4-13-2017

NEWS Boston students participate in the #PutAPriceOnIt campaign to fight climate change. p.3

CATALYST Two MIT seniors recently created an invention called the Coffee Cookie to solve the probem of cold coffee. p.6

Christian Carson-Banister has evolved through his four years with the men’s lacrosse team to become one of the best goalkeepers in the nation. p.12

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THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017 THE INDEPENDENT WEEKLY STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY YEAR XLVI. VOLUME XCII. ISSUE XII.

38 BUPD officers, dispatchers sue university BU Bridge to be replaced

BY WEIHUA LI DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Thirty-eight officers and dispatchers of the Boston University Police Department are suing BU, accusing the university for underpaying them for overtime hours, according to a complaint filed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

The lawsuit, filed in the federal court on Feb. 24, lists two accounts of complaints, including violation of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the Massachusetts Wage Act. The officers and dispatchers, some of whom no longer work at BU, claim in the complaint that between Feb. 24, 2014 and at least Dec. 4, 2016, they worked five shifts, or 42.5 hours, per week for 35 weeks per year. The university paid them for only 40 hours of hourly wage.

While BU made two retroactive payments to the officers and dispatchers for overtime wage, and the university paid 40 hours of hourly wage when they worked four shifts per week, the 38 officers and dispatchers believe the compensation is not enough, according to the complaint.

“Upon information and belief ... the University divided the Plaintiffs weekly base wages by more hours than the base wages are intended to compensate, resulting in the University lowering the corresponding premium overtime rate,” the complaint stated.

The university declined to comment on the lawsuit.

The lawsuit followed a twoyear-long contract negotiation

BY NATALIE CARROLL AND SARAH WU DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

PHOTO BY NATALIE CARROLL/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Thirty-eight Boston University Police Department officers and dispatchers sue BU due to a dispute over overtime wage.

between the BU Police Patrolmen’s Association and the university since the original contract expired on June 30, 2015.

Officers from BUPD passed out f lyers along Commonwealth Avenue last year, hoping to raise awareness in the community that they had been working without a contract for more than 10 months at that time, The Daily Free Press reported on April 28, 2016.

Last semester, after a bomb scare at Mugar Memorial Library, some BUPD officers, including Scott Rocheville, an 18-year veteran officer and the president of BUPPA, claimed the administration has a lack of appreciation for the depart-

ment because President Robert Brown thanked Boston Police, Fire and the EMS Department before thanking officers from BUPD, who responded first to the scene.

In response to the incident, Scott Paré, BUPD’s acting chief and the executive director of public safety, said in an interview in December that the department “get[s] the full support from all of our administrators and our entire community, quite honestly.”

While the lawsuit is ongoing, Jack Canzoneri, an attorney who represents the BUPD officers and dispatchers, said they wish to resolve the dispute directly with the university through productive conversations.

“Just because you file a lawsuit, it doesn’t mean you stop talking to the other side and try to resolve the issue, especially in labor relations,” Canzoneri said. “You have an ongoing relationship between the union and the employer … You are constantly trying to work together over the years, so you try to work through the disputes in a productive, constructive, amicable way.”

At this point, Canzoneri said he does not have a specific figure for how much overtime wage each officer and dispatcher should be compensated. He expects to have more information in a month, after the university files an answer to the complaint by May 8.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will replace the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge this summer, significantly impacting traffic in the Boston University area, according to a MassDOT press release issued Monday.

MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas Tinlin said at a press conference Monday morning that the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge was constructed in 1965, and because of its old age and structural deficiency, it is being replaced as part of an $82-million building contract with Walsh Construction Company.

Tinlin said the summer of 2017 was supposed to be the second summer of construction, but in 2016, MassDOT discovered an issue with the design of the steel and halted moving forward with the plans for replacing the bridge.

Now, construction is slated to take place in two phases: one in the summer of 2017 and one in the summer of 2018, Tinlin said. The bridge will be closed for approximately 18 days for construction this summer, which will impact residents in the area.

“During the summer of 2017, the construction will … have far-reaching implications on the [Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority] Green Line, BU Bridge … MBTA bus service, [Interstate 90], MBTA Commuter CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Slates running in SG E-board election receive more funds

BY ALLIE MILLER DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The Boston University Student Election Commission increased campaign funding for each slate running in this year’s SG Executive Board election from $100 to $500.

This new funding provision also stipulated that slates running from this year onward are not allowed to accept donations from outside companies or student organizations aside from sponsorships, SEC Co-Chair Ramya Ravindrababu said.

“In past years, [slates] did get extra funding from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Dean’s Office or even other companies,” the CAS senior said. “[Outside sources] used to give money to slates, but that is no longer allowed.”

This change was to ensure that

outside funding did not disrupt the slates’ focus on student outreach, Ravindrababu said. “[External funding] distracted from the point of the campaign, which is just [that] you spend time getting your message out to the students at BU,” she said. “I found that [the old funding] process to be not conducive to the purpose of the campaign.”

Hector Meneses, B-trU’s presidential candidate, said he thought the $500 was a sufficient amount for his slate’s campaign.

“The amount of money we received was just,” Meneses said.

“The fact that [the SEC] put a cap on our funding was important because it shows that how you spend the money and how you use the money will be translated into your election.”

SaraAnn Kurkul, SG president-elect and a member of Your BU, said she noticed a sizable differ-

ence in how her slate campaigned this year with the new finance rules compared to last year. Kurkul, who is SG’s current executive vice president, campaigned last year as a part of Clean Slate.

“Last year, we had a lot more money,” the College of Communication junior said. “The SEC only gave us $100, but we were allowed to receive monetary donations. This year, we had to be really smart with our money because we couldn’t receive monetary donations as we could in past years.”

Kurkul added that due to the new provision barring outside funding, her slate had to seek sponsorships.

“This year, we really relied on reaching out to other places that would be willing to sponsor us,” she said. “For example, Ben and CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

PHOTO BY ALEXANDER NOVAKOVIC/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Ramya Ravindrababu (CAS’17) and Christina Lucas (CAS’17) serve as co-commissioners for this year’s Student Election Committee.

2 NEWS

CAMPUS CRIME LOGS

BY SOPHIA BROWN DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The following reports were taken from the Boston University Police Department crime logs from April 10-12.

Biker harassed on Commonwealth Avenue A caller reported at 6:06 p.m. on Monday that he was harassed by a motorist while signaling to make a left turn onto Cummington Mall from Commonwealth Avenue. He stated that the motorist called him a moron.

Student harassed by former girlfriend A male student reported at 12:51 p.m. on Monday that he had received multiple harassing telephone calls from his former girlfriend. Officers will conduct a follow-up investigation at a later time.

PHOTO BY BRIAN SONG/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Ann McKee, a researcher in the Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center at BU, files an affidavit Friday against the National Hockey League.

BU researcher files affidavit against NHL

BY BREANNE KOVATCH DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

A Boston University researcher is continuing her fight to dismiss a subpoena filed by the National Hockey League, which she argues would disrupt their research on brain trauma. The subpoena demanded BU to produce documents regarding the research, including confidential information about research subjects.

Ann McKee, a researcher in the Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center at BU, filed her second affidavit about the case Friday, the first one being filed in February, The Daily Free Press reported. McKee’s action is one of many that have been occurring over the last three months in a battle against the NHL in federal court.

“It is my strong belief that the NHL’s motion, if granted, could cause lasting damage to ongoing research on the long–term effects of repetitive trauma and on chronic traumatic encephalopathy,” McKee wrote in the affidavit.

The CTE Center’s website describes CTE as “a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes (and others) with a

history of repetitive brain trauma.” The center’s focus is on conducting research on CTE and other consequences of repetitive brain trauma in order to identify risk factors, methods of detection, prevention and treatment.

In her first affidavit, McKee wrote that NHL’s subpoena was intrusive and it was “possibly aimed at undermining this entire field of discovery.”

In the second affidavit filed on Friday, McKee addressed a memo the NHL released in March to support its subpoena request. In the memo, the NHL stated a study done with Viagra had invalidated the CTE study’s results.

“It immediately struck me as odd that the NHL’s brief relies so heavily on a case that appears to be about a single research study involving a product, Viagra, rather than about multiple published studies involving an entire field of scientific inquiry, as is the case with CTE Center research,” McKee wrote.

When asked to comment, Lawrence Elswit, a lawyer for BU, said he agreed with the statements McKee made in her affidavit.

“The National Hockey League has overreached, vastly overreached,” Elswit said.

Both the NHL’s legal representation and

BU’s spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Tamar Frankel, a law professor at BU, said the NHL’s motion asks for so much of the CTE Center’s research, and it could injure all of their research, not just that which is relevant to the case.

“By asking for all of the research that was done, whether it was relevant or not, the defendant, in this case, imposes a great cost of the potential evidence given or a potential witness,” Frankel said.

Frankel said although the defendant is allowed to ask the court to demand information, she doesn’t think the court will not do anything irrational that could damage research or institutions.

“My gut is that the court will say that, ‘You have to show me more before I force an institution that does research to just spill everything over, show me the relevance, show me the connection, and limit it to a rational limit,’” Frankel said.

