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Gaps in knowledge President, former provost claim limited understanding of investment in obtained recording By Beck Salgado
beck.salgado@marquette.edu
In an audio recording provided to the Marquette Wire from 2018, university leaders express limited knowledge about university investments and refute negative accusations about involvement with a hedge fund tied to Puerto Rican debt. The recording, created Oct. 9, 2018, and obtained from an anonymous source, refers to the Boston
hedge fund Baupost, which owns nearly $1 billion in sales tax bonds of Puerto Rico’s debts. The recorded meeting occurred between University President Michael Lovell, former provost Dan Myers, chief investment officer Sean Gissal and a group of students. It was provided to the Marquette Wire by an anonymous source, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution from the university. The students formed a coalition to protest the university’s
investments in Baupost. They then held a rally in October 2018 in Westowne Square, asking the university administration to reconsider its involvement with the hedge fund. The coalition claimed the hedge fund was profiting off hurtful measures toward an island recovering from Hurricane Maria, which killed thousands and left survivors without access to basic needs. The recorded meeting came about after students requested to raise the issue with
administrators. Students voiced concern that Baupost, in hopes of buffering the $70 million debt in Puerto Rico, promoted cost-saving austerity measures on the island. These measures could include cuts to the pension system, prison closures, school closures, reductions in subsidies to the University of Puerto Rico, cuts to sick and vacation pay and consolidation of police stations and state agencies, among others.
During the meeting, Lovell and Myers claimed to have limited understandings of Marquette’s investments. Myers was hired as American University’s provost and chief academic officer after his departure from Marquette in October 2018. “I don’t know exactly what Baupost holds or what kind of bonds or how they work,” Myers said during the meeting. See GAPS page 4
Trump visits Milwaukee Students speak against rally Impeachment, health care among protesters’ concerns By Nicole Laudolff
nicole.laudolff@marquette.edu
AP Images/Evan Vucci
President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.
POTUS comes to city for 7th time in office, first in 2020 By Shir Bloch
shir.bloch@marquette.edu
Members of the Marquette community attended a Jan. 14 campaign rally hosted by President Donald Trump at the University of
While President Donald Trump’s supporters packed the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena awaiting his 7 p.m. speech on Jan. 14, his critics prepared to march in opposition just blocks away at Red Arrow Park. Some Marquette students were in attendence. Among these protesters was Eric Rorholm, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences and chair of Marquette College Democrats. “I think, generally, Donald Trump has brought an unprecedented level of lowness to the presidency,” Rorholm said. “I believe democrats are looking for someone who can serve as a leader not just in terms of policy but of moral character as well.”
The anti-Trump protest was organized by the Coalition to March on the Democratic National Convention in addition to 12 other groups. According to its website, the coalition is an organization of “left and progressive forces” rallying for liberal ideals at the 2020 DNC in Milwaukee July 13-16. Since being elected in 2016, Trump has operated under his “America First” platform which, according to his campaign website, consists of strengthening border security, repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, lowering taxes, deregulating the economy and reinforcing the military, among other goals. Rorholm said he believes health care will take center stage in the upcoming 2020 presidential election. In 2018, the U.S. Census Bureau reported the majority of Americans to be insured under private healthcare plans, meaning most do not utilize healthcare
Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena. Attendees had to preregister for the free event through the Trump campaign website to get tickets. Due to the number of people registered for the event, organizers sent an email Tuesday morning to those registered advising them to arrive early to secure admission to the event. The event space, which holds 12,000 people, was full. There were
overflow areas where the crowd was able to observe the speech from TVs outside, according to Heavy Inc., a private digital media organization that focuses on news coverage. The Marquette Wire requested media passes for the rally, but did not receive a response. Reporters covered this event from the overflow area.
INDEX
NEWS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
OPINIONS
National MU Day
Museum, meditation
Position still empty
CALENDAR......................................................3 MUPD REPORTS.............................................3 A&E..................................................................8 OPINIONS......................................................10 SPORTS..........................................................12
See TRUMP page 2
Schedule of annual basketball celebration faces change
PAGE 5
Haggerty’s atmosphere to allow students to unplug, be mindful PAGE 8
See STUDENTS page 2
Campus, community suffering from no sustainability coordinator PAGE 10
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News
The Marquette Tribune
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
TRUMP: Speech discusses economy, election Continued from page 1
The Jan. 14 rally marked the president’s first visit to Wisconsin in 2020 and his seventh since entering office. In the 2016 election, Trump narrowly won Wisconsin over Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, who did not visit the state during her campaign. Trump won all of Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes, receiving 47.2% of the vote in Wisconsin compared to Clinton’s 46.5%, according to the New York Times. Trump is currently vying for re-election in 2020. “I think anybody should be aware of what’s going on in the world and be politically involved … because the world’s changing no matter what, and people have to support one side,” Mark Williams, a sophomore in the College of Engineering and rally attendee, said. “I think having a voice and speaking up for what you believe in is the most vital thing about being a voter in America right now.” Williams said he was impressed with Trump’s ability to connect to the middle class. He said America’s economy is thriving under the new administration. He added that one of the reasons he supports Trump is because, as a future engineer, he feels that the Trump administration will provide him with job security upon graduation. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, gross domestic product increased 2.1% in the third quarter of 2019. In December, the unemployment rate was 3.5%, according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics. In 2016, when Trump was elected, the unemployment rate was 4.7%, according to The Balance, a website focusing on personal finance. Milwaukee Police Department officers closed off streets for the rally and protest in response, creating significant traffic throughout the city. Street vendors selling Trump merchandise lined the streets as the arena filled up. The doors to the arena opened at 3 p.m., and Vice President Mike Pence began speaking about an hour before the president spoke at 7 p.m. Pence discussed the accomplishments of Trump. In his speech, Trump discussed a wide range of issues from his opponents in the election to the economy and Syria. Trump began with economic improvements, particularly in Wisconsin. He focused on Iran and impeachment and his actions in Ukraine, among other topics. “As we begin the year, our economy is booming,” Trump said. “Wages are rising, poverty is plummeting, crime is falling and America is the envy of the entire world.” Average hourly earnings for employees decreased from November and December by 0.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Jan. 14. In 2018, the poverty rate was 11.8%, down 0.5% from 2017, according to the United States Census Bureau. According to the Pew Research Center, violent crime has fallen sharply over the past 25 years. He raised the topic of the replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United
States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, calling the former “one of the worst trade deals in the history of the world” and the latter “a giant victory for Wisconsin workers, farmers and dairy producers.” USMCA was a deal signed Nov. 30, 2018 between United States, Canada and Mexico, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, an agency that directly consults with foreign governments to create trade agreements. NAFTA is a trade agreement that went into effect Jan. 1, 1994 and progressively eliminated tariffs between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Williams said he feels people do not see what Trump has been done for the country. “How he’s using his business mind and making America first and making America the greatest country again and making us a world power where other leaders respect us,” Williams said. Luke Holub, a sophomore in the College of Engineering, attended the rally and he said he feels Trump is keeping America safe. “(Democratic candidate) Bernie (Sanders) and the radical left cannot protect your family, and they cannot protect your country, nor do they want to, I think,” Trump said. “If you want to keep America safe, vote Republican.” Holub said his whole family is big Trump supporters. Turning to matters of national security and global unrest, Trump discussed his actions in the Middle East, referring to the death of Iranian
General Qasem Soleimani, an alleged terrorist. “A few days ago, we took bold and decisive action to defend American lives and deliver American justice,” Trump said. “Under my direction, the United States military launched a flawless precision strike that killed the world’s number one terrorist: Qasem Soleimani.” He stressed that there were no American deaths nor injuries from an Iranian counterbombing, though the New York Times reported Friday a military spokesperson said eight Americans showed signs of concussions following a Jan. 8 Iranian missile strike on Iraqi bases. “While we’re creating jobs and killing terrorists, Democrats in Congress are wasting America’s time with demented hoaxes and crazy witch hunts,” Trump said in reference to recent impeachment hearings concerning his actions in Ukraine. “I think (Trump’s impeachment) one of the dumbest political shams in American political history,” Williams said. “It’s not a bipartisan effort. (Democratic Speaker of the House) Nancy Pelosi has been saying the whole time it’s a somber event while she’s smiling, chuckling, signing those impeachment papers. I really don’t think he did anything wrong.” Pelosi called for a vote Wednesday to bring the articles of impeachment to the Senate. It has been just over a month since the House voted to impeach Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of justice, with the first article passing 230-197 and the second 229-198.
Williams previously attended another Trump rally in Battle Creek, Michigan. He compared the two, noting how Trump catered his words to fit his audience. Williams said when he went to Michigan, Trump focused on facts on Michigan. “But what spoke to me in Milwaukee was how he was able to show that even though we’re in a dense urban population, how he was helping those who are living in poverty get jobs and try to help them with Medicare and all that stuff,” Williams said. The debate on private versus universal healthcare has seen a rise in recent years following the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Williams said he was struck by Trump’s charisma and energy. He said the crowd’s reaction made him think Trump is really helping Milwaukee. Williams said he thinks political involvement is important and believes it is every American’s duty to be informed and vote. “No matter who you support obviously you’ve got to vote because your vote does make a difference,” Williams said. “That’s one of the greatest things about America, having that right to have a voice and to vote about who you believe is the best fit to be president, being able to have the opportunity to be aware of what’s going on in the world and having an opinion.” The general election is Nov. 3. The Wisconsin primaries will take place April 7.
STUDENTS: Activists gather in Red Arrow Park Continued from page 1 options provided by the government such as Medicare or Medicaid. Critics of private healthcare in the U.S. point out its significant cost compared to other developed countries around the world. According to 2018 data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the U.S. spends more money on healthcare per capita than every other country of the OECD’s 36-member organization. Because of the substantial cost of healthcare in the U.S., some Americans support a government-funded universal healthcare option or a public alternative for those who want it. President Trump opposes such options. “Donald Trump’s attacks on health care have been frankly terrifying,” Rorholm said. As demonstrators departed from Red Arrow Park toward Panther Arena, the crowd chanted “Hey hey! Ho ho! Donald Trump has got to go!”
In recent weeks, Trump has become the third president in U.S. history to be impeached and to face a Senate trial. These developments come as the result of his alleged withholding of military aid from Ukraine. In his speech Jan. 14, however, the president addressed his impeachment by calling the situation “a total hoax.” The Senate impeachment trial of President Trump began Jan. 16 and is currently in progress. Rorholm said Trump does not represent the country or Marquette’s diverse communities. “(Trump) is not a leader who represents us and, ultimately, he’s not a leader that will ‘Be the Difference,’” Rorholm said. “We can’t just fight for corporations, people that look and sound like us or those who are angry for the same reasons.” Several members of the protesting crowd were Marquette students. “I think protesting is a great use of our (First) Amendment right to free speech because it gives everybody a fair voice and everyone gets to express how they
Photo by Maddy Andresen madelyn.andresen@marquette.edu
Protesters organize in response to Trump rally Jan. 14. There were MU students among the demonstrators.
feel,” Maddie Kuehn, a first-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences, said. Another student in attendance, neither a protester nor a Trump supporter, said he came to witness the “democratic
process in action.” Reid Holben, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, said he isn’t the protesting type, although he fully endorses student activism and the right to assemble.
“I think our country would be better off if more people, especially young people, took an interest in politics,” Holben said. “Protesting allows for people to bring attention to issues personal and important to them.”
