The Hoya: February 24, 2015

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY’S NEWSPAPER OF RECORD SINCE 1920 thehoya.com

Georgetown University • Washington, D.C. Vol. 96, No. 36, © 2015

TUESDAY, February 24, 2015

RISING ROOKIE

Freshman Isaac Copeland is an indispensible part of the men’s basketball team.

EDITORIAL The cartoon controversy highlights the need for a diversity requirement.

UNDOCUHOYAS A club seeks to provide institutional support for undocumented students.

OPINION, A2

NEWS, A4

SPORTS, A10

Finding a Home For Casa Latina Emily Tu

Hoya Staff Writer

The Latino Leadership Forum is advocating for the creation of Casa Latina, a permanent space in the style of Black House that would function as a safe space for Georgetown students, alumni and allies.

The LLF is composed of various Latino student groups, including the Latin American Student Association, GU Riqueza Dominicana, the GU Mexican Student Association, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, PorColombia and

Reventon Latino.

The Latino House would serve to increase community ties, institutional support and visibility among communities of color, according to LLF facilitator Naomi Fierro (COL ’15).

“What we’re hoping is that Casa Latina will be a safe space to celebrate and honor our culture, not only through cultural celebrations, but also by hosting meetings and events,” Fierro said. “It would be a place to just unwind, to be with other students who come See CASA, A6 LEFT: ERICK CASTRO FOR THE HOYA, RIGHT: ISABEL BINAMIRA/THE HOYA

Students gathered in Red Square for a 10-minute demonstration Monday, left. On Sunday, a town hall saw speeches from the portrayed Chris Wadibia (COL ’16), top, and cartoonist Dylan Cutler (COL ’16).

Cartoon Sparks Ire, Dialogue

Demonstrations reignite diversity requirement discussion

Katherine Richardson Hoya Staff Writer

KATHLEEN GUAN FOR THE HOYA

Plans for Casa Latina are modelled after the Black House, pictured.

Advocates hope the two communities can be located adjacently.

In response to a cartoon in the Georgetown Voice, students organized a town hall discussion and demonstration in Red Square on Sunday and Monday, respectively, to augment campus-wide awareness about racism and responsible satire.

The Page 13 cartoon, published in the Voice’s Feb. 19 issue, depicts then-

Disability Compliance Draws Scrutiny Charlotte Allen Hoya Staff Writer

With recent lawsuits filed against universities for inadequate resources for students with disabilities, Georgetown’s policies could leave the university vulnerable to a similar lawsuit, though administrators asserted that the university was compliant with federal disabilities legislation.

Two federal class action lawsuits, which were filed Feb. 12 by the National Association of the Deaf and four deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, separately accused Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology of violating both the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. According to the suit, the universities did not appropriately caption online educational resources, including “massive open online courses,” and thousands of video and audio tracks available to the general public.

Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center Executive Director Timothy Fox, a lawyer for the plaintiffs in both cases, outlined the allegations on the center’s website, criticizing the universities for making the content unintelligible to deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

“Federal law prohibits MIT and Harvard from denying individuals with disabilities the benefits of their programs and services, including those provided to the public on the Internet,” Fox wrote.

Andrew Phillips, the policy counsel for the National Association for the Deaf, explained that the organization was rebuffed when it had previously approached the universities about the issue.

“The National Association of the Deaf seeks to change inaccessible systems through a variety of means including dialogue,” Phillips wrote in an email. “When we approached Harvard and MIT in an effort to convince them to caption their videos, our requests for access were denied.

Consequently, we are pursuing litigation to achieve equal access.”

GUSA executive candidates Chris Wadibia (COL ’16) and Meredith Cheney (COL ’16) in a horse costume, beaten by now-GUSA president- and vice president-elect Joe Luther (COL ’16) and Connor Rohan (COL ’16) wielding two bats that read “Satire” and “Heckler.” Two bystanders at the bottom of the cartoon discuss the scene, with one saying, “Should we make them a grave?” The cartoon was met with criticism for depiction

of violence against African-Americans, since Wadibia is black, as well as misogyny, as Cheney is depicted as the horse’s rear.

According to Georgetown Voice editor-in-chief Dayana Morales Gomez (SFS ’16), the cartoon was meant to criticize satire publication The Georgetown Heckler — run by Luther and Rohan — and its treatment of See DIVERSITY, A6

Teach for America Applications Fall Patricja Okuniewska

clined by around 10 percent compared to the same time last year. According to The New Applications for Teach for York Times, the organization America, a prominent post- anticipates its teacher corps to graduate decline by apopportunity proximately that places 25 percent students in this year, leaddisadvaning to the clotaged school sure of two of districts, its eight sumdropped mer training nationally sites in Los for the secAngeles and MIKE SCHAUB ond year in Executive Director, Cawley Career Center New York City. a row after Teach for criticisms of the agency, though America is a nonprofit organizaGeorgetown University alumni tion that enlists college graduare still well-represented in the ates to teach in low-income organization.

Application totals have deSee TEACH, A6

Special to The Hoya

“Some college students would rather not make the twoyear commitment.”

FEATURED MICHELLE LUBERTO/THE HOYA

Lawsuits filed against Harvard and MIT have prompted examinations of Georgetown’s compliance with disability accessibility guidelines.

Georgetown University Director of Media Relations Rachel Pugh maintained that the university’s Academic Resource Center ensured the captioning of online content

“The [ARC] has explained to administrators of online programs that captioning is necessary.”

RACHEL PUGH Director of Media Relations

to maintain consistency with the Americans with Disabilities Act. All of Georgetown’s courses currently on EdX are captioned and have textaccessible transcripts available for download.

“The Academic Resource Center

Newsroom: (202) 687-3415 Business: (202) 687-3947

has explained to administrators of online programs that captioning is necessary in line with Section 508.

The provision of classroom aids depends upon the student’s disability and requested accommodation,” Pugh wrote in an email.

However, Georgetown University Student Association Undersecretary of Disability Affairs Lydia Brown (COL ’15), who works at the Academic Resource Center, said that the inequality of access provided to students with disabilities is widespread beyond closed captioning, citing unreported cases and expressing doubt that universities are particularly accommodating.

“Too often, intimidation and fear of retaliation keeps disabled students from filing formal complaints or lawsuits against their universities for See LAWSUITS, A6 Published Tuesdays and Fridays Published Tuesdays and Fridays

NEWS Luther-Rohan Confirmed The GUSA senate unanimously confirmed the pair as the next executive.

A5

NEWS Peace Corps

Sports Silver Medalists

NEWS Rabbi Pleads Guilty

OPINION A Calm in Copenhagen

Director Carrie HesslerRadelet spoke on international development Monday.

A5

Georgetown rabbi Barry Freundel pled guilty to 52 counts of voyeurism.

A5

The swimming and diving team finished in second place at the Big East Championship.

A10

While shootings rattled the city, Danish identity means a sense of trust prevails.

A10

Send Story Ideas and Tips to news@thehoya.com

A2

OPINION

THE HOYA

C C

Founded January 14, 1920

EDITORIALS

Teach Diversity Now In the days that followed the publication of a cartoon in the Georgetown Voice depicting then-GUSA presidential candidate Chris Wadibia (COL ’16) being beaten by other candidates, sudents filled St. William’s Chapel at a town hall organized by the Black Leadership Forum this past Sunday. There, students testified to their own experiences with racism and reinforced the imperative to educate.

This may have been best exemplified by the attendance of Dylan Cutler (COL ’16), the cartoonist, who stood among his peers and unequivocally apologized, stating that his work came not from a place of malice but poor judgment.

While the declaration does not justify the genesis of the cartoon, and the numerous editorial failures that resulted in its publication, Cutler’s self-reflection was appreciated, and points the university and its student body toward a path of growth instead of punishment.

Nearly every speaker at the town hall rallied around the hypocrisy that, while the university mandates that students take certain core curricula classes — beyond the university-wide theology, philosophy, and humanities and writing classes required of all incoming freshmen, individual schools’ vague and asymmetric general education requirements mean most students usually take courses such as “Principles of Microeconomics” and “Introduction to International Relations;” there is no “Introduction to Race Relations” or diversity-based requirement.

While courses dedicated to race and ethnic studies — primarily in the sociology department — can fulfill certain requirements, students are not currently obligated to take one. Such a course is necessary for a desperately needed increase in awareness of race on campus — and nationally, in light of current events.

The need for a diversity requirement, one just as ingrained into the Georgetown curricula as “Problem of God” and “Introduction to Ethics,” is an imperative. This is not a radical idea, but rather one that has already been in place at many of our peer institutions, including the University of Chicago and Cornell University, for many years.

While several students, organized on social media as “The Last Campaign for Academic Reform,” have been hard at work on this issue for years now — it is time for the entire university community to get behind this effort.

A solution cannot be reached without the support of students, faculty and administrators. While the town hall hosted a self-selecting group of campus leaders, the onus is on our entire community to educate ourselves and prevent incidents like these from occurring in the future.

One of the most pressing things missing from our current approach is dialogue.

This is not for lack of an involved, knowledgeable and well-spoken student body. Every day we see Georgetown students rally behind immigration rights, environmental issues and on-campus housing.

In contrast, the absence of widespread student activism on race issues is jarring, but stems from a lack of knowledge of the issues at hand.

Students should be just as well-versed in our nation’s history as pertaining to race as they are in current affairs, and just as capable of being concerned with these milestones as they are in ticking off the Dow’s closing numbers.

We are not perfect. From poorly worded headlines to an offensive 2008 April Fool’s issue, The Hoya recognizes that we too have something to gain from increased education.

Without the benefit of hindsight, editorial decisions, such as those that led to the publication of the cartoon, are not clearcut, but responsibility cannot be pushed away or dismissed due to a lack of knowledge about these important issues. Campus media plays a key role in the dissemination of information, and is thus charged with doing so responsibly.

A Georgetown degree confers a number of things — the inculcation of and respect for Jesuit values, a global education and social justice. A diversity requirement has the potential to confer something more — the ability to conduct dialogue on difference in a way that conveys respect and knowledge of our shared experiences.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

THE VERDICT Losing Views — Sunday’s Oscars telecast found itself continuing to fade from the spotlight as viewer ratings dropped to a six-year low despite a number of unorthodox musical performances.

Winter Is Still Coming — Weather reports predict that DC temperatures will remain below average for the next two weeks. Given the ice from last weekend that still has not melted, this is not a good sign.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The McCourt School’s Diversity Issue Despite its stated goal of “training tomorrow’s policy leaders today,” the McCourt School of Public Policy mostly educates just one side of the political spectrum: our student body includes an astonishing lack of intellectual diversity. The Class of 2016 for the Master of Public Policy program, totaling more than 120 students, counts a mere two or three American conservatives among its ranks. If the McCourt School truly valued diversity, sound policymaking, and contributing to the political dialogue in a meaningful way, then the administration, admissions committee, and faculty need to commit to educating more politically conservative students.

Despite the school’s dedication to data-driven policy, no amount of data analysis will present self-evident solutions to society’s problems. Values and prudence still matter in crafting public policy. The beauty of a democratic political system is that differing opinions will come together to find common solutions to issues facing society. With the near absence of conserva-

tive students, the McCourt School compromises the quality of its classroom discussions, review publications, campus events and contributions to the policymaking process.

American politics operates within the framework of a two-party system. How can the McCourt School claim an influential role in shaping the policy discussion in Washington, D.C., when it neglects a role in an entire half of the political debate? Even today, when Republicans now control the entire legislative branch of government, the McCourt School suffers by passing on the opportunity to educate students who will advise and work for those elected representatives who now hold the policymaking power in Congress. A public policy school that is honest about advancing the political debate would find it in its best interest, and in the best interest of the nation, to educate leaders on both sides of the aisle.

John S. Caddock McCourt School of Public Policy ’16

EDITORIAL CARTOON by Janet Zhu

Don’t Arm Our Students Combatting sexual assault ranks as one of the most important debates this country’s higher education system has ever seen and has warranted a dialogue that has continually held national attention.

This dialogue has contributed to the improvement of mechanisms to report assaults and harrassment cases, nationwide awareness and education campaigns about the issue and increasing resources for survivors, all of which are necessary improvements.

There is one proposal, however, that is circulating various state legislatures that should not be considered.

State legislatures in Florida, Nevada and Texas have all recently proposed curtailing concealed carry laws to allow students to possess firearms on college campuses in a bid to combat the recent outcropping of sexual assault.

In a telling interview with The New York Times, Nevada State Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, a supporter of the proposal, said: “If these young, hot little girls on campus have a firearm, I wonder how many men will want to assault them. The sexual assaults that are occurring would go down once these sexual predators get a bullet in their head.”

Aside from the willful ignorance of the tragic array of shootings that have taken place on university campuses in the past decade — from Virginia Tech to Seattle Pacific University to Northern Illinois to the University of California — these laws blatantly disregard that allowing students to carry guns does not solve the underlying cultural realities that perpetuate sexual assault on college campuses.

These are the same standards by which college administrations like that of the University of Virginia advise its sororities to steer clear of attending fraternity par-

Carolyn Maguire, Executive Editor Alexander Brown, Managing Editor Jess Kelham-Hohler, Online Editor Katherine Richardson, Campus News Editor Kshithij Shrinath, City News Editor Kara Avanceña, Sports Editor Hannah Kaufman, Guide Editor Jinwoo Chong, Opinion Editor Daniel Smith, Photography Editor Shannon Hou, Layout Editor Zack Saravay, Copy Chief Emily Min, Blog Editor Molly Simio, Multimedia Editor

Editorial Board

Jinwoo Chong, Chair

Madison Ashley, Kit Clemente, Francisco Collantes, Ed Crotty, Johnny Verhovek

ties, and by which New Student Orientation at Georgetown advises freshmen, especially freshman girls in universitysanctioned workshops, to walk home in groups when returning home late at night.

These proposals are accompanied by a slew of problems that the prohibition of firearms on campus has sought to address in the first place.

With the widespread availability of intoxicants, letting students arm themselves makes for a potentially deadly combination, magnifying the likelihood of danger for all students. Simply put, these new proposals endanger more students than they would protect.

The proposal also ignores that most sexual assaults take place in situations where running for a firearm is nearly impossible.

The scenario in which a concealed weapon could save a potential victim from assault is only one in a number of possible cases.

Are these victims expected to reach for their gun at an especially raucous weekend party? Or on the sidewalk outside a local bar? Or at a late night studying alone in the library?

The student body at Georgetown has received emails detailing sexual assaults that have occurred in all of these places in the past year alone.

Adding guns to the mix is not the answer to such a problem. Instead of injecting lethal weapons into the situation, universities should continue to identify solutions that focus on education and awareness, in addition to the overarching goal of increasing campus safety.

There are far too many what-ifs in giving firearms to college students, even when proposed in the name of curbing sexual assault.

This week on

[ CHATTER ]

Be sure to check Chatter, The Hoya’s online opinion section, throughout the week for additional opinion pieces.

Cyrena Touros (COL ’18) urges people to take a risk, examine and redefine their current identity: I think we all grapple with this sense of personal identity and are constantly waging a war against others who view us as different to how we view ourselves. I don’t know that we will ever fully be able to present our innate beings to the world, or even to another person, without being interpreted through others’ lenses — distorted from what we see and what we feel. I guess the best we can do is try, but there’s danger in complacency. College is a bizarrely temporal beast: It is the time in our lives when people seem to be the most fleeting, and it can be hard to make sense of what each encounter means when it doesn’t necessarily last very long.”

“

Find this and more at

thehoya.com/chatter Corrections

A previous version of “GU Extends Streak to 5 Straight Victories” (The Hoya, B8, Feb. 20) indicated that Georgetown’s women’s tennis team won five straight games and that its record for the season was (5-1). Its record is (5-2) and the five wins were not consecutive.

Mallika Sen, Editor-in-Chief

Brian Carden, General Manager

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Contributing Editors & Consultants

Sam Abrams, Katy Berk, Zoe Bertrand, David Chardack, Nick DeLessio, Robert DePaolo, Ben Germano, TM Gibbons-Neff, Michal Grabias, Chris Grivas, Allie Hillsbery, Emma Hinchliffe, Emma Holland, Penny Hung, Nicole Jarvis, Sheena Karkal, Hanaa Khadraoui, Natasha Khan, Lindsay Lee, Charlie Lowe, Hunter Main, Jackie McCadden, Suzanne Monyak, KP Pielmeier, Eitan Sayag, Katherine Seder, Sharanya Sriram, Sean Sullivan, Natasha Thomson, Kevin Tian, Laura Wagner, Emory Wellman, Christina Wing, Michelle Xu, Janet Zhu

Board of Directors

Sheena Karkal, Chair

Brian Carden, David Chardack, Lindsay Lee, Mallika Sen, Zach Singer, Laura Wagner Letter to the Editor & Viewpoint Policies The Hoya welcomes letters and viewpoints from our readers and will print as many as possible. To be eligible for publication, letters should specifically address a recent campus issue or Hoya story. Letters should not exceed 300 words.

Viewpoints are always welcome from all members of the Georgetown community on any topic, but priority will be given to relevant campus issues. Viewpoint submissions should be between 600-800 words. The Hoya retains all rights to all published submissions.

Send all submissions to: opinion@thehoya.com.

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OPINION

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

The Dean’s Desk

THE HOYA

A3

VIEWPOINT • Dearing

Eliminate the Static School Bernie Cook

The New Normal of Online Class S

tudent: What about “Concepts of Biology”?

Big State University is offering it online this summer, and I need it for my core requirement.

Dean: I see a few problems. The course seems entirely self-paced. You review PowerPoint presentations and take quizzes when you feel ready.

Student: What about this Shakespeare course?

Famous Flagship University is offering it online, and I have an internship during the day, so I can’t take an in-person summer course.

Dean: I don’t see evidence of interaction with faculty and fellow students.

Student: But, they’re ranked higher than Georgetown!

And so it went in the spring of 2014.

In summer 2013, the College academic deans gathered in Herndon, Va., to consider for the first time allowing online courses to count toward a Georgetown degree. Over the last several years, online courses had proliferated nationally.

Our students had made clear the appeal of such courses: They offer flexibility, expanded options and access to learning from highly reputable institutions. University leadership was intrigued, because online courses offered new economic models for delivering instruction.

However, the deans were concerned that the mediation involved in digital technology might separate students from faculty, substituting a simulation of interaction in place of the rich relations possible between faculty and students in classrooms, in office hours and out of class.

Recognizing that the future is now, we created a new policy that would allow our students to transfer as many as four online summer courses.

Of course, the devil would be in the details.

As with any non-Georgetown credit, students would have to propose courses for review and approval. We wanted to help students to identify high-quality online courses.

We had no idea how difficult this would be.

We started by considering the most important aspects of traditional, in-person teaching and learning. Successful course design and pedagogy feature a progressive organization of learning, intentionally structured by faculty, but allowing students to fill in and to complete the learning experience. Successful traditional courses involve regular and sustained interactions between teacher and learner, in classrooms and out.

We also recognized the potential of technology to improve the traditional learning experience. Digital technology allows faculty to flip the classroom, shift lectures to digital space, and free class time for discussion, engagement and the collaborative exploration of problems.

After much debate, we determined what we wanted to see: courses progressively organized with intermediate deadlines throughout the term, strong evidence of class interaction and regular instructor feedback. For us, the most important quality of a good online course was the engagement and involvement of the faculty member. Because technology structures distance between faculty and students, online courses must be even more intentional in designing creative ways for faculty to interact with, respond to, provide feedback to and assess students.

We received a small flood of proposed online courses. We soon discovered that too many of these were robo-courses. Like the robo-call, an automatic simulation of human telephonic interaction, many of the courses we reviewed seemed to simulate, but not deliver, real interaction and real learning. Many offered little instruction and minimal assessment. Students were asked to read, sometimes to blog, very occasionally to comment on the post of a fellow student. Faculty lurked somewhere in the background, emerging only to provide brief responses to posted assignments.

But we didn’t give up. We imagined the possibilities and limitations of online learning.

We worked to express reasonable and coherent ways to determine whether an online course featured the active guidance of a faculty member or meaningful interchange and collaboration among students. We understood that reviewing an online course involved both looking ahead and looking back.

During her address at Georgetown, University of Virginia President Theresa Sullivan connected the future to past practice: “The future of the university depends first and foremost on the power of human ideas and the transmission of knowledge between the uniquely human relationship between the teacher and the student.”

Like Sullivan, the College deans hold that “the uniquely human relationship between teacher and student” is fundamental. We actively sought evidence of this human relationship while reviewing scores of online syllabi.

For example, in the first generation of online courses offered in the summer by Georgetown, Stefan Zimmers’ HIST-007 course structured twice-weekly, hour-long, live-video discussions to provide the necessary human teaching element.

Heading into our second spring of online course review, we remain optimistic and vigilant, looking to preserve our traditions of teaching and learning while taking measured steps toward a hybrid future. In order to move beyond the robo-course, we focused as much on that which we cannot afford to lose as on what we hoped to gain.

Bernie Cook (COL ’90, GRD ’91) is an associate dean at Georgetown College and director of the Film and Media Studies Program. He is one of the alternating writers for The Dean’s Desk, which will appear throughout 2015.

I

look up from my computer and stare at the clock — only 25 more minutes of class. I tune back into the lecture on the rise of the Ottoman Empire as the professor announces that nothing past 1800 will be on the next exam.

Everyone around me scribbles, “Don’t study past 1800.” At long last, our professor releases us, and I pack up my stuff. Two days later, I am back in the same seat, counting down the minutes until lunch.

Maybe I am uniquely disinterested or cynical, but these past four years have left me uninspired. If I asked friends to name all of the clubs they are in or all the internships they have had, they would be able to answer almost immediately. I asked 10 friends to name the classes they took sophomore year, and the most that anybody was able to list offhand was seven out of 10. What happened to us? Academics have become only a diminutive fraction of our college experience.

Part of the problem is systematic. Georgetown’s status relies largely on having professors leading in their fields of research. Therefore, the university uses these standards when making hiring decisions and determining tenure. Professors must focus relentlessly on publishing so that they can gain financial security and stability at an institution. While they may have loved teaching or still do, there simply isn’t enough time in the day to commit fully to both teaching and research. If their teaching is sloppy, they risk getting low professor ratings. If their research is

The next time you find yourself scrolling through your newsfeed in class, ask yourself: Is this really what I envisioned class to be? sloppy, they risk getting fired.

On the other hand, an employer will look at a GPA and a resume listing a student’s “leadership positions and work experience” rather than at the depth of his engagement in class materials.

This means that students are pressured to get involved in clubs and to find internships while also getting good grades. All of this takes a good deal of time; a student might need to read the Sparknotes version of “The Leviathan” before class if he cannot spend four hours the night before reading the book.

VIEWPOINT • Mohr

It’s sad, too, because Georgetown has all of the ingredients for a healthier engagement in classes. Georgetown professors have committed their lives to gaining knowledge and passing it on to the world. Georgetown students are brilliant, well-rounded and driven: eager to learn at a great university and committed to doing so almost continuously for four years.

Georgetown brings everyone together and provides an operating budget of $1.1 billion to facilitate this learning. So, the next time you find yourself sitting in class,

scrolling down your newsfeed as you wait for class to end, ask yourself: Is this really what I envisioned class to be?

If you aren’t satisfied, there are a few ways that we can try to make a change.

Part of the change must come from the way classes are taught, the design of the core curriculum and perhaps even the material of the classes themselves.

The Designing the Future initiative is doing good work on this front, but students must show that we are eager to try new modes of learning. Additionally, we can demand that our professors be chosen not just for their research in their field, but also for their ability to engage students and pass on their knowledge.

But, ultimately, most of the change must originate in our own behavior. I have gotten the most out of classes in which I have invested the most. This might sound cliche, but we can’t expect our teachers to make a class about more than just a grade if we don’t.

Instead, if we do the reading, engage the material and show a thirst for knowledge, then our professors will almost certainly meet us there.

This school isn’t static; it changes constantly to meet our expressed wants and desires. Therefore, it is up to us to dream of a place greater than what we have now and to figure out how to get there.

Philip Dearing is a senior in the College.

THE UNDERGRAD ALMANAC

A Curious Danish Society Standard

Addressing the Great Democratic Disconnect

T

he dust has settled from the disapproval, she could lose — and 2014 midterm elections. The lose big.

Individual Republicans are newly elected candidates are in power, and the opposition to slowly but surely getting better President Obama has made itself organized in their campaigns — known, but has the message been which means bringing their own misinterpreted? Sure, there were supporters out to vote — and better several instances in which Demo- at advocating for some women’s crats lost or nearly lost (Sen. Mark rights. In every poll leading up to Warner, Va.) because of opposi- Election Day, the most important tion to the Affordable Car Act and issues to voters were the economy, low Democrat turnout, but what national security and health care. caused the low turnout? Was this Many Democrats did not heavily simply because midterms are bad campaign on any of these issues. for Democrats?

Yes, the ACA was a carcinogen to No. Democrats only focused on any Democratic candidate during mobilizing one demographic to the 2014 cycle, but these individuvote. They must find a more inclu- als only compounded their probsive, less alienating lems by alienating campaign strategy moderate voters, to get other groups, who always deincluding women, to cide the outcome vote for them. of close elections, Most of us on camwhen they campus know the beliefs paigned only on reand stances of each productive rights. party without having Maligning an opto pay attention to ponent on reproMusa Bassey ads or watch debates. ductive rights only We encounter peoworks if he or she ple who are equally identifies as comas passionate as us pletely pro-life. For about every part of a example, in Coloparty’s platform. Unrado, Sen. Mark fortunately, this often Udall (D) attacked makes us think the his opponent Cory rest of the country Gardner’s (R) supfeels this way. port for a state However, there’s a disconnect constitutional amendment that between how our student body would have outlawed abortion in sees the Democratic platform and cases of incest or rape. However, how the average voter — who has Gardner changed his position, substantially less information saying he didn’t understand the than us college students — sees the bill’s implications at the time Democratic platform. Any person and that he now supported overin the Georgetown student body the-counter birth control. Udall who wants to be a future political could not prevent his subsequent leader must know how to reach loss to Gardner by a 2.5 percent voters. These students must know margin. how to reach their potential supSomething similar happened porters with sustainable, inclu- in the Maryland governor’s race. sive methods if they want people Anthony Brown (D) attacked his to choose them. This means ap- opponent Larry Hogan (R) on pealing across demographics. women’s rights, even after he This in no way suggests the had said he was pro-choice and Democrats should stop campaign- supported women’s reproductive ing on women’s issues. My parents care. In the state with the second come from West Africa, where the highest percentage of Democratic prevalence of STDs requires con- voters in the country, where a Retraception access and education, publican had only been elected and many women face not glass one other time in 40 years, Brown ceilings, but closed doors to eco- (D) lost to Hogan, with even some nomic advancement. The prob- of his base voting for the other lem with campaigning only on side. women’s issues is that many There was little emphasis on see it as an attempt to cater to jobs, minimum wage or even ecoonly one segment of the popu- nomic populism. If Democrats lation. This alienates a lot of want to regain their majorities in non-women, since they don’t both the House and Senate, they see these issues as directly af- cannot rely solely on targeted votfecting them. ing. They have to appeal during One cannot entirely attri- times when the electorate is more bute President Obama’s 2012 conservative as well. victory to women’s issues. VotIf candidates are going to camers also saw him as more in paign on women’s issues, they touch with their concerns and should at least focus on economic lives than Romney. However, issues tied to women, including what may have worked in 2012 those that affect everyone, such did not work in 2014 and might as paid leave for both genders, the not work in 2016. Hillary Clin- minimum wage and equal pay for ton has promised to put wom- equal work. en’s issues at the top of her 2016 campaign. If her Republican op- Musa Bassey is a freshman in the ponent takes a moderate position College. The Undergrad Almaon these issues and warrants her nac appears every other Tuesday.

he buzz of extra foot traffic and intense police presence didn’t faze Lior Foighel as he toasted rye bread and readied lox for a traditional Danish sandwich.

Outside, it looked like any other gray day in Copenhagen. Colorful rows of houses stood out against the gloomy skies, as did the flowers and the lack of fear.

“I’m not afraid at all,” Foighel said.

Danes, as a whole, are just like Foighel. They aren’t afraid.

Unlike the locals, when I first arrived, I wasn’t so sure of anything. Since arriving jet-lagged and culture-shocked in August, I’ve come to see Copenhagen as a second home. If you were to meet me in the winding streets, I’d be wearing all black, stuffing a pastry in my mouth and attempting to bike all at the same time. I’ve always felt safe here.

My sense of security was temporarily shattered when my phone started buzzing with alert emails about the attack at a blasphemy debate in the Osterbro neighborhood. I tried to nonchalantly dismiss my family and friends’ fears and continue my Valentine’s Day plans unhindered, but after another death outside a synagogue later that night, I was officially afraid.

I thought about the aftermath of the Boston bombing and how rumors led us to fear that the suspect might be fleeing through Georgetown to relatives in Maryland, right across the river. Although I was young at the time, I also remembered the fear we all felt after 9/11 and how community discussions seemed to spread the uncertainty, not quell it. I expected panic in Denmark. I was wrong.

Despite this weekend’s terrorist attack that rattled Denmark and the rest of the world, hysteria is noticeably absent on the streets of the Danish capital. Children dressed up for Fastelavn, the Danish Carnival celebration and frolicked in the streets of Norrebro. Right around the corner, Omar elHussein, openly identified as the gunman responsible for killing two and wounding five at a cultural center and a synagogue in Copenhagen, was killed by police early Sunday morning.

Denmark’s societal norm of trust as well as a cohesive national identity are large parts of the lack of fear I’ve seen. And, as an outsider, I’m really impressed.

My Danish teacher hit the nail on the head when she told us that trust is the glue that ties her society together. In 2008, 88.8 percent of Danes responding to

an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development survey said that they had a high level of trust in others. In the United States, only 48.7 percent felt this same high level of trust.

Danes tell me all the time that they would never pay such high taxes if they didn’t trust their neighbors to pay theirs.

Denmark has also historically revolved around a strong national identity. In 1864, when faced with a threat to its very existence in the form of the Second Schleswig War against Prussia and Austria, Denmark was forced to become self-aware and to cultivate what it means to be Danish. Although the country is becoming increasingly diverse, an overarching community identity is comforting.

“Hygge,” a Danish word that can’t be directly translated but encompasses concepts of coziness, also encourages a warm, communal environment.

Danes light candles and gather together to eat cake and drink tea (this alone makes me want to be Danish) during the cold winter. In this same way, they gather together now to stave off fear.

“I’m so proud of being Danish right now,” Foighel said. If Foighel, a young Jewish man whose own bar mitzvah was defended by the same volunteer guard who was shot outside the synagogue, can be resolute, so can we.

Compared to Danish friends living in Norrebro who likened the surreal scene to an American movie, or to fellow Americans trapped in the streets when public transportation halted and bars went into lockdown after the second shooting, I was unscathed. The proximity was what initially unnerved me — Krystalgade is three blocks from the Danish Institute for Study Abroad, and whenever I dragged myself to the gym last semester and promised to eat no more Danish wienerbrod, I passed el-Hussein’s neighborhood. As I write this, police walk by a window of the cafe, heavily armed. Everything feels a little too close for comfort, but the size of Copenhagen also leads to the remarkable lack of fear I’ve seen.

At the synagogue downtown, chattering teenagers wearing matching scarves lay flowers on top of the already heaping memorial. Others bike slowly by, curious but determined to live their lives again.

I’m no longer afraid, and, for the most part, neither are they.

Denmark’s societal norm of trust and cohesive national identity is something we rarely see in the U.S.

Kylie Mohr is a junior in the College.

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Today’s politics are too focused on singular demographics.

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THE HOYA

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NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

INSIDE THIS ISSUE The Red House allows students and administrators to collaborate on the university’s future. See story on A7.

Your news — from every corner of The Hoya.

IN FOCUS

verbatim

BARREL OF GIGGLES

“

The greatest tragedy in the world is not poverty ... [but] the lack of dignity, opportunity and hope. ” Peace Corps Director Carrie HesslerRadelet on the global role of the organization. See story on A5.

from

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ISABEL BINAMIRA/THE HOYA

The Georgetown Improv Association hosted its 19th annual Improv Fest in Bulldog Alley this weekend. Performing groups included improv troupes from six different universities, including the George Washington University. See story on A5.

OWN IT 2015: SPEAKER PROFILES The OWN IT conference is back. Read 4E’s first speaker profile on Danielle Brooks from “Orange Is the New Black.” blog.thehoya.com

Advocating for the Undocumented Summer Employment Program Expands

ANNA RILEY

Special to The Hoya

Gilda Gallardo (COL ’17) was a junior in high school when her family was torn apart. After constant worry about Immigration and Customs Enforcement home raids, her mother was deported to Tijuana, Mexico.

Three years later, Gallardo is an undocumented sophomore at Georgetown and a member of a new group called UndocuHoyas, which has brought her close to other students with similar stories.

Students founded UndocuHoyas this fall after identifying a lack of support at the level they wanted and needed on campus.

The group, which has no formal leadership as it is non-hierarchical, consists of around 10 involved student members, along with faculty and staff advocates and mentors.

“The group started meeting solely because everyone wanted to be around other undocumented students,” Citlalli Álvarez (COL ’15), one of the group’s founders, said. “It’s a working group. It started as people just getting together at my house.”

Alvarez is originally from Mexico, and currently works as a research assistant in the department of anthropology, researching immigration policy, specifically related to child migrants. She also serves as the president of Hoyas for Immigrant Rights. Álvarez said that the group serves as a support system for undocumented students who face a unique set of challenges at college.

“There are specific issues that we face that no one is really aware of, so we kind of have to deal with it on our own,” Álvarez said. “New studies show that undocumented students are 30 percent more likely to be depressed in college because of the things that we’re dealing with, like worrying about if our families are safe. Georgetown goes on about cura personalis and caring for the whole person, but at CAPS, no one knows how to talk to undocumented students about their specific issues.”

UndocuHoyas meets about once every week, and 10 or more people usually attend gatherings. During the meetings, members discuss their specific needs on campus and plan ways to make changes.

Gallardo said that although each undocumented student has different needs, there are several changes that can be made that will help all of them.

“We’ve all been touched by specific things,” Gallardo said. “In general, I think we can all agree that there needs to be more change at an administrative level, which is why we’ve all grouped together.”

The group is advocating for a num-

ber of issues on campus, and is working with administrators to formulate solutions. Gallardo said that in the short run, the group wants to create a resource page on the website for the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access for prospective and current undocumented students, as well as alumni. Álvarez said Georgetown needs a fulltime staff member that has background knowledge and gets paid to know how to work with undocumented students.

Currently, CMEA Assistant Director of Academic and Student Support Services Cinthya Salazar works closely with the group even though that is not part of her specific job description.

“Cinthya helps us just because she’s really great, but it’s not her job,” Álvarez said. “She’s already the director of a program, which takes a lot of effort. We really want someone to be hired, like a full-time staff member to work with undocumented students.” Álvarez said that she is frustrated because the group wants more access to the administration, where large-scale change occurs.

“A lot of times we’ll direct questions at administrators, and they’ll send those questions to Cinthya,” Álvarez said. “It’s frustrating because we see her all the time; she comes to our meetings; she’s very engaged with us. We want to be in communication with other people who are higher up and making decisions. Cinthya’s done everything she can to help us, but the conversation needs to move beyond that.”

One of the other main concerns of the group is the study abroad requirement for undocumented students who want to major in a language.

“Students can’t major in a language here unless they study abroad. They can waive it, but you have to go to the department and explain your story,” Gallardo said. “But it shouldn’t be like that because it’s an emotionally draining experience to always have to go through bureaucracy to get that.”

Another pressing concern for the group is the fact that Georgetown’s website does not include information for undocumented students.

Although the university does accept undocumented students, the website does not currently include a clause that tells undocumented students that they are permitted to apply. Álvarez said that many students do not know that their citizenship status does not affect admission.

“A lot of undocumented students are looking for that statement to make sure they are able to apply,” Álvarez said. “A lot of them are qualified and would get into Georgetown, but there’s no way right now for them to know that they can get in.”

Last semester, the group met with administrators from the Office of Under-

graduate Admissions, who promised to add language to the Georgetown website that would state that the university will consider applicants “regardless of citizenship status,” a clause that has not been previously included. The language has yet to be added to the Georgetown website.

Office of Undergraduate Admissions Senior Associate Director Jaime Briseño worked with the group to draft a statement of intent to change the language of Georgetown website. According to Briseño, the clause will be added to the university’s website once it is accepted by the university counsel. He did not comment on why the counsel has yet to clear the statement.

“Whatever we post on our website would need to be cleared by the university counsel’s office to ensure it is consistent with university wide policies,” Briseño said. “It has been submitted to them for review, as we need to ensure that whatever is on our website is run through appropriate channels.”

Briseño also helped take the social security number section out of the application because UndocuHoyas explained that some undocumented students shy away from applying to Georgetown when they see a request for a social security number.

“We could see how some potential students might see the Social Security number request on the application and might be hesitant, so we removed that completely,” Briseño said.

The group has also led a few “teachins” with different university staff members and the Division of Student Affairs to better inform them about undocumented students.

“The staff here is completely clueless about undocumented students,” Álvarez said. “They don’t know that we’re here or how to support us. The Division of Student Affairs hasn’t had training on how to talk to undocumented students or how to provide resources for them. We broke it down and told them what we’re facing in the admission process with financial aid, the career center and academics.”

Gallardo said she envisions a future for Georgetown with increased oncampus support for undocumented students.

“My big dream, my big vision, for Georgetown would be to have a resource center for undocumented students and students from mixed-status families,” Gallardo said. “Georgetown, as a Jesuit institution, is looked at as a leader, and so it needs to step up its game.” Álvarez said that she wants to see the university take action.

“Georgetown has said that, as a Jesuit institution, they support undocumented students,” Álvarez said. “Now, it’s at the point where they have to live out that commitment.”

MATTHEW LARSON Hoya Staff Writer

Mayor Muriel Bowser recently announced a $5 million expansion of the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program that would enlarge the age group of those eligible and provide an increase in pay to city youth.

The program, which promises jobs to interested D.C. youth, was started by former mayor Marion Barry in 1979 in order to increase opportunities for youth, particularly those in poorer neighborhoods, to earn money, develop skills needed in the job market and gain experience by working with professionals. After Barry’s death in November, Bowser named the program in his honor.

The program, which previously allowed only 14- to 21-year olds to participate, will be expanded by Bowser to include unemployed 22to 24-year olds.

The expansion is intended to relieve the potential trouble that young adults have finding a job when first starting out in the labor market, which is particularly an issue in D.C. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the city’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in December 2014 was 7.3 percent for adults, the highest rate in the country; the national unemployment rate is 5.6 percent.

“Frequently and more frequently, we’re talking about that young person who is 22- to 24-years old that continues to need our help,” Bowser said at a Feb. 10 news conference.

“My administration is committed to investing in our young people.”

In addition to the age expansion, a new pay scale will come into effect for different age groups. Previously, all 14- to 21-year olds made $7.25 per hour. Now, only the 14- and 15-year olds employed in the program will continue to receive $7.25 per hour, while the 16- to 21-year olds will make an hourly wage of $8.25. The 22- to 24-year olds will be eligible to make between $9 to $10 an hour, depending on the city’s budgetary outlook. The exact wage has yet to be determined.

The wage for youth in the program will be lower than the D.C. minimum wage, which is currently $9.50 and will increase by a dollar to $10.50 per hour on July 1.

Bowser said in the news conference that while the wage was important, the program’s real goal is to create a strong, skilled workforce

native to the District.

“We [need to] make sure we’re making it a program that provides robust experience and allows young people to build a resume,” Bowser said. “[We need] sustainable jobs right here in Washington, D.C.” Recent reports from the Fiscal Policy Institute and Office of the Chief Financial Officer have highlighted the stark inequality in the District, noting that the wage gap is at a 35year high and that, compared to the 50 states, D.C. had the highest index of income inequality. Bowser explained that the expansion and the subsequent job training, especially for underprivileged youth, will do more to help D.C.’s economy and reduce inequality than other measures might.

According to Bowser, all job training programs will be examined over the course of the year and have their budgets adjusted based on their trainees’ success.

“Our issue is that we spend a lot of money in D.C. on training,” she said. “We have to get a handle on where all of the money is going.”

Georgetown University has participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program since the early days of the program and will continue to do so, according to Brenda Atkinson-Willoughby, the director of Partnerships and Community Engagement at the Office of Community Engagement.

“We welcome the opportunity to partner with the city’s SYEP,” Atkinson-Willoughby wrote in an email. “[We’ll] provide employment opportunities to a wider group of youth and young adults this year.”

As part of the program, Georgetown provides positions at the Biology Department, Department of Human Resources, University Information Services, McDonough School of Business, School of Nursing and Health Studies and Georgetown University Law Center.

Assistant Director of Community Engagement Jamie Scott added that the number of jobs Georgetown provides each year varies depending on the amount of positions available and the pool of applicants.

“Last year Georgetown hired five students, and in 2013 we hired 10,” he wrote. “We’ve hired as many as 12 students in prior years.”

Since applications opened on Jan. 30, over 14,000 youth have applied to the program, which will run for six weeks from June 29 to Aug. 7.

news

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

THE HOYA

A5

Senate Confirms Luther-Rohan Kshithij Shrinath Hoya Staff Writer

USAID

USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah was named an SFS distinguished fellow and will begin his role at the school March 1.

USAID Chief Joins SFS Faculty Deirdre Collins Hoya Staff Writer

United States Agency for International Development administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah has been appointed as a distinguished fellow for Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service. Shah will join the SFS faculty March 1 and will reinforce the university’s commitment to global economic development, working with SFS Global Human Development program director Steven Radelet.

Shah deferred comment on his new position until he arrives on campus in March, and SFS Interim Dean James ReardonAnderson and Associate Dean Mitch Kaneda deferred comment until they begin work with Shah in the upcoming months.

Shah led President Barack Obama’s global hunger and food security initiative, Feed the Future and Power Africa, which has worked with over 7 million small-scale farmers in 19 countries to reduce poverty and malnutrition. Feed the Future has improved the nutrition of 12 million children and continues to sustainably reduce poverty and hunger around the world.

Shah also pushed America’s global health partnerships to join UNICEF and put an end to preventable child deaths in countries like Ethiopia and India. The program has helped the number of children under age five who die each year to drop from 12 million in 1990 to 7 million in 2011. Shah also directed the U.S. government’s responses to urgent humanitarian crises like the 2010 Haiti earthquake

and the recent Ebola outbreak.

Before working at USAID, Shah worked in the U.S. Department of Agriculture as undersecretary and chief scientist.

Shah created the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NIFA aims to advance agricultural research, education and extension to address societal concerns in the United States.

Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia said in a statement on the university website that Georgetown students and faculty will benefit from Shah’s experience at USAID. “Through innovative technology and engagement with diverse corporate and community sectors, Rajiv Shah’s leadership at USAID has worked to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” DeGioia said.

“Our students and university community will greatly benefit from his experience in international development and humanitarian responses.”

Radelet, who Shah will be working with at the SFS, worked as chief economist for USAID before joining the SFS faculty in 2012. Radelet commended Shah’s work and leadership abilities.

“Raj Shah is one of the most creative and energetic development leaders in the world today,” Radelet said in a statement on the university website. “He has led USAID through some of the biggest changes in its history and leaves the agency much stronger than when he arrived five years ago. We are thrilled that he has joined us at Georgetown.”

Rabbi Pleads Guilty To Voyeurism Kshithij Shrinath Hoya Staff Writer

Barry Freundel, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi in the Georgetown neighborhood who also taught at Georgetown University Law Center until last year, pleaded guilty to 52 counts of misdemeanor voyeurism Thursday and will face sentencing in May. Freundel, 62, was arrested Oct. 14 for placing recording devices at the women’s private baths at National Capital Mikvah, which is adjacent to the Kesher Israel Orthodox synagogue in Georgetown where Freundel served as rabbi.

The initial investigation, which charged Freundel with six counts of voyeurism, prompted more victims to come forward. According to The Times of Israel, prosecutors unearthed more videos in Freundel’s possession, in which the rabbi observed a total of 152 women. Due to statutes of limitations and difficulty identifying the people in the videos, Freundel was charged with only 52 counts of voyeurism.

“Bernard Freundel exploited his position of power to victimize dozens of women who entered a sacred, intimate space of religious ritual,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ronald Machen said in a press

release. “He betrayed the trust of every woman whose private moments he caught on camera along with an entire community that counted on him for moral leadership.”

Each count carries a maximum sentence of one year of incarceration, a $2,500 fine, or both, which could set Freundel’s final sentence at 52 years.

The U.S. Attorney’s office will seek a heavy sentence at the hearing May 15.

“We hope that this guilty plea will allow each of his victims to move forward and heal. We will be seeking a prison sentence that reflects the gravity of this disturbing assault on the privacy and dignity of so many victims,” Machen said.

In addition to his position as a rabbi in the Georgetown neighborhood, Freundel was an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center, where he had taught a course on Jewish law since the early 1990s. He last co-taught a seminar in the spring of 2014.

An unnamed third-year law student, who said the rabbi lured her to the private baths, filed a lawsuit against the university in December for hiring the rabbi without a sufficient background check. The lawsuit is pending.

The Georgetown University Student Association senate voted unanimously Sunday to certify the results of Thursday’s executive election, officially confirming Joe Luther (COL ’16) and Connor Rohan (COL ’16) as the next president and vice president of the association.

“Connor and I are honored to serve in our roles this year and excited to serve the student body. We thank the senate for the certification and look forward to working with them,” Luther said.

“But we’re really peeved that we still haven’t heard from the Stewards. When are they going to confirm us, huh?” Rohan said.

Luther and Rohan won the election with 54.1 percent of the vote in the fourth and final round of voting, after campaigning on a satirical platform that criticized GUSA for being out of touch with the student population.

With the lack of concrete, feasible platform tenets, sources close to senators had speculated in the run-up to the election that the body might choose to not confirm the results should the ticket win, but those worries proved to be unfounded.

Vice Speaker Abbey McNaughton (COL ’16), who finished second in the presidential election, introduced the motion to certify the results. The motion passed unanimously. McNaughton will assume the role of chief of staff for the executive.

Senate Speaker Tyler Bridge (COL ’17) noted the unorthodoxy of the new executive but said that certifying the results was not in doubt.

“While it is obvious that the victory of the Luther-Rohan ticket was a shock to many in the GUSA establishment, I believe that democracy has odd ways of making government work,” Speaker Tyler Bridge (COL ’17) wrote in an email.

“As it should have done, the senate unanimously certified the election results.”

Former vice presidential candidates Meredith Cheney (COL ’16) and Reno Varghese (SFS ’16) were among the senators voting to approve certification. Current GUSA President Trevor Tezel (SFS ’15), Vice President Omika Jikaria (SFS ’15) and Luther observed the meeting.

While Bridge expressed his enthusi-

asm for working with Luther and Rohan, he said that their relative inexperience could allow a stronger role for the senate in campus leadership.

“This election, though unorthodox and once unimaginable, represents a distinct opportunity to begin a new chapter in student government,” Bridge wrote. “While it remains to be seen how the Luther administration will respond, this election places the senate in a unique position to lead. As the officially recognized voice of the student body, the senate, I believe, will be both ready and willing to step up to the plate, helping to fill a leadership role that we have previously shirked.”

Prior to the vote to certify the results, Election Commissioner Pavan Rajgopal (SFS ’14) gave the senate a brief overview of the election process, saying that the election ran relatively smoothly.

“Overall, we had a pretty successful

executive election. It was definitely contentious at times, and got heated and personal; we obviously don’t like to see that,” Rajgopal said. “In terms of actual rule violations, though, there were only a couple reports. … We had a minor issue with study-abroad voting because our eligibility lists didn’t include those students but we were able to cross-check the lists with people who voted via email, and that process worked itself out.”

Rajgopal said that Luther and Rohan’s victory gave them a clear directive from the student body to lead.

“The election went fairly well. It’s great to see people energized about GUSA again,” Rajgopal said. “Joe and Connor, you guys have a huge mandate, and I’m sure that you’ll do great things.”

Hoya Staff Writer Katherine Richardson contributed reporting

DAN GANNON/THE HOYA

The GUSA senate certified the executive election win of Joe Luther (COL ’16), right, and Connor Rohan (COL ’16), not pictured, on Sunday.

Peace Corps Director Discusses Global Role Toby Hung

Hoya Staff Writer

Peace Corps Director Carrie HesslerRadelet delivered a speech on the role of the Peace Corps in the future of international development in the Intercultural Center on Monday.

The speech was followed by interactive discussion with attendees moderated by School of Foreign Service Associate Dean Emily Zenick, who served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand.

SFS Interim Dean James Reardon-Anderson introduced Hessler-Radelet by listing her extensive background serving as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Reardon-Anderson also noted the attendance of many former, accepted and prospective Peace Corps volunteers, which included students and faculty, at the event, as he encouraged students to take part in the Peace Corps’ operations.

“We hope that many of you will follow in that tradition and choose to join the Peace Corps, which is a really wonderful and very American enterprise and one of our great contributions to the world,” Reardon-Anderson said.

Hessler-Radelet began her discussion by first thanking the Peace Corps volunteers present at the event for their service.

“Because of you, we have people who call Americans friends from the farthest corners of our globe,” HesslerRadelet said. “In this fractured world, that is such an important thing.”

With over 7,500 volunteers in 67 different countries working in six sectors including education and economic development, the Peace Corps places its volunteers in communities for two years to promote both skills development and cross-cultural understanding.

“Our mission is no less than world peace and friendship,” Hessler-Radelet said. “We have three goals: to help the people of interested countries meet their needs for training men to meet their goals, to promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of people served, and to promote a better understanding on the country and the people served on the part of Americans.”

Hessler-Radelet then pointed out a series of global issues in the future that may pose problems to the Peace Corps’ goal of international development, including unexpected disease outbreaks, overpopulation and terrorism.

However, Hessler-Radelet said that the role of the Peace Corps will become more important in light of these trends.

“I believe the Peace Corps will not only be relevant [in the future], but even more important in this increasingly diverse and interconnected world,” Hessler-Radelet said. “Peace Corps’ place in coming decades will depend on our ability to discern what the future holds and to become adaptable, resilient and stay true to our mission.”

Hessler-Radelet stressed the importance of tackling these issues through a bottom-up approach in order to directly help communities adapt to them.

“In order to address the next development problem, wherever it comes from … we will need to help vulnerable communities develop an approach to adaptation that manages uncertainty and fosters resilience. That has to be at the community level,” Hessler-Radelet said.

As an example, Hessler-Radelet cited the Peace Corps’ “Stomping Out Malaria in Africa” initiative from 2011, which used community-based approaches to significantly decrease malaria mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

Hessler-Radelet then shifted the discussion to the use of technology in achieving development goals for rural communities.

“As we move forward, it’s really a priority to make sure that technology and innovation are woven through all of our work,” Hessler-Radelet said. “Our communities need to become digitally literate so that they can access the tools and services that they need that will help them develop.”

As a final point on the future of development, Hessler-Radelet emphasized the Peace Corps’ goal in establishing relationships with its beneficiaries to help them discover their potential.

“The beauty of the Peace Corps service is that most of us work with young people … [who] grow up to be leaders in their countries,” Hessler-Radelet said.

“The greatest tragedy in the world is not poverty … [but] the lack of dignity, opportunity and hope. Peace Corps volunteers nurture the leaders of tomor-

row. … Peace Corps volunteers identify potential.”

Paola Capo (SFS ’17) said that she enjoyed the event as an opportunity for former, accepted and prospective Peace Corps volunteers to come together.

“I really enjoyed the event, especially because I’ve had Peace Corps in mind for some time now,” Capo said. “Just seeing all the former Peace Corps volunteers as well as those who have recently been accepted to the Peace Corps come together for this event was heartwarming.”

However, Capo said that the speech did not suggest any concrete courses of action for the Peace Corps to achieve its goals.

“I wish she would have expanded a bit more on specific measures the Peace Corps will take as problems arise, instead of just saying that they would adjust when the problems come along,” Capo said. “However, I think the attitude is a good one, and it will be exciting to see what reforms continue to occur in order to improve the service the Peace Corps provides.”

Andrew O’Brien (MSB ’18) said that the speech shed light on the impact of the Peace Corps in shaping the United States’ diplomatic relations with other nations.

“I never realized the scope and influence of the Peace Corps in the international community, and what a role the organization plays in shaping foreign opinion of the United States,” O’Brien said. “The fact that 12 African presidents have attributed a large part of their success to Peace Corps volunteers says a lot about the lasting impact that just a few committed volunteers can have on foreign politics.”

SOPHIE FAABORG-ANDERSEN FOR THE HOYA

Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet discussed the future of the organization and its international role in the ICC Auditorium on Monday.

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THE HOYA

TUESDAY, February 24, 2015

Voice Cartoon Prompts Discourse Teach for America Sees Interest Decline

DIVERSITY, from A1

Wadibia and Cheney. In an article posted Feb. 18 titled “The Georgetown Heckler Endorses Joke Candidates Chris and Meredith for GUSA Executives,” the Heckler staff criticized the ticket’s minimal platform and Wadibia’s comments in the presidential debate Feb. 16.

Morales Gomez said the cartoon was redacted and removed from the Voice’s website immediately after the newsmagazine heard of the criticism.

“We don’t have a huge staff in the office every week, and most articles and drawings are coming in on production night, so mistakes slip through the cracks,” she wrote in an email. “Sometimes we forget an Oxford comma; sometimes we misattribute a quote. This week we neglected to consider all implications of Page 13’s drawing. The intent of the drawing was to criticize the Heckler, so we were not expecting a response like this. That being said, we have been receptive to the response and have since redacted the drawing. We are working to make sure a drawing like this one never again makes it to print.”

The Voice also issued a formal apology for the cartoon on its website Friday night, and Morales Gomez said that they are in the process of developing guidelines for their cartoon page.

“I think most are being receptive to our apology,” she wrote. “An apology obviously can’t take back the drawing or the hurt, but we hope that what people really believe in our apology is that we are working to do better. We don’t want this drawing to be seen as a representation of what the Voice is or what it stands for, but we are excited about where the conversation is going.”

Criticisms of the cartoon abounded on social media, leading to the creation of two events.

The first, a town hall discussion on Sunday, organized by the Black Leadership Forum, brought together over 100 students and administrators including Wadibia, Page 13 editor and cartoonist Dylan Cutler (COL ’16), current GUSA President Trevor Tezel (SFS ’15) and Vice President Omika Jikaria (SFS ’15), Luther and Rohan, as well as Vice President for Mission and Ministry Fr. Kevin O’Brien, S.J. The event, originally located in the Intercultural Center, had to be relocated to St. William’s Chapel because of the large turnout.

The discussion was moderated by Innocent Obi (SFS ’16), and any student in the audience could share their thoughts and concerns about the cartoon.

Kimberly Blair (COL ’15), the organizer of the Monday demonstration, spoke at the town hall about how she connected the cartoon to police brutality occurring in the United States. “[I dislike] the fact that someone with the political climate, with the political climate in this country right now, with police brutality against people of color, can’t see the problem with posting this not just in general, because this is violence, but also with what’s happening in our world right now,” Blair said.

Matthew Robinson (COL ’18) said he was disappointed that the cartoon was published.

“You should never forsake writing and editing material for a punch line,” Robinson said. “As a member of the Georgetown community we need to focus on intellectualism, never

compromising intellectualism, never compromising journalistic integrity and never ever ever using anything that could be seen as racially separatist or even misogynist. I think these are things we need to discuss.”

Javan Robinson (MSB ’15), who opened the town hall, took a different perspective, and said that although the cartoon upset him, he believes that the cartoonist and editors may not have understood its implications.

“The great thing about Georgetown, that has shaped me to be the person that I am, is that I have been able to meet and speak with people from all over the world who have had different experiences, and I wouldn’t change that for anything,” he said.

“Maybe, they didn’t know that this could be wrong, and they didn’t know the issues that could come from this, which for me is honestly hard to see because I am an African-American male,” Robinson said. “It is definitely possible that they did not see that.”

Wadibia also spoke, and said that although he does not harbor ill will regarding the content of the cartoon, he hopes that it can encourage campuswide discussion about racism.

“I just want to say, I am by no means angry at all,” Wadibia said “I am very sad and a little disappointed. I stand before you guys because I believe in my ideals of Georgetown. I am not a perfect individual, no one in this room is perfect.”

One student, Wadibia’s underclassman campaign manager Tim Yim (SFS ’17), asked how the cartoon passed through the editorial rounds to reach publication.

Although Morales Gomez was present at the town hall, she did not speak.

Cutler, instead stood and delivered a speech, apologizing.

“I came here because I want to apologize to the community. I made a mistake, I ignored perspectives outside my own and I tried to spread my own message using imagery that was far too severe,” he said. “In doing so, I failed to look outside myself. And you know what, that’s the result of my privilege.”

Cutler said that he encourages the community to help educate him about his actions and about racism.

“I stand with you, I ask to be your ally,” Cutler said. “I don’t want to contribute to racism and I don’t want to make anyone feel afraid. It is not my intention to spread a message of hate.

I want to help silence the message of hate and it is apparent that I still have a lot to learn in order to do so.

So I invite you, please come up, introduce yourself to me and I invite you to teach me. I promise, I’m really not as bad as that cartoon may have led you to believe.”

A demonstration in Red Square followed on Monday. More than 100 students and faculty took part in the silent demonstration, which began at 2 p.m., standing in a circle and raising their fists for 10 minutes. Demonstrators included Luther, Tezel, Wadibia, Cheney and O’Brien.

Blair spoke to the crowd about the cartoon after the silent demonstration, encouraging community involvement in other Georgetown projects. She passed around a petition urging the university to pass a diversity course requirement and discussed standing in solidarity with Aramark workers for improved conditions as their contract with the company expires in March.

“This is what coming together looks like,” Blair said during the demonstration. “I want to stand today in solidarity with each other. … We’re trying to create unity and consciousness so that you can put yourself in somebody else’s shoes while you’re here at Georgetown.”

Demonstrator Kamli Sirjue (MSB ‘16) said that she thinks a larger discussion on race definitely needs to happen at Georgetown.

“I’m here to support Chris and Meredith because that comic was extremely disrespectful, and I think it needs to be brought to the campus’ attention,” Sirjue said. “We really need to think about racism and sexism when we’re doing these things. It’s unacceptable.”

Georgetown’s Free Speech and Expression Committee, an advisory body made of students and administrators, will discuss the cartoon in a meeting this morning in response to a complaint received last week. The committee is composed of student members selected by the GUSA executive — Sam Kleinman (COL ’16), Chandini Jha (COL ’16) and Annabelle Timsit (SFS ’17) — along with a graduate student. Administrator and faculty members include Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson, Fr. Matthew Carnes, S.J., Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Jeanne Lord, Assistant Dean for Student Engagement Erika Cohen Derr and Rev. Bryant Osvig, S.J. The committee will release the results of its discussion, which is not open to the press or public, in a week, according to Kleinman. The group will evaluate the complaint and decide whether to refer it to a sanction or educatory body or to not take action.

“We debate the question of whether or not the complaint has merit,” Kleinman said of the committee’s process.

“In other words, whether or not we believe it should be referred to a sanction or an educatory body and whether or not we as the student expression committee need to engage in further education or perhaps need to release a clarifying document about the policy or revise the policy itself.”

This particular issue may be referred to the Media Board or Office of Student Conduct, but Kleinman said since this is the first time the committee has ever reviewed a case from student media, he is unsure of what will occur.

In 2008, The Hoya published an April Fool’s issue containing racist and other inappropriate material, leading to an office sit-in by students.

The university issued punitive measures, including sanctions and increased structural oversight. It remains unclear if the Voice will be subject to official punishment.

Olson and Lord deferred comment to Cohen Derr, who said that the committee is unsettled by the cartoon but pleased to see student discussion in its wake.

“Although we were disappointed that the Voice chose to publish this cartoon, we have been encouraged by their efforts to engage in understanding issues of diversity,” Cohen Derr wrote in an email. “The extent of respectful and constructive dialogue that has resulted from this incident is a powerful learning experience and testimony to the strength of our community.”

Hoya Staff Writers Mallika Sen and Andrew Wallender contributed reporting.

Students Push for Casa Latina CASA, from A1 from a shared experience. I think it would be very powerful in terms of an informal space that the classroom can’t necessarily provide.”

In a survey distributed by the LLF to gauge student support for Casa Latina, the LLF stated that a permanent house would offer a variety of programming to meet the needs of Latino students, alumni and allies, including events on Latino Identity, Intersectionality, Immigration, Study Breaks, Cultural Celebrations and Race, Ethnicity and Class.

The survey has already received over 300 responses, with the majority of students expressing support for the initiative, according to Fierro.

In the past, temporary Latino residences such as La Casita and El Hogar del Poder Latino were available on Magis Row, an independent, self-designed living learning community for juniors and seniors, which is administered through the university housing system.

Currently, the Latino community shares space in the Black House, which was founded in 1972 after 10 students petitioned then-University President Timothy Healy for a space of support and congregation for students of color.

Each year, a rigorous application process conducted by the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access selects five students to live in the house, and the students then host events throughout the year. Associate Dean of Students in the Division of Student Affairs Dennis Williams, who works closely with the CMEA, said that the center “has no position on the issue” of a Casa Latina at this time.

Sharing the space between the Latino and black communities for events has recently resulted in a lack

of adequate resources. Last semester, the Black House saw record-high attendance at programming events, with 931 students using the space, according to Black House Resident Director and LLF member Nancy Hinojos (SFS ’15).

Fierro emphasized the need for a separate Latino residence in the face of this high demand.

“We realized that the resources were being spread quite thin among the communities of color,” Fierro said.

“Alongside that, we felt that there is a need for us to be recognized as an important and valuable identity that can be different from the Black House community.”

Hinojos said that Casa Latina, if established as a permanent residence, would look to the Black House as a model and partner.

“Ideally, the Latino House would be next door to the Black House,” Hinojos said. “This would create the opportunity for collaboration within the community and help us dive more deeply into the issues that affect students of color at Georgetown.”

GU Riqueza Dominicana Co-President and LLF member Ediana Then (COL ’15) emphasized the potential benefits of creating a Latino House, drawing on her experiences as a past committee member of Hoya Saxa Weekend, which gives admitted underrepresented students of color a chance to experience Georgetown.

“I’ve been participating for many years in Hoya Saxa weekend, and potential students have asked if we have a place here where Latino students can congregate,” Then said. “When I came here as a prospective student, that’s what really sold me on the school — that at that point we did have a Latino residence on Magis Row. That really

cemented my decision, and I thought that this would be a place I could really feel at home.”

The LLF proposed the idea of creating Casa Latina at the annual Black House Dinner hosted by University President John J. DeGioia on Feb. 18, and the group is currently finalizing an official proposal that will likely be presented to the Office of the President after spring break, according to Hinojos.

The LLF will launch a campaign soon to mobilize student support for the initiative, and the group hosted a town hall on Feb. 17 to further ascertain student enthusiasm.

“All the students we have spoken to have responded very positively; everyone really wants this house to happen,” Then said. “At the town hall, some ideas were suggested on how to run the campaign to help promote this to the administration, such as reaching out to the [Georgetown Scholarship Program], the Women’s Center and the LGBTQ Resource Center. It would create a grassroots situation where everybody would be involved.”

Then cited other universities with established Latino residences, including Columbia University’s Casa Hispánica, the University of Pennsylvania’s La Casa Latina and Yale University’s La Casa Cultural.

Fierro stressed that the LLF aims to move as quickly as possible on the project.

“As a senior, and speaking for the majority of seniors on the Forum, we want to see something tangible in place before we leave,” Fierro said. “It would be excellent to have a house next year. It’s definitely something that I wish I had as a Georgetown student during my time here — and I can only hope to leave that legacy for incoming Hoyas.”

TEACH, from A1 communities in the United States for at least two years as a means of decreasing educational inequality by providing more teachers in weak school districts. Prior to the past two years, the program had become a popular post-graduate option for college seniors but is facing declining interest because of external factors, including an improved economy and possible dissatisfaction with the program.

Cawley Career Education Center Executive Director Mike Schaub noted that because of its relationship with community service, Teach for America has always been a popular option for Georgetown students after graduation.

“Teach for America provides our students with an opportunity to continue their commitment to service upon leaving the Hilltop. Graduates who work with Teach for America develop a unique skill set that is valuable to their careers,” Schaub said.

Schaub explained that despite the program’s popularity, the time commitment of Teach for America could deter students from joining.

“Some college students would rather not make the two-year commitment that is required of Teach for America members,” Schaub said.

Kyla McClure (COL ’14), who graduated in December and who plans on joining Teach for America in 2016 to teach high school math in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, also hypothesized that the declining interest could be indicative of a negative perspective toward teaching as a profession.

“I think it is primarily due to factors outside of the organization, namely a decreased interest in the teaching profession in general,” McClure said.

“Teaching has received a large amount of media attention lately for the changes that are being made, including high stakes testing environments and in some counties large numbers of teacher layoffs. The message that this may be sending is that teaching is no longer a very stable career to enter.”

According to McClure, one of the main draws of TFA is its promise of a stable job. However, with an improving economy, students could also have more opportunities in other professions with higher starting salaries.

“As the economy strengthens and more opportunities open for graduates in finance, business and other sectors, the draws of a guaranteed job with TFA or another teaching program decreases,” McClure said.

April-Michelle Thomas (COL ’15), an incoming 2015 Corps Member placed in Newark, N.J., to teach English as a second language for K-12 and general education for K-6, agreed that salary plays a large role in deterring many

graduates from the organization, but added that people may be having ideological doubts about the program, which has recently drawn social and economic criticisms. “[There have been criticisms] such as the extremely short training window before being placed alone in a highneed classroom in an under-resourced school,” Thomas said.

She added that students could feel like they are taking away positions from more experienced teachers.

“They believe that they are taking valuable teaching positions from veteran teachers who can better serve some of the nation’s most underserved students,” Thomas said.

According to The Washington Post, an internal survey conducted by TFA revealed that criticisms of the program were a factor for 70 percent of potential applicants who ultimately decide not to apply.

Despite the criticisms, Thomas claims that Georgetown’s Jesuit tradition encourages Georgetown students to continue to turn to Teach for America as a viable option.

“I believe that Georgetown’s identity as a Jesuit institution and the values it upholds really encourages students to want to do work like TFA after graduation,” Thomas said. “I think that a large number of Georgetown students are more aware of what TFA actually is, more educated about the realities of the communities TFA works with and are overall relatively well-positioned to see past some of the criticisms of TFA to the heart of the work that the TFA strives to accomplish.”

Accordingly, Schaub said that graduating seniors at Georgetown continue to turn to service programs in nonprofit organizations, including TFA, as viable post-graduate options.

“Teach for America, Peace Corps, Jesuit Volunteer Corps, KIPP D.C. and other organizations focus on service to those who live in underserved communities,” Schaub said. “Graduates who enter these organizations develop skills such as working with diverse groups of individuals and adapting quickly to new situations that are useful in any career field.”

McClure distinguished Teach for America from the other service organizations because of the relationship it builds with its volunteers after they complete their two-year term.

“I think it is easy to conflate TFA and the Peace Corps and put them in the same general category of post-undergraduate experience, but they have very different visions,” she said. “TFA offers you the opportunity to become a lifelong educator, and invites you to stay in the movement for education equity even after you decide your teaching experience is over.”

Lawsuits Prompt Disability Questions LAWSUITS, from A1 access failures and disability discrimination,” Brown wrote in an email. “The impact of such fear is only heightened at more elite and prestigious schools.

Yet it is critical to hold our institutions of higher learning accountable for their deliberate indifference and hostile environments for students with disabilities.”

Brown added examples of concerning disability issues at Georgetown. “[There are] deaf students denied access to ASL interpretation, blind students denied access to Braille materials, students with psychiatric disabilities/mental illnesses coerced into leaving the university and students in wheelchairs functionally prevented from accessing numerous spaces on campus even after recent renovations or new construction post-ADA,” Brown wrote.

Brown said she believes the MIT and Harvard lawsuits may generally apply to Georgetown, and it should take note of these events.

“Our administration should take this as a wake-up call — if we don’t get our act together and meaningfully address the complaints of disabled students suffering from campus-wide hostility, ignorance and indifference, we might be next,” she wrote. “I have … learned of many incidents that could potentially become the basis of lawsuits if the wronged students were so inclined to pursue them.”

Pugh addressed the university’s general compliance with the ADA through the ARC, noting that the response to disability issues would have to involve the entire community.

“Georgetown University is compliant with the ADA,” Pugh wrote. “The Academic Resource Center works with students to ensure accessibility and inclusion to academics and campus life. … To achieve accessibility and inclusion, the entire university community must work together to address disability issues.”

While the ARC is tasked with the specific responsibility of implementing academic and housing accommodations for students with disabilities,

Georgetown’s Office of Compliance and Ethics, the General Counsel and the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Affirmative Action all have responsibilities to ensure the university’s compliance with relevant federal law on disability access.

The university’s policies for students with disabilities to request certain accommodations are outlined in the academic support section of the Georgetown University website, which notes that students with disabilities may submit documentation of a disability for approval to the ARC. Additionally, students are required to meet with professors at the start of each semester if they qualify for any academic accommodations.

On top of academic accommodations, the Office of Student Affairs announced an agreement with GUSA Feb. 10 to fund disability accommodations at campus events, allowing greater access to student activities for students with disabilities, which had been a burden for both the students and the student groups.

An added problem for students with disabilities this year has been the ongoing construction on campus, which Pugh said that the administration has worked to address.

“With the current construction issues, students have voiced their concerns to the Academic Resource Center, which initiated a conversation with the Office of Planning and Facilities Management to ensure that students’ concerns are addressed,” Pugh wrote.

Regarding the future of disability issues in educational institutions, Phillips added that universities should take extra care as they expand, particularly regarding online offerings.

“More and more colleges and universities are providing education and education material online, and it is important that these online materials are equally accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people just like they are required to for physical classes,” Phillips wrote. “As colleges transition to serve a broader market, we need to make sure they include deaf and hard of hearing people along the way.

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tuesday, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

THE HOYA

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Red House Provides Unique Improv Hosts 19th Festival Space for Collaboration Emma Rizk

Hoya Staff Writer

Gaia Mattiace

Special to The Hoya

At first glance, Georgetown’s Red House, nestled a stone’s throw from Lauinger Library on 37th Street, seems like just another town house. But inside, a mix of students, professors, faculty and administrators are rethinking the world of higher education.

The Red House opened in June as a central gathering location for the Designing the Future(s) Initiative, a program that the university launched in November 2013 with the goal of improving university education. The initiative aims to engage students in complex problem-solving of today’s global issues and discussion about the future of education and curriculum. The 25 student representatives in the Red House, who were selected as the Board of Regents Future(s) Fellows in a competitive application process, work in collaboration with university administrators at the house.

Vice Provost for Education and professor of English Randall Bass said that the Red House emerged as an ideal space to house the new initiative.

“It really evolved a little bit by accident in that, at the end of the spring, after we came out with the pump priming ideas, we knew we wanted to start incubating projects. We just needed a space where that design work could go on in its own space,” Bass said.

The initiative will challenge the traditional staples of university education, such as the fouryear bachelor’s degree or the format of the college transcript, and consider alternative formats such as four-year master’s degree programs.

A major goal of the initiative is to unite the university community in looking at the challenges that higher education currently faces and how Georgetown can improve its courses and programs through experimentation with innovative ideas.

The idea for the Red House originated in summer 2013 when Provost Robert Groves pulled together a group of faculty to discuss how Georgetown could improve as a university and to generate ideas about how the university’s future could progress. Faculty members came up with five ideas to improve higher education: flexible curricular and teaching structures, competency-based learning, expanding mentored research, work-learn and a four year combination of bachelor and master degrees.

Bass said that the five ideas were meant to stir discussion.

“It was just here are five ideas literally to prime the pump or to just start stimulating people’s thinking and in some ways to give them permission to think outside the boundaries of our model,” Bass said.

Kelly Heuer, the head of communications and project development at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, said that the Red House, which is funded by donations, is a great place to get people from different backgrounds together.

“It’s a remarkable opportunity to be able to connect with people who are working in a totally different area subject-matter wise, with people who are working in a totally different discipline, or in a different part of the university, but are engaged in a

similar kind of asking the big questions enterprise,” Heuer said.

Bass said he is excited to encourage collaboration between students and administrators.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to put together the two pieces — faculty being the prime movers of the curricular piece and the students being the prime movers behind some of these meta curricular pieces,” Bass said.

The students are currently working on a project called the Georgetown Student Dashboard, an online platform where students can track progress beyond grades.

“What I’ve found to be most rewarding is that students, administrators, faculty and staff are working together with a shared identity and purpose to re-imagine life at Georgetown,” Shane Thomas (COL ’16), who is working on the Student Dashboard, said.

One of the major projects in development at the Red House is the reconfiguration of courses around principles such as studio-based learning.

“We have a wonderful cluster — it’s called a studio collaborative — three self-standing courses that are all connected and they have a studio or studio-based learning at the center of them, so it’s an interdisciplinary approach to ethics and science and communication, but using innovative studio-based and design approach,” Bass emphasized.

Philosophy 105, a pilot studio course, is currently being offered as a bioethics introductory course.

The Kennedy Institute of Ethics and the Red House collaborated to formulate the class, in which students tackle real world issues in bioethics and learn in a project-based educational setting.

“Students are driven to the content of the course, not by having it said to them in the content of a lecture, but by being asked to create something, to engage with some contexts, some problems, some puzzles and physically create something for an authentic audience of peers and external experts,” Heuer said.

Another major project in development looks at reinventing how college degrees work, such as blending bachelor’s and master’s programs.

A new minor in writing design and communications based on major projects submitted for review rather than required courses is also in the works.

“This is a pretty radical experiment in liberating, you know, or separating credits from seat time,” Bass said. “In saying that you are only awarded credits based on what you show you can do, not on just sitting in class or spending a certain amount of time in a seat.”

But with change comes hesitation. The Red House, still in its first year, hopes avoid this resistance by bringing in people from across Georgetown who can give full representation to every aspect of the university experience.

“We have to continuously be engaging lots and lots of people who have a stake in this,” Bass said.

The program is a forum for creativity and advancement involving individuals from all facets of the university structure. “We’re trying to provide a framework to galvanize the incredible creativity of our faculty and the energy of our students.”

Georgetown’s Improv Association hosted the 19th annual Improv Fest in Bulldog Alley this weekend. Both nights were sold out and featured teams from George Washington, George Mason, University of Maryland College Park, Ohio State University, SUNY Binghamton and Columbia College.

Georgetown Improv team’s Codirector Emlyn Crenshaw (COL ’15) initiated the planning for the event last semester by inviting different schools to campus over email. After she received responses from interested schools, Crenshaw, who planned Improv Fest last year, finalized logistics.

She helped the groups set up oncampus housing for out-of-town teams and coordinated the arrival of teams before the show.

“I’ve learned that no matter how hard you can work planning something for a bunch of improv people, chances are it will go awry in some way,” Crenshaw said. “So as long as you have the general logistics worked out, I have learned to trust it’s going to be fine, everyone will have fun.”

The money from ticket sales for all of the improv shows throughout the year goes into a fund for the Performing Arts Advisory Council (PAAC). Each year all the PAAC groups submit budgets, and that money is then divided up among the various groups based on those budgets, but Crenshaw said she does not believe the improv group receives enough funding.

Due to the low cost of running an improv troupe, Georgetown’s Improv Association does not receive as high of an allocation of money as they would prefer, which would allow them to travel to perform at more shows and host more workshops on campus. The team hosts several workshops throughout the year where they bring in professionals, usually alumni from Georgetown’s team, to work on specific aspects of improv.

“We’ve sold out every show this year, so we make a lot of money, but we don’t end up seeing that,” Crenshaw said.

According to Crenshaw, the team could also use more money to grow the Improv Fest here on campus by hiring professional improv troupes for workshops.

“I think for events like this the more people the better … one of the most unfortunate things about Improv Fest is ideally it would be four times as big, but we’re just too small of a school

and we have too small of a budget,” Crenshaw said.

John Ross, vice president of “8th Floor Improv,” the improv team from Ohio State University, praised Improv Fest for hosting such talented and competent teams.

“We’re a well-traveled team … and Georgetown Improv Fest is really high quality in terms of what teams they bring in. Every team we saw this weekend had a grasp on what they were doing,” Ross said.

John Wambach, one of the creative director’s on “The Bureau,” University of Maryland College Park’s team, echoed Ross, highlighting Improv Fest’s impressive range of groups at the fest this year.

“We always love going out to Georgetown … they bring in such a variety of groups from all over the country. It’s probably the largest range of groups in one festival that we go to,” Wambach said.

The audience also lauded the performance’s diversity of improv troupes showcased.

“I really enjoyed the fact that other school’s improv troupes were involved. I think it added a really nice layer to the show to help the audience see all different styles of improv because every troupe had a very different way they interacted with each other, and very different senses of humor too. It was really enjoyable to see the variety in improv,” Emma Piliponis (COL ’18), a show attendee, said.

Gabe Bolio (SFS ’18), a freshman who joined the team in the fall semester, was one of 60 students who auditioned this year for the team. Bolio said the team

has begun to rise in prominence on campus recently.

“I think the comedic performing arts at Georgetown is on the rise, the improv team has been around for decades but now it’s starting to have its mark on campus,” Bolio said.

This growing presence of comedy on campus is exemplified by this season’s historic elections results that named the satirical team Joe Luther (COL ’16) and Connor Rohan (COL ’16) GUSA president and vice president.

Crenshaw, who worked on Luther and Rohan’s Youtopia campaign, said that she has also seen a notable change in prevalence of comedy on campus in her four years. This is the first year the team has sold out every show this far.

“As time has gone forward we’ve connected with more people … I feel like people are starting to try [improv] out a little bit more and it doesn’t feel as insulated and that’s so much fun,” Crenshaw said. “I’m so proud of the trajectory I’ve seen in the past four years … at this point, this year especially, we have become a team that is so forward thinking and so into growing comedy and growing our exposure and trying out weird new things, just because we can.”

Looking forward the team hopes to keep growing and influencing life on campus. Team member Caitlin Cleary (COL’16) also stressed this growing influence of improv on campus.

“Now that we have a lot more cultural influence on campus, how are we going to use that to get people’s attention, but without sacrificing being funny and a little subversive?” Cleary said.

ISABEL BINAMIRA/THE HOYA

Improvisers from universities all over the country came together to practice at this year’s Improv Fest.

Threat Assessment Program Launches New Website ALICIA CHE

Hoya Staff Writer

In early February, Georgetown launched a new website to strengthen its Threat Assessment Program, which has been serving the university since 2012.

Through the added new feature of a website, the university seeks to reach out to more students and ensure that it is using the best tools available to maintain campus safety.

The program’s newly launched website, threatassessment.georgetown.edu, contains information on the program and provides comprehensive instructions on how students and individuals can utilize the program to address dangerous situations and prevent harm.

Georgetown’s first Threat Assessment Program was initiated in 2012, following a new national standard for hazard planning for higher education adopted by the American National Standards Institute that strongly recommends that every U.S. college and university have a threat assessment team or program.

Threat assessment, also known as behavioral threat assessment or threat management, is widely considered to be the most effective practice for preventing intentional violence on campus.

Before 2012, there was not one overarching body that tracked students and individuals who could pose a potential danger or threat to other people in the community.

“I think it made good sense that the university went from what was called Safety Net, which was a group of people who tried to monitor and track these students, to one centralized body with one person leading a group with overarching responsibility for working with people whose behavior has raised some concern and understanding what’s going on with them,” De-

partment of Public Safety Chief of Police Jay Gruber said in a question-and-answer session on Georgetown’s website.

The Threat Assessment Program consists of several trained threat assessment teams that serve the Main Campus, the Medical Center and School of Medicine, the Law Center, the School of Continuing Studies and SFS-Qatar. All team members have been trained in behavioral threat assessment and follow best practice procedures for dealing with uncertain situations. Each team consists of representatives from multiple offices on campus, and the program operates through close collaboration among these offices.

“There’s the university’s department of public safety, student conduct, university counsel and student affairs – which includes Counseling and Psychiatric Services,” Gruber said. “It’s great to have constituents from different groups help identify possible threats on campus. A student affairs case manager can track cases well and take their expertise and bring it to the table and engage with students who may need help or pose some kind of threat.”

Director of Threat Assessment in the Office of Public Affairs Marisa Randazzo explained the rationale behind the creation of the new website.

“We created the website to help people understand what threat assessment is and to encourage them to report threats and other concerning behavior to the program,” Randazzo said. “It is also to answer some questions that people may have about what happens when they pass along a concern about a student, friend or colleague that they’re worried about.”

Randazzo also believes that Georgetown University students are an essential part of the university’s Threat Assessment

Program, and they play a significant role in making sure that the Threat Assessment Program can fully achieve its effect.

“Students may be the first to become aware of threatening or dangerous behavior,” she said.

“The earlier that the Threat Assessment Team hears about threatening or dangerous behavior, the sooner we can help to evaluate the situation and determine the best way to reduce risk and maintain safety.”

Randazzo encourages any student who becomes aware of threatening or potentially dangerous behavior to contact the Threat Assessment Program at threatassessment@georgetown. edu, or any office that is involved in the program, such as Student Conduct, Residence Life, or the Georgetown University Police Department, who would then alert the Threat Assessment Program.

Katie Schmidt (SFS ’18) believes that the Threat Assessment Policy will help raise awareness on campus about safety issues.

“I think it’s important that we know how to react and who to alert when we are unsure so that we can pre-empt a situation before it actually happens,” Schmidt said. “The Threat Assessment Program, including the new website, would definitely help in that aspect.”

Jordan Smith (NHS ’17) said that she was not aware of the program before and hopes that the new website will increase student awareness of Georgetown’s risk assessment and management.

“I think it sounds like a really good program, it’s something we should have in place for people that feel unsafe or feel like their life is being threatened,” Smith said. “I think it’s something that needs more publicity so people know that there this is resource available if they are feeling threatened.”

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SPORTS

THE HOYA

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

WomeN’s BASKETBALL

MEN’s LACROSSE

Balanced Effort Falls Short GU Drops 2 Games, Extends Skid to 12 TOWSON, from A10

some things to get a quicker start.”

Georgetown finally earned its first offensive possession five minutes into the game, but it struggled to generate scoring opportunities through the rest of the period.

Towson, on the other hand, continued its streak by outhustling and outshooting Georgetown en route to a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, finishing the period with 5-of-7 faceoff wins, 14 shots and 11 ground balls.

Two and a half minutes into the second quarter, Hodgson notched another goal to increase the Colonial Athletic Association team’s unanswered lead to seven. At 9:25, however, freshman midfielder Craig Berge put Georgetown on the board with an unassisted goal, finally slowing Towson’s momentum.

The quarter would eventually end at 8-1 in Towson’s favor, sending the teams into halftime.

In preparation for the second half, Georgetown made important changes to begin its climb out of a seven-goal deficit.

“We knew it was sort of a focus [issue],” senior midfielder and co-captain Joe Bucci said. “We were in the right spots, [but] we were just a step or two too slow. We knew we had a good game plan going in, and we just weren’t executing at our highest ability. We also saw that they were able to put up six goals in a quarter, so we had the attitude if they can do it, we can do it also.”

Warne believes that the team succeeded in improving its focus as soon as the second half started.

“That’s not the team I know,” Warne said of Georgetown’s first-half effort. “I thought we did a really good job [in the second half]; we just had a little sense of urgency, and I thought [graduate student midfielder] Gabe Mendola did an awesome job in the second half battling to get us a bunch of possessions.

But again, holding them to one goal in the second half — I was pleased with that, and I thought the guys fought really hard.”

Mendola changed the pace of the game immediately; he won the opening faceoff of the half, and a quick transition led to a goal from senior attack

Molly O’Connell Special to The Hoya

STANLEY DAI/THE HOYA

Sophomore midfielder Devon Lewis scored his team’s final goal late in the fourth period against Towson Sunday afternoon at home.

Bo Stafford off of an assist from sophomore defender Charlie Ford.

At 10:09, Towson junior attack Spencer Parks scored an unassisted goal to increase Towson’s lead back to seven.

However, Parks’ goal would be the last from the Tigers for the rest of the game, and the Hoyas answered with a goal of their own just a minute later from freshman attack Matt Behrens. Two more Georgetown goals put the score 9-4 at the end of the quarter.

The Hoyas kept their comeback attempt rolling into the final period.

Freshman attack Stephen Quinzi scored a man-up goal off an assist from senior attack and co-captain Reilly O’Connor. Sophomore midfielder Devon Lewis added another goal off an assist from Berge to make the score 9-6 with 5:44 left in the game to close Towson’s lead.

Three consecutive penalties late in the period, however, dashed Georgetown’s chances of achieving its come-

back attempt. Though Georgetown effectively killed the man-down period without allowing any goals from Towson’s offense, it missed the opportunity to compensate for its deficit early in the game.

“Penalties are penalties,” Warne said.

“Guys are going to play hard, that’s fine. But we just can’t put ourselves in a hole like that. I thought we were doing a pretty good job on man-down … [but] again, we just put ourselves in the hole. ” Georgetown will have an opportunity for redemption next weekend when it hosts Hofstra (0-2), another team from the CAA. In the meantime, Warne emphasizes the importance of working on the team’s discipline in every aspect of the game.

“I think that’s the huge emphasis for this week, just having poise — whether it’s one goal they score or we score or [the ball is] on the ground, whatever it may be,” Warne said.

Out of Our LeagUe

Bosh’s NBA Future Jeopardized FIEGE, from A10

ed to bolster the Heat in a late run for higher playoff seeding.

While hopes may have been high when Dragic’s future in Miami was set, Bosh’s unexpected end to the season has jeopardized the Heat’s odds for any playoff berth at all.

On Friday at a Miami hospital, Bosh was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism resulting from deep vein thrombosis. In other words, Bosh had blood clots from his legs travel up his veins and into his lungs. Thankfully, he recognized the problem early enough for it to be treated.

Nevertheless, the treatment for a pulmonary embolism is a six-month process involving blood thinners to ensure that there are no lingering clots in a person’s system. Because of the nightly physicality that NBA players have to deal with, it would be impossible for Bosh to play without risking deadly internal bleeding. Consequently, Bosh is now out for the rest of the season.

To the dismay of fans and the Heat’s front office, Bosh’s future in the league is also in jeopardy. If he were to suffer another clot in the upcoming seasons, the protocol prescription would call for him to use blood thinners for life — ef-

fectively forcing him to retire. Generally, the chances of recurrent deep vein thrombosis are low at approximately five percent, but NBA players are unique because they are at a higher risk to develop the condition in the first place.

Deep vein thrombosis is more likely to occur in taller individuals and those who are sedentary. While NBA players surely fit the first criteria — the average height of an NBA player is 6-foot-7 — they would not ordinarily be considered sedentary. Nevertheless, NBA players spend hundreds of hours in airplanes every season, which makes them susceptible to the blood clots.

It comes as little surprise, then, that Bosh’s diagnosis is not an isolated incident. Mirza Teletovic of the Brooklyn Nets was ruled out for the season in January because of similar clotting, and Kersey passed away from an embolism at age 52 just days before Bosh was admitted to the hospital.

Although the Miami Heat’s situation was initially promising, the loss of Bosh leaves the Miami Heat in an unenviable situation. This past offseason, they had signed Bosh to a guaranteed $119 million contract, the largest that was signed for this incoming NBA season.

On top of Bosh’s contract, the Heat signed Dwyane Wade to a hefty two-

year, $31.1 million contract. However, Wade has missed a quarter of the team’s games this season due to a recurring hamstring injury and has had a fluctuating role in the games in which he has appeared.

As a result, the Heat have two highrisk, expensive contracts on their books. While the odds are that Chris Bosh will return healthy and get back into his rhythm next season, it is hard to envision a future where Wade is not a liability to the team’s success. His unpredictable availability and production do not provide the consistency required for success in the playoffs.

Moreover, because Bosh’s and Wade’s contracts will occupy much of the team’s salary cap, the Heat will have to bide their time until 2016 free agency, at which point they would have a solid veteran core of Bosh and Dragic to build around.

Until then, it would be in Pat Riley’s best interest to groom young players like the pleasant surprise Hassan Whiteside and first-round pick Shabazz Napier, who could become capable role players for them in the future.

Max Fiege is a freshman in the School of Foreign Service. OUT OF OUR LEAGUE appears every Tuesday.

Turnovers plagued the Georgetown women’s basketball team (4-24, 2-14 Big East) in their two most recent conference contests, pushing the team’s losing streak to 12 games. The Hoyas fell to Seton Hall (24-4, 13-3 Big East) 95-68 on Friday, turning the ball over a total of 29 times.

On Sunday, the team combined for 26 turnovers against St. John’s (19-8, 10-6 Big East) and lost the game by a 14-point margin.

Georgetown’s 29- and 26-turnover performances over the weekend marked the second- and third-most turnovers that Georgetown has committed in games this season, respectively. The Hoyas had not turned the ball over as many times since their 33-turnover game against DePaul on Jan. 30. “[Turnovers] were the glaring stat from the weekend,” Head Coach Natasha Adair said. “I can’t pinpoint it on one particular area. I can’t pinpoint it on ... pressure because in both contests it wasn’t from pressure. Neither team rattled us with pressure. What I attribute it to is us needing to slow down ... and gather ourselves.”

The Hoyas were able to remain competitive through the first 10 minutes of the Seton Hall matchup, despite turning the ball over eight times; however, a series of 10 turnovers through the remainder of the first period allowed Seton Hall to pull away.

The Pirates led by as much as 32 points in the first half, with 24 of those points off Georgetown turnovers.

Georgetown went into the locker room trailing by 27 points at halftime, a deficit that would prove to be insurmountable. The Hoyas turned the ball over another 11 times in the second half and allowed Seton Hall to score 15 points off of those miscues.

The Pirates’ lead never dipped below 27 and ballooned to as much as 40 points. When the final buzzer sounded the Hoyas trailed by a 27-point margin.

The first half of the Hoyas contest with St. John’s followed a similar story line. St. John’s was able to capitalize on Georgetown’s mistakes, translating the Hoyas’ 13 turnovers into 16 points.

The Red Storm closed out the half with a comfortable 17-point advantage.

Georgetown came out in the second half determined to claw its way back into the game. With just under 10 minutes remaining in the contest, the Hoyas went on an 8-0 run and were able to pull within four points of the Red Storm.

The Hoyas were unable to escape their turnover woes down the stretch.

Seven of Georgetown’s 13 second half turnovers came in the final nine min-

FILE PHOTO:JULIA HENNRIKUS/THE HOYA

Junior forward Dominique Vitalis scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, both team-highs, in her team’s loss to St. John’s.

SwimMING & dIVING

Hoyas Fall to Xavier, ’Nova

CHAMPIONSHIP, from A10

a gold medal in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 104.46. “[Fitzpatrick] touched the wall fifth at the 50 and ended up out-touching the competition to be the first female in Georgetown’s history to win a Big East event,” Fabbri said. “It was so exciting to watch and motivated the team to never give up during the race and fight hard for the wall.”

Freshman Christine Ryan came in fourth in the 1650 freestyle, breaking a three-year-old record with a time of 17:07.56 as fellow freshman Madeleine Quinn finished sixth overall in the contest.

In the one-meter diving competition, senior Lauren Kahan earned silver with 481.55 points while sophomore Sarah Jaklitsch and freshman Jennifer Sullivan finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

One of the Hoyas’ favorite parts of the meet came during the relays; Fabbri, a part of the 400 relay team with freshmen Ryan, Kristin Peterson and Bailey Page, said that the energy and positivity that comes along with relay competition goes unmatched.

“There is no greater feeling than when you hear your teammates cheer

your name or you hear the ‘Hoya Saxa’ cheer come from the parents in the stands,” Fabbri said.

Sophomore diver Jared CooperVespa agreed with Fabbri and appreciated the energy that the relay teams provided.

“I think our relay boys were particularly inspiring,” Cooper-Vespa said.

“You could really tell that they were swimming hard for each other, and the rest of us really fed off that selflessness.”

Cooper-Vespa had a successful weekend, earning two silver medals in the 1m diving competition with 558.05 points and in the 3m diving competition with 567.15 points.

“We’d been practicing our dives for months, so during the meet I just tried to get out of my own way and trust my body’s ability to execute each dive,” Cooper-Vespa said.

On the men’s side of the competition, underclassmen also took some of the top honors. Freshman Samuel Delise earned silver in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:04.50. Sophomore William Leach earned a bronze medal in the 100 freestyle with a time of 45.38, breaking a program record.

According to Cooper-Vespa, the meet’s environment added to Georgetown’s success.

“It’s an awesome atmosphere diving and swimming prime-time under the lights, in front of a big crowd, against the conference’s best divers and swimmers,” Cooper-Vespa said. “As a team we really fed off this atmosphere and put up some great performances all week.”

The Big East Championship wrapped up the season for the Blue and Gray, and for the seniors, it marked the end of their Georgetown careers.

“We’ve been through a lot together,” Holder said about his senior class. “The seniors have certainly helped shape this team and really did a great job buying into the system we have but helping shape the ideas we stand for and the hard work that we put in. It was a lot of fun to see them swim well.”

The Big East experience, Fabbri said, is “quite special.” She and her teammates were able to feed off of each other’s energy and hard efforts in order to finish strong in the championships and end the season on a high note. “[Performing at the championships] truly brings out the team’s dedication to swimming, to each other, and to Georgetown Athletics,” Fabbri said.

“After Big Easts each year, I get more excited for the next season because each year we get faster.”

utes of the contest. The Hoyas’ lategame miscues enabled the Red Storm to reestablish their lead as time ran out, finishing the game with a 75-61 victory. “[The turnovers] came in all different areas, whether it was around the basket or in transition,” Head Coach Natasha Adair said. “I think it is us being a little impatient offensively … and just playing in a rush, instead of calming down and executing on the offensive end. Sometimes you see that in young team.”

Despite the two losses, outstanding performances by individual players provided bright spots for Georgetown.

Sophomore forward Faith Woodard shined for the Hoyas against Seton Hall.

Woodard, who has averaged 7.9 points per game this season, exploded for a career-high 24 points. Woodard also led the team with a game-high 12 rebounds.

“Faith Woodard was amazing,” Adair said. “I was very proud of the way Faith played in the [Seton Hall] game.”

Junior forward Dominique Vitalis led the way for the Hoyas against St. John’s. Vitalis led the team in both scoring and rebounding against the Red Storm, finishing the game with a double-double consisting of 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Continuing the pattern of impressive play that has defined her first season as a Hoya, freshman guard Dorothy Adomako made significant contributions for Georgetown in both contests. Adomako scored 18 points against Seton Hall and another 16 points in the matchup with St. John’s.

“Dorothy Adomako has been a consistent player throughout the season,” Adair said. “It is hard for people to stop her.”

Three players in particular stood out from amongst the Hoyas’ opponents. Junior guards Aliyyah Handford and Danaejah Grant scored 27 points and 26 points respectively for the Red Storm. For Seton Hall, junior forward Tabatha Richardson-Smith, who scored 29 points in the Hoyas’ last meeting with the Pirates, poured in a team-high 23 points on Friday.

“You are not necessarily going to stop Richardson-Smith, but you have to make it hard for her,” Adair said.

“Early on we didn’t make it hard. We wanted to limit her to her average and we were not able to do that.”

Georgetown will look to end its current losing streak when it faces off against conference rival Creighton (1611, 9-7 Big East) in its final home game of the season on Friday.

“There are teams with the record we have that have checked out,” Adair said. “That is not our team at all. We are still fighting.”

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at McDonough Arena.

CLASSIFIEDS INDEX MISCELLANEOUS 800

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SPORTS

tuesday, February 24, 2015

THE HOYA

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Commentary • Park

DC Teams to Offer Fan-Friendly Stadiums F

or the three D.C.-area clubs currently in their offseasons — the Nationals, United and the Redskins — substantive developments and rumors have swirled around stadium and training site proposals and investigations.

While progress continues on preparations for the MLS’ newest stadium at Buzzard Point in southwest D.C., the Nationals have begun to move forward on their joint spring training complex with the Houston Astros in Palm Beach, Fla. And, on the most speculative side, the Redskins have hinted at a stadium change.

The D.C. United deal is a genuinely exciting one that still seems a little too good to be true. Four years after the club announced its interest in the site in January 2011, the various parties have finally come to terms. The city government vacillated back and forth on its willingness to finance part of the stadium, and at multiple points plans were pronounced dead. Now Matt we have a deal that finally makes a state-of-the-art stadium into one of the more storied, standard-bearing franchises of the MLS. It may be more of a knock on the pedigrees of D.C.’s other franchises than anything else, but United is one of the most successful franchises in American soccer. It is an MLS charter franchise with four MLS championships and Supporter Shields to its name, along with a fan support tradition that has long deserved better housing than the crumbling RFK Stadium in which it currently plays.

As we move beyond the convoluted land swap and funding deals that begun the process, details of the stadium are beginning to take shape. The Washington Post has detailed some of this progress — a March 2017 opening date is the current target, and the stands are expected to hold 20,000 fans or more, larger than Verizon Center’s listed capacity of 18,000. The city is also expected to make public transportation accommodations to make the stadium comfortably accessible. Architectural drawings and designs are expected to make the whole setup look slick.

The Nationals’ spring training site developments are a little more out of the ordinary. A deal for a joint project with the Astros, a team that plays about 1,200 miles away from the Nationals, has been in the works for some time, with the Nationals looking to position themselves more centrally than Space Coast Stadium in Melbourne, Fla. — a ballpark that is, at least, a two-hour drive from any of the other Florida spring training sites.

According to MLB.com, the Astros have also been looking into relocation, as they currently train in Kissimmee, Fla., which is also a lengthy drive from where most teams train. With the Astros’ and the Nationals’ spring training leases expiring in 2016 and 2017, respectively, a joint venture was born.

The mockups of the West Palm Beach proposal, per ESPN, were approved by the local government at the beginning of the month. The expansive new facility is complete with training complexes dedicated to each team closely hugging the main stadium and practice fields that are accessible to fans. If everything comes together, the deal will be a win-win for both clubs, combining the positives of a prime location and new amenities.

Of course, any talk of new stadiums must also touch on the Redskins. FedEx Field, the bane of any D.C. sports fan’s existence, has dissuaded me from attending an NFL game since 2006. Longtime Georgetown fans will also understand the ambivalence fans display towards the cookie-cutter, parking lotsurrounded location in Landover, Md. — it is the former location of the Capital Center, the arena the Hoyas decided to ditch (along with the Wizards/ Bullets and the Capitals) Raab in the late ’90s. The soulless, isolated stadium now serves primarily as the battleground of a Redskins organization taking seats away to convince the public that the stadium is still selling out.

While the Redskins’ lease in Landover doesn’t expire until 2027, multiple overtures have been made toward the construction of a new stadium, intended to target growing disenchantment with the stadium. Though FedEx Field was initially billed as a behemoth to hold the legions of fans of the successful franchise of the ’90s, it has since become a testament to bland architecture and bad logistics.

The latest development in the Redskins’ stadium saga was a survey released and advertised to Redskins fans asking them about their desires in a new stadium. Questions ranged from food choices at the stadium and its accessibility via public transportation to the importance fans lent to the seats rocking and shaking as they did in the RFK stadium. Whether this survey is substantive or intended to distract people from the woes of the franchise is up for debate, but I believe that plans will have to be set in motion soon if a new site will be chosen.

While my dream scenario of the newly vacated RFK being torn down and replaced by an Olympic stadium that the Redskins would subsequently occupy has been dashed since D.C. lost the 2024 Summer Olympics bid, RFK is still a prime site for a new stadium. Redskins owner Dan Snyder has the money to build a new stadium and the city government has shown willingness to help, so it wouldn’t be too shocking to see some more stadium construction for the Redskins in talks in the near future.

Matt Raab is a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service. AROUND THE DISTRICT appears every Tuesday.

CLAIRE SOISSON/THE HOYA

Freshman forward Isaac Copeland has averaged 11.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game over a ninegame stretch since his game-winning three-pointer against Butler on Jan. 19.

Isaac Copeland, Rising Star PARK, from A10

attempts, and also possesses a reliable midrange jump shot. He has also shown an improving ability to take his dribble all the way to the rim, most notably to throw down a thunderous, highlight-reel dunk in the team’s home win over St. John’s.

Moreover, Copeland has been a menace on the offensive glass recently, frequently leaping above the fray to snare the rebound and give the team an extra possession.

Copeland’s emergence could prove key to the Hoyas’ postseason chances. His presence on the floor

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diverts opponents’ attention from Smith-Rivera and Smith, who have been Georgetown’s primary offensive threats throughout the season.

Adding to the team’s two leading scorers is Trawick, whose improved three-point shooting further spaces the floor, as he has made 46 percent of his long-range attempts this year, up from 31 percent last year.

Freshman forwards L.J. Peak and Paul White also provide scoring ability, and the Hoyas have received important contributions from senior forwards Aaron Bowen and Mikael Hopkins, as well as freshman guard Tre Campbell.

The team’s balanced offensive approach was on display in the team’s recent win over St. John’s, in which six players scored 11 or 12 points.

As the season continues, defenses will be forced to pay attention to all five of the players on the floor, which bodes well for the team’s March fortunes. Looking back, Hoya fans might point to Copeland’s shot against Butler as the turning point for the season, the moment that propelled the Hoyas to a successful finish to their season.

Tyler Park is a freshman in the College. He is a deputy sports editor for The Hoya.

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2 Runners Break Program Records Jimmy McLaughlin Special to The Hoya

In the final meet of the regular season for the Georgetown indoor track and field team, the Hoyas accomplished what they had already done so much of throughout the year: they made history.

Trekking through the blizzard up to Penn State this past Saturday, both the men’s and women’s teams rewrote the record books in the 800-meter event, with sophomores Ryan Manahan and Sabrina Southerland dashing their way into the respected lore of Georgetown University track and field.

“Georgetown has a great history in a variety of [track and field] events, but in the last 50 years, where we have gotten the most notoriety has probably been in the middle distance area,” Director of Track and Field Pat Henner said. “Ryan Manahan broke Rich Kenah’s (MSB ’92) record, and Rich was an Olympian, NCAA champion — overall just one of America’s best middle distance runners for years. Then Sabrina breaks Miesha

Marzell’s (COL ’97) record and she was [also] an NCAA champion.”

Both Southerland and Manahan edged out the old records by a mere six hundredths of a second, with Southerland coming in at 2:03.89 and Manahan in 1:47.34, just one week after he clocked a sub four-minute mile.

With all the hype surrounding the respective records, neither runner thought the feat of toppling the school’s 800-meter mark was in the cards when they stepped onto the track on Saturday.

Manahan and Southerland were focused on seizing their last chance at qualifying for nationals before next week’s Big East Championship came around.

“Hannah was supposed to lead us through the 600m mark at 1:30, and that last 200 meters, we were just supposed to go for it,” Southerland said. “I wasn’t really thinking about the record.

This was the perfect situation to get a good time [for nationals]. I just tried to commit to the pace and knew that a fast time would come with it.”

Similarly for Manahan, breaking re-

LET’S RUN

Sophomore Sabrina Southerland finished the 800-meter race with a time of 2:03.89, breaking the program record set by Miesha Marzell (COL ’97).

cords was the last thing on his mind.

“I was really just trying to qualify for nationals,” Manahan said. “I never really knew what the record was until afterwards when my coach told me I might have broken it.”

Coming in behind each runner was a slew of Hoyas who now have also thrown their hats into the ring as potential qualifiers for the national meet. In the men’s 800m, senior Billy Ledder and freshman Joe White posted times that have them ranked 14th and 15th in the country, respectively. On the women’s side, senior Becca DeLoache and freshman Piper Donaghu are now both near qualifying for nationals and are ranked 8th and 12th, respectively.

Among the other Hoyas to take first on Saturday, junior Samantha Nadel won in the mile with a personal-best of 4:39.78 after deciding to race mere minutes before her event.

“Going into the mile this weekend, my coach and I still weren’t totally sure what I was going to do,” Nadel said. “I was coming off a 5k last weekend, and my coach didn’t know if he wanted me to treat the race as a workout or to go for it and try and [set a personal record].”

Ultimately, 10 minutes before the start of the women’s mile event, Nadel would decide she should race to the best of her ability, and she was rewarded with a time that now ranks her 20th nationally.

By the end of the meet, however, all anyone could seem to talk about was the two records set by Southerland and Manahan.

“When you break a school record in middle distance at Georgetown, you’re breaking a record that is hallowed,” Henner said. “These are the athletes that have set the standard here. It’s kind of like someone coming in and breaking Patrick Ewing’s rebounding or blocks record.”

With so much history already having been made this season, the Hoyas will roll into this weekend’s Big East Championship poised to avenge last year’s second-place finish behind rival Villanova.

SPORTS

Baseball Georgetown (1-2) vs. George Washington (1-1) Wednesday, 2:30 p.m.

Arlington, Va.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015

TALKING POINTS

MEN’S LACROSSE Despite holding Towson to one goal in the second half, Georgetown dropped its home opener 9-6.

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NUMBERS GAME

When you break a school record in middle distance at Georgetown, you’re breaking a record that’s hallowed.”

DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD PAT HENNER

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SWIMMING & DIVING

Records Broken in Final Meet EMMA CONN

FILE PHOTO: CLAIRE SOISSON/THE HOYA

In addition to its second-place finishes, Georgetown earned an honor for its team as Head Coach Jamie Holder was named Big East Men’s Coach of the Year in his fifth year at the helm of the team.

“It’s definitely an honor and it’s nice to be recognized by my peers,” Holder said. “It was definitely a surprise, but certainly I feel like we’ve made a lot of good strides in the last few years and that’s a testament to the hard work that the swimmers and the coaching staff have put in. This award would not be possible without the help from my assistants and the hard work from our student athletes.”

Junior Erica Fabbri said that though she was nervous leading up to the competition, “positive energy” began to build after her first race and propelled her through a strong performance. As their adrenaline kicked in, the Hoyas began to perform well.

Fabbri kicked off Georgetown’s events and record-breaking swims, earning silver in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 50.84, breaking her own program record. Sophomore Katie Duncalf finished first in the women’s 200 backstroke with a time of 2:00.81, also breaking her own program record.

Freshman Molly Fitzpatrick earned

Sophomore Katie Duncalf (center) finished first in the women’s 200-yard backstroke, with a time of 2:00.81, breaking her own program record.

See CHAMPIONSHIP, A8

Special to The Hoya

After months of building up to this event, Georgetown’s swimming and diving team showed up to the Big East Championship in Ithaca, N.Y., last Wednesday stronger than ever.

The Hoyas earned silver medals after the four-day contest and broke five

program records on the final day of competition alone.

The women’s team finished second behind Villanova for the second year in a row, as the Hoyas finished with 736.5 points and the Wildcats topped the rankings with 957.7 points. Similarly, the men, who earned 763 points, trailed only Xavier and its 904 points for the second consecutive season.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

OUT OF OUR LEAGUE

The number of turnovers that the women’s basketball team committed in its two weekend games.

STANLEY DAI/THE HOYA

Thirteen seconds into the second half of his team’s loss to then-No. 16 Towson, senior attack Bo Stafford scored his fifth goal of the season.

1st-Half Mistakes Cost GU at Home ELIZABETH CAVACOS Hoya Staff Writer

Max Fiege

Heat Face Uncertain Future

L

ast Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m., the NBA trade deadline came to a close in a whirlwind of deals that saw 8 percent of the players in the league get traded — compared to the 5 percent average of players who were traded in the last five years. While there were many actors involved in three-team deals, contract buyouts and player swaps, the trade deadline was overshadowed by the health concerns of NBA players both past and present.

The death of former Portland Trailblazer great Jerome Kersey on Feb. 18 and a season-ending prognosis for Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat have served as shocking reminders that, indeed, there is more to life than basketball.

This particular story begins in Arizona.

The Phoenix Suns began the season looking to capitalize on the success of last year’s campaign, which saw them nearly break into the playoffs after initially being written off as the Western Conference version of the bottom-dwelling Piladelphia 76ers.

The Suns planned to break into the top eight of the West this season by bringing point guard Isaiah Thomas, formerly of the Sacramento Kings, into the fold in order to run a three-guard offense alongside breakout players Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic. This unique lineup floundered, despite its offensive prowess in limited usage, because of its obvious defensive and rebounding shortcomings, which were compounded by chemistry issues.

Dragic made it clear that he wanted no part of the Suns’ arrangement, as he felt slighted by the Suns organization’s choice to bring in Thomas. As a result of his discontent, Dragic was made available for trade this February.

Despite rumors that he would be dealt to either the Lakers or the Knicks, Dragic was ultimately sent to Miami in exchange for two future first round draft picks and Danny Granger. Due to the trade, the 2014 Most Improved Player Award winner became the Heat’s most notable point guard since Gary Payton in 2006 and was expectSee FIEGE, A8

FILE PHOTO: JULIA HENNRIKUS/THE HOYA

Sophomore forward Faith Woodard scored a career-high 24 points in the Hoyas’ loss to Seton Hall. See A8

Despite holding its opponent to only one goal in the second half, the Georgetown men’s lacrosse team (0-2) dropped its first home game of the season to No. 16 Towson (2-1) in a 9-6 contest on Sunday. A hot start from the Tigers proved to be fatal for the Hoyas, who struggled to generate offense in the first half of the game.

Towson displayed athleticism and a sense of urgency from the opening faceoff.

The Tigers scrapped for ground balls and played to their strengths on offense, ultimately dominating possession through the first half. Towson’s largest lead came early in the second quarter when it was up 7-0.

Redshirt senior midfielder An-

drew Hodgson started Towson’s offensive momentum when he scored the first goal just over two minutes into the game. Hodgson’s goal triggered an unanswered Towson streak that would last through the next 18 minutes of the game.

The Hoyas’ inability to control the pace early in the game proved to have serious consequences. Given that Georgetown also struggled in the beginning of last week’s matchup against No. 2 Notre Dame (2-0), Head Coach Kevin Warne wants his team to work on establishing early momentum.

“This is two games in a row where we’ve come out in the first quarter, down 4-1 last week and 6-0 this week,” Warne said. “So we’re going to have to change See TOWSON, A8

COMMENTARY • Park

Copeland’s Rise Tied to Hoyas’ Success TYLER PARK

Hoya Staff Writer

As the final seconds ticked away, the Georgetown men’s basketball team trailed Butler 59-58. Senior guard and co-captain Jabril Trawick dribbled up the court, shrugged off a screen set by senior center Joshua Smith, and penetrated to his left.

That is when he noticed freshman forward Isaac Copeland standing open in the corner.

Without hesitating, Trawick snapped a pass to Copeland, who immediately rose up and buried a threepointer, giving the Georgetown men’s Tyler basketball team a critical home win back on Jan. 17. A packed Verizon Center student section erupted in a state of jubilation, and there was renewed hope that maybe Georgetown was back.

Copeland was an unlikely hero; his three-pointer gave him 10 points in the game, marking the first time that he had scored double-digit points since Dec. 7 against Towson.

At one point, the former five-star recruit — ESPN ranked him as the 16th best prospect in the Class of 2014 — scored a total of four points in a

stretch of five games.

In addition, the team’s leading scorer, junior guard and co-captain D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, stood on the right wing, ready to take the big shot as he has so many times before.

Still, Trawick trusted the freshman to make a big play in a big situation, and the decision paid off.

“Isaac was wide open, and Coach always says that one of our mottos is to trust each other, so I snapped it to him, and he made a big play,” Trawick said at the time, showing his team-first attitude.

Since that game, Copeland has emerged as a key piece of Georgetown’s offense. ImPark mediately after the Butler win, Copeland scored a then-career high 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the team’s upset win over then-No. 4 Villanova. He then matched that number in the team’s next game against Marquette.

In a road win over Seton Hall, Copeland set a new career-high of 20 points, sinking three three-pointers, also a career-high in three-pointers made. As a result of his performance, Copeland earned recognition as the Big East Rookie of the Week on Feb. 16, an honor he has received three

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times this season. But he was more concerned with his team’s performance than his individual accolades.

“It’s a great honor, but I’m more concerned about winning right now.

I’m happy to get it, but I just want to win games,” Copeland said.

Since his game-winner against Butler, the rising star has averaged 11.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per

game over a nine-game stretch. He has reinvigorated the Georgetown offense with his athleticism and shooting ability.

Standing at a lanky 6 feet 9 inches, Copeland is a threat to score from anywhere on the floor. He has converted 38 percent of his three-point See PARK, A9

FILE PHOTO: JULIA HENNRIKUS/THE HOYA

Freshman forward Isaac Copeland has been named the Big East Rookie of the Week three times this season, including the last two weeks.