The Daily Northwestern -- November 28, 2018 by The Daily Northwestern

The Daily Northwestern Wednesday, November 28, 2018

DAILYNORTHWESTERN.COM 8 SPORTS/Basketball

3 CAMPUS/Academics

Wildcats look for win against Georgia Tech

Lower math scores on entrance exams bring worries about academic preparation

Find us online @thedailynu 4 OPINION/Augustine

Reach out to senior citizens more often

High 27 Low 26

Plans to close fire station voted down Out of worry for cuts’ impact, aldermen reverse By KRISTINA KARISCH

daily senior staffer @kristinakarisch

David Lee / Daily Senior Staffer

Former U.S Attorney General John Ashcroft speaks at College Republicans event. Ashcroft spoke about the difficulty balancing liberty and security in the modern age.

Bush AG talks liberty, security

John Ashcroft says security will ‘secure liberty,’ ensure free democracy By WILSON CHAPMAN

daily senior staffer @wilsonchapman10

Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcrof t spoke about the difficulty of

attaining a balance between liberty and security on Tuesday at the College Republican’s annual fall speaker event. The burden he felt when he oversaw the Justice Department in the period

immediately following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, for example, was challenging. That balance between liberty and security, he said, would become a topic of intense discussion — both within the media and the government.

He recalled when former President George W. Bush told him “don’t let this happen again” after the attacks, leading him to focus the department on obtaining » See ASHCROFT, page 6

Fire Station 4 will remain open following the approval of the city’s 2019 operating budget, ensuring service levels and response times will be maintained at the current standard. “We’re very happy that the council was able to maintain service levels to the community,” said Evanston Fire Chief Brian Scott. Aldermen voted 6-3 to approve the city’s 2019 operating budget at a Nov. 19 City Council meeting, granting the city more than $319 million for the next year. The budget, which seeks to fill a projected $7.4 million deficit, was released at the beginning of October and includes a number of expense reductions

and revenue increases. “The council should be given a ton of credit for having to balance a number of important priorities for the community with some very very stringent fiscal restraints,” Scott said. “Overall, the budget process was the best you can do under very difficult circumstances.” The closure of the station was included in the city’s first draft of its budget which estimated a $1.2 million cut to EFD. The cut would have eliminated nine staff positions, the proposed station closure and the resulting elimination of its fire engine. Station 4 — located at 1817 Washington St. — is in the 2nd Ward and services the southwest region of Evanston. Now, the department will hold some position vacancies open and cut parts of its community engagement programming for the next fiscal year. Scott said EFD will continue to work with aldermen » See EFD, page 6

NCA offers students professional attire for interviews

Closet ensures students take up career opportunities By DANNY VESURAI

the daily northwestern @dvesurai

Nor thwestern Career Advancement this quarter launched ‘Cats Closet, a service that provides students free access to professional attire and aims to ensure students aren’t deterred from pursuing interviews or career opportunities because of clothes. Undergraduate and graduate

Fitz secures top award for standout season

Pat Fitzgerald was named Big Ten Coach of the Year by both coaches and the media, the conference announced Tuesday.

students can pick three items or one two-piece suit to take each academic year, said Kim Corbin, NCA’s assistant director of employer recruiting. She said some students “couldn’t believe” the clothes were free and didn’t have to be returned, which is why she thinks many who have used the service are so grateful for it. So far, 138 students have used the service, more than what NCA initially anticipated, said Geni Harclerode, the office’s director of employer recruitment and engagement. “We’ve been really excited to see the number of students who have taken advantage of it,” she

said. Harclerode said she’d heard stories of students who selfselected out of opportunities because they didn’t feel like they had something to wear — one student bought something outside of their price range, tucked in tags at the career event and then returned the clothing after. SESP senior Madeline Meyer said she thought the Closet is a great resource and hopes more students will learn about and use. Meyer, an NCA career ambassador, said she used it to get a business shirt for an interview. “When you have companies

The distinction is the first for Fitzgerald in his 13 years at the helm of the Wildcats. He broke that streak this season by leading Northwestern to its first-ever Big Ten West title and a berth in Saturday’s conference title game against Ohio State. Fitzgerald, an All-American linebacker for the Cats in the

1990s, corralled his team from a sluggish 1-3 start to win seven straight Big Ten games and close the regular season 8-4. NU went 6-0 against west division foes and beat two ranked teams — Michigan State and Iowa — on the road. Speaking Monday, ahead of the announcement, Fitzgerald downplayed the significance of

» See CLOSET, page 6

Danny Vesurai / The Daily Northwestern

Donated clothes for ‘Cats Closet stored in an interview room. Northwestern Career Advancement this quarter launched the service to provide free professional attire and increase accessibility for interviews.

his individual accomplishments. “If it was my name, it would not be about me, it would be about the program. That would be a program accomplishment,” he said. “We don’t do anything here individually. It’s all collectively. I would obviously be humbled, but more importantly, I’m very thankful.” The 43-year-old Fitzgerald is

You may be able to change the future of medicine. Serving the University and Evanston since 1881

the first NU coach to receive the distinction since Randy Walker in 2000, when the Cats also finished the regular season 8-4. The award is the fifth total for NU since it was first introduced in 1972. “Coach Fitz is the face of this program and he’s a great leader. For him to win coach of the year would be a testament to his hard work,”

junior defensive end Joe Gaziano said Monday. “He’s always giving us a great gameplan, great motivation, but also his experience in what we’re going through right now. … To be able to have that experience is a testament to why he’s in consideration for that award.” — Cole Paxton

(312) 695–6077 JoinAllofUs@nm.org nm.org/JoinAllofUs

INSIDE: Around Town 2 | On Campus 3 | Opinion 4 | Classifieds & Puzzles 6 | Sports 8

2 NEWS | THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

AROUND TOWN Evanston police investigate home invasion and burglary

the Main-Dempster Mile will present its first-ever “Holiday Treat Walk” where participants can collect free treats from restaurants and shops, with donations supporting the Soup at Six soup kitchen. Evanston is also offering celebrations for specific holidays. Fountain Square will host the lighting of a ten-foot menorah in celebration of Hanukkah on Dec. 5. Three days later, Mayor Steve Hagerty will light the annual tree. At the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, the city will celebrate the first night of Kwanzaa on Dec. 26 with music, spoken word performances, dance and a lighting of the kinara, a candle holder. On the competitive side, Evanston businesses will

vie against one another starting Dec. 1 in the city’s fourth annual “Holiday Window Decorating Contest.” Distinctions include “Fan Favorite” and “Best Use of Merchandise,” among others. Residents can vote for their favorite displays on the event’s Facebook page, and winners will be announced on Dec. 22. Random Acts of Flowers is offering a $75 event called “Hope for the Holidays,” where attendees can learn to create floral centerpieces. “The Nutcracker on Ice,” a holiday classic, will run at the Robert Crown Community Center for its 44th year from Dec. 14 to Dec. 16.

