Swarthmore Phoenix, October 11, 2018

Today in OPINIONS: Giorgia Piantanida on being abroad and making friends A5, Laura Wilcox on dogs on Twitter A5, Ryan Stanton on academic communities A5

PHOENIX

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Bees at Swat Anatole Shukla

explores the bees of Swarthmore

VOL. 146, NO. 5

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Athlete of the Week

Meet Alyssa Nathan of Women’s Volleyball

October 11, 2018

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Crumb Cafe Faces Growing Pains Dining plan changes put pressure on student-run cafe Katie Pruitt & Bayliss Wagner News Editors

T

he Crumb Cafe (formerly Paces), the college’s only student-run business, continues to adjust to significant changes this academic year with some difficulty. According to their student management team, the sudden increase in demand at the Crumb has overloaded workers and increased wait times to over 45 minutes at peak times. This, along with changes to the schedule of Essie Mae’s, has put the dining scene at the college in flux.

For the Crumb Cafe manage-

The week ahead FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK FALL BREAK

WEATHER Who cares? It’s fall break!

CONTENTS Campus news A1-A2 Arts news A3-A4 Opinions A5-A6 Campus journal A7-A8 Sports A9-A10 Read more at swarthmorephoenix.com Copyright © 2018 The Phoenix

ment team, this semester has presented both the successes and the difficulties that come with an ambitious and risky expansion.

Two years ago, Paces was open four nights per week and made around $90 in nightly revenue; last spring was the first semester for which the cafe turned a profit.

Now, the Crumb makes an average of $930 each night and is open seven nights per week — leading to an increase of about $6,150 in weekly revenue. More than 80 percent of that revenue comes from meal swipes. According to Head Director of Crumb Café Ahmad Shaban ’19, the profits will go to-

wards employing more students, buying new and nicer equipment, and experimenting with higherquality ingredients.

Last April, after months of deliberation and meetings with their advising group made up of administrators of Dining Services, Auxiliary Services and the Office of Student Engagement, the leadership team decided to move the latenight cafe from Paces to Sharples, according to Shaban. In addition, they would now be open seven nights a week, serving as the only late-night cafe and social space on the weekends.

“We had been discussing a pos-

sible move with them all of last year, but at that point, they decided as a team this would be best for them and the viability of the Crumb (then still known as Paces),” Assistant Vice President for Auxiliary Services Anthony Coschignano said. “We were excited to help them make this transition because it would increase the number of student jobs, help the cafe expand their menu, and give them the opportunity to operate seven days a week, which had been a long-time request from many students.”

But two weeks before the start of the semester, the advising

group to directors of the Crumb Cafe, which includes administrators from Dining Services, Auxiliary Services, and the Office of Student Engagement, asked them to accept meal swipes. In the spring, the team had planned to accept both Swat Points and Dining Dollars (on-campus points) rather than just Swat Points, then transition to accepting meal swipes after they became accustomed to the new space.

“It was like, ‘Oh my god, I don’t know if we can do this,’ Shaban said. “Our end goal was to accept continued on page A2

SJP Announces BDS Campaign

Nara En / The Phoenix On Tuesday, Students for Justice in Palestine announced that they were beginning a Boycott, Divest, and Sanction campaign at Swarthmore. Their goal is to Enthey / Thedeem Phoenix get the Board of Managers to divest Swarthmore’s two billion dollar endowment from seven companies that they say have contributed toNara what Israeli apartheid: Caterpillar, Hyundai, Boeing, Elbit Systems, Lockheed Martin, Hewlett Packard, and Bank Hapoalim. The announcement event included several speakers and one spoken word poem. The campaign is part of an international movement that aims to pressure Israel to improve their treatment of Palestinians.

Honors program enrollment up for class of 2019 George Rubin News Writer The number of seniors doing an honors major is up by 34 students this year contrary to rumors of declining enrollment in the program. While the number of students involved in the Honors Program varies by department, the data show that around 20 percent of the senior class graduated with Honors each year for the past five years. According to Director of the Honors Program Grace Ledbetter, the program has been working to change its perception by the student body.

Honors is a college-wide program which involves in depth study of a few topics, usually in the form of four two-credit seminars, and the external examination by members of the field outside of the college. Students who graduate from the program are awarded either Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors written on their diploma.

While between 18.9 percent and 23.5 percent of each graduating class received Honors diplomas in the last five years, there still exists a view among students that the program is decreasing in size.

“During the Honors meeting this year, I believe that they said the enrollment in the Honors program has decreased over time,” said Honors psychology student Emma Kassan.

Chair of the History Department Timothy Burke, who is also CoChair of the Aydelotte Foundation, an organization that researches liberal arts education programs, mentioned that it was difficult to separate honors seminar enrollment trends from enrollment trends in the honors program in general.

“We have seen that it’s a little harder to maintain the range of seminars that we’ve had in the past,” Burke said, “but we still have a pretty healthy number of students involved in our program.”

Though 30.5 percent of curcontinued on page A2

Tri-Co Pilot Program Brings the Classroom to Philadelphia

Abigail Young News Writer

This spring, the Tri-College Consortium is launching its new pilot program for students to take two classes at the Friends Center in Center City Philadelphia. The program is rooted in the desire of the presidents of the Tri-Co schools to strengthen collaborative relationships between the three colleges. It was originally intended to be an immersive program in which students from the Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, and Haverford Colleges live in Philadelphia for a semester and take all their classes there. This remains a future goal for the program to build up to after its initial semester.

The program offers three classes, one of which is required. The core course is “Philadelphia: Inventing a City,” taught by Thomas Devaney, a visiting professor of English at Haverford.

“We explore the city’s rich literary history. [Philadelphia] is also a City of Ideas, an incubator, a place where ideas and ideals have been tested out in real-time,” Devaney wrote.

“The class is an immersion in the city and its literature. There will be a number of site visits and guest speakers. A throughline is living with the presence of the past.”

In addition to the core class, students can choose one of two elective courses. One is a politi-

cal science class, “The Politics of the Creative Class in American Cities,” taught by Stephen McGovern, an associate professor of political science at Haverford. The other is “Narrativity and Hip Hop,” an English class taught by Mecca Sullivan, an assistant professor of English at Bryn Mawr.

The program also involves monthly activities in the city, some of which will be mandatory and others which will be optional. These activities will range from volunteering to social justice work to leisure activities.

According to Calista Cleary, the planning director of the program, students may have the opportunity to design and direct activities in the city. “[The program] will offer students the opportunity to experience and to better understand the diversity of the world we inhabit, to directly observe and grapple with how scholarship connects with and maps onto real-world experience and to appreciate cities as vital sites of innovation, creativity and complexity,” Cleary said.

One of the goals of the program is to center learning on the city of Philadelphia and show real-world applications to what students have learned in the classroom.

“The program was designed to elevate the institutions’ collective educational goals by expanding opportunities for students, as well as the three

Emma Ricci-De Lucca / The Phoenix

colleges, to become more active and engaged citizens of a broader community,” Cleary wrote.

Some other goals for the future of the program include adding a wider range of disciplines, including STEM classes, to the curriculum.

The application is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors from the Tri-Co. According to Cleary, the reason for not including first years is that they are still acclimating to their campuses.

Though the program begins in the spring of 2019, applica-

tions are due October 26, and students will be notified on November 5 if they have been accepted. The Swarthmore information session is on October 25, and it is mandatory for students who are applying. continued on page A2

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THE PHOENIX NEWS

Honors Program, continued from A1 rent seniors (124 students out of a class of 406) are set to graduate with Honors compared with 21.3 percent of the class of 2018 at this time last year (89 out of 418), the proportion of Honors to course majors varies dramatically by department. For example, the number of Honors majors in political science ranges from 20-24, while the number of Honors majors in computer science ranges from 0-1. This is despite the fact that 70 students graduated with degrees in Computer Science last year compared with 44 in Political Science.

Alex Jin ’19, an Honors history major, described the variation by department in his own experience. He mentioned that there was a significant difference in student interest from class to class and from discipline to discipline.

“I had eight people in my first [Honors seminar], five people in my second one,” said Jin. “I know all my Poli-Sci friends have maxed out seminars at 12. It just seems very different across the disciplines.”

Burke described these differences as a product of the history of Swarthmore College as an institution. According to Burke, the readings and exams that students prepared as part of the Honors Program started out as interdisciplinary and interdepartmental.

At some time in the 1960s, the college’s departments became autonomous and it was up to each department whether they wanted to invest themselves in the program.

“Departments here have very strong autonomy over their own majors, their own disciplines, and individual faculty within departments have very strong autonomy over their classes,” said Burke. “What that means in effect is that each department makes decisions for itself about Honors.

Are we gonna be very invested in it, or minimally invested in it? Is it an important system to us as a department, or is it not?”

Professor Ledbetter also mentioned that the Computer Science and Engineering Departments, two of the only Departments with almost zero participation on the program, have special circumstances. The Department of Computer Science in recent years has undergone a staffing struggle, said Burke, leaving them unable to cope with the number of students interested in the program.

“They feel they can’t create a separate instrument for Honors that gives the program a privileged place within the sequential curriculum at the moment,” Burke said. “[That] doesn’t necessarily mean that they oppose it.”

Ledbetter attributed the lack of Honors students in Engineering to the existing system for outside assessment involving a culminating project and presentation.

“Part of what the Honors program does for all of the departments here, is we get assessed, our teaching, our syllabi, all of

that by our colleagues in these other universities and colleges,” said Ledbetter. “Engineering already has that in place, they don’t necessarily need it.”

According the Ledbetter, the notion of Honors as a humanities driven program is another common misconception.

“If you look at the number of preparations for the last few years, the largest number of preparations are in social sciences, the second largest number are NSE, and the smallest number is in humanities,” Ledbetter said. “[...] It has not been for quite a long time anything like a humanities driven program. But a lot of people think it is, I think most faculty think it is.”

Jin also felt that the Honors program could be applicable across disciplines.

“I don’t think discipline changes the integrity of the program,” said Jin. “The idea of the program is to have these in-depth studies in whatever way shape or form [...] I think those are the central themes so as long as you keep those, its not much of a change.”

Conversations with faculty members significantly influence sophomores’ decisions to pursue Honors, according to Professor Ledbetter. In the spirit of better communication between the faculty and student body, the Honors program came out with a new brochure last year in an attempt to clarify its mission and make the program more broadly appealing said Ledbetter.

“We are trying to emphasize that it’s not a program for people who want to go into academics,” said Ledbetter. “It’s something that builds confidence and leadership skills. It’s just an educational opportunity that everyone can benefit from.”

The program faces another challenge communicating: when seniors who have graduated don’t necessarily relay the benefits of the program to the underclassmen, according to Burke.

“You don’t see the students after they’ve finished it,” said Ledbetter. “They really love taking the oral exams, which doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, but in retrospect, they feel like they’ve accomplished more than they ever thought they could accomplish.”.

Students who do hear about the program hear positive feedback.

“Being able to meet an external examiner and show off what you know is probably the best part of the experience from what I’ve heard,” said Jin. According to Ledbetter, the Honors Program had an event last month which allowed seniors to speak retrospectively about their experience with the program.

Whether or not these efforts to put common misconceptions to bed and change the student body’s perception of the Honors Program have been effective, the data indicate a strong program with no trend towards decline.

October 11, 2018

Crumb Cafe & Essie’s, continued from A1 everything on the meal plan but how we wanted to get there was we wanted to maybe do it slowly, so we could make sure we could handle every level of demand …

We just kind of had to go for it, take a risk and see what happened.”

However, when it came to hiring, they ran into a myriad of difficulties. Worker slots increased from 40 open shifts at Paces in 2017-2018 to 80 open slots at the Crumb, and these slots were not completely filled until Oct. 9. Because the Crumb had a history of hiring a higher ratio of work-aid students to non-work-aid students that other student employment organizations, Shaban felt that dealing with JobX was an unnecessary hurdle with the other adjustments they had to make.

“We had to push back our first day because we had issues with JobX,” Shaban said. “By trying to address the issue [through JobX], the school made it more difficult for us to do our whole hiring process ... We just kind of had to wait until after the applications were open to the community at large to really be able to start hiring and start training everyone and working.”

