Dear Members of the Bentley Community–

We are sure that many of you read the news in yesterday’s Vanguard regarding our student Ryan Vermette, who was involved in a serious car accident during his semester abroad at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.  Bentley’s Office of International Education, in cooperation with the University of Cape Town’s International Academic Programmes Office, has been assisting Ryan and his family since the accident occurred on April 4th.  Our many colleagues in Cape Town have provided tremendous support, visiting Ryan often and providing frequent support to his family, while we and Gloria have been communicating with Ryan’s parents by phone.  We are happy to report that Ryan is making steady progress and his doctor will likely approve his return flight to the United States next week to continue his recovery.

We want to assure you that all Bentley students, faculty and staff who travel on Bentley sponsored academic programs are enrolled in international insurance plans that provide 24-7 emergency assistance services, worldwide coverage for medical expenses, and medical evacuation transport, among other benefits.    It is important for all of you, especially those who travel abroad, to know that Bentley provides every support possible to its community members anywhere in the world.

However, Ryan’s recovery will continue to take time.  There will be many expenses for a family in a situation like this, so we do hope you will consider making a contribution to support Ryan and his family.  We are very pleased that this year the proceeds from Breakfast by Moonlight will be donated to this worthy cause.

Thank you for keeping Ryan in your thoughts and prayers.

Andrew Shepardson                   Natalie Schlegel

Dean of Students                        Director International Education

As Bentley strives to offer the highest quality education to its student body, the Bentley Service-Learning Center (BSLC) is revamping its program to give students more opportunities to serve their community while further exploring their academic interests.

Dr. Edward Zlotkowski, Director of the Center and a Professor in the English and Media Studies Department, is eager to introduce the new and exciting innovations the program will see next semester.

The service-learning program was started back in 1991 by Dr. Zlotkowski with the purpose of connecting business-oriented students with community organizations that needed various kinds of assistance. The experience outside of the Bentley campus was meant to link what students learned inside the classroom to issues in the real world, “preparing students for citizenship as well as a career.” Year after year, this program still receives countless undergraduates eager to work more closely with their community. Its success can mostly be attributed to the fact that even with incredibly busy schedules, students are given the chance to constructively spend their time at a job or cause they believe in while earning a 4th-credit and gaining invaluable skills. The management and structure of the BSLC allow for constant feedback across all parties involved and with that the program grows every day through positive referrals. Today, more than 50 community partners are affiliated with the service-learning program and more than 600 students have demonstrated their desire to serve in community projects this year alone.

With all this success, Dr. Zlotkowski is still looking to perfect the program by further developing the quality of the relationships established between community partners and Bentley.

“We want to improve the program’s ability to contribute to students’ academic learning, personal development and civic engagement,” said Dr. Zlotkowski.

In order to do so, the program is now working more closely with professors and departments involved to get the best sense of the kind of work courses can offer. Traditionally, many of the service projects have been geared towards tutoring of some kind, but Dr. Zlotkowski wants to offer students more chances to work on business-related initiatives, including accounting, finance, marketing opportunities and more.

In some ways service-learning resembles an internship, but there are important differences. The first difference is that in service-learning the partners involved are chosen on a need-basis. The second and core difference is the emphasis on the social goals the non-profit organization strives to accomplish. This helps the students involved to more readily understand the impact social issues have on the communities they are working with while gaining experience within their field. The significance of civic engagement can truly be understood through exposure and experience. There is no better way to complete a university education than with hours of service that personally connects one with the community and its needs.

One innovation the service-learning program would like to see more of is community-based projects that can take the place of a case study, paper, exam, or presentation required in a course. Such embedded projects would encourage a deeper commitment and stronger connection to both the program and the course itself as students apply their knowledge to real world problems. Bentley University is an incredibly prestigious business school that not only connects students with top firms, but also with businesses in its own backyard. The BSLC is a unique program that stimulates undergraduates to not only devote their time and effort to big picture issues, but also to issues that are more local but equally significant. It is refreshing to attend a university that places such importance on the well-being of its community and the organizations that try to strengthen that community as best they can.

Dear Editor,

We are writing in response to the Vanguard article of April 5, 2012 titled “Roastmaster General Jeff Ross Roasts Bentley. “

This article raises important concerns about how we, as a community, provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all students.  We are writing to speak for the men and women on campus who cannot speak for themselves, those who felt uncomfortable, and those who found this type of humor offensive.

Although the comedians targeted many groups, the Vanguard’s review focused on the use of sexual assault and rape as a topic for laughs.   As staff and faculty who work directly with students, we know firsthand how hurtful “jokes” about sexual violence are to survivors, their friends, and their families.   What many don’t know is that these types of “jokes” also hurt the whole community by making it less safe for everyone, even those who have not yet been touched by sexual violence.

Telling or laughing at “jokes” about rape, sexual assault, molestation, or date rape drugs trivializes sexual violence and contributes to an unsafe environment for everyone – even if unintended.  It is well documented that when sexual violence is trivialized, survivors may avoid asking for help or protection, and perpetrators of violence may think their behavior is something funny rather than harmful.  No one in our community should tolerate this type of trivializing “humor.”  It is our hope that Bentley students will think about jokes of this kind and make a decision to speak out instead of laughing.

National statistics indicate that 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men will survive a sexual assault in their lifetime (National Institute of Justice & Centers for Disease Control & Prevention,  1998.).  Over 2/3 of all survivors will be assaulted by a friend, acquaintance, or intimate partner.  When we apply these statistics to the approximately 4000 Bentley undergraduate students, we estimate that about 256 current female and 72 current male students have been or will be survivors of sexual assault.  Your best friend, sister, mother, roommate, father or brother may be someone who has survived a sexual assault.

There are many ways students can support survivors and prevent violence on our campus:

Learn about why sexual violence occurs and its impact.  Visit Bentley’s sexual assault information website:
bentley.edu/campus-life/health-and-safety/information-sexual-assault

Or The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center:
barcc.org

Or the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network:
raain.org

Participate in Prevention.  Get involved with Consent Day, Take Back the Night, or the HerCampus discussion about the Ross/Jeselnik show.  Prevention is for men too – check out:
mencanstoprape.org

Do not support trivializing of sexual violence through jokes, video games, movies, or music.  Choose creative outlets that celebrate life rather than condone violence.

Provide supportive and nonjudgmental listening.  Believe survivors and if needed refer them to one of many campus resources, including The Center for Health and Wellness, Counseling and Student Development, and University Police.

We hope each and every Bentley student will take the time to discuss this issue and engage in one of the above action steps.

Together, we can make Bentley a safer, more supportive place for everyone.

Thank you.

Stephanie Kendall
Counseling and Student Development

Gerri Taylor
Center for Health and Wellness

Jessica Roche
University Police

Co-Chairs, Bentley’s Coalition on Sexual and Relationship Violence

Miss high school sports and want to make a great new group of friends? Join Bentley Women’s Rugby! There is no experience necessary; we will teach you everything you need to know to play! If you’re interested, come down to the football field this Tuesday night , March 20, at 6 p.m. for practice!  If you can’t make it but are still interested email haswell_moll@bentley.edu and let her know. We practice on Tuesday and Thursday nights and have one game on weekends. See you Tuesday!

USA defeats Belarus 5-0 in the opening round of the Fed Cup this past weekend

By Benjamin Klein

In a rare visit, the Williams sisters appeared in matches over this past weekend at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA, playing in the first round of the Fed Cup against Belarus. It was a much anticipated weekend, as it was supposed to feature the No. 1 singles player in the world from Belarus, Victoria Azarenka, who recently won the Australian Open.

Unfortunately for Azarenka and the Belarus team, she suffered a back injury during practice and had to withdraw from the opening match against teenager Christina McHale. Replacing Azarenka was Anastasiya Yakimova, the No. 65 singles player in the world. McHale dominated Yakimova in the opening set, winning six straight games. After McHale took the first four games of the second set, Yakimova battled back to win the next four, tying the score at 4-4. McHale then took the ninth and tenth games to win the match in straight sets, 6-0, and 6-4.

