The Observer, Volume L, Issue 01, 8/24/2018

the

Case Western Reserve University volume l, issue 1 friday, 8/24/2018

Observer

Record-breaking class size overcrowds dorms Sophia Yakumithis News Editor The 26,646 applicants vying for a spot in the Class of 2022 broke records this year, topping last year’s mark of the most first-year applications by over 1,200 people. While the gradual upsurge in interest is ultimately positive, it also means the University must accommodate greater student numbers in aspects like on-campus housing.

According to the Office of Undergraduate Admission, a higher proportion of students accepted their offers of admission to Case Western Reserve University this year as opposed to last year; University Housing planned for a class of 1,325 students and the class came in at slightly under 1,390.

Vice President for Campus Services Dick Jamieson said, “To accommodate, we rented some Cleveland Institute of Art-controlled apartments and allocated some of the Triangle Apartments for undergraduate housing instead of graduate housing.”

The Triangle, located on Euclid and Mayfield, is normally reserved for graduate students or upperclassmen. Given that north campus’ Clarke Tower is considered a “swing space” for both first- and second-year students, roughly 90 second-year students were relocated

from Clarke and into the Triangle.

Jamieson said the decision was intended to keep all first-year students together on the north side of campus and that Housing efficiently responded to the issue.

“University Housing was wellequipped to manage the placement of [a higher-than-anticipated number of] students,” he said. “We maintain contingency spaces with our colleagues from other departments to use based on our occupancy needs and size of the first-year class.”

Other ways which Housing responded to the gradually increasing number of first-year students include infrastructural upgrades, furniture and lobby enhancements and new Amazon package delivery systems.

Bob McCullough, dean of Undergraduate Admission and assistant vice president for enrollment, is pleased with the ongoing developments and said that a more competitive college market means that CWRU must find ways to maintain its edge.

He said, “I think there is a lot of positive momentum around [CWRU], with new enhancements to academic and extracurricular programs, new buildings around campus and new development in our neighborhood and around Cleveland.”

On top of residential upgrades and enhanced academic programs, social media is a key player in garnering prospective inter-

Alexandra Faccenda/Observer First-year students participate in workshops throughout Orientation Week to get comfortable on campus before classes begin. Above, orientation groups learn about student employment in Rockefeller. est and sustaining application volumes.

“We need to make sure we’re getting the word out about [CWRU] in whatever medium students and parents are gathering information,” McCullough said, “whether that’s websites, social media, direct mail and email, personal contact with students, faculty, staff and alumni or other forms of communication.”

He added, “There is a terrific story to tell about what’s going on here, and students and their families are eager to learn about great universities that might be a match for them.”

Undergraduate Admission is “honored and humbled” to see what they considered an “increasingly diverse and academically talented” pool of prospective students.

New faculty position to help navigate student success Jahci Perry-Richardson Staff Reporter Student Success’ recently inaugurated “navigators” have taken an important role on campus, securing undergraduate students with ongoing support and extra-curricular opportunities. The new faculty position is intended to help students with a smoother undergraduate experience by connecting them with resources both on and off campus.

Navigators, according to Student Success, serve to guide and advocate for students throughout their undergraduate career. Their primary job is to understand, support and connect students with resources and individuals specific to their needs.

“We’ve heard from students that sometimes they feel alone [or] isolated with no

network to offer guidance, encouragement and people focused on their overall well-being while on campus,” said Tom Matthews, Interim Vice President of Student Success. “Navigators and faculty advisors will work closely together in support of their students.”

Nearly half of the navigators relocated from other positions at the University, while the rest came from post-secondary academic settings across the country.

Navigators will make students aware of various opportunities on campus, post-graduation endeavors and other aspects of their collegiate careers that might otherwise go unnoticed in light of busy schedules. They also serve as wellness watchdogs; ensuring that students are emotionally fulfilled throughout their undergraduate journey.

Each student is paired with a navigator upon their enrollment who will remain a

resource for them throughout their time at Case Western Reserve University.

“Faculty advisors are the primary contact for all academic issues, including advising, and the navigator is the point of contact for issues primarily outside of the classroom,” Matthews said. “As we know, sometimes the lines blur and a student can reach out to either one first, knowing the other will be apprised of the situation.”

A recommendation from the Provost’s Commission on the Undergraduate Experience (CUE) suggested that CWRU create a team of advisors to support the growing complexity of student lives. The position was officially created by President Barbara Snyder under the Student Success Initiative, and was supported by a $500,000 academic leadership award from the Carnegie Corporation.

In response to the CUE’s request for the

University to continue with the interconnectedness of student life, already-operating student advocacy offices—including the Career Center, First-Year Experience and Education Services—were consolidated into one office with one goal: student success. Navigators work out of this office.

“This model is designed to provide students the information, guidance and support they need throughout their undergraduate experience,” Matthews said. “[Navigators] are available year round, able to help with any questions, concerns and/or ideas.”

CWRU hopes that the role of the navigator will broaden the resources available to students outside of the academic realm, as they are now students’ main point of contact for circumstances ranging from tutoring inquiries to wellness concerns to internship opportunities.

News

A&E

Opinion

Sports

pg. 2 New openings in Uptown

pg. 5 A guide to the extras

pg. 8 Discovering Cleveland

pg. 12 CWRU sports overview

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8/24/18

Sandwich franchise, fitness studio ready for business Jahci Perry-Richardson Staff Reporter A new academic year means new food and fitness opportunities on campus. In addition to One to One Fitness’ already launched Next Level Fitness Studio, Dave’s Cosmic Subs and Music will join the University Circle community later this year.

In the late 1990s, Dave Lombardy and his wife, Mary Ann, established the first Dave’s Cosmic Subs in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Lombardy’s vision, according to the restaurant’s website, was “inspired by the memory of sharing great sandwiches late at night with his dad” and the music of the 1960s.

This vision is now reality manifested in a rock n’ roll-themed restaurant with a broad menu of subs and salads. As at other Dave’s across the country, the upcoming Juniper Road location’s target audience consists of local community members and university students.

Marie Schramm, director of operations for North Coast Cosmic Subs, LLC—the franchisee of Dave’s Cosmic Subs and daughter company Sidhu Realty Capital, LLC—said, “We hope to fulfill the need for a great neighborhood hang-out spot for both students and the local community.”

At the heart of Case Western Reserve University’s north campus, the restaurant

Alexandra Faccenda/Observer Next Level Fitness recently replaced Cleveland Yoga’s facility on Euclid. The boutique gym offers fitness and wellness services, like massages (above), at a discounted price to Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Institute of Art and Cleveland Institute of Music students.

will take the place of the former Barking Spider Tavern, a long-lived campus hot spot which closed in 2016.

Dave’s will continue the Barking Spider’s tradition of live music, adding a twist with themed weeknight activities including karaoke, open mic and trivia nights. Its owners predict that this particular Dave’s will be the only location which

features a bar and live entertainment.

Another addition to campus this year is Next Level Fitness Studio, owned by One to One Fitness, on Euclid Avenue.

The University Fitness Centers’ boutique studio, which offers both fitness and wellness services, replaced the space above Dunkin’ Donuts after Cleveland Yoga’s lease ended in April.

Next Level offers classes including various types of yoga, meditation, cycling and martial arts. Among its wellness services are massages, private yoga and meditation sessions, Reiki, hypnosis, nutritional guidance and even complimentary tea tasting. The variety and range of classes aim to support the studio’s mission of approaching health holistically.

Senior Director of University Fitness Centers Bryn Mota said, “The mission of Next Level is to provide a contemporary, uplifting and inclusive experience inspiring each other to reach our next level of wellness as a part of a community of not only strong bodies but strong minds. A holistic approach combining high intensity classes with restorative services for individual mind-body balance and transformation.”