News
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
The Marquette Tribune
MUSG addresses plans for spring
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The Marquette Tribune EDITORIAL Executive Director of Marquette Wire Sydney Czyzon (414) 288-1739 Managing Editor of Marquette Tribune Jenny Whidden
Initiative topics include Title IX, mental health, safety By Nicole Laudolff
nicole.laudolff@marquette.edu
With the start of a new year and semester, Marquette University Student Government’s goals for the coming months include plans to address student issues and to open critical conversations. Among these plans is a campaign promoting research opportunities for undergraduate students. “Right now, undergraduate research at Marquette is very decentralized,” Daniel Brophy, MUSG vice president and senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, said. “There’s no formal place for students to go to, so unless they have a professor who offers it, opportunities are hard to find.” Brophy said MUSG is exploring the establishment of a formal office of undergraduate research as well as funding solutions to do so. MUSG will also host a forum on gun violence in Milwaukee later this semester with the intent of “starting a conversation” within the community, Sara Manjee, MUSG president and senior in the College of Business Administration, said. “Especially right now, bringing topics like gun violence to light is critical,” Manjee said. In 2017 — the earliest year in which the Center for Disease Control has complete data — 39,773 died in gun-related deaths including homicides and suicides. This semester, MUSG, in partnership with the office of finance, will also be expanding its presentation on Marquette’s budgeting process. The Feb. 5 event at Raynor Memorial Libraries will give students an
opportunity to ask Marquette officials fiscal questions surrounding topics like the recent tuition increase. This event may help lessen transparency concerns from students following certain university actions concerning the demonstration policy, the College of Education and layoffs, among others. When the presentation took place last semester before the MUSG Senate, it was open to the student body but not promoted extensively, Brophy said. MUSG will also be administering “safe zone training” to its members. Manjee said the training will focus specifically on issues throughout the gender spectrum and how members can be allies to LGBTQ+ individuals. “While we’re serving students, we’re also working to make ourselves more aware of the issues different students face and of the privileges we all hold,” Manjee said. Since classes began in the fall, MUSG has undergone a major restructuring to its meeting format and established four think tanks which correspond with current MUSG initiatives: Title IX promotion, sustainability, campus safety and mental health. Manjee said these think tanks are reflective of more foundational topics that will continue to be discussed well beyond her term. “It’s important to understand that student advocacy and the problems students face are constantly evolving,” Manjee said. “I came into this role thinking I would accomplish a thousand things when in reality there are a few small wins, and the rest is setting the foundation for larger conversations.” Manjee and Brophy’s term ends April 1.
NEWS News Editor Annie Mattea Assistant Editors Alexa Jurado, Kelli Arseneau Reporters Nick Magrone, Beck Salgado, Nicole Laudolff, Shir Bloch, Matthew Choate PROJECTS Projects Editor Matthew Harte Assistant Editor Matthew Martinez Reporters Lelah Byron, Grace Dawson, Joseph Beaird ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Arts & Entertainment Editor Emily Rouse Assistant Editors Skyler Chun Reporters Ariana Madson, Maddy Perkins OPINIONS Opinions Editor Alexandra Garner Columnists Aminah Beg, Kevin Schablin, Sheila Fogarty SPORTS Sports Editor Zoe Comerford Assistant Editors Tyler Peters, John Leuzzi Reporters Matt Yeazel, Bryan Geenen, Molly Gretzlock, Andrew Amouzou COPY Copy Chief Emma Brauer Copy Editors Nora McCaughey, Skyler Chun, Shir Bloch, Raven Ringe VISUAL CONTENT Design Chief Chelsea Johanning Photo Editor Jordan Johnson Opinions Designer Nell Burgener Sports Designer Kayla Nickerson Arts & Entertainment Designer Skylar Daley Photographers Claire Gallagher, Zach Bukowski, Madelyn Andresen ----
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MUPD REPORTS
EVENTS CALENDAR
JANUARY 14
JANUARY 15
JANUARY 16
JANUARY 21
A non-MU subject attempted to gain entry to a residence in the 800 block of N. 18th Street. MUPD took the subject into custody and transported him to the Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility.
MUPD responded to Carpenter Tower for a report of an odor of marijuana. MUPD cited an MU student and a non-MU guest. Unknown subject(s) entered an unsecured and unattended residence and removed property in the 900 block of N. 18th Street.
Unknown subject(s) removed an MU student’s property from a business in the 700 block of N. 17th Street.
Museum Selfie Day Haggerty Museum of Art All day
A non-MU subject removed money from a business in the 800 block of N. 16th Street. MUPD cited the subject.
A non-MU subject kicked and broke the license plate holder on an MU student’s car in the 1700 block of W. Wisconsin Avenue. MUPD cited the subject for disorderly conduct.
JANUARY 24 Mindfulness Meditation Session with Larry Birkett Haggerty Museum of Art 12-1 p.m.
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News
The Marquette Tribune
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
GAPS: Spokesperson declines to give update Continued from page 1 Lovell said he did not know much about the investment situation prior to it being brought to his attention by the protesters. During the meeting, Gissal discussed the relationship between Marquette and Baupost, providing his assessment of the ethical nature. “I would say (Baupost is) very thoughtful,” Gissal said during the meeting. “Over the years they have had opportunities to invest in life insurance, in other words profiting off of people dying, and they have chosen not to do that because of the ethical nature that they are profiting off from someone else’s negativity.” It is unclear whether Gissal’s claim about Baupost’s behavior is true. During the meeting, Gissal acknowledged that Marquette has a social responsibility to be aware of its investments. He said he wanted to stay away from the politics that are related to the situation in Puerto Rico. “We have to distinguish between government decisions and
investment decisions,” Gissal said. When asked by one of the students involved in the protest if it was fine for Marquette to profit from the hedge fund, Gissal said, “I am not saying anything is fine.” Protesters said they wanted the university to discuss the issues with Baupost and try to determine next steps from there. Hannah Badeau, a Marquette College of Arts & Sciences alumna, attended the 2018 meeting with university officials. “No one in the meeting seemed to want to hear what we were saying … They very consciously avoided having a conversation with us,” Badeau said. Badeau said she believes Myers felt support for the protesters, though she did not provide specific examples. She said she believes this support was one of the reasons he parted ways with the university during the same month as the protest. It is unclear whether this is the case. Badeau said the goal of the October 2018 protest was not to get Marquette to stop investing in Baupost, but rather to get the university to acknowledge that the investment in Baupost
does not align with the school’s Jesuit values. She added that Marquette’s investment in Baupost essentially means that the university is profiting “off the degradation of the social funds of Puerto Rico.” The anonymous source who provided the recording to the Marquette Wire said one of the main goals of the student group was to convince Marquette to leverage its investment in an attempt to stop the Baupost hedge fund from affecting Puerto Ricans in an aggressive manner. The source, who attended the meeting, said they felt that Marquette officials were not willing to listen and instead wanted to justify Puerto Rico’s debt and Baupost’s actions. They felt this was not conducive to having the actual conversation and instead was more an attempt to avoid answering for some of the university involvement. “The university’s plan was to send this financial adviser to tell us that we don’t understand how the situation worked, and it was frustrating,” the source said, referring to Gissal. The source suggested that
Marquette knows the ramifications of its investments and chooses to ignore them. “There is enough reason to believe that there is sketchy stuff going on, and they just don’t care,” the source said. “Marquette University cares deeply about the people of Puerto Rico, especially our students whose families are directly affected by all the challenges that Puerto Rico currently faces,” Stolarski said in an email. Stolarski’s statement is the exact statement that former university spokesperson Chris Jenkins sent to the Marquette Wire in September 2018, after students first shed light on the Baupost investment. In September 2019, an additional group of students delivered a letter to officials asking the university to halt its investments in Baupost. “Your investments in fossil fuels and Baupost are in direct contradiction to the Jesuit Mission,” the letter reads. The university declined to confirm or deny if it remains invested in Baupost. The Marquette Wire was unable to locate this information in the
most recently available tax documents. “The university is committed to ethical investing practices, while acknowledging that there is often a wide range of views when it comes to complex financial matters,” university spokesperson Chris Stolarski said in an email, again repeating the exact words of former university spokesperson Chris Stolarski in 2018. Stolarski added the university encourages government leaders to forge comprehensive policies to help Puerto Rico thrive — another point Jenkins made previously. “It’s all we’re saying on the matter,” Stolarski wrote in an email. A spokesperson for Baupost previously told the Marquette Wire that the hedge fund never advocated for austerity measures on the island. Audio excerpts from the obtained audio are available on the online version of this story at marquettewire.org.
Third Women’s March emphasizes voting Event focuses on social justice, minority issues By Alexa Jurado
alexa.jurado@marquette.edu
On the snowy night of Friday, Jan. 17, five Marquette students met with blank posters, markers and excitement. The group was preparing to go to the Women’s March in Milwaukee. They were Paula Paliwoda, a sophomore in the College of Education; Frannie Lambie, a first-year in the College of Arts & Sciences; Miranda Hunt, a sophomore in the College of Communication; Amy Baudhuin, a first-year in the College of Business Administration and Elizabeth Jonas, a sophomore in the College of Nursing. They created posters, some of which said “Make America Kind Again,” “I Will Not Stop Speaking Until I Am Heard Until We Are Heard Until Things Are Changed” and “Vagina: Maybe they’re born with it, maybe it’s none of your business.” The march, which became an indoor event due to the weather, was held Jan. 18 at South Division High School on the south side of Milwaukee. Along with about 100 attendees, Planned
Parenthood and a number of Wisconsin elected officials were in attendance, as well as students from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Women’s March organization and members of Wisconsin’s Youth Climate Action Team. The event also drew attention to climate justice, immigration, voting rights, the criminal justice system, human trafficking and various minority issues. “This year, we’re uniting to defend our democracy, demand that our leaders hold Trump accountable, protect our planet and fight for our rights,” Sarah Pearson, co-chair of Women’s March Wisconsin, said in a press release. In the press release, Pearson said in 2020, Women’s March is “engaging in targeted actions” that are aimed at those who impede on certain rights and “building” with those who have been at the organization’s side. “We have seen serious attacks under our current administration but we have also seen just what we are capable of when we fight together,” Violet Kilmurray, cochair of Women’s March Wisconsin, said in a press release. The Milwaukee Women’s March was part of a larger movement. There were over 250 events that took place, such as rallies, voter registration drives and marches across the nation,
the Women’s March organization said in an email. The first Women’s March was held following the inauguration of President Donald Trump in January 2017. Ever since, similar events are held in late January. Saturday’s march was the third Women’s March held in Milwaukee. There were marches previously held in 2017 and 2018, but there were no marches organized in the city in 2019. Speakers included Angela Lang, executive director of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, and Shannon Holsey, the president of Stockbridge-Munsee band of Mohican Indians, spoke on issues that affect women of minorities. Iuscely Flores, an undocumented community mobilizer, spoke on engaging the Milwaukee community, particularly the south side. Devore Taylor, mother to Chrystul Kizer, also spoke. She is an incarcerated trafficking survivor who is charged with life in prison for acting in self-defense against her trafficker. Taylor became emotional as she spoke about the effect human trafficking has had on her family. “I wanted to come because I think it’s really important to stand up for women’s rights, especially the women who can’t speak for themselves,” Baudhuin said. “Just to stand up for what
we believe in.” Jonas said she wants to be a voice for women who might not have a voice. “Especially on Marquette’s campus,” Jonas said. “I know people are afraid to stand up for things that they believe in just because they are afraid of what others will say.” Baudhuin said she hoped to make connections with other activists. She also emphasized protecting reproductive rights. “They’re really important and really overlooked, especially with who’s in office right now,” Baudhuin said. “There’s a lot of misconception when it comes to that.” Both Baudhuin and Jonas said they want to encourage people to vote, especially in swing states like Wisconsin. “I’m excited to see a community of women come together and support each other,” Lambie said. “It’s a really cool event.” Hunt said she was excited to get involved in the activism in Milwaukee. “I’m excited to empower women and help enact change,” Paliwoda said. Elizabeth Grout, a first-year in the College of Communication also attended the march. “There’s so much the current administration is doing wrong involving equal rights,” Grout said.