The second match featured Serena Williams, sporting red, white and blue Nike shoes, and Olga Govortsova, in what was thought to be an easy victory for the USA. Serena opened the first set with three straight victories before Govortsova got heated up. Govortsova won the next three games and then stuck with Serena throughout the rest of the set. Serena won the eleventh and twelfth games to defeat Govortsova in the opening set.
Serena completely outplayed Govortsova in the second set, winning six straight games to win the match 7-5, 6-0. When referencing her play in the second set compared to the first Serena said, “I relaxed a little bit and started making more shots. I thought she played excellent in the first set. She played pretty well in the second set, but I didn’t make as many errors.”

Holding a 2-0 lead over Belarus put the United States in great shape for day two. The second day of matches was again supposed to feature Azarenka but she withdrew from her singles match against Serena. Yakimova again replaced Azarenka and played much better than in her first match against McHale. After Serena took a 4-1 lead going into the sixth game, Yakimova fought back with three straight wins to tie the set 4-4.

Williams was clearly upset with her play thus far, slamming and breaking her racquet, but stepped up to win the ninth game. Yakimova answered with a 40-0 win to secure the tenth game. She then took the eleventh game and a 6-5 lead, needing just to win the next game to take the first set. After a long battle, Yakimova finally beat Serena and took the opening set, 7-5. Serena wouldn’t back down in the second set and won 6-1, tying the match at one set a piece.

She won the first two games before Yakimova took the third. From there on, Serena didn’t let up one bit and won the next four games to win the set and the match. Serena got more and more emotional throughout the third set, screaming, “C’mon!” several times after great plays. Yakimova had extreme difficulties with her serves throughout the match, double-faulting 15 times. “My serve wasn’t really working well today. I’m not going to make excuses or something for that,” she said.

The final singles match of the round was between McHale and Darya Kustova, who was replacing Govortsova. McHale, much like her first match on Saturday, dominated the opening set, easily winning 6-0. She didn’t let up in the second set either, winning it 6-1. “I’m just super excited that I got my first two Fed Cup wins. I was just taking each game, each point one at a time,” McHale said. “It was a good weekend for the whole team.”
The final match of the weekend was a doubles match featuring Venus Williams, playing in her first match since the U.S. Open, and Liezel Huber, the No. 1 doubles player in the world. Once again Azarenka withdrew from the match that left the Belarus team consisting of Yakimova and Kustova. Venus and Huber easily won the first three games before Belarus got themselves on the scoreboard. USA would take the next three games and the first set, 6-1.

The second set was no different as Venus and Huber won 6-2 to complete the sweep for the United States. “You can’t complain when you win all five matches,” US captain Mary Joe Fernandez said. “It was great. Everybody worked really hard. They meshed well together and competed really hard. I was proud of each and every one of them.”

With the 5-0 victory over Belarus, the United States will advance to the World Group Playoff in April. They will be the No. 1 seed in a draw which will result in them playing Germany, Japan, Ukraine or the Slovak Republic. The winner of the World Group Playoffs will compete for the 2013 Fed Cup title next year.

By  Zack Hoffmann

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

In today’s modern world, things flash by in the blink of an eye. The social networks have taken over our lives and being connected allows us to share our opinions, ideas and events in our lives.
With that, there is no better way to share your life story than through photos. Not only are they worth a thousand words, but they actually show your experiences to the world.

First, a little background. Many people assume that the higher the megapixel count, the better the camera. This isn’t the case though. Anything more than five megapixels is sufficient for the average user.
Many times, point-and-shoot cameras increase by two megapixels a year, but usually, for marketing purposes. The actually quality difference is minimal.

The image sensor is where the camera packs a punch. The larger the sensor, usually the better photo quality is, regardless of the amount of megapixels. Coupled with the quality of the camera lens, this is the main reason why Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras can take such stunning photos.

There are other technical factors such as aperture, optical length of the lens and then even more personal aspects such as the ergonomics and ease of use.

It all boils down to your personal preferences and what you want. So here is quick breakdown of two different user types with various models and brands to fit their needs based on reviews by CNET users.

The Casual User – You want to take pictures that can be easily sent and posted to friends and family. Being easy to use and having decent quality are the criteria. Then the point-and-shoot is the way to go.

They are lightweight, compact and are relatively cheap. They may be limited, but they get the job done. Canon PowerShot A1200 is inexpensive at around $100 but still packs a punch with 12.1MP. While it isn’t the fastest camera on the market, if you are taking basic photos, the PowerShot will satisfy your need.

Slightly higher on the scale, the Sony CyberShot DSC-HX9V is the next step. It doubles as both a simple point-and-shoot and a fully manual camera. Shooting 16.2 megapixel, it has a 16x zoom to capture full HD video and vivid pictures.

However, the price tag is considerable- at $320 it is an investment, but it is sure to leave you happy with every photo you take.

To round off the casual photographer, we have the Olympus PEN E-Pl3. While a higher price than the Sony, selling at $700, it differs in one critical aspect- the lens are interchangeable.

This means that you can upgrade your camera with a zoom lens or get a lower aperture one for portraits and video. It is more for an enthusiast, but all around it creates a suitable alterative for the DSLR option.

Then, we have the serious photographer. Weight and convenience are sacrificed for power and quality. The DSLR is the weapon of choice. The Canon EOS Rebel took top choice as an entry level DSLR.

At $900 for the body and an 18-55mm lens, the Canon shoots 18.2 megapixels and delivers professional results for a fraction of the price. It also has full HD 720p video capabilities, giving room for creative movies o be shot.

If you are looking for a serious investment, the Nikon D7000 is the camera for you. With 16.2 megapixel sensor and an advanced 39 point autofocusing system, the Nikon is the perfect blend for serious amateurs.

It can shoot in low light conditions with surprising depth and, like with most of the cameras on the list, supports full 1080p video.

It isn’t cheap, retailing at $1500 for the camera with an 18-55mm lens, but as one review put it “The combination of design, performance and quality is hard to beat.”

The beauty though is that for most of us, we have cameras in our pocket everyday. iPhones, Blackberries and Androids all have high quality cameras that can capture the perfect Kodak moment.

As one photographer put it, “The best camera isn’t the one with the most features or the most pixels. It is the one you have with you.”

By Ian Giancursio

The Bentley Falcons women’s basketball team used a dominating 27-10 run in the final 13 minutes to top St. Anselm, 63-45, in a NE-10 matchup Saturday afternoon. They now sit atop the NE-10 standings with a 19-3 overall record (15-2 NE-10).

The Bentley Falcons, ranked ninth nationally in Division II, had a rough start in the first half. The Falcons struggled to contain St. Anselm senior forward Meghan Howard, allowing her to score 12 points on six of seven shooting. Bentley was fortunate to be within three points at the halftime break, 28-25, after being outshot 62 to 40 percent. The only three-pointers of the opening half were by junior forward Caleigh Crowell and senior guard Katherine Goodwin. A 7-2 edge in free throws helped the Falcons stay within reach.

The Falcons turned it around in the second half behind 12 points from both sophomore forward Lauren Battista, who had a game-high 16, and junior guard Courtney Finn. After Howard scored to put St. Anselm up 30-25, there would be only four more Hawks’ field goals the rest of the way as St. Anselm was limited to 24 percent shooting over the final 19 minutes.

Bentley went on a 9-1 run after Howard’s basket, with junior guard Kelsey Roberson draining a three to tie it at 30-30. The Falcons managed to keep Howard scoreless for the rest of the game thereafter. Then following a St. Anselm free throw, Battista went to work, scoring four points to put the Falcons up 34-31.

