MAY 9, 2008 | WWW.REPORTERMAG.COM

Bi How to release your inner ornithologist rd ba R SmithI andT H Lambert ndinscore contracts Hi oc Elitist Socialgh I Networkk for the like-mindedg at R singles ey Pl Q Dat ayer IT in g Ser s G vi o P ce ro EDITOR’S NOTE table of contents May 9, 2008 | vol. 57, issue 31 EDITOR IN CHIEF Laura Mandanas notes from the innovation festival Managing Editor Adam Botzenhart I hope you all left your dorm rooms this past weekend. The Innovation Festival (see “Institute Hosts LETTERS PG. 04 Copy Editor Veena Chatti Imagine RIT”) was actually really cool. Feedback from our readers. NEWS EDITOR Joe McLaughlin LEISURE EDITOR Ilsa Shaw If, by chance, you happened to miss the festival, here are some of the less publicized highlights of NEWS PG. 06 FEATURES EDITOR Madeleine Villavicencio the weekend: SG Weekly Update SPORTS/VIEWS EDITOR Rachel Hart COB Elections. Parkour Club. Mayhem! 1. Roving, advice-dispensing alumni. I ran into one of the former Editor in Chiefs of Reporter from WRITERS Geoffrey H. Bliss, Veena Chatti, Susan Cook, the 1960’s, and was surprised to learn that there had once been a bar in the basement of the men’s Forecast Rohit Garg, Jen Loomis, Evan McNamara, Elvis Mon- dorm on campus… and that it went out of business due to lack of interest. Can you imagine? (Also, Plan accordingly. tero, Andy Rees, Alex Salsberg, Ilsa Shaw, Karl Voelker I learned that Reporter used to have an unlimited budget. Any chance we could bring that back, RIT?) Institute Hosts Imagine RIT Art Student verdict: smashing success. ART DIRECTOR Susie Sobota 2. President Destler’s face. I had kind of assumed that he’d be shuttled from event to event to give STAFF DESIGNERS Ryan Moore, introductions and that sort of thing, but that didn’t appear to be the case at all. Instead, he wandered Hillel Interfaith Shabbat Service Kelvin Patterson, Rachel Poulin around campus like a child in a candy store, telling people how cool he thought their exhibits were. Opening up the Jewish community. AD Designer Lisa Barnes And I feel like he was being totally sincere, every single time. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone Staff illustrators Greg Caggiano over the age of five look that excited in a long, long time. It was neat. Brick Beats CARTOONIST Alex Salsberg CAST announces Dean finalists. 3. On-demand tours of just about everything on campus. Mistakenly going into in the wrong part Academic Senate delays athletes’ Photo of Building 78, my family and I found ourselves caught up in a tour of the CIMS building and all the early registration. PHOTO EDITOR Dave Londres projects there. It was a happy accident, however. Did you know they do military research there? STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Ben Liddle, Josh Lehrer, They’ve got giant, full size aircraft hanging from the ceilings and stuff. Crazy! 16 Tom Liggett LEISURE PG. 10 4. Pleasant-smelling flowered trees. The ones with the little pink buds. I realize that they’ll probably Tora-con 2008 Banders wait for birds to get caught in the nets. Photograph by Dave Londres. Production die off in a week, and all we’ll have are the gross white ones along the Quarter Mile… but still. The The RIT Anime Club’s annual convention. PRODUCTION MANAGER John Carew good ones were in full bloom last weekend. You should have seen them. SPORTS PG. 26 CORRECTIONs PRINTING Printing Applications Lab For Viewers Like You SpRING SEASON RE-CAP The April 25th issue of Reporter incorrectly 5. Free food. All over the place. Alan Ritsko, Managing Director of NOVA, gave credit to Dave Londres on the Business visits RIT. Sports Beat “Coming Out at RIT” photograph on page 27. AD MANAGER Kyle O’Neill 6. Cheap food. All over the place. George breaks three records as Tigers crush The photograph was taken by Ryan Randolph. BUSINESS MANAGER Tim Wallenhorst Capsiderm Keuka. RIT’s Matt Smith and Simone Lambert 7. Other students. Campus is absolutely deserted most weekends (even when there’s nice weather), Clears your sinuses, cleans your skin. go pro. The May 2nd issue of Reporter incorrectly iden- Online but there were actually other people around last Saturday. This probably won’t happen again until tified Jonghyup Son in “3 Stars” on page 32. ONLINE EDITOR Chris Zubak-Skees the Innovation Festival rolls around again next year. CD review Rings Russian Circles – Station. Moby– Last Night. Please stop calling. The May 2nd issue of Reporter incorrectly iden- Advisor M83 – Saturdays Youth. tified Maegan Gindi in the table of contents on Rudy Pugliese Don’t Worry, I Can Say That page 6. Laura Mandanas At Your Leisure Alex Salsberg wants you to stop getting hung Contact Editor In Chief Your weekly source of sudoku. up on who’s offended by what. That way, we STILL LOOKING FOR YOUR COVER? MAIN 585.475.2212 can all party together more often. If you had your picture taken for the EMAIL [email protected] FEATURES PG. 16 “Me Issue” of Reporter (May 2, 2008) and are ADVERTISING 585.475.2213 Bird Banding at RIT still looking for a copy of your cover, go to EMAIL [email protected] Ornithological research. reportermag.com/swap.php. You can scroll Cover: Dr. David Mathiason holds a yellow warbler through the 431 unique covers we printed, Wilderness Survival after banding it as part of a research project. click on the cover you want for a cover that Six things that could save your life. Photograph by Dave Londres. you have and would be willing to trade, and we’ll do our best to hook you up. Tech Commentary IntelligentPeople.com: The Elitist Social Network.

That Girl

Reporter Magazine is published weekly during the academic year by a staff comprised of students at Rochester Institute of Technology. Business, Editorial, and Design facilities are located in Room A-426, in the lower level of the Meet Alex Brauer. Student Alumni Union. Our voice/TTY line is 585.475.2212. The Advertising Department can be reached at 585.475.2213. The opinions expressed in Reporter do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute. In this space, picture a four pixel penis ejaculating a swastika. Letters to the Editor may also be sent to [email protected]. Reporter is not responsible for materials presented in advertising areas. No letters will be printed unless signed. All letters received become the property of Reporter. Reporter takes pride in its membership in the Associated Collegiate Press and American Civil Liberties Union. Copyright © 2007 Reporter Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion of this Magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission. third year on the team, and I’ve been openly gay Perhaps most importantly, let’s look at the typi- LETTERS TO since day one on the team. Never have I had an cal welfare recipient. In Monroe County, 73% of issue, and I would have to say no one else who the recipients of family public assistance are THE EDITOR has joined after me really has had an issue with children, and welfare limits enacted by the fed- the team and their sexual orientation. eral government over the past decade have cor- Dear Reporter: responded with a rise in child poverty and child I am writing this letter concerning the car- I know of many other gay or lesbian athletes welfare. The basic cash grant has not been in- toon entitled, “How RIT Can Use Antise- on this campus, and many of them are not creased since 1990. In Monroe County, a mother mitic Graffiti To Its Advantage” in the April ashamed or in the closet. I am very disappoint- with two children gets a welfare grant of $647 25 edition of Reporter. While we at RIT en- ed with your reporting skills that you couldn’t per month, plus about $399 in food stamps. courage artistic expression and freedom of track down a few other athletes to get a broad speech, this cartoon crossed a line that is at scope of opinions. I think in general the athletes Out of these amounts, the family must pay for the very least hurtful, and to many, hateful. on this campus will agree with Mr. Stevens but food, rent, gas and electric, clothing, dishes, Throughout history, symbols have held strong you should have tried a little harder…In the fu- dish soap, toilet paper, school supplies, cook- meanings and evoked powerful emotions. ture for GLBT related articles Reporter can feel ing utensils, over the counter medications, Our challenge is to respect the history of free to contact the GLBT Center on campus. Medicaid co-pays, toothpaste, tooth brushes, such symbols, and those who hold memories, This is the kind of resources and connections light bulbs, furniture, entertainment, trans- feelings, and values associated with them that that the center can provide. portation, women’s supplies, stationary, pens we might not know or share. Although the swas- or pencils, laundry and bath soap, shampoo, tika existed long before Adolf Hitler, his adop- JENN KOLLING, WOMEN’S CREW CAPTAIN make-up, boots, shoes, combs, tools, newspa- tion of this symbol as the logo for the Nazi Party Third year ASL English Interpretation pers, towels, washcloths, church or temple dues, has forever marred its meaning. Since World and other expenses. War II, the swastika has become primarily a Editor’s Note: Thank you for your feedback; we will symbol of hate, and for that reason, we should be sure to make better use of the GLBT Center in the Another theme in this “welfare game” is the not be complacent to its meaning or use. future. pervasiveness of fraud. 93% of welfare fraud is committed by vendors. And of all of the welfare Reporter is a student run publication whose Dear Reporter: fraud committed, one might argue that it is a content is reviewed only by students, and is not As someone who has long been involved in the drop in the bucket compared to the burdens made available to advisors prior to publication. movement to end poverty, I was appalled when on the American taxpayer of military fraud, This does not mean, however, that all of us in a friend sent me the piece in the RIT Reporter government waste, and corporate welfare. the RIT community should blindly accept or en- on “the welfare game,” reviewed by Susan Cook. dorse what is published in Reporter. As a respect- The game is discussed without the slightest Finally, another myth reflected in the game is ed student magazine, the only one of its kind in attempt to present the reasons why many or- that welfare dependency is the result of the the U.S., I encourage Reporter to take a close look ganizations devoted efforts to stop the sale of moral failings of poor people: addiction, un- at its editorial practices. Upon further review, this game. willingness to work, lack of family values and it may become evident that Reporter crossed a sexual control. The fact is that—overwhelm- line that goes beyond journalistic freedom or The premises and “rules” of the game are found- ingly—people need assistance when they are artistic expression. ed in stereotypes and false assumptions about in financial hardship, and they are usually in the nature of poverty, and they reflect general- financial hardship for economic reasons. MARY-BETH COOPER izations about the poor that are not born out in Vice President for Student Affairs study after study of this population. Work is not a sure cure for poverty, either. At the current minimum wage of $7.15/hour, a full- Dear Reporter: One of the primary myths reflected in this time employee would make $14,872 per year. I am intrigued by your “Coming Out at RIT” arti- “game” is that most of the people on welfare This means that if a family of four has one cle. As I read I thought this article is not covering are unmarried mothers who have extra chil- spouse working full-time, they will still make all the athletes at RIT. You focused on one male dren so that they can get more money. Families $6,328 less than the current Family Federal Pov- athlete from RIT, whose opinion I agree with. on welfare average two children. The average erty Guideline Standard. However, you didn’t get any other athletes that monthly increase in a welfare grant for each are participating in any other sports. You picked additional child is $90. This hardly pays for dia- I’m sure RIT students are taught to “do their re- three ex-crew members who left the team for pers and formula. On the other hand, the stan- search” no matter what their major is, and to be reasons not related to their sexual orientation. dard deduction on federal income tax per child sure to examine all sides of an argument. I only You didn’t search very hard for athletes that is $3400. How many people do you know who wish Ms. Cook had followed that advice. participate or have participated for maybe more boast that they have additional children due to than a few months in a sport. I am writing as this “incentive”? BARBARA KASPER the captain of the Women’s Crew team. It’s my Associate Professor, SUNY Brockport

