Monday, April 6, 2015

Monday, April 6, 2015

Vol. 125, Issue 49

‘WHAT I HEAR IS THAT YOU AREN’T LISTENING’ How universities and students respond to sexual assault allegations: a collaboration between The Cavalier Daily and Penn State’s The Daily Collegian Anna Higgins, The Cavalier Daily and Erin McCarthy, The Daily Collegian

November

19

Rolling Stone releases “A Rape on Campus” article

Charlottesville Police and Phi Kappa Psi begin investigations into allegations Phi Psi voluntarily suspends FOA

20

Middle Eastern and Islamic Student Association holds first rally in Amphitheatre

22

President Sullivan announces suspension of fraternal organizations Four community members arrested at protest

5

December Rolling Stone releases apology and retraction of article

Phi Psi releases results of internal investigation

8

President Sullivan announces ad hoc group to develop safety initiatives on grounds

Faculty holds “Take Back the Party” march

24 25 3 16 19

Student leaders hold press conference in Pavilion VII Board of Visitors passes zero-tolerance sexual misconduct policy

March

Kappa Delta Rho is suspended

by PSU’s Interfraternity Council News breaks of KDR’s suspension and investigation

January

9 16

President Sullivan announces new FOAs

PSU President condemns sexual assault perpetrated by fraternity men KDR house is vandalized by graffiti

20 23

Students rally in support of women in KDR Facebook photos

25

Some women from KDR Facebook page identified

PSU President announces task force to review greek system Charlottesville Police find no evidence in Rolling Stone investigation

All fraternal organizations are reinstated and sign new FOAs, some with reluctance

April

5

Columbia School of Journalism releases review of “A Rape on Campus,” calls article “a journalistic failure”

For an officer inside of a State College police car, 2 a.m. Saturday is predictable.

The radio is flooded with calls. A couple reports of conscious alcohol overdoses. The first DUI call of the night.

A public drunkenness call from a downtown bar, where a woman began vomiting during the establishment’s Hawaiian-themed night (upon arrival, a male friend wearing a red “Orgasm Donor” tank top asks police if the woman must go to the hospital — as she walks, willingly, into an ambulance).

Back on fraternity row, the Kappa Delta Rho house, 420 E. Prospect Ave., is quiet this Friday night. Earlier that week, news broke that members of the chapter were accused of operating a private Facebook group, containing photos of nude, unconscious women. The fraternity was suspended for a year by its national headquarters.

Walking by the large Tudor house, women in skirts, dresses and crop tops cling to the arms of men in jeans, Timberland boots and North Face jackets, and teeter along the sidewalk in high heels. The temperature outside hovers around freezing.

It looks like the stuff of movies — typical college fun.

And police know the norm all too well: freshman and sophomore girls often flock to the fraternity houses, where it is easy for them to enter. Free alcohol abounds before they turn 21.

At 2 a.m. — when, like clockwork, parties end and bars close — police pass many visibly intoxicated people.

Inside the cop car, the officer evaluates a pair, one of whom is noticeably struggling to walk straight. He drives around the block. Because the pair progressed forward, and because the intoxicated person is not alone, the officer continues his patrol.

Police know they could stop most students walking home and cite them for something — if not for underage drinking, then for public drunkenness. But perhaps because of the nature of a college town — or perhaps because of the nature of this particular college town, home to 40,000-plus students — the cops don’t cite every stumbling student. There are just too many.

Alcohol and sexual assault are connected, Damon Sims, Penn State’s vice president for student affairs said.

And, he said, folks finally feel okay talking about the link between alcohol, drugs and sexual assault without fear of “victim blaming” or being politically incorrect.

“Very rarely do advocates find cases where either the victim or the perpetrator or both weren’t misusing

alcohol,” Sims said in February. “If we’re going to do something about the culture of sexual assault, we have to do something about the culture of alcohol … You can’t unbundle them. And if you do, you’re missing the opportunity to make headway on both.”

Sims, who also serves as chairman of Penn State’s Task Force on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, said he believes addressing the alcohol problem on college campuses would serve as a meaningful step in preventing sexual assaults.

Sims wouldn’t say whether he thought fraternity culture leads to more sexual assaults. But, Sims said, fraternities — as well as sports teams and even philanthropic organizations such as Penn State’s Inter-Fraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon — have an “underbelly” that exists because of the closeness of the group and a close relationship with alcohol.

“I would say there’s an alcohol-sexual assault correlation,” Rick Groves, president of Penn State’s Inter-Fraternity Council, said. “And obviously alcohol and social events are an aspect of the Greek community that, for better or worse, has been around for a long time.”

November 2014, Charlottesville, Virginia Rolling Stone published “A Rape on Campus” — a scathing article written by magazine freelancer Sabrina Rubin Erdely — on Nov. 19. The story recounted the details and aftermath of a brutal 2012 gang rape of thenfirst-year student Jackie in the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house, 159 Madison Lane, at the University of Virginia.

The article not only rocked the University community, but also caused a nationwide uproar. News crews littered Grounds and images of the Lawn — an emblem of honor and learning at the University — were splashed across national media outlets as symbols of privilege and rape culture.

Immediately following the article’s release, students and faculty were left in a state of shock and confusion.

Fourth-year Commerce student Brian Head, president of One in Four, an all-male sexual assault education group, said the article’s impact dealt him a profound blow.

He said he felt “disgust, visceral sadness and worry as to how everyone else was going to react,” after reading the article.

Both Head and third-year College student Alex

see PSU, page 33

COLUMBIA JOURNALISM SCHOOL RELEASES ROLLING STONE REVIEW PAGE 5

N news

The Cavalier Daily

2

Judge drops charges against Morrissey Morrissey says he will still run for Virginia Senate Reade Pickert Senior Writer

Commonwealth Judge Alfred Swersky dropped four felony charges Wednesday against former Del. Joe Morrissey, I-Henrico, contending he presented fake documents in a previous case. Arlington County Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos said he plans to pursue further legal action in appellate court.

Morrissey pled guilty last December to charges including distribution of child pornography and contribution to the delinquency of a minor. However, Spotsylvania Commonwealth’s Attorney William F. Neely said he referenced forged documents during the trial.

“It occurred on Dec. 21,” Neely said. “When Mr. Morrissey pled guilty, he surprised me with what turned out to be a forged court order for his plea.”

Neely said he decided to charge him with a second round of charges including perjury and forgery.

Due to his position as a possible witness in the second set of charges, the Commonwealth appointed Stamos to prosecution and assigned a new judge.

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Morrissey said he had no doubt they would be dropped.

“The dismissal of the charges is something I anticipated all along,” Morrissey said. “Those state charges were absolutely bogus. There is

no merit to them whatsoever. The Commonwealth better bring its A-game because we are, and we are going to crush them.”

Morrissey said he still plans to run for Senate despite the recent legal cases and believes the recent drama will have no effect on his campaign or his voters’ decisions.

Morrissey said that although he is directly out of the heat, it is still important to serve justice against the accuser’s father, Coleman Pride.

“In some ways it’s important for allegations to be aired for political officials,” Morrissey said.

“I am suing the guy. I am going to put everything back front and center. I am going to show that he is an absolute liar.”

The four recent charges were dropped because Judge Swersky feared that the wording of the original plea agreement presented the possibility for a double jeopardy situation in which Morrissey was exempted from further charges against him stemming from the case.

“In the hearing that was conducted this week, Judge Swersky decided that the immunity agreement contained in the original plea agreement was broad enough to cover his misconduct,” Neely said.

Although the judge granted the Commonwealth permission to dismiss, Stamos said he had problems with the extension of the immunity clause in court and plans

to attempt to appeal the decision.

“We didn’t believe that that paragraph insulated him from the new set of charges,” Stamos said.

“That paragraph should only apply to a specific set of facts, but

the judge ruled otherwise. We are looking at an avenue for appeal.

We certainly would like to go to appellate court and get a different outcome.”

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Joe Morrissey says he expected the charges to be dismissed.

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 managing board. Cartoons and columns represent the views of the authors. The managing board of The Cavalier Daily has sole authority over and responsibility for all content.

No part of The Cavalier Daily or The Cavalier Daily online edition may be reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the editor-in-chief.

The Cavalier Daily is published Mondays and Thursdays in print and daily online at cavalierdaily.com. It is printed on at least 40 percent recycled paper. 2015 The Cavalier Daily Inc.

Have an opinion?

The Cavalier Daily welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns. Writers must provide full name, telephone number and University affiliation, if approrpriate. Letters should not exceed 250 words in length and columns should not exceed 700. The Cavalier Daily does not guarantee publication of submissions and may edit all material for content and grammar. Submit to opinion@cavalierdaily.com or P.O. Box 400703, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4703

Questions/Comments

To better serve readers, The Cavalier Daily has a public editor to respond to questions and concerns regarding its practices. The public editor writes a column published every week on the opinion pages based on reader feedback and his independent observations. He also welcomes queries pertaining to journalism and the newspaper industry in general.

The public editor is available at publiceditor@cavalierdaily.com.

MANAGING BOARD Editor-in-Chief Julia Horowitz Managing Editor Chloe Heskett Executive Editor Dani Bernstein Operations Manager Lianne Provenzano Chief Financial Officer Allison Xu JUNIOR BOARD Assistant Managing Editors Thrisha Potluri Mitchell Wellman (SA) Harper Dodd (SA) Kathryn Fink (SA) Courtney Stith (SA) Jane Diamond (SA) Michael Reingold News Editors Owen Robinson Katherine Wilkin

(SA) Ella Shoup (SA) Kayla Eanes Sports Editors Matt Morris Ryan Taylor (SA) Robert Elder (SA) Matthew Wurzburger Opinion Editors Conor Kelly Gray Whisnant (SA) Mary Russo Focus Editor Sara Rourke Life Editors Allie Jensen Victoria Moran Arts & Entertainment Editors James Cassar Candace Carter (SA) Noah Zeidman (SA) Flo Overfelt Health and Science Editor Meg Thornberry (SA) Vanessa Braganza

Production Editors Sloan Christopher Jasmine Oo Mark Duda (Graphics) Anne Owen Photography Editors Marshall Bronfin Porter Dickie (SA) Akash Khungar Video Editor Porter Dickie Online Manager Anna Sanfilippo (SA) Ellie Beahm Social Media Managers Manali Sontakke Dallas Simms Ads Manager Kirsten Steuber (Student Manager) Sascha Oswald Marketing Manager Jess Godt Business Managers Alex Rein Kay Agoglia

NEWS

Monday, March 6, 2015

3

PSU Students, administrators express concerns about Greek life Continued from page 1 Pinkleton, current outreach chair and president-elect of One Less, an all-female sexual assault education group, were featured in the article. Although they both knew of its content before its release, they were nonetheless shocked at the final product.

“Since I was part of the process, I already knew when it was coming out, and it was strange because I had no idea how the public would react,” Pinkleton said. “I was really shocked by the amount of response to it in terms of outrage and high emotions.”

As many in the community voiced horror, multiple student and faculty groups rose to the occasion by collaborating to advocate for cultural and institutional change. While the groups’ responses initially began as passionate outcries — from vandalism to marches and discussion — they have developed into constructive criticism as time has passed and immediate reforms have been initiated.

Head said the student and faculty reactions, although not entirely constructive, were necessary to spark the call for change. He said it was much better for the University community to have reacted in the way it did rather than to have been indifferent.

“That’s the thing I was fearful of most … — that this huge bomb was going to drop on U.Va. — and the students would respond by saying ‘not my problem,’” Head said.

The first significant reaction came early in the morning Nov. 20, when vandals spray-painted “SUSPEND US” and “U.Va. Center for Rape Studies” on the Phi Kappa Psi house and threw bricks through its windows. Later in the day, the vandals sent an email to multiple news sources outlining specific demands: "An immediate revision of university policy mandating expulsion as the only sanction for rape and sexual assault."

But, like Vice President Sims, Houser said she believes the connection is not unique to fraternities. Many other clubs and societies that foster high allegiance to a group see similar problems.

The most widely misunderstood aspect of these crimes, Houser said, is the way in which alcohol and drugs play a role.

