Monday, January 25, 2016
Vol. 127, Issue 1
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Saadiq Hasan, Lauren Hornsby, Celina Hu | The Cavalier Daily Graphic by Cody Simms
THIRD-YEAR ARRESTED IN NORTH KOREA PAGE 2
U.VA. ACCEPTS EARLY ACTION APPLICANTS PAGE 3
MEN’S BASKETBALL WINS 73-65 PAGE 5
OPINION: HIDING INSTITUTIONAL RACISM PAGE 8
VISAS PROGRAM SUPPORTS INTERNATIONALS PAGE 11
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Henry Pflager Senior Writer
Much of the state was closed this weekend as a result of Winter Storm Jonas. The University was closed Friday after receiving a recommendation from Marge Sidebottom, the University director of emergency preparedness. To decide to close the University, Sidebottom discusses and reviews inclement weather events with professionals from offices across grounds such as the Provost Office, Facilities Management, Business Operations and the President’s Office and University Communications, University Spokesperson Matt Charles said. “The various offices discuss conditions across Grounds and in the surrounding community,” Charles said in an email statement. “After careful consideration, the group makes the recommendation to either maintain
The Cavalier Daily
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Winter Storm Jonas hits Virginia State police responded to 6,626 calls for service normal operations or adjust the operating schedule.” Virginia State Police responded to 6,626 calls for service, 1,410 total crashes and 2,040 reports of disabled vehicles from Friday through early Sunday morning, according to a press release from Virginia State Police Spokeswoman Corinne Geller. “We’re hoping to make significant progress. However, the temperatures will drop tonight and all of this will re-freeze,” Geller said. “So if anyone is traveling early in the morning to get to class or return to campus that is a serious concern.” If traveling, Geller recommended adding extra time to reach travel destinations, increasing driving distances between vehicles, moving over for emergency vehicles, tow trucks and highway vehicles and cleaning all of the snow off of cars’ headlights and windows. “Even if you can see the pavement, that’s going to freeze overnight once the temperatures drop,” Geller said. “That’s the really dangerous part about black ice. Not only is it slick, but you
can’t see it until you’re on it. Ice always wins.” University Facilities Management plows paths for students, with help from some student volunteers, Charles said. “Facilities Management expresses their gratitude for those students who showed up to volunteer their time to help clear pathways on sidewalks and steps around Grounds,” Charles said. The University works in conjunction with Albemarle County officials to prepare for weather events, Charles said. “Representatives from [the University], the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County coordinate prior to and during weather events to share information,” he said. “The University values this partnership.” Each weather event is evaluated on an individual basis by the University to determine the risk it poses to the University community, and a final decision is then made, Charles said. “The safety and well-being of the University community is a top priority,” Charles said. “The professionals who are involved
Lauren Hornsby | The Cavalier Daily
To decide to close the University, Sidebottom discusses and reviews inclement weather events with various professionals from offices across grounds.
in evaluating weather-related events will always consider first the safety of students, faculty and staff before making any recommendation to adjust the University’s operating schedule.”
Since 2009, 16 school days have been cancelled due to inclement weather, including Oct. 29 and 30 in 2012, when Hurricane Sandy posed a threat to the University community.
Third-year student detained by North Korean government Commerce student now under investigation after allegedly committing a “hostile act” Tim Dodson News Editor
Third-year Commerce student Otto Frederick Warmbier was arrested in North Korea Friday, according to reports from the Korean Central News Agency. Warmbier, an Echols scholar and a member of Theta Chi Fraternity, is alleged to have committed “a hostile act” against the North Korean government with the support of the U.S. government. North Korean officials said Warmbier is still under investigation and have released few details about the case. U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said the department is aware of media reports detailing a U.S. citizen being captured in North Korea and considers the welfare of U.S. citizens one of its highest priorities. “In cases where U.S. citizens are reported detained in North Korea, we work closely with the Swedish Embassy, which serves as
the United States’ Protecting Power in North Korea,” Toner said in an email statement. “We have no further information to share due to privacy considerations.” Warmbier was with Young Pioneers Tours — a travel agency which provides tours to North Korea — when he was arrested. The company confirmed in a blog post on Friday that one of their clients has been detained in North Korea and the company is working with officials to resolve the issue. “Their family have been informed and we are in contact with the Swedish Embassy, (who act as the protecting interest for U.S citizens), who are working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the case,” the company wrote. “We are also assisting the U.S Department of State closely with regards to the situation.” Reuters reported Warmbier has been detained since Jan 2, according to Gareth Johnson, managing director of Young Pioneer Tours. The China-based company
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Warmbier was detained in North Korean capital Pyongyang Friday according to a report from the Korean Central News Agency.
will not comment further than what has already been reported, Johnson said in an email statement to the Cavalier Daily. “Currently our primary concern is protecting Otto, his family and trying to ensure his speedy release,” Johnson said. Neither the University nor the State Department has confirmed
the length of Warmbier’s detainment. “The University does not operate study abroad programs in North Korea,” University Spokesperson Anthony de Bruyn said in an email statement. “The University has been in touch with Otto Warmbier’s family.” The University offered no ad-
ditional comment. Warmbier's friends at the University have expressed hope for the safety of their friend. “We are hoping for the safe return of our friend and brother Otto,” Theta Chi Events Chair Omar Jacobs said in an email statement.