Frankel said the court would not allow the CTE Center to be injured by the NHL’s motion just to prove what they have already proven.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Slates receive additional $400 for campaigning ELECTIONS, FROM PAGE 1 Jerry’s donated to us and a few other places.

So there were lots of [material] donations, but not a lot of monetary donations.”

Meneses and Kurkul both said their slates used the $500 from SEC mostly for promotional materials.

Meneses said B-trU used the money to buy flyers, food and stickers. Flyers helped his slate engage with and leave an imprint on students.

“We spent about $300 on flyers,” the Questrom School of Business sophomore said. “[B-trU slate members] collectively decided that having that intimate, engaging conversation with [students] has an impact like going up to someone, shaking their hand and telling them about B-trU. We thought this was the best way to help when we passed out flyers. We also spent money on stickers. We spent money on food like Insomnia Cookies.”

Kurkul said her slate spent the bulk of its allotted money on various handouts.

“Most of the money went to postcards

that we handed out as well as a banner for tabling,” she said.

Ravindrababu said she thinks the new finance rules helped the slates succeed in raising campus-wide awareness about the election.

“I think that the [slates] had a lot of presence on campus,” she said. “I think they got really creative. They both chalkboarded, they put chalk on the sidewalk and in CAS classrooms. Also part of the thing I think [helped raise awareness] was the SEC events were a little more high-profile this year than in past years.”

Several students said during the campaigning and voting period, they noticed the SG campaigns more than they did in previous years.

Marissa Inouye, a sophomore in the Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, said she saw an increase in the slates’ advertising presence on campus.

“I saw stuff written on the sidewalk in chalk,” Inouye said. “I feel like a lot of what I hear about the Student Government elec-

tions is on Facebook. The sidewalk [this year] is the first time I saw it outside of that.”

Ufonabasi Brown, a sophomore in the College of General Studies, said she recalled seeing SG advertising all over school.

“News ... about [the election] was everywhere,” she said. “I even saw chalk on Bay State Road.”

However, Brown does not think advertising alone will incentivize students to vote in the SG election as long as students do not take SG seriously.

“Simply making sure more people know about elections isn’t going to make more people vote or anything if people don’t believe that [SG] does much.”

Similarly, Jon Tabernero, a junior in CAS, said although he was aware of the SG election taking place, he was reluctant to vote because he did not know the slates’ views.

“I saw them campaigning in the [George Sherman Union], but aside from that I didn’t understand what their platforms were at all,” Tabernero said.

Intoxicated female transported outside Rich Hall A caller reported at 1:44 a.m. on Wednesday that there was an intoxicated female in the plaza outside 277 Babcock St. The victim was transported to the BU Medical Campus.

CITY

CRIME LOGS

BY ANDRES PICON DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The following crime reports were taken from the Boston Police Department crime logs from April 11-12

High school students vandalize store in Allston The manager of Tedeschi Food Shops at 509 Cambridge St. called BPD Monday afternoon. When an officer arrived at 2:55 p.m., the manager said a group of teenagers from Brighton High School knocked down a pair of food displays and ran out of the store. No items were damaged. The officer filed a report and advised the manager to call 911 if the suspects returned.

Suspect throws eggs at Allston bar Officers responded to a radio call for an assault and battery in progress at the Draft Bar and Grille at 34 Harvard Ave. on Wednesday at 12:57 a.m. The manager and employees at the bar told officers someone had driven by multiple times and thrown eggs at the building and at customers standing outside. Officers then witnessed the suspect driving by and throwing eggs once again and made the arrest.

Death reported at Warrior Ice Arena Officers responded to a report of a cardiac arrest at Warrior Ice Arena at 90 Guest St. Wednesday morning. Witnesses said the victim collapsed while making his way toward the bench. The victim was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center and pronounced dead at 8:10 a.m.

NEWS 3

Boston students come together to reduce carbon footprint

BY SABRINA SCHNUR DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Several Boston student environmental organizations have unified under the #PutAPriceOnIt campaign in an effort to lobby against carbon pollution. The coalition includes Tufts Climate Action, Emerson EcoReps, Fossil Free MIT, DivestNU and the Boston University Environmental Student Organization.

The organizations hosted a screening Wednesday night of “Priceless,” an episode from season two of “Years of Living Dangerously,” a TV and internet project run by National Geographic, which focuses on solutions to climate change.

The #PutAPriceOnIt campaign is sponsored by Our Climate, a national organization of students, said Page Atcheson, executive director of Our Climate. Students who are involved work to mobilize their campuses against climate change and encourage their college and university presidents to endorse the project.

Atcheson said that the #PutAPriceOnIt campaign fights for a price to be put on carbon emission. For instance, one way the campaign aims to do this is by charging companies a fee for each ton of carbon emitted.

“The premise is that right now

the costs are being borne … by people that are being impacted by climate change,” Atcheson said. “By putting a price on carbon, you’re basically requiring polluters to be paying those costs.”

Carrie Cullen, a sophomore at Emerson College, an eco-rep at the Emerson College Office of Sustainability who helped organize the screening, said climate change is the biggest problem the millennial generation has to deal with.

“Yearly rates of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have been steadily increasing since the Industrial Revolution and have reached alarmingly high levels in recent years as carbon pollution and industries grow,” Cullen said.

Cullen said it is crucial for college students to be educated on prominent environmental issues facing their generation.

“We as students are inheriting an environmental crisis as we enter adulthood, and it is up to us to take immediate action,” Cullen said. “I urge students to research carbon pollution, climate change, ocean acidification and become familiar with these issues as well as how they can be prevented.”

Elizabeth Ventura, a junior at Northeastern University and an organizer for DivestNU, said the greatest problem surrounding climate change

PHOTO BY JACKIE O’BRIEN/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Boston area college students unite behind the initiative #PutAPriceOnIt to educate the Boston community on the effects of carbon pollution.

is a lack of public education.

“There is a scientific consensus on the matter [of climate change] and it is not up for debate whether it’s caused by humans,” Ventura said. “Serious action must be taken now to … lower carbon emissions … restore the balance of ecosystems worldwide and to support those who have been displaced.”

Elizabeth Hannigan, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences at BU and the president of BU’s ESO, said climate change is a major issue facing individuals living in coastal regions, especially for those who may not have the resources to cope

with climate change.

“I feel as though it is our country’s duty to reduce our emissions so that we can stop negatively impacting other smaller countries and societies who should not have to suffer the consequences of fossil fuels that they did not emit,” Hannigan said.

Brian Helmuth, an environmental policy professor at Northeastern, said grassroots campaigns like #PutAPriceOnIt are helpful, but society cannot rely on legislation to reverse the effects of climate change.

“Policies can support and nudge things in the right direction, but to be lasting, initiatives have to

have legs that survive changing administrations,” Helmuth said. “I think students should be absolutely incensed at the raw deal my generation and the generations before mine have handed them.”

Robyn Hannigan, founding dean of the School of Environment at the University of Massachusetts Boston, said she thinks #PutAPriceOnIt has been successful with students because it is easy to understand. “[#PutAPriceOnIt is] an easily digested message,” Hannigan said.

“I think it’s a much more transparent approach than others that have been put forward.”

MassDOT, MBTA, Amtrak to alter transportation services BRIDGE, FROM PAGE 1 Rail as well as Amtrak,” Tinlin said.

Tinlin said MassDOT will provide alternative forms of transportation to ease congestion. For instance, while the MBTA Green Line is closed from the Blandford Street Station to the Babcock Street Station, it will be replaced by a bus shuttle service.

MBTA bus routes CT2 and the 47 bus will be detoured from their normal routes for 17 and a half days, Tinlin said.

From 7 p.m. on July 27, through 5 a.m. on Aug. 14, Commonwealth Avenue from the Packards Corner Station to Kenmore Square will be closed except for private vehicles and trucks, according to the release.

In addition, Tinlin said construction will affect traffic on I-90 for nine and a half days.

“It will go from four lanes down to three lanes so that we can do some construction for the crane that will be involved in the demolition and reconstruction,” Tinlin said.

MBTA Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Service Performance Todd Johnson said at the press conference that service for the Framingham/Worcester Line of the commuter rail will also be suspended between Boston Landing and the South Station Train Terminal for two weekends.

Johnson said in order to make residents aware of the upcoming changes on Commonwealth Avenue, MassDOT will be working with the MBTA to send out alerts such as tweets and other similar announcements about the project.

“We will begin a campaign of public address announcements in stations and our trains,” Johnson said. “We will add additional

Tufts Summer Session 2017

Explore. Prepare. Achieve.

PHOTO BY HALEY ABRAM/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

MassDOT announces plans to replace the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge this summer.

station personnel to provide customer assistance.”

Amtrak services will also be closed for two weekends, but the company does not anticipate any major effects, said Amtrak spokesperson Mike Tolbert.

“We will use a bus bridge to replace service between any affected locations,” Tolbert said. “Passengers should use a bus to go between the two locations … it would replicate the original services.”

MassDOT spokesperson Patrick Marvin wrote in an email that the department has backup plans prepared in the case of any unforeseen circumstances, such as weather or other difficulties.

