The Towerlight (Dec. 6, 2016)

Towson’s campus and community news source

Call Pres.

Schatzel Ner Tow erlight Din

8pm

I Voted

2017

TheTowerlight.com

December 6, 2016

in YEAR

PREVIEW

fail

Photos by Towerlight Staff, Illustration by Jordan Stephenson /The Towerlight

2

December 6, 2016

Advertising

3

Social

December 6, 2016

Week of 12/6 - 12/10

WEEKLY

Editor-in-Chief Cody Boteler Senior Editor Sam Shelton

CALENDAR

News Editor Sarah Rowan Assist. News Editors Marcus Dieterle Bailey Hendricks

Assoc. Arts Editors Taylor DeVille Kristin Helf Sports Editor Jordan Cope

Staff Writers Lauren Cosca Nick Mason Sydney Douglass

Dec

6

Desmond Boyle Alaina Tepper Mary-Ellen Davis Theresa Schempp Sarah Van Wie Jessica Ricks

Men’s Story Project Stephens Hall, 300, 6 p.m.

Man up and share your story. The executive director of The Men’s Story Project will discuss a program that encourages guys to share their stories and broaden our understanding of masculinity.

Nicole Shakhnazarova Amanda Carrol Rohan Mattu

Dec Senior Staff Writer Nilo Exar Photo Editor Chris Simms

8

Assist. Photo Editor Alex Best Staff Photographers Cody Boteler

Food share 7909 York Road. 4-6 p.m.

A food pantry for students, faculty and staff that find themselves in need run out of the Catholic Campus Ministry.

Mark Dragon Sam Shelton Stephanie Ranque Jordan Cope Video Producer Stacey Coles

Dec

10

Proofreaders Kayla Baines Alex Best Tyisha Henderson Stephanie Ranque Sarah Rowan

TU Meetup: Ice Skating Baltimore Inner Harbor, 3 p.m.

Hang out with other Tigers for a fun day on the ice. You can purchase a $10 refundable deposit at the Union Box Office for the trip.

Men’s basketbal vs. Loyola SECU Arena, 7 p.m.

Come to SECU Arena to cheer on the Tigers as they challenge Loyala.

TU Holiday Potomac Lounge, 8-11 p.m.

Towson’s end of the year holiday celebration, featuring guest speakers about different cultural celebrations. Also included: hot chocolate, crafts, massages and gingerbread houses.

Dec

7

Dec

9

Alaina Tepper General Manager Mike Raymond

TOWSON

Art Director Jordan Stephenson

TRENDING

Webmaster Lola Akinleye Circulation Staff Shawn Halerz Nilo Exar Abubakary Kaba Alicia DePasquale

The final approach

8000 York Road University Union Room 309 Towson, MD 21252 (410) 704-5153 editor@thetowerlight.com thetowerlight.com The Towerlight print edition is published by students of Towson University on Tuesdays.

The Towerlight is owned by nonprofit Baltimore Student Media Inc., BaltimoreStudentMedia.com.

The Towerlight’s advertising deadlines are firm: Wednesday noon for space; Friday noon for art.

Cllassifieds appear onlline and in print and are self-service at TheTowerlight.com/classifieds.

We encourage letters to the editor and online feedback.

Commentaries, letters to the editor, editorial cartoons and other editorials express the opinions of their authors and not necessarily the views of the newspaper.

The Towerlight does not discriminate based on age, color, condition of handicap, marital status, national origin, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. ©2016 by The Towerlight, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD 21252. All rights reserved.

Please Recycle!

so happy that Towson is the last school to get out for winter break!!!!!!

@ kermccorkell

Like food?

Need to destress? Come to VB 204 tomorrow at 5 p.m. to take a break from studying and participate in our potluck! #towson #prssa @TUPRGROUP

Bless Towson for giving us a reading day before finals

@cmdorey43

my last exam is really the 19th like I’ll fight Towson I’ll square up

@nyvshv

4

Opinion

December 6, 2016

After a disappointing year, a time for rest CODY BOTELER Editor-in-Chief @codyboteler

Good lord, 2016 was exhausting. I feel like I have a little bit of whiplash.

Towson saw protests on campus on a few occasions—calling for radical solidarity for minority groups, calling for the creation of a committed sanctuary campus, calling for action against racism, misogyny and hatred.

The ugliest presidential campaign in living memory ended with an upset as Donald Trump carried the Electoral College to victory, despite an over-2 million popular vote deficit to Sec. Hillary Clinton.

We’ve seen wildfires spread in

Senior editorial:

the southeast, deadly mass shootings, attacks on college campuses and, right here at TU, a student wearing a Nazi symbol at a “proTrump” rally.

I dunno, guys. There’s been a lot and I’m really tired of 2016. There’s a lot for people to have been scared of, worried about and otherwise bothered by. There’s been a conflict and turmoil and guys I’m tired.

It’s hard to look back on 2016 and think about anything overwhelmingly positive that’s happened. Sure, there are some people who are thrilled about Presidentelect Trump, but so far, I’ve been disappointed or flat-out scared by just about every single decision his transition team has made.

And sure, it’s been a good year for campus activism, but there’s still a lot of hurt and a lot of people who are feeling unheard.

And sure, the Water Protectors at the Dakota Access Pipeline just won a pretty substantial victory, but there are other pipelines being built and we’re still just burning too many fossil fuels.

And sure, Towson was just named one of the safest and green-

“

forward. It’s not always easy and, sometimes it’s hard as hell.

But I’m going to keep looking ahead. I’m an eternal, sometimes naïve optimist, and I’m happier for it. Let’s all take this winter break to catch up on sleep, relax and hopefully not stress out too much about anything.

Because everything’s going to pick up again in January and we’ve got to hit the ground running.

All I can say at this point is that we’re going to keep looking forward. I’m going to keep looking forward. It’s not always easy, and sometimes it’s hard as hell.

But I’m going to keep looking ahead.

Nothing but good times CHRIS SIMMS Photo Editor

Over my two semesters working here at the Towerlight, I’ve had good times and ba….well nope, only good times. My first semester, I strayed away from my Towerlight fam and concentrated on my school work and my personal relationships. But going into my second and last semester with the Towerlighters, I broke ties with personal relationships, and the Towerlight fam took me in right away.

I have spent my whole last semester in the office, partly trying to get my mind off things in my personal life, but mainly bonding with people I haven’t gotten the chance to, and I’m so glad I did. From cracking jokes back and forth with Jordan, to drawing on the whiteboard at editorial boards, I have tried my best to always keep a smile on the faces around me while they have reciprocated.

Thanks to all you guys for giving me the opportunity, being my friends and being there for me, and thanks for anyone whoever liked the photos.

est schools in the country (which is awesome!) but guys there’s still nowhere to park.

I wish I had some deep, transcendent message to share at the end of the semester. But I don’t. I’ve been busy and The Towerlight has been busy and this campus and this country have seen a lot happen.

All I can say at this point is that we’re going to keep looking forward. I’m going to keep looking

Schatzel shouldn’t favor any one side

Administrators have not condemned aggression BRENDAN O’CONOR Student

The cover image for last spring’s “Identities of Islam” story, shot by Photo Editor Chris Simms, who considers the image to be one of his favorites.

Protesters have every right to speak. Freedom of expression represents a foundation of American Democracy and should be encouraged. However, the administration of a public university should not choose a side to champion.

Our university president openly supports the protests that took place on campus a few weeks ago, however has yet to condemn the more aggressive and combative rhetoric that was used. Speakers called for violence against Trump supporters, screaming, “You can

catch these hands,” and alleging that all Republicans are racist.

As a taxpayer-funded university, we should not be chilling the speech of a large section of the population by calling them racist and therefore invalidating their ideas. Students should feel comfortable walking around campus no matter their race or political affiliation.

When speakers promote violence and blatant intolerance they lose the ability to engage in a productive dialogue that brings people together.

President Schatzel should come forward publicly to remind the community that this type of rhetoric is not productive and should be avoided.

Opinion

December 6, 2016

5

Tales from outside Practice self care during finals my office window

Sam Shelton/ The Towerlight

Students trek toward the University Union during a class change period around noon on Monday morning.

