Nov. 15, 2023

The Emory Wheel Since 1919

Emory University’s Independent Student Newspaper

Volume 104, Issue 13

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Emory expands to recognize AI revolution

Printed every other wednesday

Black Male Initiative expands outreach after decreased interest

By Alyza Marie Harris Contributing Writer

Spencer Friedland/News Editor

Provost and Executive Vice President for Acadamic Affairs Ravi Bellamkonda opens the Emory AI Health Symposium in the Health Sciences Research Building with a speech on Nov. 14.

By Esther Fu Contributing Writer Emory University officially launched the Emory Empathetic AI for Health Institute yesterday during the first day of the AI Health symposium, The symposium focused on topics such as implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in public health, data security and privacy, and bias and trust in AI. Today, the second day of the symposium will feature discussions based on AI in genomics, pathology and the implementation and cost of AI. At the symposium, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic

Affairs Ravi Bellamkonda spoke about how Emory can use AI to address inequities in healthcare.

“Can we come together to affect patient outcomes, to decrease costs, to increase efficacy?” Bellamkonda said.

“This is the challenge and this is what our success should be measured by at this institute.”

The Empathetic AI for Health Institute will innovate Emory’s health care system under the AI.Humanity Initiative, according to Center for AI Learning Director Joe Sutherland.

The institute and Emory Healthcare aim to close the health disparity gap among populations of color in the United States by developing accu-

rate risk prediction models for disease diagnosis, prognosis and treatment response prediction, according to Anant Madabhushi, the institute’s executive director.

“As we think about the AI, we need to make sure that we’re imbuing that same sense of empathy into the development and the application of these AI tools for precision medicine,” Madabhushi said.

New faculty To support Emory’s AI.Humanity Initiative, the University announced the addition of 19 new faculty mem-

See UNIVERSITY, Page 3

Emory University’s Black Male Initiative (BMI) has seen a decrease in the number of students signing up to live on the BMI immersion community floor, with only five applying this year, according to the floor’s resident advisor (RA) Bryan Machani (25C). Of the five residents, Machani said one is an active member of the program.

Housing and Residence Life established the BMI floor in 2017 to accompany the administrative aspect of the program and help facilitate the support of first-year students in BMI. Seven members of the Class of 2026 signed up to live on the floor last year, according to BMI Executive Fellow Yafet Zewdie (25B). He said this was a “big drop off” from earlier years, noting that he was one of about 15 students who signed up to live on the floor during the 2021-22 academic year.

BMI Executive Fellow Adrian Thierry (25B) recalled that this waning interest created a challenging experience as a sophomore advisor on the BMI floor last year.

“It was mainly really difficult to foster that Black male experience when you … have other individuals that identify across other ethnicities or demographics,” Thierry said.

Established in 2017, BMI aims to support the academic, social and personal success of Black male stu-

dents throughout their undergraduate and graduate experience at Emory.

Students can apply to live on the fifth floor of Hamilton Holmes Hall as part of the BMI Immersion Community, which is open to first-year male students of any race or national origin with a demonstrated commitment to the academic success of the initiative’s members, according to Director of Residential Education Linda Bachman.

“Our goal is to nurture a robust sense of community and support, ultimately contributing to the wellbeing and flourishing of the entire community,” BMI Program Advisor Kyle Williams wrote in an email to The Emory Wheel.

Machani said that when he applied to college, he knew he would most likely end up at a school that did not have a large Black student population.

As a QuestBridge Scholar, Machani explained that it was difficult to find a balance between academics and diversity because not many “elite” schools he was applying to had significant Black student populations.

Thierry said Emory “stuck out” because of its diversity, which he valued after being one of five students who identified as African American at his high school. In total, 12% of Emory’s student body identifies as Black or African American, according to the most recent data published by the National Center for Education

See BLACK, Page 3

Students advocate for SGA votes to educate club executives on sexual assault disability identity space

By Lauren Yee Contributing Writer

By Hilary Barkey Contributing Writer Emory University community members are pushing to establish a disability identity space to give neurodivergent and disabled students a relaxing space to decompress and build community on campus. Students are still developing ideas for the space, with Caroline Quan (24C) and Chloe Wegrzynowicz (24C) recently releasing an interest form to anonymously collect student input on what the space should look like and how it should function if it is created.

The University debuted a new identity space center at the beginning of this fall semester on the third floor of Cox Hall. A disability identity space was not included.

This is not the first time that students have proposed a disability identity space to the University. Emory Autism Advocacy Organization President Sabrina Schoenborn (24C) has been working on the initiative since her sophomore year but stated that the Department of Accessibility Services (DAS) did not take action after the Autism Advocacy Organization submitted a proposal for a disability identity space in partnership with Emory Oaks one year ago. The groups initially gave the proposal to Emory’s Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which then passed it onto DAS, according to

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Schoenborn.

“This administrative stagnation, to us, demonstrates a lack of care and consideration towards the neurodivergent student population at Emory,” Schoenborn wrote in an email to The Emory Wheel.

When asked, Rashad Morgan, Director and ADA Compliance Officer for the Department of Accessibility Services, wrote in an email that the department is in “full support” of a Disability Identity Space. She did not address questions regarding what DAS did after receiving the proposal.

“We are happy to consult with others regarding any next steps needed to support this project,” Morgan wrote.

While Schoenborn said that she was glad to see the new Belonging and Community Justice Identity Spaces, she said she wishes that the University had a more accessible campus with a designated space for disabled and neurodivergent students.

Other students have previously reported accessibility difficulties at Emory. Wegrzynowicz said the University asked her to prove that she was disabled to receive accommodations, which she felt to be “very ableist.”

“As Emory claims to be a place that is full of diversity and inclusivity, then you shouldn’t have to prove that a minority identity exists, especially if you want to

See STUDENTS, Page 2

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Content Warning: This article contains references to sexual assault.

The Emory University Student Government Association (SGA) unanimously passed a bill to increase education about sexual assault on campus at their Nov. 14 meeting. Bill 57sl30 will require Emory College of Arts and Sciences club executive board members to attend a Sexual Assault Peer Advocates (SAPA) 101 training event when requesting supplemental funding starting next semester.

SAPA, a student-led group working to create and promote a survivorfriendly campus, will host at least two training sessions per month, according to the bill. The training consists of a 45-minute PowerPoint presentation about supporting survivors of sexual assault. Members of the Office of Respect fact-checked the presentation, which concludes with a reflection activity depicting scenarios one may encounter in college, according to SGA co-Vice President of Well-being Jean Qian (23Ox, 25C).

Clubs’ “SAPA Trained status” will expire at the end of each academic year, according to the bill.

SGA President Khegan Meyers (24B) explained that the bill amended SGA’s Finance Code, which requires two votes in consecutive sessions. SGA first voted to approve the changes on Oct. 16, but did not vote in the next

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Gabriella Lewis/Former Managing Editor

The SGA GSGA joint meeting took place in Convocation Hall on Nov. 14. SGA voted on the SAPA bill after the joint meeting. meeting on Oct. 23 and had to restart the voting process with a new vote on Oct. 30. The group did not meet on Nov. 6, making yesterday’s session the necessary vote to officially approve the amended finance code.

Oxford College SGA (OxSGA) passed a similar bill last year requiring club presidents and treasurers to be SAPA-trained prior to receiving a charter, according to Oxford SAPA (OxSAPA) co-President Asmita Lehther (24Ox), who wrote the bill as an OxSGA first-year senator.

“There was a really pressing need for students to have access to trainings about sexual assault and giving resources and empowerment and advocacy, especially since a lot of students didn’t necessarily have the time or the capabilities to get trained, just

with the way that current schedules work,” Lehther said. “I saw that there was a way to address that by including it in the club chartering process.”

Lehther wrote that the initiative has been successful and all club presidents were required to attend the SAPA training sessions.

Unlike the OxSGA bill, Bill 57sl30 will only apply to clubs seeking supplemental funding. Meyers addressed the difference between the bills, explaining that SGA is more federal in nature and does not charter clubs. He added that supplemental funding is the most common way clubs appeal to SGA for resources, making it a logical tie to the SAPA training.

SGA co-Vice President of Well-being Pranay Mamileti (26C) explained

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Students cite campus accessibility concerns SAPA says bill is first step

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encourage students to come to Emory,” Wegrzynowicz said.

The process of renewing documentation can also take up to multiple years, according to Schoenborn, which she says discourages students from applying for disability accommodations in the first place.

The Department of Education allows each institution to make its own documentation rules, with Emory currently requiring students to provide documentation that is “recent, relevant, comprehensive, and where appropriate, contain test scores and interpretations,” according to Emory’s DAS website. The website also states that less apparent disabilities typically require more paperwork to be allowed accommodations.

“DAS is responsible for compliance with disability laws and regulations,” Morgan wrote. “A Disability Identity Space is very different than accommodations or compliance efforts.”

Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Belonging, Engagement and Community Kristina Odejimi wrote in an email to the Wheel that a space for students with disabilities already exists in DAS and is located on the Clairmont campus. The center is primarily a housing space for Emory College of Arts and Sciences upperclassmen and University graduate students.

“Director Morgan has initiated conversations with students, and is interested in continued exploration, about enhancing that space,” Odejimi wrote.

However, Abby Furey (23Ox, 25C), the creator of Oxford College’s Best Buddies chapter and an Emory Autism Center research assistant, wrote that she was not aware of this space’s existence.

“I didn’t know that even existed,

Continued from Page 1

Courtesy of Sabrina Schoenborn

Emory Autism Advocacy Organization discusses auditory processing disorder at Oxford College. but perhaps that’s the problem?” Furey wrote in an email to the Wheel.

Emory Autism Advocacy Organization (AAO) Events Coordinator Thomas Pharr (23Ox, 25C) added that nobody in AAO was aware that a space for people with disabilities existed at DAS, and when they investigated the Clairmont location, he wrote that they only found “a locked door.”

“The current space doesn’t seem to actually exist, and a space that is at Clairmont instead of [the Atlanta campus] is less useful to both first and second-year students and other students who are on campus for classes,” Pharr wrote.

Without this space, Furey said Emory is unable to properly acknowledge or appreciate people with disabilities on campus.

“In terms of social resources that are driven by a neurodivergent perspective or run by neurodivergent people, we just don’t have those,” Furey said.

“That’s kind of where the importance of a neurodivergent-friendly or a disabilityfriendly affinity space or identity space comes from.”

Ella Day (26C), a neurodivergent student who advocates for people with disabilities, stressed the importance of a safe and accessible space for students with disabilities amid Emory’s hectic

college atmosphere.

“A lot of times in academia and careers, I feel like there’s almost this stigma of not talking about neurodivergence or disabilities,” Day said. “I would love to see this place be encouraged as a safe place to go to … I would love to see more people at Emory become connected to spaces like that.”

Additionally, Pharr said that while the needs of every neurodivergent student vary, he specifically wants the space to have less music and no fluorescent lights to alleviate sensory difficulties students may experience.

“I would appreciate a space with just less sensory issues, more of a space where people can just feel like they’re welcomed and it’s accessible and that they can exist regardless of their disability,” Pharr said.

Schoenborn acknowledged she will likely not see the space before she graduates, but said that she hopes the initiative will continue beyond her years at the University.

“I really do hope that that space exists,” Schoenborn said. “And I know it will exist because we’re going to keep fighting for it and after I’m gone, the fight will keep going.”

