December 10, 2014

The University of Maryland’s Independent Student Newspaper

W E D N E S DAY, D E C E M B E R 10 , 2 01 4

Water main break causes outage in Elkton Hall Denton Quad flooded, building residents left without water services for about 8 hours

By Grace Toohey @grace_2e Staff writer T h i s u n ive rs it y ’s Fa c i l it i e s Management shut off the water in Elkton Hall on Tuesday afternoon after a water main break in the Denton Community, Facilities Management Assistant Director

Christopher Moore said.

Facilities Management sent an email to Denton Community residents at about 12:15 p.m. warning them that the water would be shut off in Elkton Hall. The water was restored as of 11:15 p.m. last night, according to an email sent to its residents.

A n i n itia l ema i l wa rned that

w a te r wo u l d b e t u r n e d o f f i n Elkton and Denton halls, but facilities workers were able to isolate the break and turned off water in only Elkton Hall, Moore said.

Students were upd ated w it h a second ema i l cla ri f y i ng that Denton would not lose water.

The first email instructed affected residents to not use faucets, showers, wash i ng mach i nes, toilets or urinals until notified by See water, Page 2 Water floods part of the Denton Community during a water main break.

stephanie natoli/the diamondback

Cole project price could top similar facilities

By Brittany Cheng @thedbk For The Diamondback

Students pack McKeldin Library to study for their final exams, which will take place next week for most students. SGA’s UMD Finals Week app seeks to reduce stress with animal pictures. rachel george/the diamondback

stress less technology SGA releases second finals week phone app after success in spring

By Taylor Swaak @tswaak27 Staff writer Finals week, often a traumatic, stress-inducing time for university students, is rarely associated with many positives.

But with the second release of the

Student Government Association’s finals app Monday, the week can at least be one that offers organization, adorable pictures of cats and dogs, and free beverages.

The SGA first released “UMD Finals App” — which is offered through the iT unes app store and Google Play for iPhones and

Android devices — during finals week last semester and saw about 2,000 downloads, said Kieran Raftery, a senior computer science major and member of Mobile App Developers, the student club that developed the app.

The iOS app had 56 downloads on Monday, Raftery added.

Students who download the app get free access to various information, such as a GPA calculator, a final exam calendar, information about mental health resources on the campus, campus event schedules, bus schedules, motivational quotes See finals, Page 3

Univ researchers contribute to massive plant index COMPADRE database features open-source data on 598 species

By Joe Zimmermann @JoeMacZim Staff writer University scientists are contributing a whole lot of data to conservation research.

With thousands of hours of input a nd by compi l i ng hu nd reds of studies, university plant science researchers have helped put together the COMPADRE Plant Matrix Database with the Max Planck Institute and other institutions. This

Maile Neel (left) and Judy Che-Castaldo (right) compiled a database of plant data that can be used to determine whether plant species can be taken off of the endangered species list. tom hausman/the diamondback open-source collection of data for 598 species of plants can help scientists and conservationists, sci-

ISSUE NO. 57, OUR 105 TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION

@thedbk

DBKNEWS.COM

Submit tips, comments and inquiries to the news desk at NEWSUMDBK@GMAIL.COM

TheDiamondback

Scan the QR Code to download our mobile app

entists said.

The database gathers data about birth and survival rates for each

SPORTS

species, said Judy Che-Castaldo, a postdoctoral researcher in the plant science department.

“Based on these values,” she sa id, “you ca n esti mate how much the population is going to swell or decline.”

Che-Castaldo and Maile Neel, a plant science professor, were interested in conservation before becoming this university’s two primary contributors to the database at this university. They contributed 30 to 40 percent of the data. This catalog will help them and others find a scientific approach to protect endangered species, they said.

See B1G, Page 2

Stamp officials announce plan to renovate student suite

By Sarah Dean @sarahdeanjourn Staff writer The Student Involvement Suite, which houses about 50 offices in Stamp Student Union for student groups, will undergo major renovations starting in May to accommodate the more than 800 recognized groups on the campus.

As the construction begins, some student organizations will be displaced temporarily from occupying the suite.

The renovations are set to take place after the spring graduation and will not finish until spring 2016, Stamp Director Marsha Guenzler-Stevens said.

See plants, Page 3

See stamp, Page 3

OPINION

EUROPE BOUND

STAFF EDITORIAL: Maintaining transparency

Terrapins men’s soccer goalkeeper Zack Steffen, a sophomore, is nearing a deal with the German Bundesliga club Freiburg, according to reports P. 8

University Police should release details of internal investigations P. 4

SELL most money

DIVERSIONS

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE FILMS We’ve picked the best movies of the year P. 6

ALL YOUR TEXTBOOKS FOR THE

@caylalalahhh

--

7 7 8 8 9 9 ++

44 55 66

11 22 33 == 0 0 CC

OLDER-CUSTOM-LOOSE-LEAF-CLICKERS

When four-star recruit Adam McLean committed to the Terrapins football team Thursday as part of the class of 2015, it might have been a sign that this university’s proposed $155 million plan to turn Cole Field House into a state-of-the-art indoor practice facility is, as many of its proponents have called it, a “game-changer.”

The senior defensive tackle at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg considered facilities, among other factors, when choosing from offers from 31 schools, said Mike Sarni, the defensive line coach at Quince Orchard.

“It’s defi nitely a plus to have that renovation going on,” McLean said.

“It only enhances the program and it only enhances to getting us better as football players and giving us new experiences.”

OPEN LATE SELL BACK BY MAIL

7417 BALTIMORE AVE

24 Sep

Nothing better than Bookholders emailing me saying I got $90 check waiting for me Reply Reply

Retweet Retweet

Favorite Favorite

More More

2

THE DIAMONDBACK | news | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014

b1g From PAGE 1 The Cole plan, which includes a full-length indoor field, administrative offices, a center for innovation and entrepreneurship and a sports medicine center, follows in the footsteps of other power-conference universities engaged in a nationwide “arms race,” in which football programs have been trying to outbuild one another not only on their rosters, but also on their campuses in recent years.

Wisconsin’s $86 million Student-Athlete Performance Center completed construction in January, and Iowa’s $57 million Richard O. Jacobson Football Operations Building opened in September, two years after the Hawkeyes became the last team in the conference to build a permanent indoor practice facility.

Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan have the best football facilities in the country, said Steve

water email. Moore said that officials were working to restore the water, which happened at about 11:00 p.m. last night.

Moore wrote in the email that students could use restrooms at 251 North and showers and bathrooms at Eppley Recreation Center until the water was turned back on.

Sophomore Sara Dignan, an Elkton Hall resident, said the water main break is bad timing, being so close to final exams. She said she also remembers a water main break during final exams last fall when she l ived i n Easton Hall and a power outage in the spring.

“It’s a little frustrating seeing that finals are coming up and you want to be focusing on

Wiltfong, director of recruiting at 247Sports. The Buckeyes spent $2.5 million this summer to renovate their Woody Hayes Athletic Center and another $13.7 million on Ohio Stadium upgrades.

These changes can affect recruiting, said Wiltfong, who has covered recruiting for more than a decade.

“I don’t think it’s that big a role that a young man sitting down says, ‘Oh, I’m going to go to this school because it has the best facilities,’” he said. “[But] you may not even be in the discussion if you don’t have the facilities. … Now Maryland’s going to be on par with what those schools offer.”

Renovating Cole also would have a host of other benefits that could translate off the field, said Kevin Anderson, this university’s athletic director.

“We’re going to really elevate not only the athletic department but also the university,” he said.

“You’re going to have to have a top-10 university and a top-10

vides concrete data to prove that repurposing Cole will have academic benefits, the project is not worth it, said Kaiyi Xie, a 2012 alumnus, former Student Government Association president Richard O. Jacobson and a member of the commisFootball Operations Building sion that recommended cutting eight university nonrevenue sports in 2012.

“Their conclusion is that if we build it, we will [become a Woody Hayes Athletic Center and top-10 university],” he said.

Ohio Stadium upgrades “Then if that’s not true, then does it matter if we even build it? To me it doesn’t matter, it’s with a more immediate impact not justified yet.” athletic department.”

Hershkowitz said he also fears But some project opponents, on this university’s academsuch as 2012 alumnus Steven ics, such as fixing up buildings the department won’t be able to Hershkowitz, think spending along McKeldin Mall that can meet the rest of the fundraising $155 million is too pricey for a get flooded and increasing merit- goal of $105 million in private docouple extra wins during the based pay to retain top faculty. nations in time — it’s short $50 “Universities wait years for a million — because it could turn football season.

