Thursday, October 13, 2022

The Cavalier Daily

This week in-brief

CD News Staff

Mold found in first-year dorms induces symptoms among impacted residents

Students living in dormitories such as Woody-Cauthen, Dunglison, Courtenay and Fitzhugh have experienced disruptions in their living situations after discovering deposits of mold throughout their rooms. Impacted students report symptoms associated with mold exposure and frustration with the University’s response.

Mold can cause several physical health issues similar to allergies in people who are ex posed to the substance including congestion, sneezing, coughing or a sore throat.

Per University spokesperson Bethanie Glover, Housing and Residence Life is responding to new reports regarding the presence of mold or mildew in dorms. Investigations of mold are completed by HRL, Facilities Management and Environmental Health and Safety.

Glover said if mold is found in an investigation, it is removed so teams can determine the cause.

“In most cases where small amounts of mold are found, remediation involves changing resident behavior — for example, not leaving wet laundry in closets, not leaving the win dows open while the air conditioning is running [or] not obstructing HVAC vents,” Glover said in an email statement to The Cavalier Daily.

Glover added that the University is not currently aware of mold-related illness trends on Grounds.

First-year College student Luka Ivanovic, as well as many others in Courtenay, recently suffered mold infections. Ivanovic, still struggling with undiagnosed respiratory issues, expressed disappointment about HRL’s response to the issue as well as general housing disparities on Grounds.

“We want somebody to come explain to us how this all happened, the way it spread, how it got to this point and what exactly they’re going to do to ensure that it’s not going to happen again,” Ivanovic said.

Honor to delay constitutional convention following timing and representation concerns from Committee members

Honor Committee representatives voiced concerns that the recently-announced constitutional convention may be rushed and fails to represent the graduate commu nity during the group’s Sunday evening meeting.

Gabrielle Bray, chair of the Committee and fourth-year College student, an nounced the convention in an email to the student body Sept. 13. The convention will have 30 seats for representatives from organizations across the University to vote on changes to the Honor Constitution with the end goal of creating a multi-sanction system.

As of Sunday, 17 of 30 spots filled. The delegate list currently includes organi zations such as the Brazilian Student Association, the Inter-Sorority Council, the Jefferson Society, the Black Student Alliance and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at U.Va.

During the meeting, second-year Law student Rep. Daniel Elliott voiced concerns about the lack of graduate inclusion in the convention. While there are currently graduate representatives from CIOs, no CIOs affiliated specifically with the Univer sity’s graduate schools or special interest groups have reached out at the same scale as undergraduate CIOs.

Third-year College student Rep. Sullivan McDowell said the Committee should consider taking a step back before holding the convention.

Following similar input from other Committee members including Hamza Aziz, vice-chair of investigations and third-year College student, and third-year Nursing student Rep. Dante Principe, Bray decided to delay the kick-off for the convention until further notice.

“We have groups that are very excited and I don’t want to let them down, but I do think we are beyond the point of compromise [on a date for the convention],” Bray said.

The next meeting will be held on Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Trial Room of Newcomb Hall.

The hearing of the Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation and the Ratcliffe Foundation v. the City of Charlottesville and the Jefferson School African American Center lawsuit began Monday. The Charlottesville Circuit Court denied requests for an early appeal and a summary judgment.

The plaintiffs — the Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation and the Ratcliffe Foundation — are arguing that the City lacks the right to destroy Confederate monuments under state law. Code §15.2-1812 allocates the ability to “remove, relocate, contextualize or cover” memorials and monuments of war veterans.

The City argues that because it transferred legal ownership of the Lee statue to JSAAHC to repurpose, it can no longer be considered a public monument.

The City removed the Lee statue from Emancipation Park July 9, 2021. Throughout the summer of 2017, the Lee statue and the Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson statue were the center of much controversy and legal battles. This culminated in the events of Aug. 11 and 12, 2017, when torch-wielding white supremacists marched down the Lawn and the “Unite the Right” rally the next day turned deadly.

During the press conference, JSAAHC Board Chair Leah Puryear said it is important to continue with plans to melt down the statue in order to promote cultural growth.

“It is our desire to move harmful history into a place of healing,” Puryear said. “We are backed by the City of Charlottesville and our aim is to participate in the development of a city that lives up to the values that they espouse.”

Iranian students raise awareness amid unrest

Iranian students at the Universi ty are supporting protesters calling for revolution and human rights in Iran following the recent death of Mahsa Amini. For many of these stu dents — who have family and friends in Iran — speaking out comes with great risk, but they believe raising awareness is a necessary step towards creating lasting change for Iranians.

Protests have erupted across Iran in response to the death of 22-yearold Mahsa Amini Sept. 16. Amini, a Kurdish woman visiting Tehran with her family, died after being detained by “morality police” — a branch of Iranian law enforcement specifically charged with enforcing dress code, also known as The Guidance Police — for allegedly wearing her hijab im properly.

The Iranian government has re sponded to these protests by arrest ing protestors, firing shots and tear gas into civilian homes and cutting off Internet access. As of Wednesday, the death toll is at 201.

At the University, the Persian Cultural Society spoke out in sup port of protesters and held a vigil for Amini. They also painted Beta Bridge with Amini’s name and the words “Free Iran” and “Women, Life, Freedom” to raise awareness of these recent events.

PCS also issued a statement re

questing that University leadership address the events, support Iranian students in accessing mental health services and light up the South Tow er in red, green and white — the colors of the Iranian flag — in soli darity with the protesters.

The Asian Student Union and Women’s Center at the University have also issued statements standing in solidarity with Iranian students.

Abtin Afshar, president of the Iranian Student Association and doctorate student, said the response from the University, including a re cent U.Va. Today article, has not been totally satisfying in part because it came so long after the protests began.

“When something like this hap pens and U.Va. does not show any strong reaction within the first 10 days, it feels like they don’t believe we are as much of importance to them as other people here,” Afshar said.

In the article, University Presi dent Jim Ryan said that the events in Iran cause concern.

“As these events unfold, and as we learn of the stories of brave Iranian citizens expressing dissent, we are working to support members of U. Va.’s Iranian community,” Ryan told U.Va. Today.

Iranian forces have also targeted universities, including the elite Sha

rif University in Tehran. Students were chanting in protest against the regime when many were detained by security forces.

Individuals and organizations worldwide have joined in speaking out in support of Iranian protesters. Some women have taken to social media, cutting off their hair and posting support for the demonstra tors.

For Afshar, gaining global sup port is important because raising awareness and educating those out side of Iran can put pressure on the U.S. to end negotiations with the Ira nian government.

“Every single negotiation, every single deal that the U.S. makes with Iran — for example, nuclear deals — all of them make Iran stronger,” Afshar said. “They enable Iran to op press people more brutally.”

Despite feeling disappointed with the University’s response and fear for their families, students feel hopeful for the future and are proud of Iranian protesters.

Many students, including Class of 2022 alumnus Mohamad Abdi, ex pressed feeling deeply worried about friends and family back in Iran and distracted from their work because of the recent events and their emo tional impact.

“I can tell you over the past cou

ple of weeks, half of the day, I was just browsing news websites to un derstand what’s going on,” Abdi said. “So that takes up a lot of time, and you feel like you’re left out. You could make a change, but you’re here.”

One Iranian student spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing fears that the Iranian government would retaliate against their family and pre vent the student from returning to Iran. The student expressed feeling heartbroken, but not surprised, at the news that Amini was killed at the hands of the morality police.

“I’m angry and I am proud of my people back home protesting,” the student said. “Iranian women are very brave, and they are at the fore front, and I’m angry just like them. I think the anger is what’s keeping this revolution alive.”

The student recently visited Iran and said they witnessed women be ing stopped by the morality police, adding that they find the regime more oppresive than ever before.

“I never feared for my life in front of the morality police and just the police in general, like I did this time I went,” the student said.

Another Iranian student said they feel the mandatory hijab no longer symbolizes a connection to God, but a form of suppression.

