THE TORCH THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Online at: http://www.bergen.edu/pages/880.asp September 2007MySpace URL: http://www.myspace.com/bcctorchnewspaper Vol. XII Issue 7 Bergen Bans Smoking: Campus Breathes Fresh Air for Good

BY MICHELISA LANCHE by the elected officials of the stu- ered the same information,” said dent body. “And we wanted to Vice President of Student Services COPY EDITOR indicate to them that we took Raymond Smith. “That then On January 1, Bergen them seriously,” he said. prompted the Board to say that we Community College will officially At the end of the spring 2007 need to move towards a smoke-free become a smoke-free campus, semester, the SGC conducted a campus.” which means all smoking is “Smoking Survey” through email Students and faculty have shared banned from all school property asking students, faculty, and staff different views on whether this pol- both inside and outside including to choose one of the following four icy is a positive or negative change. parking lots and walkways. options: (1) Bergen should be a Jonathan, a full-time student at The policy takes effect following smoke-free campus. (2) Bergen Bergen, thinks the policy is benefi- surveys by both the Student should leave the smoking policy cial to everyone on campus. “I per- Government Council (SGC) and the same. (3) Bergen should permit sonally don’t like the constant the Board of Trustees. Currently, smoking in designated areas of the smoking in my face, not to men- smoking is permitted at a distance parking lot. (4) Bergen should tion the obvious health risks from beyond 50-feet from school build- allow smoking only in private vehi- secondhand smoking and things ings. No smoking is allowed inside cles. 1418 students and 395 facul- like that,” he said. the buildings. ty and staff responded to the email Some students who smoke, like “Two things to keep in mind: and took the survey. 53% of the David, wouldn’t be affected much This is not a popularity contest. faculty and staff and 52% of the by it because they’re “in class half the This is a health care issue,” Stephen students chose option one. time anyway, so it’s not a big deal.” J. Moses, the board’s chairman said Francisco Marin, SGC’s president On the other hand, Lisa, another for the 2006-07 school year, pre- student smoker, doesn’t agree with COURTESY OF/BCC in an interview. “There unques- sented the board with the results. It it. She believes that everyone Bergen Community College President, Dr. Jeremiah Ryan tionably is a large number of people [who disagree with the policy, but] was extremely impressed with the should have his or her own choice. whether they form a majority or a students’ effort; however, its mem- “Even when I decide to quit smok- Getting to Know minority is irrelevant. What’s rele- bers wanted to make sure these ing, I still won’t think it’s (the poli- vant is that we feel an obligation to results were accurate. They commis- cy’s) fair to the smokers,” she stated. make the campus as healthy as pos- sioned a wider survey to be done by Faculty members understand that BCC's New President, sible, to make the campus as clean the Division of Student Services. the policy addresses a huge social as possible,” “The survey [done by the issue, but Chairman Moses said Dr. Jeremiah Ryan Chairman Moses noted that this Division] was [conducted in] the was an issue brought to the board same [way], and it basically uncov- See Bergen Bans Smoking . . page 3 BY AMANDA FERRANTE who require developmental pro- grams to improve their chance of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF success,” the report stated. “There Among the many new additions is significant evidence, however, Is Bergen a Cell-Out? at the college this fall, a new presi- that for many students, the institu- dent may be the most promising. tion’s current remedial math pro- Dr. Jeremiah Ryan, former gram is an obstacle, not an avenue, T-Mobile to Build Cell Tower President of Raritan Valley to academic success.” Community College, took office President Ryan said he believes on Top of Ciccone Theater this past July and gave The Torch a the faculty will be able to resolve glimpse of what to expect under his the issue. BY ROBERT TORRES presidency in the coming months. "What I would hope would hap- Dr. Ryan's tenure at the college is pen is for the math department to STAFF WRITER beginning with an obvious start— become the leaders in solution,” he Several Bergen Community getting to know the campus popu- said, noting that math comprehen- College faculty members and local lation. sion is a national issue and does area residents expressed concern at "What I want to do is meet as not only exist here at Bergen. an open forum last month to dis- many people as I can...and ask a lot “Faculty, in the end, are the ones cuss the anticipated construction of of questions and listen,” Dr. Ryan that really need to fix this." a T-Mobile cell phone tower on top said with a smile. “Bergen is an The primary issue, Dr. Ryan says, of the Ciccone Theater. excellent institution.” is who is teaching remedial math. The tower was approved in a He seems genuinely concerned “Developmental math should be meeting by the Board of Trustees with the student body and with taught by developmental math in October 2006 and by the student’s ability to succeed. More teachers. Changing that could get Borough of Paramus in August of importantly, he said he is extreme- the pass rate up.” 2007. A final open forum on the ly concerned with academic prob- In addition to his academic con- matter is scheduled for Sept. 27 at lems students may encounter. cerns, Dr. Ryan places a great deal 2 p.m. in the Ciccone Theatre. When asked what his priorities of emphasis on the importance of The August 7 open forum held by consist of, he said, "[Math] is the student activities. Dr. Ryan said he Bergen took place in the auditorium STAFF PHOTOS/LOUIS CAMPOS would like to meet with the number one academic concern I of the Ciccone Theater and includ- Cell Phone Tower to be placed above Ciccone Theatre have…Everything [else] is second Student Government Council, as ed about 100 people, including priority.” According to a recent well as with every other club on engineers who discussed the tower. by T-Mobile’s parent company Collins said the placement of the report by the Middle States campus, and to take time to answer However, there was no oncologist Omnipoint Communications. tower is safe. It will be placed on Association, the accrediting organ- any questions they might have. (medical doctor who studies cancer) Omnipoint is the company top of the Ciccone Theatre build- ization that evaluates academic Dr. Ryan's name might even present to provide specific health- responsible for building the tower. ing, and will be covered by walls, programs, BCC’s math depart- show up in the registration booklet related answers. No board members Collins said he checked to ensure which block out RF. He said the ment needs to improve. in the coming semesters as he feels were present at the forum. the level of radio frequency electro- only way to tell that there is a cell “Like all comprehensive commu- the best way to get to know stu- Among the engineers attending magnetic radiation (RF) complied tower would be from a bird's eye nity colleges, the institution serves dents is to teach a class. While was Chief Technical Officer Dan with the Federal Communications view, so it would be practically a very large portion of students Collins of the Pinnacle Telecom Commission (FCC) standards for See Dr. Jeremiah Ryan . . page 2 Group, a consultation firm hired a safe environment. See Is Bergen a Cell-Out . . page 2 What’s Inside: BCC News ...... p. 3 This & That ...... p. 4 Arts & Entertainment . . .p. 9 Sports ...... p. 12 “For The Record” Series Features Sen. Bob Is This Love That I’m Feeling?, Hey, September’s Music Picks, For Those Who’ve Calling It as We See It: A Guide to the 2007 Menendez, Three of BCC’s Finest Participate Teachers, Leave Those Kids Alone! Got the Blues but No Rhythm - 2008 NHL Season, Torch Sports Top 10 in Environmental Symposium at U.N. PAGE 2 THE TORCH SEPTEMBER 2007 BCC News “For The Record” Series Features Senator Bob Menendez BY JILL BARTLETT “We need to know who is here to The evening began with just over live the American dream and who is an hour of questions posed by MANAGING EDITOR here to destroy it,” Menendez stated. Doblin. Menendez spoke of the U.S. Senator Bob Menendez Secure borders, north and south, “intransigence of the President” called for a federal “earned legaliza- were also stressed by the Senator. regarding withdrawal from Iraq, tion” program for illegal aliens at He reminded us that while the and reminded the audience he was an open forum last month spon- majority of Americans are more one of the few senators to have sored by The Record and hosted by concerned with our borders to the voted against the war from the start. Bergen Community College. south, at least 60,000 people tra- In response to the children’s New Jersey’s first U.S. Senator of versed the Canadian border last health care crisis, Menendez said Hispanic ancestry said he does not year. The infamous “millennium he believes universal coverage is favor outright amnesty but sup- bomb” also entered the country not only a “desirable goal, but a ports a legalization program. It through Canada. In addition, moral imperative.” would include criminal back- Menendez said the nation needs Doblin then asked the senator if ground checks both here and in guest worker programs, as the he could choose one piece of legis- the immigrant’s country of origin economy is unsustainable without lation to implement without con- and payment of any back taxes. An them, especially New Jersey’s farms. test, what would it be? Although ability to speak English would also The forum, held in the Anna Menendez did not like the idea of be required, he said. Maria Ciccone theatre on Aug. 8, choosing one issue, he thinks the was the third installment in The most important issue is to gain Record’s “For the energy independence, so that his Record” series of generation could bequeath Menendez and moderator Alfred P.Doblin listen to a question from open forums. America’s children a country that an audience member. Previous guests of the will be able to survive. serving overseas. He said while reform laws passed to date. forum have included “We need to incentivize wind, some would like to see the war de- One of the last questions of the Governor Corzine. solar, ethanol, butanol and other funded, they would not wish to see evening before the Senator depart- Moderated by The new technologies,” he said, affirm- it put into action while their own ed came from a woman who want- Record Editorial Page ing that fueling foreign governments son or daughter is overseas. ed to know if he would support the Editor Alfred P. who “just happen to be sitting on Menendez evaded a question impeachment of President Bush. Doblin, the forum oil, but have very different views about whether the recent scandals He replied that this would lawfully was a chance for the from ours” is a dangerous prospect. among elected Democrats in New leave Dick Cheney to lead the community to con- When the floor was opened to the Jersey might taint the Democrats country for the next year and three vene in a comfortable public, the war in Iraq was the most ability to win elections this year. months, which he said he views as setting and find out prevalent of issues on the minds of Instead, he referenced the new ethics a prospect that is “not appealing.” just how it’s senator those who stood up to the micro- bill the House of Representatives The audience applauded and feels about today’s phone. Menendez said he will not STAFF PHOTOS/JILL BARTLETT recently approved which includes laughed, seemingly in agreement. vital political issues. support simply defunding the war, some of the “toughest” lobbying Senator Robert Menendez at the Ciccone Theater. noting that it would hurt those still Dr. Jeremiah Ryan Bergen Community College Dr. Ryan is eager and willing to among the students," he said. Continued from Cover build on Bergen’s strengths and Dr. Ryan emphasized the impor- Faculty Receive National president at Raritan, he usually keep the standard set high as it is tance of his role on campus and taught at least one class. ranked the number two communi- wants students to feel as if they can Award for Teaching Excellence His favorite subject is Political ty college in the nation. Because go to him in any instance as his door Science -- after all, his Doctoral politics are so prominent in higher is always open. "I really want stu- Dissertation was about the subject. education, Dr. Ryan was asked dents to stop by my office with their Surely, he can provide information whether he would be able to over- problems,” he said. “I’ll do my best from his experience in politics as come the looming stigma of “dirty to help them out. I want them to feel his primary resource. politics” in higher education. In an comfortable to come and see me.” Dr. Ryan said he encourages institution so vast and diverse, Dr. Ryan was selected by the expansion of shared governance at there will always be different opin- Board of Trustees after a nation- Bergen to include not just faculty, ions; thus, there will be debates wide search conducted by the but students, board staff, and man- and controversy, but Dr. Ryan is Presidential Search Committee. agement staff. optimistic about the future. He is a graduate of Hamilton “I do believe in shared gover- “I would hope that the adminis- College (A.B.), Stanford University nance,” Dr. Ryan said. “[It] has to tration, trustees, and faculty could (M.A.), the State University at produce a fair and unbiased result work together to minimize the Albany (M.S.), and Nova in an expedited time period.” negative impact of the always pres- Southeastern University (Ed.D.). Dr. Laura Ochoa Professor Mary Clifford ent creative tension of politics Bergen Community College faculty and New York, she teaches both tra- members Dr. L. Laura Ochoa ditional and online courses in psy- (Associate Professor of Psychology) chology. She has presented on sub- Is Bergen a Cell-Out? and Professor Mary Clifford jects such as psychological disorders, single street. A quarter of the 30 Community members were dis- (Associate Professor of cognitive behavior therapy and the Continued from Cover staff at a special school within sight tressed that they were without Communication Arts) were awarded teaching of psychology at numerous 2007 Excellence Awards from the conventions. Together with invisible to those walking on the of the 90 foot high mast have counsel and unprepared for the developed tumors since 2000, forum. They questioned why there National Institute for Staff and Professor Clifford, Dr. Ochoa is the campus grounds. Also, he states Organizational Development co-founder of the Psychodrama that there is a great distance from while another quarter have suf- wasn’t an earlier open forum about fered significant health problems." the cell phone tower being built on (NISOD). The award ceremony took Workshop, an annual event at BCC. the tower to the ground (about a place in May at the NISOD Professor Mary Clifford has few hundred feet) which adds to BCC campus grounds. They said International Conference in Austin, taught at Bergen Community the safety factor. Texas. As previously announced in a College for 17 years. A noted the- back in May 2007, a The school will receive approxi- "It's unproven [to be safe], so BCC press release, the BCC Office of atre scholar, she earned a B.A. from mately $33,000 a year for hosting why take a risk for $33,000?" One town hall meeting the Academic Vice President, Dr. Marywood College and a M.F.A. the cell tower. It also means T- professor asked after the meeting. took place; however, Gary Porter, nominated the award from Brandeis University. As Mobile users will get better recep- only a few people recipients in collaboration with the founder of the Bergen County tion. There is potential for other attended due to last Division Faculty and Dean. As part of Young Playwrights Festival and co- towers to be built, possibly five Besides concern for the health of minute notification. At that time, the award selection process, the BCC founder of the Psychodrama more in the near future. students and staff, forum attendees participants who attended the Faculty Development Committee Workshop, Professor Clifford has Many people at the forum expressed concern for the children meeting were also angered by the selected their paper “Psychodrama: enhanced the College’s theatre seemed to be concerned about the attending daycare classes at the decision that they could only ask Use of Interactive Theatre in Teaching department through extracurricular possible negative health effects of a Child Development Center in questions and not make state- Psychology” that was presented by Dr. activities. As an actor and director, cell tower on campus. They noted Ender Hall. The distance from the ments. Some frustrated attendees Ochoa and Professor Clifford at the she has participated in Off- various reports on RF related sick- Ciccone Theater to Ender Hall is reportedly walked out in disgust. NISOD Conference. Broadway, regional and summer- nesses caused by cell phone towers. about a 15 minute walk, making it At press time, it appeared the Dr. Laura Ochoa has taught at stock productions. Also a play- BCC since 1993 and is a long-time wright and a long-time member of After the meeting, a professor relatively in range of the tower. decision to build the tower is final. Many individuals at Bergen and Construction will begin this fall by member of the Faculty Senate. Dr. the Geraldine R. Dodge Project for quoted a report headlined "Cancer Ochoa earned a B.A. from Barnard Playwrights and Teachers, Professor Clusters at Phone Masts," from the within the Paramus community Omnipoint Communications Inc., who know about the soon-to-be after the second and final open College (Columbia University), and Clifford has authored plays that Sunday London Times on April an M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology have entertained audiences in 22, 2007 that stated, "One of the tower said they are in opposition to forum on September 27. No word it, citing there is no need for it and yet whether a second or more tow- from New York University. A numerous locales. studies in Warwickshire showed a licensed psychologist in New Jersey cluster of 31 cancers around a that they're not willing to take on ers will be built. the health risks. SEPTEMBER 2007 PAGE 3 Three of BCC’s Finest Participate in Environmental Symposium at U.N.