Illustration by Daniel Andrews/ The Towerlight

All right, team. It’s that time of year again. That time of year when all those assignments and exams you could just “worry about later” are due literally tomorrow within mere hours of each other, and when you find yourself saying, “Man, I should really get myself to bed” when it’s only 8:30 p.m.

For everyone experiencing the end of a semester for the first time, welcome. It’s a bad time, but you’ll get to the other side and be able to breathe again, I promise. Hopefully. You’ll probably be fine.

For the rest of you veterans out there, welcome back to thoughts like, “Is that presentation due tomorrow?” and “How old was that milk I drank today?” jolting you awake at night.

And, I mean, the milk was probably too old, but those experiences make us stronger.

We all fall apart a little during the winter, and we all fall apart a little during heavy exam periods. Mix ‘em together and you end up with a bunch of cold, frazzled, young adults who may or may not have forgotten to eat dinner. What a time to be alive.

Do you know what you have to do during this stressful, mentally-straining time? Love the heck out of yourself.

Put your health as a priority and listen to your body, dang it.

It’s amazing how much better your body operates when you eat three full meals or six smaller ones, take a shower, and get around eight hours of sleep.

I know all too well that life happens, and sometimes basic care gets pushed aside. If it never happened, it wouldn’t be a cool, relatable thing for me to say!

Look, goals like going to the gym, redoing your living space, cooking every day and keeping your social life alive every weekend are all excellent goals. They’re productive and wonderful. But when things get overwhelming, it’s okay to step back and say, “OK, what do I actually NEED to do?”

You need to eat, shower and sleep.

That’s it. Oh, and turn in four six-page essays, give two presentations, stay hydrated to keep your brain vigilant, take care of your pets and maintain your job if you have one.

I’m not telling you to give up on any of your goals -- absolutely not. I’m just saying that taking a week off from the gym to make sure you’re meeting your responsibilities as a student and providing consistent, basic care for yourself, won’t set you that far back.

Your friends will understand if you skip a Friday night out to get some homework done or catch up on some Netflix therapy and sleep.

Maybe there are things other than

the examples I gave that are a strict necessity for you. Maybe you’re doing all right and don’t have to put anything on pause. Maybe things that stress others out actually keep you centered, or vice versa.

The point is: listen to your body and figure out what you need. If things get overwhelming, scale back and do whatever is absolutely necessary until you’re ready to move more to your plate. If you need an outlet for your stress, add a routine that’s right for you, whether it’s yoga or getting lost in a video game for a little while.

It’s okay to fluctuate your goals and routines to accommodate your health.

While it’s good to push yourself, and a little pressure can be motivating, don’t push yourself to the point of getting sick -- which happens. Too much stress can weaken your immune system. We’re in flu season now, folks, so you want your immune system in tip-top shape.

Here’s my parting advice on the subject: go out and get yourself the fluffiest, warmest blanket to study (or nap) in. Drink unreasonable amounts of water and EmergenC (just in case).

Eat a pomegranate (so many antioxidants), and do whatever else it takes to keep yourself sane.

We’ve (barely) survived this before, and gosh darn it we’ll (barely) survive it again.

SAM SHELTON Senior Editor @sam_tweets_now

So, I’m looking out my window.

Y’know, the one in the Towerlight office? The one that faces Susq Terrace?

Yeah, that’s the one. You know it.

You love it. You walk past it pretty much every day without ever noticing or (maybe) thinking that there could be someone looking out at you.

That’s right. I’m watching you.

Not in a creepy way, of course, but I do tend to gaze outside whenever I need to pause to think (which is often).

And I’ve seen some cool things.

People with adorable dogs. A student who stacks rocks for fun and turns it into art. Students laughing and students crying. I’ve seen a horde of pretween-looking, presumably-local boys biking around campus on a Pokemon Go adventure, and I’ve seen many, many students stop outside Susq to drop a lure.

Or, at least I did back when Pokemon Go was still kind of relevant.

Did I mention that I’ve seen people with dogs?

As a paper, we spend a lot of time running around coordinating writers and getting them to any events we can. But we can’t do everything. And we can’t meet all 22,000 of you. And you all can’t meet all 21,999ish of your fellow students. We’re a big campus. And we’re all feeling/saying/doing 22,000 unique things at any one time.

What I want to do is write about small moments -- if something silly happens outside the Union, if someone is tabling, if someone looks upset.

Heck, I’m legitimately thinking I could write a haiku about something as simple as someone dropping their lunch outside or staring at the koi pond. I don’t really know what this column will morph into. Could be serious. Could be stupid. It could be reporting, or it could be an oil painting.

Who knows? I’m just going to draw inspiration from you guys and see what I come up with.

But don’t worry, I’m not going to out you if you picked your nose in public, tripped over yourself or fell down the stairs. I may write about you, but it’s purely innocent. No names. No major identifiers. Just some fun. And if you happen to recognize yourself or someone you know in one of my tales, then kudos to you.

I think we all also possess an innate curiosity about what our peers are up to (evidence: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Facebook stalking, gossip, etc), and I want to see what kind of writing I can pull from that.

I’ll see you in the spring, Tigers -- but who knows if you’ll see me. *One quick comment before I go: The Towerlight office is technically on the third floor of the Union, but because of hills/how the Union is built, my window is two stories above the koi pond patio area, so shut up -- the name makes sense gosh darn it.

6

December 6, 2016

School of Graduate and Professional Studies

OPENHOUSE Saturday, January 7, 2017 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Your opportunity to succeed is now.

The School of Graduate and Professional Studies provides adults a private, affordable education taught by dedicated faculty with extensive, real-world experience. Attend our Open House to learn how we can help you create a path toward achieving your educational and professional goals.

· Meet and network with faculty, staff, and alumni from our bachelor’s and master’s programs. · Bring copies of your official college transcripts and receive an evaluation of available transfer credits. · Receive a personalized degree plan that outlines graduation timelines and attendance costs. · Speak with Financial Aid and Career Services representatives.

Reserve your space today at stevenson.edu/gps-openhouse Snow Date: January 14, 2017

Advertising

News

December 6, 2016

7

LTA, LULAC discuss Trump presidency Latinx students voice concerns over anti-immigrant rhetoric At a Dec. 1 discussion about the effects a Trump presidency will have on Latin American populations, Towson minority students voiced concerns and fears related to the anti-immigrant rhetoric perpetuated by the president-elect’s campaign.

Maria Centeno, a mass communication major with an electronic film and media minor, said she never thought attending Towson would even be an option for her because her parents are undocumented.

When Centeno was growing up, her family didn’t have medical insurance because of her parents’ undocumented status.

She said they paid for her braces and every other expense out of pocket through their own hard work.

Centeno said she was in constant fear of having her family torn apart.

“I always grew up in fear that I was gonna get taken away or I was gonna come home and [her parents] weren’t gonna be there,” she said.

Hosted by Towson’s chapters of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. (LTA), “Dear, Presidentelect Donald Trump,” saw Latin American students at Towson respond to some of Trump’s controversial ideas.

Trump first mentioned his plans to build a wall along the U.S.Mexico border during his presidential announcement speech in June 2015. The Republican presidential candidate reinforced that promise by falsely claiming that the immigrants whom Mexico is “sending” are rapists, drug traffickers and criminals.

He also asserted throughout his campaign that he will make Mexico pay for the wall.

As of an August 2016 meeting between Trump and Enrique Peña Nieto, the Mexican president maintains that Mexico will not pay for the wall.

Emely Rodriguez, a Latina, first-generation college student, said she was very shaken and afraid of a Trump presidency. She said she was also “tired of sitting back and hoping others would help me.”

During his campaign, Trump

promised that once he is in office he will repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), two of President Barack Obama’s executive actions.

Among several other plans that would negatively affect immigrants living in the U.S., the president-elect also promised to end sanctuary cities.

Recently, the Latin American Student Organization created a petition demanding that University administrators declare Towson as a sanctuary campus, while a student demonstration in the Union Thursday students to actively support and advocate for their Latin American peers.

Towson officials published a post reaffirming the University’s commitment to the University System of Maryland’s guidelines regarding interactions with undocumented immigrants and immigration enforcement authorities.

