The Observer, Volume LV, Issue 6, 9/29/23

News: CWRU to make attendance free to Cleveland, East Cleveland public school students (pg.2)

The Case Western Reserve

Observer

Friday, September 29, 2023 Volume LV, Issue 6 Est. 1969

EDITORIAL

CWRU’s ineptitude with illness protocol kicks those who are down Editorial Board Case Western Reserve University is a place where students strive for excellence, leaning on the support of peers, faculty and staff to lead them through their college journey. However, amidst this pursuit lies an unspoken struggle many students face: getting sick and having nobody to turn to. As the seasons change and another wave of COVID-19 strikes campus, more and

more students are falling ill, and the limited support from navigators— now four-year advisors—and University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS), in addition to inconsistencies in faculty policies regarding absences, are doing more harm than good. The fact that students find themselves sacrificing rest and recovery in fear that taking some time off could jeopardize their college careers is disgusting.

When many of us joined CWRU, we were told our four-year advisors

Lucas Yang/The Observer

are here to provide us with “holistic, comprehensive support,” ranging from career exploration to personal wellness. They play a crucial role in guiding decisions about classes, extracurricular activities and our overall college experience; however, when it comes to dealing with illness, the support offered by four-year advisors is often insufficient. They are not trained to handle health-related issues, and as such, much of their help is in providing resources—many of which can be easily Googled—and serving as a liaison between students and faculty.

For new students and those unsure about how to deal with illness at college, four-year advisors are often the first to be notified about an illness, and are seen as a student’s primary support. However, in our own experiences, four-year advisors are not all the same. Some are very responsive and helpful, while others may ask students to handle the situation on their own.

Across the board, if CWRU expects students to lean on four-year advisors for issues regarding personal wellness, they need to be better equipped to provide guidance on managing coursework, connecting students to appropriate resources and sticking by them throughout the process.

For students seeking medical care, UHCS is often the first place they look.

Offering 24/7 care with nurses and counselors on call, as well as in-person appointments during office hours, Health Services is a valuable resource, but one that brings its own set of challenges. While the nurses on-call are responsive, they can provide only limited care via telephone, and students must wait until the clinic opens to schedule an appointment. Even then, the clinic struggles with lengthy wait times on calls and limited appointment availability. This was especially prevalent this past week when construction at the Dental Research Building, where UHCS is located, allowed only a handful of in-person appointments for Health Services and no in-person appointments for those seeking counseling. For those suspected of having COVID-19, UHCS advises students to follow CDC testing protocol and obtain rapid antigen tests from wellness vending machines. However, despite claims that the “[m]achines are filled once each business day,” students will be hard-pressed to find a COVID-19 test in most of the vending machines around campus. For students already dealing with the stress of illness, inconveniences posed by UHCS can make seeking medical care a chore.

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LIFE

A Cleveland Ballet spectacular: The first timers’ review of “Carmen” Zachary Treseler News Editor Amanda Wu Staff Writer This past weekend, the Cleveland Ballet performed its most recent show including “Pas de Dix,” “Nocturne” and “Carmen” at the Connor Palace in Playhouse Square. As it was our first time attending a ballet performance, not only were we enchanted by the performance, but it also reinforced our appreciation of the various cultural opportunities close to Case Western Reserve University. After receiving free tickets through the BakerNord Center for the Humanities, we were uncertain of what exactly to expect, but we thoroughly enjoyed the show, even if we were confused when we should take a bathroom break.

The founders of the Cleveland Ballet, Dr. Michael Krasnyansky and Gladisa Guadalupe, gave a brief introduction and history of the company alongside their own personal motivations for sustaining the company since its inception in 2014. Cleveland’s robust history of dance originated long before then; its roots date back to the beginning of the 20th century.

Today, the company dedicates itself to cultivating and enriching the world-class performing arts sector

of Cleveland. Guadalupe especially highlighted the company’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Carmen” follows the story of a young Spanish gypsy woman who works at a tobacco factory. After showing up late to work, Carmen gets into a fight with Manuela—the highest ranking worker—and ends up killing her. Don José, one of the guards who arrests Carmen, inadvertently falls in love with her. He releases her from jail and together, they embark on a brief, lustful honeymoon. Yet, soon afterward Carmen is attracted to another man, a bullfighter named Escamillo. Driven by anger, Don José confronts her about her duplicity and ultimately strangles her.

The company’s interpretation of “Carmen” is a shortened adaptation of a four-act French opera, but still included parts from the original score. Viewing the performance was phenomenal in and of itself, and yet, the most striking part to us was the on and off-stage musicians. The orchestra, playing from the confines of the pit, captivated the audience in a mesmerizing interpretation of iconic scores from each of the three acts.

Even from the beginning of the performance, Guadalupe noted how the orchestra is a vital part of the show, explaining the expected appearance of both a pianist and guitarist on stage.

As for the music in the other two performances, “Pas de Dix” featured music solely from the orchestra, while

the music in “Nocturne” came almost exclusively from a single piano player onstage. Both contained exquisite renditions of their original scores. We were pleasantly surprised by a beautiful cover of “FantaisieImpromptu” during “Nocturne.”

What we also loved and Guadalupe failed to mention were the two opera singers performing during the headline act, “Carmen.” Calmly stepping under the radiant spotlights, their emphatic vibratos soon rung throughout the theater, dazzling the audience with expressive interpretations of this sensual narrative.

The use of different kinds of musical talents created an incredibly cohesive and rousing show while also displaying the many artistic disciplines that thrive in such a multifaceted city as Cleveland. The show felt incredibly intimate, from the performance itself to the lovely introduction from the founders.

And that is not even considering the dancers themselves. On such a grand stage, their execution of each story—complete with synchronized spins and undulating twirls—created a reverberating effect in their aftermath. They truly bridged the gap between acrobatics and dance.

