111612 Chicago Maroon

FRIDAY • NOVEMBER 16, 2012

CHICAGOMAROON.COM

ISSUE 13 • VOLUME 124

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SINCE 1892

EA applications rise for fourth consecutive year Sam Levine Senior Editor

Flu, flu, go away UCMC Nurse Clarissa Gradilla administers a flu shot to Aramark Customer Service Associate Evelyn Buehler in Bartlett Trophy Lounge. Many locations on and off campus are offering free vaccinations.

JAMIE MANLEY | THE CHICAGO MAROON

The College received the most early action applications for admission in its history this year, the fourth straight year that the number of early applicants has increased.

This year, 10,316 students applied through the College’s early action program, a 18.6 percent increase from last year. There has been a 75.4 percent increase in early action applications since 2009, the year James Nondorf took over as Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid and the year after the College switched to the Common Application. Just 3,777 students applied early in fall 2008.

In a University statement released earlier this week, Dean of the College John Boyer said that the increasing number of students applying early to the College

signaled that the U of C was the first choice of more and more applicants.

Because the U of C’s early action program is non-binding, applicants can also apply to other schools even if they apply early to the College. However, some of the University’s peer schools, such as Stanford, Harvard, and Princeton, have restrictive early action programs, which prohibit early applicants from applying early to other private institutions but do not require them to attend if admitted.

Fourth-year Claire Hou said she thinks that because the College’s early action program was non-binding, students who apply early might do so to have a “safety net.”

“Honestly, I think the mindset of most of the people who apply is ‘Oh well, if I get in I have a backup. If I’m able to get into UChicago maybe I’ll try and get into even better schools or schools that I EARLY continued on page 2

Panel gives HEI Big Easy reopens after falling on hard times workers outlet for anger Raghav Verma Senior News Staff The U of C student branch of the Southside Solidarity Network (SSN), along with multiple RSOs, hosted a discussion on the University’s continued investment in HEI Hotel and Resorts on Tuesday.

The speakers included members of a number of other RSOs and HEI workers who claimed they had been mistreated by the hotel company.

HEI, which manages over 42 full-service, upscale and luxury hotels and resorts, has come under fire for the alleged abuse and maltreatment of workers. As a result, many of the University’s peer in-

stitutions, such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Cornell, Dartmouth, and Brown, have withdrawn investment from HEI, although the U of C has not.

Administrators explained that the University’s policies on involvement in social and political movements were based on the Kalven Report, a document published in 1967 by a faculty committee under the leadership of law professor Harry Kalven that dictates that the University as a whole must remain neutral on political questions.

Second-year SSN member Emma LaBounty cited the movements to divest in HEI on other campuses as motivation for U of C to follow suit.

HEI continued on page 2

Speakers project future for undocumented students Thomas Choi News Contributor A panel of speakers, faculty, and alumni gathered Monday night to discuss a new federal program that affects the future of undocumented students.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA), which was introduced by President Obama on June 15, provides undocumented immigrants protection from deportation for two years to prevent disruptions

to their higher education.

Tamara Felden, director of the Office of International Affairs, discussed the changes that have occurred here at the University since DACA has been enacted.

Speaking proudly about the U of C’s commitment to its undocumented students, Felden said, “Undocumented students are now being more visible in the [U of C student] population. This is now a topic that is part of the instituDACA continued on page 3

The Big Easy restaurant on 55th and South Hyde Park Boulevard recently reopened after closing for multiple health code violations this June. One employee now owns a 35 percent share to help cover the costs.

JOHNNY HUNG | THE CHICAGO MAROON

Ankit Jain Senior News Staff David Shopiro had a choice to make: Would he save his restaurant or his colon?

Shopiro’s Cajun restaurant, The Big Easy, located on East 55th Street and South Hyde Park Boulevard, reopened at the end of October after it was shut down in June for what Chicago’s Health and Human Services department called “critical” violations of the health code.

Meanwhile, Shopiro himself was dealing with the aftermath of a tumor.

The most serious of the violations, which included rodent infestations, were issues with faulty appliances.

The walk-in freezer, which had been running continuously for about 30 years, was not cooling food to a cold enough temperature for the health department’s standards, and the sink was not draining properly. But to fix these appliances, Shopiro needed cash that he did not have.

“Every penny we make I have to make use of for medical expenses,” he said.

Shopiro has the autoimmune disorder Crohn’s disease, which prevented him from getting insured in 2011 when he was diagnosed with a tumor in his colon, because insurance companies considered his Crohn’s disease a pre-existing condition. After the operation, Shopiro lost 47 pounds, and says he sometimes

faints. Paying for healthcare out-ofpocket has made it difficult to afford the repair costs to The Big Easy.

While Shopiro was coming up with the money to fix the appliances the restaurant was forced to shut its doors in June. After closing, The Big Easy failed 14 health inspections in a row.

“The problem with failing is that they charge you $50. So when I go to renew the license, it’s going to cost like an extra $500,” he said.

Fines were a small cost in the total bill to reopen. Shopiro also needed to buy new motors for the freezer and fix the plumbing of the sink. The cost of just the motors was over $10,000.

BIG EASY continued on page 3

IN VIEWPOINTS

IN ARTS

IN SPORTS

Bump in the NightRide » Page 4

The truck stops here: Shopping Ellis’s mobile market » Page 7

Sizek, Maroons to National Championships » Back Page

Holy Motors shifts metaphysical gears into automatic masterpiece » Page 8

All-UAA Selections, Fall 2012 » Page 11

Letter: Global Warming Prof. makes case for PhySci » Page 4

THE CHICAGO MAROON | NEWS | November 16, 2012

2

Mormon students reflect on interpretations of faith on campus Alex Hays News Contributor A panel of Mormon students shared their experiences as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and explained some of their key beliefs in Stuart Hall this past Wednesday night.

One topic that the panelists discussed was persecution and prejudice against Mormons. While they all said they are generally accepted in the broader community, they feel they are perceived as different from other Christians.

The panel also addressed a common question brought up to Church members concerning the consumption of caffeine. Officially, it is not allowed in the Mormon faith, although according to the panelists, practices vary. Second-year Miranda Cherkas said her family simply avoids hot drinks, such as herbal teas and coffee. A Mormon audience member, who was drinking a Coke at the time, said that his family actually doesn’t abstain from drinking caffeine.

Audience members asked about the tradition of young Mormon men and women becoming missionaries. The panel explained that missionary work, which can be performed by men and women, is not compulsory, but is strongly encouraged for young men.

Spencer Duncan, a graduate student in the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, spoke enthusiastically about the two years he spent serving as a Mormon missionary in Puerto Rico.

“I cannot adequately express the impact that it had on my life,” he said.

Jacob Johansen, a graduate student in the Department of Physics, discussed the belief in living prophets, which is important to Mormons. He said they believe that today there are prophets who are able to receive revelations from God, similar to Moses and Isaiah of the Old Testament.

These living prophets are key leaders in the LDS church and are able to declare new doctrine, he said. However, according to Mormon beliefs, every person can receive personal revelations for their own lives.

Speaking about her experience being Mormon on campus, Cherkas said “the best thing to do is to be open, honest, and sincere with those around us about our faith.”

Fourth-year Emily Greenwood added that students often treat her with respect for following her beliefs.

The other panelists were third-year and Latterday Saint Student Association president Paul Hawkins and graduate student Nolan Pope.

The discussion was hosted by the Latter-day Saint Student Association.

New institutes, Logan Center suggested as reasons behind EA application increase # of Early Applications

Number of early applications per class year 11,000 10,000 9,000 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0

10,316 LEGEND

8,698

’13: first class with the common application

2,774 3,058

’10

’11

’12

Hotel worker Tomas Nunez speaks to students about poor working conditions under HEI management at the La Joya Marriott during a panel on the University’s investment in the luxury hotel chain, hosted by the Southside Solidarity Network.

JAMIE MANLEY | THE CHICAGO MAROON HEI continued from front

Luz Olivas, an employee of 15 years for a Marriott branch, worked before and after the hotel came under HEI management, and noticed changes after the ownership switch.

“I don’t have time to do anything. I feel awful because HEI cut positions and I’m doing the work for two or three people. My body is…I feel so exhausted. I don’t feel like I even want to spend time with my grandkids. I love them, but I don’t have time.”

Olivas said that she is expected to clean 100 rooms each day, and that often her bosses have told her to “shut up” in response to her complaints of being overworked.

Another HEI employee, Pedro Garcia, who worked in housekeeping at the Hilton in San Diego Mission Valley, said that upon falling sick from eating the food that was provided at the company,

his bosses showed no concern.

“They never told me that it was okay to go home. They told me to take something and keep working,” he said.

University spokesperson Steve Kloehn wrote in an e-mail that the U of C as a policy does not comment on individual investments. However, he said that the University’s investment team performs thorough due diligence to ensure that the managers of its investments have a clean history, but take a hands-off approach.

“The University does not involve itself in the day-to-day management of the funds and companies in which it invests,” Kloehn wrote.

Olivas said that she wanted to convey the following to the University’s President: “Please stop investing money in the company that treats us like machines, like animals, and don’t respect us.”