Kitchen Directors Adam Schauer ’19 and Henry Han ’20 logged over 40 hours per week in the beginning of the semester in order to train workers in time for the opening, according to Shaban.

“There’s definitely moments where it was like, ‘We may have tried to put too much on our plates,’ Shaban said. “There were moments where we felt like we had to just grind through it and just log in a crazy number of hours just to make sure people get hired, people get trained and we’re opened by the date we said we were gonna open.”

Regardless, the move to Sharples greatly improved the experience for workers at the Crumb compared to Paces, Shaban said.

Sharples has its own cleaning team, so the student cleaning crew no longer had to convene at Paces on Sunday nights to remove the residual smell of beer and sweat of from Paces, which doubles as a

party space. Ingredients are also easier to access; when Shaban was kitchen director, he had to push a cartful of ingredients up the hill, from Sharples to Clothier.

At the same time as the college asked the Crumb Cafe team to take meal swipes, Dining Services staff members learned of the changes to Essie’s late-night program. According to an anonymous Essie Mae’s and Science Center Coffee Bar worker, who will be referred to in this article as Jordan, staff members had concerns about the new menu.

“We didn’t really agree with [the changes], we were all kind of beside ourselves, just like, ‘How is this going to work, like how on earth,’ but we’re making it work in a way,” Jordan said. “I can’t say it’s for the best … If we’re going to improve, we should improve by giving more options rather than taking options. And I think in that way we can cut down on certain things, maybe portions or whatever, but to take things out completely, it’s a bit ... excessive.”

Previously at Essie’s, students could use a late-night swipe for any items in the store totalling seven dollars, including custommade sandwiches, hot drinks, snacks, etc., whereas this semester, students can only buy certain items with meal swipes. According to Coschignano, these changes were intended to speed up movement through Essie’s and to restrict the use of swipes to meals.

“The meal equivalency included in college meal plans was intended to give students access to a meal after Sharples’ dinner hours, rather than the chance to purchase snacks or grocery items from Essie’s,” he said.

Though the options for entrees now include leftover sushi and Chinese food from Science Center lunch, only the grill is open for food after 8 p.m., so students can order chicken fingers and fries, but not custom sandwiches. According to Jordan, the majority of premade sandwiches do not sell at Essie’s, so they are sold at Science Center the following day.

“I feel like it’s key to make the

dinner menu made right in front of you,” Jordan said. “It’s very little work to do … If you’re experienced, or even if you’re moderate, it just takes a minute to do. I feel like it’s worth that cost and that effort.”

Dining services staff members’ overall hours have remained constant since last semester, but staff have significantly less work, Jordan said. They feel that this is not necessarily an improvement for staff members, because making sandwiches does not take time for experienced workers and making food for students is often rewarding.

“I really enjoy cooking on the grill,” Jordan said. “One of my favorite things to see is when we’re closing up and it’s just crowded and everybody smiles and music’s playing and … it’s like a bond. It’s a family in a sense, and it’s awesome, it’s just awesome seeing that.”

The Crumb Cafe’s busiest night is Sunday, likely due to the fact that Essie’s food services are closed on weekends this semester. While the employees at Essie’s have more free time thanks to the dining changes, the student workers at the Crumb are struggling to keep up with booming demand.

“At first, we were really backed up on orders,” Sue Kim ’21, a Crumb barista and manager, said. “Honestly, it’s just the sheer amount of people ... We want the best experience for them. Sometimes people get upset when their orders don’t come out on time ...

That’s no one’s fault, but it’s always stressful as a barista or as a short-order chef to have people waiting and we can’t really do anything about it. That’s honestly been the biggest impact on me, in terms of the change.”

Kim was not previously accustomed to making drinks at a breakneck speed. She worked at Paces last semester as a barista; the more relaxed environment allowed her to spend time making custom drinks for students.

“It’s just been a little weird ...

I still like working here, but it’s just a completely different atmosphere. [Last year] I’d show up to

Paces and we’d just hang out. It was a cute place to be ... But hey, I signed up for it,” Kim said.

Perhaps anticipating the more demanding nature of the job, fewer previous Paces employees than expected returned to work at the Crumb.

Sam Sheppard ’21 was one such student who chose not to go back to the Crumb. “I was gonna be a manager this year, then I saw how stressful it was gonna get. I was like, with everything with Essie’s, [the Crumb is] gonna get a lot of customers. I don’t want to have to deal with that,” he said.

Shaban, however, is optimistic that the wait times will improve as the employees become accustomed to the new way of doing things. After this adjustment period, he says, the team plans to incorporate a greater variety of vegan and vegetarian options as well as planning student group “takeovers” of the cafe. “[Increased] waiting time is really due to staff being in a new space,” Shaban said. “There weren’t as many returners as we would’ve liked. So a lot of people are new or people have not that much culinary experience. Once people get more comfortable … they’ll speed up the process, and we hired another manager per night to help the short-order, the back, or the front, or anyone who gets swamped with orders.”

Despite the setbacks that the Crumb Cafe has experienced, Shaban is still encouraged by the community that has sprung up around the food and the new space.

“There are concrete ways to get involved in organizations at Swarthmore where you get to see direct impact of your actions, like [when] you make a drink and you give it to someone and it puts a smile on their face … When I do that it makes me really happy and I wanted to share that feeling with as many people as possible,” he said. “I think nowadays we spend so much time on finding problems with a lot of things and don’t spend enough time just appreciating the little things.”

Swarthmore Indigenous Students’ Association members observed Indigenous Peoples’ day on Monday, with events in Parrish and a display on Parrish Beach

Emma Ricci De-Lucca / The Phoenix

Crossword Solution

Emma Ricci De-Lucca / The Phoenix

Students celebrate Fall Community Gathering on Parrish Beach by playing Connect Four

ARTS

October 11, 2018 PAGE A3

“Ebb Tide”: The Powerful Works of Tasha Lewis ’12 Exhibit at Magic Gardens Juliane Ding Arts Writer

W

alking into the Ebb Tide exhibit, currently on view in the Magic Gardens of Philadelphia, the audience is submerged in images of the sea. The ocean-tide-colored sculptures of the exhibit, displayed against seafoam-green mosaic walls, echo the scattering messages and assorted cut glass that embody the essence of the Magic Gardens. The tiles bounce light off the matte sculptures, creating an ocean-like ambiance.

This gallery showcases Swarthmore alumna Tasha Lewis ’12, a sculptor based in New York City.

Since her graduation, Lewis has been the creator of projects such as Swarm the World — a global street project that incorporates blue butterflies and their travels throughout various countries.

One of her works from this project can be seen hanging on the second floor of Beardsley. On her Swarthmore experience, Lewis said, “Originally, I thought I was going to major in history, sociology, or anthropology. I lived in Mertz, and a senior down the hall who was an art major in Beardsley brought me into her studio, and I got inspired. Part of my practice deals with articulating what I want to do visually, contextualizing my work, and presenting it at different levels of discourse. Swarthmore really helped me think critically about how I wanted to present my work to different audiences.”

Lewis graduated as an English literature and art double major. These two disciplines merge to inspire some of her sculptures, including the ones in the Ebb Tide exhibit. The first three statues one sees at the entrance are some of the first pieces that

Lewis made for Ebb Tide, which are directly inspired by a passage in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.”

“Our father lies five whole fathoms below, His bones have turned to coral now.

His eyes have turned to pearls.

There’s nothing left of him, He’s undergone a complete sea change And become something rich and strange.

Sea nymphs ring his death bell every hour.”

These are not the smooth, pale Greek sculptures that can be seen in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but pieces very much about the imperfections and strength of womanhood. None of the busts are full sculptures — either from the neck up, just the torso, or just the legs. With their broken limbs and dull features, Lewis is mimicking eroded ancient artifacts found on the ocean floor. The unusual sculptures, covered with cloth stitched together, have muted colors and surfaces. Some of the busts, though representing women’s heads, have indistinct facial features, with soft slopes for noses and smooth sockets for eyes. Stitching and layering together pieces of hardened cloth, Lewis gave her sculptures ‘armors’ of stitched skin to show the trials and tribulations of powerful women, creating a symbol of strength to the outerworld.

The sculptures are also meant to invoke the image of “Goddesses of the Sea,” combining power with awe-inspiring beauty. Made with varying blue hues blending into pale ‘skin,’ the sculptures are also heavily embellished. Pearls, engaging with the softness of the skin, tumble out of eye sockets; corals, likewise, sprout from

shoulders and skulls. These gems, seamlessly emerging from and representing the women’s features, almost become a basic, natural part of a woman’s body.

As direct allusions to “The Tempest,” they are also an ode to Shakespeare. Representing such a wide range of different topics, from the environmental acknowledgement of tides through her color use to the idea of powerful womanhood, Lewis says she “leaves it up to interpretation to her audience” in which specific idea resonates more.

These statues are a call to end the “constant erosion of women in our culture.” In an art sculpting world so dominated by men creating the bosoms of women as lovers, victims, and figureheads, Lewis has recreated her own version to reclaim the classical Greek statues. As they are fragmented and not a perfect whole, the statues also resist modern society’s standards of a perfect body, “I did not want my female forms to surrender to these incursions. They may be partially ground down, but they are resilient.”

(Tasha Lewis, an alumna from the Swarthmore Class of 2012, has her current exhibit up from August 31st to Nov 4th in Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street. A Conversation with Tasha Lewis on Friday, October 19, 2018; 6:00 – 8:00 PM with free but limited tickets can be reserved on https://www. phillymagicgardens.org/event/ ebb-tide-sculptures-tasha-lewis/ . Her other works and more information can be found on https:// w w w.tashalewis.info/Studio. html) Photos courtesy of Tasha Lewis

Lenny Seidman’s ARC: A Reconciliation of Diverse Traditions

Photos courtesy of Cooper Series

Esther Couch Arts Writer Lenny Seidman’s latest project “ARC”a full length performance suite that combines tabla and taiko drumming with contemporary dance and Japanese butoh, was presented at Swarthmore College on October 5th, 2018. “ARC” derives its name from the intention of the performance: to identify the arc between North India’s tabla and Japan’s taiko in order to consolidate a wide range of global drumming and dance practices. It is not only a multidisciplinary amalgamation of dance, but a statement piece in the current political climate.

Both the artistic director and a performer, Seidman spent a month-long retreat at The Millay Colony for the Arts and was subsequently awarded a project grant Pew Center for Arts & Heritage to generate “ARC.” Creating “ARC” was a collective effort that involved consultations and improvisational sessions with Swarthmore’s taiko

director Kim Arrow and performers Joe Small, Kristy Oshiro, Isaku Kageyama, Laurel Jenkins, Annielille (Ani) Gavino, Orlando Hunter, Dan Scholnick, and Jonathan Marmor.

The performance begins with a bright theater, with Gavino, Hunter, Oshiro, and Small entering the audience at separate times and entrances. All four repeat slow and trancelike movements. The first few minutes are unnerving — there is an occasional blowing of a horn, chanting, and beating of a drum, but no movement is particularly striking. Suddenly, the four dancers meet on stage and are joined by Seidman, Kageyama, Scholnick, and Marmor. Gavino and Hunter start to move rapidly and aggressively, both making wide, synchronized movements.

The dancers’ gestures become increasingly uncouth, their bodies (jerky and contorted) moving around the stage like furious specters. This shift to traditional, primordial motions of Japanese butoh produces

some discomfort in the audience, with individuals shifting around in their seats and shooting apprehensive looks towards each other. Yet, in this way, the dancers are successful.

The butoh was originally designed to be the polar opposite of contemporary Western dance and construct a new aesthetic that rebuffed the established practice.

By incorporating movement and rhythm beyond traditional Western drumming and dance such as butoh, “ARC” combines both the different art forms and the most beautiful intentions behind each culture.

Tabla, for instance, is a traditionally north Indian pair of small, barrel-shaped drums. It produces the rhythmic framework of classical Indian tihai, a dance offered to provide inspiration and courage. Taiko drums, on the other hand, which are played with bachi (wooden sticks), have a cultural history that reflects opposition to the norm and a desire to cultivate a post-war identity. Similarly, the Japanese butoh not only in-

tends to subvert expectations, but is also inspired by the core Buddhist value of compassion.

