Vermont Cynic Fall 2012 Issue 12

C YNIC THE VERMONT

MEMOIRS OF A HILL HOPPER

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INTERVIEW WITH DARK STAR ORCHESTRA

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CATS START SEASON 1 FOR 5

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The University of Vermont’s independent voice since 1883

Swim team wins four in a row

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T h u r s d a y , N o v e m b e r 2 9 , 2 0 1 2 – Vo l u m e 1 2 9 I s s u e 1 2 | B u r l i n g t o n , Ve r m o n t

‘Tis the season Adderall use on the rise

Devin Karambelas Assistant News Editor He sold his pills for marijuana, car rides and other favors. And then there was that one time he sold 10 of them for a TV. Max, a junior, said he had been taking Adderall for years since being diagnosed with A.D.H.D (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in the fourth grade. But at college, his prescription had increased almost three times the usual amount so that he could sell to friends.

“I didn’t know anyone who took it in high school, and I don’t know anyone here who isn’t taking it,” he said.

By the numbers, it is likely that more students than ever are entering college already with an Adderall prescription. The number of prescriptions for A.D.H.D. medications dispensed to 16-year-olds to 19-year-olds has increased by 26 percent since 2007, an article in The New York Times stated.

Officer Skyler Genest said UVM Police Services routinely make seizures and arrests for Adderall and other stimulants. He said he thought many students did not know just how serious taking it illegally was, both because of federal regulation and ResLife’s own drug and alcohol policies.

Under state law, Adderall is classified as a Schedule II drug, the same category as cocaine and heroin. If a student is caught in possession of the drug, he or she would face a misdemeanor charge, no matter how small the amount was.

Because of its availability, Genest said he thought the drug had a skewed perception among college students as something that was safe to take.

“But in reality, chemically, when you break it down to its molecules, it’s really not that far away from stimulants like Methamphetamine,” he said.

Several students, both those who dealt Adder-

all or used it for study purposes, said they experienced intense focus, sleep deprivation, increased heart rate and a cocaine-like high when taking the drug. All of them said they did not feel that it was particularly dangerous or addicting.

“People can’t chill without pot, go out without alcohol, go outside and talk without a cigarette – people can’t study without Adderall.”

Max Junior

While some University authorities agreed that the number of students using cognitive stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin have increased over the past decade, many said they attributed the rise to a culture hyper-focused on academic performance. A hyper focus, however, that could be more dangerous than students realize.

For Walter Brownsword, a psychiatrist who at Counseling & Psychiatry Services (CAPS), this is the part that unnerves him.

“I would say people that are usually prescribed it are generally more careful with it and a lot of times don’t always want to use it,” Brownsword said. “Whereas people who wind up using it because they want to get studies done faster, I don’t know if they’re as educated about it or if they know what they’re doing.”

He said the rise of Adderall use among young people could be attributed to a culture geared toward productivity and promoting academic performance at any cost.

“You know, we live in a culture that basically says you should handle your problems with subSee ADDERALL on page 2

Student apologizes for fire Lauren Giery Staff Writer Stanislas Stantchev, 20, pleaded guilty to unlawful mischief for starting a fire in Wills Hall earlier in October.

Detective Skyler Genest reported that the fire had been set

by Stantchev Oct. 13 using trash from his kitchen and a plastic bag with rubbing alcohol as an accelerant to ignite a dollar bill, according to a previous Cynic article.

Stantchev was arrested that day and originally charged with first-degree arson, according to the Cynic.

After spending over a month in jail, Stantchev pleaded guilty to

NEWS 1-3 UVM goes global with student recruitment

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the felony of unlawful mischief in his trial and agreed to pay UVM $15,000 in damages, mostly to pay for new fire extinguishers, Vt. State Attorney Mary Morrissey said.

According to the psychologist used in Stantchev’s trial, Stantchev did not fully consider the implications of setting fire to a building full of people who could get hurt, Morrissey said.

After his trial he was flown directly from Montreal, Canada to France where he is being treated in a residential rehab facility, she said.

As part of his plea agreement Stantchev wrote a letter to the UVM community apologizing for his actions and discussing

LIFE 4 Off Campus Living Workshop

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“I know I have acted in a stupid and dangerous way, but I am thankful everday that no one was seriously injured from my actions.”

See page 2 for Stantchev’s letter addressed to his UVM classmates

how he has been suspended permanently from UVM. “All of these consequences that have followed my unspeak-

DISTRACTIONS Camp Morning Wood

See ARSON on page 2

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— ARTS 6-7 Cynical Listener names top five albums of 2012

JONATHAN POLSON The Vermont Cynic

Redstone Lofts employees enter a flooded room in the Redstone Lofts building Nov. 27. This is the second time flooding occured.

Redstone rapids

Lofts flood for second time Becky Hayes News Editor For the second time in four months, the newly constructed Redstone Lofts apartment complex sustained flooding that has left some students without a home right before finals week.

The flood was caused by a broken pipe inside the wall, according to an email sent to residents by Redstone Lofts property manager Erin Calig.

At least six students have been displaced due to the flooding and will not be able to return to their apartments for an estimated 10 days, the email stated.

“A fitting let out,” said one Redstone Lofts employee who preferred to remain unnamed.

“It started on the fourth floor and then flooded down.”

The situation is similar to what happened in August when a supply line that goes into the washing machine from an apartment burst inside the wall, displacing 16 students during the first week of the semester, according to a past Cynic article.

“I am never living here again,” junior Greg Radi said as he walked through his recently flooded apartment that had stripped paint on the walls, wet floors and belongings scattered in messy piles.

Radi said the situation was a huge inconvenience and happened at the worst time of year.

“There’s really no excuse for this,” he said. “This isn’t the first time, so it’s kind of annoying.”

Roommate and junior Scott Scribi agreed.

“I lost all of my books and don’t know how I will do any of my papers,” Scribi said.

Calig stated through email that students’ electric bills would be covered for the month of November and they would receive rent credits for the days they lost the ability to use the apartment.

“You guys have been great

— OPINION 8-9 From Black Friday to no buy day

in what I know is a very difficult time,” Calig stated in the email.

Junior Gabby Fisher lives on the first floor of the Lofts with two other roommates and said she was contacted over break about a flood that may have affected her apartment.

Yet, Fisher said she did not expect to walk into a room with all her personal belongings stacked in the middle of the floor surrounded by huge fans.

“It’s frustrating that this can happen to a brand-new building,” Fisher said.

Although Fisher initially said communication with the Lofts management was a problem, she later commented on the helpfulness of the staff.

“I’m never living here again.”

Greg Radi Junior

“Over the last day, I actually have been pleased with the way the Redstone Lofts staff is handling this situation,” Fisher said.

“Although their communication hasn’t been the best in terms of how long we have to wait to get emails, it seems that they are doing what needs to be done.”

Redstone Lofts management, DEW Construction and Thomas Mechanical plumbing, declined to comment.

While UVM’s physical plant department does not manage the lofts, the department’s director Sal Chiarelli said the incident was unfortunate but not unusual for a new structure.

“You have to cross your fingers and hope everything works,” Chiarelli said. “With so many mechanical systems, the shakedown period of any new building usually means you have to go through the changing seasons at least once to test them.”

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SPORTS 10-12 Swim team has four game winning streak

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NEWS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29 , 2012

ARSON

Student charged $15,000 from UVM in damages

...continued from page 1

able act were also a result of my own choice to excessively drink and take drugs to the point I completely blacked out,” Stantchev stated.

First-year Noah PadawerCurry who lived in the same building as Stantchev said he was violent in his own way.

“Whenever he’d drink he’d throw his glasses down the stair-

way,” Padawer-Curry said. “To me, he was nice, but you always knew he was going to lose it at one point.”

“This shame, regret and embarrassment has followed me every day since.”

“I know I will have to work hard to regain the trust of others once again.”