— Contact Hilary Barkey at hilary.barkey@emory.edu

that SGA is only requiring clubs that request supplemental funding to undergo SAPA training to test the viability and effectiveness of the bill before potentially requiring all club executives to complete the training.

“Our eventual goal is to make sure that for any funding request that any club does, they receive this training,” Mamileti said.

Qian sees the bill as a way to create positive change on campus.

“The goal is to incorporate as many people who are viewed as leaders as possible to become educated about sexual assault, but also just creating a culture where these conversations are happening in the first place and people are knowledgeable about them,” Qian said.

Students inherently view club leaders as a “confidential resource,” according to Qian, who added that student leaders have a responsibility to support sexual assault survivors.

“There’s this element of trust that comes and is very inherent with leadership,” Qian said. “If somebody’s trusting you and you’re not entirely educated or knowledgeable about sexual assault and the resources that that person can … have at their disposal and even just a lack of traumainformed response and support, that can be very dangerous.”

Meyers said he feels optimistic about the initiative based on “overwhelmingly positive” reactions from legislators and students. He added that he believes students recognize the need for broader education on sexual

assault prevention and awareness on campus.

Mamileti sees the bill as the most effective way to push for broader sexual assault advocacy on campus.

“Students uniquely are able to connect with other students and persuade other students and educate them much better than any administration would be able to, much better than any external organization would be able to,” Mamileti said. “That’s why it’s crucial that it’s our peers that are the people who are trying to push these initiatives forward.”

Looking ahead, Lehther hopes that all students will be educated about sexual assault prevention and made aware of resources they can turn to for support, such as SAPA. “The objective is, of course, that everyone would be SAPA-safe-trained, but this is just one of the ways that we can use SGA resources as a conduit of that,” Lehther said.

If you or someone you know experienced sexual assault, you can access Emory’s Department of Title IX at 404-727-0541 and the Office of Respect’s hotline 24/7 at (470) 270-5360. You can reach the RAINN National Sexual Assault hotline 24/7 at (800) 656-4673. You can reach the Atlanta Grady Rape Crisis Center crisis hotline 24/7 at (404) 616-4861 and the Decatur Day League Sexual Assault Care and Prevention crisis hotline 24/7 at (404) 377-1428.

— Contact Lauren Yee at lauren.yee2@emory.edu

CAPS aims to address student concerns under new executive director

By Madi Olivier Managing Editor Content Warning: This article contains references to gun violence.

Tenille Gaines will never forget Feb. 13.

Gaines, who assumed the role of executive director of Emory University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) on Oct. 2, previously served as the interim director of Counseling and Psychiatric Services and director of Counseling Services at Michigan State University (MSU). So, when a gunman opened fire on MSU’s East Lansing campus in February, shooting eight students and killing three, Gaines found herself at the forefront of helping MSU students cope with the mental trauma of the mass shooting.

“Feb. 13 is a day that will probably be etched in our lives no matter where we are,” Gaines said. “What was important for us was to make sure that we were providing trauma-informed care during that time and really being aware and sensitive to the needs of our students.”

A vital step, Gaines said, was recognizing that MSU’s counseling services could not do it all. She collaborated with faculty and staff, as well as MSU Residence Education and Housing Services, to expand students’ support network across the university.

Now, nine months later, Gaines is using this experience to inform her approach to CAPS at Emory. She hopes to collaborate with Campus Life departments, such as Student Health Services, the Office of Health Promotion and Office of Respect, as well as academic colleges and student organizations to build a “community of care.”

Gaines entered her role amid years

of student complaints about CAPS. Residence Hall Association (RHA) Vice President of Advocacy Hannah Liu (25C) said that mental health was a common concern raised in an RHA survey of several hundred residents this semester. Specifically, Liu said students expressed that they want increased promotion and accessibility of campus resources.

Additionally, students have consistently raised concerns about long wait times to schedule CAPS appointments. However, according to Gaines, the average wait time for an intake consultation is one to three business days, while students with urgent needs can be seen the same day.

Associate Vice President for Health, Well-Being, Access and Prevention James Raper said this misconception arises because there are typically longer wait times for recurring sessions. He explained that it can take four to six weeks to schedule an appointment with a particular counselor around a client’s classes, labs and work.

However, Gaines does not think students’ concerns about mental health are unique to Emory.

“Your generation and generations under you have been through so much,” Gaines said. “As we look at racism, discrimination, we look at the social political climate, there’s been so much that you all have had to contend with that many of us have not had to … in the younger year of life.”

This discrimination, Gaines explained, can create barriers to accessing mental health care services.

To combat this, Gaines said she aims to foster inclusivity at CAPS through means such as diverse hiring, leaning on her own experiences as a Black woman and first generation college student.

CAPS eliminated session limits at

Jack Rutherford/Senior Staff Photographer

Tenille Gaines began as CAPS’ executive director on Oct. 2. the start of the semester after previ- removing session limits will encourously capping appointments at eight age more students to explore CAPS’ per academic year following an initial resources. screening. Raper said he brought the Gaines also wants to improve CAPS’ idea to Emory after seeing the benefits intake process. To begin working with of unlimited sessions at Wake Forest CAPS, students must use the office’s University (N.C.), where he previously appointment portal, which is only open served as the assistant vice president from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays, to of health and well-being. schedule a 15-minute phone call with a Session limits are “distractions” for clinician to assess their needs and how both clinicians and clients, because they qualify for CAPS’ services. Gaines they shift the focus to the number of explained that this can limit students’ remaining sessions rather than the access to CAPS, so she hopes to keep client’s immediate needs, Raper said. the appointment portal open outside of “What I find is more valuable is business hours and extend the initial remove that distraction, or what I phone calls to 30 minutes. would very much describe as a red herLiu applauded the decision to ring related to this issue, and focus on remove session limits and extend the what is the individual student need,” intake appointment time, noting that Raper added. some students rely on CAPS’ free serUnder the new approach, counsel- vices as their only form of counseling. ors will work with students to develop However, she added that these changes an individualized care plan, which are not comprehensive. can change over time. Emory students “The issue is that people aren’t able currently attend an average of five to meet with their counselor, they sessions per academic year, according aren’t able to receive that counselto Raper, who expects that figure to ing,” Liu said. “Removing that limit remain relatively consistent under the won’t be that helpful to those students new model. who their issue may not be needing Although Raper said about 16% of more counseling sessions, but more the campus community utilizes CAPS, regularly.” which he noted is double the rate of Raper added that although it is similarly sized institutions, he believes important to clear up misconceptions

about CAPS that might discourage students from reaching out, he welcomes students holding them accountable.

“They care about mental health and they’re using their voices,” Raper said.

“That’s what students are supposed to do.”

Getting to know students and listening to their concerns is the foundation of achieving these changes, Gaines said. She participated in RHA’s town hall event earlier this month to address student questions.

“The thing that I continuously see is just that fear: the fear of the unknown, the fear of, ‘Will the person behind that door truly understand who I am?’”

Gaines said. “It’s my goal to make sure that we’re doing the training that we need, but that we’re also in community with our students so we’re not just behind these four walls of 1462 Clifton Road, but we actually really know our students and find ways to engage with everyone.”

Liu added that she is excited to see the future of CAPS under Gaines’ leadership.

“While I can’t be responsible for everything that happened prior to my arrival, I do recognize that I may be responsible for everything thereafter and that you may hold my feet to the fire,” Gaines said. “What I’m asking for is just some patience and knowing that a lot of these changes will take time.”

If you or someone you know is struggling in the aftermath of gun violence, you can reach Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services at (404) 727-7450 or https://counseling.emory.edu/ or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress hotline 24/7 at +1 (800) 985-5990.

— Contact Madi Olivier at madi.olivier@emory.edu

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Black Male Initiative hopes better advertising attracts new students

Continued from Page 1 Statistics. Comparatively, at peer institutions such as Vanderbilt University (Tenn.) and Duke University (N.C.) 9% and 7% of students identify as Black or African American.

Upperclassmen like Machani said they were primarily exposed to BMI through advertised, separate pre-orientation programming. When Zewdie matriculated into Emory in 2021, he learned about BMI through preorientation programming, which he said was the group’s only “intentional programming” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, Zewdie said he was still one of about 15 members of the Class of 2025 who signed up to live on the floor.

However, Zewdie said Emory did not offer separate pre-orientation programming concentrating on BMI for the Class of 2026, as the initiative is now part of the Ignite Pre-Orientation Program, according to Pierre. Zewdie added that BMI did not host any events catered to the Class of 2026 during their first semester.

Thierry said he made most of his friends on the BMI floor, including BMI Executive Fellow Guyberson Pierre (25C) and Zewdie. Thierry and Zewdie now live together as roommates.

“BMI was very much a vital part in being that stepping stone for me to get

Courtesy of BMI

Black Male Initiative executive fellows at their September luncheon in the Emory Student Center. assimilated to Emory,” Zewdie said.

Pierre said that BMI helped him build relationships that gave him a sense of belonging at Emory, adding that he “forever has a community to turn to.” Now, BMI is hoping to foster that sense of community for future students.

“We’re coming to these students and trying to cater towards their experience to make them feel a part of the Emory community as much as possible,” Thierry said.

Machani expressed that better advertisement of BMI as a housing option to prospective students could improve interest in the program.

“They might see more Black male applicants who would be interested in coming to Emory because they know about this experience,” Machani said.

Additionally, Machani said BMI should collaborate more with Residence Life and Housing Operations. He feels that while the program itself is running well, more communication between the groups would give “more clear expectations” on what the floor is supposed to look like.

Machani added that although the BMI floor’s sophomore advisors organize events such as monthly BMI dinners, Residence Life staff living on the floor are not required to host extra events that are tailored specifically toward BMI, making it “difficult to navigate” being an RA on the floor.

To continue to expand its outreach, BMI has developed several programming modes that increase involvement in the initiative as much as possible.

According to Thierry, BMI’s GroupMe has 136 members, with about 50 active members who consistently attend the group’s general body meetings, which include Barbershop Sundays at the Black Student Alliance House every other week. During the event, members of the initiative come together to enjoy food and football and engage in conversation about what is currently happening at Emory.

“We’re really just able to foster community in that way,” Thierry said. “We feel that it’s very imperative to, as the Black Male Initiative is resurging, to really foster consistent event planning throughout the entirety of the semester and also the year.”

BMI added four additional fellows in Fall 2023. Two students, Joseph Washington (27C) and Jeremy Hannon (25C), are concentrated on internal efforts while Mekeyas Mekuria (27C) and Isaac Banks-Smith (27C) are focused on initiatives to engage with the broader Atlanta community.

According to Thierry, the group’s internal efforts are focused on “nurturing” community, inclusion and compassion among the undergraduate and graduate Black male community.

Last semester, BMI partnered with Emory Financial Literacy to host a discussion on efficiently budgeting and saving after college. The program also collaborated with The Kitchen Table, which meets monthly at the Center for Women, to foster community building among BMI’s first-year students and sophomores and Black women at Emory.

BMI Executive Fellow Brandon Jacobs (24B) also serves as BMI’s College Council liaison to give a voice to Black male students.

“Traditionally, College Council hasn’t been a place where Black men

have been present,” Jacobs said.

