2017 vol 133 issue 15

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2017 | VOL. 133 ISSUE 15 | BURLINGTON, VT | ESTABLISHED IN 1883

Team returns home after shooting Kelsey Neubauer Editor-in-chief Junior Kelly Lennon instinctively launched her body on top of one of her best friends and teammate protect her after a group of people entered her airport terminal yelling ‘get down,’ she said.

Shots were fired in a nearby terminal about an hour earlier.

Moments before, the team entered the airport en route to a tournament in Baltimore. They watched on screens in terminal 1 as the events unfolded in the terminal next to them.

After they were assured that the shooter was caught, a group of people, in a state of panic ran from another area of the airport thinking there may have been a second shooter, said women’s swimming and diving head coach Gerry Cournoyer.

The UVM women’s swimming and diving team stayed together throughout the “mass exodus” that ensued after the shouts of panic entered the terminal, he said.

Along the way, they grabbed the hands of children and kept each other calm, Cournoyer said.

On their way out of the airport they left shoes, laptops, but never each other, senior captain Ali McClure said.

“Stay together, stay together,” Cournoyer said he kept telling the girls.

The team, along with the rest of the terminal, ran across the tarmac and onto the runway, stopping behind a truck.

They later walked over railroad tracks and clapped with other survivors when a mother was reunited with her five-year old child, Cournoyer said.

After reaching their hotel at 9 p.m., they were greeted with support from team parents, family friends and university officials who helped them reunite with loss items.

In the face of attack, the team turned to social media to share their experience.

In their own words, the team’s story of escaping a shooting unravelled in the Twitter feeds of the team members.

A still frame from a Fox News segment showed the athletes running to evacuate terminal 1 in the airport.

Photo courtesy of UVM Athletics UVM women’s swimming and diving team poses in the UVM natatorium in Patrick Gym. The picture was later retweeted by team members, along with the words “UVM can swim, dive and do land sports too.”

“There was ducking and yelling and people began running and they evacuated us to the tarmac,” swimmer junior Kelly Lennon tweeted at around 3 p.m.

The team ran out of the airport’s fences, where they waited for law enforcement, Lennon stated in the tweet.

With “a few bumps and bruises from running,” the team got out safely with everyone accounted for, she stated.

The University expressed its concern and pride for the team’s bravery over the social media platform as well.

Athletic Director Jeff Shulman tweeted he was proud of the team. Their care and bravery during the attacks could not even compare to winning, Shulman stated.

The team finally reached Burlington women’s swimming and diving team

shooter’s location

Photo courtesy of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport

facebook.com/ thevermontcynic

at around 4:30pm on Jan. 7. They were greeted by their parents, President Tom Sullivan and his wife, Shulman and others.

Lennon said her mother could not stop touching her, she said.

“She had her hand on my arm and she kept putting it there and looking at me,” she said.

The team competed in a meet against Northeastern last weekend and will finish their Lennon said this incident will not define her college career or her team’s legacy.

They will be defined by how they compete and their sense of team, she said.

Five people were killed and eight others were injured in the attack, a Jan. 6 Associated Press article stated.

Assistant news editor Brandon Arcari contributed reporting.

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Feeling SAD? Get the scoop on how to stay happy in the winter Life pg. 9

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NEWS

2

Sullivan stands with U.S. policy Chloe Chaobal Staff Writer UVM sent emails to assure students that the University will stand with them, even if there are national changes to immigration policy.

Last month, President Tom Sullivan sent an email to the UVM community addressing concerns about a program started by President Obama’s administration that was implemented through the Department of Homeland Security.

“At the time [Sullivan’s first email] went out, there seemed to be a lot of conversation both nationally and locally about these issues. There were questions in people’s minds,” University communications director Enrique Corredera stated in an email.

Since June 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals has allowed undocumented minors stay in the U.S., possibly affecting thousands of immigrants throughout the country, according to a New York Times article published June 15, 2012.

Under DACA, undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria will temporarily be permitted to stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation. In particular, the policy helps immigrants who come to the U.S. before the age of 16, according to the article.

“Students at UVM should care because DACA is more prevalent than we realize,” first-year Elise Albertin said.

“Many of our friends could be sons and daughters of undocumented immigrants.”

DACA is one of the policies President-elect Donald Trump said he will eliminate under his administration. During a hearing regarding his attorney general nomination, Sen. Jeff Sessions [R-Al.] said he believed ending DACA would be constitutional. “[I] would have no objection to a decision to abandon that order,” he said.

