Editorial: Kaler’s recent emails fail to support CWRU community (pg. 8)
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Darcy Chew Sports Editor
Zachary Treseler News Editor
Disclaimer: The Observer obtained conflicting statements regarding what as said during the Jan. 27 Faculty Senate meeting and cannot confirm the factuality of the meeting’s content.
Campus in chaos
CWRU scrambles amid Trump’s executive orders
Friday, January 31, 2025
Volume LVI, Issue 17
Est. 1969
In his first day in office on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders, rang ing in topics from national security to the federal civil service. While many may assume these executive orders are inconsequential to the operations of Case Western Reserve University, many higher educa tion advocacy groups have advised universities across the country to diligently prepare for the second Trump administration.
On Jan. 27, in response to ques tions asked by The Observer, the university stated, “Case Western Reserve has a team analyzing the Trump administration’s Executive Orders to determine their impact on the university—both its operations and, most importantly, its people. Right now, much is in flux, and when the university has clarity, we will share information with our community.”
the efficacy of government opera tions.
Many were outraged by the overarching order. Dem ocratic Rep. Shontel Brown, whose district includes all of the City of Cleveland and CWRU, blasted the memo as “lawless, reckless, and clearly unconstitutional,” noting the impact this could have on Northeast Ohio.
Before Trump’s inauguration, Marin K. Ritter, director of the VISA Office, sent out an email to international students that recommended they “Plan to return to the United States before the new administration is sworn in on Jan. 20, 2025.”
President Eric Kaler released an email on Jan. 28 regarding the fiscal impacts that Trump’s administration has on the university. The contents of the email focused on an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo signed the evening of Jan. 27 which froze most federal aid and grant programs across the country, including money to private universities. The memo reads that the “temporary pause” is necessary in order for federal agencies to determine “the best uses of funding for those programs consistent with the law and the President’s priori-
At the same time, many in the university community were caught off guard by the sudden change. “It is unclear what the full scope of this memo is as well as its legality,” wrote Kaler in his email. “However, we believe it could have a considerable impact on our current and pending federal funding.” The funding freeze in question was recently stayed by a federal judge in Washington, and as of Jan. 29, the memo was rescinded by OMB, though many other executive orders regarding the allocation of federal funds remain.
During Jan. 28’s Undergraduate Student Government General Assembly meeting, third-year student and Vice President of Academic Affairs Kevin Arndt gave a presentation about the Jan. 27 Faculty Senate meeting which addressed these
pacts of the Trump administration. Arndt started by mentioning the impacts to research funding, noting how at least $16 million is immediately in jeopardy. According to publicly available data, CWRU received $261.8 million from the federal government during the last fiscal year, just under 83% of which came from the Department of Health and Human Services.
While discussing the Jan. 27 meeting, Arndt highlighted measures against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), which the OMB memo directly called out as an example of unwanted spending. He said that the university removed mentions of DEI from “all university job postings as well as graduate programs.” The university said that during the Faculty Senate meeting “President Kaler noted that we don’t have DEI statements as part of the faculty job application process, and it is not its own category in the pro -
motion and tenure process.”
This is in addition to statewide efforts to regulate DEI programs within higher education in Ohio. Arndt acknowledged these regulation efforts may resurface through the recently reintroduced Senate Bill 1, previously Senate Bill 83, on Jan. 22.
While Arndt detailed that the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement may be renamed, the university is preparing to make “emergency overhauls” to other offices, such as the LGBT Center and the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women in accordance with Trump’s agenda. In a written comment to The Observer, the university denied that any changes will be made regarding the LGBT Center.
The final part of Arndt’s presentation centered around changes to immigration and immigration enforcement actions which have taken place. Arndt stated that, “Case does not seem to be concerned about the impact of illegal immigration crackdowns, meaning that we are not directly exposed to threats related to [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)] crackdowns,” with the largest changes coming from more stringent visa-approval processes.
Much of this concern over immigration and visa-status hit the Cleveland area on Jan. 26 after reports surfaced that ICE had raided the Cilantro Taqueria restaurant in Coventry. Sandro Galindo, the owner of the restaurant chain, told News 5 Cleveland that six employees were arrested on Jan. 26, leading the restaurant to close until Feb. 4.
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CWRU students unite for social justice at Cleveland Fights Back march
Vani Subramony News Editor
On Jan. 25, Cleveland community members and student activists took to the streets of Ohio City to express solidarity against the Trump administration. The march, originally scheduled for Jan. 20 and postponed due to inclement weather, was organized by the Cleveland Fights Back Network, a coalition of local affiliates of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Over the past few weeks, similar marches have occurred in cities across the U.S. These marches have been advertised as a way for attendees to stand up for climate justice and equal rights for women, workers, immigrants and the LGBTQIA+ community.
PSL organizer Dallas Eckman began the demonstration with a few words, highlighting the importance of uniting the working class and organizing against the Trump administration. “It should be all your brothers and sisters, all of your coworkers, all of your friends, all of your fellow students, out here shoulder to shoulder fighting, no matter the temperature,” he said. “It starts with you bringing people to these streets, with building relationships at your jobs, building relationships in your communities. And, in order to do that, we must get organized together.”
After speeches from representatives of the Palestinian Youth Movement, New Era Cleveland and other local organizations, the march began. Over 100 attendees carrying banners and signs expressing disapproval with the state of U.S. politics marched up Cleveland’s West 25th Street and around the Ohio City neighborhood. As the demonstration progressed, the attendees participated in chants written by local organizers and sang songs from the Civil Rights Movement. The march
ended in Ohio City’s Market Square with a few more speeches from local organizers and a performance by the band Flipcoin.
Zoë Wagner, a nursing student at Case Western Reserve University, spoke at the march. During her speech, Wagner highlighted her frustration with the U.S. government, echoing Dallas’ desire for unity and the wellbeing of regular people rather than the prioritization of money and power. “If there’s one message I want people to take away, it’s that all of our struggles are interconnected,” she said. “I’d love to see stronger collaboration among student organizations advocating for important causes, especially as many of these causes are under threat with the incoming administration.”
In her speech, Wagner mentioned her belief that CWRU’s administration disregarded the Undergraduate Student Government’s Resolution 31-15 and other student-led calls to “fully divest [CWRU] assets from Israeli apartheid, the international military-industrial complex and the international prison-industrial complex.” She said that the administration has contributed to a climate of suppression by criminalizing dissent. “I want to help create a campus environment where freedom of speech and protest are not just tolerated but protected,” Wagner said.
There were dozens of CWRU students present at this demonstration. One student attendee, who requested to remain anonymous, expressed her desire for the protection of marginalized populations such as undocumented immigrants and refugees. She also emphasized the importance of student involvement in on- and off-campus activism. She said, “I feel like CWRU is so secluded, like it’s a bubble, and having students come out and get involved helps them see a broader community and helps them see what’s around them and not just university or college.”
