The University News Celebrating 90 Years as a Student Voice of Saint Louis University
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Vol. XCI No. 7
FALL ENTERTAINER SAB announces next big act >>ARTS
Thursday, October 6, 2011
MEET THEM IN ST. LOUIS As A-10 Conference play begins, SLU chases title - all the way home >>SPORTS
SLU amends campus policy on sexual assault
Food choices emphasize Focus is on concern for victims, increased awareness and deterrence diversity By EMILY CAVILIERE AND HANNAH WILEY Staff Writers
Over the summer months, campus is typically home to freshman orientations, summer classes and college coeds lounging at SLU Ruba. While all of these held true, this summer campus was also home to the reshaping of the sexual assault policy. The amended policy includes more specific definitions of sexual assault and consent, and relays information in a way that students can better understand the issue. Statistics show that not only will 1 in 5 college stu-
dents be sexually assaulted, but only 5 percent of sexual assaults on college campuses are reported, according to American Association of University Women. With this number in mind, Saint Louis University has updated their sexual assault policy. Last spring, the U.S. Department of Education issued a “Dear Colleague” letter to every university in the country, asking schools to revisit their policies after deciding that more needs to be done to address situations regarding sexual assault on campuses. Prior to receiving the letter, plans were already in the works to revamp the policy at
the SLU campus. According to the director of affirmative action and cochairwoman of the sexual assault working group, Jennifer Scheessele, SLU’s sexual assault policy already covered much of what was mentioned in the letter. However, she said she and her colleagues felt that a more informative and clearer policy was in order, as well as one that promotes care and concern for the victims of sexual assault on campus. As work went underway in revising SLU’s policy, Scheessele visited “hundreds of universities” to examine their policies. Scheessele said she
had to remember that SLU was unique in that there is a “Jesuit mission” that fosters “care and concern for the whole person.” With this in mind, she said she felt it important to “oversee the entire process with respect.” “Nothing was wrong with the old policy,” Scheessele said. “It was just cut and dry in terms of reporting.” As the team went about revising the policy, Scheessele said they felt it easier, and more effective, to “start over” and rebuild the policy. Scheessele said that the new policy provides more information than was in the original policy, and helps students un-
derstand what could happen if a sexual assault were to occur. The entire policy holds to a principle of respecting the victim and clearly stating the options one has when reporting a case of sexual assault, Scheesele said. The director of student conduct and Scheessele’s cochairwoman on the working group, Katherine Weathers, said that the most drastic change in the new policy is the “definition of consent.” The new policy makes it clear that consent means “an affirmative from the receiving See “Policy” on Page 3
Continental classrooms
Alumni devote time, effort to underprivileged students
An average of 17 SLU graduates per year have entered the Teach for America program since 2008.
Photo submitted by Chanel Hampton
By KRISTEN MIANO Staff Writer
The children are our future, but with 15 million American children living in poverty, some futures are often uncertain. This is, however, a solvable problem, and one organization, Teach for America, is looking to solve it. Only 8 percent of children living in low income communities will graduate college by the time they are 24, a statistic attributed to a lack of adequate education opportunities, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Teach for America is a nonprofit grassroots movement that works to fight education inequity, according to Mi-
chael Zitzer, Saint Louis Uni- their specific grade level. Zitzer said that some stuversity’s Teach for America campus campaign coordina- dents low-income communities are three to four grade tor. “Where you’re born dictates the quality of your education,” Zitzer said. “Teach for America tries to provide every student, regardless of Teach for America background, with a good edutries to provide ever y cation with high quality teachers.” student, regardless Teach for America reof background, with a cruits recent college graduates to serve for two years good education with in the corps by teaching in high quality teachers. urban and rural public school districts. According to their website, corps members are -Michael Zitzer trained to have an immediate and positive impact on the students they teach by helping levels behind in subjects such them catch up on academics as math and reading compreand ensuring that they learn hension, in comparison to the material appropriate to high-income communities.
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Islam Awareness Week begins
Staff Writer
Saba Mohiuddin, a graduate student in the School of Medicine, participates in “Sharing our Stories,” an event where students discuss how they embraced Islam as part of Islam Awareness Week.
Huebner said that he feels the program is directly in line with the Jesuit mission and is a good opportunity for anyone who wants to get involved with social justice. Huebner said he heard about Teach for America during a recruitment presentation while he was in college and applied during his senior year. Huebner proceeded to teach biology, environmental science and French at Roosevelt High in St. Louis City. Huebner said his favorite part of the program was getting to share in the successes of his students and to see their hard work and commitment pay off. “It was a really eye-opening See “Teach” on Page 3
DPSSS, city to share drinking vigilance By CHARLES BOWLES
Shah (Yuqing Xia) / Photo Editor
“My boss had a sixth grade student who didn’t know the whole alphabet and didn’t know what sound the letter D made,” Zitzer siad. “We are trying to set the ground work for what could turn into a more qualified individual.” Zitzer said that the Teach for America chapter in St. Louis is seeking to retain more students from SLU to join the program. The University already has a commitment to the academic success of its students, but Zitzer said that what makes it especially attractive to join the Teach for America program is the commitment to service instilled in students by the Jesuit mission. SLU alum and Operations Coordinator for Teach for America St. Louis Daniel
The St. Louis Police Department can now search students for violating liquor laws and may issue city court summonses at Saint Louis University. In a new effort to combat underage drinking, the University has formed the Midtown Coalition, a group of key community partners, including the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the City Excise Commission. “SLU has numerous programs in place to address this issue, but we need the surrounding bars to step up in helping us reduce underage and high-risk drinking,” Vice President of Student Develop-
ment Kent Porterfield said. The Department of Public Safety and Security Services has deployed and will continue to deploy four officers in two separate golf carts from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m on Friday and Saturday nights at random. The officers patrol the Frost Campus in search of students violating drinking laws. DPSSS, however, now has assistance from the St. Louis Police Department. With the STLPD on campus, susceptible students are not only subject to disciplinary action from the University, but also from the city of St. Louis. STLPD has the authority to summon students to court, making it a legal violation, while DPSSS cite students to the Student Conduct
Board, making it a violation of conduct. “By enforcing liquor violations, we are protecting vulnerable male and female students from possibly becoming the victims of a more serious or greater crime,” Assistant Director of Field Operations for DPSSS Kent Hornak said. At the beginning of the semester, SLU held meetings with local bar owners, urging them to check the identification cards of their patrons effectively, to engage in responsible serving practices and to eliminate drink specials that encourage excessive alcohol consumption. Also, SLU hosted a training session led See “DPSSS” on Page 2
By MARK CAMPOS Staff Writer
For years, Muslim students who followed Islamic dietary laws were unable to eat any meat products on campus. That changed this semester, as Chartwells Dining Services decided to incorporate menus around campus that offer meat prepared according to Islamic ruling. “It’s really nice that they have Halal options now, because a lot of Muslims would have to eat like vegetarians here,” junior Imman Musa said. “At least we have some more options of what we could eat.” Halal translates to “permissible,” and comprises regulations for all the foods Muslims are permitted to eat. The food preparation procedures are identified in the Quran. Meat is prepared according to Zabiha, a slaughtering method in which animals are quickly killed with a sharp knife in the name of God, ensuring that they experience little suffering. Although not always a requirement of the Muslim religion, as access to such food may be limited, Halal is the ideal way to eat within Islamic law. Last year, some Muslim students said they were dissatisfied with the dining options on campus, and felt that their choices were limited. Director of Dining Services Paul Taylor said the initiative to offer Halal foods was brought to Chartwells’ attention by STLHalal, an organization that teamed with the Muslim Student Association to promote awareness of the lack of Halal foods offered on campus. Currently, the Halal-prepared foods are offered at the Griesedieck Dining Hall and through the Outtakes program at the Grand Market Place, Fusz Food Court and Ameren Cafe. Although strides have been made, some students have expressed concern for the kinds of Halal food offered. Senior Abdullah Shoaib said that the new line of foods are mostly Indian and Arabic, and that he would like to see American variants. “We get enough of that at home,” Shoaib said. “We want food we would never be able to have at home, like toasted ravioli, turkey sandwiches and Buffalo wings.” Taylor said he remains open to meal suggestions and that Chartwells would be willing to implement those suggestions, including more American options, into the menu. In addition to ensuring that Halal foods are brought to campus correctly, Taylor said he hopes that the reaction to the new food options will be positive. As part of the new initiatives, Taylor said Chartwells intends to create more themed international meals each month in the Griesedieck and Reinert Dining Halls. Taylor said he encourages students to bring forward recipes for certain foods that have not yet been offered.
Blue the Billiken Making the grade
Read and Recycle The University News prints on partially recycled paper.
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
Let Us Introduce You
Chadd Mathis
Student radio host hopes to be measured by accomplishments, not hair By ANNE MARIE BECKERLE Staff Writer
Around this time four years ago, when Chadd Mathis was looking at colleges, he said he was originally going to play soccer for Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. However, the Dallas native was offered a better academic scholarship from Saint Louis University and came up north to St. Louis, where he dropped his career as an athlete and embraced other endeavors. Despite not playing a sport, the senior has managed to become involved in several organizations on campus throughout his career as a college student. “I used to have a fro, and the dread locks. Yeah, I was that guy,” the newly buzz-cut Mathis said. “I always felt like I was the guy people know but don’t know in person, but still wanted to get to know.” Mathis has much more to offer than interesting hair. On top of majoring in psychology, acting as secretary for the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and refereeing recreational soccer games, Mathis said he still finds time to put in 10 to 15 hours a week at KSLU, the student radio station of the University. Serving KLSU as music director for the past year and a half, Mathis said his taste for music and management skills are put to the test every day. Not only does he review songs from local promoters, but Mathis said he also gives feedback to the promoters, giving them an idea of which songs are getting played and how often. Mathis said he relieves the stress of his busy schedule through music, going to the gym and biking. Other hobbies include still playing soccer recreationally, live music and occasionally engaging in a game of FIFA 12. Other than gaining organizational skills and “doing whatever needs to be
THE SLU SCOOP All Information Provided by Department of Public Safety and Security Services
Friday, Sept. 30
10:37 p.m. - Property Damage/ Trespassing An individual not affiliated with the University, believed to be on campus to attend a concert at Chaifetz Arena, forced entry into the main doors of the building, where he passed out, evidently due to extreme intoxication. The subject was arrested and turned over to SLMPD. Maintenance responded to repair the doors. However parts will need to be ordered in order to secure same.
