March 1, 2013

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Univ. looking for funds to avert gov. sequester’s effects

By Yasmeen Abutaleb Senior staff writer Wallace Loh wasn’t quite sure how he would pay for four years of college when he moved to the U.S. from Lima, Peru.

He couldn’t afford to live on the campus of Grinnell College in Iowa, so he lived in an elderly woman’s basement off the campus for free. And he didn’t have running water — when he needed to shower, he’d run out to the backyard and use the hose’s cold water as quickly as possible.

AP credits at university increasing More students passing exams; officials struggle to keep up

Like many of this university’s students, Loh worked his way through college and cut costs wherever possible. So he, along with several university officials, has spent the last several days finding a way to help the more than 200 lowincome undergraduate students, about 1,500 graduate research assistants and 2,300 research faculty and staff at this university who would be most impacted by scheduled federal cuts, Loh said.

Officials are crafting ways to tap into unused See funding, Page 3

By Laura Blasey Senior staff writer

university president wallace loh said officials will help those who would be most affected by federal cuts. file photo/the diamondback

One day at a time

See credits, Page 3

Senior who lives with lupus seeks to remove disease’s stigma, educate others

Students lobby in first system-wide initiative

By Fatimah Waseem Staff writer Liat Sacks dreamed of opening a school for children with special needs. She ran, easily snapped open shampoo bottles, flipped up mailboxes and pulled her bedcovers over herself at night.

But one day would change everything, including her dreams, her academic plans and the weight of a simple ponytail on her shoulder.

When Sacks woke up during winter break two years ago, she couldn’t feel her hands. A few hours later, her body began to stiffen.

For a month, the now-senior special education major consulted rheumatologists, oncologists and pediatricians to find answers. Although her family has a history of lymphoma, and her dad was undergoing stem cell treatment for relapsing lymphoma at the time, it wasn’t cancer, the doctors said.

It was lupus, an autoimmune disease that fights the victim’s own body, destroying tissue and often causing intense fatigue, swelling and stiffness.

The disease has no cure. Flare-ups, which happen twice a week on average when her lupus is active, keep her out of class. Her roommate has to help her with the simplest of tasks.

On other days, though, it’s as if the lupus isn’t there. Shifting between the good days and bad has helped Sacks learn to go with the flow. On her notebooks, in her paintings and on her wall mural, which is full of quotes that have gotten her through days spent in bed, she writes an age-old proverb: “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.”

While finding a cure for lupus is likely a long way down the medical road, Sacks said removing

More students than ever are coming to college with Advanced Placement credits, a trend that has left some university officials questioning if the curriculum is keeping up with accelerated students — and if it’s worth it to try.

New data released this month from College Board show 19.5 percent of 2012 high school graduates passed AP exams with a score of three or higher, the highest percentage since the education organization began administering the exams in the 1955-56 academic year. And in this state, the proportion of public school students who passed their exams with a three or better is even higher than that — at 29.6 percent, the Old Line State ranks first for passing AP scores for the fourth straight year.

More minority and low-income students are also taking the exams and passing, with this state’s black student success at an all-time high, the report shows.

The trend isn’t surprising — Gov. Martin O’Malley is an active advocate for education, and the University System of Maryland has also

About 200 students from USM travel to Annapolis to advocate for affordability

By Sandra Müller Staff writer

ANNAPOLIS – Paying for college has hardly been

key to helping others understand, she said.

“People ask questions, but most, they just don’t know. I look normal. I act normal, and

easy for Megan Connell. This university is the senior government and politics major’s second school — she’s already been forced to drop out once after tuition skyrocketed at her previous school, Methodist University in North Carolina.

Those struggles are why Connell, along with a coalition of about 200 students from across the University System of Maryland, traveled to Annapolis yesterday as part of USM Lobby Day to advocate for Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed budget, enhanced STEM enrollment and college affordability, among other issues.

It was the first joint advocacy day within the university system, where students rallied to convince state senators and delegates to avoid cuts that would

See sacks, Page 2

See lobby, Page 3

liat sacks, a senior special education major, was diagnosed with lupus about two years ago. She gets through days in bed by writing inspirational quotes on a mural in her room. She hopes to remove the stigma associated with her disease. fatimah waseem/the diamondback the stigma associated with the disease can help people come to terms with their condition. Her doctors told her to describe her disease to people as a connective tissue disease, instead of simply telling them she has lupus. Transparency is the

Two arrested in connection with separate laptop theft incidents

By Fola Akinnibi Staff writer University Police have arrested and charged two individuals for their alleged involvement in separate laptop thefts in the fall.

A student left his laptop unattended while at an event at the Nyumburu Cultural Center on Nov. 16, said University Police spokesman Sgt. Aaron Davis. When he returned an hour later, the laptop was gone, the student told police. Detectives were able to identify Michael Vasquez Dominguez, 20, of Greenbelt as a suspect, Davis said. Dominguez

INDEX

denied involvement in the theft, even when presented with incriminating evidence, Davis added.

Police arrested Dominguez and charged him with theft between $1,000 and $10,000 Feb. 18. The crime carries a maximum sentence michael vasquez of 10 years. Dominguez was dominguez previously charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records.

On Dec. 3, between 9:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., a

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student left her Kent Hall room door unlocked, and when she returned, two laptops were missing from the room. After an investigation, police identified Jose Del-Carmen Majano, 38, of Washington as a jose del-carmen suspect, Davis said. majano During an interrogation, Majano was unable to explain how he came into possession of the laptop, and was arrested and charged with two counts of theft of less than

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$1,000, each of which carries a maximum 18month sentence.

In the first case, the laptop was not recovered, and in the second case, only one laptop was returned, Davis said.

Students should avoid leaving personal property unattended to prevent theft, he added.

“If you make it hard for these people, it’s not going to be appealing,” he said. “It doesn’t take very long for someone to get into your residence and take property.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

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THE DIAMONDBACK | NEWS | friDAY, march 1, 2013

sacks From PAGE 1

city residents hope to promote a sense of community by cleaning up College Park on Good Neighbor Day, scheduled for April 6. The city will also unveil a community mural with a design based on the history of the Lakeland neighborhood. photo courtesy of the university of maryland

City hopes beautification project will reduce crime

By Bradleigh Chance Staff writer Public safety is the main motive for this year’s day of city beautification projects.

At the forefront of Good Neighbor Day — the April 6 event dedicated to cleaning up College Park — project coordinators will unveil a community mural in an effort to detract from vandalism and graffiti, according to Office of Community Engagement officials.

The idea for a mural comes from the broken windows theory, which states a community in physical disrepair will attract criminal activity, said Community Partner Project coordinator Emily Adams. She said criminals perceive people who let their environment deteriorate as less vigilant and less likely to try to stop crime.

