e h t the PPretrIeverretrIever wweeklyeekly UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER 007.14.097.14.09 PRETRIEVER ISSUE 1 retrieverweekly.com UMBC based website rides online learning trend Alethea Paul EDITORIAL STAFF

Static textbooks are on the way out. Today, students are more in- terested in interactive learning that they can access at the click of a mouse pad rather than at the turn of a page. With the Internet offering a wide variety of supplemental information for schools, online courses and even CHARLIE RUBENSTEIN—TRW online colleges and high schools, it > Rubenstein’s “Power Forward Baltimore” basketball league poses. According to Bond of the helping out mission, the league “pres- is clear that the online presence in ents a competitive atmosphere that many men thrive in.” student eduaction is growing over- all. With more schools than ever em- A class that creates change: Senior ploying internet-based information in their curriculums, UMBC’s US- Democrazy.net hopes to be used as creates basketball league for recovering a forum for conversation on current events for high school students and above. addicts with help from UMBC course The site includes a map of the United States which displays po- litical factoids with regards to each Andrea Thomson I found basketball, a relatively inex- Director, described the men, “They land, Jaree Colbert and Jennifer Kent, state’s politics, a video with “Uncle EDITORIAL STAFF pensive sport, a good place to start,” are men of all races, creeds and social he worked on much of the last stages Sam” explaining the Electoral Col- Rubenstein said of his goal. backgrounds. They share a common of the project on his own. “You have to lege, and the soon-to-be centerpiece Not many college students can say Rubenstein got his idea for the thread in that they struggle with a realize that other people aren’t going of the site: a blog informing readers they’ve founded a basketball team for league while watching E:6O on ESPN. chronic and progressive disease – ad- to be as passionate about it as you and of politcal events. For the past eight recovering addicts. Charlie Ruben- The sports television news magazine diction.” Bond himself is a recovering that you’re going to have to do a lot months a team of UMBC student stein, a UMBC senior and American ran a story on a homeless basketball addict. He uses his experience to help of stuff on your own. You need a lot bloggers has been contributing posts Stuides major has always felt a connec- league operating in California which the men cope with theirs, and hopes of self encouragement,” Rubenstein five times a week to explain promi- tion to the city of Baltimore and hoped improved participants’ physical health to create a “big family” environment at explained. nent news in a digestible format. to apply team athletics to reduce the and self-esteem while teaching the im- the Mission. Rubenstein’s self encouragement Kevin Kallaugher, UMBC’s Art- city’s homless population which is portance of discipline and teamwork. More diffi cult than coming up with appears to have served him well. His ist in Residence, explained that the approximately 3-4,00. His desire was Rubenstein decided to create a similar his idea for change was making it a re- basketball team is thriving and now is site’s goal is to inform citizens with put into action while he was enrolled team of approximately seventeen Balti- ality. Logistical scheduling and fi nding entirely run by the men who play in humor. Kallaugher has combined in a UMBC course designed to equip more men. The team, a pilot program, a place to play proved to be most dif- it. Not long after it was set up, men on his roles as an Editorial Cartoonist students to initiate positive change in was composed of men from the Help- fi cult. Although Rubenstein worked the team stepped up as coaches and and UMBC’s Artist-in-Residence, as their communities. “When addressing ing Up Mission in Baltimore City. on the beginning stages of his project organizers. Bond has seen a change well as the talents of others at UMBC Baltimore’s problem of homelessness, Tom Bond, a Helping Up Program with three other students: Alex Hy- > see CLASS [5] > see WEBSITE [6]

NEWS 01 OPINION 08 ARTS 12 SPORTS 20 ONLINE e How to save Summer Reality TV Athletes sign Professor d I cash on costly classes revisited professionally Emeritus Starr

s textbooks scrutinized passes away n I InsIde 2 News 07.14.09 The RetrIever Weekly foreign desk A castle in Rothenthurn

Melanie Bryant chosen through the woods heading in castle (including its very own chapel) FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT the general direction of up, and a road and a brief overview of its 1000-year running along the side of the moun- history (incidentally, the castle is the One could hardly call the train stop tain. Anna started heading right, as reason there is a train stop here at all, in Rothenthurn, Austria a station. It I turned left, and a brief discussion thanks to Georg’s grandfather). was more of a tiny concrete platform; followed on the exact location of the Our room had a fantastic view of the if you didn’t get off the train from one castle. countryside: cows dotted across the of the center cars you had to walk in After at least one wrong turn, we grassy slopes, tall thin pines crowd- the gravel along the track until you found the correct path and wound up ing rising peaks. Besides the view, the came upon a slab of concrete raised beside a pond with a single fountain room also boasted the softest sheets one foot off the ground. That lone of water in the center, the castle be- and mattresses to be found anywhere, slab of concrete and the quiet, low fore us. To be honest, we didn’t think I’m sure, and a television with, get brick building behind it were the very much of the castle at fi rst glance, this, channels in English! For me at only indications that this was, indeed, in terms of castles, but it was heaven least, this was another luxury not ex- Rothenthurn. Little hinted that this to our sweat-soaked and sore bodies, perienced in fi ve months. place could even be worth a spot on a haven with soft beds and our very We were soon introduced to a map: several houses, a single one- own room. Georg’s wife, who also spoke English lane road. We ambled up, not quite sure fairly well. Apparently that is their MELANIE BRYANT —TRW I traveled with two good friends, where the main entrance was, or real- language of communication since it’s >Bryant stands before a lake in the the Austrian countryside. Anna and Sarah. We met up in Bar- ly what kind of a place we were stay- the only one they have in common; The lake is an hour bike ride from the castle where she spent celona, where Anna had just fi nished ing in. Luckily, a few moments later she speaks Italian and he speaks the night. studying, at the end of both of our a man appeared in what I imagine is German. Apparently they had a very study abroad semesters, Sarah join- the most stereotypical Austrian outfi t, interesting courtship involving not an hour to arrive, and once there we the most relaxing of all my travels, and ing us for four weeks of travel around complete with loafers, leather shorts just a few dictionaries. She doted on couldn’t resist the temptation that yielded some of the most picturesque Europe. We fl ew fi rst to Milan, Italy, with big buttons in front, knee-high us and gave us free reign in the extra presented itself in the form of a blue landscapes I’ve ever seen. I walked the and took trains from then on, fi rst to socks, and suspenders. This man was downstairs kitchen (probably a rival paddleboat bobbing at a small pier. paths my mother walked some forty Florence, then Venice, and then Roth- Georg, a one-time acquaintance of my in size to several UMBC dorm rooms) We took some time to locate the own- years ago when she, too, visited Roth- enthurn. family’s through a path slightly too where for two nights we established ers of said paddleboat, the lake being enthurn (back before it was converted We descended the train, bags in complicated to follow, and the owner ourselves comfortably for dinner. fairly deserted, but eventually got an into a chalet-like place to rent rooms). tow, both admiring the view and hat- of the castle before us. Our days were spent exploring hour out on the lake for fi ve euro. I got to know Georg and his wife, who ing it for the steep slope we would “Are you not here by car? Where and relaxing, enjoying the view and We were dry by the time we got went well above and beyond what have to climb to reach Schloss Roth- you walk from? Oh mamma mia I the peace and quiet. We caught a back to the castle that evening, and anyone could expect from hosts. I enthurn, our destination. With no could have drive at the station and ride with two other guests to the next after the bike ride certainly not shiv- swam in a frigid mountain lake in the map, no address, and only the hint of pick you up if you call!” Go fi gure. His town over to do grocery shopping one ering anymore. We spent another mountains (albeit briefl y) and found a white building I half remembered accent was thick, but understandable, day, taking the train back, then Anna evening cooking, and then curled up the perfect hideaway in case I ever go from pictures to guide us, it’s perhaps and from time to time he slipped in and I decided on a bike ride across comfortably reading until we got tired back. I hope I go back. a small miracle we only got a little Italian expressions I assume he picked the mountains. We borrowed Georg’s enough to fall asleep, the only audible lost. Half an hour later we stood at up from his wife. We were ushered in bikes and set off to fi nd a lake that sound the fountain in the pond. Comments can be sent to the crossroads of a random path we’d and soon given the grand tour of the lay some 7km away. It took less than Those two days might have been [email protected]. Spending the summer studying Mandarin at the Beijing Language and Culture University

determine their/our current level of ots on the west side of China are on Mia Brown Chinese language. all day. Also, traveling conditions to FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT A year after the 2008 Olympic Tibet have improved since last year, games, Beijing, China remains one of which is popular for road trips to What is one of the best options the leading cities in both China and camp at the base of Mt. Everest and for spending your winter and sum- Asia. Travel fare has not decreased drive through the Himalayas. mer vacations? Why not take the that much since the 2008 games and Besides classes and exploring opportunity and study elsewhere. Beijing remains a rather expensive the local neighborhoods, Beijing’s For college students, studying city to live in. People continue to night life surrounds the college dis- abroad is a great way to receive both visit and live there because the city trict right outside the fourth ring the experience of an international includes so many great must-see (Beijing is now on its sixth ring, setting, especially in our growing places: the Great Wall, the Temple near Wudaokou neighborhood). global world, and an essential ad- of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Any night you can fi nd a bustling dition to their college educational Forbidden City, and the list keeps number of international college experience. going. Besides the sites, go along students in the local clubs and bars After traveling for a month and a to the Guomao business district for with a range from small local bars half around China I’ve fi nally settled shopping or to Silk Street or Ya Show to four-storied dance clubs, or head into my dorm at the Beijing Lan- to test your bargaining skills. The downtown to Wongfujing for a cup guage and Culture University for a great thing about studying abroad is of coffee with some friends. MIA BROWN — TRW six week intensive Mandarin studies the vast number of opportunities to Is study abroad too expensive, > The Great Wall was originally used to keep out invading forces, but served session. The growing popularity of also for extracurricular travel. Next you ask? Not at all. There are now the dual purpose of separating parts of China until the country’s studying Chinese language was evi- weekend, I head over to Mongolia many options for college students unifi cation under the Qin Dynasty. During the Qin Dynasty parts of the dent as I was registering for classes. for the Nadaam festival to see the such as fi nancial aid and Maryland Great Wall were ordered to be torn down. I could hear a diverse number of horse racing, archery and wrestling. Educational Scholarships available. languages from the various crowds Politics always remains a hot issue Also, for UMBC specifi cally, the sources such as www.Statravel.com international schools offer both surrounding the registration desk. in China, as many minority ethnic UMBC direct exchange program and www.studyabroad.com help stu- summer and winter sessions. The next morning everyone signed confl icts still exist. With CNN inter- means you don’t pay any more than dents fi nd programs and help fi nd up for the program was required to national as the one English Channel you usually would per semester cheaper travel fares. But what if I Comments can be sent take a language placement test to we receive, reports of the Xinjiang ri- for tuition and housing. Online re- can’t study my major abroad? Many to [email protected]. The RetrIever Weekly 07.14.09 News 3 Textbooks weighing down your backpack and pocketbook? Save money by going online