“People think if a victim was drunk, she’s just embarrassed [and] it leads to ‘crying rape’ … I choke on those words,” Houser said. And for attackers, “drugs and alcohol are used to lower inhibitions. It’s a social insurance policy. We don’t excuse any other crime that way.”

Between two and 10 percent of sexual assault allegations are false, according to “False Allegations of Sexual Assault: An Analysis of Ten Years of Reported Cases” — a 2010 study conducted over a 10-year period.

Yet, nearly 70 percent of sexual assaults are never reported to police, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, and it is estimated that 98 percent of rapists will never spend a day in jail or prison.

Houser stressed that fraternities do not turn men into rapists.

“These are not young men who come to college with no impure thoughts,” Houser said.

“We look at these incidents like they’re dips on the bell curve, when they’re usually data points on the bell curve.”

But, she said, the fraternity environment, focused on brotherhood and sometimes “an acceptance of a hostile, sexually-entitled construct of masculinity” can make it easier for those with these impure thoughts to engage in criminal activity.

A few days after the Kappa Delta Rho story broke, The Daily Collegian sat down with Lieutenant Keith Robb inside a briefing room at the downtown State College Police Department office. Robb is in charge of criminal investigations for the department and handles sexual assault cases.

Robb said it is generally more difficult for someone to commit sexual assault at a packed apartment party than at a fraternity party inside a large, multi-floor house.

This is not the first time the Collegian has talked with Robb about fraternities and sexual assault. In October, Robb sat in this same briefing room and paused at the end of an interview on crime inside Penn State’s fraternities. He voiced concern about women at fraternities.

“I do worry about the girls. I do think that they get taken advantage of,” Robb said. “I wouldn’t say all of [the sexual assaults], but too many of them are from frat parties. Someone ends up in a room upstairs…”

November 2014 - Charlottesville, Virginia Phi Kappa Psi voluntarily suspended its activities and its Fraternal Organization Agreement with the University Nov. 20, the day after the article’s release.

“We decided that the best plan of action was to voluntarily suspend ourselves — not as a symbolic thing, but it was the right thing to do, to cooperate,” Steven Scipione, president of Phi Kappa Psi, said in an earlier interview with The Cavalier Daily. “And that’s the stance that we’ve taken the entire time — cooperating with the school and more importantly with the Charlottesville police.”

Following Phi Kappa Psi’s suspension, President Sullivan suspended all fraternal organizations for the rest of the fall semester.

Third-year College student Ben Gorman, Inter-Fraternity Council president, said while such an immediate suspension seemed to be a harsh reaction, it was necessary for fraternal organizations to spend time focusing on the issue at hand.

“While it was largely perceived to be a knee-

"The immediate suspension of U.Va’s Phi Kappa Psi chapter, and a thorough review of the entire fraternity system."

"A thorough overhaul of the University’s Sexual Misconduct Board and the resignation of Dean Nicole Eramo."

"The immediate implementation of harm reduction policies at fraternity parties, such as policing, University supervision, or permission for parties to be held in safer environments such as sorority houses."

The vandals’ letter asked for University President Teresa Sullivan and the rest of the administration to make immediate institutional change.

“We appeal for action to President Sullivan, who has shown promise as a strong and progressive administrator, but we will no longer confine ourselves to working through a bureaucratic and ineffective system,” the letter read.

February 2015 - State College, Pennsylvania Kristen Houser, vice president of public relations for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and a Penn State alumna, said she believes a connection between sexual assault and fraternity life exists.

Courtesy Kelsie Netzer | The Daily Collegian

jerk reaction and a collective punishment against students who had done no wrong, I think in the long-run it provided us with a chance to review and reevaluate our own policies regarding student safety and make sure that they are the best they can be,” Gorman said.

Student responses to the article’s accusations were near-constant occurrences in the weeks following its release. The first of these organized student demonstrations was the Nov. 20 “Stand Up to Rape Culture” rally held by the Middle Eastern and Islamic Student Association in the Amphitheatre. Nearly 1,000 community members attended and listened to the talks given by students, faculty and staff.

Another reaction was a Nov. 21 SlutWalk arranged by first-year College student Maria DeHart. This was nearly a direct reference to Erdely’s Rolling Stone article, which discounted the University’s protest culture.

“U.Va. isn't an edgy or progressive campus by any stretch,” Erdely wrote in the article.

“There are… certainly no SlutWalks.”

Protesters chanted and held signs as they moved across grounds to Rugby Road, the University’s fraternity row.

“My dress is not a yes.”

“Whose university? Our university.”

“One in four, let’s change the score.”

March 2015: State College, Pennsylvania Standing on the sidewalk outside the Kappa Delta Rho house, protesters yelled “We are not safe” — the same way the crowd yells “We are Penn State” at football games.

Music blasted from the fraternity house and, on a side porch, a couple members appeared to be taking cell phone photos. A passing male yelled to protesters, “Tell girls not to pass out at parties.”

A couple months earlier, James Vivenzio, a former Kappa Delta Rho member with a criminal history, walked into the State College Police Department to discuss possible criminal activity on an invitation-only Facebook page.

Vivenzio gave police print-outs from the page — he kept his own Facebook page deactivated so the 144 members of the “2.0” group, which replaced the original and similar “Covert Business Transactions” page, would not remove him.

Those print-outs were entered into evidence.

The first piece of evidence is the screenshot of a text message, which reads: “Hi, I know this is kind of awkward but Tuesday night I was extremely blacked out. I’m assuming we hooked up. Literally very, very, vague memory. But I really need to know because I’m extremely concerned about the fact of whether or not protection was involved. Sorry for being uncomfortable. I just really trying to piece things together. If we didn’t hook up then sorry for bothering you don’t worry I won’t text you again.”

While going through the print-outs with police, Vivenzio’s response to that screenshot — according to court documents — was, “This is the

see ASSAULT, page 43

4

NEWS

The Cavalier Daily

ASSAULT National media attention, tumult on both campuses Continued from page 3 type of stuff that happens at KDR.” Other screenshots include photographs of naked, unconscious women, many in sexually explicit, embarrassing positions. While the photos are grainy, the outlines of bodies are clear.

One woman appears to be getting digitally penetrated by a man — another is passed out on a bed, with no clothes and legs spread apart.

And, accompanying the photos are screenshots of comments allegedly posted by fraternity members.

“I banged her lol.” “for all freshmen who don’t know the background story I used to mercilessly fuck this chick when I was a freshman…” “lol delete these or we will be on cnn in a week.”

A local TV station broke the story Monday evening, March 16. By Tuesday, national media were on the story, which came as other fraternities across the nation were getting bad press.

Some women and men on campus were outraged. The fraternity was vandalized with three yellow spray-painted words — “tear it down” — written on a stone wall outside the house. The words were quickly covered up with red fabric by fraternity members.

Rallies and protests were held on Penn State’s campus and around downtown State College. The first major rally occurred that Friday, as snow fell on the Old Main administration building near the university’s gate. The building, marked by a large bell tower, is a popular rallying spot on campus, as it houses the offices of many university officials, including Penn State President Eric Barron and Vice President Damon Sims, chair of the sexual assault task force.

About 100 students showed up. A couple held a large sheet that read “Rape culture lives here.” One woman held a piece of cardboard that read “Fuck male entitlement.”

The rally called for the interim suspension of all members of the Facebook group, the expulsion of those found responsible and for a review of the Greek life system.

Just a few days after the rally, Barron announced the creation of a task force to review the Greek system.

This past Thursday, Barron announced in a press release that the creation of the task force would take longer than expected. He said the se-

lection process for task force members will slow down slightly “to ensure good outcomes.”

But Sims has repeatedly acknowledged that a cultural change cannot completely come from the top down.

“Sexual assault is an issue that really occurs in the realm of the private space that students inhabit, where it’s 3 a.m. and choices are being made. Earlier choices were made that evening,” Sims said in February. “I’m not around, people like me are not around. Students in their own community have to sort those things out and navigate them together.”

At the rally, Jeffrey Masko, a member of Penn State's Progressive Student Coalition, said the Kappa Delta Rho situation shed light on a system of rampant inequality due to the padded checkbooks of wealthy alumni who were formerly members of Penn State fraternities.

“We can’t go back to the business-as-usual, boys-will-be-boys, corporate university,” Masko said.

Barron was at a Penn State Board of Trustees meeting in Hershey that day, but some speakers at the rally turned toward his office anyway, calling on him and the administration to take a stronger stand. Kathryn Rose Falvo, a graduate student and counselor to survivors of sexual assault, was one of them.

“When you tell me that you are shocked — what I hear is that you aren’t listening,” Falvo said.

November 2014 - Charlottesville, Virginia In the days and weeks following the Rolling Stone article’s publication, faculties from multiple departments held discussions for students to express their feelings and anger about the article.

In these conversations, many could not figure out where to direct their attention. Some were angry with the administration, some with Greek life and some with Rolling Stone.

However, the community talks held immediately following the article’s release provided solace for students. It provided them with a place to actively talk about how they felt and their desire change.

“We need to create a movement for students to think through these awful events and all of the problems with sexual violence on this cam-

pus and to sort through their ideas about it and their feelings and to talk to each other, talk to us, especially in this moment of crisis,” English Prof.

Caroline Rody said Nov. 24.

Claire Kaplan, the program director of the gender violence and social change program at the University Women’s Center, said although most of the initial reaction to the article lacked constructive criticism, these reactions were passionate and necessary to begin the dialogue on sexual assault.

“Activism such as marches and actions and protests are critical at the beginning and to get people energized,” Kaplan said. “But over the long haul, that's not going to create change.”

Despite the stupor the article created among the student body, Head wanted One in Four — as well as other student groups — to immediately take action.

Two major parts of One in Four’s immediate response were strengthening its group and interacting with the media. Head said the group first had an emergency meeting before partnering with other student groups to address the media.

Head represented One in Four with other student leaders from the Student Council, One Less and the Inter-Fraternity Council to address national and local media outlets in a student-run press conference. The student leaders addressed the different advocacy efforts they were taking in sexual assault prevention.

The immediate response of One Less also focused on media outreach. The student group’s attention turned to broadening the perspective from the one story represented in the article to the accurate representation of sexual assaults.

“Sabrina [Rubin Erdely] had written this article and titled it in a way such that it was supposed to be representative of how most sexual assaults are on college campuses, except it was completely inaccurate about what we know about the majority of sexual assaults on campuses,” Pinkleton said.

One in Four, One Less and the Student Council collaborated again to develop a website designed to address bystander intervention, highlight the resources available to survivors and answer the student body’s questions on sexual assault policies.

Another major collaborative effort among student organizations was the "What Can We Do" event, organized by One in Four and One Less.

“It was essentially meant to have students come and they had all these emotions and they’re feeling all these based on this article that just came out about their school,” Head said.

“We had roundtable discussions about what students at U.Va. can do individually in their lives to combat sexual assault and to make our community a better and safer place.”

As the article became more visible and more people were upset by its horrifying story, Women’s Center Director Sharon Davie also saw an upswing in survivors seeking help and people seeking ways to help survivors.

Davie said the issue of sexual assault reached a level of dialogue the University community had not seen before.

This spring semester alone at Penn State, there have been 20 reports of sexual assault or possible sexual assault. None have resulted in criminal charges.

In sexual assault cases, an added burden lies on the shoulders of the survivors, who must decide if they want to press charges against their attacker, or attackers. Many choose not to report or if they do report it, choose not to press charges.

After the Rolling Stone article was partly redacted, many worried survivors would be even less likely to come forward.

“I can say with some confidence it probably did terrify people into ‘I’m not gonna report it,’” said Houser of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. “I think it makes activists think about whether they’re going to talk to the media.”

December 2014 to presentCharlottesville, Virginia After a tumultuous two weeks following the release of the article, both Rolling Stone and Phi Kappa Psi released statements.

During an investigation by the Charlottesville Police Department, a number of factual discrepancies — including the fact that there was no party on the night of the alleged rape — were found.

Rolling Stone’s redaction originally explained its trust in Jackie as “misplaced,” but the magazine later claimed responsibility for the fac-

see INVESTIGATION, page 6

Marshall Bronfin| The Cavalier Daily

Community members protested at Penn State (left) and on the Corner at the University of Virginia.

