2015 fall issue 6

Page 1

INSIDE

BURLINGTON, VT

VTCYNIC.COM

VOL. 132

ISSUE 6

Horror Show

Culture Shock

Rally Cat

Artists display their twisted and dark styles through varied mediums

International student from Zambia shares her experiences at UVM

A look at the history of UVM’s mascot over the years

page 10 ARTS

page 7 LiFE

page 13 sports

W E D N E S DAY, O C T O B E R 7, 2 0 1 5

The

Word

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If you want some of Champlain Orchard’s apples and apple cider, but don’t feel like doing the work, UPB will be offering an apple tasting Monday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. Last chance to get the UVM discount on a Jay Peak season pass is Oct. 12. Instructions for ordering can be found at the UVM staff council’s website.

Tickets are still being sold to see Modest Mouse Monday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Burlington Memorial Auditorium. Visit highergroundmusic.com to buy yours.

Cheer on your fellow Catamounts this weekend when the women’s soccer team battles against UMaine in their home stadium Thursday at 3 p.m. and the women’s ice hockey team faces off against Clarkson University Friday at 7 p.m.

Crowds fill the Davis Center to listen to the UVM Foundation’s fundraising announcement Oct. 2. President Sullivan is at the podium. OLIVER POMAZI/The Vermont Cynic

Fundraising initiative begins Campaign will focus on hundreds of millions toward students and professorships BY Bryan O’Keefe bokeefe@uvm.edu

Add some spice to your life and attend beginner salsa lessons Oct. 13 at 10 p.m. at the Patrick Gym dance studio. Don’t miss the theater department’s last showing of “The 39 Steps”, Sunday, at 2 p.m. at the Royall Tyler Theater.

President Tom Sullivan announced the largest fundraising campaign in UVM history Oct. 2. “Move Mountains: The Campaign for The University of Vermont,” is a $500 million fundraising initiative designed to turn “passion into excel-

lence” on campus. “We are no longer going to be so quiet about our accomplishments,” Sullivan said, before announcing the large fundraising goal which is meant to be an investment in not just UVM, but the citizens of Vermont. The campaign will establish more endowed professorships, student scholarships, stateof-the-art facilities as well as expand existing programs and research, Rick Green, executive director of communications for the UVM Foundation, said. Along with enhancing campus facilities through projects like the STEM complex, UVM

will also be partnering with the University of Vermont Medical Center to help foster economic growth in Vermont through increased job opportunities and research, according to the UVM Foundation. Combined, UVM and the Medical Center employ the most people in Vermont, Green said. “There is an opportunity to really elevate this place through the goals of the campaign,” Green said. Deborah McAneny, chair of the board of trustees, was vocal in her appreciation of financial support from many faculty and staff of the University. The campaign has already received

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Men’s hockey loses their exhibition game by Alex benoit

The Word is a weekly collection of reminders, interesting events on campus, news items and more. Submit suggestions or comments to theword@vtcynic.com.

100 percent participation from donors, including the board of trustees, UVM Foundation, deans from every college and SGA. Roughly $247 million of the $500 million goal has already been raised, McAneny said. “The campaign, which will reshape UVM and propel us into the future is about investing in the people who make UVM great,” McAneny said.” She also reiterated the campaign’s goal of doubling the number of endowed professorships at UVM. Endowed professorships

apbenoit@uvm.edu

Since falling to the U.S. U-18 team Oct. 4, 2011, the men’s hockey team had not lost an exhibition game. Four years to the day, that changed. Men’s hockey was downed by Acadia University 2-1 in a game that combined chippy play and the penalty box being occupied for most of the game. “Undisciplined is the way I would describe the game,” head coach Kevin Sneddon said. “You don’t want to see that in a pre-season game.” “There weren’t a lot of Grade-A opportunities, but they had big plays — both goals were scored on big mistakes by us,” Sneddon said. Remy Giftopolous scored both goals for Acadia Axemen while junior Mario Puskarich was the lone goal scorer for the

The men’s hockey team lines up before their Oct. 4. exhibition game against Acadia University. DAYNA WYCKOFF/The Vermont Cynic Catamounts. Going into their regular season opener against the No. 9 University of Minnesota, Sneddon said there will be “a lot to work on.” Junior Mike Santaguida was

in the net for the Cats, and he echoed Sneddon’s comments in the postgame press conference. “There are a couple bad habits that some guys have, maybe holding onto the puck too long — that was probably the biggest

problem today, not moving the puck enough,” Santaguida said. The Catamounts begin their season playing five games against top-10 ranked teams in the University of Minnesota, the University of North Dakota, and the University of Nebraska Omaha. Even with the daunting schedule, Sneddon remains optimistic. “We’re focused on the dayto-day process right now and not looking at this stretch as five games,” Sneddon said. “Tuesday’s practice is what we’re focused on right now. We’re not going to look too far ahead.” Vermont will face off against the University of Minnesota Saturday Oct. 10 in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 8 p.m.


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NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015

SEPT. 22 — SEPT. 29

CRIMELog

THE VERMONT CYNIC

Jeanne Mance students walk far to dinner By miichelle phillips mphill15@uvm.edu

The residents of Jeane Mance Hall have had to walk almost a mile to get to a dining hall on evenings and weekends since the beginning of the school year. The closest unlimited dining hall is Cook Commons, which closes at 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and is not open on weekends. “It’s about efficiency,” Sodexo General Manager Melissa Zelazny said about Cook’s shorter hours. “Last year Cook served primarily Central Campus diners. [With the Chittenden Buckham Wills Complex torn down] it would only be serving about 50 students at dinner.” The majority of Jeanne Mance residents are underclassmen with unlimited dining plans and have to either go to Harris Millis, a 20-minute

Jeanne Mance

City Market

19 minute walk 1 Mile

12 minute walk 0.6 Miles

Harris Millis

(Top) A student makes a sandwich in Cook Commons Oct. 1. (Bottom) Map depicting the distances required to get to Harris Millis and City Market from Jeanne Mance. PHIL CARRUTHERS/The Vermont Cynic

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walk away, according to Google Maps, or The Marketplace in the Davis Center using the meal equivalency plan. The meal equivalency plan is available to all students with unlimited dining plans. A $6 breakfast, $10 lunch or $14 dinner can be counted as an “unlimited” swipe. That is, if the food you choose “looks like a meal,” first-year Aine Hardaker said. “It doesn’t count if you buy three drinks.” The Marketplace is still not what Jeanne Mance residents would call convenient. The Davis Center is just over half a mile from the dorm. “If I see people in the Marketplace, it’s not ‘how is your food?’ it’s ‘ugh, how was the walk?’” Resident Adviser Clarence Ng said. Making it over to Harris Millis is a night-long event, first-year Michael Daley said. “Dinner ends up being a two hour adventure,” he said.” I can either study or have dinner tonight; I’ve got to pick one.” Students said they don’t know what they will do when it gets cold. There is no bus to campus for Jeanne Mance residents until 6:30 p.m. On weekends, getting breakfast and lunch from UVM dining will most likely require bundling up to walk in the cold temperatures. “I anticipate people not eating dinner, skipping a meal or ordering in, which is inefficient budget-wise,” Ng said. Zelazny said that UVM dining is aware of the issue. They are “trying to figure out the best solution” and “looking at options,” she said. Some ideas include expanding the meal equivalency plan to Brennan’s which is open on the weekends, opening Cook for brunch on Sundays or allowing first-years living at Jeanne Mance to switch over to a points-only plan. Ng received an email about an ultimatum proposed by ResLife. They plan to survey an unspecified number of students about whether they would rather continue to have late night dining at Harris Millis or open Cook for longer operating hours. “The majority are going to pick late night while Jeanne Mance will vote for Cook because we need it, and it’ll just stir up battles between campuses,” Ng said. “It’s not going to be a good solution.” Students at Jeanne Mance say their dining options aren’t fair compared to other students. “We’re paying for unlimited, but it’s not unlimited, it’s very limited,” Daley said. “We shouldn’t be paying the same amount when we don’t really have unlimited.”

CORRECTIONS We are committed to accuracy in all of our work. If for some reason there is an error, please email us at corrections@vtcynic. com.

by Jill vaglica jvaglica@uvm.edu

SEPT. 24 11:56 A.M. Police reported someone had spray-painted in big blue letters “MPAJ” and a heart on a sculpture just outside the Fleming museum. 9:08 P.M. After a fire alarm went off in Jeanne Mance Hall, officers found a plastic bag covering the smoke detector in a student’s room. The students in the room have been referred to the Center for Student Ethics & Standards for tampering with the detector.

SEPT. 25 1:36 A.M. An officer confiscated liquor from a student smoking a cigarette outside the Living/ Learning Center. The student had been smoking a cigarette, which initially caught the officer’s attention, since UVM is now a tobaccofree campus. 9:47 P.M. Police confiscated liquor from students in a room in Wilks Hall after receiving a noise complaint. 11:57 P.M. A UVM police services officer driving along South Prospect street noticed a group of college-aged persons carrying a “no parking” sign. When the officer approached the group, they all dropped the sign and fled. Police returned the sign to Burlington Public Works.

SEPT. 26 9:50 P.M. During FallFest, security officers noticed a disoriented, drunk student, and contacted police. Police brought the student to ACT1, where the student was detoxed with a Blood Alcohol Concentration level of .143.

SEPT. 28 8:32 P.M. An employee at the Davis Center found the letter “T” which had been missing since the night of Sept. 26 from the large sign that reads “The University of Vermont” by Main Street and Beaumont Avenue.

