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Transcript of Stall 9-30-10
September 30, 2010Vol. CXXVII, Issue 1
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
Read The Stall Online at http://stall.brookdalecc.edu
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www.stall.
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InsideInsideThisThis
Edition:Edition:
Comedic DateComedic DatePage....2Page....2
NYC Mosque DebateNYC Mosque DebatePage....8Page....8
Tennis LadiesTennis LadiesPage....15Page....15
By Katherine Kim
As Brookdale welcomes
students to yet another
academic year, i t also
opens a brand-new
fitness center.
As written in the
membership package, the
mission of the f i tness
center : “Is to provide a
safe and friendly workout
enviroment, supported by
professional services that
promote life long health
and wellness.”
But for many students,
the issue is the center’s
cost. Currently, fees,
ranging from $10 a day to
$200 a year, are required
for anyone who enters the
fitness center.
Many students have
expressed surprise that
membership to the fitness
center is not free for all
students.
The new center is a
great improvement from
the original.
“The original f i tness
center was supposed to
be a temporary ‘swing
space’ until either a new
facility was established or
a remodeling was done.
Unfortunately we stayed
there for about 10 years;”
according to Fitness
Center Supervisor Joyce
Cosentino, “This is a great
improvement. It’s clean,
and it provides more
space for more activities
for our members and
students.”
Students and faculty must
pay a membership fee for
use of the center.
Students taking fitness
courses cover their
membership fee through
their tuition and may enter
at any time during hours
of operation using their
“keycards” to sign in,
according to Cosentino.
“Compared to other
gyms, this is cheaper,”
theater arts major Alexis
Gorensten, 18, from
Malboro said.
But why should students
pay a membership fee?
“The fees contribute
towards the school debt,”
Consentino said .
Made to “provide ample
space and opportunities
for students,” the fitness
complex, according to
Director of Athletics Frank
Lawrence, cost a total of
$22.8 million to build.
The fitness complex
includes the fitness and
recreational centers, and
the Collins Arena, which
is currently being
remodeled.
The school funded the
$22.8 Mil l ion project
through three sources;
reserved revenue funds,
the Chapter 12 Capital
State Fund Program, and
government county
bonds, Consentino and
Lawrence said.
See Fitness Fees page 11.
New Fitness Center Fee Future Uncertain
Smoking Ban Going ForwardBy Charles W. Kim
Smokers on campus
may be taking their last
drags this semester.
“This is a transitional
moment (for Brookdale),”
President Peter F.
Burnham said during a
telephone interview Sept.
24. “We are implementing
(smoking) cessation
plans immediately.”
Burnham made his
proposal to eliminate
smoking on all seven
campuses to the Board of
Trustees during a special
meeting later in the day.
The board is expected to
approve the ban during
its regularly scheduled
meeting Oct. 14.
“I felt the issue was
debated,” Burnham said.
The college’s student
Governance board
narrowly approved a
smoking ban in the spring
during a meeting that
most faculty members did
not attend due to a union
meeting taking place at
the same time.
Once approved, the
recommendation went to
Burnham to act on.
See Smoking Ban page11.
Alex Hogger photoSmokers in the SLC gazebo may not have long to enjoy their habit once a proposed ban isapproved.
Thomas A.L. Martino PhotoChris Sullivano, a 19-year old business major from Howell,works out in the fitness center Sept. 28.
By Charles W. Kim
Attending a school-
sponsored comedy show
turned out to be a great
date for one Brookdale
couple.
“We figured it would be
a great thing to do, and it
could be fun,” said 26-
year old Stephanie
Rosseter of Tinton Falls
who is coming back to
school for her elementary
teaching certificate.
Rosseter and boyfriend
Dan Farnkopf, 25, a first-
semester criminal justice
major from Brick joined
almost 200 others in the
Navesink room of the
Warner Student Life
Center Sept. 14 to hear
comedian and television
celebrity Dave Coulier.
Coulier is most
remembered as “Joey”
from the ABC television
series “Full House” which
ran from 1987-1995. The
show featured a widowed
sportscaster, played by
comedian Bob Saget that
invites his best friend and
brother-in-law to live with
both him and his three
daughters, according to
the International Movie
Database website.
“My jokes are timed-
released,” Coulier said
after taking the stage.
“You will get them after
the show.”
Coulier’s show poked
fun at a couple members
of the audience as well as
his own family, making
jokes about his parents
and his child-raising skills
in talking to his son.
“I was too much of a
comedian (talking to him
about sex),” Coulier said
describing one exchange
between them.
Coulier also poked fun
at a variety of topics from
going through the airport
to the naming of
hurricanes.
“Hurricanes should have
scarier names,” Coulier
said. “Like Maximus.”
In addition, the celebrity
combined jokes with
playing a harmonica
during his performance.
The show, which lasted
for more than an hour,
was sponsored by the
Student Life Board and
was part of “Are You
Ready for Primetime”
Welcome Back Week
festivities. Those events
included a student
involvement fair, barbeque
and sports event featuring
the new $40 million gym
and fitness center.
Earl ier in the day,
students were treated to a
karaoke event in the
Martin Luther King Jr.
lounge with “Saved by the
Bell” cast member Dennis
Haskins who played
Principal Belding.
“It is a pretty good
turnout,” Student Life
Board member John
O’Donnell said. “We went
old school with a 1990s
feel.”
O’Donnell, 19, a second-
semester criminal justice
major said the popular
week-long program was
designed to bring in “more
high quality acts” for the
students to get them
involved.
“These are the things
people want to see,”
O’Donnell said.
The event was certainly
popular for the couple that
admitted being huge “Full
House” fans.
“I never knew he did
stand-up (comedy),” said
Farnkopf, who recently
transferred to Brookdale,
following the performance.
“I used to watch the show
all the time.”
Farnkopf said he was
surprised Coulier would
play a smaller venue like
a community college.