Courtesy The Daily Collegian

NEWS

Monday, April 6, 2015

5

Rolling Stone made troubling compromises Magazine’s editors say failings were an institutional anomaly Andrew Elliott Staff Writer

Rolling Stone fully retracted its now-infamous article “A Rape on Campus” today following a report by the Columbia Journalism School, which documented a host of journalistic failings behind the story that thrust the University into the national spotlight last fall.

The article, which detailed an alleged Sept.

2012 gang rape at the University chapter of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, was removed from the website and replaced by the full version of the Columbia Journalism School report — which Managing Editor Will Dana describes as “painful” to read.

Totaling nearly 13,000 words, the investigatory report sharply criticizes a web of poor decision-making leading to the publication of an article which has since been identified by Poynter as journalism’s “Error of the Year” and by the Columbia Journalism Review as among 2014’s worst journalism.

Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner commissioned an investigation into the magazine’s editing and reporting practices December when the article’s accuracy came under heavy scrutiny, following investigations by The Washington Post and other media outlets.

The final product, authored by Columbia Journalism School Dean Steve Coll; Sheila Coronel, dean of academic affairs; and Derek Kravitz, the lead researcher on the project, was published Sunday on both the Journalism School and Rolling Stone’s websites, and will print in this week’s issue of Rolling Stone. The report comes two weeks after Charlottesville Police suspended its inquiry into the article’s allegations — the result of a months-long investigation unable to confirm the details “to any substantive degree.”

The article’s author, Sabrina Rubin Erdely, and her editors told the report’s authors afterward that their biggest fault was being too sensitive to the concerns of Jackie and her requests not to reach out to her alleged attackers or the friends she said spoke with her on the night of her assault.

“Ultimately, we were too deferential to our rape victim; we honored too many of her requests in our reporting,” Erdely’s editor Steve Woods is quoted as saying in the report. “We should have been much tougher, and in not doing that, we maybe did her a disservice.”

However, the CJS report says this error extended further, alleging Erdely and her editors frequently made concessions and failed to reach out to key sources “even when Jackie had made no request that they refrain.”

Coll, Coronel and Kravitz interviewed multiple University officials and community members for the report, along with several individuals involved in the Rolling Stone editing process, including Erdely. They also reviewed more than 400 pages of notes from Erdely documenting her reporting process.

The report’s authors attempted to reach out to Jackie for their investigation, but her lawyer said it was not in her best interest to speak with them.

Jackie also declined to cooperate with police investigators during their investigation into the article’s claims.

Contacting Jackie’s friends Throughout her six months of reporting, Erdely neglected to contact the three friends Jackie says met up with her on the night of her attack — the “most consequential decision” in the re-

porting process, the Columbia report’s authors conclude.

The report documents some of Erdely’s efforts to make contact with the friends but determines she failed to adequately pursue their names independent of Jackie’s support. It also notes that at no time did Jackie threaten to stop cooperating if Erdely contacted the friends.

one of her fact-checkers and said she had confidence in the writers and editors involved.

The decision to not reach out to the three friends, she said, was made by editors “above my pay grade.”

Identifying “Drew” Twice during the reporting process, Jackie stopped communication with Erdely. The

Marshall Bronfin | The Cavalier Daily

Totalling nearly 13,000 words, the Columbia Journalism School review of Erdely’s Rolling Stone article found issues with the piece on all levels of the journalistic process.

“That was the reporting path, if taken, that would have almost certainly led the magazine’s editors to change plans,” the report read.

All three friends interviewed with the authors of the report and said they would have spoken with Rolling Stone if they had been approached.

Though Jackie told Erdely that she asked thirdyear Engineering student Ryan Duffin (“Randall”) to be interviewed and he refused, Duffin told the Columbia investigators that conversation never occurred.

The three friends — Duffin, third-year Architecture student Kathryn Hendley (“Cindy”) and third-year Commerce student Alex Stock (“Andrew”) — have subsequently spoken to various media outlets, including The Cavalier Daily, and detailed an encounter with Jackie that differs substantially from what was reported in Rolling Stone.

Erdely told the report’s authors that she wished an editor had pushed harder in making her reach out to the three friends, though Woods said he did press multiple times and relented when Erdely said it would not be possible.

“Of course, just because an editor does not ask a reporter to check derogatory information with a subject, that does not absolve the reporter of the responsibility,” the Columbia report reads.

Woods told the report’s authors he opted to use pseudonyms rather than the friends’ actual names to protect them from possible embarrassment.

A Rolling Stone fact-checker, in reviewing a draft of the report, suggested edits which would have made it more clear that the publication had not contacted Jackie’s three friends, but her suggestions were ultimately overruled.

Coco McPherson, the head of Rolling Stone’s fact-checking department, told the Columbia report authors she read a draft of the article after

second time came October, after Erdely began pushing for Jackie to identify her attacker, whose full name she had still not revealed to Erdely.

Fearing Jackie would back out of the report, Erdely, Woods and Dana agreed to publish the account of Jackie’s alleged attack by identifying her primary attacker by a pseudonym — “Drew” — the same workaround they agreed upon for Jackie’s three friends.

Erdely made attempts to identify “Drew” independently, but after she was unable to do so, they agreed to use the pseudonym and pursue the angle no further, the review says. Part of this concession came out of a fear of alienating Jackie, who said she was still afraid of her attacker and hoped he would not find out about the article.

According to the report, Jackie began cooperating with Erdely immediately after hearing the decision to use the pseudonym.

The report also states that Dana, who said he takes full responsibility for the article’s failings, was not aware that neither Woods nor Erdely knew the full name of “Drew,” nor of any agreement between Erdely and Jackie not to make efforts to identify him. Only after the article’s publication did Jackie finally offer Erdely his name — at which point she struggled with the spelling, a warning sign for Erdely as she said she herself grew concerned about the accuracy of her report.

With the name of the alleged attacker in hand, Erdely tried to confirm that the individual worked as a lifeguard or was a member of Phi Psi, but was unable to confirm any connection between Jackie and her now-named alleged perpetrator.

Asking for comment The report’s authors say Erdely should have also offered her sources more specific details about the gang rape allegations when asking for comment.

In examining correspondence with both University officials and members of the local and national chapters of Phi Kappa Psi, the authors conclude Erdely offered only minimal information about the assault, potentially discouraging pre-emptive investigations which could have shed light on the discrepancies in Jackie’s account prior to publication.

Firmly believing Phi Psi President Stephen Scipione and then-National Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth already knew the details of the assault, Erdely merely asked whether they could comment on the allegations, according to her notes.

“It was complete bullshit,” Scipione said in the report of his interview with Erdely. “They weren’t telling me what they were going to write about.

They weren’t telling me any dates or details.”

University officials were also asked for comment with relatively few specifics. Given the restrictions of federal privacy regulations, officials already could not speak to much of the allegations. This dynamic — coupled with administrators’ decision not to let Erdely interview with Associate Dean of Students Nicole Eramo, who handles many of the University’s Title IX cases — fueled a mistrust between Erdely and the University, the report says.

Erdely’s confidence in Jackie’s account was partly grounded in a lack of explicit denial from either the fraternity or the University, coupled with the fact that it was a University employee, Emily Renda, who connected Erdely with Jackie.

The report documents the initial conversation between Erdely and Renda, noting that Renda cautioned Jackie’s memory of the event might be flawed. Erdely reportedly responded, “It’s totally plausible.”

Follow-up conversations with Renda suggest the University was investigating Phi Psi, and Renda also made anonymous reference to Jackie’s assault in testimony before a Congressional subcommittee last summer — all reinforcing Erdely’s confidence in Jackie’s story.

Jackie carried a confident demeanor throughout the eight interviews she had with Erdely, and she spoke about the alleged assault in great detail. In follow-up conversations with the Rolling Stone fact-checker, Jackie even offered clarifying and factual corrections to her account — further bolstering the publication’s trust in her narrative.

But the belief that the University and those in the community believed Jackie’s narrative — which was communicated to the fact-checker as well — was misguided, the report concludes. “[The article] said that Jackie’s friends and student activists at U.Va. ‘strongly supported her account,’” the report reads. “That implied that these friends had direct knowledge of the reported rape. In fact, the students supported Jackie as a survivor, friend and fellow campus reformer.

They had heard her story, but they could not independently confirm it.”

Next steps Moving forward, the report says Rolling Stone has not yet decided to make any institutional changes in the aftermath of the article. Instead, editors insist the failings were an anomaly in a system that generally produces high-quality journalism.

“It’s not like I think we need to overhaul our process, and I don’t think we need to necessarily

see CJS, page 6

6

NEWS

The Cavalier Daily

INVESTIGATION Fraternities under investigation at University, Penn Continued from page 4 tual inaccuracies.

“We should have worked harder to convince her that the truth would have been better served by getting the other side of the story,” Rolling Stone Managing Editor Will Dana said in a statement. “These mistakes are on Rolling Stone, not on Jackie.”

Following the redaction of the article, students and faculty were concerned the drive behind sexual assault policy reform would diminish.

“The biggest thing that I felt when the retraction came out is fear,” Head said. “I was afraid that people were going to lull themselves back into apathy.”

But the retraction seemed to have the opposite effect. Head and Pinkleton both found the passion behind the issue became more productive as time went on.

Head said that while the initial passionate response was “maybe not the most constructive,” it was necessary to create the ensuing momentum to make institutional and cultural change. He said the “fire” behind the original response had not diminished, but rather had changed form.

“I feel like we wanted to do our best to take that heat and energy and transform it into something mechanical — something that was moving forward — and transfer as much of that energy as possible into a lasting impact,” Head said.

“The momentum looks different, but I don’t think that everything that happened last semester was for naught.”

In an attempt to maintain this momentum, Head said One in Four has focused on some functional changes to ensure future success. He said by documenting their group activities more closely, One in Four can build upon their knowledge base more effectively.

Pinkleton said One Less is also planning on

restructuring its organization to accommodate new members. Before, the organization was presentation-centered and included a select group of public speakers. However, One Less plans to create more committees, including one for survivor support, to bring in other University women who want to help the cause.

“We are hoping to take other members that maybe aren't as well-spoken in front of a group but are really passionate about the issue and would like to assist us,” Pinkleton said.

The IFC, perhaps the organization most affected by the article, also plans on moving forward despite the redaction. Gorman said although its new policies are not specifically geared toward preventing sexual assault, they aim to make cultural changes and ensure safety at parties where sexual assault can occur.

As for Phi Kappa Psi, it too is looking forward.

“We are not interested in participating in any more interviews at this time,” a representative from the fraternity said in an email. “We are moving forward and returning to our normal lives as students.”

February 2015 to present - State College, Pennsylvania Houser, of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, said the Rolling Stone article’s fallout in no way diminishes the issue.

“I’m not interested in participating in everyone’s little dissection of fact,” Houser said. The Penn State community “lived this with [the Jerry] Sandusky case. They want [the survivor’s story] to be watertight ... That is not life.”

Groves, Penn State’s IFC president, said the article was read and discussed by fraternity members after its release. It caused many in the IFC community to look at themselves and how they run things.

CJS No institutional changes made Continued from page 5 institute a lot of new ways of doing things,” Dana said in the report. “We just have to do what we’ve always done and just make sure we don’t make this mistake again.”

In a letter introducing the report on Rolling Stone’s website, Dana said the publication is committed to developing solutions to the shortcomings identified in the report.

“We are also committing ourselves to a series of recommendations about journalistic practices that are spelled out in the report,” Dana said. “We would like to apologize to our readers and to all of those who were damaged by our story and the ensuing fallout, including members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and U.Va. administrators and students. Sexual assault is a serious problem on college campuses, and it is important that rape victims feel comfortable stepping forward. It saddens us to think that their willingness to do so might be diminished by our failings.”

University President Teresa Sullivan released a statement today regarding the CJS’s report, citing “irresponsible journalism,” and said the original Rolling Stone story hindered efforts to address is-

sues of sexual violence on campuses.

