Thursday, November 2, 2023

The Cavalier Daily

Vol. 134, Issue 6

ADAIRE BURNSED, LEON ARCEO & MAC DOUCETTE | THE CAVALIER DAILY

Thursday, November 2, 2023

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NEWS

The Cavalier Daily

This week in-brief CD News Staff

Charlottesville’s Lee statue finally faces the flames When a towering crane hoisted Charlottesville’s infamous Robert E. Lee statue into the sky two years ago, onlookers caught a final glimpse of the Confederate commander and his horse. The former monument has now begun its journey back into the public eye — after melting in the heat of a 2,500 degree furnace.

Until last weekend, the statue remained tucked away in a secret storage location in the midst of ongoing legal action. While working with the City of Charlottesville to battle opposing litigation, the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center prepared for the moment it would finally transform the 6,000 pounds of bronze.

That hope ignited last Saturday. Employees at a foundry sliced apart Lee, the statue at the center of Charlottesville’s deadly “Unite the Right” rally, and dropped the metal scraps into the flaming furnace.

Lee’s head and sword have transformed into an ingot reading “SWORDS INTO PLOWSHARES” — the title of JSAAHC’s project repurposing the statue into a piece of community artwork.

Prof. Jalane Schmidt, project ambassador and director of the University’s Memory Project, said through the statue’s new life, SIP leaders hope to spark national conversations on the role of monuments in public spaces.

“Swords into Plowshares is born of the conviction that we can transform white supremacist trauma into something beautiful,” Schmidt said. “This is not the end of the process.

Rather, this moment marks the beginning of the next phase, which will be defined not by the struggle to remove something negative. Now we embark upon an opportunity to create something beautiful and positive.”

10.29 10.30 11.2 U.Va. Law launches Education Rights Institute

MERRILL HART | THE CAVALIER DAILY

Until last weekend, the statue remained tucked away in a secret storage location in the midst of ongoing legal action.

Board of Visitors announces special meeting for Thursday The Board of Visitors announced they will hold a special meeting this Thursday at 2 p.m. to review an unspecified legal matter. While the University did not confirm that it was explicitly related, the meeting follows the release of the preliminary report of the external review conducted after last year’s shooting.

The only agenda item includes a closed session legal briefing on a “specific legal matter” and advice for “potential litigation,” according to the meeting book. This additional meeting comes after the Board met for another special meeting Oct 26 — also held in closed session, with the same legal matter on the agenda.

A University spokesperson declined to confirm whether the special meetings were held in response to the external review. The University recently received a preliminary version of this report Oct. 21, and noted that University leadership would examine the findings alongside the Board of Visitors.

“University leaders remain committed to learning as much as possible about the tragedy and the circumstances that led to it,” said the statement.

The review, scheduled to be released to the public by early November, details the University’s response to last November’s shooting and its assessment of shooter Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. ahead of the event.

Jones has been reported to the University’s threat assessment team prior to the shooting for making a comment relating to a firearm. After the shooting, Jone’s dorm in Bice House, upperclassman student housing, was searched. According to a search warrant inventory obtained by the Daily Progress, a semi-automatic rifle, pistol, ammunition and device to make bullets fire faster were found. Jones is currently awaiting trial.

The School of Law recently launched its Education Rights Institute, which will work within various districts across the country to help schools better address educational inequalities among disadvantaged students and improve the quality of K-12 education in America.

The Institute, led by Law Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson will focus on research surrounding education inequality. Robinson has over 20 years of experience conducting research on the topic of education inequality.

Robinson said her goals for the Institute are threefold — increase scholarship about educational rights and relevant policy reforms, increase education equality while also identifying key components of a high-quality education and point districts towards federal resources that can lessen educational inequality.

“Many students are denied a high quality education — particularly students from low income households and racial minority students — but also other students, whether it’s rural students, even many suburban students,” Robinson said. “My work has really focused on innovative ways that law and policy can help address that.”

According to Sarah Beach, Law research professor and Institute fellow, the Institute will primarily be focused on amplifying Robinson’s previous scholarship by releasing research reports starting this January. If funding allows, the Institute may also conduct its own empirical research to fill in gaps in scholarly literature.

Aside from Robinson, the Institute staff consists of three full-time employees, Helen Min and Sarah Beach, Institute fellows and research assistant professors of law, and Director of Programming GeDá Jones Herbert. Herbert said the ERI’s goals for this academic year, saying they will focus on building their toolkit to be fully prepared when entering school districts.

“Until all students in the United States have a high quality education, [the Institute] will continue in this fight,” Herbert said. “We’re in this fight for the long haul.”

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NEWS

U.Va approves new B.S. in Data Science The first students can apply into the major, previously only offered as a minor, this spring Alex Buddendeck | Staff Writer The University will offer a Bachelors of Science in Data Science for the first time — the degree had previously only been available as a minor in the recently-founded School of Data Science.

First years will be able to apply to the major starting this spring semester.

The Data Science Institute was founded in 2013, with the current School of Data Science created in 2019 following a $120 million gift from the Quantitative Foundation — the largest private donation in University history.

The new Data Science major will focus on four domains — systems, analytics, value and design. It is an interdisciplinary major bringing elements of computer science, statistics, ethics and mathematics together.

Phil Bourne, founding Data Science dean and Biomedical Engineering professor, said the process to get the major approved consisted of getting the proposal through the Provost’s Office and then to the Faculty Senate, where it was sent to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

“The major is looked at relative to

what’s going on in other universities,” Bourne said. “Everybody wants to do data science right now, it’s unbelievable.”

Applicants must have either completed or be currently enrolled in two prerequisite courses — Foundations of Data Science and Programming for Data Science. The programming requirement can also be fulfilled by a variety of entry-level computer science courses, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credit.

Professor of Data Science Dr. Aaron Abrams joined the University’s data science faculty this past year as the new major has increased the need for professors. Abrams said while Data Science incorporates content from comparable majors, such as computer science or statistics, there are other aspects that make it unique.

“It also incorporates elements from design and ethics,” Abrams said. “To be an effective data scientist, you need some exposure to all those different domains.”

Students who are currently in their

second year or beyond can not apply for the major given the three-year course load. Computer science is a highly popular alternative.

Second-year College student Daniel Brock, majoring in computer science, said that a data science degree is valuable because of its rising popularity in the workforce.

“If I had started off at U.Va. with the option to major in Data Science it very well may have been an option I would choose,” Brock said. “The market for computer scientists is not very great at the moment and the field is becoming increasingly competitive, whereas data science is continuing to grow in popularity with increasing demand making the market less competitive.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of data scientists is projected to grow 35 percent from 2022 to 2032, meaning the major is increasing in demand and value and about 17,700 openings for data scientists are projected each year.

According to U.Va. Data Science News, over 600 undergraduate stu-

dents across 50 majors were actively pursuing a data science minor as of last spring.

Although planning to major in commerce, first-year College student Lynn Rizk, is considering a minor in Data Science as opposed to computer science.

“Data Science equips you with analytical skills that help you draw conclusions based on information that you’re studying,” Rizk said. “I’m more interested in analyzing information that will specifically help me with consumer and market related trends and using that to analyze businesses.”

The University has offered a minor in Data Science for the past three years — this past April, the University was ranked 11 in top 20 public universities for highest-paying jobs in Data Science. They have now joined 160 other universities that offer Data Science majors and related courses.

“We did a survey last year of freshmen coming into U.Va., and almost half of them expressed some interest in potentially doing the major,” Bourne

said. “The fact students are even interested [in the major] tells you that they are thinking, ‘when I graduate from here in four years, what are the jobs going to be?’”

In light of the growing interest in data science among first years, Bourne’s insights shed light on the University’s forward-thinking approach. In January of 2019, the University announced the construction of the School of Data Science on Emmet Street, with an amphitheater and pond between the building and the street. The $35 million, 60,000-square-foot building is expected to open in the spring of 2024.

Data science classes are currently being held across Grounds, but primarily in the Dell.

U.Va. School of Data Science will be holding ‘Datapalooza 2023: The Future’ Nov. 10 in Newcomb Hall. This event will focus on the future of data science, AI in education and the launch of the Futures Initiative.

Will the Board consider renaming Alderman Library?

Internal library group requests name change for the University’s main library Grace Thrush | Senior Writer The University’s main library — which has been closed for renovations since 2020 — may reopen next semester under a new name. Following years of critiques over Alderman Library’s namesake, an internal library research naming group submitted a report to the University’s Naming and Memorials Committee requesting a name change for Alderman Library before it opens to students Jan. 2.

Edwin Alderman, the library’s namesake, was the first president of the University from 1905 until 1931.

Although Alderman valued democratizing higher education, he was also a proponent of eugenics — a pseudoscience that aims to “improve” the genetics of the human population by controlling who can have children. Eugenics gained popularity in American culture during the first half of the 20th century and historically has been used to justify discrimination and prejudice against racial minorities, especially Black populations.

According to Elyse Girard, executive director of communications and user experience for University libraries, U.Va. Libraries started the internal library research naming group December 2019 to reconsider the Alderman name.

“Because of the things that hap-

pened under [Alderman’s] leadership, we felt like it might be a good time to reconsider,” Girard said. “With the renovation and the library being so different from what it was before, a new name might be the best thing to go with it.”