TU President Kim Schatzel also signed Pomona College’s “Statement in Support of the [DACA] program and our Undocumented Immigrant Students.”

But while the post from the University prohibits immigration enforcement authorities from entering campus without a warrant or exigent circumstance, LASO’s petition demands that those authorities not be granted entry whatsoever in order to protect immigrant students.

Centeno said President Barack Obama’s creation of DACA alleviated some of those fears, but she worries that once Trump is inaugurated, he will repeal DACA and throw her life back into uncertainty.

“I could be walking around campus and in one second I could be gone,” she said. “My parents could have no idea. [The U.S. government has] my fingerprints, they have my whole life.”

She hopes that Towson will become a sanctuary campus, so that students who are undocumented or who are here under DACA will have a safe space.

A panel of LULAC national representatives and local political officials discussed concerns about a Trump presidency and what can be done to protect Latin Americans.

Del. Terri Hill, a Maryland State Delegate for District 12, including Howard and Baltimore counties,

Bottom photo courtesy of Anagelica Gonzalez, Top photo by Marcus Dieterle/ The Towerlight National representatives from the League of United Latin American Citizens speak in a panel-style discussion on Dec. 1. On Nov. 16, LASO hosted a demonstration to claim Towson as a sanctuary campus. said that the current generation is being called to fight but that this battle isn’t new.

“It’s easy to get scared and it’s easy to feel like the world is falling apart or your world is falling apart,” she said. “But before we can see progress, things have to be shaken up.”

Hill pointed to Democrat control of the Maryland state legislature, as well as the ability of Democrats and Republicans to work with one another across the political aisle for common goals, as evidence for

the support of marginalized groups.

“There are people here who are like you, who care about the things you care about,” she said. “We are not alone.”

Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk, who represents Maryland Legislative District 21, including parts of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties, said that, as a black Latina, she has been made to feel like she doesn’t fit in either community.

She said that while separately people of color are minorities, they are stronger when unified as a col-

lective of communities.

Peña-Melnyk emphasized the importance of listening to viewpoints that are different than your own in order to learn how to find common ground and persuade others to listen to your viewpoint in return.

“Your five fingers are all uneven, right?” Peña-Melnyk said. “We’re all different here. We all have different experiences. But these five fingers that are uneven, you need all of them to function. We need all of us, who come with different experiences, to function.”

8

News

December 6, 2016

Panelists talk academic freedom in classrooms

Bailey Hendricks/ The Towerlight Faculty panelists discusses academic freedom in the Cheseapeake Ballrooms as part of the third and final Be Heard Town Hall meeting of the semester. The panel also discussed university communications.

Faculty panelists discussed academic freedom, partially in regard to the faculty-led Social Justice

Collective walkout last month at the Nov. 30 Be Heard Town Hall meeting, the third and final of the semester, in the Chesapeake Ballrooms.

During the discussion, student Brenton Ebron shared an experience with a professor who he said has cre-

ated tense environments in his classrooms while discussing politics. He said that this professor sometimes “forces his views onto students.”

“I’ve had some teachers, especially with this election, kind of say who they were for or against,” Ebron

said. “I just don’t really think [the classroom] is the place for it.”

The 1940 Statement of Principles of Academic Freedom and Tenure, cited by Vice Provost Maggie Reitz during the meeting, states that professors are entitled to full freedom in research and the publication of results, subject to adequate performance of their other academic duties.

It also states that professors should not introduce controversial material into their classes if it does not relate back to course content.

Faculty members have the right to state their own opinions, but they must distinguish their opinions from facts.

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Timothy Chandler acknowledged that there is a “subtle line” between sharing views and forcing views, while research librarian Sarah Gilchrist said that one of the guiding principles she uses in the library is that “scholarship is a conversation.”

“I think that definitely falls under this idea of academic freedom, and if we were to say, ignore somebody’s ideas who are different from ours, then we’re not learning,” Gilchrist said. “As long as you’re participating in that conversation, and having respectful conversations with your professor, then you’re both learning from each other.”

Chandler said that over the past two weeks he has received a number of complaints from parents and alumni about faculty members who were sponsors of the Nov. 14 walkout.

“I’ve spent much of the last two weeks phoning these folks and having discussions with them,” Chandler said. “They believe as taxpayers and as alumni and as parents, that it’s inappropriate for faculty members to do such thing during a working day when they’re being paid by the state.”

However, Chandler argued that their participation is “actually an inherent part of academic freedom,” and that faculty members have the right as citizens to participate in these kinds of events.

“Please don’t think this is just an academic issue,” Chandler said.

“There’s nothing academic about these conversations that I’ve had with some very unhappy parents.”

According to Maryland law, a state employee “may not engage in political activity while on the job during working hours.”

However, Chief Legal Officer Traevena Byrd said that the law is a “loaded sentence as it relates to an academic setting.”

“There may be very appropriate political activity that is very constant to our mission that they’re going to engage in while they’re working,” Byrd said.

TU pushes course Climate committee meets evaluation response Group plans for environ. conference in April During the Fall 2013 semester, 44 percent of students completed the online course evaluations. The response rate fell to 40 percent in 2014 and bumped, slightly, to 42 percent in 2015.

The spring response rates have stayed consistent at 39 percent.

Officials from the Office of the Provost are working to push those response rates up.

“Part of the goal is to increase response rates,” Assistant Provost Bethany Pace said. “But we don’t want to increase response rates without having valuable feedback. It’s been a balance of trying to encourage both things to happen—the quality of the feedback to increase and the response rates.”

Some of the measures to increase response rate and response quality,

Pace said, are debunking myths about course evaluations, educating students on how to provide helpful feedback and helping faculty know how to administer online course evaluations.

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Tim Chandler said that student evaluations are “considered heavily” by the committees that determine tenure and compensation for faculty.

So, he said, that makes them one of the most powerful tools that students can have to make their voice heard on this campus, especially when it comes to faculty issues.

Under the current system, students have a window of about two weeks toward the end of each semester to submit online course evaluations through Blackboard. Faculty do not have access to the results—which are anonymous—until after final grades have been submitted.

-To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com.

ROHAN MATTU Staff Writer

The President’s Climate Commitment Committee met Dec. 2 to discuss solutions and methods to create a more sustainable and green environment for the University.

Campus Planning and Sustainability Manager Patricia Watson explained that the committee’s goal is guiding the campus toward climate neutrality, with a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

The campus has already met its first goal of a 20 percent reduction of its carbon footprint by 2020, according to Watson.

“The challenge will come in that as the science improves and our understanding of our carbon footprint changes, we have to maintain our best efforts towards mitigating

our impact,” Watson said. “We need to make sure that we’re educating the campus community to help us reach our goal and reduce our carbon footprint.”

The committee, comprised of faculty, students and staff work together to plan events for education on environmental concerns as well as implementing plans to reduce Towson’s carbon footprint.

The meeting covered topics such as alternative transportation and solar panels.

The committee hopes to increase marketing of alternative transportation methods, such as the shuttle service and the bike-share program.

Committee members also discussed an Environmental Conference that will prepare students for successful futures in solving environmental issues and finding solutions related to sustainability.

The April 21 conference will also

showcase the environmental research performed by faculty and students.

“I think that environmental students get the conference all of the time, but I think that the environmental conference is an opportunity for really any student that’s on campus to go and get environmental background within a day,” said Marra Tripodi, student worker for sustainability.

“It can also help give students networking opportunities within the green economy and green industry, so it’s beneficial for anyone interested in green business.”

The Princeton College Review recently include TU in its “Guide to Green Colleges” for the seventh consecutive year.

The guide emphasized Towson’s composting program, which is running in nearly every dining hall, and the Eco-Reps peer education program.

Advertising

December 6, 2016

9

10 December 6, 2016 Advertising

1

February 17, News 2015

Towerlight TheTowerlight.com/classifieds

CLASSIFIEDS events ATTENTION ALL WOMEN interested in joining one of our 11 Panhellenic sororities… registration for spring recruitment is now open!!