BY JILL BARTLETT “breathable” pants, starch Oppenheimer spoke about the role measure the carbon output of their collars, and leave of the international community, manufactured products with red MANAGING EDITOR their jackets and ties at global environmental funds, ener- being the highest, orange being Global Warming, more recently home. gy saving houses, and systems that moderately high, yellow being referred to as Global Heating by The campaign gained a reward companies who promote moderately low, and green being those who wish to instill a deeper, following among non- environmentally safe practices. the lowest. This method aims to harsher awareness, is one of the governmental agencies Oppenheimer is Professor of achieve greater consumer aware- fastest growing issues of our era. culminating in a Geosciences and International ness ultimately affecting how Whether we can significantly 460,000-ton reduction in Affairs at the Woodrow Wilson goods and services are purchased reduce and control our global out- CO2 emissions from rates School and the Department of on a day-to-day basis. put of greenhouse gasses within the measured in 2005, the Geosciences at Princeton Doug Corcoran, Director of next fifty years has begun to shape equivalent volume of University, a scientist and a mem- Special Projects, said that his com- the future of our fate as a people. CO2 emitted by about ber of the Intergovernmental Panel pany, Waste Management, has Three Bergen Community one million households on Climate Change (IPCC). been active in researching new College students, through the for one month. At the end of three days, a rather sources for cleaner burning renew- efforts of our own Professor Win lengthy 20+ able fuels. When asked if he could Win Kyi, had the opportunity this page resolu- estimate when implementation of summer to take part in a three day 99 percent of electronics such as tion was this research would begin, he was global symposium held at the cell phones, iPods and digital produced. It unable to give a definitive answer. United Nations headquarters in cameras are recyclable. was edited He hopes within the next five to New York City. The forum was and re-edit- ten years. designed to bring students and ed, argued This invaluable experience young professionals together to Dr. Mbuende of upon and e-mailed around afforded this writer the opportuni- gain perspective on the United COURTESY OF WWW.POLISCI./MERCYHURST.EDU Namibia explained that through the course of two weeks ty to listen to an assembly of my Nations Millennium Development United Nations Headquarters solar energy is the energy until it ended up as a seven page peers, scientists, ambassadors, testament to the willingness of a business owners, politicians, and a Goals. I was one of the three stu- in New York City of the future in Namibia, dents to attend. as they are “blessed with a generation to cooperate. It unique discussion group of four- Co-sponsored by the Alliance companies do business and govern- lot of sun.” In subsequent panels, includes words and ideas that, if teen young professionals who Toward Harnessing Global ments write policy. ambassadors from Iceland heeded, have the ability to effect brought their many opinions and Opportunities (ATHGO) and The three day event was scheduled expressed the use of hydrogen. In major global change. The resolu- walks of life into one truly inspir- United Nations University (UNU) full of presenters and speakers from Finland, wind energy is the choice tion strongly recommends a 60% ing resolution. New York office, this year’s event around the world. Of the many dis- form of sustainable energies. reduction in greenhouse gas emis- To view the summary resolution focused on Millennium Goal tinguished presenters, Ambassador John Shegerian, Chairman and sions by 2030. We understand the or to learn more about ATHGO number seven: ensuring environ- Takashiro Shinyo of Japan gave us CEO of Electronic Recyclers, why; it is the how that will take please visit www.athgo.org. mental sustainability. an insight into the out-of-the-box informed us that 99 percent of most amount of work. Through international forums, concept of “cool biz” in Japan. Cool electronics such as cell phones, One of the most promising ideas internships, financial grants, and biz is a campaign formulated by the iPods and digital cameras are recy- included in the resolution is a “car- symposia, ATHGO International Japanese Ministry of Environment clable. These items and other sim- bon calorie” measurement consist- works tirelessly towards transform- which regulates government build- ilar electronics make up an impres- ing of 1 carbon calorie per 100 ing the way young individuals ings’ thermostats be kept at 28 sive estimated $30 billion dollar - metric tons of carbon dioxide out- envision the future, enabling them degrees C (about 82 degrees F) until and growing- renewables market. put. This system would implement to effect visible changes in the way Sept. and for employees to wear Keynote Presenter Michael a color classification system to

Bergen Bans Smoking Remembering Michael Orlando visions inside the college. With Bergen isn’t the first college to Professor Michael Orlando, a Continued from Cover enough advertising, he said every become a smoke-free campus. much-loved faculty member and tireless supporter of the English that “that’s secondary to the student and faculty member will Last January, the County College Basic Skills program, died this healthcare issue.” know of the policy, leaving no of Morris (CCM) became one of past summer. He was 58. Neither faculty nor students deny excuse not to follow it. the first public institutions in New Prof. Orlando was the coordina- the fact that the policy’s enforce- Ultimately, Director Sahlberg is Jersey to permanently ban smoking tor of the English Basic Skills pro- ment is going to be difficult. hoping for “cooperative on its campus. Students and facul- gram at BCC for more than 20 Fred Sahlberg, Bergen’s Director compliance.” ty, however, were still allowed to years, guiding the program’s of Public Safety, said once the poli- To smooth the transition from a smoke in the privacy of their cars. roughly 3,200 students and many cy takes effect, Public Safety will smoking to a non-smoking cam- If a person were to be caught faculty members. In addition, he alert any violators to the new policy. pus, the Wellness Center, with the smoking on campus, then he or headed up the college’s AIMS “We’ll tell him that he’s in a non- assistance of the Office of Health she would receive a $25 fine. program, served many years on Michael Orlando smoking area,” Director Sahlberg Services, is going to start programs Prior to the actual installment of the Faculty Senate, was involved said. “If it comes to Public Safety’s that will help people quit smoking. the policy, Jake Jacobs, a staff the point of compassion,” said Dr. in professional organizations and attention that he is knowingly and According to Barbara Buff, writer for CCM’s student newspa- Annese. “I never knew him to also managed to teach classes. At chronically disobeying the policy of Bergen’s Residential Nurse (RN), per, The Youngtown Edition, elabo- have an enemy or to have some- one time, he headed the BCC the college, we will take that person’s smoking cessation programs were a rated on the student apprehension one speak ill of him, even if you Testing Center and he remained name and forward it to his supervi- complete failure about three years towards the smoke ban. disagreed with him. He just had a involved in testing both on cam- sor to take the appropriate action. ago. “Many consider this to be an competence about him, a respect - pus and across the state. Public Safety only enforces the rules “Nobody signed up,” she said. infringement of personal rights. - and he engendered it in others.” Colleagues described Prof. and regulations. We don’t penalize.” “They had a one-on-one coun- Many say a few (members of their He was the kind of person who Orlando as a man who wore Public Safety also plans to selor—they had it all set up. Student Government Association) possessed an encyclopedic knowl- many hats at the college, and he enforce the policy by placing signs Nobody came. Nobody kept are ruining the whole (student edge of the programs he led, and wore them all well. He was the outside saying, “NO SMOKING appointments. It was all over cam- body), much like a diligent student was much relied on by staff, consummate professional, work- ANYWHERE ON CAMPUS” pus. The response was awful,” throws off the bell curve during a “making everyone’s job easier,” ing from early in the morning and posting the policy on the tele- Nurse Buff disclosed. test,” he wrote. said Dr. Carol Miele, head of the In an opinion article published a until late in the day, yet never los- English Department. Yet, he put month after the ban, Meredith ing his cool and always willing to people first. Beck complained about the “tiring listen, said Dr. Carlo Annese, a “He always cared more about and dreadful” walk to the car one longtime friend and EBS profes- people, about faculty and the stu- must endure in order to light up. sor. He recalled that a line of stu- dents,” she said. . Other than that, however, students dents could be at his door, a stack A devoted husband and father, were relatively compliant simply of requests on his desk, and yet he he was deeply involved in his four because they did not want to remained calm, giving each his children’s school activities. “He receive the $25 fine. undivided attention. was so very proud of them,” Dr. Vice President Smith empathizes “He was fair, understanding to Annese said. with the students. He used to be a smoker himself, and he knows it’s very difficult to stop. “But if someone said you have a choice between having an unhealthy environment to breathe as opposed to a healthy environ- ment to breathe, I’m sure that everybody would choose the If you have news to share, healthy environment,” he said. let us know at

STAFF PHOTO/ALON MELAMED [email protected] A student happily abiding by the current smoking policy. PAGE 4 THE TORCH SEPTEMBER 2007 This & That

Guest Column: Is This Love That I’m Feeling?

