"House of Lies" (soundtrack) an enjoyable, at-times disjointed experience

By

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March 25, 2014

Choosing the right music to accompany a television program is a delicate process. The songs have to not only be strong compositions on their own, but also complement and enhance the experience of a scene or episode for the audience at home.

Much like building a playlist, constructing a soundtrack for a series must be done carefully, since the creators are using other artist’s work to convey an idea, to instigate an emotional reaction from viewers. A show can become defined by the music chosen to accompany it, and can work wonders for the popularity of artists. This trend has been the case for many popular series, such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Sons of Anarchy” and “Scrubs.”

Even more difficult is compiling all the work from a diverse range of bands and singers into a cohesive album. For the most part, the “House of Lies” soundtrack accomplishes this task. The blend of simple, ominous blues riffs and indie singer-songwriters matches well with the Showtime’s satire of American big business. However, some tracks that incorporate drum machines and more polished production can be jarring when listening to the collection straight through, though they do work in the context of the show.

The most enjoyable tracks are those with a less polished, more straightforward approach. Young gun Gary Clark Jr.’s rocker “Bright Lights” is joined by other bitter, fatalistic numbers from long-established acts such as Aloe Blacc and James Hunter. The artists strip down their songs to the core, utilizing only guitar, drums, and bass, with the occasional organ or sparse use of other instruments to accompany and enhance the dark lyrics. “Don’t believe them when they tell you justice is blind,” Blacc warns. “I’m gonna give them what they deserve/They gon’ get what they deserve.”

Other tracks such as “Heartbreak” and “Shift to Reverse” by James Hunter and N*Grandjean respectively continue this overall stylistic direction, while also bringing in elements of 1970s R&B; to the soundtrack. The effect is an old school sound channeled through modern artists.

The placement of these songs in “House of Lies” is used to great effect. Marty Kaan’s blunt immorality when backed with the just-under-the-surface anger and resentment in the music is brought to a new high (or low, depending on your level of respect for the character). The resentful blues music makes the show’s cynicism and portrayal of undeservedly rich people getting their comeuppance even more satisfying.

The soundtrack does fall short of being a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience on its own due to some stylistic differences . While the inclusion of Isaac Delusion’s “Midnight Sun,” Kim Cesarion’s “Brains Out” and “Illusions of Time” by Kiko King and creativemaze make sense in the context of their respective episodes, they feel out of place on the soundtrack as a whole.

It can be jarring for some listeners, especially those unfamiliar with the series, to go from the blues rock of “Bright Lights” to indie, drum machine and sample-based work. Thematically and lyrically, the songs are a good fit, as they are just as brooding and ominous as their counterparts, but musically do not flow together as a cohesive album.

Despite this flaw, the overall experience of listening to the “House of Lies” soundtrack is a positive one. Even those who have not seen the show can appreciate the work of the album’s artists, and may even inspire some to begin watching the chaotic lives of Kaan and Jeannine van der Hooven for themselves. In short, “House of Lies” continues the tradition of modern shows utilizing a superb choice of popular music for their episodes, and its compilation is well worth a listen.

Jack Butcher is a senior history major. He can be reached at butcher@oxy.edu or on Twitter @WklyJButcher.

Key Tracks:

Gary Glark Jr. – “Bright Lights”

Aloe Blacc – “Take Me Back”

The James Hunter Six – “Heartbreak”

Dugongs and corals and bombs…Oh my! The Australian Navy and Great Barrier Reef collide

By

Jill Goatcher

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March 24, 2014

Armed with SPF 50 sunscreen and a fear of giant spiders, I hopped on a plane to Australia in January. Supported by the Anderson Grant and Richter Grant of Occidental College, I was on my way to continue research for my politics senior thesis – exploring how militaries interact with marine protected areas (MPAs).

MPAs are sections of the ocean that are designated and managed by legislation for the purpose of limiting ecologically destructive practices such as polluting, taking or killing of critical marine animals and extraction of natural resources. Each country with coastal territory approaches MPAs in a different way – Australia has the world’s largest MPA network protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

A section of the Great Barrier Reef, in all its glory, from above (CC)

The Royal Australian Navy has its biggest training site on the Great Barrier Reef in Shoalwater Bay. Protected by many areas, the bay led me to wonder if the Australian Navy had a difficult time conducting training exercises with the protection restrictions, or if the Navy actually played a large role in protecting the sensitive area.

