Volume 91, Issue 20

SPORTS The men’s basketball team captured a share of the Big 5 title with a win against La Salle last week.

temple-news.com VOL. 91 ISS. 21

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Trustees propose room rate increases

Big East leaders to vote on ESPN deal The deal is awaiting ratification from the Big East presidents.

The board will vote on the committees’ recommendations next week.

JOEY CRANNEY Sports Editor President Neil Theobald and the other Big East presidents are reviewing and will soon vote on a proposed media rights deal with ESPN for basketball and football that would reportedly be worth $130 million and extend until the 201920 school year.

The deal would start at $10 million for basketball for the 2013-14 season and $20 million for the 2014-15 football season, according to an ESPN report, but is far less than the deal ESPN offered the Big East two years ago that was turned down by the conference leadership.

In 2011, the Big East presidents rejected a nine-year, $1.17 billion offer from ESPN that would have broken down to $130 million annually. That deal would have been worth $13 million per school in the 10-team conference that will form effective in 2014.

The new deal is reportedly worth a combined $22 million annually and, effective 2014, will be split up into $2.2 million per school for the 10-team league. Schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Pacific-12 Conference and Southeastern Conference – the conferences that the Big East was once thought to be aligned with – will reportedly earn

BIG EAST PAGE 2

LAURA ORDONEZ The Temple News

HUA ZONG TTN

Crime logs fail to meet ‘04 law

Temple has not included state-mandated arrest information in its daily crime reports.

ANGELO FICHERA ALI WATKINS The Temple News

D

espite last year’s redesign, the sleek and sophisticated Campus Safety Services website is still missing something. And there’s a law to prove it.

The university’s daily crime reports – published online and in print for public inspection – do not comply with a 2004 state act that mandates the logs include the names and addresses of people arrested and charged, The Temple News has found.

Temple has indeed pro-

vided the necessary information mandated under the Clery Act – a federal crime reporting act that ties compliance to government dollars – but has failed to include the additional requirements under Pennsylvania’s Uniform Crime Reporting Act. After repeated denials by Campus Safety Services to provide the names of people arrested during The Temple News’ reporting process, the paper inquired in October 2012 about Temple’s reasoning for not releasing such information, largely considered to be public.

Deputy Director of CSS Charlie Leone responded to the inquiry in an email, saying that the practice of not releasing the

names has “been around the university for a number of years.”

In a months-long attempt to obtain a formal answer on behalf of the university, a Feb. 19 meeting amongst The Temple News, Leone and counsel representative Cameron Etezady made certain that university officials were unclear in their understanding of the Uniform Crime Reporting Act’s requirements.

When The Temple News pointed out the clause that details daily crime reporting requirements – including the names and addresses of people arrested and charged – Etezady said he would revisit the law and consider any necessary pol-

icy changes.

William Casey, legal counsel for State Sen. Judy Schwank, D-11, who is currently sponsoring an amendment to the Uniform Crime Reporting Act, confirmed that the university is in non-compliance by not including such information.

“If that’s not happening, somebody’s not understanding something somewhere…it’s very rare for a police department not to understand that they have to make that information public,” Casey said.

In an email statement last weekend, Ray Betzner, assistant vice president for University

REPORTING PAGE 3

With a predicted increased demand for housing on Main Campus this fall and a blend of additional expenses and maintenance of aging residence halls, school officials are considering whether to raise the cost of living for students in order to achieve budget.

In its first meeting of the year, the Student Affairs Committee and Campus Life and Diversity Committee of the Board of Trustees recommended an average price increase of 3.12 percent in all university student housing for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

The proposal comes as University Housing and Residential Life expects its operating expenses to increase by more than $16 million in fiscal year 2014 with the opening of Morgan Hall. The $216 million, 27-story hall will open this fall.

“We have expenses that are variable by year, mostly due to inflation,” Michael Scales, associate vice president for Student Affairs, said. “Our increases really reflect increasings in our operating budget that we have to respond to.”

The proposed increase varied from no increase for standard rooms – Johnson, Hardwick and Peabody halls – to 6 percent increases for single spaces. The

HOUSING PAGE 3

Pres. testifies Bookstore tops rental rate before House Representatives from Pennsylvania’s four state-related schools testified Monday.

SEAN CARLIN News Editor Three weeks after Gov. Tom Corbett proposed to flatfund Pennsylvania’s 14 state and four state-related universities, President Neil Theobald and representatives from the three other state-related universities testified before the state House Appropriations Committee yesterday, Feb. 25.

Theobald spoke about the university’s need for commonwealth funding and what purpose it serves to Temple.

“Temple University realizes that most of our revenue comes from either a family or from a taxpayer,” Theobald said at the hearing. “Going forward,

we are determined to be responsible stewards of the public dollars that Temple University is privileged to spend.”

Throughout the hearing Theobald – along with representatives from Lincoln University, Penn State and University of Pittsburgh – spoke about the importance of the commonwealth funding and its impact in keeping tuition low.

Specifically, Theobald cited the appropriation as the most important factor in curbing tuition for in-state students. “[The appropriation] is the single most important factor in keeping tuition affordable for Pennsylvania students,” Theobald said. “Temple uses this funding to discount tuition for in-state undergraduate students by about $10,000 per student and reduce what Pennsylvania residents must borrow to earn a college degree.”

THEOBALD PAGE 2

YOUNG REPUBS, p. 5

Columinst Jerry Iannelli offers a youth’s perspective for the Republican Party’s outreach.

NEWS DESK 215-204-7419

More than 20,000 units were rented from Temple’s bookstore since 2011.

AMELIA BRUST The Temple News

Of all 647 Barnes & Noble College bookstores, Temple’s has the highest textbook rental rate, company officials said.

To determine this, the company examines the percentage of titles available to rent compared to the number of titles rented.

“Temple is at the very top of rental schools, driven by very large freshman classes. Students at Temple rent at a rate higher than the company average,” said Jade Roth, vice president for textbook and digital strategy for Barnes & Noble College Booksellers.

The bookseller introduced rentals in 2011. More than 20,000 units were rented from Temple’s bookstore last semes-

A sign boasts that students saved more than $1 million by renting textbooks last year. Temple’s bookstore has the highest rate of textbook rentals. | HUA ZONG TTN ter, a personal record for the university. Books for the Intellectual Heritage curriculum led all rentals, Jen Ryskalchick, Temple’s bookstore manager,

RANDOM ACTS, p. 7

The sisters of AEPhi brought the national “26 acts of kindness” movement to campus.

NEWS@TEMPLE-NEWS.COM

said.

“A lot of the reasoning behind why students rent [for Mosaics],” Ryskalchick said, is because “it’s not something

they’re going to hold onto for the rest of their life.”

The company deter-

BOOKSTORE PAGE 2

DOG DAYS ARE OVER, p. 11

Former Dr. Dog drummer Juston Stens is fronting his new band, playing Johnny Brenda’s March 1.

NEWS temple-news.com

PAGE 2

NEWS IN BRIEF More than 70 percent have updated records

Two weeks after Temple started its spring campaign to have all students update their living addresses online, more than 70 percent have responded. Students are prompted to update their living address through a pop-up window after logging into TUPortal.

The number of eligible students who would see the window is 34,344, Dean of Students Stephanie Ives said.

As of Friday, Feb. 22, 24,551 students have updated their living addresses.

However, Ives said not all students have logged into TUPortal to see the prompt, but, of those who have, the “vast majority complete the information the first time they see the window.”

-Sean Carlin

Textbook rentals becoming popular BOOKSTORE PAGE 1 mined Temple students saved $1,076,388 on textbooks from renting last year, which Ryskalchick and Joyce Jefferson, assistant store manager, said amounts to approximately as much spent on rentals, given that rental prices are typically 50 percent of the new purchase price.

Used books are 75 percent of the new price, with digital versions at 40 percent. Students are not limited to the number of books they rent.

“It’s an option that students really are leaning toward and our company is committed to making textbooks cost-effective and that’s one of the ways that they’re doing it. To try and expand the title list,” Ryskalchick said.

In its 2012 fiscal year, Barnes & Noble College re-

Temple film alumnus William Goldenberg won the Academy Award Sunday, Feb. 24, for Best Achievement in Editing for his work on “Argo,” which also went on to win the night’s most coveted award for Best Motion Picture of the Year.

Goldenberg was also nominated in the category for editing “Zero Dark Thirty,” which was nominated for five Academy Awards total and won for Best Achievement in Sound Editing.

Goldenberg graduated in 1982 from Temple with a radio, TV and film bachelor’s degree. A Northeast High School graduate, Goldenberg picked up his first Academy Award last night after having been previously nominated for Best Film Editing for “Seabiscuit” in 2004 and “The Insider” in 2000.

-Joey Cranney

Donation to be used for Social Justice Center Made possible by a $1.5 million donation, the Beasley School of Law will create a Social Justice Center that will work with nonprofits and agencies in the city to address social justice needs in the area, according to University Communications.

The donation was made

by Sandra and Stephen Sheller.

Pick up The Temple News on March 5 for a full recap of the gift and the new Social Justice Center.

-Sean Carlin

ported sales of $1.74 billion.

The division saw a 1.9 percent sales decrease of $34.5 million, and a 0.3 percent sales decrease among stores, all of which the company attributed to greater rental sales.

The division’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization decreased by $5 million from the 2012 to 2013 fiscal years, also attributed to higher textbook rentals.

However, the company is not expected to shrink its list of rental titles. Barnes & Noble College said most of its profits come during the second and third semesters of the academic year, when students buy textbooks for the upcoming semester.

Nida Naseer, a senior biology major, rented a book for a biostatistics class.

“I didn’t think I would need it after. I’d prefer to rent them.

It’s better than trying to sell them back at the end,” she said.

Naseer said she still has an ecology book she cannot sell back.

The company does not need permission from publishers to make titles available for rent. The bookstore receives book lists from professors, and the store works with the company to determine the “longevity of the book,” its likelihood to be used at other campuses, as well as the size of the book’s publisher.

“If the publisher tells us that it’s going to go into a new edition next semester, we’re not going to rent it because probably next semester the faculty member’s going to want the new edition. So it doesn’t make sense for us to rent it next semester,” Jefferson said.

Ryskalchick added the company does not “rent things that come with a consum-

able item, like an access code, workbook where people write in them – we don’t rent those.

Custom textbooks that are just used on this campus – we don’t rent those.”

She said she does not get many special requests for newly rentable books.

“I communicate with over a 1,000 instructors and maybe 20 of them a semester ask me if their book can be rentable,” Ryskalchick said.

“I feel like people who don’t want to keep textbooks it’s a good idea to rent but...I’ve accumulated books and I’ve found that I literally can find the same or cheaper price to buy them used,” senior economic major Julia Kleinhans said. “So if you can get it and have it for the same price why would you have to give it back?”

“They’ll keep [renting] at a steady pace. It keeps the stu-

dents coming back,” Jefferson said. “Students want to save money and we’re trying to keep it as cost-efficient for you guys as we possibly can. And offering it to you and then ripping it back out of your hands kind of won’t work.”

Although Kleinhans rented a book last year in a time crunch, she said she’s bought books more often than rented.

“Honestly I think I’ve probably purchased more than rented,” Kleinhans said. “Ninety-nine percent of the time I don’t buy new books, and I’ve stopped using the bookstore at all, because it’s just ridiculous how expensive books there are compared to online or at Zavelle’s.”

Amelia Brust can be reached at abrust@temple.edu.

Senate testimony set for Thursday THEOBALD PAGE 1

Film alumnus wins editing award at Oscars

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

During Theobald’s time as president-elect, and his twoplus months in office, he has repeatedly named student debt as one of his top priorities. In recent interviews with The Temple News, Theobald has said the administration will pursue initiatives aimed at increasing student financial literacy and encouraging students to graduate in four years, which is something he concentrated on during the hearing.

Theobald also singled out living expenses during extended stays at college as a leading factor in driving up student debt.

“The majority of the debt that students take on is not tuition. The majority of the debt is living cost while in school,” Theobald said at the hearing. “If you stay [in school] six years, seven years, eight years, you’ve

got those living costs for all that said. “A lot of students feel time. We’re very much focused that, ‘Well, I’ll work part-time on providing incentives to get and pay for my classes as I go.’ into school, get a quality educa- Your part-time job isn’t going tion…and graduate them in four to pay you what a full-time poor four and a half years.” sition will once you have your Senior Vice degree.”

President for GovTheoernment, Combald also said munity and Public improving Affairs Ken Lawfinancial literrence reiterated in acy amongst an interview after students and the hearing Theoparents is bald’s point that among his the most effective top goals and way to drive down said students student debt is to can’t face fisNeil Theobald / president have students gradcal issues in a uate in four years. manner simi“When you’re lar that older taking five to six years to gradu- generations did because of the ate, not only are you paying current economic climate. tuition for five to six years, but “Most of us learned these you’re also paying your living lessons the hard way in our 20s expenses and all the things as- and 30s,” Theobald said. “The sociated with that,” Lawrence current economic reality does

“The current

economic reality does not allow for a real-life internship in budget literacy.

”

not allow for a real-life internship in budget literacy.”

Corbett proposed to flatfund Temple, which would keep its appropriation at $139.9 million after two consecutive years in which he called for drastic cuts to Pennsylvania’s state-related schools.

Last year, Corbett called for a 30 percent cut to Temple’s funding, but the school’s funding ended up being level with that of the previous year. In his first budget address as governor, Corbett proposed to cut more than half of Temple’s commonwealth funding. Ultimately, the university saw a 19 percent cut, bringing Temple’s state funding from $172.7 million to $139.9 million, which it stands at today.

This year provided more support for higher-education funding than in the past two years, when college presidents were testifying under enormous

cuts proposed by the governor, Lawrence said.

“What you saw from the hearing was a difference in the past two years, where the presidents were testifying with draconian cuts being proposed by the governor,” Lawrence said. “You saw today a lot of bipartisan support for higher education and the value that our universities bring to the commonwealth.”

Temple had requested a 3 percent increase in its appropriation for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Theobald will testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday, Feb. 28.

Sean Carlin can be reached at sean.carlin@temple.edu or on Twitter @SeanCarlin84.

Computer Services launches ‘tuguestwireless’ The network will make it easier for visitors to access Temple’s network.

MARCUS MCCARTHY The Temple News Temple’s wireless network has evolved in recent years and, with the launch of eduroam, and now tuguestwireless, Computer Services has expanded Internet access at Temple.

Eduroam was launched this semester and is a service that allows anyone with a valid Temple username and password to connect to another participating institution’s wireless network and vice versa. Launched soon after, tuguestwireless allows anyone with a cell phone to access Temple’s wireless network.

“This is like night and day,”

Penelope Myers, head of access services at Paley Library, said.

“Parents that used to come in would want to just check their email but we would have to say no.”

Previously, visiting academics or parents would need to contact Computer Services far in advance so the department could set up a temporary wireless account for them. These new changes allow the same people to register in a matter of minutes.

Free wireless networks used in places like coffee shops are not used on Main Campus because they pose privacy security threats to the user. Therefore, a secure wireless network needs to require accounts for all its users.

Developed for three months and launched Feb. 4 on all domestic Temple campuses and the medical center to a lim-

ited audience, tuguestwireless has seen very few glitches and a large level of participation with 1,800 users on the first day alone, according to Computer Services.

Visitors to the university can now access wireless networks by connecting to tuguestwireless anywhere on campus.

They will be asked for their cell phone number and provider and are then sent a text with a password within seconds. That visitor then has 24-hour access to the network by using his or her phone number as the username and texted password.

However, these temporary accounts will not have access to Temple exclusive resources such as the Cherry & White Directory or databases.

Also new this semester, eduroam gives students, faculty and staff Internet access on other institutions’ campuses in the

U.S. and across 59 territories.

Susan Banka, director of information technology at Computer Services, said she was able to use eduroam to connect to a participating university’s wireless network in Iceland while on a university campus.

When some Temple officials went to Indiana University, they were happy to hear they could get access to wireless through eduroam, Larry Brandolph, the associate vice president of Computer Services, said.

On an average day so far, 100 Temple users access other institutions’ wireless via eduroam.

Eduroam is much larger in Europe and is slowly making its way across North America.

Local universities like University of Pennsylvania do not have eduroam established yet. Drexel University is reportedly setting

the network up.

“If students, faculty and staff push for it, then that can make it happen,” Brandolph said.

Students would be able to visit Penn or Drexel and use the schools’ wireless if this were to go through.

“It’s nice to be on the list,” Adam Ferrero, assistant vice president of Computer Services who worked on the setup, said.

Computer Services has planned another addition to the secure Internet, which will make initial Internet setup for students, faculty and staff more streamlined by automatically recognizing the user’s operating system. This update is projected for launch at the beginning of the fall semester.

Marcus McCarthy can be reached at marcus.mccarthy@temple.edu.

Big East turned down larger ESPN deal in 2011 BIG EAST PAGE 1 around $20 million per school annually in their respective media deals.

There was no word when the Big East presidents will vote and Athletic Director Bill Bradshaw could not be reached before press time.

When the Big East turned down ESPN’s deal in 2011, it was still one of the most competitive conferences in the country. Connecticut was the 2011 men’s basketball national

champion and the Big East went 5-2 in bowl games in football in the 2010-11 bowl season.

Since then, the league has had 16 schools leave for another conference or announce their intention for departure.

West Virginia went to the Big 12 Conference in 2012.

Syracuse and the University of Pittsburgh will go to the ACC for the 2013 football season.

Louisville will join them in 2014, and Rutgers will head to the Big Ten the same year. Boise State and San Diego State,

both brought into the Big East to replace departing schools, both announced this season that they’d be rescinding on their decision to join the conference.

Notre Dame and the Catholic 7 basketball schools – DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John’s and Villanova – have announced their intention to leave the conference before the 2015 season, according to multiple media reports.

Under the current plan, the Big East would field a 10-team

league in 2014 consisting of Temple, Central Florida, Connecticut, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, South Florida, Southern Methodist University and Tulane.

Joey Cranney can be reached at joseph.cranney@temple.edu or on Twitter @joey_cranney.

CORRECTIONS The Temple News strives to be a newspaper of record by printing factually correct and balanced articles.

Accuracy is our business, so when a mistake is made, we’ll correct it as soon as possible. Anyone with inquiries about content in this newspaper can contact Editor-in-Chief Angelo Fichera at editor@temple-news.com or 215.204.6737.

NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

PAGE 3

University to change reporting policy REPORTING PAGE 1 Communications, said the university will adjust its reporting to comply with the law.

“In the past, the university has erred on the side of privacy and not released the identities of those charged with crimes,” Betzner said. “The university reviewed its policy in light of recent requests and will make the information available in conformity with the state’s Uniform Crime Reporting Act.” An annual form attesting to compliance of the law is due to be submitted this Friday, March 1, to the Department of Education, under whose jurisdiction the legislation falls. A January memo by L. Jill Hans, deputy secretary of the department’s office of postsecondary and higher

education, reminded Pennsylvania college and university presidents of the assurance form.

As a state-related institution, Temple’s compliance and annual submission of the form is mandatory, Hans told The Temple News in an email.

Still, the university’s noncompliance raises questions regarding the oversight of the law.

“No further follow-up is done by the Pennsylvania Department of Education after the institution has reported that they are in compliance with state and federal requirements,” Hans wrote.

Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel at the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, said “a law that has no enforcement doesn’t serve any purpose.”

Although compliance is only required for state and state-

related institutions, Hans said that private and for-profit institutions are also requested to abide by the requirements set forth in the Uniform Crime Reporting Act. Crime logs at fellow staterelated universities Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh and at a private institution, the University of Pennsylvania, showed that other colleges’ reports have included the required information.

In 2012, Temple Police recorded at least 280 arrests on and near Main Campus alone, according to an inspection of the daily crime logs by The Temple News.

Those arrests were not all necessarily made by campus police – but Leone said he estimated about 90 percent of arrests in the logs are made by

Temple Police.

“I would say all those incidents with arrests, have been charged or cited,” Leone said in an email.

The law also specifies that any arrests made by local, state and county officials “on campuses of institutions of higher education” should still be included in daily crime logs, and furthermore, should include names and addresses of those charged.

Universities that willingly violate the law or fail to adhere to a court order to comply can face a civil penalty of up to $10,000.

The proposed amendment to the Uniform Crime Reporting Act sponsored by Schwank would further require transparency from state-related universities, particularly concerning

sexual assault crimes and intimate partner violence.

The bill comes in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sexabuse scandal that shook Penn State, and not only requires universities to report sexual crimes, but further requires them to instate preventative measures for students, faculty and staff, as well as support resources for victims.

Schwank said the proposed changes would not negate any of the requirements already laid forth in the Uniform Crime Reporting Act. If anything, she said, the bill enhances the need for transparent crime reporting on behalf of state and state-related universities.