BY LIANNA ALBRIZIO ourselves: Was it really love, or just a uncertainty about my true, overall Changing Ways childish infatuation? Yes, sharing feelings for this person which are, in CONTRIBUTING WRITER BY JUAN GRULLON estly getting tiresome. At first, I interests, laughs and strong drinks all honesty, more along the 'like' decided she was just old-fashioned Why do people yield to the urge to make the couple susceptible to inti- regions anyway?" Answer: it is GUEST WRITER and I should just ignore it, but the say "I love you?" A psychological macy, but are they enough? Surely, human need. “Joel, when are you going to cut day came where I just couldn’t keep explanation suggests it is a human love is defined as the that hair? You’re starting to look like quiet any longer. need to proclaim love. Perhaps this is "soul's recognition of a tigre” my mother asked me. Tigre One day, when my hair had grown why the phrase has been clichéd to its counterpoint in Do we ever really is a Dominican slang reserved for long enough, I told my mom I was meaninglessness—it is simply said another" (ala tearjerker mean what we say? street-savvy people who are usually going to the salon to have my hair too many times, no doubt with a dis- scene in Wedding up to no good. I was being stereo- braided or made into cornrows. tinct lack of passion. But if this con- Crashers), but was it typed by the least expected culprit: Given her previous statements, her jecture is bogus, do we ever really really love? By saying you "loved" As human beings, it is understand- my mother. reaction was not at all that shocking. mean what we say? someone, did you mean you fell for able that we need to love and be It all began the summer before my “Do you really want to be like The term "love" is used commonly him or her, or you simply liked that loved. However, how literally do we freshmen year in high school, and I those kids on the street corner? “she among young people in relationships person a lot? To clarify confusion, mean it? After all, could you realisti- was ready to leave behind every- asked me. “Tell me, ‘cause I’ll pack as a way to communicate the validi- what is love without trust and pre- cally picture yourself with that per- thing elementary, including my hair your bags right now so you can real- ty of their feelings to their beloved. dictability? If you really saw yourself son forever, as the union of marriage style. High school was my second ly be a street corner thug.” Most of the time, this is done in a with that person, and you’re willing mandates? More importantly, can we chance to start a new look for I respect my mother, and I never terse and hasty, not to mention to spend the rest of your life with picture anything forever? Perhaps we myself. During the late 90s, braids think to answer her back, but this ridiculously redundant, manner. "I him/her (which is one of love’s assign far too much power and intel- and cornrows on boys were as was something I felt right about. I like you" suffices for the cheesy, sacred obligations), could you have ligence to ourselves with regard to the prominent as flashy and flamboyant needed to let her know it. I asked heart-shaped emblem posted on an seen the infidelity coming at full future, and more simply, tomorrow. clothes in the 80s. They were worn her if she thought my father was a AIM profile. throttle with a machete to your core? It's no wonder love has lost its by the people I looked at everyday: “thug on a street corner” when she Subsequent to the inevitable, ever Without question, putting your meaning. It's buried under contra- met him because from dramatic break-up, comes the pletho- whole heart into a person is undeni- dictions and false claims of affection the pictures I had seen ra of poems entailing bitter resent- ably the reason for it "breaking," so- brought upon by masked uncertain- I was being stereotyped by the from their past, he ment, shame, and the proclamation to- speak. "Love hurts" should be ty geared strictly toward having cer- least expected culprit: my mother. sported a huge Afro -- of, "I'll never love again." These considered over the phrase "I love tain "needs" met. From an aggravat- maybe double the size words are cried by the distraught (to you" for investing seemingly won- ed romantic whose love was denied of mine -- and still she say the least) angel tear bearer to her derful thoughts and countless hours from an apathetic devastation artist: rappers in music videos on TV and married him and they had three best friend who is up to her neck in on that pig who broke it. “Don't sell yourself short for the jug- the kids from around the block. kids together. She was speechless; consolation for weeks or however Don't over analyze. Don't try to gernaut of emotions; keep your emo- Braids and cornrows were clearly my mother is a loud talker and long it takes the distressed darling to understand or make sense of what tions and the alleged ‘apple-of your- the new “cool” hairstyle, and after a always has an answer. Hearing come to grips with the fact that she is happened—it's just a headache. In eye’ at bay- at least until the sorry sap life-time of short hair, I decided I nothing from her felt weird. But the losing her sanity... over a male! lieu of jumping into a long term, pops the question, and the cork wanted to go long. surprise of my backtalk got her to As young adults, it is crucial to be committed relationship in which screw to the bottle of Pinot Grigio I saw letting my hair grow as a way thinking and, ultimately, to reason blunt, to resist the urge to be stub- love becomes an eventuality, ponder: he uses to celebrate.” to change my straight-laced image with me. I told her she was stereo- born like the headstrong Taurus, and "Why say 'I love you' if I'm really and look cool, without doing some- typing me. She agreed, but then, grab the truth by its horns and ask setting myself up for heartbreak and thing really crazy and putting my she told me that she was just wor- health at risk. Peer pressure had ried about how people would nega- nothing to do with it. I have never tively perceive me just because of Hey, Teachers, Leave Those Kids Alone! been the type to crumble under the my hair. I understood her, but I pressure of my peers. I’ve had explained that I have to feel good (Those in the back, that is.) friends who smoked, did all sorts of about myself first before worrying drugs, and even sold drugs, and not about society’s reaction to me. I BY AMANDA FERRANTE ever heard of social anxiety? This is a once did I follow in their footsteps finally convinced her to let me go to prime example. Some introverts just EDITOR-IN-CHIEF in an attempt to fit in. I have always the salon. I can still see the disap- can't handle being close to the front, been a good student who worked pointment in her face when I Upon arrival to one of my classes closer to the center of attention. It is hard, so I didn’t look at letting my returned with my cornrows. I guess last spring, a syllabus was handed out easier to learn in an environment where one feels comfortable. hair grow long as an acceptance of she realized I was no longer the which included a list of how NOT to Have you ever felt nervous about the so-called bad life. blonde-haired baby I once was – the do well in the class. Crowning the giving a lecture? Perhaps during your agreeable five-year-old whose pic- silly items was a disappointing advi- But that’s not how my mother saw first classes as a teacher, you took a bit it. At the time, all my mother could ture she still kept in her wallet. It sory: Sit in the back of the classroom. This prompted a thought: Do teach- of time to adjust to the fact that you see was that her eldest, role-model was tough for her, I’m sure, but it “Chatterbox” in high school and con- ers discriminate against students who are, in fact, the core of the room. It son was sporting the same type of was a jubilant moment for me. tinue their reign throughout college. I sit in the back of the classroom? If so, may be nerve-wracking for a student hair style as the thugs on the street It’s now 2007, and I’m hoping to shall exclude these types from my this is silly for multiple reasons, and I to sit up front, especially if he or she get a tattoo soon, not because it’s hypothesis because it's understand- corner. Should would not let a day implore the (not to be named) blush- is new to college or any other higher cool – well, maybe just a little -- but able how a professor might feel disre- pass without her telling me how ing professor guilty of this advice to education institution in general. spected in such cases. Discrimination much she disapproved of my ever- really because I want a tattoo to read further to understand why. Now, in the professor's defense, it is is then not misplaced. growing hair. I must admit, my hair express something that’s meaningful First and foremost, This is an appeal for the students was getting scary. Some days I to me. there are a limited who genuinely want to listen and looked like I had just been electro- I just hope my age plays a bigger number of seats in the Think about it: someone has to learn, but simply prefer a back seat. cuted. Other days, I looked like I role now than it did then -- because room, sometimes not sit in the back of the classroom. We feel the wrath of "back of the had just come straight out of a scene while my Dad once had an Afro, enough for all the stu- classroom" discrimination. We are in one of those black exploitation unfortunately for me he never had a dents participating in typecast as disrespectful, but we’re movies from the 70s in which the tattoo. class. When the rows closer to the true that many students who sit in the really not. We are truly worthy of main character has an ass-kicker front fill up, choice becomes limited. back may be there to keep out of your knowledge. So please, before Juan Grullon is a sophomore at Think about it—someone has to sit plain view so they can text message name like “Dynomite.” Still, hear- you stereotype, think twice--that is, Bergen who wants to be a radiologist. in the back! More importantly, some and eat all sorts of snacks purchased at ing my mother tell me the same if those backseats are deserving of students simply feel more comfort- the nearest vending machine. Let's thing over and over again was hon- your second thought. able seated in the back. Have you not forget those who were voted Why Does Sad Music Move Us? A Discussion with Dr. Marcel and Professor Krikun BY CHRIS MAYS for determining what shapes our evoked from a composition not way that groups have memorized tied to emotions and is “organic.” taste. Cultural identity plays a big only revolves around musical tech- important material throughout the Certain feelings we get from music STAFF WRITER part in what’s in and out of the nicalities, but it also depends on ages. He brought up the Vedas, the are hard to push aside because of For the beginning of or the norm. Moreover, it decides what can other aspects such as one’s circum- oldest Hindu text, and Homer’s its natural effect on our psyche, return to the “Schoolhouse Blues,” emotionally affect us the most in stances and experiences. The fact Iliad and Odyssey, which have been soul, and feelings overall. students must consider: What certain social institutions. For exam- that a sad composition is heavily memorized by generations of If a piece of music strikes you makes music sad? Dr. Marcel, a ple, if you are a right-wing conserva- based on all three of these items is actors in forms of song and poetry. emotionally, it hits you, and this prominent music professor here at tive Christian, a rap song about what distinguishes it as being “Rhythm is a good way to memo- effect proves that you are alive. Bergen, was quick to question abortion may drive your emotions “sad.” They combine with the rize something,” he concluded on These feelings can prove a lot to what the word “sad” means. She more effectively than a song about composer’s ultimate production. the subject. ourselves: what drives us and what mentioned that a sad piece is a say, a Cadillac with slamming rims. Dr. Marcel discussed the holy Another contextual and cultural makes us feel a certain way. We can “composition that explores the Professor Krikun, another musi- chants of Islam. These are power- phenomenon is words and how then use music in order to manage deepest emotional abyss.” For cen- cal professor at Bergen, talked ful; they can move large groups of they shape feelings that a song our emotions and thoughts. Dr. turies, composers have brought about components of sad music people and make them come emits. “Words change the nature of Marcel left the discussion with the people to this moving emotional such as the minor keys, slow together in a time of crisis or grief. melody,” Krikun said. Dr. Marcel question, “Why can certain songs state, and as listeners, we have the rhythms, and certain lyrics within Marcel elaborated on this by men- brought up the Beatles’ song, “She’s be so magical and touch the right to explore these dimensions a piece. Still, these items do not tioning that “they are created to Leaving,” in response to Krikun’s heart?” The Torch would love to with discussion and thought. necessarily create a sad feeling inspire the human soul.” daughter going to college. hear your responses sent to Culture gives us a broader protocol among an audience. Sadness Krikun tied this thought into the According to Krikun, music is [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2007 THE TORCH PAGE 5 Science Made Easy: What Happens After Sex? BY MOSES AGWAI and their correlating stories more fallopian tubes, a uterus (womb), The Battle: cells attack in herds, and the maxi- understandable. To test this, ask and the vagina. Just as there is mum amount of time they spend STAFF WRITER Let’s examine how the battle real- yourself these questions before spermatogenesis, formation of the ly ensues. During sexual inter- inside the female uterus looking Summer, the hottest time of the continuing: Do you know what female sex cell is known as oogen- course, the male external organ can for or battling with the ovum is year, is the time when girls and somniferous tubules are? What are esis. While males produce many be regarded as the Trojan horse. five days. Sperm cells work togeth- guys get a natural tan. Around this seminal vesicles? What is a sperm throughout their lives, Here, the Spartan sperm have er in unison. These millions of season, one is likely to meet some- prostate gland? What are bulb ure- females are born with a fixed num- sharpened their DNA and are sperm cells act in unison towards one new, or perhaps hook up with thral glands? These are some of the ber of eggs. Compared to the ready to attack. Upon ejaculation, the goal of just one sperm cell pen- an old friend. Sometimes, this many aspects of reproduction sperm, ova are giants. They live a countless amounts of sperm dive etrating the ovum’s shield in order involves sex. If one does decide to Science Made Easy will attempt to simple lifestyle in which a solitary into the female reproductive tract for them to ascend into greater partake in sexual activity, it is rec- explain. ovum (mature egg) bursts from its in a mixture of fluid known as beings called babies. So, this is the ommended that he/she employs The Facts: corresponding ovary to travel semen. Semen is the sperm + strain those beings down below go the use of pro- through the connecting fallopian secretions of the seminal vesicles through just to become us with tection. Male Reproductive System: tube in search of worthy oppo- and the prostate and bulb urethral flesh and blood. Getting to Imagine there is a small world, nents to conquer her. If there are glands. Secretions of seminal vesi- After reading the article, ask know our bod- much smaller than ours, located in none, the ovum slips away from cles provide its milky appearance yourself: what are the functions of ies and how the external male genitalia. In this the Endometrium and falls into while secretions from prostate and somniferous tubules? What are the they work is world are warriors much like the the vagina. This whole procedure bulb urethral glands provide its functions of seminal vesicles and important. Spartans of ancient Greece, and explains the process of menstrua- sticky appearance for a better prostate and bulb urethral glands? There’s a lot to they exist for one reason only: to tion. brawl. If you can answer these questions, cover, but the FIGHT. Just as we are called What then happens when the Science Made Easy has just taught good news is “humans,” they are called sperm. male and female sex cell (gametes) you the basics of the reproductive we have The basic structure of the sperm is come to together? The battle of the system. Science Made made up of a head with a helmet millennium. Easy to the res- known as an acrosome, a forehead Sometimes, the male wins, cue! Science called a nucleus filled with DNA merges with the ovum, and is Made Easy will (genetic information), and a neck henceforth called a zygote (two use events in and body which serve as its mito- sex cells in one). This joint our everyday chondria (basically the venture will culmi- lives to explain cell’s power sources). Just nate in their ascen- the scientific as humans have roads, sion to the womb phenomena of sperm travel and receive (pregnancy). For the reproduc- resources through several other battles, the tive system. ducts. The homes in which ovum beats the Although they live are called testes, which sperms and emerges addressing this are protected from the outer envi- victorious. Sperm subject in ronment by a sac known as the Science Made scrotum. In the testes, spermato- Easy should genesis, or the production of not be consid- sperm, is made by a group of som- ered a substi- niferous tubules. tute for classroom lectures or text- Female Reproductive System: books, its purpose is to act as a The female reproductive system channel for making scientific facts consists of a set of ovaries and

Where’s the Human in Humanity?