“MassDOT is working diligently with its partners throughout government and key stakeholders to develop plans for all possible scenarios for this project,” Marvin wrote.

Several Boston residents expressed concern about the construction project and the various impacts it may have on their daily travel.

Nasreen Broomand, 25, of Allston, said she uses the Green Line often and would have preferred if MassDOT had made the public more aware about the project earlier on.

“I wish they had done more to advertise, like put a sign on the train,” Broomand said. “They are good at directing people though, when there is construction going on.”

Sara Clamage, 24, of East Boston, said she takes the bus around the Kenmore area and expects construction will impact many individuals who also use transportation services in the area.

“It seriously does change the way people will have to commute,” Clamage said. “Now people are going to have to change how they get to work and that does impact the community, even if it’s for a short time,” Jonathan Russell, 27, of Kenmore, said he hopes the alternative travel routes and modes of transportation will work well for those who are impacted by the project. He also said announcements about the bridge’s construction should have been made earlier.

“I’m lucky because I live in Kenmore and I’m not necessarily affected, but other people in Allston or Brighton definitely are,” Russell said. “They should make a bigger announcement earlier, and at the different T stops. People don’t always read the newspaper for this stuff.”

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4 NEWS

City launches user-friendly website compiling public data

BY HANNAH HARN DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and the Department of Innovation and Technology launched Analyze Boston on Friday, a website that compiles data about Boston life so citizens can access it easily, according to a press release from the mayor’s office.

Data on the website includes maps of historic attractions around the city, information about 311 services and crime reports.

Howard Lim, the project manager of Analyze Boston, said he believes the project will benefit residents by making the government more accountable.

“Sharing public information in the form of data is something that Mayor Walsh is really putting focus on,” Lim said. “It leads to increased government transparency … and really [builds] an atmosphere of what the government does for the people that it serves.”

The Department of Innovation and Technology partnered with AppGeo and OpenGov to build and improve the functionality of the site, Lim said.

AppGeo is an organization that works to integrate data with geographical information in order to better inform governments and citizens about their surroundings, while OpenGov works with governments to help the state have a better incorporate data into their budgets as well as financial management, according to their respective websites.

Lim said new features on the site include data dictionaries, new downloadable file formats, improved data preview and better content. New improvements and datasets will be added as the program continues.

Lim said he hopes Analyze Boston will be a tool that engages young talent in the city and encourages them to get more involved with local government.

“The city of Boston is uniquely situated because it’s located so

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KANKANIT WIRIYASAJJA/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Boston Mayor Martin Walsh launches Analyze Boston on Friday, a new website that provides data and information about life in Boston.

close to so many talented [college] students,” Lim said. “Because there’s so much talent around here, we really are hoping that by providing this resource to the academic community … we can tackle problems together and really bring in fresh and new ideas on how we can continue to innovate.”

Lim said the software gives people an idea of the various ways in which their tax dollars are spent to provide services and build up Boston as a center of innovation.

“We came up with a very innovative approach to how we wanted to develop this particular platform because we wanted to put emphasis on something that was accessible to a wide audience of people, regardless of their technical capacity,” Lim said.

The project originated with a grant from the Knight Foundation’s

News Challenge competition, an initiative sponsored by the nonprofit to support innovative thinking within the media, according to the release.

Lim said that Open Data runs the Analyze Boston site in general as well as a program called the Analyze Boston Open Data Challenge, which invites the Boston community at large to participate in problem solving with the city. “[The Analyze Boston Open Data Challenge] would really help to solve our problems here in Boston,” Lim said. “A lot of the problems that surfaced we got from departments here in the city or through community-based organizations within the city.

They are real world problems that we don’t really have the capacity to address right now in-house.”

Lim said the initiative has the potential to “build collaborative opportunities for folks that work within the city and potentially reside within the city and beyond the community of Boston.”

Several Boston residents, such as Nick Martino, 23, of Allston said the website will be useful in providing information to the public.

“A website is a great resource for people to get that sort of [data] information,” Marino said. “Once people know more about it I think it will be more beneficial to people in the city.”

Others were skeptical about the new data hub and its potential to change the city, questioning if this is the best way to allocate city resources.

Michael Gilroy, 58, of the South End, said he is not yet familiar with Analyze Boston,

but thinks the government may be exaggerating the benefits of the program and should address concerns in a more direct manner.

“It could potentially be a good thing,” said Gilroy. “[The city needs] to stop supporting tax breaks for the big corporations that come in like [General Electric] and Liberty [Mutual].

They could focus on affordable housing, too.”

Anne Lodick, 31, of Jamaica Plain, said the project has potential to be good for residents if it works well, but the city still has plenty of work to do to improve the lives of its residents.

“If they [the city] think just building a website will help, they’re wrong,” Lodick said. “There could be a lot more done to bring attention to this information and these issues, especially in Boston.”

NHL’s motion won’t be productive, BU CTE researcher says CONCUSSION, FROM PAGE 2 “[It sounds like] they will have to stop working to do the connection [between concussions and CTE] for the defendant — that doesn’t work,” Frankel said. “We have a system of laws that tries to promote justice, and sometimes it requires people, especially insti-

tutions, to offer their opinions.”

Several students at BU said they have conflicting opinions as to whether or not the CTE Center should give up all of its data.

Sarah Paco, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, saying that the link between concussions and later-life brain disease is already evident.

“I think that’s absolutely overreaching,” Paco said. “Other research centers besides BU have proven that there is a link between concussions and brain disease later on in life.”

Chao Liu, a junior in the College of Engineering, said he thinks the NHL is asking for this information just so that they can make an informed opinion.

“Generally, it’s skewed to have some information shared by people, so we can have a fair judgement,” Liu said. “I feel bad judgement is made by a lack of information, so I think this might be a good idea.”

Jazmine Rodriguez, a junior in CAS, said she believes the NHL’s request for the information is overwhelming, but having the data might

help them confirm their request.

“If they could ask the patient’s families, the people who passed away, it would be interesting to see what the actual data behind this correlation is,” Rodriguez said.

“Because correlation isn’t causation, which I’m sure it is in this case, but they should be able to prove what they are saying.”

Campus Calendar: activities on campus this week Want your student group event featured here? Email editor@dailyfreepress.com with details.

THURSDAY, APRIL 13

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

SUNDAY, APRIL 16

MONDAY, APRIL 17

Blood Drive

Terrier Tie-dye

Collapse of the Kibble

MFA Thesis Exhibition

2017 Boston Marathon!

GSU

GSU Plaza

Tsai Performance Center

808 Gallery

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

8 - 10 p.m.

12 - 5 p.m.

Hosted by American Red Cross

Hosted by BU CSC

Hosted by Slow Children at Play

Hosted by School of Visual Arts

All Day

FEATURES 5

MUSE THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

INTERVIEW: Nemr uses stand-up comedy to affect change

BY KAYA WILLIAMS DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

In an increasingly divisive political climate, much of comedy turns to topical humor that appeals to the masses. Many individuals don’t need to look further than a recent episode of “Saturday Night Live” to spot a cheeky jab at a legislator or pundit. At least one comedian, however, doesn’t see the presidency as a punchline.

Nemr Abou Nassar, a LebaneseAmerican comedian who performs as Nemr, shapes his show around cultivating unity and effecting change, even if certain members of the audience find his views disagreeable.

In an interview with The Daily Free Press, Nemr advocated for the use of comedy as a powerful tool for positivity and unity. His current tour focuses on jokes that everyone, regardless of party affiliation or nation of origin, can laugh at, but he said he isn’t afraid to communicate his political beliefs while on stage.

Nemr said he is steadfast in what he believes in, and explained that he avoids self-contradiction when making political statements and stays away from current events. Some of his jokes involve controversial subjects and figures such as President Donald Trump, but he emphasized that “the joke is actually timeless” and that he uses topical humor to “set the stage for … reflection.”

Regardless, Nemr still sees push-

back at some of his shows. Although his views are “of acceptance,” he said he recognizes that not everyone in the audience will be open to what he has to say. The cause of that, he said, is that “other comedians have put them in that position” of an aggressively political show. Moreover, his Middle Eastern origins, he said, have led some audiences to falsely believe that he might express antiwhite sentiments.

As a result, he has developed strategies for addressing what he calls a “loaded environment.” If a particular audience member seems to be especially upset, he will put forth an effort to interact with them and “make them feel special,” he said. Adding that “these people are just angry,” he emphasized that he wants to form a connection and have a positive influence on audiences.

“I really genuinely care about that person [who hates me],” Nemr said, noting he hopes that audience interactions can lead to a more open-minded show. “I have radically different views than anybody, anywhere,” he said, adding that he wants viewers to just “give it a chance.”

Those different ideas, as well as a love for the comedy used to communicate them, may stem from a particularly unique upbringing, he said. At the age of two, his family immigrated from Lebanon to San Diego, returning only after the end of the Lebanese Civil War, he said.

In times of political turbulence,

PHOTO COURTESY KYRA BRESLIN

Nemr speaks about his experience as a Lebanese-American stand-up comedian in today’s increasingly divisive political climate.

