The Tufts Daily - Wednesday, February 20, 2019 by The Tufts Daily

MEN’S BASKETBALL

SMFA dual-degree students share experiences see FEATURES / PAGE 4

Jumbos dethrone Panthers in NESCACs

Women’s squash enter Walker Cup as top seed see SPORTS / BACK PAGE

SEE SPORTS / BACK PAGE

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VOLUME LXXVII, ISSUE 19

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Wednesday, February 20, 2019

MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, MASS.

Donna Brazile discusses her political background, youth vote at Tisch College event by Austin Clementi News Editor

Donna Brazile, the former interim chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), came to Tufts last night for a public forum as the first event of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life Distinguished Speaker Series this semester. Jen McAndrew, the director of Communications, Strategy and Planning at Tisch College, said in an interview with the Daily that Tisch College had been trying to bring Brazile to Tufts for some time. “She’s been really interested in coming here,” McAndrew said. “We try to bring a wide range of speakers every semester from diverse backgrounds and diverse viewpoints and diverse experiences in civic life, and I think Donna Brazile represents all of that.” Alan Solomont, the dean of Tisch College, said in opening remarks in the ASEAN Auditorium that Brazile had previously served as the campaign manager for Al Gore in his 2000 presidential run. According to Solomont, Brazile was the first black woman to serve as a campaign manager for a presidential campaign. According to Solomont, Brazile also served as the chair of the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute. He said Brazile had received the W.E.B. du Bois Medal from Harvard, recognizing her for her contributions to African and African-American culture. Starting the question and answer session, Solomont first asked Brazile about the purpose of the pictures on the wall

ANN MARIE BURKE / THE TUFTS DAILY

Donna Brazile, former chair of the Democratic National Committee, addresses the audience in ASEAN Auditorium on Feb. 19. of her childhood home — one of John F. Kennedy, one of Martin Luther King, Jr. and one of Jesus. She described her home life growing up in Louisiana. “My siblings and I were the first generation to have full voting rights, my parents did not have full voting rights. I’m the first

generation to be able to go to a public school that was integrated,” she said. Brazile went on to describe her home life, saying that since her parents worked frequently, she and her siblings only saw them early in the morning or late at night.

Brazile also noted that the picture of Jesus on her wall was a reminder of the family’s Catholic faith; the pictures of Kennedy and King symbolized the struggle in which her family took part. see DONNA BRAZILE, page 2

Women’s Center continues search for new leadership by Sara Renkert

Contributing Writer

Hope Freeman will continue her work as the interim director for the Women’s Center after stepping in during November 2018 to fill the opening left by former director K. Martinez. A committee to search for a new candidate is not currently active as the Office of Student Affairs considers a reorganization of the Group of Six, specifically within the Women’s Center, according to Dean of Student Affairs Mary Pat McMahon. McMahon said that there will continue to be changes in the coming months, hopefully with the outcome of hiring a new director. Freeman is also the full-time director of the Tufts LGBT center, where she has

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worked for the past several years on promoting inclusion of LGBTQ individuals on campus, according to a March 9, 2017 Daily article. With the addition of her recent role in the Women’s Center, Freeman explained that she has had to split her time between centers. “What I’ve been trying to do is when I am thinking about the LGBT Center, I am also thinking about the Women’s Center,” Freeman said. “I’m making sure [that] students, staff and interns feel supported, and that there is someone that students directly can reach out to get the support they need around their programming.” Freeman noted the need for the centers to have bigger budgets and more professional staff. She explained how the students working in the centers play a

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key role in ensuring that the centers run successfully, but she stressed the need for more organization and permanent structure. “We need people doing more specific assigned tasks, not one or two people doing a million tasks,” Freeman said. Freeman explained why she decided to accept the position. “[I wanted to make sure] the Women’s Center was on everyone’s mind and that the staff and administration were still talking about and thinking of the Women’s Center,” Freeman said. “That was what the director’s role was supposed to support. So I wanted to make sure the Women’s Center still had a voice in the room.” Freeman explained that while LGBTQ rights and inclusion are her passion, she

wanted to make sure that the Women’s Center was not left behind. “[I] wanted to make sure that demographic [women], which makes up about 53 to 55 percent of the Tufts population, was heard, because that’s actually pretty significant,” Freeman said. “We want to make sure our largest population of a marginalized group is not being left out and not being talked about.” Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Nandi Bynoe explained why the Center appointed Freeman as interim director rather than continuing the search for a new director. “We are hoping in her interim director role that she is there as support for the students at the Women’s Center, keeping

NEWS............................................1 FEATURES.................................4 ARTS & LIVING.......................6

see WOMEN'S CENTER, page 2

FUN & GAMES.........................8 OPINION.....................................9 SPORTS............................ BACK

THE TUFTS DAILY | News | Wednesday, February 20, 2019

THE TUFTS DAILY Elie Levine Editor-in-Chief

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Brazile addresses recent controversy in Virginia politics DONNA BRAZILE

continued from page 1 Solomont then asked Brazile about confirming Hillary Clinton as the first female nominee of a major party for president. “I’ll never forget that moment,” Brazile said, adding that, with news concerning Russian hacking, and her appointment as interim chair of the DNC just days before, she was also nervous. Brazile went on to praise the large presence of women of color on the stage at then 2016 Democratic National Convention, listing the Secretary of the DNC Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the Chair of the Convention Marcia Fudge and U.S. Representative from Texas Sheila Jackson Lee. “We had all the seats, we were in charge,” Brazile said. Solomont also asked Brazile for her opinion on getting more young people to vote in light of historic youth turnout rates in the 2018 midterms. Brazile said that young people need to recognize the power that they have in the political process. “[Young people] are the largest group of American voters,” she said. “You don’t have to wait for term limits anymore — you can run yourself.” “I used to think that young people [were] on ice cream, the topping — no, you’re the cone,” Brazile said. “You’re it, and it’s time for you to take your seats at

