The Niagara Index - Niagara University

The Niagara Index
The Nation’s Third Oldest College Newspaper
Volume 77, Issue 8
February 12, 2007
Happy Valentine’s Day Sweetheart!
Please
Eavesdrop.
Then tell us
about it!
submit your overheard quote to:
[email protected]
Girl 1: Awwww... it’s a bunny!
Girl 2: Ribbit. Ribbit.
- Clet Hall, Dec. 13, 2006. Said in
reference to a television comercial.
“I can puke in a house, I can puke
with a mouse, I can puke here or
there, I can puke anywhere.”
-Apartment 5A, Feb. 5, 2007
Some Valentine’s Day quotes:
“Gravitation is not responsible for
people falling in love.”
- Albert Einstein
“Love is much nicer to be in than
an automobile accident, a tight
girdle, a higher tax bracket, or a
holding pattern over Philadelphia.”
- Judith Viorst
Spiritual week invigorates
Vincentian community
Adrienne West
Staff Writer
Vincentian Spiritual Renewal Week was
held Jan. 25-30 and was sponsored by the
Office of Campus Ministry, including the
invaluable presence of Vincentians Fr.
Aidan Rooney C.M., Fr. Jack Timlin C.M.,
Sr. Mary Frate D.C., and Sr. Pat Evanick
D.C. It was celebrated during what is
widely recognized as Vincentian Heritage
Week, which served as host to an annual
week of activities, focused exclusively
on St. Vincent DePaul and our Vincentian
heritage as a university. Niagara University
sponsored a variety of activities, including
educational seminars, worship services and
social events based on the teachings of St.
Vincent de Paul.
This year’s theme was “Xtreme Vincent:
Building the Righteous Community” and
the events were scheduled around Jan. 25
in light of Founders Day, when St. Vincent
DePaul founded the Congregation of the
Mission. The series of Vincentian Heritage-based events are an annual tradition,
but this year’s efforts were boosted in light
of Niagara’s 150th year.
“I thought [the week] was a huge success,” said Sr. Nora Gatto. “We tend to
think of success by how many people
came, but I don’t see it that way. I think
that huge success
means that people
who came seemed
to be touched in
their hearts. It’s
priceless, and I
think it was wonderful.”
Vi n c e n t i a n
Spiritual Renewal
Week kicked off
on Thursday, Jan.
25, with a Mass by
Rev. John T. Maher
Fr. Aidan Rooney,
which included a new addition to the celebration with the awarding of the Caritas
Medal to Dr. David Taylor. Taylor is an
assistant professor of criminal justice at
Niagara who embodies Vincentian values
through his work with various community
services programs in Niagara Falls, including ReNU Niagara, a Community Outreach
Partnership Center program coordinated by
Taylor that focuses on community organizing around the city’s needs.
Dr. Taylor was honored because he embodies the spirit of St. Vincent DePaul in
his service to the community. “Spirituality
is an active word,” said campus minister
Fr. John Maher, “it’s about action as well
as reflection, which is why we honored Dr.
Taylor.”
The presentations and seminars were
held throughout the week for students, faculty, and staff. “Each session focused on
one of the 10 Principles of Catholic Social
Teaching from a Vincentian perspective,”
said Campus Minister, Jerod Sikorskyj. Fr.
Aidan Rooney, a former minister at Niagara, constructed and outlined these thematic
principles that were central to the events.
“Vincentian Spiritual Week focused on
all different aspect of the university and
the people who play different roles,” said
Sikorskyj. He highlighted the student leadership luncheon for social justice held on
Jan. 26 as being a major event, “I thought
this to be engaging because we got a crosssection of student leaders from NUSGA and
other student clubs… and the conversation
really centered on the ten principles.”
One of the principles outlined, for example, was ecological responsibility. Issues related to that responsibility and Vincentian values, such as the importance of
recycling and caring for our environment,
reflect the idea that certain deeds are required of us as opposed to what we think
is nice. Also, discussions arose as to the responsibility of students to choose clothing
and products made by individuals making
a living wage, rather than what is cheapest
Continued on page 4
One man’s global search for social justice
cations back in Great Britain for six years on the turmoil
that was happening yards away from his school.
“What a time to go there. I would be preparing scripts
Dr. Brian Martin Murphy is not the kind of person that during the day for the radio program, but at night I wrote
brags about his accomplishments. The professor’s friendly stories back home regarding the violence happening,” said
demeanor and laid back nature have won him a cult fol- Murphy about his experiences in South Africa.
lowing from his students and respect from fellow faculty
“Our college was right on the Caledon River, which was
in the communications department.
this muddy, dirty strait that separated Lesotho from South
Yet it would be difficult for one to not be fascinated by Africa. Many times we would have refugees, usually antithe life that this Canadian native has lived for nearly 40 Apartheid fighters or protestors, that would come seeking
years. It has been a life spent dedicated to the pursuit of shelter by swimming through the river. That was really my
social justice in the world.
big break in international journalism.”
Murphy’s reputation as an investigative journalist has
By 1979, Murphy returned to England where he conbeen built by his coverage of events happening in Africa, a tinued to serve as a contributor to London based magacontinent that besides the
zines dealing with Afrioccasional story of geno- “With little resources, Murphy helped create one of the can affairs like “The New
cide or war, is barely a first computer networks in the South African region African” and “African
blip on the radar for many from scratch to coordinate with his correspondents.” Business.” The following
mainstream news organiyear, he traveled back to
zations.
Canada where he received a master’s in journalism from
His History - The United Kingdom
Carleton University in Ottawa.
Ironically, Murphy’s career in international journalism Onward to Zimbabwe
started following his graduation from Concordia UniversiDuring the 1980s, Murphy served as a correspondent for
ty in Montreal where he earned a bachelor’s degree in his- the Rome-based Inter Press Service (IPS), which led him
tory. He traveled to the United Kingdom where this fresh to Zimbabwe.
faced reporter began to work for the esteemed University
“The IPS had a regional agency in Botswana that was
of Edinburgh’s publication in various capacities, including covering news from neighboring South Africa that northat of newspaper designer.
mally would be censored by
“It was great working for Edinburgh at that time, es- the government. In fact, the
pecially when you had people like Gordon Brown there South African army actually
who is now being seen as the successor to [British Prime invaded the Botswana and
Minister] Tony Blair,” said Murphy. “We actually won an blew it up.”
award for having the best designed newspaper in all of
With this unfortunate turn of
Great Britain.”
events, Murphy was assigned
Apartheid - South Africa
to creating a news network
Following his time in Scotland, Murphy moved on to the centered in Harare, ZimbaAfrican nation of Lesotho, located deep within the Apart- bwe. His reports of the oppresheid-ruled South Africa in 1972. He worked for a small sion of the black population
college where he served as a radio producer that taught by the white-run government
students across the region via “distance education.” This of South Africa did not endear
technique is similar to online courses that students who him to the nation, nor did his
can not be physically present in class use today.
nationality.
