Author: Amanda Ayers

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Brigade to go barefoot for Managua clinic

By Ali Napoli

Contributing Writer

The Bucknell Brigade is sponsoring University participation in TOMS Shoes’ international event One Day Without Shoes on Tuesday, April 10. In Lewisburg, the goal of the event is to raise awareness and benefit a health clinic the Brigade established in Nueva Vida, Nicaragua. Participants are encouraged to spend all day without shoes.
“We hope that students will go without shoes on, regardless of the weather, in recognition of all the people in this world who have to go every day of their lives without shoes,” said Katie McAvoy ’13, one of the event organizers. 
The Brigade will be selling long-sleeved t-shirts that read “Barefoot for Nica” in the days leading up to the event. The money raised will go directly to the health clinic in Nueva Vida to cover utilities and doctors’ and nurses’ salaries.
“This day allows the Brigade to spread awareness of the extreme poverty that exists in Nicaragua and around the world. Traveling to Nicaragua and seeing the children running barefoot in the streets raised my awareness of the things we commonly take for granted, such as shoes. My hope is that all the participants in the Day Without Shoes will come away with a similar feeling,” Zach Kopelman ’13 said.
TOMS  participates in the “One for One Movement,” so the company matches every pair of TOMS bought for personal usage with another pair for a child in need. TOMS has given pairs of shoes to more than 20 diverse countries ranging from Peru to South Africa.
The Brigade visits Nicaragua twice annually and first sponsored this event on campus three years ago.
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Community races to build Habitat home

By Olivia Seecof

Writer


Habitat for Humanity raised $400 in its first 5K on March 31, which will be put toward the club’s ultimate goal of collecting $20,000 to build a Habitat home for a local community member. The first-place finisher was JJ Parker ’12, the previous club president, and the top female finisher was Mallory Smith ’12. The course ran throughout downtown Lewisburg and finished in Hufnagle Park.

“For Habitat for Humanity’s first annual 5K, the event went well. We had a great turnout despite the weather and look forward to having a second annual race next year,” club president Lauren DelloStritto ’14 said.

“Overall, I was really excited to see how many Habitat club members were willing to help organize the event. It was early on Saturday, but we had a lot of help from our club members that allowed the race to run smoothly,” Parker said.

Volunteers from the University’s Habitat for Humanity club served as timers and traffic directors.

“Although the weather didn’t cooperate, the 5K run was an overall success because it provided a great way for our club to get more involved in the community,” club member Jennie Means ’14 said.

The Susquehanna University Habitat for Humanity club also volunteered at the event and made pancakes for the race finishers. The University’s Habitat wanted to get Susquehanna involved because they are working together to build houses in Snyder and Union counties.

“We wanted get closer with them and develop a more community atmosphere,” said Kristina Mammano ’14, an executive member of the club.

“It was great to involve Susquehanna because their help will ultimately allow us to raise more money to build more houses,” Means said.

The University’s Habitat usually has two fundraisers per year: Trick or Treat for Change in the fall, and the Rubber Duck Derby in the spring.  This 5K run is something the club hopes to continue in the future.

“What I am most excited for is doing this fundraiser again next year, but my goals for next year are to have better weather–although running in the rain is always fun–and to get the Lewisburg community more involved,” Mammano said.

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Registrar offers new IP classes

By Daniel Park

Writer

Beginning in fall 2012, the University will offer students the opportunity to take four Integrated Perspectives (IP) courses. The uniqueness of the IP courses comes from the fact that each course will be taught by two professors from different fields ranging from English to economics. The goal is for this to foster interdisciplinary dialogue among students and teachers on a myriad of different topics.

The four courses that will be offered are The Effect of Digital Technologies, Communicating Across Cultures, Environmental Humanities in “Susquehanna Country” and Art Religion and Politics in Tudor England. These courses are a combination of several different fields such as philosophy, art, literature, culture and linguistics.

The courses are meant to holistically focus on student awareness of surroundings and diverse culture to ultimately evoke a broader perspective of society. Students will hopefully gain a better understanding of the world around them and be exposed to stimulating ideas.

