Editorial: The humanities degree is in even more trouble with the Trump administration (pg. 6)
The Case Western Reserve
Observer
SPORTS
Friday, February 21, 2025
Volume LVI, Issue 20 Est. 1969
Track and field continues to break own program records
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
This past weekend, the Case Western Reserve University track and field teams were busy as the teams split up to compete in three different meets— the GVSU Big Meet, the Crimson & Gold Invite and the Indoor All-Ohio Championships.
Travelling to Allendale, Michigan, CWRU’s top distance runners—fourthyears Aidan Nathan and Nate Gilbert and third-years Lauren Iagnemma and Ashley Novak—competed against other runners across all three divisions of the NCAA. All four runners saw impressive performances with Iagnemma beating her previous school record of 9:58.94 with a new time of 9:55.90 in the 3000-meter race and Gilbert and Novak both recording top 10 program records in the mile (4:16.02) and 5000-meter run (17.49.77), respectively.
While the distance runners were competing in Michigan, other members of the track and field team traveled to Oberlin, Ohio for the Crimson & Gold Invite. The Spartans took first in a total of 11 events, including sweeping many of the field events such as the pole vault, shot put, weight throw and high jump.
On Saturday, the team was in Westerville, Ohio for the Indoor AllOhio Championships and the Spartans yet again saw improvements made to program records set earlier this season. On the field, first-year Tanush Anand broke his previous record of 13.88 meters in the triple jump by bounding 13.89 meters for a third-place finish. Another outstanding performance
was by the women’s 4x200 meter relay team. Consisting of second-year Sarah Ball, third-year Grace Misiunas and first-years Siena Kannenberg and Riley Friedman, the team crossed the finish line in 1:48.41 and surpassed the previous program record time of 1:49.14 set by Ball, Kannenberg, Friedman and third-year Melanie Taylor.
The teams also saw three first-place finishes at the Championships with fourth-year Lauren Roskuszka standing at the top of the podium after achieving a distance of 15.58 meters in the weight throw, graduate student Michaela Burkhauser taking gold in shot put with a throw of 13.43 meters and second-year Jacob Slater crossing the finish line first in the 3000-meter with a time of 8:52.53.
Beyond Slater’s first place finish, the distance runners also saw podium finishes with both distance medley relay teams placing third. The men’s team of first-years Adam Esa and Adam Joseph, fourth-year Nicolas Lende and second-year Seth Tivakaran finished in 10:47.19 while the women’s team of third-year Ayla Grabenbauer and firstyears Becca Liaw, Julia Walko and Cecilla Postma finished in 13:18.41.
Overall, the men’s team placed sixth and the women’s team placed third out of 16 and 15 teams with 57 and 77 points, respectively. Both of the University of Mount Union athletes came first with 124 and 108.5 points for the men’s and women’s division, respectively.
This Friday, the Spartans will be hosting the Ed Finnegan Greater Cleveland Colleges Invite in the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center. The events are slated to begin at 4 p.m.
NotebookLM introduced to CWRU community as an educational AI resource
Vani Subramony News Editor
NotebookLM, an artificial intelligence research tool developed by Google, is now available to all Case Western Reserve University students, faculty and staff. NotebookLM is meant to be an educational resource. Instead of training the AI on everything that exists on the internet, NotebookLM utilizes sources uploaded by the user—PDFs, websites, videos, etc. The model then offers written and audio summaries of the information, comparatively analyzes sources, generates practice quizzes and more.
According to Tron Compton-Engle, senior director of Client Experience for University Technology ([U] Tech), several faculty members requested access to NotebookLM during the fall semester.
“We didn’t release NotebookLM at that time because Google designated the technology as ‘experimental,’
meaning the company wasn’t committing to the quality of service or its long-term availability,” ComptonEngle said. In December, Google made NotebookLM a production service, published regular terms of service and established a free version of the application. After these changes were made, [U]Tech’s Cloud Governance Committee decided to release NotebookLM to the campus community.
Compton-Engle also noted the benefits of accessing technology such as NotebookLM for all members of the university. “We understand that the students already have access to these tools through personal accounts. However, with NotebookLM, we felt having it available from a CWRU account could have benefits for faculty and staff who want to use it for their work” he said.
CWRU does not have one defined AI policy, but [U]Tech offers several generative AI services and applications to the university community beyond NotebookLM, including
Microsoft Copilot and Zoom AI Companion. Jeffrey Capadona, vice provost for innovation at CWRU, said that there is no one decisive AI policy at the university, as faculty are meant to have autonomy over their courses, but that doesn’t mean that conversations about AI shouldn’t happen. “Our strategy remains to provide faculty, staff, and students with opportunities outside the classroom to engage in diverse educational and skills training opportunities to build AI literacy” he said. “Like any new tool, considerate and ethical use is important to be taught. This is an important reason why AI in education cannot be simply ignored and should be transparently discussed in each course.”
Cognitive science Professor Mark Turner, a member of CWRU’s AI Task Force, is optimistic about the use of NotebookLM in the classroom. Turner is teaching two classes this semester and has introduced his students to NotebookLM
as an optional resource. By making the use of NotebookLM optional, he hopes to encourage student exploration of university-moderated generative AI.
According to Turner, the introduction of AI to the workforce has led to a distinct separation. “We are creating a digital divide of people who are comfortable with AI and people who aren’t,” he said. “That AI divide is going to be really crucial for the future of work.”
Turner believes this divide is often widened because of fear. For this reason, he believes that it is vital for students to be trained in and explore the world of Generative AI without apprehension and external pressure. “One of the things that I think we need to pay attention to in the professoriate is how to allay fears,” he said. “You’re going to make a ton of mistakes, and it doesn’t matter.”
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Third-year Grace Misiunas contributed to a school-record time in the women’s 4x200 meter relay. Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics
NotebookLM introduced from page 1
Third-year computer science student Raaghuv Vazirani has used NotebookLM on occasion but doesn’t think it is as useful as other AI models such as ChatGPT. “It’s not as robust, it can’t answer general questions, and its responses aren’t nearly as good,” he said. “I don’t think it’ll be that crazy of a game changer in the learning environment. The tool has been available for a while now, and it’s genuinely not as good of a ‘chatty’ response model as the other ones that freely exist on the market.” Vazirani acknowledged that NotebookLM has some benefits that other AI models lack. “I think
the most promising aspect of NotebookLM, is this idea that you can guarantee where the model is pulling education from, to make sure it doesn’t hallucinate, and gives you good information pulled from specific resources,” he said.
Vazirani believes that AI usage should not be the same across classes and disciplines but rather policies must be built on an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of AI models. “People will use AI no matter what—and if we’re not helping educate people on how best to use it, then that’s a failure of the education system,” he said. “I think
it all comes back to how we use them, how much fear-mongering there is, and whether or not people understand how they work.”
However, not all CWRU students are embracing AI tools. One student, who chose to remain anonymous, noted that they would not use AI models such as NotebookLM. “I honestly don’t think these sorts of generative artificial intelligence products have any place in higher education, and strongly dislike that the university continues to try normalizing them,” they said. “I can think of plenty of other things that would have been a better use of
whatever contract value is now being spent on this instead.”