After pandemic-related delays and the library’s closure to renovations March 2020, John Unsworth, University librarian and dean of libraries, submitted a formal request for consideration of an Alderman name change to the Naming and Memorials Committee in June 2021. The group is composed of faculty and Board of Visitors members appointed by University President Jim Ryan to study the contextualization of statues and buildings on Grounds.

That request sits with the Board as of May 2023 and awaits consideration by its Buildings and Grounds Committee. Despite receiving the recommendation before their September meetings, the Board has yet to take the recommendation up on one of their agendas.

Within the language of the request, the research naming group could not suggest any potential new names for the building, but just recommend that it have a different name. Ultimate discretion will be left to the Board.

If the Board does not make a decision before the library’s opening, it

will open as Alderman Main Library, Girard said.

Lillian Rojas, student member of the Board and fourth-year Batten student, said that she received lots of feedback from students looking to change the library’s name in a Microsoft Form asking for general student feedback about the University that she sent out to the student body in September. “[Students] knew Alderman’s history and a lot of initiatives that he supported, especially revolving around eugenics,” Rojas said. “[Students said] ‘it’s 2023, there’s no reason to have a building named after him.’”

Rojas said she’s currently in conversation with Rector Robert Hardie about considering the Naming and Memorials Committee’s recommendation.

While she is unsure of the process of setting the docket for Board meetings because it is not within her responsibilities, Rojas said she will continue to have conversations with Hardie and plans to send him a compiled list of student responses about the topic. According to Rojas, Hardie seemed open to hearing what students have to say.

Ryan addressed the possibility of the library’s renaming back in September 2019, before the formal consideration request was submitted. He told The Cavalier Daily that administra-

tion was considering renaming various buildings on Grounds with controversial namesakes, but no concrete decisions had been made at the time.

The movement to change Alderman Library’s name exists in the midst of other name changes around Grounds in attempts to grapple with the University’s complex history. The Board, for example, approved renaming Maury Hall to John W. Warner Hall in March 2022. This building, which serves at the Naval ROTC center on Grounds, originally took its name from Matthew Fontaine Maury — a Confederate naval officer and oceanographer who had no affiliation to the University and was an adamant supporter of slavery. The new name honors the legacy of John W. Warner, a U.Va. Law school graduate who served as a Secretary of the Navy and a Virginia senator.

The Board also supported name changes for the School of Education and Human Development, which was originally called the Curry School of Education after J. L. M. Curry, an educational reformer in the 19th century, a Confederate officer and strong segregationist.

The Board approved changing the name of the School of Education’s main building from Ruffner Hall to Ridley Hall. The new name reflects the legacy

of Walter Ridley — the first Black student at the University to earn an educational doctorate degree in 1953. William H. Ruffner, the building’s original namesake, was the first superintendent of Virginia public schools who owned slaves and supported a movement calling for the relocation of all freed enslaved people to Africa.

Other moves to redirect the University away from honoring racist individuals include removing an inscription to Confederate soldier Frank Hume from the Whispering Wall next to Newcomb Hall. This movement was majorly spurred by student advocacy over the course of years.

To Girard’s knowledge, the library is the only place on Grounds with Alderman’s name currently requesting a name change. Other areas, such as Alderman Road, will keep their names.

As of now, Girard and other library administrators remain in the dark about the name change’s status as the library reopening date approaches.

“It’s our sincere hope that they take it up in December,” Girard said. “Our doors will open to students, Jan. 2, 2024 and we’ll have a formal grand opening April 4 of 2024. We would love to open the doors with knowledge of what the actual name of the library will be.”

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The Cavalier Daily

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Piergiorgio Wilson, a composer of musical community Through his classical piano channel on YouTube and his work with the Tonic Music app, Wilson creates authentic relationships between music lovers Kenneth Do | Staff Writer Enter Old Cabell Hall. Grab a practice module key. Walk downstairs, unlock the module and begin practicing. For University musicians like fourth-year College student Piergiorgio Wilson, this routine is muscle memory.

While practice is critical to every musician’s process, it neglects an equally essential element of the artistic experience — community. Wilson recognizes this shortcoming. Through projects like his YouTube channel and his role as community advocate for the Tonic app, Wilson inspires musical connection, cultivating communities of artists eager to celebrate music alongside each other.

In September of 2021, Wilson created a YouTube channel to share his enthusiasm for classical piano music.

Today, his channel boasts over 15,000 subscribers and nearly a dozen videos with more than 100,000 views.

Wilson’s videos include witty music edits, reactions to notable piano performances and discussions about the classical music industry.

His most successful video — titled “Yuja Wang being Yuja Wang for 2 minutes and 41 seconds straight” —

amassed nearly 650,000 views and features a compilation of playful clips of the renowned pianist. Regardless of its success, Wilson’s efforts towards his YouTube channel are driven principally by a desire to connect people through music — to foster community.

“I make videos that I think connect to anyone of any age, and whether you’re a classical musician or not, I think I provide something that’s entertaining to everyone,” Wilson said.

“That’s what I care about most, is still enjoying the fun that comes with making [videos] and making other people’s days.”

Wilson’s YouTube channel is not where his community-building efforts stop, however. Much of his time is devoted to serving as community advocate for an app called Tonic Music. Founded by acclaimed violinist Ray Chen, the app’s mission is to connect music enthusiasts and address the lack of community Chen observed.

In a blog post on the Tonic website, Chen noted that making music can be an isolating experience, especially for those early in their journeys.

Important components of the musical process — particularly practicing and taking lessons — are individualistic in nature, which can demotivate growing musicians.

Tonic’s features include in-app music challenges, a practice tracker and social groups for specific musical interests — it is, as Wilson describes, a “one-stop shop” for musicians of all levels.

“If you’re somebody who’s just been playing the violin for two years or you’re a seasoned professional, there’s something that you can take from being on our platform,” Wilson said.

The centerpiece of the app is the Studios feature, which enables users to rehearse in front of a live audience.

With the tool, musicians host virtual practice rooms and perform for other users, who have the ability to provide real-time feedback. According to Wilson, Studios offer both social value through community engagement as well as practical value by helping musicians become more comfortable with live performance “There’s a very big difference between practicing when you’re com-

fortable and practicing for performance,” Wilson said. “The moment you step out on stage, and you’re wearing your suit or your dress, you’re not ready to perform for whether it’s 50 people or 500 people…Simulating a real-life performance is a huge benefit you can obtain through the app.”

As community advocate, Wilson’s roles range from communicating with companies and esteemed musicians regarding in-app events to collaborating with other teams within Tonic on new features.

Just as with his YouTube channel, what urged him to join and what compels him to return is the project’s vision for community. For Wilson, Tonic’s value of musical connection makes it the resource he wishes he had as a growing artist.

“Being able to hop on your phone, get into an app and find other people who play the same instrument as you or share the same interests…that’s a large part of what makes the platform so special,” Wilson said. “It’s an app that I always wanted when I was younger, and to be a part of the team and make it happen is a dream come true.”

Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once described music as the universal language of humanity. But for many musicians today — especially those just beginning to learn — finding companions to speak this language with poses a significant barrier.

Wilson’s work represents a path towards greater musical connection — it is only by having the courage to seek out those with similar interests that artists of all types can once again engage in the beautiful conversation of music.

“Once you realize that there are people that have the same interest as you, it can make your journey as a musician so much more enjoyable,” Wilson said. “I think there’s a lot of comfort in knowing that there are people who are just like you that love to bond over music For a captivating reaction to Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, an amusing skit about ordering sheet music online and other creative videos on classical piano music, check out Wilson’s YouTube channel @PiergiorgioWilson.

CAT WHITE | THE CAVALIER DAILY

Today, Wilson’s YouTube channel boasts over 15,000 subscribers and nearly a dozen videos with more than 100,000 views.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Jamming with The Jellies With over 15,000 streams on their self-titled EP, the student band is making a name for themselves in the U.Va. music scene Macgregor Francis | Staff Writer Cementing themselves as a leading band in the University’s vibrant music scene and celebrating the release of their hit EP, the members of student band The Jellies warmly discussed their time at the University while gleefully teasing new music on the way.

All students in the College, fourth-year guitarist Ethan Weber, third-year drummer Andrew Garver, third-year bass guitarist Henry Swartz and fourth-year singer Elliot Flagg round out the group.

The band has seen recent success with the release of their self-titled EP in April, which has amounted over 15,000 streams on Spotify, composed of the jolting, darty-destined tracks “Billy,” “Unfamiliar Way” and “Have to Be.” To accommodate their growing list of supporters, the group has ramped up their schedule this semester, averaging two shows every week and performing at a multitude of venues — including Dürty Nelly’s Pub and The Southern — where they opened for Athens-based band Jameson Tank in their first ever ticketed event in early October.

The band maintains a consistent

presence on Grounds as well, providing the tunes for a revolving circuit of fraternity events and performing at last year’s Lighting of the Lawn ceremony.

Weber and Flagg, the most senior members, started the band in spring of 2022 with Jackson Wallace, guitarist and Class of 2023 alumnus. After Wallace’s graduation, Swartz stepped up to fill his place and Garver was “discovered” soon after.

While most of the group met through their membership of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, known around Grounds as SAE, Garver was connected with the group on a whim through a mutual contact.