BY MICHELISA LANCHE Anyway, I noticed that other peo- ple began to put similar statements COPY EDITOR in their profiles, and when school It’s 10:15 a.m. on Monday, April started, they formed little “Jennifer 16, 2007. You don’t attend Moore” cliques in which they Virginia Tech, but you’ve heard would talk about how they knew about the shooting that happened her. These attracted an audience of there three hours earlier. You people who were either indirectly think, “Wow, that’s crazy,” then associated with her or simply curi- immediately continue with what ous. This lasted for about a week, you were doing—procrastinating and she was hardly ever mentioned on Facebook, a popular online again. social network among college stu- Similarly, the VTK incident dents. At the top of your Mini- aroused much attention, then it Feed (which lists the most “impor- Tom is everyone’s friend on Myspace There’s always a familiar face on Facebook quickly died out. People, as men- tant” things your friends have done tioned at the very beginning of this on Facebook in the past hour) you social networks is to complement People’s online odes to victims that they have known the victim. article, joined groups like “X see these words: “27 of your in-person interactions, regardless and recent deaths are absolutely In doing so, they will have gained University: Today, we are all friends have joined the group of whether they are personal or repulsive. First of all, contacting more attention and recognition Hokies” and “X University sends Praying for the Victims at Virginia professional. For example, they these people via the Web is com- from people. They will have condolences to Virginia Tech.” Tech.” Fortunately, the group name allow one to network with people pletely irrational. If that person is become popular by association… About as early as two weeks later, is hyperlinked so that you are given who either have similar interests or dead, he is not going to be able to to a dead or victimized person. students started leaving these the opportunity to join the group work for the same company by use his computer anytime soon. As a high school student, I groups: “John Smith has left the as well. Now that’s funny… providing access to their profiles. A (Unless the afterlife is like attended Northern Valley Regional group Praying for Virginia Tech” Apparently, joining superficial profile contains just enough Starbucks radiating with WiFi in Old Tappan with peers hailing and “Susie McBride has left the groups on social networks com- (sometimes more than enough) access, but this idea is very unlike- from Old Tappan, Northvale, group All College Students Support pensates for, if not outdoes, other information for one to be familiar ly.) Second of all, posting com- Norwood, and Harrington Park. Virginia Tech.” My goodness. Even forms of lamentation and sympa- with a particular person—kind of ments packed with web-jargon and In July 2006, I had heard about the staying in the group and forgetting thy. like a “virtual” first impression. On emoticons like “omg (oh my God) Jennifer Moore murder, but it did- about it is better than actually leav- Myspace and Facebook are the Myspace and Facebook, the user jenny u (you) were my bffl (best n’t affect me much—I didn’t know ing it. Leaving acknowledges the King and Queen of the Internet. can post pictures, a brief synopsis friend for life)…imma (I’m going her. Others, on the contrary, were fact that one no longer cares much, According to Hitwise, “the world’s of his character, and intimate to) miss u soooooooo much =(” deeply affected by it, and they if at all, for the incident and the leading online competitive intelli- information like his sexual prefer- hardly reflects true sentiments of decided to post in their profiles victims involved, and he only gence service,” Myspace and ence and relationship status. With grief and mourning. This hypo- something along the lines of joined it because, well, he wanted Facebook were the most frequently access to this information, one can thetical person took the time out “R.I.P. Jennifer Moore.” I was nat- to “jump on the bandwagon” to visited social networking sites from choose whether he would like to to spell words neither correctly nor urally curious, and I wanted to put it colloquially. January to February of this year, pursue a relationship (not necessar- completely—sincerity couldn’t know how one of my friends was Where’s the human in humanity? and the statistics haven’t changed ily a romantic one) with the profile even be remotely attached to this associated with her, so I asked her, Call the families of the VTK inci- much since. This past July, holder. message. People are essentially “How did you know her?” to dent; write them letters. Send ComScore reported that Myspace’s The actual function of online using online odes to broadcast how which she replied, “We used to be, flowers to the Moore family; visit visits increased by 72% and social networks is to be able to they feel about what had happened like, best friends in middle school. them. The Internet expedited the Facebook’s visits remarkably upload provocative pictures of to the individual and how they are We stopped talking in high school way in which we receive informa- increased by 270%. Unfortunately, oneself, exaggerate positive charac- affected by the death. They could though because she went to a dif- tion, but that does not mean it humanity is losing its integrity at a ter traits while neglecting negative really care less about the actual vic- ferent school.” I didn’t know best should do the same for our com- similar exponential rate. ones, and, my personal favorite, tim. What they really want to do is friends lose contact if they don’t go passion. The intended function of online tell dead people one feels sorry for advertise to the world, or at least to to the same school—acquaintanc- them. a large number of their friends, es, perhaps, but not best friends. PAGE 6 THE TORCH SEPTEMBER 2007 From Berlin to Madrid: What I Did Between Summer II and Fall ‘07 Semesters