Besides teaching, Murphy reported to numerous publiAnees Kashmiri
Staff Writer / Cartoonist
Dr. Brain M. Murphy
“Canada is part of the Commonwealth of Nations (CN)
which has members that were once colonies of Great Britain. So was South Africa, but Canada managed to pressure
the rest of group to actually get it kicked out of the CN.
That’s why it was illegal for me to actually go into South
Africa,” said Murphy.
As head of the IPS news bureau in Harare, a “hub in the
Continued on page 4
In This Issue...
“What’s old is now new again”................................... pg. 2
“Don’t know much about...”........................................... pg. 3
“Wacky weather”............................................................. pg. 6
Sports at a Glance............................................................. pg. 7
“We can hear you...”......................................................... pg. 7
Valentine’s Day fun..................................................back page
Anti-Valentine’s Day...............................................back page
The Nation’s Third Oldest College Newspaper
February 12, 2007
What’s old is now new again-rewrapped
Marissa Christman
Co-Editor
Editorial
Eyes wide, my 8-year old sister unwraps
her first present on Christmas Day 2006.
Lo and behold— a laptop. What a lucky
girl! Present number two— a digital camera. Finally she can do all of the important
assignments that the third grade requires
of her on her new laptop. Thank God she
can finally take high quality digital photos of her friends as they wipe out on their
Heelies. Exactly what she needed. My best
Christmas present when I was eight— try
Nickelodeon’s Gak and a Chia pet if I was
lucky. Change is in the air and it smells like
technology.
In 2006, the Top Toy of the Year, chosen
by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) was
the FLY Pentop Computer from Leap Frog.
Retailing at $100 (not including its special
paper or cartridges), this trinket contains
an optical scanner and built-in processor.
It solves math problems, maintains your
schedule, plays musical instruments, records sound and offers a variety of games.
The only thing it does not do on its own
is write, though it’s possible, provided its
user has the necessary cognitive and motor
skills.
Ten years ago the top selling toy was
Tickle Me Elmo. This stuffed muppet gig-
gled and wobbled
when squeezed
and that is about
it. It retailed at
$29. Considering inflation, that
would be roughly $37 in 2006.
Needless to say,
today’s children
have their sights
set high— or
don’t they?
Marissa Christman
I must admit,
this top toy test of mine is not 100 percent accurate. Each year, the title of top
toy comes from multiple associations and
corporations. Marketing, social trends, category and age appropriateness factor into
toy awards and my little experiment fails to
account for them. There are no doubt cooler
toys on the market today than there were
10 years ago; however, they may not be the
most popular.
Believe it or not, there are just as many
old toys on the market as there are new ones.
Amazon.com’s number one selling toy as of
February 2007 is T.M.X. Elmo, a.k.a. Tickle
Me Elmo 10 years later. Runners up include
Shutterfly’s Rubik’s Cube, Tamagotchi by
Bandai, Scrabble and LEGOS (new editions of course).
Beanie babies, yoyos, Pogs— now these
are what I call toys. Ah, what sweet memo- mine was. I was militant in my belief that
ries I have of Pog collecting, Chia pet grow- my mother was wrong when she said that
ing and undressing my life-sized Barbie as I one day Old Navy tech vests wouldn’t be
watched “Pete and Pete.”
cool and that straight leg jeans would reWhat is it about specific toys that lend turn. The tech vests weren’t cool from the
themselves to remarketing decade after start so those didn’t count, but 2006 rolls
decade? Polly Pocket, for example was around and straight leg jeans return under
first distributed by Mattel in the early 90s. the guise of “skinny jeans.”
I must say, Miss Pocket certainly took my
I hate when adults, with whom I hap5-year old self by storm— an itty bitty girl pened to disagree, are right. But don’t we
in an itty bitty house with itty bitty rooms? all? Then we hypocritically demand respect
Revolutionary I tell you!
from any kid subordinate to us by age. I’m
But it has gotten even better. Reminiscent convinced that the reason for that is this: As
of Polly Pocket are Mattel’s Pixel Chix. we get older and look at the children that
They have itty bitty houses with itty bitty have taken our place, we realize that hardly
rooms but the itty bitty girl and the itty bitty anything is invented anymore. The “origithings she does are
nal” things that we
digitized.
Polly “The funny thing is that each gen- so generously atPocket is probably
to our generation thinks that their toys, TV tribute
one of the less pereration were stolen,
tinent examples I shows, clothes and hairstyles belong adapted, improved,
to them and them alone.”
could have chorewrapped and sold
sen. Power rangagain.
ers, Barney, Transformers, American Girl
Perhaps that’s what life is— a constant
dolls— they are all alive and well.
re-claiming, re-adapting and re-selling of
And the phenomenon extends beyond the fundamental principles that preceded
toys and into music, clothes and hair. The us. A humbling revelation, isn’t it? Whether
funny thing is that each generation thinks you buy it or not, consider the possibility
that their toys, TV shows, clothes and hair- that almost nothing in life is new and tostyles belong to them and them alone. Our day’s society is both the product of the one
generation is no exception. How many girls’ before it and the determinant of that which
worlds were rocked when one day it became comes next.
uncool to wear any jeans but flares. I know
The Index is now online!
Comic Corner
Visit our link through the Campus Activities website or at
www.niagara.edu/cao/TheNiagaraIndex.htm
The Index welcomes cartoons
of any type from the NU community.
We are especially looking for those that
pertain to life on our campus.
Send your submissions to [email protected].
The Niagara Index 1870-2007
Volume 77. Issue 8
February 12, 2007
By Anees Kashmiri. The Index welcomes cartoons of any type from the NU community. We are especially looking for those that pertain to life on our campus.
Send your submissions to [email protected].
Club Advisor:
Student Co-Editors:
Advertising Manager:
Staff Photographer: Layout Assistant:
Staff Writers:
Angie Bavaro
Matthew Reilly
Rachel Ward
Bill Wolcott
Darius Bessette, Marissa Christman
Mary Colleen Mahoney
Zach Gonyea
Chelas Poirier
Danielle Hueston
Diana Sitarski
Adrienne West
Anees Kashmiri Kate Somerville
Victoria Wolcott
To reach us:
e-mail: [email protected]
phone: (716) 286-8512
fax: (716) 286-8542
stop by: back left hallway, LLGC
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The Nation’s Third Oldest College Newspaper
February 12, 2007
Don’t know much about:
Venezuela
years due to his success at persuading oil
producers to lower their production for
more profits.