“One to One Fitness is a great fitness center and [is] known for being among the best since 1988,” Mota said. “Next Level takes all that makes One to One a success and is able to specialize and build upon those in a boutique setting.”

By “specializing,” Mota refers to the studio’s sub-areas of broader categories in health and wellness. For example, while One to One offers yoga, Next Level offers hot yoga.

“The studio is welcoming to all,” Mota said. “We hope [Next Level] will form a community of a diverse group of people on the journey to good health.”

Renovations spruce up campus Virginia Behmer Staff Reporter Renovations and development projects popped up across campus over the summer, turning the university grounds into a series of construction sites. Tomlinson Marketplace; the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center field house; Haydn Hall; Wade Hall and Denison Hall have been all updated.

Located in the basement of Case Quad’s Tomlinson Hall, the Tomlinson Marketplace underwent Phase II of a two-part renovation this summer. The Marketplace houses Subway, Local Taco, Fire Grill, Performance Bowl and CLE table.

The Marketplace underwent Phase I between 2016 and 2017. These renovations focused on updating “serving platforms, dining concepts and seating areas,” according to Dick Jamieson, vice president for campus services. An outdoor patio was also added.

Phase II involved more overarching renovations, such as a total restoration of the kitchen, all new cooking equipment and major infrastructure upgrades.

The renovation was completed through a collaboration of Case Western Reserve University Dining Services, Campus Planning & Facilities Management and Bon Appetit. The Marketplace is accessible to students via special meal swipes, CaseCash and traditional payment.

“These upgrades will allow Dining Services and Bon Appetit to optimize the dining experience of our students, faculty and staff at this key Case Quad dining venue for years to come,” said Jamieson.

The Veale field house underwent

Alexandra Faccenda/Observer

Various summer renovations in Tomlinson Marketplace included the patio (above) and kitchen (not pictured). Although the project is now finished, construction occupied most of the past several months and is ongoing. Dining services have gradually re-opened throughout this week and will be up and running when classes resume on Monday. general maintenance renovations over the summer as well. This section of Veale recently reopened after undergoing a floor recoating, according to Director of the Department of Planning, Design and Construction Chris Panichi.

The field house includes the multipurpose track and courts and hosts many university events, including Commencement and University Welcome.

Panichi said, “Students will enjoy a new floor with better stripping for basketball and other sports.”

Hayden Hall and two Department of Music buildings also began renovations and construction this past May. Haydn Hall’s

internal mechanical system, ceilings and floorings have been completely replaced, according to Panichi.

“Students will now have a central air-conditioning system,” said Panichi. “[This] is much quieter without window units while also providing humidity control for the instruments.”

Haydn is home to the Department of Music faculty and staff offices, classrooms, the Kulas Music Library and the Music Education Resource Center.

Panichi said the project will be “substantially complete” by the start of classes on Aug. 27. Wade Rehearsal Hall and Denison Rehearsal Hall, however,

are undergoing construction which will run into the upcoming semester.

The halls are “used primarily for ensemble rehearsals,” according to the department website.

The first phase of the reconstruction was completed over the summer. According to Panichi, this included renovating the current building interior’s acoustics and instrument storage, as well as mechanical upgrades.

“The second part involved constructing an addition for large music ensembles and a large practice space for the orchestra and band,” said Panichi.

Construction on the rehearsal halls is set to conclude this October.

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Poet to speak at annual tradition Katharine Toledo Staff Reporter On Wednesday, Aug. 29, students, staff, faculty and community members will gather at Severance Hall to carry on the annual tradition of Fall Convocation.

This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Sarah Kay, the Elaine G. Hadden Distinguished Visiting Author for 2018 and the author of this year’s common reading book, “No Matter the Wreckage.”

Fall Convocation serves as the first formal celebration of each academic year. The program is seen as a bookend to the end-of-year Commencement ceremony. In addition to a keynote address, the ceremony includes an academic procession and a presentation of Distinguished University Professors.

Since 2002, Case Western Reserve University has chosen a common reading book for its incoming first-year class that serves as the basis of discussion for first year seminars. “No Matter the Wreckage,” a poetry book, was chosen in an attempt to unite the Class of 2022 on the basis of themes like love and self-identity, while also urging them to discover their personal meanings of such themes.

Previous common reading books include Sarah Vowell’s “Lafayette in the Somewhat United States” and Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize winning “All The Light We Cannot See.” The New York native began performing poetry at age 14 at the East Village’s Bowery Poetry Club.

She was the youngest National Poetry Slam competitor in 2006, which she participated in once becoming involved with the Poetry Club’s Slam Team.

Kay received her Master of Arts in teaching from Brown University and has since been an education advocate and keynote speaker for various international organizations. According to her website, she was the youngest honored speaker in the history of Southern Methodist University’s Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series.

Since her poetry career took off, Kay has performed at the United Nations, Carnegie Hall and in over 25 different countries. Known for her spoken word poetry, Kay’s works have been featured in the Netflix show “13 Reasons Why” and on T-shirts created by Uniqlo. “No Matter the Wreckage,” the poet’s second collection of works, was published in 2014.

Fall Convocation will take place in

Severance Hall on Aug. 29, 2018 at 4:45 p.m. The event is free and open to

the public. Students can register for the event online.

Courtesy of Sarah Kay Since 2002, the University upholds a tradition of selecting a common reading book intended bring first-year students together through discussion. This year’s book, “No Matter the Wreckage,” was written by spoken-word artist and poet Sarah Kay. The author will speak at Aug. 29’s Fall Convocation ceremony.

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Sagittarius If you enjoy Leutner during your first week, give it time

Capricorn ORIENTATION NAVIGATOR SOCCER CONVOCATION DEATH CAB CLEVELAND RICH EXTRA CASTING VIOLIN JAZZ SPARTANS SPAIN POETRY WORKFORCE APPRECIATE

You will walk into the wrong classroom and feel humiliated

Aquarius You will know how quickly you need to walk to avoid awkward interactions

Pisces

You’ll have to wash your bed sheets due to constant sweating from the heat

arts & entertainment An extra chance at stardom Boehm, also have Facebook pages with links have, like where you need to go and what Sarah Parr to their websites. you need to wear.

Director of Business Operations In addition to these social media reWhat to expect as an extra on set No matter who you are, getting your 15 minutes of fame is possible in Cleveland.

Film production companies big and small are known for taking advantage of the city’s affordability.

And good news: it’s relatively easy to be a part of one of these films as an “extra” or “background talent”–you just have to look in the right spot at the right time for the opportunity.

For instance, Cleveland locals who are passionate independent filmmakers look for talent of all kinds for their projects.

Even larger movies, such as “My Friend Dahmer” and “The Avengers,” were filmed in Cleveland and, you guessed it, put out calls for ordinary people to work as extras.

There is no guarantee that you will see yourself on the big screen, but you certainly have a greater chance than if you weren’t a part of the movie at all.

How to find film opportunities Social media is one of the best ways to find casting opportunities. Many Facebook groups are dedicated to casting calls and auditions in Northeast Ohio. Casting companies and directors in the area, like Lillian Pyles and Angela

sources, NEOhioPAL is a free online service that provides notices of current performing arts listings in Northeast Ohio.

Sometimes performing arts groups on campus, like Players’ Theatre Group and the CWRU Footlighters, give information from these sources to their general bodies about opportunities. And, if all else fails, keep an eye out for announcements from local news sources, both in print and online.

The process before the shoot Each background talent call will have different requirements, but the following should give you a good idea of what to generally expect.

Have a good picture of yourself ready to email, along with your contact information and the kind of role you are seeking in the film.

This picture should look like you in your best natural state.

