Fall 2018 Farewell - Thursday, December 6, 2018 - The Daily Cardinal by The Daily Cardinal

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Since 1892 dailycardinal.com

Fall Farewell Issue 2018

MAGGIE LIU/THE DAILY CARDINAL

The struggles of International TAs

International Teaching Assistants navigate the globe and the classroom, prioritizing students By Defang Zhang STAFF WRITER

International students, many of whom made journeys halfway across the globe, have been enrolling and teaching in high numbers at universities across the nation. International graduate students constituted approximately 20 percent of total national enrollment, according to the 2017 Graduate Enrollment and Degrees report by the Council of Graduate Schools. The number of international graduate students’ enrollment at UW-Madison is significantly higher than the national average — it was close to 2,703 in Fall 2017, nearly half as many as the 4,791 American students, according to UW-Madison’s Office of the Registrar.

“I was teaching as a lecturer back in Hong Kong, but... teaching in English and teaching in America is new to me.” Koo Zhixiong teaching assistant UW-Madison

Koo Zhixiong, a former investigative reporter and journalism lecturer

at Hong Kong Baptist University, did not enter graduate school right after commencement like many graduate students do, but rather shifted from the industry into the academic field. “I was teaching as a lecturer back in Hong Kong, but teaching as a [teaching assistant] is new to me. Teaching in English and teaching in America is new to me,” said Zhixiong, who now attends UW-Madison. Graduate school is competitive, especially for international TAs, according to Zhixiong. Such a competitive environment can lead to mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. According to a Yale University survey released in 2013, close to 39 percent of Chinese graduate students on the university’s campus reported depression and 25 percent experienced anxiety. At UW-Madison, many graduate students come to International Student Services with academic issues, according to Colleen Hutchinson, an ISS student advisor. Some international TAs experience stress as a result of linguistic challenges between them and native English speakers. These linguistic differences factor into undergraduate students’ evaluations of international TAs, researchers at Northern Arizona University found. “If I get rated very low by a student, it’s hard to get the job back,”

said Upenyu Majee, an African UW-Madison graduate student who majors in African cultural studies.

“I do the best I can in any circumstance... students do see that you are giving them your best.”

Upenyu Majee teaching assistant UW-Madison

Majee is calling for a systematic improvement, especially after a 2017 study found university teaching evaluations are not effective in measuring teaching capability. Along with linguistic differences, international TAs face cultural differences in the classroom. International TAs felt uncomfortable building informal relationships with students and dealing with pupils who interrupt them to ask questions during class, according to a Utah State University study conducted in 2015. Zhixiong is concerned about maintaining a balanced relationship with undergraduate students in class, due to different cross-culture perspectives in student-teacher friendships.

He also feels less in command when he is teaching in the U.S. In Wisconsin, he’s less wellversed in social problems than he is in Hong Kong. “When talking about some social problems in Hong Kong, I think I would not say I know everything, but I could usually tell whether this could work or not. I could give you a better hand,” Zhixiong said. “But here I will just step back and really discuss with the student. I will just say ‘I am not sure about this topic, please tell me what you have on your plate.’” Many universities developed programs to better prepare international graduate students for teaching in the early 1990s. UW-Madison offers training in order to help international TAs improve communication skills and reduce stress related to teaching. Still, some psychologists argue stress can be beneficial. “We all have stress, life is full of stress. Nowadays, stress is not bad, stress is good, you want stress in your life [because] it’s progress. Though you want to have control over it,” said Robert McGrath, a psychologist with expertise in stress management at UW-Madison’s University Health Services. International TAs are used to working under stress because, unlike undergraduate students,

they are responsible for both learning and teaching. The additional need to have a social life also presents international TAs with difficult choices. Graduate students have a common saying that between research, sleeping and social life, they can only keep two, said Zhixiong.

“You want stress in your life [because] it’s progress. Though you want to have control over it.”

Robert McGrath pyschologist University Health Services

Despite cultural and linguistic differences that sometimes generate classroom tensions, TAs believe their passion for teaching translates to students and makes for effective learning. “I do the very best I can in any circumstance,” Majee said. “If I take up a job, I want to give my very best. I think if you really do that as a TA, students do see that you are giving them your best. And I think that overrides problems that might be related to communication.”

“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”

science

•

Fall Farewell Issue 2018

An independent student newspaper, serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison community since 1892 Volume 128, Issue 15

2142 Vilas Communication Hall 821 University Avenue Madison, Wis., 53706-1497 (608) 262-8000 • fax (608) 262-8100

dailycardinal.com

ASMR: Cerebral marvel autos autos or internet sensation?

News and Editorial edit@dailycardinal.com Editor-in-Chief Sammy Gibbons

Managing Editor Sam Nesovanovic

News Team News Manager Andy Goldstein Campus Editor Jenna Walters College Editor Robyn Cawley City Editor Jon Brockman State Editor Andy Goldstein Associate News Editor Sydney Widell Features Editor Grace Wallner Opinion Editors Izzy Boudnik • Jake Price Editorial Board Chair Jake Price Arts Editors Allison Garfield • Brandon Arbuckle Sports Editors Cameron Lane-Flehinger • Bremen Keasey Almanac Editors Samantha Jones • Savannah McHugh Photo Editors Tealin Robinson • Channing Smith Graphics Editors Max Homstad • Laura Mahoney Multimedia Editor Asia Christoffel • Hannah Schwarz Science Editor Tyler Fox Life & Style Editor Ashley Luehmann Copy Chiefs Dana Brandt • Kayla Huynh • Erin Jordan Copy Editors Emily Johnson Dillon Erickson • Aylin Merve Arikan Social Media Managers Ella Johnson • Abby Friday Special Pages Haley Sirota • Justine Spore

Business and Advertising business@dailycardinal.com Business Manager Mike Barth Advertising Managers Wesley Rock• Daniel Tryba • Karly Nelson • Kia Pourmodheji The Daily Cardinal is a nonprofit organization run by its staff members and elected editors. It receives no funds from the university. Operating revenue is generated from advertising and subscription sales. The Daily Cardinal is published weekdays and distributed at the University of WisconsinMadison and its surrounding community with a circulation of 10,000. Capital Newspapers, Inc. is the Cardinal’s printer. The Daily Cardinal is printed on recycled paper. The Cardinal is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The Daily Cardinal are the sole property of the Cardinal and may not be reproduced without written permission of the editor in chief. The Daily Cardinal accepts advertising representing a wide range of views. This acceptance does not imply agreement with the views expressed. The Cardinal reserves the right to reject advertisements judged offensive based on imagery, wording or both. Complaints: News and editorial complaints should be presented to the editor in chief. Business and advertising complaints should be presented to the business manager. Letters Policy: Letters must be word processed and must include contact information. No anonymous letters will be printed. All letters to the editor will be printed at the discretion of The Daily Cardinal. Letters may be sent to opinion@ dailycardinal.com.