The Falcons then broke the game wide open with a 17-2 run in which they dominated the paint, as Battista scored six points and Crowell had five. Over this 10 minute span, Saint Anselm managed only one field goal while committing seven turnovers. With two minutes left, Battista scored the Falcon’s final basket to extend the lead to 63-44.

The game featured another excellent offensive performance from Battista. In addition to her 16 points and three assists, she also had a strong defensive performance, recording two steals and a blocked shot. Bentley also received a strong game from senior forward Shatasia Kearse, who had nine points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots off of the bench.

With the victory, Bentley was voted as the seventh best team in all of Division II, moving up from ninth in the previous week. The Falcons will be on the road twice next week, with games at St. Michael’s on Wednesday and Southern New Hampshire on Saturday.

Dr. Yvonne J. Yaw passed away on January 31, 2012.
Yaw started her career at Bentley more than 30 years ago and proved herself as a dedicated and caring individual to countless peers.
We send our condolences to her family and the English and Media Studies department.
The Vanguard will reflect on Yaw’s life and career in the February 9, 2012 issue.

By Ian Markowitz

When I came to Bentley, like all freshmen, I was looking for an organization to get involved in on campus. When I joined The Vanguard, I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into nor did I have any idea of the impact that it would have on my life.

I originally got involved writing small pieces for the then Arts and Entertainment section before I was really hooked after I was able to review the iPod nano days after it came onto the market. Between reviewing cutting edge gizmos and root beer kegs, The Vanguard had me hooked.

While in my role, I’ve been able to experiment with and learn about the latest and greatest technology and being given a soapbox on which to share it. My role with The Vanguard only fully took shape when I was encouraged to run for the Arts and Entertainment position by the editor in chief at the time. Despite my apprehension, I won the election and it has continued to shape who I am today.

In the past year while serving as the editorial director, I’ve been given a new soapbox on which to share the editorial board’s opinion with the entire campus without my name attached to it. Whether I agreed with the stances I wrote from or not, it helped me develop a valuable skill as a persuasive writer, regardless of my opinion on the subject. While some positions could have been more eloquently explained on my part, the discussions that they encouraged I believe were important to the campus community as a whole.

The Vanguard has introduced me to countless people, many of whom I still keep in touch with even after they graduated and one of whom went on to be my roommate for the remainder of my time at Bentley. In time, I roped in the rest of my roommates in some capacity to work for The Vanguard whether they joined as my staff writers or as other editorial board members.

I came to Bentley as a freshman who hated taking English in high school and who hated to write whether it is papers, articles, or even creative writing. As my term comes to an end I reflect on the experience that writing for The Vanguard has provided me and how it has helped me become a better writer and provided me with countless experiences I wouldn’t otherwise have had. Thanks to the Bentley community for all you have given me.

Question: “What are you going to miss most about being abroad? ”

By Monica Tshanakas

Having the opportunity to study abroad in Copenhagen has been an amazing experience. When I first landed in the airport and during the car ride to my residence, I remember thinking that this was going to be something that I would never forget.

Being abroad has given me a different perspective on America; it has made me miss things I never thought I would and has also introduced me to things I would have never known otherwise.

Now that my experience in Copenhagen is coming to an end and exams are right around the corner, I have been reflecting on my time here.

One of my favorite aspects of Copenhagen is the biking culture. Back home I am so reliant on my car for transportation, but everything in Copenhagen is very close together and the landscape is flat which makes cycling popular and very useful.

Cycling also makes for a more environmentally friendly atmosphere and saves money on gas. Since Copenhagen is one of the most expensive countries in the world, this is a very valuable asset. One of things I am most excited for when I get back home is that everything is going to seem so cheap for me!

Aside from the biking culture, the one thing that I am going to miss the most is the people I have shared my experience with. I have met the most amazing people from all over the world including Spain, Italy, France, England, Germany, Austria and Australia.

I have made international friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life. It will be great to return to Europe again and visit them in their respective countries.

It is such a rare opportunity to have spent these last four months with an international group of friends. There is so much you can learn by interacting with people from other cultures and I feel very lucky to have met such a diverse group.

Studying abroad has definitely taught me a lot about myself and exposed me to new things. It is going to be great to return to Bentley and share stories about my adventures in Copenhagen. I also cannot wait to hear about the experiences my friends have had in their exchange programs and catch up with everyone from Bentley.

This has been an amazing semester and I am looking forward to finishing junior year off the same way!

By Jasper Huang

Business travel is extremely prevalent nowadays, with employees and executives flying to spots all over the globe. These individuals are tasked to pack their bags, kiss their families goodbye and hop on a flight to their designated locations. Many of these locations are beautiful and exotic, with stays at top-notch hotels, as well as dining and wining with potential “clients”, all on the company’s tab. Because of this, business trips as well as business travelers are often held in contempt because many believe that they are just taking lavish vacations under the pretense of “business”.

Yes, although there are the executives and upper tier employees who abuse the power of the “business trip” to get their personal R&R, taking a business trip is a rather complicated and demanding process. These trips involve much more than a simple away message at work, or informing family of travel plans. As business travel, and travel in general begins to recover from the events of 9/11, coupled with the ever-advancing world of technology, the to-do list of the business traveler continues to get longer and longer.

Because of the sensitive nature of many business travels, these professional globetrotters go through a lot of personal “pre-travel examinations” to ensure that their journey is completed without a hitch. In our increasingly global society, the modern traveler would do well to heed the many habits and practices of business travelers.

Ewa Asmar, the founder of the skin care company Bioneé, encountered a significant problem while treating a client to dinner in Paris. The client was forced to pay for the meal because to her dismay, Asmar’s credit card had been suspended earlier that day for non-domestic charges. She has since learned that prior to traveling internationally, one should notify their credit card companies to inform them of their plans, so as not to have their accounts suspended on “suspicious” foreign charges.

To stay connected while on the road, business travelers are often given international capable phones, and in our day and age, international capable smartphones. If your phone uses a SIM card, you may consider swapping it out for a local one to minimize costs, or opt for an international calling and data plan from your provider. If one does not carefully make sure that they go through these processes, the may find a multi-thousand data and phone bill waiting for them when they return.

In the business world, it is important to minimize any risks associated with oneself and the business one works for. If your computer contains sensitive data, make sure it is password protected, encrypted, and backed up. If the data is very important, there is now software available at both the enterprise and consumer level for individuals to remotely track lock, and even securely wipe their devices. Other business travelers recommend not bringing any unnecessary identification items such as licenses and credit cards, as well has having photocopies of passports, prescriptions, and other important documents in case their wallet and/or laptop is stolen.

Traveling to a different country often will entail the country not having the same electrical outlets as the U.S., and packing the correct adapter is crucial. Your international flight experience is also important – many travelers will pack a small flashlight, first aid kit, and medicine for stomach upsets and headaches.

Finally, make sure all necessary visas are applied for, recommended immunizations are received, and check airline information for baggage restrictions. Business travelers say that when traveling; always attempt to pack as lightly as possible. This reduces the amount of things that you have to keep track of (and potentially lose), and will reduce baggage weight and improve your general travel experience.

**Information sourced from The New York Times, The Global Business Travel Association & BusinessTravelNews.

Bentley ranks first in nation for first time in program history

By Louis Sherman

Last week, Bentley women’s basketball was honored by being ranked as the number-one Division II women’s basketball team in the nation, the first time that the Falcons have ever reached that height in the team’s program history.

After being in the number-two spot in the rankings for a total of 23 different times over the team’s history, Bentley finally got the break they have been waiting for when defending national champion and number one ranked Clayton State was upset by Tusculum the weekend prior.

Bentley received 28 of the 32 first place votes in the Coaches’ Poll, with Arkansas Tech moving into the second spot, as Clayton State dropped to six.

The Lady Falcons continued their sensational season in what proved to be their most competitive game so far in the young season, as they defeated St. Michaels, 75-66.