Campus in chaos from page 1
Images posted to Reddit show two individuals, both wearing police vests and one with the words “ICE” on the back, outside the establishment by an unmarked gray van.
While the raid has yet to be officially confirmed by the City of Cleveland Heights, an impromptu vigil was set up, with signs reading, “No One Is Illegal On Stolen Land” and flowers and stones. At an unrelated press conference, Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil
Seren stated that the city was “still working to get confirmation to exactly what happened” and that the city was not informed, nor involved, with the reported raid. Later on Instagram, Seren uploaded a post that reads, “Saturday February 1st: Cilantro Day” along with a message of support, encouraging residents to patronize and tip at the restaurant.
On Jan. 28, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb released a statement against the
reported raid, reading, “As Mayor, I will use my full authority to recognize the humanity of all people in Cleveland. I fully condemn the concentrated effort to threaten and terrify our most vulnerable populations. Arresting immigrants working in a suburban restaurant does not make us safer.”
Ardnt ended the presentation with a stark warning about the recent events. He said, “Finally, it’s important to remember that the administration is as
shocked as we are. They are scrambling to conform to these new policies in order to protect this institution. The administration has made the decision to not speak out on any of these issues, believing that as a college deep in a red state it will only paint a target on our backs. Thus, the administration will continue to adopt the policies of the Trump administration, and there is sadly nothing we can do to stop this— at the administrative level at least.”
Protesters hold a large Trump puppet at the Jan. 25 Cleveland Fights Back march. Moses Fleischman/The Observer
Student demonstrators hold a sign protesting the Trump adminstration’s immigration policies. Moses Fleischman/The Observer
Student demonstrators hold a sign protesting the Trump adminstration’s immigration policies.Vani Subramony/The Observer
Members of the Cleveland Branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation march on West 25th Street.
Vani Subramony/The Observer
“A Complete Unknown” showcases the early years of Bob Dylan’s career with a star-studded cast
Kennedy Wolf Staff Writer
This past Christmas, “A Complete Unknown” began to play in theaters nationwide. The biopic focuses on Bob Dylan’s transition into fame during the early- to mid-1960s, with Timothée Chalamet starring as the young Dylan. Like others, I was not sure that Chalamet would be able to pull off the elusive and eccentric singer, but I was pleasantly surprised by his performance. Anyone who watched the movie could tell how much work and dedication Chalamet put into
his portrayal of Dylan along with his deep admiration for the artist. Chalamet even learned how to play the guitar for this role and has gone on a widely successful press tour to promote the film ahead of the Academy Awards. When he appeared on Saturday Night Live this past Saturday as the host and musical guest, he played several of Dylan’s songs. Chalamet’s press tour has also curated several viral moments, such as him screaming “Bob Dylan!” or talking about how he “rips Milk Duds.” Moments such as these have gained popularity online and helped promote the film to younger audiences.
While I believe Chalamet has earned the accolades that “A Complete Unknown” has brought him, I also feel that the other actors in the movie have been overshadowed by his performance. There were so many other characters who appeared in the film that at some points it felt like I was watching a Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro) biopic, featuring Dylan as the primary antagonist. Dylan’s early girlfriend “Sylvie” (Elle Fanning) delivered an emotional performance that I think should have earned her more praise from the public. Fanning expertly captured the pain of falling in love with someone whose career and fame is developing too quickly for their relationship. Other actors such as Norton and Barbaro delivered performances that I thought should have been praised more. I feel that this is a symptom of Chalamet’s successful press tour and generally higher level of fame in comparison to his co-stars.
It was certainly wise of the producers to choose to focus only on a small period of Dylan’s career. It would be nearly impossible to successfully portray Dylan’s entire life, as his career has literally spanned over half a century. Focusing on Dylan’s early career allows the viewer to understand the plot of the movie without being an expert on the artist. Additionally, it’s much easier to root for a young Dylan struggling to succeed in the bustling climate of New York City than an older Dylan who has largely already achieved the goals of his career.
The film also explores how many different individuals were integral to the success of Dylan’s early career. Toward the beginning of the film we see the young Dylan meet Seeger—an influential folk singer from the 1950s and ’60s—at a hospital while visiting Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), another famous folk singer. Seeger houses the young Dylan, introduces him to the right people and helps him book gigs to further advance his career. Baez, another famous singer, plays with him several times, spreading his name through the folk scene. These interactions are true to the actual happenings in the early career of Dylan. Even Johnny Cash (Boyd Holbrook) has a role. Later in the film, Dylan appears and acts somewhat ungrateful toward these individuals, such as when he declines to perform with Baez onstage and refuses to play folk music at Seeger’s folk music festival. “A Complete Unknown” illustrates the effect that newfound fame had on young Dylan, making him turn his back on the people he would never have achieved anything without.
It’s through this lens that “A Complete Unknown” gives a complicated and fractured view of the young Dylan, which I appreciate. This is not a movie only meant to make Dylan look good. It’s the sheer honesty of the film and its (general) adherence to the truth that make it work. I would recommend seeing this movie, especially with your grandma. Mine happens to be a huge Bob Dylan fan, so we had a great time.
“A Real Pain,” now streaming on Hulu, evades categorization and genre
Kate Gordon Life Editor
Recently nominated for two Academy Awards—Best Original Screenplay for writer, director, actor and producer Jesse Eisenberg and Best Supporting Actor for Kieran Culkin— “A Real Pain” follows two cousins on a Holocaust tour of Poland in the wake of their grandmother’s passing. The film is intimate, funny, melancholic and also incredibly sad; at its core it is, as the title tells us, an exploration of pain.
Though other characters flit in and out as necessary, all the film’s attention is spent on fleshing out the relationship between our two leads. David (Eisenberg) is described by Manohla Dargis, chief film critic for The New York Times, as “fidgety” and “outwardly ordinary,” which I think sums up his character nicely. If you’re familiar with Eisenberg’s performance as Mark Zuckerberg in the 2010 drama “The Social Network,” you won’t find David a much different character—although he is considerably nicer than Zuckerberg. His cousin Benji (Culkin) is David’s total opposite—he’s charming, extroverted and also incredibly volatile, switching his mood at the drop of a hat. When Benji decides that he’s not enjoying himself anymore, he’s going to make
sure everyone around him knows it. The two subtly (and not so subtly) clash over the course of the film, with Benji annoyed by David’s soulless corporate attitude and David upset by the lack of structure in Benji’s life. After landing in Warsaw, the pair meet up with the other members of what Benji calls their “geriatric tour” group. Everyone in the group is Jewish and has some kind of personal connection to the Holocaust—Benji and David’s is through their grandmother, who David says survived through “a thousand miracles”—except for their guide James (Will Sharpe), who is a scholar fascinated by the period. As the group explores Warsaw, the Polish countryside and finally Lublin, we see Benji dazzle the group with his infectious excitement, and then just as quickly drag it down with a series of unexplained outbursts. First it is the train ride, where the group rides first class and Benji cannot reconcile that luxury with how Jewish people were treated in Poland a century ago. Then it is a cemetery where he decides he can’t listen to James’ “constant barrage of stats” anymore. Finally, at dinner, after an awkward conversation about the cousins’ late grandmother, Benji gets up to use the bathroom and David reveals to the group that six months ago his cousin tried to overdose on a bottle of sleeping pills.
