HERB: a robot that can Upsets abound in March Greek Sing exceeds separate Oreos • A4 Madness • A10 philanthropy goal • B8 SCITECH SPORTS PILLBOX

thetartan.org @thetartan March 25, 2013 Volume 107, Issue 21 Carnegie Mellon’s student newspaper since 1906 CMU, NSA search for student hackers Forum highlights personal wellness brian trimboli structure developed by S4DD Assistant News Editor meant to “bring more inclu- sive conversation to campus,” In response to January’s according to Justin Mando, a Town Hall on Carnegie Mel- Ph.D. candidate in rhetoric lon culture, the student and an officer in S4DD. government — in conjunc- Around 80 people attend- tion with the department of ed the event, Mando said. student affairs — devised a “We asked anyone who strategy to combat the issues would be interested in at- discussed. An event orga- tending to fill out a survey nized by Students for a Delib- form that asked why they Annette Ko/Art Editor erative Democracy (S4DD) want to attend, rate how big was held in the University an issue it is, say what they South Korea. “A lot Center’s Rangos Hall last think of the issues at play. Alvin Mathew of people would be Tuesday. We had a really big response Staffwriter interested in com- The purpose of the event, from this, but it was also a puter security from according to S4DD’s program manageable response, so we Carnegie Mellon this opportunity,” manager and Ph.D. candi- randomly selected constitu- teamed up with the Brumley said. date in rhetoric Tim Dawson, ents to try and get the most National Security As a part of the was to “bring together multi- diverse response,” Dudley Agency (NSA) to cre- Toaster Wars com- ple voices, multiple perspec- said. ate a high school petition, high tives” and to facilitate con- S4DD, Dawson said, hacking competition school hackers versation on campus stress “helped develop surveys, known as “Toaster will be given a culture. helped develop background Wars,” which takes scenario Meela Dudley, student materials, helped them place April 26 to May 6. in which body vice president and cre- structure the event; we Sponsored by the they are ative and professional writ- helped train moderators and NSA and supported by told to ing double major, said that note -takers.” Carnegie Mellon’s own use their January’s Town Hall “opened At the roundtable event, hacking group, the Plaid w e go in, hacking the flood gates of conversa- small discussion groups of Parliament of Pwning (PPP), break into stuff, skills tion.” After the Town Hall, seven or eight people were Toaster Wars has been devel- and hack into to re- Dudley said that student gov- hosted at each table, assisted oped into a high-profile hack- things.” pair a ro- ernment needed “a stricter by a moderator and recorded ing competition. of the The PPP’s bot from way to collect that data, but by a note-taker. Afterward, It came into being through PPP’s adviser and an as- space and to we still wanted to have a there was a resource panel a large amount of effort put lead- sistant electrical and figure out some of his face-to-face conversation, and a Q&A session. These forth by PPP and the Enter- ers, the computer engineer- secrets. rather than a survey.” tainment Technology Center group often ing professor David Brumley According to the competi- The event was based on a See CULTURE, A3 (ETC). creates and competes in Cap- notes the PPP’s success. “PPP tion’s official website, “The Formed in 2009, the PPP ture the Flag hacking exer- is actually ranked in the world competition is a series of is self-described as a security cises. for security research groups, challenges centered around a interest group. According to “We create security puzzle even [among] professional unique story line where partic- Tyler Nighswander, senior type things for exploitation, teams.” It has competed in ipants must reverse engineer, computer science and phys- hacking, et cetera,” Night- various contests, and its next ics double major and also one swander explained. “Then competition is to be held in See HACKING, A3 Hunt for next CMU VP/CFO continues Lauren williams President of Campus Affairs negotiating research over- opinion regarding the posi- Junior Staffwriter and search committee chair head rates, developing budget tion. Michael Murphy, “One very plans, advising on property First-year logic and com- Carnegie Mellon Univer- important facet of the role be- acquisition, and monitoring putation major Deanna Daly sity in currently in the midst yond his or her immediate or- the effectiveness of interna- said, “I hope that the new of a search process for a new ganization … is collaborative tional initiatives. vice president is one who re- vice president and chief finan- involvement and leadership in “It is a critical role, if per- ally considers the position of cial officer. the whole of the administra- haps somewhat less visible to individuals, and not just the The position of vice presi- tion. President Jared Cohon students than some,” Murphy institution as a whole. Even dent and chief financial officer and Executive Vice President continued. though we are getting a great (CFO) — a singular position and Provost Mark Kamlet have Although many students education, being a student — organizes the central finan- nurtured this kind of team- are unfamiliar with the re- here is financially straining on cial services of the university, work exceptionally, in the best sponsibilities of the CFO, his our families, and I think that including the budget, payroll, Carnegie Mellon tradition.” or her actions play a vital role really has an impact on stu- accounts receivable and pay- Mark Kamlet is the current in- in the university’s day-to-day dent lifestyle. This is definitely able, the treasurer’s office, in- terim CFO. activity. When approached, something that I’m hoping to ternal audits, and sponsored Specific duties of the CFO most students were eager to see improved.” Photo courtesy of Tim Dawson projects. position include issues such learn more about the role The Center of Deliberative Democracy held an additional forum on According to current Vice as proposing tuition and fees, of the CFO and to give their See SEARCH, A3 Carnegie Mellon’s “stress culture.” Elections preview: candidates prepare for first debate

Photos courtesy of the respective candidates From left to right, Thomas Healy with Caitlin Jones and Peter Masters with Lindsay MacGillivray, for student body president and vice president.

brent heard and vice president (SBVP) student body president and ted an official platform to the dents feel about the various activities budget approval pro- Noël Um will be held on Monday from vice president. Junior biology student government elections activities offered on campus. I cess. News Co-Editors 6–7:20 p.m. in McConomy Au- major Lindsay MacGillivray website. want to know what you want The candidates for SBVPO ditorium, and debates for stu- and sophomore social and de- The candidates for SBVPF to see more or less of, how you are sophomore business ma- With student government dent body vice president for cision sciences and philosophy are sophomore statistics major think your money should be jor Susanna Park, sophomore elections less than a week finance (SBVPF) and student double major Peter Masters Jalen Poteat and sophomore allocated, and what groups economics major Radowan away, students can look for- body vice president for organi- are running together; junior psychology major Joshua think about the process in- Khan, and junior psychology ward to hearing candidates for zations (SBVPO) will be held mechanical engineering and Swanson. volved with applying for, re- and decision science double Student Senate outline their on Tuesday 6:30–9:30 p.m. in engineering and public policy While Poteat has not sub- ceiving, and using funding.” major Corinne Rockoff. None platforms during debates, Rangos 3. double major Thomas Healy mitted a formal platform to He went on to state that of these candidates has sub- which will be held today and Polls will open online and junior business major the official elections website, he hopes to improve commu- mitted a formal platform. tomorrow. March 28 at noon and will Caitlin Jones run on the other Swanson stated, “One of my nication between the Joint The VPF debate will begin Debates for the positions of close April 2 at 6 p.m. ticket. first priorities would be to im- Funding Committee (JFC) student body president (SBP) Two tickets are running for Neither pair has submit- mediately find out how stu- and organizations during the See ELECTIONS, A3 A2 « thetartan.org/news The Tartan » March 25, 2013 feature photo news in brief Nagoski presents influential music CMU professors attend London summit Mark Kryder, professor of the Chinese Academy of En- electrical and computer engi- gineering. neering, and Philip R. LeDuc, The purpose of the sum- professor of mechanical engi- mit is to put world-renowned neering, attended the Grand thinkers into discussions Challenges Summit at Savoy about the world’s most criti- Place in London from March cal issues. “This was a won- 12–13. derful opportunity to meet At the Grand Challenges leaders from a broad sector Summit, global thought lead- of academia, industry, and ers, including Bill Gates, dis- government,” LeDuc said. cussed ideas for solving some LeDuc won a competitive of the world’s most signifi- Grand Challenges Explora- cant problems. tions Award in 2011 from the Kryder, former director Bill & Melinda Gates Founda- of Carnegie Mellon’s Data tion for his work on nutrition Storage System Center, said for infants and children in that the summit allowed him underdeveloped countries. to focus on the ideas of data He is currently working on storage in a global context. adjusting the cell mechanics “In addition to hearing of leafy vegetables in Africa from some great speakers, to make them more palatable there were many panel ses- for children. sions dealing with global “It was a great event be- challenges and much discus- cause it gave me the oppor- sion after each panel. It was tunity to build and develop a stimulating experience,” he the collaborations, networks said. and tools needed to solve our The Grand Challenges common global challenges,” Summit is a new event, spon- LeDuc said. sored by the National Acade- The summit is planned to my of Engineering, the Royal occur every two years; it will Academy of Engineering, and reconvene in China in 2015.

Professor wins Air Force research award

Assistant professor in me- medical devices and elec- chanical engineering Carmel tronics. Majidi was awarded a three- “I’m extremely grateful year, $360,000 grant from for this award as I continue the Air Force Office of Scien- my research into producing tific Research (AFOSR) for soft matter electronics that his work in soft robotics. are elastically deformable The term “soft robotics” and extend these technolo- refers to a relatively new gies for harvesting electric- sector of robotics in which ity from their environment,” researchers combine organic Majidi said. chemistry, soft materials sci- “Ultimately, this new do- ence, and robotics. main of field robotics will Majidi’s research will help us focus on elastic and be used by the Air Force to multifunctional materials. improve electronic power These types of new materials sources and sensors for air will be the building blocks vehicles and flight suits. for a new generation of de- Majidi also heads the re- vices and robots composed search conducted by Carn- entirely of soft material and egie Mellon’s Soft Machines fluids,” he said. Lab, where he works on soft electronics and sensors to Compiled by improve the flexibility of Noël Um