start. While the internet may offer Sayer Niblett and less exorbitant prices than the campus Carla Sateriale bookstore, even the craftiest of students CONTRIBUTING WRITERS might not necessarily get great deals. Many times, a student will fi nd an in- As a new school year approaches, expensive gem of knowledge, only to hundreds of freshmen are preparing discover she must buy the newer, more to descend upon the campus, eager expensive edition of the textbook that to absorb the new experiences of col- has a different picture on the cover, or a lege. Many of these experiences will be single “vital” statistic altered in the third wholly unfamiliar to this fresh-from-the- section of the appendix. senior-prom crowd: eating dinner not So, why are new editions frequently prepared by Mom, waking up at 11 a.m. released (sometimes with little con- on a school day, and, the cruelest lesson tent change), and why are textbooks of all, learning how much textbooks ac- so pricey to begin with? According to tually cost. the publishing industry, textbooks are Whether you slave away to earn your inherently expensive. “Textbooks have ANDREA THOMSON — TRW > For cheaper textbooks buy or rent books online. Yes, we said rent. Chegg.com rents textbooks out to students for book money, or your parents magically a very high start-up cost,” says Margot at least half the book’s list price. The site also promises to plant a tree for every book rented. foot the bill, the price of textbooks is Ziperman, who has worked in the pub- Talk about saving green in more ways than one! everyone’s concern. Tuition and man- lishing industry for the past few decades. datory fees alone at UMBC tally up to “Before a textbook is ever sold, a pub- titles to recoup the losses incurred from lege student for taking a good deal? It desired textbook to the student along $4,436.00 for full-time students per se- lishing company must negotiate with their worst-selling titles. is these starving students who make up with materials for free return shipping. mester (not to mention the cost of your authors about what will be written.” At Additionally, the publishing indus- the demand side of the textbook market, At the end of the semester students can meal plan and housing, you spoiled on- the college level, usually several experts try is threatened by the growing used- which is as complex as the supply side. easily return the textbook to Chegg with campus brats). A book bill of $400 adds work together to write a textbook, and textbook market. When a used book is Firstly, demand is fairly inelastic—if the satisfaction that they have not only 9% to your cost of college. for their knowledge they are highly sold, the publisher makes no profi t and you can’t pass a class without the book, saved money, but helped the planet too. In the olden days, college kids brave- paid. After the book is written, it must the author makes no royalty. Conse- you’ll buy it whether it’s $10 or $100. This is because Chegg pledges to plant a ly forged for their textbooks off-line, be extensively edited several times - a quently, the companies attempt to com- Students can’t choose between different tree for every textbook rented. sleuthing through the college bookstore, labor-intensive process that ensures that bat this competition by issuing a new versions of textbooks if they plan on Sharing textbooks with friends, pri- off-campus second-hand bookstores, what students read is correct informa- edition of a textbook every few years keeping stride with the professor, and it vately trading textbooks, and companies and the book shelves of friends’ friends, tion. More money is poured into design to ensure sustained demand for their is only the very gutsy student who fore- like Chegg, Inc., are alternatives to the hoping to fi nd their required obscure and layout costs, and then comes the products. Pirated textbooks, including goes a textbook entirely. standard textbook market from which titles at a reasonable price. Nowadays, cost of physically assembling the book. the ones that say “Not for Sale in North However some companies such as students can surely benefi t. Innovation we are endowed by the internet’s plenti- Finally, the textbook must be marketed America” on the cover, also threaten the Chegg are seeking to capitalize from stems from incentive to gain, and with ful abundance, which provides us with a in hopes that colleges and professors textbook industry in the same way that the current textbook market structure much to gain from the current structure myriad of ways to save money on text- will adopt it as teaching material. “It’s pirated music threatens the music in- and it’s possible that students can save of the textbook market, there will surely books. just like making movies,” says Ziper- dustry. Thus, buying pirated textbooks a buck from their entrepreneurship, too. be future advancements. Many thrifty students frequent web- man. “Some will be a hit, and some will only increases the cost of production for Chegg.com rents textbooks to students sites such as Half.com, and Amazon.com bomb.” Consequently, a textbook com- textbook companies. for at least a 50% discount on the list Comments can be sent to to “get the goods” before the semester’s pany will overcharge for its best-selling But who could blame a starving col- price of the book. Chegg Inc. sends the [email protected] Could grade infl ation be a cause of rising GPAs? Dinah Douglas in students’ sense of entitlement to SENIOR STAFF WRITER better grades. Thus, if a professor gives grades so that a C is the course’s Students may often joke about average grade, he or she will quickly UMBC being a “nerd” school, where become unpopular. In 2003, Rojstac- students would rather study than par- zer wrote in a related op-ed piece for ty, but students work hard for their the Washington Post. In the piece, he grades, which refl ect their knowledge claimed that giving out Cs in an in- and skills. However, there are data fl ated academic climate could indicate that suggest that grades are being in- a failure of a professor’s teaching abili- fl ated across the country. ties: “If I sprinkle my classroom with Nationally, in the past 50 years, the Cs some students deserve, my grades have slowly become infl ated. class will suffer from declining enroll- According to Stuart Rojstaczer, who ments in future years. In the market- researches college GPA trends and is place mentality of higher education, the creator of the website www.gra- low enrollments are taken as a sign deinfl ation.com, GPAs have increased of poor-quality instruction. I don’t 0.1 to 0.2 points per decade. Accord- have any interest in being known as ing to his research, for academic year a failure.” Especially in the current 2006-’07, university averages for economic climate, universities must both public and private schools was strike the proper balance between re- 3.11, up from 2.93 in 1991-’92. The maining competitive by providing an numbers suggest that grade infl a- excellent education and maintaining tion is somewhat more prevalent in student GPAs. private schools, particularly “moder- A recent New York Times article > As grades rise in schools across the country many look to grade infl ation ately selective liberal arts colleges.” indicates that student resistance to Cs as the cause. The graph above depicts recent GPA trends nationwide, Highly selective schools, according to is, in turn, creating student claims to Rojstaczer, have mostly approached high grades for minimal work. The and exceeded the 3.5 GPA in 2006. Times article cited evidence from the students believed that doing the re- grounds for repeating a class, or even is not grade infl ation at UMBC. Argu- This kind of trend, he warns, means University of California, Irvine pro- quired reading for the class was suf- being a failure. ing that the objectivity of the exami- that “A will be average in the coming fessor Ellen Greenberger’s research, fi cient enough for a B. This may upset According to the Princeton Review, nations and basic topics in the courses decade at most of the highly selective which found that a third of the sur- professors who still adhere to an in- UMBC boasts an average GPA of 3.57. in science, technology, engineering, private colleges and universities in veyed students believed that merely creasingly antiquated notion that ‘C’ Despite this high average, Dr. Nessly and mathematics (STEM) disciplines the U.S.” attending lectures earned them a means average. These days, one might Craig, a professor in the Biological Sci- Part of grade infl ation is manifested B in the class. Forty percent of the argue that students believe that a C is ences department, believes that there > see GPA [4] 4 News 07.14.09 The RetrIever Weekly

Few aware of UMBC's history of protests

Andrea Thomson and a black student takeover of the ad- location on campus, UMBC infringed EDITORIAL STAFF ministration building by a group who upon their right to freedom of speech. wanted more black professors at the The case is still ongoing. Forty to fi fty college students held institution. “There is much less stu- “I’ve never once heard of a protest anti-war signs and sat on the fl oor dent activity today,” Pincus said. “The on campus. However, in front of the of a classroom-lined hallway. The Internet has changed things and now Commons toward the beginning of the students were staging a peaceful pro- there is a question of what is more ef- semester, there were some huge signs test in hopes that their “occupation” fective, protests or the Internet…Per- depicting dead fetuses,” sophomore would bring to mind in passerbys sonally, I think 100,000 people in the Josh Laskin said of the GAP display. the American lives in jeopardy half a street is more effective than 100,000 “Some Christian group was protesting world away. Across campus, hundreds people in a Facebook group.” abortion. I thought the pictures were of student sympathizers took note of Students today are much more con- disgusting and completely inappropri- the sit-in and several faculty mem- cerned about fi nding jobs than past ate for a place where people eat food. bers were fi red for taking part in the students have been, Pincus noted. As I felt like the display’s purpose was to unfolding events. The Vietnam War a result, fewer students take the time superfi cially label abortion as wrong was close to its end, but students and to be activists and more are focused by portraying as gross. I think the un- faculty at the University of Maryland, academics and jobs. “I graduated from derlying mechanics of the morality of Baltimore County were determined to college in 1964. If you were a college abortions is much more complex than speak out against what they believed graduate at that time, you were guar- simply, it looks gross.” UMBC ARCHIVES—TRW to be an unjust war. anteed a college level job. Now, that is Graduate student Miguel Men- > This picture, taken from a 1971 yearbook displays the university’s Few members of the UMBC com- not necessarily the case. Today, people dez, one of the two Students for Life history of activism. munity today are aware of the school’s don’t have that sense of security. This members who fi led the lawsuit against history of activism. Until the 1980s, affects student levels of activism and UMBC, defended the GAP posters, ity with us. We even spotted students Thompson, vice president of SoCo, UMBC was home to numerous pro- even what courses they take,” said explaining that the display not only everywhere wearing black armbands believes that student activism is on the tests. The university’s 12-1 p.m. free Pincus. He continued, “Today many included photos of aborted fetuses, to show their support!” increase. “During the Vietnam War, hour is a direct result of this past, students are not interested in anything but also pointed out similarities in SoCo’s most recent campus protest it took years before major anti-war created when student protestors con- that is not immediately job related and patterns of thinking used to defend efforts fell through after unsuccessful demonstrations occurred. Contrast vinced administrators to give them a part of this refl ects the economic ques- genocide and those used as justifi ca- negotiations with university admin- this with what happened in response period during the school day to orga- tions that exist.” tion for abortion. Mendez gave the istrators. The group had planned to to the Iraq War – there were still nize. Currently, UMBC is home to sev- following example, “The Klu Klux protest the university’s application for enormous protests all over the world In 1968, a radical pro-student eral student activist organizations in- Klan argued that blacks were not men, a full scale ROTC program at UMBC’s from the very beginning of the war.” power, pro-civil rights, and anti-war cluding a chapter of the NAACP, the those who support abortions argue spring 2008 graduation ceremony. Thompson cited the SoCo’s recent ef- student government was elected in Solidarity Coalition (SoCo), Students that four-month-old fetuses are not Controversy fi rst erupted when the forts to persuade UMBC’s administra- response to student opposition to the for Life, Students taking Action Now: human. This negation of humanity led Department of Defense offered UMBC tion to affi liate with the Worker Rights war in Vietnam. In the September 30, Darfur, and the Women’s Collective. and currently leads to similar ends, the opportunity to apply for funding Consortium as evidence that more 1968 publication of The Retriever, Pro-life group Students for Life and the deaths of human beings. Our mes- toward a full ROTC program. Anti- activism is going on at UMBC than SGA president elect Daryl Hagy spoke radical left-wing SoCo have the largest sage is deeper than ‘gross pictures.’ We war students and representatives from students are aware of. to the students of UMBC urging activ- campus presence. Additionally, both want the campus to know that what the campus LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi- Laskin disagreed, “I don’t think ism: “The problems which are now groups’ most recent displays of cam- we’re showing is reality. It’s hard to sexual, transgender) community were on-campus protests work here be- frustrating the United States are not pus activism have faced challenges look at, but its real. This is happen- especially opposed to any such fi ling. cause most of the student population separated from this university by ivy- from UMBC authorities. ing.” SoCo had hoped to show support to is indifferent to everything that isn’t covered walls. They are just down the In Fall 2007, Students for Life sued The Solidarity Coalition, a group these groups via protest but was de- academic. I believe this indifference street. We have demonstrated against the UMBC administration in the dis- founded upon radical leftist phi- terred by a spokesperson for President is a part of the UMBC culture.” He them. We have marched. We have trict court case Rock for Life UMBC losophy and practice, has also hosted Hrabowski. continued, “Students don’t think there protested--but what have we offered v. Hrabowski. The group claimed al- campus protests including a fi ve day Paula McCusker, a member of SGA’s is anything to do on campus, so there as solutions to them and how deep leged personal injury caused by the anti-war fast. SoCo president, junior Department of Student Advocacy, ex- never are people to stick around and is our commitment to work towards relocation of their Genocide Aware- Sarah Solomon, spoke about the fast, plained the outcome of the Solidarity get involved. Also, because we have their solutions? This is the new begin- ness Project (GAP) display from the “Obviously, we did not expect that Coalition’s plans, “Aside from the abor- this reputation as a quiet, low-key, ning students must now make, and University Center to the lawn behind if a few anarchists at UMBC gave tion display, the only recent protest academic school; that’s the type of stu- that I believe it is the destiny of stu- the Commons. The GAP, a traveling up food for fi ve days the war would I’m aware of was planned by the Soli- dent who is attracted to and eventually dents this year.” photo-mural exhibit made up of 24 end.” Nevertheless, Solomon found darity Coalition. It never happened. chooses to attend UMBC. This student All of this may seem like a long signs measuring four feet by eight feet, the fast meaningful. “We engaged Mark Terranova negotiated the group is not your average protestor.” time ago. Fred Pincus, assistant pro- compares abortion to historically- hundreds of students around campus down.” She continued, “Students here fessor of Sociology, was one of a few recognized forms of genocide. Mem- who approached us during the week are only encouraged to express them- faculty members present during these bers of Students for Life, then known to discuss the war, who attended the selves in very framed, sterile ways.” Originally printed on May 12, 2009. turbulent times. Pincus recalls rallies as Rock for Life, claim that by forcing lectures and who committed to giving Despite the few activist displays Comments can be sent to by hundreds of students on the Quad the GAP display to a less-frequented up one meal here and there in solidar- across campus, UMBC senior Stephen [email protected]. Question remains: How can universities fi nd an accurate measure of student performance?

> from GPA [3] praised UMBC students, remarking, extremely legitimate concern of stu- dard is to measure them against other nothing can ever be written on it: you “We are also fortunate at UMBC in dents is introductory level courses schools. Kathleen Mettle, a junior are the defi nitive expert,” said Mettle. helps keep infl ation in check, profes- terms of having fewer/no students being too diffi cult, serving as a barrier Political Science major and Sondheim “Now, I think A-pluses are handed sor Craig noted, “I myself have seen no with an ‘entitlement mentality’ who to the subject, not an introduction,” Scholar, provides a case study for this out too easily at UMBC, and students sign of grade infl ation in our courses.” expect high grades simply because an issue of perpetual debate. Finally, issue. Mettle studied at the University should be challenged even more than Craig also mentioned that though they pay lots of expensive tuition or she noted that any talk of changing of Sydney during the fall 2008 term, they already are to earn them.” there is no standard grading policy simply because they were admitted UMBC’s policy of basing GPAs off of and found that grades at UMBC are The sensitive subject of grading is in the biology department, grades are to UMBC and so are ‘smart’ and thus a simply letter grade system to one distributed much differently than they one that is well worth the research and kept in check by the competitiveness ‘deserving’ of high grades.” based off of a plus/minus system are in Sydney. Asserting that courses analysis it has thus far received, and of the real world. He said, “It makes Yasmin Karimian, SGA Treasurer would be ill-received: “It seems as at University of Sydney are modeled will likely continue to receive. If it is no sense for us to give infl ated grades and now SGA President-Elect, com- though most students do not want to after Oxford and Cambridge, making possible that grading trends will only which would be ‘exposed’ as infl ated mented on issues she has heard change our system, feeling as though them understandably diffi cult, Mettle continue to rise as they have in recent by our students’ performance in stan- from students regarding grading a plus/minus on their transcript could noted that high marks are not easily years, then the question remains how dardized exams (e.g. MCAT, DAT, procedures at UMBC, indicating potentially be detrimental to GPAs, achieved there. “To achieve a High to measure the true performance of GRE, etc), interviews, and actual per- that students are concerned with the especially for those looking to con- Distinction at Uni Syd strikes me as students in American universities. formance in the job or post-under- variation in the diffi culty of grading tinue on to graduate and professional super-human. As my Australian friend graduate schooling.” And despite the by professors within departments, schools.” Ryan told me, to get 100 percent on Originally printed on April 28, 2009. notion that modern students claim and to an extent, across disciplines. A fi nal perspective on determining an essay means that you have said all Comments can be sent to better grades for minimal work, Craig She also mentioned that “another whether grades at UMBC are stan- there is to say about the subject, and [email protected]. The RetrIever Weekly 07.14.09 News 5 Course pushes civic engagement Poll: > from CLASS [1] compassing more than voting come election day or participating in com- munity service. Brian Frazee, a Junior and political Where are you going for science major, has used skills devel- oped in the class in his work in the your summer vacation? SGA and as a RA in Chesapeake and the Walker Avenue Apartments show- ing that the lessons taught by Gregg and Hoffman have moved beyond the classroom in more ways than one. Hoffman gave his own advice to aspiring social entrepreneurs, “It can be tough to even believe that you can do something real and consequential, something that goes beyond wishful CHARLIE RUBENSTEIN—TRW thinking. But the truth is that there is > The men sit on the sideline thinking “ I can do it way better than a growing community of successful so- that,” Rubenstein writes on the league’s blog http://powerforward- cial change agents on this campus, and baltimore.blogspot.com/. many entry points for students willing to take a chance and act on their ideals.” in the men who have participated in to recognize problems in their com- Hoffman and Gregg feel that this class is the team. He explained that the men at munities and then design and enact a one of many entry points to make social Helping Up have used the team to take strategy to solve or ameliorate the iden- change at UMBC, including: their class, their mind off immediate concerns, tifi ed problem. Students were required the SGA, the Shriver center, service thrive in a competitive atmosphere, to fi nd resources to fund their projects, learning, research into social problems, relieve pent-up energy and stress, and although the seed money for the proj- community based learning, and SGA’s build teamwork and camaraderie. Most ects was provided by a Kauffman De- annual Prove It competition. importantly, Bond added, “It allows the partmental grant. UMBC received $2 In addition to Rubenstein’s basketball Staycation! 66% men to learn that they can have fun and million in support from the Kauffman league, the students in Imagination and experience genuine joy without using Foundation in 2007. Kauffman Depart- Social Entrepreneurship worked on The Beach 15% drugs or alcohol.” mental grants are provided to UMBC several other community projects in- Now that Rubenstein’s team no lon- departments, programs, instructional cluding: a plan to increase the commu- Out of the State 15% ger needs him, he spends time design- staff, and faculty who introduce and nity involvement of UMBC’s apartment ing other programs which he hopes implement entrepreneurial and innova- residents, a centralized communication Out of the Country 4% will benefi t the emotional and physical tive curriculums. resource which would inform students health of homeless men in Baltimore. Gregg and Hoffman created the with regards to UMBC campus events, By 2010 Rubenstein hopes to have course to help students become active an initiative to make green transporta- eight to twelve basketball teams similar in improving their communities and so- tion options more visible to UMBC to the one he has already developed. ciety. Gregg spoke of the course’s goal, students, “UMBC Olympics,” a two- Rubenstein is one of 24 students “We wanted students to learn how to day event during which UMBC cultural who completed the course Civic Imagi- exercise civic power so we had groups groups would work together to learn nation and Social Entrepreneurship select a social problem or opportunity about one another, and “Project Black Vote in next week’s poll at retrieverweekly.com. during the Fall of 2008. The class was and launch a practical process to cre- and Gold,” in which student-designed led by Sondheim Public Affairs Schol- ate change on campus or through the images would be placed on banners ars Assistant Director Delana Gregg and campus in the wider community.” She around campus. SGA Advisor David Hoffman and will continued explaining that civic engage- be held again the Fall of 2009. Students ment is a way of life which she hopes Comments can be sent to enrolled in the course were taught how the course has taught; a way of life en- [email protected].