At around 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, the Evanston Police Department responded to a call regarding a burglary in the 100 block of Burnham Place in south Evanston. According to an EPD news release, the 82-yearold woman whose house had been the subject of the burglary told responding officers that she had answered her door after hearing a knock. A man was at the door, and he said there was a problem with the sewer next door. He also said he wanted to come in and repair the woman’s sewer system. The woman said there was nothing wrong with her system and closed the door, but the man pushed open the door and brushed past her as he entered her home, knocking the woman to the floor. After the woman got up from the floor, three more men entered the house, asking the woman for money. Some of them searched the second floor while the others restrained the woman. Then the men left, driving westbound in a white, newer-model SUV. The woman told Evanston police that she was missing a pair of gold earrings and a bracelet. She suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention, according to the news release. The four men were described as about 25 years old and did not speak English among one another. According to the news release, police are currently investigating, and EPD is urging residents to be aware of this type of scam and only speak to residents through locked doors.

— Gabby Birenbaum

— Amelia Langas

man who is the resident of the location. The man said that his Trek bicycle — valued at around $1,200 — was stolen from his garage between 11 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday, Evanston police Cmdr. Ryan Glew said. The residence was a condominium, so the garage is shared by all residents of the location. The man said his bike was not secured, and that he noticed the door to the garage was open.

Police are investigating and the man said he was willing to sign complaints, Glew said.

kicked the door of her house, causing the paint to chip. The woman’s husband said he recognized the juveniles as having knocked on the door on Thanksgiving saying they were hungry, Glew said. The man said he had let the boys in and lent them a skateboard, which they had yet to return. The juveniles fled on foot.

Daily file photo by Jacob Swan

A holiday tree. Mayor Steve Hagerty will light this year’s tree on Dec. 8.

Plenty to do in Evanston this December to celebrate the holidays

Evanston residents can eat, drink and carol their way through this holiday season at a plethora of winter-themed events put on by the city. In the food and beverage category, the city is hosting a “Warm Bevvy Walk” on Dec. 6, where attendees can pick up warm beverages for free at participating businesses throughout downtown Evanston — including ‘spiked’ alcoholic drinks. On Dec. 13,

POLICE BLOTTER Burglary reported in northwest Evanston Around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Evanston Police Department responded to a call regarding a stolen bicycle in the 2500 block of McDaniel Avenue in northwest Evanston. Responding officers talked to the 67-year-old

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Evanston residents report criminal damage to property

A 32-year-old woman and her husband reported criminal damage to their property to EPD on Monday. The woman, who is a resident in the 1600 block of Foster Street, told police that juvenile boys

— Amelia Langas

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN | NEWS 3

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

ON CAMPUS 2018 SAT, ACT scores raise red flags By STEPHANIE ZHU

the daily northwestern

Scores on the ACT and the SAT are raising red flags about college readiness and math achievement across the nation. Four million high school students took the ACT or SAT in 2018, an increase from 3.8 million students in 2017. Although the number of test-takers has gone up, only 49 percent of these students met the math benchmark for the SAT and only 40 percent met the math benchmark — which is a 22 — for the ACT. Benchmarks are the minimum scores the College Board, which administers the SAT, and the ACT say students need to succeed in college courses. A 2018 report from the ACT said math scores nationwide have steadily decreased since 2014, reaching an average of 20.5 — the lowest in 14 years and significantly below the benchmark. SAT data reflect a similar problem: The average score for math is 531 — barely above the test’s math benchmark of 530. At Northwestern, the 75th percentile of SAT math scores for entering first-year students last fall dropped 10 points from 2016 — although the 25th percentile of scores rose after stalling for a year — according to the most recent University data. Data from the most recent entering class and ACT math scores are not available. Northwestern first-years who took these standardized tests last year expressed a mix of emotions in regard to the negative trend in test scores. Medill first-year Michelle Kim said she didn’t expect so many students to not meet the benchmark. Kim said that since STEM fields are becoming more prominent, she thought students would perform better in math. Still, Northwestern data are relatively positive compared to national trends, as SAT math scores have continued to improve since the University began to gain prominence as an

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Graphic by Roxanne Panas

National math scores on college entrance exams began to fall nationwide last year, including at Northwestern.

elite school, with 25th percentile SAT scores increasing from 680 to 720 and the 75th percentile SAT scores growing from 770 to 800 before dropping last year. Although Bienen first-year Jaime An said she felt good about her scores, some of her friends struggled with the quickness the ACT required. “It could be a bit surprising to some, but some of it could be because of the speed aspect of the ACT which requires a lot of practice that some people may not have been prepared for when taking the test,” An said. Abigail Holthaus said she feels like math

is less applicable than other subjects to many students’ futures, which might be a factor in the test results. Math, for some, can almost feel like another language, the Weinberg first-year said, so people might not fully immerse themselves due to its difficulty. “I feel like there’s almost a stereotype against math but really it’s just a different way of studying,” Holthaus said. “I wish we were better at math; maybe we need to implement better math programs.” jiaruizhu2022@u.northwestern.edu

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OPINION

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Wednesday, November 28, 2018

We need to expand the bounds of our social circles DANNES ZHANG

OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR

I used to think that people could be nonracist. But I’ve been reading Eduardo BonillaSilva’s book “Racism Without Racists” for my sociology class, and his definition of racism shows that it is deeply ingrained in society and people. The solution is to be antiracists — people who actively combat against racist practices. Racism, he says, is a racialized social system whereby every aspect of society is structured by the placement of people into a racial category. People tend to believe racism is a belief of an individual person. On the contrary, it is the rational and invariable result of relationships formed among different racial groups. He argues the racial isolation and segregation of black people perpetuates racism. Bonilla-Silva discusses how the notion of the white habitus — the hypersegregation of whites from people of other races — leads to positive views of their own race and negative views of others, which affects their perception that black and white people are intrinsically

different. Ultimately, “people cannot like or love people they don’t see or interact with.” As a result, this nation retains a racist ideology where there is a fixed hierarchy of race groups, with whites placed at the top. People today often express racism in covert manners. In a study conducted by the Kentucky Human Rights Commission, black and white test subjects requested mortgages from lending institutions in Louisville. Although the companies treated black applicants differently, withheld information from them and provided fewer pieces of advice, none of the black participants — with one exception — knew they were discriminated against in comparison to their white peers. Racism is ingrained in our society to such a degree it can directly impact people in ways they aren’t even aware of. Racism is not a single, hateful belief of a select few people. Society is established so that racial inequalities can be perpetuated even when appearing devoid of overt racism. Thus, this inequity cannot be fought without people taking active stances to changing their behavior. We must strive to be antiracists and change societal norms and practices. Rather than being a non-racist and pretending that race does not affect one’s judgement, an antiracist admits that race is a

