Thursday, August 28, 2014

The FOOTBALL PREVIEW Thursday, August 28, 2014

Cavalier Daily online | print | mobile

Vol. 125, Issue 2

Jenna Truong | The Cavalier Daily

Experienced group leads Cav defense Harris, Coley, Harold among returners, Brown, Blanding most likely defensive freshmen to play early Matthew Morris Senior Associate Editor

By most statistical measures, the Virginia defense was no better than mediocre in 2013, when the team surrendered 399 points in 12 games to post the 98th best scoring defense in college football.

The Cavaliers floundered after staunch early-season performances against Brigham Young, Virginia Military Institute and Pittsburgh, ceding 48 points to Ball State Oct. 5 to commence a porous seven-game stretch in which opponents torched

coach Mike London’s team for 42 points per game.

This year, the Virginia defense will look to rebound from its disheartening finish to 2013 behind an experienced corps of returning starters and a few talented, newer faces. The Cavaliers have a full year under defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta in the rearview mirror, and safeties coach Mike Archer said the team has made clear strides this offseason.

“I think we’re playing faster,” Ar-

see DEFENSE, page 2

begins Saturday Running back trio powers offense, offensive line combination still in question Ryan Taylor

Senior Associate Editor

Coming off a disappointing 2-10 season, the Virginia football team has significant room for improvement heading into its 2014 campaign. The Cavaliers hope a slew of returning skill position players will give the offense a much-needed spark to earn the program what would be its first winning season since coach Mike London’s second year in Charlottesville.

“We think we’re better com-

ing out of spring ball, and I think we’ve improved on the offensive side of the ball,” offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild said.

The Cavaliers entered the offseason with one primary question: who would start behind center? Senior David Watford and sophomore Greyson Lambert increasingly split time a season ago. As spring practice wore on, however, and Lambert started the Spring Game and earned a posi-

see OFFENSE, page 2

Kelsey Grant | The Cavalier Daily

FOOTBALL OPPONENTS:

BY THE NUMBERS PAGE 3

FOOTBALL SEASON PREDICTIONS PAGE 4

NEW SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY OUTLINED PAGE 5

A TRIBUTE TO ROBIN WILLIAMS PAGE 8

KNAYSI: DEFENDING THE ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE PAGE 13

The Cavalier Daily

S

DEFENSE Secondary depth impresses coaches

sports Continued from page 1 cher said. “I think [our guys] understand the terminology, and I think they understand what the expectations are and what we’re trying to do as a defense, No. 1, [and] what we’re trying to do as a defensive staff.”

The Cavaliers have playmakers at every level of the defense, starting along the line where junior Mike Moore will team with junior Eli Harold, an established star with 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2013, at defensive end. Moore was a reserve last year, appearing in 11 games and starting one, but earned a more prominent role to start 2014 after trimming down to speed up.

Junior defensive tackle David Dean, for his part, has the confidence of defensive line coach Jappy Oliver in the lead-up to Saturday’s opener against No. 7 UCLA. “David’s one of my leaders of the group up front,” Oliver said. “He’s a lunch-pail guy. He’s a warrior, and in the trenches I’ll put him up against anybody at this point in time.”

Sophomore Donte Wilkins or freshman Andrew Brown will line up beside Dean at defensive tackle to complete the front four. Brown, the 2013 Gatorade National Player of the Year out of Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, suffered turf toe and shoulder injuries this offseason, but is now healthy enough to play.

London said out of the freshmen defensive players, Brown and safety Quin Blanding have the best chance of playing early in the year. “[Andrew’s] practiced — he’s full-go,” London said. “With the multiple fronts that we run, there

may be an opportunity to play. One of the things with all these freshmen: there are not too many freshmen we plan on playing this particular year right now.”

The linebackers atop the depth chart heading into the UCLA game already possess the in-game mettle Brown and Blanding are looking to gain this fall. Seniors Daquan Romero and Henry Coley, a team captain and 2013 All-ACC Academic Team selection, combined for 23 starts and 180 tackles last year. They will be joined by sophomore Max Valles, a six-foot-five sophomore who recorded four sacks while appearing in 10 games in 2013.

The Virginia secondary will likely be ready if UCLA redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley or any other signal-caller looks to air it out.

Blanding and senior strong safety Anthony Harris will serve as the last line of defense for a unit that allowed 232.9 passing yards per game in 2013, while senior cornerback Bran-

don Phelps and junior cornerback Maurice Canady will attempt to lock down opposing receivers.

Senior DreQuan Hoskey and sophomore Tim Harris — who combined for 17 starts in 2013 — give cornerbacks coach Chip West two additional capable veterans. Senior Demetrious Nicholson will also be back in the rotation once fully recovered from the turf toe injury which ended his junior year in Week Five.

Anthony Harris led the nation with eight interceptions as a junior, earning first-team All-ACC honors and setting a program record with at least one pick in five consecutive games. Blanding, the No. 10 recruit in the class of 2014 per ESPN.com, is unlikely to match Harris’s production in his freshman season, but his tackling in Virginia’s preseason games impressed Archer.

Archer said strong play from the secondary is a must in today’s college-football landscape, where teams

OFFENSE Senior tight end Swanson steps up Continued from page 1 tion as captain, it became clear the quarterback job was his.

The Jesup, Georgia native appeared in seven of Virginia’s 12 contests last year, in which he put up 340 yards on a 44 percent completion rate and tossed one touchdown pass. Though the numbers are modest, Lambert saw sporadic action, which likely hindered his ability to establish any consistency. When given the opportunity to play for an elongated period of time, though, Lambert performed well, as evidenced by his 1319 performance at Miami.

Aiding the first time starter will be a trio of solid running backs. Senior Kevin Parks leads the corps after rushing for more than 1,000 yards in 2013 — the first Virginia player to accomplish this feat in nine years. Parks has been named to the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list as well.

“Kevin is definitely our starting running back,” Fairchild said. “He went for over 1,000 yards last year and is having a good camp. He brings that leadership and physicality to the game that we’re looking for.”

Backing up the talented Parks will be fellow senior

2

Khalek Shepherd and former five-star recruit Taquan Mizzell. Both Shepherd and Mizzell showed promise last year at both the tailback and slot positions, which gives Virginia immensely increased flexibility.

“We’ve got guys not just playing the running back spot, but lining up in the slot and other things,” Fairchild said. “It’s a good issue to have and all three are going to play.”

Another question the Cavaliers faced offseason was how to replace Jake McGee, who was the team's leading receiver in tight end before transferring to Florida.

“It’s just the situation — guys graduate, guys get hurt, guys leave the program,” said Tom O’Brien, associate head coach for offense.

“Then it’s just time for the next individual to step up and play.”

The Cavaliers are confident, however, they have found that next individual in Zach Swanson. The 6foot-6, 250-pound senior tight end played in 10 games and hauled in 19 catches for 173 yards last year, ranking him sixth on the squad.

Coaches have also raved about Swanson’s abilities in the running game, often citing him as a key blocker in their perimeter attacks.

“I think Zach has put

himself in a position to have a heck of a year,” O’Brien said. “He’s a senior, it’s really important to him, he works hard and everything he does now in practice is full speed.”

Complementing Swanson in the passing game is a talented group of receivers, lead by senior Darius Jennings. For Jennings, 2013 was a bit of a down year after leading the program with 568 yards in 2012. Still, he caught 38 passes and three touchdowns — good enough to rank him No. 3 on the team.

In addition to Jennings, the Cavaliers will return starting senior Dominique Terrell and sophomore Keeon Johnson, whose 282 receiving yards a year ago were the most by a Virginia true freshman since 1999.

Virginia also added several solid recruits at the receiver position this season. Fourstar recruit Jamil Kamara highlights the group.

“We’re getting some real production out of that spot,” Fairchild said. “As a whole, our receiver group is probably the most improved facet on the offensive side of the ball.”

The Cavaliers’ primary area of concern will be allowing Lambert to get the ball to the skill players. The offensive line is still an unanswered question for Vir-

ginia, forced to rebuild its starting five following the loss of Morgan Moses and Luke Bowanko to the NFL. Additionally, Virginia has had to cope with several key injuries during camp, including a back injury to one of the three returning starters in tackle Jay Whitmire. Amid uncertainty, the Cavaliers will look to fifthyear senior left guard Conner Davis for leadership.

From there, however, the coaching staff has continuously shuffled around player combinations in an attempt to find the best alternative.

Three sophomore linemen played last year as true freshmen and will look to compete for starting jobs in the fall: tackles Eric Smith and Sadiq Olanrewaju, and center Eric Tetlow. Smith is the only of the three with starting experience.

“The thing that has really impressed me about these guys is that they have a great enthusiasm for the game of football,” line coach Scott Wachenheim said. “They practice with unbelievable energy — they’re running around and flying around.

They’ve got a true desire to be the best they can be.”