Listen Up: Hearing loss affects younger people

Elizabeth Silberholz signals by microscopic hairs lining the sirens (120 dB) can easily cause hear- eral lawsuit against Apple because the phones to further protect the ear from SENIOR STAFF WRITER ear’s cochlea. The electrical signals ing injury. music player does not give adequate sound damage. are then interpreted by the brain as The risk for music lovers? warnings about how it can increase the Since many people play music in Hearing loss is no longer just for the sounds. Different sounds affect the co- Listening to a portable music de- likelihood of hearing loss. In France, order to drown others out (for exam- elderly. Due in large part to the popu- chlea’s hairs in different ways. vice (100 dB) with earbuds instead of Apple was forced to modify iPods so ple on the train, at the gym, or while larity of iPod and MP3 players, which NIHL is caused when enough of headphones makes the music almost they can only play at a maximum of studying), it is especially important to are generally listened to using earbud the cochlear hairs become damaged as loud as listening to a leaf blower, 100 dB. While this has not occurred in be cognizant of volume levels on por- headphones, doctors are beginning to or broken by the strong vibrations of rock concert, or chainsaw without the United States, each iPod is shipped table music devices. Investing in a pair see teens and young adults who are loud sounds. The stronger a sound’s hearing protection (110-120 dB). Mu- with a warning that states “permanent of noise-canceling headphones pro- suffering hearing loss, typically found decibel (dB) level, or sound pressure sic played at this level can cause hear- hearing loss may occur if earphones or vides the luxury of listening to music in aging adults. level, the greater the sound’s ability to ing loss in a little over an hour. headphone are used at high volume.” with the added bonus of drowning out Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) cause hearing damage. Workplace law cites that individu- What can be done to prevent background noise. is, as its name suggests, the type of For humans, any noise over 85 dB als may be exposed to 90 dB for eight NIHL? Avoiding loud noises altogether or hearing loss caused by one-time or re- can cause permanent damage within hours a day, while noise at the 100 dB When it comes to safely listening wearing proper hearing protection, peated exposure to loud noise. About the ear, leading to hearing loss. Un- level is limited to two hours per day. to music on an MP3 player or iPod, such as while mowing the lawn, can one-fourth of Americans suffering fortunately, many every-day activities At most, one can only be exposed to scientists suggest following the 60 per- also help prevent hearing loss. from hearing loss have NIHL. expose ears to high-decibel noises. For 30 minutes of noise in the workplace cent/60 minute rule: listen to music at What causes NIHL? example, noises caused by motorcycles at 110 dB a day. Listening to music for 60 percent of the maximum volume Originally printed on Vibrations from sound waves are (85 dB), hair dryers (90 dB), and lawn hours on end far exceeds these safety for only one hour a day. Addition- March 12, 2009. amplifi ed within the ear. The amplifi ed mowers (90 dB) can all increase the guidelines. ally, scientists suggest changing from Comments can be sent to vibrations are translated into electrical risk of hearing damage. Ambulance In 2006, an iPod owner fi led a fed- earbuds to outside-of-the-ear head- [email protected]. 6 News 07.14.09 The RetrIever Weekly

USDemocrazy.net adapts to changing demand

> from WEBSITE [1] to achieve this goal. The motto of the site depicts its attitude. As read in Latin it says, “Veni, Risi, Percepi,” which means: “I came, I laughed, I learned.” The idea for the project came from Kallaugher’s first-hand expe- rience as a teenager intimidated by politcs. So in the summer of 2007, with the presidential election just over a year away, Kallaugher created USdemocrazy.net in hopes that the site would engage youths politically through an entertaing medium. “If we are effective in finding a constructive way to employ USDe- mocrazy.net in schools, I think our impact can be profound,” said Kal- laugher. The site is currently being marketed to high schools in Mary- land for use in online-curriculums. At least a couple of schools have al- ready picked up the site and will be using it in social studies classroom. Although the site can be used as a great learning tool, the facts sometimes need to be checked. A few readers have questioned facts presented on the site. Since then, though, the site has created a feed- back button that allows a reader to directly email the site. Kallaugher explained that he is always look- ing forward to input and said, “The wonderful thing about the Internet is you have millions of readers who > This map, currently the front page of USDemocrazy.net is soon to be replaced by the sites’s blog. COURTESY OF USDEMOCRAZY.NET have ideas as to how to improve your product.” include two new animations en- relaunch in which the blog will be and our Map/animation section will Comments can be sent to Still in its beginning stages, the titled “Political Partties” and “Election featured as the center piece. Kal- be a great tool for those who have a [email protected]. site continues to change and adapt Maps” alongside an Uncle Sam video laugher explained, “The blog will be little more time to visit the site.” with time. This fall the site will that is said to début during the site’s for engaging visitors on a daily basis

PATRICIA DAVILA —TRW > In November 2007, a team of students won $50,000 in UMBC’s SGA ProveIt! initiative to create Green Space, a “public outdoor space located near the Gallery Entrance of the Fine Arts Building.” Green Space was to become a “comfortable aesthetically appealing place to gather, rest and study for the entire UMBC com- munity.” The project’s completion date was set at June 12th. Green Space is still under construction looking more gray than green. The RetrIever Weekly 07.14.09 News 7

MAY 5, 2009 taining three books, was stolen from a table in The MAY 11, 2009 Commons. The backpack was left unattended while Walker Ave Apt (Old) the student went to get food. Destruction of Property Police Headquarters A UMBC staff member reported the destruction of 2nd/Assault w/ Hands, etc, Simple MAY 19, 2009 paper notices posted on the wall. These notices were A female and male, both UMBC students, were argu- shredded all over the floor. ing outside. The male pushed the female to the ground Deep Creek / Hillside after being repeatedly slapped by her. Both were in- Destruction of Property Albin Kuhn Library Bldg toxicated. Neither wants to press charges. A UMBC student reported that his roommate dam- Theft from Buildings aged his personal property. A UMBC Police Officer A UMBC staff member reported that an exhibition Stadium tried to question the suspect, but the suspect was so catalogue was taken from a table near the front door. Destruction of Property intoxicated the officer could not understand him. The A UMBC staff member reported that he smelled gas 29-year-old UMBC student was arrested for malicious Fine Arts Bldg coming from the Stadium. Upon further investigation, destruction of property. Theft from Buildings it was discovered that someone had damaged a copper A UMBC student reported that her flute, flute case, gas line located on the side of the Stadium. MAY 20, 2009 and music book were taken from her secured locker. MAY 12, 2009 Eng / Comp Sci MAY 7, 2009 Theft from Buildings Patapsco Hall A UMBC student reported that two textbooks were Albin Kuhn Library Bldg Suicide - Attempted taken from his backpack while the backpack was left Theft from Buildings UMBC Police were contacted about an attempted unattended. A 21-year-old UMBC was arrested for A UMBC student reported that her cell phone was suicide. The student was transported to St. Agnes Hos- theft. taken while she left it unattended. pital by Arbutus Volunteer Paramedics. MAY 28, 2009 Stadium MAY 13, 2009 Destruction of Property Location: Eng / Comp Sci Bldg A UMBC staff member called and reported that the Parking Lot 5 Destruction of Property outside of the Stadium Locker Room had been shot Theft of Auto Parts and Acc. (Attempted) A UMBC Security Officer reported damage to the with paintballs apparently from over the fence, which A UMBC student reported that his right side-view wall behind a vending machine. was locked. mirror had been forcibly removed from his car. JUNE 3, 2009 MAY 8, 2009 MAY 14, 2009 Retriever Activity Center Erickson Hall Walker Ave Assault, Simple 2nd/Assault w/ Hands, etc, Simple Disorderly Conduct A person with no affiliation to UMBC reported that A female and male, both UMBC students, were argu- A UMBC Police Officer observed a male walking next she was assaulted by a person also not affiliated with ing outside. The female repeatedly slapped the male to a moving car on campus while yelling at the driver. UMBC. Both were on campus attending the Lansdowne who then pushed her to the ground. Both were intoxi- When approached by the police officer, the suspect High School graduation. cated. Neither wants to press charges. threw his beer can down and tried to walk away. The subject was then very argumentative and disorderly. JUNE 4, 2009 Chemistry Bldg - 3rd Floor The suspect appeared to be intoxicated and admitted to Theft from Buildings consuming several beers. The 18-year-old non-UMBC Admin Building - 9th floor A UMBC student called and stated that her backpack was arrested for disorderly conduct and littering. Theft from Buildings was stolen. The backpack was placed in the corner of A UMBC staff member reported that someone re- the lab along with other backpacks and purses and Parking Lot 21 moved money and other miscellaneous cards from her was left unattended. Her backpack contained personal Destruction of Property purse while it was left unattended. property including a wallet, credit cards, and an IPod. A UMBC student reported damage to her vehicle. The vehicle had been scratched on the driver’s side and JUNE 13, 2009 MAY 9, 2009 soda had been dumped all over the vehicle. Public Policy Stadium MAY 16, 2009 Possession of Open Container 4th/Burglary (No Force) Two non-UMBC students were observed outside the A fire alarm was activated in the UMBC Stadium. Hilltop Cir. & Center Rd. building, one of whom possessed an open container After inspection of the area, no fire was discovered. Destruction of Property of alcohol. A witness gave a description to the UMBC Police of a A UMBC student came to Headquarters and stated suspect seen entering the building and shortly after, that her vehicle had been scratched on the driver’s JUNE 19, 2009 exiting the building where the fire alarm was activated. side. This was discovered after the student saw her for- A person matching this description was picked up near mer boyfriend, a non-student, and his friends standing The Commons the area. The suspect was identified as the same person around her vehicle. Bad Checks seen entering the building. A 20-year-old non-student A bank employee approached a UMBC officer to re- was arrested. MAY 18, 2009 port that unknown suspects have cashed as many as six stolen checks at a UMBC bank branch. UMBC Police MAY 10, 2009 Parking Lot 20 along with Baltimore County are pursuing leads at this Theft from Buildings time. Casselman / Hillside A UMBC Police Officer was approached by a cellular 2nd/Assault w/ Hands, etc, Simple contractor working on campus who reported the theft JUNE 24, 2009 A UMBC student reported that a non-UMBC student of two copper ground plates. attempted to pull her shorts off while she was sleeping. IT/E Building Both were highly intoxicated. The victim does not wish Eng / Comp Sci Theft from Buildings to press charges at this time. Destruction of Property A Goddard Earth Science and Technology Center A UMBC staff member reported derogatory com- employee reported that a brand new camera was sto- Albin Kuhn Library Bldg ments written on a poster. len. The camera was left in a room that was used by Theft from Buildings other people. A UMBC student reported that her laptop was sto- The Commons len. The laptop was left unattended for approximately Theft from Buildings 20 minutes. A UMBC student reported that her backpack, con- 8

