The Daily Northwestern – May 8, 2015

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sports Softball Cats focus on fundamentals heading into Big Ten Tournament » PAGE 12

Atlantic contributor speaks on human rights violations » PAGE 2

opinion Johnson Dr. Ben Carson needs to follow his own advice » PAGE 4

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Friday, May 8, 2015

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ASG pushes for reducing credit By shane McKeon

the daily northwestern @Shane_McKeon

Daily file photo by Nathan Richards

divest discussion Northwestern students turned out in droves in February to watch Associated Student Government narrowly pass a resolution calling for the University to divest from companies that sponsors said violate Palestinian human rights. A bill now moving through the Illinois legislature calls on the state to not invest in companies that boycott Israel.

State mulls anti-boycott bill By Kevin Mathew

daily senior staffer @kevinwmathew

Illinois will not invest in companies that boycott Israel if a new bill passes. The policy, which could be the first in the United States to take action against the boycotts, would affect companies that take “actions that are politically motivated and

are intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or otherwise limit commercial relations with” Israel and Israeli-based companies. The state Senate passed the bill on April 22 unanimously with three senators abstaining. Committees are currently reviewing the bill, which Gov. Bruce Rauner would sign if it passes the House, Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly told The Daily. “We need to do our part to stand up to anti-Semitism, whenever and

however it appears,” she said. “This historic bipartisan legislation does just that by making Illinois the first state in the nation to divest its public pension funds from companies that boycott Israel.” Registered lobbyist Suzanne Strassberger, associate vice president of government and community partnerships at the Jewish United Fund, said the organization supports the » See Boycott, page 8

As the arrival of the new Weinberg dean approaches, ASG has issued a report calling on the school to reduce the number of credits students need to graduate, although it’s unclear whether the proposal has enough faculty support to change the requirement. The report, compiled by Associated Student Government Senate’s academic committee and released in March, calls on the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences to reduce the minimum number of credits needed to graduate from 45 to 42. It also asks for individual Weinberg departments to reexamine major and minor requirements and for the school to re-evaluate its Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate credit system, which the authors say disadvantages students who didn’t attend high-performing high schools. Senate passed a resolution in April endorsing the committee’s report, and ASG President Noah Star, a Weinberg junior, and Executive Vice President Christina Kim, a McCormick junior, advocated for a similar reduction during their campaign.

Whether the proposal will become policy, though, is far from certain. Some faculty members are skeptical, and it’s not clear where incoming Weinberg dean Adrian Randolph will stand on the issue. ‘A really large part of this student body is struggling’ Weinberg senior Anna Rennich and SESP junior Yair Sakols authored the ASG report and said students’ experience has changed in recent years, with extracurricular involvement becoming more central to students’ time at NU. “There’s a general sense that something at Northwestern needs to change,” Rennich said. “A lot of students come to Northwestern because we have this great academic system, but right now it’s just about getting through classes.” The report’s authors compared NU to peer institutions, particularly quarter-system schools with similar admissions rates, like the University of Chicago, Stanford University and Dartmouth College. Rennich said although it’s sometimes difficult to compare NU to schools with vastly different systems, NU largely stands alone in its credit » See Credit, page 8

Rauner budget would slash Alzheimer’s funding, care By Julia Jacobs

the daily northwestern @juliarebeccaj

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget would cut more than $3 million from three state Alzheimer’s disease centers, including $330,000 from Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Slashes to funding for Feinberg Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center would most severely affect services such as educational conferences, support groups for patients and lifestyle enrichment programs, which engage patients in activities that help strengthen symptoms like memory and communication. “Our ability to continue functioning at the current level will be seriously challenged,” said Dr. M. Marsel Mesulam, director of the Feinberg center. Although state lawmakers have until the end of the legislative session on May 31 to approve the budget, there is

still disagreement over nearly $2 billion in proposed cuts to human services, according to the Chicago Tribune. Rauner’s budget would eliminate funding for two other Alzheimer’s disease centers — Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center and Southern Illinois University’s School of Medicine’s Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders would each lose $1.5 million. The Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is attempting to salvage the funding with a petition, disseminated on April 23, that urges Rauner to reconsider. On Thursday, the petition had more than 2,300 signatures — just 200 short of the goal the organization wants to reach before sending it to the governor. Alzheimer’s is one of the most underfunded, yet expensive, diseases to treat, said Carrie Jackson, chair of recruitment for Chicago’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Jackson learned the impact of the disease after she spent eight years taking care of her father, who died of Alzheimer’s almost three

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years ago. Although Rauner’s proposed budget would take effect in the 2016 fiscal year, Mesulam said checks from the state have already stopped coming. Similarly, SIU’s center hasn’t received any money for the 2015 fiscal year and has not been contacted by the state. The center’s director Dr. Tom Ala said. Ala said he has written off receiving the money this year and hopes it will somehow materialize in the 2016 budget. Based on the proposal, SIU’s center will lose all of its $1.5 million from the state — which will affect nearly every facet of its research, clinical work and education efforts — but the center can’t make specific decisions until after the budget is finalized, Ala said. SIU’s outreach programming would be most severely affected, Ala said, which includes 37 sites in downstate Illinois where patients are evaluated for Alzheimer’s and dementia according to » See alzheimer’s, page 8

Daily file photo by Paige Leskin

falling funding Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget would cut $3.3 million from Alzheimer’s disease centers, affecting research, patient care and family support.

INSIDE Around Town 2 | On Campus 3 | Opinion 6 | Classifieds & Puzzles 8 | Sports 12

2 NEWS | the daily northwestern

Around Town

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Our city has a beautiful lakefront, a thriving downtown, fantastic schools and historic neighborhoods.

friday, may 8, 2015

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— Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl

Evanston honored as walking-friendly city Page 11

Atlantic writer speaks on human rights violations By drew gerber

the daily northwestern @dagerber

Peter Beinart, a contributing editor at The Atlantic, called on American Jews on Thursday to take an active role in defining Israel’s future as a Jewish democratic state. American Jews influence the direction Israel will take in its treatment of Palestinians and are obligated to ensure the Israeli government does not violate democratic ideals, Beinart said in a lecture at the Beth Emet Synagogue. Beinart highlighted several areas in which he thinks the Israeli government violates the rights of its Palestinian citizens. His main focus, however, was on settlements in the West Bank. Beinart, a prominent voice in the liberal Zionist community, said settlements endanger the future of a Palestinian state. “Zionism, at its core, is about giving Jews the power to control their own destiny,” Beinart said. “Settlement growth threatens the core of the Zionist movement because it takes that power out of Jewish hands.” Beinart said he believes in the importance of a Jewish state, but also that we must criticize violations of human rights that threaten Israel’s existence as both a Jewish and democratic state. Settlement growth drives Palestinians toward a one-state solution, Beinart said. Additionally, Israeli settlement policy pushes the international community toward less sympathetic

police said. There were no signs of attempted entry into the store, Dugan said.

