The Case Western Reserve Observer
CIVIL UNREST
PROTESTERS VANDALIZE CAMPUS
On Nov. 8 at 4:49 a.m., the Case Western Reserve University Division of Public Safety was notified of alleged vandalism on buildings across campus. By the start of classes that day, students were reporting cases of vandalism on the Case Quad, by the main building of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences and by the main entrance of George Gund Hall, the main building for the CWRU School of Law.
Found around campus were instances of red paint being applied to statues such as “Doc Oc” and “The Homeless,” as well as splatters of red and white paint along the Binary Walkway. On the side of Adelbert Hall and Gund Hall, red hand prints and posters were applied. The campus crime log also lists two other locations: the Weatherhead School of Management’s Peter B. Lewis Building and George S. Dively Buildings.
The posters had messages such as “Killer Kaler Out” and “CWRU Kills Children for Blood Money.” Written words were also found along the wall of the outside courtyard to the School of Law. On the law school, there was a list of countries— “Sudan, Congo, Haiti, Lebanon!”—that start with “Palentine,” a supposed misspelling of Palestine.
STUDENT ARRESTS SPARK OUTRAGE
At 5:10 p.m. on Nov. 11, the Case Western Reserve University chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine posted on their Instagram page that a “rally for the students in custody” would take place outside the CWRU Division of Public Safety Headquarters Building. Set to begin at 7 p.m., SJP announced that this demonstration was a call to action to address the three student arrests made earlier that day and protest against the alleged maltreatment of the students in police custody. This protest succeeds the vandalism of various locations on campus that took place on Nov. 8.
The rally consisted of 85 to 100 individuals who gathered at the police department, some of whom wore masks. Among chants directed at the police standing behind metal barriers, there was a moment when the crowd turned around to “boo” at two individuals who work for University Marketing and Communications.
After a speech by the organizers of the rally, the group marched through the North Residential Village, stopping outside Linsalata Alumni Center before walking down Ford Drive, up Bellflower Road and returning back to the headquarters.
“I can’t stand for what the university’s doing.
On the ground were the words “We are complicit in genocide.” Similarly, on the side of Millis Hall, the graffitied walls read, “Free Gaza” and “Long live the Intifada.”
In an immediate response, CWRU placed metal barriers and caution tape around the affected areas, diverting foot traffic. Contractors from Paul Davis, a restoration company, were seen power washing various surfaces throughout the day.
Reactions from the campus community greatly varied. One student on the Quad who chose to remain anonymous expressed their skepticism about vandalizing property.
“I’m not going to lie, I saw all the white and thought a bird [shat] all over the Binary Walkway. Then I saw the red and knew what it was,” they said. “I saw Doc Oc, and they vandalized [him] too. I thought that was really dumb because he didn’t do anything. I don’t think vandalism is the answer. I mean, I understand [the university is] trying to suppress protesters, but that is not the way to go about it. It’s just kind of disrespectful to vandalize.”
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It’s not acceptable in its broad suppression of student voices,” a protester told The Observer before the start of the march.
During the protest and in the preceding Instagram post, organizers claimed that “3+” students were arrested by the CWRU police before being booked into Cuyahoga County Jail. They allege that students were unable to reach legal counsel, and one student was forcibly asked to remove her hijab.
“It’s just wrong to arrest students who currently go to Case, and from what I’ve heard there’s basically no evidence against them. They’ve been moved to the county jail, and one of them had their hijab removed, which is a human rights violation,” one of the rally participants said.
The worry about the rule of law concerned many of those who attended. “As a Jewish student on campus, I’m always concerned when anyone is detained without due process. That has historically not been a great thing for us,” an anonymous student participant said.
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Zachary Treseler News Editor
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
Zachary Treseler News Editor
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor
Darcy Chew/The Observer
Darcy Chew/The Observer
Shivangi Nanda/The Observer
November 15, 2024
CWRU’s history of protest: The response to the Vietnam War on campus
Darcy Chew
Ashley Rosinski
Contributing Writer
College campuses have always been a place of activism, with students historically protesting issues from tuition hikes to the Vietnam War. Case Western Reserve University is no different.
In 1967, CWRU was founded through the federation of Western Reserve University (WRU) and the Case Institute of Technology (CIT). Two years prior, the U.S. escalated its involvement in the Vietnam War with redeployment of active combat troops. The war primarily impacted CWRU students through the draft, where young men were involuntarily inducted into the United States Armed Services. College students could still defer their eligibility but risked being reinducted after their four years in school. One very personal account of the draft comes from the one of founders of The Observer in a 2022 article detailing how he and his friends navigated getting their draft notices.
When CWRU federated, opposition coalesced against the war, but the protests were small and limited. In 1967, 30 students from WRU picketed Pardee Hall to protest Dow Chemical on campus—the manufacturer of Agent Orange—which later drew counter protesters from the
CIT. A similar event occurred in 1968, though without counter protesters. According to an article in The Case Tech, an old student newspaper, CWRU’s response was mild: “Dr. Chamberlain, Vice Provost, approached the group and said that they could stay if they made a path and did not obstruct ‘the normal function of the university.’”
In April of that year, President Robert Morse was heckled by protesters at a panel discussion. Here, he revealed that he was opposed to the Vietnam War but refused to speak in an official capacity.
It was not until 1969, when a national draft replaced local drafts, that civic resistance to the Vietnam War grew. In September 1969, students organized an on-campus strike for October and demanded CWRU facilitate transportation for students to attend demonstrations in Washington. While CWRU permitted spaces on campus to be reserved for the October strike, at first classes were not canceled. The strike became a whole-day affair, with various teach-ins and rallies being held.
Also in October of 1969, Morse signed a letter with 79 other college presidents urging President Richard Nixon to expedite the removal of soldiers. That November, The Observer covered mass protests against the war in Washington, which 500 students from CWRU attended.
In 1970, CWRU hosted the national Student Mobilization Committee conference. It was both a political meeting about the future of the organization and a protest to show the students’ frustrations. Students signed petitions indicating that they would
Students protest Dow Chemical’s recruitment outside Pardee Hall. Founded by a Case School of Applied Sciences alum, Dow Chemical produced napalm and Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Photographer Unknown, Courtesy of Digital Case
Zachary Treseler News Editor
Sports Editor
Students stand outside Yost Hall in protest of the ROTC. Student protests lead to CWRU’s decision to discontinue the ROTC program. Photographer Unknown, Courtesy of Digital Case
Students display signs showing support for the Vietnam War. Protests on campus against the Vietnam War sparked counter-protests. Bill Nehez, Courtesy of Digital Case
After the Kent State shooting, CWRU students protested by blocking Euclid Avenue. Cleveland police responded and arrested one student. John Fleshin/The Observer, Courtesy of Digital Case
refuse induction if called up by the national draft as a form of protest. In April of 1970, students organized another strike to directly protest Nixon’s policies to end the war. They also hosted a student-wide referendum on the topic, where 1,186 voted in favor of U.S. withdrawal and 342 against.
On May 3, 1970, The Case Tech reported that “Yost Hall was taken over by students.” Yost was the site of CWRU’s Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) offices that the students were protesting for the removal of. Student organizers elected to hold a strike the following Monday and to picket the entrances to major academic buildings. There was a planned rally outside of Strosacker Auditorium, and the Faculty Senate announced its intent to have an open meeting to discuss removing the program.
At 12:24 p.m. on May 4, 1970, Ohio National Guard soldiers fired into a crowd of protesters at Kent State University, 34 miles away from CWRU. The reaction from CWRU students was swift. Paul Kerson, one of the founders of The Observer, reported that a spontaneous candle light memorial march began “from Clarke Tower to the Case Quad.”
One of the first actions of protesters was to sit down and block Euclid Avenue starting at 2:30 p.m. As a result, Cleveland police officers on horseback broke up the protest twice, arresting only one student.
That night, a “Death March” was held, with between 2,000 to 3,000 participants marching across campus, taking up all of Euclid Avenue in process. Two of the participants were Morse and the Chair of the Faculty Senate Professor B. S. Chandrasekhar. “We are playing this one inning at a time,” Morse said in response to these sudden protests.
On May 5, 1970, the Faculty Senate voted to turn the AFROTC program into an extracurricular activity, effectively removing it from campus. That Wednesday, its offices in Yost were a victim of an apparent arson attack.