Hershkowitz, a student project this big,” he said. “This into another botched project such member of the Board of Regents isn’t a stadium for fans to come as the unfinished Byrd Stadium who voted in favor of this univer- in and enjoy the space. … This expansion plan. That upgrade sity’s move to the Big Ten, said his is only going to be enjoyed by would have added 8,000 seats main issue is the $25 million in football players and some other to the west end of the stadium.

Equally as bad, he added, state funds that would go toward student-athletes.”

Unless this university pro- would be if this university had the project instead of something Student-Athlete Performance Center

$86 million $57 million

$16.2 million

to divert un-earmarked state funds to the project or spend more Big Ten TV revenue, which initially was supposed to go toward not only balancing the athletic department’s debt but also academic causes, including funding scholarships.

“It’s unfortunate that [university President Wallace Loh] has chosen to make athletics his legacy than helping to solve the debt issues of students and recent graduates,” he said.

Constructing an indoor practice complex is a necessity, now that this university is going up against Big Ten schools, Loh said Friday.

“If you don’t have the facilities, you’re putting yourself behind the eight ball. … You just got to have them to keep up with the Joneses,” Wiltfong said.

Senior staff writers Aaron Kasinitz and Ellie Silverman contributed to this report. newsumdbk@gmail.com

“I LOOKED OUT MY WINDOW AND THERE WAS THIS TREMENDOUS PUDDLE.” JOSH SCHWARTZ

Sophomore government and politics major studying and not where you’re going to take the next shower or go to the bathroom,” the government and politics and journalism major said.

Sophomore Josh Schwartz, a Denton Hall resident, said he noticed excessive standing water in the Denton Community this afternoon.

“I looked out my window and there was this tremendous puddle,” the government and politics major said.

“I’m hoping they can solve this as soon as possible.” gtooheydbk@gmail.com

a water main break yesterday afternoon restricted Elkton Hall residents from using faucets, showers, washing machines, toilets or urinals.

stephanie natoli/the diamondback

DBKNEWS.COM

READERS’

CH ICE

AWARDS GET A CHANCE TO WIN A GIFT CARD!

Take your choices to 3136 South Campus Dining Hall M–F 10AM–4PM or register online @ DBKNEWS.COM This is your chance to influence the paper! Make your opinion heard today. Entries will be randomly selected to win prizes from the following businesses:

Wood’s Flowers and Gifts Entry deadline is December 15th, 2014. Results will be published in The Diamondback’s Readers’ Choice Awards on January 27, 2015.

NAME

EMAIL

HOW MANY TIMES/WEEK DO YOU READ THE DIAMONDBACK?

WHICH FORMAT?

At least 15 questions must be completed to be entered for prizes. One entry per person.

Entertainment & Nightlife Best College Park Bar Best Happy Hour Best Drink Specials Best Beer Selection Best Place to Dance Best Place to Hear Live Music Best Sports Bar Best DC Bar / Club Best Movie Theater Best Place for Events Best Adult Entertainment

CLASS LEVEL WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR COPY? PRINT

Food & Beverage

ONLINE

BOTH

Stores & Services

Best All-Around Restaurant

Best Grocery Store

Best Food Delivery

Best Place to Buy Alcohol

Best Late Night Dining

Best Bank

Best Place to go with your Parents

Best Cell Phone Provider

Best Fast Food

Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlor

Best Sandwiches

Best Barbershop

Best Burgers

Best Hair Salon

Best Pizza

Best Tanning Salon

Best Wings

Best Nail Salon

Best Sushi

Best Terpwear

Best Bagels

Best Apparel

Best Desserts

Best Convenience Store

Best Mexican

Best Bargains

Best Italian

Best Shopping Center/Mall

Best Chinese

Best Place to Buy School Supplies

Best Japanese

Best Place to Buy Textbooks

Best Vegetarian

Best Place to Sell Textbooks

Campus Life Best Place to Live On-campus Best Place to Live Off-campus Best University Organization Favorite Study Place Favorite Maryland Sports Team Best Parking Lot Best Professor Best Spring Break Company Best Major

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 | news | The Diamondback

3

plants From PAGE 1

The UMD Finals app, now available for download, was created to help students plan their study sessions, find out their exam times and browse finals week events and specials at the university. Last year, the app received 2,000 downloads. rachel george/the diamondback

finals From PAGE 1 and tips, pictures of animals and finals week operating hours for dining halls, libraries and exercise facilities. “ We d id it b ec au se we wanted to make an app,” said Raftery, noting that the club spent about 40 hours last semester working on it. “I used it [last semester] myself, and it’s easy having all of the information in one place, rather than having to go to various websites the school has.”

Students who downloaded the app last semester must download the app again, as MAD updated the app for the new exam schedule.

A lt h o u g h t h e re a re no new fe at u re s, one m ajor selling point unique to this semester is the app’s partnership with Blaze Pizza,

stamp From PAGE 1 Guenzler-Stevens said her office created a task force and focus groups, working with student organizations to help identify their needs regarding the space.

“What students said they really wanted was places to meet, places to gather, places to be in company with other students and other student g roups, oppor tu n it ies to showcase who they are to potential student members,” she said, “and opportunities for students … wanting to get involved to be able to find and access information.”

With the help of project architect Anthony Frazier, interior designer Vy Horwood and project coordinator Cornell Jones, Guenzler-Stevens reviewed the plans for renovations with leaders of student organizations and administrative faculty yesterday. The project is years in the making.

The renovation will create spaces for student organizations to congregate, with open office space, conference rooms, computer labs, and seating and work areas.

Student g roups w i l l have access to printers, copy machines, computer software,

said Andrew Dilks, a junior computer science major and SGA representative from the computer, mathematical and natural sciences college.

Blaze will offer a free fountain drink with any pizza purchase to students who show t he app on t hei r phones.

The deal is only valid at the College Park location from Friday to Dec. 20, according to the app.

“Last semester, we saw slight resistance with getting a bunch of sponsors to really come forth and give students a desire to download this app,” Dilks said.

“This semester, we decided that focusing more on one company would be a better idea.”

Charmaine Wilson-Jones, a senior government and politics major and the SGA’s vice president of academic affairs, said the SGA is also focused on heavily advertising the app throughout the last week

plasma screens and lockers.

Student organizations will be able to reserve the space for short or long periods of time at the Student Organization Resource Center desk, which Guenzler-Stevens said is one of its major draws. The desk will be staffed anytime Stamp is open.

Guenzler-Stevens said additional storage for student groups will be available in a hallway on the second floor of Stamp, a separate project that is expected to be completed in March. Student organizations will be allotted this space based on an application process.

Senior Russian and Spanish major Teressa Ferraro, president of the Satanic Mechanic Theatre Co., said her organization can use the storage for props and costumes.

“Our props are currently living in one of my housemates’ va ns, a nd there are some costumes under my bed because we don’t h ave enou g h space,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to being able to use the new storage space. That’s going to be huge for us.”

Guenzler-Stevens’ office c on c lu d e d f rom s u r ve y s that most student groups use the office space mainly for storage. But Nandi Mc-

of classes, and it hopes to get 3,000 more downloads this time, as well as ample student feedback to continue improving the app.

“We’re going to be tabling all over campus in the hot spots where people are passing by, and we think we’ll be able to get people to download it on the spot because it’s really easy to do,” Wilson-Jones said.

Wilson-Jones noted that the SGA and MAD would not receive any monetary compensation from the app.

“Our overall goal with this is really just to help students. Entirely, this app is just a service to students,” Wilson-Jones said. “We know that finals week can be tough, and there’s really not much we can do to eliminate finals week, but we can do this to make finals week that much more easy.” tswaakdbk@gmail.com

A species stays on the enda ngered species l ist u nt i l t he U.S. F ish a nd Wi ld l i fe Serv ice determines it is abundant enough to no longer need p ro te c t i o n , N e e l s a i d .

T h is is ca lled recovery, when threats have been removed and species are at a stable population, and the COMPADRE database could help quantify when recovery has occurred.

“We’ve been working on scientific approaches to helping the Fish and Wildlife Service to determine when a species can come of f t he l i st, so at wh at abundance something is secure enough to know it’s protected,” Neel said.