Police Blotter Potted plant worth about $600 stolen from Evanston business

attitudes toward the Israeli government, he added. Settlements in the West Bank are subsidized by the Israeli government and have been called illegal under international law. Beinart also said the recent elections in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, created a coalition government likely to further erode democratic practices in Israel, such as free speech on campuses and the rights of Arab-Israelis. “This is not a government that will allow (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu to negotiate for a two-state solution,” Beinart said. Beinart questioned the silence of American Jewish leaders, criticizing claims that American leaders do not have a place in discussing Israeli politics and government because they are not in Israel. However, American leaders frequently criticize Palestinian actions in Israel, as well as political attitudes toward Israel in Europe, he said. American Jewish leaders are positioned to push for change in Israeli policies because Israel relies on the support of the American Jewish community, Beinart said. He pointed to the protection of the rights of secular Jews as one area where the American Jewish community has already impacted Israeli policy. “When American Jews are willing to speak up and say, ‘We have a profound problem with what you are doing,’ the Israeli government will listen,” Beinart said. Rabbi Andrea London, who organized the event for Beth Emet, said Beinart is an important voice in

Someone stole a potted plant worth about $600 from a downtown Evanston business overnight Tuesday, police said. The plant was left on the sidewalk in front of Saville Flowers, 1712 Sherman Ave., Evanston police Cmdr. Joseph Dugan said. The pot and the plant were taken sometime between 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. Wednesday,

Chicago man arrested in connection with criminal trespass to vehicle

A Chicago man was arrested on charges of criminal trespass to a vehicle near the Chicago-Evanston border Tuesday afternoon, police said. Members of the tactical unit of the Evanston Police Department were in the 1600 block of Jonquil Terrace in Chicago when they saw a

Drew Gerber/The Daily Northwestern

settlement speak Peter Beinart spoke at the Beth Emet synagogue Thursday evening. He primarily discussed the role of American Jews in the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

the debate over Israel and she was glad he spoke to her congregation. “(Beinart) is providing the best challenge to groups who use (Netanyahu) to attack Zionism and the twostate solution,” London said. This was the second time Iszy Licht, a Weinberg senior, has heard Beinart speak on the problems Zionism faces. Licht belongs to the Northwestern chapter of J Street U, an organization that bills itself vehicle, a Ford Escape, that was reported stolen out of Evanston, Dugan said. Two males walked away from the vehicle and were stopped by the police, Dugan added. One man, an 18-year-old Chicago resident, was charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle and is scheduled to appear in court June 22, police said. The other male detained is under the age of 18 and was also charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle. ­— Julian Gerez

as a liberal “pro-Israel, pro-peace” advocacy group, and first heard Beinart when he spoke at the J Street national conference in D.C. this March. Licht said that the human rights violations in Israel cannot continue, but he supports a Jewish state. He also agreed with Beinart that there is hope for Israel’s future. drewgerber2018@u.northwestern.edu

Setting the record straight In Thursday’s print edition, “Student strike honored” misquoted history Prof. Ji-Yeon Yuh. She said students were helping prepare proposals for ad hoc majors in Asian American Studies. The Daily regrets the error. The Daily regrets the error.

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Friday, may 8, 2015

On Campus

It’s the biggest gamble we’ve taken but it’s the biggest opportunity ... If we succeed, this would be our big contribution to the comic world.

”

— Josh Elder, founder of nonprofit Reading with Pictures

Students, city revive tobacco-free effort By Tyler Pager

daily senior staffer @tylerpager

Students are renewing an effort to make Northwestern’s campus tobacco-free and will present a resolution to ASG next week on the issue. Associated Student Government previously rejected a proposal for a campus-wide ban in October 2013. However, the resolution’s sponsors say student turnover and Illinois’ new “Smoke Free Campus Act,” which bans smoking on state universities’ campuses, have reenergized the proposal. The resolution calls for the University to establish a task force by Fall Quarter 2015 to coordinate the adoption of the policy, which the sponsors want implemented by Fall Quarter 2016. The proposal asks for a tobacco-free campus, which differs from a smoke-free policy because it also prohibits electronic cigarettes and chewing tobacco. “There are more than a million living college students today who will die because of smoking

Northwestern’s Cuba program to receive State Department grant

Northwestern’s Cuba study abroad program will be awarded a State Department education initiative grant for its work in sending U.S. students to study in the Western Hemisphere. It is the first program in Cuba to receive funding from the initiative. Recognition for NU’s two study abroad programs in Cuba comes after a thaw in relations between the island nation and the United States. The NU programs will receive $25,000 total from the U.S. Department of State’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas fund. The State

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tobacco,” said ASG senator Ross Krasner, one of the resolution’s sponsors. “This is an example where ASG can really help make a difference to help improve student life on campus.” Krasner, a Medill freshman and a member of ASG’s community relations committee, said there are already 1,043 campuses that are tobacco-free, including some of NU’s peer institutions. Therefore, he said, it doesn’t make sense that NU hasn’t adopted a comparable policy yet. Faculty Senate passed a smoke-free resolution in Fall 2013, but administrators told faculty they needed to have the support of students and staff to move forward, said physical therapy and human movement sciences Prof. Babette Sanders. The NU Staff Advisory Council, in addition to ASG, was not in favor of the proposal at the time, said Sanders, the former chair of Faculty Senate. She said the effort is now being supported by Evanston’s health department, which has helped it gain steam. “As a health professional, it would be contrary to everything I believe in about health and wellness and prevention of illness and

injury to think that allowing smoke would be the right thing to do,” Sanders said. “It seems like having a smoke-free campus would be an important step to health of students, staff and faculty.” Last month, Evanston officials and members of community-based health organizations, ASG and NU faculty met to discuss the adoption of a tobacco-free policy at NU. Kristin Preihs, Evanston’s public health educator, said the city decided to hold a meeting to get all interested parties in one room together. She said about 25 people attended. Lisa Currie, director of health promotion and wellness, attended the city meeting and said she is excited the proposal has been revived. She said the task force, if formed, will help the University more “thoughtfully” adopt the policy. “This a serious public health issue,” she said. “By encouraging people to remain smoke free and creating a campus environment that is tobacco-free … it sends a clear message that we support health above else.”

Department’s program was launched in 2011 with the intention of sending 100,000 U.S. students to study in the Western Hemisphere and the same number from Latin America to study in the United States by 2020. NU will also contribute almost $25,000 to bolster its programs. “Higher education cooperation accompanied by warmer diplomatic ties is and will continue to be very attractive to students and faculty and undoubtedly will improve relations between the United States and Cuba,” said Dévora Grynspan, director of International Program Development, in a news release. The University’s “Public Health in Cuba” program launched in 2010 through IPD, which also sends students to France, Israel and South Africa, among other locations. The “Cuba:

Culture and Society” program examines Cuba through art, literature and film. Almost twice as many students will go to Cuba this summer for the IPD programs as last year, with at least five faculty members also going. Theater Prof. Henry Godinez, will help expand the culture and society program to theater in collaboration with Teatro Buendía, a Cuban theater company. “Diversity is paramount,” Godinez said in the release. “We will now have the chance to engage our Cuba study abroad students not only in the expansion of their perspectives about the world in which we live, but actually create work together.”

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the daily northwestern | NEWS 3 Northwestern alum makes comic book to communicate UN’s goals Page 5

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FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

NU, city join to support Nepal earthquake victims By MARIANA ALFARO

the daily northwestern @marianaa_alfaro

Northwestern students, community members and Evanston residents are helping new organization NU Stands with Nepal fundraise for and send support to victims of the April 25 earthquake in Nepal that has killed more than 7,000 people and injured around 15,000. NU Stands with Nepal was started on NU’s campus by Anupa Gewali and Rosalind Dillon, staff members of GlobeMed National, an organization that focuses on improving the health of poverty-stricken people across the world, with student chapters at 56 universities across the nation, including NU. Gewali, who started NU Stands with Nepal’s Facebook page “less than 24 hours after the earthquake,” said she wanted NU students and Evanston community members to know they could help and donate to the victims of the earthquake. She said GlobeMed has two partner communities in Nepal, and two villages within these communities were completely destroyed by the earthquake. Gewali, who is Nepali, said having personal connections to the tragedy compelled her to act. “It’s important to think about the connections that we have, the responsibilities that we have and the resources that we have,” she said, “and putting that forward to direct resources to Nepali

Four Weinberg profs recognized by Royal Society of Chemistry

Four Weinberg professors were honored by the United Kingdom’s Royal Society of Chemistry for their work in the field, Northwestern announced Wednesday. Chemistry professors Omar Farha, Mercouri Kanatzidis, Chad Mirkin and Richard Van Duyne were all recognized. The society is the largest in Europe committed to progress in the field of chemical sciences.

