On Aug. 6, Case Western Reserve University President Eric Kaler sent an email announcing new rules and regulations regarding protesting on CWRU’s campus. This email follows a trend of college campuses across the nation creating such regulations to moderate protests in the aftermath of the spring 2024 Gaza Solidarity Encampment on KSL Oval. A second email was sent to the community on Aug. 28 that revealed revisions to these initial rules.
“The intent of these procedures and operating rules is to enable demonstrations to occur while ensuring the safety of our community, equal access to educational resources and facilities for all, and continuing operations of our university,” a university spokesperson said.
The original Aug. 6 policy created strict requirements to protest on campus. This included a two-hour limit for all protests and one approved location: KSL Oval. It also explicitly prohibited many actions including usage of tents, megaphones and video projections which were all used by organizers last semester.
The largest change made by the initial regulations was the required approval of all protests by the Freedom of Expression Policy Committee, with notice required seven days before the demonstration’s start date.
The initial email from Kaler and Provost and Executive Vice President Joy K. Ward noted that these policies were developed “in consultation with faculty, staff and student leaders.” The original preamble said that it was reviewed by the Undergraduate Student
Government (USG). According to USG President, fourth-year Amman Spencer, he, nor the rest of his organization, reviewed the rules before their publishing.
“We had not seen it before it came out,” said Spencer, where he mentioned that he only learned about the rules at the same time as the rest of the university. He also said that previous USG administrations were unaware of these rules.
Third-year Zelene Desiré, the vice president of student life for USG, added further context: “Amman and I had one brief meeting with George O’Connell, the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and Travis Apgar, the new Vice President of Student Affairs, to review the Student Code of Conduct on July 30. We both had major criticisms of the changes but left the meeting satisfied that the administration invited us to speak about university policy.”
Similarly, the President of the Undergraduate Diversity Collaborative (UDC) third-year Sofia Castro noted in an email to The Observer that “UDC was not consulted on anything regarding the new protest regulations.”
USG and UDC were two of the three umbrella organizations that met with President Kaler during the encampment, resulting in an email from thenUSG President Basil Yaseen claiming that the administration misled the leaders during their initial conversations.
When the policy was released in August, many reactions were swift. The CWRU chapter of the Ohio Student Association painted the Spirit Wall outside of Thwing Center with the text “Protest is Free Speech.”
In response to the new rules, CW-
RU’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine gave written remarks to The Observer. They said, “The new protest policies put in place by CWRU administration are entirely authoritarian in nature. Every student at CWRU should reject this imposition upon our basic right of protest. It is our duty as students to engage in academic and political discourse to challenge the status quo.”
The largest reaction from the faculty came from those teaching at the CWRU School of Law where “A Resolution of Concern” was passed unanimously. In the document, they argued that the new policy is “inconsistent with the stated free expression policy” and legal precedent, and at the same time it could jeopardize the American Bar Association’s accreditation of the law school.
“The rights guaranteed in the Trustee-approved freedom of expression policy remain subject to university permission–in other words, they are not rights at all,” reads the resolution.
Law school faculty also noted that the document was never presented to the Faculty Senate. Janet McGrath, chair of the Faculty Senate and the Department of Anthropology, wrote in a comment to The Observer, “the Faculty Senate will be reviewing these procedures this semester. We have not convened yet, however, so that process has not officially started. The Faculty Senate leadership was consulted over the summer, but the Faculty Senate will take up the matter this semester. Our first meeting is later this month.”
The administration, on the other hand, defended their new rules: “Following experiences across our campus in the past five years, including protests
and encampments in spring 2024, we knew it would benefit our community to clearly define guidelines surrounding the implementation of this policy. This ensures all members of the community, including university leaders, understand expectations and have clear parameters for what aligns with the policy. Having these procedures and operating rules in place will help ensure the freedom of expression for all members of our community, as well as a safe, equitable and welcoming environment across our campus.”
Once the policy was released, Spencer recalled that “a lot of students [were] reaching out to me over text, asking what was going on … I went back and I had conversations with the administration … and I said I’d love to give student feedback, and they were open to it on the first version.”
When asked why the regulations were adjusted on Aug. 28, a university spokesperson said that “Faculty, staff and students highlighted a range of areas where enhancements could be made to provide more flexibility while still ensuring the safety of our community, equal access to resources and facilities, and maintenance of ongoing operations. A few of the most prominent changes were specifically noted in the email to campus.”
Once the policy was released, Spencer recalled that “a lot of students [were] reaching out to me over text, asking what was going on … I went back and I had conversations with the administration … and I said I’d love to give student feedback, and they were open to it on the first version.”
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Lucas Yang/The Observer
Freedom of Expression Policy Committee to regulate expressive activities on-campus from page 1
were adjusted on Aug. 28, a university spokesperson said that “Faculty, staff and students highlighted a range of areas where enhancements could be made to provide more flexibility while still ensuring the safety of our community, equal access to resources and facilities, and maintenance of ongoing operations. A few of the most prominent changes were specifically noted in the email to campus.”
USG was privy to these new regulations in a meeting on Aug. 27 where
fairs, The Office of General Counsel and The Office of the President met with USG’s Executive Committee to propose changes to the rules. According to the meeting minutes, USG pressed the staff on various points of the amended policy. One of the first issues brought up was the existence of a time limit, which Chief of Staff Katie Brancato noted is “for planning and staffing purposes.” But she also mentioned student feedback “that two hours are very short, I think the feedback came from students
so you may miss an event because you want to go to a demonstration but have class, so that’s why we made it longer.”
Apgar noted in the USG meeting that “We can’t allow anything that prevents access to educational activities. Everyone on the campus has the right to access campus buildings. We’ll work to make sure that happens.”
Another point that USG questioned was the prohibition of wearing a mask to avoid identification. Brancato explained, “Culturally if someone’s covering their face, it’s usually pretty obvious that that’s the case. If we show up and everyone has a mask on because they don’t want to be seen, then we might have to say, ‘if you have health reasons, fine,’ but for the safety of the situation, we want people to not cover their face.”
The university spokesperson stressed that the creation of the rules was a collaborative process: “In addition to the Freedom of Expression Policy Committee members, we also consulted with student government, Staff Advisory Council and Faculty Senate leaders, as well as individuals from across campus.”
This new policy distinguishes between a small protest—one with 20 or fewer people that takes under two hours—and a larger protest. The former does not need pre-approval from the committee.
Large protests are allowed to last for five hours in three more outdoor locations besides KSL Oval, and the approval form only needs to be submitted three days prior to the event. The new policies also allow for non-university affiliated members to speak at large protests only with prior approval.
The main approval body for all of these steps is the Freedom of Expres
sion Policy Committee. CWRU’s Policy on Freedom of Expression/Expressive Activities allows the school to “reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the University.”
“Case Western Reserve is committed to ensuring the free exchange of ideas and the dialogue and demonstrations that may accompany such freedoms. Since 2019, Case Western Reserve has had a freedom of expression policy, which notes the university’s ability—as all private entities have—to regulate the time, place and manner of demonstrations to ensure the safety of our community and equal access to facilities and educational opportunities,” noted the university spokesperson.
In the USG meeting, General Counsel Peter Poulos stressed that “the committee is designed to allow students to demonstrate. In fact, in the [five plus] years that this policy has existed, there wasn’t a demonstration requested that we said no to, as the expectation and goal is that we will never get to a no for the next five years.”
Brancato noted that the committee itself meets weekly. She said, “It will meet more often because we are committed to responding to people who request demonstrations within 24 hours.”
an event because you want to go to a demonstration but have class, so that’s why we made it longer.”
According to the meeting minutes, USG pressed the staff on various points of the amended policy. One of the first issues brought up was the existence of a time limit, which Chief of Staff Katie Brancato noted is “for planning and staffing purposes.” But she also mentioned student feedback “that two hours are very short, I think the feedback came from students that you are in classes
Faculty have one seat on the committee, reserved for the chair and vice chair of the Faculty Senate, and current students do not have any spots. This means that 18 of the 19 spots are staffed with administrators and professional staff members.