Editorial Board Sammy Gibbons • Sam Nesovanovic Izzy Boudnik • Samantha Jones Savannah McHugh • Justine Spore Haley Sirota • Jake Price

Board of Directors Herman Baumann, President Sammy Gibbons • Sam Nesovanovic Mike Barth • Barry Adams Phil Hands • Don Miner Nancy Sandy • Jennifer Sereno Scott Girard • Alex Kusters Kia Pourmodheji

For the record Corrections or clarifications? Call The Daily Cardinal office at 608-262-8000 or send an email to edit@dailycardinal.com.

Ford’s Hard Luck TYLER FOX SCIENCE EDITOR

PHOTO BY YOUTUBE CHANNEL OLINYA

ASMR YouTube videos feature everyday things like brushes, boxes and gum-chewing to relax their viewers. TYLER FOX SCIENCE EDITOR Opening YouTube on your nearest internet-connected device and performing a quick search for “ASMR” will yield hundreds of thousands of results. You’ll find everything from close-up gum chewing to hair brushing to shoe store roleplays — and what started as a cult phenomenon in the far corners of “weird YouTube” has become wildly mainstream. W Magazine’s popular video series pits celebrities in front of sensitive microphones to play around with all kinds of tingleinducing devices. With each episode now getting a million views, it’s time we examine just what makes ASMR so popular. An acronym for autonomous sensory meridian response, ASMR can be defined as a pleasurable sensory phenomenon that includes a tingling sensation starting on the top of the head and moving down the body. Like goosebumps but less chilling, the sensation is triggered by a variety of sounds, and it often differs person to person. Referred to as triggers, these sounds include things like someone speaking softly or whispering and someone tapping on a box. Even everyday brands are getting in on the trend – Ikea released a 25-minute commercial titled “Oddly IKEA” in which a woman softly speaks about new dorm room furniture while caressing shelving units and tapping her nails on lamps. Ikea’s video now sits at over 2.2 million views and shows how the trend is sweeping across internet culture. Some state their beginnings of their ASMR sensations occurred by watching Bob Ross, the late painter that charmed many with his gentle tone and refreshingly positive approach to art. Much like meditations and other wellness activities, some use ASMR as a mindfulness activity that helps them destress, calm down and fall asleep. No clinical trials have tested

whether ASMR is a valid solution to sleep deprivation, but studies have examined the overall sensation and found what triggers it most commonly. One such study from Swansea University in the United Kingdom performed an extensive evaluation of ASMR, and stated that the data shows “temporary improvements in symptoms of depression and chronic pain in those who engage in ASMR.”

“People use ASMR for background music. They use it to focus or when they’re having anxiety attacks.”

Lily Whispers ASMR YouTube Content Creator

It also found that participants of the study largely use the sensation as a sleep aid (82 percent), and that 70 percent used ASMR to cope with stress. The study also measured how common certain triggers were felt in ASMR viewers, and found that the most popular category was whispering, at 75 percent of those who voted. The next most popular triggers included crisp sounds like crinkling paper and tapping fingernails, while the least popular trigger types included white noise like vacuum cleaner sounds (3 percent) and laughing. Age also played a factor in the study, as many users reported first experiencing the stimulation between the ages of 5 and 10 years old, though some first experienced it much later in adulthood. The participants largely agreed that viewing ASMR had a positive effect on their mood, and a link between depression levels and self-reported mood was also found. Users with moderate-to-severe depression experienced a lessintense increase in mood levels when compared to those with low

or no depression, but all users did report an overall improvement. The survey also evaluated effects on chronic pain levels — the researchers found that 15 percent of individuals reported improvements in chronic pain symptoms as a result of watching ASMR. One of the few academic studies of its kind, this research helped illuminate the phenomenon that is currently sweeping the far corners of the internet, and the popularity of ASMR YouTube channels seems to agree with these results. Channels like Gentle Whispering and Massage ASMR have over 50 million total views, and some self-proclaimed “ASMRtists” are making a career out of this popularity. In an interview with the Oakland Press, Lily Whispers — a popular ASMR content creator with nearly a quarter million subscribers — mentioned that she has a talent manager and uploads several times per week. “People use [ASMR] for background music,” she said. “They use it to focus, like winding down for bed or when they’re having anxiety attacks.” Lily Whisper’s channel features long videos focusing on personal attention, hair-brushing, and quiet rambling videos. Other channels like MassageASMR feature more meditative videos do feature videos of patient massages, as well as “silent unboxings,” where the content creator slowly unpackages a new product and shows it to viewers. Gameplay videos are also popular topics for ASMRtists, though the gameplay often focuses on slower paced games and are played in a relaxed fashion. Though the sensation is not felt by everyone, and some may find the videos and description of the sensation somewhat creepy, ASMR has been proven to have a positive effect to overall wellness. If you’re considering taking the leap into this mellow, hush-toned corner of the internet, grab some headphones, dim the lights and give it a try as you nod off to sleep.

