Thursday, March 23, 2017

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

VOL. 127, ISSUE 47

Free Spe ech Bill Pas ses see McAULIFFE, page 2

KATE MOTSKO | THE CAVALIER DAILY

WHAT’S INSIDE ‘INNOCENT ON DEATH ROW’ PAGE 4

‘1515’ IMPACT ON CORNER PAGE 5

LEAD EDITORIAL: LEE STATUE SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED PAGE 8

THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT IS PROMISING PAGE 10

PROFESSORS RECEIVE GRANT TO STUDY DMD PAGE 14

THE CAVALIER DAILY

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McAuliffe signs free speech bill Legislation receives bipartisan support, aims to protect First Amendment rights on college campuses DANIEL HOERAUF | SENIOR WRITER Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed legislation designed to protect free speech on college campuses into law on March 16.

“Except as otherwise permitted by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, no public institution of higher education shall abridge the constitutional freedom of any individual, including enrolled students, faculty and other employees and invited guests, to speak on campus,” the text of HB 1401 reads.

Del. Steven Landes (R-Weyers Cave), the bill’s chief patron, said he hopes the bill will encourage a diversity of opinion and discussion at Virginia colleges.

“The goal is to try to promote free dialogue and expression of thoughts and ideas on college campuses,” Landes said in an interview Wednesday. “That’s the way it was when I was a college student and we just want to make sure that’s the case now and in the future so that students, faculty, staff and individuals who come on campus can have that open debate and dialogue.”

The bill received bipartisan support in both the House of Delegates and Senate before reaching McAuliffe. The bill originally passed through the House of Delegates with a 76-19 vote.

In the Senate, the bill passed with a 36-4 vote after a short amendment was proposed to add the term “constitutional” in describing the freedoms the bill protects. After returning to the House, the bill passed with 79 yea votes.

“I hope it’s going to protect not only people who are invited to speak,

but also the student’s rights to express themselves in a peaceful manner and to not be afraid of being punished for saying something,” Del. Jennifer Boysko (D-Herndon) said. “Having a group of diverse points of view helps people grow and understand one another better.”

The bill comes at a time where some critics have suggested forms of free speech are under threat at universities and campuses around the country.

“There is a general attitude right now on college campuses that politically conservative voices are being discriminated against,” Josh Wheeler, director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, told The Cavalier Daily in a previous interview. “This bill is a reaction to that.”

Rioting at the University of California-Berkeley in February led to the cancellation of a speech by conservative and the former Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos.

Earlier this month, protesters at Middlebury College interrupted a speech by controversial author Charles Murray — who is accused of holding racist beliefs. The protests turned violent when a faculty member suffered injuries.

When the bill was proceeding through the General Assembly, Landes said the legislation was intended to prevent the cancellation of invited guest speakers on campuses.

“Hopefully, it will encourage freedom of speech and the exchange of diverse ideas without fear of reprisals,” Del. Mark Cole (R-Spotsylvania), one of the co-patrons of the bill, said in an email to The Cavalier Daily

COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The bill received bipartisan support in both the House of Delegates and Senate before reaching McAuliffe.

Wednesday.

University President Teresa Sullivan gave a speech earlier this month stressing the importance of free speech as a vehicle for dialogue and debate.

“If we protect college students today from opposing views and diverse perspectives through ‘speech codes’ or other restrictions on free expression, we do them a great disservice, because we’re leaving them unprepared for the intellectual and social fray that they will enter the moment they step off our campuses,” Sullivan said in the keynote address at 99th annual American Council on Education conference on March 12.

While there have not been any recent high-profile incidents of alleged censorship at Virginia universities

and colleges, Landes said he thinks the bill ensures proper legal protections if any issues arise.

“If what we see happen in other states starts occurring on Virginia campuses, faculty, students, staff [and] invited speakers would have something to hang their hat on from the standpoint of their protection of free speech,” Landes said. “Just to supplement what has already been in the code and what the first amendment protects.”

Opponents of the bill, however, suggested it could potentially open the door to more hate speech on college campuses.

“People were saying hateful remarks or doing improper things, I don’t want to encourage that and this bill in some ways could encourage

that,” Del. John Bell (D-Loudoun) previously said to The Cavalier Daily.

Some critics of the bill also labeled it as redundant, given that the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights provides constitutional protections for free speech.

Several instances of hate speech have occurred at the University over the last year, including a man yelling racial slurs in Clemons Library, anti-Semitic graffiti outside of the GrandMarc apartment complex bigoted chalking across Grounds, racial slurs written in first-year dorms and an anti-Muslim comment written outside of a student’s room .

Landes said he does not believe that the bill will do anything to encourage or embolden hate speech.

“In the case of guest speakers this statute only protects their free speech if they’re invited to campus and they’re speaking,” Landes said. “You can still limit anyone who tries to incite violence or those other things that the Supreme Court has said someone can’t do under the auspices of saying it’s their freedom of speech.”

Boysko said she thinks the bill would actually provide further protection for people challenging hate speech.

“I see this more as a way to protect people speaking out against hate speech,” Boysko said. “The students have that right to say ‘this is not what we stand for,’ and I want them to know that they will not be punished for peacefully using their voices.”

McAuliffe’s office did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.

The new law is set to take effect on July 1.

Darden data science dual degree announced New program will allow students to earn MBA, master’s degree in data science ELIZA HAVERSTOCK | STAFF WRITER The Darden School of Business and University Data Science Institute unveiled a new dual degree program Monday intended to giv edge in a business worlddriven by “big data” and analytics.

The program will allow Darden students to earn both an MBA and a Masters in data science in two years with a curriculum interwoven from the two programs.

“The goal is to take advantage of of the fact that Darden has a very powerful and effective program for educating general management,” said Ronald Brown, director of the Data Science Institute. “What we do is provide a deep dive in terms of the skills

you need in order to be a professional data scientist.”

Data Science Institute was launched in 2013, it has become a competitivewith the goal of giving students the tools to apply analytical solutions in a wide variety of disciplines. It’s ranked sixth by a number of rankingss in data science, which is pretty impressive given that there’s quite a few of them,” Brown said.

“We’ve established that reputation in a year and a half.”

This dual degree comes as businesses from across a diverse range of industries demand MBA graduates with a strong understanding of big data analytics, artificial intelligence,

programming and technology, according to Darden Prof. Rajkumar Venkatesan.Even traditional companies have a huge tech focus ... That means data and analytics-based decision making is going to become big across the board and we need to be prepared for that,” Venkatesan said.

“The best students are the ones who have both the breadth of business understanding along with the depth of technology and analytics understanding.”

The announcement of the new dual degree program has already been met with substantial positive response, despite a lack of formal advertising about it. The first cohort

in the dual degree program this summer will consist of only five students, with plans to increase this number to fifty students in anticipation of a full launch by 2018. started admitting students, and we are in the process of finalizing their admissions already,” Venkatesan added. “We want to run it for one year [to] find what are the things that need to be fine tuned and changed before we can welcome the next cohort.”

The Data Science Institute already offers a dual degree with the Medical School as well, and plans to offer more dual programs across other schools at.

“In general, what we’ve been trying to do at the Data Science Institute is bring data science to bear in a number of curriculum,” said Brown. “We hope to soon have one with Nursing — a dual Ph.D. and MS in data science.”

Venkatesan was optimistic program and its impact on.I think this goe multidisciplinary nature of where U.Va. is in terms of research and also in terms of the curriculum,” said Venkatesan. “What we are doing at U.Va. is definitely getting readynext generation.”

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

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Space for student entrepreneurs opens in Thornton Hall Lighthouse room open to members of all schools MATTHEW GITTELMAN | SENIOR WRITER To accommodate collaboration among student entrepreneurs, a new area known as “the Lighthouse” opened in Thornton Hall March 15.

Spearheaded by Works in Progress, an association of entrepreneurial-minded alumni and students run

by University officials in the Department of Engineering and Society, the new space plans to incorporate both affiliates of the University and firms and startups in the Charlottesville community.

In an interview with The Cavalier Daily, Alexander Zorychta, the program director for Works in Progress, said the need for the Lighthouse arose from students who felt current resources were inadequate in suiting their collaborative ambitions.

“Before now, we haven’t had a workspace on Central Grounds that was dedicated toward entrepreneurial projects,” Zorychta said. “We’ve got the i.Lab, but that’s up at North Grounds. OpenGrounds opened as sort of a creativity-innovation entrepreneurial space, but it isn’t really.

group of students that has grown

And when we talked to student entrepreneurs, it wasn’t really cutting it for them.”

According to Zorychta, the Lighthouse room serves as a hub for a

rapidly thanks in part to the efforts of Works in Progress. In the last 18 months, the number of cultivated entrepreneurial projects has skyrock-

RICHARD DIZON | THE CAVALIER DAILY

The collaborative space opened on March 15.

eted from less than 10 to 70.

A “home base,” as Zorychta called it, gives students an avenue through which they can “interface with the University ecosystem.”

Though the room opened last week, Zorychta said the Lighthouse is in a continuous state of refurbishment, including acquiring better chairs and repurposing a sub-room into a conference space.

“It’s just like the name of our community,” Zorychta said. “It’s a work in progress.”

Elizabeth P. Pyle, associate director for technology entrepreneurship at the Engineering school, also said the room is intended to function as a central space for students.

“We look at it as a touchpoint,” Pyle said. “We don’t have weekly meetings or anything like that. [Students] need a place where they can touch base with each other — a central place they can go to.”

