Last March, Binghamton University’s own Raincoat Company was a bunch of rowdy boys with an immense amount of untapped potential. Now, after some member shuffling and a newfound drive, it seems as if they’ve gotten their act together. The band is made up of four seniors — lead singer and guitarist Mike “Face” Sposato, lead guitarist Bob Ryan, bassist Max Slonim and self-proclaimed height man, Ariel “Elemeno” Plotkin — and a sophomore, Wayne Papke on drums. Raincoat Company’s members share a lot in common, but one of their biggest bonds is their love of music. Their tastes are eclectic, ranging…

The move off campus from the dorms is a symbol of personal independence and moves you one step closer to adulthood. But while you may have already figured out complicated things, like paying your electric bill before buying those boots or video game you’ve been longing for, figuring out what to eat may be more difficult than you thought it would be, especially when you no longer have a meal plan. Running back to your dorm or the closest dining hall to grab lunch is no longer an option, and eating fast food at the Food Court in the New…

Victor Hugo once said, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent.” If you’re having a hard time figuring out how to express your feelings this Valentine’s Day, sometimes turning to the great musicians of the world to say it for you is your best option. Creating a successful Valentine’s Day playlist or mix CD is an art form, and with billions of love songs to choose from, it can be a little daunting. One of the key things to remember, though, is that one man’s romantic gem could be another’s tacky piece of crap,…

With only eight episodes, “Jersey Shore” has won the hearts of millions and pissed off even more. The depiction of eight Italian-American self-described “guidos” and “guidettes” has left Italian-American groups, New Jersey legislators and the town of Seaside Heights up in arms, but hasn’t prevented the show from becoming a pop-culture phenomenon. The show quietly crept onto MTV’s lineup in early December, but gained tremendous momentum two episodes later, largely as a result of the now infamous “Snooki punch,” which quickly became a highly popular video on YouTube and spiked the show’s ratings. Robert Thompson, founding director of the Bleier…

Health report updates over the past few weeks may have left a large number of women in a state of confusion. Last week, the United States Preventive Services Task Force released a statement recommending that women begin screenings for breast cancer at the age of 50, not at 40 as had been previously suggested by both health care professionals and the American Cancer Society. A few days later, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a report suggesting that women need not receive their first Pap smear, a cervical cancer screening, until the age of 21. It was also…

Understanding the opposite sex can undoubtedly be confusing. There’s a boy code and a girl code, and there are even predetermined lengths of time you’re supposed to wait to call so you don’t come off as a creeper. You may find yourself asking why women are so coy and men so clueless, or why men are afraid of commitment — but have no fear, these questions do have an answer. Joe Quirk, author of the best-selling book “Its Not You, Its Biology: The Science of Love, Sex and Relationships” will be answering most of your questions on Thursday, Nov. 19…

When walking past room WB06 in the basement of the New University Union, one can’t help but feel a little intimidated. Home to WHRW Studios: the front room is full of band stickers, paying tribute to artists from The Kinks to The Kooks, an old-school arcade machine and usually a wide assortment of characters lounging on couches, working on computers or simply joking around; but WHRW is so much more than that. Besides the front room, WHRW is made up of a conference room, two sound studios, a room for on-air interviews and a room which houses all of the…

Movement was barely an option inside Barton Hall at Cornell University Sunday night. The former armory and current home to Cornell’s indoor track and field team was filled with students sandwiched together in a sweaty mass, despite the space around them. Laughter and gossip reverberated through the 25-foot ceilings, yet members of the audience remained rooted to their spots, marking their territory and snarling when it was challenged. The lights fell and the stage became illuminated with blue light, causing the crowd to scream, unifying them in a single moment of passion. The lights flicked back on, revealing Maroon 5’s…

Every student has a different method of procrastination. For athletes, it may be going to the gym, for pot heads it may be baking (literally and figuratively), but for the average college student, it’s spending countless hours trolling the Internet — whether it be Facebook, YouTube, or collegehumor.com. Sunday night (a.k.a. prime procrastination time), Jeff Rubin and Streeter Seidell of MTV’s “The CollegeHumor Show” will be performing a sketch comedy routine at BU’s Anderson Center at 7:30 p.m. The event is the first show this year put on by Student Association Programming Board Variety Chair Ashlee Yilmaz. “I’m personally a…

