October 2014 Print Issue

theGAVEL

NEWS

04 The 10 Year Plan at Year Six Assault: The College 06 Sexual Contagion

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How Much of Your Tuition Goes to Father Leahy

FEATURES

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8 Fun Things to Do On & Off Campus This Season

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Happily Eagle After: The Kerry Cronin Way

CULTURE 14 16 18

“Don’t Just Stand Around:” The Interlude of Rap & Social Justice Get Off Campus & Into the Crowd Best of Boston Calling

OPINIONS 21

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Humans of New York: Revolutionizing the Search for Peace

Fake ID ’Til You Make It

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October 2014

SPORTS

26 A Fairness Issue 28 Written in the Stars Intangibles: The 30 Immeasurable Crapshoot that is Drafting and

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Development

STAFF

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

EDITORIAL BOARD

EMILY AKIN / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TEDDY KOLVA / MANAGING EDITOR CHRISTIE MERINO / ONLINE MANAGER TAYLOR GARRISON / PRINT MANAGER JONATHAN REED / HEAD COPY EDITOR JAMES CODY / NEWS EDITOR AMBREY RICE / FEATURES EDITOR GRACE FUCCI / CULTURE EDITOR TIM COOGAN / OPINIONS EDITOR JAKE MILLER / SPORTS EDITOR CAROLYN GRIESSER / AUTHENTIC EAGLES EDITOR TEDDY RADDELL / AUTHENTIC EAGLES EDITOR OLIVIA VERA / DESIGN EDITOR ALEX KROWIAK / PHOTO EDITOR BILLY FOSHAY / PHOTO EDITOR JING XU / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR JOHN PARADISO / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR GRACE DENNY / ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR KATIE CARSKY / ASSOCIATE FEATURES EDITOR GILLIAN BURKE / ASSOCIATE FEATURES EDITOR JULIA HO / ASSOCIATE FEATURES EDITOR EVAN MARTINEZ / ASSOCIATE CULTURE EDITOR GEMMA WILSON / ASSOCIATE CULTURE EDITOR MADDIE WEBSTER / ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR JACKIE CARNEY / ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR MIKE KOTSOPOULOS / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR ERIN MCGARVEY / NEWS COPY EDITOR AYA TSURUTA / FEATURES COPY EDITOR JONATHAN REED / CULTURE COPY EDITOR MIRANDA RICHARD / OPINIONS COPY EDITOR JOE CASTIGNETTI / SPORTS COPY EDITOR VICTORIA SOUTHWOOD / AUTHENTIC EAGLES COPY EDITOR KATIE TU / ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR MADELINE CORTES / ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR NICOLLE MANUEL / ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR JORDAN GROSE / ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR

BUSINESS & OPERATIONS

PHIL BACKUS / DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ALYSSA BIGGINS / MARKETING DIRECTOR BRAD GAZDAG / ADVERTISING DIRECTOR ERIC KOPELSON / FINANCE DIRECTOR JEANIE LEE / BUSINESS DIRECTOR CHRISTIAN MORA / MARKETING DIRECTOR ANGELA SONG / BUSINESS DIRECTOR

DESIGN TEAM

BANG.

We’re back, baby. Look at this beautiful 32-page issue you’re holding in your hands. Look at that cover. No really, flip this page back and look at that cover one more time.

May I introduce you to The Gavel’s October issue?

Inside you’ll find articles on Boston Calling, HONY, internships, Father Leahy’s salary and more. You’ll find original content, original photos, and the labors of the 186 people who make up Team Gavel.

Read it, throw it like a Frisbee, hang it on your wall, leave it by your toilet or use it to swat flies. I highly encourage creative recycling.

Most importantly, please enjoy it.

XO,

Emily

ANDREW GROSS / ASSOCIATE DESIGN EDITOR ANNIE BELGRADE / ASSOCIATE DESIGN EDITOR VALERIE LIANG / ASSOCIATE DESIGN EDITOR ALEX FLYNN / ASSOCIATE DESIGN EDITOR ELENI VENETOS HELEN FORMOSO-MURIAS MEGAN FLYNN SARA POLLEI

SENIOR ADVISORS

ITZEL AYALA FRANKIE BERNARD SAMEET DHILLON CONNOR ECKHOLDT KATIE LEVINGSTON

VICTORIA PALMER DANEY RAMIREZ ALISON RICCIATO KATIE TOLKOWSKY FATIN YOUSIF

PHOTO TEAM

TORI FISHER SELLY SALLAH AMANDA ILKARD MEGAN FLYNN ANTHONY GOLDEN

Published with support from Generation Progress / Center for American Progress (online at genprog.org).

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tudents returning to Boston College this September will notice that the campus has undergone several renovations since May. The changing face of Boston College is part of the 10 Year Institutional Master Plan (IMP). The IMP calls for the destruction of several buildings, the renovation of others and the construction of two new residence halls.

The 10 Year Plan was created in 2007, with work beginning in 2008.

According to Boston College Executive Vice President Patrick Keating, who has overseen the project, “the key priorities were improved and expanded academic spaces for the humanities, better classrooms, and integrated sciences.

The plan also called for achieving housing for all undergraduates on campus, improvement of recreational fields, a new rec-plex and student center.�

Billy Foshay / Gavel Media

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Year Plan At Year Six

By Grace Denny / Associate Copy Editor

Stokes Hall, which provides further classroom space for the humanities, was completed in early 2013, at the cost of $78 million. The cost estimate for the overall plan is $800 million, including $700 million in new construction and $100 million in separate renovations.

This nine-figure total is the most expensive project in Boston College’s history.

St. Thomas More Hall, the administrative building across from St. Ignatius Church, was demolished over the summer and will be the site of a new residence hall. The 245,000 square-foot dormitory will include four- and sixbedroom apartments as well as a new center for University Health Services.

The Allston-Brighton Community Task Force, a group appointed by former Boston Mayor Tom Menino, approved the project in a 9-1 vote last October.

Additionally, BC is planning on con-

verting 2000 Commonwealth Avenue into a full residence hall. Once these new living spaces are available for use, BC will be able to raze Edmonds Hall, the site of the new recreation center.

If the construction keeps up with the schedule, both residence halls will be completed by fall of 2016, and the new recreation center will open in the fall of 2018. The plan ultimately calls for the current recreation center to become a new student center, although a specific date for this part of the project has not yet been set.

According to the IMP, the new student center will provide accommodations and meeting space for the 200 plus student organizations on campus, a dining area for both students and faculty and an improved, more spacious theater. This is intended to be particularly beneficial to the overall student experi-

Photo courtesy of Boston Business Journal

October 2014

ence, as right now there is no central place for student organizations. As a result, many clubs and groups are forced to find an open classroom to hold regular meetings. Since these clubs play such a pivotal role at BC, the administration believes an area devoted to them will greatly improve the student experience. In an interview with the Gavel last year, UGBC Vice President Chris Marchese said that he believed the student center “should be the number one priority” of the IMP. Additionally, Brighton Campus is intended to play more of a role in student life in the future. Five hundred students will be housed on Brighton Campus, as will a new athletic center, including a field house, baseball and softball fields, the McMullen Museum of Art, a Fine Arts academic building, an auditorium and the new School of Theology and Ministry building. Land acquired from the Archdiocese of Boston will also be used as administrative offices.

The purpose of the IMP, beyond simply improving the appearance of the campus, is to help bolster Boston College’s standing as a top institution. Through the promotion of the humanities, improved science and research facilities and increased on-campus housing, the current Boston College administration hopes to improve the university’s reputation among other elite institutions. The new classroom buildings are a part of BC’s commitment to top-tier academics, and the additional housing is a component of BC’s efforts to house all of its students on campus. The focus on student life, including the new student and recreation centers, shows the university’s commitment to a fully integrated college experience and reflects the BC ideal of educating the whole person.