Automakers don’t have to copy Ford to jump on the surging-trend of SUVs. Rather, they just need to make compelling products. Ford allowed their sedans like the Focus and Fusion to carry on for over six years of life without replacement, and with sales continually declining, they announced they’d be annexing their entire U.S. sedan lineup, apart from the Mustang. Curiously, General Motors soon stated after Ford’s announcement that it would continue Ford’s noble quest of churning out mediocre-at-best sedans at prices above their competition. This bulletproof strategy lasted for a whopping four months before GM followed in its own sweeping cuts to both its lineup and U.S.-based workforce, particularly in the factories that build the majority of its sedan lineup. Many of these factories were operating under 50 percent capacity. Among the vehicles cut from its lineup include stalwart names like the Chevrolet Impala and Buick Lacrosse, as well as the short-lived Cadillac CT6, Chevrolet Volt and forever-overshadowed Cruze. Many of these vehicles saw low sales, which is seemingly indicative of general trend toward SUVs. However, looking at pricing for many of these vehicles, it’s easier to find a problem in their pricing. For example, the Cadillac CT6, when fully priced out in its configurator, can top close to $90,000. This dips a toe into German luxobarge territory, like the critics’ favorite Mercedes S-class and BMW 7-series. And even with all the marketing GM may show me, I’d still choose the three-pointed star over Cadillac any day. Further down the list, the Buick Lacrosse, an undoubtedly ritzy and smooth-riding sedan, eclipses the pricing of even its foreign competition, like the Lexus ES and Genesis G80 — and both brands rank higher in terms of overall levels of luxury and reliability. The takeaway? American sedans need to get back to being better sedans at competitive prices without the use of occasionally steep dealer discounts and leasing rates. Not only do these cut into the bottom line for manufacturers, but buyers have chosen with their wallets the better more reliable sedans, i.e. the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, whose sales have remained strong in 2018 despite the decries of the end of the sedan. To summarize, the death of the sedan has been greatly exaggerated — and American automakers (and their workforce) are paying the price for this.

news dailycardinal.com

Fall Farewell Issue 2018

UW says no to proposal on low-enrollment majors By Will Husted SENIOR STAFF WRITER

MICHAEL MAKOWSKI/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Protesters gathered outside the Capitol on the eve of state GOP efforts to disempower Tony Evers.

What Dems can (and can’t) do By Andy Goldstein STATE NEWS EDITOR

In the wake of several last minute reforms from state Republicans, Democrat Tony Evers will likely not inherit the full authority enjoyed by Gov. Scott Walker during his time in office, despite defeating the twoterm incumbent last month. After the Republican’s surprise defeat, Walker’s allies in the Legislature floated ideas about how to protect the conservative reforms they have passed over the last eight years, culminating in a slew of legislation to take away the power of incoming state Democrats before they take office. Evers, who campaigned on a variety of ambitious changes to existing policy despite a GOPdominated Legislature, will face an even further uphill battle to enact his agenda. Health care Democrats across the country campaigned on health care in 2018, and Wisconsin’s progressive campaigns were no different. Evers swore to accept federal dollars available under the Affordable Care Act to expand Medicaid to thousands of more Wisconsinites, something Walker has refused to do since taking office in 2010. Medicaid expansion, seen by many Democrats as an essential goal of expanding health care access, is still on the table for Evers, but state Republicans were able to make long-desired changes to the program itself. Following approval from the Trump administration, Walker and the GOP moved quickly to draft legislation adding new work requirements for childless adults under 50 who fall below the poverty line. Additionally, some childless adults on BadgerCare would now need to pay premiums according to their income levels. Evers and incoming Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul also promised to withdraw the state from its joint lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act, which Wisconsin tacked onto with a number of other GOP state departments of justice to challenge the Obama-era law. A provision passed by the lame duck Legislature would directly prevent the state Democrats from doing so without the say-so of the GOP Legislature. Republicans did try to pass

a bill that would attempt to ensure coverage of people with pre-existing conditions independently of Obamacare, a measure Walker and legislative Republicans campaigned heavily on, but it failed to pass. A few Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the legislation, with Democrats arguing that any protections without the entirety of the security provided by the Affordable Care Act would be hollow and at risk of drastically increasing costs for vulnerable patients. Voting and elections Record levels of early voting and general turnout came through in a big way from Democrats last November, and GOP legislators took notice. Some of the most controversial proposals of the session came in the form of limitations to early voting in the state, cutting it to two weeks prior to an election. This measure was successful. Republicans additionally sought to change the date of the state’s 2020 Supreme Court election, which currently sits on the same date as the year’s primary for president. Critics accused legislators of fearing high levels of Democratic turnout in a potentially high-profile presidential primary and trying to shield the incumbent conservative candidate from competition. The measure failed to garner the necessary votes due to opposition from election officials, who raised significant concerns over the proposed change, which would result in back-to-back-to-back elections three months in a row. Democrats have also been heavily critical of the controversial voter ID law passed under Walker, which tacks on additional requirements to voting that disproportionately hinder voters of color and with low income. Republicans enshrined the law as a statute, ensuring it will be enforced in future elections. Administrative authority One of the most powerful roles of the governor is their control over state agencies, who carry out the practice and enforcement of laws passed by the Legislature. Republicans, worried about handing a Democratic governor control over these agencies, passed unprecedented limitations on the office’s power.

The GOP Legislature has now given itself the power to block many of the rules the incoming governor could propose, a move that many have criticized as overstepping the state government’s system of checks and balances. Additionally, Republican legislators will gain greater direct control over the practices of state agencies themselves should the reforms be signed off by Walker, who has spoken favorably of the proposals. Legal challenges Next to Evers, Kaul and his soon to be office of attorney general stand to lose the most authority with the new reforms. The incoming Democrat promised to function as an aggressive arbiter of progressive legal challenges on existing environment, gun control and health care law. Republicans initially proposed a bill that would have allowed legislators to remove Kaul entirely from certain legal battles and replace him with private attorneys at the state’s expense, but eventually relented on that front. Still, the reforms that did pass would allow legislative Republicans to directly intervene if the attorney general challenged existing state laws, which could hamstring any of Kaul’s efforts to pursue litigations to do things like crack down on pollution. Economic development Republicans would also temporarily remove the governor’s authority over appointing the head of the state’s economic development agency, which Evers has criticized as too unaccountable to taxpayers. Many of the moves around control over economic development come as the GOP hopes to shield the state’s deal with Foxconn from shifts in partisan power. Democrats, Evers included, have long criticized the agreement as an untransparent giveaway to a large corporation. Despite the recent controversy surrounding the deal, and a slew of large protests around the Capitol in response to the lame duck session altogether, Walker seems likely to sign most, if not all, of the proposals into law. Regardless, Democrats will challenge much of the legislation as unconstitutional as both sides buckle down for what is likely to be a lengthy and contentious legal battle.