This was a topic that USG leaders pushed back against. Apgar noted that student voices were expressed because “there are two representatives of student affairs as it’s literally in our job description to advocate for students.”
When pressed, Apgar said, “We typically want to do everything we can to have student input, but when it applies to applying our rules and policies and governing the university, that’s our job.”
Auden Koetters/The Observer
Have the time of your life at Pitbull’s Party After Dark
Auden Koetters Director of Design
On the night of Aug. 29, numerous Case Western Reserve University students made the trek to Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls to attend Pitbull’s Party After Dark Tour. The night was nothing short of electrifying, with Mr. Worldwide delivering a performance that lived up to his reputation as one of the most dynamic entertainers in the music industry. The energy in the venue was palpable, with fans of all ages and walks of life coming together to enjoy his music.
Pitbull’s opening act, T-Pain, took the stage, kicking off the show with one of his lesser known songs, “Perky Pain.” The crowd was not overly enthralled by this; however, he quickly recovered with his next song, “Up Down,” in which throngs of audience members enthusiastically threw their hands up in the air and dropped them to the beat of the music. This energy carried into the rest of T-Pain’s performance, as the audience chanted along to his more popular songs such as “Shots,” “Booty Wurk (One Cheek at a Time),” “Apple Bottom Jeans,” “Buy U a Drank” and finally, “All I do is Win.” By the end of T-Pain’s performance, the audience was ready for Pitbull. From the moment Pitbull hit the stage, the crowd was on their feet, dancing and singing along to every
beat. Opening with a burst of flashing screens and an infectious energy, he began his set with “Don’t Stop the Party,” immediately setting the tone for the non-stop party to come. The setlist was a carefully curated mix of his biggest hits, including “Timber,” “Give Me Everything” and “Fireball,” each one met with roars of approval from the audience.
Pitbull’s stage presence was as captivating as ever. He effortlessly commanded the crowd, exuding charisma and confidence. His interaction with the audience was a highlight, as he frequently took moments between songs to share his gratitude, joke around and pump up the crowd even more. It was clear that Pitbull was not just performing for the audience–he was celebrating with them.
In between songs, Pitbull even took a moment to thank audience members for their support over the years, discussing how their support gave him the ability to give back to his community with his SLAM! (Sports Leadership and Management) educational organization. SLAM! is a network of tuition-free public charter schools designed to prepare students for careers in sports leadership, management and other fields. Pitbull’s heartfelt thanks underscored his commitment to giving back to the community and usage of his platform to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Adding to the dynamic atmosphere of the night, Pitbull mixed in iconic older tracks like “I Feel Good,” “Suavemente,” “Get Ready” and “JUMPIN.” These timeless hits further excited the audience, creating a sense of unity as everyone sang along to songs that spanned different eras of pop culture. By weaving these classics into his setlist, Pitbull not only showcased his versatility as an artist, but also bridged the gap between generations of music lovers. This blend of old and new added a dynamic aspect to the show, turning the concert into a celebration of pop music across time.
The concert was not just a performance; it was an experience—a twohour escape into a world of rhythm, dance, and unbridled fun. Pitbull’s Party After Dark Tour at Blossom Music Center was a night to remember, a testament to his ability to connect with his audience and deliver a show that is as much about the shared experience as it is about the music. For fans of Pitbull, or anyone looking for a night of high-energy entertainment, this tour is a mustsee. Pitbull once again proved why he’s earned the title of Mr. Worldwide, turning a summer night into an unforgettable party.
“Dìdi” is a heartfelt meditation on family and Asian American identity
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
On Jan. 19, “Dìdi” premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival where it won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble and Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic.
The film follows Chris Wang (Issac Wang), nicknamed Wang Wang and referred to as Dìdi by family, which means “little brother” in Mandarin. Dìdi navigates friendship and a crush and finds his own identity the summer before starting high school in this semi-autobiographical story by director Sean Wang. Similar to Wang—and by extension Chris—I grew up in Fremont, California where the story takes place, and I even went to the high school where Chris skateboards. A couple of my high school friends had recommended the movie to me, and I’ll be honest and say that I went into this film with incredibly high expectations, but the film unfortunately fell a little short.
However, I will talk about that a little later. There were many things that this film did well, and the first was its ability to resonate with its audience—and not just its Asian American audience. That in part was due to how grounded the film was. Both its dialogue and portrayal of adolescence were incredibly realistic. Although the storyline may have been exaggerated, it perfectly captured teenage awkwardness and the need for acceptance. It’s filled with angst and second-hand embarrassment, yet also invokes empathy for Chris’ flawed character.
Speaking of the film’s cultural aspect, although there was a generational gap between Wang and me, Wang portrayed some universal Asian American experiences. Some minuscule moments, such as Chris and his elder sister Vivian’s feelings of embarrassment when their mother uses an umbrella as a sunshade, and conflicts in generational priorities— particularly revolving around education—hit close to home.
Wang’s depiction of these universal experiences was also unique. Showcasing Chris’ passion for film truly captured the essence of living during the 2000s, with scenes shot from a camcorder or of typing on Myspace. Its cinematography draws the audience into the time period, even for those who didn’t experience it. And for me, it was a reminder of how the story was inspired by real life and real memories.
Another major strength of this film was its acting. While Chris was definitely the main character, another crucial role was his mother, Chungsing (Joan Chen). Both Wang and Chen perfectly embodied their characters: Chris as he struggles with insecurity and identity and his mother as her efforts go unappreciated in the household. Their relationship is the most compelling in the film as they grow to understand each other’s hardships.
However, my biggest gripe with the film was its storyline. I understood its overarching theme of coming of age and generally enjoy openended films, but “Dìdi” left me with too many unanswered questions. Each scene told its own story, and one could argue that while it captures the uncertainty of the future and of growing up—which is fair—it still left me feeling that the story wasn’t fully
complete.
To me, this film was definitely thought-provoking and prompted reflection on my own experiences growing up. Fremont and the entire Bay Area are home to a large population of Asian Americans; yet somehow, many still seem to have a common experience of detesting their culture and heritage growing up. There was a scene where Chris pretends he is halfAsian due to his embarrassment of his Asian heritage. While I have never pretended to be half-Asian, growing up I was familiar with the feeling of detesting my Chinese heritage, something I have since grown to love. This film sheds light on how American culture—especially with the emergence of social media—has influenced the way we view our identity.
The film was incredibly personal to me for another reason, too. I myself have a younger brother, my own Dìdi, whom I watched move into his freshmen dorm earlier last month. Watching the scene where Vivian and Chris take down the glow-in-the-dark stars together after spending a majority of the film fighting was heartwrenching. And in my opinion, this film isn’t just made for nostalgia—it carries a real message. The film ends with Chris and his mother sitting at the dining room table, each with a bit more empathy for the other and their struggles. The message I had received from the film is a reminder—particularly for immigrant families, whose relationships often end up strained as a result of generation and cultural differences—to be a little more understanding of family and to call my parents more often.
“Dìdi,” a new comedy/drama film, follows the story of a 13-year-old Taiwanese-American boy as he navigates growing up while learning to embrace his heritage. Courtesy of Focus Features
Nearly 20,000 Clevelanders, including several CWRU students, showed up to the Blossom Music Center last Thursday to see Pitbull perform live. Courtesy of Dr. Janet Gbur
“Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue” was a blast
Aambar Agarwal Social Media Manager
Last month, “Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue” came to Playhouse Square and it was a riot. Set in the present day, the play follows what the ladies have been up to since the show went off air. Hilarious and raunchy, it was a perfect ode to “The Golden Girls” sitcom.
