Opinion: Editorial: Issue 1 and the power of a vote (pg. 8)
The Case Western Reserve
Observer
Friday, September 1, 2023 Volume LV, Issue 2 Est. 1969
NEWS
Tornado hits Cleveland, sends students into whirlwind of panic Zachery Treseler News Editor During the middle of Discover Week, students were rudely awoken by an alert from the National Weather Service (NWS), warning them of a Tornado Warning in effect and instructing them to find shelter. A minute later, the NWS reported a tornado in Cleveland. Starting at East 71st Street and Chester Avenue, it traveled 0.79 miles until it hit East 89th Street and Euclid Avenue. While no direct fatalities were reported by the NWS, the tornado caused property damage and major issues for Northeast Ohio. According to First Energy, the main utility company in Northeast Ohio, 155,000 households, including many community members in Cleveland Heights, lost power. The NWS later said, in an email to The Observer, that they were able to confirm nine tornado related events in Northeast Ohio. Still, “it is possible we may have a couple more confirmed tornadoes as surveys continue over the next few days.” Dean Tufts, the vice president of campus facilities and management, noted that the impact of the storms
was minimal. “We had a relatively small amount of water enter a handful of buildings (maybe 10 total) after the high winds and heavy rain,” he said. He notes that “the impact was much less severe than after previous storms; we had done extensive work to clean drains, ensuring water-tight building envelopes and other mea-
sures.” While its impact to the campus community was minimal, it drove fear at Case Western Reserve University and panic among students, especially after a second notification was sent via the Spartan Safe app. Third-year student Kethan Srinivasan, who lives in on-campus housing, remembered that the alarm
The tornado impacting much of Northeast Ohio caused severe power outages and property damage, including the destruction of the New Life at Calvary Church. Courtesy of Molly Walsh/cleveland.com
“was blaring, so [it] woke [him] up.” “I heard shaking, I heard the windows in my flat physically shake and at that point,” he said about his experience. “When we were getting to the stairs, we saw outside the window that a tree had fallen down outside the building, [and] at that point I was like yikes, this is very serious. I was pretty cautious if they were going to send another alert later that night.” Sandra Mackey, the public affairs program manager of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, recommends “seek[ing] shelter in the lowest level possible or the center room of a building. Closets and bathrooms are also good choices for sheltering. Look for smaller rooms with as few windows as possible.” Though, for CWRU students, this caused some confusion. Kethan said, “There should be more adequate instruction for [oncampus] residents, with not every building on campus built in the same way; it does give me some concern. What should I be doing to prepare for an emergency?” Continue reading on page 2
LIFE
Your guide to the best spots to eat on campus Megan Abel Staff Writer Do you struggle to use your meal swipes effectively? Do you regret spending money on lackluster food? Have you ever had your order stolen at The Den by Denny’s? If any of these apply to you, then this guide to all the best places to eat around campus should help. Some options are available on the meal plan, others accept CaseCash and a few are a fun treat if you’re willing to drop a little cash. All of the above will leave you feeling full, satisfied and ready to get on with the rest of your day. On Campus Tomlinson Subway One of the most popular places to eat on the Quad. At their busiest, it can take an hour to get your sandwich, and the hours are very limited. However, it does take a meal swipe, unlike the Subway on Euclid Avenue. Continue reading on page 3
Lucas Yang/The Observer
News
The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, September 1, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 2
Tornado from page 1 Paige Herron, the assistant director of emergency management in CWRU’s Public Safety department, gave some sound advice: “In the event of severe weather, go to the
lowest level of the building. If you cannot make it to the lowest level, stay away from windows by going into the hallway or bathroom. Sign up for Cuyahoga County Ready No-
tify by [CodeRED] to receive notifications about weather alerts. If you are notified to shelter in place, adhere to the warning. Also, before a storm strikes is the best time to
find the location where you would shelter if the need arises. Mackey said, “Always plan ahead so that when an incident occurs, you’re ready.”
New year brings graduation requirement changes for Class of 2027 Cameron Ward Staff Writer The Seminar Approach to General Education and Scholarship program, better known as SAGES, was part of the old undergraduate graduation requirements for Case Western Reserve University students, and is something that students have come to know and love (or maybe hate) during their time here at the university. Last academic year, though, it was announced that this program and all of the undergraduate general requirements would be undergoing revision. Starting this semester,
The UGER pathway is much like SAGES. Students will start with one class their first year, take three more over their time at the university and end with a capstone. The skills addressed by UGER are communication, quantitative reasoning and wellness, much like the goals of the previous SAGES program. These courses also look to offer a diverse array of moral, global and ethical perspectives to students. The first course in this pathway is a three-credit course called an Academic Inquiry Seminar (AIQS), which is similar to the SAGES First Seminar that first year students had taken in previous years, except half of the incoming class will take
not the other way around. CIs can count for majors and minors as well as for breadth requirements, which can help with graduation requirements later on. However, they cannot be used for dual credit. The Departmental Seminar taken by students in their last year is now called a Disciplinary Communication (DI) course. The Capstone remains the same, and both of these courses should be taken within students’ majors when they get close to graduation. Another major difference is that UGER also requires Wellness courses, formerly known as Physical Education. These classes seek to provide wellness opportunities
ing with our students and supporting them holistically throughout their journey at CWRU; the fouryear advisors have a more concentrated focus.” This broader focus includes more holistic items that deal with students’ academic standing and progress, like degree completion, Pass/No Pass and other academic policies. Some other changes happening are in different student offices around campus. Post-Graduate Planning and Experiential Education has become the Career Center. The Peer Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, Academic Coaching programs and others are now all
CWRU introduces the Class of 2027 to new graduation requirements and changes to academic advising. Courtesy of CWRU there are new breadth requirements for undergraduates to be aware of. On top of that, the advising program as well as some of the offices around campus have changed too. The new Unified General Education Requirements and four-year advisors will take their place instead. All CWRU undergraduates admitted in the fall of 2023 will follow the new Unified General Education Requirements (UGER). SAGES will get phased out over the next three years, so those upperclassman students who operated under that program will still be able to satisfy their remaining classes. In addition, all students are able to take the UGER classes, and they can count toward the old SAGES requirements as well. The same goes toward the physical education requirement. For more specific information on how these credits will apply for upperclassmen students, please reach out to your advisor.