“Thundering taiko drums will offer a dynamic contrast to the quieter, complex rhythms of tabla; and as the taiko drummers explore a complex personal kinesphere with the space and volume of their drums, dancers will seek out sonic spaces and the rhythms that define them,” Arrow stated in his introduction to “ARC.” Indeed, it is the difference of the two disciplines that allow them to mesh so well: the raw and deafening sound of the taiko drums against the exacting rhythm of tabla creates an incomparable and powerful synergy. Every beat is culturally entangled.

In terms of dancers and sonic spaces, the rhythmic acoustics of stomping, panting, writhing, laughing, humming, and chanting are essential to both Hunter and Gavino’s movements. While the two dancers often mirror each other and work together, Hunter’s background in hip-

hop is manifested in his movements, as is Gavino’s passion for polyrhythms and training in folk dance. Even the costumes are distinct yet complementary — her bells are on her right ankle, his bells are on his left.

As they stomp en masse, one dancer is silent while the other speaks.

It is clear that neither the drummers nor the dancers are the focal point of the performance. After a concentrated dance segment, the focus is reallocated to the drummers, with dancers even motioning towards the drummers. Furthermore, each discipline has an opportunity to showcase its instrument, and two of the concluding movements are a tabla solo and a taiko solo. The solos made it impossible to deny the phenomenal talent of the drummers. Not only were the drummers effortlessly fast, but moved as though they were extensions of each other’s minds and bodies. The final beats of the tabla and taiko drums playing in harmony, along with the

pitch-black theatre illuminating only the six drummers, produced an unforgettable moment.

“ARC” makes no definitive, categorical statements. However, the intent to encourage and inspire collaboration is evident throughout the drum and dance experience. It is not only about connecting these different rhythmic and artistic mediums together, but about framing them in a way that would do justice to each. It is about connecting artists who had never previously worked together, about agreement and unanimity amongst nine creators. It is about immersing an audience and evoking joy, uncertainty, reflection, and appreciation.

Seidman was more than successful in mixing different artistic expressions together; the performance was a masterful celebration of culture and difference.

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THE PHOENIX ARTS

October 11, 2018

The Return of the All-American Boyband — Brockhampton’s iridescence Max Gruber Arts Writer

I

t’s been just over a year since Brockhampton released their album “SATURATION,” but the self proclaimed “best boyband in the world” has remained an exciting and controversial fixture in the contemporary music scene. Bursting onto the scene in June of 2017, Brockhampton went on to release two sequel albums in just over six months, rounding out the trilogy of “SATURATION” projects. The group’s sound is characterized by their eclectic instrumentals and deep cast. This range is impressive, but Brockhampton’s success has always seemed to stem from their members’ chemistry and the immediate, infectious hooks they deliver on project after project. The group took their proclamation to “saturate” listeners and to the industry seriously as they toured the U.S. and put out a number of low-budget yet endearing music videos in between the “SATURA-

TION” releases.

On March 30 of this year, the group announced a record deal with RCA records. This surprised fans and critics alike, as the group had been vocal about their independence from major labels.

News would grow more surprising still as the group announced its split with longtime member Ameer Vann amid a host of sexual assault allegations against him.

The band released a statement announcing Vann’s departure and their decision on May 27. It was unclear how a Brockhampton without Ameer would function, both musically and in terms of their image. Kevin Abstract (the perceived frontman of the group) had often called Ameer the “star” of the trilogy, going as far as to feature a blue Ameer on the cover of each of the “SATURATION” albums. The controversy took its toll on the boyband as they postponed and renamed their album several times while cancelling the remainder of their U.S. tour.

After a summer of relative silence

(with the exception of a few loose single releases), listeners were finally presented with the group’s debut commercial release, “iridescence.” Kickstarting a new artistic epoque for America’s favorite boyband, “iridescence” offers some new and exciting indications of the group’s future but fails to fully recapture the magic of the “SATURATION” trilogy.

“NEW ORLEANS” is an auspicious start to the record, with a beat that juxtaposes its heavy bass with high pitched whirring noises that make it sound like the group is recording in a dentist’s office. Jaden Smith gives a surprise feature on the track, interjecting briefly to repeat Kevin’s hook. The opener blends seamlessly into the ballad-like “THUG LIFE” which contains Brockhampton’s signature pitched-up vocals over some serene piano flourishes. The song “BERLIN” is a bit of a mixed bag as the revving and grimy beat at the beginning of the song is a bit tiresome. However, the abrasive beat is replaced

with some intimate synth chords and a verse from Dom McLennon which turn the song on its head.

“BERLIN” is emblematic of the inconsistency of “iridescence,” as the group continuously presents good ideas which are occasionally marred by an odd performance or repetitive instrumental. For example, by the time the listener has reached the droning, distorted beat of “VIVID,” they have already listened to the comparable “NEW ORLEANS,” “DISTRICT,” and “J’OUVERT.” While the songs certainly aren’t copies, Brockhampton’s producers have typically avoided what in this case feels like a slight sonic retreading.

Additionally, “iridescence” doesn’t deliver as much in the way of group chemistry, as certain members such as Joba and Merlin Wood are front and center, whereas former standouts such as Kevin, Matt Champion, and Dom turn in generally good, but not stunning, performances much of the time. This is to the detriment of the record as Joba alternates

between engaging (“TAPE”) and annoying (“NEW ORLEANS”).

Kevin is particularly underutilized, especially considering his vulnerable and gripping verse on the song “WEIGHT.” This song is Brockhampton firing on all cylinders: the instrumental begins with a gorgeous string passage that seamlessly evolves with the emotional peaks and troughs delivered by the vocal performances. The end of the song is unrecognizable from its start, as Joba delivers exasperated shouts of, “pressure makes me lash back, wish I could get past that” over a tight drum pattern and some particularly moving vocal harmonies. “WEIGHT” is also such a standout because of how passionate every performance is. Every member seems to really embrace the theme of “weight” and pressure being applied to the group in their newest, most publicly scrutinized release.

Brockhampton certainly seems to have benefitted from a professional studio setting and more

recording resources, as the incorporation of strings is especially welcome during a number of vocal interludes and brief motifs such as that of “LOOPHOLE.”The tracks “TAPE” and “TONYA” also make excellent use of Brockhampton’s new resources, as the strings give more potency to personal moments on both.

Fans of Brockhampton will find plenty to enjoy on their latest release, as “iridescence” presents a new boyband with a couple songs that stand among the best in their discography. The album as a whole, however, exposes some chinks in the group’s armor due to an occasional lack of chemistry and some instrumental repetition. Despite its flaws, “iridescence” occupies a unique spot in the roster of this year’s releases.

With the album going number one on the billboard charts this week, it certainly seems that Brockhampton is poised for future success. Only time will tell if they can deliver.

So That’s What All the Buzz Is About! : Bees of Swarthmore Ash Shukla Arts Writer Bees in general, and specifically honey bees, bumblebees, and carpenter bees, remain a poorly-understood yet vital component of our ecosystem. Over the past few years, I have found myself mesmerized by the process of pollination, especially regarding our tiny winged friends who oftentimes remain hidden in plain sight. When I came to Swarthmore, I became familiar with all of the pollinator hotspots on campus in order

A carpenter bee rests on a tuft of flowers after a light rainfall. This particular carpenter bee, scraggly and fatigued after being trapped in the rain, climbed from flower to flower with an unparalleled level of calculation and effort in her six-legged steps. Carpenter bees have a notorious reputation for their aggression, but this bee did not object when I used a leaf to help her climb to some of the hard-to-reach flowers.

A honey bee nestles its body in a vibrant purple bloom after a rainfall. Here, she searches for nectar to take back to her nest. There, the nectar will be passed down from worker to worker and become honey through a complex process of evaporation. The bees will store the newly-formed honey inside the hive, where they will access it in the case of a food shortage.

For such social animals, bees aren’t very amiable to other bees.

On multiple occasions, I’ve watched two bees scuffle over the same flower until one conceded and hastily flew away. Just because they don’t seem to enjoy sharing their territory, however, doesn’t mean that bees don’t excel at teamwork — after all, bees as a whole are the primary pollinators of most flowering plants on Earth.

A bumblebee precariously balances between two leaves of a Blue Heaven plant. I have noticed since starting my bee photography project that for such hardworking animals, bees love to conserve energy and oftentimes hesitate to fly. In most instances, they crawl wherever they need to go, even jumping from flower to flower should it become necessary.

Photos courtesy of Ash Shukla / The Phoenix

Despite their hardiness and diligence, bees are fragile creatures who face an uncertain future. Colony collapse disorder, a mysterious affliction that occurs when the majority of worker bees leave a queen bee behind, continues to plague western honey bees with no known solution. In the copious time that I have spent with bees, I have never been stung a single time, despite the fact that taking photos requires such close proximity to them. I have simply observed that bees are gentle, remarkably non-confrontational, and above all, absolutely indispensable to our planet. Please be kind to bees.

OPINIONS

October 11, 2018 PAGE A5

GIORGIA PIANTANIDA OPINIONS CONTRIBUTOR

M

aking friends is hard, even when you’re 20 and seemingly confident enough to meet new people. I mean, the last time you were thrown into a similar situation was when you were an 18-year-old who was embarking upon an exciting new journey.

Just think back to your firstyear orientation. Better yet, think back to the first moment you were dropped off on campus and you were completely alone, and free to do whatever you wanted. It was liberating, wasn’t it?

Now think about the moment you first realized that along with that freedom came the somewhat terrifying task of having to make new friends. It is most likely that you came to Swat not knowing anyone your year, and if you did, it was a very loose friendship, and you were charged with the job of meeting new people and picking some to make your friends.

But you were young then — so naive about the world and just beginning to dip your toe in adulthood, right? So by the time you’re a junior, and study abroad comes along, everything should be easier, right? The task of making friends should be simple, even easier, than it was freshman year.

Well, that’s a lie. It’s actually a huge, massive lie. And no one,

no one, talks about it. When it comes to study abroad, people focus on this fantasy in which you’ll meet a million new people, find your significant other, get perfect grades, and come back a much improved version of yourself, but they never talk about the reality of study abroad. Because the reality is a much harsher, slightly grimmer picture.

Leaving an environment that emanates familiarity and memories can be difficult, such as leaving Swarthmore at the halfway point, but the prospect can seem a lot easier as a sophomore who has been through the worst slump of their lives.

At that point, being given the chance to start over in a new country seems like a gift from above. There just seems to be such a rush, an overwhelming sensation to run away from the place that has provided some of the toughest challenges you may have ever faced. And the people who are in charge of helping you through the process of applying abroad make it seem to amazing — they tell you how envious they are, and how they wish they too could join you on the adventure. They don’t bother pointing out that the adventure will come with a multitude of difficulties, much less discussing the fact that maybe, meeting new people will be quite difficult.

Once you leave, you have to

remember that you are still a junior, in the midst of a four year college career, about to take classes in a new country with a bunch of people who are also two years into their studies, and they, much like you at Swarthmore, already have their own routine. They already know where all the buildings are and who they’re going to eat lunch with every day. Most of them aren’t exactly looking for foreign additions, who are really only in their vicinity for about four months, to their squads. It happens to even the most outgoing of us — the courage to try to break into their tight circles vanishes from within us, and we scare ourselves out of meeting them.

Perhaps a simple solution would be for students and staff to be realistic when discussing abroad. They should be able to have their feet on the ground instead of their heads in the clouds, and rather than discussing abroad like a fantasy, discussing it like the reality it is, only then truly preparing a student for what is to come.

Of course, other people are not the only problem. We have to go back and think about one of the simplest, most fundamental factors of all — you’re in a new country. And no one, neither your friends or the Off Campus Study office, has prepared you enough to confront the culture shock that is emi-

nent. No matter where you end up, whether is a seemingly progressive country that actually ends up being called ‘the nicest racist country’ (Australia) or one vastly different from the U.S., you will feel like a fish out of water. Because chances are, you didn’t plan this semester with your best friend. Chances are you picked to study in which you could be by yourself, leaving you all on your own in an all new country. This means that not only do you now have to figure out finances, the campus, and how public transport works, but also try to meet new people. And sometimes, you have to prioritize. So, you end up without time to make those friends during the crucial first few days of international orientation because you’re up to your neck in stress about — arguably — more pressing matters.

