11 06 14

VOICE the georgetown

SLIPPING THROUGH THE CRACKS VISITING GEORGETOWN’S MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY

BY JULIA JESTER

Georgetown University’s Weekly Newsmagazine Since 1969 w November 6, 2014 w Volume 47, Issue 12 w georgetownvoice.com

the

Voice

Nov. 6, 2014 This week: Editorial ... GU medical leave policy needs reform, pg. 3 News ... Rangila moves from Gaston to Kennedy Center, pg. 4 Sports ... Field hockey snags final win, pg. 6 Feature ... Inside look into medical leaves of absence, pg. 8 Leisure ... Darwin stayin’ alive in professor adaptation, pg. 10 Page 13 ... The Six People You See at Yates, pg. 13 Voices ... Addiction is no laughing matter, pg. 14

slipping through the cracks

Georgetown students talk about the difficulties of taking a medical leave of absence.

Last week’s key:

–Leila Lebreton

This Week’s Horoscope

– Ambika Ahuja & Tim Annick

A Virgo’s apartment is clean – Hannibal Lecter clean. As meticulous as any serial killer, the Virgo does not have time for you unless it’s on the calendar that his or her personal assistant guards like a Rottweiler. On Wednesdays, the Virgo wears pink and you can’t sit with them. But the Virgo can also give you useful advice, like how frumpy that shirt makes you look. Begrudgingly, he or she will come clean about how much he or she adores you, but only after they’ve landed their billionaire.

BLOG

Editor: Ryan Greene

Assistant Editors: Grace Brennan, Marisa Hawley, Kenneth Lee

HALFTIME

Leisure Editor: Daniel Varghese

NEWS

Steven Criss

Assistant Editors: Shalina Chatlani, James Constant, Lara Fishbane

Dayana Morales Gomez

Editor: Julia Jester

PHOTO

Editor: Ambika Ahuja

Assistant Leisure Editors: Micaela Beltran, Erika Bullock, Simone Wahnschafft Assistant Sports Editors: Alex Boyd, Robbie Ponce

Assistant Editors: Sabrina Kayser, Gavin Myers, Joshua Raftis

VOICES

Board: Chris Almeida, Shalina Chatlani, Steven Criss, Lara Fishbane, Ryan Greene, Julia Jester, Caitriona Pagni, Kenneth Lee, Daniel Varghese, James Constant

Editor: Chris Almeida

EDITORIAL BOARD Chair: Ian Philbrick

Editor in Chief

Managing Editor

Mary-Bailey Frank General Manager

Noah Buyon

Technical Director

Tim Annick

Managing Director of Accounting and Sales

Allison Manning

Managing Director of Finance

SPORTS

Editor: Chris Castano

Assistant Editors: Kevin Huggard, Joe Pollicino, Max Roberts

LEISURE

Editor: Josh Ward

COVER

Editor: Christina Libre

FEATURE

Editor: Caitriona Pagni

DESIGN

Assistant Editors: Elizabeth Baker, Sam Kleinman, Manuela Tobias

Editors: Pam Shu, Sophia Super

COPY

Staff: Caitlin Garrabrant, Johnny Jung, Erin McClellan, Eleanor Sugrue

Editors: Rachel Greene, Ryan Miller, Dana Suekoff, Lauren Chung, Maddi Kaigh, Andrew Frank, Jupiter El-Asmar, Bianca Clark, Michael Mischke

Editor: Dylan Cutler

Chief: Eleanor Fanto

Assistant Editor: Leila Lebreton

PAGE 13

editorial

georgetownvoice.com

The georgetown voice | 3

primum non nocere

GU must reform medical leave policy to better support students

With the number of Hoyas opting to take medical leaves of absence on the rise this year, several students have voiced concerns about the way in which the university handles such cases.

Students who have taken or considered medical leaves of absence have claimed to have encountered unexpected obstacles complicating their returns to campus. These students allege that university administrators and healthcare professionals tasked with advising them on potential time off misrepresented the logistical and bureaucratic headaches that can accompany returning to campus.

This editorial board has reviewed the university’s medical leave policy and, though it is well-intentioned, finds it flawed in practice and in need of reform.

Numerous complications can arise for students during the process of returning from a medical leave of absence that are ultimately detrimental to the student involved. For example, if a student is discharged for medical reasons during the fall semester, that student must typically wait six months before Counseling and Psychiatric Services can reevaluate them and decide

whether or not they are fit to return to campus. In practice, this means that planning to take a semester-long leave of absence can in fact result in a student missing an entire academic year—a much more substantial period of time that can result in far greater disruption to a student’s academic progress. What’s more, if a student is not formally cleared to return to campus prior to the deadline for pre-registration, they are unable to preregister for classes through normal means. This fact alone can seriously impede their ability to smoothly transition back into the routine of college life.

Complicating matters even further is the fact that students who do manage to return from a medical leave receive little to no follow up from the university. They are not allowed to receive treatment from CAPS, despite the fact that regular therapy is often an integral part of students’ long-term treatment plans. Instead, they are often forced to seek professional care off-campus—an inhibitive logistical and financial burden for some students.

If a student makes the often difficult decision to take a medical leave of absence from school, university administrators have an obligation to act as the student’s primary

support rather than as a roadblock to the student’s reintegration to campus. If the true purpose of offering medical leaves of absence is to benefit students—rather than simply to reduce the university’s liability—the system must be restructured to place students first and foremost.

If promoting and protecting a student’s health is genuinely the primary concern of the university when recommending that a student spend time awayfrom Georgetown, as it should be, the procedure for returning to campus should never discourage a student from opting to do so.

In light of students’ legitimate concerns, the university should revisit its policies regarding recommending leaves of absence to students and remove the bureaucratic obstacles that confront students before they are permitted to reintegrate into campus life. In order to ensure that these reforms are both efficient and student-centric, the university should also create a formal, standardized safety net to follow through with students who return from medical leave.

When it comes to student health, cura personalis must follow Hoyas from their exit through Georgetown’s front gates until they complete their journey on campus.

call of duty

all politics is loco

Street harassment an ongoing and serious issue for GU students

Voters’ political choice limited in Congressional midterm elections

Last week, Hollaback!, an organization dedicated to ending street harassment and intimidation, posted a video of a young woman named Shoshanna Roberts being catcalled during a 10-hourwalk through the streets of Manhattan. The video claims that Roberts endured over 100 instances of verbal harassment during her walk—a figure that does not include more subtle forms of harassment like winks and whistles.

Though criticized for disproportionately depicting harassment as the work of racial minorities (for which Hollaback! later apologized), the video has sparked a nationwide discussion of this kind of behavior and helped bring to light the problem’s ubiquity for women, especially those living in urban areas. It also serves as a reminder that catcalling, regardless of its commonality, has no place in a society that claims to value gender equality. In response to similar instances at Georgetown this year and the university’s status as an open, urban campus, university administration must strive for transparency in dealing with any harassment of students and with the larger issue of gendered misconduct.

Despite the ostensible protection afforded by the so-called “Georgetown bubble,” theuniversityislocatedinanurbanareaand is therefore open to non-student passersby and visitors who are not part of the campus community. This year, Georgetown’s multiple ongoing construction projects have brought outsiders to campus and, in doing so, exposed students to harassment. Just last month, several female students raised concerns to the Voice over verbal harassment directed at them by construction workers operating on campus.

As the university made clear after these incidents came to light, this behavior is unacceptable from anyone on campus, especially those employed by the university. Although Vice President for Planning

and Facilities Management Robin Morey and Title IX Coordinator Rosemary Kilkennypledged to meetwith construction company managers and send a clear message of disapproval, the two administrators have not followed up with the Georgetown community regarding this discussion. Until it is clear what exactly was said to avert similar incidences in the future, the university will not have succeeded in fostering a dialogue of the kind needed to address these issues both on campus and nationwide.

In addition to representing a serious violation of individuals’ sense of personhood and safety, verbal harassment is symptomatic of a more serious issue present on campus: the sexual victimization of women (and, to a lesser—though no less serious—degree, men). The 4 a.m. sexual assault of a female student in the ICC last week by an individual unaffiliated with the university is a sobering reminder of both Georgetown’s urban and open campus as well as of the ongoing and pernicious effects of objectification.

The university has often stood with students in their fight against such behavior on campus, including last week’s Carry That Weight public event in Red Square in solidarity with sexual assault survivors and an established, robust support network for victims.

But both the university and students are under obligation to address harassment for what it is: a symptom of a greater problem of how individuals regard one another that needs thorough condemnation. If Georgetown is to claim to foster a community in which individuals are respected, it must treat every reported instance of street harassment as an affront to that community through transparent and direct action. As Hollaback! makes clear, it is only by documenting, calling out, and holding individualsresponsibleforunacceptablebehaviorthat wewillbegintocreateacultureofchange.

Late Tuesday night, Independent candidate David Catania (I-At Large) conceded the D.C. mayoral race to Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), confirming her as the District’s seventh successive Democratic mayor since it achieved home rule in 1975. Though Bowser won in a numerical landslide, the race was largely characterized by a thorough sense of disappointment. Despite what the Washington Post dubbed as a “laundry list” of policies, the prevailing sentiment was that neither candidate offered the city significant prospects for positive political change.

The D.C. mayoral race reflects a larger ironic—or perhaps tragic—trend that underwrote every vote cast at the nationwide ballot box on Tuesday. Identifying a deeper malaise among the wreckage of a particularly upsetting election is a favorite pastime of political punditry, but this time their case may not be so overstated. With two-thirds of voters nationwide failing to turn out, the election saw the GOP pick up more seats in the Republican controlled House and win a majority in the Senate. Far more than simple backlash against an increasingly unpopular incumbent president, however, the midterm displays an increasing lack of agency for American voters thanks to a lack of real political choice.

While midterm elections often batter the incumbent party, this election illustrates a systemic theft of genuine voter ability to effect change. Voters have been left with a forced, binary choice between an incumbent party that has failed to break gridlock in Washington and an opposing party that has played a significant role in creating gridlock in the first place.

The irony—again, perhaps better termed a tragedy—is that, despite Congressional changeover, little is likely to change.

This oscillating pattern between Republican and Democratic leadership is likely to persist through 2016. Democrats had—and have—no counternarrative to Republican efforts to lump them in wholesale with the president’s floundering approval ratings. Republicans, despite their victory, have no core strategy to back up their win. As noted by William Saleton for Slate, the electorate is inexorably moving toward greater liberalism—just look at increasing support for marijuana legalization and same-sex marriage. But the GOP has yet to present policies that will be able to sway growing populations of minority voters enough to sustain the party into the future.

Though newly reelected and reanointed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) pledged some compromise with the president and cohesion among Republicans in a Time interview yesterday, keeping those promises may prove difficult.

Loose-cannon senators, such as Ted Cruz (R-Texas), caused last year’s government shutdown, and it may be difficult to channel Republicans’ disparate ideas on Obamacare, immigration, and fiscal reform into policy. And, as the only government entity consistently polling lower than even the president, Congress has its own image to rehabilitate.

Insofar as politics is about inventing, framing, or embellishing a narrative, Republicans won this round. Insofar as it’s about representing and responding to an electorate, both parties—and Republicans especially—have yet again been handed a mandate they may be unable to deliver. Voters want Washington to get to work as it should. This change in leadership, unfortunately, brings few assurances that it will.

news

4 | the georgetown voice

November 6, 2014

CITY ON A HILL : ELECTION 2014: SOCIAL ISSUES LOSE a tri-weekly column about D.c. news and politics

Rangila dances its way to a nAtional Stage.

