VOL. 127, ISSUE 10
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
GOOD MORNING, MR. JEFFERSON
see ROTUNDA PHOTOS, page 5 EMMA LEWIS | THE CAVALIER DAILY
WHAT’S INSIDE BOV ON STRATEGIC INVESTMENT FUND PAGE 2
A LOOK AT THE CORNER MEAL PLAN PAGE 4
VIRGINIA LOSES TO UCONN PAGE 6
LEAD EDITORIAL: THE N-WORD AND DORMS PAGE 9
THIS WEEK’S BLUE SHIRTS, GREEN DOTS PAGE 14
THE CAVALIER DAILY
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BOV decides Strategic Investment Fund uses Board approves $26 million in research proposals HAILEY ROSS | SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Board of Visitors approved approximately $26 million to be allocated over the next three years between 13 research scholarships. The vote taken Friday was the first with regard to spending money from the Strategic Investment Fund. Research proposals came from University faculty, were discussed and selected by an ad hoc committee and then handed to the full board for review. Rector William Goodwin began by putting $26 million in the context of the larger sum amount of the Strategic Investment Fund. “Whether we approve or not the recommendations we have … if you divide those by three… you’re talking about $8-$9 million a year so this request is not a significant amount from dollars relative to the capability,” Goodwin said. Goodwin also asked the board to focus on what’s best for the University. “I think we need and we should have the ability to make ourselves better,” he said. “We don’t have a responsibility here to keep the world happy. We have a responsibility to do what’s best for the University of Virginia and what’s best for the students, what’s best for the faculty, administration [and] alumni.” Although student input was not a part of the proposal process this time around, the board did recognize a letter sent by Student Council,
which listed suggestions for student involvement including a request for students to have the ability to make proposals. In the letter, Student Council asked for proposals with support from at least 500 students be considered. However, Vice Rector Frank Conner III said he never wanted the process to be elaborate. “It has always been envisioned — and I promise you this is the case — that one student could make a proposal,” Conner said. “Any student could make a proposal, and it would only take one.” Student Board member Phoebe Willis, a Law and Darden student, has also been in the process of talking to student leaders to come up with a mechanism that addresses concerns over lack of student input. “If there are students out there who have ideas, please contact me. I’m willing to meet with everyone,” Willis said. “The board doesn’t know what they don’t know.” Although the BOV looked at proposals dealing with AccessUVa — a financial aid program at the University — none passed this session. “We received a number of proposals initially that related to access of affordability, and we looked at these proposals, and they were all good in it of themselves but they were somewhat disparate,” Conner said. “We didn’t really know how they fit with the overall financing program of AccessUVa.” Several members of the board
were in favor of the research proposals, but said they were troubled that AccessUVa was not being dealt with appropriately as it relates to the Strategic Investment Fund. Board member Kevin Fay spoke out, having asked during previous meetings that more formal proposals dealing with AccessUVa and Affordable Excellence — a model instituted in 2015 which increased tuition intending to make the University more accessible to lower-income students — be dealt with. “I hear that we’re going to deal with it, but we have no proposals,” Fay said. “That troubles me.” Fay thought the board should fund good research proposals using money that initially came from sources other than the Strategic Investment Fund. “I am troubled with going forward with that as part of the Strategic Investment Fund,” Fay said. “I need more information about these conversations … whether it’s additional enrollment, exactly how this is going to affect what we do with AccessUVa and those types of things because they all fundamentally affect how fluid that fund might be — because they affect how that money is going to be spent.” Board member John MacFarlane III pushed for a line item veto vote and expressed dissatisfaction with the research proposal which would allot $1 million for Darden merit-based scholarships. “I would rather challenge Darden
to address that with philanthropic funds, then come back to us with something that is more significant in terms of its thought leading and research value,” MacFarlane said. “If we do have [a] line item, I would like to propose to amend or that, that item might be struck.” MacFarlane also inquired as to what the cost of waiting to vote would be, as the first vote often sets a precedent. “This is our first vote … I think that if any of us have any concerns about any one of those [proposals] I think we should speak now because
once this is done it is inked and we have set the precedent for all those that follow,” MacFarlane III said. “I think this is the most important vote we will take, ever, on this fund.” After several other members spoke, the board approved the 13 research proposals all at once with a voice vote. The research proposals were approved within the context of a resolution stating that access affordability and student input would be high on the list of things to deal with at the board’s December meeting.
XIAOQI LI | THE CAVALIER DAILY
The $26 million will be used to support 13 research scholarships.
Finance Committee looks at ResearchUVa Group discusses program lowering administrative work for faculty, takes note of lower-than-expected investment returns SARAH YANG | SENIOR WRITER The Board of Visitors Finance Committee met Friday to discuss the University’s financial assets and allocation of funds. The Board of Visitors previously authorized individual quasi-endowment transactions worth $4 million, creating two endowed professorships in the School of Medicine. The Finance Committee voted to approve the creation of these endowments, with income from the funds used to support chairholders’ salaries and scholarly activities. The committee also reported an increase in operating costs of a new library to open at the University College at Wise, with the funds going towards utilities, maintenance, custodial costs and paying a new staff member. Two capital project financing
plans were discussed, including the International Residential College renovation plan estimated to cost $16 million. The debt service and operating costs will be covered by housing revenue income. The committee also discussed research improvements, including the ResearchUVa project, which focuses on reducing the amount of administrative and bureaucratic work professors are required to do in the research process. “The need for effective and efficient support is greater than ever,” Sarah Collie, associate vice president for organizational excellence said. The program is a joint effort between the Office of Sponsored Programs, Information Technology Services and Organizational Excellence.
“[This is] the result of extensive analysis, including benchmarking, focus groups and details process mapping with more than 20 processes,” Collie said. In the past, information was difficult to access due to a lack of digitization. Collie emphasized the difficulty in determining the status of proposals or awards unless faculty had access to an official paper copy. “ResearchUVa is an enabling tool for faculty researchers,” Collie said. “These improvements are reducing the amount of time on administrative tasks.” The financial benefits of a more efficient and transparent system are substantial, Collie said. “A couple of hours per person translates to more than $5 million saved annually,” Collie said
Elizabeth Adams, assistance vice president for research administration, said in order for the University to continue to recruit top-tier faculty, the administrative burden for research must be lowered. “As we move forward, we need to have all of that available as a competitive institution,” Adams said. “We will lose professors … because of the bureaucracy and administration required to do the work.” Lawrence Kochard, chief executive officer of the University Investment Management Company, presented a report on the performance of the University’s assets. Increased market uncertainty and volatility resulted in low returns. “The small endowments will outperform the large endow-
ments,” Kochard said. He urged investors not to panic at the lower returns. “The worst thing would be to ditch our whole process,” Kochard said. “A lot of projects lead to nothing, but it makes us a smarter investor.” Kochard said he remains optimistic about long-term returns. “Our biggest edge is our current relationships — which are very strong — and our U.Va. alumni network — which is very powerful,” Kochard said. The meeting closed with a vote that passed all motions during the meeting and a decision to continue discussion at a later date on the Strategic Investment Fund.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
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Committee approves Brandon Avenue Master Plan Buildings and Grounds hires firm for memorial for enslaved laborers, confirms landscape framework plan for Ivy Corridor DAISY XU | SENIOR WRITER The Board of Visitors Buildings and Grounds Committee met Sept. 16 to discuss future plans for Brandon Avenue, as well as capital projects and the upcoming memorial for enslaved laborers. The committee approved a master planning process for Brandon Avenue, a project that would redevelop approximately 11 acres along Brandon Avenue. University Architect Alice Raucher said the vision for Brandon Avenue includes another upperclassman student residential complex and the expansion of the Elson Student Health Center. Leo Alvarez, urban design leader for Perkins and Will, discussed the redevelopment plan along with graphics and renderings. “The location is quite strategic [with its] proximity to main Grounds and link of the Health System to the rest of the Grounds,” Alvarez said. Possible changes include constructing a pedestrian sidewalk to reach the health system, preserving some trees and working to relocate non-University buildings, such as the Eunoia Christian Community. Student housing would be located toward the south end of Brandon Avenue, surrounding the health center. If Brandon Avenue is redeveloped to its full potential, it could add 650 new beds and 260 parking spaces. At a minimum, there will be 500 new on-Grounds beds and 220 park-
ing spaces on parcels owned by the University and the U.Va. Foundation. “There will be further discussion of how [the construction] is going to be paid for,” Committee Chair Kevin Fay said. The Brandon Avenue master plan is part of an effort to meet the demand of upperclassmen for onGrounds housing. “We can’t meet the demand,” University President Teresa Sullivan said in an interview with The Cavalier Daily before the committee meeting. “The way we’ve put in first-years is by squeezing out third- and fourthyears.” Sullivan also described Brandon as an ideal location. “It’s good adjacent space,” Sullivan said. “A lot of students would find it convenient to live on Brandon Avenue.” The committee also decided to name the Facilities Management Shop Support and Office Building after an enslaved laborer. Peyton Skipwith, who was emancipated when he was 30 years old along with his wife and children in 1833, was recognized for his efforts of quarrying stone to construct the University. The committee also discussed the design of a memorial to honor the contributions of enslaved workers in building the University. Allison Linney, consulting member of the Academic and Student Life Committee, said the design and
construction process will be different from constructing a traditional building at the University. “[The next step will be] identifying the site and what the memorial might look like,” Linney said. The committee selected the Boston-based firm Howeler and Yoon to design the memorial for enslaved laborers. Revisions of the Capital Program were also addressed, including renovations at the International Residential College and enlargement of a proposed office building on Old Ivy Road. The IRC renovation project will cost an expected $16 million and focus on the interior of its four buildings, which currently house 323 residents. “[The IRC] will not look different from the outside after the project,” Linney said. Upon completion, two IRC buildings — Munford House and Gwathmey House — will be air-conditioned, and outdated equipment will be replaced in the other two buildings — Lewis House and Hoxton House. Lewis and Hoxton already have air conditioning. Fay said the renovations were originally planned as three separate projects but will be tied together into a single effort in summer 2017. Another revision of the Capital Program is to increase the size of the
Old Ivy Road Office Building. Initially planned to be 45,000-60,000 gross square feet, it will be enlarged to approximately 100,000 gross square feet and is estimated to cost between $24 and $27 million. The larger size is expected to provide sufficient space for relocations of several administrative functions now at the Fontaine Research Park, where more integration of medical clinics and services would be possible after the relocation. “Fontaine Research Park is important for future expansion of the health system,” Fay said. The committee also approved the landscape framework plan for a phased development of the Ivy Corridor.