organizations that are … going to be committed to doing the rebuilding work that will be happening in the next decade or so.” NU Stands with Nepal is partnering with different NU and Evanston groups to fundraise and send aid to the country. On Thursday, the organization partnered with South Asian interest fraternity Alpha Iota Omicron for a samosa and mango lassi fundraiser outside the Technological Institute. The event provided paper and pens for students to write letters to children in Nepali orphanages. Weinberg sophomore Shaan Somani, AIO’s vice president of philanthropy, said though the fraternity has no direct ties to Nepal, all of its chapters nationwide decided to mobilize and fundraise for the victims. He said the event will probably be the only one the fraternity will be able to do this year to fundraise for Nepal because the school year is almost over. NU Stands with Nepal is also partnering with TEDx NorthwesternU this weekend, with 60 percent of the event’s ticket proceeds to be donated. Proceeds from both the AIO sale and the TEDx event will go to Himalayan HealthCare, a nonprofit organization that has functioned in Nepal for more than 20 years and is currently providing emergency care, food, shelter and water to earthquake victims. “NU Stands with Nepal in general is advocating for Himalayan HealthCare,” Somani said. “(Because) international relief efforts … tend to leave after a few days whereas local efforts will remain in the country for several years.” Farha was recognized for his contributions to research regarding the environment and sustainability. Kanatzidis was recognized for work in materials chemistry, specifically his research on thermoelectric materials, or materials that use differences in temperature to create electricity, and Mirkin received the society’s Centenary Prize, an award recognizing chemists from overseas. Van Duyne received the society’s Theophilus Redwood Award, which recognizes a scientist with exceptional communication skills. Of the society’s award winners, 47 have gone on to win Nobel prizes. — Shane McKeon

Tyler Pager/Daily Senior Staffer

STANDING IN SUPPORT A member of AIO sells samosa and mango lassi Thursday. AIO partnered with NU Stands with Nepal to raise funds for the victims of the Nepal earthquake.

Elizabeth Larsen, a Weinberg senior who visited Nepal when she was researching solutions for childhood malnutrition, helped connect NU Stands with Nepal to TEDx NU. She said the heads of TEDx NU, SESP senior Nikita Ramanujam and Weinberg sophomore Emilie Greenberg, thought it would be a good idea to donate part of the ticket sales to the efforts. NU Stands with Nepal is also working to connect with Evanston area elementary and middle

schools to fundraise with them, Larsen said. The group will also host a fundraiser at Mt. Everest Restaurant, 630 Church St., that will include some sales and auctions. “It’s really geared towards comprehensive, everyone on board effort,” Larsen said. “NU Stands with Nepal is trying to coordinate efforts among various organizations.”

Northwestern moves into top 5 in EPA Green Power rankings

NU also moved up to 44th from 52nd in the National Top 100 list, which ranks all organizations participating in the partnership, including corporations, government agencies and retail companies. NU purchased Renewable Energy Certificates equivalent to 50 percent of its total energy usage, an increase from 38 percent. NU purchases the certificates from 3Degrees, which offsets the University’s electricity use by generating and delivering wind energy into the power grid. NU also generates its own green power through a solar photovoltaic array on the Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center, which generates enough power to sustain a computer lab within the building.

Northwestern became one of the top five College and University Green Power Purchasers, up from seventh in January, in rankings released at the end of last month. NU ranks second-highest in the Big Ten in the list released by the Environmental Protection Agency. The agency ranks the top 30 green power users in higher education within the Green Power Partnership, a program that encourages organizations to use green power to reduce their environmental impact.

marianaalfaro2018@u.northwestern.edu

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NU alum makes comic book to show UN’s goals By Emily Chin

the daily northwestern

A Northwestern alumnus is creating a series of comics to educate people about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Josh Elder (Communication ’02), founder of Chicago-based nonprofit Reading With Pictures, a company that develops educational comics, is working to communicate the U.N.’s goals of fostering sustainable development worldwide by creating a comic book called “Comics Uniting Nations.” The U.N. General Assembly will meet in September to vote on whether to ratify the 17 SDGs. If they are ratified, the U.N. will broadcast them globally. Some of the goals include eradicating poverty, achieving gender equality and ensuring availability of water. Reading With Pictures has already begun working on the comics to spread awareness of these goals. Elder, who said he has been interested in comics from a young age, created Reading With Pictures to educating people through pictures. “It’s a universal language,” he said. “It’s this incredible tool for instruction for anything. It’s always been derided and feared because it’s popular … the old cliche of you’ve got the kid with the textbook, but inside is the comic. Why don’t we make the textbook the comic?” Elder, a former Daily columnist, has traveled all over the world talking to people about comics, which he said is an “untapped” source for education. Natabara Rollosson, a freelance producer for the U.N., approached him by chance at New York Comic Con following a U.N. meeting about the SDGs and asked if he could create a comic book to help promote them. “It was a fun moment talking about the possibilities and merging these two worlds that are at opposite ends of the universe — comics and the United Nations,” Rollosson, co-founder of “Comics Uniting Nations,” said. Until the U.N. ratifies the goals, Reading With Pictures employees will be working to produce the comic book and raise the money needed to make it through a Kickstarter they launched Monday. Todd Allen (Communication ’94), who runs

Source: Josh Elder

image instruction The team that made the comic book includes three NU alumni.

logistics for “Comics Uniting Nations,” including managing the Kickstarter, said the project is developing much more quickly than other projects because of the hard September deadline, but is confident they will raise enough money. The comic book will be created by September, Elder said. “It’s the biggest gamble we’ve ever taken but it’s the biggest opportunity,” he said. “If we succeed, this would be our big contribution to the comic world.” Aliza Weinberger (Communication ’13), who has been working with Reading With Pictures for four years and is in charge of the marketing for the book, said one of the biggest challenges is making sure the comic book has a global impact. If it is successful, she said, it has the potential to change the world. “(‘Comics Uniting Nations’) really emphasizes the idea about ordinary people coming together to change the world,” she said. “This undertaking is kind of what idealistic dreams are made of. I’m really excited now that the world is getting to hear about it.” emilychin2018@u.northwestern.edu

Opinion

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Friday, May 8, 2015

PAGE 6

Carson needs to follow own advice Naomi Johnson

Daily columnist

Last week, Dr. Ben Carson announced he will be running for the Republican Party’s 2016 presidential nomination. He is in many ways an anomaly — he is running for the highest political office in the United States without any official governing experience, and his background includes being the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for nearly three decades. He is also a Seventh-Day Adventist, a Protestant denomination of Christianity, and is a conservative in every sense of the word. As a Seventh-Day Adventist myself, I grew up going to church every Saturday for most of my life, and it was at church, and through my mom, that I learned about His words Carson’s inspiring life story. He was indicate the born in Detroit, and presence of his single mother an ideological raised him as she worked two or three inflexibility jobs to support him that compels and his brother. As a child, he had him to trouble controlling appropriate the his anger and was failing academically language of the in his studies in Constitution. elementary school, until his mother limited his time with the television and forced him to write book reports every week. This enabled him to succeed in school, and he later graduated from Yale University and The University of Michigan Medical School. He went

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on to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he completed his residency in neurosurgery. It was a life story about a young boy who overcame environmental challenges and racial prejudice to become one of the most celebrated and famous pediatric neurosurgeons in America. Fast forward 12 years to today, and the only word that I can use to describe my reaction to Carson’s announcement is apprehension. What troubles me is the rhetoric with which he addresses some of the most important issues in America today. It is disappointing that this inspiring man is also capable of abrasive rhetoric that suggests a tendency toward political polarization. He has grouped “gays” together with those who commit bestiality, accused President Obama of being a “psychopath” and stated that Obamacare is the “worst thing since slavery.” Perhaps his strong language is not surprising, given his belief that “political correctness is antithetical to our founding principles of freedom of speech and freedom of expression,” and his rhetoric could be seen as the result of exercising his rights. The rights that he lists, however, do not give him the license to dismiss the need for tact, and they certainly do not shield him from the consequences of alienating and insulting people in such distasteful terms. Interestingly, when Carson spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference this year, he suggested that President Obama was responsible for the division in America, and said that “the real enemies in our country are the people who are the purveyors of division,” and that problems can only be solved if American leaders create policies that treat everyone equally. The conviction with which Carson speaks belies the weakness of his remarks. Assigning blame and division to one political party defeats the purpose of shaming the