Mark Campos / Staff Photographer
done,” Mathis said he does not have a secret to timemanagement that balances extracurricular activities and school. As far as the future is concerned, Mathis said he could see himself possibly attending graduate school but would first love to work for Teach for America, an organization that places college graduates to work at schools in inner cities across the country. His first preference for location would be to stay here in St. Louis. After the program’s two-year commitment, Mathis said he would like to own a small business. His dream job is to be a professional athlete. Mathis has a radio show on KSLU called “Two-Nil at Half” which discusses the Barclays
Premier League, the highest soccer league in England. Mathis recaps the previous week’s game and previews upcoming games. “In between segments, we usually play a mix of indie rock, folk and electronic music,” Mathis said. ”Two-Nil at Half” runs from 3 to 4 p.m. on Friday afternoons. As for his presence on campus and legacy as a senior, Mathis said he hopes he has evolved from “that guy” with dread locks. He said he wants people to remember him as someone who took chances and went to the beat of his own drum. “You are measured by accomplishments” Mathis said, “But it’s not what you did that people remember, it’s who you were.”
Saturday, Oct. 01
4:00 p.m. - Informational/Robbery A SLU student was assaulted and robbed on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, of his backpack containing his laptop computer, some text books and his cellular telephone.
Sunday, Oct. 02
7:46 a.m. - Property Damage A DPSSS officer discovered the blank electric sign located at the curb on Laclede Avenue had been defaced with graffiti. Unknown person(s) wrote, “DEATH” on the sign. The building being demolished across the street, not associated with SLU
property, also had the same word written.
Monday, Oct. 03
1:27 p.m. - Elevator Entrapment A SLU employee was trapped on the fourth floor. DPSSS and Maintenance arrived on the scene. Maintenance extracted the employee within a few minutes. There were no injuries. The elevator company arrived on the scene for repair.
Be a Responsible Billiken STOP. CALL. REPORT. 314-977-3000 witness.slu.edu dps.slu.edu
DPSSS: Joint effort with city Continued from Page 1
underage drinking on several occasions. O’Sullivan said that there are no firm plans in the future for working with SLU on this effort. O’Sullivan said
by the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control that focused on responsible practices. “Our focus is a reduction in both crimes against persons and property. If DPSSS can help reduce Our focus is a both areas by enforcement of liquor violations, we will reduction in both continue to do so,” Hornak crimes against persaid. The St. Louis Police sons and property Department said that they were asked by SLU to help patrol regarding safety and combating underage -Kenneth Hornak drinking. Public information officer for the STLPD Katie that the police are unable to O’Sullivan said that police release specific information department has been called in regarding the department’s regard to issues of safety and involvement, and therefore
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could not release information about recent instances of alcohol violations on campus. Sophomore Francis Celii said he believes that the enhanced security has its benefits, but that he remains skeptical as to the actual effectiveness of the new initiative. “If this just a scare tacit though, it won’t do much,”Celii said. Sophomore Charise Lowe said she thinks that underage drinking is less of a police issue and more of a cultural issue. “There is no true deterrent for underage drinking. The environment promotes drinking,” Lowe said. “I think is a good idea, but I don’t know how much [the police] can affect the culture.”
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
Una celebrates confidence in self-image Homocoming highlights ‘Love Your Body Day’ fights against negative stereotypes Coming Out Month By BRIAN BOYD News Editor
By PATRICK OLDS Associate News Editor
Saint Louis University recently celebrated a day to help students, especially women, appreciate their bodies in a healthy way. On Sept. 30, Una, the feminist voice of SLU, sponsored Love Your Body Day, a national event that focuses on fighting back against the unhealthy stereotypes of a woman’s body image. “Women are taught to be critical of their bodies from a young age,” Penny Weiss, director of women’s studies at the University and faculty advisor for Una, said. “It can have dramatic damaging effects on lifestyle and relationships.” According to a 2009 poll by Glamour magazine, a lifestyle publication geared predominantly toward women, out of 16,000 women, 40 percent were unhappy about their bodies. The same poll was taken by the magazine in 1984 and 75 percent of women polled said that they thought they were too fat. Although the trend is shifting, according to Una, there is still work to be done. “Women need to stop comparing their bodies to unrealistic, unconstructive expectations that are perpetuated by media,” Weiss said. “You can make the comparison to the campaign for Black is Beautiful, taking a subordinated group and reclaiming it in a positive way.”
Curtis Wang / Multimedia Director
Students gathered near the clock tower on Sept. 30 to promote positive self-image during “Love Your Body Day.” In addition to polls about unhappiness about female body image, Glamour also asked women about what makes them feel better about their bodies. Specifically one statistic may standout to many SLU women: 75 percent of women said that professional achievements make them feel better about their bodies. Women that participated in the poll also said that regular exercise, eating well and receiving compliments from other women contributed to a better image of oneself. “The idea of [Love Your Body Day] was very cool,”
Weiss said. “It’s nice to think of someone stopping by for part of their day to imagine beauty within themselves, guy or girl.” Body painting, Love Your Body Day pins and written personal messages about what people enjoy about their bodies were just some of the activities of the day. “I thought it was a great celebration and a chance to feel good about ourselves,” senior Caitlin Bancroft said. “It was a lot of fun and a great event.” Love Your Body day is held twice annually, including once in the fall semester and
once in the spring semester. Una holds a variety of different events, as well Domestic Violence Month, The Vagina Monologues and Women in the Arts night. “Our goal was to celebrate our bodies and to bring women and men more confidence in how they think about their individual image,” Tasha Massman, Una core team member, said. “Una took this day as a responsibility. We need to be equal and it’s not just women – everyone should feel confident about who they are and that ties in with the entire feminist movement.”
Lupe visits ‘best city in the whole wide world’
If a student were to take a stroll through campus last week, they were sure to see rows of smiling faces along the sidewalk. All of Us campaign posters lined the Quad, displaying smiling pictures of people who identified themselves as straight allies. In its fourth year at Saint Louis University, the All of Us campaign seeks to establish an accepting environment for people of all sexual orientations by promoting awareness of straight allies on campus. “I’m really excited to participate in this tradition because I’ll get to see a more diverse side of campus,” freshman Elizabeth Sabetta said. To celebrate the “coming out” experience, Rainbow Alliance is hosting several events that bring to light the stories of students who have expressed their sexual orientation to raise awareness about gay and lesbian issues. Monday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. in the Quad, Rainbow Alliance will be hosting Come Out and Play, the official kickoff event of Coming Out Month. The event will feature music, games and inflatables, giving students a chance to take a break and have some fun while raising awareness about the coming out experience. On Wednesday, Sept. 19, students will have a chance to share and listen to stories and discuss in an open and accepting environment the difficulties surrounding the topic of coming out during an event titled Sharing Our Stories.
Students, facility, alumni and staff will speak about the difficulties associated with coming out and being an ally with the gay community during the Coming out Panel on Oct. 26. The month-long events offer an opportunity for students to see viewpoints from a diverse body of the SLU family. “Coming Out Month is the best month of the year at SLU,” sophomore Sophie Fisher said. Fisher said that she is looking forward to the panel because it will be an interesting discussion displaying a wide variety of views and personal backgrounds of the SLU community At the end of Coming Out Month, Rainbow Alliance holds Homocoming, a dance where all dates are welcome regardless of sexuality, gender, color or religion. According to Rainbow Alliance, Homocoming 2010, titled “Dancing Under the Northern Lights,” was a success, and the planning committee for this year’s dance said they hope to make the event even better. This year’s dance boasts a “Volcanic Blow-Out” theme, featuring a disc jockey, professional lighting, island décor and a 10-foot tall erupting volcano. The Homocoming committee said they are working diligently to make the event a night to remember. “I am ecstatic for the culminating Coming Out Month events, ending with Homocoming 2011. To sum up the dance in one word: Lavalicious,” sophomore Homocoming Committee Chair Robbie Barnhart said.
SGA talks spot funding By CHARLES BOWLES Staff Writer
The Student Government Association is talking money. SGA is debating spot funding for the second week in a row after the previous spotfunding resolution was vetoed by SGA President Matt Ryan. “Our house is not in order with the previous spot funding resolution,” Ryan said. The previous spot funding bill was vetoed because Ryan said that the content of the spot-funding resolution was not “discussed enough” by members of SGA. Student groups who received spot funding last week will not lose that money including Black Student Alliance. The language of the bill and spot funding for club sports were points of debate. The new spot-funding resolution added language
addressing what some members considered vague and unclear terms and guidelines in regard to spot funding. The new resolution includes definitions about conferences, tournaments, internal social events, donations to charities, club sports and the allocation of funds. After debate, which lasted close to an hour, the resolution was tabled until next week. The SGA executive board will not comment on this the new spot funding resolution until the resolution is passed. Also during the meeting, SGA chartered the Culinary Club, a student organization that is dedicated to educating the University on food and its various nuances. SGA also created an ad-hoc committee to implement a Billiken on Bikes initiative, working to create a bike-share program at the University.
Shah (Yuqing Xia) / Photo Editor
The concert may have ended, but ‘the show goes on.’ Rap artist Lupe Fiasco performed in front of nearly 3,000 students at Chaifetz Arena on Thursday, Sept. 29. Lupe Fiasco has been nominated for seven Grammy awards, notching his only win in 2008 for his song ‘Daydreamin.’
Policy: Gives sexual assault victims options and control Continued from Page 1
party”. The receiving party does not necessarily have to say “no” for a case to be considered sexual assault, and silence from the receiving party is not considered an affirmative. A verbal “yes” at every stage in the process of intimacy is necessary in order to avoid sexual assault, according to the policy. Another important change to the policy is an individual’s right to withdraw consent at any time. Weathers said that while there was nothing fundamentally wrong with the former policy, it was time for a change because “we could do it better.” “These cases are the most serious violations that we consider and we want to make sure we get it right,” Weathers said. “From the new policy comes a hope that more cases will be reported this year than in the past.” Weathers said that the administration is trying to make students feel more comfortable in reporting sexual assaults to campus officials. She explained that whether the victim does not want to be receiving texts from a certain party, or wants the
assaulting party kicked off of campus, “the reporting process provides what [victims] are looking for.” Weathers said the new policy gives the victims control of their situation and guidance through the process of picking different available resources. The new policy focuses on the University’s preparedness, response, recovery and prevention of sexual assault on campus, with a special emphasis on response. Typically, the first to respond to a report of sexual assault are the officers of the Department of Public Safety and Security Services. With the policy change came a shift in how responses to incidents are handled by officers. This past summer, DPSSS officers were trained and now “have a greater sensibility,” according to Assistant Vice President of DPSSS Roland Corvington. In addition to educating the officers of the sensitivity of cases of this nature, Corvington said that DPSSS felt it important to instate a policy in which only two officers can respond to a report at a time, as to not overwhelm the victim. Assistant Director of DPSSS Christopher Bingham
and DPSS Investigator Mark Chambers helped shape the new policy, according to Corvington. Chambers is a former sex crimes detective. Corvington said that the new policy “gives the victims options” regarding recovery of the assault. Before the policy change, he said that there was a general feeling that DPSSS needed to be more aggressive. One answer to this was the mandatory training of all officers over the summer. Corvington said the Student Government Association Safety and Security Concerns Committee were instrumental in getting the training started. “We take sexual assault very seriously and ensure that students know that we take it seriously,” Corvington said. Helping students to take sexual assault seriously is the new Green Dot program, which educates the community on how to become active bystanders. Case Management Coordinator of the Student Conduct Office Diana Foster said she saw a need for a bystander initiative program on campus, and went through formal training in order to bring the program to SLU. The program deals with
not only sexual assault, but rather any “power based personal violence,” according toFoster “If everyone can do something, then we are going to make a much bigger impact on our culture to reduce violence,” Foster said of the mission of the Green Dot program. The program aims to educate and train as much of the community as possible in assault awareness. “The more people we get knowledgeable, the more chances we have of preventing violence,” Foster said. Senior Marcel Hagens said he was made aware of the new sexual assault policy through the weekly SGA emails. “I feel that it is relevant on this campus,” Hagens said. “There have been instances that have been made aware to me. Even if it is one instance, it is an issue.” Junior Monica Frazier said she feels that the University has educated the community on how to prevent and respond to sexual assault. “[SLU] had done effective programming for us to know correct protocol of what to do if [sexual assault] ever happens to us or a friend,” Frazier said. “They’re serious about it.”