The first time Lambert will lead the offense onto Scott Stadium’s field for his first time as a starter Saturday at noon against UCLA.

routinely line up several wide receivers and make the passing game their offense’s featured element.

“That’s what college football has become,” Archer said. “It’s fastbreak basketball on a field. You’ve got to match up speed with speed, and you’ve got to be able to play in space.”

Though Saturday’s opener against the Bruins will provide an early measurement of Virginia’s improvement on defense, London said the team cannot read too much into its final score — especially because the Cavaliers have 12 games to play.

“I know it’s cliché, but for us it’s very important that we do play one game at a time and one opponent at a time,” London said. “We recognize the formidable opponent that we have with UCLA. We also know that there are games after them. We have the guys that we believe could be the productive guys on the field to help you win games.”

No. 7 UCLA vs. UVA SCOTT STADIUM 12 P.M. Matthew Morris Senior Associate Editor

The 125th season of Virginia football kicks off Saturday against No. 7 UCLA, a Pac-12 powerhouse and the winner of the 2013 Hyundai Sun Bowl against Virginia Tech.

The Bruins, who last played in an ACC stadium in 1955, boast an offense which scored 36.9 points per game a year ago, when star quarterback Brett Hundley completed 66.8 percent of his passes and connected with his receivers for 24 touchdowns.

Now a redshirt junior, Hundley comes to Charlottesville as a legitimate dual-threat.

As Virginia defensive line coach Jappy Oliver said, “We have to keep him in the pocket as much as possible.”

Stopping Hundley, though, is only half the battle. Sophomore quarterback Greyson Lambert, making the first start of his career, will direct the Cavalier offense against a Bruin defense which allowed just 23.2 points per game last year, the 35th-best number in the nation.

Senior running backs Kevin Parks and Khalek Shepherd and sophomore running back Taquan Mizzell will attempt to put pressure on a Bruin defense which was suspect against the run in 2013. UCLA allowed an average of 169.5 rushing yards per game last year — ranking 71st nationally in that category — and Virginia’s success on the ground could play a large factor in deciding Saturday’s contest.

SPORTS

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Thursday, August 28, 2014

BY THE NUMBERS

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA FOOTBALL

OPPONENT OVERVIEW A look at Virginia’s 2014 opponents, by the numbers Zack Bartee | Sports Editor

27 2 9 161 54 81 35 4 TECH

STATE

TECH

The number of consecutive games started by junior quarterback Brett Hundley. Hundley, considered a strong Heisman Trophy candidate by many pundits this season, has run or thrown for a touchdown in each of those 27 games for a total of 53 passing and 20 rushing touchdowns; 2013 Record: 10-3

6-6 The number of years the Cardinals spent in the Big East conference before joining the ACC beginning this season. After narrowly missing out on an undefeated make his return to major college football to lead the Cardinals in their inaugural ACC campaign; 2013 Record: 12-1

500; 2013 Record: 8-5

tion of team rules. The suspensions come on the heels of hazing allegations that left a redshirt freshman walk-on receiver with a concussion. The Tar Heels are set to

160

32 115 10

over 4,000 yards and an ACC-record 40 touchdowns; 2013 Record: 14-0

by a quarterback, total offense, career passing touchdowns and career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback; 2013 Record: 8-5

4

SPORTS

The Cavalier Daily

Fearful predictions Fans can learn a great deal by Admittedly, there’s a certain allistening to preseason prognostica- lure to proffering absurd possibilitions. Why, just last year I learned ties: nobody knows you’re wrong never to trust preseason until they’ve stopped prognosticators! caring about what you That epiphany came originally said. And in from personal experithe improbable scenario ence. My Washington that your asinine foreNationals 2013 World cast comes true, nobody Series Champions back calls you a lucky idiot. tattoo can’t be washed They call you a mad geaway by a long shower nius. (thanks, Sports IllusA lesser sports writer trated) and no, Clemson would exploit that seemwas not the clear-cut ingly irresistible payoff DANIEL WELTZ football power in the schedule and write in Sports Columnist ACC last season (some this space that Anthony say national champion Harris will finish with Florida State was better). One schlub 37 interceptions and Greyson Lamnamed Daniel Weltz even predicted bert will win the Heisman. A lesser the Virginia football team would fin- person would steal your attention for ish 6-6 last year. That’s the last time I a few minutes with the bold, undertrust him. lined and italicized headline: “Ten But I return to you in 2014 older totally ridiculous things that could and wiser. Even with Virginia foot- happen to the Cavaliers this year (but ball’s season-opener against power- probably won’t).” house UCLA mere days away, I will I will not do this. I refuse to panrefrain from making any “fearless der to those with an overactive imagpredictions” in this column (I do that ination and an under-active connecon page 4, for those who are inter- tion to reality. Instead, I will deliver a ested). Frankly, I have no idea how true service to Virginia football fans the Cavaliers will fare this season. and also help tilt the scales of sports No one does. But I have developed journalism back toward accuracy in enough humility, honed from years reporting on the future. of horrible hunches and ill-fated waHere, I will make three predicgers (you’re welcome, brother), to tions that I feel very confident will admit when my crystal ball is a little not come true for your 2014 Cavahazy. liers.

Virginia will fare worse this season than last If the Cavaliers’ woeful 2013 season — its worst since 1981 — has any silver lining, it is that Virginia will be a program on the rise in 2014. The question that will be answered during the next few months is not if the team will improve, but by how much and how quickly.

Yes, the upcoming schedule is daunting. Yes, the Cavaliers have question marks at quarterback; a patchwork offensive line; a dearth of proven receivers; a laundry list of injury concerns; and a coach that has drawn plenty of criticism in the past two seasons. But Virginia will win at least three games this season, and could even climb out of the ACC Coastal cellar.

The fear that the Cavaliers could repeat their historically awful 2013 showing stems from two concerns: schedule challenges and roster issues.

Ten of Virginia’s 2014 opponents played in a bowl game last year and the 12 teams on the docket combined to win 65 percent of their games, the second highest mark in the country.

Factor in that the Cavaliers will rely on many of the same playmakers from 2013 — sans star tight end Jake McGee, who transferred to Florida during the offseason — and critics see all the makings of disaster 2.0.

Though some apprehension is warranted — especially given the

team’s inability to translate individual talent into wins last season, and against a comparable schedule — there have been enough positive developments to be cautiously optimistic heading into 2014.

On defense, the Cavaliers will bring in star prospects Quin Blanding and Andrew Brown to help buoy a unit that should force plenty of turnovers with the ball hawk Harris entering his second year in defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta’s aggressive schemes. On offense, star senior Kevin Parks and sophomore prodigy Taquan Mizzell should lead an effective rushing game that will take some pressure off first-time starter Lambert.

Mike London will win ACC Coach of the Year When the Cavaliers enjoyed a shocking renaissance in 2011, upsetting top-25 foes Georgia Tech and Florida State en route to an 8-4 regular season and a Chick-fil-A Bowl appearance, London was justifiably recognized as the conference’s top coach. That season proved the folly of making unqualified pronouncements about who can and who cannot win a coach of the year award in any given season. That being said, Mike London will not win the ACC Coach of the Year award in 2014.

Besides the fact that the words look plainly absurd in the header

above, London faces too many obstacles to even enter the discussion.

First, even if the Cavaliers do enjoy a resurgence similar to 2011’s, there will be no shortage of qualified alternatives in the rejuvenated ACC. Second, London has attracted so much scorn and second-guessing for his in-game decision-making in recent years that voters will likely be loath to honor London unless he is the runaway winner. And third, with 17 returning starters and 19 four- or five-star recruits on the 2014 roster, any on-field improvements this season will likely be attributed to improved talent rather than better leadership.

And all of those hurdles don’t even come into play unless the Cavaliers make a meteoric leap in 2014, winning at least eight games — and possibly more.

Virginia will finish 4-8 On the face of it, this prediction doesn’t seem too absurd. But if you take a look at my forecast on page 4 — and then consider it in light of my checkered betting history — you can almost guarantee the Cavaliers will not win four games this year. Three, maybe. Five, possibly. But not four.

In a world where bold preseason predictions so often fall short, the safest bet is simply to bet both sides of an argument.

STAFF PREDICTIONS Zack Bartee Sports Editor

Peter Nance Sports Editor

Matthew Morris Sports Associate Editor

Ryan Taylor

Sports Associate Editor

Daniel Weltz

Matt Comey

Sports Columnist

News Editor

VIRGINIA RECORD PREDICTION

[4-8]

[4-8]

[4-8]

[4-8]

[4-8]

[6-6]

“It’s hard to be optimistic after the last two seasons but, like I said last year, a victory in the Commonwealth Cup makes my season. The Chickfil-A Bowl my first year seems a distant memory.”

“Only favored in two games heading into the season, the Cavaliers will have to pull a couple upsets to reach four wins. They'll get chances against Pitt and Georgia Tech — both of which lost their starting quarterbacks from last season — but will still fall short of a bowl bid.”