Georgetown South Asian Society

Rangila relocates from Gaston Hall to Kennedy Center RYAN MILLER Georgetown University South Asian Society announced Saturday that its annual dance show, Rangila, will be held at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House Stage instead of Gaston Hall, where structural issues on stage prevent performances with over forty-five people. Other dance groups, including GU Groove Theory, are being asked to move to other locations on campus for the same issues.

Georgetown’s prior relationship with the Kennedy Center through their Let Freedom Ring initiative allowed the President’s Office to reserve the space at such short notice. Ticket prices, however, have increased to 20 dollars from 15 in previous years.

The performance will only occur one night this year, rather than two, and the dancers will have just one rehearsal on the morning of the performance to practice on the stage in the Kennedy Center.

In the past, dancers were able to practice in Gaston multiple times.

Rangila had planned to perform in Gaston as usual this year until it found out last month that the stage was no longer suitable for performance because of a structural weakness in the support system under the stage. “[The Center for Social Engagement] informed us that they had gone through some inspections and that they realized, with the impact that we have involved in Rangila dances and the amount of people that are on stage for that much time, that the stage was just structurally unsound for us to do Rangila on,” said Medha Chandorkar (COL ‘15), one of the Rangila Coordinators.

As many as 50 dancers could be on stage at once during Rangila, according to Chandorkar, and with the intense dance style involving sections of heavy jumping on

stage, engineers deemed Rangila unsuitable for Gaston.

“Restrictions had to be placed on events with more than 45 people on stage at the same time, and events with continuous rhythmic dancing or significant jumping for a sustained period of time,” Erika Cohen-Derr, Director of the CSE, wrote in an email to the Voice.

Rangila will need to sell around 1800 tickets in order to fill the performance space, according to Chandorkar and Alisha Datwani (MSB ‘15), the other Rangila Coordinator. Were they to perform in Gaston for two nights, Rangila would have sold around 1600 tickets in total. Furthermore, the coordinators are also working with the University to find a way to transport students, both performers and audience members, to the Kennedy Center.

“We’re doing everything we can to provide transportation for students because we understand that Georgetown life is very based on campus,” Datwani said. “Rangila is a Georgetown show, and that’s something that we didn’t want to take away from it. But we would never pass up the opportunity to give our dancers a shot at the Kennedy Center either.”

Despite the technical issues preventing Rangila’s performance, other events have still taken place in Gaston. Participants in Mr. Georgetown, which occurred during Homecoming Weekend, all stood on the same Gaston stage, and Groove Theory performed a hip-hop routine.

However, the Department of Performing Arts informed Groove Theory a month ago that their showcase in the spring could not be held in Gaston due to the same structural issues.

Erika Debrosse (MSB ‘15), Groove Theory manager, said that the University did not provide her group with an explanation as to why it could perform on Gaston’s

SHALINA CHATLANI

The result of Tuesday’s mayoral election, with Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) emerging victorious against David Catania (I-At Large) with 53.9 percent of the votes, were predictable. After the release of a Washington Post poll demonstrating Bowser’s 12-point lead above Catania just two weeks before the election,itbecamefairlyclearwhowould become mayorelect on Nov. 4.

As we reflect on Bowser’s electoral win, however, glaring truths surrounding the nature of the District’s electorate come up. Coupled with a deeper look into the candidates’ track record, these truths demonstrate two realities. First, Bowser was destined to become the new mayor of the district. Second, there was a lack of substantive discussion, with regard to both candidates, on important social issues for this generation of millennials, such as same-sex marriage, marijuana legalization, jobs, and education.

About three-quarters of D.C. voters are registered Democrats.

Catania’s campaign acknowledged before the election that if Bowser were to secure just 64 percent of those voters, mathematically, she would be impossible to beat. Not to mention, according to the 2013 U.S. Government Census Bureau, about 49.5 percent of the district’s population is black, the majority of whom have historically voted for a Democratic African American candidate since 1973, when home rule was granted to the city.

For Catania—a white, gay, Republican-turned-independent— the odds weren’t in his favor, despite having 17 years of experience on the council. D.C. voters failed to recognize that Bowser hasn’t done much in terms of realizing social change, presenting substantial leg-

islation, or even fulfilling her first campaign promise—reforming the city’s public school system.

In order to have won, Catania would have needed to persuade a majority of Democrats to vote for him. The truth of the matter, though, is that if voters had really been tuned in, he shouldn’t have needed to do much persuading.

After Catania broke with the Republican party back in 2004 over the issue of same-sex marriage, his legislative goals have been largely liberal in nature. Catania was instrumental in presenting legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. He supported the legalization of medical marijuana, and helped prevent the closure of the only hospital east of the Anacostia River. In terms of jobs and economic development, Catania was responsible for authoring the New E-Conomy Transformation Act of 2000, which brought over 100 technologycompaniestothedistrict.

Of course, Bowser’s small accomplishments on the council shouldn’t be discredited. She introduced ethics reform initiatives in 2011while a numberof political scandals plagued the city, had a 5-cent tax on plastic bags approved, supported marijuana legalization and paid sick leave forworkers in 2008.

In all her years on council, however, Bowser was overly cautious and didn’t develop any bold legislative initiatives. For instance, all she has accomplished in educational reform is passing a Kids Ride Free Act, allowing children to ride the bus free to and from school— which, though an important act, does not address chronic issues with D.C.’s failing public school system. She has supported low-impact legislation, such as putting regulations on pawn shops, and has

not seen note-worthy success in areas like affordable housing, even thoughshewas chairman of the D.C. Council committee with oversight of housing issues.

Meanwhile, Catania, since becoming head of the Committee on Education for the city, has been putting together “Reform 2.0” plan for D.C. Public Schools, so that low income students could be granted more money to attend school. Not only that, the Georgetown alumnus also introduced the D.C. Promise, an initiative to help low-income and middle class students better afford college.

It’s easy to get lost in the myriad successes and failures of both former candidates. What the aforementioned facts demonstrate, however, is that the real problem at hand is with young D.C. voters., because theydo not recognize that key issues have not been sufficiently addressed by Bowser .

While Catania may have had a past in the Republican Party and has been described by some to be hot-headed, his platform is grounded in social change. Had voters been more attuned to his history and legislative record, perhaps they would have seen that he was more aligned with the Democratic party than voters gave him credit for.

The lack of greater discussion on Catania’s potential could be a result of the District’s recent voting history, as a Democratic candidate has won the mayoral seat for the past four decades. It could be a matter of demographics. One reality, however, is apparent—and that’s the fact that voters need to start paying more attention, because a candidate that could have delivered true social change may have just slipped right by under their noses.

stage during Mr. Georgetown and not during their showcase.

Groove Theory, like Rangila, was required to find a new performance space despite having already safely performed on the Gaston stage. Groove Theory’s spring showcase in March will now be held in Lohrfink Auditorium, which will have a negative impact on their performance, according to Debrosse.

“Lohrfrink is not an appropriate stage for a dance show. First off, it is way too small for a large group such as Groove Theory,” Debrosse wrote in an email to the Voice.

“Groove Theory performed in

Lohrfrink for other events and we definitely had issues with spacing.”

Lohrfink has a smaller capacity than Gaston does, and Debrosse claimed that her group does not necessarily know how it will accommodate the number of people that hope to attend the showcase in the spring.

Representatives from both Groove Theory and Rangila said that the University did not provide them with a timeline for when Gaston would be fixed. The repairs, however, will most likely take place this summer in order not to disrupt certain events in Gaston, according to Cohen-Derr.

Rangila’s performance at the Kennedy Center will be a one-time booking for the 20th anniversary, according to Chandorkar and Datwani.

Plans for a future venue for Rangila have not been made yet because of the short notice the group has had in trying to find a space for this year’s performance. Despite the setbacks that Rangila has faced, Datwani is optimistic that Rangila will find a space for next year.

“There’s enough love and passion for this show at Georgetown that it will never not happen,” Datwani said.

news

georgetownvoice.com

the georgetown voice | 5

Bulldog Tavern to hold grand opening Friday in Healey Family Student Center MORGAN HINES The Healey Family Student Center’s Bulldog Tavern will hold its grand opening on Friday evening as Georgetown’s newest on-campus location for student drinking and dining.

The pub has been in the works for more than three years since GUSA signed for the project’s commencement. Bulldog Tavern held a soft opening Tuesday night, Wednesday night, and tonight starting at 5 p.m., commiserating years of planning by students and administration.

Joelle Wiese, associate vice president for auxiliary business services, believes the pub will be well-suited to Georgetown undergraduates because of the level of student engagement solicited by the university and Bon Appétit, the pub’s vendor.

“There has been input from students on every part of the tav-

ern—design, furniture, décor, food menu, beer selection, hours of operation, pricing, vendor selection, name, and logo,” she said.

Adam Ramadan (SFS ‘14), business coordinator at University Services and former GUSA vice president, agreed regarding student input. He also mentioned student input will continue moving forward, saying he thinks “the most exciting [thing] is that there is still so much room for growth.”

Wiese noted that the full service restaurant and bar are features that make Bulldog Tavern “an option like no other on campus.” She continued by saying that the bar has 18 students on staff now and will likely be open to employing other students in the future. Students must be 18 to wait and 21 to bartend.

Bulldog Tavern will offer an outdoor deck overlooking the Potomac as well as a pick-up win-

HUFS tables in red square where they belong.

GAVIN MEYERS

Hoyas United for Free Speech petitions for academic diversity ELIZABETH TEITZ In its petition delivered to Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Todd Olson on Oct. 31, Hoyas United for Free Speech requested the expansion of the Doyle Faculty Fellows Program as a part of a collective effort to diversify academic courses on campus.

Through the petition, HUFS, a non-affiliated group formed in October, is seeking broad reform to Georgetown’s speech and expression policies. It also hopes that academic courses that focus on traditionally underrepresented perspectives and communities contribute to greater diversity.

According to Vincent DeLaurentis (SFS ‘17), a founding member of HUFS, a group of around 15 students delivered the petition to Dr. Olson. “We marched quiet-

ly from Red Square to Dr. Olson’s office on Leavey 5, stopping briefly to chant, ‘When free speech is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!’” he wrote in an email to the Voice.

The petition, which collected 461 signatures and 15 club endorsements, specifically called for administrators to “develop academic courses that focus on traditionally underrepresented perspectives and communities and commit to greater diversity represented in the syllabi of core classes by expanding faculty participation in the Doyle Faculty Fellows Program,” an initiative run by the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship.

“The Doyle Faculty Fellows Program is designed to support faculty in redesigning an undergrad-

dow for students that are looking to grab a quick bite to eat.

[Furthermore], the Tavern will feature a catering menu, flights of local craft beers, wines from area vineyards, TVs to cheer on the Hoyas, and even some live music by Hoyas,” Wiese said.

The pub features architectural pieces from around the campus, including old lanterns from Dahlgren Chapel, along with other Georgetown memorabilia.

The menu includes freshly made items, with salads changing seasonally. There will also be a section on the menu dedicated to the pub grill, including a “Hoya Burger.” There is also a special beverages portion featuring water in a box and even a “Sweet Stuff” section. Wiese expressed her love for the Nutella shake and cracker jacks, both listed under “Sweet uate introductory or lower-division course with a goal of enhancing or incorporating themes of difference and diversity,” said Joselyn Lewis Schultz, senior program coordinator forthe Doyle Program. Fellows of the program meet regularlythroughout the summer and academic year to discuss this process of restructuring and diversifying their classes.

Although they did not collaborate with the Doyle Program during the creation of the petition, HUFS members cited experiences from Doyle courses as as motivation for including the program in their petition.