Nemr stated that his family found happiness in American stand-up.

“The first happy childhood memory was hearing my parents laughing hysterically and walking into the room and seeing them watching comedy,” he recalled.

From those early moments, he said he knew he wanted to be a comedian. He began to memorize the routines he saw on TV and continued to work on comedy when he returned to the Middle East. It was there that he first found himself on the stage, hosting concerts for large audiences

while a student at the American University of Beirut. After that, there was no turning back.

Now, having performed in both the United States and the Middle East, Nemr compared performing on both sides of the world as if they were “two great bottles of wine.”

“You ... appreciate them for different reasons,” he said. On performing in the Middle East, Nemr said that it is “very purposeful” because “there’s so much darkness there.”

The United States, on the other hand, is “funner,” because he “can focus a bit more on the material.”

Despite differences between the two, a focus on happiness remains central. Whereas in the Middle East, the goal is to bring “ultimate happiness in the worst circumstances,” the goal in the United States is to offer “happiness in the best circumstances.”

He said he likes to give people “one thing to laugh at together,” drawing connections between comedy and unity.

“I want everyone to have a good time together … when they leave,” Nemr said, “they’re going to be close.”

IMPACT THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

Inaugural lecture series hosts journalist Christina Lamb

BY GAELEN MORSE DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The American Institute of Afghanistan Studies held the first annual lecture series featuring renowned British foreign correspondent and author Christina Lamb at the Boston University Castle Wednesday evening. The inaugural lecture, open to students and the public alike, focused on Lamb’s experiences covering Afghanistan and other countries in the Middle Eastern region over the last several decades.

Lamb’s reporting from the Middle East and time spent in Washington, D.C. as a global fellow for the Wilson Center for International Affairs has given her insights that few other lecturers have. Students and faculty were joined by attendees from outside of the university, as Lamb delved into issues regarding her

PHOTO COURTESY CHRISTINA LAMB

Christina Lamb, a British foreign correspondent and writer, discusses her experience covering Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern countries on Wednesday night at BU Castle.

experiences in a country that has seen conflict for most of her time as a journalist.

“I think as a woman journalist, she has a very unique perspective on what’s going on in Afghanistan, and from what’s going on from a Western perspective,” said Katherine Seaton, a second-year graduate student in BU’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies.

Lamb spoke on a wide range of topics regarding her time in Afghanistan. From years of reporting on Russian and Western coalition combat operations to personal tales of friendship and hotel-top vistas, her knowledge of the unstable region is impressive.

The audience consisted of students and professionals from around the world who posed questions about the people of Afghanistan. Shortly after the lecture, participants gathered for a reception with Lamb while enjoy-

ing traditional Afghan cuisine.

For students in several colleges, this event was a glimpse into what they are working toward here on campus. The international community is not only a large part of BU, but also a community that is expected be professionally impacted by the BU student body post-graduation.

“For communication students who are studying journalism this is really relevant,” said Jack Davidson, a second-year graduate student in Pardee.

Davidson attended Wednesday’s lecture because of his interest in the greater Islamic world, he said.

“I think to hear from someone who has had so many experiences and had such a career it can be very interesting for students of all stripes,” Davidson said.

Career insight was only one reason for bringing people to BU Castle on Wednesday. The desire CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

6 FEATURES

CATALYST THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017 PHOTO BY CHLOE GRINBERG/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Massachusetts Institute of Technology students Victoria Gregory and Gabe Alba are inventors of the Coffee Cookie, a circular device that heats up reusable coffee cups.

MIT students attempt to solve problems of cold coffee

BY KATIE CAMERO DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Andrew Garcia lifted the top of his Starbucks coffee cup and poured the remains in the trash, sighing as he sat back in his seat.

“I can’t even sit for 20 minutes without my coffee getting cold,” said Garcia, a sophomore in Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. “It’s a waste of money.”

Coffee Cookie, a circular, battery-powered device that attaches to the bottom of disposable cups, works to eliminate this issue and keep coffee warm.

“I would definitely buy that,” Garcia said.

“It’s cheaper than what a normal coffee thermos is for one, and second, it will do a better job at keeping my coffee warm.”

The idea came to Massachusetts Institute of Technology mechanical engineering seniors Gabe Alba and Victoria Gregory when they both decided to create a consumer product that appealed to people’s interests.

They successfully prototyped the invention in January and are now getting ready to sell their first batch of 1,000 Coffee Cookies.

Despite being full-time students, Alba and Gregory said they decided to take a risk before graduation and see what they could do on their own, feeling the “highest of highs, and the lowest of lows” in the process.

The pair made the first prototype out of aluminum and plastic through a process called injection molding, where material is fed into a heated barrel, mixed and forced into a molded cavity, creating the Cookie’s casing.

After a month, they made prototypes of the circuit board located inside the Cookie and had them made in China, as well as their batteries, which were recommended by an MIT alumnus.

A switch on the bottom of the device turns it on, reaching up to 194 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 15 minutes, and keeps the liquid at the same temperature as when the Cookie was switched on. The one-sizefits-all device turns off automatically as soon as the max temperature is reached.

“Convenience and portability was more important than longevity,” Alba said. “Fifteen minutes is enough time to get that extra value from your coffee.”

Gregory added that she was surprised that such a device didn’t exist already.

“Considering people buy coffee for three to four dollars, it seems like a waste to get another cup,” she said.

The first batch will be sold to Oregon State University and the University of San Diego after they receive their last shipment of circuit boards from China, they said.

Safety is important for consumer products, Gregory said. After speaking to several manufacturers and testing different samples, they said they are confident about the quality of their batteries and circuit boards, which have protection in case something happens, in which the battery gets disconnected.

Greg Blonder, a product design and manufacturing professor in BU’s College of Engineering, said one of the best predictors of success as an entrepreneur is starting at a young age, but he mentioned that there are challenges they will face.

Cognitive dissonance between the Coffee Cookie and the way people use disposable cups will affect the demand for this invention, Blonder said.

“You’re going to have to remember to charge it, and bring it back the next time you need it,” Blonder said. “If you don’t remember, it’s useless and goes in the drawer,” adding that he doesn’t believe people will use the Cookie.

He also advised against marketing their invention as a consumer product and instead to market the Cookie as a direct sell from coffee shops.

Blonder said it’s going to be challenging, but “you learn a lot from making products even if it doesn’t work out.”

Alba and Gregory received $10,000 in funding from the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program, which started providing seed funding of up to $25,000 for original student ideas in 2016. They also received a provisional utility patent, which gives them the right to prevent others from making, using or selling their protected invention.

Alba and Gregory said they want to come up with a new way to launch products that’s less about corporate conglomerates and more about individual, localized brands.

“These big companies are trying to be one of the kids, but I think the advantage we have here is that we’re actually one of the kids,” Alba said.

They are planning on establishing a manufacturing facility in Mexico so they can oversee their production and eliminate the language, business and time barriers that China often has.

“If [the Coffee Cookie] doesn’t have the commercial value that was anticipated,” Alba said, “we still know that we can eventually launch a product that does.”

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CHANGE THE WORLD FROM HERE

FEATURES 7

INBUSINESS THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

Warby Parker opens new location in Prudential Center

BY KIRAN KISHOR GALANI DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Themed after a classic library book with a featured title of “50 Ways to Lose Your Glasses,” Warby Parker opened its doors in the Prudential Center this Saturday.

The company, which is framed around “a rebellious spirit and a lofty objective,” was created as an alternative to stereotypically high-priced glasses, according to its website.

Its introduction to Boston, a notoriously fashionable and young city, showcases the business’ historic aim to fill a niche.

The opening was inaugurated with the sale of a branch-specific specialty frame, a pair of Percey Sunglasses in Charcoal Fade and Flash Mirrored Pacific Blue lenses which is only available for a limited time at this specific store. An original mural of the exterior of the Prudential Center was designed for the store by Jason Munn, a graphic and poster artist who has collaborated with Warby Parker on several other locations as well, according to the company’s press release.

Dave Gilboa, the co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker, talked about how excited he was with the new location and what it entailed.

“We are thrilled to be expanding in Boston with a store inside the iconic Prudential Center!” he said in a statement sent to The Daily Free Press. “Boston has always been one of our favorite cities — since we first visited in 2013 as part of the Warby Parker Class Trip to when we opened our second-ever retail location on Newbury Street. We’re looking forward to planting additional roots here!”

One aspect of the company that has always stood out has been its focus on affordability and convenience for the customer, attendees said.

Kelly Burke, 40, of South Boston, talked about how she had been anticipating the new Warby Parker opening for ages now, and how she was really excited to get a new pair. What initially drew her to the store was essentially their novel online shopping policy as well as their reasonable rates as opposed to other brands out there, she said.

“What’s exciting about Warby Parker is

PHOTO BY JACKIE O’BRIEN/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Warby Parker opens up its newest store at the Prudential Center Saturday afternoon.

that they were one of the first in this type of category [with] the idea that you can order online and they can ship you a few pairs of glasses for free and you can ship them back,” Burke said.

She continued to talk about how Warby Parker’s entrance adds affordability to an otherwise “pricey business.”