“purveyors of division” because it only creates more division and increases sentiments of self-righteousness. Compromises between two people rarely occur when insults become the only form of communication they share. The same applies in the political arena. It is ironic that the same man who champions our freedom of expression and the integrity of our Constitution also fails to realize the basic mechanisms of checks and balances in this nation. In an interview with Steve Deace, Carson spoke about same-sex marriage and said Congress had the right to remove judges if they didn’t complete their duties appropriately. This simply is not the case. The Constitution states that judges can only be removed if they are convicted of “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” In other words, Congress can only remove judges in exceptional cases of misconduct, and not when the judge makes a particular ruling based on the Equal Protection Clause for a same-sex marriage case. It’s irrelevant whether Carson stated this because he was misinformed or because he really believed that the Constitution has such a provision for removing judges. His words indicate the presence of an ideological inflexibility that compels him to appropriate the language of the Constitution to fit his own beliefs. Toward the end of his CPAC speech, Dr. Carson said he wanted to find a way to “allow people to excel in our society.” Perhaps tempering his language and finding ways to tactfully address his opposition will help convince me, and many others, that his definition of “people” does not carry with it exclusionary disclaimers. Naomi Johnson is a Weinberg sophomore. She can be reached at naomijohnson2017@u.northwestern.edu. If you would like to respond publicly to this column, send a Letter to the Editor to opinion@dailynorthwestern.com.

Police education is important next step Burak Sekerci

Daily columnist

In the past year, police forces in the United States have been heavily scrutinized for their use of deadly force. This is mainly because of major recent incidents, including the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and the death of Walter Scott in South Carolina. These events have created turmoil in the country and led us to question the use of police force. There are many aspects of the police that need to be addressed — most notably the education system, which needs to be updated. Public unrest became more notable with the fatal shooting of Brown in August 2014. Protests took over Ferguson, thousands went onto the streets and violent clashes took place. This also led American society to revisit widespread discussion on racism, an issue that has disturbed our country for centuries. While it is unclear what exactly happened in Brown’s death, the South Carolina shooting and the case against police officer Michael Slager is much more evident. Video of the incident shows Slager shoot Walter Scott as he runs away from Slager — another instance of a white policeman

killing a black man. Slager was charged with murder and is now in jail. Neither man had to be killed. If these policemen took the proper steps and had more patience, these tragic deaths could have been avoided. But why weren’t these steps taken? Why did both police officers act without patience? Unfortunately, this is because the police education systems teach tactics that are outdated and emphasize shooting skills over crisis prevention.

“

There are many aspects of the police force that need to be addressed — most notably the education system.

A New York Times article on Monday exposed the kind of education police officers receive. In the current education program, 58 hours are devoted to firearms training, 49 hours to defensive tactics, eight hours to de-escalation and eight hours to crisis intervention. Looking at this, it is no surprise that the first thing police officers go to when under pressure or threat is their guns because so much of their training centers on gun work rather than de-escalation or crisis intervention, which could have been vital in

preventing these controversial deaths. Also mentioned in the NYT article is the infamous 21-foot rule, which is basically the distance at which a police officer can justify shooting at someone in a moment of threat. Most of the old education guidelines, including the 21-foot rule, were incorporated when officers faced violent street gangs that forced police to adopt aggressive defensive techniques to decrease the police mortality rate. However, we don’t have the same circumstances today. Our neighborhoods are much more secure and crime rates are at historic lows. Often, there is no need for a police officer to draw his gun. Most crises can be averted by simple de-escalation tactics and by patiently communicating with suspects. Acting anxiously and pulling out a gun serves only to scare the suspect and escalate the situation into potentially deadly territory. The best way to eliminate unnecessary police force in the United States is education. The U.S. government must transform the education program of the police to fit today’s circumstances so incidents like those in Missouri and South Carolina can be prevented in the future. Burak Sekerci is a McCormick sophomore. He can be reached at buraksekerci2017@u.northwestern.edu. If you would like to respond publicly to this column, send a Letter to the Editor to opinion@dailynorthwestern.com.

The Daily Northwestern Volume 135, Issue 119 Opinion Editors Assistant Opinion Editor Olivia Exstrum Bob Hayes Naib Mian Christine Farolan Angela Lin Paige Leskin They will be checked for authenticity and may be edited for length, clarity, style and LETTERS TO THE EDITOR may be sent to 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, via grammar. 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, columns and cartoons contain the opinion of the authors, not Students Letters have the following requirements: Publishing Co. Inc. Submissions signed by more than three people must include at • Should be typed least one and no more than three names designated to represent the group. • Should be double-spaced Editorials reflect the majority opinion of The Daily’s student editorial board and not the • Should include the author’s name, signature, school, class and phone number. opinions of either Northwestern University or Students Publishing Co. Inc. • Should be fewer than 400 words Editor in Chief Sophia Bollag

Managing Editors

Mayweather should be punished Ekin Zeytinoglu Daily columnist

I have never been a great fan of boxing, but for me and many others around the world, an hour of boxing once a year, especially what is advertised as the “Fight of the Century,” is always entertaining. Since I tend to support underdogs in every sport, it is not surprising that I rooted for Manny Pacquiao in Saturday’s fight. Yet there was an even bigger motivation for me — and reading about the booing from fans at the fight, for many others as well — to support Pacquiao: the unquestionably appalling past of his opponent, Floyd Mayweather. Undeniably, the best athletes become the best not just by sheer technical ability but also through tactical superiority. Mayweather famously applies both of these to his game, which probably explains his unbeaten record of 48-0. Yet there is a point where being the best starts to not matter, or at least should start to not matter. Mayweather has been convicted five times for domestic violence, once for hitting Josie Harris, the mother of three of his children. Despite all the convictions, Mayweather was sentenced to only three months in prison and was released after two months due to good behavior. Mayweather, however, was never banned for his actions by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. I believe domestic abusers should be banned from sports for life, and many have written opinion pieces suggesting the same in the last week. Moreover, the NSAC’s lack of response is striking when compared with the sanctions other athletic associations have levied against athletes who misbehave. FIFA suspended FC Barcelona star striker Luis Suarez for four months after he bit an opponent in last summer’s FIFA World Cup, the third biting incident of his career. Baltimore Ravens terminated the contract of star running back Ray Rice — who was later suspended by the NFL — after video emerged showing him punch his fiancée, even though she decided not to testify against him in court. In Feb. 2015, NASCAR indefinitely suspended popular driver Kurt Busch after a judge determined he likely beat his ex-girlfriend. Most notably, former LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling was given the maximum penalty of ban for life and was fined $2.5 million by the NBA following the leakage of a number of racist comments. I am not trying to suggest biting is as bad as domestic abuse or intentional racism, yet FIFA still suspended Suarez for four months. Individuals who act with such disregard for others should be penalized excessively, as they do not belong to the entertainment world millions watch. Moreover, domestic abuse and racism are heinous acts no better or worse than each other. Perpetrators, whether from sports, business or any other sector, should be kept from the public eye by any means and must be stripped of all possible privileges. Therefore the decisions of NASCAR, the NFL and the NBA should be applauded whereas NSAC should be criticized excessively for its lack of action. Some say any viewer of the fight subsidized a domestic abuser. Though this claim may be technically correct — the projected $178 million Mayweather will earn was largely financed by pay-per-viewers on television — it does not offer a practical solution to removing the likes of Mayweather from television and sports. For better or worse, the burden of acting should not be on the viewers but on the federations, associations or committees, as they are the organizing bodies responsible for keeping sports clean. Acts of deliberate violence, abuse and racism are heinous acts that must be condemned. Athletes like Mayweather should find themselves among the ranks of Sterling, Busch and Rice — all of whom faced significant bans from their sports — without hesitation. Ekin Zeytinoglu is a McCormick sophomore. He can be reached at ekinzeytinoglu2017@u.northwestern.edu. If you would like to respond publicly to this column, send a Letter to the Editor to opinion@dailynorthwestern.com.