On May 9, 1970, a large rally was held on the grounds of the Severance Hall parking lot and U.S. Army trucks pulled into the rally offering chilled water. Protesters then climbed on the U.S. Army vehicles before streaking in Wade Lagoon.
A 2016 article from The Daily notes that Morse and his administration “offered students the option of ending their semesters early in good standing, effectively facilitating the student strike demanded by protestors.” All school work done by May 1 could be exchanged for a letter grade or a Pass/ No Pass option.
Morse resigned in October 1970 due to a disagreement with the Board of Trustees. In a later speech, where he jokingly referred to himself as the “president in exile,” he voiced concerns about the “the shabbiness of the tactics which deposed me.” In defending his reactions during the protests, he mentioned, “Stilling voices is not in the nature of universities.”
Protests on CWRU’s campus did not stop, with small groups going to the Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building to protest. In March 1971, students held a brief takeover of Yost to protest the continued existence of the AFROTC program. Commentators at the time noted that part of the hold up could be a result of the federation: Former WRU students were responsible for pushing the program off campus, while it was technically a CIT program prior, they claimed.
A year after the Kent State shootings, protests on campus died down. The one-year memorial march was attended by 300 people including important administrators such as thenacting President Louis Toepfer. The rest of the academic year’s protests were described by The Observer as “anticlimactic.”
Students hold signs and a flag in a protest along Euclid Avenue. Photographer Unknown, Courtesy of Digital Case
President Robert Morse (right) speaks to student protesters in 1969. Protests escalated following the implementation of a national draft. Bernie Noble, Courtesy of Digital Case
Protesters vandalize from page 1
Another student bystander commented on the monetary costs of cleaning up the vandalism and with policing last year’s encampment. “My major issue is that a lot of money has been spent to deal with the protests. I think the money is not where I want [my tuition] to go. And what they’ve done is overkill. I’m not a fan,” the student bystander said. “They seem to respond to the protests very quickly, and it seems like it’s a priority to do whatever they can to quell the protest much quicker than any other issue on campus.”
Many students were confused by seeing the Binary Walkway, a major thoroughfare, closed off. One student said, “I thought it was the [opposing] football team because their colors [are] red and white.”
In an email sent at 1:41 p.m., President Eric Kaler stated, “Overnight, a group of individuals vandalized multiple buildings, structures and artwork on our campus with paint and glued posters, some of which included what the university considers antisemitic language or symbols.” He continued, “Any individual found to have been involved in vandalizing our campus will be subject to the relevant university conduct process and criminal charges.”
The CWRU chapter for Students for Justice in Palestine, one of the main organizers of last spring’s Gaza Solidarity Encampment, wrote on their Instagram page, “This was not a CWRU SJP action, but we applaud it unequivocally. We stand with those who refuse to
let this ivory tower institution forget its complicity in GENOCIDE.”
The news of the vandalism was also covered by local news stations, with WKYC and FOX8 interviewing students about their reactions to the vandalism. Congressman Max Miller, a Republican from a neighboring district, tweeted that he had “heard from President Kaler about the despicable antisemitic violence that took place last night at @cwru. I’ve been very clear, hatred is heresy and has no place in a decent so-
ciety. Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.”
When asked what the university deemed was antisemitic from the vandalism and the monetary cost of the restoration crews, The Observer received the following statement from the university: “The university declined to elaborate, citing the pending criminal investigation.”
In comments to FOX8, the university did say that the antisemitic language was found on the “posters glued to windows and doors.”
These acts of vandalism come days after Provost and Executive Vice President Joy K. Ward’s Nov. 4 email regarding changes to the university’s posting policy. Expressive actions are still regulated by the Freedom of Expression Policy Committee. In the midst of longstanding tension between the administration and student body regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, many parties are concerned about when and if this tension will be resolved.
Student arrests from page 1
Organizers highlighted the conditions at the Cuyahoga County Corrections Center, where pretrial defendants are held. One attendee, third-year law student Shatha Shahin, said, “Three students were unjustly arrested and sent to the worst county jail in the country in abhorrent conditions just because of their pro-Palestinian activism. This school is anti-Palestinian and will do anything to intimidate and silence Palestinians and their allies.”
A written statement from CWRU on Nov. 11 connects three arrests on campus to Nov. 8’s vandalism: “Earlier today, multiple individuals were arrested on felony charges in connection with the vandalism of buildings, structures and artwork across our campus overnight on Nov. 8. These individuals have been transferred to the Cuyahoga County Jail, where they are afforded full legal rights, including access to counsel. As this is now a criminal investigation, the university is unable to
provide further comment.”
An analysis of publicly available information from the Cleveland Municipal Court shows three individuals were arrested on Nov. 11 by the CWRU Division of Public Safety for vandalism, being charged with a fourth-degree felony. One other individual has a warrant out for their arrest. The Observer has independently confirmed that all four individuals are CWRU students.
While the protest was being or-
ganized, many students on campus expressed skepticism about the goals of the rally, specifically around the arrests and charges. “They were arrested for vandalism. If I were to draw a Star of David, I would also get arrested for vandalism,” a rally onlooker said.
Another onlooker expressed similar sentiments, saying, “It looks like they’re mad that the vandals got arrested, so they’re saying ‘drop the charges.’ If you did the crime, you do the time.”
Protesters splash red paint indiscriminately on the Binary Walkway. Afterward, students entering and leaving the Case Quad were rerouted around Adelbert Hall while the pathway was cleaned. Darcy Chew/The Observer
As part of a rally organized by the CWRU chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, dozens of individuals took to the streets after gathering outside of the CWRU Division of Public Safety Headquarters Building to protest against the alleged maltreatment of three students arrested for vandalism. Shivangi Nanda/The Observer
The Editorial Board puts D.P. Dough to the ultimate test
Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor
Zachary Treseler News Editor
At the start of the semester, D.P. Dough opened an Uptown Cleveland location, promising Case Western Reserve University students another latenight food option. After years of construction and a few eviction notices, D.P. Dough finally opened its doors, bringing with it calzones to rival its pizza-making neighbor, Rascal House.
Much to our chagrin, this franchise closest to CWRU’s campus erroneously calls itself the “Cleveland State University” location. That aside, the menu is quite similar to most D.P. Dough locations. It boasts 30 signature calzones and one “Construction Zone,” where customers can customize their calzone using the restaurant’s curated list of ingredients. The menu also includes D.P. Tots, D.P. Dunkers, D.P. Wings and several Stix, from savory Pesto Stix to sweeter Dough Bites. Together, the menu includes all sorts of unhealthy, cheese-filled food that one would crave on a late night. And it makes sense considering this spot is open everyday from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m.
To put D.P. Dough to the ultimate test, six members of The Observer’s Editorial Board tried nine “Zones,” making sure to hit each of the major proteins—ground beef, chicken and sausage. We also tried one of their famous—or infamous—tater tot-filled calzones.
First up was the Buffer Zone, which consisted of breaded chicken, mozzarella, hot sauce and blue cheese. From the tangy blue cheese to the soft white meat chicken, this calzone soared to the top of most of our rankings. With a clear buffalo flavor, the only downfall—something present in every calzone—was the lackluster bread. It’s a rubbery, thin shell that hardly resembles a good pizza crust. (Rating: 3/5)
Second on our list was the Pesto Zone, an amalgamation of pesto, mozzarella and tomatoes, perfect for those looking for a vegetarian option. Many of our reviewers noted that this calzone was similar to the pesto sandwich at Panera Bread, but perhaps with a bit more cheese. Others deemed the calzone hardly reminiscent of a good pesto sandwich, with cheese masking any flavor the pesto could have provided. Overall, it’s definitely not the worst or best of the ones we tried. (Rating: 1.5/5)
We saw the words “Mac Daddy Zone” on the menu and knew we had to test this mac and cheese calzone creation. As a note, we tweaked the order a bit, removing bacon to make this our second vegetarian bite. Regardless, this calzone did not disappoint on the mac and cheese front. While the macaroni felt a little cheap, it was packed full of Kraft-like sauce, giving the filling a nostalgic feel. In hindsight, bacon bits would have helped balance out the cheese flavor, but that is a trial for another time. (Rating: 2.8/5)
The Cheeseburg Zone was easily the biggest disappointment of the night. Filled with ground beef, cheese, bacon and mozzarella, this calzone was the least like its title. The meat was dry and the bacon was sparse, leaving a bad taste in our mouths. Even with the side of marinara sauce, this calzone lacked flavor compared to the others. Only one of our taste testers was willing to go in for another slice. (Rating: 1.1/5)
Next up, we tried the Italian Zone While we understood the idea of emanating a meaty Italian sub in calzone form, its salty and overwhelmingly cheesy nature made the side of sweet marinara a must. In fact, it was so salty that one of our reviewers noted that the contrast between the salty meat and rubbery dough provided an unbearable mouthfeel. All things considered, though, this calzone did deliver in terms of its title: lots of meat and cheese. (Rating: 2.6/5)
Keeping with the theme of Italian
The Observer’s Editorial Board taste-tested nine of D.P. Dough’s signature calzones, with the BBQ Chicken Zone scoring the highest with 4.4/5 stars and the Cheeseburg Zone scoring the lowest with 1.1/5 stars.