Research from the office, which seeks to develop and maintain relationships with local and regional communities, suggests public art is an effective way to stop graffiti. It improves the look of the community and helps residents take pride in their city.

“It sounds like a good idea,” said Kate Gentile, a freshman history major. “If a garden is well-tended, a passerby is far less likely to tread on it. Community involvement and events draw people together — if you know your neighbors, you are more likely to look out for them.”

The mural, created by city residents as well as university students and employees, targets an underpass near Lake Artemesia where vandalism and graffiti frequently occur, Adams said.

“We hope that people will think twice before defacing the path that leads to the Lake Artemesia recreation area,” Adams said.

Community muralist Helina Metaferia developed the mural’s design based on sketches from artists with personal ties to Lakeland as well as archived images of the neighborhood provided by the Lakeland Community Heritage Project, a College Park nonprofit. More than 40 area

residents helped paint the mural in December and January.

Lakeland’s history is an integral part of the history of the city, Adams said. The accomplishments of the first Lakeland residents — such as the neighborhood churches’ operation of some of the only schools allowing black students when other schools were still segregated — are achievements city residents can also celebrate, she said.

“Painting this mural has given current and former community residents the opportunity to reflect on the contributions to society that their forebearers made,” Adams said. “The mural helps our community honor its founders, who taught the sons and daughters of Lakeland lessons that are still relevant and useful for instruction to us today.”

The diversity and inclusion office gave Metaferia a $4,000 grant as well as several thousand dollars more for additional supplies for the project, Adams said. The community engagement office also received a $740 grant from the Pepsi Enhancement Fund for painting supplies.

“I like the idea of beautification projects and things like that,” said Danielle Leopold, a freshman communication major.

“It’s a good way to get the people involved in the community. But I’m not sure how much I buy the ‘broken windows’ theory in this case, and I don’t know how worth $4,000 it is.”

But other students find the costs minimal in comparison to recent university-related endeavors.

“It’s a very small fee compared to the recent purchase of iPads for all of the athletes,” said Scott Arey, a sophomore criminology and criminal justice major, who added it’s important for students to pay attention to the surrounding city and county, which have gained a reputation as a crimeridden area over the years.

“Recently, the media has only had negative issues to fixate on,” Arey said. “This is a positive idea that will bring the community’s

MORE ONLINE UNIVERSITY DEALS WITH NETWORK OUTAGE Some of the university’s network services flickered on and off between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday as DIT officials resolved what they called “a potential network security vulnerability.”

The emergency outage, announced to the campus community via email 40 minutes before the disruptions, was resolved by 8 p.m. with no security breaches detected, said Phyllis Dickerson Johnson, Division of Information Technology spokeswoman.

When asked for comment, Johnson and other DIT staff did not elaborate on the extent and nature of the suspected security breach, saying the division took appropriate preventative measures — including router configuration modifications — to address the problem.

For more, check out Fatimah Waseem’s story on diamondbackonline.com.

attention elsewhere.”

Adams said she hopes the mural and the community service day will enhance the personal relationships that make up a strong community.

“Good Neighbor Day is all about teamwork,” Adams said.

“Everyone who participates in a GND project will work together with neighbors who they may or may not know to accomplish something that enhances quality of life in our city in a very meaningful way.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

for many people, coming to terms with that is difficult,” she said. Sacks reacted to her own diagnosis with a big question mark, wondering, “What is lupus anyway?”

Three months into her disease, she filed for disability accommodations.

She couldn’t be around kids because her medications would make her immune system sensitive to even the slightest colds.

“The disease killed her inside. She couldn’t pursue special education as heartily as she had wanted to before, but being the amazing person she is, Liat rebounded, again and again,” said Jenny Wilders, her best friend and a senior special education major. Wilders took Sacks to many of her doctor’s appointments and was one of the first people to suggest she had lupus.

In search of a summer job, Sacks threw herself into art.

Her father made her artistic dreams come true, as he took Sacks to a supply store and filled her cart to the brim with $1,500 worth of art materials.

Sacks found a way out, as she would continue to do.

Sacks makes traditional Jewish paintings and handcrafted decorative pieces to raise money for the Lupus Foundation of America. She has raised more than $500 for the foundation through her shop on Etsy, an online platform for artists. She has received orders from every U.S. state.

“Even though I sometimes have trouble with fine motor skills, art reminds me of all the things I can do,” she said.

“When you’re losing your hair and having trouble with the smallest things, putting gems and quotes together is a really calming feeling.”

liat sacks has raised more than $500 for the Lupus Foundation of America by selling her art on Etsy. She was diagnosed with the disease about two years ago. fatimah waseem/the diamondback Although Sacks was always an art lover, she said she knew this was what she wanted to do ever since her father received a small, handmade turtle decorated piece while he was in the hospital for lymphoma. The elaborate bouquets and the ornate get-wellsoon cards are not what got him through treatment — the little things, handmade and beautiful, did, she said.

For Sacks, some little things, such as opening an envelope,

can hold her back, but others can push her forward, such as placing gems on a painting or helping kids with special needs, even from a distance.

“I’ll have lupus forever, unless there’s a cure — and that’s okay,” she said. “I’m still going to find a way to do special education. That’s why I love that caterpillar quote so much — life will carry me through.” newsumdbk@gmail.com

friDAY, march 1, 2013 | NEWS | THE DIAMONDBACK

FUNDING From PAGE 1 university funds and may work to raise private money to help these groups if the sequester, a series of automatic, across-the-board federal cuts slated to go into effect today, is not averted soon.

Unless President Obama and congressional leaders, who are scheduled to meet today, are able to come up with an alternate way to trim the more than $16 trillion national debt,dozens of companies, federal agencies and educational institutes will have to cut back spending to mitigate reduced government aid. Higher education is slated to lose 8.2 percent of federal funding.

When national leaders debated raising the federal borrowing limit in summer 2011, part of the deal they negotiated included a series of cuts so devastating that they would force lawmakers to work out another budget plan. However, they have yet to do so.

“It’s difficult because we don’t

CREDITS From PAGE 1 played an active national role in advocating attainability, affordability and quality in higher education.

For both officials and students at this university, though, the increased emphasis on early college preparation is a blessing and a curse.

AP credits can help freshmen get a jump on their academic careers, especially by fulfilling general education requirements.

Bryant O’Brien, a sophomore computer engineering major, said he’s enjoyed the head start his 11 AP classes gave him. Familiar with the basic concepts learned in general education classes, he was able to start taking the challenging classes required by his major soon after enrolling in the university.

“I’m able to do Digital Cultures and Creativity and fulfill my computer engineering degree and still stay with 15 or 16 credits a semester,” O’Brien said. “It’s helped me manage my time.”

