10.16.13

Barry Lewis’ Greenwich Village lecture pg. 4

REMOVE THE LOCKS

Students voice concerns at Academic Forum pg. 5

Meet the Humans of St. John’s pg. 8

LIBRARY APPROVED FOR 24-HOUR ACCESS THROUGH ACADEMIC YEAR PG. 3 TORCH PHOTO/DIANA COLAPIETRO

Photo of the Week

2

Directory

Managing Board XCI

Kieran Lynch, Editor-in-Chief

Mitchell Petit-Frere, Managing Editor Shannon Luibrand Features Editor Natalie Hallak Chief Copy Editor Kyle Fitzgerald Online Editor

Samantha albanese Entertainment Editor Diana Colapietro Photo Editor jim baumbach

Advisor

Christopher Brito News Editor Jon Perez Sports Editor diamond watts-walker Art Director

Advertising (718)-9906756 Business 990-6756 Editorial Board 990-6444

Features 990-6445 News 990-6444 Opinion 990-6445 Sports 990-6444

Special thanks to Richard Rex Thomas for assisting in the design of the Torch

Entertainment Madonna’s Secret Project Revolution review The Torch reviews Madonna’s newest 17-minute video.

Lifestyle Pg. 8

Lifestyle Chappell Players performs “Working” musical Chapell Players Theater Group play in new musical called “Working.”

Lifestyle Pg. 9

Sports Orlando Sanchez talks about upcoming season Sanchez discusses expectations and upcoming season after sitting out last year.

Sports Pg. 17 ILLUSTRATOR’S CORNER | OPINION PG. 15

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To contact The Torch by mail: The Torch, St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway Queens, NY 11439

The Torch is typically published on Wednesdays, approximately 20 issues throughout the academic year.

Circulation per issue is 3,500 copies distributed free on campus and through mail subcriptions.

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TORCH PHOTO/DIANA COLAPIETRO

The waxing gibbeous moon heralds the coming of Friday’s upcoming full moon.

Think Outside...

News

Presidential search continues

3

Robert A.Mangione, Ed.D., R.Ph., provost at St. John’s University.

Peter D’Angelo, chair on the Board of Trustees.

Commitee of 13 to review candidates for University Prez

SHANNON LUIBRAND Features Editor The search for a new University president continues and will include both religious and lay candidates, an email from the Board of Trustees sent to the St. John’s community last week confirmed.

Interim President Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. assumed the position following the departure of former President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M. last summer. Levesque told the Torch earlier this year that he plans on holding the post for one year during the search process.

“Its members represent the many constituents of the University community—board members, faculty, alumni, administrators and students,” the Board said.

According to the email, the Presidential Search Committee is made up of thirteen members including: Peter D’Angelo, chair on the Board of Trustees, Rev. Michael J. Carroll, C.M., vice chair of the Board of Trustees, Rev. Joseph Levesque, C.M., interim president of St. John’s University and Elizabeth Sheehan, president of Student Government Inc. In addition, the email said that the Board of Trustees has retained council to assist with this process. R. William Funk & Associates, a leading higher

education consulting firm, will help conduct the search. According to the Board, Funk has helped recruit presidents and chancellors for institutions such as Cornell, Georgia Tech, Rutgers, the University of Miami, the University of San Diego, the University of Southern California and the University of Virginia.

The email also asked the University community share its feedback with the search committee.

“We will gather input from faculty, students, employees and alumni on the characteristics that are essential for our next President,” the Board said. “We welcome your suggestions as we search for the very best candidates to assume this vital leadership role.“ The email said the committee is looking for a candidate who embodies the University mission.

“Most importantly, as stewards of St. Vincent de Paul, we remain true to our mission: respecting each human individual, serving those in need and promoting social justice,” the email said.

A University spokeswoman declined The Torch’s interview request with the two chairs of the search committee.

Rev. Joseph Levesque, C.M., interim president of St. John’s University.

Rev. Michael J. Carroll, C.M., vice chair of the Board of Trustees.

Nick Davatzes, trustee emeritus, St. John’s.

Elizabeth Sheehan, president of Student Government, Inc.

Rev. Elmer Bauer III, C.M., trustee of St. John’s.

Linda Chin, Esq., associate professor, department of criminal justice and legal studies, CPS.

Rev. Patrick Flanagan, C.M., assistant professor, department of theology and religious studies.

Rene Parmar, Ph.D., professor; chairperson of the Department of Adminstration and Instructional Leadership, the School of Education.

William Collins, trustee of St. John’s.

Teresa Mason, Esq., trustee of St. John’s.

Martha K. Hirst, executive vice president, chief operating officer and treasurer.

Provost approves funding for 24-hour Library floor

ALEXA VAGELATOS Staff Writer

Do you need to study in the library at 3 a.m.? Now, it’s possible.

The University’s Provost, Robert A. Mangione, approved the funding necessary to keep the quiet study area of the first floor of St. Augustine Hall open 24/7 for the rest of the 2013-14 academic year, according to Theresa Maylone, the dean of University libraries.

Maylone added that the funds, costing $35,000, provides Public Safety with the oversight of the study space until May 13, 2014.

“We are all—and especially the library—looking forward to an open consideration of this very important resource for all students on the Queens campus,” she said. “We are eager to provide the 24/7 study space that is so obviously needed and desired this year.”

Although a decision has been made for the rest of this academic year, the question of whether this is the appropriate location to house students for 24/7 study space is far from gone. The Library will continue to discuss with the Provost’s Office, Student Government, Inc., Public Safety and other facility services about the future and effectiveness of this study space over the course of the next seven months, according to Maylone.

Maylone stressed that the issue leads to a broader question campus-wide, and

the approval now gives administrators a chance to look at this resource more closely and effectively.

“We do need, though, to evaluate whether this space is truly the most appropriate one based on our experiences this year with actual use, and hopefully with other means of assessment which we would want to undertake with representative student input,” she said.

Maylone gave an example of the University opening up Montgoris Dining Hall in 2009 for late-night study sessions, and how it did not work.

“That wasn’t right,” she said. “No one wants to sit in those plastic chairs to study. The kind of study environment that students want and need is more of an appropriate question.”

In the near future, the second floor of the library will be become the home of the College of Professional Studies.

With these renovations being made, Dean Maylone also shared that many other schools address the issue of study space when undergoing renovations as well.

A few years ago, the Manhattan campus opened a section of its library that could be open and used 24/7. Now that a location has been chosen for the 2013-14 academic year, it buys administration time to open up conversations about where a permanent location might be campuswide.

In regards to the future, Maylone doesn’t see the need for such a space

dying down. The University recognizes the amount of students who both work and go to school or who are a part of the pharmacy program, that need quiet space at all hours of the night.

“I don’t think that there will be

any time in the foreseeable future that such space will not be needed— we simply need to do the best job possible in making it the best and most appropriate space,” she said.

TORCH PHOTO/DIANA COLAPIETRO

The first floor of St. Augustine has received funding necessary to open 24/7.

4

Barry Lewis talks about the ‘real’ Greenwich

Historian gives lecture on the history of the Lower East Side CASEI LA TOUCHE Contributing Writer

Barry Lewis, an internationally acclaimed historian, spoke about how Greenwich Village transformed from a “slum” in the 1800s to an exclusive living area today during an hourlong seminar as part of the Academic Lecture Series.

The lecture, which ran in conjunction with St. John’s Student

Affairs, featured Lewis detailing the evolution of Greenwich Village since it was a collection of farms in postCivil War years. Formally known as the Lower West Side, Greenwich Village became the attraction of artists and the community of the poor during the 18th and 19th centuries.

According to Lewis, it was initially seen as a “slum” by those of the upper class during the 1800s and because of that, the Village’s infrastructure barely went beyond Wall Street.

At the time, he said, the wealthy

began the movement of implementing a grid system throughout the housing plans and streets, but this was strongly rejected by the people of Greenwich Village.

Lewis said the 1820s brought about an increased interest in the grid system and the middle class began moving because of the wide living spaces it provided. This, however, did not increase their tolerance of immigrants living in the area, according to Lewis.