NEWS
Monday, January 25, 2016
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U.Va. releases early action offers for Class of 2020 5,203 students receive acceptance from pool of 16,768
DISTRIBUTION OF ADMISSION OFFERS MADE TO EARLY ACTION APPLICANTS AMONG SCHOOLS WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE - 3,955
31%
ARCHITECTURE - 96 EDUCATION - 62 ENGINEERING - 1,025 NURSING - 65
OF 16,768 EARLY ACTION APPLICANTS WERE ACCEPTED Kate Motsko | The Cavalier Daily
Madelyn Weingast Associate Editor
The University Office of Undergraduate Admissions released its early action offers for the Class of 2020 Friday. The University’s early acceptance rate was 31 percent, with 5,203 offers of admission from a pool of 16,768 early action
applicants, Dean of Admission Gregory Roberts said. “Over 32,500 students applied for [early and regular] admission this year, a 4 percent increase over last year and a record for application submissions to U.Va.,” Roberts said in an email statement. The enrolling class is targeted to be about 3,675 students — about the same as last year’s
enrollment. Overall, there were 96 offers of admission to the Architecture School, 3,955 offers to the College, 62 offers to Curry School, 1,025 offers to the Engineering School and 65 offers to the Nursing School. “Admission to the University continues to be highly competitive. Our review is comprehensive, thorough and
highly personal,” Roberts said. “We are committed to enrolling top scholars from diverse backgrounds.” Students in the enrolling class will have strong academic credentials but will also be significant contributors to their school and communities, Roberts said. “We seek good citizens with strong character and personal
qualities. Our goal each year is to enroll students who will positively impact the classroom, residence halls, clubs, teams and service organizations,” Roberts said. “Students we admit and enroll will help transform this university for years to come.”
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NEWS
The Cavalier Daily
Proposed bill could combat gerrymandering in Virginia New legislation would establish redistricting commission Caitlyn Seed Associate Editor
Virginia State Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Charlottesville) recently proposed a bill to reform the state’s redistricting process by establishing a redistricting commission to redraw congressional and General Assembly district lines after each decennial census. Deeds said redistricting reform is an issue he has brought forward through legislation several times since 2003, but has been unsuccessful thus far in passing a bill through both the Virginia House and Senate. The bill would establish an independent redistricting commission of 13 members to reduce gerrymandering, a practice through which political parties manipulate districts to their advantage. Committee members would be appointed by various members of the General Assembly and political party leaders. The president pro tempore of the Senate, speaker of the House of Delegates, minority leader in each house and state chairman of the two political parties who received the most votes in the previous gubernatorial election would each appoint two members to the commission.
The 12 partisan members would then select the final member of the commission. Bipartisan appointments would reduce the effects of party polarization in state political dealings, which are exacerbated by the manipulation of districting lines by political representatives, Deeds said. “I’m like anybody else, I love to run unopposed, but people deserve choices,” Deeds said. “There are honest disagreements the public needs to be engaged in. We want to produce a government that is less polarized and more able to solve problems.” Spokesperson for Gov. Terry McAuliffe Irma Palmer said the governor has not declared a stance on the bill, though he supports general redistricting reform. “If Sen. Deeds’ redistricting bill passes through the General Assembly, Gov. McAuliffe will review it,” Palmer said. “The governor is a strong supporter of nonpartisan redistricting.” Nonpartisan redistricting is a fundamental problem in Virginia, Deeds said. “Right now the majority and the minority don’t talk with each other, they talk past each other,” Deeds said. Brian Cannon, executive director of OneVirginia2021 — an independent organization that advocates for fair redistricting re-
form — said he would like to see two major changes on the issue of redrawing district lines. “We need to do two things: eliminate or minimize the conflict of interests when politicians are redrawing district lines, and then minimize the influence of politics in the process,” Cannon said. While Deeds said he believed redistricting reform would ultimately have to come through law handed down by the Virginia courts, Cannon expressed more optimism in legislation. “We have a legislative history of passing things that might seem at first like they’re hurting the people in power, but are really for the benefit for the democratic republic,” Cannon said. In the history of political gerrymandering challenges, no court has found that political gerrymandering as a tool in and of itself is illegal, Cannon said. “The courts won’t do the things we really need,” Cannon said. “They won’t give us the independent commission and they won’t make gerrymandering illegal.” Both Deeds and Cannon said they would like to see any change — no matter how small — implemented soon. “I know the chances of success are not great, but I refuse to accept that. I’m going to be optimistic and keep bringing this issue forward,” Deeds said.
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Redistricting reform is an issue he has brought forward several times since 2003, Deeds said.
More from the aftermath of Storm Jonas
Lauren Hornsby and Celina Hu | The Cavalier Daily
Monday, January 25, 2016
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sports
Marshall Bronfin | The Cavalier Daily
Sophomore guard Marial Shayok looks to continue wins in ACC play.
Virginia ends Syracuse’s winning streak 73-65 London Perrantes scores 16, adds seven assists Robert Elder Sports Editor
Since Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim returned from suspension, the Orange have found new life. After dropping his first contest back from a nine-game hiatus in Chapel Hill, Syracuse won three straight. In typical Boeheim fashion, the return to relevance came defensively. The hall of fame coach brought back discipline in his famed 2-3 zone. In those three victories, Syracuse (13-8, 3-5 ACC) held opponents to just 52.3 points per game. But Sunday night, the casual observer would have had no idea. No. 13 Virginia picked apart Boeheim’s zone, shooting 56.8 percent from the field — a season high for a Syracuse opponent. It didn’t matter if it was senior forward Anthony Gill in the post or senior guard Malcolm Brogdon from deep, early in the first half or late in the second — shot after shot, Virginia just kept on scoring. The Cavaliers (15-4, 4-3 ACC) left John Paul Jones Arena with a 73-65 win, stringing together its first win streak in ACC play this
season. “Defensively, we struggled inside the whole game,” Boeheim said. “We really struggled in the first half.” Syracuse’s struggles were well noted to all the 13,305 in attendance Sunday. It seemed Virginia could not miss as it jumped out to a 37-29 lead after the first 20 minutes. Gill notched 12 of his 16 points in the opening stanza, shooting six of nine from the field with multiple crowd-raising dunks sprinkled in. It helped the big men like Gill to have junior guard London Perrantes directing the offense. The Los Angeles native, who has a knack for hitting big shots against the Orange, made the Syracuse defense look like the ones he faced in high school. In the first half alone, Perrantes scored nine points while dishing out five assists without a turnover. The junior finished with 16 points in 37 minutes, including seven assists. “It’s an important key for us to be able to look for him and have that threat,” Virginia Coach Tony Bennett said. “I think he was a
complete player when we recruited him. His feel is the thing that stood out — you could see that with some of the passes he made.” The eight point first half lead did not even begin to showcase Virginia’s dominance. The Cavaliers had 20 points in the paint at the half compared to Syracuse’s 10. Virginia notched 12 assists to Syracuse’s four. The Orange certainly didn’t falter. Senior guard Michael Gbinije scored the first 11 points for Syracuse in the second half, hitting three shots from beyond the arc. But Virginia stayed hot, too. A jumper by sophomore forward Isaiah Wilkins stretched the Virginia lead to 45-35 with 13:55 remaining — the largest of the game. Syracuse, however, went on a 12-2 run over the next 4:57 to even the game at 47 with 8:19 to play, forcing Virginia to take a timeout. The Cavalier offense had slowed, but more importantly in the Virginia huddle, the defense had some lapses. “I think we still have a ways to go [defensively],” Gill said. “We’re getting there. We’re taking steps every game. It’s something we’re
really working on and we’re really putting at the forefront.” Virginia’s defense didn’t necessarily improve the rest of the way, but out of that timeout, the game turned. After trading free throws, Brogdon buried threes on two consecutive possessions, stretching the lead to 55-48. “That’s what seniors do,” Boeheim said. “That really was the difference I thought in the game.” The offense seemed to regain all of its first-half momentum from there on out. Sophomore guard Devon Hall split the zone for a fancy lay-in, while Perrantes nailed a corner three. Perrantes would add another lay-up and Gill another dunk. Afterwards, free throws were all that were necessary, even with Syracuse hitting threes seemingly with every possession through the final minutes. “We really made some nice plays down the stretch,” Bennett said. “We had to answer the plays they were making. Those guys off the dribble shooting those deep threes was really tough, and we had to answer with some of our own plays made.”