Sullivan responded to further questions with a second email Dec. 9, where he reaffirmed UVM’s “Common Ground.”

“As members of our University community,” Sullivan stated, “we will work proactively together, in solidarity, to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and educational success of all of our students at UVM.” UVM has pledged to support students who fall under DACA within its legal limits.

The University is not required by any law to track undocumented students, and they do not do so, Corredera stated.

Additionally, UVM admits students without consideration of their documentation status.

Under FERPA, a federal law protecting the rights of students, the University cannot reveal private information about a student, such as their documentation status, without due process of the law, Corredera stated.

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia Left to right: Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Al.), President-elect Donald Trump, President Barack Obama

WHAT IS DACA?

• Established through executive order by President Obama on June 15, 2012 • Undocumented immigrants who entered the United States as minors who receive DACA would be granted a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation, as well as work permit eligibility • Those eligible to receive DACA are required to have entered the country before their 16th birthday, must have been under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012, and must have lived in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007

UVM outreach program gets new director Craig Pelsor Staff Writer A new leader has been The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has named a new director for it’s UVM Extension program.

Tom Vogelmann, dean of CALS, announced the appointment of Chuck Ross to the position in December. Ross is taking the place of former director Doug Lantagne, who is stepping down for a leave of absence.

Ross has worked in various positions within the Vermont state government, including 16 years experience under U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, and has experience in local agriculture and commerce.

Most recently, Ross served five years as secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.

Ross’s work for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture led him to work with local leaders and legislators throughout the state, according to a Dec. 21 press release.

His time as president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture put him in contact with policy-

makers nationwide, according to the press release.

UVM Extension, a community outreach program, has been in operation by UVM for over 100 years. With locations throughout the state, the goal of the program is to support and educate Vermonters on the importance of local agriculture, according to the program’s website.

It is also responsible for the television program “Across The Fence,” a staple of Vermont public broadcasting and the longest running daily farm and home television program in the country, according to their website. “[Ross] has had great success in promoting collaboration between different state and government agencies,” Vogelmann stated in a Dec. 21 press release. “He led and implemented a strategic planning process at the agency that was very successful.”

UVM Extension was separated from CALS in 1998 due to administrative reasons, according to the press release.

The decision to reintegrate the program into CALS, is hoped to be aided by Ross and his many years of experience, as

Photo Courtesy of UVM Chuck Ross, former Vermont secretary of agriculture, is pictured. Ross has been appointed as the new director of UVM’s extension program. well as revamped cooperation between the two. “[Ross] has a strong knowledge of Vermont agriculture in the broadest sense, a deep working relationship with

Vermont stakeholders and agencies,” University President Tom Sullivan said in the press release.

Ross will take his position at the end of January in what

he calls “a wonderful opportunity to continue to work in the agricultural and food arena.”

NEWS

3

The evolution of NBR over time Chloe Chaobal Staff Writer

OLIVER POMAZI/The Vermont Cynic Top: Athletic campus filled with NBR participants Dec. 2015.

Bottom: Campus security observes NBR Dec. 2015.

Although the Naked Bike Ride has occurred at UVM for the last 21 years, each “ride” is different.

The event occurs annually on the last day of classes. In past years, the Naked Bike Ride has fallen on a Wednesday. In 2016, the event occurred on Friday, Dec. 4.

The event was spearheaded by Erica Kutcher, a UVM class of ‘00 graduate who worked with the Mountain Lions Program and Outing Club in 1996 to get the event started, according to a May 3, 2010 Cynic article.

Unfortunately, Kutcher was killed in an avalanche in 2005, but the event continued.

In 2008, the SGA and IRA questioned whether or not the event should continue because of the issues brought to their attention regarding women being harassed and assaulted during the NBR, according to the article.

The Mountain Lions Program used to manage the event and there were very little crime issues. But when they ceased management there were more reported assaults, according to the Cynic article.

During this year’s NBR, there were 11 violations reported in the crime log, five of which were labeled at ordinances regarding “intoxication,” according to UVM Police records.

There were no listed reports of sexual assault.

In 2015, there were 16 violations reported the night of NBR; and one sexual assault happened at 2 p.m. the following day.

Going back as far as NBR’s 2012 statistics, there were 33 reported violations, 17 of which are “alcohol offenses” and no assault charges, according to the site.

It is believed that since more student involvement began, the event is much safer, according to the Cynic article.

This year, several rules

continued to be implemented to ensure student safety.

