The Tufts Daily - September 25, 2017

‘Seeking Stillness’ combines art from different countries, cultures see ARTS&LIVING / PAGE 8

TUFTS FOOTBALL

Ovetime struggles doom Tufts in loss to Weleyan

CAFE discussion group analyzes what ‘ interfaith’means see FEATURES / PAGE 4

SEE SPORTS / BACK PAGE

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VOLUME LXXIV, ISSUE 12

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Monday, September 25, 2017

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OEO maintains current burden of proof for sexual misconduct cases following DeVos’s removal of Obama-era regulations The Dear Colleague letter recommended a general 60-day time limit for investigations into sexual misconduct cases.

DeVos’ new regulations, on the other hand, do not call for a specific time frame for a prompt investigation. Zellmer noted that the university has chosen to move to a period of 60–90 days for investigations in order to maintain respect for the student calendar and ensure proper thoroughness in the process.

“I never really felt comfortable with the 60-day time frame anyway,” she said. “If a case comes in at the middle of the semester, which is more likely than at the beginning, we have to make sure that we’re not talking to students during finals and midterms … [and] that 60 days is almost impossible.”

Zellmer added that OEO will still aim to complete investigations before the 90-day mark, but that expanding this regulation will see OEO, page 2

ResLife makes structural changes to improve on-campus housing Staffing changes include departure of Yolanda King, addition of new hires

by Elie Levine News Editor

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Betsy DeVos, U.S. Secretary of Education, is pictured above.

by Arin Kerstein News Editor

Content warning: This article discusses policy surrounding sexual misconduct.

The Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) will continue to use the preponderance of the evidence standard for sexual misconduct cases in accordance with its current adjudication process, following the Department of Education’s rescinding of Obama-era regulations in a Q&A on Campus Sexual Misconduct document released on Friday from the department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), according to Jill Zellmer, executive director of OEO and Title IX coordinator.

The document was released in the interim of a notice-and-comment process to reform sexual misconduct policy first announced by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a speech at George Mason University earlier this month.

A 2011 “Dear Colleague” letter issued during President Barack Obama’s administration lowered the burden of proof in such cases to a preponderance of the evidence standard, requiring a simple majority of the evidence to implicate a student accused of sexual misconduct. The new OCR document allows universities to elect to increase the burden of proof necessary to find someone

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guilty of sexual misconduct to clear and convincing, meaning more evidence would be necessary to implicate the perpetrator.

Zellmer explained that, while the outlined procedure is temporary until the department solidifies regulations after the notice-andcomment process finishes, Tufts is not currently changing this policy.

“We’re going to continue to use the preponderance of the evidence standard, which is the standard that we use for all conduct issues across the university so that’s what we’re keeping, and we’re not anticipating that we’re going to have to change it,” she said.

The current adjudication process — which has been in place since 2011 — utilizes a panel of adjudicators composed of staff and faculty from all around the university, according to OEO’s Sexual Misconduct Adjudication Process Overview. OEO works to pick adjudicators from campuses other than the one where the case is reported to help avoid conflict of interest, Zellmer said.

Zellmer said this process seems to be most appropriate way to adjudicate with a preponderance of evidence standard of proof.

“If there’s a panel, it seems like people are comfortable with the preponderance of the evidence standard because more than one person is making the decision,” she said.

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This academic year has ushered in a host of changes within the Office of Residential Life and Learning (ResLife).

According to Christopher Rossi, the associate dean of student affairs, ResLife has put a number of reforms in place that provide co-curricular resources and support for students.

Former ResLife Director Yolanda King has left Tufts, and a number of new staff arrived over the summer, adding to staffing changes over the past several months. In addition, the office’s organization has changed, with new structures for residence directors, resident assistants and upper-level managers. Rossi said all these changes are aimed at improving the Tufts experience.

“We believe here at Tufts … that learning extends beyond the classroom,” Rossi said. “Things that happen in the classroom are just a part of your experience and growth here at Tufts.”

New Dorm Organization Rossi said that ResLife has transitioned from the area residence director model, with dormitories grouped into four areas guided by professional residence directors, to a model with seven designated areas, each led by a graduate residence director (GRD).

Ben Grace, the GRD for Metcalf, Richardson, Stratton, Sophia Gordon and Hodgdon Halls, explained that he serves as the point person between professional and student staff.

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Yolanda King, former director of residential life and learning, is pictured on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2002.

“The best way to describe the GRD role is that I serve as a liaison between the ResLife professional staff and my [First Year Advisors] FYAs and Community Development Advisors (CDAs),” Grace told the Daily in an email. “Since I live on campus and interact with my FYAs and CDAs more frequently than professional staff, I am better able to convey departmental updates and information in our team meetings or one-on-one interactions.”

Grishma Rimal, the GRD for Carpenter House, Carmichael Hall, Wilson House and West Hall, agreed that communication is an important part of her role.

NEWS............................................1 FEATURES.................................4 COMICS.......................................5 PHOTO SPREAD.....................6

see RESLIFE, page 3

ARTS&LIVING.........................8 OPINION...................................10 SPORTS............................ BACK

2

THE TUFTS DAILY | News | Monday, September 25, 2017

THE TUFTS DAILY Gil Jacobson Editor-in-Chief

EDITORIAL

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Preponderance of evidence still standard in sexual misconduct cases, despite new DeVos guidelines

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Students congregate in front of Ballou Hall during the noncompliance protest at Stand with Survivors at Tufts: Rally for Title IX Compliance on May 1, 2014.

OEO

continued from page 1 help to ensure that the investigation is properly conducted.

“I want it to be right, I don’t want it to be fast,” she said. “I’m not going to go at the expense of accuracy just for expediency.”

Friday’s OCR letter also allows for mediation in cases regarding sexual misconduct adjudications, a policy which was banned in the Obama-era for cases of sexual assault specifically. While the university-wide policy prohibits the use of mediation in sexual assault cases and will continue to do so, Zellmer said that OEO will now be open to the idea of mediation in certain sexual misconduct matters, should both parties be comfortable with that approach.

“For sexual misconduct matters, like for example catcalling … mediation might be feasible, but [the administration feels] very uncomfortable with mediation in many situations that are not even sexual assault because there’s a power dynamic that may play out,” she said.

The university is prepared to conduct such mediation processes, with three certified mediators working within OEO, Zellmer said. She added that OEO will be very judicious in deciding which cases warrant the use of mediation.

“I know that there’s a movement toward restorative justice, and I’m not opposed to that but I think that we have to be really mindful that if someone doesn’t want to do mediation, we’re not going to make them,” she said.

Bailey Siber, an Action for Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP) executive board member, said the document generally undermines the power of survivors, especially by rescinding the preponderance of evidence standard.

“The [regulations] were put in place under the last administration in hopes that it would make the process a little bit less taxing for survivors, so for going against that kind of perpetuates and further undermines what they were trying to do in the last administration,” she said.

Siber also expressed frustration with the level of ambiguity provided in the document.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of actual guidance of what colleges should do and how and when,” she said. “I think it’s placing the burden back on the colleges without giving

them structure or instruction on what to do moving forward.”

Zellmer agreed that Friday’s document was unclear in its recommendations, particularly in the section surrounding interim measures for universities during their investigation processes.

“I think that after their notice-and-comment period, they’ll have a much more clear idea of what they’re trying to say,” she said.

She noted that the flexibility of the interim document allows the university to apply sexual misconduct policies inconsistently.