The Faculty Senate voted to reject a new proposal aimed at extensive and expedited reviews of majors in the UW System Monday in an effort to send a message to system officials. The new proposal would require the UW System to monitor enrollment in all of its academic programs every year in order to determine whether or not those programs should be maintained. The review process will only consider how many graduates that program produces each year over a five-year period. Despite UW-Madison joining other system schools like UW-Stout and UW-River Falls in speaking out against the new proposal, UW System President Ray Cross can still enact the policy without Faculty Senate or Board of Regents approval. Between 2013 and 2018, 23 bachelor’s, 17 master’s and two doctoral degree programs have been eliminated in the UW System under the current procedures. Bachelor’s degree programs currently require an average of five degrees to be awarded each year over five years, while master’s programs requiring three. Doctoral programs will be treated differently — they are proposed to be monitored every three years by doctoral granting institutions, according to the Faculty Senate agenda. This would not change under

the new proposal. However, degrees awarded would be the only factor considered in the fate of respective programs. The proposed changes differ from a past practice that gave more oversight of degree decisions to local schools. Currently, if an institution wishes to retain a low-degree-performing program, the Provost of the respective school would be required to deliver a short justification for keeping the program. Each institution currently bears the responsibility to employ “comprehensive and intensive re-examination of all academic programs,” according to a system review document. Academic programs identified as producing too few graduates then have three options, according to the document. The programs could either be eliminated immediately, suspended pending a remediation process and a shared governance decision, or maintained through an extension. Faculty have been quick to denounce the proposed changes. “For me this could hit close to home,” said UW-Madison professor and Faculty Senate member Chad Allen Goldberg in a November Faculty Senate meeting. “I am in the sociology department but I am also affiliated with the Center for Jewish Studies, a unit on campus that has a small number of majors which could potentially be affected by a policy like this. I’ll leave it at that.”

Dining, housing concerns from students By Robyn Cawley COLLEGE NEWS EDITOR

To alleviate dining and housing concerns, the Associate Students of Madison hosted a town hall to allow leading faculty and students to discuss the meal plan and residence hall renovations Wednesday. This year, University Housing struggled with limited rooms — often converting dens and study spaces into rooms — to accommodate the largest incoming freshman class in university history. University Housing Director Jeff Novak found that the shifts were “generally well-received” among students, noting the larger rooms and community bathrooms. Concerns of future enrollment growth accomodations paved the way for discussion on housing accessibility and affordability. If the university continues to see a rise in freshmen each year, they will continue to make renovations to current housing structures, according to Novak. Not all halls on campus are accessible for those with disabilities, which raised questions of why those halls were not receiving top priority to be renovated. Novak voiced his support of accessibility throughout all buildings, but noted that the mechanical structures and general volume of residence halls play important roles in the urgency of renovations. “Balancing out the priorities and the cost to do those — we would like all of our facilities to be accessible,” he said. The combination of financial concerns that come with affording rising residence hall costs along

with the newly-implemented meal plan — which has a base payment of $1,400 — were introduced by Anna Barry, a house fellow on campus, in reference to a new university housing survey. Novak continued to stress the importance of surveying the students and gauging their needs as housing and dining works together to provide space and opportunity for students to succeed without concerns of shelter and food. In the middle of last February, food trays were splayed across Gordon Dining Hall floors, representing the frustrations of inaccessibility for those with dietary, religious and socioeconomic restrictions in UW-Madison’s meal plan for incoming freshmen. As the semester comes to a close, questions of the meal plans effectiveness — especially for those with restrictions — still hang in the air for Novak and University Dining & Culinary Services Director Peter Testory. Speaking on her experience having an eating disorder with the dietary options available in dining halls, FH King Programming Director Andrea Seiler cited that close to 20 percent of college students could be considered diagnosed with disordered eating. She also noted that having to send an email or speak to a stranger — let alone a therapist — is not an easy task. “The inaccessible nature of the necessity of having to create a interpersonal connection to find your way out of what could be a harmful situation troubles me,” she said.

arts 4

Best Entertainment of 2018 l

Fall Farewell Issue 2018

FILM

“Black Panther” (Ryan Coogler) The Marvel Cinematic Universe has produced two to three movies every year for the past decade, but only one of those productions has managed to transcend into a cultural phenomenon. From the rolling hills of the African savanna to the technologically progressive nation of Wakanda, “Black Panther” displays the most elegant and awe-inspiring depiction of African culture since “The Lion King.” With a balanced blend of traditional, percussion-heavy rhythms of traditional Africa and experimental hip-hop tracks curated by Kendrick Lamar, the film is able to celebrate the modern and traditional nature of the African experience. Authentic attire and vibrant colors present in the costume design also contribute to the admiration of Africa’s heritage while still allowing the characters to maintain their own identity and unique style. Fueled by a predominantly African-American cast including Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o, “Black Panther” still remains in the public sphere by not only making a political statement within a superhero flick but also creating a social awareness for representation around it. -Alex M. Jankovich

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” — NBC (formerly FOX) Focusing around the fallout of Jake Peralta and Rosa Diez’s wrongful imprisonment, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” returns in its fifth season as strong as ever. The show still manages to set new boundaries of comedy storytelling, packing constant laughs while never shying away from important issues such as racism, stereotyping and sexuality. “Brooklyn NineNine” presents some of its most tense moments in this season, seeing important character moments for Jake and Rosa in particular – the former learning to take the world more seriously, and the latter discovering who she is. None of this is to say the show lacks the detective work and comedy that viewers have come to love, as the show is better than ever in this regard. Actors like Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher are still a joy to watch as well. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” remains a show like no other, and it’s easy to see why its cancellation and later revival on a new network sparked such a storm on social media. -Joseph Marz