“I played in bands throughout high school, but I didn’t really do anything in college until now,” Garver said. “I tried playing with a few other groups, but I never really clicked with them in a way that I have with these guys…I just got lucky.”

The group’s musical aspirations, however, began far before The Jellies materialized. For the members, the band is a culmination of a lifelong passion. Flagg learned notes and scales at summer camp before joining an a cappella club in high school, all

while picking up the piano and guitar to supplement his voice. Weber taught himself guitar on the internet, refining his sound throughout his time at the University, and Garver began “bothering his parents” with his drum set in middle school, and has been playing ever since.

While growing up just as musically-involved as the rest of the group — including taking piano lessons from a young age and picking up the guitar and trumpet — Swartz was able to learn bass guitar over the past summer, a huge factor in refurbishing the band’s sound.

Even though each member has different degrees of musical backgrounds, the group’s adaptability, perhaps their strongest element, is evidenced by their cohesiveness on stage.

“We used to have a handful of songs, and when we would practice we would have to take two or three days before we could come back and play them, so now being able to pick stuff up in seconds is pretty cool,” Flagg said.

While the group cited southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd and Auburn-based alternative band The

Stews as strong influences, they also stressed the importance of developing a unique sound — a mixture of rock, jamming and spontaneity.

“I think one of the cooler parts about playing with these guys and being in this band is, once you develop chemistry, you start realizing you have a little bit of your own sound, and everyone brings their own creative perspective into it,” Swartz said.

“That’s really neat to be like, okay, you know, this is The Jellies.”

After the EP was released, the group played their music for their fraternity and families at this year’s Young Alumni Reunion, elated for the opportunity to debut for a packed house.

“Everyone knew the words to our songs because they went home and they’ve been listening to it,” said Flagg. “The feeling of having people sing along to your own original music is a difficult thing to describe.”

With such an overwhelmingly positive reception, the band said they look forward to beginning the roll out for their first studio album this spring, shooting for eight new songs.

For now, though, the group is enjoying their new platform and riding

their wave of success.

“When I’m playing with these guys, everything else disappears and melts away,” Flagg said. “It’s an intense, addicting feeling.”

Flagg also said he hopes that this jovial feeling extends to the audience, even if only for the length of a song.

“There are a lot of stressors outside of Charlottesville and outside of the United States, and even right in our immediate bubble here,” Flagg said. “If we can help alleviate some of that, just even for a couple minutes, that’s all we want to impact.”

The band’s pursuit to de-stress their listeners is reflected in their playful title. Flagg says the group ultimately decided to have a lighthearted and memorable name to spark recognition around Grounds and simplify the creative process. “It’s a little satirical,” Weber said.

Above all else, the group said that they strive to become the best version of themselves without taking anything too seriously.

“At the end of the day, it’s a privilege to play for people,” Garver said.

“I hope they feel the same about getting to hear us.”

Investigating the BookTok-to-Hollywood pipeline Many of this year’s movies and TV shows have come from reading fanatics on the social media platform Delores Cyrus | Senior Writer There is a corner of the internet reserved for every community, and this is especially the case for book lovers on TikTok. Cleverly coined as “BookTok” by users, this space for bibliophiles on the social media platform has amassed a generous following, with the videos under its hashtag accumulating over 190 billion views globally. The rapid growth BookTok has gained since its inception in 2020 has garnered attention from media outlets, a designated table in every Barnes & Noble and, most notably, immense influence in the film and television industries.

While BookTok originated as a place where fans could encourage others to read their favorite books, it has become a breeding ground for bookto-screen adaptations. In the past year alone, many of the films and television series released on streaming services were originally trending BookTok titles, such as “Lessons in Chemistry” and “Red, White & Royal Blue.”

Books like “The Song of Achilles” and “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” are among the numerous other BookTok books currently in the process of being adapted mainly because of their popularity on the app.

While this is the first time that TikTok has had this kind of industry pull, it’s not the first time that studios and producers have looked to fans on the internet to determine what projects they’ll invest in.

The 2010s was a decade full of book-to-screen adaptations of novels that rose to fame on social media platforms like Tumblr and YouTube. According to Asst. Media Studies Prof.

Lori Morimoto, however, this trend goes back a lot farther than the 2010s.

Describing it as a “new incarnation of a very old phenomena,” Morimoto explained that the tactic dates back to the early days of Hollywood.

“The thing that kind of drives changes in [media industries] overwhelmingly is the desire to guarantee an audience for something that they put out,” Morimoto said.

She said that what the entertainment industry is doing now with BookTok is what it used to do with popular actors and genres. “[Movie stars], genres, things that you can generalize and that you can build a critical mass around in terms of popularity — those are for the industry, the closest they can get to guar-

anteeing an audience for a product,” Morimoto said.

Morimoto pointed out that an entity like BookTok, which she describes as “grassroots in origin,” has completed the hardest part for any film or television production — generating interest. This leaves the studios with the simpler task of figuring out how to capitalize on it.

What makes this more interesting is that the majority of those flocking to Booktok are women, which is a demographic Moritmoto says the entertainment industry historically hasn’t recognized as a legitimate audience.

Morimoto said that starting in the 1970s the film and television industries shifted away from more family-centric media to instead make “intelligent” and “darker” works, which targeted male audiences specifically and were categorized as more reputable than the latter.

To her, these more recent book-toscreen adaptations that cater to female audiences specifically indicate that the industry is starting to see them as valuable viewers.

All of this considered, it is no shock that Sara Dunklee, class of 2023

alumna and graduate History student, has seen many of her favorite books go from trending on BookTok to film and TV sensations. She said that this new era of page-to-streaming service adaptations is something she fully embraces.

“I honestly have enjoyed seeing new interpretations and tellings of these classics that I grew up reading,” Dunklee said.

Dunklee said that while some users on BookTok are skeptical of these screen adaptations of the books they hold so dear, she thinks they instead should celebrate them because they are avenues for new audiences to get into the literary worlds these pieces of visual media bring to life.

“We should be framing it as a way to invite in a new audience to love the same story we do,” Dunklee said.

For third-year College student Carson Arnold, the feeling is mutual.

She said it’s “very special” when books get adapted for the screen, mentioning the television adaptation of “Daisy Jones & the Six” specifically as one she was extremely excited about. “[The show] was just as magical,” Arnold said, explaining that the show

contained all the things that fans love about the book. “I would be lying if I said that I have only watched the show once.”

Like Dunklee, Arnold sees these BookTok-influenced adaptations as giving books beloved on the app the chance to resonate with others outside of this online space.

“More people can enjoy both the message and the storyline, which is lovely,” Arnold said. “I believe BookTok has greatly aided in this process, and I see nothing wrong with that.”

As Morimoto’s words suggest, the waves that BookTok is making in the entertainment industry is an indication of a shift away from traditional avenues of media production, with studios and producers going to fans directly to get ideas for new projects.

With the screen adaptations of “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” and “Leave the World Behind” set to release on streaming before the end of this year, it’s an exciting time for fans hoping that their favorite book is next to get the BookTok-to-screen treatment.

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LIFE Top 10 essentials to feel put together for class College life requires comfort to survive but that does not mean you have to give up feeling cute as well…

The second my alarm blares in the morning, I angrily stumble out of bed to turn my phone off only to realize I have to be in class in under an hour. My baggy t-shirt and sweatpants feel way too comfortable to change out of. Still, I personally aspire to look nice for class simply for my own self-confidence and to feel more ready to face my peers. I have found that these 10 things are ways to feel put together while also staying comfortable.

1.

Emily Barrie | Staff Writer

4.

Sweaters, sweaters and more sweaters Sweaters are essential for the chilly weather — they help pull together any type of outfit and be quickly thrown on during hectic mornings. I suggest you have a few sweaters you love on hand throughout the rest of the semester because it is the comfiest you will ever feel while dressing in style.

My personal favorite places to get sweaters are Zara, Brandy Melville or Abercrombie & Fitch which have lots of options for both the guys and the gals.

MARIAM SESHAN | THE CAVALIER DAILY

2. Take care of your hair

If you’re like me, the hair I wake up with is not the hair I went to bed with. My hair is normally 10 times knottier and with uncontrollable frizz. From a claw-clip hairstyle to a side braid, putting your hair up can automatically make you look put together. For anyone with shorter hair, a cap or beanie or even a headband will do the trick and enhance your outfit if you’re running short on time. No one has to know that your hair has not seen a brush in days or that you forgot to shower when your hair is up — it truly is the best disguise.

3.

Don’t have witch nails — we’re past spooky season

5.

Find a new member of the pant family While I am a self-proclaimed jean girl, I will admit leggings are the far comfier option for any class. Sometimes I just feel that jeans make an outfit a bit more fashionable, but that was before I discovered flared leggings from Aerie. I found those flared leggings give me that sense of fashionable flare that I need to feel good both in comfort and style. If you want something more than just leggings to spice up your routine, try joggers, wide-legged sweats or corduroys. Since Black Friday is coming up soon, put finding a pair of comfortable, cute pants on your list of things to get.