the table and to begin to find your path to public service.” Brazile also addressed the recent scandals surrounding Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s use of blackface in college and accusations of sexual assault against his lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax. With regards to Northam, Brazile said that she does not wish for him to resign but hopes that Northam will take responsibility for his actions. “I wanted to know more about his experience because perhaps Governor Northam’s experience is similar to my experience as a kid growing up in the segregated South,” she said. “I believe there’s a path to redemption.” Brazile also mentioned that, as a young college student, she would face Ku Klux Klan members at rallies, so she was willing to look past Northam’s use of blackface. Regarding the allegations against Fairfax, Brazile emphasized her belief in due process but said believed the women who have come forward. In addition, she expressed extreme disappointment in Fairfax, whom she has worked with closely in the past. After Solomont finished his interview, members of the audience had the opportunity to ask their own questions. The first student to stand up was a member of Tufts Dining Action Coalition (TDAC), Kayleigh Milano, a junior, who

asked Brazile to speak in support of the cafeteria workers’ negotiations for their union contract and to wear a button in support of them. Brazile agreed to put the button on, saying she supported collective bargaining and has been part of unions herself as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University. In an interview with the Daily after the event, Milano expressed her gratitude that Brazile was willing to wear the pin. “I think [wearing the pin] is a way of showing Tufts that the workers have support outside the university,” Milano said. Brazile also spoke about housing inequalities regarding race in relatively liberal cities such as Boston in response to another question, saying that both structural racism and individual bias contribute to this issue. However, Brazile noted that there was a need for everyone to be able to afford housing. Brazile also noted that the Democratic Party has been working to make its election process more democratic in the primaries, doing away with “winner take all” practices for giving delegates to candidates. In addition to Tisch College, the Department of Political Science, the Tufts Democrats and the Africana Center co-sponsored the event.

Student Affairs considers restructuring Group of Six WOMEN'S CENTER

continued from page 1 voices amplified and maintaining a consistent presence while we look for a permanent director,” Bynoe said of Freeman. The focus of the Women’s Center has also changed to reflect the current political climate and representations of identity in society, according to McMahon. “There is a national conversation about what’s happening with women’s centers,” she said. She explained that the search committee is evaluating questions like, “Who do we want to be? What do our students need? What kind of structure do we have right now?” The center has taken a step back after the pause in the candidate process to ensure that this restructuring will work best to support the students and other partners in the Group of Six, McMahon

said. The search process for the new director has led the board to think about other options that Tufts could take for the Women’s Center. “We are stepping back, looking at the structure and using what we had learned from the search process,” McMahon said. “We are taking the opportunity to understand our center model, get student feedback and get input from partners and stakeholders across the university, to get a sense of what’s the best structure moving forward.” Freeman emphasized the need for the candidate to be someone who embraces this restructuring as well as the spectrum of identities that contribute to the Women’s Center and the other centers in the Group of Six. “The role of the director is being able to vision, think more largely and broadly

about missions and values, being able to compare and contrast, move and shuffle the pieces that best work for the center and the university,” Freeman said. She emphasized the importance of “focusing on people within this already marginalized group who still don’t necessarily have their voices at the table — trans women, non-binary women, femmes, women of color, and people of different socioeconomic backgrounds.” While the type of leader and the date for when the position will be announced is still being decided, Bynoe stressed the importance of making sure the Office of Student Affairs finds the right candidate. “We want to be careful and thoughtful about who we have in that position so that they’re successful here, rather than be hasty and have someone who is not as good of a fit,” Bynoe said.

Police Briefs – Week of Feb. 18 by Jenna Fleischer News Editor

Get Well(esley) soon On Feb. 9 at 12:54 a.m., Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) responded to a medical call from Hill Hall regarding an intoxicated Wellesley College student. Tufts Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) administered care for the student, and they were transported to the hospital for further treatment. TUPD notified the Wellesley College Police Department. Give it here, Brandeis, or I’ll knock you off your broom

Later that day at 11:42 a.m., TUPD responded to a medical call at Alumni Fields concerning a Brandeis University student who injured their neck playing Quidditch. TEMS administered care for the student and they were transported to the hospital for further treatment. TUPD notified Brandeis University Police. Wash one’s dirty laundry On Feb. 13 at 11:12 p.m., TUPD received a report from a student that several of their clothing items had been stolen from the Hill Hall laundry room. The student went to move their clothes from the washer to the dryer, but found that someone

had put their clothes in the dryer already. When the student retrieved their clothes from the dryer, they found several items missing. TUPD is investigating. Slip into something uncomfortable On Feb. 14 at 8:39 a.m., TUPD responded to a medical call at Tufts Dining Services (89 Curtis Street), where an employee had slipped on ice and struck the back of their head on the sidewalk. TEMS administered care for the employee, and they were transported to the hospital for further treatment. Facilities Services was notified to de-ice the sidewalk.

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Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Bridging arts and academics, Part I: The TuftsSMFA dual-degree program Not crossing the

Nate Rubright Somerville with Townie Tim

river

s your resident gentrifying townie, Tim, there’s something I consider one of the most important aspects of being a “SomerVillain”: the refusal to leave “the Ville” for any social reason. I like to call this my “Never Cross the River” rule. Here in Somerville, there is a pride surrounding the social sustainability of our community. Sure, there is the occasional wedding or Sox game, but generally, I like to keep north of the Charles for all my fun-having needs. When I moved to Boston, I had friends living all over the city. Every weekend there emerged this expectation that I’d be able to meet at various spots around town like some sort of nomadic socialite. Every trip outside Somerville involved at least three of the following: bus, train, ride-sharing services, parking and/or walking. Sometimes you had to stop and evaluate the entire experience of going out. Is the Lyft to this place on Comm Ave really worth the equivalent of two large pizzas? Is the time to get to this bar in Jamaica Plain worth three-quarters of an episode of Narcos? There are about 200 restaurants in Somerville, and not one of them is as good as some random place my friends want to meet? I would not be giving you this advice if I had not considered it thoroughly. Cost and time are one thing. Diverse and exciting experiences are another. We should be pretty careful before we institute a rule that could limit our social options. If I am going to suggest that you take my advice and refuse to leave Somerville for a night in Boston, I should be honest about what you are potentially missing. In truth, it’s absolutely nothing. I’ve been all over town and except for the aforementioned special occasion, there is really no reason to find yourself south of the Charles River. Friends choose places to meet for arbitrary reasons. Bars and clubs attract people through similar methods. Your ability to discern between good and bad food is significantly worse than you think. Now that we have decided that staying in Somerville is the best option, where does that leave your friends? I’m glad you asked. You are going to have to make some new friends, and those friends are going to live in Somerville. You should treat your old friends the same way I treat my friends in Atlanta: see them sparingly and communicate at a distance. Last Labor Day, my Southie friends and I went on a great hike in Burlington. I expect it will also be great when I see them again next Labor Day. I’m not saying that you drop off the map — just to pull back the expectations. Take it from your friend Townie Tim: Once you institute the “Never Cross the River” rule, you’ll be happier, richer and have far more time on your hands.

