O CENS

RED

University of Connecticut
Dept. of Anti-Fuckery

esse liberum, esse bonum

Dear Freshmen, Freshwomen and Transfer-People, Welcome to college, welcome to UConn, and welcome to your freshmen disorientation! This next chapter of your life will provide you with ups and downs, of triumphs and struggles. Boozing, binging, stressing, and de-stressing a whole slew of emotions and activities that will shape you and your peers for life. You may be saying to yourself, Great, but Ive heard all of this before. Do I really need to hear it from you, too? Well, you can decide that for yourself, but wed like to say yes, because at the Free Press, we are here to give it to you straight; with no bullshit, no spin, and no trans-fats. To be blunt: we hate that shit, and we know you do, too! Within these pages, you will find our best guesses at answers to some of lifes most daunting, vital questions: Why? Huh? and ZOMG how could they!? And we deliver you those answers in style, with humor, and without reservation. We are an anti-fuckery media organization, and thus we write about the things you (yes, YOU) as UConn students, teenagers and 20-somethings, citizens of America and the world at large, care about. Armed with the freedoms of the First Amendment, we use our articles, stories, fancy artwork and the most poetic of poetries to tell you the things we think you ought to know. So read our issues, spread em to your friends, and if youve got something on your mind, feel free to tell us about it. Maybe youll see it in an issue. And should you ever find yourself feeling that UConn aint got no heart, then I say: Ya just gotta poke around. The Free Press is sure to be out and about somewheres. Keep scheming yall. Love, The Free Press UConn Department of Anti-Fuckery

freshman on fire

I was a freshman like you were a freshman like you are full of hopes and dreams specifically and eagerly deceived. And then I was on fire skin peeling burning for release. I was a freshman like you were alone with my flames that even though it tried sometimes it could not melt my soul. And there will be times when you walk through campus blazing flames begging to be seen or heard and no one will give a hot turd. But other times you will find others on fire friends and you all shall blaze joyfully content to have chosen UC to be. Blazing blue you shall laugh. Smoke? Drink? Party? Maybe run naked through hallways. And in between it all pick up some knowledge. I was a freshman like you are. And it was beautiful- blue flames that licked away at what you now think is an eternity of endless nights endless ice endless tree endless credits endless life. Well a few years down the line you may look back and realize the exact moment your blue flame began to die your blue blood began to thin and reality came stealthily creeping hard and bold splashing water cold on your hopeful soul. -Nyanka Joseph

MCMAHON Used to have the worst food on campus, but now its home to the longest lines. Its nice if you dont want to have to put on real pants to go and eat.

CONNECTICUT COMMONS Groups of singles, great if you like your friends but not really. Has an outside grill in the center for you culinary or dont have a meal plan types.

ALUMNI Not bad, some floors are divided by gender and its halfway between south and McMahon dining halls. If you get in here be happy, you could do a lot worse.

WEST Its got a putting green and a volleyball court. Dont congregate in the gazebo, ITS A TRAP!

SOUTH Nicest dorms on campus. Its got a big ass dining hall and a grab and go. A good mix of suites and singles. My guess is that if you live here you own more than one Frisbee and play regularly in the quad. You can also get free condoms here. *wink wink

BUCKLEY Honors freshman dorm. I wasnt an honors freshman so I have no fucking clue what goes on here, I would assume some sort of study party.

SHIPPEE Its on the east side of nowhere. The only buildings you wont have to walk 30 minutes for are arjona and Montieth. But if you have classes in there you have bigger problems to deal with.

HILLTOP Its on top of that hill behind the gym. Hence the name. Love stairs? Live here. Garrigus has rooms that you can control the temperature so if youre sick of waking up sweating, you could do worse.

NORTHWEST Its the same fucking thing as north. But slightly to the left.

NORTH Like sweating your ass off for no apparent reason? Then you might wanna check this place out. Mostly underclassmen. Kind of dirty and old.

BUSBY Its hidden behind north so its quite and its suites, so thats pretty sweet. You can adjust the thermostat and it has big ass closets, like Hilary Clintons ass big.

TOWERS Might as well be halfway to 84, hope you like walking 40 minutes to get to anywhere. Also, if you love giant fucking hills, youll be right at home.

HUSKY VILLAGE Its for frats and sororities, who the fuck knows what goes on up there? Human sacrifice or some shit.