BY DOUG SMITH ventured into the Paris evening and able to get some rest and meet some ended up in the Quartier-Latin (Latin cool people with whom I had dinner STAFF WRITER Quarter). This neighborhood is quite and a couple bottles of wine. famous, but it’s overly touristy. It’s a The next morning I was off to my last It was around noon and I was sitting great place to go to in order to see Paris’s destination: Madrid. Now I was really in my last class of the last day of sum- monuments, fountains, rivers (specifi- excited because, having taken a trip to mer session II when the excitement real- cally, the Seine River), various sidewalk Madrid last year, I had fallen in love ly started to set in. I was overwhelmed cafes and bistros, and the Notre Dame with it. The problem with Madrid is with a mixture of fatigue and anticipa- and Sorbonne university grounds, but that it has the same reputation of being tion because I had booked a European its central location makes it more of a boring like Brussels. However, if you go trip that would span almost the entire place for wide-eyed tourists than true to the Prado, Madrid’s biggest museum, time between summer classes and the Parisians. Montmartre is where we you can spend the whole day there with- fall semester. In terms of school, I defi- found the real Parisians living their day- out rushing because it’s just the right size nitely bit off more than I could chew, to-day lives, having a meal at the various with no lack of famous works. If you’re but as I sat in Professor Datema’s litera- sidewalk cafes and walking around with into soccer, Madrid has the most famous ture class, I knew that I was done with their customary baguettes. Seeing that team in mainland Europe. All museum, my obligations and ready to move on. both proved and disproved two stereo- parks, and palaces aside, the Madrid (That is after packing, taking a nap, and types: (1) Parisians do actually walk nightlife is incredible. The inhabitants trying to arrive at the airport within around yielding baguettes as if they were of Madrid are known to do everything only seven hours!) So, off I went. knights proudly carrying a sword and later. If you’re there eating dinner before The flight there wasn’t the most pleas- (2) Contrary to popular belief, Parisians nine o’clock, then you’re considered an ant experience. Everyone knows that do actually eat while they walk, but only “out-of-towner,” so don’t expect any airports can be a hassle, but one thing I if they’re eating a baguette. action before midnight. The nightlife in realized is flying from JFK to Paris’s STAFF PHOTOS/DOUG SMITH The following day my brother and I Madrid is fun and not nearly as preten- Charles de Gaul is even worse (as it also Doug Smith (left) and his brother at the atop of the Eiffel Tower took a walking tour that showed us all tious as that of New York; that is, the was on the way back). They’re both around the center of Paris from the girls aren’t the only ones dancing and the some of the most traveled destinations “Zapata” is one club on Amsterdam. If you like to eat and Quartier-Latin to the Louvre Museum guys aren’t wallflowers who stand aside on each side of the Atlantic, and if I Oranienburger one has to check out drink well for a decent price, visit pris- and boulevard Champs-Élysées. I and try to look tough. I actually saw a would have known that, I would have when in Berlin. The front of the build- tine parks and historic monuments, highly recommend this tour to anyone guy dancing on the stage with a ruffled, flown directly to Berlin and paid the ing looks like an old structure with and love the city but hate the fast pace going to Europe. (FYI: The same com- half unbuttoned business suit. (He obvi- extra money. You live and you learn. some cafés in front. Walk into any of of major ones, than you’ll love these places, and you’ll Brussels. One personal plus was that I pany operates in about five different ously went out right after work.). realize that they all lead got to practice my French, and I was cities and leaves heaps of their big red Madrid’s lifestyle is historic and elegant "Contrary to popular belief, to an outdoor courtyard pleased to see how well it worked. flyers throughout the hostel recep- by day and care-free by night. and about five more Brussels is the capital of a country that tions.) It’s called the “Free Tour” My trip was supposed to end here, Parisians do actually eat while bars. If you ascend the is half French speaking and half because what you do is just tip the tour but two days before my flight home, they walk, but only if they’re stairs inside, you’ll see, Dutch; however, the capital city is guide based on how satisfied you are these two Canadian girls told me that floor after floor, incredi- basically all French partially due to the with the service. Ours was great, so my they wanted to go to the “La Tomatina” eating a baguette." ble murals of graffiti. fact that French is a world language. brother and I gave him 30 Euros each. festival, but they weren’t sure how to do When you get to the top The reason why I found it so easy to This company also ran a pub crawl, so because it was 200 hundred miles which was much needed because if you away and all the trains and buses were I was six hours behind schedule, but two floors, you’ll find a rooftop bar speak French there was because only have about three days, Paris is too booked. At first, I wasn’t sure because with no loss of cheer, my brother and I and, under that, various art shops although the city is French, it is actual- big to find good places to go to at all I wanted to do was relax, but after a arrived at Berlin Tegel Airport and owned by some of the people who dec- ly located in the Dutch (or Flanders) night; it gave a discount to anyone few hours of discussion (which built up grabbed the next bus to our hostel, a orated the inside of the building. region. This meant that many of these who had taken the free tour earlier that a level of anticipation), we decided to hotel for backpackers who want to save Apparently, the building was inhabited French speakers weren’t actually born week. Despite seeing money by sleeping in a big dorm. It’s by squatters (people who inhabit un- there and were immigrants from other the Mona Lisa, ascend- the only way to travel if you’re young inhabited buildings) and beatnik artists parts of Europe and Africa. Because of ing the Eiffel Tower, and looking for an experience). Bad both of which stayed on the upper this mixture of different dialects, they "I don’t recommend renting a and eating at the restau- luck struck again when the bus broke floors and legitimized their craft. A spoke extremely slow and clear. rant from the movie bike in Amsterdam--it’s like seeing down, and my brother was finally whole evening can be dedicated to the The Brussels night life was great. My “Amelie,” I definitely forced to use his four years of high- exploration of this building. Sooner brother and I hit the streets with a girl a bullfight in Spain; although did not have enough school German to tell the taxi driver then we would have liked to admit, we from our hostel, and after we ate dinner, time in the city of everyone does it, it’s still silly." we hailed at the nearest corner. Well, had to leave. Next up: Amsterdam. we found a random Irish pub (these are lights, and I plan to go for those of you who studied language Amsterdam is a den of iniquity. When in EVERY city in the world) which back there soon. do it. After recruiting four more travel- in a North Jersey high school, you you go there, you have to stay in one of hung photos of famous IRA soldiers. It After Paris, I was on my own. My ers from the hostel and a two hour nap, know that, even if you do really well, the flying pig hostels. It’s common was echoing with drunken people jovial- brother had to leave earlier because of the two Canadian girls, a Floridian, a you learn basically nothing. So, I was ground for backpackers because of their ly singing along to the songs in the back- school, so I was off on a discount Ryan Chilean, an Australian, and myself pleasantly surprised when my brother great reputation and excellent common ground. After that, we found ourselves Air flight to Barcelona. Although rented a car (with no international dri- told him where we were going in room/bar. In Amsterdam, there are a in an awesome club called “Ethnic” (a Barcelona is one of the most loved cities ver’s license mind you, but they didn’t Berlin and was understood. From few nice things: the Van Gogh Museum fitting name for such a multi-cultural in all of Europe, I didn’t really enjoy it seem to care) and left for the annual there, everything started to go up-hill. (great paintings, but the crowds are so city). It was in a gazebo covered with a and ended up leaving earlier than Tomato fight outside of Valencia. Berlin is beautiful. It’s surprising how large it’s hard to see anything), the vari- tarp that was transformed into a club expected. However, the city does have La Tomatina is a festival in a small well the Berliners maintain a perfect ous canals, and the Anne Frank House. with a full bar for the summer festival beautiful architecture. The Sagrada town called Buñol in Valencia where the balance of their history and the new I recommend all these things as “must- that was taking place. That was another familia and the other famous architec- local population swells from 9,000 to face of Berlin. The latter is a myriad of dos,” but I also have to warn you, there reason why Brussels was such a great tural works built by Gaudi are breath- 40,000 for the annual tomato fight. It’s immigrants and foreign workers who is a plethora of marijuana, mushrooms, time: We were partying in the midst of taking; you wonder how they’re even a week long festival that started about 40 bring their own versions of art and gas- and prostitutes vying for your attention the annual summer festival. During the standing. I also had a lot of fun going years ago, and it ends on the last tronomy. For example, the stereotype of at every corner. festival, there were random stands that out with some locals who took me to Wednesday of August. The mayhem German cuisine being overly heavy and I don’t recommend renting a bike in sold beer, wine, and the famous some bars far from the city’s center begins with a contest during which starchy is not true. However, Munich, I Amsterdam--it’s like seeing a bullfight European French fries, “Pommes-frites,” I gave Barcelona a chance: I stayed for some random festival goers climb a hear, is the city one would go to for in Spain; although everyone does it, it’s topped with unique sauces. It was a a solid two days, walked around and greased pole and attempt to bring down stereotypical German eating and drink- still silly. Every street has bike lanes, shame how we couldn’t spend more took a tour, but I was still frustrated. a ham that is placed on top of it. When ing. Here, the Currywurst and but they’re designated alongside thou- time in such a great city, but we knew Now it could be a mixture of my broth- the ham is brought down, a large dump Schnitzel were well prepared and many sands of pedestrians, trams, scooters, we needed to save as much time as pos- er leaving me and the fatigue from walk- truck filled with tons of tomatoes begins times served with some vegetables. (I’ve and even cars. In other words, it’s best sible for Paris. Never-the-less, we were ing and pub crawling through Paris, but to traverse the street while people in the seen way worse than that at a 4th of July to walk or take the tram. There are also moping all the way to the train station. I’ll state my reasons for why Barcelona is truck bed pelt the crowd with squishy Barbeque.) If you still don’t like the some pretty cool clubs in Amsterdam, After a surprisingly nice train ride, we overrated. The first reason is that while tomatoes. It’s completely insane! What food, the vast amount of Turkish kebab including one called “Club Eleven.” arrived in Europe’s most famous city. it has its own culture and language results is similar to a mosh-pit. The places will hold you over with the large It’s like a secret- you have to walk Paris’s vast subway system brought us (Catalan) outside of mainstream crowd shifts to let the truck pass by, and Middle Eastern selection. around the train station over a pier, get within blocks of our hostel. It was locat- Spanish, it’s hard to see this culture since after about an hour, the streets run with Aside from eating and drinking, to a building that looks abandoned, ed in a decent neighborhood situated on they chose to rebuild all of the main a salsa of squashed tomatoes that people there’s an incredible amount to see in and take the elevator to the “eleventh” the quieter side of the hill of the artsy tourist areas with a “Miami Jet-setter” splash around in and throw everywhere. Berlin--the three and a half days floor. Here, you end up in a posh Montmartre district. The hostel, on the feel instead of a “European city” feel. Afterwards, local residents laugh as they weren’t enough. We started out at the house-club with overpriced drinks but other hand, wasn’t as nice as the area. It Many people say that Barcelona is really hose down the “tomatoed” people from Berlin Wall, and from there, we head- an amazing view of the city. If you lack was clean, but it lacked a bar which is a artsy and “European.” What I found is their porches, and the local fire depart- ed to the Brandenburg gate. We made self control, don’t spend more than a staple when hostelling and backpacking that the city tries too hard to live up to ment hoses down the dirty streets. our way down through the Unter den few days in Amsterdam! through Europe. Hostel bars are where certain expectations, and most of the During the festival, my shirt was torn Linden and to the Museum Island It was during our two measly days in you meet fellow travelers with whom time, it comes up short and seems a bit by some Spanish teenagers. (I didn’t where various monuments, statues, Brussels when we realized that we had you usually go out after socializing over tacky. It’s also the only city in which I know why they did this, but apparent- and buildings scarred with bullets made a mistake staying longer in a few drinks. Soon after our arrival, we didn’t feel totally safe even in compari- ly, it’s customary for the guys to go from World War II can be seen. With son to Amsterdam where I was almost shirtless.) I was almost trampled, but a limited amount of time in Berlin, mugged (something one expects in that all in all, it was totally worth it. It was that’s definitely the route you want to type of city). The universally-loved an experience I will never forget, but as take because it’s so condensed with Barcelona had more “notsofriendly” the guy from Florida who came with culture. The next day, we decided to people loitering on the streets than in us said while picking tomato from his rent a bike to see the rest of Berlin with both Amsterdam and New York com- hair, “It was great, but this might be our group of new friends from the hos- bined. While I ran around the streets at the first and last time.” I think I agree. tel. Renting a bike in Berlin is a must; night everywhere else, I only saw third- In about two days, I was on my way bike lanes have less traffic than both world prostitutes and creepy figures try- back to the States, totally drained but Amsterdam and the “Teirgarten,” one ing to sell me a six pack of beer in ready for the fall semester. Ready of the most beautiful parks in Europe. Barcelona. On my last night, I left early because I knew that the time I spent Once night falls, the new German/Ex- and took a night train south to Seville. between the daily grind of work and pat hybrid can be seen in full swing a Seville was nice; I was only there for school was not wasted. couple blocks away on a street called a day, but it was enough to see all of Lastly, I’d like to thank Professors “Oranienburger.” Here, nightlife tour the famous Moorish architecture built Carlos Acosta, Claudia Acosta, and Dr. guides giving something called the “pub during the Moors’ reign of southern Sadock for the great travel advice. crawl.” The pub crawl is a tour of the Spain and expanded under the Spanish Their wealth of knowledge in both city’s nightlife during which the guides monarchs. Everything in that city is traveling and teaching is unsurpassed. take you to about three bars and drop old and enormously grand, but in you off at a club with either a free shot August, not everything is open because or drink at each place. They’re really it is usually unbearably hot and many good for enormous cities (New York, residents go on vacation during that Paris, London etc.) where one doesn’t The crowd at “La Tomatina” festival eagerly anticipating the tomato time. The hostel was decent, and I was always know where to go throwing SEPTEMBER 2007 THE TORCH PAGE 7 Eleventh Annual Native American ᇹᇶᇷᇸᇹHeritage Week 2007 Keepers of Our Mother Earth September 24-29, 2007 Spiderwoman’s Birds of Prey Grandchildren with Jennifer Monday, September 24 Pena 12:30 p.m. - 1:25 p.m., S-134 BergenLit Brown Bag Lecture Series Thursday, September 27 Native Storytellers in a Postmodern World 11:00 a.m., Student Center Join the Bergen Literature Club for a discussion of contemporary American Indian literature, led by Dr. Diane Krumrey. Back by popular demand, Jennifer Pena returns with Flight of the Raptor, a privately run organization dedicated to heightening awareness of the importance of birds of prey in our environment. The presentation will include two raptor flight demonstrations Joyce King and the birds will be on display all day. Keynote Speech Joanne Tuesday, September 25 11:00 a.m., Ciccone Theater Shenandoah Haudenosaunee Speaking for the Voice of Creation Joyce King, known as Tekahnawiiaks, a member of Thursday, September 27 the Mohawk Nation, Turtle Clan, is the Director 1:40 p.m., W-226 (West Hall) of the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force. Joanne Shenandoah, a Wolf Clan member of the Iroquois She will share the traditional environmental knowledge of the Iroquois Confederacy, Oneida Nation and a Grammy Award (Haudenosaunee) that has been handed down for thousands of years, explaining winning singer and songwriter, will conduct a workshop how this ancient knowledge can center our own environmental movement. about contemporary Native American music. Ms. Shenandoah has performed with renowned singers Jackson Browne, Rita Coolidge, and Willie Nelson and more. She Environmental Protection Workshop has also sung at The White House for Hillary Clinton and Tipper Gore. Tuesday, September 25 Joanne Shenandoah in Concert 1:40 p.m., C-325 Joyce King will lead a workshop on the environmental principles underlying Thursday, September 27 the Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace. 7:30 p.m., Ciccone Theatre Joanne Shenandoah to perform. Ms. Shenandoah’s original compositions combined Natasha with a striking voice enable her to embellish the ancient songs of the Iroquois by blending traditional and contemporary instrumentation. Smoke Tickets are free for the College’s students (credit only) and are available to the public for $10. There is a two-person ticket limit. Santiago From the Heart Wednesday, September 26 11:00 a.m., C-325 of Little Hawk Artist in Residence Natasha Smoke Santiago (Turtle Clan, Mohawk Nation) comes from a family of Saturday, September 29 Native Artists and Artisans. Inspired by her history, culture, and life, she paints, 3:00 p.m., Ciccone Theatre draws, works in clay, and creates art installations. Her work has been exhibited at Stories, Songs & Legends the Iroquois Indian Museum and St. Lawrence University. Natasha Smoke Kenneth Little Hawk is a Native American storyteller of Santiago will show and present an in-depth discussion about her artwork. Mohawk and Micmac heritage. He brings his traditions to life with song, dance, sign language, and stories. Panel Discussion Tickets: $10 – Adults; $8 – children 17 & under Wednesday, September 26 Committee Members: 1:40 p.m., A-104 Diane Krumrey, Chair Andy Krikun Environmental Crisis: The Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation Susan Baechtel Pat Lauro and Its Fight with Ford Motor Company Ralph Choonoo Laurie Lieberman A panel discussion with guest speaker: Jan Barry, staff writer, The Record, Donna Coane Anne Marie Prendergast, Hackensack, NJ. The Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation blames a series of Joan Dalrymple Linda Robins ailments, from nose bleeds to cancer, on the waste left by the Ford Company Virginia Heagney Bill Yakowicz during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Artwork by Natasha Smoke Santiago

For additional information, email [email protected] or contact the Office of Student Life at: 201-447-7215 Native American Heritage Week is co-sponsored by The Office of Student Life and The Office of Community and Cultural Affairs. Vendors Monday through Thursday in the Student Center Designed and edited by the Office of Public Relations at Bergen Community College, 2007 by the Office of Public Relations at Bergen Community Designed and edited PAGE 8 THE TORCH SEPTEMBER 2007 Opinions & Editorial