Mark Campos / Staff Photographer
Manager of Operations for the Student Involvement Center David Young addresses SGA before the start of the meeting.
Teaching: SLU grads serve students Continued from Page 1
experience,” Huebner said. “I took my French class to an art museum to look at some French art, and I found out no one in the class had been to an art museum before. It was exciting to give them that experience.” SLU sees students apply and get accepted into the program every year, but the St. Louis chapter is committed to seeing the numbers increase. In 2011, SLU has seen 12 students join Teach for America,. Zitzer said he is confident the SLU numbers will increase because Teach for America offers students not only an ability to act on a passion for justice issues, but
also opens up opportunities for participants once the two year commitment is over. “The program opens a lot of doors and is really an experience like no other. It will prepare you for anything,” Zitzer said. According to Zitzer, corps members receive a full salary and benefits. The pay can help pay for graduate school or pay off loans after graduation. Zitzer also said that the program offers networking opportunities with past and present members. SLU seniors looking to get involved with Teach for America can check out the program’s website at www. teachforamerica.org to find out more about the application process.
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
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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.
Chartwells sets the table for diversity Chartwells is proving to be a leader in the inclusion game. Their strategy can be seen in efforts over the past few years to expand the diversity in on-campus food options. In the beginning of the 2005-2006 academic year, Chartwells added Terra Ve, a vegetarian restaurant, to Saint Louis University’s on-campus dining options. Chartwells also offers a variety of diverse choices year-round in Griesedieck and Reinert Dining Halls. On major Jewish holidays, Chartwells includes Kosher options on its menu. Vegan and vegetarian, as well as gluten-free food, are most always available at Au Bon Pain. Slowly, but surely, Chartwells is making an effort to be inclusive of all different dietary practices on campus. At the request of STLHalal, an organization started by a group of Muslim SLU students, Chartwells has added Halal, or food prepared according to Islamic law, to its line of products. But this progress, though visibly prominent, should not stop here. Chartwells can continue in its commitment to serving the student body by accommodating Jewish students with Kosher options year-round. If Kosher is important on major Jewish holidays, it is important every other day as well. There is no reason why Jewish students should have to take a break from Kosher the rest of the year.
Often forgotten are food allergies, which also require special accommodations. If Chartwells will not offer safe food for all allergy types, making allergy information of all its foods easily-accessible is among the least costly things it can do to create some comfort for those students with food allergies. For example, a few months after its establishment in Grand Market, Chick-fil-A finally realized it was necessary to make its use of peanut oil more well-known to customers. In addition, Chartwells can appeal to a wider range of tastes by offering more diverse food options. Currently, there are two different restaurants, both of which offer varieties of pizza: 2mato and Tomato Head Red. Au Bon Pain, Grand Deli and Wild Greens are also three restaurants that offer the same type of food: Sandwiches and wraps. Although restaurants such as Salsarita’s and Chopsticks offer Mexican and Chinese food varieties, there is much more room for expansion on the diversity spectrum. According to the St. Louis page on Urbanspoon, the most common types of different ethnic restaurants are Southern or Soul food, Thai, French, Greek and Mediterranean, along with Italian and Chinese. Surely, those in the pizza line at Grand Market or Fusz would welcome soul or French food with open arms, if it were an option in campus dining halls.
DESIGN DIRECTOR BRIANNA RADICI design@unewsonline.com
Students must take reactive role against hate
MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR CURTIS (ZHENGZHONG WANG)
Following the Lupe Fiasco concert, that stand up to hate speech is incompresome students reported hate speech di- hensibly small. rected toward black students, according Being immersed in our in-groups, we to Student Government Association Vice are often not aware of all the groups with President of Diversity and Social Justice which we do not associate. In order to apKripa Sreepada. On The University News proach inclusion and acceptance, we must website last week, a comment was request- increase our awareness of the out-groups. ed to be removed because it was deemed We must increase our knowledge of the offensive to the Jewish community. Unfor- out-groups. We must be vigilant of speech tunately, these are not surprising occur- directed toward the out-groups. rences. They are a In the end, harude awakening. tred, discrimination It is a fact that and prejudice stem even the most culturfrom one thing: Igally open-minded of norance. As students us are prone to deriof a University that We must be men and prides itself with its sive and derogator y speech. to be “men women for others by mission Due to our limand women for othited mental capacity, protecting the rights of ers,” it has not been we gravitate toward stressed enough those who fall victim to how important it is those with similar characteristics. We to the Jesuit misverbal injustices. are familiar with our sion to understand in-groups, but disthe concept and the tant from our outpersona of “others.” groups, causing us Sometimes, doing to make assumptions ser vice for others is about them. Few of us are immune from not cleaning their backyard or doctoring the urges to homogenize a particular out- their wounds. group and make a generalized comment We must be men and women for othof sorts to incur a laugh. Most of us have ers ever y day by protecting the rights of witnessed it, and, if we have not laughed those who fall victim to verbal injustices. or nodded along, we have shook our heads As often as we take proactive measures to in contempt. Mere contempt, however, is inclusion, we cannot forget to be reactive only skin deep. The number of students to ever yday incidences.
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Posted below are the results from our web poll on The University News’ website. These are the campus restaurants where students dine most often. (11 votes total) Where do you dine most often on campus?
64%
Grand Market
19%
Terra Ve
9%
Fusz Dining Hall
9%
Au Bon Pain
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The Oath of Inclusion is an opportunity to better our community Editor’s note: This letter is in response to a commentary publised last week, titled “Oath of Inclusion is not inclusive of all Billikens.” Last week, The University News published a commentar y concerning the effectiveness of the Oath of Inclusion and its seeming lack of including all students in the effort. The main argument was to draw similarities between the current Oath of Inclusion campaign and the “We Are All Billikens” campaign from the 2009-2010 school year. To begin, I want to address more accurately the “We Are All Billikens” campaign. I was on campus at the time so I think it would be best to provide some context that was not detailed in last week’s editorial. The “We Are All Billikens” campaign was a symbolic effort by one student organization. And while it was a laudable effort at the time, it was not a commitment written by students from all different backgrounds on campus, deliberated on for over a year, unanimously legislated by Student Government Association, presented to the President’s Coordinating Council, advocated to the Board of Trustees Student Development Committee, spoken about at the Federal Reser ve of St. Louis, and integrated into SLU101 and Welcome Week events. The Oath, on the other hand, was. The Oath has also been the catalyst to bring all groups that define themselves as “diversity or social justice” focused together each week through the Diversity Leadership Cabinet. This is an open forum where students can debate and program around community-building issues. The Oath has dictated passionate conversations from Griesedieck Hall to the floors of DuBourg. It has brought myself and a staff member together, in near tears, addressing what the Jesuit Mission lived out can do for this campus. I state these accomplishments because I feel the article portrayed the Oath as another campaign without substance. I would encourage further research and deliberation before making such claims. Indeed, buttons and videos have been a part of the campaign. In coming weeks, so will t-shirts and place cards on dining tables. They are there to create other avenues to deliver the message. However, they are not the substance of the campaign, rather they are the indicators of its progress. The leaders of the Oath campaign do not think someone wearing a button will change this culture. We believe the buttons may spark a conversation between two people about what community means to them: a conversation that may not have occurred other wise. Throughout this campaign’s inception, it has never been portrayed as the cure all and it never will be. Nor has it ever been solely in the hands of Student Government. It has been a sincere, humble, and courageous attempt led by many students and supported by administrators and staff to create dialogue about our community, break down superficial barriers that divide us as Billikens, and put for ward structural changes that will outlast our SLU career. To conclude, I want to thank The University News for printing last week’s article. The Oath is an opportunity for us to challenge each other sincerely and to motivate one another to constantly push for a better Saint Louis University. As The University News editorial board alluded to last week, the Oath is an initiative that we have placed much emphasis and attention. Although we have made great strides two months into our term to improve study and casual spaces on campus, clean up the CSO financial process, improve academic resources, strengthen SGA’s relationship with students, and make CSO’s better connected on campus, we stand by our efforts to advocate for the Oath. We understand that we cannot tackle issues together unless all students feel safe and loved on campus. Pushing for an inclusive campus has been a priority of our administration, and it will continue to be. I hope The University News, as members of the SLU community, will also embrace the Oath as their own. I hope they attend DLC events ready to engage students and inter view attendees to gather further meaning. I hope, as “a voice for the students,” The University News promotes efforts pushed by students. I hope they realize while critique can be a justifiable and necessar y message, so can advocacy. Bringing up campaigns of the past cannot be the only direction from an organization of this stature. Looking to the future, pushing for a stronger community, and engaging all students, including your Student Government, has to be core to this paper’s efforts. It is not an option. It is your duty. Together, this is the SLU we can believe in. This is the community you and I can build together. This is our SLU. Matt Ryan is the president of Student Government Association.