Ve n e z u e l a n
His personal attacks on President Bush
President Hugo
are increasingly insulting. He has called
Chávez is one of
President Bush a “pendejo” or dumb ass
the most outspoas well as a devil. He frequently uses his
ken opponents
weekly talk show, “Aló Presidente,” as a
of the United
platform to hurl his insults. On one particStates. Chávez
ular show, he called Bush a donkey and a
has been openly
drunkard in response to the White House’s
critical of the
statement that Chávez is a “demagogue
United States’
who uses Venezuela’s oil wealth to destaVenezuelan
involvement in President Hugo Chavez
bilize democracy in the region.”
Iraq, calling it
However, not all of Chávez’s relations
“neocolonialism.” He also has close ties with the U.S. have been bad. Chávez
to Cuba, the States’ long-standing enemy. struck a deal with Massachusetts in NoVenezuela is a member of the Organiza- vember 2005 to provide discounted heattion of Petroleum Exporting Countries or ing oil to lower class residents. Moreover,
OPEC, which controls petroleum distribu- in September 2006 he promised to increase
tion. Chávez can be partially blamed for oil discounts to Harlem residents. Chávez
the rising price of oil over the past few also offered aid in the form of food and
oil to Hurricane Katrina vicA rough map of Venezuela and its position globally.
tims. However, the aid was
turned down.
Chávez was reelected in
late 2006 with a 63% majority. He began a complete
overhaul on his cabinet.
On Jan. 31, 2007, an enabling act was passed giving
Chávez the power to create
laws without the approval of
his congress. He promises to
use this new power to create
a socialist state and to bring
Venezuela’s oil companies
under government control.
The thought of unchecked
Victoria Wolcott
Staff Writer
WINTER PARKING ADVISORY
TO THE NIAGARA UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
From NOVEMBER 15, 2006 - MARCH 15, 2007, the snow removal
policy will be in effect. No vehicles may be parked overnight from midnight
to 7:00 AM in the Gallagher, Main, Power Authority and Penrose lots, with
one exception --- the Penrose 24-hour parking area. As always, no parking is
permitted on roadways!
power may be frightening to some but it
is a valid law under the Venezuelan constitution.
With such an outspoken enemy of the
United States having virtually unlimited power, what affect will this have on
citizens? According to Dr. Gina Ponce de
Leon, Chair of the Latin American Studies
Department, not much at all.
“Chávez’s ideas are socialist,” she says,
“so he really wants to give more money
to his people, which is a good thing.”
According to BBC, about 60 percent of
households in Venezuela are considered
poor.
“He’s planning to take taxes from companies that are taking the petroleum. I
think that it’s mainly going to affect the
petroleum companies. For regular people,
I don’t think it’s going to have any affect,”
says Ponce de Leon.
Still the implications for oil companies
may not be grave. Record setting profits
were achieved last year.
Even though Chávez is a notorious opponent of the United States’ policies, who
is to say if he will use his new powers to
do anything but help his own people.
For more information on
Venezuela visit:
http://www.geographia.com/
venezuela/index.htm
Speaking out:
President Chávez
and the world
Chávez on the United States:
“The hegemonistic pretensions of the American empire are placing at risk the very existence of the human species.”
“We appeal to the people of the United
States and the world to halt this threat,
which is like a sword hanging over our
head.”
Quotes from: http://www.gnn.tv/headlines/11312/Venezuela_s_Chavez_Says_World_Faces_Choice_Between_US_Hegemony_and_Survival
The world’s response to Spain’s sale of
12 military aircrafts to Chávez for $2 billion:
Daniel Duqenal, writing for the opposition
news site VCrisis, called the arms deal “another story of Chávez buying foreign sympathies with the oil money of Venezuelan
people.”
But El Pais (in Spanish), the leading newspaper of Madrid, defended the sale, saying
“until a short time ago the USA was the
biggest supplier of arms to Chávez’s Venezuela. A different standard cannot be applied to a contract which is in the interest of
Spanish industry.”
Quotes from: blog.washingtonpost.com/worldopinionroundup/2005/12/venezuela_sale_and_snub.html
The Index is now online!
Visit our link through the Campus Activities website.
Kenmore Development
The Key To Fine Apartments
Professionally Managed Apartments & Townhouses
On those days when snow must be plowed from the other lots (i.e., Butler,
DePaul, Kiernan, Timon/O’Shea, Facility Services, University Drive, Eagle
Circle, the Penrose 24-hour parking area), flashing blue lights at Perboyre
Hall, Facility Services and Eagle Circle will indicate that vehicles must be
removed by 5:30 p.m. from these areas. Temporary parking is available in
PENROSE (except the 24-hour parking area) and POWER VISTA C while
the above lots are being plowed. Do not park on roadways.
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• Sorry, No Pets
Anyone needing a ride from a distant lot may contact Campus Safety by
calling ext. 8111 or using a blue light phone to arrange an escort.
Vehicle owners away from campus overnight are expected to make arrangements with friends to move their cars to the appropriate lots. Lack of
familiarity or failure to comply with snow regulations can result in vehicles
being ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense. Cars towed to an on-campus site are subject to being towed off campus after 72 hours.
In the event that snow falls outside of the snow removal policy period,
these procedures also will be in effect. The full policy is posted throughout the
campus; copies may be picked up at the Campus Safety Office. Your active
cooperation is appreciated.
John F. Barker, Director of Campus Safety
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Niagara University
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March 2, 3, 9, 10, 8 p.m.
March 4, 11, 2 p.m.
Tickets for any performance can be purchased through the NU Theatre Box Office at
286-8622, in person at the Dwyer Arena Box Office or through www.ticketmaster.com.
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The Nation’s Third Oldest College Newspaper
Murphy draws attention to Africa
Continued from page 1
anti-Apartheid movement,” Murphy interacted with members of the African National
Congress (ANC), an organization of South
African expatriates who were fighting the
government both politically and militarily.
Some of the members of this underground
organization became very instrumental to
the fledgling bureau’s success.
“We built it up into having two correspondents in nine nations while I had a
small staff in Harare. Actually, our chief
copy-editor, Barry Gilder, was a bagman
who secretly supplied cash for ANC operations.”
Barry Gilder would become deputy director general of South Africa’s National
Intelligence Agency following the end of
Apartheid.
With little resources, Murphy helped create one of the first computer networks in
the South African region from scratch to
coordinate with his correspondents.
“All we really had was a laptop while
our engineer friends helped by using off
the shelf software that we pieced together
to get some form of communication going.
We also had to train many of our African
journalists the basics of computers to make
the project work.”
An end to the Apartheid era
As the 1980s drew to a close, so did the
regime in South Africa. According to Murphy, those involved within the anti-Apartheid movement knew that the long imprisoned resistance leader, Nelson Mandela,
was about to be released, and the anticipation reached epic heights. Rather than seeing Mandela’s freedom in person, he and
his crew witnessed the event via satellite.