“I for one started wearing glasses about 20 years ago, and they were around the $500 price mark, and now businesses like Warby Parker and Zenni [Optical] and some others are allowing people to not just have one pair of glasses, but swap them out the way they would their handbags or jackets, seasonally or as their style is changing,” she said.

This sort of niched approach that targets a very specific problem seems to be a trend that several new companies are taking.

Skelmet Inc., a Cambridge-based startup, focuses on making custom-made sunglasses

that perfectly fit one’s face. Primarily catering to the needs of athletes, this brand also aims to provide people with sunglasses that actually fit them properly, through 3-D printing and data analysis.

Yuri Cataldo, the marketing director of Skelmet, explained that a frame of generic size and shape can’t perfectly work for the entire population, and that’s where the company comes in.

“Well, with anything, you need to focus on a core demographic of people for initial sales,” Cataldo said. “But alternatively, as our sales are increasing, we’re realizing that [there’s] a lot of different kinds of people who need sunglasses.”

He added that marketing a product for a particular niche, doesn’t mean that other populations or groups won’t benefit from the creation.

“So while primarily our focus is on people who are athletes and need a pair of sunglasses

that are ultra light and fit their face well, but this is also for anybody out there who has had a problem finding sunglasses that fit, which is like, 80 percent of the population,” he said.

Comparing the aims of a startup like Skelmet to an established company like Warby Parker, one can see that conscious consumerism continues to have an uptick and prominence, regardless of staff or size.

For example, Amy Donahue, 26, of Milford, explained the genius behind Warby Parker’s “Buy A Pair, Give A Pair” program.

When a customer buys a pair of Warby Parker glasses, the company makes a donation to nonprofit partners that fund glasses purchases and eye care education, according to the company’s website.

“I work for a nonprofit,” Donahue said, “so the fact that they have a good cause behind their business model is a really attractive part of why I wanna give them my business.”

Lamb discusses relations between U.S. and Middle East AFGHANISTAN, FROM PAGE 5 to understand what is happening in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the role the United States continues to play in that part of the world, took the forefront of most interactions during the evening.

“Afghanistan is America’s longest war, and the West has spent all this money and lost a lot of lives,” Lamb said. “I think people want to know what it’s achieved and what the situation is now.”

It was not a night solely for Americans seeking to know more about aspects surrounding worldwide involvement in Afghanistan.

Many guests from outside the United States attended the event to offer and gain varied perspectives in the international community.

“As a journalist [I knew] I would really like to attend and learn to see what the people here think about my country,” said Sayed Hashimi, 38, of Lynn, who recently arrived from Afghanistan. “Of course, this is very important.”

Relations between Afghanistan and the United States have been complicated and at times difficult to follow, Lamb said. From the Soviet invasion during the Cold War to the creation of Taliban and Al-Qaeda groups, the United States has often found itself changing its role in search of some sort of control or stability in the country.

“We can learn a lot from Afghanistan, and in terms of interventions,” Lamb said.

“And why interventions don’t work.”

Western powers, and before that, countries such as the Soviet Union, have had difficulty with their decisions to enter Afghanistan. The goals are often clear at the onset of any military involvement, but have faded into a complex mixture of how, and when, to leave the region without creating a vacuum of power.

“I feel quite strongly that, you know, Afghan people generally have been victims,” Lamb said.

The lecture ended after Lamb fielded questions from several attendees with vary-

ing thoughts and perspectives. While discussing particular experiences was a major facet of conversation during the evening, the lecture was organized as the first of many talks aimed at local education.

“One of the things that we think that’s important to do is to encourage contemporary research in Afghanistan,” said Thomas Barfield, president of the American Institute of Afghanistan Studies and an anthropology professor in BU’s College of Arts and Sciences.

The goal of the inaugural lecture featuring Lamb, Barfield said, was to help the public, including students at BU, to better understand Afghanistan as a whole.

Inviting a journalist as the lecture series’ first speaker was an intentional approach, to share the experiences of someone whose career uses narratives to inform people about the world, Barfield said.

Lamb agreed that this was a cause she was passionate about, saying, “I want people to understand why it’s important.”

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8 OPINION

THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

Weihua Li, Editor-in-Chief Candice Lim, Managing Editor

t h e i n d e p e n d e n t s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r a t b o s t o n u n i v e r s i t y

46th year | Volume 92 | Issue XII The Free Press (ISSN 1094-7337) is published Thursdays during the academic year except during vacation and exam periods by Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc., a nonprofit corporation operated

by Boston University students. No content can be reproduced without the permission of Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc. Copyright © 2017 Back Bay Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

Sophia Eppolito, Campus Editor

Anna Whitelaw, Editorial Page Editor

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Elise Takahama, Features Editor

Kalina Newman, Blog Editor

Jordan Green, Sports Editor

Olivia Falcigno, Photo Editor

Shakti Rovner, Office Manager

New York proves free public college education is possible Bernie Sanders, the self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist and 2016 presidential candidate, ran on a platform of income equality, immigration reform and free public education at the collegiate level. Though the Vermont senator didn’t make it past the primaries, it seems like at least one of his major goals is becoming a reality.

This weekend, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that New York state colleges, including State University of New York and City University of New York, will offer free tuition to students that qualify. This makes New York the first state to offer free public college education.

While this seems like an incredibly progressive initiative on the surface, the requirements for students to receive the Excelsior Scholarship, as this program is known, are quite specific. Only families that make $100,000 or less will be eligible for the scholarship, which will increase to and cap at $125,000 in 2019. It’s also mandatory for recipients to complete college in four years or less, as full-time students, and stay in the state for a minimum of four years after graduating.

Though this program helps the middle class, which often gets neglected in terms of financial aid and tuition, the specifics of these qualifications make it difficult to truly say that the Excelsior program helps the entire class. While tuition will be free for those under the salary cap, this program does not apply to room and board or other additional expenses. In a state where costs for housing and meal plans often double the

actual cost of tuition, how could this truly benefit students coming from lower-middle class families?

The program only applies to a small slice of the demographic it means to help.

When education is considered a top priority in this country, it’s disappointing to see a program with such promise lack the depth it needs.

New York state’s Excelsior Scholarship is also limiting to the individual students that qualify for it. Students are required to graduate in four years and stay in school fulltime, but for many low-income students, they must balance academics with work.

Many students who attend college parttime will not be eligible for the scholarship, which is counteractive to the main goals of the program.

It is also concerning to give out free tuition to such a large population of the student body — this would apply to one-fifth of the current undergraduate population in public universities in New York — because it could put the quality of education at stake. When money isn’t coming from students, where will it come from? Will the state be able to fully match the money these schools will lose from tuition breaks? New York should not run the risk of cutting classes or firing needed professors.

It’s interesting that New York, out of all 50 states, is the first to implement free tuition at their public schools. Several other states, such as California, Texas and even Massachusetts have much more well-known and prestigious state school systems. While

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every long-term solution has to start somewhere. If we as a nation truly believe in free college education for all, this is an impressive first step. An Excelsior Scholarship could be even more impactful in other states with larger and more distinguished public school systems.

However, some states might not have the money to make up for the lack of tuition. With the state of California in particular, while students could benefit from this program, the University of California system would have to start relying on outof-state tuition to keep their schools running. They can’t afford to offer free tuition to such a substantial portion of their student body. Other states like Massachusetts — progressive in nature — should consider this option to alleviate part of their students’ burden.

Recently, a large deciding factor for incoming college freshman is whether or not their degree is worth it. When students are spending upward of $70,000 a year for their education, that’s a fair question to ask. In the end, though, most job applicants won’t be considered for a position without a bachelor’s degree. Regardless of which school it’s coming from, if college tuition is free, it’s hard to say it isn’t worth it.

That said, New York state’s success in launching the free tuition program is a good example of how other states can start similar programs. While each state public college system faces unique circumstances, one thing is undeniable: higher education should be affordable to all.

This week’s crossword puzzle is brought to you by Maria Christina

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New York wouldn’t be the last on the list of best public schools, it isn’t ranked in the top 10 either.

So why would New York have this initiative so high up on their to-do list? The answer: to increase competition. The oftentimes neglected SUNYs and CUNYs need more highly qualified students to attend in order to increase rankings and competitiveness. Free tuition is a fairly positive incentive for students with higher GPAs and test scores. Though these colleges might not be the most renowned universities, students who can’t afford a college education will take advantage of this opportunity. It’s hard to ignore a program that cuts the cost of college in half and the SUNY system certainly needs the edge.

Not only will the college public school system benefit from this program, but so will the state. While the regulation to reside in New York for four years after graduation might hinder some, it’s a fair trade. The state must get something out of this exchange.

An inf lux of recent college graduates could help boost the state’s economy and ensure that students aren’t leaving the state in waves after they finish school. Once these graduates find a job and settle down, they’re even less likely to leave after their four years are up. New York’s deal is smart for both the students and the state.

Now that this kind of legislation was created and passed, other states should put efforts into creating paths to free tuition.