Additionally, Pierre shared that the external side of BMI is tailored toward building relationships with universities, high schools and communitybased organizations in the broader Atlanta area. Through a partnership with the Graduation Generation, BMI tutors students at the Barack & Michelle Obama Academy, an elementary school in Atlanta. Jacobs said that BMI connected with local high schools to share what the Black male experience is like at Emory and expose students to the possibilities of higher education and career paths like law and finance.

In addition to expanding outreach to these communities, Washington, Hannon, Mekuria and Banks-Smith will shadow the four executive fellows to ensure that they can take over the leadership of the organization and make sure that BMI will not “die off again,” Zewdie said.

“We’re going to keep passing the torch and ensuring that we’re creating that community consistently,” Zewdie said.

Editor-in-Chief Matthew Chupack (24C) is a resident advisor and had no role in writing or editing this article.

— Contact Alyza Marie Harris at alyza.harris@emory.edu

University hires new staff as AI.Humanity continues expansion Continued from Page 1 bers earlier this month. Since the initiative’s launch in 2022, Emory has added a total of 39 new faculty members and plans to hire up to 60.

Department of Biomedical Informatics Assistant Professor Hyeokhyen Kwon, Assistant Professor of Mathematics Manuela Girotti, Professor of Quantitative Theory and Methods Jo Guldi and Assistant Professor in Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Chang Su are among the new faculty members and said that they are optimistic about the trajectory of AI and the advancements it will bring to their research.

Kwon, for example, wants to use AI to develop accessible, objective disease assessments, specifically Parkinson’s disease. He hopes to partner with the Emory hospital system and other experts in the field to test and deploy devices that can help monitor diseases.

Specifically, by quantifying and detecting changes in the movement of patients, Kwon sees a future where technology can prompt early intervention to elongate patient health.

Additionally, Su uses single-cell RNA sequencing to develop statistical methods for understanding the functional organization of genes, which entails gene expression profiling for individual cells in the genome.

“The area I’m working on wouldn’t be possible without a large amount of data and also the AI-based method that was motivated or called for by this data,” Su said.

Girotti, one of the 19 new faculty members, said the AI.Humanity program is “great” because it allows her to collaborate with professors in other fields on her research.

“You can name any field and there are some applications,” Girotti said.

Girotti is an associate member of the Mila Institute, a community of more than 1,000 researchers and students who focus on machine learning and AI. The Mila Institute’s AI for Humanity team leads initiatives in Quebec to increase AI knowledge among researchers, policymakers and the general public, as well as advocate for ethical AI implementation.

Emory also hired Guldi, who is

The Emory Wheel Volume 104, Issue 13 © 2023 The Emory Wheel Alumni Memorial University Center, Room 401 630 Means Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30322 Business (404) 727-6178 Editors-in-Chief Matthew Chupack and Sarah Davis matthew.chupack@emory.edu sarah.davis@emory.edu

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a digital historian. She noted that Emory has one of the “few centers for digital fellowships in North America.”

“It is very important that as our society moves toward AI, we don’t lose sight of the collective good that can come out of simply knowing ourselves and knowing our society,” Guldi said. “The more work we do, the more research we do, about how society is changing and how individuals are changing, the better we understand our democracy.”

However, Center for AI Learning Student Fellow Matthew Sharp (22Ox, 24C) and Su stressed that AI may have some unintended consequences.

Su explained that genomic data collected by AI has largely not been representative of different races and ethnicities, which can cause results from AI to be “biased.”

“That is the research hot topic right now,” Su said. “Try to incorporate that in building a prediction model and recognize that sometimes what we found does not apply to everyone.”

Sharp believes that unequal access to AI as new technologies are integrated into society will be a challenge.

“We need to make sure that AI specifically is incorporated in a way that everyone gets their voice heard,” Sharp said. “If we’re able to do that, then it would be a really positive transformation in society as a whole.

We’d be able to make health care, things like that, so much easier to use.”

Kwon believes that AI can be used to objectively diagnose patients in a biased medical system.

“Although you’re trying to really teach new doctors … objective and unbiased lessons, but there still somewhere is bias,” Kwon said. “If you have objective AI system that can be fair across different races, sex and then ages … it can really revolu-

tionize how we care for people across different demographics.”

Emory’s Center for Ethics has branched out to explore and highlight the role of ethics in AI, which is often overlooked, according to Center for AI Learning Senior Program Coordinator Tommy Ottolin.

“AI ethics is all about evaluating, ‘Are we doing this the right way?’” Ottolin said. “‘Is our approach thoughtful and mindful and inclusive and fair?’ They’re really important humanity questions that again make sense for Emory to be asking, but the … ethical piece of AI is not always asked within more techfocused businesses or groups.”

Because of the ever-growing nature of AI, Ottolin said it is likely the Center for AI Learning will open new institutes and increase hands-on learning opportunities in the near future.

“One of the main goals of this initiative too is to make artificial intelligence more accessible and more easily understood by all,” Ottolin said.

“It’s not too late if you feel like you’re not sure what’s happening, or you don’t know where to begin, the center can help you decide and navigate the variety of resources we have on campus so you can start to catch up.”

— Contact Esther Fu at esther.fu@emory.edu

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Opinion EDITORIAL

Gun control begins with domestic violence survivors Content Warning: This article contains references to domestic violence.

The Second Amendment, which codifies Americans’ right to bear arms, will not loosen its grasp on American politics any time soon.

On Nov. 7, the Supreme Court of the United States finished hearing arguments in the United States v. Rahimi case, which considers whether the Second Amendment should extend to domestic abusers. The plaintiff, Zackey Rahimi, committed a series of shootings after being placed under a domestic violence protective order.

As residents of Georgia — one of the states with the weakest gun legislation in the country — it is our responsibility to advocate for reform.

As residents of Georgia — one of the states with the weakest gun legislation in the country — it is our responsibility to advocate for reform. The current debates surrounding gun control are proof that Emory University students must not give up on the fight for gun control, as Georgia is tied with Arkansas, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming for having the second-lowest number of gun safety laws in place.

Georgia has expansive protections for gun owners, with laws allowing individuals to respond with “deadly force” to perceived threats, openly carry firearms without any license and purchase guns from unlicensed dealers without background checks. These laws directly enable the possibility of

armed, hostile and reckless behavior.

United States v. Rahimi reveals the chokehold that gun ownership has on the way both justices and the public interpret the U.S. Constitution. In the past 50 years, many conservative organizations, including the National Rifle Association, have fought to define the Second Amendment as a broad protection for an individual’s right to keep and bear arms. They have dismissed the real issues of mass shootings and domestic abuse in favor of their personal political beliefs, claiming that these scenarios are too extreme to be considered in gun legislation conversations. This excuse can no longer be legitimized as there is a real possibility that domestic abusers’ gun rights will be expanded.

It is clear that the current conservative justices do not care to protect Americans from gun violence. Though the Supreme Court may side with the prosecution and against Rahimi, this decision will not be the win that gun control advocates want. When it comes to guns, conservative justices employ a broken, ambiguous logic that not only strikes down modest firearm regulations but further endangers survivors of domestic abuse.

The United States experiences more mass shootings than any other developed nation. Since 2006, at least 58% of mass shootings survivors were family members or close acquaintances of the shooter, which demonstrates the profound danger that guns pose to households and relationship dynamics like those in the Rahimi case. Rahimi had initially assaulted his then-girlfriend in a Texas parking lot and quickly turned to shooting his gun when he noticed her trying to escape. This case is further proof that domestic disputes can quickly escalate from arguments to violence. When an average of 70 women are shot and killed in cases of domestic abuse per month, it is

vital that guns are taken away from abusers.

The tragic reality of domestic abuse turned deadly puts a spotlight on Rahimi and challenges the lengths gun advocates will go to protect their interpretation of the Second Amendment. Right-wing politicians are more concerned with fiercely protecting gun ownership than focusing on preventing the 48,830 deaths that occurred because of guns in 2021. By supporting Rahimi’s right to own a firearm in this case, conservatives will tacitly perpetuate further gun violence.

Guns have become a ubiquitous and never-ending subject of political discourse, but that does not diminish the urgency of reform. Especially in cases of domestic abuse in which it seems so clear to protect survivors, the

Supreme Court has made clear by their wavering decisions on gun control that Americans will have to advocate for themselves.

It is clear that the current conservative justices do not care to protect Americans from gun violence.

Georgia law does not prohibit individuals with domestic violence charges or restraining orders from possessing firearms. It should be common sense that to minimize instances of domestic violence,

Georgia also needs to implement laws against flagrant gun abuses.

Even if the Supreme Court does ultimately side with Rahimi, Emory students can still fight on behalf of domestic abuse survivors in Georgia through locally active organizations like Everytown and the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition. Calling for strong gun regulation is not a partisan, ideological battle. It is a call for help.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or domestic violence, you can reach Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services at (404) 727-7450. You can call the Emory Police Department at (404) 727-6111.

You can reach Georgia’s domestic violence statewide hotline 24/7 at (800) 334-2836.

Courtesy of Mark Fischer/Creative Commons

On Nov. 7, the U.S. Supreme Court finished hearing arguments in the United States v. Rahimi case.

The above editorial represents the majority opinion of the Wheel’s Editorial Board.

The Editorial Board is composed of Marc Goedemans, Sophia Hoar, Carson Kindred, Justin Leach, Eliana Liporace, Lola McGuire, Shruti Nemala, Sara Peréz, Maddy Prucha, Jaanaki Radhakrishnan and Ilka Tona.

The Emory Wheel Volume 104 | Number 13

Matthew Chupack Editor-in-Chief

Sarah Davis Editor-in-Chief

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Madeline Shapiro Sports Editor Jenny Zha Copy Chief Sandy Ge Copy Editor Haley Huh Copy Editor Tiffany Namkung Social Editor Ha-tien Nguyen Podcast Editor Hayley Powers Visual Editor Emma Kingwell DEI Editor Eva Roytburg Editor-at-Large

Hunter Collins | Business Manager Business/Advertising Email emorywheelbusiness@gmail.com

The Emory Wheel welcomes letters and op-ed submissions from the Emory community. Letters should be limited to 300 words and op-eds should be at least 500. Those selected may be shortened to fit allotted space or edited for grammar, punctuation and libelous content. Submissions reflect the opinions of individual writers and not of the Wheel’s Editorial Board or Emory University. Send emails to matthew.chupack@emory.edu or postal mail to The Emory Wheel, Drawer W, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322.

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OPINION

The Emory Wheel

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

5

ELECTORAL ELLIE

Lackluster GOP debates show generational distrust Ellie Fivas Americans under the age of 45 will comprise more than half of the voting populous in the 2024 presidential election. This means millennials and Generation Z will have more pull than ever in determining the makeup of American politics. In 2024, young voters will be more politically engaged than before, according to The Washington Post, making it the biggest election year for young voices ever. Despite this, neither Republicans nor Democrats have chosen to prioritize Gen Z’s political aspirations. There is a chasm between the candidates contending for spots on Capitol Hill and many of the voters whom they are meant to represent. And in some cases, representatives are outright ignorant of our priorities, preferring to shut us up rather than listen.

Presidential candidate debates, which are meant to make the public aware of candidates’ platforms, echo this issue. Thus far, only the Republican Party has held debates, which took place on Aug. 23, Sept.

