The Tufts Daily - Wednesday, January 19, 2022

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VOLUME LXXXIII, ISSUE 1

Protestors slam vaccine mandate, delay vote at Somerville Board of Health meeting

by Ethan Steinberg News Editor

The Somerville Board of Health suspended a virtual public meeting Friday after dozens of protestors stormed the call, interrupted deliberations and prevented a vote on an order that would require individuals 12 and older to show proof of vaccination before entering select indoor spaces in the city starting Monday.

The session, which was attended by local residents, small business owners and city officials, was the second in less than a month that ended without a vote on the proposal. In December, the vote was first tabled after facing opposition from some community members.

The board is set to reconvene this week, according to Denise Taylor, a Somerville spokesperson.

The order, which was initially proposed by former Mayor Joseph Curtatone late last year, mirrors Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s “B Together” initiative, which launched Saturday and requires individuals 12 and older to show proof of vaccination to enter

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Wednesday, January 19, 2022

MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, MASS.

restaurants, bars, fitness centers and entertainment venues in the city. Leaders in Medford, Allston and Cambridge have also proposed similar policies.

The current Somerville proposal applies to indoor venues like those in the Boston initiative, though it exempts individuals entering an indoor facility “for a quick and limited purpose,” like picking up takeout food or making a delivery.

Facilities on Tufts’ Medford/ Somerville campus would be exempt from the order, as would other schools and universities in the city.

The Somerville mandate would require individuals 12 and older to show proof of one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Jan. 24 and to be fully vaccinated by Feb. 15. Individuals aged 5 to 11 would have to show proof of being fully vaccinated by May 1 and of one dose by March 1. Valid forms of proof of vaccination status would include a vaccination card, an immunization record, a letter from a doctor or a mobile see VACCINE, page 2

Tufts introduces new masking and testing guidelines amid omicron surge

by Flora Meng

Deputy News Editor

Tufts updated its masking and testing guidelines for the spring semester in an email sent to the Tufts community on Jan. 2. The update follows the recent announcement of an updated vaccination policy, requiring all eligible students, faculty and staff to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination

by Feb. 15.

The email announced that, based on the new masking guidelines, cloth masks are no longer permitted on Tufts’ campuses given their lower effectiveness relative to disposable three-ply or KN95 masks.

“Data show that cloth masks are not as effective as surgical-grade 3-ply or KN95 masks in preventing transmission of the virus,” the email said. ”You must wear disposable 3-ply or high quality KN95 masks and replace them daily or sooner if they get wet or dirty.”

To facilitate this transition, Tufts will ensure that students have access to disposable surgical masks in various locations throughout campus.

LYDIA RICHARDSON / THE TUFTS DAILY

see OMICRON, page 3

Close-up of entrance ID scanner, label maker and testing tubes inside of Tufts University COVID-19 testing site are pictured on Nov. 8, 2020.

Ballantyne unveils agenda for first 100 days as Somerville mayor

NICOLE GARAY / THE TUFTS DAILY

Somerville City Hall is pictured on March 12, 2021.

by Claire Ferris

Assistant News Editor

Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne was inaugurated on Jan. 3 during a virtual ceremony and subsequently released her agenda for her first 100 days in

office on Jan. 12. The reception that typically follows a mayoral inauguration was postponed to the spring, when a civic celebration will be held.

In her inaugural address, Ballantyne highlighted the continued need for a thorough

COVID-19 response as well as her other priorities for the City of Somerville, which include reimagining policing, improving housing affordability and developing climate change initiatives.

Ballantyne’s plan for her first 100 days, titled “Progress for All,”

focuses on making fast, meaningful changes for the Somerville community.

“I want to be clear: equity should not just be a buzzword,” Ballantyne said in her address.

“Equity has to be our guiding star.”

Rocco DiRico, Tufts’ executive director of government and community relations, commented on Ballantyne’s election on behalf of the university, noting that she also focused on equity during her time as a Somerville city councilor.

“During Mayor Ballantyne’s time on the Somerville City Council, she demonstrated that she was dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” DiRico wrote in an email. “I am happy to see that she is bringing these priorities to the Mayor’s Office.”

Though the “Progress for All” agenda expands on priorities Ballantyne outlined in her inaugural address, its primary focus is aiding the city in recovering from COVID-19 and preventing future community spread.

“Many people are understandably emotional and done with COVID,” Ballantyne told the Daily.

“But unfortunately, the virus is

FEATURES / page 4

ARTS / page 5

SPORTS / back

Students unearth underground majors at Tufts

‘Far From Home’ unites and excites audiences young and old

Laliberty shoots for the top after three years between the pipes

not done with us. We need to keep our focus on those communities that are hardest hit.”

Ballantyne said that the City of Somerville recently received 3,000 N95 and KN95 masks, which will be distributed to Somerville’s most vulnerable communities.

Tufts has assisted Somerville in slowing community spread of the virus, according to DiRico.

“Tufts University has worked closely with the City of Somerville since the early days of the pandemic,” DiRico wrote. “We created a community testing program that provided more than 1,400 free tests to neighbors in Medford and Somerville. Tufts partnered with Somerville Public Schools to launch a pooled testing program that served over 4,000 students, teachers, and staff.”

In addition to leading the city’s COVID recovery, Ballantyne noted that she is also aiming to expand financial support for local businesses and help them get their workers vaccinated. Her administration is pursuing a local vaccine mandate to help businesses see MAYOR, page 2 NEWS

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FUN & GAMES

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THE TUFTS DAILY | News | Wednesday, January 19, 2022

THE TUFTS DAILY Alexander Janoff Editor in Chief

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Small business owners express concern over vaccine mandate VACCINE

continued from page 1 app similar to the one rolled out in Boston.

Roughly 80% of Somerville residents were vaccinated as of Tuesday, Jan. 18, according to the city’s public dashboard, with just over 43% having received a booster dose.

“The vaccine requirement is important for helping to keep our businesses open and their staff and customers safe, so my hope is that it will pass,” Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne wrote in an email to the Daily. “And if it does, the City is ready to assist businesses in rolling this out because we’ve got to fight this virus on all fronts.”