“The Golden Girls,” for those who do not know, revolved around the lives of four older women sharing a house in Miami: Starring Sophia (Estelle Getty), Blanche (Rue McClanahan), Rose (Betty White) and Dorothy (Bea Arthur). It ran from 1985 to 1992 and has received critical acclaim for its humor, portrayal of aging and way of addressing big-ticket issues.
“Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue” opens with Sophia, the sharptongued 80-year-old matriarch of the house, under house arrest for dealing drugs to her fellow senior citizens. Undeterred, the self-proclaimed “El Chapo of Shady Pines” continues selling her LSD-laced cheesecakes from the comfort of her home, unbeknownst to the other ladies. Meanwhile, Blanche and Rose, both in their mid-50s, have launched CreakN, a thriving hookup app for older adults. Dorothy gets roped into the app and meets an enthusiastic younger man, all the while worrying about her mother Sophia’s upcoming trial.
The actors portrayed their characters to a tee. Christopher Kamm nailed Sophia’s mannerisms, shuffling along with her wicker purse, oversized spectacles and ankle monitor. Vince Kelley exuded Blanche’s Southern charm and penchant for flirting. Adam Graber flawlessly depicted Rose’s endearing
naivety and distinct Minnesotan accent. And Ryan Bernier had Dorothy’s strong will and dry humor down perfectly. It being an all-men and openly gay cast only heightened the fun–with their dance moves, stellar costumes and fourth wall-breaking jokes making the show a masterpiece.
Throughout the two-hour show, the audience was laughing, whether they had watched “The Golden Girls” before or not. Some of the best jokes were the corniest. Phone notifications from CreakN sounded like creaking joints. Rose’s dream sequence after eating a cheesecake was hilariously silly. And, of course, learning the identity of Dorothy’s new lover was an unforgettable climax.
The show’s intermission was just as fun. They played songs from the ’80s and ’90s, and the predominantly middle-aged audience danced and sang along together. Many visited the open bar and merchandise shop. The merriment in Hanna Theatre was infectious. Yet to my surprise, nearly half of the theater was empty. Despite the universal love for “The Golden Girls” and the hilarity of the play, only a smattering of Clevelanders showed up. It was a shame—there should have been far more people in the audience taking in and cheering on the phenomenal performances.
We should all support the arts. Witnessing the creativity and storytelling of others is a gift that we must not undervalue. It inspires us, brings us joy and brings us together like nothing else. So please consider catching a show at Playhouse Square—you’ll be sure to have a fun evening. And while “Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue” is not showing in Cleveland anymore, you never know when the golden girls will be back.
“Take A Bite” of “This Is How Tomorrow Moves”
Beadaboodee’s newly released album “This Is How Tomorrow Moves” exudes beautifully written narratives accompanied by music ranging from alternative rock to folk pop. Courtesy of Dirty Hit
Hannah Shindler Contributing Writer
Beabadoobee has been making music since 2017, but only truly entered the limelight after her song “Coffee” was sampled on “death bed (coffee
What to do this week(end) (9/6/24)
Club 90s Presents Pink Pony Club: Chappell Roan Night (18+ Only) Price: From $18.25
Date: 9/6
Come dance the night away to hits by Chappell Roan and other pop sensations at this House of Blues gig hosted by “roaming dance party” Club 90s LA. After other shows in Vancouver, Scranton, Brooklyn and Atlanta, just to name a few, this is your one shot to party with Club 90s in Cleveland before they hit the road once again.
GlamGore: Die, Nasty - A Tribute to the 80s Price: From $15
Date: 9/6
GlamGore is the Grog Shop’s drag show series, a celebration of all things gross and gory. This Friday night’s edition is a tribute to the ’80s, inspired by the iconic media of the decade such as “Heathers,” “Dynasty” and even “Clue” (although the Grog Shop website does not specify if they mean the board game or the movie). Frequent CWRU and Cleveland-area drag show attendees will likely recognize hostess and possible CWRU alum Anhedonia Delight, and viewers of the fifth season of “The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula” may know the show’s special guest Throb Zombie. The night’s other performers include local drag artists Keyanna Diamond, Peach Fuzz, Jace Blaze and DJ Sissy Bunny.
UMBowl of Ice Cream Price: Free Date: 9/6
The University Media Board’s kickoff event is a great way for students interested in joining Case Western Reserve University’s various media organizations (including yours truly, The Observer) to get involved. Meet various club executives and enjoy free ice cream—there’s enough for the first two hundred attendees—from 1-3:30 p.m. in Leutner Pavilion. This event is perfect for first-year students who’d like to get more involved on-campus, although students of all ages interested in media are welcome to attend.
Tomorrow Moves.” The album itself can be summarized as such: similar sound, but pleasant nonetheless.
Prior to listening to the album in full, I had heard two singles: “Take A Bite” and “Beaches,” both of which enticed me to listen to the entire album. Which I did, many times. As a chronic song repeater, I don’t tend to listen to every song on an album, but I can confidently say that–while I had favorites on this album–I did not listen to them alone. This is, truly, a no skip album.
Asian Lantern Festival Price: From $21 for non-members when bought in advance Date: 9/6-14
One of Cleveland’s best annual events, the Cleveland Zoo’s Asian Lantern Festival is not an experience you’ll soon forget. The festival’s displays include, but are not limited to, a “nearly 40-foot-tall giant lantern, walk-through tunnels and a 150-footlong Enchanted Garden Experience … featuring [larger-than-life] butterflies, flowers and insects,” according to Destination Cleveland. And if the lanterns themselves aren’t enough to entice you, there are also hourly live performances including jugglers, contortionists and martial artists, and Asian craft and food markets to peruse. Plus, there’s always the zoo’s large collection of animals from around the world to check out, too.
UPBe in Downtown
Price: Free; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame add-on
Price: $10
Date: 9/7
In the first event of this year’s UPBe in Cleveland series, come take a guided bus ride through downtown Cleveland with an optional visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tickets are currently only available via the waitlist, but if you’d like to guarantee your slot on next Saturday’s outing to Ohio City and West Side Market, those tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Sept. 7. This is yet another series of events well-suited to first- or second-year students who’d love to see more of the Cleveland community but are perhaps limited by their lack of a car.
UPB x Tsunagari Japan: Fold and Unwind Price: Free Date: 9/8
Spend your Sunday evening unwinding with UPB and Tsunagari Japan, where you’ll learn how to fold all kinds of origami. There will be drinks (Calpico and Oi Ocha tea) and sweets provided, and you’ll have the chance to win Ramune in their raffle. This is a great way to relieve any new school year stress and enjoy a culturally enriching experience.
abadoobee’s vocals extremely well, and they were almost more interesting to follow than the vocals. The lyrics also had a great narrative quality and were diverse in content. From “Girl Song,” which is a relatable ballad about being a girl, and taking big chances in “Beaches” to the bittersweet love song “Ever Seen,” the listener is transported to different experiences–all with the underlying theme of having intense emotions and not knowing how to handle them.
for your head)” by Powfu– going viral on TikTok in 2020. Since then, her sound has developed tremendously. She gained even more popularity for releasing a pair of singles, “Glue Song” and “the way things go” in 2023, which told a two-part story. On Aug. 9 she released her third album, “This Is How
One criticism I do have of the album is that most of the songs are very sonically similar, at least in my opinion. However, this can also be advantageous; all of the songs feel like they belong together, letting the album flow naturally. It’s the reason why I enjoyed listening to the album in full, rather than picking out the songs that I liked the most and throwing them on a playlist.
Another noteworthy aspect of this album are the interesting instrumental components. The composition of the instruments complemented be-
While the songs shared this theme of intense emotions, they also shared strong choruses. I found myself picking out my favorites on the album based on how much I liked the chorus. For example, one of my favorites was “Real Man,” which, in my opinion, has the best chorus on the entire album. My overall favorite was “Beaches,” which also has a great chorus. Beabadoobee herself also noted that “Beaches” was her favorite song on the album. Overall, the entire album is incredibly pleasant, and I think everyone should “Take A Bite” of it.