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
Abroad: A Chinese high-speed rail crash and new markets of the world School system Living in America, we take many things for granted, even in these times of economic strife. One would think that China, being one of Commentary the wealthiest countries in the world, would be a safer place. Unfor tunately, this is far from the truth. On July 23, a high speed Stewart Heatwole train ran into another train in front of it, killing 40 and injuring 191 passengers. This alone is awful news, but the story following is all the more nauseating. One of the passengers injured was a 38-year-old man who broke eight ribs, punctured a lung and shattered a kneecap. He was first sent to a lessthan-noteworthy hospital and he requested to be moved to a better hospital near his home. The railroad ministry moved the man to an oldaged home where he received no medical attention, despite his continued back pain and trouble with breathing. To make things worse, in compensation for the $6,000 worth of possessions he lost in the crash, the ministry gave him a check for $35. Unfortunately, this is only the exposition of the story. The real meat of the news is in the corruption of the railroad ministry. The corruption in the ministry breads from the fact that it regulates the rails it owns, leaving endless amount of room for it to undercut quality to make a few more yen. In addition, the ministry employs 2 million workers, making it the same size as the U.S. government, minus the military and postal workers. The size and power of the railroad ministry in China is frightening in its own right, but it is the mentality of those that run it that is more horrific. It is the ministry’s triumphant statement less than 24 hours after the wreck which announced the
job-oriented, not enough focus on education quality
year round? As for claims of creating an empire – well, some could wonder with the expansion of SLU’s property over the past 20 years of his presidency. But it seems to be in the best interest of the University, as well as the safety of its students, to purchase underutilized buildings and other properties to improve the SLU and Midtown neighborhood. In regard to freshmen, they are the butt of many jokes due to the fact that they are easy targets. They are not well-versed in the ways of the collegiate life, particularly at SLU. They continually commit the faux pas that more seasoned students and adults would never make again – as they once did when they were freshmen. Here, it is easy to see that from a humorous standpoint, being made fun of by “the president” of the University would be the ultimate joke at their expense. And let’s face it – it is funny. Fr. Biondi’s name holds the utmost honor and respect in the St. Louis community, particularly at SLU. His resume of accomplishments is impressive, to say the least. He was named “Citizen of the Year” in 2005 and one of the “Citizens of the Century” in 1999 by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He was called a legend by the St. Louis Business Journal. His endeavors since his inauguration as president of the University in 1987, and those earlier in his life, that have made his name worth knowing and respecting. Regardless of the intentions of the account, it has quickly become a hit on SLU’s campus as anyone can see by its vast number of “followers” – all 1,573 of them and counting. The wit and jokes have caught the community by the funny bone as they laugh at the almost daily tweets of “Faker Biondi.” But is the real Biondi laughing? Is it really in the best interest of the maker(s) of “Faker Biondi” to continue to tweet in the name of such a respected member of our community? Perhaps not, but it is entertaining.
There are a million ways I could be fired from my job. Perhaps I am always late, or I don’t do quality work or care enough. Unfor tunately, Commentary none of these are good enough reasons to fire an American public school teacher. In our nation, the aggressive tactics of out-ofcontrol teachers’ unions have Vinnie Schneider created a work environment that offers no incentive for quality and punishes our youth with subpar education from educators, who, due to contractual tenure, can never be fired (except in the rare case of extreme misconduct) and therefore, in many instances, simply do not care. This week, retired NFL Quarterback Fran Tarkenton wrote a commentary in The Wall Street Journal, in which he applied the principles of our education system to the NFL. He imagined an NFL in which each player’s salary was based on how long he’s been there, not his talent. “The same scale is used for every player, no matter whether he’s an All-Pro quarterback or the last man on the roster. For every year a player’s been in this NFL, he gets a bump in pay... If a player makes it through his third season, he can never be cut from the roster until he chooses to retire, except in the most extreme cases of misconduct,” he wrote. If this were the case, the on-field product would quickly deteriorate. Sadly, our government does not see the blatant need for education reform and continues to believe that money can fix the system. President Obama’s most recent jobs plan included billions for “public school modernization,” even though inflation-adjusted spending per student has nearly tripled since 1970. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, we spend more per student than almost any nation. Yet, during the past 40 years, our test score rankings have declined in almost every subject. Clearly, more spending is not fixing the problem. The problem must be deeper. Former chancellor of Washington, D.C. public schools, Michelle Rhee, understood this problem. In her first year on the job, she closed 23 schools, fired 36 principals and cut approximately 121 office jobs. She removed schools and teachers who were underperforming and replaced them with teachers and schools that would succeed. She also fought to end tenure but to instate pay increases up to $140,000 per year for strong teacher performance. Somewhat predictably, liberals reacted by sending Rhee death threats, calling for her resignation and criticizing her aggressive job cuts. Rhee fired back, stating, “I got rid of teachers who had hit children, who had had sex with children, who had missed 78 days of school. Why wouldn’t we take those things into consideration?” Despite the criticism, D.C. public schools increased in several measurable ways during her time as chancellor. Since 2007, secondary schools improved their standardized test pass rates by 14 percent in reading and 17 percent in math, while elementary school pass rates improved 6 percent in reading and 15 percent in math. Systemwide high school graduation rates also climbed to 72 percent in 2009. Even with these successes, however, Rhee resigned. Unfortunately, Rhee is not the only aspiring reformer who has been criticized. Virtually anyone today who speaks out against teachers’ unions is met with the same round of accusations. Tarkenton states, “If you criticize the system, you’re demonized for hating teachers and not believing in our nation’s children.” This is, of course, not to say that there are no quality teachers in our public school system—there most certainly are. The problem is that such teachers are not rewarded for their quality. Who wouldn’t become somewhat disenchanted if, despite your high student attendance and test scores, you still made the same amount of money as the worst teacher in the district (or less, if he’s been there longer than you)? The system is designed to guarantee the most jobs to the most people, and not to provide the best education, as it should be. Without substantial reform, our nation’s children and our future leaders will only continue to be victimized by poor policy and greed.
Kaylin Ielase is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Vinnie Schneider is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Starla Salazar / Illustrator
rail was reopened that is more sickening. It is a search that only lasted eight hours after the wreck, as opposed to 72 hours that is standard everywhere else, that should upset the stomach of any outside viewer. Finally, it is the isolation and fear that victims feel after a wreck because they cannot expect good hospital care, appropriate compensation or any security from heartfelt apologies. This is what is most disturbing. Transitioning from this horrific news to something more uplifting is quite difficult, but in other news the great investing firms of the early 1900s are producing great results from their foreign investments. After over a century of investments, areas like China and Brazil are turning out to be quite profitable. In 1902, the investment firm International Banking Corporation opened offices in Calcutta, India and Manila, Philippines, these investments have yielded great results. A new mentality is sweeping over the investors of Wall Street these
days. No longer are they interested in the quick buck, but now they have set their sights for more long term yields. Firms are even taking considerable losses now to set up branches in countries that previously were marked as unthinkable. This new mentality is also the focus of some of the transformations firms. Firms like Carlyle Group, who used to invest in military and aerospace, are now making a global presence by going to places like Lagos, Nigeria, Seoul, South Korea and Istanbul, Turkey. Even places like Columbia, Peru, and Libya are looking like good prospects for investors. This is revolutionary, for once investors are investing in potential in the long run, as opposed to those who are doing well in the moment. Wall Street is generally seen as the most greedy or most focused on the short term part of American society, making this change in ethos phenomenal. Now if only this new and more enlightened mentality were to trickle
down into the American society through government and general world views of the people, we might be in for a rise to greatness that our country so desperately screams for. Finally, there has been evidence that aiming for the future proves to be more successful than aiming at the immediate, and this might prove to enough people that there is a good reason to sacrifice a little now. On a similar note, this new mentality could prove to be very beneficial to the developing countries of the world because firms will start investing in them, which will in turn result in more growth due to a high flow of money. Our world is full or goods and evils, innovations and digressions. In China, the great innovations has led to great digressions is social sympathy. On Wall Street, great innovations in the way we approach the market could lead to a new great age for the U.S., but what are their side effects? Stewart Heatwole is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Corrupt politics drives citizens to erupt in protests in Wall Street It is something we should have or anarchy. There is nothing politipaid attention to a long time ago. cal about these protests, except that The protests taking place in cities politics have failed to preserve the all over the na- public interests over those from the tion are the latest private sector. Commentary consequences The monetary system is making of the economic corporations richer than ever, and crisis the world their profits are skyrocketing durhas been suffer- ing one of the worst economic criing for the last ses ever remembered. The private four years. This sector has a strong influence over crisis has taken politics and, as always, people with many jobs and less purchasing power want to gain has prevented purchasing power, basically fueling more inequality. Federico Garcia-Lorca others from getting their first Until we realize that the same one right after reasons why we protest are the ones college. that create the need for the protest, When a situation like this oc- we will be inevitably bonded to the curs, those affected feel frustrated vicious circle of fighting fire with and betrayed. Frustrated because more fire. life as they knew it is gone, and now Something is wrong with our way they need to adapt to a new situation of living, but nobody cares. Later, less comfortable than before. They people start losing their jobs, their feel betrayed because they thought houses, their money and even the they were participating in a process opportunity to go to college. Then, called democracy, which Lincoln suddenly everybody cares and there described as “of the people, by the are massive protests. people, for the people.” At one point, a politician (or sevIt turns out that, in reality, the gov- eral of them) appeals to the protesternment bails out private companies ers, claiming understanding of the to keep them afloat with people’s tough situation the country is suftaxes, instead fering and eiof fixing roads, ther send in a improving policy, or, betpublic transter yet, let the portation and fade There is nothing political protest raising funds away. for scientific about it will these protests, fadeAndaway research. beD e c a d e s except that politics have cause even ago, it was p r o t e s t s c o m p l i c a t e d failed to preserve the against the to start a current monprotest of this public interests. etary system magnitude. are corrupted Labor unions by the monwould need to organize a protest etary system. that large. Keeping an effective Ever thought about how expencommand over the activists is the sive it is to keep up a permanent key to concentrating forces during protest on the street? It’s even more the protests and updating people on expensive when the protest is run by possible actions and future plans. people who do not have money and However, in modern times, are not working to get money (othprotests are no longer publicized on erwise they would not be able to be the radio, on the newspapers and there day and night). on pamphlets given away on the Those politicians who called for streets by activists. Now they are order ride their expensive cars, or organized through social networks take a plane, back wherever. Maybe like Facebook, Twitter and Google+, they are staying in the city at that where activists can post pictures expensive hotel everybody knows and videos with the latest updates down the avenue. The protest will and appeal directly to soon-to-be fade away – it is only seasonal for supporters with the comfort, and them. anonymity of a computer screen. The current economic system This dissemination is both favors a few over the average, and good and bad. While members the rest only complain when they do make the organization appear not get from the system what they to propogate a popular and well- want. The protest on Wall Street will accepted movement, the recruiting end without achieving significant organization runs the risk of casting changes in our minds or our members who may not identify economic system, but at least there personally with the cause. are people out there reminding People are very angry right now us what sort of luck we could be with the nation’s current economic enjoying tomorrow. performance. These protests are not about the poor claiming their rights Federico Garcia-Lorca is a senior to equality with the rich. They are in the Parks College of Engineering, not about the ideas of communism Aviation and Technology.
