C AMPUS TIMES VOLUME 139, NUMBER 11 Serving the University of Rochester community since 1873 THURSDAY , APRIL 19, 2012 International UR off- campus recruiting efforts living on expand at UR Erie-Lackawanna the rise BY ANTOINETTE ENA BY JUSTIN FLEMING 2012. Approximately half of Railroad Bridge JOHNSON PUBLI S HER the international students in STAFF WRITER In the 2004 admissions the class of 2015 are Chinese, The housing lottery was cycle, the size of the interna- and as a result, UR Admissions less competitive for those tional undergraduate popula- has curtailed the number of interested in living in the Riv- tion at UR hit a low point. With Chinese students accepted erview Apartments this year, only 2.7 percent of the class of this year. partially because the number 2008 hailing from outside the “One of our goals at this of students interested in living United States, the University point is to make sure that we off campus or in Southside Liv- redoubled its recruitment ef- don’t have an international River Lot ing Area has increased. forts abroad. population that’s too much Approximately 83 percent of In the years since, this from one country,” Dean of students applied for housing change in focus has resulted Admissions Jonathan Bur- this year, a number that con- in a complete turnaround in dick said. “We don’t want the tinues to decrease each year terms of international admis- Chinese student population to Julia sklaR • PRE S E N TATIO N EDITOR as UR has been encouraging sions. Sixteen percent of the be more than, say, half of the The Rails-to-Trails footbridge, which will connect the River Campus to neighborhoods across students to move off campus current freshman class is from [international] undergradu- the Genesee River, will officially open in June despite some delays and funding issues. to make way for larger incom- a foreign nation, and, at least ates.” ing classes. for the class 2016, the trend is While this year saw a 27 UR’s goal is to reach an en- not slowing down. This year, percent increase in Chinese Rails-to-Trails footbridge to rollment of 5,000 undergradu- UR experienced an 18 percent students applying to UR, the ate students. But according to increase in applications from number accepted was less Director of Residential Life international students, and 11 than one percent higher than link city, University by June Laurel Contomanolis, UR percent more than last year last year. Yet, in spite of this, BY LEAH BULETTI talization Program, which are project since a feasibility study must be cautious to remain were accepted. Burdick noted that applicants NE ws EDITOR covering two-thirds and one- was conducted in 2008. “right-sized,” a balance be- Prospective students of one from China are becoming in- After several years of dis- third of costs, respectively. “I think you’d be amazed tween the number of students nationality, however, did not creasingly appealing to the cussion, construction and The bridge, which is 800 at how quickly you can get to who want housing and the see an increase in acceptance University — a trend that fundraising, the Erie-Lack- feet long and was originally the downtown through this number of available beds. letters from the University in SEE RECRUIT, PA G E 4 awanna Railroad Bridge built in 1890, will become trail system,” Hack said. “It’s Contomanolis explained how Rails-to-Trails Conversion is part of the Genesee Riverway a direct line into the heart of previously, a significant num- 80 percent complete. Trail System when completed, Rochester.” ber of transfer students had to The project will trans- connecting riverfront trails The footbridge lies only half be turned away from housing, form the old railroad bed and neighborhoods — notably a mile south of the downtown however, now there will be on Wilson Boulevard across the 19th Ward, the Plymouth area and provides a shorter more beds to offer, as more from the Hill Court into a Exchange Neighborhood walking route for UR students students are deciding to live footbridge, connecting the (PLEX) and Corn Hill — on living in the Riverview Apart- off campus. UR campus to neighborhoods both sides of the Genesee ments to access the River “As more students go out across the Genesee River and, River. Plans for the project Campus. into the area they start filling by extension, to downtown date back almost 25 years, Since the city of Rochester it in and the comfort level in- Rochester. but were not prioritized until will own the bridge, UR will creases,” Contomanolis said. Construction is slated for the last five to 10 when river- not be permitted to install the Although the final count of completion