subconscious factor that plays into one’s attitude. Consequentially, our entire worldview must change. Since this is such an immense task, I question whether it’s possible for people to not be racist, and whether racial inequality can truly end. Currently, a dynamic exists in which people verbally support racial equality while behaviorally supporting a system of racial inequality. A 2013 study from the Public Religion Research Institute shows that 75 percent of white people have “entirely white social networks without any minority presence.” Neighborhoods and social networks are still segregated. But Bonilla-Silva provides actionable methods of becoming an antiracist. First, we must change our social life. Second, we must undergo a deeper transformation in attitude. Third, we must become social activists. It should be our goal to racially and ethnically diversify our network of friends, for people of all backgrounds. I am not claiming having friends of different cultures automatically means you can’t be racist. By having friends of different races and ethnicities than you, you are not obtaining non-racist “credentials.” But by diversifying our circle of friends, we increase the social integration of different backgrounds in our communities. The deeper

transformation in attitude comes with a longterm analysis of how racist ideologies continue to affect one’s thoughts. I have had long conversations with my friends about whether we should intentionally try to racially diversify our social networks. Some say it’s just a natural behavior to gravitate toward others who are culturally similar to us. If these people happen to be the same race as us, then so be it. After all, we enjoy talking to people who are similar to us — they can empathize with us and understand our problems. We are ethnocentric, not racist. Safe spaces for people of color are important in allowing them to feel comfortable and being in a place of similar people. However, by diversifying our friend groups, we can become more inclusive and find our predispositions are inaccurate. We cannot dismantle the racial hierarchy, but we can begin to change our own perceptions. Dannes Zhang is a Communications freshman. She can be contacted at danneszhang2022@u.northwestern.edu. If you would like to respond publicly to this op-ed, send a Letter to the Editor to opinion@ dailynorthwestern.com. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.

The value of intergenerational relationships in my life KATHRYN AUGUSTINE

OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR

When people hear the word “elderly,” stereotypical images usually pop in their minds: tufts of white hair, thick-rimmed glasses, rickety walkers and hearing aids. Some may even associate them with snide remarks at the dinner table. Over the course of my childhood — and even now — both sets of my grandparents have been deeply involved in my life. From cheering at the finish line at cross country meets to surprising me with a hand-knitted blanket for college, they’ve never failed to demonstrate their unwavering support. Because of the closeness I share with my grandparents, I decided to volunteer at the Weston Council on Aging in Weston, Massachusetts two summers ago. There, I delivered meals to seniors and helped with their technology troubles. While this experience was eye-opening to the struggles the elderly face on a daily basis, I didn’t truly grasp the value of forming relationships with elderly individuals, aside from my family members.

Forging genuine connections with the elderly is mutually beneficial and enriching — something I discovered this summer while working at an assisted living facility, Traditions of Wayland, in Wayland, Massachusetts. The first day of work at Traditions, I approached Joan, a woman sitting in her wheelchair in a common area dubbed the “Great Room” following the usual cycle of morning exercises. When I talked with her about pursuing journalism in college, she went out of her way to introduce me to another resident, Kitty, who was one of the first women to work for The New York Times. Hearing Kitty’s life story was fascinating. She spoke about traveling the world for stories, meeting significant political figures like President Truman and the difficulty of being a woman in the field. Many look at Kitty’s thin frame and oxygen tank and forget there is an extremely interesting person inside. She was a journalist at a major publication while balancing her family life and paving the way for women in the world of journalism. On a regular basis, I hear other young students on campus devise creative excuses to avoid a trip to the gym. That is not the case for David, a 98-year-old veteran who came to morning exercise class religiously, using the heaviest handheld weights of all the residents

at Traditions. In addition to his dedication to being physically fit, David has an impressively thorough collection of photo albums. When David asked for assistance with a new computer program he installed, I followed him upstairs to his room. Right away, I was met with walls covered in paintings and a tall bookshelf with rows of photo albums, each with a labelled spine. The sheer volume of albums was mesmerizing, and I asked David about his apparent interest in photography. Sitting down beside me, he thumbed through the pages of his treasured albums. Pointing to a picture of his late wife, he explained that she worked at Harvard University and met Albert Einstein on several occasions. I learned the paintings artfully positioned in his room were the works of his wife. He was so motivated to learn to use the computer software, because he planned to use that application to create postcards with his wife’s works featured. He went on to describe the pair’s worldly travels across Italy, across France and beyond. When I talk to peers and acquaintances about working at an assisted living facility and the elderly as a whole, I am often met with a puzzled stare and a half-hearted “Fun” or “Nice.” This highlights just how set we can be in stereotypes and how unaware we often are of

Question your stances. For me, it was crucial CASSIDY JACKSON

DAILY COLUMNIST

Over Thanksgiving break, I did the unthinkable: I shared my faith with my family and friends from home. The reason I say “unthinkable” is because about a year ago, the concept of a higher power seemed to me like a fable played off as truth. I credit my anti-religion mentality partly to my upbringing and partly to just… my close-minded attitude. I grew up in a household where God was never talked about and practically didn’t exist. But from 1st to 3rd grade, my parents threw me in Catholic school (don’t ask me why). And I hated it. Everyday when my teacher excitedly said “Okay it’s religion time! Get your religion textbook out!,” I felt like I was in TV show, and I desperately wanted to press the fast forward button. Going to Mass with my class every week, I became trained in the art of tuning out. I patiently waited for the service to end, so I could get my bread and leave. Writing this now, I’m pretty ashamed of 6-year-old me, but you know it’s the truth. As a kid, religion and God seemed like a fairytale, and although I could completely get behind fairy tales like Snow White, God was a “fairytale” I couldn’t

believe in. My eeriness toward God stayed with me until less than a year ago. For a long while, I denied God’s existence but didn’t consider myself an atheist. To me, the term “atheist” was too real and was a religion of its own — an anti-religion of sorts. In my eyes, I didn’t give enough thought to God to declare myself a wholehearted non-believer. After three years of Catholic school were behind me, I made a plan to dodge the religion and God question as much as possible… which was harder than expected. I don’t know my non-religiousness attracted religious people, but ever since leaving Catholic school behind, the majority of my close friends have been religious. After I left Catholic school and landed in public school, my best friend was Taylor, an adamant Catholic. My middle school best friend was a Buddhist, and my high school best friend was raised as and still very much is Christian. Seeing them, I began to question my passiveness towards religion. It took a whopping three religious best friends to finally wear me down, but winter break of last year, I started figuring the religion thing out. Over break, I went to my friend’s church and emailed the leaders of IMPACT, a black Christian bible group on campus. From there, I joined NU’s IMPACT and Cru, a Christian organization on campus. But it hasn’t been easy. It’s been an emotionally hard process.