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STAFF EDITORIAL staff Traditions take not only time but effort too EDITORS There is not ivy growing up the side of Sondheim Hall. There is not a pic- really be discovered and implemented in 40 years? The University of Maryland, Editor-in-Chief Gaby Arevalo turesque frat row. Though there may be many successful alumni, few are easily College Park, founded in 1856, has more than 150 years of history to fall back 410.455.1262 recognizable outside of academia. There is not excessive national media cover- on for tradition; ditto that for Towson University, founded 100 years before Managing Editor age for any reason. There is little athletic dominance outside the school’s suc- UMBC in 1866. Is it really fair to compare the tradition of the state’s oldest Ariane Szu-Tu 410.455.1263 cess in the America East Conference. All of these are things that students often schools to that of its youngest? Students at UMBC are in a special position to NEWS look to for a sense of tradition at their university. Students want to feel a part mold the direction the school takes, to make their own impact on the tradition Editor of a community, they want to be a part of what they perceive to be history. and legacy of their future alma mater. If enough students are of such a mindset, Andrea Thomson Assistant Editor At UMBC, tradition is often something that students feel there is not enough 100 years from now there won’t be a debate on the issue of tradition. Alethea Paul of. Unfortunately, the facts of the case are too often glossed-over. UMBC was OPINION founded only 41 years ago, in 1966. Can a sense of tradition, or true identity, Originally published on October 16, 2007 Editor Anne Verghese Assistant Editor Bobby Lubaszewski ARTS Editor Summer classes bring mixed emotions Paul-William de Silva Assistant Editor Anissa Elmerraji start to blend together and in lab you SPORTS attempt to defy the laws of physics just Editor so you can keep up with the schedule. Donald Daniels Assistant Editor But because it’s not the regular semester, Corey Johns I don’t have to worry about budgeting PHOTOGRAPHY time to study for all my other classes. I 410.455.1018 live and breathe organic chemistry (liter- Editor Patricia Davila ally in some instances). I actually laughed Assistant Editor out loud when I wrote “I literally live and Achsah Joseph breathe organic chemistry.” That’s just a COPY EDITORS bad spin off of the Xerox catchphrase. I John Breen Amy King also laugh at aromatic compounds – they Gavin Way really aren’t that funny, in fact most of the time they make your gag refl ex kick in because they can smell horrible. PRODUCTION Summer classes have their pros and 410.455.1266 cons, except for one type of summer Manager Tazuko Sugajima class – self paced ones. I took some easy, COURTESY KEAN.EDU one-credit computer courses one sum- Assistant > Fail a class? Drop one too many? Don’t worry! In order to keep money fl owing, colleges offer summer classes at Neeta Balram mer at a community college and since Assistant an unbelievably high price! nothing was due till about August 16, Ka Lai Lou Assistant I didn’t start working on anything until Sohee Oh Elizabeth Kudirka four years. I like them because they keep an electrical engineer. We wrote about about August 14. That was a huge mis- STAFF WRITER me out of trouble – one summer I didn’t what we wanted and spent a couple of take that ended up in me getting a B in take any classes and I ended up spend- classes watching movies (the argument my Microsoft Word course. Microsoft The summertime is a time where the ing three months at what was little better being that we’d later write about what we Word – the one computer program that TECHNOLOGY differences in students begin to emerge. than a commune. But I’ve found that it watched). But in the end I don’t think I I’ve probably used every day since high 410.455.3901 Manager These are the students that go to their really depends on the type of class you’re learned a single thing in that class, except school and I only have a “satisfactory” Greg Fiumara fancy internships, the other students that taking, whether or not you’ll enjoy your that Michael Moore is a very fat, very an- working knowledge of the program. Online Editor go home and work at the same place time in the classroom while everyone else gry man who tries too hard to be funny. Summer classes are guaranteed to en- Vania Dienzo Assistant they’ve worked at since they were six- is either curing cancer at their internship This past summer I’ve spent my time tertain you for at least six weeks of the Darwin Mach teen, and then there are the students that or getting skin cancer at the beach. taking organic chemistry and I’m still summer break. Whether or not you System Administrator Paul Swenson take summer classes – those overachiev- One summer I took an English class debating about whether or not it was learn something is up to you. Webmaster ing kids that won’t admit to having noth- and it was great. We had to write about worthwhile. Even during the regular fi f- Now Hiring ing better to do with their time. a third of the papers we normally would teen week semester, material is covered at I shouldn’t be talking though; I’ve have had to write and it was taught by a whirlwind pace so when you take away Comments can be sent to BUSINESS been taking summer classes for the past a guy whose real job was at Verizon as seven of those weeks, chemical reactions [email protected] 410.455.1261 Business Manager Nimit Bhatt The Retriever Weekly welcomes your comments. Letters to the editor must be submitted before 5 p.m. Friday via e-mail to eic@ DISTRIBUTION retrieverweekly.com or delivered to The Retriever Weekly offi ce, UC 214. Please limit letters to 300 words and include your full name, year and major. The Retriever Weeky retains the right to edit submissions for content and length. Manager Kisou Kusuzaki

ADVISOR EDITORIAL POLICY Faculty Adviser Christopher Corbett The Retriever Weekly staff editorials refl ect the views of the editorial board; signed columns and advertisements represent the opinions of the individual writers and advertisers, respectively, and do not necessarily refl ect those of The Retriever Weekly or the University of Maryland Baltimore County. The Retriever Weekly publishes DESIGN weekly on Tuesdays during the regular school year. Editors can be reached at (410) 455-1260 during normal business hours or at University Center 214; 1000 Carly Wilkins Hilltop Circle; UMBC; Baltimore, MD 21250. The Retriever Weekly is an equal opportunity employer. The RetrIever Weekly 07.14.09 oPINION 9 The Taliban has become a modern day Frankenstein

As the fighting ensues between the a stabilizing force in Afghanistan sioner has registered 120,000 people hottest months in the continent, the Fatima Chowdhry extremist militants who are now but soon spiraled out of control. who are displaced and the numbers daytime temperatures are hitting the CONTRIBUTING WRITER recognized as the Taliban and the It is these very Taliban who have mount with each passing day. This 100 degree mark. To add to this there Pakistani army, thousands of local seeped through the porous Afghan- number does not include the “invis- are an estimated 66,000 pregnant The Swat valley is one of the most residents of the Swat valley flee to Pak border into Pakistan and have ible refugees,” or those who are not women among the displaced people. beautiful areas in Pakistan with its safer areas in the country. started an insurgency in the North registered. The situation is being exacerbated picturesque beauty and lush green- The fact remains that the Tali- West Province of the country. Since An estimated 2.4 million people by the lack of funds. The UNHCR ery. Until recently this area has ban are a monster created both by 2007 the Pakistani army, backed by have been displaced making it has tallied the funds to $500 mil- served as a major tourist attraction. the Pakistani army and the United US support in its war on terror, has comparable to Rwanda’s refugees in lion and Washington has pledged The city of Swat is now the scene of States in leaving behind unfinished been trying to eradicate these insur- the 1990s. International aide agen- $110 million for the refugees. Along the Taliban insurgency which has business in Afghanistan at the end gents. Needless to say this has led to cies are focusing on the people in with this influx of refugees there are seized hold of the North Western of the Cold War. The departing US a humanitarian crisis on an unprec- the camps, but there are hundreds around 20,000 civilians who are still Frontier Province of Pakistan. The forces left behind a chaotic vacuum edented scale. In this ensuing battle, upon thousands of refugees outside trapped in the crossfire of fighting war with the Taliban in the north- of power in Afghanistan which led residents of the northwestern fron- these camps who remain out of the between the Pakistani army and the ern part of the country has led to a to the eventual formation of the tier province of Pakistan are fleeing reach of these refugee agencies and Taliban and are unable to escape. mass scale refugee crisis in Pakistan. Taliban who initially emerged as to safer areas. The UN high commis- are deprived of any benefits. A total Yet, in spite of the pledges there is of nearly 3 million people are liv- still a shortage of funds. ing not in camps but in houses and While the battle continues be- schools. These are known as the “In- tween the Taliban and the US-backed visible Refugees” and their numbers Pakistani army in the war on terror, continue to grow every day. Since the families of innocent civilians pay these people are not registered in the price and have lost their homes any camps they are bereft of basic and the lives they once knew. Some supplies and international aid. The question the presence of the US in provincial and federal government is Pakistan and whether it has made trying to cope with this onslaught of things worse for Pakistan and led people in a country that is already to unrest in the country. Regardless, lacking in resources and faces pov- the inevitable consequence of this erty. The main relief efforts are being war has been an influx of refugees carried out by the United Nations which has led to an unprecedented and other aid agencies. A lot of refu- humanitarian crisis in the history of gees are also staying with families the country since its partition from who are extending their generos- India in 1947. As wars are fought ity to the refugees and playing host those who suffer the most are un- families in the main cities. questionably the civilian popula- The conditions within the camps tions who have no say in what is are horrible for these refugees. The being done. camps are crowded, there is a short- age of food and water supplies, and Comments can be sent to COURTESY CSTC-A.COM > Taliban recruiting poster: Uncle Osama wants you! diseases abound. In July, one of the [email protected]. Good Samaritan Policies should be mandatory for all

Courtney Ring ply a part of college life. The trend rebel and run free. Movies portray CONTRIBUTING WRITER toward Good Samaritan Policies the glamorous enjoying themselves started in 2002, when Cornell Uni- at lush parties, parents regale their Consider this: While at a campus versity began offering amnesty to kids with tales of their exploits (both party packed with underage stu- students who called for help. Since real and imagined) at college socials, dents, one of your friends who has that time, according to a study pub- and musicians extol alcohol’s power been drinking but is not 21 passes lished by the International Journal to temporarily drown out problems. out. Knowing how much alcohol of Drug Policy in 2006, Cornell has Ingrained into our minds is the ex- they’ve consumed during the night seen the number of calls for para- pectation that people are going to alarms you and you wonder whether medics increase substantially while drink hard at parties, but until stu- or not to call for help despite the alcohol use stayed approximately dents, their families, and cultural harsh penalties for your friends and the same. Encouraged by Cornell’s trend setters refuse to be bound by yourself. Do you call the ambulance apparent success, other colleges that expectation, all the education in anyway, regardless of the conse- across the nation have implemented the world won’t cure the problem. If quences that may ultimately fall on the policy. Officials at College Park, education on risks alone could solve you, or do you stay mum and hope however, are dragging their feet, problems, no one would smoke cig- that your friend snaps out of it? concerned about the message such arettes today. Changing the vignette slightly, if a policy might send to underage While we’re on the subject of you knew that you wouldn’t get in drinkers. At this point, though, it education, why do we assume it is trouble, or that the penalties would doesn’t seem too likely that Univer- the university’s task to teach kids be much less severe, would it likely sity officials can continue to hold how to drink? Isn’t that ultimately influence your decision? A majority out for much longer since University the job of students’ parents? Not of students polled at University of President Dan Mote signed the Am- everyone has a great family life, Maryland, College Park answered ethyst Initiative. This in many ways and everyone makes mistakes, but yes to the second question, with 94 is a good thing—it’s hard to argue let’s be honest: Most people have COURTESY DOSOMETHING.ORG percent voting in favor of a Good with a policy that has the potential preconceived ideas about drinking > If you’re going to disobey the law, you might as well do it responsibly. Samaritan Policy that would reduce to encourage more kids to come for- when they arrive in college, many penalties for students who call in ward and get help for their friends. of which they’ve picked up from burden lies with parents, and if they of all restraints on behavior, binge help for incapacitated friends. In The fact remains that despite con- watching the way the adults within abdicate that responsibility, there drinking will continue. In the mean- many ways such a policy makes stant attempts on the part of uni- their families (particularly their par- isn’t a whole lot a crash course in al- time though, a Good Samaritan Poli- sense. By not punishing people for versity officials to educate students ents) use alcohol. If parents have not cohol use can do to help someone. cy can save the lives of students who attempting to do the right thing, about responsible alcohol consump- already trained their children to use The freedom college provides is a drink too much, and for that reason there ultimately exists a smarter, tion, students still disobey the law alcohol responsibly, I would argue great thing. This is the time of our should be implemented. healthier campus. and take risks. In large part, this that it’s a little late to start worry- lives—we call the shots. But the On the other hand, Good Samari- can be attributed to the mystique ing about it the summer before they funny thing about freedom is that it Originally published tan Policies don’t really address the surrounding college life—a percep- enter college. I don’t mean to imply entails more, not less, responsibility, on October 7, 2008 root problem: That underage binge tion reinforced through the culture that programs like AlcoholEdu are and until students recognize that Comments can be sent to drinking is seen as normal and sim- at large that college is the time to not valuable, just that the ultimate college doesn’t mean the removal [email protected] 10 oPINION 07.14.09 The RetrIever Weekly