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THE VERMONT CYNIC

NEWS

UVM police denied weapon request BPD opts out of miltary equipment program, UVM police denied military equipment by jill vaglica jvaglica@uvm.edu

The Burlington Police Department announced last week they will no longer receive military equipment. However, UVM police services are still tied to the government weapon program. Until this summer, the only items BPD has received through the military weapon program were two pairs of night vision goggles and a military truck, which it no longer operates, Brandon del Pozo, BPD chief, said at a July 13 Burlington City Council meeting. The 1033 program lets local and state police departments request surplus military gear, according to the Defense Logistics Agency’s website. “Sure, we didn’t have that much equipment to give back, but I still think that setting the right tone with Burlingtonians and Vermonters was important,” del Pozo said in a Sept. 30 Vermont Public Radio article. BPD has fired their weapons

Lt. Larry Magnant UVM police services

only twice in the last 15 years, del Pozo said at the city council meeting. In September 2012, UVM police services unsuccessfully tried to get military gear from

“We don’t have any humvees, we don’t have anything, we don’t have anything from the department of defense. We have some helmets, but they did not come from the department

Speaker Election Senior Senator Lillian Andrews was elected and sworn in as the speaker of SGA. UVM Voice Promotion When students submit a comment or concern to UVM, they will be entered in a raffle for a gift card. The Student Action Committee hopes this will increase the number of students who use UVM Voice, which is a way that students can reach out to SGA. Increase in Student Seating at Hockey Games The Student Action Committee is attempting to increase student seating available for home hockey games. 20-20 Vision By the end of this semester Junior SGA President Jason Maulucci plans to have each SGA committee develop a vision of what they want to achieve by the year 2020. Cook Commons Extends Hours Sophomore SGA Senator Bhumika Patel successfully worked to get Cook Commons dining hall to stay open until 3:30pm at the requests of students to extend its hours.

CAMPAIGN POLICE SERVICES

of defense,” Magnant said. In 2001, when UVM first applied to participate in the 1033 program, Gary Margolis, former chief of UVM police, said potential drug trafficking at the University was the reason for applying “The University of Vermont could be seen as a conduit for drug trafficking,” he said. “All of our officers deal with narcotic issues due to the population of the community we serve,” Margolis said. This community is located

in the biggest city in Vermont, next to a major interstate and is an open campus. This creates the possibility for narcotic trafficking, he said. “I don’t think UVM police should even have real guns, there’s no gun violence here,” junior Joseph Charles said. “I don’t believe any cops should have guns,” he said.

Concerned Burlington residents visit SGA By alexandra shannon amshanno@uvm.edu

Burlington residents who attended an SGA meeting said issues with alcohol, noise, vandalism and littering are getting worse. The majority of the residents have been living in Burlington for at least 10 years. The residents attended the Sept. 29 meeting after being invited by junior Vice President Tyler Davis . Davis has been developing plans to decrease the tension between students and permanent residents for over a year, as well as attending the local neighborhood planning assemblies. He said he thought this was a good step because residents had never previously been invited to a SGA meeting. “A lot of them just appreci-

ated the fact that they were invited,” Davis said. One woman described an incident where someone jumped on top of cars on her street. The roof of her car caved in, the windshield was smashed and her insurance increased, she said. Now she avoids parking on the street in fear that this could happen again. She said she believes this happened because of an intoxicated student. Bill Church, one of the residents who spoke at the meeting, said that because college students are only living in the neighborhoods for a year, it makes it difficult for permanent residents to get to know them. He also said that another factor preventing friendly relationships from being established is that students keep different hours.

SGA Updates amshanno@uvm.edu

UVM police services sent a weapon request through the 1033 miltary surplus program in 2012. DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY UVM

S E PT. 27

by alexandra shannon

the 1033 program, according to the Sept. 7, 2012 request form. “I think, ultimately, citizens will give us more leeway and more trust, and the benefit of the doubt in certain cases, if we’ve said from the beginning, ‘We’re a police force, not a military force,’” del Pozo said in the VPR article. UVM currently has no equipment from the 1033 program, according to the Oct. 27, 2014 UVM police weapon inventory. However, UVM police requested AimPoint red dots under the 1033 surplus program, according to the September 2012 request. “Mike Tkac from Hartford PD tells me that there is a program for Police Departments to get military ‘surplus’ AimPoint red dots,” Sgt. Brandon King from UVM police services said in an email sent to Randall Gates, the law enforcement support office program coordinator for the Vermont National Guard. “I would be interested in finding out how we can take advantage of this program if you can help us out with details,” King wrote. King’s request did not yield any results, UVM police Lt. Larry Magnant said. “We never got the red dots,” he said.

We never got the red dots. We don’t have any humvees, we don’t have anything, we don’t have anything from the department of defense

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W E D N E S DAY, O C T O B E R 7, 2 015

Debra Roseman, also a community member, said the main issue is the consumption of alcohol and how it makes students act.

SGA senators expressed their appreciation of the residents attending the meeting and shared ideas about how to resolve the tension.

Even as a college student you sympathize with the fact that you’re woken up at three in the morning and there’s nothing you can do about it Junior Tyler Davis SGA Vice President

When students were moving in, Roseman introduced herself and said she would confront them if a problem arose before calling the police. However, it has gotten to a point where calling the police is the only option, she said. “I don’t like calling the police, but that’s what I do,” Roseman said.

“After the meeting I had people from just about every committee telling me that they wanted to work more at this,” Davis said. “Even as a college student you sympathize with the fact that you’re woken up at three in the morning and there’s nothing you can do about it,” he said.

STORY CONTINUED FROM pg. 1 are professorships where the money for that professor has come from a donation, and that professor’s salary either comes from the principle donation or the interest made off of the donation. Of the money raised for the “Move Mountains” initiative, 60 percent will be spent on endowed chairs and professorships, as well as increased scholarships for students, Sullivan said. With this money, Sullivan hopes that “no student is denied access to the great doors of this University.” “I kind of just stumbled upon the announcement while walking through the Davis Center, but it was really cool,” sophomore Erin Okrant said. “I’m really proud to go to a school that is willing to invest so much in its students and faculty.” Sullivan also announced the largest single donation in the history of UVM: a $20 million contribution to the UVM school of business by Steven Grossman, a graduate of the class of 1961 and former CEO of Southern Container Corp., according to the UVM Foundation. This donation to the newly renamed Grossman School of Business will fund three endowed academic positions and provide resources to the school with the goal of elevating the undergraduate business program nationally. “I hope this donation helps make my degree more valuable,” junior business major Kristen Roche said. “I’ve always felt like I was receiving a rigorous education at UVM, and hopefully this campaign will help reflect the quality of learning we get here.”


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THE VERMONT CYNIC

NEWS

W E D N E S DAY, O C T O B E R 7, 2 015

Mayor, provost meet with students by kelsey neubauer kaneubau@uvm.edu

New downtown housing for students was just one of the topics discussed at a coffee hour this week. UVM students met with Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger and UVM Provost David Rosowsky Sept. 28 to speak about the relationship between the city and the University. The discussion focused on how both the University and the city can create a better life for students at UVM. “There is a certain partnership that says we can go further together than we can apart,” Rosowsky said. He said that he and the mayor hope to create a dialogue between students, the University and the city. “It is this shared ethos that has kept the University and the city very tightly aligned,” Ro-

ensure better quality of life for students off-campus. Weinberger said there are plans to provide better and cheaper housing for students. “We have come together and said let’s build 1,500 beds that can accommodate more than half the off-campus housing students and take the strain off the downtown area within the next few years,” he said. Weinberger said more on-campus housing will create a more competitive market downtown, holding landlords more accountable for their tenants. In addition to the new on-campus housing at UVM, Rosowsky detailed future plans for the graduate students living in the Ethan Allen apartments, which will be sold to the Champlain Housing Trust later this year, according to a Sept. 9 Cynic article. Rosowsky said UVM will

There is a certain partnership that says we can go further together than we can apart David Rosowsky Provost

sowsky said. Sophomore Lachlan Francis, chair of the SGA’s Committee on Legislative Action, said this event is important in helping solve issues facing the community. SGA President junior Jason Maulucci questioned whether anything was being done to

help Ethan Allen residents transition to new housing. “A big part of this decision is we need to make sure the stipend we give to graduates is high enough to allow them to live downtown, given that our apartment levels are higher than the national average,” he said.

by john riedel jpriedel@uvm.edu

Miro Weinberger, mayor of Burlington, is pictured in his office Feb. 20. BECCA ADAMS/The Vermont Cynic Rosowsky said he would like to involve UVM engineering alumni in the construction of the new STEM complex. “There is no reason we cannot find opportunities for UVM alum during this construction,” he said.The mayor and provost said they would like to hold informal chats with students more often.

“It was great to have Mayor Weinberger on campus,” Francis said. “The mayor and provost were made accessible to students and were able to answer questions about some of the biggest challenges our community faces.” Francis said he felt that through this event, student voices were heard and given a

Flooding in Lafayette disrupts geology lab by caroline alkire calkire@uvm.edu

A urinal on the third floor men’s bathroom of Lafayette overflowed, endangering computers and equipment in a downstairs geology lab room Sept. 17. UVM’s physical plant, the department in charge of repairs and maintenance of academic and housing buildings, responded to the issue. Most students were in class and unaware of the flooding since it happened at about 4:30 p.m., said Sal Chiarelli, director of the physical plant. “The cause of the flood is still unknown. It can be malicious, accidental, equipment failure, or in most cases, operator error,” he said. “In this case, as well as many other cases we’ve seen, the exact cause is not known as individuals involved usually do not stick around.” The flooding in the building affected classes in session at the time. Geography professor Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux was teaching in the Geography Geospatial Technologies lab located in Lafayette 203, immediately below the men’s bathroom, when the flood occurred. “I was teaching my Satellites, Weather and Climate program to K-12 teachers at

Students work in a geology lab in Lafayette Oct. 2. Waste from the bathroom leaked through the ceiling tiles into the classroom below. The tiles have been replaced. RYAN THORNTON/The Vermont Cynic the time,” said Dupigny-Giroux. “The ceiling leak lasted for about 40 minutes during which time I contacted both the flood emergency number and Police Services.” Dupigny-Giroux and her colleagues were able to prevent damage to the lab’s equipment. “There was no damage to the computers or lab furniture because we were able to move those out of the way,” she said. As the urinal leak was fixed within hours, most students were unaware of the incident. “I didn’t hear about the flood at all,” sophomore Silas

Wording of CatAlert is cause for an apology by police

Pierpont-Hale said. “Most of my classes are in Lafayette, but I wouldn’t have been around to see it happen.” The restroom was opened, sanitized and available for use early Friday morning. It was closed for no more than an hour or two, said Guy Shane, the University’s academic, administrative and athletic zone manager. Concerns about mold spreading into Lafayette classrooms were debunked by Shane, who confirmed that there has not been any mold in this restroom.

