Search Results | 'swallowed'

UPC treats students to a “Ludacris” show

UPC treats students to a “Ludacris” show

Minds, eardrums and asses were blown at the Mullins Center last night – the University of Massachusetts’ University Programming Council hosted 2010’s spring concert. A few songs into the brief but explosive set of opener and UMass student C-Banga, the suave young gentleman turned and said “ayo Bang Boys, get sexy on me,” and his band obliged. It remained sexy all evening – with the possible exception of New Found Glory, because who has ever described pop-punk as “sexy?”

After C-Banga and the Bang Boys wrapped up their last song, the lights came on and Jason Levasseur took the stage with nothing but an acoustic guitar, introducing himself as a last-minute lineup addition: “my name is Set Change.” This approximately encapsulates his performance – self-deprecating and unappreciated. After a few originals, he apparently decided to appeal directly to the crowd by switching to instantly recognizable covers, from “With a Little Help from My Friends” to “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”

Next up were the Electrolightz, whose overall aesthetic could be shorthanded as “glow stick.” Their stage set-up involved an array of phosphorescent beach balls. The set opened with an exhilarating kaleidoscopic synth breakdown, which quickly morphed into a pulsing club beat.

Repeatedly throughout this opening song, the two vocalists shouted “UMass, make some motherf****** noise,” which would have been a tall order – their overwhelming bass slammed and ricocheted against every wall in the stadium such that all else was inaudible. Actually, much of singer Rami Dearest’s vocals were inaudible; it seemed as though the sound mix was customized to Ludacris and LMFAO, because they turned out to be the only reasonably balanced performances, sound-wise.

Their songs did employ some unbelievably catchy synth hooks, but they were never audible for long enough to grasp. The uncompromising rhythm swallowed up melodies like some kind of bass whale. Still, Electrolightz did what they were hired to do and moved the crowd, and an unconventional shuffle-time jam (“Merriweather Post Pavilion”) mixed things up enough for the set to stay interesting.

Up next, pop-punk idols New Found Glory broke into their set with “All Downhill From Here” – which indeed it was, as the tempo seemed to pick up gradually from song to song. The on-stage energy was high, as evidenced by the fact that there was almost always at least one band member bunny-hopping around like those pop-punk guys are prone to doing.

Despite missing guitarist/songwriter Chad Gilbert due to surgery, New Found Glory performed admirably; Chad’s replacement, Anthony Raneri, didn’t miss a beat. Neither did the crowd, thanks to that dance club sound-mixing. Every bass drum hit reverberated and overshadowed the other instruments, even the vocals. The formula worked though, and the crowd warmed up steadily throughout their set, which finished with “My Friends Over You.”

With the audience primed, LMFAO were poised to tear the stadium up. Spotlights on, and band-mates Sky Blu and Redfoo began to dance to a manipulated sample of “Eye of the Tiger.” This was a good introduction to their set, much of which consisted of ‘80s-inspired dance beats re-appropriated for irony and ecstasy.

Twisting geometric shapes and colored spotlights danced around the arena as LMFAO shelled out one goofy party anthem after another – like “I’m in Miami, Bitch” (for which they substituted the chorus with “I’m in UMass, Bitch”) and “Shots.” The dual MCs may not have displayed a particularly high degree of lyrical chops, but they sure did give a dynamic performance.

At moments throughout the set, they would coordinate dances that were at once spectacular and idiotic. Much like the choice to bring out a keytar for one song, or having the backup dancers dressed as Lego bricks. Though not the most impressive MCs, Sky Blu and Redfoo are two of the best hype men you could ask for. Suffice it to say, the crowd was entirely “crunk” by the time Ludacris finally took the stage.

But before he was ready to do that, he started up a “Luda” chant from the shadows; when the noise was finally right, he appeared on stage in white-rimmed shades and broke straight into “Stand Up,” getting the first of several call-and-responses going with the chorus: “When I move, you move – just like that.”

He proceeded to play just about every recognizable single he’s released in his 10-year career, from his very first – “What’s Your Fantasy” to “How Low” and “My Chick Bad” off his newest album, “Battle of the Sexes.” At one point near the end of his set, he asked the crowd if they were tired yet, after hearing “too many hit songs.” Needless to say, nobody was too tired of hearing “Ludacris” music; either the smoke machines were working full tilt for his set, or UMass really loves their Luda.

Or, as he put it, before breaking into “Area Codes” – “Guess what I got in the 413?”

Ludacris’ trademark syncopated rapping style was as insane as usual last night, breaking out of the rhythm in unexpected ways at the most climactic of moments. His DJ was also on point, cutting fast and tight on all the hits, as well as taking the spotlight for an impressive solo.

He had the audience in the palm of his hand all night, alternately getting them to clap, wave, light up or shout, all at the drop of a beat. Thankfully, he took the opportunity to inform the students of the dangers of alcoholism, driving and pot-smoking and sex addiction: “This has been a Ludacris public service announcement.”

The tongue-in-cheek attitude went well with LMFAO’s shenanigans, but the veteran MC hit a lot harder. He closed with a couple of his more aggressive singles, “Move Bitch” and “Get Back.” But the crowd felt the love nonetheless.

Garth Brody can be reached at gbrody@student.umass.edu

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Community Clips

Ongoing

Exhibit: Maggie Nowinski’s “Swallowed”

Easthampton-based artist Maggie Nowinski turned her obsession with plastic bottles into a two-year investigation and project that culminates in the exhibition “Swallowed,” featuring an installation comprised of thousands of plastic bottles, drawings, and video.

Thu Jan. 21 to Tue Feb. 23. Hampden Gallery

Registration for Faculty and Staff Support Groups

Registration is underway for new support groups offered by the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at University Health Services.

Registration until Fri Feb. 19. Campus Center

Exhibit: “Writing the Landscape: Books from the Library of American Landscape History”

The exhibit features several books developed by the Library of American Landscape History (LALH) and photographs by noted landscape photographer Carol Betsch.

Feb 1. to Thu May 20. Library, W.E.B. Du Bois Lower Level, Learning Commons

Submissions for UPC’s Battle of the Bands

UPC is taking submissions for their Battle of the Bands event. The winner will be the opening act for the UMass Spring Concert.

Mon Feb. 8 to Fri Feb. 26. Student Union Resource Room

Open Call for Artwork: “Home”

The Student Union Art Gallery is accepting work on the theme of “Home.” This call is open to all UMass and Five College students.

Mon Feb. 8 to Sat Feb. 20. Student Union Art Gallery

Open Call for Installation Work

The Student Union Art Gallery is hosting a juried exhibition of installation works. All artists are welcome to apply.

Mon Feb. 8 to Mon Feb. 15. Student Union Art Gallery

UMass for Haiti Auction

The UMass Athletic Department is auctioning off memorabilia including game-worn jerseys of Haitian Native and future NFL Draft Pick Vladimir Ducasse to benefit Haiti relief. The proceeds raised by the auction will go to benefit the efforts.

Mon Feb. 8 to Tue Feb. 23. All-Campus

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Free income tax assistance to qualified taxpayers will be available by the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program at the Isenberg School of Management.

Tue Feb. 9 to Tue Apr. 13. Isenberg School of Management 27

Exhibit: “Sailing the Barbarous Coast”

In this two person exhibition, Curator Jesse Connor pairs Anthony Smith Jr.’s gestural sequential painting with Colin Matthes’ flat, brusque, obsessive drawing-based work to form an exhibition that reflects a sense of uncertainty in the midst of economic calamity, social unrest, and global disruption.

Thu Feb. 11 to Thu Mar. 11. Central Gallery

Greening the Valley: Sustainable Architecture in the Pioneer Valley

A landmark exhibition on sustainable, contemporary architecture and environmentally-sensitive building practices in the Pioneer Valley.

Thu Feb. 11 to Sun May 9. Fine Arts Center – University Gallery

Tuesday

A Conversation with Congressman Barney Frank and Author Stuart Weisberg

Join us for a conversation with Congressman Barney Frank and author Stuart Weisberg as they discuss Congressman Frank’s life and achievements.

Tue Feb. 16, 11:00 a.m. Student Union Ballroom

STEM Education Institute Tuesday Seminar

Allan Collins, Professor Emeritus, School of Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University, presents a lecture entitled “Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology.”

Tue Feb. 16, 4:00 p.m. Hasbrouck 138

UMass Dining Celebrates the Chinese New Year

Celebrate the Chinese New Year in all of the dining commons.

Tue Feb. 16, 5:00 p.m. All Dining Commons

Lecture: “Root Shock: How Tearing Up City Neighborhoods Hurts America”

Professor Mindy Fullilove, Columbia University, speaks as part of the Heritage Center Colloquium Series.

Tue Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m. Thompson 102

Film: Precious

Come see the blockbuster film Precious, about a young African American mother who discovers an alternative path in life and gets something most teens don’t get – a chance to start over.

Tue Feb. 16, 7:00 p.m. Student Union Ballroom

When the Walls of Segregation Toppled: Fifty Years Since the Civil Rights Sit-ins

Fifty years ago, students led a sit-in movement that grew into the largest civil rights movement in the 20th century. Join a discussion of that movement and its relevance today.

Tue Feb 16, 7:30 p.m. Campus Center 904

Wednesday

Morning Mixer

UMass Amherst students, faculty, and staff are invited to stop by the Morning Mixer and start your day off with a complimentary breakfast of bagels, fresh fruit, coffee and assorted juices.

Wed Feb. 17, 8:30 a.m. Memorial Hall

RefWorks Workshop

Learn to use RefWorks, a program that manages citations and creates quick bibliographies.

Wed Feb. 17, 1:30 p.m. Library, W.E.B. Du Bois Calipari Room

The Environmental Lecture Series: “A River, A Place”

The Environmental Institute Lecture Series kicks off with the lecture “A River, A Place” by noted writer Stanley Crawford, Visiting Writer of the Master of Fine Arts Program in the English Department.