“Despite a schedule with eight opponents who received votes in the AP's preseason poll, the Cavaliers have too many returning standouts (Anthony Harris, Kevin Parks) and rising stars (Quin Blanding, Andrew Brown) not to show slight improvement after a disastrous end to 2013.”

“As much as both sides of the ball looks improved from last year, the Cavaliers schedule does not look favorable — especially given that almost all of their toughest games are away from the friendly confines of Scott Stadium.”

“The Cavaliers really can't be much worse than they were last year, but with only marginal roster turnover, lingering questions at quarterback and several early-season injury concerns, it would be unwise to expect them to be much better.”

“While the skill positions on offense should see a massive improvement from last season, a crumbling offensive line and an unproven defense will humble the team significantly.”

FLORIDA STATE

FLORIDA STATE

PITTSBURG

MIAMI

ACC CHAMPION PREDICTION

FLORIDA STATE

FLORIDA STATE

FLORIDA STATE

FLORIDA STATE

ACC RUNNER-UP PREDICTION

MIAMI

DUKE

NORTH CAROLINA

NORTH CAROLINA

N news

Caelainn Carney Senior Writer

As the Fall 2014 semester begins, the University’s chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity is working to satisfy requirements issued by its International Fraternity, the University and the Inter-Fraternity Council in hopes of having its charter completely reinstated.

Last spring, the University terminated the fraternity’s Fraternal Organization Agreement following the discovery of dangerous practices during the pledging process. The University chapter is the Alpha, or the founding, chapter of PiKA fraternity. Shortly after losing the FOA, PiKA lost its charter with the international organization as well.

During the summer, PiKA appealed to the University as well as to the its international governing body and is now working under the stipulations of a provisional charter in order to regain good standing.

In a letter dated June 27 and addressed to University chapter president Michael Haines, the International Fraternity organization announced its May 19 decision to reinstate the chapter’s charter on a provisional basis.

In addition to receiving support from the International Fraternity, PiKA is also working with the University and the Inter-Fraternity Council. PiKA now has a provisional FOA agreement which will allow the fraternity to be fully reinstated within three semesters if the organization complies with IFC and University regulations.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

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University, IFC, PiKA discuss charter Chapter earns probationary FOA, must meet new guidelines to earn permanent reinstatement “It is my understanding that the undergraduate chapter leadership, the International Fraternity and the chapter's alumni have come up with what I will loosely call a plan for a reinstated undergraduate chapter under a probationary status,” Dean of Students Allen Groves said in a June email. “I am supportive of that approach, as is the student IFC president (to my knowledge), and I expect [a new FOA will be signed] by the start of the academic year.”

Tommy Reid, a fourth-year College student and IFC president, said he, Groves and representatives from the fraternity’s international organization met to present their cases for PiKA’s appeal process. Chapter leaders brought forth evidence including letters from alumni and parents of fraternity brothers to help bolster their case.

“The next month and a half [after reinstating the chapter] was dedicated to working closely with PiKA at U.Va. to make sure that they were ready to take on the rehabilitation it would require and working with the International Fraternity,” Reid said.

Reid said the chapter’s honesty surrounding its past actions played a large role in its reinstatement.

“They were not at all trying to make an excuse about the degree of their hazing charges,” he said. “They were honest and cooperative and straightforward during the entire investigation. They needed to own their actions. They understood what any presence of hazing meant for the [IFC] community, for their chapter, and their new members.”

Many of the more egregious hazing incidents occurred in years past, before current members joined the fraternity, Reid said.

“The PiKA situation is nuanced considerably,” he said. “The suspension of PiKA’s FOA was not the result of an isolated incident that happened this spring. We wanted to focus on

quirements from the University, the Inter-Fraternity Council, and the International Fraternity.

“Each of those three organizations has specific stipulations that

Louise Manahl | The Cavalier Daily

PiKA, above, had its FOA revoked last Spring and is now discussing reinstatement of its charter with

not punishing the current students for what happened 5 years ago.”

In an April interview about the decision, Groves said he looked at the past two years in making his decision.

“I look at the recent history, which I define as two years, in terms of their compliance or other violations that raise concerns, and then as I say, I also look at what we have been doing recently in terms of our communications with leaders in the Greek system and what our expectations are around accountability,” he said.

Even though PiKA has now begun the process to fully regain its charter, it still must satisfy many re-

they would like to see from PiKA,” Reid said.

Requirements from the International Fraternity range from revising fraternity officer positions to the completion of philanthropic events and community service.

According to the June 27 letter, even with proper completion of these stipulations, PiKA will remain in a probationary period until August 31, 2015.

The international organization ordered that before the Alpha Chapter can engage in any other fraternity activities, it must complete a smaller set of stipulations, including forming

an alumni advisory board, appointing chapter officers, fully initiating all new members, and attending the Pi Kappa Alpha International Convention.

One of the six requirements is a restructured system for fraternity membership. “[T]hird- and fourth-year students will remain on early alumni status,” the letter reads. “Early alumni status is defined as members being placed on alumni-status, without the ability to participate in Fraternity activities for a period of three (3) years.”

Current members of PiKA leadership who are third- and fourth-year students will not be placed on early alumni status.

Reid said stipulations from the University, the Inter-Fraternity Council, and the International Fraternity largely will not negatively impact the experience of current and new members of PiKA. “These people have an opportunity to fundamentally change a chapter at U.Va.,” Reid said. “What the [InterFraternity Council] is focusing on in PiKA’s rehabilitation is that they are not only rehabbing their chapter in the short term. PiKA is also designing what the future might look like for many of these chapters as well.”

Reid emphasized that as PiKA undergoes marked changes, the general fraternity community at the University is evolving so that recruitment and membership is a safer, more valuable experience.

“The new member education process is changing because our practices in the past have been unsustainable,” Reid said. “In terms of their core experiences, every fraternity is changing.”

University requires faculty sexual misconduct reporting Health-care, counseling positions are considered Confidential Employees, exempt from new reporting guidelines, Sullivan email says Joseph Liss News Editor

In an email to the University community Wednesday, University President Teresa Sullivan announced a new University policy requiring most faculty and staff to report allegations of sexual misconduct they hear from students.

In her email, Sullivan said initial conversations after incidents of sexual assault are particularly important.

“Defining faculty and staff roles will help students decide whom to approach when seeking help,”

Sullivan said. “Some students may prefer to talk with a confidential source first, while others may want to pursue a more formal reporting approach.”

The University simultaneously launched an informational website for faculty, staff and students which included background information about sexual assault, an FAQ section and a reporting feature.

The University will now consider most employees to be “Responsible Employees,” Sullivan wrote. Those employees must send information about sexual assault directly to Title IX Coordinator

Darlene Scott-Scurry. Faculty and staff can do so through a secure online reporting system.

Employees who are in healthcare or counseling positions are considered Confidential Employees, and they are not required to report to the Title IX Coordinator,” Sullivan wrote. Counselors or nurses in the emergency room, then, are not bound by reporting requirements.Participants in “public events, such as Take Back the Night, during which survivors of sexual assault share their stories, do not need to worry about the reporting requirement.

The reporting website’s FAQs

section does not directly address student employees, such as those on work-study or those interning for various University and Health System departments. However, it quotes the official policy saying responsible employees are “any University employee who is not a Confidential Employee.”

In her email, Sullivan urged employees to examine online materials, but did not mention any additional training employees should undergo. According to the policy, however, employees must prepare to take on these new responsibilities.

“University employees are also

required to complete training in order to understand their responsibilities in this area, including how to respond to disclosures by students of alleged Sexual Misconduct,” according to the policy, dated Aug. 25.

A three-member Evaluation Panel will decide whether the University should pursue a Sexual Misconduct Board case despite a survivor request for confidentiality. The Dean of Students, the Title IX Coordinator and a member of the University’s Threat Assessment

see REPORTING, page 7

6

NEWS

The Cavalier Daily

Pro-Israel groups plan events to discuss war, Pro-Palestinian leaders remain engaged Katherine Wilkin Senior Writer

Tensions between Israel and Palestine escalated this summer, with intermittent periods of rocketfire and unsteady ceasefire on the border between the two sides. University students have taken a great interest in the conflict, and a number of student groups are promoting further discussion and advocacy on the issue.

Billy Baker, a fourth-year College student and chair of the liberal Israeli advocacy group J Street, said the conflict this summer began with the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to send troops into Gaza, strengthening a blockade that has been in place since 2007. Palestinian organizations retaliated — most notably Hamas, the Islamic organization that governs the Gaza Strip.

Following the kidnapping of these Israelis, several ultra-orthodox Israelis kidnapped and killed one Palestinian citizen. During the summer of 2014, more than 2,000 Palestinians and about 70 Israelis have been killed, according to numerous news reports.

