Archive for January, 2004

Where were the snow shovels?

Friday, January 30th, 2004 | Staff Editorial

The paths are still slushy. Five days after the snow fell. Considering the University’s somewhat neurotic attention to snow removal in past years, this is a horrible disappointment, not to mention a safety hazard.

Saturday night the University was conscious of the impending storm. According to Paul Norman, the horticulture and grounds manager, the University salted on the paths running through the South Forty. However, this preemptive salting was the only effort made by the University to combat the snow. On Sunday when the snow was falling, there was no attempt to shovel any of the paths through the Forty or main campus. On Monday morning, after the snow had ceased to fall, hundreds of students trekked through inches of snow on their way to class.

Norman said that the snow was difficult to remove due to the sheet of ice underneath. However, there is a big difference between incomplete snow removal and nonexistent snow removal. Until Tuesday the paths through the South Forty were left untouched; not just between dorms, but the major pathway leading from the Forty to main campus by way of the underpass. This is a heavy traffic area that is subject to icing. The underpass is especially dangerous, as the sloped walkway can become extremely slippery.

Some of the paths on main campus were cleared, but not well-salted. A prime example is the path in front of the Lab Science building. Though the snow was removed, a sheet of ice remains, making for difficult walking conditions. Norman said that the calcium chloride used on the paths does not always fully melt the ice. However, in those locations where the University attempted to salt sidewalks, it again fell short of satisfactory quality. Instead of being evenly dispersed, the salt was found in clumps, leaving the rest of the path coated in a sheet of ice. This is especially concerning after Wednesday’s above-freezing temperatures, as much of the snow melted, only to re-freeze as ice.

Due to inadequate snow and ice removal, students have spent their second week of classes either wading through slush or sliding on icy walkways. The University should be concerned not just with whether paths appear cleared, but whether they are truly safe for students. Most students are not comfortable ice skating to class.

It was a monster mash

Friday, January 30th, 2004 | Matt Simonton
IMDB.COM

Monster
Starring: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern
Directed by: Patty Jenkins
Playing at: The Tivoli
Grade: A-

Most people simply know the serial killer biopic “Monster” as the film in which gorgeous actress Charlize Theron looks “ugly.” And while the former model is indeed “uglyfied” by splotchy makeup, fake teeth, and 30 pounds of excess fat, her performance is nothing short of beautiful. Her role as prostitute Aileen Wuornos helps make “Monster” a truly moving film, one that benefits from great acting and a complex, realistic story.

It’s a story that’s been told before. Filmmaker Nick Broomfield already directed two documentaries about Wuornos, who rose to fame as the first (and possibly only) female serial killer in history. While Broomfield did a fine job capturing the complexity of the case, first-timer Patty Jenkins has brought the story to new, vibrant life with a tale of love, guilt, disillusionment, and hope. Few films have ever created a world so real yet so intangibly original, where scenes played out seemingly before a hidden camera are given a wonderful cinematic touch.

Many have accused “Monster” of being too sympathetic towards such a cold-blooded killer. But sympathy isn’t the right word. What we get is the whole picture of a life cursed from the get-go, of childhood princess dreams that turned into turning tricks. When we first meet Aileen, she’s sitting under an overpass on a rainy evening, with a five dollar bill in one hand and a revolver in the other. It’s that five bucks that keeps her from taking her own life-she figures if she doesn’t spend it, she would’ve given that last blowjob for free. Stumbling into a gay bar, the loud-mouthed Aileen seeks to ward off any “dykes,” but that doesn’t stop her from going home with the cute Selby Wall (Ricci), a burgeoning lesbian who’s been kicked out of the house by her pastor father. Soon Selby and Lee, as she introduces herself, are making out to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” at the local skating rink, much to the dismay of Selby’s guardians.

Unfortunately, this new romance, Selby’s first and Lee’s first decent one, is interrupted by a tragic incident. In an attempt to earn some last-minute date money, Lee finds herself alone with a menacing john who professes that he “loves [whores] and hates ’em” before knocking her out. When she wakes up bound and bloody, Lee wriggles free and shoots her would-be killer in self-defense, triggering an avalanche of emotional release from all the pain she’s endured since she was 13. It’s not long before she’s on the road with the na‹ve Selby in tow, leaving a trail of dead johns in her wake (men who become increasingly sympathetic characters, ranging from a bumbling virgin to a tragic good Samaritan who just wants to help).