RAs held mandatory meetings the night before the NBR to explaining that students were required to have their CatCards to enter their residential halls. RAs were on duty to check student identification. Students were not allowed to be naked inside the halls.

“Historically, there is a lot of drug and alcohol use that evening,” Resident Director Joshelyn Ramirez said in an email to L/L residents. “This heightened use, combined with nakedness, leads to a rise in the number of sexual assaults and groping incidents.”

UVM CatAlerts state at the in every email sent out regarding sexual assault that “Sexual assault is never a victim’s fault.”

The University encourages that students in these circumstances seek aid from CAPS.

Parking restricted near Redstone campus Lauren Schnepf Staff Writer Faculty and staff showed up to their usual Wednesday parking spaces on a November morning and were greeted with reserved signs.

Due to a resolution passed on Sep. 21 by the Public Works Commission, the parking spaces between Henderson Terrace and Cliff Street on South Prospect Street are now reserved for residents.

This change has been in place since November.

Pete Diederich, senior academic services professional in the department of continuing education, said each house on this block has access to 10 additional street parking spots as well as private driveway parking.

“It’s unfair that residents now have domain over all the street parking as well as their own driveways and do not even appear to be using the street parking.” sophomore Miranda Zigler said.

Faculty and staff who once parked on South Prospect Street are now forced to pay for on-campus parking, which

is .048 percent of the staff’s paycheck, Diedrich said.

The only alternative to paying for parking is to take the bus to work, which is not possible for all faculty and staff members, he said.

“In my opinion, the wording of the item as approved was misleading, and the policy change did not meet the guidelines of the recently adopted Residential Parking Plan,” Solveig Overby, a Public Works Commission member, stated in an Nov. 11 email to Diedrich.

While it appeared that the entire section of South Prospect from Cliff Street to Henderson Terrace would be available for non-resident parking from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., only six parking spots were actually open for public use.

“I think some compromise should be reached between the residents and UVM,” sophomore Bridget Dews said.

“UVM is part of the Burlington community and should have an equal say in these matters.”

No notice was given that this change was under petition or possible debate, Diederich said.

PHIL CARRUTHERS/The Vermont Cynic A sign on South Prospect St. warns drivers that parking is reserved for residents.

“I understand that residents want access to parking on their street,” sophomore

Caroline Schryver said, “but warning should have been given to the entire community

that this change was possible so those who opposed it could make their voices heard.”

NEWS

4

FSL loses tax-exempt status, numbers drop Erika B. Lewy Staff Writer Some UVM fraternities and sororities are facing a decrease in membership following the loss of their property tax exemption.

On Jan. 1, a 2014 state law that repealed Greek organizations’ exemption was enacted.

Sigma Phi fraternity is already feeling the effects of the tax, namely in decreasing membership numbers, incoming president junior Drew Steinberg said.

“It’s not overwhelming, but enough to make us sad,” Steinberg said. “[Decreased membership] is directly related to an increase in dues, which is directly due to the property tax.”

In 2013, the Vermont Legislature voted to tax 10 Greek homes for the first time in over 100 years to increase state revenue.

Members of fraternity and sorority life feared losing their homes at the prospect of a tax, according to an Oct. 20 Cynic article.

While Steinberg initially feared Sigma Phi would have to sell its College Street property, the fraternity’s home since 1903, the increase in dues was much less than what had been anticipated, he said.

They also felt their contributions to the community,

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia The Vermont State House in Montpelier pictured. Last year the state legislature voted to removed the tax-exempt status from UVM Greek houses. over $120,000 in fundraising and 21,000 hours of community service, benefitted the community more than a tax, the article states.

Now, Greek organizations’ contributions to philanthropy and community service, the cornerstone of last year’s final push for tax exemption, will suffer this year, Steinberg said.

“The community won’t get that extra bag of donated clothes, that extra bag of donated blood,” he said. “It takes away from the community.”

State Sen. Tim Ashe, former chairman of the Vermont com-

mittee of finance, said that the tax was not meant to punish fraternity and sorority life, but to ensure equity between students and organizations alike, the article states.

Ashe said fraternities and sororities should not qualify for the property tax exemption that applies to properties owned by other non-profit organizations including the YMCA, the American Red Cross and certain veterans’ organizations.

“We tried to identify those exemptions or advantages which might not have a good

policy justification anymore,” Ashe said in a May 2014 interview. “Some of them made sense at a point in time, but they don’t continue to have that kind of value.”