The board has previously expressed support for a phased approach for redeveloping the parcel of land at the corner of Ivy Road and Emmet Street. The University will start planning for streetscape and infrastructure improvements, and will make a recommendation for the future of the Cavalier Inn in June 2017. Pat Hogan, executive vice president and chief operating officer, described the cost on this project an “interesting challenge” and said a financial source needs to be identified. “[The board] would like to have more information on the infrastructure cost,” Hogan said. “[The project] may motivate alumni to contribute.”
XIAOQI LI | THE CAVALIER DAILY
The Brandon Avenue Master Plan calls for new on-Grounds student housing.
BOV discusses curriculum changes U.Va. re-evaluates general education requirements, demands on athletes EVAN HENRY | SENIOR WRITER The Board of Visitors’ Academic and Student Life Committee met Friday to outline short-term academic goals for the University. Topics included a planned curriculum overhaul, new guidelines on student athlete time demands, the creation of two new professorships and the promotion of the University’s African and African-American Studies and Women, Gender and Sexuality programs to departmental status. Ian Baucom, dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, presented on undergraduate curriculum changes approved by a vote of faculty in May. The planned changes, primarily to the College’s general education requirements, will begin with a pilot group of first-year students in fall 2017. Progress will be assessed periodically by the board prior to a full implementation in 2020. The changes are meant to bring students to a deeper appreciation
of their vocation, which he distinguished from the idea of a profession, Baucom said. “Medicine is a vocation, and within medicine there are many professions, many careers — from the neurosurgeon to the EMT technician,” Baucom said. “We know our students will have many jobs, but we want them to think about what orders of meaning they can attach to those because of these four years of intense study.” Specific plans for the new curriculum include a renewed focus on writing skills and half-semester “engagement” courses offered to firstyear students, intended to expose students to a variety of perspectives on learning and the world. Baucom also addressed the coming transition of both the Women, Gender & Sexuality program and the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African & African-American Studies to departmental status. Baucom said
key advantages of the move will include placing the University on par with other leading institutions, many of which have full-fledged departments in equivalent areas. The change will also simplify the process of hiring faculty, as appointments to any of the University’s programs or institutes must draw from faculty associated with an established department. Craig Littlepage, the University's athletics director, gave a report on efforts the athletics department plans to undertake to ensure a manageable schedule for student athletes. New consideration of the issue comes ahead of the NCAA’s January 2017 convention, when legislation on time demands for student athletes will be up for a vote. Proposed rules include new minimums on student time free from athletic responsibilities. Under the new rules, students would be guaranteed one free day per week during
the season for their respective sports and at least two days per week during the rest of the year. Coaches would also have to provide for at least eight hours of free time for their athletes between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Student Board member Phoebe Willis, a Darden and Law student, voiced concerns about the process for setting practice and event schedules. “One concern to mention is when you have student athletes making a plan for their time with coaches, there’s a power dynamic there,” Willis said. “And I would just give a quick bit of feedback that it might be wise to meet with student athletes without the coaches and talk about the timing for these events.” Willis said some athletes currently have an unpredictable schedule. “A lot of feedback I’ve had from student athletes is, it’s not just the free time, it’s that schedules come out every week or every two weeks,” she said. “So to be part of events around
Grounds, it’s hard to be part of an organization when you don’t know what day you’ll be free. It’s subject to change.” The committee voted unanimously to establish the Julian Bond Professorship of Civil Rights and Social Justice in the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Bond, a civil rights activist and academic, taught at the University from 1990 to 2012 and died in August 2015. The Paul G. Mahoney Research Professorship in Law, also approved unanimously, will honor Mahoney’s eight-year tenure as Dean of Law School, which ended in June. Additionally, the committee voted to reaffirm the University’s policy on student intellectual property. The policy stipulates that students retain all rights to their own work conducted at the University, except for certain research projects that make extensive use of University resources.
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Native American Student Union opposes pipeline Dakota Access Pipeline raises questions about consulting Standing Rock Sioux in construction process, preserving historic resources KATE LEWIS | SENIOR WRITER The University’s Native American Student Union issued a statement of solidarity last Saturday with the Standing Rock Sioux in their legal battle and demonstrations against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Although the pipeline runs predominantly through privately owned land in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois, it also runs within a half-mile of territory belonging to the Standing Rock Sioux in North and South Dakota and directly through areas of cultural and religious significance to the tribe. “The pipeline would not only cross the Missouri River — the tribe’s main source of drinking water — but it would irrevocably defile and destroy traditionally sacred sites and burial grounds, places still revered and frequented to this day by their people,” NASU said in its statement. “All of this damage would occur directly beside tribal lands, and an oil spillage of any significance, which is not unlikely, would be dire for the tribe.” Evelyn Immonen, a third-year College student and the NASU’s chief financial officer, said the pipeline poses a personal threat. “That’s my heritage,” she said. “I’m from Standing Rock, [N.D.], and I visited Standing Rock with my grandmother. She was born in Fort Yates, [N.D.], and we still have relatives out there.” Energy Transfer Partners, a Texas-based company specializing in natural gas, natural gas liquids, re-
fined product and crude oil transport, received approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for construction of the pipeline, which will transport crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois for refinement and distribution. “The North Dakota Bakken has witnessed a significant increase in the production of crude oil, from 309,000 barrels a day in 2010 to 1 million barrels a day in 2014,” ETP said in a statement on its website. “This energy will need reliable transportation networks to reach U.S. markets, and pipelines are the safest, most efficient means of accomplishing this task.” ETP released an internal memo on Sept. 13 addressing the pipeline’s controversy and emphasizing its economic and safety benefits. “Today the 1,172 mile project is nearly 60 percent complete, employs more than 8,000 highly trained skilled labor workers who are safely constructing it, and we have spent just over $1.6 billion on equipment, materials and the workforce to date,” Kelcy Warren, chairman and chief executive officer of ETP, said in the memo. NASU’s statement follows the Sept. 9 rejection of the tribe’s request for a Preliminary Injunction, which was dismissed by the district court on the grounds that the plaintiffs had not adequately demonstrated that an immediate suspension of construction would mitigate irreparable damage to cultural resources. The day the memorandum opin-
ion was released, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Army and the Department of the Interior issued a joint statement temporarily halting construction within 20 miles of Lake Oahe. The tribe’s lawsuit, filed in July against the USACE, is still under review. Cale Jaffe, assistant Law professor at the University, explained that the lawsuit hinged on the government’s responsibility to consult federally-recognized tribes in decisions that could jeopardize their historical or cultural resources. “The core allegation — in the lawsuit — is that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hasn’t met its obligations to include the tribe in that consultation process, that that process hasn’t been adequate under the statute,” Jaffe said. “And they point to the broader area around where the pipeline would be built to a lot of historic, cultural and religious resources that are of great value to the tribe going back generations.” Warren said in the ETP memo, however, that both ETP and USACE consulted extensively with the tribal community in gaining approval for the project. “We worked to meet with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe leaders on multiple occasions in the past two years and gave the U.S. Army Corps data for their 389 meetings with more than 55 tribes across the project, including nine with The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe at Lake Oahe,” Warren
said in the memo. In an online statement, USACE said that it began consulting with tribes two years ago and has met with tribes, preservation officers and other interested parties more than 250 times about the pipeline. On Sept. 12, the Standing Rock Sioux and the Cheyenne River Sioux filed an Emergency Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., to enforce the government’s request of a 20-mile perimeter. “An injunction is necessary to prevent additional destruction of sacred sites, as occurred over Labor Day weekend when a remarkable cultural landscape of graves and stone features was bulldozed within hours of evidence of these sites being filed with the district court,” the plaintiffs said in their appeal. In the ETP memo, Warren said that the land had been constructed on in the past and that historic preservation officers had not found any evidence of sacred sites in the path of the pipeline. “We — like all Americans — value and respect cultural diversity and the significant role that Native American culture plays in our nation’s history and its future and hope to be able to strengthen our relationship with the Native American communities as we move forward with this project,” Warren said in the memo. Immonen said that the demonstrations going on now at the site of
construction are not protests, but rather a show of solidarity among tribes of the Great Sioux Nation at pre-existing prayer camps. “Everyone who’s at the camp right now is there in prayer, and in solidarity, and they consider themselves water protectors and homeland defenders more than they are protesters,” she said. She stressed that the pipeline is not exclusively a tribal issue. “The water protectors are there in solidarity not just as native nations, but also for everyone in the United States,” Immonen said. “It affects all Americans.” Warren said that the pipeline does not pose any new threats to water quality. “Concerns about the pipeline’s impact on the local water supply are unfounded,” he said in the memo. “Multiple pipelines, railways, and highways cross the Missouri River today, carrying hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil. Dakota Access was designed with tremendous safety factors and redundancies, including compliance with and exceeding all safety and environmental regulations.” Immonen is involved in organizing a solidarity gathering at the Free Speech Wall downtown this Wednesday, a collaborative effort of NASU, the Native American Law Students Association and Showing Up For Racial Justice Charlottesville. ETP and the USACE did not respond to request for comment.