it in the fall, with the other half being deferred to the spring. The AIQS courses are taught specifically by the Writing Program, and still focus on writing on a specific topic or context, like with SAGES classes. Known as Topical Seminars, these classes are partnered with Foundations Seminars and Seminars for Non-Native Speakers of English for an array of skill levels for communication and writing in English. Students will only have to take one type of these seminars, as demonstrated by each individual student’s incoming skill level in writing and communication. Students then have to take two more writing courses over their time at CWRU. These courses are called Communication-Intensive (CI) courses, and the main difference between them and SAGES courses is that CIs are department based, so their goal is to use writing and communication skills to further their learning in a subject,
for students, both through activity and without. So, in addition to the half-semester PHED classes, students can take classes such as cooking, leadership and personal finance. Alongside the changes to the curriculum requirements, the role of four-year advisors has been created to replace and encompass the roles of students’ navigator and Undergraduate Studies dean. The goal of this change is to provide clarity for students in whom they should contact for academic resources, according to Jennifer DeSantis, advisor and senior associate dean of Undergraduate Advising Support. “The four-year advisor role is a merging of the roles and functions from the navigators in Student Advancement and the Deans in Undergraduate Studies,” DeSantis said. “The scope of the four-year advisor is broader than that of a navigator. While the role is still focused on relationship build-
included under Academic Support Resources for Students. The Undergraduate Resource Office is still available to students, which is formally known as Support of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE). A common denominator is that all of these offices have transitioned to be included in the Division of Student Affairs, which may provide a reason for some of these changes. This coming semester at CWRU has some new and updated resources available to help all its students. DeSantis noted that “students can continue to connect with programs and services and I highly encourage them to do so.” Again, the goals of a lot of these changes were to make things more seamless for students and provide a better academic experience for them. So, reach out to your four-year advisor, and start the semester in stride.
Life
The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, September 1, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 2
Hungry? from page 1 The Jolly Scholar Why do they only give you so few swipes a week to eat here? There are so many options and the milkshakes are some of my favorite things on campus. I find myself trying to save my swipes until the end of the week because I look forward to treating myself at Jolly. The bowls are great for a meal swipe and the wings—when they are available as swipes—sell out fast. Jolly is easily a fan favorite among students. I haven’t even checked out most of the menu that is not on the meal plan, but people from outside of Case Western Reserve University come to eat and have parties here all the time, so it must be good too. Plum Market One of my favorite places to eat on campus. You can only order on Transact and it uses a meal swipe as well. There are a ton of options and the food is high quality. Some options sell out fast and you might not be able to get exactly what you want, but they have substitutes for sides in case they run out. The sushi is usually sold out by the time I order, but the burgers, chicken sandwiches and even the fresh fruit are amazing. You can eat in the cafe or take a bag to go. Sparti-Que It’s a little underrated, and only really helpful when you are in the North Residential Village, but the food is good and the people that work there are amazing. The smoothies, especially the wildberry flavor, are incredible and the food as a whole is much healthier than The Den, the other “late night” option nearby. The downside is that they close by midnight and have fairly limited hours for a place advertised as open late. Still, I found myself going there more often as the school year progressed and I was perfectly fine with eating there. Ignore The Den Unless you are starving at 1 a.m. or are ready to wait an hour for your food, I have found that it is best to avoid The Den. It may be the only place open late at night, but it is packed and there is a high chance of your order being stolen. It is a great choice if you are walking by and want to pick it up in the afternoon. However, once the sun sets, it is the busiest place to eat.
FALL
CONVOCATION Thursday, September 7, 2023 4:45 P.M.
Maltz Performing Arts Center 1855 Ansel Rd. Cleveland, OH 44106
Ruha Benjamin Ruha Benjamin is the Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, founding director of the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab, and author of the award-winning book Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code, among many other publications. Her work investigates the social dimensions of science, medicine, and technology with a focus on the relationship between innovation and inequity, health and justice, knowledge and power. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Marguerite Casey Foundation Freedom Scholar Award and the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching at Princeton. Her most recent book, Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want, winner of the 2023 Stowe Prize, was born out of the twin plagues of COVID-19 and police violence and offers a practical and principled approach to transforming our communities and helping us build a more just and joyful world. Benjamin’s book Race after Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code has been chosen as Case Western Reserve University’s 2023 Common Reading.
UMC_5027-08_2023
Open to the public. Free to attend. Register at case.edu/convocation. Visit case.edu/convocation or email convocation@case.edu for more information.
the slowest place in Tink, and their customer service is not the best, but they are also in the food service industry on a college campus, so I can’t really blame them. They also have customizable salads and meat other than chicken, which is sometimes hard to find. Pinza’s has burgers, pizza and pasta; if they were not always so busy and slow, I would definitely eat there more. Off Campus
Tinkham Veale University Center
Chopstick Chinese Restaurant
There are three main places to get food other than donuts in Tink: Melt U, PK at CWRU and Pinza’s. Melt U has good sandwiches and the fries are amazing. Their soups are great, especially if it’s cold or you’re sick. Their salads are also surprisingly delicious, if you want something less greasy. PK at CWRU is good when it is a good day. Sometimes they have iffy days when the food is dry or greasy, but overall, probably my go-to in Tink. Pinza’s is
Cheap and they give you a lot of food. You can get one or two entrees with a side for cheaper than what most of the other places on campus offer for the same amount of food. Their Bang Bang Chicken is incredible and they have a lot of fun drink options as well. If you choose from the pre-prepared food at the counter, you will get your food almost instantly, with sides, drinks and anything else they make coming later. It is really easy to order
there and again, it comes at a great price. BIBIBOP This is kind of an Asian version of Chipotle. Like Chipotle, Bibibop is a chain restaurant that has a ton of customizable options available in large portion sizes. It can feed you for two or three days based on how much you eat, or you could eat it all in one go. There are also sauces, and different ways you can build your bowl, and all of it is good every time. Chipotle I couldn’t write about Bibibop and not include Chipotle, a student staple. They are often busy and I’d recommend using GrubHub to order from here, because the line will wrap around the inside of the building if you order in person. BurgerIM
Amazing burgers and even better milkshakes. Their fries are delicious and it is one of the only places I would order for delivery. I splurged on this two or three times this past year, and I did not regret it. Mitchell’s You will constantly see this at campus events and given away as prizes. They have great ice cream and are a Cleveland staple. There are a ton of options with pints and quarts that you can take home with you. I fear my entire freezer this year will be full of Mitchell’s ice cream. Indian Flame I have friends who choose this over any other food on or around campus. There are different levels of heat based on what you can handle, and while the building is small, it is a great place to meet friends or get takeout.