“There’s so many people in office right now that are trying to defund Planned Parenthood, which has done so much for women.” Ava Bloom, a freshman in the College of Communication went to the original Women’s March in 2017 with her mom in Spokane, Washington, and she has been trying to go to every Women’s March since. She said she was there to support Planned Parenthood and to emphasize the importance of environmental justice. Destiny DeVooght and Grace Sorenson, students at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and leaders in the UWM chapter of Women’s March-Wisconsin, led the crowd in protest chants. “Ain’t no power like the power of the people ‘cuz the power of the people don’t stop!” “Donald Trump, go away, racist, sexist, anti-gay!” “Show me what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like!” After the series of speakers, the event had two break-out sessions. One focused on learning to canvass, which is knocking on doors to encourage voting. The other focused on a “relational voter program,” which went through steps on how to talk to people in one’s own life about political causes.
News
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Incumbent mayor Tom Barrett runs for 5th term Candidate hopes to increase jobs, quality early education kelli.arseneau@marquette.edu
Photo courtesy of Marquette Law School
Tom Barrett discusses the mayoral election at “On the Issues” Oct. 8.
and their families. With four previous terms as mayor, Barrett said one area he would like to improve on is increasing the number of jobs in the central city. He said barriers to increasing jobs during his terms have included “a very hostile state government for the better part of the decade” at the same time as “the greatest recession since the Great Depression.” One of the largest successes for the city, Barrett said, is its upcoming hosting of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Barrett said the upcoming convention marks the first time in history that a major political convention has been hosted in any part of Wisconsin. The DNC has not been hosted in the midwest since it was in Chicago in 1968. Prior to that, the last time the convention was in the midwest was 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri, according to Politico. The convention will bring Washington D.C.-level security to Milwaukee, Barrett said. He announced the security perimeter at a press conference last week and the city’s application for a $15 million dollar grant to cover security costs. Barrett said a lot of that money will flow out, but some will stay to economically impact the city. Besides the increased security, Barrett emphasized the mass amounts of media coverage that the convention will bring to the city. “We are going to have literally tens of thousands of journalists that are coming to Milwaukee, and for many of them, they’ve never been here before, so it’s an opportunity for us to paint the canvas,” Barrett said. Barrett said increased focus on Milwaukee from the convention will bring additional revenue into the city, which he said will help address many of the poverty issues
the city faces. As incumbent, Barrett said he thinks he has a lot of experience and an understanding of the city. “I think we’ve made a lot of progress. It’s not perfect — I’m never going to say it’s perfect. We can do more. We need to do more,” Barrett said. “I love to work with people, I love to get things done, and we’ve got a lot of things done and we want to continue to move the city forward.” To campaign for reelection, Barrett said he took part in an “alcoholfree pub crawl.” For three to four weeks, Barrett said he travelled to various bars, coffee shops, diners and bowling alleys throughout the city to have conversations with Milwaukee residents and gather 1,000 nomination signatures. Barrett said he individually gathered signatures when he was first starting out in politics and running for state legislature, but his grassroots approach is considered much more uncommon for a mayor representing hundreds of thousands of people running for reelection. Zach Vornholt, one of Barrett’s campaign staffers, said this approach allowed members of the city to share their thoughts with Barrett, both positive and negative. “If anybody wants to air any grievances that they have, he puts himself out there to have those conversations one-on-one,” Vornholt said. For future campaigning, Barrett said he will have a variety of events throughout the city. He said he has always enjoyed getting out and talking with people. This article is part of a Marquette Wire series featuring the candidates for Milwaukee’s 2020 mayoral election.
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National MU Day’s Saturday tradition ends basketball game. Despite the fact that there has been a negative response to the Sunday National Marquette Day, Josetti said it has not necessarily affected ticket sales for the basketball game. “Ticket sales have been very By Matthew Choate matthew.choate@marquette.edu strong for the game, and we only have around 300 tickets left, so it’s Every year a celebration called on pace to be sold out,” Josetti said. She also confirmed that the National Marquette Day takes place nationwide. While the 25-year-old date will not be changed, and Naevent often takes place on a Satur- tional Marquette Day will take day, this year it lands on Sunday, place Feb. 9. Mitz added that National MarFeb. 9, when Marquette men’s basquette Day is a conference game, ketball takes on Butler. A petition was started to try to get one that falls when students are on National Marquette Day changed campus and not during winter break. back to Saturday, which over 3000 Mitz said the tradition will kick off in people have already signed. Also, Milwaukee on Sunday, Feb. 9 with a a Facebook group called “The pep rally and brunch at Mecca Bar Real Natty Marquette Day” was and Grill, located at 1134 N. Vel R. started in order to celebrate Na- Phillips Ave., at 9 a.m. Those intertional Marquette Day the Saturday ested can register online through before, Feb. 1, when Marquette Marquette’s website. “Special guests will include unitakes on DePaul. versity Danielle Josetti, who president, oversees the marketing Dr. Miand ticketing teams in chael R. the athletic department Lovell, at Marquette and is the former executive associate athMarquette letic director, said the men’s basmen’s basketball team ketball only has home games standout on three weekends in and MilFebruary, on Feb. 1, 9 waukee and 29. B u c k s Stacy Mitz, assobroadcaster ciate vice president Steve Nofor engagement, said vak, and “the game selected vice presifor National Marquette Day is one that Nathan Marzion dent and is nationally televised Sophomore in the College of Arts director of due to the celebration & Sciences a t h l e t i c s Bill Scholl,” across the country.” Mitz said. Josetti said the game “I didn’t think (National Maron Feb. 1 isn’t a nationally televised game, so National Marquette Day quette Day) being on a Sunday was a huge deal. I think a lot of the students couldn’t take place that day. Senior day takes place on treat it more as a National Marquette Feb. 29. Josetto said they “be- weekend rather than just one day,” lieved the seniors deserved to Nathan Marzion, a sophomore in have that day to be a celebration the College of Arts & Sciences said. “Everyone is still going to celebrate of their careers.” As a result of this, Feb. 9 was on Saturday night even though it’s picked as the best day to have Na- on Sunday.” Marzion said he’s a big fan of tional Marquette Day. Josetti said it Marquette basketball and he always has been on a Sunday in the past. Josetti said they did consider hav- shows up early to the games and ing it on Jan. 4 against Villanova, but continues to celebrate afterwards. “There was definitely a negative said “we wanted the students to be reaction right away to it being on a back on campus to be a part of it.” Josetti also said the actual date of Sunday, and I think a big reason for National Marquette Day is decided that was people being so used to it by “constituents from various cam- being on a Saturday,” Marzion said. However, Marzion believes pus departments, including athletics.” These departments collaborate National Marquette Day festo determine the best date that will tivities will remain the same allow fans across the country to despite it taking place on gather and celebrate their love for Sunday this year. Marquette while watching a men’s
Limited home games in February impact scheduling
By Kelli Arseneau
Having served in the position since 2004, Mayor Tom Barrett is running in the 2020 mayoral election for a fifth term. “As excited as I am about the great things that are going on, I’m more determined than ever to make sure that the successes we are experiencing spread throughout the city,” Barrett said. For the 2020 election, Barrett said some key areas he is putting his attention toward include getting more family-supporting jobs into Milwaukee neighborhoods and focusing on early education. Barrett said careers in early education need to ensure proper training and adequate pay so that more individuals can go into the field of early education, thus investing in the future of Milwaukee citizens. “My focus is very, very much on the future of the city,” Barrett said. Part of looking at the future involves focusing on finding ways to be more sustainable, Barrett said. He said the city developed a sustainability plan in 2013 that it continues to follow, which includes reducing the fossil-based fuel energy on city buildings by 25% by the year 2025. He said the city’s three rivers that flow into Lake Michigan — the Milwaukee, the Menomonee and the Kinnickinnic — provide opportunities for positive economic activity like houses, businesses and parks, as well as environmental progress. Barrett said cities like Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Toronto, Ontario, can be looked at as examples for how it is possible to “combine strong economic growth with strong environmental sustainability initiatives.” Barrett said he thinks Milwaukee has the potential to grow in the coming decades to become one of the nation’s leading sustainable cities. Another problem that faces Milwaukee, like many urban environments, is crime and safety. Barrett said he thinks it is important to fight crime by looking at its root causes. He said he aims to take “a public health approach to public safety” by recognizing that things like poverty, lack of educational opportunities and stress stemming from unemployment and a lack of jobs can lead to increased crime. Barrett said an important thing to focus on is going back to economics and finding ways to get more job opportunities that pay enough to support individuals
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A lot of the students treat it more as National Marquette weekend than just one day.”
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News
The Marquette Tribune
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Law School poll sees foreign policy disapproval Data indicates plurality of opinion about immigration By Annie Mattea
anne.mattea@marquette.edu
President Donald Trump’s job approval has not seen much change following the United States drone attack that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani and the House of Representatives’ vote to impeach Trump, according to latest results from the Marquette University Law School poll. The results show Trump’s job approval rating is 48%, with disapproval at 49%. This is the first time since March 2017 that Trump’s disapproval rating has fallen below 50%. The poll was presented by law and public policy fellow Mike Gousha and poll director Charles Franklin at “On the Issues with Mike Gousha” in the Eckstein Hall Lubar Center Jan. 15. The poll was conducted Jan. 8-12. It included 800 registered Wisconsin voters polled by cellphone or landline, with a plus or minus 4.1% margin of error. Despite the decreased disapproval rating, Wisconsin voters
do not feel favorably on Trump’s handling of foreign policy. Fortyfour percent of voters approved, while 53% disapproved and 2% did not know. The poll asked voters if they agreed with the statement, “It’s about time that the U.S. struck back against Iran.” Forty-three percent agreed with the statement and 51% disagreed. Five percent said they did not know. The potential of a serious military conflict between Iran and the United States was also discussed in the poll. Thirty percent said a major conflict is likely and 8% said they did not know. Views about Trump’s actions in Ukraine have also not changed much following the House of Representatives vote to impeach. Forty percent of voters feel Trump did something seriously wrong in his actions with Ukraine, 14% said he did something wrong but not seriously, 37% say he did nothing wrong and 9% did not know. Forty-seven percent of voters approved of the decision to impeach, with 49% disapproving and 3% reporting they did not know. In terms of the upcoming trial, 44% said the Senate should convict Trump and remove him from office, while 49% said the Senate should acquit.