“Rolling Stone’s story, ‘A Rape on Campus,’ did nothing to combat sexual violence, and it damaged serious efforts to address the issue,” Sullivan said. “Rolling Stone accused some University of Virginia students of heinous, criminal acts, and falsely depicted others as indifferent to the suffering of their classmate. The story portrayed University staff members as manipulative and callous toward victims of sexual assault. Such false depictions reinforce the reluctance sexual assault victims already feel about reporting their experience, lest they be doubted or ignored.”

Sullivan reinforced the University’s continued commitment to confronting sexual violence and implementing reforms to improve campus culture and prevent violence.

“Long before Rolling Stone published its article, the University of Virginia was working to confront sexual violence,” Sullivan said. “Our highest priority is to ensure the safety of our students so they can learn and achieve their personal potential in an environment of trust and security. We will continue to work tirelessly in pursuit of that goal.”

Coll and Coronel will speak at a press conference Monday at noon to discuss the report and answer questions.

Could an act like the gruesome gang rape described in that article happen at Penn State?

“Obviously acts like that do occur here,” Groves said in February, but “something of that magnitude, like institutionalized traditions of, essentially, gang rape, I think is a bit far-fetched … I would be very shocked if something came out like that here.”

Women came forward to State College Police and were able to identify themselves in the Kappa Delta Rho photos, police said. None of the women told police they were sexually assaulted at the fraternity.

The members of Kappa Delta Rho, if charged and found guilty, could be charged with a relatively new piece of legislation in Pennsylvania that outlaws “revenge porn” — the distribution of nude or partially nude images of someone the poster once had an intimate relationship with.

The charge is a second-degree misdemeanor that can carry a two-year prison sentence.

Penn State’s chapter of Kappa Delta Rho has declined to comment throughout the investigation.

There are 88 fraternities and sororities at Penn State, and nearly 6,500 students are Greek.

After the story broke, the Collegian obtained emails sent to fraternity and sorority members from their respective presidents. The emails contained explicit instructions: do not speak to the press.

The Collegian attempted to reach out to all individual fraternity presidents at Penn State — some presidents were not listed on the website or the website’s information was outdated.

After contacting 32 people, three current or

former fraternity presidents responded. Two said their thoughts echoed those of Groves and the IFC. The third to respond, Aaron Portner, a former fraternity president, offered his thoughts.

Portner is a junior studying abroad in Spain and the former president of Penn State’s chapter of Beta Sigma Beta.

Portner said via email that the actions of Kappa Delta Rho were obviously unacceptable and wrong, but the actions of few paint a grossly inaccurate picture of Penn State fraternities as a whole.

But, Portner said, the school’s review of the Greek system is misguided, charged by a sense of morality and not by reason.

“The fact is, Penn State fraternities are good, do good and cultivate good people. As in any large organization (IFC), there are going to be individual parties who make bad decisions that reflect poorly upon the group as a whole,” Portner said. “I do not suggest brushing this under the rug — I am entirely in favor of a full investigation and holding those responsible accountable, but we must not allow this to be the flagstick portrait of Penn State fraternities.”

While it is unfair to suggest the Kappa Delta Rho investigation paints a portrait of all Penn State fraternities, it provides a disturbing snapshot into fraternity life.

Back inside the State College police car, the crowds on and around fraternity row indicate the fraternities’ reputations among students have been not been irreparably damaged.

On U.Va.’s Rugby Road, the spirit is very much the same.

ADVERTISEMENT

F

focus

Monday, April 6, 2015

7

DECONSTRUCTING ‘AFFORDABLE EXCELLENCE’ An examination of forthcoming tuition increases

Caitlyn Seed Associate Editor

The Board of Visitors passed a decision to increase student tuition March 24 in a model known as "Affordable Excellence."

Beginning in the 2015-16 academic year, all in-state students will pay a 3.9 percent increase in tuition and all out-of-state students will pay a 3.7 percent increase. Incoming in-state students will also be subject to a $1,000 step increase for the 2015-16 academic school year. In 2016-17, incoming in-state students will also be subject to an additional $1,000 step increase in prices.

Beyond the base changes in tuition costs, Affordable Excellence is a multifaceted model designed with the intention to make the University more accessible to lower-income Virginian students, as well as to increase funding for classroom technology and salaries for established faculty members.

Rationalizing the increase The increase in tuition is indicative of the financial shortcomings the University has faced since Virginia state legislation reduced the percentage of aid to higher-education. The University’s own routes for funding have proved insufficient to cover the gap left by the lack of government assistance.

Currently, state appropriation provides the University with 10.2 percent of its funding, while tuition constitutes 32.4 percent and endowment and donations make up 19.4 percent.

Before resorting to a significant tuition increase the Board of Visitors pursued several alternative routes to fund the deficit including restructuring debt, redistributing endowment spending and balancing current investments and philanthropic donations.

University President Teresa Sullivan said the Board reviewed each option, but was unable to formulate the money necessary to

keep the University a top-tier institution that both meets financial needs for all students and maintains competitive faculty salaries and technological resources.

“Several of our Board members have committed themselves to this,” Sullivan said, regarding the University’s financial reform.

“They ended up with a definition which I think is interesting — the University is affordable if students leave with the smallest amount of debt.”

Though there is a gross increase in costs for students attending the University, the ultimate goal is to make the University more accessible without compromising quality.

Under the Affordable Excellence model, low-income Virginians can take out $4,000 worth of need-based loans when previously they could take out $14,000.

All other Virginians who demonstrate need may take out a maximum of $18,000 in need-based loans, down from the previous $28,000.

President Sullivan said the University’s Affordable Excellence Plan was heavily influenced

by William & Mary’s “Promise,” a similar model passed in April of 2013 that increased students’ tuition in order to increase grantbased aid.

The William & Mary Promise was also a multifaceted model, with key pieces stressing predictability through a tuition guarantee, increased grant aid for Virginia families who qualify for needbased aid, more seats for Virginia undergraduates, increased innovation and more funding to provide faculty with competitive salaries.

Samuel E. Jones, senior vice president for Finance and Administration at William & Mary, said that despite the increased tuition, the general response to the Promise model was positive.

“Because our Board set tuition early, when students made that decision to come to William

& Mary they knew what the price was,” Jones said. “Generally we found that folks like the guarantee. That really helps them in the family planning that goes along with getting a child through college.”

Furthermore, Jones said initiating a high-tuition, high-aid model helped low and middle income students by reducing the maximum amount of loans they could take out and subsidizing the difference with grants. As a result the average net cost to attend the college increased for Virginian families while the average accumulated debt decreased.

“We recognize there are some families that can pay full freight at whatever price we’re setting and they can make a value judgment,” Jones said.

Funding socioeconomic diversity In theory, the Affordable Excellence model will reduce the net cost of a University degree for 70 percent of Virginian families.

However, concerns have been raised by student groups that fear the model could discourage lower-income families from applying to the University and subsequently decrease socioeconomic diversity.

If William & Mary’s Promise is to act as a model, then these concerns will not come to fruition.

Jones said the socioeconomic diversity figures of William & Mary have not diminished since the induction of the Promise after April of 2013.

“Our application numbers are up and ultimately the quality of students and the diversity of that from a socioeconomic perspective have stayed from pre-Promise,” Jones said.

Sullivan said the goal of the plan in terms of high aid is to provide students with the maximum amount of opportunity and quality of education possible given the University’s financial circumstances.

“If students have minimal debt when they leave the university they have more job opportunities open to them, it opens up realistically the opportunity for some people to go to medical and law school,” Sullivan said. “If you don’t leave with a whole lot of debt you might be willing to take on more for a professional or a graduate degree.”

As of the 2013-14 academic year, the University’s average student debt was $22,933, which included need-based loans and loan debt. In comparison, the state average is $25,017 and the nationwide average is $29,309. Under Affordable Excellence, there should be a decrease in $10,000 for maximum student indebtedness for qualifying Virginian students.

Jones echoed Sullivan’s sentiments.

“There is a variation on theme but were all trying to get the best institution we have and make sure students get educated in the best possible way,” Jones said.

Student skepticism The decision to increase tuition costs has been met with a great deal of student opposition.

Students led several protests on Grounds on March 24 during the Board of Visitors meetings to vocalize their discontent with the rise in tuition.

Students publicly demonstrated with signs outside the Special Collections Library where the Board of Visitors meetings were being held in private.

Fourth-year Batten student Gabrielle Jorgensen said the decision was problematic, and that she was disappointed by the lack of transparency in administration — particularly Batten, which will face a parallel increase in tuition

of 40 percent for incoming students in certain programs.

“I was honestly pretty disappointed with the administration in Batten just because they try really hard to be transparent with us and they pride themselves on including students in decision making — but we felt blindsided,” Jorgensen said.

Jorgensen also expressed concern that the plan to adequately finance the deficit by increasing tuition would not prove successful.

“I like the idea of redistributing that money to students who can’t afford it,” Jorgensen said.

“Although I don’t know if I’m entirely convinced that it will pan out the way they think that it will.”

In response to the student protests, Sullivan said she understands the reasoning but thought students did not fully comprehend the details of the model before acting.

“I think a lot of people did not understand it, they didn’t know who it applied to,” Sullivan said about the Affordable Excellence model. “I think it was unfortunate that there wasn’t better understanding.”

Sullivan also noted that regardless of the protest, the Board has finalized the decision.

“You can’t take away from a deliberate body the right to deliberate," Sullivan said.

Going forward, tuition will be set at a constant rate. Unless dire economic need arises, the Affordable Excellence model promises there will not be a rise in tuition beyond the set figures, which typically rise in accordance with inflation regularly each year.

“Barring some unforeseen circumstances, tuition going forward will typically be inflation plus one percent,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan said she does not anticipate any struggles ahead for the Affordable Excellence model.

S

sports Robert Elder

Senior Associate Editor

Offensively, the Virginia men’s lacrosse team had been clicking on all cylinders entering Friday night’s showdown against conference foe North Carolina.

But whether it was pressure from playing under the lights in front of 3,900 fans, tense nerves against a longtime rival or just a general lack of composure, the Cavaliers looked all out of sorts throughout the contest.

Despite winning the faceoff battle, No. 8 Virginia (8-3, 0-3 ACC) committed 18 turnovers and was outshot 48-34 in a disappointing 106 loss against No. 4 North Carolina (11-1, 2-0 ACC).

North Carolina senior attackman Joey Sankey led the North Carolina offense with four goals and an assist, including two strikes in the fourth quarter to help put away Virginia.

“We weren’t sharp enough over 60 minutes,” coach Dom Starsia said. “We’ve been better offensively.

I thought we gave away too many [goals]. There was not enough poise on the offensive end of the field.”

North Carolina had a large advantage in time of possession through the first quarter, but Virgin-

The Cavalier Daily

8

Men’s lacrosse falls to North Carolina Virginia commits 18 turnovers, is outshot 48-34

ia stayed in the game thanks to an outstanding effort from sophomore goalie Matt Barrett, who had six of his 18 saves through the first 15 minutes.

Barrett stuffed a doorstep attempt after withstanding a four-shot North Carolina opening possession, leading to a goal by senior midfielder Tyler German just under four minutes into the first quarter.

But the Tar Heels rattled off two straight goals of their own by senior attackman Jimmy Bitter and sophomore attackman Luke Goldstock, respectively, to take an early lead.

Junior attackman Greg Coholan evened the game for Virginia with 59 seconds remaining in first quarter.

The second quarter got off to a promising start for the Cavaliers after winning the opening faceoff and later surviving a long North Carolina possession, but back-to-back Cavalier turnovers led to two quick Tar Heel goals, giving them a 4-2 lead with 9:55 before halftime.

“We came out in the first quarter and got the first goal and then we turned the ball over a couple of times when we didn’t need to,” Starsia said.

“The game got away from us a little bit. Against a team of that caliber, you can’t keep giving them second opportunities.”

For the next 9:02, neither team could find the back of the net due in part to turnovers, missed shots and great saves by both goalies.

But with just 54 seconds before halftime — a full 15 minutes since the last Cavalier goal — Coholan buried his second of the night to pull Virginia within one at halftime.

Coholan started the third quarter right where he left off in the second, sending in a low angle shot just 49 seconds into the quarter to even the game at four.