On Feb. 25 from 3-4:30 p.m., CWRU’s Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship will be holding a workshop with Google staff members. The workshop will address how founders and students can apply AI tools such as Gemini and NotebookLM in business endeavors. [U]Tech has also developed a Canvas course for faculty and staff members interested in learning more about generative AI.
Additional reporting contributed by Executive Editor Shivangi Nanda.
CWRU blown away by winter storm
Elie Aoun Director of Print
This week began frigidly. On Sunday, Feb. 16, the National Weather Service announced that a winter storm warning would be in effect until 7 a.m. the next day. Cuyahoga County was told to brace for 4–8 inches of snow. The wind chill temperature dipped below zero degrees Fahrenheit from Monday evening to Tuesday at noon. Despite these conditions, Case Western Reserve University students and faculty did not receive a snow day.
It began snowing on Sunday. By Monday morning, many sidewalks were not cleared, including East 115th Street on the side of the Village, East 108th Street, the sidewalk behind the CWRU Division of Public Safety, Juniper Road and part of Bellflower Road. East 115th Street is in the highest priority category of CWRU’s snow-removal priorities, though much of it was not properly cleared until Wednesday.
The uncleared snow eventually became ice. A first-year student who fell on her face said that the “Elephant Stairs are icy. The top of the hill is not clean.” On Monday morning, the main walkways on Case Quad were not cleared, but the small sidewalk connecting Strosacker and Wickenden was. The sidewalks around Fribley Commons were only cleared on Tuesday and were not salted as of Wednesday. Sidewalks near offcampus housing became covered in black ice.
Despite these conditions, university administration did not implement a snow day. When asked about the preconditions for declaring a snow day, the university said, “In severe weather conditions, members of the Case Western Reserve administration determine whether to continue university operations (including labs, clinical care and other critical work beyond classes) as normal, delay opening or close. These complex decisions take into consideration, first and foremost, the safety of the university community but also balance the need to continue the university’s mission of education and research.”
By Tuesday, some snow still had not been cleared. One fourth-year student said, “I am still parked on like a foot of snow and having to walk through a good amount of it from car to door.”
When asked who is responsible for snow removal on campus, the uni-
versity said, “Campus Planning and Facilities Management is responsible for clearing snow and melting ice on campus walkways and parking lots and, when necessary, this department brings in contractors to meet the demand of a large campus … The
City of Cleveland is responsible for maintaining streets, public sidewalks and crosswalks near campus, though CWRU assists when needed.”
One fourth-year student called the snow removal “atrocious,” saying that “Cleveland needs to step it up.”
There is recourse for uncleared snow or ice. The university said, “If members of the CWRU community find areas of campus that need further attention, we urge them to contact customer service at (216) 3682580 so issues can be addressed.”
The CWRU campus was covered in snow after the Sunday snowstorm, and the university failed to clear snow from most walkways before Monday morning. Clay Preusch/The Observer
The CMA’s “Temples and Worship in South Asia” reveals a spiritual evolution
Esha Bagora Social Media Editor
The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) presents a fascinating exploration of Hindu sacred spaces through a carefully curated selection of artwork spanning different mediums and centuries, titled “Temples and Worship in South Asia.” The exhibition brings together six paintings and 13 photographs that highlight the striking contrasts between Hindu temples during different time periods.
The Indian paintings offer intimate glances into the deeply personal nature of Hindu worship and showcase the relationship between the devotee and deity by depicting various offerings and rituals that characterize Hindu devotional practice. The artists pay particular attention to the offerings presented to the idols, highlighting the magnitude of faith present at these temples.
The photographic aspect of the display presents an intriguing historical narrative through two distinct approaches to capturing temples. The mid-1800s British photographers approached these sacred spaces with a distinctly colonial perspective, focusing their lenses primarily on the architectural magnificence of these structures. Their work, while documenting the striking scale and complexity of ancient temple architecture, avoids capturing any elements of active worship or devotional practices. On the other hand, contemporary photographers choose to immerse viewers in the active and vibrant life found in Hindu temples. Their images capture the dynamic interior spaces filled with worshippers, rituals and offerings. These modern works depict temples through the lens of their function—as bustling centers of spiritual activity.
By presenting these varied approaches side by side, the exhibit invites viewers to consider multiple facets and sides to temples: as architectural achievements, as centers of living faith and as subjects of artistic interpretation. The Indian paintings serve as valuable counterpoints to the photographs, as they offer insight into the perspectives of those for whom they hold deep spiritual significance.
“Temples and Worship in South Asia” allows visitors to understand not only the physical nature of temples but their spiritual evolution over time. It serves as a reminder of the bias ingrained in artistic documentation and the way in which different representations of sacred spaces can lead to vastly different interpretations and understandings of traditions.
For visitors interested in learning
The Cleveland Museum of Art’s showcase of the “Temples and Worship in South Asia” exhibit featured 13 photographs and six paintings, with each of the paintings, such as the shrine of the six-armed Goddess Devi, focusing on the importance of Hindu rituals.
Courtesy of The Cleveland Museum of Art
more about South Asian art and religion, the CMA houses many other pieces on this topic to enhance an understanding of the display. “Temples
and Worship in South Asia” will remain at the CMA until March 9, but even after that, the museum will continue to showcase important examples
of other South Asian religious art, such as Jain sculptures and manuscripts, carved stone panels, physical temple pieces and Buddha images.
Kethan Srinivasan Social Media Content Creator
On Feb. 13-15 in Eldred Hall, six students from Players’ Theatre Group (PTG) came together to rationalize the concept of melancholy.
“Melancholy Play” is an hour and fifteen minute-long production
written by Sarah Ruhl that first premiered in 2002. Directed by second-year student Ave Tallarida, it tells the story of a melodramatic bank worker named Tilly and her melancholy-driven adventure, featuring the many paramours she meets and captivates along the way.
Tallarida mentions that they first came across the play when a mid-
dle-school friend starred as Tilly in their high school production and they were invited to watch. “I remember we both were shocked at how much we liked the show, and it always stuck in my mind as a production that I would potentially want to explore further,” Tallarida said. “[After] working with PTG, I realized that this show was a re-
ally good fit for the kind of productions we tend to lean towards. Plus, I started to find the throughline of nostalgia more and more interesting, especially as I have discovered that college students are often very nostalgic.”
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PTG’s “Melancholy Play” from page 3
With a company of college actors like these, it’s difficult to disagree with that statement. Third-year student Margot McCann’s Tilly is a whimsical creature with energy that captivates even the most grounded audience member. Fourth-year Ethan Teel’s Frank and second-year Johanna Perry’s Frances both showcase a perfect example of the effects of melancholy—how even the most mundane moments in life can spark a fire within you and drive you to feel that spark again, despite time coming to an end. Fifth-year Asha Kartha’s Joan and second-year Gryffin Hauenstein’s Lorenzo both added a heavy dose of humor into the mix— their dialogue had the audience in stitches. Each also provided a notable presentation of melancholy in motion, with the former noticeably warming up to Tilly upon first meeting her, and Lorenzo whose needy passion grew with each therapy session Tilly showed up to. Firstyear Kai Tibbetts’s Julian is equally deserving of praise for their viola performance throughout the show. Watching from the audience, it was almost as if they unintentionally carried themself with a sense of pensiveness and melancholy, cloaking them from view until their well-deserved recognition during the play’s final moments thanks to the heaps of praise from the rest of the cast.