Note Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are solely those of the author. Reporter reserves the right to edit submissions on the basis of content, length, grammar, spelling, and style. Letters are not guaranteed publication. Submissions may be printed and reprinted in any medium. Reporter will not run responses to letters that are responding to a letter. Institute Hosts Imagine RIT Hillel Interfaith RIT SG weekly Update by Andy Rees by Geoffrey H. Bliss Shabbat Service Forecast On Saturday, May 3rd, people of all ages swarmed to RIT’s campus by Geoffrey H. Bliss compiled by Rohit Garg to attend Imagine RIT, the inaugural “innovation and creativity fes- cob elections tival.” The festival, coinciding with the traditional Spring Festival, At 6 p.m. on Friday, May 2nd, RIT Jewish community organiza- “College of Business (COB) elections will be next week,” said Student Gov- sought to showcase the Institute’s commitment to becoming an “innova- tion Hillel hosted its weekly service in the Allen Memorial Chapel. 10 Saturday ernment Vice President Sasha Malinchoc. “There will be tables in the COB tion university.” With over 400 exhibits, Imagine RIT displayed a wide Normally, this happens in Hillel House, which is located in the John “Leno” Maucere Show in a similar voting fashion to what happened in the SAU during the pri- variety of projects by students, faculty, and businesses. dorm-side tunnels under Colby Hall, but for this occasion, larger num- 08-2355, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Maucere will be presenting a new monologue mary elections. These elections will span four days.” Laptops will be set bers were expected. The Shabbat service, which celebrates the weekly reflecting Deaf cultural issues. The show is a “Deafywood” spinoff, up for voting for an hour on each of the four days in the COB. Some of the more popular exhibits included an automated hot-dog- day of rest, featured traditional songs and prayers, which were aimed and consists of jokes like Maucere’s infamous ‘John Leno’ character, making robot designed to assemble hot dogs to order, as well as a dem- at introducing and opening the Jewish community to any interested RIT a parody of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Cost: Free. onstration of combat robotics, complements of a BattleBots veteran. students or faculty. Kim Murray Karate Tournament Club Review Board Denies Parkour Club, These demonstrations, along with over 60 others, were housed in the Clark Gym, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Karate demonstrations in a tournament SG Overrules Gordon Field House, dubbed the “WOW Center” during the event, A line from the opening song, titled Hineh Mah Tov (Psalm 133:1) reads, setting for those interested. Cost: $2 spectators, $35 participants. The Club Review Board has decided to deny Parkour’s application for club which was reserved for premier innovative projects. “How good and pleasant it is for all of us to dwell together in this com- recognition. Parkour is an activity where individuals attempt to overcome munity!” Chaplain Jennifer Gravitz stated at the start of the service. 11 Sunday obstacles, such as walls or buildings, as quickly as possible. Parkour is said “There’s a computer generated poetry booth, and I was reading some of the “It’s a delight to see everyone. I think the best way to pray is from the Art Show and Craft Sale to be in “violation of RIT policies” and “indulging in endangering behavior” poetry. I thought it was pretty cool,” said Travis Popkave, a second year heart, and Shabbat is such a special day. We recreate this celebration Our Lady of Mercy High School (off-campus), 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Head where institute liability, including rules and regulations related to RIT Computer Science major, referring to a computer program designed to [of faith] every Friday.” out this Sunday to appreciate some art. Not much is happening on facilities, buildings, and students, were in jeopardy. There was a follow- generate unique poetic verse. Popkave, an off-floor member of Computer campus, anyway. Cost: $2. ing debate in regard to what specific policies Parkour breaks and if these Science House (CSH), was demonstrating CSH’s project, Drink, a networked Second year Illustration major Blaire Moskowitz noted, “We can’t do any policies are reputable and what changes could be made to accommodate drink dispenser, and its companion delivery robot. work today since the Sabbath is the traditional day of rest.” The remain- 12 Monday future clubs like Parkour. der of the service continued with more songs and the reading of prayers, Rochester Red Wings vs. Buffalo Bisons “It’s really great to see all the changes that have happened,” said Brittany some of which encouraging worshipers to say prayers to loved ones whom Frontier Field, 7:05 p.m. – 10 p.m. It’s spring, and that means it’s base- Mike D’Arcangelo, Director of the Center for Campus Life, spoke in regard Wooten, who graduated from RIT in 2007 with a degree in Advertising they might have lost or someone they are concerned about. ball time. Watch Rochester’s minor league team take on the team from to this issue, “We have a field of what we call ‘minimum standards of care,’ Photography. She noted that Imagine RIT was an excellent way for stu- Buffalo. Cost: tickets start at $6. for instance, athletes playing lacrosse must have a helmet and a chest dents to get noticed. “When I was a student, you had to wait until someone Sonny Bleicher, a fourth year Environmental Science major, comment- pad. We’re trying to prevent a serious injury or death. We want to make acknowledged your ideas… I think this really brings attention from not ed on the Shabbat service, its history, and why this particular service 13 Tuesday sustainable decisions about our students… This isn’t just about Parkour, only the local community, but also the parents and alumni… about what was unique: “There’s a whole ritual, which started about 400 years after LASA End of the Year Barbeque but future groups that come after it. I think it’s important that we talk we’re doing here at RIT that may go unlooked otherwise.” Jesus died in Galilean Israel, where some rabbis would dress in white Greek Lawn, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. An outdoor event featuring barbecue grill- to [Parkour] now and make sure what they are doing falls within specific robes, running in the fields and singing songs to welcome the Sabbath in. ing, music and recreational games. This is not just for LASA members; safety guidelines.” “It’s giving this broad spectrum of what RIT has to offer,” said Wooten, Later [Jewish people] took all those songs and compiled them into non-members are welcome. Cost: Free. pointing out that the most interesting exhibits had interactive features, a service which makes it much more simple and focused on com- Zachery Cohen, President of the Parkour club, stated, “I’ve been trying such as Hotel Proxy, an online hotel community. “[It] was really inter- munity building, being together, and singing and dancing together. 14 Wednesday to work with John Zink [Interim Assistant Vice President for Global Risk esting, just because of their set up, you walked up to what looked like It’s very nice.” Too Late Blues Management Services], but we’ve had difficulty staying in touch with him. a hotel welcome stand.” Dryden Theater, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. Bobby Darin stars in a 1962 movie I also should note that no person has ever died of this. We want to make Bleicher added, “Today’s idea was to invite the RIT community to see about a pianist who tries to avoid selling out. Cost: $5 for students. clear that certain videos which show Parkour as dangerous do not repre- “I liked the [Mobius] kaleidoscope thing that Professor Thurston was show- what we’re doing and what Judaism is all about. It was also good to bring sent Parkour as a whole.” ing off,” said Max Wunderlich, a fourth year Information Technology ma- in the Jewish faculty. On most campuses, the Jewish faculty is very 15 Thursday jor, in reference to a walk-in kaleidoscope. Wunderlich also remarked involved. However, on this campus, many of them are not. It’s kind of CAB Thursday Night Cinema Presents: 1408 SG President Ed Wolf stated, “I think if we can’t recognize you as a club, that while he enjoyed the festival, he would not like to see it annually, a call out for the community where we’re saying, ‘Join us,’ we’re looking for Ingle Auditorium, 10 p.m. – midnight. A movie about a man who spe- we can still recognize you as an organization which SG can help sup- as a year’s worth of innovation might not be adequate for the festival. those connections.” cializes in debunking paranormal occurrences. Soon after checking port. We have to take into consideration that RIT is a private institution, into the fabled room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel, he confronts genuine and with that comes a special liability.” It was noted that there is a dif- Another popular exhibit was FIRST Robotics, a national high school Following the service, dinner was served. Preceding the meal was the terror. Free Lifesavers and Tang after the movie. Cost: Free. ference in state and private schools, in terms of clubs or activities that robotics program, designed to encourage innovation through friendly series of traditional blessings. First was the blessing over the wine, they can allow. “In some cases, when a student sues a private school, competition. Students, with the help of engineers, built 120-pound ro- known as the Kiddush, followed by the ritual washing of hands and, 16 Friday the school usually settles whereas in a state school, these cases tend to last bots designed to compete in a sports-like game. The exhibit consisted lastly, Ha’motzi, grace before the meal. The meal consisted of tradition- I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change longer. Suing the state is very different than suing RIT,” said Rep at Large of two local FIRST teams demonstrating some of their robot’s abilities, al Jewish home-cooked foods such as challah, a special braided bread, Downstairs Cabaret Theater, 8 p.m. – 10:10 p.m. The longest cur- Matt Danna. like manipulating large exercise balls. and brisket. The meal concluded with Birkat Ha’Mazon, grace after the rently running off-Broadway musical is being presented in Rochester. meal. This was followed by Shira which means “to sing” in Hebrew. Come see a musical about dating and relationships over the course of In light of this, Cohen stated, “I feel like we could do a great deal of Outside of the WOW center, other demonstrations were happening across Rebecca Strauss, a junior fine arts major and an active member of Hil- a lifetime. Cost: tickets start at $24. good in the community…If we could advertise our club, then we could the campus, including an NTID-sponsored miniature golf course and a lel, commented: “It’s a part of my identity, and it’s exciting to share it create a better awareness on how to teach and learn Parkour.” SG vot- pumpkin cannon demonstration. President Destler has already announced with people I know.” • ed on the issue in favor of Parkour, overruling the Club Review Board, that following the success of Imagine RIT, the festival will return to RIT and recognizing the club. • next year on May 2nd. •