Wed Feb. 17, 3:30 p.m. Student Union Cape Cod Lounge

Phi Sigma Pi Information Session

Come learn about the best co-ed honor fraternity on campus.

Wed Feb. 17, 7:00 p.m. Campus Center 917

A Circle of Hope: Embracing the Precious Among Us

An open discussion and healing session with Dr. Aminata Njeri, President/CEO of the Leadership Group, about the various issues reflected in the award winning film Precious.

Wed Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. Student Union Cape Cod Lounge

Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival: Of Time and the City/Listen to Britain

A film screening as part of the 17th annual Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival: “Cinematic Cities.”

Wed Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m. Isenberg School of Management 137

Thursday

Piano Masterclass and Performance

A masterclass featuring works by Chopin and led by visiting pianist Roberto Plano.

Thu Feb. 18, 12:00 p.m. Bezanson Recital Hall

Documentary Presentation: Black in America parts 1 and 2

CNN investigates the most challenging issues facing African-Americans.

Thu Feb. 18, 5:30 p.m. Malcolm X Cultural Center Lower Level Berkshire DC

Net Impact Movie Night

A screening of Food Inc., with special guest Kerry Manire from Brookfield Farm.

Thu Feb. 18, 7:00 p.m. Isenberg School of Management Room 137

Visiting Writers Series Presents Donald Antrim

A fiction reading by author Donald Antrim.

Thu Feb. 18, 8:00 p.m. Memorial Hall

Friday

Lecture: “Research Capacity Building – Perspectives from the National Research Foundation”

Isenberg Management Professor Mzamo Mangaliso ‘88 Ph.D. delivers this lecture as part of the Spring 2010 Operations Research/Management Science Seminar series.

Fri Feb. 19, 11:00 a.m. Isenberg School of Management 112

The Life and Political Theory of Amilcar Cabral and the Liberation Movements in Africa

Come learn about one of the foremost political theorists for the liberation movement during the “colonial wars” in Africa.

Fri Feb. 19, 7:00 p.m. Malcolm X Cultural Center Lower Level Berkshire DC

Concert: Furthur

Former Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh hit the road with their brand new jam-rock outfit “Furthur.”

Fri Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m. Mullins Center

UPC Presents: The Men Who Stare At Goats

Join UPC for two showings for The Men Who Stare At Goats, complete with free popcorn and beverages.

Fri Feb. 19, 2010, 8:00 p.m.

Again on Sun Feb. 21, 8:00 p.m. Student Union Cape Cod Lounge

Weekend

Five College Choral Festival

Enjoy individual and group performances as Smith College hosts the Five College Choral Festival.

Sat Feb. 20, 7:00 p.m. John M. Greene Hall

From Good Times to Girlfriends and The Rebirth of the 90s

Re-live great 90s sitcoms reenacted by members of the Black Student Union.

Sat Feb. 20, 8:30 p.m. Student Union Ballroom

Adult Learn to Skate Sessions

“Hockey style” skating sessions which include learning to stand up (falling down will come natural), make forward strides, turn and cross-over, and more.

Sun Feb. 21, 1:00 p.m. Mullins Center Practice Rink

Faculty Recital: Lynn Klock

Saxophonist Lynn Klock performs alongside Nadine Shank (piano), Ayano Kataoka (percussion), and Laura Klock (horn).

Sun Feb. 21, 4:00 p.m. Bezanson Recital Hall

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Community Clips for Feb. 7 to Feb. 13

Community Clips for Feb. 7 to Feb. 13 

Ongoing events:

Maggie Nowinski’s “Swallowed”

Thur., Jan 21 to Tues., Feb 23, Hampden Gallery

Easthampton-based artist Maggie Nowinski turned her obsession with plastic bottles into a two-year investigation and project that culminates in the exhibition “Swallowed,” featuring an installation comprised of thousands of plastic bottles, drawings, and video.

 

Registration open for faculty and staff support groups

Registration is underway for new support groups offered by the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at University Health Services.

Fri., Jan. 19 to Fri., Feb. 19. Contact timscott@uhs.umass.edu for more information.

 

Writing the Landscape: Books from the Library of American History

Mon., Feb. 1 to Thur., May 20

The UMass Amherst Libraries are hosting an exhibit “Writing the Landscape: Books from the Library of American Landscape History.” The exhibit features several books developed by the Library of American Landscape History (LALH) and photographs by noted landscape photographer Carol Betsch. A reception will be held on February 4, 2010, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Learning Commons of Du Bois Library.

Contact mcharney@library.umass.edu for more information.

 

Midway: featuring Nafis Azad, Ryan MacDonald and Steve Snell

Mon., Feb. 8 to Fri., Feb. 12, Student Union Art Gallery

The Student Union Art Gallery presents “Midway,” an annual exhibit of the work of UMass Studio Art MFA students at the midpoint in their programs. Featuring large photos by Nafis Azad, video work by Ryan MacDonald, and video work by Steve Snell. Free and open to the public. A reception will be held on Wednesday, February 10 from 4 to 6pm.

Contact studentunionag@gmail.com for more information.

 

Open call for installations

Mon., Feb. 8 to Mon., Feb. 15, Student Union Art Gallery

The Student Union Art Gallery is hosting a juried exhibition of installation works. The gallery space will be arranged to include 6-8 installations. All applications will be carefully reviewed, and a selection of artists will be chosen to include a broad scope of work with potential connections.

Contact studentunionag@gmail.com for more information.

 

UMass for Haiti auction

Mon., Feb. 8 to Tues., Feb 23

The UMass Athletic Department is auctioning off memorabilia including game-worn jerseys of Haitian Native and future NFL Draft pick Vladimir Ducasse to benefit Haiti relief. The proceeds raised by the auction will go to benefit the efforts.

 

Anxiety management workshop accepting registrations

Mon., Feb. 8 to Tues., Feb. 23, Mental Health Services

Identify symptoms and causes of anxiety, learn and practice relaxation techniques and develop coping strategies. The last two meetings will include individual exposure to biofeedback.

Meetings are Tuesdays, 2 – 3:30 p.m. beginning Feb. 23, and will be closed to new members after the first session. Additional workshops may be scheduled.

Contact Mental Health Services at (413)-545-2337 for more information.

 

 

Tues., Feb. 9

 

“Israel in a Changing Middle East” 

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m., Campus Center Room 168C

UMass Hillel presents the Consul General of Israel to New England Nadav Tamir, who will give his presentation “Israel in a Changing Middle East.”

 

Stockbridge School Career Fair

Tues., Feb. 9, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Campus Center Auditorium

Students from the Stockbridge School and the College of Natural Sciences are invited to attend the 13th annual Stockbridge School Career Fair. Employers, many of whom are Stockbridge and UMass alumni, are offering full-time, part-time, summer and internship opportunities related to the green industries.

Contact Elizabeth Wiernasz, wiernasz@cns.umass.edu, for more information.

 

Graduate jazz composers’ concert

Tues, Feb. 9, 8 p.m., Bezanson Recital Hall at the Fine Arts Center

A jazz concert with new works by Alex Lee-Clark, Brian Thomas, Marek Novotny, Eric Blanchet, Chris Lapidas, and Steve Turcott, performed by jazz majors/ensembles and faculty.

Contact Eric Roth, eroth@music.umass.edu, for more information.

 

Meals at the Marriott Center

Join us for an affordable, multi-course meal prepared by the HT-MGT 355 (Menu & Quantity Food Production Management) class, and dine with a view from the Marriott Center atop the Lincoln Campus Center.

Lunch: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. (Tues, Wed, Thur) Dinner: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Tues, Wed)

Reservations are required. No walk-ins please.

 

Wed., Feb. 10

 

Morning Mixer Wednesday

Wed., Feb. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Memorial Hall

UMass Amherst students, faculty, and staff are invited to stop by the Morning Mixer and start your day off with a complimentary breakfast of bagels, fresh fruit, coffee and assorted juices.

Doug Wilson ‘01, licensed massage therapist, will be providing complimentary five-minute chair-massages.

 

UPC presents PostSecret

Wed., Feb. 10, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Join us as Frank Warren of PostSecret shares the stories behind the 500,000 secrets he has received on postcards over the years. Prepare to laugh, cry, and be inspired by the many secrets he has to share. Tickets will be available for ANYONE starting February 1st. No reservations.

 

“Once Upon a Time in Rio / Era Uma Vez”

Weds., Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m., Isenberg 137

The Multicultural Massachusetts Film Festival will screen this Brazilian love story Wednesday night.

 

Thur., Feb. 11

 

Summer Internship and Co-op Fair

Thur., Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Campus Center Auditorium

Top employers are seeking students for internships, summer and co-op jobs. All majors are welcome. Employers such as Reebok, Congressman Oliver, Daily Hampshire Gazette, Yankee Candle Corporate, Lockheed Martin, EMC, Liberty Mutual, Abbott Labs, Higgins Armory Museum, WGBY-TV and others will be there.

 

“Separate but Equal”

Thur., Feb. 11, 5:30 p.m., Malcolm X Cultural Center

A film following the story of the case of Brown v. Board of Education will be shown Thursday evening at the Malcolm X Cultural Center.

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‘Swallowed’ bottles up an important message

‘Swallowed’ bottles up an important message

Looking through the windows, it would seem almost as if the wintry weather has made its way inside the warm walls of Hampden Gallery in Southwest. To the far away viewer, it looks like columns and walls have been crystallized. However, if a pedestrian were to step inside, they would find out that this exhibit is so much more.