Nate Rubright is a columnist with the Features section of the Daily and is a member of the Somerville community.

BEN KIM / THE TUFTS DAILY

The shuttle for the School of the Museum of Fine Arts picks up students in front of the Aidekman Arts Center on Feb. 19. by Mark Choi

Assistant Features Editor

The combined-degree program between Tufts and the School of Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) began in the late 1970s and was designed for students who are interested in pursuing both a rigorous liberal arts education and studio art, according to the Dean of the SMFA Nancy Bauer. Students who are enrolled in the program have a unique opportunity to complete two undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Arts or Science (BA/BS), from Tufts University in five years. After the acquisition of SMFA by the university in June 2016, an increasing number of students have demonstrated their interest, applied and enrolled in the combined-degree program. For the Class of 2023, Tufts Admissions received 285 applications for the dual-degree program, an increase of 30 percent from the previous admissions cycle. Bauer explained that the combined-degree program’s increasing popularity stands out in today’s higher education landscape, where many art schools have experienced declining student demand. “Many small arts schools these days are finding that providing co-curricular services — for example, robust student accessibility services — to students is financially challenging. [In this context,] smaller art institutions are finding it harder to keep up, which means that despite their excellent academic program, enrollments are in peril of dropping,” Bauer said in an email interview with the Daily. Before the SMFA became a part of Tufts, the school had similar struggles with its declining enrollment, high dropout rates and substantial financial deficit, according to Bauer. “In 2015, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, which had been the parent of the SMFA since its founding in 1877, decided that it was best for the health of the school to partner with another educational institution … One of the reasons that the MFA decided to find a partner

to adopt the SMFA is that its enrollments had been dipping at the school,” Bauer said. “[With our partnership with Tufts] we have more people applying for the combined-degree program than we did before … every year, we are working hard to create more and more community among combined-degree students and to support student initiatives.” Bauer added that students who are interested in the combined-degree program are exceptionally diverse in their academic and artistic interests. As one of the few universities that offer dual-degree programs in liberal arts and studio art nationwide, along with a similar program at Brown-RISD, Tufts’ combined-degree program attracts student artists across the nation and abroad. Jiamin Li, a first-year dual-degree student, said that Tufts appeared to be a perfect school during her senior year of high school. “Tufts seemed like a great place for me to keep a sense of exploration and curiosity while developing my voice and identity as a student artist,” Li said. “Coming into Tufts, I wanted to pursue a variety of subject areas, ranging from International Relations, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, to sociology … As I have pursued photography, I was excited to see how these two worlds would come together, which would not only deepen my understanding of humanity and art but also help me explore different mediums for my artistic expressions.” Another first-year dual-degree student, Sadhana Madnani, echoed Li’s sentiments. “I applied early decision to Tufts, [because] I wanted to study Child and Human Development and Arabic in-depth and cultivate my interests in painting, drawing, and sculpting,” Madnani said. “I wanted a school where I would be able to develop my artistic interests as seriously as my academic interests, all while having the freedom to explore in both areas. Tufts was really the only place where I could do that [from my research].” Many first-year students cited academic and artistic freedom as the com-

bined-degree program’s biggest strength. According to the SMFA’s website, its core pedagogy is “the idea that the development of an artistic practice is an organic and fluid process,” which sets Tufts’ dual degree program apart from those of other universities. Matilda Biscaldi, a dual-degree student, shared her positive experience with the SMFA’s academic and artistic freedom. “The first day I got to Tufts, I had an advisor who told me that it is okay to make a lot of mistakes … The advisor emphasized that the more mistakes and ‘bad artworks’ I make, the better artist I will become in the future. My interaction with the advisor was very inspiring, as I had always been pressured to make ‘good’ art,” Biscaldi, a first-year, said. “When I walked into my first class at SMFA, my professor said that everyone has different phases and different approaches, and that’s perfectly fine as long as we do the work … This atmosphere has encouraged me and my classmates to pursue areas that truly interest us while pushing us out of our comfort zone. Personally, it has been fascinating to learn about how my classmates and I approach the assignment from different angles and perspectives, especially in my digital photography class this semester.” Bauer added that the SMFA’s pass/fail grading system fosters a creative environment where students can explore a variety of art classes outside of their comfort zone. “SMFA students do not receive letter grades for any of their studio art classes: they either earn credit or don’t. What this means is that combined-degree students in effect have ‘shadow grading’ [throughout their five years at SMFA],” Bauer said. This unique academic environment has given dual-degree students freedom to define what art means for them and how they see their classes at Medford and Fenway come together. Through her first two semesters at Tufts, Biscaldi has already noticed that art has become a see DUAL-DEGREE, page 5

F e at u r e s

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | Features | THE TUFTS DAILY

SMFA dual-degree program continues to grow DUAL-DEGREE

continued from page 4 medium to express her ideals and experiences with the audience. “Art has become a way of explaining my ideas and myself beyond words. Even though I am fluent in English and Italian and learned French in school, I somehow struggled with expressing myself fully in words,” she said. “Through my classes at Tufts and SMFA, I hope to express my experience of growing up in Italy as a woman … through various mediums of art … I also want to deepen my understanding on multifaceted issues such as the immigration justice, human rights and international economic development, so that I can create art which can give a fuller

insight and perspective on the issues to my audience.” Li said that she hopes to capture and share her experience as an international student through the combined-degree program. “Through my courses at Tufts, I am interested in learning more about the human nature, how humans interact, and societies are formed,” she said. “With a better understanding of myself and others, I want to pursue photography, painting and drawing to depict a world — both real and imaginary — as I see it more vividly. I am also exploring how to make a statement through my art … I want to share my experience of being an Asian artist in the Western Hemisphere along

with other social justice issues that are important to me.” As the combined-degree program’s popularity increases, the enrollment for program is likely to grow from the Class of 2022’s 53 students, while admissions for the program will continue to get more selective, according to Bauer. “The SMFA’s enrollments have been growing every year … Before the 20162017 school year, there were usually no more than ten or so students enrolling in the combined-degree program per year,” Bauer said. “There’s still room for expansion, but of course at some point we’ll hit an equilibrium; and then, sadly, we will have to turn more qualified students away.”

