The Terrapin Times

UMD Ranks Third in 'Black History Month Abuse'

2006-02-27T13:23:00.000-05:00

A report from the conservative Young America's Foundation ranked the University of Maryland third-worst among college campus celebrations of Black History Month.

"[L]eading colleges and universities have used and abused Black History Month to lash out angrily against white people, spread socialist ideas, and honor the Black Panthers," the group said in a press release. "Missing from many Black History Month activities were positive discussions about the accomplishments that blacks have made in business, education, government, and science."

UMD earned its third place ranking for its "Protest and Revolution in the Black Community" program entitled "Where Do We Go From Here?" The event featured one half of the rap duo Dead Prez, a young man who calls himself M-1.

M-1, according to YAF, "refers to America as 'Amerikkka' and believes in a 'conscious world wide struggle with decisive victory won in the area of defeating capitalism and imperialism which is our main enemy.'"

The obvious irony is that M-1, who also apparently goes by the name Mutulu Olugbala (his given name is reportedly Lavon Alfred), sells his albums for profit, which as we all know is an important aspect of the devil capitalism. And we seriously doubt M-1 attended the event out of the goodness of his heart, if you know what we mean.

Good thing leftists can't be hypocrits. Otherwise, M-1 would be a great candidate.

And not to open old wounds, but you'll recall that the school paid an undisclosed amount of money to bring cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal's supporters The Roots to campus. If you guessed that M-1 is a supporter of the Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, you'd be right!

Selective Praise ...

2006-01-10T15:20:00.000-05:00

On its home page, the University of Maryland touts its recent ranking in Kiplinger's rankings of the "best values" of colleges nationwide. The university ranked 18th, a jump from 36th in 2003 and a generally respectable ranking.

But what the UMD blurb forgets is where it placed among the five other universities somehow designated as its "peer institutions."

For those who aren't aware, those peer institutions are: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagn, University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan.

Those schools ranked 1st, 8th, 12th, 14th, and 16th, respectively.

So among those schools against which the University of Maryland judges its success, the Terrapins come in a whopping last place in overall value.

In other news, the sky is blue.

ALERT: UNIVERSITY RELEASE MENTIONS "C-WORD"

2005-12-19T14:16:00.000-05:00

In a press release issued December 12, the University of Maryland -- a publicly funded institution -- mention the forbidden "c-word," a noun too vulgar to be reprinted on this page.

The release states that, "More than 2,500 University of Maryland students will get one of their best holiday gifts shortly before C******** - their college diploma or advanced degrees."

No word yet one whether or not the ACLU plans on suing the university for its explicit promotion of religion. Also no word on whether or not the irony police will complain that the university sends us a steep bill for the "gift" it will bestow upon us.

Clayon D. Mote's Ambiguous Holiday Wishes

2005-12-15T15:56:00.000-05:00

In his holiday e-mail to students, conveniently timed about 10 days before Christmas, university president Clayton D. Mote takes the time to wish students a "happy holiday." How nice of him.

He also directs students to the university's online greeting (www.holidaygreeting.umd.edu), a flash animation that lists the wonders of the University of Maryland and finishes in a blaze of glory with a screen with this message: May this season of hopes and dreams inspire you. Cheer the Turtle.

Inspire me to what? Go on a murderous rampage?

I don't know about you, but I'm particularly suspicious of the holly and berries at the corners of the animation screen. Seems a little Christmassy to me.

And in the e-mail, he mentions that this is a time "when we gather with family and friends to relax, take stock, and count our blessings."

Blessings from whom? Certainly he can't be talking about some sort of omnipotent being!

And what about students who have no family to go home to? Surely this reminder that they have no family and friends is painful and offensive.

And isn't it a little class-centric to assume that everyone relaxes on their "Winter Break?" Maybe Dr. Mote isn't aware, but some students are poor and have to use their time on break to work hard jobs to earn money to pay for school.

This insensitive e-mail should never have been sent. Students should be outraged.

Pictures Make it Easier

2005-11-18T09:13:00.000-05:00

The Diamondback on Thursday published a glowing article on university president Clayton D. Mote, Jr, extolling his financial virtues by explaining that he won't approve upgrades to the administration building (how humble) so he can build labs and such, and by informing readers that he drives a 1998 model vehicle.

The fact that the kind of car Mote drives is superfluous seems to have slipped Diamondback editors' minds. It doesn't matter if he drives a 1988 Yugo; he still rakes in more than $350,000 every year.

Reporter Laurie Au, however, felt that it was necessary to let us know that Mote drives a 1998 Ford "Crown Royal."

Now there's three explanations for this report:

1) Ford released a 1-car model "Crown Royal" in 1998 and Mote got his hands on it. But this would invalidate the reasoning behind the information, because it's logical to assume that a 1-car model would have cost Mote a lot of money.

2) Mote moonlights as Kurt Busch. This is highly possible, as shown in the picture below. With a little bit of old-man makeup, it could work:

But that would mean he drives this around campus:

And since no one has ever seen that car on campus, it's probably a safe bet to assume that:

3) Au got it wrong, and her editors missed it, and Mote drives a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, much like this one:

And for reference, if Mote drove a 1988 Yugo, it would look something like this:

New Web Site Coming Soon ...