“Every time before falling asleep or at least trying to fall asleep in my small sad dark cell, I dive into great memories of my American experience which has now turned into my American past.”

Stanislas Stantchev

Student jumps Katy Cardin Assistant News Editor

A student suffered serious injuries after jumping out of his third-floor window in McCann hall Nov. 15.

After UVM Police Services found drugs and alcohol in his dorm room, 18-year-old Mack Sullivan jumped out of his window, UVM Police Capt. Tim Bilodeau said.

Hall staff called police about a noise complaint after the students in the room refused to quiet down, Bilodeau said.

“We heard the noise coming from a specific room — resident Sullivan’s — and he had alcohol and other stuff in the room,” he said. “Over the course of the conversation, he turned and jumped out of the window.”

After Sullivan jumped, rescue was called immediately, Bilodeau said.

Sullivan’s friend and firstyear Alexa Kayhart said his injuries included eight different breaks in his back, a collarbone broken in half, a broken neck, a concussion, bleeding in his brain and disconnection from his ribs to his spine.

“I went and visited him last week at his mom’s in Williston,” she said. “He was doing pretty well — he was in his bed, but he could walk around which is amazing considering he broke his back.”

Sullivan was officially cited to appear in court this coming January because he violated the conditions of a previous court case he was involved with, Bilodeau said.

“It doesn’t take away from our primary concern for his safety,” he said.

Another friend of Sullaivan’s, sophomore Matt Wallin, said he heard about Sullivan’s fall from someone who witnessed the incident.

“This is the craziest kid I’ve ever met in my life,” Wallin said.

“But I feel so horrible for him.”

Sullivan remains at home recovering, Kayhart said.

“He’s still joking around and being the same old Mack,” she said. “He’s still on a lot of medication to prevent him from having seizures and stuff, but he’s doing extremely well for what happened.”

Straining to retain Stephanie Santos Staff Writer Faculty members are working to increase the number of first-time, first-year students who choose to stay at UVM another year.

Currently, the student retention rate is at 85 percent, former Provost and Senior Vice President Jane Knodell said at the Board of Trustees meeting Nov. 7.

“This means that 15 percent of students who arrived in fall 2011 are no longer here,” she said.

The goal is to boost the number of students who make it to their sophomore year to 87.5 percent by next year, Knodell said.

Every dean has received numerical targets based on current retention rates, and

Sophomore

ADDERALL

Drug similar to speed

...continued from page 1

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Knowingly and unlawfully possessing Adderall could result in a prison sentence of one year, a fine of up to $2,000 or both.

Knowingly and unlawfully dispensing Adderall could result in a prison sentence of three years, a fine of up to $75,000 or both.

The Vermont Statues Online

research is being done on why students choose to leave UVM, she said.

Brian Reed, associate provost for curricular affairs, asked the deans to improve retention by ensuring that all faculty use the academic alert system for students falling behind, requiring students to meet with advisers before registering, rebalancing the ratio of students to professors by having smaller class sizes and identifying with students who have financial holds.

The main reasons for decreasing retention rates are lack of engagement between students and professors as well as incompetent advising, Reed said of the studies’ findings.

“It’s all based around retention in terms of personal contact and reaching out to students,” he said.

stances and then later we’ll penalize you for it, which I think is bizarre,” he said.

Before starting her homework for the evening, sophomore Dana Heng said she did not take Adderall, but thought it wasn’t really a big deal considering how many of her friends take it.

“I honestly didn’t know about Adderall until I got here because no one used it at home,” Heng said. “I’m pretty sure like maybe half the people I know use Adderall.”

Even so, she said she could see why students took it for a quick study fix.

“If you’re not dependent on it, then I think if you’re going to use it one time, go ahead,” Heng said. “If you feel like that’s what you need to do.”

As someone who deals the drug, Max said he didn’t think the penalties or health risks would deter students from using it.

“People can’t chill without pot, go out without alcohol, go outside and talk without a cigarette,” he said. “People can’t study without Adderall.”

The Vermont Statues penalties For possession: For dispensing: up to

up to

1 year in prison or $2,000 or both

1 year in prison or $2,000 or both

N EWS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Crime log Lauren Drasler Staff Writer

Nov. 15 5:48 p.m.

A suspicious package or item in an elevator in the Given Medical Building was determined to be a folded canvas sheet possibly used for construction.

7:54 p.m.

Hall staff in Jeanne Mance called police services and reported an odor of marijuana coming from a dorm room. When police arrived, they confiscated over 13.5 grams of the drug from a student along with a pipe and grinder. The student was charged with possession of marijuana and was cited to appear in court.

Nov. 16 12:31 a.m.

Hall staff in Wilks Hall called police when they heard people screaming at each other because they feared it could escalate into a fight. When police arrived there were only a few people found outside by the bus stop. These people were talking loudly, but it did not appear as though they were fighting and they quieted down upon request.

1:17 p.m

Police responded to a report about graffiti in the Ira Al-

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len Chapel. Someone had painted the word “boob” on an exterior door. No one has been identified as the culprit.

9:25 p.m

Hall staff called in an odor of marijuana coming from a dorm room in the Living/ Learning Center. When officers arrived and identified the room, 0.23 grams of the drug were taken from a student.

11:52p.m

During a nightly patrol, an officer came across a student who was intoxicated outside of U-Heights North 1. The student was sitting on the ground, and although they were intoxicated, the student did not warrant detox. The student’s Blood Alcohol Content was .116.

Nov. 17 11:09 p.m.

An emergency signal from a blue light on South Prospect Street registered at police services. The officer that arrived found an out-of-state person who had gotten lost in Burlington and pressed the blue light hoping someone would come to give them directions.

The person wanted to know how to get back to the Holiday Inn on Williston Road, and the officer assisted them.

Nov. 19 6:15 p.m.

Hospital security reported two suspicious people that looked as though they were trying to break into a car in the Dana Medical Library parking lot. When an officer arrived, it was determined that the two people were not trying to break into the car, but had instead locked their keys in the car and were trying to get back in.

ERIKA COLBERTALDO The Vermont Cynic

President E. Thomas Sullivan speaks at the Board of Trustees meeting in Waterman Nov. 7.

Sullivan gets selective Lauren Giery Staff Writer

Potential students from out of state could be receiving less financial aid from the University due to a proposal introduced by President Tom Sullivan at the Board of Trustees meeting Nov. 7.

Sullivan discussed his plans to increase the selectivity of incoming students by investing more money to hire recruiters to find students domestically and abroad that meet the University’s educational standards.

“We can’t miss this one year stack up opportunity to get more aggressive in domestic and international marketing,” Sullivan said.

Vice President for Finance and Administration Richard Cate agreed that the proposal would benefit the University.

“We’re going to be trying to attract more highly academically skilled students to this institution,” he said.

“The direction that we want to move in is to certainly improve the quality for the institution.”

Samuel Bain Board of Trustees member

During this process of expanding recruitment, the committee predicts financial aid will be given out less to students during this transitional period, Board of Trustees member Samuel Bain said.

“It would be better to do this rather than do other significant

things that could adversely affect academic quality,” he said.

Despite the issue of providing less financial aid, Sullivan said these efforts would be worth the outcome, especially in response to a recent demographic downturn.

According to him, there are fewer students in Vermont, New England and the East Coast competing for university admissions than there have been in the past.

“We cannot miss a year or two of that recruitment effort to get students in the pipeline for the application process and for enrollment,” Sullivan said.

This financial aid decrease will only affect the out-of-state students seeking admission.

“The direction that we want to move in is to certainly improve the quality for the institution,” Bain said. “And that pulls everybody up.”

Student drinking habits cause concern Annemarie Chan Cynic Correspondent Sophomore Brandon Lim did not go out on Saturday night looking for alcohol and parties to attend.

“I don’t drink, but if I did, it would probably only be for celebrations,” he said.