“The topics of these courses offered definitely pique my interest, and if the courses were to fill a few of my requirements I would have no hesitation in taking the IP electives,” Jonathan Lucas ’15 said.

The general response to the offered IP courses was enthusiastic, and several students from a wide range of majors were already considering taking one of the four IP courses next semester.

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Headline News

Saying Goodbye

By Siobhan Murray

Writer

Chief and founder of the University’s Department of Public Safety Jason Friedberg will step down from his position at the end of this semester. After leading the Department of Public Safety for six years, Friedberg will leave to work for Visium Global, the company he started that specializes in security and security technology consulting services for higher education.

He will work with the University in a national search to find the next chief of the Department of Public Safety.
“I truly believe that the Public Safety department Bucknell has is unmatched by any private liberal arts campus in the United States,” Friedberg said. “The officers are dedicated and well-trained and the department as a whole is supported well by the administration.”
Before serving at this university, Friedberg was Associate Director and Captain at Franklin & Marshall College for three years. Friedburg has roughly 20 years of experience in security and law enforcement.
“While Bucknell has been an outstanding partner in the growth of safety and security on campus, I felt that I would be able to effect change on the national landscape in higher education in a more meaningful and timely manner through the efforts of Visium Global and therefore made the decision to leave Bucknell,” Friedberg said.
Before, the Public Safety Department was comprised of about seven unarmed officers without basic security technology or reporting-tracking software. Friedman transformed the department into a fully operational, full response law enforcement and security agency.
In addition to looking for Friedberg’s successor, the Department of Public Safety will continue to remain as present as ever on campus. This will involve engaging the campus by working with groups such as Bucknell Student Government (BSG), the Interfraternity Council, faculty and staff to improve town-gown relations. Public Safety also looks to leverage security techonology on campus to create a safer and more secure campus. Public Safety has outlined the security needs for the newly constructed areas of the campus.
The University will work to “maintain the bucolic feel of Bucknell while still providing the security needed to keep the campus safe,” Friedberg said.
“I think [Friedberg] has done a great job of strengthening relationships with both BSG and The Bucknellian, and I am sure his successor will do the same,” BSG President Sara Girmay ’14 said.
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ROTC: “…to serve my country, to have a greater appreciation for freedom, for the training and for the adventure”

By Christina Oddo

Writer

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a national four-year program offered at the University designed to train cadets to become commissioned officers of the United States Army, the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. The University is a host school for Army ROTC.

Students currently enrolled at Bloomsburg University, Susquehanna University, Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College have the opportunity to participate in the program along with University students.

“The benefits of the program are that upon completion you are able to commission in to the Army as an officer at the rank of second Lieutenant. Also, there are a variety of scholarships available including two-, three- or four-year scholarships that can cover your tuition, housing, meal plan, books and you even get a little spending money with the stipend,” cadet Brian Charland ’13 said.
Charland got involved in the program during his junior year of high school when he started talking to and meeting with college representatives. 
“I decided to join Army ROTC to serve my country, to have a greater appreciation for freedom, [for] the training and for the adventure,” Charland said.

First-year students with scholarships and first- and second-year students without scholarships have the ability to enroll on a trial basis without committing to the military. Students can also leave the ROTC program or continue to earn a commission as an officer upon graduation. It is possible to join ROTC as late as the fall of junior year. If students take part in a 28-day summer training camp, they have the opportunity to skip the first-year and sophomore training levels.

First- and second- year cadets have a time commitment of five hours a week. Juniors and seniors then spend ten 10 hours a week for the program. During this required time, cadets take classes, train, attend monthly leadership labs and participate in semester field training exercise. Cadets have class once a week. This class is an hour for first-years, two hours for sophomores, and three hours for juniors and seniors. These weekly classes do not count for academic credit at the University. Cadets learn lessons in leadership, as well as army structure, values and communication. The ROTC program also requires cadets to take a 33-day summer training course between their junior and senior years.

“We also meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 0600 or occasionally earlier for physical training,” Charland said. “A Junior (MSIII) will take the role of platoon sargeant and lead the group through a series of exercises.  Twice a semester we are tested in an Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) that makes sure we are meeting the Army standards.The test consists of two minutes of as many push ups as you can do, and two minutes of as many sit ups as you can do and a two mile run. Every couple of months we take a weekend and will go out into the woods and practice the skills we are learning in the classroom out in the field.”