“We really admire the model that they use. Some of us have taken Doyle courses and have found them to be much much richer and better for our education than non-Doyle courses, and I think we see that as a model that could be implemented more broadly as opposed to just a small, select group of faculty,” said Erin Riordan (COL ‘15), founding member of HUFS. DeLaurentis explained that HUFS sees Doyle courses as allowing for greater support of students speaking freely, which led to the program’s inclusion in the petition.

“When we go into our classes what we’re hearing is the white, male, cisgender, straight perspective. What we’re hearing is these same neoliberal economic narratives over and over again, so we thought that if we’re going to have a true

Bulldog tavern lets students eat, drink, and be merry.

MORGAN HINES

Stuff.” The menu has been reduced for the soft opening.

The pub will be open seven days per week from 11 a.m. through 1 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays. Fridays and Saturdays, the tavern will close at 3 a.m. It will close to students under 21 at 10 p.m on these two days.

“We’re just trying to make on-campus life as good as pos-

sible. Whether that effort is by GUSA or the administration, everybody realizes that we want to make Georgetown’s campus as exciting as possible,” said Ramadan.

As for Bulldog Tavern’s grand opening on Friday evening, Wiese explained that there will be “ribbon cutting and some fun,” noting her desire to “keep some suspense.”

education at Georgetown, we should lift up these voices that often aren’t heard in the classroom,” DeLaurentis said.

Douglas Reed, a government professor and current Doyle Faculty Fellow, echoed this perspective, though he is not involved in the student group’s work. “[The program] is very committed to helping students build the skill of getting out of their own experience… Thinking about student perspectives and the ways in which we can help students understand what their own perspective is and then make bridges to feeling other people’s perspectives, if we can do that in a regular way, really helps build the liberal arts curriculum,” Reed said.

Reed acknowledged the challenge of bringing the issues raised by Doyle Fellows to other required courses to expand the range of students and professors involved.

“What we don’t want it to become is an imposed checklist of diversity to sort of mechanically satisfy,” Reed said. “But we should figure out a way to cultivate skills and analysis to remove blind spots and really get at the notions of implicit, and sometimes explicit, bias.”

HUFS has not yet received administrative feedback on any portion of the petition, including the academic diversity initiative.

“We have given Dr. Olson a two week deadline to issue a substantive response,” DeLaurentis said. “If there isn’t a serious response in the next two weeks, we will be forced to continue our campaign.”

“We don’t want to reveal too much right now, but calling attention to free speech zones on our campus is a really important next step,” said Lexi Dever (COL ‘16), another HUFS member.

According to Dever, if the group decides to continue the campaign, this will include focusing on awareness, and “really pushing a lot harder on showing students what’s going and how much of this campus isn’t a free speech zone, despite what [they] may believe.”

“I would say that that question will be answered Friday [close of business], if we do not receive a response,” DeLaurentis wrote in an email to the Voice. “I will say that everything that HUFS has planned will be incredibly respectful of the Georgetown community and the administration and will also be completelywithin school rules.”

• •

READ MORE ONLINE:

Homeless face risks as hypothermia season begins in D.C. GUSA establishes new committee on class, equity, and access

sports

6 | the georgetown voice

NOVEMBER 6, 2014

Field hockey caps improved season with home win JOE LAPOSATA

The Georgetown women’s field hockey team (6-12, 0-5 Big East) concluded its first on-campus season since 2007 with an impressive 3-0 home shutout win over Towson (2-16, 0-6 Colonial Athletic Association) on Sunday.

“It’s always nice to get off to a really good start, and I think every goal that we get really pushes the momentum forward,” said sophomore forward Aaliyah Graves-Brown, who scored an early goal at the 1:17 mark in the first half. “[I’m] glad I could do my part and really start us out on a high note.”

The game remained 1-0 for the next 25 minutes until the Hoyas received a penalty corner in the 26th minute.

An assist by sophomore defender Devin Holmes found junior forward Sarah Butterfield, who slotted it underneath the outstretched right arm of Towson goalkeeper Emilee Woodall. It was the first of Holmes’s two assists in the game and the last score of the half. The first half was, statistically, a dominant show for the Hoyas, who led Towson in shots 7-1.

The Hoyas scored again in the 59th minute, this time off the stick of senior forward Tori Hideshima. “As soon as I saw [Holmes] rip the shot I was ready for it, and just like practice, it happened.”

The goal—Hideshima’s first ever—came in her last game playing for the Hoyas.

Defensively, the Hoyas played a stellar match, limiting Towson to four shots in the game, only one of which was on target. “Our [defen-

sive] line and our goalies are, in my opinion, some of the best, and they played a fantastic defensive game,” Graves-Brown said.

The one shot that was on target for the Tigers came just after halftime, as forward Jenney Heather slammed the ball right at the glove of Georgetown goalie Rachel Skonecki. It was the only save of the game Skonecki had to make, giving her the fourth shutout of her career. Skonecki is now fourth all-time for the Hoyas in that category.

“I think for us, we were able to play a more attack-minded style of Hockey today,” said Head Coach Shannon Soares. “However, I’ll tell you, we were really disciplined in terms of our press. And I think that helped us come up with the ball, be able to get into counterattack situations and dangerous situations in their defensive end, and create positive outcomes for us.”

The Hoyas’ 6-12 record is tied for the best of any past Hoya field hockey team, but Soares is not satisfied.

“For us, the spring season is going to be focused on becoming more mentally tough. They are going to go through very difficult workouts, they are going to train more than they ever have in the spring season, and we’re going to focus a lot on fundamental technical skill… I think after today’s result, it’s a great jumping off point for us for next season and what we want to do as a program,” said Soares.

“While we’re proud that we’ve improved from the

Taryn SHAW

Field hockey tied the school record for wins in a season with their win against Towson.

years of past, this is a new staff and six wins is not good enough for us. So, we will look to build on it and look to vastly improve next season.”

Soares will enjoy the advantage of having much of the same core of this year’s team next season.

“The great thing is, we return a lot of our roster.

We only lose four and while we will miss those four, we return a core of our team

Chris tano’s Cas

that is committed to movng this program forward and really making a name for ourselves.”

In the short term, however, the Hoyas can build off their strong offensive attack, as the Blue and Gray outshot the Tigers 15-4 and had 12 penalty corners to Towson’s three.

Although the win allowed the Hoyas to tie the program record for wins in a season,

it also snapped the Blue and Gray’s three-game losing streak. Despite the victory and milestones met this year by the program, the Hoyas still finished the season in last place in the Big East. Finishing higher in the competitive conference will certainly be near the top of the team’s list of goals as they enter the offseason and begin to make preparations for what promises to be an exciting 2015 season.

SPORTS SERMON---

“If one day I go to a game and I don’t feel I can win, maybe I don’t go” - Chelsea Manager José Mourinho I sat in my seat at DAR Constitution Hall and watched as professional boxer Michael Clark fell hard on the canvas—Dow Jones in 2008 hard, or your GPA after organic chemistry hard. D.C.’s Dusty Harrison Hernández, a welterweight fighter, stood over Clark’s sprawled body, hands held high.

At that point, I exploded out of my seat pumping the air, screaming my lungs out. The main event at the boxing showcase this past weekend hadn’t lasted long, but it was one of the most exhilarating sporting experiences I’ve witnessed in years. Unfortunately, in an auditorium capable of holding at least 3,500 people, there were probably only 200 in attendance. A show like this would have sold out 50 years ago.

When people think of boxing, they think of two brutes stuck in a ring throwing punches as hard as they can.

Most don’t appreciate the level of finesse professional boxers are capable of exhibiting even under threat of injury. Every duck, dodge, and punch is executed in an intricate sequence capable of dazzling a viewer in the same manner as the New York Ballet or a Broadway production.

Despite the level of skill necessary to qualify as a professional boxer, the sport has seen a serious decline in popularity since its heyday in the mid-19th century. Piece after piece has been written on why boxing’s decline has been so rapid, but no one is talking about how such an incredible sport could slowly be brought back into the mainstream.

One of the biggest problems that people have with

boxing is its perceived lack of safety. Concussions and other debilitating injuries are hot on the minds of sports consumers thanks to in depth studies that have tracked such damage. While it’s true that boxing takes an incredible toll on your body, it is not the most dangerous contact sport. In fact, former NFL defensive end Ray Edwards left football to learn how to fight.

That’s not to say that it’s impossible to sustain a serious amount of damage boxing. Two of my roommates are boxers and have come home on a couple of occasions looking like they had been caught on the wrong side of the tracks, but they both maintain that safety is their primary concern.

During practice, you wear bigger gloves so blows aren’t as heavy, don headgear to protect your cranium and your partner’s hands, and generally your teammates are pulling their punches. After all, you’re not there to learn how to get hit hard. You’re there to learn how to sustain as little damage as possible.

Bottom line, boxing is dangerous, but not more so than other mainstream sports.

The sport is suffering because of the greed of promoters when it comes to the marketing and the coverage of the sport. Boxing was a staple of the network sports lineup until recently. Nowadays, those in control of coverage of fights prefer to make their spectacles pay-per-view instead of airing it free on network television because they know that they have a steady audience that will fork over $30-40 to watch.

Why go through the networks when suckers are willing to

line your pockets without the middle man?

This model, however, simply cannot continue. As time wears on, and it becomes easier to illegally stream expensive videos online, the millennial generation becomes less accustomed to paying for anything that’s televised.

Continuing on with the payper-view model will only serve to slowly kill off the small audience boxing has left. Someday, promoters will literally have no choice but to sell the rights to a network because no one will be willing to pay out of pocket.

A final blow to the popularity of boxing was the advent of other forms of combat sports, which has presented problems for a format that’s already losing viewers. Mixed martial arts and what the WWE wants you to think is wrestling have slowly siphoned fans from boxing, targeting a testosterone-fueled demographic hellbent on being as extreme as possible.

Boxing isn’t UFC. It isn’t Monday Night Raw. It’s not meant to be an overly-masculinized version of a combat sport, but it has fallen out of contention with these other formats.

The atmosphere surrounding boxing is pure and uncomplicated. It’s a mature sport that’s had time to grow into its place among the American pantheon. The problem is that it’s stayed there like a piece in a museum. If those in control of the sport could address concerns based on health, and do something about their public relations, there is no reason that boxing can’t reclaim its rightful place in the hearts and minds of the American masses.

sports

georgetownvoice.com

the georgetown voice | 7

Football’s comeback falls short JOE POLLICINO

“You are what your record says you are.”

While the popular Bill Parcells adage may hold true in most cases, it is certainly not the case with the Georgetown football team (2-7, 0-4 Patriot League), which lost its third consecutive one-possession game this past Saturday against Lehigh (2-6, 1-2 Patriot League), 27-19 at Multi-Sport Field. A slow start, with Lehigh holding a 20-3 lead late in the third quarter, prevented the Hoyas from fully completing an admirable comeback in the fourth quarter.

“This is the toughest football team I’ve ever been around,” said Georgetown Head Coach Rob Sgarlata. “In the last three games, there have been breaking points, tipping points where it could have just gone the other way.”

Down 20-3 late in the third quarter, the Hoyas were able to earn a team safety, after a high snap by the Mountain Hawks rolled through their own endzone, making it 20-5 at the end of three quarters. On their next possession, the Hoyas offense marched down the field with ease, as junior running back Jo’el Kimpela punctuated the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to cut the Lehigh lead to 20-11 with 13:48 left in the game.