Observer
inspired dishes, next on our list was the Chicken ParmaZone. The reviews from this calzone were non-committal at best and apathetic at worst. Beyond grumblings that this calzone needed more parmesan flavor, our main complaint was the low-quality meat. (Rating: 3.1/5)
Next up was the Falling Rock Zone, one of the tater tot-containing items. As one might expect, the addition of potato inside an already carbohydrate-rich crust did not make for a balanced meal. While the tater tots were crispy and supplemented with a nice cheese blend, the calzone itself was quite flavorless, and our ratings reflected this sentiment. (Rating: 1.7/5)
Second to last on our list was the Danger Zone, a cheeseburger-based Mexican creation. Filled with taco seasoning, meat, cheese and onions, this calzone was packed full of flavor. And though the flavor was a bit one-note, it did save the dryness of the meat and the unmelted cheddar sprinkled on
top. Unlike the other calzones on the menu, this one came with a side of sour cream to fit the Mexican theme. However, the combination did not sit quite right, so perhaps stick with the side of marina when you can. (Rating: 2.4/5)
Last but definitely not least was the BBQ Chicken Zone. Filled with cheese, chicken and copious amounts of barbeque sauce, this calzone rivaled the Buffer Zone in our ratings. Many of the reviewers enjoyed its strong BBQ flavor coupled with the perfect amount of meat and cheese. It was almost good enough for us to overlook the still flabby crust. (Rating: 4.4/5) As a whole, D.P. Dough is not half bad. Amidst some lackluster options, there were calzones worth going back for and ones we genuinely liked. So, if you are looking for a late-night treat, and another slice of Rascal House pizza is not meeting your needs, consider giving D.P. Dough a try. After all, when life hands you dough, why not fold it into a pocket of cheesy joy?
What to do this Homecoming week(end)
“Some Like It Hot” at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace
11/15-24 | From $30
Set in Chicago during the Prohibition era, this stage adaptation of the 1959 classic film starring Marilyn Monroe is flashy and over the top in the best possible way. The plot is literally “shot” into motion when two male musicians are forced to flee the city after witnessing a mob hit. To keep their identity a secret from the gangsters chasing them, the pair must disguise themselves as women to remain anonymous on their cross-country train journey. The musical more than does justice to all the crazy antics of the movie, promising theater-goers a “glorious, big, high-kicking” time.
Homecoming Tailgate
11/16 | Free
This year’s pre-Homecoming game tailgate will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. along East 115th Street from the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Residence Hall to the North Residential Village Starbucks, featuring tabling and perfor-
Kate Gordon Life Editor
mances from several CWRU and local Cleveland groups. Free food will be provided to students and alumni from Barrio, Off the Griddle and Squash the Beef. Alternative food options for those with dietary restrictions will be available as well, plus a cash bar/beer garden area for attendees 21 and older and hot beverages from Odd Dog Coffee. Finally, the Class Officer Collective will be giving away sweatshirts to undergraduate students only. All food and giveaways will be on a first-comefirst-served basis, so be sure to arrive at the tailgate early if you have your heart set on something particular.
HomecomingGameFootball
11/16 | Free
After hanging out at the tailgate, cross the street to DiSanto Field to watch the Case Western Reserve University Spartans take on the Carnegie Mellon University Tartans. Kickoff will be at 1:30 p.m., and the game is estimated to end around 3:30 p.m. At halftime, you’ll be able to watch this year’s Homecoming Court winners be crowned CWRU royalty.
Best of Both Worldz: Miley vs. Hannah Dance Party
11/16 | $15
This 18-plus dance party is for fans of Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana alike, featuring music from your favorite former Disney Channel stars both as teenagers on air and adults onstage. Sing and dance your heart out at Mahall’s in Lakewood to hits by Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Hilary Duff and Aly & AJ as well as songs from soundtracks of iconic movies such as “High School Musical” and “Camp Rock.” In the words of Hilary Duff as quoted on the Mahall’s website, “This is what dreams are made of!”
The Great Grog Bake Off 11/19 | $7-10
Inspired by “The Great British Bake Off,” this one-night amateur baking competition hosted by Coventry’s The Grog Shop is sure to be a hit with contestants and attendees alike. Those eager to win the cash pot—which is the pool of spectators’ entry fees—will face off in a “Sig-
nature Bake” of 12 mini pies. The pies must use Ohio produce and showcase rich fall flavors as well as the bakers’ “personality, creative flair, and baking abilities.” Those in the audience, on the other hand, have the arduous task of eating and judging the contestants’ creations. To supplement the popular vote, there are two professional chefs to serve as the event’s Paul and Prue, and Cleveland food podcasters Alex Darus and Josh Duke will stand in for hosts Noel and Alison. On your marks, get set, bake!
UPB x Case Reserve Review: Salon D’Automne 11/21 | Free
Enjoy an intimate autumnal gathering at the Glidden House “inspired by the elegance of French art salons and Parisian café culture,” according to the event’s description on CampusGroups. Attendees are promised poetry readings, light refreshments and crafts, including mirror and mosaic ring dish decorating. Be sure to reserve your slot in advance as slots are limited.
Zachary Treseler/The
Footlighters’ “Heathers” hits all the right notes
Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor
On Nov. 7-9, Footlighters returned to the stage with their production of “Heathers: The Musical.” Based on the 1989 cult classic film, “Heathers” blends sharp wit with catchy rock ballads, exploring nuanced themes of adolescence like bullying, peer pressure and suicide. Despite being a collegelevel production, Footlighters brings a degree of sophistication to each of their performances, and this semester’s show was no different. Their rendition of “Heathers” strays from the original off-Broadway production but in the best way. The group brings “Heathers” to life with detailed props, costumes and sound effects that add a modern flair without compromising the irreverence and emotional depth that fans of the musical have come to love.
Set in the fictional Westerberg High School, “Heathers” follows the journey of outcast Veronica Sawyer who seeks to join the Heathers—the three most popular girls at school. Your quintessential mean girls, the Heathers embody everything that is wrong with high school. While Veronica despises their methods, she believes being a part of the Heathers and hating life is much better than navigating high school without their status and protection, a commonality between older and newer teen narratives alike. Through its musical numbers, “Heathers” documents the ups and downs of Veronica’s rise to popularity, complicated by her male interest Jason “J.D.” Dean, the poetry-quoting new kid. Together, the pair seeks to rewrite their high school story by whatever means necessary— even murder.
Fourth-year student Daniela Richardson played the perfect Veronica. Her portrayal of the disillusioned high schooler was relatable and poignant with stand-out vocals in songs like “Dead Girl Walking” and “Seventeen.” With each number, Richardson captured Veronica’s internal conflict—her desire for power and acceptance mixed with her growing awareness of the moral consequences of her actions. Her partner in crime J.D. was just as talented. Playing J.D. demands
a delicate balance of menace and vulnerability, and second-year Jack Exline rose to the challenge. In the darkly comedic “Freeze Your Brain,” J.D. convinces Veronica that numbing her emotions through slushies and rebellion is the key to freedom. These two deserve special applause for handling the show’s more provocative scenes with depth and professionalism that speak to their strength as performers.
The ensemble—consisting of fourth-year Katelyn Miller as Heather Chandler, first-year Evie Oehlers as Heather McNamara and first-year Kashmere Shafik as Heather Duke— brought girlish flair and attitude to their respective roles. “Heathers” is, after all, as much about the Heathers as it is about Veronica and J.D., and these actors fully embraced the exaggerated personas of their characters. Notably, the self-proclaimed “queen bee” Heather Chandler delivered her lines with confidence and subtle hu-
mor, particularly in the iconic “Candy Store” number where she encourages Veronica to embrace her dark side.
