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BY KARA KINNAMON

Fashion Columnist

     Your eyes slowly pull awake and you relish in the comfort of your bed. Wanting to savor that feeling a little while longer, you turn onto your other side squirming into a comfortable position.

   Boom! It hits you! You grab frantically for your phone to discover that indeed your alarm didn’t go off and you now have fifteen minutes until class starts!

   There is that split second of denial when you think your eyes have failed you or possibly you lost power in the middle of the night and the time is simply wrong. But then reality sets in and getting ready for class has officially become Fast and Furious 12.

   Sacrifice is now your middle name. Hopefully brushing your teeth is not something you are willing to sacrifice but a shower may be out of the question depending on how far away you live from campus.

   If you don’t have time to wash or style your hair, topknot buns and ponytails with added volume are optimal. These styles are not only quick and easy but also very fashionable.

   For ideas and tutorials on these hairstyles, check out YouTube as well as the Campus Chic Pinterest board.

   Now that your hair is done, you may want to throw on some light makeup if you are someone who regularly wears makeup to class. I suggest a quick BB cream or foundation followed by a little bit of blush or bronzer and a quick stroke of mascara.

   If you don’t usually wear makeup to class, today probably isn’t the day to start.

   As you gather your things, you look down and notice you are still in your pjs, which you may be tempted to wear to class. Don’t!

   We’ve all done it but this is definitely something to avoid. Professors don’t appreciate sloppy appearances in class. College is training for the workplace and that would never be acceptable there, unless you work for Google or Facebook.

   Most professors try to instill a professional environment in the classroom and it is important to respect that by looking decent. Now don’t get me wrong, yoga pants are a gift sent from above, but pajamas to class are a no-no.

   When frantically turning your closet inside out, go for neutrals like cream, gray and black, which are guaranteed to work well together. Also, stick to the basics like leggings or jeans.               

   My personal favorite “late to class” look is black leggings, a white tank, denim jacket, infinity scarf, and Ugg boots. This look is a casual and quick way to portray fashion sense and professionalism for the classroom.

   If you are so late to class that you can’t even worry about looking fashionable, a hoodie and leggings with boots and a topknot bun is perfect. Personally, this sort of outfit is my favorite for days when I’m not feeling well or haven’t done laundry!

   One last thing to remember when pulling together your “late for class” outfit is to accessorize. I know you may be thinking, “Accessorize? That’s the last thing I would be concerned with!” but it is quite important. Whether it’s just earrings or everything, accessorizing is an easy way to look more presentable.

   Having a little bit of jewelry on plus a scarf or headband can completely transform your appearance. I love seeing girls on campus in their Nike shorts and t-shirts that never fail to sport jewelry. Some may think it’s a contradictory look, but I think it simply adds a touch of refinement.

BY MITCHELL NORTHAM

Staff Writer

     The arrival of fall can be interpreted in many different ways, but for students at Salisbury University  the coming of fall can be anticipated in one unique way, it’s the beginning of the fun and various intramural sport leagues and tournaments that SU has to offer.

   With “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” volleyball and golf already underway, students can also look forward to flag football, floor hockey, dodgeball, racquetball and co-ed soccer.

   Assistant Director of Campus Recreation Wayne Gorrow said there are currently 45 teams signed up for soccer and the deadline isn’t until Thursday, making it the season’s most popular sport among students. Students can find fall deadline and entry information for every sport on the intramural website.

   Soccer, football, volleyball and the others are all sports that the intramural club has hosted in the past, but this year they welcome a new sport: baggo, or as many call it, “cornhole.”

   “We just ordered the equipment, we have maybe ten teams, it’s a new thing and we’ll try it,” Gorrow said.

   Cornhole will be set up in tournaments rather than a league, and the first tournament took place on Tuesday.

   “We could possibly build that into a league in the future if there are kids that really want to play,” Gorrow said.

   One of the advantages to the sport of cornhole is the amount of space it takes up. Cornhole is one of the sports that can be operated on the front lawn rather than taking up an entire intramural field like many of the sports do.

   “We’re looking for more events similar to (cornhole),” Gorrow said. “We need to find more events that we can do out in the quad or where we don’t need a lot of space or equipment.”

   In addition to cornhole and the other sport leagues going on this fall, more tournaments and events are on the way in November with the Holiday Basketball Tournament beginning on Nov. 17 and the annual 5K known as the “Turkey Trot” taking place on Nov. 21.

   Spring sports to come will include two of the university’s most popular in softball and 5-on-5 basketball in addition to volleyball, kickball and other favorites.

   The club sport season is beginning at SU as well. Women’s rugby, club field hockey and club soccer kicks off soon and so does the 2013 national champions men’s rugby team: the Salisbury University Sharks.

BY ASHLEY MARTIN

Staff Writer

     Having a healthy diet is especially important to many athletes, and soccer players like senior midfielder Elliot Crompton of the Salisbury University men’s soccer team are no exception.