Pyle said the Lighthouse would not be reserved just for students in the Engineering school, noting Works in

Progress has already garnered interest from students across the College of Arts and Sciences, the Batten School and the Darden School.

“Our doors have always been open to anyone who is interested in entrepreneurship,” Pyle said. “And I think that’s important because … having different viewpoints makes your idea stronger.”

David Touve, the director of Darden School’s i.Lab, which works to facilitate cross-collaboration between different academic fields, said the Lighthouse will only help further the existing goals of i.Lab by allowing for collaboration not only across disciplines, but also between the University and Charlottesville communities.

“The team behind the Lighthouse shares the mission of the i.Lab, as well as the mission of UVA Entrepreneurship overall — support early stage founders as best as we can,” Touve said in an email to The Cavalier Daily.

Grassroots organization endorses Gillespie for governor The Middle Resolution, other conservative leaders announce endorsements for Republican candidate BRIDGET STARRS | STAFF WRITER The Middle Resolution, a conservative grassroots organization based in Mechanicsville, Va., endorsed former Senate candidate and Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie for Virginia Governor. The endorsement was announced on Facebook Live Tuesday afternoon.

"He has pledged to be a governor for all Virginians,” Middle Resolution Board Member Al Jackson said in the video. “He has put together a campaign staff that is capable of helping him win not only the nomination but to win the governor's seat in the next election.”

The Middle Resolution announced the endorsement one day after Gillespie publicized endorsements from 36 conservative Hampton Roads leaders, including former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. Gillespie has also received endorsements from U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), Del. Barry Knight (R-Virginia Beach), Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) and State Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg), among other noted GOP members.

The Middle Resolution’s work includes grassroots advocacy, evaluating legislation and voter education. According to the organization’s

website, the Middle Resolution supports candidates who promote “the Constitution, fiscal and individual responsibility, low taxes, and limited government regulation.” Gillespie said he appreciated the endorsement and has a mutual commitment to the organization’s ideals.

“I’m humbled to have the support of the committed conservatives at The Middle Resolution,” Gillespie said in a release. “The Middle Resolution represents a wide-range of grassroots conservatives who are committed to policies based on free markets and free people. Like The Middle Resolution and its members, I recognize the importance of a government that protects individual rights, lowers taxes and promotes accountability and transparency in government.”

Gillespie’s opponents in the Republican primary of the gubernatorial race Corey Stewart and State Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach).

With endorsements from 62 out of 87 Republican members of the General Assembly and the majority of the State Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia, Gillespie holds a large number of endorsements from Virginia GOP leaders.

Del. Scott Garrett (R-Lynchburg) is one of many Virginia delegates who have endorsed Gillespie. Garrett

said he believes economic opportunity is a concern that transcends other current issues and is at the root

of other issues such as education and safety.

“There’s still a whole lot of Virgin-

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Gillespie holds a large number of endorsements from Republican leaders.

ians ... that are very much still looking for better opportunities for themselves and for their children,” Garrett said. “We’ve got to educate our kids — that’s our future. But we’ve got to get folks back working again, and I think that’s what Ed Gillespie has done and been rock-solidly standing behind. He has a vision and perspective on how we can improve our education systems, public health systems and public transportation, but at the heart of all of that is getting people back to work.”

In the Democratic primary for the gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam has also been winning endorsements from prominent leaders in his party, including Gov. Terry McAuliffe and both U.S. Senators from Virginia — Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

Northam’s opponent, former Fifth Congressional District Rep. Tom Perriello, has not secured as many high-profile endorsements, but Perriello’s campaign announced Wednesday it had secured the support of 30 former Obama administration officials.

The former president himself has not endorsed either candidate in the Democratic primary.

The gubernatorial primaries are set for June 13.

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NEWS • www.cavalierdaily.com

‘Innocent on Death Row’ draws large crowd Event urges McAuliffe to grant clemency to Ivan Teleguz XARA DAVIES | ASSOCIATE EDITOR Over 200 students gathered in Clark 107 Monday to listen to attorney Elizabeth Peiffer make the case that Ivan Teleguz — a death row inmate convicted of hiring a man to murder his ex-girlfriend and who is set to be executed on April 25 — is innocent.

“He was charged with hiring someone to murder the ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, Stephanie Sipe,” Peiffer, a staff attorney at the Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center, said in an interview with The Cavalier Daily prior to the event.

“After he was convicted a lot of evidence began to emerge that he was innocent of the murder.”

The murder took place in July 2001 in Harrisonburg. Teleguz is alleged to have hired and driven two men — Edwin Gilkes and Michael Hetrick — from Lancaster, Penn. to Harrisonburg for the purpose of killing Sipe. Ultimately, Hetrick is believed to have cut Sipe’s throat.

According to Peiffer, there was no DNA or physical evidence found linking Teleguz to the crime and two of the three men who testified against Teleguz have since recanted their prior testimonies.

Arianna Zoghi, president of Amnesty International at U.Va. and a second-year College and Batten student, volunteers at Peiffer’s law firm and explained Amnesty International’s official position on this case. Amnesty International co-sponsored the event alongside the Roosevelt Society, the University Democrats and the College Republicans.

“Amnesty International as an organization is super opposed to the death penalty, and also in cases where there are questions of innocence,” Zoghi said. “Amnesty recently put out an urgent action about this specific case.”

At the event, Peiffer presented the timeline and facts of the case. The presentation was live-streamed on Facebook for members of the community who could not attend.

A jury convicted Teleguz of capital murder-for-hire in 2006

and subsequent appeals were denied by the U.S. Court of Appeals, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, according to Peiffer, can examine the evidence and stop the execution by granting clemency.

he he could help them implicate Teleguz.

“I don’t know. I can certainly hope he will have the same conscience and realize what his testimony has wrought,” Peiffer said. “[The] Commonwealth made very clear that Hetrick has the most serious thing at stake — his

his innocence if he is dead,” Peiffer said.

A third audience member asked if appealing to McAuliffe was the last measure. Peiffer said while they are also sending a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, what is most important to their case is for McAuliffe to look at

DARYA TAHAN | THE CAVALIER DAILY

Elizabeth Peiffer, an attorney at the Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center, said Teleguz is innocent at the event on Monday.

The presentation was followed by a question and answer session, with some questions coming from the Facebook livestream. One audience member asked if the third witness, Michael Hetrick, would change his testimony.

During her presentation, Peiffer said police had told Hetrick about the death penalty and had promised to “save him” if

life. I wish he would but I don’t think we can count on it.”

Another audience member asked if granting clemency to Teleguz would mean that he would be released. Peiffer said the decision-making power lies with McAuliffe and there is a whole range of possibilities. “[The] number one most important thing is for Ivan to be alive — he won’t be able to prove

the evidence and grant clemency.

Efforts to halt the execution through the judicial system have been unsuccessful thus far, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denying a motion for stay of execution on March 16.

Virginia Chambers, a firstyear College student and communications coordinator for the University Democrats, said the

University Democrats became involved because they wanted to spread awareness of the case.

“I think that this would probably just be another brick in the wall against the death penalty.

I think U.Va. students could be instrumental but as long as we have voices coming from ... all segments of Virginia,” Chambers said. “I think we could really make a big change here.”

Adam Kimelman, a second-year College student and incoming College Republicans chair, said the College Republicans encouraged their membership to attend.

“We did some research about Ivan's situation and felt that this situation transcended politics,” Kimelman said. “We promoted it to our membership and encouraged them to go.”

The event closed with the beginning of a letter-writing campaign to show support for Teleguz to McAuliffe.

First-year College student Savannah Quick attended the event and decided to write a letter in support.

“I did decide to write a letter because I don’t feel like he deserves to be on death row,” Quick said. “I feel like he’s innocent and I feel that it’s really important that Governor McAuliffe grants clemency.”

Peiffer said getting the Governor to take action comes down to showing McAuliffe public concern about the case and support the casting of clemency.

Mary Garner McGehee, a second-year College student and member of the Roosevelt Society, said the Roosevelt Society’s meeting next week will involve a discussion about the case and the justice system.

“I think [Peiffer] made a very compelling case, but I think it’s good to have organizations like the Roosevelt Society where you can kind of talk about both sides of the case,” McGehee said. “I personally think she did a good job of representing her client and that’s important — to recognize the role of the lawyer.”

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

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U.Va. develops Corner presence with 1515 Businesses, students weigh in on arrival of new student space MEGHAN TONNER | SENIOR WRITER The Corner welcomed 1515, a new University-leased building catering to students looking to study or relax on the historic commercial strip along University Avenue, with its grand opening on March 17.

1515 was born from a collaboration among students, faculty and alumni to create a space specialized to serve students. Although the University Police Department operates a public safety substation on the Corner, 1515 marks a major expansion of the University's presence into a space dominated by businesses, bars and coffee shops.

Intentions of 1515 The creators of 1515 sought to provide students with a unique atmosphere not previously available on the Corner. The space includes study rooms, a basement game room, a small coffee shop and a large casual seating area that allows students to alternate studying with relaxing breaks.

“We really focused on making sure that all students felt welcome in the space and that it would be a place that people really wanted to go to,” said Dakota Lipscombe, fifth-year Batten student and member of the 1515 Planning Committee. “Personally I really like that kind of environment to study in, and it allows for students to take breaks in contrast with the traditional library atmosphere.”

In addition to extensive activity options within 1515, the no-alcohol policy of the building provides an alternative late-night vibe for students on the Corner.