One of Footlighters’ largest casts, every one of the 22 students owned their roles. And some other standout performances came from the ditzy Mrs. Fleming, played by second-year Eva Lavrinc, and our favorite football players Kurt and Ram, played by firstyear Austin Kennedy and secondyear AJ Williams, respectively. All three shone in their respective roles, bringing life to their characters and featured musical numbers.
As with all productions, great actors are a small part of the overall experience. The sets, sounds, lights and dance numbers bear just as much weight. Once again, Footlighters did not disappoint in terms of set design. From the rainbow lights projected at the end of “My Dead Gay Son” to the realistic design of the 7-Eleven fitted with a fluorescent light, there was al-
ways something to catch your eye. I will not forget to give a special mention to the sound team for their perfectly-timed effects or the live pit who carried out the show’s rock-infused score with an infectious energy. They may have been tucked into the lower level of Eldred Hall, but their contributions shall not be overlooked!
“Heathers” was another triumph for Footlighters, proving that you do not need to be professionals to put on a great show. The team of over 100 students brought their passion, dedication and love for theater to the stage, and I think every audience member could feel it. With well-designed sets, coordinated costumes, lights and, of course, a talented cast, “Heathers” blended humor, horror and heart in one fell swoop. Even if you missed this semester’s show, rest assured that the crew will be back very soon, bringing yet another unforgettable performance to our humble Eldred stage.
Left to right: Fourth-year Daniela Richardson and second-year Jack Exline’s phenomenal performances as Veronica and J.D. contributed to the energy and enjoyment of CWRU Footlighters’ production of “Heathers” last weekend. Ashley Rosinski/The Observer
For many invested in the arts, November is marked by CWRU Footlighters’ highly anticipated fall musical. This year, Footies put on a comedic rendition of the off-Broadway musical “Heathers,” filling Eldred Hall with heartfelt laughter. Ashley Rosinski/The Observer
Falling into the sound: A playlist to embrace autumn’s moods
Auden Koetters Director of Design
Autumn often feels like a season of quiet retreat—a time when the warmth of summer fades, leaving us to wrap ourselves in layers, not just of clothing, but of memory and solitude. It’s the perfect time to embrace the sentimental and slightly surreal sounds that mirror the changing landscape. As the world grows colder and days grow shorter, music can reflect and amplify the season’s inevitable sadness. This playlist is a journey through songs that feel as layered as autumn itself, some tinged with warmth and others carrying a hint of melancholy. This is music for those gray afternoons and moments when you want to sit with yourself, however heavy they may feel.
“Call It Fate, Call It Karma” The Strokes
The Strokes slow down their usual rock tempo in this haunting, reflective piece. “Call It Fate, Call It Karma” is a melancholic lullaby perfect for moments of solitude and self-reflection. With its timeless sound, this track feels like autumn rain trickling down windows, carrying both sorrow and beauty in equal measure. It’s a song for the end of the day, when you’re left alone with your thoughts and wonder if things could have been different—or if it was always meant to be this way. There’s no resolution, just the vague acceptance that life’s meaning is out of reach, a sentiment that suits autumn’s quiet introspection.
“There She Goes” — The La’s
“I’m Only Sleeping” —
The Beatles
“I’m Only Sleeping” is a soft lull, a plea to stay in a place where the world can’t reach you. The Beatles captures a sense of withdrawal, as if slipping under the covers will keep life’s demands at bay—at least for a while. This track’s hazy melodies are perfect for lazy afternoons when the day’s demands seem to melt away, replaced by a feeling of calm contentment. The Beatles reminds us to embrace a slower pace, especially as the world settles into fall.
“There She Goes” is a buoyant, bittersweet tune that captures the feeling of seeing something beautiful slip away. It’s a song that feels like reaching out and touching only air, or like watching autumn’s golden leaves fall away, knowing they won’t come back. There’s a yearning here, a feeling of trying to hold onto something as it leaves, and knowing you’ll carry its memory but never its presence. With its catchy, simple melody, this song feels like an escape into a perfect memory that we’re bound to chase again and again.
“Tonight, Tonight” The Smashing Pumpkins
Filled with soaring strings and a powerful optimism, “Tonight, Tonight” lifts us high only to remind us that we have to come back down. It’s a song about hope and transformation, about something bigger than what we have. The song captures the bittersweet nature of autumn nights—when the world feels vast and yet there’s a hollowness too; an emptiness we’re not sure we can fill.
“1979” The Smashing Pumpkins
With its wistful yet lively beat, “1979” evokes a sense of youth and memory, bringing us back to nights we may have never actually lived, but feel like we did. Billy Corgan’s voice in “1979” sounds like he’s already said goodbye, pulling us back to a time that’s forever gone. A melancholy mood lingers in its beat, capturing that elusive feeling of youth slipping through your fingers. It’s a reminder that we can never really go back, only look over our shoulder as the past drifts further away. The Smashing Pumpkins captures that fleeting, in-between feeling of fall—when the days are getting shorter but the adventure is far from over.
“Mrs. Robinson” Simon & Garfunkel
There’s an ironic sadness to “Mrs. Robinson,” as Simon and Garfunkel sing about a world filled with distractions but lacking meaning. The song’s upbeat tempo contrasts the loneliness that threads through its lyrics, like a mask hiding the emptiness beneath. “Mrs. Robinson” is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life, the mystery of adulthood and the beauty of fleeting moments. It’s a song for days that feel hollow, questions we can’t answer and times when there doesn’t seem to be a clear path forward.
This playlist embodies the essence of autumn: a mix of mellow melodies, nostalgic undertones, and subtle warmth. These songs capture a season of transition, inviting us to embrace the beauty in change and the mystery in memories. Autumn strips life down to its essentials, revealing the quiet beauty of moments often overlooked. This playlist captures the wistful yearning and bittersweet nostalgia that come with the season, allowing you to linger in the emotions we often push aside. This playlist serves as a companion for those more difficult moments, capturing the ache of nostalgia, the weight of solitude and the beauty found in melancholy.
Top ten things NOT to say to a girl...
1. You fat, stupid b*tch.
2. I go to the gym to watch my friends shower.
3. Taylor Swift ... I don't really like her music, but I'd still do her.
4. I didn't order a drink, so you're paying for more than half of dinner.
5. I cannot spend too much on silly things like you for a few weeks. I'm saving up for something important.
6. The left one will do, but when are you gonna finish that boob job?
7. My other girlfriends let me do that.
8. How about 8:15? Star Trek ends at 8 and I need to take off my constume. Unless...
9. What if I steal your underwear?
10. I work for the newspaper!
Ken Ken
Overheard CWRU
Compilation of out-of-pocket things heard across campus
A: "I am going to have a breakdown in Tink."
B: "Well you already are."
"But don't die. I don't want to do paperwork."
"And the Red Cross was just like you have hepatitis and syphilis ... so anyways it was a super, super fun weekend."
A: "You're too pretty to be studying that hard. Why don't you just come home with me instead?"
B: "And you're too ugly to use pick up lines like that, but here we are."
Crossword
ACROSS
1 Facts and figures
5 Snacks for aardvarks
9 Pictionary, Boggle, Scrabble and so on
14 Makes a mistake
15 ___-chic (hippie-influenced fashion)
16 “Workers of all lands ___” (phrase on Marx’s tombstone)
17 South American palm with a black-purple berry
18 Make, as money
19 Put into law
20 Los Angeles venue named for the star of “12 Angry Men”
23 Do some needlework
24 Lots and lots
25 Network with an eye logo
28 Yellowfin tuna
30 Disney+ series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
34 Animals that may be subject to an apartment restriction
36 What electric cars don’t need
37 Apartment you own
38 “Butch Cassidy” and “The Sundance Kid,” for two
40 “The Canterbury Tales” author
42 Identical copy
43 Promise-to-pay letters
44 Stadium seating section
45 First car from a Japanese manufacturer to be made in the U.S. (1982)
49 “Dear old” family member
50 Letter before tee
51 Eye affliction
52 Take advantage of
54 Creator of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” ... or, when said aloud, a hint to the starts of 20-,
30 and 45-Across
59 Present a case at the Supreme Court
62 Faux-humble response to a compliment
63 Swanky party
64 Oyster’s prize
65 Gospel singer Winans
66 “Battle ___ of the Republic”
67 Kick out
68 Talk back to
69 Made off with
DOWN
1 Not able to hear
2 With the bow, in music
3 “So, anyway, ...” and “On that note ...,” e.g.