Upon first impressions, the play’s storyline and dialogue may seem rather alien, perhaps even similar to an art-house film. The countless almond references may boggle the average theater-goer. However, it is possible to grasp the thesis of the play: “We all feel passion and sadness for things that come to an end, and possess the ability to find our friends through love when they need it the most,” as Tallarida writes so concisely in their director’s note. The audience surely seemed to agree, with cheers of support and raucous laughter laced throughout the Friday night show.
Perhaps the most commendable feat is the overall design of the show itself. Upon walking into Eldred Auditorium, you are greeted with an elaborate set design that seems to straddle dream and reality, with your average furniture pieces on-
stage with random objects suspended from the ceiling, such as laser discs, picture frames and even a single crutch. All of this is tied together by a vibrant blue hue that invokes a melancholy feeling and is a treat to the eyes.
Veteran audience members of PTG’s shows will be no strangers
portrayed themes of love, friend-
to the level of quality found in their productions. Newbies are sure to be stunned by the efforts of this truly talented company of students from different corners and departments on campus. “Melancholy Play” adds to PTG’s streak of creating engaging productions with timely messages that will stick to the soul. “At its core, it’s a story about love and nostalgia,” Tallarida remarks. “How we need to meet people where they are at to really give them the help they need. That melancholy and depression are not the same, and embracing melancholy can be a very beautiful thing.” They certainly made a production to match.
“LOVED UP! Valentine’s Drag Show” at Brewnuts was an intimate community affair
Last Friday, Feb. 14, Brewnuts hosted an intimate, all-ages Valentine’s Day drag show in the interior of their beer-and-donut shop. With just four performers and roughly 30 attendees, the show was uniquely approachable for those unfamiliar with drag, but still just as fun and camp-y as a larger performance.
Brewnuts, located in the Gordon Square Arts District, sells “small batch, craft beer-based donuts” and local craft beer on tap. They also host a rotating list of unique events each month, many of which are aimed at engaging the local Cleveland community. According to the mission statement on their website, Brewnuts aims to “combine the hospitality of the corner donut shop with the comfort of your favorite watering hole.” This is exactly the kind of vibe I experi-
enced in their shop, and one that more places should hope to cultivate—a laidback evening venue is hard to come by and there’s really no reason for it. I will say that I was skeptical of a beer-based donut, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised. You couldn’t taste any actual beer in the donuts, at least not in the ones that I sampled, but their slightly yeasty flavor and bready texture did make them a natural pairing for the store’s adult beverages.
As for the performance itself, three drag queens—Aurora Thunder, Anhedonia Delight and Agata Why— and drag king Ryder Slowly did two lip-sync numbers each with a brief intermission in between for costume changes. Anhedonia Delight and Ryder Slowly have performed at Case Western Reserve University before as a part of oSTEM@CWRU’s annual drag show, but the other two were new to me. Aurora Thunder was a great opener and MC, and Agata Why had
incredible stage presence, standing at six-foot-four at least. No one queen/ king struck me as being the best; rather, they all danced and strutted and dropped to the ground with the ease of seasoned professionals. Ryder Slowly might’ve narrowly edged out the others in terms of energy with a series of crazy high kicks, but to be fair, his costume did allow for the most ease of movement.
When the queens/king weren’t actively dancing and lip-syncing, they each gave a small speech promoting not just their own act, but also those of the other queens, as well as other upcoming events at Brewnuts. One of the shop’s owners, Shelly Pippin, also spoke about the importance of community and drag in the current political climate. A drag show with children in attendance—and I want to stress that there was no age-inappropriate content whatsoever—is a contentious issue for many and one that the Brew-
nuts team chose to lean into rather than ignore. I’d never been to an allages drag show before, and it was really heartwarming to see the wholesome interactions that took place between the kids and the queens.
At the end of the day, drag is about entertainment and self-expression, neither of which are incompatible with children. In fact, I think kids can really benefit from being in such liberated and supportive environments.
Even if you missed seeing last week’s show, drag is a regular occurrence at Brewnuts along with other themed events—some past functions of note include a Chappell Roan night and Valentine’s Day dinner complete with garlic bread donuts. If these sound of interest to you, be sure to follow Brewnuts on Instagram for regular updates, as well as the performers themselves if you have your heart set on seeing a performance from a particular queen or king.
Kate Gordon Life Editor
PTG’s production of “Melancholy Play” this past weekend
ship and compassion, which were reflected in the skills of the actors and director Ave Tallarida. Ashley Rosinkski/The Observer
Weekly Horoscope
How did you slip on the ice?
Aries
Spin around, slip and fall.
Tumble (like a weed).
Run to a friend, slip and take them down with you.
Leo Virgo
Slip while carrying something.
Slip and slide.
Libra Scorpio
Move too quickly and fall.
Slip and fall, only to get up and slip and fall again.
Slip and injure the derrière.
Slip and glide across the black ice.
Keel over.
Slip but stick the landing.
Sun Don't Leave Me Raveena Vani
Boru Kata
The Adults Are Talking
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Anjali
Photos of the week What We've Been Listening To
Baptized In Fear
Ella Lasky
Smoke Signals
Phoebe Bridgers
Clay Preusch
Forever Again
Yeat
Shejuti Wahed
Darcy Chew/The Observer
Darcy Chew/The Observer
Téa Tamburo/The Observer
Hannah Johnson/The Observer
Hannah Johnson/The Observer
Hannah Johnson/The Observer
EDITORIAL
The humanities degree is in even more trouble with the Trump administration
Editorial Board
President Donald Trump’s administration has enacted many changes recently, one of which points to the potential dismantling of the Department of Education. Yet this does not come as a shock, seeing as just last month, his administration revived their 1776 Commission, meant to encourage “patriotic education,” a nationalistic pair of words that seem to directly oppose the expansion and discussion of ideas that education is meant to promote. These orders intend to bar a host of topics including, but not limited to, racism, sexism or “otherwise discriminatory” practices. Additionally, foundations to deport international students accused of “antisemitic harassment and violence” were laid along with a working plan to methodically uproot instruction about transgender issues and “white privilege” in schools. This past Tuesday, Case Western Reserve University President Eric Kaler sent out an email, saying, “The uncertainty we’re facing in this area, and numerous others, is unsettling” in response to the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights’ “Dear Colleague” letter.
This expansion of “patriotic education” coincides with the continued decline of interest in the humanities—an especially relevant discussion at such a STEM-focused school as CWRU. While small departments at many schools, the humanities are an integral part of the critical thinking and understanding that prevents us, as citizens, from being taken advantage of by unclear governmental practices. Discussing with peers and learning from professionals who have devoted their lives to becoming experts on specific topics is a privilege that is rapidly disappearing.
At CWRU, many English classes are treated either as an easy A or an unnecessary evil by not only students, but also by professionals in more science and quantitativebased departments. Oftentimes, when students who are uninterested in reading or writing find themselves in higher level English courses, they struggle to gain anything due to resistance or a lack of exposure to the material. It is common for people to write off critical discussion as being merely pretentious rather than spending the time trying to understand an abstract, debatable concept—especially at a school so focused on quantifiable discoveries. Because it is difficult to assign a certain grade onto a piece of writing or discussion, humanities courses are often not taken very seriously.