POINT Going green has proven to be more harm than good

Michael Baldwin half of humanity living on less than exception of recycling metal, the re- small businesses will lose out due to off a third of the population, and the CONTRIBUTING WRITER $2.50 a day, 26,500-30,000 children cycling of common waste products higher costs. So instead of trying to next day, a single volcano could dis- dying each day due to poverty, and results in more cost and pollution develop new technologies and prac- charge more carbon than the entire With a growing sense of everyone about 1.1 billion people without ac- than simply throwing our trash into tices, we instead will destroy all but history of mankind. jumping on the “go-green” bandwag- cess to clean water, exactly how does a landfill. Huge amounts of govern- the most powerful producers of pol- The point is that we need to use on, there is a silent horror in how the the current movement to go “green” ment money and manpower through lution and consolidate their role as rational planning before making rich nations are ignoring the plight in the United States address these various state prison systems are the the sole providers of services. decisions that have long term con- of the worlds poorest. We as Ameri- more vital issues? only way that paper and plastic recy- This whole dilemma is befud- sequences. Furthermore, we have cans seem to place a large emphasis Well, it doesn’t. Even the idea of cling can turn a profit. Furthermore, dling in that the current information many more pressing global issues on controlling our effect on the en- recycling waste in the fashion in all of our paper products come from regarding the future environmen- than whether or not we are chang- vironment in any fashion and damn which we do so in the country does tree farms. Paper production is one tal changes are suspect at best. No ing the climate. Comparing the any and all consequences. With over more harm than good. With the of the few uses of renewable resourc- one truly knows how the Earth will sheer amount of money spent on es we have. Yet because of a lack of change in one year, let alone five. subsidizing wasteful recycling to information and corruption, the US Will sea levels rise a few inches or a the amount spent on helping those spends a ridiculous amount of mon- couple of feet? Will we start getting that need it the most shows just ey and generates a huge amount of mega hurricanes? In the 1970s the how truly diabolical this entire scam waste to recycle paper. concern was global cooling destroy- is. Recycling isn’t about saving the Even more irritating to any in- ing humanity. It is too easy to look at world; it is about wasting money formed person are carbon credits. the Earth as a simple closed system and giving ignorant people the false Only a government representative when it isn’t. Furthermore, man’s impression of saving the world. Like could come up with something this ability to affect his global environ- an idiot speeding down the highway stupid. To limit the release of carbon ment pales in comparison to the in a Prius. dioxide into the atmosphere, every- effect that solar and natural events one will have to pay money to offset can have on the Earth. We could the generation of that gas. Naturally perform the most drastic steps to Originally published these costs will be passed onto con- limit pollution, such as completely on October 21, 2008. sumers. So in effect, the richest pol- shutting down the global economy, Comments can be sent to luters can continue as before, while everyone going vegan, and killing [email protected]

COUNTERPOINT Green movement has the potential to bolster economy

Doug Manzelmann large amount of energy is saved. The parison is to the computer industry HELEN ZHANG — TRW STAFF WRITER Energy Information Administration boom starting in the 1980s and Originally published on October 21, 2008. (EIA) estimates that creating paper continuing today in new internet Though we’re in the middle of from recycled materials reduces en- startups. two wars, an economic crisis, and ergy by 40 percent; the Bureau of These technologies not only cre- an historic election, the current ide- International Recycling (BIR) esti- ate a great opportunity for economic ology of going green is still impor- mates a 64 percent reduction. powers like the United States, but tant. While some consider it a waste Paper waste, however, is not the also industrializing countries where of time, resources, and energy, it is biggest concern. Where paper can be the power grid is limited. Take for clear that they have yet to acknowl- incinerated to produce energy, and instance Africa. The UN cites that edge the facts. methane gases released and used as “Excluding South Africa and Egypt, Contributing to the green move- a bio-fuel, plastic cannot. The toxic no more than 20 percent (and in ment isn’t even the most difficult nature of plastic compounds do not some countries as few as 5 percent) task. The first step to helping the en- allow for this. Increasingly, plastics of Africans have electricity.” Arnulf vironment is to recycle. Recycling is are contaminating ocean waters, with Jaeger-Waldau of the European com- neither time-consuming nor expen- groups like Greenpeace commenting mission’s Institute for Energy stated sive (it’s actually free). Curb-side re- that plastic waste has created a con- that only 0.3 percent of sunlight cycling is becoming more pervasive tinent-sized dump in the middle of captured from the Sahara and Mid- throughout the United States, and the Pacific Ocean. Most frustrating dle East deserts could provide all of it’s fairly clear why. Studies find that about this dilemma (besides the fact Europe’s energy. in the majority of cases recycling is that no one nation is stepping for- Cheap, renewable electricity will the most efficient way to dispose of ward) is that there is an easy way to become increasingly important as residential waste. Beyond the costs, avoid these troubles: recycle. Since oil supplies become diminished. one has to consider air pollution the majority of plastic bottles and Continents such as Africa have the avoided from processes like incin- bags can be recycled, there literally opportunity not only to power pov- eration, reduced hazardous waste, is no excuse not to do so. erty-stricken rural areas, but to offer and the need for less space with The green technology industry jobs thus bolstering their economy. landfills. could also create a monumental Regardless of one’s views about the Even though the majority of trees opportunity for the United States effects that humanity has on the grown for paper are done so on and other countries. Each year the earth’s health, we cannot ignore the farms, some old growth forests are number of startups spun off from economic opportunity the green still used to provide trees. If this fact universities grows drastically. New movement provides. is ignored, one still has to consider techniques to augment the efficien- that on average, paper waste uses cy of solar panels, wind turbines, Originally published 35 percent of landfills. The amount geothermal energy collection, etc. on October 21, 2008. of energy recycling reduces is de- are creating a whole new field for Comments can be sent to batable, but the fact remains that a economic growth. The easiest com- [email protected] The RetrIever Weekly 07.14.09 oPINION 11

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Quotes from the Quad

Should the drinking age be lowered?

“I think it’s a good idea because college kids are going to do Laura Augustine Biology it anyway.” Freshman, 17 “It’s a bad idea because more people are going to drink.”

Rosa St. Martin Photography Freshman, 18 Vincent Frasco

Originally published on September 23, 2009. Maria Chrzanowski Engineerng Math Freshman, 18 Junior, 19 “It doesn’t matter because people will “I don’t care.” do it anyway.”

“I think they should lower it Vincent Harris English to 13.” Junior, 19 PHOTOGRAPHER: PATRICIA DAVILA PATRICIA PHOTOGRAPHER: 12 AArtsrts

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The third annual Rap Round Robin revs up the crowd

Becky Hunter twinkle in his eye while he spit his STAFF WRITER lyrics into the audience were quite captivating. He was totally the real A true Baltimore summer would deal, for sure. not be complete without the follow- Rap Dragons, the last of the art- ing: gallivanting around the harbor, ists on the round, were definitely the encounters with vermin the size of most impressive of the acts. They got New Mexico, National Bohemian, everyone pumped (well, as pumped and a little bit of MICA-infused car- as a large group of Baltimore hip- ryings-on. The Load of Fun Gallery sters could possibly get). They were on North Avenue graciously hosted the loudest and the most exciting the third annual Rap Round Robin on performers of the whole show. A Friday, July 3. The show, which con- scrawny pair of average looking ear- sisted of performances by local hip- ly-twenty-somethings, Rap Dragons hop acts AK Slaughter, Height with were not afraid to get involved with Friends, Food for Animals, Mickey the audience or create a delightful Free, PT Burnem, King Rhythm, Rap ruckus with their rhymes of getting Dragons, the Plural MC, and Jones, stoned. was based on the Round Robins put Over the course of the evening, on by the Baltimore-based collective many of the acts proved to be very Wham City (with whom many of the enjoyable and totally legit; however, artists are affiliated). A Round Robin a few of the MCs were a little under- is when there are several stages set whelming. They weren’t terrible, but COURTESY WAIC.ORG > Campers jump for joy over low-budget summer fun. up around a room and each act takes in comparison to the biting wit and turns performing while the audience undeniable energy of some of the makes a counter-clockwise quarter other artists, they just didn’t quite turn every time a new artist takes measure up. Ways to save on summer fun the mic. It is quite an innovative There is one thing about these way to put on a show, eliminating kinds of shows that is always a Sarah Evans thing, try another hobby or pastime the ocean front view. State parks offer the need for lengthy set changes and disappointment. Nobody is ever SENIOR STAFF WRITER that you do enjoy. Better yet, try cheap prices on places to pitch a tent, eliminating overly drawn-out sets. willing to dance! Sure, people are something new. Maybe you’ve al- and spending some time with nature The first act to go on was AK kind of bopping and swaying to the It’s summertime, and while for ways wanted to learn how to draw, is the perfect way to decompress Slaughter, a duo representing both beat, but that is not what hip-hop some of you that means long days of or to play the piano. It’s easy to get a and get away this summer. Nothing genders whose tongue-in-cheek is all about. Hip-hop is a bonding work, or long days of class, it should teach-yourself book or have friends is better than gathering around the rhymes and lively personalities agent that brings people together, also mean having some time to kick help you out, and picking up a new fi re with friends, eating some s’mores made for an excellent start. Emily and allows them to take chances. back and relax. That can seem like a skill is something that can bring you and just having a good time. For a bit Slaughter, the fiercest of lady MCs, What created break dancing and all diffi cult thing to do when money is entertainment for years to come. of sunshine and nature, without the got the crowd going with her smooth of those other early-eighties dance tight, but there’s no need to worry; With gas prices not exactly low, commitment of staying overnight, try yet ferocious flow while her partner crazes? Hip-hop. Unfortunately, no there are plenty of fun summer ac- the summer staple of a road trip can hiking or biking through one of the Aran Keating was oh-so smooth. AK one was willing to take the some- tivities that won’t break the bank. get a little pricey. That doesn’t mean local state parks. Generally there’s Slaughter was among the best per- times humiliating plunge into the Summer is the time to catch all a road trip is out of the question, no cost to park your car and frolic formers of the night, keeping it real world of awkward dance moves. of the latest blockbusters, and this it just means you have to be smart through the woods for a few hours. with funky beats and lyrics on top- 99 percent of the time the entire summer there are plenty of movies about it. Instead of renting a hotel Summer is also a good time to take ics such as sex education. The best room stood very still with their arms to choose from. Take an afternoon at the beach, break out the camp- advantage of the fact that you are a way to describe them would be, just, crossed and looked a little bit flus- and cool off at the movies. There are ing gear and fi nd a beach where you student, and that most of us live in totally awesome. The end. tered or nervous whenever someone theatres that still only cost $6.50 to can pitch your tent. There are beach the D.C. or Baltimore areas. Visit A few more performers went on would dare break that stance. It was get in, and everyone knows the most campgrounds that will only cost some museums that you had thought and off relatively quickly, perhaps as if everyone was waiting to hear cost effective way to enjoy some you a small fee, and you get to sleep about going to, but didn’t have the almost unnoticed. Then Mickey bad news of the medical persuasion. snacks during a fl ick is to buy them under the stars with the ocean right time for. Many are free or offer re- Free took the mic. Now, Mickey It was a little bit uncomfortable. from an outside source. Or just grab outside your tent door. It is defi nitely duced student rates, so really there is Free looks like he could very easily Other than that though, the show lunch with friends before hitting the the cheapest way to get the most out no excuse not to get a little culture in be playing tennis in Provincetown was quite impressive and entertain- movies; that way there’s no snack- of a beach trip. If you are taking road your time away from school. and wearing seersucker. He isn’t, ing. It was relatively short, only last- ing and you have more time to hang trips elsewhere, to see a concert or Whatever you are doing this sum- thank goodness. Needless to say, his ing just under three hours for eight out. visit an amusement park, trying stay- mer, remember that it is healthy to outward appearance does not quite different acts. The Round Robin is Another simple way to have fun ing with friends. The beauty of going take time away from work or class, match the ridiculously sick MC definitely the most efficient method and take a break from the world is to college is that you meet some cool so get out and have some fun. And that is brewing inside him. Mickey of putting on a show. Well done art by just reading a good book. Nobody people who don’t all live in the same having fun doesn’t have to mean Free was definitely one of the more school rappers of Baltimore, well has time to read for enjoyment dur- state as you, so take advantage of it. spending all your hard-earned cash. entertaining artists of the night, done. ing the school year, so take the op- If you’re not a fan of the ocean but with mostly silly rhymes revolving portunity over the summer to take still want a way to enjoy some time Comments may be sent to around girls and dirty internet- Comments may be sent to a day and read. If reading’s not your outdoors, just try camping without [email protected] based behavior. His energy and the [email protected] The RetrIever Weekly 07.14.09 ARTS 13 Sunset Rubdown’s latest album slays audiences

Anissa Elmerraji sical clutter, relying mainly on hard RETRIEVER STAFF edge guitar and a pivotal crushing bell and percussion explosion. The With Dragonslayer, the latest of- song’s mention of Icarus suggests fering from Sunset Rubdown, mas- Krug’s fascination with comparing termind Spencer Krug puts nostalgia reality with the fate of the Greek into a blender with surreal nonsense, gods – a habit that also appears with creating an album that is vibrantly the mention of Poseidon’s white hair inhabited by memories, metaphor in “Winged/Wicked Things.” and mythological creatures. Krug’s “Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna unmistakable voice sings a world Anna Anaa Oh!” carries on the same into existence with symbols that preoccupation with the past that be- jump from song to song and chill-in- gan with “Silver Moons.” Krug sings, spiring passages. Icarus, Apollo and “My god I miss the way it used to Cupid all live within the fantastical be,” as the song, ironically, breaks land of Dragonslayer, where confetti into a bouncy melody that has the floats like dead leaves and the past upbeat appeal of a Belle and Sebas- is remembered in techni-color while tian song. the present exists in hues of grey. From the onset, “You go on Ahead” Although the opening lines of is striking because of a bassline that “Silver Moons” seem nonsensical: elicits butterflies. The music rests “Silver moons belong to you/ I’m on repetitive lyrics whose simplicity passing the baton from the old mare plays well against the complicated to the fawn/ Tell the new kids where instrumentation. The song is power- I hid the wine,” the eclectic mish- ful, made so by the repetition of the mash of images that Krug inspires words “You go on ahead for a while,” replaces any preconceived need for whose inflection becomes intensified things to make sense. These first each time they are repeated. There- lines inspire a hallucinatory dream fore, when the lyrics change and the filled with “confetti” made of dead strong melody draws back into a leaves, marking the finish of a puz- structured buildup that compounds zling mare/fawn relay race. However, and builds tension as each new piece this set up fits the resigned nostal- of percussion enters and finally cli- gia that comes next: “maybe these maxes into a triumphant bell burst, days are over now,” showing that the impact is all the more powerful. the past is always more colorful and The ten minute and twenty-seven fantastic than the present. The song second “Dragon’s Lair” rivals “Shut COURTESY JAGJAGUWAR RECORDS is split into two sections: the first, up I am Dreaming of Places Where > Sunset’s eclectic appeal stands out on the album cover of their new release, Dragonslayer. reminiscence, opens with a dreamy Lovers Have Wings,” from the 2006 synth line, while the second section, album Shut Up I am Dreaming, in “Dragon’s Lair,” however, sounds as prevails, when Krug bursts into his the new with the old. The colorful resignation, slows the tempo and terms of length, but lacks the cohe- if Krug is choosing pages at random, signature throaty yelps that undoubt- lyrics on Dragonslayer remain to be a sings simply with a piano, singing of sive sound of the latter. “Shut up I although he fits them all together edly are the means by which Krug stamp of the group, and along with “fallen trees” as memories. am Dreaming of Places Where Lov- with the same recurring melody. The expresses emotion most intensely. Krug’s unmistakable voice, retain the “Idiot heart,” which was originally ers Have Wings,” sounds like Krug track contains the strongest images Dragonslayer no doubt contains gripping draw of the music. introduced via a Daytrotter session is whispering a fairytale into the ear from previous tracks; the dead leaves music that is more conventional than in December of 2007, sounds like of a sleeping child. The song, rises are resurrected and confetti makes what most Sunset Rubdown fans are it belongs in Random Spirit Lover and falls like a story; it ends and be- yet another appearance. The song used to, but tracks such as “Idiot Comments may be sent to (2007), because it is stripped of mu- gins with the same dreamy quality. climaxes, the hero of the fairytale Heart” and “Dragon’s Lair” reconcile [email protected]. The Hills come alive in Lauren Conrad’s new novel