6,960

’14: first class James Nondorf admitted

4,424

HEI employee to President Zimmer: “Stop investing money in the company that treats us...like animals”

5,883 3,777

’13

’14

Class Year

’15

DOUGLAS EVERSON

EARLY continued from front

want to go to more,’” she said.

University spokesman Jeremy Manier said in an e-mail that the “most important new factors” in the increased number of applications were new opportunities such as those offered through the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, the Institute of Politics, and the Institute of Molecular Engineering.

Hou speculated that the growth could be attributed to the College’s rising national ranking and the decision to switch to the Common Application.

“The UChicago name and the brand has gotten out more, and I guess every year you see it in the rankings,” she said. “And even though the rankings might not necessarily indicate what they say they indicate, for people, it’s a prestige factor.”

Last year, early applicants made up 34.4 percent of the College’s 25,271 total applicants. According to the New York Times blog “The Choice,” the College accepted 18 percent of those who applied early in the first round of admissions, while it accepted 13 percent of all applicants.

When fifth-year Alexander Conway applied early in 2008, he wasn’t sure what his first-choice school was. He said that he chose to apply early because there was a higher acceptance rate for early applicants, but chose to apply to other schools after he was admitted. “[The U of C] ended up being the best school that I got into. I ended up applying to other schools after I got in early, which was a big mistake because I didn’t really want to go to any of them anyway,” he said.

’16

’17

| THE CHICAGO MAROON

The increased popularity of the College has meant that housing administrators have had to find new places to house students that choose to attend the U of C. In the last two years, more students than projected chose to attend the College, causing students to be placed in International House and New Graduate Residence Hall, dorms not traditionally offered to first-year students. Even though the College will lose 250 beds when it closes Pierce residence hall at the end of this year, Manier said that the dorm’s closure would not impact the number of students admitted.

“The closure of Pierce will not affect admissions projections. The plan for relocating Pierce houses provides the same capacity to accommodate College students in the house system that we have today,” he said.

Manier said that the Admissions Office would still project an incoming class size of 1,400, a number that has not changed from previous years.

Although the College will accommodate the same number of students, Hou thought that the temporary homes for students would affect housing culture.

“I think maybe you lose a little bit of what I guess we’re pretty proud of here, which is the house system, which is supposed to transition first years into college life,” she said.

While the official deadline for early applications was November 1, the admissions office offered an extension for applicants affected by Hurricane Sandy. Applicants will be notified of their admissions decision in mid-December.

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THE CHICAGO MAROON | NEWS | November 16, 2012

3

Owner strives to preserve “legacy” of Big Easy in face of Crohn’s disease NEWS IN BRIEF man wants to retire. And I don’t want him to be stuck here until death. But…before he lets it go, I think he wants to know that someone will take care of his baby. This is his child. And I have to show him that I can take care of it and let the history live on in his name.”

“I think my time has kind of passed here,” Shopiro agreed. “I’m still involved to some degree, but Jean-Claude is like 28 years old, he’s got energy and enthusiasm and he knows a lot about food….

I hope to comfortably and safely kind of fade into the background.”

Pallah, who envisions a more exciting atmosphere at The Big Easy, has already begun to make changes to the restaurant, including hosting DJ parties, karaoke nights, and fashion shows. Pallah also hopes to counteract the unclean reputation

BIG EASY continued from front

“That’s a lot of money. I didn’t have that right away. And you can’t reopen until you fix things like that,” Shopiro said.

Shopiro considered shutting down his restaurant. That’s when his former employee, JeanClaude Pallah, approached him with an offer to buy a stake in the restaurant.

Pallah now owns about a 35 percent stake in the business. Several other investors own smaller portions of the business. Shopiro still owns the majority share, though he’s eager to move on.

“I don’t know if I’m going to be here in two to three years,” he said. “You know, once you’re gone you’re gone, and I’d kind of like the place to live after me.”

Pallah hopes to buy out Shopiro soon. “The

of the restaurant. When inspectors shut down the restaurant, they had found 45–50 mice droppings throughout the premises, indicating a rodent problem that Shopiro says arose from the age of the building and the lack of access of the basement.

But, Pallah said, he is working to change that as well. Before the restaurant closed, he said, “Nobody, beside the cook and David, nobody had a sanitation license. So they didn’t know what the procedure is on certain things. Now we have a couple of people with sanitation licenses that know how to operate the business and run things smoothly and cleanly.”

Shopiro is hopeful for the long term future of The Big Easy.

“There are no guarantees of how long I’m going to be around. So I want this to kind of be a legacy. I want it to exist after I’m gone.”

Protection for undocumented students reformed but still uncertain, panel says DACA continued from front

tion and it won’t go away. It’ll keep growing.”

Cindy Augustine (A.B. ’11), the co-founder of the University of Chicago Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, discussed the recent work of Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), where Augustine now works. ICIRR has been informing the undocumented student community on what they can do to capitalize on the federal changes through information sessions and a college application workshop held at Navy Pier.

But confusion about how an undocumented

student can apply for protection under DACA— and given that the initiative only protects students for two years—has led to discussion about the relative progressiveness of the program.

Augustine and Susan Gzesh, executive director of the U of C Human Rights Program, both talked about how the program only offers temporary relief. “It’s not the DREAM Act, not the law, not an executive order,” said Augustine.

According to Gzesh, “It’s about as much the executive branch can do at this point. It’s the first step towards comprehensive immigration reform.” However, she explained it will be a very

long process, as only the currently Republicandominated Congress has the power to grant such a change.

The final panelist, Antonio Garcia III, recounted his own experiences as undocumented students with DACA. A graduate of UIC, Antonio admitted to having initial doubts about the program, but remains hopeful about the initiative’s prospects.

“I’m going to be acknowledging to the government that I exist instead of hiding like I’ve done my entire life. Assuming I get DACA it’s going to feel odd having that freedom.”

The November 13 article “Basement Bookstore Flies the Coop for a New Nest One Block East” incorrectly stated that that the Seminary Co-op Documentary

Project will culminate in an exhibit at the Logan Center in 2014. The exhibit will be displayed in the Regenstein Library’s Special Collections gallery.

CORRECTIONS The November 13 article “Street Named for Heroic UCMC Doctor” misstated the date of Dr. Liu’s death. He died on August 5.

Weekly Crime Report

Ren. Society sculpts new leader The Renaissance Society has appointed a new executive director, Solveig Øvstebø, to start in June 2013 after 40 years of Susanne Ghez’s leadership.

The appointment comes following Ghez’s announcement of her retirement this past May. Born in Chicago and raised in Norway, Øvstebø is currently director of Bergen Kunsthall in Norway, an avant-garde institution of contemporary art of a similar budget size as the Renaissance Society.

Ghez, who has curated more than 150 exhibits and cultivated an international reputation for the Society, will step down in January, leaving Øvstebø to lead the museum’s centennial anniversary in 2015.

The Renaissance Society, a non-collecting museum of contemporary art, is located on the fourth floor of Cobb Hall. —Joy Crane

Two dorms to absorb Pierce Residents of Pierce Tower were notified by administration yesterday that the dorm’s four houses will be moved to International House and New Graduate Residence Hall (NGRH) after the dorm closes next year.

Pierce, which will make way for the 2016 opening of a new dorm, has approximately 250 students split between four houses—Shorey, Thompson, Henderson, and Tufts. As of now, it is undecided in which dorms the four houses will be placed.

Because its Resident Heads will be moving on next year, Tufts may be absorbed into another Pierce house, according to a meeting among Pierce residents.

NGRH began housing undergraduate students last September because of a lack of housing in the pre-existing dorms. This year, a total of 72 undergraduates call Midway House in NGRH home. I-House divides its 146 undergraduates between two residential houses, Phoenix and Booth. —Rebecca Guterman

By Rebecca Guterman

This is a series the Maroon publishes summarizing instances of campus crime. Each week details a few notable crimes, in addition to keeping a running count from September 24.

The focus is on crimes within the UCPD patrol area, which runs from East 37th to 65th Streets and South Cottage Grove to Lake Shore Drive.

Here are this week’s notables:

Since Sept. 24

Nov. 8 Nov. 15

10

0

Robbery

0

0

Attempted robbery

5

1

Battery

10

2

Burglary

0

0

Criminal trespass to vehicle

9

1

Damage to property

161

15

» Saturday, Pierce Tower, 1 a.m.—A victim reported an instance of criminal sexual assault by an acquaintance. » Sunday, Pierce Tower, 2:30 a.m.—An underage drinker was transported to the emergency room for excessive alcohol consumption.

2

1

Simple assault

84

9

Theft

0

0

Trespass to property

27

3

Arrest

YOU’LL FREAK!

59th 60th

Source: UCPD Incident Reports 62nd

Cornell

57th

Stony Island

Cottage Grove

55th

S. Hyde Park

University

53rd

Blackstone

51st

S. Lake Shore

» Tuesday, 55th Street and Woodlawn Avenue, 7:15 a.m.— A male suspect took the laptop off a customer’s lap in Starbucks and ran into a waiting car to escape. » Wednesday, Woodlawn Avenue between 56th and 57th Street—A male forcibly stole an iPhone from a victim who was walking on the street off campus.

