GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY’S NEWSPAPER OF RECORD SINCE 1920 thehoya.com
Georgetown University • Washington, D.C. Vol. 96, No. 30, © 2015
FridaY, JANUARY 30, 2015
TAINTED BY SLAVERY
The legacy of this Jesuit university is inextricably intertwined with that of slavery.
COMMENTARY Limiting student voices on the board of directors silences true dialogue.
CHALLENGING COMPETITION Men’s lacrosse will face several ranked nonconference teams.
OPINION, A3
SPORTS, B10
GUIDE, A1
Students Fight Lottery Restriction Kelsey Quackenbush Special to The Hoya
More than 700 students have signed a student-created petition on Facebook calling to repeal the university’s new housing policy that denies housing lottery access to students studying abroad in fall. The policy was issued on Feb. 6, 2014. The petition, titled “Student Against Restrictive Housing Policy (2015),” was created Jan. 25 as an event page by Declan Kelly (COL ’17) and Will Simons (COL ’16). “It’s the freshmen and the sophomores that are at stake here, so naturally, we thought a sophomore should lead the charge and that’s what I’m doing,” Kelly said. According to Georgetown’s Selection Handbook, a student who confirms their fall study-abroad plans with the Office of Residential Living will forfeit their eligibility to go through the housing selection process during the fall semester. Fall study-abroad students will be assigned to a random roommate or fill in for a student studying abroad in the spring through a direct swap when they return to campus. Students studying abroad in fall 2015 will be notified while they are abroad about applying for spring semester housing. There is no guarantee that students will receive specific housing on campus. Study-abroad applications for the fall semester are due in February while applications for the spring are due in October. Approximately 57 percent of Georgetown students study abroad, which totals to about 900 students a year. “Students who study abroad [are] making a decision to not have a ‘typical’ junior year on campus. … However, by deciding to study abroad, there are payoffs. One of those is not having the exact housing experience one might have had if they did not go abroad,” Executive DiSee HOUSING, A6
Petition Seeks Aramark Renegotiation Katherine Richardson Hoya Staff Writer
Aramark workers on campus are engaged in efforts to renegotiate their contract with the company, demanding better work and wage conditions, since their current three-year contract expires in March. A group of 20 Aramark workers from O’Donovan Hall, Cosi and Starbucks and a group of 30 students from the Georgetown Solidarity Committee marched together to Aramark leadership at Leo’s Friday to present their demands. In addition, “Equality at Georgetown,” an online petition created two weeks ago by the Georgetown Solidarity Committee in support of the workers’ demands, has already amassed over 900 student and community member signatures. Georgetown Aramark workers from Leo’s, Cosi and Starbucks unionized in March 2011 under UNITE HERE, a company that provides guidance to over 90,000
food service employees around the world. The company runs an office on K Street in Washington, D.C., as well as other offices around the country. The workers have utilized the union in the past to renegotiate contracts, specifically in March 2012, when they negotiated a three-year contract with Aramark that provided workers with a 50-cent-per-hour wage increase and coverage of 85 percent of their health care costs by the third year. This contract expires this March, and the employees are now involved in contract renegotiations with Aramark leadership. The workers’ demands include a 40-hour paid workweek, better benefits and raises, protection for immigrant workers and sustainable food practices for on-campus food. Georgetown Aramark employee and union representative Rhonda Smith said that the workers are See ARAMARK, A6
DEGIOIA DECODES GLOBAL GEORGETOWN
CHARLIE LOWE/THE HOYA
Aramark workers, including Leo’s employees, are pursuing more workers’ rights in a new contract. The current one expires in March.
MPD Raids Local Establishments Patricia Okuniewska Special to The Hoya
DANIEL SMITH/THE HOYA
University President John J. DeGioia spoke about global endeavors and student engagement in a video interview on thehoya.com.
Local Mexican restaurant Los Cuates and convenience store Wisemiller’s Grocery & Deli were raided in the past two weeks by the Metropolitan Police Department in attempt to locate use of fake identifications among customers, as well as the sales of alcoholic beverages to the underaged. On Saturday, around 20 underage students were caught with fake identifications by undercover police officers in Los
Cuates. Manager Sergio Kehl said that no prior warning was given to the management, as three police officers entered and began to question customers in the restaurant. Although the identifications were confiscated, no students were arrested. The officers said to the students involved at the restaurant that their names would be referred to the university, where further discipline would be carried out. The disciplinary measures to be carried out by the See RAIDS, A6
World Bank Talk Inaugurates Series Toby Hung
Hoya Staff Writer
World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim delivered a lecture on the role of economic development in improving the pandemic response against the Ebola virus outbreak at Gaston Hall on Tuesday as part of the inaugural lecture series sponsored by the university’s Global Futures Initiative. The lecture, entitled “Lessons from Ebola: Toward a Post-2015 Strategy
for Pandemic Response,” marked the launch of a series of presentations hosted by the initiative on the topic of “The Global Future of Development,” which will continue throughout the semester with one more lecture from Kim and two lectures from World Bank Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Kaushik Basu. University Vice President for Global Engagement Thomas Banchoff inaugurated the lecture series by emphasizing the importance of the university’s role in addressing global
issues. “In addressing global issues, we want to build out the model of an engaged global university in service to the world,” Banchoff said. “We are in the position to convene structured conversations with world leaders like today’s. Conversations that address not only practical questions of power and interest in survival, but also ethical imperatives of justice, peace and the global common good.” University President John J. DeSee INITIATIVE, A6
FILE PHOTO: ISABEL BINAMIRA/THE HOYA
A Los Cuates bust yielded the confiscation of several fake IDs, but no arrests. The university will handle disciplinary measures.
FEATURED NEWS HOYA Clinic
GUMC student-run clinic in southeast D.C. serves as model for Antigua venture. A4
Opinion Editorial
Sports Men’s Basketball
Business & Technology Corp Coffee
Guide Cherry Tree
The CISR decision to gradually divest represents progress, but lacks resolution. A2
MICHELLE LUBERTO/THE HOYA
World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim spoke on the connection between economic development and an improved response to Ebola, the first event of the newly launched Global Futures Initiative. Newsroom: (202) 687-3415 Business: (202) 687-3947
Published Tuesdays and Fridays
Shuttering its storefronts, The Corp prepares for a bold switch — new coffee. A10
Undeterred by its loss to Xavier, the No. 21 Hoyas look to beat Creighton on the road. B10
The Chimes prepare to slay once again at the annual Cherry Tree Massacre. B1
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A2
OPINION
THE HOYA
friday, January 30, 2015
THE VERDICT
C C C
Founded January 14, 1920
EDITORIALS
CISR, Stall No More After a prolonged debate, the Committee on Invests Social Responsibility rejected GU Fossil Free’s plan for divestment and suggested in its place an alternative that would enact change over a lengthened period of time. CISR recognizes the “real dangers of climate change” and “broad range of moral concerns” regarding investment in fossil fuel companies. Therefore, CISR has proposed in a statement this week to divest from the top 100 coal companies and in the future to divest from other fossil fuel companies over a “reasonable time period.” While this proposal is better than not divesting at all, it is certainly not a decision of full divestment that many were hoping to see from the university. Because of Georgetown’s modest endowment and therefore, precarious financial situation, the university is reluctant to divest entirely. Despite the reality of this situation, Georgetown nevertheless claims to be a leader in environment change and
SuperPaw Sunday — The Washington Animal Rescue League joined with Uber and Animal Planet in a special offer to bring puppies to your doorstep this upcoming Wednesday to promote the Puppy Bowl XI. Disney’s Diversity — Disney made its princess pool more diverse this week by announcing its first Latina Princess, Elena of Avalor. Comforting Cuisine — A recent survey by Zagat estimates that D.C. diners pay a shocking $38 at dinner. As a point of comfort though, the value is still a dollar or so below the $39.40 national average.
protection, and it should ensure that divestment continues to be a key topic within CISR and board of directors discussions. It is obvious that Georgetown must continue to push frontiers of divestment in order to uphold the university’s Jesuit doctrines. One major area of concern within divestment is CISR’s claim to divest within “a reasonable time period.” This proclamation is general in nature and allows Georgetown to take its time in divestment. In the meantime, it is imperative that Georgetown does not invest in more fossil fuels, which it has stated is a priority in previous press releases, as well as use the divestment issue to further scrutinize other investments to ensure Georgetown maintains its moral value even when examining finances. With progress, we hope that CISR will make a more resolute decision in the future and continue to keep divestment an issue that is frequently discussed and active.
EDITORIAL CARTOON by Michelle Xu
Closing the Wage Gap For recent college graduates, Washington, D.C., stands tall as a beacon of opportunity. With thriving postrecession job sectors and entry-level positions in politics, business and the like, D.C.’s government is consistently ranked as one of the top places to live for young professionals. What these rankings mask is a far more important fact: Today, the D.C. wage gap is the largest it has been in the past 35 years. According to a recent study by the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, the hourly income for low-wage workers has fallen to an average of $12.62, over $30 less than the average hourly income of high-wage workers, which is $45.30. Furthermore, in a study conducted by Global Insight in August 2014 the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area was ranked as having the lowest wage distribution ratio of the 357 metro areas that were ranked. This number, calculated by dividing the number of households with incomes
below 35,000 by the number of households with joint incomes above 75,000, further shows the troubling wage differential that plagues the city. Furthermore, this wage disparity adversely affects those low-wage workers without a college degree, whose average hourly wage fell to $13 during the study period. While D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has pledged to emphasize affordable housing and job training programs in her first budget this coming spring, a $16 million budget deficit this year will mean likely cuts to important programs such as counselling programs for the homeless. This inequality may increase unless action is taken by Bowser and the D.C. Council to create legislation that addresses the wage gap. Inequality has the potential to polarize D.C.’s community, but addressing the wage gap directly is an important means to a city that serves as a beacon not only for young professionals, but for all who call the District home.
This week on
Be sure to check Chatter, The Hoya’s online opinion section, throughout the week for additional opinion pieces.
ANDERSON DE ANDRADE (COL ’17) examines how the shot civilian and the police officer doing the shooting are both victims:
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Does a perceived threat on a police officer’s life call for death? Is one life more important than another? Both men were scared. One is dead. One lives with the other’s death. ... Both are victims in a flawed system that does not provide police officers with enough education on quick decisionmaking. It is vital that the police officer is able to diagnose the urgency of the situation in order to implement necessary action. The escalation between talk and gun-pointed commands was quick enough to allow for incorrect decisions to be made. Police officers choose this profession of protecting people, but in order to do this they must create a faster decision making model that protects civilians from rash police judgments.”
Upgrade to Safer Rides Those of us who live in and around Georgetown’s campus appreciate the usefulness of SafeRides. Whether it’s walking home late at night after studying or returning home after a night out, SafeRides is a safe and convenient way to get to our destination. But despite its usefulness in theory to students, SafeRides can be less than reliable and a headache to use. DPS’s recent announcement about the creation of a SafeRides feature within the LiveSafe app, however, is a step in improving the effectiveness of the SafeRides system. Calling SafeRides, only to be told that a shuttle may arrive in 20 minutes at a dimly lit street corner in Burleith, is neither a safe nor functional solution to our problems. This new feature allows for both increased safety and reli-
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, Daniel Sandoval, Johnny Verhovek
ability, which should be the two main tenets of the SafeRides system. With the update will be a transition period, and it is crucial that SafeRides remains cognizant of other potential improvements. A better system for alerting riders when the car is near, and improved communication between the driver and rider are crucial to making SafeRides a more useful service. Although this new update should bring about a safer experience overall, it also needs to be accompanied by an overall improvement in the efficiency of the system. Georgetown, on average, is a safe place to live, but there is no doubt that a faster and more accessible SafeRides service is an improvement for students in a neighborhood in which crime is not rampant but nevertheless existent.
[ CHATTER ]
LAUREN GROS (SFS ’18) reflects on the importance of protecting Georgetown’s
proud Potomac River:
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Today, the Potomac is so polluted that we cannot eat its fish or swim in its waters ... it is Georgetown’s duty to improve how we live upon our land. We can help protect the river by raising funds to install green roofs, planting rain gardens, and pouring porous pavement instead of asphalt on campus. All of these efforts will reduce the amount of pollution that is washed into the river after rainfall. Instead, rainwater will be absorbed and naturally filtered, before making its way back to the river. These are simple efforts we should enthusiastically pursue to protect one of Georgetown’s most precious gems.” Find this and more at
thehoya.com/chatter CORRECTIONS The article “Making My Home in Other Places” [The Hoya, A3, Jan. 27, 2015] previously stated that Samantha MacFarlane was in the College. She is a junior in the School of Foreign Service.
