Vol. XCXX, No. 26, May 2, 2013

U

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Vol. XCXX No. 26

University News

the

unewsonline.com

A student voice of SLU since 1919

Exline responds to Biondi letter

By WOLF HOWARD News Editor

On Saturday, May 4, the University will host a gala to celebrate the 25th anniversary of President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., in his position; SLU Students for No Confidence is sponsoring an Alternative Gala, outside of the event, protesting Biondi’s continued role as president. The competing events are both fundraising for student scholarships.

Standard tickets to Biondi’s gala are $1,000 per person. The gala has already garnered more than $1 million for scholarships and academic initiatives, according to a University statement.

The final Board of Trustees meeting is also set for May 4. The first presentation by the Climate Assessment Committee will occur during the meeting, at which point the results from the campus-wide assessment, asking for opinions on communication, climate and voice at the University, will be revealed. The Stu-

dent Government Association will also give a presentation to the Board in order to voice student concerns.

The no confidence conflict has come to a head in anticipation of the Saturday meeting and following Biondi’s appearance at the SGA meeting on April 24.

The meeting generated a large amount of negative feedback from faculty and student groups after Biondi requested the removal of two facutly members.

“After speaking with Mr. Exline, it was our understanding that the Q-and-A session with me would be only with the student leaders, as well as the support staff who normally attend SGA meetings,” Biondi said in a memo on April 30. He also stated that upon seeing the faculty members, he explained his understanding of the situation to SGA President Blake Exline and that Exline agreed and asked the faculty members to leave.

The Delmar Divide

Crossing, blurring the Delmar Divide

See “NC” on Page 3

Dan Goeddel / Staff Photographer

By KRISTEN MIANO Editor in Chief

Kristen Miano /Editor-In-Chief

Students, faculty march in support of ‘No Confidence’ votes.

St. Louis is a divided city, something that is not always apparent to the residents of Saint Louis University. The division becomes apparent, however, the farther north one travels.

North of Delmar Boulevard is an area marked by a deteriorating urban environment and stark economic disparity.

“If I were to describe it, there is a line drawn in the city based on things like race and housing opportunities,” Norman White, professor of sociology and criminal justice who has previously spoken on the environment in North City, said. “I don’t think of it as

a divide, but more like an entrance to a third world, as it mirrors the outcomes and social ills you see in third world countries.”

According to White, North St. Louis is an example of the result of the “deindustrialization” of cities. Around the 1940s and 1950s, factories and other manufacturing companies began to move out of urban settings to more spacious rural and suburban area to accommodate for extra space needed for new technologies like assembly lines. Along with the factories went the jobs, which left fewer opportunities for employment within cities and contributed to the rise in poverty and economic disparity in cities.

Housing opportunities around this

Booking it: Library budget pondered

By WOLF HOWARD News Editor

INSIDE:

Pius XII Library and the Medical Center Library receive roughly $5 million for materials annually. About $3 million of that goes specifically to Pius, the rest of the money either shared between both libraries or dedicated specifically to the Medical library. Pius’ materials budget is used to buy books, subscriptions and literature important to a research university.

“Databases could be a collection of journals, or it could be a graphic database, or it could be business data,” Jane Gillespie, a subject librarian, said. “It’s kind of a complex landscape.”

The Collections Management Group, composed of the 11 subject librarians working at Pius, is in charge of buying and maintaining the databases available to SLU students. Gillespie heads the group.

“There’s a historical component,” Gillespie said concerning how they decide what to buy. “Sometimes professors want specific journals. Some things are just standard… We might look at usage statistics, that’s the only way we’ve

time also contributed to the divide that now exists in St. Louis and other American cities. Though policies that supported residential segregation were no longer viable by this time, there were still certain expectations in existence concerning which people could live where. The result of this was a division of communities built around certain statuses of class and race. These communities still exist and, in some ways, contribute to the continued segregation of cities.

“This sort of divide occurs in almost every city, but it is a very stark northsouth divide in St. Louis,” White said.

See “Delmar” on Page 3

DPSEP head leaves for Dome; interim named

By DERRICK NEUNER Associate News Editor

Dan Goeddel / Staff Photographer

The Rare Books Inventory Project expands student access to historical texts at a minimal cost. been able to get new materials, really.”

While the shift to digital publication has altered the way many publishers do business, it hasn’t resulted in a decrease in prices, largely due to packaging requirements, annual maintenance and upgrading fees.

Yet, according to Gillespie, the library hasn’t seen

NEWS

>>Blogging to inspire

a significant increase in their budget for roughly 10 years. Maintaining a strong collection of information has become more troublesome over time as the price of goods continues to rise while the library allotment has remained the same.

“I think this is a very good library,” Gillespie said. “We try to support a

2 OPINION

diverse constituency. But overtime, your purchasing power erodes… Inevitably we’re going to have to start cancelling more things just to keep up with inflation.”

According to Gillespie, it’s not unreasonable for publisher pricing to See “Pius” on Page 3

4

>> Will you remember SLU

ARTS

Roland Corvington, director of the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, has left Saint Louis University to oversee corporate security for the Edward Jones Dome and America’s Center, according to a statement released by the University. He has been replaced on the interim by Cpt. Christopher Bingham, assistant director of field operations for DPSEP. Bingham’s appointment began on Monday, April 30.

“Professionals like Roland Corvington do not come along every day,” William Kauffman, vice president and general counsel for the University said.

“The SLU community is fortunate to have benefitted from his expertise and leadership. We wish him well as he moves on to Edward Jones.”

“Along with his two years at SLU, Chris Bingham has nearly 20 years experience in the military, law enforcement and campus security.

The University is fortunate

7 SPORTS

>> Checking out Chekov

to have someone with such an extensive background available to step in,” Kauffman said.

Bingham joined the SLU community in 2011 after serving as assistant chief of security at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Ga., where he coordinated an effective police force to provide security to faculty, students and campus visitors. He also assisted with the development and accreditation of the college’s police department and created an emergency action plan for the campus.

Previously he was with Georgia Perimeter College and also served on the Gwinnett County Police Department. He was a member of the U.S. Air Force military police where he was responsible for the security of multi-million dollar aircraft, Air Force members and civilian personnel.

Bingham received his undergraduate degree in business management from Shorter College in Georgia before going on to earn his See “DPSEP” on Page 2

9

>> Baseball goes to NCAA

2 NEWS

May 2, 2013

unewsonline.com

Let Us Introduce You: Ziba Sidrys

Dancer starts blog in hopes of inspiring happiness

By SARAH MALLICK Staff Writer & WOLF HOWARD News Editor

Ziba Sidrys started dancing in middle school as soon as her mom let her.

Since then, dance has been one of her passions.

“My mom danced and my sisters all danced,” Sidrys said. “Dancing is just kind of in our genes. My parents met dancing.”

Sidrys is an international business and communication major. She is also a member of the dance group Phases of Motion and has studied ballet for eight years. Though she hesitates to call herself a dancer, Sidrys likes dancing for fun and enjoys various types of dance, such as hip-hop, ballet and salsa.

“I think it’s one of the most beautiful forms of expression,” Sidrys said.

“It’s hard to find songs that really bring out myself when I’m dancing,” Sidrys said. “You can’t dance without music that moves you.”

She said the comment she hears most often after a performance is that she looks like she truly loves what she’s doing.

And for that reason, Sidrys decided to try to share her passion with others, hoping to inspire them as others have done for her. More than that, she also hoped to help people that were struggling in life, which became deeply personal to her after the death of her sister, Saule. The family maintains concerns that Saule was suffering from depression near the time of her death.

“I made a promise to myself the night I heard the news [of her death] that I was going to figure out what happened to Saule, so I can help others. It awakened something in me and made me wonder how this could happen to someone who was so lively and had such a wonderful life,” Sidrys

THE SLU SCOOP All Information Provided by Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Saturday, April 27

9:39 a.m. - PROPERTY DAMAGE

Officers responded to a report of two subjects on the roof. The roof was checked with negative results.

The door leading to the roof was discovered damaged. This report was forwarded to the DPSEP Investigator.

2:51 a.m. - SUSPICIOUS PERSON

Students reported a suspicious person followed them onto campus.

DPSEP officers responded and located the subject. A REJIS computer check revealed no active warrants. The subject was issued a trespass warning and released.

Monday, April 29

10:00 a.m. - STEALING UNDER $500

A student left several record albums at the radio station during the school year. When he went to retrieve the albums they were missing. This report was forwarded to the DPSEP Investigator.

Tuesday, April 30

1:44 p.m. - DISTURBANCE

A student discovered a new pair of

shoes under her vehicle. The student advised a new pair of shoes placed under a vehicle is bad luck to the owner. This report was forwarded to the DPSEP Investigator.

10:14 a.m. - PROPERTY DAMAGE

DPSEP discovered chalk graffiti on the north side of Clemens Hall, the stairs of Cook Hall and a small planter on the southside of Pius Library.

Be a Responsible Billiken STOP. CALL. REPORT. 314-977-3000 witness.slu.edu dps.slu.edu

DPSEP: Interim director started April 29 Dan Goeddel /Staff Photographer

said, “I felt an urge to help my friends who might be hiding the same anxiety that she was.”

Sidrys started a blog called Sparkle of Faith to try to reach out to people through positivity and encouragement. She believes that providing a safe, open and inviting atmosphere and just having someone listen is essential.

“Sometimes just hearing, ‘I’ve been there’ is more effective than any anti-depressant,” Sidrys said. She admitted that she isn’t sure of the direction her blog will take.

“I don’t know where I’m going or what I’m doing,” Sidrys said. “It’s just doing.”

She wants to help people

her own age become comfortable with themselves and find something to drive them.

Since starting her blog, Sidrys has received messages from people looking for someone to talk to. By speaking with them and encouraging them, Sidrys feels a profound sense of happiness.

“In those situations, I feel so humbled and honored that they opened up to me. By suggesting a good book or what steps to take, I can try to point them in the right direction, and that’s really encouraging no matter what happens with this blog, or what difficulties might be thrown at me,” Sidrys said.

Continued from Page 1

his master’s in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati.

When he first arrived at SLU, Bingham was named as the assistant director of administration, where he was in charge of enforcing policy and procedure, as well as maintaining and issuing equipment, such as uniforms. He was promoted nearly a year later to assistant director of field operations, where he coordinated, supervised and scheduled officers on a dayto-day basis.

Bingham said he was surprised to find out on Friday, April 26, that he would be taking the DPSEP interim director role.

“It was a surprise, and I

think it was because [Corvington] had a tremendous opportunity that was presented to him, and that he just couldn’t say no to,” Bingham said. “With his caliber of expertise and experience, I think it’s an understood decision.”

Bingham compared Corvington’s change of employment to a similar decision he made when he left Georgia to come to SLU. “[Sometimes] it’s time for a change. Change happens; that’s how you better yourself.”

The interim director of DPSEP was effusive in his praise of his officers While the department has undergone several organizational changes, name changes and has moved locations, Bingham said the officers have provided balance to

the department.

“The common denominator, the steady denominator, is the officers, and they are tremendous,” Bingham said. “They are seen on campus, they have great work ethic, they care, and they really care about the job and the students that go here.”

Bingham also was confident in the department’s ability to respond to a lifethreatening situation, such as an on-campus shooter or bomb threat.

“I think people are more aware because of the times we live in,” he said. “We’ve trained … when to shoot at an assailant and … how to chase an active shooter through a building. We are trained for that. We are prepared. I know that for a fact.”

unewsonline.com

MAY 2, 2013

Documentary looks at STL gun violence

By JESSICA WINTER Staff Writer

“Blood Brothers,” a new documentary on gun violence and its underlying causes in St. Louis, premiered at Saint Louis University on Thursday, April 25.

The documentary was commissioned by SLU researcher Sharon Frey and was a collaboration of efforts among herself and her two co-workers, Anene and Jim. It is dedicated to everyone who is affected by gun violence, “at both ends of the barrel.”

In order to allow for a “reflecting point” after each issue on gun violence is presented, the documentary was separated into five DVDs of 30-minute segments--each one addressing a different aspect of gun violence.

Frey says she began this project out of a desire to do something meaningful for the people of St. Louis, “because I am a member of the St. Louis Community, and our community is only as

strong as its weakest parts.” their life backgrounds and The city of St. Louis avexpectations. Other segerages about 130 murders a ments to the documentary year and is usually included include “St. Louis Under in the top 10 youth gunshot the Gun,” “Raising Cains,” death rates in the United “Blue Bloods” and “Bullet States.

Points.”

“Right now, we have Each one provides differtoo many fingers pulling ent perspectives on the istoo many triggers,” Jim sue, from law enforcement Hauschultz, officers, writer and dito social rector of the workdocumeners, to tary, said. ex-ofHauschulfenders tz was inw i t h spired by felony the idea of convicthe film after tions. learning a Frey sad truth at s a i d a school one -Jim Hauschultz that the day. docuInquiring mentary as to why one of the young shows “a violence that students was at school after happens everyday,” and her cousin had been killed expresses “what people at the day before, Hauschultz both ends of the barrel have discovered that it was beto say.” cause she felt “safe and The documentary aims loved” at the school. to understand how and why One of the documentary gun violence is so prevalent segments, “The Children in St. Louis among young of Eden,” focuses solely on males, primarily in their high school teenagers and middle teens. includes interviews about Frey questioned how

“

Right now, we have too many fingers pulling too many triggers.

”

young teens could overcome the “natural reluctance to kill” that most people possess.

“Military people have to learn and be trained how to kill someone. How does a 13-year-old black boy get to that same point? How does he get that training?”

Hauschultz asks.

The underlying cause for this issue, Frey said, lies in the “socioeconomic concerns in certain parts of the city where people are disenfranchised.”