In the December poll, 40% were in favor of impeachment, while 52% opposed. The poll also asked voters about Democratic primary candidates. The top four choices among Democratic primary voters remain the same with former vice president Joe Biden leading, senator Bernie Sanders in second, former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg in third and senator Elizabeth Warren in fourth. However, 60% of Democratic primary voters said they may change their mind. Franklin said the upcoming primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire could shake up the standings. Iowa’s primary is Feb. 3, and New Hampshire’s is Feb. 11. The general election matchups with Democratic candidates versus Trump indicate a close race, with each comparison within the margin of error. Voters were also asked about Governor Tony Ever’s job in office. His job approval is 51%, with disapproval at 40%. The poll also asked voters questions of national policy, including global warming and immigration. Forty-one percent of voters said global warming will cause a great deal of harm to people in the United States. Twenty-one percent said there will be a moderate amount of harm and 16% said
there will be little harm. Nineteen percent said there will be no harm at all and 2% said they did not know. When asked about legal immigration, 41% of voters said the number of legal immigrants to the United States should remain the same, 35% said it should be increased and 20% said it should be reduced. Whether tariffs hurt the U.S. economy was also questioned. Thirty-two percent said tariffs help the economy and 24% said they don’t make any difference. Opinions on relations with North Korea and the United States has not changed much since October. Sixty-five percent say they do not expect the United States to reach an agreement on reducing nuclear weapons within the next year or two, down 1% from 66% in October. More than half of voters say you cannot trust the government to do what’s right. Twenty-six percent said they strongly agreed with that statement, while 38% somewhat agreed. A majority of voters have confidence in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with 33% saying they have a great deal of confidence in the office and 39% saying they have some confidence. Wisconsin voters were also
asked to discuss issues particular to the state, such as Foxconn and satisfaction with public schools. Almost half of voters say that Foxconn is not worth the cost, with 46% believing the state is paying more than the plant is worth. Satisfaction with public schools has a majority in the state, with 15% being very satisfied and 44% being satisfied. More than half of voters also feel it is more important to increase spending on public schools than to reduce property taxes. Seventy percent of Wisconsin voters favor Wisconsin’s law allowing residents to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun. This result is up from 2016 when 63% favored. The law, which went into effect in 2011, was more contentious when polled in 2012. A 2012 Marquette Law School poll conducted April 26-29 showed 47% of voters approving and 50% disapproving. Almost half of Wisconsin voters say the economy has gotten better in the state over the past year, at 48%. Seventeen percent say it got worse and 33% say it stayed the same. Economic outlooks for the next year show 33% of Wisconsin voters believing it will get better, 23% saying it will get worse and 37% saying it will stay the same.
Schroeder, Abbottsford residents’ beds collapse Officials ask that hall furniture be examined, reported By Matthew Choate
matthew.choate@marquette.edu
During the fall 2019 semester, two students reported their beds collapsing, one in Schroeder Hall and one in Abbottsford Hall. Pictures of the collapsed beds were posted onto the Barstool Marquette Instagram page. Catherine Sajdak, a first-year student in the College of Education who lives in Abbottsford, said she was climbing into her bed “with little to no weight on it, and it collapsed down.” Sajdak said she was shocked but laughed about it after it happened. She said maintenance fixed the bed two days later and came every day after the collapse to make sure it was secure. Rick Arcuri, executive director of business operations and auxiliary services, whose role is to tend to maintenance in residence halls and apartments, said the building staff notified him about Sajdak’s bed collapse in Abbotsford. “The center support rod in the
student’s bed became loose, and the boards that rest on it fell through,” Arcuri said. Because Sajdak was not actually on the bed at the time of the collapse, the frame of the bed was still standing. Arcuri said this was the first time they had ever heard about a bed collapsing. He said a company called RT London makes the furniture that was in this particular room, but they have furniture from several different companies in different dorms and rooms. Arcuri said this particular furniture was 13 years old. Vadym Scherba, a sophomore in the College of Engineering who lives in Schroeder, was the other student whose bed collapsed. “As I was climbing into bed, I heard a loud crash, and the bed ended up tipping over on top of me,” Scherba said. “I fell over from the top bunk, and my back hit the corner of a chair and then flat on the ground.” Scherba said the bed ended up missing his friend by mere inches while he was on the couch in the room. He said the fall also caused his TV to break. He added that at first he was in shock, but then made sure his friend was OK. Scherba and his friend were both left unhurt after the bed collapsed.
Photo courtesy of Catherine Sajdak
First-year Catherine Sajdak was not on the bed when it fell last semester.
He said cleaning up the mess was “pure chaos.” Scherba said the process of getting the bed fixed and put back together took about five days. He said he is not concerned this will happen again because the bed seems secure. However, Scherba said when he went to meet with the residence hall administrator, they said there was “nothing they could do” because they had never seen anything like it. Scherba said he was told that
because it was a new situation, they would be forced to claim it was “human error” that caused the bed to collapse and they would not be replacing anything that was damaged, like the TV. However, Scherba said “the main point was that no one got hurt, and hopefully this doesn’t happen again.” Arcuri said his department sent several employees to look at the bed, and it was in the hallway when they got there.
“They put the bed together and didn’t find anything wrong with it,” Arcuri said. “They did notice the student had removed the guard rail so they reinstalled it.” The workers that came to look at the bed had the impression that the bed had been pulled over on its side and that caused the j-hooks to fall out of the frame causing it to collapse, Arcuri said. Mary Janz, executive director of housing and residence life at Marquette, also said the bed appeared to collapse due to student misuse, citing facility staff. To prevent more beds from collapsing, Arcuri said they are asking students to make sure the hardware that holds the bed together is secure, and if a student finds any loose parts, they should report it. A maintenance worker will then come and tighten the parts. Scherba said he thinks “Marquette could make sure the beds are stable enough or replace beds that are not considered safe” to prevent more beds from collapsing. Sajdak also said the university could have workers check the beds when people move in, and if this situation keeps happening, maybe get new furniture.
News
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
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Art therapist promotes wellness at Haggerty Creative practice an outlet for emotion, expression, healing By Shir Bloch
shir.bloch@marquette.edu
Marquette University’s Haggerty Museum of Art hosted art therapist Stephen Legari Thursday night as he talked about his work relating to art and healing. Legari is a program officer for art therapy at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. He works as part of a team that provides therapeutic, well-being, wellness and social inclusion activities in the museum. Susan Longhenry, director and chief curator at the Haggerty, invited Legari because of the connection she saw between his work and the current exhibit at the museum. “This semester the Haggerty is presenting the exhibition ‘Toward the Texture of Knowing,’ which has its roots in conversations that we were having with Department of Philosophy faculty members,” Longhenry said in an email. “I believe strongly that meaningful art museum experiences can, and should, play a powerful role in helping all of us … to not just survive in this world, but to really thrive, flourish and live a life of deep fulfillment and meaning during the short span of time that we’re on this planet.” Some Marquette classes have interacted with the exhibit. On the morning of Legari’s talk, he discussed authenticity and the self with a class that was learning about authentic experiences. He said he answered questions such as “What is an authentic expression of who we are?” and “What, artistically, is a real or fake art experience?” “I knew that art would help express people’s opinions and thoughts and help them communicate, but I didn’t exactly know how much of an impact it actually made until this presentation,” Justine Kwak, a first-year student in the College of Health Sciences, said. She attended the event for her Foundations in Philosophy class. “I realized that art for so many people is a way to escape and get away and an actual way to show your emotions, because communication can be really hard sometimes,” she said. “I hope there is something in there that resonates with the Marquette community. As we think about our own development, our own identity, how we express ourselves,” Legari said. “As a therapist, I’m particularly interested in how people make
meaning out of what they express and how that is validated back to them.” Legari said he also focuses on how he can give back after his own healing experiences to help others achieve that same sense of well-being. Legari also said he believes that the values of service learning, community participation and social justice-oriented work are important at Marquette. On his motivation for working in art therapy, Legari said as he was recovering from illness, he encountered many people who helped him on his journey and “found that art was a great contributor to that recovery.” “When I was beginning to search for the next chapter in my career, I just thought, ‘Is there something that includes both art and healing?’” Legari said. “I was naive not to know a lot about art therapy at the time. Fortunately for me, the city I live in … has an art therapy program.” Legari said he was especially drawn to the connection between art and healing because of his personal experiences. “That’s what drew me to it at first, in some ways this very uninformed idea about what exactly is the connection between art and healing and art and recovery,” Legari said. “And now many years later I have the privilege of working with people and seeing it happen over and over and over again.” Legari’s art therapy programs at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts work with many groups, including people who are in treatment or remission for cancer, young adults who have a communication disability such as deafness or stuttering, people who have experienced trauma — particularly because of violent crime — and women who are undergoing significant life transitions. Legari added that there is a community studio that anyone can drop into. He said some groups come in once a week while others come in once a month. “They’ll also differ in terms of goals,” Legari said. “If you’re working with people who are bereaved, the goals are going to be more around following the grieving process through rather than, say, people who are living with trauma. While there might be grief involved you’re gonna be working more specifically around their ability to tolerate that trauma as it shows up in session.” Longhenry said art museums are not necessarily about buildings, collections or exhibitions, but the experiences people
Photo by Jordan Johnson jordan.d.johnson@marquette.edu
Stephen Legari says his personal experiences drew him to explore art therapy and its healing capacity.
have with the original works of art. She said those experiences can improve intellectual, spiritual, social, emotional and physical health. As Legari works with a wide array of people, each with different treatment methods and goals, he said he has seen the positive effect art therapy can have on many types of people. “I think that art therapy is potentially a good fit for anyone in the same ways that therapy can be a good fit for anyone,” Legari said. “They offer a way of somebody connecting with the wounded part of themselves. Art therapy is particularly awesome because it requires absolutely no experience with art. … It draws upon the fact that just because we are existing, we are creative beings. It can really meet someone where they are.” Legari said that the majority of his funding comes through generous foundations who want to support arts and healing initiatives. Following Legari’s visit, Longhenry said the Haggerty is planning a series of programs that activate the space as a place for reflection, contemplative practice and mindfulness. Those programs include Mindfulness Meditation sessions with Larry Birkett, an Art Therapy programming series by Mount Mary University and yoga experiences led by Catey Ott Thompson, an adjunct instructor of digital
media & performing arts, and Carolyn Swabek, the director of the Trinity Fellows. “I could think of no better way to launch this series than through a talk by Stephen Legari that frames these issues through the lens of progressive art museum theory and practice,” Longhenry said in a email. Legari said being at the Haggerty was a “delightful” experience for him, because of the
people and because of the exhibition itself. “The theme of the exhibition has been a source of my own contemplation,” Legari said. “As I’m listening to myself talk to folks I’ve never met before, I also realize I’m having my own experience at the Haggerty at the same time. It’s something that will resonate with me as I travel back to Montreal.”
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Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Arts &
Entertainment
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Goal of mindfulness guides meditation
Marquette Wire stock photo
Sessions will incorporate some of the Haggerty’s exhibitions, such as Keith Haring’s “Construction Fence” (above). The goal will be to create an atmosphere free from distractions.
Series prioritizes creating space for reflection, creativity By Skyler Chun
skyler.chun@marquette.edu
With all the stress that seems to dominate one’s everyday life, it’s easy to overlook the importance of mental health. Yet, Larry Birkett says it is crucial to living a healthier, happier and more creative life. Birkett, associate director at the Marquette Spirit Shop and meditation teacher for employee and student wellness on campus, will be conducting a series of mindfulness meditation sessions in conjunction with the new exhibition being displayed in the Haggerty Museum of Art: “Toward the Texture of Knowing.” Birkett has had an extensive experience learning and teaching meditation and yoga. practicing been “I’ve meditation and yoga for over 10 years, but I’ve only been teaching meditation for five to seven of those years,” Birkett said. “My journey that led me to meditation was through my yoga practice.
Meditation is one of the eight limbs of yoga, so that’s how I was introduced to it.” The sessions will consist of three separate one-hour periods from noon to 1 p.m. over the next few months in the Haggerty, taking place Jan. 24, Feb. 28 and March 20. Christine Fleming, manager of community engagement at the Haggerty, recruited Birkett after hearing about him from a health and wellness coordinator. While Fleming was planning for the new exhibition, Birkett was one of the recommendations for mindfulness sessions. Fleming said one goal for the museum staff is to offer more innovative ways to use the museum space, and she said hosting events like Birkett’s will allow them to do just that. “It’s the idea of having the museum space flexed to offer all sorts of different experiences for people of all ages,” Fleming said. “In fact, in England and in Canada, the doctors are prescribing visits to museums and walks because they’ve done all sorts of research about it lowering your anxiety and stress levels, and so I’m excited to see how many people we get for his sessions.”