“There are many incidents where

you get insulted or not respected because you don’t comply with the mandatory hijab,” the student said.

Thousands of Iranians protest ed against the elevated prices of es sential items in 2018 leading to the arrest of hundreds and the death of 25 individuals. Later, in 2019, 1,500 people were killed in a crackdown on anti-government protesters after the regime shut down the internet.

Abdi said the new wave of pro tests is distinct from previous in stances in that protestors are enter ing their fourth week with no signs of stopping.

“What is unprecedented in this new wave of protests is that there are signs of [government forces] sort of giving up — a lot of footage is com ing out [with] police running away from people,” Abdi said. “People aren’t giving up this time.”

Afshar said he feels pain at being so far away from his University dur ing this time, unable to do anything in response to the violence against students.

“I crave to be in Iran just to be on the streets and just to protest against the government,” Afshar said. “It is so hard to see that these things are hap pening to our people, and we are not there to experience that.”

Violent protests have broken out in Iran following the death of a young woman detained by morality police

Julianne Saunders & Giulia Silverstein | Staff Writers

KATE MACARTHUR THE CAVALIER DAILY

The Persian Cultural Society has spoked out in support of protestors, in addition to issuing a statement requesting that Univeresity leadership release a statement on the events to educate about the situation.

Student groups begin preparing for Election Day

From planning rides to the polls to registering students to vote, election season is in full swing

Emily Horn | Staff Writer

As early voting began in Virgin ia Sept. 23 and Election Day nears Nov. 8, students have started head ing to the polls to fulfill their civic duties. In preparation for the elec tions, student groups are focusing on efforts to increase voter engage ment and turnout.

Carissa Kochan, president of University Democrats and thirdyear College student, said the group has been registering students and holding educational events. The group hosted speakers from the Democratic Party, including Rep. Abigail Spanberger.

“We have a civic responsibility to ourselves and each other to elect good leaders that represent us in our communities,” Kochan said. “[It is] a really important value of our democracy that we can express ourselves in this way and vote for who we choose.”

UDems has weekly meetings in addition to frequent volunteer op portunities for members, including tabling to register voters twice a week near Newcomb Hall. As Elec tion Day nears, Kochan said the group is also promoting election details ranging from polling loca tion details to hours of operation.

“I think voting is the most im portant thing you can do for your self and the people around you,” Kochan said. “If you do anything this election season, please vote.”

College Republicans provides opportunities to get to know oth er Republicans and campaign for those similarly minded, such as congressional candidates and state delegates through efforts such as phone banking. The organization did not respond to multiple re quests for comment.

The midterm elections in Vir ginia will include candidates for the House of Representatives, school boards and municipal gov ernment. Charlottesville resides in Virginia’s 5th congressional district and will see incumbent Republi can Rep. Bob Good face off against Democrat Joshua Throneburg for a seat in the House.

For those voting in the city of Charlottesville, polling locations can be found on the City of Char lottesville’s website, and, for those voting within the county, the Al bemarle county website provides detailed information. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Second-year College student Peter Savelyev is among those plan ning to cast a vote next month. He said he feels individuals often con sider voting low priority and they struggle to find their role in the election.

“In democracies, generally,

there’s one main way that you could actually have a tangible way of saying something in terms of the government — getting your voice out there,” Savelyev said. “You could obviously protest, you [could] obviously talk to represent atives, but the only actual, tangible way, I think, is through voting.”

Across Grounds, events are also occurring to encourage students to vote. University President Jim Ryan and the University’s Center for Politics is hosting a “Run with Jim to the Polls” Oct. 28 at 8:00 a.m. Free Bodos and t-shirts will be available at the event.

Second-year College student Tori Frahm particularly enjoys par ticipating in events like these.

“[Voting is the] main thing that we can do as citizens in our com munity and let everyone know what we want,” Frahm said. “It’s your chance to use your voice.”

Student Council is also offering free rides to and from the polls for early voting and Election Day of fered through Charlottesville Yel low Cab Services. For the ride to be free of charge, students should tell their driver to bill Student Coun cil’s business account.

Bianka Warrwick, director of legislative affairs and fourth-year College student, said this resource is important for students without access to a car — this particularly applies to most first-year students, who are not permitted to have cars on Grounds.

“We have big voter registration efforts, but we also want to give them the resources to get to the polls on Election Day if they need to,” Warwick said.

Over the past few years, Stu dent Council offered free rides — this year marks the first time that Student Council is working with the Charlottesville Yellow Cab Ser vices and using a tab for payment rather than reimbursements, how ever.

In addition to the Center for Politics, the Miller Center for Pub lic Affairs and the Karsh Institute of Democracy are other organiza tions providing resources, events, webinars and information leading up to the election and beyond.

While early voting has already begun and continues until Nov. 8, the last day for voter registration in Virginia is Oct. 17 and individuals can apply for a mail-in ballot until Oct. 28. To find details on accept able voting identification, details can be found on the “Voter Iden tification” document accessible on the Virginia Department of Elec tions website.

DOMENICK FINI | THE CAVALIER DAILY

Student organizations have been working to increase voter turnout prior to the midterm elections through voter registration efforts and by hosting speakers.

Students discouraged from engaging with terminated frats

Kappa Alpha continues to operate independently, while

Emma Gallagher | News Editor

Events continue to be hosted at the former houses of Kappa Alpha and Phi Gamma Delta following the termination of both groups’ Frater nal Organization Agreements with the University. Kappa Alpha and its national headquarters made the decision to operate independently of the University, while residents of the Phi Gamma Delta house have been hosting events under the name “Club 128” after national headquar ters revoked the chapter’s charter. The University is strongly discour aging students from engaging with terminated fraternities.

The University terminated FOAs with Phi Gamma Delta — commonly known as Fiji among students — and Kappa Alpha in July. Neither group is eligible to apply for a new FOA until spring 2026, and their return is not auto matic or guaranteed. FOA agree ments outline key principles of mutual benefit that exist between fraternal organizations and the University, though these groups exist separately and independently from the University.

Both Kappa Alpha and Phi Gam ma Delta were found guilty of haz ing last year. At Kappa Alpha, new members were instructed to smoke all of the cigarettes in their “pledge packs,” were struck with coat hang ers and were instructed to drink beer as a part of “case races.” New members were smeared with hot sauce, covered in flour after being sprayed with water, were required to perform push-ups and wall-sits, drive current brothers around and clean the chapter’s house weekly — where they were prohibited from using the bathroom or any furni ture. Pledges were also expected to carry certain items around at all times, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco and lighters.

In an email statement to The Cavalier Daily, Jesse Lyons, as sistant executive director for ad vancement of Kappa Alpha Order, said he was “disappointed” with the University’s decision to terminate the group’s FOA.

“Our chapter at U.Va. has en joyed an impeccable reputation and has not had any known conduct violation in recent memory,” Lyons said. “This unfortunate outcome could have been avoided and would have instead resulted in a positive collaborative and educational ef fort.”

Per the University’s chapter conduct history, Kappa Alpha was found responsible for two discipli nary infractions in 2019 and 2020. In spring 2019, the chapter failed to comply with Inter-Fraternity Council standards regarding alco

hol and social functions, resulting in a fine and the completion of ed ucational programming on alcohol. One year later, the chapter failed to comply with IFC standards regard ing alcohol and recruitment, and the infraction resulted in the loss of a 2021 recruitment event.

Based on messages and photos obtained by The Cavalier Daily, Kappa Alpha has hosted three par ties at its residence under the fra ternity’s name this year, and has invited at least two different soror ities. One party — held Saturday afternoon during Homecomings weekend — was a “gator roast” in the front yard of the house. Parties were also hosted Aug. 27 and Sept. 22.

In an email statement to The Cavalier Daily, University spokes person Bethanie Glover said the University disagrees with Kappa Alpha’s decision to continue oper ating independently despite its ter mination.

