Month: February 2012

Categories
Headline News

Patriot League introduces merit-aid football scholarships

Amanda Ayers

News Editor

 

After 18 months of deliberation and extensive study, the Patriot League Presidents’ Council decided in a meeting today to permit league members and associate members to offer athletic merit-aid scholarships in football. This policy change will take effect in the Fall 2013 semester.

This decision will apply to founding members (Bucknell University, Colgate University, College of the Holy Cross, Lafayette College, and Lehigh University), associate members (Fordham University and Georgetown University), and other full members (American University, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy) of the Patriot League.

Each will be permitted to award no more than the equivalent of 15 athletic financial aid awards each year to incoming football student-athletes, including transfer student-athletes. The institutions that choose to accept this decision will be given four years after this point to build up to the full scholarship allowance.

“This approach for awarding athletic merit aid to football student-athletes will allow our member schools flexibility to determine the most effective use of their financial aid resources to attract highly-qualified Division I scholar-athletes in a very competitive academic and athletic marketplace,” Carolyn Schlie Femovich, Patriot League Executive Director, said. “The introduction of this financial aid model for football will strengthen the Patriot League’s ability to compete for outstanding student-athletes while continuing to uphold the high academic standards of the League and its member institutions.”

While athletic and academic merit aid is available to student-athletes in the League’s other 22 sports, the University and Patriot League are currently under a need-based model of financial aid in football. This has been in effect since the founding of the League in 1986. With today’s decision to begin a permissive aid approach, there is now greater autonomy to award financial aid in football in a way that is most effective for each respective institution.

Although many have expressed concern about the effect that such a policy could have on lowering academic standards at the University, President Bravman assured faculty and staff otherwise in an e-mail today.

“As with student-athletes in all Patriot League programs, all scholarship recipients in football will only be admitted if they meet the Patriot League Academic Index, the most stringent admissions standards in Division I athletics,” Bravman said.

While President Bravman only revealed the basic logistics of the recent decision in this e-mail, it appears as though more information and reflection will be shared in the coming days.

“The decision reflects the Presidents’ shared vision and shared commitment to the stability and long-term positioning of the League and to its strength, competitiveness and quality,” Daniel H. Weiss, Chair of the Patriot League Council of Presidents and President of Lafayette College, said.

 

Categories
Opinion

GOP attacks middle class

By Joshua Haywood

Contributing Writer

There seems to be an orchestrated assault on the middle and lower classes by the GOP, which primarily represents the upper class and special interest business groups. Social mobility appears to be an object of the past as more and more middle class families are being stopped at the door to a better life. I see several things happening on Capitol Hill that signify the GOP’s open opposition to the middle class: the recent rash of anti-union bills in several states and the party stalling until the last minute to extend the payroll tax.

Ever since I started at the University, each trip home convinces me the environment is bleak. I come from Barberton, Ohio, which is right outside of Akron. What upsets me upon return is that I see an increased number of people stuck in low-paying jobs with no hope for social mobility. There is a total lack of opportunity and those who do make it out face a new enemy: the Republican-run state legislature and House of Representatives. My home area used to be filled with jobs in the steel mills or automotive assembly lines, but those establishments have rusted up and blown away with the Lake Erie wind. My town is not unique; there are thousands of towns just like it, some better off and some worse. The country politically has been going in the wrong direction for a long time now and is just starting to get on track. Middle-class citizens are being attacked on the national and state level and the people are getting tired of it.

The first attack is on state workers’ right to collective bargaining, in which they negotiate work conditions such as pay, benefits and hours. The GOP-led initiative of seeking to limit the power of unions in Indiana, New Hampshire, Ohio and Wisconsin are all examples of the party’s attempt to silence the middle-class worker’s voice in labor. The measures would essentially dismantle union membership for workers in the public sector, which is nothing less than criminal, as it robs the middle class one of its few advantages over the GOP. The lower classes spilled blood fighting for labor rights in the early 20th century and will not tolerate such abhorrent initiatives. If the GOP has not noticed, the middle class is in troubled times trying to make ends meet as it is and will not stand to see its pay disproportionally cut in comparison to that of the wealthy.