by the end of front revitalization became a blue light safety system on the students applying for specific May, with a ribbon cutting greater concern to many in bridge, which has been a cause housing has not been tallied Numbers courtesy of UR Admissions are rough counts and are not yet available for Intl. students enrolling in the Class of 2016. scheduled for June 29. the Rochester community, of concern to some as the proj- yet, Contomanolis stated that leah buletti • NE ws EDITOR The project is financed according to Thomas Hack, ect takes concrete shape. she can see the growing trend jointly by the city of Rochester Senior Structural Engineer “We view the bridge as part of students looking for other Students from outside the United States are accounting and New York State, as part for the city of Rochester, who of the existing trail system options, as more upperclass- for a greater proportion of UR’s admitted classes. of its Local Waterfront Revi- has been at the forefront of the SEE BRIDGE, PA G E 4 men were able to get into Riverview than ever before. “The economy has some- Communal Principles Project celebrates respect thing to do with it,” Conto- BY LEAH BULETTI event and delineated why he manolis said about the cause NE ws EDITOR believes each to be important, behind the growing trend to At a celebration on Tues- expressed his optimism about leave campus. Students want day, April 17, UR concluded the endeavor. to save money, especially as the first phase of the Commu- “I’m really thrilled about tuition continues to increase. nal Principles Project — an this project,” he said. “The In addition, the lure of inde- initiative launched this past principles tell us what kind of pendence is a pull for many fall that plans to highlight campus we want this to be.” to explore off-campus living one of UR’s seven communal Despite what she believes options, she believes. principles per each coming to be the positive outcome of “It’s cheaper,” junior Jessica academic year. To kick off this year’s campaign, Aca- Moore, who currently lives off the campaign, the principle demic Program Coordinator campus, said. “I like having of respect was highlighted for for Minority Student Affairs my own space and separation the 2011-12 year. For 2012-13, Sasha Eloi believes that more between home and school.” as announced Tuesday, the can be done to foster the im- Moore said most of her principle of responsibility will portance of the principles in friends have followed suit be emphasized. the student body. and have made plans to live leah buletti • NE ws EDITOR The remaining five prin- “It’s something we’re in the 19th Ward during their uR gathered at a celebration in hirst lounge on tuesday, april 17 to publicize the ciples are fairness, freedom, working on and we think senior year. Communal Principles Project, which highlighted the principle of respect this year. honesty and inclusion. it’s progressing,” she said. “I feel too old to be living in Dean of the College Rich- “We’re trying to get students Center for Student Conflict that planned the Communal ing of making it bigger,” she a dorm. I’m 21,” junior Mag- ard Feldman, who presented excited.” Management Jessica Ecock, Principles Project, agreed. said.“We want to invest gie Thyne, who has also each of the principles at the Assistant Director of the who worked on a committee “We’re definitely think- SEE RESPECT, PA G E 4 SEE HOUSING, PA G E 4 INSI de THIS ISSU E : EARTH DAY E VOLUTION DE MYST E FYING A LIT E RARY LAIR NEWS : URMC implants first artificial heart PAGE 3 An exploration of the history of an ancient OPI N I on S : Tunnel painting should be respected PAGE 6 Why this year’s Earth Day celebrations fraternity’s resurgence at UR. FEATURES : A UR alum pursues his musical ambitions PAGE 8 should focus on human achievements. A&E: YellowJackets’ spring show earns high marks PAGE 12 SP O RTS : UR track and field exhibits talent PAGE 16 OPINIONS: PAGE 6 FEATURES: PAGE 7 Page 2 NEWS Thursday, April 19, 2012 FIVE -DAY FORECA S T COURTESY OF WWW .WEATHER .C OM THURSDAY FRIDAY SA T URDAY SUNDAY MONDAY Partly Cloudy Isolated T-Storms Showers Showers Cloudy Chance of precipitation: 20% Chance of precipitation: 30% Chance of precipitation: 50% Chance of precipitation: 50% Chance of precipitation: 50% High 71, Low 52 High 74, Low 48 High 49, Low 38 High 45, Low 38 High 53, Low 41 The April 5 news article “Greek life, administration pursue dialogue in re- lationship debate” erroneously reported that a few years ago Fraternity and Sorority Affairs moved from Wallis Hall to Wilson Commons, when in fact it moved from Susan B. Anthony Halls to Wilson Commons.