041409

Page 1

ANOTHER CHANCE

THE REALITY OF IT

SPORTS | PAGE 8

DIVERSIONS | PAGE 6

Metric's Fantasies proves Emily Haines' band is a one-woman show

Terps look to end slump today against Binghamton

THE DIAMONDBACK TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2009

99TH YEAR | ISSUE NO. 125

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Student senators to protest prayer N. Campus Mote calls commencement invocation one of few university traditions BY MARISSA LANG AND ALLISON STICE Senior staff writers

University President Dan Mote defended his decision to overrule the University Senate and reinstate a prayer at commencement, saying the university needs to be

went against a senate decision, citing what he said was unconvincing support throughout the campus. The university’s most powerful legislative and advisory body had recommended eliminating the two-minute invocation at

building, rather than abandoning, traditions. “There needs to be a strong force to walk away from tradition,” Mote said, explaining his stance publicly for the first time. “I didn’t feel the strength.” For the first time since assuming the presidency in 1998, Mote

Please See PRAYER, Page 3

DAN MOTE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

‘A LONG YEAR’

sophomore found dead in dorm Residents mourn news of unattended death BY DANA CETRONE AND NICK RHODES

After one year, Latina/o studies minor still struggling

Staff writers

A 20-year-old student from Cambridge was found dead in her Hagerstown Hall dorm room about 4 p.m. Sunday, University Police said. Sophomore Jessica Cole was alone when she died and police do not believe her death is related to an illness or a communicable disease. Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy, and it is unknown when the results will be available, according to University Police spokesman Paul Dillon. Cole’s roommate discovered her body and called 911. The Prince George’s County Fire Department then contacted University Police. Residents of Hagerstown Hall received an e-mail Sunday night informing them of Cole’s death and encouraging them to seek support in light of the tragedy. A meeting was held in the dorm last night for residents to attend. “I think any death of someone that young is just a tragedy, and we think it’s a terrible loss,” Vice President of Student Affairs Linda Clement said. “As a university, we’re trying to help as much as we can, helping the friends and family, making staff available, making psychologists available, just any way we can provide help for students,” Clement added. The university counseling center is available to assist students in need. A studentoperated help line is also available. Sophomore engineering major Zeb Shereef

BY ADELE HAMPTON Staff writer

L

ast year, cries of “Si se puede!” echoed across McKeldin Mall as students celebrated the approval of the U.S. Latina/o studies minor. Today, the battle has changed, but the message is the same: “Yes we can.” Despite early successes and being the first of its kind in the greater Washington area, the program is still facing an uphill battle for funding, faculty and university support. “It’s been a long year of continued struggle,” said Ana Patricia Rodriguez, a long-time advocate of the program and USLT professor. Yesterday marked the one-year celebration of the U.S. Latina/o studies minor. Framed by a year-old banner — decorated with multicolored hands and the symbol of the U.S. Latina/o Studies Initiative — students and faculty spoke about their decade-long struggle to create a university-recognized Latina/o studies program, as the message behind them stood out in big red letters: “I support the U.S. Latina/o Studies Program.” USLT Interim Director Ruth Zambrana will be vacating her post at the end of this semester, though no replacement has been secured. Zambrana could not be reached for comment. Rodriguez added that the search has been limited to faculty

Please See MINOR, Page 2 Journalist Juan Gonzalez discusses the importance of Latinos continuing the fight for recognition while also emphasizing how far they've come.

Please See HAGERSTOWN, Page 3

JACLYN BOROWSKI/THE DIAMONDBACK

Leaving for the NFL with mom at his side

Budget deficit may force department to reduce services

Heyward-Bey’s big leap going smoothly

BY DERBY COX Staff writer

A projected $154 million budget deficit may force WMATA to shut down and reduce services on some of the 72 bus routes that pass through or near the campus, reducing transportation options for students and university employees. Officials in Virginia, Washington and this

BY ERIC DETWEILER Senior staff writer

When the pass left former Terrapin quarterback Sam Hollenbach’s hand, it seemed hopelessly overthrown. But on this overcast March afternoon at the Terp practice field, there were at least two people who believed the ball was catchable. One of them, a short woman in a black dress, was just looking up from searching through her purse for a water bottle to cure a coughing fit brought on by seasonal allergies. “Go get it,” Vivian Heyward-Bey said softly, breaking briefly from an interview with a reporter. As if on command, her son, Darrius, running a deep sideline pattern, turned to look over his opposite shoulder and calmly yelled, “I got it! I got it!” Showcasing the blistering speed that has made him one of the most coveted wide receivers in the 2009 NFL Draft, Heyward-Bey reached out and snagged the errant pass. The play generated applause from the crowd of scouts, players and well-wishers out to watch positional workouts during the Terps’ Pro Timing Day. Heyward-Bey, wearing the same form-fitting red top he wore when registering an NFL Combine-best 4.30-second 40-yard dash just a

Please See HEYWARD, Page 7

TOMORROW’S WEATHER:

WMATA may cut back on bus routes through, near campus state will likely cut $13.5 million in bus services this summer, although the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is also considering offsetting the deficit with fee hikes. “It's unfortunate that it’s coming down to this,” Student Government Association Outlying Commuter Legislator and President-elect Steve Glickman said. “I hope legislators and

Please See METRO, Page 3

Porcari tapped for federal post Former univ. VP sought for deputy secretary of transportation joining the university’s staff. During his more recent stint in the post, Porcari worked on such highprofile projects as the Intercounty A former university vice president Connector and the Woodrow Wilson was nominated to serve as deputy Bridge Project. He also oversaw secretary of the U.S. Department of more than $1 billion in recovery and Transportation on Friday, joining reinvestment projects throughout two deans and an associate director the state. from the university who will also “It’s the state’s loss but the counwork for the Obama administration. try’s great gain,” said Ann Wylie, the John Porcari has served as the JOHN PORCARI current vice president of adminisstate transportation secretary since FORMER UNIVERSITY VP trative affairs. leaving his post as vice president for Porcari, who did not return calls seeking administrative affairs in January 2007. He filled the same role in Gov. Parris Glendening’s administration from 1999 to 2003 before Please See PORCARI, Page 2 BY TIRZA AUSTIN Senior staff writer

Darrius Heyward-Bey heads into the NFL with his mother, Vivian, standing on the sidelines as a consistent source of moral support. MATTHEW CREGER/THE DIAMONDBACK

Rainy/40s

INDEX

NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 CLASSIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

DIVERSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . .6 SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

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