The meaning and worth of Benji’s personal pain alongside that of David, their Jewish ancestors and really, everyone in the world, is the question Eisenberg explores throughout the film (but never really answers). Benji is obviously emotionally tormented, but as David puts it, he’s far from the only person suffering, and burdening everyone else with his pain is hardly fair. “I mean, look at what happened to our families. Look at where we came from … I know that my pain is unexceptional,” he says to the group, who nod in agreement. What is most interesting about “A Real Pain,” at least to me, is that even in light of these heavy themes the film also has a real levity to it. Much of the movie is genuinely funny. After Benji
makes a scene on the train, James remarks in a deadpan, “Obviously, there are triggers along the way with this tour. I must say the train is not normally one of them … ” It doesn’t necessarily translate well on paper, but his concerned yet surprised tone made me laugh out loud as I was watching. The score is all Frédéric Chopin, very light and breezy, and even the film’s color grading skews warm. All these contrasting elements combine to make a single emotionally charged and poignant movie that’s likely to stay with viewers long after the credits roll.
If you’re interested in watching “A Real Pain,” it is currently streaming on Hulu and still playing in a limited number of theaters nationwide.
Elle Fanning (right) and Timothée Chalamet (left) star as Sylvie Russo and Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.” The biopic explores the impact of fame on individuals in Dylan’s life like his girlfriend Sylvie. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
Academy Award nominated Jesse Eisenberg (right) and Kieran Culkin (left) star in “A Real Pain”—a poignant film that manages to remarkably walk the line of humor and melancholy. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
Making the case for mundanity: Why you should give “All We Imagine As Light” a chance
Kethan Srinivasan Social Media Content Creator
Much of Indian cinema is characterized by the “masala” within many of its films. This term usually refers to a film that blends multiple genres, such as musical, romance, action, comedy and drama, among others. Films like “RRR,” which recently had its bout of fanfare and global accolades, are good examples of this.
This mishmash of genre is what makes Indian cinema so unique and enjoyable, and allows us to revel in moments of joy and euphoria. However, with the constant flow of high-budget, big-name masala-laden films, one is forced to wonder whether there is any room to spare in the Indian film industry for movies that depart from this norm. Filmgoers in the West have come to embrace small and independent productions, thanks to the elevated presence of indie distributors like Searchlight and A24. So, the question still stands: is there an equivalent space for similar productions in India?
Enter “All We Imagine As Light,” a quiet drama that revels in the mundanity of life with an emphasis on discovering kinship and sisterhood amid troubling times. The Cleveland Institute Of Art’s Cinematheque hosted a one-time
screening of this film this past Friday, Jan. 24, along with a host of other international features.
Directed by newcomer Payal Kapadia and produced under production companies across Europe, the film offers a break from the myriad of joyful masala classics fans know and love, but does not lack in terms of gravitas or visuals. It tells the story of three women working in a busy Mumbai hospital. Prabha (Kani Kusruti) is a stoic Malayali head nurse who shares a flat with her younger Malayali colleague, Anu (Divya Prabha), who is heartstruck by her Muslim boyfriend Shiaz (Hridhu Haroon). Meanwhile, Parvathy (Chhaya Kadam) is facing eviction as her apartment is under threat of demolition and redevelopment.
Throughout the story, we see how the smallest of struggles unravel the emotional layers of these women, as well as some of the men around them—all while they live in a city that never feels like home to them. The imperturbable Prabha is caught off guard when a lonely migrant doctor from work, Dr. Manoj (Azees Nedumangad), befriends her while she’s simultaneously trying to rekindle her moribund marriage with her estranged husband in Germany. Anu struggles to arrange time with Shiaz, while dealing with the possibility of falling out with her Hin-
“All We Imagine As Light” may not be a high-budget film, but it’s minimalist aesthetic and slow-paced rawness capture a rare “slice of life” moment that is not to be missed out on.
du family, as they express their wishes to marry her off. Parvathy struggles to prove her residency as her late husband dealt with all their paperwork, leaving her with no legal options. Amid all their challenges, they attempt to understand and stick up for one another, despite leading such widely different lives. There is, however, one more character the film seeks to analyze: the city of Mumbai itself. From the long opening shots of Mumbai streets and nightlife to the multilingual narrations, Payal Kapadia gives the city life with every shot, as do the thoughts of the people who keep it alive. Among the narrations is one quote that is critical of the so-called ‘spirit of Mumbai’: “You have to believe the illusion, or else you’ll go
mad,” the voice says in Tamil. Every element in the film comes together to create a story that manages to instill a sense of relatability around the struggles depicted. It does not seek to move at your pace or appease your sensitivities. Instead, it shows you what life can be–and often is–for some, despite their attempts to escape its cruelty, either through their imagination or through one another. These characters imagine a way out of the city, out of struggle and out of expectations. It’s these subtleties that make “All We Imagine As Light” special in my eyes, even if film selection bodies, subreddits or even the Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences doesn’t feel the same.
Handcrafted histories: Art from the Maghreb
Rithika Karthikeyan Staff Writer
Currently on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is “Arts of the Maghreb,” a stunning exhibit featuring textiles and jewelry from North Africa. Showcasing pieces from Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, this collection includes some of CMA’s earliest acquisitions. The exhibition offers a vibrant look into the everyday lives, celebrations and traditions of communities in the Maghreb. Each piece is handmade, unique and filled with personal meaning. Collectively, the items in this collection hold profound personal and cultural significance as well as historical importance.
The “Panel from a Head Covering (‘Ajar)” is woven with rich red and scarlet threads. A closer look at its pattern reveals khamsah motifs, a palmshaped symbol used to ward away the evil eye in Jewish and Islamic tradition. The intricacy of the khamsah pattern, as well as the quality of the textile, indicates its purpose beyond being a mere garment; it served as a protective piece and a symbol of the owner’s social status. This head covering also features Arabic calligraphy and was likely worn with a sheer black veil.
Another luxury headpiece, the “Kerchief (tensifa),” is an example of how beautiful handiwork and textiles found themselves in the everyday spaces and rituals of its wearers. This piece was intended to be worn in a hammam, or bathhouse, after bathing. Practical yet elegant, it reflects a sense of care and attention to beauty, even in private settings.