EAST Hippies.

THE REAL HOUSING GUIDE

BY: B. CAWS

NEVER A HOME: A TRANSFER STUDENTS PERSPECTIVE

B. Caws

My senior year at UCONN marks my first year in college where I didnt transfer schools. I started in 2009 at Western Connecticut State University and I quickly discovered that I didnt want to graduate from the worst school in the state with 90% of my high school graduating class so I transferred to UCONN Waterbury. After a year at that loathsome city, I skedaddled here for my junior year; and now Im back for my last one. The intimidation factor for changing schools is certainly high, especially when you dont know anybody at the new school you switch to. I now understand all those high school movies where the new kid moves to town. Moving into a dorm where you dont know anyone on your floor or even your roommate is scary. Knowing which teachers are easy or hard, which classes will consume your life, where the parties are on Saturday: all these things that most students take for granted that I no longer do. Transferring and being a freshman are similar but at the same time they are completely different experiences. All of a sudden it isnt fine to get lost around campus; I would only look at those big maps around campus when nobody was there because I felt like Im too old to not know where everything was. I dont have an alcohol hook up here I guess Im not having fun this semester (but of course I would never drink alcohol underage, thats illegal). Its not alright to know that South is closed from 2-4. What the hell is a flex pass? We didnt have this anywhere else. Husky bucks? Is that like monopoly money?

I cant say that everything Ive experienced from transferring so many times has been negative. Changing so many times has actually forced to be more social and not spend Friday nights on Reddit. You have to get involved; opportunity isnt going to find you. I know Im not alone in transferring so many times and Im sure somebody reading this is in the same exact boat that I was in. Im sure most of you have adapted to changing schools but there might be a few of you out there who arent so heres a few pro-tips for you. Use common sense. Get involved. Say whats up? to the guy who always sits next to you in bio, or that chick who lives down the hall, you know that brunette who lives in the corner room, no. the other corner room. Yeah, that one. After three immensely different major changes, and as many transfers with credits that didnt carry over its nothing short of a miracle that Im graduating in four years. At this point I can clearly say that Im just about ready to graduate and I wouldnt change the way I did it. I became more social, actually saved a bunch of money and I think I learned more about myself then I would have had I stayed at the same school for four years.

Freshman Experience
After the conclusion of syllabus week and moving into your new dorm at UCONN, it really starts to set in that you have literally been thrust into an entirely new social sphere. This sphere exists right outside your door, constantly surrounds you with its intense influences of academia, and education, but also partying, intimacy, and other things classified as crazy shit. I know, as does any other upperclassman, that all of these influences can be entirely overwhelming, because weve been there, weve witnessed engaging them or not, and weve all been susceptible to them as freshmen at one point too. So what is one to do, how are any freshmen supposed to have a good time and have college change their life in the best of ways? The answer I have for you so far has been passed down to me from upperclassmen above me and hopefully down to others as well. Its not really that big of a secret, but sometimes seems harder to do than initially perceived, because it requires you to stop focusing on all surrounding influences. Literally, just fucking be yourself, be who you are, do what you like to do, learn what you like to learn, eat where you like to eat, talk to who you like to listen to, dance how you like to dance, and be content with the fact that however others may judge you, that you do you, and you just fucking be yourself. The reason why being yourself is the key to a good freshman experience and a life changing, awesome college experience, is because it will allow you to gravitate towards others to whom you connect with in a way that actually matters. Instead of staying in your dorm watching mindless TV every night after classes, get out there and do something radical. This could

by Titus Ezekiel Abad(ass)

range anywhere from having a conversation with a stranger to dancing your ass off in some corner of the library...And I know everyone says get involved and it sounds so lame after being said so many times to so many people but, get the hell over it and listen to yourself: would you like to waste your evenings dorm drinking yourself to sleep, or would you rather meet people that are passionate about the same things you are and take each other to a new level of awesomeness? You as a UCONN student have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals and enhance your life. Join a club or organization, become a member of some sports club, or go to a school show or performance, sit down with a stranger at a dining hall, actually talk to or ask your professors something instead of throwing up notes from their lectures in your notebooks. Seriously, college gets so much better than a walk to carriage amongst hordes of drunken biddies. Biddies, who cant even remember your name, or their dignity, when stumbling over drinks with their snapped heels, or ass holes with Bros4life beer splattered hoodies, arent really the types that bring happiness to your life. So I suggest being yourself and meeting the people that like to hear you speak and listen to your words, the people that will tell you a story or something you didnt know and bring a smile to your face. Just imagine the great

times youll have partying with people you get to know, if you already have good conversations and connections throughout the school week, it could be so much better. When you can work, converse, and educate one another as friends, it only improves your raging so much more.

