Observer
EDITORIAL
Friday, April 4, 2025
Volume LVI, Issue 24 Est. 1969
The Observer’s endorsements for the 2025 USG elections
Editorial Board
As we near the final stretch of the school year, it is once again time to partake in the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) elections. USG is Case Western Reserve University’s primary student advocacy pillar, consisting of a president, chief judicial officer (CJO), five vice presidents who head each of the organizations’ committees—finance, student life, academic affairs, communications and diversity and inclusion—and representatives from each college. The role of USG is to serve as a liaison between the student body and the administration, enacting changes to improve student well-being and life at CWRU. At a time where federal and administrative changes are unprecedented and quickly altering university operations, the role of student leaders in advocating for students has become even more pertinent.
This year, all but the president of USG and vice president of finance positions are contested, with four candidates on the ballot for the vice president of student life and vice president of academic affairs. To better understand each unique platform, The Observer held in-person interviews with the candidates in Thwing Center on April 1, which are publicly available on The Observer’s YouTube channel. In addition to the interviews, those running will be able to campaign for their candidacy through April 7, and voting will take place from April 8-10.
The following are the Editorial Board’s endorsements for this year’s USG elections.
President
This year has seen many policy-level changes within the university which have demanded conversations between the USG president and administration. In light of the recent closing of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement (DEI), the incoming president is set to face even greater challenges in managing student grievances with administrative and federal demands. That said, the Editorial Board endorses uncontested third-year Zelene Desire, whose previous leadership experiences within USG and administrative connections will allow her to make meaningful changes to the organization in this new term. Previously serving as a representative and currently holding the position of vice president of student life, Desire established the free airport shuttle in collaboration with Campus Services and helped launch the Library Advisory Committee. As president, Desire aims to increase engagement with the student body through regularly scheduled events and tackle issues that are important to students, such as on-campus housing costs and shuttle reliability. This commitment to engagement extends to Desire’s goal of promoting internal development and retention of USG members through regular office hours and workshops.
Chief Judicial Officer
The CJO is tasked with maintaining USG’s governing documents and ensuring members act in accordance with written policies. For an organization that has failed to meet quorum at several General Assemblies and faces difficulty filling its representative positions, the responsibilities of CJO include a commitment to human resource management and rule enforcement.
The Editorial Board was unable to support candidates Ethan Przytulski and Max Goldenson. Both candidates expressed a desire to reform the CJO role and ensure that USG members were held accountable to policies governing their roles and responsibilities. However, neither candidate stood out in terms of their past experiences or future plans to improve the organization. At times, Goldenson has fallen short in his role as USG Secretary, with some meeting minutes taking weeks to be added into the public access drive, hampering the transparency USG aims to create. Przytuluski, when asked what revisions he would
like to make to USG’s constitution, did not believe any areas needed improvement. For these reasons, the Editorial Board did not feel confident endorsing either candidate. The CJO role needs to be taken in a new direction, and we hope that whichever candidate is elected will do so.
Vice President of Academic Affairs
This year, the vice president of academic affairs roster consists of new and old faces, with third-year and current vice president of academic affairs Kevin Arndt running for a second term. Despite Arndt’s tenure, the Editorial Board endorses second-year Selina Sun for the position of vice president of academic affairs. Previously serving as a student representative, caucus liaison and member of the Faculty Senate Committee on Undergraduate Education, Sun has helped update the General Bulletin and is currently working to improve the peer tutoring website and make the Student Information System easier to navigate. Moving forward, Sun plans
to create a “Concern Bulletin Board” for students to anonymously submit academic concerns in a forum where USG can easily find and create initiatives to address them. Her existing connections with administration and experience working on ongoing academic initiatives are likely to set her up for success in the role.
Vice President of Finance
For the vice president of finance position, The Observer endorses uncontested second-year Jin Kim. Kim has been a member of the Finance Committee for two years and, for the past year and a half, has served as a USG treasurer. During Kim’s tenure as a treasurer, she implemented office hours to assist club treasurers in navigating financial matters for their respective USG organizations. Kim has also created a financial resources section on USG’s website and emphasized the importance of accessibility of resources in her letter of intent.
Continue reading on page 9
Lucas Yang/The Observer
Learn to be a STEM kid: Volunteer tutor club brings science experiments to K-8 school
Sabrina Feldberg Staff Writer
Learn To Be is a nonprofit organization that primarily focuses on facilitating free online tutoring opportunities for underserved students. According to Benjamin Hafey, a fourth-year biology student and president of the Learn To Be club at Case Western Reserve University, the club focuses on bridging the education gap for students whose parents cannot afford private tutoring.
Having a passion for teaching since middle school, Hafey searched for tutoring programs during the pandemic. Learn To Be was one of the few platforms that enabled tutors to teach from their homes.
“I was able to connect with some kids and find out how much I liked it and how enjoyable it was,” Hafey said. “I realized [that] one-on-one tutoring online is actually pretty good.”
This passion led him to create the Learn To Be chapter at CWRU, which connects university students with kids across the country with a focus on Cleveland schools. The club has partnered with local organizations and connected tutors with middle school students at the nearby Daniel E. Morgan K-8 School to engage in a variety
of interactive science experiments.
“We’ve had nursing student volunteers, we’ve had the typical bio majors like me, we’ve had neuro majors,” Hafey said. “They actually are allowed to design their own experiments so they can bring whatever they want to the table.”
CWRU’s Learn To Be chapter has helped provide bacteria growth plates, Van de Graaff generators and Backyard Brains to supplement interactive programs for kids who are considering pursuing STEM majors.
“It’s a thing where you can control someone else’s arm with electrodes,” Hafey said regarding Backyard Brains. “That’s a really cool way of showing them how the muscles work and [how] your nervous system uses electricity. So I think it’s like we’ve been doing many cool things, and the kids have been loving it so far, and the teacher loves it as well.”
The chapter has almost 200 members. One member, Laura Blanco, a fourth-year CWRU student studying psychology and cognitive science, reflected on the club’s role in giving students valuable learning experiences.
“It was amazing seeing the kids do all these things,” she said. “When I talked to the teacher … he said that he is very grateful for it because the kids don’t usually have access to a lab or
just science in general.”
The chapter also hosted intern scientists from the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland to introduce students to virtual reality headsets, allowing them to immerse themselves into how machinery and engines work. Hafey also mentioned that in collaboration with biology Professor James Bader and the Cleveland Department
of Public Health, kids were able to build their own air quality monitors.
Hafey highlighted the value of engaging students in highly technical fields that have large amounts of coursework.
“There’s a lot more to education than just tutoring,” he said. “There’s also inspir[ing] them towards a career in STEM.”
A Learn To Be representative guides Daniel E. Morgan students through an interactive science experiment. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing free online tutoring for underserved students. Courtesy of Learn to Be
Ohio Senate Bill 1 passed: What comes next?
Vani Subramony News Editor
Zachary Tressler News Editor
On March 28, Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, was signed into law by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Once implemented, the bill will lead to several changes at Ohio’s public universities, including the required posting of course syllabi, a mandatory civics course and expanded review of faculty post-tenure. The bill also prohibits “any orientation or training course regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI), the creation and continuation of DEI offices and references to diversity in job descriptions and future hiring.
SB 1 passed 20-11 in the Ohio Senate and 58-34 in the Ohio House of Representatives. Across the two State Senate and three state House Districts that cover Case Western Reserve University’s campus, all five representatives—all Democrats—voted against SB 1.
Rep. Darnell Brewer, whose district includes the southernmost parts of CWRU, said in a comment to The Observer, “The decision by Governor Mike DeWine to sign Senate Bill 1 into law is deeply disappointing and poses a significant threat to the future of higher education in Ohio. This bill also marks the first step toward eroding hard-won workers’ rights across our state by restricting faculty rights in our public universities, driving away students through harmful policies, and undermining programs that foster inclusion and critical thinking.” He added, “Our state deserves better than legislation that stifles growth, limits opportunity, and weakens the voices of those committed to shaping the next generation.” Another representative, State Sen. Kent Smith, sim-
ply labeled the bill the “Higher Education Destruction Act” and encouraged DeWine to veto it.