Lehigh responded, however, as senior running back Rich Sodeke’s 6-yard touchdown run extended their lead to 27-11 with 12:17 left in the game. Junior quarterback Kyle Nolan’s 9-yard touchdown run, followed by a

Cheer-leading the charge for minimum wage

FREDDY ROSAS

FOOTBALL Lost its third consecutive One-Possession Game this past weekend. two-point conversion pass to junior wide receiver Jake DeCicco at the 8:49 mark capped the scoring for the game. The Hoyas were unable to muster any late-game heroics in their final two drives.

One of the highlight performances for the Hoyas in the losing effort came from senior linebacker Nick Alfieri. The Oregon native earned Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season with a career-high 18 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, a half sack, and a forced fumble. Thanks to his impressive efforts, Alfieri became just the third player in Georgetown football history to record over 300 career tackles.

“It’s a cool personal accomplishment, and it’s an honor to be up there with [McCabe and Parrish]. That’s a cool thing. It’s really not the focus. It’s kind of an afterthought. I’m just trying to do my thing, do my job. I’m just lucky enough to do it,” Alfieri said.

Sgarlata had nothing but praise for Alfieri’s significance to the program after the game.

Sgarlata designated Alfieri as the Joe Eacobacci No. 35 Memorial Jersey recipient before the season started, an annual honor bestowed upon the player who epitomizes the meaning of leadership for Georgetown football.

“Anytime you wear No. 35 on your back, it goes without saying how high esteem I hold someone. Nick has done a lot of things for us,” said Sgarlata. “ Despite the Hoyas’ misfortunes over their now five-game losing streak, Sgarlata feels that his team is better than their record indicates.

“I will take this team over any other team in the league, bar none. There’s no giving up in this team, which is unique,” said Sgarlata. “I’ve been coaching for 19 years and playing since I was 6 years old, so that’s 36 years of football. I haven’t seen anything like it. The kids just keep coming back and coming back.”

The Hoyas are off this week, and will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. when they travel to face No. 10 Fordham (81, 4-1 Patriot League).

Capitals’ early woes continue SOURABH BAHT

The Washington Capitals (46-2) started their season brightly under new Head Coach Barry Trotz. Their success, however, was short lived, as a five-game losing streak has darkened the 2014 debut, culminating in their Tuesday night loss against the Calgary Flames.

After a promising 3-0-2 start, the Capitals appeared ready to assuage any concerns about Trotz’s coaching ability. The Capitals’ poor run of form seems to signal that Trotz’s transformation is far from finished. D.C.’s hockey team has been decent for years, but they have repeatedly failed to come through in the clutch. So far this year, the Capitals have lost five games by one goal. Six of their seven losses have seen them surrender

– Buckwild –

emmy buck’s TRI-weekly column about sports

second period leads because of a mix of turnovers, defensive breakdowns, and misreads.

Washington Captain Alex Ovechkin is still the undisputed star of the team. He may have been the one bright spot against the Flames, as his performance in the game made him the Capitals’ all-time points leader. Although he performed well on Tuesday, his career has been emblematic of the Capitals’ past fortunes. Despite his three league MVP awards, he has never made it past the second round of the playoffs. He and center Nicklas Bäckström, the alternate captain, are talented enough to keep the Capitals competitive in most games, but the two have left much to be desired on the ice this season. Fans are calling for someone else to begin picking up some of the slack.

One player who could step up is the already impressive rookie Andre Burakovsky. The Swede is scoring at least one point in each game he plays despite only averaging roughly 14 minutes a game. The 19-year-old center has received high praise from Trotz and is already being put forward as a possible contender for the Calder Trophy, an award for the best player in his first year in the NHL. Rookie Liam O’Brien has also received high praise as a future weapon for a team starved of quality.

The Capitals have the talent to overcome their losing streak, but in order for the season to be a success, they will need to cut down on the mental lapses that have plagued them. Washington will be back in action against the Blackhawks in Chicago this Friday at 8 p.m.

Professional cheerleading squads have become an integral part of sports entertainment.

These women wave pom poms around, kick the air with spirit and deliver ostentatious smiles to the crowd. Professional cheerleaders have been disregarded as “eye-candy,” and sideline entertainment. But even if these women only are “eye-candy,” don’t they deserve to be properly paid for their services?

Of the 32 teams in the NFL, five are currently facing lawsuits filed by their own cheerleaders. The disgruntled women are demanding higher salaries, claiming the NFL is paying them well under minimum wage. The Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and the Oakland Raiders are all facing litigation, and could be in for a heap of trouble if they’re found guilty.

As it stands, NFL cheerleaders earn an average of $2.85 per hour. Granted, each team pays their cheerleaders differently, but for the most part these women earn the same salary as unskilled minimum-wage workers.

A Bengals cheerleader is paid $855 for the entire season. The Buffalo Jills revealed they were required to work 16 hours or more per week, including practices and games. Their only compensation? A $25 parking pass and a ticket to each game. The Jets pay their cheerleaders about $150 per game, while the Raiders pay about $125. The cheerleaders remain adamant these salaries are not sufficient for the amount of time they dedicate.

Cheerleaders participate in a high-risk sport. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, of all injuries among female collegiate athletes, 70.8 percent of them are sustained cheerleading. The sport requires skill and dedication, yet these women are still considered unskilled workers as far as their wages goes.

According to former Dallas Cowboy cheerleader Starr Spangler Rey, work as a professional cheerleader is not valued for the money but for the experience. Many women join professional squads knowing they will not be paid well, but they do so to continue their passion of dance and cheer.

The culture within the professional cheer world is to keep quiet about the low salaries, and just appreciate the opportunity to be part of the NFL.

Outside of long practices and game days, the cheerleaders must live according to a strict conduct manual. The Raiders’ handbook was released to the Los Angeles Times, outlining painfully specific behavior details. For dining etiquette, the guidebook states, “If you don’t like your meal, try a little of everything and strategically move the rest around your plate.”

Alternatively, the Bills handbook tells the cheerleaders how to properly wash their vaginas.

They even instruct their performers to not eat more than one or two pieces of bread in a formal dinner setting. Teams try to justify such micromanagement by claiming these women are an extension of their franchise, and their behavior will be considered a reflection of the team.

Lawsuits were filed by individual cheerleaders at the beginning of 2014. We are now beginning to see the results of the debate. The U.S. Department of Labor declared the case of the Raiders to be closed. They ruled that the Raiders were not responsible for paying their cheerleaders minimum wage, deeming them “seasonal amusement,” and not regular employees.

When the case went to private arbitration, the Raiders decided on a $1.25 million settlement to be dispersed among 90 women.

Additionally, the Raiders will now be paying their cheerleaders minimum wage.

While this result sets a good precedent of support for these amazing athletes, other practitioners haven’t been so lucky.

The Bills disbanded their cheerleading squad after facing two lawsuits last April.

In the face of such blatant disregard for talent, it’s important to remember cheerleaders are huge assets to their franchises. Every season, the Cowboys cheerleaders rope in $1 million, attending fundraisers and promoting the team throughout the community. Although these women only perform seasonally, they are committed to promoting the public image of their franchise full time. Cheerleaders are much more than what our Department of Labor has considers them to be.

Fans may regard cheerleaders as the eye candy on the sidelines of football games, but they are also professional dancers who deserve equal pay.

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8 | the georgetown voice

NOvember 6, 2014

TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

DO MEDICAL LEAVES OF ABSENCE HELP OR HARM?

BY JULIA JESTER “I can’t go back to Georgetown, there’s no way I can come back the way I am.”

When Georgetown students arrive on campus, they have their road map to success planned out: earn top grades, join every club, make best friends, and, above all else, graduate in four years.

Katie DuBois (COL ‘15) had a plan.

She was working her way to law school, all the while enjoying her college experience. Before her junior year, however, an eating disorder caused her to take a medical leave of absence—approved time off from Georgetown to cope with physical or mental illness.

Senior Associate Dean Anne Sullivan stresses that students can request to take a MLOA any time during the semester with the endorsement of Counseling and Psychiatric Services.

“Basically, the premise of the medical leave is that there are health issues at play that have complicated the student’s ability to function as a student,” she said.

Director of CAPS Philip Meilman, Ph.D., estimates that CAPS will see roughly 25 percent of the total undergraduate population by the time of graduation. This being the case, it’s no surprise that Dean Sullivan noted that out of the 400 students she personally advises, she has seen four or five take a MLOA this term alone.

In recent years, the university has seen an increase in MLOAs, according to Associate Dean Sue Lorenson. “I think we see more leaves and I think that its because … we have a more diverse student body in terms of mental health issues than we used to,” she said. “Recognition of mental health issues is more sophisticated than it used to be which means that students who might not have felt comfortable being far from home or might have been concerned about their ability to succeed academically are doing fantastically well in competitive academic environments.” * * * DuBois started getting treatment for an eating disorder during her sophomore year, but as time passed, it became too much to bear. “I was seeing someone in CAPS for an entire year, and the feedback I was getting was, ‘Well, your weight is not at a dangerous level, so it’s fine,’ … And for me, I was falling into pieces,” she said.

“I wanted them to take it more seriously because sure, maybe I’m not at a dangerous weight level, but clearly my state of mind is not great. I guess that attitude encouraged me to keep pushing through.”

Just four weeks before the 2013 fall semester, the start of her junior year, DuBois realized that she could not return to Georgetown. “It’s hard, because you see it as a failure, or at least I did. And you don’t want to admit that you can’t handle it,” she said. “ I almost just felt like I was just giving up because I didn’t have my counselors at Georgetown saying, ‘Okay, this is what’s best for you.’ There really was no guidance. … I wanted to feel like [the university] was more involved in my future, like they had a stake in my outcome.”

“IT’S HARD, BECAUSE YOU SEE IT AS A FAILURE, OR AT LEAST I DID. AND YOU DON’T WANT TO ADMIT THAT YOU CAN’T HANDLE IT,” Dean Lorenson explained why an academic dean may not think to advise a student to take a leave of absence. “There is an intersection between a student’s individual academic issues and a student’s health or mental health issues,” she said.

“That intersection is so important, so that’s why you might not get a strong recommendation from a dean who’s primarily seeing the academic part.”

DuBois may have slipped through the cracks of the system for so long because, while her eating disorder weakened her, her academics remained strong. This is not the case for all students who take MLOAs. * * * Ben Saunders (SFS ‘15) had the MLOA paper ready to sign. Ultimately, however, he decided to cope with his major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder on campus, a decision he said was motivated by his own ambitious nature.

“We’re a top-tier college—accepting weakness isn’t something we do very often,” Saunders said.

For Director of the Academic Resource Center Jane Holahan, Saunders’ mentality is a growing trend among American students. “I’ve seen this growth in anxiety over the past 16 years [I’ve been here],” she said.

“It starts in the earlier grades, and I think it’s learning those skills of how to cope with stress when things don’t go as they should go.”

As his third year at Georgetown began, Saunders’ acute depression took hold of his life. He couldn’t hold a conversation with friends. He couldn’t focus in class, much less learn the material. Eventually, he couldn’t ignore it any longer. He had to visit CAPS. “We like to think we have agency over basically everything in our lives, and accepting I had depression was kind of a surrendering of agency,” he said.

For Saunders, his decision to work through his depression on campus has been positive, but not without difficulties. “Staying on campus, you’re going to have to be prepared for operating as best as you can, and knowing that as best as you can might not be what you’re used to,” he said. “I was slower with my writing process, I was slower with studying, and that got better with medication and having someone keep tabs on me.” * * * Unlike DuBois or Saunders, Michael Raleigh, who entered the College with the class of 2015, felt as if he didn’t have a say in his story. He claims he left campus primarily because CAPS coerced him. Now, after a year away from Georgetown and merely a few months back, he is again feeling pressure to take yet another MLOA. “Right now I’m part-time, but I’m struggling once again with CAPS wanting me to take medical leave.