Corner meal plan grows in its second semester Elevate doubles student membership, continues to add options MARK FELICE | ASSOCIATE EDITOR The Elevate Corner Meal Plan is heading into its second semester of operation, but has doubled its original membership during that time, though the co-founders declined to share specific figures. Restaurants in the program now stand at a total of 18, with eight new establishments added recently or joining in the coming weeks. Elevate — which is not an official University-sponsored meal plan — is organized to allow students to pay a set price for a certain meal plan for restaurants on the Corner. “The meal plan is an alternative at U.Va. where students can use their swipes on restaurants that are on the Corner, and we are trying to provide an alternate but something that is also really convenient for students,” Seth Kramer, the plan’s co-founder, said. “They don't have to carry around cash or credit card, but just the app on their phone.”
Meal plan options range from three meals to 105 meals with price points from $33 to $1,045. Comparatively, the Semester 50 meal plan provided by ARAMARK, the University’s dining service, costs $855 and their Semester 100 meal plan costs $1,360, although a key difference is the University offers an all-you-caneat buffet at its dining halls while Elevate offers individual meals. “The value for the meals that you are getting is that you will generally be able to save a little money,” Kramer said. “Any meals that aren’t used for the semester are rolled over into the next semester or summer.” Each business pre-selects a group of meals or options that count as a meal swipe for students to use. Eight more restaurants have just signed on, including Zip Chicken, Littlejohn’s Deli and Pigeon Hole. “The whole point of it is making it beneficial for the restaurants,”
Josh Cohen, co-founder of the plan, said. “We are driving more students to their establishments and so that is pretty appealing to restaurants on its own and some of them we have had relationships with in the past so it was pretty easy to expand them to Elevate.” Some businesses have noticed a high rate of recurring students that continuously use the meal plan as their source for food. “We have only been doing it for a short time,” Mike Keenan, owner of The Juice Laundry, said. “We haven't had a huge number of students using it, but we have had a lot of students using it repeatedly. We may not appeal to all students, but after nine to 10 days we have already seen people’s names appear nine to ten times already.” Elevate also appeals to prospective businesses as a better way to expand their local following within the
University and Charlottesville community. “The meal plan seems to be a good deal for the students and, from my perspective, it is a cool way to expand our business to kids who may not have known about us,” Keenan said. Elevate may be convenient for students who live off-Grounds or closer to the Corner. “I thought that it would be a good alternative to the University meal plan, the food is a lot better and a lot closer,” second-year College student Sarah Vanlandingham said. “I live off of Rugby Road and so a lot of the places are closer than Newcomb, which is the closest dining hall to me.” Kramer said Elevate has exceeded the goals that the two had set when the founders originally started. However, some students have raised the issue with the use of an app to order all meals in the plan.
“The only thing that is a slight inconvenience at times is that you have to order through your phone,” Vanlandingham said. “So if your phone is dead, you have to do it another way which makes it a bit complicated, but otherwise that is about it.” While the program includes many local restaurants, many student favorites —like Bodo’s Bagels, Boylan Heights and The Virginian — have yet to join the meal plan. “I think membership could be improved if Elevate published and advertised the menu items included with the meal plan at the specific restaurants they have partnered with,” fourth-year College student Carolyn Oare, who is not a member of the Elevate plan, said. “I also think if more restaurants were included, membership would be boosted.”
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
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A LOOK INSIDE THE RENOVATED ROTUNDA
EMMA LEWIS AND PAUL BURKE | THE CAVALIER DAILY
The Rotunda is set to open to the public beginning Sept. 26. The Cavalier Daily recently toured the $58 million renovations. Check out more information on the renovations online at cavalierdaily.com.
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Late game miscues cost Virginia at UConn
Instead of taking a shot in the end zone on third and goal from the five-yard line, junior quarterback Kurt Benkert surveyed the left side before tucking the football and running. Connecticut junior linebacker Junior Joseph brought down Benkert by his legs at the two-yard line, causing a mad Cavalier scramble
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hile Saturday’s loss brought Virginia to 0-3, this particular defeat against Connecticut was much different than the other two. It was different in the sense that this one felt like the all too familiar heartbreaking losses of Cavalier football teams past. Just last week, I wrote about why Virginia would defeat the Huskies. And they could’ve. So what exactly went well, and what went wrong for the Cavaliers Saturday that turned a hopeful contest into a heartbreaking defeat? The Good Things seemed to be going pretty well for Virginia at first, which held an early 10-0 lead. Much of that early success can be attributed to a much-improved Cavalier defense. Overall, the defense gave up only 277 yards to Connecticut and limited the Huskies to two field goals and a touchdown. Virginia also held Connecticut to 3-13 on thirddown conversions. The success of the defense was surely a team effort. Junior safety Quin Blanding and junior inside linebacker Micah Kiser tallied 11 tackles apiece, while senior inside linebacker Zach Bradshaw and sophomore outside linebacker Chris Peace collected seven each — a career high for Peace. Junior defensive end Andrew Brown may have had his breakout game as a Cavalier Saturday afternoon. The Chesapeake, Va. native — who was touted as a five star recruit out of high school — recorded 3.5 tackles for loss, including a sack. The junior also stopped Connecticut’s momentum in the fourth quarter when he recovered a fumble at the Virginia 26-yard line. The Cavaliers also earned their first forced turnover in the third quarter. Sophomore cornerback Juan Thornhill intercepted what would have been a crucial Connecticut pass in the end zone to halt a long Husky
to kick the game-tying field goal with no timeouts remaining and only 17 seconds left on a ticking clock. It would be easy to blame sophomore kicker Alex Furbank for the ensuing chip shot he shanked wide left, but had his coaches and teammates managed the game better on second and third down, the situation Furbank hurried into would’ve been far less nerve-racking. Poor clock management created the perfect storm for Furbank — the former Division III soccer player at Randolph-Ma-
con who hadn’t played football prior to enrolling at Virginia this summer. Furbank’s missed field goal sealed a 17th straight road defeat for the Cavaliers, and their first 0-3 start to a season since 2009. Virginia took a 3-0 lead halfway through the first quarter when Furbank’s 23-yard field goal attempt spun between the uprights. Fewer than three minutes into the second quarter, senior big back Albert Reid extended the Cavalier advantage to 9-0 with a nine-yard touchdown rush, and Furbank converted the
extra point. The rest of the way, Virginia failed to score any more points. Meanwhile, the Huskies broke through courtesy of a 21-yard field goal off the leg of senior Bobby Puyol at the 4:43 mark in the second, tied the game with senior quarterback Bryant Shirreffs’ one-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth and later jumped ahead 13-10 after Puyol nailed a 43-yard field goal. Penalties cost the Cavaliers on Connecticut’s lone touchdown drive, as both a pass in-
terference and a facemask call gave the Huskies automatic first downs on third and longs. Under two minutes remained in the contest when Virginia began its 73-yard, nine-play drive that continued with senior receiver Keeon Johnson’s 34-yard sliding reception on fourth-and-10, and ended in Furbank’s miss. But it was a second half without urgency and full of mistakes that led to yet another Cavalier road loss. —compiled by Grant Gossage
WHAT’S NEW WITH VIRGINIA FOOTBALL? drive. There were some highlights on the offensive end, too. Senior wide receiver Keeon Johnson continued to impress with six catches for 73 yards — one a 34-yard reception that got the Cavaliers into scoring position late in the fourth quarter. Senior tailback Taquan Mizzell tallied 66 yards rushing and had six receptions — extending his receptions streak to 36 games — which is good for third longest in the nation. The Bad However, the offense’s possession over the course of the game may be what hurt Virginia the most in the long run. The Huskies were able to hold the Cavaliers to 5-of-16 on third-down conversions. The epitome of Virginia’s offensive struggles came in the drive that led to Connecticut’s winning field goal. The Cavaliers encountered fourth and one on the Huskies’ 24-yard line, when senior tailback Albert Reid was stopped for no gain. On the ensuing drive, Connecticut converted the winning 43-yard field goal. I can’t neglect to include the missed field goal that most vis-
ibly cost Virginia the chance to take the game into overtime. Sophomore placekicker Alex Furbank was playing in his very first football game after transferring from Randolph-Macon, where he played soccer. The sophomore made a 23-yard kick to give the Cavaliers their first points of the game and their first lead of the season. However, on the final play of the game, he kicked a 20-yard field goal wide to the left after rushing the kick, cementing Virginia’s loss. The Ugly While the missed field goal certainly prompted heartbreak for Virginia fans, it was evident that the Cavaliers missed many opportunities to get ahead rather than relying on a last minute field goal. Penalties were a factor that plagued Virginia. On the same Connecticut drive where the Huskies scored their winning field goal, the Cavaliers were penalized twice on Connecticut third-down incompletions
— allowing them to extend the drive that would ultimately lose the game for Virginia. The Cavaliers committed 10 penalties during the game, compared to three penalties committed by the Huskies. Play calling may have cost Virginia the chance to score a late touchdown and leave East Hartford, Conn. with their first road win since 2012. The Cavaliers’ final drive began on their 25-yard line, and was highlighted by a pass from junior quarterback Kurt Benkert to junior wide receiver Doni Dowling for 32 yards. Just when it seemed like the game would be over for Virginia at fourth-and-10, Benkert connected with Johnson for a 34yard reception that brought the Cavaliers to first-and-goal with just 35 seconds left. Virginia had no time outs remaining, yet the Cavaliers did not pass the ball again in the game. Offensive coordinator Robert Anae called a first down running play that