the daily northwestern | NEWS 7

friday, may 8, 2015

Ice sculptures on campus to raise ALS awareness By Tyler pager

daily senior staffer @tylerpager

Jon Newsome used to live an active life filled with exercise and travel. Now, he is confined to a wheelchair with ALS, a disease without a cure. An ice sculpture of Newsome appeared in front of Norris University Center on Thursday in an effort to raise awareness about the disease. Building off the success of the Ice Bucket Challenge, which has raised more than $100 million, the Les Turner ALS Research and Patient Center at Northwestern Medicine commissioned ice sculptures depicting ALS patients for NU’s Evanston and Chicago campuses. In total, 12 sculptures were commissioned, the other 11 of which will be stationed on NU’s Chicago medical campus Friday and around downtown Chicago on Tuesday. The life-size sculptures were created by artist Jim Nadeau, who studied photos and videos of the patients. A plaque accompanies each sculpture, providing details about the person’s life. The ice was chosen as a metaphor for how ALS impacts the human body, said Jordyn Landberg, the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s marketing and communications manager. “The way that we’re showing how ALS affects the human body is really incredible by the use of ice and how the ice slowly melts to indicate how muscles melt away in a person who is living with

City seeks companies to fill vacant Noyes Street Theatre

Evanston is requesting letters of intent from theater companies looking to lease the vacant Noyes Street Theatre starting in September, the city announced Wednesday. The theater, located inside the Noyes Cultural Arts Center at 927 Noyes St., was previously occupied by Next Theatre Company until it vacated the space in November. According to the city, the location features relatively new assets, including new carpeting and 150 seats

ALS,� she said. The exhibition also builds on this year’s ALS Awareness Month slogan, “Freeze ALS.� The 12 sculptures depict ALS patients, both those who are still battling the disease and those who have died. Andrea Pauls Backman, the foundation’s executive director, said there is an explicit focus on the individuals and their families who are impacted by ALS. “We’re telling the stories of their lives and who they are or who they were and what their hopes and dreams are despite the devastating effects of the illness, which is being demonstrated by the melting of the ice sculptures,� she said. “Although there were something like 2.5 million people that poured a bucket of ice water over their heads last summer to raise awareness for ALS, it really is about the people who have ALS. We wanted to bring those people to life.� The center at NU Medicine has been a leader in ALS research, helping discover the genetic causes of the disease and its common pathology and mechanisms, said Feinberg neurology Prof. Teepu Siddique. He said the ice sculptures help memorialize the patients who have succumbed to the disease. “It’s an indictment of society, of researchers and of institutions that these people should have been cured of the disease,� he said. However, Siddique said he’s hopeful the center’s research will help find a cure. “We now have ample targets that can be used for theory if we had the appropriate resources to do so,� he said. tylerpager2017@u.northwestern.edu installed in 2013. The 3,100-square-foot theater currently plays host to the Mudlark Theater Company, a children’s theater group that has occupied the space since February. Mudlark’s agreement with the NCAC gave them access to the Noyes Street Theatre until the end of this month. The new lease would start September 1 and would last until the end of May 2016, the city said. The city is looking for experienced companies to submit their letters by May 20 at 5 p.m., according to the city. Evanston officials expect to notify applicants of their decision by May 22. — Marissa Page

The Daily ON L I N E www.dailynorthwestern.com

City Council has directed the Evanston Utilities Commission to begin exploring the creation of an energy efficiency benchmarking ordinance, the city announced Tuesday. The potential Building Energy Efficiency Benchmarking ordinance would be based on the energy benchmarking process. The process tracks energy consumed by a building over time and compares the results of that building’s energy use to that a similarly-sized building or a pre-determined model

of energy efficiency standards for a building of that size, according to a news release from the city. Chicago, among other U.S. cities, has already implemented similar policies to monitor its energy usage. The Utilities Commission is a group of Evanston community members selected by the city with experience in utilities services, engineering and finance. The commission is just beginning the process of developing the ordinance for Evanston. Representatives from the commission, as well as other community stakeholders in the project, will hold the first meeting for interest in the BEEB project at the Civic Center on June 9, the city said.

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FROZEN TRIBUTE An ice sculpture of Jon Newsome, a Winnetka resident living with ALS, is displayed outside Norris University Center. The sculpture was one of 12 created to raise awareness of ALS.

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8 NEWS | the daily northwestern

friday, may 8, 2015

Credit

From page 1 requirement. Stanford is on the quarter system but gives credit per “hour,” Dartmouth only requires 35 classes but gives no AP credit and UChicago has a minimum of 42 credits. Sakols said the 45-credit minimum, which was implemented years ago, doesn’t make sense given changes in the student body. One big change, Sakols said, is a more socioeconomically-diverse student body. The percentage of students who qualify for Pell Grants has more than doubled since 2008, and University President Morton Schapiro has said he aims to have 20 percent of the 2020 freshman class be Pell qualifiers. The report also calls on Weinberg to reevaluate its AP and IB credit system. The authors say students from well-resourced high schools can enter with many AP credits, while students who didn’t attend similar schools can enter with little or no credit, creating a gap between students. Sakols, who conducted a survey on students’ time use in February, said he also found striking differences between respondents based on wealth. “My report found that low-income students get less sleep than their peers,” he said. “They work jobs a lot more than their peers. A really large part of this student body is struggling.” Economics Prof. Mark Witte, the department’s director of undergraduate studies, co-authored the survey with Sakols. Witte said dropping classes is often easier for wealthier students, while it can be more difficult for low-income students because they “don’t

Boycott

From page 1 legislation. Although she is confident the bill will pass, she said its greatest threat will come in committee discussions. Committees are just where opponents plan to strike, said Robert Naiman, the policy director at Just Foreign Policy which is part of a greater coalition fighting the bill. “It could be a resolution saying that Israeli ice cream is the best ice cream in human history, (legislators) don’t want to vote no because someone can portray that as anti-Israel,” he said. “If we beat this, the way that we beat this is by preventing it from passing, by getting people to stop this from going forward rather than winning the floor vote.” Northwestern Associated Student Government narrowly passed a resolution in February calling for the University to divest from six companies sponsors said violate Palestinian human rights. Jonathan Kamel, a spokesman for Wildcats for Israel, said the group is very proud of the state bill.

have a lot of leeway.” Communication junior Amanda Walsh, president of Quest Scholars Network, said lowincome students might not have had the same opportunities in high school as their wealthier peers. “The current system excludes students who really didn’t have a chance in the first place to catch up with their peers,” said Walsh, who supports the ASG proposal. ‘Anything is on the table’ Rennich said the support of the new dean will be crucial to the proposal’s success. Randolph, currently an associate dean at Dartmouth, will begin at NU on July 1. He said he isn’t familiar enough with the issue to have an opinion yet. Randolph said he wants to learn more and understand possible effects of such a change. “I’d like hear a range of opinions on that,” he said. “I want to very careful considering unintended consequences.” Dartmouth, a peer institution also on the quarter system, made national headlines in January 2013 when it decided to no longer offer students credit for high AP scores. Weinberg’s interim dean, chemistry Prof. Mark Ratner, said the graduation requirement should be reduced to 42 credits. However, he stressed his view doesn’t carry much weight given his stint in the position ends June 30. In March, the Office of the Provost launched a task force to examine the undergraduate academic experience. The task force, comprising 12 faculty and five ex officio members including “We’re definitely in favor of the bill,” the Weinberg junior said. “It’s actually very powerful that Illinois is actually sending the opposite message and showing that it’s very proactive about its relationship with the state of Israel as opposed to defensive.” Northwestern Divest disagreed. The movement said the bill infringed on U.S.-guaranteed “protected speech and associational activity” by prohibiting the main means of non-violent resistance. “The bill passed in Senate ignores the facts that the ongoing occupation is illegal and violates the basic human rights of the Palestinian people,” NUDivest said in a statement to The Daily. “It conflates Israel’s actions at home with those that Israel executes, contrary to international law, in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In this way the bill legitimizes these crimes, and denies any differentiation between Israel and its illegal settlements.” Ingrid Stafford, NU’s treasurer and vice president for financial operations, said NU is not one of these companies the state invests in, so the University would not be affected by the policy. State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston), who