The suspect then escaped into a waiting car, but UCPD officers arrested him soon after.

Other report

FAST

Ellis

» Monday, 53rd Street between Dorchester and Blackstone Avenues, 3 p.m.—An unknown male grabbed an iPhone out of the victim’s hand while the victim was walking on the sidewalk. The suspect 47th ran away on foot.

Type of Crime

SUBS SO

*Locations of reports approximate

FREAKY FAST

DELIVERY! ©2011 JIMMY JOHN’S FRANCHISE, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

VIEWPOINTS

Editorial & Op-Ed NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Bump in the NightRide As it nears the end of its first quarter, the NightRide Pilot Program still has a few kinks in its system

The student newspaper of the University of Chicago since 1892 JORDAN LARSON Editor-in-Chief SHARAN SHETTY Editor-in-Chief COLIN BRADLEY Managing Editor HARUNOBU CORYNE Senior Editor DOUGLAS EVERSON, JR Senior Editor SAM LEVINE Senior Editor CELIA BEVER News Editor REBECCA GUTERMAN News Editor LINDA QIU News Editor AJAY BATRA Viewpoints Editor DAVID KANER Viewpoints Editor EMILY WANG Viewpoints Editor EMMA BRODER Arts Editor HANNAH GOLD Arts Editor DANIEL RIVERA Arts Editor DANIEL LEWIS Sports Editor VICENTE FERNANDEZ Sports Editor MATTHEW SCHAEFER Sports Editor SONIA DHAWAN Head Designer BELLA WU Head Designer KEVIN WANG Online Editor ALICE BLACKWOOD Head Copy Editor DON HO Head Copy Editor BEN ZIGTERMAN Head Copy Editor JAMIE MANLEY Photo Editor

The University’s NightRide Pilot Program, which replaced the SafeRide and Evening Shuttle programs, has now been in effect for seven weeks. As the temperatures dip and a new quarter approaches, it’s time to assess whether or not NightRide has been an improvement over the former system, and to address what still must be done in order to provide safe, efficient travel for all students. Though NightRide has resolved many of the problems that plagued the old shuttle system and SafeRide, it still fails to address a few problematic aspects of those services that led to their replacement.

Last year’s Evening Shuttles ran on a dependable schedule, leaving from points on 57th Street at set intervals, which made it possible to guess when a shuttle would pass by a given location. This year, according to Director of Transportation and Parking Theresa Fletcher-Brown, shuttles leave on approximate intervals because they can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes to complete their routes. Such variability is rea-

sonable given the greater area covered by routes and fluctuations in ridership throughout the night.

However, this variability renders catching the shuttles along their routes a more difficult task. Uncertainty about arrival times has made the University’s TransLoc Web site and mobile application indispensable; this dependence, however, is problematic given that not every student has access to a smartphone while outside searching for a shuttle. Even with comfortable knowledge of the route, it is entirely possible that students may have to wait up to thirty minutes to catch the shuttle, an inappropriately lengthy amount of time given potentially dangerous circumstances relating to time of night and weather. Furthermore, the TransLoc site and app themselves are frequently unreliable, with instances of shuttles not moving to accurately reflect their progress or displayed at incorrect locations. Updating TransLoc should be one of the University’s top priorities as they consider changes for next quarter’s shuttle system.

Though real-time arrival times can, in fact, also be received via text messaging, this method requires knowing the “stop code” of your location, knowledge students are unlikely to have on hand. Once the routes have been finalized, the University could address this shortcoming by designating stops with signs at each which contain the corresponding stop code. This would not only help mitigate problems with TransLoc’s consistency and accessibility, but also provide clear locations for students and shuttle drivers to expect to find one another.

Other points of necessary reform include removal of the confusing color-coding of routes and introducing reverse routes. Currently, both color-specified and non-color-specified shuttles actually service the same routes. Though exact reverse route shuttles are implausible given Hyde Park’s one-way streets, new routes running modified reverse routes would deal with the issue of disproportionately long waits for passengers living by stops near the end of routes. The North,

for example, loops all the way up to 47th Street before coming back down to more heavily student-populated areas along Hyde Park Boulevard and Greenwood Avenue.

A new survey regarding the current system has just been released to students, and they should do their part to actively contribute reform ideas. However, the promise of and subsequent denial of reverse routes is troubling, and brings into question the extent to which student input will actually be considered for future iterations of NightRide. The University’s attempts at reform, though admirable, are still short of fulfilling the needs of students. It is imperative that the University listens to student input aimed at resolving the basic issues—such as timing and efficiency—that still prevent the shuttle system from being the reliable transportation option students need.

The Editorial Board consists of the Editors-in-Chief and the Viewpoints Editors.

SYDNEY COMBS Photo Editor JOY CRANE Assoc. News Editor MARINA FANG Assoc. News Editor BEN POKROSS Assoc. News Editor MADHU SRIKANTHA Assoc. News Editor JENNIFER STANDISH Assoc. News Editor ALICE BUCKNELL Assoc. Arts Editor SARAH LANGS Assoc. Sports Editor JAKE WALERIUS Assoc. Sports Editor JULIA REINITZ Assoc. Photo Editor TYRONALD JORDAN Business Manager VIVIAN HUA Undergraduate Business Executive TAMER BARSBAY Director of Business Research QUERIDA Y. QIU External Director of Marketing IVY ZHANG Internal Director of Marketing VINCENT MCGILL Delivery Coordinator HYEONG-SUN CHO Designer ANDREW GREEN Designer JANEY LEE Designer NICHOLAS ROUSE Designer KELSIE ANDERSON Copy Editor CATIE ARBONA Copy Editor KEN ARMSTRONG Copy Editor AMISHI BAJAJ Copy Editor MARTIA BRADLEY Copy Editor SHANICE CASIMIRO Copy Editor CONNOR CUNNINGHAM Copy Editor LISA FAN Copy Editor MAYA HANDA Copy Editor ALAN HASSLER Copy Editor

Letter: Global Warming Prof. makes case for PhySci A November 8 Maroon editorial entitled “A New Scientific Method” argues that the Physical Sciences core classes, intended for non-science majors, should be gutted to spare non-scientists the math that science majors have to do. This is not a new thought; the education market is singular in that consumers consistently demand less for their money!

The editorial also wonders “what foundations of knowledge…these classes (Ice-Age Earth, Environmental History of the Earth, Global Warming, Chemistry and the Atmosphere, Natural Hazards, Foundations of Modern Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and The Origin of the Universe) [are] trying to establish.” I will only speak directly for Global Warming, but professors talk, so I know that the goals and approaches of

the other classes are similar.

“

I think it’s a cool story, and a good story to tell people who aren’t going to take many classes in the physical sciences.

”

Ask “why” a few times in a row and the answers get more universal; you end up seeing something of the universe of the scientific enterprise in the grain of sand of a question at hand. The Global Warming class brings in styles of thinking from physics, chemistry, biolog y, Earth and planetary sciences, computer science, and economics, all ultimately described

using mathematics. The physics of space-time (electromagnetic radiation), quantum mechanics (true weirdness), the chemistry behind the wondrous stability of Earth’s biosphere, and, yes, the potential human impact on Earth’s climate—I think it’s a cool story, and a good story to tell people who aren’t going to take many more classes in the physical sciences.

The scientific enterprise has grown to the point that no single human mind can hold it all, and it takes years to reach the edge of science even for a tiny question.

Nevertheless, a well-educated layperson can learn how to understand and assess the fruits of science, rather than ignorantly enjoying them, by seeing the power of the successive “why’s.”

The PhySci core classes are some

of the best examples of a “University of Chicago style” of thinking deeply from a beginner’s perspective in science. Although my class is designed for non-scientists, it turns out that science majors, grad students, and professors at other universities using the textbook (written for the class) are also delighted to discover how much they learn from this approach. And Chicago students in particular, shown all the rungs of the ladder, will climb right up and follow me anywhere. This is why I find teaching non-science students here so stimulating and rewarding.

Stay feisty. Stay curious. See you in the spring.

David Archer Professor in the Department of the Geophysical Sciences

SHERRY HE Copy Editor NISHANTH IYENGAR Copy Editor CECILIA JIANG Copy Editor MICHELLE LEE Copy Editor JONAH RABB Copy Editor LINDSEY SIMON Copy Editor

A student government of the people Better representation in SG starts with a better voting public

KAYLEIGH VOSS Copy Editor ESTHER YU Copy Editor

The Chicago Maroon is published twice weekly during autumn, winter, and spring quarters Circulation: 5,500.