Weather

Jonathan Leung/Assistant Photo Editor Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Independent record producer, musician, and ethnomusicologist Ian Nagoski presented the story of people influenced by the music of those who had High / Low High / Low High / Low suffered displacement, tragedy, and other uncontrollable events. The presentation of international 78 rpm recordings focused on these life stories. 38 / 29 36 / 29 38 / 30 Campus Crime & Incident Reports Underage Drinking Defiant Trespass Charge homeless and intoxicated. The Fire (Margaret Morrison March 15, 2013 March 16, 2013 male agreed that he was capa- Carnegie Hall) ble of walking, at which time March 18, 2013 An intoxicated student University Police were con- the male was asked to con- was observed walking in the tacted in reference to a male tinue down Forbes Avenue. University Police, along Greek Quad and Morewood who was near Carnegie Mel- The male was advised to stay with the Pittsburgh Fire De- Friday Saturday Sunday Avenue area. University Police lon housing on Morewood away from Carnegie Mellon partment, responded to the High / Low High / Low High / Low stopped the male and ensured Ave. The male was previously property. C-Level of Margaret Morrison 44 / 37 48 / 38 47 / 40 that he would not need medi- issued a defiant trespass no- Carnegie Hall in reference to a cal attention. The male was tice on a prior date. The male dust collector catching fire. A Source: www.weather.com left with a friend and was cit- was escorted to the police Theft student was able to extinguish ed for underage drinking. station, where he was later March 18, 2013 the fire prior to the officers’ -ar Corrections & Clarifications released after being issued rival. No one was injured dur- University Police was sum- another citation for defiant ing this fire and only the dust Vandalism moned to take a report con- trespassing. collector was damaged. If you would like to submit a correction or clarification, March 16, 2013 cerning cash stolen from a please email The Tartan at [email protected] or business kiosk located on the [email protected] with your inquiry, as well as the University Police observed Suspicious Male second floor of the Univer- broken keypads on the vend- Vehicle Accident date of the issue and the name of the article. We will March 17, 2013 sity Center. The complainant March 19, 2013 print the correction or clarification in the next print ing machines located in the reported that approximately issue and publish it online. Stever House lobby. The po- A University Police officer $165.00 was stolen from the A student riding her bi- lice questioned several indi- on patrol observed a black cash register drawer. Employ- cycle was struck by a vehicle viduals concerning how the male talking to a mailbox lo- ees believe that the money moving on Fifth Avenue near machines became vandalized. cated on Forbes Avenue, out- was taken between March 8, Amberson Street. The driver This investigation is ongoing. side of the University Center 2013 and March 18, 2013. of the vehicle did not stop. driveway. The police officer This investigation is ongoing. The victim was transported to approached the male and the hospital and examined for identified the male as being minor injuries. student senate meeting minutes Campus Life Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism Chair Report Special Wellness Course Allocations and C@CM Student Senate is in Holly Hippensteel, assis- Specific discussion cen- The chair report focused The Carnegie Mellon Discussion was held on contact with administra- tant dean of student affairs, tered around what consti- on discouraging absences University Chinese Students whether the course being tors in an attempt to inte- spoke to Student Senate re- tutes plagiarism and commu- from Student Senate meetings and Scholars Association developed on Carnegie grate more students onto garding academic integrity at nication between professors to make sure that the Senate (CSSA) petitioned for fund- Mellon culture and well- The Bridge. Carnegie Mellon. and students, as well as the stays at quorum. Additionally, ing to host a two-day summit ness should be required This system will then be Hippensteel presented role of collaboration in as- meetings have been sched- featuring eight panels on for first-year students, and used to help organize the proposed changes to the uni- signments. uled with influential figures topics such as smart build- whether it should be inte- poster policy, with students versity’s policy on cheating from the Craig Street area ing and art, as well as a busi- grated as a part of the al- being able to upload an and academic integrity. in order to improve the way ness competition. $2,000 ready required Computing image of their poster and The draft policy has been Craig Street is associated with was allocated to CSSA. Ad- at Carnegie Mellon course. receive the date by which approved by faculty senate, the campus and is related to ditionally, the Japanese Stu- they must take it down. and is in the process of re- Carnegie Mellon culture. dent Association (JSA) was ceiving feedback from other allocated $683.40 to help groups. fund its Japanese spring fes- Compiled by tival on campus. Brent Heard March 25, 2013 « The Tartan thetartan.org/news » A3 Campus fights student stress Students look to candidates to unify campus community ELECTIONS, from A1 both on and off campus, and our departments and under- oversees the running of the stand their mindsets. Because at 6:30 p.m. while the VPO Executive Branch of student if you have a good handle on debate is scheduled to begin government.” most everything, you can lead at 8:00 pm. The president is assisted in sort of from the inside, and During these events, the this job by the vice president. I think that’s an important moderator will present candi- The SBVPF is in charge of the factor.” dates with presubmitted ques- Joint Funding Committee, First-year international re- tions and give them a limited which allocates funding to lations and politics major Ari- time to respond. Carnegie Mellon student or- el Lee agreed. “I think the stu- Additionally, the candi- ganizations. dent body president should be dates will have a period where SBVPO is “responsible for someone who recognizes and they can openly discuss issues overseeing, advising, and fairly represents all sectors of among themselves without advocating for student orga- our school — someone who restrictions on speaking order nizations,” as well as serving knows about different depart- or individual time. as chair of the Committee ments, and doesn’t only have Finally, there will be a pe- on Student Organizations, one perspective on the com- riod where the candidates will which oversees the process munity.” accept and answer audience for recognizing different stu- Lee went on to stress the questions. dent organizations. importance of having lead- Annette Ko/Art Editor To run for an executive In response to the elec- ers who understand the tense office, a student must obtain tions, students stated that academic environment of the CULTURE, from A1 at the end of the semester. ing with CAPS right now and Not group therapy, but more Health Services to make a signatures from at least 100 they desire student body school. current undergraduate or leaders who understand the “Especially in light of re- mixed groups of undergradu- like Alcoholics Anonymous place on the Internet where graduate students. community well in order to cent discussions about CMU’s ate students, graduate stu- meetings; much more a peer there can be a directory of all Candidates for Student accurately represent Carnegie stress culture, it would be nice dents, and faculty discussed support group than directed these kinds of resources.” Senate must provide a peti- Mellon as a whole. to have a leader who realizes questions such as “How do group therapy. ” There will also be, Dudley tion with at least 25 signa- Senior composition ma- that stress is an issue, and be we maintain our high stan- Casalegno also discussed said, a fund for organizations tures from members of their jor Eric Dietz said, “I think able to help solve that prob- dards of a rigorous curricu- other measures already put with ideas to combat stress college. the most important thing in lem. Because the happiness of lum and cultivate a stronger in place to combat stress cul- culture. “It’s kind of like a According to the official a student body president is students is important not only ethic of care and community ture outside of student affairs grant fund where organiza- position descriptions, the someone who knows the CMU to maximize on our educa- support for each other?” and and student government. “In tions can apply to the dean’s SBP must act as “an advocate community and can engage tion, but also to help stimulate “Why might students feel they some residence halls, RAs office, but you can apply with for Carnegie Mellon students with many students across personal growth.” need to navigate challenges and CAs have started weekly proposals, specific projects without seeking help?” The discussion groups…. There that you want funding for that questions addressed issues in are many grassroots experi- will attack this issue. Anyone the realms of academic envi- ences that are occurring in can apply for it.” ronment, personal wellness, residence hall and Greek life When asked about future and how the Carnegie Mellon communities.” events, Dudley was clear that community defines success. Casalegno talked about they would be diverse. “Yes, Thomas Klein, a sopho- the academic side of the issue. we’re going to have to try to more computer science major “We’re trying to see what we have more Town Halls, but who attended the event, talk- can be doing from an advising we’re also going to balance it ed about some of the issues side, what we can do to help with these more moderated discussed, such as the role of students with course registra- discussion events that provide Counseling and Psychological tion, see how [students] se- more organized and concrete Services (CAPS). quence courses or put courses data for addressing exactly “One of the big issues was together in a current semester what these problems are.” with CAPS; people were con- — see if we are still captur- Casalegno followed up fused about its role, what it’s ing the right workload with with the information that supposed to provide. Another course credits.” “we are not planning any ad- issue was student-faculty re- Dudley also mentioned ditional deliberate democracy lationships — is it okay to the student government’s groups, but we haven’t made reach out to students, if stu- plan to work with organiza- the decision that we won’t dents want that? Both stu- tions already trying to combat have any more in the future.” dents and faculty agreed that stress culture. “We wanted to The results of Tuesday’s it would be beneficial to have make sure those groups that event will be compiled and this stronger bond.” already had ideas on how to analyzed to come up with Klein said that he thought help stress had support, and measures to address problems the event was “overall pretty that people knew what they within campus culture. helpful.” were doing, as well as the “We’re compiling the an- Gina Casalegno, dean of resources that were being swers — what are the core student affairs, said that there made available to students.... issues and what thoughts do are several measures already The student government is people have about which ar- being put into effect. “The currently working on putting eas we should most directly health center is offering a pi- together a database of those focus on as their immediate lot group discussion program organizations. We’re work- priorities,” Casalegno said. VP/CFO position examined

SEARCH, from A1 many of our peers. We play new CFO. big for our size, as they say, Additionally, a small num- The search committee is and that requires someone ber of student leaders will looking for a candidate who who is smart, hard working, probably be able to meet with has the proper educational and innovative,” Murphy said. finalists. background and financial ex- The search process for the “The nature of this highly pertise. new CFO began this past No- qualified position requires an The committee believes an vember with the development individual who is diligent, or- ideal applicant to be someone of the search committee, and ganized, and conscientious,” who has leadership experi- the search firm was selected sophomore psychology major ence, a strategic and insight- in January. Lauren Simicich said. ful mind, excitement regard- Applications and nomina- “The expectation is for this ing the accomplishments and tions are now being accepted, person to assume the numer- potential of the university, and interviews will be con- ous responsibilities that are and a dedication to building ducted later this spring. The expected of them and have an environment in which the university plans to have a new them completed in an ef- community can thrive. CFO working in July. ficient and timely manner,” “Carnegie Mellon is a com- Subra Suresh, President- she continued. “If they can do plex organization … and is Photos courtesy of the respective candidates, photo of Jalen Poteat by Kate Groschner/Photo Editor, Elect, is involved with the pro- that with an enthusiastic at- Carnegie Mellon Elections Board logo courtesy of cmusenate.org still young and has compara- cess and will assume office at titude, then you have found From left to right, descending, student body vice president for organizations candidates Corinne Rockoff, tively lesser resources than roughly the same time as the your new VP and CFO.” Radowan Khan, and Susanna Park, and student body vice president for finance candidates Joshua Swanson and Jalen Poteat. NSA looks for cyber warriors HACKING, from A1 fore, was developed to en- In addition to their finan- courage high school students cial sponsorship, the NSA has break, hack, decrypt, or do to participate in and enjoy also been a vocal supporter whatever it takes to solve the hacking. Additionally, the of the Toaster Wars hacking challenge. The challenges contest will also help students competition. are all set up with the intent “learn how to identify security NSA representative Vanee of being hacked, making it vulnerabilities and perform Vines told the Associated an excellent, legal way to get real-world attacks.” Press, “America increasingly hands-on experience.” The hope is that it will also needs professionals with Kaiyang Zhang, a master’s encourage interest in comput- highly technical cyber skills student in entertainment er science and its applications to help keep the country safe technology who helped cre- to cyber security. today — and to help the coun- ate the Toaster Wars competi- “Learning computer sci- try meet future challenges tion, said, “We think it’s a bit ence in school is important to and adapt with greater agil- hard for high school students real-life situations,” said Tim ity. When it comes to national to give a theme and get them McMullan, a master’s student security, there is no substitute interested, so they can learn it in entertainment technology. for a dedicated, immensely and progress.” Brumley agreed and add- talented workforce. We need Danielle Corporon, a mas- ed that he has expectations the best and brightest to help ter’s student in entertainment for more people to be inter- us out-think and defeat our technology, feels that, “We ested in cyber security. adversaries’ new ideas.” chose to develop the game “A lot of people [are] in- Toaster Wars has gained for all ages, so kids, for ex- terested in computer security. national attention for its ef- ample, don’t think its limited Our college kids have siblings, forts, receiving coverage from Jonathan Carreon/Contributing Editor to younger kids.” [so] hopefully we’ll have major news outlets such as Vice President of Campus Affairs Michael Murphy (right) hosted a VP/CFO search Town Hall last month. The competition, there- [more] people interested.” NBC News. A4 « thetartan.org/scitech The Tartan » March 25, 2013

Robot butler can open doors, talk, and separate Oreos Brooke Kuei is on complicated manipula- Butler. I mean, that’s exactly algorithm,” explained Sriniva- but can be applied years on improving capability, Assistant SciTech Editor tion tasks with a lot of un- what you’d want a butler for, sa, “is that it is very generaliz- to a broad range of activities. but people are still hesitant to certainty and a lot of clutter. right?” able. HERB can get a meal out “We see each task not as some- accept robots in their homes. HERB — the Home Explor- If you look at a factory floor, Srinivasa was enthusias- of the fridge, microwave food, thing we have to design an It’s not just about capability — ing Robot Butler — can often robots can do magical things. tic about the challenge’s po- clean up after a mess, and algorithm specifically for, but it’s about behavior, how situ- be seen through the glass But if you look at a home — tential for public outreach. separate an Oreo. The under- more like points in the space ationally aware it is, and how walls of the Personal Robot- at least my home — it looks “We’ve always struggled to lying algorithms are the same of solutions that we should be sensitive it is to your own per- ics Lab in Newell-Simon Hall nothing like a factory floor. get technology and robots to across all these tasks and able to cover,” he said. sonal space,” Srinivasa said. picking up iced tea bottles or So we’re trying to get robots be appreciated and under- are even generalizable Despite HERB’s The Robotics Institute works taking books off a bookshelf. like HERB to move from the stood by people other than across robots.” technical capabili- with the Human-Computer Complete with fingernails and factory floor to homes so they scientists,” Srinivasa said. “It’s Velagapudi de- ties, he still needs Interaction Institute to study a British accent, HERB is the can perform useful tasks that a a cool robot and we want ev- scribed the Personal to work on his what robot designs users find perfect caregiver: He can open caregiver would perform.” eryone to know how cool it is.” Robotics Lab’s goal as manners. “One of most acceptable. “The Oreo doors, microwave meals, and When Nabisco first ap- However, he admitted that building up libraries and the things that we’ve demo gave us an opportu- even separate an Oreo cookie proached Carnegie Mellon in the beginning they did not algorithms that are not just noticed is that we nity to play around a lot with from its cream. and requested an Oreo-sep- know if HERB had the preci- specific spent HERB’s expressiveness,” Vel- “The focus of the Personal arating robot for its “Cookie sion and dexterity to actually to indi- five agapudi said. Walking up and Robotics Lab is physical inter- vs. Creme” campaign, Robot- separate an Oreo cookie. “It vidual down the hallways of Newell- action with the world — open- ics Institute project scientist would be like having a giant tasks, Simon Hall and putting his ing doors, picking up objects, Prasanna Velagapudi’s initial football player wearing winter hand on Srinivasa’s shoulder cleaning,” said Siddhartha reaction was, “If there was gloves trying to manipulate a at one point, HERB certainly Srinivasa, director of the lab going to be a robot that could tiny Oreo,” he said. “It was by seemed like a very friendly and associate professor in the do this, it would have to be far the most fragile, delicate, robot. Robotics Institute. “The focus the Home Exploring Robot small, sensitive object we have Srinivasa envisions a fu- ever manipulated.” ture where robots in the home Nevertheless, HERB rose will be more common. “The to the challenge and starred amount of technology we in what is now a widely cir- have now in our homes is culated YouTube video docu- more than what the biggest menting the robot’s success in research labs had 25 years separating an Oreo’s cookie ago, so I think it’s inevi- from its cream. Not only is table that we’re going to HERB the only research ro- have more and more au- bot to have ever completed tomation,” he said. With the task, but the process HERB paving the way, through which its algorithms personal robotic butlers were improved to separate an are no longer a part of Oreo resulted in the creation science fiction, but a reality of new tools that will be use- that is currently being devel- ful in completing other tasks oped on Carnegie Mellon’s in the future. campus. “The true color of a good Courtesy of Jason Campbell

Kate Groschner/Photo Editor Left: HERB hangs out in the Personal Robotics Lab. Middle: Siddharta Srinivasa poses with HERB, his “labor of love.” Right: HERB attempts to pick up a book with Velagapudi standing by.