The “Fragment of a furnishing textile,” dating from the 1700s or 1800s, demonstrates the balance between everyday utility and artistic craftsmanship. Likely used as a covering, or “telmita,” to decorate low couches known as “frash,” this piece is unique because its creation required collaboration between multiple artisans. First, fibers were prepared so that a
weaver could craft the linen textile. Next, a dyer colored the cloth, in this case using vibrant red dyes. Finally, an embroiderer added floral and geometric patterns with silk. This piece showcases the Fez style of art, where filling stitches and careful counting make the pattern perfectly reversible. While rising production costs eventually caused such pieces to fall out of fashion, this traditional Moroccan art has experienced revivals over the centuries.
Another piece featuring natural motifs is the “Curtain (one of a pair)” from the island of Djerba. This piece also features the khamsah, reflecting a recurring theme across Muslim and Jewish art. Djerba is an island off the coast of Tunisia where Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities coexisted, and the curtain embodies these shared symbols and mutual influences. Crafted with gold thread embroidery, the goldsmithing was completed by male Jewish artisans, while the embroidery was done by female Jewish artisans. The use of high-quality, luxurious threads and embroidery suggests that this piece was once owned by a family of wealth and social status.
Lastly, the “Belt (Hizam)” is a wedding sash from Morocco in the 1800s. Its intricate patterns required technical expertise to create, yet its purpose was simple: to celebrate. Meant to be folded lengthwise and wrapped around the waist, this style of belt is known for its multicolored designs and elaborate patterns. This particular sash features 10 separate patterns, highlighting its opulence and the artistry of its maker.
These textiles are more than objects—they are connections to the people who made and used them. They remind us how art can protect, celebrate and unify. The “Arts of the Maghreb” exhibit highlights the richness of diversity and tradition, creating a space not just for observation but also reflection. Each item is grounded in the reality of someone’s life, serving as a reminder that even life’s most personal moments offer opportunities for artistic expression.
The “Panel from a Head Covering (‘Ajar)” was made in North Africa as part of a Tunisian woman’s head covering. Its khamsah patterns are designed to ward off evil in Judaism and Islam. Courtesy of Serene Pierce/The Observer
Courtesy of Petit Chaos
Weekly Horoscope
Top 10 famous Groundhogs
10. Birmingham Bill (Birmingham, Alabama).
9. French Creek Freddie (Upshore county, West Virginia).
8. Fred la Marmotte (Percé, Quebec).
7. Dunkirk Dave (Dunkirk, New York).
6. Wiarton Willie (Wiarton, Ontario).
5. Octoraro Orphie (Quarryville, Pennsylvania).
4. Chattanooga Chuck ( Chattanooga, Tennessee).
3. General Beauregard Lee (Jackson, Georgia).
2. Punxsutawney Phil (Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania).
1. Shubenacadie Sam (Nova Scotia).
Overheard CWRU
Compilation of out-of-pocket things heard across campus
"Coke and rum."
"You and all of your classmates are going to hell"
"We can fund chapter surgeries, Like if someone has cancer, wait that is a bad idea, I should shut up"
"I miss Helen." - Elie Aoun
"You're giving Elie right now."
Think you got all puzzles right?
You probably didn't.
Simulation
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You Frankie Valli Lucas Yang
Margaret (feat. Bleachers) Lana Del Ray, Bleachers Elizabeth McHugh
Yes I'm Changing Tame Impala
Anjali Bhuthpur
One Line
one headlight wallflowers
Ella Lasky
BAILE INoLVDABLE Bad Bunny
Sahar Kapasi
i'm writing a novel
Father John Misty Vani Subramony
And now, a limerick
The Observer has this place
That is left to be seen as white space.
We must admit
Our cartoonist quit, And I'm at the end of my wit, having to draw my own skits
This week I couldn't even make one bit.
Please email submissions to observer@case.edu
Tyler Vu/The Observer
EDITORIAL
Kaler’s recent emails fail to support CWRU community
At the start of his term in 2021, President Eric Kaler set a precedent of sending emails of support when members of the Case Western Reserve University community were directly or indirectly impacted by events ranging from international headlines to local campus events. In fact, his second ever campus-wide email, titled “Supporting Dreamers after DACA Ruling” and sent on July 20, 2021, was a message to vocalize CWRU’s steadfast commitment to its diverse community. However, in the past year, these emails have become increasingly disappointing and sparse in regards to supporting the community.
His recent email, sent on Jan. 28, is a response to President Donald Trump’s inauguration and the impact Trump’s administration has on the CWRU community. The email focuses on the Jan. 27 Office of Management and Budget memo that suspended all federal grant funding, including to private universities. This, of course, could have serious effects on the campus as an R1 university. However, at a time like this when many on campus feel uncertain and even scared, support and acknowledgement is the least the administration can do.
Despite Kaler’s new email stating in the first paragraph that “These measures could significantly impact how we as a university operate … and importantly, who can study and work at Case Western Reserve,” the lack of acknowledgement of the actual people on campus is astounding, as the rest of the email focused on how Trump’s action will change institutional research and funding.
The exclusion of other executive orders in the email is noteworthy, as it fails to mention—let alone provide an ounce of empathy to—those who are impacted by or fearful of other actions that Trump may take. These fears were exacerbated on Sunday, Jan. 26, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly raided Cilantro Taqueria in Coventry, thereby bringing what many could ignore to the forefront of the CWRU community. The omission of this event, or a sustained sentence about immigration, is devastating considering that roughly 20% of CWRU students come from a country that is not the United States.
Trump’s many new executive orders also concern marginalized communities.
Last November, Kaler’s emails, or the lack thereof, failed the Black community. After election night, the nation saw an increase in racism with widespread racist texts being sent across the country. During USG’s open Q&A with Kaler, one attendant expressed disappointment with the president’s lack of response to this ordeal, stating that African American students on campus found themselves feeling “threatened and scared.” In response, Kaler said that he “actually could not think of a message that [he] could send that would help
people feel better across the board.”
The LGBTQIA+ community on campus also expressed dissatisfaction with the way the administration has remained relatively silent on pressing issues. More recently, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 104, a law that places restrictions on bathrooms, forcing transgender individuals to use “restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, and shower rooms” that correspond with their biological sex. President Kaler said in an email that the administration’s “primary
focus is, and always will be, the safety and well-being of [their] people.” He then affirmed that the campus would be “abid[ing] by the law.” Many students felt uneasy with this statement, as, by the law, some of their rights could be taken away. Although in his email Kaler mentioned that updates would be shared as more information becomes available, the university has failed to provide any satisfactory follow-up to the many questions raised by this ruling. These responses differ greatly
from Kaler’s early emails in office, which expressed explicit concern for students in marginalized communities. It seems more and more as though the university’s responses come quicker when the university’s image and the success of the school has a significant stake in the matter. This betrays a lack of concern for certain marginalized groups, even if unintentional on the part of the administration.