“Barry and I booked a room at this hotel
that apparently was the only one that had
satellite television. So there was the two of
us in this cramped room with what had to
be 20 activists and ANC members.”
A doctorate and a direction
As “things cooled down” around southern Africa, Murphy returned to the west,
and got a position in the United States with
the Institute for Global Communications
(IGC). He served as co-editor to PeaceNet
Headlines which, along with other organizations under the IGC umbrella, was dedicated providing Internet exposure to nonprofit social justice entities. It was around
this time that Murphy was awarded his
Ph.D. in communications from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Shortly before 2000, Murphy was approached by Dr. James Wittebols from
Niagara University to join the communications department. Murphy agreed and the
two were intent on changing the curriculum to focus more on media being a tool to
address various forms of social injustices
in the world. Many courses, most notably
Communicating for Social Justice, reflect
the themes that have been persistent in
Murphy’s career.
Murphy is still involved with investigative journalism as he is an African and Mil-
itary Affairs analyst for “The Progressive
International Media Exchange” (PRIME)
and still serves as an advisor for the IPS. In
addition to these side projects, Murphy is
developing a textbook geared towards undergraduates that is based on the history of
alternative media and its many theoretical
and practical applications in today’s digital
age.
The mainsteam problem
When asked about the mainstream media’s coverage of Africa, Murphy’s answer
is simple and brutally honest, “No one covers Africa, so no one really knows about
what’s going on.”
Among the few events from the continent
that have been discussed in general news
was the civil war in Rwanda that occurred
in the early 1990s along with the current
situation in Sudan. These are two acts of
genocide that Murphy feels could have
ended differently had there been enough
attention paid to the incidents.
“With Rwanda, we were all shocked at
the sophistication of the killings (perpetrated by rival tribes). It was like another holocaust. I don’t think that nation will ever
fully recover,” said Murphy.
Based on the lingering tension in Rwanda
that led to the mass killings, Murphy and
his colleagues knew that trouble was brewing in Sudan almost a year before the major
western networks picked up on it, “When
we saw what was happening in Darfur we
actually made a note of the date, which was
around March 2003. It wasn’t maybe until
early 2004 that the subject was actually being talked about in the mainstream news.”
The future of of a unique culture
Besides the violence with which Africa
is often associated, Murphy points out its
diverse array of rich cultures as being one
of the reasons he is still drawn to it.
“It’s a shame that nobody really looks at
the culture. Some of the food there - whether it’s deer or ostrich meat - is the best I’ve
ever had. However, there are places in Central Africa where the food is plain terrible.
Their music is unbelievable and can not be
matched, although I am probably biased,”
he admits.
Murphy painted a hopeful picture when
asked to describe Africa in the next 20-30
years.
“I think there will be large scale commercial development. The need for more
resources will draw international investment and allow for further growth in the
overall infrastructure. But there still will be
social conflicts,” he says.
While Dr. Murphy may have eased up
a bit on being an investigative reporter,
his devotion to social justice is as strong
as ever. He sees the media, more specifically independent media, as a tool to bring
about reform by using new technology like
the Internet to broadcast the entire story or
issue. If anything, his teaching will allow
for a better understanding of the many triumphs and tragedies that are occurring, not
just in Africa, but around the world.
Upcoming On-Campus Events
Look what Niagara University’s Campus
Programming Board has in store for you for this month.
Make sure to join them at their great events!
IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM HOUSING
RE: Apartment Housing
Students interested in living in the student apartments for the 20072008 academic year are reminded of the following for apartment
placement:
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, apartment application packets and lottery
numbers will be available in the Housing Office. Current sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students are eligible for the
apartments. Both resident and nonresident (commuter/ off-campus) students can apply for the apartments, however, preference
will be given to current resident students.
The deadline for submission of apartment applications,
deposit receipts and signed contracts is Friday, March 23.
Spiritual week looks toward future
Continued from page 1
or most stylish. These and many other issues arose as practical discussion pieces in
light of the Vincentian mission of the university. Discussion became action through
“Kids on Campus”, a student-wide service
project organized by Monica Saltarelli and
Fran Boltz on Jan. 27.
Sikorskyj made mention of The Peaceful
Classroom: Catholic Social Teaching and
Student-Faculty Relationship luncheon for
faculty with Fr. Aidan Rooney, C.M. The
seminar addressed issues such as whether
the classroom is a place where individual
students have individual initiative and how
to emphasize individual contribution in the
classroom to the rest of the surrounding
community. “It was cool to see the faculty
get excited about ways to do that,” Sikorskyj said.
“We got a lot of cooperation from students and staff, and I was happy to see
that,” added Sr. Gatto.
The end of the week also included a reunion of those who attended the B.A.S.I.C
trip for them to reflect on their experiences.
“
The Simon School’s M.S. in
Accountancy program armed
me with essential accounting
and business management
skills for the corporate world,
as well as the accounting
profession.
E Attend a top-ranked national
accounting program.
Join us for an
Information Reception:
E Complete in one academic
year on a full-time basis.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Feb. 16:
Live Music Series: “The Rivalry”
Plus “Standard of Living”
8 to 11 p.m. Under the Taps
March 3:
World’s Toughest Rodeo & Dinner
4 p.m. Bus leaves Gallagher
E Undergraduate accounting
and business majors are
eligible.
March 6:
Open Mic Night
6:30 p.m. Under the Taps
E Students who do not
possess an undergraduate
degree in accounting or
business can apply to the
2-year MBA program.
For information on these and all Campus Programming Board activites, visit
them in LLGC or visit www.niagara.
edu/cao.
”
David I. Kroll ’06
Davie Kaplan Chapman &
Braverman, P.C.
Feb. 27:
Ice Skating and Ice Cream
6 p.m. Bus leaves Gallagher
Feb. 24:
“Buffalo Culture Day”
2 p.m. Bus leaves Gallagher
Sr. Gatto was pleased with the events saying, “renewal makes you more open to the
things that are so important to us, and that
is ‘how is my life going to make a difference for those who are poor,’ and ‘how will
I apply my education at a Vincentian university to make the world a better place?’”
“It was good to heighten awareness of
the spiritual nature of the university,” stated Fr. Maher. “It was a good experience for
the first time, and there was a lot of interest
and cooperation”
“We are discussing the possibility of
hosting Vincentian Rewnal next year, and
are interested in hearing feedback from the
NU community,” Sikorskyj said.
In February, there will be retreats separately for men (Feb. 24-25) and for women
(Feb. 23-24) to reflect what it is to be a
spiritual man or spiritual woman. There
may also be a senior class retreat for reflection before senior week, although plans are
still pending.