A lack of education, employment opportunities and hope for the future all contribute to this issue of gun violence among our youth.

In creating this documentary, Frey’s goal is to educate people about the issue of gun violence in St. Louis and to help people to understand the root cause of this violence so that meaningful solutions can be established.

Frey hopes to distribute the free documentary to schools, universities, libraries, communities and other areas of St. Louis affected by gun violence.

All of Us Campaign concludes with rally

NEWS

3

Pius: RBIP updates online catalogues Continued from Page 1

increase by 5 percent annually. Considering that rate against the total Pius Library budget of $3 million dollars would mean a pricing increase of $150,000 each year. “[With more money] we would be able to take advantage of multiyear deals and opportunities when they come up,” Gillespie said. Factors other than inflation, such as adding new graduate programs, also increase the price strain on the budget.

Funding for library databases was increased by $500,000 in a midyear adjustment in Fiscal Year ‘13, which followed a $410,000 cut last year. According to David Heimburger, vice president and chief financial officer for SLU, the money was returned to the library, with an increase in the allotment, due to the University receiving more information about the critical nature of the funding in maintaining a strong collection of databases.

“I’m not sure how the decision got made… but during the budget process there was nothing brought to our attention about reestablishing that budget for the libraries,” Heimburger said. He was informed of the cut and its adverse effects after hearing concerns from faculty at the Jan. 29 Faculty Senate meeting.

The CFO stated that the great majority of new spending in Fiscal Year ‘14 went towards moving the law school downtown and to increasing the compensation pool for faculty and staff. This resulted in the denial of nearly all other

new spending requests made across the university.

However, Pius has been working to expand student access to valuable historical information through the Rare Books Inventory Project. The RBIP started in 2004, and the program is intended to place descriptions of all the library’s rare books online. The project focuses on student involvement, with one student a semester working five hours a week to transfer pertinent information – such as the title, author, publication information and pagination – from historical texts to the online database.

This allows students to easily find what the rare books collection has to offer by going through the SLU Libraries website. According to Kate Moriarty, rare book catalogue librarian, 70 percent of the rare inventory has already been catalogued, and they hope to finish the project within the next few years.

“It’s an opportunity for students to learn,” Moriarty said. The RBIP is also a good experience for students interested in language, history and in dealing with primary documents that they wouldn’t receive in the classroom.

The only extra cost for the project is paying Moriarty and her student worker for their time.

Examples of the documents available in the collection are “Considerations on the Modern Opinion of the Fallibility of the Holy See in the Decision of Dogmatical Questions” written by reverend Charles Plowden, or the “Spiritual Exercises” by Saint Ignatius Loyola in various translations.

Delmar: Divide shows challenges facing STL Continued from Page 1

Kristen Miano / Editor in Chief

Bare Naked Statues preformed at the All of Us Campaign Rally, the final event during the week-long All of Us Campaign put on by Rainbow Alliance. The Campaign offers straight allies a chance to put themselves on a poster as a way to show support for the LGBTQIA community at Saint Louis University.

NC: Alternative Gala slated for May 4 Continued from Page 1

to leave.

“Because the Q-and-A session was planned as a dialogue with the student government representatives only... I believe the criticisms of me regarding my participation in the meeting are groundless, as are any suggestions that I should be censured for the events that took place that evening,” Biondi said.

Exline responded to the memo in his executive report on the May 1 SGA meeting due to discrepancies between his understanding of Biondi’s question-and-answer session and Biondi’s memo.

“There was never a point in time when everyone said this meeting would be closed,” Exline said.

Many senators found Biondi’s visit to the Senate unfulfilling and messy.

However, they discussed at length how they might host a better meeting with the president, as he expressed a desire to appear before Senate every semester to have a dialogue with SGA. Senators were hopeful about generating stronger communication in the future.

“I think we need to continue to work and commit to doing what we can to have… respectful candor

Kristen Miano / Editor in Chief

Roughly 50 protestors marched to Cartier Hall on May 1, calling for the removal of Father Biondi. and a dialogue,” Dean of Students Mona Hicks said.

Exline released a statement to the student body following the meeting in which he thanked Biondi for all of his positive contributions, but requested that the Board remove him from his position.

“It is time to bring students, faculty, staff and community together by supporting and directing a change in the presidency of the University,” Exline said.

A “Time for Action” march was held on May 1, with roughly 50 people in

attendance. Students for No Confidence members were handing out orange T-shirts with “SLU for No Confidence” written across the front in black.

Orange has become the official color of the movement, and the protestors decorated the campus with orange ribbons and small flags with “NC” written on them.

University administration responded to the protest with a statement.

“The University feels today’s march was a counterproductive effort that had

nothing to do with moving SLU forward, but instead was just another unwarranted attack on the University and its president by a small group determined to undermine the leadership of Father B,” the statement said.

“It should be noted that the vast majority of the Saint Louis University community did not participate in this staged event. SLU is a community of 20,000 students, faculty and staff, and the overwhelming majority of these individuals are attending classes and doing their jobs today.”

“This is the urban problem, and it has taken its toll.”

The disparity between North St. Louis and other areas of the city, commonly referred to as the “Delmar Divide,” has not gone unnoticed. In March 2012, BBC released a short documentary piece highlighting the division within the city, raising awareness of the issue beyond the limits of St. Louis.

The documentary, which pulled data from a study on urban segregation conducted by the Manhattan Institute, espoused facts such as the extreme difference in housing prices between North and South St. Louis, as well as the sharp divide in the places where certain minority groups live and average yearly income.

Given SLU’s location within the city, it is not easy to ignore the urban problems that exist around campus. The University has, however, fostered initiatives to work with the issues rather than overlook them.

White stated that the School of Public Health has been developing initiatives in North St. Louis to better address the health concerns that often arise in impoverished urban environments. He said that SLU’s strongest asset when dealing with the issues is the student body. “[Students] come here because they believe we will help them become men and women for others,” White said. “The students involved in Alpha Phi Omega and OneWorld magazine, for example, they’re the kinds of students who get it.”

One student group that is working to bridge the gap between SLU and North St. Louis is SLUCORE. Since its formation four years ago,

SLUCORE has partnered with four different service sites in North City at which its members commit to visit once a week for a year. Their sites include Angel Baked Cookies, a bakery that employs high school students, De La Salle Middle School, Northside Community Center and Missionaries of Charity, a site that hosts an after school program.

“While there are many service opportunities on campus, SLUCORE is very intentional about focusing our time, energy and commitment to an often overlooked and misunderstood area of the city,” said Maria Smith, a student coordinator of SLUCORE. “SLUCORE hopes to continue to strengthen our presence on campus and within the North St. Louis community.”

Despite efforts on the part of SLU to address urban poverty, White stated that the University still exhibits some shortcomings.

“We perpetuate this divide by building fences around vacant lots. We tell students in SLU101 not to go past the Fox Theater,’” White said. “We are a Jesuit university, but we don’t talk about the depths to which the problems we see are based in social inequality.”

According to White, the best way to improve SLU’s involvement in the urban community is to begin with an honest conversation about why these problems exist.

“We need to learn that service is best done by listening to what people need as opposed to going in and thinking we know best,” White said. “It will be required for SLU to honor the Jesuit mission, which puts honor into service. We need to create an environment where we can talk about the issues in a real way and provide support to those people who want to make a real change. “

Correction In the April 25 issue of The University News, the photo of roses in the Science section was misattributed to John Schuler. Dan Goeddel was the photographer. The University News regrets this error.

U OPINION

MAY 2, 2013

unewsonline.com

Editorials

Editorials are opinion pieces written by the Editorial Board of The University News.

The editorials printed in this space represent the opinion of The University News.

Commentaries and Letters to the Editor represent the opinions of the signed authors but do not necessarily represent the opinions of The University News.

Letters

to the editor The University News reserves the right not to publish any letters that are deemed intentionally and/or inappropriately inflammatory, more than the 500-word limit or unsigned by the original author. The following are letters and/or website comments. Because the identities of website posters cannot be verified, all website comments should be treated as anonymous. Actual letters to the editor may be submitted online at unewsonline. com or e-mailed to opinion@unewsonline. com. Please include your cellphone number.

Unfairly overlooking big business, despite its benefits

Mike Hogan/ Opinion Editor

Once a Billiken, always a Billiken In a little over two weeks, another class will have completed their education at Saint Louis University.

They’ll wear their funny hats as they walk up on stage and accept their slips of paper, and then they’ll go forth to live their lives in various corners of the globe. And a few months later, a new batch of budding Billikens will arrive to follow in their footsteps.

From the reductive perspective of an outsider, this cycle could seem mechanical, like an assembly line fashioning young minds. The newly credentialed alumni could walk out of Chaifetz and never look back, their transaction with the University completed. They could forget about their experiences here, forget about the struggles over the past year to make SLU the best it can be. But we who have been here cannot distance ourselves from SLU that easily or that callously.

Yes, we paid at the door, and yes, we received a service with an economic value. But SLU has been more than just a business for the thousands of us who’ve studied here, because we did more than just study.

Many of us lived here, laughed here, learned lessons here that no class could encapsulate. We developed relationships with faculty, staff and fellow students that fundamentally changed us, some of which we will maintain to our dying days. We grew as human beings, mentally, physically and spiritually, to an extent that we may never fully comprehend. Even the most jaded graduate has bright memories of great times here at SLU. And ever y single one of us spent several precious years of our youth as a member of the SLU community.

And that is what SLU is: a community. It would be absurd to reduce this University to a corporation dealing out knowledge and housing arrangements. Buying your laptop from Best Buy didn’t alter you as a person.

You didn’t spend four years interacting with the man at the car dealership (hopefully).

Businesses may be governed by the will of a single person—though there’s evidence that such arrangements are often counterproductive. Communities cannot be, especially communities of over 10,000 people

of various needs, backgrounds and interests. This is what the no confidence controversy of the past year has been about: not tenure, not hiring procedures, not business decisions, not even basic professionalism and respect, though those factors are all important.

Fr. Lawrence Biondi, S.J., has transformed this University over the past 25 years, and many of his successes were likely facilitated by his apparently unilateral decision making power. But such a governance structure cannot be the basis for a fair and functional community. Perhaps the error of the SLU community in the past has been its acceptance of the benefits of having an ambitious and influential University president at the cost of the freedom to communally decide the direction of the University. If Fr. Biondi makes poor leadership decisions, as many argue he has already done, the SLU community finds itself with neither the aforementioned benefits nor the freedom to effect change. This is a problem that we cannot simply forget or ignore.

Summer is coming. Seniors are leaving. But they will remain connected to the SLU community, through relationships with the faculty that remain here, through precedents set for the students that follow them and through the reputation of the institution that granted them their degrees. It is important that recent graduates and summer-vacationing students alike remain informed of the situation at SLU. Alumni, in particular, have a lot of power to decide the direction of the University. The alumni network is SLU’s greatest team of recruiters, its most effective Career Ser vices Office and a major source of University funding. Alumni are the largest constituency of the SLU community, and it is they, along with faculty, staff and current students, that truly determine the success of the University.

So stay involved and stay informed. This is our University. This is our community. It is our responsibility to keep it moving in a positive direction. We are always Billikens, no matter how far we are from SLU in time or space.

Our commencement speaker shortlist Saint Louis University’s 2013 commencement ceremony will be held just 16 days from today, and still the commencement speaker remains a myster y. There are a few theories going around campus as to why this might be the case. One holds that graduating students might be under whelmed by the choice of speaker, and so the current silence is a delaying action to prevent a full-blown Billiken rebellion. On the other hand, it could be that the speaker will be someone awesome, and that the administration is building anticipation for the crescendo of this class’ undergraduate career.

Still others point out that, historically, SLU hasn’t announced the speaker until closer to commencement.

In any case, the editorial board of The University News is holding out hope that the speaker will be someone from the following illustrious list: Ryan Lochte – Hey, at least the speech would be short. There’s no way he could come up with enough material for even a 10-minute speech. Moreover, the ceremony is at 9 a.m., so we need a speaker who’s a man in the morning.

Joe Buck – Nothing says St. Louis like the velvety voice of this sports commentar y icon. Buck’s voice is like gooey butter cake. With provel cheese on top.

Ser ved with a Ted Drewes’ concrete on the side. Hopefully SLU can score him to be the speaker.

Pope Francis – After Fr. James Martin, S.J., gave last year’s speech, it would be fitting to continue the tra-

U news

Founded by Claude Heithaus, S.J. Busch Student Center Suite 354 20 N. Grand Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63103

Newsroom: (314) 977-2812 newsroom@unewsonline.com Advertising: (314) 977-2813 advertisng@unewsonline.com unewsonline.com facebook.com/theunews twitter.com/theunews

dition of bringing in famous Jesuits. And who’s more famous than the Vicar of Christ? On Holy Thursday, Francis visited a detention center in Rome to wash the feet of 12 young offenders; surely SLU can offer superior accommodations.

The specter of Barack Obama in a chair, accompanied by Clint Eastwood – After senior week celebrations, the new graduates will likely be a bit tired during commencement. The speaker may feel like he or she is addressing a room full of empty chairs. Mr. Eastwood has relevant experience for this situation.

Manti Te’o’s girlfriend – Speaking of invisible commencement guests, Lennay Kekua seems like a solid choice. It takes real rhetorical skill to convince someone that you exist when, in fact, you do not. SLU students, prepare to fall in love.

Kim Jong-un – The supreme leader of North Korea and the world’s youngest head of state would certainly give an interesting speech. Maybe he can offer some advice on transitioning leadership after the departure of an entrenched dictator. Better check his bags when he comes through customs, though.

So, if one of those six shows up on stage to give our graduation oration, you heard it here first. And if you’re not happy with whoever winds up winding up your college listening career, remember, you can always just assume it’s actually Daniel Day-Lewis in character.

Congrats, graduates!