Bentley had four separate players finish with double-digit point totals on the night. The game was as close as 60-58 with just over seven minutes remaining before Bentley went on a 15-3 run to contain the Purple Knights.
Junior forward Caleigh Crowell played in her first career Bentley game, after missing 38 due to a foot injury. She only played in one minute, but was able to pick up four points and a block in her short time on the court.

Sophomore Lauren Battista continued her stellar season with 14 points to go along with six rebounds. Fellow sophomore Jacqui Brugliera produced her first double-double of the year, as she posted 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Junior guards Kelsey Roberson and Courtney Finn rounded out the double-digit scorers. Roberson finished with five assists to go along with her 12 points. Finn, who knocked down two three-pointers along with Roberson, finished with 10 points. Senior Katherine Goodwin also had a fine day with seven points and five rebounds.

This past Saturday marked the last home game for the Falcons in 2011, as they hosted the 5-1 Southern New Hampshire Penmen. The Lady Falcons won this won easily, 76-43.

Battista, Brugliera and Finn combined to outscore Southern New Hampshire on their own, as they combined for 46 on the afternoon. The win put Bentley at 7-0 on the season, 5-0 in the NE-10, and extended their home win streak to 13 games.

Battista continued her hot season with 17 points and eight rebounds in the game. Brugliera added another 15 points and seven rebounds, while Finn had 14 points and five rebounds. Senior Shatasia Kearse also added eight rebounds in 17 minutes.

This marked the fifth time in the seven games that the Lady Falcons have played in which they never trailed through the game. The first half included runs of 19-9 and 20-8 by Bentley, who went into the locker room up 39-22.

Bentley women’s basketball has been lighting up the stat sheet through the first seven games of their season. The Falcons have averaged 75.6 points per game, while only allowing 51.1 points against on average. They are a very balanced team that has won on the road and at home en route to the seven victories.

Battista is continuing from where she left off on her freshman campaign last season. The sophomore is averaging an impressive 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest.

Brugliera is also continuing her success from her freshman year, as she is fourth on the team with 8.4 points per game, and leads the team at 6.9 rebounds per game.

Kearse is third on the team with 9.1 points per game, and had added 4.7 rebounds per game. Finn is the only other Falcon averaging double digits, at 10.6 points per game.

Roberson has stepped up to lead the team with 27 assists, with junior Chrystal Guarin next in line at 17. Roberson also has 6.4 points per game to go along with the second most steals on the team, at 10. Senior Lauren Massie leads the team with 13 steals.

Roberson and Graduate student Elise Caira are the team’s captains this year. Their on-court leadership has shined through and they have put up the numbers to back up why they should be in that leadership role.

Although the Lady Falcons have completed their home games for 2011, they still have five games left before returning to the Dana Center on January 3.

After Wednesday night’s matchup at Franklin Pierce, the Falcons head to Stonehill and C.W. Post in New York before taking a week off. After their short break, Bentley will take part in the Bridgeport Holiday Classic on December 29 and 30, to take on Dowling and Bridgeport.

By John Karakelle

Two years ago, I was elected to this position on the basic premise that this newspaper should not be run like a typical organization; it should be run like a business. My staff and I began our terms with ambitious financial goals that we were unrelenting in pursuing. It was supremely gratifying seeing every ounce of hard work put in by the business staff reflected in the bottom line. We operated with the sole prerogative to give the editorial team as much financial flexibility as possible so that they may focus on producing a quality product. But, like most experiences taken in retrospect, the passing achievements gained mean very little when compared to the lasting bonds we built, the friends we made, and the fun we had along the way.

It was an absolute pleasure working with the members of the Editorial Board for the last two years. I can definitively say that I am proud of the organization we built, the product we made, and every dollar we fought to earn. The diversity in personalities, talent, and interests that compose the board, never lent for a dull day. With unfortunately poor timing on this realization, I leave this organization with the understanding that these are the memories that will endure after the conclusion of my studies at this university.

Unfortunately, I would need more than this short editorial to express just how grateful I am to everyone who has helped this paper become what it is today. To every editor, writer, and member of the Production Staff – Your work is deeply undervalued and there is simply no way to express my thanks for the hundreds of combined man-hours necessary to produce each paper. To our advisors and members of Student Life – You have only made my job easier and this paper could not exist without you. To Leslie and Jon, the two Editors-in-chief of whom I served – I learned differently under each of you and the knowledge and experiences I gained will undoubtedly be applicable throughout my professional career. Finally, to Greg and the members of the Business Staff – I love you all.

The Vanguard is not just a business. It is an organization of hard-working, uncompensated, individuals who hold up a platform whereby students may speak and share their thoughts and feelings about the broader community in which they live. Often, this paper is demonized for a small opinion shared by some of the Editorial Board presented in the form of an editorial. I urge the readership to look at these opinions, not as a demeaning form of vigilantism, but as a way to start a conversation about issues we, as a community, need to resolve.

Admittedly, I did not take full advantage of this platform. I believe I only shared two pieces in The Vanguard. The first was a simple editorial commending Student Life on the renovations to the Bubble.  And I believe the second was an article having something to do with exposing my gentlemen’s region to a Dyson Air Blade. Regardless, I urge the student body and the community as a whole to take responsibility for this platform. Hold future members of this organization’s Editorial Board accountable for the journalistic integrity they should be attempting to embody. But most importantly, what’s best for the product is ultimately what’s best for the organization.

To the Bentley community,

It is hard to believe I am writing my farewell letter to an organization that has given me so much these past four years. As one of the most dynamic organizations on campus, The Vanguard takes the effort of so many individuals on a weekly basis to produce a collection of all their work into one paper. Being able to oversee and organize all of these members this past year has taught me a great deal about the depths of leadership and management and how difficult and rewarding it can be.

Even with every good intention, the newspaper will inevitably offend members of our community, and to be honest, this will happen until news sources do not exist anymore. But the most important thing is that as an organization, we have brought news and information to campus for 48 years now and I could not be happier that I have contributed to four of them.

Not only has the organization itself taught me about the university I love and the people who make a difference on this campus, but the people who I have worked with within the organization have inspired me with their dedication and passion. To work so closely with the 15 individuals on the executive board has made my job at times easier and at others times challenging, but I wouldn’t trade the time I’ve spent with them for anything else.
To those of you who help each Tuesday and Wednesday in production – Alyson, Tomer and Jeff – the paper would not get out each week without you three. Even amidst the chaos of Wednesdays, I looked forward to coming every Wednesday to the office to create a new paper and especially to belting out and reenacting some Beyonce. I can honestly say, picking up my own copy of The Vanguard every Thursday afternoon makes all the aggravation and hard work on Wednesday worth it.

To the business team – John, Greg, Brian and Brandon – being able to put so much trust in your abilities to run this organization financially in such a seamless manner has made my job on that end simple and given me the ability to focus on areas of the paper.

To the section editors – Sindhu, Emily, Phil, Robbie, Lindsay, Lacey and Ian – the collection of your efforts fuel the paper each week. To have so much dedication to getting stories and writing articles and editorials with relevance and meaning to the Bentley community is the essence of what a university newspaper is there for, and you all go above and beyond your responsibilities weekly.

I am truly grateful to have such an amazing executive board to work with each week.

I wish all the success to our new editor in chief, Sindhu Palaniappan, who will be able to expand the newspaper and this organization in directions it has never seen before. Her vision and talents will bring this organization and its product to all areas of the campus.

To my family, friends and roommates, who have supported me throughout my time as editor in chief and helped me to remember to take in the experience in its entirety because as I see now, it has gone by faster than I could have ever imagined.

To the Bentley community, and more specifically Bentley’s student organizations and their leaders, I am beyond grateful of your cooperation with our organization as we have tried to educate and expand the perspectives of all those who have read our newspaper and we couldn’t have accomplished that without your aid.