Nationally, the attack widens in the wake of House Republican’s acquiescence to the working class over the passage of pay roll tax extensions. The GOP-run House of Representatives initially refused to even increase taxes of those making $1 million a year by a dollar, and were more than willing to let the cuts expire, which could have taken $1,000 a year out from the 160 million in the middle class. Thankfully the GOP heard the voice of reason and decided to go against their un-American stance. Where is the justice in making the people who physically work the most pay more in taxes while the wealthy are free to count their cash? The GOP is destroying itself from the inside because it has lost touch with reality becoming more radical in their attempts to maintain the status quo of middle class domination.

Money is power and power is the control of money. This is what the GOP has mastered over the years thanks to big business and anti-labor lobbying groups. Middle class support for the GOP is declining and will continue to do so at an exponential rate if the party keeps attacking the people who it is supposed to represent. With elections rapidly approaching, the Republican Party better step up its game if it wants to collect kickbacks in the White House any time soon.

Categories
Arts & Life

Fitzwilliam String Quartet graces Univ. with classical excellence

By Rob O’Donnell

Staff Writer

The Fitzwilliam String Quartet played a remarkable performance at the Sigfried Weis Music Building on Feb. 7. For all of you who did not attend, you really missed out on some beautiful classical music. In all honesty, I don’t know too much about classical music, which makes it all the more impressive that I really enjoyed myself.

The music was complex but emotional, with soft mellow tunes, bright and lively melodies and at times, furious and frantic playing. The intensity of the performers was what really surprised me. One of the violinists, Lucy Russell, kept rocking her chair back as she got into some of the more intense solos. She alternated between absolutely attacking her violin and coaxing warm, mellow melodies out of it.

“Ghosts,” composed my Jackson Hill, was definitely my favorite song of the night. Haunting and dark, the name was very appropriate. It conjured up images of graveyards and, big surprise, ghosts. It was intense, yet absolutely beautiful. And of course, the playing was executed perfectly. I wish that all the songs had descriptive names like that, instead of “Quartet in C Major, Op. 33 No. 3.” That song was also gorgeous, but I really did prefer the more modern idea of putting a name on the imagery evoked by the songs.

Alan George, the viola player, broke the silence during a brief interlude to address the audience. He was soft-spoken but hilarious. He lightened the mood after the darker “Ghosts,” and also explained the absence of one of their usual musicians. University Orchestra Director Christopher Para injured his hand, so they were not able to play their favorite piece by Tchaikovsky. They had to change the song basically last minute to another one. I found this particularly interesting because despite the change, the performance was still enchanting.

The performance was also very intimate, yet the sound was still rich and almost booming. During the intermission, the musicians even came out into the audience and chatted. It seemed as though they had quite a few old friends there already. Before the performance, the group had even invited anyone who wanted to join them at the Lewisburg Hotel afterwards to do. Seeing such talented musicians give a brilliant performance, while behaving in such a low-key and gracious manner made the concert even more special.

Even though I have never really listened to classical music before, I had a memorable time at the performance, and definitely plan on attending some others. I highly encourage everyone to do so as well, you won’t be disappointed.

Categories
Arts & Life

Body Against Body

By Courtney Bottazzi

Staff Writer

On Feb. 11, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company performed “Body Against Body” as part of the Weis Center Performance Series. The performance challenged the audience to reconsider preconceived notions of what to expect from a visual performance. 

The pieces were all co-choreographed by Bill T. Jones and his late partner Arnie Zane. The first piece, “Duet x 2,” did not allow the audience the comfort of an audio track. Instead, the audience heard staccato sound bits from the dancers landing or the languid sweep of their feet across the floor. The dancers’ breathing was the most prominent sound throughout the piece. Without a beat to rely on, the audience was susceptible to the incredible task these dancers had of keeping up with one another.

“They [Jones and Zane] made works that were collaborative, matter-of-fact, inclusive, often disjointed, sometimes boring and sometimes fun,” said Marcia B. Siegel, a dance critic and lecturer. 