The dancers’ ability to express a story purely with their facial expres-

sions was nothing short of incredible.

It truly exhibited the unique ways in which someone can offer many possibilities for interpretation, yet maintain one singular narrative. In a way, ballet is a language in and of itself, communicating love, passion and the consequences of utter devotion.

Continue reading on page 3

Courtesy of Cleveland Ballet

News

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, September 29, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 6

U.S. News and World Report changes criteria, community unconcerned by lower ranking CWRU falls to 53rd, down from 44th Téa Tamburo News Editor Case Western Reserve University fell to No. 53, dropping nine places in the 2024 U.S. News and World Report’s Best National University Rankings. Ranking No. 44 in the 2023 admissions cycle—and No. 42 in 2022’s—this drop is consistent with many private universities across the nation.

CWRU is now tied with Florida State University, Northeastern University, the College of William and Mary and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

U.S. News and World Report adjusted the categories in which universities were ranked and the weight these respective categories held. This was the largest adjustment the publication has made in four decades.

“The magazine significantly altered its approach to this year’s rankings, affecting 22 of 24 factors,” Robert McCullough, CWRU’s assistant vice president for enrollment and dean of undergraduate admission, said. “As a result, private universities fell an average of 16 positions, while public institutions increased by an average of nearly eight.”

The new algorithm was developed to account for ideals such as transforming the lives of socioeconomically disadvantaged students. New categories were created that contribute to a university’s rankings: first-generation graduation rate, first-generation graduation performance and whether the college’s graduates earned more than high school graduates.

“The dramatically different meth-

odologies used to develop the respective rankings make year-to-year comparisons impossible,” McCullough said. “As a double-alumnus of Case Western Reserve who has worked in our admissions office for more than two decades, I know firsthand how much the University has advanced since I was an undergraduate. During that time, I also have seen college ranking offerings increase dramatically—especially over the past decade.”

Over half of a university’s rank consists of outcome measures related to the university’s success at enrolling, retaining and graduating students from various backgrounds with manageable debt and post-graduate success. First-year retention rates, grad-

uation rate performance, Pell Grant student graduation rates, Pell Grant student graduation performance, borrower debt, full-time faculty count and student-faculty ratio are all categories that hold more weight compared to previous years.

Five categories which made up 18% of a university’s rank—alumni-giving rates, undergraduate class sizes, high school class standing, proportion of a school’s faculty with terminal degrees and the proportion of graduates borrowing—were removed. Over a dozen public universities benefited and climbed at least 50 spots from the new algorithm, yet many private institutions’ rankings significantly dropped because most categories heavily affected negatively are ones in

Although CWRU fell nine places in the most recent U.S. News and World Report rankings, many ambivalent students are still carrying on as usual. Courtesy of CWRU

which these institutions excel.

While he noticed CWRU’s ranking fell, fourth-year student Adam Goodman, who’s majoring in electrical engineering, said it doesn’t make a sizable difference to him.

“Although CWRU always has room for improvement, I believe that most of the methodology used to rank schools is either too broad or irrelevant to capture specific the pros and cons I have personally faced throughout my education and ultimately defined my college experience,” he said.

On Nov. 1, CWRU’s Early Action and Early Decision applications are due. McCullough said prospective students consider a wide variety of factors when choosing where to apply.

“High school students and their families have nearly unlimited sources of information about individual institutions,” he said. “Ultimately, as U.S. News also acknowledges, decisions should focus on finding the best fit for that particular student.”

Fourth-year student Brooke Hathhorn, who’s majoring in economics and math, emphasized the opportunities CWRU gives its undergraduate students, mentioning the supportive professors, research opportunities, campus location and collaborative environment.

“Rankings had very little influence on my decision to attend CWRU because I feel it’s impossible to consolidate everything about any school into a ‘score’ and then rank that school,” she said.

“There are so many wonderful things about CWRU that cannot be quantified and put into a single ranking—things that would make me choose CWRU again and again.”

CWRU to make attendance free to Cleveland, East Cleveland public school students Community is hopeful that expanded program will connect CWRU to surrounding areas Zachary Treseler News Editor Case Western Reserve University announced on Sept. 13 that it will cover the total cost of attendance for eligible high-school graduates from the East Cleveland City School District and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) who choose to attend the university. The goal is to lessen the disparity between the “CWRU Bubble” and other areas of Cleveland by providing increased opportunity for students from Cleveland to attend the university.

“President Kaler has established community engagement as a top priority for the university and challenged undergraduate admissions to identify additional ways to increase opportunities for talented Cleveland and East Cleveland students to pursue bachelor’s degrees on our campus,” noted Vice President for Enrollment Management Rick

Bischoff.

The program will be open to students who spent at least the last two years of their high school careers in CMSD or East Cleveland schools, including CMSD partner charter schools. The program will cover tuition, housing, books and various other “supplies and personal expenses.” The program also covers a paid research or internship experience on campus.

The program debuted in 2017; previously, those enrolled in the program received full-ride tuition, but they had to pay for their own room, board and other materials.

In comments to various news sources, including Ideastream Public Media, the CEO of CMSD, Warren Morgan said this will make a difference in the lives of many students.

“The fact that some of our most talented graduates will now have extra incentive to continue their education at one of America’s leading universities will pay immediate divi-

dends to CWRU and all of Northeast Ohio,” Morgan said regarding the benefits of the program.

There are currently 56 students enrolled, and Bischoff plans on doubling that number. “As with most campus scholarship programs across the country, retroactive support is not available to previous recipients,” Bischoff explained further.

With the announcement of the expanding program, there is chatter about the relationship between CWRU and the surrounding Cleveland community.

“The expansion of Cleveland Scholars is [a] great start and a good opportunity for CWRU to form better connections with the community,” said Emma Mitchell, the president of Know Your Neighbors, a community advocacy student organization at CWRU. Mitchell cautions this being the turning of the tide for community relations. “CWRU has the resources to be doing more; they can engage

in ways with the community that [go] beyond students that will go to CWRU.” Mitchell said that CWRU should develop college-prep programs and focus on bringing educational opportunities to local students.