If the casting director thinks your look fits the general background of what a scene is trying to convey, you will get notified of what days and times they want you to work.

After telling them when you are available, the director will email you a confirmation that will answer a lot of questions you might

On set, you most likely will be doing a lot of waiting, learning, networking with other extras and partaking in refreshments. If it is an overnight shoot, you could be eating “lunch” at 11 p.m. You might even get paid if the movie’s budget is big enough.

Rising second-year student, Emma Risley, filmed some overnight scenes for the upcoming romantic comedy “The Last Summer,” starring K.J. Apa (“Riverdale”), Maia Mitchell (“The Fosters”) and Jacob Latimore (“The Maze Runner”) last month.

Harnessing your energy and learning to give a consistent performance is one of the most challenging, but fun, things about filming overnight.

Shooting multiple overnight scenes backto-back caused some extras to lose their voices, according to Risley. She added, “It’s fun because you have the other extras there hyping you up. It’s a good learning experience having to [lose your minds at “the best party of your lives” and cheer at a skate park] at five in the morning.”

Fourth-year student Jerek Pazgan-Lorenzo, an extra in the upcoming feature film “Native Son,” worked on “The Last Summer” with Risley.

“[Being an extra] has been a lot of fun, and I always have great stories from my time as an extra to share with friends,” PazganLorenzo said.

As fun as being an extra can be, you have to remember to be yourself and know your place.

“A large chunk of time as an extra is spent in holding before you even get to the set, but once I got on set, the crew worked fast. I wasn’t allowed to talk between shoots and I was placed somewhere right away,” PazganLorenzo said. “Every time I’m on set, the acting is very simple, so you don’t have to be an actor if you want to be in a movie. As extras, we were never the center of attention, so we were never under a lot of pressure.”

“You need to be really confident in yourself. A lot of times, being an extra is about your appearance,” Risley said. “This one girl I met just turned 19 and has never done [film]. She ended up having a speaking line randomly because she was small and blonde and beautiful.

Them not pulling you for something doesn’t mean you’re not a good actor.”

Overall, experiencing a movie set as an extra is a worthwhile opportunity.

“Don’t wait, just try it,” Pazgan-Lorenzo said. “Don’t have the expectation that being an extra will jumpstart your acting career, but try it out to see if you like being on set. If you just want to be in a movie, go for it.”

LECTURE: “Hidden in plain view: Discovering Vesalius’ surprising 16th century woodcut images of the healing, stealing, dissecting, and vivisecting of bodies.”

DR. DOUGLAS LANSKA DITTRICK MUSEUM OCT. 25 6:00 PM Dr. Lanska reveals that the historiated letters that begin paragraphs in Vesalius’ classic On the Fabric of the Human Body (1543) vividly portray the sordid details of the anatomist’s work. Until now, the sublime anatomical figures of Vesalius’s work have compelled our attention, while the historiated letters have been overlooked. One might say that they have hiding in plain sight. In them Vesalius and his artist collaborators depicted putti, or cherub-like figures, carrying out the nefarious deeds of the anatomist—robbing graves, preparing corpses for dissection, and performing vivisection on animals. Come see for yourself in Dr. Lanska’s lecture, and in the companion exhibit at the Dittrick, “Dissection of the brain in woodcut: A visual exploration of Renaissance anatomy from Gersdorff to Vesalius.”

RSVP to jks4@case.edu or 216-368-3648.

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Playlist of the Week Henry Bendon Staff Reporter Dear first year students, Welcome to college. In case Saturday nights at Kelvin Smith Library aren’t your vibe, here’s a list of songs you will hear at every single party you go to this semester.

“God’s Plan” – Drake

When Drake released “God’s Plan” in January of this year, it immediately broke the single day streaming records of Apple Music and Spotify. This extremely popular song comes equipped with a meme-starting chorus. If you have not experienced hearing a hundred people screaming about how much they love their bed and their mother—well, you will soon.

“Psycho” – Post Malone feat.

Ty Dolla $ign

Our second song is a switch from crowdCourtesy of Fox Spotlight Pictures pleasing banger to crowd-pleasing, mildly-depressed slow song. Grab the person next to you or retreat to the corner to cry as Post Malone’s second billboard number one hit takes you on an emotional journey. It may not have been well received critically, but a triple Platinum rating and Post Malone’s popularity will drive “Psycho” onto most party playlists.

“Broccoli” – D.R.A.M. feat. Lil Yachty

“Broccoli” might officially be a throwback, but it should still be a mainstay on the speakers. Many upperclassmen might remember the song and use it to brag about D.R.A.M.’s appearance two years ago at The Jolly Scholar as part of the UPBeats concert series.

“I Like It” – Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin

Cardi B has taken over the world, and anyone thinking that University Circle is going to be excluded from the movement is delusional. “I Like It” is the most popular of the many hits produced by the enigmatic rapper, and with an incredible danceability and bilingual appeal it has all the makings of a being a “Despacito”-style hit.

“Havana” – Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug

Camila Cabello’s “Havana” exploded onto every pop station and pregame playlist when it began playing on the radio last September. The Latin-influenced track, has maintained its popularity in commercial radio rotation and with DJs. Expect to keep hearing it this fall.

“Mr. Brightside” – The Killers

Last on our list is The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside,” a song whose verses are exactly the same and whose lyrics are so singable that it competes with “Don’t Stop Believin’” as one of the most well known party songs of all time. There’s always a few people that sigh and stare with derision as the rest of a party starts calling a cab, but speaking as one of the majority who really enjoys ignoring the sick feeling in my stomach, “Mr. Brightside” is an absolute bop and not going anywhere.

Find all these tracks online with our weekly Spotify playlist at observer.case.edu All photos courtesy pluspremiers.us, genius.com, directlyrics.com, and wikipedia.com

Freedom reigns supreme at the Bop Stop Matt Hooke Arts and Entertainment Editor A revolving door of musicians took the stage on night of Aug. 21 at the Bop Stop in Ohio City, as part of “Outlab: Experiments In Improvised Music.” Once a month, the venue turns into a free form jam session devoted to the beauty and excitement of improvisation.

The first makeshift band consisted of the four anchors of Outlab. Saxophonist Tom Orange began the night with a couple horn stabs on the shehnai, an instrument commonly seen in Indian music. Drummer Matt Weisman set the tone with a complex drum part based around mid-ranged tom-tom hits and strikes on the metal sides of the snare drums. Bassist Rick Kodrnaz joined in on Weisman’s groove, before Orange and saxophonist Dan Wenninger completed the quartet by performing frenetic horn parts.

The jam sessions began five years ago when Wenninger and Orange began organizing free jazz at Mahall’s in Lakewood.

The jams moved to Bop Stop three years ago. The shows are a mix of pre-organized groups and random musicians coming together marked by a free-wheeling, anything goes vibe. Conventional, electronic and even makeshift instruments share one stage.

“It all depends on who shows up. If it’s all of jazz players, it’s got that vibe, if it has a lot of rock players it has that thing going on,” said Wenniger. “Sometimes it will be a lot of classical players so it will be all strings.”

Wenniger said one of the moral memo-

rable moments in Outlab’s history was when someone brought in a makeshift instrument, made out of a vacuum cleaner with a harmonica attached to the end of it. At the end of the night, the musician vacuumed the stage.

Electronic musician Sean Holt stood out among the night’s performers, with a euromark modular synth that created massive washes of sounds. The sometimes harsh, sometimes beautiful noise coming from his electronics added great texture to the night’s performances. At one point, five saxophonists, a drummer and bassist began performing on his wall of sound creating the perfect expression of controlled chaos that defines much of the best free jazz.