Each of the hu nd reds of studies in the database contains a matrix of data for the numbers of plants at a certain stage of life — seed or adult/juvenile — and how many of them survive, Che-Castaldo said. This information can be used to extrapolate survival data w it h i n t he species a nd among similar plants. “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, f o r most of these species that are endangered, we don’t h a v e t h i s d a t a ,” C h eCa s t a ldo sa id . “ T h at’s

w h y i t’s u s e f u l t h a t w e have so much data for other species, to look for trends or patterns so we can apply t h e m to t h e e n d a n ge re d species.”

By running analyses on these matrices, scientists can predict how certain tactics will change the population of a species over time, CheCastaldo said.

“We can see: If we were able to manage the adults to a c t u a l ly p ro d u c e 10 0 of fspri ng, how does t hat improve the population?” she said.

Data like these can show conser vation ists where to focus thei r money a nd efforts, Neel said. For insta nce, u si ng d ata, researchers can see it’s more effective to protect adult sea turtles than eggs and nesting sites because many hatchling turtles don’t survive into adulthood anyway.

Though COMPADRE deals on ly w it h pl a nt s p e c ie s, Che-Casta ldo is work i ng on a si m i la r database for a n i m a ls, speci f ica l ly for birds, she said.

I n a d d it i o n to h e lp i n g conservation ists, these kinds of data can also help make studying these plants easier. Before, if researchers wanted to study these pl a nt s, t h e y m i g ht h ave to spend yea rs col lecti ng their own data, but now it’s

already available to them, Neel said. “[COMPADRE] takes our data, and then it goes into t h i s worldw id e re sou rce that anybody can access,” Ne e l s a i d . “ It’s op e ns o u rc e . A n y o n e c a n u s e the data for their own purposes and ask larger questions that couldn’t be asked otherwise.”

Margaret Palmer, an entomology professor at this university who was not involved with COM PA DR E, suggested that this kind of openness represents a shift in research priorities.

“Large, open-access databases like COMPADRE are exciting because they open the door to a host of new research,” Palmer wrote in an email. “Ecologists have recently been called out for bei ng u nw i l l i ng to sh a re their data … but COMPADRE and the large number of studies it represents are evidence that the culture is shifting.”

Neel sa id t he d ataba se is straightforward science that can be applied to many problems and hopefully contribute to some conservation solutions.

“That’s our goal,” she said, “to take high-quality basic science and apply it to a critical conservation need.” jzimmermanndbk@gmail.com

The Student Involvement Suite in Stamp Student Union will undergo renovations starting in May to accomodate the roughly 800 recognized student groups on the campus. After construction concludes, students can expect available office and storage space, resources and an environment that invites students to get involved. sung-min kim/the diamondback Cammon, president of the Caribbean Students Association, said this is not always the case.

“It’s our home away from home,” the sen ior fa m i ly science major sa id of the group’s office in the suite.

McCammon said that this physical space can give new members a place to go for information or to get to know the executive board members a nd that it attracts more students to want to become members. It also opens the

door to former members, because without the office, she said, people looking for the organization would not be able to find it.

“Say I come back in 10 years; I’m not sure how I would get in contact with a physical person from the Caribbean Students Association, because we won’t have an office space,” McCammon said.

But Guenzler-Stevens said the renovated space will be more inviting, and she has heard from other students

that approaching the current offices ca n be i nti m idating. To encourage student involvement, she said, the updated space will include a kiosk at the entrance so students can find student organization information.

“I’m just excited for the o t h e r g ro u p s w h o d o n’t have space to have the opportunity to get facilities in the future, and to have meeting spaces and storage spaces,” said junior computer science and econom-

ics major Cameron Malagar, treasurer of the Filipino Cultural Association.

“We also want it to look ver y d i f ferent t h a n a nywhere else in the building, to be almost the showpiece of the building,” GuenzlerStevens said, “to say, ‘Who’s our primary stakeholders here? Students,’ and ‘What do we benefit from? Students’ leadersh ip a nd students’ engagement.’” sdeandbk@gmail.com

NO MORE TERRAPIN YEARBOOK! No Editor – No Terrapin!

No one has applied to be Editor-in-Chief of the Terrapin Yearbook.

We will extend the deadline for applications until Friday, December 12th.

Applications can be picked up in the Diamondback Business Office, 3136 South Campus Dining Hall, 9:30am-4:30pm.

TERRAPIN 1897-2015

R.I.P.

4

THE DIAMONDBACK | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014

OPINION

EDITORIAL BOARD

Laura Blasey Editor in Chief

MATT SCHNABEL Managing Editor

CAROLINE CARLSON Opinion Editor

Cleaning up collegiate cursing

Externalize internal investigations

O

Opinion Editor

CONTACT US 3150 South Campus Dining Hall | College Park, MD 20742 | opinionumdbk@gmail.com PHONE (301) 314-8200

STAFF EDITORIAL

n Friday, after two weeks of oncampus protests against police militarization and the decisions not to indict the police officers who killed Eric Garner and Michael Brown, University Police Chief David Mitchell released a statement addressing activists’ demands.

Students gave university officials with a list of requests during a Nov. 24 march on the Main Administration Building, and Mitchell’s statement aimed to put to rest those demands, which included requiring University Police officers to wear body cameras, establishing a police review board and releasing an official statement expressing solidarity with the community of Ferguson, Missouri.

Mitchell’s response tackled nearly all of the protestors’ qualms head on.

University Police will begin wearing body cameras this spring semester, he wrote, and the department likely will hold video files for two to three months.

The department also will establish an advisory council composed of student groups, faculty and staff members that will meet regularly.

Though Mitchell does not plan to issue a formal statement on the events surrounding Ferguson, he wrote that he has publicly condemned police actions in that community.

And while one of protestors’ paramount demands, that University Police return all weapons and armored vehicles granted by the U.S. Defense Department’s 1033 program, went unmet, this editorial board and University Police repeatedly have upheld such weapons and vehicles as crucial in combating potential active shooter scenarios on the campus.

The past few weeks have been an exercise in professionalism from University Police, which sent officials to several

Follow @theDBK on Instagram!

MAGGIE CASSIDY

student-led town hall meetings and had thorough, reasonable responses to the overwhelming majority of demands and critiques of the department.

Yet one answer in particular sullied the University Police record. Protestors called on the university to “provide full transparency between [University Police] and the campus community.”

OUR VIEW

To maintain transparency, University Police needs to release all details of its internal investigations.

Mitchell’s rejoinder to the admittedly vague request — that the department would continue to publish its Internal Affairs Annual Report and he would present it annually to the advisory council and the Student Government Association — didn’t quite ring hollow.

Upon closer examination, however, the department chief’s reassurances fall short of his stated transparency goals.

University Police reported that it carried out 13 internal investigations into officer conduct last year, up from six in 2012. The rise in itself is concerning but hardly unprecedented; in 2010, the department carried out 39 misconduct investigations, compared with 17 in 2011, 21 in 2009 and 14 in 2008.

What’s far more disturbing is that beyond cursory descriptions of the misconduct allegations and the final decisions, details of these internal investigations aren’t available to the public. No information about the handling or specifics of the cases are included in University Police’s public reports.

Mitchell said the department is prohibited by law from disclosing further details about the closed cases, citing state personnel laws and the Family Educational Rights and Protection Act. Personnel laws protect the confidentiality of records of individuals’ employment files, and FERPA states that student records are private.

However, multiple legal professionals told The Diamondback that neither personnel laws nor FERPA would apply to University Police files on internal investigations. Moreover, in 2010, a state appeals court ruled that employee conduct investigation files are not protected documents under state personnel laws.

As University Police undergoes its regular accreditation process this week to determine whether it is adhering to federal procedural standards, it’s important to note that simple compliance often isn’t enough. The department currently holds a gold standard level from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, and it might well hold on to that distinction.

Yet mistakenly (or intentionally) withholding information from the university community under false legal pretense undermines University Police’s commitment to transparency.

“As Chief of Police, I value the relationship this department shares with the campus community — one that is based on transparency, trust and dialogue,” Mitchell wrote Friday.

Of those three key points, University Police have demonstrated commitment to opening and maintaining dialogue with the university community. But without transparency, which includes making details of its internal investigations publicly available, the department will find it difficult to gain the trust of those it serves.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

munication skills to express yourself and your emotions in an intentional and thoughtful manner. Our behavior must change to suit workplace environments if we are to become the successful professionals we are studying to be.

The downside to harsh language isn’t only apparent in particular settings but in its daily overuse. We use these no-no words to describe nearly everything. With every harsh syllable uttered, the impact of those words decreases, leading us to a point at which they will be practically meaningless.