Cadets also generally participate in day and night land navigation, squad training exercises, patrolling and battle drills.

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Petrucci takes position with Phi Sigma Sigma

By Jenni Whalen

Senior Writer

Jackie Petrucci, Assistant Director of Residential Education for Sorority Affairs, will be leaving the University in a few weeks to begin a new job at Phi Sigma Sigma sorority headquarters in Elkridge, Md.
She will be serving as the Director of Chapter Services for Phi Sigma Sigma and will be responsible for all activities related to collegiate chapter services, including program development and implementation, as well as supervising staff and volunteers. Although Petrucci is not a member of Phi Sigma Sigma, she is excited about the new position.
“I believe in the sorority experience and believe that when it’s done right, it can transform your life,” Petrucci said.
Petrucci is sad to leave the University on such short notice, especially because she will miss her students and colleagues.
“This was a bittersweet decision for me,” Petrucci said, “but ultimately I made a decision that will advance both my personal and professional life. I have so many great memories from my time here at Bucknell.”
Although Petrucci’s absence comes at a busy time for the University’s sorority community, Associate Dean of Students Amy Badal will act as the contact for all sorority matters until a new hire is made. A national search will soon be underway, and the administration hopes the position is filled before fall’s recruitment season begins. Open Suites will still occur on Sunday, April 15 from 3 – 6:45 p.m. as previously planned.

When asked about the future of the University’s Greek system, Petrucci said she hopes the sorority system will continue to move forward in a positive direction. She has been influential in making changes to the sorority recruitment system, expanding the University’s Greek honor society, the Order of Omega, and eliminating the Plan for Prominence.

“During my time here, I have seen this community come so far and I have no doubt that they will continue long after I am gone,” Petrucci said. “I always hope that the women in our sorority community realize the power that they have as a collective group and will use that to influence the campus community in a positive way.”

Students, especially those within the sorority community, have expressed that Petrucci will be sorely missed.

“I’ve worked with Jackie in different settings, as a co-instructor of the transition to college course and as a member of Panhellenic. In every meeting with her, she has been approachable, understanding and hilarious. I have loved every minute of working with her (and her dog, Chloe!) and she will be greatly missed,” Clare Brogan ’12 said.

“Without question, Jackie Petrucci is the greatest thing that could have happened to the sorority and fraternity community at the University. She has worked tirelessly to create a better Bucknell for sorority members. Bucknell has only been bettered by her influence. We, as a campus community, with her encouragement, now have the courage to question and challenge the status quo, and the motivation to impact change not only within the sorority and fraternity communities, but also within the campus community. I wish her only the best as she continues her professional career,” Anne Sequeira ’12 said.
“Jackie has not only pushed both the Bucknell sorority and fraternity community to become more successful, responsible, and motivated, she has also served as a role model and source of support for every woman and man she has come into contact with. She is inspirational, strong, and incredibly talented, and her presence, laughter, leadership, and guidance will be sorely missed by myself and so many others,” Kate Domingues ’12 said.

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News

Univ. continues large-scale contruction

By Sara Blair Matthews

Assistant News Editor

In the next year and a half, the campus will be undergoing a series of large-scale changes and additions in both the short and long term.

Although construction on the University’s farm property faced a few setbacks last year due to poor weather, the project is back on track and set to finish by 2012 commencement. In addition to the South Campus Project, construction has begun on Academic West, which is planned to be completed by the fall of 2013. Campus officials and administrators say this new construction will cause significant changes in campus traffic.