Because CWRU is a private institution, the contents of SB 1 do not directly impact university operations. In a comment to The Observer, a university spokesperson reaffirmed this, saying, “While we will comply with any federal and state laws, our priority remains ensuring an environment that fosters academic and research excellence, free inquiry and student success.”
Several members of the CWRU community engaged with the passing of SB 1, including Michael Clune, a professor in the Department of English, who testified in favor of the bill. In his testimony, Clune said that the “primary responsibility for the unsustainable politicization of academia rests on bloated, unaccountable university administrations, which have instituted a ‘shadow curriculum’ of politicized faculty and student training, hired teams of administrators to police speech, and incentivized the politicization of academic teaching and research.” In a clarifying statement to The Observer, Clune said, “The majority of the population, as shown in well publicized and high quality polling, believes universities are monolithically far left and practice ideological indoctrination. It is to the benefit of universities to adopt policies that show we are committed to showing students different sides of controversial political issues, and that we are not engaged in indoctrination.” Clune expressed support for “ideological diversity” and “institutional neutrality,” which he believes are supported by SB 1’s aims.
Barbara Daly, a nursing professor at CWRU, testified against SB 1. In her testimony, she argued that “the material that appears to be attempting to assure that students are not limited in expressing a variety of opinions about any topic, including politically and historically controversial events and
issues, will actually seriously interfere with the goals of encouraging debate and discussion.” According to Daly, the bill does not distinguish between opinion and misinformation, and she believes that its restrictions might lead faculty to avoid discussing controversial topics in the classroom for fear of retribution from university and state administration.
Daly’s sentiments were echoed by CWRU’s chapter of the Ohio Student Association (OSA). In a statement to The Observer, CWRU’s OSA said that SB 1 leads to the destruction of DEI programs that protect marginalized populations, eliminates labor rights of university faculty and promotes the demonization of Chinese citizens. For reference, SB 1 explicitly prevents public universities from accepting gifts, donations or any contributions from entities affiliated with China, excluding the tuition and donations from alumni. “We urge the administration of this university, as well as university administrators across the state, not to comply with any of the provisions of this bill. Compliance will see the best and brightest of our students and educators flee Ohio, devastating our higher education,” CWRU OSA said. “It is also dangerous to all of us as Americans, and as people who believe in democracy, because it sets a terrifying precedent of political actors controlling education to their own ends, with little regard to the principles of free speech.”
CWRU masters student Abra Lisowski, a member of OSA, has been working to fight against bills like SB 1. When contacted by The Observer, she expanded on the possible influence of SB 1 at CWRU. “Case Western Reserve University may be a private institution, but it is not exempt from the scope of this bill … The university has shown that when federal and state money is at stake, it is willing to sacrifice the wishes, well-being, and safety
of its students to protect their bottom line,” she said. “With the passage of SB 1 this past week, it will be up to Case Western Reserve University and its administration to finally take a hard stance against the encroachment of conservative governmental overreach on higher education in the state of Ohio and stand up for its students and staff.”
A CWRU faculty member who requested to remain anonymous echoed Lisowski. “Our freedoms should not be taken for granted, both our legal right to freedom of speech and our institutional right to academic freedom. We cannot sit back and assume that everything will be fine because we are at a private university,” they said. “I am extremely disappointed that college and university administrators are remaining silent rather than taking a stand on issues and legislation that will have serious effects on our ability to do our jobs effectively, as well as on the entire project of higher education in our country. If we are silent, we are complicit.”
The passage of SB 1 closely resembles a push during the previous legislative session for Senate Bill 83 (SB 83), known by the similar name: Enact Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act. While the bill never passed the legislative process, many provisions of the original SB 83 exist in SB 1, such as the elimination of DEI training, requirements around teaching “controversial beliefs or policies” and a mandatory American history course. Such requirements were originally applied to all universities in the state, including CWRU, but the provision requiring compliance from private schools was omitted from the original bill by the time it passed the Ohio Senate. In spite of widespread support from Columbus Republicans, SB 83 was stalled in the Ohio House of Representatives, only to have commonalities reemerge in 2025 with SB 1, which survived.
I’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more “PTG Live!”
Penelope Cloonan Staff Writer
The Players’ Theatre Group (PTG) is an entirely student-run theater company that puts on a variety of shows each semester, including dramas, comedies and sketch programs. This spring, PTG’s upcoming programming includes “Proof,” “The Revolutionists” and, of course, “PTG Live!” which took place this past Friday.
The premise behind “PTG Live!” is simple: It is a sketch comedy show that draws inspiration from Saturday Night Live (SNL), with a few Case Western Reserve University twists. In place of a celebrity monologue, a faculty member is invited to perform the opening monologue. Instead of a celebrity musical guest, the group features a band from our own student body. And of course, instead of going live from New York on Saturday night, PTG performs live in the Walter and Jean Kalberer Black Box Theatre on Friday Night.
The lineup of sketches this semester was remarkable. From the office culture parodied in “Corporate Escalation Training” to the ironically unhelpful advice column “Ask Annabelle,” PTG is comfortable poking fun at life’s idiosyncrasies. The company isn’t afraid to fall into the sillier side of comedy either, or hit close to home—or rather, campus. “Ohio Political Ad” touched on both serious issues with Ohio’s politics and the hilarity of the image conservatives can project of liberals. “Case Cracked” follows a film-noir-esque detective trying to solve seemingly obvious problems that first-years at CWRU face. The sketch manages to touch on realistic aspects of dorm life through the lens of the quirky detective in ways that had me laughing from the start.
However, a prime example of PTG not taking itself too seriously was “NORB.” In a stunning work of physical comedy by second-year student and PTG Secretary Ave Tallarida, a person named Doug attempts to pitch their
gameshow magnum opus, “Naked or Butthole.” While the premise is entirely immature and risks falling on its head, Tallarida’s staunch defense of the show, going so far as to jump on chairs and bring out a prop knife, keeps the audience enraptured. This sketch is a testament to their ability to perform as a comedian and actor.
A standout for me was the first sketch of the night, “Little Italy Story.” In what I can only assume is a reference to John Mulaney’s SNL musical parodies of New York City happenstance, PTG brought “West Side Story” to CWRU. In a musical parody, the CWRU students experience Little Italy for the first time. They enter a world of war between servers and valets, witness a fraught love story and come together in song about common problems CWRU students experience. It was a strong start to the show, and when the entire cast came together to shout “Live from Cleveland, It’s Friday Night,” the energy in the room was electric.
Another extraordinary sketch from the show was the “Coultaire Report.” The sketch was presented and written by third-year student Mary Coulter, the self-proclaimed “most DEI person on campus.” With that opening, Coulter set a politically comedic tone for the rest of the set. A moment that stuck with me was Coulter talking about their father, a political science professor who argued that we are not in a descent into fascism but are instead “authoritarian curious.” The laid-back but politically relevant performance is on par with both SNL’s “Weekend Update” and what I can only assume is the inspiration behind the name, “The Colbert Report.” Coulter delivered their monologue in a thoughtful and hilarious manner that felt both simultaneously practiced and off the cuff. It is everything anyone could want out of a late-night comedy show.
This year, the students at the helm were producers third-year Raaghuv Vazirani, Tallarida, second-year Gryffin
Hauenstein and third-year Abigail Gilman. I was able to speak to Raaghuv, who told me about his experience with the show over the semesters.
“We start early, and have multiple writer round tables to create ideas and edit sketches,” he said. “Just like SNL, all the acting, directing, lights and sound happen the week of the performance, which is always a hectic whirlwind, but one that I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
PTG echoes its inspiration with an impressive dedication to form. The fact that full-time students are able to pull this off during the semester is truly astonishing. Raaghuv is proud to have seen how PTG has grown over the years.
“The first semester I did it I was just an actor, and putting on a full-fledged show in less than a week was this incredible feeling—not only was [PTG] extremely easy to become a part of, the payoff was incredible,” he said. “Last spring, when I realized that it was originally going to be a one-and-done thing, I knew I had to produce it, if only just to provide that whirlwind experi-
ence of going from a script to a packed house show for others. I produced it alone, and then for both last semester and this semester. I’m so lucky to have a wonderful team of co-producers, without which it never would have been possible to grow to the size we have, and put on this scale of production. We grew from an original cast of 12 people to now having over 30 incredible actors, and [more than 20] extremely talented writers.”