“The goal has always been to provide an alternative location for students to socialize where there doesn’t

exist the pressure to drink alcohol or be around those who do,” J. Marshall Pattie, assistant vice president and associate dean of students, said

see ourselves as a complement to the Corner atmosphere,” Lipscombe said.

After a well-attended grand

here,” first-year Engineering student Surbhi Singh said. “I really like how the space is so open with big windows. I hate studying in small,

COURTESY RICHARD DIZON | THE CAVALIER DAILY

1515 has a no-alcohol policy, which contrasts with other places students gather on the Corner.

in an email to The Cavalier Daily. “A goal of equal importance has been to create a fun space on its own merit.

From what I’ve seen this weekend, 1515 effectively reinforces the truth that you don’t need alcohol to have a great time.”

Although 1515 contains a gourmet dessert café and vies for students’ attention on the Corner, the creators do not interpret the space as competing with local businesses.

“We’re not trying to compete with other places on the Corner; we

RICHARD DIZON | THE CAVALIER DAILY

The basement is designed as a place for students to interact separate from the bar scene.

opening, the creators of 1515 intend to maintain the space’s relevance by facilitating a dynamic atmosphere that adapts to students’ needs. Several aspects of the building are alterable to student tastes such as the featured art, furniture, arcade room games and food provided.

“Moving forward, I’d say a natural challenge is to keep 1515 fresh and relevant. The student and staff planners designed the building to be agile,” Pattie said. “Over time, we can change aspects of the building to keep it current with student preferences …

The beauty of the space is that it can change as students change.”

Students’ first impressions of 1515 During the grand opening of 1515 the space was filled with excited students, faculty, staff and townspeople eager to explore the Corner’s newest edition.

Students lined up to receive free 1515 mugs and sign up for crafting activities held throughout the building, all while admiring the new addition.

“I was awe-struck at first — like, where am I? This doesn’t seem like U.Va.,” first-year Nursing student Esha Rawat said. “It has a very modern feel, it’s a contemporary design and I really like that.”

In contrast to the traditional study spaces found in libraries and academic buildings in which solitude and silence are often the norm, 1515 offers a bright, open atmosphere for students to enjoy while they work.

“I definitely would come to study

cramped spaces. I usually don’t go to libraries because they’re depressing but this is an upbeat place.”

However, not all students plan to use 1515 as a study space.

“I distract easily, so the regimented environment [of a library] helps me get my work out of the way quickly instead of drawing out assignments for several hours,” third-year College student Sean Hood said. “I just don’t do well with many social variables, noise or other interactions going on while I’m trying to get work done.”

Students spent the grand opening investigating the various rooms and activities available to them in 1515.

“I like that you can do a lot of things within the same space,” firstyear College student Saahithi Budharaju said. “You have a place to eat, you can sit with your friends, you can play games — you can do everything in one place.”

Community impact of 1515 1515 is nestled amongst a diverse landscape of local businesses and a few national chains serving Charlottesville and the student body. Some of the space’s neighbors anticipate a symbiotic relationship with 1515 and the increased student presence the space could bring to the Corner.

“We’re a pretty well-known brand, so I don’t think it’s a matter of competition,” Starbucks supervisor Jeremy Snow said. “It’s just people enjoying good coffee and good company. We serve the students so if anyone else is helping in doing that then we appreciate it.”

Starbucks and other shops on the Corner are often crowded with students trying to eat and study, so 1515 may alleviate some of the crowding.

The Corner is also home to a vibrant music scene, and 1515 could be a new addition to the list of venues.

“I think it would be an incredible place to play,” said Hunter Wolfe, lead singer and guitarist of Born Crooked, a brother-sister duo that often plays in Charlottesville. “It’s a great way for college students who are looking to get out and do something with their college community. All around it sounds like a great opportunity and a much needed institution for Charlottesville.”

1515 reminds Wolfe of a venue Born Crooked started out in, which allowed new artists to explore performing without the pressure of preparing an entire show and connected young artists to professional musicians.

“It was always a great experience, and it held up against any other venue that we’ve performed at since then and I think 1515 has the same possibility here,” Wolfe said.

In regard to the no-alcohol policy in 1515, Wolfe said Born Crooked would not be discouraged from playing in the space due to this rule.

“I don’t think it should affect anybody’s decision to go or not,” Wolfe said. “If you have friends that are playing or hanging out it shouldn’t be a factor of you going out and having a good time supporting music or just hanging out with your friends in a safe environment.”

Given the extensive bar scene, some people say 1515 may open the Corner up to more students who may not have felt comfortable on the Corner in the past.

“I know there are plenty of people who feel intimidated or left out just because they choose not to drink, so I think [1515]’s a great spot for those people to feel included and have a place to be,” said Julia Holbrook, a Boylan Heights shift manager and fourth-year College student.

Holbrook said she anticipates 1515 could be beneficial to business when students come out to visit the newly-opened space. y “I think it will have a positive impact because it will attract more students to the Corner, and possibly students that would normally be over in dorms or students that wouldn’t normally be drinking on the Corner but would be nearby in 1515 and want to come just get a burger at Boylan Heights,” Though it is too early to define the exact relationship 1515 will develop with the community, local businesses and townies alike are eager to see what changes the space will bring.

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No. 16 baseball sweeps Towson in two-game set Virginia next faces Duke Friday at Davenport Field ALEC DOUGHERTY | SENIOR ASSOCIATE The No. 16 Virginia baseball team got back to its winning ways this week, downing Towson (8-7) in both match ups of a two game series.

Virginia (17-5, 2-4 ACC) came off a tough weekend against Clemson in which the Cavaliers allowed 19 runs in the final two games of the series.

In response, the Virginia pitching staff delivered two admirable performances against the Clemson Tigers to get back in the win column.

The first game of the set between the Cavaliers and Towson Tigers was a low-scoring pitcher’s duel until the end. Virginia found ways to manufacture runs early, as sophomore designated hitter Nate Eikhoff opened up the scoring in the second inning with an RBI groundout. The Cavaliers would get another run in the third when junior shortstop Ernie Clement scored sophomore outfielder Jake McCarthy on a sac fly after McCarthy legged out a triple. Clement scored McCarthy again in the sixth inning on an RBI single after McCarthy stole his 14th base of the season.

Towson’s pitching performance largely took away the big hits that

usually fuel Virginia’s offense, forcing the the team to play small ball. Fortunately for the Cavaliers, they benefitted from a solid performance from junior starting pitcher Derek Casey, who allowed one run and struck out five batters in six innings of work.

Casey exited his last start against Monmouth after being hit on the wrist with a ball in play, but showed no signs of struggle as he dominated the Tiger bats. Casey lowered his ERA to a team leading 2.37 in yet another quality start.

Looking to lock up the win, coach Brian O’Connor put in junior closer Tommy Doyle in the eighth inning to pitch for a two-inning save. Doyle allowed his first run of the season to reduce Virginia’s lead to 3-2, but he provided the most clutch play of the game when he picked off the next batter to end the eighth inning. Doyle mowed down the Tigers in the ninth inning to secure a 3-2 victory and his fifth save of the season.

In the second game of the series Wednesday, Virginia wasted no time matching its scoring from the last game. The Cavaliers plated four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a

COURTESY VIRGINIA ATHLETICS

Junior pitcher Derek Casey allowed one run and struck out five batters against Towson.

two-run triple from sophomore second baseman Andy Weber. Towson’s pitching was erratic to say the least — despite only having one hit in the game, Virginia took a 6-0 lead in the third inning after three walks issued by sophomore starting pitcher Alex Cuas.

The Cavaliers’ quick strikes made life easier for sophomore relief pitcher Chesdin Harrington on the mound, who came from the bullpen to make his first start of the year. Harrington allowed no runs and struck

out three in three innings of work in the spot-start.

Towson would score three runs between the fifth and sixth innings, but Virginia added insurance runs to keep the Tigers from striking distance. One run came when junior outfielder Pavin Smith went deep in the bottom of the fifth inning — his sixth of the year. The back end of the Virginia bullpen mostly quieted the Tigers’ offense from there, and Virginia held on for an 8-4 victory.

Virginia will ride a two-game win streak into its first home ACC series of the season. The visitors will be Duke, who is coming off of a 10-3 victory against Maryland-Eastern Shore Tuesday.

After losing its first four games to start the season, the Blue Devils (1111, 3-3 ACC) have clawed their way back over .500 in conference play, but they have been very streaky. The team does have a 2-1 ACC series win against Virginia Tech, but it dropped its most recent series at home to Wake Forest,, 1-2.

The Blue Devils don’t hit for much power — rather, they have solid speed on the base paths. Three starters have swiped over five bags this season, and in total the team is 35-44 in stolen base attempts. Duke also doesn’t have a very deep rotation, though Virginia will probably run into its ace pitcher, junior Ryan Day — who is sporting a 2.33 ERA. Both Virginia and Duke will take the field this weekend to try to improve on their mediocre ACC records. First pitch in game one of the series is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday at Davenport Field.

Men’s lacrosse gets set to face No. 17 Johns Hopkins Teams will face off for Doyle Smith Cup RAHUL SHAH | SPORTS EDITOR The No. 15 Virginia men’s lacrosse team will travel to Baltimore this weekend to take on No. 17 Johns Hopkins in what will be a clash between two of the top teams in the nation.

Coach Lars Tiffany said the programs are familiar with one another and that both teams coming off of a loss will play a role in the outcome of the match.