Through a Neighborhood Advisory Council, Community Card Program, the Wade Park Community Engagement Center and an Office of Pre-Collegiate programs, Assistant Vice President of Local Government and Community Relations Julian Rogers specifically highlights how engagement has increased with local neighborhoods “which [are] charged to enhance K-12 pipeline programs.”

Rogers specifically notes that such initiatives were developed under President Eric Kaler’s leadership.

“CWRU has a good relationship with the residents in nearby neighborhoods and cities and the expansion of the Cleveland Scholars Program will only lead to making those relationships stronger,” said Rogers.

Life

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, September 29, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 6

“Treasures from the Lower Yangzi Delta” takes viewers on a journey through time Megan Abel Staff Writer Walking into “China’s Southern Paradise: Treasures from the Lower Yangzi Delta” at the Cleveland Museum of Art, you first encounter a small explanation of the area and the contributors to the exhibit. Then you walk into a smaller section with stoneware and silkworm cocoons. Here you can learn more about the process of creating the art and the history of the Lower Yangzi Delta. It gives you a great idea of how the exhibit will be laid out and what you will see as you walk through. You can observe the changes made to art as different decades go by, as dynasties grow and fall and as outside forces interact with the people there. It is like walking through history and seeing the Lower Yangzi Delta through the eyes of the common people who lived in the area.

The exhibit emphasizes the lives of everyday people in a lot of the art on display. This includes paintings of them doing tasks such as working in the fields, dealing with kids, washing clothes and living amongst the natural beauty of the landscape. The exhibit also speaks to the craftsmanship and detail of the works that came out of the Delta by incorporating pieces such as wooden chairs and giant stone carvings.

The walls are also painted to help you feel as if you are stepping into a different period, reminding you that you are moving through time. To help show that, much of the art includes imagery influenced by different religions including Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, each having periods of greater influence in the area. This iconography includes Buddhist monks, architectural styles and various traditions from each religion that influenced the Delta.

On top of that, the curator placed more modern pieces with the ancient ones to emphasize the beauty of the older pieces while also allowing for interesting temporal comparisons. The use of modern art falls more abundantly later in the exhibit, helping to show that you are entering a more contem-

porary period. This section also leads into the influence of the Western world on art from the Delta. The final section of the exhibit has pieces with Western influences made in the Yangzi Delta, and conversely shows how the Delta was interpreted by Western forces as well.

Everything in the exhibit is very well preserved and of great quality despite most of the objects being made of silk, ink, jade and stoneware. Silk, which makes up a majority of the exhibit, is one of the hardest things to preserve over time. It is an incredibly thin and delicate fabric that can be damaged from light exposure, so the amount of silk on view—especially at the level of quality that these pieces are—is incredible. The exhibit is very careful to make sure people walking through the exhibit do not take photographs of the fragile pieces, and keep the lights low to make sure they are not exposing the fabric to dangerous levels of light. If you go, please be careful around the art and pay attention to the no photography signs.

While silk makes up a decent amount of the exhibit, the different mediums of the pieces on display give viewers a look into life not typically seen in Western depictions of the area. My friend and I noted that there was little of the “traditional” white with blue coloring and the green jade that are typically associated with Chinese art and sculpture in the West. However, there was a lot of jade in other colors, which is popular in Chinese art today, as well as glazed stoneware that was just as gorgeous.

One of our favorite pieces was one that was actually colored black. It was incredibly beautiful and stood out among the other pieces, and defied the Western view of Chinese art.

It was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend anyone interested in art go to the exhibit and experience the beauty of the Lower Yangzi Delta through time. If you know a lot about Chinese culture and art, or even if you know nothing at all, it is a great way to expand your knowledge base and be immersed in a culture that is often distorted in the modern, Western world.

What to watch and read this fall Kate Gordon Life Editor While The Observer seems to want to encourage Case Western Reserve University students to go out and see as much of the community as possible, sometimes you can’t avoid staying in.

The pull of the sofa or TV becomes too strong to ignore, and you’re forced to snuggle up and watch a movie— or a show, or maybe even read a book. Here are some of my favorite fall media recommendations across various genres, from dark comedies to coming-of-age classics to reality TV. Movies: “Clue” If you loved “Knives Out,” then this

movie adaptation of the infamous murder mystery board game would be right up your alley. Set in a secluded New England mansion, six strangers attend a tension-filled dinner party where bodies begin to pile up. More funny than scary, the movie features three alternate endings in an homage to the open-endedness of the board game—although most people, including myself, are partial to the third.

“Little Women” (2019) Unlike the summer blockbuster “Barbie,” director Greta Gerwig’s previous feature “Little Women” screams fall. This adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel fleshes out the March sisters for modern audiences and stars some of the most recognizable actors of our generation:

Subverting traditional western expectations, “China’s Southern Paradise: Treasures from the Lower Yangzi Delta” immerses viewers in authentic Chinese art. Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Ballet review from page 1 The dancers’ ability to express a story purely with their facial expressions was nothing short of incredible. It truly exhibited the unique ways in which someone can offer many possibilities for interpretation, yet maintain one singular narrative. In a way, ballet is a language in and of itself, communicating love, passion and the consequences of utter devotion.

The use of other visual effects to enhance the meaning of the show really resonated with us. During “Nocturne,” the lights in the background would change to reflect either a more somber or vitalizing mood, turning from gold to indigo. “Pas de Dix” had a lighthearted and cheery tone that was even playful at times. “Carmen” repeated a motif of burning crimson; its passionate hues were in all but one scene, where they descended into yet another indigo.