gained the Cavaliers only four yards. Benkert threw the ball away on second down to stop the clock, and on third down, Benkert ran for a gain of only three yards. This ultimately put Furbank in a tough position with little time for the potential equalizing field goal. The Takeaway With so much good in the game, it’s hard to believe that Virginia extended its road game losing streak to 17 games, or that coach Bronco Mendenhall has now fallen to 0-3. Many little mistakes cost the Cavaliers a game that seemed well within reach. However, it appears as if the Cavaliers are close to breaking through after week three, and they will get another chance to do so at Scott Stadium Saturday against Central Michigan. MARIEL MESSIER is a senior associate sports editor for the Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at m.messier@cavalierdaily.com
3.5* TFL
*Tackles for loss CINDY GUO AND LUCAS HALSE | THE CAVALIER DAILY Source: Virginia Sports
CELINA HU | THE CAVALIER DAILY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
www.cavalierdaily.com • SPORTS
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Women’s soccer shuts-out Hokies, 2-0 Kristen McNabb scores both goals in rivalry win in front of record-setting crowd HUNTER OSTAD | ASSOCIATE EDITOR In the team’s ACC opener under the Friday night lights, the No. 5 Virginia women’s soccer team impressed in defeating No. 17 Virginia Tech, 2-0. This iteration of the Commonwealth Clash was highly anticipated by the fans, as evidenced by the record-setting crowd of 3,966 fans who flooded Klöckner Stadium. The team needed all the support it could get from the crowd against their in-state rival, after coming off its first loss of the season. “This crowd tonight was unbelievable, they really kept us in it,” senior defender Kristen McNabb said. “Coach said it was the best crowd we’ve ever had and we felt it, so it was awesome.” McNabb certainly capitalized on this energy, having a career game by putting in both goals for Virginia (81-0, 1-0-0 ACC). McNabb’s first score came in the 32nd minute, when a corner kick took a deflection and fell to her feet. The Montville, N.J. native calmly put the ball into the bottom of the net
from point-blank range. McNabb’s second goal followed in the 75th minute, again off a corner kick. Senior midfielder Alexis Shaffer sent in a promising ball from the corner spot, and McNabb latched onto it and finished the play to put the Cavaliers into the ascendency. Coach Steve Swanson was very pleased with how his team played. He realized Virginia Tech (8-2-0, 0-1-0 ACC) represented quite a challenge, but one his team was prepared for. “I thought we battled very hard,” Swanson said. “This is not an easy team to play against … they’re physical and they don’t quit. They really capitalize on your mistakes. So I think we did a good job minimizing those, or at least when we did it was 100 yards away from our own goal. Not an easy game and not an easy team to shutout as well … I’m not sure they’ve been shut out all year.” It was a hugely satisfying victory — especially coming off a devastating loss against Georgetown — in which the Cavaliers led 2-0 before surren-
dering three consecutive goals. “We got punished for our mistakes last week,” Swanson said. “They struck some good balls against us and we really got punished. I think it’s different when it’s on us because we can correct some things and I think we had the right approach this week … For them to respond the way they did, I think they were very focused in practice this week … and I was proud of the way they responded.” The Cavaliers controlled the game throughout, generally dominating possession and outshooting the Hokies 23-6 on the night. “I thought we played hard and set the tone,” McNabb said. “We knew it was going to be a tough game. Especially coming off a loss, we really wanted to get that win so we played hard and we’re happy with the result.” Virginia will next play Thursday at Miami. Opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. PAUL BURKE | THE CAVALIER DAILY
Senior defender Kristen McNabb scored both of Virginia’s goals in the 2-0 win.
Thrilling match against Clemson ends in 3-3 tie Cavaliers claw back from 3-1 deficit, Salandy-Defour scores two goals in comeback RAHUL SHAH | ASSOCIATE EDITOR The No. 17 Virginia men’s soccer team found itself in deep trouble heading into halftime in Saturday’s ACC matchup against No. 6 Clemson. The Cavaliers (3-1-2, 0-1-1 ACC) were staring at a 3-1 deficit against one of the top teams in the
nation and had seemingly lost all momentum. Virginia’s first goal, courtesy of redshirt senior forward Marcus Salandy-Defour, seemed like ages ago after the Tigers scored three straight goals before the end of the first half.
CHANDLER COLLINS | THE CAVALIER DAILY
Senior forward Marcus Salandy-Defour scored a pair of goals for the Cavaliers Saturday night.
However, this didn’t prevent Virginia from losing belief in their game and its ability to respond in the second half. Virginia coach George Gelnovatch talked about how he thought Clemson (3-1-1, 0-1-1 ACC) was able to take advantage of mental lapses on the part of Virginia rather than being overmatched. “To be honest with you, I don’t think their goals came from anything, but like, complete lapses from our standpoint,” Gelnovatch said. “We fell asleep on a corner kick and took a quick one. They weren’t buildups, where they’d pass us apart. They were literally mental lapses and I was actually a little bit dumbfounded we were losing 3-1.” Salandy-Defour pointed out the Cavaliers never felt like they were out of the game. Virginia maintained its belief and was confident it would be able to respond in the second half. “We never thought we were out of the game,” Salandy-Defour said. “We knew we were going to get chances to score, for sure.” Virginia responded in a big way in the second half. The Cavalier offense picked it up and Virginia bounced back to score two goals to even up the score. Salandy-Defour, who had a terrific game, scored his second goal
of the match off of an assist from sophomore forward Edward Opoku to bring Virginia within one goal of Clemson. With about 10 minutes left in regulation, Opoku was brought down and Virginia was awarded a penalty kick. Sophomore defender Sergi Nus converted the penalty kick to tie the game up at 3-3. The Cavalier’s defense woke up in the second half and after allowing three goals in the first half, picked it up in the second half and shut out Clemson. Gelnovatch believes Virginia’s second half surge was aided by Clemson’s fatigue. “I do think in the second half, they exerted a lot of energy in the first half, I mean a lot, Clemson did, and they rewarded themselves by scoring three goals,” Gelnovatch said. “I think in the second half it was all us because I think they were tired.” Eventually, time ran out in regulation and the match went into overtime. However, neither team was able to score in both overtime periods and the game ended in a 3-3 tie. After being down 3-1 at the half, Gelnovatch liked the resiliency his team showed in the second half of the match. “The thing for me, I love, that the second half is as good of a fight back as I’ve seen,” Gelnovatch said. “When
you’re down in the conference, I don’t care where you are, 3-1, home, away or against as good of a team as Clemson, it generally is a disaster; our guys did a great job in the second half and we put ourselves in a position to win.” Salandy-Defour echoed those sentiments, talking about how though Virginia was unable to pull out a victory, the team showed its resolve. “Especially being a young team, to come back from 3-1 down against a good team like that, speaks volumes of our character and our strength,” Salandy-Defour said. All in all, the Cavaliers couldn’t pick up their first conference win of the season. However, Gelnovatch said the team will learn a lot from the closely-fought match and that will help them in the future. “We’re really disappointed to not win today, but there’s a lot of things we can learn with a young group of guys, that we can learn in terms of mental lapses that we’ll be better for down the road,” Gelnovatch said. Virginia will now head on the road to continue conference play, as they get ready to take on Louisville this Saturday. The game will be in Louisville, Ky. and is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
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SPORTS • www.cavalierdaily.com
UConn dishes field hockey worst loss of season Another weekend of mixed results, disappointing start to the year TYSEN TRESNESS | ASSOCIATE EDITOR For the fourth weekend in a row, the Virginia field hockey team won one game and lost the other. No. 14 Virginia (4-4, 0-1 ACC) has underwhelmed so far this season after starting the year ranked fifth in the country and returning all but one player. The Cavaliers played well on Friday, winning 2-0 against Princeton. The No. 10 Tigers (3-2, 0-0 Ivy), who outshot Virginia 25-21, had 4 more shots on goal than Virginia. It was the first win of the season for the Cavaliers where they were outshot in both categories. Sophomore goalkeeper Carrera Lucas recorded her first career shut out in the win, while also logging a career high 14 saves. Princeton sophomore goalkeeper Grace Baylis had nine saves on the day. “Personally playing full games is a new thing, and I was really confident in the defense in front of me,” Lucas said. “We did give up a decent number of corners but we handled them well and knew what our job was. Obviously it worked.” Junior midfielder Tara Vittese scored the first goal for Virginia off of a penalty corner. It was her fourth goal of the season. Senior midfielder Lucy Hyams, who has a team-high five assists on the year, set up Vittese on the play. Five minutes into the second half, senior striker Caleigh Foust doubled the team’s lead off of a rebound. It was Foust’s third goal of the year. “[It was a] great spectator game the first half, up and down play,” coach Michele Madison said. “We were able to move the ball well.” However, the Cavaliers were not
at their best despite the shutout win. Defense was an area the team focused on improving, especially with the number of shots Virginia allowed. “We still have to work on our defense and protecting our circle but [it was] a great team effort today,” Madison said Friday. However, the defensive deficiencies were highlighted in the game Sunday against Connecticut. Up 2-0 at half, the No. 5 Huskies (7-0, 1-0 AAC) scored 6 goals in the second half. The eight goals Connecticut netted were the most they have scored in a single game this year. The 8-0 loss was the worst of the season for the Cavaliers. “No team likes to have a game like this,” Madison said. “Connecticut just kept it simple and they were very effective. There are some things we need to work out and will be addressing those things in practice this week. We will bounce back from this.” Junior striker Charlotte Veitner scored six of the eight Connecticut goals. Veitner has 8 goals and 6 assists on the season. The Huskies outshot Virginia, 17-11, including a 14-2 advantage in shots on goal. Each team had three penalty corners on the day, with Connecticut converting on one of them. As a whole, Virginia was not able to create enough offensive opportunities. This, coupled with inconsistent defense, resulted in the devastating loss. Virginia will have the whole week to prepare for its next opponent, Boston College. The Cavaliers play in Newton, Mass. Friday at 6:00 pm.