It was then in the 19th century

TORCH PHOTO/CASEI LA TOUCHE

Barry Lewis showed students the formation of Washington Square Park during his Greenwich lecture on Thursday.

that they created the Washington Square. Lewis noted that this area was filled with lavish houses and those of high stature, but was flanked on its south and west sides by the people of the Lower West Side. With the increased population of the middle and upper classes, the first ever New York University was constructed on the east side of the Square.

Lewis said that this school was built with the intention of providing “practical and modern education” for the children of the wealthy. However, with the crash of the stock market, they were forced to rent the institution out to other sources.

The origins of the term ‘studio building’ was also introduced during the seminar as originating from the first-ever building dedicated to artists, called ‘studio.’ The students within the auditorium broke into laughter at the mention of studio, today, only referring to a room with a walk-in closet and a rent of $5,000.

From the 1910s onward, artistic and personal expression began to flourish with the growing population of feminists, folk and jazz music and restaurants dedicated to the “misfits” of the Village.

This seedy nature became more and more appealing and it soon became a tourist site for people hoping to experience the “true Greenwich Village,”according to Lewis.

Lewis reminded the audience that not everyone appreciated the direction the community was taking during these years, but to this day, no one can deny Greenwich Village’s ability to unify people from all wals of life.

Brazilian students come to SJU’s campuses

SHAWN MCCRESH Contributing Writer

Twenty-nine Brazilian students moved to the University’s Manhattan and Queens campuses for an intensive English program and insight into American culture for the fall semester.

Aaron Royer, the senior director of the Language Connection, runs the seven-week program for the students, who are staying in New York City for the purpose of developing fluency in English.

Royer said the majority of the visitors are majoring in science, engineering or math (S.T.E.M.). They came to the U.S. via the Brazilian Mobility Science Program, which provides scholarships to the country’s undergraduate students for a year of study at colleges and universities throughout the world.

“A strong grade point average and high scores on standardized tests must be reached for the undergraduate students to qualify for the scholarship to go abroad,” he said.

“We must reach certain grades to come here; it depends more on the student,” Renado Gheno, from Roca Sales, Brazil, said.

He, along with 19 other civil engineering majors, are living and taking all of their classes on the Manhattan campus, according to Royer.

Another nine

students are living on the Queens campus.

Gheno notes that there is no comparison between New York City and large Brazilian cities.

“Although it is a huge city, things work here,” he said. “In Brazil, big cities like Sao Paulo just don’t work. Here the buses, trains, subways, and police all work. In Brazil, everything is corrupt.”

The Brazilian Mobility Science Program, administered by the Institute of International Education, is part of the Brazilian government’s initiative to grant 100,000 scholarships for the best students from their country to study abroad, according to the program’s website.

The website went on to say that the goals of the program for their students are to promote scientific research, invest in educational resources, increase international cooperation within science and technology, and to encourage initiative and engage students in a global dialogue.

Once students are accepted into this program, they don’t find out where they will go until days before their semester starts, as in the case of our Brazilian guests.

Rodrigo Rezende of Maranhao, Brazil has been enjoying the experience so far at the University and New York City.

“New York is amazing, never sleeps, really different from my home city,” TORCH PHOTO/SHAWN MCCRESH Students from Brazil gathered for dinner at St. John’s Manhattan campus. he said.

Students present issues to admins at Forum

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Safety at St. Albert’s Hall, study area among chief student concerns DYLAN NUNEZ Staff Writer

A representative from the Latin American Student Organization raised concerns to the university provost about the functionality of older fume hoods in St. Albert’s Hall at the Academic Forum on Thursday.

The forum, a required executive board meeting, had a lot of issues raised by representatives from various organizations on campus and students who attended on their own volition. Dr. Robert Mangione, the university provost, along with the deans of the colleges of St. John’s, took questions from students ranging from the condition of St. Albert’s labs to relations between the deans and students.

Among the most noteworthy of issues were student concerns about the recent $20 million multi-year renovation to St. Albert’s Hall. The renovations were questioned because certain labs and research spaces were renovated while others weren’t.

Brian Amancio, the secretary for L.A.S.O., presented worries over the functionality of older fume hoods because its are meant to ventilate hazardous fumes.

“What is being done about leaking pipes, decrepit wooden cabinets where hazardous waste is being stored and hoods that are constantly breaking down?” Amancio asked the panel.

He added that sometimes, he was

PHOTO OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT INC.

Student voiced concerns to Provost, Dr. Mangione during the Academic Forum.

unable to do experiments because there were no hoods working or that they were making noises they shouldn’t be.

After the administrators took a moment to discuss amongst themselves,

Mangione replied that there was no defense when it came to students being unable to do experiments because of a failure on the part of facilities.

“When the best solution could be

to replace the entire HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system ,that’s not a solution we can afford,” Mangione said.

“We do the best we can with what we have available to us. The building is better than it was, but it needs to get better than it is,” he added.

However, the panel did explain that while they sympathasized with the points of leaks and hazardous material, both the Environmental Health and Safety and the Fire Department checked the building to make sure that students are safe.

The issue of studying space and resources were another ongoing issue at the school that was raised by several students who had concerns about accessing books in the library and study space within it.

“This is a building that was not built for long-term access. There are renovations that are going to take place in that space,” said Dr. Theresa Maylone, Dean of University Libraries.

“That building is not configured well for the kind of access students want and need.”

The forum concluded with a plug for St. John’s Asks, S.G.I. Listens where the Student Government, Inc. can answer questions posed to them about academic support, Information Technology support or questions about facilities.

The event was hosted by the Academic Affairs Committee in conjunction with Org Congress, who has a hand in selecting Academic Lecture Speakers such as Common and running the “Storm the Vote” Initiative.

St. John’s preps for annual Breast Cancer Walk SARAH HERMINA Contributing Writer

The University will rejoin the fight against breast cancer during its annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 20.

St. John’s University has participated

in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk for more than a decade, raising more than $200,000 in support of the fight against the deadly disease, according to Joseph Sciame, vice president of Community Relations.

Last year the University community raised more than $30,000, Sciame said.

More than 500 people, representing

TORCH PHOTO/MINA SALIB

Students participated in last year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

the University by wearing “a sea of red and pink,” attended the event at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, according to the University’s website.

Mina Salib, a recent graduate, was impressed by how the University mobilized students so that SJU was well represented at last year’s Walk.

“Everywhere you looked, you saw [SJU] students around,” Salib said. “It really felt great to be a part of something that was so much bigger than any one person. To hear how this disease has affected so many people was eye opening.”

This year, University staff, faculty, students and alumni will rejoin the fight. The University will provide transportation from the Queens campus to the park to encourage student participation.

According to Mr. Sciame, the University views the Walk as more than merely a fundraising effort.

“The event is an opportunity to learn more about this dreaded disease and become active fund-raisers,” Sciame added. “We’re doing something that is typical of the Vincentian spirit.”

In addition to the Walk, SJU plans to hold a number of activities in support of the fight against breast cancer during the month of October, which has become known as the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Freshman Carly Johnson is looking forward to partaking in the Walk for her first time.

“It’s awesome to have the opportunity to do this,” Johnson said. “It’s cool to think about the St. John’s community coming together for such an important cause.”

The event coincides with recent findings that walking, as an activity, may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

According to a recent study by the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention Journal published on Oct. 4, walking at least seven hours per week is associated with a 14-percent lower risk of developing breast cancer after menopause.

The article notes that women in this extensive, 17-year long, study “benefited from physical activity whether they were at a healthy weight, overweight or obese, and even if they gained weight during the study.”

In addition to the benefits of exercise, the University body is also encouraged to join the walk to hear inspirational speeches from breast cancer survivors.

SJU’s cheerleading squad, dance teams and pep band are also scheduled to perform.

The three-mile walkathon will take place Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with registration between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

The walk will begin at the carousel located near the Queens Zoo and will proceed on a set route to end at the carousel. $10 is the suggesstion donation for the event.

Politics

6

Think Outside...

De Blasio, Lhota lead NYC mayoral race TALIA TIRELLA Staff Writer Bill de Blasio, is the Democratic candidate in the 2013 New York City mayoral election, who is currently leading in the polls against Republican Joe Lhota and the Independent candidates.

Brian Browne, the assistant vice president of the University’s government and politics department, says de Blasio has run an effective race by capitalizing on the stop-and-frisk controversy as well as his ‘Tale of Two Cities’ message, which addresses the inequality that exists between the wealthy and poor in New York City.

