Month: February 2012

Categories
Letters to the Editor Opinion

Concert Committee: Response to Campus

To the Editor:

 

Whoa, Nelly! This spring, the Bucknell University Concert Committee has chosen Grammy-award winning artist Nelly to perform as the main act in the Gerhard Fieldhouse on Friday, April 13. The Concert Committee is excited to bring such a major act to campus.

Although the committee has received a great deal of support and excitement surrounding the upcoming show, we have also received some negative reactions, primarily from faculty who are offended by the choice. Issues of gender, race, pornography and mistreatment of women have been raised surrounding one of Nelly’s many videos, made for his 2003 song “Tip Drill.”

In an open forum last spring the Concert Committee hosted a panel discussion that included faculty, students and staff discussing programming content as it related to speakers, concerts and other entertainment brought to campus. The Committee decided to host this event after much faculty reaction to concerts such as Ludacris, T-Pain and Ke$ha. While certainly an enlightening discussion, it quickly became evident that there are no easy solutions when the issue of “offensive content” is debated. The committee was asked to and agreed to host post-concert discussions so the campus community could have the opportunity to share reactions to any given show.

In looking at Top 40 artists or specifically the hip-hop genre, it is difficult if not impossible to find an artist without content issues that are deemed offensive to one person or another. Most of the artists have some content skeleton in their closet. Certainly with little to no radio play, and not even mentioned in a quick Google search of Nelly songs, most Bucknell students (or the public at large) don’t know “Tip Drill.”  It most definitely is not a the defining song in his career.

When considering the Nelly invitation for the spring concert, the Concert Committee looked at his amazing award winning career, including his BET Best New Artist Award and his MTV Best Rap Video of the Year Award. Additionally, in June 2002, Nelly dropped the album “Nellyville,” featuring chart-topping hits such as “Hot in Herre,” “Air Force Ones” and “Dilemma,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard music charts. Nelly would go on to win three Grammy awards for this album including Best Rap Solo Performance (Male), Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Nelly has been nominated for a Grammy nine additional times. Nelly has released four more albums since “Nellyville” and songs such as “Over and Over” and “Just a Dream.” Billboard named Nelly the No. 3 top Artist of the Decade (2000-2009). In addition to his music ventures, Nelly has appeared on television and in two films. He co-starred in 2005’s “The Longest Yard” and has starred on TV shows such as “90210” and “CSI:NY.”

The Concert Committee also considered Nelly’s success as a philanthropist and entrepreneur. One of Nelly’s most significant contributions has been his dedication to philanthropy. Nelly runs the 4Sho4Kids Foundation which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with development disabilities such as Down’s Syndrome and children born addicted to drugs. The foundation assists families by providing educational classes and healthcare resources in the St. Louis metropolitan area. He also started the “Jes Us 4 Jackie” in 2003 to help raise awareness about bone marrow transplants for African Americans and other minorities. Nelly began the campaign after his sister Jackie was diagnosed with leukemia in 2003. She later lost her battle with cancer in 2005. Nelly has participated in other philanthropic efforts and continues to emphasize his commitment to charity. Nelly has had multiple shoe contracts with brands such as Nike and Reebok. He was also a part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats until 2010. Nelly is also the owner of two clothing brands, Apple Bottoms and Vokal. His brand Apple Bottoms promotes positive messages towards women’s body issues, emphasizing that clothes should fit the woman, not vice versa.

Acknowledging the complexity of content in today’s culture, the committee is prepared to respond to concerns and will host a post-concert open forum. We are asking, however, why this task falls solely on our shoulders. If the Concert Committee is asked to host open forums to progress campus climate in a positive direction, shouldn’t faculty, staff and other student groups be held to the same standards when speakers, politicians, and other groups are invited to campus and deliver messages not universally accepted? Or is the real question this: is an open forum required to process and debate every controversial event?

 

– The Bucknell Concert Committee

Categories
News

Spring Break Shuttle Schedules

By Amanda Ayers

News Editor

Need to get to either Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) or Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) for spring break travels? Card Services and Student Transit has posted its shuttle schedule on the University website. One-way transportation to or from Williamsport Regional Airport, Harrisburg International Airport or the Harrisburg Transportation Center is $36.00. One-way shuttle transportation to PHL is $76.00. Make sure to register online by March 7 at noon. 