PAUL BURKE | THE CAVALIER DAILY
Junior midfielder Tara Vittese scored a goal against Princeton, but she and the Cavalier offense went cold in an 8-0 loss against UConn.
Men’s golf readies for Inverness Intercollegiate What: Inverness Intercollegiate Where: Toledo, OH When: Monday, Tuesday, all day The Skinny: The No. 14 Virginia men’s golf team will look to continue its strong start to the 2016-17 season this week at the two-day Inverness Invitational tournament in Toledo, OH. It will be another tough test for the Cavaliers, as the 13-team tournament includes some strong competitors. The ranked opponents in this tournament are No. 11 Auburn, who finished second to Virginia at the Carpet Capital Collegiate tournament last weekend, and ACC rival No. 23 Duke. The tournament will be played on the historic Inverness Club course, which has hosted four U.S. Opens and two PGA Championship tournaments. It is currently ranked 41 in “America’s Best Classic
Courses” by Golfweek Magazine. Leading the way for the Cavaliers will be senior Derek Bard and sophomore Thomas Walsh. Bard played exceptionally strong last weekend at the Carpet Capital Collegiate, tying for second overall out of 78 competing golfers. Walsh also had a strong tournament, tying for sixth overall. Another Virginia golfer to watch for will be freshman Andrew Orischak, who will make his collegiate debut. Orischak, who graduated high school a year early to enroll at Virginia, was ranked as the nation’s No. 10 high school junior by Golfweek Magazine. A first place finish would give the Cavaliers their first back-toback tournament wins since the spring of 2014. —compiled by Jack Gallagher
COURTESY VIRGINIA ATHLETICS
Senior Derek Bard tied for second at the Carpet Capital Collegiate in Dalton, Ga.
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CORRECTIONS In the Thursday, Sept. 15 edition of The Cavalier Daily, the article “Fall events you should attend” listed the date of the event Puppies & Pumpkins as Oct. 26. The date is actually Oct. 24.
LEAD EDITORIAL
How public should U.Va.’s response to the N-word be? Seemingly isolated incidents can merit broader responses On Sept. 2, racial slurs including the N-word were discovered on walls and whiteboards in the Kent-Dabney Dorm Association. However, the University didn’t offer a widespread response to the incident until after Cavalier Daily coverage prompted student reactions — limiting itself to commenting in The Cavalier Daily’s article and emailing resident advisors. This raises questions about when and how the University should issue public responses to
episodes that may not reach the entire student body. There is something to be said for delaying a public response; for one, further publicizing an incident beyond those affected could satisfy the perpetrators by drawing greater attention to their message. The hateful act did not extend beyond a dorm association — before it became public, the reach of this incident was limited to those in the dorm. However, the extreme nature
of the offense — which could well be considered a hate crime — may be enough to warrant a greater response. This isn’t a debate about safe spaces or cultural appropriation or free speech: this is blatant harassment. The N-word is one of the most, if perhaps not the most, offensive words when used derogatorily. For first-year students, who have only just begun to acclimate to the University, to come home to racist and intimidating messages on their doors and walls
is appalling. It’s important for the University to exercise caution when commenting on an issue, especially when there is a lot of required fact gathering and verification. Yet when the message is as egregious as the one scrawled across Kent-Dabney, something so clearly condemnable, it’s hard to tell what the best plan of action for our administrators is. The upside to this situation is that members of the dorm as-
sociation responded swiftly and appropriately. By immediately denouncing the incident to residents and staff members, and inviting the Black Student Alliance to hold programming, resident advisors sent a strong message to the perpetrator(s) and one of support for those affected. The question remains whether that message would be stronger if issued to the whole University community.
THE CAVALIER DAILY THE CAVALIER DAILY The Cavalier Daily is a financially and editorially independent news organization staffed and managed entirely by students of the University of Virginia. The opinions expressed in The Cavalier Daily are not necessarily those of the students, faculty, staff or administration of the University of Virginia. Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the editorial board. Cartoons and columns represent the views of the authors. The managing board of The Cavalier Daily has sole authority over and responsibility for all content. No part of The Cavalier Daily or The Cavalier Daily online edition may be reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the editor-in-chief. The Cavalier Daily is published Mondays and Thursdays in print and daily online at cavalierdaily.com. It is printed on at least 40 percent recycled paper. 2016 The Cavalier Daily Inc.
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MANAGING BOARD Editor-in-Chief Dani Bernstein Managing Editor Kayla Eanes Executive Editor Nazar Aljassar Operations Manager Jasmine Oo Chief Financial Officer Lianne Provenzano EDITORIAL BOARD Dani Bernstein Nazar Aljassar Ella Shoup Gray Whisnant Carlos Lopez JUNIOR BOARD Assistant Managing Editors Jane Diamond Michael Reingold (SA) Evan Davis (SA) Lillian Gaertner (SA) Trent Lefkowitz (SA) Ben Tobin (SA) Carrie West
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Health and Science Editor Meg Thornberry Production Editors Sean Cassar Charlotte Bemiss Danielle Dacanay (SA) Victoria Giron Graphics Editors Cindy Guo Kriti Sehgal Kate Motsko Photography Editors Celina Hu Richard Dizon Video Editor Courtney Stith Online Manager Leo Dominguez Social Media Manager Malory Smith Ads Manager Kelly Mays Marketing & Business Managers Grant Parker Andrew Lee
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OPINION • www.cavalierdaily.com
GIVE THIRD PARTIES A CHANCE The two-party duopoly is hurting our democracy
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onald Trump is terrifying. After considering the many ways in which we could describe the less-than-charming real estate mogul, we simply could not exceed the accuracy and simplicity of that statement. On the other hand, Hillary Clinton is, at the very least, a habitual liar and a smugly successful scam artist. These two statements are generally reflected in opinion polling about these candidates, yet voters still seem to be mostly falling in line behind the candidates as if this were any other election. How is this possible? It is possible because the average American believes that voting for a candidate who will almost certainly not win is akin to throwing his ballot ticket in the trash. A vote for a “loser,” as our orange friend would say, is a wasted vote. This argument is popular because it requires very minimal logic and mental energy to comprehend and repeat. Founded upon the fear of wasting one’s vote, one of our most sacred constitutional rights, the claim is dangerously powerful. Moreover, the problem seems to be exacerbated by the American electoral system. “To the victor goes the spoils,” or so the saying
goes. Unlike a parliamentary system, where minority parties still have a voice in government, the Electoral College lends a voice solely to parties that win a simple majority somewhere. Third-party candidates up and down the ballot are, historically, almost always incapable of securing this majority (or even a plurality) in a single district, let alone an entire state. This fact alone deters voters from choosing candidates whose beliefs actually align with their own. However, simply “settling” in order to avoid wasting one’s vote erodes the value of this most basic civic responsibility and the importance of factions within a democratic society. This “wasted vote” catchphrase, however logical it may seem, contradicts everything American democracy was meant to protect and foster. There is one major flaw in the “wasted vote” argument: the value of a vote is not simply numerical. Votes have symbolic value; a vote is a statement. When either Trump or Clinton prevails in November (and, without a miracle, one of them will), voters will send a message to both Democrats and Republicans, as follows: no matter what filth
the major parties bring forth and nominate, they will maintain their stranglehold on our government and, by extension, our freedoms. While party alignments and platforms have shifted drastically several times since the Civil War, the same groups often retained their power. By selecting “the lesser of two evils” and voting for someone with
certain candidate from winning, because he enjoys filling in ballot bubbles or because he simply likes the appearance or personality of a candidate, the vote is interpreted in the same way: the voter supports the chosen candidate and his or her party and ideals. If, come November, you decide to vote for a candidate
We are forced into the confines of a dysfunctional duopoly that we have the power, but not the will, to change.
whom we do not agree, we allow the two-party system to remain a fundamental and existential threat to our democracy. We ignore our conscience, and we are forced into the confines of a dysfunctional duopoly that we have the power, but not the will, to change. Voting, by its very definition, is “a formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action.” Whether one votes to prevent a
whose vision for our country, character and demeanor disgusts you, you will waste your vote. If you vote for a candidate for the sole reason that the other possibility terrifies you, you will waste your vote. Your vote will be wasted as a direct result of your attempt to use in the most effective way. If, looking back at history and all of the people who have devoted their lives to earning and defending our right to self-gov-
ernance, we as the American people simply select the lesser of two evils, we will have done worse than wasted our votes; we will have squandered their sacrifices and ignored their advice. We simply cannot hand our children the same corrupt system that our parents’ generation has given us; we have a responsibility to work for change. The purpose of this article is to encourage you to do just that. Regardless of who you vote for, we implore you: please find a better reason than fear, than the lesser of two evils, than avoiding wasting your vote. The most wasteful vote is not one spent on a candidate who does not ultimately win, but one spent on a candidate with whom you do not agree.