For most students, college equals freedom. Freedom to eat what you want, to stay out until the bars close, to not go to class or, for some people, have sex. While having sex could be a score for one person, it may end up being quite a loss for the roomie who now has to sleep in the study lounge. Even though sexiling may be outlawed at other universities across the country, (see Tuesday’s “Binghamton students retain right to ‘sexile’ roommates”), it is still a common occurrence. But what do you do when you find yourself locked out of your…

College students have sex. Whether it is a one-night stand or a long-distance significant other visiting for the weekend, chances are as a college student, you will probably be having sex in your dorm room. While in most schools it is common courtesy to leave a Post-it note or sock on the door, at Tufts University, having sex while your roommate is in the room is no longer allowed by the administration. Starting this semester, the school has updated its overnight visitor policy and mandates that residents “may not engage in sexual activity while [their] roommate is present in the…

The time of year has arrived when your classes in the Lecture Hall have become a symphony of coughs, sneezes and sniffles, but with the added threat of The Swine, we have to be even more careful not to spread or fall victim to germs. So next time you brave it Downtown in the October weather, please keep the following in mind and make your campus a safer place: Bring your own cup If you plan on going Downtown, it might be a good idea to bring your own cup so as not to spread germs. Not to insult the…

The weekend is coming closer and you’ve yet to find the perfect outfit. You’re used to the trendy boutiques and higher-end stores that you can find at home. You scream after a trip to the Oakdale Mall (trust me, we’ve all done it). Well, never fear because the store you’re looking for may be closer than you think. M.Y. Boutique, located at 134 Washington St. in Downtown Binghamton, sells a variety of higher-end clothing that you wouldn’t find anywhere else in the area. The store features clothing from Free People, BCBG, Seven for all Mankind, Joe’s Jeans, Citizens for Humanity,…

When you think of a band from Franklin, Tenn. you may envision banjos and honky-tonk, but when it comes to punk-pop band Paramore, they’re breaking all the rules. Led by red-headed beauty and powerhouse lead-vocalist Hayley Williams, the band built up a steady fan base with the Warped Tour crowd by putting tracks up on emo-heaven Web site purevolume.com and touring with emo band Cute is What We Aim For. The group eventually gained mainstream success with their single “Misery Business,” which was released in June 2007 and went certified platinum in September 2008. The single led Paramore to be…

The age of 18, when an American citizen becomes a legal adult, marks many rights of passage — the ability to vote, enlist in the army, get a tattoo or piercing and buy a pack of cigarettes. However, many college campuses are beginning to prohibit that last rite of passage. As of this month, there are over 300 colleges that enforce “100 percent smoke-free campuses” according to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, including University at Buffalo, the first SUNY school to enforce the ban. Buffalo established the UBreathe Free policy for the 2009-10 school year, prohibiting smoking anywhere except for…

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of years, you should know that the economy is pretty bad. So whether your parents are helping you out or not, odds are you’ll have to take out a loan or two to pay for your Binghamton University education, and let’s not even talk about grad school. However, while loans may be necessary in this economy, students need to be conscious of what their effects are. Dennis Chavez, director of Binghamton University’s Financial Aid Office, suggests that students only borrow what is necessary. “Clearly, students should attempt to minimize…

It’s two in the morning on Friday night, and while most of the world is sleeping, the average Binghamton University student is dancing his or her heart out on the Scoreboard dance floor or downing beers at Tom & Marty’s. The music is blasting so loudly you can barely hear yourself think and all you need is an escape. Escape State Street, nestled in the quiet Washington Street alcove at number 163, is the brainchild of Alex Pfaffenbach, a BU alumnus who graduated in spring 2009, Andrew Nolan, a senior philosophy, politics and law major, and Endicott native Dustin Maldonado,…