But the rest of the game would not be so kind to Virginia. North Carolina junior midfielder Steve Pontrello responded by scoring back-to-back goals. The contest remained scoreless for nearly eight minutes before Sankey netted his second of the night to give the Tar Heels a 7-4 lead with 3:49 to play in the quarter.

The Cavaliers had plenty of chances to score in their four possessions between North Carolina’s sixth and seventh goal, but each of those possessions ended in turnovers.

Virginia, which averaged 11.4 turnovers per game entering the night, committed eight in the third quarter alone.

“I didn’t think we were poised enough on the offensive end in the third quarter,” Starsia said. “I think we turned the ball over a couple of times and we got a little bit frustrated and lost our composure.”

German started the fourth quarter scoring with 6:24 remaining in the game, pulling Virginia to within two and bringing Klöckner Stadium

Sarah MacAdam | The Cavalier Daily

Junior attackman Greg Coholan scored two goals against No. 4 North Carolina Friday.

to life.

But hope was soon quelled when Sankey tallied his hat trick less than a minute later after Virginia failed to pick up a ground ball in front of its own net.

“We knew they were great off the ground,” Coholan said. “They get a ton of transition goals so we had to be aware of that. They were fighting for the ground balls as much as we were, but they were putting it in the back of the net.”

The Tar Heels sealed the deal when Bitter’s circus shot caught nylon with 3:43 to play. North Carolina added one final goal with 2:46 remaining to double up Virginia, 105. Sophomore midfielder Zed Williams put in a goal for the Cavaliers at the 1:04 mark, cutting the lead to

10-6, which would hold until the final horn.

Still, not to be lost in the contest was the performance by the Virginia defense, which held a North Carolina offense that was scoring over 15 goals per game before Friday to just 10. However, this effort made the offense’s struggles all the more disappointing, Coholan said.

“Having the chances we did and getting the open shots we did and not putting those in the back of the net, we definitely owe our defense that for working hard all game,” Coholan said. “We just didn’t put the ball in the back of the net the best we could have.”

Virginia will next travel to Durham, North Carolina to take on Duke Sunday at noon.

No. 17 Notre Dame knocks off No. 4 Virginia, 14-4 Cavaliers see seven-game win streak snapped by Irish Chanhong Luu Associate Editor

The No. 4 Virginia women’s lacrosse team didn’t score until the 17:17 mark midway through the second half of its contest with No. 17 Notre Dame, as the Cavaliers’ sixgame win streak came to an end on Saturday with a 14-4 loss to the Irish at Klöckner Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"Sports are humbling," coach Julie Myers said. "Notre Dame played a really good game. They came in with their backs against the wall and they fought for everything. They kind of caught us by surprise. We didn't play particularly well anywhere. Loose balls were an issue for us—draw controls as well as ground balls.”

Notre Dame (7-5, 2-3 ACC) and Virginia (9-5, 2-3 ACC) had roughly the same number of total turnovers — 12 for Notre Dame and 13 for Vir-

ginia — but the Fighting Irish were able to pick up five more ground balls off those turnovers than the Cavaliers. The Irish were also 16-17 on clears, while Virginia went 10-15 on clears.

Both teams committed 23 fouls, but the Irish were able to win six more draw controls than the Cavaliers, 13-7. The Irish also dominated time of possession and outshot the Cavaliers 32-22.

“That was their game plan coming in,” Myers said. “If they could get a lead, then they would take some air out of the ball. They kind of stand around and force our defense to play a different defensive set than what we would want to. They took a lot of time off the clock and really got under our attackers’ skin.”

Virginia had the first shot in the game, but Notre Dame would take the next seven, missing their first shot wide and meeting the hands of Virginia’s freshman goalie Rachel Vander Kolk the next two times. But

once the Irish scored, they didn’t stop, scoring three goals in a span of less than three minutes.

After taking the 3-0 lead, the Irish hit a bit of a drought, but Virginia could not buy a score as Notre Dame’s sophomore goalkeeper Liz O’Sullivan made six saves on 10 Cavalier shots in the first half. She would finish with 11 saves overall.

“They definitely executed better in the beginning of the game, which threw us off our game plan,” senior midfielder Daniela Eppler said. “We started playing scared not to lose, so it was hard to execute. We weren’t that confident shooting to begin with, and she [O’Sullivan] was coming out a little bit far from the goal, so it was hard to see the open net and score.”

Meanwhile, Vander Kolk, who had been so solid for the Cavaliers and was named ACC Defensive Player of the week coming into the game, only made five more saves

after her first two, as time after time, Irish attackers were able to get one-on-one opportunities at the goal.

The Irish added another five goals within the opening 12 minutes of the second half, including one in the opening possession after Virginia went a man-down, to double their 5-0 halftime lead.

“We’ve been in a big hole like this before, but usually we start chipping away and come back,” Eppler said.

“I’ve never been in a game where we hadn’t really score after the first half.”

Eppler scored the Cavaliers’ first goal of the game but neither team scored for exactly nine more minutes until Virginia added its second goal of the game on a free position shot by senior attacker Casey Bocklet.

Eppler would score another free position goal after a Notre Dame counter, but it was too little too late for the Cavaliers who were still down

by nine with five minutes to go. Senior attacker Liza Blue added a goal for the Cavaliers with less than a minute remaining, but it was the Irish who had the last laugh just 19 seconds later when sophomore attacker Cortney Fortunato put an emphatic touch on Notre Dame’s victory with a behind-the-back shot with 35 seconds left on the clock.

“The biggest thing we had to change was our defense,” Eppler said.

“We had to start coming out to the ball because they were holding the ball and that was tough on our legs — it tired us out — so it was harder to execute on attack when we had the ball, and that was a huge change for us and it made a big difference in the game.”

Fortunato finished the game with game-high six goals and two assists, while Eppler led the Cavaliers with her two goals.

The Cavaliers will have a weeklong break before resuming play on the 12th against Louisville.

SPORTS

Monday, April 6, 2015

9

Virginia claims first ACC series win over Boston College Cavaliers’ bats come alive to take two of three from Golden Eagles

Charles Siegel Associate Editor

The Virginia softball (11-30, 3-12 ACC) team earned its first ACC series victory of the season as it took two of three from Boston College over the weekend.

The Cavaliers split Friday’s doubleheader before rallying back in Sunday’s rubber game to take the series. Virginia has now won four of its last five games.

In the first game, Boston College struck with four runs in the first two innings to take an early lead and

continued to score in every inning but the third and seventh. The Cavaliers’ offense fell quiet for the first five innings, and the Eagles looked to be heading to an easy victory after accumulating a 9-1 lead entering the bottom of the sixth frame.

However, thanks to moon shots by sophomore outfielder Iyana Hughes and freshman designated player/infielder Danni Ingraham, Virginia came charging back with five runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut Boston College’s lead to three.

Virginia was able to add another run in the bottom of the seventh, but the Cavaliers were unable to complete

Lauren Hornsby| The Cavalier Daily

Sophomore outfielder Iyana Hughes hit a two-run double in the fifth inning Saturday to help give Virginia the series win.

the comeback as Boston College survived 9-7.

Despite trailing by eight runs, the Cavaliers demonstrated their fighting spirit as they battled back to score seven runs, falling just short of the rally.

“We fight back,” Hughes said.

“We’re not going go out without a swing, without a fight. I don’t know why we just seem to wait till too late, but hey, if we’re gonna win the game that way why not? We’re fighters, that’s what we are.”

Virginia was able to carry its momentum in the second game, as the Cavaliers pounced on the lead with two runs in the second inning.

Freshman third baseman Lauren Heintzelman reached base after being hit by a pitch, and junior outfielder/pitcher Aimee Chapdelaine followed through by lacing a single into left field. After freshman shortstop Allison Davis knocked a ball to the Eagles’ third baseman, a throwing error allowed Heintzelman and Chapdelaine to score to give Virginia a 2-0 lead.

The Eagles could not crack freshman pitcher Alex Formby’s code as she remained in tight control throughout the entire game, only allowing one run in the top of the fourth inning. Heintzelman scored her second run of the game as she smacked a solo shot over the centerfield fence in the fourth to cushion Virginia’s lead to two runs, and the Cavaliers shut down Boston College

to run away with a 3-1 victory to split the doubleheader. Formby totaled five strikeouts as she earned the complete game win.

A recurrent theme this season has been the Cavaliers demonstrating their ability to bounce back and win games after losses.

“Right now we have confidence in everybody. Everybody can hit. We believe in each other and we put it together,” Hughes said.

In Sunday’s series finale the Cavaliers again rallied back and came out on top. A Cavalier error allowed the Eagles to take an early 3-0 lead. Boston College capitalized upon another error by Virginia to add another run to their lead. However, the game would soon start shifting the Cavaliers’ way as their offense exploded to plate seven runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Sophomore second baseman McKall Miller and freshman catcher Brittany McNulla started the inning by drawing consecutive walks, before Heintzelman singled through the middle to score Miller and put Virginia on the board. Sophomore catcher Katie Park and Davis drew two more walks to plate McNulla, and with the bases loaded Hughes hit her second double of the game to plate two more and knot the game at 4-4. Fitzgerald gave the Cavaliers the lead with an RBI groundout, before Ingraham lasered an opposite-field home run over the right field fence to give Virginia a three run advantage.

Despite committing five errors in the game, the Cavaliers were able to work around their miscues and ride their offensive eruption to a 7-4 victory. Chapdelaine earned the complete game win as she and the Cavaliers prohibited the Eagles from scoring another run after the fifth frame.

Sunday’s victory marked the first series finale victory of the season for the Cavaliers as they claimed their first conference series win.

“It’s absolutely huge, because since I’ve been here, we haven’t been able to get one,” coach Blake Miller said. “To get that first series win, all wins build confidence in what’s going on. They’re believing in little pieces of what we do. It’s just those series wins and stuff like that help a lot.”

In addition to its offensive ability, Virginia’s pitching also contributed greatly to the two wins.

“In the first game, Aimee came in and kept us there so we could battle back,” Miller said. “We just didn’t close it out. And then Alex did a great job yesterday, going on to win a pretty close one, and then today Aimee did a great job battling around five errors and we were still able to overcome it. That’s really big, that we had errors and we overcame each time.”

The Cavaliers will next look to continue their successful homestand with a doubleheader against Virginia Tech on Wednesday beginning at 5 p.m.

Men’s tennis aces weekend for seven-match winning streak The Virginia men’s tennis team is on a roll. The No. 4 Cavaliers (16-3, 8-0 ACC) steamrolled instate adversaries William & Mary and No. 13 Virginia Tech this weekend at Snyder Tennis Center, running their winning streak to a season-best seven matches.

Virginia kicked off a sunny weekend in Charlottesville with a 7-0 pasting of the Tribe (12-11, 1-0 CAA) — the Cavaliers’ sixth shutout win of the season. Every player in the Virginia singles lineup posted a straight-sets victory, with sophomore J.C. Aragone finishing up first on court three.

No. 55 freshman Collin Altamirano dispatched William & Mary freshman Christian Cargill at No. 1 singles, while No. 10 sophomore Thai-Son Kwiatkowski dismissed Tribe sophomore Addison Appleby at the second position. Altamirano also teamed with senior Mitchell Frank for an 8-2 win at No. 3

doubles.

The Cavaliers kept their level high Sunday, downing the Hokies 6-1 to run their ACC winning streak to 132 matches, the longest winning streak by any team in any sport in conference history.

Virginia earned the doubles point with Frank and Altamirano’s 8-4 victory on court three and then pulled out five straight singles matches to claim the match.

Kwiatkowski prevailed in a first-set tiebreaker and won the second set 6-0 to defeat No. 109 junior Joao Monteiro, and No. 6 junior Ryan Shane followed with a 6-3, 6-4 win against No. 63 junior Amerigo Contini on court two. Only junior Mac Styslinger suffered a loss for Virginia, falling to senior Hunter Koontz in three tight sets.

Virginia will play the last of six consecutive home matches this weekend, taking on Georgia Tech Friday at 3 p.m. and Louisville Sunday at 1 p.m.

—compiled by Matthew Morris

Hannah Mussi | The Cavalier Daily

No. 29 senior Mitchell Frank helped give Virginia the doubles point over the Hokies, then won on court one 6-4, 6-4.