scitech briefs Pipeline aims to help online projects New discoveries Computing takes Desiree Xu strangers who aren’t involved project management capabili- All of these qualities fa- in physics reveal a a quantum leap in Business Manager but have an interest.” ties, but it also allows others cilitate completion of complex lumpy universe processing speed The idea for Pipeline origi- to easily search for projects online creative efforts, much It’s easy to get the ball roll- nated while Luther was com- in which they are interested like the one that he featured A group of cosmologists The major military con- ing for an online project, but pleting his dissertation as a by giving creators the option in his Conference on Com- controlling the European tractor Lockheed Martin has managing them is a different Ph.D. student at the Georgia to make their works public. puter Supported Cooperative Space Agency’s Planck sat- announced that it plans to story. Kurt Luther is out to Institute of Technology. He Work and Social Computing ellite recently completed a buy an early-developmental- make the managing aspects a had just finished a degree in (CSCW) lecture in San An- long-term study that created stage quantum computer whole lot easier. A postdoctor- computer graphics and ani- “[Pipeline] tonio, Texas. He discussed a heat map of the universe from the Canadian com- al fellow at Carnegie Mellon’s mation, but his adviser, Amy developing Pipeline for New- around 370,000 years after pany D-Wave Systems. If D- Human-Computer Interaction Bruckman, was interested in allows the grounds, a website that allows the Big Bang. Wave has created a success- Institute, Luther is the creator online communities. While people to create and distrib- This snapshot of the baby ful quantum computer, this of Pipeline, a tool that will looking for an issue that over- people involved ute creative virtual projects universe, taken using cosmic could have huge applications help people collaborate on on- lapped both of their interests, in a project to such as short films, games, microwave analysis, largely for the world of computing, line projects. After research- Luther discovered collabora- and artwork. According to Lu- reinforces the theory emerg- especially in the hands of ing the way online collabora- tion on creative projects on- communicate ther, less than 20 percent of ing over the past 20 years Lockheed Martin. tions currently work, Luther line that have failed due to the with strangers the projects started on New- that the universe is expand- Quantum computers op- identified some key problem leader being overwhelmed by grounds come to completion. ing. This is mainly the theory erate on the basis of quantum areas. a centralized management. who aren’t Luther decided to apply of a universe dominated by mechanics, which include “On one hand, the creator Luther then formulated involved Pipeline to one such project, the mysterious concepts of some principles that are can just trust himself and studies to find issues that the called “Holiday Flood.” Holi- dark energy and dark matter pretty strange and foreign to everyone else in the project creators faced, discovered dif- but have an day Flood was organized dur- (the map indicates the uni- most people. In terms of com- is not trusted. That ends up ferent challenges in collabora- ing November and December verse’s total mass make-up puting this means that a bit looking like a benevolent dic- tive online projects, and thus interest” 2011 and featured 30 artists as 4.9 percent normal matter, (1s and 0s of computer code) tatorship and is sort of a top found a way to manage them. from more than 12 different 27 percent dark matter, and can be interpreted as either a -down style of leadership…. It only seemed logical to de- —Kurt Luther countries across five differ- 68 percent dark energy). 1 or 0 or both, all at the same On the other hand, the creator velop a tool that improved HCI postdoc ent continents that gathered However, like any major time. can trust almost everyone in success rates of online collab- to develop a digital calendar. scientific discovery, the map Scientists in this field have the project, causing it to look orative projects. Two pieces of artwork were also raised many questions. reformed the vocabulary like a wiki system where soft- According to Luther, Pipe- submitted for each of the It seems that the universe here to refer to these new bits ware doesn’t constrain what line is a web application that People interested in a project 12 days of Christmas to the is slightly lumpier than ex- as Qubits (for quantum bits). people are allowed to do,” Lu- is a cross between a project can ask to join the effort, stay Newgrounds site, and their pected, with a large, anoma- This kind of computing can ther said. “Instead, [Pipeline] management tool and a peer in it for as long as they want, thumbnails were lined up to lous cool spot toward the allow for computations up allows the people involved in production platform. Not and leave when they feel they give a preview of the actual northern portion of our sky. to a million times faster than a project to communicate with only does it have conventional had done their part. calendar. Later, the interac- Further, the map indicates the fastest computers today. Compared to pre-existing tive gallery was submitted, the universe is actually 100 Many are skeptical about project management tools, and site visitors were able to million years older than pre- whether D-Wave has actually which only allow a small see all the artwork accompa- viously thought and that its accomplished what they say group of closely knit people to nied by a new rendition of “12 rate of expansion is actually they have, but if they have, work on private projects, Pipe- Days of Christmas” playing in slower, coming in at 13.8 bil- the applications are endless. line distributes leadership by the background. lion years and 67 kilometers Lockheed Martin’s chief tech- allowing the project creator to In retrospect, Luther ar- per second per megaparsec nical officer says they plan trust as many or as few people gued that Pipeline improved (an astronomical unit). to test the technology’s ap- as he wants. distribution of leadership The study, launched in plications in complex radar, Therefore, leadership is for Holiday Flood and made 2009, is being well received space, and aircraft systems, decentralized: The creator it easier for people to know by the cosmological commu- but it will still be a while un- can assign tasks of varying what others were working on. nity. Many cosmologists look til quantum computing be- importance to others, mak- This way, the creator of a proj- to the discovery as a great comes commercially viable. ing them subleaders, or give ect no longer had the task of tool for further reflection and project participants equally administering everyone’s du- analysis into the mysteries of Source: The New York Times weighted responsibilities. In ties — anyone can contribute the Big Bang and dark matter. Courtesy of Kurt Luther addition, Pipeline automati- ideas to improve the quality Compiled By Kurt Luther, a postdoctoral fellow in HCI recently created Pipeilne a cally updates changes made to and success rate of an online Source: The New York Times Lachlan Lancaster program which aims to help online collaborative projects. the project. artistic enterprise. March 25, 2013 « The Tartan thetartan.org/scitech » A5 CMU roboticists develop CHIMP for DARPA challenge Sonia Katharani-Khan ing with the disaster. DARPA man Herman, and Drew Bag- Staffwriter aims to promote the improve- nell — all of whom are affiliat- ment of robotics technology ed with NREC or the Robotics The Defense Advanced to develop robots that can ef- Institute. The team’s sponsors Research Project Agency ficiently “work in dangerous, include Kollmorgen, OshKosh, (DARPA)’s robotics challenge degraded, human-engineered Pratt & Miller, and Honeywell, has been pushing scientists to environments,” according to among others. create robots that surpass any the Tartan Rescue website. “The CHIMP robot has they have developed thus far. Toward this end, the Tartan sensors, such as cameras and Tartan Rescue Team, a team Rescue Team is engineering a laser rangefinders, in its head from Carnegie Mellon’s Na- class of robot that integrates and limbs to detect obstacles tional Robotics Engineering robot autonomy with human in the environment and to stop Center (NREC), is developing control. This approach entails the robot before a collision oc- the CMU Highly Intelligent that a human controller would curs,” explained Tony Stentz, Mobile Platform (CHIMP) robot make high-level decisions for Tartan Rescue Team leader to compete in the challenge. the robot, such as determin- and NREC director. The robot DARPA created the robot- ing the path it takes, while is also intelligent enough to ics challenge in response to the robot would have enough perform simple tasks, such as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear capability to avoid sudden col- stepping onto rungs of ladders crisis, in which dangerous lisions and maintain stability. or turning steering wheels, and health-threatening con- The team members include without needing step-by-step ditions prevented an effective Siddharta Srinivasa, David control. The “supervised au- human response. After the Stager, Eric Meyhofer, Bryan tonomy” method allows for a nuclear crisis, robots were Salesky, Alonzo Kelly, Maxim highly capable robot without not capable of properly deal- Likhachev, Clark Haynes, Her- the risk of technical difficul- ties and complications that could result from a fully au- tonomous robot. “The primary advantage of supervised autonomy is that it is easier to achieve than full autonomy. Supervised autonomy provides a way for a remote human operator to control the robot via high-lev- el commands and to help it get out of trouble,” Stentz said. In addition to practical in- tegration of autonomy and human control, CHIMP has a Courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University Tartan Rescue number of innovative physi- The CHIMP robot was created to help in emergency situations, such as the Fukushima nuclear crisis. cal features that would make it the ideal candidate to re- grounds or debris, CHIMP ma- responding to crises similar to As detailed on Tartan Res- spond to disasters such as the neuvers itself on rubberized the Fukushima nuclear crisis, cue Team’s website, robots Fukushima crisis. “The CHIMP tracks located on all four of Stentz believes it is imperative will be judged on capabilities robot includes a number of its limbs. Moving with all four to make the robot as autono- that include opening doors, technical advances in mecha- limbs on the ground prevents mous as possible. “For disas- climbing ladders and navigat- nism design, robot motion the robot from losing balance, ter-response scenarios, the ing walkways, and breaking planning, perception-enabled even during a period of power communication link from the through concrete panels using grasping, advanced mobility, failure or technical difficulty. human operator to the robot tools. The robots will also be and multilimb manipulation,” It also avoids the complex pro- may be unreliable; therefore, assesed on more specific cri- Stentz said. gramming required to coordi- it is important for the robot to teria, such as finding and clos- One such advantage, nate a robot that only moves be as autonomous as possible. ing valves near leaking pipes, namely its ability to switch on two limbs. However, in the There are many hard techni- and replacing components like between moving on rubber- event that the robot needs to cal problems, but I would say cooling pumps. ized tracks and on two limbs, perform a task such as using that the perception, grasping, According to Stentz, if the provides tremendous advan- tools or climbing ladders, it is and manipulation tasks are team were to win the robotics tages for physical stability as able to switch to maneuvering the most difficult to conquer challenge, the ideas incorpo- Courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University Tartan Rescue well as programming efficien- on two limbs. to achieve greater autonomy,” rated in CHIMP would be used The CHIMP robot is also equipped to climb ladders, as shown above. cy. When moving over rough For robots geared toward he explained. in future robots. how things work When it comes to shades, it’s function over fashion Michael Setzer our eyes cannot see them. length: UVA and UVB. Your SciTech Editor There are three different cornea can typically absorb categories for the light we do all of this light, but they can While Pittsburgh weather see: direct, reflected, and am- sometimes penetrate to the might have you feeling other- bient. As you might expect, lens of your eye. wise, spring is officially upon direct light is light that comes This prolonged exposure us. And even though that cur- directly from the source to can eventually form cataracts rently means a high of 45˚F your eyes. You would encoun- or even cause eye cancer. with flurries, soon the mer- ter direct light if you stared Sunglasses protect your eyes cury will rise and the skies at the sun or a streetlight by absorbing the UV wave- will clear. One necessary com- (not recommended). Reflected lengths, which is done by ponent of spring and summer light, typically called glare, applying a UV coating to the will probably be sunglasses. is light that has bounced off lenses. Besides being a fashion ac- a reflective surface: Water, One last, popular piece cessory, sunglasses provide sand, and snow can form par- of technology in sunglasses necessary health benefits. ticularly harsh reflected light. is the photochromic lens, Howstuffworks.com explains Ambient light is light that has which are able to change col- that a high-quality pair of sun- no clear source, an example or when exposed to UV light. glasses can provide protection of which is the glow that sur- Many well-known sunglasses from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rounds a city at night. brands, like Transitions lens- rays, protect your irises from The ideal pair of sunglass- es, are made of plastic lenses overexposure to intense light es uses multiple technolo- that are coated in a film of and glare, and block out cer- gies to shield against harmful organic molecules. According tain frequencies of light. And light. The most familiar and to The New York Times, these even though all sunglasses — obvious technology is the tint organic particles undergo a whether they’re Ray-Bans or a of the lens. Each tint — gray, chemical reaction when they $10 pair from Walmart — are green, yellow, brown, and interact with UV rays and made of some sort of tinted even purple — has its own dif- change shape so that the lens plastic or glass, you might be ferent function. becomes tinted. Lenses that sacrificing some of the afore- While a gray tint is more are made of glass typically mentioned benefits for price all-purpose, yellow tinted have crystals that can also or style. But how do these ac- glasses specifically filter out alter their orientation when cessories manage to protect the blue wavelength to give its exposed to UV light. your eyes from the sun? wearer a clearer, crisper im- As you can see, a proper First, some background on age. The lenses become tinted pair of sunglasses utilizes a the phenomenon of light. The by a process that includes lot of different technologies different colors of visible light smearing molecules that can to protect your eyes. So the — the ones we see in a rain- absorb light wavelengths onto next time you’re shopping bow — each have a unique clear polycarbonate (plastic) for a new pair of shades, look wavelength and frequency. lenses. closely at the label to see what Light from the sun is white Another form of technol- protection it offers. Now that light, which is a combination ogy that sunglasses typically you’re aware of the impor- of all colors. Other forms of use is an ultraviolet coating. tance of eye protection, you light, such as UV radiation, UV light is grouped into two have no excuse to forgo func- have frequencies so high that categories based on its wave- tion for fashion.

Photo illustration by Kelsey Scott/Operations Manager A6 « thetartan.org/forum The Tartan » March 25, 2013