4 Parenthetical comment
5 Help with a heist
6 Trevor of “The Daily Show”
7 Clothes, slangily
8 Beethoven’s “Moonlight ___”
9 Picasso’s antiwar masterpiece
10 Brontë sister who wrote “Agnes Grey”
11 Soccer star Hamm
12 List-ending abbr.
13 Where a TV show is filmed
21 Reaction to cuteness
22 “Mazel ___!”
25 Annual celebration of Mexican heritage
26 Neighborhood grocery store
27 Made sounds while sound asleep
28 Sugarhill Gang song with the repeated line “Jump on it!”
29 Greetings
31 Golden ___ (classic time)
32 “Illmatic” rapper
33 First Pixar film with a Black protagonist
35 Something brought home unintentionally from the beach
39 Something brought home intentionally from the beach
40 Dove’s sound
41 “Ben-___”
43 Chilled drink that might be served with a lemon wedge
46 From ___ Z (everything)
47 Skeptical sorts
48 “Oh, that was so obvious!”
53 One of the five senses
54 Word that conveys skepticism when it vowel sound is dragged out
55 Rainbow shapes
56 Some loaves or whiskeys
57 Ticklish Muppet
58 Went down, as hearts or ships
59 Animal aptly found in “banana peel”
60 “Oedipus ___”
61 Thing to mind between the train and platform
Chat, AI is kind of ruining social media…
Hannah Johnson Opinion Editor
The other day I stumbled across a video essay about the nightmare trio of YouTube—MrBeast, Logan Paul and KSI—discussing their new product Lunchly, a Lunchables knockoff. In the podcast, KSI mentioned that he “ha[s], like, AI friends that [he] talk[s] to every once in a while.” This admission confused me for multiple reasons— the first being that ChatGPT is not a person, and the second being the fact that I have been noticing more and more people proudly admitting to having conversations with chatbots recently.
AI is increasingly being used in online industries because of its ability to perform time-consuming, simple tasks in impressive and often more efficient ways than humans. Within the social media sphere, many companies have harnessed the power of the technology to learn the viewing habits of its users to better serve their experience
and increase viewer retention. Our social pages are personally tailored to our own interests. Brands have started to act like our friends, and virtual people are beginning to successfully market products to us. In other words, AI is beginning to make our use of social technology much more lifelike—to the point that the virtual world is beginning to blend with the real one.
Although, more technologicallyadvanced than ever in recent years, social media, at its core, is a very human innovation. It provides a channel for people to interact with each other. By looking through the pictures on someone’s profile or what they repost, you’re able to see a piece of them—whether that’s what they consider interesting, what they aspire to be or how they want to be presented to the world. This revelation of self manifests in real life as well. What we see on social media impacts the conversations we have and how we move through life, extending to marketing as well. Typically, businesses will make sure to appeal to the human desire to con-
nect to, well, humans to make products appear exciting or relatable.
On social media, brands are presented as an account with a person behind it just like every other user’s account. Companies want to present themselves as friendly— or if not friendly, in possession of some sort of human state of being. A good example of this personified marketing appeared a few years ago when the fast food brand Wendy’s began to jokingly “roast” people on X. After this, many other companies’ social media pages began to mimic this tactic, having conversations amongst each other and with customers to try to garner the most attention of the public. There began to be something novel about a brand responding like a human to real people’s comments—maybe even more so than if the same responses were to come directly from an individual instead.
A study done by Hyun Ju Jeong and her fellow researchers found that personified brands are more effective at engaging customers on social media. This finding is incred-
ibly significant in terms of brand marketing because it emphasizes the fact that humans like interacting with humans. People desire human interaction, and if a brand is able to emulate that beyond the benefits of their product or service then they will be all the more effective. But how can this same idea of artificial humanity be applied in terms of AI?
Currently AI is being used to shape our social media experience in many different ways. One of these ways is through chatbots. AI chatbots are “virtual individuals who can successfully make conversation with any human being utilizing intuitive literary abilities.” On social media, they can act and present themselves in a way similar to humans through activities such as commenting on posts or helping in customer service functions.
In AI algorithms, past data is taken in to train the system on how to best serve the consumer using the application. In the case of social media, the task is to not only present information that intrigues the user, but also to make the user stay on as long as possible. Some examples of brands that use this kind of learning algorithm are Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, X and TikTok. You may have noticed over time that your feed changes to represent content that you have been engaging with more, pushing you more and more of that same content to feed into your interests.
With the rise of virtual influencers and chatbots, I can’t help but question what the future of social media will look like. While social media began with a culture around connecting with other people, it now seems to be becoming more saturated with recycled human-like sentiments raised by computers. Everyday this technology learns more about the patterns of humans and is able to replicate them. We’re becoming used to technology and abstract entities, like companies, interacting with us. In fact, it’s pretty much expected in the modern age. An algorithm is considered bad if it doesn’t take your personal interests into consideration and continue to change in real time as you change as a person. But in turn, the algorithm is changing our own interests and how we spend our time in the real world. This creates a cyclical give and take between human and machine as technology advances.
While AI technology, such as personalized feeds generated by algorithms, is helpful to the individual user, it can also have harmful effects. There’s the possibility of becoming blocked off from certain things such as politics you do not agree with, creating division between people based on both major and superficial things. A video could be viral on TikTok with millions of views, and I may never hear of it simply because my algorithm may not have thought I’d want to hear it based on my previous scrolling pattern.
Social media’s not going to go away anytime soon. It will only continue to evolve over time with the increased use of AI. It’s just important not to let the root of it, the desire for human contact and interaction change it to the point that it becomes an uncanny regurgitation of human-like values.
Lucas Yang/The Observer
LTTE: A tribute to Doc Oc
Chris Butler Senior Instructor
Many of you walk by the Doc Oc sculpture sitting on the bench in front of Adelbert Hall. You might not realize who he was or why there is a sculpture. Professor Ignacio Ocasio, better known as “Doc Oc,” was a professor of chemistry for 20 years here at Case Western Reserve University, but he was much more than that.
Doc loved his students and would do anything to help them. He took the time each summer to learn the names of his 500-plus students, so on the first day of class he could call on them by name. He was very involved in student life, from mentorship to helping organize the firstyears’ Hudson Relays team. His passion for teaching was infectious, and
his enthusiasm for helping students thrive at CWRU was even stronger. He embodied all that a teacher, a mentor and a true friend can be.
The reason his sculpture includes a bench was for students to visit as they passed that way. So next time you walk by the Doc Oc sculpture, stop, sit a minute and tell him your thoughts. He would love to hear your story.
If you want to learn more about him, please stop by my office. I have plenty of fun stories to share. He was my best friend, and I try every day to be half the educator he was.
As the plaque says, “In memory of our beloved and dedicated teacher, Ignacio Ocasio, Doc Oc, (19522005), who touched our hearts, enriched our minds and changed our lives forever.”
Chris Butler
What public schools should teach and how difficult they should be
Catherine Choi Staff Writer
As a student who was homeschooled and attended school in South Korea for ten years, I was surprised by how dramatically different public school experiences could be depending on where you live and what choices you make upon moving to the United States. When I started attending a public school in Arizona after coming from South Korea’s academically rigorous education system, I realized I did not agree with how easy the U.S. makes high school and how the school system factors in nonacademic pursuits when choosing college applicants.
Primarily, I believe that public education, especially highschool education, should be hard to go through. High school is a time where students are getting ready for adulthood—they are literally called young adults—either by preparing to get a job or preparing to attend college. In the case of students headed to college, many freshmen are surprised at how different it is from highschool. Grades are mainly based on exams, papers, presentations and rigorous assignments rather than participation, or homework graded on completion. Students are required to process numerous pieces of information in a relatively short time period and it takes more effort and teamwork to finish assignments. Students are also given a lot of autonomy, and their work ethic is put to the test as they are given the freedom not to study, but are still challenged to do so in order to pass the course. By making high school difficult, students can make studying and homework a habit and build the foundational knowledge to get through introductory classes at minimum so that professors do not have to teach high school-level material after realizing that their students don’t have the background knowledge necessary to succeed in their courses. Even if students don’t choose to go to college, rigorous education can help people learn how to overcome obstacles, how practice makes perfect and how
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hard work can give them the skills to overcome difficult and challenging situations in life.