Literature

“Never Anyone But You” by Rupert Thomson Based on actual historical characters, “Never Anyone But You” is narrated by Marcel Moore. Published in June 2018, Thomson sets his eye on the biographies of two pioneering female French surrealists to create a moving fiction that navigates same-sex love and selftransformation in a time when women’s voices were just starting to be heard. Set in the early twentieth century in western France, the narrator, born as Suzanne Malherbe, is a shy 17-year-old who changes her name to Marcel in honor of Marcel Schwob who was a favorite uncle of Moore’s female lover. Moore becomes entranced by the young and troubled Lucie Schwob, who is death-obsessed and poignantly exposed to her own mother’s insanity. Lucie transforms herself into the androgynous Claude Cahun. Embarking on a surreptitious love affair, they remain undetected because of their relationship as stepsisters. To escape an overly patriarchal society, they move to Paris in order to not be ruled by provincial conventions. Cahun emerges as an artistic pioneer through gender-challenging self-portraits, winning her a spot in the glamorous social circles of André Breton and Salvador Dalí. She tackled the confining gender conventions through her style, shaving off her hair, passing as a young man in public and posing for more flamboyant portraits. The novel transitions to tackle the idealism with the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands. The horrors of slave labor that is utilized to fortify Jersey shock Cahun and Moore into conducting a heroic, albeit naive, propaganda crusade. “Never Anyone But You” is a breath of fresh air from the traditional literary canon, a love story that breaks norms and reminds the readers to be true to themselves. -Lauren Souza

“A.P. Bio” – NBC Fans of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” were nervous about the show’s future when it was announced that cast member Glenn Howerton may not be returning for upcoming seasons. Howerton did stay on — but not before taking time away to help produce “A.P. Bio,” my favorite new comedy of the year. Howerton stars as ill-tempered philosophy scholar Jack Griffin, who has just lost his position at Harvard University. Disgraced and in need of any form of teaching position he can get, Jack accepts a job at Whitlock High School in Toledo, Ohio, teaching Advanced Placement Biology. At first, Jack hates his job and only wishes to use his students for his own personal gain. For example, Jack attempts to “catfish” Miles — the man who took his position at Harvard — by using one of his AP students. This becomes a recurring gag throughout the season. Featuring fan-favorite Patton Oswalt as Principal Ralph Durbin, “A.P. Bio” is sure to make you laugh and smile. Season two is on the way! -John Everman

music

Dirty Computer - Janelle Monae Janelle Monae capitalized on a stellar 2017 in film — with appearances in “Moonlight” and “Hidden Figures” — by making equally stellar music. Monae, who has identified as both bisexual and pansexual, interweaves a sexual energy throughout the entirety of Dirty Computer, offering a wide range of tunes both empowering and vulnerable, with seamless transitions between tracks. Most impressively, Monae’s album creates a lasting happiness while singing about a stark political setting and her journey through it, such as the loose groove “Pynk.” Later, she channels her inner Prince in lead single “Make Me Feel,” whom she says helped out with the entire album. Dirty Computer is her most accessible album yet, but she has not compromised her musical versatility in the name of a shorter runtime and simpler song structures. -Carl Zabat

dailycardinal.com

“Spider-Man” “Spider-Man” for PS4 comes out the gate in the midst of the superhero craze, and it makes for an incredible experience. Being the first “Spider-Man” console game in nearly five years, there were high expectations for the web-slinger’s latest entry. Thankfully, I’m happy to say that many expectations were met and then shattered over the course of this game. An effective way to see the quality of the title is through its narrative. I’ve never been as engaged with a story in gaming as much as this one, as it felt like I was actually playing through a Marvel movie — action and all. As for gameplay, the leveling system encourages exploration, which is thankfully a joy to do. Simply swinging from building to building, doing tricks and exploring New York City is addictive, and it’s exactly what Spider-Man is all about, putting the player into the hero’s shoes even further. Combat — being another important system of the game — is done creatively and effectively, giving a wide array of options and freedom in how to tackle the bad guys. Different suits and gadgets allow for hundreds of combinations and strategies, making for the most customizable “Spider-Man” game ever. If I was able to choose sequels for games from this year, “Spider-Man” effortlessly makes the list: It’s a must-have from 2018. -Kyle Engels

FILM

VIDEO GAMES

“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (Joel and Ethan Coen) “Well ... that ain’t good,” the shooter proclaims of the bullet holes in his hat — and his forehead. Such morose writing would, in any other instance, draw breathless moviegoers to the edge of their seat; consistent to the directors’ natural flair, though, we need only laugh at the existential gag’s matter-of-fact delivery. Yes, Joel and Ethan Coen return to the big screen in Netflix’s (medium screen?) release of their newest film, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.” Tracing the independent anthologies of six vignettes in the American West with grit, irony, tongue-incheek humor and a varied cast of peculiar, well-spoken souls doomed to wander the duo’s gifted minds, the two-hour film demands multiple rewatches. From the heigh-ho frivolities of Tom Waits’ lovable prospector to the sick and twisted tensions in Liam Neeson’s nihilistic entertainer to the Shakespearean folktale of Zoe Kazan’s timid and lovable farmgirl, these oddities and occurrences find themselves amidst the backdrop of mouth-watering vista shots, Carter Burwell’s capacious score and more dryly humored jokes than one can shake a stick at. “Buster Scruggs” is overflowing with meticulousness, and it’s got the visual gags and sarcastically generic narrative that brings you along for a wild ride of laughs, winces, tears and gasps. Half the beauty is finding no two personal chapter rankings alike, while the other half is unraveling the underlying mysteries behind each seemingly innocent plotline. To summarize it through the words of another Coen character, “The more you look, the less you really know.” - Christian Memmo