Lim’s viewpoints on alcohol consumption are in the minority across college campuses, including the University of Vermont, according to the Center for Student Ethics.

Police issued 148 more alcohol violations this year than in 2011, prompting UVM officials to change how they educate students about the dangers of binge drinking.

From 2010 to 2011, the UVM Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities for the possession, consumption or act of providing alcohol was violated by 1,114 students, according to the Student Center of Ethics and Standards website.

In the following year, the number of student violations pertaining to alcohol increased to 1,262 individuals, the website stated.

Alcohol consumption is prevalent around campus, said

Troy Headrick, the center’s asand promoting behavior change, The most recent approach to the numbers proved that kids sistant director. the Center for Health and Wellpromote behavior change was frequently drank and were un“The majority of the hearings being created the Think-Carethrough social norms marketder the influence.” we have usually relate to alcohol Act campaign, she said. ing, where surveys and statistics Coffrin said that he looks at or drug use,” he said. “Generally played a huge role, she said.

UVM’s campaign and feels the more alcohol [cases] than drug “We are very socially driven statistics are a poor way to dis“Alcohol use and creatures,” use, but sometimes it’s both.”

Shasberger said. “If suade students from drinking. abuse is the number students think that everybody Headrick said that he finds “UVM is a party school; howit unfortunate how there seems drinks, then a way to reduce ever, the school has a reputation one public health to be a myth across colleges that drinking is to actually use staas a rising institution, academicproblem on college tistics.” an authentic campus experience wise,” he said. “Basically, work has to include alcohol.

Sophomore Dan Coffrin hard, party hard.” campuses.”

“Students in college are exsaid he thinks the University’s Lim said he is aware of the periencing a new amount of Jennifer Shasberger administration uses figures party scene that occurs on and freedom,” he said. “And there statistics to “wish away the around campus and shared a Living Well marketing and is a desire to fit into what they problem” of alcohol consumpstory of a friend who had concoordinator tion. think is a norm.” sumed too much alcohol one To combat the growingFor drinking story: “In high school, I had to night. numbers of violations acrossFrom a 2010 survey “Branding is useful when construct a similar advertis“She doesn’t drink to that of more than 2,000 UVM first-year participants who choose to campus, the Living Well officedrink: putting messages out,” Shasing campaign about drugs in extent anymore,” he said. “The on the first floor of the Davis20 percentberger “We wanted stumy community using statistics process of getting her stomach of students aresaid. alcohol free percent drink alternate alcoholic with non-alcoholic drinks Center provides health services56 the brand about student habits,” he said. pumped and going to detox 70 percentdents who drink eatto food recognize before or while drinking for students through education Think-Care-Act.” “The statistics were appalling; changed her life.” and outreach, marketing coordinator Jennifer Shasberger said.

“Alcohol use and abuse is the In a 2010 survey of more than 2,000 UVM first-year participants: number one public health problem on college campuses,” she Students Students who alternate Students who eat food before said. “It’s a very tricky issue to who alcoholic with nonor while drinking address.” are alcoholic drinks Shasberger said that her job alcohol consists of finding ways to comfree municate the issue of underage drinking and addressing a behavior that is illegal.

Through social marketing

20%

56%

70%

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Life

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Life is Good

JOHNNY SUDEKUM

East coast cruising: memoirs of a hill hopper I know it wasn’t more than a dusting, but snow has finally landed upon UVM. This snow should be gladly received by skiers and snowboarders alike as a sign, a hope, that a good season is in the cards. So be happy.

While many of us are sleeping with our pajamas inside out and doing routine snow dances, the upcoming ski season already looks more promising than last year’s.

Yes, Northern Vermont’s average snowfall ranges from 80 to 100 inches, but last season barely even brought out the snowplows.

To make the most of your season, a couple of tips should be noted.

I know it isn’t ideal to cram into a yellow school bus with skis and boots falling everywhere, but it beats not going.

If you don’t have a car, UVM’s Ski and Snowboard

Club offers at least one bus to the different mountains where season passes are offered.

It is a good idea to bring some water on the bus to drain out the prior night’s juice.

And beware: all around, everywhere you look, people are hungover.

In terms of food, the only way to go is to bring your own.

The ski resorts realize that you work up an appetite on the hill and accordingly bump their prices to charge you an arm and a leg for a Pop-Tart.

By using your points the night before or grabbing some food to go from an unlimited dining hall, you can save money.

While it may seem like a great idea to lend your pass to a friend so that he or she can ski on one of your off days, I highly recommend you think twice.

I know it sounds like more of a foolproof plan than the Taco Bell diet, but the fact is you will get caught.

A lot of people working at the surrounding mountains once had the same mentality, resulting in a keen eye that knows what to look for.

If you get caught, they call the police and take your pass.

Bummer.

That’s upward of $350 down the drain. I know it’s nice to help a friend out, but in this case it’s not worth it.

Have a great ski season, and let’s hope Mother Nature doesn’t screw us over for screwing her over.

Snow or no snow, life is good.

Health & Fitness Column

KEVIN PELLETIER

Gardasil shot now guarding men The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, is now available to men ages nine through 26.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease.

Certain strains of HPV are responsible for the most common causes of cervical cancer in women, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Other HPV strains are responsible for genital warts in both women and men.

While Gardasil has long been available only to women, it is now available

to men too. This is great news for men because it not only prevents the spread of a virus that can potentially be lethal for women, but it also wards off genital warts — which, no matter the gender, nobody wants.

A few caveats about the vaccine should be mentioned. For one, it is important to know that the HPV vaccine does not treat genital warts or cancerous changes of the cervix.

Rather, it is to be used to prevent the contraction of HPV. Furthermore, the HPV vaccine comes in three installments, administered at the first office visit, three months afterward, and finally once more six months following your first visit.

While the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, will not protect you from all STDs, it can protect you from the most common STD. So, ask your doctor about the vaccine and visit the CDC website to get more information.

Kevin Pelletier, a second year medical student at UVM’s College of Medicine and a regular at the gym, intends to share what he has learned about health and fitness. His background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology from McGill University.

Finding home away from home: living off campus Thomas Rogers Staff Writer The season of searching for off-campus properties has begun for students, and most off-campus properties close to campus are being claimed fast.

The Office of Student and Community Relations facilitated a three-session series called the Off-Campus Living Workshops.

Gail Shampnois, the director, said she considered the busy class schedules, exam preparations and lack of guidance in searching for residences off-campus as being the greatest challenges for students.

“The workshops help create a new safety net of city and state resources, like Code Enforcement and Vermont Tenants Inc., and remind students that they still have access to on-campus resources like the services of the Center for Health and Wellbeing,” Shampnois said.

She shared some statistics regarding how students have reacted to the workshops.

“Ninety-two percent of students surveyed said that their knowledge of tenant rights and responsibilities increased ‘a great deal’ and ‘considerably,’ and that 97 percent would encourage other students to attend the workshop,” Shampnois said.

The workshops are divided into three sections. Among these are safety, the rental process, city ordinances and quality of life.

Jill Diemer, a landlord in Burlington, covered some essential aspects for students to consider while looking for a home.

The most important aspects of living off campus are identifying solid housemates, notifying parents/guardians, using online resources, setting aside security

deposits and straying away from having pets, Diemer said.

“Make sure that you schedule a showing with your prospective landlord before deciding on a house,” she said.

“Sometimes, especially on Craigslist, people will pretend to be landlords and scam you for your money. It’s not only a good idea to schedule a showing to make sure everything’s functioning correctly, but also to ensure legitimacy.”

Diemer said price was one of the most important considerations for students, and insisted that houses with higher occupancies are more favorable, as the cost per room is less because utility costs are generally split.

“Sometimes, especially on Craigslist, people will pretend to be landlords and scam you for your money.”