27 and Nov. 8. Without the presence of GOP frontrunner former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has skipped all the debates so far, these mocks of debates were lackluster. GOP candidates such as former Republican South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie were featured in these trivial debates, and their stances included digs at younger voters. These jabs reemphasize how out of touch all our representatives are and just how disastrous that could make the 2024 presidential elections. Imagine an election where an entire voting bloc feels unheard.

Take Vivek Ramaswamy, a candidate who boasts being a millennial yet endorses raising the voting age from 18 to 25. He emphasized that young Americans need to “earn” their right to vote, demonstrating his unconstitutional belief of voting as a privilege, not a right.

“There’s more to life than the aimless passage of time,” Ramaswamy claimed during the first Republican debate.

Apparently, Gen Z has not lived long enough to have anything substantive to contribute to the politics governing our world. While Ramaswamy’s critiques may seem unfounded and crazed, he pushes forward an ideology that further gaps generations in the United States and damages Gen Z voters. We are now straining to find a candidate who, at the very least, has our generation in mind.

These jabs reemphasize how out of touch all our representatives are, and just how disastrous that could make the 2024 presidential elections.

Looking left won’t help us either.

U.S. President Joe Biden has been appealing poorly to the left-leaning younger voting bloc and clearly is only toting inclusivity of their values on the surface. During the 2020 presidential election, for instance, Biden identified addressing climate change and the environment as one of his broad goals during his presidency and listed

passing the Green New Deal as a step.

Biden was successful in allocating billions of dollars in funding toward fighting climate change.

But Biden’s record in advocating for clean energy use is not, in fact, squeaky clean. In March, he approved the Willow project, an oil drilling plan in Alaska. Oil drilling paired with climate change funds don’t mix well.

Willow, if completed, will release 9.2 million metric tons of carbon pollution into the atmosphere yearly. But nothing money won’t fix, right, Biden?

Wrong. The Willow carbon emissions alone jumble the delicate path to global temperature consistency, and those are not the only disastrous environmental effects. In Alaska, 532 acres of wetlands, 619 acres of polar bear habitats and more than 17,000 acres of bird habitats will be demolished with Willow.

“The anti-carbon agenda is the wet blanket on our economy,” Ramaswamy said during the first GOP debate.

Biden prides himself and his presidency for being pro-climate change solutions, but somehow, his actions align with Ramaswamy’s words.

Instead of letting the refusal of Willow douse an economic furnace, he allowed it to burn. By approving the Willow project, Biden demonstrated how he preached alignment with young people’s views but could not follow through when it came to actions.

Nearly 60% of voters aged 18 to 29 believe that action against climate change is crucial, even so important that slowing economic growth may be worth the disposal of policy protecting the environment. That statistic is across party lines. However, nearly all mainstream 2024 presidential candidates, including Biden, Trump, Haley and DeSantis, favor economic growth over climate change action. Some may be more reluctant to say it, but actions

always speak louder than campaign promises.

While many candidates claim to be antagonistic only toward their opposing political party, it feels as though they are solely facing Gen Z voters are left with nowhere to turn. We are undeniably more in touch with social issues, such as gender identity and systemic racism. As the two-party system squishes our votes into boxes, many are reluctant to opt for third-party candidates that could potentially swing the presidential election in unfavorable ways. Compared to 50% of millennials and 40% of Gen X, 59% of Gen Z believe that there should be more options than simply the man and woman binary on items like online forms.

Hearing Ramaswamy assert that being transgender is a “deluded and mentally deranged state” and Haley adamant that transgender athletes are “the women’s issue of our time” only drives that separation further.

Sadly, to turn back to our current political governance and see that Biden has not been able to protect transgender people as he pledged during his campaign endorses our hopelessness. Now, 20 states have passed restrictions on gender-affirming care for both teenagers and adults; 44% of American transgender persons live in a state where their identity rights are being slashed.

There are countless other examples

of the isolation of Gen Z voters. While those who lean Democratic may be more prone to feeling it, politicians are leaning away from the perspectives and concerns affecting all young people. Ramaswamy threatens to raise the voting age for all under 25, not just Democrats. DeSantis cut educational programs that could be getting all teenagers into college, not just Democrats. Biden sold Alaska — and our climate — off to oil drillers. This will affect all of the younger generations, not one political party or another. Gen Z is the most diverse, vibrant voting bloc America has ever seen.

But the policies we live under and vote for don’t work for us. Representatives either don’t understand Gen Z or they simply don’t care. The rift between Gen Z, a soon-to-be massive force in elections, and the actual people representing us is wide open, and it will take work from both sides to mend this disconnect.

Many are too wise to vote for a noname third-party candidate, knowing that it will only pull away votes from the narrow race between a Republican and Democratic contender. But 2024 will be the first presidential election that many members of Gen Z will participate in — including myself — and the candidates need to straighten their stories: While many candidates claim to be antagonistic only toward their opposing political party, it feels as though they are solely facing off against us. Voting locally and voting young is a great first step. Politics are not a top-down system: Once the younger generation can get our footing, we can spring up to the debate stage, hopefully making those political conversations more worthwhile than the old folks up there now.

Ellie Fivas (24Ox) is from Cleveland, Tenn.

DOOLINO KNOWS BEST

Dear Doolino, ‘I think I am falling for him!’

Doolino

Dear Doolino, I have this friend with whom I have recently started spending more time.

I think I am falling for him, and I want to be more than friends. Even though everyone around us can see the chemistry, I know he is just that nice and acts this way with everyone.

What should I do? Ignore it until it goes away? Confront it even though I know he doesn’t feel the same way about me?

From, Sam Simp Dear Sam Simp, Greetings from beyond the grave.

I’ve been on a three-year hiatus from the Wheel due to sheer frustration with the Opinion section’s coverage of political issues I don’t care about. Who even is Biden, anyway? However, this situation was so dire that I figured it was time to swallow my pride, emerge from my eternal rest and impart some wisdom. Honestly, I am shocked that

we have not had more frantic submissions about complicated friends-tolovers situations until now — communication skills are not Emory students’ strong suits. Unrequited love is a fate worse than being a skeleton perpetually imprisoned by the 24th-best university. First of all, Sally, I apologize on behalf of all Emory students. Everyone goes through the odd in-between of friendship — it’s the nature of being at Emory, surrounded by socially inept people in a hellish place.

Weigh the importance of this pseudo-friendship: Is it even worth it?

Confide in your friends (hopefully, you have some — other than me, of course).

As a skeleton, I sometimes struggle to remember the qualms of being mortal.

I’ve had thousands of years to get over my lost friendships, after all. So I’m going to refer you to “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and “He’s Just Not That Into You,” a couple of cheesy rom-coms that perfectly illustrate your problem. Those can show you exactly what a quirky protagonist would do when presented with potential love.

Take charge, Simp! Don’t let your feelings marinate too long, or you may wind up in an Earth-shatteringly traumatic failed friends-to-lovers arc. Say goodbye to the possibility of friendship

after that!

You seem confident that this person does not feel the same way about you.

I feel you, buddy. Shocking, isn’t it, that an immortal skeleton-spirit has also been emotionally curb-stomped by unrequited love? Back when I was a living, breathing sack of skin, I was head over heels for someone who flirted with everything that moved — and everyone knew.

However, do not let yourself be put down by others telling you that this boy doesn’t feel the same way. Carpe diem! Seize the day, for non-Latinspeaking imbeciles. Embarrassment or disappointment are easier to live with than regrets; trust me, seriously.

Though I am just bones now, I have a heart bouncing around in my chest cavity too.

Obviously, don’t spring this on your friend while you’re eating pig slop with all your friends in Cox Hall. Opt for a moment when it’s just the two of you, maybe while toiling in the Robert W. Woodruff Library or doing anxiety laps around Lullwater Preserve’s lake.

If he meets your admission with the classic “I thought we were just friends” line, send him my way and I’ll teach him a lesson on incessant flirting.

Being flirty, though fun, leads people

on and ruins friendships. I’d advise him, and anyone else out there who finds it cute to mindlessly flirt around, to be considerate, lest you risk having an audience with me.

Above all else, do not suit your actions to his comfort — or anyone’s, for that matter! If you still want to

Hayley Powers/Visual Editor

get this off your chest, I advise you to do so, and remember: Doolino knows best, so this is excellent advice. Next time, I hope to answer something more entertaining, so bring it on, Emory students. I’ll be waiting.

Doolino is from Covington, Ga.

&

The Emory Wheel

Arts Entertainment Stop Cop City benefit concert unites, educates

By Eliot Vaughey Staff Writer How can Emory University students effectively engage with systemic issues that threaten those who live just a few miles from campus?

It is a tough question to address, especially when many students at Emory did not grow up in Atlanta and some are even from outside of the United States.

While we may not have personal stakes in the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, otherwise known as Cop City, there are still ways to play an active role in this movement.

On the rainy evening of Nov. 10, I entered a dimly lit basement retrofitted into a concert venue.

I had already received a pair of earplugs and two flyers from a greeter upstairs.

One sheet featured QR codes for donations to Stop Cop City, the broader movement against the project, and the other was lined with lyrics to “Bella Ciao” (1906) with certain verses altered for a rendition unique to Stop Cop City, some mentioning the sovereignty and beauty of the South River forest.

Inside, a menagerie of chairs lined the wall opposite to a makeshift stage where a drum kit and a handful of mic stands and amps huddled together.

This intimate space grew even cozier as the crowd flowed in with smiles and casual banter.

Emory undergraduates, alumni and older community members alike were among the roughly 65 attendees at the Emory Musician’’s Network’s Stop Cop City benefit concert.

After all the chairs filled up, the venue owner passed out cushions for people to sit comfortably on the floor.

Bands from Emory and the greater Atlanta area, like Motherfolker, Pen and Bow, Lady Gadget & the Rig and Penelope Road, formed the night’s musical lineup, in addition to an open-mic portion.

The tunes raised the crowd’s spirits, with audience members clapping, singing and dancing along to the performances. We stomped our feet

ARTS APLENTY

Discover exhibitions, performances, theater

Ha-tien Nguyen/Podcast Editor

By Alexandra Kauffman Emory Life Editor With assignments rolling in as Thanksgiving break approaches, do not forget to make time for yourself.

Take an hour or two to attend a book reading, watch a theater performance or attend a concert.

Here are some upcoming arts events on Emory University’s campus to put on your calendar. All events are free unless stated otherwise.

Photo Courtesy of Victoria R egister

Pen and Bow (Solomon Kim (24C) and Victoria Register) perform at the Stop Cop City benefit concert on Nov. 10. to the beat, and each thump vibrated through my body.

After Motherfolker left the stage, Emory Stop Cop City members hosted a teach-in.

This combination of entertainment and education was a smart way to provide a lowkey space to discuss an issue as serious as Cop City.

The teach-in provided basic information on the Stop Cop City movement and the history of the training center’s site, the South River Forest, also known by its Muscogee (Creek) name, “Weelaunee.”

Eliot Vaughey/Staff Writer

Four musical groups headlined the concert and teach-in, which provided information on the Stop Cop City movement.

Organizers additionally held a moment of silence for Manuel “Tortuguita” Terán, a forest defender who was shot and killed by police in a camp raid on Jan. 18.

Following performances from Pen and Bow and Lady Gadget & the Rig, organizers led a direct action workshop, which I had never engaged in before.