Keeping cussing to a minimum will sustain the value of those words.

It’s not easy to rein in excessive expletives, so kudos to you if you accept the challenge. Luckily, abandoning your questionable vocabulary is a great opportunity for creativity. Try replacing a profane term with another word that will get the job done without the dubious connotation. A few of my personal favorite appropriate words and phrases (that sound like they might not be) include “bicuspid,” “French toast” and “snapdragons.”

Imagine how quickly you will command a room when you shout, “Fracking!” after spilling coffee on your lecture notes. The chance of getting a few laughs is about 100 percent, but I’d say making someone smile and challenging your brain makes your quirky vocabulary modification a worthwhile endeavor.

Of course, none of this is to say that expletives don’t have their place.

Anyone who has slammed a finger in a car door or woken up late for a final can tell you that. The key, as with most indulgences, is moderation.

Language is a power tool we have to wield responsibly. We must be mindful of the words we use to express ourselves and cognizant of how our vocabulary affects how others perceive us.

DANIELLE WILKIN SENIOR

Y

ou don’t need to be a linguistics expert to know that today’s youth are fascinated with profanity. As college students, we shout obscenities left and right with relative impunity. But the daily use of demerit-worthy words makes it necessary to decide how to let profane language impact our vocabulary.

The most obvious con of using foul language is that you are not always in the ideal setting for these words to come flying out of your mouth. You never know whether the obscenity you mutter at Thanksgiving dinner will send Aunt Mildred into a tizzy. And while it might be hilarious that the only syllable my baby cousin can say is a nickname for Richard, we can all agree it would probably be better if he could say “da-da” instead Even if you are not concerned with the fragile, impressionable ears of children and the elderly, you have to concede that an inappropriately timed expletive can land you in real trouble. I’m sure none of us want to be the one who responds to a PowerPoint slide malfunction during a presentation with an F-bomb. The habit of using bad language puts you at much higher risk for making a detrimental verbal blunder.

As career-minded young adults, we have to start considering the differences between our personal and professional selves. While a slip of the tongue in class might result in a poor grade on an assignment, the use of expletives in the workplace has a definite impact on your bosses’ and coworkers’ perceptions of you.

Frequent swearing projects an Danielle Wilkin is a senior biology and image of immaturity. Even if you are science education major. She can be mature, you appear to lack the com- reached at dwilkindbk@gmail.com.

GUEST COLUMN

Should tactical nukes be used against ISIS?

T

ALEX CHIANG/the diamondback

POLICY

Signed letters, columns and cartoons represent the opinions of the authors. The staff editorial represents the opinion of The Diamondback’s editorial board and is the responsibility of the editor in chief.

A second menace to our freedoms people on death row? Did you know that prosecutors are entitled to full civil immunity under most circumstances?

The implications of these facts are JUNIOR terrifying: There are virtually no conack in the 1960s, the U.S. Supreme sequences for prosecutors who commit Court took on the job of expand- Brady violations. Once in a while, one ing our civil liberties like never might face disciplinary action, but the before. Most of us are aware of cases key phrase is “once in a while.” To give a such as Miranda v. Arizona, from which sinister example, enter John Thompson, the famous Miranda warning gets its the respondent in the 2010 Supreme name. But there is a more obscure, yet Court case Connick v. Thompson.

In 1985, Thompson was accused of no less important, case known as Brady v. Maryland. In this case, the Supreme murder. He spent 14 years on death row Court decided that prosecutors have a in Louisiana State Penitentiary, his exconstitutional duty to turn in all excul- ecution postponed numerous times patory evidence to the defense before until his defense team found DNA test a plea is entered. The court held that results from an earlier case, withheld by requiring the state to do so was part of the prosecuting authorities, that proved the due process clause of the Fourteenth Thompson wasn’t guilty. After a retrial with this evidence now shown in court, Amendment.

As a result of the ruling, the pros- the jury acquitted him and ended his ecution in a trial must disclose to the prison time. However, the acquittal was defense evidence such as plea bargains not the end of it; Thompson rightfully made by cooperating witnesses, mate- wanted justice, and he pursued it with rial to impeach witnesses’ credibility a lawsuit in 2005 against the Orleans and any other materials that cast doubt Parish. A jury awarded Thompson $14 million as a result of his time in prison. on the defendant’s guilt.

However, the parish appealed the Did you know that failures to disclose “Brady materials” have put innocent award before the Supreme Court. In

GONZALO MOLINOLO

B

a sickening move, the Supreme Court reversed the lower court’s decision to award the former death row inmate any compensation. The court ruled that “a district attorney’s office cannot be held responsible for failing to properly train its employees when the plaintiff can only prove a single violation of Brady v. Maryland.”

At this point, one has to wonder which of these two actions is more sickening: the prosecutor’s disregard for due process, or the Supreme Court’s willingness to bend over backward for these criminals. How many more Thompsons does this country need — 1,000? Two thousand? Here’s my suggestion: zero Thompsons. Let’s have a system in which prosecutors are afraid of breaking the law and afraid of becoming the very criminals they themselves put behind bars. Let’s have a system where the principles of Brady v. Maryland are actually enforced. If it’s not violent cops who will destroy us, it’s unaccountable prosecutors.

Gonzalo Molinolo is a junior history major. He can be reached at gmolinolodbk@gmail.com.

here is something strange about the United States’ preoccupation with Ukraine in that it has nothing to do with communism, which was its main concern regarding that country in decades past. But its old worries about communism didn’t single out regions in the Soviet Union for special attention. Its concern was for the whole empire and the rest of the world.

Before 1917, when Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire under the czars, the U.S. evinced little concern over Ukraine or anywhere else in the empire. That area of the world has returned to its pre-1917 political state of more-or-less right-wing a u t h o r i ta r i a n gove r n m e n ts similar to the czars’, or at least of noncommunist governments, so why hasn’t the United States returned to its pre-1917 apathy toward Russia?

Is it because of nuclear weapons, which the czar obviously did not have? If so, this concern is misplaced, as Russia’s current interest in expanding its borders, possibly near the extent of the former Russian Empire, isn’t going to increase its nuclear capabilities by much.

Or is it a fear that Russia will become communist again if it doesn’t stay in the bounds of the existing Russian Federation? This fear also is unrealistic, as the fall of the USSR in 1991 didn’t require the breakup of the Soviet empire.

Whatever the explanation, the United States might be passing up an opportunity to get Russia’s assent in introducing tactical nuclear weapons into the Middle East against ISIS. Now, I’m not advocating actual use of tactical nukes, as even this might result in more harm than it prevents. But the main obstacle to the U.S. using nuclear

weapons since perhaps the Korean War has not been technical, but that Russia was similarly armed. There was a fear of precipitating a nuclear holocaust if even tactical nuclear weapons were used, though President Dwight D. Eisenhower threatened their use in Korea in 1953 to end the Korean War. So I, like Eisenhower, am arguing for their threatened use, not actual use — and perhaps for bringing weapons into the region of conflict, as Eisenhower did, to heighten their threatening power.

I am aware of that tried-andtrue advice to never make a threat you’re not prepared to carry out. But I don’t think this applies to nuclear weapons. Merely suggesting their use can be enough to get results, even if the enemy is sure you won’t use them.

We didn’t really need to drop the atomic bomb on Japan. We could’ve unilaterally ended World War II in July 1945 after successfully testing the bomb, on whatever terms Japan was agreeable to, rather than fight on for about a month, and the world would be no worse off today. And if we had kept our nuclear monopoly after World War II, even if doing so had required some conventional weapons, we would have far greater prestige in the world today.

Certainly, we would need Russia’s OK to introduce nuclear weapons into the Middle East, as Russian President Vladimir Putin would need our OK to introduce them into some local situation, which probably has been the case since at least the Korean War. And Putin’s approval would perhaps be forthcoming. After all, Russia is an ally of Syria, and Syria has benefited from the conventional bombing of ISIS by the Obama administration.

Jonathan S. Miller is a geography graduate student. He can be reached jsmiller@umd.edu.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 | The Diamondback

5

FEATURES CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Feudal tenant 7 Play the ponies 10 Big name in baroque 14 Tinsel strand 15 Santa -- winds 16 Ms. Fitzgerald 17 Interstellar dust cloud 18 Dream phenom 19 River near Stonehenge 20 Apology, maybe (hyph.)