Temple’s reluctance to provide arrest information yet again underscores the difficulty of obtaining information from state-

related universities, which are only required to disclose certain financial information under the state’s Right-to-Know Law. That open-records shield has become hotly contested in the aftermath of the Penn State scandal.

Legislation has been introduced to place the four state-related universities fully under the law.

“The public is entitled to know the basics – the who, the what, the when and the where,” Melewsky said. “Hopefully this...sets an example for future compliance.”

Angelo Fichera and Ali Watkins can be reached at news@temple-news.com.

No increases proposed for J&H, Peabody halls HOUSING PAGE 1

Under recommendations, Hardwick Hall would not see an increase in its housing rate next year. The recommendations will be voted on next week by the trustees.| HUA ZONG TTN

committees also recommended increasing graduate housing by 3 percent.

Scales said that room rates for traditional residence halls would not increase since their operational expenses are the lowest in the housing system.

“I think this would especially affect upperclassmen, who would choose to live offcampus instead of residence halls given the increased cost,” Alexis Wright-Whitey, secretary of Temple’s Residence Hall Association, said. “I don’t think incoming freshmen have any other option.”

The student organization was not informed of the proposal prior to the committees’ meeting, she said.

In the last eight years, Temple’s room rate history denotes a steady increase from 3.7 percent in 2005-06 to 4.5 percent in 2012-13.

University Housing requested the committee’s approval to utilize more than $2 million of carryover funds to offset planned operational shortfalls.

“The carryover fund was established to assist us in mak-

ing budget in year where we might run in deficit while minimizing the overall increases on students,” Scales said.

University Housing and Residential Life also expects meal plan rates charged to students to increase by 2.6 percent as it negotiates with Sodexo Corporation, Temple’s food service provider.

Sodexo’s proposal will be based upon the Philadelphia Region Consumer Price IndexUrban for November 2012, a measure that examines expenditures by urban residents, and a forecasted increase in food prices in 2013.

The Board of Trustees will vote on the committees’ proposal on March 5.

“In my seven years in Temple, I’ve never seen the Board of Trustees go against our recommendation,” Scales said.

Laura Ordonez can be reached at laura.ordonez@temple.edu.

UNIVERSITY HOUSING RATE PROPOSED INCREASES 1. Johnson, Hardwick and Peabody: no increase 2. Suite-style units in James S. White Hall: 3 percent 3. Suite-style units in 1940: 5 percent 4. Suite-style units in 1300 Cecil B. Moore: 4.5 percent 5. Temple Towers: 4 to 6 percent 6. 1300 Cecil B. Moore apartments: 5 to 6 percent 7. Triangle Apartments and Podiatry: 3 percent -Laura Ordonez

Yearbook sees drop in number TSG passes resolution to back access to SFF results of senior portraits taken The yearbook has seen a drop of almost 600 photos compared to last year.

JOHN MORITZ Assistant News Editor Templar, Temple’s annual student yearbook, will be missing many of the graduating seniors’ faces this spring, after a large drop in the number of graduates who elected to have their senior yearbook photos taken.

Templar has only received 1,022 photos for the class of 2013, a drop off of nearly 600 from the year before, according to records provided by the publication.

The number of photo submissions had remained relatively steady the past few years, with a high of 1,696 in 2011 and a low if 1,565 in 2010, according to Templar statistics.

The number of graduates in 2013 has not yet been released, but in 2012, 5,903 seniors graduated along with 1,897 graduate students and 806 first professional degrees.

Graduation photos are taken in the fall by a private company, Prestige Portraits. The company reserves several rooms in the Student Center where students can have their pictures taken. Students must first sign up online, and the photographs

are free, though students have to pay to order personal prints, Brittani Potts, editor-in-chief of Templar, said.

Potts said one of the main reasons students do not get their pictures taken is because many students simply do not know about Templar, or that they can have their pictures taken for free. Potts also said that the rise of social media sites such as Facebook have discouraged students from being involved with a traditional yearbook.

“If you want to look back on memories you go back through your Facebook albums,” Potts said. “You can look back on your life, your friend’s life, but you can’t look back at what was happening on campus that year.”

Potts also said that yearbook was a good way to remember people who you may have met, but are not engaged with on social media.

Senior broadcast journalism major Danielle Maslany said she knew about yearbook photos, but felt she didn’t have enough time to have them taken.

“So many things are going on in senior year, with internships and work...it trumped going to get my senior portrait taken,” Maslany said. “The yearbook is more of a high school thing.”

In order to spread knowledge about the senior portraits, Templar staff also printed and displayed two large poster

boards in the Student Center and in Fox School of Business to advertise to students.

Students who missed the fall deadline also had the chance to have their photos taken by going to the company’s main location and having their photos sent to Templar; that date has since passed.

In addition to photos, Templar’s staff has been working to increase pick-up rates of the yearbooks. For 2013, the organization actually increased its order from last year, requesting 3,700 copies.

In order to increase awareness of the yearbook, Templar hired a social media manager to reach out to students through sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

One of the online campaigns Templar held was a contest between Temple’s Greek organizations. Whichever organization had the most members add Templar as a “friend” and link a status to their page will get a full feature in the yearbook.

In addition to online social media, Templar has sold “Hoots,” which are small blurbs similar to tweets that can be published in the yearbook.

John Moritz can be reached at john.moritz@temple.edu or on Twitter @JCMoritzTU.

TSG President David Lopez will meet with the provost this week.

LAURA DETTER The Temple News

The General Assembly passed a resolution yesterday, Feb. 25, that states the Temple Student Government believes students should have access to results of the Student Feedback Forms.

“We believe that students should have access to the information on these forms,” TSG Student Body President David Lopez said.

Lopez, along with members of his administration, has worked closely with Senior Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies Peter Jones, Associate Director of Student Activities Chris Carey and Vice President of Student Affairs Theresa Powell to understand the true possibility of this initiative.

“Working with them, we kind of found out how feasible it is, if it is something that could be implemented in a certain time frame, and what kind of hurdles we would face,” Lopez said.

This resolution comes one week after Projects Manager for Assessment and Survey Research Dana Kerr presented that a statement – “I would view course and teachers evaluations if they were available” – received a 92 percent favorability response on the 2012 Temple

University Student Questionnaire.

The resolution recommends that “students be given access to selected quantitative data for responses to ten SFF evaluation items, using TUPortal or some other secure intranet solution.”

Lopez is open to the number of responses students would have access to, but said the prompt, “I learned a great deal in this course,” is most important.

“That doesn’t just captivate how well the professors did, but it also captivates the course itself,” Lopez said.

Responses to the open-ended questions would not be immediately available for students to view.

Resolution GA/1/1.1 also requests that all students complete SFF evluations before they are granted access to the information, past ratings be published on the website, and a common template be used to present the SFF data.

Although Lopez and his administration do not have a timeline for this initiative and are still unclear on some of the details, they are confident it is moving in a positive direction.

Lopez plans to meet with Provost Hai-Lung Dai Friday, March 1, to discuss it.

The General Assembly also hosted Vice Provost for Academic Programs, Assessment and Institutional Research Jodi Levine Laufgraben at its weekly meeting.

Laufgraben announced that the university is eliminating the wash-out period for all future semesters. The wash-out period is when the university would cancel student’s scheduled classes before the semester if they had not satisfied the payment requirements.

Laufgraben said the university is changing its billing and payment expectations. Now, students will need to accept a Student Financial Responsibility Statement at the beginning of each semester that states that the student understands their duty to pay for all classes for which they are registered.

Laufgraben said that the university is still “hammering out the details” of the new system.

Laufgraben also announced that, starting with priority registrations for Summer 2013 and Fall 2013 semesters, a waitlist will be available for closed courses through Self-Service Banner.

Students will have the ability to place themselves on a waitlist if a course is full, but Laufgraben noted that this feature will not be used to “section shop” within a course.

When a seat becomes available in a course with a waitlist, the program will notify the first student on the list and allow that student 72 hours to take the seat.

Laura Detter can be reached at laura.detter@temple.edu.

OPINION

A watchdog for the Temple University community since 1921.

Angelo Fichera, Editor-in-Chief Cara Stefchak, Managing Editor Sean Carlin, News Editor Zachary Scott, Opinion Editor Luis Rodriguez, Living Editor Jenelle Janci, A&E Editor Joey Cranney, Sports Editor John Moritz, Asst. News Editor Ibrahim Jacobs, Asst. Sports Editor Lauren Hertzler, Chief Copy Editor Brandon Baker, Copy Editor TJ Creedon, Copy Editor Saba Aregai, Multimedia Editor Dustin Wingate, Multimedia Editor

Chris Montgomery, Web Editor Patrick McCarthy, Asst. Web Editor Andrea Cicio, Social Media Editor Kate McCann, Photography Editor Abi Reimold, Asst. Photography Editor Addy Peterson, Designer Emily Hurley, Designer Tony Santoro, Designer David Hamme, Advertising Manager Kathleen Smith, Business Manager Morgan Hutchinson, Marketing Manager

temple-news.com

PAGE 4

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS

The Temple News is an editorially independent weekly publication serving the Temple University community. Unsigned editorial content represents the opinion of The Temple News. Adjacent commentary is reflective of their authors, not The Temple News.

Visit us online at temple-news.com.

Send submissions to letters@temple-news.com.

The Temple News is located at: Student Center, Room 243 1755 N. 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19122

EDITORIALS

L

Dorm dues

ast week, the Student Affairs Committee and the Campus Life and Diversity Committee of the Board of Trustees recommended price increases throughout university housing.

As Laura Ordonez reports on P. 1, these increases – expected to be approved by the Board of Trustees next week – come as Temple plans to open its $216 million residence hall this fall.

First, it should be noted that the committees proposed no increase in price for Johnson, Hardwick and Peabody halls because these halls have the lowest operational costs of any housing units at the university, officials said. The Temple News believes that this is a fair judgment on the committees’ part.

However, the trustees should be hesitant to approve increases to suite-style apartments, which officials report would range from approximately 3 percent for rooms at White Hall to up to 6 percent in 1300 and Temple Towers. The university has expressed that one of the goals of the construction of Morgan Hall is to give more of an opportunity for students to live on campus. This price increase could drive students off campus or dissuade students

P

One of a kind

ay it forward – the concept is simple, the potential impact strong.

Asking the recipient of a good deed to pass along an act of kindness to another instead of repaying back the original person can create a domino effect of philanthropy.

Temple is experiencing its own wave of paying it forward thanks to 122 members of Alpha Epsilon Phi with their “26 Acts of Kindness” – a national movement incepted on Main Campus by Devon Gorson, vice president of philanthropy for the sorority.

With each act of kindness, members of the sorority hand the stranger a note explaining that each act is meant to honor one of the 26 lives lost in the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newton, Conn.

The Temple News applauds AEPhi for keeping Sandy Hook victims the focus of a tragedy

Increasing residence hall price tags will defeat goal of keeping student costs down. from exploring the idea of oncampus housing, especially with affordable options overflowing off campus.

Maintaining affordable costs for living is important, especially at Main Campus, where neighborhood residents and Temple alike have agreed on the notion of keeping students in on-campus housing when possible.

Furthermore, the increase would be hypocritical of a Board of Trustees and a university that has repeatedly stated that its main job is to keep costs down for students and curb student debt.

Last summer, Temple officials boasted that it had successfully leveled base tuition in an effort to lessen higher education’s financial burden on students. This increase would undermine that action by effectively increasing costs for students who wish to live on campus.

While The Temple News understands that increases in the price of on-campus housing are necessary as operational costs rise, but the trustees should greatly consider this financial impact on students before approving any increase.

JULIANA COPPA TTN

PHOTO COMMENT

AEPhi sisters have been committing acts of kindness, asking others, with notes, to pay it forward. |ABI REIMOLD TTN

Members of Alpha Epsilon Phi deserve praise for their kindness campaign. that often gets overwhelmed with gun-rights debates or quickly swept out of people’s thoughts as another tragic event enters the media.

Doing something nice for a stranger, no matter how small, is something not passed along enough on a campus of students often locked into their own dayto-day responsibilities.

Whether it’s paying for someone’s coffee in line behind you or taping a dollar to a vending machine, these small, yet thoughtful, acts by AEPhi not only keep the Sandy Hook dialogue alive, but also push down the first domino in starting a movement.

If you were one of the recipients of “26 Acts of Kindness,” pay it forward. And if not, take a moment out of your week to think of someone else – someone you don’t know – and start your own gratifying ripple effect.

“I had no idea, but apparently

supervillians have been causing chaos between the hoops, potentially costing teams vital wins.

”

Matt Kirk / “Captain Kirk,” P. 11

Visit temple-news.com to take our online poll, or send your comments to letters@ temple-news.com.

What question would you most like to see answered by a professor?

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Letters to the editor may regard any current issue but must include your full name, position and location.

Students can give year and major. Submissions should be 350 words or fewer.

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*Out of 30 votes.

CITY VIEW

Penn Alexander’s appeal alters local demographics

The Penn Alexander School opened in 1998. It is considered one of the best public schools in the city, in no small part due to the patronage of the University of Pennsylvania, which gives an average of $1,300 per student. It has created major changes in the surrounding neighborhood, however. Since its opening, property values in the catchment have risen by an average of 211 percent. The population of African-American children has decreased by 61 percent, while the population of white children has increased by 101 percent. Below, you can see the demographic breakdown of the school.

1.3% NOTABLE QUOTABLE

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

POLLING PEOPLE

6.7%

For Columnist Bri Bosak’s commentary, see “Preserve community at all costs,” P. 5.

9.2%

WHITE AFRICAN-AMERICAN

34.4%

15.4%

ASIAN HISPANIC OTHER NOT IDENTIFIED

33%

*Total: 589 currently enrolled students.

Sources: greatphillyschools.org, University of Pennsylvania Institute for Urban Research, PlanPhilly.

ANGELO FICHERA TTN

COMMENTARY

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

PAGE 5

Preserve community at all costs

L BRI BOSAK For Argument’s Sake

Bosak argues that Temple needs to make sure expansion coincides with proper community outreach.

ast month, parents queuing up to secure a kindergarten slot at the popular Penn Alexander School in University City were upset when officials from the School District of Philadelphia abruptly announced that, this year, admission would be determined by lottery rather than on a first-come, first-serve basis like in years past.

The decision came after some families lined up four days in advance of the official registration date. School district officials expressed concern for the safety of the parents in line – some of whom even erected tents, chairs and, in one case, a temporary plywood structure complete with insulation – but said that the decision to implement the new system was ultimately made to combat an even more imminent danger.

It’s not hard to see why this line is problematic. The people best equipped to operate under the old system are those with the financial stability to take a

few days off from work for an impromptu urban camping trip or those who can recruit family and friends to take their places.

Officials were right to worry that students of lower socioeconomic status will be disproportionately shut out of one of the best elementary educations in the city simply because of circumstance.

The Penn Alexander School is a K-8 public school, managed and operated by the Philadelphia School District in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. But the kids in this situation aren’t the only ones learning. Now we all know that middle-to-upper class parents will refrain from darting to the suburbs, pay extravagant property taxes and brave long lines in winter weather all for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to send their children to public school. Lessons all around.

In the years between 1998 and 2011, property values in the blocks around Penn Alex-

ander rose by 211 percent, according to the University of Pennsylvania Institute for Urban Research. This has led to changing demographics as well.

PlanPhilly.com reported that the population of school-age black children within the zone declined by 61 percent between 2000 and 2010, while the population of school-age white children grew by 101 percent in that same period.

Gentrification is not unique to West Philadelphia, and how it applies to public schools is an issue plenty of other cities face today.

Which raises the question: Is there a way to improve poor neighborhoods that advances the lives of both the people and the infrastructure?

The University of Pennsylvania attempted to do so by injecting a steady flow of cash in to developing West Philadelphia through the creation of the nonprofit University City District in 1997. The financial support provided benefits for residents and

City survelliance narrow in scope

W

hen you think of security cameras on every street corner, the first thing that likely pops into your head is Big Brother. In Philadelphia, it’s more like Big Business.

That’s because Philly is ZACK SCOTT home to only about 200 municipal security cameras. Well, Scott argues that actually about 155 functioning cameras and another few dozen Philadelphia camera lackluster street ornaments, acsystems should be cording to current estimates by McDonald, press secreas expansive as Mark tary for Mayor Michael Nutter, Temple’s. in news reports. But at least this marks an upward trend. After an audit last year, City Controller Alan Butkovitz estimated that less than half of the city’s cameras actually worked. The next report on the subject is due out in either March or April.

To provide some sort of context, the city of Baltimore uses more than 600 city closed circuit television cameras, despite having less than half of the population of Philadelphia, per 2010 Census data.

In the place of city security cameras, local law enforcement officers have fostered deals with local businesses, universities

and pretty much anything short of whoever currently has their iPhone out to help them track down criminals.

But the city doesn’t have unlimited access to private camera channels – it only gains access during a criminal investigation. That means that we’re no longer speaking about preventing crime, but reacting to it. Naturally, that is an important part of the criminal justice system. But it also defeats some of the purpose of installing the cameras in the first place.

I’m all for sharing, but that makes it seem more like costcutting on the part of the city. A closer examination of the numbers doesn’t paint a prettier picture.

To revisit those earlier statistics, Philadelphia, a city of about 146 square miles, has approximately 155 functioning security cameras directly tied to its police force. Barely more than one every square mile. On a per capita basis, that’s almost one camera for every 9,850 people.

Meanwhile, Main Campus features more than 800 security cameras, according to the

helped to create jobs, raise property values and reduce crime.

But not all view the university’s strides as positive developments.

Some residents are unhappy with the effects that the improvements have had on the race and class demographics of the neighborhood, criticizing the University of Pennsylvania for using its money and power to mold the neighborhood into an affluent white community.

Before the Penn Alexander School and the fancy “University City” moniker, the West Philadelphia neighborhood surrounding Penn had much in common with the North Philadelphia neighborhood near Temple. Abandoned buildings lined many of the streets and drug dealings were commonplace along corners and alleyways. But unlike Penn, no one can accuse Temple of being a racist colonizer or a community-minded benefactor. For once, I am grateful of our slumlord dwellings and sketchy corner

store.

Still, the construction debris blowing in the wind is a clear indication that the early phases of gentrification are upon us in North Philadelphia.

The neighborhood is changing.

And even though Temple does not deal directly with real estate development, it is still responsible for much of the change occurring in the nearby community. As students, we are too.

In the coming years, it is inevitable that we – both as students and as members of the Temple community – will be asked to make decisions that will impact the entire North Philadelphia community.

All I ask is that you consider one thing: Is there a way to improve poor neighborhoods that advances the lives of both the people and the infrastructure?

My hope is yes.

Bri Bosak can be reached at bribosak@temple.edu or on Twitter @bribosak.

Cross immigration off reform list

I

LAURA ORDONEZ

Ordonez argues that immigration reform is a long ways coming.

SCOTT PAGE 6

have been a permanent resident of the United States for almost three years. As a “green card” holder, I have seven years of lawful residence ahead of me during which I plan to become an educated and taxpaying member of society. For me, the prize of citizenship is just two years and a history test away.

The road is much longer for others, as there is no clear path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants under current policy. However, for the first time since 2007, both congressional leaders and the president are pursuing comprehensive immigration reform.

The new set of proposals call for a balance between border enforcement and the legalization of 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Let’s assume for a second that this immigration overhaul is not about rewarding people who ignore the law but about advancing the interests of our society as a whole. If lawmakers fail to bolster the case for this balance, anti-immigration populism will sap the momentum that immigration reform needs.

Most likely, the outcome

for millions of undocumented immigrants will be twofold: A path to citizenship for those who were brought illegally to the country as children, and a second-class citizenship for those who sneaked across the border or overstayed a temporary visa.

For starters, the second group will have to pay taxes and penalties, register, submit to a background check and wait in line behind those who followed the rules. This provisional status means no vote and no federal benefits.

Constantly proving that you are worthy of staying here does not seem to be incentive to come out of hiding. Yet that is exactly what it is. This move is beneficial for the 4.5 million American-born children whose parents are unauthorized. These parents will be able to work and send their kids to school without fear of being deported.

For the young immigrants without papers, all 2.1 million of them, the new permanent path to citizenship will allow them to drive, work and study – without risking deportation – while being able to contribute to

ORDONEZ PAGE 6

Republicans need to commit to young voters

D JERRY IANNELLI Twentysomething Handbook

Iannelli offers advice to youth-courting conservatives.

ear Republican Party, So I hear you guys are looking to “re-brand” after getting trounced at the polls last November. I hear that you’re looking to hook young kids like myself into some sort of “New Conservatism,” a term that you guys haven’t had the foresight or decency to iron out and define yet. One of your own party members, Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, went so far as to refer to your constituents as the “stupid party” in January. In fact, some talking heads have been

claiming since the presidential election that if your ragtag team can’t move anyone besides the wonkiest and oldest of white males to vote for you, you’ll all but go extinct within the next few election cycles.