Diana’s Picks 1. Blazers First came the boyfriend tee, then the boyfriend jeans and now fall 2009 brings the boyfriend blazer. It’s the easy way to add extra “oomph” to a simple pair of jeans and a plain tank top, or create a sophisticated outfit with a high-waisted skirt. Featured: Silence & Noise Boyfriend Blazer — Urban Outfitters, $78 Get the Look for Less: Mossimo Boyfriend Blazer — Target, $29.99 2. Leather Jackets A great addition to many designers’ collections this fall is the leather jacket and, for once, it actually makes perfect sense. Leather is a great material to…

It’s time to face the facts: summer is over and reality has begun. But while most of you spent your summers catching some rays at Jones Beach or sailing around Lake George, I got to spend my time right here, in this lovely city called Binghamton. Before July 1 (when my lease began) I didn’t have a place to live apart from the dorms, and I have to admit I was a bit flustered. My street had its own drug dealer and my next door neighbor was the proud owner of about five pit bulls. I was alone in a…

Although some students in high school relationships decide not to take the risk and become long distance, others feel like chancing it. Being in any sort of relationship in the hectic college environment can be difficult, but adding a few ― or a few hundred ― miles can be even worse. J. Thomas Cousins, Ph.D., clinical director of Binghamton University’s Counseling Center, suggests that like all relationships, communication is key. “In order to maintain (a long-distance relationship) you need regular communication,” Cousins said. However, like all areas of life, having a healthy balance is necessary, and Cousins warns against e-mail…

Jer Coons is not your average 20-year-old. While most people his age are heavily preoccupied with figuring out their majors, Coons is trying to figure out what will be the next move in his music career. Despite the fact that he is already on his second full-length album, set to drop in late September, and his first single “Legs” will be playing in all Hollister stores beginning this month, Coons, who has never been in a Hollister before, is surprisingly modest. “I don’t have a crazy list of accomplishments,” Coons said. His wide-eyed naivete, which can be seen most clearly…

While most incoming freshmen have left their beds, their old sneakers and their dogs behind, some students have left something else behind as well ― a broken relationship. Breaking up with your significant other before college is commonplace. How else are you going to explore and get to know yourself? But like all breakups, getting over it can be difficult. J. Thomas Cousins, Ph.D., clinical director of the University Counseling Center, has been part of Binghamton University for years and has seen his fair share of heartache. According to Cousins, one needs to remember that there are two sides to…

It’s a Friday night in your friend’s dorm room and you’re pregaming harder than most people party. The JC Westside will be leaving in 10 minutes, so you hand your learner’s permit and colored pencils to your most sober friend. She quickly changes your birth year from 1990 to 1980, and you think you’re all set for a night Downtown. Fake IDs are a common staple for Binghamton University students. How else are you going to get into Tom & Marty’s and play drunken Jenga? But the normality of it all causes students to forget how serious of a crime…

Gay marriage bills are being reintroduced in many states across the country, perhaps a sign of changing times. But while older generations —and governments may be beginning to accept relationships other than heterosexual ones, a new sexual orientation is giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “object of my desire” — the “objective sexual.” The objective sexual, as explored in the UK documentary, “Strange Love: Married to the Eiffel Tower,” is someone who professes not only to be in love with an inanimate object, but that the love is real and reciprocal. “We love objects and many of us…

Since the advent of the Internet, social networking Web sites have become increasingly popular among users. Social networking Web sites focus on self-made, personal content that people can update at a rapid speed, and the sites allow users to interact with many people easily and cheaply. “These sites offer the most convenient known way to perform social functions such as inviting all of your friends to a birthday party, later posting the party pictures, and still later discussing all of the funny antics and expressions,” Anne Kellerman and Palmer Agnew, adjunct lecturers for the computer science department at Binghamton University,…

Dear Billy Baldwin, I want to become a successful actor. What can I do while at Binghamton University? What did you do? Sincerely, Desperate in Digman “I didn’t study acting at Binghamton, so how it prepared me for my future is sort of a challenging question. Having said that, the arts programs at Binghamton are outstanding and the drama department is excellent. If I could do it all over again I would. Although, I don’t know if I would have been a drama major only; I think I would have double majored in political science and drama. I graduated from…