“Different universities have different cultures and climates and so there are some universities that would never use preponderance of the evidence even though they were supposed to be, they never did,” Zellmer said. “Then there are other places that would never want to go to clear and convincing, and so I feel like they’re trying to appease every constituent, which isn’t always good.”

Siber added that this level of ambiguity necessitates clear communication from the university surrounding its stance on these issues.

“I want to see some transparency from OEO and from [the] administration in general,” she said. “Even if they’re not quite sure what the future is going to hold and how they’re going to respond to this, communicating that the student body and … cluing them into their thought processes and any changes that are going to happen would be helpful, and honestly necessary.”

Zellmer agreed that clear communication will be crucial to help ease the concerns of the student body. She hopes to create and share informational material outlining the changes in guidance over time as they compare to current university policies and added that University President Anthony Monaco will also be vocal around the issue.

“There will be a presidential statement in the next couple of days because we are aware that students are fearful and worried and we don’t blame them,” she said.

OEO, along with the entire Sexual Misconduct Prevention Steering Committee, will continue to monitor the notice-and-comment process and discuss implications with input from Monaco, deans from across all of Tufts’ campuses, the legal department and students. Zellmer added that the committee welcomes additional student voices in its

meetings and through EthicsPoint, a confidential and anonymous communication measure for students to discuss concerns with OEO and provide feedback.

Zellmer noted that Massachusetts Bill S.2081 may provide additional ambiguity to guidelines for universities in the state. If passed, the State Senate bill, which is also currently in a notice-and-comment period according to Zellmer, would solidify certain protections that the OCR enforced under the Obama administration, including the use of the preponderance of the evidence standard to resolve complaints. “[The state legislature is] trying to push some stuff through so that even if the federal government changes the standard, that Massachusetts might get there first and say that Massachusetts must comport to the preponderance of the evidence standard, that’s going to be really interesting,” Zellmer said.

OEO is closely monitoring that process because of the potential for conflicting results on the federal and state level.

“If after the OCR notice and comment period, they decide to change the standard, but the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has already said ‘no, all universities in Massachusetts must use the preponderance of the evidence standard,’ we’re in a huge conflict,” Zellmer said.

Regardless of the results on both the national and state-wide scales, ASAP executive board member Erin Viola is concerned that fewer students will report because of misunderstandings of the situation from what they hear in the media.

“People are reading different news sources, and Tufts would have to make it really public if they chose to stand their ground, and if they don’t people are going to get spooked,” Viola, a sophomore, said.

Zellmer hopes that this prediction does not come to fruition.

“It’s hard enough being a student, it’s hard enough worrying about these topics, whether you’re a complainant who’s experienced sexual misconduct or whether you’re a respondent who’s been accused of it,” she said.

“This shouldn’t be something to be afraid of … because it’s a process that is going to get to what fairness is.”

Monday, September 25, 2017 | NEWS | THE TUFTS DAILY

NEWS

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ResLife sees changes in organization, student and professional staff structure and operations RESLIFE

continued from page 1 “I personally believe in maintaining open and clear lines of communication,” Rimal, a first-year student at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, told the Daily in an email. “I try my best to ensure that recommendations, information and feedback from my staff members to Residential Life and vice versa are communicated properly. At the end of the day, we are all on the same team.”

Redefining the Student Staff Role Student staffers have been divided into two groups: First-Year Assistants (FYAs), who live in first-year dorms and focus solely on the transition to college, and Community Development Assistants (CDAs), who live in upperclassmen dorms and assist with community-building. Previously, all student staff served as resident assistants (RA), a role that made no distinction by residents’ class year.

Lead FYAs and CDAs are student staffers assigned to manage each zone, taking on added responsibilities of coordinating CDAs and FYAs and scheduling the duty rotation, according to the ResLife website.

“If we have issues we can go to [the lead FYA or CDA] or we can go to the GRD,” FYA Vera Guttenberger said.

Guttenberger, a junior, added that her zone has two “leads.”

Nicholas Kosht, a senior and a lead FYA in Hodgdon Hall, explained how this year’s FYA and CDA roles are different from the past RA role.

“The goal [of having FYAs and CDAs] is to build community,” Kosht said. “That was the RA’s job as well, but I think the perception on campus was more of a policing role.”

Sarah D’Annolfo, ResLife associate director for residential education, further clarified the differences between the FYA and CDA roles.

“The kinds of resources and the intensity of individual support [given by] FYAs is very different than that of CDAs,” D’Annolfo said.

Rossi and D’Annolfo said that, while first-year students might need help navigating SIS and registering for classes for the first time, upperclassmen potentially require other kinds of assistance, like help in navigating the housing lottery system, moving off campus or seeking advice from the Career Center.

Moreover, ResLife has added CDAs to Latin Way and Hillsides Apartments this year. According to Rossi, 24 percent of Tufts students lived in unstaffed dorms as of February 2016.

“It was highly unusual for how Tufts likes to approach residential life to have that level of understaffing,” Rossi said.

For the first time this year, FYAs and CDAs served as orientation leaders, instead of the previous system in which a separate

ELYSSA HARRIS / THE TUFTS DAILY

Chris Rossi, associate dean of student affairs, poses for the Daily on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015. According to Rossi, the ResLife update will give more resources and provide more help for students. group of orientation leaders taught firstyear students how to register for courses and aided them in finding community on campus. Rossi explained that while orientation leaders in previous years did important work, it usually did not continue post-orientation. On the contrary, FYAs and CDAs can easily develop more ongoing relationships with their residents, he said.

“Using our FYAs and CDAs as our primary student leader[s] from day one allowed this community building to start and to have students start to find an anchoring and a grounding and a foundation in this new environment,” Rossi said.

New Projects for Housing Operations Matthew Austin, ResLife’s associate director for housing operations said FYAs and CDAs have been trained to handle lockouts; students no longer have to call Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) or pick up a loaner key, according to Austin. He explained that this frees up TUPD’s availability on campus and generally streamlines the process of handling lockouts.

Austin added that bed optimization is a new focus of ResLife. Over the summer, ResLife’s Housing Operations division conducted renovations in Richardson, Hodgdon, Metcalf and West Halls that

allowed for greater bed capacity in dorm rooms — for example, third beds were fitted into large enough doubles.

Austin explained that bed optimization helps students bypass the off-campus housing lottery by accommodating more students on campus.

“We’re not in the business of forced triples like you might see some schools do,” Austin said. “If we made a single into a double, these two people need to be able to live there comfortably, so there were specific standards … put in place for that.”

Changes in Staffing Structure These profound changes to student residential life are accompanied by significant changes within the ResLife office itself.

“Before, we had a generalist, all-handson-deck approach to most of the projects that were happening in Residential Life and things that were happening across campus.

There are benefits to that, but one of the trade-offs was that we didn’t have specialists who were focused on the large areas of work,” Rossi said.

Austin’s and D’Annolfo’s specialist positions arose out of a response to these inefficiencies, Rossi said. According to Rossi, Austin and D’Annolfo started working in April and July respectively, after Jerome

Holland, the former assistant director of ResLife, and Carrie Ales, the former assistant director for community and judicial affairs, both left Tufts in April.

Sarah D’Annolfo’s role in residential education centers on co-curricular learning, partnering with the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and assisting with students’ health and safety needs.

Yolanda King, who served as the director of ResLife for over 15 years, has recently stepped down from her role to pursue other opportunities, according to a Sept. 14 email to the student body from Dean of Arts and Sciences James Glaser.