Birkett said he plans to incorporate his meditation sessions with the exhibit space. “I feel that one of the purposes of meditation is to help us be less reactive and more responsive, so it just helps us to slow down and break habitual patterns,” Birkett said. “That’s where this link of creativity comes in. … I thought it would just be really cool to explore that connection in these sessions.” Birkett said he will most likely introduce basic mindfulness — working on being conscious and aware in the present moment — in his first session, before including more interactive activities. “In the second session we’ll start together, but then we’ll break off and we’ll pick a piece of art in the exhibit, and we’ll use that as the focus of our meditation,” Birkett said. Although his ideas are not completely set in stone, Birkett said he has a possible idea for his third session. “We’ll do some sitting meditation just to find our breath and get centered, and then we’ll break that up with some walking meditation, and wherever you end up, when the meditation ends, you’ll sit so it’ll put you in a different place in the room,”
Birkett said. “Like if you could imagine musical chairs.” Birkett’s creative activities stem from an unusual background teaching and practicing meditation. He originally learned meditation from the Shambhala Meditation Center on the East Side of Milwaukee. The center had organized a group of Milwaukee meditators to go into different correctional facilities around the city and offer meditation instruction to inmates, where Birkett said he found inspiration for more creative ways of teaching. He said he found it to be beneficial to combine both the quiet, still meditation with some physical work like yoga. He said introducing yoga to inmates in the correction facilities actually helped them prepare for the stillness that was required during the sitting. Aside from creativity, Birkett said he believes there are numerous other benefits of meditation and yoga, including the chance to escape reality. “One of the big benefits of meditation for people in today’s society is having a chance to unplug from technology, so to unplug from our cell phones, our iPads, our notebooks, our tablets,
our computers and that constant bombardment of imagery and noise,” Birkett said. Miranda Spindt, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, said she believed she experienced some of those benefits after attending a few yoga sessions in the 707 Building last year. “I always went on Monday nights. It was just a good way to start off my week and to bring all my focus back in,” Spindt said. “Especially at the beginning of the week, you’re just so stressed out … but I realized going on Mondays was just like bringing it all back in and being like, ‘OK you’re fine, everything’s okay.’” Spindt said she also found the sessions to be very eccentric, uncomparable to most other physical activities. “It’s like you’re getting a workout, but it’s not super demanding,” Spindt said. “It’s a lot of focus, and you feel like you’re putting a lot of energy into it, but you’re not like out of breath or anything. It’s just a different workout experience. It’s better than running or lifting weights.”
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Arts & Entertainment
The Marquette Tribune
ST. ONGE: New year, new semester
Cleanliness, growth, ‘healthier mindset’ among student goals By Natallie St. Onge
natallie.stonge@marquette.edu
A fresh start. A clean slate. Perfect vision. These are typical hopes for the new year and expectations for the start of a new decade in 2020. But after the confetti pours down and the clocks tick to midnight, what happens to the resolutions set for the new year once it’s underway? Twenty days in, students around Marquette University weigh in on goals and the new year thus far. For Ashley Caraballo, a firstyear student in the College of Health Sciences, she said her New Year’s resolution is to be cleaner. “I think it’s going pretty great so far,” she said. “I mean, we’ve only been back a little bit, but I have all of my stuff together.” This year will be Caraballo’s first full year in college, and she said she is hoping it will be a year of growth. She said she plans to take on this new spring semester “aggressively.” “I like my classes a lot better this semester,” she said. “I am
more into (my classes) than I was last semester.” Third-year law student Griffin Bliler does not have a resolution, though he said he believes they “can be useful.” Though he doesn’t have a specific goal set in place, he said his focus is on the big celebration in spring. “For me, it’s just graduating, making sure I have everything finished up and ready to go,” he said. Besides the weather, Bliler doesn’t think 2020 is much different than 2019. “I’m not sure if it’s been as cold as it was this time last year, but otherwise I don’t think there has been much of a difference,” he said. While Bliler said every year has its ups and downs, he sometimes uses the new year as a restart button, but he said that depends on how the previous year ended. He said he is not sure what the year will have in store and that it “depends on what God has in mind.” Emma Smith, a sophomore in the College of Nursing, said she wants to manage time better and have her “priorities straight” in the new semester. She said she thinks of the new year as the beginning of a new semester rather than the
start of an actual calendar year. Kathryn Fitzgerald, a sophomore in the College of Nursing, said 2020 for her is about having a healthier mindset. Fitzgerald and Smith, who both said they have already experienced struggles in the new year, both said “it can only get better from here” because it
is something they have to do in order to “stay afloat.” But, the two friends have something to look forward to for the decade. “We just entered our 20s ourselves, so it’s a decade of new experiences,” Fitzgerald said. Whether you have goals, resolutions or nothing at all, the
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start of the new year or the new decade can be the restart button you’ve been looking for: to try something new, to get out of that rut or just to think differently. But, if more than 20 days in is making you feel like you are behind, don’t worry; tomorrow is a new day, too. Happy 2020!
Marquette Wire stock photo
For some, a new assortment of courses brings opportunities to approach their academics more “aggressively.”
Milwaukee Bucks to host fourth Pride Night
NBA team dedicates evening to LGBTQ community, inclusivity By Ariana Madson
ariana.madson@marquette.edu
The Milwaukee Bucks will host their fourth annual Pride Night Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. at Fiserv Forum to celebrate the LGBTQ community. Throughout the year, the Bucks hosts theme nights, including “Star Wars” and Halloweenthemed evenings. The Pride Night is held in collaboration with Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, which help to sponsor and provide resources for the evening. Johnny Watson, executive producer of arena and event presentation for the Milwaukee Bucks, said Pride Night is one of his favorite theme nights to host. “(It’s) the energy and the storytelling behind it,” Watson said. “There are so many incredible organizations and community leaders in the city that are part of the LGBTQ community.” Watson said that for the Bucks as an organization, inclusivity and diversity are important. So four years ago, when it came time to pick a theme night, the
organization lookedw at different demographics in Milwaukee. The LGBTQ community stuck out. Watson said that when they approached the NBA about the evening, the NBA wanted to build support and focus on the community as well. During the event, there will be a special performance from local artist Betsy Ade. The halftime show will be a drag show with a video demonstrating the performers’ transformation until they are in full makeup and dress. Throughout the evening, there will be different highlights on community members, including the in-house DJ for the Bucks, DJ Shawna. The LGBTQ Chamber, an organization of different businesses and corporations that are LGBTQ+ allied in the state of Wisconsin, is also being highlighted. Different photos, videos and interviews will be shown, along with live shots of the audience. For the themed nights, Watson explained that it’s their goal to blow these events out and really go over the top to make sure the fans understand it. For example, in some advertisements the event logo incorporates a rainbow as either a border or background behind the Bucks’ logo. “This is reaching out to the
community and doing these things and featuring the LGBTQ community at these games,” Watson said. “We take a lot of pride in that.” Students on campus may consider attending exclusively for the theme. “I’d maybe attend that. … I’ve enjoyed every Bucks game I’ve been to (and) if I were to see how many people were supportive, that may be a positive thing,” Iona
McPeake, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, said. McPeake also said it’s a good step to have events like this to bring some exposure. Zelda Kieser, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences and program assistant at the Marquette LGBTQ Resource Center on campus, said a sporting event would be an area of expansion in comparison to other events they could look
into hosting. Cory Forbes, a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences as well as secretary of Marquette’s Gender Sexuality Alliance, thinks broader events like Pride Night are beneficial if they are meant to bring more awareness. “I think it’s good that there’s a wider recognition and an awareness of LGBTQ issues and a mainstreaming of acceptance,” Forbes said.
Photo by Gary Dineen
Pride Night is one of several theme nights the team hosts at Fiserv Forum, others including “Star Wars” and Halloween.
The Marquette Tribune
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Opinions
PAGE 10
Editorial Board
Alexandra Garner, Opinions Editor Sydney Czyzon, Executive Director Jenny Whidden, Managing Editor Marquette Tribune Natallie St. Onge, Managing Editor Marquette Journal Annie Mattea, News Executive Emma Brauer, Copy Chief Jordan Johnson, Photo Editor
Emily Rouse, A&E Executive Zoe Comerford, Sports Executive Chelsea Johanning, Design Chief Mackane Vogel, Station Manager MURadio Kennedy Coleman, Station Manager MUTV Matthew Harte, Projects Editor
STAFF EDITORIAL
Absence of coordinator jeopardizes sustainability
Four months after an prioritization of susevent to discuss sustainability is present in tainability, Marquette three aspects of LUC: University remains campus, curriculum without a sustainabiland culture. Marity coordinator. This quette offers an envifailure to prioritize ronmental studies maand maintain sustainjor, but the curriculum ability is detrimental is filled with broader to Marquette and the coursework that is not broader community. intimately paired with The position becampus impact. came vacant when forMarquette seeks mer coordinator Brent to enable students to Ribble left in summer positively contribute 2019. The reason for and change the world his departure is unin which they live. By clear. In response to sidestepping sustainwhy a full semester ability, the university has passed without a is not promoting the coordinator, Lora Strireality students will gens, vice president have to face when they for facilities planning leave Marquette. They and management, and may be ill-equipped Mike Jahner, director and ill-informed about of facilities managethe dangers of climate ment, said they want change without a unito find the right fit for versity that prioritizes the position. this issue. But the job opening The university canwas not yet posted to not be slow to act. Photo by Jordan Johnson jordan.d.johnson@marquette.edu the public when the Director of facilities management Mike Jahner speaks with students and faculty members at an event to discuss sustainability. The conversation and spring 2020 semester concern about climate finding a sustainability coordi- these groups are left without the Sustainability with additional team began, and there is no change is growing specific date by which the position nator than it is for finding fac- potential to make the most mean- members to address a broad range across the nation. ulty members in other depart- ingful changes possible to campus of sustainability areas not achievwill be filled, Strigens said. According to a 2019 Harvard able by a lone individual. Past searches indicate the uni- ments. With no guidance nor new sustainability. Kennedy School Institute of PoliStrigens and Jahner said they Progress with sustainability at tics poll, 46% of young Americans versity’s ability to set specific university-led sustainability initiatives, the campus will continue to have maintained the duties of the Marquette is at a standstill due to a agreed with the statement, “Govguidelines for hiring. For example, the search for the incur waste, repeat behaviors that sustainability coordinator’s posi- lack of engagement and discussion ernment should do more to curb new provost was set to conclude at perpetuate overconsumption and tion, yet they did not meet with with students and the community. climate change, even at the exAlthough there have been com- pense of economic growth.” This the end of the fall 2019 semester. contribute to the growth of our SEAC last semester. Laura Schmit, co-president of SEAC and senior posting and recycling initiatives percentage was up 9% from the The university publicly declared a ecological footprint. The university must come for- in the College of Arts & Sciences, on campus, the university has 37% of young Americans who hire would be expected in October 2018 for the new Marquette Uni- ward with a specific timeline and said the sustainability coordinator not provided public updates on agreed with the statement in 2017. versity Police Department chief, plan for the coordinator’s hire. works closely with SEAC to guide other sustainability issues, like On a campus of young individucampus energy, water usage or als, addressing environmental isthough the announcement fell Similar to other searches, it should and coordinate projects. Moreover, none of the Mar- land restoration. behind schedule. In September include campus listening sessions sues should be something the uniIn stark contrast to Marquette’s versity cares about. 2018, deputy Title IX coordinator and candidate profiles to guide quette Sustainability’s social media pages have been updated from efforts, fellow Jesuit university William Welburn said he expected the decision. Caring about sustainability is not Currently, student organizations June 2019 to the publishing of Loyola University Chicago has optional. It is a responsibility an to hire a permanent Title IX coormade sustainability an integral an imperative to which everyone dinator by the end of the calendar — such as Students for an Environ- this editorial. When the sustainability coordi- centerpiece of campus life. year. Welburn followed through mentally Active Campus, Ocean must respond, and the university is Conservation Club and MU Pol- nator is hired, the person must be LUC’s Institute of Environ- no exception. on his timeline. Most recently, Provost Kimo Ah linators — said they have recently equipped with adequate funding mental Sustainability provides Marquette needs sustainability Yun said he hopes the permanent operated without administrative and resources from the univer- multiple environmentally focused leadership to ensure an active efCollege of Communication dean support in their environmental sity. The position is meaningless majors, research opportunities, fort toward a greener, more enviefforts. Without a university rep- without sufficient support. This initiatives and information regard- ronmentally conscious campus. will begin their role July 1, 2020. Timing is more critical for resentative to back their efforts, may mean staffing Marquette ing campus sustainability. The The time to commit is now.