And when the going gets tough and I’m challenged on the topic of religion, I don’t fight. I flight. And little 1st grade me got that skill down very well. For spring quarter, I had practically thrown in the towel on figuring out God. I went to Cru and IMPACT on a sporadic basis, stopped opening the Bible and refused to pray to Him. But through the many tears and confusion, there’s been beauty. Instead of standing in the middle of the faith spectrum not believing but also not fully not believing, I’ve taken it upon myself to put 6-year-old me aside and choose. And I’ve chosen Christianity. And I definitely still struggle here and there, but through this, I’ve gotten stronger. I’m no longer defined by the stance 6-year-old me took. Our child-self is the creator of a lot of the beliefs we hold true — more than we would like to admit. Ask yourself the question, “What outdated stance am I still defined by?” And instead of taking the easy way out, change it.

Cassidy Jackson is a Medill sophomore. She can be contacted at cassidyjackson2021@u.northwestern.edu. If you would like to respond publicly to this column, send a Letter to the Editor to opinion@dailynorthwestern. com. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.

how unique and interesting every population of individuals is. As a high school student, I could not begin to accurately envision the experiences of people living 30 years ago, nevermind 50 or 70 years back. Speaking with members of an older generation bridged that gap and taught me not to judge by appearance or the opinions of others. There’s a perception that the elderly are outdated and disconnected with the present. In reality, parallels exist between their multitude of life experiences and ours today. They faced many of the challenges we faced as teenagers and experienced many of the same emotions, just years earlier. I encourage everyone to see through those preconceived notions by reaching out to an elderly individual in their community, allotting time to dive below surface-level conversations and giving that person undivided attention. I was astounded by all the elderly had to give, and everything that I had to offer in return. Kathryn Augustine is a Medill freshman. She can be contacted at kathrynaugustine2022@u.northwestern.edu. If you would like to respond publicly to this column, send a Letter to the Editor to opinion@dailynorthwestern.com. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.

The Daily Northwestern Volume 139, Issue 41 Editor in Chief Nora Shelly Managing Editors Troy Closson Jonah Dylan

Opinion Editors Alex Schwartz Marissa Martinez Assistant Opinion Editor Cassidy Jackson

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR may be sent to 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, via fax at 847-491-9905, via e-mail to opinion@ dailynorthwestern.com or by dropping a letter in the box outside The Daily office. Letters have the following requirements: • Should be typed and double-spaced • Should include the author’s name, signature, school, class and phone number. • Should be fewer than 300 words They will be checked for authenticity and may be edited for length, clarity, style and grammar. Letters, columns and cartoons contain the opinion of the authors, not Students Publishing Co. Inc. Submissions signed by more than three people must include at least one and no more than three names designated to represent the group. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of The Daily’s student editorial board and not the opinions of either Northwestern University or Students Publishing Co. Inc.

THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN | NEWS 5

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

Big Ten design challenge kicks off NU students, Students submit renovation ideas for a space on Main Library’s 1st floor By ALEX WONG

the daily northwestern @alexalwwong

Student teams submitted their designs on Wednesday for the inaugural Big Ten Student Design Challenge. The challenge, created by the Big Ten Academic Alliance in partnership with furniture-maker Herman Miller, asked students to design the renovation of Project Room A in Main Library 1 South. Students teamed up in groups of three or four, and the winning team from the Big Ten teams will receive $2,000 and have their proposal built with furniture provided by Herman Miller. Harlan Wallach, Northwestern’s IT services and support director, worked with BTAA and Herman Miller to create the challenge. Each year the challenge will revolve around redesigning a different space, such as common rooms and classrooms, Wallach said. The annual competition represents a large-scale opportunity for students to apply design skills outside of coursework in design classes to shape a campus study space. “That’s for me the most exciting part — we’re turning to the students to ask them to inform us and define what an informal learning space would look like,” Wallach said. “I have the greatest confidence

in our students to deliver something pretty special.” After one team is chosen from every Big Ten university, judges will select three to go on a twoday trip to the Herman Miller headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The three teams will present their proposals and receive feedback before submitting a revised version of their designs to be judged, after which one will be chosen as the winner, Wallach said. McCormick senior Vivien Ng, a manufacturing and design engineering major, said she saw the competition as a rare chance to work with interior design. Early on, her team of three gathered in Project Room A to understand what the glass-walled study space lacked and create a theme for their design, she said. “I’m pretty excited,” Ng said. “It’s not common that students get the chance to design an interior space — you need to have your own house and decorate it yourself, or you need a license. It’s a good opportunity for people to exercise their design skills and add designs to their portfolio.” Ng’s team began brainstorming layouts after they talked to students in a shortened user research process. Ng said they found that students wanted a flexible room that accommodated group and individual work and had a “light and minimalist feel” without having an atmosphere that feels too sterile. Pam Daniels, a clinical assistant professor and

design innovator in residence and a judge for submissions from Northwestern students, said she was excited for students to apply their design skills “beyond what the classroom requires them.” She said she hopes the challenge will push the University toward broader engagement with students on design across the campus. “The bigger lesson for the university I hope will be the notion of, ‘Wow, maybe we should engage students in the design process — what if we cocreated with our users?’” Daniels said. “I’d love to see that happen for everything about the way the university works — to have it be more invitational, participatory and user-centered.” Daniels said she hopes that in future years, the challenge will move beyond interior design to other disciplines like visual design for websites or graphics. Students could be pushed further with more innovative prompts, she said, such as designing specifically for people with disabilities or professors. “A lot of the design work we do is across lines of difference — you might be helping someone who suffered a stroke and lost used of one arm learn how to fish again,” Daniels said. “That’s probably not a problem that many of our students have faced, and giving them that opportunity to design for someone who’s not them is very powerful.” alexwong2022@u.northwestern.edu