The expansion of the combined-degree program is largely in context of the university’s plan to expand its incoming class by about 100 students. Bauer, however, emphasized that both BFA and combined-degree programs will have to remain relatively small to continue the dual-degree program’s unique educational mission and vision. “The number of undergraduate students we can accept at the moment is dependent on the number of beds we have to house them during their first year … SMFA has always been a relatively small school, and we want to keep it that way to ensure that students and faculty members really get to know one another.” Bauer said.

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ARTS&LIVING

Tuna Margalit Review Rewind

‘Come and See’

he Movie: Come and See The Year: 1985 The People: Aleksey Kravchenko as Flyora, the decaying childbearing witness to the evilest of evils, Elem Klimov as the film’s director and Ales Adamovich as the screenwriter, relaying the horrors he lived through in his youth. The Non-Revealing Plot: In 1943, an adolescent boy passionately joins the local resistance force in his homeland of Byelorussia (now Belarus) to fight off the occupying Nazis. Unofficial Genre: Simply put, the film is a war film. Although there are small wisps of youthful romance in the film’s atmosphere, they show up only at the beginning of the film, before a row of Nazi bombs blanket the entire remainder of the film in despair, degradation and death. Though “Come and See” centers around Flyora’s experiences as a youth, and his loss of innocence, to lump this film in with the other films under the category of Bildungsroman would be a mistake. In death, Flyora is as hopeless and hollow as he was conversely filled with inspiration at the film’s onset. My Opinion (Emotional): This is a film that drains the soul. I found myself expecting the worst with every new element introduced. Though my pessimistic outlook turned out to be right more often than not, the manner in which events transpire in this film and the degree of horror in which they manifest left me shocked and nauseous. The nausea came from the atrocities so explicitly portrayed, just as well as it came from the terror felt by Flyora. In this regard, conflated with the fact that Kravchenko had never acted before in film, I would argue that Flyora’s portrayal is some of the best acting in a war film, ever. My Opinion (Technical): Aside from Flyora’s awe-inspiring portrayal, the directing and screenwriting of this film is what elevates it to greatness. Klimov and Adamovich brilliantly combine surrealism with straightforwardness to achieve an artful, shell-shocking product. The film never sugarcoats nor does it play into shock value. The most impressive example of this fact is the lead-up to the film’s most brutal scene — a Nazi burning-to-death of an entire community. The scene before the devastation shows the encroachment of Nazi troops onto a Belorussian village — first it is a disjointed trickling of them, but slowly the incoming Germans morph into that of a singular titanic malevolence, joined together by shared evil aspirations. Most of the film features little dialogue, as Flyora is left partially deaf by the row of Nazi bombings in the beginning. This choice on the part of Klimov and Adamovich is terrific, as it forces us to absorb the sight of horrors without heavily relying on audio cues. The penultimate scene is the best of the film and arguably one of the most powerful in cinematic history. A montage of clips showing the rise of the Nazis is played in reverse, starting with Hitler’s later years and ending with a photo of him as a baby, and is interspersed with a rage-filled Flyora shooting at a photo of the German dictator. Overall Rating: Despite its bleakness, I’d highly recommend experiencing this incredibly portrayed account of the evil of which humanity is capable. For its excellent acting and equally excellent direction and storytelling, I’d give this film a 9.3/10. The main knock I have on the film is the weak performances of many of the supporting characters. If You Like This, You’ll Also Like: Grave of the Fireflies (1988), City of God (2002) and Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). Tuna Margalit is a first-year who has not yet declared a major. Tuna can be reached at yonatan.margalit@tufts.edu.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

DRAG RACE RECAP

‘All Stars 4’ concludes with unprecedented, hollow twist

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A promotional photo for season four of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars’ is pictured. by Tommy Gillespie Arts Editor

Hey, kitty squirrels! After Latrice Royale’s not-so-shocking elimination last week, we are down to the final four queens of “All Stars 4.” Going off track records, Trinity the Tuck is the frontrunner with four challenge wins. Monét X Change and Monique Heart both have three wins, while Naomi Smalls has one. However, as proven by the controversial finale of “All Stars 3,” we can’t count on track record in this game, especially given Ru’s penchant for “All Stars” finale twists. The formula for the finale of an “All Stars” season has been set since “All Stars 2,” and this episode will be no different: the queens will give a choreographed performance of their own lip-synced verse for one of Ru’s new singles (for this season, “Super Queen”), as well as appear in Ru and Michelle’s podcast “What’s the Tee?” In the Werk Room, BFFs Monét and Monique express their hope to be in the top two together, also noting the potential impact of a “highly melanated” top consisting of two black queens. Trinity is wary of a potential twist, hoping for her track record to speak for itself. Naomi is barely there, and it becomes painfully clear early on that she will not be making an appearance in the top two. Todrick Hall makes his trademark appearance as his usual, somewhat curt self in the choreographing for the queens’ number, while appearances with Ru and Michelle also are interspersed. Trinity is somewhat worried about nailing her choreography; Naomi wants to show off her legs, as usual. It’s perfectly pleasant but ultimately forgettable. Conversations on “What’s the Tee?” are almost always snoozefests, and everyone barring Monique continues this tradition. Miss Heart gives us an enlightening bit of backstory about her past as a seminarian who tried to “convert” herself and mentions that she was once obese. Considering Monique’s bubbly, expressive