The General Bulletin for the English major itself says, “Because of the flexibility of departmental requirements and the variety of career paths to which the major may lead, all students should confer frequently and closely with advisors.”
Furthermore, CWRU requires that “No more than 42 credit hours be-
yond the 100-level in any one department to be applied to the 120 credit-hour total.” This makes it virtually impossible for a student to only be an English major with a bachelor’s degree in the College of Arts and Sciences. While this is great for students who wish to double major or pursue a collection of minors, the flexibility of the English degree as a whole automatically presents it as less work—and thus less serious—than other majors, which sometimes require more than twice the amount of courses to fulfill the major requirements.
Many of CWRU’s English classes focus on the students’ individual thoughts and close reading interpretations, which is good for gaining a greater, more individualized understanding of an artist’s work. However, courses oftentime fail to situate readings and interpretations within a larger historical context, which bolsters the richness of this degree in the same way that outside resources applied to a lab report would benefit a biology major’s understanding of a topic. In science, it is a necessity that the majority of what students learn builds off of the research that has come before, and in humanities courses, it would help students better understand why certain political events are happening.
Today in the U.S., education is mainly encouraged for the benefit of a comfortable wage rather than the pursuit of knowledge or understanding of the surrounding world. Looking at the tech billionaires manhandling our country, one has to wonder if there will ever be time to sit back and appreciate what we have rather than constantly striving for more. The more we focus on improvement, the less we are able to understand the present and the less attention we pay to the current problems. And so they continue to snowball, disparities growing bigger and escaping the notice of the general public until things have gotten far out of control.
Furthermore, the promotion of artificial intelligence by big tech industries has spurred the degradation of the humanities degree. AI in academics can help generate ideas, fix formatting and grammar issues and succinctly explain concepts when an instructor is unavailable. It is possible to use AI in a responsible way—yet it has a variety of shortcomings when applied to subjects such as English. Many students have become reliant on AI, using it to generate the ideas for, and even the text of, their essays. Because of the accessibility of this technology, it is undeniable that many students who take humanities courses at CWRU only to fulfill a graduation requirement delegate the work to AI and do not gain much from them.
It would be irresponsible to completely ban the use of AI in class, especially with rising job layoffs due to the technology. Without knowing how to use AI, students would be disadvantaged in the job market. But today, many professors are
also starting to generate homework assignments, class notes and syllabi with chatbots rather than creating the material on their own. This creates impersonal, lazy assignments and often makes it simple for students to abuse AI on course submissions. This failure will ensure students continue to remain unchallenged and solely focused on ticking off boxes to get their degree.
In a similar technological vein, social media and the internet have made reading to gain knowledge significantly less common. We now rely on short video clips or article overviews as a primary source of information rather than reading entire pieces. While this condensed information is good for getting a
general picture, it prevents people from gaining a full understanding of the problems in question. Currently, our government’s Department of Defense has ordered several children’s books containing material about “gender ideology or topics related to equity and discrimination” to be removed from the shelves of their schools, systemically attempting to remove certain realities from the country and promote nationwide ignorance.
We can’t passively sit by and allow history to be wiped out and rewritten. It is of utmost importance that we engage in uncomfortable conversations so that violent, tragic history does not repeat itself.
Trump may be Gaza’s savior and Satan. Here’s why
Salsabeel Salem Staff Writer
As the sun sets on the Mediterranean Sea, Gaza finally sleeps in silence. Mothers and fathers hold what’s left of their babies, listening to whispers of “Alhamdulillah” ring in the distance. The sky may be permanently stained with smoke from detonated bombs, but at least it’s over. Fifteen months later, the nightmare has ended. There’s not much left. A few buildings bloom amongst the rubble, but even they are tainted with the blood of mutilated children. At least now, there’s some hope of a future for Palestine. On a random day in January, tears of exhaustion and relief filled eyes across the globe as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was announced. Who is to thank for bringing about an end to the violence?
The deal was arranged in three phases, with both sides agreeing to release their hostages over the next few weeks. Behind this highly idealistic plan stands a man with more wealth and power than entire nations. This so-called “savior” is our very own 47th President of the United States: Donald J. Trump. Well, not exactly.
For context, ceasefire deals had been on the table since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. In May 2024, former President Joe Biden outlined a formal proposal for a three-phase ceasefire deal much like the one that just passed. The Unit-
ed Nations Security Council even passed a resolution supporting this ceasefire plan. Why didn’t this deal go through? First of all, a number of events halted these negotiations, including the assassination of two key leaders of Hamas and Qatar’s decision to suspend their negotiation efforts. However, it wasn’t until December of 2024 that these plans picked up traction. Though there could be a number of reasons for this, a major underlying force that seemed to accelerate the pace at which the current deal came to fruition is Trump’s X account.
When you break down the deal proposed by Biden and the one that just got passed, the differences are almost negligible. Both plans have three phases. Both plans rely on the exchange of hostages and a longterm permanent ceasefire. The key distinction is the face behind the deal. What made Trump different?
For starters, Trump, even though incredibly unlikable, is still acclaimed by many world leaders for his “iron fist” and ability to “get things done.” Before taking office, Trump issued a warning to Hamas threatening “all hell to pay” if hostages held in Gaza were not released by the time he returned to the White House. A couple of hours later, he posted, “Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of America.” These claims were more concrete and direct than anything put forth during the Biden administration, and the world noticed. Israel, for one, saw
this opportunity to strike a favorable deal for them given Trump’s staunch support. Regional mediators even felt the pressure as Qatar and Egypt sought to expedite talks, fearing that Trump’s unpredictability could destabilize the region further.
Was this Trump’s doing? In part, yes. However, crediting him as the architect would be to ignore the framework laid out by the Biden administration and all the behindthe-scenes negotiations that went down prior to his involvement. After all, let’s not forget that Trump does not actually care about Palestine. He cares about himself, his image and his money.
This selfishness is incredibly evident by Trump’s agenda to displace all 2.3 million residents of Gaza to Jordan and Egypt and take the territory under U.S. control once the ceasefire kicks in. He claimed that they would be “better off” and that “they can be happy and … not be knifed to death,” not mentioning who exactly is doing the knifing. These claims have greatly unstabilized the already-fragile ceasefire deal put in place, causing Hamas to delay the release of hostages. Hamas can be seen as justified to some extent in that these annexation plans could only happen when all of the deal’s terms have been met. Thus, complying with the original plan and releasing the hostages on schedule would mean helping Israel and the U.S. take Gaza for themselves. Though these plans are highly speculative and have a small likelihood
of happening, the fact that Trump keeps talking about them is concerning.
These “concepts of a plan” that Trump has set forth are a dangerous demonstration of his aggressive Middle Eastern diplomacy. His strategy is designed to advance the Western agenda without any consideration of the civilians who would suffer as a result. With the Trump administration dismantling the United States Agency for International Development and cutting foreign aid to countries in crises, they’ve made it clear that they don’t care about Palestinians or anyone who can’t offer them economic or political gain. This apathy for others should come as no surprise, given Trump’s history of breaking federal law and his blatant disrespect for women and minority groups. This, coupled with the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, serving as his right-hand man, creates an administration designed to ignore those in need.