“[We are planning to] have classes held in Academic West in the fall of 2013,” said facilities project manager Angelo Vieceli. “[We realize this is] a learning curve, and it will be inconvenient until after this summer. Once South Campus projects finish, people will be used to the new traffic.”
The construction of Academic West has closed Fraternity Road behind Ellen Clarke Bertrand Library from Coleman Hall Drive to Delta Upsilon Fraternity, affecting both long and short term traffic. There will be no road behind the library, and traffic will not be able to travel down Fraternity Road. According to plans, Coleman Hall Drive will connect to South Campus Lane.
The new Academic West building will be 75 percent larger than Breakiron. The University wants to mirror the existing Academic Quad behind the library with the new construction of Academic West and eventually Academic East.
“We plan to add up to four more buildings along the Quad,” Vieceli said.
There are also plans to renovate the library and put on a new addition. The University is also consulting a model for the next phase of housing and is trying to decide between suite-style units or apartment-style housing.
Lamda Chi Alpha Fraternity is the first fraternity to occupy the new housing unit. Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity will follow when they are re-affiliated with campus.
There are also a few things to consider in the near future.
First, according to the Campus Alert Center: “Pedestrian access at the rear of the library will be maintained as well as vehicular access to the Breakiron and Dana parking lots.”
Second, the lower end of the Farm Lot will be closed from Breakiron to the Theta Chi Fraternity parking lot, and a temporary exit will be installed to connect the two lots. 
Finally, pedestrian traffic to and from the Farm Lot will utilize the old driveway between Theta Chi and the former Kappa Delta Rho Fraternities. The drive will be blocked to vehicular traffic on either end.
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Education class to fundraise for pool passes

By Lauren Buckley

Writer

Students from Education 318 (Multiculturalism and Education) are coordinating a 5K Fun Run/Walk and Zumbathon that will occur on April 22 at 10 a.m. in Gerhard Fieldhouse to benefit the Lewisburg Pool Pass Project. The Lewisburg Pool Pass Project helps to reduce the cost of community pool passes for needy families in the surrounding area. 

University students, with the guidance of Sue Ellen Henry, associate professor of education, created the initiative in conjunction with Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority (LARA) in the spring of 2010. The Panhellenic Council will also be co-sponsoring the event this year. Henry integrated the cause, which is centered on how the inequality of experiences can impact a child’s life and education, into her Education 318 class as it paralleled the course’s theme of social justice problems existing in society.

“Each year the students from the course decide on the fundraiser approach and do absolutely all the work to coordinate the project. As you can imagine, I’m very, very proud of the student effort; each year the determination has astounded me,” Henry said.

The project began after the tragic drownings of 11-year-old Assunda Rotolo of Lewisburg and her cousin, eight-year-old Les Davis Jr. of Mifflinburg. The families of the children had not been able to afford summer pool passes and used the Susquehanna River for recreational purposes instead.  The Pool Pass Project honors the memory of these children.

“Many of us at Bucknell are truly privileged, and the Pool Pass Project offers us all a small yet significant way to give back to the community we call our second home,” said Megan Doyle ’12, a student of Education 318 and coordinator of the fundraiser.

The initiative was able to provide pool passes and swimming lessons for five families during its first summer and 16 families during its second summer. Those involved in the cause hope to continue increasing the number of subsidized passes given to needy families each year. 

“I am particularly invested in this project after spending this past summer as a camp counselor with LARA. I saw first-hand how safe and fun the community pool is, and I appreciate the chance to work with the other committed Multiculturalism students to help more local children have access to that great community resource,” Doyle said.

All proceeds of the 5K Fun Run/Walk and Zumbathon will go directly to the Lewisburg Pool Pass Project. In addition, baskets filled with items from local businesses that will be donated by Greek and other student organizations will also be raffled off at the event. Any student organization interested in donating to the event can submit a basket filled with $50 worth of items from community businesses to Olin 459 by April 13. Games and activities will also be offered at the event for children, and all interested parties can register at http://www.tinyurl.com/poolpassproject.

“My personal hope for this year’s event is to not only raise sufficient funds to meet the need for subsidized pool passes this summer, but also to generate an awareness and enthusiasm that will carry over from year to year,” Doyle said.

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Non-alcoholic events

By Christina Oddo

Writer

Although House Party Weekend is often perceived as a weekend that promotes alcohol consumption, there are many nonalcoholic activities and events being held on campus this weekend.

A March Madness Sweet Sixteen Party will be held at Uptown at 9 p.m. on Thursday. Bring friends, and feel free to bring or order food to eat at Uptown. An Open Mic Night is also taking place Thursday night at 10 p.m. at Seventh Street Café. Anyone interested in participating in the Open Mic Night should sign up in the CAP Center.