   Crompton has been a key player for the Sea Gulls, starting in all games and scoring two goals, one of them a game-winning goal. Crompton took some time to discuss the nutritional guidelines he must follow as a soccer player.

   Two categories of food vital for athletes are carbohydrates and proteins. Soccer players need carbs to give them energy for games and practices. Crompton said his coaches advise him to eats lots of carbs and proteins to stay alert for games.

   “They recommend a lot of pastas and grilled chicken,” Crompton said. 

   Crompton said he’s encouraged to eat a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. He mentioned that some other guidelines are minimizing high-fat foods and limiting the amount of sugars in each serving.

  As far as drinks go, the soccer team alternates between water and Gatorade. Drinking enough fluids is important for the team to keep them hydrated and to replenish them after a hard match or practice.

   Proper nutrition is also essential before and after a workout for soccer players. Coaches and experts say that a healthy snack is necessary before working out to sustain the player’s energy throughout the exercise. Bananas and granola bars are often consumed as pre-workout snacks for athletes.

   Post-workout meals include a large intake of carbs to refuel and vegetables or other protein-based foods.  Over-indulging is not recommended for soccer players or other athletes because it could potentially cancel out the exercise or interfere with the digestive system.

   Although workouts may give athletes a big appetite for a juicy cheeseburger, Crompton said it’s important to follow healthy nutrition guidelines.  Soccer players not only have to maintain a regimen to be healthy, but to also perform well in matches.

   “When I don’t follow these guidelines, let me tell you, I cramp up all over my body,” Crompton said. “Specific instance was when I was playing a game last year, and I was running with the ball. Both my calves cramped and I just fell, and yes it was embarrassing.”

   Crompton’s favorite post-workout snack is a glass of chocolate milk.

   “Man, I love chocolate milk,” Crompton said. “Especially after a hard workout.”

   The reward for eating healthy is a better performance on the field as a soccer player. It also keeps the team healthy and fit in the off-season.

   Crompton and the other players are advised by staff to follow the nutritional guidelines set in place for the team to help ensure a successful season. Crompton said not only does it benefit his performance as a player to follow the regimen, but it also makes him feel physically good to eat healthier.

BY DAVID CABRERA

Staff Writer

     After a pair of fifth place finishes in the Sea Gull Opener Aug. 31, the Salisbury University men’s and women’s cross country teams were looking to rebound in Saturday’s meet at the Elizabethtown Blue Jay Alumni Challenge.

   With two events scheduled for the Challenge and a five-team field consisting of Salisbury, Elizabethtown College, Susquehanna University, Elizabethtown College Alumni and Valley Forge Christian College, their prospects were encouraging to start the meet.

   With third place finishes in the men’s 6,000-meter and the women’s 4,000-meter, the Sea Gulls gained some needed momentum going into their one week break. 

   On the men’s side, sophomore Thomas Burke placed in the top ten, finishing in seventh place for the Gulls with a time of 20:15.61. It was a noticeable improvement for Burke, who placed 27th in the Opener.

   The next top finisher for the Gulls was senior Nathan Austin, who finished in thirteenth place with a time of 20:37.64.

   Rounding out the men were junior Brandon Morning (20:43.90), junior Jeremy Skarda (20:53.10), sophomore Eric Wood (20:59.85). Senior Joel Anderson came in with a time of (21:00.82), followed by sophomores Brandon Vanderhoff (21.03:24) and George Martinez (21:07.32).

   Senior Nick Hanifee finished with a time of (21:09.76), followed by sophomore Ian Wood (21:15.87) and freshman Connor Hesselbirg (21:16.35).

   Dan Gresh, a junior from Elizabethtown, finished in first with a time of 19:56.28.

   With a score of 65 and a total score of 44.24, the Gulls fell just short to Elizabethtown (54 and 57.77) and Susquehanna (25 and 18.44). Elizabethtown Alumni (101 and 2:45.80) and Valley Forge CC (153 and 3:36.32) finished fourth and fifth respectively.

   For the women, junior Kira Polimeni placed in the top ten, finishing in eighth place with a time of 16:33.94. This is the second straight meet she has been the first Sea Gull woman to cross the finish line. In the Sea Gull opener, she finished in 28th  place.

   Freshman Anna Van Zeijts finished five spots behind Polimeni, coming in with a time of 16:50.84.

   After Van Zeijts came junior Olivia Cloud (17:25.92), senior Michele Stromberg (17:57.16), sophomore Becky Early (18:05.62), sophomore Sam Lucas (18:22.51), sophomore Devon Miller (18:26.64), freshman Jessica Pain (18:30.94), sophomore Laura Hartman (18:51.89) and freshman Catherine Raley (19:40.75).

   Traci Tempone, a senior from Elizabethtown, finished in first with a time of 15:32.79.

   Elizabethtown, with a score of 19 and a total of 58.83 and Susquehanna (49, 1:11:83) finished ahead of the Sea Gulls (80 and 1:31:67). Elizabethtown Alumni (103, 2:42.03) and Valley Forge CC (145, 11:16.86) rounded out the top five.