Despite the common misconception that large businesses only have negative effects on small businesses, they actually do tremendous amounts of good. Creating a large quantity of jobs and selling products at a lower price are only two benefits of many that large businesses have to offer. Large businesses, also known as big-box retail stores, have been able to help a lot of people and families survive.

People must understand the upside of big business before rushing to pass judgment.

Large businesses create a jaw-dropping amount of jobs. The opening of only a handful of Walmart Superstores can create hundreds of jobs. Around 250 jobs are created with each opening of a Walmart, while 200 stores are opened a year. This means that 50,000 jobs would be created per year by Walmart alone. Not knowing much about the topic, critics often make the point that the majority of the jobs are part time. The truth is, nearly 70 percent of the jobs offered are full time. Even though some claim that large businesses are ruthless and cause small businesses to close, the job opportunities they create outweigh that supposed negative effect. Far more jobs are opened up in a large business than are available in a smaller one. Although big companies have a reputation for running smaller ones out of business, they help them stay in business as well.

Large businesses give back to the community.

Helping in whatever ways they can, big businesses are usually open to ideas that benefit the area. Even just helping with the little things, larger companies have provided items and lent vehicles and tools all to help smaller businesses stay alive. It is these types of things that are overlooked by the public. If the whole country worked together to help each other in tough times like this, everyone would benefit immensely.

Giving back to the community and creating thousands of jobs per year are two aspects of big businesses that many people do not realize or appreciate.

Seen in a negative light by many, it is more fitting that they be viewed as benevolent organizations. Big business deserves all the credit it can get because of the high number of benefits it provides society.

-Joey LePak, freshman

“

Quote

of the week

“

-Blake Exline, Student Government Association president

editor-in-chief kristen miano eic@unewsonline.com managing Editor TJ Keeley managing@unewsonline.com News Editor Wolf howard news@unewsonline.com Assoc. News EDITOR DERRICK NEUNER enterprise@unewsonline.com design director brianna radici design@unewsonline.com OPINION EDITOR MICHAEL HOGAN opinion@unewsonline.com

Assoc. sports editor alex kozich sports@unewsonline.com Arts editor Alanah nantell arts@unewsonline.com assoc. arts editor maggie needham arts@unewsonline.com online editor christopher webb webmaster@unewsonline.com multimedia director emily diehl multimedia@unewsonline.com Photography Editor John SCHULER photos@unewsonline.com

copy editor CAITLIN SIMMONDS copy@unewsonline.com

General manager connor berry gm@unewsonline.com

copy editor hallie kaiser copy@unewsonline.com

account executives Rachel Cambell natalie grasso Nick Steinauer

copy editor lizzie bartek copy@unewsonline.com SCIENCE EDITOR GaBRIELE GEERTS science@unewsonline.com Fashion Editor ANNE KEPPLER fashion@unewsonline.com RELIGION EDITOR ADNAN SYED religion@unewsonline.com

”

See Page 3.

2012-13 EDITORIAL BOARD sports editor Tony traina sports@unewsonline.com

”

It is time to bring students, faculty, staff, and community together by supporting and directing a change in the presidency of the University.

advisors laura thomson don highberger advisor@unewsonline.com the editorial board of the university news recognizes avis meyer, ph.d. as the newspaper’s faculty mentor.

“Freedom of the press—print, online and broadcast—is a basic right in a democratic society and is valuable in promoting the development of students as socially responsible persons ...

The University News is a student voice, not the student voice. The views of The University News are the expressions of the students involved ... If [The University News] can represent a point of view around which discussion may develop, it serves a legitimate and needed purpose.”

- From The University News’ Charter The University News is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, the Student Press Law Center, the College Media Advisers and the Missouri College Media Association, a division of the Missouri Press Association.

First copy, free.

Each additional copy, $1.00.

unewsonline.com

MAY 2, 2013

OPINION

5

Bonne Terre students defend Dr. Parker A new plan for SLU

By SLU students at the Bonne Terre campus

An April 11 commentar y in The University News accused Dr. Kenneth Parker of being unforgiving and prone to finger pointing. As participants in Saint Louis University’s college-in-prison program, a ministr y mentioned several times in the commentar y, we are compelled to respond to this characterization of Parker. Our position can be expressed best through description of the example set and lesson taught by Parker at Bonne Terre on redemption, forgiveness and commitment to action.

When a public figure — a star athlete, a politician or a celebrity — falls into disgrace and later recovers his or her public image, the expression, “He has redeemed himself,” is often applied. Self-redemption is not an option for the prison inmate. Parker recognizes this. It requires not only the forgiveness of others but a willingness by others to spend time, money and effort to bring about necessar y changes.

The application process for the college-in-prison program called for writing several essays. While not prompted explicitly, the wording of the ques-

tions offered the applicant stop oppressing the poor an opportunity to write on and powerless — to be just his desire for change and or face the consequences. growth — an expression A study of Nineveh’s reof repentance. Willingness sponse to Jonah’s warnto invest in the prisoner reing, Sodom’s response to quired repentance on the Lot’s pleas, and the two part of the inmate. ver y different outcomes This principle surfaced will confirm this lesson. in the five theology classes The humble and repentant of the initial certificate prowill meet with grace; othgram. “Jesus said, ‘Thus it ers meet wrath. is written that the Christ The commentar y atshould suftacking fer and P a r k e r rise again stressed from the that he was We are convinced of quick to asdead on the third day; Parker’s humility, confi- sign blame. and the reThis rep e n t a n c e dent in his commitment s p o n s e for forgive- to justice and witness to would place ness of sins greater emshould be his forgiving spirit. phasis on proclaimed his “comin His name mitment to all the to being nations…’” part of the ( L u k e solution.”

24:46, 47 New American When Parker introduced Standard Bible). himself here in 2008 and A puzzling portion of described the genesis of the commentar y likened the prison ministr y, he Parker to a self-proclaimed did indeed explain the poprophet ignoring the biblilitical climate of the 1990s cal principles of justice and mention the specific and forgiveness. Parker’s legislators that worked to assignment of and teachend government funding ing on the book of Amos of higher education in U.S. to his students at Bonne prisons. That’s part of the Terre made clear his unstor y. But 98 percent of derstanding of the link behis words were devoted to tween justice, repentance the efforts he and others and forgiveness.

God made in recruiting people called for authorities to and soliciting organiza-

“

”

tions willing to contribute the time, treasure and work required to make the prison ministr y possible.

He saw the lack of on-site higher education in prison as a problem and set out to solve the problem. Parker was also quick to give credit to the many parties involved — with special emphasis on the critical support of Fr. Lawrence Biondi, S.J. While it is our belief that no one has worked harder to develop and maintain the prison ministr y, we know no one is more grateful to those who have contributed than Parker. We are grateful to him and to all who have answered his call.

We at Bonne Terre are not in a position to judge whether or not grievances have been addressed or justice ser ved on the main campus. We are convinced of Parker’s humility, confident in his commitment to justice and witness to his forgiving spirit. In short, we believe he embodies the mission and spirit of Saint Louis University. We are proud to have Parker represent us on the SLU campus, around the state and throughout the nation.

It is our hope that others who love Saint Louis University share the same pride in having such a representative.

Contradictions of college life as semester ends When it gets to this time of year, students may begin to feel conflicted.

Although finals are upon us and we can only hope that w e ’ v e d o n e enough to prepare for Maeve Donahue them (or at least have done enough to convince ourselves we’re prepared for them) it’s hard not to look for ward to the excitement of summer. At the same time, however, it’s sad to rush through and count down the last couple of days of another year in college.

It’s even scarier to realize that with ever y summer, we are closer and closer to graduation.

While there may be quite a few seniors who are ready to be out in the real world, there seem to be plenty who would be happy staying in college for a few more semesters.

While it’s exciting to be out on our own, it’s extremely scar y at the same time. Contradictions like these seem to come up more often than not these days. While living in our

own apartments is excitis all about, but then we ing, paying our own bills is have to remember to stop definitely not. While gradand actually learn what we uating college and getting came here to study. We a real-life job is thrilling, won’t get far if we don’t. leaving college and actuSophomore year is all ally having a day-to-day about coming back with life schedule is not. Furthe confidence that can thermore, while ending fionly be held by students nals and going on summer who aren’t freshmen anyvacation is relaxing, being more. We return to school away from with the friends and comfort of closer to knowing summer We can take chances who will be jobs and waiting for parents is and be open to new ex- us, but we not. There periences, but we also also have seems to to be open be a pattern must be ready to dedi- to changes here. cate and fully give our- that come W i t h along with life comes selves to our future en- the second new op- deavors. year of colpor tunities lege. and advenA s tures, but s o p h o don’t forget mores and about the challenges that juniors, we are given the accompany them. It’s all opportunity to further our about give and take. We life experiences and study can take chances and be abroad. The transformaopen to new experiences, tion we experience while but we also must be ready we’re abroad is a contrato dedicate and fully give diction in itself. ourselves to our future enWe leave the countr y as deavors.

19 and 20 year olds, and This give and take can while we’re away we bebe applied to life before the come experienced world real world and career life, travelers, only to return to as well. As freshmen, we SLU with nothing to show experience new things evfor it. The growing up er y day, meet new people that occurs from studying and “learn” what college abroad is unlike many oth-

“

”

er learning experiences. It is something that changes us under the surface both emotionally and mentally— a concept that cannot be understood by ever yone. We learn things that a college professor could never teach.

Junior and senior year may bring with them internships and job opportunities, and we finally have the chance to show the dedication and work ethic we’ve learned throughout the years.

Finally, senior year is the beginning of an end… to another beginning. We look back at our four years and prepare ourselves for what the future holds.

For all of us non-seniors out there, this summer is just another break for us before we resume our roles as college students once again. We are given time to break away, make changes and come back refreshed for a school year of new beginnings.

While we find ourselves in the middle of this give and take contradiction, we can either choose to look back with longing at another year that went by faster than we could have imagined, or we can look for ward to the adventures that the summer and next year will bring.

On April 17, the first grass-roots planning session for a new Strategic Plan was h e l d .

Only 23 people were able to make it, but we had students, staff, administraSteve Harris tors and f a c u l t y, and there were representatives from highly divergent viewpoints. And we generated some ideas.

None of our suggestions are decisions; they are just the beginnings of a discussion. What is important is that we have begun that discussion. For that is how we shall mold our future: by generating from the bottom up, the ideas that will drive us onward.

We had many topics we thought to talk about, but we grouped them under four headings: process (as in governance), mission (broadly understood), people and finance.

For process, we had these thoughts: The current governance structures have enabled an overlordship by the President, which has long caused dissension and now threatens the ver y stability of the University; we need stronger structures, such as representative bodies for faculty, students, staff and alumni. Yes, we already have the Faculty Senate, the Student Government Association, the Graduate Student Association and the Staff Advisor y Committee (SAC); but the SAC is sadly unrepresentative, and the alumni have nothing. Then from these we could form a University Parliament, which would meet several times a year. There, the different constituencies could speak to one another. The President could be obliged to appear before the Parliament, to answer questions and explain policy. Trustees could be chosen from these bodies – this is done in some universities. All of this would require a new University charter, but we must think in bold strokes if we are to change our mode of proceeding.

For mission, we highlighted the Jesuit mission and academics: teaching and research. There is great interplay among these. The core curriculum feeds into the Jesuit mission and is informed by it, and teaching and research aid one another. To highlight the importance of academics, we should revive the office of Provost, a post above other vice presidents. We need to examine carefully our use of part-time adjunct faculty. A University Research Council, staffed by faculty, could ser ve

as a focus for advocating the research needs of the faculty, in terms of the libraries, laborator y space, administrative support for grants and the like.

For people, we saw a cr ying need to see to the staff, who frequently are unable to voice their issues for fear of endangering their jobs. Human resources benefits sometimes badly ser ve the staff, and there is concern over the outsourcing of benefits to The Vitality Group, which is often arbitrar y and demeaning. Part-time adjunct faculty have poor connections with the rest of the faculty and are denied faculty development opportunities.

Communication needs to be improved, including between trustees and the rest of the University community; having trustees elected from among students, faculty, staff and alumni could aid in that.

For finance, we saw great needs for transparency, accountability and the spread of information.

The American Association of University Professors’ “Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities” calls for a voice from the faculty in shaping the University budget, including the balance between operating and capital budgets. Without a sharing of information on what the capital budget is, there can be no such voice. The President’s Opportunity Fund looms particularly large in this picture—of unknown tens of millions of dollars, unspecified provenance and unchecked expenditure, it is the great myster y sitting over all University budget discussions that take place outside of the President’s office. Finally, perhaps most important of all, is the desperate need for a bicentennial campaign to inaugurate our third centur y. We should campaign for funds for capital purposes, academic scholarship, research and strengthening the endowment. The campus is ready to lend a hand to such an auspicious undertaking— if we have new leadership to point the way.

A few more details in our deliberations can be seen at the SLU AAUP website: https://sites. google.com/a/slu.edu/ aaup-slu-interim/not-sosecret-strategic-planningsession-april-17.

This is just the product of a couple hours of deliberation by a couple dozen people. Nothing here is decided—but the game has now begun, and we must carr y it for ward. Where shall the next planning session be—the medical campus? And when—maybe the last week of April?

Now is the time to start planning for the University we want to be!

Quit criticizing ‘text speak’ and take on the language of oppression, k?

Let us begin with a quote from the great British actor and writer Stephen Fr y: “Hold the n e w s reader’s n o s e squarely, waiter, or friendly milk will counterm a n d my trouNoah Berman sers.” A nonsense sentence. A sequence of words set together for comic effect, perhaps, or a subject line on a particularly surreal spam email.