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Jana Ashour/The Observer
Editorial Board
Why SAGES Failed
Zachary Treseler News Editor
As the SAGES program begins to wind down, it is vital to understand the legacy and impact of the program on Case Western Reserve University students. For a program that played such a key role in the anxieties of CWRU students, it held no actual impact on the writing skills of CWRU students due to its failed course timeline, especially its USNA courses. Even if the courses were interesting and the professors were some of my favorites at this school, the SAGES program harbors a legacy of sheer ineffectiveness.
For those unfamiliar with SAGES, before the class of 2023, undergraduate students were required to take three seminar courses as part of the university’s general education requirements. These courses, which did not count for 98% of majors, were aligned with three thematic areas that corresponded to the last letters of the course code: “SO” for the social world, “SY” for the symbolic world and “NA” for the natural world. The latter became a problem for most students due to a scarcity of USNAs, which were designed for students to take after their first semester at CWRU. Like many students, I couldn’t
take my USNA course until the second semester of my junior year. I guess that midway through that year, at least half, if not more, of my class was missing a USNA requirement. To top this, the SAGES department initially offered only 198 seats in USNAs for over six thousand undergraduate students. This lack of supply flabbergasted me and ruined the experience for many of my friends. Oddly enough, it was a problem that even SAGES administrators admitted to. The result was tons of stress and anxiety for students, so much so that it prompted us to want to disconnect entirely from the writing program at CWRU. How can we trust it if it fails to offer an adequate number of classes for a growing student body?
As a result, the scarcity of the USNA courses made them beyond valuable; so many students needed to get the seminars but often could only get them very late in their academic careers. This instance is against the recommendation of the SAGES department’s website, which stresses completing these courses within the first two years. Herein lies the crux of the problem. Due to the self-inflicted scarcity of the SAGES program, the classes were ineffective and taught skills that we experienced through our major degree programs. SAGES classes had limited educational
value and became a time suck in the face of other courses and extracurricular activities.
Due to the lack of supply of USNAs, I was already deep into higher-level elective writing classes by the time I was taking mine.The late timing meant that my playground for learning and experimenting with writing skills and techniques was not in a SAGES classroom but in courses that counted toward my major. There was no other choice: with the absence of the SAGES program within the reasonably allocated time frame, I had to learn vital writing skills in classes that expected me to have already mastered them. With CWRU’s “sink or swim” competitive culture, students take high-level courses early in their academic careers. Therefore, students must already know the skills that were supposed to be taught by SAGES during those higher-level courses, even if they have yet to complete the course sequence.
The meager contribution of the SAGES program classes is shown not only through harrowing stories of students struggling to find a USNA but also through data. Every year, the SAGES department publishes a report based on the writing portfolios submitted during the previous academic year. This data revealed the program’s generally
ineffective nature. For example, of the research essays submitted between 2023 and 2024, only 35% were classified as “Proficient,” the highest of four categories. Likewise, only 52% of essays had “a clearly-stated argumentative thesis statement” and 54% were “organized clearly and persuasively”. What the data shows is that while SAGES had the potential to improve student writing, it instead faltered into the realm of incompetence, where only a slim majority of students, or sometimes a minority of them, could produce meaningful and authentic writing that meets basic benchmarks and standards. This ineffectiveness comes, at least partly, from the shortage of classes required to fulfill the program. Many students had no choice but to take SAGES classes later in their academic career, and they gained less and less from these courses as they’d already learned disciplinespecific information from their upper-level courses. This reflects how SAGES classes fail to contribute to a student’s academic success and are generally just time wasters that cause undue anxiety and stress. The program ultimately detached students from one of the joys of college—trying out new courses and subject areas—by making the process frustrating at best and a waste of time at worst.
Democracy or dictatorship? Elon Musk’s salute foresees a grave future for American
politics
Soldiers salute to the American flag as a sign of respect and honor, neighbors salute to their friends as a greeting and Elon Musk saluted to fascism and Nazism at President Donald Trump’s inaugural celebration.
On Jan. 20, Musk, the head of the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stretched his arm into the air with his palm facing down—twice. This is the same gesture that was abused by Nazis during World War II, becoming the most common signal of white supremacy. The Nazi salute is illegal in Germany, being grounds for detainment, for its horrifying history directly associated with the Holocaust genocides and the deaths of millions of people. And now, this dismaying display sets the stage for an oncoming dictatorship, as Trump’s unearthly executive orders begin to pile up and are made public. Since the inauguration, Trump has already signed several executive orders that are set to send tsunami-sized ripples throughout America. These orders begin with the withdrawal of the country from the World Health Organization, the repeal of birthright citizenship, mass deportations of unsanctioned immigrants accused of crimes and the creation of the DOGE. A president is supposed to act in the country’s best interests,
yet we are witnessing the beginning of our democracy’s downfall—and it’s only been a few days since Trump’s return to office. There’s no telling what’s to come in a couple of months or years, and a lot can happen in a small amount of time. After all, Adolf Hitler became dictator of Germany only 53 days after being elected chancellor through the Enabling Act of 1933. Now, the DOGE raises questions about its success and those involved. How will Musk—with
a net worth of nearly half a trillion dollars—see what’s useful and what’s not to the common American? Should we be so quick to allow the billionaires of the world to influence governments instead of those with years of experience and education to do so? It seems like the wrong people are involved in the current government.
Trump stated that there won’t be a sticker price for his deportation plan, and his policy is already estimated to cost more than $88
billion; with the addition of border enforcements, that will amp up costs to roughly $100 billion. With that sum, medical debt in America could be eradicated completely, as a report in 2022 confirmed that $88 billion are found on Americans’ credit reports. That doesn’t seem to be a priority in Trump’s extensive agenda, though. Instead, it is being utilized for the deportation of unauthorized immigrants seeking a more promising future in the land of the free—or is it?
Aleksandra Majewski Staff Writer
Courtesy of Creative Commons
The great irony: How Trump’s voters will suffer the most
Salsabeel Salem Staff Writer
As of Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump is officially the 47th president of the United States of America. If someone told me a year ago this would be the reality we’re about to face, I think I would have laughed and said “good joke.” But nevertheless, here we are. On a day noted for featuring billionaires worth more than the gross domestic product of New Zealand and Portugal combined along with Melania Trump’s wide-brimmed boater hat, the nation witnessed a prosecuted felon step into one of the most powerful roles in the world. And from day one, he proved that he actually does have “concepts of a plan.” Signing more executive orders than any other president on his first day in office, Trump is making good on the promises he made in his campaign. However, this comes at the expense of those who voted to give him such power.
In a significant setback for former Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party, the U.S. experienced a major shift in 2024, with 90% of counties voting more Republican compared to the 2020 election. This was just wild. Has America become more conservative? Was Trump simply the more appealing candidate? I wish I had a good answer for this, but what I do know is that more people voted for Trump in 2024 than in 2020 and 2016. The demographics that compose these 77.3 million votes reveal quite a bit about the values of our nation and what we value in a leader. The data are rather disheartening as many of the people who voted for him belong to groups that are currently being hurt by his numerous executive orders.