You can sign up using this link: https://towson.mycampusdirector2.com The mandatory dates for recruitment are as follows (if you have class during these times, you are excused) : Feb. 8, 2017 Orientation from 8-10pm Feb. 10, 2017 from 5-10pm Feb. 11, 2017 from 9am- 3pm Feb. 12, 2017 from 9am- 5pm Feb. 17, 2017 from 5-10pm Feb. 18, 2017 from 1- 6pm Feb. 19, 2017 Bid Day from 10am- 1pm Incase of inclement weather, we have February 24-26 as backup recruitment dates, so please be aware that this is a possibility.

help wanted CHILDCARE/PERSONAL ASST. Help mom of older girls and cat with errands & organizing. $14/hr + gas $.

Pikesville 695 x 22. Call 410-336-9515.

MAKE $20 per hour handing out The Towerlight. Are you friendly and outgoing? Join our team! We start on Jan. 31. Email now for more info: mike@baltimorestudentmedia.com

services PREGNANT? Free confidential pregnancy testing & caring counseling help: 1-800-712-HELP ww.optionline. org Text “HELPLINE” to 313131.

housing 902 DARTMOUTH RD 4 BR House near TU. Garage & off-street parking.

Pet friendly Washer/dryer $1600 + Utilities Call Kyra, 410-532-2395 404 LYMAN AVE Duplex 3 BR (2 story) Living rm/ dining room, deck, off-street parking.

1 bath Washer/dryer/ dishwasher.

Back yard $1050 + Utilities.

Call Kyra, 410-532-2395

The Towerlight will return in print on January 31.

Happy Holidays!

From, The Towerlight

Event raises AIDS awareness Towson’s Wellness Peer Educators hosted a World AIDS Day health fair Dec. 1 as an opportunity for students and staff to learn more about impact of the disease and how to prevent it.

The event, hosted in the Union, featured tri-fold boards covering topics such as men and women’s health, ways to make safe sex fun and other information that gave multiple perspectives on HIV/AIDS. Attendees could make red awareness ribbons, one of the most visible signs of the HIV/AIDS awareness movement, to encourage solidarity with those affected by the disease.

World HIV/AIDS Day began in 1987 and was the first designated global health day, per the UK’s National HIV/AIDS Trust (NAT).

The mission of the day is to recognize those living with HIV/AIDS and to remember those who have died from the diseases.

According to the NAT, there are 34 million people currently living with HIV/AIDS, and 35 million people who have died from it.

Despite scientific advancements,

strong stigmas and discrimination still exist for those living with the disease.

Peer Education Program Committee Supervisor Alexandra Sachs said that the goal of the health fair was to specifically promote awareness of how to prevent transmission.

“

There are 34 million people currently living with AIDS, and 35 million people who have died from it.

NATIONAL HIV/AIDS TRUST United Kingdom

It is an incurable disease, said Sachs, but there are treatments for it.

One of the biggest myths about HIV/AIDS is the stereotypes about who contracts the disease and how they contract it, according to Sachs.

Even when a partner has the disease, there are safe ways to be in a relationship with that person, including a medication called PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, that lowers the possibility of transmission.

Transmission often happens when people are asymptomatic and the virus is incubating -- when it cannot be picked up on a test.

Sachs said that the main takeaway of the event was for attendees to “know their status.” She said that knowing your HIV/AIDS status can help you take action to stay healthy and protect intimate partners from contracting the disease.

Students can access testing for HIV/AIDS and other STIs, in the Health Center at Ward and West. The test is confidential and available any time the center is open.

These tests are free on the first and third Tuesday of each month, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on a walk-in basis.

As an additional resource on campus, the Center for Student Diversity (CSD) attended the fair to let students know that they are a place they can go to better understand their identities, including sexual identities.

According to student Bilphena Yahwon, a CSD representative at the event, knowing your STI and HIV/AIDS status is a part of being a sexual being.

Yahwon said that the CSD is a place where students can come to unpack the intersection of their gender, sexual and racial identities.

News

Nov. 27: In West Village Garage, a non-affiliate may have been sexually assaulted by a resident student.

Nov. 23: In Towsontown Garage, a commuter student had his property taken after leaving it unattended.

Nov. 22: In the Liberal Arts building, a former student sent an unwanted email to a faculty member.

Nov. 21: In Cook Library, TUPD investigated a burglary and determined that the incident was unfounded.

Nov. 21: In Paca House, a non-affiliate damaged TU property after an argument.

Nov. 19: In the Union, a staff member reported her property stolen, but was found later in the same room.

Nov. 17: In Newell Hall, TUPD investigated a telephone misuse regarding a resident student.

Nov. 17: In Burdick Hall, a resident student had their property taken after leaving it in an unlocked locker.

Nov. 15: In the Liberal Arts building, a commuter’s laptop was found after she reported it as stolen.

Nov. 14: In the Union, a staff member had money taken from her wallet after leaving it unattended.

Nov. 14: In the Liberal Arts building, a faculty member had a sign removed from a display board.

Nov. 12: In Lot 13, a commuter student was referred to OSCCE for urinating in public.

Nov. 11: In Millennium Hall, a resident student was referred to OSCCE for CDS violation.

Nov. 10: In Tower A, a resident student had an altercation with a guest of a roommate.

Nov. 7: In the Liberal Arts building, a commuter student had her phone taken after leaving it unattended on a bus stop bench.

Nov. 6: In the Union, a non-affiliate was issued a denial of access to the campus after taking property from a restaurant on campus.

Nov. 4: In Tower A, a commuter student was cited for CDS and alcohol violations.

Nov. 2: In the Glen Woods, a commuter student was cited for a CDS violation.

The Towerlight’s “Police Blotter” is a representative sample of crimes occurring on and off campus. The blotter is not intended to be all inclusive.

For a list of all crime reports, visit www.towson.edu/police.

December 6, 2016

11

14 December 6, 2016

Year in Preview

The Tow erlight's

year in preview As this year draws to a close and Towson University wraps up its 150th year, it can be tempting to want to look back and reflect on what 2016 brought our campus. And, between a multitude of protests, a new president and a somewhat lackluster performance from football, there’s certainly a lot to reflect on for 2016.But that’s not what we’re going to do here. We’re going to look ahead to 2017. Let’s go.

New leadership around campus Two big hires should be coming to Towson in 2017—the vice president for advancement and the new vice president for inclusion & institutional equity.

“Bringing those two leaders on is going to be phenomenal, phenomenal,” TU President Kim Schatzel said. “It’s going to be super exciting to be able to move those agendas forward.”

The search for the VP of inclusion and institutional equity came after some prominent campus actions that were a part of the larger trend of nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. The search committee included student leaders, faculty members and administrators.

Announcements for both positions are expected to come in January or February 2017.

Construction projects There are a few construction projects that should wrap up and open during 2017, though graduating seniors might not be around to see the direct benefits.

Burdick Hall is slated to reopen in its fully-renovated form in the fall semester. The Newell Dining Hall renovations are expected to be completed in winter 2017—and will include a “full service bakery,” according to Towson’s construction website.

And, lastly, in winter 2017, you can expect the Glen Bridge to be put in place.

The construction website says that the bridge will be put up in the winter, and then opened in time for the spring 2017 semester.

We’re also anticipating the groundbreaking--or at least some substantial progress on the plans-- for the new science academic building, but no date has been set.

The 2017 athletic season Towson endured a difficult fall sports season with football finishing 4-7 and volleyball falling out of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament in the first round, but despite a tough 2016, the Tigers have a lot to look forward to in their winter and spring sports seasons. In the winter sports season, Towson fans will be treated to quality basketball with both the men’s and women’s teams.

The men’s basketball team was picked to finish second in the CAA by the selection committee. Towson will return the nucleus of its team including senior forward William Adala Moto and junior guard Mike Morsell. Junior guard Deshuan Morman transferred from the University of Cincinnati last year. Currently, the team already has four victories under its belt.

The women’s basketball team has also seen success this season and looks poised to make noise in the CAA. The team is off to its best start since the 2008-09 season with a 6-1 record. The team has even earned victories against George Mason, Coppin State and University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

In the spring, both Towson lacrosse teams will be looking to bring home another CAA championship trophy. Last season, both the men’s and women’s team won the CAA title and went on to compete in the NCAA Tournament. The men’s team won two NCAA games, against Hobart and Denver, while the women’s team earned one with a victory over Old Dominion.