A union between two dancers’ bodies became evident. There were struggles, synchronization and at times moments of complete stillness where the dancers rested on each other in a hug.

The goal of the performance was clear: the audience was to participate by witnessing the experimentation of this dance rather than to sit back and be entertained. The unexpected aspects, such as surprising moments of humor and conversational speech, may have been for the audience’s benefit, but it was recreating the tension between two bodies that was the true intention of the performance.

The simple set design allowed for an intimate performance where the audience could pay more attention to different factors, such as focusing on one dancer or another, or noting which moves were being replicated.

“My overall impression of the performance was that it demonstrated the sheer athleticism of dance. Aesthetically, it wasn’t my favorite type of dance. I am typically intrigued by group dances that have some tangible element or storyline. So this type of dance was a departure from what I usually seek out. I was completely impressed by the creative process that went into building these pieces. The duets required a collaborative spirit, and I was amazed at their ability to stay on pace with each other without musical accompaniment,” Bucknell Dance Company member Adrienne Vischio ’12 said.

Kourtney Ginn ’12, also a senior member of the Bucknell Dance Company, was able to view the performance contextually with knowledge of Jones’ more recent pieces.

“I tried to look at the performance through a historical lens. I have seen Bill T. Jones’ more current work, but it was much different to see some of his original works this time. You can absolutely see his growth as a choreographer and how today he has been able to bridge the gap between post-modern dance (like what was presented) and the entertainment factor that many audiences desire now. As a choreographer myself, I could clearly see how he was exploring the fundamental elements dance composition through his use of repetition, space and others. Overall, the physicality and athleticism of this company never ceases to amaze me,” she said. 

It is clear that this dance company continuously strives to make an impact on its audience.

Categories
Opinion

Every day should be Valentine’s Day

By Jen Mok

Contributing Writer

Valentine’s Day – What’s the big deal?

I am by no means against Valentine’s Day. I am simply baffled by the concept of a national holiday dedicated to love. In simple terms, I just do not understand. And no, it is not because I am single or even a dark individual consumed with hate for the very concept of relationships and love. I just do not understand.

What exactly about Valentine’s Day do I not understand? The chocolate, the flowers, the cards, the excessive amounts of red, the lingerie, the extravagant dates or the cultural need for a day devoted to the sentiments of love? The most bothersome of those listed above is undoubtedly our society’s need to dedicate one specific day for those in love.

Valentine’s Day is a blatant reminder, one that is marked in red on everyone’s calendar. It’s a day dedicated to reminding us about our spouses: both literal and imaginative. We are caught fixating on what is (and for those single perspectives, what would be) so wonderful about our better half. Couples claim that the hardships of relationships spawn from the very simple idea that love is difficult. They find it challenging to remember how to rekindle that first spark, that twinge of love, that began it all. Magically, Valentine’s Day (shared by every other couple in the world) is seemingly the perfect time to compromise, forgive, and love.

But isn’t being in love and in a relationship all about conquering those difficulties and staying true to what each other feels? Isn’t every day supposed to be dedicated to the one you love? Valentine’s Day seems to be used as an obligatory peace-offering day. It is as if the other 364 days of the year are spent in discontent with one another and this one day is utilized to show each other affection through, may I add, materialistic objects. I find it a bit upsetting that we need a holiday to remind us to be gracious to those we love and express feelings of appreciation for one another. The very concept of and theology behind love is that we are able to cherish and pour upon our beloved, gracious amounts of admiration and adoration each and every moment. So why have a single, isolated day specifically dedicated to such an act?

The contradictions within the very concept of Valentine’s Day are beyond bewildering. This cultural phenomenon of reuniting couples on a particular date dismisses the very fact that every other day can and should be treated as Valentine’s Day.

Categories
Featured Opinion

Technology defines our generation

By Molly Brown

Contributing Writer

Did you ever hear your parents or older adults say something like, “Your generation doesn’t understand,” or “Well, when I was your age …” ? But what exactly do they mean by that? What is our generation? Though the majority of the students on campus grew up during the 1990s, is that our label for posterity? The 1990s were very different than the 2000s and now the following decade is even more dissimilar. Although our elders may bemoan “our generation,” is ours really any different from when they were young adults facing their own parents’ generations? I feel at the heart of the matter lies the fact that we are the first generation of the technology boom, which has shaped us—for better and perhaps for worse—as well as the present culture.