There is clear passion here from all parties involved. From what I watched on Friday night and heard about from those who worked on the project, this is a truly beautiful labor of love. For any comedy fans who missed it, past “PTG Live!” productions are available on the Players’ Theatre Group YouTube page.
“At the end of the day, we’re here to make people laugh, maybe take some weight off their shoulders, and create a sense of community through a free, open to all, one night only sketch comedy special,” Raaghuv said. “Live from Cleveland, It’s Friday Night! We hope you enjoyed the show, and can’t wait to see you at the next one.”
PTG actors bring the stage to life in one of their many performances this year. As a completely student-run club, PTG showcases the talent and creativity of student-produced theatre. Courtesy of Mary Coulter/Players’ Theatre Group
Cleveland International Film Festival
This year’s spring comedian is Gianmarco Soresi, who has appeared on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” “The Real Housewives of New York City” and the Netflix series “Verified Stand-Up,” as well as (more likely than not) your TikTok feed. He also was recognized as a New Face of the Just for Laughs comedy festival in 2022. Be sure to catch Soresi’s performance this Friday at Severance Hall—if you’re a fan of sharp, dark comedy and/or poking fun at former theater kids, you’re guaranteed to enjoy yourself.
Kate Gordon Life Editor
Billboard Hot 100 Dance Party 4/4 | Free
Twist Social Club—Cleveland’s No. 1 gay club, according to their website—presents an evening of Billboard Hot 100 hits both past and present. “Get ready to lose your voice, break a sweat, and dance like it’s your personal concert,” promises the event’s promotional material. For Case Western Reserve University students 21 and older, this is a night you definitely don’t want to miss.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Sacramento Kings 4/6 | from $32 pre-discount
This Sunday is one of the three remaining chances to catch a Cavs home game during the dwindling regular season. Although NBA ticket prices look steep on a student budget, you can score huge discounts by signing up for the Cavaliers & Monsters Student Pass here, which offers tickets for as low as $10 (although, in my experience, they tend to be closer to $15–20). If the Cavs’ current season record is any indication—they’re currently the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference—you’re probably in for a great game and a rare rush of Cleveland pride.
“Proof” Play
4/4-6 | Free
CWRU’s own Players’ Theatre Group presents “Proof,” a play about the emotional journey of a mathematician’s daughter. Like with all the group’s performances, you can expect “Proof” to provide heart, humor and stellar performances from your peers in large doses. Only showing this weekend at Kalberer Black Box, be sure to catch this production while you still can!
4/2-5 | $18 for feature-length film
You might be surprised to find out that Cleveland’s own International Film Festival (CIFF) is one of the largest and longest-running film festivals in the country, and attracts over 70,000 visitors annually. According to their website, CIFF’s mission is to showcase “the power of film arts to educate, entertain, and foster an inclusive human experience.” You can support this mission by attending a screening of a feature film or shorts program in one of CIFF’s four participating theaters—with 300 films playing from 60 countries, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest.
Gimme Gimme Disco 4/5 | $17
Although it’s not the first time Gimme Gimme Disco has come to Cleveland, this ABBA-themed dance party is a can’t-miss classic. Dress up in your finest disco attire and come to Mahall’s in Lakewood to boogie along to ‘70s and ‘80s hits from artists including Donna Summer, Cher, The Bee Gees and, of course, ABBA. And if contemporary music is more your speed, try the prior evening’s “Pink Pony Club: A Modern Femme Pop Dance Party,” also at Mahall’s and promising music from Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Tate McRae and all your favorite 21st-century pop princesses.
CWRU Footlighters dance into our hearts with “Footloose”
Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor
Released in 1984, the original “Footloose” follows protagonist Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) as he seeks to rewrite the rules of his new hometown, Bomont, Utah. A Chicago native, Ren is taken aback by the tight-knit, conservative nature of Bomont, and he is constantly being judged for not knowing and following the town’s strange laws— particularly, the one that bans dancing. Teaming up with the other high schoolers, Ren seeks to change the congregation’s mind about dancing and overturn this ban. Along the way, he befriends Willard Hewitt (Chris Penn) and becomes a love interest to the reverend’s rebellious daughter Ariel Moore (Lori Singer). The musical version of “Footloose”— released in 1998—brings the same heartwarming story of friendship, rebellion, grief and family through its emotional and upbeat score. And this past weekend, Case Western Reserve University Footlighters took on the challenge, bringing to Eldred Hall a rendition of “Footloose” that was nothing short of a professional production.
From the get-go, this show had all the right elements: catchy numbers, a comedic skit and actors who embody the characters they depict. Second-year AJ Williams played a charming Ren, and first-year Shareen Chahal brought the perfect blend of delicate and devious to Ariel’s character. Other standout performances came from fourthyear Daniela Richardson’s energetic dance sequences; third-year Eva Kadirvel, who commanded the stage in every song she was a part
of; and second-year Evan Durkee, who provided much-needed comedic relief with his version of Willard. Graduate student Milana Sacco and second-year Austin Kennedy carried the roles of Vi Moore and Reverend Shaw Moore, respectively, with the utmost maturity. Their character arcs were developed with care, especially Shaw’s transformation from a rigid authority figure to a more understanding father.
Vocally, the cast delivered powerful performances across the board. Rusty, Urleen and Wendy Jo gave a memorable rendition of “Somebody’s Eyes” with suspenseful harmonies, perfectly capturing the song’s eerie undertone. Durkee’s performance of “Mama Says” was a clear crowd favorite, packed with silly dance moves and laughs that made his character as a whole loveable. Shaw’s duet with Vi, “Can You Find It in Your Heart,” was a particularly touching moment that was a welcome counter to the production’s more upbeat numbers, pushing forward the serious message of this show.
These striking numbers were paired with equally powerful choreography. The dance sequences, particularly in high-energy songs such as “Holding Out for a Hero” and “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” captured the spirit of rebellion and youthful exuberance that defines the “Footloose” franchise. Unique to CWRU Footlighters’ productions, performances from featured dancers— first-year Snow Lin and fourth-year Mariana Davis—were welcome additions to the main cast. Especially in the more upbeat songs, the featured dancers added a layer of complexity to the choreography on stage.
Behind the scenes, CWRU Footlighters’ set and lighting designers, costume crews and live pit impressed with their artistic talent and attention to detail. The sets were neatly designed and flowed easily from one scene to the next. The Burger Blast set was one of my favorites, equipped with a realistic diner counter and four red bar stools to match. The lighting team sold each scene with spotlight moments and color light fades that brought life to the stage. The costume designs reflected the youthful energy of the story, with fun, vibrant outfits for the teens and more subdued, conservative clothing for the adults. There is truly nothing more iconic than Ariel’s red cowboy boots, and I was glad to see them make an appearance throughout the show. Of course, this review would be remiss without a special shout-out to the pit, whose contributions—while hidden under the theater—shall not be forgotten!
A near-perfect production received an equally impactful end in its long-awaited grand finale, fit with a giant disco ball. The title number, “Footloose,” was an explosion of energy, with every cast member on stage dancing in perfect synchronization as the audience hummed along. The disco lighting effects, combined with the upbeat dance sequences from every member of the cast, created a moment that truly encapsulated the spirit of the show—joyful, rebellious and full of life.
Needless to say, CWRU Footlighters did justice to the classic “Footloose” production. Between strong technical direction, great costuming, skillful acting and memorable musical numbers, this was a production that was well worth a watch. CWRU Footlighters has once again proved that CWRU students have got talent, and when put together, they really know how to cut loose.
CWRU Footlighters put on a stunning production of “Footloose,” bringing together vibrant technical elements, memorable acting performances and an infectious energy to deliver a night of dance and music. All photos courtesy of Ashley Rosinski/The Observer
VS
Top 10 Observer Production Night Experiences
10. The dinner that you ordered and anticipated for days never arrived.
9. Not enough people signed up for a team bonding event, so now it has been canceled.
8. You have a test the following day that you have not had time to study for—The Observer comes first!
7. The University Media Board Office is either scorchingly hot or freezing to the bone (is there ever an in-between?).
6. Massive news happens on Wednesday, so someone is left scrambling to write an important article at the last minute.
5. The copy editors missed a double-digit number of Oxford commas while editing.
4. The printer that we use to edit draft pages stopped working.
3. The graphic does not fit the page, and the graphic editor has already left.
Very Hard
2. InDesign stopped working at 2 a.m. when you are finalizing the last page.
1. The director of design got sick so now you, the sad director of print with no InDesign skills, have to make the Fun pages (oddly specific, huh?).