Hoos for Israel, a non-religious and non-partisan organization, allows students to voice their opinions and learn more about Israeli culture

and society through discussion forums. The organization invites individuals from all sides of the conflict to join the discussion.

“We’re a very open group,” thirdyear College student and Hoos for Israel President Kayla Pomeranz said.

“We do not advocate one specific solution because it’s important to talk to the other side and negotiate. As a group, we think future solutions need to be realistic in providing peace for all the involved parties.”

Hoos for Israel is planning a forum event to be held in October.

“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is very relevant right now, so [the forum] would focus on that, [as well as] what’s led up to the conflict,” Pomeranz said. “You cannot just express what’s going on over there now without looking at the past.”

Another organization, Students for Peace and Justice in Palestine aims to educate students on the issues at hand from the Palestinian perspective. They are particularly focused on the Apartheid Wall, a wall imposed upon Gaza and the West Bank by Israel which the Israeli government refers to as the Security Fence.

“The wall cuts families off, separated family farms, disrupted and crippled the Palestinian economy,” said third-year College student Yahiya Saad, president of SPJP. “The people in the West Bank and Gaza

are not free to move.”

SPJP created a relevant display for Israeli Apartheid Week, which took place February 24 through March 2 this year. The group built a mock wall outside of Newcomb Hall to represent the blockade Israel has imposed on Gaza and the West Bank. The wall was covered with displays of statistics and descriptions of injustices being committed against Palestinians.

“We compared the wall to the Berlin Wall,” Saad said. “The Apartheid Wall in Palestine is much bigger than the Berlin Wall, and we were able to bring down the Berlin Wall, so why not bring down the wall in Palestine?”

SPJP is planning an educational forum this semester and intends to bring in Palestinian-American individuals to provide a first-person perspective about the conflict.

“We want to educate people more about what’s happening in Gaza, the parties involved, and violations that have occurred,” Saad said.

Another group advocating for awareness of the conflict and violence between Israel and Palestine is J Street U.Va. On a national level, J Street also offers a political outlet for pro-Israel students in the United States working for a peaceful resolution between Israel and Palestine. Group members promote an independent Palestinian state.

Kelsey Grant | The Cavalier Daily

“What Israel is doing to try to militarily dismember [Hamas] is not a sustainable solution,” Baker said. “In the end, the only solution to the cycle of violence is going to be a solution that offers statehood to Palestinians and security concessions to Israelis.”

J Street is in the process of planning an organized discussion of the conflict within the next few months.

The discussion will be a place for students to raise questions they may have about the situation and discuss potential solutions.

Baker emphasized the importance of staying informed, particularly for American students who have not seen the conflict first-hand.

“This is an issue that affects our everyday lives,” Baker said. “Our government is a very strong supporter of

Israel. When so much political capital is going to defend Israel, we as American citizens have a duty to make sure that this two-state solution is actually going to take place and be a part of a productive partnership between the Israelis and Palestinians.”

“There hasn’t been the time that it takes to let thousand year conflicts die, so Israel’s [modern] history has been a series of conflicts,” third-year College student Jenny Keltz said.

Keltz spent the summer in Israel through a program with Hillel.

Each side of the conflict is seeking similar ends — the right to self-determination and security.

“The conflict is a million different things,” Baker said. “Ultimately, the real conflict is the question of who deserves a state, when, where, and how.”

Simon says University Librarian search to begin mid-October, sets summer 2015 deadline to fill role Sarah Hainbach Senior Writer

University Librarian Karin Wittenborg will retire at the end of the semester. The decision, announced last week, comes after more than two decades of Wittenborg’s work for the University library system.

Provost John Simon said he hopes to begin the search process for a new head librarian in mid-October with a goal of finding someone to fill the role permanently by the summer of 2015.

Deputy University Librarian Martha Sites will serve in Wittenborg’s position during the interim.

Wittenborg said she made the decision to retire for personal reasons.

“I’ve had 21 glorious years here, and now it’s time for retirement,” she said.

After working at the University of California, Los Angeles, Wittenborg began leading the University libraries in 1993. She said she came

to Virginia because of the library’s “great reputation, particularly for technology before anyone else was thinking about [it].”

The library’s early technological initiatives included digitizing complete texts and introducing ways to search for words within texts. Wittenborg continued the technological improvements and also focused on building a strong staff.

Simon said Wittenborg has led many positive changes, and credits her with drawing more interest to the library system within the University community.

“What Karin has done is amazing, especially how she’s partnered with Information Technology, how she’s let students design space,” he said. “We want to preserve the culture she’s built here.”

Wittenborg said the University Librarian position is “the best job in the country — wonderfully rewarding and challenging.” She said she thinks the opening she leaves behind will attract many strong applicants.

“Right now is the most excit-

ing time to be a librarian,” Wittenborg said. “Everything is changing, undergraduates are doing more original research, and one of the big challenges is [digital] preservation.”

Sites has been working in the University library system for more than 30 years. She said Wittenborg’s style of innovation and experimentation — “not typical of a librarian” — was inspirational.

Sites said she does not intend to apply to hold the head position permanently.

“Although I am very passionate about the libraries, it is not something I aspire to do,” she said.

Wittenborg is currently planning the process for Alderman’s renovation. The original library was built in 1938 and the new stacks were added in 1967. The renovations, Wittenborg said, will provide more spaces for student group work, solitary study and student events — though it might leave less room to store books, which would mean more of the University’s collection would be transferred to the Ivy Stacks.

“The renewal project would create spaces for a 21st century library,” Wittenborg said. “In many ways, Alderman will become the new Rotunda.”

Though Jefferson’s original library is currently undergoing restoration, it still won’t have technological capacities of the other libraries on Grounds.

Simon said the search process for Wittenborg’s replacement could be competitive, particularly given several other top research universities are also currently searching for a new head librarian. The search committee will be chaired by a member of the faculty, and include students, faculty and administrators, Simon said. He added the University will probably hire an outside search consultant to help develop a list of candidates.

The University is also in the process of searching for two new deans — one for the Engineering School and one for the Darden School of Business. Simon said they are also about to launch a search process for a new Dean of Medicine.

NEWS

Thursday, August 28, 2014

7

Russian ambassador to U.S. addresses University community Kislyak addresses strained U.S.-Russian relationship, diminished economic ties, American sanction efforts, Russia’s Ukraine policy decisions Kayla Eanes Senior Writer

The Center for Politics hosted a public lecture Tuesday featuring Sergey Ivanovich Kislyak, current ambassador to the United States from the Russian Federation. The event was coordinated by the Center for Politics’ Global Perspectives on Democracy Program as a part of its Ambassador Series.

“The most important reason to host the ambassador is really to communicate,” said Daman Irby, director of operations at the center. “[It is important] to have the opportunity to receive his perspective and the perspective of the Russian government on situation[s] in the world, in Ukraine and the relationship with Russia and the United States.”

Kislyak briefly lectured during his time on stage in the Newcomb Theater, but saved most of his time for questions from the audience. He addressed the strained relationship between the United States and Russia since the end of the Cold War and the potential for future cooperation.

REPORTING Title IX drives policy changes Continued from page 5 Team will sit on the panel.

For example, if a student asks a professor to keep an occurrence of sexual assault confidential, the faculty member is not permitted to honor the request. Instead, the faculty member must report the incident and also report the student’s desire for no further investigation.

The three-member Evaluation Panel will then determine whether to investigate further, based on additional evidence available or patterns of the accused’s behavior.

The University investigates all complaints separate from the police, and the University’s Sexual Misconduct Board possesses separate sanctioning authority. In other words, a University investigation does not necessitate a simultaneous law enforcement investigation.

“Basic premises in ideological divides for confrontation in the

said there are still strains on the two countries’ relationship.

Porter Dickie | The Cavalier Daily

Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Ivanovich Kislyak addressed a crowd of University students and faculty on Tuesday. The University Center for Politics hosted the public event.

past [are] no longer,” Kislyak said, signaling progress for U.S.-Russian relations post-Cold War. But he

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“[We] don’t have economic ties that would be a good political stabilizer,” he said.

Trade between the U.S. and Russia constitutes less than one percent of American trade, he said, pointing out that even though Russia is the closest neighbor of the United States other than Mexico and Canada, trade between Alaska and Russia is almost nonexistent.

Kislyak said economic sanctions and the relative youth of Russia’s market economy have added to this struggle.

“We have to respond once [to sanctions], and we have to defend our small economy,” he said.

Kislyak said Russia would prefer to foster a relationship of mutual respect with the United States, rather than continue with current restrictions and sanctions.

He added, however, that Russia will not accept terms from the United States on which they fundamentally disagree.

“Sometimes we offer our view to the United States to work together and it is not accepted,” Kislyak said, citing Russian opposition to U.S. intervention in Iraq as an example. “[We] felt it would bring big difficulties, and look what is happening today,” he said.