Mallika Sen, Editor-in-Chief
Brian Carden, General Manager
Toby Hung Deputy Campus News Editor Andrew Wallender Deputy Campus News Editor Kristen Fedor Deputy City News Editor Elizabeth Cavacos Deputy Sports Editor Tyler Park Deputy Sports Editor Andrew May Sports Blog Editor Michael Fiedorowicz Deputy Guide Editor Gianna Pisano Deputy Guide Edtior Daniel Almeida Deputy Opinion Editor Parth Shah Deputy Opinion Editor Sarah Kim Opinion Blog Editor Isabel Binamira Deputy Photography Editor Dan Gannon Deputy Photography Editor Julia Hennrikus Deputy Photography Editor Cleo Fan Deputy Layout Editor Elana Richmond Deputy Layout Editor Matthew Trunko Deputy Layout Editor Katherine Cienkus Deputy Copy Editor Becca Saltzman Deputy Copy Editor Gabi Hasson Deputy Copy Editor Reza Baghaee Deputy Multimedia Editor
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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. Send all submissions to: opinion@thehoya.com. Letters and viewpoints are due Sunday at 5 p.m. for Tuesday’s issue and Wednesday at 5 p.m. for Friday’s issue. The Hoya reserves the right to reject letters or viewpoints and edit for length, style, clarity and accuracy. The Hoya further reserves the right to write headlines and select illustrations to accompany letters and viewpoints. Corrections & Clarifications If you have a comment or question about the fairness or accuracy of a story, contact Executive Editor Carolyn Maguire at (908) 447-1445 or email executive@thehoya.com. News Tips Campus News Editor Katherine Richardson: Call (310) 429-1440 or email campus@thehoya.com. City News Editor Kshithij Shrinath: Call (408) 444-1699 or email city@thehoya.com. Sports Editor Kara Avanceña: Call (510) 8613922 or email sports@thehoya.com. General Information The Hoya is published twice each week during the academic year with the exception of holiday and
exam periods. Address all correspondence to: The Hoya Georgetown University Box 571065 Washington, D.C. 20057-1065 The writing, articles, pictures, layout and format are the responsibility of The Hoya and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of Georgetown University. Signed columns and cartoons represent the opinions of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the editorial position of The Hoya. Unsigned essays that appear on the left side of the editorial page are the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. Georgetown University subscribes to the principle of responsible freedom of expression for student editors. The Hoya does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, national or ethnic origin. © 1920-2014. The Hoya, Georgetown University twice weekly. No part of this publication may be used without the permission of The Hoya Board of Editors. All rights reserved. The Hoya is available free of charge, one copy per reader, at distribution sites on and around the Georgetown University campus. Additional copies are $1 each. Editorial: (202) 687-3415 Advertising: (202) 687-3947 Business: (202) 687-3947 Facsimile: (202) 687-2741 Email: editor@thehoya.com Online at www.thehoya.com Circulation: 4,000
OPINION
friDAY, January 30, 2015
Hoya historian
THE HOYA
A3
VIEWPOINT • Marrow
The Meaning of ‘Never Forget’ T
Matthew Quallen
Workers’ Rally Lives On O
n March 15, 2005, 25 Georgetown students began a hunger strike. They refused to eat until the university committed to a just employment policy, at the core of which lay the guarantee of a living wage. Their action drew quick attention. Even as administrators evaded the students — members of the Living Wage Campaign — media began to highlight their cause. The Washington Post reported on the strike. Labor leaders and Washingtonians alike lent their support to the campaign. By the eighth day of the hunger strike, the 25 striking students had lost a combined 270 pounds. Some complained of vision problems, pain. Few could concentrate. But their efforts were paying off. Hundreds of students and workers rallied in Red Square. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), leaders of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and of faith communities joined the rally and the crowd marched on Healy Hall. There, they presented their demands. Among them: that all employees receive a living wage; that employees be employed fulltime; that employees performing similar work receive equal pay; and that all employees have access to grievance procedures. While the activists pressed on University President John J. DeGioia’s office, one striker began to experience difficulty breathing. He had to be removed to a hospital by stretcher. DeGioia refused to meet with the campaigners, and the Georgetown University Police Department cleared the second floor of Healy Hall. But the students vowed to continue, and others began to join them. Jos Williams, the president of the D.C. Metro Labor Council, promised he would begin striking if the university did not meet the students’ demands by midnight on March 24. On the evening of March 23, DeGioia presented a proposal to the students, agreeing to meet most of their demands, including the provision of a living wage. The university broadcast the agreement in a campus-wide email, and the hunger strike came to an end. The strike, however, was not the bulk of the campaign. It was merely its dramatic capstone. Students and workers fought a grueling campaign, beginning as early as 2001 when students, inspired by the struggles workers faced, began to collect and articulate the workers’ demands. The Living Wage Campaign stared down its nadir years. In the beginning, administrators shut students out and stymied their progress through endless committees or offered half-promises, which fell well short of the campaign’s demands. Despite the grim outlook, organizers managed to have fun along the way — caricaturing administrators in a satirical play — but they meant business. After years of negotiations, the organizers gave the university one last chance to meet their demands. When the university failed, the strike began. But if it was a monumental accomplishment — and it was — the agreement the university struck with the organizers was not a panacea. A living wage assumes employees are able to work fulltime. It assumes that they can afford their benefits and that they will receive them. Through the denial of hours, instances of wage theft and withholding of affordable benefits, many employees who earn a living wage rate still do not make a living wage. Even those workers who do make a living wage rate may suffer discrimination in the workplace due to immigration status or may feel unable to air their grievances. To the extent that this happens here at Georgetown, the promise of the living wage rings hollow. The movement’s core belief — that in a just society workers deserve respect — remains unfulfilled. In the 10 years since the hunger strike ended, the Georgetown Solidarity Committee and other groups have continued to fight for workers at Georgetown. And right now, one group of workers at Georgetown is fighting for this basic measure of respect. Workers at Leo’s are in the process of renegotiating their contract with Aramark. Their demands are more than reasonable; they are demands already won at other D.C. area campuses — a 40-hour work week, affordable benefits and workplace protections. Student organizers have circulated an online petition, titled “Equality at Georgetown,” so that students might express their support for these modest proposals. Any student that believes workers have more than earned our respect should sign it. The petition is not a hunger strike. It is not a campaign. But it is a humble and honest acknowledgment that the people who make Georgetown work are not just in classrooms and dormitories. They are on the grounds; they are in offices most of us never see; they are in janitorial closets and garages; and they are in our dining hall. Now, as 10 years ago, they deserve our support. Matthew Quallen is a junior in the School of Foreign Service. Hoya Historian appears every other Friday.
his past Tuesday was the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Twelve presidents and five prime ministers, including the heads of state from major European nations — Germany, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria and Belgium — and some 300 survivors gathered at the former concentration campturned museum to honor the day. Holocaust remembrance is both a particularized and all-encompassing act. As the last generation of survivors and contemporaries passes away, the task falls to those who have no real memories of the Shoah to carry the meaning and import of the world’s most notorious mass murder. Holocaust remembrance is all the more important as new and vicious waves of anti-Semitism sweep across Europe, the Middle East and all regions of the globe. These movements take the form of institutionalized political parties, like Jobbik in Hungary and Golden Dawn in Greece, or in acts of terror by violent radicals who firebomb synagogues and attack kosher supermarkets. Holocaust remembrance is important because it helps us honor communities and cultures against whom acts of violent brutality were perpetrated, and then whitewashed over and forgotten. Holocaust remembrance stands handin-hand with those who seek to preserve the memory of the Armenian genocide, Japanese war crimes in the Second World War and other exterminations, even as denialists endeavor to perpetuate revisionist histories in each case. Holocaust remembrance is important because it reminds us why fighting any and all instances of genocide or ethnic bloodshed — be
The significance of “never again” expresses our duty and obligation to never let such a calamity pass by unnoticed. they Yazidis and Christian minorities attacked in Iraq, the displaced Rohingya in Burma or any people under siege — is so pivotal. In an age where the rise of antiSemitism and violent extremism seem to coincide with a weakened American and western resolve to combat arbitrary violence across the globe, the commemoration of genocides like the Holocaust is an opportunity for us to recommit ourselves to the vital battle against bigotry,
intolerance and violent zealotry. When I was 8 years old, I went on vacation with my parents to France. We stopped at an old village in central France, called OradourSur-Glane. Late in World War II, occupying Nazi soldiers had burned down this village and massacred its inhabitants — all 642 of them — in act of retribution for operations conducted by the French resistance. The French government maintains the remnants of the burned
THE RIGHT CORNER
down village as a museum to pay tribute to the tragedy that occurred there. Although I was very young, one detail from that day sticks in my head: the iron gate of the museum’s entrance, above which read a large sign with a single word in both French and English: “SouviensToi.” Remember. The same message rang true this week at Auschwitz. Unfortunately, missing from the gathering at Auschwitz on Tuesday were two pre-eminent world figures: Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama. The former begged a busy schedule and a lack of invitation; the latter was finishing a state visit to India and a trip to Saudi Arabia to pay respects to the late Saudi King. This was a tragically missed opportunity for both the U.S. and Russia to declare unbending support for a common cause. It was a missed opportunity to stand in solidarity with oppressed peoples, and it was a failure to articulate on the world stage a moral commitment against anti-Semitism and extremism in general. It is this commitment that we need to hear from our leaders now, more than ever. The clarion call of Holocaust remembrance is just that: remembrance itself, a plea to preserve historical memory and to never, ever forget. The significance of “never again” expresses our duty and obligation to never let such a calamity pass by unnoticed. As Americans, let us recall the unique role our nation played in bringing an end to World War II and the Holocaust. Let us call on our politicians to pledge political, military and diplomatic support to those besieged and persecuted at home and abroad. And as human beings, let us remember the toll and pain of this event and never, ever forget. Jonathan Marrow is a freshman in the College.
VIEWPOINT • Tezel, Thomas & McNaughton
Engage in a Relevant Endorsing a Return Pro-Life Discussion To the Plural Voice
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his past weekend, our cam- an inherently homophobic belief. pus hosted the largest stuThe racist accusation seemdent-run pro-life conference ingly stems from the fact that one of its kind, the 16th Annual Cardi- of the speakers, Damon Owens, nal O’Connor Conference on Life. is a black pro-life activist who Georgetown students brought points out the undisputed fact in speakers from different back- that black women have a disprogrounds to address the morality portionate amount of abortions. of abortion and other life issues. Nevertheless, black lives matter, In response to the mere presence and Mr. Owens work has focused of pro-life activists on campus, on protecting that life at every H*yas for Choice felt compelled stage. How Owens’ concern for his to protest the event, ignoring in- community and advocacy on the vitations to attend themselves in- issue of what he sees as millions stead. of black deaths per year make him On the protest’s Facebook page, racist is beyond any rational comthey called the ideologies of the prehension. speakers “misogynistic, racist, In contrast, the Cardinal homophobic and xenophobic,” O’Connor Conference sought to insisting that their opinions were have a real discussion on life is“offensive to the majority of stu- sues. During the daylong conferdents.” ence, distinguished scholars and They lauded these accusations thinkers discussed a wide variety despite the fact that of issues, ranging the latest Gallup from the death polling showed 46 penalty to what it percent of Amerimeans to be an aucans identifying as tonomous person pro-life. This is not with rights. Hunsome fringe, hatedreds of conference ful group in our attendees came tocountry; we are a gether from diverse Mallory Carr strong, growing backgrounds from population that is across the country, seeking to come representing multo a better undertiple identities, to standing of what have these meanlife is and how to ingful and chalprotect it in all of lenging conversaits stages. tions. No meaningful dialogue can Pro-choice voices are not optake place when one side of the is- pressed on this campus. Over the sue repeatedly refuses to converse, course of the past year, the Presiresorting instead to name-calling. dent of H*yas for Choice, Abby Equating the pro-life movement Grace (SFS ’16), has published five with all that has ever been wrong opinion pieces for The Hoya, dein the world is the truly offensive crying the perceived lack of free act. The left prefers to think of speech and the need for better everyone they disagree with as sexual education, but she never being motivated by some dark, offered a definition of life or perdeep-seated desire to oppress sonhood. a minority group. Although There’s a real debate to be had easier than having morally com- here. When does life begin? The plicated arguments, this com- moment after a baby exists the pulsion to demonize those they birth canal and not a second disagree with is driven by emo- sooner? When a fetus can feel tion and not based on reason or pain (sometime between 16 and presented facts. 20 weeks)? At the moment of According to the H*yas for conception? The abortion debate Choice blog, what they seem is not about systematic oppresto have meant in describing sion, perpetuating inequalities certain pro-life ideologies as between the sexes, or any other “homophobic” was that some socially constructed ill taught in of the speakers opposed in vitro an intro to women’s and gender fertilization. Since many pro-life studies course. advocates view human embryos Pure and simple, it’s about as human life in need of protec- when life starts and making sure tion, IVF poses an ethical problem this is protected. This is a deeply as it creates life only to destroy it. important question to address in However, it is not a process order to respect the innate dignity exclusively used by the gay com- of every life. Let’s stop the charmunity and gay couples can form acter assassination and have this families through methods like conversation. adoption. Given this, it remains unclear exactly how believing Mallory Carr is a senior in the that IVF unnecessarily brings life College. The Right Corner into the world only to destroy it is appears every other Friday.