Sophomore economics and finance major Tyler Phelps said his high school, Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, pushed students to take AP classes. Phelps currently has enough credits to be considered a junior, thanks to the boost AP credits gave him.

3

know if these cuts will go into effect or how long they will last, but we should always be planning in advance. Not down to the penny … but we have to do something to help these people, period,” Loh said.

This group of undergraduate students, Loh said, is from lowincome families who heavily rely on need-based aid, and they could be forced to drop out if the sequester lasts long enough to impact their financial aid packages. University officials, though, are committed to ensuring these students do not have to drop out this year — which would likely include tapping into fundraising money that has not been earmarked — and will start a minifundraising effort if necessary.

Like many of these students,who also take part in the Federal WorkStudy Program, Loh worked on the campus while he was an undergraduate student at Grinnell. He spent 30 to 35 hours a week in the university’s kitchen scrubbing pots and pans to help pay his tuition.

“Behind the scene, we have a

watchful eye on it,” said Sarah Bauder, university financial aid director, of the impending government cuts. “It would be nice if the federal government would recognize that unlike most programs they fund, higher education creates an outcome that benefits the economy.”

Federal and university research are also slated to take the 8.2percent funding reduction. Loh has charged Research Vice President Pat O’Shea and the Office of Finance with pooling together money to protect graduate research assistants and research faculty and staff from pay cuts. These students will receive bridge assistance, Loh said, meaning the university will compensate them for any money lost as long as sequestration lasts.

While every agency facing cuts could argue it should be exempt, said Philip Joyce, a public policy professor, the reductions should not be the same across the board. “[The budget] is being cut in a pretty stupid way. This sequestration is something that was never

supposed to take effect,” Joyce said.

“Saying everything is equally prone to being subject to cuts doesn’t make sense when in fact the job of Congress and the president is to figure out what’s more important.”

The university can only help these groups for a short time, Loh said, and officials hope an alternate deal that does not deal such significant blows to higher education is negotiated soon.

His commitment to aiding these students doesn’t come from his background, but he has seldom forgotten the support system that helped him finish his undergraduate degree and allowed him to move on to earn a master’s, doctorate and law degree and become this university’s president.

“This little old lady, she gave me the free use of her basement,” Loh said. “Other people have helped me along the way, so we should always give back and help the next generation just like others helped us before.”

“I came in with half of my CORE knocked out,” Phelps said.

“I feel like I got a good foundation when I was taking AP.” Many incoming freshmen are able to skip general education classes, said Douglas Roberts, associate dean for general education.

With high scores on the English Language and Composition exam — the most popular AP exam in the state — many are able to opt out of ENGL 101: Academic Writing.Now, classroom rosters aren’t filling up, and sections have to be closed.

“The biggest impact we have to deal with is making sure to provide enough seats in the various CORE curriculum classes that are needed,” Roberts said. “We could be putting out too many courses and too many seats if the number of students coming in with AP credit changes very much.”

There’s also the question of whether students who come in with AP credits are better prepared for courses.

Kurt Rubenacker, a sophomore engineering major, attended high school in California, another highranking state in terms of passing AP scores. While he wasn’t able to put any of his 27 credits toward math and science classes, he said, other students in his college classes did.

“I definitely encountered a lot of people who took AP classes in high

school,” Rubenacker said. “When I took Calculus III, there were freshmen in there, and I would say they were pretty prepared for it.”

Students entering the university shouldn’t anticipate more difficult courses, Roberts said. AP scores might be increasing and more students might be coming in with them, but there’s no evidence classes should be more difficult.

Required classes are not designed around College Board’s curriculum.

“The courses we offer, we offer for independent reasons, independent of what the College Board exams look like,” Roberts said. “I think our courses serve their own purposes and their own goals, and they probably aren’t reactive to what’s going on with the AP exams.”

Some students said the notion that their peers who took AP classes or exams are better prepared for college is superficial.

Freshman business and psychology major Jenna Booth said she felt the push from administrators and teachers to take AP classes and exams from her high school wasn’t as benign as they pretended.

“Our school was always ranked well nationally,” Booth said. “High schools are ranked by number of students taking AP exams, not scores, so the more the merrier. ” Booth, a National AP Scholar, scored a five on all eight of her

exams. Doing well on the exams is more manageable when classes are not all at that high level, she said.

“It is much more difficult to excel in classes that all require that amount of rigor,” she said. “I took six AP classes my senior year, and this would have never been possible if they were actually as much work as college-level classes.”

For O’Brien, the benefit of AP classes came from the tests, not the courses themselves.

“The test environment is so different from the course environment,” O’Brien said. “The test environment is like what you’ll see in college.”

Booth also laments the pressure of getting the grades and awards to get into a good college, she said. Everything was planned out, but now that she’s in college, the academic path she was pressured into seems shortsighted, she said.

“I meet people who have shadowed doctors or worked on some project at an Army base or wrote for a local newspaper — I never did that because I was so focused on taking AP classes,” Booth said. “This was unfortunately at the expense of doing internships or jobs or other experiences that are so much more important and relevant to college than AP classes ever will be.”

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UNIVERSITY STUDENTS joined their peers from other USM institutions in Annapolis Thursday to lobby for increased state funding for higher education. sandra müller/for the diamondback

lobby From PAGE 1

disappointed that he had to talk to aides for Del. Tawanna Gaines (D-Prince George’s) and Sen. Paul Pinsky (D-Prince George’s).

“We have to increase the amount of money for higher education to be able to give out more financial aid to students,” he said.

When Gov. Martin O’Malley and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown addressed students at a rally in front of the Statehouse, they affirmed their commitment to keeping higher education affordable.

“Every year of our administration, even during the toughest times, we have invested to keep college affordable,” O’Malley said, noting the state has maintained the lowest tuition rate increase in the country over the past five years. “If we want to be leaders in science, security and innovation, it all comes down to how well we educate future generations.”

“Half the battle is won,” Brown said about the proposed budget.

“The other half is yet to be awaited,” he said in regards to the 45 days legislators have to decide on possible education cuts.

“We need you to roll up your sleeves and engage your legislators to leave the money in the budget,” Brown said.

University President Wallace Loh and system Chancellor Brit Kirwan, who both went to Annapolis to support students, said student voices are more effective than those of officials or professional lobbyists.

“Legislators know that education is all about students,” Kirwan said. “We have to bring this budget home.” “[USM Lobby Day] has far more impact than what professional lobbyists can do,” Loh added. “[Professionals] do it because it’s their job, but students have more power because they believe in what they do here.”

put higher education funding at risk. The event’s organizers included Zach Cohen, USM student council chairman, and this university’s Student Government Association. More than 100 students were from this university, SGA President Sam Zwerling said.