2005-11-09T09:49:00.000-05:00

The Terrapin Times is in the process of designing a new, more functional Web site that will debut in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, the old site, at www.theterrapintimes.com, is still up and running. The launch of the new Web site will have no effect on the blog.

Stay tuned for updates ...

Graber Continues His Anti-Bush Rants ...

2005-10-31T10:32:00.000-05:00

In less than one week, government and politics professor Mark Graber has participated in three university press releases centered on the Bush administration. In all three, including the most recent release offering statements on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, Graber has issued attacks on the Bush administration.

In the release issued this morning, Graber said that Alito's nomination "further demonstrates President George Bush's committment to the right wing of the Republican Party."

He criticized Alito for being "committed to the conservatism of Justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia, rather than the conservativsm of Sandra Day O'Connor, Anthony Kennedy and, even William Rehnquist."

He worried that Bush "will have further opportunity to reshape the bench in the image of his most vocal, but not necessarily most numerous, supporters."

It seems that Graber would like to think that Harriet Miers, who withdrew herself from consideration for the Court last week, was a victim of the extreme right wing because she didn't extol the virtues of conservative judicial activism. In fact, Miers withdrew because everyone realized she was unqualified.

Graber also seems to forget that Bush's supporters are in fact vocal and numerous. Bush defeated Kerry in the Electoral College 286-251 and in the popular vote by more than 3,000,000.

A constitutional expert should know that the president is in charge of nominating people to the courts. And technically, he's allowed to choose anyone he wants to nominate. And if the Senate confirms them, he wins.

Of course Judge Alito is extremely qualified, considering his immense experience both as a lawyer and as a judge on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The only reason Graber should find him unqualified is that their judicial philosophies differ.

It's called democracy ... when people elect a president and federal representatives, those representatives (in this case senators) are responsible for representing the people. In the last election, the people clearly supported George W. Bush and Republican candidates for the Senate, so it looks like professor Graber can blame his own friends for not convincing America to vote for John Kerry.

And until he can do that, he should consider whining in privacy, where he won't make the university look bad.

Profs Rush to Convict Libby, Condemn Bush

2005-10-28T14:28:00.000-05:00

University professors today participated in a press release commenting on the indictment of vice presidential advisor Lewis "Scooter" Libby, judging that Libby is guilty of leaking the name of a CIA agent and attacking the Bush administration for the leak.

Libby was indicted by federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald on five counts -- one count of obstruction of justice, two felony counts of making a false statement and two counts of perjury. He has not been charged with leaking the name.

Public policy professor I.M. "Mac" Destler compared the leak to the Watergate scandal that brought down the Nixon administration. He said the events have "very much the flavor of Nixon's Watergate: senior administration aides overreaching in going after critics of a controversial war, then compounding the offense by attempting to cover up their actions."

We repeat, Libby has not been charged with outing Valerie Plame.

Journalism professor Susan Moeller said that the intense media coverage is "entirely appropriate." She said the coverage is "a welcome ... analysis of the dishonesty of the Bush White House in convincing Congress and the American people to go to war -- and of the failure of the media themselves in diligently and consistently exposing the administration's spin and misstatement."

We wonder if Moeller is talking about the media's failure to report that Joe Wilson, the man who traveled to Niger for the CIA, was recommended for the trip by his wife, the outed agent. She must be talking about how the media failed to look into how Joe Wilson lies out of both sides of his mouth, claiming that the Vice President's office sent him (which is not true) and citing a non-existent written report he claims to have given to the CIA (which is also not true.)

Instead, the media focused solely on the leak of Valerie Plame's name, and conveniently forgot about the valid points brought up by the connection between Plame and Wilson.

Yesterday, government and politics professor Mark Graber accused the Bush administration of orchestrating the withdrawal of Harriet Miers in order to distract from the indictments.

It didn't work. And now Graber is attacking the Bush administration for what it supposedly tried to distract from.

"The indictment of Lewis Libby ought to be an embarrassment for an administration that seems incapable of embarrassment," Graber said. "The Bush administration seems concerned with taking all legal steps, and some illegal, to ensure that the agencies responsible for protecting the United States provide only information that confirms preexisting conclusions and enhances the administration's electoral strategies."

Apparently Graber wasn't paying attention to the scandal. The White House -- or, rather, whoever leaked the name -- wasn't trying to silence CIA "evidence." If had been trying to silence it, they failed miserably. Instead, they were trying to make it clear that Joe Wilson is not a credible source for such information.

He got the job because of his wife. He had a political bias against the Bush administration. And his findings were never actually officially published.

Once again, university professors abuse an opportunity to provide intellectual input to important issues. Instead of taking advantage of the chance to get the university's name in the press in a respectable manner, they use it to take cheap shots at the Bush administration and make unsubstantiated claims against Republicans.

Know the people who are teaching you.

