Author: Courtney Flagg

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Featured News

Students look for bargains on new semester textbooks

By Megan Herrera

News Editor

Students are no longer turning to Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University and Amazon.com to purchase their required textbooks. University textbooks are renowned for being extremely expensive, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of alternative ways for students to find the books they need at a more reasonable price.

Several students have used various Internet textbook sites to rent or buy textbooks as a way to save money. These sites include, but are not limited to, Chegg.com, bookrenter.com and rent-a-text.com.

One such website, FindersCheapers.com, has saved college students hundreds of dollars every year with its price comparison feature.

James Krewson, creator and CEO of FindersCheapers.com, compiled data into a graph on his website showing the extent of possible savings on textbooks at universities across the country.

“For years I knew my price comparison website was popular with college students. Recently, I decided to compare textbook prices at campus bookstores to FindersCheapers.com. The results greatly exceeded my expectations,” Krewson said on the website.

The graph is based on a list of textbooks for five courses of moderate difficulty that would be the average courseload for a first-year student. While these savings are high, ranging from $130 at Pennsylvania State University to a whopping $417 at Miami Dade College, Krewson believes that it is possible to save even more. Students agree.

“Amazon had all of my books for $440, so I ordered everything on there once I got my schedule. I needed books for the first week, though, so I went to the bookstore and it came out to almost $620. Have to love saving almost 200 bucks,” Andrew Coe ’15 said.

In an effort to help students alleviate textbook costs, Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University has started a new program that allows students to rent their textbooks for the semester at an approximate 50 percent discount.

“Since I pay for my own books, it’s great knowing that I can get textbooks at a cheaper price online, and now that the bookstore allows me to rent some, I was able to save over $100,” Joey McCafferty ’14 said.

Many other students believe that the University’s bookstore has made a smart move because it encourages students to maintain their relationships with their campus bookstore.

“I used to rent my textbooks from Chegg.com, but now that the bookstore allows me to rent them so it’s a lot more convenient. Now I don’t have to worry about returning my books to the website or selling them back to the bookstore,” Brenna O’Neill ’12 said.

With so many avenues to save money on textbooks, it is to no surprise that students are researching all of their options. From the Internet to the bookstore, students have many more choices to save those extra bucks.

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Editorial Opinion

Editorial: Textbook purchasing opportunities lead to confusion

Buying and selling textbooks is an age-old dilemma that every college student faces multiple times in his or her academic career. When we were first-years, some of us were neither intelligent nor motivated enough to research alternate options for textbooks. Therefore, when we bought our textbooks, we bought them straight from the bookstore. Things have clearly changed.

It is quite clear that it is becoming nearly impossible for any one business to have a monopoly over the textbook industry. Yes, Borders has been liquidated and Barnes & Noble is one of the only free-standing bookstore chains still in existence. But that does not mean students are forced to rely solely on them for their academic literature. Economic times are tough, and students are willing to do literally anything to save a buck on books. Consequently, book-selling companies are willing to do literally anything to get the business of eager students.

It’s clear that purchasing books from online companies is much cheaper than purchasing from the bookstore on campus. However, is renting books, be it from the University bookstore or an online organization, more beneficial than purchasing them and reselling? Yes, renting a textbook from the bookstore can give a student up to 50 percent off of the retail price. But when you return the book, and let’s assume you are returning it on time (therefore no late charges) you are making no profit. You lost money renting that book. When students buy books from an online retailer at an already discounted price, and then resell them at close to the same price, it is already a significant profit gain. If a student is savvy and determined, he or she can make a profit. However, most University students don’t spend hours around their computer negotiating prices on textbooks when they could be doing other things. What’s more important, if a student is taking an obscure anthropology class on the basics of consumption and material culture, who else in the world would be willing to buy back his or her book at an elevated price? How can that student make a profit?

The choice students make comes down to convenience. How much time are students willing to put into their book hunting? The cheapest and easiest way to get our books is off of websites like Amazon.com, but we are not quite sure if going through elaborate measures to acquire textbooks (renting and spending hours trying to resell) is worth our time. After all, time is money, and we have neither.