A staple pair of gold — or silver — jewelry It has become a trend to label yourself as either a gold or silver jewelry person. I am personally a gold jewelry lover through and through, so I may be biased here. Either way, a pair of gold hoops, rings, chains or bracelets can transform any outfit. A hoodie paired with gold jewelry will make it look like you’ve made a smart, intentional fashion choice. I recently bought some really nice jewelry from the sales section of Altar’d State, so I would recommend trying there if I have successfully convinced you to expand your accessories collection. Target has a wide selection of jewelry and might be worth a visit.

7.

I have put moisturizing my face on the backburner countless times since coming to college, especially after a night out. But I always end up waking up with unpleasant, dry skin. Now, it has become a goal of mine to moisturize both at night and in the mornings to avoid this dilemma. Moisturizing will make your hands and face feel and look much more put together. Your moisturizer can be as simple as the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or as fancy as Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. I also swear by the L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion as a great everyday makeup essential that can instantly make you feel put together as it gives you moisture along with an instant glow.

As much as I love the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz, I do not aspire to have her grown-out, claw-like nails. Instead, I try for a more Glinda the Good Witch-inspired look, which includes doing basic nail care such as clipping and filing regularly. For me, having my nails done always makes me feel good about myself and ready to be productive. You can even paint them if you’d like to jazz up your hands. The nice part about having your nails done is that it adds no extra step to your morning routine yet gives you that extra boost of confidence.

Please do not be the person to have your lips peeling this fall and winter. I immediately feel better about myself when I have just a little bit of color and moisture added to my lips. Simply chapstick to help keep your lips from cracking before you have to socialize with your peers.

My go-to lip product is the Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey because it enhances my natural lip color and moisturizes my lips at the same time. A lip product you love can rejuvenate not only your lips but also how you feel about yourself walking into class.

MARIAM SESHAN | THE CAVALIER DAILY

9. Your favorite drink in your emotional support water bottle

I am essentially a clingy best friend to my Stanley water bottle since I truly have taken that water bottle everywhere with me. Typically, I just drink water for hydration but sometimes I spice it up and make myself coffee or tea.

Whatever your drink of choice is, arriving to class hydrated is always a good idea to make you feel good… and if your prized possession is also your emotional support water bottle, then you are definitely feeling confident about yourself as well as carrying that into class.

10.

MARIAM SESHAN | THE CAVALIER DAILY

Having a pair of shoes you love is an easy way to feel good for class — it is both practical and has the potential to spice up your look. Investing in one good pair of shoes like sneakers or boots that you can throw on with any outfit can automatically guarantee some self-confidence walking — or hiking, if you’re like me and live in Gooch.

My roommate and I have so many shoes for fall we ended up creating a shoe rack right outside our room to easily lay out our shoes for easy access before class. My personal favorite shoes for fall looks are Dr. Martens Boots in black which I bought at the beginning of last year.

8. Avoid crusty lips

6. Moisturizer to keep the ash at bay

A comfy and practical pair of fall shoes

Layering… with your favorite jacket Layers are key to feeling put together and prepared as the weather becomes more unpredictable. Halloweekend is a perfect example of how it can be very hot one day and then cold the next. That is why finding a staple layering jacket can be a practical must-have to deal with the ever-changing weather. I especially like wearing zip-up jackets. For example, the University-branded one from the bookstore, so that I can easily go back and forth between having the jacket on and off as the day progresses.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 | 7

LIFE

Yes, college kids still have stuffed animals The unsung heroes of University life and how they impact students’ mental health and nurture nostalgia on Grounds.

Emilie Kim | Life Features Writer Amidst the chaos of preparing for college move-in day — finding LED lights and posters for the walls, or making sure to bring the coveted mini-fridge microwave unit — some students haven’t forgotten to add their cherished stuffed animals to the list. These stuffed animals can help students feel more comfortable in their new college environment, acting as a uniquely portable piece of home.

For second-year College student Carly Cespedes, most of her stuffed animals have been gifts from other people and hold lots of sentimental value. According to Cespedes, bringing them to college felt like bringing a piece of her family and friends. Her stuffed animals foster an atmosphere of warmth and belonging in an otherwise sterile dorm room.

For her personally, the close contact with her stuffed animal Stevie — all her stuffed animals are named after music icons — is her coping mechanism in her mo-

ments dealing with stress-inducing situations of isolation, grief and anxiety.

“The way of having something physical grounds me in those moments of anxiety and homesickness,” Cespedes said.

Stuffed animals not only serve as soft companions but have been proven to provide greater mental health benefits. Studies show that cuddling and snuggling with stuffed animals actually help in lowering levels of stress and anxiety. Cespedes said that her stuffed animals do just that.

“Some of them are meant for anxiety,” Cespedes said. “So whenever I’m anxious, I have them there — they’re supposed to help with that. And I do think they help.”

Second-year College student Maya Papadopoulous has a stuffed dinosaur named Matcha, who she got with a friend during high-school. Now, she uses Matcha as a pillow on her bed. Like some students, Papadopoulous notes that there is a certain gen-

der stigma around using stuffed animals for comfort. She said it feels more socially acceptable for women to own stuffed animals as opposed to men, including herself. Her female friends, she said, tend to go out, purchase and collect them.

“I would say that [Matcha] has a little bit of sentimental value just because I bought it with some of my friends when I was in high school,” Papadopoulos said.

“It’s soft, comfortable… it does remind me of good memories and good times.”

Cespedes said that this also is true in her experiences, but has fond memories of even male friends who gravitate towards stuffed animals.

“I definitely have only ever really seen girls have stuffed animals,” Cespedes said. “But last year it was funny because one of my guy friends was obsessed with this stuffed animal that I had in my room and so he took it from my room and [to] his room all semester, so that was pretty cool to

just see him not care about [it].”

Cespedes said that while she thinks no one would judge a college male student for owning stuffed animals, this stigma could potentially discourage them from seeking them out.

Second-year College student Andrew Otwell said that with less judgment people are starting to be more comfortable with owning stuffed animals. Though there might still be a gender-related stigma, stuffed animals are being enjoyed by individuals regardless of gender. Otwell recently bought his own stuffed animal and brought it with him to college last year.

“I don’t think I’m in the minority,” Otwell said. “In the past as young teens, maybe [there was a gender stigma]. I feel like it has been getting better, though.”

Stuffed animals can often serve as a form of expressing affection through gift giving. Second-year College student Ritika Bawa reminisced on how one of her favorite stuffed animals — a

teddy bear — was a Valentine’s Day gift from her parents. She said this gift felt like a physical affirmation of their love for her.

“I think it’s so nice to know that, although you might not be dating someone or it was that sort of romantic way, you’re loved by your parents,” Bawa said. “That’s probably the most sacred form of love, I think. So it’s something that I really value for that core memory. ” Although they may be initially designed for children, some students do not plan to depart from their fluffy companions any time soon. In a New York Times blog, it was revealed that a significant percentage of adults still sleep with a certain stuffed animal — nearly 40 percent.

“I feel like the older I get I’m trying to do more things that make me feel like a little kid again because we’re all growing up so fast,” Cespedes said.

What your go-to on-Grounds dining option says about you My observations on your personality based on people watching at various on-Grounds dining locations Tara Cochrane | Staff Writer As a regular to many on-Grounds dining options, I’ve noticed a few trends among the patrons of various restaurant options that supplement the dining halls. After careful study, I’ve found that someone’s go-to dining option can often be indicative of certain personality traits among students. However, I want to stress that everything is based on my personal experiences and may therefore not always be accurate.

Crossroads If you frequent Crossroads, you’re someone who’s unwavering in your opinions. You’ve probably attempted to convince yourself — and probably all your friends — that, no matter how many wrong ingredients show up in your meal or how many times your meal gets stolen, you’ve discovered a tastier, more convenient alternative to the dining hall.

No matter how much contrary evidence is presented to you, no matter how many times your friends beg to eat somewhere else as a group, you will stick by that view. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to enter any sort of debate or argument with you, because you would win.

Rookie’s You’re a child at heart, especially if you order ice cream from here.

You find joy in the little things — like having access to ice cream while you’re hunkered down in Clark stacks studying for a midterm. I’d guess that you either don’t enjoy the taste of coffee that much, or you’re one of those impressive few who get by without a single ounce of caffeine. In fact, you’re probably substituting sugar as your reward for a good few hours of productive work where most would opt for caffeine.

Honestly, you’re probably a pretty exciting person to know.

The Castle If you eat at The Castle, you’re definitely someone who doesn’t know how to deal with free time and doesn’t want to be left alone with your thoughts. So, you stuff your schedule with every extracurricular and social plan you can. Let’s be honest, given that The Castle is usually out of at least half their options, you’re not eating there for the experience. No, you’re eating there because it’s convenient, quick and nev-

er crowded. You barely have enough time to think, nevermind seek out an enjoyable dining experience — you’re a busy bee! Genuinely, you’re the kind of person that will either burn out by your second semester or you’ll end up being president 40 years down the road — I don’t foresee anything in between for you.

Rising Roll Again, convenience is the name of the game if you frequent Rising Roll. You’re someone who appreciates efficiency. When you want something, you’re not really interested in searching far and wide for it, nor are you interested in waiting very long for it. You’re probably someone who has back-to-back discussions in New Cabell Hall and doesn’t want to pointlessly leave the building to find food between them. Not only do you appreciate efficiency, you’re also probably pretty quick at completing various tasks.