 News | 5.09.08  BRICKBEAT | Academic Senate Delays Athletes’ Early Registration

TO The Academic Senate voted not to approve a proposal by the help with practices and not games. (Instructors are cur- GET Student Athletics Advisory Committee (SAAC) to allow stu- rently required to let student-athletes miss class for games.) dent athletes to register for classes one day earlier than they “It would help slightly with electives...but once you get into are otherwise able. By tabling the motion, the Senate has your third or fourth year, you have required classes that only delayed action on it until next year. offer one section,” he said.

THE POINT... The proposal called for the Senate to “make a change in McKenzie suggested possibly finding out which classes are school policy so that student-athletes are extended the same likely to have a high concentration of athletes, and schedul- courtesy of early registration as Honors Students and NTID ing those classes so that they do not conflict. Another pro- Cross-registered students for the period which the athlete posal was to use the STARS system to manually reserve seats will be in season to ensure that they meet their academic for athletes. The Senate decided to appoint a working group requirements and needs.” to help SAAC retool their plan. The full Senate will consider the proposal again in the fall quarter of next year. • According to Anna Kolnik, fourth year Business major and Student Government representative for SAAC, the men’s La- crosse team missed 15 players three times a week due to classes. Additionally, half of the men’s Tennis team missed practice at least twice a week. “The purpose [of the proposal] 3% is to keep athletes in the classroom,” she said. 13%

Some members of the Senate expressed concerns over 5.09.08 61% the plan. Stephen Diehl of the College of Imaging Arts 23% Strongly Agree and Sciences said, “I think it diminishes the status of Agree Disagree Honors students. I don’t feel comfortable extending Strongly Disagree this to athletes.” Students frustrated by onflicting class and practice times Others questioned whether this would solve the problem. Provost Stan McKenzie said that the proposal would only Park Point that is! CAST Announces Dean Finalists

The College of Applied Science and Technology’s Dean gree emphasis in Workforce Development with Automated Search Committee is finishing its search for a new Manufacturing Systems. Walker also has master’s degrees

dean, and has informed the Academic Senate that the in Business Administration and System Administration. McLaughlin Joe by dean will be appointed by May 30th. The committee Walker has written nine books on quality control and Park Point at RIT named five finalists: the Six Sigma business strategy, and is under contract for five more. BELIEVE IT OR NOT…We still have apartments left! Valentine James is the dean of the graduate school at Fay- (some of the best locations at Park Point are still available!) etteville State University in North Carolina. He earned his Mulchand Rathod is the chair of the division of Engineer- AS LOW AS $550 PER MONTH! Ph.D. from Texas A&M with a major in Urban and Regional ing Technology at Wayne State University in Michigan. You still have time to sign up to be part of the HIPPEST PLACE IN TOWN! Planning, and wrote his dissertation on “Attractiveness of Rathod helped to create distance learning programs for New Towns to Industries and Workers: A Comparative Study Wayne State, as well as on-site degree programs at General of the Midwest and Sunbelt New Communities in the USA.” Motors and Chrysler. Rathod is also a licensed engineer in GET TO THE POINT TODAY…or call for details to reserve your space! three states, and was registered in four others. Carol Richardson is currently the acting dean of CAST. Leasing Office: She earned a master’s degree from Union College, ma- James Meyers is the director of the Center for Multi-Disci- 611 Park Point Drive Unit 4, Rochester, NY 14623 joring in Electrical Engineering. Before coming to RIT in plinary Studies at RIT. He earned his Ph.D. from Michigan Hours: Monday - Friday, 10 am - 7 pm, Saturday 10 am - 2 pm Phone: 424.6104 Web: www.parkpointrit.com 1978, she worked for General Electric on instruments for State University with a focus on Natural Resource Econom- nuclear submarines. ics. Meyers is also an RIT alumnus, earning his bachelor’s degree in Food and Hotel Management and his master’s in H. Fred Walker is the chair of the technology department Packaging Science. • at the University of Southern Maine. He earned his Ph.D. with honors from the University of Iowa in 1995, with a de-

 It’s hard to feel out of place dressed contest to run more smoothly. When asked if she would come to Throughout the day, there were as Rukia from Bleach while stand- I didn’t go to the one last year, the con again next year, she replied, also anime showings. Based on ing in a line of people ranging from so I’m not sure if it’s always like “If I can get a job in the Rochester suggestions in the online forum, Inuyasha to Kingdom Hearts charac- this, but the rehearsal part was area, I’ll definitely attend again. they arranged a list of shows such ters—especially considering most very unorganized.” Tora-con is actually the reason I’m as Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust and cosplayers were cross-dressers. trying to get a job in the Rochester Outlaw Star. To top it all off, there It was a little after 7 a.m. and I After opening ceremonies, the area for spring quarter.” were even three gaming tourna- was waiting in the pre-registered Anime Music Video contest be- ments going on upstairs for Brawl, line to enter Tora-con, the an- gan. One that got a lot of atten- Another panel that drew a huge Double Dash, and Guitar Hero 3. nual convention held by the RIT tion was a comedic Neon Genesis amount of attention was that of Anime Club. Evangelion video, which featured the MetalWorks Club, RIT’s chain- Later that night, the band unicorn the teeth-gritting “I Know A Song mail club. Several MetalWorks table performed a concert and the Cosplay was, of course, a huge That Gets on Everybody’s Nerves.” members, joined by Michael Del- crowd went wild. Although there part of Tora-con, part of the incen- Everyone eventually ended up les, MetalWorks President and were some issues with singing along tive being a Cosplay Competition. singing and it was topped off with second year Computer Engineer, (almost no one knew Japanese), For instance, Sara Jackson, second a Rickroll, featuring Rick Astley’s taught people how to make sim- the energy in the room was over- year Computer Science major, en- “Never Gonna Give You Up.” ple designs while Delles stood by whelming, and it was a huge hit. tered herself as Asuka Langely dressed in a 16-pound chain-mail At around 1:30 a.m., the crowd be- Sohryu from Neon Genesis Evange- In the section known as the vest with two wrist guards. By the gan to disperse and the DJ slowed lion in a maid waitress outfit and Artist Alley were several art- end of the workshop, my hands it down. The lights were turned up wound up winning first place for ists including Kirsten Canfield, were red and sore, but I had caught and tired ravers left to go home Craftsmanship. Still, she noted that third year International Studies on so quickly that I had made a and hit the hay. • there were flaws with the contest: major, who designed the badges bracelet before most people fin- “I would try to get the cosplay worn by everyone at Tora-con. ished their first inch.