“Kappa Alpha and its national headquarters advised that they will continue to operate in their private ly owned house despite the Univer sity’s termination of their Fraternal Organization Agreement,” Glover said. “We disagree with that deci sion and believe it creates a safety concern for students who remain involved with the chapter.”

Lyons said Kappa Alpha made

the decision to continue operating independently because the Univer sity did not offer alternative sanc tions.

“KA staff and alumni were de nied access to decision-makers to offer alternative educational and restorative sanctions,” Lyons said. “While we hope to work with the University in the future, we are re quired to move forward with the support of members’ parents, alum ni volunteer leadership and the house corporation.”

Under the name “Club 128,” residents of the former Phi Gam ma Delta house have hosted events this year at 128 Madison Lane after the termination of the fraterni ty’s FOA. Last year, the group was found responsible for temporarily blinding a new member after the member was struck in the eye with an egg during a lineup in which brothers threw eggs at the ceilings and walls around pledges. Five brothers were also referred to the University Judiciary Committee for violations of the University’s Stand ards of Conduct.

Per messages obtained by The Cavalier Daily, at least two parties were recently hosted at the former Phi Gamma Delta house — a “nar ty,” or outdoor party, Sept. 23 and a space jam-themed party Oct. 6. Per messages obtained by The Cavalier Daily, at least three sororities were

invited to these events.

“Fiji may be in heaven, but 128 is going to the MOON this Thursday at Space Jam,” one message reads.

Former members of Phi Gamma Delta did not respond to a request for comment.

Fourth-year College student Anjali Amazigo was recently in vited to and attended one of the events hosted at the Phi Gamma Delta house.

“Considering the gravity of what happened [last year], it’s a little bit disrespectful to the kid who got in jured,” Amazigo said. “But it’s not unexpected.”

Glover said Phi Gamma Delta remains in compliance with the University’s termination of the fra ternity. Phi Gamma Delta’s national headquarters revoked the chapter’s charter, though occupants reside in the privately-owned house. As the fraternity’s FOA has been termi nated and its charter revoked, res idents of the house rmain private citizens permitted to invite other individuals to visit the premises.

An email from University ad ministrators sent in late September to parents and students stressed that the University discourages all students and recognized sororities and fraternities from engaging with suspended and terminated fraterni ties — including Kappa Alpha, Phi Gamma Delta, Kappa Sigma and St.

Anthony’s Hall. Both Kappa Sigma and St. Anthony’s Hall are current ly suspended.

“Should these fraternities con tinue to operate independently, we would have significant concern about the risks to health and safe ty of students who participate in their activities,” the email read. “We encourage parents to talk with their students about the risks of af filiating with an organization that chooses to operate despite suspen sion or termination.”

Despite the new Hoos Against Hazing trainings implemented this year for all fraternity and soror ity members as a result of Adam’s Law, Amazigo said the University can still do more to prevent hazing within fraternal organizations.

“If you’re in Greek life, you know that all of the frats pretty much haze and nothing really gets done about it,” Amazigo said. “It’s just [that] they happened to get caught.”

Chapters without University recognition lose a number of privi leges, such as access to space on Uni versity property and participation in rush and recruitment processes on University property. Members of suspended or terminated groups who violate the University Stand ards of Conduct may be referred to UJC, which sanctioned five frater nities last semester.

has hosted events at the former Phi Gamma Delta house

AVA MACBLANE THE CAVALIER DAILY

The University terminated FOAs with Phi Gamma Delta commonly known as Fiji among students and Kappa Alpha in July.

Top 10 ways to de-stress from schoolwork

With work kicking into high gear, it’s helpful to take a step back and put ourselves first

Sam Saks | Top 10 Writer

1. Change what you listen to while you’re studying

Think about it — while working without audio, all we hear is the buzz of the AC or the symphony of coughs and sneezes in the library. Going hours with minimal noise is only bound to make us more stir-crazy. If you do not listen to anything while you study, pop those headphones in, get your Spotify playlist up and listen to whatever music makes you happy. If you already listen to music while studying, try a podcast.

2.

3.

Walk outside

After being cooped up indoors for hours, we desper ately need some Vitamin D. Nature is everywhere in Charlottesville, but it is easy to miss when we get caught up in studying. Go outside to soak up the fall weather and appreciate the history ingrained into Grounds. Taking a walk through Madison Bowl or a stroll up the Lawn is not only relaxing, but it might just put into perspective the overall minimal impor tance of your exam.

Spend time with friends

Studying is often a solo experience. We hunker down in the stacks for hours to mull over material and are not engaging with anyone else. If you start to stall out as you study, stop and remember that we have limits and cannot always be on our game. So try surrounding yourself with the people who make you happy, and forget about your work for a few hours, go to the Corner with some friends and feel the stress drift away.

5.

Meditate and do yoga — embrace the downward dog

Mindfulness is truly bliss — escape that cramped desk, lay out a yoga mat and focus on the pres ent. The University’s IM-Rec Group Fitness pro gram and the School of Medicine’s Mindfulness Center both offer yoga classes, with the latter offering meditation resources as well. Focusing on the connection between the mind and body will leave you feeling refreshed.

8. Reach out to family and loved ones

Although college is a time for us to mature and become more independent, that does not mean that we never need support or encouragement from loved ones. If you are feeling overwhelmed, make a call back home. The people on the other end of the line will be able to help you because they know you best. They want to see you hap py, so a call back home or to an old friend is bound to leave you feeling comforted knowing that loved ones are thinking about you.

9.

Grab your favorite meal

Food is one of the greatest sources of comfort. Whether you find a dessert you have always en joyed or explore new cuisine, take the time to treat yourself to food that brings you joy. Settle into a booth at The Virginian and order the mac n’ cheese topped with a potato cake, which I per sonally absolutely adore. Stop by Charlottesville’s Dairy Market and explore all of its dining options. Not only will your brain be replenished, but food will also nourish your attitude.

6.

Dance it out — no, I mean it

As silly as it may sound, nothing beats a good old-fashioned dance party. Whether studying alone or with friends, take some time to step away from the work and get moving. Put on whatever music makes you hop and let loose. This takes your mind away from your studying and helps you get some jitters out. My go-to song is “Happy” by Pharrell Williams.

7.

Explore beyond Grounds

4. Read in the pavilion gardens — secret little on-Grounds getaways

Behind the Pavilions on the Lawn lie beautiful, un crowded gardens that are quiet places to sit and pull out a good book. Venture back behind the Lawn rooms and explore these vibrant getaways. Taking some time to appreciate this environment will help ease your mind and calm your nerves.

It is easy to forget, but there is a world beyond Grounds. We are only about a 10-minute drive from Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, a lively strip of shops and restaurants that is sure to take your mind off of the workload. On a summer vis it, I once enjoyed someone’s singing below the Paramount Theater sign. The Charlottesville Area Transit trolleys can take you to the Down town Mall — and more importantly, from stress to relaxation.

Keep your mind occupied by something else for a couple of hours and go to a game. Field hockey, volleyball — you name it. Or, become enthralled by the MLB playoffs or college football. Focus on the objective of the sport and take a moment to put work aside. Stress is visiting on home turf — make the play and overcome.

Attend or watch a sporting event

DOMENICK FINI THE CAVALIER DAILY

Muslims United fosters inclusivity through yoga

Weekly yoga and meditation sessions on the Lawn help participants practice mindfulness amidst a busy semester

Mario Rosales & Cecy Juárez | Life Editors

As the last rays of sun filtered through the trees on the Lawn, stu dents stretched themselves out in downward dog poses, inhaling and exhaling deeply. After several minutes of stretches, they practiced inten tional breathing and concentration by sitting still while the rest of the Lawn continued brimming with life and activity. Every Sunday since early September, Muslims United has host ed guided meditations and yoga on the Lawn for their club and students of all backgrounds from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Founded in 2020, Muslims Unit ed was created to offer a platform for Muslims of any ethnic or cultural background. Jessiah Lucien, event co ordinator and fourth-year Commerce student, said the organization strives to respect all members of the Muslim community, regardless of their race, sexual orientation or gender.