 

 

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News

News Briefs

Government looks to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

This fall, the Senate fell two votes short of repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” discriminatory policy, also known as DADT. The policy was instituted by former President Bill Clinton in 1993 and prohibits the military from questioning troops about their sexual orientation, and enforces the discharge of anyone who admits to being lesbian, gay or bisexual. DADT has led to the expulsion of over 13,000 troops and has discriminated against those who are trying to serve the United States.

Seventeen years later, President Barack Obama, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, former Secretary of State General Colin Powell, the military, and U.S. troops have all shown support their support to finally repeal the policy.

The Pentagon Study, a survey completed by military personnel and family revealing their views of gays serving in the military, discovered that the repeal of DADT would have a low effect on military effectiveness. To make this repeal possible, senators who will cast their votes need to see the nation’s support. They have began to ask citizens to take three minutes out of their busy lives and write their letters to http://my.barackobama.com/LTEonDADT today.

Four Loko Declared Public Health Concern by FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declared the alcoholic beverage Four Loko, and all similar caffeinated alcoholic beverages, a public health concern. These alcoholic beverages do not meet the FDA’s standards for safety. The drink has four main ingredients: taurine, guarana, caffeine and alcohol, which is the equivalent of drinking five beers/shots, five cups of coffee and over 600 calories all at once. The combination can cause alcohol poisoning, increased anxiety and panic symptoms, extreme mood swings, hyper-vigilance and paranoia. According to an e-mail to University students from Linda Locher, interim Dean of Students, one University student reported drinking 2.5 cans of Four Loko (12 beers/shots) in one hour and had a BAC of .40, the level that breathing and heart function begin to cease.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is asking beverage distributors to stop carrying the sugary, caffeinated malt liquor drinks completely. The local Pennsylvania community has started working with local alcohol vendors to stop selling the product to the community in order to prevent University students from running into any more problems due to this drink.

Correction

In the Public Safety Log in last week’s issue, it was published that two sexual assaults occurred on November 14, 2010, but the incidents took place on October 30, 2010 and November 5, 2010. The Bucknellian used the dates that the crime log was issued instead of the day when the incident occurred.

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News

Health Services encourages vaccines

By Courtney Bottazzi

Writer

University Health Services urges students to receive annual flu shots and the Gardasil vaccination to help prevent both men’s and women’s chances of contracting flu, swine flu, HPV or genital warts.

The proximity of a campus community can create the perfect breeding ground for viruses and bacteria, especially after a break to go home, said Dr. Don Stechschulte, director of Student Health Services.

“One to two weeks after reconvening there will be another spike. You may come back with different viruses and bacteria that you have never seen before,” Stechshulte said.

A study showed that it took exactly 13.6 days of a campus community coming back together after a vacation period for there to be another spike in disease, Stechshulte said.

“Everyone should get the flu shot this year because it contains vaccines to fight off both the H1 and H2 strands,” Stechschulte said.

The H1N1 strand was the cause of the swine flu epidemic last year. In addition to the flu shot, Stechschulte urges staff, faculty and students (especially juniors and seniors) to look into the TDAP vaccine. Students may have received the vaccine for whooping cough during childhood, but recent studies show that it does not last an entire lifetime.

TDAP is a booster shot that contains the Tetanus vaccine as well as extra protection against whooping cough. The flu shot and TDAP are easily accepted as vaccines suitable for men and women, but Gardasil is usually not.

“This summer the HPV vaccine is now available for men. You can eliminate being a carrier—won’t get it, won’t give it,” Stechschulte said.

Stechschulte has spoken to three fraternities about this virus. The improved Gardasil vaccination can prevent four types of the human papillomavirus.

HPV can have a physical effect on male bodies—genital warts, Stechschulte said. Studies have shown that in most cases, certain strands of the virus have been cleared and will not have a lasting effect. Other strands of HPV can cause cervical cancer or genital warts.

“The most common form of transferring [HPV] is unprotected sex,”  Stechschulte said.

By wearing a condom you reduce the risk of giving or receiving HPV but there is still no guarantee because the virus can be transmitted through any type of compromised skin contact surrounding the genital area, he said.

Health services can provide flu shots, Gardasil shots and Pap tests and will not notify patients’ parents without the students’ explicit permission.

“I got the Gardasil shots when they first came out. I wasn’t sure if there would be side effects later on but I decided it was worth the prevention,” said Chelsea Straus ’12.

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Arts & Life

Harry Potter Spell Guide

By Courtney Flagg

News Editor

For those Muggles who are less educated in the Wizarding Arts, The Bucknellian is providing you with a simple yet informative basic spell guide.

Accio (Summoning Charm): A common charm used to summon an object (potentially over a large distance). In the Triwizard Tournament, Harry uses Accio to summon his Firebolt during the First Challenge.

Confundo (Confundus Charm): A charm, arguably abused by Harry and his friends, that causes the victim to become easily confused and prone to follow simple orders without thought. During Quidditch tryouts in Harry’s sixth year, Hermione casts a Confundus Charm on Cormac McLaggen.

Expecto Patronum (Patronus Charm): A charm that conjures an incarnation of the caster’s innermost positive feelings. These incarnations take the form of a “Patronus” and protect the caster from, most commonly, Dementors. A full-fledged Patronus takes the form of an animal that is typically significant to the witch or wizard casting the spell. Harry’s Patronus takes the form of a stag while Dumbledore’s Patronus takes the form of a phoenix.

Expelliarmus (Disarming Charm): The spell used to disarm another witch or wizard, typically by causing the opponent’s wand to fly out of reach. When cast with enough power, the spell can throw the victim backwards. Harry’s go-to spell is Expelliarmus.

Impervio (Impervius Charm): A spell that repels certain agents and outside forces, such as water. During Quidditch games on rainy days, Hermione would cast the Impervius Charm on Harry’s glasses so he could better see the snitch.

Levicorpus: A spell, created by Severus Snape, in which the victim is flipped upside-down and dangles by his or her ankles. While in Gringotts in Bellatrix’s vault, Hermione casts Levicorpus on Harry to lift him up and aid him in stealing the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff, a known horcrux.

Petrificus Totalus (Body-Bind Curse): A spell used to temporarily bind the victim’s body in a position similar to that of a soldier at attention. The spell does not restrict breathing or eyesight but typically causes the victim to fall to the ground. In Harry’s first year, Hermione uses Petrificus Totalus to prevent Neville Longbottom from stopping the trio from leaving the common room.

The Unforgivable Curses

Avada Kedavra (The Killing Curse): A curse that causes instant death to the victim. The curse leaves no trace of injury and is accompanied by a jet of green light and a rushing noise. The only known survivor of the killing curse is, you got it, Harry Potter himself.

Crucio (Cruciatus Curse): A spell that inflicts unbearable pain on its recipient. The extreme pain is unique to each person and is known as a popular form of torture among the Death Eaters. The pain has been described as being similar to the sensation of one’s bones catching on fire as well as the head being split open without sedation. In Malfoy Manor, Bellatrix uses Crucio to torture Hermione.

Imperio (Imperius Curse): A spell that causes the victim to obey the spoken or unspoken commands of the caster. The feeling of casting the spell, as described by Harry, is similar to controlling a marionette through a wand. It is extremely hard to resist the effects of the curse but (surprise!) Harry Potter has done it.

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Headline News

Univ. sees increase in early decision applications

By Meghan Finlayson

Staff Writer

Early Decision applications increased by 29 percent this year, according to the Office of Admissions.

“Currently, we have 539 ED applicants…On the same date last year, we had 417. Two years ago on this date, we had 427,” Dean of Admissions Robert G. Springall said.

Springal said there are clear advantages to applying early.

“If you apply early, students have the potential to finish the process in December, instead of May, as well as demonstrate to the University an advanced level of interest in that particular school,” Springall said.

Other advantages are more subjective.

“Since ED applications are binding, many ED applicants have visited campus several times and are convinced that Bucknell constitutes the ideal college experience. Applying ED is also appealing because of the smaller candidate pool-applicants feel they have a better chance of being accepted,” said Lindsay Machen ’11, e-mail intern for prospective students.

This application trend is experienced at schools nationwide. Early decision and early action applications are up at competing universities as well.

“Many [schools] have seen 10 to 20 percent increases,” Springall said.

The University’s applications are up by a larger percentage than most competing schools.

“We have seen more visitors to campus, more e-mails, more web traffic, more ‘likes’ on Facebook … I think we’re ahead of [the] curve because we’ve been continuing to encourage people to visit campus and engage current Bucknellians, faculty and staff,” Springall said.  “When they see this campus and Lewisburg and meet our people, they become more likely to apply, and … enroll,” he said.

Current University students have noticed improvements as well.

“Bucknell is constantly working to improve the school and as a result it is continuously developing,” tour guide Jenna Masi ’13 said. In her conversations with prospective students, and being a prospective student once herself, Machen knows what it’s like being on the other end.

“The most typical question I receive about ED applications is when students will hear of their admissions decision,” she said. “It is a nerve-wracking process on both ends of the spectrum. ED applicants are both nervous and excited to hear about whether they’ve been accepted to Bucknell—some prospective students send me two to three emails a day confirming the receipt of different elements of their application,” Machen said.

Although early decision applications are generally up, the financial aid office has not seen many changes.

“Usually about 40 percent of the students who apply for ED admission also apply for aid…at this time, I have not seen a marked increase in ED financial aid applications,” said Andrea C. A. Leithner Stauffer, director of the Office of Financial Aid. “However, applications are still coming in, and ED2 applications will still arrive throughout January, so it is a little too early to tell if there will be an increase,” she said. She said that if finances are a major concern, however, early decision may not be the best choice.

The University has used the early decision application process for many years but the admissions office also takes regular applications very seriously.

“For Bucknell, we need to be mindful that the majority of college applicants are not ready in November to make a final decision,” Springall said. “They need to explore more options, think about their financial and personal circumstances. We need to have plenty of space available for them as well,” he said.

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News

Mother raises rape awareness

By Christina Oddo

Writer

“A rapist can be the boy next door. They have no particular look to them,” the mother of a suicide victim said Tuesday in the Weis Center for Performing Arts.

University students, Greek and non-Greek, and faculty joined together to listen to “Kristin’s Story,” the tale of a Baker University student and Alpha Chi Omega sorority member who committed suicide on New Year’s Eve 1995 after experiencing acquaintance rape.

Andrea Cooper, Kristin’s mother, has been sharing her daughter’s story for the past twelve years and discussed assaults, suicide and depression in her address to the campus.

Cooper said that after automobile-related accidents, suicide is the second-most prevalent cause of deaths in people aged 10 to 24. She said that this trend will soon be evident in elementary schools.

Nearly 90 percent of all rapes are committed by a friend, relative or acquaintance, Cooper said, adding that more than 50 percent of college women have experienced sexual aggression from acquaintances. Cooper’s daughter Kristin was presumably raped by one of her fellow lifeguard friends.

As her family found out later, Kristin was clinically depressed. Cooper said the signs of depression include sadness, helplessness, difficulty concentrating and failure to maintain grades.

People with depression may experience feelings of guilt, worthlessness, irritability, excessive crying, chronic physical aches and pains that do not go away and thoughts of death and suicide, she said.

Cooper encouraged everyone to visit Depression.com or Depression.org to assess symptoms of depression.

Cooper cited statistics regarding the actions of rape survivors. She said that 46 percent of survivors of date rape told no one about the incident, 27 percent of survivors of stranger rape told no one and more than 95 percent did not report the rape to the police.

“Rape is the crime of the heart for the victim and a crime of convenience for the perpetrator,” Cooper said.

Cooper presented a list of actions to help a friend or family member with assault or rape.

First and foremost, she said, believe the victim because 96-98 percent of the time, when a woman reports a rape, she’s telling the truth (U.S. Dept. Justice; Lonsway, et al, 2007).

Secondly, listen and do not post judgment. Offer shelter, be attainable and give comfort. It is important to be patient and understanding, but not overly protective, for it is critical to give the victim room to make her own to decisions and to do her own thinking, Cooper said.

Encourage action, and offer to go with the victim to seek help and guidance, she said. Accept the victim’s choice of solutions, and put the victim’s emotions and feelings first, not your own.

Cooper said the campus community should not be afraid to use the rape crisis hotline 1-800-656-HOPE and the website www.911rape.org.

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News

CDC provides externship opportunities

By Allie Mongan

Writer

This year the University’s Career Development Center (CDC)  matched 220 sophomores with externship opportunities  and still had 120 remaining, so the program was opened up to the junior class.

Every spring the CDC sends out electronic surveys to second-semester first-years to determine preferences for externships. The CDC uses the answers to these surveys, as well as geographic and industry preferences, to help with externship selections, said Melissa Gutkowski, program director of externships.

The externships, which can provide an edge for applying for competitive internships later on in a student’s college career, are short-term, one- to two-day job shadows for sophomore students.

Five years ago the CDC started the externship program for University sophomores. Each year about 200 to 280 students apply for externships. Only about 20 students are unmatched because some popular externships cannot provide space for all applicants.

Externship opportunities are posted on the CDC online database, the BRIDGE. On the BRIDGE students can see which externships are available and choose ones that they are interested in. Externships are held over winter break and the student and sponsor work to find days that best fit both schedules.

The CDC finds externship opportunities for University students by promoting “the program to alumni and parents in various ways and asking them to sign up to host an externship,” Gutkowski said.

Students are also able to work personally with Gutkowski if they have a more specific preference of industry or location.

“I have worked with students to setup a law externship in Hawaii, an engineering externship in Kentucky and a computer science externship in Vancouver,” Gutkowski said.
Gutkowski said 90 percent of externship sponsors are alumni, six percent are parents and another four percent are employers or friends of the University.

Many students believe they have benefited from the experience.

“I did an externship last fall in New Jersey and it was really cool. I enjoyed being able to see what the working world was like and I think that it was a great experience and would recommend it to any sophomore considering the program,” Clare Brogan ’12 said.

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News

News Briefs

Four Loko reformulated

Four Loko, a 23.5-ounce alcoholic drink packaged in colorful cans, is currently garnering much attention nationwide. The beverage has been criticized for its combination of alcohol and caffeine–therefore containing both a depressant and stimulant. The combination is believed to cause severe harm to humans. Several states have banned the beverage, so only 47 states currently sell it. According to the New York Times, maker of Four Loko Phusion Projects is reformulating its product and removing the caffeine, taurine and guarana. Phusion Projects maintains that the mixture of alcohol and caffeine is not harmful. The Food and Drug Administration was supposed to take a stand on the beverage Wednesday.

The Bucknellian takes gold

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association awarded The Bucknellian Gold Medal status for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 terms.  The association celebrates and awards the individual achievements of student writers, editors, designers and photographers.

Clarification

In last week’s “Recent assaults provoke campus climate change” article, the Task Force on Campus Climate was mentioned. The Task Force on Campus Climate, however, did not lead or organize the Open Forum. The Task Force co-chair Beth Capaldi-Evans presented during the Open Forum on The Clery Act. Tracy Shaynak also presented as part of the Open Forum in her capacity as Director of the Women’s Resource Center.

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Arts & Life Featured

Exclusive interview with Frankie Muniz

By Courtney Flagg

News Editor

Courtney Flagg ’12 spoke with Frankie Muniz in a phone interview in preparation for his performance on campus. Muniz discussed the ups and downs of the music industry and the rewarding aspects of doing something you simply love to do.

What made you decide to go into music instead of continuing with racecar driving and acting?

[I’ve] Always enjoyed music—played drums since I was 12 years old. Never thought I’d actually pursue it. I would play in my garage. It kind of just happened that I got into You Hang Up and here we are now doing a national tour, recording a new album. Things are going really well. I stopped acting—I wouldn’t say stopped, I took a break from acting four years ago to pursue racing and I loved racing but I got badly hurt last year, I shattered my hand. When I tried to start racing again I still had pains in my hand so I decided to take a break from that. So now here I am with the band. I mean I’m kind of all over the place. If I had to choose one of the three to pursue it would definitely be the band—I hope to do it for a long time.

How did you find You Hang Up? How did you become part of the band?

I had a video on my MySpace or Facebook page (one or the other) of me playing the drums; nothing serious, just me playing the drums in my garage.

The lead singer of You Hang Up (Aaron Brown), who is a mutual friend of my girlfriend and I, sent me a message along the lines of “Hey man, if you ever want to jam, it would be really cool!” I immediately responded and said, “I don’t just want to jam, I want to be the drummer in the band!” Here we are now. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. We all mesh together really well when we play. We’re really enjoying it.

Do you take part in writing any of the band’s music?

Aaron, the lead singer, is an incredible songwriter. He will come into practice and be like “I had a dream where I wrote a song and I can remember every single part of the song.” Literally five minutes later we’ll have a completed song. It’s awesome. We’ve been really lucky like that. He [Aaron] will bring in ideas like that and the four of us will sit down and write it together. Aaron brings the idea and all of us turn it into a song. We are about to record our first album in Nashville and we’re working with Joe Fitzgerald, who produced B.o.B’s album. We’ve been working really hard. We want to go in with 15-16 songs to record and pick the best 12 for the album. We’ve been working really, really hard but it’s been fairly easy because Aaron is such a great songwriter.

Do you have any people who look up to/inspire you in the music industry?

I mean, I’m literally a fan of all types of music. I like anything and everything. I just enjoy music in general. I don’t necessarily have any particular people who I aspire to be or who I try to follow. I’m just kind of all over the place.

Well, I’m like you. I don’t have any particular genre that I enjoy more than another.

Yeah, I literally will come to practice rapping and then I’ll switch over the country songs during a break. I really do like all types of music.

Is it hard to make a transition like this in the entertainment business? You started out acting and then you went into racecar driving. Now you’re in music.

There are pluses and minuses to having been on TV. The pluses being the fact that I have a little bit of a fan base that I can bring in to listen to our music. The downsides are that so many actors have tried to transition into music. I mean, 95 percent of them, their music is horrible. When you hear about an actor-band, or a former actor who is going into music, you just automatically think of bad music. I mean I do. The only band that I can think of that has actors in it, who are successful and makes good music, in my opinion, is 30 Seconds to Mars with Jared Leto. Most actors turned musicians—it’s more [of a] joke. But then again, most of the time, the actor is the lead singer—the person everyone’s looking at. I’m just the drummer! If you don’t look hard enough you may not even see me on stage. We’re not trying to make my having been on TV the band’s only selling point. Sure, it brings people in the doors but that only gets you so far. People have to enjoy your music. What we focus on is making good music and having fun while we do it. I think that’s what it’s all about. I think my favorite reaction we get is when people come to our show and expect it to be a joke and people are really pleasantly surprised.

How is being a musician in the entertainment business different from being an actor?

One thing I really like is the fact that you get an automatic reaction from the fans. When you’re playing on stage, you get to see and hear how people are reacting. When you are working on a TV show or a movie, you can be working on it for weeks and months and it can be a long time before the audience sees what you’ve been working on. And even then, you don’t get to see how they react to what you’ve done. At a concert or show when we’re playing, we get to see people get into it. I love that. The best thing about being a drummer is that I get to see everything–I’m behind everyone. I see everyone going crazy and just having a great time and I realize I want to do this forever. It’s so rewarding.

It’s so cool that you’ve found something that you love so much.

I love it. I mean I loved acting but it was one of those things that I did was I was seven or eight years old—I never really thought about it. Racecar driving was cool but it’s really stressful because you can get injured very easily and people are spending millions of dollars and counting on you to win the race and if you don’t perform well, you are going to lose your job. I just love music. I love the guys and the band and we just get along really well. We’re best friends so we enjoy being together.

So you really see yourself continuing with this in the future?

Yeah, I mean I hope people will come see us perform and download the songs so we can continue to do what we love. No matter what happens with You Hang Up specifically, I plan on being in the music world for the rest of my life. I really, really enjoy it. Even the tough stuff–the song-writing, the recording process, it’s great. No matter what it is, I want to be involved in music, for sure.

I feel like if you’re this enthusiastic about it, things can only go well for you. You know what I mean? I think the problem with some actors when they go into the music business is that they do it to change their image. But you genuinely seem like you love it.

Me specifically, I don’t even care how people look at me. I just want people to enjoy the music. I want them to be singing songs. It’s cool when people go, “Oh, it’s cool to see the band. I had no idea you were even in it. You’re the drummer?” That’s great. I think that’s so cool.