The de Blasio camp did not respond to a message seeking comment.

De Blasio believes that stop-andfrisk should be put to an end and has organized groups and called on Mayor Bloomberg to eradicate the controversial policy. Several solutions that de Blasio has called for include new leadership at the NYPD, an inspector general and a strong racial profiling bill, according to his campaign website, billdeblasio.com.

With regards to the issue of income inequality, de Blasio aims to pass laws that would raise wages and provide benefits such as paid sick days, paid family leave, a local minimum wage and a ‘real living wage’ law, according to his campaign website. De Blasio also believes that solutions such as universal pre-kindergarten and after-school programs for middle-schoolers are important solutions for wage inequality.

De Blasio’s call for after school programs serves as a two-pronged solution. His campaign site says the programs, which would be funded by a new tax imposed on the wealthiest New Yorkers, would keep children off the streets, thus decreasing any danger they may face while also enriching their education.

Browne also stated in a phone interview that de Blasio has also been able to take advantage of a Bloomberg fatigue, and that de Blasio ran an effective primary race, becoming popular at just the right moment.

De Blasio’s campaign has placed its focus on giving the people of New York City a better future. Issues such as the economy, crime, education and transportation are all addressed from his Democratic standpoint, and de Blasio seeks to make life easier for many.

New possibilities for changes in transportation are also a focus in the mayoral race. De Blasio has his own take on each aspect of metropolitan

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/ DIAMOND WATTS-WALKER

Republican Joe Lhota is currently trailing Democratic candidate Bill de Blasio in the New York City Mayoral Race.

transportation. His campaign website explains his proposed plan to expand bike lanes and bike sharing, as well as increase subway service in the outer boroughs. He plans to call upon the MTA to use existing infrastructure in order to expand service to several areas by using existing lines such as the North Shore rail and expanded Metro-North service to Co-op City and parts of the Bronx.

De Blasio was raised in Cambridge, Mass., and attended NYU before studying at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. In 2010, de Blasio was sworn in as Public Advocate, the City’s secondhighest elected office. Before that, he served as a junior staffer for New York City’s first African-American mayor, David N. Dinkins.

Although he is well ahead in the polls, de Blasio still has to get through the debates over the next month, which Browne said is comparable to an eternity in politics.

Follow the Torch on Twitter: @SJUTorch

CLINT HOELLRIGL Contributing Writer Meet Joe Lhota, the 2013 New York City Mayoral Republican candidate who is determined to be Michael Bloomberg’s successor.

Lhota, a Bronx native and former MTA CEO and Chairman, has a difficult fight ahead of him against the Democratic candidate, Bill de Blasio, who has a 44 point lead according to the latest poll conducted by The Wall Street Journal, Marist College and WNBC. Brian Browne, assistant vice president of government relations and political science professor, said Lhota has a great blend of private and public experience; having worked under former Mayor Rudy Giuliani will certainly bring in voters who supported the former mayor. His work in dealing with 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy will also serve as reliable credentials during the race, according to Browne.

Recently, Lhota has taken significant strides to gain voter support.

According to his press secretary Jessica Proud, Lhota supports gay marriage, decriminalizing marijuana and is a pro-choice advocate. The difference between him and de Blasio is that Lhota won’t seek to raise taxes, Proud said.

Lhota has a plan to rebuild New York’s economy by lowering taxes

and supporting small businesses, according to his campaign site, Lhotaformayor.com.

According to Browne, there is a 6-to1 ratio of Democrats and Republicans in New York; therefore, Lhota will have to appeal to a broader range of Democrats who may not be convinced that de Blasio is the right choice for mayor.

“Lhota has a strong resume and an impressive background, but a lack of name and face recognition has significantly impacted his campaign,” Browne said.

Browne said that in order for Lhota to win, he will have to make more public appearances and raise money so he can promote himself in TV ads across the New York metropolitan area.

According to his website, Lhota grew up in the Bronx and attended St. John’s University for a year before transferring to Georgetown University where he earned a degree in business administration. In 1980, he received his MBA from Harvard Business School and went on to work as an investment banker for 15 years before he worked under former New York City Mayor Giuliani in 1994. He later went on to work for Cablevision and the Madison Square Garden Company before being appointed as MTA Chairman

by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Lhota, who’s faced tough battles so far trying to compete with de Blasio, is still determined that he can pull off a last minute victory.

Think Outside...

Lifestyle

7

Project takes form: Humans of SJU

STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER BRINGS POPULAR NEW YORK CITY PROJECT TO QUEENS CAMPUS

“What is your favorite memory of when you were younger?”

Mike: “Wow...It’s gonna get emotional over here!

Well my favorite memory is the first time I ever caught a fish.”

Morgan: “And mine was when we had to have our parents come to school to help us make gingerbread houses...and I waited for them to come, but they never showed up...and then, my grandma came and I was so happy!”

PHOTO/HUMANS OF ST. JOHN’S FACEBOOK PAGE

OLIVIA CUNNINGHAM Contributing Writer

Elena’s necklace is in the shape of a heart with a peace sign inside of it. She keenly watches everyone in the bustling D’Angelo Center Starbucks through her pink glasses, looking for interesting characters. “Everyone has their own story to tell,” she says softly.

Elena has a story too.

She is a freshman, she commutes from Rego Park and she goes to classes and is involved on campus like any other student. But unlike most students, she spends her free time at St. John’s snapping photographs and conducting interviews.

Elena, who prefers to use only her first name to preserve the integrity of the page, is the woman behind the curtain of Humans of St. John’s University, the Facebook page that has garnered hun-

dreds of “likes” since its launch on Sept.

18.

The inspiration for the website was Humans of New York, Brandon Stanton’s “photographic census” of the diversity in New York City. Elena credits Stanton on her Facebook page, but is taking her own spinoff in a different direction. Her page differs from the original in small but noticeable ways, such as: conversations rather than stand-alone quotes, compiling videos and posting inspirational quotes on Sundays.

“Everyone has their own beauty,” she explains. “Sometimes it takes just a few seconds to find it, to notice the beauty, the uniqueness.”

Part of her motivation in starting the page was to expand her social circle.

When she started at SJU, soft-spoken Elena “noticed that college is different. I started just talking to people. It’s a good way to meet people.”

“I like to ask ‘What’s your advice for the world?’” she says as she approaches one of the coffeehouse tables. A girl in

a blue dress with a studded collar is using the computer at the table, her head propped up on an arm full of bracelets.

“Hi!” Elena says to the girl. “Can I take your picture?”

Elena chooses her subjects deliberately. “I like to look for people who are really involved in what they’re doing,” she said. For the most part, the shots are not posed, although subjects do sign a release form giving her the right to use their image. After taking the photographs (two or three for each subject) she conducts a short interview, an attempt to get a poignant quote that will accompany the snapshot on her website.

Thus far, Elena has featured dozens of professors, priests and students who represent the diversity at St. John’s.

The girl at the table, Moira Shannon, is already a fan of Humans of St. John’s and willingly consents to be photographed.

“Can I take a picture of your bracelets?” Elena asks. She pulls her Canon Rebel out of her Aeropostale tote and

focuses.

“They all have a story,” Shannon explains, describing what each one means to her. Later that day, Elena will upload her picture to Humans of St. John’s University, along with a photo of the bracelets and a link to Moira’s website.

In an effort to build on the momentum of Humans of St. John’s, Elena is attempting to begin a club—The Social Experiment—through the Power to Organize process at St. John’s next semester. Humans of St. John’s got so much attention that she thinks it should expand.

For now, Humans of St. John’s will remain a solo project, although she does occasionally accept submissions.

What’s Elena’s advice for the world?

“If you really love something, just do it, and notice the beauty in everything.”

You can check out the Humans of St. John’s page at https://www.facebook.com/humansofsju

“I’m happy because of the people that are in my life.... And, by the way, anyone you ask will tell you that Katy Perry is my favorite singer.”

Father John, posted on Sept. 26

PHOTO/HUMANS OF ST. JOHN’S FACEBOOK PAGE

8

Madonna’s ‘project’ seeks artistic freedom

JASMINE HARRIS Staff Writer

Madonna released the “secretprojectrevolution” on her site artforfreedom. com last month. In collaboration with Steven Klein, she created a 17-minute video to kick-start a revolution.