Virginia finished the game with 30 points in the paint to Syracuse’s 12. The Orange shot a mere 38.9 percent from the field in the loss. Brogdon led Virginia with 21 points as Gill tallied eight rebounds for the Cavaliers. Gbinije finished with 24 points for Syracuse while freshman guard Malachi Richardson added 23 in his 40 minutes. No other Orange player scored above eight. Bennett’s main takeaway came on the defensive end. Syracuse did make 13 threes — a season high for a Cavalier opponent — but overall, Virginia’s defense — which ranked No. 38 in KenPom’s defensive rankings entering Sunday — has improved the past two games. “I thought we took a step closer — the Clemson game and this game — to making it harder for people to get at least rhythm shots,” Bennett said. “When you turn it over or are struggling, you need your defense to just kind of keep you somewhere connected.” Virginia will next face Wake Forest Tuesday in Winston Salem, N.C. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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SPORTS
The Cavalier Daily
Looking past the final tally of Virginia-Syracuse fter a reschedule and the A moving of mountains of snow, No. 13 Virginia and Syracuse clashed
bined for 47 of the Orange’s 65 points and were 11-for-19 from behind the three-point line. Many, but not in the immediate wake of Winter all, of their long-range baskets were Storm Jonas. The Cavcontested. Their height, aliers (15-4, 4-3 ACC) MATT WURZBURGER Gbinije checks in at 6’7” overcame a turbulent and Richardson is 6’6”, Sports Editor second half to halt the allowed them to rise up streaking Orange (13and shoot over the defense, 8, 3-5 ACC), 73-65. something Bennett can live with. At first glance Sunday night’s “Their guards are big,” Bennett game does not appear to be another said. “Gbinije, what he did, and, as defensive masterpiece spun by a freshman, to see what Malachi Coach Tony Bennett’s team, and in Richardson did. That is impressive. I actuality it was not. However, fans think there were a couple times maywould be remiss if they did not be we could have been a little higher appreciate the game for what it was on the ball or maybe chase them off defensively: a well-played game and that three-point line, but the majority a step in the right direction. of them were really deep and nice First and foremost, what jumps plays. …If guys are hitting tough, out from Syracuse’s performance is contested, deep threes at time you the hot shooting of senior forward have to take your hat off to them.” Michael Gbinije and freshman guard What gets lost in Gbinije and Malachi Richardson. The duo comRichardson’s barrage is what the rest
of their teammates did from behind the arc. Four other Syracuse players attempted a three pointer, and only one, senior guard Trevor Cooney, connected from deep. Cooney, who entered Sunday as the seventh-most accurate three-point shooter in the ACC, made only two of his eight attempts. Which is not to say the longrange performance of Richardson and Gbinije can be excused because their teammates shot so poorly — 13 made three pointers counts the same whether they were all made by one player or by 10 players. What I do want to offer up is this: sometimes good players get hot, red hot. I think this is what happened, in part, against the Orange. Syracuse lives and dies by the trey — 35.8 percent of their scoring comes from the deep — and the shot was working for two of their very talented athletes.
“You have to shoot the ball,” Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim said. “Virginia doesn’t give you much inside. You’ve got to move the ball. I thought we moved the ball. We made them change, switch or help, and we got some open looks. But you have to make some of those shots.” Inside the three-point line is where Virginia’s defense found their footing. Syracuse shot only 8-for-24 from inside the arc. Perhaps more telling, the Cavaliers outscored the Orange 30-12 in the paint. And Virginia was tough on the defensive glass. Not perfect, but tough. Syracuse grabbed nine offensive rebounds, but only converted those into five second-chance points. The Orange offensive rebounded at a 32.1 percent clip, well below their season average of 37 percent. Allowing offensive rebounds on a quarter of your defensive possessions is not
great, but against a team so skilled on the offensive glass Virginia’s efforts can be applauded. The Cavaliers are now 19 games through their 30-game regular-season slate, and while this team may never be the defensive juggernaut of years past, they are beginning to put the pieces of the puzzle together on the defensive end. Improvement is attainable, but it must be achieved by steady growth. With 11 games remaining before postseason play, there is plenty of time for steady growth.
Matt Wurzburger is a Sports editor for The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at m.wurzburger@ cavalierdaily.com or on Twitter at @ wurzburgerm.