To Judy Rakowsky, our journalism advisor, you have been an unbelievable mentor to me and I have learned so much from your breadth of journalism knowledge. It would have been impossible for me to be rational sometimes without your advice and guidance and phone calls late on Wednesday evenings. And to Jon McColgan, thank you for all your help my first semester as Editor in Chief. I appreciate all your guidance during those first challenging months.

To Maria, Nicole, Paul and Doreen, thank you all for your help through Student Life and your willingness to support and give resources for our organization to carry out its mission to bring news and knowledge to the campus.

It feels impossible to put my experience as being a member of The Vanguard and ultimately, the editor in chief, into one neat, culminating editorial. Being a part of any organization for so long stirs honest emotions and affections, and to leave The Vanguard behind feels like leaving behind a part of my Bentley experience which in turn will begin my whole process of saying goodbye to a university I have grown to truly love.

Thank you to all of you who have read The Vanguard each week and will continue to do so in the future.

Sincerely,
Leslie Dias
Editor in Chief

By Robbie LaBrie

Since the beginning of time, there have been twisted people. People with a few screws loose in their heads. There has always been this type of people who will do things that the rest of society finds downright disgusting and horrifying. Jerry Sandusky is one of these people.

Sandusky should, and will, go to jail for the rest of his life. But for as long as there have been predators like this, it has been the job of us bystanders, of every capable person, to protect the innocent from the grasps of this evil.
This article is not meant to be an indictment on anybody in the Penn State organization. It is not meant to say who did exactly what, because we don’t know any details outside of the basic framework of what happened within the Penn State locker room.

Sandusky molested young boys and that pretty much seems to be a fact, regardless of what he said in his interview with Bob Costas. The grad assistant saw him do it; also a fact. Joe Paterno and the higher-ups, like the AD and vice president of the school knew, at the very least, that Sandusky was in some way displaying inappropriate behavior with children he was supposed to be supporting with his charity. Also fact.

It’s hard to say who’s at fault and who isn’t. New reports are now saying that McQueary, the grad assistant who walked in on Sandusky in the shower, actually stopped it from happening and reported it to the police. So now maybe the police are at fault for not acting, either?

The whole thing is just one big mess, but what’s clear is that Penn State needed a massive overhaul of their program, and firing as many people as they fired, including Paterno, was the right move.

Can you imagine the scene the morning after Paterno finds out what Sandusky’s been doing? What does he do? Does he walk by Sandusky’s office and pop his head in and say, “Hey Jerry, how ya been? How’s your wife? How are the kids doing in school?” It sure seems like that’s what he must have done because he certainly didn’t do anything to stop it.

In an institution like that, Paterno was the man with all the power, and if the story that he knew what was going on is true, he’s the number-one man to blame. At Penn State, Paterno is a living legend, beloved beyond even the AD or the president. The proof of that came from the support from students when he was fired.

So, if Paterno is the man with the most power, he is the man who should have pulled the trigger and removed Sandusky from a situation where he had the potential to seriously harm innocent children. Sandusky shouldn’t have been allowed to get within 50 miles of Penn State, never mind keep his office, his charity and his job.

The AD is much less likely to fire the defensive coordinator if the coach isn’t on board. Maybe that’s what he should have done looking back. Or maybe somebody should have called the police right away.

Instead what happened is Joe Paterno and the organization valued football and the legacy and reputation of Penn State over the lives of children; something that goes much deeper than a head coach’s legacy or a football program or even a storied University.

It’s easy to get caught up in those things, but sometimes you need to take a step back and look at what’s really important. Instead they just brushed things under the rug until the whole program came crashing down around them.

By Moussa Hassoun

Most of us have heard of the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, commonly called the “Arab Spring”. The region-wide movement has exiled the President of Tunisia (where it all started), usurped and killed the President of Libya and is currently trying the former President of Egypt.

Currently struggling to maintain power are the Presidents of Yemen and Syria. Yet there has been one dictator who has been extremely successful at crushing the uprisings in his country: The King of Bahrain.
There have been protests in almost every single Arab nation, yet most that have been suppressed never gained much traction, except for those in Bahrain. Ruled by a Sunni Muslim minority over a Shia Muslim majority, the people rose up against a government they never chose.

Demanding equality and proper government representation (a theme of the entire movement), as well as economic reforms for fairer business practices, protesters marched in the tens of thousands. They organized using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, mass text messages and flyer campaigns.

The response? The Gulf Cooperation Council, led by Saudi Arabia and with full U.S. endorsement (behind closed doors) sent in a joint army into the tiny Kingdom to prop up the struggling Bahraini monarchy.
After killing protesters, enforcing curfews and mass arrests, capturing and holding doctors and nurses for treating dying protesters at hospitals and soccer players for speaking out, the protests are but a fraction of what they used to be.

During this whole time, what has the U.S. stance been? Calling for talks between the two parties and an end to the hostilities; far weaker language than that applied to Libya, Syria, Iran and eventually Egypt. This is because the U.S. has one of our largest regional fleets posted in Bahrain.

With this interest in mind, the President and his foreign policy team decided to completely ignore the uprisings in Bahrain and let the people be killed. Behind closed doors, the U.S. consented to the killings, but publicly Obama talked about Iran influencing uprisings in the small kingdom.

A Shia majority-led government would certainly be far friendlier to Iran than Saudi Arabia or the U.S., but at what price must it come? How many international organizations must recognize human rights violations before we are willing to speak out against the killings?

How many doctors must be jailed for fulfilling their oaths? How many nurses tortured for caring for a dying man? How many families must be harassed and their parents taken away without trials or charges?

What kind of hypocrisy do we show when we speak out against the government in Iran but not Bahrain? Or Syrian oppression and not Saudi? I can understand that the Obama Administration is trying to work through a complex balance of power in the region, but in the long run there is a better option.

The U.S. can and should support the uprisings wherever they are. Helping the protesters may not guarantee an improved image of the country, but standing against the people and condoning their deaths will never improve our image, either.

We are better off standing on the side of protesters if only because the power of corrupt dictators can only last for so long before the people are no longer content with the abuse and economic limitations. Uprisings are bound to happen, and the U.S. should place itself squarely by those fighting the good fight.

On a moral basis, support for the protesters is simple enough. No motivation, not even increased U.S. power in the region, is worth the deaths of innocent protesters demanding what we all have as a luxury: Freedom of speech. Of this most fundamental human right, they are denied.

We must stop turning a blind eye to the families, doctors, public figures and children of Bahrain as the Kingdom and GCC forces kill more and crush the protesters who brave the day and night to change their world for the better.

Support is the only option, and public condemnation as well as unilateral action by the international community is needed before more people are killed.

Falcons focus individual strengths for collective success

By Louis Sherman

What people don’t understand is that Bentley has one of the most dominant swimming and diving teams in the area. With scores of 161-119 and 164-70 in their first two meets, the amphibious Falcons look to continue the success from last year, in which the men’s team finished second at the NEISDA championships.

In their first time out as a team in the 2011-12 season, Bentley visited Le Moyne for the 42 point victory. Senior Mike “The Diver” Walsh and junior George “Ready, Set” Go each captured two victories on the afternoon.
Walsh took down two 1-meter diving events, with scores of 169.6 and 241.95. Go won the 200 yard butterfly in 2:07.35 and the 100 butterfly in 0:54.51.

Other winners for Bentley included freshman Josh Witty, who won the 100 backstroke in 57.92 seconds, sophomore Phillip Chan, who took the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.28 and sophomore Steve “The Pirate” Sylvia, who won the 50 freestyle in a swift 22.47 seconds.

The final event of the meet ended on a positive note, as the 200 free relay team of senior Peter Argiros, junior Ben Demeule, sophomore Chris “James” Woods, and freshman Perry ”Zing” Zang won the event in 1:29.55.
Last Wednesday, the Falcons of the Sea opened their home season with a 94-point victory over Gordon College. Senior Dave Curran and sophomore Peter Belanger each won two events on the day.