@cwruobserver on Instagram
4 Life
Friday, September 1, 2023
School or social life: You can have both! Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor Many students have had their experience at Case Western Reserve University taken over by rigorous academics. Managing this school’s challenging coursework and neverending assignments can take a toll on one’s mental and physical health, especially for those transitioning from high school to college. This often leads to burnout and a gradual withdrawal from friends and family— both negatively impacting academic performance. Many of us know all too well that being consumed by school leads to a cycle of suffering, so taking time to socialize and just have fun can be a very good thing—research even shows that positive social experiences are necessary to excel academically. Keeping this in mind, it’s important to recognize that most students do not want to forgo a social life for good grades. But finding the balance between school work and social fulfillment is a constant struggle. To ease this strain, I have listed tips to achieve the “work hard play hard”
mentality that provides you the best of both worlds. 1. Make a schedule The key to achieving balance in college is finding a routine. The best way to do this is by creating a schedule that takes into account all your commitments: classes, office hours and extracurriculars. Creating a schedule allows you to clearly identify times you are able to hang out with friends and family. It also helps to keep you accountable and ensures that you meet your deadlines while still having time to wind down. 2. Learn when to say “no” College is the perfect place to find new opportunities and new interests to explore. However, when taking on new activities and responsibilities, it is important to recognize when you are overcommitted, or close to it. I know the “grindset culture” that pervades CWRU’s community can be quite overwhelming, but doing too much too fast will only lead to increased stress. The best way to prevent this is by simply saying “no.” Turn down
clubs you aren’t passionate about and be mindful of your credit load. Learning to prioritize can help you be fulfilled academically while still having time for yourself and others. 3. Minimize distractions When trying to get school work done, it is important to do so in an environment conducive to studying. Whether that means collaborating with friends, working alone in a library or listening to Spotify as you work, creating a space that gets you “in the zone” is important for productivity. One study found that college students study on average for 17 hours a week, so finding a work environment that encourages a better work ethic will allow you to complete assignments more efficiently and leave more time for a social life. When considering what this space should look like, it is important to keep comfort, lighting, noise and location in mind. 4. Stay energized with exercise and good nutrition Managing a social life and academ-
ics is taxing on the body, so fueling it with good nutrition and exercise is vital. Even if it’s just 30 minutes of exercise a couple times a week or trying a new healthy recipe each weekend, any steps you can take to improve your body physically will help you stay more energized. Thankfully, CWRU makes this easy by offering students access to several gyms— Wyant Athletic and Wellness Center and Veale Recreation Center—to use whenever they can squeeze a workout into their hectic schedules. In terms of nutrition, there are several sources on the internet for quick, collegefriendly meals that are also healthy. These recipes can also be a fun way to explore new foods and improve your skills in the kitchen. I hope these few tips will help you achieve a better balance in your college life, and encourage you to find time for socializing without sacrificing academics. In working on yourself, realize the transition to a balanced lifestyle is a slow one. So continue to revise your strategies, and eventually an active social life and academic excellence will be yours!
What to do this week(end) Kate Gordon Life Editor Now that classes have officially started and homework is beginning to pile up, it can be hard for Case Western Reserve University students to tear themselves away from academics—even if it’s a long weekend. But as we all tend to forget, studying for hours on end won’t do any good unless you take a break—or a couple, hopefully—and reset. Here are five events that will let you blow off some steam, and leave you refreshed and ready to face the week ahead. UPBack to School Bash When: Friday, Sept. 1 from 5:3010 p.m. Where: East Bell Commons Enjoy local food, fun activities and performances by DJ Shaughn Gillihan and Nicky Youre all right here on campus. What could be a better way to kick off the start of the fall semester? Plus, admission is free!
Made in Ohio Art & Craft Festival When: Sept. 1-3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Hale Farm & Village If you’re willing to make the 45-minute drive, you’ll be able to shop around for jewelry, woodwork, pottery, lotion, soap, glassware, quilts and more all made by Ohio-based artisans. There will also be entertainment and local food including baked goods, kettle corn, sandwiches, salads and ice cream. Keep in mind that some vendors are cash only! Admission is $12 for adults. Cleveland Oktoberfest When: Sept. 1 and 8 from 4 p.m. to midnight Sept. 2, 3 and 9 from noon to midnight Sept. 4 from noon to 8 p.m. Where: Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds & Event Center Even if you are unable to drink or beer isn’t really your thing, you can still pig out on goulash, pierogies, wienerschnitzel and all kinds of
wursts at the Cleveland Oktoberfest. Be sure to watch the wiener dog races and beer stein-holding competitions while you do. One-day general admission is $16. Cleveland National Air Show When: Sept. 2-4 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Where: Burke Lakefront Airport This air show, which is one of the oldest in the country, draws in over 100,000 spectators annually. Watch a 50-minute choreographed aerial showcase by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, which fly at speeds of up to 500 miles per hour. At times the planes are no more than three feet apart. Other demonstrations include the F-22 Raptors from the Air Force, the Harrier from the U.S. Marine Corps, the super Hornets from the U.S. Navy, the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team and Tom Larkin’s Mini Jet. When you’re not too busy looking up, you can also peruse aircraft demonstrations and aviation exhibits, and even meet some of the pilots. Admission starts at $35 for adults.
Guardians Games When: Sept. 1-3 vs. Rays (7:10 p.m., 6:10 p.m. and 4:10 p.m. respectively) Sept. 4-6 vs. Twins (6:10 p.m. on Sept. 4-5 and 1:10 p.m. on Sept. 6) Where: Progressive Field As someone with no patience for sports, it might surprise you that I believe there is nothing more fun than going to a baseball game with your friends. Everything from the evening weather—warm but not hot—to the music, the mascots, the interactive games on the Jumbotron and the overpriced ballpark food is kitschy and perfect and entertainment at its finest. While you might have missed the chance to go with the University Program Board (UPB) to the Guardians game this Saturday, I encourage you to buy tickets to any of the six home games happening this week. The Guardians’ season is almost coming to a close, so go see them while you still can! Tickets start at $10.