O

opinion

The Cavalier Daily

10

LEAD EDITORIAL

Rolling Stone review misses mark on U.Va. culture The Columbia Journalism report should not have confined its investigation to Jackie’s story

“Leah” in response to the Managing Board’s Apr. 1 editorial, “An apology to our readers.”

conveniently left out that its writing style as a reliable way founding took place at U.Va. to present news. For examErdely referred to Emily Ren- ple, within the text of this da, a central character in the narrative-style article, Erdely article, as a “recent grad,” but frequently inserted her perdid not also describe her as a spective and opinion: when University employee, which discussing U.Va.’s sexual misshe is and was at the time of conduct policy, she called the the article’s publication. adjudication of sexual assault For a report by universities an “absurdity” that discusses and wrote that, though Title at length the IX requires such adjudicaissue of attrib- tion, “no university on Earth uting informa- is equipped to do [it].” This is tion to sources not a balanced presentation of throughout ar- facts; this is an opinion being For University students, Rolling Stone did not ticles, the lack framed as objective reporting. of mention of It is not up to the authors just get one story wrong. It presented a skewed the importance of this report to account for of detailing every wrong Rolling Stone perspective of our student body.” the respective committed, and the job of roles of sourc- these researchers was made es is disap- harder still by the fact that felt was stonewalling her. In pointing. But this is not the they had to gather their inreality, her interactions with only non-Jackie-related area formation from Rolling Stone them were complicated by of concern. The Columbia first (though the magazine did many factors, including exist- report also rightfully details provide a 405 page record of ing laws regarding universi- the difficulties of sourcing everything pertaining to the ties’ ability to disclose infor- throughout a narrative-style article). But as we reflect on mation about sexual assaults. article. The authors write, Erdely’s article, we should not Confirmation bias prob- “There is a tension in mag- confine our analysis of it just ably did play a large role in azine and narrative editing to Jackie’s story and the editoErdely, Woods and Dana’s rial failures editorial decisions regarding surrounding “A Rape on Campus.” But this its presentarole was not confined to their tion. It is willingness to take Jackie’s a dramatic story at face value. The deoversimplisire to portray rape at its most fication to gruesome, and U.Va. at its reduce this We hope future endeavors do, in fact, do better most privileged, spilled over article — — not just at fact-checking, but at presenting into Erdely’s descriptions of which shook other elements of U.Va., elour Univerinformation in its entirety.” ements not necessarily consity to its nected to Jackie’s story. core — just For instance, in Erdely’s to that one narrative, she interviewed between crafting a readable narrative. several University students story — a story that flows — Where the Columbia rewithout detailing their par- and providing clear attribu- port did not investigate, we ticular affiliations. Including tion of quotations and facts.” hope we have filled in gaps just one quote from fourth- This is a central issue in the as to Erdely’s presentation of year student Brian Head — presentation of Jackie’s story. our school. Coronel, Coll and “The most impressive person It is also a central issue in the Kravitz end their analysis as at UVA is the person who presentation of U.Va., whose follows: “The responsibiligets straight A’s and goes to student body was largely ho- ties that universities have in all the parties” — Erdely did mogenized. This narrative preventing campus sexual asnot mention Head’s position style of journalism, in fact, re- sault — and the standards of at the time as president of quires broader scrutiny given performance they should be One in Four, an all-male sex- the results of Rolling Stone’s held to — are important matual assault prevention group article. ters of public interest. Rolling that was founded at U.Va., Coronel, Coll and Kravitz Stone was right to take them despite the fact that this af- rightfully point to the issues on. The pattern of its failure filiation was the very reason with fact-checking and edi- draws a map of how to do betshe interviewed him in the torial decisions in this case ter.” This is entirely true, and first place. Erdely went on to as beyond the confines of this we hope future endeavors do, mention One in Four later in particular writing style. But in fact, do better — not just at the article and described it as we should also more gener- fact-checking, but at presenta national organization, but ally question this particular ing information in its entirety.

“

“I think this response fails to acknowledge that it was poor satire.

People aren’t upset because they took the pieces seriously, they’re upset because you used satire ineffectively, effectively reinforcing stereotypes rather than breaking them down.”

trapped by pre-existing assumptions and to select facts that support their own views while overlooking contradictory ones.” This, they say, was a factor in Erdely’s reporting, particularly as it pertained to her portrayal of the University administration, who she

“

Comment of the day

Yesterday, the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism released its report on the journalistic catastrophe that was Rolling Stone’s “A Rape on Campus: A Brutal Assault and Struggle for Justice at UVA,” an article detailing an alleged — and subsequently discredited — account of a sexual assault at the University chapter of Phi Kappa Psi. The report is scathing.

Sheila Coronel, Steve Coll and Derek Kravitz — its writers — conclude that Rolling Stone’s failure “encompassed reporting, editing, editorial supervision and fact-checking” — in other words, everything. For their part, Coronel, Coll and Kravitz appear to have thoroughly addressed the major issues with the magazine’s reporting on the allegation that is most central to the narrative presented — an allegation from Jackie, a University student. But as thoroughly as these professionals investigated the journalistic failures of Sabrina Rubin Erdely (the article’s author), Sean Woods (its editor) and Will Dana (Rolling Stone’s managing editor), they confined their investigation just to Jackie’s story. This, we feel, was a mistake.

For University students, Rolling Stone did not just get one story wrong. It presented a skewed perspective of our student body; it vilified administrators without adequately explaining the constraints of federal law regarding these issues; it reduced the significance of organizations like One Less and One in Four, as well as the work of many students; it selected egregious elements of University culture — such as the “Rugby Road” song and the phrase “UVrApe” — and treated them as ubiquitous when they are not.

The Columbia report does not address these issues. Toward the end of the report, in their analysis of Erdely’s take on Jackie, Coronel, Coll and Kravitz briefly delve into a discussion of confirmation bias, which they describe as “the tendency of people to be

OPINION

Monday, April 6, 2015

11

An apology to our readers T

The Managing Board apologizes for the publication of two articles in the April Fools’ edition o our readers,

The April Fools edition is meant to start a conversation The managing board of The and provide satirical commenCavalier Daily would tary on important islike to issue a sincere CAVALIER DAILY sues. The April Fools apology for the pubedition is not meant to lication of two piec- MANAGING BOARD come at the expense of es — “ABC officers our peers. We neglecttackle Native American student ed to foresee that these pieces outside Bodo’s Bagels” and “Zeta would come across as the latter, Psi hosts ‘Rosa Parks’ party” — and for that, we regret their pubin our April Fools edition which lication. was released this morning.

We understand that the arBoth articles have been re- rest of our classmate Martese moved from our website. We are Johnson by Alcoholic Beverage currently in the process of per- Control officers was a highly sonally reaching out to affected traumatic incident both for the communities to issue apologies. community and for Martese

himself. In the days that followed, as we at the paper sought to comprehend what happened and provide the community with constructive reporting, we have felt upset, angry and confused alongside the student body. We are embarrassed that our empathy for these immensely serious issues was undermined by this piece. We had no intentions of victimizing another underrepresented community in the process.

We also apologize for the article satirizing themed fraternity parties. Our intention was not to perpetuate stereotypes, but to

highlight the offensive nature of these themed parties in the past.

Again, our readers were hurt by this piece, and that makes its publication inexcusable.

The stated mission of The Cavalier Daily is to provide the University community with new, relevant and insightful information that inspires critical conversation and even action on Grounds. Today’s April Fools edition was meant to further this mission in a humorous and satirical manner. Unfortunately, we fell short of this goal today.

We have been and remain dedicated to providing unbi-

ased coverage of racial issues on Grounds. We hope to regain our readers’ trust through that continued coverage. We will, as always, work tirelessly to provide you with all student perspectives — especially those who feel underrepresented.

We deeply apologize to anyone who felt hurt, marginalized or that their experiences were trivialized by these pieces.

Sincerely, The Cavalier Daily Managing Board

Jefferson lives, with undue praise month ago, I wrote an ar- that King “acted in a manner ticle about the veneration we would consider despicable of Thomas Jefferson present in today” on account of his adulour University comterous behaviour. munity. In this piece, ALEXANDER ADAMES Though I recognize Viewpoint Writer I argued that indithat cheating on one’s viduals should not partner is wrong, venerate Jefferson on account of Mink and Park’s comparison is the fact that he was a racist and troubling. They seem to suggest slaveowner. Unsurprisingly, the that adultery and slave-ownessay garnered opposition that ership are morally commensudefended the praise Jefferson of- rate. King’s adultery, while certen receives. Two opponents to tainly reprehensible, was not as my argument were Spencer Park damaging as Jefferson’s slavery and fellow Cavalier Daily Opin- and racial discrimination. To ion columnist Alex Mink. his friend, Edward Coles, JefBoth Mink and Park make ferson wrote that black slaves a valid point in suggesting that were “pests in society by their one’s veneration is not nec- idleness.” Surprisingly, Jefferson essarily based on the entirety also described enslavement as of the man. In my article, I do an ”unfortunate condition.” In agree that Jefferson’s passion- the case of slavery and racism, ate admirers are likely praising Jefferson’s actions speak louder Jefferson on the grounds of his than his words. Though he ocachievements. Both are also casionally did censure slavery, right to point out that socie- Jefferson’s words do nothing to ty extols other individuals who mitigate his actions, which inwere also flawed. To clarify, I volved being complicit because chose Jefferson because he is he benefitted from this subjugamost relevant to our University tion. Unlike King’s adultery, the community. If I did not believe effects of racial prejudice and that there is an issue of Jeffer- slavery in early America still sonian sycophancy within our reverberate into present-day community, my article would America. have been more general.

Park goes on to contend that In their respective articles, Jefferson was unable to do anyMink and Park offer Dr. Martin thing about his slave ownership Luther King, Jr. as an example of by virtue of the monumental a flawed but idolized individual. pressure placed on him by soMink explains, and Park agrees, ciety. This assertion is mislead-

ing. After his death, it would be impossible for Jefferson to face societal backlash. Despite this fact, by the time of his death, Jefferson owned 200 slaves and freed only five men. During his lifetime, Jefferson did not retain slaves purely because of societal pressure. Jefferson kept his

dal and prolonging the Vietnam War. Despite this laudable feat of establishing the EPA, many Americans castigate him on account of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War outweighing any and all of his benevolent actions. In the case of Jefferson, however, Mink and Park contend that Jefferson’s accomplishments are more significant to them than his nefarious commitments to subjugation and racism.

It’s perturbing to Jefferson was a member of a privileged believe that one collective that passed up an opportunity to do can value one man’s rhetorical liberty what was right for what was convenient and and accomplishfavorable to him.” ments over the lives and well-being of slaves because they helped build those affected by Jefferson’s bighis wealth. If Jefferson were tru- otry and coercive servitude. ly against slavery and believed Park posits that Jefferson in equality, then he would have should be pardoned for his racfreed all of his slaves. ism and slave ownership on the Also, I think it’s important grounds that he was a victim of that we take note of the weight his time and culture. This beJeffersonian enthusiasts attach lief is only partly true. Jefferson to Jefferson’s actions. It seems to was overwhelmingly exposed me that society does not praise to anti-slavery and anti-racism individuals whose immoral ideas but remained a staunch deeds outweigh their moralis- supporter and enabler of both tic deeds. For example, Presi- institutions. During his time dent Richard Nixon provided in France, Jefferson’s numerous us with the Environmental Pro- companions were involved in tection Agency, but he was also the effort to end slavery. In fact, involved in the Watergate scan- our University’s founder was

“

A

Jefferson’s refusal to commit to an anti-slavery stance means he does not merit our praise encouraged to join the French Manumission Society, but he refused. Edward Coles even asked Jefferson to offer a gradual emancipation program, but Jefferson was unyielding. The fact is that Jefferson was consistently exposed to and cognizant of ideologies that opposed racism and slavery. Dismissing Jefferson’s participation in both establishments assumes that he lived in a bubble, which is an understandable assumption but also a misinformed one.

Though they raise valid points, Mink and Park are magnanimous in their belief that Jefferson deserves our applause despite his heinous racialism and slave-ownership. He had the chance to take a great stand against slavery but never capitalized on it. Jefferson was a member of a privileged collective that passed up an opportunity to do what was right for what was convenient and favorable to him.