Depart for Spring Recess

Classes end Friday, March 9 at 5 p.m.

Harrisburg and Williamsport
Friday, March 9 at 5 a.m., 7 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 at 5 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Philadelphia
Friday, March 9 at 5 a.m, 12:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 at  5 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Return from Spring Recess

Classes begin Monday, March 19 at 8 a.m.

Harrisburg and Williamsport

Saturday, March 17 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. 
Sunday, March 18 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

Philadelphia

Saturday, March 17 at 2 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. 

Categories
News

Frank Abagnale Jr. announced as speaker

Amanda Ayers

News Editor

The Student Lectureship Committee has invited Frank Abagnale to speak on campus March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. This event is free and open to the public. Beginning as one of the world’s most famous con men (posing as an airline pilot, doctor and lawyer) Abagnale later became one of the most respected authorities on forgery, embezzlement and secure documents. He has worked with hundreds of financial institutions, corporations and government agencies. He was made even more famous through director Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film, “Catch Me If You Can,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, which was based on Abagnale’s best-selling autobiography.

Categories
News

Athletes succeed on and off field

By Ali Napoli

Contributing Writer

 

During the 2011 fall semester, 252 University student-athletes earned Dean’s List honors, achieving GPAs equal to or higher than 3.50. Of those honored, 141 were accepted to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, which requires a GPA of 3.2 or better during the team’s competitive season.
“One of the special qualities of Bison Athletics is that our student-athletes are truly students, first and foremost. They take tremendous pride in their class-work, just as all Bucknell students do, and it is great that the Patriot League finds several different ways to recognize the academic achievements of its student-athletes,” said John Hardt, director of athletics and recreation.
Twenty-five of the University’s 27 varsity sports teams have a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. The men’s cross-country team recorded the highest GPA out of all the male sports with a 3.32 average. The women’s swimming and diving team and the women’s golf team share the highest team GPA of all sports with an impressive average of 3.40.
A number of the student-athletes who achieved Dean’s List honors are team captains, representing various teams, from men’s basketball to women’s track and field.
“Being a captain on the team makes you want to do your best to set an example, especially for the younger guys on the team. I try to do my best in the classroom just so they know what to do, and just be there if anyone else on the team needs anything,” said Bryson Johnson ’13, captain and guard of the men’s basketball team.
Spencer Richley ’12, captain of men’s water polo, expressed similar feelings.
“[I’ve] found that being a captain of the water polo team actually helped [me] achieve a higher GPA because the two go hand in hand. Both require an increased amount of responsibility and forced me to effectively manage my time,” Richley said.
Leadership and encouragement to succeed on and off the field is not only fostered by team captains.
“The four members of our senior class are all tremendous examples of what it means to be a true scholar-athlete at Bucknell while pursuing excellence in their chosen fields in the classroom and on the field.  They represent what we want from all of our leaders, titled as captains or otherwise, and I’m extremely honored to have coached them all,” said Ben Landis, head coach of women’s soccer.
All in all, the athletics department is very proud of these numbers, and it believes that statistics like these are integral to the student-athlete experience at the University.
“Balancing Bucknell’s exacting academic demands with the rigors of being a Division I athlete is very difficult and takes determination and excellent time-management skills. They deserve all the recognition that comes with their accomplishments both on and off the playing fields,” Hardt said.
Categories
News

Week aims to combat eating disorders

By Carleen Boyer

Writer

 

This week, the Women’s Resource Center planned events for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week on campus, which featured in-depth forums and panel discussions that focused on the effects and treatment of eating disorders. According to Mental Health America, a nonprofit organization seeking to helping Americans live mentally healthier lives, approximately eight million women and men in the United States suffer from an eating disorder.