Kislyak also addressed the situation in Ukraine in regards to U.S. and Russian policies.

“To me, the policy of the Ukraine is more anti-Russian than pro-Ukrainian,” he said.

He said Russia, because of its proximity to the Ukraine, knows the situation much better than its “American friends.”

“The core of the problem of Ukraine is inability of their government to talk to their own people,” he said. The first steps, he said, are to “stop shelling, [and] start talking. [We] do not want this bloodshed to continue.”

On a more positive note, Kislyak expressed hope for the future, saying younger generations of both Russians and Americans “do not have the Cold War stereotypes in their genes.”

One potential point of cooperation between the two countries moving forward will be in fighting against terrorism, he said.

“Yes we have differences, but also have the ability to work together,” he said. “[Change should be] based on mutual respect [and] has to be based on trying to understand the other side.”

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The Cavalier Daily

A&E arts & entertainment

8

A tribute to Robin Williams “You’re only given one little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.”

Nina Lukow Senior Writer

In my first memory of Robin Williams, he can fly. It was the film “Hook,” about a grown-up Peter Pan and his struggle balancing youth and adulthood. As he swam through the air and sprinkled pixie dust, I wondered: who is this wondrous childlike man who makes me laugh, then makes me cry? It seems appropriate that this is the first film I can remember watching with Williams, because it established the relationship that I would hold with him in future years. I didn’t just watch his work; he helped me — helped us — grow up.

Growing up with Robin Williams, you knew you were in for a whirlwind ride at once bumpy and rewarding. We squaled in delight

as we watched him in goofy, treasured animations like “Aladdin,” “FernGully” and “Happy Feet.”

When we got older, we could turn to his roles in films like “Good Will Hunting” for advice or simply the courage to “go see about a girl.”

Older still, we embraced videos of his standup routines — zany, madcap soliloquies about his alcoholism and drug addictions — with stitches in our sides and respect in our hearts.

A comedian like Williams is rare to come by. Of all the wacky raconteurs of comedy, he was one of the wackiest — and yet the most realistic. His was a comedy of improvised free association, popping from one character into another in the short time it took audience members to gasp in between bouts of laughter. When watching him perform, audiences were exhausted by the end, dog-tired from the

energy spent laughing and laughing. Williams’ jokes and narrations were hilariously relentless.

What made Williams’ comedy so special, however, was the vulnerability of it — the yearning to reach out and touch his audiences. This was a man who didn’t just want you to laugh. He wanted to laugh with you.

He was, then, not only one of the wackiest of comedians, but one of the most loved. We trailed into theaters for his bold, speedy comedy, but returned to film after film for his tenderness and humanity. Whether as a therapist to Matt Damon or a cross-dressing Scottish nanny, audiences turned to him for moral guidance and wise words, or perhaps simply a beautifully delivered monologue.

With three Academy Award nominations and one win to his name, Williams became known

for more than just his comedy.

He could capture a person and all his nuances with complete sincerity. He surrendered himself to his audience — wholly.

The loss Robin Williams has already been felt immensely, and

will leave an irreparable scar in comedy and cinema alike. Few were able to bring such laughter into this world, and fewer still were able to bring such thoughtful compassion. We may grow older, but we’ll never forget the man who made us all feel like kids again.

Your move, chief.

Hometown heroes plan Charlottesville performance, promote recent album Candace Carter Senior Writer

Nationally acclaimed poprock band Parachute will return to Charlottesville Sept. 10 to rock out at The Jefferson Theater. The 2013 release of the band’s third fulllength album, “Overnight,” sparked momentum for a headlining tour this fall. After touring with Gavin DeGraw and other superstar acts like the Plain White T’s for the past six months, lead singer and founding member Will Anderson says the group is “excited to play for a

long time [onstage] rather than opening” for another artist.

“Overnight” shows a marked change in style and energy for the group, shifting toward heavier pop influences. The transition process, Anderson said, was casual and spontaneous. The group met producer Oren Yoel and came to love “his thing,” which came through in the mature style and sounds he exuded from the band.

“His thing melded with ours,” Anderson said. “We just happened to work with a really creative person. It wasn’t like a big to-do, and we’re happy with it.”

Anderson said long-time fans of the band are happy with the evolution — saying the modernization of their slower, indie-sounding tunes is contributing to their everexpanding image and reputation.

Parachute was founded in Charlottesville in 2006 while Anderson and former guitarist Nate McFarland were studying at the University and performing with The Virginia Gentlemen. Sparky’s Flaw, a pop-rock experiment the original quintet formed while together at Charlottesville High School, eventually led to Parachute’s creation.

“We used to wonder … why do

they want to keep us in Charlottesville when we were dying to go touring?” Anderson said.

But Charlottesville was the perfect incubator for the group and its ambitions, Anderson said, describing the city’s “mellowness… an ease of life” that he enjoys immensely and finds himself missing in his new Nashville, Tennessee residence.

The group’s September concert though will be anything but relaxing, Anderson said.

“There’s such a fantastic music scene in Charlottesville,” he said.

“There’s something about coming

home – you want to prove yourself worthy of being a part of it.”

Being able to perform in the community that initially supported his efforts is nevertheless a rewarding and inspiring experience, Anderson said.

“It’s the most fun you could have,” he added with a smile.

The future of Parachute looks bright, with new music in the works and the upcoming Meant to Be Tour expanding to more areas.

“This new tour came up, and it feels fresh,” Anderson said. “We’ve never been more excited about it.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Shakespeare on the Lawn SotL uses limited resources, talented participants to transport audiences Kristen Clevenson

Time and space are no match for Shakespeare's masterpieces.

Whether it's in a big place like New York City or at a mid-sized university like U.Va., lovers of Shakespeare have no trouble bringing his words into the modern world. Though new interpretations can come from changing costumes, altering the time period or adjusting how characters behave, some of the most dramatic reproductions come from tweaking traditional uses of space.

Shakespeare on the Lawn, a University Contracted Independent Organization, similarly defies both space and time to bring Shakespeare to the University. This organization is open to all undergraduate and graduate students and allows participants to both create and

perform in the productions. “[SotL] isn't just for actors,” said SotL President Thomas Hische, a third-year College student. “SotL offers the chance to get involved with every aspect of a production, including all of the technical aspects and behind-the-scenes work."

Last year, SotL's productions transported student and community audience members from the drab concrete floors of the Student Activities Building to the poisonous witches' den in “Macbeth” and the mad king's dining room in “Titus Andronicus.” In both tragedies, expert special effects made audience members cringe as the actors’ fervor and desperation reverberated throughout the room, magically reconstructing Shakespeare’s vision.

Following many New York interpretations of Shakespeare, student director Sam Silbinger chose to forego a stage for “Mac-

beth.” Instead, actors strengthened their intimacy with the audience as they performed in the round, tumbling across the ground — turning and twisting to play among audience members and not above them.

In “Titus Andronicus,” director Charles Eckman embraced a more formal set up.

With a towering stage and a set of glistening white columns and arches designed and created by students, viewers were instantly transported into Andronicus' world.

This year, SotL will present “Richard II” and “Romeo and Juliet."

"SotL isn't just for drama majors,” Hische said. “Some of our members have studied engineering, economics, history, biochemistry and architecture."

Auditions for this season’s shows will be held in September.

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Shakespeare on the

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Cavalier Daily

Julia Stembridge Staff Writer

Indie-pop act Bleachers’ album “Strange Desire” differs from others on the charts this summer. Its musical production, combination of instruments and relatable lyrics made it an unanticipated hit. The wait for an album of this kind — full of pop with a new kind of rigor — has been long, and luckily, this “throwback to the 80s” delivered.

Guitarist Jack Antonoff, who spent 2013 touring with indie-alternative group fun., initially developed “Strange Desire” as a private project inspired by 80s music and John Hughes films. The end result is a fascinating mixture of electro-pop — layered with harmony, synth and compelling lyrics about boy, girls,

self-improvement and the mystery of love. The inspiration from “The Breakfast Club” is clear.

Bleachers released their first single, “I Wanna Get Better,” in February of last year ahead of the July 10 release of “Strange Desire” by RCA Records.

“I Wanna Get Better” quickly became a summer hit, peaking at No. 1 on the US Alternative Billboard charts in August.

The song “Wild Heart” kicks off the album with an electric/synth keyboard intro and a chorus-like layering of Antonoff ’s vocals, creating an overall dramatic track. This sort of shout-like, layered and harmonized vocals prove a common style in many Bleachers tracks. This also holds true for the second Bleachers single, “Rollercoaster.” The song scored the band a second summer anthem, with its up-

beat tempo and mention of “shotgun lovers” sure to stick in any listener’s head.

The rest of the album includes tracks such as “I’m Ready To Move On,” featuring Yoko Ono, once-girlfriend of John Lennon, and another collaboration featuring Canadian singer-songwriter Grimes. These efforts definitively add to the overall product.