As Gaza tries to rebuild from the rubble, the world is left to reckon with the reality that this ceasefire, fragile as it is, was not born out of compassion but out of power plays and political posturing. Trump’s involvement may have sped up the process, but his actions since have only threatened the peace that he claims to have brokered. If this war has shown us anything, it is that real peace will never come from the hands of men like Trump. It will only come when the world values Palestinian lives as much as any other.
A heart to heart: Organ donation has been misjudged
Aleksandra Majewski Staff Writer
Being 16 comes with two newfound responsibilities: driving and deciding whether or not to become an organ donor. After passing your driver’s test, you might recall hearing the hard-hitting question: Do you wish to be an organ donor? This decision varies from person to person, as some may already be well-informed and prepared to answer this question, but most make it without knowing what it truly means.
More than 100,000 people are on the waiting list for an organ transplant. Even as registered organ donors, only three in 1,000 people die in such a way that does not cause damage to their organs, like sudden cardiac arrest or fatal brain injury. When performed, one donor can grant eight donor recipients a second chance at life. Organ donation is selfless and honorable. Being skeptical, though, does not make you a bad person.
Many potential donors fear medical malpractice and being denied life-saving care in the case of emergency, motivated by the practitioner’s prioritization of organ donation. This assumption is warranted, as we may have been in the position to make selfish decisions ourselves. This is only a widespread misconception, stemming from the stigma surrounding organ donation.
The Hippocratic Oath is a historical text that is traditionally used to swear in physicians to the field of healthcare. It is most famously recalled as: “First, do no harm.” Under the oath, doctors are sworn to uphold the standards of ethics, placing patients’ best interests above all. Allowing an organ donor patient to die to serve others via transplantation is an utter violation of the Hippocratic Oath, defying the very basis of what healthcare service means.
In the case that an organ donor requires emergency care—typically in a situation where quick, life-saving decisions are needed by EMS and the ER team—the team of physicians and nurses specialized in the ER do not have the time to verify the organ donation registration status of their patients. As per the Oath, a healthcare provider’s priority is to save their patient of current interest, without external pressures influencing the care one is given. In the case that an ER patient is an organ donor, many factors come into play that make organ transplant such a complicated procedure; some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the donor’s health and organ function, medical history, blood type and organ size. This is not something that can be assessed in the fast-paced ER setting and under critical patient health. Even so, the trauma physician assigned to the case does not possess a direct link to transplanta-
tion services, which are organized and administered by the United Network of Organ Sharing. While Hollywood can bend the bioethical principles of healthcare, reality cannot. It is critical that we don’t make assumptions based on movie plots or misinformed con-
versations, as these are the lives of our friends and neighbors we are talking about. Whether or not you choose to be an organ donor, don’t attribute your reasoning to this one. Instead, talking to a medical professional or doing your own research is the best way to make a claim.
Lucas Yang/The Observer
Goodbye world: America’s exit from the global stage
Aambar Agarwal Social Media Manager
Since President Donald Trump took office last month, the United States has withdrawn from multiple international organizations and commitments. Pursuing an isolationist, nationalist agenda, the U.S. is shunning global cooperation and coordination in favor of its domestic affairs. However, the decision has dire consequences—for both the U.S. and the world.
On Jan. 20, the U.S. signaled that it would leave the World Health Organization (WHO). A week later, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were ordered to stop working with the WHO. As an agency of the United Nations (UN), the WHO promotes health across the globe by expanding access to healthcare, coordinating responses to health emergencies and addressing the social and environmental factors that impact health. At the same time, the organization monitors global health trends and establishes global health standards in conjunction with member states. Since it was created in 1948, the WHO has accomplished a great deal. Its mass vaccination programs have eliminated smallpox, nearly eradicated polio and lowered the prevalence of tuberculosis and measles. The WHO has also reduced malaria transmission and led the development of an Ebola vaccine. Currently, the organization focuses on chronic diseases, nutrition and women, children and adolescent’s health and communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.
With the U.S. being the largest
financial supporter of the WHO, its departure will greatly impact the organization and its missions. The WHO will be less able to respond to global health threats and, as a result, global health will take a hit. And the U.S. is not isolated from the consequences. If bird flu or mpox become widespread outbreaks, the U.S. will not have access to global health data as it did during previous epidemics and pandemics; it will be unable to develop an effective response to the pathogens. With no proper containment, treatment or prevention measures, the health of people living in the U.S. will be negatively impacted, in addition to that of people worldwide. Adding to the situation, the CDC is facing censorship in communications and research by the administration, delaying and preventing key health information from being published.
On Jan. 20, the U.S. announced that it would leave the Paris Agreement. Adopted in 2015 at the UN Climate Change Conference, the international treaty aims to combat climate change by limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
As the U.S. is the second-largest climate polluter in the world, its withdrawal will significantly affect the world’s progress in fighting climate change. If the global temperature increase reaches two degrees Celsius, we will see an increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, droughts, floods and cyclones. Global climate patterns, such as rainfall and ocean currents, will shift. Sea levels will rise further. As a result, humans will be
displaced, crop yields and nutrients will diminish, water availability will decrease and vector-borne diseases and respiratory problems will increase. We already see the effects of climate change in the U.S., from severe droughts and wildfires in California to Category 4 and 5 hurricanes in southern states—it will only get worse. Moreover, the administration has doubled down on expanding oil and gas production and rolling back environmental protections, adding fuel to the fire.
On Feb. 4, the U.S. pulled out of the UN Human Rights Council. Promoting and protecting human rights across the globe, the council holds member states accountable and pushes for change, from Russia and Ukraine to Venezuela and Nicaragua. The U.S.’s departure sends a dangerous message to the world: that the rights of individuals do not matter and can be violated. The administration has fired members of watchdog agencies, which monitor the government to ensure it does not act illegally or unethically. Additionally, it has used the military against, deported and detained immigrants seeking asylum and attacked birthright citizenship, which is enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
For the past month, the administration has been dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Employing 10,000 people, the agency administers humanitarian aid programs to 120 countries in need, supporting their development. It has contributed to conservation efforts in the Amazon rainforest, curbing cocaine production in Peru, AIDS treatment in South Africa, providing basic ne-
cessities in eastern Congo, helping communicable disease prevention in Sudan and funding hospitals in Syria. It assists the media in Georgia and Armenia, combatting Russian influence, and in Myanmar, where an oppressive military government reigns. It helps marginalized communities, from women in Kosovo to LGBTQIA+ people in Uganda.
With the U.S. being the largest provider of humanitarian assistance globally, cutting USAID will impact millions of individuals across the world—including in the U.S. Conserving the Amazon rainforest combats climate change. Curbing cocaine production fights substance abuse. Treating and preventing communicable diseases helps prevent the next pandemic. Protecting democratic values supports the peace and security of the world. Furthermore, thousands of U.S. workers have lost their jobs across USAID and other federal agencies. As the Department of Government Efficiency slashes countless departments and programs, residents of the U.S. will continue to suffer the consequences—both in lost livelihoods and in lost government services.
