Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Rose-Hulman Scholar
The Rose Thorn Archive Student Newspaper
Winter 12-11-2009
Volume 45 - Issue 10 - Friday, December 11, 2009
Rose Thorn Staff Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, [email protected]
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Recommended Citation Rose Thorn Staff, "Volume 45 - Issue 10 - Friday, December 11, 2009" (2009). The Rose Thorn Archive. 112. https://scholar.rose-hulman.edu/rosethorn/112
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This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Newspaper at Rose-Hulman Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Rose Thorn Archive by an authorized administrator of Rose-Hulman Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. T HE R OSE T HORN R OSE -H ULMAN I NSTITUTE OF T ECHNOLOGY T ERRE H AUTE , I NDIANA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2009 ROSE-HULMAN.EDU/THORN/ VOLUME 45, ISSUE 10 Engineers go batey News Briefs Alex Mullans By Alex Mullans Sports Edito r ose-Hulman’s orga- Minarets banned nization Engineers RWithout Borders in Switzerland (EWB) is currently explor- On Sunday, a Swiss popular vote ap- ing the possibility of a trip proved a proposal from the country’s to the Dominican Repub- right-wing Swiss People’s Party that bans lic to do some renovation the construction of minarets, the spire- and construction work. like structures that are used for calls to During the Thanksgiving prayer in many Muslim countries. The break, three Rose-Hulman move has attracted criticism from many students (Daniel Giranda, in Europe, including French President Eric Hollenkamp, and Abby Nicholas Sarkozy, who said that people Grommet) went with Profes- should practice their faiths with “hum- sor John Gardner and 1996 ble discretion.” Many have said that the chemical engineering alum- vote creates a double standard, and the nus Levi Barclay to Batey UK’s Guardian newspaper noted that an Cinco Casas (in the Monte EU human rights court would likely find Plata region) to assess what that the vote violates the principle of re- work needed to be done to ligious freedom. expand the medical clinic John Gardner / Rose-Hulman there. Students with the Rose-Hulman chapter of Engineers Without Borders assess the needs of a clinic For those unfamiliar with during their recent trip to the Dominican Republic. In the proposed project, the students will ren- the region, a batey is like a AT&T to novate the facility to accomodate the growing medical needs of the surrounding community. company town in the Unit- “educate” heavy ed States built around a factory. Specifically, bateys bateys. The non-profit Batey ready begun to do so: the Without Borders’s presi- were built around sugarcane Relief Organization has set Thanksgiving group tested dent, Adam Kirchner (civil data users plantations. In the profit- up a clinic in Cinco Casas water, assessed the struc- engineering major, Class of In a speech at an AT&T investor’s confer- able years, immigrants were where medical care is pro- tural stability of the existing 2011), estimates that “con- ence, CEO Ralph de la Vega acknowledged brought from neighboring vided to anyone who needs buildings, and worked with struction will likely cost on what many iPhone users have complained Haiti as workers. As business it, regardless of their ability the community to ensure the order of $250,000” and about: iPhone-heavy network regions like waned and the town began to pay. that the proposed project notes that the group’s budget San Francisco and New York have below- to die, the workers were left The reason for the Engi- would meet as many press- “relies heavily on donations standard network performance. De la Vega to fend for themselves as the neers Withougt Borders trip ing needs as possible. and fundraising efforts.” claimed that 3% of smartphone users are plantations were shut down seems simple: the clinic has Rose-Hulman Engineers The club encourages people using more than 40% of AT&T’s total data and the primary source of seen a three hundred in- Without Borders hopes to who may be interested in traffic. He went further to state that “we income removed. crease in need over the past complete the project in three the project and others like it have to get to [customers who use stream- Current statistics suggest two months and is need of years, a task that includes at to contact the Rose-Hulman ing video and audio] and get them to rec- that several hundred thou- more space to better serve least one more assessment chapter of EWB and consider ognize they have to change their patterns, sand people currently live their community. EWB was trip as well as the actual con- becoming a member. or there are things we will do to change in these semi-abandoned asked to help, and has al- struction period. Engineers those patterns.” AT&T has not been clear concerning what those things are, but has suggested that it could consider usage The unparalleled UnConference caps, or “throttling.” Eric Reed ers by making them capable chairs and how easily one structure for following other G uest Writer of doing many things at once. could replace a horrible chair. users and ran out of time. Sanford may be In order to utilize these pro- While it seems frivolous, you Alumni also demonstrated his past Saturday, cessors properly, program- end up sitting in the chair for a number of tools develop- subject to Upsilon Pi Epsilon, mers need to rethink how huge chunks of time every ers can use to make their lives Tan honors fraternity they do most of their cod- day; if it is a terrible chair, significantly easier, including for computer science and ing. The presentation traced then it will slowly drive you version control, which allows censure software engineering majors, the evolution of multi-core insane. Furthermore, if the tracking changes to docu- South Carolina Governor Mark San- hosted its first CSSE UnCon- processors, highlighted the company will not even allow ments and allows many users ford has been the frequent subject of ference. CSSE current stu- major differences to single- you to improve a rather vital to edit the same source files, headlines and controversy since his un- dents and alumni gathered core programming, and gave piece of your work environ- resolving conflicts between nannounced disappearance in June that for a day of alumni presen- some examples of the kinds ment, would you really want documents. For software led the public, his staff, and his wife to tations, socializing, and free of programming gymnastics to work there? development, this is vital for question his whereabouts. On Wednes- pizza. The conference lasted necessary to write concurrent In a kind of programming any project of nontrivial size. day, a panel of state lawmakers voted all day and contained nine programs properly. challenge, two of the alumni Suggested version control 6-1 against impeaching the governor, presentations in total. Next, there was a roundta- attempted to construct a ba- systems were SVN (used by but many of those same lawmakers have The first talk focused on ble discussion with a number sic version of Twitter in about Rose) and GitHub (used by recommended that he be officially cen- techniques for writing pro- of alumni about how to find 45 minutes. The purpose was the alumni’s startup). Also sured. Censuring is a process where, grams on multi-core com- out if a company with which to demonstrate the power of mentioned were the use of although no charges are filed, a public puters. In the past few years, you interview is one that you a system called Ruby on Rails. debuggers instead of printing official is publicly reprimanded for their processor developers have fo- would like to work at, which They built basic interface, ac- messages and the use of build behavior. He is also facing various eth- cused on creating CPUs that is an aspect commonly ig- count creation and login, sent tools (ant, make, rake, etc.) to ics charges for his use of state funds for consist of a number of inde- nored by job searchers. One tweets, and read the tweets of build independently of IDEs. travel expenses and campaign funding. pendent processors. The goal of the alumni suggested ask- all users, but they encoun- of this is to speed up comput- ing about the quality of the tered a bug while building the Continued on page 3... In this issue of the Rose Thorn... But wait! Athlete of the Cars, cake, and There’s more!
NEWS OPINIONS Week:
community
F Michael Gerdov LIPSIDE ENTERTAINMENT4 LIVING 6 3 Vampires and were- Babushka! 8 A swing thing wolves and sparkles, 5
7SPORTS oh my!
8 PAGE -
NEWS - PAGE 3 ENTERTAINMENT - PAGE 4 LIVING - PAGE 5 OPINIONS - PAGE 6 SPORTS - PAGE 7 FLIPSIDE 2 Puzzles & Classifieds The Rose Thorn Rose-doku By Andrew Klusman Movie Quote of the Week By Andrew Klusman Instructions: Instructions: Solve the puzzle by filling in the blanks but be careful to not re- Solve the puzzle by deciphering the following quote and figure out peat the symbols (W, E, I, H, N, A, C, T, M) vertically, horizontally from which song the quote is. Each letter represents a different or within the bold 3x3 sub-grid squares. letter in the alphabet.
M Hint (Solution = Crypto): A = Y B = N C = H I C A E TY HBGLG TYSGTWPRGQQG, PA PR IPAB ______, ______E H C I
T C E I N SGGKGRA KLPSG YDS VLGYAGRA KQGYRFLG ______A E ABYA IG IGQHWTG UWF AWDPVBA. YDS N E H C W ______. _ _ _
T H N C DWI IG PDMPAG UWF AW LGQYJ, QGA FR
N I W H ______, _ _ _ _ _
C KFQQ FK Y HBYPL YR ABG SPDPDV LWWT ______
Find the answers to all Rose Thorn puzzles at: KLWFSQU KLGRGDAR UWFL SPDDGL! ______! http://www.rose-hulman.edu/thorn Classifieds House for rent 5 bedroom house for rent. 20 minutes from Rose cam- pus. On South Cullen Place. Asking $1,000/month but am flexible depending on terms we determine. Rent terms and durations are flexible. (618) 445-1640.
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Editorial Staff The Rose Thorn Thorn Staff
Co-Editor in Chief Scott Gallmeier CM 5037, 5500 Wabash Ave. Staff Writers Eli Baca Co-Editor in Chief Andrew Klusman Terre Haute, IN 47803-3999 Matthew Bryant News Editor Noel Spurgeon Phone:(812)877-8255 Annie Bullock Entertainment Editor Ben Collins Fax: (812)877-8166 Andrew Ernster Living Editor Melissa Schwenk E-mail: [email protected] Mitchell Ishmael Alexander Mullans Opinions Editor Christine Price http://www.rose-hulman.edu/thorn Sports Editor Tim Boyer Lindsey Saxton Humor Editor James Zhou Elliot Simon Co-Copy Editor Clint Thompson “Working to keep the Rose-Hulman community informed Hobey Tam Co-Copy Editor Carly Baehr by providing an accurate and J.P. Verkamp Photo Editor Tim Ekl dependable source for news and information.” Kurtis Zimmerman Layout Manager Cari Harper The Rose Thorn is published on Fridays first through ninth week each quarter.
Administrative Staff Cartoonist Carly Baehr
Advertising Manager Lindsey Saxton Business Manager Andrew Carlson Photographers Albert Mui Webmaster Tom W. Most Mike Reis Advisor Richard House Matt Vargo
The Rose Thorn welcomes and encourages comments from its readers. We request that all letters to the editor be less than 600 words in length. THE DEADLINE FOR CONTENT SUBMISSION IS 5 P.M. THREE DAYS PRIOR TO PUBLICATION All content should be submitted to [email protected] or to the Rose Thorn Office (Hulman Memorial Union room 249). The editors reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, grammar, length, and factual errors. The editors reserve the right to accept content changes submitted after deadline. All letters must contain the writer’s signature (electronic form is acceptable) and contact information (e-mail address and/or phone number). The views expressed in the Rose Thorn are those of the original author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Rose Thorn staff or Rose-Hulman community. Friday, December 11, 2009 NEWS 3 UnConference, from Property of the mind
Alex Mullans software. The speakers covered sentation were spent fielding page 1 S p o r t s E d i t o r the nuances of current patent difficult questions from other law, including pending cases Rose students and faculty. Shawn The following presentation The main point was that while “It’s complicated.” Many at that will affect future patent ap- Bohner, Professor and Director of was on things Rose does not it may seem more tedious to Rose might apply that particular plications. Software Engineering, noted that teach you and how to keep up set up your code along DI/IoC statement to relationships, but In the copyright portion of the the presentation did a “fantastic with developments in the soft- conventions, it makes life much anyone who attended Wednes- talk, the topic of open source job” of addressing situations that ware world. Many of the sug- better in the long run for test- day’s intellectual property semi- software interested many people are “applicable to Rose students, gestions focused on interac- ing, expanding, and maintain- nar might well apply that state- in the room. Freshman Richard both now and in the future.” In- tions with coworkers (finding a ing large-scale projects. ment to patents and copyrights. Thai thought “the touch on open deed, the number of people who mentor, code reviews, and pair The penultimate talk focused Rose-Hulman Ventures invited source was interesting. I didn’t remained with questions after programming) or on knowing on low-level programming; spe- intellectual property law firm realize the importance of look- the presentation ended would your tools. Books, blogs and cifically, the need to understand Bose, McKinney, and Evans, LLP ing into the license.” Thai wasn’t seem to indicate that the topic conferences were all mentioned the full capability of your tools to speak on the topic of patents the only one interested; a good and presentation were, in Boh- as great ways to further your at that level. Some of the most and copyrights pertaining to 30 minutes of the two-hour pre- ner’s words, “the good stuff.” knowledge. Also, the best advice powerful parts of the tools that ever given about the develop- developers use can only be un- ment of code: “Always code as derstood by studying them in It’s a swing thing if the person who will maintain great depth—some of the ex- your code is a maniac serial kill- amples presented did not have Kadye Smith to swing had a good feel for ba- had a few things to say about er who knows where you live.” any real documentation beyond G u e s t W r i t e r sic partner dancing and could how he got into swing dancing As an example of how poorly- the description of the command show off their new moves with and his take on the Gala. He written code can incrementally and arguments as opposed to Friday, December 4, the Swing skill and precision. noted that his interest in dance be improved until it becomes other tools, which have a small Club hosted the first Winter Gala Another type of swing dance started with salsa at a leader- highly useful, the alum started library’s worth of explanation at Rose-Hulman’s dining center. taught during the course of the ship conference, then turned to with the most basic form of online, which can greatly