Many restaurant owners voiced strong opposition to the mandate on Friday. Some said the order would put their staff in danger and drain resources from their businesses, which are already reeling from staff shortages, supply chain woes and plummeting revenue.

“We would not be able to survive,” Joe Carreiro, the business

manager of El Potro Mexican Grill in Union Square, told the Daily.

“And that’s not something that, I think, would be a unique story.”

If the mandate passes, Carreiro said he would have to hire an additional worker to check vaccine cards at the door, which he said would cost him more than $1,000 a week and tens of thousands of dollars across several months.

The city will be distributing relief funds to businesses this month, according to Mayor Ballantyne’s chief of staff, Nikki Spencer, who spoke at the meeting Friday. But Carreiro said he doesn’t expect the funds to fully offset the costs he would incur as a result of the mandate.

He also cited the potential disruption due to the political divide the issue has exposed. At the meeting Friday, several members of the public continuously interrupted the Board of Health, using obscene language and accusing the medical professionals of acting in their own self-interest.

“What happened at that meeting could happen in our restaurant,” Carreiro said.

Several other restaurant workers who spoke at the meeting Friday echoed Carreiro’s concerns, with some saying the order would exacerbate existing staffing shortages by forcing unvaccinated workers out of their jobs. Carreiro said he and most of his employees are fully vaccinated.

“Businesses are a member of your community,” he said to the Daily, referring to the city. “You have to help us out.”

Tufts first-year Jack Perenick, who lives in Somerville and serves on the municipality’s Democratic city committee, expressed support for the vaccine mandate at the meeting last week. He said the decision should be made with public health in mind, citing evidence that a mandate could increase vaccination rates and save lives, and that questions of practicality, including the economic impact of the order, should be left up to the

city — not the Board of Health — to decide.

The proposed mandate raises tensions amid Somerville’s most gripping virus surge yet —the over 3,000 positive test results in the first two weeks of this month have already eclipsed the previous monthly high, according to city data. It appears the city’s current surge has already reached its peak: Daily indicators have declined between Jan. 10 and Jan. 17, which is the most recent day for which data has been made available.

However, public health officials at the Somerville meeting Friday cautioned that the current wave would continue to cripple local hospitals for some time. Roughly 94% of hospital beds in Middlesex County were occupied as of Tuesday, according to a Harvard research study. The vaccine mandate, if passed, would not have an immediate effect on the current surge and hospitalizations, said Chairman of the Board of Health Brian Green at the meeting.

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A Somerville Board of Health meeting regarding a local vaccine mandate was interrupted by several protestors last week.

Ballantyne to focus on equity, climate and COVID-19 response

MAYOR

continued from page 1 stay open, but a Jan. 14. Board of Health meeting on the matter was adjourned without a vote due to interruptions from protestors.

Ballantyne also discussed her staff’s expansion of their outreach and support to communities hit hardest by the most recent COVID-19 wave. Somerville’s Office of Immigrant Affairs is conducting outreach in five languages to help immigrant populations get vaccinated. Local clinics based in schools and transportation vouchers to vaccination sites will also contribute to the city’s effort to vaccinate low-income or vulnerable communities.

Community input is key to Ballantyne’s approach to governance, she says. The mayor described how she will approach the issue of policing by listening to community wants and needs.

“The community very clearly said to us in the past years that … we have to change the system,” Ballantyne said. “We have hired a racial and social justice director … We’re putting out a call soon for community outreach support for reimagining the policing process.”

Though Ballantyne does hope for action on police reform, she noted that her team is still collecting data at the moment to ensure they get community input on the best way forward.

The “Progress for All” agenda also sets a goal for Somerville to achieve net-negative carbon emissions by 2050.

DiRico explained that Tufts’ own goals are aligned with those Ballantyne set out in her agenda.

“Tufts University is committed to achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible, but no later than 2050,” DiRico wrote. “As part of

this commitment, many of the new buildings on campus including Sophia Gordon, CLIC, and the Science and Engineering Center are LEED certified.”

Ballantyne highlighted the importance of playing a regional advocacy role on climate issues and shared her intentions about electrifying public transportation fleets and implementing microgrids in neighborhoods.

Another item on her agenda is placing emphasis on tending to the needs of Somerville families and helping them stay in the city long-term. DiRico cheered Ballantyne’s focus on the children of Somerville.

“While Somerville has prospered in the last decade, more than two-thirds of the students in Somerville Public Schools qualify for free and reduced lunch,” DiRico wrote. “As the city continues to attract new

developments, housing, and businesses, I’m glad to see that Mayor Ballantyne will make sure that no one gets left behind in that progress.”

While Ballantyne’s 100-day agenda sets several goals — such as closing the equity gap for women, exploring a rent-to-own program in Somerville, establishing a new Office of Accountability, Transparency, and Access and creating effective rodent control solutions — she is adamant that community input is the best way to formulate concrete plans for these goals.

To that end, Ballantyne will launch a “Voices of Somerville” survey to hear from residents on issues she wants to address in her time as mayor.

“My vision for Somerville is an inclusive, equitable city where we can all thrive together,” Ballantyne said.

News

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 | News | THE TUFTS DAILY

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SCIENCE

Tufts researchers create membrane that filters fluoride out of water

by Elizabeth Foster Associate Editor

This article originally published online on Dec. 13, 2021 Throughout her career, Ayse Asatekin, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering at Tufts University, has sought to use filters to prevent illness and protect the environment. One mineral that performs this function is fluoride, which results in dental and skeletal fluorosis. Fluorosis is a degradation of bones or teeth that happens when fluoride is consumed in excess quantities at a young age. Now, Asatekin has finally found a solution to filtering fluoride out of water.

In a new paper recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Asatekin and her lab designed a membrane filter that uses zwitterionic — or specially charged — molecules to remove certain ions from drinking water.

Asatekin hopes to one day apply the filtration method both sustainably and in large scale production, since her membranes are energy efficient and can be produced and used with the existing infrastructure.

Tap water often contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride ions.

An ion is a molecule or atom with a charge caused by either the loss or addition of electrons.

Most tap water in the United States has some of these ions, such as fluoride, filtered into drinking water to provide additional nutrients.