Through some partner and larger group work, everyone there, including musicians, strategized in how to claim a space against police force.

I got a dose of the action firsthand by getting yanked out of a human chain — my pants almost fell off in the process, and I learned I may be too faint of heart to protest on the front lines.

The final teach-in drew all the elements of the concert together to show why moments of song and community matter.

Discussion surrounding the dispossession of the Muscogee people was the heart of the night’s events: a history of loss that far predates the threat of Cop City on Atlanta residents’ welfare.

Music plays a salient role in political movements, the Emory Stop Cop City educators remarked. The coalition is a labor of love for the people affected — showing up for one another in support is liberation in its own right, the unifying force of music aiding in that process.

Altogether, the benefit concert highlighted the essence of communal love and joy that fuels Stop Cop City, palpable in the renditions of “Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind Stayed On Freedom)” (1961) and “Rich Man’s House” (2020), led by the Stop Cop City Choir.

Although I often feel powerless in the face of Cop City, I left the event feeling more motivated.

Just attending the concert among a crowd chock-full of exuberant passion and unity spoke volumes.

No matter what happens in the future, a demand for more benefit concerts like this will persist. In the presence of Cop City, this is not a desire, but a need.

— Contact Eliot Vaughey at eliot.vaughey@emory.edu

S.L. Wisenberg reading Date: Nov. 15, 6:30-8 p.m.

Location: Oxford Road Building | Presentation Room Hosted by the creative writing program, this event features nonfiction author S.L. Wisenberg provided a reading of her work.

Wisenberg’s most recent novel, “The Wandering Womb: Essays in Search of Home,” explores the body through “archival record” and won the 2022 Juniper Prize for Creative Nonfiction. Her past work includes “Holocaust Girls” (2006) and “The Adventures of Cancer Bitch” (2009).

‘The City Without Jews’ film cine-concert Date: Nov. 15, 7-8:30 p.m.

Location: Schwartz Center for Performing Arts Sponsored by the Tam Institute for Jewish Studies, the German studies department and the Sunrise Foundation, this cine-concert includes a screening of “The City Without Jews” (1924) and accompanying live music by violinist Alicia Svigals and pianist Donald Sosin.

“The City Without Jews” is an Austrian expressionist silent film based on a novel of the same name by Hugo Bettauer, in which Austria passes a law to exile all Jewish people from the country.

Though the plot is fictional, the film is based on real-world social tensions and ultimately observes the rise of antisemitism in Europe. The event is free, but registration is required.

‘Blood Wedding’ theater production Date: Nov. 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 19 at 2 p.m.

Location: Alumni Memorial University Center | Mary Gray Munroe Theater Theater Emory will perform “Blood Wedding” (1932), a play written by Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca.

The script follows a young woman in a patriarchal society as two men fight for her love. Exploring themes of time, choice, love and fate, this play will take viewers on an emotional journey.

Emory Dance Company fall performance Date: Nov. 16-18, 7:30 p.m.

Location: Schwartz Center for Per-

forming Arts Cost: $18 (general admission) | $15 (Emory faculty) | $10 (Emory students) In their annual performance, Emory Dance Company will showcase several new choreographed dances.

Annalee Traylor, 2023-2024 Emory Arts Fellow, and Professors of Practice Gregory Catallier and George Staib, Associate Professor in the dance and movement studies program Lori Teague and guest artist Celeste Miller choreographed the dances.

As of publication time, all shows except the Saturday 2 p.m. show are sold out. However, those without tickets can arrive to the show early and secure their spot on a waiting list.

Candler Concert Series: Midori and Festival Strings Lucerne Date: Nov. 16, 8 p.m.

Location: Cherry Logan Emerson Concert Hall Cost: $70 (general admission) | $60 (Emory faculty) | $10 (Emory students) Violinist Midori will join Swiss chamber orchestra Festival Strings Lucerne for a performance with concertmaster Daniel Dodds.

The concert will include the works of the bold Arthur Honnegger to the German Romantic Robert Schumann to the modern works of Richard Dubugnon.

‘A Small Fire’ theater production Date: Nov. 17-18, 7:30 p.m.

Location: Schwartz Center for Performing Arts | Theater Lab Ubuntu Theater Group, which is a theater group for people of color at Emory, are putting on Adam Bock’s “A Small Fire” (2012). Bock is an award-winning playwright and currently holds residence as playwright at Encore Theater Company.

“A Small Fire” follows the happily-married John and Emily Bridges, as Emily contracts an unnamed disease that slowly strips her of all five senses, leaving her dependent on her husband.

While tickets are free, those interested in attending must register on SignUpGenius before.

Emory University Symphony Orchestra and Emory Wind Ensemble concert Date: Nov. 18, 8 p.m.

Location: Cherry Logan Emerson Concert Hall Aritro Ray, winner of the 2023 Emory Concerto and Aria Competition, will join Emory University Symphony Orchestra and Emory Wind Ensemble for a concert.

Together, they will perform Dmitri Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1, a concerto in four movements, with the first act being “meditative” and the final act sounding “boisterous.”

— Contact Alexandra Kauffman at alexandra.kauffman@emory.edu

The Emory Wheel

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

A&E

7

CULTURE

Grammy predictions: Who will win, who will be snubbed Cat

By Colin Ference Staff Writer

Cyrus may not have to buy herself flowers this time around. The singer quadrupled her career nominations thanks to her self-love anthem. “Endless Summer Vacation” is a mere backdrop to the saltwater beauty of “Flowers.”

A win for SZA would also be great, but be on the lookout for Eilish’s tender “What Was I Made For? [From The Motion Picture “Barbie”]” both here and everywhere else it is nominated.

Batiste and boygenius, though laudable contenders, are unlikely to snag the gold.

The 66th Annual Grammy Awards premiere Feb. 4, 2024 on CBS. Let’s delve into this year’s nominees, announced on Nov. 10.

SZA leads the female-dominated pack with nine nominations.

The “Barbie” soundtrack scores a whopping eleven nods, occupying all but one spot in the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media category.

Grammy darlings Taylor Swift and Jon Batiste stand strong with six apiece. The full list of nominees can be found on grammy.com; I will be dissecting the general field.

Grammy Award for Album of the Year Nominees: “World Music Radio” | Batiste; “the record” | boygenius; “Endless Summer Vacation” | Miley Cyrus; “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” | Lana Del Rey; “The Age of Pleasure” | Janelle Monáe; “GUTS” | Olivia Rodrigo; “Midnights” | Swift; “SOS” | SZA Will win: “Midnights” Should win: “SOS” Snubbed: Sorry “Barbie,” Hannah Montana stole your mic.

Remember when Harry Styles took home this award for “Harry’s House” (2022)? Well, I cannot name a song on that album richer than Adele’s “I Drink Wine” (2022) or a production detail as fresh and tantalizing as the entirety of Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” (2022). However, Styles and his boisterous “Love

FILM REVIEW

Grammy Award for Song of the Year Hayley Powers/Visual Editor

On Tour” owned 2022. Awarding “Harry’s House” was The Recording Academy acknowledging Styles’ commercial success and also saying, “Thanks for the ’80s synth-pop, we needed a refill.”

As much as SZA deserves to win for her cutting “SOS” in my opinion, Swift is pacing to receive the same treatment Styles did last year.

Though this would be her least innovative win in the category — she has won thrice for genre-shifting projects “Fearless” (2008), “1989” (2014) and “folklore” (2020) — Swift is at the pinnacle of her career. “Midnights” has broken every record in its path, and “The Eras Tour” is an untamable beast.

Swift is a safe bet.

“Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” and “the record” will likely split the Alternative committee’s vote. Watch out for them for the

Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album too. “GUTS” could surprise, but Rodrigo is not the obvious frontrunner anywhere.

I foresee her walking away empty-handed as Billie Eilish did with “Happier Than Ever” (2021).

Grammy Award for Record of the Year Nominees: “Worship” | Batiste; “Not Strong Enough” | boygenius; “Flowers” | Cyrus; “What Was I Made For? [From The Motion Picture “Barbie”]” | Eilish; “On My Mama” | Victoria Monét; “vampire” | Rodrigo; “Anti-Hero” | Swift; “Kill Bill” | SZA Will win: “Flowers” Should win: “Kill Bill” Snubbed: “Paint The Town Red,” Doja

Nominees: “A&W” | Del Rey; “Anti-Hero” | Swift; “Butterfly” | Batiste; “Dance The Night - From Barbie The Album” | Dua Lipa; “Flowers” | Cyrus; “Kill Bill” | SZA; “vampire” | Rodrigo; “What Was I Made For? [From The Motion Picture “Barbie”]” | Eilish Will win: “Anti-Hero” Should win: “A&W” Snubbed: Country, but do we care that much?

Since the release of “Born To Die” (2012), Del Rey has deserved a gramophone. Fans and critics alike even believe her masterpiece “Norman F****** Rockwell!” (2019) was robbed of the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

“A&W” skates above seven minutes and is a psychedelic adventure through every iteration of Del Rey’s discography.

I might cry with joy if her name

is called. Nonetheless, this is Swift’s award to lose. “Anti-Hero” marks her seventh nomination in this category, the most for any artist in history. Not only is the song lyrically smart, but it serves as the vulnerable heartbeat of “Midnights.”

If “drivers license” (2021) did not win a couple of years ago, I doubt that Rodrigo’s fangs will bite with “vampire” either.

She has a better shot in the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance and Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Once again, keep Eilish on your radar.

Grammy Award for Best New Artist Nominees: Gracie Abrams; Fred, again; Ice Spice; Jelly Roll; Coco Jones; Noah Kahan; Monét; The War And Treaty Will win: Ice Spice Should win: Monét Snubbed: Peso Pluma The “In Ha Mood” rapper took 2023 by storm. Well, by more of a light drizzle. Ice Spice’s chill, feel-good music quickly found its way into countless Spotify “get ready” playlists.

Ice Spice’s impact on pop culture this year is undeniable — her collaborations with heavy hitters Swift and Nicki Minaj are nominated as well. Still, Kahan’s and Monét’s artistry should not be overlooked, especially that of the latter.

Abrams is a dark horse.

Buckle up, every minute is a minute closer to music’s biggest night.

— Contact Colin Ference at colin. ference@emory.edu

‘The Holdovers’ brings wintery bite, bliss to screen

By Erin Devine Contributing Writer A has-been classics teacher who can’t stand his students. A grieving cafeteria manager with an attitude and a penchant for alcohol. An upstart teen without regard for authority.

Two weeks cooped up in an all-boy’s boarding school. “Dead Poets Society” (1989) meets “Lady Bird” (2017) meets “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986) in Alexander Payne’s newest production, “The Holdovers.”

Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) is the Scrooge of Barton Academy, delighting in giving out failing grades and assigning homework over break. His adherence to history doesn’t just apply to his ancient civilization curriculum: He can’t seem to let go of tradition, the past and what he could have been.

“Dead Poets Society” (1989) meets “Lady Bird” (2017) meets “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986) in Alexander Payne’s newest production, “The Holdovers.”

One of said students, Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), is scathingly sarcastic and on the verge of being sent to military school. Despite doing well in Paul’s class, the two grate against one another whenever they interact.