Megan Paddi, dressed as Hsien-Ko from “Night Warriors,” lays in the grass. Paddi made the costume herself and has been into anime since she was 10. Cosplay From the words “costume play,” cosplay is the act of dressing up in costumes (usually emu- lating comic book, sci-fi, or anime characters) and pretending to be a fictional character.

Rickroll An act of deception resulting in unexpected exposure to Rick Astley’s 1987 song, “Never Gonna Give You Up.”

Con Short for “convention.”

Tora-con 2008 by Susan Cook | photograph by Jeffrey Porter

10 Section | 5.09.08 For

by Ilsa Shaw Viewers photograph by Tom Liggett ou wouldn’t think it, but there’s life In addition to science news, NOVA is also a NOVA investigates just about anything interesting here. In the depths of a pitch-black source of entertainment, and Ritsko strives for and relevant to the scientific community, Like cavern, where the atmosphere is balance between the two. “NOVA programs are and due to their reputation as a reliable source, ridden with hellish toxic fumes at a built to appeal to a dual mission, the first being it often receives episode ideas from said feverish 165 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re shocked education, but we all know that if television community. “Much of it comes to NOVA from Yto see it: rocks covered in green plants and no is on, there’s so much competition. If the first the connections that we have in the science light source in sight. Moving in closer, you mission (education) is met, and the second community. Our program is about cutting-edge notice that the rock is teeming with insects and science, and to do that, we need real people, You Yspiders, adapted to toxins and shadows. So what scientists who are passionate about what they is the purpose of these strange life-forms? How “We don’t do. They’re all over the world,” said Ritsko. Aside have they even come to be? For answers, you’d from that, NOVA has an impressive network of simply have to start on one captivating episode* go after collaborative producers throughout the world of NOVA. who frequently pitch story ideas. Viewers are the ghosts, also credited for episode ideas. This is why, at the “People come to NOVA because they love the beginning of each show, homage is paid to the idea of science. People who are inquisitive and the goblins, viewers by a screen with a simple “thank you.” want a program that is exciting with a science nature tune us in,” notes Alan Ritsko, Managing the crash The determining factor in whether an idea Director of NOVA. Ritsko, who graduated from makes the cut is linked to the second important RIT with a degree in Professional Photography, element in NOVA’s creation: entertainment recently visited the campus to talk about the courses— value. “If we view that the content is engaging award-winning series. and entertaining enough, then we research it that’s not to see if there is science that’s involved in that The NOVA team is comprised of about 50 people, topic that can be added to the film, if it’s not a small group of whom (typically around five our audience. there already, that would make sense and is people) are research scientists, whose job it is to realistic for the flow of the show,” Ritsko noted. fact-check and analyze the scientific accuracy of We follow the show’s contents. As Managing Director, it is If the subject passes the test, the episode Ritsko’s duty to oversee the entire production. scientific mutates from conception to preparation, as a 9- “Quite frankly, my job is the hub and the core month-long bout of research and fact gathering of the NOVA activity. Everything flows in to process and begins. In the end, Ritsko believes, “NOVA is me and then flows out from me. That makes it successful because... it tells a good story. NOVA, thrilling, which is why I have a passion to do for all these years, has sought out the best stories it,” said Ritsko. principle.” in science. But the best stories in science aren’t (and equally important one)—that is so different than the best story arc that makes a The typical hour-long NOVA program takes entertainment—is not met, people are not good book, or a good dramatic film. NOVA... has approximately nine months to finish, where going to watch what you make. So, we ride characteristics. We look for story arcs that people most time is spent planning, preparing, and the very fine line of making programs that are can relate to, the mystery that can be solved, the researching. “One thing that NOVA is known educationally accurate, scientifically accurate, mission that can be accomplished, the obstacle for is scientific accuracy. In fact, our viewers but those programs that are fun to watch. that needs to be overcome. These are actually count on it. In a recent report from the National People come to watch NOVA for that reason. the same kinds of things you might see in the Academy of Sciences, NOVA was ranked as the There are many places where you can get science story arc in a dramatic film. Well, science is no most trusted source of science news, behind on television, but many more places where different, only we find topics that exhibit those only two journals: Nature and Science. That puts science falls under the banner of pseudoscience. traits. That’s what has made it successful for the us ahead of those esteemed sources such as We don’t go after the ghosts, the goblins, the past 35 years.” The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal,” crash courses—that’s not our audience. We said Ritsko. follow scientific process and principle.” * The episode referred to is titled “The Mysterious Life of Caves.” 12 Section | 5.09.08 13 REVIEWS 05.09.0 8 At Your Leisure by Ilsa Shaw

Capsiderm is made from African Black soap allergies, or sinus pressure will decrease or Stream of Facts Capsiderm and 11 exotic herbals (all natural), as well as even disappear. I even tried this product while hot pepper extract. Sounds painful, right? Ac- I had a pretty harsh cold and although it did Skittles are rumored to have been invented by by Susan Cook tually, it fights acne, cleans pores, and tightens burn a little for a few seconds, it was invigorat- a man named Rick Walden, a worker for Mars and conditions skin. The first time I used it, my ing enough to really wake me up. Within about who became bored during a business meeting roommate came into our room and commented five minutes, it felt as if I hardly had a cold at and started to punch holes in Starburst candies. Would you get sprayed in the face by pepper on just how great it smelled. That, and iit had all. My stuffed nose was completely gone! His boss saw the circular results scattered all spray? Doesn’t sound too appealing, right? basically cleared her sinuses. I have to agree, over the table, and the idea for Skittles was born. Wayne Perry apparently begs to differ. As a the smell is spicy, but not in an acidic way; it’s Both products work really well. It seems all the This occurrence is neither endorsed nor denied self-defense instructor who travels the coun- surprisingly refreshing. claims they make are accurate and I recom- by the Mars candy company. try and demonstrates police pepper spray, mend giving their stuff a try. he discovered the healing power of peppers. The product is for normal to oily skin types Originally conceived as a club designed to allevi- Later, he went on to create Sinus Buster, the (mine falls in this spectrum) and promises to Final grades: ate boredom, the Ku Klux Klan began as a society company that bases all their products around fight acne. Since using this product, my skin Capsiderm wash: A club for former Confederate soldiers, by former capsaicin, a pepper extract. has been much healthier-looking. After two Sinus Buster: B+ Confederate soldiers. The ideals weren’t more weeks of use, the little bit of acne that I had friendly, of course; they are still quite similar to Sinus Buster’s world-famous product is seems to have cleared up, as well. Prices: those of today. It was only when General Nathan the original Sinus Buster Nasal Spray, but Capsiderm: $29.99 Forrest started to lead the clan that it grew into they’ve branched out to make several other Sinus Buster is also made with capsaicin pep- Sinus Buster Nasal Spray: $15.99 a radical and often violent group of vigilantes. products, including other sprays and a face per extracts, which caused the claims that with Reporter Recommends Difficulty Rating: medium wash called Capsiderm. only a few sprays, your congestion, headache, Get the hot stuff at: www.sinusbuster.com Roman society during the Golden Age dictated Making nihilist jokes. For starters, check out 7 2 that any man found guilty of adultery should Uncyclopedia’s Nihilist page at www.uncy- have every single one of his pubic hairs ripped clopedia.org/wiki/Nihilism and be prepared 5 4 1 3 out. Not only that, a large radish (or an accept- for the joke that doesn’t actually exist. I won’t able substitute of relatively the same size and spoil the surprise for you, just check it out. 3 9 6 7 Russian Circles Moby M83 effect) would then be shoved up the Roman Then, while you’re cruising through Uncyclo- 6 1 3 7 - Station - - Last Night - - Saturdays Youth - man’s rectum. pedia, you may as well check out RIT’s page by Evan McNamara for something of a little more substance. I 8 9 Commonly used in Greco- Roman cooking, the guarantee you will discover at least one fact 1 2 7 5 extinct plant known as silphium once formed about the college you weren’t aware of. For With the release of their previous EP, Enter, Rus- Everyone knows who Moby is. Yep, he’s still Saturdays Youth is a departure from typical M83 the crux of trade for the area. It also had medical instance, did you know that former President 3 1 5 4 sian Circles generated about a metric ton of bald. And I bet you wouldn’t be surprised that sound, but in a good way. Previous M83 releases uses and was the primary herbal contraceptive Al Simone taught Murderface Murderface (of buzz. The short offering showcased their blend he is still making electronic dance music. The were trademarked by their less-than-straight- at the time. This sexual concept, combined with Metalocalypse) to play bass with his penis? 5 6 2 3 1 7 of post hardcore song structure, intricate guitar, problem with Moby is what made him so ap- forward song structures, while the instrumen- the fact that silphium seeds are shaped like the Neither did I, friends, neither did I. 2 3 9 driving bass, and their signature epic flair, and pealing when he first gained his notoriety: his tation was completely electronic with sporadic modern day symmetrical heart, has lead many left many, including myself, wanting more. Sad- creative use of samples. Who could forget the vocals. Saturdays Youth turns a corner, with the scholars to believe that the heart symbol may ly, Station, the band’s debut full length, just falls soulful sample that rooted “In This World,” or band leaning towards a more poppy sound, with have been derived from these seeds. • SIGN OF THE WEEK: you have issues short. Sure, the musicianship is stellar, and yes, the inverted strings that propelled “Porcelain?” hints of introspective ambience. There still ex- the songs seem more developed. However, the The problem with Moby’s new album is that ist some straight-ahead tunes, like “Kim & Jes- intensity that made their first EP so enjoyable he’s just stopped being creative and settled for sie,” but for the most part, the album is a very is lost. The biggest failure of this album is not anything that will make you dance. Sure, this relaxing, intriguing listen. Little atmospheric in any of the individual parts, but in their sum. album will make you hit the linoleum like you nuances are perfectly placed, and at times, the The songs take great care to establish long build- have fire ants in your jock-strap, but it is com- album sounds like an electronically-realized Quote: ups, only to give way to an anti-climactic shift pletely formulaic and forgettable. You see, we’ve version of an Eluvium album. Moods range from in the song. That signature epic flair seems to come to expect more from Moby than just a bald haunting to uplifting, airy, and bright. If you lis- “Only two things are infinite, have been lost on Station. Station is an interest- head, or the occasional appearance on VH1’s I ten closely, especially in “Graveyard Girl,” you the universe and human ing listen, but don’t expect it to blow you away Love the ‘90s. We kind of expect music that isn’t, might just hear M83’s first ever use of acoustic stupidity, and I’m not sure like its predecessor. Hopefully, Russian Circles well, bad. Maybe next time? instruments! This album still sounds very much about the former.” finds the epic that fell out of their pocket some- like the M83 of old, it is just a different flavor, where between “Enter” and “Station.” and trust me, the flavor is delicious. • — Albert Einstein