University President William P. Leahy, SJ states that the construction and development of several new buildings is only one facet of the University Strategic Plan, “which calls for hiring up to 100 new faculty and creating more than a dozen new centers and institutes,” and, “will help position Boston College to become a national leader in liberal arts education and student formation among American universities and the world’s leading Catholic university and theological center.”

While realistically all of this may not be completed by 2018, the more immediate changes to campus promise to have a positive impact on students’ day-to-day lives, both academic and otherwise.

Amanda Ikard / Gavel Media

NEWS

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SAssault exual

THE COLLEGE CONTAGION

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By Julia Ho / Associate Copy Editor

heir names are Lena Sclove from Brown University, Hope Brinn from Swarthmore College, Lexie Brackenridge from Williams College, Emma Sulkowicz from Colum-

bia University and Anonymous from Harvard University. They are college women who were victims of sexual assault. In the past year they have chosen to speak out against the inadequate, insensitive and, at times, illegal ways their schools handled their assaults.

Lena Sclove was strangled and raped by a now former friend and classmate, Daniel Kopin. She suffered a cervical spine injury. In April, Sclove told the Brown Daily Herald, “I was not treated terribly during the hearing, but at the same time, I was not kept safe.

There was no sensitivity to my state of trauma, to my state of shock or to the potential thought that he could be guilty.” After only a one-year suspension, Koplin will return to Brown this fall and Sclove will be near her rapist once again.

Hope Brinn is one of the 12 students who allege that Swarthmore College violates federal law by underreporting campus rape cases. Brinn and others also assert that the school does not adequately support its students who are victims of sexual assault after the school has been made aware of the crime. Brinn claims to have been repeatedly asked by the college how she “provoked the behavior” that led to her assault.

Emma Sulkowicz is one of 23 students who have filed a complaint against Columbia University for violating federal law in the handling of sexual assault.

After describing her experience of being raped, she was met with skepticism and denial. Her case against a fellow senior who had already been accused of sexual

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assault by two other women, was dismissed as it had been twice before. In protest, Sulkowicz will be carrying her mattress around campus as long as she attends the same school as her attacker.

In March, the Harvard Crimson published an anonymous op-ed of a victim’s experience with Harvard’s response to her sexual assault. Her assailant had terrified her into sex after aggressively and painfully biting her neck, physically abusing other parts of her body and verbally abusing her. Yet Harvard’s policy on sexual assault “does not provide any definition of consent beyond the brief mention, in its definition of rape, that a victim cannot consent if he or she is unable to express unwillingness due to alcohol or drugs, among other factors.” She was told her case would most likely be dropped. She speaks of her experience with Harvard as “the worst scenario possible: [she] couldn’t get Harvard to move [her] assailant to a different House without going to the Ad Board, but [she] could not go to the Ad Board because of the school’s narrow policy.”

Harvard University (college and law school), Princeton University, Dartmouth College, University of Chicago, University of Virginia, Emory University, University of Southern California, Amherst College, Swarthmore

October 2014

tions, such as the Sexual Assault Network Kickoff Event in partnership with BC Athletics Department, as well as engaging new clubs and organizations, the Women’s Center will increase its presence on campus, teach students about sexual assault and raise awareness. The Kickoff event will take place on October 15 and is open to the entire BC community. It will feature keynote speaker Katie Hnida, the first woman to play Division I College Football and a woman who was subsequently raped by one of her teammates.

In addition to new events, collaborations, forums, discussions, one-on-one counseling, community-wide activities to combat sexual assault and extended help to graduate students, there is a new approach that will ensure contact with all first year students. Beyond the sexual assault portion of AlcoholEdu, first year students will attend a live production on sexual assault prevention called “Are You Getting The Signal?”

Finally, all first year students must participate in Bystander Intervention before finishing their second semester at BC. Bystander Intervention strives to teach students how to be proactive in diffusing situations that may lead to sexual violence and convey the same messages to their peers. “I think that many of us don’t know what to do if

we were in or witnessed a situation of sexual assault,” says Brenna Cass A&S ’15. What do you say to someone who seems they may take advantage of your friend? How do you counsel and support a friend who becomes a victim of sexual assault?

Bystander Intervention offers presentations given by its student trainers to any organization or club to answer these difficult questions and promote community-wide discussions. “The group has changed a great deal since I have been at BC, from a group of people who care, to an organized effort that is doing its best to see a change in culture around this issue through” says Joey Palomba A&S ’15, a senior trainer for Bystander Intervention.

To end sexual assault, it is not just the Women’s Center and the university’s policy that need to be improved.

Rachel DiBella, the new Assistant Director for Sexual Violence Prevention and Response, emphasizes how crucial “it is for the communities these programs serve to reach back and actively engage with those services. BC has a remarkably self-organizing and motivated student body, and I want to encourage all students to remember that we all have a stake and a role to play in ending sexual violence. This is truly a call for all students to get involved.”

Selly Sallah / Gavel Media

College and Florida State University are 10 of 55 schools on the list of colleges the U.S. Department of Education will investigate for possibly violating federal law over the innappropriate handling of sexual assault. A study published by the National Center for Policy Analysis concluded “correlation analysis suggests that a one-week increase in expected punishment reduces rape by six percent.” This suggests that taking more proactive steps against rape, exposing rapists and prosecuting rape more harshly may diminish the number of rape crimes that occur so frequently across the country on college campuses. The study suggests that had Daniel Koplin or Emma Sulkowicz’s attacker been permanently and immediately expelled from their respective universities, more women might have escaped a fate so pervasive.

Rape and sexual assault are college contagions. One in five women will be raped during her college years. Of those women, 85 to 90 percent will be raped by someone they know.

While the U.S. Department of Education, the White House and colleges across America are changing policies and making efforts to combat sexual assault, we are still far from solving the problem. The question is not only how can colleges respond better but also what preventative measures can be taken to eliminate sexual assault altogether?

At Boston College, the Women’s Center offers resources and programs such as the Sexual Assault Network (SANet) and Bystander Intervention and is open to both women and men.

They are working diligently to improve their support options, increase their influence and facilitate contact for students. Both organizations are determined to end sexual assault at BC. With new events and collabora-

NEWS

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How Much of your Tuition Goes to

E Y A L H Father

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By Jing Xu / Associate News Editor

s the cost of college soars higher each year, one expense stands out: the salary paid to a college or university’s president. The Chronicle of Higher Education recently released a comprehensive list detailing the executive compensation of college presidents. The compensation is made up of base pay, bonus pay, deferred compensation, nontaxable benefits and other components. The highest salaries are all in the seven-figure range, with some exceeding $3 million. Scanning those astronomical figures, people start to wonder: Is college really about education or the business behind education?

Photo courtesy of The BC Chronicle

As a Jesuit university, Boston College does not directly pay its president, the Reverend William P. Leahy S.J.. This is a noticeable discrepancy when compared to neighboring universities in the Boston area. Northeastern University President Joseph E. Aoun earned $3,121,864 in 2011, ranked 2nd on the list, while Lawrence S. Bacow of Tufts University earned $2,223,752 and Robert A. Brown of Boston University made $1,381,264 in 2011.

The highest presidential salary in the nation goes to Robert J. Zimmer, President of the University of Chicago. Zimmer receives $3,358,723 in total compensation and $917,993 in base pay. These figures are in stark contrast to the salaries collected by college professors, typically the university employees students interact with most frequently.

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According to U.S, Department of Labor, the average college professor salary is $98,974 for a tenured employee and $69,911 for an assistant professor.

This means that the president of the University of Chicago is paid approximately 33 times more than the average professor.

Many people expect that presidential salary increases with the size, reputation and overall achievement of the university. Among the top 10 paid college presidents, there are several from big names such as the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University.

However, several presidents on the list are from lesser known colleges, such as Marist College and Chatham University. Esther L. Barazzone, from Chatham University, has one of the highest compensation rates in the country. For every $1 million that is spent by the University, $37,545 is paid to President Barazzone.

Compared to Chatham University, widely acclaimed Wellesley College offers its chief executive significantly less. The President of Wellesley, H. Kim Bottomly, took only $539,591 in 2011— about one third of Barazzone’s salary.