The video is described by Huffington Post as “a Vogue photo shoot coming to life,” and I agree.

The setting of a prison is heavily glamorized but gritty at times to emphasize her overarching theme of art for freedom. The prison’s clearly inhibiting setting is staged for dancers and actors to stand out as the video progresses.

One of the main issues brought up in the video is the suppression of creativity.

This is brought forth first by Madonna shooting various characters in a scene, rendering them unable to express themselves. The “I Have A Dream” speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. is eerily played in the background while a dancer performs a hip-hop piece along with a guy aggressively breaking behind bars to clearly present Madonna’s call for emancipation.

Other issues Madonna voices while gripping the bars of her cell are religion being used to treat someone badly and the growing trend of identical inmates filling the world instead of individuals.

The last issue she brings up is equality without prosecution due to a per-

son’s race, sex, sexuality, weight, class or religion. Madonna makes this clear when she points out that many people will not take her declaration of starting a revolution because she seriously is a blonde, white, women, who’s commonly viewed as racy in her videos and performances.

But Madonna isn’t here to start a trend or to make you tweet about her and

promote her album. She wants you to define freedom for yourself and to have the courage to do what you want, no matter how weird or simple, through dance, poetry, song or any other talent you may have. It’s nice to see Madonna, one of the first people to find fame for her “antics,” bring the attention back to its original purpose, as the video reverses and everyone who was once shot is whole again.

PHOTO/iARTFORFREEDOM

Panic! At the Disco drops fourth studio album LORRAINE BALLERO Contributing Writer Alternative band Panic! At the Disco dropped their fourth studio album Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! on Tuesday, climbing their way to number two on the iTunes charts.

of over 3 million views on YouTube. The night before the album release, Panic! surprised fans with yet another release, the music video for the song “Girls/Girls/ Boys.”

The racy music video, which features front man Brendan Urie in the nude just above the hips, is in homage to D’angelo’s music video for “Untitled,” named the sexiest music video of all time.

The much-anticipated album comes two years after their previous album, Vices and Virtues was released which is known to many as the album that re-invented Panic! at the Disco after members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left the band in 2009. With the founding members of Panic! the band produced two albums, “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out” (2005) and “Pretty. Odd.” (2008) which includ-

PANIC! AT THE DISCO Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! OUT OF 5 STARS

To the surprise of fans everywhere, Panic! at the Disco released the album in its entirety a week before its official release on the band’s YouTube channel.

The 10-track album was received well by fans, who boosted the album’s pre-order sales on iTunes into the top 10. YouTube views on their released album totaled over 2 million the day of the album’s official release.

Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! features two of the band’s singles released this summer, “Miss Jackson” and “This is Gospel”. Both have a combined total

PHOTO/iTUNES

ed hits like “Northern Downpour” and “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” the latter of which won Video of the Year at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. Many attribute Panic! at the Disco’s early success to their internet and MySpace fan base with word-of-mouth promotion and digital sharing.

Although the album’s release is a cause for celebration among fans, many are still concerned about the well-being of band member Spencer Smith. Smith publicly released an open letter to fans addressing of his absence from touring with Panic! at the Disco and Fall Out Boy at this summer’s Save Rock and Roll Tour.

In the letter, Smith revealed his fourand-a-half year struggle with substance abuse and his determination to come clean about the addiction in more ways than one. While he is now sober, he wanted to publicly acknowledge his struggle and hoped to send a positive message to those suffering from substance abuse.

Fellow band member and close friend Brendan Urie released a letter of his own in support of Spencer Smith and his recovery and to inform fans that Panic! at the Disco is still together and will still be continuing to move forward as a band. Spencer Smith is expected to join the band on the upcoming “Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!” Tour.

The tour, which begins in the band’s native city of Las Vegas makes its way to New York City on Feb. 4 at Roseland Ballroom. The band is joined by opener band The Colourist.

9

The Chappell Players are putting in ‘work’ DAVID DRESSEKIE Contributing Writer

On Friday, Oct. 11, The Chappell Players Theater Group performed its latest musical, “Working,” in the Little Theatre of St. John’s for a crowd of approximately 56 people.

The group hopes “Working” will not only entertain the members of the audience with an ensemble cast, but will also provide insights into the lives of everyday working people.

The Chappell Players Theater Group, originally known as the Dramatic Society when first constituted in the 1930s, has in recent years performed plays such as “Alice in Wonderland” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” but Kurt Cruz, president of The Chappell Players, notes that “Working” seems somehow different from those previous performances.

The night before the show’s debut, The Torch spoke with Cruz and cast.

“This play has more serious undertones, unlike some of the plays we’ve done in the past that might have been more lighthearted in nature,” Cruz said.

“It is also different because unlike our previous works, this play has no real central plot.”

Cruz said this show has more serious

TORCH PHOTO/BRIA ALSTON

The Chappell Players will perfrom the musical “Working” until Saturday, Oct. 19.

monologues. The show is a more mature body of work.

“And it gives the everyman in the audience something that they might be able to relate to,” Cruz said.

According to director Jeremy Kronenberg, a major theme of this year’s per-

formance is how the audience can relate to the characters on stage.

“I think anyone who comes to see the show will see glimmers and glimpses of themselves on stage,” he said.

The production’s selling point is its portrayal of relatable individual

characters that are made all the more interesting because they are not merely figments of Studs Turkel’s, the author of the publication on which the musical is based, imagination. Rather, as Aaron Gallagher, who plays Mike Dillard and Joe Zutti, points out, “These are actual people so you want to make sure that you show them respect by portraying them honestly.”

One of the people portrayed is Rose Hoffman, a soon-to-be retired third grade teacher, played in this production by The Chappell Players Vice President Sara Donnes.

“That our main point here is to portray authentic people; these are actual interviews that portray actual people, not just stereotypes or caricatures of what they really are,” Donnes said.

An ambitious task, but one that The Chappell Players Theater Group succeeded in, according to Anissa Wright, a St. John’s student from Atlanta, Ga. Wright said that the play “really described society and people working today in the real world and I actually liked it a lot.”

Those interested have the opportunity to look through this window into the lives of members of the working class at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, Friday, Oct. 18, and before the curtain closes for the final time on Saturday, Oct. 19.

SJU alumna creates self-defense iPhone app JEREMY ASHTON Contributing Writer

In light of some recent events on campus, with multiple female students being harassed by a man nearby campus, the issue of sexual assault has been highlighted here at St. John’s University— especially for female students.

Helen Anazlone Gordon, successful actress, third degree black belt and St. John’s alum from the class of 1986, was tired of continuously hearing of the victimization of college students.

With a growing daughter of her own, she said she felt that something else could be done; there had to be a better way to approach this issue.

Gordon decided to use her background as a third degree black belt to develop an iPhone and Android app to promote self-defense.

“Every woman has the ability to disable an attack enough to get out,” Gordan said.

In June 2013, Gordon launched her self-defense program You Can Fight! as a Smartphone app, created by a woman for the average young woman.

You Can Fight! is available for $1.99 in the Android and Apple App stores.

More information can be found at Ucanfightapp.com “The moves contained with the app are incredibly simple, but highly effective,” Gordon said. “You definitely don’t have to be a black belt to do them.”

Gordon said she wanted something even her daughter could use. You Can

Fight! uses short HD videos, step-bystep slide shows and multiple forms of presentation of four key and effective self-defense moves.

The app allows women to learn at their own pace, easily practice on the go and feel confident applying the moves in different situations should the need arise.

Along with the You Can Fight!

Program, Gordon has several other pieces of safety advice forher fellow St. John’s students: 1. Stay aware of your surroundings, always.

2. Avoid texting or rifling through your purse in public.

3. Keep eye contact and walk with confidence; attackers are looking for easy prey.

4. Don’t walk through campus, and especially around campus, at night alone.

5. Don’t sit idly in your car, or use your steering wheel as a desk, always leave immediately upon entering your vehicle.

6. Regardless of impressions, never invite someone you just met back to your dorm.

7. Always pour your own drink, and if you leave it out somewhere, get a new one.

For more safety tips, you can follow Helen Anazlone Gordon on Twitter @ dojochic or download the app in the iPhone app store.

