from Manhattan’s center fielder, who committed a throwing error. Giosia would later score the last run of the inning as the result of

a bunt single from sophomore infielder Jessica Combs. The Seawolves tacked on the last four runs of the game in the fifth inning. Senior outfielder Suzanne Karath and Maloney each hit a single that would bring in a run. Giosia then polished off the scoring with a two-run double. The score remained 9-0 for the rest of the game. Manahattan, however, would have the last laugh of the day. The Jaspers kept the Seawolves scoreless through six innings while

scoring five runs themselves. In the seventh, Combs hit a double with one out to begin what almost amounted to a Stony Brook comeback. Sophomore infielder Nicole Hagerty hit a subsequent double to score Stony Brook’s first run. Redshirt freshman outfielder Nicole Hoyle then got her first hit, allowing Hagerty to score another run. However, that would be it for

Earlier in the week, the Seawolves breezed past Fairleigh Dickinson, 9-0. Stony Brook has now improved to 19-9 overall, with a 2-1 record in the America East. Senior Tyler Johnson (3-1) threw a complete game five-hitter and allowed just one run in Friday’s opener. The game was scheduled to be only seven innings. However, after

a complete game of scoreless play, it went into extra innings. Binghamton scored first in the eighth, after John Howell hit a twoout infield single off Johnson. But Stony Brook rallied. Junior Travis Jankowski singled to lead off, and senior Pat Cantwell reached base after being hit by the pitch. A sacrifice bunt from junior Will Carmona advanced the runners to second and third. Binghamton pitcher Mike Augliera then intentionally walked junior Maxx Tissenbaum to load the bases, and a bunt from freshman Kevin Krause brought Jankowski in to tie the game at 1. Cantwell beat out the throw to score the game-winning run after freshman Steven Goldstein chopped the ball down the third base line. Binghamton took the early lead in the second game, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth. Stony Brook quickly responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning, making it a tie game for the second time that day. The Seawolves then took the lead in the fifth inning after junior Tanner Nivins scored off a Jankowski single. Sophomore starter Brandon McNitt was knocked from the game in the sixth after Binghamton opened with a single. Fellow sophomore Frankie Vanderka came in as relief. The Seawolves scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the game away and give McNitt the win. Carmona went 3-for-4 with two RBI in the second game. Jankowski

and sophomore Kevin Courtney had two hits apiece in both outings. Stony Brook dropped the final game of the series on Saturday, 5-2. Carmona, Nivins and Tissenbaum all had two hits in the loss. Sophomore right-hander Joshua Mason gave up just one run in five innings of work. The Bearcats (9-14, 1-2 AE) scored early on in the first inning off of a two-run home run from Jake Thomas. Stony Brook scored in the third inning off of an RBI groundout from senior Sal Intagliata. Binghamton scored two runs in the fourth inning to go back up 4-1. The Seawolves threatened in the bottom of the fourth, as they loaded the bases, but Binghamton starter Jake Lambert got Nivins to ground out into an inning ending double play. Stony Brook did score another run in the sixth to get within 4-2. Cantwell led off the inning with a single and then scored on Carmona’s double. Jack Rogalla came into the game for the Bearcats and retired the next three Stony Brook batters. Binghamton added another run in the eighth inning off Bill Bereszniewicz's RBI single. The Seawolves threatened again in the bottom of the eighth, but Goldstein grounded out to second base to end the inning. Lee Sosa pitched a scoreless ninth for the Bearcats to seal the victory. Senior Evan Stecko-Haley took the loss for Stony Brook.

Continued on page 17

Baseball wins opening conference series By Mike Daniello and Catie Curatolo Assistant Sports Editor and Staff

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The program has turned itself around this year. Rubino has now become Stony Brook’s all-time single-season leader in draw controls with 68, exceeding the record, which stood at 63. UMBC’s Lindsay Cox and Taelar Errington led their team with two goals apiece, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with Stony Brook’s outstanding offense and rough and tough defense. Sophomore goalkeeper Frankie Caridi made nine saves for the Seawolves in their victory. UMBC kept up with Stony Brook at the beginning of the match, and it was only down 4-3 before halftime. However, the second half worked in Stony Brook’s favor, and its aggressive offense led it to several unanswered goals. Hiller scored at 19:33 and 13:39, to make it 10-5 Seawolves, and the Long Island team didn’t look back after that. At 7:23, Cox scored for UMBC, making the score 11-6, but the Seawolves dominated after that, outshooting UMBC 26-20. The Seawolves' next game will be against Vermont on Saturday at LaValle Stadium at 1 p.m.

Stony Brook baseball opened up conference play against Binghamton University, winning two games out of three in a weekend series. The Seawolves won the first two games, 2-1 and 9-2, respectively, on Friday before dropping the game Saturday, 5-2.

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Baseball had a five-game winning streak before going into Saturday's game against Binghamton University.