Opinions
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
The Marquette Tribune
11
My experience in Cuba
Alexandra Garner I would like to begin this by stating that everything I speak about is from my own perspective and experience in Cuba. My opinions should not be taken as fact. I encourage you to visit Cuba to develop your own thoughts from what you see. Over winter break, I had the opportunity to go on an International Marquette Action Program to Cuba through Campus Ministry. I.M.A.P. provides students the opportunity to put themselves in another society to deepen their understanding of values such as solidarity, justice and simplicity. To say the least, it changed my life. I can say with confidence and certainty that I am not the same person I was before I left for Cuba. I am humbled by what I saw. Before going to Cuba, I supported and advocated for the idea of community and unity and felt committed to promoting these ideas. I realize now that I lacked an actual grasp on what these ideas meant and had few experiences to articulate their importance.
While I was in Cuba, I witnessed love, community and solidarity in ways I had rarely seen outside of interactions with my family and friends in the United States. I frequently saw these elements of the country manifest in the Catholic churches and centers we visited. But I also saw them on the streets of Old Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad. We not only observed the communities we were in, but we also engaged with them through speaking to vendors in markets and residents in neighborhoods. We were encouraged to speak and interact, but more importantly, to listen. I was expecting the people we spoke with to be standoffish and unwelcoming due to the complicated history and relationship between the United States and Cuba. The United States denied Cuba independence with the passing of legislation like the Platt Amendment and the establishment of institutions like Guantanamo Bay. But I realized early on in the trip that I was very wrong — the people at every church and center we visited greeted us with warmth and compassion. The Catholic Church isn’t just
an institution to attend Sunday mass, as it is commonly seen in the United States. I witnessed the Catholic Church actually serve the community, providing different programming for children, adults and entrepreneurs and focusing on mental health and well-being, technology and research. The Catholic Church helped the Cuban people live, connect and flourish. People actually cared about each other in the Catholic Church and in Cuba in general. Living in an individualistic capitalist society like the United States, such genuine community is not prioritized and often not valued. Despite the wariness and forewarnings of my family and friends, I wasn’t nervous about traveling to a communist country. Unfortunately, fear is a sentiment I feel many Americans have about Cuba and communism in general. The majority of my understanding about Cuba and communism came from learning about the Red Scare, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War through elementary, middle and high school. Communism was always painted
as an idea that had to be eradicated. American values were believed to be under attack. But we do not have the whole story. We understand history through our own lens, and we see what we want to see. We are more similar than we think, which may or may not seem obvious. Racism and poverty exist within the U.S. They exist within Cuba as well. The concern for economic stability exists in the U.S. It exists in Cuba as well. The importance of family, health care and education exist in the U.S. They exist in Cuba as well. Our political institutions are at odds, but that does not mean we have to be. Of course, there are aspects of Cuba that I did not witness or experience while I was a visitor there. I only scratched the surface of Cuba’s culture, beauty and history. But I learned some critical lessons while I was there. First, if we are to survive as a nation, as a people existing on the planet, we must work to see the similarities, not the differences, among ourselves within and across borders and water. We have to try and strengthen the communities around us. And
we must do this while still acknowledging and combating the systemic and interpersonal oppression that groups encounter in our society. Second, we have to check our privilege, whether that be racial, economic, gender or national. And this is not a matter of throwing pity on those less fortunate, but it is rather a matter of understanding and acknowledging our place in society as well as the social geopolitical context. What freedoms do you have? What basic needs are being met? What are you grateful for? Third, we have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, whether that be immersing yourself in a different environment and culture or confronting the past and acknowledging mistakes. We have to love each other. That doesn’t mean we have to agree with everyone, but we have to respect and recognize the existence of every person on this Earth. Without that, I believe we are lost. Alexandra Garner is a sophomore studying politcal science and environmental studies. She can be reached at alexandra.garner@marquette.edu
Celebrity ‘activism’ often insincere, hypocritical Aminah Beg Earlier this week, celebrity Kylie Jenner posted an Instagram story that brought attention to the current bushfire disaster occurring in Australia. The picture was of a firefighter holding a koala bear with the caption: “Over half a billion animals have been killed in Australia. This breaks my heart….” The next slide of her social media story was a picture of her wearing pink Louis Vuitton slippers made from mink, the animal, with the caption “baby pink toes.” People on the internet were quick to call out Jenner for the
Statement of Opinion Policy
The opinions expressed on the Opinions page reflect the opinions of the Opinions staff. The editorials do not represent the opinions of Marquette University nor its administrators, but those of the editorial board. The Marquette Tribune prints guest submissions at its discretion. The Tribune strives to give all sides of an issue an equal voice over the course of a reasonable time period. An author’s contribution will not be published more than once in a four-week period. Submissions with obvious relevance to the Marquette community will be given priority consideration. Full Opinions submissions should be limited to 500 words. Letters to the editor should be between 150 to 250 words. The Tribune reserves the right to edit submissions for length and content. Please e-mail submissions to: alexandra.garner@marquette.edu. If you are a current student, include the college in which you are enrolled and your year in school. If not, please note any affliations to Marquette or your current city of residence.
blatant hypocrisy on her social media posts. One minute she seems heartbroken over the horrible situation in Australia and its effect on the wildlife, and the next she is wearing a dead animal on her feet. The sentiments were completely contradictory and made it seem like Jenner did not genuinely care about the fires or the millions of animals killed. Fans and followers were disappointed in her disingenuous efforts toward the large-scale disaster, especially since she is a billionaire. After the controversy surrounding her Instagram story broke, Jenner decided to donate $1 million to help fight the wildfires in Australia, according to People magazine. This is a massive amount of money that will hopefully make a sufficient impact in Australia’s efforts to fight the natural disaster, but it is hard not to question Jenner’s true motives. It seemed like she donated that money to help remove herself from the scandal and prevent any further backlash about her hypocrisy. No matter her motives, it was still a very influential act, and it is respectable that Jenner let her actions speak louder than her words. This is a phenomenon that is popular in celebrity and entertainment culture. Celebrities understand that the public wants and sometimes expects them to
use their influence positively with the amount of authority they hold. Because of this, they make it seem like they care or are taking action against issues that affect various communities. In reality, their actions speak louder than whatever social media post or short speech they make about it. Award shows are times where this insincere and fake effort in the entertainment and celebrity world is apparent. During award ceremonies, recipients and other prominent celebrities will use their time on stage to address ongoing crises because they are aware of the mass amount of people watching. It is a chance to boost their reputations and get credit for being responsible, educated citizens. However, what these influential people do outside of these events is not always consistent with what they preach about in their speeches. For example, actress Cate Blanchett used her 30-second acceptance speech at the 2020 Golden Globes award show to discuss the Australian bushfires. Other than that, there is no public record available that shows any further action from her. Blanchett did not even inform the audience of steps they could take to help solve the crisis. With her popularity and fame, Blanchett is an individual who would have the means to help alleviate the crisis and make a
significant contribution. Russell Crowe is an example of a celebrity who used his airtime to truly fight for the cause he promoted. Although he won a Golden Globe award this year, he did not attend the show. Instead, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon accepted the statue on his behalf. Rather, he spent his time protecting his home in Australia and firefighting to help with the disaster. He showed his true passion through taking action for what he believed in. Yes, awareness is always the first step toward solving a problem, but some celebrities are among the richest individuals in the world. They have the capability to donate a lot of money or partake in other forms of action, such as volunteering or protesting, that would create a much bigger impact than normal people could. With the power and responsibility celebrities hold, they should be held to much higher standards. These standards include being educated and knowledgeable about the companies or people from which celebrities choose to work for. Various streaming companies, such as Apple and Amazon, are not the most morally sound, according to various accounts from inside the company factories and workshops. According to ABC, Apple uses Chinese sweatshops to create
their products, and, according to Time, Amazon is known for abusing their employees through forcing inhumane work hours and exerting intense pressure on them to complete their work. Celebrities’ efforts and “activism” become hypocritical and come off as insincere when they work for companies that abuse human rights. It feels impossible to consistently choose to work with or use ethical companies when it seems every popular option has a bad reputation. At the same time, celebrities can use their efforts to speak out against the injustices or help those affected. Such action will make celebrities much more reputable, and any future effort they take will be deemed credible and not hypocritical. By choosing to become highly popular movie stars, artists or whatever else it is that places certain individuals in the spotlight, celebrities must understand they now have an influence over their fans and the general public. When the world is constantly suffering from different crises, it is the responsibility of influencers to make an impact and help enact real change. Aminah Beg is a junior studying public relations and cognitive science. She can be reached at aminah.beg@marquette.edu
Sports The Marquette Tribune
BIG EAST TEAMS MUST WIN ON RESPECTIVE HOME COURTS IN 2020 SPORTS, 15
Tuesday, January 21, 2020 PAGE 12
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Morrow on indefinite leave
Marquette Wire stock photo
Ed Morrow (30) shoots the ball in Marquette’s 81-80 overtime loss to Providence Jan. 7. The redshirt senior played in 16 games this season, averaging 3.4 points and 3.4 rebounds.
prior to Wednesday night’s game against Xavier. Following Marquette’s 85-65 victory, head coach Steve Wojciechowski said “it’s hard to say” whether Morrow will return this season. “We’ll play it by ear,” By Zoe Comerford Wojciechowski said. isabel.comerford@marquette.edu The 6-foot-7 forward transMen’s basketball redshirt se- ferred from University of Nenior Ed Morrow is on an indefi- braska following the 2016-17 nite leave of absence for person- season. Due to NCAA transfer al reasons, the team announced rules, he was not eligible to via Twitter Wednesday night. compete with the Golden Eagles The announcement came until the 2018-19 academic year.
Athletics announces departure of redshirt senior prior to Xavier
Last season, the Chicago native played 33 games and averaged 15 minutes, 5.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He was a constant presence in the paint for MU, shooting 59% from the field and contributing 21 blocks, 17 steals and 12 assists. In his final year of eligibility, Morrow had a significant drop in playing time, averaging 11.9 minutes, 3.4 points and 3.4 rebounds over 16 games. Both Xavier and Marquette are 1-3 in conference, trying to
avoid dropping to 1-4 to start BIG EAST play. The Golden Eagles have not had a worse four-game start to league play since 2010. The Musketeers have three forwards in their starting lineup, Naji Marshall, Tyrique Jones and Jason Carter. Without Morrow, Jamal Cain is the only other bench forward who has competed in more than two games this season.