“King was integral in leading the Residential Life strategic planning initiatives as well as in developing strong collaborations with various University departments to enhance the campus experience for our students,” the email read. “Throughout, Ms. King performed these varied and challenging responsibilities with unflappable calm and dedication.”

ResLife is heading into the academic year with its new staff, a changed structure and a revitalized agenda.

“We’re trying to change the perception of ResLife on campus, [because] for a while it’s been pretty negative,” Kosht said.

Events on the Hill: Week of Sept. 25

by Catherine Perloff Executive News Editor

TUESDAY “Civics Fest” Details: In celebration of national voter registration day, the Tisch College of Civic Life is holding Civics Fest, where attendees can register to vote, eat ice cream and learn about different political organizations on campus.

When and Where: 12–3 p.m., Upper Campus Center patio Sponsors: Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, JumboVote, Generation Citizen, ALLIES, Tufts Democrats, Tufts Republicans, ACLU and CIVIC

“Startups, Security and Social Change” Details: Double jumbo Steve Koltai A ’76, F ’78 will speak at a Tisch College Lunch and Learn. Koltai has worked at numerous companies including Warner Brothers Inc. and the State Department and is the author of the recently published book “Peace through Entrepreneurship: Investing in a Startup Culture for Security and Development.”

When and Where: 12:30–1:30 p.m., Cabot 703 Sponsors: Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY “Thinking for Sustainable Development” Details: Angela Hansen, an advi-

sor at Dalberg Global Development Advisors, will speak. Over the course of her career, Hansen has consulted international non-governmental organizations and private sector companies around issues of global development and agriculture.

When and Where: Sept. 27 12:30 p.m., Mugar 200, The Fletcher School Sponsor: Institute for Business in the Global Context and The Fletcher School Flu Shots Details: The Health Center is offering free flu shots for students who have paid a health fee.

When and Where: Sept. 27 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Sept. 28 2–5 p.m., Tufts Health

Service Conference Room on the Lower Level Sponsor: Tufts Health Service FRIDAY “Human Interaction Laboratory Launch” Details: Dr. J.P. De Ruiter is launching his new human interaction lab with a morning-long event. De Ruiter and two faculty from the Rutgers School of Communication and Information will give three separate talks. Breakfast and lunch will be served.

When and Where: 9:45 a.m., Kreplick Conference Room, Psychology Building Sponsors: Human Interaction Laboratory

4 tuftsdaily.com

Features

Monday, September 25, 2017

Henry Stevens The Weekly Chirp

CAFE discussion group supports interfaith Beautiful Bowers identity, social change at Tufts

T

he frantic pace and chaos of urban life has, among other things, strained the dating lives of adults around the world. No one has time for things they consider to be unimportant and not urgent like dating, and as a result long-weekends in the White Mountains have been replaced with punctual dinners and casual hookups. This ever-strengthening crunch on time dedicated to our romantic social lives has re-emphasized and underscored the necessity and efficacy of one of our most primal social behaviors — attractive displays.

Nearly all male birds depend on attractive displays to acquire a mate for the breeding season, whenever it may be. (In phalaropes, the females are the ones who display.

Cool, right?) This intense sexual selection has resulted in the brilliant plumages and exquisite dances we have come to expect from the avian community. Birds from around the world employ an arsenal of bright colors, complex songs, calculated movements and flashy filoplumes to attract a mate, but in Oceania exists a bird that only requires its beak to accomplish the task: the bowerbird.

Bowerbirds inhabit areas of Australia and New Guinea, living and breeding in many different habitats. They acquired their name from their distinguished courtship behavior — a male bowerbird, when ready to attract a mate, will construct a bower (a shady structure) out of mainly twigs and decorate it with whatever he can find. When a potential mate arrives at the scene, the male bowerbird allows her to inspect his creation. The better the bower, the more likely it is that the female will allow the male to breed with her.

Construct a poor bower, and the female will be onto the next one.

Decorative items added to the bower by the male tend to include shells, flowers, leaves and even feathers from other birds. Male bowerbirds will not hesitate to use man-made objects in their bowers, either — anything that might attract a female is a valuable material. Scientists and birders have recorded quite the collection of items in these bowers, from colorful shards of plastic to old shotgun shells to stolen diamond engagement rings.

We giggle over the cuteness of this behavior, but are we really any different? While we don’t each individually construct a structure from twigs to allure a mate, we all have our own bower. Does that rich guy across the street from you own a Lamborghini because he likes its gas mileage, or because it attracts attention? Do we wear jewelry because we like the pain of piercing our ears, or because of the perpetual desire to seek the admiration of potential partners? Does a lax bro not adorn his tank, shirt, shorts, boxers, spandex, forwards hat, backwards hat and shaft of his stick with American flags to provoke curiosity and awe from women?

We may have access to a more advanced wardrobe of technology, but no matter how grandiose, colorful, shiny or splendid an item we may create, its basal structure will always be that of the bower.

Love, Henry Henry Stevens is a junior majoring in biology. Henry can be reached at henry. stevent@tufts.edu.

Interested in birds? Email me at tuftsornithologicalsociety@gmail.com.

JIAYI (FRANK) MA / THE TUFTS DAILY

Co-Presidents of CAFE Andrew Schloss and Ann-Marie Lee have a discussion about religion and spiritual life.

by Kenia French Staff Writer

Upon entering Goddard Chapel at 8 p.m. last Wednesday night, a small group of students was sitting on the plushy carpet by the altar, arranged around a bucket of individually wrapped twizzlers. This group is an interfaith discussion organization called CAFE, and they have gathered to discuss the intersections between faith and the environment.

The conversation flows naturally among the students. Andrew Schloss, a sophomore and CAFE’s co-president begins a discussion about the distinction between religious leaders having similar opinions on better protecting the environment and some Christian people who don’t believe in that value.

However, the conversation transitions into the Rosh Hashanah tradition of dipping apples into honey, and then transforms into analyzing the interesting origins of some biblical names.

Schloss explains that this free-form conversation is exactly the mood that he and co-president Ann-Marie Lee are trying to create.

“Our job as co-facilitators of CAFE is to be the logistical force behind CAFE and make sure that we have a space and that we’re having some sort of curriculum,” Schloss said. “We’ll try to make sure the conversation doesn’t go too offhand, but it’s not our place to drive the conversation in a particular way.”

Lee, a sophomore, echoed this sentiment, explaining that CAFE is meant to be a space for intentionally structured open discussion. Lee explains that she and Schloss achieve this through the marriage of this loose curriculum with strong community guidelines.

“Speak from I statements, don’t be a voice for other people who have your identity, only speak from your own experiences, try to call people in, not call people out, all those [are] really basic things we try to emphasize a lot,” Lee said.

One might recognize the acronym CAFE, or Conversation, Action, Faith and Education, from the pre-orientation. However, while the two share

the same name, CAFE the pre-orientation is a separate entity from CAFE the interfaith discussion group — Schloss compares their relationship to that of Tufts Wilderness Orientation and Tufts Mountain Club, or FOCUS and Leonard Carmichael Society.

Lee explains that she and Schloss started CAFE the interfaith discussion group after completing the CAFE pre-orientation as first-years. Lee wanted to continue the interfaith work she started through pre-orientation, yet found that the interfaith discussion group promised to her didn’t actually exist anymore.

“After the CAFE pre-orientation ended, which was interfaith and social justice, and it still is, I kept poking the Chaplaincy and being like ‘where’s your interfaith group?’” Lee said. “What happened was the [Tufts Community Union (TCU)] lost all of the paperwork regarding the CAFE student group’s existence.”