“[Vinentian Spiritual Renewal Week] is
like a time out in a basketball game,” said
Sr. Gatto. “By the end of the game, those
time outs are so crucial because the coach
is saying ‘here is what we do next. ’”
M.S. in Accountancy at Simon
Feb. 13:
Basketball road trip to Canisius
6 p.m. Bus leaves Gallagher
Feb. 22
Hypnotist - Joshua Seth
8 p.m. - Dunleavy 127
February 12, 2007
E Registered as LicensureQualifying in New York State
for C.P.A.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
5:00–7:00 p.m.
Schlegel Hall, Eisenberg Rotunda
University of Rochester, River Campus
To register, call Admissions at
(585) 275-2771 or e-mail:
[email protected].
www.simon.rochester.edu/accounting
The Nation’s Third Oldest College Newspaper
February 12, 2007
“We could have gone anywhere.
We chose Florida International University.”
Douglas Houghton
New York
Nursing
Megan Bottegal
North Carolina
Forensic Chemistry
Charlie Emerson
Connecticut
Post Professional
Athletic Training/
Sports Medicine
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Miami
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Finance magazine 2006 survey.
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching ranks FIU
as a Research University in the High Research Activity category in
their prestigious classification system. FIU is among the youngest
universities ever to be awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the
nation’s oldest and most distinguished academic honor society.
Visit gradschool.fiu.edu to see what some of our
students say about FIU’s graduate programs.
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
MIAMI, FLORIDA
The Nation’s Third Oldest College Newspaper
‘Major’ Importance:
Wacky weather
welcomes the weary
Pyschology
Diana Sitarski
Staff Writer
Have you ever been interested in studying the human mind and how and why humans behave the way they do? If you want
your career to improve the lives of others,
you may want to think about the psychology field. Dr. Timothy Osberg, professor of
psychology, says, “according to a CNN and
Money Magazine poll, psychology is in the
top ten of all careers.”
Psychology is a field in which there is a
lot of educational mobility. “Two-thirds of
Niagara’s undergraduates go on to graduate school,” says Osberg. Students majoring in psychology have many options to
choose from once they get their bachelors’
degrees. Many, according to Osberg, go on
to grad school for psychology or law; some
students even go to medical school.
Once they are in the field, professionals with a bachelor’s in psychology can do
many different things such as conducting
research, teaching, counseling or going on
to clinical practice.
Within the field of clinical psychology,
there are still more options. Clinical psychologists may work for the government, a
hospital or in private practice.
Psychologists could also decide to go
into the field of gerontology, which is the
study of the elderly. An interesting avenue
to pursue is that of forensic psychology,
where they can assist authorities in solving
crimes. Both of the aforementioned fields
show continuous growth and have a pleth-
ora of job opportunities.
Nowadays, the government recognizes
psychology services as a part of the medicine field. Osberg claims that leaves a “concrete place for psychology in the medical
area.”
The expansion of psychology in the medical field is helping to increase jobs and ensure an increase in the population’s overall
health.
The importance of mental health is beginning to equal that of physical health
these days. The expansion of psychology is
also helping to reduce the stigma attached
to it. It used to be thought that everyone
who went to see a psychologist was crazy.
These days, clinical psychology is seen as
a more accepted form of treatment with a
legitimate purpose far beyond “helping the
crazies.”
If students are interested and want to become involved in the psychology field, NU
offers a psychology club, Psi Chi, which
helps promote interest in the field of psychology. Also, the psychology department
runs the club, Active Minds, which is a
national organization that helps to promote
mental health issues on campuses around
the country. Their main goal is to inform
college students that many adults, including themselves, may have some sort of diagnosable disorder and there is no shame in
trying to get help.
For questions about psychology and the
major feel free to stop by Dr. Osberg’s office in Depaul, room 135, call x8524 or
email him at [email protected].
Chelas Poirier
Layout Assistant
Well winter has finally arrived. It may
have come late but it is definitely making
up for lost time now. It is common knowledge that over the past few years average
temperatures have been higher than normal and increasing steadily. There has also
been an influx of bizarre weather patterns
all over the world.
For example: the Rocky Mountains have
had unpredictable snow conditions and a
sudden avalanche. Also, in Washington
D.C. cherry blossom trees are already in full
bloom. The question we must ask ourselves
is what is causing all of this wacky weather? Two possibilities scientists are pointing
to are global warming and El Niño.
Most meteorologists blame El Niño,
which affects our temperature regulation
jet stream. The jet stream is a river of air
in the upper levels of the atmosphere that
positions weather systems and actually
separates warm from cool air. Lately, the
subtropical jet has moved warm and wet
conditions across the Golf Coast. It has
also carryied strong winds across California. These strong winds carried by the
stream have caused destructive storms as
they cross Colorado and the surrounding
areas.
The polar jet stream is the system that
primarily affects the Northeast in the winter months. This jet stretches far up into
Canada and brings the cooler, artic winds
down through the region. This year there
is an uneven balance of warm and cool air.
The imbalance caused the warm air to push
down into the eastern part of the country
and thus it had created the uncommonly
mild temperatures for winter in our area
during last December and early January.
Some meteorologists predict that the effects of El Niño will not slow down, making it an increasingly hot topic in the next
few years. No pun intended.
Despite the fact that the average temperature of winter is becoming progressively
moderate, there will still be times when we
see the frigid cold, unbearably windy and
snowy conditions we Buffalonians are used
to. The delay of the season has not diminished the sickness and stress that inch their
way into life each winter either.
One disorder that looms in the wintery
clouds is Seasonal Affective Disorder
(SAD). This is a type of depression that
can begin late fall and extend until spring.
It affects over 10 million Americans every
year. People with SAD display many of the
symptoms of depression like an increased
GET HIRED MONTH February 12 - March 30, 2007
Monday, February 12, 1-3 p.m.
Hospitality and Tourism Career Fair
Castellani Art Museum
Hospitality and tourism management majors meet with
representatives of hospitality and tourism employers to
discuss employment opportunities.
Monday, February 19, Noon - 1 p.m.
Dress for Success Fashion Show
Lower Level - Gallagher Center
Students and faculty model professional
dress for the workplace.
Wednesday, March 7
Guest Speaker - Burt Nadler
10 a.m. - Noon, LL Gallagher Center Information Table
2:30 - 4 p.m., Dunleavy 127
Liberal Arts Power: Overcoming the Fear of Focus and Facing the Liberal Arts Imperative
6 - 7:30 p.m., Under the Taps, Gallagher Center
Ten Steps to Job Search Success: Job Search Made
Simple, Not Necessarily Easy
SPRING 2007
EVENTS
February 12, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, Noon - 2 p.m.
Career Expo 2007
Upper Level - Gallagher Center
Job fair for students of all majors to meet with
recruiters to discuss employment opportunities
Tuesday, February 27, 5 - 7 p.m.
