Friday, September 20, 2024 Volume LVI, Issue 5 Est. 1969
Protesting alleged suspension of SJP encampment member, CWRU community walks out
Téa Tamburo News Editor
Donning keffiyehs, signs and flags in support of Case Western Reserve University’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and their cause, dozens of CWRU community members and supporters gathered around Wade Lagoon at noon on Sept. 18. The walkout centered around the Freedom of Expression Policy and alleged Code of Conduct charges against a student organizer in the Gaza solidarity encampment.
After holding a brief rally with two student speakers, the group marched to Euclid Avenue and then to Adelbert Road, where one participant lit a smoke flare. After chanting on the road and blocking both lanes of traffic, they returned to Wade Lagoon with CWRU, University Circle and Cleveland Police following the march.
On Aug. 6, President Eric Kaler announced via email new rules and regulations regarding protesting on CWRU’s campus—a policy which
was revised on Aug. 28. Some notable aspects include requiring university approval three days prior to and a five-hour limit for all “[l]arge demonstrations.” These policies succeed a Gaza solidarity encampment set up by members of SJP and their allies at the end of the spring 2024 semester.
Now, several SJP members allege that the university is pursuing conduct charges toward leaders of the encampment, with the Sept. 18 gathering aimed at protesting the semester-long separation against Yousef Khalaf, a fourth-year student and encampment organizer.
“The administration is trying to fear monger us into overlooking their complicity in genocide. Yet their pathetic attempt at suppressing free speech has not phased our numbers, strength and strive for Palestinian liberation which is what we will show them as we march out of our classes,” SJP wrote in an Instagram post announcing the walkout on Sept. 16.
Adam, one of the walkout’s opening speakers, emphasized the un-
fairness in whom the university suspended.
“[The university administration used] Palestinian students such as Jad and Yousef as scapegoats for the things that hundreds … of people did at the encampment. They’re the two sole ones that especially got suspended because they’re Palestinian. There’s nothing that Yousef or Jad did … that I didn’t do that constitutes them getting suspended,” Adam said.
According to an anonymous organizer of the walkout, Khalaf was suspended a week into the fall semester after having started classes. They claimed the university prolonged Khalaf’s appeal.
“It’s an obvious breach of student rights, student liberties, and we’re being held to a standard that we as students for freedom, for the justice of Palestinian people … because the university is appeasing its donors— its capitalist interests—rather than the needs of its own student body,” they said. “We’re just shocked at how the university is so emboldened to continue to breach on student rights
and not take a stand for what’s right.” Due to restrictions under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the university was unable to confirm details regarding Khalaf’s alleged suspension.
“We can confirm nearly all individual cases related to the spring encampment and protests have been resolved, with resolutions including mostly warnings, separations and, in rare cases, persona non grata status on our campus, based on the seriousness of the actions,” the university said.
This is not the first walkout that has been advertised by SJP. On Nov. 6, 2023, SJP held a walkout where they called out the university’s response to the Israel-Hamas war. In the months leading up to the encampment, SJP received an interim loss of university recognition from the CWRU administration for allegedly posting flyers to the CWRU Spirit Wall and other campus surfaces.
Continue reading on page 2
A student organizer rallies about 100 pro-Palestinian protesters in a walk around Wade Lagoon, Euclid Avenue and Adelbert Road from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Kethan Srinivasan/The Observer
Protesting alleged suspension from page 1
The university said that SJP was clear about the Sept. 18 protest happening at locations off-campus, meaning that it was not subject to the Freedom of Expression Policy or the regulations of the Freedom of Expression Policy Committee.
“We would like to remind everyone that individuals are free to express their views in support of or opposition to any range of issues, so long as associated demonstrations on Case Western Reserve’s campus are in line with the Case Western Reserve’s procedures and operating rules and other university policies,” the university said.
The anonymous organizer hopes this protest encourages students to advocate for the pro-Palestinian movement.
“We hope students realize that with one student being scapegoated, we can’t sit back and let that happen,” they said. “We know a lot of people want to get involved, and we just can’t be scared. There’s power in standing together, and that’s what we hope to show here. We also hope to show administration that they can’t fear monger amongst the student population. We know that our strength lies in solidarity.”
Additional reporting contributed by Sports Editor Darcy Chew, Web Editor Noah Henriques, Photo Editor Clay Preusch, Social Media Content Creator Kethan Srinivasan and News Editor Zachary Treseler.
USG President Amman Spencer emphasizes engagement in interview with The Observer
Zachary Treseler News Editor
As the school year starts to roar into action, students might be wondering to whom they should turn to to voice their concerns and frustrations. The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) is the natural mandate and is chartered to represent students at the university level. Shivangi Nanda, The Observer’s executive editor, sat down with Amman Spencer, a fourth-year nutritional biochemistry and metabolism student, who is the 2024-2025 president of USG.
Spencer started his USG adventure as a freshman representative before being elected twice as a representative in the College of Arts and Sciences. Spencer noted that his intention for running was simple. He said, “I really wanted to be in a position where I could have an impact and advocate on behalf of my fellow students.”
When asked about his goals for the upcoming semester, one word came to his mind: engagement.
Top of mind for Spencer is the new protest regulations, which were first sent out to students on Aug. 6. An Observer investigation showed that the university erroneously placed USG’s name in the preambulatory clause of the policies, which were soon changed after student and faculty backlash. To address this, Amman is seeking to collect student feedback and use that within USG. He said, “We plan on turning that into a resolution to hopefully amend the policies and really make sure that they reflect not only students’ values, but students’ concerns regarding the policy.” One possible avenue
that Spencer is pursuing is a town hallstyle event in collaboration with other umbrella organizations.
Part of his push for engagement is within USG itself. Acknowledging the issues of retention for members of USG, Spencer committed himself to “crafting a USG experience, really like a general assembly experience, that people can feel connected to.” He said, “I think there’s still a way that you can make that exciting and inspire people in the way that I’ve been inspired in my time in USG.”
Spencer repeatedly stressed the importance he sees in gathering student feedback. He said, “I think it really is my job as a president of USG to take the feelings of the student body and give it directly to the administration.” Spencer noted further that he values building trust with the administration and acting as a liaison figure while also noting that he also must be “firm on what matters most to students.”
One of those issues is the cost of tuition for attending Case Western Reserve University. For example, in 2023, tuition increased by roughly 5%. Spencer noted that he is hoping that students can be informed of their tuition expenses when first accepted into the university.
Spencer explained what this will mean in practice: “So when you get accepted as a freshman, they would actually provide a range of [tuition growth]. It can go up within this range, and then eventually the goal over time would be that that range becomes smaller and smaller.” He said that the university is already on board with this move.
When pressed on increasing communication, he promised that the weekly USG Newsletter will be returning.
Spencer also stressed that he has new ideas, for example, by writing “more frequent updates about what we’re doing, what’s going on, kind of like a president’s address or a president’s update every once in a while.” He also prioritizes the importance of one-on-one communication. He said, “I think those one-on-one interactions, for me, have always built the best relationships.”