Virginia comeback falls short in 58-55 loss Cavaliers search for secondary scores after Venson, Mason Grant Gossage Associate Writer
Cavaliers search for secondary scores after Venson, MasonSunday afternoon, the Virginia women’s basketball team came up short against Pittsburgh after mounting an admirable comeback. The Cavaliers (13-8, 3-4 ACC) trailed 5240 with only 3:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, once Panther freshman forward Brenna Wise had converted her second attempt at the line. Virginia’s savvy sophomore point guard Mikayla Venson — who leads the team in scoring with a 15.1 points per game average — responded right away, drilling a trifecta to cut the gap to single digits. From then on, Venson and junior guard Breyana Mason recorded 11 of the Cavalier’s final 12 points. They combined for 28 of the team’s 55 total points. Scoring duos cannot carry the team night in and night out. Coach Joanne Boyle believes Virginia’s role players can take more advantage of matchups on the offensive end. “I think we’ve had two people consistently score for us,” Boyle said. “So they’re putting their best defenders on Breyana [Mason] and Mikayla [Venson]. Mikayla hit a lot of big shots for us, but we have to have more people step up and score for us. …Everybody can score on this team — we just have to be more confident.” Hungry for its first conference win, Pittsburgh (9-11, 1-6 ACC) raced out to a 19-6 lead in
the first quarter and hushed the few Cavalier fans who had shoveled, slipped and swerved their way to John Paul Jones Arena through slush and snow. A sluggish Virginia team on the court and sideline paid the price. “We had to find our own energy,” sophomore forward Lauren Moses said. “The gym wasn’t packed, but that’s no excuse. We have to have the bench involved. We need to be communicating on offense and on defense. Like Coach Boyle said, ‘We didn’t come out the way we needed to win this game.’” Slow to help and recover on the perimeter and inside the paint, the Cavaliers allowed Panther junior guard Fred Potvin to tally 15 points in the first half. The former star at Vanier College in Quebec, Canada stretched the floor, draining five of eight attempts from downtown. Potvin finished with a career-high 19 points to lead all scorers. Sophomore forward Lauren Moses hopes to have the team more energized for future games. “I think this is the first time they changed their starting fense before the defense can re- omore guard Aliyah Huland El, lineup, and I think they kind of act. That was not the case Sunday, who was 2-3 from long range on looked at some of the things we as lax drives, screens and passes the day. were doing defensively and put were acceptable for Virginia play“We were just trying to get a [Potvin] in there as a shooter to ers. quick three-point shot,” Mason spread the floor a little bit,” Boyle Though their offense was said. “We had a play that was right said. “I just thought they got some stagnant — producing a mere 18 before it, but it kind of got jumgood looks early.” points in the first half — and their bled at the end. But we were just Offensively, Virginia played defense was spotty, the Cavaliers trying to get down the court and at a slower pace than what Boyle possessed the basketball down hopefully get an open look, anyand her coaching staff have come three with six seconds left on the thing at that point." to expect. This year’s Cavalier unit clock. Envisioning a game-tying Virginia fell 58-55 without crehas sought to get out in transition buzzer beater from beyond the ating a good look at a last-second and run through its half-court of- arc, Boyle subbed back in soph- shot, a sorry ending to a disap-
Richard Dizon | The Cavalier Daily
pointing afternoon. Boyle chalked the defeat up to her team’s lack of urgency rather than an underestimation of Pittsburgh’s ability. Virginia will have to play with more energy Wednesday night if it hopes to pick up a win over North Carolina State (14-6, 5-2 ACC). “I’ve looked at them,” Boyle said. “I’ll look at them more tonight, but they’re a complete team. We’ve always had really tough games against them. It always comes down to the wire.”
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opinion
Monday, January 25, 2016
LEAD EDITORIAL
Introducing The Cavalier Daily’s editorial board A new year, a new voice
Comment of the day “We want to divest from fossil fuels not only to take away our contribution to an industry destroying our environment, but because these fossil fuel companies are destroying the lives and communities of many disadvantaged and underrepresented communities of color in underdeveloped nations.”
“Morality Trumps Pragmatism” in response to Alex Mink’s Jan. 20 article, “Divestment alone isn’t the answer.”
The 127th term of The Cavalier Daily ushers in new faces and new roles for our staffers. You may notice that this editorial is different from previous editorials in that it is published by an editorial board rather than the managing board. Last semester, our staff elected to establish an editorial board in an effort to further distinguish our objective coverage from our subjective content. Our hope is that the paper’s 127th term will be characterized by stricter separation between the objective and the subjective within The Cavalier Daily’s product. Previously, the managing board published the lead editorial on behalf of the publication. In the past, the managing board found it difficult to put forth a lead editorial expressing an opinion on a controversial issue with the managing editor, who oversees all objective literary content, present at lead editorial meetings.
Given that the lead editorial defends the paper’s stance on an issue, the managing board sometimes saw it necessary to remove its managing editor from lead editorial meetings, presenting a difficult situation for the managing board. Furthermore, we felt that having an editorial board composed of members solely dedicated to this work would be more effective. To ensure that our paper adheres to normal newsroom structures, we implemented an editorial board with the executive editor at the helm, supported by our editor-in-chief and three at-large members who recuse themselves from objective literary content. We believe this makeup ensures that the voice of our paper more accurately reflects the staffers who produce it. The composition of our editorial board is diverse, with a variety of academic interests represented. Three board members
come from the Opinion section and the other two have backgrounds in objective writing in the News and Focus sections. Our vision remains largely the same as our predecessors: like the 126th managing board, we aim to serve as a platform for the student voice on Grounds; to disseminate relevant information to our readership; and to regard events, ideas and institutions around us with a critical eye. The machinery through which we do so will differ in our 127th term with the implementation of the editorial board. Like a wheel, our organization constantly rolls forward with new ideas and occasionally new structures; all the while, we find ourselves circling around to the enduring question of how we can best serve the University community. Members of this organization occupy a unique role in
journalism. They report on and express opinions about issues relevant to their own community. Their friends and classmates lead initiatives that they are tasked with covering as objectively as possible. Objective coverage of a college campus may be more difficult than objective coverage on a state or local level because our reporters work in a much smaller environment where they spend nearly all of their time. Therefore we must be particularly careful in delineating the boundary between the objective and subjective halves of our paper. Our mission to inform our readers with objective coverage persists, but the structure by which we achieve that mission evolves. We expect our establishment of an editorial board will allow us to approach objectivity in our reporting as well as possible.
