The Daily Northwestern – November 2, 2017

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The Daily Northwestern Thursday, November 2, 2017

DAILYNORTHWESTERN.COM

A&E

arts & entertainment

NU to premiere Sondheim musical as fall mainstage

Find us online @thedailynu 8 SPORTS/Volleyball

Cats lose in straight sets to Fighting Illini

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‘Bell Curve’ author talks Trump, race Charles Murray speaks to about 50 students in Parkes By TIM BALK

daily senior staffer @timbalk

Political scientist Charles Murray, whose appearances have sparked rowdy protests on some college campuses, spoke Wednesday about the conditions that led to President Donald Trump’s election and criticized what he called “toxic” identity politics at an event hosted by College Republicans. The author of “The Bell Curve,” a book that suggests a connection between race and intelligence, spoke to about 50 students in Parkes Hall. During his remarks, Murray said deterioration in the status of working-class white men helped lead to the election of Trump, whom he opposed. He also fielded questions from the audience, some of which centered on his controversial views about race. “Identity politics, in all the ways it is practiced, is toxic,” Murray said. “Now you’ve got … white guys who are saying, ‘If it’s OK for them, it’s OK for us.’ I do not see an optimistic way out of it.” The event had a significant police presence. College

Republicans president David Donnelly praised attendees for not interrupting or disrupting, and told The Daily that the lack of incidents at events hosted by College Republicans is his “proudest thing about Northwestern.” During the Q&A, Murray was asked about the perception that he is racist. Murray responded by quoting from the text of “The Bell Curve” — co-authored with Richard Herrnstein — which claims it is likely that neither genetic nor environmental explanations exclusively account for racial differences in IQ but leaves open which is of greater importance. “That is the sum total of Charles Murray and Dick Herrnstein’s racist diatribe,” Murray said. In the final question, Communication freshman Delia Cunningham told Murray she disagreed with his notion of American exceptionalism. She asked him why he cares “so much more deeply about that tradition than about the rights and dignities and opportunities afforded to people of color and women?” In response, Murray told her that she came across as “a very angry woman who is not going to care about anything I say.” Elaborating on his position » See MURRAY, page 6

Katie Pach/Daily Senior Staffer

Joe Biden speaks in Chicago on Wednesday. The former vice president said he is optimistic about the future of America despite an adverse political climate.

Biden addresses foreign policy

Former vice president speaks to hundreds at event in Chicago By RYAN WANGMAN

daily senior staffer @ryanwangman

CHICAGO — Former Vice President Joe Biden’s granddaughter convinced him to partake in a polar plunge in 38-degree weather with five simple words: “My pop can do

anything.” Even in the face of an adverse political climate, Biden is convinced America can do anything, too. “Just get up (and) look at who the hell we are,” Biden said Wednesday at an event hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. “We have the human capacity to

meet challenges with ingenuity, to reinvent, to reconceive. It’s limitless. This is America.” Biden spoke to hundreds at the event — held at the Palmer House Hilton — about the “dark path” the current presidential administration is following that threatens to isolate the U.S. on the global stage. Biden said current foreign

policy is “closed and clammish,” and global affairs are becoming a competition where other countries must fail for the United States to succeed. President Donald Trump abandoned the Obamaera Trans-Pacific Partnership in January as part of his » See BIDEN, page 6

ASG undergoes background check CAPS unveils new Representatives’ records checked for sexual assault, misconduct

‘Breathe’ appears on NUHelp app for student usage

By SAMANTHA HANDLER

the daily northwestern @sn_handler

To ensure accountability for sexual misconduct, Associated Student Government members underwent their first Student Conduct Records Check on Wednesday — a quarterly process following a code change last year. ASG’s adviser will review records to see if members have been found responsible for sexual assault or misconduct. Chief of staff Lars Benson said members will not be automatically removed if they have been found responsible, but they will have a conversation with the ASG adviser. The Weinberg senior added that only the adviser will review the records. “In light of really widespread campus concern last academic year about sexual assault and misconduct, ASG stood forward and we kind of took this commitment where student groups should ensure that their members are not predators or guilty of sexual

stress relief portal By ALLY MAUCH

daily senior staffer @allymauch

Rachel Kupfer/The Daily Northwestern

Weinberg senior Daniel Wu, the vice president for A-status finances, presents committee recommendations for fall supplemental funding. Senators will vote on funding next week.

assault or misconduct,” Benson said. The code change, passed in March, mandates any ASG member found responsible by the University for sexual misconduct or assault to resign from their position.

Serving the University and Evanston since 1881

Senators passed the code change following a report of alleged druggings and sexual assault at Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity last winter. After an investigation, the University announced in March it would not pursue

disciplinary action. Speaker of the Senate Daniella Lumpkin told The Daily the code change complies with Northwestern policy because no student can be involved in » See SENATE, page 6

Counseling and Psychological Services has expanded its stress management programming this year to include Breathe, a mobile portal featuring guided meditations for students. Breathe, which appears on the NUHelp app, features four subsections: stress response, test anxiety, sleep and one titled “I’m Overwhelmed” to reduce panic and increase positive emotions. CAPS psychologist Cindy McKinzie, who spearheaded the initiative, said CAPS started creating Breathe during Winter Quarter 2016, later unveiling it during Wildcat Welcome this September. Monika Gutkowska, a CAPS psychologist and assistant director for outreach and education, said it was important for CAPS to launch Breathe in time for the

new academic year. “We really wanted to make sure that new students coming in were going to be introduced to it during the True Northwestern Dialogues,” Gutkowska said. “Every single person, I think, struggles with finding a moment for themselves for relaxation and we’re trying to really promote that it’s OK to take that time out.” CAPS will update the Breathe portal throughout the year with new programs to continue serving students, McKinzie said. She said updates will include a section for graduate and professional students, a section for students of color and a section dedicated to Body Acceptance Week in February. McKinzie said she wanted to make Breathe quick and easy to use to accommodate students’ busy schedules. The shortest meditation is about six minutes long, she said, and the longest, designed to help users fall asleep, is about 30 minutes. “Anything you can do for just a couple minutes here and there » See CAPS, page 6

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


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