“We tell people regardless of where you’re at in the journey, Muslims Unit ed was created [while] recognizing these issues in the community and hearing these sentiments,” Lucien said.

Muslims United stands to foster an activist and more inclusive Muslim community. For Lucien, leading guid ed meditations on the Lawn is a form of activism in virtue of creating aware ness around mental health issues and college pressures, which he highlights durings the sessions, and thereby aids in their destigmatization.

“How can we reach peace when life

in college is so stressful?” Lucien asked. “Oftentimes, so much focus is on our future, our classes, our GPAs, our ex tracurriculars and everything like that, just the world in general.”

Lucien leads the discussions and reflection of these issues for attend ees and encourages them to look after themselves through mindful medita tion. Through breathing exercises and simple yoga poses, Lucien guides the group in grounding themselves into the moment.

Students set their blankets down and disconnect from their phones at these sessions in hopes of finding some serenity in the midst of their personal insecurities. Fourth-year College stu dent Monica Younan said the guided meditations allow her to destress.

“He definitely highlights the im portance of finding time for yourself every day, ‘’ Younan said. “Wheth er [that time] be you know, a whole 30-minute session or just five minutes to yourself to really sit, decompress your thoughts and throw out all the stress of life [in order to] regain com posure.

Similarly, fourth-year Engineer ing student Maggie Salomonsky felt this past Sunday’s session brought her peace. She found out about the ses sions as a friend of Lucien’s and sought to practice some more mindfulness and connect with her sense of spirit uality.

“I would say that I just got a lot of

self-closure, sitting with [my] thoughts and how I’m content with who I am today and how I’ve grown,” Salomon sky said. “So, it’s a really great space to think about that.”

Lucien hopes that students walk away from the practices recognizing the impact their thoughts and words have on their perception of life. He encourages them to take a more pos itive approach in how they perceive themselves so that they foster a more optimistic outlook going forward.

Reem Saifudin, publicity chair and fourth-year College student, says she takes away exactly that — a sense of optimism. She enjoys the relaxation that the sessions offer for her but ac knowledges the challenges of reori enting the way she thinks in the long term.

“I think sometimes it gets hard to remember, because at the end of the session he has things that we can think about for that week and so sometimes I try to keep that in mind and try to be mindful about things that I say or put out into the universe as he mentioned in the sessions,” Saifudin said. “Then sometimes maybe the week might be too busy. So I can’t really keep thinking about it as much, but coming back to the session helps to bring it back”

While Saifudin is an executive member in the club, neither Salomon sky nor Younan are Muslim. Howev er, Muslims United and Lucien wel come all students to their meditative

sessions on the grounds of creating a more supportive community, recog nizing the common struggle of being a student at the University. Saifudin em phasized the importance of inclusivity and visibility in hosting these sessions.

“[It’s] really a good way to bring people into it,” Saifudin said. “And we’re still a relatively new club. It’s only been [our] third year, so [we’re] definitely getting more outreach, peo ple knowing about the club — and it’s open to anyone, even if you’re not Muslim as well. So having that be por trayed like through our dedication, literally anybody can come whenever they want.”

Going forward, Lucien hopes that

someone will continue to lead the ses sions after he graduates this coming spring. These sessions, he believes, are an avenue for all students at the Uni versity community to find support amongst each other. For the future of Muslims United, though, Lucien wishes to see inclusion across all types of groups at the University in order to continue to make a more inclusive student body.

“I would like to see in the future for the organization that a lot of groups like the [Black Student Association] or white fraternities partner with us,” Lucien said. “I want every group to know that we’re here to support the community.”

The Bebedero’s new location delivers on taste and style

Nicole Ryeom | Food Writer

The Bebedero is one of those clas sic University restaurants students are always eating at — with its large por tion sizes and delicious cocktails, The Bebedero attracts students, new and old. After changing locations from 225 W Main Street to 201 W Main Street, the restaurant’s patrons were eagerly anticipating the opening of the new location to see what it had to offer.

I visited the new Bebedero loca tion recently with my friends and it did not disappoint. Located on Main Street on the Downtown Mall, the restaurant invites patrons in, with mood lighting and brightly painted murals on the walls. The murals and paintings added a fun ambiance to the restaurant, making it much more unique than a typical restaurant.

As soon as we walked into the restaurant, we were greeted with the sounds of live music and the chatter of happy patrons enjoying their meals.

We were seated in a back room, some what removed from the rest of the diners, which was actually quite en joyable as it meant we could enjoy the background noise of the music with out it being too loud and preventing us from conversing with one another.

We wanted to try an assortment of their different offerings, for both our drinks and our meals, so we started with the Bebedero Guacamole, em panadas and nachos. The guacamole was tangy and creamy, and the pairing with the tricolor chips was the perfect way to start off our evening. The em panadas were warm and oozing with cheese, but after a few bites I decided to save room for some of the other of ferings.

We got our nachos topped with chorizo, per our waiter’s suggestion, and it was the perfect mix of crunchy chips and gooey cheese. I normally am not a huge fan of beans, but the beans

on the nachos added some good tex ture and body to the appetizer.

In terms of drinks, I knew that Bebedero was rather famous for their large-size margaritas, but I wanted to try something different. I ordered the Sticky Lips, which I was a bit wary of because of the inclusion of egg white in the cocktail, but it ended up being delicious, with notes of tart lime and sweet agave.

After devouring our appetiz ers, we moved on to our entrees. My friends and I decided to split some of their more popular offerings, includ ing the Taco 2 Ways and the Chicken Tinga Quesadilla. We settled on get ting chorizo and chicken tinga tacos, but all of the different fillings looked delicious. All of the tacos were the perfect ratio of filling to tortilla, with the toppings adding that extra kick the taco needed.

The quesadilla was huge and brim

ming with cheese and refried beans. Although it was a really good quesa dilla, we ended up taking most of it home because the portion sizes were so big.

Finally, we decided to end the night with a Scorpion Shot. If you’ve ever heard anyone talk about The Bebedero, you’ve probably heard mention of the infamous Scorpion Shot. The drink is served to you in a normal glass, with a shot of mezcal at the bottom, and a flower with a scor pion inside of it at the top.

My friends and I were debating about the best way to go about taking the shot, and per the recommenda tion of our waiter, we decided to put the scorpion in our mouths, take a few chews, and then wash it down with a shot of mezcal.

The biggest hurdle was probably getting over the mental block of eat ing a scorpion, but once I put it in my

mouth, I wasn’t expecting liquid to come oozing out of it as soon as I took a bite. Suffice it to say, I was startled and quickly washed down the scorpi on with the mezcal, quickly chugging my entire glass of water afterward.

Overall, The Bebedero was a really great experience — the combination of the food and the ambiance makes it a perfect place to go with a group of friends before a night out or to cel ebrate a birthday or special occasion. Although I will definitely be return ing to The Bebedero, I will not be taking another Scorpion Shot — once was enough for me.

If you get the chance, I’d definite ly recommend checking out the new Bebedero location for good Mexican food and fun vibes. It is open from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sat urday for dine-in and can be found at 201 West Main Street.

LEON ARCEO THE CAVALIER DAILY Lucien leads the discussions and reflection of these issues for attendees and encourages them to look after themselves through mindful meditation.

SPORTS

Coach Michele Madison is a collegiate legend

A star in both the collegiate and international field hockey worlds, Coach Madison has been an asset to Virginia Athletics

Shelby Harris | Sports Writer

Virginia field hockey made his tory as it stepped onto Nameless Field on Sept. 29, 1973, marking the first intercollegiate varsity sporting match played by female Virginia students. Today, as Virginia field hockey takes on its fiftieth season, Coach Michele Madison continues to push expectations for NCAA field hockey.

As a member of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame and a former assistant coach of the U.S. National Team and the Olympic Team, Madison has led the Virginia field hockey program for the past 17 seasons. During this time, she secured more wins than any other Virginia field hockey coach. Thirteen of those 17 seasons ended with NCAA Tournament ap pearances, and she led the program to its first ACC Championship in 2016.