THE CAVALIER DAILY The Cavalier Daily
The Cavalier Daily is a financially and editorially independent news organization staffed and managed entirely by students of the University of Virginia. The opinions expressed in The Cavalier Daily are not necessarily those of the students, faculty, staff or administration of the University of Virginia. Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the editorial board. Cartoons and columns represent the views of the authors. The managing board of The Cavalier Daily has sole authority over and responsibility for all content. No part of The Cavalier Daily or The Cavalier Daily online edition may be reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the editor-in-chief. The Cavalier Daily is published Mondays and Thursdays in print and daily online at cavalierdaily. com. It is printed on at least 40 percent recycled paper. 2016 The Cavalier Daily Inc.
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MANAGING BOARD Editor-in-Chief Dani Bernstein Managing Editor Kayla Eanes Executive Editor Nazar Aljassar Operations Manager Jasmine Oo Chief Financial Officer Lianne Provenzano EDITORIAL BOARD Dani Bernstein Nazar Aljassar Conor Kelly Ella Shoup Sara Rourke JUNIOR BOARD Assistant Managing Editors Jane Diamond Michael Reingold
News Editors Tim Dodson Hannah Hall Sports Editors Robert Elder Matthew Wurzburger Jacob Hochberger Opinion Editors Gray Whisnant Hasan Khan Focus Editor Allie Jensen Life Editors Kristin Murtha Margaret Msaon Arts & Entertainment Editors Candace Carter Noah Zeidman Health and Science Editor Meg Thornberry Production Editors Sean Cassar Charlotte Bemiss Danielle Dacanay
Graphics Editors Cindy Guo Kriti Sehgal Kate Motsko Photography Editors Celina Hu Lauren Hornsby Video Editor Courtney Stith Online Manager Leo Dominguez Social Media Managers Malory Smith Miska Chehata Ads Manager Kirsten Steuber (Student Manager) Sascha Oswald Marketing & Business Managers Grant Parker Andrew Lee
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OPINION
The Cavalier Daily
The hidden nature of institutional racism Even well-meaning institutions can unintentionally perpetuate racial discrimination ganizational and institutional rules or social norms. Prejudice, stereotyping, and covert tutions — perpetuate or overt hostility racism.” The well-innot be factors ALEXANDER ADAMES need tentioned article conin the exploitation Opinion Columnist tends, as its name of one group by ansuggests, that modern other, or in the uninstitutions are not liable for rac- fair distribution of rewards.” By ism. Rather, the constituents of noting that discrimination may these organizations are the ones come on account of “adhering who should be held accountable. unthinkingly” to institutional Gorman argues, “Just as corre- and organizational patterns and lation does not imply causation, without “covert or overt” hostilidiscriminatory actions taken by ty, Scott and Marshall reveal that individuals — however horrify- a person’s biases do not need to ing or overt they may be — are be a factor for racist outcomes. not necessarily indicative of the We can see examples of this unvirtues of the institutions they intentional institutional racism represent.” Though he acknowl- in court cases involving dispaedges that individuals can be rate impact — a legal claim that both consciously and subcon- holds that any policy resulting in sciously racist, Gorman’s use of a disproportionate “adverse im“virtues” suggests an institution pact” on a protected class is discan be racist only when its prac- criminatory. tices are intentionally harmful. A recent example is the focus Gorman’s argument is under- of Texas Department of Housing standable but rooted in a mis- and Community Affairs v. The conception of what constitutes Inclusive Communities Project, “institutional racism.” Inc. The Inclusive Communities In defining “institutional Project, Inc., or ICP, filed a suit discrimination,” sociologists against the Texas Department John Scott and Gordon Mar- of Housing and Community of shall write, “A long tradition of Affairs, which offered tax credstudies in sociology has shown its by way of the federal governthat discrimination against some ment, for developers in exchange groups in society can result from for building lower-income housthe majority simply adhering ing. Since it decides who will reunthinkingly to the existing or- ceive these tax credits, the Texas
government agency will inevitably affect the options available to lower-income people. Unfortunately, as ICP noted, the Texas agency allocated most of these tax credits in poor minority neighborhoods. Consequently, when lower-income, minority families sought housing, they were effectively relegated (and segregated) to lower-income communities. Sadly, as members of both the left and right should know, lower-income neighborhoods often
lower high school graduation rates, lower college enrollment rates and higher rates of criminal activity. Accordingly, the Texas department’s policy denied families of color equal opportunities, limiting their chances of achieving the American Dream. The policy is effectively racist because it restricted the opportunities of lower-income, minority families. Although it did not intend to have an adverse impact on minority families, in practice, the policy did just that. Another example is Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center et. al v. HUD and Paul Rainwater, Executive Director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. When examining an organization’s policies, we must look beyond the rhetoric used in each In this case, a coalition of New Orleanpolicy. We must look at the actual effects policies ian housing organizations charged the have on people. United States Department of Housprovide dismal opportunities for ing and Urban Development, or families who seek upward mobil- HUD, and the Louisiana Recovity. An overwhelming number of ery Authority with discriminastudies have shown that residents tion against black residents. The of lower-income neighborhoods housing organizations claimed tend to suffer from higher levels the Road Home program, a fedof stress that lead to depression, eral program aimed at aiding other health disparities, restric- victims of Hurricanes Katrina tion to low-performing schools, and Rita, had an adverse effect
“
ast year, my colleague Ryan L Gorman penned an article titled “Individuals — not insti-
on minority residents. The Road Home program aided Katrina victims by providing families funding tantamount to the original value of their homes instead of cost of damage. Accordingly, houses in black communities received less funding than those in white communities, even when the houses were identical. This policy intended to help victims, and though it did, the help was discriminatively distributed. Gorman is right to say the biases of individuals play a large role in sustaining racism in today’s society. However, he is wrong to dismiss the role institutions play on the grounds that racism is “no longer a tenet of any local, state or federal institution.” As the aforementioned court cases have shown, modern institutional discrimination is often unintentional and not rooted in bias. When examining an organization’s policies, we must look beyond the rhetoric used in each policy. We must look at the actual effects policies have on people. After all, good intentions do not always produce good results. Alexander’s columns run biweekly Mondays. He can be reached at a.adames@cavalierdaily.com.