Do you realize that we will be able to say to our children, “I remember when DVDs came out,” let alone Blu-ray and 3D and whatever the next big thing is. This technological boom is not unique to the VHS to DVD revolution. What about cassette tapes to CDs, and CDs to iPods and MP3 players? Through the advent of satellite radio and services like Pandora and Netflix, the ability to stream media has become more valued than owning such media. So much for books; we have e-readers, tablets instead of desktops and cellphones to replace land lines. And we mustn’t forget the greatest game-changer of all: the Internet.

The Internet has supplied immediate access to information, providing immediate gratification akin to what the microwave did in lieu of the oven in the culinary world of the late 1960s. Most of us cannot think of life without such advances. Email and instant messaging brought the revolution of communication, making it possible to communicate within seconds instead of mailing a letter and waiting days for a reply. Then came social networking: Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, which, in the same vein of email, allow you to be connected at all times with your friends and family.

All of these technologies are inherently as good as the intent behind their creation. I feel, though, that the negatives associated with such technologies are being used to characterize our generation in lieu of their more positive ones. For example, the social networking culture has made it possible to share every minute of every day with others, and some people do just that. The barrage of status updates on Facebook regarding going for a run, eating too much at dinner or even going to the bathroom all do not need to be shared with every one of your Facebook friends. The status updates and the common cellphone-in-bathroom pictures, often accompanied with a duck-like face and a caption reading, “My new outfit!!!!!!” all seek to glorify the mundane, to make extraordinary of the ordinary. Twitter, even more so than Facebook, has people constantly glued to their phones, following celebrities’ every move.  Before Twitter, you would have received a restraining order for doing that type of thing. Now, such actions are considered normal.

Thus, our generation has immediate access to information, from their friends’ happenings at last night’s party to scholarly research and factual data. But it’s the immediate accessibility that has made a negative impact on our technology-fueled generation, such as the whole cyber-bullying issue. This immediate access has shortened our cumulative attention spans in other areas of life outside the Internet. Movie run times are shorter now than they used to be. More and more children have trouble reading longer books than they used to, or would rather watch the movie version. Is everything eventually going to be told in the Twitter-inflicted limit of 140 characters? Imagine English class. Hamlet might be shortened to “I’m sad. Dad’s dead. Uncle did it. Mom, why? To be or not to be. Sorry Polonius. Ophelia, watch out for that river. Laertes cheated. Dead.” And with these social networking addictions some have, the use of cell phones to update statuses and tweets during public performances, such as concerts, movies and live shows is increasingly common and highly distracting to others who go to enjoy the show. This phenomenon was evidenced by the widely-publicized incident at a New York Philharmonic concert in mid-January, where a cellphone went off and the conductor stopped the performance to ask the individual to turn it off.

But what of the good our generation has done with technology? Technology has created whole new ways of music production and art creation. Sampling, though controversial, has led to ingenious creations that have come to characterize much of current music. Using various technologies has led to new mediums or methods of showcasing original content in art, whether it be using projectors to influence light and shadow or entire exhibits that are derived from viewer participation.

Though both positive and negative aspects are associated with our generation of technology boomers, I feel that we have the opportunity to change the world so much for the better if we make choices about the ways we use technology. Our generation does not need to be known as one of #hashtags and @ symbols … it could be known as one that changed the world.