“Although there’s no reason to fight for material objects if it comes down to your personal safety, you really don’t have to be a black belt to able to defend yourself,” she said.

PHOTO COURTESY/PROMMANOW.COM

Helen Anazlone Gordon, St. John’s alumna, created a self-defense iPhone app.

12

Katy Perry to release second album

SHARON TONG Staff Writer

In the three years since Katy Perry released her last album, “Teenage Dream,” she has gone through major milestones: marriage and divorce, voice acting and launching her own line of perfumes. Known for her catchy beats and fun anthems, Perry is slated to deliver more singles than she’s had with her previous two albums in her latest album, “Prism.”

KATY PERRY Prism

a reference to Brand’s decision to ask for a divorce via text message. The latter song, “By the Grace of God,” is where Perry pours her heart out and reveals contemplating suicide after the divorce with the lyrics “Thought I wasn’t enough/ Found I wasn’t so tough/ Laying on the bathroom floor/ We were living on a fault line/ And I felt the fault was all mine/ Couldn’t take it anymore.”

Other tracks that are focused on Perry’s love life include “Love Me,” “Double Rainbow” and “Legendary Lovers.”

Aside from the tracks about her romances, the album is predominantly filled with dance tracks since Perry worked with numerous dance music producers, includ-

ing Max Martin, Diplo and Bloodshy.

Most of the album’s tracks are highly influenced by dance music, such as “Walking on Air” (a homage to 90s disco dance) “Birthday,” “This is How We Do,” and “International Smile. “Dark Horse,” a hip-hop collaboration, features rapper Juicy J of Three Six Mafia, is the only collaboration on the album.

Though the album may show a darker side of Perry and reveal her raw thoughts and emotions, it will still maintain the usual catchy and energetic vibes that she has delivered through past hits.

Prism will be available on Oct. 18 and the deluxe version will be out on Oct. 22.

OUT OF 5 STARS

The 13-track album is a fusion of heavy electro-pop, hip-hop and pop-rock—expect some vintage Katy Perry upbeat tracks with a touch of heartfelt and raw lyrics that reflect her life events in the last three years. This summer saw the first single of the album, “Roar,” a fierce track that easily made its way to the top 10 of global music charts; Perry has hinted that the song is about John Mayer.

Perry, whose life has been heavily publicized, particularly with her marriage and divorce with Russell Brand and on-and-off relationship with John Mayer, heavily comprises her love life in her latest album. She tells Elle UK “Unconditionally” (the next single) was written during her split with Mayer; however, it is not the only song about their split. “It Takes Two,” which will be in the deluxe version of the album, is about her “acceptance that she played a large part” in the end of the relationship; Mayer played the guitars for the song and also co-wrote “Spiritual” for the deluxe version.

Though part of the album speaks to Mayer, her divorce to Russell Brand is not kept in the dark; “Ghost” is written about the end of the marriage, with the lines “You sent a text/It’s like the wind changed your mind,”

SCREENSHOT/THEROUNDTABLE.COM

ABC’s ‘Once Upon A Time’ premiere review

SHANTAVIA THOMAS Staff Writer

What happens when your favorite bedtime stories turn out to be normal people with regular lives? You get “Once Upon A Time,” set in Storybrooke, Maine where Snow White is a schoolteacher, Prince Charming is in a coma, and the Evil Queen is the mayor.

When “Once Upon A Time” premiered in 2011, no one knew what to expect. However, it didn’t take long

to realize that the show wasn’t going to be anything like your beloved Disney characters. Creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz did a great job tying the “real” fairytale characters back to their original stories, making the show a fun journey for viewers to figure out what’s going to happen next.

Last Thursday, they made it happen again. The newest spin-off from “Once Upon A Time,” “Once Upon A Time in Wonderland,” the audience is put in the direct view of the life of Alice. The blonde-haired, blueeyed little English girl with the big imagination is all grown up and no one thinks her tales of a place called

PHOTO/ABC

Wonderland are enchanting. Alice’s stories land her in a psychiatric hospital with doctors picking and prodding her brain. Alice tries to convince the doctors (as well as herself) that she made it all up, until a ‘Knave of Hearts’ comes to her rescue and convinces her that her love, the Genie (Cyrus), is alive, even though she watched him fall to his death.

The show has all the characters needed for a decent “Alice in Wonderland” remake. The White Rabbit is still persistent about being on time to meet the Queen, the Red Queen is still powerful, full of anger and irrational while the Caterpillar is still smoking his hookah and sitting on a mushroom head. However, thanks to improved technology, the Cheshire Cat has been turned into a large black feline with sharp teeth and bright red eyes.For those who watch “OUAT” know that the Mad Hatter is back in Storybrooke, away from Wonderland, so I doubt he’ll be making any appearances.

The beauty of the original “OUAT” was the combination of different characters and the spin-off kept up that tradition. The show threw in the evil Jafar with his iconic snake staff, the magic carpet, and Genie from “Aladdin” (1992), love interest of Alice.

Huffington Post calls it “undeniably appealing” and anticipates that the 13-episode season is a well thought out and tight tale of adventures of the feisty, love-struck Alice and friend, Knave. However, USA Today was less impressed, giving the premiere a two- and-a-half out of four stars.

The show caters to all the endearing trademarks that any “Alice in Wonderland” fan would love. What will happen in this new, dangerous Wonderland? Will she ever find her beloved Cyrus again? Next week is so far, far away!

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC.

13

Glee bids farewell to Cory Monteith CHRISTINA DOGAS Staff Writer

Thursday night’s episode of Glee addressed the death of actor Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson. It was one of the most emotional episodes since the series debuted in 2009.

It was tough to watch the cast perform their six solo songs, knowing their emotions were genuine from start to finish.

Several former cast regulars opened the heartbreaking episode with the popular song “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway play “Rent.” Mr. Schuester, the Glee club moderator, tells everyone they will be singing songs all week to honor Finn. Mercedes doesn’t hesitate to get up and sing her own version of “Stand By Me,” a song that Finn sang in season one.

The most moving scene came when Finn’s mother, stepfather and Kurt reminisce about Finn in his room.

They go through all of his belongings and cry as they remembered the times they spent with him.. Keeping a dry eye during the scene was impossible, to say the least.

Puck, a character that Glee hasn’t seen in a while, shows the most anger after Finn’s death. For the first time, we see the rebellious character cry for the first time while sits down the former football coach, Beast.

He then continues to steal a memorial tree and is even accused of snatching Finn’s football jacket. It was revealed at the end of the episode that it was Mr. Schuster who really stole the jacket.

Real life girlfriend of Monteith Lea Michele who plays Rachel on the show performed a powerful number “What Makes You Feel My Love,” which she often used to sing with Finn in the car on the show. This was a very touching,

tear-jerking performance.

The episode ended with Mr. Schue hanging up a picture of Finn in the choir room. We then see Mr. Schue break down in his wife’s arms, holding Finn’s letterman jacket. As the screen faded

to black, Cory Monteith’s name appeared.

It was a dramatic ending, but the episode was a wonderful commemoration of Cory Monteith and his time spent on playing Finn Hudson on “Glee.”

JON MANARANG Contributing Writer BEST COAST Fade Away OUT OF 5 STARS

PHOTO/iFOX

This Week in Showbiz

Lea Michele breaks her silence

“Glee” star Lea Michele has finally broken her silence about co-star and onand-off boyfriend Cory Monteith’s untimely death.

The young starlet spoke to “TV Week Australia” just days before the highly anticipated “Glee” tribute to Finn Hudson (Monteith) aired. In the interview with the Aussie magazine, Michele expressed her love for Monteith, who died of an overdose of heroin and alcohol in a Vancouver hotel in July.

The 27-year-old actress told the magazine, “I’ve lost two people: Cory and Finn.” After holding an intimate memorial for the fallen actor on set, Michele felt it would only be right to properly say goodbye to Finn as well.

“She had one of the first songs we filmed for the tribute episode, and she did it so beautifully,” Morrison told TV Week. Michele also said she was still having a hard time coping with the death, but has never thought of leaving the show. The Grammy winner went on to say she found the tribute to be “therapeutic,” giving her a chance to say farewell to on and off screen lover.