According to a poll done by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), a noteworthy 46% of latinos voted for Trump. This is rather ironic because a core aspect of his
campaign centered around deporting undocumented immigrants, particularly Mexicans. He followed through on his promise by declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, calling for law enforcement officials and the military to crack down on immigrants. As of now, a striking 74% of undocumented immigrants are latino. Thus, the very people he hopes to kick out of this country may be the family members and close friends of those who voted for him.
This poll also highlights Trump’s support among older Americans, with approximately 50% of adults over 65 pledging their vote to him. Though this comes as no surprise as older Americans have usually voted on the more conservative side, this should raise concern seeing as Trump has made it clear that he does not care about their health. It’s long been established that conservatives don’t like any initiative meant to make healthcare more affordable, but Trump took this a step further by rescinding Executive Order 14087. This law signed under former President Joe Biden worked to lower the cost of prescription drugs and increase accessibility to innovative treatment options. Additionally, Trump has expressed support for the private insurance option under Medicare, called Medical Advantage, while limiting funding for Medicare itself. This would decrease government spending at the expense of diminishing healthcare benefits for those unable to afford private insurance. And since nearly 95% of adults over the age of 60 have at least one chronic condition, with 80% having two or more, these changes would hurt this demographic the most.
Another group of voters that strongly supported Trump were concerned with the economy, with 93% of Republicans saying the economy was important to their vote. Unlike the first two scenarios described, this one has some method to the madness. In
his campaign, Trump emphasized just how horrible the economy was, making sure to assert that his administration would “fix” it. Intending to protect domestic industries, Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico effective starting Feb. 1, 2025. The total amount of imported goods between the two countries is worth over $800 billion dollars, amounting to 28% of total imports. When this goes into effect, the price of various goods such as cars and oil will increase dramatically. This
does not help the already high price of groceries—eggs in particular, as the bird flu has had negative effects on the farming industry. And once the deportations start taking effect, the price of virtually every other grocery item will go up as well because undocumented latinos compose a vast portion of farm workers. Thus, this “poor” economy will suffer further under Trump’s administration.
Continue reading on page 10
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Three mindsets that will ruin your life
Catherine Choi Staff Writer
As we grow up, our environment, life experiences and future shape us into the people who we are today. However, not all of our perspectives and mindsets are worthy of celebration. It is more likely than not that some of them actually have a negative impact on our lives. In this article, we will investigate a few common—but often overlooked—harmful mindsets and why we should work hard to overcome them.
The first mindset is the victim mentality. It is natural for people to be afraid of admitting that they are wrong, and sometimes it is likely that one is, in fact, the victim. However, it is also important that we keep in mind that we are, as humans, prone to being wrong and that others are not always against us. A common example of the victim mentality coming into play is when a person constantly struggles to get along with others and feels like they are being mistreated. Instead of re-evaluating our own behavior to see if we are the cause of the problem, we blame a certain group of people, label them as rude and even mistreat them. On the other hand, the people in that group may be struggling due to our quickness to label them as villains. The victim mindset is detrimental because it makes us believe that everyone is against us, leading to low self-esteem as we wonder what we did to deserve an attack. Although it could be because of past trauma, such as being bullied, people should work to get out of the mindset that everyone hates them and acknowledge that many people do not intend to be mean. Having a victim mentality halts growth by making it impossible to realize when we are misbehaving while hindering our ability to take responsibility for our actions. Instead, we should practice viewing situations objectively to gain an understanding of the true picture rather than letting our thoughts spiral out of control. For
example, are people at work really tossing you around and giving all the work to you or is it the nature of the job?
The second mindset is the preemptive fear of failure. Fear of failure can be linked to a tiny concern, such as trying out a new menu at a restaurant, to something as grave as applying for a promotion and asking for a raise. Of course it is understandable that the potential consequences (not liking the food or being rejected) that come along with our decisions are undesirable. However, simply succumbing to the fear without taking appropriate action can lead to graver consequences. For instance, when someone is too afraid of failing to get their dream job, the fear could present itself in the form of a poor job interview, reluctance to leave a mediocre job that underpays and mistreats their employees or making oneself small through social comparison. We tend to fear criti-
ations where one cannot remain stagnant. Another example is when a student wants to be a part of a popular extracurricular activity, such as team sports or Greek Life, but does not apply for it, assuming that they have no chance of getting what they want without even trying. Through this experience, they are likely to despair, thinking that they are worthless, undeserving and incapable. They may even belittle others who achieved what they wanted. Such a mindset can be altered by changing the way we view failure. Instead of viewing it as a scarlet letter saying that someone is not worthy, view it as a learning opportunity where you can try new things. Also, acknowledge the fact that some things, such as a professor’s grading scale, are beyond our control and that we are more than what we own and have achieved. Setting small goals to expose oneself to success can help build the confidence to aim for something
How Trump’s voters will suffer from page 9
Though many individuals have blatantly ignored the evidence showing how Trump actually does not have their best interest at heart, unless they’re a rich billionaire who happens to also be a white man, some did. A firm 86% of the LGBTQIA+ community voted for Kamala Harris. With the foresight to see the detrimental effects another Trump administration would have on their rights, this group of people banned together to contribute to the advancement of a more progressive agenda, one determined to increase opportunities for minorities. Unfortunately, they were met with a slap in the face as Trump mandated federal policies to acknowledge only male and female genders. In doing so, he demonstrated a complete disregard for the complexities of gender that extend beyond a binary system, ignoring those who identify as agender, genderfluid and more.
Additionally, he dismantled federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs which protected this community and other minorities from bigoted individuals like him. As a result of his poorly designed initiatives, this community and many more minority groups will be hurt.
America, we have a long way to go. With four years ahead, only time will tell what “life-saving” and “American” policies our new president will implement. The sheer speed at which Trump has already enacted sweeping changes suggests an administration determined to reshape the country in his image, regardless of the cost to the very people who put him back in office. Perhaps, like a racehorse forced into an unsustainable sprint, Trump’s momentum will inevitably slow. But until then, the nation braces itself for the impact. What once seemed like an impossible reality is now unfolding before our eyes. Stay vigilant, stay informed and, most importantly, stay safe. This “good
The third dangerous mindset is perfectionism. Although pursuit
of flawlessness and improvement is something to be lauded, when the desire becomes obsessive to the extent that one starts to use it to evaluate their self worth, it becomes a problem. Common signs of perfectionism include having very high standards that put immense pressure on yourself, being hard on yourself even for small mistakes, expressing excessive frustration whenever things do not go as planned and avoiding tasks that you are not confident about. This attitude is very destructive because it stops us from pursuing our goals and encourages us to spend too much time caring about what others would think of us. Additionally we may experience increased anxiety and depression because we tend to focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do have, or we obsess over small details without being able to see the whole picture. The people around us are likely to struggle because they have to meet your high standards and live up to your expectations. We can become our worst critics, which leads to reduced self-esteem. However, we must acknowledge that we are human and that the people who irrationally demand you to be perfect are the problem rather than yourself. Put more energy into making up for mistakes rather than obsessing over them. Set generous deadlines and workloads so the volume of work is manageable, and acknowledge that failing to be perfect is not the end of the world. Although it is difficult to change the way one thinks and views the world, there is plenty of room for improvement. The start is as easy as reevaluating our behaviors and acknowledging that the way we think and act is getting in the way of our life. By putting ourselves through added stress, we can bring about our own downfalls, doing and saying hurtful things to others. Instead we must be patient and take as much time as we need to adjust the way we view the world. This is only done by trying different things, communicating with others and focusing on ourselves.