The week began with a call for awareness and reflection. The events that followed focused on empowering individuals to have a positive self-image. Dustyn Martincich, assistant professor of theatre and dance, led an hour-long dance session in McDonnell Ski Lounge on Feb. 28.
There was also a dance program entitled “Womanifesto,” organized by Aliyah Johnson ’14, on Feb. 29. Held in Walls Lounge, this was meant to provide an opportunity to dance and celebrate the body through movement. It was open to all students.
To conclude the week, Activities and Campus Events (ACE) will host a spa day called “The Spa Spectacular” tomorrow. It will feature hair styling, make up, facials, manicures and yoga from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Terrace Room. This is all part of the effort to reinforce positive body image and to fight eating disorders on college campuses.
Psychological Services also promoted its free and confidential online eating disorder screening this week. Even though the screening is available throughout the year, the announcement highlights awareness in the spirit of the week. The screening can be accessed by going to the Psychological Services website and clicking on Online Mental Health Screening.
Categories
News

Univ. reaches out to community with BILL program

By Siobhan Murray

Writer

 

The Bucknell Institute for Lifelong Learning (BILL) continues to host “Lunch and Learn with BILL” and “Tea and Talk” programs this semester. These informal lunch programs, free of charge and open to the general public, have grown out of the institute’s larger objective of providing college-level learning opportunities to mature learners in the local community. The events are held in partnership with Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village and are held at The Village Common on Tressler Boulevard in Lewisburg. Refreshments and lunch are provided for participants.

“Lunch and Learn” and “Tea and Talk” are designed to take place outside of class times so that they do not cause scheduling conflicts for the members of the institute. The program’s presenters have been University-affiliated staff and retirees. Participants are typically in the over-60 crowd.
“We’ve had participants from 18 to well over 80,” BILL coordinator Ruth Burnham said.
The “Lunch and Learn” series includes discussions about politics, biology, language and aging. Also, “Tea and Talk,” a newer program, focuses broadly on the arts. This semester, BILL’s “Lunch and Learn” programs have featured associate professor of anthropology Michelle Johnson, who discussed “Islam on the Margins: Religion and Ritual Among the Mandinga of Guinea-Bissau” on Jan. 24, and associate professor of biology Marie Pizzorno’s talk, “Do Honeybees Get Sick? Viruses that Infect an Important Pollinator” on Feb. 9.
“With any science topic, the jargon and concepts can sometimes get tough to understand, but the audience seemed to follow the discussion and responded with great questions,” Pizzorno said.
On March 13 at 3:30 p.m. at “Tea and Talk,” associate professor of theatre and dance Paula Davis will present “In Search of Balkan Folk Dress: Revealing Identities.” Additionally, on April 10 at noon, presidential professor of classics Janet Jones will host “Alexander the Great and the Seven Wonders of the World.” It is likely that attendance will be high for these discussions, as the programs have been very popular with usually 60-140 people in attendance.
Although largely a program for older members of the Lewisburg community, opportunities for student involvement are always open.
“I could imagine students co-presenting in classes, depending on topics, schedule, etc. We’d welcome student ideas on how they might like to be involved,” Burnham said.
The program has reached its goal of providing the Central Susquehanna Community with educational and intellectual opportunities that reflect the University’s value of a liberal arts education and emphasis on the importance of lifelong learning.
“Just because people are retired doesn’t mean they want to turn their brains off,” Pizzorno said.
The BILL program goes to show the importance of giving anyone with an intellectual interest a venue to learn.
“[It] has succeeded in drawing in those who enjoy learning for the sake of learning, and sharing with others who have similar interests,” Burnham said. “The program has proved to be a great way for newcomers to the area to meet members of the community, and we have heard stories of people who have based part of their decision to retire to this area on the existence of this program.”
Categories
News

Univ. to add two sororities by 2013

By Jason Pepe & Amanda Ayers

Contributing Writer & News Editor

Two new sororities will be added on campus within the next two years. One will be a multicultural sorority added in the fall of 2012, and the other will be part of a Panhellenic extension, planned to start in the fall of 2013.

Mu Sigma Upsilon will be the multicultural sorority. A group of young women on campus saw the need for a multicultural Greek organization and reached out to Mu Sigma Upsilon about starting a chapter at the University. The presence of Mu Sigma Upsilon is planned to help foster diversity among the nine current sororities.

Jackie Petrucci, assistant director of residential education for sorority affairs, is optimistic about the sorority’s potential.