Dining for Success Etiquette Dinner
Heritage Room
Learn dining and business etiquette tips for mealtime inter- Wednesday, March 28, DN 127 2:30 - 4 p.m., 7 - 8:30 p.m.
views and social occasions.
Guest Speaker - Jean-Marc Hachey
Itchy Feet? Consider an International Career
Tuesday, March 6, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Author of The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas.
Human Services Career Fair
University at Buffalo Student Union
Thursday - Friday, March 29 - 30
Meet with representatives from local human services
Teacher Recruitment Days
agencies to discuss employment opportunities.
Buffalo Convention Center
Visit www.trd.org for complete registration information.
Office of Career Development xLower Level Seton Hall x 716-286-8500 x [email protected]
desire to be alone, difficulty concentrating,
increased need for sleep and weight gain.
There are two theories as to the causes
of SAD. One theory is that the lack of
sunlight in the winter months affects the
body’s internal clock, which in turn deregulates mood, sleep and hormones. Another
cause could be a brain chemical imbalance.
Luckily, SAD is curable through use of
light therapy, a treatment where one sits
in front of a bright light box that contains
white fluorescent light tubes. It is covered
with a plastic screen to block ultraviolet
rays. The treatment is done for 30 minutes,
preferably in the morning. The exposure to
light regulates a person’s biological clock
and balances the chemicals in the brain to
alleviate the mental and physical symptoms of SAD.
The importance of understanding the
causes of the recent crazy weather and its
affects on our health are immeasurable.
Get out there and enjoy the winter weather
while you can because it will not stay forever. For some non-medical treatment, see
the next issue of the Index for winter fun
ideas.
Here are a few tips to stay healthy and
enjoy the winter season:
* Stay active; try to get involved in some
type of physical activity at least once a day.
It can even something as simple as taking
the stairs instead of the elevator, anything
that will keep your blood flowing and your
spirits high.
* Keep hydrated, the dry, heated indoor
air can be very dehydrating. Always have a
water bottle with you.
* Make healthy choices when it comes to
food. Even though it may be easier to stay
in your dorm room and munch on snacks,
try to make the trip to the dining hall and eat
foods that will boost your immune system
such as fruit and vegetables, for vitamin C,
dairy products for calcium and vitamin D
and red meat or poultry for protein.
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The Nation’s Third Oldest College Newspaper
February 12, 2007
Sports at a glance
“We can hear you...”
Darius Bessette
Co-Editor
Editorial
Rivalries are brutal. Rivalries are bitter.
They are the life blood of college sports
and their intensity only grows with time.
The men’s basketball rivalry between Niagara and Canisius is just now reaching its
pinnacle with their rivalry being 102 years
old. Recently, the ebb and flow of this ageold rivalry seems to be leaning toward Niagara.
As of the win Feb. 4, Niagara has won
its last eight meetings with Canisius. This
past meeting was no less bitter; the clash
between student sections was obvious as
soon as the first whistle blew.
The most intense situations between
long-time rivals occur when the games are
close and that is the best time for students
and fans to take action by cheering loud to
help swing momentum towards their chosen team. Niagara games, complete with NZone participants, are no different. But as
I was standing, hooting and hollering deep
within the fervor of the N-zone, I realized
how quickly rivalries can amplify.
Canisius’ supporting students went directly for the throat, metaphorically of
course, with chants such as “Guilty,” “Who
wears
purple?”
and “Hit a homer,”
directly referring
to the pre-season
fiasco
between
Niagara’s men’s
basketball
and
baseball teams. I
am surprised that
nothing got out
of hand. Though
I suppose victory,
Darius Bessette
or at least winning
at the time, soothes the memories of the
turbulent past.
Did Canisius’ student section take their
chants, those allegedly supporting their
own team, too far? Perhaps, though NU
participated in similar taunting. Cheers of
“We can’t hear you,” “What is a Griff?”
and “Wilson,” in conjunction with “Air
ball” and “You can’t dunk,” could be heard
bellowing across the court from the NZone throughout most of the game.
Overall, I’d say that Niagara’s heckling
of Canisius was far more decent than the
cheep shots that roared from the somewhat
mediocre collection of students that Canisius managed to assemble. Granted, there
were lapses in judgment – no one likes a
bad call, and the refs ought to know it.
was the best— N-Zone students celebratPerhaps, I should remove myself from ing with the men’s basketball team, wavmy biased support of Niagara sports and ing rally towels and balloons and jumping
look at it from an outsider’s point of view. around with the excitement of a big win. To
Clearly, throughout the second half of my right was the worst— an (undoubtedly
play, the N-Zone repeated their favorite smaller) group of students still taunting
cheer of the afternoon, “Wilson” in refer- Wilson and booing the rest of the Griffs as
ence to forward, Darnell Wilson. After Ca- they walked off the court. It was unbecomnisius’ leading scorer for the game missed ing.
four free throws and a dunk, he was ragged
Rivalries are brutal and, at times, meron by the student
ciless and unforgivCheers of “We can’t hear you,”
section for the rest of
ing. The one Niagara
the game, regardless
“What is a Griff?” and “Wilson,” shares with Canisius
of whether he was could be heard bellowing across the is healthy and alive
actually playing or
with a passion uncourt from the N-Zone.
sitting on the bench.
like any other. Most
It was clear to the N-Zone that their chant cheers and leers shared between student
worked to unsettle a team who, at the time, sections are only from two schools bursthad kept it a competitive match.
ing with competitive spirit and are mostly
Perhaps this chant was a little too effec- taken in stride with a light heart. However,
tive. Towards the end of the game many I find it unacceptable to let this excitement
spectators, including myself, witnessed create an atmosphere where students beCanisius’ coach consoling Wilson. It was gin to lose grasp of the fine line heckling
obvious he was upset and that the game walks. Yelling remarks about one’s past
was going to be won by Niagara, however and teasing a player about a few shots (that
the chant continued.
are insignificant in the long run) approach
As the teams were returning to their that fine line. I just hope that neither school
respective locker rooms, I observed the dares to cross it.
best and worst parts of a healthy rivalry,
ironically on either side of me. To my left
Super Bowl ads - a mediocre bust?
Among the funniest were:
Sports.aol.com featured a poll in Rachel Ward
1. Budweiser - Rock, paper, scissors,
which thousands voted for their fa- Staff Writer
shoot. Let’s not live in denial, anyone getvorite ads in each quarter of the Su- The Chicago Bears and the Indianapo- ting hit with a rock, especially over beer, is
per Bowl.
lis Colts battled it out in the pouring rain amusing.