While Lee’s ruthless murders are the true conflicts in the story, they play second fiddle to the incredibly nuanced interaction between Lee and Selby. Combining elements of “Thelma and Louise” and the ill-fated love affair from “Boys Don’t Cry,” Theron and Ricci make their characters the year’s second best duo. (Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, anyone?) They possess the elements of a realistic relationship: lust, love, jealousy, support-all things anyone who’s been in a long-lasting relationship will attest to. And they are anything but stereotypes-Ricci brings a youthful spunkiness, vulnerability, and optimism to Selby, but she’s also downright conniving. When Lee tries to go straight and get a real job (providing some of the film’s funniest moments, such as when Lee, in a really bad dress, tells a lawyer and his secretary to go away), Selby convinces her to start hooking again in order to fill her starving belly. And in one particularly creepy moment, when a car-jacking victim turns out to be a cop, Selby sternly orders Lee to get another vehicle by whatever means necessary. At times she seems a little confused or starry-eyed, but this isn’t some shortcoming on Ricci’s part; it all fits perfectly with Selby’s “innocence lost” persona.

But let’s not forget Theron, the true behemoth (figuratively and literally) of “Monster.” Some people apply a layer of makeup and they think they’ve magically become their character. Theron IS Aileen Wuornos. She’s that filthy mouthed, chain-smoking, trashy customer in Shoney’s who assaults the manager when he tells her to put out her cigarette. She’s a brutal serial killer whose crimes become less focused and more desperate with every john left dead with his pants around his ankles. She’s the hardened, emotionally damaged whore whose former beauty has withered away with every abusive pimp and five-dollar blowjob. And, most importantly, she is a human being capable of love and dignity. By the film’s end, Jenkins convinces us that no one is ever truly a “monster,” but circumstance and bad decisions can lead to deadly consequences (Wuornos was executed in 2002). Watch Theron as Aileen, and see if you don’t contemplate her incredible, disturbing story for days on end. And look past the “ugly” makeup to see one of the best performances of this year, or any for that matter.

All Real Numbers

Friday, January 30th, 2004 | David Freeman
DAVID FREEMAN

Apple is the Mac

Friday, January 30th, 2004 | Greg Fulco
Bernell Dorrough

Two-thousand three was a big year for Apple computers, and tech columnists clamored to write about it. Just this year Apple released the svelte new iPod with iTunes, the first legal music service, Virginia Tech built the world’s third fastest supercomputer with off-the-shelf PowerMacs at a university palatable price, plus “Cold Mountian” and “Intolerable Cruelty” became the first feature films to be edited entirely on Macs with Apple’s Final Cut Pro software. Nonetheless, fairly frequently in the news media Apple is portrayed as some sort of financial tragedy, with CEO Steve Jobs as its tragic hero. Almost every article cites the same ancient list of Apple’s technological contributions, and their confounding lack of financial success or market share. In 1984 Apple released the Macintosh computer, the first to employ a Graphical User Interface and networking all at an affordable price, essentially making modern computing as we know it possible. At Apple’s height it only held 15 percent of the personal computer market-now they have about 2 percent. Their annual revenue is only in the billions, instead of tens or hundreds of billions like other tech companies credited with fewer meaningful contributions. So it does seem like a tragedy that Apple computers aren’t everywhere and that Steve Jobs isn’t the richest man in the world instead of his contemporary Bill Gates.

Quite frankly this type of analysis is useless to understand Apple, and emblematic of a larger problem related to how businesses are appreciated. First, there’s more to the technology industry than making a buck, and being small has significant virtues for making quality products. It’s totally presumptuous to believe that Apple’s primary motive is to increase revenue and have a gigantic number of users. This would be the agenda for most companies, which seem to believe that their only purpose is to make more money. Apple seems to believe its purpose is to contribute important work to technology while providing customers with quality products and services that benefit their lives.

Apple has the unique role of setting trends with innovative technology, while most other companies just follow. The essential vision for the personal computer and its uses was authored at Apple, and was ultimately realized and appreciated by all personal computer users, even if most of us bought the imitations from less creative companies. If you use a mouse, you do so because of Apple. If you use a high capacity MP3 player from Dell or Creative, it’s because Apple made the iPod first. If you’ve edited a video on a computer, it’s because of Apple. Furthermore, Apple continues to expand on that vision with products like the iSight web-cam and their suite of digital lifestyle software. Most recently the technology Apple has been among the first to deploy are 64-bit processors, DVD burners, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 and Firewire. This is a huge achievement in an industry that often rushes at the expense of design and quality. Apple is often the first to market with new technology and makes it spectacular, while the PC vendors are still struggling to catch up.