Fluoride, in small amounts, prevents tooth decay. However, in some parts of the world where there is too much fluoride present in drinking water, excess amounts of the ion cause widespread dental and skeletal fluorosis.

There are a couple of different ways to filter ions out of water. The first is to remove

COURTESY PIXABAY

Most tap water in the United States contains fluoride to provide additional nutrients. every ion from the water, and the second is to filter out only specific materials. The first method is usually inefficient because a ton of energy is needed to filter all materials out and then add certain ions and minerals back in. One of the most famous examples of this is desalination, the process of removing salt from seawater.

The second method, though more difficult to create membrane filters for, is far more energy efficient. Compared to desalination techniques, a salt-filtering membrane decreases energy usage by 90%.

Asatekin notes that about 10% of the energy used in the United States is applied to separating chemicals.

“The particular separations we look into right now are not necessarily the ones with the biggest energy impact,” Asatekin said. “My dream would be to replace the very energy-intensive separation processes such as desalination and chromatography.”

But there are limits to what can be separated through these

types of membranes, which use charges to filter ions. Asatekin’s lab focused on the particular challenge of filtering out an ion while leaving in another of the same charge. For example, they wanted to filter fluoride out but leave chloride — which prevents water from tasting flat — in.

In the new study, Asatekin’s lab created a self-assembled, cross-linked zwitterionic copolymer membrane that separates fluoride out of water while keeping chloride in. As water passes through the membrane, tiny holes use special chemical bonds — zwitterionic ones — to leave fluoride behind.

Asatekin’s lab has most notably made advances in filtering out fluoride through the pore size, the effect of a zwitterionic polymer on filtration and the clog-resistant nature of the membrane.

Sam Lounder, a Ph.D. student in the Tufts School of Engineering, member of Asatekin’s lab and co-author of the paper, helped develop a means to filter materials out of incredibly small pores.

“Back in 2019, our goal was to reduce the pore size down so that we could start filtering what I think are more interesting solutes like salt or small organics,” Lounder said.

While previous membranes were limited to pore sizes of 1.3 nanometers, Lounder’s research has developed a membrane with pores of less than one nanometer.

“What we found out these last few years is that the smaller pore size allows us to amplify the interactions between ions and the zwitterionic groups in the membrane core, and that led to some really nice ion selectivity,” Lounder said.

Yale Ph.D. candidate Ryan DuChanois studies membranes for selective ion separations. About Asatekin’s most recent paper, DuChanois said, “They did that using some really novel fabrication techniques, so that opens doors for new separations that were never possible before.”

William Phillip, the Rooney Family collegiate professor of engineering at the University

of Notre Dame and leading researcher in membrane absorbers, remarked on the role of zwitterions in separating fluoride out of water.

“Sometimes you want particular salt ions in your water and not others, so her [membrane] currently allows for a pretty selective fluoride separation,” Phillip said. “That’s a really cool thing that they are able to do.”

These membranes were designed with the intention to be scaled, produced and implemented with existing manufacturing infrastructure. Asatekin’s lab already has a relationship with ZwitterCo, a membrane manufacturing startup founded by Alex Rapaport during his masters of science and innovation management at Tufts’ Gordon Institute. The company produced the first generation of Asatekin’s membranes, which are not charged and thus not able to selectively filter ions.

Jon Goodman, vice president of marketing of ZwitterCo, has worked in the membrane industry for the past 30 years.

He said Asatekin’s work is revolutionary for the industry.

Previous membranes clogged easily, such that after an hour of use, their flow rate decreased by 20%. The difference, however, is that Asatekin’s membranes do not foul or clog — and are thus far more accessible to industrial food processing and agricultural industries and manure management.

“It has a role to play in water reusal from wastewater, and water is one valuable product,” Goodman said.

The study focused on filtering out fluoride but leaving in chloride, but the process of selectively filtering identically charged ions may extend beyond fluoride and chloride.

Asatekin said the new technology can perhaps improve lithium filtration and filter families of chemicals in biofuels.

Individual PCR tests enable more time-efficient contact tracing, Jordan says OMICRON

continued from page 1 “The university is providing disposable three-ply masks in many locations on all campuses, including at main building entrances and residence halls,” the email said.

According to Dr. Marie Caggiano, medical director of Health Service, the three-ply masks provided by the university are effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19, but students are welcome to acquire their own KN95 masks if they prefer.

“Tufts has procured a large supply of quality 3-ply masks and these masks are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 when used consistently and worn correctly,” Caggiano wrote in an email to the Daily. “Students may choose to purchase their own KN95 masks from reputable

suppliers and wear them if they choose.”

Regardless of whether students choose to wear a threeply or KN95 mask, University Infection Control Health Director Michael Jordan stressed that wearing a mask is the most critical action to take after being vaccinated and boosted.

“In addition to being fully vaccinated and boosted, wearing a mask is the single most important measure we can take to prevent the transmission and acquisition of the COVID-19 virus,” Jordan wrote in an email to the Daily.

Jordan explained that students identified for wearing cloth masks on campus will be told to switch to surgical masks.

“Students who are seen wearing cloth masks will be asked to replace them with the required 3-ply disposable masks,” Jordan wrote. “We are making it easier

for students to wear the 3-ply disposable masks by distributing them for free in many of the main buildings on our campuses, including at the testing centers.”

Tufts is also increasing the frequency of routine COVID19 surveillance testing to three times per week for students, faculty, staff and affiliates until the end of the current surge.

Caggiano explained that the purpose of increased testing is to maximize the rate of detection for positive cases and begin the isolation and contact tracing process in a timely manner.

“Both steps help to mitigate the spread of the virus within our community,” Caggiano wrote.

Students are also required to test immediately upon arriving on campus and limit close contacts until they receive a negative test, according to the email sent to the Tufts com-

munity on Jan. 2. All testing will be conducted as individual PCR tests rather than pooled testing, which will resume once cases drop.

Jordan discussed the differences between pooled testing and individual PCR tests.