Jill Diemer Landlord

Proximity to campus is also a primary price factor, Diemer said. Houses located closer to UVM are considered to be more convenient and are usually more expensive. A handout she gave to students indicated that single occupancy residences pay a bare minimum rent of $50 more per room than multiple room houses.

Sue Roberts, a crime prevention coordinator in Burlington, began the safety talk by holding up a dorm key.

“Everybody look at the Coined by environmental physiologist Doug McKenzie-Mohr, the concept of Community Based Social Marketing or CBSM uses tools from social psychology to discover the barriers to behavior change and ways of overcoming these barriers.

STEPH HAYES

Eco-Reps aim to fix behaviors You are taking the elevator up to your floor, facing the door you walked in from.

Three people walk in and face the opposite door behind you.

Do you turn around?

Conformity can be defined as the act of matching attitudes, beliefs and behaviors to group norms, but for the Eco-Rep’s agenda it also means changing the behaviors of the UVM community to reduce environmental impact and foster sustainable behaviors.

Don’t be the only kid to throw your food scraps in the trash instead of the compost.

In an attempt to make environmental stewardship the norm on campus, the Eco-Reps will be engaging students in CBSM projects that will hopefully change the social norms on campus and move the community as a whole toward accepting sustainable practices.

This semester we have been focusing on uncovering barriers in an attempt to understand why students do not practice sustainable behav-

writing on your keys,” Roberts said. “The most important thing to note after you’ve received the keys to your residence is whether or not they have that ‘DO NOT DUPLICATE’ indication.”

Roberts said that it is not uncommon for former tenants to make duplicates of their old keys, and suggested students to ask their landlord to change the locks if this was the case.

Changing the topic from external safety to internal safety, Fire Marshall John Marshall was there to cover fire prevention.

“Since 2000, 157 college students have died in fires,” Marshall said. “Ninety-two percent of those fires occurred at off-campus locations.”

Marshall said that there were simple steps to take in order to prevent these fires, most notably not leaving candles lit, not smoking inside and buying non-alcoholic hand sanitizer.

Aside from the emphasis on safety, the board assured students that all services offered to on-campus residents are still offered to those living off campus.

“So long as you’re taking at least nine credits, Student Wellness is available to you at a cost included in your tuition,” said Amy Boyd-Austin, who works for the student Center for Health and Wellbeing.

At the end of the session, students who attended were given a “Preferred Renter’s Card” that reflects the students’ knowledge of factors of living off campus and rewards them for their responsibility.

For more information on living off campus and the OffCampus Living Workshops, you can visit the online student survival guide through the Office of Student and Community Relations’ website.

iors like recycling, composting and reducing their energy usage.

In most cases we have found that students do not have enough information on the subject, or are apathetic despite their environmental knowledge.

As environmental leaders on this campus, the EcoReps are constantly working to provide information to students so they can improve their ecological footprint.

However, the most difficult challenge we face is getting students who don’t give a rat’s ass to make real changes in their behaviors.

By making sustainable behaviors like recycling, composting and energy reduction the norm at UVM, we can reach those students who don’t care because at heart most people don’t want to be left out.

Don’t be the only kid to throw your food scraps in the trash instead of the compost.

Don’t be the only student who doesn’t care. The norms are changing and soon you will be the only one.

D I S T RAC T I O N S

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

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Extra Middle A Distractions: Wood 1066 to 1485 This week in

Camp Morning Wood by Scott Womer

Camp Morning Wood by Scott Womer

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ARTS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Grateful Dead’s music still alive Erin Kelley Cynic Correspondent

Over the past 15 years, Dark Star Orchestra has been recreating the Grateful Dead experience for Deadheads across the nation.

By using the same type of sound equipment, the same types of instruments, the same stage positions and even the same set lists, this cover band gives audiences the whole experience of an original Grateful Dead show.

Dark Star Orchestra has made many trips up to Burlington and Winooski to get down with their Deadhead family that lives in the area.

In light of their show last Tuesday, Nov. 20 at Higher Ground, the Cynic had the opportunity to chat with Dino English, one of the band’s two drummers.

The Vermont Cynic (VC): First off, how were you introduced to the Grateful Dead?

Dino English (DE): Back in the 80s I had a lot of friends that tried to turn me on to the Dead. One friend in particular was always playing their albums for me. I was a music major at the time, and I always just thought their tapes sounded sloppy. Then my friend finally convinced me to go see them live in the summer of 1991 and I instantly understood what was going on. Seeing them live turned me into a Deadhead

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB MINKIN

Grateful Dead cover band Dark Side Orchestra stands in front of their van. They played at Higher Ground in South Burlington Nov. 20. very quickly.

VC: Besides the Dead, what are some of your other musical influences?

DE: Well, like I mentioned before I was a music major in college, so I listened to a lot of different genres. I’m into jazz, progressive rock, country, R&B, hard rock, soul and everything in between. I

love when bands have two drummers and when they play a lot of different styles.

These were both things that originally attracted me to the Dead.

VC: What would you say is your favorite Grateful Dead album?

DE: “American Beauty” was the first album I ever bought, and that’s a great collection of songs. The lyrics really shine through. When I first started getting into the Dead, their live albums weren’t that available. Once they started releasing more live stuff, I would only listen

to that. “Europe ’72” is a great representation of their live shows at their prime. “Without a Net” also holds a special place in my heart.

VC: What have been some of your most memorable shows playing in Dark Star Orchestra?

DE: There have been so many amazing shows that it’s hard to choose. It’s always fun playing big shows at festivals like Gathering of the Vibes, All Good and Bonnaroo. The most meaningful shows would have to be when any of the original Grateful Dead members play with us.

A couple weeks ago when we were doing our Fillmore run in San Francisco, Phil Lesh sat in with us for the first time. That was an incredible experience and we were very excited that he joined in.

VC: Do you guys get excited to come play in Burlington?

DE: Yeah, we love playing at Higher Ground. Our guitar player Rob Eaton is from Vermont, so it’s always nice for us to be able to come visit.

It’s always a good time and there’s great family there.

G. Love & Special Sauce mix it up Aidan Dolbashian Staff Writer As Garrett Dutton, known by his stage name G. Love, and his accompanying band Special Sauce walked onto the Higher Ground stage on Friday, Nov. 9, the crowd members of the packed ballroom united in applause, anticipating an evening full of blues music and some good old-fashioned grooving.

Formed in the early 1990s, G. Love & Special Sauce have become known for their unique style of hip-hop infused blues music. Songs that range from laid-back and mellow to fast-paced and electric are all staples of the band’s repertoire, which includes six albums and three G. Love solo records.

The energy that G. Love & Special Sauce put into their studio work is reflected in their live show. The crowd at Higher Ground could undoubtedly attest to this.

The band opened the main set with “I-76,” a song that pays homage to Philadelphia, where they are based. This song, with its classic blues guitar riff, was only a taste of what was to come that night.

Several songs into the set, the group busted out the fan favorite “Shooting Hoops” and the concert kicked into full swing. G. Love, shredding on his guitar and playing harmonica solos while accompanied by bassist Timo Shanko and drummer Jeffrey Clemens, never skipped a beat.

Midway through the show, the band paid tribute to the late Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, with Garret reciting verses from the Beasties’ song “Paul Revere” over the instrumentation of the group’s own “Can’t Go Back to Jersey.” They then delved into even more old-school hip-hop classics.

As fans joined in on choruses from A Tribe Called Quest’s “Can I Kick It?” and Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend,” the whole ballroom was rocking while Garrett continued to display his rapping skills.

A cover of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” was even thrown into the mix.

As the main set came to a close, the crowd roared, not quite ready to leave. After chants of “G. Love!” and “encore!” Garrett finally reappeared onstage alone with his acoustic guitar and harmonica.

The encore began with an impromptu performance of “Superhero Brother,” as requested by a front-row fan.