“Legislators don’t hear from students on a daily basis,” said James Jalandoni, SGA director of governmental affairs. “If they hear your stories, they will understand how important that is.”

Yesterday was the first time this university collaborated with other system schools. In past years, the SGA organized Terrapin Pride Day, an annual lobbying day just for this university’s students.

“Since we get our budget as a system, we thought it would be best to lobby together,” Zwerling said.

Organizers met with students’ representative legislators, including Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s), who is also a member of the Senate’s Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, along with Sen. Richard Madaleno (D-Montgomery) and Del. John Bohanan (D-St. Mary’s), both members of committees that deal directly with the budget.

But only some students had the opportunity to speak directly with lawmakers. Because a debate on O’Malley’s gun control legislation ran longer than expected, many senators canceled their meetings, meaning students had to leave messages with staff members.

Demetrio Gutierrez Finlev, a student at this university who was raised by a single mother and could only afford college through a soccer scholarship, was newsumdbk@gmail.com

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Opinion

THE DIAMONDBACK | FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013

YASMEEN ABUTALEB Editor in Chief

EDITORIAL BOARD

Tyler Weyant

Managing Editor

maria romas Opinion Editor

nadav karasov Opinion Editor

STAFF EDITORIAL

polyamorous relationships

In Noah Robinson’s Wednesday column, “Hump Day Conversations: Swinging a relationship,” Robinson answered a question from a girl whose boyfriend wanted to “swing.” The girl “want[ed] to be open” with her boyfriend, but felt this was “too much.”

It was a very delicate issue in need of a delicate response.

Robinson’s response was, in some ways, very well-put. He suggested the girl break up with her boyfriend because it would save them both the pain of trying to reconcile their different desires for the relationship. As he put it, “the point of dating is to find someone who shares your values and not one who will change them.” This is a fair analysis, and definitely relevant advice.

In addition, though, Robinson spent some of the column discussing his views of the questioner’s boyfriend and his potential desires. Noah felt the boyfriend “doesn’t value [her] the way a partner should.” He suggested she save herself the emotional stress of trying to be his therapist, which he implied the boyfriend needs.

Robinson also tried to diagnose the boyfriend’s reasons for wanting to swing. He hypothesized the boyfriend may have been cheated on, which made him insecure about monogamous relationships. He also suggested the possibility that the boyfriend’s parents were unfaithful to each other, and this taught him at an early age to crave relationship infidelity. It’s implied that no sane, well-raised individual would be interested in swinging unless they had deep emotional problems, and that the boyfriend needs a therapist, not a steady girlfriend.

To insinuate that the boyfriend is either lacking in values or in need of therapy, though, is incredibly wrong. I don’t know the guy — he may actually have gone through childhood trauma, or had a bad breakup (haven’t we all?).

Equally likely, though, is that he simply has a different relationship orientation.

The girl is simply monogamous, but the

Managing Editor

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The advantages of EZRA FISHMAN

Mike King

boy could fall into any number of categories, from swinging to polyamory.

Robinson implying that the boyfriend will cheat is unfair; though the boyfriend might prefer to swing, that does not mean he will automatically cheat if he can’t. Polyamorous people are as capable of self-control and restraint as anyone else.

I am the wrong person to explain exactly what polyamory is, as I fall under the umbrella of monogamy.

However, based on discussions with polyamorous people and some reading online, I would describe it as the feeling of genuine openness to loving or engaging in sexual activity with multiple partners. Polyamorous people can — and usually do — find loving, committed relationships, but will often equally love and commit to multiple partners at the same time. For a more detailed breakdown of the different types of polyamorous relationships, I suggest reading Wikipedia.

The polyamorous people I have encountered in my life are some of the most stable and rational people I know. They develop strong emotional connections with their partners. They have real, loving relationships and can even be happily married with children.

Though their relationships are often hidden to avoid social stigma, when you get to know them as people, they are just as open and happy about their relationships as anyone else.

The difference between polyamorous and monogamous people is simply one of numbers. Some people are predisposed to loving and committing to one person; others are predisposed to loving and committing to many. It’s not a choice, or a moral flaw; it’s simply a different way of loving.

Just like it would be wrong to demonize an LGBT person for his or her relationship decisions, it was wrong to demonize a polyamorous person on the same grounds. Robinson’s advice was sound, but his moral judgment wasn’t, and it had no place in a relationship column — or anywhere else.

L

Just make the grade

etting go of past disappointments can prove a difficult task — particularly when it comes to grades. Come May 17, you may just find yourself heading home in a haze, transfixed on the possible ways you could have reached the “A” that eluded you by less than a percentage point. It will be maddening, heartbreaking and ultimately futile.

Assuming you have no reasonable claim to appeal a grade (which could be much easier, thanks to the recently improved appeals process under review by the University Senate), maturity and sensibility would force you to look forward.

You will incorporate the lessons you gained from the experience and let them motivate you in the future.

No doubt, grading has always been a sore subject; but for many students, particularly in the past year, the new system of grading has been a strong point of contention.

In fall 2011, the University Senate approved a radical change in this university’s grading policy by passing a plus-minus system.

Under the restructured policy, an “A-” would give you 3.7 quality points toward your grade point average and a “B-” would yield 2.7.

The implications accompanying this decision were unclear, but many students rallied together in opposition, fearful this new policy would deflate grades. Last spring, a Student

Government Association petition generated nearly 2,000 signatures from students wishing the University Senate had left more time for student input before passing the plus-minus policy.

OUR VIEW

It’s time to accept that the plus-minus grading system has been instituted, and there’s really nothing we can do about it.

Students deserved a chance to voice their concerns, and the senate acted inappropriately by approving a measure with widespread ramifications in such a rash manner. The controversy has lasted more than a year, and honestly, it’s time to move on. Despite frustrations or resentment, the switch may have generated since last fall, looking ahead and embracing the change is the only sensible move left for students.

Yes, cumulative GPA was expected to drop following the switch, according to data from the university’s 2006 Institutional Research Planning and Assessment. As predicted, in the first semester under this new policy, undergraduate GPA did in fact drop — by two hundredths of a point. By no means is a drop from 3.10 to 3.08 a reason to wallow in gloom, though it might reenergize student fears of the new grading scale.

If those concerns seem palatable, take heed — the future may not look so bleak after all. The 2006 report findings admit they do not account for changes in student behavior. Motivating students to work hard all semester was one of the main purposes of switching to a plus-minus system.

A student with an 87 is more likely to work hard to secure a “B+” instead of just maintaining a grade above a 79, or so the logic goes.