“The difference between individual and pooled PCR testing is that pooled testing combines samples from up to ten (10) individuals and performs a COVID-19 PCR test on that group,” Jordan wrote. “If the results of the pooled test indicate that any of the samples are positive, follow-up individual PCR retests are given to each individual in the pool.”

Jordan explained that although pooled testing offers several benefits, individual PCR tests enable a more time-efficient isolation and contact tracing process. He added that Tufts will return to pooled testing

once positive cases drop and stabilize.

“The benefits of the pooled testing methodology are that it reduces costs and environmental impact by requiring less equipment and fewer supplies and personnel,” Jordan wrote.

“We are moving to individual testing for the start of the spring semester because we anticipate a high incidence of positive results as students return from break.”

The Jan. 2 email to the Tufts community acknowledged the significance of these changes.

“We recognize that these guidelines are stricter than they have been,” the email said.

“However, they are necessary during this current surge to mitigate infections as we start the spring semester. … We will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves and update the university’s guidance when necessary.”

4 Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Features

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The road less traveled: Students pursue ‘underground’ majors at Tufts

by Elizabeth Zacks Contributing Writer

While many Tufts students stick to the beaten path of popular majors such as international relations or computer science, others are taking the road less traveled. From astrophysics to human factors engineering, some Tufts students are majoring in fields that are often unfamiliar and overlooked.

Nina Houston is majoring in human factors engineering and minoring in engineering management and entrepreneurship. “[Human factors engineering] is a mix of psychology, design and engineering,” Houston, a junior, said. “A lot of it is designing the world, websites or products for the user experience.”

Houston knew she wanted to pursue something in a STEM-related field, and she found the human factors engineering major when applying to Tufts.

“I liked the user [and design] aspect to it, and the combination of both was key,” Houston said.

At Tufts, the human factors engineering courses Houston has taken involve “learning about the tools to become an engineer later on.” However, Houston also expressed her concern with the difficulty of getting into classes required for her major.

“I think the human factors program definitely needs more attention because it’s growing, and … we just don’t have enough staff, at the moment, to work with the growing population of students,” Houston said.

Houston also added that while her major is more popular than it used to be, it is still relatively unknown.

“There’s a misconception with engineering in general,” Houston said. “Engineering is seen as this weird, really STEM-ey bubble, and I think people are just scared to enter into that. … In reality, it’s not that different or scary from anything else.”

Christine Kelly is majoring in environmental health engineering, which combines environmental engineering and public health.

“I’ve always loved environmental science, math and engineering,” Kelly, a junior, said. “I’ve also loved community service and giving back to my community, and this major combines both in the perfect way because I’m getting to do engineering while also helping improve people’s lives.”

The environmental health engineering program was one reason Kelly applied to Tufts in the first place.

BY MICHAEL WU “A lot of schools don’t have it and the Tufts program is particularly new,” Kelly said.

In an email to The Tufts Daily, civil and environmental engineering professor Daniele Lantagne, the program director of environmental health engineering, acknowledged the program’s relative lack of engagement.

“I think it’s uncommon because students don’t know about it coming into Tufts, and so most students that complete the major start in engineering and [transfer] into environmental health engineering when they find environmental health is what they are interested in,” Lantagne said.

Since there are only a few environmental health majors, Kelly’s classes are around ten students, and she noted that it’s easy for her to get research positions with professors in her area of study. However, like other uncommon majors at Tufts, many people haven’t heard of environmental health engineering.

“What I wish students knew about environmental health engineering is that it is taking [civil and environmental engineering] and linking it to the health of people and populations,” Lantagne said. “[It] incorporates classes with community health, international relations, biology, and anthropology.”

Isa Schneider, a member of the Tufts squash team, is majoring in architectural studies and minoring in nutrition. While the two disciplines may seem like opposites, Schneider said they have more in common than you think.

“Architecture is human-centered design, and food is what we put in our body,” Schneider, a junior, said. “So in a way, you’re designing the place where people are eating.”

Schneider’s decision to pursue architecture was partial-

ly influenced by her parents’ passions.

“I’ve always been interested in architecture because my mom’s an artist and my dad’s on the math side,” Schneider said. “Architecture is like the perfect medium.”

The Tufts architectural studies program allows for students, like Schneider, to take both architecture courses in addition to studio and art history courses.

“Many people at Tufts don’t know [architectural studies is] a major,” Schneider said. “But a lot of people take Intro to Architecture, those types of classes, and end up enjoying it, but … they don’t major in it.”

Schneider also noted that there’s often a misconception about architecture, in that it’s assumed to be mostly math related. Yet, there is a large amount of creativity and design in architectural studies.

“I always think the architects design it, and the engineers tell you if it’s possible,” Schneider said.

In addition to architecture, Schneider has been interested in nutrition her whole life.

“I also was always interested in nutrition as an athlete because that’s so important,” Schneider said. “I didn’t really grow up with processed food, and so I was always interested in how that affected me.”

At Tufts, food systems and nutrition is only offered as a minor. Schneider said that her peers wished it were a major because of the prestigious Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She also expressed the misconception that is associated with the field of nutritional studies.

“Most people think nutrition is eating the crazes or the diets, … but it’s so much more than that. It’s a cool system,” Schneider said.

Cate Fagen is majoring in astrophysics. When she first arrived at Tufts, she didn’t even know that Tufts had an astrophysics major, until she took classes in that department. The Tufts astrophysics department is small, with only about 15–20 students majoring in it every year.

“I didn’t meet anyone interested in astrophysics until this semester, when I took a class in astrophysics,” Fagen, a sophomore, said. “Even the majority of people in that class were not astrophysics majors. I think it’s because people aren’t exactly sure what you can do with that major.”

According to Fagen, many students who she’s encountered don’t even know that it’s a major at Tufts, or they have misconceptions about the major.

“Whenever I tell people my major is astrophysics, they’re like, ‘whoa, rocket science,’ … but it’s not so scary,” Fagen said. “And I think that’s why a lot of people are turned off from it because physics, in general, is scary.”

Anna Sajina, an associate professor of astrophysics, has noticed the astrophysics program at Tufts grow for the over a decade she has been affiliated with the university.

“When I started, there were very few [astrophysics] majors, so we would only have one or two a year at most, but it has grown a lot,” Sajina said. “One aspect of that is that the number of undergrads in general at Tufts has been growing for the last few years.”