“Swallowed” by Maggie Nowinski is a social commentary in the form of art, calling out society and big businesses for their use and obsession with buying bottled water. If one truly thinks about it, why should bottled water be an acceptable purchase in an economy such as this? Anyone can turn on the nearest tap and obtain all the water they want, so why pay extra?

It was these sorts of questions that inspired Nowinski in 2007 to begin collecting and forming art with empty water bottles that she found in various public places. Water, a most basic need for all humans, is inescapable in everyone’s daily lives.

It can also represent a bond between nature and humans, a bond which Maggie Nowinski, on her website declares to be torn apart by plastic. She says that, “We drink plastic water, part of a system that extends beyond the simple and immediate practice of drinking water.” So she set out to show just how prominent plastic water bottles have become in our culture.

Nowinski’s exhibit features 10,000 – 12,000 empty water bottles of various brands – Dasani, Poland Spring, Crystal Geyser – you name it, it’s in there. They are strung together by thin wires and cascade down from the walls and ceiling, giving an illusion of waterfalls. Also featured are remarkably good-quality pictures snapped from a Motorola Razor cell phone of 219 “water bottles in their natural environments.”

Nearby are large paper drawings of the connected water bottles in black and white. They are made to look blurry, and resemble stalactites one would find in caves. It gives another illusion of the ties water has to nature. These pictures, along with the waterfall-like formations, are featured in the large, main room of the Hampden Gallery.

Also in the large room is a television screen showing a loop of what Nowinski deemed to be a series of “performances.” It is a video of various ways the strings of bottles were gathered and hung from the ceilings and walls of different locales. It also succeeds in not only showing the physical processes, but the creativity and thoughtfulness that went into designing the art and showing the exhibit’s true message.

The display also extends to an unlit back room. That particular part of the exhibit is named “Riverfall,” as it features a smaller set of strung up bottles on a slab of wall, while a projector beams images of running river water through the clear plastic in various colors. According to the wall plaque near the entrance, “each color represents a part of the conceptual dilemmas ‘Swallowed’ attempts to address.” For example, blue signifies the desire for the natural element, and red represents the blood on the hands of the consumers, the collective American society.

This exhibit attempts to show the potential harms of the bottled water industry on the psyche and the environment. Nowinski is able to put forth an important message without coming across as an overbearing environmentalist. With a bit of effort, it is easy to understand where she is coming from.

If the average American thinks of how many bottles of water they consume and toss in the trash in the average month and then considers the implications all of that plastic has on the environment, perhaps a change would come. This is the realization Nowinski is trying to give a key consumer group, college students. According to the artist, consumers simply cannot make drinking bottled water a natural event. The results could be catastrophic to one’s wallet and to the Earth.

“Swallowed” will be on display in Hampden Gallery until Feb. 23. The Gallery is open Monday through Thursday 12-6 p.m and Sunday 2-5 p.m.

Kate MacDonald can be reached at kaitlynm@student.umass.edu.

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Amherst Cinema answers local film enthusiast’s prayers

The lobby is overflowing with awaiting spectators. The line swerves around an imaginary rope. People stand patiently. There is not enough room to hold the growing crowd. The concession stand line has been swallowed up by the line waiting to see a movie. People are trying to get a cup of tea or some popcorn, while others wait for the theatre showing “Juno” to open up. “Juno” has sold out every Saturday night since its debut at Amherst Cinema. It’s the Cinema’s “bread and butter.” Soon it will be relocated to Northampton’s Pleasant Street Theatre.

On Nov. 22, 2006, the movie-loving crowd of Amherst and surrounding towns was given a new place to view movies. Amherst Cinema had finally been completed and opened. The people of Amherst dreamed of a cinema to show them the movies they yearned for.

For many years, the Pleasant Street Theatre in Northampton cornered the market on independent films. The theatre was less than state of the art. The sound quality was poor. The film projectors were old and broken. The screens were not the correct size for the picture formatting of movies. There wasn’t stadium seating and people over six feet tall become obstacles to other viewers and the projectors.

Pleasant Street was neglected for years. And it was showing.

Amherst Cinema opened and offered everything that the high-priced chain movieplexes offered. The theater opened with stadium seating, state-of-the-art sound and projection equipment, and comfortable seats. It is a state-of-the-art cinema that satisfies movie lovers by playing 35mm prints of movies.

The story of Amherst Cinema goes a long way back. The building the cinema is housed in has a rich history. It was once a part of Amherst Academy in the late 19th century and early 20th centuries. It was the livery for the school that was a landmark in Amherst’s Center. Amherst Academy was a school that many now-famous individuals had attended, namely Emily Dickinson and Sylvester Graham (inventor of the great graham cracker).

A fire downtown in 1926 transformed the livery forever. The building was bought and a theater was built inside. The theater had an orchestra pit and a stage for musicals, plays and concerts. It also had a movie cinema built to show film reels. The theater was a popular spot, and in 1955, Samuel Goldstein purchased the space.

The theatre space was renamed Amherst Cinema, a place that became a popular mainstay for local film buffs. People even went to see the films as the building was deteriorating. Film lovers wrapped themselves in blankets in the winter to stay warm because there was no heat. But after years of health and safety code violations and the mismanagement of taxes, the building was closed.

A group of local film enthusiasts, movie lovers and historians purchased the building with dreams of constructing an all-encompassing art building inside. But with a lack of funding and practical planning, they had to give up their dreams and ask for help from someone who had the know-how to create their dream.

Barry Roberts, a local builder and philanthropist, had the money the community needed to improve the cinema, but on certain terms. The idea of establishing an art gallery in the building wouldn’t bring in the revenue needed to pay for the building and the fees. So a plan was proposed to build shops, caf’eacute;s and a new cinema that could bring in revenue while keeping the building a local hot bed. Once all of the finances were paid off, the cinema would be completely free from any financial constraints.

Now the cinema is independent of corporate ties. It is a non-profit run cinema that is trying to live up to the promise that it has given to the people of Amherst.

“Money is hard to come by,” said Beth Roberts, the general manager of Amherst Cinema. It’s a phrase that she repeats often when talking about the cinema. She has a lot on her plate as one of the cinema’s two full-time employees. The cinema itself employs a number of students, aspiring filmmakers and other locals in the area who work for “the love of it.” The employees run the concession stands, projection booths and ticket sales all for minimal pay.

The movie industry is a tough one, and running a cinema runs parallel with filmmaking. You have to find an audience and give that audience what they want. Roberts seeks out films she thinks will fit the taste buds of the moviegoers in Amherst. But she has to raise money to show those films and the money is hard to come by.

Amherst Cinema only gets 50 percent of ticket sales. When showings aren’t selling out, the cinema loses money. The films distributors don’t only take profits, they also set the schedule for the showings. This often impedes the ability of some would-be patrons to see a film. Distributors want a film shown a certain number of times a day at certain hours. This can restrict the flow of people who want to see a film and hurt business for a Cinema with only three screens.

Then there is the idea of borrowing reels of older movies from the archives. This may sound like it would be cheaper than getting new releases. Why not just get some old film that isn’t showing anywhere else? No one wants to show it, so wouldn’t it make sense that it would be cheaper to show?

Wrong. Films are archived and cost money to borrow. Shipping of the films is also very expensive – the shipping cost is in the realm of $250 to $500. You have to cut out a regular showing of a picture to put in an older film, and that doesn’t sit well with distributors – the cost of the film is never fully covered.

Budgeting is difficult when you only have three theatres. One theatre is large, around the average size for any Regal Cinemas or AMC across the country. The other two house around 45 people. Cinemas aren’t making profit on the size of a crowd, but on the devotion of fans all week. They need a constant flow of people to make a profit.

Where does the funding for the films come from? It comes from donations and grants. Roberts has to write out numerous grants to gain the money necessary to have the films the people of Amherst want shown. She then has to hope people go to the movies. When asked when the cinema has lost money on a film, Roberts answered, “We’ve lost a lot of money on the weekly children’s movies.”

The expenses eventually outweighed the rewards on the program that showed every Saturday. It had to come to an end. Roberts then had to come up with a new option for stay-at-home parents in Amherst.

The cinema now has “baby-friendly” showings of films. The movies themselves are not for toddlers, but for parents who are stuck at home all day with their newborns or infants. It’s a showing that allows baby crying, whining and whimpering. It’s a concept that has allowed parents of small children the chance to leave the confines of their homes. It has been successful. The program does not impede on the scheduling of movies; rather, it takes an early showing of a film and designates it as a “baby-friendly” movie once a week.

Roberts has also come up with some other unique ideas for the cinema. The best example is the concession stand, which is a reflection of Roberts’ personality. She is “an academic and food lover,” and she has taken it upon herself to create a unique concession stand menu. It is also a reflection of the towns in the Pioneer Valley.

Roberts noticed that the Whole Foods in Hadley was outdoing the Big Y and Stop and Shop in business. She took this information and created a concession stand for those shoppers. The popcorn is popped with olive oil instead of other fatty oils. She also searched for a soda product void of caffeine and other additives. She found it in the Blue Sky Soda Company. The only problem with buying soda from such a small company was that they could not provide her with cups or the expensive soda fountain. She bought a soda fountain and discovered cups made of 100 percent corn starch. The cups decompose very quickly and are environmentally friendly. She is s
till searching for bio-degradable popcorn bags, but has had no luck.

The stand also serves tea, ice cream and nutrition bars. Roberts has given into selling mainstream candy like M’M’s and Skittles due to popular demand. But she has added fair-trade coffee to the menu, a widely popular item at her cinema. She brought up the fact that her sister is a chef, something that has helped her bring in some more nutritional items like sandwiches, soups and salads. She came up with the idea of a healthier concession stand because she hated the stuff being sold at the big-time movie cinemas. “Small nachos are gross,” she said after explaining the failure of the sandwiches and soup attempt at the stand.

