Students line up to purchase food at the O3 Marketplace, a popular dining service on campus. Photo courtesy of Rachel Steiner.

O3 is a popular dining service on campus and offers salads, soups and sandwiches made from local farm products and organic ingredients.

Students first reported this morning that the aftermath of the vandalized scene was “gory” with blood surrounding O3 as well as the pit in Reamer.

Lt. Mark McCracken of the Schenectady Police Department confirmed that there was an incident of vandalism in Reamer occurring sometime between 11:00 p.m. Saturday night and 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

McCracken explained that there is not a “dollar amount listed for the property that was damaged,” but the Retail Manager of Dutch Hollow, Starbucks and O3 Jonelle Bayer explained that, “there was a lot of damage” that required hours of cleanup since 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

McCracken confirmed that among the vandalized objects were “a computer, a cash register, a credit machine was broken, as well as glass on a food display cooler. Items were thrown around the area as well.”

“It does appear that there was broken glass and blood,” McCracken continued.

The Concordiensis has also been informed of unconfirmed rumors that O3 may be closed for quite some time following this incident.

The case is an ongoing investigation between campus safety and Schenectady police, and the Concordiensis will be updating this information as new reports come in.

Let’s break this down one statement at a time:
(1) “I would like to offer this rebuttal to the skewed view presented in Julia Hotz’s comments regarding the recent Mountebanks production in the Yulman Theater.”

-Of course my view is “skewed,” but so is yours! As is the virtue of the opinions section of a student newspaper, this article was based on (or “skewed in the direction of”) the overwhelming student opinion. It is not in the ”News” section, and I do not claim to have done factual research on this issue; rather, it was to express the student view, however “skewed” it might be.

Let us note, however, that your view is equally skewed. In this article, you list the instances that show the theatre department in a favorable light. What you do not list are the ones that don’t: the actions that the department has taken that may have incited such a sentiment that you do not support the Mountebanks.

This indicates that you are either (1) unaware of such actions or are (2) omitting them to make your argument sound better/to make mine sound fallacious (but let’s process that for a second…why would I, a student who has never had an encounter with/has no attachment to the theater department, randomly decide “Hey, you know what?! Why don’t I insult the theater department today?)

But for your sake, let’s assume the former and that you were totally blind to how you may have been unsupportive. Perhaps some research, which you have criticized my absence of, would have been appropriate! Perhaps you could have asked the Mountebanks, or asked me, where or how such a sentiment originated. Instead, this is how you handled the situation:

Fact: Upon my suggestion to meet in person to investigate my allegations and to discuss this article (which was sent via an email to the department), the theater department faculty (all five of them) failed to respond.

Instead, my private correspondence with the department (which I have now made public) was quoted in this article, without my permission.

On the subject of my email (which you can read here in the comment section http://www.concordy.com/article/opinions/may-9-2013/you-are-almost%E2%80%88union%E2%80%88how-school-policies-contradict-its-mission/6615/),

Fact: Let the record also show that Professor Patricia Culbert originally labeled it as an “apology email” throughout her article, as if to imply that I had or have something to apologize for. It was only after the Concordy staff intervened that Professor Culbert removed her label as such. A little skewed though, don’t you think?

(2) “Fact: The Drowsy Chaperone was not the college’s first musical, nor even the first musical `presented by Mountebanks.”

-Fact: As a tour guide for this college, I am instructed to advise that at Union, we “don’t do musicals,” and are instead supposed to talk about all of the wonderful dramatic productions that the theatre department has put on.

In the case you take this as Admissions’ “skewing” your position, I can distinctly remember attending a Theatre Department Information Session last winter and hearing these words “we don’t do musicals” come out of your mouth, despite your claim that “musicals and musical theater have been a significant part of this department’s offerings.”

Though this “no musical” policy often causes great disappointment and confusion on my tours, I have been conditioned to accept this FACT as both a part of my tour routine and as part of my experience at Union.

Thus, when I had gotten wind that there WOULD be a musical after being used to expressing such rhetoric on tours, I assumed, as anyone it my position would, that it was the first one! Perhaps a more accurate characterization would have been “first musical, after being conditioned to a “no musical” policy.”

However, I’d say that this point, as well as the history of “theatre department productions that include music and/or dance” is a rather irrelevant and unimportant point to harp on in your article, though you do so for the majority of it. Considering that you have titled it “In defense of the Theatre and Dance Department” (also note that I never said anything about the Dance Department in my original article), I would expect that your article would focus on defending yourselves against my PRIMARY allegations, which was not that The Drowsy Chaperone was the college’s first musical, but that your reaction to The Drowsy Chaperone was inappropriate and that you should be more encouraging of student initiative in this regard.

(3) “Hotz’s implied challenge to the department to “expand” the musical theater program is simply ludicrous in the face of the broad, eclectic, challenging and varied production history easily viewed on our department webpage.”

- Please tell me what is “simply ludicrous” about a challenge to expand a program that 1) has received enough student support to sell out every night, even with an added show, (2) has gotten attention/offerings from Proctor’s Theater (note that upon THIS offering, the theater department decided to be more cooperative) , and (3) as many of the Drowsy Chaperone cast has indicated, “made [the student’s] college careers, if not their entire life experience”? If you are truly interested in “challenging the imagination/stimulation artistic curiosity” amongst STUDENTS (I can only hope that, as a faculty paid to serve the student body, this is what you meant), then a suggestion to expand is appropriate given all the excitement about this production.

However, as two alumni’s anecdotal evidence indicates in my article’s comment section (http://www.concordy.com/article/opinions/may-9-2013/you-are-almost%E2%80%88union%E2%80%88how-school-policies-contradict-its-mission/6615/), perhaps this is not the case. Perhaps, “people are starting to realize that the shows the department puts on are not for the audience,” and rather, you might as well forget a production “that isn’t to [the theater department’s] liking and is within their artistic vision.”

(4) ”There is not another student run organization that I can think of that has the kind of faculty and facility support that Mountebanks has enjoyed.”
-I will end my rebuttal to the rebuttal on this point, though there is plenty more I could say about this article (and perhaps I will later!). From what I have heard, it is true that the theater department provided SOME DEGREE of support within the Drowsy Chaperone. As I understand it, props were used, costumes were worn and the small theater space was provided. These all constitute what I would call, and what many students would agree, is the “bare minimum” —which simply allows the department to say they support the production.

However, as evidenced by the tremendous student support, alumni confirmation, and your departmental unprofessionalism that my article generated, I can deduce that this is because there is at least SOME truth behind my claim that the theater department has been unsupportive of student initiative. At the risk of losing the “bare minimum” you provide (which I have acknowledged both in this response and in my original article) Mountebanks students would prefer not to confirm or disconfirm my article— and I 100% understand their position…I can only imagine what would happen to them if they openly agreed with such an “unfortunate statement” and supported such a “skewed” view.

Let it be known, however, both for your sake and for all readers, that at the end of the day— I hope you are right! I hope you are proud of the Mountebanks and support them in every way possible. When I see specific instances of such support, and have this confirmed by the Mountebanks, perhaps then I will “retract” my “damaging opinion.”

Until then, however, I will continue to voice my opinion, which (again, as evidenced by both the student support and alumni confirmation), seems to be that of the majority of the students. We pay an extravagant amount to attend Union College on the promise that our faculty will be “dedicated to helping us discover our passion.” For the most part, I have found this promise to be extremely fulfilling; as I mention within my original article, the professors are this college are truly one of a kind and DO go above and beyond to help us find ourselves. I am sure that there are many cases in which the theater department DOES fulfill such a promise— you wouldn’t be of “Union” caliber if you didn’t! As I mention in my email to the department, I have witnessed how you personally (Professor Culbert) have an enormous positive effect on the students, and go above and beyond in your duty, as evidenced by your assistance to the Ramee tour guide program of which I belong to.

Yet as a student, a student who PAYS her tuition to ensure that this promise of faculty dedication is upheld, I feel that I have the right to publicize the instances in which that promise is broken. I feel that, for the sake of my fellow students, I am obligated to ensure that every dollar we pay is well-spent, and that our college experience is most conducive to OUR collective potential.

Courtesy of Andy Iorio

Laureate Jenna Langhans ‘13, a Dance minor, is the 2013 Edward Villella Fellowship recipient.