“Strange Desire” also includes slower songs, such as “Reckless Love,” which allow the listener to absorb an amazing soft bass, which contrasts beautifully with Antonoff ’s harsher style of lyric delivery.

Antonoff has truly created a beautiful album, filled with emotion young adults can relate to. “Strange Desire” is one album to certainly raise your fist to.

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Turning up the sounds of summer A look back at season’s best in sunny vibes, downtempo darkness Will Mullany Senior Writer

Courtesy Lefse Records

Courtesy pitchfork.com

It was a summer of waiting: waiting for the hot sun to go down, relieving us of its unapologetic rays; waiting for noon, only after which is it socially appropriate to start drinking. But most of all, it was a summer of waiting for Kanye West's new album to come out. Spoiler alert: it didn’t.

Still, we found ways to stem our anguish with incredible new music releases, which helped shaped a still-amazing musical summer.

Yes, The War on Drugs’ "Lost In The Dream" did come out before thousands of students fled Charlottesville for the beaches, but that didn't stop it from being the go-to soundtrack for long, RayBan-shaded car journeys across the countryside.

The release finds War on Drugs' frontman Adam Granduciel doing his best Springsteen impression, backed by meticulously layered guitars and synths ripped straight out of his dad's record collection. And though The War on Drugs spends this album very much living in the past, they also employ a more current practice: drowning everything in swirling, sparkling ambience.

I would call “Lost In The Dream” the sunniest summer album of 2014 — if not for A Sun-

ny Day in Glasgow's "Sea When Absent," a brilliant whirlpool of star-screaming guitar, soft and sweet vocal work and exceptional melodic songwriting. Like The War on Drugs, A Sunny Day in Glasgow seems to channel an artist from yesteryear — this time Irish shoegaze royalty My Bloody Valentine — though “Sea When Absent” sprawls outward in enough sonically different directions to avoid a direct comparison.

The record’s oceanic title is mimicked in each song’s structure, with each instrument and voice drifting in and out of the picture as moments of intense guitar-noise gradually explode upward. The whole atmosphere of each track then quickly slides away, much like waves crashing against seaside cliffs.

If the seasonal tone of these albums is not what you are looking for, the summer also birthed a number of dark, bitter, leftfield electronic releases. From compilation "10.1" by UK bass label Hyperdub — a comprehensive primer on the label’s wonky dance hits — to FKA Twigs’ "LP1" — the first great album to be placed under the genre of "Industrial Futurist R&B" — anyone who didn't want to go outside this summer had plenty of albums to stay inside and "get weird" to.

A final late-comer was second-effort by UK dubstep producer The Bug, titled "An-

gels and Devils." In the United States, the term dubstep has come to describe a certain branch of big-room electronic dance music, featuring abrasive electronic noises rather akin to Optimus Prime having a burping competition with Megatron in an empty aluminum tank. But in the U.K., dubstep is far more subtle — focused on mood, atmospherics and, most of all, sonic progression and originality. "London Zoo," the first album by The Bug, was a prime example of what dubstep was capable of in its heyday, and his new album is undisputable proof that this “realer” brand of dubstep is not dead.

Bug employs a dual structure on the album, with the first half composed of gentler dub-atmospheric low tempo tracks and the second half featuring mostly high energy, high tension, high tempo bangers. Though it's worth listening to from beginning to end, standout tracks like "F*** A B****" — featuring recently-defunct noise rap group Death Grips — and the grimey track "Dirty" both give the album heavy replay value.

It's been a fantastic summer for music, and upcoming releases by Aphex Twin, Flying Lotus and many more promise to keep quality strong into the fall. But that won’t stop the wait — we're still holding out for Kanye to drop what is assured to be the best album in music history.

The Cavalier Daily

O

12

LEAD EDITORIAL

Embracing a second chance

opinion

PiKA’s provisional FOA has the potential to improve the fraternity’s behavior

Comment of the day “Was your friend also drinking alcohol? It’s true that MDMA alone can be deadly, but that’s extraordinarily rare. Last year, about 24 people died from skydiving accidents.

Life is risky but we should do all we can to reduce risk rather than try to increase it which prohibition does in so many ways.”

“Rick Doblin” responding to Elyse Eilerman’s August 22 column, “Let’s talk about Molly.”

Last spring, we endorsed the University’s decision to rescind the Fraternal Organization Agreements of Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Nu. Dean of Students Allen Groves cited dangerous initiation activities when explaining the decision.

Now, PiKA has been given a second chance, and must comply with requirements set by the University, the Inter-Fraternity Council and PiKA’s international leadership in order to permanently reinstate their charter.

We supported the termination of PiKA’s FOA because we believe it is necessary to maintain a zero-tolerance policy with regard to hazing. Zero-tolerance is not an unfamiliar concept at the University.

There is a zero-tolerance policy toward academic dishonesty in the form of the Honor Code’s single sanction. But in some respects, the University community is learning the art of second chances. Two years ago,

the student body voted to approve Honor’s informed retraction, which allows a student to admit guilt and leave the University for a year to avoid the risk of expulsion. The informed retraction option is meant to help students who want to do the right thing: to admit their mistakes and then get a second chance.

IFC President Tommy Reid said the chapter was reinstated largely because members admitted their mistakes. Reid said, “They needed to own their actions.” Taking responsibility should be a minimum requirement to be given a second chance, and if the majority of students accept that principle for Honor, perhaps it makes sense that it apply to fraternities as well.

Under the previous order from the Office of the Dean of Students, PiKA would not have been eligible for a new FOA until 2016. Under their current provisional FOA, they will remain on

probation until 2015 and must complete many requirements before they can be permanently reinstated.

Though we previously supported the University’s decision to terminate PiKA’s FOA, we realize that given enough strict monitoring to ensure the fraternity does make major improvements, a probationary period may be more effective at producing a safer Greek community.

Though it is difficult to determine the appropriateness of the punishment when few details are known about the offense, we recognize the merits of a probationary period and believe it is an effective way to encourage a chapter to improve itself.

If a fraternity is completely banned for a period of two years, critical institutional knowledge can be lost by the time it is re-founded.

Memories of the trauma of hazing will be forgotten as students graduate. And if the remaining brothers

have no official activity in the Greek community, there is little structured opportunity for improvement, and little interaction with the leadership of potential role model fraternities. With PiKA’s current arrangement, however, the memories of their transgressions are close at hand, and the threat of banishment is more tangible, serving as good motivation for them to amend their ways and retain the value of these changes as new pledge classes join.

As we argued in our editorial about Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s decision to end pledging nationally, change is unlikely to happen unless fraternity culture as a whole changes. For this reason, we believe the IFC’s requirements will likely have the strongest influence on effecting real change in PiKA. According to Reid, the IFC will play a key role in the rehabilitation process, and hopefully this will be a kind of team effort, since “every fraternity is changing.”

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OPINION

Thursday, August 28, 2014

13

An icy welcome ast weekend, I was having by notable figures such as Steven dinner at the downtown mall Spielberg and former President when my waitress handed me a George W. Bush. By a recent esplate of food and said, “We’re all timate, ALS donations have now about to do the ice topped $70 million bucket challenge if you thanks to the activity. all want to watch me Despite the funds get drenched.” Call me it has raised, the social out of touch with somedia phenomenon cial media these past is often criticized as few weeks, but I had no “slacktivism” — online idea what she meant. endorsement of a cause Suddenly, it seemed the that requires little time phenomenon was evor effort. The connotaerywhere. Walking by tion is that the particiGeorge Knaysi Monroe Hall yesterday, pant’s motive is more Opinion Columnist I saw my College deans about making himself spread in a line across look charitable than the main entrance — advancing a cause. I’m buckets of water in hand, nervous skeptical of this terminology, and I laughter in the air, and iPhones would sooner classify “the bucket held ready. I watched each of them challenge” as creative fundraising. succumb to the same icy fate.

With a medium like the Internet, The “Ice Bucket Challenge” is we need clearer definitions of what a new phenomenon where people constitutes “activism.” douse themselves with buckets of ALS is a progressive neurodeice water, post the videos to social generative disease that deteriorates media, and then nominate others nerve cells and ultimately leads to to do the same in an effort to raise total paralysis (though does not money and awareness for amyo- cause cognitive decline). ALS curtrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It’s rently afflicts an estimated 30,000 quickly become an internet sensa- Americans, and life expectancy is tion, and includes participation typically two to five years from the

time of diagnosis. The precise cause supports the families and caregivof ALS is still not understood, and ers of ALS patients — make a full no known cure exists. Money to time job of this. It seems no one the ALS Association — the Ameri- should call the bucket challenge accan nonprofit that advocates for tivism or even “slacktivism.” It’s just the interests of those afflicted — is creative social media fundraising. much needed.