Amherst Cinema has recently purchased Pleasant Street Cinema, and is working to re-vamp it. The two movie theatres are non-profit and independently owned. They are two cinemas with a mission to give the people of the Pioneer Valley a broader view of films in the world today.

With a number of special events, the cinemas are trying to fulfill their mission to the people of the valley. The upcoming instrument petting zoo at Amherst Cinema will allow parents to bring their children to touch, play and see a wide array of instruments on display. There is also the ongoing Arthouse Film Series every Sunday and Thursday. It is a series of films that are not so well known to the public, but have inspired generations of filmmakers.

The two cinemas are fighting to stay afloat and give the art- and movie-going community of the Pioneer Valley what it wants while still serving the general public. Movies like “Once” played for 12 consecutive weeks in Amherst. And “Juno” has been a big hit among fans of all ages.

The two cinemas are trying to give independent cinema a home in Western Massachusetts along with some unique local touches.

Kevin Koczwara can be reached at kkoczwar@student.umass.edu

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Mass attack split pair with Northeastern

Brian Tedder/Collegian

It wasn’t the type of win the Massachusetts hockey team wanted following a 2-1 loss Friday night to the same Northeastern team, but at this point, the Minutemen will take it. UMass won, 3-1, in front of 4,921 Saturday night over the Huskies, powered by Alex Berry’s two goals in the first period. P.J. Fenton made it a three-goal lead in the second before NU’s Kyle Kraemer broke the shutout in the third. The Minutemen played most of the third period on their heels, and it was clearly noticed by the Huskies, who were a penalty shot away from a one-goal game with plenty of time left. “It wasn’t a perfect performance by any means,” UMass coach Don Cahoon said. “But it was a start. I’m just happy to get through the evening, come out with two points and give us a chance to move forward and hopefully right the ship.” UMass got on the board first, 7 minutes, 19 seconds into the game with Berry’s first goal of the night. The puck went end-to-end and showed what the Minutemen can do with the almost-Olympic-sized rink they call home. Defenseman Martin Nolet took control of the puck to the left of his own goal and rifled it up to Berry, who crossed the red line on the right side of the rink, pulled up at the faceoff circle and fired past Northeastern goaltender Brad Thiessen (30 saves). Cahoon has stressed that the team needs to take more shots on goal to increase the team’s offensive output. Berry wasted no time putting that into practice. “It’s one of our biggest goals is to take a lot of shots and get them in early,” Berry said. “I just tried to get to the net and create some rebounds. I got a lot on it, and it found the back of the net.” Berry found the net again just six minutes later, scoring on the power play with a feed from James Marcou. The junior had the puck on the left wing and dumped it down to Chris Davis behind the net. After fighting to keep control of the puck, James Marcou dug it out and gave it back to Berry, who had drifted toward the net and buried it past Thiessen. “Things were going well for me,” Berry said. “I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately scoring goals, but I just got a couple opportunities tonight to finish.” Marcou helped pad the lead again in the second, finding Fenton with the man advantage for the early 3-0 lead. The pair found themselves in a 2-on-2 charge toward the net. Marcou passed the puck left-to-right through both defenders to Fenton, who easily beat an out-of-position Thiessen. “Marcou’s play is one for the books,” Cahoon said of his freshman star forward. “He sees the ice like no one’s business. I don’t think anybody in the building thought he was going to move the puck to P.J. there, never mind P.J.” The Huskies best chance to get back in the game came with 13:39 left in the third period following a hooking penalty by Justin Braun. Northeastern’s Tyler McNeely drew the penalty by catching defenseman Pat Dineen out of position at the blue line, forcing Braun over to help. McNeely split the defense and Braun did the only thing he could do to stop the break away, and the referee awarded him a penalty shot. UMass goaltender Paul Dainton (30 saves) cut off the angle, but McNeely’s shot went well to the right of the net anyway and bounced off the boards. Kraemer got NU off the snide anyway, scoring while catching UMass in a slow line change and beating Dainton glove side 11:30 into the third. Cory Quirk got his own penalty shot attempt with 1:33 remaining, but Thiessen swallowed up his back-hand attempt.

Berry had just three goals entering the night, and Cahoon was happy to see the junior find his shot again, but said he has not been invisible on the ice, contributing to a lot of scoring chances.

“Alex is one of the guys going into his junior year who we were hoping to get a little more offense from,” Cahoon said. “I think he’s given us some really good games.” Jeremy Rice can be reached at jeremyr@student.umass.edu.

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Jon Pelland, Sports Editor: Football, Hockey, Men’s Lacrosse

Dan Patrick “Dare I say, En Fuego.”

Four years ago I came to UMass knowing exactly what I wanted to do. It just took me a little longer than expected to actually carry it out. I came to Amherst dead set on becoming a sports writer at the Daily Collegian. But somehow by the time spring of sophomore year rolled around I still hadn’t written a single article.

Efforts were made. I ventured down to the newsroom once or twice to try and get a writing position, but nothing panned out. My shyness got the best of me and I never followed up those visits with anything substantial. It sucked, I really wanted to write but couldn’t get past the first step.

Then finally I went to one of the weekly sports meeting to introduce myself for the final time. That half hour or so was pretty awkward. I sat there while the sports editor, Bob McGovern, talked about the week ahead and went around to each staff writer, finding out who was writing what on which night.

Then came the moment of truth. Bob got to me and asked who I was, so I swallowed hard, introduced myself and said I really wanted to write for the paper. ‘Want to cover tennis?’ was the next thing out of his mouth. The thoughts racing through my head went something like this: Jesus Christ I don’t know anything about tennis so how the hell am I going to write about and I don’t even like tennis. ‘Sure’ I responded quickly because my desire to write heavily outweighed my thoughts.

After the meeting, Bob brought me aside, gave me the UMass media relations telephone number and said my first article – a preview of the weekend – was due the very next night.

Needless to say, my first article in the Daily Collegian was not Pulitzer material (March 24 to be exact). I had no clue UMass even had a tennis team, let alone how they were doing, or who was on the team or what even goes into a preview. So I came down and it I was hooked. I had so much fun writing that first preview that I dedicated the rest of my collegiate career to the Collegian.

These past two-plus years have been some of the busiest, but most fun of my life. Sports writing has taken me down the eastern seaboard and back up again. I’ve covered some amazing teams (2006 UMass football) and some even greater games (UNH I and II, national championship). But most importantly, I’ve grown up a lot spending endless hours in the dungeon and I’ve met some pretty amazing people.

Journalism professors and Career Services advisors can get pretty depressing when talking about the field of journalism – yeah thanks for the pick-me-up – but there really is nothing else I can picture myself doing 10, 20 years from now.

My one and only

Smokin under the railroad bridge

I used to ride my bike down that old dirt hill

First time I kissed you I lost my legs

Bring that beat back to me again

Chrissy – You’re probably the No. 1 person I have to thank for being in this position right now, hunny. I’ve been more than stressed and freaked out because of the Collegian on so many occasions this year and you’ve put up with all of it. Thanks, hun, for all your support. I can think of so many times this year when I could have snapped, but you kept me in line.

Don’t worry about next year. No matter where I am nothing is going to change between us. I know you want an “essay”, but you know how I feel about you babe. I love you.

Collegian people

Smokin’ under the railroad bridge

I used to ride my bike down that old dirt hill

First time among I’m among good friends

Bring that beat back to me again

I mentioned above that writing the past few years has introduced me to some amazing people. Many of them work right beside me every night at the Collegian and I’m sure the friendships I’ve made down here will last a really long time.

Sports Staff in General – I just wanted to tell you guys that you all did an amazing job this year. You guys were great when Danny and I were Rob’s assistants and continued that when we took over for the big guy – I thank you for that. Every time we were in a bind, a bunch of you came forward and really helped us out. I think the No. 1 reason we did such a good job this year is because of the dedication and love for the paper I know most of you share.

Seriously, give yourselves a pat on the back for us not using an AP all spring long – that is legit crazy. In your free time (if you have any this time of year) go back the archives from the past few years and see what separated us from them. We all joke about how the sports section is the most important, but we all know that it actually is.

This year was a lot of work for me, but at the same time it was the best. Again I thank you guys for everything.

Rob -It’s the big guy. What can I say, last year when we were paired for men’s soccer I knew absolutely nothing about you. You’re still in my phone as Rob Greenfield even though we’re totally on a first-name-only basis. And going along with the honesty thing – I was pissed when Jeff hired you as an assistant last winter. But it really was the best thing for the paper. Danny and I could have never done the job we did this semester without you in the fall. It was great, and a change of pace, for someone to care about the paper enough to take steps to make the best it can be everyday.

Contrary to a very vocal minority, you are a pretty damn good writer. I didn’t do it, but somebody must have taught you how to write during the fall. It was so funny when the clowns on UMassPoops.com said you wrote the Lasme column because you were looking for fame because there is so much of that to grab hold of as a Collegian writer.

Whaddya comin’ on to me? Every time I drive by a Knights Inn I can’t help but think of the one in Laurel, Md. For my first-ever Collegian road trip that was pretty damn fun. I don’t know if you know this, but t here is a Knights Inn in West Springfield. “We got you down for one bed, but you want two?” That guy totally got the wrong impression as soon as we walked through that door at 1 a.m. Navy blues. Seriously who starts rooting for a loss in the second quarter just so he can use the headline in the paper?

It was absolutely hilarious how out-of-place you were in Chattanooga. Those people hated you for killing Jesus. If Chattanooga in December doesn’t get you into the Christmas spirit, nothing will. Oh yeah, and for the record, it was you and Big Dan, and not me, having a snoring contest at the Choo-Choo. You two battling back and forth made for one of the worse night’s sleep of my life and it still was nothing compared to the Towson trip.