The organizers ensure that new musicians are constantly rotated in and out to create interesting instrumental combinations. Occasionally basic structures will be added, players will perform with a conductor or be asked to make a noise that does not sound like their instrument.

“I never really know who’s going to walk through the door so I just try to keep it changing throughout the night so it’s not just one vibe,” said Wenniger.

Saxophonist Alex Henry is a regular at the Outlab. He said the improvisation nights were originally his idea but Orange and Wenniger were the ones who made it happen.

“There’s usually jams for jazz standards,” said Henry. “I wanted to do the same thing for free improvisation.”

All monthly Outlab sessions are free to the public and occur every third Tuesday of the month at 9pm. Musicians are welcome to perform regardless of genre.

Classical music in an unexpected place Derrick Liu Contributing Reporter It’s a busy Tuesday night and not a vacant stool is in sight at the beloved West Side bar, Happy Dog. Bright red and green neon lights illuminate the black upholstery and laminated tabletops, all loaded up with fresh tater tots and Happy Dog’s namesake hot dogs.

Two televisions hang above a long wooden bar—it’s the Cleveland Indians, clinging to a lead against the Boston Red Sox. But for many customers, the focus in the room isn’t on the intense baseball game or the mountain of comfort foods displayed before them.

Two violinists, Hanna Landrum and Ariel Clayton Karas, stand center stage, commanding attention as they put the finishing touches on a stunning rendition of French composer Jules Massenet’s “Meditation.”

They smile as they play, each absorbed in the happiness of the crowd, graciously bowing to hearty applause.

Tuesday, Aug. 21 marks the tenth anniversary of Happy Dog’s inception. The bar is well known not only for its food but also for a wide variety of live music and entertainment. The bar’s University Circle branch reopened in 2014 after on and off closings. Although more associated with rock and punk performances, Happy Dog also has a strong and long standing relationship with the Classical Revolution Cleveland (CRC), a group that plays there every third Tuesday of the month.

Clayton Karas, the director of the CRC, describes the group’s mission as “taking classical music off the pedestal.” An established musician with 20 years of experience, Clayton Karas praises the genre as a form

with timeless appeal and an ability to speak to everyone and anyone.

“I remember a soloist, who, when the airline lost his luggage, ended up playing in jeans and a flannel shirt surrounded by tuxedos,” said Clayton. “That made him much more relatable.”

Although her passion lies in orchestral performance, Clayton enjoys smaller, more intimate venues like Happy Dog. Performances feel more interactive with the audience and less like a school assembly.

“Engaging an audience the way we do, in a bar, casually, with really straight forward introductions and explanations, is both effective at informing and presenting our art,” Clayton Karas said.

Rob Kovacs, a Cleveland-based pianist and composer, joined the CRC for several pieces. He emphasized the hard work that musicians undertake to master their craft and the payoff of sharing their passion with receptive audiences. He encouraged newcomers to the genre to come with no preconceived expectation of what defines classical music. “[CRC is] nontraditional, a welcome takeaway from the seriousness of music,” said Kovacs.

Each successive performance put classical music’s versatility on full display. All sorts of musicians, ranging anywhere from opera singers to pianists and cellists, performed everything from the theme song of the NES game “Castlevania 2” to a rendition of the late Aretha Franklin’s “Think” for a diverse and excited audience of both young and old.

“I love that dichotomy [of] people in the back, talking about sports, mixed with people in the front listening to the music,” said Clayton. “I love it around Christmas time, when it’s snowing, the atmosphere feels so raw …it becomes more pedestrian.”

a&e 7

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A conversation with Jim Norton Yvonne Pan Staff Reporter Comedian and two-time New York Times bestselling author Jim Norton brought his brand of unapologetic candid comedy to Hilarites in Cleveland on Aug. 17 and 18. The radio personality appears on the “Jim Norton & Sam Roberts Show,” and hosts the “Chip Chipperson Podacast” and “UFC Unfiltered Podcast with Jim Norton & Matt Serra.”

In a phone interview before his Cleveland shows, Norton talked about getting getting spanked by Robert De Niro on his Netflix special and how comedy has changed over his 28 year career.

Q: You are very open about your personal experiences, no matter the topic. Do you attribute this to your career or preference?

A: “I give up about 80 percent of my privacy willingly, but not all comedians choose to do so.”

Q: A lot of your humor centers around your sexual experiences and are arguably less political than other comedic material.

Why is that?

A: “I don’t want to come off as preaching because that just isn’t funny and so much of political humor is just putting down Donald Trump.”

Q: Fellow comedian Esther Ku posted a series of tweets defaming Asian men that has sparked backlash, and you announced your support for her in April, claiming her comments were not racist. Do you have anything to say?

A: “I stand by my comments and I think there’s a difference between racially in-

sensitive and racist comments that is often overlooked. Her opinions are what they are and she is entitled to them.”

Q: What is your favorite skit that you’ve done?

A: “I would say Robert De Niro spanking me in the opening of “Mouthful of Shame” is one of my favorite scenes.”

Q: In a debate with Lindy West in 2013, the two of you discussed offensive comedy and exploiting trauma for comedy. Have your opinions changed since then?

A: “No, people always demand apologies from comedians, and there is such a double standard for repercussions for offensive language. Should Stephen King apologize for child murders in “It”? Should Christian Bale apologize for the crimes of Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho?”

Everyone has things they don’t want to be made fun of and there’s just no way to please everyone.”

Q: In your almost thirty years in comedy, what would you say has changed the most?

A: “The instant outrage. With the advent of social media, people can start Twitter wars in a matter of minutes. It might not even necessarily be something they feel strongly about. But with that kind of potentially destructive platform, people have become more wary of their comments and have sort of censored themselves. “ Q: You have a lot of really quirky phrases, like goose egg, zilch, silly goose, and malarkey. What’s your personal favorite?

A: “Definitely silly goose. I’d say a lot of my fans would associate me with that phrase.”

No thank you, Death Cab for Cutie Kyle Smith Contributing Reporter Death Cab for Cutie’s, “Thank You for Today” is a concept album that sounds like coming home to find that a loved one has been replaced with an unconvincing robot copy. The album sees the longtime giants of indie-rock take their sound in a synth-heavy direction that doesn’t mesh well with their earnest lyrics and simple melodies. The result is a boring, over-produced album that’s barely recognizable as the work of the soft-rock veterans.

The band’s calling cards—lyrics full of simile and sentimentality, Ben Gibbard’s vocals and simple drum-beats— power most of the album. The pieces for a winning album are here, but they often end up synthesized into mediocrity. In particular, Gibbard’s voice is frequently drowned out by layers of light distortion and reverb. The effect is a musical uncanny valley: the songs are definitely played by Death Cab for Cutie, but they are missing an important human quality.

The change in sound comes with turnover in the band’s membership. “Thank You for Today” is the first studio album

by Death Cab for Cutie without guitarist and vocalist Chris Walla who produced the band’s eight previous albums. The group brings in guitarists and keyboardists Dave Depper and Zac Rae to replace

Walla. The synth-saturated sound of the new album is partially due to the fact that not one, but two keyboardists, offset the loss of Walla’s tried and true production skills.

“You Moved Away,” gives a vertical slice of the album’s problems. Gibbard brings poignant lyrics like, “When you moved away, all of your friends got drunk and one by one begged you to stay.” However, the words are repeated at the listener in a multi-layered monotone while six keyboard notes trill in the background.

There are places where the new sound works, and “Thank You for Today” is not worth skipping entirely. The album gains strength as it goes, with tracks like “Northern Lights” and “60’s and Punk” capturing much of the old magic.

“Thank You for Today” marks a turning point in Death Cab for Cutie’s long history of producing incredibly listenable indie-rock music. At times the newer, synthy sound is a refreshing break from decades of acoustic guitars.