Madison’s passion for field hock ey started when she was a player at Rutgers University, but her love for coaching developed in a surprising fashion.

“I wanted to be a teacher my

whole life and somehow got roped into coaching,” Madison said. “One time I coached a deaf team at a camp and I was able to communicate with them and something intrigued me about that, just getting people to be able to communicate just a message.”

Before being hired at Virginia in 2006, Madison was head coach at Temple from 1989 to 1992 and Mich igan State from 1993 to 2005, where she led the Spartans to their first No. 1 ranking and NCAA Final Four appearance.

“The University of Virginia is fortunate to have attracted a head field hockey coach of the caliber of Michele Madison,” former director of athletics Craig Littlepage said at the time of her hiring. “She has coached successfully at the national and international levels, she’s won championships and she’s been a leader in the sport throughout her career.”

Throughout her tenures at these universities, Madison brought three Division I programs to NCAA Tournament appearances. She is the only coach in Division I history to

have earned this accolade, demon strating inimitable consistency and unrivaled talent in such a competi tive position.

“For some reason, I like the chal lenge of taking over a struggling program,” Madison said. “Michigan State was the longest turnaround, but eventually we did it there too.”

It seems that Madison’s key to success no matter the school or team is focusing on the development of the individual player first, both as an athlete and a person, before cul minating the team as a whole.

In fact, three four-time All-Americans — Tara Vittese, Paige Selenki and Elly Buckley — have played under Madison during her tenure at Virginia, and 11 total Cav aliers have been granted the honor with her guidance. Selenki and Mi chelle Vittese, another of Madison’s All-Americans, played in the 2012 Pan-American games, where they helped Team USA win the gold medal. The pair also represented the United States in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Vittese and Carissa Vittese re

turned to the Blue Turf Field in Charlottesville this season, not as a part of the Virginia squad, but rath er as head and assistant coaches, re spectively, of Temple.

“I was very proud, actually,” Mad ison said. “To see them there and to see what they accomplished with Temple already. And they’ll do a great job because they bring a great balance of energy and excitement.”

It is no surprise that Madison’s athletes have seen such success on both the world stage and in the collegiate coaching arena with how Madison is able to develop her play ers.

“It’s just getting people to believe in themselves and getting people to believe that they’re part of some thing bigger than they are,” she said. “If they can relate and really believe that about themselves, then they just explode.”

Open communication and lead ership are crucial pillars in Madi son’s coaching style, said graduate student midfielder Annie McDon ough, who has played for Madison for five years and has been voted

co-captain for the last two.

“We’ve developed a relationship where I’m comfortable saying what ever I want, even if it’s not some thing she’s happy to hear,” McDon ough said. “And that’s something [the coaching staff] has emphasized so much throughout my five years.”

McDonough also spoke on Mad ison’s development of leaders, em phasizing that Madison understands the importance of every player being vested with significant responsibili ty.

“Everyone on the team is a leader in their own way, whether it’s on the field or they’re just leading the team on the sideline,” McDonough said.

When looking at Madison’s long list of accolades as head coach, it seems like the only award miss ing from her figurative and literal trophy case is the elusive NCAA championship. However, with the Cavaliers currently on a six-game winning streak and their impressive freshman class, a title does not seem too far off.

KHUYEN DINH THE CAVALIER DAILY

Having coached the Virginia field hockey team for 17 seasons, Coach Michele Madison looks to continue to push for team success in 2022.

Citizens across the country will go to the polls or mail in their bal lots to elect representatives for each congressional district in less than a month. On Nov. 8, citizens will decide which candidates to entrust with congressional power. These elections also have the potential to flip the political majority in Con gress, as Republicans hold 212 seats and Democrats hold 220. For these elections to be a complete and ac curate representation of the views of the American public, every citi zen must vote. There are extremely close campaigns that need citizen participation across the Common wealth — for example, the reelec tion campaigns of Elaine Luria and Abigail Spanberger. Even in Char lottesville, there is a competitive race between our current Repub lican incumbent Bob Good and his Democratic counterpart Josh Throneburg. Good scraped by in the 2020 election, winning by less than six percent. Since then, he has made it apparent he will not

OPINION

Midterms matter

work for Virginians — denying the 2020 presidential election results, calling the pandemic “phony” and opposing LGBTQ+ rights. With all of this in mind, we urge each and every reader to do research on can didates and understand the impor tance of these midterm elections. Identify your polling location, so lidify your voting plan and, most importantly, vote — early, if you can.

Although it is crucial for cit izens to research the candidates running in each election, it is also important to know the electoral processes specific to Virginia. Ear ly voting will continue up until Nov. 5. To vote early, all you need to do is check the hours of your local registrar’s office or their sat ellite location, bring an acceptable form of identification and vote. If you are from another part of Vir ginia, whether that ranges from the Appalachians to the Eastern Shore, you can request an absentee ballot up until Oct. 28.

Both requesting an absentee ballot and early voting require planning in advance. If you do not want to commute back to your registered voting location to vote early, we encourage you to request an absentee ballot and be respon sible in mailing your ballot back by Nov. 8. Even on Election Day, look at your voter registration and double check that you are going to the correct polling location. For example, in Charlottesville, first years that are registered to vote through their dorm addresses will vote in the Slaughter Recreation Center in Albemarle County. Con versely, students that live on 14th Street are registered in the City of Charlottesville and can vote at Venable Elementary School. While these are just two examples, it is necessary for each of us, especially the students, to solidify our plans to vote.

As an Editorial Board, we have compiled values we would like to see in our candidates. Last week,

CAVALIER DAILY

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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 Thursdays in print and daily online at cavalierdaily. com. It is printed on at least 40 percent recycled paper. 2022 The Cavalier Daily Inc.

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

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

Editor-in-Chief

Eva Surovell

Managing Editor

Ava MacBlane

Executive Editor

Jessica Moore Operations Manager

Ethan Fingerhut

Chief Financial Officer

Katrina Yankovich

EDITORIAL BOARD

Jessica Moore

Eva Surovell

Evelyn Duross

Bryce Wyles

Shaleah Tolliver

Grace Duregger

Nathan Onibudo

JUNIOR BOARD

Assistant Managing Editors

Kate Jensen Ellie Prober (SA) Ella Dailey (SA) Claire DiLorenzo (SA) Nicole Freeman (SA) Alexandra Holmes (SA) Jenna Onetto

Assistant Operations Manager

Ava Proehl

News Editors

Lexi Baker

Emma Gallagher (SA) Merrill Hart

we published a lead editorial on Governor Glenn Youngkin’s new ly-implemented transphobic pol icies in Virginia public schools. We condemned these actions and find it imperative that our next representatives are committed to protecting the rights of transgen der youth. We also believe rep resentatives should be advocates for intersectional reproductive justice, women’s rights and bodily autonomy. We demand candidates uphold proven truths, such as cli mate change and certified election results.

Our elected officials must be emphatic, respectful and transpar ent. Empathy means recognizing the pain that women, transgender youth and people of other margin alized identities experience in our country. Respect means both ac cepting objective truth and listen ing to the demands of an elected official’s constituents. Transparen cy means being honest — commu nicating policy positions to voters

with directness and, if elected, serving with a willingness to let your constituents know where you are falling short and taking action.

Midterm elections are often forgotten because the presidency and governorship are not on the line. But the local and state elec tions that we decide at the polls during midterms are crucial to up holding democracy. We need peo ple serving us in our local counties just as much as we need people guiding national conversations in Washington, D.C. Local and state candidates are often uniquely sit uated to serve their constituents in a way that national candidates are not. We as voters must turn out Nov. 8 to elect people dedicated to protecting the rights of us all.

THE CAVALIER DAILY EDI TORIAL BOARD is composed of the Executive Editor, the Editor-in-Chief, the two Opinion Editors, their Senior Associ ates and an Opinion Columnist. The board can be reached at eb@cavalierdaily.com.