Kate Gordon Life Editor
Fun
Weekly Horoscope
What thrift store find are you?
Aquarius
Wedding ring (never worn)
Pisces Plan B
Aries
Trousers
Taurus Wizard hat
Gemini Merkin
Cancer
Bread maker
Leo Cleats
Virgo Retainer
Libra
Floss (used)
Scorpio
Hair extensions
Sagittarius Used lingerie
Capricorn
Contact lenses (prescription +2.25)
Overheard CWRU
Compilation of out-of-pocket things heard across campus
"You guys need to meet my mom."
"I've seen my OL like once ever."
"That fat *ss field behind Tink."
"Ok. Do you have Google Maps?"
"Helen, shut up."
"Since Mock Trial has our Thwing rooms book tomorrow night (booo)."
Tyler Vu/The Observer
"Where are you headed?" - Safe Ride driver
"Why was he talking to me?"
"It was so awk!"
"Giving attempted rizz of the 2nd degree."
"I don't hate you."
"Soetrs Editoetrer."
Maze! 18 by 23 sigma maze
What
We've
Been Listening To
Jeannie Becomes a Mom
Caroline Rose
Kethan Srinivasan
New Woman
Lisa ft. Rosalia
Lucas Yang
Small Town Scandal Zolita
Zachary Treseler
Dani California
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Tyler Vu
All I Think About Now Pixies
Auden Koetters
Happy Mitski
Shejuti Wahed
Graceless
The National Clay Preusch
I Am A Gummy Bear Gummibär
Hannah Johnson
See You In The Afterlife
Foster the People
Sahar Kapasi
Hotel Room Service
Pitbull
Anjali Bhuthpur
Wet Hands
C418
Elie Aoun
Happy Birthday
Stevie Wonder
Darcy Chew
Apples and Bananas
Walk off the Earth
Joce Ortiz
I Have a Loose Tooth
Super Simple Songs
Bowen Zhang
Boo Boo Song - Kids Song LooLoo Kids
Noah Henriques
Better Together
My Little Pony
Téa Tamburo
Shejuti Wahed/The
Auden Koetters/The Observer
Clay Preush/The Observer
Shejuti Wahed/The Observer
Opinion
NCT Taeil is a wake up call for the K-pop industry to re-evaluate its practice of fostering parasocial relationships
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
If you follow K-pop, you have probably heard a piece of horrifying news recently. On Aug. 28, SM Entertainment announced that Kpop group Neo Culture Technology (NCT) member Moon Tae-il would be leaving the group due to sexual assault charges. This news came as a shock to many, especially NCT fans who had known Taeil from his acclaimed introverted and gentle internet personality.
During the height of my K-pop phase in 2020, NCT was actually my favorite group, specifically WayV, the Chinese subunit of NCT. Back then, I wouldn’t have called myself an NCTzen (NCT’s fandom name), but I was definitely more than a casual listener. Beyond listening to their music and enjoying their music videos, I would follow their news and occasionally watch their variety shows. However, over the years, my interest in K-pop shifted as I grew to better understand the industry.
The K-pop industry is toxic. Besides its issue with debuting minors, perpetrating unhealthy beauty standards and companies’ mistreatment of groups, there lies a fundamental problem with its marketing—and it first begins with what the industry calls its stars. The term “idol” instills an already given idea that these are people that can and should be “idolized,” when in reality this isn’t true. Even before Taeil, there have been a decent number of famous K-pop idols who have been exposed for bad behavior and not being as they are seemingly portrayed in the media.
The K-pop industry relies on
creating fake personas for their artists. Artists treat their fans as if they are their sole priority, almost as if fans are their significant other. In fact, dating has become a taboo for many K-pop artists due to these personas. Many artists will respond to questions about their ideal type or current partner with their fandom.
Back in 2022, a popular K-pop trainee was embroiled in a controversy after stating, “I don’t think idols should be dating because … even though it’s not like an actual relationship, you have a connection with the fans, and it’s literally like you’re kind of betraying that and going behind their back.” Later he retracted his statement and apologized: “It was just a bad opinion … You learn certain things when you enter this industry, and you’re told certain things, and I kind of let that project onto other people.”
This example reinforces that the industry has made it a standard practice to create these personas and fuel the idea that fans are an idol’s one and only. A decent portion of the K-pop industry’s revenue is generated off of the creation of these “idol” personas and parasocial relationships. Making fans feel personally connected to these K-pop artists by using charismatic personas is a textbook pathosoriented marketing strategy. This then leads to fans buying fandom membership subscriptions and merchandise.
To take it even further, fans can purchase subscriptions to apps such as bubble where artists will send messages and photos to them as if they were receiving a DM. Unlike most western artists, fans are also given the opportunity to meet their favorite artists, making them
seem as if they are within reach instead of a removed celebrity. These fan meets are often bought through a lottery system, resulting in many bulk buying a group’s album. This is actually banned in the U.S. as it would be considered a lottery.
This strategy does not only harm fans, but it also harms the artists.
The K-pop industry has even created the term “sasaeng” to refer to fans who go to extreme lengths to intrude into celebrities’ lives to the point of stalking. These sasaengs have been known to harass K-pop artists through calls, follow them onto flights and even break into hotel rooms.
This issue, however, is not just prevalent in the K-pop industry. It is also very common in other
East Asian entertainment industries and to a certain degree, it is also seen in the Western celebrity industry. Another main example is the Chinese drama industry. There are many famous Chinese actors and actresses who also create similar parasocial relationship personas. They often post on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Instagram, where they post insight into their “daily lives.”
However, the situation with Taeil is a wake-up call for the Kpop industry. Celebrities create online personas, and you truly don’t know—and will probably never truly know—who they are as a person. The industry should focus less on creating “idols” and more on creating artists.
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The Observer is the weekly undergraduate student newspaper of Case Western Reserve University. Established in 1969, The Observer reports news affecting students and provides an editorial forum for the university community. Unsigned editorials are typically written by the opinion editor but reflect the majority opinion of the senior editorial staff. Opinion columns are the views of their writers and not necessarily of The Observer staff. For advertising information, contact The Observer via e-mail at observer@case. edu.
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Sports are much closer to us than we think
Catherine Choi Staff Writer
People value sports in many different ways. Some view it as an opportunity to get a scholarship, and others see it as a career path. Others see it as a way to deliver a message or connect with peers to form a community. Often sports serve as a medium of historical and political conflict, with some people becoming so obsessed with them that they end up engaging in illegal conduct. In this article, we will delve into how close we are to the world of sports and how they are a deeper part of our lives than you may have originally thought.
Sports reflect history, culture and ongoing political conflicts. In the Spanish soccer league (La Liga), the match between the teams Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona (known as El Clásico) is one of the biggest rival matches of the season—not because they are the two best teams in the league but because of the underlying historical and political context. The rivalry traces back to the early 20th century with the social conflict between Catalonia (the home ground of FC Barcelona), and Castile (the home ground of Real Madrid). After the Spanish monarchy was abolished, the country experienced a time of turmoil as
General Francisco Franco emerged as the dictator of Spain. Based in Madrid, Franco denied the Catalan and Basque regions their independence, dismantling their languages, culture and tradition—and he ordered brutal murders with political coercion until his death in 1975.
Today, Real Madrid symbolizes the central Spanish establishment as they continue to receive support from the Spanish royal family, while Barcelona symbolizes Catalonia’s ambition for greater autonomy and national identity. Although the tyranny and violence is over, the conflict between the Catalan and Basque regions against the Spanish mainland is ongoing, and soccer serves as a medium of war.
Many Barcelona players from Catalonia continue to express desires for independence, and Athletic Club (based in the Basque Country) recruits only Basque players as an expression of their unique culture, setting them apart from the mainland.