im- The Winter Gala was a time for evening was the Charleston, a ballroom dancing, and finally a web app to-do list. He then prove efficiency. people from Rose’s and other dance where everyone lines up to swing dancing. Danny also demonstrated how he could The conference concluded college’s swing clubs to come in two rows that face each oth- said that he was surprised by transform it into something as with a panel about how to start together, learn new moves from er and perform some very fast the number of people who came elegant as Twitter’s homepage a business. The alumni told the one another, and dance socially. steps. During the dance, some- to the event and how long ev- by simply using a handful of story of how they left a com- Schools in attendance included one is designated the caller and, eryone had stayed. He thought additional pieces (JQuery, CSS, pany to start their own consult- Anderson College, the Universi- at random times, signals for the most of the dancers would tire and AJAX among others). In to- ing business and the lessons ty of Indianapolis, DePauw, Ball group to do a variation of the out before the end of the night tal, it took him about 25 min- they learned in the process. The State, and IUPUI. It began at steps, much like a swing ver- since they were not used to the utes. questions from students ranged eight in the evening with basic sion of a square dance. Many amount of energy it requires to The following talk focused on from how to determine how partner dancing lessons, where of the participants used the swing dance. His favorite part the conventions of Dependency much to charge clients to how attendees learned the basic impromptu dancing as an op- of the Gala, though, was “That Injection (DI) and Inversion of to balance working for yourself step, how to do turns, and the portunity to incorporate more so many people from Anderson Control (IoC). DI/IoC is about with free time and everything in cuddle. After this lesson, the modern dance moves into the came.” how to abstract what a pro- between, a topic especially fit- social dancing began, with skill Charleston. The Winter Gala was a suc- gram does from how it does it. ting for Rose students. levels ranging from beginner to Even the attendees from cessful event, with many at- expert. schools other than Rose-Hul- tendees and many laughs. Ac- To participants, the versatility man enjoyed the event. One cording to Kyle Bristol the event and laid-back attitude of swing such dancer was Donetta, a was “awesome… I gave up video dancing was one of the attrac- sophomore from the Univer- games for this and don’t regret tions of the evening. Swing sity of Indianapolis. She said it one bit.” The leadership of can be done to practically any she heard about the Winter Swing Club noted that there song with good rhythm, and the Gala from Brandon Abad, a co- are more galas in the future for dancers took advantage of this, founder of swing club and its Rose students and other col- playing not only period music, vice president. She also said the leges to attend. They encour- but more popular fare as well. thing that drew her in the most age anyone interested in swing Even though many of the danc- to swing dancing was the spin- dancing should go to the weekly ers came to the event with no ning. meetings held on Tuesday from prior knowledge of swing, by President of Rose-Hulman 8:30-10:00 p.m. in the SRC mul- the end of the night, newcomers Swing Club Danny Beyrer also tipurpose room. Swing, swing, swing
Luke Woolley/ Rose-Hulman Rose-Hulman students participate in Swing Dancing Club’s Winter Gala. Participants began the evening with some basic lessons in the swing style, and then participated in both partner and line dancing for the remainder of the evening. Students from Anderson, IUPUI, and the University of Indianapolis also attended. Large 5 column headline
4 Entertainment The Rose Thorn For those who dream of Edward or Jacob: Grooveshark vs. Pandora “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” Hobey Tam ing site. It is simply a library Eli Baca creepy at the same time, which Staff Writer where you are free to use the Staff Writer really brought home Bella’s love endless archives of songs with for him. The book isn’t able to Music makes life so much one stipulation — you must stay Although Sandra Bullock’s really create the fake Edward, easier to live. It gives a beat to in the library. Plain and simple football flick, “The Blind Side,” but the screen does it flawlessly, it. It gives order to the chaos we — Grooveshark is a Pandora nabbed the #1 spot this week- especially when Jacob pulls Bel- see every day. When I start up that lets you listen to the songs end at the box office, “The la out of the water—truly a great my Pandora, I hope for a new you want to hear when you want Twilight Saga: New Moon” has heartache moment. and unique song when I click to hear them. grossed a sparkling $255.4 mil- “New Moon” is much, much through my stations. I wish for Pick three songs. Let’s say Lil’ lion in just over two weeks. For better than the first of the saga, more variety than the same Wayne’s new mixtape hit “Told all you fans of the Harry Pot- but still has its faults that make bank of twenty songs. I try to Y’all” (Grooveshark has mix- ter book series, “New Moon” is it a “close, but no cigar” sort of find new songs by trying new tapes, unlike Pandora), “Gibber- ahead of the last Thanksgiving movie. The writing and subtle stations to get back into the ish” by Ryan Leslie, and some Harry Potter movie, “Goblet of points take the movie out of the beat of life. But my efforts are “Forever” by Drake. Or maybe Fire,” for this two-week period. book, and make it something in vain and my wishes fall upon you’re into the metal scene, in How you like them apples?! And that most tween girls can enjoy. deaf ears. which case you would choose with all the shirtless man-candy It’s got more of a modern vibe, Pandora has held the music to indulge in some All That Re- frolicking around, it’s time for and the movie actually keeps craving at bay, but it’s time to mains, Shadows Fall, and Kills- the wizards to put down their the audience interested—even truly indulge something new. witch Engage. Simply hit “ra- http://www.drafthouse.com wands and grow some fangs, or though most of us know exact- Something that will fulfill all dio” and the search engine will maybe fur, depending on which Recent reports have stated ly what’s coming. For all of the your wishes – be everything queue up an ongoing playlist. team you’re on. I myself am Stephenie Meyer has died. These hype surrounding “New Moon,” that Pandora is and much more. The bank is bigger and more Team Edward. Accept it, Jacob