Surprisingly, Harvard University’s President is not among the country’s highest paid University employees.

Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust made $899,734 last year, coming in 54th on the Chronicle’s list. Princeton University’s President Shirley M. Tilghman sat at 51st with a compensation of roughly $935,326.

Many critics argue that the core of a university’s mission is to educate its students. Colleges should put the money into fundamental research and teaching instead of letting it flow into the pockets of executive members.

Recently, the New York Times reported, “C.E.O.-like college presidents are counterproductive to their own aus-

terity measures. How can staff support cost-cutting when the administration splashes out? How can faculty accept program cuts the same week they receive emails about newly created executive positions?”

No one is happy to see universities turn into marketplaces, least of all the student body. The increasing cost of executive faculty members means less money to spend on full-time professors. Schools are recruiting more adjunct professors, with low salaries and no tenure. Increasing numbers of adjunct professors with higher job mobility means less stability in higher education and fewer opportunities for students to create lasting relationships with long-term faculty members.

In Boston, where presidential salary is as “elite” as the education provided, Father Leahy sets a good example of what it means to be “men and women for others” by taking $0 in annual salary.

PRESIDENTIAL COMPENSATION Private Colleges, 2011

$3,358,723

$3,121,864 $2,688,148

$2,091,764 $1,812,132

$2,327,344

$1,884,008

ag o

Ric ha rd Ya C. Le le Un vi Sh i v ers n i Re nss rley ity ela A er Po nn Ja lyt ec hn cks Es ic I nst on the itu rL te Ch . B ar ath am azz o Un An ive ne rsi Flo tho ty n rid a In y J .C stit ute ata of Tec nes hn e olo Un g A y ive my rsi ty Gu of tm Pe an nn La syl wr va n nia en ce Tu S. B fts aco Un w ive rsi Le ty eC Co lum . Bo ll bia Un inge i r ve De rsi ty nn is J Ma . M u ris t C rray oll eg J e No os ep rth h ea E. ste rn Ao Ro Un be ive un rsi rt J ty Un . Zi mm ive rsi erm ty of an Ch ic

$1,652,543

$1,752,642

$2,223,752

Information courtesy of Chronicle.com

NEWS

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Fun Things to Do On & Off Campus This Season

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Head of the Charles Regatta

By: Ambrey Rice, Features Editor

Allston, Cambridge October 18 – 19 The Head of the Charles rowing regatta occurs every year and is one of the highlights of the fall season in Boston.

Teams and individuals from all over come to compete against one another in this exciting sporting event, including the BC Club Men’s and Varsity Women’s rowing teams. While the rowing route extends from BU to three miles up the Charles River, one of the best spots for spectators to watch and enjoy the event is Harvard Square in Cambridge. There are tons of vendors selling HOCR paraphernalia as well as food and drink. The event is a two-day affair, so if you want to watch the BC teams, be sure to check the schedule to find out when they will be competing.

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Photos Courtesy of Amanda Ikard/Gavel Media Staff

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Afternoon Tea Service

The Langham Hotel – 250 Franklin Street, Boston Every day, year-round As the temperature in Boston rapidly drops, the need for a steamy cup of a festive fall drink increases just as quickly. To satisfy this craving, why not stop by The Langham Hotel on a fall afternoon for tea? “Tiffin at The Langham” afternoon tea service runs daily from 2 to 7 p.m. throughout the year, but autumn is an especially enjoyable time to go due to the crisp chill in the air. The service features “savory finger sandwiches, sweet cakes, scones and exotic tea blends,” and is reminiscent of a 19th century European tea service. To guarantee a spot, be sure to make reservations by visiting the hotel’s website in order to guarantee a spot.

October 2014

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A Cappella competition @ Faneuil Hall

Faneuil Hall October 18 – 19 This year marks the 18th annual A Cappella Competition at Faneuil Hall. The event will take place on Saturday, October 18and Sunday, October 19 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Groups from all over the Boston area—including university a cappella groups, possibly even some from BC—will flock to Faneuil Hall Marketplace to try to win over the judges and gain their votes to win one of three cash prizes. Although this happens the same weekend as Head of the Charles, you can fit both events into the weekend by going to one on Saturday and one on Sunday!

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Freedom Trail

Faneuil Hall, Boston Common Every day, year-round If you haven’t already walked the Freedom Trail, early October would be the perfect time to do so. With the cool fall weather, you won’t have to worry about sweating, so you will be able to enjoy the tour much more. Tours last 90 minutes; they leave from Faneuil Hall every hour on the half hour, and from the Common every hour on the hour. Luckily for BC students, tickets for a guided tour are only $10 when you show your student ID. If you are new to Boston (freshies, I’m talking to you), then the Freedom Trail is the perfect way to get to know the city and its history.

Seasonal Dining

Garden at the Cellar – 991 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge All season As you probably already know, the fall season is known for its abundance of delicious seasonal food choices, most of them including some sort of pumpkin or maple flavoring (yum). At Garden at the Cellar, a restaurant in Cambridge, you can embrace the season’s local food options prepared with pride in a laid-back atmosphere. According to the restaurant’s website, “[its] menus offer a range of cuisines guided by New England’s seasons and a world of culinary tradition, showcasing the bounty of [the] local farms and waters.” To get there, simply take the Red Line to Central Station and walk up Mass Ave. All season In the past, BC2Boston has offered students the chance to attend classic autumn outings, such as hiking trips and apple picking. Last year, for example, the organization offered tickets to an event featuring apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides and apple cider doughnuts at Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, MA, including transportation back and forth. Be on the lookout for announcements of BC2Boston programming opportunities throughout the remainder of the fall season if this is something that interests you.

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Corcoran Plaza (Thurs), Copley Square (Tues/Fri) All season By this time in the school year, it’s not unusual to be sick of the produce options at Mac and Lower. If this is the case for you, definitely check out farmers’ markets in the area for fresh local fruits and vegetables, as well as artisan breads and various other goods. BC Dining hosts a farmers’ market on campus every Thursday afternoon in the fall “as long as the weather holds out,” which will occur on Corcoran Plaza, directly in front of Lower dining hall. There will also be nutritional education as well as recipes that feature the foods that will be for sale. If you desire a larger selection of goods and an excuse to venture off campus, try out the farmers’ market at Copley Square.

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BC2Boston Events

Arnold Arboretum

125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain, Boston All season The Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain is, hands down, the best way to witness the New England foliage in midOctober. Admission is free, and 90-minute guided tours of the grounds are available every weekend through November 2. The optimal way to get there is by car, but you can also take the Orange Line or the #39 bus to Forest Hills Station.

FEATURES

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Photo Courtesty of PenaPrince.com

Happily Eagle After:

The Kerry Cronin Way

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By Katie Carsky / Associate Features Editor t Boston College and universities around the country, there has recently been a lot of discussion on the topic of the “hook-up culture.” Whether you define a hook-up as a one-night encounter after a Mod party or as

a continuous non-committed relationship, everyone knows what goes on behind closed doors (or in public, to be featured on @BCMakeouts) once the sun sets. Most students at BC have also heard a bit about Professor Kerry Cronin, who is well known around campus for her talks about the college hook-up culture and her section of Perspectives, a theology and philosophy core class. One of Cronin’s goals as a teacher is to bring back the art of dating.

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October 2014

It is safe to say that most college students do not experience many dates during their time at school. This is not necessarily a Boston College exclusive issue, because the so-called “hookup culture” runs rampant at colleges and universities across the country.

As a means of bringing back the lost art of dating, Cronin offers each of her students an extra credit opportunity with very specific instructions as to how the assigned date should be conducted.

According to the guidelines of the date, plans must be made in person no more than three days in advance; the date must take place in the daytime and last 60 to 90 minutes; the student must pay for his or her date, and there is no alcohol or physical interaction allowed. Such a date is something that most students at BC have not experienced. Although it seems nerve-wracking, some students opt to take the course particularly for this assignment.