I’m in that process right now again,” Raleigh said. For him, another MLOA is unrealistic, as it would be financially difficult to be off of his scholarship, which helps pay for his campus housing.

“Even though I’m not doing as well in classes, I’m still passing. I’m not going to come out with a stellar GPA, but that’s so inconsequential to me—I just want to graduate. [University officials]

seem to want me to make straight As and do a wonderful job,” Raleigh said.

Academic concerns aside, Raleigh feels as if it is personally an undesirable option. “I feel a disconnect with some of the bureaucracy as far as CAPS realizing that. If I do get medical leave, I’ll have to take time off and get more depressed,” he said.

“At this point, right now they’re telling me that I have to take a year off or a semester off again—it’s just like a spiral effect.”

Meilman insists, however, that MLOAs are always voluntary—at least on CAPS’ end. “For both exits and returns, CAPS will make recommendations to the dean’s office based on the information it receives, although it is the dean’s office that makes the final decisions,” he wrote in an email to the Voice.

Dean Lorenson said the “only time the university can impose an involuntary medical leave of absence is when the student is a danger to his or her self or the community. In my 17 years at Georgetown, I think I’ve maybe seen that once. [It’s] extremely rare.”

Instead, she explained, a more common occurrence is when a struggling student is at risk for an academic sanction, such as suspension if a student fails multiple classes, in which case the dean’s office may suggest medical leave in lieu of failing. She notes, however, that even this option is voluntary.

“We don’t say it to the student, but when you’re in mental health trouble, your ability to see reality, to perceive reality, understand, [and] sort out sensible courses of action can be impaired and so it may feel like coercion,” she said.

In fact, forcing students to take a MLOA is illegal. In 2011, parents of a disabled student filed a complaint against Georgetown with the the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. They alleged that the university “discriminated against the student based on her disability when it subjected her to certain conditions as a requirement for re-enrollment following a medical leave of absence.”

As a result, the Voluntary MLOA Policy, at least in writing, underwent critical changes, reflected in an updated version in effect May 2012.

“I think the biggest difference— the outcome of the change in policy—has been that there is more individualized care,” explained Dean

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georgetownvoice.com Lorenson. “There used to be a onesize fits all prescribed timeline for a medical leave, at the minimum, and now there is not. That’s determined on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the student, the student’s caregivers, and CAPS.” “I was really terrified about what would happen, hearing statistics about people who take off and never come back, and wondering if that’s going to be you.”

Fortunately, DuBois made it back to the Hilltop. According to Director of Student Health Education Services Carol Day, most students do. “It’s a very rare situation when a student isn’t able to return,” she said. “The university really feels that this is a great opportunity forstudents to get the support and help that they need and then come back. The process itself is supportive and hopefully well-designed to give students a break when they needed.”

Some students disagree that the process is quite as accommodating.

DuBois only wanted to be away for a semester, as she was determined to graduate on time with her friends.

This meant that in order meet the re-entry deadline requirements for the spring semester, she had to write a personal essay in October convincing the university that she was ready to return—just two months after an August evaluation cleared her to take a MLOA in the first place.

“At the time I had to explain to [my therapists], ‘Look I know right now I’m not at a place to go back, I’m asking you to please write this letter so that I can go back in January. They’d say to me, ‘Okay I’m writing this letter, but if you’re not ready by January, I’m going to send another letter down there telling them not to take you,’” said DuBois, who was left feeling as if a time limit were being placed on a full recovery.

Though happy to be allowed to return to campus, DuBois was rudely awakened by the lack of support upon her return, and frustrated by the barriers she has faced. “Since coming back, there’s been zero follow-up.

They have no idea what I’m doing— the university has no clue. And that’s really frustrating to me right now,” she said.

Now that she has taken a semester off, she is not allowed to see a therapist or psychiatrist through CAPS—a rule that she wasn’t made aware of. “I have to go outside the community, which I was not aware until about a month ago when I called my counselor because I was having a mental breakdown.”

DuBois saw a therapist in Woodley Park over the summer for $140 per session, but had to stop because of expense and travel issues. CAPS, however, did give her plenty of referrals. “There are individuals in CAPS who really do care, but it’s way more hands-off than I was expecting.”

“I guess maybe they think they’re not equipped to handle someone [like me]. Nobody told me that, nobody told my parents that,” she said.

Part of coming back meant that DuBois had to have a personal treatment plan for her long-term recovery in place. However, DuBois’s plan involved Skyping her therapist which was not a realistic alternative to

“I WAS REALLY TERRIFIED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, HEARING STATISTICS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO TAKE OFF AND NEVER COME BACK.” in-person counseling. She went from multiple therapy sessions per week to radio silence.

“I always think people with mental health issues are always quick to pass the blame off from themselves,” she said. “So it’s quick to say, ‘Oh, they’re not helping me.’ But we’re a damaged group of people—and I don’t mean that in a sense that we’re not able to function, just in the sense that when we hit our lows, we hit our lows. And it’s nearly impossible for someone at their lowest point to pull themselves up and say, ‘I’m going to get help.’ You need that support system there.” * * * DuBois didn’t want to deviate from her plan. But even after making charts of how many credits she’d need and mapping out the logistics of graduating on time, she realized in her decision process that those important factors paled in comparison to her well-being.

She looked great on her transcript, but she wasn’t happy.

“When it comes down to it, if you can’t be here, you can’t be here. You can push through, you can get a 4.0, you can do all the internships in the world, but nothing that you do now is going to matter if a year from now you’re just not functioning because you didn’t take the time to take care of yourself.”

For Raleigh, his pressures are less personal and more institutional. “I just feel like there are higher-ups looking down upon us and saying this person is mentally ill, therefore he needs to be away from the community ... I’m trying the best I can given the limitations I have. I feel like they’re not understanding that it’s just part of who I am.”

In his encounters with other students in similar situations, the consensus has been that barriers—

whether within CAPS, financial aid, or housing—have hindered the process of moving on. He has even considered transferring at the recommendation of his dean. “I don’t really like the way Georgetown presents this perfect image of this individual who has to act a certain way … There isn’t enough open dialogue on campus.”

Saunders may have stayed on campus, but that doesn’t mean his experiences with depression and anxiety disappeared—he started a Georgetown branch of Active Minds, which advocates for awareness of mental health to help facilitate such dialogue on campus—nor does it mean he would suggest the same path to someone else.

“Anything that deviates from our typical plan of success is not something that gets entertained much,” he said. “Look at things in the bigger picture: if it’s one more year of college that you have to have in order to be healthy and have a positive experience here, then it’s worth it.”

Saunders is working with the Georgetown University Student Association to improve CAPS, the MLOA process, and perhaps even add a new case manager, which he believes could make a huge impact in the well-being of returning students. Currently, Katie Boin is the sole case manager at Georgetown.

Day thinks the timeline can be an issue for students, but is also particularly concerned with registration.

“If you are off, you are not eligible to preregister for classes in the usual way, you have to wait until everyone else is done and find whatever classes you can. I think that is something we should attempt to change,” she said.

Dean Lorensen notes that students on leave don’t necessarily need to wait to pre-register just because they are not active students— deans will work with them to get into classes. However, for many students, classes aren’t, or can’t be, their primary concern.

Housing troubles add an additional layer of stress that can be fixed. Day believes more support targeting the group of returning students each semester would be beneficial. “A liaison to a student on leave would be good because we are also dealing with in real time students who are struggling who are here on this campus.”

DuBois also stresses the need for stronger support once students return. “There needs to be stronger follow up, 100 percent. I don’t exaggerate when I say I had no contact with CAPS until this past summer, and I had been back since January,” she said. “There should be some type of follow up, where your old counselor reaches out every month, every other month, just to make sure everything’s going well—because it’s easy for us to slip through the cracks.”

the georgetown voice | 9

COLLEGE MENTAL HEALTH 75% OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS BEGIN BY AGE 24

MORE THAN 10% OF COLLEGE STUDENTS REPORT DIAGNOSIS/ TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION

1 IN 4 ADULTS AGES 18 TO 24 HAS A DIAGNOSABLE MENTAL ILLNESS

National Alliance on Mental Illness

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10 | the georgetown voice

NOvember 6, 2014

Darwin’s life evolves in professor adaptation of On the Origin of Species ELIZABETH BAKER Leave everything you know about Darwin—facts, theories, dates, and travels—in biology class. Georgetown Professor Natsu Onoda Power has undertaken an updated lesson on the father of evolution in the fittest way possible: a theatrical adaptation.

Writer-director Onoda Power’s world premiere of On the Origin of Species reinvents the way we think about evolution and the man who explained how it all started. Seven ensemble members take turns unraveling the story of Darwin’s life, creating a mixed media performance that incorporates everything from song and dance to Victorian Theatre.

From humble beginnings as an unmotivated student, a young Darwin finds his passion in nature and flourishes, finding himself as a young man on board the HMS Beagle en route to the Galapagos Islands. Upon his return to England, Darwin struggles to decide what to do next. Will he continue his travels, or settle down and get married? Should he address his mysterious chronic illness, or continue his writings? Most importantly, he must decide whether to publish his controversial work, On the Origins of Species.

Taylor Rasmussen (COL’16) brilliantly portrays the young Dar-

win, who, when first reading his invitation to board the HMS Beagle, reminds any viewer of their young high-school self armed with a college acceptance. With high hopes and extreme optimism, Rasmussen’s Darwin rushes around the stage with a boyish enthusiasm, daydreaming about

Despite the serious subject matter, the play is rich in humor, with several moments of spectacle and wit. The ensemble effervescently matches one another in high energy, employing expert comedic timing throughout.

In one scene where Rasmussen’s Darwin and Captain Fitzroy,

Not even darwin is fit enough to survive Thanksgiving dinner with the inlaws. the specimens he’ll find on his journeys—and yes, this scene has an intense dance procession with a gorilla and a panda.

The young Darwin is enthusiastic, grounded in particular beliefs, even if they’re contrary to the norm. When a debate over slavery arises between the Darwin and his captain in Brazil, Rasmussen’s Darwin firmly proclaims the injustice of slavery, revealing his abolitionist roots.

BREECHES&BODICE: A bi-weekly column on style by Tim Annick

The arrival of winter to Georgetown is a lot like the building of the Berlin Wall: quick, transformative, and foreboding.

The immediate impact of Berlin’s separation is easily understood for many students with the rise of the Henle Wall and its resulting inaccessibility from the rest of campus. With the loss of an hour of daylight this weekend, darkness has descended. Henle Village has taken on the dreariness of East Berlin.

The darkness that November has brought to North Campus doesn’t stop with the shadow of the wall, however. It descends on our wardrobes, tempting us to embrace our inner Eastern Bloc by wearing dark colors.

In the words of a wise friend, “Dark clothes are like a good Cab-

Walter Kelly (COL’16) arrives later in the nautical melodrama as an older, more sophisticated Darwin. Married to his first cousin Emma, played with an elegant and tender demeanor by Natalie Caceres (MSB ’16), Kelly’s portrayal of the older Darwin is, appropriately, more reserved than Rasmussen’s.

ernet Sauvignon; it’s a reliable sense of classiness whether you buy a $9 or $30 bottle.” It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers, or a threepiece suit: dark clothes are maximum fancy quotient while requiring minimal effort.

