Is UMD really a ‘suitcase campus’?

By Eric Rollins

Spring Break affects everybody differently, especially on a campus as diverse as this one. Some people went home to their couch and their bed, some hit the summer job stride to try and make some extra grocery/beer money. I personally had a lot of work to do but I decided to go hang out with birds and fish down by a pond instead of sit in front of a computer. Whatever you did, there’s no doubt you realize that the spring semester barrels through the first few months of each year with no hesitation. How it’s different than the fall semester is hard to define, but there’s a different feeling: in autumn we move into the bad weather, while spring we are moving out; fill in your own comparisons here.

On Saint Patrick’s Day I was trying to define exactly what we were celebrating. Having a holiday to honor the Irish stereotype of drinking is a little too vain for me, so I looked for something else to honor. Instead of honoring something, I think Saint Patrick’s Day, and this most recent Spring Break we were on, should be seen as a doorstop on time, a proverbial tugging on the reins if you will.

It’s going to be the fourth month of 2007 and I still write “06” on most of my papers; the new year hasn’t sunk in yet. This spring try to enjoy the campus and the surrounding areas, like Horseneck Beach and Gooseberry Island. As you try to come up with ways to procrastinate, go off campus towards the ocean. As a freshman four years ago, this was the thing to do; I don’t hear of it at all anymore. Through tutoring younger generations of UMD students, I get the feeling the campus is losing it’s appeal as an on campus funhouse. It was for me as a freshman and sophomore; only moving into apartment style housing as an upperclassman have I grown more attached to my actual domicile.

I was looking over a freshman’s transfer letter, he described this school as a “suitcase college,” where everyone packs up and goes home on the weekends. It’s disturbing to think how this will carry into the future years. Younger generations don’t find walking around campus or just hanging out at the dunes of Horseneck appealing enough to get up from behind the computer. Suit yourself, I’m graduating...I just warn you that you don’t know what you’ve got until its gone as an underclassman. I had to hum the song to remember the words - sad.

I digress; moving onto more pressing subjects like parking fees and anger with the Chancellor. Formerly, the parking fees aren’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things. It’s something to complain about as a student; it’s a tangible evil. Look at your bill, curriculum fees, housing, maintenance; what are we paying for exactly? At least with parking fees we know. However arbitrary the fees may feel, the school is getting better and it needs more of your money. Most big public schools, and all private schools, charge for parking. Maybe it will dissuade freshmen from bringing cars on campus, look at the bright side. Looking at how they are going to spend the money is a little unsettling. More Dart Vans?

The “four pronged improvement strategy” is absurd. Don’t rub our faces in that nonsense; we don’t mind getting finagled out of our money, but don’t orchestrate irrelevance like this plan. Fiorvanti should not be blamed; he’s just the messenger. Closed circuit television isn’t necessary for anything. I can tell you what you’re seeing: kids walking to class or hanging out. Implementing more stringent campus entrance strategies, like having a gate monitor working the gates at all times would be more efficient. I decline to comment on the Dart Vans. In almost four years as a student I’ve never used them, not once. Some people do and I know it’s useful, but I don’t know about it. All I am saying is that the fees aren’t surprising, but don’t appease us with false appropriations. I see the fees as a transparent fee; the current fees are less so. Having parking fees just makes our bill more discrete; having a forum, especially leading on that some questions might be answered directly, was a waste of everyone’s time.

The Chancellor, from what I heard, humbled a great deal of observers when she visited the Student Senate meeting a few Mondays ago. Regardless of the accent, which can’t be helped growing up in Dorchester, Ms. MacCormack can keep a room enthralled with ease. I have seen her speak on a number of occasions, most recently her State of the Campus address earlier in the semester. The Student Senate and other active community members criticize her for her absence in what appear to be important carriages of impact, such as the parking fees, housing and the library. MacCormack is a Bulger trained politician; she only speaks when it’s absolutely necessary. She didn’t speak at the useless parking forum; Fiorvanti was the man for that job, to his credit.

Both of these issues prove vehemently that the UMass administration is well thought out. The Chancellor and her aides decide the policies, and the lower level leaders take the hits from the student body because they’re the ones not answering the questions. The Chancellor isn’t facing any questions to not answer in person; however, when she is in person she speaks fluidly and authoritatively. It’s precision politics at it’s finest. As the years continue I ask the student community to see past the deception and not be bought, figuratively. Complaining about parking fees to Fiorvanti won’t help; he doesn’t control the implementation or the appropriation. The same goes with Vic Culatta and housing. Do some digging and read up on your history before spouting off; you will only hurt the quest to fight an opaque administration, it won’t help it.

A convenient falsehood

Al Gore and the Cult of Global Warming

By Ben Tansey

As of late, global warming has been all the rage. Especially here in New England, where much of our unusually warm winter was attributed by folks to “global warming” (the actual culprit was the El Nino cycle we are in). As the global warming canard goes, the phenomena is being caused by Co2 (carbon dioxide) emissions being released into the air by humans via our industrial growth, beginning in the 18th century and continuing on thereafter. Global Warming even has its own big budget movie, Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth.