Fr y continues: “Perfectly ordinar y words, but never before put in that precise order. A unique child delivered of a unique mother.” These lines come from a short skit entitled “Tricky Linguistics,” and it’s a hilarious (as well as passionate) piece about the language we use. Simply put: English changes, and that’s a good thing.

One does not have to go far to track down a person bemoaning such changes to the English language.

Someone I know - name omitted to protect the pedantic - recently posted on the Internet a rant regarding the proper use of “who” and “whom,” suggesting that perhaps in this modern age we might be better off forgetting the rules of grammar altogether, since “clearly nobody’s following them.”

It’s interesting that people often accuse “the modern age” of being at fault when language rules are ignored, changed or updated. There’s nothing all that surprising about the way we communicate changing as the systems we use to do so also change.

Still, these systems are accused as though they were spreaders of a disease.

Across the English-speaking world, men and women sit in bars and coffee shops and grumble about how the language of the future

is ruining the discourse of the past.

This is, of course, a total lie; we’ve used acronyms to communicate quickly and clearly since at least the 1600s, when the first few uses of “IOU” crop up in written records. The blog “Letters of Note” posted a letter sent to Winston Churchill in 1917, in which the first recorded use of “O.M.G.” (helpfully defined in the letter as “Oh! My God!”) appears. “LOL” has been recognized by the Oxford English Dictionar y - in the process of doing so, they uncovered evidence that it was first used in the 1960s as an acronym for “little old lady.” Such a “LOL” might have once experienced a pre-digital form of the text acronym: in the 1940s, soldiers writing to their girlfriends at home (and vice-versa) would write “S.W.A.L.K.” or “sealed with a loving kiss” on letters sent back and forth. These acronyms

could get wonderfully suggestive – for an excellent afternoon’s entertainment, ask your grandparents, or parents, if they have ever sent a letter with “Burma” or “China” written on the back. Better yet, ask them what that meant.

Speaking of meaning, we’ve managed to turn acronyms into “real” words: you could use radar to locate a laser. If that doesn’t sound like fun, you can go scuba diving and find your way around using sonar. The mere use of acronyms is not indicative of a permanent “dumbing down” of language. On a larger scale, such shifts in language do not indicate a reduction in our ability to communicate. The opposite is true: These changes give us new ways to express ourselves that build on (but do not necessarily destroy) old techniques, old words, old ways of speaking.

These changes should not be vilified; they should

be welcomed, understood, processed into our daily speech. You might not use “LOL” in a face-to-face conversation (where you can actually laugh out loud) or open a cover letter with, “I’m writing 2 u abt a job,” but just like all the various ways we express ourselves, there’s a time and a place for ever ything.

Still, do not despair, wannabe-defenders-oflanguage. There’s still a shiny, bright red target to aim for, if you accept the delights of Internet-speak and other new forms of communication. I suggest this: Take on the language of oppression. If there’s anything that ought to be edited out of daily use – in all languages, not just English – it is language of sexism, racism, classicism, homophobia, bigotr y, hatred. Language is a beautiful thing. Why make it ugly with these sorts of words, words that do nothing more than keep our fellow speakers and

writers down? This is not to say that censorship is the superior option to pedantr y, not at all. We must remember and recognize our linguistic evils. All I ask is that instead of focusing on a change of syntax, we work to modify our semantics. Our language – written, spoken, texted, emailed, chatted – will be all the richer.

Given the huge number of things it is possible to say with the words we already have available to us, it is wonderful when we are able to say yet more things, when we are given new ways to express the mundane parts of life, to communicate quickly an idea or emotion. Internetspeak, at its ver y best, allows us to enhance the things we say to each other, time after wear y time, and get on to the good stuff. Surely this is, to borrow from Mr. Fr y one last time, “a thought to take out for a cream tea on a rainy Sunday afternoon.”

unewsonline.com

MAY 2, 2013

OPINION

5

Bonne Terre students defend Dr. Parker A new plan for SLU

By SLU students at the Bonne Terre campus

An April 11 commentar y in The University News accused Dr. Kenneth Parker of being unforgiving and prone to finger pointing. As participants in Saint Louis University’s college-in-prison program, a ministr y mentioned several times in the commentar y, we are compelled to respond to this characterization of Parker. Our position can be expressed best through description of the example set and lesson taught by Parker at Bonne Terre on redemption, forgiveness and commitment to action.

When a public figure — a star athlete, a politician or a celebrity — falls into disgrace and later recovers his or her public image, the expression, “He has redeemed himself,” is often applied. Self-redemption is not an option for the prison inmate. Parker recognizes this. It requires not only the forgiveness of others but a willingness by others to spend time, money and effort to bring about necessar y changes.

The application process for the college-in-prison program called for writing several essays. While not prompted explicitly, the wording of the ques-

tions offered the applicant stop oppressing the poor an opportunity to write on and powerless — to be just his desire for change and or face the consequences. growth — an expression A study of Nineveh’s reof repentance. Willingness sponse to Jonah’s warnto invest in the prisoner reing, Sodom’s response to quired repentance on the Lot’s pleas, and the two part of the inmate. ver y different outcomes This principle surfaced will confirm this lesson. in the five theology classes The humble and repentant of the initial certificate prowill meet with grace; othgram. “Jesus said, ‘Thus it ers meet wrath. is written that the Christ The commentar y atshould suftacking fer and P a r k e r rise again stressed from the that he was We are convinced of quick to asdead on the third day; Parker’s humility, confi- sign blame. and the reThis rep e n t a n c e dent in his commitment s p o n s e for forgive- to justice and witness to would place ness of sins greater emshould be his forgiving spirit. phasis on proclaimed his “comin His name mitment to all the to being nations…’” part of the ( L u k e solution.”

24:46, 47 New American When Parker introduced Standard Bible). himself here in 2008 and A puzzling portion of described the genesis of the commentar y likened the prison ministr y, he Parker to a self-proclaimed did indeed explain the poprophet ignoring the biblilitical climate of the 1990s cal principles of justice and mention the specific and forgiveness. Parker’s legislators that worked to assignment of and teachend government funding ing on the book of Amos of higher education in U.S. to his students at Bonne prisons. That’s part of the Terre made clear his unstor y. But 98 percent of derstanding of the link behis words were devoted to tween justice, repentance the efforts he and others and forgiveness.

God made in recruiting people called for authorities to and soliciting organiza-

“

”

tions willing to contribute the time, treasure and work required to make the prison ministr y possible.

He saw the lack of on-site higher education in prison as a problem and set out to solve the problem. Parker was also quick to give credit to the many parties involved — with special emphasis on the critical support of Fr. Lawrence Biondi, S.J. While it is our belief that no one has worked harder to develop and maintain the prison ministr y, we know no one is more grateful to those who have contributed than Parker. We are grateful to him and to all who have answered his call.

We at Bonne Terre are not in a position to judge whether or not grievances have been addressed or justice ser ved on the main campus. We are convinced of Parker’s humility, confident in his commitment to justice and witness to his forgiving spirit. In short, we believe he embodies the mission and spirit of Saint Louis University. We are proud to have Parker represent us on the SLU campus, around the state and throughout the nation.

It is our hope that others who love Saint Louis University share the same pride in having such a representative.

Contradictions of college life as semester ends When it gets to this time of year, students may begin to feel conflicted.

Although finals are upon us and we can only hope that w e ’ v e d o n e enough to prepare for Maeve Donahue them (or at least have done enough to convince ourselves we’re prepared for them) it’s hard not to look for ward to the excitement of summer. At the same time, however, it’s sad to rush through and count down the last couple of days of another year in college.

It’s even scarier to realize that with ever y summer, we are closer and closer to graduation.

While there may be quite a few seniors who are ready to be out in the real world, there seem to be plenty who would be happy staying in college for a few more semesters.

While it’s exciting to be out on our own, it’s extremely scar y at the same time. Contradictions like these seem to come up more often than not these days. While living in our

own apartments is excitis all about, but then we ing, paying our own bills is have to remember to stop definitely not. While gradand actually learn what we uating college and getting came here to study. We a real-life job is thrilling, won’t get far if we don’t. leaving college and actuSophomore year is all ally having a day-to-day about coming back with life schedule is not. Furthe confidence that can thermore, while ending fionly be held by students nals and going on summer who aren’t freshmen anyvacation is relaxing, being more. We return to school away from with the friends and comfort of closer to knowing summer We can take chances who will be jobs and waiting for parents is and be open to new ex- us, but we not. There periences, but we also also have seems to to be open be a pattern must be ready to dedi- to changes here. cate and fully give our- that come W i t h along with life comes selves to our future en- the second new op- deavors. year of colpor tunities lege. and advenA s tures, but s o p h o don’t forget mores and about the challenges that juniors, we are given the accompany them. It’s all opportunity to further our about give and take. We life experiences and study can take chances and be abroad. The transformaopen to new experiences, tion we experience while but we also must be ready we’re abroad is a contrato dedicate and fully give diction in itself. ourselves to our future enWe leave the countr y as deavors.

19 and 20 year olds, and This give and take can while we’re away we bebe applied to life before the come experienced world real world and career life, travelers, only to return to as well. As freshmen, we SLU with nothing to show experience new things evfor it. The growing up er y day, meet new people that occurs from studying and “learn” what college abroad is unlike many oth-

“

”

er learning experiences. It is something that changes us under the surface both emotionally and mentally— a concept that cannot be understood by ever yone. We learn things that a college professor could never teach.

Junior and senior year may bring with them internships and job opportunities, and we finally have the chance to show the dedication and work ethic we’ve learned throughout the years.

Finally, senior year is the beginning of an end… to another beginning. We look back at our four years and prepare ourselves for what the future holds.

For all of us non-seniors out there, this summer is just another break for us before we resume our roles as college students once again. We are given time to break away, make changes and come back refreshed for a school year of new beginnings.

While we find ourselves in the middle of this give and take contradiction, we can either choose to look back with longing at another year that went by faster than we could have imagined, or we can look for ward to the adventures that the summer and next year will bring.

On April 17, the first grass-roots planning session for a new Strategic Plan was h e l d .

Only 23 people were able to make it, but we had students, staff, administraSteve Harris tors and f a c u l t y, and there were representatives from highly divergent viewpoints. And we generated some ideas.

None of our suggestions are decisions; they are just the beginnings of a discussion. What is important is that we have begun that discussion. For that is how we shall mold our future: by generating from the bottom up, the ideas that will drive us onward.

We had many topics we thought to talk about, but we grouped them under four headings: process (as in governance), mission (broadly understood), people and finance.

For process, we had these thoughts: The current governance structures have enabled an overlordship by the President, which has long caused dissension and now threatens the ver y stability of the University; we need stronger structures, such as representative bodies for faculty, students, staff and alumni. Yes, we already have the Faculty Senate, the Student Government Association, the Graduate Student Association and the Staff Advisor y Committee (SAC); but the SAC is sadly unrepresentative, and the alumni have nothing. Then from these we could form a University Parliament, which would meet several times a year. There, the different constituencies could speak to one another. The President could be obliged to appear before the Parliament, to answer questions and explain policy. Trustees could be chosen from these bodies – this is done in some universities. All of this would require a new University charter, but we must think in bold strokes if we are to change our mode of proceeding.

For mission, we highlighted the Jesuit mission and academics: teaching and research. There is great interplay among these. The core curriculum feeds into the Jesuit mission and is informed by it, and teaching and research aid one another. To highlight the importance of academics, we should revive the office of Provost, a post above other vice presidents. We need to examine carefully our use of part-time adjunct faculty. A University Research Council, staffed by faculty, could ser ve

as a focus for advocating the research needs of the faculty, in terms of the libraries, laborator y space, administrative support for grants and the like.

For people, we saw a cr ying need to see to the staff, who frequently are unable to voice their issues for fear of endangering their jobs. Human resources benefits sometimes badly ser ve the staff, and there is concern over the outsourcing of benefits to The Vitality Group, which is often arbitrar y and demeaning. Part-time adjunct faculty have poor connections with the rest of the faculty and are denied faculty development opportunities.

Communication needs to be improved, including between trustees and the rest of the University community; having trustees elected from among students, faculty, staff and alumni could aid in that.

For finance, we saw great needs for transparency, accountability and the spread of information.

The American Association of University Professors’ “Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities” calls for a voice from the faculty in shaping the University budget, including the balance between operating and capital budgets. Without a sharing of information on what the capital budget is, there can be no such voice. The President’s Opportunity Fund looms particularly large in this picture—of unknown tens of millions of dollars, unspecified provenance and unchecked expenditure, it is the great myster y sitting over all University budget discussions that take place outside of the President’s office. Finally, perhaps most important of all, is the desperate need for a bicentennial campaign to inaugurate our third centur y. We should campaign for funds for capital purposes, academic scholarship, research and strengthening the endowment. The campus is ready to lend a hand to such an auspicious undertaking— if we have new leadership to point the way.

A few more details in our deliberations can be seen at the SLU AAUP website: https://sites. google.com/a/slu.edu/ aaup-slu-interim/not-sosecret-strategic-planningsession-april-17.

This is just the product of a couple hours of deliberation by a couple dozen people. Nothing here is decided—but the game has now begun, and we must carr y it for ward. Where shall the next planning session be—the medical campus? And when—maybe the last week of April?

Now is the time to start planning for the University we want to be!

Quit criticizing ‘text speak’ and take on the language of oppression, k?

Let us begin with a quote from the great British actor and writer Stephen Fr y: “Hold the n e w s reader’s n o s e squarely, waiter, or friendly milk will counterm a n d my trouNoah Berman sers.” A nonsense sentence. A sequence of words set together for comic effect, perhaps, or a subject line on a particularly surreal spam email.

Fr y continues: “Perfectly ordinar y words, but never before put in that precise order. A unique child delivered of a unique mother.” These lines come from a short skit entitled “Tricky Linguistics,” and it’s a hilarious (as well as passionate) piece about the language we use. Simply put: English changes, and that’s a good thing.