Harkening back to the days of militaries blowing up coral reefs while testing bombs, there seems to be a shift in military culture away from destroying marine ecosystems in the name of national security towards becoming stewards for the ocean, and the Australian Navy is a prime example.

Dropping a bomb on sea critters, the U.S. tests a nuclear weapon in 1958. (Atom Central)

The Navy has a set of guidelines that they must adhere to. Detonation guidelines, for instance, include a single site designated for explosive detonation and a requirement to check for whales passing by that could be disturbed by a detonation. If a whale decides to cruise on by an hour before the explosive is scheduled to set off, the entire operation is delayed until the whale gets out of harm’s way.

The Navy also has to inform the regulating authority of the Great Barrier Reef marine park of any environmental incidents that have, or are likely to have, a significant impact on the protected environment. This culture stems from the view that training on the Great Barrier Reef is critical to the country’s national security, and the Navy wants to make sure they continue to enjoy the privilege of training in a sensitive ecosystem.

The military’s presence alone can protect the marine environment of Shoalwater Bay. Called “defacto MPAs,” the restricted access to and typically undeveloped land surrounding Navy training waters prevents commercial and tourist use of areas. When unused by the military or used responsibly, these sections the ocean become MPAs without any legislation officially establishing them. For example, Shoalwater became a sanctuary for dugongs, a relative of manatees, during extreme flooding.

DUGONGS YO.jpg
Dugongs chillin’ out on in the seagrass. (CC)

Flooding in developed areas can divert chemicals and excess sediment into the ocean, making it incredibly difficult for dugongs to survive in their shallow habitats. The undeveloped land surrounding Shoalwater Bay used to hold more water, serving as a sanctuary for hundreds of dugongs throughout the flood. The Royal Navy had to halt boat activity for some time due to the massive influx of the rotund creatures.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Royal Navy are working to make sure the precious native ecosystem of the reef continues to be protected. However, the reef is in trouble, largely due to environmental pressures and the corporate focus of the current Australian Prime Minister and parliament. To save the reef, it is critical that the stakeholders, including the military, push for a global shift toward valuing and conserving the incredibly unique ecosystems that so many native Australian animals call home.

On a final note of protected Australian wildlife – koalas will defecate on you when you hold one for an adorable tourist photo.

Charles caught in the act. (Jill Goatcher)

Jill Goatcher is a senior politics major and marine biology minor. She can be reached at goatcher@oxy.edu or on Twitter @WklyJGoatcher.

Backdoor Science – S2 EP6

By

CamayakArchive

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March 21, 2014

https://soundcloud.com/the-occidental-weekly/backdoor-science-season-2-2

This week on Backdoor Science! What is a spider-goat, how did the universe form, is glass a liquid, and- most importantly- what is a theme? On this edition we’ll also have an update on Aquahydrate water!

'True Detective' review: A looming shadow grows

By

Mike Cosimano

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March 21, 2014

The best part of every “True Detective” episode is the opening sequence. In some ways, it might be the best part of the whole series. I could watch that intro eight times and get everything I need from its visually compelling series of atmospheric symbols. In fact, I legitimately considered doing just that. I would binge the intro, tell everyone that I had seen the series and see how far I could get just from the information I was given in the opening.

I am dwelling on the intro because I genuinely believe those first 90 seconds deserve high praise. A television intro needs to set the stage for the show you are about to see. Between the somber bluegrass and the almost perverted – not sexually perverted, just disturbingly altered – imagery, “True Detective’s” intro alternates caresses and slaps, delivered in almost equal measure.

I will do my best from this point on to avoid talking about the plot. It is possible you may be the greatest – some might even say the truest – detective and as a result, be able to divide certain plot points from my vague words. Let me boil down my recommendation: “True Detective” should be watched by people who are interested in TV as a storytelling medium and the way we consume TV in the digital age. If that is not you, please do read on.

In some ways, the name “True Detective” almost feels like an intentional misnomer. The show drapes itself atop an “Iron Throne” (of Lies), whispering falsehoods into the ears of both the viewer and its protagonists. The opening, for all its qualities, is an integral part of this deception. The picture it so earnestly paints is not an inaccurate one, but it sets up a plot viewers are never going to see.

Yes, this is a show about a serial killer. Yes, there’s some disturbing imagery. Yes, when the killer is revealed, you’ll be disappointed. Such is the nature of stories built upon a central mystery. But both within the show itself and thematically, the mystery ultimately doesn’t really matter.