When Erika Peña (Boston College ‘08) first heard about Professor Kerry Cronin’s famous dating assignment, she did not have many real expectations for the rendezvous with the suitor of her choice. “I knew the assignment was part of the class before registering for it,” said the former economics major and international studies minor at BC. “It seemed like something I would never do unless ‘forced’ by a class assignment.”

Erika had never asked a guy on a date before, and venturing into this new territory scared her. Erika Peña and Jared Prince met second semester of their junior year at Boston College.

Erika’s first impression of Jared was that he was stuck up because he did not speak much, but she later discovered that his quietness was due to his shy nature. Jared, on the other hand, felt that Erika was friendly and outgoing. She loved going on service trips during her time at BC and participated in trips to Honduras, the Dominican Republic and New Orleans. Jared, a sociology and political science major, was interested in service as well. His favorite BC memory was his trip to Nicaragua through the

sociology department. Erika and Jared became friends, and the two went on a date to fulfill the criteria for Erika’s assignment.

Erika and Jared’s first date took place at White Mountain Creamery, just as many BC dates after theirs would. Erika chose White Mountain because it was conveniently located and fell within the guidelines that Cronin had lain out.

Fortunately, it was an easy place for the two students to casually sit and talk.

When the date came to a close, Erika gave her date an “A-hug”—a friendly, nonsexual embrace—so that their two bodies formed the letter “A,” just as Professor Cronin had instructed.

Erika and Jared officially started dating during Senior Week. Four and a half years after that first ice cream date, on Saturday, September 15, 2012, a very nervous Jared treated Erika to a romantic dinner in Boston. Afterward, he proposed to her at none other than White Mountain Creamery. When asked, the two could not even remember what

it was that Jared said to Erika in all the excitement of the moment; in any event, they were engaged.

A year and a half of engagement bliss led up to the big day. Erika and Jared spent a total of just over six years together before their July 11, 2014 nuptials. Professor Kerry Cronin was invited and was able to attend the wedding ceremony, which took place at The Church of St. Francis of Assisi in New York City. The couple enjoyed a traditional Catholic ceremony with a reception at Studio 450 on 31st Street.

Cronin’s assignment can be considered a valuable experiment in dating. There have been many successes, and even when not, it has turned out to be good practice for many students.

Perhaps the date does not have to be thought of as a lost art anymore. Why not take the time to get to know someone you are interested in a little better? Who knows—that person may even turn out to be your future husband or wife.

relationship

TIMELINE Outgoing Erika and shy Jared become friends

Junior Year, Second Semester (2007)

The two go on a date to White Mountain Ice Creamery in order to fulfill Erika’s assignment

Junior Year (2007)

Start to Date Officially Senior Week (2008)

Jared proposes at White Mountain Ice Creamery

September 15, 2012

Erika and Jared marry

Photo Courtesy of Manika Photography

July 11, 2014

FEATURES

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By Rachel Forray / Gavel Media Staff

R

ap is a musical genre celebrated for its raw lyrics written and performed by artists who are unafraid to push boundaries. Rappers often address society directly, in a manner unfamiliar to many genres.

Currently, many rappers use their music as a platform to promote social justice or bring awareness to controversial topics, as well as help others by portraying their own personal struggles through their lyrics.

In the song “Same Love,” Macklemore and Miranda Lambert advocate for gay marriage as well as equality among all people regardless of sexual orientation with lyrics such as, “No freedom ‘til we’re equal, damn right I support it.” Furthermore, in his song “Otherside,” Macklemore courageously describes his struggles with addiction to codeine. He admits that his original interest in codeine likely stemmed from listening to some of his favorite artists rap about the drug. Through his openness, he hopes others struggling with similar issues will relate to him and find comfort and encouragement.

J. Cole proves to be another rapper unafraid to discuss controversial, real issues including recent societal events. In his song “Be Free,” J. Cole artfully describes the tragedy of Michael Brown’s death. J. Cole uses a combination of real news audio as well as his own commentary to create a powerful, chilling effect on his audience. This use of rap music allows the artist’s message to be far reaching in a manner that traditional news sources often struggle to achieve.

Thus, if rappers speak about such real issues, what is

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October 2014

Image courtesy of mashable.com

the connection between fiction and reality within rap? When is the rapper also the speaker and when is the rapper’s persona the one speaking? In courts across the United States, prosecutors have increasingly used rap lyrics written by defendants as evidence. However, it remains unclear if this usage is a violation of freedom of speech outlined by the first amendment.

The New Jersey Supreme Court will soon hear the case of Vonte Skinner, a man originally found guilty of murder. Rap lyrics were used as evidence.

An article featured in the New York Times titled “Rap Lyrics on Trial,” written by Erik Nelson and Charles E. Kubrin, discusses some of the history and technicalities surrounding the case. The article states that the lyrics used as evidence, “were composed before the shooting” and “none of them mentioned the victim or specific details about the crime.” While Mr. Skinner was originally found guilty, the ruling was overturned. Therefore, the case must be revisited in a higher court.

The rap lyrics used as evidence within courtrooms have been presented mainly in two ways: as admissibility of guilt, or to demonstrate a defendant’s character and capacity to commit the crime he is charged with. However, it is arguable that using rap lyrics within court is unfair. Rap lyrics cannot necessarily be interpreted literally.

Similarly to poetry or other forms of art, there is often a distinction between the author or rapper and the speaker or persona that is presented.

While society makes this distinction easily for some genres, it has not been as easy to make for rap. When prosecutors present a rapper’s lyrics as evidence, the prosecutor is suggesting that the jury interpret the defendant’s lyrics literally, or that the jury understand the rap lyrics to correlate with the defendant’s behavior.

While it may seem unfair for rap lyrics, a form of artistic expression, to be used as evidence, it is understandable why some prosecutors may find this practice just. With many rappers speaking about such important, real-life issues including their own personal lives, their lyrics may indeed be relevant acclaim, highly debated among officials.

A significant number of rappers have had their lyrics used against them in court and were subsequently convicted of crimes, yet several of these convictions have been overturned. Perhaps the Skinner trial could help serve as a precedent for the way in which rap lyrics are addressed legally moving forward. Whether Mr. Skinner is found guilty or acquitted of his crimes, there is no denying that rap music remains a powerful tool of expression within modern society.

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15

GET OFF CAMPUS INTO THE CROWD

T

BY GABBY JONES / GAVEL MEDIA STAFF

he start of a new semester always creates a lively campus atmosphere as the rigorous academic routine of the week gives way to the relaxing vibes of the weekend. While reconnecting with friends and indulging in the weekend ritual of “mod-hopping” can be an exciting way to alleviate the stresses of school, its novelty can wear off relatively quickly. As the leaves start to turn their fall hues and the weather becomes crisper, why not break routine and let your inner explorer take over?

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photo courtesy of Boston University

Luckily, Boston is a musicial mecca that offers a wide variety of activities like concerts and festivals for those overcome by the desire to break out of the “BC bubble” and explore the offerings of the city.

Some of the larger venues, like the House of Blues, can draw big name music acts like Iggy “I’m So Fancy” Azalea while smaller spots like Great Scott allow up-and-coming artists to showcase and hone their sound in a more intimate setting. No matter your taste in music, the calendar for October is jampacked with shows to suit every palate.

House of Blues Boston

Located a convenient 10-minute walk from the Kenmore Square T stop, House of Blues stands amongst the sports bars and restaurants dedicated to all things baseball (it does share Lansdowne Street with Fenway Park). If you want to dance to your favorite acts with 1000+ of your closest “friends,” then House of Blues is the venue for you.

Concert Countdown: October 3rd: Lykke Li

Hailing from Sweden, this songstress brandishes her own unique brand of indie pop with haunting vocals and songs recounting love, loss, and all that lies in between. “No Rest for the Wicked”, the lead single off this year’s album I Never Learn was recently remixed featuring the rhymes of the “pretty flacko” himself, A$AP

October 2014

Rocky. Tickets range from $35 to $55 based on seating preference.