You’re definitely capable of finishing a meal, a homework assignment and cleaning your apartment in the time it takes most people to finish half their meal.

West Range Cafe If you eat at West Range often, you’re all about the academia aesthetic. You love the wood chairs, dark carpets, fireplace and homey atmosphere inside the Cafe. So much so, that you’re able to look past the fact that West Range doesn’t really serve better quality food than any of the other dining options. I imagine you’re the type of person who loves autumn and winter — you pull out corduroy pants, jackets and turtlenecks at the first sight of orange foliage on the Lawn. You’re also definitely an early bird. There’s nothing you love more than going

by West Range when it’s early and chilly and getting their honey-glazed biscuit sandwich before it sells out.

Einstein Bros. Bagels If you order from Einstein’s, you’re a chronic oversleeper whose only motivation to get up is a warm bagel. You make the quest to Rice Hall for the famed Einstein’s bagels, decked out in your finest sweatpants, or better yet, your plaid flannel pajama pants. Nothing will ruin your day more than opening the Grubhub app only to see that Ein-

stein’s is out of your top choice of bagel and shmear. At that point you may as well go back to bed, because what’s the point of getting up and going to that morning class?

The Pavilion If you frequent The Pav, you’re definitely a compulsive online shopper. In the same way you want to buy new clothes but don’t want to trudge to a physical store to browse, you are desperate for real food but don’t have the time or energy to make it all the way to the Corner. So you do the next best thing and blow your Flex Dollars on restaurants in the Pav instead. You’re probably down to your final Flex Dollars by now if you’re not completely done with them already. Next semester, you swear you’ll conserve your Flex Dollars better. You won’t. Chick-fil-A is still too good.

The Cavalier Daily

8 | www.cavalierdaily.com

Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn and fall on Grounds Students and community members celebrate the changing of the seasons with Halloween traditions Jackie Bond | Staff Writer

University students welcomed a stream of witches, warlocks, pirates and princesses of all ages in the annual Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn event. On a chilly Hallween night, young Trick-or-treaters lined the Lawn in search of treats from 5 to 7 p.m following a week packed with other spooky activities.

TOTOL first started in 1987 when Lawn residents welcomed Charlottesville community members to the University for Halloween festivities. Since then, this event has become an annual tradition that families continue to participate in and look forward to year after year.

This event is hosted by residents of the Lawn, Range and Pavilions, and organized by Cyrena Matingou, senior resident of the Lawn and fourth-year College student. With 54 Lawn rooms and approximately 70 student organizations that hand out candy to young Trick-or-treaters every year — there are plenty of treats to go around.

Laughlin Ryan, Lawn resident and fourth-year College student, handed out candy at TOTOL for the first time this year. She dressed in a bright yellow banana costume to appeal to the many kids coming to her Lawn room.

“Seeing all the little kids’ costumes is so cute and just getting to engage with the community in general is awesome.” Ryan said. “We have all this space and getting to use it for something for the community is really cool.”

Little ones dressed in classic pumpkin costumes wove in and out of the brick pathways, crossing paths with older children dressed as Harry Potter, Batman or firemen. Some

families went all out in creativity, including a trio with a baby dressed as a bagel and two parents in Bodo’s Bagels employee attire — a Charlottesville classic.

One dressed-up duo, Christina Green and Olivia NcNulty — firstyear graduate students with the U.Va School of Medicine — wore a costume of Corona beer and Tortilla chips, accompanied by puppies in matching outfits. The pair said they have been looking forward to TOTOL for a long time and even bought their costumes a month in advance to prepare for this event.

“I love seeing all the costumes, and it’s nice to be around so many people,” McNulty said. “There’s a lot of creativity — things I’ve never seen before.”

Green and McNulty were not the only ones who brought along their furry companions — many other dogs joined in on the fun dressed in their best costumes. Earlier in the week the University Programs Council — a student group that puts on student programming for the University — hosted Puppies and Pumpkins.

During the event, students joined together on the South Lawn to paint pumpkins, drink apple cider and play with puppies from local shelters.

Third-year graduate Medical student Clayton Grundvig and his wife Rachel Grundvig also expressed enthusiasm over the many unique attendees. They also took part in this creativity with a group costume dressed as a bear and a beekeeper, with their baby son suited up as a bee.

“We came here in 2021 and there’s been a gradual hesitation with COVID to have any kind of event so it’s been fun seeing these communi-

ty events come back,” Rachel said. “[Events like this] do a lot to make you feel like a part of Charlottesville. Definitely for somebody that’s a transplant to the area, it means a lot.”

Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. The Halloween tradition successfully returned last year with one of the highest attendance rates in the history of this event. Attendance remained high this year with thousands of people gathered on the Lawn.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, TOTOL ran from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This year, however, organizers moved the event to a 5 p.m. start after an originally planned start of 6 p.m., citing safety and accessibility concerns.

The new in-between time allowed for more light during the event, but also allows working parents time to attend.

Following TOTOL, students and community members alike were able to observe The Great Rotumpkin, U.Va. Arts projections of scary pumpkins, dancing skeletons, ghosts and ghouls onto the Rotunda from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. UPC partnered with U.Va. Arts to have various activities and treats during the nightly projection running from Oct. 27 to Oct. 31.

Beyond current students and Charlottesville community members, many University alums return to grounds to celebrate this tradition with their families. One such Class of 2012 alumna Rachel Hobbs brought her husband and young son to TOTOL for the first time this year. “[This event is] very cheerful and very generous.” Rachel said. “It’s such a great option, I think, for Charlottesville and the community to come and

eat candy and celebrate Halloween together.”

Nadia Cempre, the director of academic operations for the School of Education, attended this event with her two sons. She said she’s made it a tradition to bring her kids to TOTOL because she enjoyed this event herself in her years as an undergraduate.

“I work at U.Va. and I was also a student at U.Va.,” Cempre said. “I just never left. When I was an undergrad here, all I ever wanted was to bring my kids one day and so I’m doing it now.”

Another long standing tradition at the University, Hauntings on the Hill — hosted by Brown College — welcomes the community for a haunted house fully acted and staffed

by Brown students. The proceeds

for this year’s event were donated to the Haven, an affordable housing resource in Charlottesville.

The University will continue to offer fall events through November, including CultureFest on Nov. 4, which will feature performances from CIOs and free food and merchandise. The upcoming Family Weekend Nov. 3 to Nov. 4 also offers a chance for families to come together on Grounds for more fall fun.

NEWS

Thursday, November 2, 2023 | 9

RUMESA ALI, ADAIRE BURNSED, KATE MACARTHUR & CAT WHITE | THE CAVALIER DAILY

10 | www.cavalierdaily.com

OPINION

The Cavalier Daily

LEAD EDITORIAL

Let students have their pie — and eat it too The University must change its current Thanksgiving Break schedule in order to accommodate its geographically-diverse student body As the leaves turn shades of red, yellow and orange around Grounds and temperatures begin to cool, it’s evident that autumn is here. However, planning for Thanksgiving Break is a strenuous task that the University has only made worse with its lack of flexibility and accommodations for students. The University’s current schedule for the holiday leaves faculty and students at an economic and academic disadvantage. Leadership must consider changing this schedule in future years to support the geographically diverse student body while continuing to promote academic success.

The University’s academic schedule gives faculty and students one day to get home before Thanksgiving Day — meaning classes run normally on Monday and Tuesday. While many in-state students can hop in their cars and drive to get home, out of state students are faced with a plethora of obstacles before they can reach their destinations. First, transportation is costly and options are limited when only one day has been allotted to get

home. This raises serious equity concerns for the thousands of students traveling out of state — even weeks in advance, a plane ticket during this time period costs almost double the price it would normally be. The issue of travel costs is exacerbated by the fact that the University leaves students with just the day before Thanksgiving to schedule their trips home. While some out of state students might be in a position to afford an inflated holiday-priced plane ticket, others must make the tradeoff of skipping classes in order to avoid the large financial burden that comes with having one day to travel during the holidays.

Students that skip classes in order to avoid high travel costs don’t just hurt themselves, they can also impact the learning environment of the classes they choose to skip — leaving professors to try and foster meaningful engagement with half a class or cancel instruction altogether. Students should not be forced to jeopardize their own learning and their peers due to their economic situations and the rigidity of

the Thanksgiving Break schedule. The University is a geographically-diverse community and it should have an academic calendar that is cognizant of this reality. The failure to accommodate students’ travel needs negatively impacts the quality of education the University is able to offer.

Institutions like the College of William & Mary recognize the constraints — and costliness — of traveling back home in such a short period, and have employed accommodations like online classes to offer more flexibility. Both the University of Virginia and William & Mary have the same Thanksgiving schedule — their break begins the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

But for William & Mary, the two days prior are remote learning days, meaning faculty and students do not have to be on campus for the entire week. This decision helps to alleviate the financial and academic burden students and professors face by giving them a more flexible travel schedule. This switch is just one example of a way the University could more carefully accommodate

the diverse needs of its student body by incorporating readily available pandemic-era infrastructure that students and faculty are familiar with.

We do recognize that there are drawbacks to online courses. While online courses potentially alleviate transportation costs for some students, students are paying high tuition rates to attend the University in person — not over Zoom. All of this is a fair critique of leveraging remote learning to alleviate travel concerns, but it is worth reiterating that we would only have to allot for two days of online classes to provide students with an additional weekend to get home to family.