As a small company Apple is able to be more deeply collaborative and agile, with fewer external responsibilities; further enabling them to define or enter new markets as needed. Apple products are emblematic of a rare creative process in the industry that seems cohesive and cyclical, yet not inefficient (the new iPod took roughly 9 months by some reports and was their first consumer electronic product). Big companies, on the other hand, need big successes to keep all those shareholders happy. They can’t afford to take risks on new technology, enter an emerging market or cater to a niche market, let alone begin a new one-Apple clearly can. Also, smaller companies are able to keep departments more closely connected. This way tech support can discuss frequent points of user confusion or system failures with the designers and engineers who made them. That can be difficult if you’re a giant computer company and you’ve outsourced your tech support to India and someone else makes your operating system.

The only real tragedy is that more businesses, schools and just everyday home users don’t benefit from using Apple computers. Every detail of Apple products is carefully considered, often demonstrating great empathy for the user. They are as exceptionally designed and built as they are a joy to learn and use. I don’t feel sorry for Apple for not making more money, I feel sorry for all the people not enjoying their products firsthand. And for some of those people price is a factor. However, when I carefully analyze comparable systems I often find that the prices are almost identical, with Apple sometime even being less expensive. When I encounter an Apple product which is more expensive, I don’t just see it as an arrogant markup. I see it as compensation for all their research and development, and I consider that an investment in the improvement of technology.

Do men experience baldness “down there”?

Friday, January 30th, 2004 | Jill Ringold

Do men who experience baldness on their head eventually experience baldness “down there”?

As we get older, everyone’s hair thins. Even down there. But most people don’t end up “bald.” Over time, however, you can expect what hair remains to turn grey or even white. Because the amount of pubic hair lessens over time and the color lightens, it could appear as if one were “balding.” Topical products that are designed to stimulate hair growth on your head are not meant to be used for your genital region. If you are feeling like your sparsely-populated pubes are a problem, please consult with a doctor before trying to stimulate Chia Pet-like growth on some of your most sensitive skin!

My girlfriend won’t take off any of her clothes unless it is totally dark. What is wrong with her?

Nothing is necessarily “wrong” with her. It’s possible that your girlfriend is new to dating and relationships, and may not be as comfortable as you are with aspects of being intimate. She may be modest about her body and not as at ease as you are with being undressed. Try slowing things down and give her a chance to feel more relaxed sharing her body with you.

It’s also possible that she doesn’t feel very confident or comfortable with her body. The dark allows her to hide and prevents you from really seeing her. It’s going to be difficult for her to get much pleasure from your physical relationship if she feels uncomfortable with her own body.

Try to work on ways to help her feel better about her body. Talk with her about why she feels more comfortable being in the dark. Don’t be frustrated if after you tell her how beautiful you think she looks, she still feels the need to hide. Her shyness about her body has little, if anything, to do with you.

Also, men typically like to “see” what’s going on, while for women it’s usually more about emotions and what’s in their heads. You might try explaining that you really like seeing her body while you’re touching it. Help her to understand that for you it’s about being intimate, not just seeing her naked.

Doing something not specifically sexual, like giving her a back massage, could potentially help to ease some of her discomfort. If she’s willing to take off her shirt with the light on, she could lay on her stomach while you massage her back. Helping her to feel more comfortable with you, in a non-sexual situation where she’s not fully exposed, may be worth trying.

Questions?

How many times have you had a question about your body or your health that you felt weird asking a friend or someone older? Especially when it’s about sex? Jill Ringold, who received her master’s degree in Public Health and is a certified health education specialist, is the health educator in the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness. And she’s here to help answer those questions that you really want to ask. If you want to submit a question, please send it to [email protected] or via our anonymous portal on the Student Life website (www.studlife.com).

Recent metalcore roundup

Friday, January 30th, 2004 | Travis Petersen
Bernell Dorrough

Metalcore, or metallic hardcore, is currently one of the most prominent subcultures in the punk underground. It mixes the riffs and speed of both genres together and usually has scene-specific lyrics or anti-social rants delivered in a growling voice. Generally, this music is hard to take, but for some listeners it is music that means something. It’s urban and suburban blight music, heavy metal with the pretensions stripped away like a scab to reveal the blunt, angry wound at its core.