During “Carmen,” there were also many “interludes” in which the curtain fell, a small group of dancers danced in front of it, and once they were done, the raised curtain revealed an entirely new set of dancers, not unlike a theatrical production. This was complete with

identifiable signage so that someone unable to follow the story could still get a sense of its progression. This made the show more dynamic and engaging, especially for an audience used to musical theater.

However, following the story was not necessarily straightforward, especially when considering the three acts altogether. Going into the show with little to no experience with ballet performances caught us both off guard, and we were left wondering about the relationship between the first two acts and the headliner. Were they three independent presentations that each enjoyed their time in the limelight, or did the show as a whole have a cohesive meaning? We also had some logistical concerns, like the aforementioned bathroom breaks.

But overall, the experience was nothing short of spectacular. From the lighthearted nature of “Pas de Dix” to the eloquence of “Nocturne” and finally, the bewitching performance of “Carmen,” we rate these performances a 10 out of 10.

Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh and Timothée Chalamet, to name a few.

Though not every scene from this movie is set during the fall, some of the most iconic ones are, and its nostalgic, bittersweet tone definitely evokes colder weather.

“The Fantastic Mr. Fox” Though everyone is probably familiar with this Wes Anderson classic, it’s always worth mentioning just in case someone hasn’t seen it. Its stop-motion animation is adorable; it is set over a background of fall-inspired rich reds and golds that pair perfectly with the foxes' orange fur. Watch and laugh along as Mr. and Mrs. Fox, and all of their animal friends, pull off a dangerous heist and escape from a trio of evil poultry farmers.

Some honorable mentions of fallthemed movies—since there are so many good ones—include “Dead Poets Society,” “Good Will Hunting,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” “Twilight” and any of the Harry Potter movies, but particularly “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.”

TV:

Nothing can make you feel cozier than watching the nicest reality TV contestants you’ve ever seen whip up a spectacular array of baked goods. My personal favorite season is season six, but any years’ bakers are adorable and turn out a great spread.

Honorable mentions for fall TV shows are “Gilmore Girls,” “Gossip Girl” and “Once Upon a Time.”

Books:

“Over the Garden Wall” This animated miniseries and its half Americana, half Halloween aesthetic is about as autumnal as it gets. The show follows two brothers, Wirt (Elijah Wood) and Greg (Collin Dean), as they travel through a mysterious forest known as the Unknown. On their journey they encounter everything from talking animals to literal demons to pumpkin-wearing skeletons, all while under the cover of fall foliage.

Though this series is aimed at children, it’s surprisingly bleak, and mimics the unsettling feeling of being lost in the woods exceedingly well.

“The Great British Baking Show”

“Never Let Me Go” Nobel prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2005 novel blurs the line between science fiction and literary fiction. It follows the lives of Kathy H. and her friends Ruth and Tommy, who attend a secluded boarding school where things are just a little bit … off.

As the story unfolds you begin to realize what exactly is wrong with the world these three exist in, and its dark, wistful themes make it the perfect fall read.

“M Train” Singer-songwriter and author Patti Smith reflects on loss and her later years in her second memoir—her first, “Just Kids,” is also worth a read. Smith travels all around the world, from Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul in Mexico City to Reykjavík in Iceland, but mostly keeps readers inside her own head. Its slow, reflective pace and black-andwhite photographs throughout are sure to put readers into an autumnal mood—its repeated mentions of cafes and coffee shops also make it the perfect book to read with a hot drink.

Other good fall reads are the original books that some of the previously mentioned movies are based on, such as “Little Women,” “Dead Poets Society” and “The Fantastic Mr. Fox,” as well as classic novels like “Wuthering Heights” and “Rebecca.”

Fun

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, September 29, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 6

Overheard CWRU Compilation of out-of-pocket things heard across campus

"I've never done sports.

Are they more fun than like ... the Observer?"

"You look like this" ... flips phone around ...

"You mean troll face??

From 2012???"

"I thought it was a karaoke thing, but no it's a Jesus thing" "Would you cup your hands so I can piss in them and then you splash it on your face?"

"You're an EMS but you can't spell?"

"He just makes blue things."

"Feminism is slavery" -Euclid preachers

"This dog smells weird"..."It wasn't a real dog"

"I'm being sexist. I am a girl's girl."

"And she is rotting her body sitting down. She is getting eye problems!

And we can call this liberation" - Euclid preachers "That boy is a paraplegic amputee" - a saferide driver

Tyler Vu/The Observer

What We've Been Listening To Bottle Up and Explode Elliot Smith Clay Preusch

I'm not my Season Fleet Foxes Kate Gordon

What a Fool Believes The Doobie Puneet Bansal

SUNDOWN Jack Harlow

Sara Khorshidi

"You remind me of my dad. Dead*ss."

Q: "Are your nipples pierced?"

R: "No, they're just hard" "Test...icicles" - during mic check at Farm Fest "and god said, 'let them be gay'" "The guy said 'Why did I get an F?' and I said 'Who are you?'"

"I'm a veiny guy "

Crossword: 09/22 Solutions

Take On Me-2017 Acoustic a-ha Beau Bilinovich

We Built this City Starship Zachary Treseler

Someday The Strokes Tyler Vu

Mas Que Nada Sergio Mendes & Brasil Lexy Jensen

Sara caught a ball!!

Shivangi made a pizza (again)

She's really proud.

Don't be mean.

Sara Khorshidi/The Observer

Shivangi Nanda/The Observer

Fun 5

observer.case.edu

Crossword

Weekly Horoscope

PUZZLE BY PETER KOETTERS

The signs as diseases

Aquarius Mesothelioma Pisces Mad Cow Aries Shingles Taurus Generic Cold Gemini The Clap Cancer Lovesickness Leo The Syph Virgo Food Poisoning Libra Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Scorpio COVID-23 Sagittarius A Tapeworm Capricorn Toxic Shock Syndrome

ACROSS 1 Unrefined gp.?