But taken as a whole, “Thank You for Today” marks a turn away from the human and towards the boring and robotic.

Album: Thank You for Today Label: Atlantic Records Artist: Death Cab for Cutie Release: Aug. 17 Rating:

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8

opinion

8/24/18

opinion Editorial

Discovering Cleveland for yourself It’s the dog days of August, and the organized chaos of Orientation Week is finally letting up. Throughout this week, incoming first-year students have been getting acclimated to their new academic home at Case Western Reserve University. On Saturday, they will take part in “Discover Cleveland,” spending a day in one part of the city that will surround them for the next four years.

In all honesty, this trip will only scratch the surface of Cleveland’s greatness. It isolates participants to whichever place they’re assigned, with little time for personal exploration. But this brief glimpse, paired with previous viewings of that “Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Video,” will not tell incoming students the full story of the “Mistake on the Lake.”

“Discover Cleveland” participants may not get to experience the sensory

overload provided by a morning visit to the West Side Market in Ohio City. The sights and smells are a system shock but in the best possible way; with the scent of beautiful fresh-baked bread contrasting the array of line-caught fish. Surrounding the market is a neighborhood rife with hole-in-the-wall restaurants and eccentric shops, including a record store connected to a witchcraft museum.

If you don’t get to the downtown area this Saturday, then be sure to make time for the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) another weekend. Kelvin Smith Library is not your only research resource, as the CPL has one of the most impressive historical archives in the nation. There are views of Lake Erie from some of their reading spaces and plenty of special exhibits and donated art to peruse. If you plan your day trip right, you may be able to pet some dogs in one of the buildings

next-door.

None of this is to say, however, that the city is perfect. Realistically, there are some unavoidable facts that support Cleveland’s famous nickname. For starters, it’s adjacent to a river that once caught on fire, which is as unfortunate as it is impressive. While the state of Cleveland waters has improved since then, Erie is still the least “Great” of the Great Lakes.

Sports teams in the city aren’t doing much better. The Cleveland Indians have stayed strong, but for the second time, LeBron James has taken his talents elsewhere. Each time the city has been left wondering: Could we have done more? Should there have been another billboard? Until a clear answer is found, Cleveland will wait for its next great hero to emerge. Of course, one thing can be known for certain: the relief for

the city’s pain will not be found in the Cleveland Browns.

Despite these complaints, true dislike for the city is practically nonexistent.

Most gripes are meant, and taken, with a sense of humor, and are just a part of the Cleveland culture everyone grows to appreciate. The reality is that the range of smaller issues affecting the city still doesn’t outweigh the aspects that allow it to shine.

The four or more years spent at CWRU will be busy and filled with frustration, but this new community is not isolated to the academic bubble of University Circle. Getting to know the fantastic city encompassing campus will enhance the entire college experience.

Be sure to get out and make the most of the included Regional Transit Authority pass and find whatever it takes to make this city home.

Arrested for GUI Guest columnist

Steve Kerby I’m not a scientist who can stare at computer jargon all day, and I expect that most people need a somewhat accessible graphical user interface (GUI). By this, I mean the layers of translation that make computer data readable and pleasant to humans. The nature of GUI and its role in human-computer relations became once again relevant to Case Western Reserve University life with the graphical overhaul of the Student Information System (SIS).

As far as I can tell, most of the changes to SIS are GUI upgrades or tweaks.

The old SIS seemed an archetypical “ugly website,” a study in brutalism as web design. All joking aside, though, the visual upgrade is not completely unwelcome, and there are some belowthe-hood changes as well. Take a look at the University Registrar’s webpage if you want an update log.

It was with apprehension that I tried to sign up for my senior capstone a few weeks ago on the updated SIS. First, I had to search for the course. Unlike the old SIS, the updated version does not have an avalanche of query fields one can fill in, instead asking for keywords. I find this change problematic, but I’m also a fan of very detailed query fields.

Once I found the class, there used

A screenshot of the upgraded graphical user interface of SIS

to be a large friendly button to add the course to a shopping cart, but in the new system one must dig around a bit and find a small arrow pointing to the right.

Unfortunately, I was not able to find the option to add anything; the button was missing. Thanks to some sharp minds at [U]Tech and in the University Registrar’s office, I got it all sorted out after a few days. But the error still

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caused a bit of stress, as I needed those classes to graduate.

So far, that is the extent of my time with the new SIS. It wasn’t the disaster I feared given past upgrades from rugged yet dependable systems, and it certainly isn’t the worst website at CWRU. Still, it warrants comments on the main tenet of the justification, that the new SIS is more streamlined and seamless. Does our

single-minded pursuit of visual beauty extend to gritty websites as well? Will SIS get the Peter B. Lewis Building treatment, becoming an aesthetically pleasing but functionally deficient object?

From an idealistic standpoint, there should be a point at which aesthetic GUI upgrades are no longer productive.

That would be when the temporary inconvenience of every button shifting around and initial kinks popping up is equivalent to the headaches averted by the more elegant setup.

If the main upgrades are mostly in the GUI, I would apply the non-derogatory term “trivial,” given that the functions of the updated SIS are not entirely different.

The difficulties of trivial upgrades are that they are impossible to undo; the stress of a total overhaul or backtracking is far too great.

It is logical to shy away from sweeping changes when incremental changes are more accessible. Incremental changes allow for slow, continuous progress, but inhibit true structural changes.

This small upgrade might mask some necessity for a completely different system that eliminates the weaknesses of SIS. I’m at the tail end of my CWRU career, but we are the Spartans who will know both SIS systems. We will see whether the aesthetic upgrades outweigh the functional.

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established in 1969 by the undergraduate students of case western reserve university executive editor & publisher EDDIE KEREKES director of web & multimedia ALEXANDRA FACCENDA director of business operations SARAH PARR photo editor NICK NATKO social media editor JAY KASSEL LEWIS news designer RYAN YOO opinion designer SAMI ARYAL a&e designer CHANDY PANDURANGI sports designer ZOEY CHEN adviertising manager DARIA RYABOGIN marketing manager OSAMA MANSOORI accounts manager AURA ROSSY advisor JIM SHEELER

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opinion 9

observer.case.edu

Four years to call your own Josiah Smith This is my last year at Case Western Reserve University.

It has definitely gone by too fast. As a firstyear student, the most common piece of advice that I received was to make sure that I took it all in, to be certain that I lived in every moment and truly embraced the experience of an undergraduate. If I’m going to be honest, I haven’t done any of that.

For me, the past three years have been experienced week-to-week. I was busy making sure that I was prepared for the next exam or checking and then frantically rechecking my belongings to confirm that I hadn’t locked myself out of my room.

Rounding the final turn to graduation, I’ve noticed that though I did not try to seize every single moment, I feel no regret for not getting the “full college experience”—and I’m not convinced that people even do.

We literally live at the same place we study. The campus was designed for community and interaction. Our friends are here. Our administrators live less than an hour away. It seems silly to advise students against the slim prospect of missing some of the college experience. With that logic, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to advise dog owners against the possibility of not knowing their own dog. The experiences that people are worried others might miss are nearly inevitable.

Personally, I’ve always felt the opposite. I have always wanted a bit of space, feeling at times that I was engorged in college life. At times, I wonder what it would be like if I had streamlined my college experience, avoiding the things that didn’t really matter. For me, being an undergraduate hasn’t been short and sweet. It’s been a slow and laborious learning endeavor that has occupied all facets of my life.

Nicholas Natko/Observer

Spontaneous conversations at bike racks can change your entire perspective regarding your college experience.

In my first year, I know that I adamantly avoided some real issues.