Curran captured the 50 backstroke in 27.81 seconds, as well as the 50 butterfly in 25.82 seconds. Belanger won the 100 butterfly in 57.85 seconds and the 100 freestyle in 51.91 seconds.

Mike “The Diver” broke his own school record in the 1-meter event, with a combined score of 453.59 over 11 dives. The scores qualify Walsh for the Division II NCAA Championships in Mansfield, TX next March.

Bentley won 15 out of the 16 events on the day. Junior Tyler “Poppin’” Champagne (50, 0:23.75), Sylvia (200, 1:56.58), and seniors Taylor Smolik (500, 5:39.30) and Erik Stricker (1000, 11:02.60) also won freestyle events at the meet.

Other individual winners for Bentley included Go in the 100 backstroke event (0:57.13), freshman Janco Cornelius in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.10) and senior Matt Wessels in the 100 individual medley (1:00.13)
Bentley looks to continue their successful fall season on Wednesday night, as they travel to UMass-Dartmouth for a 6 p.m. start.

By Angela Hart

Every year, when winter arrives, many people don’t take the time to ensure that they remain healthy. Winter brings forth a slew of issues, from washing one’s hands frequently to dressing in layers to staying warm. With more snow expected around the corner, flu season on the way and the ever-present colds that always affect some people, please try to be aware and take care of yourself.

One of the most basic things people can do is wash their hands. It is said over and over again, but it truly helps to kill germs.

You can carry around hand sanitizer, too. This way, you always have a way to quickly and quietly ensure your good health. Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret make hand sanitizer infused with their famous perfume scents. This not only kills germs, but it also serves the dual purpose of acting as a perfume.

People always notice when I use hand sanitizer, and most of the time ask me what I’m wearing. If you already buy their perfumes, buy the matching hand sanitizer, too. Bath and Body Works sells five small hand sanitizers for five dollars, which is a bargain. They also offer a large variety with some holiday-themed scents and different designs. I highly recommend buying a few of them to last you throughout the winter season.

Guys, you may not want to necessarily carry around the bright purple bottle from Victoria’s Secret, but Bath and Body works has a variety of different colors, such as blue, green and black. If you are still hesitant, you can go to CVS, Walgreens or any other local drug store and buy Purell, which is clear and does not have a perfume scent. To make carrying them convenient, Bath and Body Works sells a hand sanitizer holder which can be attached to backpacks, women’s handbags and any other bag or item that you carry.

Another way to ensure good health is to get a flu shot. Personally, I’m not a big fan of getting shots or vaccines, but flu shots are important and can really make a difference because they build up your immunity system. Bentley offers them in the Health and Wellness Center, or if you go off campus a lot, you can always go to CVS’s Minute Clinic or Walgreen’s health counter. Flu shots are around $20-30, not too cheap, but are worth every cent if it means being healthy during finals week. I went to CVS and it cost $30.00, but my health insurance covered the entire fee.

Also, if you have a roommate or close friend who’s sick, there is a good chance you may get sick, too, unless you make the effort not to catch their colds. If it is your roommate, clean the counters in your room, use Purell after opening the communal refrigerator or opening your door and take vitamins. Drink a glass of orange juice, offer them their own tissue box and trash can and do everything you can think of to make sure that you don’t catch their germs. If someone on your floor is ill, take extra precaution when in the communal bathrooms; the shower knobs, light switch, sink faucet and door handles can be germ-ridden.

Many people on campus are trying to wear shorts and flip-flops for as long as they can. Although these clothes are comfortable, they may not be the best way to stay healthy. At the moment, the weather is fluctuating, but it is going to progressively get colder outside. It may be time to finally put the summer and spring clothes away and transfer over to your winter wear. Anyone from New England knows this includes scarves, gloves, hats, earmuffs, boots (with thick socks to insulate your feet), pants, sweaters (including turtle necks), long-sleeve shirts and the warmest jacket you can find.

When you dress for practicality, it will help you stay healthy. Also, add another blanket or comforter to your bed to ensure that you’re warm even at night, when the temperatures can become freezing. Some of the best ways to stay healthy in winter is to remain warm, not let the cold weather bother you and make an effort to kill germs.

College is difficult enough without adding the burden of not feeling well. It’s difficult getting the full eight hours of sleep recommended or always eating right, but please try to remain healthy and not let this winter season literally make you sick.

The Patriots’ focus on Brady has hurt their once dominant defense

By Robbie LaBrie

For some NFL teams, there is no defining moment or defining game. Sometimes teams cruise through the season with little trouble like the Packers this year or the Patriots of 2007 or the Colts during a majority of the Peyton Manning years, or they aren’t contenders and know it the whole way.

But for other teams there are games that come around that will truly define the season, or in the very rare occasion, will define the status of a dynasty.

I tend to not get overly dramatic about any one particular game, but the Patriots have reached a point in the season, after losing two games in a row and sitting in a three-way tie for the AFC East lead, where they could go either one of two directions.

They could beat the Jets and reclaim the driver’s seat in the division, while maintaining their status as a top two or three team in the AFC. Or they could lose this game and find themselves on the outside looking in at a crowded AFC playoff picture with more backwards momentum than any other team in football.

Really, this one game is a microcosm of where the Patriots are as a franchise right now. Their window of opportunity to win another Super Bowl and resume the dynasty of the early 2000s is closing faster than you can say “Tom Brady’s shoulder,” and they’ve spent the past five years wasting away the prime of Brady’s career, not to mention the primes of Welker, Mankins and Wilfork.

It would truly be a shame if Tom Brady went the rest of his career without winning another Super Bowl, not only for him, but for Belichick and the Patriots organization and fans. Brady didn’t even become the best quarterback of his generation (arguably, I know) until after he won his Super Bowls, imagine if he had been surround by teams of the same caliber of 2001-2004 for his entire career.

During the run of championships, Brady was a great quarterback, but in his late 20s and into his 30s, when the Patriots racked up playoff losses every season, he was statistically one of the best quarterbacks in history.
Unfortunately, the organization shifted its philosophy from a dominant defensive team to one built around its star quarterback, putting the entire weight of the team on Tom’s shoulders and letting defensive cornerstones like Bruschi, McGinest, Law, Samuel, Harrison, Seymour, Johnson and Vrabel all leave without bringing in even close to adequate replacements.

We can get into all kinds of reasons why the Patriots haven’t been able to build a decent defense to support Brady, like making terrible free agent signings, lack of aggression in taking high-end talent in the draft, gathering second and third round draft picks and wasting them on terrible players, or Belichick refusing to surround himself with experienced assistants.

In New England, the view for a while has been that the dynasty isn’t really over, it’s just paused. That may be true to a certain extent, at least as long as Brady is here, but the fact is that since the last championship, the team’s defense simply hasn’t been good enough to win a Super Bowl and since 2007 they’ve been destroyed in the playoffs every single year.

We used to rip on the Colts back when we won titles and they raked in regular season wins and not championships, but look at what the Patriots have become. They’re the Colts now. Peyton Manning has won a ring more recently that Tom Brady.

But the crazy part is that even with a defense that starts guys named Phillip Adams, Antwuan Molden and Sergio Brown, the Patriots are still contenders. They could still resume the dynasty because they have Tom Brady and one of the best offenses in the league.

If they don’t do it this season, however, the window closes and another turning point passes without a championship. There won’t continue to be chances like this when you have a quarterback in his mid-30s. Especially in a season where there is no established dominant team in the conference, there may be no better chance to get to the Super Bowl and win ring number four than right now.

And the only way the Patriots take care of this season is if they take care of this game against the Jets on Sunday. The defense needs to prove they can handle a playoff bound team and the offense needs to prove they are still capable of being elite after struggling to score points two weeks in a row.

It’s hard to ever say that one game can define a team, unless it’s a playoff game or the Super Bowl, but this certainly feels like one of those. If New England falls on Sunday, it feels like they are nothing but a mediocre team with one of the worst defenses in the league.