Kaler’s recent emails will ruin your life from page 8
Emails of solidarity are not the only way to demonstrate support for the campus community. Students might feel more supported if the campus created helpful plans of action to help students during these uncertain times.
Even if the administration cannot outright say that they oppose the new executive orders, CWRU can be more transparent about how these new policies will impact the university’s operations. Regarding threats to diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the administration can make sure to highlight mental health resources to struggling students and work on creating new programs to support the school’s marginalized communities. In regards to potential changes to federal policy that can affect international student aid, the school should provide reassurance to their students rather than simply allowing those who will potentially be affected to speculate about their future. As a campus that intends
to remain informed and diverse, CWRU should provide resources for the campus community to stay up to date on current events and how changing policies could affect our university.
Sports
Men’s basketball drops after double thriller conference loss
Ellie Palaian Staff Writer
The Case Western Reserve University men’s basketball team fell to a 5-11 record after two losses this week, first against Brandeis University (93-101) and then New York
University (73-80). In the matchup against Brandeis, the Judges dominated the first half, opening the second with a commanding 22-point lead. Despite this, the Spartans fought back, narrowing the deficit to 11 points with 2:49 remaining. Fourth-year guard Sam Trunley gave the team hope with
a clutch 3-pointer that brought the Spartans within 5 points with 39 seconds left. Unfortunately, that would be their final basket, as Brandeis secured the win 101-93.
Trunley was the standout performer of the game, leading all scorers with 31 points on an impressive 11-of-22 shooting effort. Ranked 11th nationally in Division III for points per game, Trunley has consistently been a key offensive player for the Spartans. This was his 10th game leading the team in scoring, his third 30-point game and his ninth effort of 20 or more points this season.
CWRU’s early struggles stemmed from Brandeis’ extraordinary first-half shooting. The Judges hit 71.88% of their field goals and 53.85% of their 3-point attempts in the opening 20 minutes, creating a deficit the Spartans ultimately could not overcome.
Two days after their loss to Brandeis, the Spartans faced off against the No. 6-ranked NYU Bobcats at home. The game was a tightly contested battle, with the first half ending in NYU’s favor at 39-35.
NYU maintained their lead until first-year forward Nolan Demski hit a 3-pointer, tying the game at 51-51 with 10:17 remaining. The
Spartans stayed within striking distance and a layup by first-year guard Matthew Ellis with just 55 seconds left brought them within 3 points, 73-70. However, NYU capitalized on their opportunities at the free-throw line, sinking seven of eight attempts in the final minute to fend off the Spartans and secure the victory.
Fourth-year forward Umar Rashid delivered a stellar performance, notching a career-high 32 points to lead all scorers. Rashid played all 40 minutes, shooting 12-of-23 from the field, 4-of-8 from 3-point range and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. He also contributed a team-high 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks in an impressive all-around effort.
After an impressive 23-5 record and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the 2023-24 NCAA tournament, the Spartans face a challenging start to the 2024-25 season with a 5-11 record. The team graduated eight players in the offseason and welcomed seven first-year recruits, which may explain the struggles of this young roster.
The Spartans are set to face the University of Rochester on Jan. 31, followed by a matchup against the No. 11-ranked Emory University on Feb. 2.
Track and field dominates at Fighting Scots Invitational
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
On Saturday, the Case Western Reserve University’s track and field team traveled to Wooster, Ohio, to participate in the Fighting Scots Invitational. Both Spartan teams swept the competition, being the other five competing schools: Denison University, Kenyon College, Oberlin College, West Virginia Institute of Technology and host The College of Wooster. The men’s team won with 184 points and the women’s team won with 194 points.
The women’s team took first in six events and had top finishes in all 15 events. Second-year Sarah Ball crossed the finish line first in the 60 meter dash with a time of 8.20 and was also part of the school-record breaking 4x200 team.
“This was my first college track meet due to a previous injury, so I’m proud of myself for putting in the work to recover and get back on the track. These achievements demonstrated to me that I can contribute to this team’s success, and I left the meet with a hunger to work harder for myself and my teammates,” she said.
Alongside Ball in the women’s 4x200 relay team were third-year Melanie Taylor and first-years Siena Kannenberg and Riley Friedman. The team finished with a time of 1:49.14, beating the previous record of 1:49.22 set in 2019, which came as a shock to the four of them.
“We had never practiced handoffs before the meet, and we had no idea what this race would look like since it was our first time running it together.
We went into the 4x200 with a relaxed, ‘let’s just have fun and finish the race’ mindset and were shocked to learn that our first attempt as a team set a school record. We always have a great time running together in practice, so it was easy to build off of each other’s energy and run our hardest for each other in the race,” Ball commented.
Other event victories for the women’s team included sweeping the distance races with third-year Lauren Iagnemma in the 3000-meter race (10:13.42) and third-year Arianna Holbrook in the mile race (5:25.14).
The Spartan squad also dominated in the field events with first-year Eyoha Teshome in the high jump (4-11.50), fourth-year Jordan Su in the triple jump (32-11.75), second-year Holly Schreiber in pole vault (11-00.00) and third-year Lauren Roskuszka in the weight throw (49-05.00).
Ball noted the team’s spirit and unity during the meet.
“I’m used to feeling like part of a family with the teams I’m on, but it can sometimes be hard for me to feel like I belong on this team after I was injured last season. This meet, however, was full of encouragement and enthusiasm, and I felt welcomed into a new, loving family by my teammates,” she said.
The men’s team took first place in three events, including the 5,000-meter run, the triple jump and the pole vault. Fourth-year Mike Lombardi crossed the finish line in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 15:47.74. Secondyear Tanush Anand bounded 13.66 meters to take first, and fourth-year Quaylen Lamarre cleared 13-05.5 feet.
Overall, the team notched 14 personal records and a plethora of top 10
performances. As this is just the beginning of their season, the Spartans have a promising season ahead.