The crowd sang along as Garrett relayed his comical plan to save the world, concluding with “If you find yourself in a world full of trouble, just call on G. Love, the superhero brother.”

After a cover of the blues legend Booker T. Washington’s “Fixin’ to Die,” the rest of the band joined Garrett onstage, accompanied by members of Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, the opening act for the show. The walls of the ballroom could barely contain the music as the sounds of crunchy blues riffs, smooth slide guitar, stand-up bass and jazzy drumbeats filled the venue.

After a few songs, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad left the stage and G. Love & Special Sauce closed out the encore with a raucous cover of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave your Lover.”

“It was incredibly funky and a great time,” said Scott Feenan, a senior at St. Michael’s College. “It was a concert that was definitely worth grooving to.”

A RT S

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

The Cynical Listener

DILLON BAKER

Top five albums of the year It’s that time of the year again: snow is falling, UVM students are slipping and sliding to class, Christmas is around the corner and it’s finally time to start putting a wrap on this crazy year of 2012.

For many, the end of the year is a time for reflection.

In the spirit of the holidays, let’s look back on this year in music and name the Cynical Listener’s top five albums of 2012:

5. Frank Ocean – “channel ORANGE” There are few albums that were as universally acclaimed by critics this year as Frank Ocean’s “channel ORANGE,” and it’s easy to see why. An R&B album with a sensitive soul, “channel ORANGE” is solid from start to finish, a masterwork of intriguing beats and empathetic lyrics.

Frank Ocean, who started out as a member of super-group Odd Future, has a restrained yet powerful voice that aptly complements the album’s overall style.

Standout songs: “Super Rich Kids,” “Bad Religion,” and “Pyramids.”

4. Schoolboy Q– “Habits & Contradictions” Though props have to be given to Kendrick La-

mar’s excellent “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” I can’t help but find myself going back again and again to fellow Black Hippy Crew member Schoolboy Q’s early 2012 release, “Habits & Contradictions.”

Schoolboy Q is a playfully inventive and entertaining rapper of the highest sort. Backed by hard but deeply textured beats, “Habits & Contradictions” will make you laugh, think and maybe even choke you up a little. How many rap albums can you say that about?

Standout songs: “Druggys Wit Hoes Again (feat.

Ab Soul),” “My Homie,” and “Blessed (feat. Kendrick Lamar)”

3. Tame Impala – “Lonerism” The most recent album on this list, Tame Impala’s “Lonerism” is an album with one foot in 2012 and the other in 1968. Channeling the psychedelic sound of classic bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd and even Black Sabbath, Tame Impala stands on the shoulders of these giants and creates a sound all their own.

With mesmerizing and inventive psychedelic instrumentation, catchy pop structures and lead singer Kevin Parker’s delicate yet soaring John Lennonesque voice, this is an album that’s easy to put on and hard to get out of your head.

Standout songs: “Mind Mischief, “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” and “Keep on Lying.”

2. Beach House – “Bloom” Beach House’s fourth album “Bloom” is a perfect example of slow and steady growth. While many bands explode and then burn out, Beach House has improved with every album, and with “Bloom,” they’ve released a masterpiece of dream pop.

“Bloom” is an awesome album in the truest sense of the word. Epic and powerful reverbed guitar is masterfully mixed with lead singer Victoria Legrand’s smoky, deep and ethereal voice to create a sound almost religious in nature.

Turn off the lights, close your eyes, turn up your speakers as loud as you can and feel yourself lifted by this gem of an album.

Standout songs: “Lazuli,” “New Year,” and “Irene.”

1. Polica – “Give You the Ghost” There have been few debut albums that have impressed me as much as Polica’s “Give You the Ghost.”

Christened “the best band I’ve ever heard” by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, Polica has had plenty of hype surrounding them and deserves even more.

“Give You the Ghost” is an album that escapes labels while sounding entirely familiar. Made up of a bassist, two drummers and the heavily digitally altered voice of lead singer Channy Leaneagh, Polica’s unique makeup gives them an entirely distinctive sound.

Groovy bass lines, ominous but danceable beats, emotionally charged vocals and lyrics, minimalist electronic ambient noises and climactic song structures make up much of their sound. Thematically and musically, the album is cohesive without being the least bit repetitive.

As a whole, their combination of rhythmic beats, distorted vocals and minimalist sound provides a stark contrast to the otherwise highly emotional song structures, lyrics and paintinged vocals.

This combination of sincerity and distortion is something that many contemporary bands have attempted, but none have executed in such a subtle, accessible yet profoundly deep way as Polica.

For this, “Give You the Ghost” deserves the Cynical Listener’s 2012 Album of the Year.

Standout songs: “Dark Star,” “The Maker,” “Lay Your Cards Out,” and “Happy Be Fine.”

7

This Week in Arts Friday

The Lane Series Presents: The Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival Players Music Building Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m., $15

Tuesday

People Under the Stairs Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, 8 p.m., $15

Saturday Orchesis Dance Company Fall Showcase

Patrick Gym Dance Studio, 2 p.m., $5

Public Enemy Higher Ground Ballroom, 8 p.m., $27

Thursday State Radio

Higher Ground Ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $22

8

Opinion

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

THE VERMONT

C YNIC

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ADVISER Faculty Adviser Chris Evans

Water too smart to evade the ban The day of reckoning is almost upon us. With the end of this semester also marks the final days of bottled water on campus.

The students have spoken, and bottled water is history… kind of.

Bottled water will be off campus in January 2013, but SmartWater, flavored water and other specialty products will stay.

If the purpose of removing bottled water is to preserve the environment and spare landfills, why do some brands get the pardon?

Now the Cynic isn’t going to investigate the possibility of any SmartWater contributions to SGA senators’ campaigns, but the fact that only the unflavored water brands are banned is mildly unsavory and questionable at best.

Additionally, the University will lose $100,000 a year without their contract with Coca-Cola, not to mention it cost $175,000 just to put in the water filling stations. If the University is willing to lose this much money in the name of banning bottles, we at the Cynic think the administration should carry out the action fully by extending the ban to flavored and “specialty” waters.

Healthy alternatives like low sugar tea beverages and low fait dairy drinks have passed UVM’s inspection and will be allowed to remain in UVM’s vending machines, at least for th\e time being. But somewhere along the way, it seems the University lost sight of what war it was supposed to be waging— the war on plastic, or the war on nutrition.

And those are two very different battles.

Students created this change to help the environment; the focus is on banning the bottles, not the water. By banning SmartWater and other special waters and not creating a “water law loophole” there will ultimately be less bottles consumed.

Richard Cate, vice president of finance, told NECN that the University hasn’t pulled the trigger but is looking to bar SmartWater from campus shelves. This seems like an obvious choice. It’s not the water, it’s the bottle.

COLUMNIST

iPads, Kindles and the pursuit of happiness this subset of “disempowered groups,” as the study referred to them, women in developing countries were the most positively affected by technology in terms of happiness.

BIANCA MOHN

When was the last time you turned off your phone or computer for the day? A month? A year? Never?

Chances are that as you’re reading this article, your cellphone is within reach. Your computer may be resting on your desk, awaiting your next pithy status update.

We are constantly surrounded by our phones, computers, iPads, Kindles and other devices that keep us connected. But are we happy?

In some ways, yes. A study conducted by the BBC surveyed 35,000 people in 39 different countries to measure how technology affects life satisfaction and sense of freedom and control. The study revealed that technology has a “direct positive impact on life satisfaction.”

Even though technology is associated with wealth, the study found that people with lower income levels derived the greatest increase in happiness from technology. Of

We need a balance in our lives between down time and tech time.

Middle to upper income levels also exhibited an increase in life satisfaction, but not as dramatically as lower income levels. As a whole, the study concluded that technology does have a positive impact on society and that its benefits extend beyond the purely economic.