BY STEPHEN CORBIN

Staff Writer 

   The No. 5 ranked Salisbury University field hockey team breezed by the No. 7 rivals Messiah College at home Saturday afternoon.

   SU showed overwhelming defense defeating Messiah 3-0.  Summer Washburn, junior, scored Salisbury’s first goal halfway through the first half unassisted giving them a 1-0 lead at halftime.

   The Gulls kept it rolling from there.

   The Gulls dominated their opponent in the second half while tallying two more goals, this time by freshmen Yumi Kim and senior forward Emily Voshell. Washburn and senior midfielder and team captain Stacey Lamboni assisted the two goals coming in the last 15 minutes of the game.

   “I felt like we controlled most of the game and took advantage of our opportunities,” Lamboni said.

   SU’s defense allowed only 10 shots from Messiah compared to Salisbury’s 15 for the game. Goalkeeper Rachel Clewer made six saves without allowing a goal.  An aggressive Messiah team received two green cards in the game as they struggled to score all game against Salisbury’s defense.

   “Shutting down the opponents attack and minimizing scoring opportunities was the biggest factor in winning,” field hockey head coach Dawn Chamberlin said.

   The victory Saturday is a good sign for the Sea Gulls, putting them at (4-0) for the season.

   The rivalry between these two teams has existed for years along with an exceptional history. The two teams met in the 2005 National Championship game in which Salisbury defeated Messiah 1-0 to win their third national title for the third year in a row.

    Just four years later in 2009, the two met in the National Championship game once again with No.1 ranked Messiah seeking revenge against the second seed Seagulls. The outcome concluded in another 1-0 upset by Salisbury to win their most recent and fifth overall national championship.

   Messiah came back in 2010 following their previous loss to Salisbury in the National Title game to beat the Gulls 3-0 in the regular season.

    The consistency to beat Messiah when it has mattered has made Chamberlin one of the most successful college field hockey coaches in the program.

BY STEVEN CORBIN

Staff Writer

    The captain cornerback of the Salisbury University football team has big plans as he enters his senior year.

  Andre Carter, from Huntington, Md., is a physical education major and plans on graduating in the spring of 2014. After having a rough freshmen year, he currently holds a 3.0 GPA.

  “First semester was a real shock and wake-up call,” Carter said. “I was almost unable to play at all, which was scary.”

  Carter realized that football helped with constant structure and organization which motivated him to become a better student.  Carter has also developed on the field after being named to the preseason second team All-American by D3football.com.

  Carter began his football career in middle school, then became a dual athlete in high school running track. His biggest contributors to success were his two high school coaches where he learned the skill sets to take his game to the next level.

  Professional cornerback Asante Samuel was somebody Carter also looked up to heavily when entering college.

  “I like how he shuts down the offense and I admire his consistent success in the NFL,” Carter said.

  Carter said his decision on playing football for Salisbury was solely based on seeing the field.

  “I could have went to Frostburg or played Division II at Shepard, but I knew my best chance of playing and winning would be at Salisbury,” Carter said.

  Salisbury University Football Head Coach Sherman Wood classifies Carter as a play-maker on the field.

  “He is always around the ball and opponents underestimate how intelligent he is on the field,” Wood said.

  Wood said Carter earned the preseason second team All-American title because he does the little things along with having superior intelligence and athletic ability. Wood said Carter is known to be a very approachable person and has taken the role of being a captain to another level.

  “Andre will come in 15 minutes before practice once a week and watch film which shows how dedicated he is,” Wood said.

  Off the field, Wood described Carter as a well-mannered and groomed person. Professors come to Wood and compliment him frequently about how he does in the classroom.

  In his spare time Carter said he likes to go fishing with his teammates, watch movies and play video games. His favorite NFL team is the Redskins.

  Carter’s future goals following graduation are to teach high school Physical Education and coach football.

  BY THELONIOUS W. WILLIAMS

Staff Writer

     With President Barack Obama beating the drums of war in Washington, much of the world has taken a renewed interest in the civil war that has raged in Syria for two and a half years. The threat of Western intervention, spearheaded by the United States, has sharply divided the world over what to do in Syria.

   This divide, however, is not just between the West and the “rest,” but a divide within Western countries themselves. As the British Parliament has recently demonstrated, many in the West do not want to meddle in the Syrian Civil War. These individuals often see it as a problem that just cannot be fixed and thus we should stay out of it.

   Can the West continue to afford staying out of this escalating crisis? Although military intervention may not be the solution, my opinion is that the West cannot continue to watch from the sidelines as this crisis worsens.

   The United Nations just announced that over two million Syrians have become refugees since the war began. An additional four million Syrians have become internally displaced persons, meaning that nearly a third of Syria’s 20 million people have become homeless. Add to this over 100,000 dead, and Syria’s humanitarian crisis is a horrendous tragedy that the world cannot continue to just idly watch.

