OPINION

tuftsdaily.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022

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

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF Welcome back to the hill

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.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 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-

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 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.

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.