“Celeste” This sweet little game about anxiety and depression is a loving tribute to precision platformers. I don’t think anyone expected this to blow up the way it did. It’s hard to say just how widespread of a success “Celeste” was — we have no solid sales numbers — but as the game which regularly tops the Nintendo Switch’s sales charts, some moderate success can be assumed. It’s by far the most popular speedrunning game of the year. On top of all that it’s just good: It looks good, it plays good and has a good message. It executes all its elements perfectly in tandem with one another and is a classic in the making. It tells its story, its mechanics enforce that story and it never overstays its welcome (unlike some other prominent recent releases). If you have time to play only one game this year, make it “Celeste.” Make it the game which is complete and tight and heartfelt, not one of the dozens of AAA experiences on the market which persists for dozens of hours or, like “God of War,” execute a brilliant story, only to forego any sort of closure or meaning in favor of a sequel hook. -Marty Forbeck

literature

VIDEO GAMES

“Feel Free” by Zadie Smith “Feel Free” is a collection of essays by British writer Zadie Smith. Smith’s debut novel, “White Teeth,” was an international success, launching her to literary fame at the age of 25. In addition to publishing a number of novels and short stories, Smith has also written nonfiction essays, many of which are featured in “Feel Free.” For fans of Smith’s characteristic wit and insight, her newest publication will be anything but a disappointment. As the title suggests, the essays cover a wide range of topics all unified by a singular theme: freedom and its pursuit. Smith offers her thoughts and observations on multiple facets of contemporary culture, from Facebook to Brexit, while intertwining philosophical and historical influences as well. Her arguments are intelligent and often profound, leading readers to consider issues in a fresh way. Some of the best portions of the book are when Smith delves into her own personal experiences. For example, in her essay “Love in the Gardens,” she reminisces of a trip to Italy with her father. In “Getting in and Out,” she discusses what it means to be biracial in today’s society. Whether one chooses to read through this collection in one continuous session or pick and choose from the essays, there is no wrong way to read “Feel Free.” Readers, writers and fans of contemporary culture alike will appreciate the insight that Smith offers. Her essays are rooted in fact but enlivened with personal touches; they’re understated, astute and will leave readers wanting to read more. With “Feel Free,” Zadie Smith has yet again shown her remarkable abilities as a writer. -Madeline Peterson

opinion dailycardinal.com

Fall Farewell Issue 2018 5 l

COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS

The Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship to all people born in the United States of America, yet President Donald Trump has threatened to end it through an executive order.

Citizenship is guaranteed by birth KAVITHA BABU opinion writer

o be American is to embrace the freedoms and liberties granted by the United States Constitution. Whether it’s freedom of speech, the right to vote or the constraints of citizenship, the Constitution provides the guidelines of America and to its people. However, as a country characteristically known for its history of immigration and “the American Dream,” its president seems to disavow one of the Constitution’s main facets: birthright citizenship. In a recent interview to Axios on HBO, President Donald Trump stated his plan to end birthright citizenship through an executive order. Within the larger context of immigration issues in America, Donald Trump’s plan to end “chainmigration” is to attack birthright citizenship, in which children of immigrants will not be considered citizens of the United States. He also claims in this interview that the U.S. is the only country which has such a policy in place. However, this is blatantly false. Over 30 other countries around the world offer birthright citizenship, including Canada, Brazil and Argentina, to name a few.

In the president’s own words, his idea is “ridiculous. It’s ridiculous. It has to end.”

Tr ump’s intentions spark a lot of attention mainly because it would directly contradict the 14th Amendment which states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of

the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Not only does this raise the question of how the proposed change will be made, considering the amendment process to the Constitution is quite extensive, but is it even possible to do so? Although there is much debate on the constitutionality and overall legality of the hypothetical order, the possibility of its enactment is in itself very worrying, especially since no one really knows what it may look like. Would this affect noncitizens who had permanent residency and decided to have children? What about children of those who have pending green card or citizenship applications? Would a child be considered a citizen if one parent is a citizen and another a noncitizen? Will current U.S. citizens with at least one noncitizen or unauthorized immigrant parent lose their citizenship? The questions that arise from this one interview are endless, for it touches on a subject full of minute details that have potentially extensive consequences. Although there is a lot of confusion on the substance of this executive order, it is clear that it will state that people born in the United States will be considered aliens who belong to a country they have no real attachment to and have never lived in. This becomes an attack on people with similar situations as those of DACA recipients. In the president’s own words, his idea is “ridiculous. It’s ridiculous. It has to end.” As an immigrant who moved to the United States at a very young age, I am filled with worry and doubt about my future and others’ as a result of Donald Trump’s possible executive order. The United States is a country of immigrants, and to take away their right to belong

is inherently un-American. The United States is constantly referred to as a country of immigrants, yet this begs the question as to what the United States has become.

It will become a mockery of democracy — a Russia of sorts.

Overt institutional discrimination against minori-

ties represents a regression into the dark past of this country. If this executive order is enacted, this country will no longer be by the people, for the people or of the people. It will become a mockery of democracy — a Russia of sorts. Donald Trump’s attack on the Constitutional right of birthright citizenship is not only harmful to immigrants but also to those who believe in the values of America. The president has rejected what it means

to be American, and so, we the people, must participate in this national conversation, in order to protect our neighbors and loved ones, for jus soli — the right of the soil — and the livelihoods of millions that are at risk, all from the stroke of a signature. Kavitha is a sophomore majoring in political science and sociology. What are your thoughts on birthright citizenship and the immigration debate? Send any of your thoughts or questions to us at opinion@dailycardinal.com.