From the Editorial Board Sheriffs must be gun- ho about enforcement ing these laws would not require the sheriff to actually track down and confiscate guns; rather, they only require that one makes sure vendors are properly filing paperwork, and xiyu wang that they are not selling too many rounds. There is no good reason After a series of shootings last why these laws cannot be enforced. year — including those in Aurora, Although Colorado has been tra- Colo. and Newtown, Conn. — sev- ditionally known for its “cowboy” eral nationwide efforts were made culture, it is surprising to me how to improve America’s relaxed gun resistant some of its citizens have legislation and enforcement, espe- been to gun enforcement laws, espe- cially on the federal level. However, cially considering last year's deadly there are also detractors and gun theater shooting in Aurora. advocates who have been critical of This intransigence is a testament these changes. to how deeply entrenched gun cul- Last month, one Colorado sher- ture is in certain parts of America. iff, John Cooke, said that he would Many of the new gun legislation not enforce two gun-control laws laws certainly do not nullify the sec- that would be signed by gover- ond amendment, but it seems like Annette Ko/Art Editor nor John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). they have nonetheless stirred mis- Cooke called these laws “feel-good, trust and panic in gun aficionados. HERB paves way for human-like household robotics knee-jerk reactions that are unen- There is an almost irrational fear forceable.” Other Colorado sher- among gun lovers. Consider the The Home Exploring Robot But- Siddhartha Srinivasa and the other enough to avoid breaking them. To iffs have made similar statements, recent increase in gun purchases ler (HERB), a product of Carnegie researchers presented HERB as a further complicate matters, no Oreo while sheriffs in other states, such made, as evidenced by The New Mellon’s Personal Robotics Lab, re- charming robot capable of perform- cookie is the exact size as any other, as Oregon and Kentucky, stated that York Times, after Vice President Joe cently performed the frustrating task ing a relatable task, that most people so the researchers had to program they will not enforce federal gun Biden announced that he would pro- that all Oreo lovers face — separat- have tried at least once. This choice HERB to figure out how to deal with legislation. pose measures to curb gun violence. ing the cookie from the cream — as makes the robot accesible and novel each individual cookie. These tasks The stance that these sheriffs He did not actually propose the part of Nabisco’s Cookies vs. Cream to the average citizen. HERB nor- seem simple to people because we have taken is highly problematic. measures, but simply announced campaign. mally tests algorithms, software, and have fine motor control skills, but Such officials are supposed to en- that he would propose them. In a recent YouTube performance, other technology to perform tasks in those skills are extremely difficult to force the law to the best of their To reduce gun violence and bet- HERB confidently separates the two a home or business setting, but the replicate in robots. HERB had to pre- ability. Refusing to enforce laws, or ter regulate the sale of firearms, the halves of an Oreo before removing Oreo Challenge brings the public’s form a delicate task that had a lot of only enforcing certain laws, is akin policy required is simple — stricter the “precious cream” and wiping the attention to how advanced current variation within it, which indicates to teachers refusing to teach or doc- background checks, a national gun cookie clean. robots can be. that HERB has a great capacity for a tors refusing to treat people. Unless registry, and the tracking of guns Although this task may not de- Separating Oreo cookies from variety of complex endeavors. there are very good reasons for their over time. The real challenge may mand the abilities of an advanced the cream seems like a deceptively Though the separation of an actions, sheriffs refusing to enforce lie in confronting die-hard gun ad- robot, HERB’s newfound capabilities simple task to a human, but there Oreo cookie is a trivial matter, this the law are not doing their jobs. vocates and changing America’s gun are an impressive feat and a step to- are a myriad of difficulties for a ro- achievement shows the enormous In the case of Colorado, the laws culture. ward making robotics technology ac- bot to overcome. First off, an Oreo is strides the scientific community has in question aim to expand back- cessible to the public. a brittle and easily breakable cookie, made in recent years. Splitting the ground searches and limit ammuni- Xiyu Wang (xiyuw@) is staffwriter HERB’s Oreo feat brings the which meant that HERB had to be cookie from the cream is only the tion magazines to 15 rounds. Enforc- for The Tartan. public into contact with the current able to pull it apart firmly enough beginning of an exciting new age in capabilities of robotics. Director to separate the cookies, but gently robotics. Use protection when participating in sexual activity Leadership Perspective Sexually transmitted diseases National Survey of Sexual Health at the university; approximately President talks elections (STDs) are on the rise, both na- and Behaviors found that only one 3,800 of those people have had sex in tionwide and in Allegheny County. in four acts of vaginal intercourse are the last year. The National Survey’s This week marks the start of the and vice president for organizations. According to a recent article in the condom protected in the U.S. The results suggest that around 2,550 2013 Student Government Elec- There are great candidates running Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there has numbers rise to one in three among of these people did not use protec- tions. This is an important time in for these positions and I urge you to been a 6 percent increase in cases of single people. However, this number tion during that encounter. The fact the year that gives you the power to attend the debates today and tomor- chlamydia and a 22 percent increase still only signifies a small percentage that 2,550 out of 3,800 sexually ac- make a positive impact in the com- row to learn more about them and in cases of gonorrhea and syphilis of adults that use condoms during tive students do not use protection is munity here. Over my four years, their platforms. Within these three in the county in 2012 compared to vaginal sex. both worrying and dangerous. I’ve seen a lot of progress in student positions, there is a tremendous 2011. According to a study conducted Unprotected sex is a risky propo- government and the continuation of amount of power, as those who fill This increase may stem from the by the American College Health As- sition. Students must understand that progress begins with this elec- the positions advocate for students rise in the number of people who are sociation in 2009, 61 percent of sur- these risks, and protect themselves tion. I hope you will agree with me with the administration, manage willing to get screened, or it may re- veyed students at Carnegie Mellon accordingly. Condoms, dental dams, that the size, publicity, and impact student organization recognition, veal an actual increase in STDs in the engaged in either oral, vaginal, or and other forms of barriers protect of student government has been on and decide funding among many county. Either way, Carnegie Mellon anal sex within the past year; a sur- not only students, but also their an upward trajectory this year. Stu- other duties. I can say on behalf of students must remain cautious when vey performed by The Tartan in 2011 partners. dent involvement in this election all student government execs that participating in sexual activities in found the same statistic. This per- To protect themselves, students will ensure that progress continues. these positions all hold very mean- order to prevent the spread of STDs. centage is only slightly lower than can take advantage of the resources For those of you who were here ingful responsibilities that require The importance of sexual protec- the national average of 66.5 percent, and events that Student Health Ser- during last year’s elections, there a lot of dedication from the winner. tion may seem straightforward, but which allows for generalization of vices offers, such as Free Condom was, unfortunately, a great deal of By voting you are not only choosing it cannot be stressed enough. Al- national statistics to the Carnegie Friday. turmoil and controversy surround- who you want to take on those re- though some students may feel that Mellon community. As STDs are on the rise in Allegh- ing the elections. I’m glad that this sponsibilities, but you are ensuring using protection is so obvious that it Approximately 6,300 undergrad- eny County, protected sex benefits year there is a much less contentious they are held accountable. By voting doesn’t need to be discussed, 2010’s uate students are currently enrolled everyone. environment, but I do not want that for one of these excellent candidates to detract from the attention that you are helping to positively shape was paid to that election, which had your CMU experience. Programming camps useful for basic tech education the highest turnout in recent memo- Voting will open this Thursday ry. I urge those of you who read this at noon. Before then you can read Carnegie Mellon has a number of challenges students to improve those 1 million jobs in the tech sector may to not only do your part and vote up on the candidates’ platforms at programs that focus on developing skills. remain vacant because of the lack in the election, but to also remind cmu.edu/studentvote — the same science, technology, engineering, According to a Carnegie Mellon of people with programming skills, your friends and classmates to vote link where you can vote. To get and mathematics (STEM) educa- press release, “Students participat- according to code.org. There are el- as well. There are a small number of more informed please attend the tion for youth in the Pittsburgh area. ing get hands-on experience in secu- ements of basic programming that positions you will be voting on and debates, which are hosted by The An example of these programs is C- rity topics such as cryptography and can be applied to any career path voting itself is online, so making Tartan: Student Body President is MITES, where children from kinder- codes, computer bugs, exploits, and one pursues. Programming fosters your voice heard is a very small time today in McConomy at 6 p.m. Vice garten to 10th grade attend summer defenses.” The competition, hosted the ability to develop algorithms and commitment that has an important President for Finance is tomorrow camps on campus to learn skills in by Carnegie Mellon-affiliated orga- enhance one’s capacity to apply logic impact. The winning margin last at 6:30 p.m. and Vice President for the STEM fields. nizations Team Osiris and the Plaid to problems. year for President was 64 votes. The Organizations is directly after that Programs like C-MITES are an Parliament of Pwning, looks to cater Too many students are enter- year before the margin was 50 votes. at 8:00 p.m. Both of those debates effective way to promote program- to students of all skill levels. ing the workforce with little-to-no Given low turnout rates in the past, are in Rangos 3. I wish the best of ming education for younger stu- In a world where technology is an knowledge of basic computer pro- this means extra votes really do have luck to all of the candidates involved dents, which will prove to be a vital increasingly important and preva- gramming. Events like picoCTF tremendous power in this election. and am excited to see what next year skill in the future job market. lent part of everyday life, technologi- and programs such as C-MITES As an undergraduate in the elec- holds for student government. Another program is the picoCTF, cal illiteracy may turn into a major help combat this, and are crucial to tion, you are able to vote for Student a competition that teaches high barrier to overcome. changing the idea that programming Senators to represent your college. Will Weiner school students hacking and com- The demand for programmers education isn’t important enough to All students are able to vote for Student Body President puter security. The program then in the workforce is skyrocketing: start teaching before college. president, vice president for finance, Chair: Elections Board

Editorial Board Staff Jennifer Coloma * Braden Kelner Justin McGown Brent Heard * Senior Staff Publisher Forum Editor Online Editor News Co-Editor Stephanie Blotner, Stacey Chin, Greg Hanneman, Jackson Lane, Daniel Tkacik, Alan Josh Smith * Evan Kahn Chloe Thompson Vangpat The Tartan is a student newspaper at Carnegie Mellon University, funded in part by the student Editor-in-Chief Copy Manager Personnel Manager activities fee. It is a weekly publication by students during the fall and spring semesters, printed by Copy Trib Total Media. The Tartan is not an official publication of Carnegie Mellon University. Editorial Staff Swathi Anand, Sawsan Boutemine, Matt Brown, Nivedita Chopra, Ellie Erlich, Blaine Greenberg, The Editorials appearing at the beginning of the opinion section are the official opinion of The Kelsey Scott * Kate Groschner william park Jonathan Carreon Jordyn Greenberg, Chris Han, Satvika Neti, Tartan Editorial Board. Columns, Editorial Cartoons, and Reviews are the opinions of their Operations Manager Photo Editor Asst. Forum Editor Contributing Editor Joey Peiser, Sage Po, Taylor Rawley individual creators. The Tartan Editorial Staff reserves the right to withhold from publication any copy it deems unfit. Noël um Annette Ko Bonita leung Allison Cosby * Advertising News Co-Editor Art Editor Asst. Copy Manager Contributing Editor Letters to the Editor are the opinions of their authors. Letters from within the University com- Kyle Henson, Gretchen Tan Michael Setzer Will Crichton Julia Yang Madelyn Glymour munity take precedence. Letters intended for publication must be signed and include the author’s SciTech Editor Systems Manager Asst. Copy Manager Contributing Editor address and telephone number for verification; letters must not exceed 350 words. Authors’ names may be withheld from publication upon request. The Tartan reserves the right to condense or reject Abby Smith Linda Ju Brian Trimboli Christa Hester any letter. Letters must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before publication by mail or to Sports Co-Editor Advertising Manager Asst. News Editor Contributing Editor [email protected]. Gabrielle West Desiree xu Brooke Kuei Anna Walsh Sports Co-Editor Business Manager Asst. SciTech Editor Contributing Editor

Rachel Cohen Kelly Harrington Laura Scherb Office: University Center 314 Mail: Pillbox Editor Asst. Systems Manager Asst. Pillbox Editor Phone: (412) 268-2111 The Tartan Fax: (412) 268-1596 Box 119, UC Suite 103 Kairavi Chahal Jonathan Leung © 2013 The Tartan, all rights reserved. Web: www.thetartan.org 5000 Forbes Avenue Comics Editor Asst. Photo Editor * Denotes executive committee member Library of Congress ISSN: 0890-3107 E-mail: [email protected] Pittsburgh, PA 15213 March 25, 2013 « The Tartan thetartan.org/forum » A7 Media response to rape unacceptable Time to put an end to martha paterson that "this is the problem with social for their actions. A few years in jail Junior Staffwriter media." A correspondent for NBC and registration as juvenile sex of- again emphasized the sadness of the fenders is a lighter sentence than stop-and-frisk policies After the highly publicized trial future of the rapists: "Both boys had they would have gotten had they and arrests that are usually baseless. surrounding the Steubenville rape promising football careers — Mays been tried as adults. The quota system and stop-and- case, where a 16-year-old girl was the quarterback, Richmond the re- The most disturbing part of these frisk policy don’t even help fight raped at a party by two high school ceiver — on the beloved high school reactions is not the fact that they crime, as Bloomberg and NYPD of- football players, it's natural that the team and dreams of college. In court, happened, but the fact that they hap- ficers claim. “We were handcuffing media had an immediate response their lawyers and parents pleaded pen so frequently. As a country, we satvika neti kids for no reason,” said officer Ad- to the rapists’ sentencing. Their re- with the judge not to impose a harsh decry India and Egypt for being rape hyl Polanco of the NYPD’s 41st Pre- sponse, however, was less than ideal. sentence." friendly, but we close our eyes to The stop-and-frisk policy of cinct in an article published in The Rather than bemoan the fact that In what world is this a proper re- what happens on our own soil. The the New York Police Department New York Times. In the same article, these rapists received the minimum action to a rape sentencing? Despite reaction to the Steubenville case was (NYPD) has always walked the line Polanco talks about a time when his sentence — both serving a year for how promising their careers may abhorrent, but it was not unusual. between being constitutional and commander tried to fulfill a quota by the rape and one serving another have seemed before this trial, the When someone tries to take their being illegal. Now there is a federal telling him to write a summons for year for circulating pictures of the guilty verdict is not what ruined their rapist to court, it is common for rape case that started hearing testimony a man without a dog license even rape — major news outlets like CNN futures. What ruined their futures apologists to come out of the wood- this week from people affected by though Polanko “did not see the grieved the guilty verdict. CNN cor- was their decision to commit a rape. work to ask questions and draw con- the policy, in order to judge which dog.” When he confronted a lieuten- respondent Poppy Harlow, while re- A boy can be a football star and clusions that don't matter. "What side of that divide the policy lies on. ant about it, he was stripped of his porting from the scene, stated how an excellent student, but that doesn't were you wearing? Were you drunk? To me, the policy has always badge and gun and faced disciplin- difficult it was to watch "as these mean anything if he is also a rapist. Do you have casual sex? Did you lead been the epitome of our failing jus- ary proceedings. two young men, [who] had such These boys made the conscious deci- him on? Was it really rape, or just sex tice system; the fact that it is being promising futures — star football sion to take advantage of a girl and that you regretted in the morning?" contested and has a chance of being players, very good students — liter- brag about it on social media, and These are just a few questions that repealed is wonderful. The pressure that ally watched as they believed their none of that says "promising future." rape survivors must answer — it’s The stop-and-frisk policy, which [lives] fell apart." They committed the crime and they no surprise that 97 percent of rapists the NYPD has been implementing the stop-and-frisk The judge of the case mentioned should have to pay the consequences never spend a day in jail, according for almost the entirety of New York policy puts on to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National City mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Network (RAINN). administration, is basically New police officers leads The reaction to rape needs to York’s interpretation of the Fourth them to make stops change. It's sickening to live in a Amendment. However, instead of country so saturated in rape culture needing “probable cause” to search and arrests that are that we blame the victims for ruining someone in New York City, anyone usually baseless. the lives of the rapists. can be stopped and searched if there Without a drastic change in the is “reasonable suspicion” that some- way we react to cases of rape, there thing illegal is happening — looser The case against stop-and-frisk is no way we can change anything wording that leads to more searches. is a class action lawsuit that will be else about the crime; everything This policy, combined with the concerned specifically with the ex- from how often rape is committed NYPD’s quota system — 20 sum- periences of 11 black or biracial men to how many rapes go unreported is mons and one arrest per month — is and one Hispanic woman. However, a direct result of valuing the rapist a bad idea because it forces police it is representative of the numer- over the victim. In a report published officers to see crimes where there ous people who have been frisked by the U.S. Department of Justice, might not be any in order to avoid by the city police without suspicion women admitted that they feared being humiliated by other officers. because of race. The lawsuit claims reprimands from police officers for More importantly, these policies that the stop-and-frisk policy vio- reporting an incidicent. create an air of suspicion and racial lates both the Fourth Amendment’s Rape is a problem in America, profiling. prohibition against unreasonable and it's clear from the reactions to According to The New York search and seizure and the Four- the Steubenville case that people Times, Hispanic and black men be- teenth Amendment’s equal protec- Braden Kelner/Forum Editor don't even realize it. tween the ages of 14 and 24 made tion clause. up 41.6 percent of those stopped Hopefully, this lawsuit draws the and frisked even though they only line and causes the discontinuation constitute 4.7 percent of the city’s of these baseless frisks. Republican ideology shift positive population. The pressure that the stop-and-frisk policy puts on police Satvika Neti (sneti@) is staffwriter ment is too big and interferes too The same holds true for gay mar- officers leads them to make stops for The Tartan. much in day-to-day affairs, McCain riage, which recently received histor- believes in using big government to ically high support (58 percent) in a achieve conservative ends like na- poll by The Washington Post, and is tional defense. now supported by Senator Rob Port- Kyle Henson Additionally, Paul believes in man (R-Ohio), who was a frontrun- federalism. He advocates for states’ ner for Romney’s vice president pick. This isn’t your father’s Republi- rights in issues such as marijuana le- Politically, Republicans lose sup- can Party anymore. America is going galization and gay marriage. This is port by being the less sexy party — through a typical shift: After a party the way our country started and the one of old, rich, white people. The gets trounced in an election cycle, way the Founding Fathers intended party could gain lots of support by new faces emerge, new messages it to be. taking the idea of limited govern- make their way to the surface, and The shift between big govern- ment and running with it. the old ones get phased out. ment conservatives to more market- Libertarianism is now becoming Senator Rand Paul’s (R-Ky.) 13 oriented libertarian conservatives is trendy. Gary Johnson, the libertarian -hour filibuster and Senator John important, not only because it shows candidate for president in 2012, was McCain’s (R-Ariz.) reaction exem- that the party is reacting to its mes- the only presidential candidate who plify this emerging divide perfectly. sage becoming obsolete, but also crowd-surfed during his campaign. After Attorney General Eric Holder because it shows that conservative Republicans can become the declared that it would be within principles in America are evolving. younger party of efficient govern- presidential rights to call a drone In the past, conservatism im- ment, equality of opportunity, and strike upon a U.S. citizen who doesn’t plied a pro-rich, racist, and bigoted government reform. pose an immediate threat, Paul took attitude. Now, conservatism is be- The new wing of the Republican to the Senate floor to defend our ginning to imply a belief in an op- Party is starting to take shape and Constitutional rights of due process. portunistic society that’s true to con- oust the establishments of Republi- McCain later called Paul and his sup- stitutional principles. cans who previously dominated the porters “wacko birds.” This is a message that a lot of peo- party. Remembering that, in 2008, Mc- ple want to hear. As marijuana le- This is a good, natural shift that Cain was the Republican presiden- galization starts to garner more and reflects winning policies. Paul’s fili- tial candidate (the leader of the par- more support, the Republican party buster and Portman’s switch to sup- ty), it’s interesting to note that Paul could make huge strides in gaining porting gay marriage are hopefully is drawing a lot of new support from support for itself by bringing that just the first of many indicators of Republicans while McCain is slowly stance to Washington. The libertar- a broad shift in ideology for the Re- becoming obsolete. ian arm of the party is already start- publican Party. Paul is a libertarian conservative ing to do so, but as more people like and McCain is a neo-conservative. Paul emerge, the entire Republican Kyle Henson (kahenson@) is a staff- While Paul believes that the govern- Party may back the issue. writer for The Tartan. Annette Ko/Art Editor A PERSON’S OPINION Compiled by Justin McGown After spring break, The Tartan could use some motivation. So we asked, What’s keeping you going until Carnival?