personality, reveals like these remind us just how powerful this show can be. For all its faults, it allows us to see queerness unfettered and unapologetic, and that sort of representation should never be taken for granted. On elimination day, the final four are greeted by the “Drag Race” Hall of Fame: Chad Michaels, Alaska and Trixie Mattel, who reveal that they will be the ones choosing the final two. That is, until the commercial break ends and they reveal that no, they will not, and that it was a joke. Whatever. Onto “Super Queen,” which is a curiously middling-tempo song for a “Drag Race” finale. Everyone’s verse is competently performed, with Monét’s standing out, but the entire number feels chintzy and underwhelming compared to the instant iconic status of “Read U Wrote U” of “All Stars 2” and the ambitious scale of last season’s “Kitty Girl.” Next is the runway, in which the competitors put their best drag forward. Monét comes first in an ethereally gorgeous African-inspired purple fern-printed gown, completing the ensemble with matching chunky bracelets and impeccably tied blonde dreadlocks. For a queen who was criticized on season 10 for weak runway looks, it’s a fitting end. Monét has ambitiously elevated her game on the runway all season, and this number puts the perfect finishing stamp on a finale episode that, had it been judged as a challenge, would certainly have been a win for her. Monique walks the runway second, but her black gown is all kinds of wrong. It’s got a daring neckline and a soaring slit, but the middle has too much embellishment going on in an unfortunate place. Somehow, the number simultaneously feels a little basic. The look is a disappointing end to the episode for the brown cow, stunning Monique, who has always aimed for admirably high concepts on the runway, even when the execution wasn’t always there. Still, she has shined brightly on “All Stars 4” and will come away from

the season with legendary status despite a lackluster final episode. Naomi Smalls, though she’s too young and two challenge wins short of a chance at the top two, ensures she will never be forgotten with a jaw-dropping, royal purple, coiffed rococo dress and mesh gloves and bonnet. She, of course, will tear all that business away to show off her legendary legs, and she owns the runway like the ’90s supermodel she is. Miss the Tuck struts down the runway last, and she serves Delftware realness with a stunning structured gown reminiscent of Chinese designer Guo Pei. She tears away the top of the gown to reveal teacups covering her breasts, which is a wonderful touch to the whimsy she has developed in her time on “Drag Race.” The queens step forward for the typical gushing judges’ critiques on “All Stars,” while Monique receives some negative feedback on her gown and Trinity on her performance in the dance. The queens go backstage, the judges deliberate and to the surprise of nobody who has been paying attention throughout the episode, Monét and Trinity are the top two. They will face off in a final lip-sync to Christina Aguilera’s “Fighter,” a long overdue LSFYL song. Both queens serve fierceness and determination, and the lip-sync is an entertaining though not particularly memorable one. Highlights include a hilariously failed cartwheel by Trinity and an ironically smart pussycat-wig-underpussycat-wig reveal by Monét, who probably wins the lip-sync. Still, Trinity also gives a strong performance. The song fades out, the queens take their place and Ru makes “Drag Race” herstory: both Trinity and Monét are crowned champion of “All Stars 4,” each winning $100,000. Both Trinity and Monét are supremely deserving queens. Trinity had four challenge wins to Monét’s three, but the latsee ALL STARS, page 7

Arts & Living

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | Arts & Living | THE TUFTS DAILY

Oscars’ poor choices stir controversy by Tuna Margalit

Contributing Writer

As the 2019 Oscars draw near, the ceremony’s controversies have been steadily increasing as well. Much of the backlash coming from members of Hollywood stems from the show-runners’ head-scratching decision to only televise certain categories, while public anger is centered around the proposed addition of a new category as well as from once-slated host Kevin Hart’s homophobic tweets. Regardless of where the controversy comes from so far (and there’s still a week left for more), the bad press only further renders the once-glorified awards show obsolete. After all, the saying “any press is good press” does not apply to things which are already present in the public stratosphere. Bad press for an event with a distinguished legacy is exactly that: bad. The biggest indicator of bad press having a direct and negative effect on the Oscars has been the decline in viewership over the past few years. Since 2014’s decades-long peak in viewership, with 43.7 million viewers, each year has seen less viewers than the previous one. Just last year, only 26.5 million people tuned in to the Oscars — a 39 percent decrease from 2014, and the lowest number of Oscar viewers since the awards started in 1929. This decline also coincides with a social campaign best described by the associated twitter hashtag “#OscarsSoWhite.” The campaign was launched after the 2015 show, in which only 1 of 25 nominees for Best Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress was a person of color. As calls for the increase of diversity grew within the nominee groups and within the community of voters for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), AMPAS leadership could no longer pretend to be unaware. Thus, in June 2016, significant changes were made to the member body of the organization. It was announced that females comprised 46 percent of the voters, and people of color comprised 41 percent — huge steps forward from the recent past. Though some changes have been considerable, unfortunately, they have not

VIA ABC IMAGES

A promotional image for the Academy Awards is pictured. corrected the Oscars’ course, as the program has continued to lose viewers. In fact, this year, there are two more sorts of controversies. The first of these missteps is a change in which categories are televised as well as the addition of a new awards category. The proposal to present four categories — Cinematography, Film Editing, Live Action Short and Makeup and Hairstyling — during commercial breaks was seen as an insult to many in Hollywood, and not just to those who are considered for these categories. Some of the most revered film directors, including Alfonso Cuarón, Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino and Ang Lee, have vehemently opposed the prospect of detracting from the importance of these categories. And this was just one of AMPAS’ poorly-received attempts at reigniting public interest in the awards show. However, the controversy doesn’t stop there. A proposed “Best Popular Film” category would be a gimmicky move at best. The Oscars have long been

open to adding new awards categories; only 7 of the 24 current categories were presented back in 1929, and many of the added categories have been beneficial in that they’ve drawn much-needed attention to behind-the-scenes players within the realm of movie creation. However, this new category would be catering only to a very specific genre of film, incentivizing production companies to focus less on creating good cinema and more on creating popular cinema and discouraging new stories from being written. The other major controversy plaguing this year’s Oscars is the hosting situation. Originally, comedian Kevin Hart was enlisted for the coveted spot. But after old tweets displaying homophobic ideas and beliefs surfaced, a series of bizarre interactions between Hart and the public transpired. First there was the reveal of the tweets, then there was Hart’s non-apology, which was followed by a faux-apology and then there was an appearance on Ellen that

ignited major public backlash against both of the entertainers. All this eventually led to Hart backing away from the offer, leaving a 5’4”-sized gap in the famed program. Although there is a certain level of intrigue to the idea of a hostless Oscars ceremony, the overriding feeling surrounding this year’s show is one of dread. It seems as though this titan of award shows is finding every possible way to alienate its audiences. However, to be fair to AMPAS, they have been open to criticism, as evidenced by reforms made to increase voter diversity as well as the reinstatement of the four aforementioned categories into the televised portion of the show. In the end though, larger questions remain unanswered: How will all these factors play into this year’s viewership statistics? Will ratings go down again to a new all-time low? Or will there be a reversal of fortunes for the viewer-hungry Academy? We will know in a week.