Few would complain if the policy successfully improves student effort and achievement. Students should be well-aware of the need to avoid excuses and accept new challenges as they come; nothing comes so easily when attending a university as competitive as our own. Whatever legitimate concerns students may have had, latching on to old complaints is useless.

The university must remain diligent in analyzing the effects of this policy in the future, and not just those on the university as a whole. The report found disciplinary action would increase under the new policy, potentially lowering graduation rates by 2 percent.

More than anything, the University Senate and university as a whole must show they are attentive and receptive to student concerns. A new grading system will not be the last piece of contentious legislation students will confront, and it’s imperative the debate process guarantees an inclusive public forum.

We were disappointed before. Let’s not let the same thing happen again.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

Ezra Fishman is a junior accounting and finance major. He can be reached at ezra.fish@gmail.com.

A livable College Park JAKE DeVIRGILIIS College Park is, at best, a livable community. The students who call it home, whether they live on or off the campus, tend to find the best in this strange little city that offers all the boredom of a quaint college town, most of the crime of a large metropolitan area, and a Chipotle.

Certain downsides must be obvious to everyone from the time they drive in as a prospective student. “Where is everything?” many might ask. Other disadvantages don’t become apparent until those first six or seven crime alerts are sent out overnight.

The upsides are plentiful, too, and some quite surprising. Having our own little Metro stop is quite convenient.

Even next door Hyattsville is quite beautiful. Hey, there’s a lake here! And no one actually cares I’m not 21! LAWS?!

Thankfully, we seem to have enough space to pack everyone in most of the time. But for students who want or need to move off the campus, want to move closer to the campus or any other possible scenario you can imagine where people want to live in a relatively nice off-campus location, the scramble to find roommates and housing often begins the preceding September. The earlier you start, the better, lest ye end up doubling your tuition to live in The Varsity.

The housing search is often a daunting task, and though it’s not immediately obvious, the university has a few excellent resources as part of their Off-Campus Housing Services. It can help you find a place and roommates with handy, sortable options. Plus, they offer advice on not just your search process, but on dealing with landlords and signing a lease.

This is a brilliant idea, to be sure.

But a fact sheet isn’t the most helpful resource when your landlady attempts

to delay fixing your broken thermostat and tells you to just go somewhere else if it’s so cold, as our landlady did during the lovely cold snap we were having a few weeks ago. Great, the person we’re paying (too much) to live here wants us to go somewhere else so she doesn’t have to fulfill contractual obligations in a timely manner.

That’s why I’m calling on you, residents of the fine city of College Park, to do for the student-landlord relationship what OurUMD did for the professorstudent relationship: Give students a heads-up. I’ve hardly used the official course evaluations. They’re not easy or intuitive to read, and have never been particularly useful. OurUMD has the ease of access I want in a search engine.

Either way, the idea is the same. Students can look at details of a professor and decide that maybe he or she isn’t the right fit.

It’s even more important to have something similar for landlords. I’ve had some tough professors in required classes, but I’ve come out a better, harder-working person. Having a tough landlord exclusively makes life worse.

I don’t know why our mostly working stove was replaced with a clockless, crooked mass from the 1940s, but I do know I want to warn other students about it so they don’t make the same mistakes I did.

Almost all of my off-campus friends have stories — horrific, hilarious, confusing and frustrating — of dealing with landlords. If compiled on a user-friendly website, the differences between mildly crazy and inherently evil will become clear.

Looking for housing will never be as easy as shopping on Amazon, but with a few choice user reviews, at least students will know what they’re getting into — a four-star house with a onestar owner.

Jake DeVirgiliis is a senior government and politics major. He can be reached at j.devirgiliis@gmail.com.

ben stryker/the diamondback

GUEST COLUMN

Merits of cannabis-extract medicine

L

ast semester, I ran an event through Students for Sensible Drug Policy about cannabisextract medicine. During the presentation, my friend Corrie Yelland discussed how she cured her anal canal cancer with only cannabis oil — no traditional treatments. Two years ago, I held a similar presentation with Dennis Hill, another friend with aggressive prostate cancer who went into remission using only cannabis oil.

These successes were achieved without chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. Furthermore, these two individuals were confident in this course of treatment because of the hundreds of other people who have eliminated cancer and other serious diseases with cannabis extracts, in the form of oil.

It is important to point out that cannabis oil treatments consist of ingesting massive quantities of the extract over time — at least 60 grams in 3 months — and do not involve smoking, which is the most familiar form of medicinal cannabis use, but is also by far the least effective. Medicine is meant to be ingested, not smoked. Yet millions of people have found that just smoking cannabis is more effective than many vigorously researched pharmaceuticals for pain reduction.

If such patients began to ingest cannabis oil instead of smoking, many would cure their ailments

instead of simply managing them.

I would like to address the No. 1 concern people have with this seemingly outrageous claim: If cannabis oil really cures cancer, why isn’t it being used on a widespread basis, or at least being discussed further?

First of all, oil is used on a relatively significant scale — I can provide more than 120 testimonials to anyone who wants them. But compared to those who smoke cannabis or people who don’t use cannabis at all, those rates are extremely low.

Second, many people who use this treatment don’t come forward because they fear social stigmas, law enforcement or simply don’t want to talk about such a personal issue. Those who do come forward to their doctors or the media are usually dismissed. Doctors attribute cannabis-related cures to spontaneous remission or faulty diagnoses, and the media rarely wants to damage its credibility by having a story about cannabis curing cancer, which initially sounds insane.

It takes a lot of research and conversations with patients to truly understand this issue, and most people in power aren’t willing to take the time to do that.

Nonetheless, the cannabis-extract movement is growing, and the media is slowly beginning to pay attention.

Dr. William Courtney appeared in a video on The Huffington Post on Dec. 1, discussing how he cured an 8-month-old of brain cancer with

just oil (once again, no chemotherapy, radiation or surgery), as well as his cure of a different terminal cancer patient by juicing cannabis.

Dr. Robert Melamede has made news with his publicly traded corporation Cannabis Science’s cures of skin cancer. Today, a group of oil producers and patients in Michigan are holding a “Cannabis Cures Cancer” concert — their second concert of this type — to spread the message.

Furthermore, there have been five documentaries made about cannabis oil curing cancer, and several local news affiliates in Canada and the U.S. have actually run stories about individual patients. Over the past five years, I’ve seen this movement grow from being concentrated mainly in Canada to exploding in Colorado, Washington and Oregon (though surprisingly not too much in California).

This phenomenal growth has only one root — the evidence that cannabis oil works, and that, in my experience, it works better than any other medicine humans currently have access to.

I am happy to share any information I have with anyone who wants it, and connect you with real patients who have been cured of cancer with cannabis oil. I guarantee no matter how skeptical you are, if you look into this matter deeply, you will see how profoundly true and important this really is.