One does not have to go far to track down a person bemoaning such changes to the English language.

Someone I know - name omitted to protect the pedantic - recently posted on the Internet a rant regarding the proper use of “who” and “whom,” suggesting that perhaps in this modern age we might be better off forgetting the rules of grammar altogether, since “clearly nobody’s following them.”

It’s interesting that people often accuse “the modern age” of being at fault when language rules are ignored, changed or updated. There’s nothing all that surprising about the way we communicate changing as the systems we use to do so also change.

Still, these systems are accused as though they were spreaders of a disease.

Across the English-speaking world, men and women sit in bars and coffee shops and grumble about how the language of the future

is ruining the discourse of the past.

This is, of course, a total lie; we’ve used acronyms to communicate quickly and clearly since at least the 1600s, when the first few uses of “IOU” crop up in written records. The blog “Letters of Note” posted a letter sent to Winston Churchill in 1917, in which the first recorded use of “O.M.G.” (helpfully defined in the letter as “Oh! My God!”) appears. “LOL” has been recognized by the Oxford English Dictionar y - in the process of doing so, they uncovered evidence that it was first used in the 1960s as an acronym for “little old lady.” Such a “LOL” might have once experienced a pre-digital form of the text acronym: in the 1940s, soldiers writing to their girlfriends at home (and vice-versa) would write “S.W.A.L.K.” or “sealed with a loving kiss” on letters sent back and forth. These acronyms

could get wonderfully suggestive – for an excellent afternoon’s entertainment, ask your grandparents, or parents, if they have ever sent a letter with “Burma” or “China” written on the back. Better yet, ask them what that meant.

Speaking of meaning, we’ve managed to turn acronyms into “real” words: you could use radar to locate a laser. If that doesn’t sound like fun, you can go scuba diving and find your way around using sonar. The mere use of acronyms is not indicative of a permanent “dumbing down” of language. On a larger scale, such shifts in language do not indicate a reduction in our ability to communicate. The opposite is true: These changes give us new ways to express ourselves that build on (but do not necessarily destroy) old techniques, old words, old ways of speaking.

These changes should not be vilified; they should

be welcomed, understood, processed into our daily speech. You might not use “LOL” in a face-to-face conversation (where you can actually laugh out loud) or open a cover letter with, “I’m writing 2 u abt a job,” but just like all the various ways we express ourselves, there’s a time and a place for ever ything.

Still, do not despair, wannabe-defenders-oflanguage. There’s still a shiny, bright red target to aim for, if you accept the delights of Internet-speak and other new forms of communication. I suggest this: Take on the language of oppression. If there’s anything that ought to be edited out of daily use – in all languages, not just English – it is language of sexism, racism, classicism, homophobia, bigotr y, hatred. Language is a beautiful thing. Why make it ugly with these sorts of words, words that do nothing more than keep our fellow speakers and

writers down? This is not to say that censorship is the superior option to pedantr y, not at all. We must remember and recognize our linguistic evils. All I ask is that instead of focusing on a change of syntax, we work to modify our semantics. Our language – written, spoken, texted, emailed, chatted – will be all the richer.

Given the huge number of things it is possible to say with the words we already have available to us, it is wonderful when we are able to say yet more things, when we are given new ways to express the mundane parts of life, to communicate quickly an idea or emotion. Internetspeak, at its ver y best, allows us to enhance the things we say to each other, time after wear y time, and get on to the good stuff. Surely this is, to borrow from Mr. Fr y one last time, “a thought to take out for a cream tea on a rainy Sunday afternoon.”

6 GAMES

unewsonline.com

MAY 2, 2013

U ARTS

Music

Bare Naked Statues May 4 Wool Ballroom 7 p.m. $5

Doug Benson

May 4 The Firebird 8 and 11 p.m. $20

Theatre Million Dollar Quartet

Until May 5 Fox Theatre Tues-Sat: 8 p.m., SatSun: 2 p.m., Sun: 7:30 p.m. from $15

Three Sisters May 2-5 SLU’s Xavier Theatre Fri-Sat: 8 p.m., Sun: 2 p.m. general admission $10, student stickets $7

Other St. Louis Storytelling May 4 Touhill Performing Arts Center 7:30 p.m. $10 ($7 student tickets)

Free Comic Book Day May 4 Star Clipper 10 a.m-7 p.m. free

Ammie Rubin: Another World Until May 12 Delmar Loop Charak Gallery Tues-Thurs: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri-Sat: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun: 11 am.-5 p.m. free

The River Between Us Exhibit Until August 25 Laumeier Sculpture Park 8 a.m.-30 minutes after sunset free

unewsonline.com

MAY 2, 2013

“Three Sisters” is brought to life A family affair: SLU theatre performs Chekhov’s 1901 piece

By EMILY DRENVOSKY Staff Writer

Yearning to return to a beloved hometown, working through family antics and self-discovery--such themes characterize nearly every college student at one time or another. As the end of the school year imminently approaches, all these feelings and experiences are summed up into one dynamic play. “Three Sisters” brings to life the relatable struggles and triumphs faced as one dreams for the future.

The Saint Louis University Fine and Performing Arts Department brings the Russian masterpiece to Xavier Hall this weekend.

Directed by Tom Martin, the play was originally written by Russian author and playwright, Anton Chekhov, in 1900.

“Three Sisters” tells the story of the Sergeevna sisters in their longing to find fulfillment in their hometown of Moscow. Set in provincial Russia, the play chronicles the quests for happiness of discouraged school teacher, Olga, unhappily married, Masha, and the young and hopeful, Irina.

As the role of Natasha, the sister-in-law of the Sergeevna sisters, junior Caroline Kwan describes the story as, “one that shows a family struggling to escape the life they have been living for so long and return to what they consider true happiness. I feel that this is something a lot of people could relate to: that deep longing for a different life and not being able to change anything about it.”

Audiences follow the sisters as they seek a cure for their unhappiness and encounter other characters embodying the human condition in all stages of life.

Audience can expect a truly professional performance from the fully dedicated student actors.

Photos by John Lamb / SLU Theatre

Sophomore Taylor Steward, senior Katy Adkins, and sophomore Liz Meinders star as the title “three sisters” in SLU’s production.

Kwan describes her role as, “ by far been one of the more difficult characters I have played, yet also one of the most rewarding experiences.”

Ultimately, just like college students rounding

off the school year, the Sergeevna sisters seek to discover themselves and restore a sense of hope for their present and future.

Sophomore Liz Meinders portrays the idealistic youngest sister, Irina.

She states, “‘Three Sisters’ was an incredible show to be in and I think anyone who sees it will love it. It really does capture life: a little funny, full of love stories, even more devastating and ironically hopeful.”

“Three Sisters” will be performed in the Saint Louis University Theatre in Xavier Hall on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 at 8 p.m. as well as a final matinee show on Sunday, May 5t at 2 p.m.

Art students display their work Malick’s ‘Wonder’ is a hit

By MAGGIE NEEDHAM Associate Arts Editor

On Friday, April 26, the McNamee Gallery at the Samuel Cupples House kicked off the second Saint Louis University’s Student Exhibition.

The student exhibition displays work by students from all areas of studio art, including ceramics, computer art, graphic design, painting and more. Students enrolled in courses in the Studio Art Program are eligible to be in a show at the end of each semester, with the spring show being more selective than the fall. The spring show is also geared toward highlighting the work of senior students who will be graduating, whereas the fall show focuses on the work of 200-level courses.

Amy Bautz, a professor of studio art, emphasizes the importance of displaying work for art students.

“Exhibiting is an integral part of the art-making process, and this opportunity is a vital part of the studio art curriculum,” she said.

One senior whose work is displayed at the exhibition is Fallon Lott.

“To be accepted into the show is a real honor,” she said. “To have my hard work out there on display where everyone can see it...

Well it’s an addiction, to be honest.”

However, she says that the most rewarding part of SLU’s student shows is the community.

“The best part of school shows is seeing what my peers have infested their time into,” Lott said. “We all have such different styles, yet everything is so well done.”

“It’s really nice,” senior Debra Reilly, a double ma-

Maggie Needham / Assocaite Arts Ediroe

Senior Art major Debra Reilly’s painting “Livane.” jor in English and studio art, agrees. “You get to share the work you’ve created in class with a larger community.”

Reilly had three pieces displayed in the show this semester, one of which was a painting of her twin sister Diane Reilly entitled “Livane.” “It’s great to get to share my artwork with my twin,” she added.

Bautz adds that the exhibition is important even for those students not involved in studio art at SLU. “We hope that other Saint Louis University students who come to the student exhibit have their horizons expanded in a few

different ways,” Bautz said.

“Our students have a broad range of ideas and opinions, which are reflected in their engaging artwork.”

Studio art professor Sharron Pollack adds that “Students might see work that will challenge or intrigue them and the work may expose them to different ways of seeing the world.”

The McNamee Gallery is located in the lower level of the Samuel Cupples House and is open Wednesday-Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. The show will be running until May 10 and is free of charge.

For fans of art-house theatre fare, the release of a new Terrence Malick film is an event u n t o itself, much a k i n to the excitem e n t t h a t s t i r s T.J. Keeley whene v e r Thomas Pynchon publishes a new novel. What the two artists have in common — in addition to a very slow output and a reputation for reclusiveness — is an unbridled vision and unmistakable uniqueness.

So it is odd that Malick’s newest film “To the Wonder” opened with little fanfare, especially considering it is headlined by Ben Affleck, Rachael McAdams and Javier Bardem. “To the Wonder” opened in limited release and is available for rent on iTunes.

The plot can be stated simply, and completely, as this: A man (Affleck) falls in love with a European woman (Olga Kurylenko).

They whisper. She twirls.

Then, he falls in love with an American woman (McAdams). They whisper.

She twirls. There is a priest (Bardem). He is lonely. He broods.

And that’s pretty much it.

But the whole thing is utterly breath taking. Like the rest of Malick’s films, “To the Wonder” was shot almost exclusively at “magic hour,” casting long shadows and giving everything just the right glow that only be achieved at sunrise and sunset. As with his last film, 2011’s “The Tree of Life,” Malick enlists the help of cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (cameraman on “Children of Men” and “Harry Potter and the

Prisoner of Azkaban”). Lubezki and Malick have established a set of “rules” for shooting their films, among them are no unnatural light, no pull focus, and a gliding and swooping camera.

As a result, a Malick film is immediately recognizable even when glancing upon a few frames. Mr. Malick is the very definition of an auteur filmmaker, and his style lends itself to copycats and parodies. Long takes of nature. Water trickling. The camera panning up at trees.

There is a deeply romantic and spiritual essence to Malick’s films, and it is on beautiful display in this film.

But what is curiously missing from this latest effort is emotional affectiveness of his previous work.

Instead, “To the Wonder” looks like it might have been culled from the reject shots off the cutting room floor during “The Tree of Life.” The latter film, Malick’s undeniable opus, stands among the most visionary and deeply personal American films ever made. By my estimation, it is one of the best.

And so “To the Wonder” feels like a beautiful letdown, a gorgeous failure, a well-intentioned misfire.

I cannot recommend it to anyone who is not a devoted follower of Malick or to anyone who is not intrigued by the idea of watching the “Planet Earth” series while a woman whispers “What is this love that loves us?” in French.

“To the Wonder” feels rushed, and I wonder if the film wanders because of its hasty production. Malick usually takes several years, sometimes decades, between films. “To the Wonder” came only one year after “The Tree of Life.” The director claims to “find” his films in the editing room. I think this one is still there.

unewsonline.com

8 ARTS

MAY 2, 2013

Summer reading made easy Staff writer Ashley Locher gives her best recommendations for summer reads. Now all you need is a shady place to kick back and relax with these stories.

THE GLASS CASTLE BY: JEANNETTE WALLS

BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA BY: DOROTHY ALLISON

INTO THE WILD BY: JON KRAKAUER Some would call him a troubled youth, others might say he was a free spirit.

Shortly after graduating from Emory University, Christopher McCandless ceased communication with his family and disappeared into the wild. This non-fiction recount of an extraordinary young man can also be seen in Paramount’s 2007 flick by the same name.

Growing up in a nomadic fashion with parents whose nonconformist way of life was often a point of tension, Jeannette Walls’ memoir recounts her unconventional childhood. “The Glass Castle” reflects the effect of poverty and chaos on strained family ties and Walls’ rise to success as an editor, journalist and writer.

The Casual Vacancy BY: J.K. ROWLING

Bone, a young girl growing up in 1950s South Carolina, experiences abandonment, poverty and abuse all before the tender age of eight. An autobiographical product of Dorothy Allison’s past, “Bastard Out of Carolina” is an artistic rendering of the roles class, sex and race play in one young girl’s childhood development.

THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS BY: M.L. STEDMAN

THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY BY: ERIK LARSON

J. K. Rowling is known for the world famous “Harry Potter” series. In “The Casual Vacancy,” Rowling takes her first stab at fiction aimed at adults. When parish councilor Barry Fairbrother passes away, the election spurred by his vacancy exposes a plethora of dark secrets that leaves the city of Pagford in turmoil.

It is no surprise that “The Casual Vacancy” is already being adapted into a BBC television drama to be released in 2014.

Shortly after taking a job as a lighthouse keeper on a secluded island, Tom Sherbourne and his wife Isabel experience harrowing fertility struggles that seem to be over when they discover a washed up boat carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Claiming the child as her own, Isabel soon discovers the devastation her choice has caused when they return to the mainland. Deeply moving and unforgettable, Stedman’s novel is a must read for summer 2013.

Intertwining the tales of Dr. H. H. Holmes (one of Chicago’s prolific serial killers) and Daniel H. Burnam (one of the architects behind Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair), “The Devil in the White City” is a non-fiction thriller set in one of the most progressive periods in Chicago’s history.