“Two teams that certainly know each other really well and two teams looking for a win,” Tiffany said. “Both [are] coming off losses, so I’m expecting sort of a battle of wills.”

After playing at Klöckner Stadium last weekend, the Cavaliers (5-3, 0-2 ACC) will once again play on the road in another well-known arena — Homewood Field — in Baltimore.

Tiffany said Virginia’s road schedule this year has prepared them to play in tough environments away from Charlottesville.

“We’ve played in some great arenas already this year, so I think Homewood is probably the most unique and special of all facilities that we’ve played in outside of Klöckner,” Tiffany said. “But I don’t think

the intimidation factor will be there because of the experience that we’ve already had this year.”

Virginia knows they will have to play at a high level in order to beat a team like the Blue Jays (4-3, 0-0 Big Ten). Tiffany said Johns Hopkins can gain a real advantage with their ability to use picks so effectively. He added that this is something Virginia will have to try and do better this

weekend.

“Johns Hopkins is really good at trying to change your matchups with picks, like they do in basketball,” Tiffany said. “Try to get the big man on the little man, and vice versa …

We’re going to have to be better with our pick play as we prepare for Johns Hopkins this weekend.”

One thing Virginia knows it didn’t execute as well as it could have

CALLIE COLLINS | THE CAVALIER DAILY

Sophomore midfielder Ryan Conrad will return to his hometown of Baltimore Sunday to face rival Johns Hopkins.

last week — and will look to be better at this Saturday — is on-ball defense.

“Some of the techniques that we were using Saturday against Notre Dame just were not fundamentally sound, and we called some of the defenders out on that on Monday,” Tiffany said.

Though Tiffany was tougher on his team than usual after last weekend’s loss, he knows his team never stopped giving its best effort.

“I got on them on Monday,” Tiffany said. “We out ground-balled Notre Dame by 16 — if there’s any stat that defines heart and character, it’s that stat in our sport.”

Tiffany said he was impressed by the improved play of freshman goalie Griffin Thompson towards the end of last weekend’s game and wants to see him build on this confidence. “[He] played well late in the game,” Tiffany said. “And so can he build on that confidence from those three or four saves he made late against Notre Dame against another traditional power in Johns Hopkins.”

Both Tiffany and his team are aware of the challenges that a team like Johns Hopkins can present in a

game, and he said they have a lot of respect for their opponent on Saturday.

“Johns Hopkins will play fast, but they’re really dangerous in the six [versus] six situation,” Tiffany said.

“They’ve got great coaches who analyze the game and really try to break you down … We’re going to certainly try to create a pace that is more of the players deciding the outcome.”

Sophomore midfielder Ryan Conrad knows all about Johns Hopkins, for the Baltimore native said he strongly considered committing there when he was making his decision on where to play college lacrosse. “[John Hopkins] were definitely one of my top teams,” Conrad said.

“They’re obviously a great program, [Dave] Pietramala’s a great coach …

I definitely considered them.”

The game against Johns Hopkins is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday in Baltimore. This will be the first of a two-game road trip for the Cavaliers, as they will play Richmond the following Saturday before coming back to Charlottesville for a threegame home stand.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

www.cavalierdaily.com • SPORTS

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Softball takes on ACC leader No. 6 Florida State Virginia looks to capture its first conference series EMMA D’ARPINO | ASSOCIATE EDITOR After a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday, the Cavaliers are now getting ready to host No. 6 Florida State in a threegame series over the weekend.

The Cavaliers (11-17, 2-7 ACC) split their recent games against Towson, picking up a 5-4 win against the Tigers (9-11, 0-0 CAA) in the first matchup, and then falling to them later that evening in a 7-4 loss.

“In the end, I do think we are better than we played [against Towson],” coach Joanna Hardin said. “We had some mental mistakes that were costly and let a few opportunities slip away at the plate.”

The double-header against the Tigers came after the Cavaliers got swept by NC State — the third ACC series Virginia lost.

“Every coach talks about the ‘grind’ of season and that's where we are right now,” Hardin said. “Mentally and physically, we have to keep fighting and pushing to get better every day — and it's tough.

In the midst of the challeng-

es of the early season, Virginia’s upperclassmen have been crucial to giving the Cavaliers their best chance at success. Junior outfielder and pitcher Allison Davis boasts a batting average of .388, which is currently the best for any Cavalier. Seniors McKall Miller and Katie Park are also hitting above .300, with Miller batting at .328 and Park batting at .322.

Meanwhile, the Seminoles (28-1-1, 9-0 ACC) come to Charlottesville having yet to drop a game in the ACC. Florida State boasts an impressive 19game unbeaten streak and a 14game winning streak — making it the best start in school history.

In its most recent conference series, Florida State kept Notre Dame from scoring a single run over the course of the three games — picking up two 6-0 victories and one 16-0 win.

Senior first baseman Alex Powers currently leads the Seminoles in hitting with a batting average of .467, and she leads the ACC for most hits by a player. Powers, who was a 2016

COURTESY VIRGINIA ATHLETICS

Second Team All-American selection, has tallied up 27 RBI’s and four home runs so far this season.

An additional key to Florida State’s offense is junior infielder Jessica Warren. Warren has collected eight home runs and 35 RBIs, both of which are the second-best numbers put up by anyone in the conference.

Recently, Florida State has dominated matchups against Virginia, taking 13 of the last 14.

However, the Cavaliers are looking to change that.

“As we continue to mature and grow together as a unit I think it will show itself in more consistent play on the field,” Hardin said. “Our staff believes in every player on the team and we know they are capable of competing hard.”

After this series, the Cavaliers will face a 10-game stretch of games on the road, beginning with a midweek doubleheader against Longwood.

Junior outfielder and pitcher Allison Davis currently leads the Cavaliers in batting with her batting average of .388.

No. 19 women’s lacrosse defeats in-state rival James Madison The No. 19 Virginia women’s lacrosse team handled James Madison Wednesday night in a decisive 9-6 victory on the road.

This match marks the thirdstraight victory for Virginia — a feat not yet accomplished this season.

The Cavaliers (5-4, 1-2 ACC) were able to pull off a 4-1 run after the Dukes (6-4) scored two goals early on into the first half.

Following the Cavalier run, the team never trailed for the rest of the game — due in large part to the defensive efforts of junior goalkeeper Rachel Vander Kolk. Vander Kolk, who averages 6.38 saves a game, had a noteworthy nine saves.

By maintaining possession of the ball — seen by the Cavaliers going 20-23 on clears — and making defensive stops though their 19 turnovers, Virginia was once again able to show its skill in keeping talented

teams from finding the back of the net.

James Madison, who has shown that they can outscore an unprepared opponent as seen by its 14-8 victory over Richmond last week, was unable to overcome the defensive interference put up by the Cavaliers.

Virginia was able to prove that it has what it takes to face a difficult opponent on the road. Senior attackers Besser Dyson and Kelly Reese led their team offensively, scoring three goals each to lead the Cavaliers to victory. The hat tricks for the two seniors marked their second-consecutive game with three goals apiece.

Virginia will return to Klöckner Stadium Saturday to face Duke. The ACC matchup is set for Saturday at 1 p.m.

— compiled by John Garza

HISHAM IQBAL | THE CAVALIER DAILY

Senior attacker Besser Dyson chipped in a hat trick to help lead the Cavaliers to a 9-6 victory over in-state rival James Madison.

THE CAVALIER DAILY CORRECTIONS In the March 20 edition of The Cavalier Daily, in the article “In conversation with Christina Baker Kline,” the article previously said “tribals and tribulations.” The correct term is “trials and tribulations.”

LEAD EDITORIAL

Lee statue should not be removed Relocation of Confederate statue would set dangerous precedent

C

harlottesville City Council voted on Feb. 6 to remove and subsequently relocate the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Lee Park. Last Monday, two organizations and 11 community members filed a lawsuit against the City of Charlottesville over the decision. While the Council's decision to move the statue is justified, it also sets a dangerous precedent for erasing darker aspects of Charlottesville’s history.

The removal and relocation of the Lee statue seems to go directly against Virginia state law, which states: “If such [memorials for war veterans] are erected it shall be unlawful for the authorities of the locality, or any other person or persons, to disturb or interfere with any monuments or

memorials so erected.” Precedent for the application of this law was set in June 2015, when Loudoun County officials determined they could not remove a statue of Confederate soldiers. Removing and relocating Confederate memorials constitutes the type of disturbance and interference referenced in the statute.

At a news conference, Vice Mayor Wes Bellamy mentioned that African Americans had been spat upon for simply being in the park. Additionally, Confederate sympathizers and white nationalists have made the statue a symbol of their views and beliefs. The statue’s glorification of the Confederacy has inflicted clear harm on our community. However, given both the statue’s historical value and

the high costs associated with relentless litigation and relocation, removing the monument from the park inefficiently addresses the issue.

Historical context is important for monuments. Given that the Lee statue only tells one side of the story, it is inappropriate to have it serve as one of the few reminders of our community’s Civil War history. Instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegally interfering with the statue, City Council should invest resources to honor Civil War figures whose history unfolded in Charlottesville — especially the African Americans, both enslaved and free, who at the time made up a majority of the town’s population. The Council also needs to devote more of its

efforts to acknowledging the full historical context of the monument and the park.