Chiarelli wasn’t concerned about the leak. “These types of issues routinely occur when you have 15,000 people on campus every day operating toilets, sinks, showers, urinals and water fountains,” he said. Because of the quick cleanup and repair work done by custodial staff, Dupigny-Giroux’s lab was able to be used again later in the week, and her class did not lose any time.

A UVM CatAlert about a sexual assault providing tips to avoid being a victim of sexual assault was sent Sept. 28 The message, about an incident that happened at FallFest Sept. 26, prompted an apology from UVM police. The UVM community received an email from Chief of UVM police services Lianne Tuomey, apologizing for the wording of the message. “The wording in the CatAlert was significantly inappropriate as it served to insinuate that a victim may be partially to blame for not preventing sexual assault or misconduct,” according to the email. SGA vice president, junior Tyler Davis, said he was first informed about the error by Director of Student Life Patrick Brown. “I think he had been looking at and compiling sources throughout the day and he saw that one of our senators, Alyssa Johnson had drafted a resolution for that evening regarding the email wording,” Davis said. SGA changed the resolution to show that they support the response by UVM police services to the wording error, Davis said. “The use of the word ‘totally’ in relation to the victim made it sound like it would not be totally the victim’s fault implied some level would fall on part of the victim,” Davis said. “[The SGA] body, and I personally, feel it’s not appropriate for such a message from Police Services,” he said. Davis said he felt Toumey’s email was a “warranted but respectful response on their part.” Brown expressed similar sentiments about Toumey’s email. “Chief Toumey’s email was very appropriate for the situation,” Brown said “It is always a concern when any message puts full or partial responsibility of sexual misconduct or assault on the victim or survivor.” Toumey’s email cited the error as being taken from an outside source, put into the CatAlert, and not edited before the CatAlert was sent out. “I, as the chief of UVM police services, take full responsibility for this error. I am deeply sorry for this mistake, and for this critical error,” Toumey’s email stated. The CatAlert has been edited and updated with the error removed. It is available online through a link in Toumey’s email.


OPINION

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015 THE VERMONT CYNIC

S TA F F E D I T O R I A L

UVM Foundation steps up to the plate The foundation organized the largest fundraising campaign in our history. The main beneficiary — the people As the money for public higher education starts to dry up, public institutions have turned to the successful model of public-private partnerships to stay relevant. This past week, our relationship with the UVM Foundation has never been more public. The UVM Foundation, established in 2011, has been in the spotlight for good reason — $500 million will be invested in our community, largely thanks to their work. An investment is ultimately a statement of priority. If the money is followed, the question of where the University is, and where it wants to go, can be quantitatively answered. With the announcement that threefifths of this campaign will be invested directly in people — scholarships and endowed professorships — the campus should heave a huge sigh of relief. For the Cynic, the relief stems from the realization that the people who lead the University have their priorities in the right place. With mounting criticism

that the American university is starting to look more like a corporation, President Sullivan’s assurance that “no student is denied entrance to the great doors of this University” comes at the right time and with the right message. Fancy new buildings and aggressive public relations are only facades. It’s the people that matter at a university.

overdue but concerted effort by the university system to alleviate pervasive concerns over the cost of tuition relative to the value one derives from a degree. Another shift that this represents is a shift of some financial allocation from the state of Vermont and administrators to donors, who are mostly wealthy alumni. The benefits to such a part-

With the announcement that threefifths of this campaign will be invested directly in people — scholarships and endowed professorships — the campus should take a huge sigh of relief

All the jargon that the Foundation and top administrators have been using — public ivy, excellence, prestige — is empty without the people that make it so. The UVM Foundation has soared in the past four years of its existence. It’s actually a wonder how UVM remained relevant without them. Both the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire have similar private foundations, and both have been around for much longer than ours. Perhaps there’s an advantage to learning from the mistakes of others. What this investment represents, on a larger scale, is long

nership are everywhere: the University is afforded financial flexibility, credit stability, lower costs and shorter time-lines for vital projects. Additionally, it gives alumni another avenue through which to participate in the affairs of the school from which they graduated, granting them the ability to support the programs and opportunities they appreciate the most. Their generosity will increase UVM’s prestige and support its educational opportunities for generations to come.

Staff editorials officially reflect the views of the Vermont Cynic. Signed opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily do so. The Cynic accepts letters in response to anything you see printed as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. The Cynic reserves the right to edit letters for length and grammar. Please send letters to opinion@vtcynic.com.

Illustration by ALYSSA HANDELMAN

Letter to the Editor

A Vermonter’s two-cents on Bernie Sanders

A

s a two-term UVM student body president, a lifelong Vermont resident and a 2006 volunteer for Bernie Sanders’ bid for the U.S. Senate, the meteoric rise of our junior senator in the 2016 Democratic primary race and the constant Facebook posts from friends and former colleagues have prompted a desire to correct the record about Sanders from a “real” Vermont perspective. It’s well-proven that Vermonters like incumbents; we’re too busy working to focus every two years on our gubernatorial or congressional elections. If you throw a wet paper towel at the wall long enough, chances are it’ll stick. But we are also a group that likes accomplishments, and proven success instead of mere rhetoric. Bernie Sanders has proven that his paper towel stuck on the wall of Burlington after he moved here in 1968 – from New York – and subsequently ran for governor and senator, ultimately settling for mayor of Burlington 13 years later after being a carpenter and “filmmaker.” Position brings notoriety, notoriety brings position. Sanders has captivated

many – even myself when I was 15 – with his optimistic rhetoric about an American utopia where everyone need not and we fight against “corporate greed.”

It's well-proven that Vermonters like incumbents; we're too busy working to focus every two years on our gubernatorial or congressional elections I am, however, not 15 anymore, and realize that there’s a difference between blaming the system and taking responsibility for ourselves. In the near-two decades that Bernie’s been in Congress, however, I can’t name a single thing he’s done for Vermont. It appears people just like him for proposing idealistic items. I’d like to point out one of Bernie’s proposals, because it’s particularly relevant to this publication and its audience. Namely, the proposal to fund free

higher education in the U.S. at all four-year public universities. It’s a great idea, and I wholeheartedly agree that education should be more accessible. My problem comes in the funding mechanism of “taxing Wall Street.” Tax the greedy companies, funded by idiotic consumers, to educate consumers, right? It’s logic, however, that if you artificially decrease a firm’s revenue that they would be incentivized to find some way to increase it. Sanders plans to fine “financial transactions,” predominantly equity trading, to fund his higher education tuition plan. But day-traders would then be incentivized to increase the volume of trading to account for the loss in revenue, thus increasing stock turnover and market volatility. Why wouldn’t Sanders simply propose a measure to contain higher education costs rather than utilize increasingly volatile market revenue? It’s curious to think that increased education spending would fare in a Congress that consistently seeks to reduce federal education spending. And for someone proposing such

bold new legislation on higher education, why has only 9 percent of his proposed legislation in Congress been related to education? Perhaps because he doesn’t know how to collaborate. People seem to forget that the United States’ government

mandate. Heck, no member of Congress has even endorsed him. He’d have to work with a Congress that is currently wildly opposed to many of his proposed policies. Good luck with that. As a Vermonter, I would rather vote for a successful

Ideological differences exist between the public and Congress today, sure, but the largest problem we have with government in recent times is their failure to work together. If elected, Bernie Sanders wouldn't have a mandate

is specifically designed so as to not give any one elected official or party a “mandate” from the electorate. The U.S. isn’t the UK. It is designed to force people of difference to discuss and disagree, but to also compromise. Ideological differences exist between the public and Congress today, sure, but the largest problem we have with government in recent times is their failure to work together. If elected, Bernie Sanders wouldn’t have a

moderate with some baggage than a career-less ideologue who’s done nothing to improve the lives of average Vermonters.

Sincerely, Connor Daley Former UVM Student


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THE VERMONT CYNIC

OPINION

W E D N E S DAY, O C T O B E R 7, 2 015

UVM police services blame victim Caroline Decunzo CDECUNZO@UVM. EDU

U

VM police services recently sent an email to all UVM students regarding a reported sexual assault at UVM FallFest. Reporting an instance of sexual assault, particularly to police, can be a traumatic and challenging experience, and I want to commend the person who had the courage to report their assault. One of the many reasons reporting sexual assault and rape is so challenging (68 percent of sexual assaults are not reported, according to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network — RAINN), is because of the pervasive and threatening manifestation of our beloved Rape Culture, which consistently blames victims and holds them responsible for being assaulted or raped. When victims are blamed for their rape, the conversation around sexual assault often veers into darker waters; an endless list of precautions one should take, including changing dress, behavior, company, alcohol consumption, geography, transportation and even nail polish that detects date rape drugs. This endless rape prevention task list distracts from discussions of how to support victims of assault, how to create safe spaces that are free from risk of rape and assault, and how to hold rapists accountable for their actions, primarily, for raping and assaulting people. Victim blaming doesn’t al-

ways take form with accusations that “she was asking for it,” but can often be subtler insinuations about blame, responsibility and safety.

forming people), we tend to accumulate a long list of behaviors to follow or to avoid to prevent rape, instead of talking about the actual cause of rape, rapists

Reporting an instance of sexual assault, particularly to police, can be a traumatic and challenging experience, and I want to commend the person who had the courage to report their assault This is why I was so disheartened and angry when I opened an email from UVM police services reporting a sexual assault at FallFest. After describing the suspect in question and the incident, UVM Police graciously provided their readers with a helpful list of “tips” that can help victims stay safe. The author(s) of the email included the caveat that “it is never a victim’s total responsibility to prevent an assault,” which got me wondering how exactly one could calculate their level of responsibility. Should there be a percent blame that victims are labeled with? Does drinking and not calling an Uber make one 35 percent more responsible for their rape then if they had been in a “safer” space during their assault? Is a lone person, not following police services’ tip number three of using a buddy system, more responsible for being raped than someone in a crowded room? This is part of the danger of this rhetoric; when we focus on modifying people’s behavior (specifically ciswomen, transwomen and gender non-con-

(duh). Not to mention that a list providing tips like “use the buddy system,” “don’t leave your drink unattended” and “considering asking a trusted friend for a ride home” read as condescending and trite; I would argue that ciswomen, transwomen and gender non-conforming people are well aware of the risks they face going out, have heard all of these helpful hints before and do not need consultation from UVM police providing useless information about sexual assault prevention. Especially when we consider that the four out of five sexual assaults are not committed by a stranger at a bar, but are committed by a friend or acquaintance of the victim, according to RAINN. Another reason I find this email and its content so exasperating is because like much of the public discourse regarding sexual assault and rape, UVM’s “prevention efforts” continue to ignore the roles of power in instances of sexual assault and rape. Reem Rosenhaj wrote an excellent post on rape and power and consent, which indirectly critiques education efforts that

don’t take power dynamics into account when talking about rape. Rape is not always the product of lust or attraction or desire; rape is inextricably linked to power and dominance, and while there are safe and consensual ways to explore intimate power relations, rape is clearly not one of them. Earlier in this piece, I mentioned “our beloved Rape Culture.” It is personally frustrating how frequently I feel I need to come out publicly to once again demand an end to victim blaming and victim shaming language. And while it’s frustrating, it’s not unexpected. We are presented with this victim blaming rhetoric on the daily, as a direct result of a culture that presents non-male bodies as accessible and available and as able to be dominated.