Sajina said that while the number of students in the department is growing, there is still a strong sense of community.

“We tend to get to know everybody … you see [advisees] from start to finish and

that’s always very exciting, to see the students’ growth,” Sajina said.

Another Tufts sophomore with an uncommon program of studies is Roger Burtonpatel.

Alongside computer science, Burtonpatel is also majoring in music and minoring in Portuguese.

“I originally started majoring in computer science and then quickly realized that I would be wanting to take a music class every semester,” Burtonpatel said. “[I] decided to pick up the music major, which has led me to all manner of classes that I wouldn’t have otherwise done.”

As a musician, Burtonpatel has found the Tufts music department to be fantastic.

“We have a lot of great people and also … the professors will give you a lot of attention.

I decided to just go beyond just playing music and really go into the major itself,” Burtonpatel said.

Burtonpatel expressed his appreciation for the department, noting that students can follow their own interests.

“It was entirely revamped recently, and now it’s more or less a choose your own adventure type thing, but it still maintains its rigor,” Burtonpatel said.

In addition to his music major, Burtonpatel is minoring in Portuguese, which he became interested in after participating in the Tufts 1+4 Program, where he lived in Brazil for a year before attending Tufts.

“I was able to seamlessly transition right into this fantastic Portuguese department,” Burtonpatel said.

“Taking classes there has really been a gift.”

Tufts’ departments, no matter how big or small, have a plethora of classes and opportunities for students. Yet, for some students, choosing a department and major can be a difficult decision.

“Go with whatever interests you,” Kelly said. “Look at the classes that you’ve taken, pick ones that you enjoy and see if you can find some kind of combination of majors and minors.”

Even once a student declares a major, they can always change it.

“Do not think of it as something that’s going to stick,” Fagen said. “Even once you graduate college with that major, it’s still not permanent, so there shouldn’t be a lot of stress around it.”

At the end of the day, whether a Tufts student chooses an uncommon major or not, their possibilities and opportunities are endless.

Arts & POP ARTS Pop CULTURE Culture

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Wednesday, January 19, 2022

‘Don’t Look Up’ fails to inspire change

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“Don’t Look Up” released in theaters on Dec. 5, 2021.

by Henry Chandonnet Assistant Arts Editor

Adam McKay has now formed a brand for himself as a political filmmaker, whether it be with his standout “The Big Short” (2015) about the 2007– 2008 financial crisis or his follow-up “Vice” (2018) about the political career of Dick Cheney. With even more glitz and stars, McKay returns to the scene with his new big-budget film “Don’t Look Up” (2021). The film tackles the issue of climate change at large, using the allegory of a large comet hurtling towards the earth. With such a broad scope, McKay works to satirize almost every element of our present political and social condition. Though often funny and sometimes even jaw-dropping, the film ultimately comes off as deeply ostentatious, failing to effectively inspire any desire to fix our own political issues.

The film follows Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Kate Dibiasky ( Jennifer Lawrence), two scientists who discover an incoming comet that would destroy all life on earth. The two bring their findings to President Janie Orlean (Meryl Streep), a political hack who first ignores the comet’s existence and then uses it to up her reelection chances. Later, however, she changes her stance when tech giant Peter Isherwell (Mark Rylance) notifies her of rare elements in the comet that could be profitable. What ensues is an over two-hour political farce, mocking everything from news media to big business to the incompetence of nepotistic leaders.

This broad scope is ultimately the film’s downfall. In tackling climate change at large and every individual sociopolitical issue within the fight for environmental stability, the film simply takes on too much. At best, this scope leads to a disorganized and messy film without clarity of purpose.

At worst, it leads to a massive oversimplification of deeply important social

issues. Take, for example, the film’s treatment of broadcast journalism. In the “Don’t Look Up” universe there is only one significant news show, which is “The Daily Rip,” hosted by Brie Evantee (Cate Blanchett) and Jack Bremmer ( Tyler Perry). These hosts are portrayed as being far too wrapped up in celebrity culture, as they sideline the comet discovery and focus on the relationship of stars Riley Bina (Ariana Grande) and DJ Chello (Kid Cudi). The message is clear: Our news ecosystem focuses far too much on celebrity gossip and not enough on the pressing issues. But is it really celebrity culture that causes the news to ignore climate change? What about the other blatant issues in modern journalism, like misinformation or political partisanship, which may have further significance in our environmental failures?

In attempting to simplify the issues of modern media for a quick laugh, the film gives less attention to its more serious aspects.

Further, in its deeply satirical tone, the film reeks of pretension. A deep binary exists between the messaging of the film and the lives of its creators.

The film tackles an issue that most dramatically impacts poor people and which is most significantly caused by the wealthy. The relative wealth of those who created and acted in the film leads it to come across as a massive project of virtue signaling. At the end of the day, Adam McKay will be able to make yet another multimillion-dollar movie, and Leonardo DiCaprio will be able to go back to riding in megayachts. Thus, the issue of perspective plagues the narrative. Take, for example, when Dibiasky goes home to her parents’ house. Her parents don’t let her inside, saying that they are for the jobs that the comet can create. The moment is played for a quick laugh: What fools would support a life-ending comet? However, it’s deeply cruel for multimillionaire directors and actors to make jokes mocking characters with less individual wealth for wanting to increase jobs.

The film does, however, have a sheer enjoyability factor for which it must be praised. The all-star cast is constantly eye-popping, making the film shinier and more marketable.

There are also some incredibly campy moments that are pure fun, whether it be a midfilm Ariana Grande performance or a post-credit scene with alien birds. In this way, it’s difficult to term the film as good or bad. The film was surely enjoyable but failed at what it so blatantly determined to be its mission. Thus, maybe it’s more helpful to describe the film as being successful or not.

Ultimately, “Don’t Look Up” is a success as a purely fun film and a failure as a political commentary. If one can look past the messaging and simply zero in on the plot, they’re in for a joyous ride. However, the film is so obtuse in its political imagery that it’s hard to ignore. When engaging in the broader political context of the film, it comes off as entirely oversimplified and pretentious in nature.