For Lee and Schloss, this meant that in order to start the CAFE student group, the two had to take it through a tricky, highly bureaucratic club re-recognition process as first-semester firstyears. While the task seemed daunting, Schloss and Lee succeeded in recreating CAFE through the support of TCU, the Office for Campus Life and the Chaplaincy.

Now that CAFE has officially existed for one year, Lee and Schloss are determined to serve as a support group for students from all different religious backgrounds. They hope to emphasize that CAFE the interfaith group is for everyone, not just pre-orientation alums or those who necessarily identify as religious, according to Lee. “‘Interfaith’ is not a perfect term because it includes spiritual identities that are not faiths,” Schloss said. “We realize that that’s not a perfect word, and it’s why we work really hard to expand the definition of what our group is.”

One way Lee and Schloss encourage this engagement is through sharing their own diverse experience with what interfaith means. Schloss grew up in an interfaith family, and therefore

has experienced firsthand that people from different faiths can coexist.

“My dad is a Reform Jew and my mom is a Roman Catholic, and we celebrated holidays of both religions,” Schloss said. “I saw in my experience that this kind of space can exist, a space for people of different religions and different spiritual identities [to] come together and put aside their differences.”

Lee, on the other hand, describes herself as an interfaith individual, meaning she identifies with multiple religious traditions — in her case Roman Catholicism, Taoism and Chong Buddhism.

According to Reverend Greg McGonigle, the University Chaplain, Lee is not alone in this identity — a significant portion of the student body identifies as interfaith individuals.

“About 20 percent of incoming students now claim more than one religious and philosophical background, which is interesting, so they are interfaith even within themselves even, however they engage with others,” McGonigle said.

Lee reflects this philosophy in her own concept of what interfaith means.

She believes that all work is ultimately interfaith work, as it’s impossible to separate oneself from one’s values.

“You don’t leave your identities at the door, you are always going to bring your mindset, your ethics, your values with you everywhere you go, so any work you do is interfaith work; any time you work with somebody else, it’s interfaith work,” Lee said.

McGonigle explains that the rise in people identifying with multiple religious traditions likely has to do with increased geographic dispersion of religious ideas.

“It used to be that most Hindus lived in a certain part of the world and most Christians lived in another part and most Muslims another part,” McGonigle said.

“There’s kind of a currency in religious and philosophical ideas and theological materials that is pretty unprecedented, that’s probably contributing to this idea that people can be deeply shaped by more than one tradition.”

Not only does the mixing of religious traditions create complex new religious identities, but McGonigle also asserts that interfaith work can contribute to social change.

“I do think there’s a tremendous capacity for social change that exists in religious and nonreligious communities, working together there’s a kind of moral force and a depth of ethical thought that comes down to us through religious traditions that I think is really powerful to tap into,” McGonigle said.

McGonigle explains that CAFE, as a group, is committed to serving those of all religious identities from Atheism to devout Catholicism and has a valuable role to play in promoting social change through interfaith cooperation.

“It’s really valuable to have a kind of open student discussion space — a kind of coalition-building space — so we want to put whatever institutional support behind it that we can, while also really supporting and empowering the student leadership to take it in the direction that they should,” McGonigle said.

Monday, September 25, 2017 | Comics | THE TUFTS DAILY

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Comics

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LATE NIGHT AT THE DAILY Evan: “I was pretty deep in him.”

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GARFIELD

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BY WILEY MILLER

Difficulty Level: Successfully finding the gluten-free gluten at Whole Foods.

Friday’s Solution

LINDA C. BLACK ASTROLOGY

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Today is an 8. Words come easily. Use your creative and communicative skills to express an inspiring possibility. You can envision something amazing. Share from your heart.

CROSSWORD

AT FIRST I WAS EMBARRASSED. ME, A CAT, LIVING WITH A SINGLE GUY. BUT WHEN I WATCH HIM PICK SOMETHING UP WITH HIS HANDS AND EAT IT, I CAN’T HELP BUT LOVE HIM. — MARU adopted 01-10-10

Friday’s Solution

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THE TUFTS DAILY | PHOTO SPREAD | Monday, September 25, 2017

tuftsdaily.com

Communi A photo r

Yesterday, Tufts welcomed community groups from Med Day celebration. Neighbors, families and friends joined in Academic Quad. Tufts has hosted the event for the last 14 capturing the day’s events.

For more photos from Community Day and just abou Tufts Daily Instagram @tuftsdaily.

PHOTO SPREAD

ity Day: review

dford and Somerville for its annual Community n for fun activities and live performances on the years. Daily photographers spent their Sunday

ut everything else going on at Tufts, follow the

PHOTOS BY RACHEL HARTMAN, EVAN SAYLES AND SEOHYUN SHIM

Monday, September 25, 2017 | PHOTO SPREAD | THE TUFTS DAILY

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ARTS&LIVING

MFA fall exhibition preview: ‘Seeking Stillness’ offers an escape

ANTONIO BERTOLINO / THE TUFTS DAILY

“Seeking Stillness” (2017), one of four shows that opened this weekend at the MFA, features contemporary works by artists like Edward Weston and Agnes Martin juxtaposed in an intellectually stimulating manner with traditional pieces from around the world.

by Antonio Bertolino Assistant Arts Editor

As fall approaches, pumpkin spice aficionados and UGG boot lovers around the world are rejoicing. At the same time, the imminent season brings with it new art shows to the Boston area. The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is at the center of the Bostonian art scene, with its vast collection and the remarkable exhibitions it has put on in recent years.

“Seeking Stillness” (2017), one of four shows that opened this weekend at the MFA, is no exception. The exhibition features contemporary works by artists like Edward Weston and Agnes Martin, juxtaposed in an intellectually stimulating manner with traditional pieces from around the world, including ceramics from the Ming dynasty and Italian mannerist paintings.

These contrasting parallels explore the way in which different artists have achieved transcendence, a form of contemplation through their very own art.

A powerful work displayed in the Linde Family Wing is a photo by local artist Shellburne Thurber, titled “West Newton, MA: Office with brown couch and red paper pillow protector” (2000), which is currently on loan to the MFA from the Barbara Krakow Gallery.

Thurber captures the empty studio of a Massachusetts psychoanalyst, displaying a moment of calm after the figurative storm of a patient talking about their struggles. The furniture in the studio thus becomes the protagonist

of this artwork. It gives the picture a simultaneously homely and unsettling feeling, as one would rarely find a box of Kleenex on the floor of the living room in a normal family home. The absence of people reveals a past presence that is still felt through these objects that might seem initially a little ‘off.’ The emptiness of the piece also draws the viewer into the scene, forcing them to imagine what they would do if they were lying on the couch in that studio in West Newton.

After passing “The Dead Christ with Angels” (c. 1524–27) by Italian mannerist Rosso Fiorentino on the right, visitors encounter several paintings from the Korean contemporary art movement known as Dansaekhwa, or “monochrome painting.” Artists like Ha Chong-Hyun adopt art-making processes that recall meditative practices.

Ha utilizes “bae-ap-bub” (‘back-pressure method’) to push large amounts of paint across the frame of a specific artwork, in a manner reminiscent of the raking of white pebbles in zen gardens

by Buddhist monks.