Year in Preview

December 6, 2016

15

Campus activism Between #OccupyTowson, actions from LASO and other solidarity rallies, 2016 has been a dynamic year for campus activism at Towson.

Towson has a healthy population of prominent, dedicated and purposeful student activists—including the re-forming student group A.L.-I (Altering Legacies of Injustice, formerly Towson University White Allies for Radical Solidarity), the faculty-lead Social Justice Collective and the leaders from #OccupyTowson.

John Gillespie, a prominent campus activist, said Towson “can expect new, young faces of the future,” from campus activism.

There are students working for all sorts of causes on this campus—eliminating waste from plastic water bottles, making Towson a committed sanctuary campus, creating gender-inclusive spaces and more.

“There are a lot of committed people on campus who are doing important work, whether it be for the environment of for social justice,” Chair of the Geography Department Virginia Thompson said. “I hope to see that movement expand.”

Towson Theatre This last year has been a good one for Towson theatre—the Mainstage alone brought us great shows like Freakshow and The Bluest Eye. Next year, Chair of the Department of Theatre Arts Robyn Quick said she’s excited about shows that include “Polaroid Stories” and “Cabaret.” But that’s not all— “I am excited about the residency of The Acting Company, which will include classes and workshops, as well as two productions: Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar,’ and a new play by Marcu Gradley, ‘X: Or, Betty Shabazz vs The Nation,’ Quick said in an email.

Quick added that these shows, among other College of Fine Arts and Communications offerings reflect the year’s theme of “politics and change.”

The on-campus planetarium While the new science building is already shaping up, professor Alex Storrs, of the department of physics, astronomy & geosciences, said he is excited by the prospect of getting a new radio telescope on Towson’s campus.

“Radio is an important branch of astronomy which we have largely neglected here, and the system we've applied for will allow students to study molecules and clouds in space, not just stars and planets,” Storrs said in an email.

Storrs, who is also the director of the Watson-King Planetarium in Smith Hall, said that the current telescope, along with the new, potential radio telescope, would be moved to the new science building.

Storrs said that it could be exciting if some of the “Powers That Be” listen to suggestions from the faculty for design concepts for the new science building, but didn’t seem to expect much.

“The design process is set up to be quite conservative, however, so we’ll see what we get,” he wrote.

The planetarium offers shows every third Friday of each month, starting at 8 p.m. When weather permits, planetarium shows are followed by observation through the telescope.

A 24/7 study space Assistant University Librarian for Development & Communication Joyce Garczynski said that one of the biggest things to look forward to in 2017 from the Albert S. Cook Library is the addition of a 24/7 study space. “The plan is to have swipe card access, which will help keep it secure as well.”

The library already has 24/7 study time during exams, which have traditionally been incredibly popular. The space, which will be located behind the newly reopened Starbucks, will hold between 30-50 people, according to Garczynski.

“So it’s not going to be huge,” she said. “But it will allow students to have a space to do work all the time.” She said the plan is to start construction in January.

This is all, of course, just a small preview. We expect that campus will see all of this and more in 2017. We hope you have a successful finals week, a relaxing holiday season and an excellent winter break. The Towerlight will be here over the minimester, but won’t be publishing a print edition again until Jan. 31. You can keep up with us online and through social media and, if news breaks, through our Towerlight Today newsletter.

16 6, 2016 16December December 6, 2016

Puzzles Puzzles

Crossword Sudoku

? ?

Turn to page 18 for answers to today’s

8-22-16

● Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating.

● The numbers within the heavily

outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners.

● Freebies: Fill in single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

Please support independent student journalism @ TU

KenKen® is a registered trademark of Nextoy, LLC. ©2016 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved. Dist. by Universal Uclick for UFS. www.kenken.com

Puzzles

?

We bring you The Towerlight every Tuesday for free. But we ask for your support as we continue our mission of giving the next generation of student journalists their first real-world experience in reporting, editing, photography, and design.

To make a donation, please go to TheTowerlight.com/youcanhelp/ Or mail a check to Baltimore Student Media, 8000 York Rd., Towson, MD 21252.

We are a non-profit corporation, so your donation is tax-deductible.

And we will gladly provide a receipt. Thank you for your support!

Arts & Life

December 6, 2016

Women lead in the “Freakshow” TAYLOR DEVILLE Associate Arts & Life Editor @artvandelady

The Center for the Arts studio theatre sold out Friday night for the opening performance of “Freakshow,” written by playwright Carson Kreitzer and directed by professor Steve Satta.

The one act told the story of a group of “freaks,” in the “Freak Show and Traveling Jungle” run by the ruthless capitalist Mr. Flip (played by Alex Wynd).

The show is set in the early 1900s, around the time P.T. Barnum popularized the traveling circus and the eugenics movement was on the rise -- a choice Satta made consciously.

As the audience entered the theatre, they followed a trail of creature-like footprints past the string lights illuminating 18th century newspaper covers about so-called circus freaks, while eerie carnival music played overhead.

The elaborate set featured the tank of the “Human Salamander” (played

by Matt Iannone) to the left, and a cage holding the developmentally-challenged Pinhead (played by Griffin DeLisle) to the right. In the middle, behind thick red curtains, sat Amalia, the beautiful human torso—a sexually-liberated woman without arms or legs (played by Kathleen Whitby).

In an interview with the Towerlight,

Satta explained that “the play itself does not make broad political statements,” rather they’re much more personal statements “about women and how women are often perceived and how women actually have to move through the world.”

Although audience members came away with their own interpretations of the show, it seems that the dominating themes were historical accounts of otherness and its exploitation, and the complexity of femaleness, specifically female autonomy.

Whitby captivates audience members in her blunt, sometimes poignant monologues as Amalia. The show opens with her asking the audience if they’re imagining what sex with her would be like—and later describing it in detail.

She finds liberation in her sexuality, but slowly reveals that her confidence is a shield against the spectators, men that leer at and objectify her every day. She echoes the inner thoughts of women everywhere who feel vulnerable, even violated, under the male gaze.

Only her vulnerability is sharp and constant, without arms to shield her body or her face.

Alongside Whitby, Xavier ChenetSmith delivered a powerful performance as Amalia’s caretaker, Judith, who found herself in the freak show when Mr. Flip bought her, starved her

and kept her in a cage to transform her into a dog-woman hybrid.

In a moving monologue, ChenetSmith described being treated as subhuman because of her ugliness, and the bond she formed with the other dog-woman Mr. Flip kept her caged with, a woman who would have killed for her, illuminating the insoluble companionship women can form with each other. She lamented over being torn from her friend, who howled for her every night, with Mr. Flip saying simply, “How else was I supposed to convince [the spectators] that I rescued you from a pack of wild dogs?”

Wynd succeeds at making Flip as unlikable as he is greedy. “I’m not a bad man,” he insisted throughout the show, even as he tried to barter with Judith for her sister’s deformed baby and laughed at the trauma he subjected her to.

Flip’s profitizing of the “freaks,” the other, sends a message (to me, at least) about our society -- that otherness is demonized unless it’s exploitable.

Other students interpreted different messages, applying them to present-day issues.

“I really liked the message of the show and how it illuminated a community that really wasn’t talked about for a long time,” freshman Ava Ertel said. “It’s pertinent today because people that are minorities or people who were looked down on in the past are now coming forward and fighting for what they believe in and fighting for their rights.”

Despite lacking a strong central plot (which it didn’t really feel like it needed) “Freakshow” makes up for it by

“Ove” is tender and pure MCKENNA GRAHAM Columnist

Book: “A Man Called Ove” Author: Fredrik Backman Genre: Contemporary Rating: Five stars Warnings for book: Attempted suicide This is almost definitely the most pure and tender book I have ever read. By the time I hit the last 15 pages of the book, I could safely say that I had laughed uncontrollably -- or cried to the point of not being able to see through my

tears -- every two pages or so. This book strikes such a delicate balance between being lighthearted and being heartbreaking, although the plot is remarkably simple.