Though he was remarkably accomplished, Thomas Jefferson’s achievements do not eclipse the harm he committed by participating in racism and slavery and, consequently, does not deserve our laudation.

Alexander Adames is a Viewpoint writer.

12

OPINION

The Cavalier Daily

April Fools’ is no excuse The Cavalier Daily’s Managing Board must regain readers’ trust

here is a reason The New the wake of the several disturbYork Times, The Wall Street ing and horrific events that have Journal and The Washington occurred near U.Va. recently.

Post don’t produce Intent, though, April Fools’ issues. doesn’t make up CHRISTOPHER BROOM for offending peoReaders’ trust is Public Editor hard to build and ple and trivializing easy to shatter. No their experiences. matter the intention, satirical What is worse than just the or joke pieces in a newspaper problematic articles is that the that generally reports news and print edition of the April Fools offers opinion on matters of the issue supplanted one of the norday, is a risky proposition. The mal print issues of The Cavalier risk of offending or alienating Daily. Having cut back to only those who read or look to the two print issues per week to save paper for fair, balanced coverage money, it is concerning that one is high. What some might think of those issues was a joke/satire is funny others will see as offen- issue. sive.

Local news picked up the stoThe Managing Board of The ry on the April Fool’s issue with Cavalier Daily made a bad deci- TV stations NBC 29 and CBS 19 sion when they chose to publish both posting articles and garat least two articles in their April nering many comments.

Fools’ issue. The “ABC officers It wasn’t only a local issue, tackle Native American student though. The public editor for outside Bodo’s Bagels” and “Zeta the New York Times, Margaret Psi hosts ‘Rosa Parks’ party” ar- Sullivan, retweeted a Poynter ticles were in poor taste and ex- news story about The Cavalier acerbated stereotypes. I imagine Daily articles entitled “When that the Managing Board and April Fools’ Day goes wrong.” the writers and editors involved Following some backlash, the in both pieces thought they were Managing Board of The Cavalier satirizing many of the various Daily deleted the articles from issues that have been raised in the website and pulled the PDF

copy of the print edition. After that they published an apology online. The apology was less than ideal. The Managing Board wrote, in part: “The April Fools edition is meant to start a conversation and provide satirical commentary on important issues. The April Fools edition is not meant to come at the expense of our

pieces would come across as the latter. . .” seems to put the onus on those who read it in a way different than it was intended. When reading the pieces, though, I’m not sure how else anyone would have interpreted them. There is already a conversation happening in and around the University about race, victimization, power and privilege.

The April Fools issue didn’t need to start or encourage that conversation.

Satire is certainly an accepted form of humor and an effective form of The Cavalier Daily staff has damaged the trust pointing out positions of power or readers had in the paper.” privilege but these stories didn’t feel like satire so much as slightly altered retellings of recent peers. We neglected to foresee stories. that these pieces would come The Cavalier Daily strives across as the latter, and for that, to be a voice for students at the we regret their publication.”

University of Virginia. They are This ends up reading as independent financially and edsomething on the order of “we’re itorially from the University and sorry if you were offended.” that gives them a special place “Neglected to foresee that these from which to write both news

“

T

and opinion. It also gives them a tremendous burden of trust and a duty to not squander that special place. The April Fools edition of The Cavalier Daily squandered that trust. It was not at all careful of the students and others who read the paper. In an effort to be funny, the people who read the paper were forgotten and when that happens the end product suffers.

The Cavalier Daily staff has damaged the trust readers had in the paper. The main point of the paper is to be an independent voice at the University of Virginia. The paper can’t be that if no one trusts it and if no one is paying attention. The April Fools edition of the paper has done harm to the Cavalier Daily and to its readers.

I’d like to hear from you about what The Cavalier Daily can do to start earning that trust back.

Christopher Broom is the Public Editor for The Cavalier Daily.

He can be reached at c.broom@ cavalierdaily.com or on Twitter at @CDPublicEditor.

Discussions start with professors Professors should bear the burden for renewed efforts at enhancing the quality of class discussion “They work okay, sometimes you get good questions and sometimes you don’t.” Students should have Class participation can a consistent source of lead to greater engageengagement with their BOBBY DOYLE ment with topics being classes, not the coinOpinion Columnist discussed and facilitate flip they have now. learning, yet up to 66 What professors percent of students are consid- need to do is establish comfort ered disengaged. This is partially a with discussion and give students problem of going to the Universi- a convenient forum for discussion ty, with over 20,000 students. But out of class. But, this starts in class. even with that mind, some large Professors need to let students talk classes manage to keep students about the material with each othparticipating and engaged — size er in small groups, without the is no excuse. Although lack of professor listening. “Students are engagement is a problem perpet- much more comfortable talking uated by students and professors, in small groups,” according to professors have the greater pow- Politics Professor John Echeverer to fix the problem. Professors ri-Gent. However, some are not need to provide a greater variety comfortable sharing their views in of discussion options to get stu- class, no matter how small the setdents to engage with the materials. ting. Technology provides a posMany professors try to create sible solution for these students’ discussions about their materi- problem. A promising service for al but go about it the wrong way. encouraging discussion are InterPosting on a forum, writing dis- net Relay Chats. IRC lets anyone cussion questions or assigning set up a chat room where people group projects are popular meth- can anonymously converse. It ods that professors use to get stu- would not be difficult for profesdents to engage with the materials. sors to set up one of these chat However, the results can be incon- rooms for one of their classes and sistent. When asked about discus- then send instructions on how sion questions Anthropology Pro- people can join. An IRC would fessor China Scherz commented, allow shyer students to discuss

and engage with the subject in an informal setting, actively collaborating instead of passively submitting forum posts. There are many ways an anonymous chat could be abused but there will always be a trade-off and for it’s merits it is an idea worth trying.

Professors can also do a better job incentivizing discussion. Participation points as part of a grade are a great start, at least in smaller

answer questions in the forum, incentivizing but not requiring students to participate. There are a great deal of ways that professors can create an environment in class where participation is simple and helpful.

As much as alternative discussion options should be provided, talking to a group of people is an important skill that professors should keep encouraging. Simply calling on someone new to answer a question gives people valuable chances to improve their public speaking skills.

In this area students Students should have a consistent source of have a greater reengagement with their classes, not the coin-flip sponsibility to speak up and effectively they have now.” use the opportunities given. classes, but leaving students to figStudents do not hold zero reure out how to participate can be sponsibility in creating discussion, discouraging. Students feel forced but sometimes the barriers for to talk in class even if they have discussing a class can be high. Benothing useful to say. Professors fore many students can effectively could make clear that coming to discuss a class, be it in that class or office hours with questions or go- out, the professor must establish ing to external events that relate effective institutions that encourto the class could count as par- age all types of discussion. Howticipation. Professors could give ever, there is such a thing as too out extra points for people who much discussion. “It’s a balance,”

“

oo often do professors ask T questions in class to only be answered with a prolonged silence.

Echeverri-Gent explained. Scherz shared the same view, saying, “I like to steer students through [discussions], rather than just let them talk.” It’s difficult for professors to find the right balance between the two, yet they should still strive to have as an engaged environment as possible.

In this last year many professors have taken the time to pause class and discuss the waves of controversy that have hit the University. A website was even set up so University students could let the faculty know what they want from them. Many professors showed a desire to start a discussion with students and engage them on the issues. Yet, when it comes to the class materials professors tend to be more focused on disseminating the information than facilitating student engagement with the material. Professors need to treat discussion as an integral part of their class and put in place institutions that will encourage it.

Bobby’s column runs Mondays.

He can be reached at b.doyle@cavalierdaily.com.

Monday, Aprill 6, 2015

Virginia passes Right to Try law

H&S health & science

Vanessa M. Braganza Associate Editor

Governor Terry McAuliffe signed the Right to Try bill into law on Thursday, 26 March, making Virginia the 11th U.S. state to pass such a bill.

Under the new law, patients with terminal illnesses will have expanded access to investigational drugs, or those pending Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.

The Goldwater Institute, an organization which lobbies for bills that promote individual freedoms, has supported Right to Try from its beginnings.

“The Goldwater Institute crafted the original model language for the Right to Try laws, and we have

13

Legislation allows terminally ill patients access to drugs still under investigation assisted lawmakers in every state where the bill has become law,” Craig Handzlik, the State Policy Coordinator of the Goldwater Institute said.

Supporters of Right to Try argue that access to investigational medicines may yield lifesaving results for terminally ill patients. Although limiting patients’ access to drugs that have not been FDA approved is meant as a protective measure, these restrictions may also withhold valuable treatment for long periods of time.

“The FDA’s clinical trials and approvals process takes an average of 10 years and $1 Billion to complete,” said Handzlik.

Right to Try seeks to give patients access to investigational medications which show promise.

Terminally ill patients in Virginia will now have the option to access drugs which have passed through

the FDA’s first phase of clinical trials. The bill’s supporters hope this will provide treatments faster while keeping patients safe from toxic substances.

However, opponents of this bill argue that it has exactly the opposite effect. Margaret Riley, J.D., a professor of law at U.Va., believes that Right to Try ultimately slows down the process by which lifesaving drugs are made available to the public. She notes that Right to Try does not actually require drug companies to provide terminally ill patients with access to investigational drugs.

“And when drug companies refuse to do so, it is not because doing so is expensive and burdensome, although it is both of those. It is because doing so may mean that it may jeopardize or extend the time for the approval of the drug,” Riley said.

Giving individuals early access

to drugs prior to FDA approval may prolong the time it takes for the FDA to approve the drug. This delays the availability of the drug to all terminally ill patients. Additionally, the FDA already selectively permits expanded access to investigational drugs on a case-by-case basis.

“In a number of situations, FDA will allow expanded access, sometimes called “compassionate use,” to an investigational drug outside of a clinical trial to treat a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition,” Riley said.

While Right to Try seeks to provide terminally ill patients with the widest access to the most effective drugs, some health law experts believe this bill is not effective. Instead, the release of new lifesaving drugs to the public may be facilitated by boosting enrollment in clinical trials. This, health law experts argue,

would bring safe and effective drugs to the market faster.

“I have no doubt of the good intentions of most of the legislators who vote for such bills, but they do not seem to fully understand either the legal aspects of the legislation nor the real problems that the legislation is supposed to address,” Riley said.

Courtesy publicdomainpictures.net

Right to Try laws allow terminally ill patients access to drugs still undergoing FDA testing.

UHS, ACS screen Ken Burns documentary The Paramount Theater, University Medical Center screen ‘Cancer: Emperor of all Maladies’ in conjunction with local radio, TV stations Meg Thornberry Health & Science Editor

PBS aired Ken Burn’s three-part documentary “Cancer: Emperor of Maladies,” based on Siddhartha Mukherjee’s book of the same name on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. In conjunction with the American Cancer Society (ACS), the U.Va. Medical Center put on a screen of the first part at the Paramount Theater.

“The history was so that the stigma associated with it meant that people were shunned, and it was a death sentence, but now it’s not a death sentence, and people can live a long life with it, and it’s important for people to know,” Angela Taylor, medical center marketing PR specialist said. “This documentary will educate people.”

For two and a half hours prior to the screening, tables displayed various research projects currently going on at U.Va. Several researchers, as well as members of the Patients and Friends of the Hospital committee, were on hand to meet and talk with guests.

Lavale Riddick, a member of the Patients and Friends of the Hospital committees, was on hand to explain the work of Dr. Shayna Showatler, assistant professor of surgery. Usually, breast cancer is treated with a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Showalter is working with catheters to deliver radiation directly to needed areas, rather than the whole patient.

“Usually [there’s] six weeks of continuous radiation every day,” Riddick said. “Instead, a machine shows where exactly to place a lube and one injection equals six weeks of radiation.”

Dr. Brian Belyea, assistant professor of

teaching and research, is a pediatric oncologist who works with childhood leukemia, which featured heavily in the documentary.

“B-cell leukemia is the most common pediatric cancer, Belyea said. “Cure rates are approaching 90 percent, but that means 10 percent of kids still die, and some have later life effects.”

Belyea and his team are currently working with mouse models in the hopes of raising the cure rate to 100 percent.