At its core, “True Detective” is about good versus evil. This may seem overly reductive for a show almost famous for the scads of thinkpieces it has spawned, but that’s also what the final dialogue exchange is literally about. It is about the struggle both on a larger scale and within the souls of man.

The reason “True Detective” spends a sizable amount of time focusing on the characters is not because they’re using Marty Hart’s (Woody Harrelson) marital troubles or Rust Cohle’s (Matthew McConaughey) self-destructive nihilism to foreshadow some grand conspiracy. Their show is not stingy with its reveals. Every question is answered, but that’s because it all funnels back to a fairly uncomplicated answer.

And it doesn’t appear that way, at least initially. The first time you watch “True Detective,” with its dense intro and symbolistic crime scene, your brain spins all sorts of theories. But none of them are valid.

Good versus evil is so rarely as complicated as we’d like it to be. It is as simple as a man slapping his daughter for talking back. Evil can be multifaceted – like a Satanic cult or cloaked behind a veil of lies, but its core is nefariously simplistic.

Lies are everywhere in “True Detective,” right down to the relationship between the show and its audience. The show initially lies to you about what it really is, before playing its hand somewhere around Episode 4. This isn’t “Silence of the Lambs” drenched in the swamp water of ’90s coastal Louisiana like Episode One would have you believe; it is the story of two very broken men and why they matter in the grand scheme of things.

The second most important example of mistruths in “True Detective” is Cohle and Hart’s perilous journey through a fog of deception. In media, the sleuth is depicted as equal parts human lie detector, forensic analyst and scavenger. But in this version of the deep South, the two police officers spend most of their time pushing back against what feels like a never-ending series of cunning liars.

Much has been made of McConaughey’s performance as the world’s most interesting atheist and this praise does not come without merit. There are certain aspects to his backstory and character that a lesser actor would use as an excuse to phone in the role, but McConaughey imbibes Cohle with a certain amount of wistfulness. When he speaks about humanity’s nature, it almost sounds like he’s picking up on a conversation he’s still having with himself.

Harrelson also does a great job, but halfway through the show, Hart becomes a really unlikable character. You are not supposed to root for him in fairness, but “True Detective” really had to kick Hart around before I was able to look at him with anything less than raw contempt.

The nature of “True Detective” lies in its final reveal: Not the reveal of the killer, but in what the show been trying to say the whole time. Without the ability to discuss that, I feel like a whole review of the show is somewhat muted by nature, but none of that really matters.

You’re going to watch it because everyone you know is watching it. So here’s the recommendation that matters: “True Detective” is atmospheric, compelling and somewhat disappointing. But it’s also tons of fun to discuss.

Mike Cosimano is a first-year psychology major. He can be reached at cosimanowhite@oxy.edu or on Twitter @WklyMCosimano.

From oat to haute, grocery shopping goes couture

By

Noel Hemphill

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March 20, 2014

Grocery shopping is a normal errand and an important part of the spectacular mundane that fills up our days. The people found in a grocery store are rarely exciting: Overly tired mothers will wander into a market with their children in tow, picking up food for dinner; teenagers will come in and self-consciously purchase cheesy popcorn and Dr. Pepper; young businessmen will purchase microwavable meals and dash out of the store as quickly as possible. It is not a glamorous outing, but rather one usually done in sweatpants, workout clothes or a significantly rumpled outfit.

It appears that Karl Lagerfeld, the genius behind design house Chanel since the ‘80s, has other ideas about grocery stores. For Lagerfeld, a believer that “sweatpants are a sign of defeat,” an outing to the grocery store shouldn’t be an excuse to look sloppy. This he proved in his Fall/Winter 2014 collection presentation. Lagerfeld produced a full-size supermarket in Paris’ Grand Palais, in which aisles served as runways and shoppers were models clad in Chanel designs. Wall-to-wall stock of typical grocery items like cans of tuna, cereal and cheese filled shelves perused by models styled in furs, tweed and silk like it was any normal day. It was a marriage of the average and the fabulous, high and low; and it was in every way typical of Chanel. Lagerfeld is known to create a spectacle for every show and always strives to outdo himself, which is no easy feat when he has already used airplane hangars and Grand Central Station as venues.

