April 18, 2018

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Since 1919

The Emory Wheel

Emory University’s Independent Student Newspaper

Volume 99, Issue 23

Printed Every Wednesday

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 SGA PRESIDENT

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Ma Rescinds Threat of Legal Action Against Wheel SGA President’s Request For Article Removal Denied By Alex KlugermAn News Editor Yohan Jhaveri/Senior Staff

left to r ight: BBa Council President Jay Krishnaswamy (16ox, 19B), sga Junior Representative Johnson Wang (20C) and sga President dwight Ma (17ox, 19C) discuss a bill.

SGA Violates Finance Code By BeliciA rodriguez Senior Staff Writer The 52nd legislature of the Student Government Association (SGA) violated the Finance Code by placing a bill that proposes changing the Student Activity Fee (SAF) distribution on

Monday’s daily agenda without first publicizing it to all undergraduate students. SGA’s chaotic Monday night meeting was not a formal legislative session because they failed to reach quorum, but the legislature discussed two bills: one that would redirect more

of Goizueta Business School students’ SAF to BBA Council and another that would fund $500 toward puppies for Goizueta Week. Several members of the previous SGA, including former SGA President

See Questions, Page 5

Greene, Diaz Awarded National Scholarships Two Emory students have been recognized for their achievements with prestigious academic scholarships. Lamar Greene (19C) received the Harry S. Truman Scholarship and Ashley Diaz (20C) won the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. The Truman Scholarship honors college juniors for their commitments to public service, according to its website. Recipients receive $30,000 for graduate study and professional development for a career in public service. Greene, recognized for his work in health care innovation, was one of 59 chosen out of 756 applicants across the United States to receive the scholarship. Greene, a recipient of the Bill and Melinda Gates scholarship, said that his interest in health care first began in high school, but he discovered his passion for human health through an internship at a cardiovascular lab in Richmond, Va. “I ended up interning through a college access program at a lab for early prevention and detection research for cardiovascular disease,” Greene said. “I became more interested in public health through that program.” Greene then narrowed his interests through his work with Emory’s Office of Health Promotion (OHP) the summer after his freshman year, where he helped to promote HIV prevention initiatives. Greene wrote a portion of the new “sexpert” curriculum and researched 20 HIV prevention clinics at other colleges across the U.S. Greene is currently working with OHP on the

national college health assessment, which he described as a “health needs assessment for all of Emory.” Greene also plans to write an honors thesis next semester in which he examines racial disparities in maternal health. “It seemed surreal that I was able to do this fresh out of my first year,” Greene said. Greene said that his primary focus was on the existing inequities in health care. “I would say I’m most passionate about health disparities,” Greene said. “Specifically focusing on race and sexual orientation … I think it’s important to guarantee that everyone has access to [health care] on that level.” Professor of Human Health Jennifer Sarrett said that Greene was extraordinarily passionate about his work. “Lamar is one of the brightest and most engaged students I’ve come across at Emory,” Sarrett wrote in an April 17 email to the Wheel. “His passion for improving health and quality of life among disenfranchised groups is evident in his many academic and extracurricular activities.” The Truman Scholarship Foundation also allows students to choose an organization to work with and tries to match the student with the organization of their choosing. Greene chose America’s Essential Hospitals, a political action committee (PAC) in Washington, D.C. “They structure [hospitals] to be more vision focused and align more with the social determinants of health, which I think is really phenomenal,”

See students, Page 4

NEWS Emory Study FindS EDITORIAL Sga

Sinclair-ownEd StationS arE right-lEaning ... PAGE 4 P

See sga, Page 3

DOOLEY’S BALL HEADLINER

AWARDS

By emmA SimpSon Contributing Writer

SGA President Dwight Ma (17Ox, 19C) told the Wheel on Tuesday night that he does not plan to sue the paper for defamation after he threatened legal action earlier this month. Ma said he would pursue legal action against the Wheel after he Wheel declined Ma’s request to remove the article “Ma Under Investigation For Electoral Misconduct,” which was published online on March 28. Ma claimed that the story by Executive Editor Richard Chess (20C) and Assistant News Editor Christina Yan (21C) places him in a “false light”

and requested that it be removed by the end of business day on April 2 or he would take legal action against Yan, Chess, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Lou (18C) and The Emory Wheel. “The article places me in a false light and is subject to removal under the Communications Decent [sic] Act which disallows for defamatory articles which put an individual in a false light,” Ma wrote in an April 2 email to Lou, Chess and Yan. “Since these claims are false the article can be removed in accordance with the Communications Decent [sic] Act.” In an April 17 email, Ma said he

Gabrielle DaviS/Staff

Lil Yachty headlines the dooley’s Ball concert on april 14 on Mcdonough Field.

Lil Yachty, Desiigner Draw 2.6k Attendees By JeSSe Weiner Asst. A&E Editor Rappers Lil Yachty and Desiigner performed at the April 14 Dooley’s Ball concert, attracting a crowd of about 2,600 people, according to Student Programming Council (SPC) President Tamara Ezzat (18B). Doors opened at 8 p.m. and Desiigner, the opening act, came on stage at about 9:24 p.m. He performed popular hits including his 2016 singles, “Overnight,” “Panda” and “Tiimmy Turner.” Throughout the performance, Desiigner interacted with the audience by crowd surfing and bringing audience members onstage to dance with him. Lil Yachty appeared on stage at 10:24 p.m., opening with, “What the f*** is up, Atlanta?” He performed KYLE’s “iSpy” and DRAM’s “Broccoli.”

Lil Yachty is a featured artist on both hits. Lil Yachty also performed a 2017 single, “Ice Tray,” his 2016 single, “One Night” and Drake’s 2018 single, “God’s Plan.” This year’s Dooley’s Week concert attendance fell short of last semester’s Post Malone performance, which reached the maximum capacity of 4,500 people. ]Emory Emergency Medical Services (EEMS) responded to 10 incidents at the concert, according to EEMS Director Rachel Barnhard. Yasmin Toy (21C) said that she attended the concert to relax after a week of classes. “I’m here to be with other Emory students and have fun after a long week of suffering in classes,” Toy said. Brian Fleischer (20B) said that although he enjoyed Lil Yachty’s performance more than Ty Dolla Sign’s

2017 Dooley’s Week performance, he enjoyed Post Malone’s performance more. “Lil Yachty was definitely a lot better than Ty Dolla Sign, but not as hype as Post Malone,” Fleischer said. Kenyanna Taylor (16Ox, 18C) said that she thought both performers did well. “The concert was lit,” Taylor said. This was the first time in four years I’ve been excited about [an Emory performance]. Desiigner was for everybody. Lil Boat was for everybody. It was great.”

A&E dESiignEr StEalS thE

EMORY LIFE inSidE

SPORTS Emory BaSEBall

ExhiBitS groSS nEgligEncE at Show From lil yachty at FirSt ‘SESSion’ ... PAGE 9 PAGE 6 doolEy’S Ball ...

FEw hall’S hEctic mail room ...

Editor’s Note: Yasmin Toy has copy edited articles for the Wheel this semester. She was not involved in the composition or editing of this article.

— Contact Jesse Weiner at jesse.weiner@emory.edu

cruShES JudgES in clEan S Back Page PAGE 12 wEEp ...


The Emory Wheel


NEWS

The Emory Wheel

News Roundup Compiled by JoShuA lee

according to Ortman.

tAyAri JoneS to Join fAculty

renoVAtionS Won’t Affect grAduAtion

Author Tayari Jones will join Emory’s Creative Writing Program this fall, according to an April 16 University press release. An Atlanta native, Jones has authored four novels, with the most recent, “An American Marriage,” being selected as Oprah’s Book Club this year. Jones is a recipient of the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award in Fine Arts from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, United States Artist fellowship, NEA fellowship and the Radcliffe Institute Bunting fellowship. “This appointment at Emory is truly a homecoming for me as a Southern writer,” Jones said in the press release. “I’m thrilled to return home and teach creative writing at one of the best universities in the nation.”

The construction area for the Old Theology Building will not impede the May 14 commencement ceremony, Emory Planning, Design and Construction Program Manager Glenn Kulasiewicz wrote in an April 13 email to the Wheel. The blue construction fence will be removed from the Quadrangle, and construction activities are scheduled to pause from May 11 to May 14, according to Kulasiewicz. The building previously housed Pitts Theology Library, but is being converted into offices for University administration.

yerKeS r eceiVeS $12.7 million Yerkes National Primate Research Center and the Emory Brain Health Center received a five-year grant of $12.7 million from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to continue research on oxytocin’s effects in the brain, according to an April 16 University press release. The grant will fund research at the Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, aid in outreach initiatives to local schools and drive efforts to improve social functions in patients with psychiatric conditions. Researchers from the Conte Center, Yerkes and the University of Arizona comprise the team. emory experienceS Wi-fi outAge The Emory Unplugged Wi-Fi network stopped working from about 10:30 p.m. on April 11 to about 12:40 a.m. on April 12.“The outage impacted all students [who] were trying to use wireless to access the internet from the residence halls,” Director of Network Services Wayne Ortman wrote in an April 12 email to the Wheel. The twohour outage was the result of “planned maintenance” conducted by his team,

Aepi Still under inVeStigAtion There are no updates on the investigation into allegations against Emory’s chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) for hazing, Director of Student Conduct Julia Thompson wrote in an April 12 email to the Wheel. “No further information can be shared at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation,” Thompson wrote. The University’s anti-hazing policy prohibits actions that cause injury, discomfort, harassment, degradation, ridicule or embarrassment. The University has an “obligation” to protect community members from hazing, assist people who have been hazed and hold organizations accountable, according to the policy. BArBArA BuSh dieS At 92 Barbara Bush, wife of Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and mother of Former U.S. President George W. Bush, died in her home in Houston on Tuesday evening, according to The New York Times. The office of George H.W. Bush issued a statement on April 15 that after consulting family and doctors, Barbara Bush decided not to seek medical attention following a series of hospital visits and an unspecified development in her failing health. The office of George H.W. Bush announced the death in a statement on April 17.

does not intend to file a lawsuit against the Wheel. “I was simply exploring my options,” Ma wrote.

“I [did] this through another third party. I had a friend who helped me to hire the lawyer. ... English is not my first language. I need someone to help with all the legal bulls**t.” — Dwight Ma, SGA President As the University’s paper of record, the Wheel does not remove articles that have already been published, except in extreme circumstances, such as if someone is in imminent physical

harm. All information in the article is sourced and factually accurate, Lou wrote in her response to Ma, and the article was updated online on April 3 to reflect that the charges of electoral misconduct against Ma were dropped. A man claiming to represent Ma called Chess and Lou on April 3 to deliver a “verbal formal warning” but refused to provide his name to them. He told Lou he worked for the law firm Morgan & Morgan. The Wheel spoke with Chelsea Parker, a Morgan & Morgan employee, who said that Ma was not a client at the firm. Parker also said that the number the man called from was not a known number of any of their attorneys. The Wheel attempted to call the number back several times, but it had been disconnected. Ma told the Wheel he was not aware of any call made by his lawyer. Ma declined to provide the name of his lawyer, adding that a friend helped him acquire legal representation. He declined to provide his friend’s

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Crime Report Compiled by VAlerie SAndoVAl On April 9 at 9:59 a.m., an individual turned in a wallet to the Emory Police Department (EPD) that was found in White Hall. An officer determined that the wallet belonged to an Emory student but found a fake Illinois driver’s license inside the wallet. The officer met with the student, who examined the contents of the wallet and reported nothing missing. The officer returned the wallet and confiscated the fraudulent driver’s license. On April 10 at 9:01 a.m., EPD responded to a call regarding property damage. The complainant, who works for Emory Athletics, reported that he found tire tracks on one of the back fields at Kaminsky Park that caused damage to the grass. The circular tire tracks led the officer to believe the driver was performing “donuts” on the field. The officer determined the suspect might have entered the field from a gravel path that connects to Old Briarcliff Road. The complainant said he believed the suspect entered the field between 5 p.m. on April 6 and noon on April 8. Officers arrived and took photos of the scene. The case has been assigned to an investigator. On April 10 at 10:25 p.m., EPD responded to a call regarding a narcotics violation. The complainant, a resident adviser (RA) in The Complex Hall, reported that at 10:15 p.m., she was conducting a check of the location when she smelled marijuana coming from the third floor deck between Smith and Hopkins Halls. She observed an individual smoking a blunt. The individual was a visitor of an Emory student who was also on the deck. When the officer arrived and examined the blunt, he found that there was a filter with no burnt

SGA President Refuses to Name Lawyer Continued from Page 1

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

name. “I [did] this through another third party. I had a friend who helped me to hire the lawyer,” Ma said, adding that his friend knew people who worked at the law firm. “English is not my first language. I need someone to help with all the legal bulls**t.” dwight Ma, SGA President

marijuana or residue inside. The officer did not issue the visitor a citation for possession of marijuana because of insufficient evidence and probable cause. The officer spoke with a Campus Life (CL) professional who asked the visitor to leave the location for violating campus and residence hall rules. Campus Life was notified about the incident. On April 12 at 3:45 p.m., EPD met with multiple individuals at the Institute for the Study of Modern Israel (ISMI) at Emory in the Luce Center in reference to anti-Semitic threats made over voicemail. One of the complainants reported that at 3:12 p.m., she received a voicemail on her work phone from an unknown male caller. The caller reportedly said, “Jews are terrorists”; “We want to kill every Jew on Earth and we will”; “Jews are evil”; “Every Jew is going to get murdered”; and “I’m gonna shoot a Jew with a gun.” None of the individuals at ISMI recognized the caller’s voice. One of the complainants said that ISMI has publicized an upcoming event which may have triggered someone to call in and leave the threats. The case has been assigned to an investigator. On April 12 at 7:13 p.m., EPD responded to a call regarding a possible phishing scam that an Emory student received by email. The complainant reported that she received an email that said it was from Apple on April 12 at 6 p.m., stating she needed to click a link and follow steps to complete an online form, which included submitting her debit card number, Social Security number, driver’s license number and a picture of herself. The complainant said as soon as she completed the form, she realized it may have been fraudulent. She immediately called her bank to freeze her checking account and reported the incident to her other credit card companies. The

complainant said she planned to call the Social Security office and the Chinese Embassy regarding her Social Security number. An officer conducted a preliminary investigation and found that the email came from Malaysia. The case has been assigned to an investigator. On April 14 at 10:56 p.m., an EPD officer who was working the Dooley’s Ball concert noticed two individuals at the rear of the stage involved in a physical altercation. The officer and two other officers approached the two subjects and separated them. The first subject reported he was working at the event as the audiovideo technician and was not affiliated with the other artist group. He said he was sitting at the rear corner of the stage area while Lil Yachty was performing and that an unknown male subject approached him and told him to “get off my stage.” When he didn’t leave, the subject grabbed him by the shirt and started to pull him away from where he was seated. The first subject grabbed the second individual’s clothing and tried to pull away from him. The second subject pulled the first subject’s arm away and struck him in his left jaw and ear area. The second subject, who works on Lil Yachty’s tour, said he noticed the first subject sitting on some equipment at the rear of the stage and didn’t know who the subject was. The second subject admitted grabbing the first subject but did not admit to hitting him. The officer intended to issue the second subject an Atlanta City Ordinance charge for disorderly conduct, but the subject fled the scene. The officer wrote in his report that he could secure a warrant, charging the fleeing individual with simple battery. The case has been assigned to an investigator.