The Cleveland Guardians have six home games from this weekend through the middle of next week, with many seats still available for purchase. Courtesy of Cleveland.com
Life 5
observer.case.edu
Speak Now (Taylor’s Version): a youthless replica or a mature retelling? Kethan Srinivasan Staff Writer At the time of its release, “Speak Now” was one of Taylor Swift’s most remarkable bodies of work. It is—as of now—her only self-written record. Swift swaps the rainbow-tinged romance of “Fearless” for a loose, adult concept album based on leaving behind her youthful optimism. Swift explores the love she endured versus what she wished it was and reflects on her time in the spotlight. A shift in genre accompanied that shift in perspective, with the album signaling the early stages of Swift’s transition to popinfused country and rock. And now, after 13 years and a giant fiasco in between, “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” is the latest of her rerecording efforts that aims to live up to the original’s youthful charm, while simultaneously exposing young “Swifties” to the ethics of the music industry and the importance of self-ownership. Much like the re-recordings of “Red” and “Fearless”, “Speak Now” (Taylor’s Version, or SNTV) contains the main
set of tracks from its original, with an additional six “From the Vault” tracks. In the roughly two months since its release, many have closely scrutinized the differences in production and execution in SNTV compared to the original stolen version. Some are critical of the inclusion of Swift’s most frequent collaborator as of late, Bleachers frontman Jack Antonoff, as some prefer the original album’s less “grandiose” or “full” production. Some critics even added that the younger Swift’s youthful fervor lends her songs more emotional potency. Additionally, the widely debated lyrical change on “Better Than Revenge” from “She’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress” to “He was a moth to the flame / She was holding the matches” is seen by some as a bad-faith attempt to rectify the original’s misogynistic undertone, while also throwing the song out of sync with the overall album concept. Even so, these drawbacks do not leave too big of a scar on the final result, which is an album that still retains its realistic pain and romanticism, and with a 33-year-old Swift behind the microphone this time, the mature vo-
cals and updated production work in her favor. Ballads such as “Never Grow Up” that lament the fleeting childhood years feel more poignant with lyrics such as “Wish I’d never grown up, I could still be little.” Meanwhile, songs such as “Haunted” and “The Story Of Us” now feel more like the pop-rock songs from which they take their cues, while Swift’s consistently energetic performances in “Enchanted” and “Long Live” perfectly encapsulate how the latter’s lyric “One day/We will be remembered” still rings true. But no discussion of SNTV can proceed without noting “Dear John,” which is perhaps her most devastating work of writing ever. In SNTV, the song still maintains the anguish and blues that gave the original its cult status in Swift’s songwriting catalog, and its more stable and skilled vocals make the new version even more tear-jerking. Regarding the “From the Vault” tracks, though many may find themselves attracted by the rather intriguing, sensual nature of “I Can See You,” tracks like “Castles Crumbling” and “Timeless” feel more representative of SNTV’s overall concept and Swift’s own
knack for chronic fantasy syndrome. Featuring Hayley Williams from Paramore, “Castles Crumbling” repurposes the fantastical imagery of “Long Live” to demonstrate the fragility of her state of mind while navigating public scrutiny and feuds. Swift and Williams’ crestfallen yet sultry vocals play well in this toned-down ballad, despite drifting away from the album’s country/ pop-punk foundations. “Timeless” is a proper Swift track to close and lock the vault. Set to a whimsical country beat, Swift conjures up alternate realities built around herself and a former significant other engaged in what could have been a perennial romance, all triggered by an antique box of cheap black-and-white pictures. Though it has received mixed fanfare for its production and vault tracks, Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) feels decidedly positive, particularly because we can see how much has changed for the singer-songwriter in the 13 years since her foray into adulthood. Swift’s growth as a singer and a storyteller is palpable, and it is a hopeful sign for what lies ahead in her personal future.
Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) features a mature, updated album cover consistent with the tone of her new recording. Courtesy of Rolling Stone
Fun
The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, September 1, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 2
Sudoku
Weekly Horoscope
BACK TO SCHOOL APPLE LEAF
Half-knocked down graffiti building Morely Chemistry Labratory
Cancer Leo Virgo
Yost Hall
Dental Frat
A.W. Smith shed Parking lot by Crawford Hall
Capricorn Saggittarius
FALL LABOUR DAY PUMPKIN SPICE
Clarke Tower
Shed by The Den
Scorpio
September Word Search
Strosacker Auditorium
Libra
Gemini
Taurus
Aries
Pisces
Aquarius
The signs as buildings on the CWRU campus
New South Residential Village dorms Village house 7 Agnar Pytte Center for Science Education and Research
Fun 7
observer.case.edu
Auden's ahahahas
An Ode to CWRU Composed by ChatGPT
Well, gather 'round, my friends, I've got a tale to spin, 'Bout a place of higher learning that's a real winwin, It's not your average spot, it's got a quirky name, Case Western Reserve University, ain't that a claim to fame?
Back to school stress relief gnome family
Case Western, oh Case Western, you're a brainy paradise, Where the students crunch numbers and conduct wild device, From engineering to med school, you've got it all in store, A campus full of knowledge, and a little bit more! The quad is like a science fair, with lab coats everywhere, And the libraries are packed, it's like a bookish love affair, The squirrels wear pocket protectors, and the geeks are all the rage, But hey, that's just the norm on this intellectual stage!
What we’ve been listening to Fast Car Tracy Chapman
SNAKE EYES Aries
Kushali Desai
Beau Bilinovich
Class of 2013 (Audiotree Live Version) Mitski
Boy's a liar PinkPantheress
Sara Khorshidi
Cologne Isaac Dunbar Nandana Vinod
Married with Children Oasis Shejuti Wahed
Zachery Treseler
Before blonde redhead Kate Gordon
Besame Mucho Joao Gilberto Lexy Jensen
Talk Down Dijon
Last Night Morgan Wallen
Life in the Fast Lane The Eagles
Dreams The Cranberries
Clay Preusch
Puneet Bansal
Anjali Bhuthpur
Lucas Yang
Case Western, oh Case Western, where fun and smarts collide, Chemistry jokes and robot folks, with brains oh so worldwide, No frat parties here, just LAN parties every night, Yeah, it's a different kind of party, but the future's looking bright! In Cleveland, by the lake, stands this nerdy haven true, With professors who are rockstars and experiments to do, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is just a hop away, But our rockstars are in lab coats, and guitars? They code all day! Case Western, oh Case Western, you're truly one of a kind, A place where equations dance, and brilliance is enshrined, So here's to you, CWRU, may your campus ever thrive, In the world of academia, you're the bee's knees, high five! So whether you're a techie, a doc, or a thinker, At Case Western Reserve, you're part of a brainy blinker, Here's to all the brains, the laughs, and the knowledge so vast, Case Western, you're a gem, a genius blast!