My freshman experience is a bit different than the companions of my class. I came to UCONN not knowing anyone that closely, having a random roommate semesters ahead of me, and was broke as hell without a job. I met some people, and tried to have a chill time hanging out with people from high school, but there was nothing to fathom. Things were dull and rightfully so because there was no spark. So it was time for me to get radical, and I was just waiting for that window of opportunity. It finally came one night, when, I was chilling with this chick from out of state, and this crazy bus pulls up in front of my dorm, obscurely painted with flames and veggies and whatever else spray paint can do. Out of this bus poured people cloaked in fairy outfits with wings, and others dressed as gypsies, playing flutes, singing and yelling loudly, yelling out to me: come on the bus! Come on the bus! So of course I was just like: uhmm, what the fuck? But they were just so friendly and weird and happy, that it moved me, and doing the same shit at school every day was so lame. I wanted to have a good weekend, so whatever, what the hell, I didnt act to fit in with anyone else, I was just myself, I got on the bus, because it felt like the right thing to do. Well long story short the bus was filled with wonderful people happily conversing underneath a trippy painted ceiling, blasting jams like a magical school bus should. These people wanted to know me, and I wanted to know them, indulging in the weirdness of human nature,

and it changed my life forever. Aside from the bus breaking down 2 miles from campus, and me having to deal with the out of state chick I was originally with, crying her eyes out because she was afraid to cross the street at night, I had a spectacular time. After the crazy bus experience I continued to be myself and was opened up to so many new friends, real down to earth people that I loved to get to know, to learn with, to party with, and I can honestly say that is when life changed and college really began for me. Now my days are filled with interesting classes and interesting people. My nights exhibit circles of friends outside east campus, playing music, and dancing like the free people we are, open to the world and down for a good time. So my advice to you for a good freshman experience is to be yourself, dont blend into the cultural norms of UCONN but define your own culture. Get involved, and learn something by doing hard work for what matters to you. Get weird, and dont worry too much about when or how you get back to your dorm because its not going to change your life like the people youre with will. So yeah, fuck yeah. Be you.

art by katie

GESTAPO
Note that if you try to enjoy your stay too much (i.e. by smoking weed or drinking), you will have to deal with the UConn Gestapo. Please allow me to explain how to walk away unscathed. Ill start with a few basic things. Dont be a dumbass. Dont smoke in your room. Dont smoke in obvious places; UConn does have undercover cops. If you drink in your room do not host 20 people in your 10x14 foot cell. Reduce the risk of an encounter. Lets say, hypothetically, that you and some friends are enjoying some herbal remedies in the free art space behind Northwest. (Note: Do not go here. This is a bad place on campus to congregate) Anyways, you and your circle are standing there causing little harm when two police officers approach with flashlights drawn. Theres no way out; you cant run and you cant hide. Youre going to have to face them. Chances are youll be scared shitless and freeze up because youve never had to deal with these fuckers before. Just remember a few simple rules. Be polite. Just like your mom taught you. Stay calm, cool, and collected. Dont give them a reason to go Rodney King on your ass. If youre being polite, theyll probably be polite back. This is all in an attempt to gain your compliance. Officer Fuckery will explain that if you give up your kush, things will go much more smoothly. Dont give up your shit. The worst thing you could possibly do is give up your shit. By doing this, youre just waiving all of your Kanye-given rights.

FACING THE

Welcome to the University of Connecticut. Please enjoy your stay.