The sports industry has created new jobs in various sectors. The sports business is more than just ticket sales or setting records—it incorporates various fields such as marketing, analytics, ticket sales, fundraising, compliance, law, customer service, facility management and media coverage. The sports industry has done much more than
just make it possible for teams and athletes to gain high prestige and money by pursuing an athletic career. Jobs such as coaches, personal trainers and sports medicine professionals arose as an important role in running the teams. Nonathletic jobs such as sports agents, sports management, sporting directors, scouting teams, vendors, broadcasters, journalists, data analysts and facility maintenance staff are on the rise as well, opening up additional opportunities for employment.
Other non-sports related industries such as fashion, financial services, beverages, automotive, travel and telecommunications can benefit from sponsorship investments across athletes, teams, competition and sports. Brands can expand their pool of potential customers, enhance business and increase media exposure of their brand by releasing commercials during and before matches—having athletes use and promote their brands—displaying their brand on uniforms or equipment, and putting their name on sports competitions, teams and stadiums.
During the Cold War era, sports were a medium to boast the nation’s power. In the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics hosted by Nazi Germany, the hosts used the event as an opportunity to promote their political ideology and prove that the “Aryan race” was the “superior” human race. German artists emphasized the athlete’s facial and physical features to stress the importance of physical fitness. Non-Aryans, Jews or individuals with Jewish parents and Romani people were excluded. Joseph Goebbels, chief propagandist for the Nazi Party, ordered the media to remove anti-Jewish signs in order to present foreign journalists an image of a peaceful and tolerant Germany. During the Cold War, the USSR worked intensively to prepare for the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki and won 71 medals. This extended to the 1956 Winter olympics in Italy and the 1958 Olympics in Melbourne. Athletes with high accomplishments were praised, and many citizens were encouraged to participate in sports as a part of searching for young talents. During the time, the Soviet Union frequently engaged in physical clashes with participating countries.
Sports also act as a medium to deliver a message. For example, each year the NFL uses their “Crucial Catch” campaign to promote the fight against cancer, and NBA
players are allowed to wear uniforms with specialized messages. Another example of sports conveying a message can be seen when U.S. and high profile athletes boycotted the 1936 Olympics due to heightened anti-semitic atmospheres. This came at a time when Jim Crow laws and segregation were not yet abolished. Many Black athletes, including Jesse Owens, however, participated in the event. Owens broke many records, and counter to Adolf Hitler’s claim that the Aryan Race is superior, Owens championed the fact that athletic ability knows no race or politics. His accomplishments weren’t recognized during that time, however, but he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976.
It is worth recognizing that high school and college sports also have many benefits in our lives. Participating in sports and gaining athletic ability creates endurance, leadership, perseverance, patience, persistence and diligence. The minimum GPA requirement to participate in sports also teaches us time management skills. Altogether the opportunities that high school sports introduce contribute to a reduction in dropout rates and an increase in college attendance. Moreover, participating in college sports and receiving athletic scholarships has motivated highschool students to be a part of athletics as an extracurricular, which eventually leads to enhanced health. This system has enabled athletes to acquire necessary education while focusing on athletics so that after their athletic career has ended, they can still pursue a career and lead successful lives.
Although sports are more deeply rooted in life than you may have thought, we have to make sure that we are not crossing the line. An unhealthy obsession with sports can lead to illegal and toxic conduct, such as violence (the Heysel Stadium disaster), catastrophes (the Hillsborough disaster), substance abuse (Russia’s ban from the Olympics for doping), gambling (the Italian national soccer team), match fixing (the Calciopoli Scandal) and other dangerous decisions. On the individual level, over-engaging in sports can lead to a decline in physical and mental health, forfeited opportunity for public education, gambling addictions and other serious conditions. It is crucial that people know where to draw the line and how to keep a healthy distance from it.
A chronic perfectionist’s guide to perfection
Snehal Choudhury Staff Writer
With a new year starting at Case Western Reserve University, many students are pressuring themselves to achieve high GPAs, excel in their extracurriculars and social lives and, most importantly, get that coveted industry experience or acceptance into professional/graduate school programs. It’s safe to say that many of us resort to perfectionistic tendencies while pursuing these goals. Perfectionism is defined as the pursuit of flawlessness, resulting in the imposition of impossibly high standards onto yourself. When the goalpost always moves before you can reach it, it leads to disappointment and the irrational belief that you aren’t good enough. Many per-
fectionists become self-critical over the tiniest details and procrastinate critical tasks.
Perfectionism can be broken down into three types: self-oriented, which is directed towards ourselves; other-oriented, where we place unrealistic expectations on others, and socially prescribed, where we perceive that society expects us to hold ourselves to impossible standards.
Research has found that rates of all forms of perfectionism increased over the last 30 years among college students in particular. As perfectionism becomes more prevalent, we treat it as a character flaw and provide coping mechanisms that don’t address its challenges. It’s time to bring a different perspective to the table.
What qualifications do I have? Well, I am a chronic perfectionist.
Amidst my struggles with perfectionism, I’ve developed valuable insights that may help others, too.
Perfectionism is currently seen as a social affliction that must be cured, leading to further complications if left untreated: depression, anxiety, insomnia and more. It is true that extreme perfectionism is not healthy, but pathologizing perfectionism makes it larger than life and turns it into something beyond our control. This can make us feel broken, which leads to a defeatist mindset and perpetuates perfectionistic tendencies.
Perfectionism can be a coping mechanism to compensate for deeper issues, such as the fear of failure, low self-esteem or mental illness. But sometimes, as is true for many high achievers, perfectionism is part of who we are.
Perfectionism, when properly managed, is a great attribute. It enables me to be more thorough in everything I do and drives me to accomplish the increasingly challenging goals I set my mind to. Being slightly self-critical allows me to improve. Many professions that require precision and thoroughness—say, doctors and engineers— demand a perfectionist mindset. But I am not ignorant of the downsides of perfectionism. At one point, I wallowed in so much misery and self-destructive behavior that I found solace commiserating with other perfectionists online. That low moment compelled me to learn and adopt long-term management techniques.
Continue reading on page 9
Bowen Zhang/The Observer
A chronic perfectionist’s from page 8
The first step? Contrary to popular belief, you should stop fighting perfectionist thoughts. It’s like censorship: The more you ban something, the more you want to taste the forbidden fruit.
Accept that these thoughts will
occur, then strip away their power by questioning them: “Ok, I did it ‘wrong.’ So what if I did?”
Second, realize that perfectionism is antithetical to logic. Wellintentioned people often resort to emotional soundbites to make it
EDITORIAL CWRU can’t beat the heat
Editorial Board
Most of us know the first-year living experience. A lot of us look fondly back on it. And even more of us wonder how in the world the university got away with sticking us in housing without air conditioning. To many, a lack of air conditioning may have seemed like a rite of passage, something the first-years must go through just like all those who came before them, but as of recently, this rite of passage may be reaching its expiration date—and fast.
By monitoring the heat patterns of the past 60 or so years, the Environmental Protection Agency reported an increase of heat waves from an average of two per year to an outstanding six. Temperatures are climbing higher and higher with more severe results on human health due to the intensity of the heat. Yet, despite the data that prove time and time again that our weather conditions are becoming more severe, Case Western Reserve University still seems illequipped to handle these changes in some ways. A majority of first-year and many second-year students are denied access to air conditioning units in dormitories, and special permissions must be granted for certain students with pre-existing health conditions. Because of this, the question must be asked: At what point of climbing heat and suffering will all students have automatic access to air conditioning?
On Aug. 26, CWRU Alert sent out an email to bring awareness to the construction of “cooling and water stations” on campus to “help prevent heat-related illnesses.” These locations consisted of the main dining halls: Carlton Commons and Wade Commons. These stations are essentially what they sound like—a jug of cool water on a table with some cups. Although it is great that CWRU is doing something about the increasing heat problem, a better solution would undoubtedly be to provide air conditioning for all on-campus housing and dining halls so that students will not have to bake until the fall breeze begins to hit.