I also believe that college applications should give higher priority to academics. Many people claim that a letter grade and numerical GPA do not represent the student very well because it does not take account of their skills in other areas and their personal background. They say it is not fair that a student who is gifted at playing instruments or sports but is not successful academically is going to be considered lazy and dumb and get barred from higher education. For this reason, it is common for students who have high-level athletic skills to get accepted with relatively low standardized testing scores, or with the help of a legacy system that their family has preestablished. However, those that succeed as athletes or performers are a very small percentage of people who put in the amount of work that many academically successful people put in to studying their respective fields. In academics, innate talent, luck and other factors outside of a person’s control exert little power. Putting increased emphasis on academics can give many people who may not have a gifted talent the opportunity to be successful. Additionally, it can create an atmosphere where work ethic and dedication can be celebrated and give control to the individual’s life. As much as there are debates on how difficult public schools should be, there are debates about what schools should teach and whether everybody should learn the same things. It seems irrational to have a student aiming for an Ivy League school learn the same material as those who are not planning on attending college. It also does not make sense for a studious student to be shamed for caring about grades by people who hardly care about school in the same classroom. Instead, students should have various options for schooling. They should be able to decide whether they want to attend a school that is focused more on vocational education and training rather than textbook knowledge so they do not waste time learning things that they will not use in real
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The Observer is the weekly undergraduate student newspaper of Case Western Reserve University. Established in 1969, The Observer reports news affecting students and provides an editorial forum for the university community. Unsigned editorials are typically written by the opinion editor but reflect the majority opinion of the senior editorial staff. Opinion columns are the views of their writers and not necessarily of The Observer staff. For advertising information, contact The Observer via e-mail at observer@case. edu.
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life nor struggle through rigorous courses. Also, grading systems that put emphasis on rank and promote competition—as is the case in many Asian countries, including South Korea—may help motivate students to work harder. But they can also create a hostile atmosphere and put too much pressure on young students to outperform their friends. On the other hand, grading systems that are too lenient make it difficult to distinguish student’s progress by letting everyone—those who worked hard and those who didn’t—achieve the same outcome. As a result, exceptionally smart students could go unrecognized. One thing I learned from being homeschooled in a country where a
single bad grade could have messed up my entire college application and attending a public school in the U.S., is that society celebrates intellectuals not just for the knowledge they possess, but for the dedication, perseverance, work ethic and selfdiscipline they put in to get to that level. They have made many sacrifices and missed out on fun events and outings. Public schools operate with the taxes the citizens pay and are, therefore, responsible for providing its students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge they need to navigate college courses smoothly, ensure that students have basic common sense and have access to necessary accommodations.
Another presidential election, still no woman president
Aambar Agarwal Social Media Manager
On Nov. 6, Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election. Americans chose a twice-impeached convicted felon with no regard for the Constitution to lead the country. A man who openly idolizes Adolf Hitler and other dictators will soon hold the highest office in the nation.
And, yet again, we have not chosen a woman to lead the United States. Vice President Kamala Harris was indisputably qualified for the presidency— she has worked in politics for decades, has experience in all three branches of the government and pledged to protect our rights and freedoms. She does not worship authoritarians, is not a criminal and respects the Constitution. Despite it all, a clear majority of Americans chose Trump over Harris. They chose a conman over a woman politician.
The same occurred in the 2016 presidential election. A significant number of Americans chose Trump over the more qualified woman presidential candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. She too had worked in politics for decades, having acquired extensive experience in the executive branch. Yet Americans still preferred the failed businessman with no political experience.
The 2016 and 2024 presidential elections show us how far we are from gender equality. Even if a woman has all the qualifications and experience in the world, a man will be preferred. Even if the man has zero morals and no competence, he will be chosen over the woman. Other levels of the U.S. government are no better. Only 28%
of the current Congress is made up of women. Only 12 women currently serve as state governors. Only four women are Supreme Court justices. Women are simply not seen as equal to men.
The U.S. is not alone in its dismissal of women leaders. Out of the 195 countries in the world, only 80 have had a woman serve as their head of state or government. Only 26 countries have a woman currently leading them.
There is a global gender gap in leadership, and it must change. When women are kept out of positions of power, their voices are diminished. Decisions are made by men and for men, without any regard for women— the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the restrictive abortion bans that followed are one such example. Gender discrimination prevails—such as how women continue to make 82 cents for every dollar earned by men in the United States.
To bring more women into positions of power, we need to shatter gender stereotypes. Women can be strong, competent and rational leaders. There is no shortage of examples in U.S. politics. Just consider former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Senator Elizabeth Warren, former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and former First Lady Michelle Obama in addition to Vice President Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Contrary to the beliefs of Vice President-elect JD Vance, women do not need to have children to live a fulfilling life and contribute to society—pursuing a career will not put women on “a path to mis
ery.” Women cannot and should not be boxed into the role of caregivers and childbearers.
We also need to bolster women running for, and currently in, leadership positions—not drag them down. Elected officials, political activists and party donors need to encourage and invest in women running for office. The media needs to focus on women’s policies and achievements rather than scrutinizing their personalities and appearances. Voters should not hold a “pragmatic bias” against women candidates. And we should not normalize
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
derogatory behavior toward women candidates as Trump does—it is unacceptable.
Women who pursue positions of power are not “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made,” as Vance has stated. Women in positions of power are not “evil, sick, crazy bi—” or “low IQ,” as Trump has repeatedly said. Women can be and have been resilient, capable leaders—we just need to elect them.
Until then, the highest and hardest glass ceiling will remain unbroken.
President Kaler and his administration claim commitment to freedom of expression. In truth, they make it worse
Editorial Board
Note: This editorial was written by three student leaders of University Media Board (UMB) organizations. They do not speak on behalf of their respective organizations or UMB as a whole but wish to highlight how the administration’s policies have affected their operations. This piece was written before the arrests of university students on Nov. 11.
Over the past year, Case Western Reserve University administration has fostered an environment that is both passively and actively hostile to voices of student expression and political dissent on campus.
The ways in which this attitude is reflected in University Policies are often subtle, but the consequences are no less significant. For example, in the new policies on tabling, posting and student organizations emailed to students on Nov. 4, the new social media policy has been expanded. Where the old policy reads, “student and campus organizations are permitted to post events through social media,” the updated policy allows “students and campus organizations” to “post through social media.”
Hidden in these two minor changes—“student and campus organiza-
tions” to “students and campus organizations” and the removal of “events” to simply “posts” on social media—lie more troubling patterns. Both serve to widen the purview of the posting policy and what the university entitles itself to restrict, monitor and remove according to its written word. Here, the change from organizations posting their events on campus to, in essence, all posts made by all individuals is flatly egregious. Further, the vacuous language in much of the remaining policies collectively reinforces what can only be described as an attempt to strong-arm student expression with disciplinary catch-alls.
The university has stated that “[t] hese policies do not affect the substance of the messages that can be conveyed” and “are intended to provide clarity and streamline procedures related to posting and communicating on our campus.” However, the ramifications of policy neither start nor end at the letter of how that policy is written. In light of both May’s encampment and the ongoing demonstrations on campus, it is difficult to read policies on organizational conduct and expression—particularly involving demonstrations, posters and the Spirit Wall—as anything but directly retaliatory against individual groups.
Regardless of either intention or enforcement, these policies and the time,
manner and context in which they have been introduced communicate to all organizations on campus a hostility toward speech and expression not expressly approved by or in line with the university that is, in no uncertain terms, untenable.
The language of the university’s internal and external messaging is equally important. Through Undergraduate Student Government Resolution 31-15, the encampment in May and last week’s demonstration, President Eric Kaler and the broader administration’s responses have consistently characterized student leaders and protesters challenging the university’s stance on the conflict in Gaza as “antisemitic.”
In his statement addressed to the entire university, Kaler described “the foundation of [USG Resolution 31-15 as] profoundly anti-Israel and anti-Semitic” and asserted after it had passed that “a vote for this resolution is … an aggression toward the Jewish members of our community.” Through May’s encampment, Kaler frequently painted student protests as threatening, hateful and antisemitic in email updates to all of campus.