Set in modern-day Sweden, it follows the story of Ove (pronounced OOH-vah), a recent retiree aptly described by the trope of old men who yell at people to get off their lawn. He moved into a housing development when it was first built and has been there ever since, watching the younger generations fill up his neighborhood with their new foreign cars and yappy little dogs and ignorance of how, in his opinion, the

world ought to be. Ove is a man of principle—he drives a Saab (because it’s Swedish), went to work every day for thirty years without missing once, and always goes the speed limit.

Ove is a man of a different time who wants nothing more than to lead a peaceful rest of his life and to be with his wife, but new neighbors next door seem unwilling to allow him to have such things. They quite rudely (and literally) crash into his life one afternoon, park themselves there, and embrace his prickliness with open arms despite his best efforts.

-To read the rest of this column online, visit thetowerlight.com.

17

Courtesy of Kanji Takeno

Kathleen Whitby plays torso Amalia, and Xavier Chenet-Smith is her caretaker. delivering compelling and well-rounded characters and a talented cast, especially the stunning performances by Whitby and Chenet-Smith.

“You can tell everyone involved has so much passion for what they’re doing and they’re telling a very human story,”

sophomore Kelly Myslinski said. “It’s a lot about what it means to be human— with what you strip away, what’s left?

What’s at your core?”

“Freakshow” will run through Dec. 10. Tickets are available at the box office in the CFA.

ALAINA TEPPER Staff Writer @AlainaTepper

“Body Lotion” involved four performers tasked with keeping the beat and making music with their own bodies. By stomping, snapping, clapping, sliding and hitting, the performers created an interesting and jazzy rhythm that kept the audience entranced.

“I really liked ‘Body Lotion,’ where it was no instruments and they were just doing cool stuff with their bodies,” sophomore music education major Virginia Moses said.

In contrast, “Stubernic” used a traditional percussion instrument, the marimba, in a non-traditional way.

The song featured three performers on a single marimba, working together to create the melody.

-To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com.

Percussionists celebrate 50 years

Towson’s Percussion Ensemble celebrated its 50th anniversary last week with a special commemorative concert led by assistant professor Michelle Humphreys.

The concert was held in the Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall and featured music of all types, including traditional western music, Asianinspired music and even the song “Body Lotion,” which utilized the human body as an instrument.

“Body Lotion” as well as “Stubernic” showed off the immense talents of the ensemble and pushed the limits of what we traditionally think of when it comes to music.

18 December 6, 2016

Arts & Life

Students #AskaSAPE about sex

Courtesy of SAPE

Sexual Assault Peer Educators table around campus throughout the semester and often sell underwear.

KRISTIN HELF Associate Arts & Life Editor @kristinelise_

In order to assess students’ knowledge and concerns regarding sex and sexual consent, Towson’s Sexual Assault Peer Educators (SAPE) tabled and held a question-and-answer session, #AskaSAPE, on Tuesday.

“I want students to be aware of the power they have in every situation they’re in. They have the power to intervene in situations, and they have to remember that they do have a voice,” senior clinical psychology major and SAPE Zoe Kolker said.

“They also have the power in a situation in which they have been assaulted to find resources on campus, and

they have all of that waiting for them if they need it.”

The SAPEs spent much of Tuesday tabling in the Union to raise awareness of their #AskaSAPE event, held later in the day, and World AIDS Day, which was Dec. 1.

They drew attention from passersby with their Continuum of Consent game, where students were given cards describing various sexual scenarios and then asked to determine whether the scenario was consensual or non-consensual.

“You have a sense of responsibility in every situation you’re in. You have the power to say ‘no,’ and stand up for yourself, and so does the other person,” junior early education major and SAPE Kora Rea said. “The other

Solutions ● Each row and each column must

contain the numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating.

● The numbers within the heavily

8-23-16

outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners.

● Freebies: Fill in single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

KenKen® is a registered trademark of Nextoy, LLC. ©2016 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved. Dist. by Universal Uclick for UFS. www.kenken.com

for Puzzles on page 16

person has the right to say no and also respect choices from the other person as well.”

The couples described on the cards ranged from straight to LGBTQ+ and from one-night stands to long-term partnerships -- any couple’s status doesn’t affect whether their sexual situation is consensual or not.

While some scenarios clearly described non-consensual sex, others were more difficult to garner, and Rea stressed that the key to making sex consensual is to ask before getting started.

She said that consent is marked most clearly by a verbal “yes.”

“We ask the student, how could you make this more consensual? If the person asked, ‘Hey, is this okay?

Hey, would you like to do this?’ that would place it more on the [consensual] end of the spectrum,” Rea said.

During #AskaSAPE, held in Paws Tuesday night, the SAPEs answered questions about sex, sexuality and sexual violence that were written and submitted by students beforehand or volunteered from the crowd.

“There was one question that came up about consent, and the question was, ‘If I already agreed to have sex with this person, can I say no later?’” Kolker said. “And we were like, yeah, of course. Consent is something that has to be continuously given, and so you can take it away at any time.”

This was SAPE’s last event of the semester. During the spring semester, they hope to hold a sex-positive fashion show and a sex toy tabling event, in addition to hosting a sex-positive movie screening.

“Magic Mike XXL has been discussed, possibly, as being that movie, but we’re not sure yet. That’ll probably be toward the beginning of the semester,” Kolker said.

In the near future, SAPEs want to keep their forum open by allowing students to ask them questions on social media like Twitter. They’d like to continue helping students understand that, while consent is necessary in personal relationships, it’s also important to intervene if they see something that looks like assault.

“I always ask students, would you rather feel embarrassed for five seconds or save someone’s life in a way?” Rea said. “A lot of people are like, yeah, maybe I’ll make a fool out of myself for five seconds and say sorry and walk away, but if the situation’s not okay, maybe you’ve saved someone’s life.”

Finals fashion KERRY INGRAM Columnist

It’s already come upon us: the end of fall semester is finally here. Although it is exciting to think about snowy weather, holiday excitement and a long break from school, we still have one obstacle to overcome.

Finals week.

As tempting as it may be to show up to all of your finals in a onesie (something I am 100 percent guilty of doing last fall…), let’s not allow for test-taking to take away from trend-making.

There’s still a way to flaunt your style while under stress. Here are some fashion and beauty essentials that will get you through this next week: Plain V-neck white tee: This is one of fashion’s most notorious staples. Why? Because you can pair this with literally everything. A white tee can be dressed up with a cute necklace and high-waisted skirt, or dressed down with jeans and a pair of sneakers. *Bonus points: carry an extra one around to soak up tears as you cry your way through finals.

Leather baseball cap: Not only are these trending, but they can actually help to keep your head warm. These hats are also awesome because you will not have to stress out about what to do with your hair if you wear them.

Rose gold watch: This is not only practical, since you’ll need to keep track of your time between studies and test-taking, but also just really adorable.

I mean, who doesn’t like rose gold? (If you don’t, please exit to the left…)

Nikes/Converse: This is pretty self-explanatory. Comfortable sneakers that don’t look rough = finals week ease.

Concealer: This is what will help other people differentiate between your being a college student walking to class and the walking dead. Concealer will help not only cover up any stress breakouts that may pop up during this week, but it can also be used to lighten and brighten any under-eye bags caused by a lack of sleep. Skip foundation and opt for this quick fix to even out your complexion.

Deodorant: Please. Just wear this.

Bold lip color: Throw on a red or bright pink lipstick and keep the rest of the makeup extremely minimal (or simply skip everything else).

We’ve only got one more week to go, Tigers! Let’s show our professors we’re ready to ace our exams -- and look good while doing so.

Arts & Life

December 6, 2016

19

Dancers are “Unreserved”

TU Dance Company performs final shows JESSICA RICKS Staff Writer

The women of the Towson University Dance Company waited in anticipation for the lights to come up and the show to begin.

Like any performance, there was a range of mixed feelings, from nervous to excited. But once the show began, all of the nerves vanished just as quickly as they appeared.

“It feels like home,” dancer Anais Garcia said. “I miss it every time.”