The opinions expressed in the Viewpoints section are not necessarily those of the Maroon. © 2012 The Chicago Maroon, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 East 59th Street Chicago, IL 60637 Editor-in-Chief Phone: 773.834.1611 Newsroom Phone: 773.702.1403 Business Phone: 773.702.9555 Fax: 773.702.3032 CONTACT News: News@ChicagoMaroon.com Viewpoints: Viewpoints@ChicagoMaroon.com Arts: Arts@ChicagoMaroon.com Sports: Sports@ChicagoMaroon.com Photography: Photo@ChicagoMaroon.com Design: Design@ChicagoMaroon.com Copy: CopyEditors@ChicagoMaroon.com Advertising: Ads@ChicagoMaroon.com

By Taylor Schwimmer Viewpoints Columnist In his personal journal, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.” However, Jefferson did not

write anything about what arises when people ignore the government, so we unfortunately cannot draw any conclusions about his feelings on the U of C’s Student Government (SG).

It is a harsh reality, but the fact is that many students and administrators do not much consider SG’s role in their daily deliberations on University affairs. It’s a shame, given SG’s integral role in them. SG is responsible for funding RSOs and, by association, many major events and programs that add value to student life. But aside from a flurry of media coverage and campaigning during elec-

tion season, few people give much thought to their elected officials and those who they appoint.

Don’t believe me? Go ahead name your class representatives.

Don’t know them? What about your student body president and his two VPs? Do you even know why we have two VPs and what each is responsible for? If the answer to any one of these questions was “I don’t know,” you’re in for some bad luck: Even if you go to the SG Web site, you may have difficulty finding a list of representatives. At the time of writing, the list is incomplete.

This is deeply troubling. As it

stands, if a student has a pressing concern, she likely will have great difficulty communicating that concern to her representative.

Though ultimately a quibble, not listing SG officials on the Web site creates a barrier impeding elected representatives from doing what they are meant to: representing their constituents.

This is doubly a shame because instead of having to deal with millions or thousands of constituents, the four representatives collectively only represent about 1,500 students. Yet, it seems like SG reps are less visible and less reSG continued on page 6

THE CHICAGO MAROON | VIEWPOINTS | November 16, 2012

5

Word on the Street

This week, the Maroon gets the Pierce perspective will force us out of them.

Tyler Wojak: Don’t give them any ideas.

On Tuesday night, Assistant Vice President for Campus Life Katie Callow-Wright and Interim Director of Undergraduate Student Housing Ana Campos held an open forum with Pierce residents to answer their questions following last week’s announcement that the dorm would be closed at the end of this academic year.

After the forum, the Maroon had a conversation with a small group of Pierce residents to hear their thoughts and lingering uncertainties. Here are some highlights of the chat:

Chicago Maroon: When you first heard the news about Pierce’s upcoming closure, how did you feel?

Cameron Rodgers: I wasn’t particularly surprised, because they told us about the possibility last year. I expected it was going to happen either this year or next year.

It would have been better if the news had been delivered in a more professional manner, but it wasn’t surprising.

Neaka Mohtashemi: I was saddened to hear it just because I’ve fallen in love with Pierce so quickly, and I sort of wish that I’d had more time to be in Pierce. I would’ve liked to come back to this particular building and this special community next year.

CM: What makes it special?

Neaka: I don’t know, I think just the way that everyone interacts in Pierce. The ridiculous closeness that you have with everyone really makes it special, and I don’t think it can really be replicated in any other building, just because I don’t think they’ll ever make a building with rooms this tiny that

CM: As a first-year, did you feel at all blindsided by the news?

Josh Berlind: A little bit. I mean, when we were doing our housing application it didn’t say “Pierce [with an asterisk], possibly getting torn down after this year.”

Cristian Saucedo: It would’ve been nice to know the possibility before we signed up to live here.

CM: What made you guys choose Pierce to begin with?

Sam Taylor: It’s a good size—not too big, not too small. There are enough people here that there’s always someone new to meet, but it’s not like there are so many people that you’re getting lost and swallowed up.

Josh: Plus it had that reputation as a social dorm, and I didn’t want to be shut in my room the whole time here.

Cameron: Also, it was close to campus and had a dining hall in the basement. [All: The dining hall!] And the fact that those won’t be part of the dorm next year is a definite departure from the reasons I chose Pierce last year.

CM: Pierce residents are headed to IHouse or New Grad next year. How do you guys feel about those options?

Josh: I-House is supposed to be pretty crappy.

Cristian: Yeah, I’d be fine with New Grad.

After hearing our RH talk about it, it seemed like a nice place. It’s kind of far, but

I can deal with it. The rooms are nice, and it’s going to be changed to undergraduate housing next year. And the house will be kept together, even if it has to combine with another house, so it’ll still be a lot of the same people.

Sam: ...if everybody doesn’t move to apartments.

CM: Have you first-years had to think about moving into an apartment earlier than you otherwise would have?

Sam: It’s definitely been put on the table, and I don’t think it was before. Now it’s a consideration—maybe not such a huge consideration, but it’s now an option that I was not considering before.

Samantha Throsby: I think a lot of the first-years in particular are worrying about the fact that, because so many of us are thinking about moving out, the atmosphere in our house would be lost. So I think that’s making people think twice.

Cameron: Yeah, as a second-year, I was already planning on moving to an apartment at some point, but this kind of just solidified that. If Pierce were staying open for another year, I certainly would stay in Pierce, but a lot of the value of living here is in the building itself, in the location. If we’re in a different dorm, those things will be quite different, and I’d rather just be in an apartment at that point.

CM: So, since you would’ve left housing eventually anyway, is it fair to say you feel saddened by the news but not necessarily impacted?

Cameron: Yeah, I’m definitely disappointed that I don’t get to spend another year in Pierce…which is kind of shocking given its history.

CM: What are your thoughts on Tuesday night’s open meeting with Housing administrators?

Sam: I guess it was helpful. They really did just tell us a lot of stuff we already knew, before it descended into a finger-pointing fest. Hopefully they got a vibe for how people were feeling and took that into consideration, even if it was a little bit overthe-top.

CM: This was a lot of your first run-ins with administration. What is your impression of them based on what you saw at the meeting?

Sam: I wouldn’t discredit them as much as some might, because it is difficult, of course, when they’re running a university, to expect them to run everything by the students. Obviously, that’s not going to work. It’s their university, and they’re going to do what they have to do. That said, it’s definitely not the best way they could’ve handled it, at least not when compared with the original plan. (Editor’s note: Callow-Wright claimed at the open forum that the initial plan was to make the announcement ninth week, and that it would have been accompanied by the release of online FAQs, information, and other resources which have not yet been made available to Pierce residents).

Cameron: I definitely felt like it was just a continuation of the problems we had last year with communication. We were told that they hadn’t decided where we’d be moved yet, and that they weren’t positive that Pierce would be torn down. On the other hand, President Zimmer was absolutely positive, which is a little strange.

’Tis a gift to be tinsel Strict holiday separatists must accept that it’s already beginning to look a lot like Christmas

By Matt Walsh Viewpoints Columnist Christmas is the best thing to ever happen to Thanksgiving.

In the weeks preceding Thanksgiving, the world erupts with tinsel and good tidings. Reds and whites sneak into our coffee shops and advertisements, Macy’s sets out its window display, and Bing Crosby takes to the radio.

Yet, there are a select few who refuse to partake in the holiday cheer, claiming that it’s all a bit too premature. And all of them have the same benchmark for when it’s okay to start celebrating Christmas: after Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving receives exactly ten times more attention from peo-

ple refusing to celebrate Christmas early than it receives from the rest of us.

I have a few good friends who participate in this Scrooge-like holdout, and I know that there are many more like them. They’ve been lamenting, as they do every year, that nobody is respecting the Thanksgiving-Christmas watershed. I dedicate this column to them—and to you, dear reader, if you, too, voluntarily suffer from the humbugs. I’m not necessarily arguing that Christmas is better than Thanksgiving—but, really, does a bear shit in the woods?— but I do want to highlight a few problems with strict adherence to the “Thanksgiving principle.”

My first problem with the Thanksgiving principle is that it limits the celebration of both holidays. To quote the abusive headmaster from “Another Brick in the Wall” in a gastronomically appropriate way, “If you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?” This isn’t the logic that

I want to apply to my holidays.

With Thanksgiving, I celebrate the very eating of meat! I don’t treat it as a gateway to pudding.

And when it comes to pudding, I

eat it all the time anyway. That is, I celebrate Christmas whenever possible.

My second problem is that the Thanksgiving principle severely

compromises my understanding of utility. And that’s personal— it makes my degree (and its corresponding $200,000 price tag ) HOLIDAYS continued on page 6

BENJAMIN LANGE

|

THE CHICAGO MAROON

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THE CHICAGO MAROON | VIEWPOINTS | November 16, 2012

U of C Student Government less respected, given less power than SGs at other schools SG continued from page 4 sponsive to constituent concerns than even federal representatives.

Let me be clear in saying that the fault does not lie entirely with the representatives themselves. Machiavelli wrote that a ruler often benefits because most people care more for their immediate needs than for politics. To an extent, we can blame students for not demanding more accountability. Really, we should ask ourselves: If more students cared about SG, would they not demand more access to their representatives? The answer is probably yes, though we risk running into an Ouroboros, wherein we endlessly cycle from blaming elected officials for being inaccessible to blaming the electorate for failing to provide them a reason not to be.