The results are as follows:
First Quarter
Blockbuster: Mouse - 46%
Bud Light:
Rock, Paper, Scissors faceoff - 15%
Snickers: Mechanic Love - 11%
Doritos: Crash - 9%
Bud Light: Auction Wedding - 7%
Second Quarter
Budweiser: Dalmation - 31%
Bud Light:
Learning English Classroom - 16%
GMC: Robot Dream - 12%
Bud Light: Slap Happy Fad - 9%
Doritos: Cheesy Cashier - 8%
Third Quarter
Bud Light: Gorillas - 33%
Taco Bell: Lions, “Carne” - 19%
Emerald Nuts: Office - 12%
Coke: Fantasy Assembly Line - 9%
Coke: Rebirth - 8%
Fourth Quarter
Bud Light: Hitchhiker - 33%
Budweiser: Crabs in awe - 22%
Nationwide: K-Fed Dream - 15%
T-Mobile: My Fav. - 8%
FedEx: Ground - 6%
on Feb. 5 in Miami, Florida. Although the
Bears got off to a fast start, the Colts ultimately took the victory 29-17.
As is usual, those with no vested interest in the game or in either team tuned
into CBS for the highly anticipated Super
Bowl commercial extravaganza. Over the
decades, this precious commercial time, in
between plays of football’s biggest event,
has evolved into an annual marketing event.
Companies pay top dollar, about $2-3 million, for a 30-second time slot to market
their product better than their competition
during the Super Bowl. These commercials
usually setup (or quickly end) marketing
campaigns that will extend throughout the
year.
There is a downside to having the largest captive audience though -- the companies are marketing their products to a much
larger number of critics as well. It’s a hit
or a miss with these ads and, like always,
some companies ran advertisements that
were complete successes, while others
floundered and stunk like week-old salmon. Companies that aired commercials this
year include Budweiser, Frito-Lay, FedEx,
Career Builder, Chevy, Toyota, Sierra Mist,
Snickers, Coca-Cola, Sprint, just to name
a few.
To the critic’s delight, this year’s ads
fall into the category of so-so. Some were
brilliant while others just plain missed the
mark, failing to top those of 2006. At least
there were still some laughs to be had.
2. Doritos - Live the Flavor. Although it
is a little far-fetched, it gets the point across
and all the while manages to include airbags, painful falls and a romantic epiphany.
It’s almost unbelievable that the average
Joe from across the street created this fantastic ad.
3. Bud light - The sheer idiocy of picking up a hitchhiker on the side of the road
with beer and an ax that he conveniently
declares is a “can opener,” deserves a commercial. Plain and simple. Too bad persons
with chainsaws don’t get the same luxury.
4. FedEx - Don’t take it literally. Or in
this case, do.
5. Chevy - Is it hot in here? Somehow
this catches your attention. Whether it is
because of the dancing men or because it
is not your ordinary car commercial, it still
makes this list. Amazingly enough, this
commercial was created by a University of
Wisconsin student, Katie Crab, who participated in a advertising contest.
On the left is a sports.aol.com featured
poll. If you’d like to place a vote of your
own just visit the website and place a vote
where prompted.
Or, if you’d like to view or re-view these
commercials, visit www.cbs.com and follow the links to get to the 2007 Super Bowl
ads. 2007 Super Bowl ad reviews are also
featured on such sites as www.humor.
about.com and www.cnn.com.
Check them out and enjoy the post-game
hype!
Upcoming sport schedules
Men’s Hockey
Feb. 16 & 17 - at Wayne State, 7 p.m.
Feb. 23 & 24 - Robert Morris, 7 p.m.
Mar. 2 & 3 - at Ala.-Huntsville, 8 p.m.
Men’s Basketball
Feb. 13 - at Canisius, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 - Liberty, ALL DAY
Feb. 23 - Loyola MD, 7 p.m.
Men’s Tennis
Feb. 18 - at Colgate, 10 a.m.
Mar. 3 - at Manhattan, TBA
Mar. 4 - at Binghamton, 8 a.m.
Women’s Hockey
Feb. 16 & 17 - at Robert Morris, 7 p.m.
Feb. 23 & 24 - Mercyhurst, 7 p.m.
Mar. 2 & 3 - CHA Championship, TBA
Women’s Basketball
Feb. 16 - St. Peters, 7 p.m.
Feb. 18 - Manhattan, 2 p.m.
Feb. 23 - at Siena - 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 - at Canisius, TBA
Women’s Tennis
Feb. 17 - at Colgate, 9 a.m.
Feb. 23 - Duquesne, 6 p.m.
Feb. 25 - Loyola, 1 p.m.
NU Sports Scores
Men’s Basketball
Jan. 14 - at Rider - Win - 80-79
Jan. 18 - Marist - Loss - 91-86
Jan. 20 - Iona - Win - 81-80
Jan. 26 - at Marist - Win - 83-75
Jan. 28 - at Fairfield - Loss - 56-68
Feb. 2 - Manhattan - Win - 81-70
Feb. 4 - Canisius - Win - 79-61
Women’s Basketball
Jan. 19 - Loyola - Loss - 91-53
Jan. 22 - Canisius - Win - 62-59
Jan. 26 - at Fairfield - Loss - 70-81
Jan. 28 - at Marist - Loss - 59-80
Feb. 1 - Siena - Win - 72-68
Feb. 3 - Loyola Md. - Loss - 55-65
Men’s Hockey
Jan 19 - Quinnipiac - Win - 5-2
Jan 20 - Quinnipiac - Win - 3-2
Jan. 26 - Wayne St. - Win - 4-2
Jan. 27 - Wayne St. - Win - 4-3
Feb. 2 - at Robert Morris - Loss, 1-7
Feb. 3 - at Robert Morris - Loss, 2-5
Women’s Hockey
Jan. 26 - at Quinnipiac - Win - 5-0
Jan. 27 - at Yale - Loss - 0-1
Feb. 2 - at Mercyhurst - Loss - 1-3
Feb. 3 - at Mercyhurst - Loss - 2-7
Men’s Tennis
Jan. 27 - at Robert Morris - Win, 7-0
Jan. 28 - at Duquesne - Loss - 3-4
Feb. 2 - at Cleveland St. - Loss - 3-4
Women’s Tennis
Jan. 27 - at Robert Morris - Win, 7-0
Feb. 3 - at Cleveland St. - Loss - 1-6
The Nation’s Third Oldest College Newspaper
February 12, 2007
Anti-Valentine’s Day:
The anti-holiday for independence
Adrienne West
Staff Writer
Where will you be
spending Valentine’s Day?
Rachel Ward
Staff Writer
That day is rapidly approaching, the one
with the flowers, candy and butterflies. Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14, a Wednesday this
year.
There are many different stories that attempt to explain the origin of this holiday.
Valentine was a priest who served in Rome.