23 “-- the Vampire Slayer” 26 Ron who played Tarzan 27 Porkers’ plaints 28 Singer Bluesman -- Redding 29 Whichever 30 Voight of film 31 Improvise 32 Mach 1 exceeder 33 Travel need 37 I, to Wolfgang 38 Ernesto Guevara 39 Feel sick 40 Mauna -41 Party provisioner 43 Compass pt.

44 D.C. tax org.

45 Hr. fraction 46 “Ego” ending

47 48 51 52 53 56 57 58 62 63 64 65 66 67

Stadium walkway Purse holder “The Greatest” Malt-shop orders Giant strides (2 wds.)

Radius companion -- chi Spuds -- -- were “That Girl” Jaguar cousin Pedestal Yes, in Japan Shah’s domain

24 25 29 30 32 33

City near Syracuse Struggle White-faced Beam Movie-to-be Highland girl

34 35 36 42 46 47

Epic by Homer -- Jean Baker Pants Flow from Urbana eleven Roll-call list

48 49 50 51 52

Pigeon Oklahoma city Sari sporters Iowa commune Gap

54 Where Bryce Canyon is 55 Surmounting 59 Loop trains 60 French monarch 61 Depot (abbr.)

DOWN 1 Monsieur’s wine 2 Stretchy bandage 3 Family mem.

4 Marks up, as shoes 5 Cul-de-sac 6 Rangy 7 By a whisker 8 Adversary 9 Tractable 10 Forming droplets 11 Lead Chipmunk 12 Dull thud 13 Puts up drapes 21 Hub 22 Casserole tidbit 23 Eyewash acid

© 2014 UNITED FEATURES SYNDICATE

PREVIOUS DAY’S PUZZLE SOLVED:

TODAY’S CROSSWORD SPONSORED BY:

D.P. Dough

®

Delivers Calzones

THE ORIGINAL CALZONE COMPANY

WED.

12/10 2 FOR $12

THURS.

12/11 MAUI WOWI

FRI.

12/12 CHEESEBURG

SAT.

12/13 CHEEZE

SUN.

12/14 CHICK-NBACON

MON.

12/15 BBQ CHICKEN

TUES.

12/16 COMBAT ZONE

(11:30 AM-2 AM) (11:30 AM-3AM) (OPEN 24 HOURS) (OPEN 24 HOURS) (OPEN 24 HOURS) (OPEN 24 HOURS) (OPEN 24 HOURS)

$6

Zone of the Day!

ORDER ONLINE @ WWW.DPDOUGH.COM

8145 J Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD • 301-614-9663

COLLEGE INTUITION

B

HOROSCOPE | STELLA WILDER

orn today, you are perhaps the most private individual born under your sign -- or under any sign, for that matter. Your personality is largely inward -- that is, the most vibrant part of your life is what goes on beneath the surface, and this is hot, emotional, always changeable and highly volatile. On the surface, however, you almost always seem calm and collected, or even cool and detached. You don’t always go out of your way to meet new people or to mix and mingle with those you do not know well; rather, if solitude is not an option, you prefer to be with family and close friends you have known for quite a while. You never fear being by yourself, and you often do your best work on your own.

You see things in unique ways. You are not the kind to subscribe to the thoughts, feelings or beliefs that are most popular, and you would rather undergo all manner of difficulties than adopt a way of thinking that is not wholly true to yourself. To you, honesty and self-knowledge are paramount.

Also born on this date are: Emily Dickinson, poet; Bobby Flay, celebrity chef; Michael Clarke Duncan, actor; Susan Dey, actress; Dan Blocker, actor; Kenneth Branagh, actor and filmmaker; Dorothy Lamour, actress; Fionnula Flanagan, actress; Chet Huntley, journalist; Rod Blagojevich, former Illinois governor.

To see what is in store for you tomorrow, find your birthday and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday star be your daily guide.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -You’ve earned the opportunities that you enjoy, and you’ll want to make the best of each and every one. Don’t be distracted.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- A mistake you make early in the day can be corrected later on, but it may take you more time to get the thought of it out of your head.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You are keenly aware of what is going on around you, and of how it affects you inside and out. Confidence is on the rise.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Your turn is coming. In the meantime, you’ll want to be as supportive as possible of those who are doing their best to do their part.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -What you say, and whom you say it to, will be noticed by those on the periphery. They’re likely to be taken by your style and class.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- No technological assistance can help you with the major issues.

You must depend on your own instincts and experience.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Something may finally make sense to you that has been a mystery -- or at least a puzzle -- for some days or weeks.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- A recent development means more today than it did when it originally transpired -- though your involvement has surely made a difference.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- You have time to get something done before the due date, provided you have done the necessary research into all key issues.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You’ll be able to go the distance, but the trick will be keeping it interesting for your audience.

Charisma plays its part.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- How you start the day, and how you finish it, will determine the level of your success. The middle of the day is more routine.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -The harder you swing, the farther the ball will travel, but you have to make contact in the first place.

Accuracy is everything.

COPYRIGHT 2014 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.

TODAY’S HOROSCOPE SPONSORED BY:

THE DIAMONDBACK

Finals Week Issue

On newsstands beginning Monday, Dec. 15, 2014

RICHIE BATES INSOMNIAC

DIAMONDBACK CLASSIFIED DEADLINE

ALEX CHIANG

SU | DO | KU © Puzzles by Pappocom

Fill in the grid so that every row, column, and 3x3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9.

PREVIOUS DAY’S PUZZLE SOLVED:

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:

MEDIUM

TODAY’S SUDOKU PUZZLE SPONSORED BY:

THE DEADLINE FOR PLACING A CLASSIFIED AD IN THE LAST DIAMONDBACK OF THIS SEMESTER, MONDAY, DECEMBER 15TH, IS:

follow the Diamondback on twitter

@thedbk

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11TH AT 2 P.M. DIAMONDBACK BUSINESS OFFICE 3136 SOUTH CAMPUS DINING HALL

301-314-8000

BRANCHING OUT

OFF CAMPUS HOUSING GUIDE

Available at The Diamondback 3136 South Campus Dining Hall

DR. STUART D. SCHATZ 301-277-6100

MY CELL PHONE REPAIRS

We Specialize in All Repairs 7401 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740

10-8 Mon.-Fri. • 11-7 Sat. • 12-5 Sun.

301-985-5111

10 OFF

$

with coupon

6

THE DIAMONDBACK | wednesday, december 10, 2014

DIVERSIONS

I DON’T WANT MARIAH CAREY FOR CHRISTMAS Enough with the stupid Mariah Carey song — senior staff writer Danielle Ohl writes about her disdain for “All I Want for Christmas is You” and Christmas diva Carey on dbknews.com.

ON THE SITE

ESSAYS | FILMS OF THE YEAR

BEST

of

2014 films

photos courtesy of youtube.com

2014 brought stories of Groot, teens with cancer, a boy growing up, jazz drumming, a rebellious heroine, the world through a woman’s eyes and a washed-up actor

Birdman or (The unexpected virtue of ignorance)

Boyhood is a small fragment of just one kid’s life, but it’s beautiful and powerful, and reminds us of how important every moment can become.

By Michael Errigo @DBKDiversions Senior staff writer

jraederdbk@gmail.com

the fault in our stars

“Unique” is not quite the right word to describe Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), but I’m struggling to find anything else. I’ll say this: There are aspects of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s film I would call genius, artistic, entertaining, beautiful, magical, confusing and just plain weird. The performances are almost all brilliant, especially that of Edward Norton (The Grand Budapest Hotel), and the directing is stunningly imaginative. The script is smart and layered, the kind of work that only comes every couple of years.

That kind of complex, unique (there’s that word again) quality makes Birdman the best film of the year. But trust me, the movie is better seen than described. To wrap up Birdman into one word would be a fool’s errand; an easier task is to watch it and enjoy it. merrigodbk@gmail.com

boyhood

By Jonathan Raeder @jonraeder Staff writer Boyhood is that rare film that stands apart from the rest not only because of its quality, but because the sheer act of making it was an enormous undertaking — something never done before. Filmed over the course of 12 years and featuring the actors aging on-screen, Boyhood didn’t have the luxury of planning events. It adapted to whatever happened in the world from 2002 to this year. Richard Linklater and his talented cast and crew have created an ode to boyhood, a love letter to growing up and the heartaches and nostalgia associated with it.

Boyhood’s main character is now 20, so many of his childhood experiences were shared by students at this university, giving us a look back on a life from which we aren’t so far removed. The film, for the most part, doesn’t focus on big life moments.