Rennich and Dean of Students Todd Adams, could recommend a requirement reduction when it presents its recommendations to Provost Daniel Linzer in Winter Quarter 2016. Neurobiology Prof. Indira Raman, who chairs the committee, said the task force could recommend a broad array of policies, but any proposal must be rooted in strong data and research. “Anything is on the table,” she said, “but ultimately the idea is to narrow it down to rational recommendations that are substantiated by evidence.” Faculty skepticism English Prof. Mary Finn, Weinberg’s associate dean for undergraduate academic affairs, oversees the school’s Office of Undergraduate Studies and Advising. She said she is “very skeptical” of the proposal. Finn said few students have trouble reaching the 45-credit minimum and that many go beyond the minimum required. She also said she’s hesitant to prioritize extracurriculars over academics. “The academic component of a student’s education is the more important component,” she said. “But of course, that’s not what students think.” Finn recommended students reduce the number of groups and degree programs they’re involved in but engage with fewer more deeply. “We’ve always thought the zeal to credential that students have, to have as many majors and minors that they possibly can have, is academically counterproductive,” she said.

Witte said some Weinberg departments fear a requirement reduction would lead to fewer students taking their classes, which could cost departments faculty slots. Witte also said he’s unsure if a credit requirement reduction would increase productive behavior. “For some people, if you cut their requirements, it’ll be a lot more Xbox,” he said. “Would (the outcome) be more educational, experiential learning or would it be leisure? I don’t know.” The report’s authors, though, said easing academic requirements could allow students to get more sleep. Sakol and Witte’s report found that most students reported getting more sleep — on average, almost an hour and a half more — when taking three classes instead of four. And Rennich said leisure isn’t necessarily a bad outcome for students. “I’d push back on the idea that it’s bad for students to have down time,” she said. “We’re not robots. We can’t go to class, do extracurriculars and sleep without any time to enjoy ourselves.” A formal proposal has yet to be introduced in the school’s Curricular Policies Committee, a major first step in a process that would include debate at an all-faculty meeting and voting at a second faculty meeting. Ultimately, Ronald Braeutigam, associate provost for undergraduate education, said Weinberg faculty will decide whether to make a change. “If the faculty is not behind it, it’s highly unlikely that it’s going to occur,” he said. “But I think we have pretty reasonable faculty here.” shanem@u.northwestern.edu

Alzheimer’s

voted for the bill, could not be reached for comment. Illinois Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and Illinois Rep. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) may vote on the bill if it reaches the House floor, but neither could be reached for comment. The bill does not violate free speech, Strassberger said, because companies are free to continue boycotting Israel. She added the bill would send an important international message because anti-Semitism in Europe is a growing concern. Naiman said he hopes the bill will be rejected. “What’s really driving this in these states, and what makes it really dangerous, is its ties to the national legislation,” he said. “It may be the case that we have as great an opportunity, or responsibility, to agitate what’s happening on the federal level … if they made it a public issue.” In the past two weeks, bills passed in Tennessee and Indiana that condemn similar boycott movements, but Illinois could be the first state to actively fight these boycotts.

the center’s guidelines. If the SIU center cannot pay those sites, local evaluations will likely disappear. “Illinois faces a $6 billion budget hole because of years of insider deals and financial recklessness,” Rauner’s office wrote to The Daily in a statement. “Without structural reform, difficult choices were made. Those funds were repurposed to help pay for general Medicaid services, which help people at the lowest levels of income.” But Ala said the SIU center’s effort to keep patients out of nursing homes for as long as possible actually saves the state Medicaid dollars spent on nursing home care. Similarly, Mesulam said state funding for the Feinberg center is an investment: For every dollar the Feinberg center receives, it brings in about $30 of federal grant money. “This is the single-most important health care crisis we’re facing and every state would be well-advised to put support into this area both for research and discovery,” Mesulam said.

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Across Campuses Northern Illinois University fraternity leaders expected to get plea deals in man’s death

CHICAGO — It began as a fraternity pledge party that turned tragic. And then it became a criminal case that is expected to conclude Friday in a DeKalb County courtroom. Five former Northern Illinois University students are expected to plead out for their roles in the death of David Bogenberger, a university freshman whose heart stopped after a night of heavy drinking at a Pi Kappa Alpha initiation event in November 2012. “It was a prearranged, evil plan to degrade people,” David’s father, Gary Bogenberger, said of the incident that led to his son’s death. The five former students were charged with felony hazing in connection with the 19-yearold Palatine, Ill., resident’s death. DeKalb County prosecutors did not return a phone call seeking comment, but Gary Bogenberger said this week that as part of their negotiated plea deals, the five would not be sentenced to jail time. Gary and Ruth Bogenberger, who now live in Florida, are expected at Friday’s hearing in Sycamore, Ill., along with David’s two sisters. David’s brother, who is taking college final exams, will remain in Florida, Gary Bogenberger said. “We were offered the opportunity to give victim impact statements and see this thing through to finality,” he said Tuesday. “Maybe it will give us some closure.” Attorney Jack Donahue, who represents Alexander Jandick, the chapter’s former president, said the student officers expect to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of reckless conduct. “My client intends to say how sorry he is for David’s loss and how he thinks about him every day,” Donahue said Tuesday. “He hopes other fraternities and social organizations will take heed of what happened here.” Gary Bogenberger said he was trying to think logically about the plea proposal. With prisons brimming with violent criminals, he said, he knew it was unlikely that first-time offenders would be sentenced to incarceration. “The system’s not designed for something like this,” he said. On the night he died, David Bogenberger

friday, may 8, 2015 participated in a pledge party that entailed going to various places in the frat house, answering questions and downing shots of alcohol. The fraternity chapter had not alerted NIU to the event — a violation of campus rules — and authorities alleged that the frat kept the party quiet so it could evade university oversight. Bogenberger was found dead the following morning, and an autopsy later showed that he had suffered a fatal cardiac event because of the liquor consumption. His blood alcohol level was 0.40, which is five times the state’s legal limit for driving. A month later, more than 20 party participants were charged with violations of the state’s hazing law. Most faced misdemeanors, but the five officers were charged with the felony version for knowingly requiring Bogenberger to drink alcohol as a condition of induction. Along with Jandick, the others charged with felonies were Steven Libert, the party organizer; Omar Salameh, the pledge adviser; James Harvey, the chapter’s former vice president; and Patrick Merrill, former secretary. Gary Bogenberger said the party had no purpose other than to get the pledges so inebriated that they would do and say foolish things. NIU suspended the frat chapter in the wake of the death, and the party participants faced school disciplinary proceedings. The Bogenbergers filed a civil lawsuit against Pi Kappa Alpha, but a judge dismissed it last year, ruling the fraternity could not be held liable. Attorney Peter Coladarci, who is representing the Bogenbergers, saide charged with felony hazing in connects death. DeKalb County prosecutors did not return a phone call seeking comment, t that led to his son’s death. The five former students were charged with felony hazing in connection with the 19-yearold Palatine, Ill., resident’s death. DeKalb County prosecutors did not return a phone call seeking comment, Tuesday that he will file an appeal in the civil case within the next few weeks. Gary Bogenberger said he hopes the attention will raise awareness of fraternity alcoholrelated deaths, which he said are on the rise. “Nothing will bring David back. Our only hope is that this can be a catalyst for change,” he said.