— Contact Valerie Sandoval at valerie.sandoval@emory.edu

The Emory Wheel Volume 99, Number 23 © 2018 The Emory Wheel Dobbs University Center, Room 540 605 Asbury Circle, Atlanta, GA, 30322 Business (404) 727-6178 Editor-in-Chief Michelle Lou (404) 727-0279 Founded in 1919, The Emory Wheel is the financially and editorially independent, student-run newspaper of Emory University in Atlanta. The Wheel is a member publication of Media Council, Emory’s organization of student publications. The Wheel reserves the rights to all content as it appears in these pages, and permission to reproduce material must be granted by the editor-in-chief. The Wheel is printed every Wednesday during the academic year, except during University holidays and scheduled publication intermissions. A single copy of the Wheel is free of charge. To purchase additional copies, please call (404) 727-6178. The statements and opinions expressed in the Wheel are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Wheel Editorial Board or of Emory University, its faculty, staff or administration. The Wheel is also available online at www.emorywheel.com.

ChriStina Yan/a SSt. newS eDitor

When asked if he interacted with the law firm, Ma replied, “Not really.” Ma declined several interview requests pertaining to SGA matters, citing the advice of his legal counsel. “I don’t dare to speak to the Wheel anymore,” Ma said to the Wheel at the April 16 SGA meeting.

— Contact Alex Klugerman at alex.klugerman@emory.edu

Corrections • In last week’s issue, the jumped headline of “Missorted Trash Impedes Policy Goals” improperly stated that total waste diversion decreased. In fact, waste diversion has increased. • In last week’s issue, “EPC Opposes Sigma Chi’s Exclusionary Derby Day Apparel” inadvertently excluded Pi Phi President Lauren Petrella’s (19B) name from the list of individuals that did not respond to the Wheel’s request for comment. The article has been updated online to reflect that the Wheel contacted Petrella before the article’s publication but she did not respond. • In last week’s issue, Forrest Martin was misidentified as staff on page 9. In fact, Martin is senior staff. • In last week’s issue on page 12, the photo with Claire E. Sterk and Robert M. Franklin Jr. was taken by Madison Bober.


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NEWS

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

GSGA Renews GWO Charters

Lacking, Quorum Legislature Make Non-Binding Votes By JoShuA lee Contributing Writer The third legislature of the Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA) convened on Monday evening to approve funding requests from the Chinese Student and Scholar Union at Emory (CSUE) and Emory MeToo; renew charters; and discuss University-wide organization (UWO) policies and the GSGA budget. Monday’s session was the first GSGA meeting with the newly elected legislators and executive board following last week’s induction. GSGA did not meet quorum because Candler School of Theology Representative Byron Wratee (18T) was not present at the meeting, according to Acting GSGA Chief of Staff Kyle Davis (18B). GSGA requires that at least one representative from every school be in attendance to meet quorum. Instead, the legislature conducted “non-binding” votes and agreed to hold the official votes online following the session, Davis said. In one of the non-binding votes, the legislature unanimously supported CSUE’s funding request of $500.

CSUE is a graduate-wide organization (GWO) that seeks to “enhance friendships” between Chinese students and scholars and “promote international recognition of China and … cultural diversity of the Emory community,” CSUE President Ru Ye (18PH) said. Jiayi Wang (18PH), Yiqing Xiao (21G), Qingyang Xiao (18G) and Ye represented the organization at the meeting. CSUE lost its previous charter through Laney Graduate School’s (LGS) Graduate Student Council because the organization issued membership to too many LGS students, according to Ye. CSUE currently has 23 members enrolled in LGS, Rollins School of Public Health, the School of Medicine, the School of Law, Goizueta Business School and the College of Arts and Sciences. The legislature also unanimously supported, through a non-binding vote, Emory MeToo’s funding request of $500. Emory MeToo was founded by Tiffania Willetts (18T) to further the worldwide MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault. Emory MeToo President Leslie

Leonard (19PH) said that the group’s goal is to “promote education and advocacy related to sexual harassment across the University and the greater Atlanta area.” Willetts, Leonard, Vice President for Advocacy Christina Meyers (19PH) and Vice President for Education Brynn Champney (24G) represented the organization at the meeting. GSGA also unanimously supported, through a non-binding vote, to renew the charters of the six GWOs that are currently chartered by GSGA: the Global Health Institute, Graduate Christian Fellowship, LGBTQ+ Graduate Student Coalition, Muslim Student Council, Emory Pipeline and Emory Veterans Association. The results of the official online vote were not available as of Tuesday morning, Davis wrote in an April 17 email to the Wheel. GSGA President Sydney Kaplan (19L) did not nominate members of the executive board by Monday’s meeting. The legislature voted to enter a closed session to discuss UWO policies and the GSGA budget.

— Contact Joshua Lee at josh.lee@emory.edu

The Emory Wheel ADMINISTRATION

Pulavarti Named Chief Investment Officer By JoShuA lee Contributing Writer

Emory has selected Srinivas “Srini” Pulavarti as vice president of investments and chief investment officer (CIO), according to an April 11 University press release. Pulavarti will replace Interim Vice President of Investments and CIO Christopher Augostini on July 1. Augostini held the position after former CIO Mary Cahill retired in August 2017. Pulavati previously served as president and CIO of the UCLA Investment Company, where he oversaw the $2.3 billion portfolio for the UCLA Foundation and its affiliated organizations. From 2005 to 2012, he served as president and CIO of Spider Management Company, an investment firm owned by the University of Richmond (Va.). During his time at Spider, the Richmond endowment was “consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best-performing among universities,” according to Bloomberg. As CIO, Pulavarti will control Emory’s investment portfolio and lead the Emory Investment Management (EIM) group, which is responsible for “asset allocation, investment management and oversight,” according to the

EIM website. Emory’s portfolio is valued at $6.9 billion, according to the press release. Pulavarti has also served as head of global investment strategy at Citigroup Pension Investments; director of investments at Johns Hopkins University (Md.); investment manager at Lockheed Martin Investment Management Company; and a fixed income and sovereign debt senior analyst at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, according to the press release. “Srini Pulavarti is an innovative, forward-thinking investor with a proven track record of success,” Augostini told Emory News Center. “His energy, intellect and collaborative style in this highly complex environment have driven outstanding results for the institutions he served.” Pulavarti received his bachelor of science degree in chemistry, physics and mathematics from Bangalore University in India and his master of science degree in applied economics from Marquette University (Wis.). Pulavarti declined an interview with the Wheel.

— Contact Joshua Lee at josh.lee@emory.edu

Students Receive Money Sinclair Stations Lean Right, Study Says For Academic Work RESEARCH

Continued from Page 1 Greene said. “It’s definitely something I could see myself doing long term.” Diaz was awarded the Goldwater scholarship for her research in organic chemistry, which provides up to $7,500 per year while pursuing their undergraduate degrees. She was one of 211 students chosen out of 1,280 applicants. Lamar greene, Harry S. Truman Scholarship Recipient

to explore.” Diaz currently researchers antibiotic resistance in the Wuest Laboratory. “Ashley is the most talented sophomore I have ever had work in my lab,” Weust wrote in an April 17 email to the Wheel. “When it comes to chemistry, and organic chemistry in particular, she just gets it.” ashley diaz, Goldwater Scholarship Recipient

CourteSY of a ShleY Diaz aYuShi aGarwal/viDeo

The Goldwater Scholarship is bestowed upon college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering and potentially make significant future contributions in the field, according to its website. Ashley began her scientific research in high school at a Howard Hughes Medical Institute program in the summer before her senior year, researching spinal cord injuries. “I was just really interested in neuroscience in general at that point,” Diaz said. “That was my very first research experience.” Diaz continued her work in neuroscience by studying occipital neuralgia, a type of headache, during her freshman year at Emory. “We did research on something called occipital neuralgia,” Diaz said. “There aren’t that many therapeutic strategies at the moment, so we researched deep brain stimulation and how that affected whether or not it would help with symptoms.” Diaz transitioned into the organic chemistry lab after receiving an offer from Associate Professor of Chemistry Bill Wuest. “I just really liked chemistry a lot,” Diaz said. “I had already done so much research in neuroscience, I wanted

Diaz said that she was hesitant to apply for the scholarship at first, but her adviser and Wuest encouraged her to do so. “It’s so competitive,” Diaz said. “I really didn’t even expect it at all.” Diaz said that she believes that the amount of publications she’s been involved in probably made her stand out as a candidate for the award. “Most people at my level don’t have a lot of publications,” Diaz said. “That was probably the tipping point.” Diaz is currently working on a project involving molecular biology and multiple sclerosis that she began last summer at the University of Miami. Diaz said that the award made her research feel more significant. “It just validates that the research I’ve done so far is important,” Diaz said. “Enough that it can be nationally recognized.” Diaz is unsure of her future plans but is considering pursuing graduate degrees in organic chemistry and emergency medicine. “If I could find a way to synthesize the stuff that I like, then I’ll definitely do an M.D. and Ph.D.,” Diaz said.

— Contact Emma Simpson at emma.simpson@emory.edu

By emmA SimpSon Contributing Writing

Two Emory political scientists found that local news stations’ coverage shifted to more conservative takes and focused more on national coverage after they were bought by Sinclair Broadcast Group. The shift in coverage could exacerbate mass polarization and suppress voter turnout in elections, Assistant Professor of Political Science Gregory Martin and doctoral candidate Joshua McCrain (23G) said. The two analyzed the degree of ideological slant of local news stations across the United States and determined Sinclair-owned stations had a significant slant to the right. Sinclair is the largest owner of local media television stations in the U.S. and recently attracted controversy after Deadspin compiled video clips of news anchors of local affiliates owned by Sinclair reading the same script on air about “fake news.” The study said that Sinclair was “notable” because its stations have clearly identifiable partisan messaging and “the company’s political orientation leans strongly to the right, with politics coverage frequently compared to that of the Fox News Channel.” Sinclair acquired 14 local news stations from Bonten Media Group in September 2017 and is attempting to acquire Tribune Media. Thirty-eight percent of U.S. households have access to a Sinclair-owned news station but the percentage would increase to 72 percent if the Tribune Media deal goes through, McCrain said. Martin and McCrain analyzed the changes in viewership and content before and after Sinclair purchased the stations in 2017 and also compared Sinclair’s content to other news outlets. “We [found] a small but negative effect on viewership ... and then, we [found] that they spend a lot less time on local politics and a lot more time on national politics,” McCrain said. “We also [found] that the slant increases to the right in the stations to a pretty significant degree.”

This increased coverage of national politics could strengthen viewers’ partisanship, according to McCrain. Additionally, after Sinclair acquired a station, it would focus less on local stories and more on national coverage, which could lead to decreased voter turnout in local elections and less accountability of local officials, according to the study. “People who consume partisan media — so you can imagine Fox News, MSNBC or even internet sources of partisan media … become more partisan,” McCrain said. “If people are, one, less informed about local politics and, two, the information they have about politics is more right-leaning, then presumably it would affect both turnout in local elections.” The emergence of highly partisan news could deepen the issue of mass polarization, the study said. Martin and McCrain analyzed the Congressional Record to determine the slant of topics covered on the

“I think it’s worrisome [local stations] seem to be diverting coverage away from local issues.” — Gregory Martin, Assistant Professor of Political Science

media and create an “ideology score” for the stations. “There’s a set of phrases that we identify in the Congressional Record as being indicative of partisanship, essentially,” Martin said. “These are things like ‘death tax,’ a phrase Republicans use a lot.” The researchers characterized their findings as worrisome and expressed concern about the growing size of broadcasters. “Local TV is one of the few remaining viable sources of information on local politics,” Martin said. “I think it’s

worrisome they seem to be diverting coverage away from local issues.” McCrain said he finds Sinclair’s behavior to be particularly alarming because of the influence it has on the message and tone of news coverage. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reviewing Sinclair’s attempted purchase of Tribune Media. Sinclair has reached the maximum number of stations it can own, according to FCC policies. Sinclair owns or operates 173 broadcast television stations in 81 markets and Tribune owns or operates 41 broadcast television stations in 33 markets, according to its FCC application. Martin and McCrain contended that the proposed acquisition of Tribune Media is likely financially motivated. Consolidation of coverage is cost-effective, according to Martin. “Essentially producing the same segments and running them everywhere … that consolidation incentive sort of changes what gets covered on local news,” Martin said. McCrain said he was first drawn to issues surrounding the broadcaster following a July 2017 “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” segment in which he addressed the Deadspin video. He brought the idea to Martin, and they discovered that no research had been conducted concerning local broadcast news. Martin said it seemed like a “nice sort of natural experiment.” “There was this group of stations — there was like 14 of them [stations], and they were scattered across the country in different places, and they were all going to get acquired at the same time,” Martin said. “So we had this nice opportunity to look at the changes in the content that occured at those stations relative to other stations in the same market that weren’t acquired.”