   Analysts from across the political spectrum agree, however, that there is no easy solution to this crisis. Since the beginning of the unrest in March 2011, nearly every worst-case scenario has come to fruition.

   Syria’s ongoing civil war has engulfed the Middle East by dangerously reigniting sectarian tensions throughout the region. This has most visibly played out in the upsurge of violence in both Lebanon and Iraq, two countries that have only recently recovered from their own civil conflicts.

   Within Syria itself, the entrance of the Lebanese Shia militia Hezbollah into the fight has only further radicalized a predominately Sunni opposition.

   Furthermore, the West’s reluctance to arm the more moderate wings of the opposition early in the conflict has led many opposition fighters to flock to the better-funded and better-equipped “salafi jihadi” groups (the radicalized Islamist fighters). The most attention-grabbing of the various “salafi jihadi” battalions is Jabhat al-Nusra, which has become a direct affiliate of al-Qaeda.

   Regional rivalries have further escalated the crisis with Shia Iran and Iraq supporting the regime, while Sunni Saudi Arabia and Qatar support the increasingly fractured opposition. The fiery rhetoric of prominent Sunni and Shia clerics has also inflamed the prejudices of ordinary Arabs.

   With memories of Iraq and Afghanistan still fresh in most Arabs’ minds, all sides are justifiably apprehensive towards American intervention. Many Syrians, on both sides of the conflict, are of the opinion that America is attempting to protract the conflict in order to see Syria destroy itself.

   Calling the current crisis in Syria a potential quagmire would be an understatement. An indecisive American military intervention has the potential of only escalating the conflict. Such an intervention would validate Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s position that the civil war is a Western conspiracy, which in turn would further galvanize his supporters.

   Furthermore, the influx of both Sunni and Shia foreign fighters into Syria could potentially increase as both Shia supporters of Assad and Sunni “salafi jihadists” may perceive the civil war as now also a fight against the West.

   On the other hand, a decisive military intervention aimed at regime change would require a massive military commitment and would face widespread international opposition, most importantly from Russia and China. And with the current situation on the ground, Syria’s post-Assad future looks more and more like a repeat of Iraq.

   The only possible solution to this crisis is a negotiated settlement. For this to occur, the United States must be willing to come down from its uncompromising positions toward Assad, Iran and Russia.

   First, the West must be willing to allow elements of Assad's regime to remain if there is any hope of an end to the conflict. Assad’s regime still commands major support from the minority religious communities (Alawite, Christian and Druze), the business community and the entrenched security forces. All these communities will seek a protector from revenge attacks in any post-Assad future; remaining elements of the Assad regime can act as such.

   Secondly, the United States must stop blocking Iran from entering into any potential peace talks. Iran has directly backed the regime throughout the conflict, sending the Assad regime arms, money and elite troops. In addition, Iran has tremendous sway over Hezbollah.

   Thirdly, the US must also drop its Cold War mentality towards Russia. This has only allowed the situation to turn into a Cold War-style proxy war. Russia may be an intolerable partner to deal with, but more cooperation must occur between these two super powers.

To the Editor:

BY AJIA ALLEN

Staff Writer 

   Allergies and the flu are inching evercloser to being regular nuisances in the changing season. Luckily, the Salisbury community offers a mixed variation of influenza shots and immunizations.

   Peninsula Regional Medical Center offers a unique plan for the sickly and those who are avoiding flu season at least 13 years of age or older. Drive-by flu shot clinics are an inexpensive option for the community and this October will be its 20th anniversary of service.

   The service has grown in popularity in and beyond the community for its $10 price and convenient nature, but is it sanitary and worth the travel for Salisbury University students and non-residents of the Wicomico County region?

   Officials in charge of the service say that the pace had to be increased by staff due to the volume of people receiving the vaccine, which may be cause for some concern. PRMC is conducting the yearly service Oct. 3-4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Arthur W. Perdue Stadium with hopes for higher numbers of attendees.  

   But are flu shots more trouble than they’re worth?

   There are rare cases when an individual of poor health receives a flu shot and actually dies as a result of worsened symptoms. Although extremely unordinary of course, anything is possible.

   People also have to understand which shot is appropriate for them. Three different influenza shots are available according to age group.

   All exaggerated tales and heightened worries aside, vaccinations are not a cumbersome inconvenience or life-threatening choice. More people ought to make a set time to receive their shots during the appropriate seasons, especially college students.

   Nobody likes a coughing, wheezing roommate or snot-nosed professor. Flu shots are more helpful than harmful in the end.

   Pharmaceutical-based stores usually offer flu shot services open to walk-ins. If a drive-by is too non-traditional, the CVS Pharmacy next to Salisbury University’s campus and the Rite-Aid Pharmacy on Rt. 13 have flu shot services that accept a wide-range of insurances.

   There are no appointments needed for flu shots at these locations further stressing how heavily encouraged they are by physicians. A quick stop to the local pharmacy for an annual flu vaccination is worth the brief travel and time if it will avoid high fever and hacking up mounds of mucus.  