October 9th: Porter Robinson Although he was born in Chapel Hill, NC, Porter Robinson’s music has gone global, as he has played at festivals like Tomorrowland, Ultra and Coachella. In the past he has lent his production skills to remix artists like Avicii and Deadmau5.

Tickets range from $35 to $45 based on seating preference.

Great Scott

Great Scott is a venue dedicated to bringing a diverse selection of live music and DJ sets ranging from rock outfits to electronic dance nights. Located on the Allston thoroughfare, Harvard Avenue, this venue allows for an intimate experience for those craving new sounds from rising acts. Whether you want to dance the night away to a DJ set or sway to an acoustic performance, Great Scott will open your musical horizons.

OCTOBER CONCERTS House of Blues 10/3: Lykke Li 10/9: Porter Robinson 10/18: Bombay Bicycle Club

Great Scott 10/10: Alvvays 10/30: Ex Hex (with Speedy Ortiz) Brighton Music Hall 10/9:The Orwells 10/27: Wet 11/2: Aaron Carter

Concert Countdown: October 10th: Alvvays

Middle East 10/7: Ab-Soul 10/19: Transit 10/30: Keys ‘N Krates

Brighton Music Hall

Sinclair Local Festivals 10/8: Cloud 11/7-11/8: Boston Nothings Hassle Fest 10/25: Digitalism 10/28: Dum Dum Girls

Do you like music that evokes an “eternal summer” feel with its beachy vibes? How about lyrics relating to the impending quarter life crisis faced by so many twentysomethings? Toronto quintet Alvvays blends those two components into their own sly brand of dream pop. Tickets are $12 and the show is 21+.

Also located in Allston, Brighton Music Hall is a relatively smaller venue located on Brighton Avenue. Hidden amongst the bars and restaurants, this spot offers an eclectic collection of artists to discover (and even some you’ve already heard of). Plus, Habaneros, which in my humble opinion is the best Mexican restaurant in Boston, is down the street if you crave a post-show treat.

Concert Countdown: October 27th: Wet

Tori Fisher / Gavel Media

Brooklyn trio, Wet, comes to Boston on the 27th for a night of beautiful grooves. Tracks like “Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl” showcase a pure simplicity that allow for introspection and relaxation. Come sway to some soulful tunes and have the stress of the week melt away. Tickets are $15.50.

November 2nd: Aaron Carter Aaron Carter is coming to town so let your 90s nostalgia rush in and allow yourself to be transported back to a time when Tiger Beat was your source of celebrity gossip and not a Twitter feed. Although Aaron, now 26 years old, has not put out an album since the mid-2000s, he is forever in our hearts as under the ‘schoolgirl crush’ category (plus who can say no to a little “Aaron’s Party”?). Tickets are $18.

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BEST OF

By Jonathan Reed / Head Copy Editor

Future Islands

day one

After finishing the mandatory mic check, Future Islands’ front man, Samuel T. Herring, walks on stage to the cheers of a rather sizable audience, especially considering the 6:45 p.m. time slot.

“We’re happy to be here,” he says in an exceptionally cool and crisp voice.

Aware of his time limitations, he gets right to business. “We’ve got 45 minutes, no more talking then.”

Mr. Herring’s one-of-a-kind stage presence makes itself known almost immediately. While treading the line between singing and low-key yelling, Herring pounds his chest and shows how he truly feels the music within his body.

While dancing to “Balance,” he breaks into melodic sways, moving his hips quickly side to side, separating and reuniting his knees like two chromatids that can’t quite split apart. Future Islands sets the bar high with their truly outstanding performance.

The National The National gives the final performance of the night. It is an audio-visual experience, filled to the brim with video filters and special effects. Lead singer Matt Berninger keeps a much calmer stage presence than Future Islands’ Herring, but that seems as if it fits the mood of The National’s music well.

As one of the most engaging headliners of the festival, Berninger not only bends over the protective railing and allows audience members to join in singing with him, but he also eventually allows the listeners to fully consume him as he walks through the middle of the crowd, microphone and all.

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October 2014

CliffLight

day two

The second act of Saturday is surprisingly great. With the sun out in full force and beach balls bouncing around in the air, CliffLight’s fun, beach vibe only increases. Not to mention the awesome guitar player equipped with a full beard and a curly, bouncy Mohawk that he throws around while stomping all over the stage with an unmatched level of energy.

Sky Ferreira Sky’s performance has a few technical difficulties that cause her to restart her final song altogether, but the overall experience is thoroughly enjoyable. As she finds a comfortable rhythm, her beautiful voice shines through, just in time to make her most popular songs sound spectacular. Her cool gray outfit goes well with her reflective sunglasses as she tilts her brown hair to one side or the other.

Matt Berninger of The National

Lorde After being rained out by thunderstorms for several hours, having to leave the premises and explore Quincy Market just to waste time, we hear that the festival is indeed back on. While Volcano Choir and Girl Talk would sadly be cut from performing that night, I begin to become excited once again that Lorde and Childish Gambino would still have sets.

When Lorde finally graces the stage just after nine p.m., she not only gives one of the best performances of the festival, but she also proves a lot of key things that are easy to doubt without experiencing her live firsthand. First of all, she is not actually creepy in person. Lorde is weird, but she does not maniacally pace on stage and do weird things with her hands.

Instead, Lorde dances around stage like a rock star, and does so admirably. Her moves often match her hip-hop-influenced beats and look well choreographed.

Second of all, Lorde is a sweetheart. Considering how the media portrays her, it’s easy to think that she is full of herself, but the way she genuinely giggles as we chant her name and the way she thanks us for sticking out the bad weather puts to rest those popular rumors. Her performance not only confirms her vast talent, but also demonstrates her true character.

Lorde

Childish Gambino As the last act of Saturday, Gambino brings the heat that reminds his fans why they love him so much. He goes from playing his newest album to revisiting old songs, giving the audience a performance to turn up to. He ends the day well, especially considering the unfortunate storm that could’ve eliminated then entire rest of the night from happening.

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19

T went y One Pilots

day three The War on Drugs With a heavy focus on their instruments, the band that wowed everyone with their latest album, Lost in the Dream, wow us again with pure technical skill. They handle their guitars and drums on stage with admirable talent and songs that sounded good on the album now sound spectacular.

Childish Gambino

Fans enjoy Twenty One Pilots.

Pretty much the definition of crowd involvement, the duo that makes up Twenty One Pilots includes all sorts of ways that they can connect with the crowd. Besides awesome and unexpected covers of “Bugatti” and “Drunk in Love” the two get the crowd to sing along to almost every song, having us jump around while using eruptions of smoke at just the right moments.

Two moments stand out most, though. One was when the drummer put a mini drum kit on a platform held up by fans in the crowd, which he proceeded to play on top of. Then, to finish their show, the two of them brought small drums on top of the crowd, poured water inside the rim and smashed down rhythmically as water flew onto the crowd, much to its delight.

Nas

Nas x the Roots Although Nas does his best to engage with the crowd and raps very well over his old school beats, it does not seem like the listeners have as much enthusiasm as they should (from the back of the crowd, at least). It’s probably a dramatically different experience in the first few rows, but it seems like this act in particular is not one that you want to be far removed from. The Roots eventually come out and take over the show, with the same flair that explains their late night presence and keeps fans coming back for more.

A wild bear roams the festival grounds.

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Photos by Alex Krowiak / Gavel Media

October 2014

HumansofNew York Revolutionizing the Search for Peace

By Mary Yuengert/Gavel Media Staff

A

s I scroll through my Facebook newsfeed, all of the posts start to blur together: a New York Times article about the latest air strike on Iraq, the never-before-seen list of “231 things that only brunettes who watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey will understand,� and the most recent addition to the Ice Bucket Challenge archives.