Ending out the interview, Spencer said, “I hope students know what USG is, what USG stands for, and that USG’s entire purpose is to represent the student body to the fullest. I want students to see us as a place that they can come to.”
Additional reporting contributed by Executive Editor Shivangi Nanda.
USG President Amman Spencer aims to make USG a place where students know they are supported and able to make change possible. Courtesy of Faith Kandie
The protesters pass an RTA bus on Adelbert Road as they purposefully avoid being on campus property. One protester holds a smoke flare that fills the air. Zachary Treseler/The Observer
Chalk it up to creativity: Annual chalk festival at the CMA is an ode to Cleveland’s dedicated artistic community
Penelope Cloonan Contributing Writer
This past weekend, the greater Cleveland community joined Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Institute of Art students at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) for their annual Chalk Festival. Attendees created artwork surrounded by natural scenery, live music and food trucks. The festival actually began as a 16th century Renaissance tradition in Italy, where local artists made chalk copies of Madonna paintings by Raphael and his contemporaries on the streets outside cathedrals, according to the CMA’s website. To honor this tradition, every year the CMA provides space and materials at a low cost for the community to come and express themselves through chalk art. What started as a means to share coveted private artworks with the public has evolved into a way to bring the beauty of creation to that same general public.
When I arrived right at the start of the festival’s second day it was already bustling. For $15, I was able to get a reasonably sized square and a box of chalk pastels. I then spent the next two hours with a friend making drawings based on Disney’s “Tangled,” enjoying the beautiful weather and talking with other attendees. We were given no direction on what to make, just to have fun with art. The event attracted large
groups and families collaborating, as well as independent artists who came to enjoy art surrounded by like-minded peers. Walking around I saw everything from black cats in pumpkins to hyper-realistic koi fish; scenes from “Bluey” to science fiction-esque city scapes. There was no overarching theme, only a space for people to leave brightly colored marks on the world.
One of the featured artists, Lacy Talley, was kind enough to speak to me about her process and journey with art. Talley has been in the art space her entire life, claiming to have become an artist at the age of three. She continued on this path and is now a Cleveland-based artist. Talley said her work primarily focuses on “‘I am’ affirmations and grounding work,” all with a bright color scheme and equally bright sense of identity. Notably, pastels are not Talley’s usual medium—instead she focuses on acrylic paint, resin, clay and digital art. Her first exposure to chalk art was at the CMA’s Chalk Festival last year, just like many other attendees. I think Talley’s journey represents the heart of this event. She is a person who loves art and uses it as a form of self-expression, but still found a new medium to do so through the Cleveland community.
While the Chalk Festival has come to a close for this year, I highly recommend checking out the other public programming and exhibits the CMA offers and to return to the Chalk Festival next September.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” was the movie of the summer
Aambar Agarwal Social Media Manager
This past July, the long-awaited third “Deadpool” film was released, six years after the sequel. And it was, by far, the most hilarious installment in the franchise. With its adult humor, deprecating quips and fourth-wall-breaking jokes, “Deadpool and Wolverine” was easily the best movie released this summer.
The movie starts with Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), the wisecracking, foul-mouthed not-quite-superhero, excavating Wolverine’s grave. From there, a series of flashbacks explain how he got himself in this situation. He tried to join the Avengers, was rejected by Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), retired from being Deadpool and worked as a usedcar salesman for six years. Then, the Time Variance Authority (TVA) captured him and explained that his timeline was deteriorating due to the death of Wolverine. Going against the organization’s wishes, Deadpool begins his quest to save his universe by searching for an alternate timeline variant of Wolverine, and ends up with the most disappointing Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) of them all.
For the rest of the movie, Deadpool and Wolverine team up—albeit reluctantly on the latter’s part—to stop the TVA from destroying Deadpool’s universe. Their journey takes them through the Void, where the powerful Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) resides with discarded members of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). They meet various variants of Deadpool, from the fouler-mouthed Kidpool (Inez Reynolds) to the adorably ugly Dogpool (Peggy), also known as Mary Puppins. Whether they triumph or perish, I will leave for you to find out.
The film’s running gags only
heighten its fun. Every variant Wolverine attempts to kill Deadpool, from Cavillrine (Henry Cavill) to the 5-foot-3-inch version. Cassandra Nova reads people’s minds by writhing her bare hands underneath their skin, poking and prodding their brains as she sees fit, much to the horror of her victims. Nicepool (Ryan Reynolds), another Deadpool variant, is a constant target of Deadpool’s ire due to his cheerful disposition, unscarred appearance and ownership of Dogpool. And, of course, Deadpool’s utter adoration for Mary Puppins, with her sparse fur, wrinkled skin and lopsided tongue constantly licking his face, is a highlight. Plus, the movie’s comedic timing is perfect. NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” plays while Deadpool desecrates Wolverine’s skeleton and “Like A Prayer” by Madonna is the soundtrack for the high-stakes climax.
Despite Disney having bought 21st Century Fox, bringing Deadpool and the X-Men under Marvel Studios, the “Deadpool” franchise’s characteristic humor is far from tamped down. Besides keeping its R rating, the movie makes regular jabs at the MCU. Deadpool pleads Marvel to stop with the multiverses, says Wolverine will now be working until he is 90 and reminds Blind Al (Leslie Uggams), his elderly roommate, that they cannot talk about cocaine anymore.
There was never a dull moment in “Deadpool and Wolverine,” and the box office numbers show that. Having grossed over $1 billion worldwide, the film has become the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, and Deadpool is now Marvel Studios’ second highest-grossing superhero—only beaten by the PG-13 Spider-Man. Thanks to its success, it is still playing in theaters. Grab a ticket and go watch the latest “Deadpool”—its 2-hour runtime will fly by.
What to do this week(end) (9/20/24)
Kate Gordon Life Editor
“Les Misérables” at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace Price: From $20
Date: 9/20-22
This Tony award-winning musical, with an incredible new staging by Cameron Mackintosh, is coming to Playhouse Square in Cleveland for less than a week. If you’re not familiar with “Les Misérables”—the musical or the original Victor Hugo novel, which is well over a thousand pages long—to summarize the story very, very briefly, it follows quite a large cast of characters through early 19th century Paris, culminating in the June Rebellion of 1832. Like the book, the musical adaptation is also very long and very sad, but definitely worth the watch. And if you attend the Saturday night showing, you’ll be sure to see some other Case Western Reserve University students there, as the University Program Board (UPB) is giving away tickets (though registration for the raffle closed 9/19).
Cleveland Pickle Fest Price: General admission $10 Date: 9/21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Once described by The Observer as “a pickle-lover’s dream,” this festival celebrating all things pickle-related is sure to be a hit with “casual pickle enjoyers and pickle aficionados alike.” Taking over Mall C in Downtown Cleveland with numerous food trucks, vendors, attractions, bands and a pickle-eating contest, you’ll be guaranteed an afternoon well spent. Plus, you can feel good about where your money’s going, as the festival’s proceeds benefit the Greater Cleveland Volunteers. .
uISA Garba Price: Free Date: 9/21 from 6:30-9 p.m.