Carlos Gil Grace Ju Nitesh Turaga Hannah Schmitt Matthew Early ECE Economics/Statistics Computational Biology Architecture Biology/Psychology Junior Sophomore Graduate student Junior Sophomore

“The personal projects I’m work- “The excitement that awaits; the “It’s sunny outside and that’s “Deadlines.” “The thought of three days with ing on.” anticipation of hard work paying keeping me feeling good.” no work and so many great activi- off!” ties to look forward to.”

A10 « thetartan.org/sports The Tartan » March 25, 2013

Track and field teams make Sports Commentary strides at Washington and Lee March Madness defined by bracket-demolishing upsets carl glazer only to turn into a down by one less than 10 seconds left. Staffwriter situation after missing several Five seed University of shots in the last two minutes of Wisconsin-Madison fell to the March Madness is the time the game. University of Mississippi, win- of year when the sports world The traditional 12–5 upsets ner of the Southeastern Con- stops what it’s doing and fo- continued with the University ference (SEC) tournament. cuses on college basketball for of Oregon beating Oklahoma Mississippi is home to March three weeks. Office pools for State University and the Uni- Madness’s most animated the NCAA tournament destroy versity of California, Berkeley player, Marshall Henderson. productivity and more employ- beating the University of Ne- Henderson became known ees can be found in bars than vada, Las Vegas in a buzzer for his on-court antics after in cubicles watching a plethora beater. Oregon exerted its Ole Miss’ ran through the SEC of games involving teams no dominance early, taking the tournament to earn their spot one has heard of, but that ev- lead for good half-way through in the NCAA tournament. His eryone suddenly has opinions the first half. The game was not most infamous move is the about. This is the time of year even close in the second half, Florida gator chop sign, which when Cinderella underdogs with the Oregon lead slipping he created after taking the lead

File photo by Alan Vangpat/Senior Photographer steal the heart of the nation, into double digits. California against University of Florida in The Tartans competed in the shotput event at the first meet of the 2012 season. This weekend, the Tartans except for the people whose kept the game closer, but never the SEC tournament finals. headed to Lexington, Va. for the Washington and Lee Track and Field Carnival. brackets are ruined by an im- trailed in the second half as Eleven seed University of probable upset. they cruised to victory. Minnesota never trailed in Elizabeth Martin Finally, sophomore Sasha reer-best distance of 50.60 This year has been no dif- The real upset of the night their game against the historic Junior Staffwriter Spalding ran successfully in meters. He also was able ferent. With competition at came in one of the late games, basketball program of Univer- the heptathlon, placing fifth to throw the shot put a dis- the highest it’s been in years, with Ivy League champion and sity of California, Los Ange- Both the Carnegie Mellon with a total of 3,763 points. tance of 15.08 meters, earn- no real powerhouse team has 14 seed Harvard University les. They did it with lights-out men’s and women’s track Members of the team are ing fourth place, and the dis- dominated opponents and defeating 3 seed University of shooting, making over 50 per- and field teams headed to positive about the results of cus 42.45 meters, earning small unknowns have beaten New Mexico with relative ease. cent from the floor and over Lexington, Va. this past week the various events. “Overall eighth place. the longstanding powerhouses Harvard shot over 50 percent 56 percent from three-point to compete in the Virginia as a team I believe we per- Junior Nathan Cheek also during the regular season. The from the field and 44 percent range, ending the game with a Military Institute-Washing- formed well,” Spalding said competed in the shot put level playing field has been ap- from three-point range. 20-point margin of victory. ton and Lee University Track via email. “Even though the and hammer events. Cheek parent throughout the first two Friday had many more up- Iowa State University and Field Carnival at Wash- weather was not ideal every- threw the shot put 13.97 me- days of the tournament. sets with 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 seeds rounded out the double digit ington and Lee University. one performed to the best of ters, leading to a sixth-place After an uneventful first all losing to double-digit seed- team success with its win over The Tartans had three their abilities.” finish. Cheek also placed round, the second round ed opponents. Fifteen seed 7 seed University of Notre impressive finishes for the On the men’s side, Thom- seventh in the hammer event opened on Thursday, and the Florida Gulf Coast University Dame. Iowa State scored early women in the 5,000-meter as Vandenberg won the Tar- with a 46.46-meter throw. University of Pittsburgh Pan- knocked off the perennial bas- and quickly took control of the event. Senior Emily Wobb tans the only first-place vic- Tartan sophomore Gino thers were quickly sent home. ketball powerhouse George- game, cruising to an 18-point finished third with a 17:57.96 tory of the event as he won Pilato was the other Carn- Pitt, an 8 seed in the tour- town University in impressive victory. time, and sophomore Halley the 800-meter race with an egie Mellon athlete to place nament, was dominated by fashion. This was only the As we go forward into the Bayer sprinted to finish with astonishing time of 1:53.31. in the discus event. Pilato Wichita State University, a 9 seventh time since the tourna- tournament, it appears that a time of 18:27.19, earning Senior Billy Littlefield placed seventh with a throw seed. The game was a slug fest ment expanded to its current brackets will continue to get fourth place. Junior Elise crossed the finish line of of 42.69 meters. with the two teams combining 64+ team format that so many busted left and right. The up- Hall’s time of 18:44.09 gave the 10,000-meter run with Finally, first-year Max to shoot only 3–37 from three- upsets occurred; last year no- sets continued in the third the Tartans another top-10 a time of 32:38.20, earning Reinertsen jumped an amaz- point range and both teams table upsets included Lehigh round on Saturday, with first finish in the race, as Hall third place. ing 12.81 meters in the tri- averaging less that 40 percent University defeating Duke Uni- seed Gonzaga falling victim earned eighth place. Two Carnegie Mel- ple jump to earn seventh in from the field. versity, and Norfolk State Uni- to Wichita State, and Oregon Junior Jacqueline Guevel lon athletes placed in the the event. Both 14 seed Davidson versity toppling the University continuing to play bracket had two outstanding finish- hurdle events. Junior Mike With a solid showing at College and 16 seed South- of Missouri. buster, this time defeating 4 es, earning second place in Standish ran a 58.53 time in Washington and Lee, the ern University came within a The 13 seed in the West seed St. Louis University. both the 100-meter hurdles the 40-meter hurdles, and team is confident. “It’s still few minutes of overthrowing Region, La Salle University, de- This is the year of the un- with a time of 15:10 and first-year Ben Neiman fin- very early in the season,” 3 seed Marquette University feated the 4 seed Kansas State known as parity reaches an all- 400-meter hurdles with a ished the 110-meter hurdles Spalding said, “but I be- and 1 seed Gonzaga Univer- University, albeit in less con- time high in college basketball. time of 1:04.74. with a 16.21 time. Both ath- lieve with good training, the sity, respectively. Davidson vincing fashion than some of While some of the traditional Sophomore Erin Kiekhae- letes earned eighth place. men’s team should be able to led for most of the second half the other lower seeds. La Salle powers still remain (Univer- fer also competed well in Junior Zachary Erra-Her- win UAAs again, and hope- and had a chance to seal the nearly choked, surrendering sity of Louisville, University of two events. In the 1500-me- nandez represented Carn- fully the women’s team can deal with five seconds left, but the lead late in the second half. Kansas, Indiana, Duke, Michi- ter race, she ran a 4:54.42 egie Mellon well in the field finish in the top three.” threw an errant pass out of They reclaimed the lead with gan State University), it seems time and earned sixth place events. Both the men’s and wom- bounds, allowing Marquette 30 seconds to play and barely just as likely that this year’s and earned another seventh In the hammer event, en’s teams will next compete to make a quick game winning held on through a missed Kan- Final Four will likely consist place win in the 800-meter Erra-Hernandez was able to in the Carnegie Mellon Mini- layup. Southern University sas State jump shot that would of newcomers to elite college run with a 2:21.82 time. throw the hammer his ca- Invite on Saturday. took a brief lead in the first half have given them the lead with basketball.

Men’s tennis team defeats WRITE FOR SPORTS! Eagles in fierce competition Vinay Viswanathan the team needed it.” Heaney- I won] the third set.” [email protected] Junior Staffwriter Secord praised the team’s Alla praised the Eagles, overall performance in crucial saying “Mary Washington is a The men’s tennis team tiebreak points and attributed solid team. They have strong captured a major win against them to the strong singles doubles pairs and solid sin- the 24th-ranked University play. gles. It was a good win for us.” of Mary Washington, beating In addition to Heaney- Kumar credited the strong the Eagles 7–2 at the Lakevue Secord and Rao, first-years singles performances, saying Athletic Club and improving Abhishek Alla, Yuvraj Kumar, “The fact that there was a lot the Tartans’ record to 8–3. and Kosuke Hasegawa, and of energy and they wanted to Carnegie Mellon initially senior Duke Miller experi- come back after spring break suffered losses in two of three enced crucial singles victories. was important”, adding “indi- doubles games, creating mo- The lone win from doubles vidually we did very well and mentum for the Eagles, but play came from the team of … had a good comeback after the Tartans soon recovered Hasegawa and Kumar, dem- spring break.” with a sweep of the six singles onstrating the importance of He continued, “It’s re- games. the young players to the men’s ally going to help us with our No. 1-seeded player Chris- tennis team. ranking, and the momentum tian Heaney-Secord credited Individually, the matches will help especially when 6-seed player Harsha Rao were very close. “I may not we’re playing Johns Hopkins with carrying the team for- have played the best, but I got University and Kenyon Col- ward, praising him for “win- the job done,” Alla said via lege, a No. 2-ranked team, in ning a tough match when email. “It was important [that the next couple weeks.” Moving forward, the team is facing two back-to-back games against Washington and Lee University and Johns Hopkins, ranked 23rd and eighth, respectively. “We need to start off early and get the lead after doubles … and we have to figure out a way to use our deep team to win every single match against top teams such as Hopkins or Kenyon, who have strong singles lineups,” Alla said. The win against Mary Washington followed a streak of three painful losses, includ- ing an 8–1 shellacking by Trinity University. The team has high hopes to finish off the season. Heaney- Secord said, “I want us to make the NCAA tournament,

File photo by Jonathan Leung/Assistant Photo Editor since last year we missed it The Tartan men’s tennis team faced the University of Mary Washington and it was very tough for the Eagles last Saturday at home at the Lakevue Athletic Club. team.” GREEK SING

International Film Festival This year’s event explores the many roles of media in our lives • B5

03.25.13 Volume 107, Issue 21 ...this week only 3 Opera School of Music vocalists put on an impressive and entertaining performance. 4 Phipps The conservatory presents a captivating, colorful spring flower show. 5 Film festival The International Film Festival sparks discussions surrounding the “Faces of Media.” 6 SXSW South by Southwest exposes listeners to new artists and sounds. 7 Trust The Toronto-based synthpop duo gives a solid performance at brillobox. 8 Greek Sing The Greek community raised over $74,000 for the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh this year. 10 What We Collect 8 The Hunt Botanical Institute displays recent additions to its art department in Hunt Library.