I agree that technology does contribute to overall happiness. Receiving a funny text or sharing a photo on Facebook is enjoyable. But here’s my question – when does the scale tip and technology become an obstacle for the pleasurable parts of life?

Today when you walk into a cafe, it is common to see people hunched over laptops and texting on cellphones, even when they are with another person.

Rather than having an exchange with another human

being, they are absorbed in their digital world.

When people travel, they spend the trip creating Instagram photos instead of living in the moment. In place of real memories, they return with vague recollections of where they took a million photos.

These types of habits make me concerned that our engagement with technology is too extreme. When was the last time you spent the afternoon just relaxing without the distractions of the Internet?

There are exciting and entertaining opportunities with technology, but there comes a point when a break is needed.

Going outside, reading an actual book, sipping a mug of tea – life’s simple pleasures can so easily be overlooked with the flashy nature of phones and computers.

We need a balance in our lives between down time and tech time. That means making a conscious effort to turn off the distractions and just relax.

It’s amazing how simply turning off a cellphone allows for more meaningful interactions. Whether it is spending time with a friend or soaking in your environment, without tech you can experience life.

Next time you have a moment to unwind, try turning off the digital distractions.

Bianca Mohn is a sophomore business administration major.

She has been writing for The Cynic since fall 2011.

CONTROVERSIAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“@JENNYJOHNSONHI5 MOM SAYS HELLO ... SHE TOLD ME NOT TO SHART IN UR MOUTH, WANTED ME TO SHIT RIGHT ON THE RETINA . . . ” - Chris Brown using his Twitter to respond to the Tweets made by Jenny Johnson, a self-described ‘writer, wife, asshole and owner of 2 dogs’

crevans@uvm.eduv

Unsigned editorials officially reflect the views of The Cynic and its staff. All signed opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily do so. The Cynic accepts letters in response to anything you see printed as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. Send letters to cynicopinion@gmail.com

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OPINION

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

9

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

COLUMNIST

Black Friday, buy nothing day Sympathy for Palestine and chaos galore.

Yet despite the hold consumerism has on our American society, a counter-holiday has surfaced to combat Black Friday. Coined as “Buy Nothing Day,” this “holiday” serves as a reminder of the overarching presence of consumption in developed nations of the world.

CAROLINE DECUNZO

In the midst of a society centered on consumption, a new holiday trend is emerging.

The replacement of America’s day of highest consumption and spending with an ecological alternative signals the shifting attitude of the American people.

Black Friday’s origins stem from economics. The day after Thanksgiving was the first day of the holiday season in which businesses were making a profit, or “in the black.” Today, Black Friday is a shopper’s mecca: a day of deals, savings,

Growing populations and consumption are detrimental to the health of our ecosystem and planet.

Advocates of this holiday reject the over-indulgence that is Black Friday and instead avoid purchasing goods on this day. It is hoped that this symbolism will spread and impact society such that ideas of success and consumption will decrease on the large scale.

While the attitude and

message is a step in the right direction, there is a plethora of ways in which a holiday shopper can reduce her or his carbon footprint and still get a great deal. Home crafts are always a good alternative to Macy’s or Nordstrom, and are often more greatly appreciated. And if you’re on edge about checking out a thrift shop, watch Macklemore’s music video. I’m sure he’ll change your mind.

Overall, the combination of growing populations and consumption is detrimental to the health of our ecosystem and planet. If each and every person could buy one less shirt or lamp or pair of socks, the impact would be astronomical. It all starts with a step, or perhaps, the avoidance of a credit card swipe.

Caroline Decunzo is a first-year student and has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2012.

LETTER TO THE EDITORS

Examining Mr. Brown’s statements Dear Editor,

After reading Joseph Brown’s outrageously inaccurate column “The left’s shameful acts” in Issue 11, I felt compelled as a former member of The Vermont Cynic to write in.

Mr. Brown states from the get-go that the Obama administration’s recently released pamphlet, “New Economic Patriotism,” spells out his plans for the term ahead – and that’s where all reasoning seems to end. Brown immediately follows by saying that the pamphlet is a “divisive and derisive attack on … Mitt Romney.”

I must ask, how can he even begin to take himself as a serious journalist when making a claim like this? In no way does this pamphlet vilify Mitt Romney. The only mention of Romney anywhere in the pamphlet is under the statement on taxes where it says, “Romney’s plan raises taxes by more than $2,000 on middle-class families with kids,” something that happens to be very true.

As aware as I am of Mr. Brown being a columnist and someone who is fully entitled to express whatever opinions he may have, I still found this harder to swallow than most.

His rhetoric is unsettling in how reminiscent it is of the

election night Karl Rove freakout that most of us are all too familiar with.

There’s a line called logic and when you cross it for lack of perspective, 0r even a possible agenda, it leaves the realm of journalism – even opinionated journalism – and becomes simply offensive to basic human intellect. That’s exactly what this column seems to be.

There’s a line called logic and when you cross it for lack of perspective it leaves the realm of journalism and becomes simply offensive.

The only real thing that I can agree on with Mr. Brown is his claim the Obama administration did put out some campaign ads that were less than admirable. I’m sure that many of the left-wingers at the time shifted uncomfortably in their seats and maybe even cringed. I know I did.

However, Mr. Brown can not act like it’s as if the right wing hasn’t been claiming that Barack Obama is a Muslim born in Kenya for almost

two years now, and that they haven’t been trying to push him into the self-demeaning act of coming public with his birth certificate.

I know, fire against fire makes the U.S. one big ugly pile of cinders, but don’t act like liberals are some sort of despicable freakshow. They’re all guilty, and unfortunately that is one of the things that comes with modern-day politics. It’s awfully sad, but true.

So before Mr. Brown, or any of the oh-so fresh members of the Cynic opinion team go on to express their views, I ask and even plead that, as members of a respectable establishment, use a respectable mindset.

Whether you are liberal, conservative or anywhere in between or even outside of those two – please take a moment to utilize your collegiate surroundings and keep your eyes open to all reason. It is an exercise that becomes increasingly crucial for our generation, given that we are maturing in an age when government continues to polarize itself to such dangerous extremes. It’s the responsible thing to do.

Sincerely, Colleen McClintock Class of 2012

Quick Opinion Finally China gets it right: Kim Jong Eun is totally the sexiest man alive – tell me Onion, who’s sarcastic now?

Peyton Rosenthal Illustration by Andrew Becker

Dear Editor,

If you’ve watched any of the media’s coverage of Israel’s most recent assault on Gaza, you’ve likely heard endless discussion of Israel’s right to defend itself against the “endless barrage of unprovoked rocket attacks.”

What is missing from this analysis is the historical and political context within which the conflict takes place.

Placing the conflict in context completely discredits the narrative that the United States and Israel are putting forward.

Nothing about the current conflict can be understood without placing it in the context of the occupation. For decades, Israel has subjected Gaza’s 1.7 million inhabitants to a brutal and illegal military occupation.

In 2006 Israel took its repression to new heights by implementing a full-scale siege that has utterly destroyed the local economy — 95 percent of factories in Gaza have shut down, resulting in one of the highest unemployment rates in the world — and denied the population access to sufficient food, medicine and other resources necessary for living with basic human dignity.

Israel’s siege is so severe that the U.N. warns Gaza will be unlivable by the year 2020.

Israel has done nothing but turn Gaza into the world’s largest open-air prison.

The media fails to contextualize the conflict and instead argues that “violence on both sides” is to blame for the conflict.

But the violence of the occupier to maintain their system of oppression cannot be equated with the violence of the occupied to liberate themselves.

There is no such thing as unprovoked rocket attacks from the Palestinians — all rocket fire is a response to the occupation.

Noam Chomsky explains that when Israel claims selfdefense, “they are defending themselves in the sense that any military occupier has to defend itself against the population they are crushing … You can’t defend yourself when you’re militarily occupying someone else’s land … Call it what you like, it’s not defense.” If Israel actually cared about peace, it would address the issue driving the violence: the occupation.

