Subcommittee votes to cut ties with animal nonprofit » PAGE 2
sports Women’s Golf Cats take 3rd in Puerto Rico season opener » PAGE 8
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The Daily Northwestern DAILYNORTHWESTERN.COM
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Find us online @thedailynu
Colter testifies at NLRB hearing By Alex Putterman
daily senior staffer @AlexPutt02
Ina Yang/Daily Senior Staffer
THAT SUITS YOU Northwestern alum Meghan Markle (Communication ‘03) speaks at Ryan Auditorium on Tuesday night as part of the college tour for “Suits.” Markle plays Rachel Zane on the show.
‘Suits’ cast visits campus By ina yang
daily senior staffer @CaptainIna0328
About 600 fans of the USA Network series “Suits” filled the Ryan Auditorium on Tuesday for a screening and panel discussion featuring two stars from the cast, including Northwestern alumna Meghan Markle. The show, which depicts the ups and downs of a fictional New York law firm,
will resume its third season March 6. In a marketing effort by USA Network, cast members are visiting seven universities, interacting with fans and giving early screenings of the mid-season premiere. The NU leg of the tour is fourth in the lineup. Because not all cast members come to every stop, this was the first for Markle (Communication ‘03), who plays the aspiring paralegal Rachel Zane. “It’s my alma mater, so I’m really happy to be back here,” Markle told The Daily. “I forgot what it feels like to be on a college
campus.” Lines opened in front of the auditorium in Technological Institute at 5:30 p.m. for students to get access passes and pick up “Suits”-themed sunglasses and shirts. Refreshments were served, and trivia games were played until the auditorium opened an hour before the screening, which began at 9:3o p.m. “Suits” viewer Mert Can Yavuz said he looked forward to the event. » See ‘sUITS,’ page 7
Kain Colter testified Tuesday in a National Labor Relations Board hearing to determine whether the College Athletes Players Association is to be certified as a labor union. The former Northwestern quarterback outlined the Wildcats’ yearlong schedule of workouts and practices then described how football commitments hindered his ability to enroll in classes he wished to take. “Due to the time demands you can’t ever reach your academic potential,” Colter said. “Football makes it hard for you to succeed (academically). You have to sacrifice one, and we’re not allowed to sacrifice football. We’re brought to the university to play football.” CAPA, using Colter as its key witness, attempted to establish that football is the key component of a college athlete’s experience, more so than academics. The hearing began with an introduction from the hearing officer, followed by opening statements by attorneys from both CAPA and NU. CAPA argued the work put in by college football players — and the corresponding scholarship compensation they receive — qualifies them as employees of the university. “Some refer to the players as student athletes. But they are students and
athletes,” CAPA attorney John Adam said. “Being a football player at Northwestern is hard work. And make no mistake about it, it is work. It is a labor of love for these players, but it is labor.” NU’s attorney, Alex Barbour, refuted that claim, saying the school plans to prove “student-athletes are first, foremost and always students as opposed to employees.” Barbour also questioned the “arbitrary” construction of CAPA’s proposed union, which includes only scholarship football players and pointed out the temporary nature of their employment. Adam noted CAPA would be happy to hold another vote that includes walkons if the NLRB regional director, who will decide the case, deems that appropriate. After a recess, Colter took the stand. He described his high school sports career and subsequent college recruitment process. He then began a long line of questioning regarding the football team’s schedule at various points during the year. Colter, who has exhausted his athletic eligibility and plans to graduate in March, said players spend as many as 50-60 hours per week on footballrelated activities during training camp, 40-50 during the season and slightly fewer through winter workouts and offseason practices. » See HEARING, page 6
ETHS plans to give laptops to freshmen By Jordan Harrison
the daily northwestern @MedillJordan
Evanston Township High School plans to distribute about 1,000 Chromebook laptops to teachers and freshman students starting next school year. The new one-to-one digital learning initiative will allow students to virtually collaborate and easily access online resources, said Paula Frohman, director of technology at ETHS. “It’s supposed to really improve communication between the teachers and students, whether it’s a paper or a project, and allow for greater collaboration among the students,” Frohman said. “The students can get what they need when they need it.” Each Chromebook will cost around $300, with the cost split between students and the school, said David Chan, technology integration specialist at ETHS. Chan said students will pay a yearly fee for the laptops with the option to purchase them after four years, and financial assistance will be available for low-income students. B ecause the Chromebook is relatively easy to support
“
It’s supposed to really improve communication between the teachers and students, whether it’s a paper or a project, and allow for greater collaboration among the students. Paula Frohman, ETHS technology director technologically, the school is also looking into a student-run tech support group, adding another benefit of the laptop program for students, Chan said. “It gives students a sense of empowerment,” he said. “They’re working with each other, for each other. They’re learning new skills, both hard skills like computer repairs, programming classes and certifications and also soft skills, working on their communication.” Frohman said the school had to upgrade its wireless network to support the influx of new computers and plans to install a wireless access point in every classroom » See LAPTOPs, page 7
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Annabel Edwards/Daily Senior Staffer
‘i support him’ Communication senior Itai Joseph films a student Feb. 12 for a video produced by Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault. MARS released the “I Support Survivors” video to demonstrate its support for sexual assault victims on campus.
MARS creates support video By Edward Cox
daily senior staffer @EdwardCox16
To show support for survivors of sexual abuse, Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault created a short clip featuring students reading messages of encouragement.
In the video, student leaders from various student groups read aloud supportive statements written on a whiteboard behind them. The video, titled “I Support Survivors,” has been promoted on social media since it was posted Monday night. “We wanted to demonstrate that the Northwestern community cares and supports all survivors of sexual
assault,” MARS member Ian Robinson said. “Anyone can be a survivor, and anyone knows a survivor, whether or not they realize that.” The video focuses on community support for survivors of sexual assault, which contrasts the media stories that sometimes focus on the » See MARS, page 7
INSIDE Around Town 2 | On Campus 3 | Opinion 4 | Classifieds & Puzzles 6 | Sports 8