If these statements are true, then I guess I’m the perfect candidate for experimentation, seeing as I’ve always been a bit of a skeptic that abjectly refuses to align himself with a concrete party and agenda. You have my attention for the moment, but you should know that Information Age children like myself don’t respond well to rhetoric

like, “Young voters have always been a part of our plan for America, and we have a vibrant future in kids like you and we need to secure your life in order to keep on blaaaaah.”

The only thing that will work on us is a real, marked commitment to new people and new ideologies.

So in short, you need my vote, and these are the things that I need from you.

I need a commitment to science. And not just a verbal one. I need to trust that your new leaders, like Marco Rubio, will finally stop telling me things like,

“Our government can’t control the weather,” when referencing global warming. That’s like dynamiting the side of a cliff and claiming no responsibility for which houses the ensuing rockslide destroys. I need the chairman that you appoint to head the House Science Committee to have some background in real science, not just in practicing Christian Science on his off days, like Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) does currently.

He has every right in the world to believe what he believes, but Christianity and science are not some sort of surprisingly deli-

cious, chocolate-and-peanut butter-style combination. If you guys plan on sticking with that “strict constructionist” Constitution bag, then you must cede that a man that believes that all sickness can be treated with prayer has no place deciding which experimental procedures can be legally administered to cure my grandmother’s sarcoidosis.

You get one or the other.

Young people need rational, objective studies and thought about the future of everything in this nation, from health care to

IANNELLI PAGE 6

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

“Do you feel safer

because of Temple’s security cameras?

”

ALISA MILLER TTN

“You give up your right to privacy when you enter a public area.”

“Not really.

I feel like the security cameras are helpful but it’s not like someone is watching them all the time.”

CALEB LALINSKY

RACHEL MANNING

MASTER’S CANDIDATE | FICTION WRITING

OPINION DESK 215-204-7416

SENIOR | ENGLISH

LETTERS@TEMPLE-NEWS.COM

“Yes and no. Security cameras are good and all but mostly they review what has already happened.”

DAVID FONTANEZ

SOPHOMORE | KINESIOLOGY

OPINION

PAGE 6

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Harlem Shake revolutionizes Main Campus

D

HUMOR COLUMN

DANIEL CRAIG

Craig discusses the profound impact of the Harlem Shake.

o you hear the people sing? Singing the songs of angry men!” – Les Mi-

sérables.

A revolution starts with a spark, a small flame to ignite a peoples with a common goal.

In this case, a Facebook event is all that was needed to round hundreds of inspired young adults to sacrifice their Friday afternoons for a common cause: dance.

Temple students gathered around the Bell Tower on Feb. 15 to recreate the famous Harlem Shake videos, creating a sea of costumes and fist pumping that clearly said, “We’re mad as hell, and we’re not going to take it anymore!”

The same devil-may-care attitude can be viewed at your leisure in a plethora of other Temple-related Harlem Shake videos. Everyone from the men’s gymnastics team to dental students to the Temple University Fencing Club to Hillel to those random people in Temple Towers has taken part. Truly, this is a revolution the likes of which have never been seen before.

But the Bell Tower event stands alone, towering above

the rest due to its monumental symbolism and sheer numbers.

With over 47,000 views as of press time, the revolution has spread like wildfire. And for anyone who can look past the first thin layer of potentially intoxicated students throwing their bodies around like rag dolls, the deeper message that lies within is very apparent: Who said young people aren’t involved?

Yet to what oppressive force can we attribute this phenomenon? With so much going on, it’s clear these YouTube pioneers were making a statement about something. You can’t just gather that many people together for the sake of dressing like an insane person and dancing like the world’s about to end.

Right?

What about President Barack Obama and his policies?

Could it be a manic celebration of his recent reelection? Or maybe a backlash against the direction he’s taking our country?

It all seems to add up, but the real issue is a matter of specifics. What policy of his is this revolution examining? Could this be in support of his stance and recent proposals on immigration? One could envision the

sea of diverse students dancing together as a representation of us as one nation, accepting of all ethnicities and backgrounds.

“I think it says nothing at all about immigration,” junior engineering major Joseph McGovern said. “I think everyone who’s here was already in the United States.”

OK, so maybe it’s not about politics. But it has to be about something, right? Maybe this video will be a defiant rejection of corporate culture. After all, we’re too independent and free thinking to conform to the trends promoted by big companies. A Temple student, who to protect his identity decided to go simply by “Tim,” commented on this possibility.

“Um,” said Tim, “I don’t know. Maybe it’s about like overplayed pop music that’s exploited by record companies.”

We’re getting closer, I can feel it. However if this is the case, our cause has been hijacked. Since this movement began, the song that accompanies the video, Baauer’s “Harlem Shake,” has slowly risen the charts and now sits atop Billboard’s Hot 100.

Oh, the cruel irony, to find the inspiration of a movement

lying in bed with the enemy.

Despite this, we must not lose faith. Something this big, this influential, could certainly have more than one meaning.

What am I missing though?

Does the transition from a single dancer to an army of dancers symbolize a dire warning of overpopulation? Do the repetitive dance moves of each individual act as metaphors of the dangers of slipping in to a soul-crushing routine, begging us to go out and live for the day? Most perplexing of all is the slow motion fade toward the end. Could that be saying something about our slow decline behind emerging superpowers such as India and China?

Alas, the answer escapes me. I have come to the conclusion that whatever happened that Friday afternoon is too complex, too powerful to be fully understood. And although the direction of this movement is not clear, we can say for sure that it is a bold expression of our Wayne-and-Garth given right to party on.

Daniel Craig can be reached at daniel.craig@temple.edu.

Security camera system needs expanding SCOTT PAGE 5 2012 Annual Security and Fire Report. That would be approximately one camera for every 43 people.

Compared to other Philadelphia universities, that is admittedly unusual. But Penn still claims 115 pan-tilt-zoom cameras, or cameras that can be controlled by a security guard operating them in the ways listed, along with hundreds of fixed, CCTV cameras. Drexel’s campus features 162 total security cameras, including 69 PTVs. Even ignoring the nondescript “hundreds” of fixed cameras that Penn reported in its 2012 Annual Security and Fire Report, these three universities outnumber the functioning city

cameras by nearly 7-to-1.

Of course, security cameras are a dicey proposition. I’ve read George Orwell’s classic “Nineteen Eighty-Four,” and I think it’s doubleplusgood that we don’t live in such a world.

But they do have some benefits, and even a few specifically illuminated in Philadelphia.

In fact, a 2009 scholarly work by Temple’s own Jerry Ratcliffe and Travis Taniguchi of George Mason University, both professors of criminal justice, detailed how the implementation of 18 new security cameras in various locations throughout the city reduced overall crime by 13 percent.

Admittedly, when they used a different system of analysis that accounted for the movement of

crime, they found that some of it had merely been displaced to surrounding streets, therefore curbing the net success somewhat. But they still said that specific positioning of future cameras at particularly highcrime areas could have an even greater effect and be a worthwhile investment.

For some reason, there seems to be a shortage of people reporting that they would have committed a crime, but saw a camera and thought better of it. Still, it doesn’t seem to be a stretch that what drove crime down in the instances documented by Ratcliffe and Taniguchi, even if it was only by a small amount, was would-be criminals noticing the cameras and reconsidering their plans.

A part of that is undoubtedly how outright obvious it’s made that the cameras are there.

Besides for the fact that they’re hardly hidden in the first place, the city also puts signs up by the cameras alerting people that the area is under surveillance. Businesses, institutions and whoever else has private CCTV cameras set up doesn’t pay the same courtesy, which means that part of the preventative element is lost.

So relying on non-public cameras may make catching criminals more feasible, but it might also be weakening the preventative consequences that come from prevalent camera placement.

City Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. referred to the city’s

CCTV program, including its partnerships with local businesses as having “upside potential.” It isn’t exactly clear what he means. Does the program, as it currently stands, help authorities track down criminals?

Absolutely. But the upside there is mitigated to assisting officers do their jobs. If the city camera program specifically was expanded beyond the drastically limited scope that currently exists, then maybe we wouldn’t have as much crime in the first place. That sounds like a bigger upside to me.

Zack Scott can be reached at zack.scott@temple.edu or on Twitter @ZackScott11.

Change needed Immigration system to recruit youth requires honest analysis IANNELLI PAGE 5

gun control. We’ll rally behind the party that gives it to us.

I need a commitment that you aren’t going to keep making reproductive decisions for the women in my life. I have countless female friends that I care deeply about, not to mention a beautiful little sister that is about to enter her freshman year of college. I am deeply worried by the sexual and gender issues that unfold in front of me whilst spending the weekends on a college campus, from mild molestation to flat-out, Rohypnol-induced date-rape, and I am supposed to willfully allow my only sibling to walk alone into the wilderness that will be her own collegiate experience this fall.

As such, the bill that your party passed in the Alabama state house of representatives on Feb. 19 to cripple abortion clinics in the state is not a step that brought more women and young people on board. I cannot let your party control this country if it means that my sister cannot control her own body.

Most importantly, I need to know that a gaffe like the Hurricane Sandy aid package is never, ever going to happen again. I am still sickened by John Boehner’s steadfast refusal to even vote to aid those that merely were in the way of

an inordinate amount of rain.

You cannot politicize rain. If a massive meteor strikes the epicenter of Seattle, am I supposed to withhold sending them care packages because they believe in flannel and I don’t? If I cannot rally around your party in a disaster, I cannot rally around you at all.

Kids of the 21st Century are a multifaceted, thriving, interconnected organism that crosses all genders, races and sexual orientations. I’m sure it seems like we want a lot of things. In reality, we just want facts from someone, somewhere.

Your Pal, Jerry Iannelli Jerry Iannelli can be reached at gerald.iannelli@temple.edu or on Twitter @jerryiannelli.

ORDONEZ PAGE 5

the prosperity of several industries as a set of highly educated workers.

Without the threat of deportation, unprincipled employers will have to provide a decent wage and work conditions for their low-skilled employees, both immigrant and U.S. born.

Now that we have the best out of these 11 million people, it is time to deal with the ones who plan on migrating here.

Will these proposals lead to another wave of illegal immigration? Doubtful.

A 2012 Hispanic Pew Report noted that the net flow of Mexican immigrants is zero, a phenomenon due mostly to improved economic conditions and lower birth rates.

Despite the zero net flow, building the fence higher continues to be the single response to our broken immigration system.

A 2013 Gallup poll reported that 68 percent of Americans continue to favor increasing spending on enforcement at U.S. borders.

Our borders are quite secure. According to the Migration Policy Institute, the government spends $18 billion a year on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is more than all federal law enforcement agencies combined.

Even as the U.S. economy recovers, such a level of border

security will prevent anyone from crossing or jumping or digging under the 14-foot-tall fence.

Deporting convicted criminals, as opposed to students and honest workers and ensuring that businesses hire only workers who are here legally constitute real reform. Applying tough sanctions on those who employ unauthorized workers would deter a new influx of illegal immigrants more effectively than splitting entire families.

In the State of the Union address, when President Barack Obama referred to the issue in terms of strengthening the economic growth of the country, he said to “harness the talents and ingenuity” of immigrants while incorporating “strong border security.”

Mr. President, there is a reason why the Canada-U.S. border is not as tightly regulated as the Mexico-U.S. border: Mexico is poorer than Canada.

The U.S. contributed to Mexico’s economic underperformance by passing the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, which brought together the dissimilar economies of the United States, Mexico and Canada.

According to a 2009 report issued by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace,

NAFTA contributed to the displacement of agricultural workers in Mexico and their migration into the U.S. The report also notes that “in spite of the rising militarization of the U.S. border, migration increased from about 350,000 per year before NAFTA to nearly 500,000 per year by the early 2000s.”

This is all to say that the immigration problem will not be resolved until poverty in other countries is eradicated.

The U.S. can help itself by creating a more level playing field among trading partners, especially those in Central America and South America.

There is no doubt that a new immigration will clear Congress in the next couple of months. Whether it is because of the economic argument or the survival of the Republican Party, 11 million people will be finally perceived as something other than a problem.

Laura Ordonez can be reached at laura.ordonez@temple.edu.

SOMEONE ELSE’S

OPINION

“Murders in Philly are down 42.5 pecent so far this year. The number of shooting victims declined 23 percent. In fact, all major categories of crime except rape have seen decreases so far this year.”

Ryan Briggs,

on citypaper.net in “Philly’s murder rate is down 43%, but what does it mean?”

“Let’s start by agreeing that a great education needs to be available for everyone, whether you live on a country club lane or in government housing. I am convinced this will only happen when we allow school choice for everyone, rich or poor, from any background.”

Sen. Rand Paul,

on washingtontimes.com in “Why an education system to leave anyone behind?”

“It’s a shame that Pennsylvania hasn’t given up on imposing this barrier to voting when other states are trying to make it easier for people to vote.”

Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial Board,

on philly.com in “It’s not enough to delay ID law, get rid of it”

“The Oscars matter most to the little guys, the unsung nominees who finally get their moment in the spotlight, which is broadcast in more than 200 countries.”

Justin Craig,

on foxnews.com in “Why the Oscars still matter”

“Of the many injustices that permeate America’s byzantine tax code, few are as outrageous as the tax rate on ‘carried interest’ - the profits made by private equity and hedge fund managers, as well as venture capitalists and partners in real estate investment trusts. This huge tax benefit enriches an already privileged sliver of financiers and violates basic standards of fairness and common sense.”

Lynn Forester de Rothschild,

on nytimes.com “A Costly and Unjust Perk for Financiers”

Got an opinion?

We want to hear from you. Email letters to letters@temple-news.com or comment stories on our website, temple-news.com.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

LIVING temple-news.com

PAGE 7

ABI REIMOLD TTN

Paying homage to Newtown 26 Sorority AEPhi is doing its fair philanthropic share one act of kindness at a time in honor of the Sandy Hook Elementary School victims.

PATRICIA MADEJ The Temple News

S

tudents walking on Liacouras Walk this week could be surprised with anything from a $5 bill to a free pizza – all in the name of philanthropy.

The 122 members of Alpha Epsilon Phi, or AEPhi, are about three weeks into their “26 Acts of Kindness” initiative in honor of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. Members randomly do something nice for a stranger and give them a note reading something along the line of: “The sisters of Alpha Epsilon Phi, Phi Theta Chapter are committing 26 acts of kind-

ness in honor of the 26 lives lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy. You are act number __ in honor of __. Enjoy and we hope you will pass it on.”

Devon Gorson, vice president of philanthropy for the sorority and a sophomore tourism and hospitality management majorm, said she got the idea during winter break, when she learned one of the sisters had she received a $30 tip at her work from a couple that also paid for another patron’s meal.

After the couple left, she got a similar note in addition to the tip.

“I was thinking I really wanted to do that myself, but it seems kind of expensive,” Gor-

son said.

She introduced the idea to the sorority, and all seemed on board. The acts of kindness varied. Some decided to buy a person’s lunch or coffee behind them and some decided to leave money around campus. Two members, Amanda Bergey and Shayna Shorr, left $26 in an envelope for someone to find in the TECH Center.

“I wasn’t anticipating as many people wanting to do it,” Gorson said. In fact, some girls had to be paired up since the interest was so great, including Bergey and Shorr.

One of Gorson’s favorites was the act of leaving a few dollars taped to the vending ma-

chine, which was Annie Petela’s a little girl [who died at Sandy idea.

Hook]. I was brightening a per“I decided I really wanted son’s day, but she’d still never to do something different, and experience all the things I’ve not just pay for experienced so someone in front far,” Petela said. of me. I wanted Felicia to do something Steele, a junior simple,” Petela, communicaa sophomore tions major, speech pathology bought pizza major, said. for the person Unfortubehind her in nately, she did line at Maxi’s. not get to stick Her recipient around to see her happened to be recipient’s reac- Annie Petela / sophomore speech Xavier Perez, a pathology major tion. fraternity broth“It was realer and treasurer ly rewarding but I couldn’t help of Sigma Alpha Mu. but feel [sad] because I did it for “I was very surprised and

“It was really

rewarding but I couldn’t help but feel [sad] because I did it for a little girl.

”

very happy. It made my day and brightened my mood for the rest of the day,” Perez, a sophomore film and media arts major, said.

“It’s a really nice project, and I looked at all the [acts] so far on Instagram, and it puts Greek life in a really good light.”

Steele agrees.

“I think that people don’t really realize we do a lot to give back and this was a good opportunity to show what we do,” she said.

Though Gorson preferred for the girls not to give their acts to other sisters or fraternity brothers, this incident happened by coincidence, and said she was glad. It gave her hope that

KIND PAGE 15

Harlem Shake receives mixed results Atrium serves as meeting ground for theater artists

Students try their luck recreating the Harlem Shake video meme.

JESSICA SMITH The Temple News

Following the massive popularity of the Harlem Shake video trend, students organized a flash mob dance as a gag that ended up being no laughing matter.

“It started out as kind of a joke,” said Saphir Esmail, a sophomore international business major. “I had seen the videos on YouTube before so I made a Facebook event and just invited my friends.”

Esmail first hosted his Facebook event with roommate Noël Zalla and friend Rishi Agarwal without a set date or time. They had the idea, but needed someone to execute it.

“They said on the event page they needed someone to film it,” said Brandon Shain, a sophomore film and media arts major. “I had my own equipment so I volunteered to record it and they graciously agreed.”

With a director on board, they set the date for Feb. 15. In the course of a week, the number of invitees had quadrupled and was traveling even faster by word of mouth.

“I got there early that day,” Zalla, a junior architecture major, said. “And there were hundreds of kids on the grass waiting. I saw the crowd and thought, ‘What did we just do?’”

MARCIE ANKER Starving Actor

Marcie Anker takes readers on a “safari” through the Annenberg atrium.

M

y name is Marcie Anker, and I’m addicted to the Discovery Channel. But, this isn’t one of those bad addictions – it’s a good addiction. Good addictions do exist, OK? I can stay awake into Hundreds of students showed up to be a part of an “official” Temple version of the Harlem the wee hours of the morning Shake video meme on Feb. 15. | DANIEL PELLIGRINE TTN watching “Planet Earth” or Hundreds of students gathIt became so rowdy that do you need?’ He told me the “Jungle Cats” knowing full well ered near the Bell Tower and sophomore theater major Dar- crowd needed to move back, so that I have to be in class in five short hours. But it’s so worth it. spilled onto 13th Street that Fri- ryl Daughtry said he had to I got on it.”

I love the Discovery Chanday afternoon. rescue his friends from getting “Harlem Shake,” a song “There were so many peo- trampled. released last year by DJ Baauer, nel so much that I’ve decided to ple who wanted to be in the vid“I was walking from class is an allusion to the early 1980s create my own edition called, eo,” Shain said. “And a lot were and saw the hundreds of peo- dance. The Internet video meme “Planet Theater: Atrium Sajust watching so we had this ple,” Daughtry said. “I didn’t showcases people spontane- fari Edition.” On this particular expedition, I’ll be taking you massive crowd. They weren’t have any official role, but I went through the incredibly diverse HARLEM PAGE 15 willing to listen to us.” up to Rishi and asked, ‘What

TEMPLE TWEETS, p. 8 LIVING DESK 215-204-7416

habitat known as “The Atrium.”

Now, some of you may have heard myths and tales of The Atrium, while others may have actually been brave enough to traverse the unpredictable terrain. I’m here to serve as your tour guide, to help you identify the different species that exist in this habitat and how to interact with the various species while keeping yourself safe and sane.

Let us begin. Ladies and gentlemen, please keep your arms and legs to yourselves, do not speak directly to or look directly at any creatures without permission, and lastly, and most importantly if you hear an inhabitant singing, do not, I repeat, do not, ask it to quiet down. I don’t often frequent The Atrium as much as I once did – the environment is constantly changing and, frankly, I just can’t keep up.

Throughout history, The Atrium of the former School of Communications and Theater – I really don’t know what it’s called now – served primarily as a gathering and feeding ground for students of all disciplines.

However, the theater species hold the tightest control on the area. Thespians have no place to call home on the vast Temple campus, aside from the two stages. The third floor of Barton, the decrepit building that houses

ACTOR PAGE 15

CREATING CHEMISTRY, p. 17 Meet Hillel Hoffmann, or @TempleUniv.

LIVING@TEMPLE-NEWS.COM

Once a week the members of Temple University Chemistry Society run an after-school program.

LIVING

PAGE 8

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Developing a friendly voice, in 140 characters or less Social media has redefined the Office of University Communications.

ANGELO FICHERA Editor-in-Chief A stack of white steno notebooks sits near the corner of Hillel Hoffmann’s desk closest to the door, but front and center on his workspace is his computer. The juxtaposition says more than you’d think.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t recognize Hoffmann’s name. The former journalist turned Temple communications director is on Twitter – and you probably follow him. He’s better known by a 10-character Twitter handle: @TempleUniv.

Hoffmann, who had a storied career at National Geographic and arrived at Temple in 2004, has mastered the art of Tweeting on behalf of the university.