The visual effect is also similar, as can be seen in many of his abstract compositions like “Conjunction 15-214” (2015), in which the Korean artist moves a grayish shade of blue paint across coarse burlap. In a piece like this, the process is often much more interesting and noteworthy than the final result: In many ways, the process generates the meaning of the

work. The quasi-spiritual experience of admiring Dansaekhwa works is enriched by John Cage’s musical compositions “In a Landscape” (1948) and “Dream” (1948) playing in the background of the gallery.

The bold choice of placing Chinese scrolls from the 17th century next to contemporary works like these proves to be particularly effective, because the audience inevitably ends up drawing comparisons between such different art forms. On the wall opposite “Conjunction 15-214” (2015) hangs a scroll

by Lan Ying, titled “Lofty Mount Song” (1627).

This piece displays a classic “shanshui” scene (water and mountains) with two men conversing in the bottom right corner of the scroll. This work shows a different route artists have pursued to seek introspection and meditative contemplation, climbing mountains and living as hermits, as described in an early text by Zen monk Shiwu.

By displaying formally diverse works such as Korean Dansaekhwa alongside scrolls from the Ming dynasty, “Seeking Stillness” invites thematic comparisons between different kinds of art. This mode of exhibiting new art right next to old art is an increasingly popular curatorial trend in galleries and museums all over the world, because it asks visitors to engage with the works in a more critical and analytic fashion. “Seeking Stillness” is a thoroughly enjoyable exhibition that re-evaluates the therapeutic purposes of art and how it allows different people to reach a dimension of tranquility and contemplation.

Monday, September 25, 2017

Mina Ghobrial Thoughts From Places

Barnum 113 On Mondays, I spend three consecutive hours in Barnum Hall. I make my way past the Jumbo statue and enter by the stone lions that guard the doors. In the façade etched into the stone, the building declares itself home of the biology department. As I wander through the labyrinth of far-too-yellow hallways, past the posters of enlarged unicellular organisms and the occasional historical graphics about P.T. Barnum and our beloved mascot, I shuffle around my bag to pull out the week’s readings. By the time I make it to room 113, I’m clutching three printouts and a notebook, but there is no biology textbook in sight — a phenomenon made possible by the fact that I am indeed in a fictional writing class in Barnum, and not an introductory biology course.

In a brief journey to class, it becomes clear that a single hall contains a mixture of Tufts cultures. While at first this may seem simply ternary — combining biology, history and English — Barnum actually serves as a representation of the spectrum that is Tufts. In the heart of the Department of Biology’s home, where STEM majors and pre-meds flaunt their prowess in the sciences, Barnum 113 reminds us that there will always be more to life and education at Tufts and beyond.

The juxtaposition of the quintessential hard science and the stereotypical liberal arts study is as ironic as it is profound.

If students rushing to Cell Biology or Bioinformatics just take a minute to observe the commemorative posters on the walls of their most frequented building on campus (although Tisch Library often vies for this title), it may be easier for them to identify the origins of the hall and its namesake. Had Phineas Taylor Barnum attended Tufts University today, it is unlikely that he would have found himself among those who love the hard sciences. Perhaps his preference would have been in the so-called ‘fake majors’ of the liberal arts, and his minor in the underappreciated entrepreneurial sciences.

With the knowledge that I am a budding pre-med student, I can say that the echo chamber of the hard sciences discounts the beauty of this university. Due to the the nature of complicated scientific courses, it is unlikely their non-STEM major will change in the near future. It is equally improbable that a future biochemist will take “Concepts of the Cosmos.” Therefore, the burden to transform mere juxtaposition into an intertwined discussion lies with those on both sides of the academic isle. An intro-level science course could balance out a major in film and media studies. In the same breath, beginner level fiction writing or “Introduction to Acting” would build bridges toward stimulating conversation for a student interested in applied physics.

While there are several months between the publication of this article and when SIS re-opens for second semester scheduling, I hope you all keep this article in mind when the time comes. We applied to a “mid-sized, student based, Liberal Arts Research University,” and it will soon be our chance to show why we belong here.

Mina Ghobrial is a first-year who has not yet declared a major. Mina can be reached at mina.ghobrial@tufts.edu.

Monday, September 25, 2017 | Arts & Living | THE TUFTS DAILY

A rts & L iving

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From ‘Homogenic’ to ‘Utopia,’ Björk is a warrior of love

by Eran Sabaner Arts Editor

In terms of success, Björk’s career has always been characterized by periods of ebb and flow, an inevitable consequence of experimentation. While “Post” (1995), “Homogenic” (1997) and “Vespertine” (2001) are considered cultural milestones of avant-garde pop, her later three albums, “Medúlla” (2004), “Volta” (2007) and “Biophilia” (2011) were met with more lukewarm reactions, although still applauded for their ambitiousness.

If it weren’t for Björk’s 2015 release of “Vulnicura,” one could argue that Björk’s career was on a decline similar to that of her contemporaries from the ’90s. Yet “Vulnicura,” an apparent play on the words ‘vulnerable’ and ‘cure,’ was met with critical acclaim, both for its groundbreaking music that combined DJ/producer Arca’s electronic beats with tender strings and its deeply personal lyrics that dealt with Björk’s divorce from performance artist Matthew Barney. This year, which marks the 20th anniversary of Björk’s magnum opus “Homogenic,” the singer is set to release a new album, “Utopia,” that will hopefully mark another peak in her career.

When Björk released “Homogenic” in 1997, she was already a household name in many countries. Her previous release “Post” made it into the top 10 of a number of European charts, and singles such as “Army of Me,” “It’s Oh So Quiet” and “Hyperballad” became moderate hits across the globe. “Post” helped create the Björk brand we know and love: unapologetically avant-garde, but also appealing to the mainstream, very visual and equally

2017/5778

ROSH HASHANAH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 • Reform Service 6:30 pm | 51 Winthrop Street • Conservative Egalitarian Service 6:30 pm | Hillel Center • Dinner 7:30 pm | Hillel Center $15 Online registration required.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 • Conservative Egalitarian Service 9:00 am | Hillel Center • Reform Service 10:00 am | 51 Winthrop Street • Lunch 12:30–2:30 pm | Hillel Center $7 Online registration required.

• Tashlich–Shaping the Year to Come 3:30 pm | Meet at Hillel Center and walk together to the Mystic River • Conservative Egalitarian Service 7:00 pm | Hillel Center • Dinner 7:45 pm | Hillel Center $15 Online registration required.

high fashion. Yet it was “Homogenic” that proved Björk is the musical genius we consider her to be today.

“Homogenic” opens with “Hunter,” a haunting track that plays with (and subverts) the trip-hop genre that was the hot trend of the alternative scene at the time.

Yet it’s impossible to classify “Hunter” or “Homogenic” as trip-hop the same way one would classify a Portishead single or album. Björk combines trip-hop beats with complex, elaborate string arrangements and the end result is one of a kind.

Lyrically, “Homogenic” is Björk’s most honest album after “Vulnicura.” In “5 Years” she touches upon the theme of unrequited love, but she refuses to be victimized by it. Her lyrics “You’re the one who’s missing out / But you won’t notice / ‘Til after five years / If you’ll live that long / You’ll wake up / All loveless” are resentful, yet show she refuses to be ashamed of loving or being loved. It’s refreshing simply because it argues for love in a time and culture that seem to argue against it.

In the chorus, Björk sings the line, “You can’t handle love” over and over again.

Love is depicted as something frightening and intimidating but, unlike her lover, Björk is strong enough to handle it.