We abhor the racism of our country’s past. Although this is certainly included in the Lee statue’s history and in its meaning to many today, hiding and ignoring such remnants of the past would fix nothing. Moreover, removal of the Lee statue would set grounds for how we handle controversial history in the future. It is crucial to consider the historical context of any Confederate memorial, and ruling in favor of the decision to remove and relocate the Lee statue would only prevent the Charlottesville community from doing so.

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.

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MANAGING BOARD Editor-in-Chief Mike Reingold Managing Editor Tim Dodson Executive Editor Carlos Lopez Operations Manager Danielle Dacanay Chief Financial Officer Grant Parker EDITORIAL BOARD Jordan Brooks Jake Lichtenstein Carlos Lopez Mike Reingold Noah Zeidman JUNIOR BOARD Assistant Managing Editors Lillian Gaertner Ben Tobin (SA) Evan Davis (SA) Colette Marcellin (SA) Trent Lefkowitz (SA) Alix Nguyen (SA) Grant Oken

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THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

www.cavalierdaily.com • OPINION

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WHY SEGREGATION IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IS OKAY Christian communities, CIOs should prioritize spiritual growth over diversity

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t times, students criticize Christian fellowships for racial homogeneity. These critics overlook the fact that fostering a Christian community inherently prioritizes spiritual growth above all else. Spiritual growth is both a congregational and personal experience, so individuals must decide which fellowship group best fits them according to their own standards, not society’s standards.

A Christian fellowship is not a representative body. No one votes for its members or expects it to represent the entire Christian population at the University. Every individual connects to God’s Word in different ways, so it is counterproductive for any fellowship to fret over racial diversity.

More often than not, this discussion arises when considering the cultural subsets of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship: OneWay, a black fellowship, and Asian InterVarsity, an Asian / Asian-American fellowship.

Critics of these InterVarsity chapters either place culpability on InterVarsity for failing to appeal to racial minorities

or on the chapter members for self-segregating. Neither the existence of these chapters nor these points of criticism are unique to the University’s InterVarsity fellowship. In fact, InterVarsity’s national blog posted

ter serves the black Christian community by supporting OneWay’s prosperity than it would if it pressured the chapter into assimilation. Doing so would negate the history behind black churches.

If they best connect to God when worshipping with others of the same racial background, then it is their right to seek out that type of fellowship. It is not self-segregation — it is a spiritual choice. an article in 2011 on this topic.

As the author argues, these ethnic specific chapters do cater to racial minorities — just not in the way one might expect.

For instance, like historically black denominations across the nation, OneWay represents a venerated tradition of black congregations in America. During the Reconstruction Era, newly freed slaves exercised their independence through founding black churches, and fellowships like OneWay keep this legacy alive. InterVarsity much bet-

Notwithstanding historical significance, it is perfectly fair that OneWay and AIV members chose a fellowship based on their ethnicity. If they best connect to God when worshipping with others of the same racial background, then it is their right to seek out that type of fellowship.

It is not self-segregation — it is a spiritual choice.

The moment we criticize OneWay or Asian InterVarsity for self-segregation is the moment we lose sight of what their existence truly represents. These

two fellowships exemplify the variety of Christian fellowships available to the University community. According to @UVA, there are over 25 Christian fellowships on Grounds to choose from.

Personally, I did not decide on a fellowship solely based on my race, and I know for a fact there are other black Christians students like me. I decided to join several fellowships to fulfill my spiritual needs. I attend Reformed University Fellowship’s church home, Trinity Presbyterian on Sundays and participate in two InterVarsity discipleships throughout the week, one with a predominantly white undergraduate chapter and one with the OneWay chapter. As I explored Christian fellowships over the course of last semester, I felt equally welcomed by each one, and the decisions I made were entirely based on the characteristics which matter to me the most. I liken the Christian fellowship process to Rush except you are in total control of your “bid day.”

As we enter the fourth week of Lent, it is important to consider

the purpose and value of Christian fellowship on Grounds.

Christian fellowships provide a much needed sanctuary where anyone can momentarily escape academics, University student politics, CIOs and other stressful factors of everyday life. As first-year Reformed University Fellowship member Sam Powers wrote to me, Christian fellowship is “freeing especially within such a high-pressure University.

I am constantly reminded that I have a broader purpose and value beyond the [University] bubble.”

These communities teach students how to set aside and appreciate differences as they develop a compassionate congregation. They allow us to step away from the host of divisive extremes which govern our daily lives, and instead immerse ourselves in a community of forgiveness and compassion.

KRISTEN BARRETT is a viewpoint writer for The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at opinion@cavalierdaily.com.

WHY CHUCK BERRY MATTERS MORE THAN EVER The late artist who defined rock ‘n’ roll still holds the key to realizing genre’s potential

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ast Saturday, we lost Chuck Berry, an artist who created the vernacular for one of America’s greatest popular idioms: rock ‘n’ roll. It’s hard to avoid cliché when discussing Berry’s work because of how deeply his influence permeates global culture, shaping everyone from Mick Jagger to Marty McFly. At the same time, it’s no overstatement that without Berry’s music, our idea of the American teenager or even as heady a subject as the American Dream might not be the same. But while much has been written about his greatness — including an excellent piece by Media Studies Prof. Jack Hamilton — I want to make the case for why Berry, and the genre he defined, still matter in a time in which echo chambers divide our music as much as our politics.

We may be 60 years removed from Berry’s creative prime, but in its lyricism and restless energy, his music still offers a vision of what this country and rock ‘n’ roll can be when they strive to live up to their highest ideals.

More than anything else, Berry’s music imagined an America where the social barriers between people could be collapsed by an unstoppable backbeat. As a touring musician in Jim Crow

America, Berry had to hire a white bus driver so that the driver could pick up food from restaurants that would refuse to serve Berry if he showed up in person. The need to appeal to white audiences prevented him from making the explicit racial statements, but in songs like “Brown Eyed Handsome Man,” Berry’s lyrics allude to the struggles he faced trying to make it in a country that didn’t value the lives of people like him. “Johnny B. Goode,” the first and best song about wanting to be a rock star, detailed the struggles of Berry’s “country boy” protagonist, a coded reference Berry originally wrote as “colored boy.” In spite of everything the character faces, by the end of the song, he realizes his version of the American dream, untarnished by racism or Berry’s own personal failings.

Today, rock ‘n’ roll is not the world-conquering force it was when Berry told Beethoven to roll over, but it is far from dead. Rock has been preoccupied with its own demise since Elvis joined the army in the late 1950s, and in 1979, the same year The Clash released London Calling and Joy Division put out Unknown Pleasures, Neil Young was preoccupied enough

with rock’s impending death to record one of his greatest songs, “Hey Hey My My.” By that point, rock had undergone what Jack Hamilton in Just Around Midnight describes as a “whitewashing,” setting up artificial genre barriers where white practitioners of soul like Hall and Oates were lumped in

Berry’s music imagined.

The early signs are good that the music is proving durable enough to make this possible. Though she was robbed in some of the Grammy’s biggest categories, Beyoncé actually recorded one of last year’s best rock songs on Lemonade, “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” a collaboration

More than anything else, Berry’s music imagined an America where the social barriers between people could be collapsed by an unstoppable backbeat.

with rock and black innovators like Sly Stone and George Clinton were denied airplay on rock stations. As America has grown more diverse and hip hop has become synonymous with pop music, rock’s identification with the white, middle class male experience has hurt the genre, both popularly and creatively, while doing a disservice to Berry’s vision of the music as a racial unifier. For rock to live up to its storied legacy and remain relevant, it needs to recommit itself to the kind of America

with Jack White. On a smaller scale, artists like Mitski, PWR BTTM and Alabama Shakes are confounding expectations of what indie rock should look and sound like, proving guitar music in 2017 can still build on tradition rather than simply rehash it. Even Frank Ocean’s “Blonde,” an album which wouldn’t be conventionally tagged with the “rock” label, features guitar-crossed sonic textures deeply indebted to The Beatles, The Beach Boys and Jimi Hendrix in order to make a record which

elucidates our cultural conceptions of identity in a new way.

Writing about Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible, Austin Brown argues rock music at its best aspires towards universality by creating its own “secular spirituality.” The band or solo artist to achieve this lofty goal may not exist yet or even be possible in 2017’s anxious and culturally polarized America. You only need to listen to about 10 seconds of Johnny B. Goode’s opening guitar blasts to know that Chuck Berry believed in the idea. That unrealized optimism, just as much as his immeasurable influence, is why his songs still matter in an era when vinyl has given way to Spotify, and it is also why his music’s full potential has yet to be tapped.

GRAY WHISNANT is a former Opinion editor for The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at opinion@cavalierdaily.com.

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THE CAVALIER DAILY

OPINION • www.cavalierdaily.com

THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT IS PROMISING GOP healthcare plan can fix the holes pocketing Obamacare

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tarting today, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the American Health Care Act, the Republican leadership’s first step to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare. The AHCA has been harshly criticized by many on the left and right, and has become a target for op-ed writers at publications across the country, including The Cavalier Daily. In order to fairly evaluate the AHCA, we need to recognize the current problems with Obamacare, as well as view this legislation in the proper context — as a first step to fixing the health care system in the United States.

First, let’s examine the Affordable Care Act. As a gargantuan, 906-page document written in Harry Reid’s office on Christmas Eve was jammed through Congress in a “pass it so you can read it” fashion, Obamacare promised a health care system with lower premiums and more choice. Furthermore, President Obama calmly reassured voters on 37 separate occasions that “if you like your plan, you can keep your plan.” Premiums across the country soared by 69 percent between 2013 and 2015, and a study from the well respected Brookings Institute found that 24.4 percent of this spike was directly attributable to Obamacare.