Next, the officer is going to say he needs to search you to make sure you dont have any guns or knives or hand grenades (exact quote from a prior police-encounter). He has the authority to pat you down, but thats the extent of it. Calmly state that you dont consent to a search. Frankly, most officers dont give a fuck whether or not you consent to a search so theyre going to stick their dirty hands in your pockets anyways. The dude is going to cite probable cause based on the odor of marijuana. Bullshit, I know. Should they find you possessing contraband, be it alcohol or marijuana, youre probably going to be cited with an infraction. This isnt the end of the world, so dont make it worse by insulting the officer or trying to buy your way out. These simple rules apply to the masses that choose to drink as well. While you are less likely to deal with the police if youre just drinking (thousands of underage students walk past the police station wasted every weekend night with no repercussions), it is important to keep your cool. We all know alcohol brings out the obnoxious in people, but dont be yelling about how you smell bacon as they approach. Even if you remember all of these things and exercise your civil rights in the most polite way, the officer might still hand you a ticket anyway. Plead not guilty. Its a pretty simple and painless process that ends up being nothing more than a waste of time. But it will also give you a clean record and you wont lose your license. Its worth sticking it to the man. Stay smart.

APATHETIC
RACHEL LIMA
THE ORIGIN Growing up, my mother was a democrat. I dont remember much about politics before 9/11 and that was mostly because I was too young to be aware of it; but politics were also something my mom never made me focus on. I remember being in lock down in my school that day, an elementary school in Glastonbury, Connecticut. I remember the word terrorist was so frightening some of us cried, panicked at the notion that our school was under attack. This was an important day for me in so many ways and Ive never come to understand its lessons so fully until today; after a long, grueling, confusing string of events I just yesterday became aware of going through. I read an article by a man named Jeremiah Goulka (Confessions of a Former Republican) in which he describes the process of discovering what I also believe to be one of the faults that exist in our modern American political dialog, a discovery that is often deemed a conspiracy theory; he said: We see different realities, different worlds. If you and I take in different slices of reality, chances are that we arent talking about the same things. MY REALITY When I was younger, I liked to play with the boys. In fact, I remember distinctly wishing that I was a boy a lot of the time, even prior to being aware of the varying biological features. I was made fun of, I was underestimated, I was bullied and told it meant that he liked me, but I didnt care. I didnt know TO care. I wanted to be a boy because I had already recognized the respect that commanded (for whatever reason). I endured my confusion silently because it was who I wanted to be, I liked to get dirty, I liked to wrestle, I liked to play football at recess and I liked to go with the boys group when our family was on vacation. I had to laugh when they made fun of me; it was the only thing I knew to do to give the joke less power. I didnt want to be the whiney girl; I wanted to be tough, like they were. I thought if I was always tough maybe I wouldnt be the butt of their jokes anymorebut I was wrong. In middle school I was fortunate enough to come across a group of friends that forever changed my demeanor. They were tough; we didnt take crap from each other, or other people. We were honest, and open, and sincere, and we empowered each other to be weird. It felt good to be a part of a group that being the butt of jokes mattered so much less (even when I cut off all of my hair in 8th grade and I was called a dyke). After being alone and uninformed for most of high school, college quickly became my oasis. There seemed to be, to some degree, this great force of liberal energy that vibrated through the halls of the art wing, another sanctuary of at least attempted judgement-free zones. I didnt know at any time that all of these things would come to define who I am today, or why, because like Mr. Goulka, my epiphany was waiting for me to discover it. MY FRIEND AND A LIGHT Theres one instance in my continuing educational career at my Community College that Ive sited innumerable times, because its telling in all that I fight for now, in all that I have convictions for. What started off as a rather nonchalant conversation somehow turned into a really meaningful one, and moment in my life, where he ended up divulging to me that hed been raped. His honesty took me back, and out of my mouth I heard words that Id never said out loud to anyone other than my best friend.me too. We both started crying and embraced each other. I didnt even know that moment was going to change my life; it wasnt until a few months after that Id started having an interest in politics, and nearly a year later that I read about rape culture for the first time. Article after article, debate after debate, conversation after conversation, that night came back to me more and more vividly. Everything that Id always lived with, everything that Id always seen around me, every time I was silenced, or meant to feel that I should be silent because of the misogyny that exists in everyday life, someone else felt that, had been liberated from it, and made the resolve to never be ashamed again. He told me that night that the more he was open about it, the more he found that openness reciprocated, and generally, with the same awful experiences. In the same light that Goulka saw