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Starla Salazar / Illustrator
@FakerBiondi ignominious to Father On Aug. 31, the identity of Saint Louis University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., was taken to Twitter to create the “Faker Commentary Biondi” parody account, found at @FakerBiondi. News of this Twitter account spread like wildfire across SLU’s campus. Rumors and questions ran Kaylin Ielase amuck. The answers to those questions have spread slowly, and only time will tell if they are true. It has been claimed that the account was started by a group, not an individual. Another rumor soon followed, claiming that members of this group had backed out at the last minute to leave only a single maker of the “Faker Biondi” parody. Word through the grapevine claimed that the actual Biondi was not thrilled with these antics, and that he supposedly contacted Twitter to have the account shut down. However true any of this was, it did prompt the maker(s) of the account to rename it “Faker Biondi” and change the picture. They tweeted, “This account is purely parody. Father Biondi is a great man and has my fullest respect, and I’ve no intention of abusing his name.” Yet with tweets such as, “Mirror, mirror, on my expensive, satin-lined wall, who is the tannest, richest, most influential, and best looking #SLU prez of them all?” and “Sometimes, I feel like I’m in such a state of ecstasy that I’ve been overcome by the Holy Spirit. Then I realize my stocks just went up,” and many more of the growing 145 tweets that have been posted, the earlier tweet purporting to respect Biondi’s good name may not be completely accurate. Most of the tweets tend to focus on Biondi’s supposed obsession with creating a SLU empire, getting, making and taking money, and keeping inebriated freshmen off his lawn. How are we supposed to know if Biondi likes to sport a bronzed look
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
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Andrew Jenks spins his world from MTV to SLU
on the
TOWN Arts Editors’ Picks
MUSIC Thursday, Oct. 6 8 p.m Wade Bowen Off Broadway Tickets are $12 - $15 Friday, Oct. 7 Doors at 8 p.m, Music at 9 Emperor X and So Many Dynamos The Billiken Club Free admission
OTHER Sunday, Oct. 9 4 p.m. Alton Brown Book Signing: ‘Good Eats 3’ The Ethical Society of St. Louis Free
By T.K. SMITH Staff Writer
This fall, the Student Activities Board will bring pop culture icon Andrew Jenks to campus as their annual fall entertainment act. Jenks is an award-winning filmmaker and creator of the documentary television series “World of Jenks” and the founder of Hemi Productions. “This is really different for SAB,” SAB President Christi Thieben said. “I wanted to try some different venues.” In the past, SAB has brought improv groups and dance crews as fall entertainers. “Entertainment is anything the students are interested in,” Thieben said. Thieben saw Jenks speak at a conference in February, and she said she felt students would be able to take something positive from hearing him at the University. “His program tells his story and how he made it. He had a ‘fake it till you make it’ theme, and college students, having to put themselves out there, will relate,” Thieben said. Jenks is the son of Assistant Secretary General for the United Nations Bruce Jenks, and his mother Nancy Piper Jenks is a family nurse practitioner. Born in New York, he
has lived in Nepal, Belgium and Japan. At age 16, he founded the Hendrick Hudson Film Festival at his public high school in Montrose, N.Y., giving student filmmakers at his high school and surrounding areas an opportunity to gather and share their art. The festival has become a tradition at the school, and has grown to become one of the largest high school film festivals in the United States. At age 19, Jenks produced and starred in “Andrew Jenks, Room 335,” a documentary where Jenks lived in The Harbor Place, an assisted living facility in Florida. Over the course of a summer, Jenks lived day-to-day as a senior citizen would — playing board games, conversing with other senior citizens and coping with the loss of friends. Through the documentary, Jenks attempted to understand how senior citizens feel as they brave the end of their lives. This piece was displayed in film festivals across the globe, and was the winner of the Copper Wing Award at the Phoenix Film Festival, Festival Prize at the Sacramento International Film Festival and Audience Favorite Choice Award at the Cinequest San Jose Film Festival. “The Zen of Bobby,” a documentary financed by ESPN that followed former MLB
Courtesty of Jason Roth
Andrew Jenks, who produced his first award-winning film, the documentary “Andrew Jenks, Room 355,” at 19, is currently featured in his own show “The World of Jenks” on MTV. Manager Bobby Valentine as he managed Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, was produced by Jenks at age 21 as an inside look at Japanese baseball – the cheerleaders, rock band performances and the games. The documentary shows the effect of baseball on a country, and also how baseball changes as it spreads across the world. Perhaps Jenks is best known for is his MTV series “The World of Jenks,” which premiered in 2010. Jenks spends a week experiencing
the life of people in different situations, including rappers, a person with autism and a homeless person. “The show is really refreshing for MTV,” Thieben said. “He is educating the audience. It’s not the Jersey Shore.” The show’s second season is set to premiere in early 2012, and has been expanded to a full hour on MTV. Instead of following one life, each episode will follow three separate lives. Jenks is also an activist, and
has teamed up with Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei, or German Bone Marrow Donor Center in English, a program designed to collect bone marrow to fight Leukemia that encourages college students to donate. Jenks, now 25, is an awardwinning producer, actor, director, editor and activist. Jenks will speak at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 in the Wool Ball Rooms. The event is open to all students and, though seating is limited, students need not obtain a ticket to attend.
Falling into cinemas this holiday season
THEATER Friday, Oct. 7 8 p.m. The Secret in the Wings University Theatre in Xavier Hall Tickets are $7 for students Saturday, Oct. 8 8 p.m. The Secret in the Wings University Theatre in Xavier Hall Tickets are $7 for students Sunday, Oct. 9 2 p.m. The Secret in the Wings University Theatre in Xavier Hall Tickets are $7 for students
Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Philip Seymour Hoffman (Left) plays Oakland A’s Manager Art Howe opposite Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill in “Moneyball.” The film opened on Sept. 23 to criticial acclaim and box office success. “Moneyball” is one of the most-anticipated films of the fall and winter season. Commentary
Foreign and indie films among fall theater gems
MOVIES Friday, Oct. 7 Midnight Tucker & Dale vs. Evil The Tivoli Tickets are $7 Friday, Oct. 7 Midnight The Human Centipede II: Full Sequence The Tivoli Tickets are $7; No one under 18 admitted Saturday, Oct. 8 Midnight Tucker & Dale vs. Evil The Tivoli Tickets are $7 Saturday, Oct. 8 Midnight The Human Centipede II: Full Sequence The Tivoli Tickets are $7; No one under 18 admitted
T.J. Keeley
Fall is upon us at long last. The final months of the year always see the releases of films studios have been holding on to in hopes of holiday box office success or a shot at Oscar glory. While many of these films are welcomed gifts, some take their Oscarbaition way too seriously. Here are 10 intriguing films which should become critical successes and have a good shot to go home with the gold at the end of the year film awards.
MONEYBALL (SEPT. 23) Faced with a miniscule payroll, Oakland A’s General Manager Billy Beane had an idea. With the help of Peter Brand, Beane developed a statistical analysis system called sabermetrics to reassess the value of baseball players and build a successful team on a low budget. Based on the book by Michael Lewis, Aaron Sorkin (“The West Wing”) penned this baseball drama starring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Though the trailer makes the film look aimed more at the crowd of “The Blind Side,” the talent involved elevates this film to “The Social Network” for sports fans.
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THE ARTIST (NOV. 23) Bear with me on this one. A French filmmaker crafts an homage to Hollywood’s silent era. Oh, and it is a black and white silent comedy with no stars in the lead roles. “The Artist” was a hit at the Cannes Film Festival and has left audiences warm and delighted. Some are calling this Hollywood romance an Oscar front-runner. “The Artist” co-stars James Cromwell, John Goodman and Malcolm McDowell.
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THE IDES OF MARCH (OCT. 7) Based on the stage play “Farrugut North,” this film follows a Howard Dean-esque presidential hopeful as seen through the eyes of a young campaign staffer (Ryan Gosling). Featuring sneaky politics and an ensemble including Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Max Minghella, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood, writer-director-producer-star George “The Cloon” Clooney offers up another political drama in the shadow of his wonderful “Good Night and Good Luck.”
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CARNAGE (DEC. 16) Roman Polanski directs this hysterical drama based on the hit play “God of Carnage” by Yasmina Reza. Its small cast and intimate setting recall Mike Nichols’ “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe?” The trailer promises moments of shouting in close quarters and sharp verbal exchanges from Jodie Foster, John C. Reilly, Christoph Waltz and Kate Winslet. This dark comedy looks like a welcome change of tone for Polanski.
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MARGIN CALL (OCT. 21) Here is another timely drama featuring a strong cast. “Margin Call” follows the 24-hour period leading up to the 2008 financial collapse and the individuals who saw it coming and chose to do nothing about it. Made on a miniscule budget, “Margin Call” could fall into the TV docudrama mold, but the script attracted the talents of Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons and Stanley Tucci, so it might be worth a look. TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY (DEC. 9) This suave British thriller from director Tomas Alfredson is set in the Cold War era. George Smiley (Gary Oldman) is faced with that compelling “one more job before you retire” dilemma when word leaks that the Soviets have a mole in MI6. This movie features another strong ensemble, including Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, John Hurt, Mark Strong and Benedict Cumberbatch. “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” is a remake of the TV mini-series starring Alec Guiness. It is time for Gary Oldman to get the recognition he deserves for his vast acting talent.
MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (OCT. 21) This little-known indie drama has garnered buzz by word-of-mouth on the festival circuit. Writerdirector Sean Durkin’s first feature film follows a woman’s attempt to reconnect with her family after a traumatizing experience with an abusive cult. While allegedly dark and disturbing in violent and sexual content, “Martha Marcy May Marlene” is said to center around a chilling supporting turn by John Hawkes, who garnered an Oscar nomination last year for his work in “Winter’s Bone.” THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (DEC. 21) Though Stieg Larsson enthusiasts and Swedish film loyalists cry afoul at this immediate remake of the best-selling novel, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” could be an action-packed, dark thriller. Starring Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer and Stellan Skarsgard, David Fincher directs the screenplay by Steven Zaillian (“Schindler’s List”). In interviews, Craig has promised an intense thriller for adults only. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” arrives just in time to be, as the trailer promises, “the feel-bad movie of Christmas.”
THE DESCENDANTS (NOV. 23) Another offering of The Cloon. Comedy genius Alexander Payne (“Sideways”) returns after a seven-year hiatus with this film about an estranged father who tries to connect with his two daughters after his wife dies in a boating accident. Early reviews suggest that this is the most vulnerable The Cloon has been after turns as the sly, but emotionally-damaged man in “Up in the Air,” and “Michael Clayton.” Directing comedy is no easy feat, and for Payne, comedy is no laughing matter. E X T R E M E LY LOUD AND I N C R E D I B LY CLOSE (DEC. 25) While I am not wild about Jonathan Safran Foer’s post9/11 novel, director Stephen Daldry brings intrigue to this project. Daldry has received a Best Director Oscar nomination for each of his first three films. Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis, James Gandolfini, Jeffrey Wright, Max von Sydow and John Goodman make up the cast in this drama about a nine-yearold boy who searches for the meaning of a key his father left behind before dying in the 9/11 attacks.
Arts
8
The University News
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
Inside Death Cab for Cutie’s sold-out show A true, Blue October By STEPHANIE MUELLER Staff Writer
Whimsical or whiny is a long-standing question among those exposed to Death Cab for Cutie, Music Review w a v e r ing precariously between the cutting-edge and dull. T h e i r newest album, “Codes STEPHANIE a n d MUELLER Keys,” w a s praised for sounding different from past albums without a complete gravitation to the shudder-worthy mainstream. The album is innovative, self-alienated even from similar acts like The Shins and The Postal Service, without straying completely from the patented Death Cab for Cutie sound. On Oct. 2, the quartet, “came home” as lead singer Ben Gibbard said, praising The Pageant as they headlined in St. Louis for the second time this year. The venue sold out almost immediately, leaving those who opted out of the opening act and arriving in time for the main event, like myself, in the standing room only section. If you want to know what Death Cab for Cutie sounds like in concert, I would suggest saving your money and buying the album, because differentiating between a live performance and the recorded version would be close to impossible.