Update: Diamondback 'Makes Up' for Unfair Steele Coverage

2005-10-28T09:26:00.000-05:00

Two days after The Terrapin Times editor in chief Nathan Burchfiel sent a letter to The Diamondback questioning its unfair coverage of Republican Senate candidate Michael Steele, the student daily published a front-page article on Steele.

The letter (posted below in a previous announcement) addressed the disparity between the papers coverage of Democratic gubernatorial candidates -- who both received front-page stories with pictures -- and Steele, who was pushed to page 7 in a story that focused on students who protested his announcement.

The story printed Friday ("Steele admired as leader of black community") appears to be an attempt at making up for the mistake earlier in the week. But even the new article is focused on discrediting Steele, an African-American, in the black community.

The sub-headline reads: "Students say they want to know more before supporting U.S. Senate race." The story goes on to quote several African Americans who doubt that Steele will receive much support from blacks.

The story quotes three sources, none of whom express support for Steele. Ron Walters, a primary source for journalists who want to make a story about race, said that if blacks voted for Steele, they would be doing it "out of spite" for the Democrats.

The other two sources -- students in executive positions in the hardly nuetral chapter of the NAACP -- echoed Walters' speculation that blacks won't vote for Steele, without addressing any of his specific policies that hurt minorities.

We commend the Diamondback for trying to make up for their mistakes, but doing so by making the campaign about race is not going to help. Michael Steele is a good candidate for the Republican party ... not because he's black, but because he's a good leader with good policies for minorities and majorities alike. This sets him apart from his Democratic opponents, who apparently must resort to ignoring the issues and talking about race instead.

UMD Prof: Miers Withdraw Planned to Distract from Plame Investigation

2005-10-27T19:28:00.000-05:00

In a press release issued by the university touting experts to comment to the media about Harriet Miers, a government and politics professor suggested that her withdraw from consideration for an appointment to the Supreme Court was planned to distract from impending indictments into the investigation of the leak of a CIA agent's identity.

Mark Graber, associate department chair of the Department of Government and Politics, said, "There is a very good probability that timing of the Miers withdrawal was arranged to distract attention from the probable indictiments of major Bush administration figures this week (and another poor relief effort from Hurricane Wilma). "

He continued, "More evidence that this is an administration more concerned with managing the news than governing the country."

Miers withdrew herself from consideration this morning after an intense backlash from conservatives upset that Bush would nominate someone with questionable qualifications when he promised to nominate judges with a clear (conservative) judicial philosophy.

Why would a professor who's supposed to comment on this case go on a political attack against the administration? It reflects poorly on the university's ability to provide mature experts who are able to comment on the issues at hand without digressing into cheap and basless attacks against people with whom they disagree.

There is a time and place for Professor Graber to explain why he hates the Bush administration (hint: it's also not the classroom), but a press release on an unrelated topic is not that place.

And his last comment is an incomplete sentence.

For the full press release, click HERE

Unfair Coverage of Steele in DBK ...

2005-10-26T13:21:00.000-05:00

Below is a letter sent to Diamondback editors October 26 posing questions about the daily publication's coverage of Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele as juxtaposed with the coverage of Democrats.

I’m curious to find out who made the decision on the placement for today’s story on Lt. Gov. Michael Steele announcing his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. It’s interesting that when Martin O’Malley announced his bid for governor, the Diamondback ran the story above the fold on the front page; when Doug Duncan announced his gubernatorial campaign, the Diamondback ran a story below the fold on the front page; but when Steele announced his Senate run, the Diamondback ran a story on page 7.

For O’Malley’s announcement, the story was accompanied by a handsome photograph of O’Malley. The story on Duncan’s announcement was set off with a picture of Duncan. The article on Steele’s announcement was joined by a picture not of Steele, but of a “clash” between a Steele supporter and a protester.

Additionally, on the occasions of the two Democrats’ campaign announcements, the Diamondback printed columns or letters that supported the candidates. But on the same day it reported Steele’s announcement, the Diamondback printed a column from one of the student protesters denouncing Steele as a hypocrite.

Scott Goldstein criticized the Diamondback’s disparity between O’Malley’s above-the-fold story and Duncan’s below-the-fold story. I hope he takes note of the numerous dissimilarities between the coverage of Democratic gubernatorial candidates and that of the Republican Senate candidate. And I hope this doesn’t foreshadow favoritism-riddled coverage in the months to come.

Nathan Burchfiel
Senior – Journalism

Stay tuned for continuing coverage ...

Steele Announces Bid for U.S. Senate

2005-10-25T07:45:00.000-05:00

by Matt Kinnear
The Terrapin Times Staff Writer

Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele today officially announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate at a speech to supporters at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Md.

Steele pledged to be a “bridge-builder” between Republicans and Democrats. “The need for a new bridge is real,” he said. “I am going to the U.S. Senate to be that bridge.”

Supporters waved signs that said “Bridge of Steele Tour.”

Republican leaders have been urging Steele, who is the first black man to ever be elected to a statewide office in Maryland, to run for Senate because of his appeal to members of both parties.

Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly two to one in Maryland. Steele ran alongside Gov. Robert Ehrlich when he became Maryland’s first Republican governor since Spiro Agnew won in 1967. The last Republican elected to one of Maryland’s two seats in the U.S. Senate was Charles Mathias, in 1980.

Steele described himself as “an independent minded” candidate who is prepared for change. He also spoke of a new Civil Rights movement—not of blacks getting a seat at the counter, but of blacks owning the whole diner—as he invoked the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks.

“Too many in Washington today are not working toward that common goal of growth and freedom and an equal opportunity for every individual. Instead, too many on the left have their feet set in the concrete of old fears, old divisions and old ways of government," he said.

Steele is running for the Republican nomination for the seat that will be vacated by Democratic Sen. Paul Sarbanes, who was first elected in 1976.

Steele has raised nearly $400,000 for the election. White House strategist Karl Rove was a guest at an event in July that raised $75,000.

He is running against a crowded field of Democrats. U.S. Rep. Ben Cardin is currently leading the race, with former member of Congress and NAACP leader Kweisi Mfume slightly behind. Other candidates include Lise Van Susteren, Professor Allan J. Lichtman, Joshua Rales and A. Robert Kaufman. Kevin Zeese is running as a third-party candidate.

Stay tuned to theterrapintimes.blogspot.com for complete coverage of this story and the U.S. Senate campaign.

Terrorism at the George Washington University?

2005-10-24T08:16:00.000-05:00

John McCormack, a reporter at The Terrapin Times' sister publication at the George Washington University, reports in the October issue of The GW Patriot that a former imam at the university appears to have some ties to terrorism and the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Read the story HERE.

McCormack recently received the John J. Miller Award for Outstanding Campus Reporting for his article. The award was given by Miller, a writer for the National Review, during the Collegiate Network's annual editors conference in Newark, Delaware over the weekend.

Congratulations to McCormack and the GW Patriot as well as the winner of Best Layout, the Gonzaga Witness, and winner of the CN Paper of the Year, the California Patriot at UC-Berkeley.

Sheehan Bails on Chapel Appearance

2005-09-28T15:02:00.000-05:00

After a brief speech at the Memorial Chapel last night, anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan left the venue before being confronted with questions from students and others in attendance.

Sheehan visited the campus to participate in the Democracy Collaborative's discussion on the costs of the Iraq War. She was accompanied by professor Shibley Telhami, who spoke on the consequences of the war on international relations, and Senate candidate Kevin Zeese, who delivered a campaign speech before taking audience questions.

Immediately following her comments on the war, Sheehan left the stage area. Moderator Gar Alperovitz, a university professor, informed the audience that Sheehan would return to answer question, but later announced that she would not be returning due to health issues.

The news of Sheehan's decision to not return encouraged the majority of the audience to leave while the remaining students participated in the scheduled question and answer session with Telhami and Zeese.

Look for full coverage in the upcoming October issue of The Terrapin Times ...

Transfers Banking on New Scholarship $$$ ...

2005-09-26T11:36:00.000-05:00

In an effort to become more of a tool of Chevy Chase Bank, the university announced Friday that it has accepted a $2 million donation from the financial institution.

The money will be used to "create an endowment providing scholarships for business students and supporting internships for student leaders," according to a university release.

The donation continues to solidify the relationship between the university and Chevy Chase, which holds numerous ATM cash dispensers on campus and sponsors several athletic-department programs, including the popular $100 giveaway during home games.

But seriously, the increasing corporate sponsorship of universities raises some interesting ethical questions that will undoubtedly be argued in the coming weeks. Expect certain campus activists to complain about the corporatization of the university, just as they did when DOTS suggested selling Metro-bus style ad space on Shuttle-UM buses.

But is any way for the university to pull in funding a bad way?

University to Conduct 'Paper Trail' Tests

2005-09-23T13:10:00.000-05:00

The University of Maryland College Park will be conducting studies to determine if "paper trails" are needed for the state's electronic voting machines, according to a report from The Washington Times.

Paper trails provide a printed receipt of the vote cast. The University of Maryland in Baltimore County will also study the pros and cons of paper trails.

The universities will submit findings to the Maryland State Board of Elections in December.

For more on this story, visit The Washington Times.

September Issue Available Now

2005-09-19T09:03:00.000-05:00

The September 2005 issue of The Terrapin Times is now on campus. It is also available online in PDF format.

Please use this posting to offer feedback and comments on the issue.

BREAKING: Sheehan To Visit Campus

2005-09-13T22:22:00.000-05:00

BREAKING NEWS:

Original Post: September 13, 2005, 11:22 pm
Last Updated: September 14, 2005, 9:58 am

The Terrapin Times has learned that anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan will be speaking on the University of Maryland campus on September 27 at 8:00 pm in the Memorial Chapel. Admission is free and first-come, first-served.

Sheehan attracted media attention over the summer when she erected a campsite outside President Bush's Texas ranch during his vacation. She was protesting the war in Iraq and demanding answers for the death of her son, Casey Sheehan.

Sheehan demanded a meeting with the president. Such a meeting -- which would have been her second with Bush -- was not granted and she departed on an Eastern US bus tour that will end at the White House and culminate in "massive" anti-war demonstrations in the nation's capital.

Sheehan and supporters were later quoted expressing their gratitude that Bush did not grant a meeting, because it would have ended their media-saturated protest.

According to the Democracy Collaborative, which was co-founded by UMD political economy professor Gar Alperovitz, Sheehan will address "the Iraq War and the costs at home." She will encourage students with advice on how they can end the war and bring about political change in Washington.

She will be joined by Alperovitz, Middle East expert Professor Shibley Telhami and activist/U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Zeese.

Several members of the Democracy Collaborative have outwardly expressed support for Democratic candidates and liberal organizations. For information on their giving habits, click on the names:

Alperovitz

Benjamin R. Barber

William A. Galston

Harris Wofford

Sondra Myers

Developing ... stay tuned for updates ...

Brit Takes Issue With Petri Meat

2005-09-12T11:31:00.000-05:00

In a September 11, 2005 column in The [UK] Observer, columnist Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall criticized the University of Maryland researchers who have discovered the possibility of creating "meat" in laboratories.

"These are short-sighted, power-crazed, intellectually degenerate, self-serving, morally empty imbeciles!," Whittingstall wrote. "They believe they hold in their hands the beginnings of a brave new world of cruelty-free meat. I don't think so."

He went on to say that such advances could "consign to oblivion 10,000 years of a relationship that has shaped civilisation - the contract of good husbandry between man and his domesticated livestock."

He also points to the logical problems with the discovery, such as the fact that scientiest can only create lumps of "meat," and are unabe to reproduce the cuts of steak or chicken breast that come from animals.

Read the entire column HERE.

University to Host Prayer Vigil, Encourages Students to Help

2005-09-02T12:39:00.000-05:00

The university has announced that the Memorial Chapel will be holding a prayer service for the victims of Hurricane Katrina on Sunday, September 4 at 9:30 pm.

The prayer service will be "in the Christian tradition," as it is being sponsored by the Episcopal/Anglican Campus Ministry.

We wonder how long it will remain slated "in the Christian tradition." Let's just hope people don't protest this show of spirituality on campus.

---

In an e-mail to members of the university community, Provost William Destler announced that the university is considering several options for fundraising for victims of the hurricane.

The administration has also started enrolling Maryland residents who had been attending schools in the flooded areas of Louisiana.

"I hope that all of you will find a way to contribute to those affected
by this natural disaster," Destler said. He added that the university's Web site offers links to several organizations that are accepting donations to help in the recovery efforts.

Gambling in Maryland

2005-08-31T13:35:00.000-05:00

In the Maryland capital, where gambling is an on-again / off-again hot button issue, two politicians are putting their dignity on the line over the reinvigoration of a decades-old rivalry.

Delegate Herb McMillan (R-Annapolis) and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller have made a bet on the Sept. 3 football game between the University of Maryland and the Naval Academy, a game that hasn't been played in 41 years.

If the Navy Midshipmen win, Miller, a Maryland graduate, will attend the Senate's opening ceremonies wearing a Navy jersey and hat. If Maryland wins, McMillan, a Naval Academy graduate, will don the equivalent Maryland gear.

The betters have plenty of time to mull their coming humility ... the opening ceremonies are January 11, 2006.

Ombudsman Galore

2005-08-31T09:25:00.000-05:00

Six months after then-Diamondback Editor in Chief Jonathan Cribbs declined The Terrapin Times EIC Nathan Burchfiel's offer to serve as the paper's ombudsman, the University of Maryland's daily paper has officially anounced that the position has been filled.

After more than a year without an ombudsman, the Diamondback in today's Back-to-School issue announced that former DBK EIC Scott Goldstein will serve as the self-watchdog.

Goldstein's first column also appeared in today's edition. He pays adequate lip service to students who have criticized the paper for not employing an ombudsman and pledges "to represent you, the reader."

In addition to promising to actually read the e-mails disgruntled readers might send his way, Goldstein announced the formation of a student panel that will meet to offer feedback on the Diamondback.

The Terrapin Times isn't holding its breath for an invitation!

McCray Arrested, Held

2005-08-30T07:28:00.000-05:00

Terrapins basketball player Chris McCray was arrested over the weekend following a fight, according to The [Prince George's County] Gazette.

McCray allegedly participated in the fight on Knox Road and resisted arrest. The Gazette reports that McCray has been charged with disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and escaping from custody.

No word on whether or not McCray started the fight by declaring, "I'm from Maryland and nobody can beat me."

Another Top 20 for UMD

2005-08-29T08:45:00.000-05:00

The [Baltimore] Sun reports that the University of Maryland has achieved a most unlikely Top 20 ranking: party school.

College Park eeked its way into the Princeton Review's annual list of schools known for their partying habits. Other schools on the list include University of Wisconsin-Madison (#1), University of California - Santa Barbara (#4), Pennsylvania State University (#13) and West Virginia University (#14).

With few bars, tight restriction on Greek life and heavy police control of off-campus parties, some expressed confusion at the ranking. Former SGA president Aaron Kraus told The Sun, "I don't agree with that ranking at all."

Of course the administration is playing down the ranking, which is decided based on student surveys and changes every year -- 7 new schools made the list this year.

"Students should use a variety of sources to determine what is the best school for them," acting communications director Cassandra Robinson told The Sun. "Most importantly is actually visiting the school and getting a sense of the climate when they're on campus."

In other words: "Parents, don't pay attention to that. Visit the school and see how overbearing we are on parties."

We're just waiting for the lightpost banners announcing the ranking.

NCAA Update

2005-08-26T09:22:00.001-05:00

The National Collegiate Athletic Association on Tuesday made an exception to its brand new "no Indians" rule for school mascots by allowing Florida State University to continuing using the Seminole name and logo without punishment.

Two weeks ago, the NCAA announced a new policy that would punish schools -- 18 in all -- that used "hostile and offensive" imagery of Native Americans.

FSU appealed the ruling, citing the fact that the Seminole tribe of Florida had given its approval to the use of the name, the logo, and the football team's mascot: a student dressed as an Indian and carrying a flaming spear on horseback.

As Inside Higher Ed reports, the NCAA approved FSU's appeal and will not restrict the university from post-season activities (i.e. NCAA-sponsored bowl games, etc.). The appeal does not repeal the rule, however, and the other 17 universities must appeal on their own if they wish to do so.

Florida State University logo:

UMD Professor Critcizes O'Malley's Bush-Bashing

2005-08-08T13:19:00.000-05:00

University of Maryland political science professor James Gimpel on Wednesday criticized Baltimore's Democrat Mayor Martin O'Malley for comments he made at the National Press Club criticizing President Bush.

In a speech The [Baltimore] Sun reported was more like a presidential campaign speech than a gubernatorial candidate's speech, O'Malley attacked the Bush administration for not providing cities with enough resources to secure the homeland.

O'Malley specifically listed Baltimore's port, which only inspects 10 percent of incoming containers while Hong Kong inspects 100 percent of its incoming containers.

"For a Democrat from a city that's broke, everything's a federal responsibility," Gimpel said. He said the comments were not controversial because everyone agrees that the federal government needs to play some role in the defense of the nation's cities.

"Would anyone in the Bush administration really quarrel with that?" Gimpel asked The Sun. "Would anyone in the Ehrlich administration really quarrel with that?"

One can only wonder how long Gimpel, who The Sun reported has consulted for national Republicans, will have a place at UMD. There's just not room for professors who are willing to criticize people like O'Malley and defend people like Bush and Ehrlich.

Tomahawk, Meet Rock and Roll Pt. II

2005-08-08T13:06:00.000-05:00

It appears as though the infamous Florida State tomahawk chop is headed the way of Rock and Roll Pt. II.

After four years of soul-searching, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has announced that it is officially offended by the use of Native American names and symbols by its member schools. While the NCAA will not outwardly ban such symbols, it has decided to punish school that do not change their mascot.

According to Inside Higher Education, "The NCAA said that (1) it would no longer let such institutions play host to its national tournaments; (2) colleges already scheduled to sponsor such events would have to eliminate any references to the Indian imagery from the arenas or stadiums; (3) such colleges could not bring mascots, cheerleaders or any other people or paraphernalia that feature Native American imagery to NCAA championships, beginning in 2008; and (4) athletes may not wear uniforms or other gear with “hostile and abusive” references at NCAA tournament events."

Eighteen schools will be affected, including Maryland's ACC collegues at Florida State (the Seminoles), even though representatives from Florida's Seminole tribes have approved the use of the name and logo for the school.

The new policies go into effect in February 2006, meaning schools will be able to participate in 2005 football season events without punishment.

What's next on the politically correct chopping block? Will Notre Dame's Fighting Irish be deemed offensive to those Irish who strive for peace? Will Testudo be banned for incorrectly representing the quiet, reserved and loving nature of the terrapin?

Aren't there more important problems with collegiate athletics than mascots who might be offensive? Apparently not.

Kunkel: You're Doing Well When People Are Mad

2005-08-08T08:43:00.000-05:00

Philip Merrill College of Journalism Dean Thomas Kunkel told Knight Ridder Newspapers this weekend that the role of watchdogs in journalism is important and that when they are successful, people get angry.

"If you're doing your job, you're going to make people mad," Kunkel said, referring to the recent suicide of Miami City Commissioner Arthur E. Teele Jr., after damning stories were printed in the Miami Herald.

He said victims of watchdog journalism "find it offensive when it touches them, fascinating when it touches other people." Find the full story HERE.

Perhaps Kunkel's own students should take his comments to heart the next time they're offended at watchdog journalism directed at them.

Faculty, Staff Attack Steele Over Rove Tie

2005-07-28T14:23:00.000-05:00

Two members of the faculty and staff at the University of Maryland have attacked Lt. Gov. Michael Steele for participating in a fundraising event with Republican strategist and Bush advisor Karl Rove on Wednesday.

Government and politics Professor Ron Walters told The [Baltimore] Sun Wednesday that it was a bad idea for Steele to align himself with Rove, who has come under fire from Democrats for his involvement in the "leak" of a CIA operative's identity.

"I don't think he wins anything by being so public with Karl Rove," Walters told The Sun. "And I think it's very likely he could lose some votes from people who could potentially support him."

Staff member Greg Johnson, on his blog "The Staff Disturber," was more outgoing. "Steele thinks Maryland's moderate voters won't notice he takes hard-right money from a traitor," he wrote.

Johnson called Rove a traitor at least twice in his posting, and found him guilty of "revealing the identity of an undercover CIA agent." Apparently Johnson knows something the special prosecutor doesn't know about Rove's involvement, because he hasn't brought any charges against him.

According to Johnson's post, the Lt. Gov. raised abot $75,000 at the event, which means that those "75 fatcats enjoying cocktails and hors d'ouvres in air-conditioned splendor" will receive more attention from Steele than the "35 working people sweating outside in 95-degree heat."

Yes, they probably will, because in this situation, they're the majority. Also, the 35 people ouside sweating are there because they hate Steele (Johnson refers to him as "Little Gov. Steele), so why would he be interested in helping them?

I wonder what makes Johnson think he knows Maryland's moderate voters. He's clearly not one of them, and Rove has demonstrated time and again that he knows how to reach out to moderates and how to show them his candidate is the right one to vote for.

I'm going to have to disagree with Professor Walters. I doubt this fundraiser will hurt Steele very much. He could hold a fundraiser with James Carville and people like Greg Johnson would still protest outside the event.

From the CDNC

2005-07-23T09:28:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of attending parts of the College Democrats National Convention in the nation's capital this week. I'm serious that it was a pleasure ... it was an interesting experience to say the least.

You've got to give credit to the young Democrats for getting some big names to show up at their relatively small convention. Sen. Hillary Clinton, New York Democrat, DNC chairman Howard Dean and, via video message, Sen. John Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat.

But I observed an interesting contrast. While Dean was making his second speech of the day (this one closed to the press and most conference attendees), surrounded by bodyguards and handlers, former DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe was standing around the lobby with one student.

The poor man looked confused and a little annoyed by the lack of attention he was getting. And I felt kind of bad for him.

I wondered if the College Republicans treat Ed Gillespie the same way. I doubt it, because Gillespie did a good job while chairman of the RNC ... McAuliffe not so much.

For more on what Clinton and Dean say, read the Washington Times article.

Seriously, There's Nothing Wrong With This ...

2005-07-15T06:47:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the job of DiamondWatch is difficult. Often, the bias brought to us by the campus daily is more than skin deep. It's usually not immediately noticeable, which is of course more dangerous than today's revelation.

It has recently been made public by The Diamondback that its summer Deputy News Editor and Deputy Opinion Editor are the same person: senior journalism major Matt Santoni.

Nothing against Mr. Santoni -- several people close to The Terrapin Times and DiamondWatch know Mr. Santoni at least on an academic level and can certainly vouch for his ability. While he used to claim he was "very liberal," Mr. Santoni's politics are not the issue (yet.)

The issue, of course, is whether or not it's ethical to have the deputy news editor and the deputy opinion editor be the same person. There are inherent conflict-of-interest possibilities between the two departments without having powerful figures straddling the fence.

Let's only hope the crossover doesn't continue into the semester, when it matters.

Leftist Students Converging on DC

2005-07-12T13:06:00.000-05:00

Approximately 500 liberal student activists will group in Washington, DC tomorrow (13 June, 2005) as part of the Campus Progress National Student Conference. Among the speakers is former President Bill Clinton.

Campus Progress, a project of the Center for American Progress, is trying to establish itself as the liberal alternative to conservative organizations like the Collegiate Network, Young America's Foundation and the Leadership Institute, which work to further the conservative message on college campuses.

The Terrapin Times is a beneficiary of the Collegiate Network, which provides grants to conservative student publications.

Students at the CPNSC will learn about media management, college journalism, advocacy journalism, and various other liberal ideas at the one-day conference.

Campus Progress currently provides grants to 14 "progressive" student publications. No word yet on when, if ever, it will sponsor a liberal publication at the University of Maryland. The framework exists in the form of the short-lived Entropy publication, which still operates sporadically online. Students involved in Entropy have been made aware of the opportunities offered by Campus Progress, but to our knowledge have made no efforts to revitalize the publication.

The Hippies Are Coming

2005-07-11T19:44:00.000-05:00

Original Post: 11 July, 2005

Edited on 12 July, 2005 to include explanation of patchouli oil.

Former University of Maryland students will gather at Lupo's Italian Chophouse on Saturday, August 6 to talk about how great they were at being political activists, and perhaps will impart some wisdom on today's social~~ist~~ warriors.

Activists from the 1960s and 70s have established a Web site, www.route-one.org, to reminisce about the good 'ol days, complain about Richard Nixon and organize their summer gathering.

High points of their time at the university: a 1970 sit-in to protest the refusal of tenure to two "popular" professors. More than 80 students were arrested. They remember protesting the invasion of Cambodia by "invading" ROTC offices, blocking Route 1 and holding protests on the Mall that required National Guard intervention.

Expected at the party: revisionist history, slams on Richard Nixon and the usual soundbite complaints of the Bush administration and the war in Iraq. "If we were students now, we wouldn't be in Iraq and George Bush wouldn't be the president. Kids these days ... geez."

Hopefully they won't be too upset by the capitalist invasion of their beloved Route 1, as they'll be dining in the midst of four sandwich franchises, two McDonald's owned restaurants (Chipotle and Boston Market), and of course, only a few miles from Comcast Center.

Best quote on the web site: from the poster "beatnic" comes, "I've been trying to remember how it smelled back then. The strongest smell was petchouli [sic] oil, that is if you forget the tear gas! Did anyone use deoderant in those days? IIRC I showered at least a couple of times a week, more when I could." Hippies need to stop complaining about how conservatives mock them for being dirty, especially when the openly admit they smelled bad and only showered a couple of times a week.

Patchouli Oil is an Indian (as in the country, not the Native Americans) herbal oil that is used as a skin care product, an aphrodisiac, a "peace of mind" agent, and a mask for rather unpleasant odors, such as hippie body odor.

According to www.health-marketplace.com, patchouli oil is "The scent of the 60's ... However, many people who base their perception of Patchouli on memories of the 60's have never smelled high quality oil. Distinctly herbaceous and musky in aroma, a good Patchouli Oil has a satisfying earthy quality, that is great to"ground"a person. It is a very rich and long-lasting oil."

UMD To Begin Anti-Smoking Campaign

2005-07-11T14:44:00.000-05:00

The Diamondback is reporting that the university has received a $13,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to fund a smoking cessation campaign beginning in the fall.

The campaign establishes several objectives -- ranging from handing out anti-smoking coasters at College Park bars to relocating "smoking areas" further away from doors and windows -- under the umbrella of the Terp Tobacco Advisory Committee.

According to The Diamondback's report, the efforts are aimed primarily at "social smokers," or people who don't consider themselves smokers but use tobacco when they're out drinking.

While it is far from the university's role to be students' parents, it's a nice effort to encourage students to be healthier. But if the university wants to play the parent role, it should go the whole nine yards and create campaigns against drinking, sex and too much Chipotle, all of which, of course, are bad for your health.

Perhaps before engaging in an extensive and expensive campaign to curb smoking, the Health Center should pay attention to the programs it already has in effect. Research conducted by The Terrapin Times for a separate story found that Health Center employees aren't exactly helpful when it comes to students who want to quit smoking.

Health Center employees are required to ask students who come into the center if they smoke and if they would like to quit. The Terrapin Times's reporter, a smoker, said she wanted to quit but was not provided with cessation materials as promised by the Health Center.

Perhaps instead of spending $13,000 to buy coasters for Santa Fe and Cornerstone, the Health Center should spend the money onmaterials that will actually help students who want to stop smoking accomplish that goal. Or better yet, perhaps they shouldn't have the money at all.

Look for more coverage on this issue during the Fall 2005 semester.

Further explanation

2004-12-07T23:14:00.000-05:00

Welcome once again to the new official blog for The Terrapin Times.

Our vision for this blog is for it to subsidize the monthly publication by presenting bits of news (both original and collected from other sources) in a timely fashion, allowing you a special insight into what's going through our crazy brains, and providing a chance for you to offer feedback.

Our starting goal is to update the blog at least two times per week during the semester. Updates will include news bits, commentaries on campus events or special features. Occasionally, posts will be made offering sneak peaks at upcoming print issues and stories as a thank you to loyal readers.

Additionally, after each issue is released on campus, there will be an opportunity for you to post comments on the issue and its contents. Of course you're always able to comment on the posts here or on the paper in general, but these will be posts specifically regarding the print issue.

We would only ask a few things of people wishing to post their comments:

1) Please identify yourself. Give us your name and your affiliation with the university or The Terrapin Times (if you're a student, include your name, year and major).

2) Refrain from name-calling and vulgarity. Be mature. If you're trying to refute something, do so with a logical argument. If you're finding yourself getting angry, take a while to relax before posting something. We will delete posts that violate this rule.

3) Respect peoples' right to have an opinion. Of course that doesn't mean you have to agree with them or respect the opinion. But all people, regardless of how dumb you might think they are, deserve at least a certain amount of respect.

That being said, the blog will become official at the beginning of the Spring 2005 semester. But check back as the winter break winds down for possible sneak peaks at the February issue!

Welcome

2004-12-07T16:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the brand new blog for The Terrapin Times.

The November/December 2004 issue is now on newstands. More will come to this blog beginning in the spring semester.

~Nathan Burchfiel
EIC