This honor is granted each year to a student who demonstrates a dedication to and excellence in dance. It allows the selected student to study with professional dance companies all over the globe, including but not limited to Brooklyn’s Mark Morris Dance Center and the Kyoto Art Center in Japan.

During her time at Union, Langhans has participated in many performances through the dance department. Last term, she performed original choreography in the winter dance show, “Circling Beginnings.”

Langhans is also a member of the Union College Dance Team, which often performs at games and other major campus events.

Langhans will be pursuing a summer internship with The Rockettes at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Funded by Student Forum and catered by Dining Services, Lobsterfest is a yearly treat for students that began as Dining Service’s “Thank-You” to students on the meal plan.

Student Forum budgets around $10,000 for Lobsterfest, and Student Forum President Justin Reilly ‘13 explained that “the overall cost of Lobsterfest is driven by the market price of lobster at the time we purchase them.”

Dining Services takes bids from wholesale lobster distributors, such as Sysco and Kraft Foods, and chooses the most competitive bidder to supply the lobster to the students. Director of Operations for Dining Services Callie Stacey explained that “we’ll be ordering over 1,000 lobsters this year.”

Stacey continues, “The lobsters will be cooked at West, and are steamed for approximately 15 minutes.” Food connoisseurs prefer steaming their lobsters, as it preserves the ocean fresh taste while keeping the meat juicy and tender.

For those concerned about the lobster’s sensation while being steamed alive, know that they have a very simple nervous system that does not process pain.

Weather permitting, Lobsterfest will be held outside on the Reamer Patio on Friday, May 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m..  It will move inside if the weather does not permit outside festivities.

In response to student demands, Student Forum will also be supplying twice as many Lobsterfest T-shirts as last year. These free T-shirts will be given to the first 400 students in line.

The Annual Fund is designed to help the College meet its most critical needs that would otherwise go unfunded. Gifts donated to the Annual Fund go to immediate use, fostering and fortifying growth in student life. Scholarships, study abroad opportunities, and student clubs and organizations are programs directly benefited from this generosity. It is difficult to find a student on campus that has not benefitted in some way from these programs.

We are not asking seniors to donate aimlessly to the Senior Class Gift, but would like to educate them on how they can continue to support the student body.  As graduating seniors, this is your first chance to give back to Union and help bolster the extraordinary opportunities that you have been afforded.

Senior Class Gifts often took a physical form, like the 1997 Clock in front of Reamer Campus Center, or the walk way in Jackson’s Garden.  Over the past few years, in working with facilities, there has be a conscious effort to move away from the physical to the sustainable. Today, the Senior Class Gift is put to use in the most important way possible: to our fellow students, through the Annual Fund. This is the way most of the alumni decide to give back.

Here is a list of some of the Senior Class Gifts: 2003 Minerva Plaque in front of Memorial Chapel, 2004 renovation of the Reamer Campus Center, 2005 Outside Classroom behind Schaffer Library, 2006 Digital Billboard in Reamer Campus Center (8 percent participation), 2007 Fireplace in Reamer Campus Center (74 percent participation), 2008 The Sustainability Fund (86 percent participation), 2009 Annual Scholarship Fund (70 percent participation), 2010 Jury Burrel Park Renovation (55 percent participation), 2011 99th Annual Fund (18 percent participation), 2012 100th Annual Fund (68% percent participation).

The Class of 2013 has benefitted from four years of abundant student life on campus thanks to the generosity and dedication of the classes before them.  It is now a privilege to help extend these same opportunities to the Classes of 2014, 2015 and 2016.

There are also programs in which we steward and educate current seniors on the importance of giving back. These include Senior Night at Chet’s, Senior Wine and Cheese, and “Last Call” event during senior week. The class of 2013 is ahead of 2012 in terms of participation at this time last year. Also, out of generosity, an anonymous board of trustee member will match their gift so far, dollar for dollar.

The game will continue through tomorrow, May 17, and involves a few select zombies “feeding” on human participants in order to eliminate all humans from the game. The game began with an “original zombie” being selected at 6 a.m. on Monday, From then on, zombies begin tagging humans in an attempt to convert them into zombies.

Once a human is tagged, he or she officially becomes a zombie 15 minutes later and begins attacking other humans still in the game.

Zombies must tag humans to eliminate them; however, humans may use either sock “grenades” or Nerf guns in order to assist them in stunning zombies. If a zombie is stunned, he or she is unable to convert any humans for 30 minutes.

While there are many places to convert a human into a zombie, there are specified safe zones where no fighting can occur. These include any personal rooms (not including common rooms), bathrooms, administrative buildings and within all academic buildings.

While these areas are considered safe havens, the moderators of the game encourage participants to not change their daily routine because of the game.

The moderators of the game also hold missions throughout the course of the competition, during which kills do not count toward the regular game.

Each participant in the missions will have a grace period both before and after a mission begins in order to arrive and depart from the mission site without being easily tagged by a zombie.

While friends cannot aid a participant in avoiding zombies, traveling in groups is a common event among humans to stay alive.

The Humans vs. Zombies website shows that there are 338 participants in this year’s event.  The moderators encourage all participants to have fun and be safe and smart. And, they emphasize, “No argyle socks … seriously.”

Students have the tendency to leave their belongings around campus unattended, making them subject to theft.
Trevor Martin | Concordiensis

In June of 1971, Union was at the forefront of what the Times Union dubbed the “Capital Region’s greatest art heist.” On a graduation day in June, a thief robbed Union’s library of a volume of one of the rarest books in America, John James Audobon’s “Birds of America.” In December of 2011, “Birds of America” was the most expensive book ever sold at $11.5 million. The case of Union’s stolen volume has forever remained a mystery, earning the college a place in the Capital Region’s history.

Where does the scene of a notorious theft now stand? Forty-two years later, Union has yet to experience an instance of theft on par with the legendary Audobon heist.

Nevertheless, Union presently has its fair share of theft, albeit minute in comparison to the Audobon incident. Union’s current status pertaining to theft ranges from the theft of personal items to instances of stolen goods from places like Dining Services, the book store and outside vendors, such as the Bella U jewelry vendor, that sell their merchandise in Reamer.

“There are more thefts this year than last year at this time,” Campus Safety Director Christopher Hayen said. He continued, however, to say that if the type of theft is broken down to “the electronics it’s pretty much the same, the backpacks it’s pretty much the same, the textbooks it’s pretty much the same” as past years. This year, the random thefts of property such as the school’s portraits and artwork have increased; “Shenanigans,” as Hayen called them.

Aside from alcohol violations, theft is the number one offense committed by students on campus, according to Hayen.

Trish Giova Jenkins, owner of Bella U, has been selling her jewelry and accessories in the Reamer Campus Center for about nine years. Jenkins also sells her goods at other small liberal arts colleges similar to Union, but noted that she experiences theft “less so” at other colleges than she has at Union.

Jenkins personally crafts some of her jewelry in addition to traveling around the world to places like Thailand, Nepal and Mexico to attain mostly handmade jewelry that she sells in the states.

For Jenkins, the theft that she has experienced at Union is largely personal. “It’s hard not to take it personal. They don’t realize that they’re stealing from a small, woman-owned business. Not that stealing from anybody is okay, but for me, it’s definitely personal,” she said.

Jenkins was specifically confronted with theft last year at Union when two upperclassmen pulled her aside and let her know that somebody was stealing something from one of her tables. Jenkins claims that she does personally witness theft at her tables when she sells in Reamer, but she maintains that such instances typically result from a small percentage of students and do not spoil the positive experiences she’s had at Union.

“I think that, by far, the majority of the students are honest. It’s just something that goes along with the type of business I have,” Jenkins explains.

Director of Dining Services David Gaul expressed a similar sentiment with the belief that theft in areas within Dining Services is a normal occurrence that essentially comes with the nature of the business.

“It’s par for business. We haven’t seen anything that’s out of the ordinary that separates us from any other business locally, your traditional restaurants, so on so forth,” he stated.

However, Gaul points out that, “we have had some issues with customers who have tried to circumvent the system and have either taken something or eaten something in line and not paid for it when cashing out.”

The most commonly stolen items, according to Gaul, are bottled drinks, which can be concealed in backpacks.

Debbie Salsbury, a Dining Services employee, remarked that theft is commonplace on a busy day in Dutch—“It’s an everyday occurrence when we are busy. I’ve seen people steal drinks, food from the salad bar, Red Bull and even pizza!”