But it’s this ease that concerns me. Conformism is a function of the lazy masses’ unwillingness to subvert the norm and take advantage of their opportunity to choose for themselves. The dark colors that are so tempting in the shadow of the dividing wall are symbolic of the blatant conformity that is far too prevalent today.

Yeah, culture is repressive and individuality is terrifying—I get it. But at a university like Georgetown, it’s important for you to learn how to think for

While struggling through illness and the death of his children, Kelly’s mature Darwin grapples with On the Origin of Species, fearing rejection from society should his controversial work be published. Darwin’s friends, however, intervene and help publish the work. They are especially motivated when another scientist, Alfred Wallace, mysteriously makes almost parallel discoveries.

Carolyn Zaccaro

played by Wendell Krebs (COL ’15), are having a tense dinner, three of the other ensemble members lighten the mood. When the captain and Darwin speak, their heads whip from one side of the table to the other, in synch with the electronic background.

The production attempts to present Darwin’s discoveries and theories through creative means, successfully employing props and diverse means to tell this evo-

As an iron curtain descends, color sets you free yourself, which extends to how you express yourself visually.

College is a perfect time to experiment with your appearance, because your peers at Georgetown will know you better and judge you less than in the real world. Close-knit communities are more forgiving of acid-wash jeans and pastel trousers than people beyond the gates.

So if you want to do John Carroll proud, you’ll have to put on some color. And by color, I don’t mean dark blue instead of navy, or—in the words of legendary, imaginary Georgetown alumnus Sterling Archer describing his closet of turtlenecks—“Five in a dark black, and five in a slightly darker black.” No, that doesn’t count. I’m saying you need to bring back those summer pastels

to brighten up your day, which is even more important when the world around you has fallen under the shadow of a fake-ivy wall.

Inherent in how you choose to present yourself is a reflection of how you perceive yourself: whether it’s those unique Sperrys or your dad’s old sweater, it’s important to feel comfortable and confident in your appearance. Embracing yourself must be genuine, though. If you don’t sail, please stop wearing anchors.

If you don’t regularly eat (or at least enjoy) lobsters, they don’t belong on your belt. Inauthenticity doesn’t do you any favors.

Being different can be scary, especially in that monotonous concrete bloc. Hey Jack Hoya, did someone look at your pink polo in a weird way? Jane Hoya, were you

lutionary story. Ever thought you would learn about natural selection through Peeps? Studying hybrids through figurine horses?

The ensemble, though dressed in Victorian garb, often uses modern-day devices and objects, like candy, and even an iPhone, to advance the story, to explain a point, or just to get a chuckle. Being open to these different means and media employed by the cast allows for a full appreciation of this evolved presentation of Darwin’s story.

One of the most interesting ideas included is the exploration of Darwin the man, not just the scientist. Onoda Power notes that Darwin reminds her of many students on Georgetown’s campus.

“He was a brilliant but underachieving student, only because his interests did not align with his father’s or the society’s,” she said.

“But then, when he found his path, he just blossomed.”

Onoda Power’s adaptation of On the Origins of Species evolves the story of a scientist into an entertaining melodrama documenting the trials of the father of evolution, making it a natural selection for the Theater Department’s “Where We’re From: A Season of Origins and Migrations.”

Gonda Theatre Nov. 6-Nov. 9, Nov. 12 - Nov. 15 performingarts.georgetown.edu

thrown off by someone commenting on how awesome you look today? Who cares? You will get singled out for embracing your individuality on the Hilltop, at work, and in life. Own your difference.

So the next time it’s Halloween, and you really want to dress up as Rocky from Rocky Horror, but you’re worried what people will think about gold spandex, just do it. Don’t gaze longingly at your bright summer clothes all winter.

If you want to wear them, find a way to do so. It’s now almost wintertime, and we’re going to need some cheering up. Maybe the weird look was a wistful glance of envy at your self-confidence, but, either way, stand out from the herd. Despite how it may feel, this is the Free World. Do you, boo boo.

As long as you don’t have a mullet, you’re doing just fine. #freehenle with Tim at tra25@georgetown.edu

georgetownvoice.com

“Yeah, RED. R-E-D, ‘Retired, Extremely Dangerous’.” — RED

the georgetown voice | 11

Galactic Nolan film stellar The Range offers array of American classics JACK DUDLEY

In a film industry dominated by sequels, prequels, and remakes, it’s refreshing to see Christopher Nolan make blockbuster films from original stories. Although most widely known as the director of the recent Batman trilogy, Nolan has become notable among critics for original works such as Memento, Inception, and now, Interstellar.

Likely to be the most breathtaking and bloated film you’ll see in 2014, Interstellar takes on the massive challenge of combining a cross-generational and intergalactic journey to save mankind, a character drama exploring the human condition, and a shell-shocking blockbuster with explosive visual effects.

The film is set in the near future, where Earth can no longer sustain the demands of human beings. As food runs out, it becomes clear that for the species to survive, it must leave Earth in search of a new home. Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), an accomplished pilot, is recruited by Professor Brand (Michael Caine) to save mankind.

While this goal is within scientific and theoretical grasp, the largest obstacle faced is time.

Nolan, as director, also runs into time constraints. Though he builds a coherent and complete story, the film runs for nearly three hours. This length, however, is necessary. In order for the audience to appreciate what’s at stake, Interstellar explains the complex theoretical science behind trips through wormholes, the relativity of time, and the unknowable centers of black holes.

While the visuals are impressive in their own right, the heart of the film is found in its examination of human nature.

The emotional journey ventures to the well of tearful breakdowns

a few times too many, but any weaknesses in the script are outweighed by performances that are uncharacteristically formidable for a science-fiction feature.

While character development is often eschewed in favor of visual intensity, the cast is able to exude the urgency needed to keep the audience invested and propel the film along in its lengthy narrative.

Cooper is a conflicted, accessible every-man, but his work here would be more impressive had it not come on the heels of his award-winning roles in Dallas Buyers Club and HBO’s True Detective. In the midst of what is commonly referred to as “the McConaissance,” performances like these from the former rom-com star have become the norm.

The most impactful performances, then, come from Jessica Chastain and Mackenzie Foy, the actresses who share the role of Murph, Cooper’s daughter. The film’s emotional core rests on the relationship between Murph and Cooper that crosses space and time, and the strong work from Chastain and Foy ensures that the audience remains invested in this relationship. In their development of this pivotal character, the two tether the audience firmly to Earth and the pressing issues there, when it would be easy to get lost in the intergalactic narrative.

Ultimately, there’s a lot going on in Interstellar, even for a science-fiction film. Not all elements connect well enough for the film to join Nolan’s best works, but it is clear that he has secured his legacy as an innovative and independent-minded filmmaker in the world of money-grabbing big budget films. Interstellar is a thought-provoking exploration of the vast universe we live in, and represents the premium of what today’s blockbusters have to offer.

When they heard the election results, they decided to stay in space.

IMDB

CAITRIONA PAGNI

There is nothing like watching the fluorescent glare of an H&M sign on the other side of a shopping mall to complete any fine dining experience. Although The Range’s curved glass window that spans across the length of the restaurant is impressive from the outside, the openness of the glass combined with the restaurant’s gargantuan size sacrifices any intimacy for the diners inside.

The interior of Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s latest project, The Range, is reminiscent of a discombobulated Ikea catalogue, mixing wood paneling with stainless steel light fixtures, marble accents, and beige lounge chairs, giving The Range the feel of an upscale cafeteria.

Perhaps the most unsettling component of the restaurant’s aesthetic is the butcher’s smocks worn by all the waiters, which seem like they were stolen from the set of Texas Chainsaw Massacre. These accessories bring to mind dozens of Leatherface clones walking around serving

food and may make you think twice about going to the restroom without a buddy.

What The Range lacks in atmosphere, it more than makes up for with the quality of its food.

The menu is short and organized by preparation method. Each category contains no more than five options. This simplicity translates into delicious, honest food.

The caesar salad is a modern revamp, replacing traditional romaine with kale. The dressing is well-executed, tangy with hints of the mustard and lemon, complimenting the finely chopped sourdough croutons.

Several dishes stand out among the main course options.

The margherita pizza, made with fresh buffalo mozzarella and tomatoes, rivals 2 Amys in quality and was a much-needed reminder of how pizza is meant to taste.

The Range’s emphasis on properly preparing fresh meat also pays off handsomely. The New York Strip, for example, is served on a bed of gravy and grits, carnivores will find religion with every bite of this steak. For the adventur-

ous, the burger, with pepperoni slices mixed into the ground beef, is another option that emphasizes the value of simplicity.

The dessert menu is expansive enough to satisfy any palate. The lemon yuzu custard, served with cherry sorbet and passion fruit is teaming with punchy flavors, perfect for anyone whose Warheads nostalgia hasn’t faded. The apple crumble with walnut strudel, a tamer classic, also provides satisfying epilogue to a compelling American culinary classic.

Voltaggio’s latest project offers a wide range of definitive American dishes, executed with simplicity and high quality ingredients, proving to be a refreshing counterpoint to the restaurant’s chaotic decor. Voltaggio demonstrates that the key to stand-out food lies in the quality of ingredients and in preparation, not in embellishment and flare.

The Range 5335 Wisconsin Ave. N.W. Sun.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Fri.-Sat. 11:30 a.m.- 11 p.m. voltrange.com

O’Keeffe’s ‘Dialogues with Nature’ seduce COLLEEN ZORC Stepping out of the elevator on the second floor of the Phillips Collection, it took only a few steps before Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings captured my attention.

Despite my position two galleries away, her artwork gripped me immediately as I hastened my pace into the exhibition space.

From each corner of the gallery space, I felt the energy bursting from the center of her naturalistic subjects. The enchantment of O’Keeffe’s paintings stems equally from the subject matter as it does from the artist’s mastery with her materials. She does not recreate the broader beauty of a flower, but rather breaks the subject down to its essential form of a singular petal or leaf.

In Large Dark Red Leaves on White, O’Keeffe explores the subtle contours and veins of a leaf in a robust, colorful way, resulting in an expressive abstraction from the subject’s original form. The viewer is drawn in to interact with the leaf’s highlights and shadows in a unique conversation with this natural motif.

In these paintings, O’Keeffe does not take credit for the richness of her environment, rather she participates in a discovery process, seeking out the most dynamic shapes and hues. From a foot away, the viewer can appreciate the painstaking blending of oil paints of Jack in the Pulpit IV, the final result being a painting with remarkably smooth color transitions and an overall glossy sheen. O’Keeffe engages the deepest hues of the blue, black, green, white, and purple color palettes.

The petals of the Jack in the Pulpit flower create an organic border that starkly juxtaposes deep royal blue and sap green against black. The wisp of a white stigma in the center of the flower pulls the viewer’s gaze from the bottom of the painting up into the delicate folds of petals at the top.

The remarkable pieces, like Jack in the Pulpit IV and Large Dark Red Leaves on White, brilliantly overwhelm the space, to the misfortune of the other artists represented. The Phillips Collection labels the exhibition as “O’Keeffe and Friends: Dialogues with Nature,” when in reality the

voices of the friends are drowned out by O’Keeffe’s conversation with her subjects.

The artists represented alongside O’Keeffe were her contemporaries. They painted similar subject matter, yet did not feel related or in conversation at all.

O’Keeffe’s emphatic paintings cause the smaller, more agitating canvases of Arthur Dove and John Marin to feel out-of-place and overshadowed. The different techniques and more fractured styles with which they represent nature felt starkly in contrast, rather than complementary to O’Keefe’s dynamism.