reports are false. Phew. I was hoping that the movie Many have already discovered flexible than Pandora’s. Skip fans: Bella’s just not interested would be just downright better it, but for those of you who songs to your heart’s content. in him. screen. than “Twilight,” and I was pleas- haven’t, I border on weeping for Replay favorites over and over All the familiar faces return Also new to the crew is direc- antly surprised to see a decent you and thus write this article. again if you so choose. Pick all for the second dose of this tor Chris Weitz (“The Golden movie—it had action, it had Introducing: Grooveshark. your top favorites and put them cross-species love triangle, and Compass,” “About a Boy”), who adventure, it had some crazy For those of you not familiar all into a playlist. Check out boy, does their acting improve! took this dying franchise and graphics, and a love story that with Grooveshark, it is an on- what other people are listening Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattin- brought it to greatness. The captured the hearts of many line library of music. Users can to. Listen to new material. son, and Taylor Lautner star in movie flows very well, and while girls around the nation. Thank search for songs, build playl- No monthly 40 hour limit. New Moon, but it’s the newer Melissa Rosenberg’s writing is you, Summit Entertainment, for ists, and then share them. I No commercial interruption. characters that really got to on par with Stephenie Meyer’s going with a new director, and know what the bad apples are No bull to deal with. Check it have fun. Dakota Fanning is the original work, the film is able to thank you, Chris Weitz, for mak- thinking as they read this, but out, and indulge yourself in this cute but crazy character Jane, convey Bella’s complete depres- ing a good movie. It wasn’t all Grooveshark is not a download- mess we call life. and Underworld fans got to see sion without needing to provide sparkles and firecrackers, but Michael Sheen as Aro the (gasp!) Prozac to audience members. “New Moon” is a flick that fans vampire. The actors do a much The CGI in “New Moon” is better will watch over and over again, better job when compared to than that of its predecessor, but and never have to remember the first “Twilight” movie, and sometimes those wolves were the complete travesty that was Kristen Stewart actually made very not real, and just odd-look- “Twilight.” me believe she was Bella a cou- ing. One of the better aspects of ple of times. Finally, some act- the adaptation is the CGI to cre- http://www.pandora.com ing! Taylor Lautner also does ate the illusion of Edward. Bel- Reviewer rating: 4.5 elephant a great job with his character, la’s many “I saw Edward” mo- really bringing Jacob to life on ments were both beautiful and
Concert Update http://www.grooveshark.com In Grooveshark’s legal statement, the site has “...an artists/label pro- gram to ensure that any owner of content will be compensated fairly for Trans-Siberian Orchestra each time their content is played via Grooveshark,” much like Pandora. Conseco Fieldhouse, 12/23 Like playing video games, watching movies, They Might Be Giants Lady Gaga or listening to music? Review it for the Thorn! Elliot Hall of Music, 1/14 “Here Comes Science” [email protected]
Bridgette Haflich Monkey Writer
First of all, this is a children’s album by an alternative band. They Might Be Giants (TMBG) alternates periodically between alternative rock, geek/college rock, and children’s music, so be Music: Movies: Games: prepared for a very strange roll- ercoaster ride. Chris Brown Invictus Saboteur “Here Comes Science” is all Graffiti (Xbox 360, PS3) about science (of course). Topics http://www.amazon.com include the periodic table, pho- The Lovely Bones tosynthesis, physics, cells, the this is stupid” and half “This is Jimmy Buffet The Legend of Zelda: color spectrum, dinosaurs, and the most awesome thing ever.” Buffet Hotel Rocket Singh: the scientific method in general. I’ve heard other albums by Spirit Tracks As a scientist myself, I can say TMBG, and it’s pretty strange Salesman of the Year (DS) that the topics covered are pret- if you, like me, have only heard Redman ty awesome and just what kids the sections of their discography Reggie Noble 9 1/2 The Viscious Kind should be learning about. The intended for older audiences. All Silent Hill: songs are all fun and neat with a in all, it’s one of those albums Shattered Memories good rhythm and a catchy beat – where Your Mileage May Vary. Lowell Brams DVD: (Wii) exactly what kids want, and if the The album has ice beats and Music For Insomnia lyrics weren’t educational, they vocals, and I’m loving the sci- would probably end up topping ence, but I’m an engineering Public Enemies DiRT 2 charts anyway because of their student and I know this already. The Game (PC, Xbox 360, PS3) awkward pop cuteness. It re- If it had existed when I was a The R.E.D. Hotel Julie & Julia ally wasn’t intended to be solely kid, it would have been epic, for children – it isn’t completely and I would cheerfully sing the Rec Room Games banal and silly like typical chil- songs all the way around cam- 30 Seconds to Mars Public Enemies (Wii) dren’s music, and even includes pus. Now? Not as great, but still This Is War a few sly jokes that maybe only charming. adults would understand. Rayman As a college kid with a lot of Reviewer rating: 3.5 elephant (DSiWare) taste for music, “Here Comes Science” is half “What the heck Friday, December 11, 2009 LIVING 5 A skewed perspective Melissa Schwenk on my car were not “Oh my L i v i n g E d i t o r God, please don’t let me die!” or “Please don’t break my legs!” From all the crash tests on car As I closed my eyes and pre- commercials I’d seen, I expected pared for the impact, I imme- the world to slow down during diately panicked about missing my wreck, for everything to go my Meatballs final. In fact, the quiet. In the physics car crash third person I called, after 911 problems, no one gets hurt and and my dad, was a kid in my only sometimes is there energy Meatballs class. As I hysteri- lost to sound. cally tried to On my way tell him that I to my last would be late final before The third per- to the final be- Thanksgiv- cause I was in ing break, son I called, af- a car accident that fateful that totaled my 8 am Meat- ter 911 and my car, he asked if I balls final, I was ok. I hadn’t was in a car dad, was a kid thought about accident that “ my personal was none of in my Meat- well-being after these things. the wreck. My My car was balls class. mind had com- spun around pletely skipped scrapetv.com before I that part of the This is not Melissa’s car, but this is almost what it looked