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nonprofit partner to tackle issues By WILSON CHAPMAN

daily senior staffer @wilsonchapman10

Before he took Design 401-3: Service Design, Enes Umur, a McCormick graduate student working with the Segal Design Institute, didn’t really think much about food waste or food rescue. Through this class, he learned about an important issue he was unfamiliar with, and discovered how he could make a difference. “This is one of the classes I’m super grateful for,” Umur said, “and this partnership is an amazing opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a really different shoe.” The Service Design class is taught by McCormick Prof. Amy O’Keefe, who heads the Human-Centered Service Design Studio. The winter 2018 edition of the course — which teaches how design methods and operations for can be used by charitable organizations — partnered with Feeding America to look at ways to rescue food from retail to address food insecurity and cut down on waste. Students in the class were split into several groups, each of which designed their own method to address this problem. Umur’s group outlined an idea for a system called NeighbourFood.The program connects people in food insecure areas to act as delivery people who pick up food about to be thrown out from pantries. Delivery people then bring the rescued food to people who do not have the ability to travel to pantries, such as the disabled, elderly, or low-income. Chris Datsikas, Umur’s classmate, said the group spent a large amount of time working out how to make the service successful. The group visited food pantries and stores, he said, and spoke to workers there to determine the best way to solve the issue. They also worked in collaboration with the innovation team at Feeding America to see what the nonprofit needed. The class, Datsikas said, and the experience was so fulfilling because it was focused on building up the empathy of students who took it, and fortifying their passion for an issue through a deep dive into it. What was particularly impactful, he added, were his group’s frequent visits to food pantries — where he met many who were stuck in desperate circumstances. Datsikas said he believed Feeding America — the third-largest nonprofit in the country — also benefited from the partnership because, as young researchers, the students involved helped bring fresh approaches to the issues the nonprofit faces. “At its core, our program focuses on human centered design,” Datsikas said. NeighbourFood proved to be the most successful of the programs designed in the class. O’Keefe said the program was one of 12 that received an award last month from the Design Management Institute, an international organization that connects designers to businesses. O’Keefe added that NeighbourFood set itself apart from the other programs pitched in the class because it ultimately proved to be both the most economical and practical. The program, she said, is helpful for her students; it allows them to understand how to apply the things they learn behind desks to tangible issues. By giving them the chance to work with longtime professionals, they can better prepare themselves for their future post-graduation. “It’s really great,” O’Keefe said, “for the students to have the opportunity to engage in real world problems.” wilsonchapman2021@u.northwestern.edu

OFFER ENDS 11/30/18

Source: Northwestern

A student presents ideas to Feeding America representatives. NeighbourFood proved to be the most successful of the programs designed in the class.

6 NEWS | THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

CLOSET

From page 1 demand or expect you dress a certain way and you don’t have the economic resources, NCA is here to make sure you have all the tools you need to be successful in your interviews,” she said. The opening of the Closet has also allowed NCA staff to interact with and advise students in a different setting where they can tailor their advice to specific interviews and situations, Corbin and Harclerode said. Staff can help explain concepts — like what business casual constitutes — that students might not understand. “It’s been fun to talk to students and cheer them on as they’re preparing for what’s next and also talk to them about professional attire,” Harclerode said, “because for a lot of students this is the very first time they might be stepping out to do something that would require more

professional dress.” The service follows a student initiative a few years ago called NU Threads, where students could borrow professional attire for interviews. Corbin said ‘Cats Closet is still a separate entity and operates differently because students don’t need to return clothes, but the Closet pays a kind of “homage” to NU Threads, which became dormant after its organizers graduated. All clothes in the Closet are donated and mostly come from faculty, alumni and other members of the Northwestern community, Corbin said. Over this past spring and summer, Corbin started gathering clothes and planning the service’s launch. This fall, the Closet wasn’t an actual physical space and operated as a pop-up in an NCA conference or interview room. When not operating, clothes would be stored in unused spaces at the NCA office.

Student Enrichment Services director Kourtney Cockrell said she appreciated NCA supporting low-income students, something she hopes more parts of the University will focus on. “NCA is a fabulous partner and I love that they continue thinking about how to support all students and certainly low-income students,” she said. “Any added expense around clothing is a significant burden.” Corbin and Harclerode said they hope ‘Cats Closet will continue to expand, eventually getting its own permanent space and partnering with companies to receive donated clothes. “I have big plans for ‘Cats Closet,” Corbin said, laughing. “We’re doing our very best to keep it accessible and meet demands.”

the board in terms of programs, as well as for taxpayers, but it’s good work that’s been done,” he said. karisch@u.northwestern.edu

wilsonchapman2021@u.northwestern.edu

Alex Wong contributed reporting. dvesurai@u.northwestern.edu

From page 1

Daily file photo by Katie Pach

Evanston Fire Chief Brian Scott at a meeting. Following the city’s approval of its 2019 operating budget, EFD Station 4 will remain open in Evanston.

to deal with the budget but it shouldn’t be on the backs of police and fire.” Mayor Steve Hagerty said at the the Nov. 19 meeting that the budget is “not perfect.” “There is sacrifice that has been made across

From page 1

information to prevent any in the future. However, Ashcroft said he believes one of the problems with the debate at the time was that the two concepts were treated separately when they, in reality, work in tandem with one another. He said while he believes liberty is the core value of humanity, security is essential to preserving liberty. “The real purpose for security is to secure liberty,” Ashcroft said. “Not to counterweight it, not to be against it, but to give it real meaning.” College Republicans president Marco Laudati introduced Ashcroft and spoke briefly about his accomplishments, including his work as Governor of Missouri for 8 years U.S. Senator toward the late 1990s, as well as his term as Attorney General from 2001 to 2005. “Nice of you in your kind introduction not to mention all of the elections I’ve lost,” Ashcroft said, laughing. “This is what politics is: you have your ups and downs, and a lot of different things happen. But it’s a great opportunity to shape and mold and otherwise reinforce the values you think are important to the culture. And that’s the reason I’m grateful for the opportunity to be involved.” Ashcroft said recent discussions regarding whether the Justice Department has been abusing its power by infringing on the rights of Americans is worthwhile. He also said, however, he believed surveillance and intelligence gathering is in many ways important to preserving the liberty of U.S. citizens, by preventing disasters from occurring and ensuring we continue to live in a free democracy. Laudati said College Republicans chose to bring Ashcroft to campus this year as a part of their goal of bringing more speakers that held positions in the natural federal government. The speech was interesting, he felt, especially because of Ashcroft’s discussion about his tenure as Attorney General. Dominic Bayer, College Republicans secretary of events and a former Daily columnist, added he was excited for Ashcroft to speak at the event, due to his strong career. Ashcroft illustrated how the Department of Justice should function, the Weinberg junior said, and he himself agreeing with what Ashcroft was saying. “The DOJ is there to enforce the laws that we have on the books, in order to preserve the freedoms of Americans,” he said. “I think that’s that’s something that’s very important to remember, especially when certain people on the fringes of both parties want to politicize the Department of Justice to push an agenda.”