— Contact Emma Simpson at emma.simpson@emory.edu


NEWS

The Emory Wheel

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

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Questions Arise Over Ma’s Veto of SGA Budgets Continued from Page 1 Gurbani Singh (18B) and former Speaker of the Legislature and Senior Representative William Palmer (18C), objected to the bills and expressed concerns about the new legislature’s procedures. BBA leAderS, mA SuBmit ruShed Bill in ViolAtion of finAnce code Despite lacking quorum, SGA heard Bill 52sl2, which would change how the the SAF is distributed by increasing the amount of money BBA Council receives from the SAF Fee Split at the expense of CC funding. However, an announcement to all undergraduate students must be made before a bill changing the SAF split budget can be passed in two consecutive legislative sessions, according to the SGA Code of Finance. The bill came in wake of SGA President Dwight Ma’s (17Ox, 19C) questionable veto of the 2018-2019 SGA budgets, which was passed by the previous SGA legislature on April 3. Singh and Palmer both said that Ma was not allowed to veto the 201819 budget, and Singh said Bill 52sl2 could only be applied for the 20192020 SAF budget. The 51st legislature sets the next legislature’s operational and administrative budgets, according to the Code of Finance. “If the veto is found invalid, we have full intention of exploring the bill for the 2019-2020 year,” BBA Council President Jay Krishnaswamy (16Ox, 19B) said. “If the veto is found valid we would love to have a conversation with all the legislatures so we can figure out next steps.” Bill 52sl2 would alter the undergraduate Business School’s SAF split amounts from 34 percent to 45 percent toward BBA Council; 52 percent to 51 percent toward SGA essential accounts; and 14 percent to 4 percent toward CC. The changes would take effect for the 2018-2019 SAF split. Krishnaswamy told the Wheel on Tuesday that he planned to remove the bill after several students voiced concerns at Monday’s meeting until the issue of Ma’s veto is resolved. Krishnaswamy, Ma, Former BBA Council SGA Representative Jacob Spitzer (19B), Geoffrey Tseng (19B) and Linda Zhang (20B) submitted the bill, which would also suspend parts of the Code of Finance “for the sole purposes of passing the legislation.” SGA’s operating budget is funded by undergraduate students’ $92 per semester SAF. SGA distributes SAF funds to undergraduate divisional councils, executive agencies and UWOs through the Fee Split. The bill states that the current allocation was determined based on the fact that BBA students participate in CC clubs, but “a recent audit estimated that 35 percent of all members of BBA clubs are pre-BBA students. However, these pre-BBA students’ student activity fees are distributed between only the college and university-wide funds, and not to the Business School,” according to the bill. The audit was conducted by the BBA Council, Krishnaswamy said. BBA Council receives $60,000 per year from the SAF; $49,000 is allocated to Kegs, a weekly Business School event that involves food and networking opportunities, Palmer told the Wheel. The bill would suspend the General Financial Timeline and sections 19.1, 19.3 and 21.3 of the Finance Code. The General Financial Timeline states

that changes to the SGA Fee Split for the following fiscal year must happen by Dec. 31 of the current fiscal year. Any Fee Split changes that occur after Dec. 31 will take effect after two fiscal years. Bill 52sl2 attempts to suspend this portion of the timeline. Section 19.1 of the Code of Finance states that SGA legislature must submit changes to the SGA Fee Split at least 30 days before the operational budget requests are due to the SGA VP of finance if changes want to be implemented for the following fiscal year. Section 19.3 states “the appropriate divisional or University-Wide Organizations (UWO) treasurer and the SGA VP for Finance must explicitly approve all SAF allocations to divisions, UWOs or student groups.” Section 21.3 states that the SGA VP of Finance sets operational budget request deadlines “no later than Dec. 31 of the previous academic calendar.” The bill states that the reason CC receives 14 percent of the undergraduate business SAF is “deeply flawed” and that BBA Council does not have enough funding for business school clubs, “especially several newer clubs focused on supporting underrepresented minorities.” There are more pre-BBA students than there are BBA students due to some pre-BBA students not being accepted or deciding not to apply to the Business School, Spitzer said. “If you actually look at the numbers, it makes mores sense that [CC] should allocate to the Business School … rather than the other way around,” Spitzer said. When former SGA Attorney General Elias Neibart (20C) informed Krishnaswamy that bills cannot “suspend” the Finance Code, Krishnaswamy said that no SGA documents state that the Finance Code cannot be suspended. Neibart also said SGA operational budgets for the 20182019 school year were voted on by the 51st SGA legislature and cannot be changed. SGA is currently operating without an attorney general. Krishnaswamy said he was aware of the “restrictions set by the Constitution and said the bill was assembled “very fast.” Krishnaswamy said he “has every intention of having the public hearing.” When Krishnaswamy said he was “going through all the safeguards,” Palmer disagreed and said “you’re suspending the Finance Code timeline because you’re trying to get something pushed through way too fast.” Palmer expressed concern over the audit mentioned in the bill and about the attendance makeup of BBA clubs. “The legislature shouldn’t vote on an audit that they haven’t seen,” Palmer said. “That audit doesn’t include how [many] BBA students participate in the College … If there are more pre-BBA students in a BBA club than there are BBA [students], that [club] should be de-chartered.” When Spitzer clarified that Krishnaswamy meant there are more pre-BBA students in BBA clubs than there are BBA students in College clubs, Palmer said he does not believe there is data behind that statement. Krishnaswamy said he did not present the audit during Monday’s meeting because the meeting was not an official legislative session. BBA Council has performed audits for the past two years, according to Krishnaswamy. He said he planned on presenting the information during a public hearing. Krishnaswamy also said that BBA Council has asked CC for data on the number of BBA students in

Yohan Jhaveri/Senior Staff

Former speaker of the Legislature and senior Representative William Palmer (18C) (Second to left) objects to the new legislature’s procedures on Monday night. College clubs “for a long time” but has heard no response. Former CC Junior Legislator Tiffany Haas (19C) said at the meeting that CC had not received any communication from BBA Council regarding an audit. Haas recommended that Krishnaswamy directly contact CC “instead of attempting to blindside them” at a meeting. Krishnaswamy and the BBA SGA representatives “have every intention of making sure it gets through this year,” he told the Wheel. “It’s an urgent matter, and I think if the legislators will agree with us on that point. Unfortunately we weren’t able to get to a vote today, but hopefully next week we will get to vote.” BBA council requeStS $500 from SgA for three yeArS Krishnaswamy also presented Bill 52sl1, which funds $500 to rent puppies for Goizueta Week. Goizueta Week, which hosts spirit and destressor events, is scheduled for next week. Krishnaswamy said that the $500 request is being made because the BBA Council chartered and granted funding to the Goizueta Black Student Association this year. After funding the group, the Council could no longer afford to continue funding its regularly planned events and other clubs without additional support. The $500 that Krishnaswamy is requesting would cover 15 percent of Goizueta Week costs, which he estimated to be $3,333. Singh said a legislature cannot vote on funding that is “three years out” and affects the budgets of future legislatures. Krishnaswamy said the clause “to fund Goizueta Week for a period of three years” was a last minute addition to the bill and should be removed. Singh encouraged Krishnaswamy to further discuss the state of student government finances with former SGA Vice President of Finance Javi Reyes (18B). Palmer also urged caution. “If you continue to spend money now, we’re only burning money that is supposed to be our safety net for the next legislators,” Palmer said, adding that legislators should be “very strict” about allocating funds for the next year.

When former Freshman Representative Austin Graham (21C) expressed concerns over the bill being presented a week before the event, Krishnaswamy stated that BBA Council struggled with funding because they only received 34 percent of the Student Activities Fee (SAF) and could only fund two chartered organizations. Krishnaswamy apologized for presenting the bill a week before but emphasized that no other BBA Council representative has come to SGA for funding recently. Graham emphasized that “[SGA] has to draw the line somewhere” and told Krishnaswamy that “as [business school students], [Krishnaswamy and the BBA Council] should have budgeted more effectively for the year … it’s not our fault and I see no obligation of the legislature to fund something that you should’ve had in your budget to begin with,” Graham said. legiSlAtorS SAy they need more informAtion Sophomore Representative Zion Kidd (21C) told the Wheel that he felt the bills were “very rushed” and “lacked enough research” for discussion. Sophomore Representative Lori Steffel (21C) told the Wheel that she is a pre-BBA student and has seen “the extreme lengths” students go to receive funding for BBA clubs. Steffel “sympathizes” with BBA Council’s efforts to change their funding and with SGA’s efforts to “respect the rules.” Steffel does not believe SGA can change the undergraduate Business School’s SAF for the 2018-2019 school year. “I do think it’s a problem that needs to be solved and has been pushed off for years now,” Steffel said. “I hope we can approach it from an angle of not BBA Council vs. SGA vs. College Council etc., but we’re trying to achieve a mutual goal here and what’s the best way we can do that.” Steffel, who has never served on SGA, admits that “a lot of this went over my head and I was trying very hard to keep up with this.” Graham told the Wheel he attended the meeting even though he was not re-elected to SGA because he was “concerned for adherence to the constitution and adherence to the rules that we set as a governing body because Dwight [Ma] honestly has no idea how

they work.” Graham added that, “Many of our new officials have little experience with the Constitution, with the monetary policy and with SGA in general. [Ma] wants to appoint a cabinet that is comprised mostly of newcomers and people who aren’t familiar with it, and I came to speak to those concerns but ended up speaking to a wider array of concerns.” Priddy told the Wheel that the bills need “a lot of work” and does not believe that the Code of Finance can be suspended. “There needs to be more conversation around a bill before it can be brought up. We need more facts. We need more data. We just need more information before we can even have discussion and talk about a bill that’s going to have that vast of changes,” Priddy said. “I didn’t sign on to any of these bills. I wasn’t informed about this.” empty poSitionS deter SgA from AchieVing quorum SGA did not reach quorum because there are multiple elected positions that have not been filled. To reach quorum, positions that were not filled because no one ran for them must be appointed by Ma, who must present his nominations 24 hours prior to the SGA meeting time. Ma failed to do so. The legislature approved Junior Representative Johnson Wang (20C) as the acting speaker of the legislature, but the vote was invalid because they did not have quorum. An official meeting can not be conducted if SGA does not reach a quorum of two-thirds of legislators present. SGA Junior Representative Johnson Wang (20C) served as acting speaker of the legislator. Ma said that as no current legislator present had previous SGA experience, the position of speaker of the legislature went to the oldest legislator. Wang said he was unaware that he would be speaker until an hour before the meeting. According to Spitzer, SGA does not need quorum to appoint officials. Ma said appointed positions would be confirmed next week.

— Contact Belicia Rodriguez at belicia.rodriguez@emory.edu


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Editorials

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | Editorial Page Editor: Madeline Lutwyche (madeline.lutwyche@emory.edu)

Just One Meeting In, SGA Violates Governing Docs In its first attempt at a legislative session, the 52nd legislature of the Student Government Association (SGA) rashly violated its Finance Code by considering changes to the distribution of the Student Activities Fee (SAF) without first notifying the student body. Bill 52sl2 would not only change SAF distribution, but it would also “suspend” parts of the Finance Code “for the sole purposes of passing the legislation.” But the Finance Code exists for a reason: to protect students’ interests and check potential abuses of power by the student government. The Finance Code should not be suspended or changed without properly notifying, and gaining the approval of, the student body. The bill was introduced in wake of SGA President Dwight Ma’s (17Ox, 19C) veto of the budget passed by the 51st legislature, an action that also violates the Finance Code. The Code states in Part II Section 6 that the previous legislature approves the budget for the next legislature. If Ma wanted to challenge the budget, he should have done so when the 51st legislature approved it on April 3. SGA demonstrated astounding ignorance of procedural rules in allowing Bill 52sl2 to be placed on the agenda and to be read despite the objections of former SGA President Gurbani Singh (18B) and former Speaker of the Legislature and Senior Representative William Palmer (18C), who were both present at the meeting. Despite failing to meet quorum for an official legislative session, newly elected student government leaders heard Bill 52sl2, which would redirect SAF money from Goizueta students that is currently allocated to College Council (CC) from 14 to 4 percent, instead allocating that 10 percent to BBA Council. Per Part II, Rule 6 of its bylaws, a quorum, “shall be maintained throughout the whole of all legislative meetings. In the absence of quorum, the Legislature has the power only to order a call of the House, to recess, or to adjourn.” Further, the SGA Finance Code Part VII states that “All bills that amend the SGA Finance

Code must be advertised to the university-wide student body before being heard by the Student Legislature on the daily calendar.” Thus far, SGA has made no effort to publicize the bill. We condemn this alarming first action taken by our new student government leaders, all of whom championed increased transparency of student government during their campaigns yet tried to set this bill in motion without first consulting the University student body. Instead of holding a pseudo-meeting without quorum, SGA should have cancelled its session and publicized the bill. Constitutional breaches aside, SGA should be wary of passing Bill 52sl2 prematurely. A large justification for BBA Council President Jay Krishnaswamy’s (16Ox, 19B) bill is an audit on Goizueta Business School clubs carried out last year by the previous BBA Council. According to that audit, some Business School clubs which host a large number of members who are students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences do not receive enough funding from CC to reflect their membership, and instead are funded primarily by BBA Council funds. SGA should consider conducting its own independent review of club participation and exercise caution before passing any changes to SAF distribution. Singh and Palmer urged legislators at the meeting to follow the processes codified in both the SGA constitution and Finance Code, to no avail. The fact that previous student government representatives found violations of SGA’s constitution in the first meeting of their new legislature shows a wanton ignorance of SGA’s procedures by the new student leaders. Just as distressing is the fact that SGA is currently operating without an attorney general. Moving forward, the legislature must appoint an attorney general who is knowledgeable of SGA’s governing documents and is willing and able to check the kinds of oversights and abuses of power that have become commonplace in SGA in recent years.