Angus refuses to keep his mouth shut and can’t stand Paul’s obsession with obedience and rule-following. Paul has no tolerance for neither mistakes nor mischief of any kind, especially not from the privileged pupils he teaches. This combination of traits earns Angus’ entire class extra assignments and earns Paul the cruel nickname “Walleye” amongst the boys, a jab that

refers to the teacher’s glass eye. They have just about nothing in common.

That is until Paul is forced to remain at the boarding school over break to watch the remaining students because the headmaster is angry with him for failing the son of wealthy donors and partly because he has no one else to be with on the holidays.

A similar change of fate falls on Angus, who receives word that his mother is taking a belated honeymoon with his new stepfather. This last-minute change traps them together at the boarding school along with four other students and Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), who stays behind to cook while fighting to keep the grief of her son’s death.

After a few days of laughably miserable conditions pass, a near-Christmas miracle takes the other four students away for the remainder of the holiday, leaving Angus alone with Paul and Mary. As Christmas approaches, a fateful dash across the off-limits gym floor and over a hurdle dislocates Angus’ shoulder from its socket — and the group from the confines of campus.

This wound breaks some of the bitterness between the characters, and from that point on the heart of the film unfolds. Even as the characters leave the school to travel into town and to Boston, they still feel stuck, or rather, bound together.

Despite their shared animosity, Paul and Angus manage to compose themselves enough to help Mary through her grief and actually get to know one another. Mary keeps them both in check and never takes one side over another. It’s a strange dynamic that somehow works perfectly.

It is clear from the second the first retro studio title appears that “The Holdovers” isn’t your average Christmas flick. The dry humor, ’70s hairstyles and complex convictions of Payne’s characters bring the bite and bliss of winter to the screen in

Photo Manipulation by Nathan Rubin / A&E Editor

a refreshing, yet nostalgic, way. The movie looks as though it was plucked right out of ’70s theaters and rebooted in modern ones, and its rich holiday aesthetic makes you want to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa.

The blissfully-bleak winter landscape, a result of special effects supervisor Adam Bellao convincing Boston-area schools and businesses to save up snow, saturates the screen with Christmas quietude. Melancholic choral music and the soft sounds of Damien Jurado’s “Silver Joy” (2014) accentuate both the isolation of the abandoned school and the warmth of the relationship between the three campus hermits. The contrast of warm and cold mimics the balance between humor and heartfelt emotion in “The Holdovers.”

And though the 35-millimeter film visuals might send the audience into the past, the three central characters’ dynamic feels relatable in the present.

Likewise, Payne’s artful camerawork gives the feature a modern flavor.

In so doing, the discussions of grief and loneliness are even more heart-tugging: Mary grieving her son, Angus grieving his fragmented family, Paul grieving a life not fully lived. As the story progresses, it turns out they

have more in common than any one of them thought.

Depending on who the viewer focuses on, the three characters can take away any number of messages about moving on. Luckily, there’s no need to choose: each character is given what Payne describes as “plenty of ink.”

Even the supporting cast is thoroughly developed, from Mary’s love interest to the ragtag troop of boys stuck with Angus at the start of break.

“The dry humor, ‘70s hairstyles and complex convictions of Payne’s characters bring the bite and bliss of winter to the screen in a refreshing, yet nostalgic, way.”

It’s a testament to both the writing and the acting that not one scene feels flat or inauthentic. In the scenes when Paul, Mary and Angus are together, usually in the school’s all-but-empty

dining hall, the group’s chemistry is undeniable. Their dynamic helps make light of their bleak situation and indicates that you can always find comfort in the holidays, especially when you take the time to get to know someone.

“There is nothing new in human experience,” Paul tells Angus after dragging him to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, pointing out crude images on the ancient pottery. Despite the humor in the pornographic image on the ceramic Paul references, he earnestly explains that even ancient people were not all that different from us.

If we try to understand them, maybe we can understand ourselves a little better.

“The Holdovers” makes you feel nostalgic for a time you have never lived in, and the characters make you feel known by people you have never met. Despite its lengthy plot, the movie maintains its sense of heart and humor up to the end. Ultimately, the viewing experience is like an old wool sweater: scratchy, but warm and comforting in all the right ways, begging to be put on time and time again every holiday season to come.

— Contact Erin Devine at erin.devine@emory.edu

8

A&E

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

PHOTO ESSAY

The Emory Wheel

Students perform Valerie Solanas’ ‘Up Your Ass’ in Harland Cinema

By Jason Kraft / Contributing Photographer

Emory students took the stage of Harland Cinema on Nov. 3-5 to perform an adaptation of Valerie Solanas’ “Up Your Ass.” Emory’s rendition of “Up Your Ass” was its first on-stage appearance in 23 years and the play’s second-ever-known production. The play takes a radically feminist stance on sexism and the patriarchy through the use of profane absurdism, featuring lesbian prostitutes, the murder of children and comprehensive sex lessons.

The Emory Wheel

Emory Life

L auren K atz/Contributing Writer

At the closing ceremony of Tibet Week in the Michael C. Carlos Museum’s Ackerman Hall, monks completed and deconstructed a sand mandala in an acknowledgement of the constant change and the impermanence of life in Buddhist philosophy, with students, staff and faculty witnessing the ritual.

Tibet Week celebrates 25-year partnership with Dalai Lama

By Lauren Katz Contributing Writer Tibet Week returned to Emory University for another year of connections, ceremony and celebration. The week of events, which took place from Nov. 6 to Nov. 11, held special significance as it marked the 25-year anniversary of Emory’s partnership with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Drepung Loseling Monastery. The theme for this year’s Tibet Week celebration was “Compassion in Action.” The series of events took place in Ackerman Hall on the top floor of the Michael C. Carlos Museum.

The week began on Nov. 6 with the renewal of the partnership between Emory and the Drepung Loseling Monastery. The renewal ensured the continuation of the Center for Contemplative Science and CompassionBased Ethics, informally referred to as the “Compassion Center.” Shortly after, the Tibet Week opening ceremony marked the start of the week of celebration. Monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery began with traditional Tibetan music and chants on Emory’s Atlanta campus Quadrangle before moving into the Carlos Museum.

“It’s very important for us because it’s a vision of His Holiness to bring science and religion together, and also to have a compressed, comprehensive, a modern science curriculum, to the monastic monks and nuns.”

— Rinchen Lham, a scholar for Tenzin Gyatso The Compassion Center combines ancient Tibetan Buddhist wisdom with modern scientific knowledge to spread the teachings on a global scale. The program seeks to bring His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s call for a “compassion revolution” to the world through the combination of science and spirituality.

The Compassion Center’s Cognitively Based Compassion Training program (CBCT) is one of the ways the center contributes to this movement.

CBCT Senior Program Coordinator and Planning co-Chair for Tibet Week,

Hannah Smith (15Ox, 17C), reflected on the teachings of compassion that have flourished during the partnership.

“We’re in a mental health crisis, especially after the pandemic,” Smith said. “You can cultivate [the ability] to practice self-compassion, promote resilience, extend compassion to others through using some of these skills.”

Smith also stressed the importance of introducing Buddhist wisdom to more places in the future.

“Bringing those into a Western context is really valuable,” Smith said.

“And that’s why this exchange is so beneficial, not just here, but around the world.”

The Compassion Center houses three primary programs: Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning (SEE Learning), CBCT and the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative (ETSI).

“They’re all built around exchanging knowledge and perspectives, cross-culturally, between Emory and the academic, contemporary science world that it represents, and the IndoTibetan Buddhist tradition,” said Timothy Harrison, the CBCT program’s associate director.

After the opening ceremony, the monks began to create a sand mandala of an enlightened female Buddha, Green Tara. They constructed the sand mandala, an act of healing and purification in Tibetan culture, over the course of the week in order for it to be completed before the Tibet Week closing ceremony.

Throughout the week, event-goers could watch the monks construct the sand mandala at its various stages and visit the surrounding exhibit on the history of Tibet in Ackerman Hall.

During Tibet Week, the Carlos Museum hosted daily compassion meditation sessions, nightly discussion panels and talks, like the CuriosiTEA session where Tibetan artist Buchang Nugbya discussed the restoration of traditional Tibetan thangka paintings with Emory conservation fellow Ella Andrews.

Smith reflected on the importance of celebrating Tibet Week each year.

“That’s one of the goals of Tibet Week for me is showing people the very beautiful and rich culture of Tibet and the Tibetan people and Tibetan Buddhism in an effort to preserve it,” Smith said.

Additionally, the ETSI branch of the Compassionate Center program leads the Tenzin Gyatso Science Scholars Program.

This program selects a cohort of six monastics from Tibetan monasteries and nunneries in India to take part in a two-year science-intensive study at Emory.

Upon the completion of the resi-

dency, the monastics return to their home institutions to serve as teachers of Western science.

Rinchen Lham, one of the Tenzin Gyatso Science scholars, spoke to the significance of the program.

“It’s very important for us because it’s a vision of His Holiness to bring science and religion together, and also to have a compressed, comprehensive, a modern science curriculum, to the monastic monks and nuns,” Lham said.

“It’s bridging tools to benefit us both.”

In addition to serving as students, the scholars also serve as ETSI liaisons.

“It was just very momentous for us because it marked the 25 years and kind of symbolically implied that there would be another 25.”

— Hannah Smith (15Ox, 17C) The liaisons work with Emory professors and students who spend a semester abroad at Tibetan monasteries in India.

The celebration of the partnership program’s silver jubilee brought both recognition of the achievements the partnership has made in the past 25 years, but also a hopeful look to the future.

“It was just very momentous for us because it marked the 25 years and kind of symbolically implied that there would be another 25,” Smith said.

At the Closing Ceremony on Nov. 11, the completed sand mandala was deconstructed. Traditionally, the sand is released into a large body of water in order to disperse it all around the world. The purpose of deconstructing the sand mandala comes from the Buddhist philosophy’s acknowledgement of the constant change in the world and the impermanence of life, according to a poster at the exhibit.

Sticking with tradition, in this year’s Tibet Week Closing Ceremony, monks offered small bags of sand for the attendees to spread as a blessing to a space of their choosing.

After the closing ceremony, Lham reflected on her first time celebrating Emory’s Tibet Week, and the renewal of the partnership between Emory and the Drepung Loseling Monastery.

“I’m very happy, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of this,” Lham said.

— Contact Lauren Katz at lauren.katz@emory.edu

L auren K atz/Contributing Writer

A monk works on the sand mandala on Nov. 8 in the Carlos Museum’s Ackerman Hall.

10 Wednesday, November 15, 2023

EMORY LIFE

The Emory Wheel

Emory implements organic land care projects with Re:wild Your Campus

By Ela Mody Contributing Writer After three years of student research, campaigning and advocacy, Emory University launched four organic pilot projects focusing on land care, biodiversity and public health and safety on Oct. 19.

Lindsey Kapel (20C) introduced this idea to Emory in 2020 when she started Re:wild Emory, a chapter of the national campus sustainability organization Re:wild Your Campus.

After graduating, Kapel passed the project onto recent graduates Nicole Pozzo (23C) and Naurica Encarnación (23C) who now lead research on the impact of Emory’s transition to organic landscaping, gardening and maintenance. Mackenzie Feldman, the project director of Re:wild Your Campus, said the group’s mission is to help

college campuses eliminate the use of pesticides by 2030 by working with university students, groundskeepers, administration and sustainability directors.

“Students take their campus for granted and don’t ever really interact with the stwards of the land.”