Instead, it revels in those small memories we keep coming back to us for reasons we don’t quite understand.

By Mel DeCandia @melephant11 Staff writer It’s common knowledge that bigbudget action films hit theaters in the summer, while studios nearly always release romantic comedies around Valentine’s Day, with dinner-and-amovie dates in mind. This summer, though, the film adaptation of John Green’s bestselling young-adult novel The Fault in Our Stars flipped the formula on its head.

The Fault in Our Stars is far from your typical romantic movie, though.

For one, it doesn’t romanticize illness as some other books-turned-movies have (see: My Sister’s Keeper, A Walk To Remember). It’s quite possibly the greatest work of tragic realism at the cinema this year.

The movie also doesn’t trivialize its young characters just because they’re young: The high-schoolers at the center of the film are thoughtful and intelligent, albeit a little foolish. They have flaws, but they aren’t defined by them.

As terminal protagonist Hazel Grace Lancaster, Shailene Woodley (Divergent) secures her status as young Hollywood royalty, and breakout star Ansel Elgort (Divergent) is as much of a heartthrob as his character, Hazel’s love interest Augustus Waters, is.

When I saw the film opening night, the theater was a symphony of laughter, then swoons, and eventually sniffles and sobs. Just as Hazel admits to falling in love with Gus — “slowly, and then all at once” — I, and seemingly everyone else at that midnight showing, fell in love with the film. mdecandiadbk@gmail.com

gone girl

By Leo Traub @LeoTraub Staff writer Gone Girl is a stressful movie. It’s not the sort of film you can sit back and enjoy; it’s the engaging sort that grabs

you by your lapel and spins you around until you’re dizzy. Similar to how you might enjoy an upside-down roller coaster, Gone Girl upends your sense of reality and leaves you a bit breathless.

It’s hard to get too far into Gone Girl’s plot without spoiling anything, and to the credit of ever-capable director David Fincher (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), the trailers tease just enough without giving away anything important.

Ben Affleck (Runner Runner) plays Nick Dunne, a writer whose wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike, What We Did on Our Holiday), disappears under incriminating circumstances, leading to a media circus with Nick at the center.

The truth of the couple’s relationship is questioned, and we delve into the psychology of love, marriage and power. We also get unusually dark performances by Tyler Perry (Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Neighbors from Hell) and Neil Patrick Harris (A Million Ways to Die in the West).

Through the movie’s twists and turns, Fincher plays mind games and stimulates your concepts of truth and doubt. A satisfying 149 minutes that’s worth more than a single rewatch, Gone Girl had me hanging onto every word. ltraubdbk@gmail.com

Guardians of the Galaxy

By Dustin Levy @DustinBLevy Staff writer Superhero movie fatigue was setting in when a movie based on a littleknown comic came along this summer and proved the genre can still be mined for originality.

OK, Guardians of the Galaxy might have served as another spoke on the endlessly spinning Marvel Studios wheel, but director James Gunn elevated the film from the standard superhero movie fare. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in a movie theater, and maybe that’s because it was so unexpected for the genre.

Irreverence is not new to superhero movies — The Avengers drew success from witty banter and a flippancy — but Guardians of the Galaxy took this to a new level. Some of this came from the source material, as characters like Groot and Rocket Raccoon made the film’s humor seem appropriate, but it’s evident Gunn’s vision involved standing out with a distinctly cool

style rather than blending in with the methodic crowd.

The film instead distinguished itself with sleek and quirky visual effects, a nostalgic soundtrack and a talented cast, led by Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) in a star-making role as the self-proclaimed Star-Lord, who heads up a ragtag gang of criminals to fight evil in the universe.

From the moment Pratt dances through ruins and into our hearts up until a baby Groot steals the show with his adorable moves, it was obvious Guardians of the Galaxy set out to show that the superhero movie formula doesn’t have to feel rigid.

Skin says about consciousness and humanity, because the film is an act of such precise yet savage deconstruction.

Brought to life by a career-best performance from Scarlett Johansson (Lucy), the main character in Under the Skin sees the human world through such clinical alien eyes that it begins to rub off on the viewer after a while.

The film steadily tears down almost all notions about society and the human condition while inducing large amounts of panic and anxiety.

You’re left with a profound sense of loneliness and existential dread. Few movies are as unnerving as this one. wzhangdbk@gmail.com

dlevydbk@gmail.com

whiplash

the hunger games: mockingjay, part one

By Eric Bricker @EricCBricker Senior staff writer

By Julia Reed @DBKDiversions For The Diamondback The Hunger Games series came at a perfect time. There was an empty place in our hearts after the Harry Potter movies came to a close, and The Hunger Games successfully filled that void. Part One of The Hunger Games’ third installment is the best Hunger Games movie yet and one of the best movies of the year. Everything from graphics to acting was elevated in Mockingjay.

Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men: Days of Future Past) is partially responsible for Mockingjay’s appeal. Movies often struggle to have a badass female character. Mockingjay manages to showcase a powerful woman without slamming a feminist agenda in viewers’ faces.

Reading the book before watching the movie is a good idea, but Mockingjay is clear without that context. Just watch the previous Hunger Games films first.

Mockingjay is the perfect balance of darkness, action and wit, making it a perfect addition to The Hunger Games. diversionsdbk@gmail.com

under the skin

By Warren Zhang @auberginecow Senior staff writer Under the Skin is all about alienation.

The movie is an immensely abrasive experience, bombarding viewers with unsettling images, sounds and thoughts.

It’s hard to pin down what Under the

From its legato opening moments to its skull-rattling finale, Whiplash utterly pulverized me, in the best way.

No other film this year (including Birdman) conveyed so much about art and the maniacs who devote their lives to it so economically and effectively.

Using competitive jazz drumming as the lens to its side-eyed look at the pursuit of artistic glory and the cycles of abuse that might make that pursuit pay off, Whiplash is more even-keeled than its jazz milieu would suggest. The film functions more like a surgical needle; writerdirector Damien Chazelle’s clean cuts and roving takes deliver adrenaline in a long, slow, inescapable crescendo.

And this is to say nothing of the performances. J.K. Simmons (The Legend of Korra) turns bullshit into beat poetry as an effusive jazz teacher. But it is Miles Teller (Two Night Stand) who truly startles: His character might be beaten down, but the actor quietly owns the movie, turning a hollow stare and a few twists of the mouth into mountains of meaning. He is the embodiment of Chazelle’s craft: sparse, spry and all the more affecting for it.

There were better films this year, but Whiplash will be deservedly remembered as one of the greats: It is a totally singular and virtuosic piece of filmmaking and seems destined to launch Teller and Chazelle into new realms of fame.

Oh, and the soundtrack’s amazing. ebrickerdbk@gmail.com

CLASSIFIED RATES 35¢ per word ALL CAPITAL LETTERS Bold Letters

$3.50 minimum 35¢ extra per word 70¢ extra per word

CLASSIFIED DISPLAY ADS • Larger type • Sold in 1” increments • One column wide • $33.00/column inch • Run online at no additional cost OFFICE HOURS 10AM – 4PM Monday – Friday • 3136 South Campus Dining Hall DEADLINES The deadline for ads is 2PM • 2 business days in advance of publication SPECIAL Run the same ad 4 consecutive days and get the 5th day FREE!

TO PLACE AN AD: PHONE 301-314-8000 EMAIL ADVERTISING@DBK.UMD.EDU FAX 301-314-8358

v m A

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

One block from campus – PARTIALLY FURNISHED HOUSE. Will accept lease through May. Dr. Kruger: 301-408-4801.

WALK TO CAMPUS – 4502 Guilford Road, Apartment A. 1 Bedroom Apartment, 1 full bathroom. Bedroom has 3 closets and large enough for two. Full kitchen and nice size living room. NOT A KNOX BOX. $690. Call Kay Dunn 301-699-1863 or email dunnrentals@aol.com.

WALK TO CAMPUS – 4502 Guilford Road, Apartment B. 2 Bedroom Apartment, 1 full bathroom. Bedrooms are both same size and large enough for two. Fireplace, central A/C, full kitchen, living room and dining area. NOT A KNOX BOX. $1425.

Call Kay Dunn 301-699-1863 or email dunnrentals@aol.com.

Furnished room in 5 bedroom house.

Available 1/15/15. $575, utilities included.

240-793-8860. www.och.umd.edu ad #131077.

WALK TO CAMPUS – 6807 Baltimore Avenue. 5 Bedroom House, 2 full bathrooms, washer, dryer, 2 kitchens and large basement. $3550. Call Kay Dunn 301-699-1863 or email dunnrentals@aol.com.