A post from Aug. 28 in the CWRU
better. Common phrases include “it’ll be okay” and “don’t be so hard on yourself!” These sentiments are valid, but they are perfectionist fodder. When people say these things, it comes across as a personal indictment for thinking this way. Consequently, I feel more “flawed,” and the vicious thought cycle continues. Recalibrate your expectations using logic. Oftentimes, we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves because we don’t understand the amount of effort, knowledge and external expectations necessary for a task. And we never accomplish anything in perfectly ideal conditions. We face constraints to “perfection” due to time, illness, exhaustion, etc. If you put forth the best effort you could given the circumstances, that is perfection.
That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t strive for more, but we put a ridiculous amount of stress on ourselves when it’s impractical. Think of it this way: You shouldn’t expect to win a chess world championship if you don’t know how to play chess!
Another part of recalibrating ex-
pectations is understanding that humans, by nature, are fallible. While it’s uncomfortable to hear, it’s true. We don’t and won’t always get it right. We often feel pressure to have all the answers and not ask for help since that blemishes our illusion of flawlessness. It is impossible to know everything about everything. To act like we know it all is foolish and takes away the greatest gift of life: learning. If events don’t happen in the flawless manner we expect them to, don’t call it a failure. Failure is an unnecessary ad hominem against yourself when it isn’t personal. Like mistakes, these moments increase our resilience and are opportunities to grow and improve.
Even with coping mechanisms, I still struggle with perfectionistic tendencies. It doesn’t fully go away, and that’s okay. Perfectionism is not something that needs to be vilified and exterminated. Instead, by lessening the intensity of the negative aspects and amplifying the positives of perfectionism, we can have an incredible CWRU experience.
subreddit complains about the living conditions in Clarke Tower: “85 in Clarke how are we supposed to sleep.” Many present students and alumni in the thread respond with their own woes, giving tips such as leaving windows open or making sure to keep fans and a bucket of ice. Arguably, though, these quick fixes shouldn’t have to be the solution to such a simple problem.
This recent email notice wouldn’t be the first time the school has acknowledged the increased heat on campus. Similar alerts were sent out to the community during summer sessions on both July 16 and 18: “The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for the Cleveland area from Monday morning through Friday evening. Temperatures are expected to exceed 90 degrees and reach as high as 95.” The follow-up email voices similar sentiments with “heat index values of 100 to 104 degrees” expected.
The lack of air conditioning for some students is not only a health concern but also one that requires empathy to find a solution. Why should students who must wake up early for class and stay up late studying—not to mention who pay nearly $90,000 to attend said classes—have to go home and struggle to fall asleep in a small oven? It doesn’t seem fair, and with the rising heat and cost of tuition, along with the policy that most first- and second-years are expected to live on campus, this lack of air seems especially dated.
In regard to the cost of housing, summer housing is a particularly interesting case. The room rates of the 2024 summer session were as follows: In Hitchcock and Pierce Houses, a double was $22 per night and a single was $24; a large single was $26, and The Village at 115 singles were priced at $38.50 per night. The variety in costs and luxury sounds well and good until you realize that you’re not just paying for how nice your room or apartment is. You’re also paying for your access to air in the hot summer heat. At a whopping $12 to $16.50 more per day, you can gain access to something that should arguably be your right without extra cost. So how would this work out for
students intending to stay for the majority of the summer?
Let’s consider an eight-week on-campus session. At the rate of $16.50, this stay could end up costing over $900 more for a student who decides to pay extra for access to air conditioning.
During the summer when heat waves soared, many students had to be moved from the dorms without air conditioning into the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Residence Hall. They had to transfer a handful of their belongings to their new room to spend a couple days before eventually being moved back to their original housing unless they wanted to pay the extra daily cost to live with air conditioning. “It was super annoying to have to move stuff back and forth from Pierce to STJ, especially with the heat adding to it. I just think they could’ve kept us in STJ even right af-
ter the heat wave because it was still so warm,” one student said about the heat wave during the summer. This highlights the fact that there was not a lack of space for air-conditioned summer housing. It is more likely that the school would rather cut costs by forcing students to choose whether they want to pay more or stew in their rooms. As a result, many students who had the responsibility of paying for their own housing chose the uncomfortability over the high price tag.
We cannot continue to ignore the fact that the environment is changing everyday. Heat is becoming an increasing threat to human health. Perhaps going forward the university should consider providing air conditioning—or at least fans—for incoming and summer students. It would certainly make CWRU that much cooler.
Hannah Johnson/The Observer
Auden Koetters/The Observer
Sports
Cross country starts season with first- place finishes at Sudeck Invitational
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
On Friday, Aug. 30, after the first week of classes, the cross country team headed to University Farm for the Bill Sudeck Invitational against John Carroll University. The men’s team defeated John Carroll with a 2239 win. However, the women’s team lost to the Blue Streaks 24-36.
Despite the heat and humidity, both teams started the season strong. The Spartans took both first-place finishes, with third-year Ashley Novak crossing the finish line with a time of 15:12.49, placing first out of 25 runners in the women’s 4K race, and fourth-year Aidan Nathan dominating the course with a time of 19:08.17, beating 30 runners.
For Nathan, the race wasn’t just a personal achievement, but also a team accomplishment. Their win on Friday was the first time since 2021 that CWRU won the Sudeck Invitational.
“From a team perspective, we just wanted to go out and try and win. It was a tactical race, trying to get used to racing cross country again. It’s been a long summer of not being out there. So it was just kind of do what we can, get everyone back into the flow of things. We have a lot of freshmen, so many—I think we have like 16 total freshmen on the team. So it was just like, get them used to what college cross country is going to feel like, and you know, if I can help by trying to run from the front and have a good score
for the team, that’s what I wanted to help do,” Nathan said.
On the men’s team, fourth-year
Luke Kishna finished third in 19:41.41 after the second-place Blue Streak runner. After the fourth-place finish by John Carroll, the Spartans followed with six consecutive runners crossing the finish line, solidifying their win. Second-year Finn Bonner finished fifth (19:49.61), followed by first-years Donovan Crowley (sixth, 19:54.39) and Lucas Siepser (seventh, 19:58.63).
Fourth-years Michael Lombardi (eighth, 20:09.97) and Nate Gilbert (ninth, 20:13.47) and second-year Owen Schessler (10th, 20:16.35) rounded out the last of CWRU’s top seven finishes.
Nathan also continued, noting the difficulties they faced during their season-opening race and his hopes for the rest of the season.
“It was a tough day to run. It was pretty hot, really humid, and the course, our farm, is pretty hilly, so especially for the first [race] back, it’s a really tough one to gauge where you’re at. So the times are gonna be slow. You know, you might not have the best day, but I think everyone ran well. Everyone should be happy with where they’re at right now. It’s still really early. There’s still so much that we haven’t done yet, so much better to get, but I think everyone handled it well,” Nathan commented.
For the women’s team, despite Novak’s first-place finish, the team unfortunately was unable to break up the pack of John Carroll runners as
they took five consecutive places from fourth to eighth. The rest of the Spartans top seven finishes who added points to the team were third-years Lauren Iagnemma (third, 15:27.38), Arianna Holbrook (ninth, 15:46.60) and Anna Avila (17th, 16:23.27), and first-years Cecilia Postma (13th, 16:11.68), Becca Liaw (14th, 16:14.88) and Ciara Ledford (16th, 16:20.96).
This upcoming weekend, the team will travel to Shelbyville, Indiana for the Grizzly Invitational, where the women’s and men’s teams will run their first 6K and 8K races of the season, respectively. The races in Shelbyville will be held at Blue River Park, which will give the Spartans a peek at the 2024 NCAA Great Lakes Regional course.
Men’s soccer improves 1-1-0 against Wooster after season opener fall to Otterbein
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
This past Labor Day weekend, the Case Western Reserve University men’s soccer team was kept busy with a home game against Otterbein University on Aug. 30 and a road game at The College of Wooster on Sept. 1.