The solution, then, it is argued by Gore and his allies, is to curb growth. By carbon credits, stop consuming so much, deny the third world its large scale development until technologies can be found to create “sustainable energy” and thereby “sustainable growth.” How many people will unnecessarily die while we wait for that crucial development is, of course, never mentioned. The fact of the matter is that, undoubtedly, global warming is, undoubtedly, occurring. And undoubtedly, human beings are playing some role in encouraging it. But the idea, put forth by the global warming lobby, that industrialization and human economic growth is causally linked with the phenomena of climate change in a major way is truly ridiculous.

The fact of the matter is that the current warming period we are in began before the invention of cars and airplanes, and that most of the actual climate change occurred even before 1940, when industrialization was still confined and (relatively) small in scale. Some studies have even shown that Co2 emissions in nature lag behind changes in temperature by as much as 800 years. That is to say, changes in Co2 are symptoms, not causes, of global warming. Certainly there have been many fluctuations in the earth’s temperature in the past that have not been caused by humans. The medieval warm period and the little ice age that followed are common knowledge. And indeed, it would not be false to suggest that the scientific consensus has been wrong before. In the 20th century, we were warned of the impending ice age, the population bomb, acid rain, and DDT poisoning, just to name a few. None turned out to have much substance. This is not because of some broad conspiracy or widespread stupidity in the scientific field. It is inherent to the nature of empiricism; if you lack all of the proper data, you can end up with conclusions that are wildly inaccurate.

We don’t know for certain whether Co2 is a cause or a symptom of climate change. We don’t know for certain whether industrialization is a leading cause of global warming, some would argue it is not a cause at all. We don’t even know if we can reverse the effects of it by cutting back our economic development, or whether the effects will even last (that impending ice age of thirty years ago disappeared pretty quickly). What we do know is that people in the third world are dying in vast numbers because they lack access to the proper technology that would allow them to live longer, wealthier, and happier lives. We know that globalization and worldwide capitalism are, for the first time, giving them a chance to pull themselves out of the Hobbesian gutter. And we know that, if we choose now to retreat, to pull back in the face of a speculation, a possibility, they will fall right back down. The evidence ought be a lot harder and a lot more expansive than it is to convince us to to do this.

The sad fact is that (Al Gore excluded, at least I hope) much of the “global warming” movement is really just the same old Neo-Marxism, dressed up in green instead of red. And, just as before, it would send millions to their deaths in a failed attempt to achieve whatever the social justice flavor of the week is this time. We should know better than to be bamboozled again.

From rags to "The Riches"

By Thomas Gibbs

The Riches, the newest hit series on FX starring Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver as a family that attempts to pull off the ultimate con by transforming from low class swindlers straight to upper class “well-to-do” people. The show, which serves to take viewers away from the more cliché` reality shows that involves hospitals or cops, and instead gives them a look into a group that they can relate to more: a struggling family attempting to work themselves into a society that would normally not accept them.

The series starts out with the Molloys, Wayne (Izzard) and Dahlia (Driver), stealing the identities of a rich couple that die in a car accident, but were otherwise unknown to the rest of society. Hilarity ensues as Wayne and Dahlia keep trying to mask themselves off as part of the upper crust, but frequently show signs of crumbling off from the rest of the cul-de-sac. While the idea sounds a bit dark at first due to the acts of thievery and death, the series is actually light hearted and is meant to be treated solely as a comedy.

And it’s not just the neighborhood that the Molloys have to try and con. There are also people from the Molloy’s previous life that they have to try and keep themselves hidden from, as well as those who may have had relations with the ones who died. It’s as if the family is being attacked from all sides, and all they’ve got as a defense is a very long, very played out story. However, with actors like Izzard and Driver, the constant fear of being caught is always brought about with a small, but delightful taste of humor that, like a spoonful of sugar, leaves you with a sweetened aftertaste.

The show promises to be a delightful look into the lives of people just like us who only want what’s best for their family, even if it means trying to become something they’re not. The Riches can be seen on Tuesdays at 10:00, and is only on the FX channel.

Click Cedar Dell South this April!

By Eric Rollins

With housing and class selections for next semester approach, a few words of wisdom from a graduating senior might be in order. I would tend to disagree; I think most students know exactly where they want to live and what classes they want to take.

The large amount of choice in both (ahem) may boggle your mind, but contemplating how such an off-the-cuff prejudice affects so much can be organized efficiently if you just listen to those who have experienced everything.

I lived in Cedar Dell West my junior year, and as you may have read before in this paper, I prefer it over any other dormitory. Of course, I am a bit of a masochist; I enjoy taking the harder avenues in life. But the Dell really isn’t that much worse than the Woodland Commons, and I say worse because they are both pretty bad. I don’t presume to think that at other colleges my living situation would have been better, but I know living at a UMD apartment is pretty rough. Again, you’d probably be worse off in downtown new Bedford or Fall River, but neither is luxurious in any way, so don’t kid yourself.