14 Leisure | 5.09.08 15 ird banding at rit

by Veena Chatti | photographs by Dave Londres

“Aieeee! Mmimmblewhimble,” seems to accurately describe the scream-turned- whimpering noise I made. I couldn’t scream, but I badly needed to. “Please let go, let go please, please! Ouuucch!” I was pleading with—no, not an assailant, and I was not in some questionable part of downtown Rochester—a chickadee.

The impish little bird had my cuticle clasped painfully in its beak while I was trying (unsuccessfully) to measure the length of its leg. It felt as if someone had taken a pair of particularly sharp geometrical compasses and decided to shove them between my cuticle and thumb.

16 Features | 5.09.08 17 so absurd, isn’t it, how all of my professors. “About three years ago,” said respect and in minimum time,” to minimize Our knowledge is very basic, we just don’t know. Point]. Over the next few years, we can assess Ornithology Courses at RIT 100 pounds are of no match to the Mathiason, “I got interested in bird banding, I any trauma to the bird. “The first priority is There’s a lot of research to be done to identify the impact… It’s not obvious yet, you’ll never It’s needle sharp beak of a 10 g bird I’m was looking at the hawks, and then when John the safety of the bird,” affirmed Waud, “and good stopover sites.” know, would they have been better off the way they Does Avifauna seem interesting? supposed to have complete control over? Anyway, found out I was moving towards banding, he the second priority is the integrity of the data, were, because we were not doing banding over Two ornithology courses, considered part of the result was yet another band-aid around my diverted me towards songbirds.” because if the information we collect isn’t right, Waud elaborated, “And that is the importance of there, and we can’t now.” the institute electives, are offered at RIT, mutilated thumb, and what I thought looked like then it’s not going to help conservation. In that it. We’re talking about unimaginable amounts and accomplished ornithologists present to a rather self-satisfied chickadee flying away in an It is at RITBO that Waud, Mathiason and their order: the bird first, and the data second.” of money that could be spent buying lands [to Said Waud, “My sense is that over the period both classes. indignant huff after I had (somewhat clumsily) group of students and volunteers band birds. conserve]. There just isn’t that much money of years, it could be a positive thing for managed to put an aluminum ring around its Mathiason said those who believed banding was available. For an organization like Nature the area around the banding site and the Adventures in Ornithology: 1005-359 minuscule right foot. Precious, no? cruel had a short-term view: “They don’t realize Conservancy, the question is, If there’s a limited mitigation site, but in the short haul, it’s not A 4-credit Honors course offered in spring Voila! La Procédure! that the research that’s being done is for the amount of money, where should they direct it? How clear if that’s going to be the case, because quarter, it is nevertheless open to all interested, But injured fingers are not uncommon on To be banded, a bird must first be caught. long-term continuance of the species. There are to spend limited resources to do the most good? we’ve shifted the deer herd all around, and able students. In the two years this course banders. Bird banding, or “ringing” as it is There are several ways of catching birds. As plenty of examples; [American Bald] Eagles were So we do enjoy what we’re doing, but it’s that affects the birds’ willingness to use the has run, it has been fully subscribed. Only 10 known in other countries, is an ornithological only songbirds are banded at RITBO, these nearly extinct, then people paid attention to the certainly not to make us feel good.” area, when the deer graze.” seats were offered in its first year, and 12 this research tool, one that the North American are usually caught in “mist nets”—thin, light declining numbers to figure out why, and now year. A debate on the evolutionary origins of Banders’ Study Guide terms as “a delicate nets strung up between tress—put up by they’re on the rebound! So you try to tell people Agreed Kelli Fagan, second year Biology major, birds kicks off the course. Groups of students art and a precise science.” It involves putting the banders. They regularly check the nets why you’re banding.” “The data collected from banding is extremely Continued Waud, “The other thing that would then teach one another various aspects of uniquely numbered aluminum rings or bands and extract caught birds (easier said than important to ornithology. The information has come to mind is that RIT ... is trying to increase bird structure and function. Individual student around birds’ feet and gathering data about done; expert bander and instructor Betsy lead to a better understanding of migrations, building density rather than spread out any presentations are on bird behaviors. There various aspects of them. Under faculty sponsors Brooks of the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory …And Why is That? productivity, behavior, and disease amongst further. I would really like to see a couple of are two major exams of the short/medium- Dr. John Waud, Professor in the Department of (BBBO) once detailed how grown men have As ornithologists are able to track banded birds. It’s also tons of fun. I know waking up things happen. I’d like to see a grassland area length answer variety and simple quizzes on Biological Sciences, and Dr. David Mathiason, been known to cry in despair when trying to birds, their “stopovers” during migration can before dawn doesn’t sound very appealing to created beyond the wetland. I think that’s bird topography. Each student must also Director of the Honors Program, bird banding extract a difficult bird completely entangled be determined. A bird banded in RITBO could most people, but it’s worth it.” very feasible. Right now, that land is rented to complete 15 hours in the field however they happens on campus. in the net, its feathers and tongue caught and show up in a banding station elsewhere, where a farmer, and I don’t know how long she or he choose: at RITBO, on the class trip to Point knotted). The birds are carried in soft cotton they will read its band, and enter it as a “re-cap” will be farming.” Pelee in Canada, at the globally-renowned bags and “processed,” i.e. data about them is in the huge database of banded birds. Here’s an Of Challenges Past Cornell Lab of Ornithology, at Braddock Bay RITBO! collected after banding. Processing a bird may absolutely amazing example: the Yellow Warbler The revenue from the farmer’s rent could hardly Bird Observatory, or even on morning bird The RIT Bird Observatory, or “RITBO,” as the involve some or many of a variety of things. (see photo on page 17) caught on Wednesday, and the Future of RITBO be significant to RIT’s total budget. If that natural watching trips organized by Dr. Waud on banders affectionately call it, is located on the Its species is noted, and an appropriate band April 30, 2008, was first banded at RITBO on May “Certainly, at a faculty level, we had to convince area could be contributed to the conservation campus. edge of campus by the Astronomical Observatory. size is chosen. 7, 2004. It was aged as a “second year” bird at some other faculty that what we were doing was easement (which is a legally binding contract The Army Corps Engineers and RIT have agreed that time based on how it looked, which means worthwhile,” mentioned Waud, “because it’s that the land will be left undeveloped), RIT Bird Banding: 1005-305 that the land around it will not be developed; Once banded, (if it’s not an already-banded bird, it is now five years old, and has returned here. a very different course than most of what RIT would really be helping in conservation and Offered in fall quarter, this 2-credit course rather it will be kept as a conservation area for what banders call a “re-cap”) its wing chord—the teaches.” RIT offers two courses: Adventures restoring the land to a functional ecosystem. • counts as a lab science and is a variant of the wildlife. un-flattened length from wing joint to the tip of But in fast urbanizing landscapes, birds’ in Ornithology and Bird Banding. “The other North American Banding Council’s course the longest primary wing feather—is measured. migratory stopovers are often replaced by challenge is that most students at RIT don’t know adapted for RIT’s quarter system. Instructed by “We [RITBO] are allowed to be out there,” Its tarsus (leg) is also measured. Age and sex the newest mall or parking lot, depriving our that we have these courses. The people who experienced and distinguished bander Betsy explained Mathiason, “the Banding Station can are determined by indicators such as plumage. feathered friends of the nourishment and might take it don’t even know it exists,” Waud Brooks of BBBO, it is given two afternoons a stay for scientific reasons. It’s a very unique Its beak or bill may also be measured. A jet of rest they need during migration. About 95% said. “...And they don’t know that we’re doing week (Thursdays and Fridays) for five weeks. situation, this little 32-acre wild microcosm air is directed at its neck hollow via a plastic of mortality in birds occurs during migration. banding right on campus,” finished Mathiason. There are ten days of instruction, in which that we are allowed to be inside. We are inside straw, and fat deposits are gauged on a scale of The survivors will only decrease if humans students learn the intricacies of nets, net hours, the conservation area… If we hadn’t put that 0 to 5. Finally, it is weighed, usually in an empty continue to disregard the birds’ needs. What On potential effects that the construction of net checks, banding ethics and principles, shed [the Banding Station] up two years ago, cardboard Minute Maid cylinder, and set free. conservation agencies try to determine are Park Point will have, Waud and Mathiason extraction of birds from nets, banding, we wouldn’t be able to put it there now.” which areas the birds need as stopovers in explained that Park Point has resulted in a identification, aging, sexing, weighing, migratory routes. “Every piece of wood that new mitigation land near RITBO, essentially measuring of birds and also scribing and “I’ve been involved in bird banding since 2000,” said Objections to banding: you see serves as a stopover site,” explained to restore the acreage of wetlands lost due data collection. There are two major exams to Waud, “banding was new to me, but the interest Some people object to banding based on what Mathiason, “so what we’re trying to do with the to Park Point. “So that’s given rise to another be passed in the format of short answers, and [in the environment] wasn’t new. I would say that they perceive as cruelty to the birds. Indeed, the Nature Conservancy is to identify what are the research project, to see what that impact is,” instructors supervise and evaluate banding my interest probably began when I was a child.” first rule of the Bander’s Code of Ethics states: characteristics that make an area good. We can’t said Mathiason, “but it’s too early to know. This skills and bird handling. RITBO was set up by the initiative of both “Handle each bird carefully, gently, quietly, with look at a site, necessarily, and say how good it is. the first season we’ve been banding [since Park