like on that fateful day. What a great physics problem could open after-wreck this would have been. Too bad she hates physics now. my eyes; the checklist. sound of the Nissan Versa hit- When did a final become wreck checklist again, I realized got a call right before my final social, physical, or mental. With ting my poor Chevrolet Cavalier more important to me than my I had become like those people that someone I cared about had a new quarter starting, it’s a good haunted me every time I went health? When did I stop caring who pull all-nighters and con- been in a nonfatal accident? idea for students to slow down to make a left hand turn over ”if there was glass all around me sumed unspeakable amounts Would I have reacted the same, and find the right balance. In- break; the bruise on my leg and and my face was bleeding be- of caffeine because their home- more worried about my final stead of spending time in front of the cuts on my face were con- cause I was going to be late to work grade is more important than a person? Looking back the TV or computer, go out with stant reminders that things we said final? I’m normally a pretty than their health. I had always on that day, it’s hard to say that I your friends. These human con- assumed in freshman physics balanced person. I go to bed wondered how people got that would have skipped the final to nections are what will keep you class do not necessarily hold around midnight every school invested, and there I was, more make sure they were ok. balanced and keep you from los- true in the real world. night, even if my homework worried about my final than When do we cross that line? ing track of what’s really impor- The first things that went isn’t done (it usually is). At that about what felt like fiberglass It seems like many people at tant. At the end of the day, my car through my mind as the car moment, when he asked if I was on my face. Rose-Hulman lose that balance and my final are neither nearly as without its lights on bore down ok and I went over my after- What would I have done if I between school and health, be it important as my health. Science cake All the small things Carly Baehr C o p y E d i t o r Mitchell Ishmael because you didn’t offer to mow S t a f f W r i t e r the grass, because you didn’t This is the perfect chocolate cake recipe for a college student: it is easy, requires minimal equip- throw the football, because you ment, and contains no perishable ingredients. The original recipe, which I inherited from my dad, It is funny how simple things were too stubborn to say “I’m is called mud pie cake, but it was rechristened “science cake” here at Rose because it depends on are often the most important sorry.” an acid/base reaction between vinegar and baking soda to make the bubbles. (For people who things. So many times I’ve ne- And they aren’t always fun; + - don’t do chemistry, CH3COOH + NaHCO3 —> Na + CH3COO + H2O + CO2(g).) glected doing the little things most of the time they are the for my parents, siblings, and last things that you want to do. Ingredients: friends. Saying “Thank you” They occupy that small space 1½ cup flour when my mom cooks dinner, of time that you feel should be 1 cup sugar picking up my stuff in the room, kept to yourself, so you brush 1 tsp baking soda doing all them aside. 3 Tbsp cocoa those small And they 5 Tbsp vegetable oil things for my aren’t always 1 tsp vanilla girlfriend, I get into a obvious; many 1 tablespoon vinegar playing with times, I’ve 1 cup water my brother rhythm and found myself Powdered sugar and sister blind to the lit- when I was a let things con- tle things that Optional Ingredients: little tired— I could do. I’ll 1 Tbsp cinnamon all so many tinue that way be in a hurry, Frosting little things value my time Orange extract that I chose “just because of more than oth- not to do be- ers’ time, and Preparation: cause I...Well, apathy. think that I’ll • Preheat the oven to 350 de- I don’t know do it later, or grees. why. There someone else • In a 9x9 pan, sift together the aren’t any can do it this flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa, good reasons. time, because I’ve got it on the and cinnamon if desired (if you It might be because I get into next go around. don’t have a sifter or sieve, just habits really easily, because I The funny thing is, I know that mix them together and then get into a rhythm and let things ”I’m lying to myself. I know that squish out any lumps using a continue that way just because there won’t be a next time, but fork). of apathy. I know that I’m doing I’ve found that it is very easy to • Pour the vegetable oil and something wrong, but because delude yourself when you’re de- vanilla over the dry ingredients. it is small, because “it doesn’t lusional. • Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar really matter,” I don’t change it. So what is this article? A call to one cup of water. I feel that I can make the little to action? Not in the slightest. • Pour the water over every- mistakes as long as I don’t make If nothing else, I’m writing this thing else and mix with a fork the large ones. for me. I’m looking to make the until reasonably smooth. Try But the small things add up, small things add up in my favor, to mix it thoroughly, but also and soon lifetimes have been because I am a firm believer that quickly: the faster you get it in spent neglecting the small when you take care of the small Tim Ekl / Rose Thorn the oven, the fluffier it will be! things, and suddenly all the ac- things in life, everything else will Bake for 30 minutes. Carly Baehr demonstrates the appropriate eye wear for the kitchen. complishments that you have take care of itself. The sun will • Allow the cake to cool (if you made don’t mean much: be- brighten, and chores will become can manage to wait), then either dust it with powdered sugar or frost, according to your preference and cause you didn’t tell your mom feel-goods. whether you have frosting. I personally like to add a tablespoon or so of orange extract to my frosting. thanks for a wonderful, warm Feel-goods because I can take Variation: use 1 cup of spiced black chai tea in place of the water for a bit of extra spice flavor. dinner during the eighteen comfort in the fact that I’m taking years she cooked them for you, care of the small, simple things. 