Let the abortion discussion move past name-calling
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his past week, the Georgetown University Student Association learned of changes affecting student representation on the Georgetown University board of directors. Administrators informed the student representatives on the board’s Main Campus Affairs Committee that they would no longer be allowed to regularly attend committee meetings and would instead be working primarily with the Student Life Working Group, a subcommittee of the MCAC. The board has chosen to refocus the MCAC on academic affairs and redirect student affairs discussions to the Student Life Working Group. While we value the opportunity to continue these discussions in a more focused setting, this restructuring nevertheless diminishes the student voice and prevents the MCAC from grasping the overall landscape of undergraduate life at Georgetown. Student representatives utilize their position on the MCAC to advocate on behalf of the undergraduate student body. Recent presentations to the MCAC have centered on topics such as sexual assault and student safety, the renovation of Kehoe Field, free speech and expression and on-campus disability access, to name a few. Limiting discussion to strictly academic matters in the MCAC might prevent such issues from ever surfacing in larger, strategic discussions with the rest of the board. For many members, these meetings may be the only chance they have to interact with current students. And because the MCAC convenes just three times per year, it becomes imperative that each of its members — not just a subset — has a chance to hear from students. Distancing board members from students impedes collaboration and compromises student advocacy efforts. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that students aren’t the only ones who stand to lose. Undergraduates first gained access to the board of directors in the early 1970s out of necessity, not administrative courtesy. After President Robert Henle, S.J., unceremoniously fired Vice President for Educational Affairs Edmund Ryan, S.J., on Holy
Thursday in the spring of 1972, Ryan’s extensive base of student and faculty supporters immediately erupted in protest. The controversy drew nearly 1,000 demonstrators to Dahlgren Quad on behalf of Fr. Ryan, throwing the campus into turmoil and significantly undermining the university establishment in the process. Recognizing the need for an intervention, the board of directors moved to consider the issue at their next meeting. Although it voted against reinstating Ryan, the board nevertheless realized that changes would have to be made. In due time a board committee tasked with investigating administrative effectiveness concluded that expanded representation might cure the university’s ills. Moving forward, representatives from both the student government and the faculty senate would report to the board of directors, building a direct link between the board and the university’s primary constituents. Over the last 40 years, the style and substance of this role has undergone many iterations. During that time, we have seen many of our peer student governments gain full voting membership on their respective boards of directors or trustees. All the while, we have been grateful for the opportunity to present to one of our board’s main committees as a way to advocate on behalf of our fellow students. However, we know that our impact only goes as far as our contact. Relegating the student voice to one single working group from one single committee will deprive board members of the firsthand account that student representatives bring to the table. Students have historically played a vital role in the formation of the university’s strategic priorities, and this is a perspective we cannot afford to lose.
Distancing board members from students compromises student advocacy efforts.
Trevor Tezel is the president of the Georgetown University Student Association and a senior in the School of Foreign Service. Shane Thomas and Abbey McNaughton are student representatives to the Georgetown University board of directors and a senior and a junior, respectively, in the College.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE UC Irvine professor Mimi Ito spoke as part of the Designing the Future(s) Initiative. See story on thehoya.com.
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IN FOCUS
GRAMMY GLOBALISM
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I’m constantly worried that the hot water will run out any second.”
Marla Abadilla (MSB ’17) on the lack of hot water in Henle Village. See story on A5.
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Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Matthew Santos, whose three studio albums focus primarily on planetary concerns, performed and gave a lecture Thursday as part of the Arts and Politics Series in the ICC Auditorium.
The Five People You Meet at a Superbowl Party Besides the greasy food, endless beer and awesome commercials, here are the five people to make your party more entertaining. blog.thehoya.com
Student Clinic Serves DC Need Townhouse Trash EMMA RIZK
Hoya Staff Writer
After the D.C. General Hospital in southeast Washington was converted into a homeless shelter in 2001, Georgetown University Medical Center students revived the building’s medical tradition by creating the first studentrun clinic in D.C. in 2006. The HOYA Clinic, established in the hospital’s east wing in 2006, serves a population desperately in need while simultaneously providing medical students with real-world experience. Nearly nine years after its founding, the clinic now serves as a model for a similar center set to open next month on the island of Antigua. Boasting over 400 medical student volunteers, the HOYA Clinic uniquely depends entirely on medical students for its operation on the administrative side as well as in the exam rooms with patients. Having raised funds through GUMC aid, events, private donations and a grant from the Association of American Medical Colleges, all of the clinic’s services are free of charge, and they see patients of all age, regardless of insurance or immigration status. In addition to health assessments, the clinic offers wellness workshops on topics from nutrition to meditation to Zumba. Caitlin Ingraham, a second-year medical student, serves as one of seven student coordinators. She works alongside other student volunteers, nurse practitioners and M.D. physicians to evaluate acute and chronic illnesses, administer vaccines for the human papillomavirus and sexually transmitted infections, provide general wellness physical exams and instruct patients in basic health education. “For a lot of Georgetown medical students, it’s their first time being part of a
medical team and being part of a clinical team that gets to see patients and learn about patients’ lives and then help patients to make medical decisions,” Ingraham said. With its location in the city’s southeast quadrant, together with its proximity to the D.C. General homeless shelter, the clinic allows students to engage in social justice work while extending their education. “I am incredibly interested and committed to social justice work and addressing health disparities and social and economic inequalities, and I think that being part of the HOYA Clinic is a way to engage in that and to start to use the skills I have and all of the infrastructure that is here at Georgetown to try to chip away at some of those issues,” Ingraham said. Larick David, a first-year medical student volunteer, echoed Ingraham, pointing to the clinic’s toy drive over Christmas for children staying at D.C. General as an example of the center’s commitment to the community. “The work that the students have been doing at HOYA Clinic has opened avenues for us to reach that community in other ways,” David said. “It’s not always health oriented, it’s ways to improve their lives in general and it goes back to the idea of cura personalis I’ve seen here at Georgetown.” Antigua’s University of Health Sciences Chairman Deborah RobinsonAkande noticed the clinic’s work. She approached GUMC Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion Benjamin Walker in September 2013 with a proposal for students at the two schools to collaborate. As the two talked, Walker realized that Antigua’s population was similar to the community to which the HOYA Clinic administers: composed of medically underserved individuals with big
COURTESY HOYA CLINIC
The HOYA Clinic, located in a wing of the D.C. General hospital in southeast D.C. and run by medical student volunteers, serves people in need.
health problems ranging from diabetes to basic health education. The idea to build a clinic in Antigua modeled after the HOYA Clinic immediately sprang up; the clinic in that area of Antigua had closed a few years previously, leaving residents without easily accessible health services. “[The] Jesuit identity Georgetown has is not just something on the website or a slogan or hanging from banners, it’s something that is really organic and palpable,” Walker said. “This is an example of that.” The board of directors, composed of GUMC directors as well as faculty members from the University of Health Sciences in Antigua, described their vision of the Free Clinic at English Harbor becoming “a jewel in the ring of health clinics.” They also believe it will advance the way medicine is practiced on the island, and they have hopes for an island-wide network of medical records. “The health minister is really excited about it because we can collect data on incidence rates of [diseases],” Walker said. “That has never been done before.” The collaboration could open further opportunities for students at the medical center. “One of the big plans for us here at Georgetown is that when it’s up and running and the quality of the educational experience of the students is evaluated by our dean for international programs, then it would be great to have this as another international program offering,” Walker said. Walker explained that the goals of both the Free Clinic at English Harbor and the HOYA Clinic were to integrate students into the fabric of the community to help the residents while seizing the opportunity to educate students in an interactive environment. “That’s a strength of the medical education at Georgetown: we introduce you to the patient early and we teach you how to learn from the patient. That is extremely important,” Walker said. “You can be number one in your class all through undergrad. But there is always something you can learn from your patients. Because no matter how long you’ve been practicing medicine those patients have been in their bodies longer.” Although it now serves as a model for the Antigua clinic, the HOYA Clinic is still continuing to develop its services, hoping to add dental treatments and mental health services to its repertoire. The clinic will also host two health insurance enrollment days for patients in the community this month. “Those are big infrastructure things that go beyond what Georgetown medical students can provide but we are always seeking out new partnerships and new ways to build the services and the support structure we can provide for our patients,” Ingraham said.
Consolidated ANDREW WALLENDER Hoya Staff Writer
Students living in universityowned townhouses will have to walk their trash to one of four collection sites within a block of their homes once city-provided curbside trash pickup ceases Feb. 3. The change in university trash policy was announced in an email Tuesday to on-campus townhouse residents and arises as a result of current methods of trash disposal that have led to sanitation and rodent issues. “The technical reasons for the change are apparent if one walks our community streets,” Vice President for Planning and Facilities Management Robin Morey wrote in an email to THE HOYA. “There is improper storage and flow of trash which consist of open trash cans which are not properly sealed, trash cans in public space on days other than collection days, too many trash cans, trash bags on the curb and other debris improperly stowed on the sidewalks.” The mishandled trash not only is an eyesore to the community but has led to rodent problems, according to Morey. The new waste disposal plan includes daily trash pickup, new rodent control efforts for the area surrounding the dumpsters and regular cleaning procedures. Townhouses on the 3600 block of Prospect Street have been using a central trash collection system on their block for years, according to the email sent to students this week. The new policy will help to standardize collection methods across residence halls. Planning and Facilities Management employees from the university will collect the old plastic roller trash bins and distribute trash bags to townhouse residences once curbside service ceases next week. Morey said that although students did not request the change in policy, they were included in the decision-making process through the Georgetown Community Partnership Steering Committee as well as the Environmental and Landlords Working Group. Students have expressed concern, however, that the new trash disposal system will be an unwelcome burden, especially during inclement weather, leading to lon-
DAN GANNON/THE HOYA
Students will now drop their trash in designated locations. ger walks to collection sites. “I think it’s a policy that’s not necessarily advantageous to students,” townhouse resident Ben Forester (MSB ’16) said. “We signed a contract at the beginning of the year to get our trash taken out. Now what they’re calling improvement is they’re pretty much making us take our trash out to a farther location every day. We have to walk two blocks every day with all our trash bags.” Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson said that though the longer distance is a hindrance, the old method of collection presented an annoyance of a different type. “I understand that carrying trash to containers can be a chore,” Olson wrote in an email to THE HOYA. “I know that managing trash cans is also a chore. We believe this change will not add a burden. We appreciate students’ flexibility in adapting to this new approach.” Townhouse resident Nina Eng (NHS ’16) shared a different point of view than Olson. “While the university feels it will aid students, they neglect to realize that the extra effort of moving the trash can through the house or to the backyard is negligible in comparison to the new required process of walking trash to the new further trash locations,” Eng said. Staff Writer Katherine Richardson contributed reporting to this story.