The all-female cast of the company performed six numbers in the show with a range of dances from ballet to modern, which they had been rehearsing since the beginning of the semester.

“It started on the first day of school,” Garcia said. “Seeing it come together was nerve-wracking but I also feel accomplished.”

The show opened up with a rendition of the ballet “Coppélia,” originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon to the music of Léo Delibes and restaged by dance department choreographer Erin Du. The girls performed a beautiful and colorful rendition of the dance en pointe.

Dance department professor Susan Mann choreographed a much darker piece, called “Threshold,” that starkly contrasted “Coppelia.”

“For The People…” featured spoken word poetry by acclaimed Baltimore poet Derick Ebert about the struggles of inequality that

Photo by Joseph Hockey

The all-female cast of the Towson Dance Company’s “Unreserved” show performed six dances on Saturday. affect every one of us, which we must come together to overcome.

The other pieces in the show were “Between A Reverent Glow” choreographed by Maree Remalia, “What Has Been Lost” choreographed by Ken Skrzesz, and “Ten Vignettes” choreographed by Rungiao Du.

Kaitlyn Winner has been performing for 17 years, but the feeling of being onstage never quite goes away.

“It feels amazing,” Winner said.

“There’s nothing like it. It’s freeing.”

The Dance Company’s show, “Unreserved,” opened on Dec. 2

EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO DO events.towson.edu

in the Stephens Hall Theater and will run on Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 11.

“I want people to feel transcended and inspired,” Garcia said. “I want to take them to another world or show them a story. I want to portray everything correctly so that the audience disappears.”

20 December 6, 2016

Advertising

Arts & Life

December 6, 2016

Eating to gain some good bugs CHRISTINE TURPIN Towson Athletics Sports Dietitian

College students and athletes alike are frequently interested in gaining muscle, getting leaner, building strength and making better food choices for academic and athletic performance. However, student-athletes are not knocking down my door with a particular interest in constructing a stronger environment for robust bugs for healthier digestive tracts. Why should you care about the makeup of your gut flora?

A collection of “good” bugs in your gut can build a tougher immune system. Ultimately this means more days on the field or court and fewer days missed in the classroom. In fact, 75 percent of your immune system is located in your digestive tract.

The more varieties of “good” bugs, the stronger defense from infection, chronic disease, inflammation and abnormal gastrointestinal (GI) functions.

Your intestines are a playground for more than 500 species of microorganisms that promote regular GI function, and everyone houses a unique blend of bugs. Pile all your intestinal bacteria on a scale and find out it makes up 2.2 pounds of your entire body weight. The bacterial make up of your gut, also known as the microbiome, is established at birth and remains relatively unchanged throughout the years. However, recent studies indicate your gut microbiome can be altered by food intake, environment (stress) and particular medications.

Additionally, it plays a key role in the regulation of metabolism and synthesizing vitamins.

Let me begin by breaking down the terminology. Here are The ABCs of Bacteria: Probiotics are living microorganisms, often referred to as “good” bacteria, which provide health benefits.

Prebiotics are the food that feed “good” bacteria.

Symbiotics are products that contain both probiotics and prebiotics working together as a team.

Your microbiome can change, for better or for worse, in just a few days, depending on your food choices.

Foods high in fiber and whole grains alter the PH of the stomach and create a desirable environment for healthy guts. However, sugary foods contribute to inflammation and feed the bad bacteria. Focus on establishing a balance of good bacteria for better health, athletic and academic performance. Consider the following food components to be the fuel to build a stronger gut!

Fruits and Vegetables: Particularly asparagus, artichokes, leeks, onions, garlic, greens, berries, broccoli, avocados and bananas.

Whole Grains: predominantly oatmeal, barley and cereal.

Fermented Foods like Kefir (fermented milk), sauerkraut, Kombucha (fermented tea), fortified fruit juices, tempeh, soybeans, miso and various selections of cheese which contain live bacteria. Don’t forget your yogurt which contains live cultures as well.

Note: Yogurts that contain high protein and low sugar are preferred choices.

Foods of Honorable Mention: Walnuts, chopped almonds and legumes don’t necessarily fit into a category above but they feed the “good” bugs of the gut.

Food First: although supplements can be helpful too, aim to eat a variety of probiotic and prebiotic foods and your gut will thank you.

Factors that negatively impact your microbiome include stress and medication. Antibiotics are known to alter the balance of bugs in your tummy. If you are frequently taking medication for infections and colds, you will need to focus on replacing those good bacteria.

How do you incorporate “good” bugs into your eating plan? Start at breakfast and grab a bowl. Spoon in a generous dollop of Greek yogurt, top with banana slices, sprinkle with walnuts and dust with whole grain cereal – voila! - synergy of an athletic team.

The Bottom Line: Increase your gut microbiome by eating a diverse diet focusing on nutrient-dense, plant-based foods to include nuts, whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes. Also consider fermented foods to broaden your gut flora for an assorted culture of good bacteria for good health. You are on your way to becoming a healthier YOU!

21

22 December 6, 2016

Sports

tigers bounce back with victory

File photos by Jordan Cope/ The Towerlight

Towson defends against George Mason in a matchup at SECU Arena earlier this season. Towson went on to win the game by a score of 79-75 for its fifth victory (above).

Redshirt junior guard Raine Bankston is introduced in the starting lineup against the Patriots. Bankston finished the game with eight points, nine assists and two steals (below).

DESMOND BOYLE Staff Writer

Towson bounced back from its first loss of the season against Big East opponent Georgetown with a 69-65 win over in-state Coppin State.

“Excited that we were able to get the win,” Head Coach Niki Reid Geckeler said. “However, we let an opponent come in here and play a little bit harder than us. I tip my hat off to Coppin State. I thought they did a tremendous job coming in here and really competing from the beginning of the game to the end.”

The Tigers got off to a fast start by scoring the first nine points of the game just three minutes in.

Sophomore guard Sianni Martin had five points in that stretch.

Towson managed to hold a solid lead throughout most of the quarter, but Coppin State ended the quarter on a 10-2 run to pull within one point.

The Eagles turned the tables on the Tigers in the second quarter by scoring the first seven points to take a 22-16 lead.

Coppin State connected on four three point attempts in the second quarter and managed to take a 36-25 lead into the half.

“We just turned the ball over,” Geckeler said. “We were getting good shots, we were getting layups, we were just missing. We were missing our offensive assignments and weren’t really running our sets correctly. We just had to go back in and regroup and refocus. Come back out, execute our sets a little better, play better defense and go from there.”

The Eagles were helped by foul trouble from the Tigers. The Eagles knocked down 13 foul shots while the Tigers made just four.

Coppin State took a 16-point lead five minutes into the second half.

However, Towson managed to pull within six at the end of the third quarter thanks to a 14-4 run.

“I will give our young ladies credit coming out in that third quarter, fourth quarter and really being able to fight through to the end,” Geckeler said. “At the end of the day, we’re still 6-1, we’re still figuring things out. It wasn’t a pretty game, but I like being 6-1.”

Martin had six points during that run while redshirt juniors Jordyn Smith and Raven Bankston added three points.

Martin continued to contribute to the Tigers offensive attack in the

fourth quarter by scoring five points.

The Tigers scored the first nine of 10 points in the final quarter.

The run gave Towson a 54-52 lead before senior guard Raine Bankston sealed the 69-65 win by going a

perfect six for six from the foul line.

Towson’s next game is a tough road test against No. 5 Maryland.

Tipoff against Maryland is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Xfinity Center.

Sports

December 6, 2016

23

punt, pass and pick Predictions with Photo Editor Chris Simms COPE: Ugh… This is just getting sad now. I am currently 3-0 in punt, pass and pick and all three of my victories have come against Towerlight alumni.

In a desperate attempt to actually have a close competition this week, I have called in a current Towerlight editorial board member to pick against.

Ladies and gentlemen… our photo editor (and my wingman) Chris Simms will be joining us this week.

Now, as everyone knows I had a hard time talking smack to all my previous competitors, but Chris and I love to joke with each other inside and outside of the office. He is like the big brother I never had, and I will miss him dearly when he graduates later this month!

