Cardinal Courier

Political tug of war

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Mayor Robert J. "Bob" Duffy has recently gone public with his proposal to take over the Rochester city school district-a plan that would eliminate the city school board and grant the mayor full control of city schools.

On the heels of this proposal, the mayor spoke out on youth violence last Thursday evening on Fisher campus, addressing a graduation rate of 50 percent, a looming poverty rate of 31 percent, and laying out the rationale for why mayoral control is the answer to solving some of these daunting issues.

Students challenge TAP cuts

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Gov. David Paterson's proposal to cut the amount of aid given to students through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) was met with opposition by Fisher students.

Paterson plans to reduce TAP by $75 per year for undergraduate students and cut TAP completely for graduate students.

Teddi: 'more than just a dance event'

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Can you make a difference in someone's life without ever meeting them?
Elizabeth "Teddi" Mervis dreamed of attending St. John Fisher College but died of childhood cancer in February 1982 at the age of 12. Although she died more than 20 years ago, she continues to positively impact the lives of individuals she never met.

Q&A

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Q: What are your plans when you graduate?
I plan to apply to grad schools either in the Washington D.C. area or in New York State to study history, political science or intelligence; I am just not sure which yet. It's one of those things where you know what you want to do; you just don't know exactly how to get there yet.

Pioch will get a new cafe

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

St. John Fisher is about to get a brand new dining location, opening in the first few weeks after Spring Break.
The newly named "Pioch Commons Café" will be located between Pioch Hall and the Wegmans School of Nursing.
Offering a variety of grab and go items, this new location will not only give students who spend most of their time in the Nursing Building a chance to grab food in between classes, but it will hopefully minimize the long lines at the Cyber Café during peak hours of the day.

Empowering women

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The Vagina Monologues are St. John Fisher's annual performance which raises awareness as well as funds to support abused women in countries all over the world. This year's performances took place on Feb. 19 and 20.
This year, the V-DAY campaign has once again chose to send 10 percent of their proceeds to support women and children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Government-run health care programs

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

On Feb. 4, 2009, two weeks after his inauguration, President Obama signed a law increasing health coverage from 7 million to 11 million children.
This was one of the first steps toward a "public option".
A public option consists of a government provided health care service that offers the public a cheaper alternative to private insurance carriers.

Volunteering to battle poverty

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

This May, a group of Fisher students will be spending time in Jamaica, yet the primary focus will not be for their own luxury.
Eleven volunteers will venture south following the semester's close in order to help individuals living in environments plagued by poverty and violence.

Students celebrate black history month

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

On Feb. 18 the Black Student Union and Sustained Dialogue hosted the event, "Underground Railroad to Freedom: Look How Far We've Come in America."
This event started in the Campus Center, where pictures of prominent African Americans, such as Michael Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr.

'Emerging leaders' on campus

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Vice President of Student Affairs and Diversity Rick DeJesus-Rueff will join teachers from four other educational systems for the Emerging Leaders Program, a new pilot program from Leadership Rochester.
Leadership Rochester is a non-profit group, and according to its website, leadershiprochester.

Activists come to Fisher, speak out on Iraq war

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Activists, bloggers, poets, musicians and concerned citizens gathered in Basil 135 on Feb. 12 for the eighth annual Poets Against the War readings.
Frank Judge, president of Rochester Poets and a St. John Fisher alum, organized the event.
The P.A.W. movement started in 2003 as a response to former President George W.

State and national budget cuts

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

New York Governor David Paterson released his Executive Budget Plan for the 2010-2011 fiscal year on Tuesday Jan. 19. If passed, the budget will decrease college aid by 5 percent , increase cigarette taxes by $1 and levy a tax of $1.28 on bottles of unhealthy drinks and or powdered soft drinks.

State and national budget cuts

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

On Feb.18, President Barack Obama released his 2011 budget plan, proposing changes that would ask for a $3.8 trillion dollar budget with a $1.75 trillion deficit that would slowly decrease as the years go on.
In his proposal, Obama stated, "There are times when you can afford to redecorate your house and there are times when you have to focus on rebuilding its foundation.

Glee absence was good for the Gleeks

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

I am about to make a bold, likely controversial statement: The four-month Glee hiatus was probably a good thing.
I mean, let's be honest - last semester was rough. No matter how much homework was due Thursday, you always reserved that one hour from 9 p.m. to 10 p.