As long as the Palestinians are humiliated and dehumanized by Israel, they will continue to resist by any means available to them.

Those of us who want to see an end to violence on both sides should be unequivocal in our opposition to Israel’s illegal occupation and our solidarity with the Palestinians’ struggle for liberation.

Sincerely, Nolan Rampy Graduate Student

Thanks from an alumnus Dear Editor,

I want to thank all the UVM students who supported me in the recent election.

Since my first election to the Senate four years ago, I have done my best to represent the interests of younger Vermonters so you can afford to live

a good life in Vermont if you choose to make your home here after graduation. Please stay in touch.

Sincerely, Tim Ashe Class of 1999

Home efficiency matters Dear Editor,

At the end of every month comes the dreaded energy bill, persistently rising as the winter months approach. It seems like this cost increase is inevitable, but there are many easy ways to reduce home energy consumption and costs.

Start by making sure your home is sealed off to the chilly outdoors. This can be achieved by making sure all storm windows are shut correctly — the latch is completely twisted and the window can’t slide up. An easy insulator is to line windows with a plastic covering like saran wrap, which prevents the air outdoors from cooling the warm air inside.

Keeping all doors and windows shut is key. These quick fixes will reduce the amount of heat needed to keep your home comfortable.

Aside from insulating your house, save money on energy bills by making sure your heater and all appliances are not running when you are not using them. For instance, turn off the lights if you leave

a room, and unplug cellphone chargers, computer chargers and printers after use.

It is estimated that five percent of electricity in the U.S. is wasted on products that aren’t being used. Anything that has a light or clock reading is consuming energy — think about the little green light on your printer, or clock readings on coffee makers. An easy way to remember to do this is to plug electronics into a power strip and shut off the power strip when you’re done.

Other tips include making sure you only do full loads of laundry and turning down your water heater when everyone leaves the apartment for break.

No one likes shelling out money for electric bills, especially when some of those costs can be avoided, so run through this checklist of tips to reduce your energy costs.

Sincerely, Diana Biggs Class of 2015

10

Sports

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Rookies take lead in helping streak Colin Hekimian Staff Writer The women’s swimming and diving team is 7-2 at this point in the season and currently riding a four-game winning streak.

The Catamounts defeated Siena, Maine, Central Connecticut State and Bryant.

Against Siena, sophomore Ilsa Feierabend broke the pool record in the 200-yard backstroke, winning both the 100 and 200-yard distances to lead the Catamounts past Siena, 176-119.

Vermont finished first in eight events and swept the diving competition.

Vermont’s squad of rookies — the relay team of Christa Weaver, Andie Blaser, Diane Brown and Hayley Weik — set a record, breaking the UVM first-year mark in the 200 freestyle by two seconds with a time of 1:39.09.

“Today was a great team win.

All of our ladies stepped up in a big way,” head coach Gerry Cournover said after the win against America East rival, Maine.

Last week, Weaver was named America East Female Swimmer of the Week for the second time.

She won five individual races and played a part in two relay victories to lead UVM to a 2-0 record over the weekend against Central Connecticut State.

On Sunday, Weaver followed up with a sweep of the freestyle races against Bryant, winning the 50-yard, 100-yard and 200-yard races. She also swam a leg for the 400-yard relay squad as it won for the second consecutive day.

After Vermont’s 146.5-115.5

ALICIA ACCETTA The Vermont Cynic First-year Diane Brown swims in a meet against America East rival New Hampshire in Forbush Natatorium Oct. 20. Vermont lost the meet 114-186 but have rebounded since, posting four straight wins. The Catamounts sit at 7-2 overall this season, with a record of 1-1 in conference meets.

win over Bryant, Weaver pushed her win total to 16 races.

Senior Kailey Gardner displayed her consistency when she took first place in both the 500 and 1,000 freestyle to extend her streak of winning at least one individual event to 19 straight season meets.

Gardner led a 1-2-3 finish in

the 1,000 freestyle, winning the race with a new pool mark of 10:34.32. First-year Carah McClure and junior Taylor Slone placed second and third to complete the UVM sweep.

Gardner also set a pool record in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:05.31 and earned a win in the 200 Individual Medley. She

extended her streak to 21 straight regular season meets.

Feierabend won the 200-yard backstroke for the fourth straight time at 2:07.35. Chelsea Krisanda won the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 59:80 and was the only competitor in the field to post a time under one minute.

“Every year our goal is to com-

NFL Picks Week13 New Orleans Saints AT Atlanta Falcons A victory in their week 12 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers would have been monumental for the Saints for two reasons. The more obvious is that New Orleans would maintain pace in the chase for a wild-card bid in the NFC playoffs. On a more symbolic level, a win against one of the NFC’s best teams would be a legitimizing act by a team that started 0-4 this season.

Instead of securing such an important win, the Saints fell to the 49ers and under .500 once again. They go into their matchup with the 10-1 Falcons

needing – more than ever – a win over their divisional rivals.

The Falcons are likely salivating at a chance for retribution against the team that handed them their only loss this year.

If the Falcons are to be taken seriously, they must have this one at home. Matt Ryan, it’s time to step up.

The Picks: Atlanta: Will, Mike, Jeremy and Colin New Orleans: Josh and Jake

Minnesota Vikings AT Green Bay Packers Besides their out-of-nowhere victory over the 49ers in week three, can you really point to an

Scoreboard: Will Jeremy Colin 21- 19 Mike 21 - 19

27 - 13 Josh 26 - 14

24 - 16 Jake 20 - 20

impressive win for the Vikings?

The combined record of the teams they have beaten this year – withholding the record of the 49ers – is 14-30.

The Packers are coming off a downright embarrassing loss to the Giants in prime time last Sunday night and I expect them to bounce back nicely in this divisional game. Green Bay is just one game back from the Bears in the NFC North and a loss to the Vikings at home would spell disaster.

The Picks: Green Bay: Will, Mike, Jeremy, Colin, Josh and Jake

Pittsburgh Steelers AT Baltimore Ravens Ben Roethlisberger said that he hopes to play Sunday against the Ravens, and he better in order for the Steelers to have a shot in this one. In the two games he has missed, Pittsburgh has averaged just 12 points and 185 yards through the air. More importantly, the Steelers lost both games by a margin of a touchdown or less – close games in which Big Ben thrived late. If

pete at the highest level we can,” Cournover said in a preseason interview with CatamounTV. Vermont will play Dartmouth on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. On Nov. 30, the swimming and diving team will compete in the Central Connecticut State Invitational.

Will Andreycak Senior Staff Writer

Each we ek, the C ynic Spo winner of rts staff w some of ill predict the week matchup the ’s most a s. The pa ntic rticipants Mike Eato are Jerem ipated n, Will An dreycak, y Karpf, Colin He Aronson kimian, J and Jake osh Bielecki.

the Steelers want to salvage their season, they need Roethlisberger on the field. On Monday, Big Ben said that “he will try and play.”

Doesn’t sound too promising and as such I can’t see the Steelers going into Baltimore and coming out with a victory.

The Picks: Baltimore: Will, Mike, Jeremy, Colin, Josh and Jake

New York Giants AT Washington Redskins After RGIII’s brilliance on Thanksgiving Day – 20-28, 311 yards passing, four touchdowns – the Redskins are in second place in the NFC East and just two games behind the New York Giants. If the ‘Skins can beat the Giants on Sunday, they would be just a game back in the division with a remaining schedule that

includes Baltimore (9-2), Cleveland (3-8), Philadelphia (3-7), and Dallas (5-6). The Giants’ last four include matchups against New Orleans (5-6), Atlanta (10-1), Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Obviously opponents’ records are of little use in predicting game outcomes down the road, but it is feasible to think that the Redskins could potentially have the same record as the Giants after week 17, if and only if they can beat the Giants.