Regardless of one’s politics with respect to Israel and Gaza, the fact that the administration so consistently associates student dissent over Israel with antisemitism and hate speech sets an uncomfortable, if not outright dangerous, precedent for dialogue on campus, especially when reported on by outside publications. This mischaracterization, particularly to news organizations with a farther reach than even Kaler’s campus-wide emails, opens students voicing legitimate grievances to very real harm and reinforces disdain for student protest from the administration.
As college journalists, we serve to document student life, creating an archive of events as they happened and as they were felt. As a result, we are in an incredible position to be a part of the audience we serve, allowing us to create media that are honest and reflective of the voices on campus. With this privilege comes a unique vulnerability: As community members, we are subject to scrutiny by the people who know us and our content best. And as students, we are subject to the policies governing our campus. Every word we write, graphic we draw and video we film is supposed to be an opportunity to freely express ourselves—our convictions, grievances and desires—but that is hardly the reality.
The role of college media is to document local stories. From building constructions, demolitions or new curricula, our niche is capturing the stories that major media outlets cannot: those bound by the walls of a private university. In doing so, we seek not only to present the objective truth but also the subjective experience of students. Oftentimes, our desire to document events and students’ sentiments as they unfold has been misconstrued by administration as a lack of objectivity—and, by extension, a lack of journalistic integrity.
In truth, ethical journalism presents events as they happened and supports an open exchange of all viewpoints: the good, bad and the ugly. And on CWRU’s campus, while all viewpoints may exist, they do not always exist in equal measure. As such, it is our responsibility as college journalists to
find a balance between fair journalism and accurate reporting. We do, and always will, value the power of objective journalism and the importance of having every side be heard. But we also recognize that we can provide more than a clinical account of events; we can eternalize moments in our history with student voices at the forefront— however partisan they may be.
Student expression in college media matters and deserves to be protected. With recent events, we have seen time and again the way small changes—unsuspecting changes—can have monumental effects on campus culture. From posting updates “to provide clarity” to correspondence from Kaler unfairly associating all pro-Palestine advocacy with antisemitism, the university’s language has threatened what it means to have freedom of expression and the ability to speak against administration without retribution. Even as student leaders, our work has been maligned by the administration for being ill-informed, biased and inflammatory, especially when university policies are in question.
As such, the hostile environment perpetuated by the administration over the past year has forced us to be constantly aware that every article we write and word we speak is being watched and assessed.
Even in writing this editorial, we have obsessively second-guessed what we are able to share, how the administration will take our words and the consequences that our honesty will have on the student organizations we represent. In fact, we have made the conscious decision to not involve the advisors or other members of our respective University Media Board organizations in the writing of this editorial for fear of them facing backlash.
Student journalists and broadcasters should not have to resort to engaging in self-censorship—this goes against the very idea of what it means to be a media representative at a university that claims to promote free speech and free expression. In painting all pro-Palestine advocacy as antisemitic and legitimate journalistic practice as unprincipled, the administration is actively harming the student body and promoting a culture of hostility.
While undoubtedly disheartening, these moments in our history are reminders that our coverage has strength and our words have power. Our freedom of expression is under attack, but that does not mean we should retreat. As journalists, authors, broadcasters and supporters of students’ right to freely express themselves, we will continue to report mercilessly, bringing “small policy changes” to the attention of our student body and the community. But that is only a part of the larger mission. We rely on your readership, viewership and voice to ensure our message is accurate and intentions are clear. Only as a collective do we have the ability to hold those in power accountable.
Together, we can create a future where freedoms are protected and our cries incite change, not punishment. Together, we can meet threats of censorship from administration with public attention. Together, we can create an honest record of life at CWRU—unsanitized and unforgiving—that reflects the real experiences of our community.
Sports
Men’s soccer ends season with draw after heartbreaking CMU goal in last two seconds
Petros Samuel Contributing Writer
In a match defined by intensity with a series of late back and forth goals, Case Western Reserve University men’s soccer went 2-2 for a tie against Carnegie Mellon University. The game, held at CWRU’s home field, showcased the Spartans’ determination as they overturned CMU’s lead in the dying minutes to claim a well-deserved forefront. It was until the last seconds that CMU was able to clinch the tie to seal the game.
The game remained scoreless until the 77th minute, when CMU’s Robert Lloyd ironed the score. Assisted by Sandor Preda, Lloyd found the back of the net, putting CMU up 1-0 with only 13 minutes left in regulation time. It was a tense moment for the Spartans, who had been pressing hard for a goal but found themselves suddenly on the back foot.
However, the response from CWRU was swift and emphatic. Just four minutes later, in the 81st minute, first-year forward Amir Awais took advantage of a brilliant assist from
second-year defender and midfielder David Pineda, slotting the ball past the CMU goalkeeper to level the score at 1-1. The stadium erupted with kudos as the home crowd celebrated the Spartans’ determination to bounce back.
With time ticking away and both teams pushing for a winning goal, CWRU struck again in quick succession. In the 89th minute, second-year midfielder Adam Pluszczyk scored off an assist from fourth-year midfielder Lukas Dalakis, giving the Spartans a 2-1 lead and sending the fans into a frenzy. As if that was enough, it was a devastating watch for the fans to watch Jake Slackman secure a goal just 41 seconds later for CMU, assisted by Drew McKim. CWRU versus CMU resulted in a 2-2 final score. The two late goals between CMU and CWRU were brilliant, providing the fans with a suspenseful battle between the two universities.
While the Spartans outshot the Tartans 11 to 9, both teams registered 5 shots on goal. Additionally, the two teams totalled 6 saves, with the Spartan’s Bradley Winter recording 3 of the 6. The tightly contested match
reflected both teams’ defensive prowess and offensive ambitions, as they each managed to make crucial saves to keep their respective sides in the game.
CWRU also held a slight advantage with 4 corner kicks beating CMU’s 3. The Spartans’ ability to capitalize on their possession and ball control in the second half proved to be the difference, as they showcased clinical finishing in the closing minutes. The game proved to be very physical with CMU committing 13 fouls throughout the match compared to CWRU’s 11.
The game’s intensity built up throughout the first into the second half, with both teams creating opportunities but unable to convert until the late stages. For CMU, their opening goal seemed to ignite the Spartans, who responded with different strategies for converting goals. For instance, the midfield, led by Pineda and Dalakis, provided the crucial link to the forwards, setting up Awais and Pluszczyk for their impactful strikes shown by the ball possession percentages.
The combination of quick passes and strategic positioning in the final
minutes allowed the Spartans to overcome CMU’s defense.
The turning point of the game resulted after CMU’s goal. Rather than allowing their opponents to sit back, the Spartans immediately responded. They gained offensive momentum with Awais’ pivotal goal to tie in the 82nd minute. This was the catalyst for the Spartans, giving them the confidence to continue pushing forward and score the next goal that occurred with 43 seconds left on the clock. Pluszczyk found the net within the last minute, demonstrating CWRU’s never-give-up attitude. The Spartans’ strong bench and depth allowed them to bring on fresh legs that contributed to the last-minute flurry of goals.
This tie marks a bittersweet end to the squad’s 2024 season. This game in particular exemplified their skill and heart, which was seen throughout the season in some very close matches. CWRU’s efforts provided fans with an exhilarating show and solidified its standing as a resilient team. With a mix of diligence and sheer determination, the Spartans’ tie against CMU will be remembered as a brilliant game.
Men’s basketball secures third-straight Bill Sudeck Tournament with double-overtime thriller
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
With half a new roster, the Case Western Reserve University men’s basketball team began its 2024-25 season with a promising start: winning the Bill Sudeck Tournament for the third consecutive year with an opening-night blowout victory against Penn State Altoona and a thrilling double-overtime 101-99 win over SUNY Brockport in the championship match.
“The result of the weekend is what we’re looking for. Two wins, zero losses,” fourth-year guard, co-captain and tournament MVP Sam Trunley said.
Coming onto the court, the Spartans’ weeks of practice and the new team dynamics were put to the test and proved to be a solid start for the squad.
During the match against Altoona, the Spartans led most of the night, only allowing the Lions to tie at the 14 point mark and take a short-lived lead. Following Altoona’s 17-16 lead, the Spartans went on a 16-4 run to gain the first double-digit advantage of the night, which kept growing as the Spartans went 53-34 going into halftime. CWRU’s lead increased to as large as 34, and the Spartans coasted to their first blowout victory.