Both Monét X Change, Trinity the Tuck crowned drag race all stars ALL STARS

continued from page 6 ter certainly won the finale and the final lip-sync. The double crowning has a certain amount of thematic sense behind it: Monét and Trinity have somewhat inverse narratives in their “Drag Race” careers.

Monét came in with boundless charisma and skill as a performer but lacked skill in crafting looks, and in “All Stars 4” she finally proved she was equally fierce on the runway. Trinity was a pageant queen through and through when she showed up to season nine. Two seasons later, she

can lay claim to some of the most memorable comedy performances in the annals of “Drag Race, “from season nine’s Sister Mary Koont to her “How to Tuck” tutorial in the premiere episode of “All Stars 4.” If “All Stars” is about growth, then the double crowning could have

been framed as a recognition of both queens’ evolution out of different styles of drag into versatile, transcendent drag superstars. But we get no explanation behind it, which leaves it feeling like a twist just for the sake of one.

TRASHING ONE EGG WASTES 55 GALLONS OF WATER

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | FUN & GAMES | THE TUFTS DAILY

F& G

tuftsdaily.com LATE NIGHT AT THE DAILY David: “Free speech, bitches.”

FUN & GAMES

SUDOKU

LINDA C. BLACK ASTROLOGY

Pisces (Feb. 19–March 20)

Parting is such sweet sorrow. Dear people come and go. Remind them of their gifts to you. Share thanks and appreciations. Focus on new directions.

Difficulty Level: Wondering why I didn’t leave for the long weekend.

Tuesday’s Solutions

CORRECTION An earlier version of the Feb. 13 article “Fawzia Mirza’s ‘Signature Move’ brings love and lesbian wrestling to Tufts” misidentified the Tufts programs responsible for putting on the lecture. The Program in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies designed and funded the event, and the LGBT Center co-sponsored it. The article has been updated to reflect this change. The Daily deeply regrets this error.

CROSSWORD

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Opinion EDITORIAL

Tufts needs more independent study spaces on campus It sometimes feels impossible to find privacy on campus. Libraries, dining halls and the Campus Center are constantly brimming with people. Common spaces in dorms can sometimes feel more social than relaxing. Even dorm rooms don’t guarantee solitude, given the presence of roommates. It can be quite challenging on a college campus to find time and space for oneself, especially to study. Tufts has limited space for studying independently. Though the Academic Resource Center (ARC) at Tufts tries to provide students with adequate study space, these options can be just as social as they are studious. Tisch and Ginn Libraries allow students to reserve group study rooms online. Although these are great options for project work or collaboration, the booking process prioritizes groups and the rooms must be reserved far in advance due to limited supply. The solitary desks and tables in Tisch and Ginn do not provide enough space for everyone, especially during finals week. The ARC lists 675 seats available as study spaces outside of Tisch and Ginn, includ-

ing hundreds in the Mayer Campus Center for close to 5,000 undergrads. While some dorms, like Metcalf Hall, have separate, smaller common rooms in addition to larger common areas, these rooms are limited or are not intended for independent use. Common areas are usually large or open and offer no private spots to study. Dorm rooms, although smaller and more private, do not work for everyone. Roommates have different sleep, academic and social schedules, and studies have shown that studying in your living space can be counterproductive. Additionally, dorm environments can be loud and distracting. The basement floor of Tisch and the Reading Room of Ginn are great places to study if you need complete silence. However, the problem for many students is not noise level, it’s a desire not to distract. Students need space to practice presentations aloud, to video chat professors or peers and to study without fear they are going to disrupt other students’ attention. Some students study better in complete solitude. Students with attention dis-

orders, for example, might have difficulty focusing in common spaces. First-year Tufts Community Union senators underscored the need for more independent study spaces on campus. In an interview with the Daily, Rabiya Ismail, class of 2022 Senator and assistant treasurer, stated, “If you have any sort of learning disability, I feel like it is very important to be able to study by yourself and not have distractions.” Class of 2022 senator Carolina Olea Lezama agreed, adding that studying in public places can be “overwhelming.” Academic stress and a lack of solitude can be worsened by the scramble to find distraction-free study spaces. Tufts should find ways to utilize existing spaces better in dorm common rooms, Tisch or Ginn libraries, the Campus Center and academic buildings. Similarly, private study space should also be factored into the design of new buildings, such as the Cummings building or any new dorm. This would maximize student productivity and give us a place to reflect, study alone and get away from hectic college life.

CARTOON

My brain rationalizing why men catcall

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.