CAMERON SPRINGER is a third-year in the Engineering School and president of Youth for Gary Johnson at U.Va. EVA BOGDEWIC is a first-year in the College and is the group’s director of outreach.
ALEPPO IS MORE THAN A FLUBBED ANSWER We have a moral obligation to accept more refugees
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little over five years ago, anti-government protests in Syria morphed into the beginnings of a full-fledged civil war. With a growing death toll of about 450,000 people, Syria continues to be a topic of grave concern, especially with regard to the United States’ role as a witness to these catastrophic events. Since the crisis, the United States has contributed more than $5.1 billion for humanitarian assistance to Syria. This commitment to assistance reflects a valiant effort to put an end to this turmoil, but I think it reflects our inclination to perceive this civil war as remote, a project for the Middle East to tackle. We must start appreciating the closeness of this situation, for we have a moral obligation to grant entry to at least another 10,000 of the 4 million plus Syrian refugees. How are we going to respond to their cries for help? Rather than focusing solely on our political agenda, we should focus on how we are going to treat these refugees who are looking to the superpower for a way out. While the overarching goal is putting a hard end
to this raging civil war, we have to think of the refugees first and foremost in the meantime. A television interviewer asked Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson about his thoughts on a possible solution for the strife in Aleppo in an interview this past week. In response to his question, Johnson asked, “What is Aleppo?” thus “betraying a lack of interest or even superficial knowledge of the civil war in Syria that has been raging for more than five years.” Aleppo has become “the apex of horror,” amidst the airstrikes and on-ground unrest. So, yes, the fact that a potential leader of this country did not know the answer to this question is utterly humiliating. However, it invites us to then ask ourselves, what does Aleppo mean to us? It is not about trying to figure out the politics; it’s about finding our moral compass and acting accordingly. Syria has been victimized by ISIS and is currently caught between the United States and Russia. Safe to say it is in ruins. Our admission of more refugees will deter this victimization of the innocent.
President Obama has made it a priority to remove some of the bureaucratic obstacles that are standing in the way of Syrian refugees and American soil. The Obama administration concluded National Security Coun-
the Powerball are probably better.” Furthermore, the Republican claim that Obama and the Democratic party are failing to keep U.S. citizens safe is rather insensitive to the situation overseas. Donald Trump recently
However, it invites us to then ask ourselves, what does Aleppo mean to us?
cil meetings last year with the opening of more “refugee-processing centers in new locations that refugees can actually reach, including one in Erbil, in northern Iraq.” We ought to focus on the 12-year-olds drinking rat poison to relieve themselves of the pain that is war, the battered women and children and the destitute and hopeless souls. I understand the encroaching fear of terrorism. Yet, it is currently nearly impossible to get into the United States as a refugee — “the odds of winning
called for a prohibition of Muslims until we can “figure out what is going on.” We know very well what is going on. Innocent people are dying in the midst of poverty, strife and war. We must act with caution, but our indifference in the face of moral obligation is of utmost betrayal. Revamping the settlement program in the United States would allow for easier integration as well as a springboard off of which the refugees could attain new heights. Further, if we put an end to the three- and 10-year
bars, we could deter heartbreaking splits between families and loved ones. The Statue of Liberty reminds us of our responsibility with the words etched on her stand: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” May we not turn our backs to the tired and the poor and let history repeat itself once more.
LUCY SIEGEL is an Opinion columnist for The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at l.siegel@ cavalierdaily.com.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
www.cavalierdaily.com • OPINION
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BIGGER VOTER TURNOUTS ARE NOT INHERENTLY DESIRABLE
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nhappily sensing mass democracy was the inevitable future, the English jurist James Fitzjames Stephen wrote in 1873: “The waters are out and no human force can turn [mass democracy and universal suffrage] back, but I do not see why as we go with the stream we need sing Hallelujah to the river god.” I mention this quote largely because I find its sardonic tone amusing; but also because, despite first appearing in print nearly a century and half ago, it’s still applicable to conversations about voting and democracy in America today. I recognize democracy-expanding policies like automatic voter registration and early voting are on the horizon. But don’t expect any happy, “Annie”-style overtures simply because their arrival is as predictable as the sun coming out tomorrow. My pessimism may seem surprising, given the apparent trend toward voter restrictions in many states. But for opponents of ever-expanding voting opportunities, these victories are likely Pyrrhic. Thanks to a combination of malice and mendacity, the party most likely to oppose these policies is in the hot seat for its record on voting rights. Despite 80 percent of Americans expressing support for voter ID laws, according to Gallup, the GOP has made the issue tox-
The GOP needs to rethink its political strategy on voting laws
ic. Republicans have taken the overwhelmingly popular idea that people ought to show identification to vote and morphed it into a racist policy that, according to a federal appeals court, “target[s] African-Americans with almost surgical precision.” The justly earned bad press resulting from this law will likely fatally damage the GOP’s legitimacy on all voter-related poli-
aforementioned Gallup polling, 63 percent of Americans support the latter idea. Advocates of easier voter registration argue it will boost voter turnout, which they see as a positive good in and of itself. But I’ve never understood this position. I see no reason to view 85 percent turnout as inherently better than 35 percent turnout. It’s of course possible increased voter turnout
It seems ridiculous to conclude that simply because we increased the volume of voters we as a polity have achieved anything worth celebrating. cies in the near future, as their concerns — no matter how sensible — will be understandably discounted as just more excuses for suppressing Democratic voters. With a reputation like that, how will the GOP be able to defeat popular but ill-advised measures pitched as benevolent attempts to strengthen democracy? Consider the editorial board’s recent advocacy for same-day voter registration, or automatic voter registration, a stronger version of the policy already popular among Democrats. Unfortunately, per the
could be a good thing, but it is equally possible (perhaps even probable) that increased turnout would be less preferable to lower turnout. If those who start voting for the first time are completely uninformed — which, given that these additional voters are those too apathetic to bother registering themselves under the current system, is probable — it seems ridiculous to conclude that simply because we increased the volume of voters we as a polity have achieved anything worth celebrating. The honest position for opponents of these proposals,
then, is to state simply that voting comes with a minimal amount of responsibility. People too apathetic to register to vote are likely too apathetic to bother becoming informed, so there is no compelling reason for the government to register for them. Of course, this assumes the process of registering isn’t unduly burdensome, which the GOP in some states has now made it for many minority voters. Rather than take the intellectually honest but unpopular position — i.e., “we think it’s good many apathetic people don’t vote, and don’t plan on making it easier from them” — some state-level Republicans tried to actively discourage Democratic voters by couching their policies in dishonest but popular terms — i.e., “we need more stringent voter ID laws to prevent fraud.” The GOP will now suffer doubly for their folly: its voter ID laws will be undone, and its ability to effectively oppose measures such as automatic voter registration has been kneecapped. The GOP’s damaged reputation on voting rights will likely make it more difficult for them to oppose or rollback other bad policies, such as early voting (which, per the same Gallup poll, also enjoys 80 percent support). It may be necessary to have some small window allowing early voting, but cur-
rently the practice is farcical. Comically large early voting windows during the primaries, for instance, allowed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) to draw over 13 percent of the vote in Arizona and finish ahead of Ohio Gov. John Kasich — despite Rubio’s withdrawal from the race a week prior. For Virginians voting in the general election, early voting starts on Sept. 23, before all three presidential debates and who knows how many other potentially mind-changing surprises. This seems reason enough to oppose current early voting policies, but of course it will be difficult to convince voters Republicans’ motivations for tightening voting timeframes are pure when they have a recent history of abusing voting laws to suppress minorities. Popular support for policies geared towards increasing voter turnout, coupled with Republicans self-immolating their credibility on all issues related to voting, makes these policies seem inevitable. That doesn’t make them good ideas, and to echo J. F. Stephen, their popularity is no reason to sing their praises. MATT WINESETT is a Senior Associate Editor for The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at m.winesett@cavalierdaily.com.
THE PERIL OF POPULISM
Right-wing populism breeds disunity and anti-intellectualism
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ight-wing populism is rising. Americans are intensely aware of this with the emergence of Donald Trump as a powerful political player. Some Americans may know there are many other countries that are experiencing a rise in Trump-like leaders. These are not just countries like Russia, where we largely expect there to be less democratic practices — democratic bastions such as Britain, France, Germany and Denmark are all dealing with strong right-wing populist parties. It isn’t very hard to understand why this is happening: globalization and everything it brings has left many people behind, and right-wing populists are helping empower millions of people again. It is a very understandable view by people and leaders, but it inevitably makes the world less safe. Rallying behind a right-wing populist party or leader might be comforting for certain citizens of a country, but it also makes the world a much more dangerous place. Right-wing populism is hard to define and is an inherently flexible term, but it has a few telltale characteristics. Populists claim to repre-
sent the people directly, juxtaposing themselves against corrupt elites or the “establishment.” The term “rightwing” adds an emphasis on “us vs. them” rhetoric, targeted negative attacks and disrespect of conventional political rules, like political correctness. Right-wing populists are dynamic, providing novel solutions for problems and giving voice to millions of people who are disaffected with government.
problems domestically and internationally, but right now I will only cover the issue of trust. Our international system is one built on mutual trust — a state that is isolationist is going to generate very little trust. This creates greater tension in the international system and makes it more likely for minor conflicts to escalate. Coupled with isolationism is right-wing populists’ consistent narrative of “us vs. them.” There is noth-
The world is much worse off with right-wing populism taking control.