Next Dean of Campus Life Should Further Nair’s Work As a search committee looks for Senior Vice President and Dean of Campus Life Ajay Nair’s replacement, the Editorial Board urges it to select candidates who can further Nair’s work as a liaison for underrepresented student groups, an advocate for open expression and a reformer of Greek Life. Though Nair achieved much in these areas, Emory’s new dean must build on his accomplishments and continue to address student concerns and needs. Nair made himself available to students through open office hours and “Desserts with the Dean,” an annual event held in his home. He addressed student concerns by remaining informed and connected to students, especially through social media. When Emory’s women’s tennis team Head Coach Amy Bryant posted a photograph of an insensitive Halloween costume last October on her Facebook, Nair responded to students’ concerns in a timely and thoughtful manner, legitimizing students’ voices. He also helped student organizations such as Emory Entrepreneurship & Venture Management (EEVM) obtain their own space on campus this past year. Nair set a high standard in accessibility, and his successor should strive to match it. During his tenure, Nair fostered an Emory community conscious of social justice, created the Commission on Racial and Social Justice and served as a liaison between underrepresented groups and the administration, often during periods of high tension on campus. Despite criticisms of the administration’s handling of the event, Nair directly worked to address the 13 demands made by student group Black Students at Emory in 2015, earning him media praise. University President Claire E. Sterk said that Emory’s division of Campus Life became “a national pacesetter on issues of social justice” under Nair’s leadership. To maintain this distinction, Emory must ensure that any candidate considered to lead Campus Life has extensive experience working with minority groups. Nair has repeatedly emphasized the importance of free speech and open dialogue. Emory

currently has a green light rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE); Emory is one of only 37 universities nationwide to achieve this rating for its free speech policies. The new dean of Campus Life must ensure that this respect for open expression continues, even in the face of unpopular speech. Such a commitment is essential to ensuring that Emory remains a place where ideas can be exchanged freely. Further, to foster a culture more considerate of students’ well-being, the next dean should encourage greater allocation of resources toward mental health services. While the University makes an effort to advertise the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) program, students often complain about long waiting periods for CAPS appointments and a general lack of mental health resources on campus. Increasing the number of CAPS appointments and counselors available and continuing to explore other resources for students is key to cultivating a healthier and more resilient student body. Finally, Nair regarded reforming Emory’s Greek life as one of the most significant issues facing Campus Life, but told the Wheel in January that his vision for a more inclusive Greek life system remains unfulfilled. Nair launched Emory’s Greek Life Task Force (GLTF) and worked with student leaders in Greek life and the Interfraternity Council (IFC) to address hazing, drug and alcohol abuse and sexual assault. While some of his actions were controversial, Nair was dedicated to improving student safety. We hope that the next dean can finish the job Nair set out to complete and work to build a healthier relationship between the University and its Greek community. While Nair’s tenure was not without criticism, he has left a legacy of reform that we hope the next dean of Campus Life can successfully maintain while championing new policies of their own.

The above editorials represent the majority opinion of the Wheel’s Editorial Board. The Editorial Board is composed of Nora Elmubarak, Andrew Kliewer, Madeline Lutwyche, Boris Niyonzima, Shreya Pabbaraju and Isaiah Sirois.

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Democrats, The Future is Populist

OP-ED

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

7

WHEN ATTENDANCE DOESN’T COUNT TOWARD YOUR GRADE

Teachers’ Strikes Provide Model for Liberal Success Co-anchor Terry Moran tweeted, “I wonder if the Chicago teachers Ryan Fan realize how much damage they are doing to their profession — and to After the 2016 election, I stopped so many children and their families.” reading The New York Times — Moran was not alone in his criticism. not because I disliked the writing Former Times Education Columnist or disagreed with its opinions, Andrew Rotherham added to Moran’s but rather the news it chose to insult in saying that, “Part of this emphasize left me with a bad taste. strike, it’s pretty clear, is that the Every morning, the front page union needed to have some theater featured a photograph of President for its members, let them blow off Donald J. Trump and his latest scandal, some steam, and that’s increasingly or a picture of someone loosely related obvious.” Both of these quotes from or affiliated with his presidency, left-wing commentators reek of whether it was former F.B.I. Director nothing less than elitist superiority James Comey, U.S. Department of and being hypocritically out of touch. Justice Special Counsel Robert Mueller This movement of historically or Russian President Vladimir Putin. Democratic, populist Midwest states I’m not saying that news that voted for Trump presents a better about Trump doesn’t matter; path for liberals to re-establish the after all, he is our president. party’s mission as the party of the But for the average American people. There’s a reason that these trying to make ends meet, is Russia states tend to overwhelmingly vote seriously the most important issue? red, and while it’s convenient to To mainly focus on Russia when so attribute that to the stereotype many other things were going on in of Trump supporters as bigots, the world, conveys a certain sense of what about the disillusionment disconnect not only from the Times, with the Democratic party? but from the brand of mainstream It’s difficult to call the Democratic liberalism it represents, Party the party of one that panders to the people when elite interests along the It’s difficult to call the the working class coasts, like Wall Street Democratic Party the doesn’t vote blue. and Silicon Valley. The party is not party of the people Few at Emory talk paying attention to when the working about it, but there is one issues at the core class doesn’t vote story running alongside of its ideology — the pages that I see education, health blue. The party is as the better path for care reform and not paying attention organized labor liberalism today: the to issues at the core — it seems to teacher strikes in West Virginia, Oklahoma be fixated with of its ideology — and Kentuck y. umpism. education, health care a n t i -Tr These states all Last year, went red in the 2016 reform and organized House Democrats presidential election. released arguably labor. It started with West the least inspiring Virginia, when teachers slogan of all time: “I protested low wages and poor health mean, have you seen the other guys?” insurance and won. On February This slogan epitomizes the criticism 27, West Virginia’s Republican Gov. of liberals being disconnected Jim Justice agreed to a 5 percent from the average American. pay raise for teachers and created a U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) task force to address rising health said this to honor the West Virginia insurance costs. Next, teachers in teacher strikes on March 3: “Today, Oklahoma, the state with the lowest the teachers of West Virginia are average teacher salary, went on strike. carrying on that brave tradition. This prompted legislators to give There is no more important work teachers an on-average $6,000 than educating our young people. raise this year and add nearly The teachers of West Virginia, $500 million in education funding. and teachers throughout our Teachers in Kentucky and country, deserve decent salaries Arizona joined next, and are and affordable health care. making significant progress. I stand with the teachers These strikes recaptured the power of West Virginia in their of populist grassroots movements fight for justice and dignity.” and demanded something better at The surprising success of both a time when organized labor is at Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders a low. Only 34.4 percent of public has changed the conversation, sector workers and 6.5 percent of so liberals should pay attention private sector workers are unionized. to this populist wave and how Many, including U.S. Department of they have altered our discourse. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, We should follow the teachers’ have criticized the teachers for being path because they’ve shown selfish and leaving kids out to dry, but us how to persevere and find in their self-sacrificial and important common ground in red states. role in society, how can we expect We should follow the teachers’ teachers to adequately serve kids path because they’ve started without proper pay and job security? a cascade of strikes that can Let us acknowledge catalyze real national change. a bit of hypocrisy first. We should follow their path It wasn’t too long ago when liberals because they’ve shown us how were firmly opposed to teacher strikes. to succeed where we have failed. In 2012, Chicago teachers protesting low wages earned the ire of many Ryan Fan is a College juliberal commentators; “Nightline” nior from Stony Brook, N.Y.

Rose Kuan/Staff

The Student Government Association failed to meet quorum at its Monday night meeting.

Hundred-Word Rants Zero Waste or Zero Student Effort? I can no longer walk back to my dorm room without being reminded of the gap that exists between much of Emory’s student body and a sense of responsibility. Trash bags overflow from the landfill bins meant for styrofoam and compostable materials lie on top of the plastics bin, blocking the lid. I can’t properly dispose of my waste without cleaning up my peers’ messes. Just because it’s more convenient to throw unsorted trash bags into the landfill containers doesn’t mean that

it’s good for people around you — much less the environment. Instead of adding more to the plates of Emory’s janitorial employees, students should be more mindful. Their failure to not expend the modicum of effort required to keep garbage from piling up is appalling, and I hope engagement with a simple recycling policy isn’t too much to ask of the Emory student body. Isaiah Sirois is a College sophomore from Nashua, N.H.

Finals Season Taught Me How to Cram With the end of the semester rapidly approaching, remaining assignments keep us from preparing for our final exams. Two days of preparation immediately before finals are simply insufficient. Most Emory students take four to five classes per semester; two days to study for exams worth so much of our overall grades is not enough. Instead, Emory should follow the example of many other institutions, like Harvard University (Mass.) and the University of California,

Berkeley, and offer a week without classes to give students adequate time to prepare for exams. Though we would have to leave school later, the current policy reinforces sleep deprivation and unhealthy habits like cramming, which hinders our information retention. This directly contradicts Emory’s motto of lifelong learning. Madison Stephens is a College freshman from Little Rock, Ark.

Counting Calories? You Can’t at Cox If you’re an Emory student, you complain about the on-campus food options; it’s an unmistakable part of college culture. But we have no idea what we’re actually talking about because the state of nutritional information at Emory is dismal. Only four out of the nine restaurants at Cox Hall — Freshens, Twisted Taco, Chard House Grill and Dooley’s BBQ pit — display caloric information about their meals.

The DUC-ling at least associates calorie amounts with its dishes, but publicizes nothing about respective serving sizes. Regardless of whether dining services are simply uninformed or uncaring, Emory students remain unprepared to make healthy decisions. Devin Bog is a College sophomore from Fremont, Calif.


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Crossword By Aditya Prakash

Across 2. Barring the Vatican, the smallest country in the world 5. Slang that means to be screwed over by a certain technology sector CEO 6. Bern, Schaffhausen, Vernier, Basel 8. Call me Ishmael; drum-heavy song by Led Zeppelin 10. Catlanta (Page 12) 11. Chemical attacks took place in this Syrian city on April 7, 2018 13. Tasteless 14. What is this? 16. Milk’s favorite cookie 17. Observance based on the story of the temptation of Christ 18. Insincere Down 1. One of the three Emory residence halls that is part of The Complex 3. Planet; British chocolate bar 4. Comedian that graced Emory’s campus for Dooley’s Week (Page 9) 7. Parasect, Pidgeot, Porygon-Z, Pelipper, Pichu 9. Referred to as the fifth Beatle; ‘greatest’ 12. Protein that hair and nails are made of 14. Folded gray matter; “bark” in Latin 15. Chopped fruit in wine


&

The Emory Wheel

Arts Entertainment Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jesse Weiner (jweine8@emory.edu)

DOOLEY’S BALL REVIEW

FILM REVIEW

Buddy Comedy Tackles Racism By Janvi Pamnani Staff Writer

Courtesy of Gabrielle Davis/staff

Desiigner (Left and R ight) and Lil Yachty (centeR) perform on McDonough Field for the annual Dooley’s Ball on April 14. About 2,600 people crowded the field to see Desiigner open and perform ‘Overnight,’ ‘Tiimmy Turner’ and ‘Panda.’ Lil Yachty headlined the concert with hits including ‘Broccoli,’ ‘iSpy’ and ‘One Night.’

ing much to either song, so Yachty quickly transitioned to a popular hit: “D to the A.” He had already sung the second verse and chorus of “iSpy,” but, awkwardly enough, he forgot some of the lyrics. Then, it happened again. High off the crowd’s excitement, the rapper turned to a less-familiar song, “X Men.” He forgot a few bars, but in this case it was forgivable, because the audience didn’t know them either. Among these audible missteps were other pauses Yachty took to interact with the crowd, mainly to ask for dance

The cultural plane is increasingly more receptive to discourse surrounding race, and “Blindspotting” is one product of this new shift. Longtime friends Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal co-wrote this complex tale that conveys society’s inability to see a complete picture because it is blinded by racism “Blindspotting” follows the final days of protagonist Collin’s (Daveed Diggs) probation after his release from prison for committing a violent crime. Collin works for a moving company with his childhood best friend Miles (Rafael Casal), a clever plot device that allows for the two characters to participate in misadventures in the rapidly gentrifying Oakland, Calif. The plot ultimately culminates in a jarring conversation about privilege and Miles’ recognition of his own whiteness.

See YAChTY, Page 10

See BLINDSPOTTING, Page 10

Desiigner Sinks Lil Yachty at McDonough By Leigh SchLecht Copy Editor At 9:24 p.m. rapper Desiigner had taken the stage on McDonough Field for Saturday’s concert. Two minutes later, his shirt was off and the crowd was roaring. Given that the 20-year-old rapper doesn’t have many tracks under his belt, the crowd’s enthusiastic response to his songs was surprisingly contagious. Although students couldn’t sing along to each verse, they moshed happily to “Overnight” and propelled the rapper through a crowd-surf on “Up.”

When Desiigner invited concertgoers onstage, students lit up. The first time, Desiigner brought up five students, singing and dancing around them and even doing jumping jacks onstage. He almost lost his balance on a dab, but recovered quickly, teasing the intro to “Tiimmy Turner.” The resounding roar that followed was the loudest heard all night. Desiigner closed his set with a rendition of “Last Night,” accompanied by screams of “panda” by the audience. The rapper obliged, and ended the night with his chart-topping hit “Panda.”

During the 19-minute intermission between sets, students sang along to hits like Post Malone’s “Congratulations” and Kendrick Lamar’s “M.A.A.D City.” Pumped up from the interlude, the audience welcomed Lil Yachty, and his alterego Lil Boat, onstage with cheers and applause. The rapper threw out a few tags over some beats, and then began his set with the popular and easy-to-sing “Ice Tray.” Moving into songs like “Wanna Be Us” and “NBAYOUNGBOAT,” Lil Boat showcased his singing abilities and flow. The crowd wasn’t respond-

ATO SYMPOSIUM

COMEDIAN REVIEW

Friedlander Lands Laughs With Improv By Janvi Pamnani Staff Writer The turbulent 2016 presidential election and its effects have provided comedians a wealth of inspiration for material. Judah Friedlander, best known for playing Frank Rossitano on the popular NBC sitcom “30 Rock,” drew mostly from political issues for his comedy show at Glenn Memorial Church on April 12 as part of Student Programming Council’s (SPC) Dooley’s Week. Around 300 people filed into the church’s pews for the show, which Friedlander claimed had been approved by God and was therefore appropriate for the setting. Friedlander’s set, or lack thereof, consisted mainly of audience interaction, which participants seemed to enjoy. Friedlander started off by dryly commenting on the audience’s energy levels, noting that the first row was “excellent,” and the second row was “pretty good, but not as good as the first row.” Friedlander’s criticisms devolved into singling out Brandon Wood (18C), whose apparently dismal efforts as an audience member brought down those of the entire crowd as a whole. Friedlander continued his set by building rapport with other audience members.