Life Editors

Cecy Juárez

Mario Rosales

(SA) Acacia McCabe Sports Editors

Jude Nanaw Joe von Storch (SA) Ben Anderson Arts & Entertainment Editors

Mary Kurbanov

Lauren Whitlock (SA) Kyndal Harrison Health & Science Editors

Alexa Clark

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Cartoon Editor

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Archivist Grace Franklin DEI Chairs

Shaleah Tolliver Yssis Cano-Santiago

U.Va. must provide more nutritious and affordable dining

Even as U.Va. Dining makes some progress towards healthier food on Grounds, there is still more work to be done

“Eat your vegetables” is a phrase we have heard since we were children. And though your parents or doctors might have bothered you by repeat ing this saying, it is absolutely true. Vegetables provide the body with vitamins, fiber and other nutrients essential for life. And while some of these nutrients can be gathered from other sources, it is often difficult or expensive to obtain supplements in high enough quantities to ensure the same benefits. At the University, not only is healthy eating often expensive, but it is incredibly difficult to come by. Through advertising on the U.Va. Dining’s website, it claims that it is committed to “empowering you to make the healthy choices you’re look ing for,” as well as passionate about “dining programs that make it easy to eat well.” After reviewing its practic es, there is little evidence that holds up that mission statement. Simply put, more needs to be done to ensure that students can make healthy choic es at low or no additional cost, and at the moment, there is only minimal progress.

The University and its dining company, Aramark, took a mon umental step towards achieving healthy and sustainable eating on Grounds in 2019. Aramark chose to

reinvent “the Castle,” a restaurant op tion adjacent to Bonnycastle House on McCormick Road. The Castle upgraded its meal options and earned itself a Green Restaurant certifica tion by pursuing sustainable and in creasingly plant-based practices and menu items. The reasoning for this pivot was students’ requests for more nutritious foods that had vegetarian or vegan options. The University and

credential. Of course, there are other options to eat healthy on Grounds. One extremely popular location is The Juice Laundry, a smoothie and juicery that boasts locations at New comb Hall, the Aquatic and Fitness Center and an off-Grounds location on Preston Avenue. The store’s mis sion is to ensure transparency in their ingredients by listing them in large lettering and having an open, visible

options that come at no additional cost. But upon examination of the menus for each of these places, I find that healthy options are sparse. At West Range Cafe, the two meal ex change choices that could be consid ered healthy — a salad and a caesar wrap — often sell out by the middle of lunch time. The other options are chicken tenders and fries, a grilled cheese or a NoBull burger — not ex

At the University, not only is healthy eating often expensive, but it is incredibly difficult to come by.”

Aramark responded with this change to the Castle, hoping to address con cern over the availability of plantbased and healthy options.

But with 18,000 undergraduate students on Grounds and limited hours, the Castle is not prepared to stand alone in supporting the Uni versity’s pledge to dining programs that make it easy to eat healthy. And according to the University’s dining website, while all three dining halls have a Green Restaurant certifica tion, only two out of the nine meal lo cations coined “restaurants” have that

prep area for customers. Some might ask — at what cost? It certainly is not pocket change to purchase a bottle of juice at The Juice Laundry, with costs starting at roughly $11 per bottle. The University’s inclusion of The Juice Laundry on dining plans shows that it may be committed to empowering students to make healthy choices, but these choices come at a cost.

Not every restaurant on Grounds requires money for its food. Students with a meal plan have the option of using meal “exchanges,” which allow them to choose from pre-set menu

actly the most nutritious foods that college students might be searching for.

The reality of the situation re mains that, no matter where students live, they spend most of their time on Grounds and either have to pay an excessive amount of money, eat exclusively at dining halls or drive to a grocery store themselves to get food containing fresh fruit and veg etables. That is, of course, unless one wants to eat at the Castle every day of the week — albeit not on the week ends, when the restaurant is closed.

For first-year students without cars — or upper-class students without meal plans — this means an even more complicated search for healthy options. It is impossible to notice a striking contradiction to the state ment made about health and wellness on the University’s dining website. Does the University empower stu dents to eat well? By providing meal exchange options that feature fried or vegetable-absent food, the answer is a definite no. As for the other part of the statement, the dining service claims it is passionate about “din ing programs that make it easy to eat well.” Based on the evidence re viewed, it is anything but easy to eat well while living on Grounds.

If the University wants to commit to its mission statement about health and wellness, it need not look any further than current establishments. There is no need to build new res taurants, just take the same approach it took at the Castle and revamp its menus. With a mission and a method already in place, the University sim ply needs to follow through.

FORD MCCRACKEN is a View point Writer for The Cavalier Daily. They can be reached at opinion@cavalierdaily. com.

There is no Honor without institutional change

The Honor Committee must dedicate resources to addressing the University’s systemic inequities

A few weeks back, the Honor Committee announced that it would host a constitutional convention, in viting Delegates from CIOs across Grounds, to create a multi-sanction system. While the Committee was set to host the event starting Oct. 17, the chair of the Committee recently decided to push back the convention after hearing concerns about a lack of graduate student representation and whether the group was sufficiently prepared. This convention is good news — however, I urge those involved to use this additional time to reflect on how our racist history contributes to present-day biases. The Committee and the delegates must recognize that honor at the University cannot exist without institutional change. Any constitution put forth by the Com mittee must allocate resources to help dismantle systemic inequities endem ic to the functioning of the University as a whole, in addition to addressing the internal issues facing the Commit tee.

Obviously, a new constitution pro vides the opportunity for the Com mittee to address some of its internal struggles. The student body should demand to see a few basic things — mechanisms to hold elected represent

atives accountable for missing meet ings, a process for ensuring accused students have access to speedier trials and a system of sanctions focused on rehabilitation. These are non-negotia bles. Any proposed constitution that fails to deliver on these items will be incapable of offering students the due process they deserve and will be inef fective in its mission to safeguard our community of trust.

More important is the need for

logically incoherent for our institution to claim to value Honor but implicitly condone white supremacy. The Uni versity cannot continue to fail mar ginalized communities and still claim to be honorable.

To be clear, the trouble here is not solely theoretical. The practical prob lem of having incompatible philoso phies that underpin our institution’s overt commitment to honorable be havior and tacit endorsement of white

reports were made against 7.8 percent of the student population. With more rigorous demographic data readily available, today we know that almost all students of color are over-repre sented in the Committee’s reporting statistics, while white students remain significantly underrepresented. Multi ple sources — including a study of our Honor System conducted by Stan ford professors — have attributed this long-standing issue to spotlighting,

in the wake of its failure to fully ad dress its institutional shortcomings.

the Committee to recognize an un avoidable truth. Honor cannot truly exist within the context of an insti tution that has yet to fully transcend its legacy of white supremacy and in stitutionalized oppression. Whether it is the continued and unnecessary homage to white supremacists or University leaders who platformed an anti-Black eugenicist, but spoke out against a gay-rights activist — there is plenty of progress to be made. It is

supremacy manifests itself in the clearly biased reporting statistics we consistently see from the Honor Com mittee. Its most recent bicentennial report states that “reported student demographics do not mirror U.Va. demographics.” This is an understate ment. In the late 80s, Black students were reported to the Committee at a rate eight times higher than their re spective share of the student body — this means that 64 percent of Honor

the phenomenon by which students of color are inadvertently singled out because they are noticeably different from the rest of their peers. Unfortu nately, this remains a pertinent issue because Black students are still less than 7 percent of the student body despite Black Virginians making up 20 percent of the Commonwealth. The issue of spotlighting underscores the way in which the University’s commit ment to Honor is inherently harmful

To put it plainly, Honor can’t re ally exist at the University without larger institutional change — the ghosts of white supremacy still haunt the community of trust in ways that we cannot ignore. In light of this re ality, the Committee should commit some of its extremely outsized en dowment toward advancing institu tional reform on — and even beyond — Grounds. This may look like donat ing to marginalized student groups, educating the community on the ef fects of spotlighting or lobbying for a more diverse student body. While the upcoming constitutional conven tion is an opportunity for the Honor Committee to deliver on the specific Honor-related action items the stu dent body has been asking for — such as a multi-sanction system — these are low-hanging fruit. If the Committee truly cares about Honor at the Uni versity, then it must begin fighting to radically change the context in which we all live and learn. change the con text in which we all live and learn.