Choices have contracted to the point where one in five consumers have only one healthcare provider to buy plans from. With no alteration to the

H HUMOR A

ll of us know what it’s like to have neighbors. They always seem to want something from you — and nine times out of 10, what they want is for you to feed their pesky felines when they’re out of town. I know you’ll find it impossible to say no when the Johnsons ask you to feed their three cats over the weekend. I also know that while the Johnsons are having a blast in upstate New York, you’ll be busy forgetting all about feeding Frisky, Tuna and Mr. Whiskers — until the night before the Johnsons return, when you wake up in a cold sweat over your cat-sitting faux pas. But don’t panic! If you follow these five simple steps, the Johnsons will never know that you forgot to feed their cats.

1. Conduct a neighborhood investigation to determine how many lives (of nine) each cat had before

current law, premiums are expected rise an additional 25 percent on average in 2017.

Obamacare’s main claim of success is that more people than ever are “covered” by health insurance, but the way in which this was done is immoral, arrogant and unacceptable.

By using an individual mandate, government penalizes or fines those who do not choose to buy health insurance. Let’s examine the implications of government being allowed to use this power. The current law calls for everyone to buy into these great Obamacare plans, so much so they’re

more expensive, cover less and have less choice.

Riddled with problems, it is clear Obamacare needs to be repealed and replaced with a better system. This is where the AHCA comes in, and why it is important to put this specific legislation into the context of the larger repeal-and-replace plan. The AHCA is special in the fact that it is being done as a Reconciliation Amendment to the Budget, and therefore can not be filibustered in the Senate.

Because of this rule, it only needs the support of 51 — or 50 plus Vice President Mike Pence — Senators

In short, Republicans can all agree that Obamacare needs to be repealed and replaced, and they all ran and were elected on the promise to do so. going to force you to, and if you disagree you pay a fine. By deeming this constitutional — which by any rational calculation it is not — the Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision created a precedent where Government can fine people who don’t buy electric cars because they’re better for the environment, gym memberships because exercising is healthy and Kale because it’s better for you. So when Democrats say Obamacare “covers” more people than ever, what they are really saying is Obamacare immorally coerces more people into buying health insurance plans which are

instead of the 60 needed on most legislation to prevent a filibuster. At the same time, reconciliation limits what can be put into this bill, so the AHCA is only the first step towards fixing our healthcare system.

The AHCA repeals the immoral individual mandate, as well as many of Obamacare’s flawed subsidies and taxes. At the same time, it would start re-distributing federal Medicaid money to the states on a per-capita basis so it can be more effectively used.

The AHCA would also create a refundable tax credit which families

can use in order to purchase health care. This tax credit has been heavily criticized as a windfall for the wealthy, as it only takes family size and age into consideration when deciding the size of the tax credit.

Another problem with many of Obamacare’s subsidies is they often don’t incentivize work. As lower income individuals find higher paying jobs and promotions, they out-grow their subsidy under Obamacare. They then have to choose whether they want a better job or decline to take a higher paying job so they could keep their subsidy and health insurance. The new tax credit doesn’t force those attempting to live the American Dream to compromise, and is capped for very high incomes, so we aren’t subsidizing millionaires buying healthcare.

When the Congressional Budget Office released there scores of the AHCA, the results stated that while the AHCA would save government $337 billion over 10 years and lower premiums by 10 percent by 2026, it would result in 24 million more people being uninsured as well. Again, it is incredibly important to remember that this CBO report is measuring only one-third of the Republican repeal-and-replace plan. Important provisions, such as the ability for insurance companies to compete across state lines, can be passed in future legislation. This provision would dramatically increase choice and competition of health care plans for customers, drawing millions of people back into the healthcare mar-

ket. Furthermore, the CBO cites the repealing of the individual mandate as the primary reason for the spike in the uninsured. Part of the reason more people are not buying insurance is because government will no longer immorally force people to buy health insurance. Putting the CBO report into the appropriate context is essential to understanding the AHCA. In short, Republicans can all agree Obamacare needs to be repealed and replaced, and they all ran and were elected on the promise to do so.

While we may have different ideas on how to properly implement some aspects of healthcare reform, we can all agree something needs to be done now. The AHCA and reconciliation represents the best and perhaps only chance for these legislators to keep their promise. If Republicans have any alternative plans which can pass on reconciliation, the country would be glad to hear them. If Democrats have any practical ideas on how to fix their health care mess, they should let us know. While the AHCA may not be perfect or complete, it remains the most viable option to improve our healthcare system at this time.

ADAM KIMELMAN is the incoming Chair of the College Republicans.

WHEN FORGETTING TO FEED THE NEIGHBOR’S CATS you starved it to death It is obviously safe to assume that Frisky, Tuna and Mr. Whiskers are now in the late stages of rigor mortis due to your neglect. However, there is a small chance that they will be able to use their cat magic to recover if they have not already died eight times before starving to death. So, go undercover and interview everyone in the neighborhood to find out if the cats have ever fallen to the ground from a high place, or gotten hit by a car, or licked a fraying electrical wire. Since cats are reckless little demons, you will probably discover that they are dead for real and you should proceed with number two to five, found below.

2. Eliminate all witnesses No one in the neighborhood can know that you have murdered the Johnson family’s cats, so you must make sure no one has seen their decaying corpses. Be on the lookout for Little Kimmy, the neighborhood girl the Johnsons are paying to bring in their mail, and Old Man Jameson, the curmudgeon who takes a daily stroll around the neighborhood. Both of these characters get a real kick out

of peeking in through the Johnsons’ windows, and you need to go to any lengths necessary to convince them that they haven’t seen a thing. Remember, bribes can go a long way — the higher your body count, the more witnesses you’ll have to account for.

3. Dispose of the bodies The only way to clear yourself of all suspicion is to make everyone think the Johnson family’s cats are missing, not dead. You must make it look like Frisky, Tuna, and Mr. Whiskers ran away from home, and that is why they are nowhere to be found. First, you must dissolve their remains in a vat of acid and throw that acid into a swamp. Then, you must arrange the Johnson residence to look like it was just left by three feline escape artists. Write a note in childlike print that says: “The catnip is always greener on the other side of the fence,” sign it with a pawprint and leave it next to the litterbox. Remove all toys and food the cats would have brought with them on their escape mission. Open a browser window on the Johnson family computer with the Google query, “How to open a door without opposable thumbs.”

Wear gloves when completing these tasks so you do not leave fingerprints, as cats don’t have fingers and this would surely give you away.

4. Launch a nationwide search for the “runaway” cats Once you have painted Frisky, Tuna and Mr. Whiskers as escapists, foreign investment in their fate by launching a search for the “missing” pets. Put up posters with their little cat faces on them. Walk the streets calling their names. Call the police, bring them to the scene of the crime and cry hysterically until they put in a police report documenting the cats as runaways. Go to Washington, D.C. and break into the FBI headquarters, refusing to leave until they take your case. Then, book interviews on as many daytime talk shows as possible — the media will be desperate to talk to you, since you have launched the first ever FBI missing cat case.

You must beg the American people to find Frisky, Tuna and Mr. Whiskers at any cost. Heck, you could even suggest foul play may have been involved! Once you make this much of an effort to look for the cats, the Johnson family will never suspect that you

let them starve to death with no food for two whole days.

5. Live a lie forever While the above steps must all be completed before the Johnson family arrives back home, the talk show appearances, police search and FBI case will go on for years and years. Each day, you will have to live within the fiction you have created as you ask the American government and people to spend their time and money looking for cats that you neglected and then disintegrated in a vat of acid. On the outside, you will seem like an exceptional neighbor. But on the inside, you will die a little each day and eventually lose sight of who you are. The line between reality and make-believe will begin to blur in your mind, and at night you’ll be unable to escape the hungry cries of Frisky, Tuna and Mr. Whiskers’ ghosts. But what choice did you have? This is the price you pay for living next door to a family that has cats and goes on vacation.

LUCIE LYON is a Humor columnist for The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at humor@cavalierdaily.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

H

ey there, pal. I heard you got dumped. I’m really sorry about that. Yes, I know it isn’t my fault, it wasn’t a literal statement, it’s just a common thing people say, I just meant …

Look, okay, nope, I promised I was going to be patient with this conversation.

I guess I should formally introduce myself. I am your breakup bud. Think of me as a Jiminy Cricket who’s willing to go on a bender with you or that angel from “It’s A Wonderful Life,” except we get to see your ex’s life actually improve now that your relationship is over and you’re out of their life.

Before we enter this won-

C CARTOON

www.cavalierdaily.com • HUMOR

THE BREAK-UP RULEBOOK

derful world of new genitalia and unhindered substance consumption, I should make you aware of the ground rules. You wouldn’t think there are rules for this. You would assume it would fall into the same category as “Halloweekend” or Texas, but trust me, there are rules, and if you don’t follow them it won’t go well for you.

First of all, block the ex’s number. You can thank me later.

The only reason you would possibly want to hear from them is if they were warning you about a natural disaster and even then you might just wanna risk it with mild disasters like tsunamis or new Arcade Fire albums.

Second, please use a con-

dom. Do unto others as you would have them do inside you.