He asked about participants’ majors, and then proceeded to analyze the implications of each major. To a participant majoring in English, Friedlander replied he thought she was fluent enough in the language. To another majoring in political science, he questioned the presence of scientific thought in politics by alluding to the lack of test tubes. Friedlander then transitioned into his set-up for the remainder of the show: his declaration to run for the president of the United States. He invited audience members to ask him questions about his platform and candidacy, similar to his Netflix special, “America is the Greatest Country in the United States.” The audience shouted out various hot-button issues such as taxes, the legalization of marijuana and capitalism for the comedian to share his stance. In response to someone who inquired about the comedian’s stance on capital punishment, Friedlander declared his opposition to the practice, but sentenced the heckler to death the next morning for asking the question. When probed about gun control, Friedlander pragmatically delineated that bullets, rather than guns, are actually the objects that cause harm to folks.

See COMEDIAN, Page 10

Grade: B+

Gabrielle Davis/staff

Samuel Zinga (19C, Left) and Kathy Li (19C, R ight) perform Nick Jonas’ ‘Give Love a Try’ at the ATO Symposium, hosted by The Pulse and Alpha Tau Omega, on April 12 at 12 Eagle Row.

ROUNDTABLE

Schumer on Pride and Prettiness By JeSSe WeineR Asst. A&E Editor

You look in the mirror, but you don’t like what you see. You scroll through Instagram, but all you see are people whom you long to look like. You have devoted friends and a steady job, but you feel like that isn’t enough. People often endure insecurity, feeling vulnerable and invisible. However, it’s important to embrace who you are. This is the message of Amy Schumer’s latest comedy, “I Feel Pretty,” which

follows troubled and self-conscious Renee Bennett (Schumer). Renee hits her head one day falling off a SoulCycle and suddenly believes she is a supermodel. With this newfound assurance, Renee begins a relationship with the eccentric Ethan (Rory Scovel), strains her relationships with best friends Vivian and Jane (Aidy Bryant and Busy Philipps) and pursues a new job in the fashion industry working under Avery LeClaire (Michelle Williams). The Wheel, along with three other

news outlets, participated in a roundtable interview with Schumer on April 2 to discuss her protagonist, co-stars and the movie’s message. “I Feel Pretty” is set to be released on April 20. This transcript has been edited for clarity and length. Mike McKinney, WUPA-TV (CW): What attracted you to this role? Amy Schumer: The message of

See ACTRESS, Page 10


10

A&E

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

‘Blindspotting’ Uses Rap to Enhance Plot Continued from Page 9 A film rookie alongside writers Diggs and Casal, director Carlos Lopez Estrada beautifully depicts the duo’s story. His sweeping crane shots depict the multi-colored Oakland. Close-ups of various characters staring at each other brilliantly evoke one of the film’s most prominent themes — the Rubin’s vase — a visual puzzle that allows the human eye to see one part of the picture or the other, but never both at the same time. The film’s buddy comedy nature deftly tackles discrimination against black men, as well as the gross fetishization of the irresponsible white man trope. Collin, a black man, often finds himself cleaning up Miles’ reckless decisions. Blamed for Miles’ obnoxious honking during a moving trip, Collin tries to explain that it wasn’t his fault. Unfortunately, his dreads make it impossible for the outside world to see him as an innocent man. In a more harrowing scene, Miles’ son is found playing with his father’s gun. Miles’ wife Ashley (Jasmine Cephas Jones) upbraids Collin for letting Miles buy the gun in the first place. This blame game demonstrates the systemic racism that Collin faces even inside his best friend’s home, until it unravels and the film finally holds the white man accountable for his actions. “Blindspotting” aggressively displays the characters’ distaste of Oakland’s colonization, which occurs in the form of a hipster invasion. Opening with a lyrical lament of the pair’s favorite fast food joint (that now serves vegan burgers), the film clips along into scenes where we watch

Miles buy single cigarettes in the same convenience store where Collin buys egregiously overpriced green juice. Miles’ toddler son even gifts his father a t-shirt that reads, “Kill a hipster, save your hood.” The juxtaposition of the influx of trends and fads that white millennials bring from places like Portland, Ore., and Los Angeles with more “hood” elements traditional to Oakland is a source of comedy for the film, but the more serious economic and cultural implications of gentrification are side-stepped. In the film’s most heightened scene, a customer (Utkarsh Ambudkar) at the moving company’s headquarters recognizes Collin from the incident that had him incarcerated — the violent beating of a hipster outside of a bar where Collin and Miles were bouncers. This random storyteller serves as a colorful deus ex machina, as he recounts the incident to his friend at jet speed, despite Collin’s protests. Collin’s easygoing attitude and intentional avoidance of the subject prior to this scene builds the idea that Collin was perhaps wrongfully incarcerated on a silly and racist technicality. In reality, Collin had engaged in a violent and irresponsible act, forcing the audience to come to terms with more complicated aspects of the incarceration system. The prevalence of rap in the film tonally elevates the film from naturalism to a kind of magical realism. Miles emphasizes the benefits of making speech sonically pleasing and “bouncy” in order to be heard. The duo is seen riffing throughout various parts of the film, livening up otherwise mundane scenes. At the red carpet screening of “Blindspotting” at the Atlanta Film

Comedian Puts Spin on Timely Political Issues Continued from Page 9 Since fingers are what control the bullets, Friedlander asserted that the government should ban fingers, cleverly shifting the focus of the gun control debate from the actual guns to those involved. This way, senseless shootings could be prevented while second amendment rights would still be protected, the comedian said. This kind of absurd simplification of a complicated issue was an example of his enjoyable social commentary, and a demonstration of deft comedic skill. Friedlander called for the implementation of what he called “mini vagina guns” in response to a query regarding abortion rights. He explained that these devices would prevent humans from killing babies, (since guns would be doing the actual killing), and that Americans would be in favor of this because it involves bearing arms. Audience members hooted in response to his crude demonstration of this innovation, a rare instance of physicality in a mostly stationary show. I found my mouth agape at Friedlander’s gun-mimicking fingers, directed upwards into his imaginary uterus. Friedlander’s flippant style was reminiscent of a sarcastic uncle at a family dinner. This was an effective way for him to connect with a col-

lege audience, given the differences in age and appearance. Most of his jokes flipped familiar situations into absurd ones, a schtick that didn’t get old despite it’s increasing predictability. For example, when describing his first paid job as a paperboy, Friedlander quipped that he made the neighborhood come to him rather than the other way around — his bike was a stationary one. Oddly enough, the glorification of New York City was a prominent theme throughout the show. Friedlander spoke of the many years he spent there and shared various anecdotes, including a bizarre instance on the subway. Perhaps Friedlander should have focused more on Atlanta-based content instead of taking a question about the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), New York City’s public transportation system. Overall, Friedlander excelled in improvisation, which was crucial considering his entire show relied on audience participation. His quick-witted riffing touched subjects he was both well versed and ill-versed in, but he managed to relate his jokes back to Emory’s community and celebration of Dooley’s Week. “So,” he asked. “How’s the skeleton thing going?”

— Contact Janvi Pamnani at janvi.pamnani@emory.edu

Festival, Diggs said that incorporating rap authentically was an important part of creating the film. “Language in the Bay is heightened, it just is,” he said. “It’s heightened for everybody, not just for people who are aspiring rappers or musicians. We wanted to figure out a way that it felt honest for these two characters to also participate in verse, the way we grew up interacting with rap.” The dichotomous nature of Miles’ and Collin’s personalities initially seem to balance each other out. It soon becomes apparent that the two feed off each other in an unhealthy way, though, especially in a final scene that depicts Collin’s reactions to police brutality after Miles comes to terms with his own privilege and whiteness. Casal said that he and Diggs wrote characters that were compilations of people that they know in order to convey their message. “Most of the film is Collin and Miles sort of coming to a head in a conversation that is very much about privilege,” he said. “That’s the weird counterbalance we tried to find, and the exciting challenge of the film was figuring out how do two guys have this conversation when they’ve known each other their whole lives.” Diggs called “Blindspotting” a “comedy in a world that won’t let it be” in various interviews. The film deals with heavy subject matters, such as police brutality and the prison-industrial complex, but its comic nature normalizes the discourse surrounding race. The film may be about race, but it’s a classic buddy film, which might make the conversation slightly easier.

— Contact Janvi Pamnani at janvi.pamnani@emory.edu

The Emory Wheel

Desiigner’s Swagger Overshadows Yachty’s pable. Yachty sensed this, and broke into “Broccoli,” manipulating an echo circles. When the audience complied in the chorus to give a fresher feel to with his repeated requests, the rapper the song. Students finally knew the returned to performing. Aside from a words to something, but the rapper few enthusiastic Emory students danc- cut off the song before it finished and launched into “Minnesota.” ing, Lil Boat never used the circles. Both of these songs would usually Comparatively, Desiigner worked the crowd like an expert. Though include other performers: DRAM, neither rapper is headliner material and Quavo and Skippa da Flippa, yet, Desiigner’s showmanship, from respectively. Yachty’s hits tend to carrying an audience member on his have features, which may explain why he moved through shoulders to rapthem so quickly — ping in the crowd, engaged the audiThough neither rapper he couldn’t or didn’t want to perform those ence and captured is headliner material parts. their attention. yet, Desiigner’s Near the end of the Lil Boat tried. show, students were showmanship ... The water fight was another great idea, engaged the audience waiting in anticipation for one of the few had Yachty not and captured their songs they knew of Lil stopped the conattention. Yachty’s, “One Night.” cert to get it startOn this, the rapper did ed. Shortly after a not disappoint. lively performance The graphics on-screen of nautical of “BOOM!” the rapper silenced the symbols and Lil Yachty riding a polar stage — again. Then, he and the stage crew began bear were entertaining; the crowd was throwing large bottles of water into jumping and finally singing along. It the audience. The only direction? would have been a great way to end the Don’t open them yet. Once the sailing performance, but Yachty kept going. team distributed all the bottles, Yachty Perhaps wanting to capture his excited screamed, “Water fight!” The crowd audience on film, he FaceTimed rapper went wild. Once the bottles were Trippie Redd from onstage. Around 11:20 p.m., the rapper closed empty, fans expected another song to start playing, but instead, Yachty the show with a rendition of Drake’s located a few more water bottles and “God’s Plan.” Much of the crowd was proceeded to douse a lucky fan in the already heading for the exits. front row. Though the water fight hyped up his — Contact Leigh Schlecht at audience, the lull afterwards was palleigh.schlecht@emory.edu

Continued from Page 9

Actress Discusses Sisterhood, Acceptance Continued from Page 9 this movie. I was supposed to make another movie with the same message, but it didn’t work out. I got this script, and right away this was everything I had been wanting to say. Xav iera Br yant, IceCreamConvos: As a woman, [this film] resonated with me on so many different levels from wanting to feel pretty to the confidence [of Renee]. Making the film, what stuck with you the most in portraying Renee’s character? AS: I really related to [Renee] across the board. I have had moments of complete lack of self-esteem, and I’ve had moments where my confidence has been too much. I really felt her, and I think anybody can relate. It’s a constant battle to feel good about yourself and not let other people’s [comments] be who you are, because [they] really have nothing to do with it. It starts when we’re young, when people bully you and get in your head, and then at a certain point hopefully you realize that that’s not who [you are]. Anand Chaturvedi, The Technique: What’s a difference between you and Renee? AS: I can relate to every part of Renee at different points in my life, but a couple years ago I made the realization to stop apologizing so much. I [used to] bookend sentences with “sorry” and then say my idea. I started to pay attention to that [mannerism], and I’ve stopped. I can’t really relate to her lack of wanting to use her voice

and speak up — I haven’t felt that way for years. Jesse Weiner, The Emory Wheel: The film puts an emphasis on sisterhood and friendship. What was your relationship like with your co-stars? AS: Aidy [Bryant] is one of my best friends, but all of the women on set were very cool — [there was] no drama. There was definitely a feeling of sisterhood with the extras, too. There were a lot of girls who had to wear heels for a lot of hours, and we tried to keep each other encouraged and going. Technique: This movie may seem like it’s geared to a particular demographic, but when I saw it there was a lot for me to relate to. What are some parts of the movie that can appeal to everyone? AS: The whole message of the movie is universal to men as well. The male character, Rory, is not the typical masculine bro. He’s a more gentle dude, and I think a lot of guys can relate to him. Wheel: Was it difficult to completely shift gears and play two versions of the same character? AS: No, actually, it wasn’t difficult. I would think it would be, but we’re all ready to be shattered at any time, so to switch from “you hate yourself” to listening to some Beyonce and feeling the other way [isn’t hard]. It was fun to do both those things and not be one-note for the whole [film]. Technique: Do you think self-

acceptance is something that comes immediately, or is it a journey? AS: It’s a journey to get to that good level where you understand that your self-worth is not determined by anyone else but yourself. You get to the place where you realize where your self-worth actually comes from, but I think maintaining that is a life-long journey. Wheel: What do you think college students can get from this film? AS: I hope it reminds them of what makes them feel good. In high school, you feel really good and you know who you are, but then you’re ripped out of there and you’re in this new environment where no one knows you. In college, I realized I was hanging out with people I didn’t even like and who didn’t make me feel good about myself. Make sure that the people that you spend time with lift you up, and it’s not about looking in the mirror — it’s about doing things that make you feel good. WUPA-TV: This film reminded me of some of ‘80s rom-coms, and I loved the “Big” reference. What are your favorite rom-coms? AS: I loved [“Seems Like Old Times”] with Goldie [Hawn] and Chevy Chase. I loved “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days” — that really made me laugh. I also liked “When Harry Met Sally” and other rom-coms with a message that examine human relationships.

— Contact Jesse Weiner at jesse.drew.weiner@emory.edu


PHOTOS

The Emory Wheel

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

11

DOOLEY’S WEEK 2018

K eerthana SivaramaKriShnan/Staff

Yohan Jhaveri/Staff

aYuShi agarwal/Photo editor

forreSt martin/Senior Staff

Yohan Jhaveri/Staff

K eerthana SivaramaKriShnan/Staff

For Dooley’s Week 2018, themed “Dooleypalooza,” Student Programming Council (SPC) hosts Wild West Wednesday on April 11 with a petting zoo and carnival games followed by Wonderful Wednesday After Dark, where students enjoy funnel cake, fried Oreos, churros and popcorn. SPC showcases games and machines from past decades, including Dance Dance Revolution and a photobooth, during Throwback Thursday. Friday’s events include a World Cup soccer tournament and international festival on McDonough Field and a glow party, Dooley’s Fete, at the Campus Life Pavilion. Before Saturday’s Dooley’s Ball concert, SPC throws a Greek Block Party on the sorority lawns and a freshman dinner on the James W. Wagner Quadrangle.