5 Stick a fork in 9 Assortment 14 Trooper prefix 15 Olfactory organ 16 Famed Memphis street 17 Came down to earth 18 Chain selling Nordli furniture 19 Fervor 20 "A juicy profit was ripe for the picking, but the fuzz was all over me ___..."

23 Gridlocked, as traffic 24 Hardy Har Har was one 25 Word with chest or chief 26 Exec. washroom types 27 Typewriter key still used today 30 Substructural rods 33 Flue symptom?

34 Capital, for one 35 "...I was in a real jam, but the thought of going back in the can gave me ___. After mulling it over, I pruned my expectations..."

38 Toll call?

39 Cleveland football team before 1946 40 "Biography" channel 41 Triple ___ (margarita ingredient) 42 Magic 8 Ball adjective 43 Auto parts store brand in a bottle 44 Mr. Bean or Inspector Clouseau 46 Fat substitute 50 "...Feeling the squeeze, I soured on the deal and blended into the crowd.

Hey, don't judge 'til you've been ___."

52 Faithful Asian dog 53 One for the Bachs?

54 Sole 55 Resurrected 56 Parts on many Alaskan bush planes 57 Guy from Muskogee 58 ___ nous 59 Probe 60 Maladroit's lack DOWN 1 South Australian stones 2 Fey famously impersonated her 3 Christensen of TV's "Parenthood" 4 Yowl like a tabby 5 Spotter's teammate

6 Sparked up 7 Crossing on a steamer 8 "Pet Sounds" band 9 Humiliates 10 Encore presentation 11 Quasar product 12 Tons 13 "___ So Bad" (Tom Petty song) 21 It turns on when it goes off 22 Big hotel chain 26 ___ and Me (classes) 28 Slightly 29 Data unit 30 Knocks 31 Apparatus for an electrified fence?

32 Red Scare roster 33 Most flashy 34 Random process 36 Raging 37 Can't stand 42 Kindhearted 43 Superlatively schemeful 45 Kilo of water, volumewise 46 Everything in the Roman Empire?

47 Maker of the Mighty Dump Truck 48 Dig find 49 So far 50 Similar 51 Shoe brand that makes golf clubs 52 Were made current?

Opinion

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, September 29, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 6

Love games: Swipe at a price Aambar Agarwal Social Media Editor Whether exploring future prospects for “the one” or simply playing the field with “one of many,” online dating apps are the go-to for a date, mate or hookup. The path from strangers to romantic partners is just a swipe, tap or card away in our fast-paced, technologically advanced existence. But dating apps are not simply about instant gratification; there’s also additional baggage to contend with. The gamification of coupling often brings about compulsive swiping and profile browsing, along with feelings of low self-esteem, all the while generating eye-watering revenue for dating app companies. Whether you experience triumph or torment, the online dating industry is the real winner.

The dating app industry reported about $4.9 billion in revenue in 2022.

While the pandemic drove up the revenue, post-pandemic growth has slowed; still, the industry is projected to reach 10% annual growth through 2030. Dating apps attract users by offering a freemium model where services are free and limited, thus tempting them to purchase their premium and à la carte options for an enhanced experience and greater satisfaction. Virtual gifts, access to a dating coach, more transparency on profile views, unlimited swipes and advertising—everything is on the table for revenue generation.

Pursuit of a potential liaison is just a tap or a swipe away.

There is a vast array of dating apps to choose from, providing users with a wide range of options regardless of what they fancy. Notable apps include Tinder, which holds the largest market share in the American online dating scene, offering mobility, proximity and speedy results with a gaming twist.

Tinder was the most downloaded app

Tyler Vu/The Observer of 2022. Badoo is the most downloaded dating app globally, with over 400 million users. Bumble empowers women in the dating process by allowing only them to send the first message to a match, whereas Hinge has special features for LGBTQIA+ singles. Grindr, BLK, Plenty of Fish, Coffee Meets Bagel and Feels are just a handful of names vying to play Cupid. As people of all ages dive into the online dating pool, companies are creating more filtered and imaginative premium subscriptions to lure them in.

Then, there’s the matter of the algorithm that is at the heart of every online matchmaking process. The success of every dating app is heavily dictated by the algorithm that is used and tweaked to match two strangers.

The set of rules in the algorithm bases

the match on factors that are defined by the app’s creator. For example, if a dating app prioritizes food habits, the emphasis would be on matching people with similar food tastes. Information can be gleaned from different factors such as survey data, user profiles, demographics, location, social media preferences, pictures, online behavior, hobbies and more—anything the algorithm deems important. While human emotional responses and behaviors are highly complicated, the algorithms simplify and pair people using a weeder process, which might be a great starting point for some. Other apps utilize clever marketing gimmicks along with a gamified approach to dating in which the user swipes to like or dislike a profile. When competing for potential dates and maximum swipes,

it is almost impossible not to get swept in. Little else is required to induce users into transitioning to paying subscribers.

Besides the monetary and romantic aspects of dating apps, there is a mental health cost that is often overlooked.

Excessive swiping can easily become addicting, resulting in a loss of productivity and harmful lifestyle changes.

Body image gets an intense focus due to all the photos and videos uploaded to dating profiles, which can result in eating disorders and detrimental weight control methods. Online rejection or fewer likes can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, anxiety, low selfesteem or depression. Sometimes, the vast pool of potential dates can be overwhelming and result in confusion or burnout. While the latest apps have worked to reduce instances of catfishing, inappropriate photos, stalking and unwanted contacts, they still occur and put people in vulnerable situations.

Peer pressure and the desire to adhere to societal expectations also lead to immoderate dating app usage. Mindful usage of dating apps is a common sense solution to the various risks involved.

After all, most people are seeking love or companionship, not limerence, poor mental well-being or debt.

Dating apps generate more revenue the longer a user stays on them.