“I think this group will be well received because they are fulfilling a need that is not being met within our fraternity and sorority community.  Having a multicultural organization on campus will continue to add depth to our community and enrich the experiences for students at Bucknell University,” Petrucci said.

Mu Sigma Upsilon is planning to host several interest meetings this semester. Women who are interested in joining are encouraged to attend.  For more information, contact Petrucci at jackie.petrucci@bucknell.edu.

For the Panhellenic expansion, the chapter to be added in 2013 has yet to be determined. In order to decide this, there will be an extensive interview process in the near future which will allow various organizations to present information to the University in order to demonstrate that they will be the best fit on campus.

This decision was affirmed through a vote from each existing sorority chapter on campus. It reflects a desire to accommodate a greater number of undergraduate women who wish to affiliate. Another justification for the Panhellenic extension is that chapters have grown unreasonably large.

“With chapter membership over 120 women, the deep lifelong friendships all sorority organizations aim to foster can be compromised,” said the 2011 Panhellenic Evaluation, published by the Extension Exploratory Committee.

Additionally, the suites cannot accommodate all of the women who wish to live there, which can also inhibit the development of deeper relationships.

Women associated with the Panhellenic Council were not permitted to comment on the addition of this second sorority.

Categories
Featured News

Univ. welcomes esteemed historian

By Sara Blair Matthews

Assistant News Editor

 

Historian Robert A. Caro, the 2011 Janet Weis Fellow in Contemporary Letters, presented years of research on former President Lyndon B. Johnson in a talk on Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. Caro is the author of two Pulitzer Prize-winning biographies on Johnson and Robert Moses. 
His talk, held in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts, was entitled “Power in the Hands of a Master.”
“We [were] excited to have Robert. A Caro visit Bucknell in the midst of a presidential election. [He] is among the country’s foremost presidential historians, and his insight and expertise offer a valuable perspective,” said Andy Hirsch, director of media communications.
Caro explained that he wished to highlight the achievements of the accomplished political figures in his works.
“I never thought of [my works] as biographies. I thought of them as means of illuminating the lives of the people I was writing about,” Caro said.
Caro also discussed the importance of turning every page and not assuming anything when conducting research. He mainly discussed his research for the biography “The Years of Lyndon Johnson, The Path to Power.” Caro talked about how Johnson’s term was a “watershed presidency” because when it ended, the United States was a very different country than when Johnson assumed office.

“[Primarily,] America changed through Johnson’s use of political power,” Caro said.

Caro discussed how one of the main emphases of Johnson’s presidency was to drastically lessen poverty in America.

“He created a war on poverty, [but] no one understood why it meant so much to him,” Caro said. The historian began to understand why this was true when he went to live in Johnson’s native Texas Hill Country, a region in Central Texas, for three years while conducting research for his book.
“I’ll never forget the first time I drove out there. I saw incredible loneliness and incredible poverty,” Caro said. He believes that once he understood the place, he was able to better understand Johnson and his actions.
“I came to understand his ruthlessness to do anything to win, his desire to help the poor and his need to get out,” Caro said. “One man changed tens of thousands of lives. When I talked with people in the town, I kept hearing the same word, ruthlessness, over and over again. People said, ‘no matter what he was like he brought the lights.’”
He did so literally, as he brought electricity to the town during his term. Caro said he did not necessarily come to like Johnson by doing research on him, but he certainly did come to admire his achievements.
“He had a great desire to help poor people and people of color. [He was capable of doing so much.] It’s a tragedy for America that he ruined it [with the Vietnam War],” Caro said.
President John Bravman hosted a private dinner event with Caro at 5:30 p.m. prior to the talk. Students were asked to register, and the names of four students were randomly drawn to join Caro and other guests.
“We had thought that meeting the man who wasn’t afraid of Robert Moses, had won two Pulitzer Prizes and had been awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Obama would be intimidating,” said Margo Cain ’13, one of the students chosen to attend the dinner with Caro. “Robert Caro turned out to be a knowledgeable, humorous, fascinating man with a dedication to history and politics, and an interest in hearing how the younger generation views the world.”
Categories
Featured News

