Volume 81, Issue 4 Smithfield, RI October 4th, 2013 Inside Bryant University: moving on up Bryant ranks #14 in region according to US News this By Briana Trifiro Staff Writer Some people say when you’re already at the top, there’s little room for improvement. Try edition telling that to the leadership here at Bryant University. Led by President Machtley and a dedicated team of faculty and administrators, Bryant has advanced to #14 on US News and World Report’s list of the Top 100 Regional Universities. Additionally, it was named second on a list of eight “up-and- Business: coming” universities in the region, further UPS faces tough test demonstrating how Bryant’s reputation and standing has been enhanced as a result of concerted efforts by the Bryant leadership. So, what exactly is a “regional university”? There are approximately 626 of them nationally, and they are defined as schools Page 6 that provide, “a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs.” Continually growing and evolving, Bryant has proved to be a respected contender amongst other well- known and prestigious colleges throughout the Sports: Northeast as well as the nation. After nearly a decade of occupying one of the coveted Top 20 renowned First Year Gateway Program, are a large part of the reason Bulldogs’ rugby spots, it goes without saying that Bryant has staked its claim as one of that the school is becoming widely recognized both regionally, as well team has its second the region’s premier institutions for higher education. as nationally. Bryant’s innovative and ground-breaking programs, such as the straight victory See “Bryant ranks #14,” page 4. Homosexuality in Russia By Dmytro Bashchynskyy reader would disagree. This reminds me of This is directly opposite of individualist heads and tails on a coin. One is the direct American society where people believe that Contributing Writer opposite of the other, yet both exist, at the society’s job is to bolster the power of each same time, but why? individual, in order to advance. The specifics The 2014 Winter Olympics are soon to be First let’s look into public opinion on of their culture make Russians put the upon us, which puts Russia, its host, under homosexuality here in U.S. The topic of needs of the whole above the needs of a few. Page 7 a media microscope. For the past year news homosexuality had largely been taboo in Therefore in the eyes of the Russian public it media around the globe has been discussing the beginning of the 20th century with is acceptable to deprive homosexuals of their Russia’s readiness to accommodate the the public’s support for the cause being rights until it serves the needs of society. thousands of international athletes and non-existent. Over the course of the entire Then how does this homophobic law tourists that will flood Sochi Winter Resort century, the U.S. gay community has fought serve the needs of Russian society? Well Opinion: this February. Recently, however, the topic tirelessly in order to sway the public’s opinion the Russian belief system on the issue is New regulations of social discussion around Russia is not its in its favor, gaining substantial advances in also different. People truly believe that ten billion dollar Olympic spending budget, rights for gay individuals. American society homosexuality is a learned and acquired for the disabled in but rather a more controversial issue of its has significantly changed its opinion on behavior that deviates from the norm. Disney widespread homophobia. the issue, with 55% of Americans claiming Whether that is true is another topic and On June 30th the Russian parliament support of rights such as gay marriage possibly a 100 page dissertation. The reality passed a bill banning distribution of according to the recent polls. If we look at is that Russians believe in this and they act homosexual propaganda to children, which Northern Europe, countries like Norway upon their belief and try, in their opinion, Page 11 was later signed into power by President and Sweden, gay citizens have even greater to minimize the odds of children growing Vladimir Putin. This law imposes a fine of freedoms and rights there, with Western up gay and deviating from what is viewed as up to $150 on individuals engaging in such Europe following closely behind. “healthy.” propaganda, as well as fines of up to $22,000 Now we must investigate Russia and At the end of the day, this issue is about for distribution by public organizations. This its public’s opinion. Homosexuality has social opinions and sociology, and as we all Variety: law has sparked a wave of protests across been a topic non grata there up until the know, when it comes to social interaction, A crude delight: This the globe, with international media framing beginning of 1990 and the fall of the Soviet nothing is set in stone and change over time is the End pleases Russia as widely homophobic. Union. To this day, the majority of Russian and only history can show who was right So what is this law really about? According citizens view homosexuality as immoral and and who was wrong. Today Russia plays by to Russian officials, this is about protecting unhealthy. Recent polls show that 74% of the a different set of rules than the West. It is children from exposure to propagandizing Russian public is against any acceptance of just like the two sides of a coin, here two information, which could potentially be a bad homosexuality in the society with only 16% fundamentally opposing sides manage to influence on their still developing character, being supportive of it and the rest undecided. coexist. personality, and sense of morality. On the The true question in this dispute is other hand western LGBT right’s advocates, why there is such a compelling difference see this law in a completely different light. in opinion. One of the reasons is that the According to them, this law is yet another Russian public has not had as much time attack by the Russian government on the to discuss this issue, and therefore think individual rights and freedoms of Russian differently. Remember that the US has come LGBT citizens. In addition, from a legal a long way on the issue since the beginning standpoint, this law is rather shady, due to of the 20th century. Russia is just beginning its broad and rather vague legal definition of its journey on the path to acceptance of homosexual propaganda. homosexuality. Is this truely a story of evil government However, there is a much deeper and Page 14 munching away on the individual freedoms fundamental reason - culture. Russian of its citizens? The average reader of this culture and society is more collectivist newspaper would definitively agree, but in nature, and believes that it is the Gay rights activists protest new Russian if this article was being published in a responsibility of citizens to help society laws. (MCT Campus) university newspaper in Russia, an average benefit as a whole and therefore progress. page 2 News October 4, 2013 Campus Calendar Staff October Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Kelsey Nowak Editor-in-Chief 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Sara Elder Editorial Assistant: Kat Larsson Business Managers: Paige Rovnak, Jillian Bonafede Web Editor: William Allen Photo Editor: Felicia Thomas News Editor: Ashley Esper 10am- Spring 10am- China Silk 8:45am- Mojo 9:30am- 6pm- Fashion and Opinion Editor: Autumn Harrington Weekend concert Exhibit- Krupp Mondays- Amica Information Business in NYC Variety Editor: Lauren Kordalski polling Library Services Tech Fair info session Sports Editor: Justin Beaucage 10am- Where’s Business Editor: John Zeiner Tupper?-SPB 10am-Study Abroad Copy Editor: Marisa Ebli Fair InDesign Guru: Kyle Ebersold PR Manager: Haley Jones Advisor: Daphney Joseph Technical Advisor: Larry Sasso Contact Us If you need to contact The Archway of any staff member, please feel free to use the contact information listed below. The Archway Phone: (401) 232-6028 Bryant University, Box 7 (401) 232-6488 1150 Douglas Pike Fax: (401) 232-6710 Smithfield, RI 02917 E-mail: [email protected] Bulldog Bulletin Location: Fisher Center room 1 www.bryantarchway.com The Archway is printed by Graphic Developments, Inc. The Archway: Writers’ Meetings, Mondays at 5pm, Fisher room 1 Guidelines for Comment… Bryant Pride: General Meetings, Thursdays at 5:30pm, Fisher room 2A Only articles and letters including authors’ names and phone number will be considered for publication. (Phone numbers will not be printed. They are for verification Bryant Players: GeneralMeetings, Tuesdays at 5pm, FSC Music Conference Room purposes only.) On rare occasions, names will be withheld upon request if the editors deem there is a compelling reason to do so. No letter will be printed if the author’s identity is unknown to the editors. Letters to the Editor that are between 400 and 600 words will have the best chance of being published. 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