Letter to the Editor OPEN DOOR - BUT . . . Dear Editor, argument in most majors and for weeks or months before the course Advising at registration this most careers. An informal validity is completed. When you look at Editor-In-Chief Amanda Ferrante August was a heart-wrenching study that illustrates this is to con- the significantly smaller final class Managing Editor Jill Bartlett experience for me. The harsh reali- sider all of the eminently successful size at the end of the course, you Copy Editor Michelisa Lanche ties that were waiting for students, employees at BCC who, by the recognize that class size needs to be Layout Editor Louis Campos almost at every turn, stemmed Central Limit Theorem, would defined differently here, not by the mainly from the absence of seats in have a placement score distribu- beginning class size. The “effective” Entertainment Editor Alon Melamed mandatory remedial courses and in tion with the same mean as our or “time-distributed” class size (in Sports Editor Danny LaFaso courses prerequisite to required student population on the same the aggregate) is around half of the Office Manager Doug Smith degree courses. The students kept placement test. This is a fact initial class size by virtue of this arriving, but there was precious lit- derived from the theory of early “eligibility” attrition. tle we could do to overcome the Mathematical Statistics. It is by no Two interesting extensions of the Staff Writers: roadblocks. means idle speculation. preceding paragraph come to Moses Agwai Robert Torres The predominant issue was that My own data analysis indicates mind. First, many of the previously Chris Mays Doug Smith effectively no seats in remedial math that for the majority-cohort under disqualified repeating students remained. Why? Because so many math remediation, only about 12% (who have registration priority over Contributing Writers: of the students who scored above of these students successfully com- new students) register for seats average on the placement test, sta- plete the prescribed sequence of needed by our first time registrants, Lianna Albrizio Juan Grullon tistically speaking, but below the remedial math requirements. In the thus exacerbating the seat deficit. cutoff score, had already registered normal course of program evalua- Second, if we allowed variable entry Advisor for seats needed by the in-person tion, this deep-mined information dates, these students who needed Pat Winters Lauro registrants, many of whom were in is left buried, and instead, superfi- seats to repeat and/or complete true need of those seats because they cial aggregates of single-course pass only a limited number of their scored below average on the place- rates are presented. True assess- course objectives from a previous ment test. Placing students into ment, therefore, assessment that semester could be served by being Mailing Address: remediation who score above the uncovers truths that can point to provided access to the vacated seats. 400 Paramus Road mean on the placement test raises strategies or remedies, does not Is the open door truly open? I Paramus, NJ 07652-1595 serious validity issues for most col- takes place. We are left to rely large- commend The Torch for its leader- Room L-115 lege programs. Also, the facilities ly on opinion or on consensus. ship last semester in reporting on resources (classrooms) of the college Finally, class size is not a valid broad and tough issues, and I am and the educational opportunities pedagogical “excuse” within the very appreciative of having this Phone: 201-493-5006 accessible to our students become context of a program that disquali- forum in which to participate. Fax: 201-493-5008 seriously skewed as a consequence fies a large percentage of students [email protected] of these aberrations. who lose “eligibility” for the Exit Sincerely, Mauro Marzocco The often-heard argument that Exam while the courses are still in The Torch, a member of the Associated College Press and the College all this remedial math is essential progress, and hence the eligibility Mauro Marzocco is a professor in Media Association, is the official student newspaper of Bergen for student success is not a valid to pass the course, sometimes the Department of Mathematics Community College. The purpose of the The Torch is to report on and Science the events at BCC and the local community and to offer the BCC community a forum for the expression. The opinions expressed in The Torch are not necessarily those of The Torch. All the materials submitted to The Torch become property of The Torch.

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September’s Music Picks

BY ALON MELAMED own version of the song, "You're In addition to the popular voices, be their heaviest ambition to date. has much more than a sassy, empow- Pitiful." West takes bits and pieces of popular The song "Passion's Killing Floor," ered woman’s voice leading them. ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR With All the Lost Souls, Blunt music and inserts them in his own, was featured in the movie Founder of the band, Mark Jensen, This summer featured some wild hopes to gain a more optimistic creating a whole new vibe. A perfect Transformers. As for the album lends his own voice on multiple rides and bumps. Bon Jovi discov- point of view towards life as his first example of this mixture can be found itself, Valo seems to be a bit more songs throughout the album. You ered their Lost Highway, Rihanna album, Back to Bedlam (2004), was in his single, "Stronger," as it features intense, as the band's first single, need to make clear Mark’s role in the noticed it rained a lot and constant- somewhat gloomy and murky. samples from Daft Punk's "Harder, "Kiss of Dawn," was written in band… founder/lead singer/both? ly used her "Umbrella," and if your Indeed, "1973" has more rhythm Better, Faster, Stronger." memory of a close friend of his who Why is it special that he lends his name is Delilah, the Plain White T’s with its melody. Both controversial in their actions, committed suicide. voice? Is he not a member of the must have made you feel very good In addition, special attention has this is one battle-rap the music An album from a band that knows band?While hearing his voice, you about yourself. been given to Blunt’s CD cover as it industry is hoping will make some how to show its emotions and not may think a beast has taken control What is in store for the fall? Some is a unique collage made by designer consumers actually buy an album. hide behind them, is a recommen- of his body. However, this is why more love medicine from James Nip Bose. It features James’ face Bring it on! In the midst of such a dation for anyone who wants to lis- Epica sounds the way they do. Blunt, a highly anticipated music made of more than a thousand pho- high profile battle, the rappers ten to something a bit different but Mark's grunts and growls appear to duel between Kanye West and 50 tos captured throughout his life. played their business cards right as still stay classy. HIM has been fea- be the male side of emotion on the cent, and a Finnish band’s popularity The album has both a regular they are both featured on the cover tured on one of this summer’s album, while delicate Simone becomes increasingly powerful. release and a CD/DVD format, fea- of Rolling Stone Magazine’s September hottest tours, Projekt Revolution, Simons’s effort to complement his is James Blunt/All the Lost Souls: turing additional behind-the-scenes 20th isssue above the headline headlined by Linkin Park. This just apparent and appreciated. The term Expectations are very high for this footage about the making of the “Showdown! 50 Cent Vs. Kanye adds another tally mark on HIM’s "Operatic Metal" is a very loose term fine, young, average-looking British album. West, Who Will be the King of Hip- newfound U.S. credibility scale. used to classify Epica’s sound, yet lad. Just a few months ago, Blunt Kanye West/ Graduation and 50 Hop? 50 insists that if West sells Editor's Pick: Epica/ The Divine songs like "Death of a Dream" and was named the biggest selling artist Cent/ Curtis: Two rappers, encour- more records, he will retire- we’ll see Conspiracy: Lately, many gothic "Menace of Vanity" both exemplify of this millennium in the United aged by the support of countless if it’s just a bluff. metal bands want to conquer the the juxtaposition of voices ending in Kingdom and is already generating fans, will each release albums on HIM/ Venus Doom: Love Metal city of New York. Bands like Within a "battle" between male and female quite a buzz regarding his second, September 11th that could be one of has never looked so gory. Temptation, Leave's Eyes, Epica, dominance. upcoming album. rap's greatest heavyweight matches Finland's HIM has been playing and many more have performed At first, the album may be very A perfect anecdote for the approach- since 2Pac vs. Notorious B.I.G. for quite some time now, forming in here, expanding their fan base. As hard for people not familiar with the ing chilly, fall-winterish weather, he Curtis James Jackson III, a.k.a. 50 the early 90s as the European coun- true as this may be, the case with the sound and image of the band to lis- already released a first single, "1973," Cent, showcases Curtis, an all terpart for the American grunge following band is a little different. ten to. But after a few listens there and it should not be long before we around hip-hop ambition with stars movement. It was not until their Because this is the second time the might be a change in approach and, start hearing the song all across prime like Akon and Eminem having his 2005 effort, Dark Light, that they Dutch band Epica comes to NYC, dare I say, admiration that follows. time television. back, while Mr. Kanye Omari West, started getting radio airplay here in they now have plenty of material to In addition to the promising list Having reached success with the who was also heavily involved with the States. promote and introduce to the new above, new Nelly, Eve, Natalie ever-so-popular song, "You're the production, released Graduation. It is hard to describe a band with so crowd. Having to deal with the rela- Imbruglia and Foo Fighters albums Beautiful," Blunt’s song became the The seventeen tracks are a collec- much passion led by the voice of tionship between beliefs in different are on the shelf this month. Kid first single since Elton John’s tive re-invention of popular music Ville Valo. In fact, as of today, HIM civilizations, this latest effort has Rock returns louder than ever, and "Candle in the Wind" to reach the samples featuring contemporary is the only rock band to have a certi- evolved to become a concept album even The Cure rise to the occasion number one spot on both American artists’ voices that contribute to the fied gold album both in Finland and about just that. with an impressive eighth studio and British billboard charts. The fresh sound we expect from Kanye. in the U.S. Musically, with the release of their album, their first since 2001. song has even received special atten- Featured on the track entitled Having achieved massive success in latest single, "Never Enough," the tion from satire music guru, "Weird" "Homecoming," is Coldplay's lead Europe with their original interpre- band sounds a bit like an operatic Al Yankovic, as he performed his singer Chris Martin. tation of metal, Venus Doom is set to version of Evanescence, yet the band For Those Who’ve Got the Blues but No Rhythm BY MICHELISA LANCHE John Legend/Get Lifted (2004) admits that his relationship is not Musiq Soulchild/Aijuswanaseing with his girlfriend. Finally, the last and Once Again (2006) exactly the happiest: “Last night (2000) track, “You Be Alright,” optimisti- COPY EDITOR John Legend’s freshman and was the worst night, the beginning If Donny Hathaway and Stevie cally consoles his recently broken Rhythm and Blues (R&B) sophomore LPs Get Lifted and of the end.” However, he decides Wonder had a child, his name heart. Innovative in every way, albums of today are about three Once Again perfectly complement that everything, especially love, would be Talib Johnson. His stage Musiq’s lyrics and mo-town, neo- things: sex, drugs, and “dranks.” each other as they tell the story of deserves a “second chance.” While name would be Musiq Soulchild, soul beats make this album New artist Ray Lavender, for an individual who journeys from a addressing the very sexual nature and his music would be complete- absolutely timeless. example, tells us how his girl has a “player” to a true romantic. Get of today’s American pop culture, ly ahead of his time. D’Angelo/Brown Sugar (1995) girlfriend, but that that’s okay— Lifted reveals his exhibition of sex- both albums do so in a musically Aijuswanaseing (I Just Want to Sing) Sweet and unrefined, Brown “he’s gon’ make it do what it do.” ual infidelity as well as spiritual tasteful and creative manner (a demonstrates the progression of a Sugar demonstrates the art of (Whatever that means.) The R&B freedom with songs like “She Don’t quality that is lacking in most of relationship, from its development courtly love—R&B style. No track artists of today definitely have a lot Have to Know” and “I Can today’s music). By joining nostal- to its finish. “Just Friends,” track 4, sounds the same, making it impos- of rhythm; however, they seem to Change.” Once Again reveals a gic 50s jazz beats with contempo- details the “dating” phase—he’s sible to get sick of this album. be forgetting about the blues. If newly reformed individual. In this rary hip-hop and R&B rhythms, just trying to get to know the girl. Songs like “Me and Those you’ve got the blues but can’t find album, the mature content and this couple makes Legend’s music In track 7, “Love,” the former Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine” and the rhythm to which they corre- lyrics of his songs imply how he easy on the ears for both old and friendship becomes more serious as “When We Get By” make a spond, soothe your soul with these has finally discovered his true love. young generations. Musiq describes both the ups and woman feel confident and sexy. classic innovative beats. In “Heaven,” for example, Legend downs of his intimate relationship D’Angelo also conveys the image of a gentleman, with- out stripping him of his masculinity; that is, he presents a confi- dent, sexy man to complement a confi- dent, sexy woman. With the smooth sounds of the leg- endary Smokey Robinson reminiscent in D’Angelo’s voice, Brown Sugar (and spice) makes every- thing nice. John Legend Get Lifted (2004) John Legend Once Again (2006) Musiq Soulchild Aijuswanaseing (2000) D’Angelo Brown Sugar (1995) PAGE 10 THE TORCH SEPTEMBER 2007 KoRn’s Komeback: Finally, One Worth the Wait! BY AMANDA FERRANTE easily transitioning without any sign of stage stress. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF On the band’s recent tours, there Perhaps it’s their switch to Virgin are some new “animals” rocking out FREE SWIM HOURS Records enabling a more creative on stage. Zac Baird provides the edge, or maybe it’s their new gui- backup vocals to Davis’s sophisticat- September 17 – December 22, 2007 tarist and drummer, but something ed set of pipes that, frankly, have gave as KoRn has released its best- never sounded more beautiful and sounding album since the old school edgy all at once. Kalen Chase, Monday 9:00 – 10:00 am; 11:30 – 2:30 pm days of Life is Peachy and Follow the known as “the one who wears a rab- Leader. bit mask,” has been touring with Tuesday 10:15 – 11:15 am; 12:30 – 1:30 pm KoRn’s new disc, Untitled, is a KoRn since last year on percussion, product of a new musical maturity guitar, and backing vocals; Joey and greater band chemistry (KoRn Jordison of Slipknot is keeping the Wednesday 9:00 – 10:00 am; 11:30 – 1:30 pm lost guitarist Brian “Head” Welch to Korn Untitled Virgin Records 2007 drum set hot as David Silveria rests born-again Christianity in February his wrists. Quite frankly, Joey is giv- Thursday 11:00 am – 2:30 pm 2005 and drummer David Silveria about ex-guitarist Brian “Head” ing David a run for his money as has been on hiatus since 2006.) On Welch citing, “You're all that's fans among the crowd chanted Friday 9:00 – 11:00 am the band’s MySpace page, Singer wrong; with your dumbass song; yet “Joey’s better than David at the free Jonathan Davis says the record is that's all that you will ever be; noth- show in Manhattan ât Southstreet ing you can do 'cause; that's all that Seaport back in July. Something was RULES: “about us growing up and our minds 1. Swim only when a lifeguard is present opening up more.” you will ever be.” It’s definitely a shift missing in Silveria’s slams; perhaps 2. Wear appropriate swimming attire. “We weren’t necessarily worried from their usual interviews showing it’s the Slipknot flavor that adds just about ‘oh, is this too poppy? Or too nothing but love and support for a dash more heavy metal sprinkled 3. You must bring an updated student, alumni, employee or this or that?’ he says. “We started their former friend. Perhaps, follow- atop KoRn’s already musically deli- senior citizen ID card. thinking that way when “Got The ing the typical KoRn formula, Davis’s cious cake. 4. You must provide a lock for the locker. Life” came out and we thought, ‘oh, emotions are the fodder for a great KoRn has been coming and going we can’t put this out, it’s got a disco record oozing with emotion and pas- since 1994 when they began their HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE beat and it’s too dancey.’ It made us sion. The riffs and general sound are long journey as Nu Metal pioneers, scared. But that’s something we like that of typical older KoRn. “Ever Be” but this comeback shows precision, doing. If we do a song and put it out is a morbid, dark track with Davis poise and originality. Proper mar- and we’re not scared about it, I guess howling like a werewolf and Shaffer keting, meet and greets, and the we’re not doing it right, because we peering in and out with an easy to usual free show in Manhattan were a Fitness Center S-128 always want to evolve, experiment like generic riff- the beautiful bass few tactics that also made KoRn’s and change.” sound never fails as Arvizu is easily awaited return worth the wait. Free Hours Apparently, “getting scared” is just one of the greatest bassists of the last Untitled debuted at number two Fall 2007 what the doctor ordered- as both fifteen years. Untitled takes you on a on the Billboard charts, only to be Jekyll and Hyde fantasy ride with 1999’s “Got the Life” and 2007’s beat out by Common’s latest disc, Effective: 9/17/07 “Evolution” have earned great radio melodic sad love tunes like “Kiss,” Finding Forever. To my distaste, each Days Times play and general appeal for a recipe and angry schizophrenic innuendoes has been beat out brutally by the Mondays Open - 4:00 – 8:00 PM of success. with the band’s latest single “Bitch, High School Musical 2 Soundtrack. Tuesdays Open – 9:00 – 10:00 AM The metal veterans seem to have lis- We Got a Problem,” (chosen by a fan Damn it, Disney! Check out Closed – 10:15 – AM – 12:30 PM tened to the fans on this album as the poll!) All kudos are given to KoRn for MySpace.com/KoRn for tour dates. Open – 12:30 – 2:30 PM; 4:00 – 8:00 PM Open – 4:00 – 8:00 PM sounds of the old KoRn resonate. their newfound edge, and props also Wednesdays Open- 8:00 – 10:00 AM “Ever Be” discusses Davis’s feelings go out to KoRn’s backing band for Thursdays Closed – 10:00 – 11:15 AM Open – 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM; 4:00 – 8 :00PM Fridays Open–8:00AM–2:30PM Michael Moore’s Sicko: Please inform the Wellness/Exercise Science office (G-201 or G-207) if the facility is not open during scheduled hours. Anyone interested in working in the Fitness Center should see Prof. Paul Wolfe in G-202.