All are welcome at the Undergraduate Indian Students Association’s celebration of Navaratri, a major Hindu festival. Case CobRaas, a student dance team, will lead garba circles, and there will be more dance at the event in the form of Sanedo, Dandiya lines and an open dance floor featuring Bollywood songs. To top everything off, there will be light refreshments including free samosas. Some of the most fun I’ve had at CWRU has been at its cultural events, so if you’re considering attending uISA Garba, I would highly encourage you to do so.
Mother Mother at House of Blues Price: From $50 Date: 9/25 from 8-11 p.m.
You might have only discovered Canadian rock band Mother Mother from their TikTok viral song “Hayloft” in 2020, but it’s likely that you’ve learned at least a few more of their songs since then. If you can tear yourself away from homework, come downtown to House of Blues this Wednesday night to see the group perform tracks from their latest album, “Grief Chapter,” as well as a special guest performance from indie band Winnetka Bowling League. According to Destination Cleveland, “Grief Chapter” “push[es] the page, the pen, and their sound further than they ever have before.”
“Pride and Prejudice” at Playhouse Square’s Allen Theatre Price: From $30 Date: 9/20-29
Media set in the Regency era has had a huge resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks to shows like “Bridgerton” as well as the long stay of the 2005 film adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” on Netflix. This classic English love story is basically a 19th century romantic comedy, following the headstrong Elizabeth Bennet as she evades unwanted suitors and combats the antics of her spoiled younger sisters and overbearing mother. If you’re a fan of Jane Austen or want to better understand her hype, this production is a must-see.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time thanks to its hilariously vulgar protagonist and superior soundtrack. Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Aquarius Nasty
Pisces
Camila Cabello
Aries
Karma Jojo Siwa
Taurus
Espresso
Sabrina Carpenter
Gemini Hiss
Megan Thee Stallion
Cancer
Yes, And?
Ariana Grande
Leo Houdini
Dua Lipa
Virgo
Texas Hold 'Em
Beyonc é
Libra 360
Charli XCX
Scorpio
Woman's World
Katy Perry
Sagittarius
JOYRIDE
Ke$ha
Capricorn
Good Luck, Babe
Chappell Roan
Sudoku
Lucas Yang/The Observer
Students By: XKCD
Overheard CWRU
Compilation of out-of-pocket things heard across campus
"SAGES REGIME."
"She's not demure, she's deranged, she's CORPORATE!"
"He said kink."
"If I kick you, you will be worse off ... unless you're masochist or something."
"See you at print night."
What We've Been Listening To
Écoute Chérie
Vendredi sur Mer Kethan Srinivasan
Gato de Noche Bad Bunny, Ñengo Flow Joce Ortiz
Heaven's Gate
Amélie Farren
Zachary Treseler
Touchy Feely Fool
Love
Auden Koetters
You
Mahika Krishnamoorthi/The Observer
Ivory Tower
by Kevin Yong
Tyler Vu/The Observer
Stepping into the right career…
Catherine Choi Staff Writer
As we enter college, we are faced with numerous surprises. The major that we chose may turn out to be nothing like we thought it would be and the career path that we dreamt of since first grade might have an ugly side that we weren’t expecting. For this reason, a lot of college freshmen struggle with choosing a career path, choosing what classes to take and making their four-year plan. However, this is extremely normal. It is very unlikely that an 18-year old overwhelmed by college applications knows exactly what they want to do with their life. As someone who has suffered throughout college because the major I chose was not my cup of tea, I would like to share my opinions on how to choose the right path before it is too late to make a change.
The first step is to get to know yourself. Think about what your strengths and weaknesses are, what you want from your job and what you absolutely want to avoid, what you value and what you want to achieve in life. This information will serve as your guide while researching career paths by narrowing down your options and directing you away from careers that are not for you. For instance, those who realize that they have terrible people skills will likely avoid jobs such as teaching, customer service, healthcare or business management. If you put high emphasis on financial stability, you should not get a job as a freelancer where your monthly pay fluctuates.
In my case, I chose a career in nursing because I liked the job security. I do not have to compete to make it up the corporate ladder. As a nurse, I use my medical skills and knowledge rather than office social skills. It is easy to find and keep a job and to have a stable income. Additionally, I came to realize that one should not work in healthcare fields simply for the money—you need patience, empathy and genuine passion for saving lives and making other people better. The job is demanding both physically and mentally and if money is the sole objective, there are many faster and easier ways to get it. Through a self assessment, people can also notice personal shortcom-
ings in skills that are crucial for their dream job and evaluate whether pursuing that career path is worth putting in effort into in order to improve in those areas.
The second step is to know what you are getting yourself into. What we know about a certain major or a job is only a small fragment of what it actually is. For instance, when people see singers or actors, they see goodlooking people in fancy outfits surrounded by fans and wish they could be like them. Very few acknowledge that behind the scenes, performers are always under pressure. They must perform well, they have to secure the public’s favor and they must not get on the bad side of those that they work with, all while maintaining enough popularity to keep working in the industry. When it comes to doctors, many people only see the money and respect that their profession garners. The fact that they went to school for over a decade, racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, are under pressure to cure their patients, work more than 80 hours a week and are always at risk
of losing their license often goes unnoticed.
When my parents first recommended nursing, I was apprehensive because of the conventional stereotypes about the field: having to confront rude patients and staff, working with gross things, becoming the physician’s servant and that it is physically demanding. It was after I enrolled in nursing school and worked with nurses that I learned that most of these claims were not true. Nurses are highly educated professionals capable of making independent decisions and their duties focus on technical skills, paperwork, documenting and communication rather than menial caregiver roles. I also learned that there are many people who help nurses, such as certified nursing assistants, and that patients and society tend to hold a lot of respect for registered nurses. This process helped me reevaluate my decision and redirect my career path, making me realize that I do not hate nursing as a whole but only certain aspects, such as dealing with people in their most vulnerable times in an
Auden Koetters/The Observer
environment filled with fear, anxiety, distrust and frustration. This process made it easier for me to take the next step, that is, to avoid what I truly dislike.
The third step is to look for alternatives if you know you chose the wrong path. Oftentimes, we come to realize that we made the wrong decision once a lot of time has passed. As freshmen, we can discuss changing our major with our advisors, however as upperclassmen, very few have the privilege to attend college longer or start all over again. A person is not stuck for their entire life in one career, and a single degree can open up numerous opportunities if we do a little bit of research. Instead of pursuing the career that you decided on when you were 18 and living in agony, always keep in mind that you can evaluate what you value more and shift gears to become more satisfied.
For instance, as I mentioned earlier, it turns out that I do not hate nursing, only the fact that I have to deal with rude patients and their concerned families. As I worked in the hospital, I would be hurt by the fact that people would treat me as their servant, tasking me with cleaning their room, resorting to childish behaviors, asking racist questions and showing distrust in my ability to take care of them, all while giving full respect to the nurses and physicians. However, there are many ways to avoid these situations. I can work as a night shift nurse or in fields such as the intensive care unit or the operating room where nurses mainly work with providers and where there is limited access to families. Also, other nonphysical jobs—such as nursing research, telehealth, outpatient or dialysis nursing—or non-patient care jobs—such as nursing management and case management—are also good alternatives.