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ a new Marvel classic

COURTESY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” released in theaters on Dec. 17, 2021.

by Odessa Gaines Contributing Writer

Over the course of the winter break, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021) became one of the most popular movies of the year. Released on Dec. 17, in roughly two hours and 30 minutes, the movie became a Marvel classic.

From the fight choreography to the soundtrack, the jokes to the heartbreaking moments, this film was a rollercoaster of events that truly showed who Spider-Man ( Tom Holland) is.

Holland delivers an amazing performance throughout the entire movie as Peter Parker struggles to balance his life as Spider-Man and a high schooler, with each side fighting for all of his attention. However, it soon becomes clear that one side has to win. Parker learns to handle new responsibilities as a young adult by relying solely on himself, not everyone and everything else.

What was truly remarkable was the character growth of everyone else in the film. MJ (Zendaya) goes from being a pessimistic type to someone who finds hope in dire situations. Ned Leeds ( Jacob Batalon) finds himself as more than just Parker’s ‘Guy In the Chair,’ but as someone capable of holding his own. Even Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) develops and comes to show how much he cares for Parker by the end of the film.

In a significant contrast with Uncle Ben’s death, Aunt May’s (Marisa Tomei) murder by the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) is the fuel that turns Spider-Man into a true hero. He understands from her sacrifice that helping even one person is important, and that due to his power, he has a responsibility to help

those he can. This is what grounds him morally. May’s death also holds a much more emotional impact for the audience after seeing her be a rock for Peter for the entirety of the franchise.

Of course, it’s impossible to talk about “No Way Home” without mentioning the biggest highlights of the film — the return of Tobey Maguire’s and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men. No words can describe the absolute joy felt by the audience in the moment Garfield ripped off his Spider-Man mask — this author’s entire theater cheered with excitement. When Maguire stepped through his portal in all his glory, the effect was pure wonder. The chemistry between the three Spider-Men felt too real, like three brothers joking around and trading stories. Garfield’s SpiderMan became known as Peter 3 and his sincerity perfectly complemented Maguire’s (Peter 2) casualness and Holland’s (Peter 1) youthful nature.

Also astonishing about this film were the moments of redemption it gave to all our returning villains and Peters.

With Doc Oct turning to the good side and the Green Goblin’s internal conflict, audiences got to see the difference that a helping hand could make for someone who’s fallen down the wrong path. Garfield’s moment of redemption in catching MJ gave us a satisfying moment after the Gwen Stacy incident.

Maguire holds Holland back from making his mistake of murdering the Goblin in a fit of rage and grief. Maguire and Garfield’s characters’ comforting guidance to Holland’s Spider-Man, and the understanding that he is never actually alone, push him to be a better person and a better hero in the end. He makes the hard but right choices because they are there for him.

In a movie full of multiverse-altering magical spells and crazy technology, Peter’s hardships as a young adult ground the story.

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” wrapped up only the first of Peter Parker’s development arcs, setting the stage for so much more to come.

Parker’s development as a character, his growing from a high school sophomore trying to impress his idols to a new adult doing his part to keep his neighborhood safe, gave us a true understanding of who he is and what values he holds — his responsibility to keep the little guy safe.

Despite fans’ high expectations going into the movie, somehow those expectations were completely surpassed.

Every moment in the theater had the audience captivated, and — weeks later — this author still thinks about it. This was quite simply one of the best Marvel movies to date and an instant classic.

6

THE TUFTS DAILY | Fun & Games | Wednesday, January 19, 2022

F& G

tuftsdaily.com LATE NIGHT AT THE DAILY Mac: “InDesign makes me feel empty.”

Fun & Games

SUDOKU

LINDA C. BLACK ASTROLOGY

Aquarius (Jan. 20– Feb. 18) Go for your personal best. You have an advantage with the Sun in your sign this month. Use your growing power and talents for good.

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Difficulty Level: Getting into the Daily office without keys to the Daily office.

Tuesday’s Solutions

CROSSWORD

a hairbrush.

Recycle me.

tuftsdaily.com

Opinion

7 Wednesday, January 19, 2022

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF

Welcome back to the hill Hi, everyone! My name is Alex Janoff, and I am the Editor in Chief of the Tufts Daily for this upcoming spring semester. As the Tufts community returns to campus over the course of the next week or so, I — personally — have started to make that oh-so difficult but necessary mental switch from the winter break lifestyle to thinking about classes, readings, exams and assignments. As I prepare for this upcoming semester, I would like to use this space to both introduce myself and also share some thoughts I have for this spring semester regarding the Daily’s production.

While we may not have had a physical paper in our racks every day of the week last semester, we nevertheless produced and published the excellent work of our staff on a daily basis. As

guidelines relaxed and campus opened up amid COVID-19’s continued presence, we at the Daily were delighted to return to our office in Curtis Hall after several semesters of virtual production.

This semester, much will remain the same, and some things will be different. We will still be distributing print copies of our paper twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. Take a look in our racks spread across campus to pick up a copy. On the days that we are not printing, we are still producing new content on a daily basis, so be sure to take a look at our website or on any of our social media outlets to keep up to date on all of our news, features, arts, opinion or sports content.

Furthermore, our digital-only issues are still laid out by our

amazing layout team and can be viewed online, even on days when we do not print.

This semester, we will prioritize far-reaching and relevant coverage. In the past we have covered everything from the spread of COVID19 on campus to the school’s endowment and Tufts’ efforts to divest from fossil fuels. Our opinion writers divulged a student perspective on national news like the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, and our arts team reviewed powerful theatrical and streaming releases, like Netflix’s Tick Tick Boom and Marvel’s the Eternals. All the while, the Daily’s sports writers have closely covered the seasons and achievements of Tufts’ many student athletes.

This will continue as a part of our goal to include as much of

the student community in our coverage as possible.

Notably, last semester saw the birth of the Daily’s science section, which operated as a subsection under News and quickly became a popular place for our readers to keep up to date with scientific research happening at Tufts and science-related news across the country. I am happy to announce that this semester, Science will operate independent of News and will continue to provide high-quality coverage of research and science-related news.