NATHAN ONIBUDO is an Opin ion Columnist The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at opinion@cavalierdaily.com.

Honor can’t truly exist within the context of an institution that has yet to fully transcend its legacy of white supremacy and institutionalized oppression.”

College things that high school teachers were wrong about

Many high school teachers strive for students to remember them. Many teachers give the “you will thank me later in college” rules and act like if you don’t use their rules, you will fail college. The fact is that most of your high school teachers have no clue about how the col lege education system works today. Some of them probably still think that you go to the archive section of the library to find that one quote you need for a paper. The summer before I stepped onto Grounds, I wondered how many of these rules are actually important. Today, I am answering that question.

Here are four things that high school teachers told you would be important for college but actually aren’t —

1. Do all of your homework on time If your professor assigned 60 pages of reading for one night dur ing the summer session, they know you will not read every single detail in its entirety. Professors under

stand that they assigned a humanly impossible task to be completed in one night. In fact, some of your pro fessors would confess that they sim ilarly have chronic procrastination on posting homework solutions, lecture notes and videos on Collab. One of my professors publicly con fessed that he was still hungover from his birthday party the night prior. You have to just suck it up and coexist with procrastination. If you “cure” your procrastination, as your high school teacher suggested, you will work your butt off just for your professor to tell you the next day that they know most students didn’t read it.

2. Proper attire

All my high school teachers mentioned that proper attire was necessary to make a good first im pression to your professors. How ever, there is no way for your chem istry professor to notice that you wore pajama pants to a 400-person lecture unless you sit in the front

row. If your high school teacher was concerned that students would show up with “bizarre” clothing choices, I can guarantee you that some professors also have really in teresting tastes in fashion — pink bow ties are especially trendy this semester. Unless you are applying to the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy or the McIntire School of Commerce, at which they pressure you to show up in suits in 80-degree weather, don’t let the proper attire talk from you high school teachers wear you down.

3. Proper language

This depends on professors. Your high school teachers told you to use proper language in emails, essays and any other communica tion you write to your professors. However, in the ever-evolving 21st century, some of your profes sors would feel “old” if you write an email according to the format handout your high school English teacher gave you. “Dear Profes

sor XXX, good evening. It is my uttermost regret to inform you that I will not be able to attend tomorrow’s lecture.” Don’t make yourself sound like a Founding Fa ther or some dead British author.

Most of your professors want to catch up with Gen Z and would ask you what certain slang words mean. You should actively expect your professor to write you back in emails with intriguing usages of slang words, such as “sounds good. And I understand that you want to chill in your bed. Don’t we all? See you on Zoom.”

4. MLA format

If you decide to ignore this arti cle as a whole, I beg you to take one piece of advice away — do not use MLA format for all assignments. You do not need to bring the nos talgia of high school with you to Grounds. Missing your page limit by half of a page is not an excuse to double space your name, class, professor, date and title. High

CARTOON

A Guide for the Wise Scholar

Kaileigh Proctor | Cartoonist

school teachers treat MLA as the holy grail with which you can use on your resume to stand out among thousands of applicants and get your dream internship. Unless you are an English major or your pro fessor specified, often professors do not care for Times New Ro man, 12 point font and one-inch margins. Printing out 10 pages of double-spaced short response ques tions only adds to the weight that your professor has to carry around. Typed assignments are simply pro fessors’ ways to avoid deciphering unrecognizable handwriting from STEM students. You never wanted to memorize the citation format anyways, so why bother. We should just be grateful that we have auto correct and spell check to not ex pose our inability to spell and use words other than text abbrevia tions.

ISABELLA LI is a Humor Column ist for The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at humor@cavalierdaily.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

For aspiring rappers, the Rap Lab is the place to be

Leon Arceo | Senior Writer

A few months after he was hired in 2017, the University asked Music Prof. A.D. Carson if there was anything that could be done to give students the best opportunity for success academi cally and musically. He imagined a space where students were free to engage in the genre of rap from learning the history of hip-hop to recording music, and a pro ject was created that same year. Funded by U.Va. Arts, the Rap Lab at U.Va. soon became a col laborative hip-hop space where all are welcome.

The lab offers several iMac computers, large monitors, mi crophones, keyboards and a soundproof recording booth. A mural in the space was painted by local graffiti artists Saeoh and Nak. A bookshelf houses rap his tory books and vinyl records of various genres.

Collaboration is encouraged as four tables form a square in the center of the room. Students bounce musical ideas and share

raps. Most importantly, these tables seat students for Carson’s fall courses, “Writing Rap’’ and “The Black Voice.” The professor is the only faculty member who uses the lab for teaching.

“Writing Rap” delves into the fundamentals of songwriting, particularly rap lyrics. Students also examine rap music and var ious works of literature in order to improve their own songwrit ing structure and techniques. In “The Black Voice,” students ex amine various artists and explore the notion of Blackness through music.

Carson’s most popular class, “Composing Mixtapes,” is also held in the lab during the spring semester. The class offers a hands-on approach to composing and producing music. Through out the semester, students pre pare for their final exam — the production of a mixtape by the entire class. Students in the class have produced four mixtapes since its creation. The most re

cent was “1-800-MIXTAPE” by ST*R67 — a group of 15 students — in the spring of 2022. The al bum presented a variety of pop/ alternative hip-hop tracks, which are available on SoundCloud.

Fourth-year College student Ti’Asia Parker was one of the art ists who worked on “1-800-MIX TAPE.” Prior to taking specific classes at the University, Parker primarily saw herself as just a singer. After taking a poetry class and taking a class with Carson, however, she began to write raps.

“It was heartwarming to cre ate with other people because you’re bringing a piece of you and being vulnerable,” Parker said. “I feel like intimate experiences do help bring people closer togeth er, so I thought making the mix tape was really lovely.”

Carson’s hands-off teaching method encourages students to explore with their imagination. Instead of walking students through every step, he believes that students can learn more by

experimenting or conversing with peers. He also teaches in dependent studies with budding student artists and has mentored artists at the University, includ ing alumni 4C Wayve. Currently, he is assisting third-year College student CF Bolton with upcom ing singles and how to market herself as an artist.

“Music is not created in a vacuum,” Carson said. “There’s a huge music community in Char lottesville. I don’t want students who come to feel as if what we’re doing here is separate from that larger community.”

The Rab Lab proudly wel comes everyone from the com munity.

“Ask[ing] for permission is a very weird cap to have on your creativity,” Carson said. “My job primarily here is to facilitate the space so that folks get all of the things that they can get out of it.”

Different from other work spaces, the lab encourages collab oration rather than students iso

Hollywood, health and Lydia Hurlbut

Torie Foss | Staff Writer

When Lydia Hurlbut graduated from the University in 1995 with a Masters Degree in Forensic Nursing, the film industry was barely on her radar. Her initial plan was to investi gate sexual assault cases. When Lyd ia’s husband, Shane, started focusing more heavily on his cinematography career, she decided to take some time off to take care of their kids.

But Lydia began to notice glar ing problems with the film indus try’s approach to wellness and, subsequently, burnout. She saw the intense pressure put on filmmak ers to deliver big-budget movies on short schedules, leading to long hours and little sleep for all involved.

“Filmmakers are under an incred ible amount of stress, and sometimes they get completely overwhelmed,” Lydia said. “We are trying to build a community where people can bond and talk things through with others going through the same issues.”

Depression can also be a major symptom of this sort of burnout, leading creatives to question if they

were even interested in film any more.