Although this article focuses mostly on healthcare and nursing, the rules can apply to most professional fields, including IT, education, business, finance, law, natural science, journalism and more. It is crucial that we consider a broad range of factors—about ourselves, our priorities and what we want to avoid. Know that there are many options beyond what comes up on the top of our heads, and know what you are getting yourself into.
Student Employment has a backlog— how does this affect students?
Editorial Board
Historically, the beginning of the Case Western Reserve University school year starts off with a delay in student employee payments. However, this year’s delay is anticipated to be much greater than in previous years. An email sent out on Sept. 17 outlines the exacerbation of the problem, which stems from the delay in this year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The email also highlights a glaring lack of staff available to take care of the student employment situation, with a focus instead on “student financial aid and responding to/resolving FAFSA-re-
lated issues.”
Under normal circumstances, additional financial aid staff would be appointed to the manual process of entering student employment data into PeopleSoft HCM, the student employment portal, but due to the FAFSA delay, this is not feasible. The office would also “hire two additional temporary staff members to work in August and September.” However, this year they “have been unable to identify a second temporary worker.” Currently, the office only has two fulltime employees, claiming that “[p] ost pandemic hiring continues to be a challenge.” Additionally, one fulltime employee in the office retired recently, leaving a vacancy that the
office is currently looking to fill.
On the same day the original email was sent out, returning workers were sent an email confirming rehire status. The Student Employment office stated its intention to “shift more resources to clear [the] backlog” by the end of next week.
So what repercussions does this delay have on us as students? Well, if you’re a new student, you will not be able to begin work until the office has processed your student employment forms. At the time of writing, the office has entered 634 of approximately 2,100 forms into HCM, completing about a third of the forms they need to process. Many students rely on student employment payments to afford
their living expenses and wants. With an estimated first-year undergraduate cost of about $88,686, many students receive need-based aid, using payments from student employment to help pay off tuition and loans.
“I know student employment is super understaffed, but this has been a problem for a while,” one student tour guide said. “When I was hired last spring it took months for me to get my first check. I was hired midJanuary and finally gained access to HCM in mid-April. And the problem continuing into this fall is concerning.”
Continue reading on page 9
Jill Stein and the Muslim vote: The risks of single-issue voting in 2024
Salsabeel Salem Contributing Writer
And just like that, the countdown begins for the 2024 presidential election with headliners Kamala Harris and Donald Trump taking center stage. As the world watches the show with a bucket of popcorn and an iced lemonade in hand, Americans across the country toy with the idea of casting a vote for the first nonwhite female candidate or a criminal. However, a subset of Americans are looking elsewhere for their next president. Entering from the thickets of independents and third-party candidates is Dr. Jill Stein, a Harvard Medical School graduate representing the Green Party. With her call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an emphasis on international affairs, many Muslim-Americans have defined her as the most ideal person for the Oval Office. However, despite her compelling rhetoric, the reality is that voting for Stein, with her limited track record and scant chance of winning, risks diluting the impact of the vote and failing to address the immediate needs of Muslim-Americans through more viable political avenues.
First and foremost, who really is
Jill Stein? Starting off with a career in medicine in the Boston area, Stein shifted to a focus on advocacy after becoming concerned with several of her patients’ exposure to environmental problems. From there, she conducted research and co-authored several papers and books related to the environmental threat on health. Stein also became an advocate of campaign reform when she led Massachusetts to pass a “clean elections law” limiting the impact of large corporations on political campaigns. However, this reform was never financed and was subsequently repealed at a later date.
Despite her outspoken advocacy and considerable contribution to the field of medicine, Stein is known by few for her success and known by many more for her failures—particularly in political elections. Joining the Green-Rainbow Party, Stein ran for governor in Massachusetts and finished with 3.4% of the vote in 2002. Two years later, she ran for a seat in the House of Representatives, gaining more votes than the Republican candidate but still not enough to clinch the position. This trend continued as she failed to win the gubernatorial election in 2010. Despite one failure after the next, Stein remained determined as
The Case Western Reserve Observer
Established in 1969 by the undergraduate students of Case Western Reserve University Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor & Publisher
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she threw her hat into the ring for the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections. Given such a pathetic track record of one failed election after another, why are Muslims across America supporting Jill Stein? Though there could be a number of reasons, a large portion of it has to do with how the Biden administration is handling the Israel-Hamas war. Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Biden administration has sent more than 100 military aid transfers to Israel, with two of them totalling $250 million. The United States has also agreed to lease Israel two Iron Dome missile defense batteries used to intercept shortrange rockets and artillery shells. In addition to the flow of ammunition, bombs, rockets and small arms, the Biden administration’s unconditional support for Israeli apartheid has infuriated the Muslim population in America. Generalizing the rest of the Democratic Party, many MuslimAmericans now associate the genocide of the Palestinians with Harris. With Trump as the only other mainstream alternative, Muslims want other options. Thus, they are turning to Stein.
With her emphasis on the need for an immediate ceasefire and harsh critique of both candidates’ stance on the Israel-Hamas war, Stein has garnered great popularity amongst Muslims. She has generated the support of 35% of Muslim voters in Arizona, 40% in Michigan and 44% in Wisconsin, states which have played a crucial role in determining the outcome of presidential elections. With weak polling in almost every other demographic, Stein is relying on the Muslim population to break into the mainstream and split the popular vote.
Preying on Muslim-Americans frustrated with the genocide in Gaza, Stein is aligning her messaging to appeal to this demographic. This is problematic in that she is treating Muslims as single-issue voters and is catering her campaign to align with their goals of ending the genocide in Gaza. Putting much less emphasis on other aspects of policy such as immigration and the economy, Stein is branding herself as someone ready to “end the war” and do what the Biden administration has failed to do. As a result, Stein has become a single-issue candidate. Persuading Muslims to vote for her on the basis of empty promises is a disservice to both the voters and the broader political discourse. By reducing a complex community to a single issue, Stein not only risks alienating those who prioritize a range of policy concerns but also undermines the genuine need for
comprehensive solutions to global and domestic challenges. This approach diminishes the potential for meaningful progress, instead focusing on symbolic gestures that may ultimately fail to address the systemic issues facing both the Muslim-American community and the people in Gaza.
Even if Stein were successful at taking the Oval Office, she and the rest of the Green Party lack the governmental experience needed to implement effective policy as they have promised in their campaign. Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has criticized Stein for resorting to quixotic presidential campaigns without growing the Green Party through down-ballot electoral gains. Calling her “predatory,” Ocasio-Cortez attacked Stein in a social media showdown to which Stein responded by saying that Democrats are “running scared” because voters do not want to support genocide. This is just one of many times that Stein has resorted to her stance on Palestine as a way to defend herself from critique and constructive discourse. Ocasio-Cortez’s critique highlights how important it is for a candidate to have experience implementing change through governmental policy and having that change last. Outside of the “clean elections law” that was never funded and subsequently repealed, Stein has virtually no experience in delivering on promises made during electoral campaigns. Rather than focusing all their efforts on seizing the White House, Stein and the rest of the Green Party should focus on small-scale change to establish themselves as a party serious about governmental policy. Only by demonstrating a track record of tangible successes can Stein and the Green Party hope to prove their viability and earn the trust needed to effect meaningful change on a larger scale.