A Gravely Entertaining Wake-Up Call • Proper attire is required • Valid college ID is required. BY DOUG SMITH for a government to mess up some- • No food or drink in Fitness Center. thing, there is a way to ensure that • HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE STAFF WRITER all Americans get provided health- Calling Sicko a “must see” is an care if it is paid for by taxes at no understatement. In spite of your cost to the American people. feelings about Michael Moore, Before the film ends, Moore whether positive or negative, the brought his crew back home where focus of his newest film is an issue we find sick and injured 9/11 work- that spans all walks of life; ers who have either run up a life HealthCare. It may not seem like a threatening medical tab or simply big deal at first, but how many have yet to be treated. The location Keep Bergen entertained! people do you know who have had where they eventually had to get the financial troubles due in part to treatment was ironically bittersweet, If you're interested in writing medical bills? Well, if you answer showing the sad state of a for-profit anything over zero, then this is a medical system. Apparently, heroes film you ought to see. don’t receive a discount. Arts & Entertainment reviews, Moore starts off slowly by The film’s theme is sad at best, explaining that the film’s main make no mistake about it, but its contact us at focus, contrary to popular belief, is mood is surprisingly light. Most that type of crime. Apparently, she not about Americans without filmmakers know that people was right: the allure of making [email protected] health insurance, rather American would never voluntarily see some- record profits by spending less people with health insurance and thing that would make them money has apparently been placed how they’re not really as secure as depressed, so there ends up being front and center in the medical field. they may think they are. many moments After dissecting the issue here in that make you the U.S., the cameras laugh--call the film brought us abroad to a satirical docu- Sicko shows a myriad of first hand the countries that accounts of medical horror stories. mentary. By calling apparently have a our system of more advanced med- Healthcare a joke, ical system than we Sicko shows a myriad of first hand it was easier to do to see exactly what we’re miss- • • accounts of medical horror stories open up the wealth Casual Dining Fine Food Cocktails ing. Well, without giving away from the patients who suffered them of damning infor- • • • anything, all that seemed to be LUNCH DINNER BAR EVENTS and health care professionals who mation within the missing was political will. As our admitted to committing the pla cing film. For those who country searches for a company to of profits before care. One of the may be skeptical on N O W H I R I N G pay for needed public services, like woman interviewed by Moore’s the accuracy of the medical care, every other western- We’re a fast growing casual dining restaurant crew is later shown testifying before facts within the ized country just employs the doc- a congressional committee. She film Moore pro- looking for high energy, bright, friendly people to tors and pharmacists without a admitted that because her job was to vides a bibliogra- third party. The only obstacle here join our outstanding team! deny certain medical treatments to phy that anyone is that most Americans think that keep the insure company’s cost to a can look at on the they can’t do anything to make a • • • minimum, she caused the death of Sicko movie Flexible Schedules Good Money difference, and those who are in at least one patient who died imme- website tune to politics believe that if the Call 973-696-9440 diately after being denied a life-sav- (http://www. government controls anything, it ing yet costly procedure. After michaelmoore.com 344 French Hill Rd • Wayne, N J • 07470 will be a strike against freedom. admitting that she was positive of /sicko/checkup/). What Sicko shows is that although www.Tavern344.com her guilt, she also lamented how it’s it’s hard to make a change and easy sad that there’s no punishment for SEPTEMBER 2007 THE TORCH PAGE 11 New York's Knitting Factory Hosts Three Rising Stars

BY ALON MELAMED

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR The Knitting Factory in New York has been the home of many upcoming artists dating back to the first year it opened in 1987. For the past twenty years, it has host- ed alternative and well known music acts that were, at the time, working on their now eager cheers he got from the crowd, was dis- phenomenal popularity. tinguished as the main act everyone was wait- Acts such as Sonic Youth, Yo Le Tengo, ing for. It has been a long time since an artist and more found a solid fan base within the and his band shared an on-key combination Knitting Factory’s walls, a fan base that later with hardly any mistakes [at The Knitting expanded to nationwide success. Factory]. His band was on cue with him for On another warm and cozy August night, every song he sang. When he performed his three artists seemed to have formed their songs alone, his only distraction was the air own fan base, hoping a shared success story coming out from the empty ceilings. would follow them. Wells’s voice sounds like Stevie Wonder’s, Los Angeles based Ernie Halter opened the yet some of his songs include guitar rock night with a shy yet romantic exhibition of his riffs. He showcased some of his musical talent. For some reason, every time he performs, influences with a medley of covers featuring he wears a dull gray cap. Oddly enough, among songs by Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige. The the merchandise offered, an “official” Ernie's cap crowd, comprised mostly of college girls, was is available. As for his music, shades of soul are taken by his voice. When he played two of clearly heard in his voice within titles such as his better known songs, "Sea Breeze" and "Love Look at Me Now." "One You Need" hints "Falling," the crowd chanted the words with the dude needs some tender lovin' care. His him as if he were a priest at church. debut album, Congress Hotel, is sold in stores. Signing with Universal Music records last Following his act, Kate Voegele enters the year has made him a high prospect for stage. A Cleveland native, she actually has a becoming a DJ's new favorite for massive supporting band behind her. With her naiveté airplay. Wells has released already three long and excitement as her more prominent assets, play CD's with his latest album, Hold On she starts playing a song dear to her heart, (2006), re-released through Universal. "Chicago." Throughout her set, she combines That August night, the Knitting Factory catchy melodies and easy-listening lyrics to hosted three more individuals wishing to get a hold of a crowd already fascinated by her become "The Next Big Thing" in music youthful look. Recently, she has signed a today. Whether all or none of them do, in record deal with MySpace Records. Songs fact, succeed, the music scene created by this from her first album, Don't Look Away, have renowned New York venue will still be host already been featured on television for many quality upcoming stars. Closing the night was Tyrone Wells, anoth- er Californian export who, by the positive and Singer Kate Voegele Reaches for the Stars