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Employers Question Center Showcases Wegman Workforce Preparedness Deirdre Collins Hoya Staff Writer
Amy Char
“The real world’s more complicated.” Cawley Career Education Center ExSpecial to The Hoya ecutive Director Michael Schaub agreed Graduating students entering the job with Carnevale and added that internmarket have a significantly higher im- ships often fail to fully prepare students pression of their readiness for employ- for the workforce. ment than their employers, according “Even though many students pursue to a report released last week by the As- internships during college and obtain sociation of American Colleges and Uni- some experience in the workplace, they versities. have yet to fully engage in work — 40 or While the result reflects the grow- more hours per week, week in and week ing demand for skill requirements in out,” Schaub wrote in an email to The Hoya. a sluggish post-recession job market, “After college graduates gain experience in Georgetown officials expected a slowly the workplace and receive feedback from recovering economy and Georgetown’s supervisors and peers, they will be better emphasis on work-based experience to equipped to evaluate their competency help mitigate these differences. across these learning outcomes.” The report compared the responses of Professor of public policy Harry Hol400 executives at private-sector compa- zer expressed mixed feelings about the nies and non-profit organizations to 613 report. While his observation that young graduating college students, approxi- workers are struggling in the recession mately three-fourths of whom attended did not make him dismiss the results, he a four-year private or public institution. believed that the surveyed employers are The survey conducted by Hart Re- not a truly representative sample that search Associates revealed that employ- fully represents the job market. ers’ evaluations of skills such as com“The sample’s tilted towards bigger ormunication and critical ganizations and bigger thinking were less favorcompanies,” Holzer able than the students’ said. “A lot of people self-evaluations. For exare employed at smallample, while 66 percent and medium-sized of the surveyed college firms that don’t have students rated their any executives.” critical thinking skills Holzer also said he between an eight and a believes hiring rates of 10 on a 0-10 scale, only young adults are more 26 percent of employers significant than emrated students in a simiPROFESSOR OF PUBLIC POLICY ployers’ dissatisfaction HARRY HOLZER rates. lar range. Georgetown Center “We know that emon Education and the Workforce Direc- ployers aren’t getting their dream emtor Anthony Carnevale explained that ployees and they’re often disappointed in 1983, the American economy began with a lot of the young people that changing due to improving technology they’re getting,” Holzer said. “If, in fact, that prioritized machines in manual they’re still willing to hire them and labor, which favored service jobs in sec- pay for them, that’s what we care about tors such as finance, healthcare and the more.” information industry, demanding high While the AACU report focused on entry-level requirements. With schools the consequences for graduating colunable to adjust quickly to the changing lege students, Holzer, whose research market, a perception that college gradu- primarily focuses on the low-wage labor ates were insufficiently prepared for the market, worried about the implications job market evolved. for disadvantaged workers who do not “There was a very rapid increase in have a bachelor’s degree. skill requirement, and we were suddenly “The gap between people who have dependent on our two-year and four-year a B.A. and people who don’t have a B.A. college system and the for-profit schools remains as wide as ever,” Holzer said. “If and technical schools to get the job employers aren’t that thrilled with peodone,” Carnevale said. “They couldn’t ple who have B.A.s, imagine what it’s like keep up. The change was so fast that for folks who don’t have them.” they didn’t keep up through the ’80s However, while not fully recovered, and ’90s. Most employers will tell you job prospects for the graduating class still that they’re not keeping up now.” of 2015 are in better shape they were in He added that while universities ef- 2008 and 2009 due to the slow rebound fectively teach the knowledge required of the economy. Additionally, despite to obtain a bachelor’s degree, students internships not perfectly replicating ineffectively use this knowledge in the the work environment, the increased workforce. exposure of Georgetown students to “Someone who takes economics or pre-professional and graduate school opgets an economics degree at a university portunities offers them an advantage in understands what’s in the textbook,” developing specialized skills that are in Carnevale said. “But they’re not good at demand in the job market, according to applying that knowledge, thinking criti- Carnevale. cally or doing a variety of other things “[Georgetown] does a very good job which is now demanded at entry-level. of integrating students into both workA long time ago, just getting the degree based and service experiences, which was enough, but it’s not anymore.” is one of the distinctive things here,” Carnevale said he believed this dis- Carnevale said. “They’re about teaching crepancy exists because undergraduates people how to work with other people have a fairly truncated view of the real outside of academic context to make world, as they are not truly part of it yet, their way in situations where you’re not but added that finding a solution may just talking about the questions at the be easier said than done. end of the chapter. You’re talking about “It’s tough to get a curriculum to the actual operations of real institutions mimic the real world,” Carnevale said. in the real world with real people.”
“We know that employers aren’t getting their dream employees.”
Hot Water Fails in Henle and Harbin Tom Garzillo Hoya Staff Writer
Two independent equipment failures at Henle Village and Harbin Hall affected hot water systems this week, and students living in Henle remain without access to hot water during peak hours. A water pump failure in Harbin due to a mechanical malfunction led to a reduction in hot water capacity, while a simultaneous problem with a hot water valve affected a shower cluster on the seventh floor of the building. The pump in Harbin was replaced within two days, and the valve was repaired after just one day. Meanwhile, in Henle, a hot water heat exchanger failed and left the system unable to meet the demand during peak usage times. According to Vice President of Planning and Facilities Management Robin Morey, the materials needed to replace the heat exchanger have been ordered, and he anticipates the system will return to normal early next week. “We periodically experience hot water issues in residential and academic buildings, which are usually attributed to mechanical or electrical failures,” Morey wrote in an email to The Hoya. “It is fair to say the issues we experience are not alarming considering the campus is comprised of approximately 6,000,000 square feet of space.” Aging campus infrastructure was not to blame for the two problems, according to Morey. “Our infrastructure challenges are fairly similar to our peers in higher education and facility management in general,” Morey wrote. “Our challenge
lies in being able to effectively respond to such failures and to provide quality services while repairing.” Harbin Hall Community Director Ashley Kockler expressed a similar sentiment in an email she sent to Harbin Hall residents during the outage. “It is never easy to keep a building this active and amazing running smoothly all the time, and sometimes unfortunate situations arise,” Kockler wrote. Despite hot water being returned in a matter of days, the incident inconvenienced a number of residents. Harbin resident Katelyn Shahbazian (SFS ’18) said that the outage came at a particularly bad time, when she and a number of residents were ill. “Unfortunately, I was actually sick during the time of the outage, so I especially wanted to have a hot shower,” Shahbazian said. “I actually didn’t shower for a few days, personally. A friend and I dashed over to the guy’s cluster in our towels because they still had hot water.” Meanwhile Henle residents were told to shower in Darnall Hall or Yates Field House until the hot water system is fully restored. Marla Abadilla (MSB ’17), who was also sick when the hot water failed, said that the situation was frustrating. “I understand that one of the tanks is still operating, but I’m constantly worried that the hot water will run out any second,” Abadilla said. “Having to worry about taking a warm shower creates a huge inconvenience.”
Hoya Staff Writer Andrew Wallender contributed to reporting.
Photographer William Wegman donated five photographs to the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Arts & Humanities Program in an event exhibiting his work Thursday. Wegman, a renowned artist, photographer and author whose works are held in permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art and have appeared on “Saturday Night Live” and “Sesame Street,” spent the morning visiting pediatric oncology patients, reading from his new children’s book “Flo and Wendell Explore” and helping them make puppets of the characters. In the evening, he signed books for guests and announced the donation of the photographs, entitled “Courage,” “Endurance,” “Love,” “Strength” and “Hope,” all of which featured his signature Weimaraner dogs. In addition to partnerships with Hope for Henry and Tracy’s Kids, nonprofit organizations that help children with cancer, Wegman’s visit was sponsored and organized by Lombardi’s Arts & Humanities Program, which aims to help patients, caregivers and family members emotionally cope with illness through art, music, visual arts and education. Lombardi Center Director Louis Weiner, who introduced Wegman, highlighted the program as essential for patients at the center. “It’s important to remember that coming to Lombardi is not easy for our patients. It’s a stressful time in their lives, they face many challenges, and it can be a traumatic experience,” Weiner said. “It’s a high-intensity experience and having the beauty of the arts as a way of expressing ourselves and dealing with the challenges that we face as a community really makes it a little bit easier to come to work and to be seen here as a patient.” Arts & Humanities Program Director Julia Langley, who was a Lombardi patient in 2006, echoed Weiner, saying the Arts & Humanities Program is both comforting and
STANLEY DAI/THE HOYA
William Wegman donated five photographs to the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center to support its Arts & Humanities Program. healing for Lombardi patients. “We try and provide a way for them to process their emotions through music, dance, visual art, knitting, or expressive writing. If you’re dealing with an illness like cancer, it’s a chronic illness. You might get better or be in remission but you’re never considered 100 percent safe from ever having it again. You’re always dealing with it. The treatment doesn’t stop when you stop seeing your doctor,” Langley said. Weiner also expressed his admiration for Wegman’s work as particularly in line with the mission of the Arts & Humanities Program. “Wegman’s photos lift the spirits of everybody who comes in here. They look at these and they smile. They’re whimsical, they’re profound and the more you look at them, the more you get out of them,” Weiner said. Wegman expressed his excitement to exhibit his work at the Lombardi Center. “What an amazing place to have a show,” Wegman said. “It really is
much better than the Whitney, or even the [Museum of Modern Art].” He added that events like this one are a reason why he loves art. “I became an artist because I liked to show off what I did and make people happy. A big turning point when you’re an artist it to show your work to someone who isn’t your mom, your best friend or your aunt and have him or her say, ‘That’s really good.’ This is total gratification for me,” Wegman said. Langley expressed her appreciation for Wegman, who is helping patients to build a community and process their illness. “He is generous with his time and his commentary. People have come out to see him because they think he does something special. We need that here at Lombardi. We need those uplifting and happy moments,” Langley said. “Art is one of the ways that I feel better about life and that I feel more optimistic. I think creativity is a great gift and a way to stave off fear.”
SFS Considers Adding Minors Toby Hung
Hoya Staff Writer
The School of Foreign Service Academic Council will continue its discussion on the merits of the certificate program and the possible introduction of minors into the SFS curriculum following a town hall discussion between students, SFS Associate Dean Mitch Kaneda and SFS Interim Dean James Reardon-Anderson last Tuesday. SFSAC President Megan Murday (SFS ’15) said that the academic council prioritized student input in their evaluation of the differences between a certificate and a minor program. “We wanted to evaluate the certificate program and see if it would be relevant to bring in minors instead,” Murday said. “The discussion unfolded regarding evaluating the current certificates — how they function for students, what roles they play in an undergraduate education — and if there’s room for minors. Before we’re going to take a vote, the academic council has to gather student input and have a formalized response on what students prefer and what would be in their best interest.” In a survey sent out from the academic council to SFS students two weeks ago, the majority of students indicated an interest in introducing minors into the curriculum. Thus far, 423 students have responded. “So far, it looks about 65 percent has favored minors to certificates from what we’ve seen so far at the survey,” Murday said. According to Murday, the discussion originated this summer after the SFSAC learned of student concern about the difference between minors and certificates as credentials. “The SFS is really unique, and that’s definitely a strength in looking for a job. But if we were to talk about the ethos of the school and explain what your major is, especially … one that less people have heard of like [Science, Technology and International Affairs], it’s hard to add an explanation on what a certificate is and what that means in terms of complementing your education,” Murday said. “It doesn’t have the natural ‘Oh, that means six organized courses that students had to take.’” Murday said that students who attended the town hall meeting were also attracted to the possibility of earning a minor outside of the SFS, something students of the other three schools are able to pursue. For example, students in the College can receive a minor in Science, Technology and International Affairs from the SFS. In addition, some certificates in the SFS can be achieved as minors in other schools. For example, SFS students can only receive a certificate in subjects such as women’s and gender studies, classical studies and Latin American studies, while students in the College can receive a minor in
all of these subjects with the same number of credit classes. “Minors would also allow more access to programs in other schools,” Murday said. “I think it’s important to know that … [we’re] also making sure that the classes that students have outside of the core multidisciplinary education also provides them with a knowledge base and skill set to have outside of Georgetown and beyond.” SFSAC Vice President Anna Hernick (SFS ’16) added that students have expressed interest in earning minors in programs from other schools. “It’s always been an issue that students have been about — not just earning a minor versus a certificate, but having access to programs across schools,” Hernick said. “What
“We have heard from many students that College minors should be made available to SFS students.” SFS Associate Dean Mitch Kaneda
students are most worried about is having access to programs in other schools, and also having recognition for coursework that is completed like computer science or maybe a foreign language.” Kaneda acknowledged that while it may be in the interest of students to earn minors from other schools, minors pose practical problems. “We have heard from many students that College minors should be made available to SFS students, but at the same time, we need to be conscious about resources and costs,” Kaneda said. In the SFS, certain classes can provide credit for both a major and a certificate in a process called double-counting. Kaneda noted minors would require students to take more courses because students would not be able to continue using courses from their major requirements to fulfill minor requirements through double-counting. “Minors … would allow doublecounting of courses with majors, possibly being more meaningful as a qualification than certificates, [which] would allow double-counting to some extent,” Kaneda said. “Without double-counting, minors would allow students to learn from more courses, but on the other hand, minors could be less accessible to students who do not come in with [Advanced Placement] and other credits.” Kaneda said that the decision to introduce minors should be made considering the difference between
the academic experiences of the certificate and minor programs. “[The] focus should be on the learning achieved in the certificates rather than how much a certificate or minor means as resume qualification,” Kaneda said. “SFS centers and programs that provide the certificates can bring academic communities and thesis writing experiences to the students to deepen the SFS experience.” According to Kaneda, a certificate program allows for a more comprehensive academic experience for students that a minor program would be unable to offer. “[Since] minors by definition are combinations of courses, we cannot require departments to include thesis research or provide other cocurricular and extra-curricular experiences to the students pursuing minors,” Kaneda said. “SFS consists of multiple centers and programs that can provide such experiences to the students, and certificates can be designed to add to the overall learning experience of students beyond the majors and other SFS requirements.” Emily Portuguese (SFS ’18) said she hopes that this initiative will eventually lead to an SFS minor program that encompasses a broader variety of topics. “I wish students in the SFS were able to get minors in subjects unrelated to foreign service because a lot of us have interests in other areas like psychology, math or music,” Portuguese said. “Also, I think we should be able to have a minor in a language after we take so many language classes and have to pass a proficiency exam.” Kelly Tierney (SFS ’18) said, conversely, that certificates are a more efficient and better way of gaining credibility in the SFS. “It doesn’t particularly bother me because some certificates have overlap with major-required courses and can take fewer classes to fulfill,” Tierney said. “However, minors may allow for more options and variety.” Timothy Yin (SFS ’17) agreed, and said that the certificate system allows students to further specialize within the SFS in a way that minors cannot. “I guess I like the fact that the certificates are very well integrated into the SFS curriculum,” Yin said. “To me they seem to represent a deepened course of study in a particular field of international affairs.” Yin said that despite this, he hopes the SFS will begin to recognize that students may have a desire to pursue other academic interests. “It is important to realize that a lot of SFS students have interests outside of international affairs and I have friends who want to pursue minors in topics like math and journalism that they aren’t able to do so in the SFS,” Yin said. “I would not replace certificates with minors, but do think that the SFS should offer the flexibility to students to choose minors or certificates.