UMassssss goal by No. 3 Brett Gaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrbbbbberrrrrr, assisted by No. 30 Bobby Haaaaayesssssss. We were both so burnt out from hockey and basketball I still don’t know how we made it through the lacrosse season, but somehow we managed. Yeah, this section is going to be as short as our attention span was for lacrosse.

And you, you’re a fahckin’ editah.

Danny – It feels like yesterday that me and you were in the graphics room and Ginny almost killed us because we thought we accidentally deleted the sports template on the first night we were using it. Not to mention the time some one made that raunchy declaration about the graphics room couch. Remember coming in here in August and not having a clue as to what was going on or what we were doing, and now it’s May and we’re graduating.

I’m just going to say we beasted the sports section this semester. I gave a lot of the credit to our clown writers, but even more goes to the two of us.

It sucks we didn’t get to cover a beat together this year because I bet it would have been a great time. With your ability and hilarious personality, you don’t have much to worry about. One way or another you’re going to find something.

Belliveau – Ba ba baaaa kid. What you doing? How you been? This year was definitely your shot to ditch that news section and jump on board with the best section at the paper, b
ut once again you missed the boat. But, seriously, don’t worry about it because we’ll just rent a car in Montana. Not going to lie, I was so embarrassed when you called me out on that. I really thought you were 25. I was only a year off, that’s not too bad.

It really is too bad we didn’t get more chances to hang out. I guess I can see why you’d rather spend your weekends in Saugus. Actually that statement was a lie, you definitely should have stayed in Amherst more often.

Athas – I don’t think I ever told you this, or maybe you already know, but not everyone was as happy as I was when you were hired as managing editor last winter. Like I said to Rob above, it was probably the best thing that has happened to the Collegian in a long time. You seriously dedicated your life to the paper from the time you got that job and kept it going this semester as the editor-in-chief. Looking through past years, this semester’s papers were the best, all around, that I’ve seen.

Stick to the coffee or you’ll lose your girlish figure.

Jeremy – So this is where in years past the out-going editor threatens the incoming editor not to screw up the section next year, but I’m not going to do that. I know you’ll keep up the pace we set, you included, this year. The only thing I’m worried about is that there’ll be way too much hugging in the newsroom. There’s a fine line between being nice and being creepy.

Hockey was a lot of fun and I think you grew a lot as a writer over those six months. You learned the meaning of objectivity, that’s for sure. I think you’ve got all the puck-almost-crossing-the-goal-line yelps out of you. Good luck with Dick Baker next year, hey, just think you can make the new guy on the beat sit next to him instead of you every time. Wasn’t I right when I told you that would be the only thing I’d do the same. Have fun with hockey next season. As you’re learning with softball now, sports are so much better your second time through. Say hi to Toot for me.

Meloni – You’re such a fake Italian. What guido is whiter than snow and has hair more red than a tomato? Seriously.

I must say you came a long way from your quoteless, paramount field hockey positional breakdown – the one you wrote even though we already had one. It was great to see how hard you worked during the early stages of the fall semester and believe me when I say it is all paying off now. But this isn’t it for you. I didn’t give Jeremy the traditional warning because I saved it for you. Keep working hard because I don’t want to see you falling into a comfort zone because, without a doubt, you improved the most and the most rapidly out of anyone down here this year.

I know we’re not doing the “leaving stuff to people” this year. But I give you Dave Matthews and his amazing band. They’re all your’s.

Eli – You did a lot of learning this semester, and I hope it pays off for you going into next year. Listen to Jeremy when he tells you to be nice, just turn down all the hugs – creepies. I think you’ll be fine, that talent is definitely there.

Kingsies – Look at you big guy, moving up all fast and everything. It was crazy how you came in here and went from not having a beat in the fall, to beasting swimming in the winter and women’s lacrosse in the spring. Keep it up King because if you look a few years down the line…

Amanda and Sheryl – What are you doing? How you doing that? How, How you doing that? You look like a blueberry. Your hair looks stupid. Baxter, bark twice if you’re in Milwaukee. Who DAT be? Who my baby-daddy be? Love you Sheryl.

Big Red – It’s too bad we didn’t get to hang out as much this year, but I guess that can slide seeing as though we were both focusing on the careers and you weren’t here for half the year. Good luck in the future, big guy.

Dom – I know this year was tough on you at times, but I really hope you stick with it and keep working hard. I’d pretty much give up anything to be in your shoes right now and have two more years down here. Make the best of it.

Games – I was a little worried during the early winter months that maybe your heart wasn’t in this, but that may have just been because you were sick of cross country. Once you got women’s lacrosse you really surprised me with your dedication and want to write.

Dooley – Next year is going to be a key year for you. I hope you use it wisely and really improve you’re writing because I think you can be a really good sports reporter.

Newbies: McGrail, Connors, Melissa, Gillmeister, Feldman – I was really happy to see you’re all coming back next year. The Collegian is really going to need you.

Thanks to everyone else in the newsroom and everyone who’s helped me along the way.

Days when all we did would never end

Screamin’ down that old dirt hill

Bring that beat back to me again

Former Co-Sports Editor Jon Pelland was here.

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Football coaches: the universal truths

Some of you may be wondering where your beloved football team has been over the last two weeks.

In the last 14 days, two UMass football games were played, neither of them closer than Pennsylvania – a four-and-a-half hour drive from the Pioneer Valley campus, much too far for the average student with a tight budget.

The Minutemen are 2-1, fresh off of a slow start/strong finish win over Villanova on the road, where star sophomore quarterback Liam Coen lit up the mediocre Wildcats for 350 yards in the air and two touchdowns.

One of those strikes, a lob to the left sideline on an out route, landed in the hands of wide receiver Brandon London, who returned for his first game back after a team suspension, the result of an undisclosed team rules violation.

UMass coach Don Brown will not reveal the nature of London’s suspension or the reason for it, and has been extremely secretive with inquiries about London.

Brown, the defensive coordinator on UMass’ 1998 national championship squad, wears his usual black UMass football shirt on game days, with a worn-out UMass hat that has faded into orange over the years.

Nothing changes from week to week. He is stoic and cordial, a professional on the sidelines and with the media.

And he knows how to handle public controversy: avoid it.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter against Villanova, the Minutemen had a slim 17-14 advantage. On the 7-yard line, UMass ran into a fourth-and-1 situation, went for it, and got it. Then Brown went for it again on another fourth-and-1 at the goal-line and scored a touchdown for a 10-point lead.

Fourth-down scenarios are a nightmare for coaches. Brown took two chances on Saturday and they paid off. In the middle of a question regarding the important decisions, Brown interrupted with this.

“It’s tough situation because if we go for it and don’t make it, you guys [the media] will ask us why we went for it.”

A chilly comment. Perfect for gridiron coaches.

From the sidelines, their football minds see a different game. Not just because of their deep understanding of football, but because in their profession, secrecy and privacy are golden.

While everything unfolds on the field for the whole stadium to see, things are quite different over the headsets and behind the curtains.

There are many happenings that football coaches, Brown among them, would not like the common fan or media member to see. There are disciplinary actions, berating tirades, and scathing remarks about opposing coaches that rest on the tip of their tongues, yet are swallowed and hidden with mechanical consistency.

What has happened (or not happened) with Brandon London in the last two weeks is an ideal example.

London was suspended from the team along with linebacker Brad Anderson for the Sept. 9 game against Navy, the only Division I-A opponent on the Minutemen’s schedule. The only explanation to the media was that London and Anderson were not present because of an “undisclosed team rules violation.”

The Minutemen lost, 21-20, and without London, an impact player on the offensive side, the UMass offense struggled in short-yardage situations, registering a scant 3-for-14 on third down.

Brown was asked if having London would have helped the offense in the narrow one-point loss, to which he responded, “I’m not going to talk about someone who is not here.”

Sounds an awful lot like Belichick, doesn’t it? The Pats front man would rather be flattened by a Mack truck than reveal the nature of a team suspension or the extent of an injury.

Brown is the same way. We – the nosy sportswriters – have asked all of the sources we can think of about the London situation, but nothing has come up. It’s like the witness protection program, UMass football style.

But then again, wouldn’t you be the same way? Aside from trying to do my job and find out what’s actually going on, I have found sympathy for Brown’s situation.

Put yourself in his shoes. If one of your players violated a team rule (i.e. mouthed off to an offensive coordinator when he shouldn’t have), would you want thousands of quick-to-judge fans to know what really happened? To take that little shred of information about one of your players and make an assumption about their overall character?

The answer, of course, is no. The truth is that no one except Brown, London, and a select, privileged few will know what really happened, and how he got suspended from arguably the most important game in the regular season.

And that is the way it will remain, unless Brown has a sudden change of heart, which is highly unlikely.

Brown will go about the team’s business. This weekend is Stony Brook, a cream-puff opponent that no doubt has Brown deciding how much he wants to win by.

As far as London goes, five receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown against Villanova will make many past faults disappear very quickly.

I found out a lot about Don Brown’s coaching style in the last couple of weeks.

Make the opponent fight for every inch. And make us fight for it, too.

-Rob Greenfield, Collegian Columnist

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Colleges grapple with increase in student suicides

NEW YORK-A depressed Hunter College student who swallowed handfuls of Tylenol, then saved her own life by calling 911, was in for a surprise when she returned to her dorm room after the ordeal. The lock had been changed.

She was being expelled from the dorm, the school informed her, because she violated her housing contract by attempting suicide. The 19-year-old was allowed to retrieve her belongings as a security guard stood watch.

Policies barring potentially suicidal students from dorms have popped up across the country in recent years as colleges have struggled to deal with an estimated 1,100 suicides a year. But some of those rules have come under legal attack.

Hunter College announced last month that it was abandoning its 3-year-old suicide policy as part of a settlement with the student. The student, who was allowed to continue attending class, claimed in a lawsuit that her 2004 ouster from the dorms violated federal law protecting disabled people from discrimination.