Best Coast brings their best with ‘Fade Away’

Bruce and Kris Jenner headed to splitsville

Jimmy Kimmel and Kanye West squash “rap beef”

After 22 years of marriage, Bruce and Kris Jenner confirmed their separation to E! News. The “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” reality stars have decided to officially part ways after spending over a year living apart.

The Olympic medalist and talk show host, who made it no secret they lived apart on the small screen, graced the cover of this week’s US Weekly.

Inside the issue is a story featuring the popular momager. The 57-year-old hot mama told US “We ended a marriage, but that’s not the end of our friendship.” The pair, who have two teenage daughters, Kendall, 17, and Kylie, 16, still remain on good terms.

Although the two have split, Kris said nothing will change in regards to their family life. 63-year-old Bruce will still be appearing on the popular reality show and all members of the Kardashian/Jenner clan will continue to film together.

Divorce may not be in the cards anytime soon for the couple, but the missus is foreshadowing a dirty court battle between the two, saying they are “no longer a couple in that way.”

Self-proclaimed hip-hop god Kanye West strolled into the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” studios with full security detail, girlfriend Kim Kardashian and little North all in tow. The “Black Skinhead” rapper came to the studios to settle a twoday Twitter war with the late night funny man that happened last month.

The feud began after Kimmel spoofed the rapper’s now famous video interview with Zane of BBC1. Moments later, the 36-year-old rapper took to Twitter in anger, lashing out at the comedian through 140 characters with catty remarks saying that ex-girlfriend Sarah Silverman was a better comedian and teasing the talk show host about a lack of intimacy with women. Kimmel came back hard, hitting West by mentioning his girlfriend’s infamous sextape. The Chicago native took to Twitter again to defend himself, saying Kimmel was bullying him.

Two weeks later, West was taping a live one-on-one interview with Kimmel where the two squashed their beef.

Compiled by: Briawnna Jones

From California Indie-pop duo Best Coast comes the mini album “Fade Away,” which is their first original release since 2012’s “The Only Place.” Comprised of singer/ guitarist Bethany Consentino and lead guitarist Bobb Bruno backed by session musicians, the band premiered tracks such as “I Wanna Know” and “Fear of My Identity” on the road. After the release of “The Only Place” the band took a more sophisticated approach to recording and audio quality, a distinction from the hazy sound of 2010’s “Crazy for You.” The lyrics take a different stance from the band’s previous releases, featuring a more mature and existential view on love, aging, and anxiety. Despite the colorful, bright artwork, the title of the record “Fade Away” speaks volumes. It shows the transition in Consentino’s more pessimistic writing style compared to “The Only Place,” which is primarily about her love for her home state of California, to “Crazy for You,” which took a romantic outlook on her life at the moment.

However, despite these transitions, the band still takes a very similar musical approach in terms of layered guitars, minimal basslines, downbeat drums, exciting tempo changes and Consentino’s voice resonating above the music.

Though the production value has been a critical point, the band clearly makes use of the simple chord structures that categorized their early work and transforms it into a more fresh sound with every release.

Overall, this mini-album is a great, focused collection of music that shows the band still has a lot of possibilities on the horizon. After opening for bands like Passion Pit and The Pixies, Best Coast has yet to fully achieve their potential.

Can’t get enough of Lifestyle?

Follow us on twitter @TORCHLIFESTYLE for online exclusives. torchonline.com

14

Opinion Editorial Board XCI KIERAN LYNCH Editor-in-Chief

Illustrator’s Corner

MITCHELL PETIT-FRERE Managing Editor CHRISTOPHER BRITO News Editor

FLAMES OF THE TORCH 24-hour campus is a safer, happier home to all The University approved funding for the first floor of the library to remain open 24 hours a day through the end of the 2013-14 school year, according to Dr. Theresa Maylone, dean of University libraries.

First off, such a change is a positive one. While we can certainly understand some of the issues that come with keeping a building like the D’Angelo Center open 24 hours a day, there needs to be a regular building where students can go regardless of time. Whether the library is the proper space for that is a discussion for another day.

Another issue that the Torch has come across that appears to be fixed in a roundabout way thanks to this change is campus access for non-resident students.

Technically speaking, the gates to the University are closed to non-resident students once it is past sign-in time for the Residence Halls. After that point, the rule of thumb has been that if you say you’re going to the library, you’re allowed on campus.

With the 24-hour service coming to the library, one would infer that the campus would then be accessible all hours of the day and night to every student. That’s something that should have been solved a long time ago.

Whatever the reason, it just doesn’t make much sense that any student who possesses a valid StormCard shouldn’t

be allowed on campus regardless of time.

There are many instances when students are coming from places west of campus like Parsons Boulevard or 164th Street and are trying to go to apartments and houses beyond Utopia. You know what that means? They’re walking directly toward campus and then have to navigate their way around the campus while walking quickly and hoping they don’t get mugged because let’s face it – your friend who lives on Parsons isn’t walking you home at 4:30 a.m. no matter what the Public Safety advisories say.

What could be a simple answer to shortening walking distances, and more importantly, preventing becoming a Public Safety advisory? Walking across campus instead of around it. But if you’re not a resident student, you’re not getting on campus in those early morning hours.

Like we said earlier, all of this becomes a lot more irrelevant with a 24hour study space that students can say they’re going to in order to make their way across campus, but why does it have to come to that? The University makes it clear that it wants to protect students, yet this rule hurts students who aren’t living on campus but not really commuters. It’s a simple solution in our view – who knows? – maybe prevent the next late-night incident involving a student off campus.

TORCH ILLUSTRATION/ DIAMOND WATTS-WALKER

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EDITORIAL POLICY

Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of the TORCH. Columns are the opinions of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of The TORCH. Opinions

Mail letters to: The TORCH, St. John’s University 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439 Submit letters via email to: torcheic@gmail.com

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15

WHO SHOULD PAY ON A DATE? JACK

Special to the Torch So you and your girlfriend are having a classy dinner at Chili’s (I know what you’re thinking, but I firmly believe that Chili’s is a world class establishment), and while you two are in the middle of cleaning your chocolate peanut butter molten cake (if you haven’t tried the delicious dessert, I highly suggest you do), your waitress brings your tab to the table. Your girlfriend takes a glance at it and goes back to eating her dessert while you are left to check your Union Bank statement online to see how much you have left in your savings.

While I am by no means the kind of guy who thinks a woman should pay for dinner, I am a broke college student – onewho considers Chinese take-out food a luxury.

Why should I dip into my secret stash of money

hiding behind the toilet (don’t judge me), while my girlfriend spends her secret stash of money hidden under her mattress on a new pair of shoes?

I’m not one for buying a relationship and I certainly can’t afford to eat at Chili’s two nights a week.

Okay, the guy should pay on the first date. It’s what some self-respecting people call the “chivalrous thing to do.” You take a girl out to a nice dinner, pull out her chair, let her order whatever she wants and you pay the bill – don’t cringe when you see it, either.

But what about all the other dates?

If my girlfriend asks to go out to dinner with me, then I’d let her pay for it. I believe that a relationship is a two-way street so each person in the relationship has to help the other out.

The simplest suggestion is that you two should take turns paying.

You pay for dinner, she pays for lunch an-

Anthony F. Catalano, who is in the St. John’s College Department of Psychology, sent this letter to the editor on Sept. 22. It was in response to Shannon Luibrand’s editorial on gun desensitization that ran in the Sept. 18 edition of the Torch.

Shannon Luibrand’s feature article dealing with desensitization to violence and killing should remind us of how easily desensitization can occur in a culture that has been called by Blessed John Paul II the “culture of death.” Especially, in the wake of the twelfth anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, as well as the navy yard incident that served as the provocation for her article, Ms. Luibrand reminds us that such incidents involve actual human beings, all of whom possess life that is taken away from them.

She tells us that they need to be remembered by her peers who are labeled the “future of this country.” That label could not but help me think about the power of desensitization when I pondered the over 60 million children killed

other day, and on-and-on goes the wondrous cycle of teamwork.

Why not shake things up a little bit, too? Bet on a fencing match or whatever peculiar hobby you two share. Winner decides who pays for dinner; loser decides where you go to dinner (try and hold your applause as you begin to plan little wagers like the latter with your significant other).