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THE HOYA
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
Students Caught in Los Cuates Fake ID Bust RAIDS, from A1
CHARLIE LOWE/THE HOYA
Aramark workers at Leo’s, Starbucks and Cosi are working through their union UNITE HERE to renegotiate a contract with Aramark to push for more benefits and paid hours.
Workers Negotiate Contract ARAMARK, from A1 fighting for rightful treatment and respect. “I want every worker to have a 40-hour pay week — paid hours,” Smith said. “I want every worker to have his or her pay raised. I want every worker to have dignity and respect. I want every worker to have their job protected by the union. I want better health plans, loyal health plans.” Currently, Aramark workers do not receive the benefits that come along with a 40-hour work week such as health insurance and raises even if they are working up to 37 hours a week. In addition, workers are not provided with sustainable food to serve in the dining hall for students and receive minimal protection for immigrant workers. Unionized Aramark workers at other universities in the area including American University and The Catholic University of America have already successfully negotiated contracts to achieve these goals. Smith said that UNITE HERE has provided employees with advice and encouragement during the contract renegotiation. “They [the union] have been helping a lot,” Smith said. “They are in touch with us every day. They help us talk to people, get our petitions signed, educate people, and what not. They help [teach] us how to talk to people, what to do. We just came from a meeting — they help us learn how to talk to the managers when they are doing something wrong. They’ve been really good.” Aramark’s Director of Corporate Communications Kar-
en Cutler said that Aramark will work to bargain with the union in the coming months. “Aramark has hundreds of collective bargaining agreements around the country with the various unions who represent our employees,” Cutler wrote in an email. “Negotiating union collective bargaining agreements are a routine part of business. At Georgetown, we are committed to bargaining in good faith and are working hard with union representatives to come to an agreement that works for everyone. We had a productive meeting this week and hope to have a new agreement soon.” Aramark manages over 260,000 employees worldwide with a revenue of $13.51 billion dollars as of 2012. The company has been criticized in the past for various claims of mistreatment and uncleanliness. For example, in 2012, an Aramark regional manager sent an email to all employees that warned them that unionizing could lead to job termination. In addition, in February 2012, the Health Department found that 14 Aramark-run cafeterias in New Orleans received critical violations, four of which were for rat feces. The petition is still active, and GSC President Clara Mejia (COL ’17) said that they hope to reach 2,000 signatures by March. They will deliver the petition to Aramark management the second week of February after negotiations continue to develop to encourage more compromise between Aramark and the worker’s union. They will continue to request signatures from students by presenting their goals to classes with the help of Aramark
workers and advertising the petition on social media. “These workers are an integral and valued part of our community and we need to stand in solidarity and fight with them,” Mejia said. “Given its history and mission of standing in solidarity with the workers and advocating for them, GSC started the petition to bring awareness at the lack of a fair and just contract in Leo’s and to reaffirm student solidarity with campus workers.” GSC helped workers unionize in 2011 and has remained an active partner with them since then. They provide a hotline for workers to call about work-related grievances, meet one-on-one with employees, and host events and appreciation meals for all workers on campus. Mejia said that students at Georgetown must advocate for the employees around them. “As students, it is our responsibility to advocate for the needs of workers because they too form part of our Georgetown community,” Mejia said. “In addition, student presence and support will pressure Aramark into giving the workers a more fair contract they deserve.” Aramark worker Rhonda Smith said that student help in this campaign has been invaluable. “It’s awesome,” Smith said. “They care. They back us 100 percent. When we went to go serve them the petitions they were right there by our side. Last time we heard we had 900 signatures from Georgetown students. They are concerned. The community and the university, the Jesuit community, they all support us.”
the university are still unknown. The Office of Student Conduct could not be reached for comment. Student Advocacy Office Co-Director Ben Manzione (SFS ’15) said he could not comment on specific cases, but he described the usual disciplinary process when police refer cases to the university. “The student goes through the legal system and then the student could also face disciplinary sanctions from the university. The way that works is the Metropolitan Police Department, when the student is arrested, sometimes what they’ll do is they’ll call the university and they’ll let the university know right away. Other times what they’ll do is they’ll forward the reports to the university,” Manzione said. “They will refer reports involving students who may have committed crimes to the GUPD and then the GUPD will forward them to the Office of Student Conduct and then they’ll get adjudicated from there.” Manzione added that, of the cases on which SAO works, usage of fake IDs was among the most common referrals from the MPD, in addition to noise violations. “We do see a fair amount of cases come involving the use of fake IDs,” Manzione said. In addition to sanctions for students, the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration, which regulates licenses for restaurants to sell alcohol in the District, investigates incidents of underage sales to determine whether to suspend or revoke alcohol licenses. ABRA Public Affairs Specialist Jessie Cornelius would not comment about the specific incidents in the past two weeks, but she explained the organization’s general policy on license suspensions.
“Essentially the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board can suspend or revoke an alcoholic beverage license if the licensee violates District laws and regulations including but not limited to District of Columbia Official Code Title 25 and Municipal Regulations Title 23, violates the terms of the license or settlement agreement, presents an imminent danger to the health and safety of the public, or fails to pay licensing fees and fines,” Cornelius wrote in an email to The Hoya. The District of Columbia Official Code Title 25 and Municipal Regulations Title 23 states that the board may issue fines and suspend or revoke licenses if the licensee allows the establishment to be used for any unlawful purpose. Furthermore, the MPD chief of police may request the suspension or revocation of a license if there seems to be a correlation between increased crime within 1,000 feet of the establishment and the operation of the establishment. If an establishment loses its permit, it is ineligible to regain its license for five years. Recently, Foggy Bottom bar McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon closed after it lost its license when five people were stabbed at the establishment Dec. 30. Licenses are subject to revocation only after a hearing involving the defendant. Kehl said that authorities had not yet reached out to Los Cuates after the Saturday night raid. The restaurant turned away several college-aged patrons Sunday after they attempted to use fake identifications, prompting rude remarks from the customers. Fake identifications have also been seized at Wisemiller’s over the past two weekends, but the Metropolitan Police Department and Wisemiller’s staff declined to comment on the incidents involving fake identifications and sales to underage drinkers.
Study-Abroad Housing Policy Angers Students HOUSING, from A1 rector of Residential Services Patrick Killilee said. According to Killilee, dissuading students from studying abroad in the fall was not a consideration when changing the selection timeline. “Students are asked to provide their top five choices for housing,” Killilee said. “They can request roommates and to fill an anticipated vacancy. Our priority is to assign to the requested vacancy if possible, house students in roommate pairs and then by requested building. We know it is often more important to students to live with someone they know over where the actual room is located.” This policy change was previously scheduled to go into effect during the fall 2014 semester, but was rescheduled to start during the fall 2015 semester after students voiced concern about the rule through a similar Facebook petition. The petition garnered over 500 signatures and encouraged the housing office to delay the implementation of this policy. In addition, students in the class of 2016 will receive priority in selecting housing for next year after a university policy shift in February gave priority to rising seniors over rising juniors. “They just tried to dump it on the next class and that is something that everyone that’s in the Class of 2017 and any class after that has a perfectly legitimate beef with,” Kelly said. “We’re students of this university, we pay — some would consider — a whopping amount, to go here. If that doesn’t afford you the right to a voice when it comes to where you live and with whom you live, then I’m not sure what we’re doing here.” Last year, Simons worked with Killilee to voice concerns about the changed policy. As a result the policy was pushed back one year, and Simons was able to study abroad in Buenos Aires and return this spring to live in a Nevils apartment with friends. “[Study abroad is] something so unique and Georgetown pushes it so heavily,” Simons said.
“If you look at it from marketing materials they really like to push that over 50 percent of students study abroad, we have all these programs, we have these two great villas. … [The policy change] just seems to go contradictory to them trying to focus on study abroad.” Simons and Kelly plan to post an IdeaScale petition online this week to help demonstrate student support. They hope to get a strong backing from the freshmen and sophomore classes before planning to meet with housing administrators a couple of weeks into February. Killilee said he was unaware of the petition that went online Sunday and that no changes will be made to the implementation of the new housing rules. “We made the announcement that this change would go into effect for the 2015-2016 selection process last February. We will not be changing the procedure or delaying its implementation,” Killilee said. However, Simons and Kelly said they plan to have the policy fixed by March 17, the study abroad decision deadline. Kelly said it is possible that administration will change the policy. “It depends on how loud Georgetown can shout,” Kelly said. Timothy Paul Shaker (COL ’17) said that this policy makes studying abroad far less attractive. “I actually have considered not studying abroad because of the new restrictions. But honestly it just seems like such a wasted opportunity especially with how great Georgetown’s study abroad program is,” Shaker said. Addie Lancianese (SFS ’17) said that the new policy dissuaded her from studying abroad in the fall. “My roommate and I both wanted to go abroad this coming fall. But we’re not willing to risk an amazing semester for a possibly miserable one,” Lancianese wrote in a post on the petition’s Facebook event. “I’ve seen and heard too many horror stories to be placed in a random placement with someone I might not get along with. I shouldn’t be punished for expanding my horizons by going abroad.”
World Bank President Jim Kim Discusses Ebola Response INITIATIVE, from A1 Gioia said that Kim’s leadership experience in tackling a variety of global issues embodies the spirit of the Global Futures initiative. “The Global Futures Initiative seeks to understand [global] challenges, find new ways for us to connect and work with other people and ultimately to live out our university’s characteristic ethos — to seek the betterment of humankind,” DeGioia said. “There is perhaps no one better to inaugurate this initiative … than Jim Yong Kim.” Kim began the lecture with a call for increased efforts in fighting Ebola by stressing the severity of the pandemic in both its death toll and its effects on the global economy. “The Ebola outbreak has been devastating in terms of lives lost and the loss of economic growth in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone,” Kim said. “We need to make sure that we get to zero cases in this Ebola outbreak. At the same time, we need to prepare for future pandemics that could become far more deadly and infectious than what we have seen so far with Ebola.” Kim then attributed the failure of the global community in achieving a sustainable solution to Ebola to a lack of concern for the affected countries. “It is part of what I would call a very long history of low aspirations in pro-
viding health care for poor people,” Kim said. In arguing for developed economies to take a greater role in fighting Ebola, Kim argued that such a course of action would be both morally and economically sensible. “Not only is it the right thing to do morally, not only is it the right thing to do in terms of making a preferential option to the poor, it’s also economically important,” Kim said. “Those of us who have been working in poor communities for a long time argue that it’s the right thing to do morally, and maybe it would even be the right thing to do economically.” During a question-and-answer session after Kim’s remarks, three students asked Kim for his opinion on fossil fuel divestment, in light of the Committee on Investments and Social Responsibility’s recent vote against complete divestment at Georgetown. Kim responded by acknowledging the complexity of balancing environmental values with economic priorities in his own work at the World Bank. “The divestiture issue is a complicated one,” Kim said. “Often divestiture means that you’re going to have to take a big haircut and lose some value of your investments, and that means less money to invest in stu-
dents like you guys. It’s a problem that’s so huge, which is also juxtaposed with problems like the need for energy for poor people, that it’s going to take everyone working together.” Hee Yoon Hang (COL ’18) found Kim’s approach on fighting the Ebola crisis through economic development to be innovative. “Jim Yong Kim’s lecture was an inspiring one. I was most surprised by the way he approached the Ebola issue, as well as other world health problems,” Hang said. “It was about the people, their behavior and thinking, which aren’t necessarily the first things we think of when faced with global problems like this. I learned that seeing the world as it is is the first step to making tangible improvements in our world.” Rachel Villanueva (SFS ’16) agreed that Kim’s application of psychology in understanding the global response to Ebola was effective. “I think what really resonated with me was Dr. Kim’s use of mental models as a framework for understanding how low aspirations in providing healthcare for poor people affected responses to the Ebola outbreak,” Villanueva said. “I think it really shows the power of perceptions and attitudes in treating pandemics and improving the health care infrastructure.”