Online classes are not the only solution to ensure that students and faculty have the resources to cultivate an effective classroom environment in the days leading up to Thanksgiving Break. The University could start classes a week earlier, and give the entire week off for Thanksgiving. It could get rid of scattered Fall Reading Days, push back the end of the semester or even condense the Finals period.

Whichever solution the University decides to adopt, it must provide clear top-down guidance to faculty on these new measures to avoid the patchwork of teacher-specific policies that fail to provide students the flexibility they deserve during Thanksgiving week.

It may seem small, but building more travel time into Thanksgiving Break is an easy way for the University to demonstrate its commitment to its students. By implementing a schedule that is cognizant of financial concerns and reduces the likelihood that students have to miss class, the University can accommodate its geographically diverse student body and ensure that everyone is able to get home in time for pie.

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

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MANAGING BOARD Editor-in-Chief Ava MacBlane Managing Editor Lexi Baker Executive Editor Nathan Onibudo Operations Manager Ava Proehl Chief Financial Officer Charlie Healy

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JUNIOR BOARD

Assistant Managing Editors Claire DiLorenzo Alexandra Holmes (SA) Emma Carpet (SA) Hailey Chung (SA) Isabella Gattuso (SA) William Hutchens (SA) Karen Shin (SA) Lydia Sweeney Assistant Operations Manager Honor Wood (SA) Mary Kurbanov (SA) Alexa Mosley

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Thursday, November 2, 2023 | 11

OPINION

PANG: Celebrate the Asian American Student Center The new Asian American Student Center is a safe space for Asian and Asian American students The basement floor of Newcomb Hall has become livelier as of late as students excitedly explore the new Asian American Student Center. The center’s calendar has quickly been filled with a vibrant selection of events by student groups to facilitate bonding, dialogue and empowerment among Asian American-identifying students at the University. The AASC’s inception after over a decade of student advocacy calls for both celebration and a moment of reflection. Its opening is a step in the right direction towards a more inclusive and safe University for Asian Americans and an example of how students from marginalized backgrounds can and should call for their own spaces at the University.

While to many students it might seem that the AASC opened overnight, the behind-the-scenes work of establishing the space was long and arduous. Since 1994, students have been pushing for a space dedicated to uplifting Asian American students and culture. In 1994, the Asian Student Union in their Five Year Plan called for a student-run cultural center to address Asian American concerns. The University did not take action on their call, but students’ desire for the space

never faded.

To fully contextualize the more recent calls to create an AASC, we have to remember that the issue of anti-Asian hate rose to the forefront of our national discourse in 2021 and 2022 with the tragic Atlanta spa shootings and the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans. However, this was not just a national trend — it was also a

would be not just a resource and education center, but also a safe space for emotional support — as well as a sign of institutional support from a university that has historically alienated its Asian American students. The AASC’s presence today is a necessary affirmation that Asian Americans have fought and are still fighting to overcome adversity.

simplifies Asian Americans as one homogenous group with the same values, class and history.

So, I will join my peers and the AASC in stressing that if the past few years of verbal abuse, attacks against Asian elderly people and high school students and intensifying xenophobia have shown us anything, it is that Asian Americans are far from gaining the acceptance

The AASC is a necessary physical space that reaffirms the salience of Asian American marginalization and works to help students overcome this adversity.” visible issue within the University community. After University President Jim Ryan canceled classes due to COVID-19 in 2020, two Chinese students had eggs thrown at them outside the Aquatic and Fitness Center. Other anti-Asian harassment against faculty, staff, students and local Charlottesville community members went unreported but not unnoticed.

Because of the rise in anti-Asian hate, students pushed again for an AASC in 2021 through a letter signed by fifteen student organizations on Grounds. The AASC

The AASC’s affirmation of Asian American marginalization productively counters those who do not believe that the Asian American community faces adversity.

Student and guest writers at The Cavalier Daily have stressed the dangerous myth of Asian Americans as the model minority. The myth stereotypes all Asian Americans as innately studious, successful and smart — the closest minority to becoming honorary white people.

This myth pits Asian Americans against other communities of people of color and erroneously over-

they deserve. The AASC is a necessary physical space that reaffirms the salience of Asian American marginalization and works to help students overcome this adversity.

To expand on the AASC’s success, University administration and students alike should be thinking about how we can continue to create spaces for Asian Americans. As students have pointed out already, the University still does not have an Asian American Studies major or a large Asian American faculty to Asian American student ratio.

There should be more courses and

faculty hired to teach the social and political history of Asian America — knowledge that can empower Asian-identifying students to explore their roots, contextualize their modern-day experiences and become engaged citizen-leaders.

The AASC is an inspiring presence for Asian American students on Grounds. Not only does it affirm the experiences of Asian American students, it also enriches the cultural environment of the University as a whole and provides all students with an opportunity to meaningfully engage with Asian American culture. Its success should be a sign for the University to consider heeding the calls of other minorities for a physical space. Let the AASC be the first in a series of successful fights to uplift marginalized voices on Grounds.

SONGHAN PANG is an Opinion Columnist who writes about Health, Tech and Environment for The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at opinion@cavalierdaily.com.

The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Cavalier Daily. Columns represent the views of the authors alone.

BASS: Reform the Virginia Department of Elections The Virginia government is making it harder for residents to vote, which is absolutely unacceptable The 2023 general election for Virginia is less than a week away. For two consecutive years, the Virginia Department of Elections has made significant errors concerning voter registration. As we near another important election, the voters of Virginia cannot afford to have such a careless and unorganized Department. These kinds of mistakes are absolutely unacceptable.

Voting is a fundamental right in the United States and the Department needs to take that seriously.

It came to light at the beginning of October that the Virginia Department of Elections incorrectly removed eligible voters from the Virginia voter roll. The Department made a new rule that if a felon had their voting rights restored and then committed another felony, they would be ineligible to vote.

In a supposed error, individuals ended up removed from the voting rolls who had technical probation violations, but no new felony charges. Around 3,400 Virginians were removed from the voting rolls.

This is the second year in a row that the Department has screwed up, and also the second time it has made mistakes while early voting was in process. Last year, there was a back-

log of 107,000 voting registration and voting change applications. Then, only one week before the 2022 midterm elections, the Department announced that they found an additional 149,000 applications that had not been processed, prompting them to be sent to local registrars. It should not be the

er, these reforms are not enough. Legal changes that expand access to the polls do not work if negligent behavior by the department responsible for overseeing elections is actively making it harder to vote. A government agency that is supposed to uphold the cornerstone of democracy should never

Youngkin claimed that this issue would be corrected by Nov. 7, which is Election Day. In a similarly problematic fashion, the Department released a statement last year regarding their backlog that blamed the entire situation on a computing error that they then just sent off to local registrars to

A government agency that is supposed to uphold the cornerstone of democracy should never be responsible for the mass disenfranchisement of voters.”

responsibility of local registrars to fix the Department’s mistakes. Given that there have been errors in Virginia voting registration for two years in a row, there needs to be an investigation into why the Department is making errors that dangerously infringe upon Virginians’ right to vote.

In 2018, Virginia was the 49th hardest state to vote in. Some reforms have been made, such as waiving requirements for a polling place if no buildings in a precinct meet such standards so that people can still vote within their own precincts. As evidenced by the failures of the Department, howev-

be responsible for the mass disenfranchisement of voters.

The removal of eligible voters is concerning, but so is the lack of transparency from the Department. When they announced that this latest voter roll purge had occurred, the Department acknowledged that it had been incorrectly removing eligible voters for the last nine months. One has to question how a governmental agency responsible for elections has been incorrectly removing voters from the voter rolls for three-quarters of a year without identifying the error. The Department and Governor Glenn

handle.

In both of these instances, these errors meant and will mean that early voting is completely inaccessible to a whole host of individuals who have had their voting rights unduly stripped away by the state.

It is disappointing and unacceptable that the Department has messed up the list of eligible voters in a way that fundamentally reduces voting accessibility for the second year in a row.

Moreover, each time it has not been transparent about its failures. There are very real and dangerous consequences to the Department’s negligent

actions. Board members, who oversee and adopt election policies and regulations, must be held accountable for the inadequate handling of voter rolls.

Virginia’s Senators and Democratic congressional delegation have called for a Department of Justice investigation into whether or not the actions of the Department violated the Voting Rights Act. This is a step in the right direction, and Virginians can add to that pressure to try to ensure that this investigation occurs by publicly voicing their concerns and reaching out to their state representatives. Ultimately, these recurring issues suggest that the Department needs extensive reform to ensure genuine transparency and that it is actually able to uphold our right to vote. Voting is the basis of our democracy — we cannot afford to negotiate on it.

ELISABETH BASS is a Viewpoint Writer who writes about Politics for The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at opinion@cavalierdaily.com.

The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Cavalier Daily. Columns represent the views of the authors alone.

12 | www.cavalierdaily.com

HUMOR

The Cavalier Daily

How to Get That Kid in Your Discussion Section to Shut Up We’ve all been there — 9 a.m. on a Monday, just trying to make it through your first class of the day that, as a result of your poor planning skills and slow reflexes, happens to be a completely unnecessary discussion section. It’s fine for the first five minutes while your TA shuffles papers and 20 other pairs of eyebags settle into their chairs. And then the peaceful silence of the class is bombarded by That One Kid Who Won’t Just Shut Up. They’ve been up since 6 a.m.