3 4 6 10 regulars...... diversions

3 Advice 11 Comics Everything you need to know about fireworks Read the comics for hilarious observations on and breaking out the dance moves. topics ranging from the weather to duck faces. 13 Puzzles This week’s Kakuro is so easy that a monkey 7 Dollar Movie could solve it. AB Films takes you to Middle Earth this weekend. 14 Horoscopes This week’s horoscopes tell it like it is.

10 Did You Know? 15 Calendar Did you know that a first-year fell into the Check out this week’s calendar for on- and off- Engineering and Science Library 10 years ago? campus events.

PUBLISHER Jennifer Coloma EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Josh Smith PILLBOX EDITOR Rachel Cohen Assistant Pillbox Editor Laura Scherb COMICS EDITOR Kairavi Chahal ART EDITOR Annette Ko PHOTO EDITOR Kate Groschner COPY MANAGER Evan Kahn COVER Alex Webster

The Tartan . Box 119 . UC Suite 103 . Carnegie Mellon University . 5000 Forbes Ave . Pittsburgh, PA 15213 . www.thetartan.org . © 2013 The Tartan Vocalists perform vibrant show Advice for awkward people The School of Music presents opera scenes showcase About fireworks and dancing

Dear Patrick, Dear Patrick, When we think of opera, we usually picture a large powerful as some of her peers, senior voice major soprano in a Viking helmet belting a high, quavering Samantha Sugarman delivered a beautiful rendition On the way back from my A while ago, you wrote note. It’s perhaps not the most flattering image, of “Mir ist die Ehre widerfahren” from Richard spring break road trip, about your amazing and, unfortunately, many people have negative Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier with her sweet vibrato I bought some “legal” dance moves. I added associations with opera as a genre. But the School of and impressively high range. At the end of the fireworks. Nothing too them into my rotation, Music’s performance of Lovers & Dreams: An Opera program, senior voice major Ashlinn Dowling gave crazy — just some M-80s but women have not Scenes Showcase last Thursday and Friday showed a powerful performance as Butterfly in “Tutti i fior?” and Roman candles they yet started throwing that, far from being boring or inaccessible, opera can from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, filling the entire were selling behind a gas themselves at me. Are be wildly entertaining. theater with her strong, resonating voice. station in Tennessee at your dance moves all 4 a.m. How can I make they’re chalked up to be? The showcase was held in the small Rauh Black Box Although the solo performances were all excellent the best use of these? I If women aren’t throwing Theatre in the Purnell Center for the Arts, making for showcases of individual talent, the group would prefer to keep all themselves at me, how a simple and intimate venue. Instead of a stage, the performances unquestionably stole the show. my fingers and stay out of am I supposed to dance vocalists performed on black platforms that held very Perhaps the highlight of the entire eight-part jail, so keep that in mind. with them? And don’t say few props; only a desk, a stone bench, and a few program was “Nous avons en tête une affaire,” something crazy like walk potted flower plants lined the edges of the theater. a boisterous scene from George Bizet’s Carmen Thanks, up to them. featuring junior voice majors Mariko Reid, Chloe Freely Igniting Rogue The brevity and variety of the performances kept the Holgate, Richard Wood, and Scott Cuva, and Explosives, Careful, Thanks, audience’s rapt attention throughout the program. fifth-year senior English and voice double major Rockets Are Cool, Kids Shimmying Obnoxiously Each five-minute piece was enough to show an Stephanie Johnson. Enjoy Detonations Lonely, Other impressive amount of talent — often exploring Temptresses Avoid, Need nearly every note of the vocalists’ range — but Although (understandably) breathless at times, each Dear FIRECRACKED, Gamboling Opinions short enough to keep the program moving at an vocalist in this act delivered rapid, complex musical entertaining pace. phrases in speedy succession — and in French, Nothing lights up a young Dear SOLO TANGO, no less. In addition to impressive vocal talent, the man’s heart more than Interspersed between performances was playful performance was also exuberantly acted and elicited fireworks. Not fame, fortune, Hold your horses right there, commentary by many of the vocalists who cries of laughter and shock as the characters began or a sidelong glance from a bucko. Don’t go throwing performed. Though somewhat cutesy and clearly plunging knives into each other at the end of the lovely lady. No, that rocket’s blame on my famous scripted, their remarks helped to give context to piece. red glare as it burst in the dance moves, renowned each of the pieces — something that School of sky reminds you that this throughout multiple states. Music shows oftentimes lack. From vibrant acting to jaw-dropping vocal talent, is America: Our national Clearly you are not dancing Lovers & Dreams: An Opera Scenes Showcase anthem has explosions and properly. How much are you The showcase presented a unique challenge for the certainly had a lot to showcase. Not only were the so should our daily lives! You waving your arms around? vocalists, performing in a genre that probes and performers’ talent and dedication apparent, but can pry my cherry bombs If the answer’s not “a lot,” tests the human voice, laying bare every strength their enjoyment and passion were also contagious, out of my cold, dead hands, you’re doing it wrong. You and weakness a singer might have. In this case, the resulting in a program that could sway even the Obama! should stop just short of strengths were many and the weaknesses were few. most skeptical opera critic. punching your neighbors Although all of the individual performances were Though it may seem like a in the face. Nothing rocks impressive, some of the voices were perfectly suited fun and hilarious mix, you harder than an epileptic fit. to the pieces they performed. Though not quite as Rachel Cohen | Pillbox Editor should keep fireworks and alcohol away from each If the women are somehow other. Sure, alcohol makes resisting your amazing everything better, but you moves, which I must stress probably want to be thinking is impossible, then you may straight when you play with have to show some initiative. explosives. Before you Once you’ve got people’s do anything, just think to attention, you can show yourself, “Does this sound them how you trip the light like the first half of a Darwin fantastic. Award nomination?” Just don’t actually trip, Be sure to put it on Patrick Hoskins YouTube too, Patrick Hoskins Need advice? Send queries to [email protected].

Jennifer Coloma | Publisher

music pillbox 03.25.13 3 Phipps presents stunning floral display The Secret Garden raises conservatory’s standard of charming and vibrant exhibits

Combining the whimsy of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden and the powerful punch of a colorful flower at the end of a dreary Pennsylvania winter, the Phipps Conservatory’s annual spring flower show once again exceeds expectations.

The show, named after the book upon which it is based, is arguably the most celebrated event the Conservatory puts on throughout the year, attracting more amateur photographers than the butterfly garden does caterpillars. From the moment visitors enter through the glass doors, nods to the classic story are sprinkled throughout the exhibit, which spans the entire premises.

The jewel-colored tulips and white-picket fences that first greet viewers set the tone for the exhibit: magical, old-fashioned, and sweet. In stark contrast to the dreary weather Pittsburgh seems to be cursed with, the show is a breath of fresh air. Filled with flowers of every imaginable color that were traditionally found in gardens of Victorian England, the garden beds also incorporate winding stone paths and charming statues.

Signs in each room explain the connections between the flora and the literature. Though the ties to the book Kelsey Scott | Operations Manager could have been stronger and better explained, the effort The Sunken Garden room hosts one of the many charming and well-executed displays that comprise Phipps is there, and Phipps never fails to wow visitors with the Conservatory’s recently opened annual spring flower show, entitled The Secret Garden. simple beauty and flawless execution of its exhibits.

The centerpiece of the exhibit is the Wild Garden portion to be the standout room in the exhibit, the Riotous of the brick walk only further the image of Victorian of the Secret Garden. Ferns line the window boxes, Victorian Pattern Garden in the main alcove stole the perfection. This room in particular is so stunning tulips bloom cheerfully, lilac-colored blossoms whisper show. The garden is fashioned in a bold pattern that because of how well it goes with the architecture of the of a magical concept called spring, and rocks wind their includes bursts of orange, yellow, and red flowers, Conservatory. Somehow, the light streaming through way to a pond. green foliage, and the stark white of pebble paths. At the white glass panes and domed ceilings manage to the center is a sophisticated fountain with a Romantic- complete the vision of travelling back in time. Though the Wild Garden’s layout was clearly intended revival statue. The stately palms guarding the corners The exhibit is fabulously colorful, exciting, and deliciously serene at the same time. The sign in the Wild Garden brags that “the mystery surrounding the garden was one of its greatest charms.”

The mystery of how Phipps manages to produce mind- blowing shows that enchant visitors of all ages is indeed one of its greatest charms. And thank Mother Nature for it, because after a seemingly endless winter, goodness knows that Pittsburgh could use a Secret Garden of its own.

Laura Scherb | Assistant Pillbox Editor

The Secret Garden displays a variety of vibrant flora, such as this daylily. Kelsey Scott | Operations Manager

community 4 pillbox 03.25.13 Film festival explores “Faces of Media” Collaborative Carnegie Mellon event offers international films, discussion, camaraderie

The Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival opened say that everyone in the screening room was sad to away last year. Four of Goodman’s short films will last Thursday at the Melwood Screening Room. Walking see the last of the teenage passengers depart from the accompany seven of this year’s films that connect to the into the Melwood Screening Room was like walking bus. It was like a Bronx edition of The Magic School theme of media and work. Goodman made films about into a room filled with small treasures: You could feel Bus — except with more heart and the feeling that how media have impacted people’s work around the the memories of old, obscure movies screened in the you’re actually a quiet observer on the bus rather than world. His prolific filmography inspired the directors of past. There was a small concession stand surrounded an audience member. Viewers were able to relate to the the festival to feature his short films before the feature- by classic Hitchcock posters that evoked an intimate ways in which these teenagers connected to each other, length film of the night. surrounding and a love for cinema. It was the perfect especially in today’s media-heavy world. venue for the festival. Another of Goodman’s contributions was his You couldn’t expect anything less from Gondry, whose collaborative spirit, which had definitely made its mark This year’s theme is “Faces of Media,” a central part filmography boasts such vivid works as Eternal Sunshine on the festival. “One of Goodman’s passions was to of our everyday culture. “Each year, we try to explore of the Spotless Mind and Be Kind Rewind. The film engage all parts of Carnegie Mellon, and this year we a different theme that is all around us, even though did not exaggerate the use of media; rather, it melded really feel that this is true,” Faradji said. Professors we may not always be fully aware of its critical media into each of the students’ lives. As a result, we from various departments at Carnegie Mellon are importance….Media seemed like a great direction to go could truly identify with and feel the impacts of media collaborating with some of the professional filmmakers in this year, as smartphones and social media are greatly and instant communication on a personal and grand to support this year’s festival, along with professors from impacting local and global societies,” said senior history scale. That feeling was quite powerful and heightened the University of Pittsburgh, the Art Institute, Point Park major and festival intern Sara Faradji. anticipation for the upcoming films in the festival and University, and Robert Morris University. how these films will embrace the role of the media in our On its opening night, the film festival kicked off with world today. With the incredible support and collaboration from world-renowned filmmaker Michel Gondry’sThe We such diverse sources, the film festival has been able and The I. Set in the present-day Bronx, the film centers After the screening of the film, there were bounties of to organize post-screening Q & A sessions, filmmaker on high school students on their last day of school. small French delicacies such as quiche and macaroons workshops, and even lectures corresponding to certain However, instead of focusing on their pre-summer — carefully themed after Gondry’s French nationality. courses at Carnegie Mellon. Scott Hamilton and Petr festivities, the film takes place on a bus with all of the There were, of course, beverages, which made for an Lom are two of the featured filmmakers who will be students eagerly on their way back to their homes. I was even more entertaining night. With stomachs filling with offering such workshops to the community. Faradji expecting it to be claustrophobic and constrained, but it bread, cheese, and red wine, viewers were able to enjoy added that “by working with professors, we hope that was instead filled with spunk and endless energy. some great conversations about the film, which led to an students from all different schools and departments will atmosphere of genuine camaraderie. have the opportunity to see compelling international The film left some with mixed impressions: Was it films and learn more about global cultures. It is as though brilliant or was it too rushed? Regardless, viewers The film festival also featured Paul Goodman’s Faces the films serve as new and fascinating course texts.” became hooked on the characters and their stories: of Work as a tribute to the filmmaker, world-renowned When the bus finally reached its last stop, it’s safe to psychologist, and Carnegie Mellon professor who passed Looking ahead, another way that the film festival is engaging the community beyond Carnegie Mellon is its Student Short Film Competition, which will screen films by rising students from all universities. To connect with this year’s theme of media, competing students must address media and their global impact.

The Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival runs through April 13 and is a great chance for students to see what experiences film and media have to offer. You can’t say no to a compelling film — or to the complimentary food and wine.

Andie Park | Junior Staffwriter

Students sell festival tickets outside McConomy Auditorium, wearing T-shirts announcing this year’s theme, “Faces of Media.”