Last year, Björk penned an open letter to music critics about the misogyny in the music industry. She claimed that while men are able to sing about different subjects, “women in music are allowed to be singer-songwriters singing about their boyfriends.” Björk’s claim certainly holds validity, especially considering her most lauded albums almost exclusively deal with heartbreaks. That said, it could also be argued that in Björk’s case her ‘heartbreak’ albums are adored because they refuse to be part

COURTESY CHRIS M. / FLICKR

The cover of Icelandic musician Björk’s album “Homogenic” which was released in 1997.

“The Gate” from her forthcoming album “Utopia” is more experimental than the tracks from “Homogenic.” of a misogynistic narrative. They subvert the problematic ‘damsel in distress’ trope by drawing a portrait of a strong, rational woman who is able to fight against emotional trauma.

On Sept. 18, Björk premiered the first single, “The Gate,” from her forthcoming album “Utopia.” Björk has mentioned in past interviews that “Utopia”

will be a “Tinder album,” exploring the first phases of a relationship. “The Gate” switches string arrangements with woodwind instruments, resulting in a single that is more experimental than the tracks from “Homogenic” and “Vulnicura.” That said, with its lyrics that boldly accept love, it’s the same Björk we’ve always known.

Rosh Hashanah September 20–22 Yom Kippur September 29–30 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 • Conservative Egalitarian Service 9:00 am | Hillel Center • Lunch Following Services Approximately 1:30 pm Hillel Center | FREE

• A Jewish Journey: A Walking Discussion with Rabbi Jeffrey Summit 3:00 pm | Meet at Hillel Center Wear comfortable shoes.

• Break-the-Fast Dinner 7:09 pm | Hillel Center $15 Online registration required.

YOM KIPPUR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 • Pre-Fast Dinner 4:30 pm | Hillel Center $15 Online registration required.

• Reform Service 6:15 pm | 51 Winthrop Street • Conservative Egalitarian Service 6:15 pm | Hillel Center SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 • Reform Services 10:00 am | 51 Winthrop Street 6:15 pm | Yizkor and Neilah 51 Winthrop Street • Conservative Egalitarian Services 9:00 am | Hillel Center 6:00 pm | Yizkor Interfaith Center (58 Winthrop Street)

SUKKOT BEGINS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2017 • Services and Activities Please visit www.TuftsHillel.org for a complete listing of services and activities.

WANT AN ALTERNATIVE EXPERIENCE? SEPTEMBER 20–30, 2017 Looking for an alternative to services as a way of connecting during the High Holy Days? Students will be creating a third space for yoga, music, writing and meditation. Drop-in for as little or as much as you’d like, and make the holidays a meaningful (and mindful!) start to your year.

For more information or to be on our email list, email Rabbi Jordan at jordan.braunig@tufts.edu.

6:15 pm | Neilah Interfaith Center (58 Winthrop Street)

Tickets are required to attend meals. Buy holiday meals quickly and easily! www.tuftshillel.org 236490 2017 Tufts Hillel_High Holidays DailyAd.indd 1

8/22/17 12:47 PM

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Nesi Altaras Looking Out

Self-determination for some

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his time of year features many elections, from an unexpectedly competitive New Zealand election to a German election that saw Merkel triumph again. The two I want to focus on are controversial referenda taking the question of independence to people who are being told by central governments that they do not get a choice. The Kurds and the Catalans are both planning independence votes for the coming week: Sept. 25 and Oct. 1, respectively.

The Kurds have the distinction of being the most populous stateless people, living in a mountainous region that stretches across Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. In these countries, the Kurds have experienced oppression from bans on their language to state-sponsored violence and chemical attacks on civilians. Kurds have fought for their rights, recognition as a distinct people and some level of autonomy. Autonomy has gone farthest in northern Iraq, an oil-rich region where Kurds constitute a large majority. The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) there has autonomously ruled under the Iraqi government following the U.S. invasion in 2003. The KRG, led by President Masoud Barzani and his family, has been pushing toward independence, and Kurdish successes against ISIS in recent years have significantly raised its profile as a de facto state.

Now, Barzani wants a referendum to make the KRG officially an independent Kurdish state — a move that would affect all regional dynamics in the Middle East and reverberate through Kurdish communities elsewhere.

The Catalans have also experienced repression from their central government, mainly under Franco’s dictatorship, and have endured bans on their native language that lasted until Spain’s transition to democracy.

The economically formidable and prosperous Catalonia also has a significant level of autonomy and has been pushing for independence for a long time, even holding a non-binding referendum as recently as 2014.

The central governments in Baghdad and Madrid have taken extreme measures to make sure the votes do not happen: Both prime ministers said the referenda must be suspended, and the Spanish Prime Minister called it an “intolerable act of disobedience.”

Spain forcibly collected election materials and ballot boxes as well as threatened to take over the region’s finances and arrest as many as 700 mayors, while Iraqi MPs voted to suppress the referendum and fire a governor. In addition, the highest courts of Spain and Iraq ruled that the polls are unconstitutional.

Both regions are relying on their wealth to make them successful should they become independent, and there are legitimate arguments saying these regions should not be independent or questioning the timing of the polls. Though regardless of the deservedness, political timing or chances of success of the independence referenda, the one resounding conclusion in both cases is that the central governments of supposedly democratic nation-states do not like when autonomous regions even consider independence since they undermine the established order and threaten to cut off economic growth coming from wealthy regions, be they in Europe or in the Middle East.

Nesi Altaras is a junior majoring in international relations and economics. Nesi can be reached at nesi.altaras@tufts.edu.

Opinion

Monday, September 25, 2017

Letter from the Editors Last fall, The Tufts Daily introduced a support fund to help increase Tufts students’ accessibility to journalism in light of financial barriers that may otherwise prevent them from being as involved as they wouldd like. The fund was expanded last spring to include a $500 stipend for people who regularly contribute multiple hours to the Daily each week and two $250 stipends for new members of the Daily community. These scholarships expand opportunities to all class years at Tufts and multiple levels of experience within the Daily.

This semester, we are pleased to again offer a $500 stipend and two $250 stipends. Tufts students interested in journalism and the Daily who also have demonstrated financial need are eligible for the fund. The $250 awards are available to students who are beginning to work for the Daily. Eligible positions include but are not limited to contributing writers as well as new layout and copy editors, staff photographers and videographers, graph-

ic designers and members of our online and social media sections. Recipients of the $250 stipend will be expected to complete one project per month for their section of choice and meet weekly with their section’s executive editor.

The $500 award is available to masthead members of the Daily who regularly put in multiple hours of work every week. Eligible positions include editors, assistant editors, editorialists and staff photographers and videographers.

Recipients of all awards will receive their stipends in two half-installments: one midway through the semester and one at the end of the semester.

Please note that while prior journalism experience is appreciated, we encourage everyone with an interest in journalism to apply. Nobody will be penalized if they lack journalism experience and every application will be reviewed within its own context.

This initiative is just one part of a larger Daily effort to create a more

intentional and inclusive newsroom.

While we acknowledge that it far from fully solves the Daily’s financial inclusivity problem, we, as a financially independent organization, hope to bring in additional revenue this semester and expand this opportunity to more students for whom financial barriers otherwise prevent active involvement. Now more than ever, journalism remains important in its ability to provide accurate and comprehensive coverage of the communities it covers and the support fund will continue to provide the opportunity for members of our organization to do just that.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at daily@tuftsdaily.com with any questions or concerns you might have, and we look forward to reviewing your application.

Applications can be found at https://tinyurl.com/y8mpcrqn and are due at noon on Thursday, Oct. 5 for all recipients.