The school, part of the City University of New York system, also agreed to pay her $65,000.

Hunter spokeswoman Meredith Halpern said the college may still consider temporarily removing troubled students from its residence halls, but such evictions will no longer be automatic.

College officials say such expulsions are not punitive; Halpern said Hunter’s policy was aimed at protecting students’ privacy and shielding them from schoolmates’ prying eyes. At George Washington University in the nation’s capital, spokeswoman Tracy Schario said the idea is to give suicidal students a break from the stresses of university life and encourage them to seek help.

But some activists suspect such evictions are an attempt by colleges to avoid legal liability if someone commits suicide in the dorms.

Up until recently, the prevailing legal theory had long been that adult students were responsible for their own behavior, and that colleges could not be held liable. But that philosophy was undermined by a pair of court rulings involving the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Ferrum College in Virginia.

In both cases, judges ruled prior to out-of-court settlements that colleges might have a duty to prevent a suicide if the risk was foreseeable. The cases prompted some schools to be more aggressive about sending troubled students home.

Karen Bower, an attorney with the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, which helped litigate the Hunter College case, said she hopes the settlement will prompt other schools to rethink their policies.

“The real danger of these policies is that they discourage students from getting the help that they really need,” Bower said. Students might be scared from speaking out about suicidal thoughts if they believe it would mean eviction, she said.

The chances that a student might be expelled from a dorm simply for talking about suicide with a counselor are considered slim. Conversations with mental health professionals are generally confidential and protected by privacy laws.

But universities can hear about a student’s troubles and take action if he has been talking with friends or classmates, or does something that leads to a middle-of-the-night hospitalization, which might involve campus security or a housing official.

Elsewhere around the country, George Washington University is being sued by a former student who was barred from campus and threatened with expulsion after checking himself into a hospital for depression. The student, Jordan Nott, said he never tried to kill himself but had been thinking about it because of the suicide of a close friend, also a George Washington student.

The Bazelon Center is also representing a student at a Connecticut boarding school who was placed on a mandatory leave after seeking treatment for depression.

George Washington’s Schario said the school’s treatment of Nott was not an attempt to limit legal liability, but “to protect a life.” She added that Nott’s case was an unusual one. More than 200 students seek help for depression or suicidal thoughts each year at George Washington, and a majority are not asked to leave.

“It is always a case-by-case assessment of what is best for that particular student,” Schario said.

She acknowledged, however, that the university’s current practice of using its disciplinary system to handle some students with psychological problems “does appear insensitive” and said other procedures were being considered.

Joanna Locke of the Jed Foundation, a program aimed at preventing college suicides, said schools should have flexibility. Some schools, she said, may feel a need to send a student home if they cannot offer proper treatment, or if the student has become disruptive.

“There is no right answer, except that [the decision] should be made carefully, and the decision should be made kindly,” she said.

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2005-06 Sports Misty-Eyed Memories

The waiting drove me mad

You’re finally here

And I’m a mess

-Pearl Jam

I remember coming into my senior year last September saying I couldn’t wait to graduate because classes suck, and when I get a real job writing about sports, well, that’s simply just not a real job at all.

But I pretty much realized maybe one hour into September once I moved back to Amherst that leaving this place was absolutely not even close to one of my top priorities. How could I be so young, so stupid?

I walked out of my last final right before putting this page together last night, and my head was spinning all over the place.

Take that in. Remember that building. Don’t walk into that huge yellow tractor. I’m really done? I can’t take one more class? Hey, now, where did that fence come from? Will I be walking into this building ever again? Wow, look at her.

I told you it was spinning. Anyway, college ends fast, guys. Make sure you enjoy it. Don’t pass up on anything – not one, single thing.

And I’ve been burnt out after a long career here at the Collegian, like probably just about ever senior on staff, but I would kill to put out one more sports page or write one more feature or go to BOE just one more time (which might actually double my attendance all year, but who’s counting?).

This was some pretty phenomenal stuff, and if you don’t believe a word of what I’m saying, cut this blurb out and save it until the end of your senior year and re-read it.

I don’t know what else to say. Saying goodbye to this magical ride is only supposed to be for kids who are a year older than you. It’s finally here, and I’m a mess.

But I know how I’ll get through it. It’s time for some Misty-Eyed Memories, a longstanding sports tradition.

I don’t know if anything will top our sports movie characters for a theme, but picking Family Guy characters is always a safe bet. The elder assistant and I picked these out for the whole staff without any of them knowing which character they are.

But like someone smart once said, “That makes it that much more fun for us sarcastic editors as we snicker to ourselves one last time in the Campus Center basement.”

-Jeff Howe, Sports Editor

Jeff Howe – Sports Editor, football, hockey, men’s lacrosse

Stewie Griffin

“Hahaha, oh my God! I almost didn’t do it, I almost didn’t do it! I thought, ‘Is this in bad taste?’ But you know what; I went for it. I went for it, and I’m so glad I did! Ooooh, worth it, totally worth it.”

Wow, this truly was the final year of my five-year ride. I’ve been running the countdown on the top line of the Misty Eyes for three years now, and I’m very humbled by this whole thing. I almost want to shed a tear.

I’ve got a question for UMass, though. With the 900 billion construction vehicles, fences, holes and God knows what else is lurking around this ugly-turned-ugliest campus, do you think you could loan some of these resources to the rebuilding process of the Boston Bruins? If I go any further on either of these subjects, I might puke in my mouth.

OK, let’s take a step back and touch upon one of my favorite subjects. The New York Knicks are giving up on Larry Brown after ONE season!?! Now, Larry Brown might just be a little past his prime, a la Ben Affleck exactly one second after his “You keep your ear to the grindstone” line in “Good Will Hunting” but the guy is a legend. If he can’t turn the Knicks around, do you think, possibly, maybe it might be the guys on the roster?

Never mind, I forgot about my good friend Isaiah in the front office. “I’ve ruined more teams/organizations/leagues than anyone in history. I’ve assembled a 12-man rotation with nine small forwards. I’ve got two ball-hawking primadonas in the backcourt. I know! I’ll blame the Hall-of-Fame head coach! Brilliant!”

It’s a Guinness commercial waiting to happen.

By the way, Alex Rodriguez didn’t wear a pink wristband on Sunday just to commemorate Mother’s Day; he just wanted to see what Bronson Arroyo’s wrist looked like after he slapped it two years ago.

(Insert insensitive Duke lacrosse comment here. Even I have some standards.)

So John Daly released a book about his escapades on and off the golf course? Hey, John Daly should be a god to all men who have a pulse. Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Corolla absolutely needed a shrine of him on “The Man Show”. Anyway, there has been a lot made about his gambling addiction and all that, but I think we’re missing one huge point here. John Daly has sex?!? With living, breathing women? You’ve got to be kidding me.

Now, when the Minnesota Vikings originally got their name, what exactly did their ownership THINK was going to happen? Do these people know what vikings once did? They were human savages who waged war on the seas, stole whatever they could get their hands on and raped the women they captured. And the notorious Love Boat scandal was considered a crime? This was their calling.

Ahh, I’ve said too much. It’s time for a one-man sports meeting.

This is the end of an era. No offense to the guys who came before us and the staffers who worked their tails off this year (especially Duggan), but I officially represent the last leg of the Marzelli-McGovern-Howe Dynasty. I carried the torch the best I could this year to represent the two of you well. You both know exactly what you have meant to me as a writer and a person, and I hope the final act did the sports section justice this year after your performances. It’s our time to shine.

This football season started out with a bang. Forget that – a kablam! Mike, that pool sure was leavy. That was a sick two-hour tour of Richmond, too, but we damn sure found a great sports bar within walking distance of the ho-tel. RJ was doing his thing. Why did Stacy Tutt only touch the ball a total of three times again?

Besides the game itself, that Colgate trip was pretty sweet. Athas, Bertrand and myself officially crashed a wedding. Welcome to the club, boys. Oh, baby, I’m going back to The Cow Bell Diner!

Three safeties on Public Safety Day. Cuko’s heroics against the champs.

Then, there was the trip to Maine. Joel was the most real-life cartoon figure of a human being I’ve ever seen. That didn’t make sense, and neither did he. But he instantly deserves an induction to the Ordinary Joe(l) Hall of Fame. I could write a book on the kid, but I’ll stop with this. Wait, can I get another verse from ICP, Joel? Please?

Anywho, howbout the unanticipated clutch performance from Big Doug? Or the potato gun straight into the door from the INSIDE? Or sneaking into Ushuaia? Or the random Maine-UAH game? Or all those sports? Or the sign on the way home? Or the discovery of hand grenades in the Ludacris song? Or how we can go on a four-day trip and truly remember about six hours of it? By the way, congrats, Doug.

And then there was Delaware. Hey, Keeler, nice shades, buddy. Derek, good looks getting work off for that one and coming up clutch by taking the trip down with us.

Honestly, Mike, was there a better trip than Army? We owned that football field. Literally. For three hours, it was our damn field. If I ever catch another 80-someodd-yard touchdown pass again, though, I may never walk again. Those refs loved us. Good thing we got the guy in The Score. Also a good thing we came out of that tour alive, especially after we got lost, broke into the barracks, survived Little Russia and climbed up the biggest hills ever. I think our country is in good hands.

Hey, McGovern, I almost forgot you were there, too. Man, we would have walked up that hill forever if we didn’t somehow run into Rich. And even though those Army fans didn’t know a single thing about their team, they were pretty cool for letting us chill on the side of that hill with them.

And then there was Hofstra. Athas, you’re never allowed to navigate another road trip again. I still don’t know how you screwed those directions up. Oh, and did t
hat game even happen? Nope, nope, it didn’t.