bird species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 you thought Nortern Evening Northern Greater Boreal Eastern Common Loggerhead Field Grasshopper Snow Black-throated Lark Common American Rufous Whip- Horned Little Blue Ruffed 20 were common: Bobwhite Grosbeak Pintail Scaup Chickadee Meadowlark Tern Shrike Sparrow Sparrow Bunting Sparrow Sparrow Grackle Bittern Hummingbird poor-will Lark Heron Grouse From the Audubon National Society. The following are the 20 common North American birds with the 82% 78% 77% 75% 73% 72% 71% 71% 68% 65% 64% 63% 63% 61% 59% 58% 57% 56% 54% 54% greatest population declines since 1967.

18 Section | 5.09.08 19 While it is unlikely that you’ll end up in such a A fire is another good way to keep warm, but dire situation, it is better to be safe than sorry. starting one is not as easy as rubbing two sticks In any emergency situation, whether it is in the together. If you have a working lighter or a set middle of the Canadian wilderness or on the of matches, then you are all set. However, there mean streets of Rochester, the most important are other ways to start a fire. thing is to keep a cool head. If you can make rational, informed decisions, your chance of For example, quartz, a common milky white or survival will be greater. That being said, there grey mineral, will throw sparks when hit with a are a number of different factors that must be piece of iron (such as a tire iron). If you can obtain taken into account while attempting to survive an easily combustible material, (like gasoline) in the wilderness. then you have found your source of ignition.

Once you have ignition, you need to apply it to Shelter fuel. Gasoline burns fast, so you will need to Nutrition Chances are, if you are stranded with no way gather dry wood to keep the fire going. A good Depending on how long you are stuck in the of getting help, you will need a place to sleep. fire is built. This means burning small stuff wild, you may need to find something to eat. You must stay dry at all costs, and therefore, first and adding larger pieces of wood later. If This can be a dangerous undertaking, if you sleeping under the stars is out of the question. you do manage to get a fire started, make sure do not know what you are looking for. Many it is at a distance from your shelter or anything wild edible plants have close cousins that You could sleep in the car. Unfortunately, un- else flammable. could make you sick. If you can, avoid eating less it is the middle of the summer, that would wild plants or fungi. The same goes for meat probably be a bad idea. Cars are not built to stay and fish, unless you have a means of properly Survival warm. While they provide a nice roof, they are cleaning and cooking it. not well insulated. Six Things That Could Save Your Life by Andy Rees | illustration by Greg Caggiano In a wooded area, it is very easy to build a sim- Signaling ple lean-to shelter out of materials lying in the Another top priority in a survival situation is ground. Find a sturdy log, about 10 feet long, being rescued. Making your presence known is and lean one end against a tree or a rock, mak- important, especially if no one knows you are You’re driving down a stretch of an ing sure that it will not fall over. Get smaller missing. Smoke, particularly black smoke, is an old state highway which Google branches and lean them against the log, form- easy way to get attention. ing walls on both sides. Make sure to leave an Maps recommended, when all of a entrance opening near the rock or tree. Pile Wood and gasoline burn with a weak white sudden, a deer darts across the road. leaves on top of the branches and the floor, en- smoke that is nearly invisible from a distance. suring that there is a sizeable layer covering the However, burning rubber produces thick black You swerve to avoid it and lose con- entire structure. The design is very basic, but smoke which can be easily seen. Adding a spare trol of the vehicle, helplessly pump- it provides a near waterproof cover and a good tire to your campfire will produce a billowing amount of heat retention. Hydr ation black tower of smoke that, with luck, will alert ing the brakes as the car smashes Staying hydrated should be the number one pri- someone to your presence. through the guardrail. It slides down ority in the wild. A human can go weeks with- out adequate food, but only days without water. Rear-view mirrors can also be used to signal to a steep embankment and comes to Thankfully, water in the Northeast is relatively low flying planes or helicopters on a sunny day. a stop in a stream. Disoriented but abundant. Therefore, finding a source of water In any case, unless you know where you are go- will be pretty easy. ing, stay put and keep attempting to signal. unhurt, you get out of the car and assess the situation. Your car is to- However, regardless of how clear the water may look, there are bound to be bacteria and other Prepar ation taled, the embankment is too steep microorganisms living in it. Those microbes Hopefully, you will never be in a desperate situ- to climb, and all you have is a plastic Warmth may result in nasty cases of gastroenteritis (di- ation, but it does not hurt to be prepared. Having As mentioned before, staying warm and dry is arrhea and vomiting), causing you to lose more a working knowledge of outdoor survival skills water bottle, a light jacket, a lighter, important. Hypothermia, when the body’s core water than you would gain from drinking it. such as building a fire, orienteering, and per- and a cell phone without any ser- temperature decreases and cannot be main- forming first aid can be the difference between tained, should be avoided at all cost. Contrary to If you have no other means of sanitizing the life and death. Also, having an emergency sup- vice. Thankfully, you have read an popular belief, hypothermia can develop in any water, such as iodine tablets or a fancy portable ply kit in your car, replete with iodine tablets, informative article in Reporter. season, provided the conditions are right. First, filter, boiling the water is your best bet. Rain matches, newspaper, and a first aid kit would be if needed, leaves can be placed between a shirt water is another option, but there may be pol- useful. Always inform someone of your itiner- and a jacket to add an extra layer of insulation. lutants due to acid rain. ary, and watch out for deer. •