I believe there is another major factor that contributes to students’ lack of interest in governing themselves—namely, the lack of true influence student government has over campus life. The basis for this claim may seem somewhat contrary to what I’ve already said. However, while SG does have control of RSO funding and thus influences major programming, I be-

lieve it is a crucial mistake to conflate this authority with control over more substantive aspects of student life.

“

For SG to become a meaningful force on campus, the administration has to concede its monopoly on deciding what is good for students.

”

As I often urge, let us look to peer institutions to establish a benchmark. At Yale, the college council created a detailed proposal for the creation of a foreign language certificate program. Princeton’s student government lobbied to reform course evaluations. And though not directly applicable, I believe there are even better examples of truly involved student governments at some larger public schools. In my home state of Florida, schools like the University of Florida (UF) have extremely active and expansive student governments

Seasonal debate only brings Christmas to the fore HOLIDAYS continued from page 5 meaningless! Often, the people who adhere to the Thanksgiving principle claim to be the biggest fans of Christmas. They love Christmas so much that they refuse to celebrate the holiday until it’s time. There’s some intuitive sense there, but does that utility function—one that shoots immediately upward from flatline at the same time every year for a small subset of people— exist for anything else? For football teams?

For movies? For widgets? Even seasonal goods like hot cocoa rise with some degree of continuity or gradation. So be rational!

Enjoy Christmas!

“

There’s nothing that excites a Christmas lover more than defending his or her side of the Thanksgiving issue.

”

My final problem is that, in the end, we’re all actually still celebrating Christmas. There’s the rub. There’s nothing that excites a Christmas lover more than de-

fending his or her side of the Thanksgiving issue. For example, I wrote this column, and my jimmies got so rustled from arguing against the Thanksgiving principle. And I’m sure that, as the Thanksgiving principle adherents have been reading this column, they’ve been systematically dismantling my arguments. Maybe there will even be a letter to the editor defending the Thanksgiving benchmark! All of the arguing and humbugging and feistiness bring Christmas to the fore. So even if you adhere to the Thanksgiving principle, know that you’re still doing your part to celebrate a great holiday (Christmas, obviously).

In closing, I should apologize to any of you who don’t celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving. If you couldn’t care less about either of these holidays, then more power to your winter season. Hopefully this column will give you insight into the silliness of the rest of us. At a minimum, I’ve seen newspapers used as blankets before, and the cold is something that we all have to deal with (especially if you don’t have the holidays to keep you warm!). So you might as well hold on to this issue. Merry Christmas! (Or Happy Blanketing!)

Matt Walsh is a fourth-year in the College majoring in economics and political science.

CLASSIFIEDS Classified advertising in The Chicago Maroon is $3 for each line. Lines are 45 characters long including spaces and punctuation. Special headings are 20-character lines at $4 per line. Submit all ads in person, by e-mail, or by mail to The Chicago Maroon, Ida Noyes Hall, Lower Level Rm 026, 1212 E. 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637. The Chicago Maroon accepts Mastercard & Visa. Call (773) 702-9555.

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that are ubiquitous in and inseparable from student life. For example, UF’s student body president is a major player in university-vendor negotiations. There, a student government position is truly an office of action and responsibility.

Meanwhile, our own SG is repeatedly ignored on issues similar to these, a prime example being the University’s continued resistance to a Socially Responsible Investment Committee. Despite students voting to pass a referendum in favor of such a body, continued activist efforts, and regular media attention, University administrators have done little to officially address even the most basic concerns of the student body. The same situation exists in regard to a number of other concerns: for instance, the condition of Pierce until recent national media attention, and campus bus and shuttle routes.

The latter issue is one in which student’s input is allegedly welcomed by administrators, though at a recent joint SG meeting I attended, Director of Transportation and Parking Theresa Fletcher-Brown suggested otherwise. She openly admitted that the University decided to run reverse bus routes at the

insistence of students, but added that they later decided against them without student input. If this kind of underhandedness arises in regard even to a comparatively small issue like campus transit, it is difficult to imagine SG receiving farther-reaching abilities.

In order for SG to become a meaningful force on campus, several things must change. First, the administration has to concede its monopoly on deciding what is good for students. It must earnestly attempt not only to engage students, but also to heed what they say about larger, more impactful issues more than they do now. Second, SG representatives must be truly available and responsive to their constituents, being sure to always put student sentiment first.

Finally, and most importantly, the student body must care. Everyone already has an opinion about some aspect of student life.

Students must start to voice those opinions constructively, no matter how futile it may seem. Only by having an active, vocal student body will SG be able to assume the powers it rightfully should have.

Taylor Schwimmer is a third-year in the College majoring in public policy studies.

SUBMISSIONS The Chicago Maroon welcomes opinions and responses from its readers. Send op-ed submissions and letters to: The Chicago Maroon attn: Viewpoints 1212 East 59th Street Chicago, IL 60637 E-mail: Viewpoints@ChicagoMaroon.com The editors reserve the right to edit materials for clarity and space. Letters to the editor should be limited to 400 words. Op-ed submissions, 800 words.

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ARTS

Trivial Pursuits NOVEMBER 16, 2012

The truck stops here: Shopping Ellis’s mobile market South Ellis Avenue has been occupied. Don’t worry, though, the invaders come in peace. Well, actually, they come in trucks.

The city has recently experienced an incredible boom in the presence of food trucks, and these mobile mini-restaurants have made their way to the U of C. What began last spring with a few tasty regulars has grown into a mouth-watering horde that descends upon campus each day around lunchtime, bringing with it an overwhelming spread of meal options. Curious about this fashion of feasting, four of us tried out a few trucks on our own. Here are our takes on the street grub Ellis has to offer.

Beaver’s Coffee and Donuts, parked just outside the north entrance of Cobb, specializes in fresh coffee and mini doughnuts.

The golden-brown morsels come with a variety of toppings—there are traditional ones for those with a taste for simple elegance, and gourmet ones for connoisseurs of indulgence. The doughnuts are surprisingly mini—a little over an inch in diameter—but they are certainly fresh. They have a distinctive, delicate crunch to them, unlike a run-ofthe-mill bakery doughnut. The plain powdered-sugar doughnut definitely ups the sweetness factor. These doughnuts are good both for treating others and pampering yourself, because they are simply awesome.

Latin Fusion is a small, unassuming red truck, but don’t let its subtle exterior fool you.

Their $3 tacos are a flavorful deal among Ellis’s options. The veggie taco was especially good, considering that most taco places focus their efforts on crafting meat dishes. The flour tortilla was filled with onions, peppers,

and zucchini sautéed in a savory red sauce. Whether you’re looking for something to tide you over between classes or a full-on meal, Latin Fusion’s tacos are a reasonable choice.

— Tori Borengasser Arts Contributor Once my teeth had sunk through the tough, baguettelike bread of my sandwich from StopNGo, flavor jumped from the pulled chicken. An oniony, peppery, soupy, stewy kind of zest hit my taste buds—certainly more than I expected out of a sandwich in a brown paper bag.

Juices from the thick mess of the innards had soaked into the bread, creating a mushy mouthful. For the price, this sandwich packs a flavorful punch and a solid deal, thick enough to satisfy a normal appetite for a reasonable $6.

“Slop with a biscuit” would be a more adequate description of the appearance of the “chicken pot pie” from the Beyond Borders Farm to Food Truck. Although it had a simple appearance, the savory taste filled my mouth at the first bite, and brought a wide-eyed expression to my face.

The peas, carrots, and chicken all burst with one chomp, exploding with a salty flavor, blending well with the heavy, chewy biscuit.

To top it off, the warmth of this delicious pot pie–imposter was perfect on a cold, windy day. Like the pulled chicken from StopNGo, Beyond Borders brings a good deal that’s not a bad portion—although it could be larger—for $6.

— Sam Zacher Arts Contributor Unlike most of the food trucks on campus, JB Alberto’s is basically a fast food mobile version of the chain of pizza restaurants

Nina Rodriguez, executive chef and owner of the The Slide Ride food truck, trades laces for rims in her mobile ’50s diner throwback.

JAMIE MANLEY | THE CHICAGO MAROON

that are spread out throughout the Chicago area. As such, the meals are for the most part pre-cooked dishes from the restaurants. The menu ranges from lasagna to meatball subs to a decent range of personal pizzas, with standard toppings like pepperoni, sausage, and vegetables. I had a cheese pizza, while my carnivorous friend opted for pepperoni, and we agreed that both were rather good. The crusts were firm and warm. Overall, the JB Alberto’s food truck provides a satisfying quick fix for any pizza lovers, but if you find yourself with a limited budget, it might be best to explore other options—personal pizzas are $5 each.

— Paola Cardona Arts Contributor

Apparently, before my experience with The Slide Ride, I had no idea what a slider was. When the friendly cashier chirped my total, I was pleasantly surprised—a burger for under $4? But then, removing the foil, I got it. For those of you who have never tried a slider, let me explain my meal to you: The burger was delicious, the meat well-cooked, the combination of bacon and mustard juicily pleasing. But the whole thing was packed into a miniature sesame seed bun no larger than a tennis ball. My “Bacon Baby Burger” came together with a subtle zest that was really pretty delicious—but the key word here is “baby.” These things are tiny.