Despite the arguably empowering aspects of right-wing populism, there are also many positions that right-wing populists hold that are a danger to international stability. They are often isolationist. There are myriad reasons why isolationism creates
ing wrong with a state looking out for its own self-interest, but right-wing populists often frame rights as if it is a zero-sum game. From the Hungarian president invoking an Ottoman invasion to justify keeping immigrants out to the Slovakian prime minister
calling multiculturalism “a fiction,” there is a growing trend of anti-immigrant sentiment. Homogeneity is an unachievable goal which when pursued only serves to restrict liberty and freedom. If we are stuck with people who are different than us — which we will always be despite how well immigration is controlled — we must create a dialogue with them. Vilifying the other side never leads to good results. Many right-wing populists also legitimize outlandish claims. The most ridiculous example is the Polish prime minister calling for additional representation in the European Union because his country would have almost twice as many people if they Nazis hadn’t killed millions of Polish citizens. The current election has given us many examples of this, such as Trump’s insistence that there were people cheering on 9/11 as the towers fell. A leader who expounds ridiculous claims like this is legitimizing an extreme form of confirmation bias. Confirming beliefs instead of questioning them is exactly how we ended up with disasters such as the Iraq War. We need to challenge ourselves,
not fit everything into a comfortable box. The rise of right-wing populism is already having some effects in the world. Brexit is the most prominent result, holding Britain and Europe suspended in a state of economic and political uncertainty. Countries all over Europe are contemplating closing their borders and enacting laws that limit their rights once they enter the country. Asia, China and Japan are headed by two populist type leaders who have set themselves onto a collision course in the South China Sea. The president of the Philippines threatened to curse President Obama, which may seem silly but shows the idiotic things right-wing populists will do to garner support. This paints a clear picture — the world is much worse off with right-wing populists taking control.
BOBBY DOYLE is an Opinion columnist for The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at b.doyle@cavalierdaily. com.
THE CAVALIER DAILY
WEEKLY CROSSWORD SAM EZERSKY | PUZZLE MASTER eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
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EVENTS Monday 9/19 Women on Grounds: Shattering the Illusion of Perfectionism, 7-8pm, Newcomb Theater Student Ambassadors Info Session, 7-8pm, Monroe 122 UVA Career Center’s GSK: Biopharm Future Leaders Program, 8-9pm, Thornton D223 UVA Career Center’s Applied Engineering Concepts, Inc. Info Session, 8-9pm, Thornton D115 UVA Career Center Presents: Rolls-Royce Networking, 5:30-7pm, Olsson 009 UVA Career Center’s Google Engineering Deep Dive, 7-8pm, Mechanical Engineering 205 Tuesday 9/20 Peace Corps at UVA Presents: Talk with Mae Jemison, 6-7:30pm, Old Cabell Hall Fall Engineering, Science & Technology Career Fair, 12-6pm, John Paul Jones Arena UVA Career Center Presents: Interview Prep Workshop, 9-11pm, Bryant Hall Wednesday 9/21 UVA Career Center Presents: Health Careers Shuffle, 5:45-8pm, Bryant Hall UVA Career Center Presents: Microsoft Alumni Panel, 7-8pm, Olsson 120
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*THE SOLUTION TO THIS PUZZLE CAN BE FOUND IN THURSDAY’S ISSUE SEMEN DONORS NEEDED The UVA Dept. of Cell Biology is looking for healthy men from 18-55 years of age to provide semen samples that will be used for Quality Control in the manufacture of SpermCheck® home use diagnostic test kits. No eggs will be fertilized. Standard suspensions with known sperm concentrations will be prepared from the samples and used to evaluate the performance of the kits. SpermCheck® test kits were developed at UVA and are currently available over the counter in U.S. pharmacies and many foreign countries. Donors will be paid $25 per sample. Please contact Dr. Jagat Shetty at 924-2082 for more information.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
LOVE CONNECTION
GABBY
& BRYAN
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Did their first dates become first loves? KAY KHOSBAYAR | LOVE GURU
Bryan and Gabby met on Friday at 7 p.m. and went to Arch's on the Corner. BRYAN: I submitted my application near the end of the Spring 2016 semester because my apartment mate said I didn't take enough risks and should do something out of my comfort zone. He also said I had nothing to lose. GABBY: I live in Brown College and in the past there have been other residents who have gotten on Love Connection so I thought I would give it a shot. Plus, all of my friends were asking me to because they thought it would be funny. BRYAN: I've never been on a blind date before. I was expecting to have to talk about myself in a way that sounded interesting, so I prepared answers for a few questions like: "What is your favorite movie?" Interestingly enough, the question did come up, but I still verbally tripped over it despite my ‘preparation.’ GABBY: I have never been on a blind date before so I tried my best not to have any expectations — although of course it's hard not to have any. If anything, I tried to figure out all the bad things that could happen so that if good things happened they would be pleasantly surprising. BRYAN: I saw two groups of people on the Rotunda steps and panicked a bit inside. There was no getting around having to ask one of the two groups if one of their members was Gabby. I decided to ask the group that hadn't just sat down on the steps (seemed like they'd been there longer), and my choice was right. GABBY: There were a lot of people walking around and already sitting there so I was wondering if five minutes was too early or if he was already there too. I had just gotten out of a banquet so I was wearing a dress and heels and I hope that wasn't too dressed up. BRYAN: I picked 7 p.m. [to meet] because I was scared that 5 p.m. was too early for dinner, not sure why I didn't opt for 6 p.m. Funnily enough, she had already eaten dinner because I'd chosen such a late time. I'd also eaten two sandwiches an hour and a half earlier because I didn't know what we were going to eat, if at all. I also didn't want to show up to the date and have my stomach growling be the opening "line" of the date. GABBY: He didn't really have a plan for the fact that we had both eaten so
GABBY COURTESY GABBY
Year: Third Major: English U.Va. involvement: Brown College, Cavalier Marching Band, Virginia Women’s Chorus Hometown: Fredericksburg, Va. Ideal date personality: They have to be kind. Not just a “nice guy” but someone who genuinely enjoys making people happy. I’m also a sucker for someone who can make me laugh. Ideal date activity: Something lowkey, maybe just getting food on the Corner and eating it on the lawn under a shady tree. I’m not against something exciting though. Deal breakers? Smoking, drug use, excessive drinking. Hobbies: I enjoy reading if I ever have time outside of reading for my classes, or just doing something with friends. What makes you a good catch? I’m a pretty fun-loving person! … Also, if you like random singing at random times that’s usually on key, I’m your gal. What makes you a less-than-perfect catch? I can get overwhelmed pretty easily. I’m involved in a lot of stuff and I often forget how much time I can actually commit to each thing. What is your spirit animal? A chocolate bunny (I love chocolate) What's your favorite pick-up line? I feel like being upfront usually works better, but I always laugh at “I lost my number, can I have yours?” Describe yourself in one sentence: I'm strange and I like it.
Year: Third Major: Computer Science and Linguistics U.Va. involvement: ESOL volunteer, JUEL Project research assistant Hometown: Falls Church, Va. Ideal date personality: Fun, easy to talk to, funny, smart, kind Ideal date activity: Find a place to eat, meet up elsewhere and walk to a restaurant while getting to know each other Deal breakers? Smokes, is rude, hates awkwardness Hobbies: drawing, photography, going to the gym, watching movies/TV, jigsaw puzzles, gaming, rudimentary cooking, singing What makes you a good catch? I can wiggle my ears. I'm honest, kind, patient and a good listener. What makes you a less-than-perfect catch? I can sometimes be too caring and put others' wants before my own. I'm also a perfectionist. What’s your spirit animal? Dingo What's your favorite pick-up line? If you were C6 and I were H12, all we would need is the air we breathe to be sweeter than sugar. Describe yourself in one sentence: I will always try my best.
BRYAN COURTESY BRYAN
I just came up with something off the top of my head in terms of dessert.
have been on dates before and I think I was better at improvisation.
of typical conversations between two people striking up a friendship.
talk about and without that, it made things a little bit slow moving.
BRYAN: The conversation was pretty balanced. We took turns asking questions and answering them — it wasn't like an interview. We were both a bit awkward because we didn't know what to say to each other at a few moments. We pointed it out, though, and that made the rest of the conversation easier.
BRYAN: There was the moment when we both learned that this date was the first each of us had ever been on. There was a lull in the conversation, and I didn't know what to say besides that I had never been on a date before and had no idea what I was doing or what was good to ask. Then she said it was the same case for her.
GABBY: It was definitely more friendly. I think we were both a little bit too awkward [to] make it a romantic vibe but it was still a nice conversation. I enjoyed listening to him talk about computer science things since I'm not familiar with those. BRYAN: I could see myself hanging out with Gabby again as a friend. We got along well and there were some laughs shared.
BRYAN: I'm honestly not an expert at rating anything, let alone dates, but I think I would give the date a 6.5 because we were both inexperienced, had a little issue with scheduling and the date did not seem to indicate that we would have a romantic relationship. I rated it more on the positive side because I think going on a date was a really good experience to have in general and the experience with Gabby was enjoyable.
GABBY: I probably would not go out again. If anything, this experience made me realize I'm probably not made for blind [dating]. I like having some kind of information beforehand to think about what we can
GABBY: I would probably [rate] this a 6 out of 10. It was a more positive experience than negative but there was no romantic connotation and … the question and answer portion was a little awkward.