They seduce with a swipe and incentivize premium subscriptions. Are these efficient and accessible dating apps the new-age answer to matchmaking grandmas, nosy friends and relatives and ambiguous encounters?

Or are they just another social media nuisance that we could live without?

Whether they experience success or disappointment, singles from various demographics are signing up for Cupid’s games despite the costs. With investments and revenue pouring in, dating app companies are here to stay and singles are ready to play and pay.

EDITORIAL

Recovering from illness from page 1 Arguably the most difficult challenge students face when dealing with illness at CWRU is the inconsistency in faculty policies regarding absences.

While some professors are understanding and accommodating, others may have strict attendance policies and offer no opportunities to make up missed assignments or exams. The lack of a standardized university-wide policy on absences due to illness leads to confusion and anxiety among students. Some professors may require a doctor’s note for every missed class, others may not accept medical documentation as a valid excuse and some may not view all medical conditions as

necessitating an absence. For example, the professor of a 200-person lecturebased course stated that “missing [an] exam due to sleeping in or a minor illness (like a cold) will result in a grade of zero. Be responsible and do not take medicine that will impair your performance on a test the night before the test.” Clearly, professors at CWRU are not on the same page when it comes to handling illness-based absences, and these inconsistencies place an undue burden on students who are already debilitated; now, they also fear their academic performance may be at risk.

These inconsistencies are especially unacceptable after the societal impact

the COVID-19 pandemic had on the university community. In such cases, students are forced to choose between their health and their grades, often opting to sacrifice their health—a dilemma far too many CWRU students have faced. Post-pandemic, the CWRU administration needs to enforce a policy requiring professors to adhere to a strict set of rules regarding how to deal with illness among students, similar to those that professors include in their syllabi surrounding academic accommodations or plagiarism.

Long-term, the lack of adequate support for students dealing with illness at CWRU has severe conse-

quences for their well-being: Delaying seeking medical attention and possibly ignoring health issues altogether worsens students’ mental and physical health. If CWRU really wants to build a “campus culture that supports [our] health and well-being,” they need to start by creating a more supportive environment where students feel comfortable seeking medical care, reaching out for help and taking the time they need to recover. For students to live by “Think well. Be well. Live well,” they need to be able to truly prioritize their health and know that people at CWRU are here to support them every step of the way.

Full bars to no bars: CWRU’s tragic Wi-Fi saga Hannah Johnson Contributing Writer As college students, we use the internet in a variety of ways. We need the World Wide Web to do research, write essays, submit important correspondence and assignments, order food, set up meetings and talk to our classmates and professors. The school system without widespread access to the internet would be incredibly different—one could even argue worse. Yet, recently, that vital connection has been

a bit faulty.

For about a month after move-in, Case Western Reserve University’s Wi-Fi connection seemed to be having some issues, specifically with networks that regularly disconnected, old networks that no longer accepted student accounts and various different networks working in different areas of the school. For some students who moved in a couple weeks earlier for oncampus programs, the issue lasted for even longer. Although the issue seems to be mostly resolved, I would still like to discuss the frustrating experiences

my peers and I have had trying to use CWRU’s Wi-Fi networks over the past month.

As a student on the go with a horrible cellular provider, I have often found myself losing connection while relocating to new study spots or unable to connect to the Wi-Fi when trying to work in my dorm. There have been many nights right before quizzes when I considered abandoning studying altogether because the Wi-Fi wouldn’t let me access my textbook—which, unfortunately, is only available online—and many nights when my laptop or TV lost

power altogether.

I often found myself on the guest WiFi, tearfully clicking accept when asked to agree to the terms and conditions for the next four hours of internet access, before I got disconnected and had to try to sign in online again. This process involved switching between multiple networks and occasionally having to power off my laptop before the CaseGuest pop-up finally showed again, and I was granted another four hours of access.

Continue reading on page 7

Sports

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, September 29, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 6

Attack on Titans: Browns bounce Scores and Upcoming back 27-3 against Tennessee Games Jack Martin Staff Writer On Sunday, Sept. 24, the Cleveland Browns hosted the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium, setting up their first game against each other since 2020.

The scoring began with a 48-yard field goal from Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins. The team traded for Hopkins on Aug. 28 after their previous kicker, Cade York, was waived following preseason struggles. T h e Titans answered back with a 44-yard field goal from veteran Nick Folk, who tied the game 3 - 3 with 14 minutes left in the first half.

After receiving the ball back from Tennessee, the Browns embarked on a five-minute, 75yard drive down the field. Cleveland took a 10-3 lead when quarterback Deshaun Watson connected with running back Jerome Ford on a 19yard touchdown pass.

Ford was named the starting running back following Nick Chubb’s season ending injury last week against Pittsburgh.

The Titans’ offense was shut down yet again after a huge third down sack from Myles Garrett

and Ogbo Okoronkwo, giving the Browns the ball back with just a few minutes left in the half. On secondand-nine from their own 35-yard-line, Watson completed a pass to wide receiver Amari Cooper for a 25-yard reception.

Cooper broke free from the defender covering him and was likely going to score, but the official erroneously marked Cooper out of bounds.

The official ruling was heavily criticized by Browns fans, as Cooper w a s nearly a foot away from the sideline. This poor call could have cost the Browns a few points, but Hopkins extended the lead to 10 after knocking in a 52-yard field goal.

The Browns dominated the second half, scoring two touchdowns and forcing the Titans to punt four times after holding them to only 26 yards of total offense. The highlight of the half for Browns fans was a 43-yard strike from Watson to Cooper that resulted in a touchdown. Watson had tried to connect on several deep passes throughout the previous two games and until this point had been noticeably unsuccessful. The Browns finished off the Titans 27-3.

Overall, this game was a huge turnaround for the team after an embarrassing loss last week to Pittsburgh on national television.