Opinion EDITORIAL
The Case Western Reserve Observer
Issue 1 and the power of a vote Editorial Board Three weeks ago, on Aug. 8, Ohio voters rejected Issue 1 with a 57.01% vote. Issue 1 was a Republican-crafted proposal designed to radically change the rules for amending the Ohio Constitution by popular vote. These reforms, called Citizen-Initiated Constitutional Amendments, can be proposed by collecting signatures from 50 percent of all Ohio counties—amounting to 44 of the total 88—with the number of signatures in each county equaling at least five percent of the total vote cast for the previous gubernatorial election. Amendments can be passed with a simple majority vote of 50 percent plus one. Issue 1 would have raised both requirements: Signatures from all 88 counties would have been required to propose amendments, and a 60% majority vote would have been required to pass amendments. With the defeat on Aug. 8, the rules remained the same. The will of the majority is the backbone of all democratic societies. The Observer recognizes and contends that the victory in the August 8 election is a victory for democracy in Ohio. The impetus for Issue 1 can be found in a future abortion rights amendment on the November ballot called “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety.” The legislation would enshrine the right to get an abortion in the Ohio Constitution and prevent the government from any action that would deny this right. Exceptions would be allowed at the point of fetal viability, which is where, only under the judgment of the patient’s physician, “the fetus has a significant likelihood of survival outside the uterus”; the exact point would be determined on a case-by-case basis. This amendment is essential in protecting reproductive freedom in Ohio. Already, California, Michigan and Vermont have guaranteed the
The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, September 1, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 2
right to abortion in their constitutions. And in Kansas and Kentucky, voters rejected Republican measures to deny the right to abortion. Millions of Americans are standing in solidarity in support of the right for pregnant people to make their own decisions regarding their pregnancy, and Ohio has an opportunity to join them. Abortion is not the only referendum on the November ballot. A marijuana legalization proposal, called Issue 2, would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis. Marijuana bans have a notoriously racist history all across the country, including Ohio, where Black Ohioans are more likely to be arrested for possession of the substance compared to white Ohioans. Easing restrictions for possession of marijuana would help to combat these racist effects. The August 8 special election and the November election are a testament to the significance of participating in local and statewide politics. Federal politics consistently takes up space in the news media and the conversations we have in our everyday lives. Whether through Congress, the current administration or the Supreme Court, we have all been made to believe that casting a vote in the current federal election is the best way to enact change in the United States. But when federal movements fail at the behest of a group of federal officials, as was the case with the overturning of Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, local movements can safeguard against any further injustices. We should not take local elections for granted; they are the best vehicle for change. The upcoming November election will take place on Nov. 7 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 10. No matter your reasons for participating, everyone’s voice matters and deserves to be heard. We at The Observer strongly encourage all eligible voters to participate. The mark you make on your ballot will change the future of Ohio for years to come.
Established in 1969 by the undergraduate students of Case Western Reserve University
Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor & Publisher PRINT Elie Aoun Director of Print Téa Tamburo News Editor Zachary Treseler News Editor Kate Gordon Life Editor Beau Bilinovich Opinion Editor Puneet Bansal Sports Editor Lexy Jensen Development Editor Rebecca Warber Copy Editor Darcy Chew Copy Editor Sara Khorshidi Copy Editor Sarah Karkoff Copy Editor DIGITAL MEDIA Joce Ortiz Director of Digital Media Nandana Vinod Social Media Manager Aambar Agarwal Social Media Editor Shejuti Wahed Social Media Content Creator & Video Editor Clay Preusch Photo Editor Noah Henriques Web Editor DESIGN Auden Koetters Director of Design Anjali Bhuthpur Layout Designer Phuong Nguyen Layout Designer Lucas Yang Graphic Designer Tyler Vu Graphic Designer BUSINESS Khushali Desai Director of Business Operations Matthew Chang Business Manager 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. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR should be e-mailed to observer@case.edu or submitted on our website at observer.case.edu. Letters can be mailed to Thwing Center 11111 Euclid Avenue, Suite 01, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. For policy and guidelines related to the submission of Letters to the Editor, refer to observer.case.edu/submit-a-letter. The Observer is a proud member of CWRU’s University Media Board. Follow The Observer on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram @cwruobserver.
Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour: The diva slayed Aambar Agarwal Social Media Editor The first post-pandemic summer marked the hedonic return of obsessed fans to overcrowded concerts, especially for the Swifties and Beyhive, who spared no expense to express their adoration for Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, respectively. Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour was a true homage to the disco days and club era, complete with futuristic visuals and amazing vocals. You could say “I’m That Girl” who got to “Move” to the “Virgo’s Groove” during her “Summer Renaissance” with all the “Energy” at the Ford Field stadium in Detroit. While the concert was a visual and sonic masterpiece, two noteworthy elements
took away from the experience: the volume and concertgoers’ behavior. Walking into the indoor stadium, I was hit with a glittering silver sea of humanity. Dazzling cowboy hats, shimmering fringe and chrome sequins adorned the crowds, filling the space with a metallic glow. Long lines coveted tour merchandise, glitzy concertgoers posed for pictures and countless conversations surrounded me. Excitement permeated the air—as did, unfortunately, the nauseating smell of vapes and marijuana. As the start time for the concert came and went, with Beyoncé nowhere in sight, the crowds grew more and more restless. The tour had no opening act to entertain them. There was only an empty stage displaying colorful bars to look at and re-
peating background tracks to listen to as we bided our time. Raucous cheers intermittently arose from the audience, numbing my ears while seemingly urging the vacant stage to bring out Beyoncé. After a long one-and-a-half-hour wait, the performance finally began. It was worth the wait. With powerful vocals, breathtaking visuals and beautiful choreography, Beyoncé truly brought it all to the show. She opened with a few older ballads before getting into Renaissance, interspersed with some fan favorites. Her outfits were stunning, resplendent with jewels and sequins. And during her costume changes, no time was wasted; video interludes full of rich imagery were projected onto the stage, signaling the start of a new segment of the show, and her
backup dancers showcased their dynamic moves to a couple of her dance hits. Though Beyoncé did not dance as much herself, her dancers more than made up for it with their impeccable choreography. Blue Ivy even graced the stage at one point, moving along to a few songs. The audience couldn’t help but dance, too, though perhaps with too much enthusiasm: One concertgoer passionately twerked on my neighbor’s head, all the while shrieking her love for Beyoncé. Despite the fantastic performance, the show was too loud for my liking. The bass thrummed through my body, vibrating my internal organs. Continue reading on page 9
Opinion 9
observer.case.edu
Beyonce from page 8 Audience members screamed directly into my ears, fervently expressing their adoration for Beyoncé and striving to be heard over the music. Even with brand-new earplugs lodged in my ears, the noise was dizzying, making it difficult to focus on Beyoncé’s performance. It was impossible to even hear my thoughts; the sounds pounded my brain to mush. Those without earplugs undoubtedly damaged their hearing that
night. Between the deafening music and shrieking audience, nobody’s ears stood a chance, regardless of where they sat. But fixing this issue was easy: Beyoncé’s team just needed to lower the volume of her live music, and concertgoers needed to be more mindful of the people around them. Yet, as Beyoncé says, “America Has a Problem.” It is not just the Renaissance World Tour that is too loud; all concerts and even
movies have become head-splitting and hearing loss-inducing. Concert etiquette is declining everywhere, affecting both fans and artists. Just this past summer, concertgoers have thrown objects at and assaulted multiple artists, including Drake, Bebe Rexha and Ava Max. Concert personnel need to lower the volume of their shows. Earplugs shouldn’t be a requirement for enjoying live music. And we must be mindful of the people around us
at concerts. Smoking drugs in an indoor stadium and shouting into concertgoers’ ears is egregiously rude. Not everyone wants to breathe in drug-laden air, be attacked by somebody’s behind or develop noise-induced hearing loss from another’s frenzied screaming. Still, the concert was a “Cozy” love affair between Beyoncé and her Beyhive, rocking with her to pulsating music, where Beyoncé proved, “Who run the world? Girls.”