His girlfriend Rosseter,
who already holds a
bachelor ’s degree in
business from New Jersey
City University and hopes
to someday teach social
studies, also said she was
a big fan of the television
show and started
watching the show when
she was only 9 years old.
“This was excellent!”
Rosseter said. “It was a
nice break and he made
me laugh.”
The couple, who said
they have been dating for
more than a year and a
half, then, stood in line to
meet Coulier and have
their picture taken with
him.
Even though they were
armed with paper and
pen, Farnkopf forgot to
ask Coulier for an
autograph after their
photo with the celebrity
was snapped.
Fellow fan and student
Becca Farina, 19, a third-
semester business major
from Manasquan did not
forget to get his signature
on a special house-
shaped box set of the
series on DVD.
“I’m obsessed with “Full
House,” Farina said as
she waited in line.
Coulier took the attention
all in stride, even taking a
moment to speak on a cell
phone with a fan that
could not attend the
event.
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
2 September 30, 2010
The StallBrookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, New Jersey 07738
Telephone (732) 224-2266
Editor-In-Chief
Brian Harris
Layout Editor
Charles W. Kim
Graphic Designer
Tim Tim Hart
Cartoonist
Alex Hogger
Contributing
Writers/Photographers
Mary BrienzaRaven Halliwell
Dane HodgeKatherine KimMatthew Klein
Thomas A.L. MartinoAlec Moran
Paul Williams
Faculty Adviser
Debbie Mura
Charles W. Kim PhotoComedian and television celebrity Dave Coulier poses with student couple Dan Farnkopf andStephanie Rosseter following his show Sept. 14.
Comedian Makes Great Date Night
Charles W. Kim PhotoComedian Dave Coulier speaks with the daughter of one of theSept. 14 show attendees.
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
3September 30, 2010
By Charles W. Kim
After fighting cancer for
several months, college
President Peter F.
Burnham is back at the
helm of the school and
“doing great.”
“(The experience) was a
wakeup call,” Burnham,
66, said during a
telephone interview Sept.
24. “I was very lucky.”
Burnham said he was
diagnosed with cancer
after his primary doctor of
more than 20 years found
a growth on his tongue
during a routine check up
last October.
A biopsy taken shortly
thereafter confirmed the
worst, the growth was
malignant.
“It was very frightening,”
Burnham said. “You are
asking, ‘Why me’?”
Doctors told Burnham
the cause was l ikely a
combination of a genetic
pre-disposition to cancer
and a history of smoking
cigarettes, even though
he quit the habit 24 years
ago.
“I used to smoke two
packs a day,” Burnham
said.
Burnham said the
diagnosis started him on a
5- to 6-week surreal
odyssey where he
researched his condition
and the forms of
treatment available.
“There are about 10
mil l ion people in the
country (right now) with
cancer,” Burnham said.
“About one out of every
three people will develop
cancer (in their lifetimes).”
He eventually decided to
be treated at the
Abramson Cancer Center
of the University of
Pennsylvania located in
Philadelphia.
The center is one of only
39 in the nation to hold a
Comprehensive Cancer
Center designation from
the National Cancer
Institute, according to the
center ’s Internet site.
According to its site, the
center sees more than
70,000 outpatient visits
each year, 33,000
chemotherapy treatments
and more than 66,000
radiation treatments.
“I had a 7:15 a.m.
standing appointment
every day,” Burnham said.
“I had to discipline myself
to get in the car, through
all kinds of weather, and
go to the treatments.”
Like many other cancer
patients, Burnham talked
about the difficulties of
both radiation and
chemotherapy treatments
that became a large part
of his daily routine.
“You had to wear a mask
(for radiation) that would
keep your head perfectly
still,” Burnham said.
Burnham said he
dropped 40 pounds during
the treatments because
he had trouble eating
when the radiation
damaged his taste buds.
“Food tasted horrible,
like cardboard,” Burnham
said. “It was very
depressing watching
yourself shrinking away in
the mirror.”
Burnham said he used a
feeding tube, going
directly into his stomach,
three times a day for two
months in order to take in
the proper nourishment.
He said he feared using
the tube too long would
allow his throat muscles
to atrophy and he would
have to learn how to
swallow all over again.
“You have to have your
own head on your
shoulders and commit to
the treatment,” Burnham
said. “I saw a lot of people
(in treatment) who lost
hope.”
A large outpouring of
support from Burnham’s
family, fr iends and
especially colleagues both
at Brookdale and in the
Middlestates Commission
of Higher Education
where he served as
chairman unti l i l lness
forced his resignation,
helped him through the
tough times.
The regional
accreditation group, which
serves more than 500
institutions in the Mid-
Atlantic States as well as
Puerto Rico, sent
Burnham more than 500
cards wishing him well in
addit ion to cards and
letters from the Brookdale
community.
“It bowled me over
(getting that kind of
support),” Burnham said.
Burnham says he is
currently cancer-free and
is hoping that a
comprehensive six-month
exam coming up soon will
confirm the fact, even
though he is admittingly a
bit nervous.
“You see people who are
there (in treatment for
cancer) for the second or
third time,” Burnham said.
“It is on your mind.”
His recovery also had
some very good
moments, according to
Burnham, such as the day
last spring when he could
start to taste food again.
“The taste buds grow
back,” Burnham said. “It
was amazing (tasting
food) again.”
Rediscovering the joy of
food has led Burnham in a
search for spicy, greasy
foods featuring various
ethnic cuisines.
The whole experience
and being away from the
daily pressures of the
college with its $125
million annual operating
budget during the six
months he was battling
the disease did produce a
bright note for the career
educator.
“This is a high-burnout
job, and I was beginning
to wonder (before the
cancer) i f this was
something I wanted to do
for the rest of my life,”
Burnham said. “I was on
the fence.”
The hiatus, however, re-
energized Burnham, and
he is now “10 times more
aggressive” in carrying
out his duties as the head
of the college.
“It became very clear
that I missed (my work) a
lot,” Burnham said. “I am
getting stronger as the
weeks go by.”