Justin Kander is a senior marketing major.

He can be reached at jkander@umd.edu.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013 | THE DIAMONDBACK

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HOROSCOPE STELLA WILDER

orn today, you don’t always know how to deal with your own personal issues in the most productive way, but you always seem to know what to say or do to help another with his or her similar issues. There is a common notion that those who are adept at lending assistance to others are not always able to assist themselves -- and this is often true of you. Whereas you may know just what is going on with another, you often are at a loss to explain what is going on with you! Fortunately, you are always willing to listen to those who know you best when they offer you counsel or advice, and you’re always willing to do what is best for yourself.

When it comes to money matters, you may approach things in a rather unorthodox fashion. For this reason, you may be up when others are down, and vice versa. Your natural creativity goes a long way toward seeing you through the difficult times -- and your financial success surprises you as much as anyone!

Also born on this date are: Catherine Bach, actress; Ron Howard, actor and director; Pete Rozelle, football commissioner; Robert Conrad, actor; Roger Daltrey, singer; Harry Belafonte, singer.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 2 PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Once you know clearly what is expected of you today, you can begin putting your to-do list together in order to prepare yourself fully.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- It’s a good day to play catch-up -- and some of that time may have to be spent getting caught up on your sleep!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- You can turn a routine endeavor into something special -- for yourself and for those who choose to sign on with you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You may have missed a similar opportunity last year at this time, but today you’re ready to jump at whatever comes your way.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You may find yourself battling against a sudden decline in interest and enthusiasm. You must keep those fires burning!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You can trade something you have for something you want -- but the negotiations may become rather sensitive later in the day.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You may be reliving certain experiences that have never really been resolved.

Today, seek out help from someone who has been in your shoes.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- You’ll want to stay on top of developments as they occur today; communication is the key -- especially as more and more people become involved.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- You can give someone in charge exactly what he or she is asking for -- but you’re not about to abandon your own ideals in the process.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- There are sure to be questions asked today after the impact of what you do is felt by those around you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Something big is just around the corner, but you must resist the temptation to pick up speed and abandon your usual caution.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -Doing all you can may not be quite enough -- but if you can recognize this early enough you will have time to solicit appropriate help.

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THE DIAMONDBACK | FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013

Diversions

SANDY DINOSAURS

Staff writer Eric Bricker talks to Brooklyn two-piece Beach Fossils in advance of their DC9 show tonight.

Senior staff writer Robert Gifford also tells us why we shouldn’t see Jack the Giant Slayer unless we want to watch giants eating their own boogers. For more, check out diamondbackonline.com.

REEL NEWS

of the Chocolate Lovers Festival Committee.

One of the fundamental attractions is the Taste of Chocolate, Annual Fairfax, Va., festival helps cultivate community through shared love of chocolate where chocolate lovers and confectioners — with their creations smiles on our faces when it is received

By Dean Essner proudly on display for purchase — inor presented for special occasions.”

Senior staff writer The initial purpose of the festival, termingle in a jam-packed Old Town Fairfax City’s Chocolate Lovers which first began in 1993, was to draw Hall. Herman said close to 10,000 Festival, an annual event taking place visitors to Old Town Fairfax, as well people attend the festival each year, this weekend, has long served as a as to foster a sense of community something directly attributed to the reminder of how a mutual love for among city government, local busi- recurring success of this specific event. nesses and residents. dessert can bring people together.

Another draw is the Chocolate It has since morphed into some“Chocolate wears so many different Challenge, a food art competition for faces and means such different things thing bigger: a tourist destination.

“There are so many chocolate both amateur and professional bakers to everyone,” said Beverly Myers, Chocolate Lovers Festival commit- lovers around that it really draws sponsored by George Mason Univertee member. “It can warm us when people out to the downtown area,” sity’s nutrition and food studies dewe come in from the cold; it can put said Leslie Herman, chairwoman partment. This year’s judging panel

PREVIEW | CHOCOLATE LOVERS FESTIVAL

sweet showdown

— which evaluates based on taste and “It gives something else for the design — includes Scott Silverthorne, parents to do with their children,” Fairfax mayor, and Food Network star Herman said. “On top of just eating Warren Brown. tons of chocolate.”

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2EVEN FRIDAY, March 1, 2013 | SPORTS | THE DIAMONDBACK

THE DIAMONDBACK THE DIAMONDBACK | XXXDAY, | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER AUGUST XX, 31, 20127

DEVILS

SEMINOLES From PAGE 8

From PAGE 8

when Wolf plays well, the Duke offense puts up big numbers.

In the two games where opponents have held the Blue Devils to single-digit scoring totals, Wolf tallied a combined three points. But in the three games his team topped the 10-goal mark, Wolf has recorded a combined 18 points.

Fellow starters Christian Walsh and Josh Dionne join Wolf to create a lethal attack group.

“They have arguably the best attack in the country,” Tillman said of Duke. “Almost all three of them are going into their third year of starting, so they have a great feel for each other.”

Much of the burden to slow that group down will lie on Bernhardt and his defensive teammates. The Terps, though, can play a part in that effort even when they have the ball.

Duke likes to pressure the ball on defense in an attempt to cause turnovers. And when they do, Wolf and the team’s offense thrive in transition.

“Defensively, they like to play up, press out and like to cause a lot of hectic moments in the middle of the field,” Bernhardt said. “They’re a very

Terps scored the first eight points of the game, and Florida State didn’t muster its first points until almost six-and-a-half minutes had elapsed.

But after the Terps took a 14-6 lead with 10:51 remaining, the Seminoles’ offense heated up. They went on a 15-2 run to take a five-point lead and enter halftime up, 29-25.

In the second half, a frenetic pace took over. In one two-minute span early in the half, the Terps and Seminoles combined to hit four 3-pointers. But after the Terps came within 47-44 with 11:57 left, that pace became too much.

Florida State forward Chelsea Davis keyed a 17-3 run with nine points, including seven from the free-throw line. She overwhelmed Hawkins (16 points, nine rebounds) and center Alicia DeVaughn (four points, seven rebounds) with a low post arsenal that drew much contact.

At the same time, the Seminoles’ defense flummoxed the Terps into committing six of their 21 turnovers during the run.

Coach John Tillman said that even though the Blue Devils have struggled to open the year, there will come a point when they will figure things out. charlie deboyace/the diamondback athletic team.”

The Terps also want to keep the ball so they can put pressure on the Duke goalkeeper.

Dan Wigrizer has started all five of Duke’s games between the pipes, but has posted a sub-par .438 save percentage so far.