It’s the golden rule of latex. Also do not buy condoms made of gold, they are unpleasant and will for sure lead to bizarre medical afflictions. Unless you’re R Kelly, then wear diamond condoms for all I care, you wrote “Ignition Remix,” you can do whatever you want. None of that weird creepy illegal stuff he’s allegedly (for sure) done.

Third, don’t do anything R Kelly would do. Don’t go to the sexy german disco-tech parties.

Don’t pee on minors. Actually, just don’t go near minors at all.

Fourth, know your limits. It’s been a while since you’ve cut loose, so you’re going to need

to rediscover your limits. You might have some questions, questions which I can answer.

Questions like how many partners is too many or how much cocaine is too much. However many people you can financially provide pizza for post coitus and any amount. Any amount is too much cocaine, because any amount will lead to you wanting unlimited amounts. I don’t know much about math, but there’s something called a limit, where it just keeps escalating forever, and that would be your body’s limit with limitless cocaine.

Fifth, don’t buy the new Zelda game. I’m a happy (snort), well-adjusted (louder snort) person (snort?) and I have al-

11

ready binged that game more than is feasible or healthy. A ton of people took actual trips over spring break, exploring real beaches and mountains, in the fresh air. But they didn’t get the Master Sword. So, who’s the real winner, mom?

Yeah, just don’t buy the game at all. Sounds safer.

CONNOR MCLEAN is a Humor columnist for The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at humor@ cavalierdaily.com.

Vice President Pence vs. Planned Parenthood JACKSON KOSMACKI | CARTOONIST

THE CAVALIER DAILY

WEEKLY CROSSWORD SOLUTION SAM EZERSKY | PUZZLE MASTER

EVENTS

Thursday 3/23 UPC Presents: Disney Trivia, 9-11pm, 1515 Economics Club Presents: Undergraduate Economics Career Forum, 5-7pm, Monroe Hall Friday 3/24 UPC Presents: La La Land Screening, 7-9:30pm, Newcomb Theater Baseball vs. Duke, 4pm, Davenport Field Softball vs. Florida State, 6pm, The Park The Virginia Belles Present: The Office, 8-10pm, McLeod Hall Saturday 3/25 UPC Presents: Slam Poetry Night, 9pm-1am, 1515 UPC Presents: La La Land Screening, 9-11:30pm, Newcomb Theater Women’s Lacrosse vs. Duke, 1pm, Klockner Stadium Baseball vs. Duke, 1pm, Davenport Field Softball vs. Florida State, 1pm, The Park TYC Presents: Sounds of Cville, 7-9pm, The Garage SYC Presents: Namaste UVA, 11am-12:30pm, 1515 Relay for Life Presents: Comedy for a Cure, 5-6:30pm, Newcomb Theater

*THE NEXT CROSSWORD PUZZLE CAN BE FOUND IN MONDAY’S ISSUE

Sunday 3/26 Music Arts Board Presents: “The Hip-Hop Fellow” Screening, 6pm, Newcomb Theater Softball vs. Florida State, 12pm, The Park Men’s Tennis vs. Duke, 1pm, Snyder Tennis Center Baseball vs. Duke, 1pm, Davenport Field UVA Arts Presents: Bryan Cranston, 2-4pm, John Paul Jones Arena

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Gordon Ave. Library 10am-7pm all days Half-Price days: Apr 8-9 Educator/Bargain Bag Day Mon. Apr 10

Members Pre-Sale: Mar 31, 5-7 pm NO SCANNERS 10am-1pm Apr 1 or Member’s Pre-Sale

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434-977-8467

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THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

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WXTJ hosts annual art show Program represents both finished product, starting place for art’s presence on Grounds IAN MCCONAUGHY WILLIAMS | SENIOR WRITER

The University’s student radio station, WXTJ, hosted its annual art show March 18. The exhibition was held at the unofficial headquarters of the artistic subculture — Gordon Avenue’s “Trash House,” as it is known by members of WXTJ. Residents of the Trash House were generous enough to lend their space by turning their home into an impromptu gallery. Both University students and established local artists showcased their work, which included poetry zines, canvas paintings, sculptures and a video installation in the basement.

Aside from the video installation, all pieces were for sale. 60 percent of the proceeds went to the artist in question, while the remaining 40 was donated to the

agreed-upon charity organization of Planned Parenthood.

The artwork ranged from expressionist pieces to draftsman-like creations. If there was a constant amongst the works, it was the confidence necessary to stray into the experimental. But there were more reasons to come beyond the art itself — a live DJ performance from second-year College student Tom Sobolik, free cheese and of course, the opportunity to support an underfed culture in Charlottesville.

Art collectives generally have a less significant presence in University culture than groups such as Greek life or athletics.

Thus, foot traffic provides valuable support for small showcases such as these. Successful shows support the art scene in general by providing financial support

for budding student artists, who can subsequently pay for expensive supplies.

The showcase felt particularly valuable given the current political climate and the threat it poses to the arts. In a time when national funding for the arts is at stake, in many ways the show felt like a way for students to rally around the importance of art both in culture and their personal lives.

WXTJ’s art show provided an outlet for visual artists for whom there are few avenues. In this sense, the show was both a finished product and a work in progress. Speaking to the former, it was organized and diverse. More than anything, though, it was a positive starting place for the visual art culture’s presence in Charlottesville.

COURTESY WXTJ 100.1 FM STUDENT RADIO

WXTJ’s annual art exhibition showcased both student and community art.

‘More Life’ breathes energy into Drake’s career Playlist earns its title through eclectic musical range JOE LI | SENIOR WRITER

COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Drake’s latest effort explores influences from across the globe.

When Drake first announced his latest project, “More Life,” would be released as a playlist rather than a traditional studio album or even a mixtape, he drew widespread skepticism for making a seemingly arbitrary

decision. Many derided the playlist designation as a different name for the same output, with The Ringer even commenting, “It’s just an album, dude.”

Now that the actual music is out, however, Drake’s inten-

tion has become crystal clear.

“More Life” is not meant to be interpreted as a cohesive body of work, but a collection of songs with something for every mood and situation — or as the rapper himself put it, “the soundtrack to your life.” And by drawing inspiration from an eclectic range of sonic influences, he definitely reaches this goal.

Throughout the 22-song tracklist, Drake invites listeners to his magic carpet and shows them the world by showcasing music and sounds from a variety of places. The first stop is Great Britain — the song “No Long Talk” features the murky elements of British grime rap and spotlights South London rapper Giggs, who also makes a second appearance in “KMT.” In addition, “Skepta Interlude” features fellow British grime rapper Skepta while “Get It Together” is dominated by the vocals of British singer Jorja Smith.

Further testament to the influence of international music comes from other tracks, drawing production styles from the Caribbean and Africa. For example, “Madiba Riddim” is an infectious dancehall-inspired track which promises to be Drake’s next “One Dance.” The name itself is a play on its pro-

duction source, with “Madiba Riddim” resembling the phrase “my type of rhythm” pronounced with a thick Jamaican accent. In “Get It Together,” he samples South African DJ Black Coffee to create an irresistibly vibey song.

Aside from the worldly production influence, Drake also utilizes an all-star supporting cast to augment the playlist’s diversity. In “Glow” — a track about superstardom — Kanye West invokes his experience in the public spotlight to anchor the song and give it a candidly optimistic quality. Young Thug appears in two songs and bestows a playful exuberance upon each, while Quavo and Travis Scott complement one another’s murky styles in “Portland.”

In terms of lyrical content and themes, Drake generally follows the trails blazed out by his previous works. For example, “Free Smoke” is a fearless and potentially arrogant declaration of his dominance over the rap game — a theme previously explored in “Views” and “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late.” Anyone who dares challenge him will get smoked for free, and to back up his credentials, Drake makes reference to one of his previous victims, Meek Mill,

“How you let the kid fightin’ ghost-writing rumors turn you to a ghost?”

But Drake isn’t Drake without the moody and heartfelt melodies which made him famous, and these are present too.

“Passionfruit” is quintessential Drake, catching him right in the feels as he pours his heart out over his inability to maintain a long-distance relationship.

Perhaps his most emotionally charged song since “Marvins Room,” it is night and day from the take-no-prisoners attitude displayed in other songs on the playlist — further proof of the rapper-singer’s endless versatility.

“More Life” is a playlist without a doubt, manifesting itself as a multitude of clashing energies and musical directions all compiled in one body of work.

With an eclectic variety of production quality, features and lyrical themes, he successfully bridges any gaps in his discography without doubt providing listeners with a healthy dose of old and new.

“More Life” is an anthology which first takes listeners through the Museum of Drake and then around the world, breathing yet more life into an already legendary career.

THE CAVALIER DAILY

14

U.Va. professors receive grant to study DMD Research to find treatments, alleviate patients’ stress NISHA DABHI | STAFF WRITER

Profs. Silvia Blemker and Shayn Peirce-Cottler in the Department of Biomedical Engineering received a $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The grant will fund research on therapeutic outcomes for individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy through multi-scale computer modeling techniques.

DMD is a devastating — but rare — musculoskeletal genetic disorder, prevailing at a rate of one in every 3,500 male births.

Individuals with DMD appear healthy for the first few years of their lives, Blemker said. However, around the age of three or four, symptoms begin to appear.

Patients with DMD typically die around their early thirties.

First, the muscles of the hip, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders become fatigued, and then skeletal muscles of the arms and legs begin to deteriorate. In even later stages, the disease affects heart and respiratory muscles — impeding normal cardiovascular and breathing functions.