By withdrawing from global health, climate change, human rights and humanitarian aid organizations and commitments, the U.S. is jeopardizing the well-being of its residents and the rest of the world under the guise of “America first.” Despite being a founding member of the UN, it is clear that the U.S. is no longer interested in international collaboration—or being a world leader. To the detriment of us all, the U.S. has officially exited the global stage.
Are you sure that your major is right for you?
In certain socioeconomic circles in the United States, academics have a culture of toxic excellence. Growing up across the bay from San Francisco, I know that the parent rat race to fit kids into the most expensive private schools starts early. Ironically, I’d have to consider myself lucky that my parents were content with sending me to a public school—the experience of being in a chronically underfunded high school has made me appreciate the benefits of Case Western Reserve University that much more.
But the contrast between some private school attendees’ values and mine has made me realize the extent to which our goals, hopes and dreams were shaped by the environment that was constructed around us. I’ve known people who feel an incredible amount of pressure to live up to their parents’ expectations, to the point where they barely even have a say in the field of study they choose. But it can also be much more subtle than that. Take, for instance, someone whose parents were both engineers. Even if their parents never explicitly encouraged them to become an engineer, they’re still prone to do so because they have role models in
the field. This can be unfortunate because you don’t know what you don’t know. When I was a kid, my dad once told me, “There’s a chance that you’re a professional hockey player at heart, but you just haven’t tried it yet.”
And then there’s passion, the thing you write about in your college essays but struggle to actually feel. So much of our media portrays characters who know exactly what they want to do and who they want to be at a young age, but these characters aren’t accurate representations of most young people. One of my high school teachers mentioned that it’s quite rare for someone to know exactly what they want to do in high school, which is why she recommended picking a college based on its location instead. Personally, I think passion is overrated. When choosing your life path, it’s easy to become attached to a story, a narrative, an archetype of a person who might become a teacher, for example. But doing so can obscure much more practical questions, such as: How likely am I to land a stable job with this major? Am I actually suited to the lesser-known tasks in this field, such as writing grant proposals or filling out timesheets? What kind of working conditions and pay can I expect if I enter this industry? That last one is especially big for the teaching profession. Schools—and,
by extension, the governments that fund them—have largely remained financially solvent because teachers are willing to endure poverty wages and unjustifiable hours for the sake of pursuing their passion.
So I ask you, dear reader, do you really want to become a doctor? Or do you just enjoy the look of recognition and respect received when mentioning that you’re on a pre-med track?
Do you really have what it takes to rise above everyone else trying to work as an aerospace engineer for NASA? Or do you just love space, but not enough to sacrifice 80 hours a week for it? Do you actually want to become a lawyer? Or do you desire validation from the people close to you? But, most applicable to the average reader—are you positive that the major you’ve selected is right for you? Or do you just wish to confidently tell people what you’re studying?
These questions may come off as harsh and judgmental, but if you take the time to seriously consider them, you may realize that the things you want to achieve don’t necessarily have to come from your career. You can devote your life to helping others without being a nurse—that could mean volunteering on the weekends or getting involved with local politics.
You can make your parents proud without becoming a biomedical engineer. I don’t know your parents, but I’m willing to bet that they’d still be proud of you even if your job isn’t the type they’d brag about to their friends. You can still experience the joy of creation without destroying your mental health trying to stand out among other aerospace graduates. All it takes is a level of pragmatism. Be curious about fields and topics you’ve dismissed as “not your thing.” Are they actually not your thing? Or is it just difficult at first glance to picture yourself as, for example, a machinist?
Passion is important, sure, but it’s also something that you can acquire from experience. Take me, for example. I didn’t even know what civil engineering was before I went to college, but I’d definitely call myself passionate about it now. So when deciding what’s right for you, also take into account more pragmatic aspects: Are you good at the core subjects of this field? Do you like the general culture within the field? Is the academic department for it here at CWRU set up well to help its students? What do the job prospects look like? Remember that you’re paying a lot for your education. You should think critically about whether you’re getting your money’s worth out of it.
Milo Vetter Staff Writer
Six things I wish I’d known before nursing school
Catherine Choi Staff Writer
At the beginning of nursing school, I struggled physically and emotionally. I was fresh out of highschool and on my own for the first time, choosing a nursing major without knowing what to expect. I didn’t have people that I could ask for advice and had many doubts on whether I was doing the right thing to set me up for the rest of my life. However, as I am getting started on my fourth year of nursing school, I have learned a lot of things that have helped me navigate the career path. Through it all, I have gained invaluable knowledge that I wish I knew sooner so I could have saved myself some stress.
The first thing to keep in mind is that we must always be grateful for clinical sites and the opportunity to observe working professionals. This should not be taken for granted. These institutions are offering great opportunities by allowing students to learn in a highintensity environment where mistakes are unacceptable, providing access to staff-only areas and information, taking responsibility for everything the students do and providing educational teachings that interfere with their workflow. For this reason, students must maintain their best behavior and a respectful attitude. If students are making mistakes during patient care, demanding the opportunity to perform high-skill procedures despite the caregiver’s refusal, are not interested in learning and are on their phones, it causes a huge inconvenience and poses a threat to the unit the student is assigned to. Such behavior also gives the school a bad reputation.
The second thing to keep in mind is physical well-being. During the time in nursing school, students are required to arrive at the clinical site very early, leave late or travel long distances on public transit to attend a far-away clinical rotation. Each clinical session lasts long hours and involves a lot of physical movement and critical thinking. Also, there are many complicated classes that require students to learn a vast amount of material in a short period of time. For this reason, it is crucial that students take the time to exercise, establish a healthy and sustainable sleeping schedule to wake up early enough to eat breakfast and consume adequate calories to be able to manage the rigorous workload.
The third thing to keep in mind is
to find effective ways to study. The traditional methods used in highschool may not work at the college level and students might have to find ways to study smarter not harder. For instance, during the time I was taking classes in medical surgical nursing, I would read all the chapters assigned and take notes. However, this method was not ideal because it took too much time and the professor’s slides already had abundant information. I quickly felt fatigued and did not have time to review and memorize the content. Students should utilize available resources: asking professors questions, attending student information sessions led by TAs and reviewing material posted on Canvas and YouTube. Many students may think that grades do not matter unless they are planning to enroll in graduate school and all they have to do is pass. Although this is partially true, it does not mean that students can do the bare minimum. As students progress through the curriculum, material from the past builds upon itself. For instance, after passing anatomy and physiology, biology and chemistry, students are not done for good with the content; they have to use the material as a stepping stone to understand various diseases and how medications work.
The fourth thing to keep in mind is that time management is key. As previously mentioned, students have to spend a lot of time on school work and studying. For students who have to work to sustain themselves, take care of their family members and are involved in extracurricular responsibilities such as clubs or Greek Life, the challenge is graver and time for self-care and rest becomes a luxury. However, the curriculum is a marathon not a 50-meter dash. It is important for students to set priorities, reduce time spent meaninglessly and to be kind with oneself to avoid burnout. Consequently, it’s important to focus on oneself, not others. In lectures, the most important thing to do is learn the material, turn in assignments, get good grades and successfully engage in group projects and activities. In the clinical setting, a student’s job is to learn as much as they can during the time they are there, not make friends, kill time or find downtime to do homework.