Categories
Opinion

University is uninviting to minorities

Jasmine King

Contributing Writer

In spirit of Black History Month, it is fitting that we write about one of the most crucial issues on our campus: diversity, or lack thereof. In my experience here, a whopping one-and-a-quarter semesters, one thing has been very clear: the University lacks in diversity. When first visiting our school, I thought this was odd but did not think much of it. Once accepted, I returned with my parents, both of whom are African-American. The first thing they said to me was, “Jasmine, all these people are white.” I recognized that the University was far less diverse than I, and not to the extent that my parents would like it to be. Nonetheless, I was surprised to learn that on average only three percent of the incoming classes for the past five years have been of African-American descent from the United States. This means that most of our diversity comes from other countries. I must admit that I do not appear to be in the minority at the University. My mother is black and my biological father is white; when people look at me, they just assume that I am white because I in no way look of African-American descent. So, when I walk around campus I do not feel what it is like to be a minority, but from talking to my hallmates and my friends who do, they say it is quite intimidating since “everyone” looks the same. In the times that I do feel like a minority, I completely agree with my friends. It is hard not to feel awkward and introverted when you are walking around campus and you know that you do not fit in.

Our University should not segregate the campus; it is just plain weird that a very small percent of students are African-American and from the United States. Tradition is extremely important here and students are stereotyped as being conservative, but times are changing and minorities have just as much to offer as the majority. The College of Arts and Sciences is the only college to have any black tenured/tenure track faculty, with a total number of 15. This is not just sad, it is alarming. The University needs to accept more African-Americans. Then more students who are in the minority will feel more comfortable here and we, as Bucknellians, can pride ourselves in becoming a more diverse campus.

Categories
Opinion

Public Display of Affection: When is it okay? He said…

By Joshua Haywood

Contributing Writer

Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching and the trending topic on the quad is PDA (public displays of affection). The truth of the matter is that if you are going to go all out on the PDA front—touching, kissing, the whole nine yards—then you need to go to the Lewisburg Hotel and get a room. If it is a Thursday morning and I am walking to my 8 a.m. class with “the morning flu,” the last thing I want to see is a couple dry humping like they are at a register because my next action will surely involve looking for a trashcan to vomit in. There are basic rules when it comes to PDA and they should be followed.

First off are the “ins.” These are the displays that are generally accepted by me and my friends. Holding hands is definitely an in; this is the most basic form of PDA and, by my standards, acceptable. Next item up for discussion is kissing your better half on the way to class. This is a classic move from what I like to call the “Book of Game.” Just as long as you are not slipping in some tongue on tongue wrestling action, kissing as a form of PDA is tolerable. Now, I may have a 2.5 GPA but I am pretty sure that relatively reenacting a scene from a soft-core porno video in front of the library is not—and never will be—cool. Holding the door open for your lady friend is definitely in on my list of tolerable PDA. This is not to say that the concept of holding a door open is not eternally cliché. I question such acts: is the woman really too feeble to open her own door?

Here are the definite “outs” that the universe should generally accept as PDA overload. First and foremost is groping. Boys, I do not want to see you grab your girlfriend’s behind like you are giving it a friendly handshake. This is gross and highly offensive. The last thing I want to see is you ass-ault your girlfriend in public, especially in front of me. Next up is sitting on each other’s lap in public. This is not Mustang Sally’s. I do not want to see a modified lap dance anywhere on campus. It is inappropriate no matter the situation. Finally, we are all still recovering from FloodGate 2011 but if I see some boy take off his North Face jacket and throw it in the mud so a girl can walk over it in an effort to protect her shoes, I will not only laugh but will come up and ask for your picture and your autograph; you have officially completed the most obscene and ridiculous out.

The reality is, you can show PDA like it is the apocalypse or you can act like a normal human being and be civil about your adoration for your better half. When it comes down to it, you need to stick to the basics and keep it classy; this sets an example for singles and keeps everyone else from throwing up their mystery Bostwick Marketplace meat. 

Categories
Opinion

Public Displays of Affection: When is it okay? She said…

By Sarah Morris

Contributing Writer

Alongside prostitution, PDA is one of the oldest pastimes of our world. Everyone needs love, and physical love might be the best you’re going to get … especially in college. Here on campus, it seems that some students have a bit of extra love to give to their fellow classmates. I’m not talking about dancing at a register or making out with someone at a party on the weekend. I’m talking about good, old-fashioned, rubbing your love in everyone else’s faces behavior. Of course I want all the couples out there to enjoy their time together, I just prefer that they enjoy their time somewhere besides the public arena.