Kate Groschner | Photo Editor community pillbox 03.25.13 5 SXSW exposes listeners to new sounds Annual music festival encourages music lovers to branch out from familiar artists

One hundred venues, 2,200 performers, 20,000 For those unfamiliar with Stott’s work, it is haunting minutes were filled with transitions and layer blending attendees: The scope of South by Southwest (SXSW) is and atmospheric. His 2012 album Luxury Problems is that would enthrall any EDM fan, and most individuals massive, drawing multitudes of hip twentysomething laced with vocals from his old piano teacher, Alison in the audience will likely remember his selection of musicians, filmmakers, and partygoers to Austin, Texas Skidmore. In equal parts mournful and seductive — curative audio and choice samples (including Beastie every spring. Since its advent in 1987, it has continued sometimes even operatic — she gives his music a sexy Boys’ “Intergalactic” and his own “Astral Plane”). to grow in size; music is typically one of the more and haunting feel; her lyrics and Stott’s applications popular aspects of the festival, with shows running of reverb and delay made his performance particularly The driving force of psychedelic emotion that Ellison concurrently for six of the 21 days of the festival. wistful. While his melodic layering and deep basslines evoked in his performance was largely due to his sample may not suit everyone, those interested in techno (and choice and manipulation. Like Amon Tobin, FlyLo — Though the music portion spans a variety of genres, experimental electronic music in particular) would be as his fans call him — is capable of recontextualizing I was drawn primarily to the electronic showcases. taken in by his live interpretations of his own work. samples in creative and distinctive ways, often The festival’s diversity makes it an excellent forum for producing entirely new instrumentals by rearranging discovering new artists. These were two of the most To fully appreciate Stott, it’s crucial to have subwoofers existing musical parts. “All the Secrets” from Until notable shows that I saw, and I will certainly keep track or a good pair of headphones cranked up to 11. The the Quiet Comes, for example, does an excellent job of these artists. venue, Elysium, was perfectly suited to the artist’s of subtly altering piano melodies to bring about more visceral bass lines, and I was only able to gather a better dream-like, abstract themes. These themes are echoed Andy Stott understanding of his music by being immersed in that in Thundercat’s vocals in “DMT Song” (with an obvious environment. That being said, regular listeners and nod to the psychedelic drug of the same name). Though Andy Stott has always been a stylistically agile artist. newcomers to the experimental techno scene should still numerous overlapping patterns saturate his songs, he His performance at Resident Advisor’s official showcase give him a shot. has a penchant for using a number of samples and vocals on March 13 was a dark and dubby representation of without cluttering his arrangements. his techno-inflected approach, displaying much of his Flying Lotus more recent remixes and Luxury Problems releases. Graceful, humble, and enthused, FlyLo finished his set Lo-fi production and dirge-like rhythms chugged along Flanked by sheer monitors, the L.A.-based electronic in a way that many did not expect: calmly. There was no somewhere in the 100 BPM region, incorporating odd artist Flying Lotus (also known as Stephen Ellison) made final drop, no loud explosions of confetti or laser lights, elements of existential dread that recalled old Joy his presence just one part of the spectacle by projecting and no gratuitous into-the-mic shouting matches. If Division records. trippy images onto overlapping screens. The next 90 anyone understands the flow and energy of a show, it is FlyLo: He knew that the audience had just danced itself into exhaustion for two hours. Lulling listeners back into a relaxed state (as he is known for with his Adult Swim-produced beats and bumps), Ellison left the stage to the chants of “One more song!” and faded into the background, letting the audience reflect back on what they had just experienced.

SXSW was both an opportunity to harvest a deeper understanding of familiar music and a unique chance to experience genres beyond one’s comfort zone. I recommend following SXSW blogs to discover more about the showcased musicians and attending the festival next year, if you’re able.

Chloe Lula | Staffwriter

Among the musicians featured at the festival was Tampa-based band Merchandise, which performed at the Viceland showcase hosted by Vice magazine. Courtesy of WRCT and Peter Leeman | Junior Photographer music 6 pillbox 03.25.13 Trust puts on immersive performance Toronto-based synthpop duo lives up to critical acclaim despite lack of new material

Driving beats, dark vocals, and disorienting fog filled The crowd — made up entirely of hip twentysomethings debut album, coming back on stage for a single-song Bloomfield music venue brillobox last Tuesday for a — was enthusiastic; there were lots of applause and encore after their set. The music translated well into a concert by synthpop duo Trust. verbal affirmations of enjoyment, despite a surprising live set, but the show lacked some of the energy and lack of dancing. The shift from light head-bobbing to depth of the album. The balance seemed off during part A Toronto-based duo comprised of singer Robert Alfons more involved movement happened only during Trust’s of the show, with low vocals and overpowering beats. and drummer Maya Postepski (of pop group Austra), most popular songs, like “Bulbform,” “Heaven,” “F.T.F.,” Alfons’ deep, brooding voice — a defining characteristic Trust performed on Tuesday with a third performing and “Sulk.” off the band’s songs — sounded fine live, though less member on the keyboard. The group formed in 2009 and clean than on the album, which perhaps contributed to released its debut LP TRST in February 2012, receiving The show at brillobox on Tuesday was both a visually the show’s lack of energy. generally positive reviews. and aurally immersive experience. A fog machine was blowing throughout the show, and the drummer and With just one album and a few singles out to date, the Trust relies on goth and post-punk influences to create keyboardist were in sync with a strobe light, making it show could have been a dud, with nothing new brought a heavier sound than the genre tag “synthpop” might easy to get lost in the show. Colored lights lit the stage to the table. But the immersive visuals and the quality suggest. With deep, nasally vocals and relentless beats, from behind, creating a disorienting silhouetted effect; of the live instrumentation and vocals made the show a Trust’s music carries a superficial aura of darkness — the black outline of lead singer Alfons hopped around the success. In all, it was a night of great performances, and reminiscent of ’90s synth groups and current bands like front of the stage throughout the set, but that was really Trust certainly lived up to the hype they’ve been riding Crystal Castles — and creates a faint feeling of nostalgia all you could see from the dance floor. on for over a year. in the listener, though for what is unclear. Trust opened the show with crowd-favorite “Shoom” — a Brooklyn-based rock band Eraas and Pittsburgh-based sprawling song that combines every great element of the Allison Cosby | Contributing Editor synthpop group Ennui opened for Trust, though most of group into five-and-a-half minutes you wish would never the audience didn’t show up until just before Trust’s set. end — and played nearly every other song from their

dollarmovie McConomy Auditorium, University Center Matthew Zurcher | Staffwriter

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings Friday, March 29 Saturday, March 30 7 10:30 7 10:30

Jackson’s take on the Shire is considerably more happy-go-lucky than Tolkien fans The Hobbit is Peter Jackson’s long-awaited return to Tolkien’s Middle Earth. He has a might expect; the fireworks are grand, but life for the Hobbits is strangely akin to solid cast, some returning members, and his reliably beautiful cinematography — but an Irish jig. Despite the Shire’s exaggerated sense of joy and normalcy, Jackson why such a God-awful movie? Of course, the first reason is that it favors technology has stunningly authenticated Tolkien’s mythic landscape. Blue waters wash against over narrative. The discussion surrounding the film is never about Bilbo; it’s about flowery green pastures. There is a sense of belonging here, as if we’ve finally the brilliant CGI and 48FPS projection rate. Though I appreciate the goofiness of the stumbled across that old friend we’ve only seen in dreams and read about in the opening (so much singing and plate tossing), the injection of comic timing courtesy of thumb-worn pages of Tolkien’s novels. At three hours, Fellowship of the Ring soars, Martin Freeman, and the somewhat more prevalent levity, there’s only so many deus its pitfalls miniscule when compared to the jaw-dropping splendor of its remarkable ex machina I can take: Gandalf apparently can stomp his staff and cause everyone set pieces. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring stars Elijah Wood, Ian in the room to fall down. Those endless swirling helicopter shots of people crossing McKellan, and a host of other spectacular supporting players. It is the finest entry into mountains have returned, and it’s impossible for me not to giggle at (subtitled) orcs the trilogy and is not to be missed. furious at “elvish filth” and “dwarfish scum.” It’s ultimately patience-testing and not nearly as thrilling as intended. But you can go for the special effects.

music pillbox 03.25.13 7 The initial goal of these fundraising efforts was $150,000 over the course of four years, all for the Children’s Greek Sing is a musical, philanthropic success Institute. In the first year, Greek organizations raised $42,000, with $55,000 fundraised in the second. This Greek organizations surpass philanthropy goal, perform professional, entertaining skits year, their goal was $60,000. They actually raised $74,000, which put them at $171,000, well above their initial goal. Junior psychology major Caroline Flowers, great time putting this show together; the set consisted The sets were not overly complex, but the costumes the Greek Sing Overall Chair from Delta Delta Delta, said [ by Chloe Thompson | Personnel Manager ] entirely of frat boys wearing cardboard cutouts of were bright and eye catching. Members of both Delta via email that Greek Sing’s support of the Children’s trees and boulders, rolling or crawling across the stage Gamma and Pi Kappa Alpha threw themselves into their Institute will continue for the fourth and final year of their Greek organizations on campus came together last to show when Steve was moving. The kindergarten performance with an energy that lit up the room. Beyond commitment. “Although we have already met our goal, Saturday night to perform a series of 13-minute musical character who made potty-humor jokes, such as how even their clear passion, they performed with precision we are thrilled to be able to support them for at least one skits, both as a fundraiser for the Children’s Institute he was still in need of diapers, was overdone, but Blue’s and care, resulting in a skit that was overall clean, crisp, more year,” Flowers said. of Pittsburgh and as a celebration of their hard work sarcastic cynicism was highly entertaining. and fantastic. this semester. The most successful acts took one of two In terms of performance awards, the teams were divided approaches: Some fraternities and sororities poured their Special Victims Bluenit worked because it didn’t try to One show that walked the line between these two into two categories. The singles division consisted of hearts and souls into putting on a crisp and professional be something it wasn’t. The fraternity rolled with the approaches was Alpha Phi and Alpha Epsilon Pi’s fraternities that had performed alone, and the doubles performance, while others walked into Greek Sing slight slapdash feel of the performance and managed production of Rent. This skit was not merely an abridged division consisted of paired fraternities and sororities. knowing that they had a limited time span to put on to create something really funny. Clearly, Sigma Alpha version of the Broadway musical, but a parody of it, For singles, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Special Victims’ something kitschy and funny. Epsilon was well prepared, but they emphasized the focusing on the struggles of Roger, Mark, and Mimi as Bluenit), came in first, with Phi Delta Theta in second humor and playfulness that are such an integral part of they attempt to save Blockbuster from closing. Benny, and Delta Upsilon in third. In doubles, Delta Gamma The best example of the latter, more comedic approach, Greek Sing. the owner of Netflix and Mimi’s father, unfortunately and Pi Kappa Alpha (Rock of Ages) came in first, Kappa was Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Law and Order: Special thwarted that goal. Alpha Theta and Delta Tau Delta came in second, and Victims Bluenit. This skit told the harrowing tale of Steve On the other end of the spectrum, Delta Gamma and Pi Delta Delta Delta and Kappa Sigma came in third. The Burns, his dog Blue, and a crime-solving kindergartner Kappa Alpha’s rendition of Rock of Ages put on a near- Alpha Phi and Alpha Epsilon Pi altered the lyrics of a competition was a close one, and Flowers said, “This Alex Webster | Staff Photographer named Trevor in their quest to find the dog Magenta. professional show. The skit was an abridged version classic musical just enough to be hilarious, without year’s shows were some of the highest quality we’ve Through the discovery of three vital clues, the trio of the Broadway musical and told the tale of Sherrie, a awkwardly clashing with the original songs. “Take The brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon performed a comedic musical skit titled Law & Order: Special Victims seen since I’ve been in school.... each show we saw this eventually discovers that Magenta was kidnapped young girl who wants to be a rock star in Los Angeles, Me or Leave Me” became a conflict between Benny, a Bluenit, which won first place in the singles division. year was definitely successful.” by a bar of soap, because she was dirty and needed a and The Bourbon Room, a bar on the verge of being shut proponent of Netflix, and Mimi, a lover of Blockbuster. bath. Highlights included a hard-bitten police chief and down. In an attempt to salvage his business, the bar’s “Goodbye Love” became a farewell to Blockbuster, while Though this show was open to the public, the main a parody of The Lion King’s “Can You Feel The Love owner hosts a concert for the famous Stacee Jaxx, but “Seasons of Love” was about the amount of time the of Rent was a high-quality skit, but it retained the air of as they howled with excitement and approval at the focus of the evening was the Greek community. Greek Tonight,” entitled “Can You Feel the Suds Tonight.” the rock star’s performance draws the ire of the mayor’s characters had spent watching Blockbuster videos over ridiculousness and fun that characterizes Greek Sing. awards. Alpha Epsilon Phi and Pi Kappa Alpha split the Sing celebrated the intense fundraising efforts of all of wife, Patricia Whitmore. the years. This skit effortlessly turned a deeply emotional Chairmen’s Choice Award, while Sigma Phi Epsilon the Greek organizations on campus and the work put Clearly, the brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon had a musical into a funny, lighthearted sketch. This rendition However, Greek Sing is more than just a performance won the Fraternity Philanthropy Award. Delta Gamma into producing the performance itself. Saturday’s show from fraternities and sororities; the event is the won the Sorority Philanthropy Award, after raising over may have been the work of mere college students, but culmination of a huge effort to fundraise for the $12,000. Delta Delta Delta came in second, raising over the members of the fraternities and sororities gave it Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. After the performances $10,000. their most creative and professional efforts. concluded, a representative of the Institute showed a brief video of a student, a young boy named Noah. The audience held a near-imperceptible air of impatience before the video began; the past two hours had been entertaining, but long, and everyone was hungry.

But the video was an important reminder of the importance of the efforts of the Greek organizations, and an example of the importance and impact of charity. The video let the audience see a particular person whose life was greatly improved by the efforts of the Children’s Institute. However, sophomore civil and environmental engineering major Michelle Cousté said, “I would have liked a more detailed look at all the different things [the Children’s Institute] does or even heard from the kids themselves more... Hearing from the mother that the school changed her kid’s life is encouraging, but hearing from the kid himself just warms your heart.”