The Emory Wheel

Emory Life Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | Emory Life Editor: Niraj Naik (niraj.naik@emory.edu)

STREET ART

MAIL

Local Artist Catalyzes Dooley’s Week Hunt By BethaNy gReeNe Copy Editor

scene. Witnessing the joy and excitement his work brings to Atlanta If you weren’t lucky enough to residents keeps Hawkins going, he find a Dooley Cat hidden on campus said. The intricate detail and careful during this year’s Dooley’s Week, don’t lose hope: the mastermind behind craftsmanship of Hawkins’ cats are the eccentric felines plans to impressive. In a mostly solo operation, Hawcontinue to drop his pieces around kins conducts his entire creative Atlanta. Emory University and Photo Club process in the comfort of his own Emory partnered with local street home. To create a cat, Hawkins first artist Rory Hawkins, more commonly known as Catlanta, to bring the makes a sketch of the cat design and Dooley Cat search back to campus last then screen prints it onto a piece of wood. week. After using a saw to cut out the A total of 25 Dooley-inspired cat creations were hidden around the cat shape, Hawkins sands, paints and University, only to be discovered coats the figure. The process can take anywhere within minutes by students eager to from a few hours to a few days, accordclaim these prized works of art. Kevin Lu (18C), who had first heard ing to Hawkins. “[Because] I usually paint of Catlanta’s artwork during the first Dooley cat search in 2015, said he was small, [my workspace is] typically ecstatic to have found a Dooley Cat like a desk and then I have a basement space that has my saw and this year. After recognizing its location from everything,” Hawkins said. “Some a picture posted on social media, Lu days I’ll work outside if it’s nice, immediately embarked on foot in pur- or set up an easel if it’s a bigger suit of the cat, a fervor that is shared piece.” Hawkins admitted that he can among Catlanta fans alike. “I found it at Emory Village on often become too immersed into his top of the Emory sign,” Lu said work. “I typically work most of the day,” in a April 16 email. “I ran from Harris Hall to the village the second I he said. “I try and split up doing a few realized where it was. The … cat projects at a time … because otherwise is very well made [and] it’s the perfect I’ll pretty much stay locked in painting all day.” size.” Although Catlanta occupies most Although the University has already given away all the pieces through of his time, Hawkins also does chalk painting, signs and social media contests, portraits. the fervent hunt for Assisted by film these cats isn’t over. Hawkins has built “I typically work most and video producer a steady reputation of the day ... I try and Megan “Sissy” Dahl, he completed a mural by placing his handsplit up doing a few in Chattanooga, Tenn., painted cats across projects at a time ... in April for street art Atlanta for his 13,900 awareness project Instagram followers because otherwise Burning Bridges. to find, and doesn’t I’ll pretty much stay Hawkins said he plan to end this fierce competition any time locked in painting all views street art as more than a creative soon. day.” outlet. What started as To him, street art a mindless cat doo— Rory Hawkins adds character to comdle developed into a (Catlanta) munities and makes trademark that has art more accessible. garnered sizable “It’s like a changing of traditions and attention and praise from the Atlanta customs in the way that people discover community. Hawkins said that his appreciation your work,” Hawkins said. “It gives artists more control because you for the city fuels his daily grind. “The whole thing is for Atlanta and don’t have to rely on getting into a galabout Atlanta,” Hawkins said. “It’s sort lery in order for … people to see your of like my physical representation of work.” Hawkins’ advice to upcoming artmy love for the city.” Catlanta debuted in Atlanta in 2011. ists is simple: practice. “I never really thought about Hawkins created his first litter of kittens from gold magnets [art] like you would sports or thrown away at the mall where he music, where … you practice all the time,” Hawkins said. “But after worked. The artist then hid them around painting cat after cat after cat … [I] the city in an effort to make his look back, and things have changed cat artwork more accessible to the so much.” In the future, Hawkins hopes to public. Regardless of location, Hawkin’s expand his online presence by creating cats were snatched up almost instant- an online portfolio. He also mentioned the possibility of ly, with some of his followers conducting extensive searches that lasted hosting an exhibition. But more than anything, he plans to hours — a response Hawkins said he stick to his roots. did not expect. The cats, he said, are here to stay. People’s eagerness to discover his work made Hawkins realize Catlanta’s potential to gain — Contact Bethany Greene at immense popularity in Atlanta’s art bethany.greene@emory.edu

Forrest Martin/senior staFF

On-site Specialist Keyona Mills (R ight) gives Max King (21C, Middle) an envelope at the Few Hall mail center. On-site Specialist Dionne Hollie (left) works at the package pickup station.

The Few Faces Behind the Packages By Nicole Sadek Managing Editor A cheerleading enthusiast, a bowler, a future law school student, a former security employee and a 76-year-old mail expert — these are the people who help students anxiously awaiting their packages and assist those who don’t know exactly how many stamps to put on an envelope. While their lives outside the mailroom are drastically different, the group has developed a sense of camaraderie in the mail center, calling each other playful nicknames throughout the day and ensuring that students receive their packages. The Wheel shadowed the mail team April 13 to learn how students’ mail get to the center and about the personalities who operate the center Although their jovial friendships may seem years in the making, the five team members have only known each other for a few months. On-site Specialist Dionne Hollie joined the mail team because she “just wanted something different.” Hollie said she previously worked in security in the Greater Atlanta area, but the hours didn’t accommodate her schedule. She now works at the mail center Monday through Friday and arrives before the center opens at 9 a.m. As three students lined up outside the doors 10 minutes before the center was set to open, Senior On-site Specialist Steven Majette counted the money in the registers and prepared receipt paper, working quietly and methodically under dim lights until the top of the hour. Excitement permeated the mail room that Friday morning as Site Supervisor Chelsey Renfrow entered and shouted an enthusiastic, “Good morning! It’s Friday!” to her team minutes before the doors opened. She found the remote and told Majette and Hollie, “Let’s put the news on, so we can see what’s going on with y’all’s president.” But they don’t usually watch the news. Hollie, Majette and Renfrow, along with On-site Specialist Keyona Mills, are music aficionados — they referred to songs from Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” to Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” — and use streaming service Tidal to add some pep to their daily routine. “We listen to the clean version of

songs, of course,” Renfrow told the Wheel as she boogied to Cardi B’s “Get Up 10” with Hollie. Some students bobbed their heads to the music as they walked in, while others were eager to pick up their mail and get to class on time. Between assisting students with their packages and answering phone calls, the mail team went outside to retrieve shipments from a mail truck. After transferring packages from the truck to the mailroom, Majette scanned the shipments into the computer and then stored them alphabetically on the shelves. When asked what they want students to know about the mailroom, both Mills and Renfrow said, “We are not a post office.” Although the Few mail center offers services similar to those of a post office, it cannot control the speed of shipping. “We are the last hands to touch anything that you receive,” Renfrow said. “Nothing is brought to us directly.” The center does not operate 24 hours a day, and as such it cannot honor Amazon one-day shipping guarantees. Before the Few mail center receives any packages, the shipments are sent to a processing center. As a result, Renfrow often encounters angry parents over the telephone. “I was in college, and I know what it felt like to be in college and away from my mom,” Renfrow said. “It’s not just [working with] mail. I deal with parents a lot.” Renfrow said that being a mother of three helps her communicate with and reassure parents, despite some parents’ odd requests — one mother wanted a guarantee that her daughter received the jeans she mailed to her that same day. “I like dealing with the different personalities,” Renfrow said. Mills, who has been working in the mailroom for six months, is the youngest employee on the team. She spends weekdays at the Few center and weekends as an assistant lead at the guest services and ticketing area at Stone Mountain Park. She hopes to coach cheerleading this summer at her old school, DeKalb County School District’s Stephenson High School. Majette finds passion in a different sport: bowling. He is a member of a bowling league and boasts a personal record of 270 of 300 points. He also

said he is a buff of the graphic design software Adobe Illustrator. “I just like to play around with [the software], and I just like to figure it out,” Majette said. That creativity translates to the job, as the mail specialists often devise resourceful solutions for frustrated customers and strange experiences. For instance, when a student received “36 packages in one day,” the team found a larger storage space to hold the boxes, Hollie said. Parents have even contacted the mail center via telephone and called team members “combative,” Renfrow told the Wheel. “We’re tense because [the students’] tension is released on us,” Mills said. “It’s a lot, but we try to remain as calm as possible to relieve some of their stress.” The tension is especially high during move-out, when students return Amazon-rental textbooks. “I had a pile of books that were probably stacked up higher than me [last semester],” Mills recalled. Despite the challenges of customer service, Renfrow expressed pride that her team remains on their toes. For every exasperating conversation her team has with customers, they experience a pleasant interaction. For instance, when a student came in to check his mailbox, Renfrow greeted the familiar face and even remembered his mail stop code (MSC) before he told her. Renfrow, who has worked in the mailroom for one year, learned everything from 76-year-old and longtime Senior Mail Coordinator James White. But before coming to Emory, she worked at a temp agency in California, staffing law firms. She plans to begin taking law school evening classes later this year. Her biggest pieces of advice for students are “bring your tracking number,” “[know] your MSC” and “be attentive.” Above all, “wait for the email.” The mailroom’s move from a larger space in the Dobbs University Center (DUC) to Few Hall caused the team some frustrations, due to sidewalk obstruction from Campus Life Center (CLC) construction. But as long as the music is playing and the mail is flowing, this mail family remains upbeat. Mills added cheerfully, “Come in and say hey.”

— Contact Nicole Sadek at nicole.sadek@emory.edu


EMORY LIFE

The Emory Wheel

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

13

MSA ART GALA

FOOD REVIEW

niraj naik/eMory LiFe editor

Students can use vegetables from the DUC-ling’s salad bar as additions to an otherwise bare Beyond Burger.

DUC-ling Tests Beyond Burger Plant-Based Patty Delights Despite Unimpressive Looks By NiRaj Naik Emory Life Editor

BeyoNd BuRgeR duC-Ling

The DUC-ling, notorious for mediocre vegetarian and vegan options, made a surprise move assault a carnivore might find somewhen it supported Interdisciplinary where like Cookout. With reluctance, I took my first Studies major Isaac Goldman (19C) in his environmental initiative to test bite and much to my astonishment, I the Beyond Burger for a week at the was immediately hit with a barrage of flavor. DUC-ling. Although the outside crust was The Beyond Burger, a product from the company Beyond Meat, is “the firm, the inside crumbled apart like a world’s first plant-based burger that mediterranean falafel. The ketchup I had smeared across looks, cooks and tastes like a fresh beef burger” according to the company’s the entire burger seemed like a mistake, interrupting the burger’s hearty website. While already sold at nearby gro- savoriness. When I returned for a second and cery stores, including Kroger and Whole Foods, this is the first time then, embarrassingly, a third servthat Bon Appetit offered a plant-based, ing, I excluded the other ingredients, non-GMO and vegan burger at the although one of my friends suggested adding hummus. DUC-ling. The burger’s dense texture As a lifelong vegetarian, I knew I had to try to the Beyond Burger to remained consistent throughout the meal and tasted like see if it lived up to the a substantive protein hype. option that could susI’ve tried myriad The burger’s dense tain me for the rest of veggie burgers from the evening. different Atlanta restexture remained Goldman, a vegtaurants, including consistent throughout etarian for 13 years, the quinoa burger the meal and tasted said that the Beyond from Farmburger, the Burger differs from “Impossible Burger” like a substantive from Grindhouse protein option that other veggie burgers because it contains fat Killer Burgers and could sustain me from refined coconut even the Woodruff oil that, when grilled, Cafe’s sad excuse for a for the rest of the mimics the fat and veggie patty. evening. “meatiness” in beef So after class, patties. I made my way to a Since the product is shipped frozen moderately crowded DUC-ling to like real meat, Goldman said it is able begin my investigation. I became visibly worried when I to stay fresh much longer. The burger received my Beyond Burger in a stale, itself only requires three to three-anda-half minutes grilling time. uninspired bun. “Meat is one of those textures that The patty came without additional ingredients and looked like a hockey you don’t forget,” Goldman said. “[It’s] puck wedged between two pieces of validation when my friends who eat meat are willing to take … meat out of tasteless bread. I immediately headed to the salad their diet to eat this.” Goldman said that the DUC-ling bar to salvage my burger with a few would consider permanently offering basic ingredients. After administering a slice of toma- the Beyond Burger if last week’s initiato, a leaf of lettuce and a generous tive went well. That being said, since the dousing of ketchup, I found a seat at burger might cost more than an empty table and examined the plate other meat options, patrons would have to consume more vegan patties before me. I tenderly picked up the burger and overall. All in all, I was very impressed. winced at the unusual construction. The burger lacked a savory aroma If the DUC-ling starts carrying the to put me at ease and did not boast the Beyond Burger, I will be the first in juicy texture that its website promised. line for the next serving. Additionally, the portions were small, so the burger seemed more like — Contact Niraj Naik at a slider than the full-fledged coronary niraj.naik@emory.edu

ayushi agarwaL/Photo editor

Devika Harlalka (18C) views the annual Emory Muslim Students Association (MSA) Art Gala exhibit at the Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH) on April 13. This year’s theme, “Resist,” focuses on injustice against globally underrepresented groups.

FACULTY

Econ Prof. Doubles as Aikido Teacher By aditya PRakaSh Associate Editor Professor of Pedagogy in Economics Shomu Banerjee sat on his office chair, a bag of ice in his hand. He injured his knee running after the bus that morning and winced in pain as he approached me to shake my hand. Fifteen minutes into the interview, he urged me to grab his wrist and had me in a tight lock that I stood absolutely no chance of escaping. Behind his limp from his earlier mishap was a professor with a third degree black belt in aikido, a Japanese martial art. “[These locks] are a little like a vine wrapping around a tree,” Banerjee said. “You can bring huge, big guys to the ground with this.” Though the United States is now his home, Banerjee spent his childhood in Pakistan, Madagascar and Turkey, as his father was in the Indian foreign service. After living in Turkey, Banerjee’s father retired and his family moved to New Delhi, India, where Banerjee completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees in economics at Shri Ram College of Commerce and the Delhi School of Economics, respectively. At 21-years-old, he moved to the U.S. and he eventually pursued his Ph.D. in economics at the University of Minnesota. Banerjee faced a lot of bullying while studying in India, which he attributed to being a small and easy target. Banerjee had been looking for a form of martial arts for a long time, having experimented with judo in his youth. In 1993, he found aikido. “I was always aware of this notion that I’m small [and] I can be taken advantage of,” Banerjee said. “It was something that held [me] back. After I discovered aikido, I was able to overcome these fears.” Banerjee’s decision to pursue aikido stemmed from a set of outlandish circumstances. In 1993, Banerjee was on a holiday in Sedona, Ariz., where he walked into what he described as a “new-age bookstore,” filled with esoteric books about obscure topics. As he walked out of the store, he ran

into Ron Elgas, a psychic reader. Elgas claimed to have had “little people” in his head who could “read auras.” After reading Banerjee’s aura, Elgas asked Banerjee if he had any questions for the little people. “[I asked] ‘How should I further myself along my spiritual path?’ [Elgas] paused and then he said ‘the little people say aikido,’” Banerjee said. When Banerjee returned to Atlanta that year, he paid the Aikido Center of Atlanta his first visit, and was completely enamored by the skill of another student who was aiming to qualify for a first degree black belt.