While this program might not be perfect,

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34. Apportioned 37. ___ fide 38. Poetic foot 40. Dainty 41. A proofreader’s symbol 43. Pass by 44. Opaque form of quartz 46. Do without 47. Reluctant 48. Follow as a result 49. Slender 50. Hack 51. Start over 53. Engendered 56. Calypso offshoot 57. Eastern Standard Time

OPINION 9

THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

Stand up for yourself

BY MEREDITH WILSHERE COLUMNIST

In a world filled with scary names to veil bad dating behaviors like gaslighting, zombie-ing and ghosting, sometimes it can be hard to find a voice among the monsters.

Standing up for yourself in the face of these monsters can be even harder. These past few months, both abroad and before, I have been able to find my voice and stand up for the way I’ve been treated in the past.

Last semester I was “broken up” with by the guy I was casually seeing, him citing his feelings for someone else. I took it in stride considering it wasn’t unfair — I would be leaving for abroad and he would be staying in Boston. What followed was a Thanksgiving weekend filled with rock ‘n’ roll, friends from home meeting friends from school and home cooking that I had gone too long without. I had taken my time to move on, however slowly, but move on nonetheless. That weekend back at school, he texted me saying that he wanted to see me.

The reality was that nothing had changed as he confessed to me days later, reaching out to me was a moment of weakness coming at the end of a bad week. We talked through it, and I mainly spared him the “Grey’s Anatomy”-esque monologues that I had stockpiled in the back of my head. With the help of one of my friends, I told him I deserved to be treated better. The last thing I said to him was that unless he meant it, he wasn’t allowed to play with my emotions like that.

It was a moment that seemed uncharacteristic for me. I try to stand up for my friends and family, even to the point of getting suspended for a day in elementary school (a story for a different time). In a heartbeat, I would run to the aid of those I care about but I’ve never included myself in that group. Unsure whether to name it complacency or passivity I usually find that I care very little about the things that happened to me, about how I was being treated. I almost came to rely on my friends to remind me, usually repeating sentiments of “he’s garbage” or “remember when he ghosted you and then called you ‘attached’

after you tried to talk to him?” The examples could go on and I’m sure they do in my diary, but the sentiment remains. I have a history of both selective memory and allowing myself to be treated a certain way. Only now have I decided to do something about it. Only now have I, as my mom has begged me to, started to stand up for myself.

A month later I found myself face-toface with a different guy, the one who said I am “too attached” for him. Inspired by the recent events, I asked him why he first gaslit, then ghosted me and then in true monster form, returned via zombie-ing.

He cited having a bad month, but I cited that as a bad excuse. His ego bruised, we could have a raw conversation about the way things dissipated between us. I said what he did was wrong and he said he was sorry. With my new kick of confidence, I was sure that I could stand up for myself. I was going to start to care about the things that happen to me.

It almost seems ironic coming from someone who usually gets crushed on the Tube by other people’s bags or always gets stepped on during nights out. Standing up for myself comes naturally when it’s a matter of my New Yorker credibility or during any argument I’ve had with friends. That confidence is absent when it comes to my relationships with guys. In the past few months, I have been able to change that.

If there was one thing I’d have to attribute to my time spent abroad, it would be the importance of self. I have been able to grow, both emotionally and mentally.

I have found my voice in the most cliché and wonderful way. Of course, being away from any situation means that you can you reflect upon it, but reflection is good when inspecting past behaviors. This is not to say that every guy I’ve seen has been one with a bad habit of treating me poorly. Many, included the two cited, are good people with even better hearts. It just means that I have been able to find my voice within those relationships and have been able to argue with behaviors that hurt me.

I have often preached that the relationship we have with ourselves is the most important one that we have. In addition to being kinder to ourselves and forgiving ourselves for things we haven’t be able to work through yet, we must stand up for ourselves. We should care about what happens to ourselves. We have to care about how we’re treated by other people. Be unapologetic in your demands for respect. It comes in practice and it comes by taking things in stride. Deciding that you are no longer going to allow yourself to be gaslit, zombied or ghosted is important. Finding your voice and using it is a powerful thing.

Syria’s mental health crisis

BY JAHNAVI BHATIA COLUMNIST

It is fair to assume that we have come a long way from the post-World War I days when British soldiers were executed for having “shell shock,” whic is now recognized as post-traumatic stress disorder.

During that time, mental health awareness for people in traumatic, violent situations was almost non-existent. Now, we have extensive research on the various ways in which trauma can affect our adult lives for years and years.

Considering Syria has become synonymous with conflict, it really is not surprising at all that years of violence in the form of bombings, airstrikes, public executions and chemical attacks would leave a population mentally scarred.

Yet, mental health remains one of the most overlooked concerns, not only within the borders of Syria itself, but also for refugees who have managed to flee to neighbouring countries.

In February 2016, the Syrian Center for Policy Research announced in a report that 470,000 Syrians had been killed. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees conducted research that estimated the concomitant average life expectancy being reduced from 75.9 years in 2010 to an estimated 55.7 years at the end of 2014 in Syria.

The International Medical Corps found that this trauma has left at least 54 percent of the internally and externally displaced people with severe emotional disorders and 26.6 percent of children with intellectual and developmental challenges.

Additionally, a 2015 study by the German Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists estimated that half of all Syrian refugees in Germany had mental issues.

Additionally, one of the biggest causes of mental disorders is sexual and gender-based violence. Many women and girls are exposed to gender-based violence due to the breakdown of law and order inside Syria, increased poverty, lack of basic needs and safe services, and family separation.

The UNHCR notes that women and

girls fear sexual abuse from kidnappers and extremists as well as domestic abuse from men in the family. Increased stress due to conf lict has been seen to increase violent tendencies in men in the region.

The UNHCR recommends that medical practitioners should offer evidence based services to men to help reduce the possibility of domestic violence. Services to those with mental health issues due to war are to “identify supportive members of their social network, further, risks of social stigmatisation and further abuse need to be carefully assessed and addressed.”

While 57 percent of Syria’s public hospitals need to be repaired while an additional 37 percent are out of service, doctors are fleeing the country, and the remaining male doctors are often not allowed to tend to female patients.

Hospitals often get attacked and caught in the fire between opposing sides in the war, and the same is happening in Syria.

Looking at the extreme scarcity of medical resources, practitioners should try to change the way they view mental health.

All volunteers, aid workers and law keepers should get basic training in dealing with people who have suffered through trauma.

Humanitarian actors are trained to keep this in mind while implementing their programs. But this should not be at the expense of addressing risks for longer-term consequences due to the profound losses and ongoing daily stressors that many displaced persons and refugees have experienced.

Some of the most important factors in producing psychological morbidity in refugees may be alleviated by planned, integrated rehabilitation programs and attention to social support and family unity. In order to effectively support the mental health and psychosocial well-being of people affected by the Syrian crisis, it is essential that mental health treatment activities are formulated in a broad and inclusive way.

There should also be increased training of specialized mental health providers.

This is especially possible in the countries which host refugees, since they aren’t in the middle of a war.

Host countries are now responsible for a larger population of patients. These countries need to be provided with resources through international aid.

The mental health crisis in Syria is going to be a difficult battle to fight, with multiple generations being affected. The international community needs to rally around them to better their health in the short run and to allow them to rebuild Syria in the long run.

Interrobang This weekend, parents will hide plastic colored eggs filled with toys, candy or presents throughout their homes to celebrate the Easter holiday.

We here at the ol’ Free Press want to know — where would BU people hide their Easter eggs?

BU Dining: Omelets

West Campus: Red Solo cups

President Brown: Rolling backpack

COM: The fountain

Seniors: Under their caps

Marsh Plaza: The seal

CGS: In plain sight

FreeP: Above the fold

10 SPORTS

Softball drops close battle against rival Boston College

BY MATT MARTIN DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The Boston University softball team was looking to continue their winning ways against local foe Boston College on Wednesday night, in hopes of making it four in a row following a series sweep over the College of the Holy Cross this past weekend.

Unfortunately for the Terriers (11-21, 3-3 Patriot League), their hot streak did not carry over, as they dropped the contest 3-1 to the Eagles (24-14).

“We came in feeling good after our series against Holy Cross,” said BU head coach Ashley Waters.

“Boston College is a great team, and they are at the top of the ACC. We had to do our best to play our best to have a great game and play a solid seven innings.”

Starting the game on the mound for the Terriers was freshman Lizzie Annerino, who was making her fifth start on the season in twelve appearances. She pitched two strong innings while giving up two hits and giving up zero runs, giving the offense an early chance.

Annerino last pitched against the University of Massachusetts Amherst on March 30th.

While she has not been as effective on the mound as fellow

freshman Kali Magane, Annerino pitched well on Wednesday afternoon against a strong BC offense.

However, taking the loss for BU was senior Makinna Akers. She came in during the third inning and surrendered two runs in the fifth and five hits, while also striking out three. The loss brought Akers’ season record to 5-7, and added to her team-leading 22 appearances.

Waters brought in Magane to pitch the final frame, hoping to hold BC’s offense to give her team a chance to tie it in the seventh.

The Eagles managed one run and one hit, but struck out two times against Magane.