It may even spice things up a bit. Everyone loves a friendly wager. It adds a bit of excitement, no?

So guys, remember this: When it comes to the first date, pay for her dinner and pull out her chair. When it comes to the rest, take turns paying.

But most importantly, just have fun and make sure to treat your date well.

Oh, pull out her chair on every date. You may be broke, but your bank account shouldn’t affect your manners.

Remember flowers, too. Good luck, my friends.

JILL

Special to the Torch There is an 80’s song called “Aint Nothing Going On But the Rent” that my dad recommended to me as a dating anthem.

It’s a catchy tune by Gwen Gunthrie, where the songstress belts out the lines “no romance without finance” in the chorus.

While the song holds a of truth about your dating partner being financially stable, its extremely shallow for the woman to be so concerned about her man’s bank statement.

Unfortunately, the days of men coming to your door with flowers in hand on the first date is over. No more opening of the car door, laying the jacket over the puddle of water and the sweet kiss on the forehead at the end of the night. A majority of guys nowadays expect the girl to meet them at the movies, pay for their own ticket and make out before

the night is over; which is completely unacceptable.

Let me be the first to say going ‘dutch’ is not cute! I will never go out on a date and ask the waiter for separate checks – it’s tacky. If we’re on a date, I expect us to be on one ticket.

I know its not written in stone and it’s not the 19th century or whatever else people like to say, but a man should always pay for the first date.

As a woman, I feel the man should pay because it shows he is interested.

For example, my very first outing (I REFUSE to call it a date) with a guy ended him paying for neither the movie ticket nor dinner.

That left me feeling like he did not care. Needless to say, he really did NOT care.

This does not mean that I believe a man should pay for all the dates, but it is very crucial in the beginning of the courtship.

When the relationship progresses and the woman knows the man is truly

invested, then she can go ahead and start digging out of her own pocket.

I’m not saying you should wait two years into your on-and-off-again relationship, but when you know he is sincerely interested, start treating him to nights out.

The goal to successfully executing taking your man out is to make sure you let him know beforehand.

Coming from the south, I know too many men who find it emasculating and disrespectful when a woman offers to pay. So, just make sure you give him a heads up that you want to do something special for him.

Now to all those girls who claim a woman should never pay for a guy, stop giving us a bad rep. This is not a fairytale and you did not marry into the Rockefeller family.

How can we expect men to treat us as their equals if women like you continue to pressure them into being our sponsors?

Letter to the Editor

by elective abortions that have been performed legally in this country since the United States Supreme Court Roe vs.

Wade decision, and how desensitized we have become in killing off those who are the “future of this country.” They too are not merely statistics but human beings who never had the opportunity to become parents, lovers, grandparents, or friends, similar to the roles mentioned in Ms. Luibrand’s article.

Desensitization is easy to cultivate, especially given the many psychological mechanisms people use to keep from experiencing those things we find unpleasant and threatening. Ms. Luibrand’s promise not to become numb or desensitized in the face of violence is quite laudable. May she truly be faithful to that pledge in her career and in all aspects of her humanity.

I end this brief note with John Donne’s provocative words: “…any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” We owe it to our humanity to cry out whenever and in whatever form we encounter violence. Yes; his-

tory has shown that sometimes the use of violence is forced upon us in order to defend the innocent, but we must always guard against numbing ourselves to violence at the same time.

Anthony F. Catalano Dept. of Psychology

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17

Think Outside...

Meet the new guy: Orlando Sanchez CHRISTOPHER BRITO News Editor

After waiting on the NCAA to grant him eligibility last season, St. John’s basketball player Orlando Sanchez is finally ready to contribute in his lone year with the team.

Sanchez, the 6-foot-9-inch forward from the Dominican Republic, will only spend one season in a Red Storm jersey because he played two years at Monroe College and had to contest a NCAA decision that initially ruled him ineligible for the majority of last season.

This season, he is emphasizing winning.

“I’m going to do whatever I can do to win because that’s what it’s about: winning, winning and winning,” Sanchez said at St. John’s Media Day. “If I only score two points and my team wins, I’m happy.”

The 25-year-old Sanchez, who his teammates dubb as “El Primo,” which translates to “cousin” in Spanish, has come a long way to dribble a basketball in Queens. He started playing seriously at 16, but had to leave his hometown of Nagua for Spain in order to financially support his family in the Dominican Republic.

In Albacete, Spain, he played for four-tier basketball club Hellin from Liga EBA and eventually moved to New York to play for Monroe where his rebounding prowess caught the interest of St. John’s head coach Steve Lavin.

Sanchez admitted it was difficult assimilating to St. John’s at first because of the language barrier and prolonged NCAA conclusion, but his relationship with teammates comforted him.

“I have a really good relationship with the players,” he said. “I find myself with family as if I was still in Santo Domingo.”

Lavin expects his team’s trio of newcomers, Sanchez, 3-point marksman Max Hooper and freshman point guard Rysheed Jordan, to give a seasoned St. John’s team more depth.

“I do think the newcomers will bring dimensions that will compliment the returning nucleus,” Lavin said.

“Orlando gives us depth along with frontline versatility and a unique skill

TORCH PHOTO/DIANA COLAPIETRO

Orlando Sanchez sat out last season, but will suit up for one year at St. John’s.

set. He’s older and mature, and brings physicality that will compliment Chris [Obekpa], God’sgift [Achiuwa] and Jakarr [Sampson],” he said.

He has been regarded as a team-oriented player who can play multiple positions with the ability to score from anywhere on the court.

According to his teammates, the buzz around Sanchez stems from his battles in practice with Sampson – the reigning Big East Freshman of the Year and well-documented NBA prospect.

Guard D’Angelo Harrison, who was recently sitting out from practice due to a hamstring injury, had the opportunity to assess his two front-court teammates.

“When Jakarr and Orlando get at it at practice, it’s like an NBA matchup,” he said. “Everyone takes a step back and says, ‘Wow this is our team.’”

While NBA potential for Sanchez remains to be seen, Obekpa, who led the nation in blocks last season, says he’s just happy to have him back.

“Last year when he [Sanchez] couldn’t play, I was kind of pissed,” Obekpa said. “I know a lot of people who would have just left but he stayed and fought through all of that. We’re happy for him. I know he’s got my back; he’s looking after me for rebounds.”

Although Sanchez faces the heightened and timely expectations of a rising St. John’s men’s basketball team, his boundless motivation lies with making his family proud.

“I’m going to make people proud, make me proud, my family proud.”

Sanchez said. “My dream is to enter the NBA and have a good career and help my family.

“The dream for every Dominican is to buy his mother a house,” he said. “I have my mother and two grandmothers and [I] want to give them everything because they’ve given me everything.”

TORCH GRAPHIC/MITCHELL PETIT-FRERE

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Red Storm tame Tigers at Belson

Goals from Sepe and Mulligan give Johnnies a clean sheet victory STEPHEN ZITOLO Staff Writer

The St. John’s men’s soccer team won Tuesday night, 2-0, over the Princeton Tigers thanks in large part to being more efficient with its shots with two goals in the first half, one coming from Sean Sepe and the other from Jimmy Mulligan.

ST. JOHN’S PRINCETON

how the other teams line up. When teams play with one striker we will generally play with the 4-4-2.”

The Johnnies’ difficulties scoring have been well documented in recent games as they’ve had a shot advantage of 63-20 in the last two games and only have three goals to show for that advantage.

“Sometimes it’s hard to score early, but we were able to grind the game out,” Jimmy Mulligan said. “We were able to

get our momentum going early.”

The Red Storm seemed to shake off their goal scoring struggles as their leading goal scorer of the season, Sean Sepe, scored on a turnover by Princeton early in the first half. This was Sepe’s sixth goal of the season and only the Johnnies’ third shot of the game.

St. John’s scored again at the 33’ mark thanks to senior midfielder Jimmy Mulligan, his third of the season, on a deflection by Princeton goalie Seth

MacMillan. The Red Storm went into the locker room at the half with a 2-0 lead on only six total shots.

The St. John’s men’s soccer team will play its next game on Saturday, Oct. 19 against conference opponent Xavier. The Red Storm will be looking for their first Big East win of the season.

“We need to be more resilient on the defensive end and make sure that we stay behind the ball,” Masur said. “We got to make a lot more simpler passes.”

