I would like to comment on the article published on Nov. 17, 2011 about the students who were victims of the car accident on Nov. 6. I, along with many others who read the article, were angry as to how the article made the accident seem to be the student’s, who were victims, fault. The article, while mentioning how the students were hit by the alleged drunk driver, only mentioned how students should make good choices while drinking. If the article was meant to address the alleged drunk driver, who was not a student of Rowan, it did not appear that way at all. The three students who were in the accident had not been drinking that night and “looked both ways” as some would think people forget to do.

The students were in a large group of 10 people who just so happened to tag along on an adventure with their friends. While the article chose to argue that people fail to cross in crosswalks, however, what I would like to point out was that if the group had been crossing at the crosswalk they would have all been hit by the alleged drunk driver. The students looked both ways and took the time to make sure it was safe to walk. How were they supposed to hear a car that came speeding around a corner and failed to stop? As someone who heard the accident and witnessed the aftermath, there were no sounds of brakes screeching to a halt only the sound of sudden impact.

It was a sight that I hope no one should ever have to experience in order to truly understand the effects of drunk driving. The article infuriated me since having been a witness to the scene, I am friends with all three of the victims and know from a personal account that they had not been drinking and were using the utmost caution when crossing the street. To read the quotes in this article commenting that, “if you choose to drink, use caution,” and that, “it’s important for all students to remember to look both ways when crossing the street,” was very rude and disrespectful to the students who had lost so much from the accident. Two of the three students hit have not been able to return back to classes due to injuries, and this article was only a slap in the face to them. The only way for accidents to have been prevented was if they never left their rooms in the first place, only contradicting the quote referring to students being encouraged to have a good night life .

If Rowan wanted to prevent accidents such as these maybe the Safe Walk & Ride should not have been suspended. As a student here I have used Safe Walk & Ride when off campus and felt it wasn’t safe to walk home alone. Many students who attend Rowan live off campus and a shuttle that only goes to on campus locations is not beneficial. The Rowan Shuttle does not stop for students unless they are at the location of the stop and does not pause to wait for any potential rider. Overall, this article I feel was very inconsiderate to those injured in the accident as well as all those who were affected by its aftermath. In the future, if you plan on writing an article, it would help to have more information on who you are accusing.

Sincerely,
Amanda Duffy

Kelli Hennessy of nearby Woodstown hit Rowan students Jaci Halm, Julia Ranuro and Rebecca Semon around 1:45 a.m on Sunday. While Ranuro was treated and released from Cooper University Hospital and Semon declined treatment at the scene, Halm suffered critical injuries as a result of the accident. Her right leg was broken in three places, and has had multiple surgeries in the past few days.

“It looked like a murder scene,” said junior Ashley Brown, who witnessed the event.

According to nj.com, Hennessy was charged with driving while intoxicated, along with three counts of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle.

All three victims are members of Alpha Epsilon Phi here at Rowan, and their sorority sisters are not sitting by idly. They have already taken up a collection to help Halm purchase new clothes to accommodate her injury. Halm will have to be in a full leg cast for up to six months, and possibly even longer depending on how her recovery goes.

Halm currently serves as the President of AEPhi, and is also the Recording Secretary for the Student Government Association.

“She is so determined and passionate in everything she does,” says junior Catherine Anzano. “Everyone in our sorority and around campus looks up to her because she is such a hard worker and cares so much about the people around her.”

Anzano has taken charge of the collection, and can be reached at anzano22@students.rowan.edu. Brown notes that even a simple, small donation can make such a difference.

Route 322
On Oct. 8, an 18-year-old girl was pulled over on 322 for swerving side to side in her lane.  The girl claimed to have only drunk one Long Island Iced Tea, but her drunken mannerisms led the officer to believe otherwise, so he asked her to get out of the car and perform a sobriety test.
The first part of the test was to say the alphabet, starting with letter “C” and ending with “S”, and to not do it in a singsong manner.  Aside from the fact that not singing the alphabet is almost impossible to do, this should be doable; it’s not like she has to do it backwards.
Too bad she missed the letters “I”, “J”, and “K”.  Missing three letters in a shortened alphabet doesn’t even make sense.  Yeah the not being able to sing part is complete crap and against every American’s instinct, but how loaded do you have to be to score an 82 on an alphabet test, (14 out of 17 letters)  She also failed the take nine straight steps test, and the stand with one leg six inches off the ground test.  I’m guessing she’s got to be a .2 percent B.A.C.
Turns out she was a .08 percent, after drinking one Long Island Iced Tea and two Keystone Lights.  I really hope this girl’s second language is English and has naturally bad balance.

Although these briefs are a sample of actual incidents reported by Public Safety please note, creative license has been taken.  The full report can be obtained at the office of the Department of Public Safety in Bole Annex. Rowan University  Detective Bureau anonymous tip line: 856-256-7428.