— their first class is a uselessly niche comparative politics lecture — where they’re forced, day in and day out, to listen to a professor who has the audacity to assume they each have an immense amount of knowledge on the topic. They can hardly stomach it.

Their arms are disturbingly toned from holding their hand up for 15 minutes straight, blocking who-

ever was sentenced to sit in the auditorium chair directly behind them.

And now they’re here — directly across from you an hour later, eye twitching from the customary early class silence. So, what do you do to get them to stop disturbing the peace? Here’s a few options.

The Aggressive Nod-and-Interrupt This is the first option for anyone who wants to beat their target at their own game. And it’s not for the weak — you actually have to participate in discussion to use this method. As they approach the end of their long-winded “contribution,” start bobbing your head — like one of those guys in the gym who gets a little too into their drill rap playlist— and verbalize your impatience with at least three “mhmms” every 30 seconds. At the least, they will shut up as you begin to bulls—t a

few sentences with the confidence of an alt-right member of Congress. But at the most, your target will believe you’re on a dangerous combination of Celsius and ADHD-related medications and back off.

The Subtle Earplug For shier students, the subtle earplug is a personal favorite and a quintessential skill for those protecting their peace. You know you can’t change people — especially people who love hearing themselves talk and unfortunately have never realized that maybe that is not a totally positive trait — and you are comfortable with that. But you haven’t mastered not getting second-hand embarrassment, and that is why the earplug is perfect for you. Forget taking notes — put your head in your hands and cover your ears in a low-key way that screams “I am trying to dissociate and it is not

working.” It’s not a total fix, but class discussions don’t last forever.

Unless you’re in hell.

The Passive-Aggressive InClass Comment This one is for anyone whose mother has ever berated an unwitting Target employee on a Black Friday in 2011, or for people who haggle over prices on Facebook Marketplace. It can be hard to set up, but done right, That One Kid Who Won’t Just Shut Up will lose the attitude and gain some well-deserved academic PTSD. The key is to base your passive-aggressive comment on something they mention in class, preferably a super niche topic that doesn’t even connect to the subject of discussion in the slightest. Then, channel the kind of suburban intonation that would burn the top layer of a service worker’s brain off for the delivery. Phrase it as a compliment, obviously — we’re

CARTOON #10 UNC William Cobey | Cartoonist

being passive-aggressive, not uncivil. The only downside is this could potentially add to their victim complex. No, it’s definitely going to. Sorry.

Setting Their Backpack on Fire With Your Mind For legal reasons I can’t really go into detail. But if all else fails, duct tape is $3.99 and you can always plead not guilty.

If none of these work, don’t blame yourself. And if you are having a great time in discussion sections, you’re probably the only person feeling that way, or you’re the TA shuffling papers and pretending your students are interesting.

ADAIR REID is a Humor Columnist for The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at humor@cavalierdaily.com

Thursday, November 2, 2023 | 13

SPORTS Record crowd at JPJ a game changer for volleyball The Cavaliers rallied to win in five sets behind unprecedented University and community support Jacob Tisdale | Sports Editor

ALBERT TANG | THE CAVALIER DAILY

The Cavaliers rallied to complete just their second reverse sweep of the season at John Paul Jones Arena.

Fans flocked to John Paul Jones Arena to passionately root on Virginia in a tightly contested Smithfield Commonwealth Clash matchup last weekend. However, the Cavalier faithful were not there to support the men’s or women’s basketball teams as usual — instead, they were treated to an intense five-set victory for Virginia’s volleyball team over rival Virginia Tech.

Ahead of the match, Coach Shannon Wells said she anticipated attendance to be somewhere around 1,500.

In total, 3,162 fans attended the first volleyball match ever hosted at JPJ since its opening in 2006. The number nearly triples the previous attendance record of 1,089 for the team, also set against Virginia Tech in 2019. The former record was set at the program’s typical home court, Memorial Gymnasium, which has a maximum capacity of 2,500. The feel ahead of the match was simply different for Virginia’s players.

“During warmups and when we ran out, I just kept looking up,” junior middle blocker Abby Tadder said. “It was crazy… At [Memorial Gymnasium] you don’t really have to look up, we just look out. Here I was looking up and there were people everywhere which is so awesome.”

While credit for the victory belongs to the team and coaching staff, the fans were just what the Cavaliers needed after going down two sets to none against the Hokies. On the brink of a three-set sweep, chants filled the arena, getting louder as momentum built for Virginia before silencing during crucial serves for the Cavaliers in the match.

“When you score a lot of points in a row, which we were doing, it… gets the crowd involved,” Wells said. “I think that’s what you saw for momentum.”

The crowd — particularly the student section and band — played their part to perfection and had fun with it as “Let’s go Hoos!” rang out through the rafters of the arena after impressive spikes, digs or aces. The wave worked its way through JPJ lower bowl throughout the affair, and the whole arena — minus a smattering of Virginia Tech supporters — stood holding up a single finger when the Cavaliers were a point away from clinching a set.

Virginia completed the electric reverse sweep with massive community support behind it. The win was the Cavaliers’ second five set victory of the season, a dramatic ending fit for the crowd. After the final set was won, fellow student athletes rushed onto the court to celebrate with their

friends, and Wells personally thanked the crowd for their encouragement as fans began to exit.

The September announcement that the match would be held in JPJ came on the heels of Nebraska’s volleyball team smashing the attendance record for a women’s sporting event, playing in front of 92,003 fans at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Earlier this month, Iowa’s women’s basketball team played an outdoor scrimmage in front of 55,646 fans at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, nearly doubling the record for the most attended women’s basketball game.

Wells called the announcement a “dream come true” and a goal of hers since joining the program in 2021. Despite a difficult season overall for Virginia, the match meant more to Wells, the team and the fans.

“Seeing all the people that came out to support us…. it was really heartwarming to be able to play in that environment,” graduate student middle blocker Verisia Yion said.

Within the context of this season, the win was much needed. Ahead of the marquee matchup, the Cavaliers had dropped eight matches in a row, with their last win coming exactly a month prior. Though there is not

much season left, building momentum in the final stretch ought to pay dividends for the program.

The environment and energy in JPJ meant much more than just a bounce back after a slump for Virginia. In a college athletics environment defined by recruiting, the transfer portal and Name, Image and Likeness revenue, Virginia showed to future Cavaliers the depth of support and exposure they can receive in Charlottesville. In addition to the venue and crowd, the match was also televised nationally on ACC Network. It signified a massive leap towards success for Wells and company.

“We keep just talking about getting one percent better every single day and I think that this was a really big step for our program,” Wells said.

“We believe that this season, we got so much more for this program and we’re excited. This is a big stepping stone for us.”

It was an eventful weekend for fans of women’s sports at Virginia beyond just the volleyball match at JPJ. Virginia announced Saturday that ticket sales for women’s basketball were higher than they had been in nearly 30 years.

Additionally, attendance for swimming and diving’s dual meet against No. 2 Texas at the Aquatic and Fitness

Center set a new program record, with 1,223 fans rooting for the men’s and women’s teams. The first home meet of the season saw the Cavaliers unveil the banner for the women’s teams’ third straight national championship in front of a raucous crowd.

Wells was sure to give credit to University and athletic department administration for the successful event. “[Thanks] to Carla Williams and our administration for making this happen, the numerous amounts of people that go into video, concessions, RMC [Events] and security,” Wells said. “All I asked was that this felt like a first-class event, and I think you guys can all agree that it definitely was. It was a really tough match between two gritty teams, fighting for so much more than just a win today.”

As the community of fans and students have shown more support for Virginia’s women’s sporting programs than ever before, Athletic Director Carla Williams has energized the masses with exceptional promotion of events, superb coordination and the construction of programs that are giving Cavalier fans plenty to cheer for.

Albert Tang contributed to this article

14 | www.cavalierdaily.com

The Cavalier Daily

Leon Bond emulates Tony Bennett in more ways than one In his first season of potential starting action, the versatile redshirt freshman adds athleticism and personality to the young Cavaliers Xander Tilock | Senior Writer When redshirt freshman forward Leon Bond III committed to Virginia, the Wauwatosa, Wis. native immediately recognized the community Coach Tony Bennett had built. The highly regarded recruit had multiple offers on the table — including Marquette, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech — but he knew that Virginia would be his destination.

“I just felt at home here from my visit,” Bond said. “It just felt like family, the group of coaches was gonna build the player and person I want to be in life.”

Virginia will certainly look very different offensively this season, with several notable departures replaced with an array of promising additions. Because Bond redshirted last season and accrued a year of practice time, he will likely headline the new contributors due to his experience.

“I’m just like a do-it-all type of guy. Wherever I am needed, I’m there for my teammates,” Bond said.

“I can play the three [small forward] and knock down shots or play the four [power forward] and play in the post, I’ll create open looks for my guys and do it all.”

No longer a recruit, but a vital piece on arguably the most talented Virginia roster since 2019, Bond forms a formidable trio of Wisconsin-born stars with senior guard Reece Beekman and sophomore guard Andrew Rohde. Of course, Bennett himself also hails from the Dairy State.