In light of the approaching 2024 presidential election, it’s crucial to remember the gravity of our choices. While Stein’s focus on ending the Gaza conflict resonates deeply with many Muslims across the nation, her lack of a proven track record and the risk of a fragmented vote underscore the need for thoughtful consideration. As the world watches, let’s not allow our frustration with specific issues to cloud our judgment. Instead, let’s vote with a mind toward the broader implications of our choices and ensure that our votes contribute meaningfully to the resolution of both domestic and international issues. Make your voice heard, but vote mindfully.
LTTE: An alumni letter to The Observer re
Thomas Kim Hill Contributing Writer
Janet M. Loehr Contributing Writer
As Case Western Reserve University alumni who have spent time in Palestine, we enthusiastically support the CWRU students who are demanding free speech and the right to protest at our university. We are gratified that the faculty at CWRU School of Law have unanimously affirmed this right, noting that the administration’s new policies to severely restrict student protests in support of Gaza represent a denial of the students’ free speech. The CWRU administration must reverse course. It must meet openly and fairly with official student groups and negotiate in
free speech
good faith, which has not occurred.
We were present when dozens of CWRU students blocked Euclid Avenue to protest the National Guard killing students at Kent State University in 1970. They were driven back into the Student Union by Cleveland Police on horseback swinging nightsticks. History now credits such nationwide student protests as a turning point in ending an unjust Vietnam War. Today’s student protests are mild by comparison and deserve to be encouraged, not blocked by CWRU’s administration. We hope the administration can now play the role of an “honest broker” as college students and society at large struggle with the paramount human rights issues of our times.
Thomas Kim Hill 1973
Janet M. Loehr 1974
Student Employment from page 7
Another student asked, “Can you imagine how the university would react if you were weeks late in paying your tuition? Yet a bunch of us students, including those of us on work-study, have gone weeks without pay. And with most university jobs paying like $12 an hour (including physically demanding ones such as tour guiding), it’s no wonder that many students choose to work off campus instead.”
These student concerns about employment payments come amidst many regarding financial aid. Quite a few students still have not received their final aid totals for the semester, not knowing how much they’ll owe the school. Additionally, new students who cannot work until their eligibility is approved continually lose opportunities to earn the price of their tuition and associated costs. It is unfortunate that work-study is
often factored into student aid cost estimations, yet these new, not-yetapproved workers cannot use this time to earn the office-estimated amount of money to pay off their tuition. Moreover, some students may be unable to cover necessities such as groceries or rent without an income source.
This announcement has also affected some on-campus employers as they decide not to onboard student workers due to the questionable state of student employment. Employers want to make sure that their new employees will be able to get paid on time. As a result, some students are currently unable to get the work-study jobs that they would like.
Although the office is clearly trying to be transparent with students, it seems like hiring new employees should be a top priority at the mo-
ment—despite the post-pandemic struggle. This is far from the only year that the student employment office has been backed up with forms. And with the office operating with a mere two full-time employees, this setup not only puts unnecessary stress on the current staff members but also makes the entire office less efficient, hurting both students and employers. The office should continue its search for a temporary employee to facilitate faster document processing, alleviating the burden of the current employees. After that, a new full-time employee should definitely be considered. At the current rate the documents are being processed—with just under one-third completed since the first day of classes—and the low number of hands on deck, it’s looking like the stack of employment documents will not be complete for many more
weeks. In fact, it’s possible the delay could extend to a couple of months.
On a more positive note, the Student Employment office is looking into new ways to streamline the manual payroll process.
“Partnering with UTech, we’ve implemented the university’s document imaging system, which has significantly improved efficiency and reduced processing errors,” Rick Bischoff, vice president for enrollment management, said. The office is “excited to announce that an electronic hiring form [went live this past Monday]. This new system will eliminate the need for additional paperwork and further enhance the hiring process.”
As students, we hope these changes will be enough to mediate the severe delay in employment form processing going forward. After all, we have bills to pay.
Presidential politics has changed forever—this week’s debate proved it
Milo Vetter Staff Writer
Last week was the U.S. presidential election’s first debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. It was a critical debate as it allowed Harris redemption for President Joe Biden’s embarrassing performance in June. It is also likely to be the only debate between Harris and Trump because this time, it was Trump’s turn for an embarrassing performance. He has said many deeply stupid things before, but his claim from the night of the debate that Haitian immigrants are “eating dogs” wasn’t just deeply stupid, it was also incredibly weird.
On a more serious note, when the debate was discussed in one of my classes, several classmates said they were dismayed that so much of the debate was devoted to personal attacks as opposed to policy. They also pointed out that both Trump and Harris rarely engaged in nuanced arguments against their opponent’s beliefs, opting instead for quips and one-liners. And on the surface, I agree with them. It’s a shame that over the past few years debates have focused increasingly on interruptions and personal attacks—more specifically, the past eight years.
But for a while now I’ve been skeptical about claims that progressives should focus on the outcomes of their political agenda and the concrete steps we need to get there. The problem is that Trump doesn’t derive his power from people who approve of his specific policies—why do you think that every time he’s directly asked for specifics, he dodges the question?
Just look at his infamous, two-minute, rambling monologue that went viral two weeks ago—a response to a request that he be more specific about what kind of childcare policy he would pass. Trump gets his power by appealing to emotion, especially emotions like fear, anger and nostalgia. His supporters don’t follow him because of anything he actually does, they follow him because of the story he tells. Trump tells a story of weakness and strength, embarrassment and pride, invaders and protectors. Is it any surprise that calmly explaining to a Trump voter that his tax policy actually harms middle-class Americans would be ineffective then? What the Harris-Walz campaign needs is a
better story to tell to people who otherwise wouldn’t vote. The number of people who are policy wonks but could still be convinced to vote for Harris over Trump is astonishingly few.
But those who want to get rid of Trump so politics can finally get back to normal are in for a nasty surprise, because this won’t go away when he does. Trump’s rise has coincided with the rise of the internet as a political platform. As more and more people get their news from social media, presidential debates are increasingly being consumed by the general public in the form of 30-second video clips, as opposed to the full debate. So the emphasis on one-liners and personal attacks makes complete sense. Attack ads made from short clips are almost as old as television itself, but now a new front is opening on the political battlefield as campaign teams have modernized.
The internet has changed how we perceive the world. Many people have lamented over our shortening attention spans and how we can bring people back to reading long books or attentively watching presidential debates. But for now, the problem isn’t going away, and strategy must change. We have to remember that not every voter is a college student who wants to engage critically with laws and their effects. There have always been uninformed voters, but now those uninformed voters are online, and their power cannot be underestimated or we’ll have learned nothing from the 2016 presidential election.