Bison Chips perform annual “Chipfest”

By Jenni Whalen

Staff Writer

 

The Weis Center for the Performing Arts was packed last Saturday at 8 p.m. with students, faculty and parents listening to the Bison Chips sing their annual concert, Chipfest. 
The Bison Chips have 13 members this year: Sean Gritters ’12, Mike Kurban ’12, Vince Mistretta ’12, Sam Stulberg ’12, Yann Wester ’12, Ryan Mextorf ’13, Brian Pei ’13, Justin Honigstein ’14, Harrison Mills ’14, Michael Strauss ’14, George Beatty ’15, Andrew Killman ’15 and Connor Small ’15.
The Silhouettes, the University’s all-female group, sang four songs in the middle of the performance.

“The Chips are pretty much the first group I really got to know at Bucknell, so they’re kind of like my original family here,” Gritters said. “This Chipfest was the best we’ve ever sounded as a group. We worked so hard on all of these songs over the past month and a half, and it’s really something to be up there and listen to all of that work come together. It’s a great way to end my Chips experience.”

The Bison Chips and audience agreed this was the best the Chips have sounded in years, mostly thanks to the incredible amount of time the members spent preparing for this year’s event. The group began working on new arrangements immediately after Christy’s, a long-standing tradition that takes place during Parents Weekend each fall. Kurban, the leader of the Chips, kept the group practicing three times a week until the week of Chipfest, when the members practiced for at least two hours every night.

As usual, this year’s concert began with a comic video of the Chips losing their suits and ties and running around campus in their boxers. The Chips then ran onto stage and performed 14 songs, almost all of which were arranged and performed by different members of the group. Two of the songs were traditional closing numbers and six were new arrangements. 

New arrangement “Fix You” was arranged by Sean Gritters ’12 and featured soloist Sam Stulberg ’12. “Otherside” was arranged by Yann Wester ‘12 and featured Justin Honigstein ’14. 

Other favorites included “Umbrella” and “Lady in Red,” a classic Chips song during which Johanna Moyer ’12 was serenaded in her red dress.

Overall, those in attendance agreed that the concert was enjoyable and demonstrated the talents and hard-work that University students put into the performance. 

“I think the night overall was awesome,” Damon Quattrochi ’12 said. “It was great to see so many Bucknellians fill the Weis Center in support of a student-led group. The whole show was so well organized and put together.” 

Categories
News

First Global Conversations Dialogue Circle focuses on Africa

By Daniel Park

Contributing Writer

 

Dr. Stephen Appiah-Padi, a native of Ghana who studied in England for his masters, hosted a dialogue in Arches Lounge last Friday on modern Africa. It was the first of many discussions the University is hosting as part of the Global Conversations Dialogue Circle of 2012. It dealt with topics ranging from the workings of the economy to the seemingly ubiquitous corruption associated with African politics.

“Awareness has been growing due to the usage of internet,” Appiah-Padi said.
One of the problems Appiah-Padi pointed out that is plaguing the continent today is ignorance on the part of both foreign countries as well as African countries.
“One of my friends, who was from a populated city region within Africa, did not know of the troubles that her country was experiencing because she had always spent her time within the city, not knowing the vast poverty that existed on the outskirts,” a student in the audience said.
He explained that colonialism has left a deep impact holistically on the African mindsets and is partially the root cause to the vast political corruption in the “democratic government.”
“Colonialism is the biggest concept held in Africa. After Britain had left, Africans wanted to live like them by amassing wealth,” Appiah-Padi said.
The last topic discussed within the dialogue session was on other potential conflicts and resolutions that can reshape the inefficient governments in Africa.
“All educated Ugandans leave to other countries for jobs since the market opportunities in Uganda is miniscule. This ultimately dilutes a potential diverse economy,” Appiah-Padi said.
An example he brought up was a comparison between the number of Ugandan doctors in England, New York and Uganda. There are more Ugandan doctors in the United States than those in Uganda because the risk of being a doctor in Uganda is exponentially higher than being a doctor in the United States.
The majority of those who attended were University faculty members, including Dr. Xiannong Meng, professor of computer science, and Julie Rowe, assistant to the director of the Office of International Education.