WALK TO CAMPUS – 7409 Columbia Avenue. 4 Bedroom House, 2 full bathrooms.

Central A/C, washer, dryer, dishwasher. $2985. Call Kay Dunn 301-699-1863 or email dunnrentals@aol.com.

A unit in two-bedroom apt. 10 minutes from UMD available from 1/1/15. Shared kitchen and living room. Fully furnished. $1020 includes utilities and parking. Gym, pool and HD cable TV available. Female tenant preferred. Contact Tisha at 646546-8709 or tishalim01@gmail.com.

WALK TO CAMPUS – 7007 Dartmouth Avenue. 5 Bedroom House, 2 full bathrooms, washer, dryer, dishwasher, front porch and back deck. $3275. Call Kay Dunn 301-699-1863 or email dunnrentals@aol.com.

SERVICES DISSERTATION EDITING — Theses, term papers. Style manual experts.

301-474-6000. www.CompuMediaUSA.com/academic NEED MONEY FOR RENT? — Call 301-314 -8000, 10 am - 4 pm, Monday - Friday, to place a classified ad and sell your extra stuff!

All Classified & Classified Display Ads will run online at no additional charge. ¿ ONLINE

ALL ADS MUST BE PREPAID

JACKIE’S LAUNDRY SERVICE

NEVER DO LAUNDRY AGAIN!

We will wash, dry & fold your laundry.

PLUS pick-up and delivery! $1.50/lb. – cash, check or credit For more info please call

202-669-6297

get connected > DBKNEWS.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014 | SPORTS | The Diamondback

7

BASKETBALL From PAGE 8 be ready to play,” Pfirman said after the game.

“How you practice is how you play, so I go out, I just enjoy it.”

Pfirman has also been the Terps’ most efficient shooter this season. She has gone 26for-41 from the floor, good for a 63.4 shooting percentage.

Pfirman found success on the defensive end of the floor against the Tigers as well. She entered the matchup with one block on the season, but swatted away two Towson shots to lead the team.

Afterward, she called it “one of the best” defensive outings she has had.

IMPROVED PASSING

GOALKEEPER ZACK STEFFEN saves a penalty kick during a win over Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament. christian jenkins/the diamondback

STEFFEN From PAGE 8 have laid a great groundwork for a kid like him, if he decides to go play over there.”

Several professional teams inquired about Steffen’s status after high school, but the Downingtown, Pennsylvania, native wanted to play college soccer. He went on to earn NCAA Championship Most Valuable Defensive Player honors last season and post a 0.84 goals-against average in 2014.

One of his more impressive saves of 2014 came in the conference championship game. With about 25 minutes left in the first half

EAGLES From PAGE 8 time we practice, every time we play,” Turgeon said. “Not having them out there, we’re figuring out different ways to defend matchup-wise and different ways to execute offensively.”

Wells, a third-team All-ACC selection last season, broke a bone in his wrist in a win over then-No. 13 Iowa State on Nov. 25 and is expected to return in about two weeks. Smotrycz fractured his foot before the season began and returned for wins over Monmouth on Nov. 28 and VMI two days later, but reaggravated his injury and hasn’t played in the past two games.

That’s left other Terps (8-1) with increased responsibilities. Though Trimble played more minutes than anyone else on his team Saturday, Turgeon also mentioned that forward Jake Layman seemed winded down the stretch against Winthrop.

Layman played 35 minutes and scored a game-high 21 points.

“With the work we put in, I think everybody, not just me, is capable of playing those minutes,” Layman said.

Turgeon admitted he’s keeping Trimble and Layman on the court more than he’d like this early in the season.

So leading up to today’s tilt against Eagles (6-3), the reign-

of a 0-0 tilt, Indiana midfielder Jamie Vollmer sent a higharcing pass from the corner to forward Andrew Oliver just outside the right side of the 6-yard box. Oliver lifted his right foot and smacked a scorching one-timer at the top-right corner of the net, but Steffen leapt and punched the effort away.

I f S te f f e n s i g n s w i t h Freiburg, a top-tier German team, he will likely be relegated to its reserve team, SC Freiburg II, Clark said. That squad plays in Regionalliga Südwest, which is the fourth tier.

“He’ll be far from home in a country that he doesn’t speak the language of,” Clark said. “If players want to prove themselves, they need to test them-

ing MEAC champions, he’s adjusted the team’s schedule to keep his key players fresh.

“We’re taking days off,” Turgeon said. “A couple days this week we’ll take off whether we win or lose tomorrow night, because of Melo and because of Jake. They’re playing tremendous minutes.”

Layman and Trimble have been called upon to replace Wells’ hefty scoring production — the injured wing averaged a team-best 14.8 points per game last season — and Turgeon has also looked to three newcomers for production on the perimeter.

Freshman guards Dion Wiley and Jared Nickens have both averaged more than 19 minutes per game this season, wh i l e g ra d u a te t ra n s fe r Richaud Pack has settled into a starting role and is averaging nearly eight points per game.

S m o t r y c z ’s a b s e n c e , meanwhile, has left Michal Cekovsky, Jon Graham and Damonte Dodd — who combined to start three games last season — as the Terps’ healthy scholarship post players. While Turgeon has praised the unproven trio throughout the season, he’s needed to ride whichever one plays the best in any given game.

Saturday, Dodd scored nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a career-high 29 minutes. He averaged just 7.5 minutes as a

selves abroad. They need to make adjustments off the field.

It’s not an easy thing to do.”

Steffen’s departure would leave a significant hole for the Terps. Goalkeepers Cody Niedermier and Jordan Tatum served reserve roles the past two years, but Tatum hasn’t played since October 2012.

N iedermier, meanwhile, hasn’t logged a minute of college soccer.

“I’m sure those guys will be prepared to duke it out,” Clark said. “Sasho is no stranger to kids leaving early.

While they haven’t seen any time in goal, I’m sure when it comes down to it, they’ll have a talented keeper.” jneedelmandbk@gmail.com

Before Sunday’s game, the Terps hadn’t posted a positive assist-to-turnover ratio since their second game of the season, against Wagner on Nov. 16. With 11 of the 12 Terps players recording at least one assist in the win over Towson, though, Frese’s squad bucked the trend.

The Terps demonstrated crisp ball movement throughout the game, which led to 23 assists — their most since beating theSeahawks — on 34 baskets.

“We have been working in practice on not holding the ball for so long,” guard Lexie Brown said.

The effort came against Towson’s zone defense, something that has given the Terps problems early in the season. But by continuing to move the ball on the offensive end and running in transition, the Terps were able to compile their best passing game in nearly a month.

And it provides a building point for the future.

“When we move the ball, it makes the zone defense shift,” Brown said. “Because we are going to see so much zone, our ball movement is so important.”

FORWARD TIERNEY PFIRMAN spots up for a jump shot during the Terps’ 81-52 victory over Towson on Sunday. The junior scored 12 points in a team-high 22 minutes. christian jenkins/the diamondback

BENCH MINUTES The Terps’ recent stretch of three straight opponents that were ranked or receiving votes resulted in more minutes for the starters, but a 29-point victory against the Tigers provided an opportunity for Frese to give her bench players extra minutes.

Eleven players were on the court for some time between Pfirman’s team-leading 22 minutes and forward A’Lexus Harrison’s 12 minutes. Forward Aja Ellison, meanwhile, saw her first action since Nov. 24.

The contest offered more experience for the reserves, who have just two games left to get ready for Big Ten play.

“There are different games where you can have foul trouble, so we really need to make sure we can extend to our bench,” Frese said. rbaillargeondbk@gmail.com

WRESTLING From PAGE 8

FORWARD JAKE LAYMAN rises up for a dunk during the Terps’ loss to Virginia last week. The junior has played at least 34 minutes in each of the past two games. alexander jonesi/the diamondback freshman last season.

“I’ve always been a guy that’s in pretty good shape,” Dodd said. “I will say playing 29 minutes is definitely different. You do get winded.”

Though the Terps have been shorthanded all season, they’re off to the best start of Turgeon’s four-year tenure.

Last week, they earned a spot in the national rankings for the first time since 2010, and they won their first seven games for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

Turgeon hopes both his

banged-up veterans will return by the time Big Ten play opens Dec. 30 at Michigan State.

Until then, he’s expecting the rest of his team to make do against stiff nonconference competition.