It’s no secret that social media is a communications frontier that has become strikingly important in the way society operates and converses. But it has also completely changed the way communicators do business – and the Office of University Communications is no exception.

Budgetary decisions led to the office slashing the printing of the university newsletter, the Temple Times, in half; it now prints once a month. Filling in that gap is the everyday effort from those who work in the office to engage people online.

Hoffmann took the reins of the Twitter account in Fall 2010, when the account’s following was just more than 2,500. Two and a half years later, that number rose to nearly 20,000.

The numbers – including engagement, tweets and retweets – afforded the account the honor of being one of the nation’s Top 10 most influential Twitter accounts in the country in 2011, according to Klout. com, a website that measures social media presence. Temple

has since dropped off the list.

According to fanpagelist.com, it ranks No. 47 on the site’s college and university feeds list.

Even so, the Twitter account’s relevance at Temple remains on the upswing, a point proven by its growing following.

Temple’s Twitter feed has acted as much more than a microphone for the university’s press releases. It has developed an obvious relationship with its audience – students, faculty, alumni and even prospective students.

Ashley DeMarco, a recently accepted student who Hoffmann followed and retweeted on Instant Decision Day, said the social media engagement wasn’t expected. That sense of welcoming meant a lot, she said.

“It’s making the transition from a homey community college to a big university a lot less scary for me personally,” she said in an email.

For someone whose college cohort “didn’t even have personal computers,” Hoffmann said operating the account comes natural. Tweeting, he said, is a task of reformatting the message for the 140-character medium.

But more than simply knowing the website logistically, Twitter boils down to finding the right voice.

“An effective Twitter account strikes the right balance between being professional yet also showing personality,” said Assistant Professor Steven L. Johnson, who specializes in social media, in an email.

Temple’s account has become a source of spontaneous lines about university pride, photos from Main Campus, links to news releases, live sporting event tweets and even humor. The latter is best illustrated by example. One of Hoffmann’s Super Bowl tweets read: “#TUPowerOutageIdeas: Put Travis Mahoney ’12 on a stationary bike, plug him in.”

That’s a part of the voice Hoffmann has been perfecting.

The collective feed, he said, is meant to be a reflection of

Hillel Hoffmann is the man behind the tweets. Hoffmann took the reins of the university’s official Twitter account in Fall 2010 and has seen an explosion in followers and engagement on the social media site. | ANGELO FICHERA TTN ways that the Temple community speaks and tweets: smart, urban and “maybe with a little attitude.”

“This is one of the hardest things for organizations to get right on Twitter, to reflect core values positively while also being personable and engaging,” Johnson said.

There’s no shortage of information release on the feed, either.

Last week, hours before the men’s basketball game, Hoffmann contacted sources in the athletic department and at the Liacouras Center to determine the number of seats remaining for the event.

The box office was “projecting it to be a sold out game,” he said. Judging by his former career and current job duties, which includes writing stories for the university, Hoffmann is no stranger to reporting for an audience.

More than just putting in-

formation out there, Hoffmann said, he tries to maintain a twoway stream, replying to or direct messaging those who reach out.

Being responsive is imperative to any social media operation, Johnson said.

Hoffmann tweets constantly – using the closest piece of technology to do it – or utilizing online tools to schedule them.

First to his surprise, Hoffmann’s found strong engagement late at night.

“I’ve tweeted from every imaginable place from every imaginable platform,” Hoffmann said. “We tweet and retweet 24/7.”

As the account’s bio suggests, Temple has created an online feed of community.

Hoffmann likened the site’s capabilities to an “emotional barometer” of what those in the extended Temple family are thinking and talking about.

When an alumnus committed suicide in 2010, Hoffmann

ter on a full-featured PC or Mac.

be working on next. Honestly, I only find this useful for traditional academic reading-andhomework-based classes and not so much for classes where I have to organize a multimedia project out of thin air. That sort of creative project is much better suited to less specialized forms of planning.

used the site to provide updates, walk-in counseling information and, he said, a sense of understandable emotional distress.

“It’s important to react to real-time events that impact your audience,” Johnson said.

And for those not on Twitter, there’s always Facebook. Hoffmann’s colleagues, Eryn Jelesiewicz and Vaughn Shinkus, operate that site’s official university account on that site.

In December 2011, the office set out to double the number of Facebook followers – from 7,000 to 14,000 – and reached that goal by November 2012, according to numbers provided

by Shinkus. The page now has more than 17,000 followers.

The Facebook account serves a similar audience – Shinkus said about half of the page’s audience is current students and that the next largest group is young alumni – but is operated in a different way. Un-

like Twitter, the Facebook account posts two to five times a day, Shinkus said.

“There’s not an appetite for more than that,” Shinkus said.

“Facebook posts have a longer shelf life.”

The social media messages themselves are often more organic than one might expect of a strategic communications department.

“I took a photo of a manhole with a Temple ‘T,’” Shinkus said. “It got wild engagement.”

Ultimately, Hoffmann said, harnessing the power of social media has just been a matter of finding new ways of reaching the masses.

“It’s a natural extension of what we do as communicators,” Hoffmann said.

Angelo Fichera can be reached at afichera@temple.edu or on Twitter @AJFichera.

Breaking down student-friendly iDevice apps iPhone that, as an Apple-toting Temple student, you might want to check out. (Note: Ratings presented are derived from overall reviews).

TUMOBILE PRICE: FREE COMPATIBILITY: UNIVERSAL RATING: 2 STARS (83 RATINGS) DROPBOX SUPPORT CHRIS MONTGOMERY superuser do

Chris Montgomery shares his list of handy Apple applications for students.

A

re you a student struggling to stay afloat? Do you constantly feel the need to fill some void in your life with productivity solutions?

Do you find yourself staring at a small screen manufactured by Apple for the majority of your day?

Forgive me for writing one Apple-centric column right after another. But, being the owner of an iPhone, an iPad and a MacBook Pro, I just can’t help myself. If I had a series of Android products, I would be writing a similar column. I did just stop myself from continuing with my apologetic tone, so give me credit for that.

And now, on to the app roundup. I’ve picked out seven apps I have installed on my

Let’s get this out of the way: Temple’s iOS app for students is garbage. There’s a reason it’s rated at two stars: It feels like it’s about to explode, with screens flashing, interface elements shifting around and a complete lack of unified design. Many reviewers have reported constant crashes and other issues. That said, TUmobile can be a useful resource for checking how many seats are available in the TECH Center.

And that’s about it. Otherwise, you’re better off accessing all the other features on Temple’s website.

BLACKBOARD MOBILE™ LEARN PRICE: FREE COMPATIBILITY: UNIVERSAL RATING: 2.5 STARS (407 RATINGS) DROPBOX SUPPORT

Rated only half a star better than TUmobile, I actually find the Blackboard app pretty useful for pulling up course documents and readings – but only to transfer them out of Blackboard into my Dropbox as quickly as possible. But, like TUmobile, that’s something that works bet-

DROPBOX PRICE: FREE COMPATIBILITY: UNIVERSAL RATING: 4 STARS (38,820 RATINGS)

Dropbox is the heavyweight champion of cloud storage. It was the first to popularize cloud storage by making it easy for users to access their files from anywhere via a Web interface and a sync folder. Cloud storage is undoubtedly one of the most essential services for students working on many different devices. While Apple has the iCloud service, I personally think it’s hard to manage – it’s unreliable, and it has far less app support than Dropbox. A Dropbox account is required to use the app.

ISTUDIEZ PRO PRICE: $2.99 COMPATIBILITY: UNIVERSAL RATING: 4 STARS (6,091 RATINGS) DROPBOX SUPPORT

This is the ultimate app for keeping track of assignments and exams, a task that’s not easy to manage using iOS’ default Calendar and Reminders apps. iStudiez Pro lets you associate assignments and exams with courses for easy sorting, and from there you can prioritize your upcoming assignments based on how important they are to your grade. The “Today” screen makes it easy to keep track of what you should

IA WRITER PRICE: $0.99 COMPATIBILITY: UNIVERSAL RATING: 4.5 STARS (2,731 RATINGS) DROPBOX SUPPORT ICLOUD SUPPORT

If you write a lot, pay attention here – iA Writer is a writing app for iOS and Mac with a minimalist, focused aesthetic.

Writer is designed to allow you to focus on your writing with minimal distractions.

Personally, I use Writer for most of my class notes and, as a matter of fact, I’m using it when writing this. Although it saves files in plain text format – .txt – Writer uses the increasingly common and super-easy-to-use Markdown, which is used for formatting writing for easy export to Rich Text Format or to HTML for the Web. Writer for iOS also makes it very easy to send your writing via email. If you use Reddit, you’re likely familiar with Markdown formatting. Also, fun fact: Markdown was developed by Philadelphiabased tech journalist extraordinaire John Gruber, as well as late Internet activist, programmer and writer Aaron Swartz.

CLEAR PRICE: $1.99 COMPATIBILITY: IPHONE AND IPOD TOUCH ONLY RATING: 4.5 STARS (3,984 RATINGS) ICLOUD SUPPORT

While we’re on the subject, here’s a to-do list app that couldn’t be simpler or more elegantly modern. Most of Clear’s controls are swipe-based – swipe to mark an item complete, swipe to remove it, swipe down to create a new item and swipe far down to switch lists or change settings. List items are prioritized by their position in the list and their colors change as more items are added or completed. Clear is definitely clear. It doesn’t ask for much, but somehow its open-ended flexibility is a welcome counter to all the other task management solutions that encourage you to control every aspect of your life.

The only cult Clear will invite you to is the cult of modernism.

SLEEP CYCLE PRICE: $0.99 COMPATIBILITY: IPHONE AND IPOD TOUCH ONLY RATING: 4.5 STARS (48,861 RATINGS)

It’s fitting that I end my roundup with an app about sleep, because I’d really like to do that right about now. I use Sleep Cycle just about every night I’m at home. In essence, it’s an alarm clock app.

But Sleep Cycle’s primary feature is its ability to track your sleep patterns via the iDevice’s accelerometer – it makes its judgments based on how much movement it detects while it sits on your bed next to your pillow.

Yes, that’s right.

Unfortunately, this is pretty much useless if you’re sleeping with another person. We’re not that far into the future yet.

Instead of slamming you with a frightening alarm in the morning – or whenever you wake up – Sleep Cycle will time its alarm for a movement peak where it assumes that you’re most awake and therefore most ready to ease back into so-called waking life by slowly fading in whatever pleasant alarm tones the app comes with. My favorite feature is the ability to snooze the alarm just by hitting the vibrating phone in my bed until it demands, by way of snooze denial, that I stop avoiding my morning responsibilities and face the cold world.

More on that in my next column – join me for dystopic fun and games in cyberspace.

Chris Montgomery can be reached at chris.montgomery@temple.edu.

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT temple-news.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

PAGE 9

Philly, Je t’aime

ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY HURLEY

Emma Fried-Cassorla of South Philly shares affection about Philly’s underrated places through her blog, Philly Love Notes.

CHELSEA FINN The Temple News

I

t’s not every day that one goes from neuroscientist to blogger, but that’s exactly what Emma Fried-Cassorla did.

Fried-Cassorla has been spreading love notes about Philadelphia for almost a year. These notes aren’t distributed the oldfashioned way, but instead in the modernized form of blogging.

Philly Love Notes was started in May 2012 when Fried-Cassorla realized she needed a change in her life.

“Working in a lab affected me in a negative way,” Fried-Cassorla said.

“I was not happy with the fact that I would go entire days without interaction.

The blog was a response to that and an opportunity to do something new and different.”

An avid traveler and former resident of places such as Glacier National

Park and Flagstaff, Ariz., Fried-Cassorla said she has always loved escaping from the city – but found that her home has been and will continue to be Philadelphia.

Fried-Cassorla said she found that she can take charge of her own destiny in terms of community.

“Love our community.

If we love our community, we can create the change we want and have a better outlook on the city and like it more,” Fried-Cassorla said.

As a way to love the Philadelphia community more, Fried-Cassorla began to ask for submissions after starting her blog – first by asking her friends and having them ask their friends for submissions of places that people loved and wanted to share. Eventually, word spread and now people send in submissions without FriedCassorla having to ask.

“When I started, my personal goal was to meet places, see places and

Prominent Philly chef to tackle pizza Chef Marc Vetri announced he signed the lease for his Pizzeria Vetri.

JOHN CORRIGAN The Temple News With a growing presence of artisan pizza styles and gourmet creations in the city, one man has recently announced his craving for a piece of the pie: Marc Vetri.

On Feb. 5, Philly’s prominent chef tweeted a photo of the freshly signed lease for his new restaurant, Pizzeria Vetri.

Scheduled to open this summer at 20th and Callowhill streets, Pizzeria Vetri will be Marc Vetri’s fifth eatery in the city, joining Alla Spina, Amis, Osteria, and his original establishment, Vetri.

Serving authentic Italian cuisine as well as local brews, Vetri’s successful empire has led to national recognition, such as the prestigious James Beard Award for “Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.”

His right-hand man since 2000, business partner Jeff Benjamin, revealed why Vetri has chosen to add another restaurant to his stable.

“I can’t foresee a time

STAYING GROUNDED, p. 10

Music trio Ground Up returned to the neighborhood where it all began on Feb. 22.

A&E DESK 215-204-7416

NOTES PAGE 10

Emma Fried-Cassorla was a neuroscientist before she founded a blog, Philly Love Notes. The blog takes submissions from Philadelphians about their favorite spots in the city. | CHELSEA FINN TTN

Bookstore uses Facebook to interact

when people won’t be eating pizza,” Benjamin said. “Pizza is very popular, and we’ve been pretty successful with it at Osteria. One thing we’ve learned in business is that you home in on what you know and you do it right rather than try to do something new every time.”

His closest restaurant to Main Campus, Osteria, located on 640 N. Broad St., offers an assortment of oak-burning stone oven pizzas.

Osteria’s Parma, a pie of mozzarella, fontina, arugula and prosciutto di parma, was voted best pizza of 2012

by Philadelphia magazine.

Additionally, Food & Wine magazine ranked Osteria as one of the 50 best pizza spots in the country.

Even though Vetri’s new place will be emphasizing pizza, Benjamin assures that Osteria won’t become the redheaded stepchild.

“The recipes will be very similar,” Benjamin said.

“We’ll add some new flavors, but we’ll always have the staples like margharita. The only difference is you won’t be able to carry these pies out,” Benjamin added.

Founder of Pizza Brain, the world’s first pizza museum,

VETRI PAGE 10

have positivity about the city, and I’ve reached that goal,” Fried-Cassorla said.

“Now, my goal is to make [the blog] last.”

The blog covers many different topics, including places in Fairmount Park, bars, statues and even post offices. When Fried-Cassorla was asked which love note was her favorite, she didn’t hesitate.

“The top of the PSFS building is the best place that’s come out of this,” Fried-Cassorla said. “It’s an incredible view. I take everyone there now.”

Another notable place, Fried-Cassorla said, is the FDR Skatepark. Photo blogger and Washington, D.C., native Hilary Malson sent in the love note about the park, wanting others to share the experience. A full-fledged skate park sitting under Interstate 95 on Broad Street and Pattison Avenue is not just for the fun of experienced skaters. Malson, who does not

Used-bookstore owner lets personality shine on the store’s Facebook page.

RACHEL MCDEVITT The Temple News Turn away from the noise buzzing around South Street and stroll along a serene block dotted with quaint homes and small businesses. You might notice a large garage, painted with bold red and blue, with one word in yellow across the top of the open door: “BOOKS.” This garage is a used bookstore called Mostly Books, an establishment that generates a steady following through its social media accounts. Many used book stores in Philly have Facebook pages, but these are usually the basic address and phone number or slightly more advanced dealings, like publicizing events. But Mostly Books is engaging with its Facebook fans in a different, authentically quirky, way.

One post asked, “What time was it about 23 years ago?” over a picture of a man with no shirt, but very puffy pants. The answer? Hammer Time. The prize? A “gold star” in the form of a 15-second video of someone with groovy dance moves.

“Gold stars; that’s like what you get in kindergarten,” said

Mostly Books, located at 529 Bainbridge St., keeps in touch with its customers by posting trivia questions for “gold stars” on its Facebook page. | ABI REIMOLD TTN Joe Russakoff, owner of Mostly Books and operator of its Facebook page. “I just put up little videos that I thought were funny. The idea is to give people a chuckle, that’s all.”

From looking at Russakoff, it is easy to see where the social media effort gets its eccentric nature. His face carries two frames: one a Larry Davidesque pair of spectacles, the other his fly-away grey hair. He is dressed to run his book warehouse in a thick, green corduroy shirt buttoned over a black sweater. He laughs nervously as he talks about store expansion,

both physically and online.

On a blustery day in February, Mostly Books is mostly cold. Only the most devout book browsers and brave-ofheart will find their reward in the last room of the cavernous and maze-like shop, behind a door marked “Heat!”

This drafty bookshop on Bainbridge Street, and its sister store tucked away on 10th Street between Locust and Spruce streets, is familiar territory for Russakoff. He said that while growing up, his family owned a used bookstore in Northeast Philadelphia, just as the area

MUSIC & MOTORCYCLES, p. 11 Juston Stens, formerly of Dr. Dog, rode his motorcycle across country to make his album.

ARTSandENTERTAINMENT@TEMPLE-NEWS.COM

was getting more developed.

“My family’s always been in this business.” Russakoff said. “This is kind of like a comfort zone.”

The veteran seller of preloved books is no stranger to the business, but he did have to learn a whole new world to move the store into the 21st century.

“I have no technological aptitude,” the store owner said, adding that he has a personal Facebook page against his will; he only needs it to administer

BOOKS PAGE 10

COMICAL ATTEMPT, p. 11

Columnist Matt Kirk argues that the Nets’ BrooklyKnight mascot is far short of a real hero.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 10

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Blog accentuates the hidden gems Philly can offer NOTES PAGE 9

skate herself, urges everyone to go.

“I will say it was extraordinarily diverse, though maybe not at first glance,” Malson said.

“One group that was heavily represented there were skaters, of course. [There is a] diverse group of people [who come] from all walks of life. Young, older. Black, white. Men and women. FDR definitely defies any notions of skating being a teenage boy thing.”

Philly Love Notes was created so that these types of stories could be shared, according to the page itself.

“I’ve known how much love FDR and how much that single place defined my experience with Philadelphia,” Malson said.

Philly Love Notes shows a wide variety of places, so there can be something that suits anyone’s interests.

Fairmount Park has a wide array of activities, but paper cutout artist Joe Boruchow and new Philadelphian Emma Jacobs found one to be particularly interesting. Near the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, the Puryear’s Pavilion is hidden among the trees.

“It’s one of my favorites,” Boruchow said. “I chose to write about it, because not too many people know about it, and

it really is a hidden treasure. The Pavilion is free...if you can find it.”

Looking through Philly Love Notes, it’s clear there are plenty of other “hidden treasures” to be found. Fried-Cassorla said she has found seeing these places and meeting new people refreshing.

“I’ve met people who have done interesting things,” FriedCassorla said. “This makes me feel more inspired. I just do the advertising. Other people write the pieces, and I share them, so the credit goes to those who wrote love notes that are heartfelt and have meaningful thoughts to them. This was a personal project, but it’s based on the goodwill of others.”

Wanting to be seen as a positive beacon of light, Philly Love Notes avoids the negative aspects that come up in everyday living in Philadelphia, Fried-Cassorla said.

“Philadelphia people focus on the negative, which rightfully deserves press, but a lot of good things are overlooked,” Fried-Cassorla said. “There are really cool things in the city, but people like to be negative, because it’s easier to be so. But talking about the positive can make you see what you want the city to look like.”

It’s easy to get discouraged

by big problems faced in an urban environment, but Philly Love Notes is a reminder of the more pleasant things Philadelphia has, Boruchow said.

“Philly Love Notes is an excellent introduction to what the city has to offer,” Boruchow said. “It’s great for newcomers and long-time locals alike.”

Fried-Cassorla said on her blog that she is planning on changing the dialogue of the city, and, she said, it can be done by loving the community and changing perspective.

“Philly Love Notes is such a wonderful project, because it gives Philadelphians a platform to share their love for a special place with a really wide audience,” Melson said. “It also lets the small business owners, the employees at [the Department of Parks and Recreation], the architects, the museum curators, the SEPTA bus operators, the restaurant servers and everyone else working at Philly Love Notes destinations that their work matters to other people.”

Philly Love Notes takes all submissions and is looking for new ones every day. Submissions can be sent to phillylovenotes@gmail.com.

Chelsea Finn can be reached at chelsea.finn@temple.edu.

FDR Skatepark under Interstate 95 was submitted to Philly Love Notes as a hidden gem in the city for the diverse crowd it attracts. | TAYLOR FARNSWORTH TTN

Store has online personality Ground Up returns to home soil BOOKS PAGE 9 the store page.