Then, most importantly, there’s the simple reality of the situation, which is that you are likely to live alone. And not in a single on a small campus, but in a single far removed from the campus in which you take classes, which means no casual runins with your classmates every five minutes. Once you are removed from that tight space, becoming really close with the people you meet becomes harder. Unlike at Swarthmore, you can hide your worst moments from these new friends.

You can also decide not to see

THE

On Making Friends Abroad

w

PHOENIX

Ganesh Setty, Editor-in-Chief Laura Wagner, Managing Editor Keton Kakkar, Managing Editor NEWS Bayliss Wagner, Editor Katie Pruitt, Editor ARTS Nicole Liu, Editor CAMPUS JOURNAL Naomi Park, Editor Dylan Clairmont, Editor OPINIONS Shelby Dolch, Editor

PHOTOGRAPHY Emma Ricci-De Lucca, Editor LAYOUT Trina Paul, Editor COPY Dan Siegelman, Chief Editor BUSINESS Peem Lerdputtipongporn SOCIAL MEDIA Abby Diebold, Editor DIGITAL OPERATIONS Navdeep Maini

SPORTS Jack Corkery, Editor Max Katz-Balmes, Editor

them for two weeks and there is little they will do about it. The bond that you’ve been able to create with peers with whom you’ve been living with for four semesters can’t be recreated in one semester abroad, especially when distance and the environment is fully factored in.

Making friends abroad is hard. Not only are you not prepared in many ways before leaving the safety of Swarthmore, but you also must adjust to a massive culture shock.

There’s also the small, important fact that it’s quite hard

to make new friends halfway through your college education.

So why don’t we talk about it?

Why can’t we have healthy, realistic discussions about what leaving Swarthmore and entering a completely unfamiliar environment entails? We must stop making semesters abroad a fantasy that we can hardly ever hope to fulfill, but rather be realistic and talk about the difficulties students are likely to encounter. Perhaps then, the shock upon arrival would be slightly less poignant.

“Thoughts of Dog” Provides a Welcome Escape from the News Cycle

LAURA WILCOX OPINIONS CONTRIBUTOR

My Twitter feed consists almost exclusively of tweets from economists, politicians, and liberal-leaning news organizations. However, my favorite Twitter account is by far Thoughts of Dog (@dog_feelings), which narrates the wonderfully wholesome inner life of a dog. The dog is thoroughly good, intensely loves their humans, and delights in snoozles (naps), belly scritches (scratches), and doing speedy zooms (running). There are a few long story arcs, such as the dog’s adventures with their stuffed animal Sebastian, fascination with a Skittle stuck under the fridge, and the household’s adoption of another dog. The rest are charmingly random snapshots

of a dog’s life rendered in adorably poor grammar and spelling.

Some highlights: “if i happen.

To lie down on your foot. You’re not allowed to move. You should feel honored.” And “sometimes.

I roll over on my back. With my feets in the air. But then forget why i did. So i slowly return to my side. And hope no one saw me.”

The tweets never fail to make me laugh, and remind me of my own beloved dog at home. They also serve as an escape from sad and distressing news — the recent Supreme Court confirmation comes to mind. “Thoughts of Dog” is the one Twitter account I follow that politics never seems to touch. While it may reference real-life weather in tweets like “we had a big adventure planned for today. But the sky droplets just won’t stop,” re-

al-life political events are never woven into the narratives. Either the dog lives in a world free from politics or is completely unaware of it.

I have conflicting feelings about the utterly apolitical nature of the account. While it provides a welcome respite from news that seems to get worse and worse every day, I’ve found myself questioning whether there is a role for escapism on the internet. An undeniable part of “Thoughts of Dog”’s appeal is the dog’s innocence, and enthusiasm for living in a world they view as perfect. Perhaps “Thoughts of Dog” is doing good by keeping a small space on the internet insulated from politics, as many people find being constantly surrounded by political discourse counter to their wellbeing. “Thoughts of Dog” may

have such a devoted fan base because its tone contrasts so sharply with almost every other Twitter account.

If you have a sizable voice on the internet, however, as “Thoughts of Dog” has, is it irresponsible to completely abstain from politics? There is a point where harmless distraction from bad news becomes denial and avoidance. Maybe the account would have a more positive impact if the dog was depicted attending the Women’s March on Washington or went along with their owner to vote.

As “Thoughts of Dog” recently tweeted, the dog is “a fluid. And increasingly complex soul.”

Perhaps some of that increased complexity could be the dog gaining an awareness of politics. The account has 1.7 million followers, so it’s not unreason-

able to believe that the account taking a political stance, or simply encouraging its followers to vote, could have an impact.

I don’t think that people would unfollow “Thoughts of Dog” if the account’s tone became slightly more political. Occasionally tweeting about politics would not reduce the account’s charm; the dog would still mostly be thinking about how to get more “noggin pats” and peanut butter.

Ultimately, I’ve come to the conclusion that it is appropriate that “Thoughts of Dog” isn’t explicitly political, and people following the account shouldn’t feel guilty about treating them as an escape. No one needs to focus 100% of their attention on political issues, and consuming “Thoughts of Dog” tweets along with credible news sources

seems like a healthy media diet.

There’s no shortage of political news and encouragement to be politically active on the Twitter, so if “Thoughts of Dog” wove some politics into its narrative, it wouldn’t really be doing anything that isn’t being done already. In fact, it’s most original in its current state because so little of the internet is as free from politics.

Constantly being surrounded by fraught political discourse is overwhelming and just unhealthy, and there couldn’t be a more wholesome or neutral escape then tweets about a dog giving “snugs” and “borking.”

Even though the account is fictional, “Thoughts of Dog” does the internet a service by remaining insulated from politics and reminding its followers that there’s still good in the world.

sors, is worthwhile. Some would be sure to argue, however, what the benefit to students in the social sciences and humanities might gain from having these peer resources. For one, reading and writing are independent ventures, or so we have often been taught. Discussion on that topic occurs in class, and there is the Writing Center and professor feedback detailing how to improve writing. Where might a peer mentor serve in these contexts?

Peer mentors can give students the opportunity to have smaller discussions and time to critique materials. In some classes, there is not always room for what is deemed an adequate discussion. In classes of 20 or more, a critical engagement of each student in a classwide discussion is diminished because there is only so much time for each student to voice their thoughts. Peer mentors could offer students space for a seminar atmosphere to enter a course, whether that be to critically read through a paper as a group or discuss more outward implications for the reading. Similarly, for papers, a peer mentor and Writing Associates can work in conjunction to workshop the analysis of the readings or data as well as the writing style of a student and how that compares with the

discipline’s form of writing.

These sessions would by no means subtract from office hours or classes. Students would be better prepared, if anything, for these conversations if they attend sessions beforehand because it will not be the first time they must formulate ideas in words to other people — I, for one, do not practice what I will say to a class aloud while completing readings. On the back end of a class discussion, a student could again approach their analysis of a reading or be more expressive in a small group.

Lastly, the mentors benefit, as stated above, by engaging with materials they have seen in the past in new ways, and faculty can have richer responses to the courses they set out to teach.

Peer mentors, at the bottom line, serve to give students added time with a more experienced student. By spending more active time with material, students learn the materials that make up a school of thought. Therefore, they can then better participate and contribute to that school. Overall, it could better prepare students at every level of study for future studies. If this peer mentorship program is developed across departments, we must wait to see if students take advantage of these programs.

A Call for Academic Community RYAN STANTON OPINIONS CONTRIBUTOR Note: The author has served as a Science Associate in the biology department, currently serves as an Alchemist in the chemistry department and lab teaching assistant in the biology department, and is a peer tutor in both biology and chemistry. He serves on the Natural Sciences and Engineering Division Inclusive Excellence Student Advisory Council for peer mentorship and inclusive classrooms as the representative for the biology department and coordinator.

“Anything but linear” is how I would describe my academic trajectory at Swarthmore. I applied to the college with interest in neuroscience and English literature. After making my way through classes in economics and philosophy, I found homes in the biology and chemistry departments. The studies and labs I found myself participating in pulled me into my established major and minor. That being said, sheer love of these disciplines did not keep me there; the community within these disciplines has. Beyond the relationships I have developed with faculty and staff, the support from my peers has been critical in my education.

Last semester, however, I

realized how regional this experience of department-sponsored peer mentorship is across campus. Peer mentors range from Teaching Assistants in a lab, Science Associates in a lecture hall, or Dean’s Tutors across the college. These programs, with a notable exception made for peer mentors in the department of economics, are unique to NSE Division courses. This leaves students in the divisions of social sciences and humanities without the community-based support that natural science students enjoy, from which they could gain more meaningful relationships with professors, students, and course material.

Peer mentorship is a defining experience for many students that study in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Division.

Each department, at levels including and above introductory sequences, holds Science Associate meetings. These meetings are staffed by students that have succeeded in the course for which they have been hired, and these associates also have been deemed by faculty as capable of aiding students in understanding course material.

Not to belabor the point, but mentors help students identify their place in a discipline, which might open the door to students a once removed school

of thought. Concretely, however, students, peer mentors, and faculty can improve the academic environment through programs like this one.

Fundamentally, students have more structured time to understand, apply, and synthesize materials in concert with others struggling through the same course. Surveys of instructional technique demonstrate over and over that students learn more in peerinstructed and interactively engaged classrooms in comparison to a traditional lecture, as seen in Hake 1998 and Crouch and Mazur 2001. That might be hard to see moment to moment in a classroom, but when I am at an associate session, nothing is more rewarding than seeing students’ understandings change for the better because of a debate among them. The ideas of students need to be molded, and that comes from consistent engagement with a course.

Students have the opportunity to see material again and train themselves to be stronger in a field of study.

Students also build relationships with students across class years. In the first two semesters of biology and chemistry classes I took here, I would often walk home with my SAs after the session. We became friends, some of us close. This develop-

ment was significant for me, particularly in my first year. I had fellow students who would show me study techniques and tell me tips about intermediate and upper level courses. Even more importantly, because my associates and I became friends, I gained a better sense of who I would be studying with and how I would apply myself once I completed a few more courses.

The benefit extends to the peer mentors and the faculty as well. Mentors take on an important role in each department. They get to know their professors more. They might be seeing information for the second or fourth time, mastering it over time. Also, they can meet younger students that have different and sometimes informative points of view. There is an opportunity for greater responsibilities at the student level to a department and to incoming students of a discipline. Faculty can then promote a larger support system in a discipline.

Professors often offer themselves as available, but in some cases, students do not approach them. Students, on the other hand, might be more accessible, and therefore, fewer students might fall through the cracks of a course or out of love with a discipline in its entirety.

It is clear that peer mentorship, for students and profes-

PAGE A6

THE PHOENIX OPINIONS

Support Indigenous Peoples

O

n Monday, Swarthmore recognized Indigenous Peoples Day, joining an effort made by many to disentangle and reclaim the widely recognized holiday Columbus Day from its colonialist roots.

In light of this, we at The Phoenix think that it is necessary for students, and the broader college community, to actively do more to support Indigenous peoples on campus.

Swarthmore Indigenous Students Association highlighted their concerns in events taking place both in and outside of Parrish. During their event, they called for active support from the community and administration to uplift their voices, reiterating that they are not invisible. No student on this campus should ever have to proclaim that they are not invisible, and it is our responsibility to make this the case.

We need to make Swarthmore a

safer and more welcoming place for everyone.

Four things the college can do to further these goals are: advocate for the admission and recruitment of more Indigenous students; hire more Indigenous faculty and staff members; create classes and curricula in In-

“

No student on this campus should ever have to proclaim that they are not invisible, and it is our responsibility to make this the case. We need to make Swarthmore a safer and more welcoming place for everyone.

“

EDITORIAL

digenous studies; and actively listen to the voices of Indigenous students on campus.

It has been shown time and time again that representation matters in education, and Swarthmore is not immune to this fact. It is worth noting,

SwatGraphics

however, that the admissions office works with College Horizons, a non-profit organization that supports higher education for Indigenous students. This is a commendable partnership, but work still needs to be done to ensure that Indigenous students have the resources and support to be successful at the college once they get here.

This brings to light the need for the college administration to listen to the needs of students and to make themselves more accessible to hear those needs. In her email to campus on Monday, Provost WillieLeBreton highlighted Swarthmore’s unsettling relationship to the tribal land on which it rests. Such a relationship implies a moral imperative toward reparation and reflection. Let us, then, take on this labor in earnest.