Optimism was my guide heading into the concert, hoping for the melodic rhythms and sway-worthy tunes that the band became known for in the days of “Transatlanticism” and “Plans.” In this respect, the band delivered, demonstrating an obvious musical talent that has often been blurred by modern phenomena like the dreaded Auto-Tune. I respect any and all artists who can create a sound on stage exactly like that which they record, proving a natural inclination toward music, unaltered by computers, the bane of music’s existence. So what could be the problem with a band talented in theory and talented in person? In this case, they emaciated the feeling and excitement of a concert, alluding to all that a concert should be, but missing the mark in a sea of dullness and tedium. Perhaps it was the intimate setting of The Pageant that didn’t allow for a typical concert experience. While being so close to the band had the potential to be near-magical, in this instance, it hampered the performance and squelched the sense of unity that often allows the continual success of live music. Without a communal excitement rippling through the crowd, the desired energy was nonexistent, detracting considerably from the “concert feel.” Despite their relative fame, Death Cab for Cutie seemed inexperienced in performing, the lead singer twitchy and incapable of staying close enough to the microphone to enunciate the lyrics, a key
Southern rockers perform latest hits and fan favorites at The Pageant Arts Editor
Kelly Hinderberger / Associate Photo Editor
Death Cab for Cutie’s Oct. 2 headlining performance marked their second visit to The Pageant this year. component of the band’s bottom line. Gibbard became a distraction instead of a catalyst for the band’s live success, all eyes following his every move instead of hanging on his every word. To completely discount the performance would be unfair to the enormous talent that is Death Cab for Cutie, though. The songs alone verge on brilliance, combining unexpected keyboard riffs with Gibbard’s dreamlike voice and aforementioned beautiful lyrics that tap into emotion at an exceptionally deep level. They have seen success worldwide through a chain of albums, as proven by a multitude of sold-out shows on the American leg of their tour. To be a real artist, a band must go beyond being talented in the most black-andwhite sense of the word.
While kudos must be given to the band for appearing to be grounded in their fame, a realization of their success and adjustment in their performance demeanor to cater to that success is necessary. I don’t expect a spoiled rock star persona to shine through, but an ounce of something dynamic wouldn’t have hurt. I have not lost my respect for the band. Songs like “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” and “Someday You Will Be Loved” still reach the top of my Most Played List on a regular basis. I wanted the euphoric feeling that The Foo Fighters and Coldplay provided post-performance but, instead, could only muster a feeling of flatness, just like Death Cab for Cutie’s admirable, if unexciting, performance.
One Tuesday night: Wilco performs at re-opened Peabody Opera House
Shah (Yuquing Xia) / Photo Editor
Wilco, led by St. Louis native Jeff Tweedy, performed at The Peabody Opera House on Oct. 4 to promote their latest album “The Whole Love.” The Peabody celebrated its re-opening with Aretha Franklin and Jay Leno on Oct. 1.
Gerard Butler’s latest role as ‘Machine Gun Preacher’ By BO PENG Staff Writer
When the book “Another Man’s War: The True Story Of One Man’s Battle To Save Children” was released, author Sam Childers said, “All my life, from birth, it’s been a fight. And it always seemed to be another man’s war. I always seemed to be fighting for someone else. But it always came back to me.” Today, Childers is still fighting the war to save African orphans, and his story has been adapted to the movie “Machine Gun Preacher,” starring Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon.
In addition, director Marc Forester brings a steady and experienced hand to this project. “Machine Gun Preacher” is more about propagating the power of belief than discussing the question most religions are trying to answer. The story centers around Childers, a burly ex-con who finds Jesus after a close encounter with a stabbed alcoholic and a sudden hurricane. By accident, Childers is sent to Sudan where he decides to build an orphanage for refugees of a civil war, especially helping women and children of the war-torn country. Yet, the movie does not try to describe Childers as
and, when Martin later returned for the flip-flops he left onstage, he was greeted with Blue October has never the same enthusiasm. been afraid to talk about “the Immediately after IAMtough stuff.” DYNAMITE’s exit, the stage After releasing their sixth crew went to work unearthstudio album “Any Man In ing Blue October’s massive, America” on Aug. 16, the tarp-covered set. The crowd hard-hitting southern rock thickened and, when the group Blue October has been lights changed, true Blue fans touring the country in its came alive. wake. On Saturday, Oct. 1, Lead by the mohawked, they made their way to The heavily eyelined Justin FurstPageant, along with opening enfeld, Blue October speaks acts Ashleigh Stone and IAM- to a generation with the powDYNAMITE. er behind tackling self-hate, The Pageant was ready divorce and, most promito host the southerners, as a nently, Furstenfeld’s bi-posmall Texas flag hung above larism. Chart-topping tracks the stage lit like “Hate by a single Me” from spotlight — the band’s a tribute to 2006 album Blue OctoHolding a new “ F o i l e d ” ber’s roots. deliver a An ominous baby in your arms raw, simple black tarp message: hid their . . . is the best “Hate me enormous, t o d a y / boxy set, feeling in the entire Hate me p e r f e c t l y world. tomorrow/ offset by Hate me Stone’s hot -Justin Furstenfeld, for all the pink piano. things I Stone, a lead singer didn’t do sultry young for you.” songstress, The mesbanged the keys on her hot sage behind “Any Man In pink piano with the fervor of America,” though, hits closer Lady Gaga’s days as Stefanie to home, as Furstenfeld spoke Germanotta. She explained to of the birth of his daughter, the audience that one of her Blue. songs was about “quitting a “Holding a new baby in job she really hated, and be- your arms . . . is the best feeling poor for a while,” and ing in the entire world,” Furstcomplemented an incredible enfeld said. piano performance with voWith “Any Man In Amercals as powerful as Adele’s — ica,” Furstenfeld struggles except, the crowd didn’t have through divorce and subto hear about the same break- sequent custody battles for up “21” different times. parenting rights to Blue. He After Stone’s short, 25-min- wore his heart on his sleeve ute performance, the indie that night at The Pageant, sitrockers of IAMDYNAMITE ting on a green felt chair factook the stage and, for a two- ing the crowd, saying, “Life’s man band, it was incredible a crazy b****.” how much noise they could Through crowd favorites, produce. such as “Into the Ocean” and IAMDYNAMITE com- “Jump Rope,” fans threw up manded the stage with an their hands in support, singeffortlessly cool presence. ing along with Furstenfeld. Opening with their lead hit Gigantic lights cast a glow— “Where Will We Go” from blue, of course— over a sea their latest album, “SUPER- of hands during “Into the MEGAFANTASTIC,” drum- Ocean,” as the crowd made mer Chris Phillips encour- waves moshing and dancing aged audience members to on the floor. clap along as guitarist and The “up/down” stanzas of lead vocalist Chris Martin “Jump Rope” got the crowd played through the songs bouncing, as Furstenfeld bouncy, energetic riffs. gushed about writing the By their third song, IAM- song for his daughter. DYNAMITE had the crowd When the time came for dancing and jumping up and “Hate Me,” Furstenfeld sat, down, mosh-pit style. Martin facing the audience, as the stomped around stage bare- iconic voicemail message foot, belting out song after an- from his mother, also heard in other in perfect harmony with the music video, played over Phillips. the speakers. “We get really f***ing By the chorus, he turned sweaty up here, but we’re the microphone over to the gonna hug everyone,” Martin crowd, as hundreds shouted said. the song’s gritty, gutsy lyrFor their finale, Martin and ics with all the passion in the Phillips played to a solid min- world. ute of strobe lighting. PhilBetween songs, Furstenlips, with his drum kit, played feld and the men of Blue Oca solo so incredibly loud, that tober had little to say, perhaps it hardly seemed possible it because all of their thoughts, could come from one musi- words and emotions were cian. poured into their music. The lights alternated beTogether with the heartfelt tween drummer and guitarist, performances of Stone and with each playing so frantical- IAMDYNAMITE, Blue Octoly, the light seemed to bounce ber’s stop in support of “Any off of them. At the song’s con- Man In America” was truly clusion the crowd went wild unforgettable. By ERIN EVERETT
“
”
Courtesy of Relativity Media
a missionary redeemer, but as a self-doubting and ordinary man. The film raises the question of what will happen to Childers’ message when the initial surprise wears off. While pursuing his mission with no financial compensation, Childers’ message sometimes falls on closed ears. To
some, he is just wasting his time, even though his message comes with an intense passion. “Machine Gun Preacher” wonders how effectively an outsider can fight another man’s war, and whether we can vindicate ourselves from it.
UNEWSONLINE.COM>> For out photos from Mat Kearney’s SPECIAL FEATURE>> Check www.unewsonline.com for performance coverage and photos from The Script at The Pageant at onThe 9/14! Pageant on Oct. 5.
Candra Johnson / Staff Photographer
Lead singer Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October, an alternative southern rock group, at The Pageant on Oct. 1.
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Sports
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
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Tra
Billiken Briefs Field Hockey riding high
Carrying a two-game winning streak, the Saint Louis field hockey team travels to Virginia for a three game set. The Billikens open Atlantic 10 Conference play Friday, Oct. 7, in a 2:30 p.m. game at Richmond. The Billikens then take on Davidson Saturday, Oct. 8, in a 2 p.m. match. SLU rounds off the trip Monday, Oct. 10, as it heads to Farmville, Va., to face Longwood in an 11 a.m. (CT) game.