Victim blaming doesn't always take form with accusation that "she was asking for it," but can often be subtler insinuations about blame, responsibility and safety UVM hosts an excellent annual conference, Dismantling Rape Culture, that can serve as a helpful educational tool for examining this concept in further depth.

I invite UVM police services, UVM administrators, students, faculty, staff and community members to educate yourselves and seek resources from critical sources about rape and rape culture. I have some strong thoughts on total responsibility for the author(s) of this email: you are responsible for your words, you are responsible for your ignorance and you are responsible for the impact your shaming email has had on the 25 percent of college women raped or assaulted who read this email. I deeply hope a reiteration of this article next semester isn’t necessary, though I certainly have my doubts. And finally, to all victims of sexual assault, rape, abuse, and violence: it is not your fault. It is never your fault. For support, seek out friends or loved ones, the UVM victims advocate Judy Rickstad, HOPE Works, UVM Counseling and Psychiatry Services or, if you feel comfortable doing so, UVM police. Depending on your race, sexual orientation, class or other identities you hold, the police may not feel like the safest avenue for support. Though there is a lot of work to be done in creating community accountability processes that support victims of assault and abuse external to police systems, some great support resources do exist.

Caroline DeCunzo is a senior global studies major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2012.

UVM preacher should opine somewhere else Aleah Gatto APGATTO@UVM.EDU

A

few weeks ago, I was walking through the quad when I saw a middle-aged man standing on a rock, yelling, waving his arms around and holding a black leather Bible in his hand. A throng of college students had formed around him, and for a moment I thought they were actually being touched by whatever radical revelations he was spitting at them. Then a young man jumped onto the rock and began twerking behind him, and the whole crowd laughed. Despite this public mockery, the religious man continued to power through his speech. He was talking about how our professors will not give us the answers we are looking for. He said that they are filling our heads with the wrong messages, and that there is only one place where we can find the truth. He then slapped his Bible and held it up, like Rafiki holding up Simba in “The Lion

King”: over his head, so that the black leather shone in the sunlight. Not long after the twerking boy, another man hopped onto a rock on the other side of the walkway. Facing the crowd, he began lecturing on something he claimed to be the ultimate truth. This truth, which was revealed as his speech went on, had to do with the nutritional value of milk. In other words, this man was satirizing the efforts of the radical Christian, and he proved to be much more successful in captivating the audience. Many people turned to the new speaker. Others in the mass began to audibly criticize the Christian man. One girl turned around, cupped her hands to her mouth and yelled, “If all people are supposed to be equal, then why does the Bible say we should burn women?” This got a stampede of applause from those around her that drowned out the voice of the Christian man. In response to this contention, the veins bulged out on his neck; he was red as a tomato about to burst. In a high, exasperated voice, he

squealed, “It does not say that!” Amidst the congregation between the two yelling men, I found myself standing between two halves of our big, bellicose nation. In one half, you could say whatever you wanted. In the other half, you could accept the fact that all people have different opinions on things, especially those concerning such controversial and inconclusive topics like religion. So then, was it okay for the Christian to stand up on a rock in the middle of the quad and begin sharing his creed? Or was it inconsiderate and slanderous? He certainly did not go about telling his theology in the right way. He bravely stood in the middle of an extremely liberal college campus and denounced the very teachings of the university. He was not being kind, either. His passion was overcome by his forcefulness. Apparently, no one ever told him that shoving the Bible down peoples’ throats is not the best way to gain approval. When someone shouts at you, your natural response is not to be accepting. Christianity is the largest

Illustration by DANA ELLEMAN

religion in the world. It needs no introduction. To defend this man would be the same thing as delcaring “White Lives Matter” after “Black Lives Matter” when the whole point of the “Black Lives Matter” campaign is to raise awareness about the injustices being done to the black community in our country. People are already aware of Christianity, although many people form their opinions about it based on misinformation or ignorance. If you are a Christian, it is perfectly alright to properly inform people of what you believe Christianity is all about.

That is your entitlement: to be able to speak without shame or fear. Portraying yourself as someone who is pretentious and arrogant, thinking you have the only rational opinion, does not lie within those bounds. Radical Christian man who suffocated us with your surly remarks, I speak directly to you: next time you want to get people to listen to you, show a little more respect, have a little more grace and a little less saliva. Aleah Gatto is a first-year English major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2015.


LIFE

7

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015 THE VERMONT CYNIC

Africa to Vermont: a students journey One international student shares her experience of coming to America and studying at the University of Vermont By emilee conroe Econroe@uvm.edu

Of the 739 international students at UVM, there is only one from the Republic of Zambia. In fact, Nkandu Yumbe believes she may be the only Zambian in Burlington. A sophomore double majoring in biology and international and community development, Yumbe said she first discovered Vermont through a picture in her high school guidance counselor’s office. However, she says life in America has been an adjustment.

On life in Zambia “I live in Lusaka, the biggest city in Zambia,” Yumbe said. “If I had to describe it, it’s our commercial hub, where all the town centers are. It’s a lively city, super friendly.” However, Yumbe said Zambia’s poverty rate is one of the highest in the world. 60.5 percent of the population is below the poverty line, according to the CIA World Factbook. “People in school there are in school because they have to be, there is no plan B,” she said. Yumbe said that Zambians highly value education. “It’s a way for them to help their families and raise their standard of living, not to mention quality education is so scarce,” she said.

The Decision to Study in the U.S. Yumbe said she traveled a lot as she was growing up and was part of the International School System, changing countries and schools every few years. “I always knew I was going to go somewhere else [for college] and I had my mind set on Dubai or Australia, but I realized I wanted to do something different and not be predictable with my life,” Yumbe said. “I wanted to go where I’ve never been before and be with people I had no connections with,” she said. Three years ago, Yumbe didn’t even know Vermont existed. “I was in my counselor’s office and was having one of those days where nothing was making sense and I saw a picture of Vermont in the fall and said ‘that’s a nice painting’,” Yumbe said. “My counselor said, ‘it’s not a painting, it’s a picture’ and I was like, what, let me go there.” Yumbe did her research and discovered UVM and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “I just believe that when things make sense you should go with them, if nothing’s wrong it must be going right,” she said.

(Top) Sophomore Nkandu Yumbe studies outside of Bailey Howe Oct. 2. (Bottom left) The natural beauty of Zambia is pictured. (Bottom right) Yumbe poses outside of South Luangwa National Park. EVA BARTELS/The Vermont Cynic, ZAMBIA PHOTOS COURTESY OF NKANDU YUMBE

America Suburbs, kids playing sports, moms baking cookies and families at BBQs are some of the images Yumbe said her international friends have of America.

The news in America can make you feel like the world is ending Nkandu Yumbe Sophomore

“A lot of my international friends have this idea of America based off of a paradigm that the media sets,” Yumbe said. “I hate the term BBQs, they’re called ‘braii’ in Zambia. America isn’t the real world.” Yumbe has lived in England, Holland and South Africa, but said America is its own bubble. “Everything you taste, eat and see in America has been filtered for you,” she said. “The news in America can make you feel like the world is ending,” Yumbe said. “Urban Outfitters and clothing brands like that baffle me, the way people dress they think is individual but it’s all from a huge machine,” she said.

Yumbe said that in her native language, Bemba, there is a word ‘ubuntu,’ meaning “your people.” “The people, who regardless of what they say or do, you are loyal to. It’s a caring for other people, like extreme altruism. When you grow up with these ideas in your language and then come to America where it’s all about me, me, me, it’s wild,” Yumbe said.

The Biggest Shocks “I think the idea of Burlington being liberal and of mixed population is a misconception,” Yumbe said. “Yes, UVM is pretty mixed, but I feel like peoples’ frames of mind aren’t as open as they’d like to believe,” she said. Yumbe is also shocked by the lack of independence she has seen here. “I’m from the Bemba tribe, so independence is something that is expected,” she said. “When you move out of your parents house, you’re your own person and you’re responsible for your own decisions.” Yumbe said many of her American friends seem to be very sheltered. “Their parents send them cookies every weekend, they’re 20-year-old people and their

parents still come and visit, when something goes wrong they get sent money,” Yumbe said. “My mom just got Facebook this year and she pokes me and messages me sometimes. That’s it.”

International Student “Someone asked me once if I had survived the genocide in Rwanda. Like, what?” Yumbe said. “There’s interest, but no one asks the right questions. There’s not enough information here for people to ask the right questions.” Being at UVM has made Yumbe more self-aware and “severely independent,” she said. “I have no time to play the victim or sit down and cry for myself,” she said. Yumbe said UVM is trying to increase the number of international students it has enrolled, but one of the biggest concerns she has is that the Office of International Education isn’t part of Student Life. “It makes incoming internationals feel that you’re automatically different, this thing which has to be merged into the regular,” she said. “There’s no social filter for internationals, and it explains a lot, like why you see internationals making little packs,” she

said. Yumbe said more recognition from the Office of International Education is “important,” and feels she always has to do just a bit of extra work in everything she does to get the same outcome as U.S. students do. “It’s okay to be foreign, but no one wants to feel foreign,” she said.

The Future “I feel like I have a very unique place in the universe right now, I owe it to myself to create pathways for young Zambian girls,” Yumbe said. “I’m a rarity, because the pathway to education and international travel is so restricted and expensive, so creating opportunities for girls in Africa in general is really important to me,” she said. Yumbe wants future international students to feel a sense of belonging at their schools and to have pride in themselves. “But that has to come from everyone, there needs to be a paradigm shift. Stop thinking of people as foreign or talking to them like it’s an investigation, they’re just people,” she said.