On Friday, the team began with a devastating season opener, falling to
Otterbein 0-1. During the squads first game of the season, the Spartans were unable to find the back of the net. The only tally of the match came from Otterbein’s forward Nick Isaac 17:13 minutes into the game.
The first half of the game was not ideal for the Spartans who seemed to struggle with adjusting to the new team. However, just as the squad was picking up the energy and getting in the rhythm of play, they received a red
card, forcing them to play the rest of the match down one player.
Fourth-year midfielder Lukas Dalakis commented on the team’s loss.
“Obviously it’s not what we wanted for our first home game of the year. And obviously that red card in the second half wasn’t helpful. It was our first game, so obviously there’s gonna be some nerves, but I think we definitely had a lot of work to do. I think it was better that it happened now and we get that out of the way,” Dalakis said. “I think [being ready for every game we go in with high intensity] is something we struggled with against Otterbein, especially in the first half, we kind of just didn’t look like we were ready to play.”
During the match against Otterbein, second-year defender Cameron Thayer led the squad with 4 shots, out of the team’s 11 shots. And in front of the net, third-year goalkeeper Bradley Winter played all 90 minutes and saved 2 shots.
Despite an unideal home opener, the Spartans remained undeterred and bounced back in their match against Wooster, defeating the Fighting Scots with a 4-0 shutout.
The first tally on the board came during the sixth minute after a strike from fourth-year forward Kysen Kroeger. With the play, second-year midfielder Adam Pluszczyk recorded his first career assist. The Spartans later doubled their advantage with second-year defender/midfielder David Pineda scoring his first career
goal, assisted by third-year forward Stephen Vilardo. And with just two seconds left in the first-half, fourthyear forward Brandon Kim added another point to the board, registering his seventh career goal. Second-year midfielder Ohta Kamiya also recorded his first career assist. In the 86th minute, Kroeger scored the fourth and final goal of the match after receiving a rebound from Dalakis’ saved shot, marking Kroeger’s first career multi-goal effort.
On the backline, starters Thayer, graduate student Eshwar Challa, third-year Philip Washington and second-year Cormac Apostolides all contributed greatly to the team’s clean sheet, alongside third-year goalkeeper Bradley Winter who made two saves. Thayer commented on what he believed contributed to the team’s win on Saturday.
“Our energy and intensity just came out flat and quiet against Otterbein. But then in the second half and both halves of the Wooster game, we’re just firing really high energy, higher intensity, and it translated to the end result.” Thayer said.
The Spartans will look to continue this energy on the road this upcoming weekend, as they will be traveling to Williamsport, Pennsylvania for a match against Lycoming College on Sept. 7. The following week the squad will return for a pair of home games on DiSanto against Trine University and Stockton University on Sept. 13 and Sept. 17, respectively.
The Spartans’ cross country team ran a tough race last Friday, with third-year Ashley Novak coming in first place in the women’s 4K race. Courtesy of Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics
“Second-year defender Ian Manns (center) protects the Spartans’ goal in a hard-fought match against Otterbein last Friday. He is joined by second-year defenders Cameron Thayer (left) and Daniel Sandall (right). Elena Cangahuala/The Observer
Volleyball dominates Great Lakes Cross Over
Angelina Minaya Copy Editor
The Case Western Reserve University volleyball team traveled to Sandusky, Ohio to compete in the Great Lakes Cross Over at the Cedar Point Sports Center. Last season, the Spartans had much success as they went on to compete in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eight years, making it the team’s third appearance in program history. Overall, CWRU went 22-9 and placed third in the UAA.
This season, CWRU welcomed six new first-year players including defensive specialist Sophia Datto, setters Avery Basinger and Elena Esquivel, right side hitter Madeline Halter and outside side hitters Sienna Olson and Colleen Nudd.
First, the Spartans went up against Ohio Northern University (ONU) and gained a 2-point advantage from a service ace by fourth-year middle blocker Lily Crouch and an attacking error by ONU. This was short lived after ONU gained a 3-point lead after winning the next 6 out of 7 points. The Spartans were able to catch up and tied the game at 16 points, with a 6-1 run, thanks in part to a kill by fourthyear outside hitter Rea Marfatia and a service ace from second-year defensive specialist Sude Naz Item.
A timeout by ONU allowed them to come back within one point, however, the back-to-back kills by thirdyear outside hitter Kalli Wall put the Spartans within two of clinching the set. After going back and forth with the next four points, a kill by secondyear outside hitter Emily Goodpaster allowed CWRU to clinch the first set.
Tied at 8 in the second set, ONU initiated an 8-2 run to take a 6-point lead and evened the match score at one with a 9-point set win. The third set began with a 4-0 run from the Spartans, but the score was evened yet again at four with a run from ONU. CWRU gained a 17-11 advantage until a 5-1 ONU run made the score 17-16. The Polar Bears then went on
to score 8 of the final 10 points to allowed them to claim the third set. The fourth set was critical in keeping the match alive for CWRU. The Spartans opened the set by scoring the first 2 points, and although ONU won four of the next five to take a brief 1-point lead, two kills from Goodpaster along with an attacking error gave CWRU a 1-point lead. Subsequently, a 5-0 run was initiated by ONU to take a 12-8 lead, but a service ace from Marfatia put the Spartans in a position to tie the score at 14. After an intense backand-forth for the Spartans, Marfatia ended the set with a kill and a service ace to tie the match score.
The Spartans kept the momentum going, winning the first 6 points of the fifth set and a kill from third-year middle blocker Kiya Levy increased their lead to 5 after the Polar Bears cut their deficit by 4. ONU attempted to close the gap and catch up to the Spartans, but CWRU’s back-to-back points at the end of the match allowed them to seal not only the first win, 3-2, of the season, but their first win against ONU in program history.
In their second match, the Spartans went up against Chatham University. The first set began with Chatham securing the first 3 points, however, CWRU responded with an 8-1 run to stake an early 4-point lead. Chatham attempted to catch up by scoring 2 points to make the score 13-11, but a 10-4 run including two kills from Wall and fourth-year setter/right side hitter Carly Scott in addition to back-toback kills from Marfatia and Wall, allowed the Spartans to clinch the set.
In the second set, CWRU started with a 5-point lead and after forcing an attacking error by Chatham, got ahead 10-5. The Spartans attempted to hold on to their 5-point advantage, however, a 7-3 run from Chatham closed the gap, making the score 2120, giving CWRU only a 1-point lead. The set was secured by CWRU after a kill from Levy that ended the set with a 4-2 run. Soon after in the third set, the Spartans won 11 of the first 16 points with a 7-2 run to open an 18-7 lead. Chatham attempted to come back and
catch up to CWRU but 5 consecutive points from the Spartans ended the match in a 3-0 victory for CWRU.
The third and fourth match saw CWRU face off against Greenville University and LeTourneau University (LETU) respectively, both for the first time in program history. In the third match, the Spartans attempted to take on an early lead, however, Greenville initiated a 5-0 run, giving them a 6-3 advantage in the first set.
Subsequently, CWRU fought back by winning 12 of the next 16 points to gain a 15-10 lead. After a service error, the Spartans were able to extend their lead to 7 as a result of kills by Levy and fourth-year defensive specialist Maria Tuepker, as well as an ace by Marfatia. In response, Greenville scored 6 of the next 8 points to shorten the gap to three points, however, this was not enough to keep the Spartans from clinching the set.
Keeping the momentum going into the second set, CWRU secured four consecutive points. A 6-3 run from Greenville put them within one point of catching up to the Spartans, but a 6-1 CWRU run afforded them a 15-9 advantage. Despite continued push back from Greenville, the Spartans were able to secure another set after two kills from Marfatia and third-year middle blocker Amanda Ngo during an 8-2 run.