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World Bank President Jim Kim talked about a response plan to Ebola and answered student questions in Gaston Hall on Tuesday.
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GULC Institute Supports OWN IT Sets a Date, Expands Housing Development Natalie LaRue Hoya Staff Writer
Maureen Tabet Hoya Staff Writer
Georgetown University Law Center’s Harrison Institute for Housing and Community Development guided the restoration of the Sierra Cooperative, an affordable housing complex in northwest Washington, D.C. that was almost completely unlivable in 2012 but made a full recovery and celebrated its grand opening Jan. 22. The Harrison Institute, which was founded in 1972 by adjunct law professor Jason Newman as the Project for Community Legal Assistance, is one of the longest-running legal clinics in the country, focused on providing legal advice to craft policy and assisting housing and community development. Harrison Institute Director and law professor Michael Diamond said preserving affordable housing in the district is an important cause. “I think that more of this needs to be done,” Diamond said. “In the city, affordable housing is disappearing and preserving it and increasing the supply is a critical need.” In conjunction with this mission, the Harrison Institute provided legal and developmental consultation for the Sierra Cooperative project and also helped to gather funds to restore the cooperative, which was in shambles before the project. “The building had been sufficiently damaged. The roof had caved in five or six years ago and there wasn’t money to fix it apparently and water poured into the building ruining
GEORGETOWN LAW CENTER
GULC’s Harrison Institute supported housing development.
walls, ruining systems. You’d walk in the front door and you couldn’t breathe because of the smell of mold that just permeated the entire building,” Diamond said. Despite the conditions, four residents remained in the building, while the other 16 spaces remained unoccupied. “The real heroes in this project were the four brave and determined residents who decided they were not going to leave their homes despite unbearable challenges. I applaud the Sierra residents’ grit and determination and am thankful that I had the opportunity to help make a meaningful and positive difference in their lives,” Harrison Institute lead attorney Raquel Skinner said. The restored cooperative, which is located in the Eckington neighborhood, includes 20 units of affordable housing, with tenants ranging from people at or below 30 percent of the median income to 80 percent of the area income. Diamond said the total project cost about $2.7 million. “We took on the job of both developing the property and being a lawyer for the property,” he said. “There wasn’t enough money to do most things except keep the most basic services afloat and we helped get money to make immediate repairs on certain things and then to make the long-term repair.” Skinner described the obstacles the project faced during restoration. “One significant hurdle involved fixing a water pipe that burst during one of the coldest days of the winter last year, which materially increased the cost of the renovation,” Skinner said. “A constant challenge that we had to deal with was making sure that the financing for the deal was able to cover renovation work for the building.” Despite challenges, Diamond said the residents of the Sierra Cooperative were extremely helpful. “There was pretty much no problem with the residents,” he said. “The residents met regularly as a group to make decisions and made the decisions that they had to make to move forward. They both survived in these conditions and developed a capacity to move forward in those conditions, which is pretty really remarkable.” In addition to the Sierra Cooperative project, the Harrison Institute has also recently gotten involved with the restoration of Capitol Manner Cooperative and Paul Dunbar Apartments in the Columbia Heights neighborhood.
OWN IT, a student group that aims to empower women in leadership, announced last Wednesday that it will host its second annual OWN IT Summit March 28 in Gaston Hall. Over 50 speakers and an expected 800 attendees, 400 more than at last year’s summit, are anticipated to attend. The summit was founded in 2013 with the mission of bridging the gap between college-aged women and professional, industryleading women by hosting a series of panels and workshops. OWN IT, which was housed within the Georgetown University Women In Leadership last year, is now working independently with guidance from the university’s Office of Communications. This year, the summit will expand in both size and scope. The first OWN IT summit took place in the Lohrfink Auditorium with 400 attendees and 30 speakers. Last year, tickets for the summit sold out in one day, despite the fact that a list of speakers had yet to be released. Tickets for this year go on sale Feb. 13 on OWN IT’s website. According to Summit Co-Chair Helen Brosnan (SFS ’16), this year’s summit will feature a variety of changes including a new format. Brosnan declined to comment on the speakers, which will be announced in the upcoming months. “We are changing the format by trying to include a few more fun elements in the day — some performances, and a few surprises that you’ll see as it gets closer,” Brosnan said. The summit will also see the addition of non-industry specific panels in an effort to highlight the overlap of professionalism and success between industries. To do this, the panels will be organized by the four themes: inspiration, image, innovation and impact. “Those are our four themes for our four panels,” Brosnan said. “[This] allows us to have cross-industry, more stimulating conversation. Women across fields have a lot of similarities.” Despite several changes to its format, the core goals and values of this year’s summit remain the same, according to Director of Speakers Allyn Rosenberger (COL ’17). “The main theme is really to bridge the gap between women in leadership positions and the
millennials who admire them,” Rosenberger said. “All too often we are faced with powerful women talking to other powerful women, and that really isn’t very inspiring to us college students. This is a way to challenge that and make female leaders and leadership events much more accessible.” Georgetown University’s OWN IT Deputy of Logistics Sarah Clements (COL ’18) said she promises that the summit will also retain its emphasis on creating a similar tight-knit environment from last year. “A criticism that often comes with these types of events that bring together powerful people is that they end up talking in circles to themselves — other powerful people,” Clements wrote in an email to The Hoya. “OWN IT is going to be different. Speakers and students alike are ‘participants’ and we hope to build an environment through small breakout sessions and even smaller ‘office hours’ where both speakers and attendees are learning and building from each other.” Brosnan said that they will also work to create an even more friendly atmosphere at the conference this year. “We got a lot of positive feedback from last year about the level of comfort that people got at this event,” Brosnan said. “We tried our hardest to make it feel like you were walking into a room of potential friends, and that’s something that we’re trying to hammer home this year as well. Even though you’re in a huge venue, you’re still surrounded by 800 girls and industry leaders who want to talk to you.” Summit Co-Chair Kendall Ciesemier (COL ’15) said that student interest and involvement in the summit has increased significantly since last year, as planning stages began last September. “We have an awesome team,” Ciesemier said. “From freshmen to seniors, we have gotten more people involved this year.” Due to the success of last year’s OWN IT Summit at Georgetown, other schools have expressed interest and have begun plans for their own summits. According to Ciesemier, Washington University at St. Louis, Boston College and Howard University have reached out to OWN IT via Facebook or email after the success of the summit last year. “We [co-founders] decided that we wanted to bring this amazing event to our campus because we
didn’t feel that there was an event that encapsulated all the aims of OWN IT. There are plenty of leadership events for the females of a specific academic school or sponsored by alumni, but we felt the campus was lacking a student driven initiative of women empowering women,” Ellen Kaushansky, co-founder of the Summit at Washington University St. Louis wrote in an email to The Hoya. Ciesemier and Brosnan have been helping these schools develop their own OWN IT programs. “We give them a guide book to help them structure this and figure out what the best tactics are,” Brosnan said. “We also help them with logistics, how to build a team, a website, and the best ways to reach out to people. They do a lot of work by themselves though, [as it is] very much what works for their school.” Kiana Knolland, the OWN IT Summit ambassador at Howard University, said that she was inspired by Georgetown’s inaugural conference. “The incomparable work they’ve done on Georgetown’s campus is absolutely remarkable and I am excited that OWN IT is expanding to Howard University,” Knolland wrote in an email to The Hoya. “Never has it been more important for women to confidently move in the direction of their career dreams and unapologetically embrace their strengths and imperfections. Our main objective is to inspire the young women on our campus and to connect them with women who understand their journey and plight.” Rosenberger said that she is honored that other schools have expressed an interest in replicating the summit. “The fact that we have spread to three other schools is my favorite bragging point when it comes to talking about the summit,” Rosenberger said. “The fact that young women at other schools want to help us spread our message is amazing. It makes me even more proud to be a part of the planning team.” According to Brosnan, each school’s summit will retain its own uniqueness. “We don’t think we should have carbon copies of the same summit,” Brosnan said. “[Working with other schools] is a nice way to unite similar forces together. Why all work against each other when we could all be working with each other?”
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Friday, January 30, 2015
Beeck Futures Fellows Engage With Philippines Alicia Che
Special to The Hoya
As part of the Designing the Future(s) of the University initiative, the Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation launched the Futures Fellowship on Jan. 5, which will offer 23 selected undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in a consulting project with a client organization on a specific social problem. Student applicants from all schools and grade levels were able to fill out an application detailing their interest in the program due Jan. 11 and were notified of their acceptances Jan. 13. Fellows will receive a fellow recognition note on their transcripts, but will not receive academic credit. This spring, the Fellowship will connect its inaugural class of 23 students with the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines through Skype and conference calls. Students will be tasked with expanding a nutritional program for children who are unable to fully participate in school due to ongoing starvation. Throughout the semester, the students will develop ideas and conduct research to evaluate the current program. At the end of the fellowship, they will present their recommendations to the clients and other mentors. Beeck Center Director of Impact Investing Michael Chodos expressed his high hopes for the program, which he believes will help students to develop an ability
to work across different sectors to solve complicated but important social issues. “Through the Fellowship, students get to learn what it means to think about these really important problems on the ground level and to be able to identify where all the different pieces are,” Chodos said. “[They will learn] how to put together a comprehensive way of thinking about these problems, and to iterate as they experiment with potential solutions.” The fellows will meet on a weekly basis times throughout the semester, in addition to attending lab sessions. The classes will be conducted in a group-mentoring format. In addition to various professors who will mentor the students throughout the course including Chodos, guest speakers and senior students with experience in development projects will also speak to the students regularly. In conjunction with other programs from the Designing the Future(s) of University initiative, the Fellowship aims to foster interdisciplinary and cross-school experiential learning and opportunities. Beeck Center Executive Director Sonal Shah said that the Futures Fellowship is also interlinked with other programs offered by the Beeck Center, including the GU Impacts program, which allows students to engage in social development work overseas, including a planned summer trip to the Philippines. “Many of the students in the Fel-
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The Beeck Futures Fellows inaugural class of 23 students will work with university students in the Philippines to help them develop a nutritional program for starving children unable to attend school. lowship program would have the opportunity to go and work with the organization in the Philippines during the summer,” Shah said. “This connects them from classroom to real fieldwork.” According to Chodos, the Beeck Center plans to offer a lab focusing on social action every semester to allow students to apply their knowledge by working on a specific issue. In addition, the center is in the process of getting approval to
convert the currently zero-credit course into a for-credit course next fall. Marco Fornara (SFS ’16), who was accepted into the fellowship this semester, said that he believes the program will allow him to apply problem-solving skills to real world situations. “I have done a lot of theoretical and intellectual work in my study of politics, and I want to see the results applied to real life situations,
which is the most important aspect of problem-solving,” Fornara said. Amanda Zeidan (MSFS ’16), another accepted student, said that the fellowship aligns well with her personal development goals. “Understanding the way local governments, NGOs and different communities relate to this kind of project is an integral part of policymaking and is especially important for us students going into foreign service,” Zeidan said.