A quick tale of the tape: First, I’ll measure the location. The Dell is secluded; the Woodland Commons are more ingratiated with the campus. The former is a good 20-minute walk to campus, especially if you take class in Group I. It’s not a bad walk, though. There are various pine trees and holly trees to enjoy the company of, and the wildlife (squirrels, skunks, stray cats) make the walk more interesting. I stress the wilderness aspect of the Dell, because the Woodlands have none. I know they tried to plant trees to coincide with the building names (for instance Willow has a willow tree in the front), but by no means are there characteristics equivalent to the Dell. Because I miss the wilderness of the Dell as much as a don’t miss the longer walking distances, this one is a classic push.

Living space is second on the list. The Woodland Commons have the one living quarter and tight bedrooms. The bigger beds are attractive, but the fact that you have to abandon having a desk chair to achieve the same space as the Dell makes it less desirable, and trust me this is true. The Dell has much more storage space and more counter space, too. When you give up your meal plan and start cooking for yourself on a regular basis (another thing I strongly recommend), storage and counter space are precious. The Woodland Commons are a struggle to find room for even a light shopping spree, the Dell has too much. Advantage: the Dell.

Amenities are a premium desire for college kids, even though they shouldn’t be. The Woodland Commons have a dishwasher and a much better full bath-to-student ratio (1:2 over 1:6). The dishwasher isn’t that big of a deal, but dishes on the whole can be a deal breaker for some groups. Without a dishwasher, one lazy roommate will create havoc when the dishes start piling up. I know you’ll agree on the “everyone clean up after themselves and there won’t be any problems” theory to dishes, but even with a dishwasher this never lives through a year. Without a dishwasher this can cause some serious tension in a dorm, and for girls, only having one shower can also be impossible. Advantage: Woodland Commons.

In a tight race, the overall advantage goes to the Dell, because of the overall experience and camaraderie available there. The Woodland Commons are glorified dorms in the long run, even though they do have a kitchen and individual rooms. The Cedar Dell is much more of a community and the outdoor life makes it worthwhile. Getting a grill for your stoop, having a whiffle ball court and Frisbee games in between homework assignments exists in the Dell, it does not in the Commons. The hallways are too long and the height is too much of a deterrent to constantly go outside.

Inevitable procrastination and distractions are what tip the scale in favor of the Dell; in the Commons when you get bored you’ll surf the Internet, watch TV, or play video games; in the Dell you’ll go outside. Whether you think this is a good thing for you or not is not my prerogative, only the truth suffices. And the truth is the Dell allows for a better overall experience even if the Commons are a little more upscale. At least throw in the Dell when discussing living situations next year, even if you already refuse all but the Commons. Stay tuned for my analysis on choosing classes next week.

SOUL SIGHTINGS

Part III: Maturity progresses from illusion to the Divine

By Madeleine Tacy

My last two articles considered the movement from loneliness to solitude and from hostility to hospitality. The next area, the movement from illusion to relationship with the Divine, is the glue that holds our life together and gives our life meaning. As we all know when we are honest, “stuff” does not fill the deepest longing of our heart. If it did, we could conceivably acquire enough “stuff” to fill the longing. Our life is filled with illusions. When we are young it is the illusion of our own immortality. In our minds we will never die and acting on this belief we engage in all kinds of self-destructive behavior and are angry when our behavior has consequences. Another illusion is that of being in control. We all want very much to be the boss, to have everything operate the way we want it to function because anyone with any sense can easily see that the way we want tasks to be performed this is the only right way to operate. Hopefully along the way we have some kind of recognition of the futility of the illusion of immortality and control since neither are possible or true.

Today’s culture is very uneasy with any mention of the Divine or our need to be in relationship with a power greater than ourselves. There is a good deal of talk about God, what God wants and that God is on our side. Unfortunately, in the midst of all this talk, life goes on as usual with economic injustice, injustice in the legal system and the belief that if we as an individual or a country want to engage in a particular course of action we are justified since God is truly on our side. All of this kind of thinking is an illusion since it begins with asking the wrong question. The question is not whether God is on our side but whether we are on God’s side. Asking the question of whether we are on God’s side and being honest with the answer necessitates letting go of the God of convenience we create so we can live the way we want to live.

Perhaps one of the most difficult tasks of maturing, i.e. getting one’s act together, is the realization we are not the center of the universe even though we would love dearly to be so. The only one who thinks we are truly the center of the universe is our dog and even then only if there are treats involved. Most origin stories have some account of the human being created by a divine being. For Christians this story is found in the first chapters of Genesis. What is also found is the refusal of this creature, who bears the Divine Image, to be in relationship with the creator. Such a relationship is only possible when we give up the belief we are immortal and can control everything and everyone. This invitation is extended to all of us. To the extent we accept it we bring the presence of the Divine into the world we live in and make it a more whole place to live.