Which USG candidate are you?
Aries Taurus
Tyler Vu (the cook)
Tyler Vu (the babysitter)
Cancer Gemini
Tyler Vu (the juggler)
Tyler Vu (John Pork)
Leo Virgo
Tyler Vu (serial killer)
Tyler Vu (demon)
Libra Scorpio
Tyler Vu (the chef)
Sagittarius
Tyler Vu (baby handler)
Aquarius
Tyler Vu (12 oz steak)
Photos of the week
Tyler Vu (the educator)
Capricorn
Tyler Vu (TV personality)
Pisces
Tyler Vu (getting evicted)
Shivangi Nanda/The Observer
Elie Aoun/The Observer
Hannah Johnson/The Observer
Elie Aoun/The Observer Shivangi Nanda/The Observer
Elie Aoun/The Observer
Shivangi Nanda/The Observer
Opinion
Cancer patients are losing hope, but they are not alone in their struggle
Reda Riffi Contributing Writer
Note: A version of this article appeared in the Yale Daily News.
I was born in Ohio, lived in Morocco and graduated from a French high school. Then, I moved to Tunisia, where I spent two years at a medical school and worked in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was there that I discovered my passion for clinical interactions with brain cancer patients after feeling the pain of a young patient dying hopelessly from Glioblastoma. This experience fueled my drive for the fight against brain cancer, and I was soon ready to go back to the United States with a clear commitment to joining a world-leading cancer research community.
I switched countries, universities and majors to join the neuroscience program at Case Western Reserve University, where I met Dr. WenChen Xiong and Dr. Daehoon Lee, who became invaluable mentors. They thoroughly prepared me to become a capable neuroscience undergraduate student researcher. With their support, I was selected as one of the seven American Cancer Society scholars at Yale University this year, an experience providing exceptional skills and knowledge while preparing undergraduate students to be the next generation of biomedical scientists and physician-scientists.
The program offered me invaluable hands-on research experience in biomedical sciences, emphasizing the integration of clinical practice and scientific research. I had the privilege of interacting with patients, working alongside leading researchers and clinicians and gaining exposure to laboratory environments and clinical settings. My cancer research project focused on brain cancer biology with an emphasis on DNA damage repair and drug discovery, investigating cancer cell viability by targeting specific genes. Through seminars, networking events, patient interactions and tumor boards with neurosurgeons, particularly in the context of brain cancer, I realized how research can directly impact patient care and how emotion-
ally significant it is for cancer patients, who, in their fight, wait with hope for a cure.
As excited as I am for graduation and the chance to join a lab as a student researcher, I can’t help but feel concerned about the fate of the opportunities that will be available for young cancer student researchers. The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) recent decision to announce a cap on grants, limiting the indirect cost rate to 15%, raises uncertainty about funding availability.
Indirect costs are vital for supporting personnel, facilities, regulatory compliance, utilities and safety measures required for research. Without this infrastructure, conducting research with direct cost funding alone becomes impossible, threatening biomedical research activities nationwide.
The average NIH indirect cost rate has always been between 27 and 28% of the total grant amount in the past. However, some research universities, such as CWRU, Yale University and Harvard University, have negotiated much higher rates, reaching approximately 60% for indirect costs.
This high funding rate has been fundamental to sustaining the success and survival of research of such worldleading universities. A policy change would have a profoundly negative impact on all American research institutions and the principal investigators who drive innovation forward and keep the United States at the forefront of science.
While they struggled to maintain their labs with around 60% indirect funding, these research hubs now face the challenge of doing so with only 15%. If this policy stays, scientific progress will slow, the U.S.’s leadership in scientific innovation will be at risk and cancer patients will be deprived of potential cures. Current researchers may lose their jobs as principal investigators struggle to save their research. Under these conditions, the idea of research training opportunities for young student researchers would undoubtedly become unrealistic.
On February 8 and 11 at CWRU, President Eric Kaler addressed the NIH’s sudden cap on indirect cost
rates at 15%, calling it a major threat to the infrastructure that sustains scientific research. He emphasized that indirect costs are essential for maintaining personnel, research facilities, compliance and safety—without which government-funded research cannot be carried out. Kaler warned that the policy would significantly harm all American research universities.
While the U.S. government executive order of the NIH funding cut was delayed by advocacy from national academic organizations and state attorneys general that filed lawsuits in federal court, resulting in a temporary restraining order blocking the policy’s implementation, the final outcome remains unknown to this day. However, what is certain is that the stability of biomedical research in the United States is undeniably under threat, and cancer patients and researchers are counting every single day, waiting for a final answer.
Even if this financial crisis within the scientific community proves to be temporary, its impact will be significant, as it will halt the progression of research. Much like COVID-19’s longterm negative effects, cuts to research funding could lead to the loss of an entire generation of researchers, which is my biggest concern.
America has long been the leader in research and intellectual advancement. However, today, this decision from our government is putting its stability at risk in an attempt to “save the agency $4 billion” annually. In the long term, if we fail to challenge this policy, it may lead to an assassination of the American dream for a very low price.
To put things into perspective, the country spent over $1.5 trillion on defense in 2022 alone, including costly projects like the F-35 fighter jet program, which, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, is projected to cost over $2 trillion for acquisition and sustainment—despite facing widespread criticism for inefficiency.
The vital $4 billion invested in research funding is one of the most influential and high-return investments that the U.S. can make. It is just a
minuscule fraction of what is wasted in other areas with far less impactful returns on investment and benefits far less significant than those of U.S. research and innovation to the nation and the world. This money is not “wasted” or even spent; it is one of the best investments that adds more money to the U.S. economy. Cutting research funding—which drives innovation, healthcare breakthroughs and economic growth—threatens the progress that has made America the global leader in science and technology.
Cutting NIH funding risks devastating cancer research, harming patients and weakening America’s position in global competition. As Vladimir Putin invests more in cancer research and announces a free cancer vaccine soon to be available to the world, our president’s decision may harm American science and end this competition. Now, our scientific community advocates to be heard by representatives to revoke this decision. I hope that our president will listen to our community and not approach this like a business where “success” and “money” are blindly associated but instead make the right decision to avoid slowing American scientific progress, destroying intellectual opportunities—and most importantly—not take hope away from dying cancer patients. Many scientists trust him—now it’s time for him to trust scientists. I hope our president will change his mind because this is the only way to truly “Make America Great Again.”
Cancer patients are losing hope, but they are not alone in their struggle. This past month, a series of nationwide protests, known as “Stand Up for Science 2025,” mobilized thousands to join our advocacy and oppose NIH funding cuts that threaten the future of scientific progress. The fight for science funding is not just about labs: It is about lives. This movement focuses on engaging policymakers, raising awareness about the impact of funding cuts on scientific progress and urging congressional representatives to protect America’s leadership in life sciences. Sincere appreciation is given to all who stood with us in this initiative and contributed to this critical cause.
Why America needs a big government
Catherine Choi Staff Writer
The United States is run by the three branches of the federal government—legislative, judicial and executive—and any power not granted to the federal government is reserved for state governments. State governments are in charge of making state-level and smaller-range decisions, such as those on housing, transportation and the state-specific municipal court. Each state is run and ruled differently based on its own agenda. The size of the government is determined based on how deeply it is involved in its citizens’ lives, and a big government, by definition, refers to a “government or public sector that is considered excessively large or unconstitutionally involved in certain areas of public policy or the private sector.” The areas of concern include welfare, economy, education,
defense and security, real estate, energy and industry. All projects are run by taxes, which is why certain people dislike such a system. Small government, on the other hand, restricts the government to only partake in law, defense and foreign affairs, leaving other areas to local governments and interest groups. The necessary size of the government has been a topic of debate between those who want more protection and those who want more freedom and independence. However, in the U.S., we must allow the government to be more involved in its citizens’ lives.