20 Features | 5.09.08 21 First of all, I like the differentiation concept. One excellent example is LinkedIn.com. This site Tech Commentary If you consider the existing state of affairs care- targets individuals looking to expand their pro- IntelligentPeople.com: The Elitist Social Network fully, you will quickly realize that most social fessional network while enabling them to post by Elvis Montero networks are packed with—for the lack of a bet- questions and retrieve answers from experts in That Girl ter qualifier—dull people. How can you establish particular fields. by Ilsa Shaw a meaningful conversation with a super-pok- photograph by Ben Liddle If you think Facebook and MySpace are crowded ing, install-every-application-and-invite-the- Another exceptional example is Ning.com. with brainless average Joes, then you should world maniac? The minds behind Ning.com decided to take check out IntelligentPeople.com, a new social things up a notch by letting users create their network with a self-described mission to Although I do think there are nice, fairly in- own fully customizable social network center- “[offer] you the opportunity to meet and form teresting people using most social networks, ing on any topic. In fact, the last time I checked, Name, Major, Year? relationships with people who, like you, have they are a small, hardly noticeable minority. HookahDomain was one of the most popular net- Alex Brauer, third year Graphic an IQ higher than the average person.” However, Because of this situation, there is a genuine ne- works at Ning.com. Design major. to become a member, you must pass the web- cessity to move from a general, let-everyone-in site’s IQ test. Despite its revolutionary appeal, community to a more specialized type of net- However, the customization movement has What made you decide to do Graphic I think the folks at IntelligentPeople.com are working website, such as networks of people taken a life of its own. Even cats have social Design? missing the mark on this one. with similar characteristics and interests. networks nowadays, and I am not talking about I was always into art, and it was icanhascheezburger.com. Yes. Cats! Check out fuzz- between Illustration and Graphic ster.com. Go. Do it. You never saw that coming, Design. I think I wanted to do Learn outside did you? something other than just illustrate. the lecture hall. So why do I think IntelligentPeople.com is such Have you always wanted to be a a bad idea? The site’s attempt to differentiate “That Girl?” itself from other social communities is not the Yeah, I’m such a dork. I don’t know. problem. (Personally, I think that’s brilliant.) I think that I love being in the However, the issue resides in its implementa- spotlight in any form—so dorky. tion. The requirement for prospective users to take a test is bound to entice people to do the What do you think sets you apart in inevitable: cheat. a crowd? I think that one of the reasons I Yes, people may, and most likely will, cheat. applied for [MTV’s] The Real World Someone will find a way to bypass the web- is that I am very outgoing and site’s idiot-proof mechanism. Someone may creative. I tend to say whatever even publish the answers online to prove that goes through my mind. It’s never “they’re not that smart after all.” The result will mean, I just say my thought be another swarm of half-witted users clogging process out loud which people find the tubes. funny. I love being spontaneous and doing things people would not What about the test itself? Will it be general usually think to do. enough to overcome cultural and educational biases? The site’s creators have assured that Are they still judging Real World this will not be an issue; however, I have contestants? my reservations. Yup! I’m, like, on the fourth round, I think. It’s been crazy. Do you know when you would be going on, if What happened? Regardless, I give kudos to the guys at Intel- you get it? Which one? Okay, I hit a cop car, a tree, an RIT ligentPeople.com. Even if their modus operandi How crazy? Very soon, if I get accepted! I really want to get shuttle bus, my dad’s car twice. But I mean, at the may not be the best, it is definitely a step in the Well, first I sent in an audition out of Rochester and do something I have never time, it sucked. But what can you do? It happened. right direction. I wonder what they will think of tape; basically just me being me. done before. You’re only young once! At least they make good stories now. And what next. Consider the options: They sent me an application which makes it better is that I drive a minivan. It’s was intense, like 70 deep issue Have you ever applied to any other shows before red and we call it Rodge the Dodge.…I had a ComicalPeople.com questions. And at the bottom there Real World? white one. I ran it into the ground….That was Jokes are what we’re all about. was a “rate these on a scale of 1 to I work on TV as an interviewer for SportsZone. my dad’s car, but now I have a red one, because College Students AngryPeople.com 10” section: sex, sleep, drinking, And, I don’t know, I have a habit of just somehow my old Intrepid died. Okay, it’s Halloween and Get 15% OFF full-price items. Because life is a female dog and then you die. etc. Then I interviewed with a ending up in the spotlight. I have had so many I’m dressed up, and it breaks down in Rochester, Must show valid college ID. Restrictions apply; visit store for details. WiiLovers.com casting director, and [now] I am crazy car accidents! They’re like urban legends and so I’m standing outside my car crying in an Because Wii can. • getting e-mails about waiting for now. For some reason, people always ask me Eskimo outfit, and people keep pulling over. I’m Pittsford the next step. about them. not sure if they thought I was crazy. • Pittsford Plaza 585-383-1140 23 Rochester IT Before CEO Ad 2 2/13/08 1:29 PM Page 1 Ken Bickel Brown Disk 74.5: II153ME/Rochester IT CEO AD R:

The Army ROTC Leader’s Training Course is a paid 4-week summer experience Rent a House that jump starts your career as an Army 4 bedroom houses One year lease from 9/1/08 Officer and teaches you leadership All houses less than 1 mile skills along the way. 50 Names Rd 9 Charles Ave from campus BEFORE CEO, For details about Army ROTC, contact 35 Morrison Ave Lawncare included LTC Paul Hansen at (585) 475-5547, Offstreet parking THERE’S ROTC. 5 bedroom houses email at [email protected] or log onto Well maintained www.rit.edu/cast/armyrotc 31 Alfred 118 Names Rd 5 bedrooms rent for $375 45 Charles Ave per month per person 17 Alfred 20 Harold Ave 4 bedrooms rent for $412.50 per month per person

Contact Jim Hills, Mark Hills or Joann Hills

® Jim Hills 315-559-9029 or [email protected] Mark or Joann Hills 436-9447 or 704-8427

©2003. Paid for by Army ROTC. All rights reserved. or [email protected]

S t u d e nt ProblemResolutionOffice RIT Student Ombudsperson

www.rit.edu/~964www/aftergrad.htm Got Problems? ...we’re here to help

585.475.7200 [email protected] www.rit.edu/~022www Spring Season Re-Cap Sport Record (as of 5/1) Noteworthy Moments by Jen Loomis

Here’s a quick look at what our teams have been up to this quarter. There’s no possible way to boil down an entire sea- son into a table, but here’s the absolute bare-bones lowdown on the 2007-2008 spring sports schedule. Go Tigers!

Women’s Softball Baseball Men’s Tennis Men’s Lacrosse Lacrosse Men’s Track Women’s Track 16-20 18-12 8-5 10-7 6-8 N/A N/A

4/20 – Tw o h u g e 3/29 – T h e T i g e r s 4/17 – The Lady Tigers 4/11 – T h e T i g e r s 3/7 – The Tigers start 3/3 – Ju n ior M i ke 4/13 – Senior Adrienne w ins against Ut ica. come from behind in beat D’Youville 13-7 blank Suny Oswego their season strong Hardbarger is named Gag nier breaks the The Tigers scored a overtime to win against and 4-0 in a two game 9-0. This is their first with a 9-8 win over Empire 8 Track and sc ho ol 15 0 0 -met er whopping 36 runs in a previously undefeated series, bringing them major victory of the Denison. Field Athlete of the record with a time of this two-game series. Ithaca team. above .500 for the first season. Week for t he t hird 4:43.08. time in 2008. 3/18 – Junior Kelsey straight week. 4/21 – S o p h o m o r e 3 / 3 1 – S e n i o r 4/21 – Sophomore E v a n s i s n a m e d 4/19 – Women’s team p i t c h e r /o u t f i e l d e r midfielder Dan Rago This win gave them John Traver is named Empire 8 Goalkeeper 4/19 – Men’s team places second out of Geoff Dornes named is named Empi re 8 their longest winning E m p i r e 8 T e n n i s of the Week. pl ac e s s e c ond out 14 teams at the Empire Empire 8 Player of the Lacrosse Player of the streak this year, 6-0. Player of the Week. of five teams at the 8 Outdoor Track and Week. A week later, Week. 4/13 – The Lady Tigers E mp i r e 8 O u t d o o r Field Championships. 4/21 – S o p h o m o r e he was also named 4/30 – F o u r R I T emerge from a f ive T r a c k a n d F i e l d pitcher of the week. 4/21 – S en ior Br ad E m i l y M c P h e r s o n Tennis players earn game losing streak to Championships. 4/19 – S o p h o m o r e C o n l o n i s n a m e d is named Empire 8 All-Empire 8 Honors. best Elmira 12-10. J a m i e M o r e y w a s 4/29 – Two blowout Empire 8 Goalie of the Player of the Week. n a m e d E m p i r e 8 games against Keuka, Week. Rago earns his Athlete of the Week. and second baseman second Empire 8 Player Matt George scores big. of the Week shout-out for the season.

4/25 – The Tigers beat back Stevens 9-6 in the semi-finals.