I am so incredibly proud of everyone who has put in their hard work — especially over the past few pandemic-ridden semesters — to continue to produce their best work and maintain a strong and independent student voice on campus. The Daily remains one of the most

crucial accountability tools in our community, and it is because of our writers, editors, other staff members and readers that this role is successfully accomplished.

To our readers, thank you.

Thank you ever so much for continuing to read the Daily and uphold the values of a free and independent press that we hold so dear.

To our staff, I can’t wait to see all that you do and accomplish this semester. The Tufts Daily, the country’s smallest independent college paper, works because of the hard work you do each and every day.

Looking forward to seeing you all on the hill.

42 Pax et Lux, Alex Janoff Editor in Chief, The Tufts Daily

VIEWPOINTS

Tufts students and university officials must support facilities staff and dining workers

by Reya Kumar Opinion Editor

Dining workers and custodial staff keep our campus running, supporting students, educators and administrators alike.

Without them, we would not be able to function as an educational institution. Amidst the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which operations were expanded and immense uncertainty loomed over our campus, they continued to work tirelessly, risking their own health in the process. Tufts custodial and dining staff are integral members of our community and we must do more to support them.

As reported by the Daily, on Oct. 29, the union that represents Tufts janitorial staff, 32BJ Service Employees International Union (SEIU), held a rally on the Academic Quad, protesting the terms of their contract with C&W Services. The rally was attended by the Tufts Labor Coalition, staff, students and community members, who stood in solidarity with the workers.

Adelaida Colón, a janitor and union shop steward who has been working at Tufts for 25 years, explained how many workers are part-time and thus do not receive important benefits, such as health insurance, which is especially critical in the midst of a pandemic. As of 1994, Tufts University no longer directly hires its workers, instead using the facilities contractor C&W Services. The union had been attempting to negotiate with C&W for a $1 annual wage increase and more full-time positions so that more workers could receive the pay and working conditions they deserve.

Though Tufts is no longer involved in the process of hiring facilities staff, that should not absolve them of any responsibility to the people who are keeping our institution operational. Now more than ever, considering the economic and health related toll of the pandemic, Tufts should be advocating on behalf of its facilities staff and supporting its workers’ demands.

Tufts made an effort to recognize the hard work of its faculty and staff, awarding Distinction Awards to dining workers who worked at DewickMacPhie Dining Center at the height of the pandemic during the spring of 2020. The award purportedly highlighted staff members that stood out and gave cash prizes to these workers. However, Alba Schiavone, who worked at Dewick during that period before returning to Carmichael Dining Center in the fall, explained the hollowness of the gesture. Tufts did not actually extend the award to all staff who worked at Dewick in spring of 2020. Many of Carmichael’s workers were sent to work at Dewick during lockdown, like Schiavone.

Though Tufts attempted to acknowledge the sacrifice of dining staff who put themselves and their families at risk during the height of pandemic uncertainty, they failed to properly distribute the awards to all workers who put their health on the line.

While student organizations like Tufts Labor Coalition are integral in raising awareness on crucial labor issues and advocating for Tufts staff on campus, there is still much room for increased involvement from the entire student body. More students should be present at protests, rallies and in conversations among the student body and university faculty regarding the rights of Tufts staff. As the primary beneficiaries of the labor of these employees, it is important that we all put in the effort to help advocate for their rights, safety and higher wages.

Beyond advocacy, student treatment of dining and janitorial staff on campus must improve. Throughout campus dining halls and living spaces, it is easy to spot overflowing garbage cans, scraps of food or trash left on tables or floors and common spaces left dirty and in disarray. This disrespectful behavior is not only a display of immense entitlement toward

the service of others but also a lack of regard for the time and labor of those who must clean up after us.

Though students’ complaints of long wait times or the quality of food in dining halls may be valid, we must realize that this arises from the fact that workers are understaffed, overworked and often not provided with adequate resources and funding to improve these situations. More importantly, regardless of any complaints that students may have, there is no excuse for the mistreatment and disrespect of the workers who dedicate their time and energy to feeding our campus and maintaining our spaces.

Ultimately, the way in which our actions affect facilities workers on campus is just as important as our sustained advocacy on their behalf. Evidently, many students need to be more conscious and respectful of dining and custodial workers in terms of how we occupy and use spaces around campus.

8 Wednesday, January 19, 2022

SPORTS

tuftsdaily.com

Student-athletes petition to reduce return-to-play protocols

by Isaac Karp

Executive Sports Editor

On Jan. 11, a student petition on Change.org circulated that contested Tufts’ COVID-19 return-to-play protocols. According to the petition, Tufts requires student-athletes who test positive for COVID-19 to wait about 12 days, including a two-day reconditioning process, returning to play or practice. While this information has yet to be verified by either the athletic department or the university health department, the petition already has received over 450 signatures.

The petition came in response to an email sent to student athletes outlining strict COVID-19 policies that do not align with the NCAA’s recommendations for return to play, which include only a five-day isolation period before returning to team activities based on player discretion and a negative test.

Tufts Director of Athletics John Morris reported that the university’s policy for return to play allows a student athlete who tests positive for COVID-19 to return to practice on the 11th day following their positive test, with involvement in competition beginning on the 12th day, as long as they have been medically cleared to do so.

“This approach is consistent with the policies of our NESCAC peers and many other institutions, and it helps us strike a balance between protecting the campus community by slowing the spread of the virus and allowing our student-athletes and teams to compete safely in as many games as possible,” Morris wrote in an email to the Daily.

Meanwhile, student-athletes who test positive at Tufts risk missing about two weeks of their season, amounting to a possible four to six games, which is a significant chunk of

COURTESY ALEXANDER JANOFF

Tufts student athletes petition the university’s current return-to-play guidelines. the season for some teams. The consensus among student-athletes seems to be that the choice to play after the five-day period should be left in their own hands. Katrina Yuzefpolsky, a member of the varsity softball team, argues that the university is overreaching its authority. “[Students] can consult professionals and people that we have available to us to decide whether or not it’s the best choice for their own health to come back, but it’s not fair for the university to create these extended guidelines when our own CDC is advising otherwise,” Yuzefpolsky said. “I understand being cautious but [only] to an extent.”