A big government can prevent disparities based on where one lives. State governments and legislatures can establish their own policies and laws, making the quality of life vary severely based on where one lives. Affluent and industrial states with strong leadership are more likely to serve their people sufficiently. Al-
though autonomy should be given to states to a certain extent to accommodate for different racial and economic distributions, all men are created equal and should not be living in segregated conditions.
The failure to establish helpful policies can be prevented by letting the government get more involved in state administration and policymaking. The federal government can help create a frame that makes it easier for state legislatures to enforce policies that are essential to its people’s well-being. A big government can also be effective when initiating long-term development. By placing state governments in charge of more concentrated tasks, the country can initiate projects that require teamwork at the national level, such as economic advancements and reconstruction in impoverished regions. These endeavors are also an efficient way to foster a sense of teamwork and collaboration. For instance, during the
COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of power from the federal government made it difficult to manage the disease for years, as many people refused to follow national protocols such as wearing masks, social distancing, quarantine and lockdown, getting tested and reporting symptoms—all while stockpiling food and sanitation products. In the case of climate change, the federal government can use its wide range of influence and funds to educate its citizens on the importance of sustainability and environment preservation and to initiate policies and regulations that reduce pollution. Many people opposed the idea of the government forcing them to forfeit their liberty and bear discomfort. However, such agendas are essential to ensure basic human rights and cannot be achieved just at the state and county level.
Continue reading on page 9
The DEI office is dead: Long live the “Office for Campus Enrichment and Engagement”
Milo Vetter Staff Writer
Last week, the Case Western Reserve University community received an email from President Eric Kaler with a momentous announcement: the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement (DEI) is now permanently closed and has been replaced with the Office for Campus Enrichment and Engagement. The stated aim is to ensure compliance with specific executive orders from President Donald Trump, but as good academics, we should fully interrogate the motives and consequences of this decision.
Consider the following two statements (the first is from the website of the now-gone DEI office, and the second is from its replacement’s website):
“Case Western Reserve University aspires to be an inclusive environment, believing that the creative energy and variety of insights that result from diversity are a vital component of the intellectual rigor and social fabric of the university.”
“Case Western Reserve University is composed of thousands of individuals who each bring their unique backgrounds, experiences and ideas to our campus and make it such a rich, robust and inspiring place to learn, work and live.”
What do you notice about the preceding two statements? Their message is essentially the exact same: Diversity isn’t just a byproduct of admitting qualified students from around the world but rather is the fundamental essence of what makes a university interesting and enriching. But the second statement is carefully crafted to avoid any buzzwords that would raise alarms.
Why focus on buzzwords rather than essence? Well, because that’s how the Trump administration (especially the Department of Government Efficiency) is making its cuts. In recent weeks, a leak from the National Science Foundation revealed that there is now a list of banned words, the presence of which causes an automatic flag for review in a grant proposal. So now institutions are walking on eggshells to avoid offending powerful groups with the ability to censor anything they don’t like.
This phenomenon is connected to the high-profile events taking place at Columbia University. For most colleges, the federal funding uncertainty of the past two months has come about as a consequence of juvenile attempts at making the government “more efficient.” But Columbia’s loss of funding has explicitly been explained as a punishment for the university’s failure to silence its student protests. Another incident is the abduction of Mahmoud
Khalil, the former lead negotiator at Columbia’s student protest encampment. Despite evidence that he is a legal permanent resident, representatives of the Trump administration equate protesting against the U.S. government as a noncitizen with supporting terrorism and, thus, justify his deportation.
Columbia is being made an example for the rest of us—the fact that the Columbia administration is actively negotiating with the Trump administration to restore its funding is proof enough of this. Attempting to fight a person who has the most powerful job in the world—and is driven primarily by personal grudges—is not a good decision for long-term survival. And this culture is already dominant at Columbia. In the past few months, all protests have been low-profile and tightly regulated, partially due to the identification and reporting of protesters by certain groups, in an effort to reduce their chances of employment. This is why the current debate at Columbia is centered around banning students from wearing masks to protests—an act that would allow them to avoid this life-destroying scenario.
To bring this back to CWRU, it’s difficult to tell what’s next for us. The Board of Trustees’ motives are opaque, and we have no way of knowing what the response will be if we are met with similar demands. However, this latest decision about the DEI office and its
replacement tells us that the administration does sincerely care about diversity. Although they’re unlikely to sacrifice federal funding to protect us, it’s comforting to know that they are attempting to protect diversity despite not being allowed to use the word itself.
Another big uncertainty is not knowing the lengths to which the Trump administration is willing to go. To what extent are they actually committed to rooting out social progressivism in colleges? Will they go so far as to sack all the sociology professors who insist on teaching about Karl Marx’s vital contributions to the field? Or will they be satisfied as long as colleges aren’t defiant against the new social order? For the time being, I think my money is on the latter. I think what we’ve seen over the past decade is that facts and consequences mean nothing to these people, and appearances are everything. If we weave a convincing appearance of surrender, we may very well be able to hold onto the things that we love. Never forget that the mob’s first principle is that they want their villains to go away by any means necessary, whether those villains are Muslims, immigrants, gay people, trans people, Marxist professors or student protesters. There’s real strength in biding your time until a day in which defiance once again becomes a path forward.
Multitasking: Doing more or achieving
Afshan Ara Staff Writer
Multitasking is considered a coveted and essential skill in today’s fast-paced and busy world. Being able to accomplish many tasks at a time seems ideal at a time when productivity is highly valued. People who can juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities across school, work and their personal life are seen as accomplished. The idea of simultaneously dealing with multiple responsibilities may be appealing, but research suggests that multitasking may do more harm than good in terms of productivity. A “skilled” multitasker is just a person who manages to switch topics of attention rapidly. The idea that multitasking can be associated with higher levels of achievement is a deceiving illusion sold to us.
A common reason why multitasking is so tempting is its supposed effect on productivity levels. The belief is that more can be accomplished when people do several things at a time. However, studies prove that the opposite is the case. Switching between tasks takes a level of cognitive effort and time that most people don’t consider, which actually reduces overall efficiency. Every time the brain changes its focus, it has to refamiliarize itself with the new task at hand—the switching cost phenomenon. A study conducted at Stanford University found that individuals who frequently multitask perform worse on cognitive control tasks than those who focus on a single task at a time. The effort and time it takes to mentally reorient oneself can discourage overall productivity levels. Imagine trying to respond to emails, attend virtual meetings and do homework all at once. I have done this before, tricking myself into thinking I am accomplishing
more than I actually am. More than once I have forgotten the content of my meetings or made simple, avoidable mistakes on assignments.
Besides the ideal goal of maximizing efficiency, multitasking directly affects the quality of work produced. Multitasking requires people to divide their attention across multiple tasks. A college student who tries to study while watching television or consuming media may struggle to remember key information, just as a driver who texts while driving is more likely to cause an accident. The human brain is just not designed to fully concentrate on multiple complex tasks at once.
This is especially true in professional development and careers. Professionals operating in fields that require high levels of accuracy, such as doctors, engineers and pilots, understand the dangerous consequences of constantly shifting our focus. Even a minor mistake in these disciplines can have unimaginable consequences for all parties involved. This principle should be considered when doing daily activities as well. Even the simplest of tasks, such as cooking, should receive one’s undivided attention for the sake of reducing the number of errors.
Another significant drawback of multitasking is the increased stress and mental fatigue it creates. Constantly switching between tasks forces the brain to work harder than necessary, leading to cognitive exhaustion. This exhaustion reduces a person’s ability to think critically, make decisions and retain information constructively. Moreover, individuals who engage in multitasking often feel overwhelmed by their task load. The pressure to complete multiple tasks at once can heighten frustration and build unnecessary anxiety, particularly when struggling to keep up. Research has shown that chronic multitasking can lead to longterm stress and eventual burnout. A study from the University of London found that multitasking during cogni-
less?
tive tasks lowered IQ levels in a manner similar to sleep deprivation. Over time, this mental strain often results in decreased motivation, reduced job satisfaction and an unhealthy work ethic. Multitasking also has lasting detrimental effects on learning processes and memory retention. When the brain is overloaded with multiple outlets of information, it struggles to process and store key pieces of data effectively. This is particularly concerning for people who attempt to study while immersing themselves in common distractions, such as social media. Studies indicate that multitasking can reduce comprehension and memory retention, leading to poorer academic performance. The key to effective learning lies in singular, focused attention.