A tale of both sorrow and brilliance, Larson presents this historic tale in a novel-style readable by all.

Arrested Development is back LouFest 2013 may be best yet

Photo courtesy of Austin Nelson

Alterative rock band Wilco will headline LouFest’s line-up this fall. Members include Patrick Sansone, Mikael Jorgensen, Jeff Tweedy, Nels Cline, Glenn Kotche, John Stirratt.

By LIZZIE BARTEK Copy Editor

Photo courtesy of Arrested Development

“Arrested Development” returns with a fourth season available on Netflix later this month.

“Now the story of a wealthy family who lost everything, and the one son who had no choice but to k e e p t h e m all tog e t h e r.

It’s Arrested Gabby Geerts Development.”

T h e Bluths are back; a much anticipated welcome after a seven-year hiatus.

The peculiar world of “Arrested Development” takes a minute to adapt to, but once you are invested, it is tough to escape. From an aspiring magician to an overbearing mother to a never-nude, the characters are unlike any other that television has ever seen.

While labeled a sitcom, “Arrested Development” doesn’t fit the stereotypical characteristics. There is no laugh track. There is only one, usually shaky, camera. It is a comedy of goofy situations and overblown drama mimicking an outrageous documentary that is bundled into one 30-minute present.

With a religious-like following, creator Mitch Hurwitz and Netflix, “Arrested

Development” was revived Monday evening in Hollywood, kicking off the brandnew season that drops May 26 on Netflix.

The cast, including Jason Bateman, Jeffrey Tambor, Portia de Rossi, Michael Cera, Will Arnett, Alia Shawkat and Jessica Walter, all reunited to celebrate the return. Also walking the red carpet, an ostrich joined in on the party. Look for the bird to appear again in the premiere episode.

Tony Hale, otherwise known as Buster Bluth, notes, “It was divine to put that hook back on.” Buster lost a hand to a sea creature in the second season.

This new season is to pick up with the characters in “real time.” It will consist of 15 episodes, each one focusing on a specific character and bringing the audience up to speed on their past seven years.

It’s as if each episode will be a chapter in the giant novel of “Arrested Development.”

A showing of two episodes inside the TCL Chinese Theatre was greeted with excitement and capped with a standing ovation for Hurwitz.

The contents of the episodes are under tight wraps.

Netflix specifically asked the press to keep details

on lock, which they have surprisingly obliged to. The only specifics known are that Kristen Wiig will appear in the season premiere playing a young Lucille, along with an appearance of the famed ostrich.

The actors’ schedules were typically conflicting, making the filming of the season quite scattered. Episodes and scenes were shot out of order, with Bateman noting that the script was “sometimes not really written until we got there. It was really kind of run-andgun and exciting.”

There has been much speculation as to what follows the catch-up session that season four will provide.

Many rumors hint towards a feature film, although it has not been confirmed.

The after party contained many fan favorites, including frozen bananas, plastic swan rafts and images of Tobias’ denim cutoff shorts.

The show’s wit is quick and the delivery is subtle, usually requiring multiple views to get the full affect.

This makes the previous three seasons of “Arrested Development” the perfect studying distraction as we prepare for the fourth season.

LouFest is back and bigger than ever, boasting arguably its most impressive lineup yet.

After piquing fans’ interest with a fill-in-the-blank lineup guessing game, LouFest organizers revealed early Tuesday morning that The Killers and Wilco will be headlining this year’s two-day music festival Sept. 7 and 8.

In its past three years of existence, LouFest has managed each year to draw in a few big names among a large number of up-andcoming bands and local favorites. However, this year’s lineup is more stacked than ever, featuring a number of big names like Grammynominated Alabama Shakes

and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes.

This year’s noticeably stronger lineup is likely due in part to a recent partnership between LouFest’s founders, Listen Live Entertainment and C3 Presents – the force behind Lollapalooza and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

St. Louis natives needn’t fret, however, as the festival continues its tradition of featuring local St. Louis artists. This year it’s St. Louis favorites Kentucky Knife Fight and Tef Poe. Additionally, Wilco’s lead man Jeff Tweedy grew up near St. Louis and formed most of the band in the city before relocating to Chicago, so fans can likely expect a special performance.

Even the lower portion of the LouFest lineup features a number of well-known art-

ists, including Jim James, Local Natives, Walk the Moon, Ra Ra Riot, Icona Pop, Fitz and the Tantrums and more. The festival will feature 30 bands and artists total, spanning a variety of music genres – from synthpop to indie, bluegrass to punk, high-energy rock to rap, and everything in between.

In order to accommodate the number of performers, as well as provide an even better festival experience for fans, LouFest 2013 will feature three stages instead of two.

This will allow multiple bands to perform at the same time. The festival will still take place at its original location: Central Field in Forest Park.

Two-day passes to LouFest will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 3.

U SPORTS

unewsonline.com

MAY 2, 2013

2013: BY THE NUMB3RS

WHO TO

CHEER Jason Collins

usatoday.com

In an interview with sports illustrated, Washington Wizards center Jason Collins came out as the first active gay athlete in any of the four professional leagues in the U.S., saying, “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black, and I’m gay.” Collins, who has played for six different pro teams, said that he didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete but it just happened.

Even if he didn’t set out to be, he is now considered a hero and a role model to many.

The 2012-13 season saw highs and lows, departures and record setting performances. Here it is, digit by digit:

By TONY TRAINA Sports Editor

WHO TO

JEER Justin Blackmon

2

Atlantic 10 championships won by Billiken teams collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com

Jaquars widereceiver Justin Blackmon has been suspended for the first four games of next season due to a DUI. Blackmon led all rookie receivers last season in targets, receptions, yards and was second in touchdowns. More damaging to Blackmon than the four games lost is the money he stands to lose. As his second offense in less than a year, a contract claus was triggered stating that the Jaguars can now cut him at anytime without paying him any of the $10 million remaining on his four year contract. You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.

WHO TO

FEAR

13th

Cross-country runner Margo Richardson’s finish at the NCAA’s Midwest Regional

Her finish, in 21:05.24, was also a Billiken record for a 6K, and is the best ever by a Billiken runner in the regional. On the track, Richardson continued to set records in the 1,500 meter and 5K races. In addition, she won the mile race at the A-10 Indoor Championships in February.

55.34

Sophomore Stephen Hansen’s gold medal time in the 100-yard backstroke Hansen became only the second Billiken male to win an individual gold at the Atlantic 10 Championships with his time. His performance highlighted an impressive Atlantic 10 meet for the swimming and diving squad.

Lance Lynn

rockzero.pixnet.net

St. Louis Cardinals starter became the first pitcher with five wins this season with a seven-inning, one-run performance Wednesday afternoon. The win gives Lynn his 10th straight victory going back to last season. The second-year pitcher has been as good as anyone this season, posting a 2.75 ERA and a miniscule .197 Batting Average Against.

With his next start against the struggling Cubs, Lynn has a great opportunity to extend his streak to 11 games

By ALEX KOZICH Associate Sports Editor

The men’s soccer team kicked things off in November, claiming the A-10 title as a No. 2 seed, earning a berth in the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship. In March, the men’s basketball squad continued their historic run, topping VCU in the title game to claim the A-10 championship.

8 Soccer team’s seed in the NCAAs After a 16-4 season that saw the men’s soccer team claim the Atlantic 10 Championship, the Billikens earned a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Soccer Championship. But, the squad was bounced in the second round by Farleigh Dickinson, thanks to a tie-breaking goal in the 103rd minute of double overtime.

The Billikens finished the season at 16-5 after the heartbreaking loss in the NCAA tournament.

9

School records set in track and field In addition, numerous athletes have topped their own school records set earlier in the season.

Among the school records: Hannah Kuenzel in the shot put, Kita Alvares in the 400-meter and 100-meter hurdles, Nicole Delesdernier in the javelin throw, and Margo Richardson and Henry Arndt in the women’s and men’s mile, respectively.

5

Chaifetz Arena celebrated its five-year anniversary in April The 10,600-seat arena has hosted 594 events since Barry Manilow performed at the opening April 25, 2008.

It’s since eaten 5.3 million ounces of popcorn and hosted over 1.7 million visitors.

13

Basketball team reached No. 13 in the final AP and Coaches polls The ranking was the program’s highest since 1965. The accolade came on the heels of the team’s A-10 championship victory in Brooklyn, the Billikens’ first A-10 title. The Billikens cracked the top 20 for the first time during the season after a week that saw them beat two top-25 opponents, Butler and VCU. The Bills never looked back, remaining in the top 25 for the remainder of the season.

28 Wins by the SLU basketball program, the most ever Interim head coach Jim Crews led the Billiken basketball squad to a 28-7 record, a record for the program.

He was named Sporting News’ Coach of the Year and eventually SLU hired him as its full-time coach. In addition to the wins, SLU picked up an Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament title, as it dominated the conference all season with a 13-3 record.

517

Career wins by the late Rick Majerus Billiken coach Rick Majerus passed away on Dec. 1, but his legacy as one of basketball’s great coaching minds endures. He earned 517 career victories, 95 of which were at SLU. Equally important though, were the number of lives he touched throughout his career.

“I couldn’t imagine playing for a better coach, a better person,” former SLU player Brian Conklin said. “He doesn’t just teach you about basketball, it’s about life.”

27

Senior pitcher Alex Alemann’s all-time wins record for a pitcher at SLU Alemann entered the 2013 baseball season needing just two wins to set the Billiken’s all-time record. He’s 6-2 this season with a 2.77 ERA, cementing his status as one of the best pitching aces in SLU’s history.

“It is an honor,” Alemann said of becoming SLU’s alltime wins leader. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, coaches and support system.”

unewsonline.com

10 SPORTS

MAY 2, 2013

First-place Bills finally lose A-10 series

Follow us

U SPORTS

By DJ BARGER Staff writer

@TheUNewsSports For the latest Billiken coverage

Scoreboard Baseball 30-13 (12-3 A-10) Friday, April 26 Rich. 000 800 00X- Bills 312 000 100-

8 7

Saturday, April 27 Rich. 300 000 00X- Bills 100 000 000-

3 1

Sunday, April 28 Rich. 000 000 000- Bills 010 010 000-

0 2

Softball 23-19 (11-7 A-10) Friday, April 26 Charlotte 201 100 X- Bills 002 000 0-

4 2

Friday, April 26 Charlotte 060 000 0- Bills 000 202 0-

6 4

The Saint Louis University Billiken men’s baseball team lost a three-game series at the University of Richmond (26-16, 9-6 A-10) over the weekend of April 27. SLU lost the first two games but avoided a sweep by taking the last one.

In the first game, SLU jumped out to a commanding early lead by scoring three runs in the first, one in the second and two in the third. Freshman Braxton Martinez and sophomore Mike Vigliarolo both hit home runs in the first. Senior Mike Levine, freshman Michael Bozarth and junior Danny Brennan all collected RBI hits for the Billikens, putting them ahead by eight.

But senior Alex Alemann was not able to hold the lead. Aleman gave up eight runs in the bottom of the fourth and was unable to complete the inning. All eight runs were scored with two outs. Two came by way of a bases-loaded walk. The Spiders’ runs held up and

Softball: 7 to 5 in a matter of time

Calendar Friday, May 3

By ALEX KOZICH Associate Sports Editor

Softball 2 p.m. at R. Island

Saturday, May 4 Track & Field at Atlantic 10 Outdoor Championships

they won the game 8-7 in nine innings.

In the second game of the series, the Billikens again took an early lead by scoring in the first inning.

Vigliarolo hit an RBI double to put SLU up 1-0. The Spiders then came back with three runs in the bottom of the first. Senior Jacob Mayers hit an RBI sacrifice fly, which was followed by a two-run home run by junior Adam Forrer. After the first inning the pitching staffs settled in an allowed no more runs the rest of the game. Richmond starter Andrew Blum got the win, pitching into the eighth inning. Richmond’s three runs held up, as they won the game 3-1.

The third game against the Spiders went more in the Billikens’ favor. Vigliarolo hit a solo home run in the second inning to put SLU ahead and they never looked back. Starter Clay Smith was dominant, pitching a complete game, twohit shutout. Smith carried a no-hitter into the eighth but lost it on a single by junior Mike Small. The Billikens got an insurance run in the

Baseball 9:30 a.m. at VCU Softball 11 a.m. at R. Island

Sunday, May 5 Softball 11 a.m. at UMass Softball 1 p.m. at UMass Baseball 5 p.m. at VCU Baseball 8 p.m. at VCU

Wednesday, May 8 Softball at Atlantic 10 Conference Championship

Briefs Hollis named to A-10 first team

The Saint Louis University women’s softball team looks to cement their place in the Atlantic 10 Championship this weekend. The championship comprises the conference’s top six teams, of which the Bills (23-19) are currently fifth.

The Bills will play four road games this weekend, two against the University of Rhode Island, one each on Friday and Saturday, and a double-header against the University of Massachusetts on Sunday to close out the regular season.

The Bills played four road games last week, sweeping Butler University in a two-game set and taking one out of two against Charlotte. In the first game against Butler, a 6-4 victory, sophomore Lindsay Friedman tied a school record with five RBIs, including a game-winning grand slam with two outs in the seventh inning. Brianna Lore picked up the win for the Bills with seven strong innings, giving up only four runs.

In the second game, a 2-0 shutout by the Billikens, junior Kelsey Biggs singled to left field in the eighth to plate the only two runs of the game. Freshman Laney Kneib threw 7.1 shutout innings for the Bills and Lore picked up her third save of the season.

The Bills stumbled in their first game against Charlotte, losing 4-2. Charlotte jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and the Bills were never able to recover. Lore was tagged with the loss for the Bills giving up 3 runs in 2.2 innings of work.