All that being put on the table, the Giants just shredded Green Bay at home and a win against the Redskins would all but assure a division title.

Despite the allure of RGIII and the flashy young Redskins, in important divisional games you always have to take the team that’s been there before.

The Picks: New York: Will, Colin and Josh Washington: Mike, Jake and Jeremy

11 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29 , 2012

SPORTS

Vermont falls short in weeklong series Taylor Feuss Assitant Sports Editor Catamount fans returned from their Thanksgiving breaks this past week to find the men’s hockey team on a losing streak.

Out of five games, Vermont ended with four losses and only one win under their green and yellow belts.

The Cats’ first game was Nov. 16 when they hosted the Boston University Terriers in a 6-2 loss. Boston was first to score on a power play, setting a high precedent in the start of the first period.

The shot zipped past rookie goaltender Brody Hoffman, inching the Terriers ahead of Vermont. By the end of the period, Boston increased their score to 3-0.

At the start of the second period, BU added to their lead with another goal. A timeout followed from Vermont as head coach Kevin Sneddon replaced Hoffman with fellow first-year Billy Faust.

Soon after, Catamount Chris McCarthy nailed a goal in the back of the net to bring the score to 4-1.

Boston earned their last two goals at the end of the period.Vermont added only one final tally to the board as Pete Massar earned the Cats’ final goal on a power play in the final period, resulting in a final score of 6-2.

Vermont headed back to their home ice Sunday, earning their second season win against the Northeastern Huskies.

ALEX EDELMAN The Vermont Cynic Senior defenseman Anders Franzon competes for the puck in a game against Providence Nov. 3. Vermont ended the Catamount’s week series with a 1-4 record, earning their sole win against the Northeastern Huskies.

“It was a good quality team win,” said Sneddon.

“Hoffman was exceptional and it was nice to see McCarthy start to score.”

He was first to score for the Catamounts after blocking a clear attempt from Husky defense. McCarthy slapped the shot to the back of the net earning the first goal of the game.

The score remained unchanged until later in the second period as he tallied up his second goal of the game to

double the UVM lead. McCarthy’s initial shot was deflected by goalie Bryan Mountain, who picked it back up to shoot it past him a second later.

With only five minutes remaining in the final period, the Huskies finally got on the board, scoring on Hoffman from the left circle.

Having made an initial save, the rookie was outnumbered and was unable to save the rebound.

Senior Brett Bruneteau

stole the puck from Husky offense and skated off on a breakaway, snapping the puck past Mountain to regain the Catamounts’ two-goal lead.

Northeastern scored the final goal of the game with just minutes remaining, but it wasn’t enough to match Vermont, who held the score at a close 3-2 until the final buzzer.

The Catamounts had a day to rest before traveling to face UMass Amherst the following Tuesday where they added

to their losses, falling to the Minutemen 3-1.

The single Vermont goal came as defenseman Anders Franzon got the puck past the UMass line up to Anthony DeCenzo, who rocketed it between the posts.

With a few more days’ rest under their belts, Vermont hosted Minnesota in a doubleheader this past weekend. The No. 4 ranked Gophers racked up a total eight goals over the two game span while Vermont netted only two.

Friday’s lone goal came as Matt White picked up Bruneteau’s rebound on the goal line.

The following night, forward Jacob Fallon also picked up a rebound off Yvan Pattyn’s skate from the top of the crease where he shot it through the legs of Minnesota’s goalie.

“Minnesota is one of the best teams in the country and I thought we played them right on par tonight,” Sneddon said.

“When our guys play that way, they’re going to win a lot of hockey games.”

The Catamounts head back on the road this weekend to face the Maine Black Bears in another weekend matchup.

The teams met three times last season, all of which resulted in close losses for Vermont.

Players that fans can look out for are Devin Shore and Connor Leen. Shore leads the team with six points while Leen stands as the top scorer with three for the season.

Thunder makes risky bid The weekly recap

JAKE BIELECKI

Lebron, D-Wade and Bosh.

Pierce, KG and Ray Ray. Larry, Mo and Curly. Durant, Westbrook and Harden. Clearly, good things come in threes, and the Thunder didn’t get the memo that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

In the wake of a championship run brewing since the Seattle Supersonics drafted Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded foundation piece James Harden for a one-year rental, Kevin Martin, and future assets Jeremy Lamb and two first round picks.

Before we go any further let me preface this by saying the players the Thunder got in return are no scrubs. Kevin Martin is a pure shooter, averaging 16 points a game and shooting lights out — 50 percent from three, 93 percent from the line.

Jeremy Lamb has serious upside on both the offensive and defensive end of the court, and two future first round picks to boot.

Here’s where I have a problem with the trade. You

have three players under 25, all of which are good enough to be franchise players for half the organizations in the league, and you ship one away for what are literally and figuratively lottery picks.

Why did they do this, you ask? You guessed it: money. And it wasn’t a matter of staying under the salary cap, but rather staying under the luxury tax.

For a team as profitable as the Thunder in the only professional sport we can bank on being in better fiscal shape in five years than now, the luxury tax should be the least of their concerns.

Not only did the Thunder deal a legitamite star, but a star who fits the team perfectly.

Harden is currently playing out the last year of his rookie contract where he earns about $4 million.

After sacrificing playing time and shots, winning sixth man of the year, and playing for team USA, he rightfully asked for a max contract — four years, 60 million — entering next season.

The Thunder’s final offer before trading Harden came in at four years, 54 million.

To put this in perspective, that’s a difference of $1.5 million a year – about what they’re paying Hasheem Thabeet to play 12 minutes a game off their bench.

What’s worse, the extra 11 million they’d have pay Harden by comparison to his current deal would almost be covered by amnestying Kendrick Perkins, who is set to make a combined 17 million in 2013 and 2014.

Perk is a champion and his impact doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet, but his four points and five rebounds a game are hardly worth losing James Harden.

Not only did the Thunder deal a legitimate star, but a star who fits their team perfectly. If you’ve watched First Take for 30 seconds, you’ve probably heard Skip Bayless call Russell “Westbrick” a shooting guard masquerading as a point guard.

And that was the beauty of James Harden. When their point guard was a little out of control, he could fill that void.

Neither Kevin Martin or Jeremy Lamb has the ability to do this.

Now the Thunder, loaded with young talent and future assets, need to recreate the cohesiveness that sparked a quick turnaround from 23-59 to 50-32 to NBA runner-ups. vThis is entirely possible. They could draft a stud in next year’s draft, they could incorporate Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones, and they could win multiple championships in the coming seasons.

On the other hand, they would have won multiple championships with the foundation of Durant, Westbrook and Harden.

Colin Hekiaman Staff Writer

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Quote of the week “I will always love the Jets because they are in my heart, and I will attend games as usual, just not as Fireman Ed. God bless and, as always, let’s go Jets!”

-Edwin Anzalone, better known as Fireman Ed, announcing that he is quitting his role as Jets superfan after Thursday’s loss to the Patriots.

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Boss of the week: Johnny Manziel, Quarterback Texas A&M Johnny Manziel, who is being coined “Johnny Football,” is trying to do something never before seen in college football – win the Heisman Trophy, as a freshman. Manziel has led Texas A&M in their first season in the SEC to a 10-2 record including knocking off previous No. 1 and undefeated Alabama two weeks ago. This past weekend, Manziel broke the SEC record for total yards

in a season with 4,600, eclipsing former Heisman winners Cam Newton and Tim Tebow. All signs point to this year’s Heisman Trophy race coming down to the wire. With the continuing success of Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o and the explosiveness of Manziel, we could see the first ever linebacker or the first ever freshman to win college football’s most prestige award.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

lululemon athletica church st. open friday november 16

I run my first 50 mile race by 10/1/12 dave huffman

long distance runner

A DV ERT I S EM EN T