Members of UVM fraternities and sororities disagreed, arguing that their contributions organizations and deserved the tax break in letters to state legislature and on a student-created website: savegreeklifeatuvm.com.

Last year, members of FSL and SGA lobbied at the statehouse in attempts to stop the tax from going into effect,

according to a May 3 Cynic article.

State Rep. Barbara Rachelson sponsored a bill in the 2015-2016 session to try to reinstate the exemption status.

“It didn’t get traction, which was disappointing,” Rachelson said. “Things are financially tight in Montpelier.

Right now, a lot of people are seeking funding.”

While Rachelson said UVM and the city of Burlington are unlikely to work on the exemption issue this year, she hopes the community sees this as an ongoing issue linked to the larger Burlington housing shortage.

“It’s going to take everyone putting their heads together,” she said.

Rachelson would like to see how fraternities and sororities in other states have worked with their cities and universities to come to an agreement, she said.

“We have so many new leaders in Montpelier,” Rachelson said. “I think letting the dust settle and seeing what the impact of the new national government is will be helpful.”

Steinberg was less hopeful.

“There’s nothing more we can do this year,” he said.

“There’s nothing we can do to stop it. We just have to pay for it now. We have to pay for it literally and figuratively.”

Bikers see renovations along Burlington waterfront Colin Bushweller Staff Writer Those who cycle through Burlington this year will be greeted with renovations made to the city’s downtown bike path.

The path —which is now renamed the “Burlington Greenway” — has newly-added features that turn it into a linear park for recreation while improving views of Lake Champlain, said Diane Wood, the city’s marketing and outreach coordinator.

One mile of the path between the Moran Plant and North Beach has been completely rebuilt and refined. In the southern portion of the project, the path has been realigned to hug the lake’s shoreline, according to a Dec. 16 press release.

“The path itself was constructed with a new sturdy sub-base and paved to our new wider standards of 2-11-2 feet, with soft shoulders for runners,” Wood said.

Sophomore Nick Lando, whose “life revolves around cycling,” sees the renovations as a positive, he said. “[The former path] was extremely bumpy,” Lando said. “[There were] no holes, but the pavement was broken up, which increased the risk of flat tires.”

With the new changes, he said he’s now more likely to cycle along the path.

“It is an excellent way to get a recovery spin in close to campus,” Lando said.

Other amenities were also incorporated into the renovations, such as improved access to the water via granite steps at the southern section of the path and a handicapped accessible ramp down to Texaco Beach, a newly acquired lakeshore property, according to Wood.

With the renovations came improvements to the path’s landscape, including the removal of 600 tons of asphalt and 800 tons of concrete, which were “relics from the waterfront’s industrial past,” she said.

Rich topsoil will be planted where pavement once was to support the growth of “126 new trees and 167 new woody shrubs, plus thousands of perennials,” Wood said.

She said that in the early stages of the project, the team realized what to expect from the process, including the environmental factors which played a role. “[The team developed] a rigorous soil testing and management plan in collaboration with the Vermont department of environmental conservation and overseen by a qualified environmental professional,” she said.

More landscaping is also planned for the spring, including plans to plant 1,700 perennial grasses and wildflowers

MAX MCCURDY/The Vermont Cynic Students ride their bikes on the Burlington Greenway, the eight-mile bike path that parallels Lake Champlain. The path has been renovated with a new sub-base and expanded to be wider with a soft shoulder for runners. along the path, Wood said.

The project is estimated to cost $2.4 million, according to a Seven Days article published Sep. 7. This figure is expected to cover the costs associated with the reconstruction of approximately two miles of the eight-mile path, according to the article.

The ultimate goal is to redo the entire path, parks director Jesse Bridges said. However, this will require the city to allocate more funding to the project, he said.

Nevertheless, planning and designs for the next phase are already underway, Wood said.

More work is scheduled

to be completed this spring, including the installation of exercise equipment along certain parts of the path for the UVM Medical Center Fitness Trail, according to the press release.