Derek Roper by a producer and his crew for a STAFF WRITER new reality show, L.A. Candy, and are coaxed into joining the cast. Lauren Conrad may have left The Soon every area of their lives, work, Hills for good (at least she claims) play and love are being documented but that doesn’t mean we have seen and conveniently edited. During the last of her. In L.A. Candy, Con- one scene in the show, the pair are rad’s new book, which is the first in filmed leaving with two guys to sup- a series of three, she creates a world posedly hook up with them, but in where reality and fiction (mostly reality the girls just ended up going fiction) combine to create a world home alone. Jane and Scarlett must similar to The Hills. Although she face the consequence of that evening says that the book is not based on and that is just the pilot episode. the show, some of the characters are But as any reality TV junky knows, inexplicably similar. there has to be drama, so added to The book introduces the reader the mix is Madison, a rich heiress to two best friends; Jane Roberts, who is a lady of leisure, and her an optimistic yet naïve young lady half-witted friend and verbal punch- and Scarlett Harp, her opinionated ing bag, Gaby, who works at a P.R. best friend. They moved to Los An- firm. These two ladies are clearly geles together so Jane can work as the yang to Jane and Scarlett’s yin. an intern at a very prestigious event While Gaby doesn’t so much play a planning firm, Fiona Chen, and big part in the destruction of Jane Scarlett can attend the University of and Scarlett’s friendship, Madison Southern California. Both girls have takes charge and put events into realized their dream of living in the motion that could ruin their careers

COURTESY FASHIONGEEK.WORDPRESS.COM city of angels but they soon learn it before the show even reaches its sec- > The Hills hits the shelves in hardcover. is anything but heaven. > see HILLS [15] Eventually both girls are spotted 14 ARTS 07.14.09 The RetrIever Weekly k g a ggamesames CROSSWORD 3 1 WWW.MIRROREYES.COM/CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Sodium4 chloride 23. Make a mistake 46. Steps 5. Back 24. Backside 48. Splinter 8. A period of discounted 26. Sharp piercing cry 50. Murres prices 29. Peek 51. Outrage 12. Wings 31. “Eureka!” 52. Historical period 13. Bobbin 32. Besmirch 54. Immoderate 15. Creative work 34. France’s longest river 61. Somersault 16. Bearing 36. Claim 63. Praise 17. Practice 38. Strange 64. A radar echo 18. Go across 40. Taverns 65. Celebration 19. A group of many 41. Patter islands 43. Lock 22. Regret 45. Young child DOWN 1. Epic 20. Colored part of an 42. Fifty-three in 2. Winged eye Roman numerals 3. Secular 21. Verbal 44. Employ 4. Leash 25. Prig 47. Hierarchy levels in 5. Basilica area 26. Boats the army 6. A young horse 27. According to custom 49. Spoken 7. Roman robe 28. Beams on ships 52. Therefore 8. Mayday 29. Southern breakfast 53. Horse color 9. Regard dish 55. Albacore or bluefin 10. An elaborate 30. Mistake 56. Modify written Hawaiian feast 31. Commercials material 11. Slave 33. A southern 57. Means 13. Greatest in status or constellation 58. A friendly nation

SUDOKU LEMO.DK/SUDOKU SOLUTIONS TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLES

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3x3 box. You might CROSSWORD want to use a pencil! SUDOKU cclassIfIedslassIfIeds CLUB NOTICES EMPLOYMENT PART-TIME HELP NEEDED at Chesa- HOUSE FOR RENT please 30 words free per week! FUN JOB! Work with your friends and peake Gardens Cafe in Glen Burnie. Convenient to UMBC, Historic Elkridge, email earn $10-30 / hr. depending on how Duties include working the register and 3 miles from campus. 4BR/2BA, huge recycle [email protected] hard you work. If you’re a hustler the food preparation. Food experience 31x25 Studio/Ballroom. $2100/month. sky’s the limit on earning potential. preferred. Starting salary - $8/hour. Bill Holland: 410-303-2920 your We are an Inc. 500 company located Contact Eileen: 443-749-0411 or eileen. newspaper close to campus. Come interview [email protected]. HELP TThehe RRetrIeveretrIever NOW as positions are fi lling FAST! WWeeklyeekly Call Bob at 410-760-1777 RESEARCH STUDY Smoke cigarettes? PREGNANT? Considering adoption? You may be eligible for a brief online re- Personalized, compassionate open University Center 214 HOMEWORK HELPER WANTED for search study. Chance to win $50 Visa® or closed adoption services. You may 1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250 12-year old boy with learning disabil- Gift Card. www.umbc.edu/psyc/habits/ choose and meet your baby’s pre- (410) 455-1260 ity, ADHD. Going to Arbutus Middle “College Student Occasional and Daily screened adoptive family. Confi den- Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. School, would appreciate help 4 nights Smoking Study” Takes about 30 min- tial. Available 24/7. www.adoption- a week, pay $15/hour. 410-750-8763 utes. Questions? [email protected] makesfamily.org. 410-683-2100 The RetrIever Weekly 07.14.09 ARTS 15 Conrad’s literary trilogy commences with L.A. Candy

> from HILLS [13] story threads. While the plot reads like a cheaper ond season. version of The Hills (even though it’s In true Conrad fashion, Jane not—supposedly) it falls flat of juic- finds herself torn between two guys; iness. Conrad said that she wanted Braden, a guy she met off-camera, to show the other side of reality TV and Jesse, the celebrity who has with this book, but it feels like the had his troubled past played out in reality TV watchers already know all the tabloids. Both guys make Jane’s about cheating boyfriends and back- head spin and she eventually ends stabbing girls. But here, someone up having to choose. Sounds suspi- does take a pill and end up missing ciously like Jason Wahler (Lauren’s her whole night of filming. If Con- Laguna Beach boyfriend who has rad is going to write the flip side of been in trouble with drugs) and her being on camera then she should off-camera boyfriend Kyle Howard have incorporated more intrusive (TBS’ My Boys star). moments from the camera and more Boy trouble and friendship issues drunken fights. Well, there is always do not seem to be enough though. the next book. Throw in some work environment If one is looking to pick up a drama and Jane finds herself strug- novel with as much drama and high gling with working for the great fashion as one of the Gossip Girl sto- Fiona Chen (who is reminiscent of ries, then please move on. But if one Lisa Love from Teen Vogue, Lauren’s doesn’t feel like watching the Kristin first fashion boss). Cavallari era of The Hills, then this is The book’s conclusion, however, at least a layover until Conrad’s next is severely disappointing. In a city venture. with so much going on, one has to ask why Conrad would have the sto- ry end the way she chose. One thing Comments may be sent to is for sure, don’t look for any tied-up [email protected]

QUESTIONS FOR QUINN

Questions? E-mail [email protected]

Q. Now that I’m at home for the summer, my parents are trying to take control of my life. When I’m at school I can basically do whatever I want and I’m responsible about having fun. But now I’m being treated like a little kid again and not like an adult capable of making my own decisions. My parents won’t let me go out with my friends unless they have met them first. That’s practically impossible with friends from college that live a good distance away. I have a ridiculously early curfew now and I’m not allowed to leave the house until my room is clean. It’s absurd. How can I get my parents to realize I’m an adult and they need to get off my case and let me live my own life?

A. You have to recognize the classic “While you’re living in my house, you’ll live by my rules” attitude that your parents have adopted. It is an unfortunate situation since even sitcoms have a hard time arriving at a perfect balance of power between parents’ control and kids’ independence. The best thing to do, as cliché as it sounds, is to pick your battles. It is going to take a lot more than a semester or two at college for your parents to completely give up the authority they’ve had over your life. Figure out where and to what extent you are willing to follow your parents’ rules and where you absolutely need your freedom. Then talk it through with your parents and see if you can’t persuade them to compromise a little. Get your curfew moved back a few hours in exchange for keeping your room clean, or offer to leave contact numbers when you go to visit friends that they haven’t met yet. If your parents are reasonable people and not too controlling, they will recognize that you’ve grown up enough that they can bend to your requests and it won’t be the end of the world. If they still just can’t give in, you can listen and be miserable or you can not listen and deal with the consequences (and probably still be miser- able) but at least the choice of misery is up to you.

Q. My ex-boyfriend is coming to visit me in a few weeks. He was my first love and because of that I still have a sort-of attachment to him, but there is a problem. I’m seeing another guy right now; it’s not serious but it is consistent since we see each other at least three nights a week. Should I tell him that my ex is com- ing to visit or should I just not say anything at all and avoid him that weekend?

A. It is not a good policy to lie to someone you are spending time with on a regular basis, even if things are not that serious. So whether or not you decide to tell him about your ex coming to visit depends entirely on how much you value whatever it is that you have with this guy. If you don’t care all that much, then lie or avoid the situation and enjoy the escalation of the issue until it blows up in your face. If you do care, then you need to talk to him about your ex. Granted, he might be upset or jealous, but if you’ve already made your decision then that shouldn’t matter except to the point you want it to. Avoiding him when you normally spend a significant amount of your free time together will automatically send up a signal that some- thing is unusual, and you will be back to deciding whether to lie to him or tell the truth. So you might as well pre-empt the issue of “why didn’t you tell me before now?!” and deal with it before the visit. Just because the conversation is not going to be easy or enjoyable does not mean that it shouldn’t still happen. 16 ARTS 07.14.09 The RetrIever Weekly The RetrIever Weekly 07.14.09 ARTS 17 Tapas around town: Baltimore’s best shareable morsels

Katrina Cohen STAFF WRITER

The beginning of the semester is time for special experiences in hun- ger. Soon you’re wondering how that bag of Sun Chips got empty, or who licked clean your container of cookie-dough Häagen-Dazs. Stress- eating, in turn, is quickly replaced with campus/Giant food fatigue, and a need to consume anything not pur- chased in the immediate Catonsville area. (Also to see something green and possibly leafy, even if it’s just an adorable garnish.) Tapas tend to be a budget-friend- ly way to eat out with a group of friends in a place that doesn’t smell like old onion rings or feature menu items sponsored by Food Network stars. Baltimore has a whole mess of tapas places now, each one of- fering its variation on the Spanish shareable small plates idea. Risks of going out for tapas include not or- dering enough tapas plates for your group, or selecting a restaurant with microscopic-sized (though adorably garnished) food on each plate so that you have to order twice as many plates (see Pazo, below), thus ending the budget-friendly dream. Here, then, is my take on the four Baltimore tapas restaurants I’ve vis- ited, categorized in a subtle, sophis- ticated manner. Yum Kali’s Mezze, 1606 Thames Street in Fells Point, kalismezzecom: Here you’ll fi nd a delectably huge menu of Med- iterranean-style tapas. Mezze, wel- coming and warm in low lights and a low-key atmosphere, also boasts the largest tapas plate size I’ve seen, with enough food on each plate for about three people to sample happily. But if you have any questions, both times > Savory ground lamb meatballs in a tangy curried tomato sauce topped with fresh cilantro and toasted almonds! COURTESY TAPASTEATRO.COM I’ve visited the waiters were friendly, and suggested ordering two or three title, especially since the Everyman cheesecake with strawberries ($6.00) more, thus increasing the tip, but La Tasca, 201 East Pratt Street over- plates per person; if you’re a group Theatre is set to move to a new loca- is not overly sweet or rich, but just this warning did not come. The food looking the Inner Harbor, latascausa. of two, fi ve dishes will be more than tion near the Hippodrome, but Tapas right (no creepy Goldilocks reference was not bad at all; the braised lamb com: If you’re going to La Tasca, enough. Help yourselves to spinach Teatro is attached to the Charles intended). shoulder ($8.00) came on a bed of you’re probably going for the view, pies brimming with feta cheese, baba Theatre, and is the perfect place to creamy chickpea polenta, and Pazo’s and because California Pizza Kitchen ghanoush eggplant dip with a basket discuss that independent fl ick you Not So Much take on eggplant dip ($6.00) featured closed, and the wait at Cheesecake of pita (instead of the typical hum- just saw, or swallow your depression Pazo, 1425 Aliceanna Street in Fells crunchy, tart pomegranate seeds in a Factory is annoying. The prices are mus), or moist, falling-apart braised if the fi lm happened to be a heart- Point, pazorestaurant.com: Oh, Pazo. creative touch. But shareability, the reasonable, and La Tasca, a national veal. Vegetable dishes are priced from wrencher. Offering a “full range of I really wanted to like you. Your whole point of tapas, was lacking, chain franchise, serves a surprisingly $5.00 to $7.00, and fi sh, poultry international fl avors” in portions website is so swanky. You have a and I left hungry, came home, ate a tasty dessert fl an with caramel sauce and meat dishes range from $8.00 slightly smaller than Mezze, Tapas gorgeous dining room, a converted banana, was still hungry, and made and pine nuts ($5.95), but otherwise to $11.00. The name of this place Teatro’s selections such as warm warehouse bathed in red tones and some cinnamon-sugar toast. Then most of the dishes here seem to come is curiously close to Pazo, but if you artichokes in a shrimp, capers and chandelier light. But after our waiter ate it. If You Must Go: Dress up. This out lukewarm and with a giant blob accidentally Mapquest/drive to Pazo, cream sauce ($6.95), tomato-curry realized that only one person in our is the fun part, because there aren’t of barely-fl avored mayo, tasting of Mezze is just around a few corners. lamb meatballs ($8.95) and a salad group of three was going to drink, all that many places in Baltimore that the same general blend of spices. If Must Order: Roasted salmon, glazed of lemony, crunchy chilled green and that, no, we weren’t members of require everyone to look nice. Know You Must Go: Wait until it’s warmer, in a sweet barbeque sauce and served beans and asparagus ($6.95) will the older moneyed elite, she couldn’t that you’re going to pay for the scen- sit out on the balcony with its Harbor with tangy tzatziki ($10.00). I pro- leave you pleasantly full without get away soon enough. (Pazo is the ery. And don’t order the grilled tuna view, and save room for dessert. posed marriage to this dish and have that let-me-drink-12-glasses-of-wa- place whose website has a separate ($9.00), three strips of fi sh, each yet to receive a response. ter-so-this-gross-feeling-goes-away .pdf document elucidating its dress roughly the size of a petite pinkie Tapas Teatro, 1711 N. Charles Street problem. (I should totally write code, entitled “PAZO DRESS CODE.” fi nger, with a camoufl aging dallop of Originally published in the “Station North Arts and Enter- ads.) Must Order: The spicy chicken Ladies, No Flip Flops, please.) Had white horseradish cream on the side on January 27, 2009. tainment District,” tapasteatro.com: I croquettes are heavenly little fried we been alerted to the doll-sized of the white plate. Comments can be sent to don’t know about the Arts District rolls of cheesy joy ($8.95). The goat serving sizes, we would have ordered [email protected].