Pronounced “me-so ripped,” the delivery service is now marketing itself to students who are exactly that; too drunk to drive a car or walk to Glassboro’s late-night food stands.

The owners and operators of the business were once Rowan students. They now use their skills learned here to start the company.

“We found ourselves saying how cool it would be if places like McDonalds and Checkers delivered,” said Tiffon Turner, a 2007 graduate. “The students love the idea. I mean, what student wouldn’t love to have these places deliver to them late at night?”

With competitive rates – $3 delivery charges for any order under $15 – Miso Ript expects to take advantage of businesses that do not offer delivery services. Soda and sandwiches from Wawa, burgers and fries from McDonald’s and coffee and donuts from Dunkin’ Donuts can be at your door in a short period of time.

“It’s pretty cool. I ordered from Taco Bell before,” said Sean Peterson, a senior law major. ”It got there pretty quick, but I didn’t like paying the three bucks for the 15 dollar order. I’d rather just tip them regularly.”

Students across campus are almost guaranteed to have encountered “Miso Man” stickers. As a part of an alternative marketing campaign, Miso Man stickers have been placed around campus of a man in red sunglasses and an afro being held back by a Japanese style bandanna. They are meant to intrigue students with an eclectic glare.

While they strive to set themselves apart visually, they also have a high standard for what gets delivered to students.

“The one thing that sets us apart from other campus delivery places is that we don’t deliver alcohol or tobacco,” Turner said. “If you’re looking for someone to drive you booze or cigarettes, you’ll have to find someone else. We won’t do it.”

Business hours are also meant to cater to a crowd that is young and hip, but have lost their fine motor skills. From 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, with an extension to 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, open until 1 a.m. on Friday, and closed on Saturdays and Sundays; students can order from a long list of restaurants and eateries.

Prizes are also a staple of the business, with free t-shirts being given out to its first customers when it began last November. Students who order are entered into a raffle to win a free net book.

To place an order call 732-620-6540, or go online at misoript.com. Tips for delivery service are expected.

Just a few days later, Maher, 25 of Cape May Court House, made a decision that would take him off the soccer field and put him in prison. On March 7, Maher struck and killed Hort Kapp, 55, on the Atlantic City Expressway while driving drunk, altering his life and the lives of many others forever.

“I flipped several worlds upside down,” Maher said. “Decisions will determine your destiny.”

Maher pleaded guilty on Oct. 7, admitting that he had been drinking in Philadelphia at two bars before deciding to get in his car with a friend and drive to Atlantic City. Maher will be sentenced in January and is facing second-degree aggravated manslaughter, and 10 to 30 years in prison.

Maher had been playing soccer for as long as he could remember. He was the captain of Temple University’s team from 2005-06, was drafted into the Men’s Indoor Soccer League in the first round and was second pick overall to the New Jersey Ironmen in 2007. By 2009, Maher had played two years professionally with the Philadelphia Kixx.

“I always felt untouchable,” Maher said.

Maher has been visiting local high schools and colleges to spread his story. As he waits for his sentencing, Maher hopes to spread the message to young people good decision making.

On Tuesday, Maher visited Tim Zatzariny’s composition class. Teresa Thomas of the South Jersey Traffic Alliance, was also in attendance.

“Some things cannot be undone,” Zatzariny said. “I’ve never seen someone go out and talk to people while they were waiting to be sentenced.”

Maher told the class that he was supposed to be the designated driver on the night of the fatal accident. But, when he reached the second bar, he was depressed about tearing his ACL and had run into college friends. A few drinks and some shots later, Maher and his friend Michael V. Filachek decided to continue the part in Atlantic City.

“Speed limit didn’t matter,” Maher said. “Seatbelt? Who cares?”

Maher got behind the wheel of his Cadillac Escalade and drove about 30 miles before he struck the back of Kapp’s SUV, sending the two vehicles into separate directions. Kapp’s vehicle flipped and Maher’s landed on all four wheels. Neither Maher or his passenger were injured, but the collision killed Kapp.

Maher was put in handcuffs after refusing a sobriety test. Maher did not know that the accident had killed Kapp until the next morning at the police station.

“My heart dropped to my toes in disbelief. I thought, ‘there’s no way this could be true,” Maher said. “I was you, I went to college, I graduated. I made a living as a professional soccer player. But none of that matters now.”

Maher expressed his remorse for the situation and said that he had written a letter to the family of the victim a week after the accident. Maher found out last week, through a victim advocacy program, that the family had received his letter.

Maher’s words struck a chord with Zatzariny’s class.

“A lot of people really don’t realize that your decisions can impact everyone. Matthew changed a life, and you come to realize, it can happen to anyone,” said Carly Fowler, a senior political science major.

Kevin Ketcho, a freshman mechanical engineering major, also felt effected by Maher’s speech.

“It’s weird seeing someone that is going to jail,” Ketcho said. “It could happen to anybody. You could see yourself there.”

Maher said that after his sentence, he is excited about the prospect of playing soccer again.