A Presidential Cancer Victory
BCC photoCollege President Peter F. Burnham is back running the school after battling cancer for severalmonths.
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
4 September 30, 2010
All items in the police blotter are taken from the officialreport by the Chief of Police to the Monmouth CountyProsecutor ’s Office. All suspects are presumedinnocent until proven guilty in court.
Campus Police responded to 455 calls for service
during July, including two motor vehicle accidents, five
first-aid calls, two fire alarms, one criminal mischief
complaint and one arrest.
July 6 Police arrested a non-Brookdale student for
trespassing after repeatedly f inding them in
unauthorized computer rooms.
July 7 A vehicle parked in lot No. 2 reportedly had the
rear driver’s side window broken sometime between 8
a.m. and 4 p.m.
July 21 Secretary Kochman attended the
Performance Recognition Program for the PSA in the
Student Life Center.
July 31 Police provided security for a flea market held
in parking lot No. 3.
Campus Police BlotterBy Thomas A.L. Martino
An unidentified 18-year
old man miraculously
survived a 40-foot fal l
from the MAS building
roof Sept. 1, according to
police.
“A couple auto-tech
employees found him
sitting on a curb (near the
path by the auto-
technology buildings),”
Chief of Police William
Sanford said. “He was
bloody and obviously
injured.”
Two off icers were
dispatched to the scene at
6:18 p.m. and found the
victim incoherent, but
alive.
Sanford said the man’s
name and a report of the
incident would not be
released, but that he was
not a student at the
college.
While the victim was
“apprehensive” in telling
police why or how he
became injured, an
investigation by the
officers determined the
man used a ladder inside
the MAS building to gain
access to the roof,
Sanford said.
He then either fell, or
jumped from the point
where the MAS and auto
technology building roofs
meet plunging an
estimated 40 feet to the
ground below.
“(After the fall) he was
able to recover and crawl
up the hil l to the curb
where he was found,”
Sanford said. “He had
blood all over his face and
shirt.”
Paramedics transported
the victim to Jersey Shore
University Medical Center
in Neptune.
Sanford said he believes
the victim was treated and
released from the hospital
a few days later and did
not know any further
details about his
condition.
Police do not know if
alcohol or drugs were
involved in the incident
and are not pursuing any
criminal charges in the
case, Sanford said.
“Once we found out
there was no criminal
activity involved, we are
pretty much out of the
situation,” Sanford said.
While not a common
occurrence at the school,
Sanford said employees
were working to make
sure such access to
potential ly dangerous
areas more secure to
prevent others from doing
the same thing.
During the 35 years the
college has been
operating, Sanford said
he could only remember a
couple similar incidents.
Man Survives 40-Foot Fall
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
5September 30, 2010
President Welcomes PTK National Honor Society
Brookdale Community College president Dr. Peter Burnham welcomed Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) students and their faculty advisor, Dr Shahin
Pirzad, at a luncheon reception in the President’s office Sept. 14.
From left to right are: Dr Pirzad, Colleen Roberts, Danielle Sammut, Marissa Brodzick, Ashley Bonefont, Michael Geraci, Sarah Sakowski
and Dr Burnham.
PTK is a national honor society/service organization that recognizes achievement among two-year college students who have a GPA of 3.7 or
higher.
Alpha Pi Theta, the Brookdale PTK chapter, with over 100 active members, is concerned not only with academic achievement, but
encourages the four Phi Theta Kappa hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship through club-sponsored activities and
programs including, regional/national workshops and conferences.
Portal To Make Online Experience BetterBy Charles W. Kim
Students will have a new
and easier way to find the
online information they
need starting Oct. 4,
according to officials.
The college has
designed a new web
“portal” that wil l al low
students, staff and faculty
to log into the system
once and be able to
access many different
applications such as
Gmail, Webadvisor and
the Angel learning
system, Information
Technology Services
Executive Director Patty
Kahn said.
“The institution needed
something badly,” Kahn
said. “There are so many
various usernames and
passwords (used now to
access different
features).”
As of Monday, students
will sign up for a single
“net id” account that will
let them into several
different applications to
get the most up-to-date
information on events,
classes, scheduling and
others, Kahn said.
“(The portal) will open
doors to lots of things,”
Kahn said. “We really
hope (using) it takes off.”
While students will not
be able to use the system
until Monday, faculty and
staff have been using it
since August in what
Kahn termed a “soft
launch” to work out the
bugs.
Technically, the new
venture relies on an
“active directory,” which
ties together all of the
information the college
has online relating to
many different areas.
The directory will serve
as a master database so
the various applications
can be integrated and
display proper information
to users based on their
associated roles, Kahn
said.
In addition to the regular
features like Gmail and
Webadvisor, the new
system allows for users to
create profi les, use an
instant messaging client
among friends, post to
blogs and user-created
knowledge bases known
as “wikis,” Kahn said.
Teams of faculty, students
and staff have worked on
the design and integration
of the new system for
about a year, Kahn said.
“It is vitally important that
students create their net
id account,” Kahn said.
In order to smooth the
process, there wil l be
training for students, Kahn
said
Thirty-minute sessions
are being today and
tomorrow to show
students how to set up an
account, Kahn said.
Information Technology
Department will also be
available to help train
students after the Oct. 4
launch, Kahn said.
“We are trying to hit all
avenues (to help students
use the portal),” Kahn
said.
Students who would like
to set up an appointment
for one of the training
sessions should contact
Michelle Branagan at
(732) 224-2088 or send
an e-mail to her at
mbranagan@brookdalecc.
edu.
BCC photoThe much awaited portal for Brookdale is scheduled to go livenext week.
On Oct 14, the Board of
Trustees is expected to
approve the ban of
smoking at all Brookdale
campuses January 1,
2011.
The only place that you
will be allowed to smoke
on any and all Brookdale
property in in your car.