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sports [email protected] UMBC Athletics Year in Review: 2008-2009

Corey Johns pions. It is hard to decide whether the Softball also made great strides toward EDITORIAL STAFF 2009 team was better than the 2008 a championship team. Stephanie Weig- team but they will go down as one of man has already broken nearly every Compared to the 2007-2008 athletic the top two teams in UMBC lacrosse pitching record in just her sophomore year, this past 2008-2009 athletic year history. They got off to a great start and season and players like Lauren Brum- was somewhat disappointing, but only were looking to be a seeded team in mell, Amanda Page, and Julia Culotta all on the surface. Only fi ve teams made the NCAA tournament before a slight made great improvements in their games it to a conference tournament that did hiccup against Hartford. But after that and will all be returning. not invite all teams to compete. Those loss, which coach Don Zimmerman Though they missed their conference teams were men’s lacrosse, softball, vol- described as a “wake-up call,” the team tournament, women’s lacrosse also looks leyball, and both men’s and women’s rallied and won three straight, including to be right on the cusp of being a cham- tennis. It was a down season for both both conference tournament games for a pionship team. Either next year or the soccer teams and baseball, who made fourth-straight trip to the NCAA tourna- year after it would not be a surprise to great strides making their fi rst confer- ment and third AEC championship in see them hoisting a trophy. While they ence tournament a season ago. But when four years. It was a senior driven team. will lose phenomenal talent such as looking deeper at the teams it may have Jeremy Blevins, who was named the Abbey Swift and Kara Dorr and Ashley been a more successful season than the conference player of the year, dominated Lancer, the freshman and sophomore program’s 2007-2008 year. in goal while seniors Pet Poillon, Alex class far exceeded expectations and with Two teams brought home a champi- Hopmann, and Ryan Smith dominated another year experience they could be onship for UMBC this year. Men’s swim- on the offensive side. On defense Steve right in the mix of things. ming and diving continued their reign Settembrino stepped up in a big way Depending on how one looks at the with their sixth straight America East when an injury to all-American Bobby men’s basketball team you can argue that Championship and twelfth consecutive Atwell left a vacant spot. Settembrino they had a bad season, fi nishing in just league title. Justin Bronson dominated went from being a man-down defender 6th place with a 15-17 record, or one competition this year making tremen- to being the only defensive player to can argue they followed their champion- dous and unexpected improvements start every game of the season. Kevin ship with a great season where they re- from last year’s campaign. As great as Goedeke also dominated on defense in turned to the conference championship Bronson was last season, which earned his fi nal season, earning all-conference game. Darryl Proctor and Jay Greene him a tryout for the Canadian Olym- honors. refused to have their collegiate careers pic team, he made great improvements After the most successful athletic sea- end and battled as hard as they could in his stroke and helped power UMBC son in history, the fans expected more in the post season to get UMBC back back to the top. Brad Reitz followed a than just two championships, but de- to the championship game. While the terrifi c freshman campaign with an even spite fans leaving wanting more, it was team did come up short in their attempt better sophomore campaign. His poten- a very successful year. Volleyball and to repeat as champions, a freshman gave tial seems limitless, and with Bronson Softball both made great strides this year UMBC fans a lot to hope for. Chauncey graduating he is the new face of the swim and look to be serious championship Gilliam played like a man among boys team. They did not carry the team alone contenders next year. Neither team loses last season and looks like he has all the though. Jason Mattingly, Eric Jones, more than they can handle and they potential to make a run at a player of the Evan Roseberry, Mat Carson, John Men- both are coming off great seasons. Last year award before he graduates. denhall and many others all dominated season served as a year of experience Women’s basketball had a successful competition, especially when it mattered for the young players and they will both season in a different way. With a team as the season’s best times for every event be better for it. Volleyball jumped from with no seniors they worked their way FILE PHOTO came in the Championship meet. sixth place to fourth place in one season into fi fth place, and a trio of freshman > Alyssa Lang won the 2008 America East Conference Rookie of the Men’s lacrosse also repeated as cham- and will return everybody next year. > see REVIEW [23] year award as she was tenth in the conference in kills with 319.

FILE PHOTO > The men’s swimming and diving team won their sixth straight America East Conference Championship and their 12th straight league Championship in the 2008-2009 collegiate season. The RetrIever Weekly 07.14.09 SPORTS 21 Do you know who UMBC’s America East rival is? Binghamton, Hartford, Stony Brook year’s nine goal comeback to overcome played against him, he dominated. but now have high expectations. Now Corey Johns and Vermont. After those fi ve you can Albany, has made Albany a great la- The past fi ve seasons Vermont soc- with the two team’s having met in the EDITORIAL STAFF eliminate Hartford and Stony Brook crosse foe. Also, in basketball, Albany cer has made a name for themselves conference fi nals the case for Bing- for different reasons. Though Hart- has been the team with a bull’s eye on with four postseason appearances. hamton to be the rival is stronger. Since 2003, when UMBC moved ford basketball has shown up on the their back for a while, but until two As for the all-time record as a confer- Also, UMBC upset Binghamton in the into the America East Conference, the map at the same time UMBC has and seasons ago, UMBC never seemed to ence foe, the series is tied 2-2-2. This RAC last season putting the all-time athletic department has seen many they played UMBC in the AEC basket- be able to beat them, as they only won makes for an interesting match-up, regular season record at 6-6. Baseball things fall into place, A men’s and ball championship game, the fall and two times against the Great Danes but UMBC hasn’t seen Vermont in the doesn’t have much of a case for a ri- women’s basketball championship, spring seasons don’t provide many in- from 2002-2007. But now that UMBC post season. As for baseball, in the fi ve valry with the two teams’ history, no two men’s lacrosse championships, a teresting games against Hartford. Since basketball has climbed up the confer- seasons with UMBC in the conference, postseason games and UMBC holding swimming and diving dynasty, con- UMBC joined the conference, Hartford ence and looks to be a contender for Vermont has made three postseason a 3-19 record over the past fi ve sea- tending men’s soccer and volleyball has only had one winning season in years to come, the former team to beat appearances. They did play UMBC in sons against them, but Retriever base- teams and baseball making their fi rst soccer, only one win in lacrosse, and may have some good games with the last year’s postseason but, during the ball made their historic turnaround appearance in the AEC postseason. they have not had a winning season current team to beat. As for soccer, regular season, UMBC has only beaten to get them into their fi rst AEC post But one thing is missing: a rival. Who in baseball, so outside of basketball, on the men’s side the trend has been Vermont fi ve times in 23 tries. As for season after they played Binghamton. is UMBC’s rival in the AEC? In a nine they are not a great candidate as a the winner loses the next year, which lacrosse, Vermont is a bottom feeder But the spring excitement against team conference, there has to be some- rival. Stony Brook is the complete op- means they are evenly matched teams in the conference and has yet to win Binghamton comes right next door at body for fans to love to hate— but is posite of Hartford. In basketball the that have provided excitement in soc- a game against UMBC. Finally, there UMBC stadium in lacrosse. In the past UMBC left out? College sports pro- Seawolves have been a bottom feeder cer. Two seasons ago, in game three of is Binghamton. Binghamton is already fi ve seasons Binghamton has beaten grams pride themselves on rivalries: since they joined the conference but the series against Albany, the baseball the institutional rival of UMBC, mean- UMBC once but has really pressured Army-Navy, Duke-North Carolina, have featured decent teams in soccer, team had many heated moments that ing we are basically the same school them. The one loss came in 2004 by USC-UCLA, Michigan-Ohio State, Mi- lacrosse and baseball. But not enough could spark something this season. Al- (same majors, same size school, same one goal, 5-4. Then in 2007 Bingham- ami-Florida State. All are rivalries that has happened to spark a rivalry with bany’s pitchers hit fi ve UMBC batters, level of academics), in a different loca- ton took UMBC into double overtime bring the entire campus together for at Stony Brook in those sports. UMBC there was over a fi ve minute delay in tion. As for athletics, Binghamton has where UMBC eventually won 11-10. least one night; jocks befriend nerds, has only played Stony Brook once in the game because of a heated argu- made the post season in soccer fi ve As for post season excitement, the goths befriend yuppies, and they all the lacrosse tournament, never in the ment between coaches, and the bitter- times and their post season history past three seasons UMBC has knocked have one thing in common: they want soccer post season, and once in a round ness carried over after the game when with UMBC is interesting. In UMBC’s Binghamton out in the fi rst round of to win the game. So who is UMBC’s robin baseball postseason. Without Albany’s coach, Jon Mueller refused to fi rst season in the AEC, the Retrievers the AEC tournament but, last season, rival? There may not be one. To fi nd an interesting postseason history in shake hands with Joe Michalski, UM- won the regular season title but Bing- UMBC narrowly escaped in a 6-5 out who the rival is you have to look a sport other than basketball, where BC’s assistant coach. Is that enough to hamton won the tournament champi- overtime victory. With the school’s ri- at the high-interest men’s sports (soc- Stony Brook hasn’t been a factor, they spark a rivalry against Albany in that onship. After that, the next two post val coming down to Albany, Vermont, cer, basketball, lacrosse and baseball). don’t make for a great rival. With two sport too? Next is Vermont. Along season appearances for UMBC have or Binghamton, Binghamton gets the Out of eight possibilities, immediately more eliminated only Albany, Bing- with Albany, Vermont has been a team been cut short by Binghamton in the call as UMBC’s biggest rival. They can excluded are Boston University, Maine hamton and Vermont are left. Albany to beat in basketball, which began semi-fi nals. During the regular sea- compare to all four teams, and have and New Hampshire. UMBC sees all has provided UMBC with a great rival- before UMBC joined the conference. son, three of fi ve games have gone a good postseason history in soccer three in the fall and winter, but in the ry in lacrosse without a doubt; three From 2002-2007, Vermont has won to overtime with a 1-1-1 record, but and lacrosse. With UMBC’s success at spring not much is seen of those three of the last four AEC championship either a regular season champion- the two regular season games that did home against the Bearcats the rivalry teams. Neither New Hampshire nor games have been battles between the ship or a conference championship not go into overtime were both loses is going more and more. Boston U. play UMBC men’s teams in two and before that, in UMBC’s fi rst each year except in the 2005-2006 to the bearcats. In basketball, UMBC the spring, and Maine has no lacrosse AEC postseason, Albany dropped the season. The last two season Vermont and Binghamton are very similar program. This leaves fi ve teams in the Retrievers by one in overtime of the has have the player of the year, but teams. Both teams were consistently Comments can be sent to conference to have as a rival: Albany, semi-fi nals. This, combined with last every time UMBC’s Darryl Proctor in the middle of the pack in the past [email protected].