EARN $25 FOR LESS THAN TWO HOURS WORK UNLOADING YEARBOOKS!

NU's Syllabus Yearbook arrives on campus Monday morning, and we need six able-bodied students to help unload the delivery truck.

Monday morning May 11 (between 8-9am) Norris Center dock Call Chris 847-491-4901 or email spc-compshop@northwestern.edu to reserve your spot

­— Clifford Ward (Chicago Tribune/TNS)

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THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN | NEWS 11

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

City one of 55 communities honored as walking-friendly city

Evanston has been designated a Gold Level Walk Friendly Community by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, the city announced Thursday. The Walk Friendly Communities program,

Evanston devotes May to bike safety, appreciation in “Bike Kick-off Month”

Evanston announced Wednesday this May will be “Bike Kick-off Month,” dedicated to improving bicycle safety and respect among

National News Ruling on NSA phone data splits GOP presidential hopefuls WASHINGTON — A court decision Thursday that declared the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of telephone metadata to be illegal revealed a sharp split among several Republican presidential hopefuls over the scope of the surveillance. Minutes after the court’s announcement, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has challenged the constitutionality of the program, called the ruling a “monumental decision for all lovers of liberty” and urged the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the spying program. He also called on Congress to repeal the USA Patriot Act provision that permits the collection and said he would “continue to fight to prevent the Washington machine from illegally seizing any American’s personal communication.” That stance puts him at sharp odds with Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, one of his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination next year, who took to the Senate floor, along with Sens. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., to defend the program and accuse critics of “raising hysteria.” Rubio charged that a perception has been created, “including by political figures that serve in this chamber, that the United States government is listening to your phone calls or going through your bills as

maintained by the PBIC, nationally recognizes communities with a strong commitment to pedestrian safety. WFC is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and FedEx. Evanston is the 15th designated Gold city, joining the ranks of Chicago and Ann Arbor, Michigan. According to the city, a total of 55 communities in the United States have been recognized as WFCs, with four designations of awards ranging from bronze to platinum.

WFC particularly commended the city on several programs, including its range of transportation options, exhaustive inventories of sidewalks and curb ramps, spearheading healthy lifestyle initiatives such as the Women Out Walking program and implementing a Safe Routes to School program for elementary and middle schools, the city said. Additionally, WFC praised Evanston’s Complete and Green Network resolution to ensure effective use of public rights-of-way and

public spaces by commuters of all types, the city said. Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl said in a news release the city was proud to receive the honor. “Our city has a beautiful lakefront, a thriving downtown, fantastic schools and historic neighborhoods,” she said. “It’s important that all residents and visitors can access them safely and comfortably.”

riders, drivers and pedestrians on the road. The city is also launching a campaign called “Let’s Roll Together” to better traffic safety during the week of May 11. City officials, Evanston police and volunteers will be stationed at four intersections throughout the week to distribute bike safety information and bike maps as well as point out safe and unsafe road behavior. Volunteers can

register online. May is also recognized as National Bike Month. This month the city will encourage residents to ride their bikes to work. Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl will also urge residents to take the online Illinois League of Bicyclists’ Bike Safety Quiz to learn safety strategies on the road.

Tisdahl will officially declare “Bike Kick-off Month” with her signature at Monday’s City Council meeting. The League of American Bicyclists has recognized Evanston as a “Bicycle Friendly Community,” along with eight other communities in the state.

a matter of course. That is absolutely, categorically false.” “The next time that any politician, senator, congressman, talking head, whatever it may be, stands up and says that the U.S. government is listening to your phone calls or going through your phone records, they’re lying,” Rubio said. On the Democratic side, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent running for the Democratic Party’s presidential nod, tweeted, “It’s Time To End Orwellian Surveillance of Every American.” On his Senate website, he said: “Clearly we must do everything we can to protect our country from the serious potential of another terrorist attack, but we can and must do so in a way that also protects the constitutional rights of the American people and maintains our free society.” Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton had not commented on the ruling by early evening, but on Twitter she pledged her support for the USA Freedom Act, a possible replacement for the Patriot Act but without the provision allowing the bulk collection of data. “Congress should move ahead now with the USA Freedom Act — a good step forward in ongoing efforts to protect our security & civil liberties,” Clinton tweeted. Likely Republican contender and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush last month said President Barack Obama’s support for using big metadata was the “best part” of the administration.

Some school food program recipients ineligible, audit finds

— Lesley Clark (McClatchy Washington Bureau/TNS)

WASHINGTON — School districts in California, Florida and Texas are providing free or low-cost meals to ineligible students, Agriculture Department auditors warn in a new report. The failures cost taxpayers millions of dollars in benefits provided to children from households whose income was later found to be excessive or unsupported, auditors say. With 97 percent of the assisted households not double checked at all, the full cost is unknown. Auditors suggest it might be time to require more proof of poverty from families applying for free or low-cost meals. “The act of turning in income documentation with applications may discourage applicants from being dishonest about household income levels,” the Agriculture Department’s Office of Inspector General noted in the report made public this week. But while USDA officials acknowledge the room for improvement, and say they have the legal authority to require income documentation, they also resist imposing new application barriers. “Significant other legal, policy and operational concerns remain,” the department’s Food and Nutrition Service stated. Requiring applicants for free or low-cost meals to submit proof of income “could create barriers to participation for eligible children (and) cause

— Marissa Page

— Julia Jacobs

significant administrative and record-keeping burden for participating schools,” the agency stated. Elyse Homel Vitale, nutrition policy specialist with California Food Policy Advocates, added in an interview Wednesday that the most “administratively efficient” means of checking applicants is “direct certification.” Instead of requiring separate applications and documentation, families already found eligible for other federal food or cash assistance programs are automatically enrolled in school meals. “Having schools take additional steps to verify eligibility may not be the best use of their resources,” Vitale said. The National School Lunch Program operates in more than 100,000 schools and institutions nationwide; the newer School Breakfast Program serves somewhat fewer. Upward of 31 million children eat free or lowcost meals every day, at an annual cost of some $15 billion. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals, while those at or below 185 percent of the poverty level can get reducedprice meals. Currently, families can simply attest to their income and need not show proof. Districts, in turn, must take small samples to verify eligibility. — Michael Doyle (McClatchy Washington Bureau/TNS)

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SPORTS

ON DECK MAY

8

ON THE RECORD

“When it comes to tournament time, anything can happen. Everyone is on their game.” — Junior midfielder Kaleigh Craig

Lacrosse Louisville at No. 8 NU 3:30 p.m. Friday

Friday, May 8, 2015

@DailyNU_Sports

Lacrosse

History on Cats’ side as NCAA Tournament begins By claire hansen

the daily northwestern @clairechansen

It’s finally tournament time, and this year Northwestern has a lot to prove. The Wildcats grabbed the No. 8 NCAA Tournament seed after capping off an 11-5 regular season with a disappointing loss to Penn State in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Tournament play starts Friday for No. 9 NU (12-6, 3-2 Big Ten) when they take on No. 18 Louisville (10-7) at Lakeside Field. “Our group is starting to come together,” coach Kelly Amonte Hiller said. “We have some good people in good spots, and even though our last outing wasn’t successful, I feel good about this group and about tomorrow. I’m excited for them to show what they can achieve.”