2018-19 2019-20 Games
33 Avg. min. 15 Rebounds 150
16 11.9 54
Rebounds 4.5 per game
3.4
Blocks
21
10
Avg. pts.
5.6
3.4
Shot %
58.8%
46.7%
Graphic by Kayla Nickerson kayla.nickerson@marquette.edu
MEN’S BASKETBALL
MUBB honors Wes Matthews with bobblehead night Bucks starting guard praises program’s family atmosphere By Zoe Comerford
isabel.comerford@marquette.edu
Marquette basketball alumnus Wesley Matthews walked into the interview room at Fiserv Forum not with his Milwaukee Bucks jersey, but instead with his toddler daughter, who repped his No. 23 throwback jersey.
“It’s pretty surreal right now,” Matthews said. “Seeing my grandma here, and she’s got the same jersey on that she wore when I was playing here and seeing my daughter here ... everybody that was here when I played for Marquette — my family, my friends — are here again.” The Golden Eagles honored Matthews before their Jan. 15 victory over Xavier, handing out bobbleheads of the Bucks’ starting guard for the first 7,500 fans. Matthews signed a one-year deal with the Bucks in July
2019 and Wednesday, even teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer made surprise appearances at Fiserv Forum for Matthews’ bobblehead celebration. “Being home again and playing for the Bucks, (the) hometown team, being a block away from where a lot of memories were, it’s a pretty awesome feeling and for Marquette to do this for me, it’s humbling,” Matthews said. While at Marquette, Matthews
played three seasons under Tom Crean, and one with Buzz Williams. He finished his collegiate career with 1,673 points, 628 rebounds, 271 assists and 155 steals per 127 total games. Matthews shot 44% from the field, 34% from beyond the arc and 80% from the free-throw line. He is Marquette’s all-time free throws leader with 549 free throws made and ranks 10th in scoring. The Madison, Wisconsin, native played for the Golden Eagles from 2005-09. After not being selected in the 2009 NBA Draft,
Matthews joined the Utah Jazz for the Orlando Summer League and the Sacramento Kings for the Las Vegas Summer League. He eventually signed a one-year contract with the Jazz and in 2010 was named the Jazz’s starting shooting guard. “I really felt like during that time I became a man, so to speak,” Matthews said. “Not only on the court, but off the court, Marquette really prepared us for life. For a life that we See MATTHEWS page 14
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Tuesday, January 21, 2020
The Marquette Tribune
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WOMEN’S SOCCER
Pelaez feels he ‘never left’ Valley Fields upon return New head coach seeks fresh start with Golden Eagles By John Leuzzi
once that is established, the sky is the limit,” Pelaez said. He is taking over a program that has not seen a change at the top of the helm since 1996 when former head coach Markus Roeders was given the keys to the program.
“I told the team I want them to have a fresh start, a clean slate,” Pelaez said. “I think my main goal this year for them is to work extremely hard, work for each other and enjoy playing soccer. From there, we will be able to look at
same, I think we win in numbers,” Pelaez said. The 2020 season will be the first time in four years that the program’s all-time saves leader Maddy Henry and two big piece defenders Emily Hess and Bri Jaeger will not be don-
john.leuzzi@marquette.edu
When Frank Pelaez was offered the opportunity to return as head coach where his collegiate coaching career started as an assistant, there was only one word to describe it: surreal. “It was never orchestrated to be this way, but I felt in my heart that I never left. It is exciting, it is scary,” Pelaez said. “Every day is like the first day for me right now.” Pelaez returns to Milwaukee and Marquette coming off five seasons at the Loyola University Chicago as an associate and assistant coach for Barry Bimbi. The Cartagena, Colombia, native wants to instill a culture of pride and passion and respect for what they are doing and for each other. “It is about caring for yourself and the people around you. There has to be trust among the coaching staff and among the players, and
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics
Pelaez coaches from the sidelines at Valley Fields. He spent five seasons as associate head coach at LUC.
Despite going a combined 1022-4 (5-10-3 BIG EAST) over the last two years and missing the BIG EAST Tournament during that stretch, Pelaez had a simple message to the team at his introductory meeting with those results in the back of everyone’s minds.
other stuff. I want them to have the best experience.” Pelaez himself plans on coming in with a fresh mind he said as he knows what Marquette stands for as a whole and what student-athletes it caters. “I am going to treat them all the
ning the blue and gold. Despite all of this, the first-year head coach doesn’t see this as a barrier. “I try to avoid the word challenge because I look at it not as a challenge but an opportunity,” Pelaez said. “Marquette has given me an opportunity, so I want them to
have an opportunity. Everything will be positive and straight up.” The University of North Carolina-Asheville graduate plans to maintain a strong nonconference schedule. “Marquette has always played a very good nonconference schedule. I plan to keep that going since I believe you only get better by playing some of the best,” Pelaez said. There is still one key task Pelaez needs to do: construct a coaching staff. Pelaez did not say if Nick Vorberg, an assistant coach on Roeders’ staff, will remain in his position. But he said he has kept in touch with him. Former assistant coach Ashley Bares will not be on Pelaez’s staff as she was named an assistant coach at Iowa State University Jan. 17. “It will still be a little bit of a process,” Pelaez said. “Everything I do, I want it to be best for this team. This team needs something to be inspired again to do great things.” Pelaez wants his next coaching staff to elevate the program to the next level. “I want to surround myself with people who have passion, intensity and are motivated to make (the) women better,” Pelaez said.
TRACK & FIELD
Bill Scholl promotes Bert Rogers, Sean Birren Leaders provide stability, ‘comfort factor’ for runners By Matt Yeazel
matthew.yeazel@marquette.edu
Marquette Athletics announced Jan. 14 that previous track and field head coach Bert Rogers would be promoted to director of both the track and field and cross country teams. Interim head coach Sean Birren was also promoted to permanent cross country head coach. Long-time cross country head coach and track and field assistant Mike Nelson departed three weeks before the season started, prompting these promotions. This left the program with a vacancy and prompted a search for an interim for the season and for permanent options after the season ended. Athletic director Bill Scholl hired Sean Birren, who had previously been a volunteer with the program, making him a familiar face to the returning athletes. Scholl gave Birren the role of interim head coach on the same day his wife gave birth to their daughter, providing a very busy start to the new season for both the team and its new leader. Birren’s familiarity with the
athletes ultimately played a big role as they didn’t have to search for a permanent head coach outside the program. Rogers added that promoting Birren rather than finding a new coach on the outside provided a “comfort factor” and that there will be less uncertainty going into the season. “Birren’s been around, he knows the system, knows the kids,” Rogers said. “He made it a nice smooth transition.” Rogers said the team had a lot of positive feedback about Birren. “He is very intelligent and well versed in the science behind the sport,” Marquette senior cross country runner Brad Eagan said. “He helped this be the smoothest transition it could be, given the situation.” Rogers said that his job will not be affected a whole lot by his new role even though he will not have the head coach tag for the first time in the last 13 years. “The title change is a bit of a formality,” Rogers said. “I don’t feel like it’s changed my day-to-day life so much.” Rogers said that when Mike Nelson was the cross country head coach and then an assistant on track and field, it would be close to an “equal position” in terms of working together to coach the track and field team. He said he welcomes Birren wholeheartedly as head coach, but his own
role will not be changing much. “Birren and I have a great relationship,” Rogers said. “We did back when he was a volunteer. I’m very pleased it worked out the way it did for us.” Rogers will now oversee both the cross country and track and field programs. Reflecting on this promotion and his time at Marquette, Rogers said he is thankful for the extra vote of confidence from the administration that he feels the promotion has given him. “Marquette is a wonderful place. I’m really proud and honored to have been promoted like this,” Rogers said. “This is a place that I love, and I want to continue to do my best for this program and this university.”
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics
Rogers walks on the court at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in 2017.
Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics
In 2017, Rogers speaks to fans at Marquette Athletics’ annual Backyard BBQ to kick off the new season.
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Tuesday, January 21, 2020
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MATTHEWS: Alumnus values well-rounded training Continued from page 12 couldn’t understand, for a life that we couldn’t see. But when it got to the basketball court, trying to make a team in Utah, I wasn’t free of anything. When it got to dealing with people in a room and I have no idea who they are ... because of what Marquette helped us do and grow as men off the court, I wasn’t afraid of anything.” Over the past decade, Matthews has played for six different rosters — the Utah Jazz from 2009-10, the Portland Trail Blazers from 2010-15, the Dallas Mavericks from 2015-19, the New York Knicks from JanuaryFebruary 2019, the Indiana Pacers from February-July 2019 and finally in July 2019, Matthews agreed to return to the city where his basketball career began, signing with the Bucks. “Free agency was a little different than we thought it would be,” Matthews said. “Everything happens for a reason, and God’s timing is always right. Three, four, five, six, seven years ago, I don’t think there would’ve been anyway, if this opportunity presented itself, that I would have (taken) it. I don’t think I would’ve been ready for it. I don’t think I would’ve embraced it.” Despite being so busy competing for the Bucks, Matthews said he occasionally watches the Golden Eagles. He made sure to tune in to the Jan. 4 Villanova-Marquette game along with teammate and former Wildcats guard Donte DiVincenzo. “They play hard, and I love the style of play,” Matthews said. Matthews said after Williams left Marquette, he felt he was in limbo because he didn’t know many people on the team anymore. The first thing current head coach Steve
Wojciechowski did after he was hired, Matthews said, was reach out to alumni of the program like Matthews, Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, Steve Novak and Travis Diener. “You come here because of a coach. Crean left, we had Buzz. When Buzz was still here, it felt like home,” Matthews said. “(Wojciechowski reassured us saying) ‘Hey this is still your place. This is still your home. This is still your guys’ university.’ He invited us all back, and we all came back. ... We ate at Mo’s. We competed against (the team) in open gyms. It felt like home again.” Just as Matthews loves what Wojciechowski brings to the program, the six-year head coach has just as much admiration for the former Golden Eagle. “Wes is somebody you can point to in really every area of his life — whether it’s his basketball life, whether it’s how he handles himself as a man, how he treats his family — you can hold him to our guys as an example of what you want a Marquette man to be like,” Wojciechowski said In terms of the relationship between Crean, Jerel McNeal, Dominic James and himself, Matthews said they are all still close. Matthews said when he goes out to Paris, Williams and himself will try to connect with another former Marquette player, Maurice Acker. “You go through a lot on the court, you go through a lot off the court, but you do it together. You do it with your brothers. You become family,” Matthews said. “That’s the same thing with classes after us ... they’re all brothers. It’s just what this university does.” While Wojciechowski said most people believe basketball is the business of winning
games, that’s not all he wants to accomplish. “We also want to develop men. If we can develop men that are like a Wesley Matthews, basketball aside, then we’ll be really successful,”
said he’s spoken with the nation’s leading scorer, Markus Howard, a few times. “It’s just a respect thing, and it’s kind of like everyone knows when you throw that Marquette jersey on,
grateful as I am for it now,” Matthews said. “At this stage in my career, at this stage in my life, it means more to be home.” The Bucks currently hold the best record in the NBA at 39-6, sitting at
Photo by Zach Bukowski zach.bukowski@marquette.edu
Matthews, teammate Antetokounmpo and Bucks head coach Budenholzer watch Marquette Jan. 15.