Beyoncé continues to rock stadiums from Paris to Las Vegas—but at what cost to attendees? Some may find it difficult to enjoy her killer setlist because of the loud volume and rowdy concertgoers eager to show their support for the singer. Courtesy of Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
“Barbie” was not “Kenough” Rebecca Warber Copy Editor I owned countless Barbies growing up, but I always wanted more. I vividly remember roaming the aisles of Target and Walmart, begging my mother to buy me just one of the many dolls lining the shelves. Unsurprisingly, she often said no before reminding me that I had a number of dolls at home I rarely played with. But she didn’t get it. There was a certain appeal to the new dolls in stores, an appeal that the Barbies I owned had lost the second I took them out of their boxes. Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” held that very same appeal. Trailers teased a somewhat compelling story centered around everyone’s favorite blonde icon; after initial screenings,
viewers and news sources alike praised the movie for its innovation and surprising depth. Naturally, I was excited to see it, though the feeling quickly dissipated when I actually sat down to watch it. The box came off, and despite high expectations, I found “Barbie” to be painfully mediocre. “Barbie” follows a stereotypical blonde Barbie (Margot Robbie) as she grapples with an existential crisis brought on by sudden thoughts of death and various changes to her appearance. After consulting Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), Barbie learns that to return to normal she must leave the confines of the matriarchal Barbieland and venture into the real world to find the girl playing with her. Strapped into her hot-pink convertible, Barbie embarks on her journey to reality with Ken (Ryan
Margot Robbie (left) and Ryan Gosling (right) outshine the lackluster script with boisterous and excting performances. Courtesy of People Magazine
Gosling) stowed away in the backseat. While initially reluctant, Barbie allows him to stay with her, and together the two enter the mystical world of Los Angeles. There, Ken explores the male-dominated world while Barbie seeks out Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), the girl she once belonged to. Sasha is quick to tell Barbie that, despite commonly-held beliefs in Barbieland, many perceive Barbie to be problematic. Distraught, Barbie leaves Sasha only to be confronted by a group of Mattel CEOs hoping to return her to Barbieland by sealing her in a box. Barbie manages to escape their clutches with the help of Sasha’s mother, Gloria (America Ferrera), and Sasha herself. Together, they return to Barbieland where they discover the Kens have taken over. Luckily, the Barbies, with the help of Sasha and Gloria, manage to restore order to their world all while clad in matching pink jumpsuits. With order once again restored to Barbieland, Barbie decides she wants to remain in the real world and trade in her status as a doll for that of a real woman. “Barbie” has a lot—one could argue too much—going on. The movie includes a staggering number of loosely related subplots that lack any degree of coherence. It often feels more like a poorly combined collection of individual stories in desperate need of a modicum of consistency to make it less overwhelming. Even worse is the concerning number of themes “Barbie” tries and fails to properly address. Within its 114 minute runtime, viewers are bombarded with messages about self-acceptance, mother-daughter relationships, gender roles, societal expectations, female empowerment and inclusion. The movie bit
off more than it could chew, resulting in surface-level incorporations that utterly fail to communicate the complexity of its major themes. My biggest problem with “Barbie” was that it was in no way revolutionary. Despite numerous publications and hoards of viewers praising “Barbie” for its refreshing take on the female experience, I found it to be lacking in any noteworthy commentary or messages. The film contains a lot of recycled ideas about feminism and gender equality with very little, if anything at all, added to truly distinguish itself from similar works. Of course, that’s not to say these ideas aren’t important. They absolutely are. But that doesn’t mean “Barbie” deserves its sensational reviews simply for mentioning them in a completely unoriginal way. Gloria’s somewhat famous monologue was one of many examples of said unoriginality. I found the speech to be rudimentary and more akin to a cheesy motivational post rather than a truly inspirational piece of dialogue from an inspirational movie. Even so, the section of dialogue received overwhelmingly positive reactions for its supposed accurate description of the trials of womanhood. Film critic Stephanie Zacharek nailed “Barbie” on the head by describing it as “very pretty but not very deep.” The film certainly featured some fantastic hot-pink sets and outfits eerily identical to those I was desperate to own growing up. Unfortunately, the set and outfit designs didn’t make up for the movie’s shortcomings. As much as I wanted to love it, “Barbie” was, to quote the movie itself, not “Kenough.”