— Mackenzie Feldman Feldman said that campuses will replace the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers with organic land management practices.

“We have a number of pilot sites

scattered throughout campus, both on the main campus and then also at Lullwater and the Clairmont campus, and those are specifically being used to show that organic land management does work,” Pozzo said. “It has pretty significant efficacy. It’s affordable. Aesthetically, it’s pleasing.”

Re:wild Emory was motivated by research published in 2019 by Winship Distinguished Professor of Environmental Science Eri Saikawa that revealed heavy lead contamination in soil throughout Atlanta.

Re:wild’s Director of Communication and Campaigns Sheina Crystal said she is concerned about the local impact of pesticides’ lasting dangerous effects.

“Students can get eye irritation, skin irritation or experience more chronic long term health effects from coming into contact with the chemicals

Courtesy of R e:wild Your Campus Courtesy of R e:wild Your Campus

A newly installed trellis brings greenery to an Emory bench.

ACROSS 1. British semester 5. Namesake of department store that sponsors a Thanksgiving parade 9. Sister of 43-down 14. Notion 15. Osman who was former co-host of the podcast Keep It 16. Magic Johnson’s daughter 17. Friend of 43-down with “mousyblah” hair 20. Beagle companion of 43-down 21. Japanese fish 22. Something snake-shaped 23. “Don’t Give Me _ _, Child”, Sex Pistols song 26. Hair remover 28. Nags 33. Office note 34. Refereed 35. Dog from Garfield 36. CNN commentator Navarro 37. Medical society for radiologists (abbr.)

38. Vessel for ashes 39. Big record label in ’60s pop 41. Bend down 43. Indigenous group living in central Canada 44. Christmas fungi 47. “No one wins, it’s _ __!”

48. __ wafer 49. Obtained 51. “Sorry, no entry, this is the __ section” 53.Surname meaning “student” 57. What many philosophers say art is 61. See 43-down 62. Not far 63. __ Space Station (abbr.)

64. Shortened word for tool with two lenses used to see far away 65. Not black or white 66. __ as pie DOWN 1. Pays an extra 20% 2. Garden of __ 3. Shortened term for repurchase agreement 4. Demonstrate connections 5. Olympic gold medalist, American gymnast Retton 6. Work toward 7. 401 in Roman numerals 8. Tug

9. Reddish-brown ink drawings 10. Nonprofit for libraries (abbr.)

11. Prose 12. World War II ships (abbr.)

13. Celebratory exclamations 18. Heroic poetry 19. Adjective for muscles or pitch 24. Prisoner 25. Snack in 43-down’s Thanksgiving cartoon 27. Suffix for port meaning porch 28. Buena __, good people in Spanish 29. Undernourishment 30. Perfume oil distilled from flowers of the Seville orange 31. Alluring mermaid of mythology 32. Serf 33. Volcano caused crater filled in by a lake 40. Ontario International Airport code 41. “Where? I don’t __ _” 42. Medieval public punishment frame with three holes 43. Main character of the popular comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz 45. Long, low sofas 46. Sheet music symbol 49. Nickname for Gilbert 50. Sixth king of Israel according to the Hebrew Bible 52. Phone notification sound 54. Spanish word for girl 55. What Venmo transactions are (abbr.)

56. Depend 58. 1 + 1 59. “Come __ the Sea”, Thomas Moore poem 60. Scottish no Scan for answers

A sign marks an area in which pesticides were used.

once they’ve been sprayed,” Crystal said. “And then the people who are at Emory who are doing the spraying are also at a higher risk because they’re the ones who are actually engaging with the product.”

Encarnación’s research within the group focuses on measuring soil fertility, carbon solubility and other measures that narrow down exactly what type of organic program the land needs.

Feldman said Emory’s Director of Exterior Services Jimmy Powell and his team have been incredibly generous with their time and resources to implement new land management practices. Feldman explained that groundskeepers are frontline workers who are the most exposed to toxic chemicals, and their work is often overlooked.

“I feel like the groundskeeper is usually pretty invisible,” Feldmen said. “Students take their campus for granted and don’t ever really interact with the stewards of the land.”

Their pilot projects aim to help students value the work of groundskeepers and acknowledge the beauty of their campus. Pozzo said that Powell and his team have decades of expertise in land management.

“We wouldn’t be able to do this work without Jimmy Powell and his team,” Pozzo said.

Encarnación said that Atlanta is a special community for this kind of project because it is open to change and has already begun to shift to a more organic land management system.

“Atlanta is this nexus of so many ideas, burgeoning ideas, and it’s going on,” Encarnación said. “I love the fact that it’s recognized as one of the biggest urban garden cities in the world.

Crossword ‘Peanuts’

By Miranda Wilson Crossword Desk

Courtesy of R e:wild Your Campus

A Re:wild volunteer digs into dirt to plant new flowers.

I think the community is already very receptive to these ideas of transitioning to a more organic, holistic management system.”

The next steps for this project are to continue data collection with the help of undergraduate research assistants.

Pozzo, Encarnación and their team are hoping to complete the data collection and analysis by May 2024. They will use this data to show that organic transitions will save money and water, improve soil health and protect people exposed to the environment on a daily basis.

“Emory can kind of serve as a hub of knowledge for organic land management for homeowners or the public parks,” Crystal said. “And once Emory is fully transitioned, there’s a lot of opportunity to do both sharing for the Atlanta community members and also other schools.” ­— Contact Ela Mody at ela.mody@emory.edu

Wallace looks ahead to national championship

Continued from Back Page “It was good to have that experience and be able to fight back, and it shows a lot about what we’re gonna do in the [NCAA Division III] tournament,” Meyer said.

Although the Eagles lost the championship, Wallace said she believes that winning the title was not the most important goal.

“We’ve put in all the hours,” Wallace said. “We’ve spent so much time together preparing for this moment, so not winning is obviously a bummer. But we have a lot to look forward to still, and we’re going to keep working hard to accomplish what our main goal is, which is the national championship.”

Natalie Sandlow/Staff Photographer

— Contact Sasha Melamud at sasha.melamud@emory.edu

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 11

SPORTS

The Emory Wheel

SWOOP’S SCOOP Sport

Opponent

Time

Thursday Nov. 16

Volleyball

Meredith @ Berry

2 p.m.

Saturday Nov. 18

Cross Country W Basketball M Basketball

@ Newville, Pa. Swarthmore @ Guilford

11 a.m.

1 p.m.

2 p.m.

Sunday Nov. 19

W Basketball

Berry

2 p.m.

Tuesday Nov. 21

M Basketball

@ Birmingham Southern

7 p.m.

Sophomore setter Olivia Rabinowitz sets the ball during a game against the University of Rochester (N.Y.) on Nov. 10.

*Home Games in Bold

Atlanta Hawks drop the ball against the Miami Heat

By Clement Lee Sports Editor The Atlanta Hawks faced off against last year’s NBA finals runner-up Miami Heat on Nov. 11 after their long road game stretch. The night marked the Hawks’ first matchup since the 2023 play-in tournament where they beat the Heat 116105. The Hawks debuted the Nike NBA Fly City Edition jerseys and the corresponding court, replacing the traditional black and red court with a light blue color and transparent Hawks logos.

Heading into the game, the Hawks appeared to be the favorites because Miami was missing forward Jimmy Butler due to personal issues and guard Tyler Herro for an ankle sprain he sustained on Nov. 8 against the Memphis Grizzlies. However, the Hawks did not capitalize on these absences and began the first quarter cold, converting only nine field goals out of 24 attempts. The Hawks trailed after the first quarter 41-24, missing several crucial shots to reduce Miami’s lead.

Atlanta managed to shorten the lead to 11 points toward the end of the

Clement Lee/Sports Editor

The Hawks debuted its new sky blue courts during a game against the Heat on Nov. 11.

Team preparing for conference matchups Continued from Back Page sport that makes us play way better all together because we all just love it and enjoy it and want to work hard.

It’s gonna be what makes our season so successful.”

Although they remain optimistic, the team recognizes the challenging road ahead. Their opening game was against last season’s national runner-up Christopher Newport University (Va.) on Nov. 11, which they lost 57-47. Junior guard Daniella Aronsky, who earned an All-UAA Second Team honor last year along with graduate guard Claire Brock, said the early competition will allow the team to see how they measure up compared to other teams.

“We play a really really tough schedule this year, so I think that’ll be really good for us,” Aronsky said. “It will help prepare us for conference, where every night we’re playing a top [team in the] country, and then for the tournament after that.”

While the Eagles are aiming to top the UAA conference, the team is focusing

more on their upcoming non-conference opponents at this stage in the season.

Emory beat North Carolina Wesleyan University 81-44 on Nov. 12 and LaGrange College (Ga.) 85-64 on Nov. 14. Jackson said that working on their execution now will help prepare them for when they face strong conference teams in 2o24.

“January and February, nobody’s changing too much of what they’re doing,” Jackson said. “It’s ‘who’s the one that’s running their stuff the best,’ and that’s especially the case in March. Right now, we aren’t worried about UAAs just yet — we’re preparing for it every day, but we’ve got a big slate of [non-conference] games.”

The team has high expectations to build off their success from last season, and Gross is confident her team can perform on a national level.

“I wholeheartedly believe that this is the team that’s gonna be able to [win the NCAA championship], and I know we’re gonna get there,” Gross said.

— Contact Will Peck at will.peck@emory.edu

first half with two made free throws from guard Trae Young and pull up threes from forward Jalen Johnson and guard Dejounte Murray.

Despite the Hawks’ improvement on defense and nine turnovers, Miami forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 10 points in the second quarter, and the Heat ended the first half with a 63-52 lead.

Hawks head coach Quin Snyder took note of the Hawks’ poor performance in the first quarter.

“After the first quarter, we were solid defensively, but you can’t take away the first quarter,” Snyder said.

“We do have a group that competes, and it showed by the way it was a two possession game at one point.”

The third quarter was no different for the Hawks. Atlanta shot 47.8% from the field and 40% from three, and Murray and forward Wesley Matthews both converted two three-pointers.

However, the Heat answered with an efficient scoring barrage, shooting 57.9% from the field and 66.7% from three to maintain the lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Hawks tried to claw their way back into the contest. Forward Bogdan Bogdanovic tallied three three-pointers from four attempts, and Young scored 14 points.

However, the Heat were able to maintain the lead with center Bam Adebayo scoring eight points.

Despite missing several key players,

Clement Lee/Sports Editor

The Hawks face the Heat at home on Nov. 11. The Heat won the game 117-109.

Miami won 117-109. Young finished with 27 points and 11 assists, while Murray had 23 points, five rebounds and five assists. On the Heat’s side, Adebayo had 26 points and 17 rebounds, while rookie Jaquez had 20 points.

Snyder said that the Hawks’ 21 turnovers resulted from the team not capitalizing on “open looks,” which forced them to drive more to the lane.

Young emphasized getting quicker shots in the future.

“You just gotta shoot the ball,” Young said. “[Miami] just makes you think you have a driving lane and then another guy’s over there helping. If you’re not ready to shoot threes against this team, you’re gonna have a tough night.”

— Contact Clement Lee at clement.lee@emory.edu

Soccer season ends with penalty shootout the ball into the back of the net in the 22nd minute to give Colorado the lead.

Emory trailed 1-0 at halftime and entered the second half more eager to score an equalizing goal to keep their season alive. Yet, most of the second half was a fight for ball possession.