Coming off of one of his worst performances since joining the team, Watson bounced back with his best so far. After committing three turnovers last week, and much to Browns fans’

delight, Watson completed 27 of 33 passes for 263 yards and two touchdown passes.

More importantly, the Browns’ new defense, led by defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, is living up to their preseason expectations.

On Sunday, the Browns sacked Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill five times and held the Titans to a record-low 94 net yards of total offense. The defense managed to contain Titans’ superstar running back Derrick Henry to only 20 yards on 11 carries (1.8 yds/rush).

The player of the game was—without a doubt—defensive end Myles Garrett.

Garrett, the organization’s alltime sack leader, contributed 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble to the defense’s dominant performance.

After moving to 2-1 on the season, the Browns await the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m.

Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) and defensive end Za’Darius Smith (99) celebrate as the team bounces back from last week’s loss to the Steelers. Courtesy of

the Cleveland Browns

Women’s tennis update—Kassaie qualifies for ITA Cup Puneet Bansal Sports Editor The Case Western Reserve University women’s tennis team competed in the ITA Central Regional Championship from Sept. 22-24 in St. Louis, the final major tournament of their brief fall season.

Over the last couple seasons, the team has markedly improved in their performances at major tournaments, and this weekend was no exception.

Third-year Hannah Kassaie became the first women’s tennis athlete in program history to compete for the singles draw in the ITA Cup after reaching the regional championship finals on Sept. 24.

On the first day of the tournament, three of the four Spartan duos advanced to the round of 16 in doubles play. Following a first-round bye, first-seeded Kassaie/third-year Lily McCloskey defeated Ohio Northern University’s pairing 8-1. Also having a first round bye, the seventh-seeded duo of third-year Radha Patel/ second-year Katalina Wang defeated opponents from Lake Forest College 8-5. Fourth-years Katherine Wang/ Pallavi Goculdas defeated an Oberlin College pairing 8-1 in the first round and a Denison University squad 8-4 in

the second. The fourth CWRU duo of second-year Asha Shukla/third-year Anna Kan advanced to the second round but fell to the fourth-seeded Washington University in St. Louis duo 8-7 (5) in tiebreakers.

For the singles draw, McCloskey bested a player from WashU 6-2, 6-4 in the first round and a player from Augustana College in the second round 6-2, 6-0. Patel, likewise, defeated Franciscan University of Steubenville’s player 6-0, 6-1 in the first round and an

During the ITA Central Regional Championship in St. Louis this past weekend, third-year Hannah Kassaie places second in the women’s open singles. Courtesy

of CWRU Athletics

opponent from The College of Wooster 6-1, 6-0 in the second. Finally, Kassaie joined the party with a win over a Kalamazoo College player 6-0, 6-1 in the first and over the University of Chicago’s player 6-2, 6-3. All three Spartans advanced to the round of 16.

On the second day, only Kassaie/ McCloskey advanced to the semifinals.

The duo defeated a WashU pairing 8-2 in the round of 16 and followed with an 8-5 win over a North Central College duo in the quarterfinals.

Katherine Wang/Goculdas reached the quarterfinals but fell to the secondseeded UChicago’s duo 8-3. Katalina Wang/Patel were defeated 8-6 in the round of 16 by the ninth seeded UChicago duo.

Third-seeded Kassaie was the only Spartan to reach the singles semifinals, defeating Otterbein University’s Erin Storrer 6-1, 6-1 in the round of 16 and UChicago’s eight-seeded Oliwia Mikos 6-3, 0-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, McCloskey fell to UChicago’s Sylwia Mikos 6-3, 6-2 and Patel fell to Kenyon College’s Allaire Berl 6-3, 6-3.

For the final day of the tournament, Kassaie/McCloskey were upset by eighth-seeded UChicago duo Oliwia Mikos/Rena Lin 6-8 in the semifinals.

In the singles, Kassaie defeated second-seeded Eleni Lazaridou

Volleyball UAA Round Robin #1 - Horsburgh Gymnasium CWRU vs WashU (9/23) - L 0-3 CWRU vs NYU (9/23) - W 3-0 CWRU vs Brandeis (9/24) - W 3-0 CWRU vs Marietta (9/27) - W 3-1 CWRU at Muskingum (9/30) CWRU at Heidelberg (9/30) CWRU vs Oberlin (10/4, 7 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)

Football CWRU vs Geneva (9/23) - W 42-7 CWRU at Bethany (9/30) CWRU at Saint Vincent College (10/7)

Men’s Tennis CWRU at ITA DIII Men’s Central Regional Championships (9/29-10/1) CWRU at Denison (9/30)

Men’s Soccer CWRU vs Denison (9/23) - W 1-0 CWRU at NYU (9/30) CWRU vs Emory (10/7, 1:30 p.m., DiSanto Field)

Women’s Soccer CWRU vs Penn State Behrend (9/20) - W 1-0 CWRU at Capital (9/24) - W 2-0 CWRU at NYU (9/30) CWRU vs Emory (10/7, 11 a.m., DiSanto Field) of Kenyon College 6-4, 6-0 in the semifinals. In the finals, however, Kassaie was defeated by Sylwia Mikos, the top-seeded singles athlete in the tournament, 6-2, 2-6, 2-6 for the championship.

By reaching the finals at the ITA regionals, Kassaie sealed a spot to compete in the ITA Cup in Rome, Georgia from Oct. 12-16. The team will otherwise enter a short offseason before beginning their spring season on Feb. 9, 2024 against Wooster.

Opinion 7

observer.case.edu

Connect to CaseGuest from page 6 Unsurprisingly, my friends expressed similar sentiments, complaining that CaseWireless doesn’t work well on Southside, and that using CaseGuest can be inconvenient with its four hour limit.

Upon first moving in, my other friends were unable to get their TV connected to the network for streaming services, having to rely on a phone hotspot—which costs money and data—for a considerable amount of time. When they asked maintenance for help with the issue, they were told that some spots just don’t receive connection and there’s nothing they can do about it. I’ve also had friends who have been suddenly disconnected while taking quizzes. Others I know have lost work on assignments due to network disruption,

myself included.