ENJOYING THE LITTLE THINGS

BY SHANNON GEARY The Tufts Daily is a nonprofit, independent newspaper, published Monday through Friday during the academic year, and distributed free to the Tufts community.

The content of letters, advertisements, signed columns, cartoons and graphics does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Tufts Daily editorial board.

EDITORIALS Editorials represent the position of The Tufts Daily. Individual editors are not necessarily responsible for, or in agreement with, the policies and editorials of The Tufts Daily.

OP-EDS The Op-Ed section of The Tufts Daily, an open forum for campus editorial commentary, is printed Monday through Thursday. The Daily welcomes submissions from all members of the Tufts community; the opinions expressed in the Op-Ed section do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Daily itself. Opinion articles on campus, national and international issues should be 600 to 1,200 words in length and submitted to opinion@tuftsdaily.com. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, space and length. All material is subject to editorial discretion and is not guaranteed to appear in the Daily. Authors must submit their telephone numbers and day-of availability for editing questions.

ADVERTISING All advertising copy is subject to the approval of the Editor-in-Chief, Executive Board and Executive Business Director.

Monday, September 25, 2017 | Sports | THE TUFTS DAILY

Sports

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MEN’S SOCCER

Phillip Goldberg Bird’s Eye View

Tackling tragedy, why football must change

A

aron Hernandez was diagnosed with stage III chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The 27-year-old former New England Patriot committed suicide in jail after being convicted of murder. His was the worst case of CTE doctors had ever seen in someone his age. Hernandez is the latest high-profile former NFL star to have brain damage diagnosed after committing suicide.

CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disease that can be caused by repeated sub-concussive head trauma. Measured in four stages, CTE symptoms range from headaches in stage I to executive dysfunction, aggression and dementia in stage IV. Researchers are now coming to terms with the fact that what they once thought was a rare disease is actually widely prevalent among football players.

And not just in the NFL. Boston University researchers studied the donated brains of 202 football players and diagnosed 177 with CTE. The study looked at 111 brains of NFL players and found that all but one had CTE. College-level players barely fared better, as 91 percent exhibited signs of the disease.

With over 3 million children playing organized tackle football, according to USA Football, there is real urgency here to protect the brains of youth. The NFL hopes to improve the safety of the game by focusing on improving the shock-absorption capabilities of helmets and implementing safer tackling techniques. These initiatives are a step in the right direction, but they assume the inevitability of hits to the head.

That is something we cannot concede.

Pop Warner, the United States’ largest youth football organization, banned kickoffs for players between the ages of 5 and 10. Eliminating the kickoff, a dangerous play in which players sprint at each other from opposite sides of the field, is a huge positive development. The question I’d like to ask is, why are 5-year-olds playing football in the first place?

In a different Boston University study, it was found that individuals who play football before the age of 12 double their risk of developing CTE symptoms, including a threefold increase in the risk of “clinically elevated depression scores.” Tackle football before high school simply cannot exist now that we are aware of the consequences.

The NFL and NCAA should, at the very least, follow the lead set by the Ivy League, which banned tackling during in-season practices in 2016. Reserving tackling for games allows football leagues to leave the sport relatively unchanged while significantly reducing the number of hits participants are exposed to throughout their careers. An added benefit is that players may even perform better as a result of less wear and tear on their bodies. Many NFL coaches have already conformed to this practice for at least preseason training camps.

Hernandez’s story is tragic. He elevated himself to the national stage playing the game he loved. But that same game may have been what drove him to violence and eventually killed him. The data are in. It’s time to protect current players and those to come from a similar fate. Left unchanged, football shouldn’t be played at all.

Phillip Goldberg is a senior majoring in political science. Phillip can be reached at phillip.goldberg@tufts.edu.

RACHAEL MEYER / THE TUFTS DAILY

Tufts sophomore striker Joseph Braun gains possession of the ball during the game against Conn. College on Sept. 16.

Men’s soccer remains undefeated with Brandeis shutout

by Caleb Symons

Assistant Sports Editor

The top two men’s soccer teams in New England battled each other on Friday night, as national No. 3 Tufts edged No. 12 Brandeis, 1-0, under the lights at Tufts’ Bello Field. Only a second-half goal by the Jumbos’ sophomore midfielder Brett Rojas separated the two sides, both of which advanced to the final four in last year’s NCAA tournament.

“Brandeis is one of our toughest opponents all year,” junior co-captain defender Sterling Weatherbie said. “We knew that [their loss in the final four] was going to be a motivator, so we were prepared for them to come out hot. We knew that it was going to be a critical game down the line, in terms of making the tournament.”

The game opened up after a cautious first 20 minutes, with both teams generating quality scoring opportunities. First, Tufts sophomore forward Joseph Braun whipped in a cross from the right flank, which fell to the feet of sophomore midfielder/forward Gavin Tasker just inside the 6-yard box. The Concord, Mass. native managed to get off a decent shot, but Brandeis senior goalkeeper Ben Woodhouse was positioned well to make the stop.

Five minutes later, the visitors had their own scoring chance when Tufts senior goaltender Bruce Johnson failed to get a solid punch on a Brandeis corner. With Johnson off his line, the ball bounced free in the box momentarily before Rojas cleared it to safety. The Jumbos’ defense faced another scary moment in the 35th minute, as the Judges’ sophomore forward

Jake Warren pounced on another loose ball in the box. Warren’s shot was blocked, but the rebound fell to first-year midfielder Evan Glass, who forced Johnson to make a save.

“Our chances in the first half [were] a testament to our midfield and strikers, especially our young guys,” Weatherbie said. “They’re really stepping into their roles, and that showed in the second half.”

Tufts broke the deadlock in the 48th minute, as Rojas gathered a pass from Tasker at the top of the box and rocketed a shot at Woodhouse. The Brandeis keeper got an outstretched glove to the shot, but the ball was hit with such pace that it deflected into the back of the net. The goal, Rojas’ first of the season, equaled his tally from all of last year. Meanwhile, Tasker’s second assist of the season increased his team-leading point total to six (two goals, two assists).

“It took a deflection out to Tasker on the wing,” Rojas said. “Whenever Tasker is on the wing, he always draws at least one or two defenders, so I was able to set up on the top of the 18 in a good spot and put it in the back of the net.”

The Jumbos’ defense, led by Weatherbie and senior co-captain defender Conor Coleman, kept the Judges at bay for the remainder of the game, as the home side preserved the key victory.

“Coach [Josh] Shapiro is a defensively minded coach, and it’s something that our team focuses on a lot during training,” Rojas said. “Our offense is actually built around our defense.”

Tufts faced one final nervy moment in the 83rd minute, as Johnson was unable

to corral a cross by Brandeis senior midfielder Josh Ocel. With the ball trickling dangerously toward an open net, the veteran keeper lunged backward and fell on it, extinguishing any chance for a Brandeis equalizer. The 1–0 result was the Jumbos’ third victory by that scoreline, as they have managed to score multiple goals just twice this season. The defending national champions still have not allowed a goal through their first six games.

“It started last year during the tournament, when we only let in one goal, [and] it’s carried over to this season,” Weatherbie said. “Everybody’s buying in, and the communication’s been really good this year.

We basically have 26 guys who could start on any NESCAC team … so when we’re practicing during the week, it’s always a competitive game.”

The teams were almost perfectly even on the stat sheet: Both tallied nine shots (of which Braun had a game-high three), and Brandeis held the slight edge in corner kicks, six to five. Johnson made four saves to preserve the shutout, while his counterpart, Woodhouse, made two for the Judges.