Emperor Claudius II declared that single
men made better warriors than those with
lovers or families. Thus, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine refused to
accept it and defied the emperor. He continued to perform marriage ceremonies in secret for young lovers. Claudius discovered
his actions and condemned him
to death. Perhaps Valentine’s
Day originated as a day to
commemorate this martyr.
Another story is that Valentine received the first Valentine’s Day greeting. It is
believed that Valentine fell in
love with a young girl who had
visited him during his confinement in prison. Before his death he wrote her a letter
that he appropriately signed, “From your
Valentine,” an expression still used today.
The accuracy of these stories is impossible to prove but at the very least, Valentine
was heroic, romantic and a popular figure
in France and England.
Not everyone enjoys this holiday of love,
especially those who are involuntarily
single. But students in relationships find
it hard to not participate in the festivities.
Ben Norris, a student at NU said, “Spending time with the people you love and care
about is the most enjoyable part of Valentine’s Day.” Kaitlyn Barker agreed and
added that she likes, “spending it with the
people I love…and chocolate.”
If gifts are a pressing problem for you,
there are many options available to you.
Something classic like flowers or candy
will melt any heart. On the other hand,
something original or wacky can be surprising and endearing. A-team group “Be
my Valentine” cards anyone? Not to mention, crafts are a breeze and things from
the heart will always hold special meaning
to you and the receiver.
Some easy and fast, however semi-pricey ideas are candles, perfume/cologne or
jewelry for example. What matters most
is that you don’t forget; don’t break your
valentine’s candy coated heart.
Spending quality time with a special
someone is a must on this special day.
Sophomore Dan Lomb said, “Spending
time with my girlfriend,” is what he enjoys
about the day.
To make the day memorable, get dressed
up and go out for a night on the town. There
are plenty of restaurants around, especially
some good ones in Canada near the beautiful scenery of the Niagara Falls.
Some restaurants to be considered include: The Skylon Tower and The Secret
Garden Restaurant in Niagara Falls, Canada.
The Skylon Tower is open year round.
Winter hours are from 11 am to 9 pm. If
you get there at the right time you
will be treated to a lighting of the
falls as well, which makes it a
perfect place to dine for a romantic evening.
The Secret Garden Restaurant
is tucked away overlooking a
lovely garden and a full-frontal
view of the falls. Its seclusion
makes is a nice quiet place to dine with
your valentine in a foreign country. For
more information visit, http://www.secretgardenrestaurant.net.
Those are just a two of the restaurants
around the area. Look into these options as
well as otehrs and you won’t regret your
night out.
Valentine’s Day is a simple holiday, but
nonetheless a fulfilling one. Erica Hoskins
states bluntly but surely, “I like the love,”
and the love is all around this year. So make
this holiday count, for the benefit of friends,
lovers and family. What Mahatma Gandhi
says is true, “Where there is love, there is
life.” Here’s to hoping everyone has a great
Valentine’s Day this year!
The Index is now online!
Visit our link through the Campus Activities website or at
www.niagara.edu/cao/TheNiagaraIndex.htm
Thanks to Bill Newton and the Office of Alumni Relations
for their work on getting us on the web.
Does the thought of oversized chocolate
hearts and talking stuffed animals leave
you with a queasy feeling in the pit of your
stomach? Do you feel bitter, depressed and
cynical as the dreaded February 14th holiday draws near? You’re not alone.
It’s difficult enough to get through Valentine’s Day without all of your committed
friends flaunting their so-called perfect relationships and their uncanny ability to make
you uneasy with their public displays of
affection. Some sappy couples take Valentine’s Day even more seriously than “actual”
holidays while hopeful singletons pray for
their dreamboats to confess an undying passion. Luckily, there are some more stable
individuals choose to recognize the insanity
floating above the others’ heads over a silly
confection of card stores nationwide.
Forget that cupid stuff. Why set high expectations that will only let you down when
your beau neglects to get the 48” bear and
settles for the 36”? Instead, celebrate your
independence from the media-hyped hysteria and treat Feb. 14 simply as a day to
assert your strength and superiority over it
all.
If you need a fast break from your mushy,
face-sucking peers, consider an Anti-Valentine’s day party! There’s no better way to
loathe the holiday than to do so with other
miserable individuals. Anti-Valentine’s Day
parties are sprouting up all over the area to
give people a reason to party without the
need to have a date. Even the Niagara University Campus Programming Board sponsored an Anti-V-day party at Boston Pizza
on Feb. 9.
So if you’d rather not deal with the angst
of Valentine’s Day, celebrate your independence with other cranky nonconformists.
Happy Anti-Valentine’s Day!
A Valentine’s Day poem for you
“How Do I Love Thee?”
By Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace,
I love thee to the level of everyday’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,-I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!-and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Spring 2007 Schedule
Month
January
Fri
19
Tues-Wed 23-24
Fri
26
Tues
30
Event
Time & Location
Live Music Series
CSI Niagara
Live Music Series
NU Deal or No Deal Game Show
8pm - UTT
11am-2pm - Gally
8pm - UTT
8pm - UTT
February
Tues
Fri
Sat
Tues
Fri
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Sat
6
9
10
13
16
20
21
22
24
Ice Skating & Ice Cream
Live Music Series
Medieval Times
Basketball Road Trip - Canisius
Live Music Series
Sabres vs. Flyers
Noon Tunes
Hypnotist Joshua Seth
Buffalo Culture and Sports Day
6pm
8pm - UTT
4:30pm
5:30pm
8pm - UTT
5:30pm
12pm - Gally
8pm - Dun 127
2pm
March
Sat
Tues
Fri
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Fri
3
6
9
21
22
23
24
30
World’s Toughest Rodeo & Dinner
Open Mic Night
Live Music Series
Moonlight Bingo
Money Tree Game Show
Live Music Series
150th Anniversary Student Ball
Relay for Life
4pm
6:30pm - UTT
8pm– UTT
10:30pm - Clet
12pm - Gally
8pm - UTT
TBA
TBA
April
Sat
14 Horseback Riding & BBQ @ Letchworth
Mon
23 Niagara Climbing Center
Fri-Sat 27-28 Disorientation
Sun
29 Stomp Out Stigma 5K Run & Walk
10am
6pm
TBA
9am - Kiernan
May
Wed
Fri-Sat
8pm - O’Shea Yard
TBA
2 Drive in Movie
4-5 White Water Rafting @ Black River
On Sale Date
Jan 22
Jan 22
Jan 29
Feb 5
Feb 12
Feb 19
Mar 19
Apr 10
Feb 19
******************************************************************************************************
Check out our website at www.niagara.edu/cao & on AIM at: NU Activities
*Event Dates & Times are subject to change.*
All tickets are sold in the Campus Activities Office.
If you have a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation, please contact the Office of Campus
Activities at (716) 286-8510. A courtesy of two weeks notice is requested, and all requests are kept confidential.