When individuals concentrate on a single task without interruptions, they engage deeper cognitive processes that enhance understanding and retention of that topic. Multitasking disrupts this process, resulting in superficial learning where information is quickly forgotten or never fully understood. This explains why students who study with multiple distractions often struggle to recall material during exams.
Overall, the negative effects on mental health and work quality outweigh the small sense of achievement that people gain when multitasking. People should understand the value in giving each task the attention, time and individual effort it requires. In short, quality over quantity. (Note: No multitasking was done while writing this article.)
Tyler Vu/The Observer
USG endorsements from page 1
As vice president of finance, Kim plans to expand treasurer office hours from once a semester to once a week. She also intends to build on the financial documentation process to ensure that clubs are held accountable for their spending, create a communal storage space for USG organizations and implement an updated criteria for approving USG organizations. Kim’s experience in USG and aspirations for the organization make her a strong candidate for this role.
Vice President of Student Life
USG’s Student Life Committee serves to enhance the campus experience by acting as a conduit between administration and students in regards to housing, dining, student activities and wellness. The Editorial Board endorses second-year Arohi Banerjee for vice president of student life. One of Banerjee’s main strengths is her experience within this committee, on which she has held several roles including College of Arts and Sciences representative and secretary. She currently serves as leader of the Transportation and Public Safety Subcommittee. During her time on USG, she has worked to increase accessibility for airport shuttles, introduced a temporary prayer space in Thwing Center
and improved the Spartan Ride app. We believe that her commitment to advocating for students and making tangible change will extend to a valuable tenure as vice president of student life.
Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion
While both candidates mistakenly named the position as vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), the Editorial Board endorses second-year Niousha Sima for the position of vice president of diversity and inclusion. As a current member of the D&I committee, Sima has experience working with D&I initiatives, including the committee’s newsletter which is meant to increase their transparency. With DEI under federal scrutiny and university administration rolling back related offices and programs, Sima’s past experiences on the committee will prove vital. We appreciate that both candidates remain adamant about maintaining a diverse and inclusive community at CWRU in the face of unprecedented policies that undermine these principles. However, the Editorial Board feels strongly positive regarding Sima’s commitment to freedom of expression at CWRU. During her tenure, she
plans to amend protesting policies and empower students advocating for justice.
Vice President of Communications
In recent years, one of USG’s biggest issues has been a lack of communication and transparency with the student body. The Communications Committee is responsible for maintaining the newsletter and other media meant to inform students about ongoing USG and campus-wide initiatives. The vice president of communications, thus, oversees this substantial and necessary task. Out of the four candidates on the ballot, the Editorial Board endorses first-year Aileen Choi for vice president of communications. During her interview, Choi provided
more practical solutions to communication-related problems compared to her competitors, including improving the organization and the accuracy of information on newsletters. It was also obvious that Choi spent time researching the position and while she may not have previous experience on USG, she would bring a fresh perspective to the current communication between USG and the student body.
The Observer has previously noted that USG election voter turnout has been disappointing, with the majority of the student body abstaining from participating or simply being unaware of when an election is underway. During these contentious times, we encourage everyone to get out and vote so that our representatives can truly represent us when it matters most.
The Case Western Reserve Observer
Established in 1969 by the undergraduate students of Case Western Reserve University
Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor & Publisher
Elie Aoun Director of Print
Vani Subramony News Editor
Téa Tamburo News Editor
Zachary Treseler News Editor
Kate Gordon Life Editor
Hannah Johnson Opinion Editor
A big government can prevent the dangerous impact of private businesses. Although lobbying is a legal and effective way to influence policymakers, it is highly likely that the interest groups with the most funds and power benefit more than the general public, which can lead to devastating results. In contrast, incidents where government action is needed to protect the rights of the majority population may not pass through due to insufficient resources and the state government being swayed by politics and traditional disputes. For example, when the government has limited control over the regulation of costs, healthcare facilities, pharmacies and insurance companies can charge unreasonable prices for their services and products, making it difficult for patients to acquire proper care. Despite the presence of Medicare and Medicaid, they are not
enough to meet everyone’s needs due to the lack of allocated funds because of objections from taxpayers regarding increasing coverage. Having a big government can give legislatures the ability to gather more support toward expanding welfare policies such as healthcare, education, safety and infrastructure designed for the well-being of its people. It can also prevent powerful interest groups from sacrificing those with less power for their prosperity.
Understandably, people do not like the government making them forfeit their hard-earned income in the form of taxes to redistribute it to less fortunate people. It is also understandable that people distrust the government’s ability to manage such a large nation. However, the U.S. is one country, not a union of 51 different countries, so everybody should be governed by the same equal and consistent rules.
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
Sahar Kapasi Copy Editor
Ella Lasky Copy Editor
Siya Motwani Copy Editor
Ellie Palaian Copy Editor
Katherine Riley Copy Editor
DESIGN
Auden Koetters Director of Design
Elizabeth McHugh Layout Designer
Anjali Bhuthpur Layout Designer
Tyler Vu Layout Designer
Shareen Chahal Layout Designer
Jana Ashour Graphic Designer
Lucas Yang Graphic Designer
DIGITAL MEDIA
Clay Preusch Director of Digital Media & Photo Editor
Aambar Agarwal Social Media Manager
Shejuti Wahed Social Media Content Creator & Video Editor
Kethan Srinivasan Social Media Content Creator
Moses Fleischman Web Editor
Esha Bagora Social Media Editor
BUSINESS
Kamila Sattler Sanchez Director of Business Operations
The Observer is the weekly undergraduate student newspaper of Case Western Reserve University. Established in 1969, The Observer reports news affecting students and provides an editorial forum for the university community. Unsigned editorials are typically written by the opinion editor but reflect the majority opinion of the senior editorial staff. Opinion columns are the views of their writers and not necessarily of The Observer staff. For advertising information, contact The Observer via e-mail at observer@case. edu.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR should be e-mailed to observer@case.edu or submitted on our website at observer.case.edu. Letters can be mailed to Thwing Center 11111 Euclid Avenue, Suite 01, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. For policy and guidelines related to the submission of Letters to the Editor, refer to observer.case.edu/submit-a-letter.
The Observer is a proud member of CWRU’s University Media Board. Follow The Observer on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram @cwruobserver.
Sports
The unsung heroes of CWRU Athletics
Ellie Palaian Copy Editor
While Case Western Reserve University may not be known for its athletics, it has built a strong reputation as a competitive athletic program. Behind the victories, UAA championships, and NCAA honors lies the relentless work of injury prevention and recovery, which is essential to sustaining a successful athletic program. At the heart of CWRU athletics are three dedicated athletic trainers whose expertise and care form the backbone of the university’s sports teams.
CWRU supports 19 total varsity sports programs and over 500 athletes who all fall under the care of Head Athletic Trainer Jay Garfield and Assistant Athletic Trainers Shelby Archable and Lauren Pinzka. To put that workload into perspective, the University of Georgia (UGA) has 15 athletic trainers for 21 varsity sports and roughly the same number of athletes. While UGA may be a Division I program with SEC funding, Washington University in St. Louis, a peer institution in academics and athletics, employs five athletic trainers to support 19 varsity sports and over 600 athletes.
“On the National Athletic Trainers Association website, there is an algorithm where you put in the amount of teams you have and the amount of student-athletes you have to see how many athletic trainers you should have,” Pinzka said. “We should have nine and a half athletic trainers working for the number of athletes we have, and we have three and a half.”
With only three athletic trainers, CWRU has temporarily outsourced to University Hospitals’ Rachel Holloman, who is also affiliated with Lake Erie College, while they attempt to fill the position of a fourth athletic trainer. However, Holloman is limited to 40 hours per week and cannot travel with teams. As a result, Garfield, Archable and
Pinzka must shoulder those responsibilities on top of overseeing 3-4 teams each, an average of 160 athletes and teaching courses for CWRU’s Sports Medicine minor.