That being said, I’m not disappointed that Harris’s campaign has published press releases that read like tweets. Nor am I dismayed that she repeatedly denounced Trump during the debate, even at the expense of laying out her own policy vision for America. Decorum and respectability are nice, but if they hurt the chances of controlling the most powerful country in the world, they have to be dropped as the superficial deadweights they are. Some people may be upset to see the campaign trail shift from a series of polite, official rallies and debates into an online boxing match. And perhaps we’ll find a way to channel the internet’s obsession with short-form content into a positive or even develop a new way of distributing politics to the masses. But for now, to quote a popular political slogan, “we’re not going back.”
Sports
Football defeats Bethany 64-6 in home opener
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
On Saturday night, DiSanto Field’s stands were filled as staff and students alike supported Case Western Reserve University’s football team in their home opener against Bethany College. The Spartans reigned victorious over the Bisons, defeating them 64-6 while also matching and making a couple program records.
The Spartans started off the night strong with a touchdown made by fourth-year wide receiver Ethan Dahlem as he made a clean 3-yard rush down the middle after the team gained 54 yards on 5 plays. After CWRU forced another three-and-out on Bethany’s following drive, the Spartans quickly doubled their advantage. fifth-year quarterback Alex Fromberg connected a 27-yard pass to unguarded second-year running back Mitchell Waite, who in turn completed a walkin touchdown with 9:34 left in the first quarter.
During the remaining time left in the quarter, CWRU never let the Bisons make their way down the field, forcing yet another three-and-out drive on Bethany—which the Spartans followed with yet another touchdown. First-year quarterback Jake Kavcic completed a 49-yard pass to fourth-year wide receiver Noah Coyne, placing the Spartans up 21-0.
Fromberg mentioned how this touchdown was his highlight of the night.
“It was fun, because I got to be one of the first people in the end zone to celebrate with my teammates. Usually I’m pretty far back, I don’t get to celebrate. So that was fun being able to celebrate in the end zone with my teammates,” he said.
The final points scored in the quarter, placing the Spartans at 23-0, were from a safety due to a bad snap on Bethany’s punt attempt. The Spartans continued with the momentum going into the second quarter, scoring a touchdown on the first play of the quarter with Fromberg throwing to third-year wide receiver Dylan Cave.
The Bisons cut their deficit to 6-30 the following possession on an 86-yard touchdown. However, the Spartans responded with three more touchdowns of their own; Fromberg connected with both Dahlem and Coyne in a 8-yard and 45-yard pass, respectively, and third-year running back Stefan Lopez
made a 5-yard run.
The Spartans went into halftime up 51-6, setting the program record for most points scored in a half. They had also matched the program’s record of most marks made in a quarter (28), which the team had achieved in the second half.
CWRU added to the scoreboard twice during the third quarter, with a 10-yard fumble return for a touchdown by fourth-year linebacker Braden Frank and a field goal by first-year kicker Ryan Wald.
“The most memorable moment in the game was seeing my buddy. Braden Frank, he plays cornerback on the team, and he’s a senior who’s been on special teams for a while, but hadn’t really gotten to show what he had on the field. And he got in there towards the end of the game and had a fumble recovery for a touchdown. And he’s
just a super hyper and excited dude. He loves football, so seeing him be able to score touchdown games was super cool,” Coyne said.
The final points to the scoreboard came from another field goal by Wald, solidifying the Spartans’ win over Bethany at 64-6. During the game, Fromberg completed a total of 14-of18 passes, recording 243 yards with 4 touchdowns. He was also named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his contribution to the team’s win.
“I’m glad we’re able to get recognized for our successes. I mean, we’re not too worried about personal records or team records,” Fromberg commented. “Obviously, that’s really cool when it happens, and after the game, after a big one, it’s cool to read about that stuff. But I think we’re really just focused on, myself included, just week in, week out,
just getting the win every week.”
Coyne recorded 3 passes totalling 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Dahlem led the team with 6 receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown, in addition to a rushing touchdown. First-year running back Andy Kavcic led the team with 71 rushing yards.
In a defensive play, graduate student defensive lineman Kaden Tong recorded 4 tackles and 2.5 sacks, while third-year defensive back Mason Mehl led the team with 5 tackles. Frank returned a fumble for a touchdown, and first-year wide receiver Noah Barnes notched a late interception.
Coyne also mentioned how the large lead over the Bisons allowed a lot of players to gain time off the bench.
“The best part of those big wins when you’re beating a team by a lot is that everyone gets to play. So you got to see a lot of the freshmen and sophomores get in the game and score touchdowns, and that was really cool,” he commented.
Fromberg also commented on the key factors that played into the team’s win Saturday night.
“We were really prepared for the game. And we had a mentality of no matter who’s out there, we’re gonna give it 100% and be prepared. Give it our best. And that’s why we won so big. I think it is because we were ready, and we came at it with 100% intensity,” he said.
The team has high hopes for the rest of the season with the ambition to make it to the playoffs.
“My personal goals align with the team goals, which is really just to win every week and hopefully be 10-0 at the end of the season, and be able to compete for a championship and then eventually make the playoffs,” Fromberg said.
“We’re very senior and fifth-year dominant. So you can tell that there’s that culture and attitude that this is the last year for a lot of people. And I think having that sentiment means that if this is the last time to do it, there’s no other time to do it, and everyone else is going to be kind of on board and make sure that it happens this year. So I think a lot of people are set on really making it happen this year,” Coyne said.
The Spartans are currently on their bye week and will return to action Saturday, Sept. 28, in an away game against Geneva College. The next home game on Disanto Field will be on Oct. 12 against Saint Vincent College at 7 p.m.
Men’s tennis dominates Youngstown State and John Carroll ahead of ITA Championships
Abhishek Nambiar Contributing Writer
The Case Western Reserve University men’s tennis team continued its fall 2024 season this past weekend, competing at two tournaments: the Youngstown State University (YSU) Invitational in Youngstown, Ohio, and the John Carroll Invitational in University Heights, Ohio. Starting with the YSU Invitational, CWRU players showed solid results across both doubles and singles matches while competing against Division I players from Duquesne University, Le Moyne College and host Youngstown State University. The doubles team of
fourth-years Casey Hishinuma and Ajay Mahenthiran posted a dominant 4-0 showing across their four matches, claiming the doubles draw title in the championship match against Duquesne’s Arnau Anton Garcia and Uvan Patel with a score of 8-7 (7-0). Meanwhile, the pair of fourth-year Ansh Shah and thirdyear Anmay Devaraj went 2-1, losing in the semifinal match 8-7 (7-4) to Anton Garcia and Patel. Meanwhile, CWRU players also performed well in the singles matches at YSU. Second-years George Kosseifi and Santiago Salazar Garza made it to the finals of the “B” singles draw, with Kosseifi defeating Salazar Garza 8-5. Similarly, first-year Rowan Matorin and
third-year Rohan Bhat reached the finals of the “C” draw, with Matorin emerging victorious with a 6-3, 6-2 win. The “A” draw saw Shah reach the finals, though he suffered a 7-5, 6-0 loss to Onder Balci of YSU. Also within the “A” draw, Mahenthiran reached the semifinals before being eliminated with a 6-1, 6-4 loss against “A” draw winner Balci. Overall, the Spartans went 18-7 in singles matches and 9-4 in doubles matches at YSU.