True friendship lasts an entire lifetime

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

An old Irish proverb states, "There are many types of ships. There are wooden ships, plastic ships, and metal ships. But the best and most important types of ships are friendships."
Friendships cannot have a value placed on them. If you're living life without friendship, you're not experiencing life.

On campus life gives students broader experiences

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

One of the great things about St. John Fisher College is the variety of places to live on campus.
Some people complain about the cost of living on campus. But, when you think about it, the price tag buys you a lot of things. You get to stay in a room with people you either know, or will get to know.

For privacy and freedom, life off campus is better

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Let me say that I live off campus so I am a bit biased. I live off campus for financial reasons but there are others.
According to the Fisher website room is $6,550 for a 4-month semester, or about $1,637.50 monthly for basically a studio shared with one or two other people.

"Lack" of options on the weekend

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

A typical Saturday morning follows like this for many Fisher students: wake up at noon and then go to the dining hall at 2 p.m., digest food and then become hungry again around 7 p.m. The Ward/Haffey dining hall closes at 6:30 p.m., so they have no choice but to go to the Fishbowl or Cardinal Café.

Love means balance, too

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

In a post-Valentine's Day detox, I am going to ridicule the entire idea of "traditional" romance and chivalry. Speaking as a girlfriend of three years, I want to dispel the theory that every woman "needs" flowers, chocolates and cards. Not to say that I don't like chocolate or that any woman shouldn't like these things.

A Second Opinion

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

They called it the "snowpocalypse," "snowmaggedon" and "Snowtorious B.I.G." I am referring to, of course, the snowstorm that hit the Washington, D.C. area recently. The snowstorm was so bad that, according to Reuters.com, the House of Representatives put their business on hold until after the storm.

Have a "staycation"

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

At the end of the first day of the spring semester, the first words out of almost everyone's mouths are "When is spring break?" Lucky for all of us, that much-needed week is just around the corner.

Most of you have your sunblock, beach towels and "itsy bitsy, teeny weenie, yellow polka-dot bikinis" packed, but what about us with no tickets, no reservations and no plans?

Whether shopping, taking chances or having fun in the snow is on your agenda, here are several close-to-home options that could end up being a satisfying "staycation.

Lost in Rochester: Something for all ages

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

When you hear Strong National Museum of Play, you probably think of fond memories of school field trips or the jingle from the commercial you heard for it on the radio this morning.

You also probably wonder why a college student would want to go to the Museum of Play.

Places to eat on spring break

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Spring break is all-around awesome. You are able to get away from classes, homework and the overall stress of school. But what is better than sunny beaches, getting extra money from your job or catching up on sleep from Teddi and all-nighters? That's right, food.

Music review: Not a country fan? Think again.

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Grammy-award-winning country group, Lady Antebellum, has earned the No. 1 spot two weeks in a row on Billboard's Top 200 for their sophomore album, Need You Now.

The album was released on Jan. 26, 2010, and a few weeks later Lady Antebellum scored a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their 2008 hit, "I Run To You.

Movie review: Score one for Scorcese

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Before watching Shutter Island, directed by Martin Scorsese, I read opinions about the movie saying that the famed director should stay with the crime/mob genre that made him known as one of the most influential American directors ever.

After watching his most recent work, I decided Scorsese is so talented that if he wanted to direct a romantic comedy, I believe it could possibly be as successful as Goodfellas or The Departed.

A Broad Abroad: Staying in hostels while traveling is "quite the experience"

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

In 10 days I managed to cover six cities in three countries on four flights and countless bus rides - and I thought Organic lab was exhausting.

Back in the fall when I was thinking about all the cities I wanted to see while in Europe, I never put much thought into the places I would be staying during my visits.

A Broad Abroad: ¿Cómo puedo ayudarte?: Giving back while studying abroad

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

When deciding which college to go to, St. John Fisher stood out to me because of its reputation throughout Rochester for giving back to the community. Thus, while I'm abroad I am looking for a way to get involved in my new community.

Recently I found a volunteer position as a teacher's aid in an English class.