There have been a glut of high-profile metalcore releases recently, and here is Cadenza’s attempt to sort through them in an orderly fashion. Read on if what you want from music is anger, anger, and more anger.

Most Precious Blood
Our Lady of Annihilation
Trustkill Records
Grade: C

Brooklyn, NY’s Most Precious Blood has been around for some time, and were once known as Indecision. MPB play a stripped-down, raw style that is almost all riff. On their first album under the Most Precious Blood moniker, “Nothing in Vain,” the style worked to a T, anguish and hatred pouring from the speakers. Their original vocalist has been replaced, though, and on “Our Lady of Annihilation” they sound like any other thuggish band with baseball caps and heavy guitars.

All Out War
Condemned to Suffer
Victory Records
Grade: A

Recording on the label that has been home to many of metalcore’s most respected bands, upstate New Yorkers All Out War have crafted what may be a hardcore masterpiece. Lightning quick guitars and double bass drums, horrifying vocals and a concept centered around the end of the world have this album in the same territory as Slayer’s “Reign in Blood.” This is truly music to scare your parents/roommates/neighbors with.

Darkest Hour
Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation
Victory Records
Grade: D

The Darkest Hour, from New Jersey, sound like they’re from Sweden, copying almost note-for-note the Gothenberg death metal sound that emerged in the mid-90s around bands like At the Gates, In Flames, and the Haunted. The sound they copy is an interesting one, and those unfamiliar with the melodic death metal pioneered in Gothenberg might find this to be an entertaining listen. It is highly unoriginal, though, and when held up to the classics of the genre, it doesn’t cut it.

Every Time I Die
Hot Damn!
Ferret Records
Grade: B+

Every Time I Die is the smartest, funniest metalcore band around. Tempering their musical attack with tongue-in-cheek lyrics and song titles-“Pornogratherapy,” for one-the band illustrates that though they take their music seriously, they don’t take themselves too seriously. Their sound is also somewhat unique, the high speed metallic parts interspersed with southern rock guitars and well-sung vocals. The songs are catchy without resorting to pop clich‚, and overall, the album works.

Beloved
Failure: On
Solid State Records
Grade: C-

Beloved are in the new school of metalcore bands with, get this, a Christian background. Along with Zao, Norma Jean, and Living Sacrifice, Beloved try to show that indeed Satan didn’t get all of the good tunes. In Beloved’s case, however, they could have used a little more devil in their devil’s music-the guitars lack edge, and the vocals drift from screams to melodic croons in an uncreative and unoriginal manner. There are a couple of good tracks, but this record is nothing more exciting than could be heard on mainstream rock radio anytime, any day.

Shai Hulud
That Within Blood Ill-Tempered
Revelation Records
Grade: C+

Shai Hulud are probably the weirdest of the bands profiled in this piece. Their music involves a lot of intricate time changes, tempo shifts, and a genuine schizophrenic feeling. The lyrics leave a lot to be desired, however, and the songs are too long-Shai Hulud sins in the name of art a few too many times, often saying in five minutes what could have been said in half that time. There are also a strange amount of instances where the band seeks to remind the listener that it is sincere-but they come off sounding sincerely pretentious.

Poison the Well
You Come Before You
Atlantic Records
Grade: B

Poison the Well are on the artsy side of metallic hardcore, playing with sound and texture a lot more than most of their peers. They also vary their songs, often following peaceful interludes with bludgeoning, mountainous attacks. This, their major label debut, is not as good as their previous two albums, but it’ll get the job done. Strangely enough, there seems to be a lot of Radiohead and Incubus influence on various tracks.

Unbroken
The Death of True Spirit
Indecision Records
Grade: A

Unbroken, based in Southern California, were one of the first bands to mix metal and hardcore. Though they only existed for four years-1991-1995-their influence reached far beyond their popularity. This collection of their two out of print albums is the blueprint for metalcore, and puts nearly all of the band’s followers to shame. With admiring liner notes from members of the Locust, Bane, and Most Precious Blood, this is a true document of heavy music history.

Super Bowl XXXVIII Predictions

Wednesday, January 28th, 2004 | Sports Staff
Bernell Dorrough

We looked into our crystal ball and scoured the Hilltop to find out who you think will come out on top this Sunday in Super Bowl XXXVIII, when Tom Brady and the plucky New England Patriots take on Jake Delhomme and the fierce Carolina Panthers. Did Chancellor Mark Wrighton guess right with the Panthers or will Interfraternity Council president Andy Loewenstein triumph with his pick of the Patriots? Get the snacks and your beverage of choice ready, because it’s time for the biggest game of the year. Check it out on CBS this Sunday at 5:25 p.m.