Still, the criticisms of the bucket Before applying labels like “slacktivism” or “hashtag activism,” it helps to have a definition of activism. Merriam-Webster defines it as “a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct It seems no one should call the bucket vigorous action, especially in support of or opposition to one side creative social media fundraising. of a controversial issue.”

Thus, an actual act of activism requires a bit more of a commitment than pouring water over your head challenge raise a legitimate conor even donating money to a cause. cern: if people view such uses of To be sure, there are ALS activ- social media as legitimate activists: for example, those who give ism, they might be less likely to sustained time and energy to advo- act in a meaningful way outside of cating for increased public and pri- the internet. Could “slacktivism” vate support of ALS research and be taking the place of traditional relevant health care reform. The civic action? One 2011 survey by individuals at the ALS Association Georgetown’s Center for Social — which funds research partner- Impact found that Americans who ships and drug testing, as well as support causes via social media

“

L

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is an example of social media-driven activism done right “participate in more than twice as many supportive activities (both online and offline) when compared to their non-social media promoter peers.” As always, no single study can settle a complex question, but such work suggests that the ice bucket challenge may be less harmful than its critics assert.

In four weeks, the campaign has already raised triple the amount of donations that the ALS Association received all last year. These millions of no-strings-attached dollars will go toward fighting a truly horrific disease. So I suggest we keep on with the bucket challenge. We just need to remember that such fundraising does not take the place of traditional civic engagement. In the age of social media, it’s all too easy to repost an article for “awareness” and feel as though you’ve done your duty as citizen and human being.

George Knaysi’s columns run Tuesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at g.knaysi@cavalierdaily.com.

A to-do list University students should work this year to decrease voter apathy, reduce the prevalence of sexual assault, and foster a healthier Greek climate n the spirit of the new school Jefferson Literary & Debating Soyear, I thought it would be ciety kvetching on the Lawn at 3 in appropriate to offer up a set of the morning. But what can we, as resolutions for the coming year, students, actually do to fix these? an “agenda” of sorts, The answer is painswhich our student takingly obvious: run leaders might heed as for offices and vote in they govern their orgaelections. This paper nizations in the comhas pointed out that ing year. This univerthere is a high correlasity is a haven, in many tion between contested ways, from the turmoil races and high voter that plagues the outturnout, and so this apside world, but that is pears to be a relatively not to say that the ineasy fix. A simple and stitutions that govern achievable aspiration John Connolly student life at this Uniwould be contested Opinion Columnist versity are perfect, or races in school-wide even close to it. Cracks elections for executivein the surface do exist. level positions in Student Council, One problem frequently cited Honor Committee and the Univeris the lack of “true” student self- sity Judiciary Committee, coupled governance, manifested in patheti- with at least 50 percent voter turncally low student participation in out. This will put cries of “the end elections — just 25 percent this of student self-governance” to rest. past spring — as well as unopAnother problem requiring atposed elections, which are taken tention is the continuous prevato symbolize student apathy. Ev- lence of sexual assault, at this eryone and his mother has heard university and at colleges and (and complained) about this, from universities around the country. former Viewpoint Writer William Fortunately, the University has Henagan to the Cavalier Daily taken numerous steps in the right Managing Board, which blames direction, as of late. This fall, the inaction on behalf of student gov- University will launch “Not on ernance organizations, all the way Our Grounds,” a campaign to to those token drunk guys in the end sexual assault. In addition,

Patricia Lampkin, Vice President its focus on sexual assault, that stuand Chief Student Affairs Officer, dent groups will continue to speak plans to announce changes to the out against sexual assault, and University’s strategies to combat that Student Council will make sexual assault on September 12, at its resolution a reality. Let’s keep the next Board of Visitors meeting. the dialogue going. And let’s make And it’s not just the administration sure there’s some deliberate action that has been working to address behind it. this issue. Student groups such as A third and final goal conOne in Four, One Less and Take Back the Night have strived for years to raise awareness, promote bystander intervention, and Every incident in which the University disciplines a speak out against fraternity, particularly for a hazing incident, is a sexual assault.

Recently, Student black eye on the Greek system.

Council joined them. In April, Student Council passed the Sexual cerns fraternities. To put it kindly, Misconduct Awareness, Recovery, the last two years have not been and Tangible change (SMART) friendly to fraternity pledging resolution, calling for increased (alternatively, fraternity pledging sexual assault education, transpar- has not been friendly to the last ency from the University, a student two years). In the spring of 2013, body survey and greater resources pledging was cut short due to a for survivors. number of incidents, and just this It is difficult to set an appro- past spring, two fraternities were priate goal for this delicate mat- kicked off of campus for inciter, since any sexual assault is, dents, although one has since been of course, one too many. But it is brought back on appeal. The merreasonable to hope and expect that its of each case, and the role of the the administration will continue University in taking action against

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fraternities, is up for debate, and I will not address it in this column.

But I will say this: every incident in which the University disciplines a fraternity, particularly for a hazing incident, is a black eye on the Greek system. In the current national climate, where fraternities seem to be in the public eye for their destructiveness instead of their immense positive effects on tens of thousands of young men, it is damaging for this University’s national brand and reputation to continually discipline fraternities.

And so the final goal of this column is for the school year to pass without a major disciplinary incident involving fraternities.

This University will be a happier place if we win just one conference football game (0-8 in conference in 2013). But it would be happier still if we were to accomplish the goals that I have outlined above. Here’s to a great year.

John Connolly’s columns run Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily.

He can be reached at j.connolly@ cavalierdaily.com.

14

OPINION

The Cavalier Daily

Penny for your words n the time we’ve been away media and therefore the viewer’s from Grounds, the country perception of what’s happening in and the world have faced major the world. In print media, adverchallenges — from the recent ex- tisers want their ads to be placed posure of police brualongside news stories tality to the continthat don’t put their ued disruption in the products in a negative Middle East, there is light — for example, a no shortage of controcar company wouldn’t versies to discuss. In want its ad placed next the face of these issues, to an article about a one controversy that recent six-car pile-up, has almost managed to for fear a reader would slip under the radar is make a subconscious the question of whethconnection between er or not newspapers, the two, thereby develDani Bernstein magazines and online oping an aversion to Senior Associate Editor publications should that particular car. solicit so-called “native With the influence advertising” or sponof advertising already sored content — advertisements in effect, one can only imagine how that more or less mask themselves much more impactful sponsored as legitimate articles. This con- content would and can be. A key troversial form of advertising is element of journalism is the divicurrently used by newspapers as sion between the editorial side of prominent as The New York Times the news and general management and is being considered by The (i.e., those who determine what is Cavalier Daily. profitable).

Advertising as it exists now We often hear that journalism already has a strong and nega- is a dying industry, but what this tive impact on pure news content. really means is that in the highly In televised media, more views competitive and often free world means more profitable advertis- of internet news, journalism is being — profitable for the advertiser coming far less profitable, especialand for the news channel. Con- ly since advertising online is highly cerns over what leads to a larger ineffective. Those in the U.S. who viewership can sway channels to read their news online will click on focus on some news stories over a banner advertisement roughly others, slanting the direction of the 0.18 percent of the time — not a

number advertisers are jumping sored content is virtually indisup and down about. tinguishable from real articles. A Sponsored content, on the oth- study by the Interactive Advertiser hand, is highly lucrative, both ing Bureau suggests that average because of the larger space it can readers are able to tell the differtake up and because of the way it ence between the two well less than can play with readers’ minds. By half the time. camouflaging an advertisement as The consequences of this are an article, corporations can sub- obvious: native advertising matly sway us toward their products nipulates readers, distorts the news under the pretense that what we’re and destroys the supposed wall reading is objective content. We between the editorial and business won’t know we’re being sold some- sides of journalism. Unfortunately, thing, and advertisers likely won’t at this point, there is little we can be held to the standard typical re- do to prevent its escalation, as naporters are held to, since the very goal of sponsored content prevents the use of what a reporter might consider proper fact-checking.

News outlets The consequences of this are obvious: native and advertisers advertising manipulates readers, distorts the news pursuing native advertising coun- and destroys the supposed wall between the editoter that there are rial and business sides of journalism. labels on sponsored articles that reveal that they are, in fact, tive advertising becomes more sponsored. But the size and no- integral to business models. But ticeability of these labels are both before The Cavalier Daily or other minimal; perhaps on a site like media enter into this dangerous Buzzfeed sponsored content is rel- territory, we can attempt to disatively identifiable, but even on The suade them.

New York Times’ website — which I may be biased, but in my has more standard reporting than opinion The Cavalier Daily is an Buzzfeed does anyway — spon- upstanding and high-quality news-

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Newspapers should not use sponsored content as a source of revenue paper, and one that offers a unique service to our University and to Charlottesville by maintaining high standards for its reporters and pursuing investigative pieces. Of course, with its existing business model — with which, I admit, I am not intimately familiar — breaking even is not so easy; as an independent organization and not a CIO, the paper receives no money from the University, and advertising revenue often does not fully cover all expenses.