Facebook. He fired up the page The store profile began as with scans of first pages of faway to attract people to a poetry mous novels and asked fans to series a few years ago, but it was identify them. Right answers mostly dormant until change were awarded with the covwashed in on the eted gold star, tide of gentrificawhich are usution. Russakoff ally blink-andsaid that in Spring you’ll-miss-it 2012, the stretch clips from movof block where ies as varied Mostly Books opas “American erates was fenced Psycho,” “Billy off for a renoMadison” and vation to turn a Disney’s “Robfabric warehouse in Hood.” into a restaurant.

The mulJoe Russakoff / mostly books The construction tiple daily posts owner killed business at are just as varthe book store, ied as the gold with innocent passers-by tak- stars: celebrity noses, famous ing alternative routes instead of quotes, funny hats; nothing is walking through the dusty con- off-limits for this peculiar page. struction zone to the door of the “What I try to do...with recently-expanded store front, the Facebook page is like what he said. people will browse in the store,” Russakoff said the only Russakoff said. “They pick up way he could think of to make a record or look at a poem. The his store visible again was to whole idea is to come up with engage his audience online with something someone will want to

“The whole idea

is to come up with something someone will want to respond to.

”

respond to.”

Russakoff noted, though, that there is no set formula for what works, but pictures paired with trivia questions are doing fairly well. He also said he has no idea how Facebook is affecting his sales.

“I was just looking for things to get people to interact,” he said.

If you want to interact with Mostly Books’ daily picture puzzles, “like” its page. Be careful in your postings though.

Write a completely wrong answer and your video may be the dreaded “You are an Old Man and a Fool!” instead of the desired “Brilliant!”

Mostly Books is located at 529 Bainbridge St. and 259 S. 10th St. You can find it virtually at www.facebook.com/mostlybooksphilly or on Twitter: @ mostlybooks.

Rachel McDevitt can be reached at rachel.mcdevitt@temple.edu.

Luxury apartment building to house gourmet pizza shop Brian Dwyer remembers when Philadelphians digested a steady diet of pizza chains and corner parlors.

“I was a newly minted Temple dropout in the fall of 2004,” Dwyer said.

“I didn’t know about this city’s pizza so I was sitting on the curb of South Street eating a slice of Lorenzo’s at 2 a.m. But that big, greasy slice is a perfect example of how the Philly pizza landscape used to look: not awesome, but it was there for you in a pinch when you needed it,” Dwyer said.

As the Guinness World Record Holder for the Largest Collection of Pizza Related Items, Dwyer claims Pizzeria Vetri will add to the Italian pie revolution striking the city.

“By and large, Philly is not known as a pizza destination,” Dwyer said. “But I think that’s changing more and more all the time, especially with the continuation of heavy hitters like Vetri expanding their pizza influence around town.”

VETRI PAGE 9

Pizzeria Vetri will be located on the first floor of the Granary, a luxury apartment building being constructed on the 1900 block of Callowhill Street.

“The opening of the Barnes and the opening of the Granary that we’re going into has a kind of new, built-in populace,” Benjamin said. “[Vetri] lives just four blocks north of where we’re going to be opening, and he loves the neighborhood. It is really family friendly, and with lots of foot traffic on weekends, we think it’s going to be a pretty hot area,” Benjamin said.

Pizzeria Vetri will sit diagonal to the 20th Street entrance of the Barnes Foundation on the Parkway and behind the Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Director of Communications for the Central Branch Alix Gerz anticipates renewed interest in the area.

“I’m super excited for the opening of Vetri’s new restaurant,” said Gerz, a 2007 Temple

graduate.

“Not only will there be a new place to grab lunch or dinner, but the increased traffic in Parkway central will hopefully attract more people to our exhibits. As an eater and a librarian, this is very good news,” Gerz said.

As for students seeking employment at Vetri’s new restaurant, Benjamin welcomes applications albeit with a caveat.

“We’re always looking to hire,” Benjamin said.

“College students usually have a great work ethic, but we don’t do any real part-time labor, so you have to be committed to working full time and being a full-time student,” Benjamin warned.

While a glance at Vetri’s track record will indicate Pizzeria Vetri’s chances for success, one must wonder if the city will soon move cheese steaks to the Philly food extinction list.

John Corrigan can be reached at john.corrigan@temple.edu.

Philly rap group returned home to play a show near Temple’s campus amidst a tour.

JOE FRICKER The Temple News Fresh off of the “Must Be Nice” tour, which included stops in Columbus, Ohio, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Chicago, Philadelphia’s Ground Up hasn’t forgotten where it came from.

The rap trio, which is comprised of MCs Alexander Azar and Malcolm McDowell, better known as Malakai, and producer Bijan Houshiarnejad, known on stage as Bij Lincs, has worked with some notable names in rap including Chiddy Bang, Meek Ground Up attracted a large crowd for its North Philly Mill and Rick Ross. On Feb. 22, homecoming at AEPi on Feb. 22. | COURTESY IAN HIRSTHERMANS the group returned to its roots with an appropriately titled home.” a sample of Tracy Chapman’s “Back to the Basement” show Playing 19 songs that “Give Me One Good Reason.” at AEPi. spanned across its 12 mixtapes, It was a fitting song to go out After being on the road, the Ground Up kept the crowd go- on, as the track, not unlike the concert on Temple’s campus ing with both old and new concert itself, was a throwback served as a coming home party songs. to the group’s earlier days. of sorts. Performing just a few For more than an hour, After exiting the stage, blocks from the house where Malakai and Azar worked the Lincs, Malakai and Azar hung just over four years ago Ground stage trading lines over the around to put in some addiUp began as a group, the trio Lincs-supplied beats. A heavy tional face time with the fans wasn’t just playing in its city dose of black lights, strobe and soaked in a little more of – it was playing in its neighbor- lights and the occasional mi- the hometown love – something hood. crophone malfunction made the they came to appreciate while Hanging out in the living basement experience that much on tour. room of the fraternity house more authentic.

“There’s nothing like home, waiting for their turn to take the The performance had an and I think that became more stage, Azar, Malakai and Lincs almost intimate feel to it, an clear while we were gone,” mingled throughadjective not Azar said. “There’s nothing like out the crowd, commonly as- the home field advantage. Peotaking time to sociated with ple know every word, that still talk to friends rap shows. In blows my mind.” and fans alike. between songs As the house began to empAs they made Azar and Mal- ty, Ground Up made its exit as their way around akai would in- well. The three headed back to the room, and the teract with the their abode, just a quick ride comfort of being crowd, not so south of campus, where they back in their old much as per- met up with friends to celebrate stomping ground formers ad- the night’s work. was clear on each dressing the They spent the remainder Azar / ground up mc audience, of their faces. but of the night making the most of This is as guys catch- their time with friends, but the the third time ing up with old home stay was short lived.

Ground Up has taken the stage friends. Their comfort level In the coming week, the at AEPi, and doing so is some- seemed higher than it was on band will make its way to West thing the group members hold the living room couch just an Virginia University and Springclose to their hearts, Malakai hour earlier. field, Va., where it will be persaid.

As the show winded down, forming with Freeway. Follow“We used to play there way they played a few crowd fa- ing those two shows is another back in the day,” Malakai said vorites: “Right Back at It” off brief stop back in Philly to perfollowing the show. “It was like of their mixtape “The Get Up” form with Juelez Santana at The a coming home type thing.” and “No Thanks” off of “The Blockley before heading out on “It became somewhat of a Get Down.” After thanking the the road again. tradition, it seemed only right to audience and getting off stage, For one night, though, they come back here,” Azar added. the three quickly returned, as got to enjoy the comforts of As the basement filled with the crowd demanded an encore. home, and the luxury of sleeppeople and Ground Up took They closed the show out with ing in their own beds. the stage, arms reach from the “Turn Around,” a song from crowd, Malakai addressed the their 2010 mixtape, “Higher Joe Fricker can be reached at joseph.fricker@temple.edu. audience. “What is up Philly?” Ground.” One of their slower, he asked. “It feels good to be more melodic tracks, it features

“It became

somewhat of a tradition, it seemed only right to come back here.

”

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 11

Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang ABI REIMOLD TTN

Former Dr. Dog drummer Juston Stens is putting down the drumsticks in his new band.

JENELLE JANCI A&E Editor Juston Stens doesn’t seem to prefer the easy way.

In fact, the former Dr. Dog drummer suffered from a few bouts of Murphy’s Law on his cross-country journey to collaborate with artists in the process of making his new album, which currently has no set release date.

Stens decided a car wasn’t fitting enough for the journey, so he ditched four wheels for two and relied on his 1972 Triumph motorcycle as his main mode of transportation. He also forgot his goggles on the first night, relying only on sunglasses to shield his eyes from the wind – a method of protection that became trickier as the sun went down. Not to mention a handful of scheduled collaborators dropping out or double-booking, leaving Stens to scramble for last-minute replacements.

“There is nothing I did that was easy,” Stens said.

Parts of Stens’ crosscountry journey was captured by filmmaker Drew Stubbs for a documentary titled “I Lay

Where I Fall,” also with no set release date.

Stens, best known for his work behind the drums, has moved to the front of the stage as singer-guitarist for Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang – a project that began mere months after he left Dr. Dog to pursue the spot he felt most comfortable in on stage.

“I felt like the whole time I ended up as a drummer when I didn’t really want to be doing that,” Stens said, who started his music career as a singer-guitarist. “You find as a drummer that if you want to be doing something else, it’s like the hardest spot to get out of.”

For Stens, self-contemplation was necessary to embark on the next chapter of his career, he said.

“I took some time away from that band and looked around and thought about what I needed to make myself happy,” he said.

Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang will headline Johnny Brenda’s on March 1.

THE TEMPLE NEWS: How did you end up in Philly?

JUSTON STENS: A friend of mine, one of those bass players [from my high school band] named Brad went to West Chester with all those guys in Dr. Dog, so I’d come over to Philly to start hanging out with Brad more. I got introduced to

this bigger group of friends.

In a way, I kind of lost touch with everyone I grew up with, so when I moved over here, I kind of stepped into this existing group of friends that was already there. Little by little, bands formed, different people played with other people, and ultimately I ended up playing with those guys for a couple of years.

TTN: You drummed in Dr. Dog, and now you’re the front man of your new band.

What position did you start with?

JS: This is where I originally started. As a teenager, I played guitar, wrote all the songs and sang. Guitar was the first thing I picked up, and then I broke my wrist skateboarding when I was 22. I couldn’t play guitar for six years without pain. The drumming didn’t hurt so much – it still hurt, but it was a different kind of hurt and pain, so I could handle it. It was more of the gripping of the guitar neck that I couldn’t do. It’s actually been messed up again lately, so anytime I play guitar there’s a good amount of pain going on, so I just wear sunglasses, and no one can see me crying onstage.

TTN: They just think you look cool.

JS: Yeah, they think I’m really feeling it – and maybe I

am – but I’m feeling something else, too.

TTN: When did you leave Dr. Dog, and when did the new project start?

JS: I left at the end of ’09, right after we recorded the album “Shame Shame.” That was late fall. Then, in late January, just a couple months later, I took off and I recorded. I went to Tuscon, Ariz., and Black Mountain, N.C. I went to these two different places to meet old friends I had that have studios just to get a kick in the butt, you know? To have someone that’s there to help you for being lazy.

I was just reaching at all these songs that I had written over the last 10 years. I didn’t know which ones to use or where to start.

TTN: Did being in new surroundings help the creative process, too?

JS: Yeah, it sure did. I picked them for a reason. I knew I had a handful of friends out there that would be supportive and make me feel good about what I’m doing. Also, when I’m not recording, I get to hang out with them or walk around the desert or do nothing or just watch the sun go down.

It’s the kind of thing that, yeah, you really can’t get around here.

I mean, you can, but you have to look for it. There, it’s like, which way do you want to go?

And in North Carolina, it was the same thing. I have a friend there named Seth Kauffman [of the band Floating Action]. He’s a relaxed kind of guy. We’d get up, have coffee and maybe go for a hike. It wasn’t all business.

It was, “What do you want to do today to make you feel like you’re in a great mood to do what you want to do?” I can’t imagine being in the studio any other way.

TTN: You recorded the album that you’re mixing now in a pretty unique way. Can you elaborate?

JS: Basically, I rode my motorcycle across the country. I spent about four months doing it. I was followed by this guy that I met that wanted to make a documentary film out of it.

The trip was pretty crazy. It was Aug. 8, 2011 to Dec. 8, 2011. I went up to Boston, then headed west to Chicago, then all the way down to Nashville, Tenn., then back to Black Mountain, N.C., where I recorded the first record, then to New Orleans, all the way through Texas, and out to Tuscon, Ariz. Tuscon was the last stop where I recorded, and from then I just drove out to the West Coast to finish my trip.

TTN: How’d you get the idea to make the album that way?

JS: It happened one night. I was sitting with an ex-girlfriend

over at Johnny Brenda’s having some dinner. I was like, “I have all these songs, I want to make a new record, and I had such a good time with the first one recording it in two different places that weren’t the place that I lived that I thought maybe this time I’ll do four places.” Somewhere between her and another old friend that stopped by, one of them said, “Why don’t you call everyone you know and do it across the whole country?” and the other one said, “You’ve got to do it on your motorcycle.

Why would you plan something that crazy and go in a car?”

TTN: Did anything really crazy happen on the trip?

JS: You know what’s funny, the craziest times on this whole trip were the times when [filmmaker Stubbs] wasn’t with me.

The one time I ran out of gas, and this guy on a motorcycle brought me gas. He would ride his bike with a bunch of friends and ride into prisons and kind of motivate the prisoners and say, “Hey, when you get out, let me show you what good value and hard work can do.” I bought him lunch and talked to him for a long time. I ended up meeting all kinds of weird people.

Jenelle Janci can be reached at jenelle.janci@temple.edu.

BrooklyKnight struggles with identity, hero status

D

MATT KIRK Captain Kirk

Kirk argues that the BrooklyKnight is too silly to be taken seriously.

ue to public demand, Marvel and the Nets franchise have come together to give the people of Brooklyn a hero to call their own – protector of the Barclays Center, the champion of the Nets, the terrifying, the amazing – BrooklyKnight?

During the Brooklyn Nets’ first home game of the 201213 season, the world’s newest superhero, BrooklyKnight, descended from the rafters above center court amidst a display of fireworks and energized beats at the Barclays Center, pumping up the crowd and spurring the Nets to their first home-court win.

A comic book given to all fans in attendance helped to further explain the emergence of this new hero and his commitment to the Nets. In the first issue of BrooklyKnight – creatively titled “The Brooklyn Game” – BrooklyKnight spawns from the floorboards of the Barclays Center with a burst of energy, grabbing a ball, driving to the hoop and slamming the ball home. Proceeding to

pump up the crowd at the game, he uses his superpowers to give the players more energy and skill with each play. It’s kind of like a Wi-Fi update for the outdated 1996 “Space Jam,” talenttransferring basketball.

A departure from the usually unimpressive and unimaginative mascots of the NBA, BrooklyKnight’s appearance is an interesting development for both the comic and basketball industry. A product of Marvel Comics, hired by the Nets organization to create the new team mascot, he is the first comic book hero ever created to defend a basketball court. I had no idea, but apparently super villains have been causing chaos between the hoops, potentially costing teams vital wins.

It is interesting to see Marvel expanding its reach from comics, cartoons and cinema to the sports world, and even more intriguing to see a large sports program invest and commit to creating such a unique team mascot. However, the venture to combine sports and comic book heroes has delivered a character

that is comical at best. I understand the motivation to have Marvel produce a comic strip to go along with the team mascot from a business standpoint, but from a creative standpoint, I have no idea what they were thinking.

First off, while I understand that some NBA mascots are not directly related to the team name, theme or history – the 76ers having a dunking rabbit ,for one example – the BrooklyKnight doesn’t seem to have any connection to Brooklyn other than his oddly spelled name, which I find confusing and hard to pronounce.

Second, his appearance is hard to translate from the comic to courtside. While the artwork and design of BrooklyKnight is solid in the comic strip, featuring chiseled abs, a presumably multifunctional cape and a skull-like mask, in the pregame video his costume makes him look more like a knockoff of the Black Power Ranger with a shield.

Side note: The original Black Power Ranger is, and will

always be, my favorite Power Ranger.

Third, I don’t really see anything for BrooklyKnight to do. Who could possibly be set in front of the BrooklyKnight as a villain? What mysteries could he solve? Optimistically, his courtside presence may channel some level of the Philly Phanatic’s antics with the opposing team and or referees, all in the name of defending Brooklyn.

I’d love to see him take a cheap shot at LeBron James to slow down his game when he comes to town. Truly, this would make him a successful mascot, but not much of a superhero.

Marvel, nonetheless, is still confident in its newest creation.

In fact, Axel Alonso, editor-inchief of Marvel Entertainment, was quoted by ComicBookResources.com as saying, “We have created a team superhero that is unlike anything the NBA has ever seen; a timeless character who can stand shoulder to shoulder with icons like SpiderMan, Captain America, Wolverine and Thor.”

I’m glad Marvel is attempt-

ing projects like this and, as a mascot BrooklyKnight has everything it takes to be great but going shoulder to shoulder with Spider-Man? That is like saying Baauer’s “Harlem Shake” is an equal to the works of Jay-Z, Nas or Biggie Smalls.

The Nets should be proud of its new courtside hype man, because BrooklyKnight is quite special as far as NBA mascots go. Make no mistake though, Marvel created a mascot, not the next great superhero.

Matt Kirk can be reached at matthew.kirk@temple.edu.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 12

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

FIRST PERSON ARTS STORY SLAM: DANGER FEB. 26 DOORS 7:30 P.M., EVENT BEGINS AT 8:30 P.M. L’ETAGE, 624 S. SIXTH ST., ABOVE CREPERIE BEAUMONDE $10 Head to L’Etage in South Philadelphia for a good laugh and a fun time at First Person Arts Story Slam.

Story slams are just like poetry slams, but instead of poetry being recited, people tell a story. At L’Etage, members of the audience who are brave enough put their name in a hat at the door are randomly

selected throughout the night.

If their name is drawn, they have to go up on stage and tell a story. The story theme changes at each slam, so every time the stories are new and fresh. Some themes done in the past were “ex-files,” “naughty or nice,” “back to school” and “do the right thing.”

Karina Kacala is the mar-

keting manager at First Person Arts, and she helps organize the story slams.

“The story slam idea started about seven years ago,” Kacala said. “We’ve more than doubled the number of slams each year. They were so popular and successful, so we made them monthly. In 2010, we doubled that. They started at

L’Etage, now we also do them at World Cafe Live.”

The biggest challenge of a story slam is telling a story in only five minutes and making it up on the spot. The audience members don’t know if their name will be drawn, so once it is, they have to be prepared to tell a quick story that the audience will like.

Grow your own way

“Five minutes is an adequate amount of time. Sometimes the stories are shorter, sometimes they are longer,” Kacala said. “Part of the challenge is crafting the story to be approximately five minutes.

Some people have done six or maybe even seven-minute stories. But that’s part of the challenge – telling the beginning, middle and end within five minutes.”

Just like poetry slams, there is a competition aspect to the story slams.

The prize for winning the story slam at L’Etage or World Cafe Live is a spot in the finals at the grand slam in May. A fun as-

pect about the competition is the judges are randomly chosen audience members, so the storytellers need to cater to a diverse group of people. The storytellers are judged on content and presentation.

The story slam is a great way to kick back and have a laugh with friends or family.

Although the story slams at L’Etage are 21-plus, slams at World Cafe Live are for all ages. “[We get] a lot of 20 and 30-somethings,” Kacala said.

“There are usually a lot of students at World Cafe Live. A lot of people come on dates. It’s a great date idea.”

SPRING GARDEN INDOOR ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE FLEA MARKET MARCH 2 8 A.M.-4 P.M. FORMER FED-EX SERVICE CENTER, 820 SPRING GARDEN ST. FREE When was the last time you bought some vintage jewelry or clothing? This flea market will feature more than 50 vendors from across the Tri-State Area showing off antique furniture, glassware, pottery and more. The admission is free, and so is parking.

Every career path is different. That’s why we help you design your own.

We’ll provide the training, coaching and experiences that allow you to build relationships and take advantage of career opportunities. You decide what happens next—at PwC or beyond.

7 UP ON CAMP FEB. 28 6 P.M. 3805 LOCUST WALK, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA KELLY WRITER’S HOUSE FREE

The opportunity of a lifetime. www.pwc.com/campus

This program is a discussion with a twist. Seven guests are invited to speak about a certain topic for seven minutes and give their opinions on the chosen theme.

RONY SEIKALY PRESENTED

BY PHILLY2NIGHT, ART OF ELECTRONICA AND ABSOLUT VODKA FEB. 28-MARCH 1 10 P.M.-3 A.M. ZEE BAR, 100 SPRING GARDEN ST. $15-$20 Enjoy the beats of The Spin Doctor, a former NBA star turned DJ. Rony Seikaly will be spinning at Zee Bar while the Absolut Greyhound Dancers perform. This is the perfect way to take a break from schoolwork and release some steam with a night of dancing and letting loose. This event is 21-plus.