Whereas Banerjee’s encounters with past bullies spurred feelings of anxiety and “almost fear,” he said his encounter in London was indicative of his change in heart and mind. “I just saw him move in circles, and bodies were spitting everywhere,” Banerjee said. “I was completely puzzled. I was trying to parse what the heck he [was] doing [to] fling this guy across the mat.” Since that day, Banerjee has been an active part of the Aikido Center of Atlanta. Though initially just a student, he later took on the additional responsibilities of teaching children for 13 years and recently has become an adult instructor. Other than improve his capacity to topple people, aikido has also shifted Banerjee’s life philosophies and worldview. Banerjee said that aikido is capable of “restoring order.” It is a non-competitive martial art that focuses more on defense than on attack. Banerjee said the philosophies that surround aikido establish that there is no difference between the attacker and the defendant; both are

just different manifestations of the same self. Banerjee described aikido as “empathic,” because it forces the defendant to see the world from the attacker’s perspective. I experienced this tenet quite literally when Banerjee put me in an arm lock, his head right by mine, his view of the world exactly the same as mine. Aikido has in many ways helped to restore order in Banerjee’s life. In December 2017, when he was walking to his cousin’s house from a London train station, Banerjee walked into an alley and was approached by two individuals in uniform who claimed to police officers. They demanded to see Banerjee’s passport and wallet. “I knew that there was some distance between [me and] these two guys,” Banerjee said. “I thought to myself ‘does [fighting] merit anything? Or does it not merit anything?’ My heart wasn’t beating fast. I was completely relaxed.” For reasons unknown to Banerjee, the pair walked away after seeing his wallet and passport. No fighting took place that day. Whereas Banerjee’s encounters with past bullies spurred feelings of anxiety and “almost fear,” he said his encounter in London was indicative of his change in heart and mind. Aikido has strengthened Banerjee, not just in physical technique, but also in terms of confidence and reason. Even in such a situation, Banerjee kept his cool. “One of the most important things about aikido is that it’s a lifelong journey,” Banerjee said. “The [sense of] mystery never goes away. And you realize that there are layers and layers of meaning [behind aikido].” Whether he is teaching microeconomics, spending time with his family or even just driving, Banerjee is constantly influenced by the empathic philosophies of aikido. It is safe to assume that the $45 he gave to Elgas to have his fortune read paid off in the long run.

— Contact Aditya Prakash at aditya.prakash@emory.edu


14

SportS

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

The Emory Wheel

Emory Sports Recap Continued from Back Page ally with crucial victories in singles. rubenstein won at No. 5 singles 6-2, 6-0, and Spaulding came out with a 6-0, 6-2 victory in No. 6 singles. Freshman Hayden Cassone responded well from a deficit of being down a set in his match. In the No. 1 singles matchup, he pushed through a threeset victory. Despite losing the first set 3-6, he retaliated by winning the next two 7-5 and 6-2 to help the Eagles clinch back-to-back victories for the third time during the outdoor season. the two wins bring Emory to a season record of 13-2. the team will next play at Amherst College (Mass.) on April 20 at 3 p.m. — Craig Supcoff Osei, Bland strike GOld at MOuntain laurel invitatiOnal Emory’s track and field teams

excelled at the Mountain Laurel Invitational at Sewanee: the University of the South (tenn.) on April 13. the No. 6 women’s team placed first at the meet, winning 13 events and ending with a team total of 317.5 points. Birmingham-Southern College (Ala.) finished in a distant second place with 78 points. on the men’s side, the Eagles compiled a team total of 152 points, finishing second and securing three wins in the process. Helping the women’s team to five wins out of the eight field events were freshmen Leelah Wilburn in shot put and rebekah Bondi in the long jump; sophomores Nyla Lindo in the high jump and Isabel Saridakis in the pole vault; and junior paris Wagner in the hammer throw. In the track events, the women’s team earned six firstplace wins. Juniors Dilys osei and Dani Bland each took home two golds. osei won the 100m and 400m hurdles,

Communication, Quickplay Capture Map set, and some of us, like myself, weren’t properly warmed up. the team didn’t map,” Steinberg said of approaching quite click until the second match.” After their loss, the Eagles’ luck Widowmaker. Steinberg said that they used their turned around as they logged a 2-1 win dive composition, which features play- against UCSB. “the communication was a lot beters diving into the enemy team to focus on specific targets, but their main ter,” Seoh said. “right after we finissue was that NC State did not end up ished our first match, we [played] some Quickplay [mode] just to work running Widowmaker. “they got us in that regard,” things out. … part of it was also that Steinberg said. “We prepped for the we weren’t as afraid to try different wrong thing. they had a little bit of an [compositions].” the Eagles swept the series against advantage in that extent.” UCSB’s “Yang Gang” Emory lost the first “If you poke your with a 2-1 map count. map, Illios, ending the NC State series with a head out at the wrong In the first map, oasis, 0-2 loss. the Eagles time, you’ll die from Emory captured City Center but was unable suffered another across the map.” to take Gardens or 2-3 loss on the map University in the folAnubis. though the lowing rounds, ending team managed to take — Senior team Captain with a 2-1 loss. the Anubis to a second peter “HEAt” Steinberg Eagles put an end to round, their defense their losing streak on point A fell apart when NC State finally pulled out their on Volskaya, a 2 Capture point map. Widowmaker. With no hero in their Emory put up a strong defense on the composition to immediately counter map and won 2-1, ending the series the Widowmaker, player mobility was with a 3-2 victory on the third map, limited, and the Eagles were unable to Hollywood. “the Bench” prepares for the third make it back from the spawn point in time to defend the point. Senior Albert week of the tournament, which starts “Apsire” Seoh said that, of the two on April 22. Matches can be viewed teams played, NC State was the stron- online at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sundays. ger competitor. “We hadn’t gotten enough practice directly beforehand,” Seoh said. “Some — Contact Kady Kang at of us weren’t quite in the right mindkady.kang@emory.edu

while Bland took home victories in the 100m and 200m. the Eagles also celebrated wins in both relay events with osei, Bland, Bondi and senior Julia Leventhal in the 4x100m and sophomores Nicole Steiner, Ileana Zeissner and Meredith Hughes and freshman Karla Balsalobre in the 4x400m. the men’s team saw individual wins for senior phil Edwards in the 3,000m run and freshman Matthew Dillon in the 1,500m run. the team captured first in the 4x400m relay featuring sophomores Aria Mohseni, Alex rand, senior robert Wilhelm III and freshman Liam Fost. the Eagles compete next at the Georgia tech Invitational on April 20 and 21. — Anirudh Pidugu sOftBall Overrules JudGes tO 11-1 uaa recOrd the Emory softball team defeated

the Brandeis University (Mass.) Judges in three of four games on the road on April 13 and 14. After the successful weekend series, Emory advanced to a 22-8 overall record and a 11-1 record in University Athletic Association (UAA) play. In the first game on April 13, Emory secured a 2-0 victory over the Judges. Freshman pitcher Jacqueline Spizizen pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing five hits and striking out 14 of the 26 batters she faced in seven innings pitched. playing in an abbreviated ballgame, Emory outscored Brandeis 10-1 in five innings. the Eagles hit three home runs in the game, one from junior shortstop Cassie Baca and two from junior catcher Lana Hermann. During the first game on April 14, Emory dropped their only game of the series, losing 6-1 to Brandeis. Emory committed three errors in the game, and every run the team allowed was unearned.

Hawks Rookies Talk Free Time

MEN’S TENNIS

Continued from Back Page

Continued from Page 15

siderable assets. And with that fifth selection, the Giants can shore up their offensive line by drafting University of Notre Dame (Ind.) guard Quenton Nelson. It’s more than likely, however, that New York will trade Beckham Jr. by draft night. I would be shocked if the Giants acquire two first-round picks, but they should be able to stockpile a considerable return for Beckham Jr.’s services. With Beckham Jr.’s onand-off-the-field antics becoming a nuisance to the team, it’s time for the Giants to cash in and trade him away. With an arsenal of picks following these trades, the Giants should be in a great position to draft their next superstar.

for the draft. NBA teams then decide collectively who are the 70 athletes they want to invite to the NBA Draft Combine, where pro scouts evaluate and interview players. For the next 10 days, players can choose to either stay in the draft or return to school. If they choose to stay in the draft, they typically hire an agent. once hired, the agent and the player arrange private workouts with teams. the number varies. For some players like Steph Curry, towns and Lonzo Ball, that may only be one team. Yet there are others like Miami Heat rookie guard Derrick Walton Jr. who can’t even recall the number. From there, players finally get drafted into the Association. on the court, they need to make a mental adjustment. “All these guys are pros, the best in the world,” Collins said. “When you go from playing against kids to grown men in the snap of a finger, it wakes you up really quickly and lets you know about the intensity and the focus that goes into every play, and there’s a ton of it.” that mental shift also comes with their approach to the game. “Being a pro, there’s pressure everyday to keep getting better and keep paying your rent each day so you can earn your worth,” Cavanaugh said. then there is a change in lifestyle. “In college, they pretty much have everything scheduled for you — classes, study hall, practice, travel,“ Cavanaugh said. “When you’re a pro, you have a lot more free time and down time.” With their newfound freedom, the rookies said they like to explore their new cities. Some like to play video games while others like Cavanaugh like to “watch Netflix and chill.” Nevertheless, having all that newfound freedom can be overwhelming. “Sometimes you go blank and got to sit there and figure out what you want to do with all that free time,” Collins said with a chuckle. Like most things in their lives, I wish I could relate.

— Contact Joseph Oh at joseph.oh@emory.edu

— Contact Max Rotenberg at max.rotenberg@emory.edu

Yohan Jhaveri/Staff

Junior James Spaulding serves in a matchup with Sewanee on April 15. The Eagles swept the singles competition.

Darnold, Barkley, OBJ Up for Grabs in the 2018 Draft Continued from Back Page PatriOts k eeP their Picks clinG tO QB PrOsPect

and

the New England patriots are loaded this draft. After wide receiver Brandin Cooks’ trade to the Los Angeles rams, the patriots hold two first-round picks (No. 23 from the Los Angeles rams and No. 31) and two second-round picks (No. 43 from the San Francisco 49ers and No. 63). In classic Bill Belichick fashion,the patriots’ draft plans are secret. According to NFL insider Adam Shefter, the patriots may trade up into the top 10 in hopes of drafting one of the premier QB prospects. tom Brady will be 41-years-old this upcoming NFL season, so the patriots will soon

need to find his successor. others have speculated that Belichick may attempt to trade both first-round picks to the New York Giants to obtain superstar wide receiver odell Beckham Jr. However, both seem like longshots. Beckham Jr. doesn’t fit the mold of “the patriot Way,” and, with a massive contract on the horizon, the fickle patriots hesitate to pay around $20 million per season. Although they do need a QB this draft, the patriots should look into a Day-2 QB such as the University of richmond (Va.)’s Kyle Lauletta or oklahoma State University’s Mason rudolph, if still available. Giants Build uP an arsenal After lofty expectations to begin the

Emory bounced back in the final game of the series, cruising past Brandeis 10-1 in a five inning game. Sophomore third-baseman Jessy McLean led the offensive attack, contributing four rBIs on two home runs. After their weekend performance, Emory topped LaGrange College (Ga.) in a doubleheader on April 17. Spizizen shutout LaGrange in the first half of the doubleheader, allowing one hit and striking out 12 batters in seven innings pitched. In the same game, senior left-fielder Jenna turnquest drove in two runs on a home run. the Eagles scraped by LaGrange 2-1 in the second game of the set. Senior pitcher Audrey Weller earned the win for the Eagles, going five and two-thirds innings and allowing one run on four hits, a walk and two strikeouts. Emory will travel to piedmont College (Ga.) for a doubleheader on April 19. — Stephen Mattes

2017 NFL season, the New York Giants were — to put it lightly — awful. With former General Manager Jerry reese and former Head Coach Ben McAdoo fired, the Giants hope to revamp the franchise by finding young talent in the draft. Holding the second overall pick, the Giants have a plethora of options. But the Giants should trade their pick and move back. While the Buffalo Bills are a viable trading partner with the No. 12 and No. 22 overall picks, the Giants should do business with the Denver Broncos if the opportunity arises. that trade would allow the Giants to obtain Denver’s No. 5-overall pick, along with potentially a pair of second rounders. If the 49ers can obtain a first, two-thirds and a fourth from the Chicago Bears to move down only one pick, the Giants should gain some con-


SportS

The Emory Wheel

College to Pro Ball, Explained By Max rOtenBerG Contributing Writer

Sport

Opponent

Time

Thursday April 19

Softball

piedmont

4 p.m. & 6 p.m.

Friday

track & Field

G. tech Invitational

All Day

M tennis

Amherst

3 p.m.

Baseball

Huntingdon

7 p.m.

track & Field

G. tech Invitational

All Day

Baseball

Huntingdon

3 p.m.

M tennis

Middlebury

3:30 p.m.

Baseball

Huntingdon

1 p.m.

Softball

Georgia Gwinett

Saturday April 21

Sunday April 22 Wed

15

NBA

Swoop’S Scoop April 20

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

5 p.m. & 7 p.m.