5

OPINION

EXECUTIVE Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Neubauer editorinchief@vtcynic.com Managing Editor Bryan O’Keefe newsroom@vtcynic.com Assistant Managing Editor Mariel Wamsley newsroomassistant@ vtcynic.com OPERATIONS Operations Mangager Ryan Thornton operations@vtcynic.com Advertising Manager Cole Wangsness ads@vtcynic.com EDITORIAL Arts Ben Elfland arts@vtcynic.com B-Side Maggie Richardson bside@vtcynic.com Copy Chief Lindsay Freed copy@vtcynic.com Enterprise Pablo Murphy-Torres enterprise@vtcynic.com Layout Kira Bellis layout@vtcynic.com Life Greta Bjornson life@vtcynic.com News Olivia Bowman news@vtcynic.com Opinion Sydney Liss-Abraham opinion@vtcynic.com Photo Phil Carruthers photo@vtcynic.com Social Media Eva Bartels socialmedia@vtcynic.com Sports Eribert Volaj sports@vtcynic.com Video Molly O’Shea video@vtcynic.com Web Dean Wertz web@vtcynic.com Assistant Editors Brandon Arcari (News), Bridget Higdon (Arts), Lily Keats (Layout), Karolyn Moore (Copy), Michelle Phillips (News), Oliver Pomazi (Photo), Willa Richmond (Life) Page Designers Ed Taylor Copy Editors Brandon Arcari, Hunter Colvin, Bridget Dorsey, Rae Gould, Adrianna Grinder, Linnea Johnson, Robert Kinoy, Kira Nemeth, Hailey Reilly, George Seibold, Meline Thebarge ADVISING Faculty Advisor Chris Evans crevans@uvm.edu

Team shows humanity in tragedy Staff Editorial On the afternoon of Jan. 6, a shooter entered Fort Lauderdale International Airport, murdered five innocent people and injured six others.

Thirty-six more people faced injuries as a result of the panic that followed, including three members of UVM’s swimming and diving team.

Despite the fact that the team was in a different terminal than the shooter, terror struck the entire airport. One member of the team returned to Vermont with a broken foot. All of them returned with memories from that afternoon.

Despite this, the team is asking not to be defined by their involvement in this incident, but rather by the entirety of their academic careers: their wins, their losses, their friendships and their education.

When hysteria entered the terminal they were in, the team said they responded just as anyone else would have.

They took kids by their hands and led them to safety. They threw their bodies over their best friends. Their bravery is palpable. It is laudable. But to the team, it felt natural.

Sometimes tragedy can bring about the most human of qualities. The fearlessness the swimming and diving team displayed is admirable.

SYDNEY LISS-ABRAHAM The innate compassion they displayed in the aftermath is inspiring.

After the attack, members of the team reached out to family and friends to inform them of their safety, using social media to spread their stories. But despite the international severity of the

incident, their main focus was to do what came most naturally to them: act as a team.

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.

Professor watchlist: defending free speech Letter to the Editor

D

ear UVM Students, We write to inform you that as members of the faculty of the University of Vermont we have signed on to the American Association of University Professors’ “Open Letter Regarding the Professor Watchlist.”

You can find the letter and all of its signatories at https:// www.aaup.org/open-letter-regarding-professor-watchlist.

The AAUP letter states: “To Turning Point USA, the creators of the Professor Watchlist: You claim that by creating the watchlist you “fight for free speech and the right for professors to say whatever they wish.”

But the creation of such a watchlist serves the opposite purpose. Such lists have been used since at least the 1930s to silence free speech, chill academic freedom, and harass faculty members.

The American Association of University Professors has supported academic freedom and opposed those who seek to curtail it for more than a hundred years, and will continue to do so, because the common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition.

The type of monitoring of professors in which you are engaged can only inhibit the process through which higher

ELISE MITCHELL

learning occurs and knowledge is advanced.

We support and stand with our colleagues whose academic freedom your list threatens. Therefore, we, the undersigned, ask that you add our names to the list.”

Turning Point USA describes the Professor Watch-

list as having the mission “to expose and document college professors who discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom.”

While we stand together against discrimination directed at any group of students, we are deeply concerned about the underlying intent

of this Watchlist to intimidate faculty and limit academic freedom.

Sincerely, 140 UVM Professors See full list at vtcynic.com

OPINION

6

The reality of Pence as a president

I

Michael Swain

’d be more comfortable with Mike Pence as president than Donald Trump, and you should be too.

It’s time to put to rest an oft-overheard saying, that Pence is “worse than Trump”.

There are a number of misunderstandings and well-circulated myths that contribute to the liberals’ dreading of the former Indiana governor.

A common utterance is that a Pence Presidency would, “get more done” due to his experience. The first problem with this statement is that it suggests the president’s job is to “get stuff done” in legislative terms, but this is untrue.

The president has many jobs, the last of which is a legislator. POTUS can only suggest a congressional focus, but it’s ultimately up to congress.

Any would-be fears that Pence produces on controversial social topics should be redirected at those in Congress who are far more likely to decide the fate of such rights.