The fifth thing is to take initiative. Although the best case scenario is to land in a clinical site with instructors who are enthusiastic and will provide many opportunities to get hands-on experience, this is not always possible.
There are times when caregivers at the site dislike hosting students, disregard their presence and are reluctant to let students get hands-on experience to avoid risks and protect their licenses. For this reason, students must be aware of what they are and are not allowed to do in the clinical setting for every rotation that they do, plan out what skills they want to do hands-on or observe and create a list of questions they are going to ask. Students should also scrutinize the student handbook, code of conduct, HIPAA regulations and other guidelines and policies that are held by the school and the site.
The sixth thing to keep in mind is that a single degree can open up many opportunities beyond the bedside. There are instances where students may realize that nursing is actually not what they thought it would be and feel mortified that they will have to live in
misery. It is also common for students to be traumatized after what they see and start to doubt their capability. However, nursing is not only limited to the bedside. Students can gain job experience and use it to pursue a degree in becoming a nurse practitioner or a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Other areas such as device nursing, operation room nursing, nursing education, nurse management and administrative positions are all possible pathways. Students do not have to choose the specialty that they want to pursue as a registered nurse right away and can take some time to do some research. Also, areas that students assume will impact their ability to practice, such as having a weak stomach, can also be improved by continuous exposure and practice. What matters is whether the students are willing to overcome them or to succumb to them.
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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
Fall of the Chief, flight of the Eagle: What’s next for Super Bowl teams?
Abhishek Nambiar Staff Writer
On Sunday, Feb. 9, millions of Americans collectively watched as the Philadelphia Eagles triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, giving the Eagles their second-ever championship and preventing the Chiefs from accomplishing the National Football League’s first-ever three-peat. As the 2024 NFL season comes to a close, what remains to be seen is what happens now for the Chiefs and Eagles.
As the defending champions, the Eagles will be going into the 2025 season with a lot of pressure on them to keep up the momentum. To maintain their strong position in the league largely revolves around maintaining the things that propelled them to Super Bowl victory: strong offensive and defensive lines playing in near-perfect conjunction with each other. Some of the most prominent highlights of this year’s Super Bowl were the numerous interceptions that the Eagles achieved thanks to the efforts of players such as cornerback Cooper DeJean and linebacker Zack Baun, along with a strong defensive effort that was able to prevent Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs offense from making significant progress throughout much of
the game. Keeping up these efforts is how the Eagles can continue to succeed through the next season.
Also on the Eagles’ side is the strength of their roster from the 2024 season. A big boost was given to the Eagles from their drafting last year of running back Saquon Barkley, who would go on to be named NFL Offensive Player of the Year; he and much of the roster are expected to remain for the next season. Priorities include retaining free agents such as Baun, linebacker Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Milton Williams. Also high on the priority list is to fill the hole left by the departure of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to become the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. While Moore’s replacement is unknown as of the writing of the article, speculation suggests that passing offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo could be promoted, a move that would help maintain continuity in the Eagles offense. By addressing these potential holes in the roster, the Eagles can maintain a strong cast of players and continue to build upon their successes in the Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs have much work to do when it comes to analyzing where they went wrong and how to come back up from it. As a fan of the San Francisco 49ers, I’d be remiss not to mention the high satisfaction I felt upon the Chiefs’ loss,
following their overtime defeat of the Niners in last year’s Super Bowl LVIII. Not to mention, it seems safe to say that public sentiment was generally against the Chiefs in this game—even non-football fans I’ve talked to express annoyance about the Chiefs and a desire for them to lose the game. With that being said, it cannot be denied that this year’s game was a low point for the Chiefs given their widespread success for several years now.
To improve from such a loss requires looking at where things went wrong. As alluded to before, the Chiefs’ offense took a major beating throughout the contest, losing possession on numerous occasions and largely failing to break through the Eagles’ defense; not to mention Mahomes himself was sacked six times in the game—the most he’s ever been since joining the league for the 2017 season. Many of the Chiefs’ shortcomings can be attributed to Mahomes and his lackluster performance throughout the game, something that needs to be worked on going into the new season given his prominent role in the team’s roster.
Concerns about the Chiefs’ overall shortcomings may be alleviated by the return of wide receiver Rashee Rice following LCL surgery but are almost immediately countered by numerous key players hitting free agency; this includes guard Trey Smith and linebacker Nick
Bolton. The potential retirement of high-profile tight end Travis Kelce also adds a massive hole in the roster in need of filling. These are all things that must be addressed by Chiefs leadership if they want to maintain a well-rounded roster.
Also worth addressing is the defense. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is known for being one of the best in the entire NFL, but even he couldn’t figure out how to stop the reign of Eagles quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts. Perhaps not enough of a focus was put on stopping Hurts to the point that he was able to lead his team to a commanding victory. Putting a bigger emphasis on countering such strong quarterbacks and, in general, focusing efforts on the key players of the opposing teams is how the Chiefs’ defense can rebuild from this loss. These are all things the Chiefs are known for being very good at and just happened to fall short on in the Super Bowl. Returning to the highs they’re known for is how the Chiefs can make a comeback.
The 2025 NFL season will present numerous potential ventures for the Eagles and Chiefs. Can the former maintain their strong showings, and can the latter pick themselves back up and bring back the domineering force they’ve been known to display for the past several seasons? Both remain to be seen.
A look into the new “Unrivaled” women’s basketball league
Ellie Palaian Staff Writer
On Jan. 17, WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier launched Unrivaled, a new 3v3 professional women’s basketball league.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time WNBA champion Stewart, alongside two-time gold medalist and WNBPA vice president Collier, founded the league to showcase women’s athletic talent and redefine professional basketball standards.
Unrivaled takes place during the WNBA offseason, featuring six teams and a total of 36 WNBA athletes. Unlike traditional basketball, this league follows a 3v3 format and is played on a court approximately 20 feet shorter than a standard basketball court.
Games consist of three sevenminute quarters, with a uniquely untimed fourth quarter. Instead of a game clock determining the winner, teams must reach a “winning score,” calculated by adding 11 points to the leading team’s total after three quarters. For instance, if Team X leads 60-55 after the third quarter, the first team to reach 71 points wins.
Foul rules also differ from the WNBA. When a player is fouled on a shot attempt, only one free throw is awarded, but its value matches the original shot attempt. A successful free throw following a three-point attempt counts for three points, while one after a two-point attempt is worth two points, and one-point opportunities remain valued at one point.
The shot clock is reduced to 18 seconds instead of the WNBA’s 24-second limit. In the final 30 seconds of a quarter, the clock stops on made baskets, a shift from the WNBA’s last-minute stoppage rule.
In addition to its unique rule changes, Unrivaled is setting a new standard for women’s sports salaries. Nearly all players in the league are earning over $100,000, making it the highest-paying women’s
Unrivaled’s high pay and luxurious facilities are setting new standards for professional women’s basketball, but Unrivaled is not gaining popularity due to its limited streaming availability and lack of high-profile players such as Caitlin Clark. Courtesy of Unrivaled
sports league ever, with a salary pool exceeding $8 million.