I USED TO BE

people without bank accounts, and IDs, Is there an entire off-thegrid alternate universe out there? I begin now to realize that I too have stumbled across an alternate universe, one that until recently I had been a part of; the universe that hasnt yet been awakened to the call of civic duty. The universe in which we all hide our feelings of inadequacy because emotional women are perceived as whiney and naggy, and in turn, men who demonstrate these qualities are like women. A universe that had never considered the effect of subconscious behavior, or institutionalized inequality. A universe full of people that carry the burdens of societal norms while simultaneously acting as if political affairs dont affect them, as if civil rights are a lost cause. And so the spectrum is laid out; what has always been told to us to know, what weve always known consciously (however skewed), and what actually is. THE CONNECTION 911? Middle school? Rape culture? Goulka? Feminism? Rachel, what the hell are you talking about? Alright, alright; listen. Looking back on that day, 5th

photo by josh

grade me, sitting under my desk, clutching my friends hands, switching my stare back and forth from the window to the door, I realize as Goulka did, that my view of how powerful and correct our country is has been skewed. I learned firsthand, real danger or not, what it felt like to be at the mercy of an unknown fear; and now I see that it was that kind of fear that ruled my silent independence as a child. Especially my generation has been taught that because women work now, can vote, that because we grew up among minorities, because gay bars exist, etc., that we are at the forefront of the worlds civil rights movement. Unfortunately, because of that attitude, a lot of the urgency in these matters has been lost. But if I learned anything from my friends in middle school, its that a place of mutual respect despite differences can exist, and out of that respect people dont have to feel alienated by the silent burdens they carry. And if I learned anything from the one boy who decided to divulge a painful secret to anyone who would listen in hopes of being a port in the storm for all who might need it, its that the power of passing on a message has surely

been underestimated, and a call to consciousness is all that can have a lasting effect on you if you choose to be open to it. THE NEW REALITY I started this essay in saying that my mother was a democrat during my life for a very important reason. I was taught, growing up, that it was okay if I ever wanted to date a girl, that women were just as competent as men, that racial minorities deserved equal rights, that government subsidized programs were a hand-up to those who were struggling; as we used them often, and needed them. I learned that I could do whatever I wanted with my life. I learned that education was necessary, that camaraderie and selflessness were virtues, that I had an obligation to others emotional well-being. Even though I was taught all of these things I was still blind to a reality I faced daily, and my logic was skewed because the idea of equality was taught to me as if the fight was long since over. Due to this misconception, I fell privy to instances in my life because I didnt know they existed. In becoming a civil rights activist I learned that simply believing

all of those things isnt enough. I have to act on them, I have to speak about them and not shut up about it, I have to question gender norms, I have to rack through painful memories. I had to begin what would be a never ending fight. My worst enemy now? Ironically, its apathy. These feelings exist in everyday life, from legislation to what happens in the home, what you see on TV, the rape jokes people make, the food youre buying from companies that endorse hate groups. The only thing we can do as non-politicians is to help enforce the attitude we want mirrored in our political system, an attitude that you would want bestowed upon you in your hour of greatest need, an attitude that is unyielding to inequality. BY the people, FOR the people; those words were not chosen lightly, but out of convictions our founding fathers pulled from personal experience and translated into empathy. Never again use the excuse that it doesnt have anything to do with you, because Im telling you now, in every way; it does.

ISNT IT FUCKED UP THAT UCONN...

reduced the size of the walkway in front of the union to put in grass that we cant walk on?

holds important meetings about tuition at the very last day of the semester, when most students have left

doesnt have more than, like, four washing machines per dorm? Seriously.

bought 2 fountains for mirror lake while the art building is so neglected it doesnt even have a fucking bus stop?

arrested students on Fairfiled way, a public space, for trespassing

uses paper and plastic utensils, plates and cups. Hello, going green anyone!?

prioritizes the fitness of its athletes over the opportunity for other students to be healthy

circumvented University procedures to unilaterally strip CONNPIRG students of their Tier III status

exerted authority over off campus residents, turning Carriage effectively into a UConn residence hall, with guest limits

keeps that one door at the Student Union locked in the middle of the day?

spends money on a new basketball training complex, while students are still using old gym facilities?

has such long lines at McMahon dining hall, but so little food?

focuses on the appearance of its campus over the walking needs of its students

has RAs call the police for marijuana offenses, despite decriminalization in CT, and equalized punishments at UConn?

did I mention the parking?