Each burger might cost less than $4, but you’re going to need more than one to make a meal.

I’m not sure what drew me to the Falafel Brothers food truck as I was meandering through the maze of nomadic restaurants the other day—maybe it was the smell of lamb, maybe it was the chalkboard menu advertising “two for $1” baklava, maybe it was the fact that the truck is plastered in pictures of falafel.

Whatever the reason, I’m glad I stopped by. My wellsized meal, a falafel wrap with hummus, turnips, and pickled cucumbers, was a reasonable $6, and perfectly good. The falafel itself was light and zesty, and the TRUCK continued on page 8

For young, frustrated lovers, the play’s The Real Thing Will Dart Arts Contributor

Left to right, first-year Michael Findley, fourth-year Justin Krivda, and third-year Arielle Von Hippel star in the UT/TAPS production of The Real Thing.

SYDNEY COMBS | THE CHICAGO MAROON

This weekend in the Logan Center’s Theater West, UT’s production of Sir Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing will open with a bang. A door will slam, a house of cards will crumble, and shouts of accusation will follow. Clearly, this is going to be riveting stuff.

But the title is a deception—this isn’t the real thing. That’s hidden somewhere, and we have a good bit of fun trying to find it.

Our hero, Henry, writes plays.

He’s quite good at it, too; his show is playing in the West End, and, from what we can see, he’s got a fair handle on all the staples of a good drama. And yet he’s never been able to write convincing romantic dialogue, nor, apparently, speak it. His lovers can’t seem to understand him, and soon his illconceived, on-stage romances are playing out in his own living room.

As theater mimics and blends with

reality, we begin to wonder: does art really imitate life, or is it the other way around? Which is theater, and which is “the real thing?”

THE REAL THING

Logan Center, Theater West Through November 17

A long-time fan of Stoppard’s work, first-time director and fourth-year Shelly Horwitz jumped at the chance to stage this witty production. The Real Thing proved particularly appealing, as it dwells on a few elements quite familiar to the university student body, namely our well-publicized difficulties in certain areas of self-expression. “I think this type of genre is engaging for UChicago people—really smart people who can articulate intellectual things well, but are STOPPARD continued on page 8

THE CHICAGO MAROON | ARTS | November 16, 2012

8

Falafel that will keep your stomach and your wallet full TRUCK continued from page 7 mysterious white sauce that came alongside—oh, that sauce—gave the wrap a rich, tang y taste. The baklava, well-seasoned and flaky, provided the perfect close to a filling, enjoyable meal.

— Anna Hill Arts Staff On the whole, the food truck experience was a positive one.

Although a bit pricey, the street treats were delicious (if not

quite filling ) and convenient.

We only got a chance to try out a fraction of the options Ellis has to offer, though, so hit the pavement and do some experimenting of your own.

Happy automobrunching !

Students purchase lunch at the Don Rafa food truck on South Ellis Avenue.

JAMIE MANLEY | THE CHICAGO MAROON

No accents or airs in Horwitz’s production STOPPARD continued from page 7 maybe not the greatest when it comes to actual feelings and, you know, saying the things they really need to say,” said Horwitz. This is, unfortunately, a fairly accurate characterization, and the reason I no longer attend frat parties.

Staging The Real Thing’s complex play-within-a-play conceit would pose significant challenges for any director, but Horwitz and her talented crew have managed to do so with no more confusion than the narrative prescribes. Henry is clearly exporting his life onto the stage, and so the expertly furnished living room of the main set requires only minimal alterations between fiction and “real life.”

And it’s fortunate that, in a play that largely revolves around actors acting like actors, these actors can act. As Henry’s love interests, leading ladies third-year Arielle Von Hippel and first-year Eleanor Clifford are both quite adept at expressing their characters’ understandable exasperation.

Charlotte (Von Hippel) treats Henry’s cynical humor with sarcasm and snide remarks, while Annie (Clifford) does her best to weather his insecurities with due patience. And they’ve found an apt

Henry in fourth-year Justin Krivda.

Where his snobbish affectations might otherwise have been vaguely annoying, under Krivda’s care Henry is oddly endearing—charming, even, in a relatable sort of way.

Krivda is all stage presence, and he wears a sweater as well as anyone in private-university theater today.

Fortunately Horwitz has elected to forego authentic accents, although the script’s British vernacular necessarily makes everyone sound kind of like Cary Grant (never a bad thing).

Since it is a creation of the man behind Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, it goes without saying that the script is riotously funny and full of neat little surprises. Beyond the convergence of drama and reality, we’re treated to meditations on love, infidelity, the value of art and the nature of unpolished, original thought. Henry is convinced that words have intrinsic value, that they need to be used well or not at all.

As the play unfolds, we’re made to see that eloquence has its place, but that relationships—the ones that matter, anyway—are built on raw, open expression and simple, honest discourse.

“Don’t write it,” one character intones. “Just say it.”

Holy Motors shifts metaphysical gears into automatic masterpiece Sarah Tarabey Arts Contributor An on-screen audience faces the viewer; it watches intently, as if it is actually the real-life audience who is in a film. In a flash, an old man awakes with the urge to unlock a doorway: He emerges on the other side into a movie theater, observing from above the audience watching the audience watching the audience. Perspective and perception mingle, and reality is nowhere to be found.

HOLY MOTORS Léos Carax Music Box Theatre

Only the eye and the passion of a true movie fanatic could have pulled off this kind of stunt. Laden with an often disjointed yet fantastical array of autobiographical tidbits, jumbled film references, silent movie clips, digital animation, slapstick comedy, and the occasional musical number, Léos Carax’s Holy Motors is a cinematic love letter to the dying art of film. Carax, in documenting a day in the life of Monsieur Oscar’s many parallel existences, reinvents the world as one would encounter it in a dream—absurdly whimsical, oddly funny, yet deeply poignant and truthful.

Holy Motors, the French director’s first film since 1999, is rumored to be a mashup of all the projects Carax did not get to see through to completion; it is, perhaps, the diversity and richness of the discarded endeavors that makes the final cut a masterpiece. A constantly transforming yet impressionably fluid Monsieur Oscar (played by Denis Lavant, who has appeared in the majority of Carax’s movies), and the wonderfully no-nonsense, nostalgic chauffeur, Céline (Édith Scob), come off as remarkably natural in their roles. Brief yet strong supporting roles include the apathetic kidnapped supermodel Kay M (Eva Mendes), Oscar’s disapproving boss (famed French actor Michel Piccoli),

Céline (Édith Scob) just can’t get this mask off of her face in Léos Carax’s Holy Motors.

COURTESY OF INDOMINA RELEASING

and fellow appointment-filler Eva Grace (songstress Kylie Minogue).

Navigating the streets of Paris in the back of a white limousine (the “holy motor” itself ), Oscar, the master of disguise, jumps erratically through a series of random, purposeless, and disconnected roles. His perplexing “appointments” include a haggard old woman begging on the streets and the subject of a series of virtual physical exams. There is also a leprechaun who travels the Parisian sewers, frolicks through the cemetery, devours flowers, bites off fingers, hoards a supermodel in a cave, and generally disturbs one’s understanding of just where a movie should go. Yet this is just the tip of his exploits, since Oscar somehow manages to murder himself—twice. “You should have deliberately not done it,” he reproaches himself.

Yes, he is ubiquitous. Yes, he can completely alter himself in a matter of minutes, as he moves from one destination to the next, shifting not only his appearance but also the nature of his character. Yes, he shakes off each identity with ease. But what makes him truly remarkable is that, in the moments between his transformations, Oscar embodies fundamentally human conundrums: how to see, how to act, how to live. For all his flamboyant imagination, he is still the sensitive wayward soul that wearies of his lonely life. It is for this reason that he can play the roles humans assume every day: the dying uncle, the frustrated father, and the beaten man.

Lavant’s greatest achievement is finding that connection in the fray.

Carax’s dynamic directing only amplifies this bond. He crudely captures the carnal

and the intimate through the face and body of a man, and juxtaposes it with the perennial polish of Paris. He knows just the right moment to focus in sharply on the visage of a desperate woman and when to remain at a distance to observe a family stare at the sky through their window. He frames the nonsensical in a very deliberate and symbolic way, so as to affect a feeling of reality.

Holy Motors is not fully dreamlike, nor completely comprehensible. It invites the individual to follow the rambling thing— whatever it may be—as it unfolds. It evolves from elated and fun to somber and reflective—a shift that is itself indicative of something within us. Ultimately, though, it challenges the concept of a film itself: Should it be tied to tradition, or something more organically linked to the human state?

THE CHICAGO MAROON | ARTS | November 16, 2012

9

The Review continues prestigious literary history south of the Midway James Mackenzie Arts Contributor Over the course of the last two weeks, the long-running literary magazine, the Chicago Review, moved its offices from Lillie House, at the intersection of East 58th Street and South Kenwood Avenue, to Taft House, near the new Logan Center for the Arts, south of the Midway.