However, one photo manages to catch my eye. Three young boys are playing with aluminum cans in the dirt, looks of inexplicable joy plastered upon their faces. They are not smiling because they just received their acceptance letter to Princeton or because a lobster roll on Nantucket changed their lives this summer. In the midst of the ISIS takeover in Iraq they are part of the Yazidi minority, a group persecuted by the Islamic militants, and have managed to escape with their families from the extremists who overran their villages, took their homes, and attempted to completely cut off their water supply.

OPINIONS

21

Despite being physically and developmentally worlds away, I recognize the looks on their faces. They are smiling because amidst destruction and violence, they are punching holes in metal cans, attaching them to a plastic bin nearby and calling it a car. They are inventive, creative, adaptive and unique.

They are not just Iraqis: they are humans, just like us.

The Humans of New York (HONY) project began in the summer of 2010 as an effort by Brandon Stanton, a recentlyunemployed bond trader, to create a photographic archive of New York City’s inhabitants. Over time, the blog took on more meaning. Each interaction left Brandon with a quote, a story, a memory, a snippet of a person’s life that accompanied the picture and gave his blog’s followers a chance to, for one moment, peer into the life of a stranger on the street. Subjects ranged from stockbrokers in suits to college students studying in Central Park to the homeless woman sitting outside the nearest corner deli.

Since its conception, HONY has grown from a collection of photographs into a collection of stories. With over 9.3

million likes on Facebook and 1.5 million followers on Instagram, what began as a blogging hobby is now a New York Times nonfiction best-seller, the inspiration for hundreds of spinoff blogs, including our own Faces of Faith, Spirituality, and Humanity at Boston College.

Stanton has now taken the blog internationally with the United Nations as part of a 50-day world tour. The tour’s purpose is to raise awareness for the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, as well as to document the experiences of the humans in each of the 10 countries they visit. From the streets of Iraq run

by ISIS, to the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan, 12 kilometers from the Syrian border, to the rural villages of the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is becoming increasingly clear that HONY is no longer confined to the streets of Manhattan. Concrete jungle shots have turned into dirt paths and aluminum shacks in the slums of the Middle East.

However, this is not the first time the idea has taken hold internationally. In January of this year, the project inspired the creation of Humans of Planet Earth, an effort by Brandon Van Slyke to unite photographers from around the globe

who have started their own "Humans of..." pages.

Despite its original direction, Humans of New York is no longer simply an experiment in photography. HONY has become a global movement of sharing stories of the human experience, despite what in the past have been dividing lines between people: race, ethnicity, socioeconomic background, education level and political affiliation.

While Mr. Stanton's critics say that the project “doesn’t allow for any complexity, give you any historical information or any way to access the greater picture" and that his photographs are misleading in suggesting that politics can be avoided in the areas that he is visiting (NY Times article), Stanton's approach to uniting people across the globe through storytelling has proven to transcend apparent societal differences by portraying his subjects in their most vulnerable forms.

It is true that each person has a different perspective in answering the question, “What was the saddest moment of your life?” However, we each feel sadness, and the HONY project highlights that common emotion, as

Photos courtesy of Brandon Stanton/Tumblr

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OCTOBER 2014

well as brings out the natural human capacity for empathy. By recognizing our fellow human being in his most raw state, rather than focusing on manmade concepts such as politics and racial stigmas, we begin to achieve a deeper level of understanding of them, which, according to Albert Einstein, is the only way to achieve peace.

From Manhattan to Portland to Iraq, India and Russia, Mr. Stanton’s global gateway to peace is deserving of no less than one of the most prestigious awards given to man: the Nobel Peace Prize.

Alfred Nobel stated in his will that the whole of his estate shall be invested in securities, invested in those who "shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind" each year. For the Peace Prize specifically, he intended the recipient to be the person "who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses." The list of former Peace Prize winners is no stranger to big names: Mother Teresa, Teddy Roosevelt, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Jr. and, in 2009, President Barack Obama.

The traits of a Nobel Peace Prize winner seem to be inevitably grandiose. Past winners have led marches on Washington, sent troops into battle, organized revolutionary rallies to combat racism, housed the sickest of the sick and enacted stricter policies on chemical warfare, but does peace require press? Does it necessarily entail being in a position of power, making a series of sweeping gestures or yelling for peace in the streets?

Through social media, the most effective form of communication of our age, Humans of New York has started a dialogue that leads to understanding. More profoundly,

an understanding that each human has a story, one that is just as woven into the fabric of time as our own. Sometimes it takes a step back, perhaps through a computer screen, to see a commonality that is more deeply-rooted than skin color or tax bracket: a human soul. By achieving this understanding first, it is inevitable that peace will follow— for how can we commit violence against someone that we see just as human as ourselves? The rallies and marches will be unwarranted, the wars will fall away, and we will endure the human struggle as equals rather than enemies. We will take care of others as if they were ourselves. Peace will be the norm.

It is true that the world today is far from achieving this state, realistically even within the next 200 years. However, as the saying goes, "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Perhaps that step is a picture posted on a blog of some boys playing in the dirt halfway across the world. Perhaps the step takes place even before that. Perhaps it is a young man in New York picking up a camera and deciding to expose the world for what it really is: 7 billion humans, experiencing the same struggle in 7 billion different bodies. The world does not need more shouters, whistle blowers or politicians. It needs more genuine humans who can see the love that is already present here.

Whether international recognition comes of the HONY project or not, Brandon Stanton's movement is commendable beyond words and truly the example of peace that needs to be set if we are to progress forward toward a happier planet.

I would say you are deserving of the world, Mr. Stanton, but you already have it in your hands.

OPINIONS

23

FAKE C ID ‘TIL YOU MAKE IT

ollege is full of choices. Before students arrive on

campus as freshmen, they all have to choose what classes to take with which professors, without knowing the first thing about any of them. Then, when they actually get to campus, they make choices about whom to befriend and which clubs to join.

By Nicole Strik/ Staff Writer

The list of choices goes on, and it never really ends.

As a freshman—or really anyone who is under the age of 21 while in college— the choice of whether or not to buy a fake ID is one that many students consider. They ask themselves questions like: “How do I get one?” “Is it worth the money?” “Do I really need it?” And most importantly: “Is it worth the risk?” For some, not having a fake ID is out of the question because they feel that there is no way that they can party, drink and have the full college experience that they have always wanted without one.

Say what you’d like, but I do not have a fake ID, nor did the majority of my friends during my freshman year. One of the main reasons that I chose not to get a fake was the sheer fear of the consequences that could result if I was ever caught.

During Welcome Week, my floor had

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a sit-down talk with a recent BC graduate who was mainly there to offer advice that would ease our freshman minds. A floormate asked about fake IDs and I can still remember the serious and honest look on the graduate’s face afterwards. He told us that if there is one thing that we do while at BC it is to stay as far as possible from anything or anyone involved with the buying or selling of fake IDs. He elaborated that there had been instances of students getting caught selling fake IDs who were awaiting a trial to see how severely they would be sentenced.

Despite the risks, there always have been and always will be students who choose to purchase fakes. However, it is important these students are aware of the serious risks. According to Massachusetts’ law, any person caught buying or distributing fake IDs can be punished with a fine of $200 or by

imprisonment of no more than three months. Also, John King, the chief of police at Boston College, noted, “The circumstances of the incident will determine if local authorities are contacted. BC Police may choose to take court action. In all cases the university’s conduct system will be notified.”

It is even dangerous to try to bypass the fake penalties by borrowing a 21+ person’s ID. In fact, the consequences are more severe. Posing as another person can be considered fraud and could potentially land one with more fines and jail time than buying a fake ID would.

So, while having a fake ID may be great for getting into bars, making friends and starting off your college experience with a bang, there is a lot to consider.

Still, many people wonder, “What are the chances that I will actually get

OCTOBER 2014

caught?” No one wants to be that one person who is caught and forever has a discrepancy on his or her record.

Though it is possible that someone gets caught and nothing happens other than the fake ID is taken away, there is also the chance that when the bar or liquor store takes your ID they put it up on a wall with all the other fake IDs that they have confiscated. So, while you’re not exactly seen as a criminal, you’ve created a setback for your ability to drink once you do turn 21.

Buying a fake ID alone costs $75$100, and going to bars every weekend and supplying the drinks for friends can become expensive. Honestly, if I have the choice between going to a bar and buying drinks or going to Newbury Street to go shopping, I will choose Newbury Street.

Is money not a problem for you? Fine.

Once again getting a fake ID is your choice. Some people might look the other way when you present them with a fake ID. Yet, don’t forget, Massachusetts is crawling with colleges and universities.

So, bar and liquor-store owners are smart enough to detect the majority of fake IDs. I asked a student, who wishes to remain anonymous, why he/she bought a fake ID for his/her freshman year. The student responded, “I didn’t want to rely on older students to buy me alcohol, and I wanted to have the chance to explore the bar scene.”

It’s important to recognize, especially for the class of 2018, that not having a fake ID does not mean that you won’t have a social life. One BC student who is considering getting a fake ID feels that “it’s not like you are a loser if you don’t have [a fake ID]. BC is not really a huge bar scene type of school, but some people like to have one just in case.”

If you are worried about missing out on some experiences with your friends because you don’t have a fake ID, trust that your time will come to hit the bar and throw your own party with plenty of alcohol to go around, if that is what you want to do. In the meantime, if you join clubs and get involved you will be invited to go to the Mods and off-campus parties.

That’s right, you will be invited. You won’t have to troll around the Mods and make sure your “ratio” is adequate in order to make your way through the door.

That being said, even if you are not involved, you will probably meet people that can get you into a Mod or house party. Don’t be afraid to seek out upperclassmen as mentors. They can offer advice about not only classes, but also how to get into parties and who to buy alcohol from. It is definitely worth considering the advantages of having someone legal – and willing - buy alcohol for you that you can keep in your room.

While having alcohol in your room is still a punishable offense, the consequences are not nearly as severe as being caught

with a fake ID. Not having a fake ID will not be the anchor that brings your year down, as long as you have great friends to spend the nights with. When BC parties end and upperclassmen head to the bar and it feels like the night has been ruined, just head over to Lower, grab some mozz sticks at Late Night and create some new memories that you’ll love to laugh about when you are 21 and legally drinking in a bar.

Photos courtesy of Amanda Ikard/Gavel Media

OPINIONS

25

Image via Gavel Media

A FAIRNESS M

ISSUE by francisco bernard

Quentin Williams is a decorated and busy man. He is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Butler Lapport Williams Firm

PC, a New York City based law firm that specializes in sports, entertainment and media. Williams is also the founder of Dedication to Community (D2C), a forum developed to exchange ideas in business and society. Members of D2C travel nationwide to give talks at universities.

It should come as no surprise, then, that Williams has a passion to serve others. It might have been developed from growing up in a tenement in the Lower East Side section of Manhattan where he saw his mom counsel inmates in prison and teach at the Henry Street Settlement House. It’s no surprise Williams

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is a hard worker, as displayed in his impressive résumé, likely developed from being an all-state football and track star at Groton High School in Yonkers or while working part-time in high school, driving nuns into New York City or volunteering at Yonkers General Hospital. But it’s no surprise to Boston Col-

October 2014

lege students that Williams’ ‘work hard, play hard’ attitude fits perfectly in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, where Williams decided to move in order to pursue Division I football and track.

Williams moved out of his small working-class home in Yonkers and shipped up to Boston in 1983, where he played cornerback for the Eagles and was a 55-meter sprinter on the track team.

Williams was part of BC football’s banner year in 1984, when Heisman Trophy winner, Doug Flutie led the team to the Cotton Bowl and had BC ranked 4th in the country. Williams wasn’t there for the ‘Hail Flutie’ game against the University of Miami due to a broken hand.

It’s been 27 years since Williams graduated from BC, but in those years, according to Williams, one thing hasn’t changed at BC. “I have great concerns that BC is not fully engaged regarding issues of diversity,” said Williams in an e-mail to The Gavel.

The quote is revised because Williams didn’t mean BC as a whole. Here is the quote in its entirety. “I have great concerns that BC -- and more particularly, its Athletics Department -- is not fully engaged regarding issues of diversity.”

27 years ago, there were 1,292 AHANA students enrolled at BC, compared to 2,912 AHANA students enrolled as undergraduates as of 2013, according to BC. But in the athletic department, which deals with a diverse student population, Williams claims the department was and is still making no effort to include people of color in the executive ranks. “I recall that there were absolutely NO people of color working in the AD’s executive ranks -- and, as a matter of fact, I also recall that there were NO people of color working in any capacity in sports administration,” said Williams in a letter to Brad Bates and other administrators at BC. Williams’ letter was in response to Bates naming Jamie Segura, BC class of 1999, the Deputy Athletics Director. Se-

gura became the third female part of the executive rank in the administration, but Williams is right. There are no people of color in the executive ranks and there are very few in the department. The most people of color in the athletic department are in football, where five black men hold positions on the football staff.

But Williams’ argument is valid. Not one person of color is of executive rank. The last four major hires, Williams included in his letter, were: athletics director, head football coach, head basketball coach and deputy athletics director. All white.

But is it just the

university’s fault? It might not be. Dr. Richard Lapchick, who Williams mentioned in his letter, is the director of TIDES (The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports). TIDES creates annual report cards detailing diversity within college and professional sports.

Across the board, college sports have ranked the lowest in terms of diversity in the athletics department. “College sports still has the lowest grading for racial hiring practices,” said Lapchick in his latest report card for college sports.

“This is the most distressing College Sports Racial and Gender Report Card in many years.”

Included in the report was also another alarming situation. The report in-

dicated a drop in proficiency in gender hiring practices within college sports.

“The drop in the gender grade highlights the voices of Title IX advocates who have been decrying the records of many institutions for several years,” says Lapchick. Williams credited BC for hiring a woman as Deputy Athletic Director. He also praised the athletic department for having many positions held by women.

It’s comforting to see BC taking a positive stance on gender equality, but the lack of racial diversity is troublesome.

“The #1 revenue-producing sport at BC is the football program. The on-field talent, or student-athletes, in this program are comprised‎ of a substantial number of people of color,” says Williams. “Taking a similar look at the Athletics Department’s front-office, however, paints a completely different picture. That is, a minimal number of people of color occupy full-time employment slots and NO people of color are in the department’s executive ranks.”

27 years ago, Boston College was different. Today, there are more students of color. There is a better awareness of diversity and a push to be more inclusive within the student body at the university. But while the student body improves, there are still concerns within the student body about diversity, and that’s the main point of Williams’ letter.

It is easy to see that progress has occurred in some places and not others. It isn’t BC’s fault. It is a nationwide problem that needs to be addressed, and what better place to address it than at the university that has coined the term AHANA? After all, BC has increased its diversity gradually, but has yet to do so on an administrative level. As Williams said, “It isn’t a black or white issue. It is a fairness issue.” This doesn’t mean the athletic department is being unfair or should hire a person of color immediately to join the ranks of its executives or become a head coach, but it raises awareness of an issue not addressed very frequently, and that is a bare to college sports.

SPORTS

27

Written

Stars?

in the When celebrity athletes cross the line

By Mike Kotsopoulos / Assoc. Sports Editor

O

ne star athlete drags his unconscious fiancée

plant legal in two states and Robert Mathis gets a four-

through elevator. Another dwindling star tests

game suspension for doctor-approved fertility medica-

positive for a fertility drug. Who does justice

tion.

turn the blind eye to? Unless you’ve been living under a

Meanwhile, Ray Rice receives a one-year suspension

rock for the past six months, you’d know that only in the

for domestic abuse. The new face of the Baltimore Ra-

NFL does a man convicted of domestic abuse receive a

vens scored a Get Out of Jail Free card from commis-

slap on the wrist while another man receives twice that

sioner Roger Goodell for only God knows what. Oh wait,

punishment for battling his own fertility issue.

Rice’s jersey ranks among the highest sold in the NFL

Utterly ridiculous? Disgusting, actually.

28

over the past three seasons. Never mind!

Years ago, Pacman Jones lost a place in the NFL for

While commissioners in the MLB and NFL fight sub-

making it rain a bit too hard while Plaxico Burress shared

stance abuse, our culture’s unquenchable thirst for un-

a jail cell for literally shooting himself in the leg. Josh

warranted sensationalism deserves its own intervention.

Gordon now works as a car salesman after smoking a

Today’s youth no longer cares about the beauty of sport

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October 2014

itself. They want action. They want headlines, drama!

If Johnny Manziel sneezes on “baking soda” at a Cleveland nightclub, Twitter blows up. Headline gold! LeBron loses in the NBA Finals and switches teams?

ESPN stalks his every move—tweets and posts like mad.

What happened to us? Yes, I said us.

As fans of the game, we feed a culture driven solely by the almighty one percent. We let superstars dominate headlines to the point where they get away with murder… Well, maybe not (My apologies sent to your North Attleboro jail cell, Mr. Hernandez).

Sports media sees this superstar attraction and takes advantage of the potential goldmine. How so? They polarize our heroes. ESPN knows that commentary on “First Take” opinionates sensitive material (e.g. domestic abuse, gay marriage). They know it immediately draws viewership, regardless of whether most of the attention stems from outrage. Why do you think Michael Sam, a gay football player drafted in the seventh round of this year’s NFL draft, had cameramen camped outside of his house on the last day of the draft? ESPN knows bigotry re-

mains alive and well in America. So, why not film the magical moment Mr. Sam and his boyfriend share a congratulatory kiss? Viewership skyrockets—genius!

Ethical? Questionable.

Why not honor the life and memory of Tony Gwynn, arguably baseball’s greatest hitter since the likes of Ted Williams, during this year’s All-Star Game? ESPN didn’t. Continually milking the retirement parade of Derek Jeter inappropriately fits the logic of major networks such as Fox and ESPN. Let’s face it: media networks only fuel the fire. The owners and their respective leagues serve as ringleaders to this circus.

Owners in the NFL see value in one thing only: the dollar. Hell, the lockout year of 2011 shed light on owners fighting for a five percent shift in revenue. Sure it’s only five percent, but it’s five percent of a pie worth billions of dollars.

With a stingy salary cap, each signed contract represents a financial gamble plagued with plenty of opportunity cost. If Tom Brady had broken his hand against the Dolphins (*thank you sweet Jesus*), fans would have thought twice before renewing their ticket packages at

the prospect of watching Jimmy Goropollo (Garoppolo? My point exactly.) take snaps under center.

To ensure tailgates from Seattle to Miami overflow with fans on Sundays, Roger Goodell compromised the integrity of the game to ensure the league’s brightest stars produce the best show for the hottest ticket in town. The first domino fell in 2009 with the introduction of the so-called “Brady Rule.” A 15-yard penalty results from hitting the quarterback below the knees in an effort to avoid the same serious injury that sidelined Tom Brady for an entire year.

Fast-forward to 2014 and yellow flags seem to litter the turf after every other play. One moment, Ahmad Dixon’s wallet suffers unnecessary roughness in the form of a $22,050 fine. Blink an eye and Brandon Merriweather faces a two-game suspension for another helmet-to-helmet hit.

Who’s to blame for this? Yes, once again, us. We fuel the superstar syndrome of America. Disappointingly, no end remains in sight.

Now, who’s ready for some football?

Photos courtesy of Tumblr

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The Crapshoot that is Drafting and Development

Immeasurable Intangibles:

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

By Jake Miller / Sports Editor

T

here are a lot of set-in-stone measurements that are used to gauge if someone can cut it in professional sports. The question of overall athleticism is perhaps the most important, which takes into account things like speed, strength, power, endurance and size.

These are measurements. You can put these onto a piece of paper in front of a general manager and he will

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BC Gavel

know if he likes the player or not. When you also put this player’s past statistics on this same piece of paper, the general manager has just about everything he needs. In front of him is the player’s makeup, and how that makeup has translated in past game situations.

For many players, their scouting reports end there, and for good reason. The aforementioned are just about

October 2014

the only things that a team’s management can know for sure when they are researching a player who may someday don their club’s uniform. What they cannot measure and predict is what often is most important.

Part of why predicting how a player will develop and, ideally, blossom into a major league talent is so incredibly difficult is that there are simply too many immeasurable, personal factors to consider.

Things like work ethic, drive, perseverance, character, leadership, mental toughness -- and whatever else you would like to call these intangibles -- cannot be measured. You will never look at a baseball player’s stat line in the morning paper to see that he went 1-for-3 with a walk and three Leadership Points in last night’s game. While they will not show up on the scorecard, these intangibles are what keep management up at night, managers from making easy lineup decisions and fans in the seats.

To make matters worse, these are not the only personal factors that can affect the profitability and potential of a prospect. As MLB teams are finding out, guessing if an international player’s talents will carry over from his respective home country is exactly that, a guess. With the recent insurgence of Cuban-born players coming to the highest bidder, scouts are now frantically trying to see how the thing called “organized baseball” in Cuba relates to baseball played here in America. For every Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig, there have been far more players like Amauri Sanit,

Francisley Bueno, and Alex Guerrero (If you’re thinking to yourself, “Who?” then you understand my point).

Not every player can successfully adapt to the rigors and challenges of American professional sports when they make the trip to the U.S. When you consider how spotty the recording of even the most basic statistics, like age – cough Miguel Tejada cough – the prospects of guessing right on an international player become even dimmer.

Personal factors aside, let us say you successfully draft a fundamentally sound player. Drafting, the wildly inconsistent crapshoot that it is, is unfortunately only half the beast. To ensure that Player X is able to fulfill these expectations that you’ve sold to your fan base, correctly developing him to his full potential is key to his (and your) success. That sounds pretty straightforward, right? There’s just one small hiccup: Developing players is even harder than drafting.

Players develop differently under such a wide variety of conditions that there is no set rulebook on how to maximize a draftee’s potential. The climate and elevation his new team plays in, the race of his conditioning couch, the amount of other players at his position that are already on the team, and many, many others all play a role in how a player rounds into form.

A trend we are seeing more and more in football and baseball is that players coming out of college are no longer married to a single position as often as they used to be. We are seeing more ‘athletes’

and fewer strict ‘linebackers’ or ‘outfielders’ as players attempt to maximize their marketability.

So then it becomes not only a question of what is truly this player’s best position, but more importantly, what is the position that he is being drafted to play.

The answers to these two queries sometimes differ, and it can lead to a player being brought up through the minor leagues and training camps at a position for which he may not be best suited.

One of the biggest fears of player development, the statistical anomaly known as regression to the mean, is that some young players will rise meteorically through their team’s farm system... only to sputter and fade out when their stock was highest.

Many of these case studies seen around the realm of sports are due to poor player management and development -- meaning that the simplest thing as giving a player 50 fewer games at the minor league level before he comes up to the big club could actually make or break his superstar potential.

The hit-or-miss volatility of drafting and developing in football, hockey, basketball and baseball is one of the steadfast pillars that makes sports entertaining. It’s what puts fans in the seats and players on the field. It’s what separates the casual “pink hat fans” from the hardcore fanatics.

It’s why we love sports.

Photos courtesy of Tumblr

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We hope to empower students by actively involving them in the process of granting wishes for children with life threatening diseases through participation in events at Boston College. Our goal is to raise approximately $7500 each year, the average cost of a child’s wish.

Every otherThursday starting

MEETINGS: 9/25 in Fulton 511 @ 6pm

Interested in prelaw at BC? Contact: ahanalawassociation@gmail.com

Looking for a way to get involved on campus while making a difference in someones life? Become a Big Brother or a Big Sister. It is a one hour commitment every week and days and times are flexible.

If interested please email bcbigs@bc.edu or stop by the Volunteer Service Learning Center in McElroy 114 for more information.