   Drive-by clinics are open for residents without insurance and busy workers on their lunch breaks. A brief sign-up and filed consent form leads to a mild pinch and it’s over, all without leaving the car.

   Convenience and safety is actually merged into one. The high volume of customers is a sign of superb service and shouldn’t be cause for avoidance.

BY STEVEN CENNAME

Editorial Editor 

   Texas Governor Rick Perry, the guy who ran for president and flopped horribly because of his hilariously disastrous debate performances, apparently has the stones to run ads in this state saying his southern hellhole is better than Maryland, the state that boasts the highest median income and top-ranked public schools.

   This week, Maryland joined a list of other states, including California and Illinois, to have the “privilege” to hear Perry’s ear-gouging accent grace our radio waves asking our businesses to flee to Texas in order to pay fewer taxes.

   “When you grow tired of Maryland taxes squeezing every dime out of your business, think Texas, where we’ve created more jobs than all other states combined,” Perry’s ad says.

   The claim Perry makes got a “two Pinocchios” rating from the Washington Post fact-checker (which, by Republican standards, is not all that bad) because he neglected to mention that most of these jobs that his state has “created” are very low-paying jobs. If a Maryland business were to move to Texas the owners and employees would, on average, be expecting a pay cut of 29 percent.

   The so-called “economic miracle” of Texas is tempting only if you like working for lower wages and are perfectly okay with not having health benefits. Texas has the highest rate of uninsured people in the country, as opposed to Maryland, which has one of the lowest.

   So the saying “everything is bigger in Texas” is a flat-out lie, especially if you are talking about the size of the residents’ pocketbooks. If you are, Maryland finishes first.

   Even though Texas does have a lower tax rate than Maryland, average income after taxes is still higher in Maryland. According to the Census Bureau, after state and local taxes, a family in Maryland would pull down $63,000 annually. If that family were to move to Texas, that number would decrease to $45,000 annually. So if lower taxes in Texas seemed tempting at first, do not be cajoled by Perry’s plea because you would still be taking in about $20,000 more per year in what Perry calls the “tax-and-fee state.”

   Also, higher taxes in Maryland means that the state has more money to spend on education, which greatly benefits college students as well as those in pre-K through high school. In Texas, state tuition has gone up by a whopping 18 percent, compared to two percent in Maryland over the same time frame. You are also twice as likely to run into someone with a post-graduate degree in Maryland than you are in Texas.

   So, if anything, Governor Martin O’Malley should be running radio ads in Texas asking those students to come here. The ad would go like this:

   “Hi Texas, I’m Governor Martin O’Malley. If you’re tired of a state government that does not give a damn about giving you the education you need to be successful in today’s economy, then come to Maryland. In Maryland, for example, we teach you the theories that the vast majority of scientists say are accurate. In Texas, you are being taught intelligent design in science classes, which is supported by pastors, not scientists. College tuition in your state is also rising out of control. If you need a haven from out-of-control tuition rates, then come to Maryland, where we care about your education.”

BY MITCHELL NORTHAM

Staff Writer

     “Give or take a few credit hours, it’s the second quarter of your college career. What’s your game plan?”

   This past February, the “Sophomore Year Experience” task force was created to establish a program to get sophomores here at Salisbury University more involved with campus lifestyle and to help them achieve goals of higher learning.

   This all started when Lawanda Dockins- Mills and Maarten Pereboom, co-chairs of the program, and others looked over statistics from years past.

   Dockins-Mills explains, “We collected some data on our students at Salisbury and compared the data with our students in their second year that lived on campus versus those that lived off campus in their second year,” said Dockins-Mills.

“The students that lived on campus in their sophomore year had higher GPAs, completed more credits and were just overall more successful academically.”

   From there the task force set out to learn why students living on campus were more successful than those living off campus. They looked at national data and found the same trend and statistics which said students living on campus through their second year have higher satisfaction rates, graduation rates, and higher numbers of retaining those students.

   These statistics combined with Salisbury University’s own research and data led to the SYE being formed along with the new sophomore residency requirement.

   “This is the first year, but our incoming class of 2017 will be required to live on-campus for their freshman and sophomore year,” said Dockins-Mills.

   Dockins-Mills assured that as of now there is plenty of on-campus housing for both freshmen and sophomores.

   In addition to the on-campus housing requirement the SYE is set to create more programs to help achieve their goals of retaining students and helping said students to be more satisfied with their college experience as sophomores.

   “We have a very strong first year program, but we weren’t doing nearly as much for our sophomore students because we were so focused on getting our first year students acclimated,” said Dockins-Mills.

   Dockins-Mills explained, “Our retention rate for our first year students is very-very high (83.7 percent in 2011) and our retention rate for our second year students comparatively is high to other intuitions, but we would like it to be even higher.”

   In an effort to improve those numbers and make campus life more enjoyable and more successful for sophomores, the SYE started with the basics and created a website.

   “We knew that would be an extremely important piece so students could have access to the resources and different things that happen, or would be happening for sophomores,” said Dr. Dockins-Mills.