“We’re comfortable playing without [Wells] now,” Pack said. “Looking forward to having him back, but we’re just adjusting, using the players we have and playing to each other’s strengths.” akasinitzdbk@gmail.com

in his first action of the season Sunday afternoon at the Nittany Lion Open.

The Gambrills native earned successive pins to start the tournament but was relegated to the losers bracket after a 7-2 loss to Anthony Giraldo of Rutgers. Even so, Goodwin secured two more wins by fall to claim third place.

Last season, Goodwin, who started at 133 pounds, compiled 15 wins and wa s a n NCA A q u a l i f i e r in his first year with the program.

D e s p i te h i s s u c c e s s , Goodwin planned to move down a weight class entering the Terps’ inaugural Big Ten season.

B u t a f te r s t r u g g l i n g to s l i m d ow n — h e d i d not wrestle in the team’s first eight duals — coach Kerry McCoy returned the sophomore to 133 pounds for Sunday’s tournament, which ended with a promising result.

“He was out for a little bit, and now he’s back in and he’s got his head on s t ra i g h t ,” Mc C oy s a i d .

“Really not sure what the end game for him is going to be, whether he’s going to compete or he’s going

to redshirt, but it’s good to have him going out there and competing.”

TERPS TO COMPETE ON BTN The Terps’ conference home opener against No. 4 Penn State on Thursday night will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Though the dual likely will draw a national audience, 141-pound Shyheim Brown said the spotlight wouldn’t be a distraction for the Terps.

“We acknowledge the fact that we are going to be on TV, but at the same time … we don’t want it to take away from our wrestling,” Brown said. “The key is just going to be to stay focused and wrestle like we do any other match.”

The dual with the Nittany Lions marks the first of 10 conference matches that will be shown on the network this season. Plus, the Terps will compete in four more matches that can be seen on BTN Plus.

“Whether it is live TV or on the digital platform, our guys will be featured on the Big Ten Network on a regular basis,” McCoy said at media day Oct. 7. “It’s huge for us.” kstackpoledbk@gmail.com

Graduating? Keep in Touch!

Register to get Diamondback E-mail Headlines delivered to your mailbox daily.

Go to www.dbknews.com and click on “Subscribe” in the menu bar.

TWEET OF THE DAY Mikey Ambrose @mikeyambrose3 Terrapins men’s soccer defender

“This show in unreal! I have fallen in love like 10 times already. #VictoriaSecretfashionshow2014”

SPORTS

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

For news and updates on all Terrapins sports teams, follow us on Twitter @DBKSports.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014

PAGE 8

MEN’S SOCCER

Reports: Steffen close to inking professional contract German Bundesliga club Freiburg has sights set on Terps goalkeeper

By Joshua Needelman @JoshNeedelman Staff writer On Aug. 30, 2013, Zack Steffen took his place in goal for a Terrapins men’s soccer regular-season game for the first time. Fresh out of high school, Steffen won the Terps’ starting job and made three saves as the Terps played Stan-

ford to a 3-3 draw.

Fewer than 16 months later, Steffen appears ready to move on. After playing every minute of every game the past two seasons and leading the Terps to the 2013 College Cup, numerous outlets reported Monday that Steffen will leave the Terps and is on the verge of signing with the German Bundesliga club Freiburg.

“[Steffen] recognizes that in Europe is where soccer is played at the highest level,” TopDrawerSoccer.com analyst Travis Clark said. “He wants to test himself at the highest level. He’s a really ambitious guy.”

Despite the reports, the signing hasn’t been officially announced. Stefanie Steffen, Steffen’s mother, declined to speak on the matter, and coach Sasho Cirovksi was not available for comment. Steffen’s 2014 season ended when the

MEN’S BASKETBALL | NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL PREVIEW

Terps fell to UMBC, 1-0, in the second round of the NCAA tournament last month.

Rumors concerning Steffen’s future have swirled s i n c e h e a r r ive d o n t h e campus last year. “ [ T i m H owa rd ] , B ra d Friedel, Kasey Keller, all those guys who played before Zack in Europe,” said Leighton Walters, a member of the U.S. National Soccer Coaches Association, on Oct. 26, “they GOALKEEPER ZACK STEFFEN (center) started in goal for the Terps from the first game of his See Steffen, Page 7 freshman season, which ended in a 3-3 draw with Stanford. christian jenkins/the diamondback

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL | NOTEBOOK

Pfirman takes advantage of opportunity vs Towson Assist-to-turnover ratio improves in win over Tigers

By Ryan Baillargeon @RyanBaillargeon Staff writer When Terrapins women’s basketball coach Brenda Frese assessed Tierney Pfirman at media day before the start of the season, she praised the forward’s consistent play.

But Pfirman’s playing time through nine games has been far from steady.

After starting more than

half of her games during her freshman campaign, Pfirman watched her minutes drop by more than six per game when she was relegated to a bench role her sophomore year. Now a junior, Pfirman has seen her playing time range from 2 minutes to 22 minutes early in the season.

The Williamsport, Pennsylvania, native made the most of her season-high 22

minutes Sunday, though, when she went 6-for-9 fro m th e field to finish with 12 points in an 81-52 win over Towson.

The performance came after a six-game stretch in which Pfirman averaged 11 minutes per game and fewer than three points per contest.

“Just like Coach B says, when your number is called, See BASKETBALL, Page 7

WRESTLING | NOTEBOOK

Guard Melo Trimble sets up the offense in the No. 19 Terps’ 82-62 victory over Winthrop on Saturday. alexander jonesi/the diamondback

SHAPING UP

Terps feel comfortable without Wells, Smotrycz entering bout with Eagles

By Aaron Kasinitz @AaronKazreports Senior staff writer As a 20-point win over Winthrop progressed, Terrapins men’s basketball point guard Melo Trimble took on more and more double teams on offense and sprinted around the court on the defensive end while playing a career-high 37 minutes.

So coach Mark Turgeon checked on his star freshman several times throughout the afternoon to ask if he needed a breather.

“He looked at me like I was crazy every

time,” Turgeon said.

Trimble isn’t the only Terp who’s had to play increased minutes with guard Dez Wells (wrist) and forward Evan Smotrycz (foot) still sidelined. But as they ready to host North Carolina Central tonight, the No. 19 Terps feel they’re becoming more accustomed to competing with two senior contributors out of the game.

Turgeon just has a more limited rotation to work with.

“We get a little more comfortable every See EAGLES, Page 7

Alexander claims victory close to Pittsburgh home Goodwin makes season debut in open competition

By Kyle Stackpole @kylefstackpole Staff writer Te r ra p i n s 1 3 3 - p o u n d wrestler Geoffrey Alexander returned home Friday night when his team battled No. 10 Pittsburgh.

During high school, Alexander attended Shady Side Academy, which is about 20 minutes from the Pittsburgh campus.

“It was just great to be back there,” Alexander said. “Especially getting to wrestle in front of all my good friends

“IT WAS JUST GREAT TO BE BACK THERE, ESPECIALLY GETTING TO WRESTLE IN FRONT OF ALL MY GOOD FRIENDS AND FAMILY.” GEOFFREY ALEXANDER

Terrapins 133-pound wrestler and family who came to support me.”

Alexander, who is ranked No. 7 in his weight class, said he had about 60 fans in the stands at the Fitzger-

ald Field House. And his performance did not disappoint, as Alexander held on for his fifth win of the season, over Nick Zanetta.

“It’s not that we’re real far down here in Maryland,” Alexander said. “But when it’s 10, 15 minutes from your house, it’s a lot easier.”

GOODWIN RETURNS TO ACTION At 1 3 3 p o u n d s, T yl e r Goodwin earned third place See WRESTLING, Page 7

Get back to Israel for FREE* Guard Dez Wells shouts directions from the bench during a win over Monmouth on Nov. 28. alexander jonesi/the diamondback

Join one of JNF’s Alternative Spring Break Trips Jewish Adults 18-30 *Free after minimum fundraising goal is met.

BY THE NUMBERS

37 minutes guard Melo Trimble played Saturday in the win over Winthrop, a career high

“Join me this year on my 2nd ASB trip, to see a different side of Israel, and give back.”

-Emily Agranat, ASB Alumna, UMass ‘17

35 minutes Forward Jake Layman played in the win over Winthrop

2 weeks

until guard Dez Wells is slated to return from a fractured wrist he suffered Nov. 25

Trip Options:

Adults (ages 18-30): February 28, March 7, March 14, March 22

jnf.org/break • 212.879.9305 x245