In the following set, CWRU opened with a 5-point lead, securing 7 of the first 9 points. The lead was further increased by back-to-back kills by Ngo, as well as a service ace from fourth-year defensive specialist Jolie Held, giving CWRU a 12-4 advantage. Greenville attempted to stay in the fight, but two aces from fourth-year defensive specialist Deme Yianas and kills by Ngo and Marfatia made the score 20-12. The Spartans split the final 10 services, ending the match in three sets, making it another 3-0 victory for CWRU.
In the final match of the Cross Over, CWRU began by winning 6 of the first 7 points with kills by Marfatia, Ngo, Scott and fourth-year right side/outside hitter Chloe Maciejewski. Twice,
LETU came within one point of tying the score, however, kills from Ngo and Scott pushed the CWRU advantage to 3. This lead was short lived after a 14-5 run from LETU afforded them a 6-point lead. The Spartans attempted to stay in the fight with kills from Marfatia that brought CWRU twice within one point of catching up to LETU. However, this was not enough to keep LETU from scoring 3 of the final 4 points, securing the first set 25-22.
The second set began with some back and forth on both sides, but LETU’s 4-0 run pushed their lead to 17-11, but CWRU responded with its own 4-0 run. After alternating the following 3 points, the Spartans forced two consecutive attacking errors to tie the score at 19. Later, a kill by Ngo and back-to-back strikes from Goodpaster allowed the Spartans to take a 3-point lead. Another attacking error was forced on LETU, and the set was secured with a kill by Ngo.
The third set began with a 10-6 advantage in favor of LETU, but a kill by Ngo ended the LETU run, allowing a 11-10 lead with 5-0 run for CWRU. Despite LETU being able to even the score twice, three consecutive attacking errors, a kill and a block gave CWRU an 18-13 advantage. The teams split the next 6 points, with the Spartans securing the following 2 points for their largest advantage of the set, leading to a clinch of CWRU’s second set.
After back and forth for much of the fourth set, CWRU initiated a 6-0 run, allowing the Spartans to take a 19-13 lead. LETU responded by winning the next 4 points, however, this was not enough to stop CWRU’s momentum as the final 6 points were secured, making the Spartans victorious yet again for a 3-1 win. This final win secured CWRU’s sweep of the 2024 Great Lakes Cross Over, allowing them to start the season 4-0.
The Spartans’ next match will be against the University of Mount Union on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. for a home game in Horsburgh Gymnasium.
No. 16-ranked women’s soccer team opens season with 5-0 shutout over Kenyon
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
The No. 16-ranked Case Western Reserve University women’s soccer team opened the season with an astounding 5-0 win against Kenyon College. This five-goal shutout is the largest for the team since their 6-0 victory over Ithaca College during the 2022 NCAA tournament.
After an amazing beginning with the squad, Head Coach Alyssa Johnson commented on her first game and victory with them.
“I’m really excited. I think it was just really great for us to see things translate from our first couple weeks together into our first game. Obviously it’s shown us like what we need to still work on. But I think the really exciting and promising thing is that we’ve already seen some of the changes that we’re trying to get them to make start to transition to our first game. So I’m really excited to see how we continue to develop, but it was a really rewarding first game, and I think the team chemistry and camaraderie [were] exciting to see and to build off of,” Johnson said.
Graduate student goalkeeper Maggie Storti, who played all 90 minutes and entered her fifth season with the team, also commented on the team’s first win of the season.
“The energy was just crazy—can’t really imitate it. This team just loves to be out here. We have such good team chemistry right now, and it really reflects both on and off the field. So going forward, just gonna keep the energy up. And you know, we have the talent, so hopefully keep winning and working on what we need to. It should be a good season. It’s a good start,” Storti added.
During Friday night’s game, the first point came from third-year midfielder Jamie Goldfarb 10:16 minutes into the game after an assist from fourth-year defender Katie Rishel who had collected the ball at the
top of the box. Unmarked, Goldfarb chipped the ball past the goalkeeper for her sixth career goal.
Seven minutes after Goldfarb’s goal, third-year forward/midfielder Alexis Sassower followed up with another one. After receiving a pass from third-year forward Maggie Farra, Sassower lofted a left-footed shot, causing the ball to soar over 20 yards into the back of the net.
The next two goals occurred within 56 seconds of each other, increasing the squad’s advantage to four.
Second-year defender Kat Tsarouhas recorded the Spartans’ third goal and her first collegiate goal after taking possession of an errant clearance. Her shot nailed the crossbar, landing the ball beyond the endline.
Soon after, third-year midfielder/ forward Ceci Dapino secured her own rebound from a close range shot and sent the ball sailing into the upper right corner of the net. After the Spartans gained their 4-point lead, both teams went scoreless for the next 63 minutes.
The final point was the sole goal made during the second half. At the 84th minute mark, third-year forward Molly Shamah received a consecutive pass from Farra and firstyear midfielder Abby Welker and sent the ball into the net, contributing to the team’s 5-0 victory.
Fourth-year forward and one of the captains Carolyn Koutures commented on the team’s five goals.
“It showed that with five different
goal scores, we have a lot of talent all around the field, and that also we played a lot of players last night, and that kind of just shows how much depth we have on our team, and how many talented players and have a deep roster this year, which is good going forward,” Koutures said.
In front of the net, Storti recorded two saves as the Spartan defense only allowed three total shots from the Owls. On the offensive side, the Spartans were more proactive, taking 33 shots with 15 shots on goal.
Storti mentioned how the team differs from previous seasons.
“It’s a very player-led program as well, which is what we’ve tried to achieve for so long. I think it’s really finally coming together, and every person loves to be here and is putting their full effort in,” Storti commented.
Rishel also mentioned that there is still room for growth, and the team will be looking to get stronger throughout the season.
“Our backline is really young, so I think we’re just still kind of learning how to play together, but I think everyone’s done a great job learning as we go,” Rishel added.
With this great start to the season, the team looks forward to future competition, beginning with a pair of games in Washington.
“I think we’re definitely looking forward to going to Seattle next weekend. It’s going to be really good competition. So it’ll be a good challenge for us, and also will be a fun trip with the whole team,” Koutures commented.
Their next four contests will be on the road, with the squad’s first match on Sept. 6 against the University of Puget Sound, followed by a game against Pacific Lutheran University on Sept. 7. After two away games against Baldwin Wallace University and Otterbein University, the Spartans will return for a home game against the University of Mount Union.
Scores and Upcoming Games
Women’s Soccer
CWRU vs Kenyon (8/30) - W 5-0
CWRU at Puget Sound (9/6)
CWRU at Pacific Lutheran (9/7)
CWRU at Baldwin Wallace (9/11)
Women’s Tennis
CWRU at Carnegie Mellon Invite (9/7-8)
CWRU at Waynesburg (9/7) Football
Volleyball
CWRU at Great Lakes Cross Over 2024
CWRU vs Ohio Northern (8/30) - W 3-2
CWRU vs Chatham (8/30) - W 3-0
CWRU vs Greenville (8/31) - W 3-0
CWRU vs LeTourneau (8/31) - W 3-1
CWRU vs Mount Union (9/4) - W 3-2
CWRU at CWRU Quad 2024
CWRU vs Adrian
(9/6, 5 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)
CWRU vs Allegheny (9/7, 10 a.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)
CWRU vs Earlham (9/7, noon, Horsburgh Gymnasium
CWRU vs Badlwin Wallace (9/11, 7 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)
Cross Country
Bill Sudeck Invitational
Men’s team vs JCU: W 39-29
Women’s team vs JCU: L 24-36
CWRU vs Otterbein (8/30) - L 0-1
CWRU at Wooster (9/1) - W 4-0
CWRU at Lycoming (9/7)
CWRU at Denison Invitational (9/7-8) CWRU at YSU Invitational (9/13-15)
The Spartans’ women’s soccer team played their best game in two seasons with a 5-0 win against Kenyon last Friday. Clay Preusch/The Observer