That hockey season was something else. How I got put in charge of covering all of Hockey East for the world’s greatest college hockey website is beyond me, but I had the time of my life with it. I really hoped I earned that lifetime membership with INCH because I’ll be knocking down the doors until you let me back in if I didn’t. Hey, Skalko. I’m Jeff. Now that I’ve got the hard part out of the way…

With the way the UMass season went, it still involved some of the greatest wins I’ve ever seen. Colorado College, UNH and then Boston College? Damn, guys. Nice job. Good luck in the pros, Marv.

I still can’t believe I covered that UVM/BC game with gauze in my mouth after the gum surgery. Too many jokes, too many jokes.

But seriously, that win over BC on Feb. 3 was one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen in my life. Woo baby!

I met a lot of unbelievable people during this past hockey season, and I had the greatest five days of my life out in Milwaukee to cap it all off. By the way, I’m still looking for Laura if anyone knows her whereabouts. I’m assuming I can just schedule the wedding, and she’ll show up. I mean, we did have a connection. A loooooooooove connection.

I swallowed a bug.

I might have been looking forward to this lacrosse season as much as anyone on the actual team, mainly because of what happened in Baltimore last year.

Duggan, you did a hell of a job filling in for McGovern. I just wish you were there to witness that kid from the Yale Herald. I’m still not even sure he really existed. You ate a whole wheel of cheese? I’m not even mad. That’s impressive.

What?

Hofstra really didn’t impress me during the first week of the season. I’m sure they won’t impress me again on Saturday.

Playing Harvard only counts when you play Harvard in Cambridge because it gives you an excuse to use as many “Good Will Hunting” quotes as humanly possible, an obvious favorite pastime of mine.

I don’t understand Albany’s deal. I really don’t.

Another thing I don’t know is where to begin with Penn State. We made it all the way down there on three wheels. We somehow made it through the murder mile or whatever that messed up section of highway was called. But we definitely refilled when we made it through a certain someone’s relative’s Pleasant Gap.

Definitely key that we left late to skip out on the traffic and made it there in time to hit the bars. Before I forget, that was the greatest campus ever – with the obvious exception of Hobart. Don’t worry, Bob. I didn’t cheat on Hobart with Penn State.

Those cheese steaks were horrendous. My ID is also apparently horrendous. I still stand by the fact that the bouncer told me we were getting free drinks for paying the cover. That bartender just didn’t understand. I still to this day don’t know how we made it to the game. I mean, those MapQuest directions just led us in the wrong direction. Yeah, that was it.

Was that radio guy actually calling the game, or did he just love saying which hand the player shot with, or did he just love saying which team was wearing which colors. Props to Billy Donovan for sneaking in “With no regard for human life!”

May the greatest Red Sox hat in history rest in peace. It was on my head for three Super Bowls, a World Series, made it in and out of Yankee Stadium for Game 7 and a countless amount of other things. I love you, hat. I love you.

I’d talk much more about the ‘Cuse trip if I didn’t already run a 1,000-word running diary. “I know so much about sports [because I'm a huge tool].” Yeah, that’s what he meant. Hey, that lady knew the Carrier Dome like she worked there or something. And I don’t even know how to describe that wind.

I’m happy I introduced you two to “Cheaters”. I definitely changed your lives forever, especially since we saw the greatest episode in the history of television. Anyone wanna hit up downtown Germany, I mean downtown Russia?

And, no, Sebastian Telfair didn’t have it bad at ALL. Anyone who lives in the woods of upstate New York has it bad. Wow, talk about a hole.

I hope everyone is ready for a ride to Philly.

Did I forget The Score? No, not one bit. At least not the parts I remember about it anyway. Whatever I just said pretty much sums up those 75 consecutive sleepless hours. Instead of spending a thousand words trying to ask myself how in the world we all pulled that off, I’m just going to give The Score a moment of silence …( )

Well, that was fun.

Duggan – Man, you did yourself one hell of a job this year. I knew you’d come in and contribute, but I had no idea you would be the glue that held this section together. This year would have been a lot harder without you on staff, and I’m real happy with the effort you put forth to make yourself a better writer, reporter and editor nearly each and every day. You have the ability to really make something of yourself in this business, and I know you’re not going to do anything that will screw that up. I was hoping at this point last year that this is something I could be saying to you, but you far and away exceeded my expectations. I know these road trips probably scared the hell out of you with that whole “tire problem,” but didn’t that just make you appreciate life that much more every time we survived and made it back to Amherst? I was probably just doing you a favor. I’m happy you caught the lacrosse bug this year, too. Me, you and McGovern are definitely going to be those “drunken idiots” on the hill someday, and I’m completely fine with that. Hey, let’s cover the Sox for the Globe someday or something. And one last thing; give that tee shirt back to the poor kid you stole it from. We all know you didn’t win a real intramural championship. You’re only kidding yourself, and no one wins when you do something like that.

Athas – Someone had themselves a pretty damn crazy year, huh? You must be pretty relieved knowing you won’t have me around next year busting your balls on an hourly basis, but you’ll miss it since I guess you’re now the elder statesman down there. Scary if you ask me. I don’t know what your plans are with the sports section next year, but I hope you can at least stick with football. If nothing else, you have to be the third guy on the beat. If you happen to take Randy Lively’s seat in the press box, so be it. It was about a year-and-a-half ago when I told you that big things were in store for you at this place, and you pretty much proved me right. I like being right, as you very well know, but make sure you keep working to continuously improve every single day. I’m counting on you to keep this whole thing together, especially The Score. That’s going to be your baby next year so start thinking about it now. And if you happen to top this year’s product, I’ll be back to Nancy Kerrigan your ass.

Greenfield – I’m going to put this the best way I know how. You’ve got a long line of sports editors to live up to, and if you don’t, you’re going to hear about it from each and every one of them. There is a lot of pride from the section’s alumni, and you’ve had the least amount of time to groom for this position out of anyone in the last few years. You have to constantly be aware that you need to put out a quality product five days a week while you also work to make yourself a better reporter in the process. That’s a lot of work put on your plate, and while I know you’re willing to put in the effort, don’t burn yourself out by October. Use your Collegian resources. There are a lot of people who will be willing to help you out if you ask. And don’t screw up The Score. Other than that, chill out for a couple months before the big return because it’s going to be a looooongggg year.

Hey, you wanna work for me on Tuesday?

Hall – You amazed the hell out of me this year. I didn’t know if you’d last past Sept. 15, let alone all the way until May. You’ve got a good thing going for you, and you know that. Good luck with the Globe. It’s going to open
up a lot of doors for you – not that you needed anyone to really tell you that. You were as valuable to this staff as any editor, and that is something I’ve been telling you for two years. You gave swimming its best coverage in the history of the sport, and you swallowed up the other sports you covered without even missing a beat. It would have been easy for you to walk away this year considering the circumstances, but your loyalty to the section and to me is a huge testament to who you are as a person. Your writing will take you places. Your personality will take you places. Your willingness to give a solid effort every single day will take you places. And your loyalty and dedication to everything you do will take you places. Not many people have that package the way you do. Good luck with everything, man. I’m gonna miss the hell out of working alongside you.

Pelland – Good thing you somehow managed to get me to Agganis that one time. I don’t know what my deal with driving in that city is. You’ve got yourself a good gig next year so take advantage of it. I know you’re going to work hard to keep getting yourself better, and never for one second hesitate to give me a call if you need something. You’ve got your work cut out for you with hockey next year. There are a long line of great hockey writers here like Merritt and Brady (and obviously yours truly) so you’ve got a tradition to uphold. If you screw this beat up, Kimberly will damn sure call me to tell me about it. If you ever turn 21, you better let me know about it. I’ll see you at the Garden next year for Hockey East.

Danny Pee-Card – I don’t know why I can’t get your name right, but it looks like I’m going to have to now that you’re a big shot. I’d like to tell you not to let it all go to your head, but I’d be a hypocrite if I did – ya know, with the whole WEEI and Metro thing. Anyway, you were the staff’s Rookie of the Year this year. You came out of nowhere and dominated absolutely everything you did. I hope you jump on hockey next year with Pelland, but I can understand if you don’t. I’m obviously going to be in Boston a lot this year so I’ll be hitting you up. I don’t know what it’s going to be like going to a bar with you not named Delano’s, but I’m willing to adapt if you are. You do a great job with this stuff so keep it up, and make sure you guys find someone else with a Boston accent to hire as an editor to keep this long line that I started going.

Jeremy – Sorry about that whole E-mail fiasco in the war room, although I’ll be laughing about that one for awhile. There’s nothing I can really say to you here that I didn’t already say to you during my rant about softball a couple weeks ago. You’re a solid writer and reporter, and if you’re not an editor at this time next year, you’ve really done something wrong. The future is bright for you if you keep up the work you’ve been doing. Hey, I hear the ski team is hiring a new coach if all else fails. Have a good summer, man.

Dom – If you continue to improve on the same scale that you improved from March until now, you’re going to do some great things next year. Stick with this, and keep working hard. People who have a work ethic like yours succeed in life 100 times out of 100 no matter what it is that they’re trying to do. I can’t thank you enough for the hard work you put in this year, and I will always vouch for you if you’re ever applying for a job somewhere.

Joey – I’m not one to lie. I don’t know a damn thing about you, man. I just hope your next sports editor can get it through your head to stop double-spacing stories, changing the font on your byline and giving it a headline. Good luck wherever you end up.

Nick – I like calling you the honorary member of the sports staff, but let’s try writing for sports next year so we can drop the “honorary” tag. You wanted to write for the Collegian … or something, so let’s try that something out on the cool side of the newsroom. I don’t know where this is all going to lead you, but your future looks as bright as anyone down there (except me, of course). Just kidding, man. You’re going to do a phenomenal job next year, and I say that without a single ounce of doubt. I’d tell you how much you meant to The Score if I hadn’t already beaten that to a dead horse, and it’s not like you don’t know it anyway. You’re a great worker, but you’re an even better guy. There’s a lot to be said about that. Keep in touch.