Sorry Chris, but I’ve got to do my thing and beat you this week to remain undefeated in my punt, pass and pick career. I’m going to have to teach you one last thing before you graduate: don’t mess with J-Money Swag!

SIMMS: Seeing that this will be my last print issue with the Towerlight and seeing that I want to generate Jordan’s first loss, here I am ready for punt, pass and pick.

I am no football wiz kid -- I’m more of a fútbol wiz kid, if we are being honest -- but I am here to get lucky and grab a win.

As a Redskins fan, I know at least one of these picks will swing my way. Well, actually, as a low key Browns superfan (ha ha… definitely kidding), I know I will have two picks correct and the rest will come as luck.

Jordan, I hope you are ready to take this quick ‘L’ and for me to forever give you crap about it -- especially on your 21st birthday coming up in a few months. Let the games begin!

Raiders vs. Chiefs COPE: What is this? Another tasty Thursday night matchup?

This must be a new record for the

National Football League.

This game has a lot of implications to it. Assuming the Chiefs win this week, they could tie the Raiders for first place in the AFC West!

With a Raiders win, the team could continue to work on solidifying its spot as division champions!

What a game this one will be -- I can’t wait!

This is not an easy game to pick. The Chiefs are at home and they have a lot riding on this game.

The Raiders on the other hand are just the better football team.

For that reason, I am taking the Raiders in this game.

Raiders 27, Chiefs 10 SIMMS: Ya know, ever since I was a football fan I would look at both of these teams and be like, “Wait...do they actually still exist as competitors?” But this season it seems like I can eat those words, especially from the Raiders standpoint.

Derek Carr is no Rich Gannon, but I still believe in him to win this game. Plus, can’t we all agree that the Raiders uniforms and colors are so gritty and seem to fit Oakland too well? Let's hope they don't move to Vegas or L.A. Raiders 24, Chiefs 17 Redskins vs. Eagles COPE: Chris is a big Redskins fan, and I promised my friend that we could pick this game. A promise is a promise.

Boy, the Eagles have really come back to earth since their hot start in the beginning of the season. They are in last place in the NFC East.

The Redskins, on the other hand, are fighting for their playoff lives.

The Redskins are on the road, but the Eagles have been sucking lately.

And for that reason, I am taking the Redskins to prevail.

Redskins 24, Eagles 13 SIMMS: This is an easy pick for me as a Redskins fan. Kirk Cousins is finally making me “like that” with

his performances the past few weeks, and Josh Norman has been making great defensive plays. If we keep it up this coming week, the Eagles won't stand a chance.

Also, a win would be useless for the Eagles in the long run and would benefit us more to barely make the playoffs. I have to take my team -- the best team -- the Redskins.

Redskins 31, Eagles 24 Bengals vs. Browns COPE: Sound the alarm, everyone! The Browns are going to win a game… FINALLY! This is my upset pick of the century, and I really hope it doesn’t taint my punt, pass and pick record.

Watching the Bengals play my Ravens last week… Boy, they are hurting without A.J. Green. The Browns… Well, they have to win a game at some point, right?!

I really hope I don’t regret this, but I am taking the Browns to prevail and win a football game in what has been another nightmare season.

Browns 21, Bengals 14 SIMMS: Cleveland, the best city in the world, will continue being the best city in the world -- in every way besides football this week.

Me and my friends back home have placed bets on them going 0-16, so to keep that dream alive and to continue being a Browns super fan, I have to accept this loss to a very below average Cinci team.

I mean, the Browns went up 21-0 on the Ravens in the first quarter earlier in the season, then didn't score a single point the rest of the game and lost. Browns 0-16, you heard it here first.

Bengals 21, Browns 9 Texans vs. Colts COPE: I still can’t help but laugh at this division. Whoever finishes 8-8 is going to be the division champion and make the playoffs.

Despite the horrific season the Colts have endured this year, a win would tie them for first place with the Texans in the division.

The Colts starting quarterback Andrew Luck has been dealing with a concussion. Even with Luck’s big headache, I am taking the Colts.

-To read the rest of this article online, visit thetowerlight.com

Jacy

Icard Swimming & Diving Junior swimmer Jacy Icard set a school record in the 100-yard backstroke on day two of the Bucknell Invitational. Icard won the event with an NCAA B-Cut time of 53.79.

24 December 6, 2016

Sports

tigers down gophers, get clipped by Monarchs Mark Dragon/ The Towerlight

Redshirt freshman forward Dennis Tunstall awaits the Goucher inbound Wednesday night at SECU Arena. Tunstall recorded 16 points, two assists, two steals and one block in Towson’s 99-37 victory. Tunstall went seven-for-seven from the field against the Gophers. Saturday, Tunstall saw only one minute of action in Towson’s loss to Old Dominion.

Morsell sunk a three-pointer from the corner. Morsell’s shot propelled Sports Editor Towson to take an early 8-4 lead over @jordancope26 Old Dominion.

The Tigers held their lead seven minutes into the game. However, the Towson fell to former Colonial Monarchs took a 14-13 lead on a tipAthletic Association (CAA) rival Old in from redshirt sophomore forward Dominion Saturday, but defeated crossTrey Porter. town rival Goucher Old Dominion’s Wednesday in a early lead proved pair of matchups You want to win these to stand for the inside of SECU Arena this week. games which we haven’t. rest of the first half Saturday, the Hopefully we can learn as the team took a 32-25 lead over Tigers (4-4, 0-0 from it to get a little bit bet- Towson into the CAA) fell to the Monarchs (5-2, 0-0 ter by the time it’s for all locker room.

Junior guard C-USA) in a contest the marbles.

Eddie Keith II that came down to scored the first the wire.

PAT SKERRY Head Coach five points of the “You want to second half for win these type of Towson and pulled the team within games, which we haven’t,” Head Coach one basket of Old Dominion. Junior Pat Skerry said. “Hopefully we can guard Deshaun Morman then tied the learn from it to get a little bit better by game for Towson 32-32 with a layup. the time it’s for all the marbles.”

Following the Tigers’ early run to Towson wasted no time getting open up the half, the Monarchs got on the scoreboard. On the team’s first possession, junior guard Mike back to shooting the ball well and took JORDAN COPE

“

a nine point lead with 11:11 left to play.

However, Towson went on a 9-0 run to take a 51-50 lead with under seven minutes to play in the game.

In the remaining 30 seconds of the game, the Tigers trailed 58-56 following a missed free throw by the Monarchs.

The Tigers held the ball for the last possession, but Morman was unable to hit a jumper after being swarmed by the Monarchs defense.

Old Dominion hit a pair of free throws with just a few seconds in the game to seal the deal and secure the victory.

Wednesday, Towson bounced back following its loss to Robert Morris and blew out crosstown rival Goucher 99-37 for its fourth victory of the season.

The Tigers got off to a quick start when Morman scored a layup in transition off of a steal on the first play of the game.

“Obviously good to get back on the court and get a win,” Skerry said. “I was really happy with our play in the second half. We’ve been really preaching a lot about being consistent and

playing the right way. I thought we did a good job defensively on the backboards and I really thought we passed the ball well.”

Following the opening score, Towson went on a 10-0 run to take a 12-3 lead over Goucher just five minutes into the contest.

The Gophers pulled within four points of the Tigers with under 10 minutes to play in the first half, but the Tigers went on a late run with the help of senior forwards William Adala Moto, John Davis and Morman to take a 24-point lead into halftime.

Morman finished the half as Towson’s leading scorer with nine points, while Davis and Moto combined for eight.

“We had two good days of practice like coach said and it showed tonight on the court,” Morman said. “We are just trying to get ready for Saturday.”

In the second half, Keith II drained a three-pointer on the first possession, and the Tigers were off and running.

Davis followed with a three point play after being fouled, and the Tigers took a 30-point lead.

Midway through the second half, Towson led Goucher 70-26. The team took advantage of turnovers and fouls to take a 44 point lead.

The Tigers ran away with the game for their fourth win of the year and defeated Goucher 99-37. The Tigers shot 57 percent from the field while holding Goucher to 27 percent.

Towson will continue the nonconference portion of its schedule Wednesday against crosstown rival Loyola. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. inside SECU Arena.