The Blue Devils have used four different netminders at various times this season and continue to search for consistency in goal. And tomorrow, they’ll have to deal with a Terps offense that’s averaging 17 goals per game.

Still, the Terps’ success and Duke’s shortcomings thus far

in the season can be put aside tomorrow. The matchup is the first conference test for each team, and it’s a game both squads and their respective fan bases look forward to.

The Blue Devils always seem to give the Terps a battle. So tomorrow, they won’t expect anything less.

“It’s a huge rivalry. Every ACC game is like a championship game in itself,” attackman Billy Gribbin said. “They are going to come out guns blazing, and so are we.” sportsdbk@gmail.com

SCHMEISER From PAGE 8

DEACONS From PAGE 8 players’ performances hardly changed.

They kept forcing oneon-one situations instead of finding the open man. They failed to help teammates on defense and drifted away from the team’s inside-out principles on offense.

“It’s really just focus and mental toughness,” guard Seth Allen said. “You know, when you’re tired, you’ve

got to be able to listen and do what Coach says.”

The Terps have surely spent plenty of time listening to Turgeon since Wednesday.

Instead of heading back to College Park after the Georgia Tech loss, they flew to Winston-Salem, N.C., yesterday for two days of team meetings, film sessions and practices.

After Wednesday’s letdown moved the Terps even further away from the NCAA tournament discussion, the stakes may not be as high as Turgeon would prefer. But that hardly

changes the extended road trip’s top objective. The Terps are facing a Demon Deacons team tomorrow that they routed, 86-60, in one of their best shooting performances of the season at Comcast Center.

It’s time, players figure, to finally help their coach squelch those nagging road woes.

“We’re just a different team on the road,” center Alex Len said. “We’ve got to play the same on the road the way we play at home.” sportsdbk@gmail.com

Watten said. “She has gained a lot of confidence over the past few weekends and gotten a lot stronger.”

Schmeiser’s relentless effort has helped her claw back into the Terps’ pitching rotation, which has been in flux since former ace Kendra Knight’s departure.

Watten hasn’t yet decided on the pitching staff’s ace this season. However, Schmeiser and freshman Maddie Martin are her top candidates at the moment.

Watten said Martin’s strong preseason in the fall is what put her in the conversation for the position; at the time, Schmeiser was still recovering from her operation. Martin got three starts in the team’s first tour-

Guard KatiE Rutan scored a season-high 24 points in the Terps’ 72-71 loss. file photo/the diamondback Davis would finish the game with a team-high 19 points. She shot 9-of-14 from the freethrow line. Three other Seminoles — Deluzio (14 points), forward Natasha Howard (11 points) and guard Leonor Rodriguez (16 points) — would also finish in double figures.

Forward Alyssa Thomas notched her 17th double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds, dishing six assists, but she struggled uncharacteristically from the free-throw line, making just 5-of-12. As a team, the Terps shot a paltry 43.8 percent from the charity stripe.

Despite the 17-point deficit

with 4:31 remaining, the Terps stormed back and had a chance to escape Tallahassee with a victory, but Howard’s heavily contested jumper from the freethrow line was off the mark as time expired. It’s the first time the Terps have lost back-to-back games in more than a year, and they’ll look to avoid entering the postseason on a three-game losing streak Sunday afternoon against Wake Forest.

“I guess we weren’t afraid,” Frese said. “I guess we decided we had nothing to lose, so we played hard.”

nament, but two rough performances the following weekend opened the door for Schmeiser.

She held No. 12 UCLA to four runs through 5.2 innings and No. 8 California scoreless over 2.2, causing Watten to reconsider her options going into the final five games of the Terps’ lengthy road trip.

“It just depends on whoever is going to be the strongest,” she said. “We have the depth in order to be pretty versatile.”

During Schmeiser’s intense bullpen session Tuesday, Martin spent most of the morning in the outfield shagging fly balls or at the plate practicing hitting scenarios. Still, Watten said she prefers Martin as a pitcher, and the Edmond, Okla., native will be a key component of the unit.

But sharing the starting spot on the circle is not something

Schmeiser thinks about too often.

“Obviously, as a competitor, I always want the ball,” she said.

“I always want to be out there every single inning, even if I’m giving up hits.”

After all, Schmeiser has the hot hand. But if she begins to get shellacked, she will accept whatever it takes to help the Terps win — even if that means getting replaced.

Regardless of who is on the field, the Terps know they have to contain the jitters and find their element — just like Schmeiser did Saturday.

“It’s all been mental, you know?” senior infielder Melissa Mancuso said. “Everyone just needs to settle down and be calm going into the games because we know what we’re capable of.”

sportsdbk@gmail.com

sportsdbk@gmail.com

STATLINE Terps women’s basketball guard Katie Rutan’s performance in a 72-71 loss at Florida State

24 6 Points

3-pointers

2 Rebounds

Sports

LOCKED AND LOADED

The hot-hitting Terrapins baseball team will host Princeton this weekend. For more, visit diamondbackonline.com.

Page 8

ON THE WEB FRIDAY, March 1, 2013

MEN’S LACROSSE

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Tomahawk chopped

Late-game mistakes end Terps’ comeback bid in 72-71 loss at Florida State

By Daniel Gallen Senior staff writer

long pole Jesse Bernhardt and the Terps defeated the Blue Devils in the semifinals in each of the past two NCAA tournaments. The senior said those wins up the ante in tomorrow’s rivalry matchup. file photo/the diamondback

Tillman: Duke tough despite early struggles No. 1 Terps play at No. 19 Blue Devils tomorrow

By Aaron Kasinitz Staff writer The Terrapins men’s lacrosse team is well aware that No. 19 Duke has stumbled to a 2-3 start this season. The Blue Devils have dropped 15 spots in the polls over the past month and have lost all three of their games against opponents currently ranked in the top 20.

The No. 1 Terps know all of that.

They just don’t think it’ll matter when they travel to play Duke tomorrow.

The Terps know from experience how motivated the Blue Devils — whom the Terps have ousted in the national semifinals each of the past two years — will be. The Terps knocked off No. 4 Loyola last week to avenge last season’s national championship game loss, so they understand Duke’s drive for revenge.

But even without those tournament matchups lingering in recent memory, the Terps and Blue Devils share one of the sport’s most storied rivalries.

They have battled each other 79 times since 1940, including six times in the past two seasons.

So regardless of Duke’s early

season deficiencies, it won’t be easy for the Terps to escape Durham, N.C., unscathed.

“I can’t even count how many times in the past we’ve played Duke since I’ve been here,” senior long pole Jesse Bernhardt said. “Especially playing in the Final Four the last two years, it definitely ups the ante a little bit.”