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The Red Storm (7-5-1, 0-3-1 Big East) took on the Tigers (4-6-1, 1-0-1 Ivy) in the Johnnies’ final non-conference game of the season. The St. John’s defense had a stellar night, led by goalie Rafael Diaz who got his fifth shutout of the year helping the team achieve its victory over Princeton.

St. John’s head coach Dr. Dave Masur changed the team’s formation to a 4-42 setup to try and halt the Red Storm’s struggles with putting the ball in the back of the net.

“We have been playing a 4-4-2 or we will have three in the back,” head coach Dr. Dave Masur said. “Depending on

TORCH PHOTO/DIANA COLAPIETRO

Sean Sepe and Jimmy Mulligan both scored last night giving St. John’s victories in two out their last three matches.

Johnnies draw with Nova, Lose Daly STEPHEN ZITOLO Staff Writer

The St. John’s women’s soccer team and its fans held their breath Saturday night as forward Rachel Daly went down with a bruise on her left leg and had to be helped off the field in the 1-1 double overtime draw against Villanova. Daly is day-to-day.

ST. JOHN’S

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VILLANOVA

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Daly has been hot all season, but has been targeted on several occasions throughout the year, and head coach Ian Stone said he believes that the officials should’ve kept an eye on his star.

“I would hope that officials would protect her,” Stone said. “It’s sometimes infuriating that officials don’t do their homework and know that’s how teams are going to try and deal with her.”

After an eventless first 45 minutes, the second half started with a bang when the Red Storm (7-3-3, 1-2-2) got on the board in the 48 minute after Daly headed home a Sarah Ashmore cross. The goal was Daly’s 15th of the season – which placed her second on the St. John’s

single season scoring list and tied her for first in goals scored nationally.

Villanova (5-6-3, 2-2-1) came right back with the equalizer a minute later when a high, floating shot from Hayley Wilson bounced over St. John’s goalkeeper Diana Poulin’s head.

Despite the Johnnies’ positive play during the remainder of the second half

and overtime, a crucial second goal was never scored. “[This game] would have been more frustrating if we weren’t creating opportunities; we were finding different ways to get chances,” Stone said. “For example, when Marisa Ammaturo stepped up in overtime, that was something we haven’t seen yet this season.”

The Red Storm will play next at Big East rival Georgetown Thursday afternoon.

“I love the challenge and we have a bunch of girls that will welcome that,” Stone said. “It’s obviously going to be a difficult game. They [Georgetown] are a fantastic team, but we are a pretty good team, too.”

TORCHPHOTO/DIANA COLAPIETRO

Rachel Daly is now second on the St. John’s list for most goals scored in a season only behind Cristin Burtis (‘94)

SJU picks up big win against Nova CARMINE CARCIERI Contributing Writer

St. John’s (13-8) team knocked off rival Villanova (10-8) in four sets (2519, 23-25, 31-29, 25-22) in front of a rowdy Saturday night crowd at Carnesecca Arena. The Red Storm improved their overall record to 13-8 and they snapped a three game skid in Big East play.

ST. JOHN’S

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The four tight sets were too close for comfort (25-19, 23-25, 31-29, 25-22) in front of a rowdy crowd Saturday night at Carnesecca Arena.

“This win was very important to our team,” head coach Joanne Persico said.

“We were able to rebound from three difficult losses.”

After 14 ties and four lead changes, the Johnnies were able to pull out a third set victory thanks to a clutch kill from junior Aleksandra Wachowicz. The 2-hour, 6-minute match ended in dramatic fashion when Deniz Mutlugil put together the clinching kill to give St. John’s the victory.

Villanova (10-8, 2-3) seemed to have the height advantage early on, but St. John’s was able to jump to a quick

lead behind an impressive first set performance from sophomore Karin Palgutova, who had seven kills during the set.

The Wildcats responded with a comefrom-behind win in the second set, Despite the victory, Persico said her team has more to improve on as the postseason draws closer.

“We need to keep a balanced attack,” Persico said. “Our ball control needs to improve and consistency is important to our success.”

Wachowicz collected a team-high

27 kills on a .532 percentage while Palgutova was a close second with 26 kills.

Junior Ashley Boursiquot led St. John’s in blocks and Deniz Mutlugil had a match-high 55 assists.

The Red Storm will finish its homeand-home series against Georgetown and Villanova on the road this weekend. The Johnnies will face the Wildcats on Friday and the Hoyas on Saturday.

“What I love about our team is that we fight,” Persico said. “We stay high even though things are down.”

TORCH PHOTO/DIANA COLAPIETRO

The Volleyball team snapped its three-game losing streak this weekend.

Confidence reigns supreme for Storm JON PEREZ Sports Editor

The focus of the afternoon was about how good this basketball team can really be. A year removed from going 17-16, Lavin’s crew is poised to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign. While the

roster is loaded with athletes, St. John’s still has a lot of questions going into the season. For instance: Did D’Angelo Harrison change his persona after his suspension last year? How good is Orlando Sanchez? Or, will Sampson make the leap to the pros after this year?

Those questions will be answered as the season progresses. However, if Media Day revealed anything, it’s that

TORCH PHOTO/DIANA COLAPIETRO

JaKarr Sampson will lead his team to it’s first tournament berth since 2010-11.

this is the tightest St. John’s team off the court that we’ve seen in the Lavin era.

Watching the players interact with each other showed their strong bond – the handshakes, the nicknames, the smiles they shared with one another. This group has a certain confidence that rubs off on the outer circle.

During his freshman year, Harrison said that St. John’s would make the final four. Let’s chalk that up to a facetious freshman not knowing how tough college basketball can be. Last year, many players felt that they were going to make the tournament despite the fact that the team was in a free-fall the final 10 games.

This year, the team’s new found depth has led the players to believe they can make the tournament. While this is still a pretty bold prediction from a group that hasn’t won a conference tournament game and only one postseason game in the two years they’ve played together, new additions like Max Hooper, Rhysheed Jordan and Sanchez will help the squad.

While the jury is still out on whether or not the team actually does make the tournament, there is one question that has been answered: this group is the most confident team that Lavin has ever assembled during his St. John’s tenure.

Jon Perez is a co-host on the Inman and Perez show every Wednesday morning from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on WSJU Radio.

Torch Sports

Storm

Cast

Leavin’ their Mark Duffy leads all at Van Cortlandt

Team captain Michelle Duffy led the way this past Friday to a team best eighth out of 12th place finish at the 85th edition of the Metropolitan Cross Country Championships at the iconic Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, N.Y. Duffy made up for missing last year’s meet by placing 31st in the 5K course, with a score of 19:57.04 “Michelle Duffy led our pack into great position in the opening mile but we had difficulty keeping our positions in the hills,” head coach Jim Hurt said in a press release.

She was followed by her teammates, the Van Pelt Sisters – Stephanie and Michelle, who placed 50th and 53rd respectively, and Kerri Butler and Veronica Thompson who matched each other stride for stride by coming in 48th and 49th place.

Fellow sophomores Tiffany Evanego and Jasmine Gomez, held up their end of the bargain by finishing with times of 22:25.72 and 23:40.96. The team recorded a score of 231 points.

Columbia snagged the team title with a total of 25 points.

The Red Storm will have another opportunity to improve their times when they attend the Brown Invitational next Friday, Oct. 18 in Providence, R.I. -Ann Marie Turton

Blowin’ in the Wind “Every game is different, but it’s good to get a win going into our next game.”

-Jimmy Mulligan

Headin’ this Way Red Storm home games

Men’s Soccer Oct. 19 Oct. 23

Xavier Marquette

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Men’s/Women’s Basketball Oct. 25

Tip-off

Volleyball

6:30 p.m.

Oct. 25 Oct. 26

Xavier * Butler

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

Oct. 26

Seton Hall

7 p.m.

Women’s Soccer

* Taffner Field House

19

WOMEN’S SOCCER: DALY DAY-TO-DAY

SPORTS OCTOBER 16 2013 | VOLUME 91, ISSUE 10 |

TORCHONLINE.COM

PRINCETON REVIEW

MULLIGAN AND SEPE ACE THE TIGERS’ DEFENSE IN 2-0 WIN PG. 18 TORCH PHOTO/SARAH HOWARD