School is challenging, expensive and cold, but soon you’ll realize what these sacrifices are for: constructing a better you. It’ll be difficult, but strive to only do the things that will reap happiness in either the short or long term. Preferably, you’ll achieve both, but don’t torture yourself with things that will not make you happy. Most importantly, don’t forfeit your happiness for what others say is worth doing.

Joy, if appropriately achieved, is a stagnant state of being. Happiness comes in waves. And it can come from doing the same thing or, sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll find happiness in something you never thought you could.

That’s when life gets really exciting.

Unfortunately, my happiness was delayed until I realized who my true friends were. They were in front of me the whole time, but their sound advice

and impeccable kindness wasn’t what I wanted to hear after my first year. My disinterest allowed for careless blunders, unnecessary pain and uncomfortable circumstances. It took several moments of disappointment and regret for me to be convinced of their foresight.

Back when I rode my bike to class, I once started a conversation with the former Undergraduate Student Government President Chippy Kennedy as we retrieved our bikes from the rack outside Tomlinson Hall.

We introduced ourselves. He asked me what year I was in and I told him I was in my first year. Looking back, I’ve always considered that question to be a huge courtesy. I was conspicuously and glaringly, as they say, “fresh meat.”

I was pre-glow up, exhausted, and constantly wearing a face that read: “I sincerely have no idea what I’m doing.”

Yet, Kennedy set aside these qualities when we spoke.

We asked each other a few questions and as we were about to ride off, he said, “Do your best and work diligently. It only gets harder from here.” At the time, I didn’t completely grasp what he was saying, but it didn’t take long for me to understand.

Each year of college is designed to get progressively harder. Go to class. Build yourself a GPA cushion so resilient and lead-lined that it could withstand a nuclear blast. Everyone goes through “that” semester. Don’t corner yourself in a grade-point average Hail Mary when it comes time to graduate. You’ll want a bit of room for those numbers to shift. Hopefully, they’ll always go up, but that rarely happens. I believe in you, if that helps.

At the very least, don’t be afraid of the undergraduate experience slipping away. You will be thrust into several situations and have plenty of stories to tell. I’d say sit back, cool off and really just enjoy the ride.

The conflict between higher education, work and motherhood Unsolicited Opinion

Won Hee Kim Chatting with an employee at my summer internship, she revealed that she never really saw herself becoming a mother. She knew that she would have children, but only in the abstract. Well, she had her child, and she brought her child to work, making her one of the lucky ones.

Despite women increasingly pursuing higher education and despite the positive messages blasted on television and elsewhere to little girls about how they can grow up and be anything– women’s presence in the labor force still dramatically decreases after they have their first child. Ambition seems to come to a halt, and those that continue to work after childbirth feel ever-pressured to be both the perfect mother and the efficient worker. Although more women are qualified to hold jobs, the percentage of women working is still frustratingly similar to the 90s. A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that the reason women are not working as much as expected is the increasing economic costs of being a parent. This cost includes time, effort

and money.

The study discusses and analyzes the attitudes of young women toward becoming “housewives” across many years. It remarks that: “Sometime between the high school class of 1968 and 1978, young women’s tendency to underestimate their future labor supply disappears and in fact reverses.” This shift also coincides with a societal focus on the importance of breastfeeding and childcare beyond infancy, adding to the economic cost. The difference in expectation to have work and the ability to focus on work (negatively affected by the economic cost) is especially heartbreaking to women holding degrees. And, financially speaking, the study raises the question if women are investing too much in education.

Unfortunately, the study disregards the effects of the workplace. My aforementioned coworker was able to take time off, have flexible hours and bring her child to work. My internship was at a very family-friendly nonprofit organization. A co-worker’s friend, an engineer, did not have the same benefits. The study explains away the workplace by comparing familyfriendly workplaces to non-familyfriendly workplaces and overall job satisfaction, but the results are skewed as only women who remain in the labor force can answer. Their results also

Courtesy of Wikimedia

Despite claims of development, it is still difficult for modern women to balance academia, work and motherhood.

disallow for anecdotal evidence, further weakening their notion.

It may be true that the costs of raising children are rising in terms of both money and time, but the answer should not be for women to de-prioritize their own happiness. Some women may choose to quit work because they find the greatest enjoyment in focusing on their children, but to be frank, stayat-home mothers are not the only

ones entitled to a happy family life.

Instead, workplaces should take greater responsibility to their highly qualified workers and childcare should be more equal between men and women.

Won Hee Kim is a third-year English major pursuing minors in creative writing and economics. This article was written in response to Cleveland.com’s article

10 opinion

8/24/18

Katie’s declassified Orientation Week survival guide In Case You’ve Never Considered It...

Katharine Toledo Picture this: you’re standing in the middle of Tinkham Veale University Center, squinting at the tiny map of campus you’re holding in your hand, trying to figure out where you’re going next. Your Case Western Reserve Guides app says the Pre-Med meeting is in Strosacker Auditorium, and your watch tells you it starts in about 15 minutes.

You don’t even know what Strosacker Auditorium is as you find it on the map.

Eventually, your feet carry you in what you think is the right direction, your eyes fixed on your CWRU Guides app, trying to piece out the rest of your day.

You still have to go to the bookstore to pick up your textbooks, attend Casino Night, catch up with your new friends from Orientation, and about a thousand other things you’re barely remembering.

Trying to fit all of the information you learned during Orientation Week into your brain is a pretty much impossible task. No matter how hard you try, there’s just too much of it to fit in your brain.

But to me, that’s the beauty of it. A good friend of mine described Orientation Week as a “CrashCourse video on how to be a college student,” and I think that’s an excellent way of thinking of it. The purpose of Orientation isn’t to make you remember every little detail of every single day, it’s to make you feel more comfortable in the college environment.

That being said, there are a few critical things to keep in mind as you navigate Orientation Week and, by extension,

college life as a whole.

For starters, the length of Diversity 360 makes it far too easy to zone out and disregard the information being presented to you. Don’t. The whole idea of Diversity 360 is to teach students to both respect and accept each other for who they are. This is something you’ll do every day at Case Western Reserve University. From learning to introduce yourself with both your name and your preferred pronouns, to recognizing when you’re saying something hurtful without even realizing it, Diversity 360 is truly valuable on a campus as powerfully diverse as CWRU. It’s also essential you utilize the campus’ public transportation resources.

In addition to having access to all of the Regional Transit Authority trains and busses that run all across the city of Cleveland, CWRU also has its own shuttle system. The smartphone app “TransLoc Rider” is a must have for all students. This app will show you all of the CWRU shuttle pickup sites across campus and gives you estimated arrival times. This comes in handy during the winter months when you don’t feel like walking to that 8 a.m. lecture on the opposite side of a snow-covered campus.

And finally, don’t be afraid to jump into what’s beyond Orientation Week with both feet. You have four years at CWRU to figure out what you love. With that comes the ability to try new things, the ability to take a class in a subject you never had the opportunity to explore before and the ability to change your mind. Four years means that it’s okay if you start off thinking you want to study biology and eventually realize that your passion lies with the humanities. Take

Nicholas Natko/Observer Casino Night is one of the busiest and most memorable moments of Orientation Week. big risks and pursue what you actually care about or are interested in. Leave other people’s expectations of you behind and go beyond what you once thought possible.

Katharine (Katie) Toledo is a first-

year student studying history and economics on the pre-law track. Her hobbies include watching Netflix, staring at photos of her two beagles, visiting Mitchell’s Ice Cream and writing for The Observer.

Awkwafina, “Crazy Rich Asians” and minority misrepresentation Zhusclues

Caroline Zhu “Crazy Rich Asians” has brought attention to the lack of people of color (POC) representation in Hollywood, and also raised issues of misrepresentation and appropriation over actress and singer Nora Lum’s character, Goh Peik Lin. Lum, better known by her stage name “Awkwafina,” recently came under fire for her portrayal of Peik Lin, which many have called a caricature of black culture.