While other artists attempt to interpret or characterize their subject matter, O’Keeffe celebrates it. Her paintings echo and exalt the forms and colors she encounters in the natural world. As a result, O’Keeffe’s masterful works draw the viewer in to her elaborate conversations and open up that dialogue with nature for all to share.

The Phillips Collection 1600 21st St. N.W. Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. phillipscollection.org

leisure

12 | the georgetown voice

Idiot box:

CRITICAL VOICES

Calvin Harris, Motion, Columbia Records The last time Calvin Harris released an LP, 18 Months, it broke Michael Jackson’s UK chart record for most No. 1 songs on a single album. While Motion is not a repeat of that album’s success, the hitmaker provides yet another bass-heavy triumph.

When Harris isn’t singing on Motion, someone equally distinguished is. Gwen Stefani’s inevitable 2015 comeback is further evidenced by her appearance

Les Sins, Michael, Carpark Records In his debut album, Michael, Les Sins—also known as Toro y Moi—shifts his focus as an artist in the chillwave movement by instead exploring contemporary dance music. With a distinctive sound and talent for unusual mixes, Les Sins combines beats reminiscent of funk, house, and jazz in one amazing record, creating an unexpected and enjoyable fusion of sounds.

on “Together.” It’s a predictable dance track featuring Stefani’s simple, whiny vocals, but will be a radio smash regardless. Big Sean raps on the fellating banger, “Open Wide,” and Haim’s unmistakable timbre puts a glam-rock bounce onto Motion’s premiere songwriting effort, “Pray to God,” with a strutting guitar line.

Harris backs Ellie Goulding’s characteristic ethereal, breathy vocals with bass and a string section for a different kind of dance tune on “Outside,” the sequel to the duo’s 2013 No. 1, “I Need Your Love.” Be prepared to hear this one well into next summer.

Festival-going fans of Harris have likely heard the album’s Alesso collaboration, “Under Control,” as the song has been on setlists for a year now. Reminiscent of the hook on “Summer,” the familiar electro sound finally finds a home on this album release. While “It Was You,” “Over-

drive,” and “Burnin (ft. R3hab)” round out the EDM category and will fill out a festival set nicely, the edgy “Slow Acid” is—not surprisingly—Harris’ forray into his acid house roots. “Slow Acid” serves as the album’s smirking emoji, floating in an experimental space that doesn’t usually exist in pop music.

Motion is a strong showing from the Grammy winner.

There is something to be said for Harris’ undeniable craftsmanship and ability to crank out chart-topping, dancehall-packing tracks. While Motion might not be as satisfying as last year’s 18 Months, his range and experience provide something for everyone. It will have crowds bouncing, feeling close, and finding love all summer long.

The album opens with a deep house-inspired jam, “Talk About.,” layering shuffling vocal samples and percussion with strong synth that encourages you to get up and dance. Each song presents a unique mood, presenting a variety of sounds that sway you in different directions as the album progresses.

The continuous progression of distinct, yet equally innovative tracks on the album reflects a changing style of dance. Les Sins guides you through an array of undeniably catchy beats, as in songs like “Bother” and “Why,” which combine surging synths with a soulful groove. The artist then turns to smoother, more understated beats on “Bellow.” Transitioning between powerful dance beats and influences of chillwave, Michael depicts the evolution of modern dance floor atmosphere.

The album is a departure from the usual work of Toro y

Moi, as Michael’s tracks take the electro-pop sound a step further into the realm of dance. Les Sins’ new album not only combines genres by layering pounding synths with chilling vocals, but also entices you to dance to the evolving variety of beats. The eccentric use of jazzy piano, soulful funk, and overlapping vocals broadens his already incomparable work as an artist.

On Michael, Les Sins organically mixes and layers the sounds of jazz and funk with contemporary house and electro-pop influences into a series of beats to feed your dance craze. As the vocal sample of “Talk About” encourages, it will be hard not to “talk about the latest record” from the industry pioneer, Les Sins.

Voice’s Choices: “Slow Acid,” “Pray to God” —Caroline koch

Voice’s Choices: “Talk About”

“Why,”

—Dinah farrell

CONCERT CALENDAR FRIDAY 11/07 Kill Lincoln Black Cat, 8 p.m., $12

SUNDAY 11/09 Rusko U Street, 10 p.m., $20

TUESDAY 11/11 Nikki Lane Gypsy Sally’s, 7 p.m., $12

FRIDAY 10/07 Beach Fossils Rock & Roll Hotel, 9 p.m., $16

SUNDAY 11/09 Dirty Heads 9:30, 10 p.m., $25

WEDNESDAY 11/12 Skypunch Velvet Lounge, 9 p.m., $18

November 6, 2014

Shall we compare thee to a summer’s day?

A bi-weekly column about TV by Julia Lloyd-George

I can’t stop watching Gilmore Girls.

Its specific breed of escapism has sucked me in. It seems to mimic real life while always feeling just out of reach. The dialogue is just a little too brilliant, the boyfriends just a little too good-looking, the life trajectories just a little too perfect. Of course, there’s always some sort of trouble in paradise, but there’s a persistent air of untouched purity lingering throughout the series.

I keep watching because it’s both an amazingly well written show (Amy Sherman-Palladino deserves knighthood) and because, well, I want Rory Gilmore’s life.

The easy answer to this life envy is, “that’s just TV.” It’s the nature of television to distort the less likable realities of everyday life, add a few gorgeous actors, and record the entire concoction in the back lot of a Hollywood studio (TV Connecticut is always a little suspiciously sunny). There’s a suspension of disbelief involved in the unwritten contract of being an audience. Of course I want whatever fantasy is played out on screen. Of course the ratio of perfect skin to junk food consumption is a little too unbelievable. This is show biz, baby. You’re being sold an ideal lifestyle.

It’s not that simple, though.

I can look at ads in fashion magazines and remind myself that models are airbrushed to perfection, and that they represent an unattainable standard of beauty. I can watch Gossip Girl or Sex and the City and recognize that these shows depict an unrealistic status of wealth and society. I may want the clothes, the fancy apartments, and the invitations to glamorous parties, but I don’t actually see myself in these characters. They seem so distant that it’s easy to hold them at arm’s length.

Rory Gilmore is different because I see aspects of myself in her. She’s quiet, bookish, and a little socially awkward.

She sometimes spends her weekends staying at home and watching old movies. She’s quirky. At the same time, she

also has a string of gorgeous bad boy admirers and handily gets into the Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, and conveniently gets elected editor of the Yale Daily News. Did I mention that her skin is perfect?

As my Gilmore Girls superfan friend has reminded me, her damaging influence is insidious because we’re made to believe that she’s just like us.

Her quiet quirkiness is written as a flaw that makes her relatable, when in fact, it’s only a thinly veiled disguise for the unattainable standard she represents. Her life is a bubble of ivy-covered privilege and perfection. I may get a kick out of experiencing it vicariously, but it takes some navel-gazing effort for me to recognize the danger of comparing my own achievements and dating success to those of the fictional Rory Gilmore. Thank the TV gods that Lorelai is there to bring us down to earth.

I say all this not to demean Gilmore Girls, but to identify within an otherwise brilliant and life-affirming show a symptom of a pervasive problem of pop culture and society in general. Women are conditioned to live up to a standard of perfection that requires us to be everything at once, building an identity synthesized from the images and examples we’re continually consuming.

Gillian Flynn captures this concept perfectly in her novel, Gone Girl, when she recognizes the persona of the cool girl that women often try so hard to inhabit for the sake of likability. There’s a juggling act of being everything to everyone. It’s hard to catch ourselves performing a certain identity to please other people until we look back at a particular moment and recognize the concessions we have made to fit a certain mold. The challenge is not breaking out of it so much as acknowledging its presence and confidently sidestepping it. Life’s far too short for that kind of compromise.

Compliment Julia’s complexion at jfl49@georgetown.edu

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PAGE THIRTEEN

the georgetown voice |13

– Will Banse and Dylan Cutler

voices

14 | the georgetown voice

NOVEMBER 6, 2014

The punch line is no home for discussions about addiction MADDI KAIGH A throwaway joke about heroin addiction appears in a reputable student publication. My TA laughingly tells the class that cocaine has restorative properties.

A friend breaks into the always popular “Hi, I’m So-and-so and I’m an alcoholic” while opening a drink. We talk about addiction almost every day, but hardly ever in the right ways.

In 2012, 8,300 people in New Jersey were treated for addiction to opiates. In 2013, 1.7 percent of eighth graders in the U.S. reported using cocaine in their lifetimes.

And each year, alcohol abuse leads to 88,000 deaths in the U.S. These are the conversations we need to have, but all too often they seem to be virtually nonexistent.

At Georgetown, as in many affluent places, we discuss addiction carelessly because of the pervasive feeling that it could never happen here. For many, addiction-based humor is harmless and casual because the people telling the jokes will

never meet their faceless subjects. For those whose lives have been affected by addiction, however, even comfortable environments run the risk of callously renewing old traumas.

The effects of this reality are far-reaching and devastating.

Even going to class becomes difficult when there’s no telling what the professor might inadvertently say. As with any negative experience, there is a constant possibility that day-today occurrences will bring back painful memories. But in terms of public discussion, there is a significant difference between addiction and most other tragedies. As a society, we have a general clandestine agreement not to joke about certain things— the Holocaust, cancer, or natural disasters. With addiction, however, this inhibition does not seem to apply.

This is the inevitable factor of shame that comes with talking about this issue. In one breath, people joke about the effects of addiction and make it brutally clear that anyone af-

filiated with an addict should be ostracized. Meth addicts are hilarious—and disgusting. For addicts and the people close to them, then, every new social situation holds a potential trigger, and more often than not they feel powerless to stand up for themselves.

While conversations about race, gender, sexuality, and countless other societal factors are more commonplace than ever, the struggles of addicts and their loved ones are still routinely silenced. Scientific studies widely acknowledge that addiction is a disease, but the diagnosis carries a burdensome stigma. It’s much easier to laugh the issue away than to explore its consequences, and that reality leads to a dangerous culture where the broad effects of drug abuse are systematically ignored.

The sad truth is that, even at Georgetown, addiction is inescapable. Your professor might be in Narcotics Anonymous. Your roommate might be grappling with alcoholism. The man serv-

ing you lunch might have a child abusing prescription drugs— even he might be abusing them.

And yet, however much your comments offend them, chances are they will never tell you. You will continue about your day, but the casual joke you made will easily ruin theirs. Regardless of whether you think you know the other people in the room, humor about drug abuse is uncomfortable at best and detrimental at worst.

But thinking before you speak is incredibly easy. Refraining from jokes about addiction guarantees that you won’t inadvertently hurt someone who is already suffering.

Next time you’re about to pretend you’re an alcoholic, look up your state’s statistics on alcohol abuse.

Find out what happened to the kid who sold drugs behind your high school. Think about all the friends, siblings, significant others, parents, and coworkers in the world who battle addiction every day, and then take a moment to wonder who your joke might affect.

The day that my TA laughed so casually about addiction, I

stayed after class very slowly putting notebooks into my bag and wondering whether or not to say something. I wanted to tell him his joke was tasteless and, more importantly, not worth ruining my entire class period for two seconds of half-hearted laughter.

In the end I was too afraid— afraid he would look at me differently or grade me more harshly because, in his mind, I would forever be associated with such a taboo subject. I left the room with my head down.

I hope someday I won’t have to rush out of classrooms with knots in my stomach. I hope someday “safe spaces” on campus will really feel safe. I hope someday addiction can be discussed as an epidemic and a valid topic of conversation—no longer the punch line of a joke.