That doesn’t sound like a contender to me and it doesn’t sound like a team capable of building on a dynasty.

By Moussa Hassoun

This week, the state of Mississippi voted on a constitutional amendment called “Initiative 26,” which would define personhood as “every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning or the functional equivalent thereof.”

Although deemed too extreme by some, this is essentially the goal of the pro-life movement in the abortion debate. Pro-life supporters believe that humanity begins when a sperm enters and fertilizes the egg in a woman.
This implies that as a human, those embryos have rights, the most important being the right to life. The implications of the pro-life stance are shocking. If a fertilized embryo is considered a person, we kill people all the time, but in ways we don’t realize.

There are, literally, thousands of embryos in the umbilical cords of pregnant women; millions of cords get thrown in the trash every year. Furthermore, does the rape of a woman justify the murder of this embryonic “person?” One person’s misfortune surely doesn’t justify the killing of a “human”.

What happens when the birth of a child threatens the life of a woman? Does the embryos life get valued above the woman’s? How do you choose? In addition, pro-life definitions would ban the use of the Day-After pill that kills embryos to stop pregnancy the morning after a sexual encounter.

What about miscarriages? Let’s also start investigating whether women are lying or not because it’s about the life or death of another “human”.

One can’t help but feel disgusted by such an immoral stance on such an important issue. The key to the argument is that “life” begins at conception, so let’s address the core argument. During conception, the sperm and egg, are essentially cells, not humans at all.

By the end of a month, the cell is the size of a sesame seed. During this time the spine and brain begin to form as well as a heart that begins to beat within nine weeks. Is this human? Of course not. It resembles a tadpole more than a human.

By the end of nine weeks, the form of a baby is solidified in an amazing transitional period, yet we know that our humanity is grounded by our consciousness.

The question is then further defined as, when does the fetus gain the staple of humanity: consciousness to earn its rights under humanity. This is different than self-awareness and most kids won’t gain that until years after birth.

Consciousness is the result of nerve cells; these don’t come until the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. Yet even at the developmental stages of pregnancy, the baby, moving and all, is still “asleep” as its brain develops. It is for similar reasons that the Supreme Court decided in Roe v. Wade that abortions were constitutional (with reasonable limits). Since then, the science has built a mountain of evidence expanding on those findings decades ago.

Fact: Life doesn’t start until many months into the pregnancy, and a “baby” isn’t a “baby” when it’s a jumbled mess of organizing cells. In this respect, we see that a fetus at any stage within the six to seven month period of pregnancy can be deemed as a person or human.

The rights of the woman, to be able to choose when, where, and how to have a child has been one of the greatest single advancements in human rights history we have ever seen. Initiative 26 directly stands against that and provides nothing but regress to our society.

Thankfully, the measured failed after voters decided against it. Had it passed, it most likely would have been dismissed by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional and the long process of making it to the highest court would have put thousands of women in Mississippi at risk because of the restrictions on pregnancy prevention options over the counter and by the doctor.

The life of a woman should be valued above those of cells. Yes, they have the potential to become humans, but our society doesn’t establish rights for things that are on their way to humanity; just things that are. Protecting the choice of women does far more good than the “life” of a cell. I stand by women to make their own life decisions. Do you?

By Dan Binder-Brantley

Last week’s column was a success. So successful, that when I posted the link to it on my Facebook, one person liked it. Some would call this rather insignificant; I would call it progress. Before you know it, people will be re-Tweeting links to my column left and right and my crude, thoughtless writings will be trending alongside #BieberRapsBetterThan, whatever the hell that means.

I will begin this week with analysis of an important new video that has caught the attention of procrastinators worldwide. But, rather than describe the video, I shall provide you with a scenario. You are strolling down the street, perhaps sipping a cup of cocoa as you examine the rather bland colors of the homes around you.

“Hmmmm, yes, the color of those drapes is rather shallow and pedantic.” Thoughts such as these fill your mind, nothing of interest seems to be occurring. And then, you gaze down the street as far as you can see. Charging towards you is a gaggle of some 70-odd Canadian geese. The geese are just sprinting down the middle of street, causing car accidents left and right with no regard for the destruction they’re causing.

What do you do? Do you call the U.S. Military and tell them that Canada has sent in their finest troops? Do you call your redneck friends and tell them to bring as much ammunition as possible? Or, do you do what I would do and just take it in stride? If I were to witness this spectacle, my reaction would go something like this:

Ho hum, just another flock of geese sprinting down the street. Happens all the time, right? Surely they’re bored with flying, just like we get bored with walking. All the little goslings will remember the dudes at the front of the pack as heroes, the Wright Brothers of goose culture – pioneering the land-based-travel movement one waddle at a time.

After all, why let anything surprise us anymore? First we find out that parking a car at Bentley costs more than $53,000 per person and then we find out that geese like to run marathons down Moody Street. Letting these things get to you is only going to make things worse in the long run, so I say let Canada’s finest sprinters cruise on by with barely even a courtesy nod.

In other news, strong wind gusts dominate baby ducks. So mama duck and her little ducklings are strolling down park place minding their own business, just another day of adventure for the little minions I suppose. Unfortunately, moms forgot to check the weather forecast before hitting the old dusty trail with her kids.

The result is one of those situations where you really shouldn’t laugh, but that only makes it even funnier. Little furballs are just rolling all over the place, each blast of wind sends them toppling to the side a good ten feet and then they just get back up like nothing ever happened. Even mama duck slides fifteen feet on her face before the wind shows a little mercy and lets her stand back up.

Even so, she just shakes it off and goes back to trying to prevent her ducks from ending up the star of some book about how being ugly is okay. This attitude is what we all need to adopt.

Like, you’re walking to Jennison hall and a little Bentley gremlin comes up to you and says that you now have to pay 50 cents every time you use the crosswalk. No surprise there, tuition is awfully low after all. The ducks sure as hell wouldn’t be upset by this, so why should you be?

In the end, I think it’s important to learn from these birds that there is no point in getting upset just because something is wrong. Instead, we should just give up and let things happen the way the big guys say they should. That being said, tune in next week for more demotivational speeches and otherwise useless dialogue.

Name: Alexandra Polito

Year Graduated: 2011

Major: Management

Minor: Marketing

Where has your Bentley degree landed you today?

Right back at Bentley! After a few months of working full time doing business development for a web design firm in the Boston area, I realized it just wasn’t for me.

I reconnected with my Bentley roots and came back as the assistant director of Participation and Student Phonathons.

What did you needlessly worry about in your final undergraduate year?

To be honest, I’m not much of a worrier, so I guess the biggest thing I worried about was how I wasn’t worried or stressed out like my friends. Looking back, there are probably some things I should have worried about a little more…

What was the most valuable lesson you learned during your senior year?

How to savor the moments – I always thought it was cliché that time goes by fast, but senior year really made me realize just how fast. I learned to live in the moment and seize opportunities, because you don’t know when you’ll have them again.

What is your favorite senior year memory?

I would say the entire Bahamas trip was amazing, but my favorite parts of senior week were the nights in Trees. Just being back where you started with the friends you started it all with makes you realize how great the ride has been.

How do you stay connected to Bentley today?

Well, I work here! Since I’m here all the time, it is easy for Bentley to stalk me, haha. But really, I’m in the Young Alumni Association which is a great resource of people who have graduated less than 10 years ago.

I’m also taking graduate classes, so I see a lot of people I graduated with in the fifth-year program.

What are your “words of wisdom” for the Class of 2012?

Very few things are permanent in life, so don’t sweat it. Yes, finding a job is huge, and finding one you’ll like is even bigger, but here’s the thing – sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what you want to do, so try things. At the very least, you’ll figure out what you don’t want to do, and that’s a step in the right direction.