9 tuftsdaily.com

Deeksha Bathini America is dying

The case for intersectional healthcare research

he ethics of healthcare research is a topic of contention. As a country, we have been unable to define who deserves the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — is it white men, women, the elderly, maybe children? The answer should be “all of the above,” but it takes one look at current healthcare research protocols to know that is simply not the case. In order to make healthcare accessible and equitable for everyone, there needs to be research on disease pathology, medications, and treatments. Research informs how we can move forward. If large and relevant populations are systematically excluded from study design, how can we make progress? The LGBTQ population is a severely stigmatized group that faces a disproportionately high risk for depression, suicide and substance abuse. But still, there is a glaring lack of data on this population, particularly the transgender community. Not only does this discrepancy limit providers’ ability to offer optimal, value-based care, it also poses potential harm to the entirety of the American population. Better research that incorporates the LGBTQ community could translate to reductions in disease transmission, increases in mental well-being and lower healthcare expenditures. Women are also subject to research exclusion and are considered a minority population. This reality is disconcerting because women account for over half of the U.S. population. In healthcare, the exclusion of women can be attributed to concerns about hormones, fertility, pregnancy, and etc. Female research is necessary and has important implications on health. Take, for example, the research conducted by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) that revealed the increased risk of breast cancer due to hormone therapy. Without this research, the correlation between this widely accepted medical practice and breast cancer would not have been uncovered. Eventually, the findings from the WHI prompted a change in practice. This is a clear example of how research regarding women as a bloc is significant even though it is insufficiently conducted. Over the years, however, participation rates for women have generally improved. Unfortunately, this is not the case for pregnant women, women of color and women with disabilities who are further marginalized in the world of science. A recent study from 2018 reveals flaws in breast cancer screening standards. For white patients, breast cancer reaches its most aggressive stage in their 60s. For nonwhite patients, breast cancer advances much sooner, with the most aggressive stage affecting people in their 40s. If non-white patients are screened when they are 50 years old, the disease will not be diagnosed in time, potentially causing higher morbidity and mortality among that population. The screening guidelines for breast cancer were created based on the research done on white women and generalizing those findings to the entire population. Conducting intersectional research is hard, but we cannot offer the care that vulnerable populations desperately need if we don’t invest time into equitable research guidelines. While there are some promising signs, we have to keep pushing because the health of our nation depends on it. Deeksha Bathini is a sophomore studying community health. Deeksha can be reached at deeksha.bathini@tufts.edu.

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Sports

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 | Sports | THE TUFTS DAILY

Men's basketball keeps playoff dreams alive MEN'S BASKETBALL

continued from back page Overall, the Jumbos shot 46 percent from field goal range, above the Panthers’ 39 percent even though the Panthers got off 16 more shots. The Jumbos were also out-rebounded (44– 40), had fewer assists (16–9), more turnovers (13–10) and fewer points in the paint (38–28). The old saying goes that offense wins games, but defense wins championships. There is no doubt that Tufts has had a dynamic offense over the course of the season and has had its fair share of defensive struggles. However, it was its defense that helped it pull through in the end, shutting down Middlebury even as Tufts’ own offense was, based on statistics, outcompeted. This efficiency and heart were the story of the game, allowing the Jumbos to steal one under the noses of the Panthers at their own Pepin Gymnasium.

“We play a very similar style to Middlebury,” first-year guard Tyler Aronson said. “The winners in the NESCAC tournament get re-seeded after each round, and I have the utmost confidence in our guys to keep going out there and giving it everything we’ve got.” Moving forward, the Jumbos will be traveling to Hamilton to continue their quest to dominate the NESCAC. Hamilton finished second in the NESCAC regular season and is ranked tenth overall in Div. III. The Jumbos have another tall order awaiting them this weekend. “Our strategy against Hamilton isn’t anything special,” Savage said. “We are confident we can win by sticking with what we have been doing all year and staying true to our identity. This win meant a lot, as all wins do this time of year. As a team we have been talking a lot recently about ‘keeping the window open,’ meaning you need to win to elongate your season.”

Nevertheless, they’ve shown they can battle through the adversity of being on the road against top competition and have the heart and guts to make it count. In the other semi-final, third-seeded Amherst and fourth-seeded will Williams battle it out, also at Hamilton. The conference final will be played on Sunday. “Against Hamilton we are going to try and do the same thing. We want to get the ball up the floor and a couple keys for us are going to be dominating the boards and limiting my turnovers. Personal goals are obsolete; at this point everything is about the team,” Rogers said. For Savage, taking it one game at a time is paramount. He said that by keeping focus and playing hard, he knows not to take anything for granted. “We got a big win on Saturday and that allowed us the opportunity to play again this coming weekend and that’s what it’s all about: keeping your season alive,” he said.

Jumbos claim top seed, aim to win C Division WOMEN'S SQUASH

continued from back page vides a clear opportunity to claim a national title. “Our goal is to win the C Flight at nationals,” coach Joseph Raho said, who added that the team is unfazed by missing out on the B Division. “We’re not there yet, but we’re moving towards that level.” With a win in the C Division, Tufts can cement themselves as the primary threat to the NESCAC top four. Even during the regular season it seemed like the Jumbos would make the breakthrough, pushing Amherst to two 6–3 contests. Williams

and Middlebury join Amherst in the B Division, who hold the No. 13, No. 15 and No. 16 seeds respectively. Senior captain Chista Irani knows that the team’s strong regular season was vital in getting to the top of the competitive C Division. “I can not be more proud of the hard work the team put in this season to get us to the top seed in the C Division,” Irani said. Seasoned by tough NESCAC matches all year, Irani feels her squad is going to play their best squash at the right time. “The team is very ready to have a good weekend of competitive squash,” she said. Joining Tufts, Bates, Hamilton, and Wesleyan is Dickinson College,

Franklin and Marshall College, Mount Holyoke College and Saint Lawrence University. As the top seed, Tufts will most likely face bottom-seeded Saint Lawrence in the opening round, although the bracket will be finalized and released in the coming days. If Tufts can defend its seeding, it would be a big step on their way to the B Division. With a potential rematch looming against a Bates team who will certainly be hungry for victory, this year’s Walker Cup is shaping up to be a captivating affair with significant implications for the future of NESCAC squash.

The “It’s Not Like I’m Drunk” Cocktail 2 oz. tequila 1 oz. triple sec 1/2 ounce lime juice Salt 1 too many 1 automobile 1 missed red light 1 false sense of security 1 lowered reaction time Combine ingredients. Shake. Have another. And another.

Never underestimate ‘just a few.’ Buzzed driving is drunk driving.