6 Opinions The Rose Thorn Babushka! Letter to the editor some Russian ancestry, honor got. Remember: The thicker From Dickens’s “A Christmas want... is to give my child happi- it by donning the babushka. If the fabric, the thicker the ba- Carol”: ness” (or some such saying), and you want to feel a little more in- bushka. If you fold it in half “Merry Christmas! Out upon in the background is the child ternational, sport a babushka. length-wise, you can maintain merry Christmas! What’s Christ- getting some TV or video game If you feel like it’s time to grow the length, and make it more mas time to you but a time for or something? What a great mes- Price up, and need a +12 age modi- manageable. I’d put in more paying bills without money; a time sage. The only way to make your fier, wear a babushka. They are directions on how to make a for finding yourself a year older, kids happy is to buy them things. quite practical. Unlike your av- babushka, but it’s fun to experi- but not an hour richer; a time for I’m not saying gifts are a bad erage hat, it covers everything ment with the best way to create balancing your thing; in fact, but your face. It messes up your one, and I think that creating books and hav- they’re a great hair less than a ski mask, and babushka-creation-instruction ing every item way to show also doubles as a scarf once you would make a good tech com in ‘em through Christmas used someone you Christine Price get inside. True, you occasion- project. It’s just one of those a round dozen to stand for care. But it’s Opinions Editor ally get mistaken for a Muslim, things that’s difficult to write of months pre- gone from “I’m but if you cultivate a reputation out clearly. sented dead something. going to give Winter has finally arrived in for being an avid atheist, you So come on Rose. Let’s cre- against you?” you a gift be- Terre Haute. What isn’t here in get to confuse people, which is ate a new fashion statement. It seems fre- cause you make Terre Haute? My hats. But what quite lovely. Let’s tell the world, “We are en- quently that people“ have this my life bright and I want to sur- is in Terre Haute? My scarves! Babushkas are pretty easy to gineers! We are practical! Why Scrooge-ish attitude around this prise you with something nice” This presents me with an in- make. All it takes is some form restrict our scarves to our necks, time of year. And when someone to being the ONLY thing people teresting quandary: do I warm of fabric, and a head. You can when they can add warmth to says to “Get in the Christmas spir- worry about. We’re giving gifts up my head by putting a scarf use knit scarves, but I don’t rec- our whole heads?” it!” most of these people reply with because we have to, and it’s what on it, and risk the mockery of ommend it; they can be a bit too And really, there are few an emphatic “Bah! Humbug!” we” expect. It’s not for the right my peers? Or do I give my ears static-y. But sometimes you just words that are more fun to say But they miss the point of what reasons. to frostbite in exchange for my have to work with what you’ve than “babushka.” the Christmas Spirit is. These In years down the road, which dignity? The an- Scrooges are concerned about would you prefer to remember? swer, of course, the money; they find Christmas The material gifts you had, or the is obvious. I purely commercial. And, fright- gifts of the time spent with those didn’t become a eningly, I’m starting to realize that you love? software engi- most people are these Scrooge- As I prepare to have my first neer because I ish misers. Christmas without my grand- have an overde- It bothers me that people are mother, I reflect on this question. veloped sense caught up in the commercial- I can’t recall most of the gifts I’ve of dignity. But ism of the holiday. I read earlier received during the holiday sea- like all humans, today that the ABC production sons in my past, but I can remem- I can’t stop my- of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” ber the time spent with my fam- self from worry- was edited to be short, in order ily on those holidays. If you ask ing what people to (get this) fit in more commer- me, those were the gifts, not the think. I’m rather cials. If you’re unfamiliar of this wrapped boxes under the tree. fond of having holiday tale, it basically follows It was seeing my grandma walk friends. I’m rath- Charlie Brown as he struggles to around all morning shouting er fond of having find the true meaning of Christ- “Merry Christmas!” in an obnox- ears. What is a mas. It’s basically a slap in the iously loud voice, and sitting at girl to do? face to commercialism. the kitchen table playing cards. If you can’t Yet in this day and age, we’re Scrooge’s nephew sums up the beat ‘em, join cutting down some of that short true holiday spirit when he coun- ‘em. And if you film to promote more commer- ters Scrooge’s dismal attitude: don’t feel like cials. Ironic, isn’t it? Worse still, “But I am sure I have always beating them or you can buy a replica of Chuck’s thought of Christmas time, when joining them… dismal Christmas tree, which you it has come round...as a good attempt to get may recall he bought in order to time: a kind, forgiving, charita- them to join you. fight the commercial attitude ble, pleasant time: the only time Students of the world has. Yes, you read that I know of, in the long calendar of Rose! You are right. You can BUY the tree that the year, when men and women already geeks. If symbolized NOT buying com- seem by one consent to open you cared un- mercial trees. their shut-up hearts freely, and duly what peo- It saddens me to see the state to think of people below them as ple thought you that this “holiday” has been re- if they really were fellow-passen- wouldn’t be here duced to. Whether or not you gers to the grave, and not another anyway. Today buy into the religious aspects of race of creatures bound on other I ask you, my the holiday or not doesn’t matter; journeys.” peers, to join me Christmas used to stand for some- Now there’s a Christmas Spirit in wearing the thing. Peace on Earth, good will to to get behind. And, in lieu of this babushka. If you, Scott Gallmeier / Rose Thorn others, spending time with loved Christmas Spirit, I have a Christ- like me, have Dr. House, fashionably sporting a BABUSHKA! Not only sporting, but being a good sport. ones. Now it stands for Black Fri- mas list for all of you who still day deals, and giant TVs, and the don’t get the point: latest and greatest cell phones. Spend time with the family and Speaking of, have you seen friends you love. those Wal-Mart commercials Marc Pardee Letter to the editor where the mom says “What I Electrical Engineer, 2012 “We, the men’s social Fraternities of mine. Let’s call him Jude (not his real name). cause he was gay, but because of the com- Jude’s sexual orientation and the compli- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, At the start of rush, Jude was marginally in- plications that could arise because of his cations that could result from his orienta- realizing the need to strengthen