A recent Binghamton University study reveals that peer victimization in high school and middle school can be used as an indicator of sexual behavior in college students. The study was conducted by Andrew Gallup, a second year graduate student looking to get his Ph.D. in ecology, evolution and behavioral sciences; Daniel O’Brien, a third year Ph.D. student; David Sloan Wilson, a biological anthropology professor; and Daniel White, a professor from the University at Albany. According to Gallup, males who were victimized during adolescence reported fewer sexual partners per year, while females who were victimized reported more sexual partners and were…

You’re hanging out with your significant other when their phone starts buzzing. You notice the name that flashes on the screen is one of the opposite sex. Your lover picks up and delves into conversation. Your boyfriend has girl friends. Your girlfriend has boy friends. Many popular culture platforms insist that opposite-sex friendships can’t exist, from movies and television shows like “When Harry Met Sally” and “Friends,” to popular music like Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend,” which ends with Biz warning fans, “Don’t ever talk to a girl who says she just has a friend.” But opposite-sex friendships are very…

After nights of coming home from the Rathskeller Pub empty-handed, you’re finally able to change your relationship status on Facebook from “single” to “in a relationship.” You’ve locked it down. Good for you. Now you won’t have to worry about stress from the opposite sex, right? Think again. Dating is a large part of the college experience, and many end up meeting their spouses in college. However, juggling friends, clubs, and a boyfriend or girlfriend while still trying to maintain a decent GPA may be a challenge. “Having a healthy relationship is about balancing your schedule and the ability to…

The first week of the semester has just ended and Aaron Butler, Student Association vice president for programming, is already looking at the bigger picture. With a current budget of over $100,000, $75,000 of which is allotted to larger acts and events, Butler has already booked the mid-sized rock band Eve 6 as the main event for Spring Fling, to be held on May 2. The band performed a successful concert at Johnson City’s Magic City Music Hall in May of last year. “They’re a really good band with a decent following,” Butler said. “I think they’ll put on a…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again. Andy Williams and Frank Sinatra have overtaken the radio airwaves and department stores. You have probably contemplated throwing the speaker across the room until it breaks. But if you want to be merry without the redundancy, you might want to check out these alternative holiday/wintery tunes. 1. “Maybe This Christmas” — Ron Sexsmith 2. “Mistletoe” — Colbie Caillat 3. “Someday at Christmas” — Jack Johnson 4. “Winter Song” — Sarah Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson 5. “All My Bells are Ringing” — Lenka 6. “The Heartache Can Wait” — Brandi Carlile 7.…

Winter break is approaching, and while some students can’t wait to go home, others may feel a sense of apprehension. Whether it be the apprehension of leaving a significant other or seeing them for the first time in months, long distance relationships seem to affect many college students and can undoubtedly be stressful. According to Cindy Hazan, a psychology professor at Cornell University who specializes in emotional bonds between adults, undergraduate breakups have a tendency to peak during September, December and May, or when students are returning home or going back to school. “Distance is a risk factor for breakups…

It’s that time of year again. No, not the holidays — it’s lease-signing time. While moving into your first house or apartment is difficult enough, you may find yourself faced with an even harder decision — whether or not you should move in with your significant other. In the past couple of decades, the “next step” of a committed relationship has become cohabitation. A study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that over half of married couples between 1990 and 1994 had lived together before getting married. But how can you be sure that taking…

With the advent of the Internet in the 1990s, communication has become much faster and easier than it was for other generations. It is because of this that an Internet diction has emerged using abbreviations, acronyms and symbols to express larger feelings in a shorter amount of time. The abundance of Internet use in our generation has created a new colloquial speech in which abbreviations are used frequently. “From the linguistic perspective, it’s not surprising,” said Douglas Glick, assistant professor of anthropology and linguistics program director. “Creative new terms and new creative language that appears in one area of social…