THE HOLIDAY HOT SPOT

A N T H R O P O LO G I E EVEREVE FREE PEOPLE K AT E S PA D E N E W YO R K K E N D R A S C OT T LU C K Y B R A N D MADEWELL PIER SOUTH TITLE NINE T H E N O R T H FAC E TWIGS

MIDVALE BLVD AT UNIVE RSIT Y AVE HILLDALE .COM @HILLDALEM ADISON

*Extended Holiday Shopping Hours*

almanac 6 Fall Farewell Issue 2018

dailycardinal.com

Thank you and farewell to all of our outgoing editors! From left to right: Sydney Widell, Erin Jordan, Andy Goldstein, Bremen Keasey, Jake Price, Brandon Arbuckle, and Allison Garfield Not pictured: Asia Christoffel, Ella Johnson, Ashley Luehmann, Laura Mahoney, Savannah McHugh, Hannah Schwarz, Justine Spore

Almanac Obituary — R.I.P. Savannah Savannah McHugh, outgoing Almanac editor, went missing last week after leaving her home for unknown reasons. Friends and family members came up with many theories as to where Savannah could have gone, but none seemed satisfactory. From the prospect that she impulsively made an appointment at a local tattoo parlor to add to her well-established sleeve or caught wind of a Scandinavian poetry slam (do those even exist?), the reality is that she probably ran to the store to stock up on instant mashed potatoes or attempted to rescue a horde of stray cats that passed by her home. Yet, while the motives behind her departure from the safety of her home are unknown, authorities have recently discovered her fate. Savannah at a Metallica concert, being stalked like innocent prey by her future ruthless murderers.

While they do not know where she was snatched from, a cult comprised of Courtney Love, Mark David Chapman and the entire Greta van Fleet fan club have confessed to kidnapping, torturing (via a 14-hour loop of Taylor Swift, Bhad Bhabie and Pitbull) and eventually exhausting the budding satirist to the point of death. The Virginia native was an influential, elderly presence in the Cardinal’s office, and she will be dearly missed. Savannah was always down for a pint at the Union or silently judging her peers, but her “take-no-shit, do-no-harm” attitude will go down in DC history.

Enjoy the memorial piece below from our late editor. Gone but never forgotten </3

Trump plans to host all press conferences regarding Mueller probe from Chili’s By Savannah McHugh

In a statement last Friday released by the White House, President Trump plans to host all future press conferences regarding Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the trial of Paul Manafort from his local Chili’s restaurant. This is part of a series of last-ditch efforts by the Trump administration to appeal to younger voters as primaries loom on the horizon. “It’s part of our new ‘Netflix and Chill’ initiative, a multi-step plan we’ll implement over 45 days,” Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said at approximately 4:15 last Friday evening from her podium, clad in her favorite local college hoodie and Lululemon leggings. “It’s a 45 day plan, with 45 points, one point per day plan. President Trump plans to boost the morale of the office by taking them to Chili’s every once in a while. It’s the new golf course. Business gets done at Chili’s.” Sanders further explained the plan’s purpose is to change the administration’s behavior slightly over a period of time so they can appeal more to younger generations of voters who can’t afford cable and prefer Wi-Fi anyway because it’s literally so much faster anyway. This is the latest and most well-researched attempt the administration has made so far to become more appealing to voters in their early-to-late-20s. The nomenclature alone is the administration’s most desperate attempt to date, let alone Sander’s announcement of Casual Fridays being mandatory for all administration staff as being a condition of the plan. “The only way we could get the entire administration to agree with this plan was if we rewarded everyone with free Netflix subscriptions for their compliance, courtesy of the American taxpayer,” Sanders responded when asked how the hell anyone could be stupid enough to think this plan would actually work. “We’re not very good at keeping promises so there’s probably a good chance we’ll abandon this plan, anyway. But we’re keeping the Netflix.”

RIP QUEEN </3 :(

comics dailycardinal.com

Thursday, December 6, 2018 • 7

You Are #1

Today’s Crossword Puzzle

Across 1. Clenched hands 6. Kid around with 10. Lugosi of film 14. Musical eightsome 15. Pearl Harbor’s island 16. Pizazz 17. ‘50s “Wild Bill” Hickok portrayer 19. Rock band boosters 20. Lying flat 21. Reduce in rank 23. Los Angeles hoopsters 26. Sun. deliveries 28. Online “Ha-ha!” 29. GPs’ gp. 30. Senator’s assent 32. Swear a blue streak 34. Loathe 36. Swapped car 38. Scarlett’s spouse 40. State govt. seat (and what each surname is in 17- and 62-Across and 11- and 25-Down) 41. Mike holder 44. Merchandise odds and ends 46. Ages and ages 47. Paddled boats 48. Have lunch 51. Place to apply gloss

Today’s Sudoku

52. Ore.’s ocean 53. Peacekeeping gp. 55. “The Godfather” star 57. Blacker 59. Securely fasten with rope 61. Mix, as salad 62. “Rocky Mountain High” singer 67. Lotion ingredient 68. Divisible by two 69. Repaired rips 70. Sensible 71. Old mariners 72. Things to do

Down 1. Visibility impairer 2. Hosp. area for acute conditions 3. Place to slop pigs 4. City near Phoenix 5. Like a cloudless night 6. Become a member 7. Caravan stops 8. Cable cinema sta. 9. Denomination on which Franklin appears 10. Roof support 11. First Tarzan portrayer 12. Portable computer 13. Photographer Adams

18. Prescription quantity 22. Cosmetician Lauder 23. Bert of “The Wizard of Oz” 24. Asian nursemaid 25. “Charlie’s Angels” actress 27. Pass, as time 31. For the same amount you paid 33. Icy coating 35. School on the Thames 37. Snitch 39. Steakhouse choice 42. Oklahoma city 43. Hockey great Phil, familiarly 45. Executive’s aircraft 47. Cooking oil seed 49. In for the night 50. Most loyal 52. Pocket breads 54. “On the __ hand ...” 56. Sleep disorder 58. “That’s obvious now!” 60. Rural stopovers 63. Eggs 64. Beetle and Golf, briefly 65. Comic strip scream 66. Streets: Abbr.

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9.

Bed Time!

Black Friday

by SangYa Bae graphics@dailycardinal.com

by Gen Vahl graphics@dailycardinal.com

by Liqi Sheng graphics@dailycardinal.com

sports

dailycardinal.com

Fall Farewell Issue 2018

Athletes of the Year

Wisconsin’s best athletes of 2018 include national champions, All-Americans Rettke towers over competition Pickett runs Wisconsin midfield After a decorated freshman season a year ago in which she was named First Team All-American and AVCA Freshman Player of the Year, sophomore middle blocker Dana Rettke added to her trophy case with a spectacular 2018 season. Standing at an intimidating 6 feet 8 inches, Rettke was a lot to handle for nearly every team Wisconsin faced. Rettke led the Badgers with 408 kills, a whole 108 more than the second-highest qualifier. On the defensive side, the sophomore compiled a team best of 170 blocks which was 77 more than the second best on the team. But her most telling stat might be her 73 digs, illustrating the tall middle blocker’s impressive range in being able to get down low to keep the ball alive. The

Riverside, Illinois native has started all 62 matches that Wisconsin has played since her college volleyball career began, a true testament to her dominance. Rettke took home her first AVCA National Player of the Week award on Oct. 22 and was given the Big Ten Player of the Week for the same period. Earlier this week, Rettke earned her first full-season award of 2018, as she was named to the AVCA All-Region Team for the Midwest. While the Badgers are still alive in the NCAA tournament, they face San Diego in the Sweet 16 on Friday. Rettke likely has more awards and nominations awaiting her as she builds her legacy at a successful Wisconsin program. —Simon Farber

When it comes to a player’s impact on a team, most look first to the stat sheet. But some soccer players’ worth cannot be measured purely with statistics. Senior midfielder Victoria Pickett is one such player. While Pickett only tallied one goal and four assists on the season, she, alongside senior midfielder Alexis Tye, dictated play in the center of midfield. Her dominance in the center of the park helped her earn AllBig Ten First Team honors for the second consecutive year, along with First Team AllAmerican honors to boot. Whenever Pickett got possession of the ball — sometimes after a tackle, sometimes a pass from her teammates — her pace and dribble allowed her to consistently take the

E TK

Taylor runs into record books

BR AN DO N

MO E/ TH

E L INA RD CA ILY DA

BR A

DA N

ON ND

INAL CARD AILY ED H T E/ MO

CARDINAL

RO N

LA NE -FL EH ING ER / THE D AILY

The top five athletes from a standout semester E M CA TEA LIN AL ROBI NSON/THE DAILY CARDIN

invaluable,” Trask said. Schlenker’s leadership on and off the pitch was invaluable M O RG AN M C DO N ALD this season, and the wins and conference title earned during his four years helped build up the program. —Bremen Keasey

Despite the disappointing football season, sophomore running back Jonathan Taylor did not disappoint, picking up at least 100 rushing yards. After a freshman campaign which saw Taylor break Adrian

Peterson’s freshman record, expectations were high for the sophomore running back. Taylor surpassed them, only having one game with less than 100 rushing yards as he finished the regular season with 1,989 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, both personal bests. His highlight of the season was in the triple-overtime win against Purdue. Taylor rushed for 321 yards and three touchdowns, including the game winner on his 33rd carry of the game. Even when he wasn’t earning all the headlines, Taylor impressed. After a 221-yard day against Nebraska, junior offensive tackle David Edwards joked Taylor had one of the quietest 221-yard performances he had ever seen. This was a game where Taylor had an 88-yard touchdown run. With the Pinstripe Bowl remaining on the schedule, Taylor should have no problem eclipsing 2,000 yards for the season and surpassing 4,000 yards in his young career. Taylor was named the Big Ten Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year for 2018, and if he continues his stellar performances into next season, he’ll be a likely Heisman candidate in 2019. —Morgan Spohn

JONATHAN TAYLOR

Prolific Performers AL IN RD CA ILY DA HE OE/T BRANDON M

SC H LE N K E R ISA AC

In a year of uncertainty for the rebuilding Wisconsin men’s soccer team, there was no doubt senior defender Isaac Schlenker was the leader. As the team lost its dynamic attack that led the Badgers to their first Big Ten title since 1995, Schlenker, a former walk-on, was the team’s captain and a mainstay on Wisconsin’s right flank. Schlenker led by example, scoring four goals and getting one assist as the Badgers went 6-2-0 during Big Ten play. Although they narrowly missed out on a NCAA To u r n a m e nt berth, new faces got chances to shine and start crucial minutes after Wisconsin the roster turnover. Noah Melick scored six goals and Andrew Akindele pitched in with four as both were named to the All-Big Ten freshman team; defender Zach Klacnick also earned a spot there. Head coach John Trask said that Schlenker’s leadership skills helped welcome in those new players into the fold and allowed them to play well. “The way he’s gone about not just welcoming but encouraging and letting the young guys know how successful they can be … that’s just

Isaac Schlenker ends on high

ball from coast to coast and beat any opponents who attempted to stop her. As a result, she was often double-covered, which allowed her teammates to make deep runs and take advantage of open space she created. After a 1-0 win against Nebraska, sophomore forward Lauren Rice said best how crucial Pickett is for Wisconsin. “When Vick’s playing well, our team is doing well,” Rice said Pickett’s presence in the midfield was crucial in the Badgers journey to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, being halted only by No. 1 Stanford in a hard-fought 1-0 contest in Palo Alto. Pickett’s impacted every game in which she played and more than earned her honors at season’s end. —Julien Scribner

Morgan McDonald enters elite company with National Title win “We’ve been preparing for this meet for a long time.” Morgan McDonald was typically understated in the lead-up to the NCAA Division 1 Cross Country National Championships, where he was looking to be the first runner in 20 years to capture the title on his home course.

McDonald and head coach Mick Byrne had formulated the plan for the senior to redshirt and run his final race as a Badger in Madison three years earlier. While the team had endured hard times in those years, McDonald toed the line with everything according to plan.

A record-setting crowd lined the course, packed with Badger fans hoping to see their hometown hero walk off with a win. McDonald entered the home straight neck-and-neck with some of the country’s other top runners, the fans packing the barriers straining to see who would

take the lead. He turned on the jets and outkicked the rest of the field to seal both his title and the storybook ending to his collegiate cross country career. “To win this at home in front of this amazing crowd … it’s just amazing,” Byrne said.

Already a star in track and cross country, with six Big Ten titles, three All-American accolades and two school records to his name, McDonald’s national title elevates him into an elite class of runners who have donned the cardinal and white singlet. —Cameron Lane-Flehinger