The Montclarion

'Blow Up Building' Written on Freeman Caf. Tray

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Freeman Hall was evacuated for over an hour this Wednesday at 5:15 p.m., when a cafeteria employee reported a written threat on a cafeteria tray.

"Run, [Bitch], Run, I'm going to blow up the building," is what the tray said, according to one employee who saw the note.

'Challenge' Asks for Student Donations to Raise Cash for MSU

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In light of New Jersey's proposed decreases to funding public higher education, Montclair State University has decided to solicit donations from an unusual revenue stream - currently enrolled students.

Since mid-April, the colleges of MSU have engaged in the "Red Hawk Challenge," a drive aimed at increasing the university's financial flexibility.

A Closer Look at Dorm Conditions on Campus

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Standing on her tiptoes, trying to protect her socks from the water covering her shower tiles, Megan Davenport of Lake Hopatcong, N.J., surveys the gaping hole in the ceiling above her.

The 20-year-old biology major said the maintenance staff came quickly to her aid when water started leaking from a pipe above the roof.

A Closer Look at Rave Phones GPS Feature, Rave Guardian

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"With this feature on the phone, I know campus police can keep an eye on me, and it gives me the opportunity to call them by just pressing one button," stated Nikita Ramoo, a junior at Montclair State University.

Starting in the 2007-2008 academic year, all incoming freshmen and transfer students are required to select a Campus Connect mobile phone and plan.

After Suspicious Call to Student Center, Authorities Respond

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Student Center and first two floors of Partridge Hall were evacuated for about two hours yesterday while police searched for an explosive after two consecutive telephone warnings.

"It only articulated a threat that a bomb would go off in the Student Center," said Lieutenant Kieran Barrett of the Montclair State University Police Department about the Student Center threat.

Anthropology Class Does Archaeological Summer Dig at Bond House

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This summer, the anthropology department's Archaeological Field Methods class (ANTH 470-91) taught by Prof. Peter Siegel will be performing an archaeological dig of the Bond House, which is located on Normal Avenue at 848 Valley Road.

The six-credit class will meet Monday through Friday, 8 a.

Daughter of Holocaust Survivors Remembers

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Elaine Cooper, an MSU employee, did her part on Tuesday to make sure we never forget.

As part of Holocaust Memorial Week, Hillel, the Jewish Student Union, invited Cooper to share her experiences as a second-generation survivor at their Holocaust Speakers event on Tuesday night in University Hall.

International Exchange Students Help Bring Countries Together

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Sakari Lomakka thinks back on the blue and white, palm-sized Finnish flag that, until recently, was held down with a thumbtack to the door of his apartment.

Though the flag was misleading - Lomakka is a Swede - he simply imagines the blue and yellow instead.

New Jersey's Higher Ed. Problem and MSU

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Trenton is going money crazy in a year when the governor's budget is a historical squeeze, and the Montclair State and higher ed. communities are far from exempt.

New Jersey's budget bill is almost 1,000 pages of legislation, and higher education is but one of many considerations that the state budget and appropriations committees are hearing cries about from all groups throughout the state in a series of hearings from March 26 to May 13.

Rec. Center Adds Metered Parking Spots

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Students can now park their cars to use the Recreation Center, but not for free. Seventeen 90-minute metered parking spaces are now in effect for a fee of $2.90. The parking spaces are located in Lot 20A, adjacent to the facility.

Tim Carey, assistant vice president of facilities, said, "This was a cooperative decision that was made by the Division of Student Development, Campus Life and the Office of Parking Services.

Swastikas on Dorm Doors in Village Apartments

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A Community Assistant on the first floor of Basie Hall reported the sighting of vandalized swastikas on apartment doors.

The images were removed immediately as per police protocol, "so there are no further victims of the crime and also to preserve evidence if it is removable," said Lieutenant Kieran Barrett of the Montclair State University Police Department.

WMSC Rechartered by SGA, Separation Plans Still in Process

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

WMSC was rechartered as a media organization at last week's SGA meeting in order to give both the radio station and the SGA more time to make sure that any changes are done effectively, according to Dr. Karen Pennington, vice president of student facilities and services.

Zip Car Test Run at N.J. Transit for Students and University Members

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Zipcar and N.J. Transit collaborated last week to bring two Zip Cars to five new locations across N.J., including the N.J. Transit Deck at Montclair State University.

As of right now, the program is a test run to see how much students and other university members will utilize the opportunity.

A Rise in "More Alert" Drunks

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

So you're a typical college student, logging into your Facebook account. You see one new event invite. Nothing is unusual, so you click on it, and there it is: "ABC Club is hosting 'Party 'til you Drop,' sponsored by Red Bull. Drink specials include $2 Jaegerbombs.

A Ticket to Another Country

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

With classes and finals officially over on May 14, and summer just around the corner, many students may need to apply for or renew their U.S. passports for those European vacations or Caribbean cruises. The first step in applying for a passport is to go in person to any one of the over 9,000 passport acceptance facilities - most commonly post offices, but also federal, state and probate courts, county and municipal courts and some public libraries.

Confessions of an Intern

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

*Disclaimer*
The following journal is based on real-life accounts of an intern working at a public relations firm in New York City. To protect the rights of those whose paths have crossed the author's, some of the events have been altered, and all names, dates and places have been changed.

Maurice Torres - Shooting for the Stars

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"Sometimes I even had to steal so that we could eat, but that was the environment I was in, and that's the type of environment that I had to adapt to," says Maurice Torres, 21.

Now Maurice finds himself at one of the highest, most significant points in his life, becoming an inspiration to many.

Poetry Reading Inspires Colorful Lines

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In the words of Kate Read, "Censorship is wack."