A uniquely positioned responsibility for The Cavalier Daily The Cavalier Daily’s responsibility rests in local coverage more control now over how we become informed citizens of Public Editor and what isn’t? Should our personal we expect our daily reweltanschauung. ports of various data disclosures So, if you’re a part of the Unito stay separate, or should their versity, in the geographic sense, stories, opinions and forms mix then the University becomes together conveniently? News part of you — a community that outlets like The Cavalier Daily siphons its data and information — serving a particular locale, yet to your newsfeed. The Cavalier operating in a vast ocean of in- Daily has a large role to play in formation — confront this prob- this information pipe, providing lem with each issue churned out. myriad topics and perspectives There does not seem to be a per- otherwise unfound at the Unifect answer to this dilemma. versity. But with the paper’s job Our sources of news, be they comes the overarching question: paper- or pixel-based, have con- what can be deemed relevant glomerated heavily in enough to write, photograph and recent years. We trudge market about? through our pages, ride the variWhen I peruse articles coverous tides of Google and ing Oscar award nominations or swipe in all sorts of directions preparations for winter storms, to the next article, video and pic- I wonder if these are the stories ture. Our newsfeeds that grant The Cavalier Daily seem limitless, and our un- its authority on Grounds. Does derstandings of the world be- the average student, professor come customizable. There’s or administrator browse, as my
SASAN MOUSAVI
predecessor eloquently put it, the “publication [serving]” as the “campus’ paper of record” for these sorts of topics? I would hazard not, especially if these
sources that are much more capable of covering these sorts of stories and others more impactful to larger groups of people. You might think I sound idealistic or arrogant about a student-run and managed paper. Indeed, those who write about larger issues like the Oscars or snow day readiness may There’s much unseen and unheard around this have gotten their very starts and incommunity of ours, and far too much of the spirations at college opposite extraneous of it. It’s up to The Cavalier newspapers elseDaily — and other papers around our Grounds — where. And what to democratically and cautiously mediate these better place for a student to cover hidden perspectives and voices. and develop one’s own interests and subjects surpass what seems opinions democratically than a relevant or worthwhile to our “paper of record”? community at large. The CavaHowever, setting high standlier Daily has the task of vying ards for journals like The Cavafor the common reader’s atten- lier Daily is necessary to devote tion, competing with larger news deeper coverage to other issues
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here does one W draw a border between what is local
unheard in the mainstream. Our community paper is blessed with a position of objectivity between the greater University structure and the vast ocean of students and professors. Why not challenge the paper’s carriers to carefully develop their voices with new insights and viewpoints? Let’s leave larger stories for larger outlets. There’s much unseen and unheard around this community of ours, and far too much of the opposite extraneous of it. It’s up to The Cavalier Daily — and other papers around our Grounds — to democratically and cautiously mediate these hidden perspectives and voices.
Sasan’s columns run Fridays. He can be reached at publiceditor@cavalierdaily.com or on Twitter at @CDPublicEditor.
OPINION
Monday, January 25,2016
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Students should take a look at Kasich The Ohio governor has the qualities University students should want in a president In Ohio, Gov. Kasich has led the fight in keeping college costs under control while keeping to threats both at quality and opportuhome and abroad, to nity. He has encourERICH REIMER economic and culturaged public univerGuest Writer al challenges in our sities to keep tuition own country, Amerlow and affordable ica needs strong leadership to for those of modest means. He be able to efficiently handle the has done this by having public challenges of the 21st century. universities cut the excess bells We here at home, and espe- and whistles, streamline inefcially young people and college ficient programs, and focus on students, also have a variety of their key educational and social issues specifically facing our functions. generation. And Gov. John KaOhio State University has sich of Ohio, who is current- bucked the inflationary trend in ly running for the Republican college costs by keeping tuition nomination for president and is and fees at a flat rate, $10,037, polling consistently in second for in-state undergraduates for place in New Hampshire, has the 2014-15 and 2015-16 years. shown he is the one capable of But Gov. Kasich hasn’t just being a champion for all Amer- wanted to freeze college costs, icans and especially for young but in fact has recently pushed people. for Ohio colleges to look for Back in October, Gov. Kasich ways to decrease tuition costs. spoke at the University of Rich- In contrast, here at the Universimond. In November, he spoke ty of Virginia, the Board of Visagain here in Virginia at Regent itors approved last spring a 13.4 University. During both visits he percent increase, to $14,476, for demonstrated that he especially in-state tuition and fees for invalues the voice of young peo- coming freshman. ple, cares about our issues and Gov. Kasich has also shown believes we have a part to play he knows how to unify at a time in our country’s political process when our country seems sharply not just in the future but right divided. In Ohio he has sky-high now. approval ratings among not just
Republicans, but also Independents and even Democrats. We here in Virginia can understand what an achievement that is, as we live in one of the most bitterly divided and partisan states in the country. I think our country could benefit from looking more at what we have in common rather than what divides us. In our years at the University, many of us have gotten to know the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the rest of the Shenandoah Valley to varying
In Ohio, Gov. Kasich has made it a priority to reach out to similarly neglected and struggling rural and post-industrial areas of the state and provide them with a helping hand to get back on their feet. Gov. Kasich took the controversial decision of expanding Medicaid in Ohio, which allows those who are most vulnerable to no longer live in dependency and in the shadows but rather become productive, producing, tax-paying members of society once again. Gov. Kasich also brings to the table a level of experience that is needed to properly address the challenges of the 21st century. He served almost 20 years in ConGovernor Kasich has shown that has what it takes to be the leader that our generation needs, gress where he was an active memwhich is why the slogan of the campaign is ber of the House Armed Services “Kasich for Us.” Committee and Chaired the House Budget Commitdegrees. Many of us see first- tee, which led to the first federal hand what a beautiful and pris- budget surplus in almost half a tine place it is, but many of us century. After that, he worked in also see that there are many who the financial world where played are struggling to make a living a part firsthand in creating jobs. in the region as well. Since then, he has served for
“
merica is facing threats A from all over the world. From a lawless Russia, to ISIS,
Donʼt risk the tow... Let It Snow.
over five years as the governor of one of this country’s largest states. As part of Gov. Kasich’s team here in Virginia, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with thousands of Virginia voters these past few months about Gov. Kasich’s impressive background and his vision for America. Many University students have been a great part of our efforts and we hope that more will continue to be. Gov. Kasich successfully filed back in November to be on the ballot here in Virginia for the March 1 primary. Many University students participated in our efforts whether by signing the nominating petitions or collecting petition signatures themselves. Governor Kasich has shown that has what it takes to be the leader that our generation needs, which is why the slogan of the campaign is “Kasich for Us.”
Erich Reimer is a second-year Law student and is Kasich for America’s 5th Congressional District Coordinator.
PU ZZLES
The Cavalier Daily
January 25, 2016
WEEKLY CROSSWORD By Sam Ezersky The Cavalier Daily Crossword Puzzle by Sam Ezersky, Class of 2017
ACROSS
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1. ___ Crew (fan club seen 12 13 at UVA basketball games) 4. Did laps in a pool 16 15 8. "___ boy!" ("Nice going!") 12. Resistance unit, in physics 18 13. Green ingredient in some 21 22 20 healthy smoothies 14. Popular plant "pet" 26 27 28 29 15. "Why are we moving so fast with all this?!": 4 wds. 31 32 18. Alternative to take-out, at 35 34 a restaurant: Hyph. 19. Chillax, with "out" 39 38 37 20. Tempt 23. Parking ___ 40 41 42 26. With 36-Across, becoming a member of a fraternity or 46 47 48 49 sorority 50 51 29. Pro's opposite 30. "I'll be there ___ minute!": 53 54 2 wds. 31. UVA's College of ___ and Š January 25, 2016 Sciences 32. Invitation to join a DOWN fraternity or sorority 1. "___ you do on that test?" 33. Restaurants represented 2. Surprised greeting: 2 wds. by Colonel Sanders, 3. Country whose capital is familiarly Muscat 34. "This is so frustrating!" 4. Activity at Wintergreen 35. Prohibit Resort 36. See 26-Across 5. "I ___ born yesterday!" 37. Muhammad of boxing 6. PC key near the space bar fame 7. "Whatevs" 38. Bob Marley's music 8. Farmland unit 40. Org. that restricts 9. Some rappers claim that traveling? they "didn't choose" this...it 42. Element #76 on the "chose" them: 2 wds. periodic table 10. "My country, ___ of 46. Support a major activist thee..." movement, so to speak: 3 11. Reaction to a massage wds. 16. Most first-years, age-wise 50. Often tangled garden 17. Like 2014 and 2016, but apparatus not 2015 51. Uncommon E-school 21. Cake topper major, casually 22. Video game with a "Black 52. Tree used to make Lucius Ops" installment: Abbr. Malfoy's wand 24. First word of many fairy 53. Horse hoof sound tales 54. Slow, hard progress 25. Chore 55. "___, captain!" 26. Pop's Lady ___
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27. Taken by mouth, as medication 28. "That seems right to me": 3 wds. 32. Sweetie, in modern slang 33. Krispy ___ (donut chain) 35. Spoiled child 36. Fake wood in a fireplace: 2 wds. 39. Hit the big leagues: 2 wds. 41. Timer sound, often 43. Brain matter? 44. Unattractive 45. Many a Yik Yak picture post 46. Active baking ingredient, briefly? 47. Tech giant with the catchphrase "You've got mail" 48. Possesses 49. Slippery sea creature
*THE SOLUTION TO THIS PUZZLE CAN BE FOUND IN THURSDAY’S ISSUE
CHILD CARE WANTED PART-TIME SITTER NEEDED sitter for 9 and 11 yr old needed after school, 3-5:30ish, 3-4 days/wk, in Crozet. call Marisa 434.825.9240
Chill.
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Monday, January 25, 2016
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life
Courtesy UVA Photography Club
The Photography Club maintains a site that posts daily pictures of Beta Bridge.
Beta Bridge Daily documents student tradition Webpage keeps students up to date on U.Va. landmark
Brianna Hamblin Feature Writer
Beta Bridge is an important landmark at the University — students paint the walls as a way of publicizing events, bringing awareness to important topics, showing school pride. Thanks to Beta Bridge Daily, students can keep up with each reincarnation. Run by the University Photography Club, Beta Bridge Daily is a website that posts daily pictures of the
bridge, accompanied by any necessary information about the organization, event or idea being publicized. Elizabeth Spear, a recent College graduate and original manager of the website, cited another blog called Beta Bridge (almost) Daily — previously run by another graduate of the University — as the inspiration for the Photography Club’s current website. Spear said she and the Photography Club believed it was important to continue documenting this staple in
University life and to post a new picture of the bridge every day. “It’s a part of the U.Va. tradition that needed to be exposed and recorded, because otherwise it’ll just get painted over,” Spear said. “Whatever memory was there from that day, that week or that year is completely gone, and so we felt somebody needed to do something about that.” Second-year College student Melissa Lewis, the current manager of the website, has taken over the responsibility of collecting, captioning
and posting the photos to the Beta Bridge Daily website, as a service to fellow students. “Sadly a lot of people can’t make it out there everyday, depending on where you live or where your classes are. And so Beta Bridge Daily is really important because it gives students the opportunity to see what’s [happening] on Grounds,” Lewis said. “It’s also a good way for the alumni, who are no longer here, to still see what’s going on at the University and feel like they’re involved too.”
Second-year College student Lauren Barnhorst runs the Beta Bridge Daily accounts on both Facebook and Instagram as the marketing chair of the Photography Club. To her, Beta Bridge represents more than just a place to publicize events and news. “I’ve loved Beta Bridge since the first time I saw it on one of my visits to U.Va.,” Barnhorst said. “The layers and layers of paint seem to represent the level of involvement and sense of community that U.Va. students share.”
VISAS provides network for international community Students, teachers, staff benefit from volunteer language program
Julie Bond Feature Writer
While the stereotypes for a typical University student geographically center on Northern Virginia, in actuality, the faculty, workers and students at the University represent a wide range of countries and nationalities. Operating out of the Center for American English Language and Culture, or CAELC, Volunteering
with International Students, Staff and Scholars — or VISAS — provides a support network for this international population.Elizabeth Wittner, CAELC academic director and international teaching assistant program coordinator, said upon asking students in English as a second language, or ESL, classes how often they speak English, many students reported only engaging with an hour or two of English a day and focusing more on listening than speaking.
Courtesy Center for American English Language and Culture
Student and learner pairs are set for at least one semester but can continue to work together longer if desired. Wittner recalled one learner who named her child Lily after a volunteer.
“[VISAS] is a way of being intentional about getting [teaching assistants] to use and practice English and interact with the culture,” Wittner said. “Teaching in the U.S. is very different than the kind of teaching that they were used to.” VISAS began in 1999 under a different name as a class assisting international graduate students and teaching assistants, serving as both a course on language and cross-cultural understanding. Wittner said she decided to invite undergraduates to the class and was surprised by how well things went. “[The students] got along so well — they started talking after class and it just kept going and going,” Wittner said. “I knew that the English language learners would really want to meet undergraduates and get out of their bubble in the labs, but what really floored me was the amount of enthusiasm from the [undergraduate] students.” The program officially incorporated undergraduates and eventually evolved into VISAS, adding new facets such as weekly conversations with hospital workers, mock lectures and assistance in ESL classes. After a VISAS volunteer noticed a number of workers in Observatory Hill Dining Hall from Somalia and suggested expanding the program in 2007,
O-Hill dining employees now meet with students weekly or bi-weekly to converse as part of the Workplace Program. “We have wonderful support from the managers at [O-Hill, Newcomb Dining Hall, and the University Hospital] to help us facilitate ways to meet with potential learners and see what the interest level is, see what their needs and goals are as well as what the management’s goals are for their employees,” VISAS Instructional Coordinator Trecia Gunnoe said. Student interns at these three locations — all part of the Workplace Program — provide volunteers with materials to help learners achieve their goals, such as passing the citizenship or driver’s education test. “Some of these learners at O-Hill have been working with VISAS for years,” Gunnoe said. Student and learner pairs are set for at least one semester but can continue to work together longer if desired. Wittner recalled one learner who named her child Lily after a volunteer. “I can confidently say that every one of our student volunteers is taking just as much, if not more, from their time at O-Hill as the employees,” Kaelyn Quinn, fourth-year College student and O-Hill Workplace Program co-director, said.
Students find working with learners to be an eye-opening experience, Quinn said, citing a time one of the pairs was reading a passage about an explorer who walked for two weeks. When the volunteer noted the length of the walk, the learner shared the experience of walking 500 miles to the border when leaving their country. VISAS also provides conversation partners for spouses of international scholars or students. “Spouses… find that they’re a little bit isolated because they’re not a student, they can’t work here and they don’t speak the language, so it’s really hard for them to become integrated into the community,” Wittner said. With over 400 involved, VISAS aims to reflect the student diversity at the University in its volunteer population. While only native English speakers can be conversation partners, any student may be a Classroom Consultant, giving feedback to prospective TAs on mini lessons. “This is really a multicultural, diverse, multigenerational, lovely program, because it really brings everybody in and makes everyone feel part of the U.Va. community,” Gunnoe said.
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LIFE
The Cavalier Daily
‘Soul Mates’ studies the impact of religion on minority families Sociology professor co-authors book in response to racial tensions in United States Drew Friedman Feature Writer
In response to the current racial and ethnic division in the United States, Associate Prof. of Sociology W. Bradford Wilcox co-wrote the recently published book “Soul Mates,” highlighting the religious and marital values of black and Latino families in the United States. o-written by Nicholas H. Wolfinger, studies “how religious faith and churchgoing are related to marriage and family life among African Americans and Latinos in the United States,” according to the book’s introduction. The book, cWilcox, who teaches Sociology of the Family and Sociology of Religious Behavior, became interested in these topics as an undergraduate at the University and decided to return to the subject to write “Soul Mates.” Writing this book was “a nice way to bridge the worlds of researching and teaching at U.Va.,” Wilcox said. In “Soul Mates,” Wilcox said he
and Wolfinger wanted to focus on the strengths of black and Latino families. “It is shown that most black and Latino couples are happy in their relationships,” Wilcox said. “In the book, we also find that most blacks and Latinos end up getting married.” These positive marital statistics are related to churchgoing and religious participation, Wilcox said. “Black and Latino couples often attend church together, are happier in their relationships and they’re more likely to have shared friendships,” Wilcox said. “They’re more likely to be praying together and have a higher capacity for reflecting on the past and the present and their situation together, as both a couple and a family.” The authors also wanted to consider the role of gender given the effort to strengthen the lives of black and Latino men in the United States, Wilcox said. “We found that men who are religious are less likely to be incarcerated, less likely to be using drugs or alcohol and more likely to be employed,” Wilcox said. “So, we argue
that religion makes for a better man, and that in turn makes men more marriageable.” However, the authors argue religious involvement does not paint the entire picture for how to close the racial and ethnic divide in the United States. While “[r]eligious practice — be it church attendance, shared prayer, or engagement in religious friendship networks — improves marriage and family life among blacks and Latinos,” the authors assert in the book that “it will take a range of economic, cultural, and religious developments to bridge the racial and ethnic divides in American family life.” Wilcox said he hopes “Soul Mates” will show readers the importance of positive influences in minority relationships and help people develop a deeper appreciation of American minorities. The book “is one way of understanding how families are doing in today’s country,” Wilcox said. “We’re trying to give a positive spotlight to black and Latino families.”
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Courtesy Bradford Wilcox
Wilcox said he hopes “Soul Mates” will show readers the importance of positive influences in minority relationships and help people develop a deeper appreciation of American minorities.