Wojciechowski said. “We have really good kids who are going to be great men in our locker room. ... I don’t know if they’re all going to be as good as Wes as a player, because he’s so darn good, but I hope they grow to be the man he is when they’re his age.” The current team still connects with program alumni, and Matthews
not much needs to be said. Take care of business,” Matthews said. “Those guys know they can reach out to us at any time, and we’ll be there.” The 33-year-old is in his 10th season competing in the NBA and said he couldn’t imagine being anywhere but Milwaukee. “I don’t think I would’ve appreciated it and been as
the top of the Eastern Conference and the entire league. “Not only is it just about being home, (but) being on a winning team, being on a great team, a team that has a chance to win the whole thing,” Matthews said. “To do it at home ... there’s no better place to do it.”
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Tuesday, January 21, 2020
The Marquette Tribune
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MEN’S BASKETBALL
BIG EAST home wins crucial for March Madness bid League strives for highest number of teams in NCAAs By Zoe Comerford
isabel.comerford@marquette.edu
In a competitive league like the BIG EAST, it’s imperative for teams to win on their home courts. “Certainly, every year in the BIG EAST you have to try and protect your home court to the best of your ability,” Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski said. However, this season, homecourt advantage hasn’t always been a guarantee. The 10 conference teams have a combined 18-11 record this season when on their respective home courts. “All of us coaches think we coach in the best league in the country. Whether we’re the best, but we’re far from the worst, this year in particular you have to try to protect home court,” Providence head coach Ed Cooley said. “It’s so hard to win on the road in those environments. Every team is right there. Every team has great players, their systems are good. You
Creighton assistant coach Paul place at the time, when No. 1’s playing 10 in this conference, it’s Lusk said. In his first season with the BIG a tough game. I don’t think there’s EAST, St. John’s head coach Mike any other conference like that.” However, Wright said this year Anderson said it is one of the best leagues in the country. Anderson in particular is extremely unique. “I can guarantee you whoever’s has never had a losing season as a Division I head coach, competing in 10th place right now probin both the Southeastern Confer- ably has a great chance of beence and the Big 12, most recently ing an NCAA Tournament team based on what spending eight they’ve done so seasons with far this season,” the University Wright said. of Arkansas. In BIG EAST “We saw it in history, the renonconference cord of conplay, and it’s carference teams ried over into that made the conference play,” 64-team NCAA Anderson said. Tournament was “On any given back in 2011 night, anyone when 11 league can get anyone. teams qualified ... We’re seeing it for the postsearight now, where we’re beating up JAY WRIGHT son: Connecticut on each other. Villanova head coach was the conference champion Hopefully, it conthat year and tinues and it puts us in position to get many, many Syracuse, West Virginia, Villanova, Marquette, Cincinnati, Notre teams in postseason play.” Anderson said the only differ- Dame, Louisville, Georgetown, ence between other leagues and Pittsburgh and St. John’s received this one is that the BIG EAST is a at-large bids. That was the most of
“
I’ve said it every year that top to bottom, this has always been the best conference in the country.”
Marquette Wire stock photo
Marquette players huddle before the Golden Eagles’ 81-80 overtime loss to the Providence Friars Jan. 7.
have to protect home surface if you’re going to try to compete for a championship, (if) you’re going to try to compete in an NCAA bid.” There are only two teams that have yet to lose to a BIG EAST opponent on their respective home courts: Seton Hall and Villanova. The Pirates are undefeated in conference standings, while the Wildcats are a perfect 9-0 this season at Wells Fargo Center and Finneran Pavillion. Meanwhile, the other eight BIG EAST teams have accounted for 11 home losses. Out of those 11 losses, 12 points was the largest margin for the away teams to come out with a victory. “The league is very balanced. Each and every night there’s going to be a lot of close games,”
basketball-only conference. Since every team from top to bottom in the conference can compete with each other, there’s only one thing teams can do. “You have to bring it each and every night,” Anderson said. “That says a lot about the parody in basketball.” For coaches like Villanova’s Jay Wright, who is in his 19th season as head coach of the Wildcats, typical BIG EAST basketball means six teams receive bids into the 64team DI NCAA Tournament. In 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2015 and 2018, six conference teams made a bid. “I’ve said it every year that top to bottom, this has always been the best conference in the country,” Wright said. “Whoever’s in 10th
any conference by a landslide. In comparison, the Big Ten only had seven teams earn a bid that year. In 2012, there were nine teams from the BIG EAST that earned bids. In 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2013, eight teams from the conference appeared in the NCAA Tournament. Seven league teams made the 2009 NCAA Tournament, and there was a span of four straight seasons from 1997-2001 where five conference teams made the NCAAs. Since the realignment of the BIG EAST in 2013-14, the highest number of bids occurred in 2017 when seven league teams made the Tournament: Villanova as the automatic qualifier and Marquette, Providence, Xavier, Creighton, Butler and Seton Hall with at-large selections. Last season wasn’t as successful, sending only four BIG EAST teams to the 2019 NCAA Tournament. The conference combined for a 1-4 record in postseason games, with only Villanova making a Round of 32 appearance. “I’d love to see us test history and see if we can get the highest percentage,” Wright said. “I think we have a shot to do it.” Though Wright’s team handed Creighton its lone loss at CHI Health Center Omaha Jan. 7, the Wildcats failed to beat Marquette at Fiserv Forum Jan. 4. As far as other home court losses, the Bulldogs, Blue Demons, Hoyas, Golden Eagles, Friars and Red Storm have all dropped games at their respective home courts. Butler dropped a game to Seton Hall at Hinkle Fieldhouse Jan. 15. DePaul fell to both Seton Hall Dec. 30 and Providence Jan. 4 in backto-back games at Wintrust Arena. “We have to play with confidence,” Georgetown’s head coach Patrick Ewing said. “We have to play with the same mindset going into Villanova or wherever else we have to go play. Come out with energy, effort, play confident
and hopefully at the end of the day we’ll get a win.” Georgetown dropped its first league game at Capital One Arena to Marquette Saturday in an 84-80 decision. “If you can get a road win, that’s been hard to come by and it’s because teams are so good and home courts are so good,” Wojciechowski said. Meanwhile, Marquette’s only loss at Fiserv Forum went to Providence in overtime Jan. 7. Providence’s one conference loss at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center was to then-No. 6 Butler Jan. 10. St. John’s lost to both thenNo. 11 Butler at Carnesecca Arena Dec. 31 and No. 10 Seton Hall at Madison Square Garden Saturday. Xavier fell to both Seton Hall Jan. 8 and Creighton Jan. 11 at the Cintas Center. After losing to Georgetown at Capital One Arena Jan. 8, Anderson said life in the BIG EAST means teams must defend home court and have players that bring physical defense on the road. “We just had to have some guys out there that could bring the physicalness and bring the ... toughness that you need to compete in the BIG EAST on the road,” Anderson said. Regardless of being home or away, there are no automatic wins in this conference. “The league is a grind,” Wojciechowski said. “I really think every win is gold.” Cooley said the league will probably get seven to nine teams into the NCAA Tournament. “If you can protect home court as best you can and try to get lucky on the road a few times, you’re going to position yourself to be an at-large team if you can’t win the conference championship and or post-season championship,” Cooley said. “Buckle up, it should be a lot of fun. That’s what our league’s about.”
Marquette Wire stock photo
Markus Howard (0) pumps up the crowd at Fiserv Forum during Marquette’s 71-60 win over Villanova Jan. 4.
16
Sports
The Marquette Tribune
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
ESPORTS
Club sees 2nd pushback, sponsorship search continues Gamers still need facility, hope to begin in fall 2020 By Bryan Geenen
bryan.geenen@marquette.edu
After already being delayed from a fall 2019 debut, esports was expected to become a varsity sport this spring. As the semester opened though, Marquette Athletics was unable to find a corporate donor. The esports community will have to wait for the program’s advancement until at least next fall. University President Michael Lovell previously announced in January 2019 that it would be “fairly easy” to find a sponsor to make Marquette Athletics the first Division I athletic department to have varsity esports or competitive video gaming. Patrick Glogovsky, the esports club president and senior in the College of Communication, said the club is still going to compete and represent Marquette. The club is still just a club, but it has great support and an incredible opportunity to blow up in the future, Glogovsky said. “It’s kind of ‘same old’ for us
because we just do what we do as a club team. We’ve been doing this for three years now, and we know what we have to do as a club,” Glogovsky said. “The fact that it’s not a varsity sport yet is disappointing, but I’m not, like, in anguish over it. I know the players are more disappointed than I am because I just focus on the club.” The team has been unable to find a corporate sponsor so far, according to associate athletic director Scott Kuykendall. “We have been reaching out to companies regarding potential sponsorships for several months and that continues,” Kuykendall said in an email. “While we have had interest, we have yet to secure a sponsorship significant enough for us to move forward with the construction of the facility necessary to house a varsity Esports program. It’s our hope to have identified a partner by the start of the 2020-21 academic year. That is our goal right now. “ However, the lack of sponsorship confuses Glogovsky. “It’s very odd to me that we’re struggling to find a sponsor so much. For Marquette University, I don’t think it should be as hard as it’s been, so that’s disappointing to me,” Glogovsky said. “ We started gaming and esports at Marquette,
so I would like to see it explode and take off.” Riley O’Brien, the club’s vice president and a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, echoed Glogovsky’s sentiment when he first heard the news. “It was disappointing. I understand that obviously, it’s important for them to find a sponsor and be able to pay for everything,” O’Brien said. “It was only disappointing because my understanding was that if it wasn’t going to be starting this fall, it would be this semester but now that’s not a thing. At a certain point, I feel like it’s just getting pushed back more and more,” O’Brien said. Esports member and a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences Joshua Fendry-Gill was also upset with the decision to wait until next semester. “It definitely kind of sucks. I remember reading a few articles about it and seeing the concept for the new gaming room they were going to set up. I was definitely excited for it. I know for a while we didn’t hear any news about it, so I kind of started to have doubts later on, and, once I found out, I guess it was a little bit of a letdown,” Fendry-Gill said. Kuykendall said once the program finds a sponsor, Marquette will begin to build a facility. The
facility would be open to all students, with set hours dedicated to the varsity players. “A program becomes ‘varsity’ when an institution begins recruiting players to campus to participate on the team,” Kuykendall said. “Once a funding source is identified to supplement the construction of the playing facility, we will move forward with the hiring of a coach and identifying team members, who could already be on campus or interested in attending Marquette in the future. “ With the program’s starting date being pushed back, people like O’Brien and Glogovsky — who are both seniors and the two individuals who helped bring esports to Marquette — will not be able to see the transition to a varsity sport or the creation of a new facility. “Having a physical space would be the easiest way to visualize the success that we’ve made and that the club has had,” O’Brien said. “That would have been huge, and that would’ve been a physical marker to say, ‘Hey, we’re the reason (esports) is a thing.’ It would’ve been nice to see something come to fruition, given it’s my last year at Marquette.” Kuykendall said that despite the program not achieving varsity status this semester, the team still
represents Marquette. “We have partnered with the club team for the past two years to represent Marquette in events sponsored by the BIG EAST Conference,” Kuykendall said. “ Those events have occurred online and included League of Legends and Rocket League and this December we sent a team to NYC to participate in a Rocket League tournament. While we don’t have a varsity team, Marquette has still been represented. “ Glogovsky said the program has come a very long way, from having only six members attend the meetings at the club’s inception to this semester when over 100 individuals attended the club’s meeting, Glogovsky said that since it was his senior year, he was disappointed but was happy to see the progress. Though both seniors are graduating this spring, O’Brien said what matters is what is to come from their work over the past four years. “At the end of the day, it’s more about the intangible thing that we created, the seed we’ve planted in the administration,” O’Brien said. “I’m looking forward to seeing 10, 15 years down the line where Marquette esports is developed and what will happen at that point. “
Graphic by Kayla Nickerson kayla.nickerson@marquette.edu