“It feels really good, being a Wisconsin guy with [Bennett] being from Wisconsin and the midwest grit we all got,” Bond said. “We work hard. Midwest hoopers know how to play, we get at it.”

Bond performed admirably in his senior season at Wauwatosa East High School, to the tune of 21.1 points per game — and a state title.

Despite never playing a minute of

college basketball so far, Bennett is high on Bond’s potential to come in and produce immediately.

“Regarding Leon, his improvement, the trajectory that he’s on, is good,” Bennett said. “I think the good thing about Leon is he knows us … He’s just going to get better and better.”

Bond also excels off the court, serving as the unofficial ambassador of the Virginia culture to a Virginia squad with so many new pieces and always has something good to say about his teammates. One he looks forward to playing with in particular is Rohde, a fellow Wisconsinite.

“Andrew Rohde will do some things. He is expected to score, sure, but he can truly change the game,” Bond said. “He will turn heads. He looks for teammates, he can take over games. You would be surprised.”

Three-point shooting was a top priority for Bennett’s offseason shopping list, and he added a few intriguing options in addition to Rohde. Bond mentioned transfer graduate student forward Jake Groves — a three-point specialist from Oklahoma — as not just an elite shooter but also a fun teammate. Bennett is known for bringing the team on extracurricular adventures such as whitewater rafting, and Bond has found that Groves has been one of the more enthusiastic new teammates. “[If I had to pick one teammate to survive on an abandoned island] I am taking Jake Groves. We’re fishing, making fire, camping, we know how to do it being some backwoods boys,” Bond said.

Building camaraderie goes beyond the basketball court, and Bond is a key leader in building team chemistry. The squad can frequently be found attending Virginia soccer games or other sporting events. Bond’s energetic personality is contagious and impactful.

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Leon Bond’s experience from his redshirt season should pay dividends for the Cavaliers.

“I’m just joyful, I see the positive in everything,” Bond said. “I want to compete and wanna win, I encourage our guys and find joy even in losses, I just wanna go at it.”

Bond and company will have every opportunity to succeed without the stress of extreme expectations, as Virginia is currently unranked to start the season for the first time since 2018 and projected to finish fourth in the ACC. The last time the team was not in the opening preseason poll, it went on to go 31-3 and earn the nation’s top

overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Like the 2018 team, the new Cavaliers boast a crew of highly regarded talents. Bond himself was the 60th-best recruit in the entire 2022 high school class.

“We’re really raw, which is good,” Bond said. “We are young, and we have limitless potential. Our highs are so high, when we get it together we are gonna be scary.”

Virginia’s 2022 recruiting class featured two current mainstays in sophomore guard Isaac McKneely and sophomore forward Ryan Dunn — McKneely the sharpshooter, with Dunn the high-flying dunker and Bond the versatile scorer. Like Dunn, Bond can throw down the hammer on fastbreaks in his own right.

“I gotta give [the title of best dunker] to Ryan right now,” Bond said. “He’s pulled off those athletic dunks where it’s just like wow. If he is the best though, I am a close second.”

Bond obviously embodies humility, one of Bennett’s core five pillars, and lives to that standard on and off the court. He aims to one day work with Nike in community outreach or as a brand ambassador — but for now, championships are at the forefront. Repeating as reg-

ular season winners of the ACC would be a good start. The Cavaliers won a share of the regular season title with Miami. Through it all, Bond centers himself on his love of basketball.

“I just kinda fell in love with the game,” Bond said. “I get into a zone where it’s like nothing else matters, and it feels amazing.”

Bond’s passion is a significant boost to the entire team, and he is just getting started. Figuring out Virginia’s starting lineup is going to be a bit of a mystery with all the new playmakers — but Bennett made sure to highlight the young forward in media availability. “[Bond] looked really good in that blue-white scrimmage, that was good stuff, and he’s just fun to watch,” Bennett said. “There’s a smoothness to how he moves and slashes and does things.”

With several guards and larger forwards, Bond could be the optimal option at the natural small forward position in between his fellow 2022 recruits in Dunn and McKneely. Regardless of how the rotation is shaped, Bond figures to be a crucial component of a thrilling new era of Virginia men’s basketball.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 | 15

SPORTS

Women’s basketball shooting for success Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton gives insight into how her players will look in the upcoming season Victoria Blankenship | Senior Writer

SOPHIA LEE | THE CAVALIER DAILY

The Cavaliers are led by a plethora of new additions and will aim to reach new heights under Coach Agugua-Hamilton.

With Virginia women’s basketball’s first public exhibition occurring Thursday against Pitt-Johnstown and its season opener Wednesday against Maryland Eastern Shore, basketball season is quickly approaching, and the Cavaliers are ready for it. Coach Amaka “Mox” Agugua-Hamilton discussed this season’s outlook with the press Monday.

With eight returning players and six new recruits, each player is going into the season with a range of goals — from having a successful start to their collegiate career to finishing their final season of eligibility strong. Agugua-Hamilton looked at the upcoming season and gave insight into her team, saying she feels that everyone, including the new recruits, is ready.

“I just think that our culture is thriving right now,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “We just have kids that get along.”

To recap, the Cavaliers had developed as a team last year but still had some shortcomings. They started last season with a bang and won their first 12 games in a row before falling to Duke Dec. 21. Virginia then struggled during the second half of the season where it lost seven games in a row before bouncing back with a win against then-No. 22 NC State Feb. 12. The recovery showed that Agugua-Hamilton’s team had resil-

ience, even as they were bounced from the ACC Tournament in the first round and declined a WNIT invite due to injury and health concerns.

Although it did not make it to the NCAA Tournament, Virginia had a remarkable turnaround in its 15-14 regular season record compared to 5-21 the season before. The Cavaliers were nationally ranked — No. 25 — for the first time since the 2011-12 season. This was largely attributed to the then-new Agugua-Hamilton and the addition of then-senior forward Sam Brunelle.

Fan interest in the program has returned in force due not only due to Agugua-Hamilton’s near-immediate reinvigoration of the program on the court, but also from the team’s commitment to engaging with the community. Throughout the offseason the team has made stops in local elementary schools to promote reading and have fun with the youth.

“People are kind of getting behind what we do,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “We’ve been giving back a lot in the community…we want to make sure that community is a part of what we do.”

Agugua-Hamilton also said the community has become increasingly involved now that there are three players native to the Charlottesville area, which is bound to increase the already-doubled attendance — from

the 2021-22 season to the 2022-23 season — for the upcoming home games.

“They understand what it means to put that Virginia on your chest… they take a lot of pride in that,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “I think that’s also helped season ticket holders… you want to see your local talent.”

The three players Agugua-Hamilton is talking about are Brunelle, freshman guard Kymora Johnson and freshman guard Olivia McGhee.

As McGhee and Johnson are new to the team, they have been focusing on integrating themselves into the team and learning how to step up and be leaders on the court.

Brunelle, on the other hand, was a key player in the recent season. A top recruit out of nearby William Monroe High School, she transferred from Notre Dame to join the Cavaliers last season, where she led the team in minutes played per game and averaged 11 points per game — third on the team. Even though a foot injury took her out for the rest of the season Feb. 11, she was a defining addition to the team.

This is Brunelle’s final season of eligibility, so she wants to give it her all as both a player and a leader. Agugua-Hamilton called it “her last go-around” and said that she — along with the other graduate student players — will need to play with the “grit and want” necessary to

finish their final season strong and with no regrets.

On the other hand, Agugua-Hamilton is just getting started in her coaching career at Virginia.

Looking to the start of her second season as head coach, she highlighted she wanted to carry forward patience, as well as persevering through adversity and resilience.

The idea she emphasized the most, however, was “togetherness of the group.” Throughout the summer, Agugua-Hamilton made sure the team had plenty of time to practice together and bond so that they could be not only a unit on the court but also a family off court.

This was a key point for Agugua-Hamilton, as the players come from all across the country and even from other nations — specifically the Swedish freshman forward Edessa Noyan. When asked how Noyan was adjusting to living in the United States, Agugua-Hamilton responded honestly.

“She kind of left everything back home,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “She just had to get comfortable with that.”

However, Agugua-Hamilton was impressed with how well Noyan adjusted to living here and attributed part of it to how the team is Noyan’s “family away from home.” Basketball-wise, she has been impressed with Noyan’s ability to pick things

up quickly and play with both finesse and power, on top of her recent achievement of being a part of Sweden’s U20 Junior National Team.

On top of Noyan, there is another new face that will effectively change the positions of other key players.

Graduate student Taylor Lauterbach graduated early from Kansas State University to come study and play at Virginia during her final years of eligibility. At 6-foot-7, Lauterbach will be key in rebounding and defense as a center — allowing players like fifth-year forward Camryn Taylor and graduate student forward London Clarkson to play their natural positions.

The combination of new faces and returning key players will make for a diverse team that will progressively learn and grow with Agugua-Hamilton as she continues to come into her role as head coach.

Their first ACC matchup will be against NC State Dec. 31. Until then, they will be focusing on taking the season “one game at a time” and looking for room for improvement as they start to face other teams after a summer of scrimmages. Look forward to their exhibition Thursday at 6 p.m. against Pitt-Johnstown and their season opener Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Maryland Eastern Shore.

16 | www.cavalierdaily.com

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