April 25 *Home Games in Bold

Because we view players in the NBA as distant superstar athletes, it is hard to remember that players like Minnesota timberwolves center KarlAnthony towns, philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons and Utah Jazz shooting guard Donovan Mitchell are still college-aged kids. towns would be a senior at the University of Kentucky; Simmons would be a junior at Louisiana State University; and Mitchell would be a junior at the University of Louisville. these players are not alone. roughly 16 percent of players in the NBA are between 18-22 years old. As college superstars, some of them saw themselves as normal college kids — our peers, even. “We are both humans, both college kids, both trying to get through college,” Atlanta Hawks rookie power forward John Collins, 20, told the Wheel. “I just happen to play basketball.” Yet, they aren’t unaware of their distinct situation. “obviously when you’re an athlete,

people look at you a little bit differently,” fellow Hawks rookie power forward tyler Cavanaugh, 24, added. Indeed, many “one-and-done”s treat college as a stepping stone to fulfill their childhood dreams of playing in the NBA, and leave college after only one year. Boston Celtics rookie forward Jayson tatum told the Associated press as much when he decided to enter the NBA after spending one year at Duke University (N.C.). “I’m excited to take the next step in pursuing my lifelong dream of playing basketball at the highest possible level,” tatum said. Surely, there were other factors at work for tatum. For many highly recruited players out of high school like tatum, failure to declare after just one year of college ball may entail a lower draft spot, which can lead players to miss out on millions of dollars. For others, like longtime NBA center Kwame Brown who didn’t even go to college, turning pro is about finally being able to make money to provide for themselves and their families. Many players may have the aspiration

to play in the NBA. However, only 60 players are drafted into the NBA annually, only 114 rookies have played in a game this season and only 500 players play in the league. So before a player decides to actively pursue this dream, he must be one of the 500 best basketball players in the world and one of the best 100 players who aren’t already in the NBA, otherwise leaving college early would be fruitless. Next, a player requests early status from the NBA commissioner at least 60 days before the draft. typically, players also request an evaluation from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee, a group of heads of basketball operations from NBA teams. Because they have scouted most of the college players all year, they will have a consensus on where a player will be drafted — in the lottery, top 10, first round, second round or undrafted. they will give this information to the player, who will then decide whether or not to stay in school or declare

See HAwkS, page 14

Eagles Pound Panthers 4-0, 2-1

forreSt Martin/Senior Staff

The Eagles receive a ball from LaGrange College (Ga.) in a doubleheader on April 17.

Freshman pitcher Jacqueline Spizizen sends the ball to the Panthers.

Barco Makes ‘Dynamic’ MLS Debut in Draw

a nnie Uichanco/a SSt. SportS editor

Atlanta United fans light up the Mercedez-Benz Stadium in the Five Stripes’ matchup against NYCFC on April 15.

Continued from Back Page off Atlanta team captain and defender Michael parkhurst, Villa evened the score 1-1 with a well-placed penalty kick in the bottom left corner. “the disappointing thing for us is … we ushered [Villa] across the top of box and away from goal,” Guzan said. “then with one pass, we never really got pressure to the ball. … With one touch and one swing of the leg, he is punishing us.” the drama unfolded later on in the first half when Atlanta center midfielder Darlington Nagbe netted a through ball from a brilliant offensive play between forward Josef Martinez and midfielder Julian Gressel. Gressel found Nagbe waiting just outside the top of the box in the 41st minute. But the goal was not in the cards for United. After a video review, the verdict was an offsides call on Martinez, thus eliminating Atlanta’s chance of a smooth victory. “I think it was a goal,” Atlanta Head Coach Gerardo “tata” Martino said of

the reversed call. Well into the second half, midfielder Chris McCann pushed Atlanta ahead with a header goal assisted by Almiron, who chipped behind to McCann in the 56th minute. “Miguel is a clever player some-

“It felt like a national team game.” — Atlanta United Left Back Greg Garza times,” McCann said. “He picked out a beautiful pass. I tried to check my run and he picked me out, and luckily enough [the ball] went in.” In the 70th minute, Atlanta pulled their trump card: attacking midfielder Ezequiel Barco. the much-anticipated “Argentine wonderkid” made his MLS debut that night to sub in for Kevin Kratz, after months of training along-

side the team and signing the most expensive deal in MLS history. “[Barco] was dynamic,” Martino said. “[But] I thought he was missing a bit in his precision.” In fact, the 19-year-old’s star ability wasn’t enough to push Atlanta over the top as NYCFC’s Alexander ring scored the equalizer goal — his first in the MLS — in the 73rd minute. A drop pass from Villa at the top of the box set up a clear shot for ring’s execution, sending the ball into the net off the Atlanta crossbar. the 2-2 result squashed any hopes Atlanta fans had of squeezing into the No. 2 spot on the MLS leaderboard, but Martino saw it as a stepping stone for more difficult matches ahead. “It’s possible that this was the best game we have played since I’ve been here,” Martino said. NYCFC may not have maintained their beloved undefeated streak if not for the rescue goals of Villa and ring, as Atlanta seemed to hold the upper hand in both the offense and the defense. “We are a team that is intense for 90 minutes,” Martino said. “We are creating a lot of scoring chances. today, you have the left back and the left center back scoring goals. So I think we are still doing things well.” Atlanta aims to extend their undefeated streak on the road against the LA Galaxy (3-1-2) on April 21, their second meeting after a decisive 4-0 Atlanta victory at home last season on Sept. 20, 2017. Kevin Kilgour (16 Ox, 18B) contributed reporting.

— Contact Annie Uichanco at tuichan@emory.edu

Sophomore infielder Jessy McLean swings in a winning effort against LaGrange.

Robertson Silences Brandeis Bats Continued from Back Page the Eagles. In their second doubleheader on April 14, the Eagles didn’t show any sign of fatigue, blowing past Brandeis 10-4. Emory tallied three runs on three hits in the first inning. Senior shortstop Nick Chambers opened the scoring with a two-run double. In the next at-bat, senior first baseman Bubby terp drove home Chambers on a single into right field. Sophomore pitcher James robertson assumed the starting role and pitched eight solid innings. He allowed one run on three hits, three walks and a career-high 10 strikeouts. With the offense totaling 10 runs on 13 hits and robertson following suit with a strong performance on the mound, Emory cruised smoothly to a six-run victory. pitching coach ryan Mossman noted robertson’s terrific outing and the work he has put in to solidify his techniques. “robertson had one of our best pitching performances of the season,” Mossman said. “His persistence at working on his craft by working on his changeup and having more confidence in his offspeed pitches have definitely benefited him.” Chambers said that robertson’s dominance on the mound energized the offense and encouraged them to perform at the same level. “robertson set the tone and char-

acterized our success this weekend,” Chambers said. “When one guy plays like that, the rest of the team feels motivated to follow and take their games to the next level.” Despite the Judges’ two runs in the top of the first, Brandeis failed to salvage the final game of the series, losing to the Eagles 5-2. Undeterred by Brandeis’ quick start, the Eagles added two runs of their own in the bottom of the first. the Eagles stole the advantage in the bottom of the third on a rBI single from freshman left fielder Jack rubenstein. Emory’s pitching staff recovered after yielding two runs in the first inning and shut Brandeis out for the remainder of the game to secure the four-game sweep. Mossman said that his pitching staff is taking massive strides in finetuning their approaches on the mound both physically and mentally. “our staff is taking upon themselves to look for different ways to use their deliveries to deceive batters,” Mossman said. the Eagles will face Huntingdon College (Ala.) in a three-game series on April 20-22. Editor’s Note: Brian Taggett (19C) is an associate editor of the Wheel and plays for Emory’s baseball team. He was not involved in the composition of or editing of this article.

— Contact Stephen Mattes at stephen.mattes@emory.edu


The Emory Wheel

Sports

Wednesday, April 18, 2018 | Asst. Sports Editor: Annie Uichanco (tuichan@emory.edu)

ROUNDUP

NFL DRAFT

BASEBALL

Guide To 2018 NFL Draft

Swoop’s Sport Report tennis ends hOMe seasOn On victOriOus nOte Emory men’s tennis closed out their regular home season with two 8-1 victories over Sewanee: the University of the South (tenn.) and Washington and Lee University (Va.) on April 15 and 16, respectively. After two weeks of resting from competition, the Eagles triumphed over Sewanee with an emphatic 8-1 victory. Sewanee pulled the first point in the No. 2 matchup in doubles, but the Eagles went on to win eight consecutive singles and doubles matchups. Singles succeeded in shutting out the competition. Emory commanded the court, especially through the No. 1 singles performance of junior Jonathan Jemison who won 6-0, 6-0. Following their success over Sewanee, the Eagles celebrated a resounding 8-1 win over Washington and Lee on April 16. In this matchup, the team responded from falling behind in matches with a collective winning effort. Although junior James Spaulding and senior Scott rubenstein lost in doubles, they came back individu-

See EMoRY, page 14

By JOsePh Oh Staff Writer

aYUShi agarwal/photo editor

Sophomore pitcher Richard Brereton dominated both the plate and the mound in a matchup with Brandeis University (Mass.) on April 13. Emory began the series with an 8-4 victory.

Eagles Send Judges to Dugout By stePhen Mattes Senior Staff Writer the Emory baseball team swept the Brandeis University (Mass.) Judges in a four-game series on April 13 and 14, advancing to a 17-15 overall record and an 8-4 record in University Athletic Association (UAA) competition. Emory began the series with an 8-4 victory over Brandeis in the first game of a doubleheader on April 13. Sophomore pitcher richard Brereton recorded his third consecutive victory in his past three starts,

going seven innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits, three walks and six strikeouts. Batting second in the lineup, Brereton tacked on two rBIs and stole two bases. the Eagles claimed their first lead in the bottom of the third, after a passed ball allowed Brereton to cross home, giving Emory a 2-1 advantage. Emory held Brandeis at bay for the remainder of the game, walking away comfortably with a four-run triumph. In the second game of the day, Emory topped the Judges 5-2. Brandeis jumped out to an early

MEN’S TENNIS

lead after scoring a run in the top of the first. Emory answered in the bottom of the third, thanks to a Brereton rBI double that brought home senior left fielder Josh rosenblatt. the Eagles and Judges traded runs in the top of the fourth and bottom of the fifth to knot the game at 2-2. In the bottom of the sixth, junior designated hitter Eric terry drove in the gamewinning run on a single belted into right field. Brandeis failed to answer and dropped their second straight to

See RoBERTSoN, page 15

ESPORTS

‘The Bench’ Sits at No. 36 By kady kanG Contributing Writer

Guzan made two critical saves in the first half, paving the way for the team’s lead-defining goal from Garza off an assist from midfielder Miguel Almiron in the 29th minute. NYCFC’s tenacious efforts came to fruition when forward David Villa, who sat out the last three games due to injury, made an unexpected appearance in the 35th minute to sub in for injured attacking midfielder Ismael tajouri. After only three minutes on the pitch and a foul

the Emory eSports “overwatch” team emerged from its April 15 matches holding the 36th spot out of 286 North American collegiate teams with a match record of 3-1. Emory’s team, “the Bench,” closed the second week of the tespa Spring Series with a loss against North Carolina State University (NC State)’s “rageComicEnthusiasts” and a win against University of California, Santa Barbara, (UCSB)’s “Yang Gang.” Senior team captain peter “HEAt” Steinberg said that, after facing NC State in previous years, they were prepared for characters that the other team often played, such as Widowmaker. “Strategically, you need to be making sure that people were really more aware of sightlines and that fact that if you poke your head out at the wrong time you’ll die from across the

See BARCo, page 15

See CoMMUNiCATioN, page 14

Yohan Jhaveri/Staff

Junior James Spaulding (left) and senior Scott Rubinstein (r iGht) won 8-3, good for No. 1 in doubles, over Sewanee: The University of the South (Tenn.).

MLS

United, NYCFC Meet Their Match By annie uichancO Asst. Sports Editor

Eastern table leaders, No. 1 New York City FC (NYCFC) (5-2-0) and No. 2 Atlanta United FC (4-1-1), split a matchup of surprises and drama 2-2 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 15. Despite Atlanta’s disastrous season opener loss to the Houston Dynamo, both teams survived the weekend thriller to strengthen their ever-expanding undefeated streaks. In Atlanta’s inaugural 2017 season,

NYCFC defeated United 3-1 with a second-half flurry on May 7. the Five Stripes answered with their own redemptive 3-1 victory over New York four weeks later. “the danger that [New York] has and just how well organized they are from the back four, from them having a national team goalie — it felt like a national team game,” Atlanta left back Greg Garza said. Indeed, both teams’ high energy became clear within the first 13 minutes of play. Atlanta goalkeeper Brad

the 2018 NFL Draft is almost upon us. You can feel it in the air. the draft “experts” are creating mock drafts. NFL teams are scouting every prospect. Fans are clamoring for their teams to draft their favorite players. And, the Cleveland Browns are drafting first overall — again. the 2018 NFL Draft may be remembered as one of the most entertaining and unexpected drafts in recent memory. Nevertheless, here are three headlines that may or may not become a reality in this year’s draft. cleveland drafts QB and rB Of the future nO. 1 and nO. 4 With the highest potential among the quarterback prospects, Sam Darnold is the perfect pick for the Browns. He possesses the arm, the mobility and the leadership that every NFL team covets. Although he didn’t throw at the NFL Scouting Combine, he was lights-out in his pro day at the University of Southern California. Darnold possesses traits that other potential top QB prospects lack. For example, he exhibited strong character when he swapped flights to throw for his teammate. In addition, his experience exceeds that of other players, like University of Wyoming QB Josh Allen, as he faced tough competition in the pac12 Conference, while Allen played in the less competitive Mountain West Conference. His focus sets him apart from other prospects, such as University of California, Los Angeles QB Josh rosen, who put a hot tub in his freshman dorm, just because. Also, University of oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield has well-documented maturity issues such as resisting arrest and a crotch-grabbing incident. the fourth overall pick is an easy choice. If former pennsylvania State University running back Saquon Barkley is on the board, Cleveland should take him — no questions asked. With the Denver Broncos and New York Jets seemingly locked in on QBs, the Browns will be more than happy to have the best prospect in the draft fall into their laps. Barkley, rocking an NFL-ready 6 feet and 233 pounds, impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine. Barkley blazed the 40-yard dash in a lightning 4.40 seconds, adding to his 29 reps in the bench press and 41-inch vertical leap. With Darnold as QB and Barkley as rB, the Browns’ offense would be set for the foreseeable future. Here’s to hoping they don’t pick first again next year.

See DARNoLD, page 14


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