UCONN POLICE

It would be a mistake to think that at UCONN, the student body is safe from the now-infamous abuses of police power seen with the international Occupy protests. I have become an eyewitness to this fact. During the previous semester, as a result of an accusation made with next to no evidence, I was cornered and harassed in my own dorm room by two officers of the UCONN police force. What started as an uneventful evening first began to go wrong after I received a phone call from an officer saying that they wanted to speak with me. Asking about what they needed to discuss yielded no answers, only a reassertion that they needed to talk to me and would come by my dorm. And so I waited, wondering what the reason could possibly be, and afraid something had gone wrong. Upon the two officers arrival, they informed me another student had accused me of stealing from their room, and demanded to know where I had been during the day. At no point was I informed of my rights. I was, on the sole basis of my panicked response,

assumed to be guilty. Cornered in my room, I was shouted at repeatedly and told to confess to a theft I did not commit to make things easier for myself. My neighbor heard the commotion and tried to intervene on my behalf, only to be threatened with arrest.The night passed without an arrest. Thanks to the intervention of my dorms RA and a lack of evidence, the so-called investigation drew no conclusion. The only causalities were my ability to feel secure at UCONN, and the idea that my legal rights would be respected. I was treated as if I had already been found guilty and purposefully intimidated by the people I am supposed to trust to protect and serve the Universitys inhabitants. If people like myself are perceived as being hostile and uncooperative towards the police, I hope that sharing my experience helps explain the reasons for our distrust. Its time for the UCONN police forces unjust, fear-based tactics to be subject to the same scrutiny as their inflated salaries, for the sake of the whole student body.

drawings by ben

Do
Share. Question everything. Think. Act. Visit the Benton. Take the long way home. Be open. Buy the previous edition of your textbooks. Hold the door open for people. Go to the gym early or late in the day. Run outside. Play outside. Be outside. Enjoy nature. Watch the sunrise/set on Horsebarn Hill Take back the night. Let cars drive through intersections. Be good to each other. Install laser tag at Storrs Center. Listen to WHUS. Play your music loud. Fight for your right (To partay). Put yourself out there. Make a new friend. Compliment strangers. Support local businesses. Support local art. Enjoy art spaces. Tag the grafitti wall

Dont
Worry. Do drunken laundry. Litter your cig butts. Litter at all! Smoke in front of doors. Cheat on your significant other. Cmon now. Always play it safe. Steal mopeds. Stop believing. Yell at girls. Yell at freshmen. Give up. Participate in/encourage Rape Culture. Ignore sexual assault. Ignore injustice. Take your points and swipes for granted. Forget to take your laundry out. Buy into stereotypes. Let the bastards keep ya down. Smoke at West Gazebo. Its a trap! Use more than one washing machine at a time. And dont do coke... Freshman year.

audio vandalism
SETH NUDDLE

Artwork by: Titus Abad

Throwing up love for your hometown, a popular theme in todays music but will always trace back to hip-hop. Some say that hip-hop has changed its path into the turn of the millennium, from hip-hop to hipster hop, from baggy jeans and Jordans to tight jeans and vans. From the struggle to fitting in, transformed into the struggle to stand out. This idea of hipster kid rap has become more of a trend than LiveStrong bracelets and draw on mustaches. One of todays top kid rappers is right from our backyard. Chris Webby is one of Connecticuts own, and has shined his way into the mainstream spotlight with samples from hit artists such as Aloee black, and ATC. While Webby admits he loves the spotlight, he never stops to say how he doesnt appreciate Sam Adams rise to stardom, an adversary in the kid rap game. On the other side of the spotlight, things look a little darker. Right down the highway, a college dropout from Boston named Mr. Lif talks about all the wrongs hes seen since he started spitting back in 95. Mr. Lif released a song titled Obama making a statement about the state of which the country was left in before President Obama was inaugurated, that the land in which he felt has a major pitfall looming behind every alleged opportunity. Some topics brought up in this song reach as far as health privatization, bombs, Americas control over the Middle East, and propaganda that happen to still exist in our country to this day. Mr. Lif has the rapper knowledge of Immortal Technique, the production of Unified Tribes could be something you hear from old school Nas, and a creative rhyme scheme has you singing along. Thievery Corporation, an electronic downtempo band, which has taken many progressive political stances on war, exploitive trade, and