Lum’s character acts as the support to Constance Wu’s Rachel Chu, armed with an “urban” accent and a loud, American personality, which has been seen as an attempt to appropriate “the blaccent” and other aspects of black culture.

As a minority, Asian Americans are often considered the “model minority,” which generally experiences less visible and violent forms of racism. This myth of the “model minority” creates divides between people of color, and raises questions of what qualifies as racism between POC populations. In Lum’s case, her performance can be seen as offensive and evocative of the stereotypical sassy black friend from late 1980’s and 1990’s comedies, which her privilege as a model minority allows her to get away with.

However, Lum’s performance seems of a different ilk than the many Asian performers who seek to build their careers upon creating personas based on black culture.

Rappers like Rich Brian, formerly Rich Chigga, clearly based their careers upon othering themselves from the Asian community and trying to embody

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Lum’s portrayal of Goh Peik Lin has raised new questions regarding the appropration of POC in the media.

a culture they neither belonged to nor fully understood. When comparing the songs that Rich Chigga produced to those from Awkwafina, the difference is clear. Almost all of Awkwafina’s songs deal with her as an Asian-American woman, particularly one who lives in New York. Where Lum speaks to her experiences as a POC, Rich Chigga focused on trying to be a black artist and using language that generally belongs to the black population.

While Rich Brian has since changed his stage name and his brand, his older music was clearly an attempt to break from the stereotype of Asians being uncool by

trying to take on a black identity.

In contrast, Lum’s career as “Awkwafina” is entirely built upon her Asian-American identity. She both pokes fun and takes pride in the Asian American experience through her stage persona, and does not try to divorce her identity from her craft. Her performance in Rich White Asians is that of a supporting character for Constance Wu’s Rachel, and represents a contrast to the traditionalist socialites of Rachel’s fiance’s world. As such, she does not appropriate black culture, but represents an American in a predominantly traditionalist Asian society.

The film represents Chinese and Singaporean high society as a conservative one, which makes Lum’s character stand out as an Americanized member of their elite. Lum’s character feels less like a caricature of black culture, and more like a representation of how American culture is perceived in traditional Asian cultures: foreign, loud, emotional, and expressive.

Lum’s portrayal of her character and her alter ego in her music feels less like appropriation of another culture, but a celebration of her own. She takes pride in her Asian-American identity, and represents American culture through the lens of high society Singapore in the film. While Asian privilege does exist to some extent, with Rich Chigga achieving the success he did prior to his career shift and other Asian-American artists appropriating black culture seemingly without repercussion, it is also easy to see how Asian-Americans are often not taken seriously, with these incidents being written off as jokes in poor taste.

In order to truly open conversations on race between groups of POC, we need to open the discussion on what cultural appropriation truly is, especially as the term’s use expands. It is necessary for us to step back and define the finer points of cultural appropriation to improve dialogue and race relations between POC groups.

Caroline Zhu is a first-year computer science major with an interest in economics. She spends her time reading good literature and watching trashy movies or belting out eighties power anthems.

sports

observer.case.edu

Softball finishes tied for fifth after magical run last spring Andrew Ford Sports Editor In case you missed it after leaving campus last semester, the Case Western University softball team achieved a historic feat in May by placing sixth at the NCAA National Tournament. Here is a recap of the run.

Greatness can be hard to define, but is easily recognizable.

The Case Western Reserve University softball team undoubtedly achieved greatness this past spring. In what could be argued as the best season in CWRU team athletics history, they finished tied for fifth in the NCAA tournament, a remarkable run for a team that was unranked for most of the season.

At the end of the regular season, it really was up in the air whether or not the team would even receive a bid to the regional tournament.

But their strength of schedule and impressive 8-0 record to end the year put the team over the edge, earning just their second bid to the tournament in the program’s history.

The regional round of the tournament was a four team, double-elimination tournament to decide who advanced to the Super Regional.

CWRU lost in their first game to Ohio Northern University in a 1-0 thriller. The Spartans managed to get more runners on base but couldn’t muster any of them across the plate.

After this early loss, the pressure was on CWRU to win the rest of their games or go home early.

The team bounced back after the loss, winning four straight games, including a 6-2 win over the top seed and host in the regional

WINTER

CWRU

and back-to-back wins against Ohio Northern to finish off the Notre Dame Regional Tournament.

Other than the loss, the Spartans’ bats were not a problem, scoring no fewer than five runs in each of the final four games. The pitching was excellent as well, allowing an unbelievably low four runs over the course of all five games.

After the Notre Dame Regional, the Spartans traveled up to Michigan to face Hope College in the Super Regionals. The winner of the three game series would advance to the national tournament. After splitting the first two games of the series, CWRU won the pivotal third game, earning their first ever visit to the NCAA DIII Softball Championship in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

At the NCAAs, a double-elimination tournament featuring the eight qualifying teams, the Spartans went 1-2, losing their first and third games but winning their second in extra innings by way of a walk-off hit by fourthyear first baseman Grace Tritchler.

Head Coach Josie Henry was overwhelmed with “excitement and joy” the entire tournament, adding that their run was “nothing short of magical.”

Above all else, Henry felt a sense of honor for getting to work such a wonderful group of coaches and players who were able to accomplish so much. She said that the coaching staff challenged the team to thrive despite a busy workload of athletics and academics that could put one in the mindset of simply surviving.

After such a historic year, it is safe to say that this team surpassed all expectations, except maybe their own.

11

Led by experience, men’s soccer shoots for winning season Riley Simko Contributing Reporter The Case Western Reserve University men’s soccer team, which recently welcomed a new group of incoming firstyear players, is preparing for an exciting 2018-2019 season.

Head Coach Brandon Bianco, assisted

by Chris Black and Charlie Reymann, will lead the team into their rigorous fall practice schedule.

The 2018 men’s soccer team is made up of 31 players, including 12 incoming first-year students. When announcing some of these incoming players at the end of the spring 2018 semester, Bianco said, “Our freshman class will complement a returning group that is talented and excited for the fall season.”

All the incoming team members have notable achievements in their soccer careers so far. First-year defenseman Dylan Klaiber, of Sandwich, Massachusetts, was named a 2016-2017 league all star. Another incoming first-year player, forward Tye Williams of Fairfax, Virginia, received All-Conference, Second Team All-State and MVP honors in 2017.

Returning players such as third-year midfielder Brian Woo are expected to be solid contributors from the very start of this season. Woo was on every official starting lineup during last year’s season and has played in every game throughout his two-year career. Another player to look out for is third-year forward Zachary Senft,

who led the team with 15 points from six goals and three assists last season.

Seasoned CWRU soccer player and current team captain Christian Lytle was named to the All-University Athletic Association First Team and the OCSA All-Ohio Second Team last year for his impressive campaign. During his interview, Lytle exuded a positive and enthusiastic energy about the upcoming season.

Last year, the men’s soccer team finished their season with a record of 7 wins, 9 losses, two tied games. While the team fell short of reaching the Division III NCAA championship, they nonetheless finished the season strong with several wins.

Bianco is looking forward to a good showing this season, and commented that “success this year, like all years, will depend upon on upperclassmen.”

Bianco’s vision for the team goes beyond the player’s athletic abilities, and he hopes that the upperclassmen will lead the team with their character. “They must play like mature, experienced players and must lead our group in a very positive way,” Bianco said.

The men’s soccer team has two preseason games this year. Looking ahead to those upcoming matches, Bianco said, “Preseason games are always a good chance for our team to lay a good foundation for the upcoming year while identifying some areas for us to continue to focus on in training.”