DMD is caused by a mutation in the gene encoding dystrophin. Dystrophin is a large protein that supports muscle fiber strength and connects the cytoskeleton of a muscle fiber to the surrounding extracellular matrix and links actin filaments to other support proteins.

In patients with DMD, even minor injuries damage and fatigue their muscles. As a result, patients with DMD become wheelchair-bound soon after they start walking.

“The muscles are getting weaker and degrading,” Blemker said. “They are getting damaged every time they are contracting.”

In the past, treatment of muscular dystrophy focused on a combination of orthopaedic and neurosurgical intervention and aggressive physical therapy.

“We used to spend a lot of time releasing contractures of the ankles and knees,” pediatric orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Mark Abel said.

However, surgical intervention is now reserved for select and rare cases, since it does not improve muscle strength in these patients.

Current treatment options target the symptoms of the disease, rather than the cause. For instance, doctors prescribe steroids such as prednisone to slow muscle damage and to reduce the age of onset for scoliosis.

Other steroids can also help

to alleviate heart and lung problems associated with the disease. These treatments improve the life expectancy for these patients such that they can now live into their mid-twenties and thirties. Previously, these patients might not have made it to their thirties.

However, new treatments that target the root cause of DMD may be arriving soon.

Blemker and Cottler first collaborated in examining cerebral palsy, using computer models to predict how different surgical approaches might lead to improved prognoses.

Using these models, Blemker and Cottler said they hope to find out why certain drugs for DMD have worked on animals but not in clinical trials. The researchers will also investigate the role inflammation and the immune system play in muscle damage and work on methods to diagnose DMD. According to Cottler, this computer-based approach could be expanded to potentially provide therapeutic outcomes for other neuromuscular and skeletal diseases. However, the main purpose of the NIH-funded project is to make a difference

taxing on families, as there is no cure for the disease — leaving these children to be dependent on their families for their lives.

“Usually the first time the parent finds out about it, it is the first child — the first boy,” Abel said. “Then, they are told that they have a condition which is going to lead to degenerative condition that will lead to child’s inability to walk, make them wheelchair dependent and ultimately go on a ventilator and die, and that there is no cure for it.”

Many DMD children also become depressed because of their

volved in multidisciplinary centers that focus on DMD. At the medical center, Dr. Rebecca Scharf, a pediatrician, helps to run a neuromuscular clinic with different specialities providing comprehensive care for muscular dystrophy patients. Through this experience at the clinic, Scharf has been inspired by both patients and their parents.

“Over and over I see children living with medical challenges in ways that are gifts to others. I see families supporting one another,” Scharf said. “I see children making a difference in their preschool classrooms and

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

University researchers take new approach to studying Duchenne muscular dystrophy by utilizing computer modeling techniques.

“Those first studies helped to establish the framework that allowed us to pivot to the lower limb and to think about DMD,” Cottler said.

Cottler and Blemker intend to use these computer-based models to investigate DMD and potential treatment options.

While the models derived from Cottler’s lab focus on biochemistry, or the environment of the cells including their proteins and signaling, Blemker deals with more mechanics.

in DMD. “I think bringing the two models together is the innovative part of our research … we aren’t just doing one modeling approach, but we are doing two modeling approaches that have never been married at all,” Cottler said.

The advent of these new treatment options may reduce stress and depression for both DMD patients and their families. Today, a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy is extremely

immobility and this can lead to being socially withdrawn.

However, many families persevere through outlets in their communities such as their church. Many also engage in non-profits that strive to improve outcomes for children with DMD. “If you are not involved in one of these organizations that seek a cure, it can be a very hopeless life for you and your child,” Abel said.

Families also become in-

teaching others about children living with disabilities.”

The clinic also serves as a place for support where physicians, parents and patients are constantly interacting and learning from one another.

“Our patients have taught me about perseverance and hope while they are experiencing significant challenges,” Scharf said.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

www.cavalierdaily.com • HEALTH & SCIENCE

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Transitioning from hospital to long-term acute care Unit plays crucial role in boosting U.Va. Health System capacity TOMOYA KANNO | STAFF WRITER The University Hospital is prepared with specialists and equipment to treat seriously ill or injured patients from across the commonwealth, or even across state lines. New patients frequently arrive, seeking valuable spaces still occupied by others who have been diagnosed and treated but are too sick to be discharged. The Transitional Care Hospital is situated to accept these treated patients, effectively expanding the capacity of the hospital.

The TCH — a 35-bed facility located on Ivy Road five miles away from Grounds — is estimated to free up to 23 beds at the Medical Center per day and save the medical system millions of dollars in costs.

“We provide acute long term care,” Director of Clinical Operations Tara Beuscher said. “The patients are at a state where immediate risk is gone, but they still need much more treatment before they can be discharged. They may also need specialist attention, sometimes on a daily basis. We are a hospital for people who need a month stay.”

Such a facility may be referred

to as a Long Term Acute Care facility, and it is distinct from both rehabilitation facilities and nursing homes or hospices. Patients are often too sick to endure more

ly provides long-term acute care, which typically only lasts a month or so compared to the indefinite care provided by hospices or nursing homes. The narrowness

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Transitional Care Hospital provides patients with acute care outside of hospital.

than two or three hours of rehabilitation per week — much less than the three hours daily required by acute rehab hospitals.

At the same time, the facility sole-

of this niche explains the TCH’s relatively small capacity.

Patients who receive treatment at TCH often are not recovering from a single problem.

Dr. Sarah Brumfield, who works as a TCH physician, said that she sees a wide range of patients in terms of background and history leading to hospitalization, many of whom suffer from multisystem failure. For example a younger patient may need to recover from severe traffic injuries including stroke while also suffering from Cystic Fibrosis and COPD. She estimates that up to half of the patients treated could be under 65 years old.

To care for these serious conditions, the TCH is staffed with 120 members, many of whom are healthcare providers on 12-hour rotating shifts.

“Most [TCH physicians] have critical care experience, such as ICU experience,” Brumfield said.

This is especially important as patient conditions can quickly change, resulting in 14 percent of patients requiring readmission to the specialist care at the Medical Center.

Both Beuscher and Brumfield said there is no common cause for such readmission, except “worsening condition.”

“A lot of times they are very

sick, we try to treat them while their condition is stable, but sometimes they need more surgery,” Brumfield said. “They need to be on norepinephrine, they need IC level of care, that’s why they go back. They need a higher level of care.”

The TCH was created at the University six years ago as one of only four LTAC facilities in Virginia, and one of 400 in the entire nation. Of these many are operated for profit, with only 20 percent of them being publicly funded.

“We are unique in that we are state funded, Beuscher said. “So we can provide the best care possible.”

There are many opportunities for nursing students, medical students and Madison House program volunteers within the dayto-day operations, Beuscher said.

“I think that everyone has something they can bring and something they can find, not just science people,” Beuscher said.

“We are a hidden gem among the health system … The students value their time here.”

Monitoring blood glucose using artificial pancreas Device to undergo clinical trials for type 1 diabetes KATHERINE MEAD | STAFF WRITER Type 1 diabetes currently requires consistent monitoring of blood sugar levels with either finger pricks or a continuous glucose monitor. Researchers at the University have developed an artificial pancreas to read and control patient blood sugar, eliminating the need for these painful pricks.

“Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that results in the destruction of specific cells in the pancreas that make a hormone called insulin … Without insulin, blood sugar levels rise and cause symptoms such as increased thirst, increased urination, blurry vision and weight loss,” said Jennifer Kirby, assistant professor of endocrinology and metabolism.

The artificial pancreas works as a closed-loop advisory system, which means that it links a continuous glucose monitor with an insulin pump.

Thus, patients with type 1 diabetes would not have to constantly monitor their glucose levels.

“It’s not uncommon for patients with type 1 diabetes to spend three

hours or more a day managing their diabetes,” Kirby said.

Behind the device is mathematician-by-trade Boris P. Kovatchev, Director of the Center for Diabetes Technology. Motivated by a family history of the disease, Kovatchev began working with diabetes in 1996 and has since pioneered in-silico models of human metabolic systems.

“Our job was to link the two, link monitoring with ... Automated insulin delivery and put some brain in-between which was done initially on laptop computers then now, with us, it will be on a smartphone,” Kovatchev said.

To design the artificial pancreas, Kovatchev said they began with a “quantitative understanding of the human metabolic system” driving the cycle between consumption and metabolism of sugars. From there, the team developed mathematical models containing several parameters catered to individuals.

In the future, Kovatchev intends to continue working with the arti-

ficial pancreas by releasing newer generations of the system. He also hopes to extend its capabilities to

pancreas into a digital health ecosystem — allowing comparison of patient data with genetic and med-

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Mobile artificial pancreas unit allows patients to monitor and regulate blood glucose.

serve people with type 2 diabetes, as well as to transform the artificial

ical records.

When discussing the project,

Kovatchev cited the multi-disciplinary collaboration necessary to make the artificial pancreas a reality.

Kovatchev said “computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, communications with devices and mathematical modeling” were all essential components in the design of the device.

Two clinical trials with the artificial pancreas will soon be underway — the first of which will involve 240 patients with type 1 diabetes and testing the artificial pancreas function as study participants go about their daily routines. The second will follow 180 patients of the first study for an additional six months to test a Harvard University-developed algorithm and determines whether it further improves the control of blood sugar.

Kovatchev offered advice to University students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare technology.

“Stay interdisciplinary,” he said.

“Don’t get fixated on any one specific thing too long, at least initially.”

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