GUSA Petition Highlights Language Ph.D. Programs Tom Garzillo Hoya Staff Writer
In an effort to create greater transparency of instructors’ statuses as students within the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Georgetown University Student Association Senator At-Large Adam Shinbrot (COL ’18) has introduced a bill that seeks to make students more aware of the doctoral candidate program in the department. The bill notes that “there is a wellregarded program that these instructors must complete to become teachers of such classes,” and says students deserve to have a better understanding of the program as well as know who to contact with questions or concerns. Shinbrot, unaware that Ph.D. students went through instruction
prior to teaching classes, initially proposed a bill which sought to prevent doctoral candidates from being instructors. “When I looked into this, I realized that there was a rigorous set of evaluations that these doctoral candidates have to go through,” Shinbrot said. “They have to go through training, and I think students should know this so there is more clarity.” Shinbrot has also created a petition in an effort to demonstrate student support for his bill and raise awareness of the issue, which he says is lacking throughout the student body. “If I don’t know [about the program], and I’m a German major, odds are that well over half of the students in language courses have no idea,” said GUSA Senator Tyler Bridge (COL ’17).
In the linguistics program, Ph.D. students must take a yearlong class on how to be an instructor. Following that, they must submit a portfolio of their work. They then become teaching assistants, and if the professor approves of their work, they may co-teach a class and eventually may have the chance to teach a class by themselves. According to both Shinbrot and Bridge, one of the biggest problems that the bill looks to address is the lack of clarity regarding whom students should contact if they have a question or suggestion. While students may contact the department chair or the director of the program, Shinbrot suggests putting the contact information of the person responsible for the Ph.D. program in the syllabus as a solution to this problem.
Designing the Future(s) Receives $4 Million Sarah Fisher
Special to The Hoya
Georgetown University’s Designing the Future(s) of the University Initiative received $1.7 million in alumni donations and a $4 million anonymous gift at the end of January. The gifts will allow the initiative, launched in 2013, to explore how best to design a liberal arts education for the increasingly globalized future and discover ways to make higher education more student-centered. “The fact that this project is funded entirely through philanthropy is a testament to the value that alumni place on their Georgetown education,” University President John J. DeGioia wrote in a statement. “These gifts, combined with donations from partner organizations, are helping the university adapt to the demands of the 21st century.” Vice Provost for Education Randall Bass said that the donors expressed a desire to make substantive changes to the future of higher education. According to Bass, the initiative’s staff has yet to decide exactly what specific projects the donations will fund. “All of the alumni gifts are specifically for the reinvention of higher ed, so they’re alumni who in particular have been inspired and excited by the Designing the Future(s) Initiative,” Bass said. Provost Robert Groves said he believes previous successes of the initiative have inspired donors to fund the project. “The internal investments that Georgetown made in academic year 2012-2013 have paid great dividends to innovation in the classroom already,” Groves said. “The recent decisions for multiple funding sources to support these efforts with their money gives us great confidence that our strategy has value.” The university has been involved in higher education development and future planning projects since 2000 with the creation of the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship, which has helped developed seven massive open online courses since 2013. In addition, the university developed the Initiative on Technology-Enhanced Learning in 2012 to incorporate $8 million of technology into the university learning experience. The Designing the Future(s) program adds on to these initiatives, allowing future planning to extend to the university curriculum. Bass said he believes that the faculty involvement aspect of the Designing the Future(s) Initiative will help modernize education on campus. “The best part is that it’s faculty-driven,”
Bass said. “A lot of the programs, or a lot of the experiments are really focused on trying to find ways to create more credit-bearing interactions between faculty and students outside of the traditional classroom and trying to take some of those experiences that students find are so valuable for their education and moving them from the co-curriculum where they don’t get credit for them.” According to Bass, this initiative will provide students with a chance to tailor their education to their specific interests. “We’re also trying to find ways to help students develop even more personalized pathways through Georgetown, in ways that fit their passions and interests, and try to remove some of the boundaries between the units that allow people to cross schools and cross campuses and to take even more advantage of all of the resources Georgetown has to offer,” Bass said. Education and Academic Affairs Director Catherine Armour said that the alumni donations will be the key to success in the initiative. “Georgetown is very fortunate to have committed donors engaged in looking to our future and philanthropically supporting the Designing the Future(s) initiative both through large and small gifts,” Armour said. “These gifts will literally make the difference — funding curricular experiments which contribute to a sustainable and forward-facing Georgetown education.” One of the new projects that the Designing the Future(s) Initiative is developing is a minor or certificate in writing, design and communication with no required courses. Instead of course work, students would work on their own projects to complete the requirements. “We’re going to be piloting this program — that rather than relying on courses or seat time — will award credit for projects completed, so students will be participating in a studio environment in which they are creating writing design or communications projects,” Professor Margaret Debelius said. “They might come out of course work or they might come out of work that students did in an internship, or in a community based learning setting, or in a study abroad program. …This project-based learning is meant to harness some of that energy.” Debelius said she felt that the gift would allow professors to explore new and innovative options for the Georgetown curriculum. “What the gift is really going to allow us to do is to do some curricular experimentation … to be able to test several different models is a great use of the gift, and once we know more, we can make some other decisions,” Debelius said.
“This is not difficult to do and it would make students happy,” Shinbrot said. “Put that in the syllabus or talk about it during syllabus week. It’s that easy.” Ph.D. students do not teach classes in every department of the FLL, and some departments do not have a Ph.D. program at all. The linguistics, German, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese departments all have graduate programs and use doctoral candidates as instructors. Last semester Sydney Brooks (COL ’18), a prospective linguistics major, took an introductory course cotaught by two Ph.D. students. She said that while they did mention that they had taught before, she was unaware of any training and would not have known whom to contact had she noticed any problems
with the teaching style of her professor. “I don’t know who I would be looking for within the linguistics department,” Brooks said. “I think that it would be reassuring to students to be aware of the training their instructors have received, as well as a specific contact if problems arise.” Shinbrot and Bridge hope that this bill will allow students like Brooks to have a better understanding of their instructors and how to navigate the departments in question. “We’re not calling for doctoral students to step down, and we’re not calling on departments to stop doing anything,” Bridge said. “Before this, there was no discussion about this topic and no transparency about what happens. This is the first step to change things.”
Business & tech
Friday, January 30, 2015
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Corp Adds New Coffee Student Company Fixes Cracked iPhone Screens Michelle McCann Hoya Staff Writer
DANIEL SMITH/THE HOYA
The Corp has closed down its coffee storefronts from Thursday to Sunday to introduce new coffee from Compass Coffee, as well as new smoothie and chai tea vendors. COFFEE, from A10 telligentsia. Compass Coffee approached Moore last year about selling its brand at Corp services. Moore said that The Corp is often approached with different company pitches, but he was drawn to this new company’s dedication to quality. “The idea we want to convey to people is that The Corp has the ability to be changing,” Moore said. “We are not tied down to any contracts to people, we don’t have the university restrictions that many other campus organizations do so we are able to keep evolving to put out the best products possible through constant progression and innovation.” In addition to new coffee beans, The Corp bought new coffee brewing, cleaning and grinding equipment on the recommendation of Compass Coffee. Compass recommended Curtis and La Marzocco brand machinery, including a coffee grinder known as the Vulcano. “The moment that you enter the store everything will be different — how you interact with Corp employees, and then with your coffee thereafter,” Hutchinson said. Compass Coffee employees will train over 200 Corp employees on the use of the equipment this weekend. Hutchinson emphasized the retraining of Corp staff as part of the company’s changes. “We are really taking the time to change not only our vendor but how we do things. If we changed the vendor but kept brewing the coffee the same way, steaming the milk the same way, our coffee would inevitably stay the same way. From the grounds up we are changing everything,” Hutchinson said. In addition to the coffee shops, Compass Coffee will also be served in The Hilltoss and Corp Catering services the following week. Midnight Mug Director Colleen Scanlon (COL ’15) said that switching coffee vendors from Mayorga Coffee to Compass Coffee was a difficult decision for Corp leadership.
“It was a difficult decision to step away from a partnership that was a great partnership. But at the end of the day I think we really saw that customers wanted a different kind of coffee that we just couldn’t provide from Mayorga,” Scanlon said. “So, loosening those ties was hard — breaking off any sort of partnership is hard — but I think we knew that it was worth it because that’s what our customers really wanted.” Mayorga also provided The Corp with smoothie and chai tea services, for which The Corp had to find alternate vendors since Compass does not provide those products. Maya Chai, based in Arizona, will provide the new chai tea and Dr. Smoothie, an online vendor, will provide smoothie materials made of 100 percent crushed fruit for six new smoothie flavors, including mango. Moore echoed Scanlon with appreciation for the partnership with Mayorga. “We were really proud of our Mayorga partnership; both of our companies learned a lot,” Moore said. “We are still proud of our previous relationship with Mayorga and wish them continuing success in the future.” While the price of Compass Coffee is projected to cost around five to 10 cents more per cup than Mayorga coffee, Moore said that The Corp would attempt to offset the cost increase in other supply areas, which would likely prevent an immediate price hike. He did not expect this to deter students from purchasing coffee. Scanlon has tested the new product and said she is excited for her employees to take pride in the coffee they produce. “At the end of the day we are here to serve the Georgetown community and if you are giving them a cup of coffee that you can’t really take pride in, it’s almost disappointing,” Scanlon said. “I think there’s this overwhelming sense of excitement for every Corp employee that works with coffee to be able to put out that cup and say, ‘Really, I hope that
you enjoy it,’ but then also know that they will.” Ben Card (COL ’17) expressed dissatisfaction with the current coffee, which he called a comfortable option that sacrificed quality. “[The coffee] had a reputation for being bitter and maybe even a little burnt,” Card said. “It was a go-to, convenient coffee, but it felt like you were trading quality for easiness, while knowing that there was probably a way to have both.” Gabby Johnson (COL ’18) said she currently drinks Corp coffee, even though she does not enjoy it, and is looking forward to the change in vendor. “Personally, I am not a fan of the Corp coffee. I think the flavor is too strong and doesn’t really taste like coffee, it kind of tastes like burnt toast,” Johnson said. “I’m really looking forward to the new coffee that’s also served in Baked and Wired because it is something I enjoy and I feel like texture and the flavor is more smooth and full bodied and velvety. I would rather drink velvety than something that is burnt.” Scanlon added that many Corp employees were dissatisfied with their own coffee as well. “A lot of Corp employees find themselves going to other locations like Starbucks or Saxby’s and for us to be able to provide a quality cup of coffee that makes them want to come to our own service and buy too, I think that will be really meaningful,” Scanlon said. Uncommon Grounds reopened today with the new coffee, Midnight Mug will be serving the new coffee as of Sunday and the rest of The Corp locations will reopen with the new product Monday. Moore said he is looking forward to student response. “We want this to be a very open and candid conversation. I know that potentially one of the perceptions in the past has been that The Corp doesn’t respond well back to feedback, which I hope in general is a myth. We really want to encourage conversation,” Moore said.
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Hoya Screen Repair, a company founded in spring 2014 and operated by students in the McDonough School of Business, fixes cracked iPhone, iPad and Macbook screens for affordable prices. The business started as a class project for Strategy/Philosophy 255: The Moral Foundations of Market Society, taught by Jason Brennan, assistant professor of strategy, economics, ethics and public policy at the MSB. Titled the “Ethics Project,” the assignment only had one direction: “Do something good.” Reid Blynn (MSB ’16) and a team of five other classmates, who did not further involve themselves with the company after the end of the class, decided to form an iPhone screen repair company. Blynn had previously learned to repair iPhone screens by watching instructional videos on YouTube when he cracked the screen on his own phone. He saw this project as an opportunity to turn this hobby into a business. “When Professor Brennan said ‘do something good,’ I immediately thought I can repair iPhone screens and charge x amount of dollars, maybe $20 more than what the cost is to fix the phone,” Blynn said. When the course was over and the project was completed, Blynn was the only one of his team that continued to work independently to develop the business further. He named the company Hoya Screen Repair and has repaired over 165 phones to date, ordering supplies from a vendor in China, where 95 percent of iPhone screens are manufactured. Designed to give students an opportunity to create a company, each group received $1,000 as part of the class to get started, a luxury Blynn said contributed to his company’s success. “That project really pushed everything and made it so we were never in the red. There was really no risk in starting this company, which is an opportunity that isn’t available in the real world,” Blynn said. Brennan recognized Blynn’s passion for his business and commended him for his continued effort in developing his business,
expecting the business to remain successful in the future. “What I originally hoped would happen would be that we would fund businesses and students would use the money to run a business over time that would expand and they would take them up throughout their college careers,” Brennan said. “I’ve really only had two businesses that have lasted more than a semester and I’m super impressed that this is still going more than a year later.” In the months following the completion of the project, Blynn hired other employees to add to his team, including Chief Marketing Director Zachary Rego (MSB ’16). Rego’s role is to spread the word of the company around campus by posting flyers, passing out business cards and promoting through social networking. “I jumped on board so that I could help spread the word of this affordable and convenient service to Georgetown students,” Rego said. “It’s a way for Georgetown students such as Reid, [Head of Research and Development Raymond Tierney (MSB ’16)], [Chief Financial Officer Owen Siriani] and myself to give back to Georgetown students by giving them a cheaper option than what they would normally pay anywhere else.” Rego added that his goal for the company is to have every broken iPhone on campus repaired by Hoya Screen Repair. Hoya Screen Repair has replaced several screens on the iPhone of Jessica Palencia (COL ’16), who was referred to the company by a friend. Screen repairs cost between $60 to $80 depending on the type of phone. “Reid fixed the phone right in front of me and explained certain things about the phone and what happened to it, and explained what he was doing,” Palencia said. “My phone was fixed right there in 20, maybe 25 minutes.” Having recently expanded repairs to MacBooks and iPads, business plans for the future include expansion to other college campuses and becoming certified as a limited liability company. “This service is something we want to leave for Georgetown when we graduate. We see potential and we see the incredible demand,” Blynn said.
DANIEL SMITH/THE HOYA
Reid Blynn (MSB ’16) began a company to repair broken iPhone screens last year for a business school course and continued its expansion after the class.
37th and Wall Street
McDonald’s Future in America Questioned SULLIVAN, from A10 plains a record 42 percent of working-age adults now use Nutrition Facts “most or all of the time” in making food choices. This trend, coupled with widespread legislation in many major cities requiring restaurants to be more transparent with their nutritional information, has made more consumers more aware. Additionally, data reveals a 12.9 percent drop in eating out for meals during the recession, and the percentage of people eating out has not fully bounced back and isn’t expected to any time soon. The final major problem has been that McDonald’s is straying away from its core competencies. Currently, there are over 14,000 locations in the United States with expansion occurring at a breakneck pace over the last few years. Furthermore, in 2007, the chain had 85 offerings; in 2014 they offered more than 145. That kind of product diversity has increased waste and inventory costs but has also overwhelmed customers used to more basic product variety. There is reason to be hopeful, however, with the changes occurring after the most
recent reporting period. Don Thompson is out as CEO, being replaced by Chief Brand Officer and former head of the United Kingdom and Europe operations Steve Easterbrook. Easterbrook’s promotion, continuing McDonald’s tradition of promoting from within, comes partially based on a reputation as a turnaround expert, orchestrating a 12 percent increase in restaurant sales during his tenure as head of the United Kingdom operations. Additionally, management is seeking to curb unchecked growth and expansion, hoping to rebalance the company both product-wise and financially. So what does this mean for Joe Hoya? It certainly doesn’t mean that the McDonald’s over by the Rosslyn bus stop is going anywhere, but it does mean that McDonald’s might be marketing more in the future to our demographic. It’s difficult to find college-aged people that regularly eat at McDonald’s, and so its turnaround plans might have us in sight. Unfortunately, it may also mean the end of some of McDonalds’s more creative options, such as variations on the quarter pounder and chicken sandwiches. Here’s to hoping the golden arches get their shine back.
BUSINESS & TECH FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2015
BUSINESS BITS THOMAS DISCUSSES COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Dean David Thomas appeared on the Kojo Nnamdi Show on January 26 to discuss the college admissions process. The talk focused on the question of how to identify less quantifiable variables like “grit” or “self control” in underprivileged students applying to college who may not have high test scores. Thomas agreed that admissions officers often can assess these characteristics by looking at the essays and stories of these students. He also believes that students whose grades have improved over their high school career deserve a closer look.
MBA STUDENTS ATTEND CAL TREK 2015
27 McDonough MBA students attended Cal Trek 2015 last week. Cal Trek is a recruiting program that takes interested students through San Francisco and Silicon Valley to meet and network with potential employers. They visited with representatives of Google, HP, Yahoo, PayPal, Yelp, Levi and Walmart eCommerce along with 6 other companies. Students interacted with MSB alumni at a reception in San Francisco on January 22 as part of the trip.
TRADE POLICY DEBATED BY EXPERT PANEL
The MSB’s Center for Business and Public Policy hosted a panel of experts to debate national trade authority Jan. 27. The discussion, entitled “Trade Promotion Authority: Now, If Ever,” noted that President Obama recently encouraged the passage of National Trade Authority in his State of the Union Address. The panelists examined three pending trade negotiations as well as Congress’ authority to both negotiate and debate trade agreements.
CZINKOTA OFFERS UPDATE ON WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM Professor of international business and trade Michael Czinkota gave his thoughts on the World Economic Forum for CCTV America last Saturday. The World Economic Forum meets yearly in Switzerland to try to advance economic and political progress. Czinkota discussed issues examined during the sessions, including the European Central Bank’s new stimulus measures for the European Union, the armed insurgency in Ukraine involving Russia and ISIS’ current positions.
Corp Rolls Out New Coffee LUCY PROUT
Hoya Staff Writer
Beginning today, The Corp will debut their new partnership with Compass Coffee, featured in their coffee storefronts Uncommon Grounds, More Uncommon Grounds and The Midnight MUG, as well as their other services The Hilltoss and Corp Catering. The Corp has closed its three coffee services in a staggered schedule from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 to provide time for the switch. Uncommon Grounds was closed on Wednesday and Thursday, The Midnight MUG will close on Friday and Saturday and More Uncommon Grounds, which is closed on weekends, will be shut Friday, Saturday and Sunday. See 4E’s post this weekend on thehoya.com with a new review of the Corp drinks!
Following trends from the previous year, according to Chief Operating Officer Patrick Moore (MSB ’15), Uncommon Grounds stands to lose $3,013.48 on Wednesday and $2,851.49 on Thursday; MUG $1,881.03 on Friday; and The Midnight MUG $1,344.47 on Friday and $1,582.30 on Saturday. “Despite us losing this money, we think this new partnership is worth it because we are giving the customer
DANIEL SMITH/THE HOYA
Students of Georgetown, Inc. will serve a new brand of coffee with entirely new brewing equipment from Compass Coffee starting today. a better product and really taking their feedback into consideration,” Marketing Director Norma Hutchinson (SFS ’16) said. Students of Georgetown, Inc. requested student input last year with boards in their coffee establishments that asked students what changes they would like to see in the quality of Corp goods. The most popular response, according to Moore, was a change in coffee brand. Self-described as “the Tesla of coffee roasters,” Compass Coffee, which was founded by two former Marines, Michael Haft and Harrison Suarez,
GUASFCU Selects New Leadership Team ANNA RILEY
Special to The Hoya
The Georgetown University Alumni and Student Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors underwent a transition in leadership positions earlier in January. Eight new members replaced the seven previous board members, with the newly created position of Chief Communications Officer. The incoming board members reflected on their plans for the future of the organization. Why did you want to be in GUASFCU and on the Board of Directors?
Kate Ballinger (COL ’16), CEO: I
joined GUAFSCU for two main reasons. One is the community it builds. I think it brings together a group of really intelligent and thoughtful people, and I really wanted to be a part of that because I thought that I could learn a lot from everyone. The second reason I joined GUAFSCU is because of their mission statement. I was really impressed by how a financial institution could spend so much time giving back to the community, and I wanted to help give back to Georgetown in the best way I could.
Nick Diment (MSB ’16), Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors: I joined GUASFCU because of the unbelievable community that extends to younger and older undergraduate students, as well as to over 30 years’ worth of alumni.
Danny Falasca (MSB ’16), Chief Financial Officer: I joined the Credit Union the fall of my freshman year hoping to find a group that I could grow, socialize, and work with over my career at Georgetown. I have learned so many great things about the financial services industry, but most importantly, I formed some of my closest relationships and best friends at GUASFCU over the past few years.
Stephan Kim (MSB, ’16), Chief Marketing Officer: I joined because
I wanted to be a part of a community of giving back to Georgetown. I also thought that GUASFCU was a place I could develop both as a person and a leader.
Kim Carlson (MSB ’16), Treasurer:
The biggest reason is being part of a team. I want to utilize my interest in investment banking. Being part of The Board gives me a chance to make a difference in the culture and move the credit union forward in general. What are your goals for GUASFCU?
Ballinger: We’ve had a longstanding partnership with Common Cents, which is the financial literacy group, and so we’ve been talking to them a lot about co-sponsoring events and trying to help tailor their speeches to the needs of college students, what they need to learn about having a bank account and taking out loans and
things like that. Also, part of what we do is focus on trying to make Georgetown the most affordable and enjoyable experience for everyone, so some things that people don’t realize is we actually do a lot of philanthropy events and we try to give back in every way we can, and that’s something I want to further this year.
Diment: My plans for GUASFCU
are to increase visibility both internally and externally for the credit union in the coming year. We have a very unique quality in that we are rooted in the Georgetown tradition, and I would like to enhance that in any way possible.
Kim: I want to continue to market
our products and services, but also want to make sure we are a Georgetown organization supporting the community in every possible way beyond taking care of students’ personal finances.
Carlson: Right now I’m focusing
on what I’m in control of in the position, because my background is in member services. But the biggest thing I want to do is change the transparency of the position and of the credit union. I handle the portfolio and I want to make everything, besides, obviously, the confidential information, very clear to everyone.
What excites you most about the future of GUASFCU?
Ballinger: I’m really excited by all of the young interns we have and
the potential they have to grow. We just hired our new class of 21 tellers, and they’re all incredibly unique and intelligent freshman. We only hire freshman in the spring. I’m really excited to see the ideas they bring to the table because a lot of the best ideas come from the newest members.
who served in Afghanistan together and developed an affinity for coffee, opened a storefront in the Shaw District of Washington, D.C. three months ago. Since its opening, the company received media attention from The Washington Post and Martha Stewart’s holiday catalog. Thrillist listed Compass Coffee as one of the best coffee shops in D.C. The coffee is also offered as an option at Baked and Wired in Georgetown, in addition to Stumptown and InSee COFFEE, A9
37TH AND WALL ST
McDonald’s Worrisome Future
Diment: I am excited about the potential GUASFCU has to grow in regards to our loan products, investment portfolio, and other financial services. Falasca: What excites me most
about the future of GUASFCU is the institution’s potential to grow with the other student-run organizations on campus. Georgetown has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrated by organizations like the Corp, GERMS, and GUASFCU. This unique aspect of Georgetown should not be ignored but embraced. It is an exciting time for all student-run organizations on campus and I think there will be some excellent collaborative efforts in the near future.
Kim: The most exciting thing is the chance to become a mentor to younger students in our organization and the chance to motivate them both through leadership and passion for the work we do. Incoming Board Members not mentioned: Laura Tonnessen (MSB ’16), Chief Lending Officer, Xavier Weisenreder (COL ’16), Chief Information Officer and Sarah Petuck (COL ’16), Chief Communications Officer
STANLEY DAI/THE HOYA
GUASFCU COO Nick Diment (MSB ’16), left and GUASFCU CEO Kate Ballinger, right, joined the company’s board of directors in January.
Sean Sullivan
McDonald’s must expand appeal to youth.
T
here may not be a more American restaurant company than McDonald’s. “Billions and billions” served has translated into the golden arches becoming one of the most recognizable brand images in the world. Things are not looking so golden, though, for the American stalwart. Instead of steady growth or steady decline, Mickey D’s is stuck in financial doldrums. Industry-wide factors, social changes and changing internal management decisions have all contributed to the slowdown. Here’s hoping things turn around. The first place to look is the data. In financial crisis and subsequent recession, McDonald’s fared better than most other stocks in the S&P 500, never suffering a precipitous drop, only mild volatility. There are a variety of reasons for this, from the company’s low price points stoking demand when incomes fall to appropriate cash and investment management. Post-recession, however, has been disappointing. Starting in January 2012, just a few months before outgoing CEO Don Thompson was put in place, McDonald’s share price has fallen over 7 percent. The S&P 500, by contrast, has risen almost 60 percent and shows no immediate signs of slowing. This market movement stems mainly from abysmal financial results: last year’s U.S. revenues were down even more than the year before while net income plummeted 15 percent. The question then becomes, how did America sour on the homegrown (the company, not the food) restaurant chain? First, there is the rise of the “fast-casual” players. Currently the fastest growing sector of the restaurant industry, fast-casual provides the consumer with the speed of traditional fast food, but typically with more transparency about how the food is prepared and sourced. Shake Shack and its peers represent rapidly growing options for consumers despite not even bothering to compete on price. The other quintessential example is Chipotle, whose food is often as calorie-laden as McDonalds’s but is still fresher and made to order. Coupled with this trend in the industry is the overall social movement toward healthier and more sustainable eating. The U.S. Department of Agriculture data exSee SULLIVAN, A9