P.S. What’s your sister up to these days?

Belliveau – Same to you, write some damn sports next year, will ya? Either way, I know you got the news section locked down. You were a great addition to the newsroom this year, even if it took you to drive to the wrong Amherst before you even started. There aren’t many people who show me up with pure stupidity, but you definitely took the cake with that move. Oh, and there was one more thing I had to add. Thinking…thinking…thinking… Oh yeah, Duke sucks!

Marissa – OK, so there was that graphical error that cut you out of The Score. Wasn’t my fault. I swear. That’s why you get the first mention from the business department. Wait, do I even know you?

KerryO – Hey, thanks for the shout-out in the grad guide. Cool. I see how it is. Sorry about Charlie’s on my birthday. Or maybe I’m not. Either way, it makes for a good story. Scout out ASU for me because you know I’ll be down there at some point. We’re hitting up a Cardinals game. And since you’re my richest friend, you’re buying.

Lauren and Mel – You two crack me up. I feel bad for graphics next year because they’re losing a couple all stars. Mel, maybe I’ll see you at The Claddagh – or however you spell it – at some point. You two take care.

Everyone who worked on The Score – Thank you once again.

Every girl in the business office – Call me. Come on. Seriously. Please? This isn’t begging is it? No, no, no, it’s not begging. It’s not even close to begging.

And now to everyone who lives above the ground…

Derek – I think there was something I was supposed to say to you about satin rugs, long drives through eastern Mass., early morning breakfasts, earmuffs, Lindsey Lohan, Another Bad Creation, Peking Garden, barber shops, being my favorite assistant, hair bands, the 1980s and some of the early 1990s, bandanas, pita bread, Boy Meets World and standing me up when I didn’t have the strength in my own two legs. I love you.

HAHAHAHA!

Boothie – The Collegian’s favorite photographer. If I talked about the two trips to that one city on the other side of the state for a certain sporting event and everything that may or may not have happened before, during and afterward, I might be in jail. So I’ll leave that for 40 years from now when we’re chillin on the front porch somewhere in some random state with 40s of God only knows what. Hey! What’s your favorite planet? Mine’s the sun!

Locapo – I still don’t know where you came from this semester, but wherever it was, they sure don’t know how to play college football on the PS2. Keep practicing, man. Sooo, ahhh, you wanna hit the Pheasant Lane Mall this summer? I’ll wear my blue glasses. And tell Mrs. Locapo I’m really sorry. Or just show her this…

I had no idea it was you on the phone that day. My bad. I’m really a good kid. I swear. I mean, I don’t swear. And don’t let your son leave UMass.

All the girls – Who wants a margarita???

Robbie – OK, once before I hit the dusty trail… BAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Kit – Thanks for being my Asian outlet when I’m away from Lowell. When you become a famous rapper, write a song about me. I mean, why does everyone else get one? Actually, you have until tomorrow to put me in an away message.

Bri – So, ahhh, how’s that fantasy team of yours doing? I guess I could ask you or I could just look at the American League East standings under “New York Yankees”. I hope your parents are happy with what they raised.

Foster – Say it slowly. La To-ma-ti-na.

Marzelli and McGovern – Guys … I actually did it.

This one-man sports meeting is officially ad
journed.

Dan Duggan, Assistant Sports Editor, women’s soccer, men’s basketball, men’s lacrosse

Peter Griffin

“No I’m not drunk, I’m just exhausted ’cause I’ve been up all night drinking.”

If I was going to put a headline on the start of my time at the Collegian I would have to go with the most overused headline on every sports feature this year: “Dan Duggan has arrived.” If I was going to put a headline now that I’m leaving, I’m hoping that it wouldn’t be the other most overused sports headline: “Mixed results for Duggan.”

That may be an inside joke that only the sports editors will get, but the truth is I really hope that I’ve done enough in my time at the paper that the reviews would be a bit more favorable.

I feel like I’ve written so many goodbye columns in the past few days, and I have so many people to mention and thank, that I’m going to skip another long sendoff and just get on to the shout-outs. I guess I’ll start with those of you who have spent the better part of your college career deep in the bowels of the Campus Center basement.

Howe: We both wandered down here two and a half years ago, and you moved through the ranks faster than I ever could have imagined. I hope that this year I’ve closed the gap a little bit, but that was tough to do because you set the bar pretty high.

I wish we could have done more beats together, especially one that wasn’t in our last semester when senioritis was at its peak because we would have completely knocked it out of the park. I still think we did a pretty damn good job with lax. Gotta love trying to coax that big quote out of Cannella. “Oh so this isn’t a big game? Oh so every game means the same?” Thanks for that.

The week of The Score was just ridiculous. I don’t think anyone outside of the handful of us who spent almost a week straight in the office putting out The Best Special Issue of the Collegian Ever can really understand what that experience was like. I’m not gonna lie there were a few moments that made me question what we were even doing, like when I almost fell asleep at the wheel while driving home at 9 a.m. and you having hallucinations by the end of the week, but I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

I still don’t know how you managed to get us kicked out of that bar at Penn State in under five minutes. But after further consideration, I am pretty sure that the bouncer didn’t make any promises of free drinks. Also, you might want to look into getting a new ID so we don’t have to put up with 20-minute hassles at every bar we try to get into.

That weekend pretty much summed up our friendship: spending half our time covering sports and the other half getting absolutely wasted. Over this past year you have gone from being my boss to becoming someone I don’t hesitate to call a good friend. I still know that I can always look to you for advice on anything and everything related to sports writing, but I’m happier that I also know that I’ll be able to call you any night and say let’s go get loaded in Boston, and you’ll be just as able to do that.

Athas: We all know that was you during Score week. You know what I’m talking about man, I don’t want to call you out on it in the paper, but just know that we all know. Just kidding, but seriously you’re one of the most impressive people I’ve ever met.

You’ve achieved so much in such a short time, and you’re going to go onto so much more. You have an amazing way of keeping your calm demeanor no matter what’s going on around you. I’m glad that I got to know you so well, and I know the paper is in good hands with you for the next two years.

You’re still gonna have to come out with Jeff and me, though, so we can show you how sports editors really party.

Greenfield: You’ve been put in a pretty tough spot, trying to get started in the office with two guys on the way out. You’ve shown that you’ll be able to lead this section well, and you better because Howe and I won’t be far away, so if you screw it up we’ll let you know about it.

I know you won’t though. You’re a hard-working kid and I know you’ll do a good job. Don’t get yourself too burnt out by it, sit back and enjoy the ride once and a while, and it’ll be even more worthwhile.

Picard: You’ve really hit the big time with this column. Ride it for all it’s worth. You remind me of myself in a lot of ways, and I’m hoping you take this assistant job and run with it the same way I did. I’m sure you will, and if you do you won’t regret it.

You’ve got a big future in this, and I’m proud to know that I had some affect on that, no matter how small it may actually be. You’re gonna have to come to Quincy with the Collins boys over the summer and we’ll throw back a few.

Pelland: Just like Picard, you’re a lot like I was a year ago. You have a ton of potential, and I just hope that you understand how much you have to gain next year if you go out and give it everything you have. You’ve always been one of the most reliable kids down here, so now it’s up to you to take it to the next level. I have all the faith in the world that you’ll do it.

Hall: I think you’ve always known that you have a ton of talent and I think that this year you finally realized how to harness that into something productive. You’re one of the most well-intentioned, outgoing people I’ve ever met, and even if it does get you into a bit of hot water sometimes, I wouldn’t change anything if I were you.

It’s funny that I was basically your boss this year, because whether you know it or not I actually learned a lot from you, especially starting out. I think we kicked (no pun intended) soccer’s ass in our two years on the beat.

You’ve really blossomed this year and it’s been great to see you turn out the way you have. I have no doubt that you’ll keep it going. Good luck with the Globe, I’m sure you’ll knock it out of the park.

Jeremy: It’s not easy to get noticed on the skiing beat, but you managed to do that this year. That should tell you all you need to know about you abilities as a reporter and a writer. You have a lot of time left at the Collegian and I’m expecting to hear big things from you in the future.

Domenic: You’ve improved as much as anyone this year, and it’s been great to see. Never lose that work ethic and eagerness to learn, it’ll take you far. If you stick with this I think you’ll have a great future. Good luck with the Sun and everything else.

Joey: We didn’t see as much of you this semester, but I know it’s because you were working so much at the Gazette, and that was a great opportunity for you and I hope you make the most of it. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to give me a call.

The new guys: I haven’t gotten to know many of you very well, but if you ever need anything, well you have about a week to hit me up. But I know you guys will be in good hands with Greenfield, so just remember that if you want to do this, the Collegian is as good a place as anywhere to get your start.

Nick: It’s hard to believe you’re only a sophomore. I can already tell you’re headed for big things and I think you know that too. I can’t imagine what this paper would look like on a daily basis if it wasn’t for your graphic ability. I know you’re moving up the food chain, but make sure you give them a hand with the Score next year, they’re gonna need it. Keep in touch man.

Believeau: You somehow managed to make working Thursday nights fun. That said, if I find out you’re still working Thursdays next year I’m gonna come back and forcibly remove you from the office and drop you off uptown. And come to think of it, same goes if I find out you’re still covering SGA.

You are gonna do an awesome job with news next year, even if we all know your heart is in sports. You’re one of the most laidback people I’ve ever met and I wish I had gotten to know you before this year because I’m sure we would have been even better friends. I got about a week left here, and I’m making a guarantee that we will grab a beer together at some point. p>

Also, good job on the assistan

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