However, other student-athletes disagree with rushing back to play after contracting COVID-19 due to health concerns. Varsity rower Alex Maykel believes that students should prioritize their health and take the two weeks to rest before returning to play.

“Honestly, I still have a cough today from [COVID-19], so I think that maybe rushing into it too fast … created long term issues for myself that were easily avoidable,” Maykel, a junior, said. “So, as far as the long term, I totally think that you should take as much time off as necessary.”

Asking student-athletes to continue to make sacrifices without proper transparency has caused a great deal of concern among students who have to balance playing sports with an intense academic workload while maintaining a social life. Golfer Conor O’Holleran explains why the lack of transparency can be an issue.

“With these overly stringent guidelines in place, not only do athletes have to worry about missing part of their season, we also have to make choices about the people we see and things we do that could expose us to [COVID-19] more than out-of-season ath-

letes or non-athletes,” O’Holleran, a sophomore, said. “This could lead to forfeiture of games or even a cancellation of our season.

Sports with shorter schedules are at an even higher risk of missing an entire season if there is a team outbreak.”

Hockey player Cameron Cokinos is also concerned about the future of these protocols.

“My question for Tufts would be, what’s their plan going forward? Are we just going to be in a perpetual state of emergency? Is that just never going to change?” Cokinos, a sophomore, said. “Or [are] we eventually going to stop testing asymptomatic athletes? … Should we be testing people that are at risk, with symptoms? Probably, but do we need to continue if this does become more endemic? Are we going to just continue testing asymptomatic people forever? I don’t know where the policies end.”

Above all, students desire consistency and transparency from Tufts regarding decision-making. Lacrosse player Anna Clarke has some suggestions about what Tufts could have done to prevent confusion when making these types of decisions.

“I feel like Tufts maybe could have been more proactive about that. … If they gave their reasoning right away, then people might be more accepting of the fact that they have to sit out for longer,” Clarke, a senior, said.

Morris acknowledged student concerns and explained that expediting a returnto-play process remains one of the athletic department’s top priorities alongside emphasizing and maintaining public health protocols.

“While we support the return of our student-athletes to practice and competition as quickly as possible after injury or illness, the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff, and the university community remains our top priority,” Morris wrote.

Not a pipe dream: Molly Laliberty’s quest to win

by Isaac Karp

Executive Sports Editor

Molly Laliberty still has her mind on the final game of last year’s lacrosse season.

Down 14–10 with six minutes left against Salisbury for the Division III national championship, Tufts surged back but still fell just short, losing 14–13. Laliberty played well, but she could have played better. She could have stepped up and taken Tufts to the promised land; at least, that’s what she kept telling herself while watching the College Football National Championship.

It’s difficult to get into the mind of a perfectionist and lifelong winner. Rarely does an athlete accomplish as much between the pipes as senior goalkeeper Laliberty has during her tenure on the Tufts women’s lacrosse team. Hailing from Newburyport High School, where she shined as both an athlete and student, earning class salutatorian along with a number of lacrosse accolades. Laliberty took her talents to Tufts University in 2019. During her freshman season, when Tufts won 19 games, she started in only two but accompanied the squad to the final four. Her 2020 season was cut short by the pandemic, which restricted her to three starts, yet she still managed to win NESCAC Player of the Week.

Laliberty took the time off to train and prepare for her junior season where she led Tufts to an undefeated regular season, its first NESCAC championship in program history and a national championship runner up. Laliberty then graced USA Lacrosse Magazine as the USA Lacrosse Division III Women’s Preseason Goalie of the Year as well

COURTESY OF MOLLY LALIBERTY

Senior goalie Molly Laliberty has the chance to solidify her legacy at Tufts and bring the first ever women’s lacrosse National Championship trophy to Bello Field. as the Preseason Player of the Year. Now, as her final season at Tufts draws to a close, Laliberty has one mountain left to climb: taking home gold at the national championship. With Tufts ranked number two among their peers, the expectations have never been higher, but Laliberty looks at those external pressures with optimism.

“If you focus on the end goal, instead of the process, the process gets lost and that’s really the important part, so I try to just think of [the end goal] as motivation,” Laliberty said.

Laliberty is no stranger to hard work; in fact, she welcomes it as a companion on her athletic journey. In high school Laliberty had a strict sleep schedule and woke up early.

While she’s dialed down her dedication to the REM cycle, she’s made sure to lock in mentally and physically by the time the season starts. Over winter break, Laliberty has been trying to get as much lacrosse in as possible.

“I’m a big proponent of working hard outside of practice, and I think that’s how I’ll see the best results that I want so I’ve really just been trying to get as much lacrosse as I can,” Laliberty said.

As a goalie, Laliberty has excelled in communicating on the field — and off. Her willingness to say what needs to be said may be due in part to her background in slam poetry. When asked if Laliberty ever performed poetry in the locker room, senior teammate

and first team preseason all-American Anna Clarke noted that Laliberty chooses to channel her energy into her pregame routine and dances.

“One of the first things I learned about her was that she did slam poetry. I wouldn’t say she does slam poetry, but she definitely gets into our pregame dance parties, which I feel like gets everyone hyped up,” Clarke said.

Clarke also pointed out that Laliberty’s confidence and leadership have inspired younger players to emulate her dedication to the sport, team and program. In terms of her skill development and success at Tufts, Molly attributes that mostly to one person.

“Our head coach Courtney Shute. She’s a phenomenal coach and you know I think she was one of the top reasons that I came to Tufts and I am happy that I did every day because of the coach that she is and the way she runs this team,” Laliberty said.

Laliberty, like most lacrosse goalies, has quirks and superstitions that require ritual performance before every game. Crafting the perfect turkey sandwich, devouring a bag of Cape Cod potato chips, transcribing the practice or game plan on a sticky note, writing a message to herself on her wrist and taking a breath of her inhaler. These habits have clearly worked, so why question them?

The preparation Laliberty has done throughout her career has all led up to this season. Now it is time to go for broke.

Laliberty has the chance to solidify her legacy at Tufts and bring the first ever women’s DIII lacrosse national championship trophy to Bello Field.