Lydia and Shane realized that there were wide knowledge gaps for filmmakers, both in terms of well ness and technical ability. So, the Hurlbuts began the Hurlbut Acad emy, recently renamed the Filmmak ers Academy, bringing both of their specialties together. Though physi cally located in Burbank, California, the Academy mainly works digitally, and shares multiple online courses with its members.

The Hurlbuts’ goal was to teach filmmakers what they needed to know to thrive in the industry, both in terms of technical knowledge and physical wellness. They wanted the knowledge that had taken them years to learn to be easily accessible to new and old filmmakers alike.

“You see a need, and then you create something to fill that need,” Lydia said. “And it kind of takes off in a way that’s completely unexpect ed.”

And Filmmaker’s Academy has

certainly taken off. Since its found ing in 2009, the Academy has grown exponentially, expanding to support new members. In addition to the Hurlbuts, the Academy has brought on a variety of different mentors to teach their members about all the film industry has to offer. These men tors range from cinematographers to producers to colorists, and are all specialists in their respective fields. They offer one-on-one sessions in which they can critique work and point out “blind spots” that the film maker might have missed.

“Part of what I love about our community is that we love film makers,” Lydia said. “We’re here like a global film family and we are the people that you know that have your back.”

This aspect of community is one of the main goals behind the Film maker Academy’s recent expansion. Lydia has been working to expand their resources and create a more us er-friendly interface that filmmakers can take with them wherever they

go. She also wants to include group private coaching sessions that would be more affordable for members.

“This year was really about broadening out the content which we have done and continuing to de liver excellence in terms of the quali ty [of our content],” Lydia said.

This content isn’t just for new filmmakers, either. Another goal of the Filmmakers Academy is to be a resource for veterans of the industry and to keep them up to date with the latest filmmaking techniques. With the industry always changing and evolving, knowledge and growth are crucial for success.

“You always have to push your self as an artist out of your comfort zone.” Shane said. “If you are com fortable, you stagnate. So this is why it is so important to learn the latest techniques … so that you are prepared to push yourself out of that comfort zone.

One of the biggest lessons that Lydia wants to teach through her content is that of listening to your

lating themselves in their work. Laughter and conversation can be heard from outside the class room. As structured and formal as the word laboratory sounds, the lab’s location in New Cabell 398 is a lively student area.

“It makes the University feel very open and creative as op posed to being strictly academ ic,” Bolton said.

Carson wants to create areas on Grounds for everyone in the community, with the lab spark ing a change like this.

“What happens when we ac tually create spaces where folks are welcome all the time and we don’t even distinguish who is from the University and who is not in the space of making mu sic and we just do s— together?”

Carson said. “That is the ques tion I have, and so [the Rap Lab] might be one response to that.”

For the fall 2022 semester, the lab is open Tuesdays and Thurs days from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm.

body and its needs. As a Reiki prac titioner — a Japanese stress reduc tion technique focused on the inter nal workings of the body — Lydia strongly believes in taking steps to balance the energy within the body and channeling it to maintain health and prevent burnout.

“Even when you get on this in sane project with crazy hours, you’ve done a few simple things to beef yourself up and to make you the best you that you can be, so that when you are doing this, you’re giving your best work,” Lydia said. “I kind of feel like that’s my job and my message to filmmakers.”

This is at the core of the Film maker’s Academy — guiding film makers toward greatness. Lydia and the Academy want their members to achieve excellence, both in terms of physical health and creative capa bilities. Though the Academy may change and grow, the Hurlbuts’ aspi rations for excellence will stay at the heart of all it does.

Music Prof. A.D. Carson’s classroom encourages students to develop their musical creativity through collaboration

How a Nursing alumna is changing the film industry’s understanding of well-being and creativity

HEALTH & SCIENCE

Green Game volunteers reduce waste at Scott Stadium

Saumya Sharma | Staff Writer

The Office for Sustainabili ty’s Green Games initiative has expanded to encompass all home games this football season.

The program provides stu dents with a hands-on way to contribute to the University’s Sustainability Goal of reducing its waste footprint by 30 percent relative to 2010 levels by 2030. Prior to this year, the Office for Sustainability partnered with Virginia football for one game per season to reduce the amount of waste produced by the Univer sity as part of the annual Game Day Football Challenge.

The Green Games initiative is an effort from Virginia Athletics to encourage fans and volunteers to help reduce and divert waste at athletic events. It takes inspi ration from the annual national challenge RecycleMania — now Campus Race to Zero Waste — that started in 2001. Recycle Mania pushed universities across the country to compete to see who could divert the most trash from landfills at home basketball games, encouraging more recy cling and composting.

The University participat ed in RecycleMania beginning in 2010. As students advocated for its continuation, this annual national event eventually trans formed into an initiative more specific to the University. During the 2021-22 academic year, dis cussions arose at the Office for Sustainability around turning all home football games into Green Games.

Because the University al ready has an active recycling pro gram that diverts paper waste, cardboards and plastics, the University’s sustainability team and involved students focused on communicating and initiating more composting at home games. The Office for Sustainability lat er opened the doors for students and CIOs to participate and sup port the initiative through vol unteering.

Third-year Batten student Nora Raleigh, intern at the Of fice for Sustainability, said the most important aspect of this initiative is retaining volunteers.

“Help is really the main thing that we need,” Raleigh said. “It makes such a big difference. We wouldn’t have the capacity to do it without that.”

From the three home football games so far this season, volun

teers collected and composted approximately 4,416 gallons of waste material, per data provided by Raleigh.

A large part of the increase in volunteers this season has come from the help of CIOs to commu nicate the Green Games’ message. Many student organizations are using Green Games as an oppor tunity to provide members with a group bonding event that also gives back to the University com munity.

Third-year College student Jonathan Du helped organize a group outing for Supporting Oncologic College Kids and Stu dents at U.Va. to volunteer at Green Games and found the ex perience challenging, but worth every minute.

“At the end of the day, when you have all the trash bags to the side and you have all the bags separated for recycling, you can kind of see the amount of the im pact that you’ve done,” Du said.

Volunteers also have the op portunity to visit sections of Scott Stadium with an Office for Sustainability team leader to talk to visitors in the stands about the importance of diverting waste, as well as helping fans compost their waste at the game.

Lela Garner, student outreach and engagement specialist for the Office for Sustainability, has found that the student involve ment with these initiatives has been a defining factor in their success.

“Students are really look ing for hands-on opportunities to positively contribute to the University as a community but also specifically to sustainability efforts,” Garner said. “So some thing that I will note is I’ve been really pleasantly surprised at the number of students who are in terested in volunteering and get ting involved in this effort.”

Second-year College student Danae Thomas was connect

ed with the Green Games by Ecoleaders — a division of the Office for Sustainability that op erates in dorms and on-Grounds housing — and said the volun teering experience gave her a tan gible way to be involved with the University.

Thomas had the opportunity to communicate directly with tailgaters the importance of sus tainable practices as well as help introduce new practices, such as composting, to fans.

“We were able to engage with a lot of the tailgaters and it did end up being a rewarding experi ence,” Thomas said. “We also got to … stand on the actual turf and see some of the players … which I think was one of my favorite parts.”

With so many fans gathering at Scott Stadium, there are more opportunities to educate on sus tainability practices while di verting waste.

“Having the opportunity to be

in front of 20,000 people sorting waste, or you know, advertising the opportunity to compost can be really impactful,” Garner said.

Currently, University-gener ated waste levels are 38.8 percent less than they were in 2010, per the University’s annual sustaina bility report from 2021-22.

The Green Games initiatives will continue for the rest of the football season and are planned for the coming season as well. Green Games also continues to look for volunteers for home games at Scott Stadium. Vol unteers can sign up for games through this form.

“We are piloting it out this year and things have been going well,” Garner said. “So ideally, we would continue to provide vol unteers and composting at … all of the football games in the near future.”

HENRY MOUNTCASTLE THE CAVALIER DAILY

The Green Games initiative enlists student volunteers to help fans sort waste for recycling and composting at home football games.

Powered by student volunteers, the sustainability measure helps visitors at Scott Stadium recycle and compost waste at home football games