Backed by high-profile investors such as Alex Morgan, Michael Phelps and Coco Gauff, Unrivaled is fully funded and offers its athletes a state-of-the-art facility in Miami. The complex includes a dedicated practice court, a 3,000-square-foot weight room and top-tier training facilities. Players also have access to a childcare room, a content creation space and a glamour room. The facility also features a cafeteria with on-site nutritionists, personal trainers, massage therapists and personalized chefs.
Over the past year, the WNBA has seen a significant rise in popularity, from increased ticket sales to greater media attention. But is Unrivaled entering the scene too soon? Could it be pushing too hard, too fast?
Despite significant investment, Unrivaled has seen a steady widecline in viewership over the past few weeks. If you asked most people, many wouldn’t even know the league exists. A major factor in this is the lack of media attention and advertising. While major outlets such as ESPN have covered the league, it has yet to gain widespread recognition.
One challenge is its limited broadcast availability, as games are only streamed on Max, truTV, and TNT. Additionally, the WNBA itself only recently surged in popularity and media attention, and it is hard to deny that the reason for that is largely because of rookie Caitlin Clark, who isn’t participating in Unrivaled.
Before 2024, the most-watched WNBA draft was in 2004, when Diana Taurasi entered the league,
drawing 600,000 viewers. Clark’s official entry shattered that record with 2.45 million viewers, a 374% increase from the previous year. Her influence was just as evident in live attendance. In 2023, the Indiana Fever averaged 4,067 fans per game, ranking second to last in the league. With Clark, they led the WNBA in 2024, averaging over 17,000 fans per game and becoming the first team to surpass 300,000 total attendees in a season. That marks a more than 300% increase from the previous year and an 857% jump from 2022, when they averaged just 1,776 fans per game.
While I believe Unrivaled is an exciting concept with the potential to showcase high-level competition and athleticism, I also think the primary focus should remain on the WNBA for now. With the league’s rapid growth coinciding so closely with the launch of Unrivaled, there’s a risk that one will lose momentum, and as the newer league, Unrivaled is more likely to struggle.
Despite concerns about its timing, Unrivaled is making its mark, airing primarily on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays with two games per night. The league has also introduced a 1v1 tournament, adding another layer of excitement to its format.
Featuring a roster of elite WNBA talent, including Sabrina Ionescu, Brittney Griner, Aaliyah Edwards and other Olympic champions and WNBA All-Stars, Unrivaled is redefining the game. Players are not only earning salaries that reflect their talent but also gaining access to top-tier training facilities and resources, all while showcasing their skills in a fresh and dynamic setting.
While its launch may feel early, that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. Fans of the NBA, WNBA and sports in general will find plenty to enjoy in Unrivaled, from its high-level competition to its innovative approach to the game, and I highly recommend everyone go take a look.
CWRU at UAA Championships: Swim and dive sets new records, Wilkov is first diving UAA Champion
Ellie Palaian Staff Writer
Between Wednesday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 15, Case Western Reserve University’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams competed in the UAA Championships held at Emory University in Atlanta.
The CWRU women’s team finished sixth in the conference with 850.5 points. Emory claimed the championship with 1,867 points, followed by New York University (1,846), the University of Chicago (1,365.5), Washington University in St. Louis (1,005) and Carnegie Mellon University (897).
The University of Rochester (501) and Brandeis University (322) placed seventh and eighth, respectively.
Third-year Claire Kozma, along with second-year Maggie Rose Rook and fourth-years Angeli Paull, Kate Menzer, Kelly Vann, Simone Vale and Gabriella Chambers, achieved a total of seven NCAA B cut times, with four of them coming from their relay finishes, making them eligible for NCAA Championship consideration.
Additionally, the Spartan women set two school records in the 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard medley relay, and fourth-year Abigail Wilkov won the UAA Championship in the 1-meter dive, becoming the first diver in the history of the women’s program to claim a UAA title. Wilkov also became the first-ever UAA champion diver on either board in program history and the first Spartan to earn AllUAA honors in the 1-meter dive.
Fourth-year Abigail Wilkov became the first diver in program history to win a UAA title in the 1-meter dive this past weekend.
The men’s team also placed sixth, scoring 810.5 points across the fourday meet. Emory won the championship with 1,682 points, followed by NYU (1,586.5), Chicago (1,448), Carnegie Mellon (1,111.5), and WashU (1,020.5). Rochester (495) and Brandeis (322) rounded out the standings.
The men’s team set three new school records over the four-day meet. The Spartans opened the first swim event with a school record in the 800yard free relay, as third-years Mason Bencurik and John Drumm and fourth-years Peter Meng and Griffin Gushman finished fourth with a time of 6:36.78. The Spartans also set a school record in the 400-yard freestyle relay, with third-years Emil LaSida, William Froass, Bencurik and Drumm finishing fifth with a time of 3:00.97 and surpassing the previous record of
Scores and
Men’s Tennis
CWRU vs Wayne State (2/14) - L 1-6
CWRU vs University of Northwestern Ohio (2/14) - L 3-4
CWRU vs Hope (2/15) - W 6-1
CWRU vs Carnegie Mellon (2/15) - W 5-2
CWRU at ITA DIII Indoor Championship CWRU vs Swarthmore (2/21-23)
Swimming and Diving
CWRU at UAA Championships (2/12-15)
Men’s team: 6th of 8 teams (810.5 points)
Women’s team: 6th of 8 teams (850.5 points)
CWRU vs Spartan Invitational (2/21-22, Veale Natatorium)
Women’s Basketball
CWRU vs WashU (2/14) - L 61-62
CWRU vs UChicago (2/16) - L 52-67
CWRU at Brandeis (2/21)
CWRU at NYU (2/23)
vs Hope (2/15) - W
CWRU vs Denison (2/23) CWRU vs Oberlin (2/23)
CWRU at UAA Championship
3:01.16 set earlier this season by Bencurik, Froass, Drumm and Meng. This performance also met the NCAA B cut standard. LaSida, Bencurik and Froass were also part of the school recordbreaking 200-yard freestyle relay team alongside third-year Ben Borvendeg.
In addition to the relay, the Spartans recorded four other NCAA B cut times, giving them a chance to qualify for the NCAA Championships in March. Both teams will have one final opportunity to improve their qualification times at the End of Year Invitational on Feb. 21-22 in Veale Natatorium.
Following this season, the Spartans will graduate large classes, with the women’s team saying farewell to 21 seniors and one graduate student, while the men’s team will graduate 19 seniors. The upcoming invitational will be their last chance to compete before the NCAA Championships.
Track and Field
CWRU at GVSU Meet (2/14-15) - No team scoring
CWRU at Crimson & Gold Invite (2/14) - No team scoring
CWRU at Indoor All-Ohio Championships (2/15)
Men’s team: 5th of 16 teams (57.0 points) Women’s team: 3rd of 15 teams (77.0 points)
CWRU at Ed Finnigan Greater Cleveland Colleges Invite (2/21)
Men’s Basketball
CWRU vs WashU (2/14) - L 68-86
CWRU vs UChicago (2/16) - W 83-79
CWRU at Brandeis (2/21) CWRU at NYU (2/23)
Third-year Emil LaSida set a school record in the 400-yard freestyle relay with third-year William Froass and fourth-years Mason Bencurik and John Drumm this past weekend. Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics
Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics