THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018
VOL. CLXXV NO. 80
HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, a sore reality on campus
RAINY HIGH 64 LOW 53
By Anna wilinsky The Dartmouth
OLIVER BYLES/THE DARTMOUTH
While Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is typically common among children, the illness has taken a foothold on the College’s campus. Over 50 students have been admitted to Dick’s House, according to College health service director Mark Reed. At least one student was admitted to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, although the student was released soon after admittance, Reed said, adding that numerous other students may also be infected without having visited the on-campus health center. The disease, often referred to as HFMD, is caused by the coxsackievirus
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is usually seen in children, but adults may also be infected.
SEE HFMD PAGE 5
OPINION
BARTLETT: PLIGHT OF THE FOCO LONER PAGE 6
FREEMAN: NR (LACK OF) O PAGE 6
HOLZER: FAKE NEWS: IT’S NOT YOU, IT’S ME PAGE 7
TRUONG: DIPLOMACY VISAVIS EQUALITY PAGE 7
ARTS
OPERA LAB KICKS OFF WITH THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE EVENT PAGE 8 FOLLOW US ON
TWITTER @thedartmouth COPYRIGHT © 2018 THE DARTMOUTH, INC.
IFC debuts aid Edwards to face Pappas on Nov. 6 initiative B y WALLY JOE COOK The Dartmouth Staff
B y Mary Winters The Dartmouth
On Sept. 28, the Interfraternity Council announced a new financial aid initiative, though not all fraternities were in agreement. An email sent out to campus announced
participating fraternities w i l l g u a r a n t e e t h at they will provide, at a minimum, the same percentage of financial aid that a student receives from the College by working directly with the Office of Financial Aid SEE IFC PAGE 5
This primary election, Eddie Edwards, former South Hampton police chief and a Navy veteran, won the Republican primary for New Hampshire’s First Congressional District. Edwards will face the Democratic nominee, Chris Pappas, at the polls on Nov. 6. If elected, he would be the first black representative in New Hampshire’s history.
Becca Heller ’05 named as 2018 MacArthur Fellow B y Lorraine liu The Dartmouth
Becca Heller ’05 has been named a 2018 MacArthur Fellow for her work defending the rights of refugees and other at-risk populations. As director and co-founder of the International Refugee Assistance Project, Heller explores creative ways to provide legal representation to refugees and
However, he does not seem concerned with this fact. “How does that in itself benefit you as a taxpayer or a family? It doesn’t, so, for me, I am not a special person simply because I am black,” Edwards said. “I don’t believe Chris Pappas is a special person simply because he is gay. I think what makes you special in this country is what you give back to your family, your community and your country. That’s what makes
us special.” Edwards said he is more interested in uniting Americans than identifying them by specific characteristics. “The moment we start deciding who is special and who is gifted based upon race, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity or economic social levels, we are further dividing our country,” Edwards said. SEE EDWARDS PAGE 2
FLOWER HOUR ON THE GREEN
displaced people and help them reach safety. According to the organization’s website, the project is built on a model of partnering law students with pro bono lawyers, which maximizes the usage of student or volunteer resources and minimizes business costs. The fellowship awards recipients SEE MACARTHUR PAGE 3
SARAH ALPERT/THE DARTMOUTH
The Hanover farmers’ market takes place every Wednesday on The Green.
PAGE 2
THE DARTMOUTH NEWS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018
Student attends Google Edwards emphasizes importance of Earth summit in Dublin community in compating opioid crisis B y EMILY SUN The Dartmouth
It is not every day that people get to see their idols face-to-face. But for Shannon Sartain ’21, that was her reality when she had the chance to meet Rebecca Moore, who works on the team of creators of the Google Earth Engine, at the Google Earth Engine User Summit this summer in Dublin, Ireland. “I was so starstruck by her,” Sartain said. “I just think she’s the coolest person ever.” Sartain said she discovered the summit, which took place from June 12-14 in Dublin, while looking for opportunities related to the earth science research she worked on through the Women in Science Project. “[Google Earth Engine is] directly related to what I did my research for last year, so I just thought it would be really awesome to get to meet a bunch of other people who are using it and the people who developed it,” Sartain said. Sartain worked with Ph.D. student Evan Dethier and earth sciences professor Carl Renshaw on their research, which looked at rivers all over the world, but primarily focused on the Amazon River. “The project that we worked on last year with [Sartain] was looking at what happens when two rivers of different types come together and mix,” Dethier said. Sartain began this research as a part of the Women in Science Project program in her freshman winter. Dethier said that Google Earth Engine provided the research with satellite imagery, which was useful since the researchers could tap into Google’s satellite archive and look at the rivers that were very visually apparent using the program. “The platform allows us to ask all sorts of questions about the world and how the world works,” he said. “It’s a little bit overwhelming because the questions you can ask are limitless.” At the summit, Sartain was the second-youngest person of the roughly 250 people there — the
youngest being a high schooler. Though she was originally nervous about being surrounded by Ph.D. and post-doctoral students, “it ended up being a really great experience” because she “got to learn more while [she] was there,” Sartain said. The summit’s activities included workshops on topics like coding, Sartain said. Her favorite part of the experience was the hackathon, which allowed her to work with other students and a professor from the University of Edinburgh on a coding-related project idea. “It was just really cool to get to work with others in a smaller group and all put our skills together,” Sartain said. She said that though she had taken coding classes in high school, her research experience was the first time she used code for a real-world project. “WISP is an amazing program,” Dethier said. “This is the first time I really worked closely for a whole year, basically, with a WISP student. But it’s been an amazing asset for the earth science department and a really sort of great program that’s brought a lot of young vibrancy to the department. It allows kids to [be] exposed to the full gamut of research that happens right from the get-go.” WISP director Holly Taylor said that Sartain’s experience at the Google Earth Engine User Summit “is the direct outcome” of WISP and shows that “highly motivated women interested in sciences can give a really strong contribution to the faculty research.” The fundamental mission of WISP is “to build a community for women who are interested in STEM disciplines,” Taylor said. She added that Sartain’s experience is consistent with this mission. “I think the takeaway from [Sartain]’s experience is that these first-year women can take their WISP internship experiences and run with [them],” Taylor said. “The things that they learn can have substantial impact on things that they can go on to experience about their later research.”
CORRECTIONS Correction appended (Oct. 10, 2018): An earlier online version of the article “Student attends Google Earth Engine User Summit through WISP” has been updated to accurately reflect the location of the Google Earth Engine User Summit. Correction appended (Oct. 10, 2018): The article “Women in computer science attend Grace Hopper conference” has been updated to correct an error in describing computer science professor Xia Zhou’s position and accurately reflect the organizations that sponsored students.
right now,” he said. “Government is really dictating to families, “For me, individually, I want to individuals and communities what make sure that we set examples for is to be expected. We’ve flipped generations to come and that we everything upside down.” start talking about what it means to Specifically, Ed wards said be an American and how to unite communities should play a larger people.” role in combating the opioid Edward’s chances at winning epidemic. Prevention ef forts the election are far from solid. should start at the local level According to FiveThirtyEight, a because smaller operations have website which forecasts elections, a better sense of what their Edwards has a one in nine chance communities need, he added. of beating Pappas in the midterm. “I am interested in making sure Jake Maguire ’ 2 1 , I fight for policies that allow for communications director for New Hampshire to retain most of the Dartmouth its resources,” C o l l e g e Edwards said. “I am interested in Democrats, “We’re giving s a i d t h a t h i s making sure I fight a lot more o r g a n i z a t i o n for policies that allow money to supports Pappas Wa s h i n g t o n and thinks that the for New Hampshire than we’re district is leaning to retain most of receiving.” Democrat. H e its resources. We’re Daniel Bring cited his ’21, vice president giving a lot more personal of the College money to Washington experience Re publicans, on the i s l i k e w i s e n o t than we’re receiving.” police force confident in as ev idence Edwards’ chances. that the “ I t h i n k h e -EDDIE EDWARDS, c o m mu n i t y would be a great WINNER OF REPUBLICAN b a s e d representative for PRIMARY IN NEW approach the people of New works. As Hampshire, but HAMPSHIRE’S FIRST a n o f f i c e r, the odds don’t CONGRESSIONAL Ed wards seem to be in his conducted favor,” Bring said. DISTRICT drug training Growing up, in the Drug Edwards said, Recognition his home life was E x p e r t difficult. When he program, was young, he and w h i c h his brother witnessed his father involved getting to know drug abuse his mother and deal drugs. abusers and the issues surrounding Eventually, Edwards moved in with drug abuse, such as the dangers of his grandmother, who cared for addiction and difficulty of finding him for the rest of his childhood. a job after committing a felony. Edwards’ brother is currently “A lot of the challenges should serving an 18 years to life sentence be addressed by the folks who for murder. Despite having the are doing the real work on the same upbringing, Edwards and ground, not the politicians who his brother followed very different are looking to have talking points paths. to win elections,” Edwards said. “ I u n d e r s t a n d t h e p owe r Edwards said he was also and influence of a family, of a passionate about the overreach community,” Edwards explained. of the administrative agencies, “That is why I’ve had a different adding that, from his professional experience in life than my older ex p e r i e n c e, h e h a s l e a r n e d brother because I understood the a d m i n i s t r at i ve o f f i c e s g r a n t power of a community.” “enormous power” to people who The importance of community have never been elected. is a recurring theme in Edwards’ “Our gover nment is being politics. He decided to enter controlled not by the three gover nment after witnessing branches of government set up injustice while serving in the Navy by the Constitution, but by the and on the police force. Edwards fourth branch of government, said the government can be more the administrative branch of transparent and should be in the government,” Edwards said. “I hands of its citizens. really believe you need someone “That’s not really the case who understands that operation FROM EDWARDS PAGE 1
to restore power.” He continued by discussing the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946 and how he believes the act transferred power from the legislative branch to the executive branch. Under the current system, administrative offices interpret legislation passed by Congress and codify it into public policy. Edwards said that this system gives administrative agencies the power to “fill in the blanks” and make their own decisions. If elected, he said he plans to “claw back” the power given to agencies by writing legislation thoroughly enough that the law’s intention is unambiguous. “At that point, you put the citizens and agencies on the same playing field where they can interpret the law and find the same meaning,” he explained. Edwards added that other politicians are not proposing these changes because they are “not interested in being held accountable.” Instead, he said they enjoy being able to blame the agencies if a law is not well received by voters. He added that a community approach could help reduce rising medical costs in New Hampshire. “The Affordable Care Act is affordable depending on who you’re speaking to,” Edwards said. “Families are paying $25,000 to $30,000 a year for insurance. This is not really affordable.” He elaborated that it is an issue that the state has never had a “true free market healthcare system” and that insurance companies contributed to writing the ACA. “They wrote a healthcare package that guarantees them revenue,” Edwards explained. “This is why the cost is out of control.” H e p ro p o s e d e l i m i n at i n g benefits for members of Congress so they understand the realities of the legislation they pass. “They’re not motivated to fix this system because their families are doing quite well under the health care packages they receive,” Edwards said. “Once people are subject to the same laws and rules that they pass, their motivation changes.” Edwards concluded with a message for Dartmouth students. “I have great hope that the s t u d e n t s at D a r t m o u t h a n d students around this country can make a difference in our community,” Edwards said. “I hope you can focus on the true character of people and not just what political party they belong to.”
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018
PAGE 3
THE DARTMOUTH NEWS
Heller recognized for refugee work FROM MACARTHUR PAGE 1
with a $625,000 no-strings-attached grant that supports creative pursuits in the recipients’ fields without limiting how recipients can spend the stipend. This year’s fellows were announced on Oct. 4. T he foundation does not accept applications or unsolicited nominations for the fellowship, according to its website. Award recipients go through one round of nomination, one round of evaluation and two rounds of selection before they are finally brought to the board of directors for approval. All processes are confidential and anonymous. “It’s a completely secret, anonymous process, so everything you know is what I know,” Heller said. “I don’t know who nominated me or why.” Heller g raduated from Dartmouth with a degree in gover nment before attending Yale Law School. According to government professor Linda Fowler, she exudes academic excellence as well as a strong, distinct personality. “I’ve never met somebody quite like her,” Fowler said. “I guess the phrase would be ‘force of nature.’ She is incredibly energetic. She is very blunt in a way that she speaks. She’s not afraid to put herself at risk.” On campus, Heller is recognized for her accomplishments outside of academics. She has a deep passion for and “sophistication” around social justice issues, director of Dartmouth’s Center for Social Impact Tracy Dustin-Eichler said. “She is really capable of looking at a social issue and taking it to solutions,” Dustin-Eichler said. Dustin-Eichler met Heller at the for mer William Jewett Tucker Foundation, renamed as Dartmouth’s Center of Social Impact, where Dustin-Eichler served as an advisor and Heller was involved in the community engagement and advocacy work. According to Dustin-Eichler, Heller was passionate about food issues as an undergraduate. She started Harvest for the Hungry, a project to fight against hunger in the local low-income community. She reached out to local farmers, student volunteers, chefs and nutritionists through campus resources and local agency contacts to gather and prepare food. The project distributed over 1,500 nutritious frozen meals to local low-income residents. “She developed that project as a result of a class that she has taken in environmental studies,” DustinEichler said. “She uniquely has a skill set to see a problem, to delve in academically and dissect a problem and then implement solutions.”
At Dartmouth, Heller was a senior fellow, researching community food security. She also received a Fulbright Scholarship to work on nutrition policy in Malawi. Heller said that her time at Dartmouth was an important journey that still impacts her life today. “My time at Dartmouth was amazing because Dartmouth really supported me in doing pretty much what I had wanted to do,” she said. “I think Dartmouth really nurtured me to be creative and autonomous and give me the resources and direction and competence to pursue wild ideas in my head and try to bring them to fruition, and I think that’s what I’ve been able to do at IRAP.” Heller will receive the $625,000 grant in quarterly installments over five years. She plans to use the stipend mostly on child care, student debt and other expenses. Though the fellowship goes to individuals, the award will certainly affect Heller’s organization and may provide opportunities for fundraising. “I am hoping that I can use some of the attention from the prize to raise money for IRAP,” Heller said. C o m mu n i c at i o n s d i re c t o r at IRAP Henrike Dessaules emphasized the positive impact that the fellowship will have on IRAP and its work on refugee assistance. “We definitely think this award will bring more attention to the work that we’ve been doing as an organization,” she said. “I think this is the first time that someone
working in the refugee sphere has received this award. So that really shows this is an issue that people care about, and I hope that people will continue to pay attention to refugees and immigration issues at large.” The increased attention and funding may help bolster some of IRAP’s current programs. According to Heller, these include building a litigation team to protect the rights of refugees and other displaced people. “We will be filing a lot more lawsuits on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers,” Heller said. Another ongoing project is developing a complementary pathway to deal with refugee resettlement in the U.S. through filing family unification petitions, Heller said. At IRAP, Heller is a “visionary leader” who “thinks outside of the box” and is at the same time “personable,” according to Dessaules. “She’s still someone who will sit down with you for coffee and talk about many concerns that you might have at any moment.” Dessaules said. Heller’s passion for social justice and creativity in addressing social issues is a model for the Dartmouth community, according to DustinEichler. “She is inspiring to so many Dartmouth undergraduates, who are students trying to figure out how they want to take the work that they’re doing and translate it into making a difference in the world,” Dustin-Eichler said.
PAGE 4
DARTMOUTHEVENTS
THE DARTMOUTH EVENTS
THE SUPREME COURT SHAKEOUT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018
DAVID VELONA ’21
TODAY
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Lecture: “The Rise and Fall of American Nation Building,” with US Ambassador and RAND Corporation Senior Fellow James Dobbins, sponsored by the Dickey Center for International Understanding, Haldeman 41
4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Lecture: “Upending the Ivory Tower: An Examination of Dartmouth College,” with Loyola Marymount University associate professor and chair of African American studies Stefan Bradley, sponsored by African and African-American Studies Program, Shabazz Center
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Discussion: “The Future of Academic Publishing,” with director of Amherst College Press Mark Edington, sponsored by the Leslie Center for the Humanities, Rockefeller 001
TOMORROW 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Lecture:“Dust of Empires: Moroccan Soldiers & the First Indochina War,” with University of Paris-Nanterre professor emeritus Nelcya Delanoë, sponsored by film & media studies department, Rockefeller 002
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Lecture: “Growing Your Own Food Gives You Power,” with New York City community activist Karen Washington, Steele 006
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Film: “Puzzle,” directed by Marc Turtletaub Black Visual Arts Center, sponsored by Hopkins Center for the Arts, 104 Loew Auditorium
ADVERTISING For advertising information, please call (603) 646-2600 or email info@thedartmouth. com. The advertising deadline is noon, two days before publication. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Opinions expressed in advertisements do not necessarily reflect those of The Dartmouth, Inc. or its officers, employees and agents. The Dartmouth, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation chartered in the state of New Hampshire. USPS 148-540 ISSN 01999931
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018
Eight fraternities opt into IFC financial aid initiative
TDX, adding that TDX has always then pass that information along matched the school’s percentage to the president and treasurer of rather than relying on members of financial aid, sometimes even Alpha Chi. to self-report their financial need. exceeding that amount on a case“In [the initiative’s] original However, only eight IFC houses by-case basis. form, it wasn’t going to make sense signed onto the initiative instead “We didn’t really change for us to sign onto it,” Katlin said, of all 12. anything, [but it’s] really an adding that it would unnecessarily While the four houses that did awesome thing to see that the complicate Alpha Chi’s financial not sign on to the new initiative are Greek system’s moving forward aid system. similarly committed to providing and promoting financial inclusivity Sig Nu president Tyler Ansel ’19 aid, the houses preferred to use as a big part of what the system said that his fraternity opted out their own financial aid systems. means,” Hayes said. of the program because it would Beta Alpha Omega fraternity, Hayes also said that in the past, complicate a process that is already Bones Gate fraternity, Chi Gamma brothers who were on the fence working well. Ansel noted that Sig Epsilon fraternity, Chi Heorot about joining TDX for financial Nu takes a very holistic approach f r a t e r n i t y, r e a s o n s when it comes to assigning aid, Gamma Delta decided to join adding that increased verification Chi fraternity, “We didn’t really after learning with the College about members’ Phi Delta Alpha change anything, [but t h e h o u s e ’s financial situations would create f r a t e r n i t y, unnecessary stress. it’s] really an awesome commitment Psi Upsilon to financial “As a brother [who] receives fraternity and thing to see that the a i d . T D X ’s financial aid, the house has always T h e t a D e l t a Greek system’s moving r o b u s t been very generous,” he said. Chi fraternity financial aid Ansel noted that Sig Nu may signed onto the forward and promoting program is a still join the initiative in the future. initiative. The financial inclusivity as point of pride, According to him, he wants to give remaining four he said. members of the Class of 2020 — IFC fraternities, a big part of what the Alpha who will soon be in charge — time A l p h a C h i system means.” Chi president to see whether or not the initiative Alpha, Kappa Fisher Katlin is successful and then decide on Kappa Kappa, ’19 said that their own whether to opt-in. Sigma Nu and -MATTHEW HAYES Alpha Chi, “It [is] just a matter of waiting Zeta Psi have ’19, THETA DELTA CHI w h i c h d i d to see what happens,” Ansel said. not. not sign on to According to Raphael Huang Nevertheless, FRATERNITY TREASURER the initiative, ’21, who is a new member in Zete IFC president has its own this term, the fraternity’s decision Yoga Acharya financial aid to opt out of the initiative was “not ’19 emphasized program. a problem.” that all “ W e “From my under standing, fraternities h ave h a d a [Zete] actually give[s] better are offering robust system financial aid than the plan that financial aid, for financial aid that is much better Dartmouth was doing, so [the and that he does not know of than this financial inclusivity thing house] decided to opt out of it,” any situations where a member that they’re trying Huang said. has needed financial aid and not to get fraternities He added “From my received it. to sign on[to],” that Zete sent Tri-Kap and Zete both sent Katlin said. understanding, out an email out emails shortly after the IFC, T h o u g h h i s [Zete] actually before shakeout, emphasizing their commitment to fraternity is not clarifying that financial aid despite their decision signing onto the give[s] better t h e f r at e r n i t y to not participate in the new I F C i n i t i a t i v e, financial aid than is not part of initiative. Alpha Chi is the program but According to Beta president slightly modifying the plan that would still give Charles Gilmore ’19, Beta was not i t s f i n a n c i a l Dartmouth was financial aid to consulted before the IFC email was a i d p r o g r a m new members. doing, so [the sent out to campus. t o i m p r ov e i t , “It was Gilmore said that Beta has a c c o r d i n g t o house] decided to important that a lw ay s m a i n t a i n e d a polic y Katlin. s t u d e n t vo i c e opt out of it.” of matching school funds and He added that in was heard and being need-blind in terms of the the past, the house we ensured that fraternity recruitment process. has met financial -RAPHAEL HUANG ’21 students had “The process is just a little bit n e e d t h r o u g h a voice at the more formalized,” he said. “Our s ch o l a r s h i p s o f t a bl e, ” O f f i c e way of figuring out who was on either half or full of Greek Life financial aid and how to best dues, but now it director Brian approach the issue with them was a will implement a Joyce said. little bit haphazard and like I said, new system with either three or Joyce added that alumni and we just have more support and four tiers. In this new financial advisors were also active in crafting more guidance from the College aid system, Katlin said the College the initiative. now in doing so.” will inform Alpha Chi’s alumni “I think there definitely is TDX treasurer Matthew Hayes board treasurer Kevin Francfort a tangible impact [from the ’19 said that signing onto the ’15 about which new members are initiative] that can be felt across program was an easy choice for eligible for aid, and Francfort will the Greek system,” Hayes said. FROM IFC PAGE 1
PAGE 5
THE DARTMOUTH NEWS
Dick’s House sees 50 HFMD-related visits
house has never done before, Katlin said. and is most common in children under The fraternity also canceled or the age of five, though adults are also rescheduled an a capella show and susceptible to the disease. social events, including their semiThe virus is transmitted through formal. bodily fluids such as saliva or mucus. “A lot of people saw these actions After initial infection, the virus has an as alarmist on my part,” he said. incubation period of three to six days, “... I didn’t want Alpha Chi to be during which the host does not exhibit responsible in any way for spreading symptoms but can still transmit the this disease to the rest of campus.” disease to other people. Katlin added that Alpha Chi was Common symptoms of the disease “never actually quarantined.” include fever, chills, loss of appetite Despite the attention that HFMD and a sore throat. has garnered across campus, Reed “[I had] said the disease is a super sore not significantly t h r o a t , ” “We have had a few more contagious said Sunbir students who have felt than the common Chawla ’21, uncomfortable enough cold. a student who “Fortunately it is recovering to stay overnight in isn’t a very serious from HFMD. the infirmary, but disease,” he said. “Eating food “I don’t think was definitely we haven’t had any [HFMD] stands pretty hard.” out in terms of overnight stays in the As the severity … And in infirmary in over a disease’s name terms of numbers, suggests, many week.” while 50 students infected people is a lot, it’s a pretty will also develop small percentage blisters or sores -MARK REED, COLLEGE of the student in their mouth, HEALTH SERVICE body.” on the palms of N eve r t h e l e s s, DIRECTOR their hands or HFMD has also on the bottom caused infected of their feet. students to miss According classes. to Reed, there Elizabeth is no vaccine or treatment for HFMD Whiting ’21 said she missed three aside from symptomatic treatment to days of classes because of HFMD. improve comfort. Symptoms typically Whiting said she was diagnosed with resolve within seven to 10 days, he said. both HFMD and strep throat earlier Reed added that despite the this term. discomfort and inconvenience posed “It really took the life out of me … by symptoms of HFMD, many of I went to one lecture and felt terrible,” those infected will experience milder she said. symptoms, while some people may not Dick’s House has been working exhibit any symptoms of the disease with Facilities Operations and at all. Management to sanitize public spaces, “We have had a few students who such as shared utensils in dining areas, have felt uncomfortable enough to public library computers and door stay overnight in the infirmary, but we knobs on campus more frequently, haven’t had any overnight stays in the according to Reed. To prevent infirmary in over a week,” Reed said. further spread of the disease, Reed Greek houses with confirmed cases recommended frequent hand-washing of HFMD have also taken measures with soap and water and avoiding to prevent the virus from spreading. hugging or sharing utensils. Alpha Chi Alpha fraternity Infected students have also taken president Fisher Katlin ’19 said, after measures to avoid infecting their consulting an epidemiologist, he classmates. decided to shut down the fraternity “For the one lecture I did go to, I sat after 10 brothers were diagnosed with away from the rest of my classmates,” HFMD. Whiting said. “I’ve also avoided [the “[The incubation period] made it Class of 1953 Commons] and stayed impossible to know how many people in a hotel room with my parents.” had the disease,” he said. “Out of 93 Chawla said he plans to miss classes brothers, 10 let me know that they had in order to not infect other people with the disease.” the virus. To prevent the disease from “I also sanitize my hands a lot spreading within the fraternity and to throughout the day,” Chawla said. the rest of campus, Alpha Chi canceled “As soon as I was feeling even slightly its chapter meeting, something that the sick, I told my roommates.” FROM HFMD PAGE 1
PAGE 6
THE DARTMOUTH OPINION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018
CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST EMORY HOLZER ‘22
STAFF COLUMNIST NICHOLAS BARTLETT ‘21
Fake News: It’s Not You, It’s Me
Plight of the Foco Loner
The 2016 presidential election mucked a they label those they disagree with as bigots or phrase up from the dark corners of the internet snowflakes, they build walls around themselves. and into the public eye. By questioning the They section themselves off based on political biases of mainstream media, people began to ideology, refusing to interact with those who doubt their very foundation of truth. Suddenly, do not share their opinions. Many in this media with which people disagreed became generation champion diversity of experiences. “fake news” and the only reliable sources those They champion the right for everyone’s needs which supported their beliefs. Now, it seems to be met and for everyone to feel accepted and “fake news” and news are equally prevalent. comfortable sharing themselves with the world. At some point or another, every major media Why, then, do they not apply these same rules outlet has been labeled “fake news” by those to political ideology? who disagree with what they publish, and no Trapped in homogeneous bubbles, political one blinks an eye at the assumption. attitudes become further polarized; not only the Have news outlets always falsified people many surround themselves with, but also information? Have they published lies for the news many watch generates a dangerous decades, and have some now just realized this sentiment. When people get their news from vast conspiracy by media moguls to peddle a myriad of sources (print and television, misinformation? Or, have liberal and conservative), news outlets just recently “Trapped in they expose themselves to become tarnished? This homogeneous differing viewpoints that paint seems improbable. I am bubbles, political a clearer picture of events and hard-pressed to believe the affairs. Further, this allows attitudes become news has turned unreliable many to come to conclusions further polarized; in the past two years. No, for themselves about those the epidemic of “fake news” not only the people viewpoints and to construct stems not from the sources many surround their own stances. This way, themselves but from the way themselves with, they are forced to grapple in which people consume but also the news with and critically analyze them. opinions of others until they we watch generates I n t h i s f a s t - p a c e d a dangerous can refine their own ideas, digital world, many absorb sentiment.” rather than blindly taking information through breaking one news station’s viewpoint news push notifications, as fact. passionate Facebook posts from that high It is easy to highlight problems in others. It school friend, catchy titles for articles most is easier to claim that those who do not share never end up reading and sensationalized TV their political beliefs are wrong, and it is easier news playing in the background. Rarely do to say that any story that does not support their people actively engage with a story, weighing beliefs is a lie. What proves much more difficult its claims against their own. This generation is looking at one’s own dangerous habits. I seems to favor buzzwords and slogans over implore the reader to engage with a source analysis and debate. They take oversimplified they would not normally, have a civil discussion claims at face value, failing to weigh the nuances with someone with which you disagree, read of arguments. an article from a newspaper you would never When people do read articles or listen to pick up, or listen to a pundit argue a point with pundits, they solely engage with those who which they fundamentally disagree. Engaging repeat what they already hold true, rather than with those people and engaging with those involve themselves with opinions different from stories allows people to strengthen one’s own their own. In a society where MSNBC and opinions. This “fake news” generation calls Fox News exist in completely different realms, for a reckoning. Although we have identified where conservatives consume conservative a problem, we have misinterpreted its source. news and liberals consume liberal news, where Fake news, it’s not you, it’s us.
Dark days are upon us of the Dartmouth one person decides to plop down within Introvert. Dark days, indeed. Foco (the Class each booth, it would still host five people of 1953 Commons), that pristine chapel in (the halfway point) — only one shy of the which we worship the God of buffets most former’s median. The key distinction in delectable, has succumbed to the latest in a these numbers? Classic Foco’s occupancy long line of debilitating plagues: castigating of six still possessed anywhere from four to the loner. Indeed, the bar-esque chair layout six more spots to accommodate further lone that once adorned the wall opposite the diners; New Foco can offer nothing in that kitchen windows on the “light side” (for regard. Think about it: if individuals still the common folk: the well-lit section of the choose to eat alone within the haven they first-floor seating area) has been supplanted once knew and loved, they now effectively by a series of two person-booths. Booth- occupy twice the space that they did table-booth; lather well, rinse thoroughly previously. This risks cutting the availability and repeat until the space, which I’ve of my once-beloved recess in half. I think termed “introvert row” lies filled to the brim. it’s safe to say that Dartmouth cannot justify And quite honestly, the decision to do so its decision through an objective, wholly befuddles me, as this (d)evolution lies more utilitarian lens. Because as I’ve established, inefficient and inconvenient it most definitely would — to solitary foco-goers, at not pass—more akin to “Now this security least — than its apparently a proposal dotted with blanket is gone, more red ink and aggressively maligned predecessor. Yes, calling a few tables ‘comfortable’ options labeled “SEE ME!!” in “inef ficient” may seem are conquering this the upper left-hand corner ludicrous. “Throw him in once pristine area of than one simply scribbled the looney bin,” many will refuge — even though with “Well done.” say. But perhaps allow me to similar options were S o m e m ay d i s a g re e define the term “efficiency” already replete both with my pragmatic before they whip out the within the ‘light side’ (and somewhat biased) dunce cap., Efficiency within inter pretation of the and upstairs.” the realm of dining room change. They may argue seating consists of two major that this is no — nor has ideas: maximum occupancy and mean it ever been — an issue of quantity, but occupancy. The first is simply a matter of quality. High chairs overlooking a bar in no how many people could fit within a given way reign atop the list of “most comfortable space. The second, however, pertains more and personable seating arrangements.” to the more important quotidian: How many Their counterparts, however, those softly people typically do fit within a given space? padded and quite spacey booths, are just As with two sides of the same nickel, one the opposite; comfort and socialization must understand both very clearly before remain the core of their purpose. To that determining the victor of a coin flip. end, one can very obviously see how your Allow me to do my due diligence. Foco’s more gregarious and/or leisurely diner new (and unimproved) maximum occupancy would prefer Dartmouth’s current layout sits at a hefty 10 individuals, two per each to its forebear. of the five booths — which seems far from But this approach overlooks a very key egregious. That is, until you realize that this detail: that comfort is as much a mental in no way, shape or form improves upon what concept as it is a physical one (and sociable, was already there. Varying from 10 to 12 by extension). And for many Foco-goers, chairs and, thereby, individuals (depending crowded social spaces and the inevitability of upon the thievery and rearrangement social interaction serve as catalysts to misery by the student body), my beloved Foco’s and anxiety, not joy and revelry. “Introvert introvert row reigned at most superior and row” acted as an oasis to these lone-wolf at worst equal to its subpar successor. But diners; it provided them with quick, diverse say we assume that the minimum, 10, stuck meals and mitigated a great deal of the stress around long enough to warrant knighthood that accompanies such raucous dining halls. as the de-facto occupancy. It can then be Now this security blanket is gone, more determined that this is nothing more than “comfortable” options are conquering this a lateral move, a simple aesthetic swap. No once pristine area of refuge — even though big deal whatsoever. similar options were already replete both And while it’s spectacular to think within the “light side” and upstairs. Yet that way, this is exactly why one should even if Dartmouth were to align with the also account for mean occupancy. The “comfort-oriented” model, it has largely aforementioned “introvert row” appealed failed in this regard. For they elected to ease near exclusively to solitary diners, meaning the burden of the demographic at whom that its capacity was directly a function of dining halls (such as my beloved Foco) are the quantity of lone-foco-goers. Thus, at its aimed to begin with. They chose poorly. nadir this scrumptious nook bore a grand And now, my once great haven lies both less zero people but more often stored within efficient and more cumbersome to its former the range of six (halfway full) to 10 (near patrons. And while two-person groups will full). And at first glance New Foco does not continue to have options outside of those appear to differ greatly from this precedent. five, seemingly insignificant booths, the lone After all, in the worst-case scenario that only wolf, robbed of its home, must now scavenge.
The crisis of the media’s legitimacy lies in the audience, not the authors.
6175 ROBINSON HALL, HANOVER N.H. 03755 • (603) 646-2600
ZACHARY BENJAMIN, Editor-in-Chief IOANA SOLOMON, Executive Editor ALEXA GREEN, Managing Editor PRODUCTION EDITORS MATTHEW BROWN & LUCY LI, Opinion Editors MARIE-CAPUCINE PINEAU-VALENCIENNE & CAROLYN ZHOU Mirror Editors NATHAN ALBRINCK, MARK CUI & SAMANTHA HUSSEY, Sports Editors JOYCE LEE, Arts Editors LILY JOHNSON & CAROLYN SILVERSTEIN, Dartbeat Editors DIVYA KOPALLE & MICHAEL LIN, Photo Editors
HANTING GUO, Publisher AMANDA ZHOU, Executive Editor SONIA QIN, Managing Editor BUSINESS DIRECTORS BRIAN SCHOENFELD & HEEJU KIM, Advertising Directors SARAH KOVAN & CHRISTINA WULFF, Marketing & Communications Directors VINAY REDDY, Assistant Marketing & Communications Director BRIAN CHEKAL & CAYLA PLOTCH, Product Development Directors BHARATH KATRAGADDA, Strategy Director ERIC ZHANG, Technology Director
JESSICA CAMPANILE, Multimedia Editor JEE SEOB JUNG, Design Editor HATTIE NEWTON, Templating Editor
ISSUE
LAYOUT: Gigi Grigorian, Eileen Brady, Grace Gibbs, Lucy Turnipseed COPYEDITING: Hayley Divers
SUBMISSIONS: We welcome letters and guest columns. All submissions must include the author’s name and affiliation with Dartmouth
College, and should not exceed 250 words for letters or 700 words for columns. The Dartmouth reserves the right to edit all material before publication. All material submitted becomes property of The Dartmouth. Please email submissions to editor@thedartmouth.com.
Removing the aisle of chairs in Foco is far from beneficial.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018
PAGE 7
THE DARTMOUTH OPINION
STAFF COLUMNIST JILLIAN FREEMAN ‘21
STAFF COLUMNIST VALERIE TRUONG ‘21
NR(Lack of)O
Diplomacy Visa-vis Equality
Changing the NRO policy would further Dartmouth’s liberal arts tradition.
Ending diplomatic visas for same-sex couples is undiplomatic and cavillous.
Two phrases every Dartmouth student However, I do not believe this reform will knows and loves: “distrib” and “NRO.” have the desired effect. T hese ter ms e pitomize the unique As long as distribs are barred from the Dartmouth experience — a wide range non-recording option, students will feel of knowledge gained through 14 required pressure to choose an unfamiliar topic to courses, colloquially known around campus study by looking at which course offered is as “distribs,” and the safety net that comes the easiest, or which has the highest past along with learning a new subject, the Non- medians, rather than deciding based on Recording Option. Dartmouth prides itself interest. On one hand, students are still on its liberal arts focus, claiming to offer exposed to a breadth of knowledge: the students (albeit forcibly through graduation distrib offers them new ideas and skills requirements) a “breadth” of knowledge. regardless of the difficulty level. On the The College encourages its students to take other, many students are dissuaded from advantage of this breadth through the NRO taking courses on subjects they have a lot — a relieving way for students to exclude a of interest in. No one wants to risk their grade from their transcript if it doesn’t reach GPA being tanked. their selected threshold. For example, a good friend U n f o r t u n a t e l y, of mine is an aspiring D a r t m o u t h d o e s n o t “Every major at editor. While her major allow these two aspects Dartmouth is work is English with a focus in of its curriculum to work intensive, so distribs creative writing, she has together. The NRO, if should not be always had great interest used on a distrib, will bar something students in linguistic studies. She the distrib from fulfilling have to worry about. decided to fulfill her its graduation requirement. The fact that we take quantitative and deductive This has deterred many science distr ib ( Q DS) merely three to four students from choosing a through Linguistics 001: classes a term only distrib by interest, and has Introductory Linguistics, a caused them instead to fill exacerbates this, notoriously work-intensive their distribs using course- because majors are course on campus. As it was difficulty indicators, such difficult to complete already a heavy term for her a past medians, syllabi — especially when because of major-required and Dartmouth’s version chosen late in the courses, she decided to o f R a t e M y P r o f e s s o r : game — and each NRO the course to make LayupList. major requirement is sure it didn’t completely Looking back on my her GPA. To be fair, packed with readings, destroy freshman orientation it had nothing to do with problem sets, exams last year, that one word her major; this was just her —“breadth” — blatantly and more.” way of using Dartmouth’s sticks out in my mind. breadth of knowledge to I heard it time and time again, as each cultivate her interests. However, she was faculty member attempting to explain not able to do that. If her final grade had Dartmouth’s liberal arts curriculum not exceeded her chosen NRO limit of the presented speeches to the Class of 2021. course, it would not have counted toward At the time, I was amazed. The message her graduation requirement. was clear: a Dartmouth student gets to Every major at Dartmouth is workpursue subjects beyond their primary focus intensive, so distribs should not be throughout their college career. These something students have to worry about. liberal arts requirements will enable them The fact that we take merely three to four to immerse themselves in topics about which classes a term only exacerbates this, because they know little, and the NRO will give majors are difficult to complete — especially students a parachute as they embark into when chosen late in the game — and each studying this unexplored topic, maybe one major requirement is packed with readings, they have never even thought about. One problem sets, exams and more. Maybe year in, I am starting to see the disconnect there’s a chemistry major reading this who between these two great Dartmouth perks. really wants to know more about the history Dartmouth’s distributive requirements of education, but is dissuaded from the currently consist of 11 “Distributive” course by its low median. Or, a history major requirements and three “World Culture” who would love to understand basic physics, requirements, and they are a common but opts to fill their science distrib with a topic of debate on campus. Many students human biology course because of its great believe that they should not be required, as ranking on LayupList. Whether someone Dartmouth only offers three courses a term is STEM oriented or studies humanities, making it difficult for students to choose Dartmouth’s distribs should offer them which major-focused course to replace. a break from their intense, depth-driven Others, however, have found their favorite focus, and allow them to explore a topic classroom experiences within their distribs. they genuinely want to know more about. Earlier this year, the requirements were With a technique as great as the NRO that consolidated into fewer categories with the is so poorly executed in practice, Dartmouth goal of offering students the ability to learn is missing an opportunity to let students do “not just by exposure but by principle.” just that.
This past week, the Department of State be a bureaucratic burden. For example, announced that the U.S. will deny family visas employees in the State Department must to same-sex domestic partners of foreign now spend time enforcing this policy by diplomats or employees of international identifying unmarried same-sex partners and organizations who work in the United States. drafting and approving paperwork for those This means that those who who are exceptions. In effect, are already in the country “Though this this policy doesn’t effectively must either get married new policy grants advance the Trumpian or leave by December exceptions for agenda, and it serves to waste 31st this year. Since 2009, government resources and the partners of same-sex partners were time. diplomats who considered family under In some ways, this policy the G-4 visa policy. This are from countries is even hypocritical to what rule reversal, according to where same-sex the Trump administration a State Department official, marriage is illegal, espouses. Generally was made to “promote and the caveat is that s p e a k i n g, t h e c u r re n t ensure equal treatment” for the other country administration only wants both same and opposite-sex must recognize samethe best and brightest people couples. Though this new sex spouses of U.S. coming to the United States policy grants exceptions for from other countries. Yet, diplomats posted the partners of diplomats this policy could prevent the who are from countries there.” best people from coming if where same-sex marriage is it means that their partners illegal, the caveat is that the other country cannot come as well. While the policy change must recognize same-sex spouses of U.S. is touted under the guise of equality since diplomats posted there. This most drastically same and opposite-sex couples now have the affects same-sex partners of international same marriage requirement, but the policy employees who work for organizations such fails to take two points into account. First, as the United Nations, the World Bank and same-sex marriage is illegal in most other the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, countries; and second, the exception only since the exception does not extend to them. applies to diplomats and not employees Many have criticized the change in policy of international organizations. This backs for G-4 visas. They argue that these couples half of the affected foreign employees into are essentially trapped — even if they were an impossibly difficult binary choice: get to get married right now, they could face married or go home. Therefore, claims that persecution, or worse, criminalization, upon the State Department is increasing equality return to a home country that forbids same- fall flat. In reality, it does just the opposite. sex marriage. This is pertinent because only This policy move seems to be an extension 12 percent of countries in the world have of the Trump administration’s immigration legalized same-sex marriage. policy. Increasingly, it has worked to place But even beyond the discriminatory limits on legal immigration and guest-worker implications for LGBT+ families, the visas. This includes a hiatus on granting State Department’s new visa policy is both green cards and in general, making it more undiplomatic and cavillous. difficult for legal immigrants It further strains the nation’s “The new policy to obtain citizenship. Yet, relationship with other also nitpicks at low- if its goal is to keep out international actors without hanging fruit from people who don’t contribute attempting to understand the “who else can to America’s economy or the circumstances of those intellect in some significant we exclude from who must leave the comfort way, this is certainly not our country?” tree. an effective way to do so. of their own country to work in the U.S. It leaves a State Department This insular move doesn’t sour taste in their mouths officials reported help with America’s public — the policy essentially that approximately image in the global arena. asserts, “Hello world, if 105 families will As an op-ed in the Wall you’re going to come here be affected, 55 of Street Journal suggests, “we to work, you have to play by which are employed need to recognize that the my rules.” It disregards the by international immigration debate isn’t individual circumstance and really about immigrants. In organizations.” the context in which people truth, it’s about the children come from, instead slapping of immigrants.” The author an all-encompassing label to goes on to explain how it is apply to every situation. immigrants’ children who seem to change The new policy also nitpicks at low- America’s culture when coupled with the hanging fruit from the “who else can country’s declining birth rate. If this is we exclude from our country?” tree. the case, there’s simply no need to create State Department officials reported that additional hurdles for the same-sex partners approximately 105 families will be affected, of diplomats and employees of international 55 of which are employed by international organizations. I see no practical purpose organizations. While this is not that many in this policy, and can only anticipate its people to crack down on, it is enough to detrimental effects.
PAGE 8
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018
THE DARTMOUTH ARTS
Dartmouth Opera Lab kicks off with Thursday Night Live event By maria hidalgo The Dartmouth
This Thursday night at the Hopkins Center for the Arts, audiences can see a different and intimate performance of one of the most formal art forms possible: opera. “Dartmouth Opera Lab Celebrates Bernstein” is the first event of both the Thursday Night Live series hosted by the Hop and Dartmouth Opera Lab. The event, which will take place at the top of the Hop, is part of a series of performances that celebrate composer Leonard Bernstein’s centennial birthday. The top of the Hop will be transformed to evoke a cabaret and will feature performances of internationally renowned opera stars Daniel Belcher and Amy Owens. They will sing alongside members of the Glee Club in addition to the Hanover High Footnotes. The performance will be a strictly informal and free event where students will be an integral part of the performances. As part of the Thursday Night Live series, the performance is also part of a series of arts-centric events that will occur at the Hop every other Thursday. Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra director Filippo Ciabatti said that these events will serve as a point of reference for students on campus and for people in the community to have a drink and enjoy some music in an informal environment. While opera as
an art form is usually seen as a formal, black-tie event, the performance on Thursday emphasizes the music rather than the ritual. “When you think of opera, you think of getting dressed up [in] uncomfortable clothing, going to a place, sitting with people who are richer and very much older than you and sitting through three hours of stuff sung in another language,” said Peter Webster, the opera director and producer. Webster and Ciabatti said they sought to “bring opera to younger generations” and have them be immersed in the art itself. “Everybody likes stories, and everybody likes music,” Ciabatti said. The performance will mark the creation of Dartmouth Opera Lab, which will integrate Dartmouth students to sing alongside renowned performers while developing their own artistic talents. Webster highlighted the innovation of the program, explaining that unlike a music conservatory where interactions are more formal, it will be a laboratory where people can explore and experiment. Given the collaborative nature of the project, students from Dartmouth have been an integral part of this event since day one, Webster said. Following the vocal and artistic tradition on campus, Webster emphasized that there is a “sense of inclusion” that can make opera events more attractive
PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER WEBSTER
Soprano singer Amy Owens rehearses wirh Ciabatti for her performance.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER WEBSTER
DSO director Filippo Ciabatti, Aaron Samuels ’20 and baritone Daniel Belcher rehearse together at the Top of the Hop.
to younger audiences. The process of choosing the students who would participate in this Opera Lab was done in collaboration with the music department. Professors recommended some of their students, who would then audition to participate. Belcher, a former professor at Florida State University and a baritone opera singer, said he loved to teach and that he actively seeks out students from nearby communities where he performs so that they can create their own “opera lab.” In this sense, Dartmouth has also been able to integrate professional performers with pupils at different stages of their educational career. Soprano singer Owens said she enjoyed working with student Aaron Samuels ’20 and that she was eager to continue practicing and performing with more of his peers. Hanover High Footnotes, a musical group from Hanover High School, will also be participating in this event, demonstrating greater engagement between the Dartmouth campus community with the larger community of Hanover. Jennifer Chambers, the choral director of the Hanover High Footnotes, said Webster had been in contact with her since this past summer for an opportunity where her group could participate. Even though they had been invited to other events, this was the most convenient production for both schedules and, as Chambers
said, her students were “honored to be invited to come participate.” Although the Footnotes have had some prior singing experience in “cathedral settings” and professional orchestras, this will be, for some students, their first experience with professional artists. While also being the first event to open both Thursday Night Live and the Dartmouth Opera, the performance centers around Bernstein’s music, which offers an opportunity for the audience to be able to experience both the art of the opera world and more modern songs from famous musicals such as “West Side Story” and “Candide.” Owens said, “[Bernstein] is the most inspiring 20th century musician out there,” and he explored “different musical styles because he was interested in them.” Owens also said that Bernstein was an artist she related to, given that she is innately curious of anything that interests her musically, even when the different genres might seem intimidating. Concurrently, Belcher described Bernstein’s music as “very intricate,” while Ciabatti defined his work as being “multifaceted music” with a profound depth that could be presented to different kinds of audiences, given its modernity. One of the features in the Dartmouth Opera Lab initiative that was heavily
emphasized was the intimate and informal settings for their events. “You can really connect with people, you can look at them, even touch them,” Owens said. “I think audiences are a big part of performance. It is so much fun, and opera is meant to be done acoustically, so there are more choral options available to you as a vocalist [in a smaller setting].” Owens also said that the informal setting allowed the performance to be completely connected to the audience and allowed her to be more improvisatory. Belcher said that when there is a more intimate audience, there is a “visceral experience of the sound.” “[Spectators] will understand every word ... see every physical nuance, every gesture,” he said. “The immediacy will only be heightened by the experience at the Top of the Hop.” Ciabatti said that Bernstein’s repertoire also allows for an intimate and informal setting, where the performers can be, to a greater extent, in touch with their performance and become more vibrant. The setting of the Top of the Hop made it easier to transform the more formal aspects of opera into an intimate production. “The core concepts that lie underneath [opera] will speak regardless of the setting,” he said. “Dartmouth Opera Lab Celebrates Bernstein” takes place at the Top of the Hop on Thursday night at 9 p.m.