GABBY: It was pretty awkward I'm not going to lie. I think that just comes down to the fact that we didn't know if we had anything in common so there was nothing to keep the conversation going … I did feel like I had to come up with a lot of the questions myself but I think that just comes down to the fact that neither of us
GABBY: He held the door open for me and paid for the fro-yo, which I was surprised at in a nice way. I was fully prepared to pay for myself. BRYAN: I think it was more of a friend vibe. Our conversation did basically follow the flow and structure
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LIFE • www.cavalierdaily.com
Blue shirts encourage Green Dots Students discuss changes in Hoos Got Your Back campaign DREW FRIEDMAN | FEATURE WRITER Bright blue t-shirts graced the Lawn this past Tuesday as members of Hoos Got Your Back invited students to sign a pledge. This pledge asked students to be bystanders in potential sexual assault scenarios. The Hoos Got Your Back initiative focuses on reducing the number of sexual assault encounters and on the role of the active bystander — someone who actively works to prevent sexual assault when coming across a threatening situation at the University. Hoos Got Your Back also encourages awareness of the Green Dot initiative. Green Dot language includes phrases such as “green dot,” which represents an act of sexual assault prevention on Grounds, and “red dot,” which represents a potential sexual assault interaction on Grounds. The Green Dot initiative asks University members to turn red dots into green dots when they seem them on Grounds. Green Dot offers both Overview Talks, short discussions highlighting Green Dot’s message and introducing common Green Dot language, and Bystander Trainings, in-depth sessions giving participants the tools to engage with peers as active bystanders, according to its website. Hoos Got Your Back member and
third-year College student Maeve Curtin said she has seen a recent shift in the rhetoric and dialogue among University students. “People are really vocalizing the behaviors that they’re doing and trying to pay more attention to it,” Curtin said. “Once you see more and more people engaging in this type of active bystander behavior, then you are more likely to intervene yourself. I think it was happening when I was here my first semester, but I have just seen it build and build, so that’s really exciting.” Some students who signed the pledge Tuesday discussed the importance of being an active bystander and being available when peers need support. “I think it’s important to know what to do in a certain situation, especially if either you’ve been through it or you know someone who has,” second-year College student Camila Zarate said. “It’s definitely a good reassurance to know maybe these are steps we should take during a situation like that.” Other students who signed the pledge had more personal connections to the goals Hoos Got Your Back aims to achieve. “I know a few people who have been sexually assaulted, so it’s kind
of something that touches close to home for me,” first-year College student Nicholas Jacka said. “I think it’s a really good movement, and it’s great that so many college students are active in the movement.” Third-year College student Janie Hammaker, who is involved with Green Dot, said the program is expanding. She hopes seeing the Hoos Got Your Back merchandise on Grounds will help spread the initiative of Green Dot. “We’re out here giving out shirts to students to remind them to be active bystanders because we are the most important bystanders,” Hammaker said. “I think every year we have just been getting more and more shirts and more and more people involved.” In addition to signing the pledge, the Green Dot Day of Action occurred this Sunday. This event offered Green Dot Bystander Trainings to encourage University members to participate in the organization’s efforts. Hoos Got Your Back has grown significantly in the three years it has been at the University. Hammaker estimated the program has grown by about 50 percent. Curtin said Green Dot and Hoos Got Your Back have so far been suc-
cessful in promoting their causes and encouraging students to discuss the issue of sexual assault on college campuses. “When we started the campaign, it was really about making a name for ourselves,” Curtin said. “I feel like we have done a wonderful job marketing and getting that discussion out there.” Looking toward the future of the organizations, Curtin hopes to explain direct ways students can be active bystanders in their community. She also wants to involve more
students in the Green Dot training program, where they can learn how to be effective active bystanders. “I would love to have people go through [Green Dot] training and then become facilitators … so that we can equip students not only with the message that violence won’t be tolerated on Grounds … [but also] tell people how they can do that,” Curtin said. “It’s not just this arbitrary message where we’re saying ‘go be an active bystander.’ We’re actually giving people the tools to do that.”
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
The Green Dot initiative encourages bystander intervention through training sessions.
Undergraduate Research Network expands opportunity Organization seeks to make research more accessible for U.Va. students ALLISON TURNER | FEATURE WRITER The Undergraduate Research Network, a special status organization under the Center for Undergraduate Excellence and established in 2001, is dedicated to fostering an interdisciplinary research community among undergraduates at the University. URN Chair Sarah Wyckoff, a fourth-year College student, outlined the organization’s goals. “It’s [about] helping students get involved, building the community and supporting them and then dis-
playing their work,” Wyckoff said. URN provides online resources that enable students to discover research opportunities and connect with faculty members. On the URN website, students have access to a database called UNLEASH that connects students with research projects sponsored by professors. The website also features a how-to guide for students who are interested in getting involved with the research at the undergraduate level. “We help students get in contact
JOHN PAPPAS | THE CAVALIER DAILY
URN allows students to discover research opportunities and connect with faculty.
with professors, and we have a number of resources to help them do that,” Zack Dailey, fourth-year College student and URN outreach chair, said. In addition, URN plans many events to further students’ research endeavors, including various workshops and an annual research fair. “We have done grant writing workshops, resume writing workshops and design thinking workshops,” Wyckoff said. “Essentially, these are for building the skills that [students] need to be successful in research.” URN also puts on a research symposium to display the work of student members of the network as well as Center for Undergraduate Excellence grant winners. Student participants have the opportunity to present their research to members of the University faculty from various departments. Additionally, students who have generated publishable findings can choose to submit them to “The Oculus,” a research journal URN publish-
es in the spring. “‘The Oculus’ is the University’s only multidisciplinary undergraduate research journal,” Wyckoff said. “It publishes eight to nine papers in the Spring, and it is completely student run.” URN seeks to connect students to opportunities in both the hard sciences and in the liberal arts. “We’re a very broad organization in terms of who we’re trying to target and serve,” Wyckoff said. “I love having the opportunity to talk to the general student body because so many people are interested in research, but they don’t know where to get started … that’s the biggest barrier to entry.” Internally, URN is organized into six committees that focus on their different programs. “I’m in charge of outreach — getting people involved in the organization — and I’m also in charge of promoting the events we put on,” Dailey said. The organization has grown substantially in the past three years, both
as a result of word of mouth and increased outreach. Students can join the network or apply to be officers within the organization during open recruitment events that occur in the beginning of both fall and spring semesters or as the result of a professor nomination. Current members of the organization have had very positive experiences. “I really enjoy the research that I do, and I know it was difficult to get involved first year,” Dailey said. “Joining an organization to help [others] get involved in research has been a valuable use of my time.” While research topics are academically enriching, URN members also find meaning in the relationships they have formed with other students involved in the program. “Being able to say, ‘There are students here who can help you can support you,’ has been incredibly rewarding,” Wyckoff said. “It’s a lot of good people who are doing what they care about — I’ve had so much fun.”
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
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U.Va. hosts second annual Datapolooza Data Science Institute invites speakers, researchers to address this year’s theme, “visualization” MEG THORNBERRY | HEALTH & SCIENCE EDITOR The Data Science Institute Friday hosted its second annual Datapalooza, a day-long conference designed to connect people currently conducting data-based research at the University, and to let people know about resources available to them. Speakers, researchers, an open source fair and an interactive art exhibit addressed this year’s main theme, “Visualization.” Aneesh Chopra, former U.S. Chief Technology Officer, gave the keynote address. He discussed the ways in which he sees government and industry working together to make all types of data — from electrical usage to medical records and school curricula — more accessible both to researchers and to the public. Chopra discussed examples from then-Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover’s agreement to fund research, which facilitated developing and testing in the budding airplane manufacturing industry. He also described how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides the raw data used by weather stations, websites and
apps throughout the country. “The most important thing we can do as a society, as Mr. Jefferson said, is the broadening of human knowledge so that we can be an informed electorate,” Chopra said. “I believe that the digital equivalent of this is that all data about us should be available to us in a machine-readable form.” Karen Jackson, Secretary of Technology for the Commonwealth, spoke on the need for greater accessibility, in terms of both how available and accessible data is made. “Data is such a daunting topic for so many people,” Jackson said. “Trying to wrap your head around what it means, how do you use it, what problems can it solve [is important].” Researchers from across disciplines were given an opportunity to show off their work during the panel session. A wide range of organizations set up tables at the open resource fair. A new version of U.Va. Collab was displayed at the fair showing a
redesign that follows updates made to SAKAI — the open-source software off of which Collab is based. Participants could win a coffee mug by correctly identifying five emails as either phishing or legitimate. The University Library displayed all of its data sharing and storing capacities, and the Scholar’s Lab exhibited what it called “Data in 3 Dimensions — Not 3D Models.” Participants could choose to attend at total of two out of six breakout sessions to discuss issues like the role of big data in healthcare, cybersecurity and relationships between the public and private sectors. “The Data Science Initiative was really, or was put into action because, we wanted to highlight and elevate all of the data-driven research across Grounds,” Arlyn Burgess, DSI associate director for operations and strategic initiatives, said. “What we found as we were talking to people was that nobody really knew what everybody else was doing.” The conference concluded with “Data Visualization as Art,” an exhibit in which British artist Nick
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RICHARD DIZON | THE CAVALIER DAILY
Chopra spoke about ways in which the government, industry and public can interact to best use the reams of data currently being collected in all areas of modern life.
Gentry and a number of student artists created pieces that function as interesting visuals and helpful means of conveying information. “Our main driving point is that everybody is using data, whether
they know it or not,” Burgess said. A full list of presenters and exhibitors, as well as videos of some of the speakers, can be found at https:// dsi.virginia.edu/datapalooza.
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