FILE PHOTO > Chauncey Gilliam (23) shows his dominance over Binghamton’s Kyrie Sutton with a crows roaring dunk in UMBC 84-78 upset of the Bearcats at the RAC arena on January 28, 2009. 22 SPORTS 07.14.09 The RetrIever Weekly Summer is full of change for UMBC coaching staffs pionships in his home country and from making the America East Con- Donald Daniels made an appearance in the 1992 ference tournament in back-to-back EDITORIAL STAFF Olympic games in Barcelona, Spain. years. Like most head coaches, Berg- He has also been a part of William er is eager and ready to take over the This summer has been a season and Mary and American University team, knowing she has full support of change in the coaching depart- coaching staffs add served as the from the athletic program. “I’m re- ment for multiple UMBC athletic associate head coach for the Mont- ally excited and I know I have a lot programs. Over the course of the gomery Dive Club for the last eight to learn, but I feel I’ve had wonder- last two months, three new assistant years. In addition to coaching the ful mentors who have prepared me coaches and one new head coach diving team for UMBC, Trifonov will very well,” said Berger. “I’m excited have been named to take over next also be the head coach for the Re- for what the future will bring and I season in their respective sports. triever Dive Club, which is designed know I have a great administration Women’s volleyball saw the de- for young divers in the Baltimore behind me to support me.” parture of Briana Koche, who had Area. On July 6th Berger made her served as an assistant for the team The women’s basketball team first hire when she promoted Tony for the last two seasons. Koche aided made a new addition as well after Giro as assistant coach and defen- head coach Ian Blanchard in the past head coach Phil Stern named Jaclyn sive coordinator. This move will two years as the team went 20-12 in Goldbarg as his newest assistant. make plenty of Retriever women’s 2007 and 18-13 in the 2008 season, Throughout her injury-ridden ca- lacrosse fans happy as Giro has all in which the team made the America reer at Brown University, Goldbarg ready showed that his methods can East Conference Tournament. The won the 2008 Harriet Sheridan be beneficial to the team. In his UC-San Diego graduate will return Leadership Award, which honors first year Giro directed the UMBC to her home state and become an a teammate that had the biggest defense, which was ranked 12th in assistant for UC Riverside volleyball impact on team unity through sac- the nation in caused turnovers with team, which is lead by head coach rificing personal gain for the team’s 10.9 per game and ranked second Ron Larsen. Larsen was the top as- goals. “We’re very excited about the in the conference in scoring defense sistant for 2008 U.S.A. men’s volley- addition of Jaclyn to our team,” said with a 9.88 goals-against average last ball, which won the gold medal in Stern. “She comes from a great bas- season. Outside of UMBC women’s the Bejing Olympics. ketball background and will make lacrosse, Giro served on the Mt. He- The vacant position left by assis- an immediate impact on our team.” bron High School women’s lacrosse tant Koche was filled one week later She graduated from Grossmont High coaching staff that made the Vikings when Blanchard named Sarah Fries School, where she was the team’s the most dominant teams in the as his number two on the coach- all-time leader in points with 1,447 country during the middle part of ing staff. Fries is a 2008 graduate of and assists with 580. Goldbarg has this decade. In his five years there, Clarion University where she was a spent four summers coaching high the Vikings went 92-1, won four tremendous volleyball player. In her school basketball for Canyon Crest Maryland state women’s lacrosse career she finished with 1,249 kills, Academy in San Diego. where she titles and was ranked No. 1 in the which puts her in sixth place all-time served as head junior varsity coach nation from 2003-06 in which he in Golden Eagles history, and helped and assistant varsity coach. was the defensive coordinator for guide her team to a 28-6 season and On the lacrosse field, the women’s two of those seasons. Giro is ready a first round victory in the NCAA lacrosse team saw more change in to help raise this team level of play Division II volleyball tournament. their coaching staff than other sport. and bring some positive attention to “We are really happy to have Sarah First, only a few weeks after conclud- this team. “We’re looking forward join our program,” said Blanchard. ing the season assistant coach and to making this program a point of “She is meticulously well-organized, offensive coordinator Kelly Berger pride for the university and the so that will help us become a more was promoted by director of athlet- community, said Giro. efficient program.” ics Dr. Charles Brown. Berger will The 2009-10 athletic school year In the pool, the swimming and replace former four-year head coach will feature these for individuals in diving team added a new diving Courtney Connor whose contract coaching roles that will hopefully coach to their unit. Petar Trifonov expired and was not renewed. For make their teams the best in the joined the team in early June and the past two seasons Berger helped America East Conference. (TOP) FILE PHOTO / (BOTTOM) COURTESY OF FACEBOOK.COM comes in with a more-than-impres- Connor and the women’s lacrosse sive resume. A native of Bulgaria, in successful seasons, at the end of Comments can be sent to > Chad Cradock, Ian Blanchard and Phil Stern were three of four UMBC head Trifonov has won 50 national cham- which they were just one win away [email protected]. coaches to hire new assistants within the last two months.

FILE PHOTO The RetrIever Weekly 07.14.09 SPORTS 23

> from REVIEW [20] Blevins did come away with a player of look to have UMBC playing for a cham- the year award but Darryl Proctor and pionship by the time they are fi nished. Amanda Fefel had seasons good enough Carlee Cassidy remained as one of the to win the award but did not. Proctor premier players in the conference and was the only player in the America East now with the rise of Michelle Kurowski, to score in double fi gures every game and Erin Brown, and Katie Brooks they can he fi nished second in the conference in be dangerous as they mature. both points and rebounds by a very slim The men’s soccer team had a down margin. Fefel not only had a great season season. Fans have been accustom to hitting, but also a great season pitching, winning teams, as this was just the sec- showing her all around talent. ond time in Coach Pete Caringi’s career Prediction 3: At least one team that fi n- that the team failed to fi nish with a win- ished fi fth or below will either win or be a ning record. Ultimately the lack of suc- runner up for the conference championship. cess boiled down not to a lack of effort, The only possibilities for this predic- not a lack of talent, not a lack of coach- tion were volleyball, women’s lacrosse, ing, but a lack of experience. While the women’s basketball, and women’s soc- team carried seven very talented seniors, cer. While nobody will know how far the inexperience of 14 freshmen and the women’s basketball team could have sophomores ultimately got to them and gone with Chanty Frazier on the team, they struggled. But do not think that as this prediction was made before she will carry on. With the year past those left the team, once again no team made 14 freshmen and sophomores turn into it. Volleyball, women’s lacrosse, and 14 sophomores and juniors who have a women’s basketball all seem to be able lot of playing time under their belts. An- to compete either next season or the drew Bulls played well beyond his level following season while women’s soccer and looks to be able to lead the team is in a rebuilding process under a new for the next three years while players coach. like Dustin Dzwonkowski, Sean Rothe, Prediction 4: At least one Rookie of the Levi Houapeu, and Vince Savarese all Year will come from UMBC. make great strides. So the success may Alyssa Lang won the Rookie of the not have been there in championship Year award in Volleyball making this trophies, but having all the sports in a the only correct prediction. Many fresh- much better position to win a title from men had great seasons and could have a year ago is a success. Two years ago it come away with the award. Men’s soc- was a top-heavy athletic department. Ei- cer’s Andrew Bulls lead all freshmen ther teams were great and won or teams in points and goals, men’s basketball’s were at the bottom of the league. This Chauncey Gilliam played like a man time most teams were in the mix and all among boys on the court yet was left off look like they can contend in the near the all-rookie team, women’s basketball’s future. Michelle Kurowski lead all freshmen in Looking Back at the Five points, and men’s lacrosse’s Rob Grimm Predictions and women’s lacrosse’s Emily Coady had Prediction 1: At last four teams will tremendous seasons as well. win a conference championship. Prediction 5: UMBC will have at least Only the men’s lacrosse and men’s four coaches of the year. swimming team’s won conference cham- Perhaps another prediction that was pionships but men’s basketball made it too bold. Don Zimmerman was the to the conference championship and only coach to win the coach of the year women’s swimming and diving came in award, but Ian Blanchard, Chad Crad- second place. Four may have been too dock, Joe French, and Phil Stern all very bold of a prediction, but two teams won well could have been the coach of the and men’s basketball, women’s swim- year given their situations. If their team’s ming and diving, softball and volleyball would have had a bit more success they all came very close. likely would have gotten the award. FILE PHOTO Prediction 2: UMBC athletics will have > Kyle Wimer (20) was an intrigal part of the men’s lacrosse championship with 24 goals and 18 assists in 2009. at least two conference players of the year. The fact that this prediction came Comments can be sent to short is very disappointing. Jeremy [email protected]. For sports fans Twitter is a must

later Milwaukee Bucks star Charlie and do so by connecting on Twitter. Corey Johns Villanueva was caught twittering Twitter is now becoming a major EDITORIAL STAFF during half time of a game. His rea- news source for sports fans as well. son was because he wanted to keep One can follow his favorite sports Love it or hate it, Twitter is here fans in the loop. Twitter has taken writers or ESPN anchors and get all to stay. In 2008 a little known net- the NBA by storm. Every team has the latest news of the day. This is not working site started to gain speed at least a hand full of player twit- just the news on the front of espn. and become a big deal. But on Feb- tering and even Dallas Mavericks com. An hour before ESPN ran their ruary, 10, 2009 Twitter gained the owner Mark Cuban has joined in. first story on the death of Steve Mc- national spotlight when Congress- Twitter is quickly finding its place in Nair, man people found out from a man Pete Hoekstra tweeted four the NFL and Tennis. While very few tweet by former Ravens tackle Willie words, “Just landed in Baghdad.” MLB players twitter, it may only be Anderson who received a phone call That tweet receiver a lot of airtime a matter of time before the fad hits from Ray Lewis about the tragedy. because of the severity of the situa- them. Sports fans can follow what Whether you are interest in catching tion: It compromised the location of all their favorite athletes are doing. up on the latest news, seeing what a secret government meeting. Since For example, one could easily tell your favorite players are doing, or that moment Twitter has grown rap- that Baltimore Ravens cornerback want to be connected and actually idly but is dominated by two fields, was watching UFC 100 on July 11th have a conversation with the ath- politics and sports. Many politicians by his tweet: “Watching ufc 100.” letes, Twitter is a must for sports have Twitter accounts to gain popu- But Twitter is more than just read- fans. larity among voters, and athletes are ing little things of what athletes are doing the same to raise popular- doing. Many athletes joke around

COURTESY OF API.NING.COM ity among fans. It wasn’t long after and talk to other athletes and very Hoekstra’s tweet that it made big often respond to fan comments. The Comments can be sent to > Mark Cuban is one of many sports personalities you can follow on Twitter. news in the sports world. A month players like to keep their fan base up [email protected]. 24 SPORTS 07.14.09 The RetrIever Weekly Four more Retrievers join professional ranks

Corey Johns UMBC with 47 points and 21 assists tract with the defending Danish league EDITORIAL STAFF with 26 goals to go along with it. At champion Bakken Bears who play the end of the fourth round the Denver in the top level league in Denmark. As reported earlier in the year, Kevin Outlaws used the 35th and 36th picks Proctor played his fi rst two seasons Gnatiko and Dan Bulls from the men’s to keep Hopmann and Blevins on the at Coppin State, but transferred to soccer team signed contracts to con- same team, while rejoining them with play with his childhood friend, Brian tinue their career professional. Since fellow Retrievers Brendan Mundorf Hodges. Together they led UMBC to then four more Retrievers have joined and Drew Westervelt. Both Hopmann its fi rst basketball championship and them in the professional ranks. UMBC and Blevins had great four-year careers he still had one more year of eligibil- has come accustom to seeing its play- for the lacrosse team. Hopmann be- ity left. Proctor scored in double fi g- ers on the men’s lacrosse team being came the team’s all-time leading goal ures in every game of the 2008-2009 drafted into the professional level. This scorer with 78 career goals and 103 season, combined with fi nishing the year was only different by the number total points. He led the team with 36 fi nal eight games of the previous sea- of players selected. For the past three goals in 2009 and was known for his son with double digit scoring totals he seasons one Retriever was drafted a clutch performances. He never scored shattered the record of most consecu- year. This year that number was tripled less than two goals in a conference tive games with a double digit scoring as Peet Poillon, Alex Hopmann, and championship game in his time at total with 30 straight to end his career. Jeremy Blevins all followed suit in the UMBC. Blevins left UMBC as the win- Proctor fi nished his career with over linage of Retrievers in the professional ningest goalie in the nation during his 1,000 points in just the two season at lacrosse ranks. The fi rst Retriever to tenure. For four years he was a force UMBC, two fi rst-team all-conference be selected was Poillon with the 20th in the net accumulating 628 saves and selections, and was in contention for pick in the major league lacrosse draft, earning the America East Conference player of the year both seasons. Mean- COURTESY OF BALTIMORESUN.COM being selected by the Boston Cannons. player of the year award in 2009. He while, Jay Greene is currently in con- > Richard Flemming averaged 6.7 p.p.g. and 4.5 r.p.g. during his year at UMBC. Poillon started his collegiate career in became the fi rst freshman to start for tract negotiation with an undisclosed Columbus, Ohio as a Buckeye. When UMBC since Steve Gorski in 1993 and European team and will likely make it Buckeye coach Joe Breschi left Ohio started every game in which he played a total of seven Retrievers signing pro- State to take over the North Carolina over four years. The fi nal Retriever to fessionally this season. Richard Flemming Tarheels, Poillon decided to leave as sign professional had a short career at well. He transferred to UMBC off a UMBC but quickly became known as 40 point season with 32 goals. That one of the best athletes to ever play for Comments can be sent to dismissed from offense came with him too. He led UMBC. Darryl Proctor signed a con- [email protected]. basketball team

Corey Johns after missing study hall. He came back EDITORIAL STAFF to start eight of the next nine games before taking a bench role. On January After a week of rumors that Richard 18, 2009 he tore cartilage in his knee Flemming would not return to the in a shoot around the day before play- basketball team next season, it has ing Vermont and he then missed the offi cially been confi rmed that the ru- next eight games with the injury. After mor is no longer a rumor but a fact. returning, his performance improved, Sports information director Steve Levy capping the season off with his best released a statement: “Richard [Flem- performance in the championship ming] has been dismissed from the game with season highs in points (14) UMBC men’s basketball program for and rebounds (11). While Flemming conduct detrimental to the team. He was expected to at least play a major will remain in school at UMBC and is role off the bench in the 2009-2010 expected to earn his undergraduate season the team will be a man-down degree, perhaps as early as December.” as he will keep his scholarship until he It was not released what the violation graduates. Coach Randy Monroe was was, but after one season at UMBC unable to be contacted to comment on following a transfer from Fairfi eld it is the situation. clear that Randy Monroe will no lon- ger be using his services on the basket- ball court. Flemming was suspended Comments can be sent to the fi rst game of the 2008-2009 season [email protected]. FILE PHOTOS > Peet Poillon (left) was selected 20th overall in the 2009 major league la- crosse draft by the Boston Cannons. He lead the retrievers with 47 points as he scored 26 goals with 21 assists in his lone season at UMBC. Darryl Proc- tor (above) signed with the reigning Danish champion Bakken Bears. InsIde sports 20 YEAR IN REVIEW 22 COACHING CHANGES 23 SPORTS AND TWITTER