The usual path that is
taken when it comes to
making any changes in
BCC policy involves at the
very least a year-long
study that is done by a
G o v e r n a n c e - c h o s e n
committee which looks at
every single facet of the
proposed idea.
In the case of the
proposed smoking ban,
the study only lasted for a
single semester and still
went through even though
on the same day when
G o v e r n a n c e w a s
scheduled to vote on the
smoking ban proposal,
there was also a teacher’s
union meeting scheduled
at the exact same time so
the turnout at Governance
was quite sparse.
Even with the low turnout
at the meeting, any and all
attempts to table or put off
the vote unti l the next
forum were squashed.
So the proposal was
passed, even though a
Student Life Board-
sponsored survey showed
that the majority of people
here at BCC prefer to
have the current smoking
policy currently in place
instead of an actual ban.
What was evident
throughout this whole
process was not only the
complete and utter
disregard for the process
in which decisions like this
are made but the
brazenness in which
certain members of
administration showed
students in their
successful railroading of
the ban through the
system.
It left a bad taste in many
people’s mouths and as
we get closer to Jan 1,
these people will see just
how unsettl ing their
actions were.
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
6 September 30, 2010
Editorial-Smoking Ban Policy Change: Too Fast, Too Furious
Have an opinion on something you see in the Stall?
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T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
7September 30, 2010
“As a former university employee
in lower Manhattan, I understand
the need for centers like that for
religious organizations. Based on
the location, I don’t have a
problem with it. They have every
right to build at the site there.”
Allison Fitzpatrick
A 31 year old administrator working as the
director of the Northern Monmouth Hiring Center
in Hazlet
“I don’t think that they should. It should be
more of remembrance to the people who lost
their lives there than a mosque. It is not
respecting the people who died there.”
Meghan Andrieu
A 31-year-old, first-semester radiological
technology major from Brielle
“No. How are you going to
build a building (like that
near) one that was torn down
by Muslims and the people
who hit the twin towers? On
the other hand, there are
different kinds of Muslims.”
Thomas Gadson
An 18-year old, third-semester nursing
major from Neptune
“I honestly don’t care. It
doesn’t really affect me
at all as long as I can
take my classes and do
what I have to. I’m
neutral.”
Jeremy Browne
An 18-year-old first-semester
business major from Middletown
“Absolutely not. I don’t support the whole
Muslim thing. The whole Sept. 11 (memorial)
should stay there forever. I think it is going to
start a huge riot. Personally, I am not racist,
but I don’t support the whole Muslim thing,”
Dylan Thieo
A 19-year-old, first-semester criminal
justice major from Middletown
Talking HeadsShould the Park 51 organization build a community center and mosque two blocks
from Ground Zero in New York?By Charles W. Kim
Student Life Board Elects New Officers Sept. 27 By Alec Moran
A number of executive
absences within the
Student Life Board
prompted an emergency
election process this last
Monday Sept. 27. Vivian
Sarayasik and Kim Klipper
both ran for the open sec-
retary position.
The Student Life Board
secretary is in charge of
recording what occurs
during general meetings,
keeps track of SLB corre-
spondence, and is chair of
public relations for the
board.
Both candidates possess
strong qualities, excellent
organization, and have
similar vision for market-
ing the Student Life
Board.
Kim spoke of her leader-
ship experience working
at a children’s camp this
past summer and as a
Brookdale cheerleader
while Vivian pointed to her
abundant leadership
experience serving on her
High School’s student
government. After much
debate, Klipper was cho-
sen to be the new SLB
Secretary.
She is excited to estab-
lish a public relations com-
mittee and also to
strengthen the bond
between Student Life and
Activities and the Athletic
Department.
John O’Donnell and
Michelle Marino both ran
for the vacant parliamen-
tarian position.
The Student Life Board
parl iamentarian helps
keep track of club paper-
work, keep order in SLB
meetings, and also serves
as an outlet for al l stu-
dents who have an issue
at Brookdale Community
College.
O’Donnell, who has been
a part of the SLB since the
Spring 2010 semester,
outl ined his desire to
increase communication
between clubs.
Michelle Marino, also a
member since the Spring,
has already shown great
leadership skill in reach-
ing out to clubs such as
EOFSA and volunteering
during “Library Day.”
Debate again fol lowed
and a near unanimous
decision was made to
appoint Marino as parlia-
mentarian.
Michelle is excited with
the challenge of bridging
the communication gap
between clubs and stu-
dents as she plans to
work hard to be success-
ful with her new position.
She will chair the SCAB
committee which stands
for the Student Club
Advisory Board.
The SCAB committee
will be reviewing club pro-
posals and will also serve
as an outlet for student
advocacy.
Christopher Cummings
and Sascha Basista both
ran for the open Vice
President position. The
Vice President of the SLB
is in charge of al l pro-
gramming, oversees all
SLB committees, and
helps develop student
events in conjunction with
the board and the office of
Student Life and Activities.
Cummings, a member of
the board for over a year
now, has been huge sup-
porter of SLB activit ies
and has demonstrated
tremendous vision to help
lead the board in program-
ming and student advoca-
cy.
Cummings serves as a
student ambassador and
is also the Student
Steering Representative
for Brookdale’s College
Governance.
Cummings plans to use
his experience and per-
spective as an older mem-
ber of the board to reach
diverse constituencies at
the college.
Basista is a newcomer to
the board, having only
been a formal member for
the past three weeks.
He plans to make more
students aware of the
Student Life Board
because of his own expe-
rience learning about the
board in only his last
semester at Brookdale.
After heated discussion
and a near t ie vote,
Basista won the Vice
Presidential election.
He wil l immediately
establish a programming
committee.
The Student Life Board
is Brookdale’s version of
Student Government,
Programming Board and
finance committee.
All students at Brookdale
are welcome to attend
general meeting held
every Monday from 12-1
in SLC 110 or to partici-
pate in the many new
committees that are form-
ing. To find out how to join
or become part of a com-
mittee, visit room SLC 110
or email the Student Life
Board at slb@brook-
dalecc.edu.