8

THE VERMONT CYNIC

LIFE

W E D N E S DAY, O C T O B E R 7, 2 015

UVM ranked ‘top bang for buck’ By Camilla Broccolo cbroccol@uvm.edu

UVM is a top “bang for your buck school,” according to Washington Monthly magazine, but some students don’t agree with the ranking. “The term ‘bang for your buck’ means you get the best deal for what you pay,” sophomore Claire Charde said. “I really don’t think $53,864 is a great deal.” The “Best Bang for the Buck” list was published in Washington Monthly and included 402 other schools in the Northeast. UVM was ranked No. 15. The rankings were based off of the “net” price including financial aid, graduation rates and whether or not students are able to earn enough to pay off their student loans, according to Washington Monthly. Stacey Kostell, vice president of Enrollment Management, said the rankings are directed toward families looking at different universities and colleges around the U.S. and trying to find where their tuition money would be best used. This data was taken from previous years tuition rates and statistics.

I love UVM but I know it was not a practical choice moneywise. Sierra Matika Sophomore

The ranking also considers the retention rate, graduate rate, graduate student income, academic achievements, admission rates, percentage of pell grant

students and student loan default rates from the University. “UVM’s graduation rate and retention rates are higher than projected,” Kostell said. “We have a low loan default rate and the average tuition for Vermonters is relatively low.” UVM’s graduation rate performance percentage is about 5 percent, which Kostell said is higher than the rankings average. “An indicator they use is the graduation rate performance which says based on the students who are admitted to the university, what is their academic performance, GPA, SAT and ACT scores and other factors, it tells you what your graduation rate should be and UVM actually outperforms that,” Kostell said. However, this number is not as impressive to some students. “5.3 percent sounds pretty low,” Charde said. “I think that this ranking has too many factors to consider, especially with students choosing alternative post-grad plans.” Other students, like sophomore Sierra Matika, agree that the criteria is too broad for such a specific ranking. “If you major in something pre-professional or something UVM is known for, you are likely to get a good job right out of college,” Matika said. “I think it’s hard to claim an entire school is affordable for people when so many factors apply per person,” she said. For some, finding a job after graduation is a scary topic. “I know a lot of people who graduated last year and are still looking for jobs, and it makes me nervous,” senior Tom Addison said. The total cost of tuition and fees for the 2015-2016 school year for out-of-state students is

$53,864 and it is $31,000 for instate. “As an out-of-state student, I chose to go here and pay more than I have to for the same education as in-state students,” Matika said. “I love UVM but I know it wasn’t a practical choice money-wise.” Addison said that he can see

As it looks right now, I will not be getting the bang for your buck experience because I will be riddled with debt Claire Charde Sophomore

where the money goes and enjoys using “some of the nicest spaces on campus every day.” For other students, it is hard to see exactly where their tuition money goes. “In some ways I feel that our tuition money goes to things we need, such as the new construction and resources provided to us,” Matika said. “However, I can point out things on a daily basis and say ‘that’s where my tuition money is going’ while rolling my eyes,” she said. Although the outcomes of the price of tuition may not be clear for some yet, students like Charde are hopeful it will be evident in the future. “I’m only a sophomore, I don’t know what the future holds but I have seen the opportunity that is available at UVM and I am excited to take advantage of it,” Charde said.

Stacey Kostell, vice president of Enrollment Managment, is pictured. UVM was ranked a top “bang for your buck school” by Washington Monthly. PHOTO COURTESY OF SHARON HAAS “But as it looks right now, I will not be getting the bang for your buck experience because I will be riddled in debt,” she said. The Washington Monthly list was rounded out by the City University of New York Queens College, ranked fifth, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, ranked fourth, CUNY Lehman College, ranked 3rd, Rutgers University-Camden, ranked second. CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College was ranked as the “Best Bang for the Buck” school. UVM was also recently mentioned in two different lists focused on college affordability.

The U.S. Department of Education mentioned UVM in their College Scoreboard as the only college or university in Vermont whose average cost is below that of the national average, and graduation rate and average after-graduation earnings above the national average. UVM was also ranked 59th out of 179 schools on the New York Times’ College Access Index as top colleges which are doing the most to help make college accessible to students who come from low-income households.

Study Abroad

Freshers’ Week: a week packed with music, alcohol and fun parties HUnter Colvin HCOLVIN@UVM. EDU

L

ast week was probably the craziest week of my life. The British have a thing called “Freshers’ Week,” which is basically a week-long party. And when I say party I mean party, with famous DJs and more alcohol than anyone should consume. During the day, there are activities like paintballing, kayaking or beach trips. You know those things around Burlington that you always want to do, but never seem to get around to? I’m talking about taking a tour of the Lake Champlain Chocolates factory, visiting the Shelburne Museum or going apple picking and eating as much pie and cider doughnuts as you can. These are the types of trips we went on. The ones that, as a resident of your great city, you feel like you should do, but haven’t yet.

That’s why something like Freshers’ Week is amazing. You get to do all those things that require the car, planning skills and money that you don’t necessarily have. Nightime is a whole different story. Each night there is a party with a different theme. I have walked around the city dressed as a giraffe, a French woman, an American and a panda. All of these events are sponsored and paid for by the university. All you have to do is buy the wristband and whatever alcohol you’re drinking. So for £69, which is about $100, I have gotten food, museum admission, free transportation to and from local parks and access to the hottest clubs, DJs and bands in England. We even got to take a tour of St. James Park, home of the Newcastle United football (aka soccer) team. That was incredible. They showed us everything from the top of the stadium to the locker rooms that players use on game day.

St James’ Park, home of the Newcastle United football team, is pictured in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. HUNTER COLVIN/The Vermont Cynic We even got to walk through the tunnel onto the pitch to the players’ entrance song, “Local Hero” by local musician Mark Knopfler. If you know how serious Europeans take soccer, you will understand how big of a deal that was. The only way I can describe

Freshers’ Week is if you turned the Outing Club into a frat and then gave them a week to do whatever they want. Literally whatever. That is Freshers’ Week. So while you have been taking midterms and writing essays, I have been dancing on tables in German beer halls.

And I have to say, I like my week a little bit better than yours.

Hunter Colvin is a senior history major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2015.


THE VERMONT CYNIC

LIFE

W E D N E S DAY, O C T O B E R 7, 2 015

Exploring the importance of touch Marissa Lanoff MLANOFF@UVM. EDU

S

tand-up comedian Chelsea Peretti has a sketch in which she tells the audience she found a new method for people who don’t like being “touchy” to handle “huggers” at parties. She suggests that when someone approaches you with wide-open arms, going in for the hug, grab their hands and start jumping up and down excitedly to avoid the embrace. Though talented and beautiful, Peretti, in this instance, is wrong. Social contact is vital for general health. The effect of touch has been studied extensively and the positive impact it has on others may shock you. “We live in a ‘touch-phobic’ society,” said Matthew Hertenstein, a DePauw University psychologist. “Most of us, whatever our relationship status, need more human contact than we’re getting.” An encouraging touch from a teacher on the back is correlated with students that are twice as likely to volunteer in class, according to New York Times writer Benedict Carey. Touch is also associated

with patients who believed that their doctors appointment lasted longer than it actually did when accompanied with a compassionate touch. It doesn’t have to be overly intimate. A simple handshake, a pat on the back or hug can have a significant impact on your overall wellbeing. A kind touch can set off the release of oxytocin, the hormone that not only reduces cortisol but also helps to create a feeling of closeness and trust. Oxytocin also has other countless benefits including better sleep, reduction of tension and pain, reduced irritability and even higher chances of orgasm. Studies have found even insignificant touches yield bigger tips for waitresses and strangers

It communicates a deeper meaning, says what words often cannot and reminds us that deep down we are social creatures begging for a meaningful connection. “I feel like when I get super excited about someone or something I want to hug whoever I’m with,” sophomore Sarah Heft said. “People make everything so inherently sexual though. I get it, if you don’t want to be touched, but sometimes you just need a hug you know,” Heft said. There are times when what we feel simply cannot be expressed in words. The extremes of any emotion are often best conveyed with the language of touch. There is no better way to show true support for some-

Most of us, whatever our relationship status, need more human contact than we're getting.

are more likely to help someone if a gentle touch accompanies request, said Laura Guerrero, coauthor of “Close Encounters: Communication in Relationships.” Touch reminds us that we are human.

one than with a warm embrace, rather than filling the heavy air with filler words and fluff. In a study conducted by Michael Kraus, a psychologist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, statistics showed that the more on-court

9

Illustration by MARISSA LANOFF

contact between teammates there was in NBA games, the more successful the team was at the end of the season. “Touch strengthens relationships and is a marker of closeness,” Kraus said. Kraus believes that adding touch can likely improve performance across the board, from basketball teams to surgeons. Even minimal contact with a stranger or acquaintance can improve the quality of experience. In a 1976 research study, library clerks returned library cards to students and either briefly touched the student’s hand, or did not. Students who had been touched on the hand, thought of the clerk in a more positive way and had an altogether better

library experience than those who the librarian did not touch. The effect was still relevant even when students reported that they had not taken note of the touch. “We think that humans build relationships precisely to distribute problem solving across brains,” said James A. Coan, a psychologist at the University of Virginia. “We are wired to literally share the processing load, and this is the signal we’re getting when we receive support through touch,” Coan said.

Marissa Lanoff is a sophomore psychology major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2014.