The Bills righted the ship in the second game with a 6-4 victory. Kneib picked up her second win of the weekend pitching five strong innings. Lore also picked up her second save of the weekend, giving her four on the season. Those four saves tie a school record for single season saves.

After starting the week in seventh place in the A-10, the three victories moved the Bills up to fifth and in contention for a spot in the championship. For the week, Friedman batted an impressive .385 with nine RBIs. She is also just two home runs away from breaking the single-season school record of seven, set in 2003. Laura Bohning and Kelsey Biggs also contributed to the Billiken offense batting .429 and .357, respectively, with Biggs driving in four runs on the week.

After a mediocre March in which the Bills posted a .209 team batting average, the bats heated up in the month of April. The team batted a very respectable .274 for the month with junior Katie Kroeger and senior Erin Harcar leading the way, batting .391 and .370, respectively.

The turnaround can also be contributed to the stellar defense that the Billikens play. They are averaging less than one error per game and their .974 fielding percentage is second in the A-10.

If the Billikens can continue their hot batting and timely pitching from the month of April, they should have no problem making the Atlantic10 Championship and should be a tough out for the rest of the competition.

Billiken Media Relations

Junior Stephanie Hollis Saint Louis University Billiken tennis player Stephanies Hollis was named to the A-10 All-Conference first team. Last year, she was named to the second team. In addition, Hollis and senior Mia Elmore, were named to Academic All-Conference team.

Hollis was 17-8 playing singles over the season, leading the Billikens with a 12-5 record at the No. 1 position in dual meets. She compiled an 11-5 doubles record to match, proving her versatility on the court.

The team finished the season with a 12-8 record.

Billiken Media Relations

Jessica Van Norstrand’s .301 batting average has helped lead SLU to fifth place in the Atlantic 10.

Billiken Media Relations

Sophomore Mike Vigliarolo was named A-10 Player of the Week for his performance last week against the Richmond Spiders. fifth and won the game 2-0.

Vigliarolo and Smith had exceptional weeks for the Billikens and were recognized by the Atlantic 10 for their performances. Vigliarolo won the A-10 Player of

the Week award and Smith was named co-A-10 Pitcher of the Week for his performance.

The Billikens are currently a half game ahead of La Salle University for the

conference lead.

They head back to Richmond, Va. this weekend for a three-game series against Virginia Commonwealth University, the A-10 newcomer.

Tennis loses in A-10 First Round

Billiken Media Relations

The Billiken tennis team finished their season in the A-10 Championships with a 4-2 loss to Temple in the first round. The Bills close out the season at 6-13.

U FASHION

Quiz: Match the scent to the celebrity Almost ever y Hollywood actor and actress has their own signiture scent.

Test your knowledge and see how many fragrances you can correctly match!

Answers on the bottom.

unewsonline.com

MAY 2, 2013

Dress the part: Graduate with class

By ELIZABETH RICE Staff Writer

Come May 18, many of us will be graduating.

But with the stress of final exams, papers, projects and trips to pennies, graduation attire may have been put on the back burner.

Never fear, retail therapy can be the best type of therapy, especially if you know exactly what to look for when hitting the shops or Internet.

It’s important to remember that this is a family affair, so keep it modest.

No one’s grandma wants to see you prancing around in something more suitable for the Library Annex.

On that same note, since dressing for room lighting can be tricky, test the fabric of your dress in the sunlight to be sure it doesn’t reveal more than you were expect-

ing come graduation day.

Graduation pictures will be around for many years to come.

Classic dress shapes and cuts are timeless.

I know, like many of us, I wish I did not go quite so trendy with my eighth grade graduation attire.

Francesca’s has several dresses that are perfect for graduation day and reasonably priced.

The Laguna Hills ribbed dress or Lockhart dress are both great options for staying classy and simple for graduation.

If you are looking for a dress with a bit more color, the LC Lauren Conrad Bow Fit and Flare Ponte dress offers a classic cut with a fun pop of berry or green.

Skirts can also be a practical option for graduation.

With many of us planning to enter the working world, buying a pencil skirt

in a bright color is a great way to ensure that you can reuse your outfit once the graduation festivities cease.

J. Crew’s pencil skirts last forever and are offered in fun spring colors like fresh

“

Accessories

be

the

may

most

im-

portant part of any graduation outfit.

”

pear and melon.

Accessories may be the most important part of any graduation outfit.

They will help you stand out when everyone is trudging around in the same

A look at film’s most memorable looks

a. Elizabeth Taylor b. Audrey Hepburn c. Grace Kelly 2. Curious a. Britney Spears b. Christina Aguilera c. Jessica Simpson 3. True Reflection

4. Someday a.Selena Gomez b. Justin Bieber c. Demi Lovato 5. With Love a. Shakira b. Hillar y Duff c. Jennifer Aniston

inevitably sink in the grass on the walk over to Chaifetz or during your post-graduation photo shoot around campus.

Wedges are perfect if you are still looking for height without the sink factor.

Nordstrom has hundreds of pairs, such as the ‘Lickety Split’ Wedge Sandal featuring a minty green wedge. However, don’t be afraid to go the flat route as long as you pick something that makes a statement with a bright pop of neon or a funky embellishment.

Make sure you have all elements of your look put together before the big day.

You don’t want to get to May 18 and realize that something is really not working for you.

The most important thing to do have on May 18 is a big smile on your face, because class of 2013: we did it!

Lights, camera, fashion Dress for

1. White Diamonds

a. Beyonce b. Katy Perr y c. Kim Kardashian

black gown.

They are also a great way to freshen up an outfit you already have.

A statement necklace like the Cozumel Bouquet necklace from Francesca’s, a fun set of bangles like the Lacquered Zig Zag Bangle Set from Forever 21, or sassy earrings like the Color Collage pair from J. Crew will bring much needed flare to that cap and gown.

Just remember one statement piece is enough. If you wear a funky necklace, earrings or bracelet, then keep the rest simple. You don’t want to look like a little girl who raided her mom’s costume jewelry for the first time.

Shoes are another great way to stand out, but comfort is key. I highly recommend staying away from heels.

Not only are they uncomfortable, they also will

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Audrey Hepburn in the film “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”dressed in a Givenchy dress For over a century, our culture has been entranced with the silver screen. From Hitchcock’s famous “Psyc h o ” shower scene t o Dar th Vader’s big reveal at Allison Kohler the end of “The Empire Strikes Back,” there are cinematic moments we all know and love. Movies have made us laugh, cry, and given us some truly iconic moments in fashion. Much like the films they appear in, there are looks that simply stand out from the rest.

Starlets have donned an array of famous costumes over the years. Some were daring, such as Michelle Pfeiffer’s skintight, black leather Catwoman suit.

Others were glamorous, like the flowing red gown Vivien Leigh wore as Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind” (which, frankly, my dear, was fabulous).

Whether it is Liza Minenelli’s sultry “Cabaret” bowler hat or Judy Garland’s ruby red slippers, there are some movie looks that fashion will never forget.

Here is a look into film’s most famous fashion.

The Little Black Dress In 1961, Audrey Hep-

burn showed the world true elegance in her film “Breakfast At Tiffany’s.”

Also known as the black Givenchy dress of Audrey Hepburn, it is possibly one of the most famous looks of all time. This Italian satin sheath dress was paired

“

...it is possibly one of the most famous looks of all time.

”

with black three-quarter length gloves, pearls and a dainty tiara. Hepburn also sported dark sunglasses and a sophisticated up-do to complete the ensemble. No one has ever looked better musing at jewels in shop windows as Hepburn does, croissant and coffee in hand, in the opening scene.

Simple and chic, this look has stood the test of time, making it an undisputed classic.

The Flirty White Dress “The Seven Year Itch” (1955) hit the trifecta with iconic dress, star and movie moment. In one of the bestknown scenes in cinema, Marilyn Monroe flashed a playful smile as a passing subway train blew her dress up from below. The dress,

created by costume designer William Travilla, featured a halter neckline and a flirty pleated skirt. Paired with Monroe’s signature blonde curls and beauty mark, this look is the definition of old Hollywood glamour, not to mention a killer way to flaunt feminine curves.

Greased Lightning Olivia Newton-John shocked John Travolta and audiences everywhere with her sexy black getup in the 1978 film adaptation of “Grease.” Her timid character, Sandy, ditched her starched skirts and bobby socks for an off-theshoulder top and tight Lycra pants. The pants were so tight, in fact, that the actress had to be sewn into them. Designed by Albert Wolsky, widely acclaimed movie costumer, the outfit also featured a jeweled belt buckle, sassy red heels and even sassier curls that screamed, “Tell me about it, stud.”

“Right off the Paris Plane” Grace Kelly was known for her poise, class and beauty. Her costumes for the 1954 Hitchcock classic “Rear Window” were designed in the same vein.

The most famous of these is known as the Grace Kelly Paris dress. The top of the short-sleeved gown is See “Film” on Page 12

success during finals

washer or dryer shortage.

Every semester there Right before finals week comes a time when homethere aren’t too many peowork piles get taller, weekple thinking about washing e n d clothes as most people wait outings until after finals week to become do their laundry. Washing f e w e r, clothes not only saves you stress time, but also can save you levels from several finals week become fashion mishaps. higher and the 2. Pick out your outlight at fits ahead of time. the end If you wash your clothes the Shaniqua Jones of early, the next step is to tunnel pick out your outfits while seems you have the time. They dimmer. don’t have to be glamorous, This time is known as fibut something other than nals week. The weeks leadold sweatpants and a holey ing up to this were filled with shirt. This also helps you late nights in the library, to stay organized, and gives 2 a.m. Pickleman’s visits, you less to think about on overdue assignments, and test day! Keep in mind, just a few overslept classes. By because your sweatpants the time finals week arrives, are comfortable doesn’t most students have moved mean they are doing you out of their residence halls any fashionable justice. and apartments and into the library. The only thing 3. Beauty is as beauty keeping them going is the does thought of summer the Getting your beauty rest week after finals get out. is as much All of a part of the tests having a and stress fashionof finals Your face is the able apw e e k pearance m a k e wears h o w e r s outfit you can nev- as ing clean less imp o r t a n t , er take off, so take c l o t h e s .

Your face sleep unis the outrealistic fit you can and be- care of it. never take ing well off, so take dressed care of it. overrated.

Makeup I’m here and venti to let you coffees can only do so know that it’s going to be much, that’s why it’s imO.K. There will be a light at portant to take care of your the end of the tunnel, and body so your natural beauty you will make it through shines through. If you don’t this. Although your world believe me, keep reading. may feel as though it’s fallAccording to ABC News, ing apart, it’s important that “Previous studies have you don’t look like you are shown that 70 million Amerfalling apart. D r e s s i n g icans are sleep-deprived, for success during this heccontributing to increased tic time is key. accidents, worsening health Although your outward and lower test scores.” appearance and or body So get some sleep, there odor may not be your first is no possible way you can priority, they should be. I’m force your brain to rememnot saying that you should ber a text book, so there is forgo studying to look nice, no point in trying. Remembut I’m suggesting that you ber, “Beauty is as beauty put a little more effort into does.” planning ahead. Here are five tips to not look like you 4. Scruba dub dub just came from under a fashSmelling good is as big of ion rock. a part of being fashionable as anything else. You don’t 1. Wash all your worries need to spray yourself with away an overwhelming amount Wash all of your clothes of Axe or some flowery at the beginning of the perfume, just hop in the week. Unless it’s your lucky shower. Even if you only shirt, you have no reason to have five minutes to showwear the same shirt three er, it will be worth it. Takdays in a row. Washing ing a shower can give your clothes also helps to avoid brain a chance to wake up. having a ridiculously messy Instead of hopping out of room to clean after finals week is over. An upside to washing clothes at the beSee “Dress” on Page 12 ginning of the week is you don’t have to worry about a

“

”

1. a 2. a 3. c 4. b 5. b Answers:

unewsonline.com

MAY 2, 2013

FASHION

Best shades for summer

12

Dress: Enter class with confidence Continued from Page 11

the bed and into the classroom, head for the shower instead. I’m sure your brain will be grateful, as will the rest of your classmates.

And when it smells in the classroom, you can rest assured that it’s not you.

If you are extra sleepy, try blasting some tunes while you shower and get ready for your day. There is nothing like dancing the stress away.

Photo courtesy of Luxottica

Right: Luxottica’s Ray-Ban sunglasses. Left: Luxottica’s Persol sunglasses

By JOHN CHAMBERS Staff Wtiter

Summer is almost upon us, and for many students this means selecting a new pair of shades.

Sunglasses can be a very personal accessory and should selected with assiduity. There are hundreds of sunglasses brands out there, but many of them are either poorly made or egregiously expensive.

Fortunately, there are several brands that offer quality products at a reasonable price.

The first and least expensive brand is a relatively new company called Neff Headwear. Neff is based out of Ventura, Calif. and designs products for surf, skate and ski culture. Many of Neff’s sunglasses are priced below $25 and are offered in bright colors with a wayfarer design. Neff prod-

ucts are not for everyone, but for those who consider themselves bold, Neff sunglasses are the way to go.

Check out Neff model Early Clear for $20.

If Neff sunglasses are a little too flashy for your taste and you would rather have a pair of sunglasses with more functionality, then check out the French brand Sunpocket. Sunpocket became very popular among European sport enthusiasts in the 1970s for their durability and ability to fold up. The brand is still considered trendy, but has yet to gain a large following in the U.S. These stylish glasses usually cost around $90 and are a great option for the outdoorsy guy who values quality, functionality and originality all in one product. Check out Sunpocket model II Cedar for $90.

Another great sunglasses option comes from the San Francisco-based com-

pany Westward Leaning. Although this company does not have the selection that other brands in this article offer, Westward does have a distinct frame that is sure to get you some compliments.