With six minutes to go left in regulation time, freshman defender Turner MacInnis crossed the ball from the right to senior forward Alejandro Gomez, who headed the ball in to make the game 1-1. Gomez said that he will miss celebrating scoring with his teammates and Emory fans the most.

“Getting an opportunity to do that in probably the biggest game or the most important game I ever played in with the biggest crowd I ever played in, being able to scream such a big goal at the end of such an emotional game, I really couldn’t have asked for more,” Gomez said.

In overtime, both teams fought to get a goal to avoid penalty kicks. After 110 minutes, the score remained 1-1, sending the game to penalties.

Gomez found the back of the net with the first penalty, but Myers missed the second kick to the left of

Natalie Sandlow/Staff Photographer

Graduate defender Thomas Toney passes the ball during a game against Brandeis University (Mass.) on Oct. 20. sophomore goalkeeper Jasper Broad.

Although Hayes and Grand made their penalty kicks, the Eagles lost the shootout 5-3 after a game-winning penalty from Colorado’s Ward.

With their loss in the national tournament, the squad ends their University Athletic Association titlewinning season. Beare, who played his final match for the Eagles on Nov. 12, said he sees hope for future players and urges them to not be “complacent.”

“You can lose that culture very quickly,” Beare said. “It’s something that has to be proactively maintained. It requires that, maybe this spring, you do some 5 a.m. sessions and you do a lot of conditioning work again … You always have to play almost as if you have a chip on your shoulder and you’re trying to prove something.”

— Contact Clement Lee at clement.lee@emory.edu

The Emory Wheel

Sports BASKETBALL

Men’s basketball looks to fly this season

By Samir Cooper Ajy Staff Writer

Natalie Sandlow/Staff Phorographer

Sophomore outsider hitter Kaya Monrose attacks the ball during the UAA Championship first round game against University of Rochester (N.Y.) on Nov. 10.

Volleyball loses to NYU in close game

By Sasha Melamud Staff Writer

Emory University’s volleyball team faced New York University (NYU) in the University Athletic Association (UAA) championship finals. With wins against University of Rochester (N.Y.) and University of Chicago in the semifinals, Emory looked to win their 11th UAA championship, but they ultimately lost 3-2.

The Eagles started the match with a strong lead in the first set with six consecutive kills, three of which were made by junior setter Alana Dawson.

After Emory called their first timeout, what was originally almost a 10 point lead dwindled down to three points nearing the end of the first set. NYU ended the set with a two point lead.

The second set remained contested until NYU senior setter Ella Weider recorded a kill. NYU closed the set, leading 25-16. Emory made eight costly attack errors, but senior

outside hitter Carly Wallace contributed four kills and junior Sarah Luong made six assists.

The third set signaled the Eagles’ comeback with a 10 point lead over NYU. Junior outside hitter Lily Martin made five kills. Junior libero Deborah Hong also contributed to Emory’s lead with 29 digs.

The beginning of the fourth set was close. Both teams were going for kills and making attack errors, but the Eagles began to break away after a service ace from sophomore defensive specialist Caroline Coyle. After the squad secured a five point lead, the Eagles landed three consecutive kills, two of which junior middle hitter Madison Cail made, to close out the fourth set. Tied at 2-2, the UAA title was down to the fifth and final set for the tiebreaker.

The crowd was on the edge of their seats during the fifth set. Emory was point-for-point with NYU, down only two points at 5-3. The Eagles quickly came back as Martin, Wallace and

BASKETBALL

Cail made kills, giving the team a twopoint lead at 5-7. Shortly after, NYU called a timeout, but they couldn’t use the break to disrupt the Eagles’ momentum.

However, with only two points left to clinch the championship, the Eagles made three attack errors and two bad sets. Ultimately, those errors cost Emory the win, and NYU clinched the UAA title by winning their third set.

Head coach Brianna Jones reflected on the team’s errors after the game.

“We had a lot of errors,” Jones said.

“We don’t make that many errors either, so it was uncharacteristic of us.

What I should say is being ourselves and trusting ourselves is what we need to improve.”

Senior middle hitter Amanda Meyer shared a similar sentiment and noted that the Eagles have never been down two sets before.

See WALLACE, Page 11

Emory University men’s basketball, a team loaded with talent, experience and chemistry, look to build on the success of last season and carve a path to the NCAA Division III tournament this season.

The team finished last season with a 17-9 record, marking their 13th consecutive winning season and granting them another trip to the NCAA Division III tournament. Their run in the tournament was short-lived, though, as the Eagles suffered a 63-59 defeat to Hampden-Sydney College (Va.) in the first round.

Head coach Jason Zimmerman, who is entering his 17th season in the position, acknowledged the team’s growth from last season to this season.

“I’m a big believer that experiences don’t make you better, but evaluating those experiences and learning from them make you better,” Zimmerman said. “We looked at the things that we did well and the things that we can improve on because we’re on a mission this summer to get better, and we came back with a really good frame of mind.”

Junior guard Albert Fallas shared a similar sentiment. He believes that last season gave the team the opportunity to build chemistry.

“Last year, we had lost our two best players, and everyone was trying to figure out what their role would be and what was going to happen,” Fallas said.

“This year, there’s a lot more clarity with that, and a lot of people are more comfortable with each other.”

The team has high expectations for the upcoming season, hoping to continue the winning culture Zimmerman has built during his tenure as head coach. Zimmerman applied the les-

sons he learned as a Division I assistant coach for Davidson College (N.C.) for over a decade to help create a winning culture at Emory.

“A good program’s a good program,” Zimmerman said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re running a fifth grade YMCA team, or you’re running an NBA team. There are some staples about being big champions and being a program that you’re proud of, and that’s the biggest piece I took away from it — taking great pride in your work and the people and the relationship you build with your players and the relationship that the players build with each other.”

Fallas said he is grateful for the lessons he has learned from his coaches and teammates over the years.

“They really taught me the standard of the culture that we have here and what Emory basketball is and what it takes to maintain that consistency of working everyday, being mentally engaged everyday and coming to work.”

The Eagles began their preseason on Oct. 31 with a 96-86 win against Augusta University (Ga.) and a 76-63 win against Georgia Southwestern State University on Nov. 5. Emory opened regular season play on Nov. 12 at Piedmont University (Ga.) with a 91-83 victory.

Reflecting on the athletes’ extensive prep for the season, Zimmerman said he is looking forward to the road ahead.

“The guys have been beating up on each other, [playing] against each other for a long time now,” Zimmerman said.

“We’re excited about the test of playing somebody else and being able to compete together as a group against somebody.”

— Contact Samir Cooper Ajy at samir.ajy@emory.edu

SOCCER

Women’s basketball aims Men’s soccer loses in NCAA 2nd round high to start season

By Clement Lee Sports Editor

By Will Peck Contributing Writer Emory University women’s basketball team has their sights set on a national championship heading into the 2023-24 season. Last season, the team finished with a winning record for the seventh consecutive season at 17-8. They made the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2019, but they lost in the first round to Millikin University (Ill.). The Eagles also finished fourth in the University Athletic Association (UAA) standings with a conference record of 8-6.

Despite their success last year, the team still isn’t satisfied and has set the bar high for this season. Misha Jackson (13C), who is entering her sixth full season as the women’s basketball head coach, said that her team is aiming to make a deeper run in the postseason this year.

“It was great to make the tournament, but we definitely don’t want to just be an attendee,” Jackson said. “We definitely want to advance in the tournament. Emory athletics and Emory University are known for its success and its excellence, and we need to take those next steps to being better.”

Senior forward Paige Gross said the team has focused on off-court bonding to prepare for this season, which included a retreat to Knoxville, Tenn. On the retreat, the team practiced, watched a football game at the University of Tennessee and stayed at a teammate’s house. Jackson added that the trip provided the squad with a different way of connecting.

“When you’re in high school, you do sleepovers, you go hang out at your friend’s house,” Jackson said. “All of our players are from out of state except for one player, so you can’t do that as much. For them to be able to hang out in one of their teammates’ homes and bond and get some great practices … it was a great trip for sure — definitely the highlight of our preseason.”

The Eagles have also grown as a unit this year, adding seven freshmen to a group of 10 returning players.

Gross said that the new additions have already had a positive impact on the team’s dynamic.

“We have an incredibly great freshman class that came in this year, and it’s facilitated the energy on our team,” Gross said. “This team has just a different type of energy and love for the

See TEAM, Page 11

Emory University men’s soccer team kicked off their NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Tournament on damp grass and 50-degree weather. The Eagles beat Brevard College (N.C.) 3-0 in the first round at home on Nov. 11 before losing to Colorado College 2-1 in the second round of the tournament.

In their match against Brevard, the Eagles dominated possession and were aggressive in the first half, but the opposing team’s strong defense prevented the Eagles from scoring.

The game remained 0-0 heading into halftime.

The game remained a constant back and forth in the second half.

Sophomore midfielder Josh Grand broke the deadlock by tapping in a rebound from junior defender Sebastian Rincon’s shot for the Eagles’ first goal in the 62nd minute.

“They were sitting pretty deep for the first half,” graduate forward Colton Myers said. “We had our chances, Josh and I combined, and I put a poor effort on goal. But as the game opened up in the second half, we actually got some space behind them.”

Grand noted that scoring a goal before the end of regulation time to

avoid penalty kicks was like a “weight” off his back.

“The ball just fell to me, and [I put it] in the back of the net,” Grand said.

“It was a great feeling — everyone down the sideline, all your teammates running after you.

Freshman midfielder Michael Constant found Myers one minute after Grand’s goal. Myers was able to break away from a Brevard defender and scored with a rainbow shot to extend the lead.

“I noticed that the one center back was creeping forward, and [Constant] and I made eye contact,” Myers said.

“When that happened, I started the run, and he played me over the top.

Great ball [that Constant] got over the first and second defender, saw the goalie coming out, took a touch and just tried to chip them — and it went in the net.”

The Eagles finished off their dominant showing with a goal by junior defender Ryan Hayes, assisted by Myers, in the 67th minute. Grand said the win was one to get them back on track after two 1-0 losses against the University of Chicago and the University of Rochester (N.Y.).

Head coach Cory Greiner noted the gravity of the game’s first round.

“Anytime you’re in a situation where it could be the end of the season for

either team, it puts, certainly, a little bit extra emotion into the game for both sides,” Greiner said. “That was one of the points that I made with our guys after the game … we got to understand that [we’re] probably ending some kids’ soccer careers or certainly their season, so we have to mentally be able to prepare for that and deal with that.”

The Eagles hosted No. 16 Colorado College on Nov. 12. Senior forward Joe Beare said that they expected Colorado to be a good team.

“We played Oglethorpe earlier in the season and drew with them 2-2,” Beare said. “[Colorado] beat them 3-2 … Anyone can win on the day, but we knew they were going to be a solid team, and we knew it was going to be a tight game.”

Both teams fought hard in the first half of the game, but Colorado had more scoring opportunities.

In a fast break attack by Colorado, freshman midfielder Jack Hilliard dribbled past graduate defender Thomas Toney and passed to senior midfielder Alexander Ward, whose shot was saved by senior goalkeeper Peter Wagner. Sophomore midfielder Connor Webster capitalized on the initial save by Wagner and tapped

See SOCCER, Page 11