With the victory, the Jumbos moved to 5–0–1 on the season (2–0–1 in the NESCAC). Tufts resumes play on Tuesday, when it visits the Wesleyan Cardinals (5–1–0, 1–1–0 in the NESCAC) for the first of four consecutive matches against NESCAC opponents.

“We’ll use this win to propel us forward into Tuesday,” Weatherbie said. “Wesleyan is going to be a huge game, especially because they beat us last year after we beat Brandeis in overtime.”

Tufts leads throughout regulation but falls in overtime FOOTBALL

continued from back thing for us, where we’re going to be inspired by that,” DiCienzo said. “We know our back’s against the wall now. We know what we have to do. Can’t afford any more losses. Win is the only option. The

way our team is fueled I think it’s the best thing for us.”

Tufts next travels to take on Bates at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Despite its 0–2 record, Bates should not be taken lightly, because its losses came at the hands of Amherst and Trinity, both now 2–0. Traditionally the Tufts versus Bates matchup is a close one. Though

Tufts has won the last two contests, they were decided by a combined six points.

“Since I’ve been here, this game has gone down to the wire,” Civetti said. “This is a backyard brawl. It always has been, and I’m assuming it always will be. Those Bates kids are coached well, they’re tough [and] they’re gritty.”

12 tuftsdaily.com

Sports

Monday, September 25, 2017

FOOTBALL

EVAN SAYLES / THE TUFTS DAILY

Tufts quarterback Ryan McDonald, a junior, looks for a gap in the defense in the season opener against the Hamilton Continentals on Sept. 16.

Last-second touchdown tanks Tufts against Wesleyan

by Phillip Goldberg Sports Editor

Billed as the NESCAC football game of the week, Tufts versus Wesleyan did not lack for excitement. In just the third night game ever between the two teams, Wesleyan staged an odds-defying comeback to win 24–17 in overtime under its home lights. Both teams now sit at 1–1, right in the middle of the conference standings.

Tufts won the coin toss at the beginning of the overtime period and elected to defend.

In NESCAC football, an overtime period consists of both teams getting an opportunity to score from the opposing 25-yard line.

Wesleyan went first and, after scampering for an 11-yard gain on first down, junior quarterback Mark Piccirillo found senior wide receiver Mike Breuler completely open on the left side of the end zone. Facing a mustscore situation, the Tufts offense stalled, ending the game.

Tufts led nearly the entire game. The Jumbos scored on their first possession and it wasn’t until the last six seconds of the fourth quarter that the Cardinals tied the score.

“I think after a loss like that, an overtime loss, I wish we had a game today,” senior quad-captain linebacker Steve DiCienzo said. “All you want to do is just play. Just kind of avenge that loss, even though it’s not going to be Wesleyan.”

Wesleyan began its final drive of regulation at its own 20-yard line with 1:39 left to play. Tufts, ahead by a touchdown, 17–10, looked to be in strong position. Tufts senior linebacker Zach Thomas sacked Piccirillo on second down. Then, on third down, Thomas bore down on an unenviably unaware Piccirillo from the blind side,

earning a strip-sack for his efforts. Wesleyan recovered but the play brought up fourthand-15 from Wesleyan’s own 15-yard line.

Although Tufts sacked Piccirillo four times during the game, the team’s aggression on the defensive line also led to a number of costly penalties. The bulk of the penalties were neutral zone infractions, but coach Jay Civetti has no plans to temper his defensive line.

“We’re aggressive on defense and those guys, I tell them to ‘pin their ears back, light their hair on fire and go,’” Civetti said. “We need to be as disciplined as we possibly can, but I’m not going to slow those guys down.

Hopefully you’re a good enough team that even when you have penalties, you can still overcome and win.”

The game appeared over until a 33-yard catch from Breuler kept the Cardinals’ drive alive. As had been the story all day, the Tufts defense bent but did not break. Tufts forced Wesleyan into another fourth-and-long situation, this time from Tufts’ 38-yard line.

The script flipped in the last minute though, and Piccirillo completed a pass to junior wide receiver Evan Hull for the first down.

Piccirillo followed that up with a game-tying touchdown pass to the left side for senior tri-captain and wide receiver Eric Meyreles’ second touchdown catch of the game. Tufts elected to squat on the ball with six seconds remaining.

Meyreles’ first touchdown came at 10:09 in the fourth quarter on first-and-goal from Tufts’ three-yard line. The score and extra point is what brought Wesleyan within striking distance at 17–10.

Tufts led 10–3 entering the fourth quarter, and a touchdown was long overdue. Neither team had crossed the plane since Tufts’ first

possession of the game. Tufts’ leading receiver, junior Jack Dolan, broke that scoreless streak on an 85-yard punt return up the middle for a touchdown.

“The punt block return did such a good job all day,” Dolan said. “That was I think the first real shot I got at a return all day and, I have to say, if you look at the film, the seam was incredible. We practiced really hard all week because we wanted to make a game-altering play on special teams, and I’m glad we were able to do it.”

The Jumbo special teams performed well on Saturday with a punt-return for a touchdown and blocked field goal attempt.

Fifth-year Wesleyan kicker Corey Phillips was pressured all game by the Tufts defense. The Jumbos held the Cardinals to a 36-yard field goal attempt on their first drive, thanks in large part to DiCienzo bursting through the Cardinals offensive line for a sack on third down. On fourth down, junior defensive back Tim Preston dove to block the field goal, sending the ball spiraling straight up into the air and preventing the Cardinals from getting on the board early.

On Tufts’ first drive of the game, the Jumbos elected to establish the run. Junior running back Dominic Borelli took four straight carries for three, seven, two and 12 yards each. He has stepped into the feature back role in Tufts’ run-first offense and carries much of the weight of the offense on his 200-pound frame. Borelli’s 98 yards rushing on 25 carries against Wesleyan is a good foundation for Tufts to build upon.

“He’s just learning how to be a premier back,” Civetti said. “He’s learning how to carry the ball 25 to 30 times a game. That takes time. Part of that maturing is just understanding what that means for your body and

what that means for your production and how you control yourself throughout the course of a game.”

Nearly in the red zone at Wesleyan’s 35-yard line, Tufts tried for first down on fourth-and-4. Junior quarterback Ryan McDonald couldn’t find an open receiver and took off along the left sideline. Rather than go out of bounds after picking up the first down, McDonald took a shot at the end zone and, all but jumping over a defender, crossed the plane.

A dual-threat quarterback, McDonald added 122 rushing yards to his 155 passing yards, but threw two interceptions. On one, the intended receiver fell down, and the Cardinals easily picked the otherwise well thrown pass. Dolan paced the Tufts offense in catches for the second straight week with five against Wesleyan. He had nine against Hamilton in the week prior. In the NESCAC, McDonald is second only to Trinity junior running back Max Chipouras in rushing yards with 214 to Chipouras’ 217.

First-year kicker Matthew Alswanger was perfect on the day with a field goal conversion from 23 yards out and two extra point conversions.

On defense, Tufts benefited from the tackling machine that is sophomore linebacker Greg Holt. Holt led the NESCAC in tackles last season with 12.3 per game and paced the Jumbos with 16 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble against the Cardinals. DiCienzo contributed nine tackles of his own and, after Holt tipped a pass over the middle, DiCienzo caught his first interception for Tufts.

“I think our [defense] as a whole, I think that loss could have been the best see FOOTBALL, page 11