Founded in 1946 and run primarily by graduate students, the Review has long been and continues to be a platform for innovative writing.

Last year the U of C decided that the Review should be moved from its historic location to one on campus, despite a relationship with the publication that co-editor Joel Calahan described as “benign neglect.”

“It was sometimes easy to imagine that they’d forgotten about us over at Lillie House,” said Calahan. “When they had to step in to move us, though, we were very pleased with how it went.”

Proximity to campus was not the only motive behind the move, however, as the state of disrepair in Lillie House forced some action. Despite being declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976, the condition of the building was far from ideal, as co-editor Michael Hansen noted in his reflections on working there.

“Last year, I came to my office and noticed the window was open. I assumed it had blown open (a common occurrence), so left it as it was.

I sat down at my desk and worked quietly for probably close to an hour before I realized that three baby squirrels were curled up in a ball near my feet. Baby squirrels can really jump, I found.”

Taft House provides much more than an escape from squirrel invasions, though. The Review staff will now have access to a more contemporary office infrastructure, from better equipment to conveniences such as a kitchen.

The most significant change for the Review in its new home will undoubtedly be its new neighbor: The U of C’s Creative Writing Committee is also situated in Taft House. This will give the Review easier access to the writings of talented students throughout the school, potentially increasing its output of quality material. Both the proximity to U of C staff and increased connection to student work will undoubtedly bring the publication and school closer together despite a history of separation and occasional conflict.

The magazine has historically explored new frontiers and pushed limits in literary fields.

During the 1950s, the Review published many works that were part of the controversial Beat movement, including pieces by innovative and divisive writers like Jack Kerouac and Williams S. Burroughs. The latter’s inclusion caused a great deal of controversy in 1958 when the publication of excerpts from Naked Lunch prompted the university to censor the next issue under public pressure. Several editors quit in protest to found a separate literary magazine called Big Table.

The issue of censorship remains very serious in all creative fields, but the Review’s current staff feels that the danger is now very low.

“We have never had trouble with censorship or interference, but we are always alert to guarding against this possibility,” said Hansen. “We want to have a good working relationship with the university, but our independence is not a matter up for discussion.”

While troubling problems of censorship have not been an issue for the Review in quite some time, the move to campus and consequent reconnection with the university should only help guard against the problem by allowing for better communication and cooperation.

Despite the many changes that have come and are still coming for the Review, its fundamental mission to find and showcase high-quality and innovative writing will not change. In particular, the staff will strive to shed light on authentic, original writing. As Hansen put it, “The most important question for me, when we’re considering something for publication, is this: Does this sound familiar? In other words, could I expect to see this poem or story in just about any literary journal on the shelf at the bookstore?

If the answer is yes, I don’t want it.”

Taft House, located at 935 East 60th Street, will serve as the new home for the Chicago Review literary magazine.

JULIA REINITZ | THE CHICAGO MAROON

Become a

Resident Head In the University House System

Resident Heads live in the College Houses to provide guidance, advice and direction to members of the undergraduate House communities. Advanced graduate students are encouraged to apply. Single, domestic-partnered, or married persons who are at least 25 years of age can apply. Children are welcome.

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THE CHICAGO MAROON | ARTS | November 16, 2012

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WITH HANNAH GOLD

CALEND AR 1

7

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9 10

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Do What You’re Told

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Friday | November 16 He walks up to the closet. He’s close up to the closet. Now he’s at the closet. Now he’s opening the closet. To find out what happens next and understand how small, enclosed spaces can become the stuff of legend, attend the Music Box Theatre’s sing-along to hiphopera drama Trapped in the Closet. In the 23 installments of this strange, claustropohobic tale R Kelly plays Sylvester, a man who suffers oddly and often after a one-night stand with a preacher’s wife. There will be subtitles on screen lest you miss any lyric wit, and props, including rubbers and spatulas. Loyal fans, stay tuned for Trapped in the Closet: The Next Installment, slated to drop on November 23.

3733 North Southport Avenue.

Starts at midnight, tickets $12 in advance.

The munificent Film Studies Center has organized a viewing of Gerhard Richter Painting in the Logan Center’s Screening Room 201. In the summer of 2009 the director, Corinna Belz was granted access to Richter’s studio as the artist was in the process of producing a series of large, abstract paintings—a departure

from the photo-realistic style he is widely known for. The event is part of the FSC’s “What is Art + Process” screening series of artist-centric films in honor of Logan’s inaugural year. (Next on the docket is PINA, Wim Wenders’s 3D ode to uncanny modern dance choreographer Pina Bausch). With any luck the Logan Center will open again next year and we can start this process all over again. 915 East 60th Street. Starts at 7 p.m., free.

Saturday | November 17

It’s hard to choose between eating an avocado and going to the movies—like comparing apples and oranges—so why not get your fill of both! Kendall College presents Chicavo!, a foodie film festival that will screen such tasty bites of artcinema as Benevolent Baker: Doughnuts, Mozzarella Inc., and One Macaron At A Time.

Instead of your run-of-the-mill popcorn and snickers, the concession stand will be stocked with fresh mozzarella from La Mozzarella Chicago, Macarons from Champs Elysees Bakery, and pizza of undisclosed origins.

Then, at 1 p.m., guests will be treated to Matt Timm’s Avocado

Takedown in which one talented, competing chef will win $500 for best dish using avocado (those who make guac will not be considered worthy no matter what). 900 North Branch Street.

Doors open at 12 p.m., $45.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when I look at Smitten Kitchen’s lusciously photographed cooking blog I just become speechless and then usually have food-related dreams later that night. Deb Perelman, known by hipster home chefs as the hands in the site’s shots of dough being kneaded and potatoes getting peeled, will be signing copies of her new venture, The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, at The Book Cellar this afternoon. I’m getting so hungry thinking about this that I can’t even say anything else about it. 4736 North Lincoln Avenue.

3–4:30 p.m., free.

Sunday | November 18 Do we need another Sunday morning , possibly premature because it’s only mid-November, holiday gift market? The answer to this question depends on how well you tolerate snow globes,

BANG

ALICE BUCKNELL

bobble-head reindeer, and felt hats. But perhaps Vintage Garage Chicago’s annual, t wo - day Holiday Tr unk Show can tempt you with trinkets that just may have been under someone else’s tree in the’80s. That’s right, Santa’s coming to town and he’s bringing the ghosts of decades past along with him.

1134 West Granville Avenue.

11a.m.–6p.m., $5 admission.

West Loop Belgian brasserie Leopold releases its merguez-gravy-doused, gameladen brunch to the general public for the very first time today. With a new chef at the helm (Michael Dean Reynolds, former chef de cuisine at The Gage), Leopold is more than ready to begin turning out poutine from its regular menu, smoked trout, pastries made in house,

|

THE CHICAGO MAROON

mimosas, Bloody Marys, and, of course, “Michael Dean’s Brunch Punch.” Rumors of house-corned rabbit hash with eggs and pickled peppers abound, and with that level of specificity how can it not be true? Too bad brunch only comes once a week (and sometimes Saturdays). 1450 West Chicago Avenue. Brunch served 10 a.m.–2 p.m., midrange prices.

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THE CHICAGO MAROON | SPORTS | November 16, 2012

All-UAA Selections, Fall 2012 After the men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball seasons came to a close last week, the UAA released the selections for their 2012 All-Association Teams. Across the three sports, 18 Maroons were named to All-conference teams, including three UAA first team selections, seven second team selections, and eight honorable mentions. Here, we take a look at the Maroons who stood out.

11 FOOTBALL UAA Standings Rank School 1 Washington (MO) 2 Case Western 3 Carmegie 4 Chicago

Record 5–5 (3–0) 6–4 (2–1) 6–4 (1–2) 4–6 (0–3)

Win % .500 .600 .600 .400

Passing

MEN’S SOCCER

Rank 1 2 3

Player Rob Kalkstein Erik Olson Vince Cortina

School Carnegie Case Western Chicago

Yds 1960 1726 1377

4 5

Eric Daginella John O’Connor

Washington (MO) Washington (MO)

1116 130

Receiving

Michael Choquette Second-year Midfielder 3 Goals and 2 Assists on the season

Kyle Kurfirst Second-year Forward Second on the Maroons with 4 goals and 3 assists

Jorge Bilbao First-year Midfielder 9 goals, 3 assists UAA Rookie of the Year

David Cohen First-year Goalkeeper .86 goals against average and 4 shutouts

Alexis Onfroy Third-year Midfielder Helped Maroons to 8 shutouts

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Rank Player 1 Tim Kikta 2 Dee Brizzolara 3 Drew Sexton 4 Sean Lapcevic 5 Timoth Swanson

School Carnegie Chicago Washington (MO) Case Western Carnegie

Avg/G 80.0 69.4 50.2 50.1 48.3

Rushing Rank 1 2 3 4 5

Player Manny Sicre Patrick Blanks C. Castellucio Zak Ross-Nash Ian Gaines

School Case Western Carnegie Washington (MO) Chicago Chicago

Avg/G 80.6 76.2 54.3 50.5 47.3

MEN’S SOCCER UAA Standings Rank 1

Sara Kwan Second-year Midfielder 10 goals, 10 assists Led UAA in assists Third in UAA in points