This brand is already popular among young Holly-

“

...a lifetime investment that will never go out of style.

”

wood celebrities, but with a $165 price tag, these glasses could become very popular around college campuses.

Check out Westward Leaning model N 9.3 Color Revolution for $165.

Most people may consider the next brand of sun-

Film: Grace Kelly redefines Hollywood glamour

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Grace Kelly in the film “To Catch a Thief ” wearing an Edith Head design

Continued from Page 11

black, with a wide “V” neckline.

A feathery pattern extends down onto its full, white chiffon skirt, cropped at mid-calf.

The dress was topped off with red lipstick and a single strand of pearls that captured the spirit of 1950s elegance.

This look is perhaps only rivaled the blue chiffon gown Kelly wore in “To Catch a Thief” (1955).

Both dresses were created by Edith Head, famed costume designer.

Head won eight Academy Awards for her work, and also designed for stars such as Bette Davis, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. According to

the International Movie Database, when the passionate costumer won her fifth Oscar in 1954, she reportedly said, “I’m going to take it home and design a dress for it.”

Star Styles While this outfit may be far from appropriate for everyday wear, Carrie Fisher’s bikini-style costume from “Return of the Jedi” is undoubtedly iconic. Her character, Princess Leia, shed her long white robes and unwound her spiral braids for the 1983 installment of the original “Star Wars” trilogy.

The skimpy look included a brass brassiere, a Gstring with flowing silk veils and low leather boots.

Inspired by the work of

fantasy artist Frank Frazetta, the sultry two-piece has been a wildly popular staple at comic conventions.

Even Jennifer Anniston put one on for the 1996 “Friends” episode, “The One with the Princess Leia Fantasy.”

Fashion and film go hand and hand, each inspiring the other.

Iconic costumes may be outlandish, like Uma Thurman’s yellow “Kill Bill” jumpsuit, or classic, like Kiera Knightly’s vintage emerald gown from “Atonement.”

Whatever the case, looks like these have gone down in both fashion and cinematic history.

We have seen many over the years, and only time will tell what will come next.

glasses high-end, but an article entirely on men’s sunglasses cannot ignore their style and quality. Persol is one of the most respected glasses brands under the Luxottica monopoly and has been producing great sunglasses since 1917.

Although most young people are more familiar with Luxottica’s other subbrand, Ray-Ban, Persol has been around longer and their sunglasses have been featured in numerous blockbusters. If you are looking for something sophisticated and handcrafted, then Persol is right up your alley. Unfortunately, the quality and style of Persol products comes at a steeper price. Most Persol sunglasses cost around $300, but remember, this is a lifetime investment that will never go out of style.

Check out Persol model PO0714 for $250.

The final brand of men’s sunglasses on this list is not

quite as posh as Persol nor is it as loud as Nuff. Warby Parker is a new company founded in 2010 by four friends in New York. The mission of Warby Parker is to design sophisticated and lasting glasses without charging customers a ridiculous price. They achieve this by designing in-house and selling directly to customers online. Most of their sunglasses cost about $95 or $150 with prescriptions.

If you are unsure which frames will fit you the best, Warby Parker offers the home-try-on program.

This allows you to select and receive five frames from the online store and test wear them for five days at no cost.

Aside from their great customer service, Warby Parker also participates in a buy-a-pair-give-a-pair program, much like Tom’s Shoes. Check out Warby Parker model “Preston” for $95.

5. Leave the birds nest and beehives in the tress Hair! I like to think of my hair as the icing on top of the cake. You wouldn’t want to bake a perfect cupcake and just slap some icing on it.

You want to pipe the icing on it to make it look like nice. Your appearance is the package you present to the world and you hair is the bow on top.

When people see you, it’s important that you look like you at least attempted to brush your hair. Birds’ nests and beehives should not be worn on your head and most importantly they aren’t in style.

Remember just because it’s finals week in your world doesn’t mean that everyone else knows that its finals week. So look the part, or at least pretend to look the part.

These five tips will not only help you look good, but will help you feel good.

A new confidence can be found by taking just a few extra mintures to focus on yourself.

So study, sleep and put your best face forward to take on finals week.

MAY 2, 2013

unewsonline.com

SENIOR SIGN-OFF

13

Senior Sign-off: Farewell to The University News Graduating editors reflect on the UNews experience

I have never been good with transitions. For a fellow of so many words, I o f t e n am left scrambling to save a select few as a they swiftly slip away.

A n d there are T.J. Keeley few environments so sexy or so romantic as a newsroom.

It is a cliche at this point, but I came for the stories and stayed for the people.

Oh, the people. I had the unique pleasure and opportunity to work with some of the smartest, funniest, most ambitious and craziest kids in biz. And now, in a reversal of the cliché, as I leave the people, I am left with stories. So many great stories.

I had the unique job of “managing” this staff -- that silly, unusual, unwieldy staff

who managed to make it a whole year with yours truly hovering over its shoulder.

I am still not sure what my job entails, exactly; in fact, I am leaving with less of a grasp of what a managing editor is than I had when I entered this job. But I got to meet a lot of swell people who came by our humble home. I found the newsroom to be a warm and welcoming place. I hope you did to.

So, so long for now. I do hope you found your newspaper to be a voice for you when you needed it to be. I hope these wonderful people provided you with the stories you needed. I hope we, in perhaps some little way, made this university a better place. In my life at the paper, I heard many stories for many people. And, in the words of The Beatles, in my life, I’ve loved them all.

Keeley out.

Complaining is obnoxious because it costs so little. Whining aloud is a waste of wind, and any effect it produces dissipates quicker than hot air.

Confucius famously Mike Hogan said, “It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” But if you’re going to bother lighting a candle, you may as well take it up to your desk, use its light to get out your paper and pen (or laptop, as the case may be) and write down that complaint before it disappears.

This action will benefit you in several ways. First, it forces you to evaluate your gripes. If a problem isn’t worth taking the time to write about, then it probably wasn’t worth complaining about in the first place.

Let it go.

Secondly, writing refines your opinions. It’s easy to let loose an acidic or illconsidered comment in the heat of a debate.

But when you see that vitriol on the page in front of you, when you have the time to review and reconsider your tone before sharing your voice with others, you’re likely to respond in a more reasonable fashion.

That’s why I’ve enjoyed editing the opinion section

of The University News over the past year.

Sure, there’s been a bit of mudslinging, but in writing, the mud flies slower, hits softer and is thrown more carefully than in a verbal exchange.

And I firmly believe that this discourse, even if it gets messy sometimes, is vital to the functioning of any democratic community.

Some people may say things that are unsubstantiated or unreasonable. Let them.

What is reasonable should be decided in the open forum of debate, not by a censor behind a closed door. And the great thing about writing is that it can’t be retracted easily; people are held accountable for their words.

So if you’re grumbling about something, grateful for something or just have something to get off your chest, write about it. Be sensible, be courteous, be respectful, but when expressing your opinion, you may still offend somebody.

That’s O.K.; if it’s really a big deal, they can write their own piece refuting you.

Maybe you think I’m wrong. Maybe you find debate distasteful. But in the words of The Dude from the Coen brothers’ masterpiece “The Big Lebowski,” “Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.”

Write me about it.

- T.J. Keeley, Managing Editor

- Mike Hogan, Opinion Editor

Why I thought I could that make you laugh, make write for the student newsyou cry, make you feel as if paper, I’ll never know. there’s nothing you can do P e r to fix the world and nothing haps I you can’t do to make the was lookworld a better place. ing for I’ll never forget Rick Maa way to jerus. He challenged me know the how to see sports as just whos and that – a game. Even today, whats of I miss his presence as a Saint Louteacher and a friend. is UniverI’ll never forget Megan sity.

Boken.

P e r How could someone Derrick Neuner haps I who was so full of love and was looklife be stolen away by someing for a creative outlet, a thing so violent? And what way to express myself. Mayhas our community learned be I was hoping to make a from it? Will she even be difference on our campus. known by the incoming Or maybe I was just there freshmen? for the pizza.

I’ll never forget JusAnd isn’t that how the tin Krofta. He served our college experience goes? country with passion and We’ve come to this campus valor and came home to a to do what – get a degree? place that forgot about him.

Find a career? Change the I’ve never cried during an world? And what do we interview, but there were learn in return? That the moments that I could have world can change us. when I interviewed him.

SLU has changed me in And I’ll never forget how ways that are beyond the SLU has changed. My first simple interview rationalwas a ization of happenlanguage. stance The exI hope this paper has e n c o u n periences ter with I’ve had, ser ved you well, brought President the people you smiles, brought you L a w I’ve met, r e n c e and the tears and kept you in- B i o n d i , o p i n i o n s formed. Look around you- S.J. He I’ve had became j u s t i f i e d ever y person has a stor y. a friend and ara n d gued to someme, things one I adI mired. couldn’t I never have ever thought hoped to our comreckon, have transformed munity would be torn apart me. by his leadership.

Once a naïve country I struggle with what to boy from a small town in the say as I leave SLU, and the fields of Illinois, I’ve been UNews, after six years. forced to consider that the I hope this paper has world may not be the place served you well, brought we want it to be, that life you smiles, brought you may not move as we intend tears and kept you init to, and that, perhaps, the formed. Look around you greater good is more than a – every person has a story. marketing slogan.

Those stories may chalWorking for The Unilenge you, may frustrate versity News has never reyou, but if you’re lucky, ally been a favorite thing of they’ll change you, too. mine.

And always remember, I’ve never awoken with a you are Saint Louis Univerpassion to write about Stusity. dent Government AssociaThis campus only thrives tion meetings or the Billikis there is an “us” and if we en cross-country team. But feel the campus is “ours.” for some reason, I could You are here to get a denever get away. Trust me, gree, but don’t let school I tried. Something always hold your dreams captive. brought me back though, These are the days when in various capacities, to this you’ll become the person paper, to this community. you’ve always wanted to be.

It had to be the people, Let SLU change you. Do the stories. something unexpected. Let Look around you, dear your story change SLU. reader.

-30This campus is full of -Derrick Neuner , unique people, awe-inspirAssociate News Editor ing biographies, moments

“

”

On behalf of the trio of senior copy editors at The University News, thank you.

Thank you for your terr i b l e spelling and grammar, a b o u t which we like to Hallie Kaiser, chuckle, Caitlin Simmonds, because Lizzie Bartek it keeps us employed. Though we shouted in frustration, we still enjoyed the misplaced commas, the two spaces after periods and the strange capitalizations. We really do want to thank the people who made a concerted effort to use AP style. Even if you failed, you still tried: “A-” for effort.

In turn, we hope that you appreciate us. As some of you spent your Wednesday evenings at Humphrey’s enjoying pitchers of cheap beer, we slaved away, holed up in the newsroom past midnight. Throughout the year, we not-so-secretly wished we could join you, but we chose not to.

We chose not to because we love The University News. We love being part of an organization that can represent the student body freely and truthfully. SLU certainly kept us on our toes

this year, but we did our best to keep you informed.

We love going to the third floor of the Bush Student Center every Wednesday evening and editing for hours on end in the newsroom. It has become something of a second home.

The three of us owe everything we know to Dr. Avis Meyer. Together, we struggled through his copy editing class and together, we somehow made it out alive. We’ve read countless stories throughout the year, but none top the ones he has shared with us. Words, grammar and spelling fail to accurately illustrate the breadth and depth of Meyer’s impact in our lives. We sincerely thank him for his wisdom, his hilarious anecdotes and the delicious snacks that are always waiting for us in the newsroom every Wednesday.

So now, as we dodge the nostalgia of our final production night, we want to offer our final thank you to The UNews editorial board.

Sure, we might have enjoyed a little more free time, but our lives would have also been exceptionally more boring without you weirdoes. It might sound cliché, but we wish you the best in all your endeavors.

Stay golden.

Let’s talk about the Oxford comma for a hot minute. The Oxford comma is actually a really practical piece of p u n c tuation.

Take the sentence, “ W e asked the smelly old men, Oprah, and Dave Grohl to Kristen Miano come to dinner with us.” Now, if you take out that last serial comma, that string of words implies that Oprah and Dave are smelly old men, and assertion I not only disagree with, but also resent greatly.

But AP style says not to use the Oxford comma in a simple series. So I will not use the Oxford comma in a simple series.

This is what four years working at The University News has wrought.

But somewhere behind the short deadlines, the 12-hour nights in the newsroom and a few, really frustrating news stories that

just wouldn’t come together, I found something that became more than an extracurricular to me.

I found a group of weird and wonderful people who I’m happy have worked with and befriended. I found a passion for journalism and story telling that I’ll carry with me the rest of my life. And I learned that something as simple as reporting the facts can foster real change, no matter how small.

Writing for this newspaper has sometimes been strange, sometimes awesome and sometimes just plain difficult, but the experiences I’ve had working here have been some of the best of my time in college.

Nerdy? Maybe. True? Absolutely.

I wouldn’t trade my time at The University News for all the Oxford commas in the world. I can’t imagine my time at Saint Louis University without it and I’m sad I have to leave it.

Thanks for the memories, UNews.

-Lizzie Bartek, Caitlin Simmonds, Hallie Kaiser, Copy Editors

-Kristen Miano , Editor-in-Chief

Thanks for reading The University News!

For year-round coverage visit unewsonline.com

2013 Editorial Board

Good luck on finals and have a great summer!

14 ADVERTISEMENT

unewsonline.com

MAY 2, 2013

MAY 2, 2013

unewsonline.com

ADVERTISEMENT

15

8 ARTS 16 ADVERTISEMENT

unewsonline.com unewsonline.com

SEPTEMBER 2012 MAY27, 2, 2013

GOOD LUCK, BILLIKENS!

Student Success Center wishes students good luck on finals and great success to graduating seniors.