Ball shared her goals for the season.
“One of my goals this season is to compete in high hurdles, as this is something I’m getting back into after many years without competing. Further, I want to improve at something
every week, whether it be my 60m time, my 200m time, my ability to be there for my teammates, or my confidence in myself as a track athlete,” she said.
The team will be travelling to Berea, Ohio, to participate in the Dr. Taraschke Team Challenge hosted by Baldwin Wallace University.
Fourth-year forward Umar Rashid hit a career-high of 32 points in the Spartans’ match against NYU this past Sunday.
Ella Lasky/The Observer
Left to right: First-year Siena Kanneberg, second-year Sarah Ball, first-year Riley Friedman and third-year Melanie Taylor broke the Spartans’ record in the 4x200-meter relay with a time of 1:49.14.
Courtesy of Melanie Taylor
Swimming and Diving celebrates women’s Senior Day with both teams sweeping Oberlin
Abhishek Nambiar Staff Writer
This past Saturday, Jan. 25, the Case Western Reserve University swimming and diving teams swept Oberlin College during a home meet that took place in Veale Natatorium. The men’s team prevailed 231-57 over the Yeomen with wins in 15 out of 16 events, while the women’s team defeated the Yeowomen 242-51 and swept all 16 of their events. With both teams improving 4-1 in dual meets, the day also marked the annual Senior Day for the women’s swimming and diving team; before the meet commenced, the 21 graduating members of the women’s team were celebrated for their accomplishments during their time on the team.
“I’ve been a swimmer my entire life and it has shaped who I’ve become, so even though it’s very exciting to be moving onto the next phase of my life, I will always miss training and competing as a swimmer,” fourth-year swimmer Kate Menzer said. “[My teammates] constantly inspire and motivate me to be a better athlete, student, and overall person. I’m so thankful for the connections and friendships I’ve formed with my teammates, and though our season is ending soon, I know we will stay close.”
“Of course, it was a very emotional moment getting to walk out during the senior ceremony since that was something I have watched happen for the past three years but now it was my turn to walk out with my other senior teammates,” fourth-year Gabriella Chambers said. “I have been very lucky to swim with such great teammates throughout my time with the team at CWRU, and I have been able to grow both as a teammate and as a competitive athlete.”
As part of CWRU’s sweep, numerous Spartans on the women’s
team displayed their exceptional skills throughout this special day for many of them. Menzer won the 100-yard individual medley with a time of 1:03.37 and touched the wall first in the 200-yard breaststroke with a 2:29.11 time. Third-year Claire Kozma claimed the gold in the 50-yard freestyle (24.38) and 100-yard freestyle (53.94), while second-year Ava Ellis claimed victories in the 500yard freestyle (5:19.28) and 200yard individual medley (2:14.49). Both diving events were swept by fourth-year Abigail Wilkov as she scored 265.05 in the 1-meter dive and 275.47 in the 3-meter dive.
Kozma was also part of the victorious 200-yard medley relay team with her teammates firstyear Sayjel Tan, second-year Lillian Paley and graduate student Amy Evans. They finished with a time of 1:50.97 to give CWRU a resounding victory to kick off the meet, going hand in hand with the Spartan victory in one of the last events of the day: the 200-yard freestyle relay. The victory came courtesy of Chambers, third-year Eliza Dixon, first-year Marina Oria and second-year Sheila Monera Cabarique with a finishing time of 1:40.27.
With the Spartan sweep came numerous solo wins throughout the day, which are as follows: second-year Maggie Rose Rook in the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.05), Tan in the 50-yard backstroke (27.85), third-year Julia Cho in the 50-yard breaststroke (32.79), fourth-year Selah Dean in the 200-yard butterfly (2:12.22), third-year Lauren Valentine in the 200-yard backstroke (2:09.54) and fourth-year Nara Lee in the 50-yard butterfly (26.70).
A similarly wide range of success was displayed by the men’s team. They, too, kicked off the meet with a bang thanks to a first-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay (1:31.53) from the group of third-
year swimmers Emil LaSida, Julian Kim, William Froass and Mason Bencurik; LaSida, Froass, Bencurik, and fellow third-year Ben Borvendeg would go on to bookend the men’s team’s success with a 1:23.69 first-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay—the very last event of the meet.
Between these two relay events, the men’s team showed off their strengths with wins throughout the day. Fourth-year Peter Meng achieved a trio of wins in the 200yard freestyle (1:42.58), 200-yard backstroke (1:54.30) and 200yard individual medley (1:54.18).
Fourth-year Nico Billoni swept the diving events with scores of 264.22 and 279.22 in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives, respectively. First-year Vladimir Shibalov placed first in the 200-yard butterfly (1:57.40), fourth-year Jiro Batt took the gold in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:11.58) and fourthyear Griffin Gushman touched the wall first in the 500-yard freestyle (4:44.95).
The aforementioned men’s relay swimmers also achieved wins of
their own accord. LaSida bagged the 100-yard individual medley (52.56) and 100-yard freestyle (46.93) contests, Kim scored a win in the 50-yard breaststroke (26.18), Froass achieved victory in the 50-yard butterfly (22.67) and Bencurik took the gold in the 50yard freestyle (21.27).
The swimming and diving teams will look to continue their success this coming Saturday, Feb. 1, when they will compete in their final dual meet of the season while hosting Kenyon College. The day will also mark Senior Day for the men’s swimming and diving teams, where graduating members of the men’s team will be celebrated for their accomplishments over the past several years.
“I am looking forward to supporting and celebrating [the men’s team seniors],” Menzer said. “I want to cherish every moment of it. At the same time, we’re competing against the top team in our division, so my goal is to get my hand to the wall as fast as possible and score as many points as I can for CWRU.”
Senior Day for the women’s swimming and diving team was celebrated this past Saturday along with the team’s clean sweep against Oberlin. Courtesy of CWRU Athletics
Scores and Upcoming Games
Track and Field
CWRU at Fighting Scots Invitational (1/25)
Men’s team: 1st of 6 teams (184 pts)
Women’s team: 1st of 6 teams (194 pts)
CWRU at Dr. Taraschke Team Challenge (2/1)
Women’s Basketball
CWRU vs Brandeis (1/24) - L 60-72
CWRU vs NYU (1/26) - L 31-107
CWRU at Rochester (1/31)
CWRU at Emory (2/2)
Men’s Basketball
CWRU vs Brandeis (1/24) - L 93-101
CWRU vs NYU (1/26) - L 73-80
CWRU at Rochester (1/31)
CWRU at Emory (2/2)
CWRU vs Oberlin (1/25)
Men’s team: W 231-57
Women’s team: W 242-51
CWRU vs Kenyon (2/1, 1 p.m., Veale Natatorium)
CWRU vs Baldwin Wallace (1/24) - L 0-49
CWRU at Pete Willson Invitational (1/31 - 2/2)