It appears, then, that theft at Union is simply something that goes hand in hand with business. Though it does not seem to be a major issue, according to faculty members in the school, one student pointed out that Union’s cases of theft, particularly with student culprits, are disappointing to the community.

President of the class of 2014 Ankur Shah noted, “I think at a school like Union, where we just signed the honor code, it is just plain wrong that this happens.”

But there are some students doing their part to prevent theft. Schaffer Library’s Head of Access Services Robyn Reed recounted a story about a couple of students who reported a young man trying to put their friend’s laptop into his backpack. “We called Campus Safety and they came,” she said. This is the library’s protocol for serious theft. Items that are caught by the censored gate at the front doors are treated differently. “If it’s a book or article or something like that we will give that person, whether it’s a student or a community [member] the benefit of the doubt,” Reed said.

Treasurer and Secretary of the class of 2016, Seth Cohen, commented on the possible origins of theft at Union. “I think that, while many students at Union are not privileged, the stereotype of a wealthy student body has found a home at Union for a reason. While not all privileged people disrespect others’ property, I think that Jared Zeidman said it best, paraphrasing ‘It tends to be the more privileged students who rip down posters in the dorms, because the poorer students usually have a better sense for the amount of work that goes into the finished product,’” he said.

However, Cohen believes that Union’s campus and students do not “have a greater proclivity towards theft or mistreatment of property than the rest of the world.”

The fondest memory from campus for Shilp Darivemula ‘13 include the One Billion Rising flash-mob of over 100 students in Reamer Campus Center, which she referred to as one of the major highlights of her Union career.

“It was a moment where we were outside of ourselves, our comfort zone and our Union bubbles, and were connected with the outside world in unity,” said Darivemula. “This dance was performed on Valentine’s Day around the world to fight against gender violence against women. It was incredibly humbling and exhilarating.”

From guest speakers like the Unabomber’s brother on the death penalty, to the annual Steinmetz Symposium, to her own experience in “Anamika”—an anti human trafficking dance performance—Darivemula has been blown away by the moments that have inspired her during her time at Union.

“To underclassmen, cherish your highs and embrace the lows and take each moment, each mistake, each win for what it is—just a small moment in a bigger picture—because these experiences, this learning, both good and bad, is what averages out into the ‘best years of your life,’” said Darivemula. “Take a chance, try something new, and be a part of this vibrant Union community.”

As a winner of the 2013 Watson Fellowship, Darivemula will take a year after graduation to travel the world studying dance and healing before attending Albany Medical School.

For Shawn Tangnavarad ‘13, a member of the Dutch Pipers, his first year singing a cappella at ReUnion Weekend sticks out in his mind.

“We were singing at CPH to the class of 1975, when five members of the Pipers of ‘75 stepped out of the crowd and made us sound like the reject reel for American Idol,” said Tangnavarad.

In addition to all the inspiring moments, Tangnavarad is grateful for the times when he seized the moment to have fun and make a memory.

During his sophomore year, for instance, when he and his friends looked out of their windows at 9 a.m., saw two feet of snow, and took a sick day to high-tail it to Jiminy Peak for a full day of skiing.

Like most college students entering the work force, Tangnavarad is starting small after graduation, but he plans to involve himself in sustainable energy, with the dream of one day owning his very own Fortune 500 Company.

“I would encourage underclassmen to never be afraid of doing something awesome or epic. If you want to build a boat for Springfest, do it. This school is famous for its engineers,” said Tangnavarad. “Have fun. Be safe, but also remember that you’re only young once. Oh and go abroad. Specifically New Zealand. New Zealand’s great.”

Spring term is the most sentimental and active term for seniors, as they do as many things and attend as many events as possible in the limited amount of time they have left.

Parties are in full swing, tons of senior theses have been presented at Steinmetz and seniors attend their final Springfest. They also get to attend fun “senior specific” events, such as Wine and Cheese Night.

As their final spring term comes to a close with graduation just around the bend, seniors are bracing themselves for many bittersweet goodbyes, including to professors and friends and to the Nott, a building that has been the subject of their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram photos and lives for the past four years.

Pictured above is the world’s first fully printed gun, “The Liberator.”
Courtesy of Forbes.com

A gun you can make with a printer, an idea that once seemed ludicrous, is now a reality.

Using a three-dimensional printer, Defense Distributed was able to print the world’s first gun made using only a printer.

Defense Distributed, a company founded in July 2012, is making headlines for its new invention.

But who are they? According to their website, defdist.org, “Defense Distributed is a pending 501(c)(3) status nonprofit corporation in the state of Texas, organized and operated exclusively for charitable and literary purposes.”

As far as a specific purpose, Defense distributed claims that their goal is “to defend the civil liberty of popular access to arms as guaranteed by the United States Constitution and affirmed by the United States Supreme court, through facilitating global access to, and the collaborative production of, information and knowledge related to the 3-D printing of arms: and to publish and distribute, at no cost to the public, such information and knowledge in promotion of the public interest.”

This is not Defense Distributed’s first product, however. The company has already made magazines for the AR-15 and AK-47 using 3-D printing, however, this newest development is the company’s most substantial thus far.

The gun, called “The Liberator,” is a .380 caliber single shot pistol. Pursuant to Defense Distributed’s self-proclaimed purpose, blueprints for the gun were made free to download online on the company’s publishing site: DEFCAD.

The gun was created by a 3-D printer, a printer that takes a three-dimensional image and then re-creates the image by adding layer after layer of plastic, until the model is fully recreated.

While the gun was created by a higher-end model costing $8,000 rather than the more commonly owned 3-D printers costing anywhere upwards of $200, a controversy has begun nonetheless.

It was only four days after the blueprint’s release that the United States Department of State ordered that Defense Distributed remove the blueprints from their site in pursuance to possible violations of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

DEFCAD’s site now displays the following message on its homepage: “DEFCAD files are being removed from public access at the request of the US Department of Defense Trade Controls. Until further notice, the United States government claims control of the information.”

The information is being removed from public access due to ITAR.

The United States government claims that the blueprint can be harmful if in the hands of non-citizens, and as a result must be restricted from public access completely.

However, Defense Distributed insists it is in the right, in accordance with ITAR.

The company alleges that its entire setup was designed to not be in violation of ITAR, insisting that “Our gun operations were registered with ITAR … [United States government] are stalling, they are going to make this review last as long as they can … They are getting a lot of political pressure” to BBC news this past week.

So, with Defense Distributed dealing with a federal review, what is happening with the blueprints? A lot.

Other online sharing sites have opened their doors to the forbidden-blueprints to an avalanche of downloads.

Many file-sharing sites have made the blueprints available; most notably “The Pirate Bay” which says it not only welcomes the blueprints, but has no intention of taking the files down.

The blueprint was downloaded over 100,000 times before being taken down from DEFCAD’s site, and has most likely been far more downloaded since it’s re-distribution through The Pirate Bay, as well as other sites.

Some believe that the U.S. government’s removal of the blueprint is what has sparked such an increase in downloads.

On Reddit, the self-proclaimed “front page of the Internet,” one user, grinr, commented “‘Just delete it off the Internet’ said everyone who has not one clue how the Internet works.”

And while the United States government oversees the view of the blueprint and its legality, there is undoubtedly going to be legislative action on the subject of 3-D printing, if not on the subject of printed weapons specifically.

However, Cody R. Wilson believes he and his company are in the right.

“There are states all over the world outside of the United States that say we are a gun control state; you can’t own a firearm, that’s not true anymore. I’m seeing a world where technology basically says you can have whatever you want” said Defense Distributed’s Wilson to BBC News.

Wilson went on to tell BBC about why he and his company will continue to pursue 3-D printing firearms, “I recognize that the tool could be used to hurt other people, that’s what it is, it’s a gun, but I don’t think that’s a reason to not do it, or a reason to not put it out there, I think liberty in the end is a better interest.”

While this is the first major controversey, 3-D printing is expected to have many hurdles ahead of it.

Governments fear the printer’s ability to make weapons, and companies are becoming increasingly worried that 3-D printers will be able to re-create products like smartphones, mp3 players, computers and more.

Three-dimentional printing has already revolutionized the way manufacturing companies test prototypes, and the printers are only becoming cheaper and more efficient as time goes on.

This is the beginning of a new kind of cyber war; as three dimensional printers become more efficient and more present in households, governments and companies will seek to censor what is and what isn’t allowed. The advent of the 3-D printable gun has started that war off with a bang.

Jodi Arias in court as the guilty verdict was reached in Arizona.                                      Courtesy of abcnews.com

The trial and conviction of California native Jodi Arias became somewhat of a media circus for its four-month duration.

Arias was tried for the murder of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander which occurred on June 4, 2008.

Alexander was found in his Arizona home, with a slit throat; he had suffered a gunshot wound to the head as well as multiple stab wounds.

Suspicious evidence was discovered leading police to arrest Arias as their prime suspect.

This evidence included deleted, provocative photographs of Alexander and Arias taken the night of the murder as well as her DNA at the crime scene.

Arias, however, claimed to have not seen Alexander since April, despite this evidence.

Arias’ story continued to change throughout the trial, keeping the media focused on her confusing testimonies. Crowds gathered inside and out of the courthouse where Arias was tried, making her trial appear in media headlines for weeks.

The dramatic nature of Alexander’s death touches upon themes which incited the crowds: sex, revenge, murder and lies.

Jodi Arias, a former model, has often been ridiculed about her looks by the public, causing controversy with some people’s opinion that “beautiful people are exempt from moral law.”

In her ever-evolving testimony, which included graphic questioning regarding her sex life, Arias claimed that her violent actions were only in self-defense after an attack from Alexander.

In opposition to these claims, on May 8, 2013, after a 15-hour deliberation, the jury found Arias guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Travis Alexander.

The verdict does not come as a surprise, as it became more obvious that Arias was guilty with the  progression of the trial.

Yesterday, on May 15, the phase of the trial began which brings aggravation into account.

This phase, after being postponed from its original May 9 date, will determine Arias’ fate: life in prison or the death penalty.

Interestingly, Arias has said that she would prefer the death penalty, stating after the annoucement of the verdict that death is the “ultimate freedom.”

This next phase is likely to accompany similar media attention as the initial trial as we wait to hear what will become of this formerly unheard-of woman turned household name.

A Lifetime movie about the Jodi Arias murder conviction is already in production.

With a strong and focused core of 13 upperclassmen, seven seniors and six juniors who have played together for at least two seasons and a coaching staff that has worked into its groove, the team had the leadership and poise to execute throughout the season.

Leading the way this season as captains were left-handed pitcher and outfielder Phil Kemp ‘13, infielder Dylan Katz-Wicks ‘13, outfielder Tyler Heck ‘13, and catcher David Peretti ‘14. Heck had a remarkable senior season, as he finished as Liberty League Player of the Year, while being ranked 18th nationally in steals and setting the tone for the team in several offensive categories, which include batting average (.415), home runs (3), RBI’s (26), walks (15) and on-base percentage (.500).

Kemp also had a solid season, being awarded Liberty League Honorable Mention and registering the most strikeouts on the squad with 46. Peretti was named to the Liberty League second team with a .279 batting average with 24 RBI’s, 14 walks and six stolen bases.

Along with captains, other critical players to the team’s success included Dane O’Neil ‘14, who was named Liberty League Pitcher of the Year with a 6-1 record as a starter and had an ERA of 1.12 while holding opposing batters to a .208 average. Another notable Liberty League second team honoree is Vincent Esposito ‘14, who compiled a .412 average while hitting a pair of home runs and 18 RBI’s in the leadoff spot for the Dutchmen.

Pitcher Seth Roberts ‘13, was named to the Liberty League honorable mention and held the second-lowest earned run average among all the pitchers for Union with an average of 1.42. These Liberty League recognized pitchers, along with catcher Peretti, were the main reason why the pitching staff had one of the lowest ERAs in Division III ball at 2.27.

“I think the difference for our squad this year is that we had a group of guys that were really focused on winning,” said Peretti. “Things clicked, and we were able to go out and just [win games].”

With these remarkable accolades, including coach Paul Mound, who was named Liberty League Coach of the Year, Union headed into the Liberty League tournament for the first time since 2003 as the number one seed.

In a double-elimination style of play, where each team is guaranteed to play at least two games, Union began the tournament against No. 4 Vassar (17-18-1 overall, 12-14 conference) at Siena Field Thursday afternoon.

Union and Vassar headed into extra-innings after Heck tied the game running in the lone score during the fourth inning. Vassar took an early lead of 2-1 into the top of the 10th. Outfielder, Sam Caruso ‘14 led off the bottom of the inning with an infield single.

Third baseman, Joe Bradlee ‘14 bunted him over to second, and second baseman Anders Goetz ‘15 walked. A passed ball put the runners at second and third, setting the stage for Esposito, who singled to right. After Caruso scored to tie the contest, Goetz scored on a close play at the plate to cap the comeback victory. The game developed into a pitching duel, and fortunately for the Dutchmen, O’Neil outlasted the opponent.

In the second day of tournament play, the Dutchmen split its pair of games. In its first contest against No. 2-ranked RPI (25-13 overall, and 16-19 conference), the team struggled.

With the game tied 1-1, the Engineers scored six runs in the top of the fourth inning to take control and chase Kemp from the ballgame. A hit-by-pitch, single and error on a sacrifice by Kemp loaded the bases with no one out to start the inning. The Dutchmen never made a formidable run and lost 8-1.

Union bounced back in its second game against Vassar later that day. With Union leading 3-1 after seven innings, their opponents loaded the bases and there were two outs in the top of the eighth. But Caruso made a diving catch in center field to end the inning and the threat. Roberts improved to 6-1 with a five hit performance in eight innings. He allowed one earned run and struck out three. After the crucial out by Caruso, the team cruised on to win the game 6-1.

Going into the final day of the tournament, only the No. 1 Union and No. 2 RPI remained. On Sunday, if Union had won two against RPI, the team would have captured its first Liberty League tournament title.

“We need to go in tomorrow and win two,” said Heck. “We owe it to ourselves after what an incredible season we had. There is nothing more that I could want than go out my senior year with the Liberty League crown.”

Unfortunately, things went differently for the regular season champs. The Engineers got to freshman pitcher, Jamie Faber ‘16, early in the first inning as they went up 3-0.

Union could not capitalize in the bottom of the third when it had runners in scoring position at second and third bases with Heck at the plate.

Missed opportunities on the offensive and defensive ends, something quite uncharacteristic to the Dutchmen’s dominant season, cost Union the game, and unfortunately, its season as well.

Although the baseball team did not finish in the manner it wanted to, they should not be disappointed by their results.

The team had an historic season, setting new records for the ball club and their future looks bright. Even without the league title, the seven seniors will certainly have great memories from their accomplishments this past season to take with them.

Courtesy of examiner.com

While not an entirely faithful adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, published in 1925, Baz Luhrmann’s latest film is entertaining in its own right and well worth seeing.

Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the mysterious titular character and gives an impressive, captivating performance. He effectively guides Jay Gatsby through his evolution from an elusive, Oz-like figure to a charming, if shady, socialite to an utterly broken man, torn apart by his inability to repeat the past.

Though Luhrmann’s Gatsby differs somewhat from Fitzgerald’s, DiCaprio commits to the character written for him. His New York accent is awkward and unconvincing, but this apparent flaw in his performance instead serves his character well; Gatsby’s manner of speech is an affectation consistent with his entire self-reinvention.

Having also adapted the screenplay, Luhrmann portrays Gatsby as more sympathetic than Fitzgerald may have intended. While in the novel Gatsby’s desire for Daisy Buchanan seems to stem more from her worth than any true love for her—narrator Nick Carraway observes that her voice is full of money, a line omitted from the film—Luhrmann’s Gatsby undoubtedly pines for Daisy out of sincere adoration. Here, these characters act as a more traditional Hollywood couple; Gatsby, pure of heart, becomes a tragic romantic hero when Daisy ultimately rejects him in favor of her husband, Tom.

Much of the rest of the cast delivers solid performances. None of the actors appear horribly miscast, though none embody their characters in the same way DiCaprio fully becomes Gatsby.

Carey Mulligan plays Daisy, Gatsby’s youthful lover, as flaky and bored as her literary counterpart. Joel Edgerton plays the snobby, adulterous Tom; both Mulligan and Edgerton are convincing enough in their portrayals of Daisy and Tom, though neither steals the show.

Tobey Maguire plays Nick Carraway, and in what seems to be an effort to include much of the novel’s elegant prose in the film, Nick writes the story of Gatsby as a means of recovering from his traumatic experiences in East Egg, West Egg and the Valley of Ashes. Like Mulligan and Edgerton, Maguire’s performance as Nick is pleasant but unremarkable.

The Great Gatsby is visually stunning, bringing the “Roaring ‘20s” into 2013 with elaborate special effects, vivid set design and outrageous costumes. The film seems to rely heavily on CGI—even the actors appear to be created this way at certain points throughout the movie—giving it an even glossier feel in keeping with the gilded nature of this time period. This exuberance is characteristic of Luhrmann’s style, since he also directed the ornate Romeo + Juliet (1996), in which DiCaprio starred opposite Claire Danes, and Moulin Rouge! (2001).

Scored by Jay-Z, the soundtrack to The Great Gatsby blends 1920s jazz with contemporary pop, rock and hip-hop, including a cover of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” by Emeli Sandé and the Bryan Ferry Orchestra, set to both horns and synthesizer. This enhances the reckless, exhilarating tone of the film; the scenes at Gatsby’s mansion often have the feel of a glorified frat party.

Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful” serves as the love theme for Gatsby and Daisy, featured in different forms—sometimes instrumental, sometimes a jazzy party tune—throughout the film as the two lovers rekindle their long-dormant relationship. While its earnestness may not suit Fitzgerald’s couple, it perfectly expresses Luhrmann’s Gatsby’s persisting love for Daisy.

Luhrmann takes on an admittedly Herculean task in adapting Fitzgerald’s novel, easily one of the best and most complex pieces of American literature ever written. While it flounders as a faithful retelling of its source material, Luhrmann’s bold directorial choices suggest that this may not have been his intention in the first place. Using Fitzgerald’s story and characters, he tells a modern tale of greed and betrayal. As a film independent of the book on which it is based, The Great Gatsby is compelling from start to finish.

Baz Lurhmann’s film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel is fast, fresh and fun. With a unique soundtrack set to beautifully crafted and colorful scenes, The Great Gatsby is Lurhmann’s wildest ride thus far.

The same is true for the fashions in the film. With Lurhmann’s wife and Academy Award-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin at the helm, the couple presents a contemporary audience with the glitz and glam of the 1920s.

“The book is set in 1922, it was published in 1925 and it foreshadows the Great Depression,” said Martin in an interview with the Oakland Press. “We felt we could use anything within the decade.”

Accordingly, the film showcases trends and styles from throughout the period, especially classic ‘20s trends like beads, feathers, fringe, tweed, pearls and diamonds.

The jewelry was designed specifically for the film by Tiffany & Co., which was unveiled at the Fifth Avenue flagship store in April. It includes pieces inspired by the excess of the period with a touch of Art Deco flair. This collection is by far one of the company’s greatest achievements.

“The jewelry symbolizes the story’s themes of wealth and privilege, and we approached its design with the utmost style and luxury in mind,” said Tiffany & Co. Executive Vice President Jon King to JCK Magazine.

Daisy Buchanan, played by Carey Mulligan, wears one of the most stunning pieces from the collection in the film: a headpiece called The Savoy, inspired by Native American design. It is comprised of diamonds and freshwater pearls in platinum with a detachable brooch, priced at $200,000. Along with the headpiece, Daisy wears a tasseled pearl necklace and earrings made of conch pearls and diamonds in platinum. These pieces radiate throughout the film and embody Luhrmann and Martin’s Jazz Age.

Additionally, Brooks Brothers released a limited-edition menswear line in April inspired by The Great Gatsby. Though not every ensemble is worn in the film, Brooks Brothers did manufacture about 500 outfits for it. The line was handcrafted by Martin, in keeping with her ultimate vision for the film. This line boasts Art Deco-inspired suits, ties and accessories. From tuxedos that could be worn to Gatsby’s lavish parties to Nick’s tweed work suits, the collection has it all. While it is modeled after suave 1920s styles, the pieces in the collection are highly versatile and appropriate for contemporary men.

Costume is of extreme importance for Luhrmann when crafting a world that will inspire audiences. His treatment of the “Roaring 20s” is fresh, and this, coupled with Martin’s fashions, is a match made in sartorial heaven.

Jessica Doran ’13 (left), the Editor Emeritus of 807 Union Street.
Jessica Doran | Concordiensis

As a senior approaching graduation, it is easy to say that I will miss Union and all that it has offered me in the last four years. As a senior in high school, I wrote a senior reflection for the newspaper that included a lament of the “last times” that we will experience in one place.

Looking back, this approach was not just sappy, but indicative of my naïveté. Reflecting, it shows how much one place can change you.

My perspective has changed immensely in four years. Whereas in high school there was a strong, almost necessary desperation to “make memories,” now there is no pressure.

Life at Union is progressing daily, but the memories that are being made aren’t forced. They are born out of a daily desire to make the most of my time here, but comfort in knowing that this place will live on and continue to serve me in my future.

I leave Union with a degree, but also with a level of confidence that I most certainly did not have leaving high school. This can be attributed to the passage of time as well, but also to the people who surround me here. Genuine, goodhearted, and loyal people are what I have found here. They have contributed to my successes and have supported me along the way.

Editing 807 Union Street offered me a number of these successes. My co-editor, Matt Olson ‘15, and I, continued a longstanding tradition of the celebration of Union activities and happenings, with a special focus on Schenectady and its history and appeal. I hope that in focusing on these positive aspects of where we go to school, we were able to harbor and inspire an appreciation for what is offered to student’s here.

807 Union Street also posed a challenge for me. Garnering interest is a difficult task, and we have strived each week to put out a product that makes people interested in what we write about. Interest to write for the section in particular is often low, but has increased in recent times, and I hope to see a progression in the amount of student interest in the section.

The Concordiensis is a special part of this school, and holds a special place in my heart. I hope that just as it has served me as an outlet and a creative adventure, it continues on as such. My contribution lies in making people want to read the paper, and take interest in U.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who recently said that Roe v. Wade wasn’t “woman-centered” enough.
Courtesy of the Chicago Tribune

Some people are pro-life, others are pro-choice. We like to say we’re pro-abortion. We are taking the same side as pro-choicers, but distinguish from them because they base their arguments on “women’s rights,” but in reality, when women are given the right to choose, those who receive the most benefits are not just the women but also the children that would otherwise be born into the United States’ economy.

The pro-lifers believe that they are making an effort to protect the rights of the fetus—the rights to live a life, so to say. But they are not concerned with the life of an unwanted child.

Promoting abortions obviously grants the mothers the rights they deserve, yet it also protects the otherwise-to-be-born babies from a life of potential and probable suffering and misery.

According to the Donohue-Levitt hypothesis, “Crime began to fall roughly 18 years after abortion legalization. The five states the allowed abortion in 1970 experienced declines earlier than the rest of the nation, which legalized in 1973 with Roe v. Wade.”

In other words, these unwanted babies are more likely to live a life of crime. When unplanned pregnancies happen to families suffering from poverty in the inner city, often the fathers are nowhere to be found soon after their birth.

The mothers, who likely will drop out of school early because of the unplanned pregnancies, are left alone with babies, likely no jobs, no education and most likely receiving welfare checks.

Their kids are more likely to go through a vicious cycle—depending only on welfare and not as able to contribute to society.

This inner-city youth problem has become increasingly problematic. The mothers are not the ones to be blamed, but the system in place that denied them the option to reject a responsibility that they couldn’t really afford.

After all, most such cases happened when the mothers themselves were still kids.

This yields a message to the Republicans, who, by being pro-life, are contradicting their own overall fiscal policies and goals. As argued above, the unplanned births resulted from their pro-life endeavors add huge burden to the families, which are likely to be struggling financially in the first place.

Republicans are well known for trying hard to reduce “government handouts,” which we really couldn’t argue against.

Families with newborn children they cannot afford are practically requiring more welfare benefits provided by the government. If these narrow-minded Republicans stop their stubbornness and instead begin promoting, or better yet subsidizing abortions, not only will the otherwise mothers-to-be be better off, but the Republicans themselves will be able to reach their economic goals.

Nevertheless, reducing welfare (by subsidizing abortions), which now accounts for a whopping 11 percent of the United States’ budget, regardless of political standpoint, should be on everyone’s agenda.

The stigma against abortion is not only unjust to those unplanned parents and children, it is also economically dangerous. The United States should invest heavily in Planned Parenthood. We need to make sure that government subsidizes condoms, safe sex education and even last-minute abortions to those around the country. There are too many unwanted babies who are subjects to the welfare state and victims themselves.

We need to stop this now. We should not be celebrating new life in this country. This concept should not just be thrust onto underprivileged families but a message to families from all socioeconomic backgrounds:  having kids is a selfish act.

If you want kids in your family and are fortunate enough to be able to provide them with a suitable life, go adopt some. There are plenty of wonderful kids around the country who could use a parent or two, straight or gay. Currently, the United States does not need a one-child policy, like the one in place in China, since the population is not yet a problem.

Cutting down the population will slow down the environmental damage our ridiculously high level of energy consumption has on the world.

The average American  consumes five times more energy than the global average. In addition, unemployment will fall, since there will be fewer people in the workforce, crime will fall and welfare spending will be reduced. No more unwanted babies.

Why call ourselves pro-abortioners and not pro-choicers. Because we’re proud of abortions.

While Ms. Hotz was quick to send the department faculty an e-mail with assurances that this article was only a “personal opinion” based on “hearsay,” and a “general sentiment” from, as she states: “who knows where/how it originated,” the article does read as a factual report of “truth” unless countered with real facts.

Fact: The Drowsy Chaperone was not the college’s first musical, nor even the first musical presented by Mountebanks. Past department productions have included Cabaret and Pippin, as well as numerous plays that include music and/or dance, albeit not in the “tradition” of blockbuster Broadway shows. Among these, I could list some recent theatre and dance department productions: Waiting for Lefty, Peter Pan and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Of course, our annual Winter Dance concert offers tremendous dance opportunities, and in recent years has featured singers and paid professional musicians as an integral part of the performance.

The current department production in rehearsal is a “musical entertainment” for which demanding vocal and dance talent has been cast—a number of the cast are current members of the Mountebanks organization and appeared in or worked on The Drowsy Chaperone. The musical director is a paid professional as is the department’s frequent practice.

Hotz has also failed to research works presented by the student theater club. The fact is that Mountebanks spent a number of years producing original musicals and a well-received production of The Fantasticks, which was presented on the main stage. If that isn’t major departmental support, I don’t know what is!

Musicals and musical theater have been a significant part of this department’s offerings even while our department mission seeks to provide a broader, more complex artistic environment and viewpoint. Our mission states, in part, that we “encourage academic excellence and engage students in inquiry and experiences that develop risk taking, collaborative skills and critical judgment which are essential tools for every profession.

Our historical, theoretical and technique courses along with our seasonal productions reflect these goals, and offer an exploration of a variety of performance genres from many cultures.” Hotz’s implied challenge to ­­the department to “expand” the musical theater program is simply ludicrous in the face of the broad, eclectic, challenging and varied production history easily viewed on our department webpage.

Fact: The department of theatre and dance was and has always been highly supportive of Mountebanks and their work. The department offers the use of theater space, equipment, props and costumes upon request and scheduling. Members of the department meet regularly with Mountebanks leadership and/or production crews as requested for advice, scheduling and logistics.

Faculty have worked directly on productions as requested for design and technical needs as well as for artistic needs. In the past, I have personally worked on Mountebanks’ productions as a dialect coach or to give directing notes, as requested by Mountebanks’ production teams. I cannot imagine where Hotz has gotten her information that the faculty were “quite critical and hesitant to offer their support.” This is a blatantly untrue and an unfortunate statement to present in an “opinion” article. While it is evident that our support is very much with Mountebanks as noted above, it is also true that the theater facility is a busy and booked performance and teaching space. But while the Mountebanks organization does not enjoy unlimited use of the facility without advance bookings or consideration of the teaching and technical scheduling of the department, they do receive a great deal more support than would be normally offered to a student club.

There is not another student run organization that I can think of that has the kind of faculty and facility support that Mountebanks has enjoyed.

Have a look at local college theater departments and you will find that student theater are not even allowed in the theater buildings or to use theater department equipment!

Fact: The theatre and dance department IS proud of student artistic accomplishment on this campus. While our main stage production season does not currently offer the opportunity for the student theater club to book productions in the large space, nor do we need to “expand the musical theater program” beyond our broad departmental mission, we DO offer expertise and assistance in every way possible, contrary to Hotz’s claim. In response to student interest, a theatre and dance department course in Musical Theater was developed some years ago and offered regularly. The faculty have highly praised Lucas Rivers’ production of The Drowsy Chaperone as well as the performance company. Most of the faculty attended the performances and spent time post-performance in extensive verbal praise to the company, individually and collectively.

To claim, as this article does, that this department does not support or produce musicals is a flat inaccuracy. To call The Drowsy Chaperone a “musical debacle” or to state that the theatre and dance department “violates” the mission of Union is an insult to the extra attention, time, support and praise that this department freely offers this independent student club. Ms. Hotz’s damaging “opinion” should be retracted in its entirety.

Finishing his tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen J. Large has declared his retirement and will be leaving the company at the end of this month.

Stepping up to take his place is Frank A. Bozich, a graduate of the University of Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in chemistry.

Bozich’s résumé includes leadership positions at corporations such as The Dow Chemical Company, Croda Adhesives, Inc. and Engelhard Corporation.  He also founded his own business, Apex Adhesives, which was sold to Croda in 1993.

The SI Group is a staple business in Schenectady with locations on Balltown Road and in the Rotterdam Mall.  The business is conducted out of 20 locations in 10 countries around the world.  Founder W. Howard Wright began as a chemist at General Electric and worked with colleagues such as Thomas Edison and Charles Steinmetz.

His consistent success with synthesizing adhesive materials and General Electric’s growing demand for the product prompted him to start his own business in order to provide for General Electric.

SI Group has remained involved in the Schenectady community through its positive relationship with Union.  Making an effort to actively recruit students, the company has been present at multiple career fairs hosted by the Becker Career Center.

Although the sciences are their primary field, the company offers internships to provide a variety of experiences. Positions are made available for lab research, public relations and scientific clerical work.

Union student Allyson Staats ‘15 earned a lab internship position this coming summer and said,  “I’m looking forward to getting more experience with lab work and seeing what other opportunities could arise for my future in such a successful company.”

What started as a small company, SI Group Inc. now maintains global credibility as a contemporary scientific industry, servicing manufacturers across a wide range of production. Involvement with the Union community can continue to allow students to find internships and job opportunities through the Career Center.

The appointment of Bozich as the new President and CEO indicates that SI Group is on a track toward living up to its mission statement to “create value by offering customers the best chemical intermediates in the world.”

These rumors are true—there is a surplus in this year’s college budget, but we do not call it that. It is known as “positive variance,” and is the leftover after the college’s mandatory spending.

In order to understand what this surplus of funds is going towards, it’s important to understand how it is appropriated. This alone is a mammoth task.

As I’ve often written, the Union College bureaucracy is a labyrinth of committees and boards, all seemingly jockeying to avoid big decisions or controversial topics.

The budget is approved by the Board of Trustees, but implemented through the college president and created on recommendations from the Planning and Priorities committee.

According to the Faculty Manual, the committee is tasked with the role to “Review and recommend to the President policies concerning long-range planning, the establishment of college priorities, and the preparation of annual budgets,” and is chaired by the president.

The committee consists of the vice presidents, senior staff, four division chairs of the faculty, the secretary of the faculty, two faculty trustees, two staff members and three student members.

Edward Summers, the Chief of the Staff to the president, patiently explained the rigorous process to me. Once “positive variance” is assessed, it is college policy, as dictated by the Board of Trustees, that 40 percent be reinvested into the endowment.

The remaining 60 percent is placed at the control of the president through a discretionary spending fund.

This discretionary spending is typically used for the upkeep of campus facilities.

The mold issue in Schaffer Library, upgrading the Internet networks in dormitories and the new bathrooms in Davidson Hall are all projects that have been completed using discretionary spending.

All worthy projects, but who makes the final decisions? The president, obviously, but with help from the Planning and Priorities committee.

Summers is quick to point out that President Stephen Ainley embraces “inclusive decision making,” stressing the point that last year he even removed an item because of a lack of support from the committee.

The Vice President for Finance and Administration Diane Blake has been at Union for 26 years. “Ultimately,” Blake said, “we’re all advisors to the president.” Like Summers, she emphasized the transparency of the process. “Planning and Priorities sees what the Board of Trustees sees,” she said, noting that the ultimate decisions of the college are made through input from faculty and students.

Do individual students actually have any input, though? When asked who the student members are, one faculty committee member responded, “There are no student members on [Planning and Priority]. Were there in years past?” Student members have not regularly attended the meetings, despite them being scheduled well in advance, and so any lack of input seems to be our own fault.

Others simply disagree that the process is truly an effort at “inclusive decision making.”

Professor Kimmo Rosenthal, who served as the dean of academic affairs for nearly a decade, has long been an advocate of a less bureaucratic administration.

“The suggestion that there has been transparency and consultation in the disposition of the budget surplus is risible and beggars belief,” Rosenthal stated.

While Summers suggested that the faculty committee members regularly consult with their colleagues about the committee issues, the faculty as a whole has not been publically informed about the existence of any “positive variance.”

“A farrago of smooth talk and buzzwords can’t alter the facts. I think ‘cascade down’ might best describe things at Union,” Rosenthal continued. “I find this all sad whatever they may profess, the administration appears uninterested in the opinions of the rest of the campus.”

The intentions of the administration are good-natured, but it seems to be a ship lost in a sea of its own tiresome regulation. After my research, it appears that the administration is not intentionally secretive, selective or disconnected.

Rather, it juggles with so many issues and is so self-conscious about reaching the ultimate consensus that tangible improvement seems exhaustive.

In the end, we can be sure that there is some transformative project that the bureaucracy has in mind. We’ll just need to form another committee to think of it.

1. Mini golf

Mini golf is a great activity because it is not only fun, but also creates a little friendly competition between the two of you. Make a fun bet on who will win or lose, or let him or her show you how to swing a golf club properly. This will make for a fun, lighthearted date and draw you two closer together.

2. Go out for ice cream

Plain and simple. Who doesn’t love ice cream? When it is hot outside and there is no point in being stuck indoors all day, grab a cone or a bowl of cold ice cream and have a middle school-style date.

3. Have a picnic

Find a nearby park and pick up a blanket and a wooden basket. Put his or her favorite foods in the basket with some refreshing beverages and sit outside in the grass underneath the warm sun. If it is nighttime, this is a great time to gaze up at the stars.

4. Drive-in movie theaters

Though often forgotten, going to a drive-in movie theater on a warm night is a classic and romantic date idea. This is also a fun change-up from the normal movie date.

5. Have a campfire

Grab some marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers and sit by the fire. It is a great time to cuddle up next to each other and talk about life while staying warm near a beautiful fire.

6. Paddle boating

In Central Park, right here in Schenectady, there is a small lake in which you can rent paddle-boats and go out on the lake together. This is a great activity on a beautiful, warm day when you can catch some rays of sunshine.

7. Go to the beach

Since it is finally so warm out, take a nice drive with the windows down for a few hours and stick your feet in the sand. Whether you go to nearby Lake George or farther away to the Jersey Shore near the ocean, a getaway on a warm day is like nothing else. Take a stroll near the ocean or lake in the sand holding hands.

8. Go on a bike ride

Find a great bike trail or a local park and take out your old-school bikes for a side-by-side ride. Race each other, laugh and smile because this date will bring back childhood memories.

9. Eat at an outdoor restaurant

Find a great restaurant, like The Lighthouse right near Union on Freeman’s Bridge Road, and sit outside on a deck overlooking a beautiful scene. Being outside and looking at such a picturesque view will make you feel close to your companion.

10. Attend a sporting event

Whether you go to a local high school baseball game or Giants training camp, find a sport to watch outside. If you do, it is a great opportunity to show your partner how much you know about the game.

The research team decided on a new app similar to others found on smart phones, but with the added benefit of having a database full of the Sodexo recipes Union’s dining halls serve every day.

The website, www.myfitnesspal.com, is able to record your daily meals and workouts with a few clicks.

When asked why Union chose My Fitness Pal, Gaul pointed out that “this program works really well for us because we have such a large database of recipes.”  Students should be aware that the information provided above each meal station in the Upper Class and West dining halls is there for easy reference, but Gaul is also aware that “there are two things that drive students’ participation these days: convenience and technology or ease of use.”

With this app, students will be able to simply scan the barcode of the food item and it will instantly track your meal’s nutrition online.

Beginning first in residential dining only, the goal is that students will utilize this simple application and begin to take advantage of the new technology Union has to offer.

Gaul acknowledged, “You will find that there are a lot of recipes that will not be barcoded right now because they are still loading stuff into the database.  The real hiccup from our end is whether or not it is barcoded for you guys. But I would say that 75-85 percent of our total recipe database is in there already.”

Dining Services is constantly looking to educate students on what it means to eat a healthy meal, so providing the information right to your cell phone is hoped to be a positive action.

Gaul reminded the campus that, “[Dining Services] is listening intently to what students have to say and we appreciate and want to hear all of the feedback, constructive or otherwise. We have a lot of resources at our disposal and we are going to be evolving the program term by term. We have to be able to adapt and the only way we can do that is if we are getting qualitative feedback from our guests. Let us know what you are thinking and how you feel. We want to know details as much as possible.”

Zhu Ling playing piano before she was poisoned.                               Courtesy of helpzhuling.org

After 20 years, Chinese Internet-citizens have brought attention back to the unsolved case of Zhu Ling. A student at Tsinghua University, known as “China’s Harvard,” Zhu Ling ‘92 was a happy and bright girl who played piano and majored in physical chemistry before shewas poisoned during her sophomore year.

The symptoms of poisoning occurred over the course of the following two years. In September of 1994, Zhu encountered temporary blindness and hair loss, but returned to school after she recovered. However, two months later, Zhu began to suffer strong pains in her calf and feet, and later on in her waist. Zhu then lost control of her eye muscles and suffered partial facial paralysis. She could not breathe on her own and she was put on a respirator. Zhu’s symptoms lead doctors to believe that it was a case of thallium poisoning, but when Zhu’s school and classmates denied the access to thallium, it was temporarily ruled out as a cause.

In April of 1995, two of Zhu’s classmates started an SOS letter on several Internet groups. They posted Zhu’s symptoms and asked people to help with the diagnosis. More than 1,500 responses diagnosed Zhu as poisoned by thallium.

Subsequent tests showed the thallium level inside Zhu’s body was 10,000 times more than a normal person. Plasma exchange therapy saved her life, but she is still paralyzed and almost completely blind.

The primary suspect in the poisoning case is Sun Wei, whose grandfather was a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

A hacker who claimed he had hacked into the email account of one of Sun Wei’s roommates, revealed emails between Sun and several of her classmates, showing that Sun had been guiding them through how to post on forums to declare her innocence and preparing for Sun’s statement in 2005. Among the Internet users in the discussion, many people believe that Sun is the real poisoner and she has not been charged just because of her family connections.

One person by the name of “Y.Z.” from Miami has made further accusations. Naming Sun as the prime suspect in the poisoning case and accusing her of committing marriage fraud to enter the United States, Y.Z. made a petition that calls for the U.S. government to investigate and deport Sun “to protect the safety of our citizens.” The petition was signed by 145,089 people.

From here I think it is right for people to seek help outside to investigate Zhu’s cold case.  But some netizens (Internet citizens) are going too far and too extreme.  It is clear how Zhu Ling’s case is related to the current affairs of Chinese society and government.

People treat Zhu Ling’s case as a representation of the lack of justice and fairness, and the feeling that privileged people can do anything without facing the consequences. Some netizens post online that people feel unsafe and are not protected living in an unjust society.  `

Internet is a coin with two sides. Internet brought the power of individuals together.  It can expose unseen facts to mass media and gather attention. But it can also wear away individual’s thoughts and opinions.

Government, extreme netizens and many factors are controlling the media. We can hardly see what is going on.  People lose their individuality and become a person whom cannot live without depending on other people. Still we should investigate this cold case.

Zhu’s family must have suffered a great amount of pain during the past 20 years.

Sun and her roommates might be the suspects, but without evidence, it is hard to draw a conclusion.

It is likely that you have seen them hurdling and sprinting their way around the Frank Bailey Track through the rain, sun and sometimes even snow flurries.

While those conditions may not sound ideal, the track has been the home of Bethany Crowe ‘13 and Gabe Sturges ‘13 for the past four years at Union  both of whom have enjoyed great success.

