Change at UMass

University of Massachusetts Amherst was born in 1863. From that day and until now the university has undergone huge amounts of change. What once were only four wooden buildings has tripled into a major public university. On April 29th, the university celebrated its one hundred and forty-fifth anniversary of its founding. The “New Dirt” program helps with UMass’ future campus development.

As of now there are 407 buildings on the UMass Amherst campus. Thanks to the New Dirt program, there are five projects in process for the near future. The projects are as follows: the Central Heating Plant, the Integrated Science Building, the Recreation Center, the Skinner Nursing School Building Renovation, and the Studio Arts Building.

The Central Heating Building, which should be completed by March, 2008, will support the university with electricity. Another building (already in the making) is the Integrated Science Building, which is projected to be available for the Fall of 2008. One of the most highly anticipated new projects is the Recreation Center which will supposedly be open Spring 2009. The renovation process of Skinner Hall continues, even though the construction was said to have been completed by October, 2007. The final project, the Studio Arts Building, is now completed and classes will be held there next semester.

The New Dirt projects have come with mixed feelings on campus, but the general feeling from students is that the construction is for the good of the school and will benefit everyone in the long run. Jenna Spataro, a senior at UMass said, “ It’s going to make our campus look beautiful in the end.”

weather take 2

Happy Founder's Day

The 29th of April is a significant day in the University of Massachusetts at Amherst's history. That day is called Founders Day, and this past Tuesday was the one hundred and forty-fifth anniversary when Governor John A. Andrews signed a bill to fund a state school for farming and agricultural sciences. Through time, that small school flourished into what we now know as UMass Amherst.

To celebrate this significant event on campus the University provided an outside barbeque, appearances from the UMass Minutemen Marching Band, Governor Deval Patrick and the University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson. However, due to New England's sporadic weather, the event was moved inside into tents and the Fine Arts Center. Students were notified the night before about the change via e-mail.

The on and off rain showers did cause a dip in attendance, but those who came out to see the governor speak said they were happy with what they saw. "I like the tents, I think it's great, and inside the Concert Hall it was nice," said Katelyn Haggerty, a sophomore Music major.

Not every student shared the same enthusiasm, however. "I don't even know why I'm here. I've never heard of Founders Day," said Devin Teagan, a senior and Food Service employee who was working in the food tents. Other students at the celebration noticed that most of the people in attendance were high schoolers on a field trip.

Altogether, there were positive and negative reviews of the event. Positive in that many different types of people from the Amherst community came to celebrate. And negative as the weather ruined this outdoor event. Whether positive or negative, Founder’s Day is a huge achievement in the history of UMass and definitely should be celebrated in one way or another.

Apple's iPhone too fragile?

I went back to my favorite blog and wanted to see the latest technology advice from David Pogue. This week he and a reader had a talk about the fragility of the iPhone. The reader wrote to Pogue about his cracked phone. The concerned writer said,

"This past Friday, my iPhone inadvertently slipped out of the case and hit the concrete sidewalk. The glass panel front cracked like a spiderweb in the upper corner, and a single vertical crack went from top to bottom."

As a purchaser of an iPhone, when you buy the phone you know how delicate the product is. Altogether, you learn that there is NO INSURANCE on falls, spills, or rough-housing. Unfortunately this unlucky buyer accidentally dropped his phone, and was in a predicament- What do do??

Furthermore the writer did his research and found that in order to replace the phone, one would need to pay $245 dollars to turn in the phone for a refurbished phone. Moreover, that the glass screen costs only $10-12. The writer than proceeded to complain about this procedure and wanted Pogue's advice.

Pogue answers the writer where he barely sympathizes with him saying,

"You bought an all-glass device. It doesn’t really make sense to expect it to withstand the same handling as a plastic or metal clamshell phone like the Razr—an all-glass machine will be more delicate. (Even so, I’ve actually managed to drop iPhones a couple of times, and I’ve found the glass surprisingly scratch- and crack-resistant.)"

I do have to agree with Pogue because one needs to take precautions especially when you buy a phone as expensive as the iPhone. As time progresses Apple may do something to make it more durable but for now there is really nothing they or you can do.

I've used a number of different methods of keeping my phone intact and clean. For example, definitely investing in a good case, a screen tape to keep dust and cosmetics off the screen and cleaning supplies. All in all, the iPhone is not your typical phone. In the past you could drop a phone and not have a care in the world. The iPhone on the contrary needs to be treated very delicately or else.....

ABC Launches New Network, TWO

ABC is known as one of the top networks on T.V. As if that isn’t enough, the network plans to launch their new network, TWO for Spring 2008, which will offer five new series: “Perfect Killer,” “What Exit,” “YouNews,” “Campus Life,” and “Survivor Island”.

TWO was created during the 100 day Writer’s Guild Association strike. Since ABC experienced a decline in ratings, executives decided to use TWO as a comeback. Stephen McPherson, President of ABC Entertainment, is anticipating TWO’s debut and success.

“ABC is the #1 network with women 18-49 and TWO is designed to attack the same demographic using ABCs recipe for success” said McPherson.

Four out of the five programs debuting on TWO are reality series. ABC producers decided on these types of shows due to the Writer’s Strike turmoil. Moreover, neither writers nor actors were available.

In order to promote the network, ABC and ABC Family will run frequent advertisements about the new network. Furthermore, different websites will be publicizing ABC’s newest project. Network producers feel that in order to receive as much viewership as possible, commercials will be aired during popular ABC programs.

Altogether, ABC representatives plan to spend $3,280,000 on advertisements and publicity.

Monica Gleberman, an ABC representative claims, “ TWO will be the next largest network”. For more information on TWO tune into ABC, ABC Family or ABC.com.

Weather/ Intramural

Intramural Sports