CWRU players also showed momentum at the John Carroll Invitational on Sunday—perhaps to an even stronger extent than at YSU. CWRU players went undefeated in singles matches, going 14-0 against competition from Division III host
John Carroll. These strong showings were paralleled in the doubles matches, with the Spartans going 7-1 across the seven double matches. The lone loss came from a match between two CWRU pairings: Firstyears Konrad Kwiatkowski and Luke Saylor defeated first-year Rohit Jain, who was playing on his own, 6-3.
Next weekend, the Spartans will be playing at two tournaments. Mahenthiran, Hishinuma, Shah, Devaraj, Kosseifi and Salazar Garza will be playing at the ITA Fall Regional Championship at Washington University in St. Louis, while the rest of the team will be heading to Toledo, Ohio, to compete in the Everybody vs. Cancer Invitational.
The Spartans defeated the Bethany College Bisons at home on DiSanto Field. The Spartans’ consistent lead gave underclassmen a chance on the field. Auden Koetters/The Observer
Volleyball extends record opening win streak to 12 after Bishop Invitational
Ellie Palaian Contributing Writer
The Case Western Reserve University volleyball team has launched their season with an impressive 12-0 record, marking the best start in program history. This surpasses their previous bests of 10-0 in 2015 and 11-0 in 2010.
The Spartans competed in the annual Bishop Invitational, hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University at the Branch Rickey Arena in Delaware, Ohio on Sept. 13 and 14. They emerged victorious in all three matches, dominating the tournament. On Friday evening, they faced Albion College and secured a win over the Britons in four sets: 25-21, 25-9, 23-25 and 25-16.
“It feels surreal having such a strong start to the season,” first-year setter Avery Basinger said. “Having these wins under our belt definitely makes us more confident going into UAA play, which is coming up in a few weeks.”
Basinger recorded a season-high 10 assists against the Britons, while fourth-year captain and outside hitter Rea Marfatia led the team with 23 kills. The Spartans surged with a 10-1 run to establish an 8-point lead early in the fourth set and closed out the match by scoring on two of their final three serves, securing their 10th consecutive victory.
“I was happy that we got the win as a team and that I was able to contribute,” Marfatia said. “Having teammates that are investing into our team, not just showing up, but making an effort to contribute meaningfully at practice, lift, and in general is what allows our team to be successful.”
On Saturday afternoon, the Spartans faced the University of WisconsinPlatteville and dominated the match, securing victory in three straight sets (25-10, 25-20 and 25-18). A standout moment was a kill by third-year middle blocker Amanda Ngo, which sparked a 3-0 run and helped the Spartans capture 6 of the final 9 points
to win the second set. Fourth-year setter and right-side hitter Carly Scott contributed 27 assists and 13 digs— and with her 19th assist of the match, she became the 15th player in program history to reach 1,000 career assists. She concluded the day with a total of 1,042 assists.
“The best moment from this weekend was when [Ngo] hit a ball on the 8-foot line and the other team started to bow down to her on the sidelines,” Basinger said.
On Saturday evening, CWRU faced off against the host team, OWU, in their most challenging match of the tournament. The Spartans struggled throughout much of the first set, falling behind 15-20. However, they rallied impressively, with a 8-1 run that culminated in a 23-21 lead following a crucial kill by third-year outside hitter Kalli Wall. Despite Ohio Wesleyan leveling the score at 23-23, a decisive block by Ngo and Wall combined with an OWU attacking error secured the first set for the Spartans.
“OWU came out with a lot of energy and confidence,” Marfatia said. “It was a gritty matchup with great rallies. While it took us a while to gain momentum, we clawed back into the first set, and later into the match. As a team, and especially among the senior leadership, we understood that it would require a tremendous amount of effort and execution to get the win, and we were able to find it and come out on top.”
Ohio Wesleyan responded by winning the second set 25-20 and the third set 25-16. Undeterred, CWRU came back to take the fourth set 25-22, pushing the match into a fifth and final set. In this decisive set, the Spartans initially held the lead, but OWU mounted a strong comeback. Ultimately, Ngo and Scott delivered a dramatic block to clinch the set and the match, marking a historic victory for the Spartans and improving the team’s record against OWU to 8-5 since 2002.
“It’s so special to have a matchup with two undefeated teams,” Marfatia said. “The win was a true team effort,
every person was successful in their role. It was a proud moment for our team, and it allows us to have a positive outlook going into competitive matches coming up this season.”
Basinger credits the energy and support from CWRU fans and parents as a key factor in helping the team secure their win.
“Winning against OWU was such a great feeling,” Basinger said. “We were in their home gym with their fans cheering, however our CWRU parents were loud as well to help us feel like we were at our home gym. After the game everyone was so happy and the bus ride back was so much fun as the atmosphere carried in there too.”
Marfatia believes that much of the team’s success has resulted from a renewed emphasis on the mental aspects of the game.
“We have started to focus on the mental side of the sport this season, and one thing that has helped us is recognizing that we cannot change the past, but we can be present and take the season one match at a time,” she said.
Marfatia also feels that the team’s success has been greatly influenced by the strong leadership within the squad.
“The combination of leadership and skill we have this year is special,” she said. “With a senior class of nine and three experienced and skilled captains, I think we have helped foster a supportive and team-centered environment. Our coaches work very hard as well to ensure that we are training appropriate aspects of the game and that we are prepared.”
Despite the impressive outcome of the weekend and the historic start to the season, Marfatia is dedicated to maintaining the team’s focus and ensuring that they stay grounded.
“We’re a positive team who works hard and shows up everyday,” she said. “One day at a time, we’re working to get better and as we go into conference play we’re hoping to grow more and more. I’m excited and proud to be a part of this team and I can’t wait to see our training continue to pay off.”
Women’s soccer improves 3-0-2 on the road
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
The Case Western Reserve University women’s soccer team was on the road this past weekend with a pair of away games against Baldwin Wallace University and Otterbein University. The Spartans shutout the Yellow Jackets 2-0 and tied the match against the Cardinals 0-0.
During the first 10 minutes of the match on Friday, Sept. 13 at Baldwin Wallace, both teams went scoreless before third-year forward Molly Shamah put the Spartans on the board. Shamah had dibbled the ball just outside the 18-yard box after collecting a loose ball 40 yards from the net. Inside the box, Shamah fired a lob shot that hit the crossbar, landing the ball beyond the endline. Neither team scored for the remainder of the half. However, during the 54th minute, Shamah notched her second goal of the night after the ball ended up at her feet due to a save by the Yellow Jacket goalkeeper. She tapped the ball from the far post into the back of the net for the tally.