Study finds exercise can reduce depression

University researchers recently published a study that explores links between exercising and lower rates of suicide By Megan Fahey mjfahey@uvm.edu

UVM researchers are studying ways to decrease suicide rates, the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control’s latest Fatal Injury Report. Jeremy Sibold, associate professor and chair of the department of rehabilitation and movement science at UVM, along with three other UVM faculty members, might have a way to change this statistic. Their research is explained in their report “Physical Activity, Sadness and Suicidality in Bullied U.S. Adolescents,” published Oct. 1 in the Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

when students exercise

4-5 0-1 vs

days per week

days per week

They have

lower

adjusted odds of

SADNESS SUICIDAL IDEAS SUICIDE ATTEMPTS

“The literature is clear, exercise has these profound positive effects on mental health regardless of age, gender and fitness,” Sibold said. Physical activity was shown to lower the number of students who felt sad, had suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide in the previous 12 months, according to the study. For a year and a half, the researchers worked to find a link between physical activity and suicidal thoughts and actions in students between ninth and 12th grade. “I very much agree with their research and believe that exercise has a significantly positive effect on an individual,” senior Dan Feldman said. Sibold said he worked with Erika Edwards, a research assistant professor in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Dianna Murray-Close, associate professor in psychology and psychiatry professor James J. Hudziak. “This is just another example of where we could be using exercise as a cost-effective and largely safe tool for the intervention and prevention of mental health issues,” Sibold said. Although the study focuses on younger people, Sibold and his colleagues agree their conclusions could apply to other age groups, including UVM students. “After a stressful day, a long run is a source of relief and rejuvenation for me,” first-year Megan Tammaro said.

exercise & suicide

0-1 days of 6-7 days of exercise per week exercise per week Reported Reported 6.4% suicidal attempts suicidal attempts 10.3% Reported 15.9% Reported suicidal ideation suicidal ideas 24.6% Graphics source: “Physical Activity, Sadness and Suicidality in Bullied U.S Adolescents”.

*in the past 12 months

Students play pickup basketball outside of Harris Millis residential hall Oct. 2. UVM researchers are studying methods of decreasing suicide rates, including increased exercise. KAT WAKS/The Vermont Cynic


10

ARTS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015 THE VERMONT CYNIC

Art exhibit explores aspects of horror By Maddy Freitas-Pimental mmfreita@Uvm.edu

Unsettling, disturbing and horrific are usually not flattering ways to describe art. But to the unconventional artists who are showcasing their work at the SPACE gallery’s “The Art of Horror,” these are among the highest of compliments. The show contains 113 pieces and features 75 artists, making this one of the largest shows of its kind in New England. This is the seventh incarnation of the show, and it’s been growing each year, welcoming

artists outside of Vermont and receiving many submissions. Although the pieces are all connected by their eerie vibes, there is a wide scope of subject matter and media types. The artists want viewers to find the art disturbing initially, but to eventually be drawn to it and see its beauty. “I want them to feel a push and pull and sit with that a bit,” said Beth Robinson, artist and curator. For some students, the show strikes a perfect balance between the grotesque and beautiful.

“It was terrifying and left me in awe in terms of the creativity,” first-year Chris Kruglik said. Other students felt the art allowed their imaginations to wander. “Some pieces made me think of weird things like how my brothers used to rip the heads off my Barbies,” first-year Caroline Sheehan said. A common theme is taking conventional, harmless objects and recreating them in an unorthodox way. Artist Quinn Dray draws pastoral Vermont landscapes like covered bridges and si-

los, twisting them into surreal dreamscapes. “If it is capable of fomenting stories in people’s minds, and makes people feel a sense of beauty, I feel like it succeeds,” Dray said. Other artists work with fiber materials, a medium associated with comfort and domesticity, to create macramés of knitted skulls or quilts featuring menacing silhouettes. Robinson makes strange dolls, symbols of innocence and youth and shows their hidden dark side. Artists agreed that they don’t necessarily tailor their art to fit

the genre, it just occurs naturally. “I feel like I don’t have a choice for a lot of it,” said artist Yasua Hill, who creates pieces that question religious beliefs in a haunting way. “As opposed to going out and painting our surroundings, we’re painting what we see in our internal worlds,” Robinson said. “It’s not just a goth kid thing, which is cool because we all have a dark side,” Robinson said. “People express that no matter what age group [they are].”

The Art Of Horror opening night festivities held Oct. 2, at the Space Gallery in Burlington’s South End is pictured. The night featured Nechromancer, a local industrial goth band, dancers, and fire dancers. This is the seventh year the gallery accepted submissions from local artists. JEN RAMIREZ/The Vermont Cynic


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THE VERMONT CYNIC

Frontman performs on the sidelines Adam Mitrani

Toro y Moi

AMITRANI@UVM. EDU

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hile most frontmen take the stage representing their band, one artist took a more modest approach to his performance. Toro y Moi walked onto Higher Ground’s funkadelic stage decorated with bright neon lights Sept. 29. Musical genius Chaz Bundick, the man responsible for most of Toro y Moi’s record-

What You Got” followed perfectly. Toro y Moi began their actual set by playing the song “Half Dome” off their new album “What For?” and ended with an encore performance of the album’s outro, “Yeah Right.” Toro y Moi displayed their versatility by playing across multiple genres; going from funky songs, such as “New Beat,” “Still Sound” and “Buf-

Generally the leader of a band will do everything that they can to make their presence known; but Bundick didn't. He rarely talked in between songs, except for a brief 'thank you,' opting to let the music speak for itself

ed music, came out dressed in a plain white t-shirt tucked into patterned pants, a huge afro and a live band. The band consisted of Jordan Blackmon on guitar, Patrick Jeffords on bass, Andy Woodward on drums and Anthony Ferraro on keyboards and backing vocals. Ferraro is also the lead singer and keyboard player for the opening band, Astronauts, etc. A recording of philosopher Alan Watts played as they walked onto stage. William Devaughn’s classic funk song “Be Thankful for

falo” to the psychedelic sounding “Lilly” and “The Flight,” to the electro jazz infused “Rose Quartz” and “So Many Details.” Bundick chose not to appear as a frontman for the group and was instead stationed on the left side of the stage, rather than the middle. Bundick sang and alternated between guitar and keyboard throughout the show, while the crowd cheered enthusiastically. Everyone in the audience was grooving to the rhythm of Toro y Moi’s music. There was no jumping, moshing or head banging.

Chaz Bundick, known for his work as the frontman of Toro y Moi, is pictured. Toro y Moi performed his signature funky techno music at Higher Ground Sept. 29. PHOTO COURTESY OF CARPARK RECORDS Screams of “TORO” or “CHAZ” could be heard in between songs. Bundick smiled humbly every time he heard his name shouted. He wanted the attention to be focused on the band as a whole, not on him as an individual performer. This is what separated Toro

Abortion issues covered in movie Colin Kamphuis

Grandma

CKAMPHUI@UVM. EDU

I

f there’s any humor to be found in teenage abortions, “Grandma” certainly uncovered it. Lily Tomlin stars as Elle Reid in “Grandma,” a witty drama-comedy about a recently widowed matriarch helping her granddaughter find the cash to afford an abortion. Colorful performances and heartfelt exchanges allow for an emotional experience without becoming too sappy or preachy. In the search for the much needed $600, the two women are forced to approach estranged lovers, friends and family before the impending abortion appointment that afternoon. Underlying the search for the necessary funds are deeper issues regarding love, loss, death and the shortcomings of various characters. Quick to hand out judgments and consider herself above others, Elle is forced to confront her own failings as ghosts from her past emerge while she helps her granddaughter. “Grandma” can seem admittedly confusing at times, bor-

dering on cliché and not always knowing whether it is a funny drama or a dramatic comedy. However, the moving performances and heartfelt material compensate for narrative deficiencies. “Grandma” is also unfortunately topical.

The resulting female-dominated cast ensures a perfect score on the Bechdel test, a tool used to evaluate the presence of women in film As Planned Parenthood faces budget cuts in some states due to allegations of unethical practices, the theme of young girls having difficulty accessing safe abortion clinics could become more relevant. Reproductive rights are briefly touched upon, although political commentary on the

controversial nature of pregnancy termination is barely addressed. A movie that focuses almost exclusively on motherhood and the relationship between mothers and daughters, “Grandma” has few male actors. The resulting female-dominated cast ensures a perfect score on the Bechdel test, a tool used to evaluate the presence of women in film. The Bechdel test evaluates how many women are in the movie, whether they talk to each other and if it is about something other than a man. The hope is that this measure will contribute to greater gender equality in cinema. Thought provoking and funny, “Grandma” is an emotional film that endears itself not just to women but also to those men who may have difficulty identifying with the subject matter. However, shortcomings in the narrative makes the film seem somewhat hollow and inconsistent.

Colin Kamphuis is a senior Russian major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2014.

y Moi from any other artist I have seen live. Generally the leader of a band will do everything that they can to make their presence known; Bundick didn’t. He rarely talked in between songs, except for a brief “thank you,” opting to let the music speak for itself.

Bundick did mention toward the end of the show that it was their first time performing in Burlington, and was shocked to see such an energetic crowd. Adam Mitrani is a first-year English major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2015.

Artist incorporates ironic comedy into newest album Emily Daroga

b'lieve i'm going down

EDAROGA@UVM. EDU

T

he sleepy, illusory rock sounds of Kurt Vile continue in his beautiful new album, “b’lieve i’m going down.” Written largely after dark, while his wife and children were asleep, the melodic tunes carry the same dramatic weight as his previous albums, but the lyrics are laden with more of his signature ironic humor. In his folkish exploration of the song, “I’m an Outlaw,” lyrics like “alone in a crowd on the corner, in my Walkman in a snow globe going nowhere slow,” Vile mixes feelings of existential confusion, irony and subtly sad but charming humor. These themes run throughout the album as he drops in lines like, “what’s the meaning of this song, and what’s this piece of wood I don’t care it sounds so pretty, it’s change is so sublime, what was the meaning of that last line” in “Kidding Around.” The overall sound remained similar to his typical dreamy style, but with added instru-

mentation. Banjo and piano sounds have a greater presence, adding contrasting elements of buoyancy to the overall somberness of the album.

The overall sound remained similar to his typical dreamy style, but with added instrumentation

The piano infusions in “Stand Inside” create a more harmonic feel than acoustic alone would, adding some romance to a song written with his wife in mind.

Emily Daroga is a sophomore forestry and philosophy major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2015.