However, Lagerfeld is always careful not to let the setting outdo the collection being shown. He uses models who are as beautiful as they are famous; this year’s crop included Cara Delevingne, Stella Tennant and Kendall Jenner. The clothes he draped on their gaunt frames was inventive and fascinating, sporty and feminine. Tweed, a Chanel standby for decades, is always a part of the collection, whereas lace and vinyl and a variety of knits made for new pairings. There were notes of haute couture inspiration throughout, with severe corsets and architectural, voluminous jackets. Footwear ranged from flat boots and loafers to athletic shoes that originally appeared in the Chanel Spring 2014 couture show.

The supermarket theme reemerged in details through every outfit. The colors of each garment were reminiscent of vegetable hues. Bright primary colors made punchy statements in imitation of the flashy packaging and signage usually found in grocery stores. Models carried their iconic quilted purses, sunglasses and other accessories in metal baskets accented with leather braiding. The entire presentation was eye-catching and turned the boring chore of grocery shopping into something whimsical.

Lagerfeld explained to Vogue Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles and New York Times Fashion and Style writer Suzy Menkes that the collection was inspired by both the every day and the avant garde.

“The whole thing is related to Pop Art,” Lagerfeld said. “Why the supermarket? It is something of today’s life and even people who dress at Chanel go there – it’s a modern statement for expensive things.”

Lagerfeld understands his clientele to be the sort of elite people who shop Chanel’s thousand dollar items before shopping for food to stock their pantries. He managed to combine these two principles with his supermarket that included over 500 items, each emblazoned with the interlocking double Chanel C’s and marked up with price tags that read “Plus 30 percent.” The Chanel shopper isn’t looking for a deal – they are looking for quality, innovation and that illustrious label.

Chanel is never one to disappoint. In the rigorous fashion world where trends go in and out of style faster than a supermodel’s strut, a designer must constantly be willing to reinvent his or herself. There was a point in time where Coco Chanel, creator of the eponymous fashion house, pledged to never have a mini-skirt made with her name on it. By the late ‘80s, Coco was gone and Lagerfeld was in control; mini-skirts were all the rage and received the Chanel tweed treatment. They went over famously and are still sought out by Chanel collectors. To take something as pedestrian as grocery shopping and make it into an artistic display of propaganda and fashion is not only genius, but proof-positive that Lagerfeld is still at the top of his game and the best in the business.

Noel Hemphill is a junior ECLS major. She can be reached at hemphill@oxy.edu or on Twitter @WklyNHemphill.

DePaul transfer Dancu brings Division-I experience to Men's Tennis

By

Ryan Whalen

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March 18, 2014

The Occidental men’s tennis team received a significant roster boost last season when Josh Dancu (junior) decided to transfer from DePaul University. Through his first several matches donning the black and orange, the Tiger ace became known for two things: wearing a fitted blue Cubs hat during matches and playing every opponent with the same cool-headed demeanor.

Dancu has since established himself as the No. 1 for the Occidental squad in both singles and doubles, and he currently holds an individual record of 4-2 overall (1-2 SCIAC) through the team’s first six matches of 2014.

The Naples, Fla., native first picked up a tennis racquet 16 years ago and has been continually honing and refining his skills through junior and competitive tournaments. This wealth of experience led to his recruitment to NCAA Division-I DePaul University as one of the top 100 junior tennis prospects in the nation.

But after recording a 5-17 singles record and a 2-7 doubles record at DePaul as a first-year starter, the 5-foot-11 newcomer decided to transfer to Occidental.

“Playing [Division-I] tennis takes a lot; it pretty much takes up most of your college life,” Dancu said. “You practice year-round and have to do well because that is what coaches expect and look for.”

While the difference between Division-I and Division-III initially seemed vast, Dancu said that the most notable differences do not arise from competition itself. Rather, he believes that the disparity between divisions stems from practice regime and mindset.

“I think [Division III] tennis is a little more well-rounded between athletics, academics and other social aspects,” Dancu said. “I also think the mentality is a little different. Players are more hungry in [Division-III] and want success for themselves and teammates.”

For Dancu, the transition into Division-III tennis at Occidental was rather seamless. Last year, he accumulated a 10-6 record in his first season as a Tiger while playing the best competitors in a conference where half of the teams were consistently ranked top-20 nationally.

His success was recognized by many in the league, as he was named a Second Team All-SCIAC selection at the culmination of his 2013 campaign.

“[Dancu] has continued to show improvement throughout the season, and we only see him improving on his solid first year,” Occidental head coach Brian Newhall said.

And while Dancu’s success on the court continues to fuel the squad, his approachable presence and calm demeanor have been a source of support and inspiration to the team in other areas as well.

“[Dancu] is definitely a leader on the team,” teammate Avery Howard (sophomore) said. “Not only does he help out with problems about strokes and serves, but he is a fun guy to hang out with and always has a smile on his face.”

Howard, the regular No. 3 singles player for the black and orange, is also Dancu’s No. 1 doubles partner. Although the duo’s record (2-4 overall, 2-1 SCIAC) reflects four losses, they still managed to capture at least five games in each defeat.

“Me and Dancu like to have fun, Howard said. “And since we are both pretty laid back, we can really listen to each other on the court. It is also nice that we both share the same drive to win, because we both cannot stand losing matches, especially the close ones.”

Even though Dancu has become a fixture at the helm of the Tiger men’s tennis program, he is far from satisfied and persistently works to improve his skill set and conditioning.

“The fundamentals are always a key thing for me to work on,” Dancu said. “I am always working on my conditioning, serves and ground strokes to make sure I am physically ready for matches.”

Dancu is also quick to point out the efforts of teammates and coaches and their work in creating a supportive and inspiring atmosphere for each of Occidental’s matches.

“Coach Newhall has done a phenomenal job and deserves a lot of credit, as he is always supportive and helpful throughout practices and matches,” Dancu said. “We get in huddles before matches and get each other pumped up, and I think it surprises some people how into it we get.”

With the 2014 campaign at full steam, Dancu is already well on his way to another All-SCIAC selection with his 4-2 overall record. However, it is the 1-2 SCIAC mark on which the Tiger has set his focus.

“I am just trying to be the best that I can right now,” Dancu said. “But as I get to know other SCIAC players, each match becomes more personal.”

Dancu and company host Tufts University today at 3:30 p.m., beginning a stretch of six games in six days.

Track & Field sets two all-time marks at SCIAC Multi-Dual #1

By

Spencer Donaldson

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March 18, 2014

A number of personal and Occidental records were posted as the men’s and women’s track and field teams competed in two meets in a span of seven days. After two meets of non-conference competition, the Tigers were able to finally score against their SCIAC adversaries in the first meet of the SCIAC competition.

Women’s

The Occidental women’s track and field team opened up its SCIAC season on March 8, losing to both La Verne and Cal Lutheran at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps’ (CMS) Burns Track Complex. The Tigers fell to the Leopards by a lopsided 125-29 margin and faired only slightly better against the Regals, losing 115-43. Despite the low team scores, the squad produced two school-record performances while notching numerous personal bests.

First-year Onyekachi Nwabueze’s 100-meter time of 12.66 seconds gave her the 10th-best mark in Occidental history along with a third-place finish in her heat. Junior Kimberly Orpinela’s 39.47-meter throw in the hammer competition moved her up to the sixth spot on the Occidental all-time board and placed her third in the competition.

Rachael Hinkel (sophomore) took home the only first-place finish for the Tiger women at the meet, running a near personal best of 15.59 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles.

“I thought we had a really good team day. It went about as well as we expected it to,” head coach Rob Bartlett said.

The team returned to the track just under a week later, hosting the annual Oxy Distance Carnival and Sprints Festival on Friday. Heading into the competition, the women’s distance squad adopted a team-oriented approach in its race strategy, according to co-captain Marnie Kinnaird (senior).

This strategy failed to materialize, however, as three of the runners registered to race for the Tigers in the 5,000-meter, including Kinnaird, were unable to compete due to lingering injuries.

“I was looking forward to running the 5k with Marnie and was really disappointed when we found out that she won’t be running for awhile,” distance runner Mel Devoney (first-year) said. “Running with a teammate helps me tremendously, so without Marnie, Jenna or Megan I lost focus.”

Two other top performances on the women’s side came from Ayana Foster (senior), who placed seventh in the 400-meter with a time of 1:00.71 minutes, and Jennifer Zhu (junior), who placed 28th in the 1,500-meter with a time of 5:03.15 minutes.

Men’s

The Occidental men’s team also opened league competition against La Verne and Cal Lutheran in its first SCIAC meet of the season, dropping the match-ups by scores of 118-45 and 82-75, respectively.

While the squad failed to tally a victory, Kyle Dalton (first-year) and Colin Smith (junior) both posted lifetime-best performances. Dalton finished second in the 100-meter with a time of 11.06 seconds and followed up the race with a third-place finish in the 200-meter at 22.30 seconds. Both of these marks were collegiate bests. Smith finished first in the 1,500-meter with a time of 3:55.59 minutes.

According to Bartlett, Smith’s strong performance came as no surprise to the coaching staff.

“His workouts suggest he’s in a place he’s never been before,” Bartlett said.

Along with Dalton, three other Tigers recorded personal-best times in the 200-meter. First-year Jeh Johnson finished sixth with a time of 22.66 seconds, while Alex Ringold (senior) and Gregory Capra (sophomore) finished 15th and 17th with times of 23.72 seconds and 24.04 seconds, respectively.

“It’s always nice to PR this early in the season, so it was definitely a confidence booster for our team,” Ringold said.

Despite the teams’ losses, Bartlett said that the men met his expectations and that he was proud of how they competed.

“I think it was one of those meets that was a really good stepping stone forward for us,” Bartlett said.

Smith again led the men’s squad at the Oxy Distance Carnival and Sprints Festival, running a time of 30:54.36 minutes in his first career 10,000-meter race. He crossed the finish line in sixth place overall and third for Division-III athletes, leading a field that included collegiate and club runners from around the country.

Senior Kevin Cox, Dalton and Johnson also put together successful days in the 100-meter. All three runners finished within the top 12 out of a 39-man field. Dalton finished fifth, Cox came in eighth and Johnson captured 11th with times of 11:08 seconds, 11:28 seconds and 11:48 seconds, respectively.

Both Occidental squads return to the track on March 29, hosting SCIAC Multi-Dual #2.

Sports in Brief Issue 5

By

Ryan Whalen

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March 18, 2014

Men’s Tennis (1-5 overall, 0-2 SCIAC)

The Occidental men’s tennis team (1-5 overall, 0-2 SCIAC) has participated in a marathon of four matches over the last week and a half, playing three in a row in just the first weekend of spring break. Occidental’s stretch of matches with minimal time for player recovery yielded only a single victory. The squad eased into its frenzied schedule with a dominant display against Austin College on March 7, capturing the competition with a match count of 8-1. The Tigers swept all singles matches and dropped only one doubles match in the victory. The unit then turned its attention to No. 21 Whittier the following day. In sharp contrast to the success against Austin, Occidental was unable to claim a single match, dropping the competition 9-0. In their third match in three days, the black and orange recaptured some of its momentum against Polytechnic Institute of New York. Seniors Josh Dancu and David Cotton and Avery Howard (sophomore) registered singles victories, while first-years Avery Chernin and Trevor Brown took the only doubles match for the Tigers. Despite a close contest, the squad could not claim the match, losing 5-4. Occidental was in progress against Salisbury at the time of publication. The Tigers host Tufts today at 3:30 p.m., opening a stretch of six matches in six days.

Women’s Water Polo (2-14 overall, 0-0 SCIAC)

The Occidental women’s water polo team participated in the Claremont Convergence Tournament (March 7-8) and the Arizona State University Invite (March 14-15) over spring break. Though the team was unable to find much success at the ASU Invite, Occidental did manage to capture a 14-13 overtime victory against Division-I opponent Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Claremont. Senior attacker Lindsay Albino led the charge offensively for the black and orange, netting 12 total goals over the course of eight games, while fellow senior Morgan McClafferty was close behind with 10 scores.

Women’s Lax (6-1 overall, 5-0 SCIAC)

The Occidental women’s lacrosse team split its only two games over the duration of spring break. The squad dominated the St. Joseph’s Monks 18-4 last Tuesday, as senior Tori Larson returned from injury and led the black and orange with three goals. Seven other Tigers tallied two apiece. However, the Occidental squad saw its six-game winning streak come to and end last Wednesday at the hands of No. 5 Franklin & Marshall in a 19-5 blowout. Larson and Alida Beck (junior) led the Tigers with two goals apiece. Occidental will look to bounce back Tuesday, hosting North Central College at 7 p.m. at Jack Kemp Stadium.

Softball (4-20 overall, 1-3 SCIAC)

The Occidental softball team rattled off its first back-to-back victories of the season two weeks ago, sweeping a doubleheader against St. Katherine College. But the black and orange’s offense has struggled since, as the squad has dropped four consecutive contests. The Tigers continue to scatter hits, registering a combined 33 knocks over the four-game losing streak. However, Occidental has only managed five total runs in the period. The Tigers travel to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS) Saturday for a doubleheader at noon and 2 p.m.

Alumni Golf Tournament (March 10)

The Occidental men’s and women’s golf programs hosted an Alumni Tournament and a Hall of Fame dinner on March 10 at the La Canada Country Club. Nine groups with a total of 40 participants signed up for the scramble-style event. Two of the teams ended the round tied at 12-under par and went into a two-hole sudden-death playoff. The winning group, which included Hall of Fame inductee John Olmstead ‘86, eventually finished at 10-under par to take the crown. After the day on the green finished, the participants headed inside for the Hall of Fame dinner. Current head coach Andrew Larkin ‘12 inducted seven members into the inaugural Hall of Fame class. Two of the seven, Olmstead and John Gaines ‘54 attended the ceremony to receive their awards in person. The event helped raise funds for the program and allowed the alumni to interact with current golfers to get a sense of where the program presently stands and where it will head in the future. The current teams could, on the other hand, get a grasp of Occidental golf history. “Overall, the event was very successful,” Larkin said via email. “The past and present of Oxy golf came together for a fun event that showed the alumni this program is in good hands.”

Keilani Ericksen (Women’s Tennis)

Sophomore Keilani Ericksen has again established herself as the ace of the Occidental women’s tennis team (1-2 overall, 0-0 SCIAC). The Waimanalo, Hawaii, native has accounted for at least one match victory in each of the Tigers’ first three competitions. She notched No. 1 singles match victories against Hope International and Principia University while claiming a No. 1 doubles win with teammate Amber Gadsden (junior) against Biola. Ericksen became a powerhouse for the Tigers last season, posting a team-best 7-9 (two unfinished) overall record while switching between No. 1 and No. 2 singles as just a first-year. Her ability to compete and succeed as a newcomer played a significant role in each of Occidental’s five 2013 victories. Already capturing two wins to start off the 2014 campaign, Ericksen is well on her way to equalizing or surpassing her win total from a year ago. Despite her status as an underclassman, the black and orange will have to lean on Ericksen even more than last year due to the loss of Sara Charney (junior) and Catherine Anderson (sophomore) at the end of last season. By improving her win-to-loss ratio, Ericksen could also garner a greater amount of recognition, possibly resulting in an All-SCIAC selection. Ericksen and the rest of the Occidental women’s tennis team will look to open conference play with a win, hosting Whittier Friday at 2 p.m.

Africana studies minor gains administrative support

By

Jeremy Childs

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March 18, 2014

Dean of the College Jorge Gonzalez announced the drafting of a proposal for a new minor in Africana Studies following a yearlong campaign by students and faculty to add the program to Occidental’s academic curriculum. The proposal represents the first concrete step toward the implementation of the minor.

“We are currently recruiting up to five faculty members to develop an Africana Studies minor; to be supported with stipends provided by my office. I expect and look forward to additional curricular initiatives and proposals to come to my office and the [Academic Planning Committee],” Gonzalez said in a letter published online last December.

Gonzalez later said that after he receives the proposal, department chairs will meet to discuss and make suggestions for the program. The original faculty group will then be able to make changes to the proposal before sending it to the Academic Planning Committee (APC), a body of the faculty that is responsible for looking over the curriculum of the college. Once the committee approves the proposal, it will be brought up at the next faculty meeting for discussion among the faculty at large, then put to a vote at the following meeting. If the faculty votes in favor of the final proposal, the minor will be officially added to the catalog for the following academic year.

According to Associate Dean for Core Curriculum and Student Issues John Swift, there is still work to be done before the proposal can be submitted.

“I’d say that Africana Studies is in early stages, and there’s no single proposal ready to be presented to the Academic Planning Committee,” Swift said. “Whatever comes of it will need to have a clear mission, curriculum and staffing plan. It seems unlikely to me that a program will be in place in the next academic year.”

Earlier this semester, Swift met with associate professor of history Sharla Fett, assistant professor of English and Comparative Literature Studies James Ford, professor of Politics Regina Freer, adjunct assistant professor of music Simeon Pillich and associate professor of Religious Studies Kristi Upson-Saia to discuss the goals and challenges of creating an Africana Studies program at Occidental. The group researched similar programs at peer institutions to guide its decision-making process.

“We agreed that anything that we might develop at Occidental should be free-standing and significantly autonomous — in other words, not simply a collection of existing courses in different academic departments — and that for that reason it would need to have dedicated faculty and not rely solely on the faculty who are now teaching those existing courses,” Swift said.

Discussion of the new minor began at Occidental last year, when former Black Student Alliance president Brandi Locke ’13 created an online petition for bringing an Africana Studies department to campus. The initiative rapidly found student support, amassing hundreds of signatures in under a week. The conversation continued in fall 2013 when the Coalition at Oxy for Diversity and Equity (CODE) listed an Africana Studies program as part of its “29 Actions to Achieve Equity and Excellence” petition.

In spite of the administration’s approval of the Africana Studies minor, members of CODE have stated that their work with Gonzalez, Swift and the ACP is just getting started.

“CODE is currently pressuring administration to see through the installation of the Africana Studies program. We are also making sure the process goes according to plan,” sociology major and CODE member David Pino (senior) said in an email.

According to Swift and Gonzalez, there is no hard deadline for the minor’s implementation and it will not likely be an option for students next year.

REHS creates room draw for triples

By

Noel Hemphill

-

March 18, 2014

A new triples-only room draw intended to help streamline the yearly allocation of housing will be available ahead of regular room draw this year. Residential Education and Housing Services (REHS) created this option for students to consider when selecting housing for the 2014-2015 school year.

According to Director of REHS Chad Meyers, for students who want to live in a triple or have a high room draw number this additional session will allow them to select a triple room prior to regular room draw. Just like regular room draw, the order will be indicated by draw number.

Triples are available in many Occidental residence halls, including Bell-Young, Erdman, Haines, Newcomb, Pauley and Wylie. Triple Room Draw for the Class of 2015 will occur on March 24 from 6:30-7pm in Berkus Courtyard; Class of 2016 and 2017 will combine for the draw on March 27 from 7pm-11pm in the Berkus Courtyard.

Myers believes that on a campus like Occidental, there has to be an understanding that triple rooms are a reality, especially for students with room draw numbers higher than 250. Knowing that it is a difficult process for students to wait as others ahead of them select their rooms, REHS sought to make the room draw process easier for students who want or might need to live in triples. REHS came up with the idea for a separate room draw after administering a survey last fall to students who live or had lived in triples to understand what their on-campus living environment was like.

“We got a lot of feedback [from] students saying that they really enjoyed the triple experience, that they made new friendships. Price was also a reason that people stayed in triples,” Associate Director of Housing Services Michelle Saldaña said.

After analyzing these surveys in January, REHS met with a variety of administrative boards to discuss ways to help students. Originally, REHS planned to create a section of their website to educate incoming first-years about living in a triple, since, according to Myers, 50 percent of first-year housing is triples. However, with one-third of upper division housing comprised of triples, REHS realized they needed to expand the scope of this education to the rest of the student population. After devising plans for Triple Room Draw, REHS met with the Associated Students of Occidental College (ASOC) to get a student response. Positive feedback from the student senate was the final step in making Triple Room Draw a reality.

“We were trying to think of how we can make students with room draw numbers that might possibly get put into a triple get an easier pick of a room that they would want as a triple, rather than get whatever is left,” Myers said.

Both Myers and Saldaña believe that the addition to the room draw process will make regular room draw go more smoothly.

“I really hope every triple goes in triple room draw, so that people who want a triple have one. This will make it less stressful for everyone so that people who are looking for doubles or singles can rest somewhat easy knowing that the triples have already been filled,” Myers said.

Though Triple Room Draw is happening this year, REHS is not certain whether the new session will be a permanent change to the room draw process.

“If we have ten people show up, it is going to be great for those ten people, but is that really a great use of everyone’s time? We have RAs and student volunteers that help with room draw, and we want to respect their time. However, we have had a good turn out to info sessions, so we feel good about this change,” Saldaña said.

With room draw approaching, some students have already expressed interest in the new option.

“Two of my friends and I are interested in Triple Room Draw because we all have pretty bad draw numbers, but we honestly don’t even know what the process is. It is good to know that it is an option for us, though,” undeclared Mark Maloney (sophomore) said.

Information sessions regarding Triple Room Draw will occur tomorrow March 20, and Thursday March 27.

Correction: The original article reported the Triple Room Draw as occurring 30 minutes prior to the regular room draw. The correct Triple Room Draw dates are now cited in the article and the correction has been made. The Weekly apologizes for the confusion with the original printing.

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