But though sponsored content would probably be the most lucrative next step, it is the least honorable one. Perhaps sponsored content would not have the immense impact on The Cavalier Daily’s reporting and readership that it could have on that of larger and more widely read news media, but any impact at all is too much. This view may be idealistic, but so is the nature of any college newspaper put together by unpaid and dedicated students. Particularly while other papers fail to live up to true journalistic standards, The Cavalier Daily should not give in to such a potentially harmful practice.

Dani Bernstein’s columns run Tuesdays in The Cavalier Daily.

She can be reached at d.bernstein@ cavalierdaily.com.

Less is more t’s the time of year on As difficult as it may be for the Grounds when even more many intrepid new students of the people than usual are harassing University eager to embroil themyou on the sidewalk as you walk selves in the community, new to class. They hand students should make you pieces of paper, a conscious effort to pressure you into givonly join a select few ing them your email, organizations. or at the very least The label “joiner” make you awkwardly is one embraced by reject them by refusmany students and deing to make eye conspised by others, but tact as they try to get what makes a successyour attention. This ful “joiner” is not the also makes it the time ability to show up to of year people join a lot of meetings. The Forrest Brown more organizations people who make an Opinion Columnist than they can possibly impact on a wide vakeep track of, leading riety of organizations to their becoming overwhelmed, around Grounds are those who quitting most of their commit- have learned to at the start of each ments, and then getting emails year to devote their time and enfor the next four years from an ergy to a group they feel strongly organization with a complicated about and enjoy working with. acronym which they don’t under- Over time they can build more stand. I know because I have done and more organizations into their this to some degree every year at schedule as they settle into their the University, and it is the wrong roles and learn to work more efway to handle extra-curriculars. ficiently, but they never let them-

selves make a promise they can’t keep. Doing so hurts not only them, but every group they can’t fully commit to because they overreached.

I want to be careful not to encourage people to avoid joining groups they’re interested in on a

this type of try-out period. But before you pay dues, commit to a leadership role or promise to work on behalf of that organization, ensure you have the time and willingness to do so. The groups you join and decide to drop will thank you in the long run.

At the start of my third year I was coming into positions of responsibility in a few of my extracurricular activiand I made Before you pay dues, commit to a leadership role ties, the choice before or promise to work on behalf of that organization, the year started ensure you have the time and willingness to do so. to accept a leadership role in a The groups you join and decide to drop will thank group I knew you in the long run.

I would not be able to prioritize.

It is a mistake I provisional basis. The best way to still regret today. The group was know which groups you care about intended to serve as an Honor adis to take a close look at what they vocacy group, but because I didn’t do, and most groups on Grounds have the time to commit to makstructure their operations to allow ing it a fully realized organization,

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First years should invest in fewer activities rather than over-committing to numerous organizations I let the enthusiasm of others involved fade away as nothing happened and ended up torpedoing the group into non-existence.

Thankfully the Honor Committee ended up taking up most of the functions we were planning to fill, which is probably a more effective system anyway, but the fact remains I killed a group I cared about by trying to do too much.

Don’t make the same mistake.

This University is full of passionate leaders and people willing to give their own time to a variety of pursuits. I encourage all new students to throw yourself into this community with just as much prudence as enthusiasm so that your efforts can be maximized.

Forrest Brown’s columns run Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily.

He can be reached at f.brown@ cavalierdaily.com.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

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15

How students access the Board of Visitors

focus

Student advocacy, representation to BOV split between elected Student Council members, appointed Student Member

Michael Drash Focus Editor

Eighteen people sit on the University's Board of Visitors. Only seventeen, however, have voting power on the Board and one — fourth-year College student Meg Gould — is there to help ensure the Board understands the breadth of the student experience when making decisions.

"You are essentially serving as a sounding board for a lot of these issues that affect students," Gould said. “You should have an active voice in the conversation.”

The role of the student representative at the University is an informative one — and, unlike at some schools, he or she is strictly separated from the political role of his or her Student Council leader counterparts. For the University’s student representative, it is all about providing perspective.

Choosing the Representative Though the student member is officially appointed by the Executive Committee of the Board, students perform much of the work in the selection process by making up a large part of the selection committee, which includes several elected student leaders in addition to University administrators.

“The selection committee has Pat Lampkin, the Secretary of the Board of Visitors, and then it has just a collection of student leaders,” Gould said. “UJC, Honor, Student Council, the Student Member of the Board the year before, a grad. school representative and then two other students that are kind of at-large representatives.”

Student leaders cut a large applicant pool down to two or three applicants — though there is no required target — who are then presented to the Board’s Executive Committee for final approval, according to former Board of Visitors Student Member Blake Blaze.

The Student Representative's Role Blaze, who sat on the Board during the 2013-14 academic year, emphasized his position as an important point of communication between the student body and the Board, adding that the position

served a dual role.

“You are at once a member of the Board and also a student, and you are trying to reflect best the interests of the students to the Board as well as the decisions of the Board to students,” Blaze said.

The student member, however, is not meant to perfectly represent the actual opinions of the student body. Instead, the member acts as a window into the student experience.

“We do not expect the student to speak on behalf of the student body,” Board Rector George Martin said in an email. “Rather we want the perspective of someone

body and the Board. Recent members have worked to redefine the position so as to give the Board a more accurate image of the student population.

“In years past it’s been more of a passive role, but I think in the past couple of years student members [have been] much more active in committee meetings,” Blaze said.

According to both Blaze and Gould, student members have begun presenting brief reports in recent years on student life and priorities at the beginning of all full Board meetings in an effort to keep the visitors in touch.

These reports consist of general

cific student concerns.

“You’re not going to advocate for any particular cause because you don’t have a vote to back it up with,” Blaze said.

Instead, direct student lobbying generally falls into Student Council’s domain.

“One of the primary functions of Student Council — and it’s not the only function, but I think probably 50 percent of our function — is that advocacy role,” said Student Council President Jalen Ross, a fourth-year Engineering student.

Whereas the student member exists in an almost apolitical climate, Student Council representa-

Variance in Student Representative Position to Boards of Visitors, Trustees STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE?

METHOD OF APPOINTMENT

GRAD SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIVE?

FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE?

APPOINTED UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

ELECTED WILLIAM AND MARY

APPOINTED VIRGINIA TECH

ELECTED FLORIDA STATE who is a student. Obviously to the extent the student member has received helpful information from students or student groups, it is appropriate to share those positions and/or opinions with the full board or a committee of the board.”

The student member is not the only point of contact, however. The Board also interacts directly with student groups and individuals on Grounds in order to assess student needs, Martin said.

Nevertheless, the student member position is the most direct and consistent link between the student

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events on Grounds and strong currents apparent in student opinion.

Significant preparation goes into how student members source such information, Gould said, and — because her term has just begun — she said the process is ongoing.

Student Advocacy to the Board Just because there is a student member of the Board does not mean he or she participates in all of the Board’s functions. Student members of the Board are afforded no voting rights, which in turn affects how he or she approaches spe-

tives actively attempt to influence the actions of the Board. Rather than offering a broad overview of student opinions, Council's role is to advocate for more specific policy prescriptions.

"The Board member would lay out the facts and say this exists, and it is a problem — but we can go to the Board and advocate for a position," Ross said.

It’s Not the Only Way The University’s method of gauging the student body’s pulse —

cavalierdaily.com

by interacting separately with the Board’s student member and Student Council — is not the only system used by boards across the state.

At the College of William & Mary, the Board’s student member and the student body’s elected leader are one and the same — a job currently held by Colin Danly, a senior in the College.

Danly said some responsibilities are, in turn, delegated — such as the student member’s presentational responsibility, which is performed instead by two additional representatives the student member appoints.

“During Board meetings — I attend those four times a year — my time gets a little more devoted to that and working with the two student presenters that we have who present to the Board of Visitors, who are appointed by me and confirmed by the student assembly senate,” Danly said.

Student advocacy, however, remains outside of Danly’s role.

“I'm not a lobbyist,” he said.

“I'm not going to meet with the Board members with a certain set of prescribed agenda items.”

In other systems, such as at Florida State University, the student member of the Board of Trustees votes while concurrently serving as student body president.

Recent University student leaders see this system as less than ideal.

“If they were able to vote, they would then be subject to the politicking of the Board, which is what goes on when people are trying to determine how the votes are going to turn out,” Blaze said. “What’s fantastic about being removed from that is that you can share with complete confidence whatever you are thinking and speak candidly with members of the Board.”

Though there are few formalized procedures for student advocacy to Board members, Ross said the University's system offers ample opportunity for students to voice their concerns and suggestions through informal channels.

"If someone were to offer me a formalized structure so we can give that advocacy I’d take it in a heartbeat," Ross said. "[But] it’s not something that’s top of our agenda to try and get, simply because the informal structure is working well."