Chuck Norris will roundhouse kick you if you do not vote for John McCain, but Robert De Niro will give you a mean scowl if you don’t vote for Barack Obama. With that in mind, will that influence who you vote for? In recent months, celebrities have taken over the political scene. They can be found all over the Internet, television and even college campuses, but this time they’re not promoting their latest film or album — they’re endorsing their favorite presidential candidate. Celebrity endorsement, however, is not a new trend. The Rat Pack famously endorsed JFK in the 1960s.…

School’s been in session for about a month now. The party scene may be losing its luster, so why not spice up your Saturday with a pumpkin spice beer? On Sept. 20, the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park will be holding their sixth annual Zoo Brew, a beer tasting with seasonal beers from about 15 local breweries. Douglas Weeks, the special events coordinator for Ross Park, said they try and have a variety. “We try to get the smaller [beers] that people haven’t heard about,” Weeks said. “Stuff you couldn’t get in your local grocery store.” The event, which starts…

When it comes to test taking, there are several factors that must be taken into consideration. Where you’re going to sit, what pen or pencil you’re going to use, making sure all bathroom business is taken care of and your stomach is satisfied. But, one thing that’s probably not on your mind is what fashion statement you’re going to make when you enter that room full of anxious classmates. Below are several possible outfits that could possibly make or break your test taking experience. Comfy/Casual: The path most traveled by university students. It includes sweatpants or pajama pants, a loose…

While the fraternity parties are winding down and students began the sloppy trek to the Rathskeller Pub and The Sports Bar, another bar on State Street receives notably less attention from Binghamton’s party animals. Merlin’s, located at 201 State St., is distanced from the hustle and bustle of the better-known part of State Street. Its neighbors include apartment buildings and a diner. This past Friday was like every other typical Friday, as a slightly tattered rainbow flag flew proudly in the wind and Madonna’s “Vogue” was blaring as people made their way to the spacious dance floor. At first glance,…

Spring is allegedly upon us, the flowers are supposedly coming back to life after their winter hibernation and something else is being revived as well — many of your favorite television shows. Since November 2007 the Writer’s Guild of America strike has crippled Hollywood, leaving millions of fans left to deal with the absence of their favorite programs until February 2008. One of the first casualties of the strike was the award-winning sitcom with a cult following, NBC’s “The Office.” Fear not loyal fan, “The Office” is back in business next Thursday, April 10. Working in an actual office can…

As the old adage goes, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” but don’t forget that women love to eat too. Cooking for your loved one (or potential loved one) can be beneficial on multiple levels; it can be a subtle way to show them you care, give them a thing to add to the list of your good qualities, or serve as a way to get out of the doghouse if necessary — all while saving cash. Before you cook for your significant other, be sure to give the notion some thought before your trip to…

You probably consider yourself environmentally conscious because you might recycle every week, use paper instead of plastic bags and try to use disposable plates and cups as little as possible. That’s a great start, but why not take another big step and make your wardrobe environmentally conscious too? Hear the words “eco-friendly clothing,” and you may envision an entire ensemble made out of hemp. But don’t worry, you don’t have to look like you’re wearing a burlap sack in order to help save the environment. Starting in the early 2000s, clothing companies have become increasingly conscious of organic cotton and…

After a full day of classes you return to your room, your sanctuary, only you’ve got an unwanted guest invading your personal space — your roommate. They eat your food, play their favorite band Creed loudly at all hours and never go to class. Don’t you wish College-in-the-Woods offered singles? Finding the right roommate can be tough. He or she is someone you will be spending most of your time with, sleeping next to and perhaps, with their permission, stealing their Easy Mac. Being assigned a roommate at random can be tricky business, as there is only about a 50/50…

This Valentine’s Day may not have been the best. Maybe your boyfriend/girlfriend forgot to make the reservations and you had to eat dinner in Newing Dining Hall. Or you’re just not in a relationship right now. For most of us, Valentine’s Day is often not a scene out of a romantic comedy. Fear not, it isn’t the end of the world. Coping with a crappy Valentine’s Day is as easy as one, two, three (and four, five). 1. Buy your own presents. If you’ve spent the whole month walking down department store aisles filled with stuffed teddy bears and heart-shaped…