Cancer is a term that applies to a large group of disease, and while many researchers, like Belyea and Showalter work with specific cancers, there are a few mechanisms that are common to all or most cancers.

Timothy Bullock, PhD, associate professor of pathology and research, is part of a research lab that studies immune cells and cancer.

“My research lab is focused on stimulating the immune system to fight cancer and find out what’s wrong with immune cells in cancer, because the same cells that would fight off microbial infection are the same cells in cancer, but they don’t work,” Bullock said.

The centerpiece of the evening, besides the 9 p.m. showing of the documentary, were two large poster boards on which guests and researchers wrote messages of hope for cancer patients that will be displayed in the lobby of the Emily Couric Cancer Center.

Joe Thomas represented the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) at the event. Thomas was also raising money for the LLS fundraiser Man & Woman of the Year and encouraging people to write messages on the board.

“Cavaliers for a Cause do some great fundraising,” Thomas said. “The U.Va. community, the student community, has done some great things, not just for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, but for many different causes.”

ADVERTISEMENT

L

The Cavalier Daily

life

LOVE CONNECTION:

JOE

GRACE

Year: Second Major: Commerce U.Va. Involvement: McIntire Investment Institute, Global Markets Group, LSA, IM Sports Hobbies: Boxing, paintball, jetskiing, basketball — no video games over here.

Hometown: New York Ideal Date: Brunette with blue or green eyes.

Ideal Date Personality: Easy to talk to, good sense of humor, goes along with sarcasm.

Deal breakers? Awkward people Typical weekend: Going to dinner, bars, fraternity, school work, gym.

What makes you a good catch? I’m up for everything, I'm extremely friendly, it never gets awkward with me and I just know how to make someone laugh and have a good time. I've been told I'm quite attractive What makes you a less-than-perfect catch? I’m not six feet tall, unfortunately.

What's your favorite pick-up line? “Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?”

Describe yourself in one sentence: I’m an outgoing but sweet guy — once you get to know me more — who likes to meet new people.

JOE Courtesy Joe

Jump Cville and fried chicken make for a highlyranked date

Year: Third Major: GDS and English U.Va. Involvement: Honor, Sustained Dialogue, NETwork Against Malaria, ISC Hometown: Charlottesville Ideal Date: Dark-haired, devastatingly handsome.

Ideal Date Personality: Capricorn.

Deal breakers? A bad personality, toe-thumbs, racism.

Describe a typical weekend: Searching for the names of future children on babycenter.com, looking at my crush’s house on Google Maps street view, reading “The Odyssey” with a block of brie.

Hobbies: Long contemplative walks, discussing the self-referential nature of the Coen Brothers’ films, painting my nails.

What makes you a good catch? I’m practically Beyonce.

What makes you a less-than-perfect catch? I’m still not Beyonce.

Describe yourself in one sentence: “O brave new world, That has such people in't!” – Miranda, “The Tempest”

Alex Stock Love Guru

Joe and Grace met at 7 p.m. at the Rotunda and went to Jump Cville.

Joe: [I applied for Love Connection because] I thought the idea of it was entertaining and was excited to go on it.

Grace: I was so excited to find out I was chosen. I’ve been patiently waiting at the phone for Love Connection to call.

Joe: I have never been on a blind date before, however, I have [gone] out with people I just met. I expected it to be awkward because some people are very shy, unlike me. I was hesitant [about the date].

Grace: I don’t think I’ve ever been on a blind date before. I thought it could go one of two ways — either we’re going to be great friends or we’re going to say “hi” to each other on the paths.

Joe: I got to the Rotunda first and I was sitting there for a few minutes.

Some family and incoming freshman were asking me questions and then, in the corner of my eye, I saw my date walk up. I said her name to get her attention, and then we began our date.

Grace: He was sitting on the steps and he said, “Hey Grace” and I said, “Hi, I don’t know your name but I’m really excited to see you!” We walked to my car and went to Jump Cville.

Joe: I thought she was very pretty and very friendly, so I knew it wasn’t going to be awkward at all.

Grace: He seemed really nice, outgoing and talkative and he had a big smile.

14

Courtesy Grace

Joe: The conversations were great.

Once we met, we got right into it. It was not awkward at all. The conversations kept flowing and we never had awkward silences.

Grace: The conversation was fun and easy – never awkward. The conversation flowed pretty easily. I think both of us did much of the talking. Both of us [have] very sarcastic senses of humor.

Joe: We both like country music and she was kind of in shock, since I’m from New York and I’m not the typical New Yorker.

Grace: We [are] both very knowledgeable about music [and] we’re both involved in Greek life.

Joe: We got to Jump Cville and the man working behind the counter couldn’t find my name, so he asked me how to spell Joe… Of course, later in the night when she put my number in her phone, it did not spell [even close

GRACE to] Joe. Grace: He asked me if I like Adam Levine and it turns out he loves Adam Levine, so we talked about [him] for a while.

Joe: There were plenty of other moments that were funny — we were always smiling and laughing, so it was a great time.

Grace: It turns out he doesn’t really like fast food, but I talked enough about Cookout and Cane’s that he decided to be nice and go to Cane’s with me.

Joe: I paid for Cane’s. You have to as the guy — it’s the respectful thing to do and it’s something I live by.

Grace: It was a pretty platonic date, but that’s not to say it wasn’t a fun conversation!

Joe: I don’t know if there was necessarily any flirting, but I am a very flirtatious person by nature, so there most likely was. The way I talk and act is

flirty in itself, so of course I flirted. You kind of have to, especially when you’re with such a gorgeous girl.

Grace: I dropped him off and GrandMarc and we exchanged numbers and he said, “Text me what you’re doing later.”

Joe: I would definitely go out with her again — friend or more doesn’t matter to me. Most relationships start off as friends, so you never know what could happen. I can’t say [whether] there was a romantic connection or not, but a second date definitely would help that.

Grace: I’d say Jump CVille was 3 points and Cane’s was 3 points and the conversation was 2.5 points, so I’d rate the date an 8.5.

Joe: I would rate the date at a 10. She was an extremely fun and outgoing person and best of all, she was able to go along with my sarcasm, which made the date so much better.

LIFE

Monday, April 6, 2015

15

Harlan Cohen visits University Best-selling author gives talk on romantic rejection, common issues facing college generation

Sarah Brotman Feature Writer

When we think of our worst fears as college students, pop quizzes and 8 a.m. classes are most likely to come to mind immediately — not rejection. New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen addressed romantic rejection in a talk given to students Wednesday.

Cohen — the author of five books including “The Naked Roommate: and 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College” and “Getting Naked: Five Steps to Finding the Love of Your Life (While Fully Clothed and Totally Sober)” — has traveled to over 400 colleges throughout his career to deliver interactive speeches regarding issues pertinent to college students.

Third-year Batten student Madeline Houck — a member of the University Programs Council — helped to organize the event in collaboration with The Brody Jewish Center, One in Four, One Less and fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi.

“We looked at his TED talks and decided that this was definitely something that we could get behind,” Houck said.

Cohen engaged his audience in dialogue during his presentation, emphasizing the mantra, “No topic is taboo,” and encouraging students to text in questions that they would like him to answer.

“People are really afraid to have honest conversations, because we don’t want to say the wrong thing,” Cohen said. “What I’ve seen with college students [is] they’re so afraid of rejection and failure, that this idea of being imperfect is seen as a negative aspect… But I think it’s the most endearing part of a person’s personality.”

First-year College student Uhunoma Edamwen, a member of both UPC and One in Four, also helped organize the event.

“I’ve been wanting to find a way to combine my passion for advocating for the safety of everyone at this school with being a student leader,” Edamwen said. “I thought that hearing from someone like Harlan Cohen would be a good way to advocate, and provide a ser-

vice to fellow students at the same time.”

Cohen also offered students advice on overcoming the fear of romantic rejection.

“Show people that you’re interested, and find out if they’re interesting,” Cohen said. “It’s not about who wants you, it’s about who do you want to get to know.”

Cohen also used his personal experience to advise students on how to overcome body image issues.

“What will help people with body image is to stop lying to themselves, look in the mirror and ask [themselves] how [they] can change what [they] don’t love, and how [they] can tolerate what [they] can’t change,” Cohen said.

Cohen acknowledged the tumultuousness University students experienced this year and emphasized issues arising from social interactions are common to all college students.

“We’re creating [a] tradition of being advocates and being outspoken and not being afraid of pissing people off, because our job is to protect people,” Cohen said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We all know there will be another school in the headlines, but when its another school, U.Va. can be a

model at dismantling this culture and changing how people interact.”

Courtesy Harlan Cohen

Harlan Cohen, best-selling author of “The Naked Roommate: and 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College,” visited the University to speak on romantic rejection.

16

LIFE

The Cavalier Daily

Students Helping Honduras University students build continuous relationship with community overseas Elizabeth Cornick Feature Writer

Third-year Nursing student Nicole Burkhardt has traveled to Villa Soleada and Nuevo Blanco to build schools the past two years through Students Helping Honduras — an organization which aims to end poverty through education and empowerment.

Burkhardt, who founded the University’s chapter of the national organization two years ago, serves as the group’s president.

“We had a high school chapter [of SHH], and then I came here and [there was no chapter], but I saw so much potential in U.Va.,” Burkhardt said. “Everyone here loves service and being involved, and I just wanted that back in my life, so I started a CIO.” Starting the University chapter from scratch proved to be a challenge for Burkhardt, who had to compete with other organizations which send students to travel abroad, but she found herself pleasantly surprised by student response to SHH. “We had about 20 people come on our first trip ever, which was really awesome,” Burkhardt said. “My goal was three, so that was kind of crazy… It’s been really cool to watch it grow.

I think people stick with it, especially once they go to Honduras, and they meet the kids and [experience] the culture and the people. They get invested in starting to build a school.”

This past winter break, Burkhardt, along with second-year College student Maggie Gratz, joined over 40 students on the group’s annual service trip to a new site, Nuevo Blanco. “[Our annual trip is] an eight day trip [during which] we head down [to Honduras] and construct bilingual schools,” Gratz said. “So this past winter, we broke ground on a new school called Florencio Reyes. In the spring, we come back, and we continue with fundraising.”

Last spring, the group met their fundraising goal of $5,000 and donated the money towards a new computer lab in Villa Soleada.

“When we visited [Villa Soleada] this past winter before we went to our new village, [we] got to put up a plaque saying,

‘University of Virginia sponsored computer lab,’” Gratz said.

“Seeing the kids [learn] on the computers [and know] how to use them was pretty cool.”

This spring, students have reached their fundraising goal of $25,000. For April, SHH has organized several events, including a philanthropic thrift shop, Burpees for Blocks, a Chipotle night, a fundraiser at Bluetique and the HonduRUN 5K. Fraternity Sigma Pi plans to donate all funds from their Surf n’ Turf philanthropy to SHH. “We want to be an even bigger chapter, we want even more people to come on our service trips, we want to be independently fundraising [for our] schools when we come back because we have [enough] manpower that we can do it,” Burkhardt said.

The University’s chapter of SHH stands apart from other service CIOs because the continuous nature of building and fundraising provides students the opportunity to become involved with a new community of people, Burkhardt and Gratz said.

“There are so many trips here where you go on a brigade and then you come home and that’s it,” Burkhardt said. “What I love about Students Helping Honduras is that we go back to the same village and we work with the same people and the same communities, so we have an ever-forming relationship … I feel like we’re actually making a difference and seeing that play through.”

SHH members value their focus on a specific service goal, which provides an ideal model for a nonprofit organization, Burkhardt said.

“There are times when you have to have a more specific focus and so we’re passionate about working with one community with continuity [in order] to make a small scale difference,” Burkhardt said.

“Everyone gets some type of leadership experience out of the trip, no matter what role they play. I think it’s really cool for them to have leadership and just be part of something bigger, become more of a global citizen and [become a] more aware, empowered, knowledgeable person. It’s not just travelling — it’s service travelling [and] service learning.”

ORDER YOUR

GRADUATION SHOUT-OUT TODAY!

VISIT WWW.CAVALIERDAILY.COM/PAGE/GRADUATION-ADS FOR MORE INFORMATION