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(Above and below) SuicideGirls dancers perform on the Blackheart Burlesque tour. They are at Higher Ground Oct. 16. PHOTOS BY NBMA PHOTOGRAPHY AND DEREK BREMNER

Burlesque tour breezes into Vermont

SuicideGirls will present the Blackheart Burlesque show at Higher Ground. The show isn’t your average burlesque show — pop culture references and themes will grip the audience with songs, dance and Burlesque By Izzy Schechter ischecht@uvm.edu

When most people think “burlesque,” the word “geeky” usually does not come to mind. However, the world’s geekiest burlesque yet, will take over Higher Ground Oct. 16. The show is performed by SuicideGirls, a community of “alternatively beautiful” women that exists both online and performs across the country. SuicideGirls, a mostly-online collective, has a number of burlesque shows under its belt. But this show, Blackheart Burlesque, is like no other before it. It strays from the punk vibe SuicideGirls usually strives for and has a unique twist: It’s full of pop culture references that will lock the audience in and hit home. These include numbers with references to TV and movies

such as Star Wars, Sailor Moon and even Planet of the Apes. “Not everyone will get every reference. But those who do will really have the time of their lives,” co-founder of SuicideGirls Selena Mooney, who goes by Missy Suicide, said. SuicideGirls was inspired to change their approach to the show after they took a hiatus from performing. In the meantime, the burlesque world had become less traditional and more abstract. Therefore, SuicideGirls needed to bring something new to the table in order to maintain their status and attract a wide audience. Blackheart Burlesque will

include new costumes, music and choreography in addition to a new theme: pop culture. By including popular themes from TV, movies, etc., people can find an angle that they enjoy. UVM student Samantha Spencer expressed her excitement for an Orange is the New Black number. “I love the characters so much, I would go to the burlesque just to see that,” said Spencer. Audience participation will be a key part of the show, which is sure to keep people engaged in an interesting way. Cassie Szogas, a freshman at

UVM, is intrigued by the audience participation in the show. “It makes me curious! I think it’ll really add to the experience,” Szogas said.

new themes and artistic ideas to the table. He brings it to life in a way I could’ve never imagined.” SuicideGirl’s goal for the show was to bring an original

Not everyone will get every reference. But those who do will really have the time of their lives Selena Mooney Co-Founder of SuicideGirls

For Blackheart Burlesque, SuicideGirls worked with choreographer Manwe-Sauls Addison for the first time. Addison, who has worked with Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez, adds a new artistic angle. “He has been amazing,” Mooney said. “He’s the other half of my brain and thinks of

live experience that will captivate the audience by sparking their interest, getting them involved, and showing the new artistic side of burlesque. With its unexpected twists and obscure references, Blackheart Burlesque will be irresistibly entertaining.

Students create own original clothing label by Allie Osorno aosorno@uvm.edu

Tired of being limited to the clothing selection available in stores, two UVM juniors opted out of the standard options and decided to create their own style. Matt Beier and Ben Hamilton started their own clothing line called Indigo Intellect. “For me, buying clothes from stores stiffens your creativity; you’re limited to what the brand offers. When I’m designing pieces I can make anything I imagine,” Beier said. Indigo Intellect is their way of wearing what they want and how they want it. They often collaborate with local artists to produce unique, original designs. Beier and Hamilton find inspiration from almost anything. “Our style icons vary between A$AP Rocky and Hansel from Zoolander.” Beier said. With an abstract, futuristic touch, the clothing is hard to

miss. Beier describes their style as spiritual streetwear. The designers had prior experience with clothing design before launching Indigo Intellect. “I was working as a sales rep out of California for a store called APLIIQ. My experience there gave me the opportunity to learn about designing,” Beier said. “I learned how to sew from my Aunt Cathy, who gave me the sewing machine I use now.” Indigo Intellect had their first vending experience last month at the Otis Mountain Get Down music festival. Being a vendor at the festival was an accomplishment for Beier and Hamilton. They received a lot of positive feedback from customers. “It was great, we were able to get our name out there,” Hamilton said. “It got a little weird with drunk people trying to trade beer for shirts.” The production process is unique and challenging at times, they said.

They make the art or acquire it from other artists. “After editing and screen-printing the art, we order our garments and pick out fabrics. Then we put it together the way we want to,” Beier said. “Because we pride ourselves in good quality, high costs can be difficult.” “It’s simple, unique, and sold at good prices. I recently bought a shirt for only twenty dollars at their stand outside the Davis Center.” junior Louisa Deering said. As they continue to sell around campus and at various events, Beier and Hamilton hope to eventually have their clothing sold in stores and build careers in fashion.

Indigo Intellect is on Facebook, Instagram and their newly developed website, indigointellect.bigcartel.com.

One of Indigo Intellect’s t-shirt is pictured. Indigo Intellect was founded by two UVM juniors. PHOTO FROM INDIGO INTELLECT’S FACEBOOK


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The evolution of the Catamount ByJohn Suozzo John.Suozzo@uvm.edu

Whether you are at a UVM sporting event, or a university event in general, you are bound to see one of the most familiar faces on campus. This face, fierce and lively, yet endearing, is UVM’s mascot, Rally Catamount. Rally is a second generation mascot. His predecessors, Kitty and Charlie Catamount, were fixtures in the athletic department, but were retired and inducted into the athletic hall of fame in January 2004. Although they were both Catamounts like Rally, some said Kitty and Charlie did not bring the same ferocity as Rally. “Kitty and Charlie had been around for years, but really did not resemble our logo or brand,” said Associate Director of Athletics Krista Balogh, who was instrumental in Rally’s creation. Rally took over as the University’s mascot in 2004, signaling a change in the image of one of the most recognizable faces in the athletic program. Even though Rally is most closely associated with the sports teams at UVM, his impact is not strictly limited to the athletic department. “Although Rally is housed in athletics, the athletic department looks at Rally as the University’s mascot. It is so important to get Rally out to as many events in the community as possible,” Balogh said. Besides making appearances at varsity games, Rally attends events in the community and other campus events, such as first-year orientation and convocation. An appearance by Rally can be requested for any university related event. “Rally is lively and spirited, and seems to engage all fans of University of Vermont sports,” first-year student Andrew Verville said. Rally has lived up to the athletic department’s expectations by quickly becoming the face of the university and should be here to stay, Balogh said.

(Top left) A new mascot model for Rally Catamount is pictured in 1968. (Bottom left) A 1969 photo of Rink, the 103 pound puma mascot of UVM. (Top and bottom right) Rally Catamount amps up the crowd at men’s soccer Sept. 27. DAYNA WYCKOFF/The Vermont Cynic

The process behind using UVM’s trademark symbol Sarah OLSen solsen2@uvm.edu

The “V-cat” logo has been on the club football team’s helmets since before head coach Jeff Porter began coaching in 2011. In order to be allowed to use the logo on their helmets, the team had to go through an approval process when they were founded in 2007, just like any other University club or organization. Krista Balogh, associate director of athletics at UVM, said the process to get approved to use the University trademark or logo is “fairly simple.” Balogh said she has been the University’s licensing coordinator for all trademarks for four months.

She handles requests from every group or organization that wants to use UVM’s trademark or logo, she said. “I am currently educating campus on our licensing policy and procedures which have been in place for many years,” Balogh said. A trademark is a phrase or name that the University owns, according to the University’s trademark policy. In UVM’s case, it owns three: UVM, Catamounts and the University of Vermont, according to the policy. A logo is artwork connected to the University that the school owns, such as the “V-cat” or the official University seal. Anyone who wants to use the logo or trademark must sub-

mit a form, which will either be approved or denied by Balogh, according to the UVM licensing program website. “You have to submit the signed form with the artwork for approval and I get back to folks within a day or two,” Balogh said. It is not an issue for a club to get approved to use the logo, Balogh said. Once the approval form is sent in, it takes one to two days to get approved and, if it is a week day, it could be approved that same day, she said. Any groups or organizations that get approved to use the trademark or logo will pay a 4 percent licensing fee, according to the approval request form. Aside from student clubs

and organizations, campus departments and retail outlets can also apply for approval to use the trademark and logo through the licensing program, Balogh said. The University has parternered with the Licensing Resource Group since July of 2003, which was recently purchased by Learfield Licensing, according to Balogh. Learfield manages licensing for over 560 colleges and universities, according to the UVM licensing program website. For all these schools and other organizations, Learfield provides royalty collection, accounting services, legal assistance and anti-counterfeiting services, according to the website.

“I take much of my direction from [Learfield] ­— they speciaize in collegiate licensing and have a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field,” Balogh said. “We have been very happy with the partnership throughout the years.” Balogh said she is currently in the process of working with Leon Lifschutz, the club sports coordinator at UVM, to create a logo specific to club sports on campus. “This is going to be a process that I am not rushing – it is interesting to get to know different units and clubs and work through their brands when applicable,” Balogh said.


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Senior looking for a special year By eRibert Volaj evolaj@uvm.edu

Senior Dan Moroney, captain of the cross country team, practices early Oct. 4 at the Livak Track. PATRICK LANGLOIS/The Vermont Cynic

The captain of the men’s cross country team wants his last year to be special, despite experiencing highs and lows so far. Senior Dan Moroney has finished across the board this season. “Finishing 38th at the Minuteman Invitational was definitely disappointing, but finishing 10th at the Iona Meet of Champions was pretty exciting,” Moroney said. He is not surprised by his below-par performance in his first race, as he was feeling tired from summer training, Moroney said. Moroney has since put that experience behind him. Now he is looking to replicate his performance at the Meet of Champions and build on it. “I just want to run so hard I pass out,” Moroney said. Cross-country head coach Matt Belfield completely agrees. He has high expectations for the upcoming races, not only for Moroney, but for the team as a whole. Moroney won the Rothenberg Run last year, setting a personal record, and Belfield thinks he has a chance this year as well. Last season, Moroney won three of his six races, earned all conference honors and was named the team most valuable player, according to UVM athletics.