Though everyone was enthusiastic during the performances and the Children’s Institute’s video, the most intense energy of the evening came during the awards ceremony. Most audience members who were not affiliated with a Greek organization sat in the upper balconies, while the fraternity and sorority Alex Webster | Staff Photographer Alex Webster | Staff Photographer members themselves filled the ground floor. This seating arrangement created an odd sensation in the upper Greek Sing Overall Chair and emcee Molly Shanley excitedly announced the $74,203.31 total that Greek Members of Delta Gamma and Pi Kappa Alpha presented their highly professional rendition of Rock of Ages, which won first place in the doubles division. levels of the audience; the relatively calm audience organizations raised for the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh this year. members looked down on the mass of Greek members feature feature 8 pillbox 03.25.13 pillbox 03.25.13 9 Did you know? Hunt presents quaint exhibit What We Collect displays intricate engravings, drawings The Third Year Night Science Class held a swimming party last week. After members complained of being too As one would expect from the title, What We Collect: One of the more contemporary artists whose work 100 tired for sports on the weekend, the years ago Recent Art Acquisitions 2007–2012 features artwork seems similar to those of Bessa and Sowerby is group met at the bowling alley for its acquired by the Hunt Institute’s art department. Beverly Duncan. Though her art also portrays a hint Feb. 27, 1913 weekend fun. Afterward, they spotted The exhibit, which opened last Friday at the Hunt of the old-time feel that the other illustrations have, a sign nearby saying “Eat,” and the Institute for Botanical Documentation on the fifth one views them differently knowing that they are night ended with good food and good floor of Hunt Library, is the accumulation of art newer. In fact, Duncan’s paintings reminds one of a company. dating back to the 1800s, making for a unique kitchen, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Her environment with a quaint feel. While some may paintings were mainly watercolor on vellum, an Pittsburgh Police has decided to step ask, “Who would want to see pictures of plants?” interesting combination that fit well into the theme up its monitoring and punishment of the charm of the exhibit stems from the individual of the variety of media. 50 illegal parking around Schenley Park. perspectives of the plants that each artist expresses. years ago Previously, cars were tagged and The exhibit could be described as quaint, historical, ticketed for illegal parking in the area, Speaking of the artists, there are a plethora of and varied because it features so many different March 20, 1963 but the new policy will have cars towed them featured at the exhibit, making it enjoyable artistic methods. These ranged from watercolor on away immediately if they are found for a wider variety of people. Such artists include vellum, as in Duncan’s work, to charcoal drawing, illegally parked anywhere near the Pancrace Bessa, whose works were featured even to wood engravings and copper etching. Not park. at the library four years ago in his own exhibit, only were there detailed images of plants, such called Pancrace Bessa and the Golden Age of as those done by Bessa and Sowerby, but also Pittsburgh Police had a busy week. French Botanical Illustration. Bessa was a French seemingly accurate cross-sections of plants featured It issued a state citation to a buggy natural history artist whose botanical illustrations at the exhibit. The What We Collect exhibit is 25 participant who did not cooperate are characteristically detailed, probably a result educational as well: One can learn how the history years ago when an ambulance had to drive of his years as a student of engraver Gerard van of people’s views of plants have changed and grown through the buggy course during push Spaendonck. His realistic illustrations of fruit more intricate over time through the old and modern March 15, 1988 practice. A fire was also started in MI and flowers transport the viewer to a garden or field guides and textbooks included in the exhibit. 143, and the police suspect arson. countryside abounding with beautiful flora. This exhibit is open to the public and is free of Another 19th-century artist whose works are charge. If you ever feel like taking a break from displayed at the exhibit is James Sowerby. An studying while at the library, or have an interest in A 15-year-old first-year student fell English naturalist and illustrator, Sowerby made artwork relating to nature, check out the exhibit for a backward into the Engineering & illustrations that, upon first glance, look quite similar truly unique experience. Science Library while outside Wean to those that Bessa produced. However, further 10 examination shows that Sowerby’s style appears years ago Hall. She fell back and through the skylight above the library, hit a less realistic, though just as beautiful. While his Nikita Mishra | Junior Staffwriter March 17, 2003 bookshelf, and landed on the library older works were reminiscent of an old English floor. She was released from the countryside, his newer, more modern pieces of art hospital on the same day with only a have somewhat of a different feel. scratch on her finger.

In 2002, the Princeton Review ranked Carnegie Mellon as the most politically apathetic college or university in the years5 ago entire country. With the Pennsylvania primaries quickly approaching, March 24, 2008 students are proud to have shed the six-year-old image of political indifference.

Sex educators Rachel Dart and Marshall Miller speak to a full Doherty lecture hall about the female orgasm. year1 ago Sponsored by the new student group Ms. CMU, which focuses on women’s March 26, 2012 issues, the talk was entitled “I <3 FEMALE ORGASM” and was an open, interactive conversation. Haley Bryant | Junior Photographer What We Collect: Recent Art Acquisitions 2007–2012 showcases intricate botanical illustrations. Catherine Spence | Staffwriter

art 10 pillbox 03.25.13 Crinkled Comics by Juan Fernandez

[email protected] crinkledcomics.com

Poorly Drawn Lines by Reza Farazmand

[email protected] poorlydrawnlines.com comics pillbox 03.25.13 11 Sittin’ on the Fence by Charlie Shulman and Kairavi Chahal

[email protected]

Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham

[email protected] phdcomics.com

Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton

[email protected] harkavagrant.com comics 12pillbox 03.25.13 Sudoku Puzzle: Very Hard Difficulty Kakuro Puzzle: Easy Difficulty

Sudoku courtesy of www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/ Kakuro courtesy of www.KrazyDad.com sudokugen/ Fill all empty squares using numbers 1 to 9 so the sum of each row equals the clue on its left, and the sum of each column equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same row or column more than once.

Solutions from Mar. 4

Crossword Easy Difficulty Hard Difficulty

puzzles pillbox 03.25.13 13 Horoscopes aries You want answers, but no one is listening. Be patient. march 21–april 19

taurus You let go during spring break, but now it’s time to pull up april 20–may 20 your socks and get back to work.

gemini Focus on what you have rather than what you don’t have. may 21–june 21

cancer I know you’d rather be somewhere else, but just go with june 22–july 22 the flow.

leo Your significant other is not what he or she seems. july 23–aug. 22 Crossword courtesy of BestCrosswords.com

Across Down virgo If you ask someone how they are doing, you might get too 1. Festoon 1. Greek portico aug. 23–sept. 22 much information; be careful. 5. Fishing reel 2. Desire 9. Trig functions 3. Jump on the ice 14. Cab 4. Long-necked ruminant 15. It’s blown among the reeds 5. Mail-related Make sure everyone clearly understands what you mean. 16. Give it ___! 6. Girder libra 17. Doozy 7. Fabled bird sept. 23–oct. 22 Explain yourself. 18. Religious offshoot 8. Devices for fishing 19. Flat contract 9. Italian sausage 20. Capital of Georgia 10. Erin 22. Lacking depth 11. Oscar winner Patricia scorpio It might not be the worst thing that you’re becoming more 24. Frothy 12. Canadian gas brand compassionate. 26. Doc bloc 13. Simmer oct. 23–nov. 21 27. Trick y 21. People and places, e.g. 30. Facility 23. Is wearing 35. Seductively beautiful woman 25. Shouting 36. Choir member 27. Yoga posture sagittarius Let people know that you appreciate them and their efforts. 37. Abstruse 28. Split radially 38. Hail, to Caesar 29. Step nov. 22–dec. 21 39. Brother or sister 31. Take ___ from me 42. Seminary subj. 32. So spooky as to be frightening 43. Close 33. Prophets 45. Fall prey to a banana peel, say 34. Spread out capricorn Your efforts will be rewarded and it will be a game-changer. 46. Director Kurosawa 36. Up to it dec. 22–jan. 19 48. Hans Christian 40. Magazine copy 50. Religious dissent 41. Some Celts 51. Little, in Lille 44. Inhibit 52. Merrily 47. Inert monatomic gaseous element 54. Lodger 49. Night flight aquarius If given the option, choose to get out. 58. Esteem 50. Sacred place jan. 20–feb. 18 62. ___ Grows in Brooklyn 53. Stadium used for sports or musical 63. Coffin support events 65. Drop of water expelled by the 54. Hairless eye 55. Plains native 66. In sorry shape 56. Give ___ for one’s money pisces You are a role model for others, so be careful what 67. ___ uncertain terms 57. Diamond stats feb. 19–march 20 examples you set. 68. Writer Sarah ___ Jewett 59. Architect Saarinen 69. Compact 60. Bamboo stem Kairavi Chahal | Comics Editor 70. Read quickly 61. Very, in Versailles 71. Denials 64. Business mag

horoscopes 14pillbox 03.25.13 MONDAY3.25.13 Rake, Columbus-based rock band SPD GVNR, and video installations. More information and gallery hours are Pittsburgh pop rock group The Lampshades. The show is available at woodstreetgalleries.org. Eduardo C. Corral lecture. 201 Wood St. 6 p.m. for ages 21+ and costs $5 at the door. Eduardo C. Corral, winner of the 2012 Yale Series of CMU International Film Festival. McConomy Younger Poets competition, will speak on Monday as Mykki Blanco. 6119 Penn Ave. 10 p.m. Auditorium. Through April 13. part of Point Park University’s Writers’ Series. Monday’s Pittsburgh music collective VIA and 92.1 WPTS present Sponsored by the Humanities Center, the Carnegie event will include reading from his first poetry book, Slow rapper Mykki Blanco, also known as the New York poet Mellon International Film Festival presents “Faces of Lightning. The event is free and open to the public. and performance artist Michael Quattlebaum. The show Media.” This year’s festival features Pittsburgh premiere will open with performances by Stacian, Gel Set, Shisa, screenings of over a dozen award-winning films from all TUESDAY3.26.13 Edgar Um, and Lauren G, with visuals by Kevin Ramser. over the world. More information on the festival, including The event is for ages 18+ and costs $10 at the door. information about tickets and screenings, can be found at Carrie Mae Weems lecture. Kresge Theatre. 5 p.m. cmu.edu/faces. Artist Carrie Mae Weems will give a lecture as part FRIDAY3.29.13 of the Carnegie Mellon School of Art Lecture Series. Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years. Weems is known for exploring gender roles, racism, and Basement Miracle: 2013 MFA Thesis Exhibition. The Andy Warhol Museum. Through April 28. sexism through a variety of media, from photographs to Miller Gallery. 6 p.m. The Andy Warhol Museum celebrates the 50th installations and videos. Some of her work is currently Masters of Fine Arts candidates Scott Andrew, Felipe anniversary of Warhol’s famous “Campbell’s Soup Cans” on display at the Mattress Factory as part of the Feminist Castelblanco, Craig Fahner, Steve Gurysh, Luke Loeffler, with contemporary Warhol-inspired pieces and works by and... exhibit. The lecture is free and open to the public. Dan Wilcox, and Erin Womack present final work in the pop art visionary himself. Admission to the museum is their thesis exhibition. An opening reception will be held free for Carnegie Mellon students. Ian McEwan lecture. William Pitt Union Ballroom 6 – 8 p.m. on Friday. More information is available at (Forbes Avenue at Bigelow Boulevard). 8:30 p.m. millergallery.cfa.cmu.edu. Feminist and...The Mattress Factory. Through May 26. Author of Amsterdam, On Chesil Beach, Atonement, and, This exhibit features works by six female artists from most recently, Sweet Tooth, Ian McEwan will give a talk SATURDAY3.30.13 around the world, aiming to show that feminism is a hosted by the Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series. multivocal, multigenerational, and multicultural movement, The talk is free and open to the public. Grizzly Bear. Carnegie Music Hall. 8 p.m. not a single-issue set of political beliefs. Brooklyn-based indie rock band Grizzly Bear will perform WEDNESDAY3.27.13 at Carnegie Music Hall with Owen Pallett in a concert What We Collect: Recent Art Acquisitions, 2007– presented by 91.3 WYEP. Tickets and more information 2012. Hunt Library, Fifth Floor. Through June 30. Phosphorescent. Club Cafe. 8 p.m. are available at wyep.org. The Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation presents Lo-fi folk musician Phosphorescent will perform at Club an exhibition of recent acquisitions to the art department, Cafe as part of his 2013 Muchacho Tour. Special guests Detour presents Jacques Renault. 6119 Penn Ave. from the early 19th century to the present. More Strand of Oaks will also perform. More information and 10 p.m. information on the exhibit is available at huntbot.andrew. tickets are available at clubcafelive.com. Disco, funk, and electronic DJ Jacques Renault will cmu.edu/HIBD. perform at 6119, in a show hosted by Pittsburgh music THURSDAY3.28.13 collective DETOUR. DETOUR resident DJs Gusto and Mirko (senior industrial design major Mirko Azis) will open Compiled by Allison Cosby | Contributing Editor Aziz Ansari. Heinz Hall. 7 p.m. for Renault. Pittsburgh visual artist Ben Tabas will provide Comedian Aziz Ansari, known for his role as Tom the visuals for the evening. The event is for ages 18+ and Want your event here? Haverford on the NBC comedy Parks and Recreation, costs $7 at the door. Email [email protected]. will put on a show at Heinz Hall on Thursday. More information and tickets are available at ONGOING pittsburghsymphony.org. Power Pixels. Wood Street Galleries. Through April 7. Brillo Rock Show. brillobox. 9 p.m. The Wood Street Galleries are hosting an exhibit by visual Brillo Rock Show will feature Pittsburgh folk rock band artist Miguel Chevalier that features two self-generative

calendar pillbox 03.25.13 15 solo recital.

Kate Groschner | Photo Editor Concert pianist and Pittsburgh native Awadagin Pratt performed at Kresge Theatre yesterday as part of a Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania concert. According to the School of Music website, the Steinway Society “strives to promote the piano by presenting nationally and internationally acclaimed artists of the highest caliber in solo recital for the Pittsburgh audience.”

gallery 16pillbox 03.25.13