I think it’s time someone makes a PSA about PDA. Everyone smiles when they see an elderly couple holding hands, but there is something to be said about that couple making out in front of your classroom door. Just when you think it’s safe to walk around minding your single, happy, personal-space business, you can’t help but see it. There are two types of PDA: appropriate-but-can-be-over-used PDA, and never-okay-cover-your-children’s-eyes PDA.

Especially because Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, all of my single friends out there need to take caution when deciding where to look, lest they become witness to some graphic, sexual action on campus. Now I know that not all PDA is actually unbearable, but some of it is just uncomfortable to be around and frankly, unnecessary. For example, the other day in the cafeteria, I saw a couple get up from their table and hold hands on the way to fill their plates with food. Really? You can’t walk 20 feet to get your lunch without touching each other? Holding hands isn’t weird, but holding hands to walk around Bostwick Marketplace is.

Some people might say that the only reason others (myself included) are so against PDA is that we just don’t understand what it’s like to not be able to be apart from our significant others. I feel like at some point, PDA becomes an insecurity or attachment issue. Sure, there’s a honeymoon phase to relationships where holding hands and pecking in public is cute and exciting, but when you’ve been dating someone for an extended period of time and you still can’t stand to be apart, doesn’t that seem like a bit of a problem?

PDA is a nice way to show somebody you care, but at some point it can become an obnoxious way to show everyone else that you care too. There is a difference between being cute and being openly gross to everyone around you.

 

Categories
Lacrosse Sports Women

Goldsborough returns as coach

Andrew Lichtenauer

Senior Writer

After a short stint with the Bison in 2003 and 2004, Randall Goldsborough has returned as head coach of the women’s lacrosse team. Goldsborough, a former standout lacrosse player at the University of Maryland and the U.S. women’s National Team, led the Orange and Blue to .500 or better records and consecutive Patriot League Tournament appearances during her two seasons. The Bucknellian talked to Goldsborough this past week about the upcoming season.

The Bucknellian: I understand that your team is currently one of the youngest in the country. Does this influence your coaching strategies in any way?

Goldsborough: It definitely does not influence how we do things. It’s better actually that they are so young because they are impressionable and we can make a bigger impact quicker because of it. I rarely change my coaching style for age–-I just throw it all at them and see what they absorb the quickest, really. We are in a good place with our age because each year they will grow tremendously from their experiences with us both on and off the field.

The Bucknellian: What is it about the University and its athletics department that has left a lasting impression on you?

Goldsborough: The support and pride you feel working here is huge. The administration really cares about each program; the coaches support each other by not only attending games, but working with them as well. The student-athletes support each other and attend each other’s games. It’s just a feel-good place to work.

The Bucknellian: What expectations do you have for the team this season?

Goldsborough: This season I expect the team to understand our system and not just go with the flow. I expect them to work as hard as they can and then work harder. I expect them to learn to push their teammates and how to handle being pushed and challenged. I for sure expect them to compete every day to prepare us for our games. In terms of outcomes, I can’t say, but if we do all of the above we could really turn this program around and surprise a lot of people, including ourselves.

The Bucknellian: The Bison opened this season with a 25-3 loss to Duke, currently the No. 5 team in the nation. Is there anything the team can take away from that loss?

Goldsborough: I think the biggest thing to take away is that at the highest levels, this game is so fast, so strong and so strategic. Executing the fundamentals flawlessly is so crucial to success because even just one turnover could lead to a loss. It really allowed the team to see how important the little things are and that you have to be incredibly mentally and physically tough to compete in the Top 10.

The Bucknellian: What do you think are the biggest challenges you are going to face this season as a team?

Goldsborough: I think the biggest challenge really has nothing to do with our competition.  We are really focusing on changing the culture within the program, asking for a bigger commitment from the players, really seeking out nationally ranked talent in our future recruiting classes to compliment the competitiveness that already exists on the team.  Everything is new for the players – we are installing all new defenses and offenses, the way we play the midfield and press is all different and new – it’s quite a lot of information we are asking the players to absorb, understand, and execute and we are demanding that they do so.