   The second step was to send a message to the sophomores letting them know that the Sophomore Year Experience is here via a newsletter. The newsletter includes information on studying abroad, liberal arts education, deciding a major, avoiding the “sophomore slump”, and how to connect with others on campus.

Another topic the mailing included was “Your Sophomore 10”. The “10” is a list of ten things that sophomores should do throughout their second year at Salisbury University. Dr. Dockins-Mills referred to it as “a sophomore bucket list” and encourages students to complete the sophomore 10 before the end of the academic year. The list includes choosing an SU athletic team to follow, visiting the career office and plan to do an internship, joining a student organization, and several more objectives.

The mailing also includes a schedule of events for something the SYE has declared “Sophomore September”. Throughout the month of September, the SYE will organize and put on several fairs and events for all sophomores.

The day after on September 20th, the SYE is pushing sophomores to go to and attend “Third Friday” in downtown Salisbury where students can enjoy free art and entertainment in the downtown area.

Dockins-Mills explained that “Sophomore September” is just the kick-off of SYE and events will not be limited to just this month; she encourages all sophomores to check out salisbury.edu/sye frequently for updates and notice of events.

Dockins-Mills “absolutely” expects numbers for GPA, retention rate, levels of satisfaction, academic quality, and graduation rates to rise from the newly formed SYE and in years to come says that, “eventually what we’re going to be moving to is a junior year experience and a senior capstone experience.”

SYE is here to stay, and they are here to help SU sophomores achieve academically, help them get the most out of their sophomore year of college, achieve high levels of satisfaction, and most importantly, graduate from Salisbury University

BY ALEXANDRA DOUGAN

Staff Writer

     The rubble pile located at the site of the Old Mall in Salisbury, Md. has become a controversial and heated issue between the city and Salisbury Mall Associates LLC.

   “It must go because it is a blighting influence,” said Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton.

   In early 2009 when the building was originally demolished, the plan for the rubble was to be used as gravel for the roads when they rebuilt on the site. Unfortunately, the plans were never fulfilled and it’s been left unattended for many years.

   After plans for the rebuilding failed, the city ordered the property owners to remove the pile. The owners appealed to the HBAA (Housing Board Adjustments and Appeals) and a hearing took place resulting in confusion regarding whether or not the rubbish pile was truly rubbish.

   Six years later and the pile has not been touched for building purposes of any kind. Eventually, the city of Salisbury improved the definition of rubbish to suggest “any item that contributes as a blighting influence.” This resulted in the pile finally being included in its description.

   Managers of Salisbury Mall Associates LLC Michael Dzaman and Jonathan Natelson recently fired back to The Daily Times in a letter to the editor. They argued that the “pile of rubble” is actually concrete for road-base material.

   “This material is valued at almost one half million dollars and is a clean, recyclable substance. It’s claimed to be the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to dispose of the concrete from the old mall buildings,” said Dzaman and Natelson in the letter.

   In addition, they warn the city that removing this material would require thousands of truckloads to be carried out of the city, which would burn enormous amounts of fuel along local roadways.

   “The pile would eventually have to be replaced, doubling the environmental impact,” said Dzaman and Natelson.

   Business owners and local citizens have opinions of their own regarding the pile.

   “I’d rather them just leave it,” said Stefan Gabrielson, owner of the Hallmark store at the Twilley Center. “It’s going to create a mess. I mean the inside of my store would be filled with dust. It doesn’t bother me. I told the city the same thing.”

   The properties managers reside in Baltimore and had big plans for the area.

   “Site development was expected to begin in 2009. Unfortunately, the severe economic downturn that began with the financial crisis in 2008 has caused a drastic slowdown in real estate development, which is particularly evident in Salisbury,” said Natelson and Dzaman.

BY JACOB TROXELL

News Editor

     Police say that on the night of Sept. 3 Ryan Justin Shallue shot ex-girlfriend and Salisbury University student Kristen Renee Loetz, and fatally shot her friend, Charles Jacob Abbott, before shooting himself.

   Abbott was rushed to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, where he was pronounced dead, while Loetz was also taken to PRMC and then flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Unit where she received treatment for multiple gunshot wounds. Loetz is in critical but stable condition.

   The Salisbury City Police Department was first on the scene at 139 Onley Road, just blocks away from campus, where they found Shallue in the bathroom of the home suffering a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead on the scene in what investigators deemed a murder-suicide, according to the Wicomico County Sherriff’s Department report.

   The sheriff’s department confirmed that Shallue, 21, and Loetz, 20, had dated long-term, since high school, but broke up four months ago. After Loetz broke up with Shallue, he began to stalk her, and drove from Queen Anne’s County to Salisbury on Tuesday afternoon to see her, said Wicomico County Sherriff Mike Lewis.

   After an argument started between the two, Abbott, 19, attempted to intervene, and that is when Shallue brought out the semi-automatic handgun he bought two weeks earlier and shot the two victims, according to police.