Volleyball
START
>> Men’s Soccer
Dayton
No. 7
St. Bonnaventure
1-9 No. 6
A-10 Championship Nov. 10-13, 2011 at SLU No. 1*
L
3-4
@ Drake Woman’s Soccer
W
2-1
vs Charlotte Volleyball
L
1-3
@ Dayton
L
Xavier
2-5-1 No. 2
Bills’ resilient rally comes up short at Drake Lee, Bryce dazzle for Billikens The Billikens wrapped up their non-conference schedule with a 4-3 loss at Drake this past Saturday, Oct. 1. The men’s soccer squad at Saint Louis University (2-5-1) finished one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation, playing five top-25 ranked opponents. The team still managed the squeak out wins against No. 11 Notre Dame and No. 16 South Florida. “I would give our team a C for their performance during the non-conference schedule,” Head Coach Mike McGinty said. That is all in the rear-view mirror as they begin their Atlantic-10 conference schedule this weekend with a road trip to the east coast. They will take on the University of Rhode Island Rams and the University of Massachusetts Minutemen this weekend. The match against the Rams is slated for Friday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. The Bills will then travel to Amherst, Mass. for a high-noon Sunday showdown against the Minutemen. SLU did show they have some fight left in them, judging by their rally against Drake. Drake led 2-0 going into halftime after Thomas Ostrander (30:46) and Hunter Kennedy (35:58) scored. Ostrander scored his second goal in the 54th minute, and Drake held a commanding 3-0 lead. The Billikens started a rally spearheaded by Mike Roach, who scored his first goal in the 57th minute. William Hidalgo scored in the 69th minute, and Raymond Lee notched the equalizer in the 81st minute with a teamleading fourth goal. Both goals were assisted by Roach. Despite their comeback, the Billikens
could not manage a tie when all was said and done. Just five minutes after Lee tied the game, Drake’s Matt Kuhn scored to secure a 4-3 victory for the Bulldogs. It will be interesting to see how the Bills fare in conference play after such a strenuous non-conference schedule. Following their trip to the eastern seaboard, the Bills then have a two-game weekend home-stand against Duquesne and St. Bonaventure. These two games will be good chances for the squad to pick up their first win for the home crowd at Robert R. Hermann stadium this season. They will host Duquesne on Friday, Oct. 14, and then the Bonnies of St. Bonaventure will take the field against the Billikens the ensuing Sunday, Oct. 16. The Bonnies bring some serious talent to the pitch. Currently, James Reed of St. Bonaventure leads the A-10 with 11 points (five goals, one assist). Also, Bonnie sophomore forward Emmett O’Connor sits atop the assist leaderboard with five. The Bills then play two more games on the road against Fordham University and La Salle University. The Bills end their conference schedule with a three-game home stand, capping off their conference season with a muchanticipated match against No. 14 Charlotte. Some players to watch during the A-10 conference play are Simon Gomez of Duquesne, Luke Spencer and Sean Ryan of Xavier and Evan James and Charles Rodriguez of No. 14 Charlotte. Ryan, James and Rodriguez have all been recognized nationally for their efforts on the field this year. See “Conference play” on Page 11
5-1 1-0
@ Bellarmine Softball
4-1
@ SEMO
W
2-1
@ Missouri State
No. 3
Ready or not, A-10 play is here Freshmen drive SLU
@ Lindenwood
W
6-1-1
The race for the Atlantic 10 Conference Title is on. Teams will drive all across America, but all roads lead to the Gateway City.
@ Xavier Field Hockey
W
No. 4
4-5-0
Saint Louis
1-3
W
4-4-1
Gentlemen, start your engines
Staff Writer
Men’s Soccer
Temple
*numbers denote pre-season prediction as voted by league coaches, win-loss records are current
By CHARLES BOWLES
R
Fordham
Charlotte
7-2
bounce back
BILLIKEN SCOREBOARD
4-5-1
No. 5
looks to
The SLU volleyball team closes out a fourmatch road swing this week. They dropped their first two matches of the trip, losing to both Dayton and Xavier 1-3. The Billikens head to Bronx, N.Y., to face Fordham Friday, Oct. 7, for a 6 p.m. contest. The Bills voyage to Kingston, R.I., to take on Rhode Island Sunday, Oct. 9, in a noon match. The two games will give the Billikens a chance to claw back to the .500 mark as their record currently stands at 6-8.
NEXT EXIT 2011 A-10 Championship
Curtis Wang / Multi-Media Director
Freshman Robbie Kristo displays fancy footwork against the Akron Zips on Sept. 10. The Billikens spoiled their non-conference season, compiling a meager 2-5-1 record.
Shah (Yuqing Xia) / Photo Editor
Raymond Lee (left) and Kingsley Bryce (right) have been impressive so far for Mike McGinty’s Billikens in 2011. By ANDY HILL Staff Writer
The transition from high school to college is difficult for every student; no one blossoms fluidly from high schooler to collegian. There are ups and downs and sides to sides. Making new friends, choosing a major and adjusting to the dorm lifestyle factor into the stress of the move. Add college soccer to the equation and the transition from high school only gets tougher. Saint Louis University midfielders Kingsley Bryce and Raymond Lee have made that transition seem simple. Both Bryce and Lee point to the direction of the upperclassmen on the team as a reason for their success so early on this season. “My other teammates have been helping me and coaching me and telling me what things I need to do,” Bryce, a Dallas native, said. “Its easy to just listen to what they say and just do it. I was able to assimilate quickly because of their help.” “The other guys on the team inspire me to do well,” Lee added. “A lot of the guys on the team want to go pro, and it’s good to surround yourself with that atmosphere. It keeps me going.” Even though Bryce and
Lee made their transitions look silky smooth, they both have had to make some adjustments. The hardest part of Bryce’s transition has been mental confidence. “The toughest part was getting out there and knowing that even though you’re a freshman, you can play with these guys, mentally,” Bryce said. “And once you get into that mood, you’re able to play with confidence and make plays the right way.” Bryce seems to have picked up that mental edge he will need, especially now that the Atlantic 10 conference schedule has arrived. The toughest part of Lee’s young season has been adjusting to the speed of the game, a common struggle for freshmen athletes in any sport. Lee, who calls Kansas City home, is used to out-running his prep competition. “The speed is very tough,” Lee said. “In high school, you know, you have good teams you play and bad teams. College is a good every game. Every team is amazing and you have to come to play.” The early success of these two freshmen surely has not been lost on Head Coach Mike McGinty’s radar. “I think they’re doing See “Freshmen” on Page 11
Sports
10
The University News
unewsonline.com
Thursday, October 6, 2011
>> Women’s Soccer
Who to Bills skunk 49ers in conference opener; Rams next CJF CHEER By CHRIS ACKELS Staff Writer
Freshman Andrea Strebler picked the perfect time for her first goal in the Billikens uniform. In the second half of a tie game, Strebler got a rebound off a corner kick and notched the game-winner to give Saint Louis University a 2-1 win over Charlotte in the Atlantic 10 opener last Saturday. After a difficult non-conference schedule that included two scoreless ties and three shutout losses, SLU put the focus on their offense entering conference play. Head coach Tim Champion knew he needed to get the offense going if SLU was to have any chance at making noise in the Atlantic 10. “We needed to start playing more on the attack,” Champion said. The team responded quickly. SLU had a seasonhigh 16 shots in Saturday’s match, including 12 shots on goal. Both are drastic improvements for a team that has been shut out each of the last three matches. “The difference in this game was how we pushed forward,” Champion continued. The scoring got started when sophomore forward Jenny Hummert intercepted a pass from Charlotte’s goalkeeper, and made the keeper pay for bad positioning. Hummert ripped a shot into the upper right corner of the net from 35 yards out, a powerful goal that put the
Curtis Wang / Multimedia Director
Freshman forward Abbey Stock (20) and the Billikens broke out of their offensive slump with a 2-1 victory against Charlotte on Saturday, Oct. 1. Billikens up 1-0 in the 22nd minute. Charlotte tied the game with a tally of their own shortly before halftime. It would be the only time all night that the 49ers beat Katie Walsh, who had four saves in net for the Billikens. Strebler’s game-winning goal came in the 67th minute off a corner kick and a few rebounds. Senior Colleen Kustura and sophomore Jessie Jarrett each directed shots on net after the corner, but ultimately Strebler gathered the ball and
buried it, giving SLU a 2-1 advantage. The win puts the Billikens at 3-5-2 for the year and 1-0-0 in Atlantic 10 play. After opening conference play with a win, the women’s soccer team will be tested twice this weekend with two tough A-10 opponents. First up is Rhode Island on Friday night. The Rams are primarily a defensive squad anchored with a good goalkeeper and a solid back line. Freshman Reilly Lindsey will likely start in net for Rhode Island. Reilly has al-
lowed just four goals in six starts this year, and boasts two shutouts. SLU’s offense will have to challenge Reilly with another 16-shot barrage if they want a chance to beat the Rhodies. SLU’s best threat in this game will likely come from leading scorer Jenny Hummert. Hummert has three goals and two assists on the year, including the game’s first goal in last week’s victory over Charlotte. Two of her goals have come unassisted, and she exhibits the ability to capitalize
from defensive mistakes in almost any situation. On Sunday afternoon, SLU faces A-10 powerhouse Massachusetts in what may be the toughest match on the conference schedule. UMass has a strong squad offensively and defensively, and has a way of overpowering its opponents all over the field. In their last five games, the Minutewomen are 5-0 with five shutouts. They’ve beaten ranked teams, and even earned a regional ranking themselves. Senior forward Julie Morrissey has notched five goals, and fellow senior Deanna Colarossi is right behind her with three. Defensively, they’re as strong as any team on SLU’s schedule. Junior goalkeeper Emily Cota hasn’t allowed a goal in five matches, and looks to continue that streak at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. The Billikens will need major contribution from freshman forward Abbey Stock, who has three goals on the season, and junior midfielder Alli Reimer, who has a goal and an assist. It will take strong offense and defense to beat UMass, a likely contender for the A-10 crown. Friday’s match against Rhode Island kicks off at 7 p.m. Sunday’s match against Massachusetts begins at 1 p.m. Both matches will be held at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.
Courtesy of Keith Allison
Adrian Beltre The Texas Ranger third baseman became only the sixth player in MLB history to hit three homeruns in one postseason game last Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, as the Rangers clinched a spot in the American League Championship Series. Rumor has it that Beltre wanted to hit one homerun for every true Rays fan in the state of Florida.
Who to
JEER
>> Cross Country and Track & Field
Head coach faces challenges of obscure sport head on By DERRICK NEUNER Associate Sports Editor
Jon Bell has a tough job as the head coach of cross country and track and field at Saint Louis University. Besides the struggles of holding the campus’ attention in a sports ADD world, his athletes compete in the shadow of men’s basketball and in relative ambiguity. But over the last five years, the Billikens have been running better than before. Driven by individual success both in cross country and track and field, Bell’s programs are competing at a level unseen at SLU. So far in the 2011 cross country season, senior Hilary Orf has broken the school record in the 5K, and three Billikens have been named Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week. Last year, Orf claimed All-Conference honors for the second consecutive year, while freshman Margo
Richardson became the first Billiken runner to nab A-10 Rookie of the Year. In track and field, last year Bell helped Justin Kwasa (weight throw) and Brittney Cloudy (long jump) claim A-10 individual titles. In addition, a record six student athletes claimed All-Conference honors. Dahmar Smiles successfully defended his 110-meter A-10 title at the A-10 outdoor meet in 2011, and he became the first Billiken to advance to a NCAA Outdoor Track and Field quarterfinal. In essence, Bell is building a juggernaut. “It starts with Chris [May] and having the support of your administration,” Bell said of the success of the program. “This isn’t basketball or football. It’s a sport that you don’t see a lot of, except in Olympic years. So, it presents a challenge. “Where do we go from there? The thing here at SLU
is, typically, the cross-country are more the academic type, so having an institution that’s already academically oriented, it lends itself to [recruiting runners].” Dropped twice as a program at SLU, cross country re-emerged in 1992, but it operated as an after-thought, not a contender. Bell was named interim head coach in 2007 and took full control of the teams a year later. Since his arrival on SLU’s campus, Bell has sent four Billikens to the USA Junior Track and Field Championships. The above statistics tend to go unnoticed, however, in a sports world dominated by ESPN highlights and tailgating. Bell says he worries about his athletes getting recognized when their achievements are not as glamorous as, say, March Madness. “I struggle with it, but I try to stay positive about it,” Bell said. “Getting mad and upset
Fangyu Wu / Staff Photographer
The SLU Medical Center Stadium makes its debut next spring for the Billikens. Track and Field Head Coach Jon Bell hopes the new complex will give him a home-track advantage.