Based on Trump’s few actions thus far, such as his conservative cabinet and staff picks, there is little reason to believe he will not operate

as a normal Republican and approve Paul Ryan’s agenda.

With Trump pointing to towing the line on legislation, we should instead be judging him based on where he differs from Republicans like Mike Pence.

In spite of traditional rules, the president can impose tariffs in some cases, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

This could have an effect of increased prices for normal American consumers, or even start a trade war, lose-lose escalations in which countries retaliate to our tariffs by taxing our goods.

An extraordinary change Pence would not make includes softening relations with Russia. Relations with Russia are a bipartisan issue. Both Democrats and Republicans view Russia unfavorably, even after the shift in public opinion caused by Trump, according to a piece by Politico.

The most worrisome issue is also the hardest to quantify.

Trust in political institutions is at its lowest in history according to FiveThirtyEight, a fact that Trump has used to his advantage, degrading common political narrative and facts.

Alexander Collingsworth

W

GENEVIEVE WINN Prior to this election, Mike Pence has never indicated anti-globalization tendencies, closer Russian relations, nor has he belittled the governing institutions we rely so heavily on.

Routine Republican policy is damaging, but it’s hard to recover from wrongheaded politics with increasing

distrust of the institutions which genuinely seek to guide the way. This is why Trump is Dangerous but Mike Pence is Tolerable.

Michael Swain is a senior economics and English double major who has been writing for the Cynic since 2016.

The right to choose in “Trump’s America”

R

Lily Spechler

eady for some alarming statistics? Planned Parenthood states that 3 out 10 women in the United States will get an abortion before the time they are 45. 18 out 100 people who use condoms will become pregnant every single year.

The birth control pill is only 91% effective. In my eyes, as a young woman in the free world, it is so glaringly obvious to me that women deserve the right to choose. And yet, to my disbelief, Roe v. Wade, the pivotal 1973 decision that legalized abortions, is an ongoing discussion, not a stable fact.

In the third presidential Debate, when asked if he would want the court to overturn Roe V. Wade, President-elect Donald Trump responded: “Well, if that would happen, because I am pro-life, and I will be appointing pro-life judges...it will go back to the states, and the states will then make a determination.”

Mr. Trump, I’d like to say a few words on behalf of my fellow countrywomen, because we are highly concerned.

With all due respect, you are a man, and perhaps it is hard to truly understand the anxieties women feel surrounding sex. The concept that something as common as a contraception failure (18 out of 100 people using condoms) could lead to something as life altering as having a child is crippling.

Try to comprehend the fact that a fetus could grow inside our bodies, and our bodies

would have to morph and rearrange for nine months, interrupting our commutes, our class time, our study sessions, our full time jobs, our portals to achieving our full potential.

Women can become pregnant as soon as they get their period. For some this is before they even turn eleven. Not to mention, sometimes sex is not a voluntary action. 1 in 5 women in college fall victim to rape.

There is no law that legally binds a biological father to the child. There are no systems in place that ensure that every mother and child is provided with enough money for a good life. There is no funding to protect children born with disabilities. There is no system to help women earn a college degree under these circumstances. There is no way to shield women from the stigma that comes along with pregnancy.

Men have the luxury of externalizing this anxiety. Women do not have that luxury.

Not only do you want to take away women’s right to choose, but keep women down through your sexist maternity leave plan. Your plan for paid maternity leave calls for only six weeks of paid maternity leave for new mothers, not fathers, which ends up hurting women by keeping them from the workforce.

It is also unclear whether your policy includes single mothers, a vulnerable demographic in society. According to the Washington Post, the maternity leave policy has a marriage requirement cited on your campaign’s website, Mr.

Liberalism’s true legacy

ISABELLA ALESSANDRINI Trump.

Gov. John Kasich of Ohio signed the “Senate Bill 127”, which bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, making no exception to victims of rape or incest. Of the 16 states that ban abortions after 20 weeks, only Arkansas has made an exception for rape or incest.

Women across the country held their breath as the Heartbeat Bill was passed by lawmakers in Ohio. This new bill called for the banning of abortions after only 6 weeks of pregnancy( with no exception for incest or rape) which is before most women even know that they are pregnant.

Thankfully, Gov. Kasich vetoed the bill, but the prospect send shivers across the country.

Mr. Trump, you claim that you want to “Make America Great Again”. But last time I checked, women have been celebrating the right to choose

for 44 years, and that’s been pretty great.