Keeping true to this phrase, poets were able to think and say what they wanted and believed. No one seemed to mind the careless words that swirled the colorful venue.

Whether it was luck, fate or coincidence, the spring 2008 edition (the latest edition of The Normal Review) came out Monday morning, just in time for its last poetry reading of the semester.

The Magical Ponderings of the Magical Guy

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Dear Magic Jimmy,
I want to make the world a better place, but I am only one person, and I feel like I can't make a difference. What should I do?

For my final article, I am glad to have the chance to discuss something that is very near and dear to me - the way each human being can affect this world.

We Can Has LOLCat Speek? The New Geek Slang

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The newest fad to reach high school and college kids is nothing more than a dialect difference. As much as Southern and Appalachian speech are acceptable forms of English in their own communities, LOLCat speech is becoming more widely used.

A few years ago, the image known as "Limekat," consisting of a cat with a sliced lime peel on its head, made its way around the Internet as a new craze.

Arts Editor Remembers Entertaining Tenure

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

They'll tell you when you're a rookie that you'll get sucked in. It's like Pringles - once you have one article in the paper, you just can't stop. And despite our dungeon-like office in the depths of the Student Center annex that never has any ventilation, working at The Montclarion has been my breath of life for the past two years.

Can Third World Companies Become Stronger?

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I had a difficult time picking a major. It wasn't until recently that I decided to stick with the one I have now so I can graduate. However, something that always intrigued me was economics. Yeah, Economics 101 can be dry and boring at times, or most of the time, but its application in the real world could mean the difference between poverty and prosperity for a community, and even a country.

Linguistics Lover Takes A Look Back

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

For me, Wednesdays were a lesson in stamina. Last semester, I would go to work at IT at 8 a.m. and not stop being awake and working until midnight on Friday. That was the life I led as a dedicated member of both the SGA and The Montclarion.
I never thought of myself as someone who tested the limits, but in my four years at Montclair, I have pushed boundaries and fought implied limitations.

Montclair Day Care

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Montclair State community has suffered from an influx of juvenile acts over the past academic year. A small number of individuals have issued threats to the campus and, thus, made everyone's experience on campus that much less enjoyable.

Many students were affected by the bomb threat in University Hall at the end of last semester, and MSU was essentially shut down three weeks ago, after a school shooting threat surfaced.

Start Getting Connected To Satellite Radio

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Satellite radio has two main services in the U.S., - Sirius and XM. Each one stands on its own, offering hundreds of different channels, with commercial-free, not to mention uncensored, music. No more government, the religious right or the FCC. No more BS.

Unraveling the Tapestry: Farewell from Karl de Vries

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It's becoming more and more common these days that I'll find myself alone while my mind begins to wander:

I am standing on the edge of a cliff in Northern Ireland, overlooking the Irish Sea and the awe-inspiring sight of Giants' Causeway - just before crossing its famous rope bridge while holding on for dear life.

A Raw Salute to an American Musical Legacy

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Many know Leonard Bernstein as the guy who wrote West Side Story. What most don't realize, though, is that he was a composer of many kinds of music and an accomplished conductor. On Friday, April 25, students, parents and faculty alike were exposed to the various works of Bernstein in the form of MSU Chorale's section of the Bernstein Festival, conducted by Heather J.

Fellow Festival-Goers Share Some of Their Best (And Worst) Experiences

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Two years ago, during Underoath at Bamboozle, I was in the second row. It was the first time I had ever seen them, so of course I was excited. Unfortunately, being six feet tall in the front row has its disadvantages - you get all the crowd surfers. Out of nowhere I was getting kicked in the back of the head and in the face, and one guy attempted to stand up on my throat.

Get Pumped For These Music Festivals Coming Our Way

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Vans Warped Tour
This is the 14th year for Warped Tour, and it is still going strong. This cross-country tour that almost everyone already knows about will be stopping in the tri-state area a few times this summer, giving everyone an opportunity to see bands like Against Me!, The Academy Is, The Devil Wears Prada and Gym Class Heroes.

Local Bands to Check Out This Summer

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Think headliners are the only worthy acts to see at shows? Guess again. Don't miss out on some of these local bands performing at various festivals and venues this summer. Headliners are great, but it's always the struggling artist you come to appreciate the most.

Montclairfest 2008

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Teasers:
A Fest Recap

While Honesty Eyes' lead singer set his bare feet on stage, a small percentage of the crowd made their way to the amphitheater's stairs. However, like graduation walking music, Eye's short, drummer-less set was a tease of an annoying appetizer.

Out! This Summer

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

May 2

Iron Man:
Just another superhero casualty in Hollywood's mass murdering of the comic book genre. An interesting casting decision landed Robert Downey Jr. the title role of the film, though it makes one wonder just whom he slept with to get back into the mainstream.

Tips on How To Get Out Alive

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

REMEMBER YOUR TICKETS
It's simple. If you don't have them, you won't get in. Check before you leave to make sure someone has them!

GET THERE EARLY
The earlier you get there, the more time you will have to relax before the show. You also get to park close to the entrance gates, and if you get there early enough, you might not have to pay for parking.

The Rise of Montclair State Cricket

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

If cricket is a game of mental capacity, perseverance and strength, then sophomore molecular biology major Taha Khan and junior biochemistry major Pratik Shah are the perfect individuals to lead it.

After months of planning and deliberating with the SGA, Khan, Shah and the rest of their 50-member club finally got chartered as MSU's first ever cricket team.

This Year in MSU Sports: Fall, Winter, Spring

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

So much happened this year for Red Hawks Athletics. Our football team ranked, our soccer team was "elite," and our softball team was streaking. Here is the 2007-2008 year in review, broken down by season.

Fall: Any adjective you can use to describe excitement, shock and fun, use it for the fall season of MSU Sports.