“Right now, we are super understaffed,” Pinzka said. “With the way that division three is moving, we’re becoming more like D1 schools. We’re adding extra practices and adding more games, and it kind of never stops. So being in season, every season, is exhausting, and being in the UAA, traveling to all these different locations, it’s a lot.”
Due to the shortage of athletic trainers, fall sports teams currently in their spring seasons do not have a dedicated athletic trainer, even though they continue to practice multiple times per week.
“During the spring season, we don’t have an athletic trainer assigned to us,” first-year women’s soccer player Kinzly Gootman said. “[Pinzka] was our athletic trainer in the fall and while we still go to her with all of our injuries, she is currently working and traveling with softball. We often have teammates taping each other’s ankles in the locker room before practice because we don’t have an athletic trainer to do it.”
In addition to Garfield, Archable and Pinzka, CWRU relies on student athletic trainers, who are in the process of earning a sports medicine minor from CWRU, to help with the surplus of athletes in need.
“They’ll come work games and practices for us and just be another set of hands,” Pinzka said. “Then we can train them in taping, evaluating injuries, setting up rehab programs, stretching and all that kind of stuff.”
Students in the sports medicine program are required to gain clinical hours by assisting the CWRU athletic trainers where needed and they can learn directly from the experienced staff.
“We have a huge population going to [medical] school, and a lot of those individuals want to pursue orthopedics or orthopedic surgery.
We try to align this minor to train them for what they would be seeing as a doctor in the orthopedic world,” Pinzka said.
Despite possessing a similar level of education and expertise as other healthcare professionals, athletic trainers are often undervalued in their field. However, most athletes, like Gootman, would argue that athletic trainers are one of, if not the most, essential components of a successful and healthy athletic program.
“I would not have gotten through my first season of college soccer without [Pinzka],” Gootman said. “She was always there, whether it was addressing injuries, advising on PT or stretches, performing treatment for optimal recovery or relieving pain and providing emotional support when athletes were struggling. She filled many roles that helped the women’s soccer team as whole and me individually.”
Many people underestimate the severity of injuries athletic trainers are trained to assess and the crucial role they play in keeping teams safe and competitive. Athletic trainers possess knowledge in a variety of medicine and health practices.
“We’re trained in orthopedic assessment, and all orthopedic injuries, but that comes with treating the whole individual,” Pinzka said. “When I was in undergrad, we had a mental health segment and then general medicine. If someone has a sore throat, I have to be able to know the signs and symptoms, and be able to refer them for things like that. Emergency medicine is another aspect of orthopedic assessment. Mental health is also huge right now, and being at a high academic school, we do see a lot of mental health issues.”
Student-athletes face a unique challenge. At a highly academic institution like CWRU, they are not only expected to excel on the field but also in the classroom, often experiencing additional pressure from teammates and coaches regarding
how their academic performance reflects on the team. Beyond these demands, they navigate the typical concerns of college life, including social relationships and future career prospects. In 2023, the National Library of Medicine reported that nearly one in four student-athletes exhibited signs and symptoms of depression.
“It’s not just a broken ankle, it’s also them being able to get around to classes and stressing about that, and them having to deal with not being able to play and how detrimental that can be to their mental health,” Pinzka said. “I definitely would say mental health is a huge part of athletic training because you build those relationships with your athletes and they hopefully feel comfortable coming to you.”
Despite the challenges [Pinzka] faces at CWRU, she cherishes the relationships she has with her athletes.
“It’s amazing getting to be a part of their journey’s,” [Pinzka] said. “Being at such a high academic institution, it’s amazing knowing the careers [they] all are going into. Seeing everyone graduate and have these amazing jobs lined up, I don’t think I would get that at every institution.”
Gootman appreciates everything the athletic trainers do and their accessibility to all athletes, regardless of whether they are in season or not.
“They are always very accessible even if they are not at our off-season practice,” Gootman said.
“[Pinzka] has a weekly spreadsheet that athletes use to schedule a time to see her so we can find times to get treatment between our practices and classes. I seriously don’t know how the trainers balance it all, but I am extremely grateful for the athletic trainers that we have. They take the time to get to know us and support us through the recovery process. I do not think the athletics department would be running without them and all of their efforts.”
No. 5-ranked men’s tennis collects three more wins ahead of UAA tournament
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
This past weekend, the Case Western Reserve University men’s tennis team extended their win streak to 12 after hosting a threemeet weekend in the Mayfield Village Racquet Club. On Saturday, the squad bested both No. 21-ranked Washington and Lee University and Hobart College, securing 7-0 victories against the two teams and increasing their 7-0 wins to 14 for the season. The Spartans won all six double games and twelve single games across the two contests for the sweeps.
During the first contest against Washington and Lee, the Spartans claimed the doubles points with a pair of 6-1 wins from duo fourthyear Ajay Mahenthiran and thirdyear Justin Prochnow in third doubles and first doubles pairing third-year Anmay Devaraj and fourth-year Casey Hishinuma. The second doubles pair of first-years Jon Totorica and Leon Chen won 6-2 to sweep the doubles matches.
In singles play, the first CWRU win came from third-year Matthew Plunkett (6-1, 6-1), followed by Hishinuma (6-1, 6-2) and secondyear George Kosseifi solidifying the Spartan victory with a 6-0, 6-2 win. The additional Spartan singles wins came from second-year Santiago Salazar Garza (7-5, 6-2), Devaraj (6-1, 7-5) and Mahenthiran (2-6, 7-5, 15-13).
Continuing with the energy from their win against Washington and Lee, the Spartans once again swept the matches. In doubles matches, Mahenthiran and Hishinuma finished first (6-1), followed by Totorica and Chen (6-3) and Devaraj and third-year Rohan Bhat (7-5).
The even number singles matches finished first with Kosseifi, Hishinuma and first-year Konrad Kwiatkowski winning No. 2 (61, 6-2), No. 4 (6-1,6-2) and No. 6 (6-0, 6-1) singles, respectively, to claim the Spartan win. Their matches were followed by Plunkett, Totorica and Mahenthiran, who bested their opponents in No. 3 (6-2, 6-0), No. 5 (6-1, 6-1) and No. 1 singles (6-3, 7-6 (5)), respectively.
The following day, the Spartans faced the Washington University in St. Louis Bears. CWRU began the morning contest with a thrilling battle for the doubles point. The Bears claimed the first win in third doubles against duo Hishinuma and Mahenthiran, but the Spartans tied the score with a 6-3 win of their own after Bhat and Devaraj bested their opponents in second doubles. The deciding factor for the doubles point came down to first doubles played by the first-year pair Totorica and Chen, culminating in a tiebreaker match in which the Spartans reigned victorious with a 7-6 (8) win.
Hishinuma extended his singles win to 83-22 after finishing first in fifth singles (6-0, 6-4) and cur-
rently stands one win short of the third most singles wins in program history. Following Hishinuma’s win, Salazar Garza finished second at sixth singles (6-1, 6-2), and Plunkett secured the Spartan win at fourth singles (6-4, 6-3). The following matches were close, and the Bears ended up taking both first and second singles to decrease their deficit, but a 6-4, 6-7 (6), 10-7 win from Devaraj secured CWRU’s
5-2 win over the Bears. This Friday, the No. 5-ranked Spartans will face Otterbein University and No. 19-ranked Trinity University as they prepare for the following week’s matchup against No. 4-rank Denison University. The Spartans had previously fallen 2-4 to the Big Red during the ITA Indoor Championship earlier this year and will be looking to redeem themselves on April 11.
Softball dominates in home opener with two shutouts
This past week, the Case Western Reserve University softball team swept both visiting Ohio teams in their first home games of the 2025 season. Following the weekend’s games, the Spartans currently stand 14-7 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
The Spartans opened Thursday’s doubleheader with a six-inning shutout victory against Capital University. The first run of the day came from fourth-year catcher Katelyn Lamm after a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Lamm followed up with a second and third run during the third inning and fifth inning, respectively, as she plated graduate student infielder KaiLi Gross both times. The Spartans increased their lead with a fourth run after a groundout from second-year infielder Kaelyn Zusi. CWRU continued to advance on the scoreboard in the sixth inning after third-year infielder Elizabeth Berry notched a run-scoring single after Gross stole second base, and in a fantastic conclusion to the first home game, second-year outfielder/catcher Alaina Steffes cleared a three-run homer. During the first contest, fourthyear pitcher Lexi Miskey notched a season high of 11 strikeouts and only allowed a single hit and walk, lowering her run average to 2.70.