By Angela Hart

At some point, everyone on campus eventually gets tired of eating the same pre-made food at Seasons, so they venture off campus to get a quick bite to eat. There are quite a few places to go in Waltham, such as Panera Bread right down the street in the Shaw’s plaza and a Bertucci’s Restaurant located just minutes away at 475 Winter Street.

Bertucci’s offers a variety of different healthy entrees, such as Venetian Spinach Salad with Salmon, Salad Vivaldi con Pollo & Bello (grilled chicken and roasted Portobello mushrooms), Baked Cod and many more. They even have a Gluten Free Menu.

However, beware of the rolls, because each one is roughly three hundred calories! While it’s fine to have one or two, try not to eat the entire basket that is placed in front of you while waiting for your main meal.

I’m not telling you to avoid eating any bread; just use moderation. Multiple studies have shown that eating a roll (carbohydrates) while waiting for your meal begins the process of your stomach signaling your brain that you’re beginning to feel full. It usually takes about 20 minutes for this to happen, which is why it’s so easy to continue eating more bread until your stomach expands and sends another signal to your brain that you are satisfied with your meal. As soon as you begin to eat your first roll, your body is aware that it is taking food in; so, if you can train yourself to eat slowly, you will not overindulge. Allow yourself to have one roll, but please don’t eat three of them; otherwise, that’s your meal (your quota) for the night!

If a restaurant offers you bread, ask for olive oil instead of butter. Olive oil is a healthier choice because it has fewer calories, contains ingredients that are good for your skin and provides some key nutrients, such as antioxidants. In general, butter is not the healthiest choice because it is rich in saturated fat, which increases the risk of heart disease by increasing blood cholesterol levels. So, even at home, try to use olive oil or I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!

Many take-out restaurants tend to give you more food than you can eat. At Panera Bread, they offer sandwiches that are healthy and made-to-order, which means that you’re getting fresh ingredients and a meal made just for you. The sandwiches can actually be divided into two separate meals. The Tomato and Mozzarella Panini, for example, is 770 calories; by only eating half of the order, you consume your proper intake of carbohydrates, dairy and vegetables in one sitting. Save the other half of your sandwich for later on or even the next day. The staff will always give you a to-go box as long as you ask for one, which I highly recommend that you do the next time you order a meal.

There are many ways to make sure that you don’t over-eat. One way is to order a lunch-size portion, which is usually smaller and less expensive. Go off campus and have fun with friends, and good luck with your dining experience.

By Moussa Hassoun

In all of the discourses we’ve heard since the economic crash of 2008, none have been more frustrating than the horrible misconceptions of the American people.

As the Occupy Wall Street movement gains ground, and conservative politics has been dominated by the Tea Party. Evading the discussion becomes paramount to ignorance; here we go.

On both sides, there is clear frustration with the actions of our government. The Tea Party sees government going too far by breaking its wallet. To them, smaller government is the solution to most of our problems.
On the nascent Occupy movement’s side, government isn’t going too far; rather, it’s going in the wrong direction. Unlike Tea Party frustration with the “bailouts,” these protesters want government to take more action to help struggling families by spurring economic development through investment.

Since the latter movement has begun, there has been much criticism of the message (similar to that of the Tea Party), and when pundits have tried to generate humor, themes of lazy, purposefully unemployed “mobs” have resounded.

Regardless of your opinion of either grassroots movement, the humor has brought to light one of the most prevalent misconceptions about our society: If you work hard, you get rich.

Tied into this horribly inaccurate assumption, is that those who are rich have worked hard for their comfort while those who are at the bottom of the ladder, never bothered to make the climb (those lazy, weed-smoking bums!).
The reality for those who don’t have a summer vacation home is that they have been working hard their entire lives. Families with one or two parents working two and three jobs just to get by have put more work in a year than some of the wealthiest people in this country have their entire lives.

Don’t blame the poor for their own troubles. Blame the unethical practices of banks for not acting responsibly, then faltering so bad they have no choice but to take it out on their employees and cut tens of thousands of jobs.
Blame it on the government for not prosecuting enough of those responsible for the actions that led to the crash of the market. The inability of a single mother to climb the economic ladder is caused by issues far greater than her resume.

Ultimately, this is a question of economic mobility, one in which the United States ranks low among developed nations. According to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), we fall behind France, Sweden, Finland, Canada and Norway, among others.

Yes, there is no doubt that we can all name many high profile success stories, but the larger societal statistics show otherwise. As Warren Buffet has said, too many people make money from having money.
Being born in wealth almost guarantees your financial success as we’ve seen the income of the highest percentile of Americans increase while the middle class has been squeezed.

This isn’t to say that the wealthy don’t own their wealth or that they don’t work hard. However, we must eradicate the lie that the poor are unemployed or reliant on the government because they are bums.

This theme is more recurrent at this conservative business school than many other places in the state. Many students have their parents pay their bills and work stress-less summer jobs through their own connections.
Meanwhile, the “lazy bums” in community colleges work 365 days a year on several jobs just to pay for college with the hope of almost – but never – getting a decent job upon graduation. These assumptions are distasteful in the least but more intentionally misleading in most cases.

So please, excuse these bums for going to the streets to voice their frustrations to a political system that drools over the money of Super PACs, and an economic system where those responsible aren’t punished and those hardworking are laid off.

The hardworking poor are the same poor that rely on government aid to make it through college, to cover costs of family, and despite all of their work, barely get by. Stop blaming them and let’s concentrate on the real problem: The Land that Lacks Upward Mobility.

Question: “What has been the most shocking difference or change you’ve experienced abroad compared to the U.S.?”

Upon arriving in Thessaloniki, I could see a change of lifestyle among the people of Greece. Fully skinned animals hanging in the market place, stray dogs strolling on the marble streets and the abundance of cafes located on every corner – it has a generally relaxed atmosphere, that is, when a riot is not in the air.

I was fortunate to have planned my train from Athens to Thessaloniki the day after George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, spoke, which resulted in planned riots by the people. While I was in Athens, I caught a glimpse on the television of the city I would shortly be living in with angry citizens knocking over railings and getting slightly violent. This did not sit well with my father.

The political turmoil and the involvement the Greeks have shown to the most recent changes had been the most shocking change from America, where political riots have fizzled since the 60s.

Aside from Saturday’s events, I’ve been in Thessaloniki for three days and have not witnessed one taxi. A nation-wide taxi strike has arisen and has had a huge effect on all of the people in Greece. This means that I had to lug my bulky suitcases onto the overcrowded bus – not a pleasant experience.

In general, apart from the political drama, the differences I have experienced have been good ones. The daily routine differs from those I have maintained in America. For instance, classes begin at 11:00 every morning. This is a great relief from Bentley’s rough 8:30 a.m. classes. Lunch is the main meal of the day and is eaten around 1 p.m. Following the great lunch is a “quiet time” from 3 to 5 p.m., and this was when my roommate and I got our first warning (whoops!).

I look forward to more cultural changes, both positive and negative, while in Thessaloniki, and I am sure I will encounter them, especially with this political crisis underway.

Association of Bentley Activities

President: Ryan O’Keeffe

Vice President of Organization Recognition: Madhumita Narayan

Allocation and Internal Audit Chair: Ryan DeChance

Liaisons: Joshua Brooks Timothy Dean Ali Kane Ashley Wu

Student Government Association

President: Maggy Reynolds

Executive Vice President: Buddy Gormley

Vice President of Internal Affairs: Helia Azarakhsh

Senators: Jeff Breault Steven Correia Lucia Garcia Neha Mazhar Colin Moriarty Zachary Musso Spencer Tirella Coral Trivedi John Warden

Senior Class Cabinet: Natalie Caldwell, Alecia Coleman, Helen Longvall, Ally Malonis, Bobby Reardon, Elizabeth Sisson, and Lauren Zinn

Junior Class Cabinet: Lindsay Albert, Christopher Avino, Patrick Rielly, Kim Sok, and Shauna Sarsfield