26 Sports | 5.09.08 27 George Breaks RIT’s Matt Three Records Smith and as Tigers Simone Lambert Crush Keuka Go Pro by Jen Loomis by Rachel Hart | file photos by Josh Lehrer

Matt George, fourth year Applied Statis- Two of RIT’s own, senior forwards Matt Smith We got tics major and second baseman for RIT’s and Simone Lambert, have signed contracts to baseball team, broke three records at a play hockey professionally. double header against Keuka, Tuesday, amanda nazon | student caller | photography April 29. The Tigers performed well as Smith signed with the South Carolina Stingrays, bonuses for a team in this series, besting Keuka 13-1 part of the East Coast Hockey League, back in in the first game and 14-3 in the second. March. He made his first appearance in a pro- fessional game on March 2, 2008. He has two In particular, George stood out at shots on goal. Smith’s career at RIT was a strong what we did this match-up. He stole his 43rd ca- one with 62 goals and 51 assists. Even further, reer base in the second game, break- Smith’s 44 power-play goals are tied with the ing a school record of 42 stolen most in the history of the men’s hockey program bases set by Troy McBride in 1994. at RIT. “I was having too much fun playing at RIT, yesterday— George stole a total of three bases dur- I just couldn’t give it up,” remarked Smith about ing the double-header against Keuka, continuing his career. “I am still fairly young which brings his total for this sea- and figure I don’t want to have any regrets.” Matt Smith son up to 22, a new personal record. “We are excited for Matt,” said men’s Hockey danny maffia | student supervisor | interpreting did you? George also scored five runs in the se- Coach Wayne Wilson, “He will represent RIT ries, which brings his season total up well in the pros.” Division I was very helpful in getting him the to 41 runs. This also broke a previous professional contract. Regarding the switch of Telefund is the only job on campus school record. Lambert also signed with the East Coast Hockey divisions, Lambert said, “The mentality changed league. He will now play for the Victoria Salmon a little bit, which is a lot more like professional that offers all of these: The instant one looks at the stats, Kings. On March 25, Lambert scored his first pro- hockey. I also learned a lot from the coaches, w Professional development – how far will “stuffing George’s uncanny ability to steal fessional goal. Lambert’s career at RIT was very and I will always be grateful of what they did envelopes” on your resume really get you? bases is apparent. Again, George has successful as well with 63 goals and 89 assists. for me.” a total of 22 for the season; the rest of He is now RIT’s all-time leading Division I scorer, w High salary – $7.90 an hour his team combined, by comparison, and feels that the change from Division III to Smith and Lambert follow in the footsteps of has 33. On how he prepares for base alum hockey players Steve Pinizzotto and Joc- w Great hours – Shifts Sundays through Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. stealing, George said, “The hardest elyn Guimond who signed with professional Plenty of time for the more important things in life. part about stealing a base is getting a teams after the 2006-07 seasons. Pinizzotto now good jump and having a quick first step. plays for the Hershey Bears, the farm team of melody griffin | student caller | biotech w Bonuses, prizes, and incentives for high performers! I practice a lot on having a quick reaction the Washington Capitals. According to Smith, to the pitcher, so as soon as he lifts his Pinizzotto is “developing into a legitimate leg, I’m making my first step. I guess I’ve pro player.” always been one of the faster guys on the team, but a big part of being able to steal Overall, Lambert and Smith have their work bases is instinct.” cut out for them. Smith remarked, “The play- ers are stronger and faster at the next level.” When asked how he felt about his ac- However, Smith believes RIT hockey has pre- Telefund is hiring NOW! complishment, George remarked, “It’s pared him. “Playing teams like Minnesota and Contact Sarah Chambers at 475-5998, or visit the hard to describe. I had the goal of Boston College [in the National Championships] website at www.rit.edu/telefund. breaking each of those records at the this year is pretty similar to the skill level. Play- beginning of the year, but never ex- ing those teams was a great experience, espe- pected it all to happen at the same cially beating them in their own building.” • angele vellake | student supervisor | economics time. It’s just a great experience that Simone Lambert I’ll never forget.” •

28 Sports | 5.09.08 RIT RINGS 585.672.4840 compiled by Karl Voelker Don’t Worry,

All calls subject to editing and truncation. Not all calls will be run. Reporter reserves the right to publish all calls in any format. I Can Say That

Sunday, 12:59 a.m. Sunday, 3:42 a.m. Sunday, 2:15 p.m. For all the people who call Rings, I got Did you happen to find a dictionary campus security every time lying outside in the parking lot they see someone drunk: stop super smashed being a [feline] hall monitor, last night and by Alex Salsberg, Reporter Cartoonist anywhere? I’ve been looking for it. and grow a [Cheney]. drunked out the Recently, I was asked to meet some administrators to explain the cartoon who are personally offended by the word, you can’t expect everyone to Monday, 1:09 p.m. Wednesday, 1:13 a.m. wrong girlfriend. that depicted swastika graffiti. Other issues aside, one thing was clear: stop saying it, and you certainly can’t enforce it. You can explain how Yo Rings, I just wanted to say Hey, I don’t know who this [famous] Josh Now I have it was easier for me to get away with the cartoon because I am Jewish. it makes you feel, or simply avoid it. No one is making you listen to rap. We live in a culture where political correctness is at odds with a growing And to those who are confused, I would suggest that you are overreacting. that RIT is about 10,000 times an extremely kid is, but he needs to get a [secular] life, amount of racial humor and discussion. In the middle of it is the question While nobody is perfect, I don’t think it’s difficult to figure out that singing complicated better than Gallaudet. Gallaudet because God doesn’t exist, the Bible is of who can say what. along to “Thong Song” in your car is okay, and spewing the N-word at a [is inferior]. It feels so good matter on my Laugh Factory audience member is not. to be back in Tiger country. bull[poo], and all religion is an organized hands and don’t Look at recent television. Dave Chappelle’s show was always jam-packed with race jokes, including a skit about a 1950s white sitcom family named Of course, there is still going to be confusion in the middle. Two years Go Tigers! cult. So [peace be with] you, Josh. know what to do. “The Niggars.” It involved the family’s name in every historical variation ago, I was at a party, attempting to throw a ping-pong ball into a cup. of the racial slur, worked in as innocent remarks about the family itself. Upon missing, I made a joke about my peoples’ athletic ability, playing Wednesday, 1:05 p.m. Thursday, 11:45 a.m. Curb Your Enthusiasm recently took on Holocaust humor. Larry David’s rab- off the old stereotype. Moments later, an acquaintance of mine jokingly Would somebody please forcibly remove those stupid bi tells him he is bringing a “survivor” to his dinner party. David invites told me to “concentrate...like concentration camps.” At first, I was wild- Rings, what the his father’s friend, a Holocaust survivor, only to find out that the rabbi’s ly offended, and had I more athletic ability, I might have punched him. orientation kids who aren’t quite ready to cut the [horrible] [olfaction]? These friend is a former cast member of the CBS’s show Survivor. An uncomfort- Then I realized that I was the one who started the Jewish jokes. If you set umbilical cord? If somebody doesn’t do it, I will. ably heated argument breaks out between the two characters about who the precedent that you are okay with certain words or jokes, you can’t trees on the Quarter is a true survivor. expect everyone to know which ones are silly and which are hurtful. Mile, they stink. I Thursday, 10:51 p.m. Friday, 3:07 a.m. It is unfair to give yourself a pass to say anything and then completely We followed the Wiccan cult Hi, Rings. Your swastika jokes are kinda I, and many others, found these TV moments funny. But could Dave Chap- close the door to others, even if their jokes are tasteless. feel like I’m going pelle get away with his skit if he wasn’t black? Could Curb Your Enthusiasm

not funny, especially considering that author. the of those soley are section Views the in expressed opinions The into the woods, and we don’t see get away with the Holocaust discussion if Larry David wasn’t Jewish? And I also think that nobody, regardless of their background, should feel it’s Passover this week, and you have a to vomit on my way anything, but if we don’t make it should they get away with these jokes at all? that they can say everything. I have never been comfortable with Ho- to class. Get rid of full-page spread on [no surprise here] locaust “oven jokes,” and I think even someone playing the “I’m Jewish” back, tell the world our story. And Josh. That’s really, really racist and really It is legitimate that groups can play with their own stereotypes and his- card should refrain from ever telling one of those. them, please, for the since I didn’t give you my name, tories. Some black people address each other with the N-word, or use it offensive, and I don’t find that funny at in music. While doing so doesn’t have the magical ability to destroy the Members of groups will always use “their” words, and that’s okay. love of God. make up a story. all. It’s actually really [unfortunate]. word’s foundation that some claim it does, it can be empowering, or at the Those who do it need to be aware that just because they are entirely very least, bonding. Similarly, my Jewish friends and I often throw around forgiven for saying certain things, it doesn’t mean others who say Friday, 10:33 a.m. Thursday, 10:54 p.m. the word “Jew” (in the “bad” way). It is natural for members of a group to the same things don’t deserve some level of forgiveness. If some- I don’t mind the open houses or embrace the words that could hurt them in other contexts. one makes a faux pas, don’t overreact. Overreacting to a bad joke only I just wanted to let you know that makes it mean less when you have to react to actual hate speech. the large crowds that come with Blow Pops are amazing. Amazing! It is not always accepted. Recently, there has been debate over a pro- I pulled that concentration-camp kid aside for a moment and calmly told him, the campus tours, but what really posed N-word ban. Some want to ban it because they are personally of- “That’s not right.” Then we went back to partying. If we could all stop get- Friday, 3:10 a.m. fended, whether it is in conversation or a Kanye song. Others complain ting so hung up on who’s offended by what, we could all party together ticks me off is that Gracie’s can Yo Rings, this week, I saw all these kids wearing that they themselves are confused about when it can be used. To those more often. • green shirts with today’s date on it. They’re produce decent food for the tour going to try something bizarre and I’m not going kids but not for us. It’s trickery! to sleep tonight.

30 Views | xx.xx.xx 31 FRIDAYFRIDAYFRIDAY MAY MAYMAY 16TH 16TH16TH dinner at 5pm | SAU opens at 6pm