Brigette Kragie Fourth-year Forward 7 goals, 9 assists

Micaela Harms Third-year Midfielder 2 goals, 2 assists Started every game

Jacinda Reid Second-year Goalkeeper .94 goals against average 3 shutouts

1 1 1 5 6 7 8

School Brandeis

Record 18–2–1 (4–2–1)

Win % .881

Carnegie Washington (MO) Emory Rochester Chicago NYU Case Western

13–4–1 (4–2–1) 10–5–2 (4–2–1) 11–7–2 (4–2–1) 10–4–4 (3–1–3) 8–4–5 (2–3–2) 12–7–2 (2–4–1) 3–14–1 (0–7)

.750 .647 .600 .667 .618 .619 .194

Goals Rank Player 1 Amdrew Natalino 1 Sam Ocel 3 Dylan Price 3 Lee Russo 4 Max Tassano

School Emory Brandeis Emory Brandeis Carnegie

Goals 14 13 11 12 11

School Carnegie Brandeis Brandeis Rochester Emory

Assists 11 9 8 6 6

Assists Rank 1 2 3 4 4

Natalia Jovanovic Third-year Forward 6 goals, 2 assists

Meghan Derken Second-year Forward 3 goals, 5 assists

Katie Shivanandan Second-year Sweeper 13 starts in 16 games played

VOLLEYBALL

Player Ben Bryant Lee Russo Sam Ocel Alex Swanger David Garofalo

WOMEN’S SOCCER UAA Standings Rank School 1 Washington (MO)

Record 18–1–1 (6–0–1)

Win % .925

2 3 4 5 6 6 8

13–1–4 (4–1–2) 13–1–6 (3–1–3) 12–6 (4–3) 15–4–2 (2–3–2) 10–7–1 (2–4–1) 8–6–4 (2–4–1) 3–13–1 (0–7)

.833 .800 .667 .762 .583 .556 .206

Carnegie Emory Chicago Brandeis NYU Case Western Rochester

Goals

Caroline Brander Fourth-year Middle Blocker 264 kills, 80 blocks .350 hitting percentage 39 service aces

Nikki DelZenero Third-year Setter 9.59 assists per set is third in UAA 47 aces, 357 digs

Eirene Kim Second-year Libero 5.16 digs per set is third in UAA

Maren Loe First-year Outside Hitter 421 kills, 316 digs 68 blocks, 42 aces

Rank 1 2 2 4 5

Player Anna Zambricki Melissa Menta Dara Spital Sara Kwan Savina Reid

Rank 1

Player Sara Kwan

School Chicago

Charlotte Butker Melissa Menta Brigette Kragie Lillie Toaspern

Emory NYU Chicago Washington (MO)

HONORABLE MENTION Katie Trela Fourth-year Middle Blocker 94 blocks, 144 kills

Katie Huntington Third-year Right Side 223 kills, 139 digs 35 blocks

Goals 14 12 12 10 9

Assists

1 3 4 5

FIRST TEAM SECOND TEAM

School Washington (MO) NYU Brandeis Chicago Carnegie

Assists 10 10 9 8 7

VOLLEYBALL UAA Standings Rank School 1 Emory 2 Washington (MO) 3 Chicago 4 Case Western 5 Carnegie

Record 33–6 (8–1) 31–4 (8–2) 29–11 (8–2) 24–11 (5–5) 15–17 (3–6)

Win% .846

.886 .725 .686 .469

6

Rochester

22–12 (3–7)

.647

7

NYU

20–14 (1–6)

.588

8

Brandeis

21–14 (1–8)

.600

SPORTS

IN QUOTES

“Only a wizard could have predicted that Jeffrey Loria was a scam artist.”

—Former Baseball Prospectus writer Nate Silver on Tuesday’s shocking trade between the Marlins and the Blue Jays.

Sizek, Maroons head to National Championships Women’s XC Madelaine Pisani Sports Contributor The Maroons are coming off a solid season, but they still have one more job to do: bring home a championship. While there has only been one South Sider who has taken home the prize in the history of the women’s XC team, this year’s group is aiming for the top.

Chicago has just returned from Regionals where six women were named All-Region for 2012, including fourth-year Julia Sizek, third-years Michaela Whitelaw and Elise Wummer, and firstyears Catherine Young, Brianna Hickey and Maggie Cornelius.

Chicago placed second overall in Regionals and first in the UAA Championship. This marks the South Siders’ third consecutive trip to the NCAA Championship, and most of the upperclassmen are vets when it comes to pressure.

Last year, the Maroons took

27th place. This year, they are expecting to stand out even more.

“They really do look fresh at this time of the year,” head coach Chris Hall said. “I don’t feel we had to mentally push ourselves quite as hard last week as we did a year ago. I also feel that due to the similar ability level of so many members of our team they have been able to lean on each other in races which has taken less of a mental toll on them.

“Julia Sizek has been out front for us all season but the next six runners on our team have all run very close together and switched positions all year.”

While the Maroons have performed well throughout the season, their sights were always set on the NCAAs. “Our training has been focused on peaking for the NCAAs since the beginning of the summer,” Hall said. “We got here a little more comfortably than in previous years and again feel that has

to do with the strong commitment to the team.”

To an outsider, cross country strateg y might seem simple: run fast in the beginning, fast in the middle, and fast at the end. However, by working as a team and taking the lead early, the South Siders plan to take advantage of their depth in the upcoming race.

“The level of competition at the NCAAs I feel requires a bit of an aggressive start,” Hall said. “If you get stuck behind there are too many runners of high quality to get past. The plan is to get out fairly hard but not foolishly fast before settling into a competitive pace.

Still would like to finish strong.”

The Maroons plan to maintain the strong performance they have kept up all year. Like Hall said, “the time for experimentation is over.” The Maroons will be showing up in Terre Haute, IN this Saturday at noon prepared to bring the same level of intensity they have had throughout the year.

Fourth-year Julia Sizek and the rest of the women’s squad will be competing in the NCAA Division III National Championships in Terre Haute, IN, this weekend.

COURTESY OF NATHAN LINDQUIST

End of the line: Whitmore to finish All-American career at NCAAs Men’s XC

Fourth-year Billy Whitmore will be the only member of the men’s track team competing in the NCAA Division III national cross country championships.

COURTESY OF NATHAN LINDQUIST

Isaac Stern Sports Staff Fourth-year captain Billy Whitmore will represent Chicago by himself this Saturday when he travels to Terre Haute, IN to compete in the DIII National Championship.

The whole squad, by finishing sixth in the regional race, missed out on qualification by one spot.

“I am disappointed that they won’t get the opportunity to compete as a group this weekend but could not be more proud of the

effort they put in this season,” head coach Chris Hall said. “I honestly believe that although [Billy] will be the only individual representing our men’s squad this weekend, he is running for his teammates.”

Whitmore’s 2011 season culminated with an impressive seventh place finish at the DIII National Championship; he was also named an All-American.

Still, Whitmore looks to improve upon last year’s results. Only one of the six runners who beat Whitmore last November remains, with four having graduated and the other no

longer competing.

“I just want to finish as high as I can,” Whitmore said.

UW–Stout’s Tim Nelson will most likely be the man to beat at the DIII National Championship. Nelson finished fifth in last year’s championship, and this year, he won the Midwest Regional qualifier (24:24.67), where Whitmore finished seventh (24:38.94).

However, it should be noted that Whitmore has posted better times in the past.

“My expectations are that he gives his

greatest effort,” Coach Hall said. “I am confident he will put himself into a position to be an All-American again this weekend.”

Despite the heavy competition, it is not unrealistic for Whitmore to win the race.

But victory would require a pace of roughly 4:50 per mile, perhaps even faster. At this point, though, the key is mental preparation.

“I’m just going to run my race,” Whitmore said.

Whitmore came to the U of C after a successful XC and track career at St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland, OH). He had an immediate impact for the South Siders, running as one of the Maroons’ top-seven runners and placing second at Regionals in his first year. Since then, Whitmore has been nothing short of a sensation for the Maroons, becoming only the fifth All-American runner in school history.

“Billy has really enjoyed going through the process of developing as an athlete,” Hall said. “What I have most enjoyed about working with him is that he always enjoyed where he was in the growth process instead of always wanting to be a finished product.”

However, Whitmore’s time as a Maroon will soon come to a close. The DIII National Championship will be the last time Whitmore dons the maroon and white.

“It’s a little bittersweet,” Whitmore said, “but I have enjoyed every moment.”

A group of fellow Maroons who did not qualify for the race will make the ride down to Terre Haute in order to support Whitmore and the women’s squad.

“Having my teammates there is a huge boost of encouragement,” Whitmore said.

“They push me through the tough miles.”

When asked if there was anything he wanted to share with the Maroon regarding the race this weekend, Whitmore had only one thing to say: “I’m so proud to represent my school and my team…. I run for all of them.”

The DIII National Championship men’s race is slated to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

NCAA.com will provide a live feed for the event.