the Fra- terested in a certain fraternity (which will being gay. That clearly violates the school tion. However, no distinction exists at all ternity system, to promote leadership, ed- remain unnamed). However, as time went policy that states, “Rose-Hulman is com- between the two. The complications that ucation, service, and to uphold the unbi- by during the rush period, he began fitting mitted to a policy of nondiscrimination, could arise from being gay are dependent ased regulation of interfraternity affairs, in. Jude had common interests with most of equal employment, and equal educational upon two concepts: sexual orientation do hereby establish and subscribe to this the guys in the house, opportunity with re- and the prejudice against a person with Constitution.” and spent his spare spect to recruitment, that orientation. There would be no prob- This preamble can be found in the time playing ping Sexual orientation hiring, training, pro- lem and no prejudice if the person were Rose-Hulman Interfraternity Council (IFC) pong with them, and motion, and treat- straight. Ultimately, the statement is an at- constitution. The IFC, in conjunction with going to other rush does not completely ment of persons in tempt to dodge school policy and fraternity school policy and fraternity bylaws and reg- events. It was looking all organizations, ser- regulations. This violation is unacceptable ulations, explicitly dictates rules and proce- as if he was going to and wholly define a vices, and programs. and important to point out. dures a fraternity is to follow and enforce. get a bid. Until, that is, person. Discrimination based And yet, a more pressing issue involving Some policies at Rose differ from those he came out as gay to on race, religion, sexual orientation and labels is at hand. other schools. The two most well-known one of the members of “ color, national ori- Sexual orientation does not completely differences are probably the dry rush and the fraternity. Jude thought it was important gin, sex, age, citizenship status, disability, and wholly define a person. It does not the six-week rush period, while other to mention since he could be living there for veteran status or sexual orientation is pro- control his or her life. It is not a defining schools may have no such policy—allowing the next one to three years. It would be best hibited.” It is even worse that the national factor of personality. A person’s sexual ori- a rush week with all-out drinking. Our poli- to tackle the subject now rather than later. regulations of this fraternity were violated entation is not a psychological disorder, cies help Rose’s Greek system thrive, but The fraternity member welcomed him, as well: “…discrimination on the basis of nor is it anything to fear. The time is now they do not stop possible rule violations. In but mentioned that some, if not most, of the race, ” color, national origin, sexual orien- for us as a society to be intelligent, to look fact, during the last rush, one fraternity on house members might not feel the same. tation, condition of disability, or religious past the labels, and to see each other as campus broke an additional policy written When it came down to the Monday before affiliation is inconsistent with the guiding human beings—ones who feel, think, and, in both Rose-Hulman’s student handbook Bid Tuesday, that same member conversed principles of
Rose-Hulman News viding “permanent homes for exotic fe- lines that have been abused, abandoned Forty members of the Rose-Hulman or for some reason have nowhere to live Institute of Technology baseball team do- out their lives, while educating the public nated their efforts on a chilly December about these beautiful cats.” Saturday morning to help the Exotic Fe- The EFRC currently contains more than line Rescue Center (EFRC) continue prog- 200 large cats from nearly half the nation. ress on its facility. Two years ago, Rose-Hulman helped the The Fightin’ Engineer baseball team center with work on its new food process- spent the day building two new enclosures ing center is to handle more than 3,000 that will house several of the 10 tigers that pounds of meat per day. More than 20,000 were recently rescued by the Center. visitors pass through the EFRC every year. Last winter, Rose-Hulman constructed Rose-Hulman’s baseball team battled cages that currently house two tigers with temperatures in the mid-30s to complete materials that were donated by the Tony work that included construction of new Stewart Foundation, started by the two- fences and poles to help provide homes time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. The for these felines. In return for their efforts, team was able to see the new environ- the Engineers experienced an up-close ment that was created due to their efforts. tour of the facilities, including viewing The EFRC was founded in 1991 by Joe many of the exotic felines in their natural Taft in Center Point, with a mission of pro- environment. Strong defensive effort leads Wabash past Rose-Hulman Rose-Hulman News dale County) had eight points, four re- bounds and four assists for Rose-Hulman. Wabash College held Rose-Hulman Wabash jumped out to a 40-23 halftime Institute of Technology to 27% shooting lead due to a strong defensive effort and a from the field with a strong defensive ef- balanced scoring attack. The Little Giants fort to top the Fightin’ Engineers 64-46 on led 22-9 midway through the first half, Tuesday. before three-pointers by Gissentanner Wes Smith led the victorious Little Gi- and Weatherford brought Rose-Hulman ants with 18 points and six rebounds. to within 24-15. Aaron Brock added a double-double of 14 Wabash answered with a consistent run points and 12 rebounds for Wabash. to gain the 17-point lead and maintained Freshman Austin Weatherford (Cicero/ a steady advantage throughout much of Hamilton Heights) led the Engineers of- the second half. Rose-Hulman closed fense with a career-high 10 points. Fresh- to within 15 points on one occasion, on man Brenton Balsbaugh (Greenville, three straight points from Weatherford Ohio/Arcanum) pitched in with career- near the five-minute mark. high totals of eight points and nine re- Rose-Hulman dropped to 3-5 on the bounds for Rose-Hulman. season, while Wabash improved to 3-4. Freshman Jon Gerken (Defiance, Ohio/ The Fightin’ Engineers host Heartland Tinora) contributed eight points and five Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Tran- Rose-Hulman News rebounds to the effort, while freshmen sylvania University on Saturday at 3 p.m. Michael Gerdov – Rose-Hulman Invitational champion in the three-meter competition. Nate Gissentanner (Conyers, Ga./Rock- at Hulbert Arena.