John Tillman isn’t convinced Duke’s slow start will last. The Terps’ (3-0) third-year coach has seen the Blue Devils (2-3) struggle in February before, but they always seem to find their groove as the season progresses — they have reached NCAA semifinals in each of the past six years.

“Usually there’s a point and time where it all clicks [for Duke],” Tillman said. “That can happen at any time, and we’re well aware of that.”

In order for the Terps to avoid jumpstarting a Duke turnaround, they’ll need to contain attackman Jordan Wolf. The Blue Devils’ All-American has notched at least 30 goals in each of his first two collegiate seasons, and See DEVILS, Page 7

Standing at the free-throw line with seven seconds left in a 71-71 game, Alexa Deluzio missed once and then hesitated.

The Florida State guard’s fluid shooting motion hitched just for a moment before her second shot clanged off the rim, but that fraction of a second was enough to draw Terrapins women’s basketball center Malina Howard and forward Tianna Hawkins off their marks for a lane violation.

Instead of the No. 9 Terps chasing down a loose ball for the chance to attempt a last-second shot or send the game to overtime, Deluzio returned to the line, sunk her redemptive free throw and gave the No. 24 Seminoles a 72-71 victory before 3,057 at the Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee, Fla. But Deluzio didn’t even need to be at the free-throw line to begin with.

Guard Chloe Pavlech sank a game-tying 3-pointer with 10 seconds remaining to cap a 17-point comeback. On the subsequent inbound play, Deluzio held the ball, content to wait for overtime, but the Terps swarmed her, and Hawkins was called for the foul.

“Tianna lost track in terms of the score,” coach Brenda Frese said. “It doesn’t come down to that play. It doesn’t come down to the last play of the game. It comes down to the plays.

There were a lot of plays to make in this game, and we didn’t make them.”

photo by charlie deboyace illustration by may wildman the diamondback

It nullified guard Katie Rutan’s best performance as a Terp. The Xavier transfer’s sharpshooting ability was on display last night, as she scored a season-high 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 6-of-10 from behind the arc. Her three 3-pointers in the first eight minutes of the second half kept the Terps within four points.

Her final two baskets of the night were part of a 21-5 run that cut the Seminoles’ lead from 64-47 with 4:31 remaining to 69-68 at the 28-second mark.

“They gave me more open shots than I thought I would get,” Rutan said. “I just took them and wanted to put my team in a better position to get back into the game.”

Early on, it appeared the Terps (22-6, 13-4 ACC) were responding from Sunday’s emotional loss to No. 5 Duke, and the Seminoles (21-7, 11-6) were mired in the shooting troubles that caused them to drop their previous two games. The See SEMINOLES, Page 7

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Road woes continue for Terps as they face rematch at Wake Team owns 1-6 ACC road record

SOFTBALL

By Connor Letourneau Senior staff writer

Pitcher Kaitlyn Schmeiser had back surgery in June, and was still recovering at the start of this season.

She’ll pitch for the Terps this weekend at the ESPN Citrus Classic in Kissimmee, Fla. file photo/the diamondback

Back in the circle Fully recovered from June back surgery, pitcher Schmeiser rounding into form

By Paul Pierre-Louis Staff writer Kaitlyn Schmeiser finally returned to a comfort level she hadn’t felt for months when she stepped into the circle Saturday.

It wasn’t her first start of the season for the Terrapins softball team. She didn’t win any games that day, either.

However, for the first time since her back surgery in June, the nerves were gone, her butterflies fluttered away, and she dialed in.

“I finally got back into my groove,” the sophomore pitcher said.

She devoted the offseason to rebuilding her fitness, an effort that started paying off during strong outings against two national power-

houses last weekend. Schmeiser wants to continue that solid play when the Terps play in the ESPN Citrus Classic, starting today in Kissimmee, Fla. On Sunday, she said improving her stamina would be key in maintaining her recent form. With that in mind, Schmeiser did a heavy bike workout Monday night, then pitched to live batters in the bullpen for more than an hour at practice Tuesday morning.

Her goal was to remain focused so the fatigue won’t faze her in games.

That type of training is something Schmeiser takes seriously, evident in her sharp grunts after every single pitch.

“I think her greatest strength is her mentality and her hunger,” coach Laura See SCHMEISER, Page 7

ATLANTA — Mark Turgeon has taken a measured approach to the Terrapins men’s basketball team’s road woes this season.

Using past experiences as a guide, the second-year coach regularly explains that the youthful Terps are right on track. Road wins, Turgeon reasons, will arrive when his unit has a bit more seasoning.

But chronically inconsistent play is beginning to test Turgeon’s philosophy. After falling at two conference cellar dwellers in nine days, a oncepromising campaign is quickly losing traction. And Turgeon — whose Terps face Wake Forest on the road tomorrow — is growing frustrated with his own inability to solve the team’s everevolving problems.

“We just didn’t play very smart,” Turgeon said shortly after the Terps notched a numbing 78-68 loss at Georgia Tech on Wednesday. “If I had an answer, I’d fix it.”

Turgeon has been searching for that answer for more than six weeks.

The Terps have dropped away games in seemingly every imaginable way this season, stumbling to a 1-6 ACC road record.

They scored just 14 first-half points at Miami, tallied 21 turnovers at North Carolina, allowed 11 3-pointers at Duke and lost on a buzzer-beater at Florida State. But those defeats all came against more experienced squads with NCAA tournament potential. The Terps’ most recent shortcomings have proven far more confounding.

Over the past 10 days, Turgeon’s squad has lost to two young teams that boast a combined 9-21 ACC record.

And they did it in front of sparse crowds. Suddenly, age and raucous environments are no longer the blame for the Terps’ woes.

Coach Mark Turgeon and the Terps have lost two road games in the past 10 days against teams near the bottom of the ACC standings. They will try to end that streak tomorrow at Wake Forest. file photo/the diamondback So what’s the problem? Why did they fall flat in consecutive must-win road games against inferior competition?

Center Shaquille Cleare thinks he has the answer. The issue doesn’t reside with the coaching staff, he said Wednesday. It falls on the players’ inability to carry out Turgeon’s instructions.

“I just think guys need to pay attention more in timeouts,” Cleare said.

“Guys be gazing around or whatever, and that hurts me as a player. I can see exactly what Coach is drawing up and he’ll be like, ‘Do you understand?’

We’ll be like, ‘Yeah,’ and then act like

we didn’t know what happened.”

Cleare’s observation backs up Turgeon’s chief complaint this season. He knows his players have enough talent to run the sets and plays he designs.

But for whatever reason, they’re unable to get the job done when the game’s on the line.

That lack of execution has been on full display in the Terps’ past two road losses. In both contests, Turgeon called several second-half timeouts in an effort to keep the Terps within striking distance. But See DEACONS, Page 7