Forcing religious beliefs onto a nation by taking away their right to choose goes against the very essence of America, land of the free.

Americans got hung up on a few e-mails and Hillary Clinton lost the election, and the threat to basic women’s rights is collateral damage. I have a hard time accepting a president who participates in and openly condones sexual assault, and based a campaign on repressive legislation just to get himself elected.

I am highly doubtful that any movement will be made towards limiting the ability of men to obtain Viagra, but what do I know? Trump would say, I’m just a “nasty woman.”

Lily Spechler is a senior natural resources major who has been writing for the Cynic since 2016.

e now know that fake news, real Russians and dank memes are all to blame for Clinton losing the election. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Democrats failing to provide a compelling message other than “She’s not Trump.”

We should attribute Clinton’s failure in the presidential race to a lack of coherent values, a lack of a coherent ideology, on the left. We need people in the Democratic ranks to balance out the right wing nut jobs in the Republican camp.

Conservative values and principles at least have the gloss of logic if you accept the various premises that conservatives take for granted, like the fundamental theory that government should let markets do what they will, until you dig deeper and find that conservatism really means.

As Martin Luther King Jr. said, welfare for big businesses and the rich, rugged individualism for the poor. The bloated defense budget is the best example of blatant corporate welfare run amok.

On the left it’s unclear what the ideology is. Americans, even left leaning east coast liberals, are uncomfortable with words like socialism. We can point to liberalism as the ideology of “the left,” but the fundamental problem is that liberalism is a centrist, not a leftist ideology.

Our politics are off kilter.

We have a pseudo-fascist nationalist populist hurricane of empty promises and misdirection on one end and a candidate that could have run as a traditional Republican on the other.

What exactly Clinton stood for was unclear. What exactly are Beyonce’s politics? Is she for raising the minimum wage? Is she against NAFTA? What does she think about Obama’s use of drone strikes?

Did she support the invasion of Iraq? We don’t know. Clinton thought she could sub in celebrity for solid policy.

Obama was a liberal president. He revived the economy.

He provided healthcare to millions of people. His accomplishments should not be downplayed. But at the same time he has deported millions of people, even while providing refuge for undocumented children.

He has struck down hundreds of people with what the Onion has called his “Airborne Death Robot Army.” Trump will inherit an unprecedented security and intelligence apparatus capable of spying on world leaders and on any american with a computer or cell-phone. Thanks Obama.

Alexander Collingsworth is a senior English and history double major who has been writing for the Cynic since 2016.

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Wednesday, January 18th, 2017 7:30 p.m. in Waterman 427

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ARTS

Activists raise awareness through art Bridget Dorsey Staff Writer A budding club aims to draw attention to the prevalence of modern day slavery through direct action and art activism.

On Dec. 2, students crossing the courtyard of Royall Tyler Theatre courtyard or taking the steps to the Bailey/ Howe encountered striking red trails of sand-filled sidewalk cracks and hand drawn chalk messages such as “Slavery still exists,” and “Don’t let people fall through the cracks.

This day marked both the International Day for Abolishment of Slavery and the first on-campus demonstration by the Human Trafficking Activism and Awareness club.

The Red Sand Project is an international art-based initiative designed to raise awareness of human trafficking, club officer senior Natalie Akel said.

“A huge pillar of what our club as a community does is art therapy and we try to incorporate it into every meeting,” Akel said. “This opportunity fell into place really well with our mission, so we reached out and applied to the project.”

Not long after, the club re-

ceived dozens of bags of sand and messages to spread in the community, she said.

The participatory demonstration, or sidewalk intervention, was created by NYCbased experiential artist Molly Goochman. “Earthwork installations and convenings create opportunities for people to question, to connect and to take action against vulnerabilities that can lead to human trafficking and exploitation,” according to the Red Sand Project website.

The intent behind the visual representation is physically spreading across the land awareness of the ever-present trade in labor, organs and sexual slavery, officer junior Sophie Robledo said.

Worldwide, human trafficking is hidden in plain sight, Robledo said. The sidewalk cracks running blood-red serve to shed light on the presence and gravity of these crimes.

“Once you know what it is you can’t forget,” she said.

“The sand sticks around for weeks, and is biodegradable and represents a natural part of our society sticking out.”

The demonstration expresses pain in a unique way, drawing on thoughtful expression without relying on

exploitative imagery such as chained children or abducted exchange students, an idealized face of trafficking often purported by media, Akel said.

“The message isn’t of pity,” she said, “it’s of recognition and that’s the first step to solidarity.”