10 Opinion
Friday, September 1, 2023
The value of vlogs Hannah Johnson Staff Writer A couple weeks ago my friend asked me what I liked to watch on YouTube. This question, for some reason, made me a bit self-conscious. I tried to think of the most impressive form of content since I’m keen on deeply understanding the ins and outs of the stock market or taking deep intellectual dives into systemic oppression. In the end, however, I decided to go with the truth: vlogs. Yes, I watch vlogs. This answer may surprise you. It certainly surprised my friend. She admitted that she expected me to say something educational—to answer with some form of content that could benefit me in life outside of the internet. Instead, I find comfort watching a woman I’ve never met taking me along on her silly little errands, daily family interactions and outfits of the day. YouTubers such as Kianna Naomi, Tâm Mai and Deb Smikle provide entertainment to me and millions of other people on a daily basis. As far as I know, vlogs are an accepted form of leisure activity. After this conversation, though, I couldn’t help but wonder why so many people like to watch them in their free time. Are we just wasting our lives away by living vicariously through someone else, wishing we could do and be what other people are? But no, that couldn’t be it. There had to be some value that vlogs carry beyond mere entertainment. Determined to gain some sense of clarity, I pondered and eventually realized that my own fascination with vlogs stemmed from my curiosity about the human condition. I was quiet as a kid. Many people who know me today would argue that’s still the case. Unfortunately, being quiet is often equated with being shy—an understandable misconception. It can be difficult to
make new connections as someone who doesn’t always fill silence with words just for the sake of someone else’s comfort. I often found myself wondering why I should even try when so many times I’d end up being talked over. But vlogs are different because everyone is included, no matter who you are or how you act. If someone is making an intentional effort to share their life with you, there’s virtually no possibility that they may try to shut you out for not responding in a way they deem appropriate. Regardless of the vlogger’s personality or the friends they have, you are still included. There are no uncomfortable moments when they have to figure out how much you talk or how boring you are by how little you say. In fact, they don’t have to know you at all because there’s no expectation to. Furthermore, I enjoy the exposure to the many different human beings and personalities that exist in the world. You could argue that someone will never fully be their true self on the internet. I agree, but even offline you will never see every facet and innermost thought of another person. As humans, we share different pieces of ourselves with different people. What we say to a camera may be completely different from what we say to our family and friends. Vlogs expose us to the many different sides of the human experience through people outside of ourselves, and by doing so, can even shape our own experience. At the risk of sounding parasocial, I think many people in my generation will agree that, at least once, a so-called “influencer” has motivated them to try to pull their own life together. Whether by eating cleanly, exercising, spending more time with family or reading more, the romanticization of life through a visual diary is a wonderful motivator. I have friends who enjoy watching live “study with me” videos while doing work because it
forces them to hold themselves accountable. I also have friends who watch “a day in the life of” videos. It’s important to constantly remind ourselves that we don’t just live in a bubble in a certain corner of the world. We contain so many shared experiences and emotions, and as a result, we can learn a lot from each other. Additionally, vlogging encapsulates a childlike fascination with the digital age. I can remember getting my first camcorder. I would take it around with me everywhere—to my birthday parties, local festivals, my grandmother’s house—telling everyone who would listen that I was keeping a video log. Growing up in a generation that can keep its life experiences tucked in its back pocket
is both a blessing and a curse. Yet I can’t help but view vlogging as a return to an age when it was easy to center ourselves as important—as main characters. A video log was a keepsake because it was something I would return to in order to remind myself of where I was in my life. It was both a creative outlet in which I was the director and something very real. Today, vlogs capture a very similar feeling. They are a space that may have creative direction, but they still manage to strike a chord of reality—a place of acceptance and human understanding. So, to my friend from earlier: No, maybe the vlogs I watch aren’t inherently educational. But I can definitely say they’ve taught me a lot regardless.
Tyler Vu/The Observer
Are 16-year-olds too young to have a say in politics? Catherine Choi Staff Writer In a democratic society, it is crucial that citizens participate and keep a keen interest in politics to maintain social order and justice. For those not in the legal field, the easiest method for civic engagement is casting a vote for the political candidate most likely to work for their benefit. For the well-being of a nation, citizens must be able to make proper judgments that will benefit most people and engage in movements to correct injustice and past misjudgments. In the United States, people are granted the right to vote at 18 years old, when a person is considered a legal adult; however, most citizens take part in society before reaching that age, especially around the age of 16. It would therefore make sense to lower the voting age to 16. Initially, the voting age was 21. It was lowered to 18 during the Vietnam War under the 26th Amendment of the Constitution. The underlying logic was that if someone could die for their country at 18, they should have the right to elect
the government officials who can decide to implement a draft. Applying similar logic as during the Vietnam War, 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote since, despite being a minor, they take an active role in society and are affected by government policy as much as adults are. By 16 years old, most people are allowed to drive, work, pay taxes, apply for a passport without a guardian and get married with parental approval. It is the age when people are considered young adults, transitioning from childhood to adulthood. They should have a right to speak up for their own benefits and hold partial control over their future. In the instance of student loan forgiveness that affects many students, a poll conducted by Morning Consult in 2021 claimed that teenagers and those in their 20s are more likely to vote in favor of loan forgiveness than older people. Young people are more likely to agree because those who have recently graduated are less able to manage their debt as a result of a lower income status compared to higher earners. However, older
adults who are less likely to benefit from loan forgiveness and hold Republican viewpoints are more likely to object to using taxes to pay off the debts of college students. Issues such as loan forgiveness which concern younger populations more than their older counterparts will be overlooked if the voting age is too high. Moreover, lowering the voting age to 16 will promote better civic engagement. Allowing people to get involved in politics at an early age can raise awareness to the importance of civic education in schools, ensuring that students make rational decisions and take matters seriously. Improved quality of education and early exposure to politics can thus help students realize the importance of civic engagement and understand politics to be an active part of their lives rather than a distant, complicated issue that is irrelevant to them. Lowering the voting age to 16 will bring positive benefits to society. As a result of more people being allowed to vote, we could see increased voter turnout. They can also find new solutions to existing
problems and raise awareness of injustices concerning the LGBTQIA+ community, abortion rights, people of color and many more. They are more likely to partake in efforts geared towards fixing unjust policies and promoting social well being, which leads to enhanced social trust. Some people think that 16-yearolds do not have the intellectual ability to make the right decisions; however, knowledge and understanding are far more important than age in decision making. Those who are young can be excellent decision makers, and those who are old can be terrible decision makers. The United States should focus on equipping its citizens with political knowledge rather than banning a group of people they perceive to be incapable, especially since 16- to 17-year-olds comprise 2.5% of the U.S. population. It is the age when state governments decided to grant teenagers the ability to drive, work and pay taxes. If the government is willing to collect their income taxes, they should give those taxpayers the right to vote on how that tax money is spent.
Sports
The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, September 1, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 2
Football kicks off the new season Puneet Bansal Sports Editor After almost a year in the offseason, the Case Western Reserve University football team will return to the field for the 2023 season this Saturday, Sept. 2 against Thiel College on the road. The Spartans ended the 2022 season with a 6-4 record, the seventhconsecutive winning season, while also placing fourth in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). Head Coach Greg Debeljak enters his 20th season, holding a career record of 131-55. “I think the losses hurt at the time, but if you look at the overall big picture, it was helpful for the growth of this group and it puts them in a good position for this year,” said Debeljak in an interview with the CWRU Athletics Department. Sporting a preseason squad of 112 players, the team has 79 returners, 27 of which are graduate students and fourth-years, 20 are third-years, 32 are second-years and 30 are firstyears. “This is the first time since the pandemic that we will have a senior-dominant lineup,” said Debeljak. “Usually, the quality of your senior class is a predictor of how your season will go.