October 11, 2018

A Comprehensive Listicle of What we Wish we Knew our First Year EDITORIAL

A comprehensive listicle of what we wish we knew our first year: The Secrets of Swarthmore 1. Underhill is by far the most slept-on study-space at Swarthmore College. Period.

2. Sometimes the chicken tenders at Essie’s change to the sub-par variety. Beware!

3. On Mondays, you can make a bomb ice cream sandwich with Hope’s Cookies.

4. Underhill has a basement for studying! Who knew?

5. Gmail lets you filter your emails by read and unread.

Filter your emails. Read your emails. It’s a life changer.

6. Friend groups change —

don’t sweat it!

7. Be very choosy about who you live with each year. Think very carefully about the social spaces that you create with your living arrangements and who dominates them.

8. Order apple cider and London fog from Kohlberg — you get bigger cups for the same price.

9. Mental health is a valid reason to ask for an extension.

Your professors will accommodate you. Take care of yourself.

10. Sometimes small parties with friends are nicer than large ones.

11. A lot of things are possible on campus - don’t be afraid to ask.

12. The saute pan and wok are kept under the sink on the side

of Sharples. You can use them even if they’re not taken out.

13. The College will pay for you to go to one conference a year.

14. You can rent almost anything you want from Beardsley. The amazing people there will also fix your computer for cheap!

15. Don’t be afraid of office hours 16. Go to pARTy. Seriously.

Go. 17. You can’t take three writing credits in the same division 18. You can use AP credits to count for distribution requirements 19. You can take Izzy the Therapy Dog on walks 20. Read The Phoenix.

Campus Journal

PAGE A7 October 11, 2018

ARTS FASHION FOOD LIVING PHILLY PROFILES ST YLES

The Sharples 24* Hour Challenge Eva Baron, Sage Rhys CJ Writers

I

t was an obscenely beautiful day at Swarthmore College –– one that we never got to see.

Waking up after three hours of drunken night terrors, we raced to a ribbon cutting ceremony that would mark the beginning of our descent into the allegorical cave of Sharples Dining Hall for 24 hours.

A looming cloud of bad hung over our heads when the tragedies of the day began. First, our “silk ribbon,” which was just red electrical tape that we found, wasn’t long enough to reach across the handrails outside of Sharples. And second, our efforts weren’t enough to reverse the clock’s hand when Eva’s stork-shaped scissors grazed the rubbery adhesive at 9:43 a.m., earning us a tasty breakfast of oats cereal.

In an ideal world, we’d begin the day with a Hunger Games-inspired cockfight to the death and an equestrian race featuring humans skittering on all fours across the glamorous marble floors to the lunch line. But alas, this was a mere manic fantasy, for Sharples Dining Hall had other plans in store for us. While one might get excited at the idea of receiving a full day’s worth of meals with a single swipe, Sharples possesses a powerful, deeply chaotic energy that will inevitably drive you out of its maw.

Even though the dining hall seems benign at first glance, readily welcoming you and your friends into the warm inner belly of the beast, the walls slowly begin to confine you. After sitting in the same chairs for three hours that morning, the environment grew sterile and restrictive, forcing us to trace the perimeter of the build-

ing for fear of losing circulation to our lower extremities. The stained glass reflection in the loud room didn’t succeed in achieving the calming effect it probably sought to instill, and instead began to cauterize our skin at light’s touch.

The discovery of the Lost & Found wasn’t as revolutionary as we expected it to be, either. With the most fruitful find being someone’s flyer for the Renée Elise Goldsberry concert, which must’ve been intentionally left behind, the skimming of people’s oncepossessed treasures became more and more stomach churning with closer inspection. If you need convincing, just consider someone’s orange mouthguard which was left to oxidize on a brown paper towel.

Returning to our table at Hour Five, though, felt just as nauseating as the mouthguard. We heard the vivacious P!nk playing from somewhere behind us, a perplexing, yet unsurprising, addition to the horrors we had already faced during the gauntlet.

Perhaps the most bewildering element of the Sharples 24* (eight) Hour Challenge was to witness everyone come to eat, joining us in our misery, only to leave after 15 minutes. As soon as they left Sharples, they went about their day, enjoying the beautiful, exquisite weather. But what about our day?

What about us? Did no one have compassion? And the fact that the Sharples staff did not seem even a little concerned for us was also a deeply humbling, yet troubling, experience. The staff didn’t even blink when Sage fell asleep atop three chairs during the interim closing hours between lunch and dinner.

Never abandoning our intellectual endeavors, we created a seminar-style analytical session of

the large painting monogrammed with the initials “SCLP,” hoping to uncover the meaning behind the worm baby in a purple cloth in the foreground, or the black onion with a red smile crossing its legs to the left. Before the seminar, though, we had to destroy the Compost Pile, which was a collection of all our food since breakfast.

The flies which had been swarming around our table the entire afternoon must’ve been dejected to discover its forcible removal, but no progress comes without sacrifice.

After eight inhumane, brutal hours, we came to the conclusion that Sharples must be cursed, or at least nearly as cursed as the Field House. Perhaps a visit to the Matchbox, or really anywhere else, would have be more fruitful than spending another hour, or another 16 hours, in the Cave.

Plato certainly had a point when he claimed that residing in darkness, only to emerge into the light, would lead to enlightenment. But even when comparing Sharples to Plato’s cave allegory, we miss how unrelenting and haunted Sharples is — eight hours was enough to destroy our hope, forcing us to repent in the outside light.

lot of people interpret the prophecy as not involving heterosexual Chosen Ones. Statistically, however, we must acknowledge the Chosen Ones could be anyone).

The fact that triangles are continually referenced in the prophecy has also been taken as a sign that feminine power is essential, but scholarly analysis has concluded that is a moot point: feminine power is always essential.

The Prophecy of the SwatTriangle states that upon completion on the Big Chair, the earth will part down by the Matchbox tunnel and the Purple Tree will be born anew. Original interpretations of the prophecy implied that the three locations were in fact McCabe, Cornell and Underhill; however, later scholarly examinations concluded that the interpreters just felt guilty about taking time out of their study schedules. Another dedicated group of thinkers maintains that the Triangle actually refers to the Rose Garden, the bee garden by Sci Center, and the food garden

by Sharples. While the Photosynsexis Society remains convinced, the body of work to support this hypothesis is lacking and a growing number of respected theorists believe that they are simply looking for an excuse to ascend to the next level of veganity.

The Prophecy of Three sup-

ports the theory that the Purple Tree served as the metaphorical Golden Fleece of Swarthmore, and that the loss of the Tree was felt in such cataclysmic shifts as the changes at Essie Mae’s, the multiple Swat Plague outbreaks, and the proliferation of moth memes and can’t openers. While some argue that we should not depend on a source of pure good like the Purple Tree to protect us, others believe that we have enough on our plates without having to individually fight the forces of evil. Some community leaders have also argued that the vandalism to the Big Chair represented another attack on an essential source of Swarthmorean power. It will therefore fall to the Chosen Ones, whomever and wherever they may be, to complete the SwaTriangle and raise the Purple Tree to guide us once more.

And now, a dialogue inspired by Plato: JIM BOCK ’90: Imagine, if you can, a cave, in which people are chained to their chairs and unable to leave. Now imagine a painting, with clashing, disparate colors, that these people are forced to observe, as they are chained and therefore unmoving.

DEAN HENRY ’87: I see.

JIM BOCK ’90: In this way, Dean Henry, are they not prisoners? Are these people not prisoners if they

are chained to their chairs, unable to leave the cave? Are they not prisoners if they must constantly regard the painting before them, attempting to perceive its deepest truths?

DEAN HENRY ’87: You have presented me with quite a strange image, but, nevertheless, yes, I suppose they are prisoners.

JIM BOCK ’90: Then imagine I said that one of these prisoners somehow became freed of his chains, now able to move freely within the cave and the world around him. What if the prisoner left the cave, only to be blinded by the new light surrounding him?

DEAN HENRY ’87: I suppose his eyes would sting.

JIM BOCK ’90: Now, imagine if this cave was named, perhaps, Sharples Dining Hall. And, I said, imagine if a prisoner left Sharples.

Would he not find it strange to be in the light?

DEAN HENRY ’87: Yes, she said.

JIM BOCK ’90: But, after some time, would he not see and perceive the light properly? Would he not become enlightened?

To answer that question, yes, if the prisoners are somehow given the opportunity to escape Sharples, they will, to some extent, gain enlightenment. But here’s the catch: you’re only enlightened in the sense that you now know, for certain, that you will never want to spend more time than you have to in Sharples. So, in case you’re considering your own Sharples 24 Hour Challenge, please realize that the anticipation for the event itself is a lot more dramatic and excruciating than the actual experience and “enlightenment” that is to follow. We would know.

Photo courtesy of Eva Baron, Sage Rhys

Swat Ed: Myths, Sexual and Otherwise

by P. Afdersex ’69

Swat Ed is the Phoenix’s biweekly sex education Q & A. We accept all questions and they are kept completely anonymous. If you’re looking for medical advice or a diagnosis for that weird thing on your genitals, get in touch with a medical professional! For everything else, email swatedquestions@gmail.com.

Today’s subject matter includes a breakdown of a well-documented campus legend and a discussion of faking orgasms.

I heard this weekend that there is an undercover movement to resurrect the “Lost One” through a ritual called the “SwaTriangle”, which apparently refers to a sex act.

What’s the SwaTriangle?

-Jim Cock ’90 According to the histories, the SwaTriangle is not a specific sex act, but a confluence of three campus locations that carry tremendous restorative power detailed in the Prophecy of Three. On the night of a full moon, the Chosen Ones must first visit Crumhenge, then the roof of Kohlberg, and finally the Big Chair. A minimum of one orgasm per person per location is mandatory (which is why a

I’m a straight guy and my girlfriend just told me (after like six months of having sex) that she doesn’t orgasm during sex. I’m pretty upset about it because I legitimately thought she was really enjoying it the whole time but no, she was faking. It’s causing a lot of tension for us right now. How am I supposed to deal with this? I don’t want this to be something we

Big Chair Not Big, Just Close Gidon Kaminer CJ Writer

The Big Chair very well might be one of the most iconic and recognizable elements of Swarthmore. It is a logo; a monument; a mascot. A place where memories are made, bonds are formed, sex is had, and friendships are shared.

Perhaps the most striking characteristic of Big Chair is its exceptional size, the other Adirondack chairs paling in comparison to its grandeur. Big Chair reigns supreme on Parrish Lawn, surveying its normal-sized chair subjects with stately contentment. Reaching towards the heavens, the splendor of its majestic height is a sight to behold.

Disappointingly though, recent research has revealed that Big

Chair is actually not large at all, but is merely a normal-sized chair that just happens to be very close to you so that you perceive it as larger than it actually is.

Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy Professor David Cohen explained the phenomenon, saying, “An object’s size is inversely proportional to its distance from the person perceiving it. The visual angle between Big Chair and your eye is very large, because it is so close to you (approximately three feet away from your face at all times).

Thus it appears to be big, when in reality it really is just as small as the other chairs.”

The school has been wasting no time taking advantage of this new revelation, implementing it into various areas of student pro-

gramming and admissions. Tour guides have been instructed to bring groups of visitors closer to the chair so that it would appear larger and more impressive before them, which the admissions department hopes will make the school more attractive to prospective students.

It is perfectly understandable to be incredulous upon hearing this revelation. But you must approach it with an open mind. In fact, you can prove to yourself quite easily that this phenomenon is real: simply stand very closely to one of the chairs, and you will see that it appears to be as large as the chair you know as “Big Chair.”

There is nothing special that distinguishes Big Chair from this or any other chair, save for the fact that the former has been imbued

break up over.

-Six Months, No Nuts

This is a tough situation and your sense of betrayal at being lied to is valid. Let’s break this down. Firstly, I want to address your comment that you believed she was really enjoying it. Having an orgasm is not synonymous with enjoyment. It is definitely possible to have a positive and pleasurable sexual experience without having an orgasm. In general, heterosexual male sex culture prioritizes the male orgasm to such a degree that the lack of a male orgasm automatically signals a bad or negative sexual encounter (but it doesn’t, and shouldn’t). Since straight men have this association of not orgasming equals bad sex, hearing that their partner didn’t orgasm can sound synonymous with “I didn’t like it”. As a result, some straight women find it easier to lie and say they orgasmed than tell the truth and deal with their partner’s skepticism over their pleasure. The bottom line is that just because your girlfriend hasn’t been orgasming does not mean she hasn’t been enjoying sex.