Chancellor Mark Wrighton:
“Panthers by six…. should be an interesting game.”

James MacLeod, vice chancellor of students and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences:
“The Rams. But if I were forced to pick, I would say it’s Carolina’s year.”

John Schael, athletic director:
“Panthers. I think they’re at the top of their game, and they want it. They have a real strong desire to win.”

Chris McArdle, junior:
“The Panthers will win in a close game. Relentless pressure from their front four will undoubtedly have Tom Brady going down quicker than Paris Hilton backstage at a Sum 41 concert.”

Eric Borden, sophomore:
“Panthers win 21-17. I just wanna give a shout-out to all my boys from Charlotte. Tom Brady may be hot but Jake Delhomme is more mysterious.”

Justus Benjamin, junior:
“I think Carolina will win on a blocked punt by Ricky Manning Jr. which will open the floodgates. Carolina will win by 20. Jake Delhomme is Super Bowl MVP. And Tom Brady will be exposed for the lie that he is and throw three picks, one for a touchdown, and finally the world will know Bill Belichek for the complete and utter figurehead that he is and maybe this will inspire him to switch from the hoody and sweats to a leather jacket and slacks like all other respectable coaches. Because of this win, Coach Fox wins the south, and the democratic party nomination.”

Chris Mitchell, sports information director:
“Carolina. My main reason in picking Carolina is they beat the Rams and I’m a big St. Louis Rams fan.”

Erin Ly, sophomore:
“Panthers. Wait, who’s playing? Are you gonna put this in the paper and make me sound really stupid?”

Carter Li, junior:
“To me, the best part of the Super Bowl is that I learn how to count in Roman numerals and I’ve got two cases of Zima.”

Andy Loewenstein, Interfraternity Council president:
“New England. They’re from a place where it’s really cold and I think that they’re more seasoned to put up with a lot of the pain and I’m from Wisconsin so I know what it’s like to put up with a lot of pain from the cold.”

Michael Jackson, junior:
“My prediction is that neither team will score, the game will be 0-0 and never end. I would like to add that I dislike the Patriots and sincerely hope that the Panthers win.”

Brian Lipstein, sophomore:
“Patriots win 24-10. When I think of Carolina I think of a bunch of hurricane-fearing senior citizens, not football fans. And especially not Super Bowl winners.”

Nick Kalscheur, sophomore:
“Patriots win 6-3. You mean the playoffs continue even after the Packers are out? Honestly, after God took Irvin Favre’s life and failed to compensate Brett with his second championship, I have renounced my faith.”

MetroLink construction continues

Wednesday, January 28th, 2004 | Kelly Donahue
Bernell Dorrough

With winter well underway, construction on future MetroLink stations north of campus presses on.

Throughout December, several advances were made in construction of the Skinker and Forsyth stations. According to MetroLink’s website, foundation work was begun on the underground Skinker facility, with tunnel excavation to the east and west of the Forsyth station now underway. A retaining wall was also installed to the east of Big Bend.

Foundation work and construction of the mainline barrier wall for the Skinker Station will continue throughout January, and tunnel excavation at Forsyth is still in progress.

According to Cathie Farroll, the project communications manager for MetroLink Cross County, this civil construction will continue into 2005, with completion of the Skinker facilities set for the summer. Winter 2005 is the expected end date of civil work on the Forsyth station.

“What comes after the civil construction is work on the transit systems, including work on the tracks and the catenary power system, which carries electricity overhead to run the car and propel it forward or backward,” said Farroll.

The signal and communications systems must also be created, as well as fare collection points.

Many residents of the Village were unhappy with the noise disturbance they experienced last fall as a result of the nearby construction, but complaints seem to be subsiding as construction continues.

“Recently, I haven’t had any direct complaints [from students],” said Cheryl Stephens, Residential College Director for the Village. “People are kind of stuck with it, and we know that progress comes at a cost.”

Although the final project will not be complete until 2006, most of the finishing touches needed for the facilities nearest to campus will be underground and less of a nuisance to those on the Hilltop Campus.