“It’s gonna take us some time to get to play how exactly we want to, but for how we played tonight, I’m very happy,” fourth-year forward and cocaptain Umar Rashid said.
The game was also a great opportunity for the team with 13 members of the squad seeing time off the bench. The Spartans saw a strong offense, with 48.7% from the field and 40.0% from beyond the arc.
During Saturday’s championship match, the name of the game was endurance. The Spartan starters—Trun-
ley, Rashid and graduate students
Wade Jackson, Andy Barba and Nicholas Schiavello, netted all but 5 points in the game, with Trunley, Jackson and Rashid all playing over 40 minutes.
“I think we sort of took them a little lighter than we should. I mean, we’ve won the Sudeck the last three years. So we’re kind of like, ‘ah, it’s a given that this is going to happen.’ I give SUNY Brockport a lot of credit. They came and showed up to play. We have guys that are coming off injuries, some of our grad transfers, who have come down from higher levels, haven’t really played much in a long time, so it’s sort of all gelling together. And that’s definitely a challenge,” Trunley said.
“Learning that on the fly and running into a good team like Brockport, that’s a really great experience.”
The biggest moment of the game came from Rashid’s final tiebreaking layup during the last moments of the second overtime, securing their win 101-99.
“Seeing Umar make that final shot, [there was an] overwhelming sense of relief for me. That game, for me, was so stressful. I felt like nothing was falling our way. When they hit that game tying shot in the first overtime, we were sort of running out of steam. Just seeing him hit that shot, for me, that was the biggest moment. Just that overwhelming sense of ‘this game is finally gonna be over.’ While I can look back at it now and say that I really enjoyed it, in the moment, it was so mentally and physically taxing and so stressful. I can enjoy it now and it was a really awesome and cool experience. I wouldn’t say it was fun in the moment,” he said.
As the season progresses, fans are sure to see great play from the team, especially with the camaraderie between the two co-captains, Trunley and Rashid, who have spent the past
Fourth-year Umar Rashid carried the Spartans to victory with his goal during the last moments of overtime in the championship match against SUNY Brockport last Saturday.
four years growing together.
“I give myself and Umar a lot of credit, we’re two guys that have really stuck it out and made it work. Neither of us played very much our freshman year, but [we] found roles our sophomore year and have continued to grow as players and people throughout this four year experience,” Trunley said.
Rashid shares the sentiment that the two will be a strong force leading the team.
“It’s a unique experience for myself and No. 10, Sam Trunley. We’ve been the constant players throughout the
last four years. There’s been new guys every single year, so we’re used to having to adjust to new teams. We just understand it’s gonna take us some time to gel. But then once we hit second semester and we’re playing UAA play, we think we’ll be alright,” he said. “We’re just confident in our team. And we’re sure we’ll gain the national recognition.”
The Spartans will be on the road for the next three contests, beginning with a game against Houghton University this Saturday, Nov. 16. Tipoff begins at 4 p.m.
Phillip Kornberg/The Observer
“Spartan tough”: Three CWRU wrestlers finish top three at Bob del Rosa Open
Abhishek Nambiar Staff Writer
The Case Western Reserve University wrestling team hosted the Bob del Rosa Ohio Intercollegiate Open on Sunday, Nov. 10, inside the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center. The open tournament saw wrestlers from 27 colleges, universities, high schools and clubs compete in over 600 matches, some of them open brackets and others exclusive to first- or secondyear wrestlers.
Going into the meet, second-year Mathew Gummere was feeling confident about his team’s chances at success.
“I felt a strong sense of confidence in my teammates and myself,” Gummere said. “This tournament is particularly challenging, with over 300 athletes from all divisions competing. For us, success is rooted in effort and positive attitude, and I was certain our team would show both to the best of our ability throughout the event.”
Across both categories, the Spartans garnered several achievements throughout the day. In the open brackets, two CWRU wrestlers reached the top three of their respective brackets: third-years Art Martinez and Aidan Gassel. Martinez reached the final of the open 133-pound bracket after winning his first three matches; the first two were won by decision, while the third was won by technical fall, Martinez’s second of the season. Martinez achieved an 18-3 victory in the latter match before dropping a 9-2 decision in the final to place second overall in the bracket.
Gassel fought his way to a bronze finish in the 197-pound open bracket. He started with a victory in 3:34, following it up with a win by fall in 4:13, before falling in under a minute in the semifinal against the Division II reigning champion. In the third-place match, Gassel sealed his
position with a pin in the second period.
As for other Spartans competing in open brackets, third-year Jacob Gregg earned a win by fall in the 133-pound bracket—which marked his first pin of the season—while fellow third-year Marty Landes achieved a win by decision in the 165-pound bracket.
In the first and second-yearexclusive competition, first-year Chase Crutchley secured the biggest achievement of any Spartan at the meet: a first-place finish in the 174-pound bracket. He achieved all of his victories by major decision, winning in his three matches by scores of 9-1, 8-0 and 14-1 respectively. The first-place finish gave Crutchley the first bracket win of his collegiate career.
Crutchley credits this achievement to the motivation that his teammates and coaches have given him.
“My teammates have motivated me by not only supporting me during my matches but also walking me through moves in practice and breaking down techniques to improve,” Crutchley said. “It’s great to have partners in the room who look out for each other and strive to make not only themselves better but their teammates as well! My coaches have helped instill confidence in me by being transparent about what I need to work on. Whatever challenges I may face in matches, my coaches are always willing to help me excel in those areas in the future.”
Several other first- and secondyear Spartans achieved successes of their own. First-year Robert Minden earned two wins in four matches played in the 149-pound bracket, during which Minden achieved his first collegiate pin. Second-year Dillon O’Keefe earned his first career win by technical fall while competing at 149 pounds, and further CWRU wins were posted by firstyear Alexander Greene Barrios at
133 pounds and second-year Mike Valerino at 141 pounds.
Gummere bagged two wins by decision in the 184-pound bracket, noting how one of those wins did not come easy but proved to be a fulfilling challenge.
“I was down 7-0 early in the first period, but by focusing on one position at a time and trusting my conditioning, I turned it around to win in a tiebreaker overtime. It’s matches like these, where you’re pushed mentally and physically, that make me love this sport,” Gummere reflected.
“I’m proud of our entire lineup’s hard work and hustle throughout the event and hard work outside of wrestling to put on the event as well,” Gummere stated. “The guys did a great job representing a conglomerate of values we call ‘Spartan Tough’. Additionally, the support from friends, students, and families created an electrifying environment, which had us all looking forward to competing at home.”
The Spartans will next be competing on Sunday, Nov. 17, when they will be traveling to Albion, Michigan, to compete in the Albion Open.
Third-year Art Martinez participates in the Bob del Rosa Ohio Intercollegiate Open, securing a second-place finish for the Spartans in the 133-pound bracket. Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics
Scores and Upcoming Games
Men’s Soccer
CWRU vs Carnegie Mellon (11/9) - T 2-2
Football
CWRU at Grove City (11/9) - L 20-30
CWRU vs Carnegie Mellon (11/16, 1:30 p.m., Disanto Field)
Men’s Basketball
CWRU at Bill Sudeck Tournament
CWRU vs Penn State Altoona (11/8)W 99-72
CWRU vs SUNY Brockport (11/9) - W 101-99
CWRU vs La Roche (11/13) - W 84-74
CWRU at Houghton (11/16)
Women’s Basketball
CWRU at Women Leaders Tip Off
CWRU vs Penn State Behrend (11/8)L 59-60
CWRU at Allegheny (11/9) - W 60-52
CWRU vs John Carroll (11/15)
CWRU vs Capital (11/20)
CWRU vs Wooster (11/9) - W 3-0 UAA Championship Quarterfinal: CWRU vs Brandeis (11/5) Semifinal/Consolation Semifinal: CWRU vs WashU/NYC (11/15)
Wrestling
CWRU vs Bob Del Rosa Ohio Intercollegiate Open (11/10) - No team scoring
CWRU at Albion Open (11/17)
vs Carnegie Mellon (11/9) - L 1-3
Championship First Round CWRU vs Skidmore (11/16)
Twilight 5K Challenge (11/8)No team scoring
Great Lakes Regional (11/16)