To resolve this, you’re going to need hefty amounts of communication. The big question is why your girlfriend felt it was

with magical properties that allow it to simultaneously be three feet away from every single student at the same time. More research will need to be conducted regarding this particular element of the Big Chair’s existence, but for now students should be content with this massive leap in knowledge and understanding of the nature of the school.

In an email to students and faculty regarding this new report, President Smith assured the campus that “This revelation could serve as a moment of growth for our community, reminding each and every one of us of the importance of different perspectives, and serving as proof that we can all be the Big Chair, if we so desire.”

necessary to lie to you and fake her orgasms. I’m going to guess that the main reason is that she didn’t want to embarrass you by admitting your technique wasn’t doing it for her. That opens up two more questions: what is the technique that will do it for her (we’ll come back to this) and how you are going to create a relationship where partners can honestly tell one another when they are enjoying or not enjoying something. Sexual relationships (like other relationships) are built on trust and honesty, and it’s worth taking a moment to examine why the building metaphor is so apt.

If you and your girlfriend don’t have an honest understanding of the other’s experience, you won’t be able to get better. If you think she loves vigorous stimulation and she’s in reality profoundly indifferent to it, your sex life will stagnate and eventually fall apart because you one, don’t have a good idea of what she likes and two, because you don’t know you have the wrong idea, you won’t do anything about it. Sexual relationships built on real knowledge do not stagnate; they grow and flourish and get better.

What you need to do right now is emphasize to your girlfriend that your goal during sex is her genuine pleasure. Tell her that you will not take this person-

ally or get upset if she doesn’t orgasm; she does not have to worry about appeasing you with a faked orgasm. Tell her that you would much, much rather hear that she did not orgasm but really enjoyed this or that. Tell her that you want to have experiences with her that you both completely and honestly enjoy.

With regards to how you’ll figure out what does it for her: more communication. Ask her specifically what feels good, and have her talk to you while you are doing it. Keep in mind for most women, clitoral stimulation is necessary to orgasm. That means your focus shouldn’t be so much on intercourse, but on foreplay and oral sex. You shouldn’t show up with the goal of getting her off come hell or high water; your mentality should be that you are simply trying to do what feels the best for her. Sex should not be a high-pressure performance, ever.

If you communicate humbly, you can absolutely create a strong, honest foundation for a great sexual relationship.

If you can’t think of a way to bring this up, give her this column. Then listen.

Emma Chiao / The Phoenix

PAGE A8

THE PHOENIX CAMPUS JOURNAL

October 11, 2018

The Rats of Willets Basement Ash Shukla CJ Writer

D

ear Swarthmore Campus and Community, To put it simply, I am perplexed. As I write these words in my spacious bungalow on the first floor of Willets Hall, my fingers tremble in fear and confusion over the incapacitating debacle that I witnessed just moments ago as I went to do my laundry. It’s a mystery to me whether my mind is frozen in disbelief or whether the neurons that compose my grey matter have been firing futile synapses to convince me that that event — that horrific occasion — was simply a hallucination resulting from nights of missed sleep and one-too-many hours breathing in the mysteriously pungent fragrance that emanates from Sharples Dining Hall.

As I stood just moments ago in the laundry room of Willets basement, hungrily clutching a Tide Pod in one hand, I glimpsed out of the room’s glass door and witnessed it. For a moment, in sheer disbelief, my vision became blurry and the muscles in my hands lost control, causing the squishy chemical delicacy in my hand to tumble and burst on the ground like the refreshing gush of a fallen milk jug.

The laundry room of Willets basement seemed to fall silent in the aftermath of my witnessing it.

A rat, its nose pink and its hands unimposing, skittered across the floor. A not-unfamiliar sight for the brick-andmortar dungeon that is Willets Basement. It climbed into the mouth of a student whom I presumed to be taking a power nap.

It engulfed its furry, ellipsoidal gray body in the moist cavern of the student’s mouth and disappeared. Moments later, that student came to life and bade me hello as I stood mystified by the event that I had just witnessed.

I then saw a second rat scurry across the floor, and instead of expressing any disgust, my fellow student merely spoke to it in what I imagine was some sort of ubiquitous rat language.

When I entered the residential area of Willets basement, I heard no human language — instead, I merely heard a cacophony of nibbling and squeaking noises. While I did not see any more human beings, I did see three more rats rush into vari-

ous rooms by squeezing themselves through the cracks underneath the dorms.

The next time that I ventured downstairs to move my laundry from the washing machine to the drying machine, I noticed a human skin in one of the dryers, one in which the rats presumably resided as they moonlighted as Swarthmore students. I opened two more dryers containing human skins until I found one that contained nothing but a warm, fresh load of adult human apparel which I placed on top of the dryer so that I could start my own cycle.

I felt afraid and alienated in the campus that I had grown accustomed to calling my home.

Had the rats taken over the human students that had formerly lived here? Or had everyone who lived in Willets basement secretly been a rat all along? A lengthy list of random and disorganized queries flooded my brain cells, but ultimately, I was able to reach no conclusion. All that I know presently about the rats of Willets basement is that they exist and that they masquerade as human beings in the daytime, the rest of us unsuspecting as to their true nature.

Despite the horror that I experienced not but a short while ago, it would be irresponsible of me in this open letter to neglect my previous experience with the Willets basement-dwellers.

Of course, in our hyper-sanitized, cosmopolitan society, rats have procured a reputation as disease-carrying pests and nothing else. It must be said, however, that I have had nothing but the most positive and mutually-beneficial relationship with the rats that live in Willets basement. They provide me guidance and true friendship, à la Disney-Pixar’s “Ratatouille,” on the frequent but unfortunate occasions that I am forced to venture down to that grievous warzone of a residential area. Never have I once felt attacked or threatened by their presence; instead, I find their camaraderie to be of the utmost quality and their conversation to be of the utmost interest on every subject, whether academic or not.

From this moment onwards, while I am still intrigued and even intimidated by the phenomenon of the Willets Basement Rats, I am committed to retaining their friendship and making Willets Hall a more accommodating space for rats to

reside among humans. After all, is it not our duty as homo sapiens in this contemporary era to give back to the Wild Things of this world whenever possible? I plan to create a space safe for the rats of Willets basement by enacting such benevolent measures such as leaving food for them and raising awareness about them through means such as this very letter. If my short time here at Swarthmore College has taught me one key principle, it is to look out for the people (and rats!) around me. With every character that I have typed thus far, I have only become more and more acutely aware that these rats, to a greater extent than anyone else, are in need of an ally.

Love, Ash Shukla

Another Athlete in Econ Alec White CJ Writer

One of the most popular majors at Swarthmore is economics.

In every economics class, there is a clump, or multiple clumps, of students who are immediately recognizable as athletes due to the sheer number that become econ majors.

Needless to say, I didn’t get an enthusiastic response when I told my team I was interested in studying chemistry. In fact, there was a noticeable flinch among the older guys, which I hadn’t paid any attention to at the time, and one of the captains told me, “Most of the guys on the team take econ.” Okay … cool?

I made the mistake of sitting with the team during class registration. The deadline was quickly approaching for the “first come, first served” classes. I had my chemistry class lined up, but when the time arrived, they convinced me to copy-paste the class code for Introduction to Economics as well.

I made the mistake of sitting with the team during class registration. The deadline was quickly approaching for the “first come, first served” classes. I had my chemistry class lined up, but when the time arrived, I found myself copy-pasting the class code for Introduction to Economics as well.

I took Econ 001 that semester and hated it. My teammates weren’t even in the same section as me. Why was I in this class?

When I complained to one of my older teammates about it, they just said, “Dude it’s really easy to get into business school as an econ major.” Oh, okay. Cool.

Not to mention chemistry was really hard. My teacher handed me back my first test. “Perhaps

a different major would be more suitable for someone like you,” she said snidely while handing me back my D. But I liked chemistry ... didn’t I? Of course I did, I just had to work harder. How’d I get better at ball? I put in the time and work, I just had to do the same here.

I went to alchemist sessions and office hours. I read the sections from the book twice. I watched Khan Academy. Whatever it took. I cranked out a B+ in my first chem class, and when registration rolled around I felt I was more than ready for two at the same time.

The guys in my grade again convinced me to take an econ class with them somehow, and second semester econ was fine.

I was much more interested in chem and pretty sure I was going to drop econ all together next semester.

One night I was heading back to my dorm after a late night alchemist session. Something drove me to walk in front of Trotter on the way back to Willets. As I was walking past the Arboretum building, I remember hearing a rustling in the bushes, then feeling a searing pain in the back of my head. Everything went dark.

Someone jolted me awake. All I could see was a blinding white light, and all I could feel was a searing pain in my head. My arms and legs were held to the chairs with zip ties.

“Hello?” I shouted.

“SILENCE,” a voice boomed.

The sound reverberated around the small room, trapping itself inside my head and giving the feeling that an ice pick was being jammed into my already throbbing head.

I waited for the pain to subside and then tried again, “What do

you want?”

“YOU HAVE FAILED TOO MANY TIMES TO FIND A NATURAL PATH TO THE ECONOMICS MAJOR. YOU REQUIRE ADDITIONAL PERSUASION.” What? Is that really what this was about?

“You have to be kidding me!” I shouted back.

“BASE PROGRAMMING COMMENCING IN FIVE…” Base programming? What the heck does that mean?

As the countdown started the white light that been blinding me began changing colors. It was some kind of screen, and it began to flash shapes and change colors.

“Four…”

I tried to look at anything except the screen, but it encompassed my entire vision. I tried to squeeze my eyes shut, but it felt like my eyelids were made of tissue paper. The lights and shapes continued to change and flash and there was nothing I could do to get away. I felt my mind going numb.

“Three… Two…” I don’t ever remember hearing one.

I woke up in a bush with one of my teammates standing over me.

“You ok? The hell are you doing in a bush?”

He told me it looked like a branch had fallen from the tree and hit me in the head. “The wind must have blown it lose.

You gotta watch out for stuff like that at an arboretum! Hahaha.”

I went back to my room and checked what I still had to do for the night. “Aw man, I’ve still got chemistry to finish. I can’t stand that class.” I think I’ll probably drop that class next semester.

Besides, I need to get into a good business school…

It’s Like I Never Left

Naomi Park CJ Writer

Quite simply, I didn’t. After the end of finals my freshman year, I had about a week at home and then I was back on campus to start my internship in the Admissions Office. I began the job on May 29 and dutifully gave tours and stuffed letters right up until August 31. Even while I may have not physically left campus for an extended amount of time, the feeling of being “at school” noticeably changed.

Campus over the summer, as well as the town of Swarthmore itself, dies down to a quiet buzz with a softer underlying energy.

The walkways are empty and the noise of construction displaces the sounds of students talking and laughing during the year. The students who are on campus are often holed up in a lab or classroom, or working in Philadelphia. Finding signs of life on campus is a task. Not a particularly difficult one, but still requires some effort. Essie’s at lunch and the Matchbox in the evenings were consistently the places I could be reminded that people other than my coworkers existed.

Swarthmore in the summer was unbelievably and uncharacteristically relaxed. Having no assignments, readings, quizzes, tests, problem sets, or anything of that sort made being on campus eerily stress-free.

I was able to go into Philly, and eat at Nifty Fifty’s during the weekdays. I even went bowling a few times and cooked my own meals (which didn’t always go so well). It was really nice being able to spend time with my friends and not worry about a daunting laundry list of homework that needed to be done.

I did, however, encounter something over the summer that is hard to find during the school year: boredom. And I don’t mean the kind of bored while sitting through an extra painful lecture, I mean “having no idea what to do with yourself that you go to bed at 8 p.m. repeatedly” bored.

But soon enough, Swarthmore started to come back to life and, at least for the moment, I am really excited to not be bored anymore.