“Honestly, I feel super proud of myself and how far I have come in this program. My journey through collegiate athletics has definitely been far
from perfect and being able to put 2 on the scoresheet in a single game is something that I would have thought to be impossible the past two years. Both of the goals were a result of the entire team putting in the defensive effort of putting pressure on the ball, especially the second goal. When we were all on the same page defensively and offensively, we saw the most success on the field which eventually led to the win Wednesday,” Shamah said. Offensively, the Spartans made 34 shots with 19 on goal. Shamah led the team with 6 shots, 5 of which were shot on target. Third-year forward and midfielder Alexis Sassower followed with 4 shots, and both fourth-year midfielder Sydney Schenk and secondyear defender Kat Tsarouhas recorded 3 shots. Defensively, the Spartans kept a clean sheet, with graduate student goalkeeper Maggie Storti recording 3 saves. The clean sheet win marked the 28th shutout for Storti, extending her program record.
The Saturday game against Otterbein ended in a scoreless draw, with the Spartans leading in shots 23-5. However, both teams were unable to find the back of the net. Third-year midfielder and forward Ceci Dapino and Sassower paced the team with 4 shots, including 2 shots on target, and Storti recorded 4 saves.
Shamah also commented on the upcoming games and the team dynamic so far in the season.
“I definitely think this team has potential for this season. It is still early in the season and we are still working on gelling together and integrating the first-years to our style of play,” she said. “Our offensive lineup is dangerous with extremely technical and creative players but all it is right now is that finishing touch on goal that we
are missing. I have no doubt that we will continue our offensive dominance in the final third and get more wins in the season. Our defense is definitely young, but strong. We have many talented players that have stepped up into their roles this season so I am excited to see what is to come.”
This weekend, the squad will celebrate their Senior Day with a game against Capital University at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Third-year middle blocker Amanda Ngo contributes to CWRU’s win. Ngo’s 14 kills and 7 blocks in the match against OWU helped secure the Spartans’ win. Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics
Graduate student goalie Maggie Storti records three saves against the Yellow Jackets, contributing to the Spartans’ win. Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics
Men’s soccer team rebounds, improving
3-2
after two nail-biting home games
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
The Case Western Reserve University men’s soccer team opened their pair of home games with a match against Trine University on Friday, Sept. 13.
It was a tough game for the Spartans as both teams went scoreless for a majority of the match before a goal by Trine with 13 seconds remaining in the game forced the team’s record to fall 2-2.
Despite leading in shots and shotson-goal, the Spartans were unable to find the back of the net with the Trine goalkeeper recording 4 saves. However, the Spartans had a chance to make their comeback the following Sunday in their match against Stockton University.
The atmosphere on DiSanto Field was intense, with the Spartans taking on a more offensive play. However, despite the Spartans leading in shots and ball possession for most of the half, Stockton notched the first goal of the game in the 25th minute. The rest of the half went scoreless and the Spar-
tans trailed 0-1 going into halftime.
The Spartans gained a penalty shot in the 63rd minute after a foul in the box. With a penalty kick from graduate student midfielder Kellan Landefeld, the hosts tied the score 1-1. The tally marked Landefeld’s first goal as a Spartan.
Ten minutes later, Stockton took the lead with another goal. However, the Ospreys’ advantage did not last long. Thirty-six seconds later, first-year midfielder Ashton McNally notched his first collegiate goal, once again tying the score for the Spartans. McNally fired the shot past the goalkeeper after first-year forward Amir Awais deflected a pass from second-year defender Cormac Apostolides, who had just sent the ball to the middle of the box in front of the net. Both Awais and Apostolides recorded their first career assists with the goal.
“I wasn’t even really expecting to go in at first, but I think someone on our team was a little injured, so I ended up going in. When I came onto the field, I just felt confident that I could do good, and then ended up scoring, which felt really good,” McNally said.
Fifth-year defender Josh Cook attributes CWRU’s win to the energized young players who got up off the
The Spartans then earned another penalty kick, resulting in fourth-year forward Kysen Kroeger scoring from the spot, giving CWRU the advantage for the first time in the contest with just over five minutes left in the game.
The last few minutes of the match remained tense as the Ospreys occupied the Spartan end. However, the Spartans emerged victorious, defending their opponents’ attack and clearing a corner kick which solidified their win 3-2.
“I feel like it was a really good team performance and a really good comeback, since we had a tough loss earlier that week. I felt like this was a big win for all of us to kind of reconnect together and become like a team again,” McNally said.
The Spartans led in shots with both McNally and fourth-year midfielder Lukas Dalakis, contributing 2 shots and seven other players making attempts for the goal. In front of the net, third-year goalkeeper Stephen Vilardo played all 90 minutes, facing 9 shots and recording 2 saves. With the win against Stockton, Vilardo recorded his
first collegiate win as goalkeeper.
Captain and fifth-year defender Josh Cook commented on the key factors leading to their win over the Ospreys.
“I think Sunday, we just dealt with adversity a little better. We went down 1-0, and then came back 1-1. We went down 2-1 and came back. And we had a lot of guys come off the bench and really give us an energy spark,” he commented.
Cook also commented that Sunday’s match also gave the opportunity for the younger players to come off the bench.
“I think just seeing some of the younger guys come in and really have an effect on the game, that’s great to see going forward, because we’re gonna need everybody with how long the season is and guys staying healthy. So knowing that you have that depth is very important,” he said.
The squad will be on the road this weekend with a match against No. 23-ranked Denison University on Sept. 21. They will return to DiSanto for a home game against John Carroll University the following Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Scores and Upcoming Games
Men’s Soccer
CWRU vs Trine (9/13) - L 0-1
CWRU vs Stockton (9/15) - W 3-2
CWRU vs Marietta (9/18) - W 2-0
CWRU at Denison (9/21)
CWRU vs John Carroll (9/25, 7:30 p.m., DiSanto Field)
Women’s Soccer
CWRU at Otterbein (9/14) - T 0-0
CWRU vs Mount Union (9/18) - W 5-0
CWRU vs Capital (9/21, 1 p.m., DiSanto Field)
CWRU at Penn St. Behrend (9/25)
Football
CWRU vs Bethany College (9/14) - W 64-6
Cross Country
All-Ohio Invitational (9/20)
Women’s Tennis
CWRU at Denison Big Red Invite (9/21-22)
Volleyball
CWRU at OWU Tournament 2024 CWRU vs Albion (9/13) - W 3-1
CWRU vs Wisconsin Platteville (9/14)W 3-0
CWRU at Ohio Wesleyan (9/14) - W 3-2
Men’s Tennis
CWRU at YSU Invitational (9/14-15)No Team Scores
CWRU at John Carroll Invite (9/14)No Team Scores
CWRU at ITA Fall Regional Championship (9/20-22)
CWRU at Everybody vs. Cancer Invitational (9/20-22)
Fourth-year forward Brandon Kim sends the ball to his teamates in a game against Trine University that came down to the wire.
Darcy Chew/The Observer
bench.
Darcy Chew/The Observer