   Before it was removed, Shallue’s twitter page left an ominous trail of his final thoughts before the shooting.

   Shallue who had no criminal history, was described by Danny McQueeney as his “best friend” on twitter. McQueeney moved from their hometown of Stevensville to Tennessee six years ago, but the two remained close.

   Shallue and McQueeney had a conversation on twitter hours before the shooting, (no longer online), in which Shallue reacted sensitively to an apparent nickname McQueeney had always called him.

   Shallue later tweeted at McQueeney saying, “Ready to do some big things, you will hear about it.”

Moments later Shallue tweeted “I just drank a fifth of vodka, dare me to drive!”- the lyrics to the popular Eminem song “My Name Is.” An hour later he tweeted again saying “I found the cure and its name is vodka!”

   In response to the tragedy, Mayor Jim Ireton said “The senseless violence that has claimed two lives is horrific and incomprehensible. The families of the dead and wounded are in our citizen's thoughts and prayers. The wasted potential and loss of life will never be fully counted … Salisbury citizens and employees of the city stand ready to assist Salisbury University and the Onley Road community in any way we can.”

   SU held a candle light vigil for Kristen campus the day after the shooting where many students and faculty members came to show their support.

   SU President Dr. Janet Dudley-Eshbach spoke at the vigil saying “Kristen is expected to survive…doctors believe she may be able to walk in a week which is fantastic news. And we were of course, given the nature of her injuries, concerned about any sort of cognitive damage but I will tell you that though she was not able to talk, she was given a pencil and a piece of paper and she wrote a note to her mom, she said I love you.”

   Dudley-Eshbach also reminded SU students that the university is here to support their other students as well during this tragedy.

BY AMANDA BIEDERMAN

Gull Life Editor

     Students strain through a crowd in the dark. Police lights blink in the distance. The world has become confused.

   Standing amongst my frightened peers, I can’t help but feel lost. This wasn’t supposed to happen here. It’s so easy to talk about the dangerous crime rate in Salisbury. So many awful things happen every day, and it’s easy to talk about how horrible it is. How sad this world can be.

   But the shock doesn’t really hit me until I see a mother running through the crowd, screaming in desperation.

   “Not my son!” she wails. “Oh God…Oh God! It’s my son!”

   Her voice is broken, her body seemingly moving without conscious thought. I know I can’t even imagine the extent of thiswoman’s pain, but I feel a dull ache in my stomach and suddenly, reality hits.

   It could have been anyone. Me. My best friends. My roommates. The girl in the crowd, who told me how surreal it seems that something this awful could happen so close to campus.

   Because this is our school. It’s supposed to be safe. Bad things aren’t supposed to happen here.

   And as Sheriff Mike Lewis gathers the crowd to deliver a statement, he reassures us that we are safe.

   “There is no reason to be alarmed,” he says. “As you well know, this is unprecedented to happen so close to SU.”

   SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach adds that she is doing everything she can, and our campus is not in danger. But I don’t really hear either of them. As I try to scribble down every word they say, the numbers ring through my ears.

   Three shot. Two dead, non-students. Shooter one of the dead. One wounded, a student. Female.

   Across the street, I see a small enclosed circle of mourners, one girl sobbing. I don’t know what to do. The street is in chaos, as everyone tries to absorb what has happened.

   Our small community - not just Salisbury University, but the city itself - has been shaken. And for myself, I feel numb. I don’t know where I belong. I know I can’t possibly feel the broken pain of a mother who lost her son.

   But a few hours later, the tragedy suddenly becomes sickeningly more real. I find out that the girl who was shot was someone I knew freshman year. Even though we weren’t particularly close, it hurts to be able to connect a face to a name. I can’t escape from the news anymore - it has suddenly hit so much closer to home. We never think about these things until they actually happen.

   The reality is that this is our community. It’s our duty, in this time of tragedy, to provide support to everyone in any way we can.

   If one remotely good thing could possibly come out of these horrible events, it’s that it’s made me realize how much I appreciate those around me. My friends, my family, my classmates.

BY ADEDOYIN JUNAID

Staff Writer

     With their Gull Cards on lanyards and the whole road ahead of them, it’s easy to pick out Salisbury University’s newest Sea Gulls from the flock.

   But every upperclassman can think back to the time when they first arrived on campus, knowing no one and being unsure of how their journey would play out.

   Being a freshman meant re-learning everything they had known, and even picking up new habits to ensure success. Here are some tips to ensure a happy first year of college.

  1. Get ready for embarrassing moments:

   Starting college is as much about failure as it is about success.

    “I remember taking a tumble down the stairs while trying to slide down the hand railings,” senior Marian Akiwumi said.

   Sophomore Fey Adebiyi shared a similar experience. 

   “My most embarrassing moment was walking into a stationary car and having all my friends spill over in laughter,” Adebiyi said.

  2. Get ready to meet people from all walks of life: 

   Being in college will introduce you to a diverse environment, and will expand your horizon. Don’t be afraid to meet new people whose perspective of life might be different from yours.