BY ALON MELAMED

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR With a world so dependent on computers, many artists use MySpace and other social network- ing sites to gain some initial atten- tion. Such is the case with Kate Voegele, 20, from Cleveland, Ohio. After signing with MySpace Records in October of 2006, Voegele significantly upped her potential of becoming music's newest pop star. Growing up in an environment where music was a way of life, Kate said she owes a lot to her father, a Kate serenades the crowd with her song and sweet disposition guitar player, who sang alongside her at Riverside Church’s Farm Aid Music Festivals alongside 4. If you had a genie granting Children's Choir when she was artists such as Dave Matthews and you three wishes, what would you younger. John Mellencamp. choose? In addition, she says that the Voegele has also won numerous "I honestly don’t know. I wish I music her parents listened to on music awards, most notably a USA could have answered this question the radio, most notably Carole songwriting competition award for better." King and Patty Griffin’s "Up to "Only Fooling Myself,” and a New 5. What word describes you the the Mountain," remain major York Songwriting Circle competi- best? musical influences on her. tion for "I Won’t Disagree." – "Loud and Energetic!" Writing music became more Her first LP, "Don't Look Away," 6. What part of you would you important during her high school was released in March of 2007. change? years. It was then that she began to The album was "Pretty much nothing. Maybe a write lyrics that express common For more info about Kate and her better sports athlete, although life experiences. Yet some of her music check out her website at what really matters is who you are songs still have an unusual, comic www.katevoegele.com and what you do." appeal. The idea for the song "One 7. What makes you smile? Way or Another," came to her 10 Quick Questions For Kate: "My friends and the loving peo- during a flight from Cleveland to 1. If you were to be anything but ple around me." Los Angeles. Voegele, sitting in the a singer/songwriter, what would 8. What makes you cry? middle seat of the airplane, had to you be? "When my friends and family get climb over a sleeping lady while "I would have become a visual hurt." her tray lay open supporting a artist. I studied it in school and 9. What is your greatest fear? bunch of Sprite cans. “One way or had to drop out of it. I will really "I don't think about it; in the another,” she managed to climb miss it." end, things work out." over her and record the song in the 2. What do you find attractive? 10. What is your greatest dream? bathroom. "Funny, spontaneous people and "All I want to be and do is be That’s typical of Voegele’s charac- actions." happy and have a positive effect on ter: very hyper and energetic, hop- 3. What part of your lifetime the people besides me and the ones ing to make her own difference in would you like to return to? listening to my music." the world. Some of her accom- "I really miss the days when I was plishments to date include her par- five. I wish I could act like a kid a ticipation in the 2004 and 2005 little more." PAGE 12 THE TORCH SEPTEMBER 2007 Sports Calling It as We See It: A Guide to the 2007 - 2008 NHL Season BY DANNY LAFASO plays nowadays. Goalies, Cristobal winning the Stanley Cup in 2003: Huet and Jaroslav Halak, both strug- goaltending, goaltending, and, of SPORTS EDITOR gled last season; neither is anticipated course, goaltending. Marc Denis and With so many unanswered questions to play up to potential again. Futility Johan Holmqvist are hardly starters on about the upcoming NHL season, any shall continue to be the ‘word of the AHL squads, and this is the tandem prediction made by anyone, who’s day’ for the Montreal Canadiens. that will vie for the starting job in either a fan or an expert is still just a Let’s not leave out last year’s winners, Tampa. New ownership will certainly shot in the dark. This does not mean the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres were have their hands full with this that The Torch Sports page will shy major losers in the off-season, as well as Lightning team, unless they rectify away from making predictions for the a disappointment during their playoff their goalie situation quickly. 2007-08 NHL campaign. run last year. Once Ottawa eliminated Who would have expected the Here you will find a division by divi- Buffalo in last year’s conference finals, Florida Panthers to have such a pro- sion outlook of the Eastern Conference. any chance Buffalo had for continuing ductive off-season? Tomas Vokoun will Whatever the outcome, this year’s fight dominance was left in the hands of the solidify the goalie spot in Florida, for the cup promises to be one of the front office, which absolutely dropped while Jay Bouwmeester makes his most unpredictable, exciting, and the ball. Although selling out each return from knee surgery. Captain Olli nerve-wrecking seasons that any fan, home game they play offers outstand- Jokinen has always played to his full whether you are a casual onlooker or a ing overall attendance figures, don’t potential, and although Radek Dvorak crazed fanatic, will ever endure. look for more excitement than this is no superstar, having another veteran We begin things with the always from this year’s squad of Sabres. will bolster the locker room of the unpredictable Atlantic Division, in Panthers (and add a bit more scoring). which the New York Rangers have Michael Nylander will certainly have made perhaps some of the best moves Zubrus helps, but Zubrus is not a squad missed the playoffs on the very fun distributing the puck to budding this off-season. The Broadway defenseman, which is where the Devils last day of the regular season, losing superstar Alexander Ovechkin in Blueshirts landed two of the most cov- will surely feel the sting of losing Brian out to the Islanders who stand no Washington. However, even with the eted free agents on the market in Chris Rafalski to Detroit. chance this season. This year, Toronto’s dynamic talents of Ovechkin, no team Drury and Scott Gomez. They have The Philadelphia Flyers will certainly squad has a bit of a different look. can survive with only one line that can also cut ties with center Matt Cullen, turn some heads this season after suf- Andrew Raycroft, who was once a score. Olaf Kolzig can keep the puck out who performed poorly during his only fering an abysmal last year. Daniel Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the of the net as long as his defense allows season in NY. Defense is still an issue Briere will provide the puck moving year, is no longer a top tier goaltender. him the space to maneuver, and the for the Rangers, as they lost their poten- skills that were lacking, while young Vesa Toskala will make Raycroft earn Capitals’s defense has never been good tial power play quarterback in Karel offensive tools such as Scottie Upshall his spot as the number one, which may enough. Expect nothing more than Rachunek. Having many rookie and and RJ Umberger will continue to daz- heighten Andrew’s play. Former mediocrity from our nation’s capital. second year defenders on their blue line zle fans inside the “City of Brotherly Islander Jason Blake will bring his goal TORCH Northeast Division may also cause some trouble. However, Love.” Goaltender Marty Biron is sure scoring ability to a team that seems to Winner- Ottawa Senators the buzz around 34th Street is whether to be an important addition. Look for run on only one line, year after year. Finally, we visit the Southeast divi- this year’s squad will be a force to be Philadelphia to be a serious contender Bryan McCabe and Tomas Kaberle are sion, where the Atlanta Thrashers had reckoned with in this division, as well as for the division crown. stalwarts at the defensive position, and the lowest point total for a division a major Stanley Cup contender. The NY Islanders? Well, what can we second-year player Pavel Kubina will winner last season and were swept out Pittsburgh has not been a power- say? They’re the Islanders. most likely acclimate to Toronto’s of the first round by a surging NY house hockey city in quite some time, TORCH Atlantic Division Winner- scheme a little easier this time around. Rangers squad. While Atlanta’s fire but look for all that to change as Sidney NY Rangers Boston will most likely look to its power remains intact with Kovalchuk, Crosby and crew enter their third full baseball and basketball teams for The Northeast Division may be the Hossa, and Holik back next year, goal- season. Last year provided Penguin fans excitement this year. The Bruins off- best division in the entire NHL. tending is still a sensitive issue. Even if with a first glimpse of just how special season addition of Manny Fernandez Stanley Cup finalist Ottawa is they win the division again, goaltender this team could be. It also showed how does not exactly strike fear into the rest TORCH Southeast Division win- favored to repeat as division winner Marian Hossa played dreadfully in last truly young and inexperienced they are, of the division; conversely, owner ner- Florida Panthers and rightfully so. Dany Heatley seems year’s playoffs—perhaps he is fated to falling to Ottawa in the first round of Jeremy Jacobs’s track record thus far is to score at will, Captain Daniel have “A. Rod-like” luck in the post-sea- So there you have it, sports fans. The the playoffs. Look for Pittsburgh to loaded with loss after loss after loss. Do Alfredsson has been a big time leader son. An overrated defense corps only Torch certainly does not claim to have perhaps take a small step back, as these not expect much from the Bruins, and player for a while now, and adds to the worries of Thrashers fans. all the answers, but we feel that our young teams sometimes do. sports fans. Goaltender Ray Emery can keep the Alexei Zhitnik and Nicolas Havelid are assessment of the 2007-08 NHL Division winner New Jersey has suf- Montreal continues to flourish on puck out with the best of them. both past their prime; expect an odd Eastern Conference is spot on. Prepare fered off-season losses before, but never the power play each season, but this Defenseman Wade Redden always man rush on behalf of the opposition yourselves for one of the most exciting the likes of what took place last year. will only get them so far. The NHL’s knows just where to be on the ice and every time this pair leaves the ice. hockey seasons in recent memory. Losing Scott Gomez and Brian Rafalski playoff system is made neither for how to put the puck where it’s sup- Tampa Bay, while holding two of the Be sure to check out The Torch and on the same day may have done more teams that can only score while up a posed to go. Opponents beware: the most dynamic cards in the league in all our sports happenings at damage than GM Lou Lamoriello cares man nor a regular season in which you Ottawa Senators are for real! Lecavalier and St. Louis, has been myspace.com/thetorchnewspaper. to believe. Adding center Dainius get as many penalties as you do power Last year’s Toronto Maple Leafs plagued by one serious problem since Torch Sports Top 10 BY DANNY LAFASO Mark Wahlberg plays long shot Vince Papale in the story of a bartender turned SPORTS EDITOR NFL pro. Papale went from playing All right, sports fans! It’s time for the pickup with his buddies to training newest installment of Torch Sports Top with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976. 10. Each issue of The Torch will consist Greg Kinnear plays Papale’s coach, Dick of 10 new things related to sports, and Vermeil, who took a chance on the local we will place them in order from 10 to bartender, then went on to an illustrious 1. Check us out at Myspace.com/bcc- coaching career himself. We can all torchnewspaper, and either give feed- agree that far too many football movies back or let us know what top 10s you are made year after year, but this one want to see. Also, look for the upcom- actually pulls in the viewer with its ing Torch Sports Blog! human interest plot. For this issue, Top 10 lists the best 7. The Rookie- 98 MPH sports films of all time! And here they are: Productions- 2002. 10. Soul of the Game- HBO Films- Dennis Quaid plays a Texas baseball 1996. coach who gets a chance to live his This film delves into the lives of MLB dream as the pitcher for a Major three of the Negro Baseball League’s League team. If the human interest most recognizable names: the immor- plotline in “Invincible” doesn’t quite become a legendary benchmark within Herb Brooks. The rest of the cast does formance in this film is just as deserving tal Jackie Robinson, wacky pitcher do it for you, this film sure will. the documentary genre. not consist of actors who play hock- of that great gold statue. Satchel Paige, and troubled slugger 6. Bad News Bears- Paramount- 4. The Natural- Delphi II- 1984. ey—they are hockey players who act. 1. Field of Dreams- Gordon Co. - Josh Gibson. Blair Underwood shines 1976. Robert Redford teamed with director Feel the goose bumps build as one of 1989. as Robinson who broke Major League What can possibly be said about this Barry Levinson to make one of the fore- the greatest sporting triumph in Think of anyone in your life who Baseball’s color barrier in 1947 with timeless film? Walter Matthau and his most baseball films in history. Roy American history is retold. does not know this line: “If you build the Brooklyn Dodgers. Delroy Lindo gang of misfit little leaguers have made Hobbs (Redford) comes out of nowhere 2. Remember the Titans- it, he will come.” You can’t do it, can plays the aging hurler, Paige, and countless audiences wet themselves to help the Knights baseball team con- Bruckheimer Films- 2000. you? That’s because “Field of Dreams” Mykelti Williamson portrays Josh with laughter since the film debuted in tend for the pennant. With the help of Even the manliest of men will find is that one sports film that will forever Gibson, who many agree was the the late 70s. Every film made after the bat he created from a lightning- their tears hard to contain watching this live in the hearts and minds of film Negro League’s “Babe Ruth.” “Bad News Bears” that has portrayed a struck tree as a child, Hobbs immedi- one. Filled with a terrific cast, great foot- lovers. Kevin Costner and James Earl 9. Tin Cup- Regency- 1996. raggedy, has-been coach teaching ately becomes a legend. Although the ball scenes, and a heartwarming story, Jones have made other important films Kevin Costner and Rene Russo make morality to a team of local miscreants novel’s ending has him striking out and this movie was an instant classic the throughout their careers, but anyone golf seem appealing to even the most has paled in comparison to this classic. weeping in the locker room, Hollywood moment it was released. Denzel that meets Jones on the street may be avid of non-players in this 1996 5. Hoop Dreams-Indie-1994. needed a happier spin on this story, and Washington plays Herman Boone, a tempted to tell him, “People will come, romantic comedy. Costner portrays a Originally meant to be a half-hour long they certainly found one. high school coach given the head coach- Ray.” Many sports films come and go, former hot-shot college golfer whose short film, “Hoop Dreams” turned out to 3. Miracle- Disney- 2004. ing position at a school where African but “Field of Dreams” will always be bravado gets the best of him one too be a terrific documentary depicting the In 1980, a group of rag tag college American players and coaches are not there. “The one constant through all many times. Russo is a psychiatrist dat- lives of Arthur Agee and William Gates, kids stole the show at the winter welcome. Few football films have the tear the years has been baseball,” reflects ing Costner’s old college teammate high school basketball players who hope Olympics by dethroning the Soviet jerking ability this film has, and who Jones towards the film’s end, and the who is a big time PGA star. This film to make it to the NBA. A heartwarming hockey team and eventually winning knows if another ever will. “Training same is true for the film itself. is a sure fire hole-in-one. and endearing tale, “Hoop Dreams” was the gold medals. Kurt Russell is stellar Day” may have won Washington the Feel free to send your comments or ques- 8. Invincible- Disney- 2006. never meant for success, but it has in his performance as the USA coach, Oscar he desired for so long, but his per- tions to Myspace.com/bcctorchnewspaper.