It says a lot about the Terriers that two of the three pitchers to face BC, one of BU’s toughest opponents on the schedule, were freshmen. While Waters has continued to rely on Magane and Akers to carry most of the load, it will be beneficial for the Terriers if Annerino can get comfortable on the mound to provide the team with a stable third option along with junior Sydni Overly, who has appeared in nine games thus far.

On the other side, starting the game for the home team was junior Jessica Dreswick. Dreswick is one of the toughest pitchers in the ACC. She came into this game third in ERA and strikeouts and tied for fourth in wins in the conference. She pitched six innings,

holding BU to one unearned run and four hits, while striking out eight Terriers. Senior Jordan Weed came into the game in the seventh to pick up the save and shut down BU. “[Dreswick] obviously has worked hard,” Waters said. “She did a great job. She seems to get better every year. She pounds the zone and comes inside hard, but I was happy she was throwing, as it is great preparation this weekend for [the United States Military Academy]. Every game brings us challenges that we have to face.”

The Terriers got on the board early because of a throwing error that allowed sophomore infielder Alexa Ponce to score the game’s first run in the second inning.

This was the only scoring for the Terriers, as they did not have a single RBI on the afternoon. Despite out-hitting the Eagles, BU did not take advantage of its opportunities with runners on base.

The Terriers held on to the lead until the fifth inning, when the Eagles scored two runs to go ahead for good. Senior Tatiana Cortez delivered the fatal blow with a two-run single that scored junior Chloe Sharabba and senior Taylor Coroneos. BC scored its final run on a wild pitch by Magane, adding to its lead as insurance in the last inning.

Looking to rebound from a

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Makinna Akers pitched well, but gave up a costly two-run single in the fifth inning that ultimately gave the Eagles the win.

competitive loss against a challenging Eagles team, the Terriers return to action this weekend with a threegame showdown against Patriot League rival Army (27-12, 7-2 Patriot League) at home. The Black Knights are currently second in the conference, trailing Lehigh University by a game, while BU is currently fourth in the Patriot League.

Mike Trout should be the face of baseball MLB, FROM PAGE 12

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“We’re very excited to face Army this weekend, as they are a top team in our conference,” Waters said. “Last year, our first series against them did not go as planned but we were able to beat them in the league tournament.

We need to do our best to take a game or two games from them this weekend.”

talent. Add a charming smile, clean record and easygoing personality, what could be missing?

To Stark, two issues remain: Trout has never won a playoff game, and unlike LeBron, he seems to have no interest in taking on the role as the face of his sport.

First of all, one cannot blame Trout for his lack of playoff success. As just one player on a 25-man roster, and one out of nine who take the field every night, Trout’s ability to carry his entire team should not be compared to LeBron’s. If James drops 50 points in a game, his team will almost surely win. But even if Trout hits four home runs, an Angels pitcher could give up a five-spot, and it’s game over. So do not blame Trout for the fact that year after year, the Angels fail to surround him with adequate talent. Again, apples and oranges.

Second, to me, Trout’s humility ought to be applauded. Rather than exude arrogance and self-importance like King James, Trout goes about his business quietly and without egotism. He possesses otherworldly talent on the field, and acts like a gentleman off it. I would rather have children looking up to a quiet mensch like Trout than a conceited celebrity like James. Just because a player doesn’t seek the spotlight does not mean they don’t deserve to be in it.

Still hesitant to rally behind the reticent Trout? No problem.

Contrary to what some may say, baseball is a cornucopia of young and exciting stars. Mookie Betts.

Kris Bryant. Francisco Lindor.

Jose Altuve. Corey Seager. Bryce Harper. Manny Machado. I could keep going, but I think I’ve made my point. For the first time in a long time, a new generation of talent has taken the MLB by storm.

It’s a good time to be a baseball fan.

So no matter who you pick, the wave of budding superstars is refreshing and promising. Yes, uniting behind one single player could help the MLB’s marketing and public relations departments.

But, can we really expect that to happen? Even in the NBA, consensus in the LeBron vs. Curry debate has not been reached. And why should it? Sparking interest and discussion only helps the sport and its players. It’s not like a league would come out and declare one particular player as its favorite, anyway.

To all the sports pundits and personalities out there, I say this: Let’s appreciate and celebrate the amazing group of ambassadors and stars baseball does have, rather than whine over the lack of a clear frontrunner. The MLB has been blessed with incredible talent.

Treasure it.

As for Mr. Stark, if you keep looking for a LeBron of baseball, I am afraid you’ll be sorely disappointed. Not to mention, you’ll miss the extraordinary dominance of future Hall of Famer Mike Trout.

SPORTS 11

Avery Donahoe named Patriot League Attacker of the Week

BY RYAN STOLZ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

The Boston University women’s lacrosse team tallied a season-high 20 goals en route to defeating Lafayette College 20-16 in its last game.

The 20 goals came from offensive outbursts via several Terriers, including an outstanding performance from junior attacker Avery Donahoe.

The Alexandria, Virginia native tallied six goals, along with an assist, to propel her team to victory. For her performance, Donahoe was named Corvias Patriot League Attacker of the Week.

Donahoe’s six goals marked a Terrier record, as it is the most goals scored by a player since Danielle Etrasco scored seven goals against the University of Vermont during the 2013 season.

For Donahoe, strong offensive production is nothing new, as she has helped pace the Terriers offense all season long. Donahoe is tied for third in points (27) and is tied for second in goals (21) on the team.

BU head coach Liz Robertshaw credits Donahoe with much of the team’s success thus far.

“She came back this year a ton more confident,” Robertshaw said. “It’s allowed us to have three main scoring threats.”

Freshman newcomers make big impact for Robertshaw’s squad After losing several key members from the

2016 team, Robertshaw called upon her younger players to collectively step up and replace the lost production. So far, four members of this year’s freshman class have had sizeable impacts on this year’s team.

Midfielders Mackenzie Howe, Lexi Lewis and Christine Carugati, as well as attacker Kailey Conry have all had profound impacts on the Terriers’ offense this season. Conry and Howe have seen the most action, with each of them making eight starts thus far.

Conry has tallied a team-high 32 points.

While she only has five goals on the year, she leads the team with 27 assists, demonstrating her ability to make plays for teammates. The Needham native has recorded at least three assists in her last seven starts dating back to March 5 against San Diego State University.

Howe has also seen her fair share of playing time, starting in each of the Terriers’ last seven games. Her most notable performance came against Patriot League foe Bucknell University, in which she tallied four of her six goals on the season en route to a 13-8 Terriers victory.

“They put their heads down and have gone to work,” Robertshaw said of the freshmen. “They were recruited here for specific purposes … I know their teammates and coaches have encouraged them to take risks and because of them doing that, you are seeing them feel more comfortable in the college system.

With four conference games left, Terriers fight for PL tourney birth With four Patriot League contests remaining, Robertshaw’s squad is battling for a berth in the Patriot League tournament.

The Patriot League tournament features the top six teams with the best conference record. Currently, BU sits in fifth place with a 3-2 conference record, tied with rival Bucknell (8-4, 3-2 Patriot League). The pack ahead of the Terriers includes Loyola University Maryland, the United States Naval Academy, Lafayette (9-4, 4-1 Patriot League) and Lehigh University. Of the four teams ahead of BU, the Terriers are 1-2 and will play Navy (9-3, 4-1 Patriot League) on Saturday.

With just four games remaining and a two-game lead over seventh-place College of the Holy Cross, the Terriers appear set for their fourth straight tournament appearance.

While Robertshaw is happy with her team’s play, she knows that they have higher aspirations than just a tournament appearance.

“It’s been the goal of the team every year to get into the Patriot League championship,” Robertshaw said. “I feel right now we are still in a position to get into that tournament. But, that means we need to win every game right now and that is the mentality of the team.”

The Terriers have been successful in making it to the tournament, but have not seen much success once there. BU has advanced to the Patriot League championship game just once over the past three years, and is looking

PHOTO BY MADDIE MALHOTRA/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Junior attacker Avery Donahoe scored a career-high six goals in BU’s win over Lafayette.

to capture a league title this season.

“Every game matters and we’ll take it one game at a time,” Robertshaw said.

As NHL playoffs begin, former Terriers enter spotlight

BY JORDAN GREEN DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

As the puck drops to kick off the NHL playoffs, a total of 12 former Boston University men’s hockey players representing eight teams will take to the ice, looking to lift the Stanley Cup. Three of them will be in the coaching box, including Mike Sullivan, head coach of the defending champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The other two coaches are assistants on the hometown Boston Bruins.

The B’s account for four of the 12 former Terriers participating in this year’s postseason.

Assistant coach Joe Sacco, a Medford native, is in his second season with the Bruins after previous experience in Buffalo and four seasons as the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche.

The other former Terrier on the bench is assistant coach and Burlington native Jay Pandolfo, a member of BU’s 1994-95 championship squad, who is in his first season on the bench after finishing his playing career with the Bruins and serving as the team’s director of player development last season.

While Boston’s two assistant coaches boast impressive pedigrees, all eyes will be focused on the Bruins two most recent signings, former Terriers Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson and Charlie McAvoy.

The duo signed with Boston after their sophomore season concluded with a gut-wrenching overtime loss to eventual national runner-up University of Minnesota Duluth in the national quarterfinals.