In club meetings, the Wi-Fi is a regular point of discussion when technology is used. Pulling up presentations takes much longer than it should and taking notes in a Google Doc is now extremely tedious. In one of my classes last week, we were asked to move around the classroom in order to have a group discussion.

When I brought out my laptop in order to take notes, I was unable to pull up the article that we were supposed to be discussing for five minutes before the Wi-Fi connection finally kicked back in. By then, half of our time was up, and I found myself unable to follow the conversation.

Overall, the occasional Wi-Fi issue isn’t so serious that I’m unable to complete work on time, but it is defi-

nitely a nuisance—not just for students, but also professors. The lack of a standardized network means having to go through every available one to try to see which will connect that day. It’s like playing the lottery, but the only prize is being able to efficiently complete your required work without having to move to the other side of campus.

Last year, there was a similar problem with the Wi-Fi at the beginning of the semester. I found myself unable to connect to a network many times, constantly losing connection for minutes with no idea as to when the network would be back online.

While struggling to submit difficult assignments, I’d randomly lose minutes worth of work and have to reinput my answers. It got to the point

where I’d begun to take screenshots of my answers just in case they got deleted due to unstable network connectivity.

These issues have truly made me wonder if the education system has begun to rely on technology too much in order to survive. You have to have a smartphone and a laptop in order to live a convenient life on campus.

Without one, your meal options, information on grades and announcements, club registrations and essays and assignments are virtually impossible to access and complete.

As a university that relies so heavily on the internet in order to think beyond the possible, I would expect Wi-Fi—or the lack thereof—to be of utmost importance to everyone on campus.

“Big Brother” is watching us: Why we’ve become transparent on the internet, and what to do about it Katharina Staehr Contributing Writer Upon joining the club soccer team at Case Western Reserve University, I attended an initial meeting in which we kicked off—no pun intended— with an icebreaker. The captains put together a presentation of each teammate’s dream destination, which— upon some heated discussion, guess work and careful reading of suspicious faces—was matched with a picture of each of us on the following slide. In anticipation of an embarrassing picture of me they had scoured every corner of the internet for, I was almost disappointed when all that appeared on the next slide was my name. Almost, that is, because my “invisibility on the internet,” as one of the captains coined it, was showered with praises like “that’s great” and “kudos to you.”

Of course, that evening was not the first time I confronted the topic of data privacy in a social setting. The internet is everywhere—look no further than the whopping 94% of 18- to 24-yearolds in the U.S. that use social media, as found by a 2018 study by the Pew Research Center. It should come as no surprise, then, that social media frequents our daily physical interactions with the people around us—and personal privacy will, at least occasionally, enter the discussion.

Still, that evening opened my eyes to the so-called “privacy paradox”: If most of us are aware of how much privacy we lose by sharing our personal lives online, why do we nonetheless engage in that behavior? And that’s when I stumbled across the irreducible core of human behavior: our all-toocomplacent character and willingness to sign off our privacy in exchange for instant gratification, connection and constant access to content.

As George Orwell writes in his popcultural totem “1984,” “Big Brother is watching you,” a message that rings eerily familiar to today’s digital landscape. The dystopia in “1984” attributes its fame to the crushingly grim and prescient plot: A government body overseen by the enigmatic Big Brother called the Party holds society in an iron-fisted grip by controlling not just every individual’s move, but also their every thought. The parallels are concerning: Big Brother and his party are reminiscent of enterprises like Meta and Google; the notorious telescreen in Orwell’s book, a two-way television in every home, isn’t much different from

the Alexa sitting on our kitchen counter and the cellphone in our hands.

To big tech—companies like Google, Meta and Amazon—we are no more than pieces of data, ready to be fed into their profit-generating machinery.

These companies can legally access all of our personal information including where we live and whom we live with, where we work, what we buy, what we like and dislike and what is trending near us; in the end, we become the product. Next thing we know, we are receiving product promotions for hiking shoes after liking a nature picture, or an advertisement for mascara after skimming makeup tutorials on TikTok. Scary, right? And it sounds a lot like Orwell’s “1984.”

Part of the problem lies in companies’ “misleading explanations” and “vague privacy [policies],” as suggested

by The New York Times, but we must look at ourselves to find the ultimate culprit. Too often are we inclined to sign away our privacy in exchange for information, clicks or likes, whether that be approving the default cookie settings or accepting an app’s terms and conditions.

The primary factor driving this conformity is social pressure. The fear of missing out and being disconnected drives us to the battleground of Instagram posts, Twitter chats or Facebook Messenger, where we share our lives, vigilantly track those of our friends and keep up with pop culture and politics.

A life without social media in the 21st century is nearly unthinkable, and it is impossible to resist conformity without giving up Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat. Nonetheless, there are numerous ways we can and should safeguard our privacy. Utilizing ad blockers, manually disabling cookies and interest-based ads and using a VPN can limit data collection, which advertisers need to pinpoint our buying and browsing habits.

Still, the best solution is to start questioning what we really need to share online. Can we do without posting this picture or liking that comment? Must we click on the ad tugging at our senses and luring us to our next buy? Can we pick up the phone to call our friend instead of commenting on their post?

Or perhaps, if you want to be really old school, sink back into a comfy chair, out of sight of “Big Brother” and out of range of your Apple Store telescreen, and get started on that letter. As cheesy and obsolete as that may sound, does it hurt to have a little privacy?

The Case Western Reserve Observer 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 Bowen Zhang Layout Designer Lucas Yang Graphic Designer Tyler Vu Graphic Designer BUSINESS Khushali Desai Director of Business Operations Matthew Chang Business Manager Sophia Ran Business Manager Cayley Ng 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.

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