“Based on his training, and based on how he’s raced earlier, if the same people show up, I would expect the same result,” Belfield said. “Although, we have a couple of other guys in our team who could be up with him as well.” One of those athletes is fellow senior captain, Fletcher Hazlehurst. Hazlehurst has high expectations for Moroney and the team, as he has personally witnessed his teammate become one of the best runners in UVM history. “[Moroney] came into his freshman year with an injury, but by the end of our first season, he established himself as the best cross-country runner in our class,” Hazlehurst said. “His running and his leadership have taken him and the rest of us to great places.” The season is still relatively young, but key races are approaching. The New England Championships, the Rothenberg Run and the America East Championships, are all happening in October. “Our only challenge is our training,” Moroney said. “Tomorrow, I’ll wake up at 5:30 a.m. to run 10 miles, and that’s the easy day. It’s brutal, but that’s the only way to get results.” Results are exactly what Belfield is looking for and he is confident in his plan to get them. “The challenge for [Moroney] and for any of our athletes is

to put themselves in a position where you’re competing for top spots early in the race,” he said. “There are a couple of hills that require concentration, but I would think [he] has got a good chance of being a top 10 finisher in the New England Championships.” The main goal, however, is to succeed as a team in the America East Championships. “We’re expecting to finish our last race and to know that we took the wonderful opportunity we have, with the incredible people around us, and made the most of it,” Hazlehurst said. “That we ran with courage and pride, and that we represented Vermont, our families and each other to the best of our ability.” Through three team meets, the men’s team has finished first, fourth and fifth in separate team meets. The team will travel to Boston to participate in the New England Championships Oct. 10 hosted by Boston University. Following that meet, the Catamounts will compete in the America East Championships Oct. 31 at Stony Brook, New York. The season then comes to a close for the team with NCAA regionals in Boston Nov. 13 and the NCAA Championships Nov. 21 in Louisville, Kentucky.

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(Top left) Junior Casey Leveillee lines up for a face off at Gutterson Fieldhouse Sept. 27 against McGill University. (Top right) Amanda Pelkey skates on the ice at Gutterson Fieldhouse Oct. 18 against RIT. DAYNA WYCKOFF/The Vermont Cynic

Women’s team begins to rebuild By Alex benoit & zach Hawkins apbenoit@uvm.edu­—ZHAWKINS@uvm.edu

The women’s hockey team is looking to rebuild after losing nearly 50 percent of its scoring production from last year. Recently the women’s hockey team lost several key players like Amanda Pelkey and Brittany Zuback. Zuback is currently a student at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and Pelkey is playing for the Boston Blades, a professional women’s hockey team in Massachusetts. Pelkey posted a total of 31 points over 34 games last season. “No one is going to come in and match [Amanda] Pelkey and [Brittany] Zuback’s num-

bers from last year,” head coach Jim Plumer said. “We think our first-year class is going to help us and make an impact.” Plumer said underclassmen will need to step up and sophomore forward MacKenzie MacNeil is a prime candidate to do so. MacNeil scored one goal and six assists last year playing mainly on the third and fourth lines. “As a first-year, you’re thinking ‘what do I do?’, but now I’m comfortable stepping up and contributing more on the team,” MacNeil said. The first-year class is highlighted by three players with international experience, including defender Sammy Kolowrat, who played on the U-18 Czech

Republic team last year. “Having played against a diverse group of talented players has given me experience that will help me play against the high level of talent in our division,” Kolowrat said. “We might not have superstars that have played on Olympic teams, but how we play together on the ice is going to define us,” she said. Working together will be a necessity this year, with most of the underclassmen getting plenty of ice time, Plumer said. In order to keep up, the team is going to have to rely on chemistry rather than the star power it had in previous seasons. “It’s definitely going to be more of a collective effort, not that one standout who’s going

to score all our goals for us,” MacNeil said. “Everyone’s going to step up.” Sophomore Matthew Beltcappellino is a fan of the team and agrees with MacNeil’s sentiments. “Everyone will have to do their part and I think they will step up and work together to fill the void that they left,” Beltcappellino said. The team is looking to play differently this year. MacNeil said the team needs to, “move the puck more.” Junior goaltender Madison Litchfield will anchor the team again this year, much to the delight of her teammates. “When you trust your goalies, you’ll make the extra move or make that risky pass because

you know they’ve got your back,” Kolowrat said. Despite losing Pelkey and Zuback, two of the highest scoring players in UVM history, Plumer is optimistic. “I haven’t been this excited about a hockey team in a long time,” he said. Last year the team finished with a 15-19-2 record after losing to Boston University in the women’s Hockey East quarterfinals. The women’s hockey team lost their exhibition game Sept. 27 against McGill University. The team is currently 0-2 on the season, but look to bounce back Oct. 10 and 11 at home against Clarkson University.

Virtue Field’s lights aid the growth of UVM athletics By Andrew Schwartz aschwa10@uvm.edu

The wait is over for the UVM community and Vermont residents who have waited for the installation of Virtue Field’s stadium lights to begin. Since its construction in 2012, Virtue Field has been without a permanent set of stadium lights which has limited the amount of practices and games played. The athletic department has been aware of this issue and has spent the last few years planning its additions. “The state of the art, energy efficient and minimal light spilling light towers arrived Sept. 29 and will take about two weeks to install,” said Jeff Schulman, senior associate athletic director. UVM is now the last America East team to install stadium lights on a lacrosse or soccer field. “The lights will serve the needs for four varsity programs,” Schulman said. “They are a great asset to campus and student body at large.” The installation of these stadium lights marks the first completed element of Phase II, which encompasses developing Virtue Field and its amenities.

The final projects of Phase II include a 3,000-seat grandstand facility, press box, VIP box seating, locker rooms, bathrooms and an events plaza to connect Moulton Winder Field to Virtue Field and the Frank H. Livak Track. “After the installation charges are incurred, the lights cost approximately $500,000,” Schulman said. The investment for these lights is just one piece of the Phase II construction process. “For Phase II as a whole, the remaining cost of the project totals about $3 million, which includes the $500,000 investment for the stadium lights,” Schulman said. The athletic department is fundraising to help fund the rest of Phase II. “The goal is to get a substantial part of that fundraising done this summer,” Schulman said. “We’re speaking with individuals who have a variety of connections to the university and recognize the impact that this type of facility will have on the experiences of UVM students now and well into the future.” Phase II is the second phase of development at Virtue Field, the first being the donation of

Virtue Field from Ted and Dani Virtue. The installation process will take approximately two weeks, Schulman said. “After a three-year permitting process by the city of South Burlington and state of Vermont, we are excited to say that we can move on with the project,” Schulman said. “People planning to use Virtue Field lights are able to use them until 11 p.m. on a daily basis, per agreement with South Burlington.” For Schulman and the rest of the athletic department, these lights serve as a reminder of hard work and upward momentum for UVM as a whole. “We think that the ability to have night games will help us with attracting larger crowds, offering more convenient times for students and also the community,” Schulman said. Women’s lacrosse attacker, junior Alex Bernier is also looking forward to the lights. “Night games will now be something to do for most students who are interested in supporting UVM’s teams,” Bernier said.

The new lights being constructed at Virtue Field are pictured Oct. 4. Virtue Field has been without a permanent set of stadium lights since 2012. DAYNA WYCKOFF/The Vermont Cynic


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SQUARE WHEELS

ESPN’s clear anti-Patriots bias JOE GALLANT JGALLANT@ UVM.EDU

D

eflategate is wrapping up, or is at least on a hold for now, as the Patriots have run out to a 3-0 start. The full fallout from this muckraking has not fully been revealed. The way ESPN, the primary sports media source for many Americans, handled this story however sticks out. ESPN has been the subject of criticism as it altered a published column by Mike Reiss, the outlet’s longtime Patriots beat, wrote a pro-Patriots piece pointing out critical facts overlooked in the Deflategate investigation and media coverage. Editors felt the column needed a “tighter edit” and took out some of Reiss’ points. As an article from Forbes magazine pointed out, the editors at ESPN did not feel that Chris Mortensen needed a tighter edit for any of his Deflategate input. This is despite the fact that almost all of Mortensen’s facts have been proven fake or inaccurate. Mortensen incited the initial round of the Deflategate circus with a tweet directly following the Patriots decimation of the Colts in the 2014 AFC Championship game. Mortensen reported 11 of the

12 Patriot game balls were deflated at least 2 psi below league regulations, which was shown innacurate by the well funded Wells Report. Not to mention that Tom Brady’s NFL suspension for the incident was overturned by a

federal judge. According to the report one referee’s measurements said that no balls were under this threshold and according to the other referee’s measurements only one ball was beyond this reported limit by Mortensen.

As the largest and most respected sports journalism outlet, ESPN should be held accountable and to a higher standard for their reporting

scoreboard

Mortensen nor ESPN have apologized for the story. Rather instead Mortensen has defended his claims multiple times saying that even if he had produced correct information the effect would have been the same. ESPN also referenced stories from Spygate, a previous scandal involving the Patriots, that was also proven false. In doing so, they painted a false image of the Patriots as habitual NFL cheaters. The only apology they issued for that story was during a 1 a.m.

broadcast on a Thursday. News outlets must be held to high ethical standards, and ESPN is no exception. As the largest and most respected sports journalism outlet, ESPN should be held accountable and to a higher standard.

Joe Gallant is an integrated biology major and a pharmacology masters student. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2015.

Visit vtcynic.com for more coverage and uvmathletics.com for schedules and tickets OCT. 1 - OCT. 10

LAST WEEK

L

October 1 HOME 3 p.m.

3-2

Women’s Soccer vs UNH

L

October 2 HOME 4:30 p.m.

2-1

Women’s Hockey vs Bemidji

L

October 2 Albany, NY 2 p.m.

3-1

Field Hockey at Albany

L

October 3 HOME 1 p.m.

2-1

Men’s Soccer vs Binghamton

W

October 4 HOME 1 p.m.

3-2

Field Hockey vs UMass-Lowell

L

October 4 HOME 4 p.m.

2-1

• •

The women’s soccer team received the NSCAA College Academic Award Oct. 5, with a team GPA of 3.27 last season. Senior Vanessa VanderZalm and junior Meghan Cobb were named captains of the women’s lacrosse team for the 2016 season. Field hockey’s 3-2 win over UMass-Lowell was their first conference win this season. Junior Brian Wright leads the men’s soccer team with six goals and 14 points.

NEXT WEEK October 8 HOME 3 p.m.

Women’s Soccer vs Maine October 9 and 10 HOME 7 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Women’s Hockey vs Clarkson October 9 Durham, NH 4 p.m.

Field Hockey at UNH

October 10 West Hartford, CT 7 p.m.

Men’s Soccer at Hartford October 10 Minneanapolis, MN 8 p.m.

Men’s Hockey vs Minnesota

*Men’s Hockey vs Acadia *Exhibition game

RECORDS

Men’s Soccer 5-4-1 Women’s Soccer 5-5-1

Men’s XC 1st (x1) Women’s XC 1st (x1)

Women’s Hockey 0-2-0 Field Hockey 3-9-0

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