I get asked a lot if I’m sick of campus and I was surprised when I realized I don’t feel that way at all. In a way, being in this weird, dystopian version of Swarthmore over the summer while having to give almost 100 tours talking about how great the college is during the year really geared me up for my sophomore year to start. Yes, I am terrified of the sophomore slump, but I am ultimately excited for the year to come despite knowing how difficult it is going to be. But as I say to a lot of prospective students who ask if we have social lives or if it is really as hard as people say it is, that’s kind of the point and that’s why we chose to be at Swarthmore in the first place.

On my campus tours, I see a lot of dead expressions with glazed-over eyes while families are on their ninth college visit of the week. I also get a lot of high school students who are glued to their phones, or scolding their parents because they asked a question and subsequently embarrassed them or, my personal favorite, students who had no idea that we don’t have a graduate school. But on rare occasions, I’ll get that one high school senior who is so excited to go to college (or at least

Ziri Marquez / The Phoenix

excited to not be in high school anymore) and brightens up at the mention of classes and actually laughs when I talk about Screw Your Roommate. I see how visibly animated those students are and I think about how much I wanted to go to Swat and be in college as a high school senior.

I think about finally moving in and about getting immediately swept away by the incredibly fast pace of things here. While my sentiment at the end of spring semester was one that dreaded experiencing burnout again, experiencing a watereddown, slow-motion Swarthmore made me crave the vitality of campus, stress and all, during the academic year.

Watching campus slowly come back to life as first years arrived on campus for orientation and then as returning students moved into their rooms helped me forget that I had been at Swat since May. I missed taking way too long to get from one place to another because I keep running into people I know.

I am also beyond excited to take classes this semester even though it technically means I should be one step closer to having to decide what I want to major in.

Even though I literally never left, it does actually feel like I am “back” on campus. This year will be crazy, difficult, and crazy difficult. Realistically, I know that at some point I will be sick of all of this. But as I am sitting in Cornell talking about cactus humidifiers and dolphin testicles with a mountain of work to do when I am only three days into the semester (typical Swat), I am really glad to be here for another year of Swarthmore.

SPORTS

October 11, 2018 PAGE A9

Ben Simmons, Philly and Aussie Star Ping Promrat Sports Writer

I

’ve seen Ben Simmons in person twice: in Philadelphia, PA, and Sydney, Australia. First, I saw him live at a Philadelphia 76ers game against the Los Angeles Lakers in December of 2017. Simmons thrilled the Wells Fargo Center in what would be part of a historic “rookie” season (Simmons spent his first year in the NBA sidelined with an injury), posting a triple-double in a three-point loss to the Lakers, a team led by another star rookie, Lonzo Ball. More surprisingly, I saw him for the second time this past August at the famous Ivy nightclub in Sydney, Australia.

After no more than 10 minutes at the place, one of my friends — who was from Philadelphia himself — had remarked to me that the guy surrounded by tall bodyguards just five feet away from us looked remarkably similar to Ben Simmons. Was this really the same guy who I had seen light up the NBA and bring back 76ers pride to the surrounding Philadelphia area?

In my confused but excited state, I googled pictures of Simmons as my friends and I stood next to him and his posse. I

looked up at the 6’10” star again.

It really was him. It wasn’t until the morning after that I realized he was Australian, and that he was in Sydney and Melbourne on a promotional trip. Following his rookie-of-the-year season, Simmons had come back to his home country for a little bit of everything before heading back to Philadelphia for pre-season; he ran a basketball camp, visited family, and made appearances promoting the new NBA 2k19 video game, in which he was the Australian cover athlete. And thankfully, he stopped by at the Ivy on that Thursday night in August.

Simmons was born and raised in Melbourne by an American father and Australian mother.

His childhood was far from a traditional NBA star’s trajectory, Simmons grew up in a country where basketball was an afterthought for most young children interested in sport. While basketball was in his blood on his dad’s side — his father played in Australia’s professional basketball league following time at an American university — he grew up in a country where Australian rules football and rugby league dominate — particularly in Melbourne, a city with numerous profes-

sional rugby leagues and AFL teams. Subsequently, Simmons played rugby as a young child and eventually took up Australian rules football, as well. The national sport, AFL, or “footy,” as it is colloquially known, is a game much like NFL football, with fewerpads, more running, and a different scoring system.

AFL has particularly grown in popularity in Melbourne, where the AFL Grand Final is held every year, attracting crowds similar to the American Super Bowl.

Simmons played AFL alongside basketball, until he eventually committed to basketball. Simmons attributes his decision to focus on basketball due to his AFL coach not playing him in a forward position, which traditionally is a position that scores goals.

In January of 2013, Simmons moved to the U.S. to play high school basketball after being discovered by American scouts.

He had starred at the Pangos All-American Camp, along with the FIBA U-17 World Championship and was recognized as a player with both the height and the scoring acumen of a guard who could fit nicely into the modern NBA game. Simmons played at Montverde Academy in Florida, a school that has

produced other NBA stars like Joel Embiid, D’Angelo Russell, and Devin Williams. He went on to commit to Louisiana State University, and quickly became their best player during his freshman year. LSU, however, failed to make the NCAA tournament, and Simmons made the rather controversial choice of foregoing the rest of his college eligibility to pursue his NBA dreams. As Philadelphia fans know, the rest is history. Simmons was drafted first overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, and after sitting out the entire 2016-17 season with a foot injury, returned to lead the Sixers to the playoffs in 2017-18, winning the prestigious rookie of the year award along the way. Just one year into his career, Simmons is already regarded as a star, both as a player in the NBA, and back home in Australia.

The importance of Ben Simmons to the Philadelphia community is visible; as one of the best players in the Eastern Conference, he has propelled a perennially-losing team back into the spotlight as a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs. However, his substantial impact on Australian sporting culture is often underreported in the American media. Sim-

mons has inspired a generation of young Australian kids and has given Australians a team to root for. A rather unexpected connection, there are now thousands of Australian 76ers fans who buy Simmons jerseys, and wake up at ungodly hours — due to the 14-hour time difference to Eastern Standard Time — to watch the 76ers compete. While basketball has always been a popular sport in Australia, it has never come close to AFL or rugby. Simmons’ trip back home was partly to continue to promote the game in his country of origin. It’s clear that basketball is on the rise in Australia thanks to Simmons, as more and more young Australians turn to the fast-paced sport instead of the popular but often dangerous and violent, sport of rugby and AFL. Perhaps Simmons’ most important impact has been on young athletes of color in Australia. A country with growing African and Asian immigrant populations, along with a historically marginalized Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander indigenous communities, Australia has often been exclusionary to these individuals in the sporting arena. Simmons’ very visible presence as a star Aus-

tralian athlete of color has had a decidedly positive impact on how disenfranchised Australians see themselves represented to the world. Rugby and AFL, the two most popular sports in the country, have often been associated as truly “Australian sports,” with sports like soccer and basketball being “otherized” as sports brought in by immigrants. Simmons’ presence as a star Aussie athlete in the biggest basketball league in the world has continued to bring basketball into the mainstream conversation, and has given the sport and its athletes an added sense of legitimacy in the national conversation around sport. In a multicultural 21st century Australia, Simmons’ presence on the international stage is one that has redefined what it means to be an Australian athlete. His commitment to his home country will only continue to strengthen this presence. Whether he’s at a Sydney club with star-struck Americans and Australians, or taking time to coach a basketball camp for disadvantaged youths in Melbourne, Simmons’ impact on Australian sporting culture will continue to grow.

A Low Blow: The NFL's Controversial New Sack Rule Adam Schauer Sports Writer

After a 4-1 start to the 20172018 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers found themselves in the middle of a heated race for their division, the NFC North. However, in a critical week six matchup against their division rival Minnesota Vikings, they found themselves without their best player, quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was violently sacked by defensive lineman Anthony Barr as he fled the chasing defender and broke his collarbone. The loss of future Hall of Famer Rodgers not only marked a key turning point for the Packers’ entire season but also removed one of the game’s greatest players from the field, reducing the quality of play and revenue for the league as a whole. This forced the NFL and its commissioner Roger Goodell to reconsider its rules for the safety of its players.

Thus, this year, the NFL in-

stituted a new rule, unofficially referred to as the Aaron Rodgers rule, to better protect quarterbacks. The rule separately defines the quarterback’s two primary actions: passing and running. When a quarterback is passing, a rushing defender cannot intentionally tackle the quarterback at the knees or, new to the rulebook, with excessive force to the upper body. However, as the quarterback transitions into a runner, leaving the “pocket” formed by the receding offensive line or fleeing defenders, the rules devolve to simply banning excessive force, commonly referred to as unnecessary roughness. This rule works in tandem with the more stringent helmetto-helmet contact rule that seeks to reduce concussions, especially as more data and research comes out about their lasting effects.

When a quarterback attempts to pass, they are almost always forced to turn their body towards either sideline to position their

body and then throw. However, while facing the sideline, it becomes impossible for the quarterback to see the side of the field behind them, including oncoming defenders. This phenomenon is known as the “blind side” and renders quarterbacks defenseless to brutal hits from behind.

Especially with the vulnerability of the head, neck, and back in this position, it is imperative for teams and rules to protect quarterbacks in this position. Even more generally, when quarterbacks want to pass, they are looking downfield for open targets as opposed to the defenders immediately around them. Thus, injuries can more commonly occur when the quarterback is defined as a “passer.”

The loss of a quarterback, who is generally the leader of the offense for football teams, can be detrimental to the success of a team for years. Backups with minimal experience are then forced into the spotlight, asked

to command an offense on the big stage. Usually, this situation does not turn out well. In the Packers’ case, Aaron Rodgers missed seven games, his team lost five of their next six games after his injury, and the Packers missed the playoffs after their promising start. The goal of this rule change is to better protect some of the most talented but vulnerable players on the field for this very reason.

However, the diction of the rules does leave a subjective determination of running and passing to officials, as well as what constitutes unnecessary roughness. Officials tend to enforce the rule in a seemingly random order, leading to inconsistency in gameplay and ambiguity for players. As such, the new rule has been met with tremendous controversy, especially from defenders that face the penalty for violations: a roughing the passer penalty for 15 yards and an automatic first down.

For instance, this past week, it appeared that Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive end Michael Bennett was pushed into Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins midriff before sliding down and grabbing his legs for a sack.

However, officials argued that the sack could have hurt Cousins’ knees and flagged Bennett for 15 yards anyways, setting the Vikings up in the end zone. The Vikings would go on to score a critical touchdown just two plays later, in what would have otherwise been a successful stop for the Eagles in their 23-21 loss.

Bennett, a usually vocal player in his own right, declined to comment, but his teammate Chris Long said, “What’s he supposed to do, let him go?” clearly vocalizing his frustration.

Likewise, many traditionalists argue that the rule takes away from the game’s toughness. Antwione Williams came directly off of the line of scrimmage for a sack against the Jacksonville

Jaguars in what would have normally been a legal play. However, officials argued that Williams landed on the quarterback and should subsequently be flagged for the play. Most staunch traditionalists argued that Minnesota should not be penalized for Jacksonville’s poor offensive play, while coaches argued that the protection of franchise quarterbacks was far more important that the roughly twenty yard difference. The controversy has valid arguments on both sides.

The initial cause for the rule update itself, Vikings’ Anthony Barr, said “You can complain all you want, but it’s not going to change unless they change it. It’s your duty to continue to play by the rules.” It doesn’t look like this new protection will go anytime this season or in the foreseeable future, so the NFL could see fewer hard knocks this season.

Garnet Look to Cage Bluejays After Disappointing Loss

Alana Elliott Sports Writer

With referees seemingly partial to the opposing team and a rowdy crowd influencing calls, Swarthmore women’s soccer lost for the first time in their 2018 season. The Garnet were missing one of their starting defenders due to injury, captain Caroline Coats ’19, who has proven to be a key player with her speed and skills on the ball.

Louise Rosler ’20 and Ally Scheve ’22 stepped up in response to her absence. Though the No. 22 ranked Garnet (10-1-1) outshot the Rams, 22-5, Farmingdale State College (10-3-1), scored the game’s only goal in the 88th minute of the game, leaving Swarthmore with minimal time to make a comeback.

Post-match, senior captain Caroline Coats said, “We need to work on the little things,” and commented on the three hour bus ride from Swarthmore to Long Island saying, “It’s hard to get pumped up and ready to play after sitting for so long.”