Courtesy of Adambroachphotography
Hank Williams Jr.
Courtesy of Billiken Media Relations
Track and Field and Cross Country Head Coach Jon Bell is aware most of his runners’ work goes unnoticed. about it isn’t going to get me anywhere. Our kids struggle with it because they work hard, they are good athletes, and they are good at what they do. You know, sometimes, they don’t get that recognition. “One of the things I believe in is if I’m able to build a good product, people will listen. If all of a sudden, we’re sending kids to the NCAA Championships or going to the Olympic trials, people are going to notice that.” He points to former Arkansas coach John McDonnell – who coached 23 Olympians and garnered 43 national championships – as a testament to his philosophy. “It took him 12 years to get some traction. Once you get that traction, you can run with it,” Bell said. Adding to the program’s already budding success is the
addition of the SLU Medical Center Stadium. Finally, the running, throwing and hurdling Billikens have a home. “The kids have something they can call their own,” Bell said. “We are going to host a meet in the spring. It’s exciting for the kids, their families and the alumni, who had a lot of fun with [track and field] but never got to have their own place on campus. “From a development standpoint, I can actually have a hurdle practice with more than six hurdles. That’s a first.” And for Bell, it may be the final addition needed to get his program to the top of the Atlantic 10. “Where else can you go somewhere and get a great education and compete at a high level?” he mused. “There aren’t a lot of schools that you can do both.”
The country music star and singer of Monday Night Football’s theme song, which opens with, “Are you ready for some football?” was dropped from the program by ESPN after he compared President Obama to Adolf Hitler. Any politician being compared to Hitler would be even more insulted than any Southerner being compared to, well… Hank Williams Jr.
Who to
FEAR
The Packers
>> Commentary
Faking injures promotes unsportsmanlike behavior in NFL Vince Lombardi once said, “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that mom e n t w h e n he has worked his heart out in TOM HANLON a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.” I wonder what he had in mind.
I believe that as of late, we, as football fans, have been cheated out of witnessing the glory that Lombardi described. This begs the question: Is victory that is attained by controversial tactics really a victory? The controversies I speak of have been swirling ever since a game two weeks ago between the New York Giants and St. Louis Rams. As the Rams marched down the field, preparing to go into a “no huddle” offense, Deion Grant, a safety for the Giants, fell down clutching his knee. An official’s timeout
was called and it stalled the Rams offense. When the Rams failed to push the drive any farther, Grant returned to the game miraculously healed. Grant’s phantom injury had shades of soccer in it. One of the criticisms of soccer, coming mainly from football fans, is the theater of the injury that is part of the game. Players sometimes go down flailing their arms without a nearby opponent touching them. The ref sees what he or she thinks is a foul and takes a yellow card out of their pocket. Mission accomplished for the actor. Whoops I mean soc-
cer player. Football players should not stoop down to this level. Somewhere Lombardi was turning over in his grave as he watched Grant take to the turf grabbing his leg. After a few complaints by the Rams following the game, the NFL sent a memo out to all 32 teams warning of fines, suspensions and loss of draft picks for “feigning an injury.” Feigning an injury just to gain the upper hand goes against everything that professional sports stand for. I am in full support of the penalties for “feigning an injury.” However, I understand the
problems that can arise by instituting such fines. The glaring problem is how to define a real injury. There is simply no way to tell. One solution is to require any player leaving the field due to injury to sit out the series. The bottom line is this -- if players feign injuries and use “bush league” tactics in order to win, how does that follow any of what the great Vince Lombardi said about victory? It doesn’t, and we as fans deserve much better. I hope that, for the sake of the integrity of the game, teams stop using these tactics.
The Packers have lost exactly as many games as the Rams have won this season: zero. That does not bode well for the Rams as they face off against the Superbowl champions this Sunday.
By JONATHAN AUPING Staff Writer
unewsonline.com
Thursday, October 6, 2011
>> Special Feature
Growing concentration has students on a fast track for franchise front offices
Shah (Yuqing Xia) / Photo Editor
Junior Aaron Alexander (left) and Donnie Green, with the help of their sports business education, hope to one day run the teams they cheer on. By MIKE PECH Staff Writer
“That’s a winner folks!” Those famous words spoken by the late, great Jack Buck live in the hearts and minds of baseball fans everywhere. Sports captivate and intrigue people; they inspire and make believers out of all. The sports industry is part of our society and, for some, a way of life. However, not many people work in sports. The John Cook School of Business has introduced the Sports Business concentration to its curriculum this fall. This new option prepares students for a career in the sports industry. Students learn the intricacies of a professional franchise, collegiate athletics and sports marketing. The Sports Business concentration is the only one of its kind amongst our region’s Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredited business schools. It distinguishes itself from other schools’ because it focuses on all aspects of the sport management field, not just certain elements. “I like how it provides Sports Business students opportunities in the industry that is really difficult to penetrate,” Colin Artinger, a junior in JCSB, says. “I chose SLU because it will provide me with the opportunities that I couldn’t have without it.” The partnership between Saint Louis University and Sports Business makes sense. St. Louis is regarded as one of the best sports towns in the country because of its three professional sports franchises as well as an established Division I program right here on SLU’s campus. The resources that St. Louis offers
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are better because there was no dominant Sports Business program in place until now; therefore, there are jobs to be had. “It’s a winning program for everyone,” Anastasios Kaburakis, Ph.D., assistant professor of management and the interdisciplinary program’s coordinator, said. “Our students need it, the University needs it, the city of St. Louis needs it and the sports industry needs it. The convergence of what is needed with what we can offer is remarkable.” The curriculum includes courses in management, marketing, economics, and IT management and communication. All Sports Business students have the resources of the Sports Business Advisory Board, which includes members of professional sports organizations, agencies, sporting goods manufacturers and sponsorship organizations. Another option that is available on campus is the Sports Business Association. This club is brand new and looking for support. It is designed to promote education of business in sports and to create opportunities for people to get internships in the sports industry. “We want to build a strong voice,” Dr. Kaburakis said. “We want to continue the buzz and become a key player in the Sports Business field. The students are instrumental and we want to build this with them. I want it to be an integral part of the business school.” Even though the program is in its infancy, it has the potential to become a noteworthy program when people talk about SLU. The stage is set for this discipline to pave the way in the field of athletics. The real question is, “Are you going to be the next general manager of the World Series champions?”
Freshmen: Picking up college game Continued from Page 9
great,” McGinty said. “They’ve come in and integrated well with the team. They’re good kids. Positive kids.” When asked whether or not Lee and Bryce have lived up to what the coaching staff expected, it was the mentality of the players that McGinty seemed to like. “Our expectations are pretty high, but they’ve got high expectations for themselves, which is something you can’t teach. They’ve both made good impressions and I’m excited to see how they progress,” he said. Billiken fans should get their vocal chords ready for conference play, and don’t be surprised if a few classic “He’s
a Freshman” chants break out if Lee or Bryce bury a goal. There are a lot of question marks when it comes to how a freshman is going to adapt. McGinty seemed pleasantly surprised by Bryce and Lee and their adaptability. “You never quite know how someone is going to settle and acclimate first time away from home with the demands of college soccer and academics,” he said. “But we knew they were good players before we brought them in. We’re just excited to see them continue to develop.“ Bryce and Lee have both become much more than freshmen players trying to acclimate to college soccer. They have become integral parts of the team. September
has been a good month for both midfielders - they each received A-10 Rookie of the Week awards last month. Notching two goals in a win against Tampa not only helped Bryce gain the A-10 Rookie of the Week award, they also helped his confidence on the field as well. “Those two goals really helped get my confidence up,” Bryce said. “It really gave me the knowledge to know I can play with these guys. I really enjoyed it.” With A-10 conference play right around the corner, Bryce and Lee seem to be finding their groove. Hopefully the enjoyment and success continue with both of these young players as the season progresses.
Conference play: Tall tasks lie ahead for SLU, starting with Rhode Island Continued from Page 9
The fans have not given up hope as SLU has the highest attendance for soccer games in the entire A-10 conference. So far this season, an average of 4,194 fans have come through the turnstiles at Hermann Stadium per game. The Bills started an average of four to five freshmen per game this year. These freshmen are not a major concern to McGinty. “We have high expectations for our freshman coming in, but you never really know how they will acclimate to college life and soccer… They have done very well,” McGinty said. Raymond Lee, freshman midfielder, leads the team with four goals this season, which is second in the A-10 with goals scored. Players have noted that these freshmen have progressed from game to game. The Bills have had 70 shot attempts and 10 goals this season. Opponents, however, have had 145 shot attempts and 17 goals against the Bills. The Bills have recently had a lot of opportunities to score goals in recent games against
Florida Gulf Coast, Missouri State and Drake. Consistency has been a point of emphasis for the team in the past few weeks. “We have been trying to work on consistency, and we hope that will carry over into the conference stretch,” senior defender Blake Schneider said. The team believes that they can have a good conference season. They have confidence that they can do well in the A-10 tournament and make it to the NCAA tournament. “Our goal is to take on conference play game by game, get into the conference tournament and make it in the playoffs,” sophomore goalkeeper Nick Shackelford said. These are high expectations for the team, especially without Alex Sweetin, who is out with a partially torn Achilles tendon. Sweetin, in 2010, tied for team-high honors with eight points (2G, 4A) and ranked second on the squad with four assists. McGinty admitted that it “makes a big difference” without Sweetin on the field. McGinty, however, is en-
couraged by the progress his team has made in his second season coaching the team. He believes that he will have a better idea of his team and their soccer after this year’s conference season. “A year ago, we could not beat Notre Dame or South Florida; we could not play the schedule we did. Doing this with five freshmen and with the injuries we had, I am very excited,” McGinty said. The first opponent that the Bills face in conference is Rhode Island on the road on Oct. 7. Rhode Island (2-6) is the first of two road games to begin the Bills A-10 conference season. Rhode Island is led in scoring by Ross Morison, who scored six points, followed by Joey Haught who has scored four. Goalkeeper Peyton Warwick has 50 saves on the season and 13 goals against him, and he has a 1.46 goal-against average and a .794 save average. The Bills will have to take it one game at a time, possibly winning at least one game on the road. The Bills have will have a major conference road test these next two games.
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