During the second game, the first Spartan points came both from Capital’s throwing errors in the second and third innings, respectively. During the fifth inning,
second-year infielder Karen Potts hit a no-out single, followed by a homer by Gross later in the inning to double their advantage to 4.
During the top of the sixth inning, the Comets scored their first point, which was met with 4 runs from the Spartans during the bottom of the sixth inning. After a third run scored on a Capital throwing error, first-year outfielder Laura Meoli recorded her first career hit, RBI and home run as she extended
the score to 7-1. Potts followed up with a run-scoring single, and the Spartans secured their victory after Meoli made her pitching debut in the final inning while only allowing one run.
Despite the dreary Cleveland showers on Sunday and the postponement of their games, the Spartans did not allow the weather to affect their play, dominating Denison University. Big Red notched a single-run homerun to take the first
point of the doubleheader during the second inning; however, they were unable to match the momentum of the Spartans and did not score again across the two contests.
Following the Denison point, Berry and second-year outfielder Nylah Durham both hit doubles during the third and fourth inning, respectively, with Berry evening the score after plating Potts and Durham extending the lead to 3-1. In the fifth and final inning of game one, the Spartans added 6 more runs and ended the game by runrule.
With the momentum from the first game, the Spartan offense continued to dominate with another 6-run inning as they opened game two. During game two, the Spartans recorded a total of 4 home runs, with 2 from Gross and the others from Steffes and fourth-year infielder Isabella Russo. With her second home run, Gross achieved her 30th career home run and broke the tie for second most in program history. CWRU achieved their second shutout of the season with a 10-0 win in five innings.
In the circle, fourth-year pitcher Kylie Hosey struck out 4 batters in four innings, and Meoli achieved her first collegiate strikeout in the scoreless fifth inning.
This weekend, the Spartans will be facing No. 21-ranked Emory University. The Eagles recently finished their second consecutive sweep against UAA opponents with 4-3, 13-3 and 6-2 wins against Brandeis University and 5-1, 5-3 and 11-7 wins against Carnegie Mellon University.
Fourth-year pitcher Kylie Hosey delivers a pitch to the batter. She recorded 4 strikeouts over four innings against Denison University. Courtesy of Tara Fritscher/CWRU Athletics
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
Second-year Santiago Salazar Garza executes a backhand return. The Spartans are currently 19-4 and are entering conference play on a 12-match win streak. Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics
Baseball secures first UAA series of the 2025 season 3-1 against No. 24-ranked WashU
Ellie Palaian Copy Editor
The Case Western Reserve University Spartans had an eventful week of baseball, wrapping up their non-conference schedule against Division I Kent State University before kicking off UAA conference play with two doubleheaders against Washington University in St. Louis.
On Tuesday, March 25, the Spartans faced their toughest nonconference challenge of the season against the Golden Flashes. CWRU battled Kent State through the first six and a half innings, taking the lead in the top of the sixth. They held the advantage until the bottom of the seventh, when a two-run home run put Kent State ahead, followed by an additional run in the frame to make it 9-7. The Golden Flashes extended their lead with 5 more runs in the eighth, and the Spartans were retired in the ninth, sealing the game 7-14.
Tuesday’s game marked the first meeting between the Spartans and the Golden Eagles since CWRU’s federation in 1970. Prior to that, the Case Institute of Technology defeated Kent State 2-0 during the 1968 season. Despite the outcome, the matchup against DI competition offers valuable experience for the Spartans as they enter UAA play, helping them prepare for the challenges ahead this season.
Over the weekend, the Spartans opened conference play with a four-game series against WashU. CWRU struck early with a two-run homer from fourth-year outfielder Nick Harms, but WashU responded, taking a 4-2 lead by the third inning.
Graduate student second baseman Franco Alonso prepares to swing during the Spartans’ weekend matchup. The team holds a 14-8 overall record and is 3-1 in conference play. Courtesy of CWRU Athletics
The Spartans surged ahead in the fifth, highlighted by RBI doubles from fourth-year centerfielder Logan Andreyko and first-year left fielder Mason Nemec, a tworun double from graduate student catcher Jack Anderson and Harms’ second two-run homer, making it 10-4. They added three more runs in the ninth, sealing a 13-7 victory despite a late push from WashU.
In the second game of the day, the Spartans broke a scoreless tie in the third when Harms walked
and scored on a double by secondyear pitcher Tyler Stillson. CWRU extended their lead in the fourth as Anderson, Stillson and graduate student second baseman Franco Alonso each drove in runs, making it 6-0.
However, WashU responded with a seven-run bottom of the fourth to take the lead. The Spartans quickly answered, with their first six batters reaching in the fifth. Andreyko added a two-out single in the seventh, but WashU responded
with a run of their own. The game was called after seven innings due to darkness, securing a 12-9 win for CWRU.
On Saturday, the Spartans took an early lead, scoring twice in the second as Alonso crossed on an error and Andreyko singled in graduate student designated hitter Dane Camphausen. WashU answered with 2 runs in both the third and fourth innings, cutting the lead to 1. Alonso’s sacrifice fly in the fifth scored Harms, but a solo homer by WashU kept it close at 6-5. In the eighth, CWRU loaded the bases with no outs, and graduate student third baseman Zack Carinci’s RBI single and sophomore shortstop Nate Arterburn’s fielder’s choice extended the lead. The Bears couldn’t rally, and the Spartans secured an 11-9 win.
To close out the weekend, the Spartans struggled in the second game, taking their first UAA loss of the season, 1-14. WashU jumped ahead 4-0 after two innings before Nemec put CWRU on the board with an RBI groundout in the third. The Bears quickly responded with 4 runs in the bottom of the inning and added 6 more in the fifth, enforcing the 10-run rule to end the game after seven frames.
With this weekend’s results, the Spartans have now won seven consecutive UAA series dating back to the 2023 season. CWRU has also improved to 4-1 against nationallyranked teams this year, including an 8-3 victory over No. 16-ranked Baldwin Wallace on March 9.
Next, the Spartans will host the Emory University Eagles in their second UAA series of the 2025 season at Nobby’s Ballpark, with the first game slated to begin on Friday, April 4, at noon.
Scores and Upcoming Games
Men’s Tennis
CWRU vs Washington and Lee (3/29) - W 7-0
CWRU vs Hobart (3/29) - W 7-0
CWRU vs WashU (3/30) - W 5-2
CWRU vs Otterbein (4/4)
CWRU vs Trinity Texas (4/4)
CWRU vs Kenyon (3/28) - W 4-3
CWRU vs Ohio Northern (3/29) - W 7-0
CWRU vs Bowdoin (3/30) - L 0-7
CWRU vs Mary Washington (4/5)
CWRU vs Otterbein (4/6)
Baseball
CWRU at Kent State (3/25) - L 7-14
CWRU at WashU (3/28) - W 13-7
CWRU at WashU (3/28) - W 12-9
CWRU at WashU (3/29) - W 11-9
CWRU at WashU (3/29) - L 1-14
CWRU vs Emory
(4/4, noon, Nobby’s Ballpark)
CWRU vs Emory
(4/4, 3 p.m., Nobby’s Ballpark)
CWRU vs Emory
(4/5, noon, Nobby’s Ballpark)
CWRU vs Emory
(4/5, 3 p.m., Nobby’s Ballpark)
CWRU vs Capital (3/27) - W 8-0
CWRU vs Capital (3/27) - W 8-2
CWRU vs Denison (3/30) - W 9-1
CWRU vs Denison (3/30) - W 10-0
CWRU vs Emory (4/4-5)
Track and Field
CWRU at WashU Distance Carnival (3/27-28) - No team scoring
CWRU at Bob Kahn Invite (3/28-29)No team scoring
CWRU at Wooster Invite (4/4-5)