A Broad Abroad: Visiting historic sites easy and worthwhile

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Among the many perks of being in a different country in Europe (including being away from upstate New York blizzards) is the fact that a weekend trip to a different country is not a far-fetched idea.

A couple of weekends ago my good friends that I've met through the program and I packed our weekend bags and flew to the historic city of Munich, Germany.

Fisher Faces: Courtney Clare

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

I woke up early one morning and decided to go to the gym, which is unusual for me. I guess you could consider me lucky because of who I ran into. As I was leaving the gym I recognized a girl from my class, Courtney Clare. As I said "Hi," I noticed she was carrying a lacrosse stick, so I decided to stop and chat.

DVD review: Inglourious Basterds

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Quentin Tarantino is a very brutal filmmaker. Not just with the violence/gore, but also with the performances.

He's a smart director; he knows what he wants, and he'll do whatever it takes to get it. I mean all of this in a good way. All you have to do is watch Inglorious Basterds to see Tarantino's hard work pay off.

Cards sneak past Pioneers

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

On the day of celebration for this year's pair of Fisher seniors, it was the underclassmen who carried the Cardinals to victory in their last game of the regular season.
St. John Fisher College (21-4, 15-1) defeated visiting Utica College (7-17, 2-13) 73-66 in a sloppy game on Feb.

Women win last home game on Senior Night over skilled Utica

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Going into Friday's game against Utica, the Cardinals boasted a home record of seven wins and three losses.
They would make it eight and three when the night, which was dedicated to the team's two seniors, was over.
Coming off an overtime loss to rival Nazareth, Fisher was looking for a win against a solid Utica team in its last game of the regular season.

Free PR advice for Tiger Woods

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

At 11 a.m. on a Friday morning, Tiger Woods gave the most important speech of his life.
After months of silence and speculation, Woods finally emerged and held the country captive with his prepared statement.
And despite the fact that he refused to take questions and used members of the media as props to give the illusion that the "press conference" was legitimate most seemed to have bought into the mea culpa.

Fisher-lympics

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

From participating in sports as a hobby to competing at a national level, skiing and figure skating are two sports that have played a large role in students' lives at St. John Fisher College.
Freshman Brian Kennedy remembers the first time he went downhill skiing at the age of nine.

Balancing on and off the court

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

It could be their drive. It might be their determination or it may just be their love of the game.
Successful athletes at Fisher possess all three of these qualities in their sport of choice, but in the end the ones that rise to success in the classroom are the ones that have found a way to balance both school and sport.

Athletes serve local community

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Many know of at least some of the charity and community outreach done by St. John Fisher's student athletes.
The annual Courage Bowl, for example, benefits Camp Good Days.
But even on individual levels, athletes are active in doing service or outreach to the community.

NCAA postseason looks good for Cards

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

assistant sports editor
derek melnyk
After a successful regular season, St. John Fisher's basketball team has high hopes for the Empire 8 Championship and the NCAA Tournament.
The Cardinals have a strong case for the NCAA selection committee. With an excellent record of 21-4, Fisher has proved it deserves to be in the Tournament.

Softball hopes to build off last year's successes

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The Fisher softball team had a very successful 2009 campaign.
"We had a great year," head coach Len Mairoani said. "We won the empire 8 conference and went 2-2 in the NCAA Regionals. We had the winning run thrown out in the bottom of the seventh inning."
"Last season was kind of bittersweet," senior Meghan Graves said.

Baseball preview 2010

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Last season was a bit of a disappointment to the Fisher baseball team. They didn't make the NCAA tournament, something that is an important goal each season.
"Our goal is to make the NCAA tourney each year if we fail to do that we clearly weren't successful," senior pitcher Dan Jurik said.

Cardinal Conversation with Jordan Koch

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

What is your major? Business Management.
What is your nickname? White Flight.
Why did you choose Fisher? It's a very good school. The coaching staff really welcomed me into the program.
What are your plans for after graduation? Play overseas, hopefully in Italy.

After-hour athletes: Phil's Jackson 5ive

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Q: What is the story behind your team's name?
A: Phil Jackson paired with Tito, Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael just seemed right.
Q: Who else is on the team?
A: Bryan, Brennan and Sean Canty, Zach Fayette, Bryce Flora, Steve Strauss, Joey Pelych and Adam Bristol.