EFD

to ensure it operates “as efficient as possible while maintaining critical service levels to the community.” Scott told The Daily in October that if the station were to close, he feared the result would be a “cascade effect” throughout the city. “I would always caution the Council in looking at the fire department as a production-type model,” Scott said at a November City Council meeting. “What we need to look at is its resiliency. … Certainly, the number of fires we go to isn’t a lot compared to the overall calls we respond to, but when those fires occur, we need the requisite amount of people.” Scott said that if Station 4 were to close, the response times in the area currently served would generally have increased by around 50 percent if all on-duty firefighters in the area are available and in station. The current response time in Evanston is on average three minutes and 15 seconds, well below the national average of four minutes. The closure, Scott said, would have added roughly one to two minutes of response time to calls. During a Nov. 5 council meeting, aldermen overwhelmingly opposed the possible station closure, referring to the increased response times and also pointing out the fact that many residents rely on firefighters — who in Evanston are cross-trained as paramedics and whose vehicles are supplied with medical equipment — for medical care. EFD’s call volume has increased by 51 percent over the past 35 years, and Scott said he expects it to increase by 2 percent per year moving forward. Ald. Judy Fiske (1st) said during the meeting that she knows the city has to “find a way

ASHCROFT

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ACROSS 1 Mary Oliver, e.g. 5 Tweak 11 Obliterate in a flash 14 Prefix with sphere 15 Self-moving vacuum 16 “I __ you one” 17 High-tech classroom 19 Starchy grain 20 Bygone Persian rulers 21 Long-jawed fish 22 Present 23 Fighter at the Olympics 27 Man-horse hybrid 30 Synagogue reading 31 Country between Vietnam and Thailand 32 Quaint contraction 34 Type of coffee or whiskey 37 Congressional statute 38 Military IDs ... or what 17-, 23-, 51and 61-Across have 41 Life highlights, briefly 42 Moby-Dick, e.g. 44 Hula strings 45 Pungent quality 46 Rice dish 49 “The Shawshank Redemption” extras 51 Court long shot 54 __ hog 55 Org. whose returns were never sales 56 Get to 60 Trellis climber 61 Astute attorney 64 Golf peg, or where it’s used 65 Long cold spell 66 Image in a botanical print 67 Make a typo, say 68 Litter box visitor 69 Pre-Easter season DOWN 1 D.C. influence gps. 2 “However,” in tweets

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3 “Handsome, clever, and rich” Jane Austen character 4 Headwear with tails 5 Works on walls 6 Stag’s mate 7 Longtime Univision news anchor Ramos 8 Two dots above a vowel 9 Pizza chain in many food courts 10 Bar bill 11 Madagascar!, in the Bronx 12 In the know 13 Pan in Neverland 18 Inst. with the fight song “On, Brave Old Army Team” 22 Frost 24 Jay-Z’s “D.O.A. (Death of __-Tune)” 25 H.S. subject that covers all the angles? 26 Jewish ritual 27 Jaguar’s weapon 28 Individually 29 “Fat chance!”

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THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN | NEWS 7

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

ACROSS CAMPUSES ‘This should never have happened’: University of Maryland freshman dies from adenovirus BALTIMORE — A freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, died Sunday of complications from adenovirus, and her family is questioning whether the university which has seen several cases of the illness could have done more to prevent her death and whether it was related to a mold outbreak in some dorms. Olivia Paregol, an 18-year-old from Glenwood in Howard County, had been sick since early in the semester, when she first developed a cough. Her condition worsened and she contracted pneumonia. After leaving school, she was taken to the emergency room multiple times before she died at Johns Hopkins Hospital, said her father, Ian Paregol. In a letter to the campus community acknowledging the death of a student, the university said that six cases of “adenovirus-associated illness” have been confirmed on the College Park campus. “We offer our condolences during this difficult time,” the university’s health director, Dr. David McBride, wrote. “While we are normally prohibited from sharing medical information publicly, we have been authorized by a family member to share this news and urge others to take seriously this strain of a common virus.”

ACROSS CAMPUSES Charges filed against ex-TCU student accused of forcing pledges to take 15 vodka drinks

FORT WORTH, Texas — Two hazing charges have been filed against a former Texas Christian University student who is accused of forcing pledges to take 15 drinks of vodka and eat expired guacamole, according to Tarrant County court records. Christopher Thorne Barksdale of Memphis, Tenn., and an ex-member of Kappa Sigma was charged last month with hazing and hazing causing serious bodily injury. He was arrested in September after paramedics and TCU police were alerted that a freshman student had blacked out after drinking alcohol, according to an arrest warrant. In the same case, fellow TCU classmate Andrew Peter Walker, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon also was arrested in September and faced similar

The virus, which has more than 50 strains, can cause illnesses ranging from common colds to pneumonia. Fever, diarrhea, intestinal infections and neurological diseases are also possible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Serious conditions stemming from adenovirus are rare, but they are more common in people with compromised immune systems, according to the CDC. Olivia Paregol was at risk because medication she was taking to combat Crohn’s disease weakened her immune system, her father said. The CDC, the Maryland Department of Health and the Prince George’s County Health Department are investigating the outbreak on campus. Brian Bachus, chief of the state health department’s division of outbreak investigations, said the state health department first became aware of the campus outbreak Nov. 12, after the Prince George’s County Health Department reported it to his team. It’s not unusual for a university to experience an adenovirus outbreak around this time of year, he said. “It’s not always known when there’s an outbreak on campus because people are going to different physicians,” Bachus said. “It probably happens more frequently than we’re aware.” The CDC and Prince George’s County Health Department did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

To stem the spread of adenovirus, the university health center, residential buildings, transportation services, recreation centers and student union are increasing cleaning of “high-touch surfaces” and restrooms, according to the health center. And the school’s dining services are changing self-service utensils every 15 minutes. Ian Paregol said his daughter came down with a cough several weeks into the semester, her first at the College Park campus, where she was studying criminology. She visited the University Health Center several times as her condition worsened, he said. Ian Paregol said he’s trying to understand whether her condition was exacerbated by a mold outbreak on the campus this fall. Olivia lived in Elkton Hall, one of the dorms that students were evacuated from so crews could treat the buildings for mold. “Every kid in that dorm is sick,” Ian Paregol said. McBride’s letter says the university learned of the first adenovirus case Nov. 1, and since then five additional cases have been reported. On Monday, the university learned the CDC identified one case as adenovirus 7, a strain that can cause more severe illness, the letter says. “Vigilance is extremely important for those with chronic medical problems like asthma, diabetes or illnesses that lower your immune system or if you take medicine that lowers your immune

system,” McBride wrote in the letter. “It is vitally important not to ignore these symptoms and visit a physician within 48 hours of developing symptoms.” He was not available for further comment. In an FAQ about adenovirus on the University Health Center’s website, the center said there was not a clear link between mold found in dorms and adenovirus. “While it is true that mold can cause irritation of the respiratory tract and make individuals more susceptible to viral infections in general, the cases of adenovirus-associated illness on campus have been seen both in students living on and off campus and among students in residence halls affected by mold and not,” the FAQ says. “As such, it appears that there is no consistent connection between mold exposure and the incidents of adenovirus infection affecting UMD students.” Besides the mold, Paregol said he’s more concerned about whether the university knew there were students on campus with adenovirus before his daughter contracted the virus, particularly because she visited the health center frequently, and the medication she took for Crohn’s suppressed her immune system. Paregol said the health center should have known Olivia was at risk because the center received and dispensed her medication.