Fellow senior captain Yasmeen Namazie also commented saying, “I think we learned some valuable lessons from the game. We didn’t get the result we wanted, but it definitely gave us an idea of how to respect every opponent we compete with, taking advantage of scoring opportunities, and how to take better accountability defensively.”

Coach Todd Anckaitis also added, “Despite a momentary lapse at Farmingdale, I’m feeling really good about our next matchup. We have a lot of ex-

perience and a lot of depth that has proven itself against six regionally ranked teams already this season. We’re up for another good, in conference, challenge and are looking forward to working hard to earn the three points that are out there for us on Saturday.”

On October 6, Farmingdale faced No. 3 ranked Williams (9-0-2), which proved to be an equally challenging game.

Just as Swarthmore outshot Farmingdale, Williams also

outshot the Rams, 22-7, but no goals were scored by the end of regulation. Williams was finally able to sneak one by the Farmingdale keeper after the ball came loose in the box in the 97th minute of play.

Despite the loss for Swarthmore, the Farmingdale game proved to be valuable prep for the Garnet prior to their annual rivalry match against No. 4 ranked Johns Hopkins (11-1-0).

Like Swarthmore, Johns Hopkins will also be going into the

match with one loss, theirs being to No. 2 ranked Messiah.

While Hopkins swept multiple teams during the preseason, winning 5-1 versus Washington and Lee and 7-0 versus Shenandoah, they have struggled to find the net as frequently against quality competition in Centennial Conference games.

Hopkins has won their last three conference games — edging past Haverford 2-0, Dickinson 1-0, and Muhlenberg 1-0 — by either rallying in the second

half to score or scoring by penalty kick.

The last time the Garnet faced Hopkins was the 2017 Centennial Conference Championship. This back and forth game was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, included two overtime periods, and culminated in a penalty kick shootout where the Garnet won 3-2 to take home the championship trophy.

The women’s soccer team has had a phenomenal season thus far, winning the Stevens Engi-

Courtesy of Miguel de Laveaga

neering Cup in Hoboken and only allowing five goals in 12 games. The team has had eight shutouts this season, thanks to goalkeepers Amy Shmoys ’19, Chantal Reyes ’22, and Sydney White ’22.

Leading the team in goals this year is none other than All-American Marin McCoy ’19, who has netted seven goals so far and has become the first player in Swarthmore women’s soccer history to score 50 career goals. Close behind are Sydney Covitz ’20 and Brittany Weiderhold ’20 with four goals apiece and Lizzie King ’21 with three.

Marin McCoy ’19 is not only the top goal scorer, but she also leads the team with five assists, while Amy Harris ’19 is closely behind with four.

For the Garnet, moving forward in the season will require focus and dedication, especially during conference games.

Namazie mentioned, “This is the strongest I think our team has been in my four years at Swat and while this was a disappointing result, I have every bit of faith in every single player and don’t want to distract from how far we have come as a team. For this reason, I think our emphasis should be taking every game at a time, despite our aspirations to play well into the off-season.”

Though Swarthmore has now lost and tied on the road, they hope to continue to win all of their home games. They are scheduled to play Johns Hopkins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 13 at Clothier Field.

PAGE A10

THE PHOENIX SPORTS

October 11, 2018

2018-2019 PGA Tour Season Preview Chris Gaeta Sports Writer

T

he 2018-2019 PGA Tour season might be the year for a monumental change in the game of golf. There is both the prospect of Tiger Woods’ breaking the all-time wins record and a forecasted shift in the talent on the leaderboards to come. Beyond the interest in Woods’ performance and the possible success from younger competitors Rory McIlroy and Tony Finau, the PGA Tour has noted structural changes to the 2018-2019 schedule.

The PGA Tour announced that the 2018-2019 season will feature 46 events. The season began last week at the Safeway Open in Napa, California, and will culminate with the FedEx Cup Playoffs in August of 2019.

The PGA Tour has gradually announced shifts in the 20182019 schedule over the past 12 months, of which three are most notable.

First, two new tournaments have been added to the schedule. Spanning from June 2430 in 2019, the PGA Tour will host its first event in the city of Detroit: the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The following week, TPC Twin Cities will host a tournament that was previously a PGA Tour Champions Event.

Arguably the biggest change in next season’s line up of tournaments is the transition in the timing of the PGA Championship. This event routinely features some of the tour’s top players because of its status as a major championship — of the 46 yearly tournaments, only four events are considered to be major championships. The tournament’s nickname, “Glory’s Last Shot,” will no longer be fitting for the event because it will not be the last major event in the calendar year. This news was announced in the summer of 2017 by the Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of America, Pete Bevacqua, who shared in a press release that “the PGA of America’s key objectives were to promote the best interests of our signature spectator Championship. Our analysis began in 2013 and included an extensive list of factors, including having to shift the date every four years to accommodate the Olympic Games. In the end, we determined that playing the PGA Championship the week prior to Memorial Day in May,” served the best interest of the PGA’s goals for the event. In 2019, the renowned Bethpage Black golf course on Long Island, New York will host this major championship for the first time since 1949. Lastly,

the Puerto Rico Open returns to the schedule following its cancellation this year due to the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

Forbes noted in a recent publication that the community of Puerto Rico is seeking to “embark on a campaign to encourage visitors.” And, as of late September, Puerto Rico governor Ricardo Rossello shared in an interview that the PGA tournament will contribute to rebuilding the island after the damages from Hurricane Maria.

As much as logistical changes impact the season, anticipation centered around Tiger Woods and younger players Rory McIlroy and Tony Finau also stands as one of the biggest things to look forward to.Rory McIlroy’s history of solid play and potential for improvement suggests a major breakthrough in his performance. With 14 PGA Tour victories since 2010, McIlroy has proved that his game has the potential to dominate PGA Tour fields. Despite past wins at major golf events such as the 2011 US Open, 2012 PGA Championship, and 2014 PGA Championship, he has recently failed to emulate the success he once achieved at recent major events. However, his improvements towards the end of 2018 suggests a comeback for McIlroy this year. In his last six tournaments of 2018, he finished within the top-12 in all but one.

Despite his recent successes, McIlroy has failed to secure important victories over the past two seasons. Perhaps at the core of his struggle to reclaim his past triumphs is his wedge play, which he willingly acknowledges is the primary aspect of his game that needs improvement. Contributors at Golf Digest and Golf Channel noted that the widely publicised “shank” wedge shot from McIlroy in the 2018 PGA Championship in August is most telling of this shortcoming in his game.

When asked about the unfortunate mis-hit after the event, McIlroy confirmed that his wedge play is at the center of his focus for improvement. In an August 2018 interview, McIlroy expressed that his trouble from shorter distances stems from his ability to hit far drives off of the tee. McIlroy’s incredible “hand speed, body speed, and rotation” can pose a challenge when he needs to rely on accuracy compared to length for his short game. Although he led the PGA Tour in 20172018 in driving distance with an average of nearly 320 yards, he ranked 129th on tour in approaches from 50-75 yards from

the green. Moreover, his final round scoring average last year of 70.00 also contributed to his lack of major success in 2018.

It will be interesting to see if McIlroy can improve his wedge game and final round tournament scores this season.

Nevertheless, despite the prospect of McIlroy’s future performances, most fans will arguably have their attention focused on Tiger Woods as the season progresses. It has been several weeks since Tiger Woods secured his 80th professional golf tournament victory at the Tour Championship in late September. It is hard to believe that Woods was able to secure a top-20 spot in the world golf rankings at the end of the 2018 season, consider-

ing that, last summer he shared concerns that he might not be able to play in tournaments at all going forward. Evidently, his physical and personal setbacks did not prove to be a problem, as he rose the ranks of the PGA Tour this past season.

One main question that remains for fans will be whether Woods can display a continuation of success that he exemplified by his victory at the year ending Tour Championship in September. After reaching 80 professional victories last season, I am forecasting that 2019 will be the season that Woods breaks Sam Snead’s record of 82 career PGA Tour victories.

Perhaps attracting less mainstream media attention com-

pared to both Woods and McIlroy is Salt Lake City native Tony Finau. Though he has only won one professional golf event — the 2016 Puerto Rico Open — his nine top-10 and two second place finishes in 2018 suggest that a victory is on the horizon.

Finau was one of the lone bright spots on the American team that lost the Ryder Cup this year. While in Paris for this match play event, Finau notably beat Tommy Fleetwood, one of Europe’s strongest players.

After his victory, Finau shared that he “played incredible golf today … I was controlling the ball nicely and I made some putts ... I’m just really pleased with my performance [Sunday] and throughout the week.” In addition to his stellar Ryder

Cup performance, Finau finished in the top-10 at the first three major tournaments of the season and posted top-15 finishes in all four of the FedEx Cup Playoff events.

Overall, it is safe to say that many will continue to keenly follow Woods throughout this year to see if he can make history. The talent from younger players such as Tony Finau and Rory McIlroy, coupled with the anticipation of continued success for Woods might attract a more diverse group of younger fans to the PGA Tour in 20182019. The forecasted performance of these players, along with notable changes to the tournament schedule for the year suggest that a great season is in store for golf fans.

Athlete of the Week: Alyssa Nathan Volleyball continues to dominate Centennial Conference competition in 2018. With a 5-1 record in conference play, and a 12-4 record overall, the team is on pace to emulate its record (24-8, 8-2) from its 2017 NCAA Regional Championship effort. Crucial to the team’s success is Alyssa Nathan ’21, a setter from Wilmington, Delaware. Despite only playing 17 sets last season, Nathan has established herself as a key contributor in 2018, leading the Garnet in assists in all 16 of the team’s matches.

In fact, her current total of 521 puts her on pace to finish third in the Swarthmore volleyball single-season record book for assists. Nathan and the rest of the Garnet return to action Oct. 13, with a double header against Johns Hopkins and Vassar at Tarble Pavilion.

Max Katz-Balmes: What is your major, and what led you to pursue that area of study?

Alyssa Nathan: Engineering and either a minor or major in art history. I am interested in pursuing architecture, so I thought that engineering would be a way to look at the physical and structural properties of architecture. After taking a few classes, I found I really liked it because it is so new and not like anything I’ve done before. I am pursuing art history because I really enjoy it, and it is an amazing department.

MKB: Why did you decide to attend Swarthmore?

AN: I decided to attend Swarthmore because of the academic rigor, the freedom to pursue interests in different areas of study, the opportunity to continue to play volleyball, and the close sense of community on campus.

MKB: When did you begin playing volleyball?

AN: I began playing volleyball in fifth grade.

MKB: Tell us a funny story from your experience as a Swarthmore volleyball player.

AN: I have so many funny stories I don’t know where to start. For example, before our latest game against Bryn Mawr yesterday, we had gotten to the gym early and spent about 15 minutes lying on the floor in a circle singing a cappella Disney songs and 2000s hits. It was hilarious.

Emma Ricci-De Lucca / The Phoenix

MKB: What is your favorite aspect about playing volleyball at Swat?

AN: My favorite aspect about playing volleyball here is the level of competition and the determination of the team. I have always been a very competitive person, so it’s really great to be around more people like that and to have each and every person on the team dedicated and determined to getting better.

MKB: Describe the emotions you experienced during your unexpected run to the NCAA quarterfinals.

AN: Excited and happy are the two words that come to mind. I didn’t really get to play all that much last year, but it was really great to see all of our hard work on the court come together at the perfect time. Every win brought with it new experiences!

MKB: What are your personal and team goals for the season?

AN: My personal goal is just to become a more consistent, smart player in order to better the ball for my teammates. As a team we of course have our overall goals for the year, but, right now, we are just trying to think one game at a time and our next game is Hopkins so that’s a big one.

MKB: You are playing a lot more than last season. What changed and how does it feel to be in a different role this year?

AN: This new role has definitely brought with it a lot more responsibility. Just given the nature of my position as a setter, I am involved in essentially every play which is a lot of responsibility, but I love playing and it’s just more fun to be on the court.

MKB: Do you have post-graduation plans?

AN: I’m only a sophomore, so I do not have any post-graduation plans as of now. Be happy and live life, that’s all I know now.

MKB: What is one thing that you would change about Swarthmore?

AN: I would change all of the new things going on with the meals because it’s getting a little ridiculous right now.