Louisville vs. No. 8 Northwestern Evanston, Illinois 3:30 p.m. Friday

The team feels ready, too. They’ve shaken off their regular season disappointments and Big Ten woes, said junior midfielder Kaleigh Craig. “We’ve just kind of washed all that away and had a good week of practice,” Craig said. “We’re ready.” History is on the Cats’ side. NU is 20-0 in NCAA Tournament games at Lakeside Field under Amonte Hiller. Last year, the Cats faced Louisville in the second round of the tournament and handed the Cardinals an 11-8 loss. Louisville and NU last met in Evanston on March 29, when the Cats earned a 12-10 victory. Despite the NU victory, the stats were pretty even. Although

the Cats led in clears, ground balls and free position shots, the Cardinals led in shots and draw controls. Louisville’s dominance on the circle in March was no fluke, either. The Cardinals are fifth in the nation in draw controls, while NU lags decidedly behind at 26th. Amonte Hiller said although the draw will be a concern, the Cats have grown on the circle and improved tremendously throughout the season. “We are starting to become strong in that area,” Amonte Hiller said. “If we can win possessions that’s huge, but we are definitely going to have to worry about that tomorrow.” NU is also going to have to worry about a few Cardinals in particular. Tewaaraton Award nominee Kaylin Morissette has 178 draw controls, ranking second in the nation, and leads the Cardinals with 59 points. Teammate Hannah Koloski leads the team with

50 goals. But, of course, the Cats have dynamite players of their own, including Tewaaraton Award nominee freshman Selena Lasota and senior Kara Mupo. Mupo, who has arguably become the face of NU lacrosse over the years, said although the tournament holds special meaning for her, it’s just about getting the job done.

“

Especially when it comes to tournament time, anything can happen. Kaleigh Craig, junior midfielder

“There’s definitely a sense of urgency,” Mupo said. “It’s the same mentality, though, just going out there and setting the tone.”

And although both history and stats predict a Cats victory, Craig said no one on the team is letting her guard down. “Especially when it comes to tournament time, anything can happen,” Craig said. “Everyone is on their game, so you never know. You need to prepare like it’s your last game.” Everyone on the team knows there is something to prove here and a chance to reassert themselves as the best of the best on the lacrosse field. Amonte Hiller believes they can. “If you don’t adjust you’re going to be in trouble,” Amonte Hiller said. “You have to have your own philosophies, but you have to be able to recognize who you have on your squad. A strength of ours has been trying to find who fits in where.” Bobby Pillote contributed reporting clairehansen2018@u.northwestern.edu

NU opens Big Ten Tournament Watters filling in nicely By Melissa Haniff

the daily northwestern @melissahaniff

In a conference dominated by softball powerhouse Michigan, Northwestern softball will head to Columbus this weekend with one goal: Play spoiler and win the Big Ten Tournament. But to achieve that goal, the Wildcats (27-20, 14-8 Big Ten) must remain consistent and composed as they face opponents from what is becoming one of the toughest softball conferences in the country. The Cats’ first game of the tournament will take place Friday against 12th-seeded Purdue and its ace pitcher Lilly Fecho. Earlier this season, NU swept Purdue in a bullpen battle that pitted Fecho against juniors Kristen Wood and Amy Letourneau. Wood, who has been stellar for the Cats this season, enters Friday’s game with a 15-9 record and a 4.26 ERA. Regardless of Wood’s success against Purdue earlier in the season, there’s one thing NU coach Kate Drohan wants her team to remember this weekend: They need to take things one pitch at a time, both offensively and defensively.

No. 12 Purdue vs. No. 4 Northwestern Columbus, Ohio 11 a.m. Friday

“What I’ve seen out of our hitters, not only have they made great adjustments at bat to at bat, but pitch to pitch,” Drohan said. “If we can continue to focus on our adjustments, I think we’ll be a fun team to watch.” Centerfielder Sabrina Rabin, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year on Wednesday, echoed her coach’s sentiments. “It’s really about playing how we know how to play and taking each pitch one at a time,” she said. Rabin has been a crucial part of the Cats’ offensive production this season, finishing the regular season hitting .411 with 49 runs scored, 67 hits and 27 stolen bases from the leadoff position. Drohan noted that Rabin has exceeded expectations as a freshman with the best offense she’s ever coached at NU. “Sabrina has been outstanding for us as our table setter for our offense,” Drohan said. “We’ve seen a lot of different defensive sets against her because she’s got a great combination of speed and she can also drive

the ball.” Rabin came into her freshman season with high expectations for herself, but she has surpassed even her own goals. “I definitely have high goals for myself, but I just wanted to contribute to the team,” Rabin said. “It’s all paying off, especially with the hard work I put in the fall.” Along with steady hitting and defensive play from junior shortstop Andrea Filler and senior rightfielder Andrea DiPrima, both of whom also won Big Ten accolades this week, NU has all the right pieces needed to win the Big Ten Tournament this season. After all, the Cats have won the Big Ten Tournament three times prior in the program’s history. The question is if those pieces will come together this weekend in Columbus against perennially powerful Big Ten opponents. Drohan has faith NU will capitalize on its strengths and bring home the crown. “Regardless of who you play in this tournament, you have to play your best,” she said. “We’ll show up at 12 o’clock on Friday and we’ll be ready to go.” melissahaniff2016@u.northwestern.edu

Softball

Sean Su/Daily Senior Staffer

BIG HONOR Centerfielder Sabrina Rabin slaps the ball. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year will be a key part of Northwestern’s lineup when it opens up Big Ten Tournament play Friday against Purdue.

for injured Ruchim

Baseball Sean Su/Daily Senior Staffer

RESTING EASY Senior outfielder Kyle Ruchim lines a base hit. Ruchim has missed time due to an injury, but RJ Watters has filled in well for him.

By JESSE KRAMER

daily senior staffer @Jesse_Kramer

Senior centerfielder Kyle Ruchim knows the powerless feeling of sitting on the bench with an injury while teammates compete on the field. Northwestern’s top hitter missed almost the entire 2014 season with an arm issue, and now has missed the last eight games with an oblique injury. But the frustration is tampered when a replacement fills in as well as sophomore RJ Watters has. In six starts, Watters is batting .435 with four RBIs. The only blemish preventing an impressive hitting streak is a pinch-hit fly out Sunday against Nebraska. “What (Ruchim) means to this team is invaluable,” Watters said. “I don’t look at myself like I’m trying to fill his role by any means because I know I can’t do it. I just try to be my own player. When I try to not be myself, that usually leads to players struggling in general. So I just try to stick to myself.” While Ruchim would prefer to be out there himself, he said he is not surprised Watters has stepped in so seamlessly. Still, the extent to which his replacement has succeeded is nothing short of exceptional in the veteran’s eyes. “He’s one of the hardest working guys, if not the hardest working guy, on the team,” Ruchim said. “So we knew if he got the opportunity to go in there and show what he can do, he’s going to take advantage of it. Now, doing what he’s doing is absurd. He’s doing unbelievable. You couldn’t have a normal, everyday starter do what he’s doing.” Multiple teammates commented on Watters’ work ethic and desire to learn, and Watters said he’s always “picking their brains.”

Northwestern vs. Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan 5 p.m. Friday

Watters said he is always asking for hitting advice, and that has allowed Ruchim, though unable to participate on the field, to remain an essential presence on the bench. “He’s always asking questions, trying to better his game,” Ruchim said. “If they’re bringing in a relief guy or if it’s somebody I’ve seen in past years, those are the things he’ll maybe ask me about. He’s always looking to improve.” Every bit of knowledge gained has helped Watters’ confidence, which he said is a key to his success. “I’ve always prided myself on my work ethic,” Watters said. “This is the sport of failure, anyway. If you’re not confident 100 percent to get the job done, then you’re usually not going to be successful.” Ruchim said he is getting closer to returning to the field, but coach Paul Stevens said the former MLB draft pick is questionable for this weekend’s crucial series at Michigan. The Wildcats sit at No. 11 in the Big Ten, three games out of the conference tournament’s final slot. While Stevens said Watters’ production has thrilled him, don’t get the coach wrong — he’d rather see for his star senior manning the outfield and batting leadoff. But, as with Ruchim, knowing he has a quality replacement in Watters lessens the coach’s frustration a bit. “It’s just absolutely awesome to see somebody come in, and all the energy and effort he’s put into it is paying off,” Stevens said. jessekramer2017@u.northwestern.edu

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