hazing charges but he committed suicide Oct. 25 when he jumped from the fourth floor of a parking garage on the university campus, police said. Barksdale was free Wednesday on $2,000 bail. Barksdale or his attorney Regan Wynn of Fort Worth could not be reached Wednesday for comment. If convicted, Barksdale, 19, faces a maximum of a year in jail on the Class A misdemeanor charge of hazing causing serious bodily injury. The hazing charge is a Class B misdemeanor and the maximum with conviction is 180 days in jail. In September, Barksdale lived at the TCU Kappa Sigma chapter house, according to an arrest warrant. He is no longer a student, according to TCU officials. Initially, Kappa Sigma was suspended on campus, TCU officials said. “The fraternity has been returned to limited operations while they complete an educational development plan,” said Holly Ellman, a

spokeswoman for TCU in an email. Barksdale is accused of forcing pledges to take 10 to 15 drinks of vodka and eat expired guacamole during a hazing incident at TCU, according to the arrest warrant. One pledge ultimately blacked out, while the second was left intoxicated in his dorm room, according to the warrant. The pledges were ordered to the Kappa Sigma fraternity house on Sept. 3 and told to bring a “handle” of Tito’s vodka. A “handle” refers to a 1.75 liter bottle of vodka. The order was sent by a text message from a cell phone owned by Barksdale. The pledges arrived shortly after 4 p.m. on Sept. 3 with a bottle of vodka. The freshmen were introduced to Walker and a sorority member, and directed to Barksdale’s room on the second floor. Barksdale called one pledge into a bathroom, handed him a beer and told him to drink the beer as fast as possible.

After that, Barksdale emptied a bottle of decorative sprinkles, and the pledges were ordered to sort them. If they failed to complete the task in a timely manner, they were forced to drink vodka. Barksdale and Walker yelled at the pledges as they tried to sort the sprinkles and ordered them to drink vodka. One pledge was later found unconscious in Barksdale’s room and another Kappa Sigma member believed that pledge had died. Members called an ambulance and the pledge was taken to a hospital. The second pledge was walked to his room and left intoxicated. The September incident was at least the third reported hazing incident at the university since 2016. In December 2017, the Delta Tau Delta fraternity chapter at TCU was suspended for hazing, according to the fraternity’s national office.

— Sarah Meehan (The Baltimore Sun/TNS)

— Domingo Ramirez Jr. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS)

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SPORTS

ON DECK NOV.

ON THE RECORD

We will come out of this as a University, I’m confident in it.

Wrestling CKLV Invitational, Friday and Saturday

— Jim Phillips, atheltic director

@DailyNU_Sports

Wednesday, November 28,2018

MEN’S BASKETBALL

NU eyes venegence versus Georgia Tech By ANDREW GOLDEN

daily senior staffer @andrewcgolden

Daily file photo by Katie Pach

After losing on a buzzer beater to Georgia Tech last November, Northwestern will look for vengeance in this year’s ACC-Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday. After winning two games at the Wooden L egac y Tournament this past weekend, the Wildcats (5-1) are preparing for their first high-profile matchup of the year against the Yellow Jackets (4-1). Despite playing Georgia Tech just a year ago, the Yellow Jackets’ roster has had a lot of turnover since the last time NU saw them. Three of their top four scorers from last season either graduated or declared for the NBA Draft and went pro. The only remaining scorer who scored double-digits last year was

sophomore guard Jose Alvarado. Despite those losses, the Yellow Jackets, through four games, have had a better offense than last season, increasing their scoring from 65.7 to 71.4 points per game, while shooting 43.5 percent from the field. Georgia Tech’s offense is a balanced attack, as 12 of its 16 players have scored this season. Along with Alvarado, they are led by graduate guard Brandon Alston, who leads the team with 13.0 points per game. In order for NU to come out victorious, the Cats will have to stick to their strength, which coach Chris Collins said is playing tight defense. “Our defense has got to be our calling card,” Collins said. “I think we have very good length. We have big guards and big wings. We also have an active big man in (Dererk) Pardon. I think we can be a team with deflections that can cause some turnovers.” In four of the Cats six games this season, NU has held its opponent to under 60 points. In their lone defeat against Fresno State, the Cats gave

VOLLEYBALL

Writers ruminate about season By MANASA PAGADALA and ANDY MARQUARDT the daily northwestern @andy_marquardt

Despite an up-and-down season, Northwestern (16-16, 6-14 Big Ten) finished the year with the team’s best record since 2014. The Wildcats also won six conference games, the most in a single year during coach Shane Davis’ tenure. With NU’s concluding this past weekend, The Daily’s volleyball writers convened to put the 2018 campaign in perspective. What is the main takeaway from the 2018 season? Andy Marquardt: The Cats entered their second-consecutive season with a top-25 recruiting class in the country. NU had high hopes for improvement, and, in large part, delivered. Despite a tough start to conference play in which seven of their first eight opponents were nationally ranked, the Cats finished out the season winning six of their last twelve conference matches. During that stretch, the Cats swept Ohio State for the first time in years and had impressive road victories against Iowa and the Buckeyes. Manasa Pagadala: The Cats definitely had a difficult start to the season, especially when they started playing Big Ten teams and had eight consecutive losses. But the season has been all about improvement and training a very young team to square up against tough opponents. The season really had a turning point after their first two wins against Michigan State and Iowa. They boosted their aggression with attacking and tried new lineups to give second-time opponents a better fight. Each loss was a learning experience, and some players truly shined when tested. It was nice to see freshman players like outsider hitter Abryanna Cannon and libero Michelle Lee step up to the challenge and show

consistent improvement from the first game to the last.