Members of the Outing Club will be hosting the Basecamp Open House in Tustin Dance Studio on Friday from 4-6 p.m. and includes a bouldering wall competition, adventure movies, snacks, prizes and games.

On Friday at 9 p.m., Uptown will host karaoke and serve ‘mocktails.’ Downhill, there will be a student band performing at Seventh Street Café at 10 p.m. as well as a Midnight Movie Marathon at the Campus Theatre on Friday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Free popcorn and soda will be served, and other snacks can be purchased at the theatre. There will be a 10:30 p.m. showing of “Anchorman,” a midnight showing of “Bridesmaids” and a 2 a.m. showing of Role Models.

There will be a New York City Trip this Saturday. Anyone interested should sign up in the CAP Center.

In Smith Quad (or the Bison Café if there is rain) from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, The Body Electric (Nick Horner ’11, Seth Chizeck ’11, Luke Chohany ’10 with Alex Apfel ’12) will perform a jazzy, electronic performance. Enjoy free burgers, hot dogs and macaroni and cheese. This event is co-sponsored by the Dean of Students, Office of Residential Education and Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

From 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, there will be a Street Fair on Dent Drive. There will be a barbeque, chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, funnel cake, French fries, desserts and soft pretzels. Other activities include laser tag, mini-hoops, extreme T-ball, or you can make your own music video.

Finally, there will be a Highlighter Party at Uptown on Saturday night at 9 p.m. Don’t miss out on some awesome music with DJ Michael Davis ’13. 

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Fraternities to host a variety of concerts

By Jen Lassen

Arts & Life Editor

For many students, springtime on campus means eating ice cream at the Lewisburg Freez, attending Chrysalis, the budding of the cherry blossoms and of course, the infamous House Party Weekend. Described by many as “the greatest and craziest weekend ever,” this year’s House Party will include some of the most popular performers on this side of the Susquehanna.

One example includes a performance by chart-topping rap duo the Ying Yang Twins at Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity tonight. Songs “Wait (The Whisper Song),” “Salt Shaker” and “Get Low” are some of the biggest singles the Twins have performed.

“We wanted to bring The Ying Yang Twins to TKE because we had heard great reviews from other fraternities that have hosted the group and because of their recognizable name and songs,” John Puleo ’13 said.

Other University fraternity members discussed the performers their organizations will be hosting.

“We are having Judo Chop on Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. as well as Tayyib Ali on Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.  We have had a long tradition of inviting Judo Chop to Chi Phi Fraternity and have a very good relationship with the band. Not only do all of the brothers and past alumni love their rock performances, but the Bucknell community has always seemed to come out and see their show,” said Andrew Hendrickson ’13, president of Chi Phi Fraternity. 

Some of the fraternities are putting great effort into ensuring that their performers are as original as possible and appeal to the broadest possible audience.

“Chi Phi went in a little bit of a different direction this year by getting the artist Tayyib Ali. He is an up-and-coming rapper, which we have never gotten before at our fraternity. However, we did it based upon the great amount of diverse music tastes here at Bucknell,” Hendrickson said.

The performers have always been a tradition at House Party Weekend and a vital component of what makes the weekend exciting and memorable. Some other performers include Aer and XV featuring Oncue at Delta Upsilon Fraternity; Bro Band, Honky Tonk Heroes and Kid Ink at Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity; and King Fantastic at Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, co-hosted by Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

“We feel that concerts such as these are a fun and important feature of what makes House Party Weekend arguably the best weekend of the school year. The opportunity to host renowned artists such as the Ying Yang Twins is something we’re very excited about,” said Daniel Dietrich ’12, a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

Many of the fraternities will be bringing repeat performers from previous House Party Weekends to their houses while also adding new performers to their schedule. Fraternity members believe that this adds to the tradition of House Party Weekend and offers consistency of names that upperclassmen will recognize, generating even more excitement for the performers at this year’s weekend-long event.

So, whether you favor1980s rock over rap or like hip-hip better than cover bands, you’ll undoubtedly be able to satisfy your musical cravings this House Party Weekend.