Crowe, an English major from the small town of Winchester, Mass. traditionally favors the hurdles, both 400-meter and the 4X100 relay. She has also been known to participate in the 4X400 relay, bringing Union great success in each of her races.

Most notably this year Crowe qualified for the finals of the 100-meter dash in the Liberty League Outdoor Track and Field Championships, placing sixth overall with a time of 17.01 seconds. She also succeeded in the Capital District Classic’s 100-meter hurdles with a time of 17.62 seconds.

It is times like these that will leave a legacy in Crowe’s name after she graduates this coming June.

Sturges, who hails from Catskills, N.Y. and majors in Spanish and hispanic studies, focused on the grueling 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter runs, both of which are notorious for requiring much training and stamina.

Sturges enjoyed much success this year as well, finishing third in the 5,000-meter run at the RoadRunner Invitational with a time of 15:41.37 on April 6. Sturges also excelled at the Liberty League Outdoor Track and Field Championships, finishing fourth in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 32:37.12.

Both have enjoyed great success as a Dutchman and Dutchwoman and are proud to share some of their memories and advice for future athletes.

What is your fondest Union Track memory?

Crowe: I’m lucky to have a lot of fond memories from being a part of this team.

The supportive coaches and friends I’ve met through the track team has been a highlight of my four years here.

Sturges: I’d say my fondest Union Track memory has to be just being able to run with my best friends every day.

Those hours and miles spent on the road with each other builds such incredible friendships.

What was your favorite meet that you ever participated in?

Crowe: My favorite meet I participated in was ECACs at the Armory in New York City. The Armory has the nicest track I have ever ran on!

Sturges: My favorite meet is any one in which the weather is nice enough that you don’t mind sitting outside for eight hours.

What is your favorite memory “off the track” with the team?

Crowe: Our track decatholon this year was a lot of fun. The last day there was an obstacle course set up and watching people trying to get through the obstacles was so funny to watch. It turns out box jumps are a lot more dangerous than they appear.

Sturges: I’ll really miss our daily hour-and-a-half-long dinners.

Any words you would like to share with those returning next year?

Crowe: Don’t take things too seriously, love what you do and have fun! It will be over too soon.

Sturges: I want to thank everyone on our team for making my four years such a wonderful experience. Our team is moving in a really positive direction and I want to see the successes continue in the years to come.

Both of these athletes have quite literally left their blood, sweat and tears on the track and have the success and memories to prove it.

They undoubtedly have great things to look forward to both on and off the track, and it is a point of pride for Union to have not only housed them for four years, but to have watched them run their hearts out in the garnet and white.

Jeff Wettstein ‘15 pours coffee as the next round of beans are ground by a visitor to the event. The coffee beans ranged from areas such as Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi. The event attracted both coffee enthusiasts and coffee skeptics alike.
Trevor Martin | Concordiensis

Coffee is a ubiquitous sight on Union’s campus. From the carafes at West and Upper to the Wold Atrium kiosk, each cup of coffee serves a different purpose for the consumer.

Some imbibe the black liquid to enliven their early morning classes, while others meet and reflect on life with a cup in hand.  Some like it black while others take it with cream and sugar.

This past Monday, Messa House hosted a specialty coffee tasting event that introduced the slow-paced craftsmanship that goes into creating the perfect cup of coffee, from the time the cherry has been picked to the final extraction.

The specialty coffee used in Monday’s event was roasted by well-known, Oakland-based coffee roaster, the Blue Bottle Coffee Co.

As one of the organizers for the event, Nick Brenn ‘14 explains, “Blue Bottle keeps their coffee preparation simple yet calculated. This company focuses on the true essence of how coffee should be prepared.” The first step towards brewing that perfect cup begins with the bean.

Beans for this event came from the farms Nyamasheke in Rwanda, Chalalacktu in Ethiopia and Tangara in Burundi. Coffee enthusiast Jeff Wettstein ‘15 is seen at the coffee event pouring over the Chemex coffee brewer, which looks like a chemistry beaker, watching carbon dioxide bubbles emanate from the coffee grounds.

“Watching the grinds blooming from the water is just epic. You can tell the coffee freshness if it explodes immediately after water hits the surface. This is what gets me up in the morning,” he said.

At first glance, preparing this coffee may look like a chemistry experiment, but as Brenn explains, there are many variables that can influence the flavors that result from brewing coffee.

“Water temperature, the amount of coffee grounds, extraction time and the size of the grounds all influence coffee taste, and we are constantly trying different combinations of these variables to understand what produces the best tasting extraction,” Wettstein said.

Stefan Hamaway ‘16 was surprised at the flavors he tasted in his coffee. “I’m so used to grabbing a cup to go from West and filling it with sugar and milk, but this event redefined my perceptions of coffee, even though my palette might not be able to pick out subtle flavors.”

The coffee for this event ranged from $20 per pound to $35 per pound, which, as Wettstein describes, is the price one has to pay for some of the top roasted coffee in the country.

“It’s a great feeling when we serve this specialty coffee to patrons and they say, ‘Wow! This actually tastes good!’” Brenn explained. “If we open the eyes of the lay coffee drinker to the scope of what goes into making that cup of excellence, we get so ecstatic.”

In college, friends are the mentors that we tend to turn to in a bind. They are a convenient option because they live with you, and they can understand better than anyone else how you feel when you break up with your boyfriend and want him back. Friends understand your surroundings and have now become your Union family.

But what do you say to a friend who is going through a difficult time? Do you tell her what she wants to hear because she is down and you want her to feel better? Or should you be honest with her and tell her that she is wrong and has no way of fixing things?

Mix both in. Being too brutally honest or too sympathetic can be harmful to your friend. Here is a list of the top things a girl wants and needs to hear, and what she doesn’t.

DON’T: Compare her situation with yours. 

One of the worst things you can do is turn the conversation into a venting session for yourself. No matter how similar your problems may seem, your friend’s problem is what is important right now and she needs your full attention. You may have certain issues in common, but chances are, they are hugely different, so keep your own personal crisis separate.

DO:  Listen.

Sometimes people don’t even want to hear advice, preferring to simply vent. Lending an ear when a person has a problem and you lend an ear is one of the best things to do. Don’t comment, just listen.

DON’T: Tell her exactly what you would do in her position.

You can offer your opinion to a certain degree, but do not go overboard by giving her step by step instructions. People are different—some have tough skin, some are more sensitive. Everyone has different personality types and not everyone may be able to do what you can.

DO: Remind her of her positive attributes and do not put her down.

When someone is feeling down, don’t knock her further. She is your friend for a reason, so remind her why. Tell her what you love about her.

 DON’T: Gossip about her problems.

Keep things private. Let your friend know that she is safe coming to you.

DO: Be cheery and encouraging.

Remind your friend that she can’t just strike out and quit the game—she must get up to bat and try again. Go out, hang out, do whatever needs to be done. No matter what the issue is, there is something great waiting for her around the corner.

The automatic cuts of the sequester will affect both parties, with cuts in both defense and domestic spending taking place over the next decade.

As we are only a few months into the aftermath of the cuts, we are yet to fully feel its impact.  However, a few programs remain exempt, to the chagrin of some to the right, myself included.

Most federally funded programs, however, will feel the wake of the cuts, with little control over them. Some exempted programs include Medicaid, welfare and food stamp programs, as these are mandatory. While these programs remain intact, an estimated 750,000 jobs will be eliminated.

In just this year alone, the United States is expected to have a half a percentage of economic growth reduction because of the sequester. While no programs will be completely eliminated, some will feel the effects more than others.

Major reductions in defense spending will make up a majority of the budget cuts at a proposed $42.7 billion, including military research and aircraft purchases. Domestic cuts, making up $28.7 billion in cuts, target programs that I feel take precedent over governmental assistance, some of the exempt mandatory programs.

NASA, the FDA, prison systems, FEMA’s disaster relief and Medicare are among a few of the many federal programs, which are facing cuts.  The reduction is not only a large amount, but with the fiscal year half way through, the time constraint adds additional stress to program budgets.

While eliminating jobs, the cuts will keep welfare systems in place. This decreases incentive of those unemployed to continue to seek work.

If it is known that over half a million jobs will be lost in ten years, what is prompting the able, unemployed to actively seek work?

As a result of sequestration, employment opportunities are no longer a secure opportunity of the United States and have been replaced by financial assistance programs. These cuts pose to be the final nail in the coffin of the American dream that our country was founded on.