Rose-Hulman News Senior Mark Parzych (Pearland, Texas/ Central) added a second-place finish in Engineer Scoreboard Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology one-meter diving to narrowly outdistance Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball junior diver Michael Gerdov (Lincolnshire, Gerdov, who placed third. Ill./Adlai Stevenson) claimed the individu- Parzych recorded 377.30 points on 11 3-5 (0-2 HCAC) 0-7 (0-2 HCAC) al title at the Engineer Diving Invitational dives to place behind only Matthew Eren- December 5 December 5 to lead the team performance on Saturday. preiss of Wittenberg with a total of 386.65. Rose-Hulman 61 Rose-Hulman 45 Gerdov recorded 393.50 points on 11 Gerdov recorded 371.75 points. at Defiance College 82 at Defiance College 69 dives to top a field of 13 divers from six in- Other competitors for Rose-Hulman December 8 December 9 stitutions, including perennial powers Wa- included freshman Nicole Richardson Rose-Hulman 46 Webster College 51 bash, Wittenberg, Wisconsin-Whitewater (Janesville, Wis.), who placed eighth in at Wabash College 64 at Rose-Hulman 43 and DePauw. one-meter diving with 210.45 points; and The effort marks the second consecu- sophomore Julian Ametsitsi (Marysville, Swimming and Diving tive year that Gerdov has won a title at the Wash./Marysville-Pilchuck), who placed December 4-5 Rose-Hulman Invitational. He earned the 14th in one-meter diving with 209.25 DePauw University Invitational Men 6th one-meter title last season. points. Greencastle, Ind. Women 7th IIIIIIII Flipside The Hose Thron Think you can count all the vertical lines used on this page? Student Misconduct as a Function of Time Wacky prof quotes
“An oblique bore vacuum Drinking cock... stopcock.” — Dr. Erwin, who threw Nudity a wrench into the imagi- Profanity nations of his students. Hooliganism “Protonation is not for- ever.” — Dr. Brandt. Thus, you must remember to pro- tonate your engagement ring on a regular basis.
“It doesn’t matter what solution I shove my electrodes into, they’re always going to be the same length and area.” — Dr. Mueller, avid surfer.
“If this is the fifteenth POS system your team has done, well... you need a new team.” — Dr. Clifton. You must 0 3 6 9 12 15 assemble your new team Quarters at Rose Graphic by Matthew Melton from the reusable parts of your old team. Are you sick and tired of our old jokes? “What, is friction hiding Top “10” Ten in the closet or some- Just not laughing anymore? thing?” Christmas projects for engineers — Dr. Moloney, starring Are you funny, or just funny looking? Matt Melton in the more-epic-than- A bad influnce on your children your-epic-epic “The Hunt If you answered yes to even one of for Red Friction.”
these, then write for the Flipside! Flipside! 10. Build a Christmas light display powerful enough to guide air traffic. “If you are interested in [email protected] 9. Christmas lights that put themselves up, then away afterwards. prostitution, I know a couple of sources to get 8. Hack into a major city’s traffic control system and spell “Merry you set up.” Christmas” in traffic jams. — Dr. Martland, with Sex 2 safe? PhD in pimpology. Christine Price 7. Christmas lights that change color for different holidays so you nev- er have to take them down. “Let’s say I’m waiting on a Not schizophrenic, we swear street corner… waiting Last week, Phristine Crice 6. Fully automatic snowball maker and thrower. Combine this with a to cross the street.” wrote a news article about Uni- snow blower and every kid will have one by 2011. — Dr. McClellan, in some ty club’s AIDS awareness ac- relation with Dr. Mart- tivities, and how it encouraged 5. Vaporize enough water on December 24th to guarantee a White land. students to practice safe sex. Christmas…and New Years…and Valentine’s Day… What nonsense! If anything, “Jimmy, you’ll have to be Hose-Rulman should be en- 4. Mathematically proving the implausibility (or plausibility) of Santa in a threesome with couraging students to engage Claus to your younger relatives. somebody.” in unsafe sex, to counteract — Dr. Taylor, whom the mundane office lives that 3. Program auto-dropping mistletoe that drops at the most rewarding- Jimmy nominated to be most students will live. While or awkward-moments. the best professor ever. one does indeed get a quiet www.fuzzythis.com satisfaction from re-writing a 2. Build a Hose-Rulman quality sled. Perfect aerodynamics, rocket Rose professors are known Skip the fuzzy handcuffs, go piece of code to be elegant, or propulsion, and drink holders all required. Bonus points for power for saying wacky things, so straight to the barbed wire. in designing an especially safe steering. write them down and send bridge, it’s nothing compared to the exhilaration that one feels them in to flipside@rose- after performing successful coitus in shark-infested waters, dur- 1. Automatic Christmas tree water-er. And no, I don’t mean a dog. hulman.edu ing the woman’s menses, or the extreme adrenaline rush that one can feel from combining tornado-chasing and x-rated driving ac- tivities. Hearts might occasionally flutter when learning of a new, beautiful equation; but is it anything compared to how much a heart races during skydiving-sex? Unity shouldn’t encourage stu- dents to “practice safe sex.” It should encourage students to per- fect unsafe sex.
*No partners were harmed in the making of this article.
How about now? Here at the Flipside, we’re all about outside interference. Story ideas, constructive criticism, legal concerns, destruc- tive criticism, free food...Whatever it is, please, by all means, e-mail it to us here at [email protected] Thank you! Carly Baehr - I, uh, accidentally smashed a coffee mug...
This is the Flipside disclaimer, where I, your esteemed and possibly sane editor disown this week’s issue. If some of this offends you, our bad. All unattributed content was written by James Zhou. The stuff that appears on this page does not represent the opinions of the Rose Thorn, Rose-Hulman, the people who wrote them, or of anyone in this or any other universe. The Flipside now proudly presents the return of Thorn Office quotes: “You can lick whoever you want when you’re drunk!” “I think the book is slipping me roofies through my eyes.”