  3. Face your biggest fears:

   Whether your biggest fear is conquering a challenging class, being away from home or avoiding social suicide, remember that a college environment is welcoming and will help you through it.

  4. Stay one step ahead:

   It’s important to always be prepared.

   “I wish I would have put more time aside to study,” Mariam Shu-aib said. Be sure to come to class on time, and plan for tests and assignments well in advance. Mariam Akiwumi said she once missed a final after she forgot to write down the time.

  5. Miscellaneous tips:

   Embarrassed about the lack of privacy in the dorms? Akiwumi offers a suggestion.

BY FELIPE CREIGHTON-NUNEZ

Staff Writer

     The Salisbury University football team steps onto the field, excitement is buzzing around, but something seems to be missing – the marching band.

   Several decades ago, SU (known then as Salisbury State College) did have a marching band, but near the latter half of the 70s the idea fizzled out.  

   Recognizing this need, a group of students formed the SU Pep Band a few years ago with the aspiration to one day become a full-fledged marching band.

   The SU Pep Band consists of about 20 members and includes drums, bass and wind instruments. Members can borrow from the music department if they don’t have their own.

   The band’s main focus has been on football games with the occasional basketball game, but Club President Emily Grundy said she is looking to expand the group to perform at other sporting events as well.

   Besides adding more sports to their performance list, Grundy said members are involved in community outreach to create an organization that will truly endure. Grundy said the club has invited members of the local high schools’ music departments to come join the Pep Band and perform at sporting events in an effort to include younger students and reach out to the Salisbury community.

   SU has gained notoriety in the athletic world due to its sports teams, with a possible rise from D-3 to D-2 in the near future. The need for a marching band has once again arisen. 

   When the crowds are patiently waiting for SU’s teams to emerge and the game to start it is the marching band, not a PA system, that will pump up the crowd during those critical, down to the last minute times that are a hallmark of sporting events. With their school’s colors proudly displayed, and their music serving as both a rally cry and a warning to the opposing team, the game will be hard fought and unite the entire SU community.

BY JORDAN PELAVIN

Staff Writer

     The Presidential Citizen Scholar program offered by PACE was a highlight on Salisbury University’s campus to many students.

   PACE, the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, offered lectures and political programing at Salisbury University for the last 15 years. However, this year PACE has not reappeared on campus, but instead will be going through a rebuilding period. Over the summer, political science professor Adam Hoffman stepped down as director of PACE.

   According to Harry Basehart, a professor emeritus and founder of PACE, an interim director has been hired. However, he would not reveal the identity of who the director will be.

   When asked if the interim director is a current professor at SU, Basehart answered, “yes and no.”

   However, Basehart indicated that he is confident that the program will be up and running again at least by next semester. In the meantime, the program is switching office space with the environmental studies department.

   Students have been left with very few answers as to why the program is on hiatus this semester. The website has stopped updating, and no emails to PACE affiliated accounts have been answered.

   Emails from The Flyer to the PACE office and to it’s program directors were not returned, but many in the campus community feel saddened at the loss of the program. 

   “I am surprised it was discontinued” said Alex Wehrenberg, a junior. “Considering the idea of the program was not only promising, but important in today’s politically heavy society.”

   The program aimed to help spread political awareness and activism on campus, which many in the general community feel is lacking in college aged students.

   Tre Williams, a junior also expressed negative feelings about the end of the program.

   “It makes me a little sad that more students will not be able to gain the same appreciation for politics and a changing society as I had,” Williams said. “I think that the fact that this program is now gone shows how our campus is changing and how not all of the changes are for the better of the students. Sometimes having a bit of the old school in our campus community works better, however I am hopeful that maybe this program was discontinued because a new and better program is on the edge of breaking ground.”

   PACE was founded in 1999, and has been heavily involved on the campus ever since. During the last election cycle PACE registered people to vote and educated them on how to make informed voting choices on issues and candidates. 

   The PACE website explains that its organization is “committed to providing students with opportunities for further intellectual advancement, opportunities to become involved in their local community, sponsoring internships, procuring research projects, as well as organizing lectures and events that help students to become active ‘citizen-leaders.’

   “I thought the program was very informative. I learned how to connect to my elected representatives to host interviews, ask for recognition under legislation, and how to show other people how to do this as well,” said Wehrenberg.

   Though this isn’t a national election year, there are still political events happening within the state and the community. The race for the Governorship is starting to take off, as well as for other offices around the area.

   In elections that aren’t national, PACE is able to share information that isn’t easy to see in the headlines.

   Though many agreed that the program was an asset to campus, not everyone knew that it existed.

   “I think that it may have been discontinued because not enough people knew about it and it wasn’t a popular as it should have been,” said Williams.

   “Although politics do take up most of today’s conversation, not many college-age citizens are interested in politics,” said Wehrenberg. “So the overall apathetic attitude towards politics is probably why it was discontinued.”

   PACE programs informed, and also allowed students to express their opinions.