“West Campus is right by our Forsyth station, where more of [the work on the transit systems] will be visible, and these station finishes will continue right up until the middle of 2006, when we will be ready to open,” said Cathie Farroll.

Although the MetroLink system has seen a decrease in passengers in the past few years, funding for the construction of the Cross County project has not been affected.

“The project is already completely funded,” said Farroll. “Funding for the project is already in the bank, and now we are paying for the bills as things need to be paid for. The funding was actually completed before construction began, which really took one of the big headaches out of the way.”

Farroll expects that Washington University students will use the future facilities to their advantage.

“Given what parking on campus costs and the corridor that is served by MetroLink, I would expect that we [will] see students clamoring to find housing near MetroLink stations,” said Farroll. “All parts of campus will be accessible.”

“It’s going to be a great service between the different parts of campus,” she added. “In conjunction with the shuttles already being run by the university, stdents will really benefit.”

French grad student’s recent death mourned

Wednesday, January 28th, 2004 | Cory Schneider

Marie Blondiaux, 27, a doctoral candidate in French languages and literature, died Dec. 10, 2003.

Born in Abertville, France, Blondiaux came to Washington University after receiving her undergraduate education at Universite Jean Moulin in Lyon, France in 1998 and earning her master’s degree from Portland State University in 2001. She enrolled at the University in the fall of 2001.

Blondiaux served as a teaching assistant to an Arts & Sciences French 101 class this past fall. As a doctoral candidate, she was beginning the dissertation stage of the program and was scheduled to earn a doctorate degree in two to four years. She also tutored local elementary students in the French language.

“Marie was an excellent student who did very well in her courses here,” said Pascal Ifri, Ph.D., associate professor of French, speaking to The Record. “I also observed her as a teacher. She was very good in the classroom and had an excellent rapport with her students.”

According to Ifri, Blondiaux enjoyed children and animals. She was also fond of playing squash and swimming.

A memorial service in honor of Blondiaux was held this past Friday at the Newman Center, presided over by Father Gary Braun. Braun said that he did not know Blondiaux, but that he consoled her friends in their time of grief.

Student carjacked at gunpoint on Wash Ave.

Wednesday, January 28th, 2004 | Justin Choi
Bernell Dorrough

Two weeks ago, a Washington University student rolled down his car window to respond to a stranger’s query for the time. As he began to give directions, the student turned toward the stranger and found himself confronted with the barrel of a pistol. The man then demanded the student’s wallet, ordered him from the car and stole the vehicle.

This carjacking is the latest in a series of reported crimes on and around the Washington University campus. It occurred Jan. 14 around the 6600 block of Washington Avenue in University City. The victim, whose identity WUPD would not release, was waiting to pick up a friend when the gray sweatshirt-clad individual approached the car.

Since the crime was committed in University City, the University City Police department is investigating the case. The victim is a University student, so the WUPD is cooperating with University City officials, but ultimately the city will handle the case.

“This is a jurisdictional kind of thing,” said University Chief of Police Don Strom. “The incident occurred in University City. Once we were advised of it, we issued a crime alert to people living in the area where this incident occurred. We offer assistance to University City, but it is their responsibility to conduct the investigation and take the initiative.”

University City Police officials were unavailable or declined to comment at press time.

For its part, the WUPD posted crime alerts in the surrounding area. The alerts advise students living off campus to renew their vigilance for precarious situations and offer some new suggestions for preventing carjacking.

“In this particular situation, if someone does ask [students] for information and they choose to answer, they should do so with their window rolled up,” Strom said.

According to Strom, those who choose to answer should also be prepared to quickly drive away if threatened. In the event that driving away is not possible, motorists should cooperate with the assailant(s) and get to safety. They should then notify the authorities.

Another potentially risky scenario can take place while getting out of the car, said Strom.

“If you’ve got a car and you’re driving [home] and you see something unusual in the neighborhood, don’t stop,” he said. “Drive around until whatever made you feel uncomfortable isn’t there anymore and then let the authorities know about it.”

Strom also stressed that students should feel free to contact the police.

“If they see suspicious activity, [they should] let the police know of that suspicious activity and let [the police] decide [what to do],” said Strom, “That’s what the police are there for.”

Strom explained that this carjacking appears to be isolated. He commented that it was the first carjacking to occur in that area in his recent memory.

“I’m shocked, because I thought that the vast majority of problems occur either North of Delmar or east of Skinker,” said physics graduate student William Sherwin, a resident in the vicinity of the crime area.