MADDI KAIGH COL ‘17 dares you to say no

Huge calves constantly at odds with skinny pants on the Hilltop JOE LAPOSATA The weather is getting colder and your average male Hoya is transitioning his salmon shorts out for his salmon— sorry, Nantucket Red—pants.

These pants must meet a variety of criteria in order for the wearer to appear as if he has effortlessly put together his outfit, when in actuality, he has thought about it a great deal. Such criteria include, but are not limited to: a waist tight enough to drape a loosely fitting button-down over, pant legs long enough to cover the shin but not long enough to cover

his Sperrys, and pant legs tight enough to restrict blood flow to the metatarsals.

There are two truths, seemingly at odds, that arise from this type of dress. Number one: many of us, specifically me, cannot wear these pants without great discomfort. And two: they will probably get you laid.

Clearly, trying to rock the Georgetown look is an attractive proposition, but meeting all three criteria is a near impossibility for people of irregular body types. For the irredeemably skinny folks out there, a belt is not just a cute accessory, but a necessity for keeping pants secured at the

ELLEN YAEGER

stop... muscle pants time

waist. Already, we’re messing with the formula. And what if you’re shorter than your waist size would indicate? I hope you weren’t too attached to your ankle fashion because it’s going to be permanently hiding behind an iron curtain of pant leg. Anything shy of tailoring every pair of pants you own will end up insufficient, and even if you did that, you don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard. But at least these problems are conventionally solvable.

Then there’s me. I possess two traits that make fall and winter fashion hell: obsessive metrosexuality—no, I’m not a narcissist—and monstrous calves (ok yes, I totally am).

I blame the Internet for the former and a childhood spent walking everywhere I went for the latter. The result is that every morning, I spend about five minutes shoving my legs down pants that fit me everywhere else; the waist is skinny and the legs are long. Over the course of about 10 minutes of walking in these pants, the leg will ride up and chafe my skin. While this does result in a prominent display of my socks—argyle, thank you for noticing—it’s also incredibly uncomfortable.

Fortunately, the solution is simple. As the summer months

wane, regular gym goers ditch their muscle shirts—designed with enlarged sleeves to accommodate the increased size of their upper torso and biceps—and start to wear long sleeves again.

Now, many men who make regular appearances at Yates can be rightly called guilty of skipping leg day, but for those of us who believe firmly that every day should be leg day, I propose Muscle Pants. It uses the same idea as a muscle shirt, with enlarged pant legs for calves to slide into. This idea is thoroughly reasonable, especially for any community that climbs a number of stairs on a daily basis, or maybe lives on some sort of hilltop. Judging from just a few minutes of walking around campus, I’m hardly the only person who needs this innovation.

Until such a time, as we wait for fashion to catch up to our bodies, we, the Georgetown community, are faced with a stark choice. Either we can drop the pretense of fashion by getting to know and judging each other by the content of our character—a notion which I’ve long since understood to be unfeasible here—or we can change our opinions on popular fashion to something widely easier to don. I’m immediately think-

ing of the ultimate in onesize-fits-all fashion: hammer pants. Think about it. It’s so retro that whenever you walk up to the club like “What up!” people will instantly assume you just returned from the thrift shop. What is more, your calves will be as comfortable as they are in sweatpants, more comfortable even.

Wherever you go in hammer pants, you should also, obviously, be dancing nonstop to MC Hammer. The endorphins will feel great.

Upstairs, in my bottom drawer on the left hand side, lies my pair of Nantucket Red skinny jeans. I’ve got matching shoes, a cordovan belt to accent them, a pair of socks with polka dots that pop, and everything else that makes people stop and compliment me on how “fly I’m lookin,’” and how they “wanna wear ‘em.”

I deserve the same right as all other male Hoyas to not have to ignore the strangulation of my calves. I mean, I still want my jeans skinny, just not that skinny.

JOE LAPOSATA COL ‘16 ISN’T KIDDING ABOUT MAKING “MUSCLE PANTS”

voices

georgetownvoice.com

THE GEORGETOWN VOICe | 15

Sinatra aficionados ignore the reality behind the scenes CHRIS CASTANO As we walked our prom dates back to the car, Emmett seemed to glide along beside me, holding hands with the French exchange student he’d fumbled his way through asking to the dance. I walked alongside my then-girlfriend, trying to pull my car keys out of my pocket. Everything had been right for us that night and we were feeling quite fancy. Thanks to dapper suits, dishy dates and a hotel ballroom all to ourselves (and 200 of our classmates), we were feeling pretty upscale for teens who went to school next to dairy farms.

And then it happened.

Emmett started singing, “Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away,” as he looked deep into his plus-one’s eyes with a mischievous grin.

I wanted to punch him square in the mouth.

A bit of an overreaction?

Definitely. But anyone singing songs that Frank Sinatra made popular sets of a special sort of madness in my soul. I do not claim to have any particularly special knowledge of ol’ Blue Eyes himself, nor do I possess the necessary musical knowledge to really expound upon his virtues. Even so, I certainly seem to be able to contextualize him at an above-aver-

“let me see what the mafia is like on jupiter and mars.”

Megan Howell

age level. I might be the one kid my age who remembers that while ‘ol Blue Eyes was one hell of a crooner, he was also a colossal jerk. Invoking his name should conjure not only the mystique, but also the madness.

Take his acting career for example. Yeah, you read that right: Sinatra’s acting career. I know I’m throwing you fairweather fans for a loop here. Sinatra was cast as gambling goon Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, which would have been totally fine had high-profile heartthrob Marlon Brando not been cast as romantic lead Sky Masterson.

Sinatra felt like he was being upstaged, and as a result was a pissant the entire shoot. He was continually trying to out sing Brando and talking behind his back to anyone on the crew who would listen. Brando didn’t take this lying down: the crooner was notorious for disliking reshooting scenes, so Brando would intentionally screw up shots in order to infuriate the singer.

That’s a relatively tame example of Sinatra’s shadowy character. If you’re looking for something really juicy, put on your best black suit, light up a cig, and step into the world of the mafia.

CARRYING ON

Soccer warms bitter Russian hearts

BY NICOLE STEINBERG

A rotating column by senior Voice staffers

This past weekend I witnessed the immense influence a sporting event can have on a crowd and a culture.

Russians are known to be resigned and emotionally uncomplicated on the surface.

The unforgiving climate, unstable political system, and lack of infrastructure that in turn leads to daily hardships have all conditioned them to endure silently and gracefully.

Emotional outbursts are rare.

Russian men, in particular, elect to hide their emotions behind the steely walls of fixed gender roles or the redundancy of daily life that hits even harder during the dark winter months. This Sunday, however, I witnessed how a simple game can give rise to and dictate emotions. Soccer games are one of the few times that allow for vulnerability, excitement, tears, and pure happiness.

Earlier that Sunday, I received a call from an acquain-

tance, named Vladimir, informing me that a friend of my father’s was in St. Petersburg for the weekend. He insisted that I join his daughter and a pair of 60-year-old Russian businessmen for dinner. They wanted to hear about their country from the perspective of an American college student. I agreed with no hesitation—Russians make for good company.

I was taken to Dick’s Pub, a British-style tavern on the outskirts of St. Petersburg. These bizarre cultural imports are not uncommon, as Russia has a complicated, but real, love for the West.

Plates of calamari, fries, and steak, along with a few classic Russian appetizers were served. Two soccer games were being played simultaneously.

Zenit was playing Mordovia, a city near the Volga River, while Chelsea was playing Manchester United. A throng of unshaven, burly men crowded

Sinatra certainly did. His connections to the Italian underworld are legendary.

Aside from the Rat Pack, he was also extremely close with prominent mobsters Carlos Gambino and Sam Giancana. He even supposedly acted as a liaison between the Kennedy’s and the mob.

We’ve glorified these organized crime syndicates in movies like The Godfather and Goodfellas, but the reality of such groups is far more terrifying than the big screen makes them out to be. That such a high profile musician could have virtually overt relations with the mafia is disturbing.

The point is, no one wants to acknowledge the bad that goes along with the good. In fact, few even really appreciate the good.

Sinatra was an almost flawless crooner. His tone was immaculate, his control was precise, and he incorporated slides between notes into his style in such a way that would melt even the most highly-strung voice instructor.

People don’t want to invoke Frank for what he was, but rather what he represents in their minds.

It’s the aura that surrounds

around the television showing the Zenit game, shouting at the screen and each other. One yelled at a waitress, “Turn off the Manchester United game.

“

T he soccer game re-

vealed a part of the culture that I rarely come in contact with.

”

We need a second television to watch Zenit!”

My father’s friend then leaned over to me and whispered, “How about we get them to turn off Zenit.

Moscow Dynamo plays in fifteen minutes!” Vladimir smacked his arm in response, reminding us that we were in St. Petersburg and that the rivalry between the two cities often resulted in violence.

The first half ended in a tie and the palpable frustration in the room took form in the fans’ faces. Two older men at the next table began cursing in a way that utilized the richness of the Russian language. Various prefixes were added to basic verbs to create swears only appropriate for two events: soccer and hockey. Their vulgarity was so raw it was almost impressive.

While scents of beer and sweat blended together, Zenit came alive in the second half and the fans in the bar followed their lead. One goal followed another, until the team was leading 4-0. People were shouting, hugging, punching each other’s arms, and cursing even more enthusiastically than when spirits were low. I looked over at Vladimir, whose stoic face had softened into a smile. The room was full of giddy men.

Grabbing at my earmuffs and gloves, I left the table soon

him that’s so appealing, even sexy. Sinatra took girls on dates, not just on hangouts. Sinatra was always dressed to the nines, and never showed up to 8 a.m. class in sweatpants. Sinatra was a man’s man, and not a college kid scared out of his ever-lovin’ mind. He’s a marker, a herald of a golden age of sophistication that people are desperate to identify with.

I have nothing against Sinatra’s music. Hell, I’m guilty of jamming out to “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” any time it comes on. I think he’s a great singer. I just absolutely despise the pretentious airs put on by those who conveniently overlook just how much of an ass this guy was.

I get it. You listen to Sinatra. You’re on a whole other level. When you’re ready to come slumming with me, study up and understand what you’re truly representing when you align yourself with the Sultan of Swoon.

CHRIS CASTANO COL ‘16 PREFERS DEAN MARTIN

to meet the biting, cold air outside. The game had ended and it was time to go home and return to our real lives—school and work. The final score was 5-0, with a last goal in extra time. Though a few stuck around to continue celebrating, the bar emptied out quickly and reminded me of the Russia I had come to know: barren, quiet, and subdued.

The soccer game revealed to me a part of the culture that I rarely come in contact with. Emotions were high and erratic, but there was a steady and unique happiness to it all. I had been familiar with soccer’s influence and yet, I wholly underestimated the sport’s importance and effect on culture. I realized that it allowed people to take a break from the difficulties or the monotony of daily life and just enjoy the sport. Though complicated in its own right, there is beauty in its simplicity. It ignited rivalries and induced friendships across socio-economic and generational boundaries, excited a crowd of jaded working men, and allowed for the cultural integration of a foreigner.

21.7%

11.9%

15.8%

22.3%

6.0%

16.2%

13.3%

9.0%

18.4%

4.6%

16.5%

18.6% 50.1%

51.4%

24.1%

20.8%

20.8%

23.7% 34.0%

9.0% 16.6%

13.6% 19.7%

17.2% 24.7%

30.0%

Negative Academic Impacts Within the last 12 months, students reported the following factors affecting their individual academic performances.

21.8%

21.0% 13.5%

10.8% 1.5%

13.8%

1.2%