Their first game of the season will be at home, facing off with Marietta College on Friday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Women’s soccer study abroad continues rebuilding Sanjay Annigeri Staff Reporter

COURSES

Winter Break 3-credit fall semester courses COSTA RICA Dec 29, 2018 – Jan 8, 2019

Biology Field Studies (BIOL 309/409)

ECUADOR Dec 29, 2018 – Jan 11, 2019

APPS DUE 9/1

Health, Human, & Social Development in Rural and Urban Ecuador (SASS 375A/575)

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Jan 5, 2019 – Jan13, 2019

Habitat for Humanity International Break Trip

BRAZIL Dec 27, 2018 – Jan 9, 2019

Water Security and Social Justice in Brazil (BETH/INTH 315H/415H)

INDIA Dec 27, 2018 – Jan 9, 2019

Global Health & Social Development in India (SASS 375G/575)

APPLY TODAY

www.case.edu/studyabroad studyabroad@case.edu

After finishing with a 7-11 record last season, the Case Western Reserve University women’s soccer team looks to build on the positives from last season and carry them into this upcoming campaign.

While a sub-.500 winning percentage is never satisfying, the team was able to make history by claiming its first University Athletic Association (UAA) win in over two years.

“The main difference that produced results for us was maintaining possession.

We were able to link passes together, starting with our back line, which opened up spaces for us to attack in. Also, every time we lost the ball in their defensive third, we worked hard to win balls higher on the field to make scoring a little bit easier. With all of that said, it took some incredible individual efforts by many team members to put the final goals away,” said former co-captain, defensive back Neha Cheemalavagu.

Through the improved team play and persistence that Cheemalavagu described, CWRU was able to accomplish an impressive feat.

However, the team faced setbacks from many injuries, according to Head Coach Tiffany Crooks. They were still able to push through and finish the season strong, utilizing various lineups to overcome the unfortunate circumstances.

Even with the departure of last

season’s co-captains in Cheemalavagu and midfielder Elle Zadina, Crooks feels confident in her fourth-year class.

“This [fourth-year] group will lead collectively. They’ve already taken ownership of leading as a class, and I’m happy with their efforts,” she said.

Along with the efforts of the new fourth-year class, Crooks said that the incoming first-year class will have a huge impact on the team.

“Our class of 2022 is collectively poised to make an impact. They came in very fit and are a skillful group. As a whole, they are talented, competitive and excited for the opportunity to play at the college level. We will see how they adjust to their first season as student-athletes, but I’m very pleased with them. We’re going to see many of them earning playing time very early in the season,” she said.

Crooks also added that she focused on self-development this offseason. The key to being a successful college athlete is putting in work in and out of the season according to Crooks.

Several key players will return this year who will look to continue the team’s development. Third-year goalkeeper Lauren Unterborn started every game in the net last season and posted three shutouts. Although the team lost leading scorer Zadina, it returns fourth-year forward Melanie Kukura and third-year forward Kimberly Chen, who were tied for second on the team in goals.

The team will open the season on the road at Kenyon College on Friday, Aug. 31.

sports Editor’s Choice

New to CWRU? Here’s a brief sports overview David Chang Staff Reporter Are you new to Case Western Reserve University? Did you participate in high school sports? Here at CWRU, we have a multitude of athletic opportunities for any level of competition and seriousness you desire. CWRU competes in the University Athletic Association (UAA) at the NCAA Division III level with the likes of The University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University and New York University. Although the Spartans do not outshine their Michigan State University counterpart (also nicknamed the Spartans), the program boasts strong football, baseball and softball teams.

Starting in the fall, the football team will look to best their program-best 11-1 record and win another championship in the President’s Athletic Conference (PAC). The team is led by Head Coach Greg Debeljak in his 15th season at the helm. Debeljak is the most accomplished

coach in CWRU football history and is the only coach with over 100 wins.

The baseball team won the first sole UAA championship of the school’s history, in a season highlighted by AllAmerican fourth-year second basemen, Rocco Maue winning the UAA Position Player of the Year award. The softball team followed suit, earning a trip all the way to the NCAA Division III finals.

The women tied for fifth overall in the nation, which is the best finish for any team in school history.

Not only are the Spartans dominating on the field and court, they are also thriving in the classroom. Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams earned United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association All-Academic awards, with the men with the fourth highest GPA average out of Division III schools and the women ranking sixth. Additionally, the wrestling team earned the National Wrestling Coaches’ Association DIII Scholar Award for having the eighth

highest team GPA in the nation.

CWRU teams have also gone international over the summer to scrimmage against other teams and bond while traveling overseas. The football team travelled to Italy and Switzerland and the volleyball team travelled to Spain.

One can still participate in sports without being a varsity athlete. The school’s intramural program boasts 25 different events, spanning five team sports, including volleyball, basketball, flag football, softball and soccer. There were 1,500 unique participants in intramural sports. Sign up information is posted around residential halls and on the intramurals webpage. Keep an eye out for the sports you want to compete in with your peers.

Think intramurals are too short and want a bigger commitment? There are sixteen different student-led club sports on campus, ranging from soccer and ultimate frisbee to niche sports like quidditch and water polo. Club sports also compete at tournaments

across the country, with Women’s 8+ crew team winning gold at the Mid-American Collegiate Rowing Association Championship. The men’s club volleyball team also won the POVL North Division championship.

Students have varying reasons for joining and staying in club sports.

Second-year student and Club Ultimate player Brian Lin “[enjoys] how the game of Ultimate is very community based and spirited” and even “[took on] a [leadership] role because [he] truly wants to promote an underrated sport that [he has] a deep passion for to the greater community.”

Second-year student Naomi Kane “joined club soccer because [she] was looking to play at a higher level without the commitment of a varsity team.”

She committed to the club because of “relationships [she] built with teammates and the authentic camaraderie the team had...and the fact that she has an entire team that has [her] back means an incredible amount to [her].”

No Spain, no gain

Volleyball team travels to Europe to prepare for season Niko Kamlet Staff Reporter La Sagrada Familia. Peniscola Templory Castle. Parque del Buen Retiro. These are just a few of the breathtaking attractions Case Western Reserve University’s volleyball returners got to experience early this August on a trip to Spain.

The team’s seven-day trip consisted of exploring the cities of Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. In addition, the team had the opportunity to play two Spanish volleyball teams: Club Voleibol Ciudad de la Cerámica and Club Voleibol Albacete.

Of course playing volleyball was a great focus, but team bonding was the most important aspect of the trip.

“The trip allowed us to get closer as a team because we learned how different people respond to different situations,” third-year middle hitter Haley Sims said.

“It allowed us to overcome challenges that naturally arise when you are with the same people for eight straight days.”

Beyond the team building and the competitions, the favorite part for many of the players was having fun and exploring the country. It gave each of them an amazing end to summer.

“My favorite part of Spain was the Sagrada Church. The level of symbolism, both natural and religious, could honestly make it the eighth Wonder of the World,” exclaimed fourth-year defensive specialist Noel Jeansonne.

And of course no international trip is complete without trying the local food.

Second-year right side hitter Jana

Courtesy of CWRU Volleyball Twitter

The Case Western Reserve University volleyball team visited the Peniscola Templory Castle during their eight day trip.

Giaquinto said, “It was so different but so good. It was nice to get something that was not traditional American food and have new experiences. The culture of Spain really stood out in their food.”

Favorites of the team included paella, empanadas and assorted tapas. Some meals were even highlighted by fresh seafood from the Mediterranean.

The volleyball team’s trip to Spain

is bound to help throughout the season because of the memories created through the experience and the bond that was formed. It is an exciting time for CWRU’s 2018 volleyball team.