© 2013 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership. All rights reserved. We are proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

–Rebecca Zoll

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

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Janci discusses how Conor Oberst’s punk band makes music with a purpose, following its Feb. 23 show in Philly.

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PAGE 13

T

he first CD I played in my car the day I got my license was Desaparecidos’ “Read Music/Speak Spanish.”

Finally having earned freedom, there was nothing I wanted to listen to more than the punk band’s 2002 album. Fronted by Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes fame, the band was primarily active from 2001-02, recording the album in a single week. The name, while a mouthful, means “disappeared ones” – a reference to the thousands of leftists that were captured by the South American military governments during the Dirty War in Argentina.

As evident in the band’s name, Desaparecidos is an incredibly political band, which is the reason I attached myself to it from the time I got the record at age 14. While other punk bands were singing about girls, beer,

girls, weed and girls, I thought – and still think – a band with lyrics regarding financial planning and current events was awesome.

During the pinnacle of my “I hate my hometown” phase, I felt the album, which had themes of commercial development, could have been written about my hometown of Phillipsburg, N.J. To me, the Sonic that was built across the street from, and eventually shut down, my favorite familyowned ice cream shop was exactly what Oberst was screaming about in “Greater Omaha,” a song criticizing his own hometown’s developers.

Aside from a performance at The Concert for Equality in Omaha in 2010, the band was inactive since its first album. I never thought I’d have the opportunity to see the band perform live.

So, when news that the band would play at Union Transfer to promote its new music was announced, I had a very justified fan girl freak out.

My older brother, Dan, attended the Feb. 23 show with me. Not only was it cool to see a 27-year-old go shoulder-toshoulder with a bunch of teenage punks, it was also a form of sibling bonding like no other.

We’d protect one another from rogue members of the audience, fight to stay together and offer each another a hand if we were close to falling from the crowd’s sway.

While special, the night wasn’t without the usual teasing remarks from my brother. When I mentioned that I felt lightheaded from the anticipation of seeing Oberst and company, he accused me of being “borderline retarded.” When I expressed

nervousness for seeing Oberst’s new haircut in person that I disapproved of, he deemed me as “marginally obsessed.” And maybe he was right – this was my fifth time seeing Oberst, my fourth time in the past year. But who’s counting?

Although I was no rookie to seeing him live, Oberst had a very different air about him from the moment he took the stage. His U.S. Army shirt, patched jeans and bandana tied around his knee were a sharp contrast to the sleek suit he wore when I last saw him at The Kimmel Center.

The differences didn’t stop at attire – Oberst, who rarely says more than a sentence or two between songs, went on a handful of politically-influenced rants during the course of the night.

“Shut the f--- up. I’m saying something important,” Oberst demanded of the crowd as he was trying to spread the word of Army Intel Analyst PFC Bradley Manning. Manning faces life in prison for attempting to spread the word of war crimes by allegedly sharing a video of a U.S. helicopter attack that killed 11 civilians and wounded two children in Baghdad, Iraq, through WikiLeaks. Volunteers handed out informational flyers about the movement to free Manning at the performance.

“He was trying to do the right thing and spread information,” Oberst said. Oberst then turned the conversation to the Internet.

“I’m not good with computers, but if you know how, hack into the government and Bank of America,” Oberst said, after saying what was supposed to be the “great democratizer”

“Although I

am no rookie to seeing him live, Oberst had a very different air about him from the moment he took the stage.

”

only helped large corporations ruin our lives “more efficiently.” I immediately turned to my brother, whose mouth was agape in disbelief. Did one of our favorite musicians just encourage a crowd of a few hundred to illegally access government information? If that’s not punk, I don’t know what is.

Political rants aside, the performance itself was high energy, inspiring and dare I say better than the recordings. It seemed like I never had a chance to catch my breath, and everyone around me was screaming the lyrics the same way I was – like we never expected to be able to do it at a live show. I recall a 30-something rocking out next to my brother, and the look on his face just seemed like he really got what Oberst was singing about in “Hole in One,” a song about selling out for a bigger paycheck and the American Dream of having a huge house and lots of money. If these are issues everyone relates to, why aren’t more bands making music about them?

Other than fulfilling a fantasy, seeing Desaparecidos live made me realize that “Read Music/Speak Spanish” wasn’t just a themed album or some early20s angst that Oberst and his friends needed to get out – the members really believe in the issues their songs tackle. Or, at least, they are putting on a damn good front.

Jenelle Janci can be reached at jenelle.janci@temple.edu.

Singer-guitarist Conor Oberst fronted Desaparecidos during the band’s Feb. 23 show at Union Transfer. The band recently reunited after more than 10 years. Oberst last performed in Philly at The Kimmel Center in November 2012 on a solo tour.| KATE McCANN TTN

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Theater artists dominate commom area Actor PAGE 7

math and science students, is where all theater students are herded, forced to share only four classrooms. Because of this, a mass migration has occurred to The Atrium, where the thespians, much like Christopher Columbus, have claimed this previously unclaimed territory.

The general terrain of The Atrium is made up of an assortment of high and low tables, recently accompanied by several uncomfortable eyesore couches.

Do not ever sit on the couches.

The couches are for the lone wolves who have lost in the game of social Darwinism when it comes to securing a table.

Being such a bustling environment, there obviously has to be a food source – Lucky Cup. Be sure to come to Lucky Cup in between classes, otherwise you risk being trampled to death during the feeding hour.

There are several distinct species that dominate and thrive in this Atrium environment, and shortly, I will teach you identifi-

cation tricks to ensure your survival. The species all stem from the same tree, but branch in vastly different directions: actors, musical theater actors, directors, designers, stage managers, faculty and, if you’re lucky, you might even be able to spot one of the elusive playwrights.

Sometimes, a brave film or journalism major will try to intermingle with the theater majors, but they aren’t fooling anyone.

Usually wielding a camera or recording device, these outsiders are easy to spot – although the film majors of the male variety do serve as satisfactory mating partners for the thespians. But these interlopers are few and far between, usually traversing The Atrium at a rapid speed, so as not to disturb the theater groupings. Good choice.

The easiest to identify, and perhaps the most dangerous of the groups, are the musical theater actors. Musical theater actors often move in packs, they have a strong sense of loyalty to one another, so if you mess with

one MT, you ultimately will have to answer to the pack.

Often times, MTs can be identified by their profuse sweating and tight exercise clothing, revealing their strong, limber and flexible structures.

The sweating can be attributed to the rigorous dance and movement training that the MTs undergo on a daily basis. However, the telltale characteristic of an MT is their voice, soaring above the voices of all the rest, often in song. Although The Atrium in no way resembles a stage, the MTs are always exercising their powerful voices among the others. And, as I said earlier, never, ever, complain about the noise or ask an MT to quiet down.

There is no wrath like the wrath of an angry MT. I should also mention that MTs are always dressed to the nines – when they aren’t sweating. You should compliment their colorful composition, they’ll appreciate flattery.

The actors, however, are trickier to identify. Like cha-

“Chaotic Silence” will bring artists together across spectrums.

rector] Will [Pazdziora] and we talked about how it’s really crazy that we all go to school together, and most of us [theater majors] have never met dance majors, etc. When Temple consolidated the arts programs under the Center for the Arts, we all got excited – and then nothing changed. So the idea behind the project was to bring together as many different aspects of the Center for the Arts as possible,” she said.

The production team reached out to students from Tyler School of Art and Boyer College of Music and Dance as well as film and theater students of the former School of Communications and Theater. The result is what the producers call “a multidisciplinary collaborative piece of group theater.”

“We wanted to do something totally different,” Boyer said. “We wanted to explore the world of musical theater without the use of a script. So we started trying to tell stories without speaking.”

“That means dance, it means pedestrian gesture, and then vocal, singing, instrumental music and visual art,” Boyer added. The only words that you will hear in this show will be lyrics that were specifically tailored to be as if they were the script. Every song that was picked or composed was done

so very, very carefully so that every single word has meaning behind it.”

The show’s music includes original composition paired with pop songs like Rihanna’s “Love the Way You Lie” and Maroon 5’s “One More Night” to be sung by student performers. Such choices reflect the overall themes of the show, including violence against women and unhealthy relationships.

The name “Chaotic Silence” comes from the cycle of psychological distress in victims of domestic violence.

“It’s such a juxtaposition because while these women are being silenced and they don’t have a voice, at the same time, their minds are all over the place,” Boyer said. “They are in these situations where they’re suffering, and they have little to no control over it.”

Further illustrating these themes will be visual representations of domestic violence statistics displayed during the show.

Sophomore dance major Sarah McWilliams plays Jules, the show’s protagonist. The differences between theater and dance have presented a challenge for the acting novice.

“In the dance world, most stories are told in a more abstract, roundabout way, but with acting, everything is told in a

meleons, the actors are able to blend and assimilate into nearly any group. Unlike the MT actors who move in packs, actors have a tendency to fly solo, so look for a loner at a table, not the couches. If you happen to notice a person sitting, muttering to him-or-herself, appearing to be clinically insane, be not afraid, it is most likely an actor memorizing lines.

Actors generally lug around abnormally large book bags and/or bags full of miscellaneous items that would seem useless to the outside world; these are props. Actors must carry their props with them wherever they go because an actor never knows when a prop will be needed. Props aren’t typically used as weapons; however, I have seen a case or two of prop-related violence.

Directors are often the observers. They watch and take in all of the events that take place in The Atrium and take note of people’s behavior. If you feel someone’s eyes on you in The

Atrium, chances are it’s not a stalker, but a director. Directors are very savvy, clever and astutely aware of their environment – they are hard to catch.

The other species attempt to be on their best behavior in front of the directors, because the directors are ultimately the judges of the bunch.

Stage managers, too, are incredibly aware of their surroundings. Perhaps the most organized of The Atrium environment, the stage managers are also the most susceptible to fits of extreme anxiety and stress.

The stage managers hold the weight and the problems of all of the other groups combined while trying to maintain a state of elegant composure. Stage managers often have the biggest hair because it holds all of the secrets of the theater department.

The designers are the ultimate survivors and have found a way not only to adapt to, but also to thrive in this environment. The designers have found

secret coves to retreat to when The Atrium becomes too chaotic. Several coves on the outlying regions of The Atrium give refuge to designers of all mediums. Likewise, the faculty members have separated themselves from the masses. Above The Atrium on either side are breezeways where the faculty can stand above us commoners like watchdogs, saying to each other, “Everything the light touches is our kingdom.” We, as their servants, must look up and pay our daily homage to the faculty, the most evolved of us all.

Well, that’s all for today’s tour. If there is anything to take with you from this lesson, it’s this: Do not use the couches, do not tell an MT to be quiet and do not feed the actors.

Feed me.

Marcie Anker can be reached at martha.anker@temple.edu.

Original production aims to unite Center for the Arts JULIE ZEGLEN The Temple News

Even Laura Boyer, co-creator and choreographer of “Chaotic Silence,” has had trouble defining the show.

“Is it devised theater? No, it’s not really devised theater,” Boyer said. “Is it a musical? It’s not a musical, but there is music, and some of it is original. But then there are singers and dancers, but they’re not the same people. We settled on, ‘Original dance-hyphen-musical, slash collaborative art piece, slash show.’”

Produced by Temple’s coed theater fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega, “Chaotic Silence” features performers from many realms within the Center for the Arts, including dance, music composition, vocal performance, acting, technical theater and film.

Boyer, a senior theater major and dance minor, cites the recent realignment of Temple’s schools as inspiration for the show’s collaborative nature.

“I sat down with [co-di-

Sarah McWilliams (right) and Cody Knable will star in “Chaotic Silence,” an original studentrun production that will run from March 2 – March 3. | Luis fernando rodriguez TTN much more literal and direct way,” McWilliams said. “Having to tap into a more vulnerable form of artistic expression is so much harder than I ever realized. Every acting lesson I have gotten has pushed my comfort level, but I am so appreciative to have the opportunity to see another side of the arts and challenge myself.”

Taking on a role with such heavy undertones was another trial, she said.

“Jules is in an abusive relationship and getting myself in that mindset has not been easy,” McWilliams said. “I want

my portrayal to seem as real as possible because abuse is a serious issue and I believe our show is exposing the issue in a very real way. Learning the statistics about abuse has been so eye-opening and I hope we can show our audience that abusive relationships are a serious and relevant issue, especially on a college campus.”

Those behind “Chaotic Silence” said they hope to exceed audiences’ expectations.

“We want people to walk in and not see what they expect to see,” said Candace Shirk, a junior theater major, and the

show’s producer and treasurer.

“We want people to come in and expect a musical or a dance show and be completely surprised.”

“Chaotic Silence” will run from Saturday, March 2, to Sunday, March 3, in the rehearsal hall of Tomlinson Theater. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated.

Julie Zeglen can be reached at julie.zeglen@temple.edu.

AEPhi pays it forward, ‘Shake’ replicas vary in results one kind act at a time harlem PAGE 7

kind PAGE 7

Perez would pass along a similar idea to Sigma Alpha Mu. In order to publicize the acts in hopes of creating a reaction, AEPhi members decided to upload each of their Acts of Kindness onto Instagram about once a day.

For Hiya Ray, public relations chair and sophomore public relations major, uploading the pictures onto the social networking site has been the most gratifying part of the event for her, since she hasn’t participated first hand.

“I think, for me, because I do run the Instagram, seeing all the likes each of them get and people commenting is the most gratifying part because I see how many people enjoy what we’re doing or are proud of what we’re doing,” she said.

Ray said with each day, the amount of “likes” or “followers” they get increases. It shows that the rest of the student body is recognizing their kindness.

This was Gorson’s main focus. Though it’s important for the sorority to continue un-

til they honor the 26th victim, she said she hopes to see other students keep it up like a ripple effect.

“We’re just really excited for it as a chapter. A lot of [alumni] have been saying how proud they are of what we’re doing and I hope it’ll just get [alumni] and parents and every chapter throughout the nation more involved in philanthropy and maybe give them ideas,” Gorson said.

To see their “26 Acts of Kindness,” follow the sorority on Instagram, @aephitemple.

Patricia Madej can be reached at patricia.madej@temple.edu.

ously breaking into moves that have little to do with the song namesake.

“It’s not the Harlem Shake,” Esmail said. “It’s something new. I don’t know who started doing these videos or why, but I congratulate them. It worked.”

The meme actually originated on Feb. 2 with five teenagers in Queensland, Australia, who replied to a crazy costumed video by comedy YouTube vlogger Filthy Frank.

Students showed up at the Bell Tower decked out in similar bizarre attire trying to gain camera time. Agarwal stole the show with his solo dance number in a Darth Vader helmet and suit, but he was one of the least absurd characters among two Deadmau5 heads, a horsemasked couple and a SpiderMan cardboard cut-out.

It was entertaining to say the least for eyewitnesses, including freshman university studies major Pooja Shah.

“I saw people with crazy costumes and wondered how most of them even had that stuff,” Shah said. “It looked so unbelievably chaotic and unor-

ganized.”

Following the spirit of insanity, freshman film and media arts major Jon Plester took the proposed dress code and ran with it.

“People just asked themselves what was the craziest thing they could possibly do,” Plester said. “So, naturally, I wore a luchador mask and took my shirt off.”

The whole process of dancing and filming took 15 minutes and it would only take an hour before the 30-second video went viral.

“As soon as we were done, we ran to the TECH Center and edited it in five minutes,” Shain said. “Then we put it on YouTube and watched the views climb.”

The video had more than 47,800 views as of press time.

Esmail wasn’t the first student to seek his place in the hype. Videos have been popping on the Web featuring Temple organizations and students filming in their dorm rooms and all around Main Campus. Insomnia Theater notably used the Harlem Shake to promote its Feb.

16 show. Not every club had the same agenda.

“We were honestly doing it for fun,” said Nai Soto, a junior early education major and president of the Temple Fencing Club. The club released its version on Feb. 20. “We weren’t trying to promote ourselves.

We just wanted to watch it and laugh.”

“We thought we had an opportunity to make a really unique video because of our 17th-century costumes,” said junior theater major Tom McGovern who worked with his fellow cast mates from Temple’s “The Liar” for their Feb. 17 video. Their rendition uniquely features a dog dancing in their dressing room. “I may be biased, but I think I prefer our video.”

While other Temple-related Harlem Shakes have yet to touch the success in viewers of the “official” video, there is a price to fame. The Bell Tower production has been receiving a lot of negative feedback for “sloppy organization” and “poor timing.” The promoters said they take the insults in

stride.

“We caught it at the end of the trend,” Shain said. “But it was just for fun. I laugh at the people who get so negative about it.”

“Let them hate,” Esmail said. “We did it. There’s nothing anyone can do.”

The volunteers who helped make the video possible have a similar attitude.

“It was kind of beating a dead horse,” Plester said. “We were barely making a dent, but we were a part of something big and crazy. It was euphoric.”

The Facebook organizers have future plans to gain notoriety on their own terms without the Baauer remix.

“We’ve got a few ideas,” Zalla said. “Hopefully, we’ll have something for Spring Fling.”

“I’m kind of ‘Harlem shook out’ at this point,” Shain said.

“I’ll keep checking back on the video, but I’ve got to turn off the volume. As catchy as it is, I can’t hear that song anymore.”

Jessica Smith can be reached at jessicasmith@temple.edu.

page 16

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LIVING

Tuesday, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Page 17

Hair status is not Bodies should be celebrated reflective of self

Brianna Warne

Warne recalls maintaining her hair when she was younger and how her habits have changed.

O

ne weekend during middle school, I gathered myself together to “get my hair did.” This entailed me sitting on a chair between my mom and the TV, while she applied a “Dark and Lovely” relaxer in my hair. To those unfamiliar with a relaxer, it’s a creamy chemical hair product that breaks down the protein bonds in hair to get curls irreversibly bone-straight.

When done properly, one could go from zero to Beyoncé in about two hours. I did this process every six to eight weeks to my hair for almost 12 years.

The day went on as usual.

I mixed the relaxer while my mom parted my hair and based my scalp with Vaseline. She would always comment on how thick and long my hair was, while I sat brimming with pride over how my fortune compared to other girls.

After mixing the formula together, I handed the stuff to my mom and she placed the relaxer to my hair. Three seconds hadn’t passed, and my scalp burned with the intensity of a thousand splendid suns.

I was used to the slight burn of a relaxer, but this was insanity. It actually felt like Satan and his friends were doing the Harlem Shake in my follicles, and I could not figure out what the heck was going on. Then, to my utter dismay, I remembered something sinful that I did before the relaxer went in: I scratched my scalp that morning.

The ramifications of scratching or combing your hair even hours before a relaxer is something I wouldn’t even wish on my worst enemy. Basically, when you scratch or comb your scalp before laying a – brace yourself – sodium hydroxide solution in it, you’re creating an open wound and applying a chemical with the strength of bleach on top. Yeah, let that sink in.

We generally let a relaxer cook my hair to straightness for about 20 minutes, but due to the forest fire occurring on my head, it only stayed for maybe a minute and a half. I lost a lot of hair that day and most of what was left was not silky, straight or fabulous. I scoffed at the stubborn curls that clung to my head. Didn’t they know I had people to impress? How dare my relaxer not fulfill its purpose – I mean, what was I supposed to do, have natural hair?

What the heck was really supposed to go on here?

When the catastrophe was over, I became intrigued with my curls. I knew curly hair existed, but I never really thought that I had it – and I know that seems crazy, considering I’m of West African descent, but I have always had chemically straightened hair.

I also grew up in a town where most girls who looked like me were rocking the same straightened look. The girls who had loose, wavy curls – aka good

hair – were usually of mixed race or Latina, so I just assumed it was indigenous to ethnicity.

The majority of my classmates and close friends were white and didn’t talk about any hair issues that I understood.

Our products and regimens were different, yet my hair was straight like theirs. So what gives? How come I couldn’t wash my hair every morning and come into class with air-dried, straight ends? Why didn’t my mom buy me the fruity smelling Herbal Essences shampoo that came in pretty-colored bottles?

Why couldn’t I smoothly run my fingers through my hair three months post-relaxer? I’ve always felt different; but with my hair, I didn’t really understand the reasons why.

What does my hair say about me? Who am I according my hair? What am I trying to accomplish with a chemical straightener?

I still wasn’t sure. After all, someone else was always in charge of my hair, so I just figured what I endured was normal. Even after the “Scalp Fire Incident of 2004,” I still continued to get my hair relaxed.

Listen, the creamy crack is a tough addiction to give up, especially if you don’t know what’s going to come out of your head when you stop straightening your hair for real.

Hint: It’s an Afro.

I did, however, try to understand why I, along with my mom, sister, aunts, friends and women throughout the world endured the stresses for “perfect” tresses. Relaxing is a risky business. It’s almost as if one is setting out to request painful burns and scarring on their head. Many cases of alopecia have been reported due to the effects of chemical straighteners, which defeats the purpose of them, right?

I made a promise to myself that I would leave for college and never relax again. I had my last relaxer in July 2007. It was going to be the start of something new. I wanted to feel empowered by my choice to keep my hair uniquely mine. A hair transformation would be the first step on the journey to selfdiscovery.

Of course, the shocking thing about hair is that it does not make the person. I felt a bit unusual and insecure at first, but then I wore my new and growing Afro out and proud toward the end of my freshman year in college. However, I still spoke to the same friends and still couldn’t speak to boys – oops, still don’t have that skill.

I did my assignments and became involved on campus, but none of that had to do with my Afro. Sure, I loved being called Lauryn Hill and didn’t really mind when everyone and their mother “just had to” touch my hair, but honestly, I was still a little lost. I was still searching.

In fact, I still am.

I guess I’m not supposed to have myself figured out now.

My hair isn’t a political statement, a fashion trend, a phase or a beacon to my black womanhood. It’s just my hair. I braid, twist, flat iron, wash, co-wash, deep condition and love it unconditionally. I’m learning that if I stay true to myself, my style will radiate and somehow things will fall into place.

I believe in that, you know.

Things will fall into place one curly strand at a time.

CARY CARR Body of Truth

Carr asks readers to stop critiquing individual body parts and love their bodies.

O

ur bodies, as a whole, can do amazing things. We can run, jump and even dance like maniacs to ridiculous dubstep music that sounds like animals are dying. But for some reason, we choose to pick ourselves apart, focusing on each individual body part as if it somehow is separate from us.

Case in point: I hate my stomach, like, a lot. I used to spend hours in front of the mirror, standing to the side and imagining how much more wonderful my life would be only if I had a flat stomach. I would do endless ab routines to try to get what we ladies lovingly call “the pooch” to disappear. But alas, I realized that my dream of six-pack abs was simply not feasible for me,

unless of course I spent all my money on a personal trainer and learned how to cook – sorry, not happening.

But I’m not the only one critiquing my body and picking it apart as if I was performing some sort of surgery. I’ve been constantly nagged for my smaller chest and, yes, size AA bras really do exist.

As a member of a professional dance team and a gogo dancer, I’m constantly reminded to squeeze my boobs together as close as humanly possible to create the illusion of cleavage. Oh, and you know those gel cutlets? I once wore two pairs to a sporting event because I apparently looked like a middle school cheerleader who had yet to reach puberty.

However, my Victoria’s Secret miracle bra that magically adds three cup sizes – I guess the secret is out – is nothing compared to the measures some of my fellow girlfriends and dancers go to in order to enhance their least favorite body parts.

In Atlantic City, where I spend most of my weekends, it’s rare that you’ll run into a dancer who hasn’t had some type of procedure – boob jobs, lip injections, even butt enhancements are common protocol. Because how else are we supposed to get those $20 tips if we’re not meeting Barbie-like standards?

One of my closest dancer friends, who I completely adore, recently had her boobs done, hoping to boost her career

and also her confidence. After she recovered, she said she could hardly remember “life before the girls” and swore that before surgery, she was “disproportionate.” Uh, disproportionate according to whom? Pamela Anderson?

Just so we’re clear here, I understand and respect that plastic surgery is a personal decision. If you’re not happy, and you really think going under the knife will provide you some sort of satisfaction, then go for it. But in my experience, nine times out of 10, people choose to alter their body in order to achieve some sort of flawlessness that we as a society invented through our obsession with celebrities and an unrealistic curvy-meets-thin representation of womanhood.

What happened to the concept that bodies come in all shapes and sizes? Since when did we decide that to be considered beautiful, you need thick thighs – but not too thick – a tiny waist, a round butt, big boobs and a flat stomach? How the hell can anyone meet all of these requirements simultaneously? It’s no wonder we all have specific body parts we hate with rules as precise and inflexible as these.

And when it comes to popular culture, we see celebrities for their spectacular body parts rather than their physique as a whole. I don’t know about you, but I’m really sick of hearing about Michelle Obama’s arms, Kim Kardashian’s booty and Olivia Wilde’s abs. Sure, all

of these women are incredibly beautiful, but wishing we could combine all their body parts like some sort of paper doll project to create the perfect woman isn’t helping anyone.

Maybe instead of being so focused on what we don’t have, we should start appreciating our body as a whole. I mean, without my little boobs I would never be able to wear a strapless dress without fear of popping out. Oh, and my little stomach, I hear quite often that it’s adorable from guys, who happen to be a lot less judgmental when it comes to our bodies than us ladies are. Sure, my cellulite doesn’t make me want to start celebrating, but hey, it’s part of who I am, and I kind of, sort of, like me.

So next time you’re tempted to do 500 squats to get Beyoncé’s legs, try and remember that your body is pretty freaking incredible the way it is. And, just so you know, working out to get an all-around healthy body image is way more rewarding than checking the mirror every day to see if that one “problem area” has disappeared yet.

Embrace your scrawny legs, your tiny butt, your big feet – whatever the hell you’re spending way too much time hating. They are part of your entirety and make you way more unique than any plastic surgeon could.

Cary Carr can be reached at cary.carr@temple.edu.

Chemistry club mixes with community Chemistry Society aims to make science more engaging for local children.

ERIN EDINGER-TUROFF The Temple News

Once a week, local schoolchildren can get their hands dirty and their minds engaged during sessions with the Temple University Chemistry Society.

TUCS began weekly trips to the Eighth and Diamond Recreation Center as part of a process to revamp its organization.

Beginning in October 2012, any members of the group available make the short trek every Thursday afternoon to the center for about an hour, where mostly elementary-age students are supervised after the school day is done. Simple experiments demonstrated by TUCS expose the local students to basic science in a fun, interactive way.

TUCS President Ashley Gilman, a senior chemistry major and business minor, said the volunteering got off to a tentative start in the past academic year, but has now become a routine for the group. A grant from the American Chemical Society gave the group a starting point to fund their instructive time at the recreation center. As president, Gilman organized a community service committee to keep volunteering structured and organized.

“It was our big success last year, and now that I’m president this year, I obviously want to keep it going, because it’s awesome,” Gilman said.

Sarah Carson, a senior biochemistry major and vice president of TUCS, stepped up to organize the volunteer efforts when the first coordinator lost touch with the group last year and got the community service outreach on its feet. After coorBrianna Warne can be reached dinating with the Eighth and Diat brianna.warne@temple.edu. amond Recreation Center to set up visitation times for TUCS, she started planning interesting experiments for the kids to expose them to science in an exciting way.

Some of her experiments included creating a cloud in a

The Chemistry Society visits a local recreation center every Thursday. | Brynn Pezzuti TTN bottle by changing air pressure with a bike pump, and the wellknown Mentos and Coca-Cola explosion, all with a significant amount of effort on her part.

“You have to test [the experiment] out so that it doesn’t flop, because the kids will be disappointed,” Carson said.

She said she remembered long nights finding the perfect setup for an experiment so that kids would be impressed and engaged as they attempted the process.

“We want it to be interactive, and stuff that the kids can do themselves,” Carson said.

“Something that can react into stable things that they can touch – all kid-friendly.”

After her success heading the volunteer activities, she now participates as vice president as often as her busy schedule permits when TUCS goes to the recreation center.

Yasaira Rodriguez, a junior biology major in TUCS, who said the teaching trips were her favorite activity, assumed the head of the community service committee this academic year.

The new focus on volunteering efforts has led to a strong relationship with the community, members said. As TUCS entered the recreation center, kids quickly gathered around a large table to hear instructions from Rodriguez. Her explanation of a simple, two-step experiment to make plastic was accompanied by a short scientific explanation of polymers, a long chain of

molecules.

“I think that it helps them a lot, and even if it’s not something they have memorized forever, if it’s brought up in school they can say, ‘Oh, we learned this with the Temple students,’ and that makes me really happy,” Rodriguez said.

She added that even when it’s hard to keep the attention of the whole group of students, the children at Eighth and Diamond Recreation Center are excited and receptive to the lessons she leads.

Not only does TUCS offer young, local students a colorful, hands-on approach to scientific experiments, but it also offers the potential for mentorship

by Temple students. Science is portrayed as something students can pursue, not a foreign or unattainable subject best left in dry textbooks.

“It’s a good thing to integrate with the community around us. We’re trying to give Temple a positive look in the nearby community,” Lauren Kline, a senior biochemistry major and committee member, said. “At that age, you start making up your ideals about stuff, like ‘science and math suck,’ so we’re trying to make it fun.”

She added that she always feels refreshed after working with the kids at Eighth and Diamond.

Rodriguez said being a positive role model is the main motivation for her involvement with community service.

“We can show them, ‘Hey

look, we made it to college, and we’re of all colors as well, like we’re here to show you that it is possible,’ and make sure that science isn’t left behind,” Rodriguez said.

With budget cuts to the Philadelphia school system, local schools have a difficult time providing all of the necessary materials for science experiments, which can be costly.

TUCS hopes to combat that not only with their teaching efforts at Eighth and Diamond, but also through upcoming fundraisers to help local teachers and students.

A Temple alumna and TUteach member now employed at Kensington High School reached out to Temple when she didn’t have enough money to purchase equipment for science experiments. This prompted TUCS to start organizing a volleyball tournament fundraiser, Gilman said, that she hopes will take place in April.

“If they get to college and that’s the first time they’ve seen a lab, they’re not going to know what to do,” Kline said. TUCS hopes to raise $1,000, Rodriguez said, and all are welcome to participate, not just TUCS members or science majors.

“If we just get the word out there, I think good things will come,” Carson said.

Erin Edinger-Turoff can be reached at erin.edinger-turoff@temple.edu.

sports

page 18

Tuesday, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Even with A-10 postseason berth, success not likely

JAKE ADAMS Double Dribble

The women’s basketball team has an uphill climb to the A-10 tournament.

C

oach Tonya Cardoza is still optimistic.

“I really think that we’re a better team than our record shows and how well we’ve played,” Cardoza said after the Owls were squashed by Dayton, 67-47.

“I think we’ve had situations where we don’t know how to win.”

The Owls are in the midst of their worst season since 2002-03, the last time they didn’t make the NCAA tournament or the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. At 1215 (5-7 Atlantic 10 Conference) they’ve guaranteed a losing record for the first time since that same season.

“I don’t even think [anybody’s] thinking that far into the postseason right now,” sophomore guard Tyonna Williams said. “All we want to do is make it to our conference [tournament], and then we’ll just go forth from there.”

The team has reiterated that it’s only focusing on the final two games, against Butler and Fordham. But the question remains, if this squad makes the A-10 tournament, what sort of chance do the Owls honestly have?

If you ask the players, they’ll say they think they can surprise people.

“To be honest I think, in this conference and these coaches, I don’t think any one of us takes anyone for granted, especially not this year,” Cardoza said. “We know that any given night if you don’t play your ‘A’ game there’s a good chance that you can lose.”

“We know that that’s what we’re capable of doing,” Williams said. “We know that [defense is] our strong point.”

This topic has been beaten to death but the reality is this Owls squad isn’t the same as in years past. For the entirety of Cardoza’s tenure here she’s had her team in position to take the A-10 crown.

Under no circumstances can they be considered a contender this year.

Yes, when they’re up against the best of the best they play like one of the top teams in

the conference. They took down then No. 3 Syracuse in the first month of the season for goodness’ sake.

But they’ve also slumped below the level of the competition they’ve faced, dropping games to teams like Virginia Commonwealth University (10-17, 3-9 A-10). If the Owls had won that game on Jan. 16, they’d have a spot in the A-10 tournament locked up already and this column would never have been written.

They’re consistently inconsistent.

So if the season were to end today, how would Temple fare in the postseason? If the Owls make the A-10 Tournament they will have to take on either Butler, George Washington, Richmond, Xavier, Saint Louis or La Salle. VCU is currently on the outside looking in and Duquesne still has a shot at a bye.

Right now the Owls are the

Team eyes bigger prize BIG 5 PAGE 20

The men’s basketball team captured a share of the Big 5 title with its win against La Salle.

Temple leads the city with 27 Big 5 titles all time.| TIMOTHY VALSHTEIN TTN championship in this city is really important,” coach Fran Dunphy said after the La Salle game. “That is the nicest thing that happened to us tonight. Obviously we win another league game, but we also got a share of a title that is very meaningful to all of the people that have followed the Big 5 for so many years.”

The Owls’ most recent Big 5 title added to their all-time leading total of 27. The championship is given to the team with the best overall record in Big

5 regular season games as opposed to a tournament. No tiebreaker is awarded for a headto-head victory, leading to the Owls and Explorers splitting the title with a 3-1 record.

“This is a great rivalry within the city,” senior guard T.J. DiLeo said. “It’s a little something extra that you have besides the A-10. It just feels good to know that it came on such a big stage. There are some great teams in the Big 5.

No matter what, we know every game coming in is going to be

a battle. There are a lot of great teams in the city, and to finish up top feels great.”

Temple currently sits at fifth in the A-10, and is a bubble team with no guaranteed ticket to go dancing in March. In what is a step down for Temple from its position at this point last season, Philadelphia basketball as a whole has taken a step up in 2013.

If the season were to end today, three of the Big 5 teams would make the NCAA tournament, according to ESPN pro-

jections. Last year, Temple was Philadelphia’s only representative.

“I complement [La Salle coach John Giannini] in so many ways because he has really pushed [winning the Big 5] this year,” Dunphy said. “If you can be the best team in the city of Philadelphia then you have the chance to have a tremendous basketball season.”

The Owls were able to capture the coveted Big 5 title, but their ability to have a successful postseason is still left to be determined.

“Down the stretch we need all these wins,” Wyatt said. “Every win we get from here on out is going to be the best win we have ever had.”

The team controls its own destiny as it looks ahead to March. While capturing a Big 5 title is something to be proud of, the team said it doesn’t want the title to be the climax of its season.

“Maybe down the road [this can be something positive to look back on],” DiLeo said.

“But in the short term the goal is the NCAA tournament. Maybe down the road we look back and say winning the Big 5 was good, but the NCAA tournament is what everybody here wants.”

Ibrahim Jacobs can be reached at ibrahim.jacobs@temple.edu or on Twitter @ibrahimjacobs.

Win snaps losing streak Women’s tennis breaks a five-match skid with win against St. Bonaventure.

Evan Cross The Temple News Temple had been on a five-game losing streak stretching back to Jan. 26 before defeating St. Bonaventure 7-0 on Sunday, Feb. 24. The win helped increase team morale, which was much needed.

“This win was good for our confidence,” junior co-captain Yana Mavrina said. “It’s going to help us a lot, especially for the next match.”

During the losing streak, Temple amassed a cumulative record of 8-26. Three of those matches – against Penn State, Princeton and Buffalo – were by a 6-1 margin. All of those matches were away.

The other two matches were either at home or on a neutral site. The Owls took on Richmond on Penn’s campus, losing 4-3, the closest match of the losing streak. The singular WOMEN’S TENNIS

home match at Legacy Tennis Center was against Georgetown, which won 4-2.

Sophomore Rebecca Breland was a bright spot during the five-match slump. She has gone 4-2 in singles play since the Penn State match, with all four wins coming in the third flight. Her worst loss was a 6-3, 6-4 defeat to sophomore Katie Goepel of Princeton. “[Breland] has just been getting better and better,” coach Steve Mauro said. “Her game is starting to improve. Especially her backhand, it’s been getting a lot better.”

The win against St. Bonaventure marked the first Atlantic 10 Conference victory of the season for the Owls. They are now 1-2 in conference play, with six conference matches left to play – five of which are away.

“The A-10 matches are our most important matches because that’s what we needed to do in order to be seeded high for the A-10 tournament,” Mauro said.

Last season, Temple finished 14-11 overall, but 6-1 in the A-10. This gave the Owls the fourth overall seed in the A-10 tournament last year, and

they benefited from that seeding, advancing to the semifinals.

During the losing streak, Temple went 1-4 in three-set matches. Junior Alicia Doms was the most successful in the long matches, defeating Penn State junior Carmen Sander 6-4, 1-6, 1-0. Doms also played one unfinished three-set match against Georgetown junior Kelly Comolli. She was winning 7-6, 4-6, 4-3 when the match was halted.

Last weekend, Temple played at Buffalo on Saturday and at St. Bonaventure on Sunday. Since both schools are located in western New York, the team left Friday afternoon and didn’t return to Philadelphia until Sunday evening. When they weren’t playing, the team spent time together.

“On Friday night, we got to the hotel and we all watched a movie together,” Mavrina said.

Usually, the team spends so much time at the courts, they don’t do much else.

“I wish we did [some sightseeing], but we don’t have any time,” Mavrina said. “If the match is early, we wake up, go to the court, warm up, play the match, and then we are tired and

we have to do homework. We don’t go anywhere.”

The Owls only won the doubles point once during the losing streak, against Richmond. Since the doubles matches are the first to be played, winning the point is often a precursor to a match victory. Temple has won the doubles point in both victories this season.

“I think we played really well, especially in doubles,” Mavrina said of the St. Bonaventure match. “We did a great job finishing the ball at the net. We felt really confident, and we stayed confident during the whole match. We had an easy match.”

“Doubles was a lot better than [against Buffalo],” Mauro said. “We won our matches pretty easily. The girls were very focused.”

Mavrina is confident that the team can build off the win.

“We won’t be scared about losing,” Mavrina said. “We just need to stay confident.”

The Owls’ next match is on Sunday, March 3, at Lehigh.

The match is set for 2 p.m.

Evan Cross can be reached at evan.cross@temple.edu

ninth seed thanks to their loss at the hands of the Flyers. Since the top four teams – currently Dayton, Charlotte, Fordham and St. Joseph’s University – get a bye, the Owls would face Richmond (15-13, 5-7 A-10).

They knocked off the Spiders 61-48 at home a few weeks ago. So that’s a winnable game.

But then they’d face St. Joe’s in the quarterfinals, and seeing as the Hawks have homecourt advantage with the tournament at Hagan Arena, that’s a long shot. Yes, they played St. Joe’s well the last time around, taking them to overtime, but I don’t see the Hawks dropping a playoff match at home to a bitter rival.

But let’s just say for some reason the Owls get past the second round. Then they’d likely face reigning A-10 champion Dayton or Charlotte. Both teams are far superior than Temple and Dayton is simply on a whole other level compared to the rest

of the conference. In a winnertakes-all game I just can’t see either team folding to the Owls.

Both are far more talented and experienced Obviously the team’s mindset won’t be that it’s going to lose. Even though the Owls have collapsed at various points this season, Cardoza won’t let this squad go down without a fight in the postseason.

“This program has dominated this conference for the past three or four years, so we definitely don’t want to be that squad that lets everybody down,” Williams said.

“As long as we [play good defense] we will upset some people if we get to the A-10’s,” Williams added. “We will make a run.”

That’s great confidence but the odds are against them.

Jake Adams can be reached at jacob.adams@temple.edu or on Twitter @jakeadams520.

Visnic benefits from versatility BASEBALL PAGE 20 “[Visnic] realizes what his players know they can go to. strengths are and he stays with- Moller said everyone on the in those,” Pugh said. “You don’t team respects him and listens to see him trying to do more than what he has to say. he is capable of. He knows what “You couldn’t ask for a bethis game is and he always goes ter guy or a better teammate,” in there and does his job, re- Pugh said. “He is demanding gardless of whether it’s one hit- of his teammates, and he has a ter, one inning or two innings. very high expectation for himHe goes in and does his job and self and for the guys around beyond that, he is ready to do it him, but he is a hall of fame peragain the next day.” son. That all is part of the recipe For Visnic, choosing Tem- for success.” ple was not a very tough deciAs one of seven Temple sesion. After only two Division I niors, Visnic said he enjoys his offers, Temple and Mount St. role as a leader on this team. His Mary’s, Visnic decided on Tem- age, experience and knowledge ple purely because of the size of of the game all factor in to what the school. makes him a successful leader, “I went to high school with Wheeler said.

900 kids, and Mount St. Mary’s “I have been here for a was like going to long time. high school all I have been over again, so I around the wanted to go to as game a long big of a school I time,” Visnic could find,” Visnic said. “There said. is not an One person A-10 school who has been with that I have Visnic during his not pitched entire tenure at against.

I Temple is redshirthave pitched senior pitcher against a lot Dan Moller, who of big teams Steve Visnic / redshirt-senior entered Temple and I have pitcher alongside Visnic in been in a lot Fall 2008. of pressure situations. I think “Steve and I are great, ac- just that experience, knowledge tually borderline best friends,” and that wisdom has helped me Moller said. “We have both to lead younger guys in the right been here since Fall 2008 and direction and has helped the we have gone the whole way younger guys relax. I try to be through.” a good role model and lead by Originally a pitcher with example.” an over-the-top delivery, Visnic This season will be Visnic’s has come to be not only a fixture last with the Owls, and, despite in Temple’s bullpen, but a go-to a career-threatening injury his man for Wheeler and the Owls freshman year and a complete in any situation, Pugh said. change in pitching style, Visnic “I think [Visnic] knows that will leave his mark in Temple’s he is going to be counted on in a record books. variety of ways,” Wheeler said.

“I never really had a spe“Sometimes we bring him in to cific goal career wise, just to get a game stopped and under be the best I could be,” Visnic control, sometimes we bring said. “If it’s the end for me afhim in to set up for somebody ter these four years of college that throws a little bit harder and ball it is because I wasn’t good sometimes we bring him in to enough to play at the next level actually close the game down. and not because I didn’t work He has got to be very versatile hard enough. As long as I have and watch how the game un- worked as hard as I can to play folds and that’s how he prepares at my highest ability, that’s all I himself for that given day.” can ask of myself.”

As a redshirt-senior, Visnic John Murrow can be reached is also relied upon by Wheeler at john.murrow@temple.edu to be a leader of the Temple or on Twitter @JohnMurrow12. squad lacking a true captain.

“Steve is a tremendous young man, and he just does a great job,” Wheeler said. “He always works hard and he is one of our leaders on this team.

He is very mature and you can tell that he is no longer a young player. He just does a really good job of leading by example.”

Visnic is also known around the clubhouse as a funny guy, as well as somebody the

“I went to high

school with 900, kids and Mount St. Mary’s was like going to high school all over again.

”

sports

Tuesday, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Page 19

Goalie earns 3 Women’s gymnastics sisters unite wins as starter Margaret Walch helps recruit her sister to Temple.

LACROSSE PAGE 20 George Mason in Virginia.

“George Mason was the last one still there with me,” Clothier said. “It had the best opportunity for me to play lacrosse and I always wanted a school with good sports tradition.”

In 2010, her freshman year at George Mason, Clothier was the third-string goalie and didn’t see any playing time.

With a combination of nonexistent playing time and other personal reasons, Clothier decided to transfer.

“It just wasn’t there for me, and lacrosse wasn’t making it much more worth it, for me to stay and sacrifice the things I wanted the most,” Clothier said.

After conversations with friends from the Philadelphia area, Clothier took another look at Temple.

“I started talking to [coach Bonnie Rosen], during the summer. I met with her one day.

After being on campus and talking to her, I was sold,” Clothier said.

In 2011 and 2012, Clothier had an opportunity to compete for the starting job, but during her first two seasons with the Owls, Clothier’s total of 143 minutes were in a backup role.

“It was definitely a tough adjustment. I just tried to find ways to stay connected. I tried to practice as best as I could, to help the team,” Clothier said.

“I’m a goalie. I’m a competitor. I always want to start every game, but I understood.”

“On the sideline, I used to get connected to the people on the field. It was hard, but I ultimately wanted to win, and they thought the best chance we had was with the goalie that we had, and I supported her,” Clothier

added.

After the departure of the previous starter, Clothier entered the 2013 season with another battle for the starting goalie spot. Clothier is the longest-tenured goalie, being the lone senior.

“I don’t expect anything.

I’ve been hoping for it that past two years and didn’t get it, so I came with the same mentality that I’m just going to work hard and do my best and hope that’s good enough,” Clothier said.

At Friday’s practice before the season opener against Niagara, Clothier was officially named the starting goalie.

“It was a little surreal,” Clothier said. “I’ve envisioned this, wanted this for four years.

I’ve wanted to play college lacrosse since seventh grade. This has been my dream for so long.”

Clothier played the first period and recorded three saves in her 30 minutes played. Temple defeated Niagara 18-5 and Clothier received her first win as an Owl. “It was unbelievable,” Clothier said. “It was such a good team effort and it was wonderful to be a part of.”

Since Clothier’s start against Niagara, she has played a full game against Rutgers and the first half against Lehigh. To begin the 2013 season, in 120 minutes played, Clothier has record 11 saves, 11 goals allowed, and a 3-0 record.

Brien Edwards can be reached at brien.edwards@temple.edu or on Twitter @BErick1123.

Tournament looms with 2 games left TOURNEY PAGE 20 percent.

An away game against sixth “I felt like [Dayton] just place Butler on Feb. 27 and a had too much,” Cardoza said. home game against third place “We made too many mistakes, Fordham on March 3 could sigand they capitalized on those nify five straight losses for the mistakes. We fought for the first Owls to close out the season.

30 minutes. We were down, we As they continue to hold on by found a way to dig ourselves a thread, they realize they may out of it, but they just had too need some help this final week. much.”

“They know the situation,” Temple’s magic number Cardoza said. “They don’t want has been stuck at two ever since to be the team that doesn’t make it knocked off last place Rhode the tournament, I know that Island on Feb. 13. Now, with they’re going to come out and just two games refight. That’s maining, the Owls definitely not are stuck in neugoing to be a tral and may need question.” some serious help But will from a few A-10 they be peekcounterparts if ing at the they wish to proscores of the long their season. teams they’re A frustrating up against? season has per“ We ’ r e haps taken the bignot really Tonya Cardoza / coach concentrating gest toll on senior center Victoria on that type Macaulay. Choking back tears of stuff,” Williams said. “We following the loss to Xavier, it don’t look at things like that was clear she felt the pressure simply because we don’t want to help turn things around and to think that we can take days avoid missing out on the confer- off. We’re not going to look at ence tournament. any standings; we’re just going “We’re basically just los- to concentrate on Butler and ing our heads [toward the end of Fordham.” games],” Macaulay said. “CareTyler Sablich can be reached less...careless turnovers.” at tyler.sablich@temple.edu With the Owls currently or on Twitter @TySablich. in ninth place and the Top 12 teams advancing to the conference tournament, Temple holds tiebreakers against eighth place Richmond and 11th place Saint Louis. Xavier, currently the No. 10 seed, and La Salle, the No. 12 seed, hold tiebreakers against Temple, however.

“They know the

situation. They don’t want to be the team that doesn’t make the tournament.

”

SAMUEL MATTHEWS The Temple News Father and son, coach Fred Turoff and gymnast Evan Eigner, are not the only family members involved in the Temple gymnastics programs – not since freshman Mary Kate Walch made the decision to join her older sister, senior Margaret Walch, on the women’s gymnastics team.

“I really love it because we get to spend a lot of time together,” Margaret said. “My sister and I are really close, so we both just really love it.”

“We have the same kind of sisterly bond, both in and out of the gym,” Mary Kate said. “[Margaret] is always cheering for me, she’s the first one to come over and give me a hug when I get a new skill, and she’s just really encouraging all the time.”

However, the person most appreciative of the sisters’ opportunity to compete together in college is Patty Walch, Margaret and Mary Kate’s mother.

“It’s tremendous,” Patty said. “It’s a mother’s dream. It’s WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS

great. I can’t even express it. It’s a dream that has been fulfilled and that makes me a very happy mother.”

Originally, Margaret never really reflected on the possibility of having her little sister come to Temple.

“When I first came to Temple it was never something I thought of,” Margaret said. “But when she started looking at colleges, and then decided she wanted to do college gymnastics here, it was an idea that she started to get passionate about, and then of course I was totally supportive.”

When women’s coach Aaron Murphy started recruiting Mary Kate, Margaret tried to stay out of the way and let Murphy do his own recruiting but admitted that she may have tried to help him out a little along the way.

“I did try to let it play out itself, but I would bug [Murphy] saying, ‘Oh I think Mary Kate emailed you, have you emailed her back?’ and other things like that,” Margaret said.

On coming to Temple, Mary Kate emphasized the importance of, as a freshman, having a senior like her sister to look up to and learn from in her first year of collegiate gymnastics.

“Being on the same college team as my sister is a really good experience for me,” Mary Kate said. “Coming in and being a freshman and not really knowing what the atmosphere is going to be like, [Margaret] set a good example for me and showed me the ropes.”

Murphy also acknowledged the senior leadership skills of Margaret and the positive impact that it has on Mary Kate. “[Margaret] makes sure that she leads Mary Kate in the right direction,” Murphy said.

“Especially because [Margaret] will be done after this year, she wants to make sure that she leaves Mary Kate with a lot of good knowledge of what it takes to be a Temple Owl.” This year, Margaret has been a steady contributor to the women’s gymnastics team, but because of a number of injuries and ailments, Mary Kate has not been able to participate in many practices and therefore had not cracked any of Murphy’s lineups to make her collegiate debut. But on Feb. 17, at the Towson Invite, Mary Kate did get a chance to compete in an unofficial exhibition on vault, marking the first time that the Walch sisters were able to share the floor together at the collegiate level.

“We were just ecstatic,” Murphy said. “It was the first meet that [Margaret] was competing and her little sister was exhibitioning. I got to talk to their mom after the meet and she got very emotional saying, ‘This was so great, I got to see both my kids at the same competition.’ It was pretty awesome.”

Being able to see both of her daughters performing together collegiately at the Towson Invite was an emotional experience for Patty.

“I knew it was important to the girls to at least get that opportunity at least one time, to be able to be together on the competition floor, so it was very exciting all the way around,” she said.

Margaret, Mary Kate and the rest of the Owls will compete March 3 at West Virginia University. The competition begins at 2 p.m.

Samuel Matthews can be reached at samuel.matthews@temple.edu.

Seniors honored at invite Families gather for Owls at Temple Invitational.

ANTHONY BELLINO The Temple News This past Saturday FENCING was a special day at McGonigle Hall for Mikayla Varadi and Jill Bratton.

The only seniors on the women’s fencing roster, Varadi and Bratton fenced for the last time in a regular-season meet.

It was fitting that they ended their regular season on Temple’s campus where they were honored with a ceremony before fencing against Duke, Penn State, Princeton and St. John’s.

For coach Nikki Franke, Varadi and Bratton were more than just outstanding fencers, but leaders of a team that consists of five freshmen, three sophomores and five juniors.

“It’s been great, they are so committed to this team and that’s what makes them very special,” Franke said. “They care about each and every one of the girls, they care about how this team does and not just how they perform but how they function, which is very rare, they’ve shown great leadership and get a lot of respect from the girls.”

For Varadi, the team-leader of the foil squad, the event held extra value. A native of Beaverton, Ore., Varadi’s parents haven’t been able to see her fence much during her four years at Temple. On Saturday, her parents flew in from Oregon, and her sister and brother-in-law took a bus from New York.

“Having my family here was so awesome,” Varadi said.

“It meant a lot because it is my senior day. It’s my last tournament, so having them here supporting me was just wonderful.”

Franke, who is on the tailend of her 40th season as the Owls’ coach said that it was great to see not only Varadi’s parents in attendance for the ceremony but Bratton’s as well.

“Mikayla was very excited about them coming and it’s really nice that Jill’s parents and Mikayla’s parents were here to see them perform at their last meet,” Franke said. “I remember seeing them when they were recruits and meeting parents so it’s just really nice to have them be here and see them fence their final match.”

Varadi, a nursing major,

isn’t heading into her post-college days blindly. She plans on going abroad and living on a boat in Greece for two months studying ancient Greece before exploring jobs and internships in nursing.

Varadi has been to the NCAA championships each of her first three years at Temple and said that making it back to the highest level of collegiate fencing is her goal for this postseason.

“I would personally love to go to NCAA’s a fourth-year,” Varadi said. “I went freshman, sophomore and junior years, so it’d be nice to make it back a fourth year.”

Bratton, a member of the epee squad, hails from New York City, reflected on her past three years at Temple just moments after her final tournament. The senior said that she’s

grown throughout the past three years but is more than ready to graduate once the fencing postseason is finished.

“It has been a long four years and I’m extremely ready to graduate,” Bratton said. “I really feel that as a person and a fencer that I developed and evolved and I owe a lot of that to the fencing team and the structure that it’s provided.”

Unlike Varadi, Bratton made her debut at the NCAA championships as a junior when she finished 16th in the nation.

Her goal for the postseason, like any collegiate fencer, is to make it to San Antonio, Texas, where this year’s NCAA Championships will be held on March 21.

“Individually, I would like to see myself get to championships again,” Bratton said. “I’d like to make at least Top 8 there.

I definitely know I can, I proved

it to myself here and in practice every day.”

The seniors will fence the National Intercollegiate Women’s Fencing Association Championships as a tune up for the regional championships where they will have the opportunity to qualify for NCAA championships. Franke said she’s looking for the leadership she’s gotten all year from her seniors to keep the team focused moving into the offseason.

“They have to pull everybody back together and get everybody refocused and start preparing for the postseason,” Franke said. “This was our last home meet so we need the continued leadership.”

Anthony Bellino can be reached at anthony.bellino@temple.edu or on Twitter @Bellino_Anthony.

The fencing team competed to a 2-2 record at the Temple Invitational at McGonigle Hall on Feb. 24. The seniors were honored in a pre-match ceremony. | DANIEL PELLIGRINE TTN

SPORTS temple-news.com

page 20

Tuesday, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Visnic sets pitching record in win Steve Visnic is Temple’s all-time appearances leader.

JOHN MURROW The Temple News When redshirt-seBASEBALL nior pitcher Steve Visnic came to Temple in Fall 2008, he had one goal: to be in the mix with former Owls’ coach Rob Valli’s

pitching staff.

Now in his fifth season with Temple, Visnic stands as the alltime leader in pitching appearances for Temple after relieving redshirt-sophomore Zach Batchelor in Temple’s 13-12 win against Holy Cross on Sunday, Feb. 24. With 85 career appearances to date, Visnic passed former Owl Pete Moore who recorded 84 appearances from 1996-99.

However, Visnic’s road to breaking the record wasn’t always easy. Early on in his career, Visnic found himself struggling with a career-threatening arm injury and unsure if he could throw a baseball the same again.

“I ended up getting hurt my freshman year and having a little stumble in my rehab and that’s the reason I throw sidearm now. It was more comfort-

able for me,” Visnic said.

The not-so-typical arm slot of the 6 foot, 2 inch, Glenwood, Md., native has allowed him to be very successful at the collegiate level, coach Ryan Wheeler said. Wheeler went on to compare Visnic’s pitching style to that of former major league pitcher Jamie Moyer, stating that Visnic is crafty and knows how to use his pitches.

The comparison to Moyer

also relates to Visnic’s fastball speed, as Wheeler said it is not anything that is going to blow you away.

“He is a two-pitch pitcher.

Fastball and a curveball that has some lateral movement,” Owls’ pitching coach Brian Pugh said.

“It is the nature of his delivery.

He makes his fastball sink and he relies on it to be under bat speed. We like to bring in Steve because he throws hitters’ tim-

ing off as his fastball is not traveling faster than 70-71 mph. He is strictly a finesse guy and he relies on locating his pitches.”

For Wheeler and Pugh, it is easy to trust a player when he does not try to do more than he can. Understanding his role with Temple, Visnic has fallen into place with the new system inputted by Wheeler more than one year ago, Wheeler said.

BASEBALL PAGE 18

Tourney hopes suffer with losses timately resulting in the Musketeers’ game winning layup with six seconds remaining and sophomore point guard Tyonna Williams’ missed buzzer beater down the other end.

Tyler Sablich Temple didn’t present the The Temple News same fire and intensity that it WOMEN’S BASKETBALL A f - did when it took St. Joe’s to ter a tumultuous week in which overtime in the previous game, the Owls suffered their third Cardoza said.

“This year, ‘paper’ doesn’t straight loss, Temple’s Atlanmean anything,” Cardoza said. tic 10 Conference tournament “Because people feel like they chances have become more can come in here and beat us bleak than ever. and we’ve been an up-and-down With just four games reteam depending maining in the on who we play. regular season The [Xavier] coming into last game was there week, Temple to be taken.

(12-15, 5-7 A-10) I felt like we was two wins didn’t want it away from solidas much as they ifying a conferdid, and that’s ence tournament not good.” berth. However, Four days the Owls dropped later, that aforea heartbreaker on mentioned fire Feb. 20 against and intensity Xavier and then was evident lost a well-fought against firstbattle to A-10 Tonya Cardoza / coach place Dayton juggernaut No. (24-1, 12-0 A-10), but the Flyers 14 Dayton on Sunday, Feb. 24.

“Right now we’re fighting simply proved to be too much for our lives, and we know that,” for the Owls to handle. With coach Tonya Cardoza said. “We roughly 12 minutes remaining know that we have to win bas- in the game, Temple found itketball games just to make the self trailing by five on the road to the No. 12 ranked team in the conference tournament.”

On paper, the match-up nation. However, Dayton evenagainst the Musketeers (11-15, tually pulled away and closed 5-7) at McGonigle Hall ap- out Temple by a score of 67-47.

Cardoza’s squad was once peared to be the Owls’ best again plagued by turnovers, chance of salvaging a game to committing 26 giveaways while close out the regular season. forcing 12.

The Owls were able But, as Cardoza pointed out, to cut their deficit to single digTemple has had a tendency to its on multiple occasions thanks play down to its opponents. in part to a 41 percent shooting In the 54-53 loss, Temple committed costly turnovers in night, compared to Dayton’s 42

Losses in conference don’t bode well for A-10 tournament.

“Right now

we’re fighting for our lives, and we know that. We know that we have to win basketball games.

”

Redshirt-senior forward Scootie Randall lines up against La Salle senior guard Ramon Galloway in the Owls’ 82-74 win on Feb. 21. Randall also scored a game high 18 points in a 71-51 win against Charlotte on Feb. 24. | TIMOTHY VALSHTEIN TTN

Owls share Big 5 title

Tournament hopes improve after twowin week.

IBRAHIM JACOBS Assistant Sports Editor

O

n Feb. 25, 2012, Temple allowed an 18-11 St. Joseph’s University team to end the Owls’ 11-game win

streak. In the grand scheme of things, the loss held minimal value.

The loss gave Temple a share of the Big 5 title instead of the outright crown, but the No. 22 ranked Owls had already solidified their place in the NCAA tournament and as the Atlantic 10 Conference’s top seed. The loss was their only one in the final 14 regular season games and proved to be a minor speed bump in the path to the postsea-

son.

three years, Clothier received her first collegiate start and win against Niagara on Feb. 16.

“It brought me back to my sophomore year, in high school, when I started my first game, and I was a nervous wreck,” Clothier said.

In her time at Maryvale Preparatory School, Clothier played soccer and basketball, but found a special connection to the game of lacrosse. Playing every minute during her threeyear career as the Maryvale goalie, Clothier was a two time defensive MVP and named to the All-Baltimore County team.

“I played lacrosse starting in second grade and became a goalie in sixth grade. I just fell in love with it. I played everything since I was little, but...for

some reason I love it just a little bit more,” Clothier said.

During her junior year at Maryvale Preparatory School, in Baltimore, Md., Clothier began looking at universities.

“I always wanted to get out of the state,” Clothier said, “My family is originally from Philadelphia. We actually moved when I was five. My entire family is still up here. So, I’ve always loved Philly.”

Due to her ties to Philadelphia, Clothier showed a large interest in local schools like Drexel, Villanova and Temple, but none of the Philadelphia schools initially panned out.

After weighing her choices, Clothier decided to attend

Last Thursday, Feb. 21, when Temple took on La Salle at the Liacouras Center, the script was reversed.

“This is probably the most excited I have been to play in a while,” senior guard Khalif Wyatt said after the game. “Everybody was talking about the game, and it was for the Big 5 Championship. We needed [the win], and it showed a little bit.”

With an 82-74 win against

the Explorers, the Owls were able to hold onto their NCAA tournament hopes while winning a share of the Big 5 Championship for the second straight year. In a season that has fallen short of expectations, winning the title of Philadelphia’s best team could provide comfort in a potentially solemn year.

“Any time you can be a part of a championship or co-

BIG 5 PAGE 18

the game’s waning minutes, ul-

TOURNEY PAGE 19

Senior journey woman earns first collegiate start

Meghan Clothier is 3-0 in her first season as a starting goalie.

BRIEN EDWARDS The Temple News W h e n Meghan Clothier stepped into net against the Niagara Purple Eagles, she couldn’t help but have a few nerves. Not only was it her first collegiate start, but it was her first start, at any level, in three years.

“I wanted this opportunity bad,” Clothier said. “And I was afraid I was going to not do as well as I could do. Mess it up or not help the team win.”

After serving as a backup at two different universities for

LACROSSE

STREAK SNAPped, p. 18

The women’s tennis team got past a five-game losing streak with a win against St. Bonaventure.

Sports Desk 215-204-9537

LACROSSE PAGE 19

Senior goalkeeper Meghan Clothier clears the ball against Lehigh on Feb. 23. Clothier played 30 minutes and picked up her third win of the season. | DANIEL PELLIGRINE TTN

GYM SISTERS, p. 19

Mary Kate and Margaret Walch are sisters on the women’s gymnastics team.

Sports@temple-news.com

fencing feat, p. 19 Mikayla Varadi and Jill Bratton compete in the last home fencing meet of their Temple careers.