We are in a good position, and it is a position we haven’t been in a while.” The offense ranked in the top half in total offense with 388 yards per game and scoring offense with 28.4 points per game in the last season. The team averaged a passing game of 242.4 yards, which was second-most among the league’s teams. The major difference this year is that the offense will no longer be captained by fourtime All-PAC First Team honoree Drew Saxton. Regardless, the offense has eight starters returning from last year and the head coach has a plan. “We certainly tweak the offense every year,” said Debeljak. “Drew was a great throwing quarterback, and the other options were dual threats, which created a challenge to incorporate both styles. Now that our quarterbacks all have similar skill sets, it will be a little easier to put the offense together.” On the defensive end, the Spartans have less positions to fill as they sport 10 returning starters from last fall. The group had a very strong showing last year, ranking fourth in the PAC in yards allowed per game at 287.4 and fifth in points allowed per game at 18.5. “[The defense] will be physical, and this will be one of the more athletic defenses that we have ever had,” added Debeljak. “And, we have some
depth, so we can avoid being devastated by injuries… It should be an exciting defense to watch.” Last but not least, fourth-year Joseph Rhodes V is returning after spearheading the kicking game for CWRU. He was nearly perfect for extra point attempts, going 25 for 26. His punts averaged 38.1 yards while his kickoff averaged 53.1 yards per attempt. First-year kickers Graham Sorg and Gabriel Petrozzi are joining
the squad, while fourth-year Kuper Imrem will return for long snapping duties. The Spartans will travel to Greenville, Pennsylvania to play Thiel for the first time since 2021. CWRU is 12-9 all-time against Thiel and has won the last nine matchups. CWRU will return for homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7:00 p.m. on DiSanto Field against Grove City College.
The CWRU football team returns to the field on Sept. 2 to play Thiel College in Greenville, PA. Courtesy of CWRU Athletics
12 Sports
Friday, September 1, 2023
Softball ties program win record, falls in second round at NCAA tournament Postseason Recap Puneet Bansal Sports Editor After a strong start to the regular season, the Case Western Reserve University softball team was selected to host the Regional Round of the 2023 NCAA DIII Softball Championship. The team, which earned an automatic bid to the tournament by winning the University Athletic Association (UAA) conference championship for the second straight year with a 37-3 record, was seeded first in the regionals. The Spartans recorded a 17-2 record in UAA play and were looking to make their fourth appearance in the NCAA more successful than before. The first game was against fourthseeded Penn State Altoona and CWRU quickly took advantage. After a flawless top of the inning in the first, second-year infielder Isabella Russo kicked off scoring with a double that plated third-year infielder KaiLi
Gross. Fourth-year infielder Amanda Riely’s single allowed Russo to score while back-to-back singles by thirdyear infielder Kaila Nutter and firstyear infielder Elizabeth Berry drove in two more runs. Gross came back once more to bat and plated two runs with a single to push CWRU to a 9-0 lead. Altoona barely chipped at the lead, scoring just one run in the second inning. The Spartans struck back with four runs. Riely capped off scoring by driving in two more runs with a double for the final score of 15-1. Eight Spartans scored, with the 15 runs being the most runs in a game this season. Second-year pitchers Lexi Miskey and Kylie Hosey and thirdyear pitcher Jenna Jaklich limited the Lions to just four hits. With the victory, the Spartans matched the program record in wins and moved on to face Hiram College and the University of Mount Union on the tournament’s second day. Against Hiram, CWRU scored first
CWRU’s softball team was lucky enough to make their fourth appearance in the NCAA tournament. Courtesy of CWRU Athletics
Football CWRU at Thiel (9/2, 7 p.m.) CWRU vs Grove City (9/16, 7 p.m., DiSanto Field) CWRU vs Geneva (9/23, 7 p.m., DiSanto Field)
Men’s Soccer CWRU at Otterbein (9/1, 5 p.m.) CWRU vs Wooster (9/3, 5 p.m., DiSanto Field) CWRU vs Defiance (9/6, 7:30 p.m., DiSanto Field) CWRU vs Capital (9/9, 1 p.m., DiSanto Field)
The team finished off the regular season with a 38-5 record, despite their NCAA tournament losses to Hiram College and the University of Mount Union. Courtesy of CWRU Athletics after Gross scored on a sacrifice fly spring semester, which are listed befrom Riely. Hiram quickly responded low: and took a 2-1 lead in the third inning. UAA Pitcher of the Year – Lexi MisCarli Tucci’s two-out single allowed key Miskey to plate and tie the score, but UAA Position Player of the Year – the Terriers overpowered the Spartans Amanda Riely in the bottom of the sixth inning with UAA Coaching Staff of the Year – a 5-run outing. The Spartans fell 7-2. Head Coach Josie Henry, Assistant The game against Mount Union Coaches Joe Angelo, Ashely Parello, was a lot closer but ultimately resulted Nicole Doyle, Sidney Brannam, Mein a heart-breaking 3-2 loss. lissa Cuellar and Hope Yashnik Miskey wrote herself into the histoAll-UAA Team – Lexi Miskey (First ry books in the second inning, becom- Team), Amanda Riely (First Team), ing the first Spartan in program history KaiLi Gross (First Team), Kela Jato record 200 strikeouts in one season goda (Second Team) and Kylie Hosey to go along with a record-breaking 23 (Third Team) wins. In the same inning, Tucci and NFCA All-Region Team – Lexi Misfirst-year catcher Anna Gobeyn re- key, Amanda Riely, Carli Tucci, Kela corded back-to-back two-out hits to Jagoda and Kylie Hosey give CWRU an early 2-0 lead. Mount NFCA All-American Team – Lexi Union immediately tied it in the third, Miskey (Second Team) and Amanda taking a 3-2 lead later in the fifth in- Riely (Third Team) ning. Neither side scored for the rest CSC Academic All-America Team of the game, and the Spartans’ season – KaiLi Gross (First Team) came to an end. NFCA Academic All-Academic The Spartans, who finished the sea- Team – Amanda Riely, Carli Tucci, son with an overall 38-5 record, will Savannah Gazda, KaiLi Gross, Kela return to regular season action in the Jagoda, Stevie Rieger, Jordon Manspring semester. worren, Kylie Hosey, Katelyn Lamm, The Spartans were awarded mul- Lexi Miskey and Brianna Landers tiple honors in the final weeks of the
Upcoming Games Volleyball CWRU at Great Lakes Cross Over vs Trine (9/1, 2 p.m.) vs Bluffton (9/1, 6 p.m.) vs Grove City (9/2, 8 a.m.) vs Carroll (9/2, noon) CWRU at Mount Union (9/6, 7 p.m.) CWRU vs Averett (9/8, 5:30 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium) CWRU vs Alleghany (9/9, 10 a.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium) CWRU vs Defiance (9/9, 2 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)
Women’s Soccer CWRU vs John Carroll (9/1, 7 p.m., DiSanto Field) CWRU at Ohio Northern (9/3, 2 p.m.) CWRU at Misericordia (9/8, 7 p.m.) CWRU vs Clarkson (9/10, noon)
Cross Country CWRU at Tommy Evans Invitational (9/1, 6:15 p.m.) CWRU at All-Ohio Invitational (9/15, 5 p.m.) CWRU at Dickinson Long-Short Invitational (9/23, 11 a.m.)