Where did NU show its biggest improvement throughout the season? Marquardt: A major one over the course of the season was that in the second half of conference play, NU began to win the games it was supposed to win, a testament to the growth and development of the program throughout the year. The Cats dropped early matches against Indiana (16-15, 7-13) and Iowa (15-16, 7-13), two programs very similar to NU. By the time the Cats faced these programs later in the season, however, they were able to take care of business and come away with victories. This wasn’t an accident, but evidence of the leaps NU took as the season progressed. Pagadala: The main improvement can be seen from their Big Ten opener to their final game. To win against Indiana, a team NU struggled to defeat in the beginning of the season, a team has to strive for genuine improvement in performance. In the final game of the campaign, a 3-1 victory over the Hoosiers, the Cats ended with 18.5 blocks, the highest in a single game since 2016 against Lipscomb. Additionally, they racked up the fifth-most block assists in all of NU history and sophomores setter Britt Bommer, sophomore outside hitter Nia Robinson and sophomore middle hitter Alana Walker all had game-high assists, kills, and blocks, respectively. Teams like Iowa and Indiana are also young which shows that the Cats can deliver a resilient performance when faced with a worthy opponent. Even against highly ranked teams like Penn State and Michigan, the statistics show the aggression that all the players put forth. It took their first victory to gain confidence and from there, the team really put forth their best effort for every game.

How can the Cats make continue their rise from the bottom of the Big Ten heading into next year? Marquardt: The Cats this year were almost entirely comprised of underclassmen. Without a single senior on the roster, and only four juniors, NU had one of its youngest teams in years. The Cats’ youth gave them an opportunity in 2018 for impact freshman such as Cannon to gain exposure to Big Ten play, and take impressive steps in their attacking and blocking. With the experience gained this year, NU will look to continue to improve through its core of underclassmen, who will have another year to practice together and prepare for daunting Big Ten opponents like Illinois and Minnesota. The Cats’ 2019 recruiting class is highlighted by Temi Thomas-Ailara, an Illinois native who was just selected to represent Team East for the 2018 Under Armour All-America match by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Thomas-Ailara is one of four recruits that will look to improve NU’s program next season. Pagadala: With a freshmen-heavy team, it’s necessary to expose them to the competition so they can experience a challenging environment and learn how to approach a match. Head Coach Shane Davis mentioned that this season is about “molding a young team” and “trying to play off each player’s strengths and weaknesses on the court.” As these new players faced off against Big Ten opponents, they optimized their aggression and were able to accumulate higher attacking and blocking numbers over time. Next year, with a year under their belt and more freshmen talent on the team, the Cats will have a better game plan for their approach against highlyranked Big Ten teams. manasapagadala2021@u.northwestern.edu andrewmarquardt2021@u.northwestern.edu

up 78 points, allowed the Bulldogs to shoot 50 percent from the field and had a season-low three steals to go along with a dismal two blocks. One of the vital parts to NU’s defense so far this season has been sophomore guard Anthony Gaines. The 6-foot-4 guard has been a huge spark off the bench in Collins’ rotation so far this season, ranking second on the team with six blocks and fourth in steals with four. In addition, he added 11 points in the Wildcats’ last game against Utah. “It’s just a role I’ve played by whole career,” Gaines said. “Being an energy guy, specifically on the defensive end. (It’s) something I think I get my teammates riled up with.” Coach Collins said he has enjoyed what Gaines has brought from not only an energy perspective, but a skill perspective. The Wildcats has also seen contributions from their elderly teammates — Jordan Ash, Vic Law, Pardon and Ryan Taylor — defensively. The four seniors have combined to swipe 19 of NU’s 37 steals and swat 12 of the

Wildcats’ 23 blocks. If NU wants a different result from a year ago, it will have to rely on that defense that has held its opponents to 61 points per game all season and look to its seniors to produce not only on the defensive end, but on the other side of the ball as well. Law, Pardon and Taylor have combined scored 43.8 points a game this season and Law, in his first season as the primary option on offense, has increased his scoring from last season by 6.5 points. Every game for the Cats is crucial, especially for the team’s confidence, but this win could go a long way in terms of NCAA Tournament implications. “We’ve got an ACC Challenge coming up,” Collins said after beating Utah. “You want to try and build your resume… Everyone always wants to do something in March but, a lot of times you don’t realize that the games you have in November can help you get to that point.” andrewgolden2021@u.northwestern.edu

ATHLETICS

AD Phillips talks about budget deficit By PETER WARREN

daily senior staffer @thepeterwarren

With only a few weeks left in the year, The Daily’s sports desk sat down with athletic director Jim Phillips ahead of the Big Ten Championship Game, where No. 21 Northwestern will play the No. 6 Ohio State with a potential birth in the Rose Bowl on the line. With the Game wrapping up a year that also featured the opening of the Walter Athletics Center and reopening of Welsh-Ryan Arena, Phillips talked about the affects the University’s budget deficit has had on the athletic department. His answers have been edited for length and clarity. The Daily: How has the University’s overall budget deficit affected the athletic department? Phillips: It has affected us greatly in the sense that we have taken an 8-10 percent cut across all our sports, across all of our programs. So we have felt the same pinch as the rest of the University. The facilities have been funded privately. That’s the difference. I think sometimes there can be a little bit of misconception. The facility projects have been donor funded. We’ve had the same kind of tightening of the belt to the tune of, again, 8-10 percent. Our coaches have been great. Our staff has been great. It’s what the entire University have done so we should feel the same effects. And so you look at where you can trim your budget some, you look at where you can reduce expenses, where you can reduce some of your costs. I’m proud of how the staff has rallied about it. I had a really important conversation

with them last spring that this was coming and that we all needed to do our share. The Daily: Where has some of that trimming come from? Phillips: Well if you look at some staffing in certain programs, travel expenses, some just operational expenses. We really didn’t try to tell each of the units or each of the programs where we wanted it to come from, we tried to listen to them where they thought that some of those cuts should come from. In one program, it may have been travel. In one program, it could have been operational. In one program, it could have been staffing. When you have the department we have with 240-plus employees, which is only a fraction of what the University has, I think you have to listen to them as much as you can to see where it makes sense. We will come out of this as a University, I’m confident in it. I think universities just go through the periods of growth and reduction and we just happened to be in a time where we are trying to reduce a little bit. The Daily: Those cuts, who are making the decisions? Is it the coaches for those programs? Phillips: It’s kind of a shared conversation. Ultimately, it is my decision whether I would accept where they were asking to take that 8-10 percent from but it’s really been collaborative. I just think that’s been our culture here and the kinds of people we have here. Nobody’s fighting it. Everybody understands that we have to do our part as a department, both in athletics and in recreation. peterwarren2021@u.northwestern.edu