McAvoy, Boston’s 14th overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft, signed with the Providence Bruins of the AHL. After playing only four games in Providence, McAvoy signed a threeyear entry-level contract with Boston on Monday and made his debut Wednesday night in Game One of the Bruins’ matchup with the Ottawa Senators.

McAvoy’s promotion to the show is in part due to a rash of injuries that have hit the Bruins, and he was paired with Bruins captain and star defenseman Zdeno Chara in practice on Tuesday. McAvoy is the 81st Terrier to play in an NHL game and the first to make his debut in the playoffs.

In contrast, Forsbacka Karlsson, more affectionately known as JFK on

Commonwealth Avenue, jumped straight from Agganis Arena to TD Garden. Many had at first expected Forsbacka Karlsson to remain with BU for at least another season, but the offer to go straight to the NHL proved too good to pass up. The Swede made his NHL debut on Saturday night against President’s Trophy winners, the Washington Capitals, in a 3-1 loss for Boston. Forsbacka Karlsson played over eight minutes on the ice and went 1-2 from the faceoff circle.

While it is unclear how much ice time either former Terrier will see in the first round series, it speaks volumes about their talent that they are being entrusted to play in the most important games of the season.

There are also a number of veteran former Terriers who will be chasing the Stanley Cup. Kevin Shattenkirk of the Washington Capitals has 56 points this season and will try to help Alex Ovechkin bring the elusive Stanley Cup to the nation’s capital.

Nick Bonino of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who was drafted the same year as Shattenkirk, will look to help the Penguins repeat as champions.

Other former Terriers on playoff teams are

PHOTO BY JUSTIN HAWK/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Charlie McAvoy became the first Terrier to make his NHL debut in the postseason, as he helped the Bruins take Game One from Ottawa.

Adam Clendening of the New York Rangers, Charlie Coyle of the Minnesota Wild, Colin Wilson of the Nashville Predators, Alex Chiasson of the Calgary Flames and Eric Gryba of the Edmonton Oilers.

With at least one player in each first round series, there is a good chance that a former Terrier could end up playing for a chance to hoist the Stanley Cup.

Carson-Banister leaves men’s lacrosse in better place CARSON-BANISTER, FROM PAGE 12 percentage has risen from .533 to an astounding .609 as of April 12, the fourth-highest mark in the nation. Similarly, his goals against average has dipped from 9.7 last season to 7.83 this season, the 19th-lowest average in the country while BU is 11th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 7.82 goals per contest.

“His confidence [has developed] overall, [along with] his stick work,” Polley said. “Our clearing percentage has gone way up, and he has got a lot to do with that. [It’s about] his confidence, making saves and getting the ball out quickly so that we don’t have to go against a settled clear.”

Carson-Banister began the year flourishing,

stopping at least 10 shots in each of the Terriers’ first six games, all of which were resounding victories. In a narrow 8-6 win over the United States Air Force Academy on March 4, the Texas native halted a season-high 17 shots.

In BU’s season-opening 8-7 triumph over Providence College, Carson-Banister faced 42 shots, stopping 16.

When asked what has made him a force to be reckoned with in net this year, CarsonBanister deflected the praise to his teammates and coaching staff.

“Our defense is really clicking right now,” Carson-Banister said. “We are playing well at every single position from close defense, to our defensive mids, to our [long-stick midfielders].

They are doing a fantastic job. They are forcing shots that I want to see. [Assistant coach

Stephen Toomy] has done a fantastic job all year with our game plans and how we are going to be playing specific players. Week in and week out, he always produces a great game plan which has been huge for us.”

Carson-Banister and his fellow cast of seniors constitutes the first class to have enjoyed all four seasons of Division I Terrier lacrosse. The group has witnessed the despair of a 2-12 season and a late season collapse, which has gone a considerable way in preparing themselves for handling the success of this season.

“We have all been here before,” CarsonBanister said. “We understand what it takes to win games and we understand what happens if you don’t execute. We have had some really tough seasons, and I think that coming into this, guys were working really hard and under-

stood what it took to get to where we are now.

It has all been a part of a pretty long process. If you had asked a lot of us our freshman year if we would be at this moment, [being 9-3], I don’t think a lot of us would have been able to have that foresight.”

Having experienced the postseason hopes of the squad disintegrating down the stretch of 2016, Carson-Banister is focused on maintaining his recent success heading into the final month of the regular season.

“Staying relaxed [will be key],” CarsonBanister said. “Everyone has put in the work this year. Now it is just about enjoying it and executing. We are all in positions to play at our very best. We have put in the work since the fall and summer, so these last couple games we just have to play how we want to play.”

Quotable “They put their heads down and have gone to work.” - BU women’s lacrosse coach Liz Robertshaw on her freshmen players. p.11

Sports Thursday, April 13, 2017

Terriers Chase the Cup One dozen former BU hockey players are now in the NHL, where they begin their quest to hoist the Stanley Cup as the playoffs get underway p.11

Christian Carson-Banister leads from goal

7th Inning Stretch Who is the face of MLB?

BY JACOB GURVIS COLUMNIST

With a new baseball season underway, it seems the sports world has returned to its annual debate: who is the face of Major League Baseball?

LeBron James and Stephen Curry own basketball. Tom Brady epitomizes football.

But what about America’s favorite pastime?

With legends like Derek Jeter and David Ortiz retired, the answer is not so simple.

Before I add my voice to this cacophonous debate, allow me to address one argument currently out there, from our friends over at ESPN. Last week, ESPN’s Jayson Stark made his case, contending that baseball remains faceless. With the help of polling data and expert opinions, Stark lays out what he believes to be an identity crisis for the MLB. Though he made some compelling points, I take issue with much of Stark’s column.

His piece confronts the question, “Could any baseball player be LeBron?” But by framing the discussion in this way, we are setting ourselves up for failure. Baseball and basketball are fundamentally different sports with vastly disparate team dynamics, fan bases and markets.

Apples and oranges, really. Please — cut it out with that “LeBron of baseball” nonsense.

OK, you may be thinking, who is the face of baseball, then?

While numerous players would be acceptable answers, I would have a hard time getting behind anyone other than Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Mike Trout. Honestly, it’s not even close.

At only 25, Trout finds himself on a truly historic route. His resume baffles. In his five full seasons, Trout’s trophy case includes Rookie of the Year, two MVPs and five Silver Sluggers. The three years he didn’t win MVP? He finished second. Oh, and he also has been an All-Star all five seasons.

If Trout stays on this remarkable pace, or close to it, for the next 10 or so seasons, we could be talking about one of the greatest to ever play the game. I don’t say that lightly.

Clearly, one cannot question Trout’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

PHOTO BY MADDIE MALHOTRA/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Senior goalkeeper Christian Carson-Banister has led the Terriers all season and has been their backbone in net as he looks to leave a lasting legacy in his final season with the program.

BY LIAM O’BRIEN DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Rewind the clock to three seasons ago.

Freshman goalkeeper Christian CarsonBanister was in net for the 2-11 Boston University men’s lacrosse team in the season finale, overwhelmed by the formidable Duke University Blue Devils.

In the Terriers’ inaugural matchup against an ACC opponent as a Division I squad, Carson-Banister is pelted with a bevy of shots by the defending national champions. The overmatched BU defensive line allows the Blue Devils to rip 41 shots on net,

a frightening scenario for a freshman goalkeeper who did not even start for his high school team.

However, Carson-Banister made his presence felt, stopping 25 shots to limit the eventual national champions to just a five-goal victory against the Terriers.

Fast forward to 2017 and Carson-Banister is still staving off shots with the same ferocity that kept BU within rallying distance of the Blue Devils that afternoon at Nickerson Field. Only now, the Terriers (9-3, 3-3 Patriot League) are the ones entering contests as considerable favorites, having flipped the script to begin the season with a 9-3 record, the best start in program history.

“[Carson-Banister] has been the backbone of our program,” said BU head coach Ryan Polley. “[He and Sam Talkow] have been our two strongest players since the inception of the program and for him to have a strong senior year, I am very happy for him.

He was great as a freshman, got better as a sophomore, and now we would not be [9-3] without him.”

Following a disappointing conclusion to a 2016 season in which the Terriers faltered with five consecutive losses to end the year, Carson-Banister has ratcheted up his approach to a new level this season. His save CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

BOTTOM LI NE THURSDAY, APRIL 13

Metta World Peace likely played his game with the Lakers at the Staples Center this past Sunday.

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

Play It Forward Summit in Agganis Arena, 9 a.m.

Women’s tennis @ Army, 9:30 a.m.

Women’s tennis vs. Lehigh in West Point, N.Y., TBA Men’s tennis @ Bryant, 3 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 16

Softball vs. Army, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Softball vs. Army, 12 p.m.

Men’s lacrosse vs.

Loyola Maryland, 12 p.m.

Men’s tennis vs. Colgate, 12 p.m.

MONDAY, APRIL 17

NBA fans showered Metta World Peace with affection (and beer). He thanked them by running into the crowd and fighting them for old times sake.

Women’s lacrosse vs. Navy, 2:30 p.m.