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
8 September 30, 2010
By Brian Harris
“We cannot defendfreedom abroad bydeserting it at home.”Edward R. Murrow
Remember when we
were in elementary school
and every November we
would make hand turkeys
while our teachers told us
about the pilgrims and the
first Thanksgiving?
In between giving your
hand turkey a green body
with purple and blue feath-
ers, did you happen to
catch the reason why they
left England? In case you
don’t remember, here’s a
refresher: The Pilgrims
left England because of
religious persecution.
Now let’s fast forward to
May of this year, when two
organizations, the
Cordoba Project and the
American Society for
Muslim Advancement,
brought forth to the
Community Board of
Lower Manhattan their
plans for the building they
purchased, which hap-
pens to be located two
blocks from Ground Zero.
The plans call for a 15-
story community center
that would hold amongst
other things, space for
performances, swimming
pool, gym, and various
public spaces. This build-
ing would also have a
mosque.
As you could imagine, a
proverbial firestorm erupt-
ed nationwide. Everyone
from NYC Mayor Michael
Bloomberg to President
Obama to Sarah Palin and
every pundit, reverend
and politician from coast-
to-coast had to throw in
their two cents.
You had politicians turn-
ing this into yet another
left wing-right wing battle.
Protesters were call ing
this project a “victory
mosque” and a direct slap
in the face to not only the
people who lost loved
ones in the 9/11 tragedy
but to the entire country
as well.
Before we go any further,
I would never disparage
nor tr ivial ize anything
about what happened that
day. I remember watching
the news in chemistry
class as the constant
updates of the most vis-
cerals act of terror and evil
in my l i fetime flashed
before my 16-year-old
eyes, filling me, like every-
one else, with thoughts of
swift and merciless
vengeance.
However, I also realized
that this act of brutality
was the work of a few mis-
guided people, and not a
statement from the Islamic
people at large. That’s
why I never had a prob-
lem with the U.S. invading
Afghanistan, which is
where the terrorist organi-
zation al-Qaeda held the
country by the throat.
Al-Qaeda, l ike other
extremist groups in all
walks of life, takes a mes-
sage that is positive and
evilly twists it to fall along
with their misguided mes-
sage.
Unfairly, the media at
large for the most part has
made it seem to the
American public that the
acts of these despicable
people are a fair repre-
sentation of the Islamic
faith as a whole.
You’ve noticed that the
people who protest the
building of the mosque-
housing community center
are self-professed “proud
and loyal Americans.”
However, what these peo-
ple seem to forget as they
protest the mosque while
clutching the Constitution
and draping themselves in
Old Glory is that what they
would like to see happen,
the abandonment of the
project, is highly un-
American.
This country was found-
ed on the ideals of “life,
liberty and the pursuit of
happiness.”
As Americans, we all
have the right to express
our feelings, opinions and
beliefs. Whether its pro-
choice or pro-life, for or
against the war, atheist or
believer, as citizens we
have the freedom to
believe what we want.
What I’m trying to say
here is that we have to get
over the “AMERICA!!!
F**K YEAH!!!” sentiment
that permeates this coun-
try and realize that there
are more people in this
world than just us and that
they don’t necessary
believe in the “American
Jesus,” to borrow from a
Bad Religion song. What
these close-minded “patri-
ots” seem to forget is that
this country was based on
the idea of individual free-
dom and by saying that
this community center
can’t be built, they are
denying these people the
very rights that they are
granted by being
Americans.
I’m not saying that the
protesters don’t have the
right to protest. Just
because I don’t believe in
what they are saying,
doesn’t mean that they
can’t protest. I just want
them to realize what the
actual situation is. The
question is not “Should
they build it or not?” The
question is “Do they have
the right to?” and the
answer to that is yes.
Because if we deny them
their right to religious free-
dom, how can we go out
and be the “global free-
dom police” that America
fashions itself to be.
So I’ve got a message
for all of those “culture
warriors” or whatever you
call yourselves, instead of
having a death-grip on the
Constitution as you spit
out nonsense, try actually
reading it.
Tribecca.com photoPark 51 in lower Manhattan is the proposed site for a community center and mosque two blocksaway from Ground Zero.
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
9September 30, 2010
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
10 September 30, 2010
Continued from page 1.
A draft of the implemen-
tation plan, obtained by
the Stall, lists three major
areas to be addressed
both before and after the
ban goes into effect Jan.
1.
According to the docu-
ment, the school will begin
a massive communication
campaign to make every-
one aware of the ban,
start various programs to
help smokers quit and
finally to address enforce-
ment issues regarding
those who violate the poli-
cy.
Chief of Police William
Sanford said he is mainly
concerned with how the
new policy will affect the
manpower of his depart-
ment.
“It depends on compli-
ance,” Sanford said.
Sanford said his agency
could deal with the issue if
there were a small num-
ber of violators, but could
run into a logistical prob-
lem if the number of viola-
tors climbs into the hun-
dreds.
Currently, those who
smoke in non-designated
areas on campus can face
a disorderly persons
charge that is heard in
Middletown Municipal
Court and which does
appear on the individual’s
record.
Sanford said the new
policy may have an “inter-
nal” college enforcement
element, such as with-
holding a student’s tran-
script until a fine is paid to
the school for a violation.
The penalt ies would
increase up to the court
summons for repeat viola-
tors, according to Sanford.
Burnham, himself a for-
mer smoker and cancer
survivor said the issue has
been discussed numerous
times in the last 10 or so
years and it is time for the
college to move to a truly
smoke-free campus.
“I understand individual
rights,” Burnham said. “I
paid a heavy price (for
smoking), but this is not
my decision alone.”
Burnham said the
Governance Board could
“study the issue unti l
doomsday,” but in the end,
policy decisions are the
responsibil i ty of the
administration and the
Board of Trustees.
“They (Governance)
don’t make policy,”
Burnham said. “They cre-
ate a conversation and
dialogue about this.”
Burnham said he under-
stands the “challenges”
police will have enforcing
the ban, which restricts
smoking except for inside
an individual’s vehicle, but
feels the college will be
better off with the ban in
place.
Student Life Board
President Alec Moran said
that while he personally
does not smoke, he feels
the process by which the
recommendation moved
through the system was
wrong.
“While the issue was
aired (in the spring), there
was not enough time for
students to give their col-
lective input (to the
process),” Moran said
Sept. 28. “I’m not sup-
porting smoking, but I’m
not for marginalizing a
segment of the student
body (that does smoke).”
Moran said he hoped
administration would give
more time to future issues
that could have such a
large impact on the stu-
dent body.
“The 16,000 students
should have a voice (in
decisions) too,” Moran
said.
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
11September 30, 2010
Continued from page 1.
Director of Accounting
Elise Barocas confirmed.
“We took a bond for
$27.8 million, but only part
of that was used on the fit-
ness centers and arena,”
Barocas said , “We used it
for what we call the Big
Four.”
For any student wanting
to know, The Big Four
construction covers vari-
ous renovations on
Brookdale campuses,
namely the Lincroft and
Western Monmouth cam-
pus.The renovations
include work on the ATEC
buildings, the Coll ins
Arena and the fitness/
recreational centers.
All revenue related activi-
t ies in the f i tness and
recreational centers con-
tribute to the debt ser-
vices,” Lawrence said.
But, wil l the fees go
down? Or will they go up?
Director Lawrence thinks
that, “It’s a higher possibil-
ity that the fees will go up
as further development
occurs.”
But not everyone tagree.
Cosentino hopes that
“when we get an good
increase in enrollment and
in class activities that the
fees will go down.”
The use of the recreation-
al area for events would
also be a big contribution
if used on a regular basis
for various events, includ-
ing sports and conven-
tions.
Education major Gary
Papa, 18, of Middletown
said, “Compared to the old
building, the cost is worth
it. But I’d be happier if it
were cheaper.”
Despite the discounts
some students are unsat-
isfied with the new facility,
even when impressed. “I
still think it should be free
for students,” Business
major Chris Cruz, 18, of
Malboro said. Port
Monmouth native
Business major Andrew
Barry, 18, agrees;
“ It is nice and convenient,
but I think it’s too expen-
sive.”
At this time, the only cer-
tain answer for the future
is uncertainty.
Fitness Center Fees
By Raven Halliwell
Over the past few weeks,
I have seen a lot of the
people I know and love
go through a lot of hell in
their everyday life.
Sometimes people say
and do things that we
may not appreciate but
sometimes what they say
is what needs to be said.
Recently, a fr iend of
mine and I got into a
huge fight over his
mistakes and major
character flaws. What
started the fight?
I pointed out some of his
mistakes. Not to say that
I myself don’t have my
own flaws because ask
anyone who knows me, I
am not perfect!
There wil l always be
people, like myself, who
are brutally honest and
tell us what we need to
hear but not necessarily
want to hear and it may
make us upset but we
need to listen to them.
Most people tend not to
l isten to someone but
they do hear them.
What’s the difference?
To hear something is to
take it at face value but to
actually listen to it is to
take it to heart.
For example in my old
high school, we had an
ROTC program and the
end of the year video
always featured Bruce
Springsteen’s “Born in the
USA” which is a good
song.
Only one problem; it is a
dig against the armed
forces.
After I pointed that out to
the Major, it was never
used for ROTC programs
again.
I offer you this call to
action; the next time you
talk to someone and they
start bitching you out
about the look you gave
somebody for whatever
reason, actually listen to
what they have to say.
Not just enough to
regurgitate what they say
but to actually paraphrase
it.
Take a moment and step
out of the situation. Now
step back in objectively
and decide not on who is
right; but on how the
situation could have been
handled differently.
If you have any
questions, comments or
concerns about Counsel
Corner or have a
question that you would
like to see in a future
issue, e-mail me at
All questions are
handled in the utmost
confidence.
Counsel Corner
January Smoking Ban Moving Ahead
Alex Hogger photoStudent Tyler Walliker has asmoke at the SLC gazebo.
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
12 September 30, 2010
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
13September 30, 2010
By Charles W. Kim
The Lincroft campus
could erupt at any time,
with music that is.
During good weather one
can often find students,
many not even in music-
related majors, in the vari-
ous outside sitting areas
breaking out an instru-
ment of choice and shar-
ing their talents.
“This is our first day (of
school) and we had a little
gap between classes,”
said Michael Brown, 21, a
photography major from
Union Beach, as he tuned
his acoustic guitar next to
the smoking gazebo by
the Student Life Center on
Sept.8.
Brown, who has been
playing for about f ive
years and has mostly per-
formed solo, said he likes
playing with other musi-
cians in the impromptu
concerts that usually take
place around the school.
Pre-med student Michael
McGuinness, 20, of
Cliffwood Beach used the
warm and sunny after-
noon to audit ion with
Brown in the hope of pos-
sibly forming a band
together.
“It gives us an opportunity
to put a band together,”
McGuinness said. “You
find many people with sim-
ilar interests (here).”
Neither student studies
music as part of their aca-
demic program at college,
but both said they enjoy
playing for others and
those who stop and listen
for a moment.
“The best part is meeting
people and getting some-
one for your band,”
McGuinness said. “(Other
students) are very kind
about (playing in public).”
The music does not stop
inside the Martin Luther
King Jr. Lounge in the
SLC, passersby usually
find someone sitting at the
piano and tickl ing the
ivories as background
music for those sitting on
the couches playing card
games.
Long Branch resident
Michael Borrero, 19, said
he has been playing for
two years and loves the
classic sounds of the
Romantic Era, including
Frederic Chopin, Schubert
or Robert Schumann.
The period, during the
late 18th Century, also
featured composers like
Mozart and Haydn,
Borrero said.
“You can’t really get into
a (modern) band playing
classical (music),”
Borrero, a computer sci-
ence major told second-
year psychology major
Heather Kilpatrick, 18, of
Eatontown. “I tried guitar
but kind of failed at that.”
Kilpatrick said she loves
hearing the many differing
musical styles and talents
demonstrated by the stu-
dents who, like Borrero,
play mainly because they
enjoy it.
“You see how (the musi-
cian) feels playing l ive
instead of just listening to
it,” Kilpatrick said. “You
(also) get to hear all vari-
eties of music. It is all ran-
dom.”
Charles W. Kim photoStudent Michael Brown gets ready to jam outside the SLC Sept.8.
No Admission Ticket Required For Jams
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
14 September 30, 2010
By Matthew Klein
Recently, New York Jets
wide receiver Braylon
Edwards was arrested for
DUI in New York. When
the police stopped him,
he had a 0.16 BAC, which
is twice the limit in New
York. This, along with
other issues, has been
and continues to be a
major problem with
athletes, especially in the
NFL, the past couple of
years.
Why do these athletes
and other celebrities in
general do this stuff? It is
because they think just
because they are famous,
they believe they can do
anything they want even if
it’s against the law and
not get in trouble for it.
In March of 2009, then-
Cleveland Browns and
current Balitmore Ravens
wide receiver Donte
Stallworth was driving
under the influence when
he struck and kil led a
person. He plead guilty
and served only 30 days
in jail in addition to having
his license suspended for
life. Thirty days in jail for
ending somebody’s life
because he was driving
drunk and he is sti l l
allowed to play football. If
that was any average
person, they would have
received not days but
years.
However, in the case of
Michael Vick, they made
an example out of him to
maybe put the word out
there that even if you are
an athlete you will get
prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law. Vick
plead guilty for running a
dog-fighting ring which
operated for years. He
was sentenced to 21
months in prison and
served his full sentence.
He has been allowed to
play football again as he
is now the starting
quarterback on the
Philadelphia Eagles.
So the message here is
maybe one day athletes
and celebrities will realize
that they are just l ike
everyone else and are not
untouchable when it
comes to the law.
Sports And The Law
By Mary Brienza
The movie Machete was
a gory bloodfest from the
director of Planet Terror,
based on the fake trailer
of the same name shown
during the double feature
Grindhouse. The movie
was fi lmed in the same
grainy, jumpy style as the
Grindhouse features. It
starred Danny Trejo,
Robert DeNiro, Jessica
Alba, Steven Segal,
Michelle Rodriguez, Jeff
Fahey, Cheech Marin,
Don Johnson, and
Lindsey Lohan, according
to the imdb.
Danny Trejo’s character
is a former Mexican feder-
al agent who is out for
revenge against the man
who kil led his wife and
daughter. He is pulled into
an assassination plot, and
then betrayed by the men
who hired him. The movie
then shows Machete tak-
ing bloody revenge on the
men who betrayed him
and those responsible for
the death of his family.
The movie was packed
with action and bloody
gore, including the most
creative disembowelment
I have ever seen. There
were a few scenes of
female nudity, but mostly
the movie was about
Machete ki l l ing people
creatively in a quest for
revenge.
The actors were clearly
enjoying themselves, and
the results were very
entertaining.
The story was pretty
straightforward, with the
story proceeding to create
situations for more gore
and things exploding with
the henchman being killed
in some creative ways.
There were some creative
one-liners that will proba-
bly become a part of the
movie quoters repertoire.
I thought Robert DeNiro
and Steven Segal’s per-
formance were among the
best, along with the lead
Danny Trejo. Steven
Segal is a delightful ly
creepy villain, and Robert
DeNiro is clearly enjoying
playing the evil, smarmy
Senator. Michelle
Rodriguez was bad-ass
and one of the few strong
female leads in any action
movie. Jessica Alba plays
a U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement
agent who develops an
interest in Machete.
I recommend this movie
to anyone who enjoys
action movies that feature
a lot of blood and gore. It
features some awesome
explosions and awesome
villain deaths.
In light of recent events
in Arizona, the story is
also extremely timely and
wil l touch the vein of
human conscience, and
the way illegal immigrants
are viewed and treated.
Machete’s Bloody Fun
SLB Plans Spain TripBy Jordan Edmond
Trying to organize this year's Spring Break trip?
Has trying to get friends together, setting up hotel
arrangements, and finding entertainment become a
hassle?
Thankfully, Brookdale has got everything handled and
planned out.
Nix the usual trip to Cancun and join Student Life and
Activities on a spring break trip to Spain from March
11-20.
The trip will give a vivid insight into the history of
three beautiful cities; Barcelona, Malaga, and Madrid
via guided tours.
For the trip, students are $2200 for a double room
and $2100 for a triple occupancy room while the
community and staff are $2350 for a double room and
$2250 for a triple room.
The trip includes round trip tickets, room taxes, daily
buffet breakfast, transfers between airports and hotels,
luxury bus to Madrid and tours.
Signups have already started and a non-refundable
deposit of $300 is due by October 1.
If any additional information is needed contact
Student Life and Activities at 732-224-2390 or email
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
15September 30, 2010
By Paul Williams
The Brookdale Jersey
Blues women’s tennis
team cruised to their
second 9-0 win in just
three days against an
shorthanded Fashion
Institute of Technology
Tigers squad on Sunday,
Sept 19.
FIT’s top-ranked player
did not make the trip due
to an undisclosed illness
and their second-ranked
player didn’t travel with
the team due to an
eligibility issue.
The names of the absent
players were withheld by
FIT coach Lynn Cabot-
Puro, who was excited to
see her other regulars get
the opportunity to play
against some tougher
competition.
“It can only help them
gain confidence,” said
Cabot-Puro, in reference
to her players each
moving up a slot and
opposing higher-ranked
players than they would
normally face.
“We’ll focus on what their
strengths and experience
are from today, and go
from there.”
To compensate for the
absent players from FIT,
Brookdale coach Karen
MacLaughlin withheld
Heidi Denn, the Jersey
Blues’ number one-
ranked player, from
competing in any of the
matches, then only
scheduled second-ranked
Natalie DeSabato for one
doubles match and third-
ranked Lauren Abate for
one singles match.
Under GSAC rules,
Brookdale was awarded a
win for each match that
FIT could not fill, so they
were up 3-0 before they
even took the courts for
the doubles matches.
When they did, DeSabato
and Olga Kanevskaya
easily dispatched Katrina
Herreng and Abigail
Salembier 7-1.
Sara Nardea and Rose
Manning quickly defeated
Autorene Shortridge and
Marika Kooga 8-0, thanks
to multiple unforced errors
from the FIT pair and
Manning perfectly placing
several shots between the
two Tigers that were
nearly impossible to
return.
“You moved nicely
together, played much
better together today,”
MacLaughlin excitingly
said afterwards to her fifth
and sixth ranked players.
The singles matches
were also easily won by
the Jersey Blues, with
each of their players
winning in straight sets
and dropping no more
than three games in any
of the sets.
The highlight of the hot,
sunny day came when
Abate chased down a
shot from Katrina Herreng
that landed close to the
baseline.
Abate had her back
turned to the net but was
able to hit a remarkable
return shot over her head
that landed in Herreng’s
backcourt, which forced
Herreng into an error as
her attempt to return to
the acrobatic shot sailed
wide. Abate went on to
win the match 6-2, 6-1.
Kanevskaya had the
toughest time of all the
Jersey Blues players,
losing 5 total games in her
match with Salembier.
She committed multiple
double-faults but was
more than able to
compensate for them by
hitting numerous blazing
forehand winners on
Salembier’s serve to still
prevail rather easily, 6-2,
6-3.
In the day’s other
matches, Nardea made
light work of Shortridge 6-
0, 6-2 and Manning
defeated Kooga 6-1, 6-1.
“I was very impressed
today. They did very
well,” said MacLaughlin
after all the matches were
completed.
Paul Williams PhotoOlga Kanevskaya serves dur-ing the Sept. 19 match.
Ladies’ Tennis Showing No Love To Foes
T H E S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R O F B R O O K D A L E C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E
16September 30, 2010
By Dane Hodge
Is there any more that
the Brookdale men’s soc-
cer team could ask for this
season?
They’ve started the sea-
son with an overall record
of 8-0 (6-0 GSAC).
The Jersey Blues recently
defeated the number one
ranked and defending
national champion, Union
Community College Owls.
Currently, the Jersey
Blues are ranked number
two in the NJCAA poll,
and eighth in the NSCAA
poll.
Things couldn’t have
started any sweeter, until
Brookdale heard the news
about their former stand-
outs’ performances at
their new institutions.
Three former Jersey
Blues standouts now
doing the same at the next
level.
Rowan University is the
school which has gotten
the most out of
Brookdale’s former play-
ers and has given them
the chance to succeed at
another level.
The three players were
all on the 2008 team
which was nationally
ranked number one in the
country in the Adidas
national poll which includ-
ed all schools in the
United States.
Christian Gonzalez, Joe
Parella, and John Loiodice
are the three players who
are now key components
of the Owls. Gonzalez,
who is a native of
Colombia, was an all con-
ference and All-region
midfielder for the Jersey
Blues. Joe Parella, a
Howell native that broke
the school record in goals
in his two years at
Brookdale.
Both Gonzalez and
Parella were captains on
last year team that went
15-2-2. Gonzalez has tal-
lied two assists and two
points in eight games,
while Parella is second on
the team with two goals
and one assist in eight
games for.
Last but not least, is Joe
Loiodice who was a team
captain on the 2008
Brookdale team.
In his second year with
the Owls, Loiodice has
performed well. In eight
games this season, he
has one goal and one
assist for three points this
year.
The team is 3-2-2 with
plenty of season left as
they look to make a splash
in the NCAA tournament.
“It ’s a beautiful thing
when you see your play-
ers do well at other institu-
tions”, Coach Mike Costa
said. “It makes the pro-
gram look good, and
makes themselves look
good as well, and we
could be any more proud
of them”.
This year the Jersey
Blues have a number of
players who are more than
capable of continuing their
play at other institutions.
They hope to do so and
to continue to make a
name for themselves in
the ranks of Junior
Colleges.
Men’s Soccer Undefeated So Far
Cross Country Team Making Strides
BCC photoBlues runner John Arnonebeats out the competition to finish 5th in the Osprey Open at Stockton College in GallowayTownship last weekend.
By BCC Athletic Staff
The Brookdale’s men’s cross coun-
try team placed third at the Osprey
Open, which was hosted by Stockton
College over the weekend.
Finishing behind four-year institu-
tions Stockton College and Rutgers
University, the Jersey Blues were the
first community college to cross the
tape.
Improving their times immensely
from the previous year, the team
clocked in with an average of 21:39
and scored 81 points overall, com-
pared to last year’s 23:02 average
and fifth place finish.
For the second consecutive meet,
freshman John Arnone (Red Bank
Regional) was the Jersey Blues top
finisher, placing fifth out of 57.
Arnone ran the 6k race in 20:09,
going out strong in a 5:04 first mile.
The next Jersey Blue finisher was
Joseph Mullen (Neptune) who gutted
it out at the end to run down four
other competitors making him the
10th place finisher with a time of
20:42.
Rounding off the top five, Patrick
O’Boyle (Mater Dei) finished 28th
with a time of 22:12 and sophomores
Ryan Lundy (Mater Dei) and Alec
Moran (Shore) crossed the tape 33rd
and 35th, respectively.
Next up, the Jersey Blues will com-
pete in is the Gettysburg Invite on
Oct. 16 hosted by Gettysburg
College.