supporting human rights and food programs, produced Unified Tribes. Songs such as The Cosmic Game and Richest Man in Babylon were aimed to attack Bushs administration. Both Thievery Corporation and Mr. Lif feel that if you are confident about something in society, its the most essential time to speak up. Start to head the other way down the highway towards Jersey a revival rock band named Parlor Mob has really sparked interest in the music world and has been featuring on shows such as Entourage on HBO. They got their name from a Hells Kitchen gang active in the early 1900s. Hells kitchen was a series of gangs located in a New York City town within earshot of the central railroad. This area had a reputation of gang extortion, professional mayhem, and highway robbery near the local Hudson River express train. The gangsters rulings continued until they began controlling nearby hospitals and behind bars, corrupt with power and money. Parlor Mob has a clear influence from Led Zeppelin and constantly finds their way into my Sunday afternoon playlist with songs Everything Youre Breathing For and my personal favorite Aint No Turning Back. Parlor Mobb isnt shy for admitting some hometown love by performing at the Brooklyn Bowl and constantly doing shows in the upper east coast despite all the excessive music and options available in that area. Its safe to say that artists today still appreciate love from their hometown fans, and we are here for support. Whether its giving shoutouts in music like Webby, never forgetting about the little people like Mr. Lif, or throwing shows close to home like Parlor Mobb. The love can easily be spread from these local artists, a trend that may never really die out.

A Letter to my Freshmen self

educate yourself beyond the classroom

Here are some student groups on campus that specialize in justice, freedom, and kicking ass,

Lauching Activism Via Art

Although we are just as fiery as LAVA, our club is committed to Launching Activism Via Art. LAVA meets every Wednesdays in the cozy sanctuary of the Art Building to paint, draw, laugh and sing about activist causes both inside UConn and out. We host and participate in artist workshops, organize socially minded art shows, collaborate with numerous student groups, create legal graffiti (we opened a public art space on campus) and give digital media and other creative tutorials. Whether it be a place to exercise your own talents, a catharsis for your global political angst, or just an excuse to meet a hip crowd of folks, Art Building Room 103 is the place to be.

ConnPirg
Its a good thing, too. Our generation has some big challenges to tackle - from global warming to the rising cost of college, from homelessness to our collapsing health care system. It wont be easy, but by acting together we can find solutions. Thats where we come in. Here at ConnPIRG Students, we organize college students to solve some of the worldsmost pressing public interest problems. ConnPIRG Students is an independent statewide student organization that works on issues like environmental protection, consumer protection, and hunger and homelessness. For nearly 35 years students with their campus PIRG chapters have been making a real difference in peoples lives and winning concrete changes to build a better world. We give students the skills and opportunity to practice effective citizenship. Both here on campus and out in the world, we mobilize students to investigate big social problems, come up with practical solutions, convince the media and public to pay attention, and get decision-makers to act

Blast off into the world of art/activism. Wednesdays, Art Bldg Room 103, 9pm

Poetic Release
We do a lot of things at poetic release. These activities range from getting on stage and screaming poetry, spitting crazy ass bars, working on our craft, kicking ass as well as taking names and expressing ourselves without the need of giving fucks. But really, when it comes to using your words as an art, the experience of performing your work is exhilarating. Learning to channel your feelings and thoughts through the mediums of spoken word and lyrics, and developing a sense of shamelessness in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere, is crucial. Poetic Release is the spot. The shameless insaneness awaits you.

Together we can make change happen. Mondays, Student Union 322, 9pm

Students for Sensible Drug Policy

SSDP is an international grassroots organization of kickass student activists dedicated to ending the WAR ON DRUGS. We lobby to change policies from campus to federal and everywhere in between. We educate the world about the wasted time, wasted money, racism, human rights violations, ruined lives, and just plain stupidity associated with the War on Drugs. We work to save lives and reduce the harms associated with drug use. Basically, were on the front lines of the movement to better our society and our world by ending the War on Drugs.

Poetic Release - Shut Up and Write Something. Tuesday,s, North Lobby at the Union, 8pm

The war on drugs is a war on us. Thursdays, Arjona 115, 8pm

drawings by ben

the Free Press

Thursdays at 7pm in the SOC (Student Union rm 218}

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send your art, rants, and poetry to

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uconnfreepress@ gmail.com

Many thanks to the entire UConn Department of Anti-fuckery, starring:

Robby Tyler Devin Seth Josh B.Caws Rachel Nico Titus Salvatore Ben Katie Cara Danielle Alex Kristin M.E. 5280s Nyanka [you] [and a shoutout to USG for funding us]

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