Jeremy Goldstein Anti-Bostonian

All-Star Game heightens ‘Kyrie Out’ for Celtics

n a symbolic sense, how much of a difference is there between Team LeBron of the All-Star Game and Team LeBron of the Western Conference (for history’s sake, let’s call them the Lakers)? The All-Star iteration featured a hand-picked team of King James’ cronies who have earned LeBron’s admiration by either being former teammates (Kyrie Irving and Dwayne Wade), potential future teammates (Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson and Kryie Irving, again) or Klutch Sports agency buddies (Ben Simmons and Anthony Davis, again). It’s not as if the Lakers aren’t handpicked either. Besides the fact that when you Google “Team Lebron” the Lakers pop-up before the LeBron All-Stars, almost none of the Lakers roster before the Lebron era remains with the franchise. The players who have stayed, however, have almost all been included in a rumored Anthony Davis mega-deal (Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope). Any basketball observer with a pulse knows that the NBA is heading towards a collision of dueling interests and ever-swirling storylines this offseason that will ultimately rear its ugly head to leave large, concentrated swaths of fans absolutely and unequivocally burnt to a crisp. If the Celtics aren’t careful, it may well just be their fans left kicking and screaming. Why? Kyrie Irving has somehow been completely and simultaneously coy and not coy at all about his pending free agency, with his Boston interests dwindling as the rest of the East’s top four (Milwaukee, Toronto and Philadelphia) flexed their deadline-day muscles. He also may or may not have had a certain phone call with Sir James himself. Why else? While Anthony Davis did say he’d consider signing an extension in Boston, the grim possibility of the Irving Domino landing in either New York or LA looms, possibly de-incentivizing Davis to join the Celtics. Furthermore, Jayson Tatum seems to be angling for a path to more touches, and knows those will come in New Orleans. Terry Rozier, despite having a horrendous shooting season, is still angling for a starting gig, one that the Phoenix Suns will literally give to anyone these days. They just traded for a guy named Tyler Johnson, who’s making $19m next season, to play next to the still-resilient Devin Booker. Have you heard of Tyler Johnson? He wasn’t even in Miami’s rotation. Aside from a Tyler Johnson tangent (he’s a lefty, did you know that? Do you care?), the Celtics are suddenly in a precarious position. Their All-Star point guard may join an old friend, or worse, take a Greyhound Bus down to New York. Their gem-of-a-trade-target has other options — or worse, may be traded for and then leave, depleting their assets. One of those assets (Tatum) may be desperate to leave. The architecture of the core is either horrendously overpriced (Average Al, MaxContract Hayward), or wants big money in free agency (Rozier, Marcus Morris Sr.). Hey, Daniel Theis looks pretty good though. But my money’s on the Brooklyn Nets knocking the Celtics out in seven. Jeremy Goldstein is a sophomore studying political science and film and media studies. Jeremy can be reached at jeremy.goldstein@tufts.edu.

12 tuftsdaily.com

Sports

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Men’s basketball stuns Middlebury in playoffs, eliminates top seed

EVAN SLACK / THE TUFTS DAILY

Junior guard and captain Eric Savage goes for a shot during Tufts’ 75–71 win over Wesleyan on Jan. 26. by Josh Steinfink Sports Editor

Tufts dethroned No. 25 Middlebury in the NESCAC tournament quarterfinal in Middlebury, Vt. on Saturday, taking down the NESCAC regular season champions 85–76. This is the first time in conference history that an eighth seed has knocked off a first seed, a remarkable feat for a team comprised mostly of underclassmen. Junior captain Eric Savage led the charge with 19 points, 10 rebounds and three assists on Saturday, lifting the team to its greatest height this year. “We did a great job of playing together especially in terms of rotating on defense to find shooters and then

rebounding to finish possessions,” he said. “That allowed us to keep the game close, and down the stretch, we rose to the occasion and made a little bit of history as the first [eighth] seed to beat a one seed in the NESCAC tournament.” Through the first half and deep into the second, no team led by more than five points. Around the 10-minute mark, Savage sank two free throws and sophomore guard Justin Kouyoumdjian increased the lead to four with a layup. After a Panther layup from Alex Sobel, first-year guard Carson Cohen sunk a three to put the Jumbos ahead, 26–21, with 7:38 left in the first half. First-year guard Tyler Aronson drained a three heading into the break,

putting the Jumbos ahead 41–39, and Savage hit one as well to open the second, but Middlebury hung stubbornly close throughout. With 4:08 remaining in the game, the Jumbos were down 72–71. Aronson wrestled his way to the free-throw line, sinking two to put the Jumbos up. He then followed with a layup on the next possession. After trading buckets with Middlebury, the Jumbos found themselves up by three on the Panthers, 77–74 with 2:07 left. They would not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game. Following misses by the Panthers as the clock ran down, sophomore guards Brennan Morris and Kouyoumdjian added a layup and two free throws to give the Jumbos a convincing 81–74

lead with 44 seconds left. Middlebury was only able to muster one more bucket while the Jumbos made two before time expired, punching in the 85–76 win. “I thought we did a great job of sharing the ball and pushing it in transition,” sophomore center Luke Rogers said. “Rebounding was a group effort for us and we tried to push it really hard in transition. A couple of players stepped up and hit some really big shots but at the end of the day we played really good team basketball.” In addition to Savage’s double-double, Aronson posted 17 points and five boards, with Morris adding 16 and Kouyoumdjian 11 to the total. see MEN'S BASKETBALL, page 11

Women’s squash prepares for Walker Cup showdown by Henry Molot

Contributing Writer

ALLISON CULBERT / THE TUFTS DAILY ARCHIVES

Junior Chloe Kantor returns the ball during the College Women’s National Team Championship on Feb. 18, 2018.

The Women’s College Squash Association National Championships kicks off this weekend on Feb. 22 in Hartford, Conn., the home of 13-time NESCAC champion Trinity. The Bantams split hosting duties with the nearby Wesleyan Cardinals of Middletown, Conn. through Feb. 24, when five champions will be crowned. The tournament is set up in a five division format; each division contains eight teams in a single-elimination bracket. This year, Tufts, 10–6, the overall No. 17 seed, holds the No. 1 seed in the C Division (also known as the Walker Cup), followed by divisional rivals Bates, Hamilton and Wesleyan. The NESCAC, considered the top women’s squash division next to the Ivy League, packs

eight teams into the 13–25 seeds in this year’s tournament, a sign of an evenly-matched conference. The one outlier from that bunch is the perennially dominant Trinity, which holds the No. 3 seed. Harvard sits atop the rankings with a perfect 10–0 record, while Princeton (13–1) holds the No. 2 seed. The Jumbos have scratched and clawed their way towards the middle of the NESCAC scrum since 2015, climbing from No. 26. in the nation to their current rank of No. 17. A Tufts victory over Amherst last week in the NESCAC tournament would have sent the Jumbos to the B Division, but the 6–3 loss to the No. 16 Mammoths (8–8) relegated the Jumbos to the C Division. Despite the disappointment, the top seeding in the C Division prosee WOMEN'S SQUASH, page 11