The HTAAC materialized out of a social work class on the subject that is no longer offered, although both officers agreed it was the most powerful course they’d taken, spurring them to engage the community on the unrepresented issue.

“One of our main goals as a club is to pave the way for access to resources for victims of human slavery, whether that be creating supply bags for foster children or volunteering downtown with other socially-minded organizations,” Akel said. “We are creating a platform for civil engagement.”

The club officers invite interested students to education and outreach opportunities with the HTAAC in January, which is Human Trafficking Awareness month.

The HTAAC meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Living/Learning Center, room 314.

2000’s TV comedy returns Review Healy Fallon In the case of various movies and TV shows, the sequels and reboots that follow rarely live up to the quality of their predecessors.

Netflix’s four-part miniseries “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” revisits the trials and tribulations of television’s favorite mother-daughter duo, and proves to be just as sparkling and endearing as the original program.

Fans of this small-screen staple will not be disappointed by “A Year in the Life” which loyally sticks to the show’s appetizing blend of slapstick humour and poignant emotion.

Each hour-and-a-half episode is set in a different season, beginning with winter and ending in autumn. Over the course of the year, Rory Gilmore (Alexis

Bledel) Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and Lorelai’s mother Emily (Kelly Bishop) face fresh challenges that test their relationships with each other and aspects of their individual identities.

Rory, now in her early 30s, navigates the rough waters of a long distance love affair and the harsh uncertainties of a journalism career. Lorelai addresses the future of both her business, her relationships with her daughter and her boyfriend, Luke. Emily must cope with the loss of her husband Richard and her new life as a widow.

Lorelai and Rory are supported by a cast of characters that have not lost their wacky flair, providing the show with its sassy energy.

There is French concierge Michel Gerard (Yanic Truesdale), whose sour disposition never fails to clash with Lorelai. Paris Geller (Liza Weil), Rory’s old friend from her days at Chilton Preparatory, is extremely funny as the ridiculously high-strung,

ALYSSA HANDELMAN

authoritarian head of a New York fertility clinic called Dynasty Makers.

Kirk Gleason (Sean Gunn) arguably one of the most eccentric residents of Stars Hollow, returns with a pet pig and his short-lived taxi service, ironically titled “Ooober”.

Past events are revisited while fresh adventures and conflicts emerge. Lorelai and Emily attend therapy together.

Paris and Rory pay an alumni visit to Chilton Preparatory, their old high school, and Rory becomes editor-in-chief of the “Stars Hollow Gazette”.

Although sticking with it’s wholesome comedic tradition, “A Year in the Life” presents a refreshed and modernized Stars Hollow, far removed from the early 2000s.

Apple products and smartphones are now used, and references ranging from Uber to Lena Dunham to Skrillex are dropped in casual conversation. Times have changed, and so have the Gilmore girls.

The series ends on a comforting high note, with each Gilmore girl seemingly having settled into a fresh chapter in their respective lives. Yet the series ends with a shock, suggesting much more to come.

Fans of both feel-good comedy and the original “Gilmore Girls” series will not be disappointed with “A Year in the Life.”

Healy Fallon is a first year English major who has been writing for the Cynic since Fall 2016.

Photo Courtesy of HTAAC Instagram The Human Trafficking Awareness and Activism club fills in cracks outside of Old Mill with red sand. The sand, along with chalk messages, aims to raise awareness on human trafficking in the U.S.

Local Burlington author to release her debut novel Preview Bridget Higdon For many writers, inspiration is in the air all around them. This is certainly true for one local author whose world travels and diverse studies influenced her debut novel.

Katherine Arden will be hosting a book talk about her first novel, “The Bear and the Nightingale,” at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Phoenix Books in Burlington.

The novel, inspired by Russian fairytales, is rooted in both reality and fantasy.

When dark forces threaten the safety of her village, a girl named Vasya discovers that her magical necklace might be the only thing that can provide protection.

Arden’s fascination with Russian fairy tales began in childhood after she received a book of stories from her mother. Her interest flourished, and led her to study in Russia for a year before attending Middlebury College.

“After high school I traveled to find myself,” Arden said.

At Middlebury, she studied French and Russian literature, and traveled to both Paris and Moscow for several months at a time.

Still eager to explore, Arden lived and worked on a farm in Hawaii after her college graduation. “The family nextdoor was Russian, and their fiveyear-old daughter became the blueprint for ‘The Bear and

the Nightingale’s’ heroine,” she said. “The girl was smart and brilliant.”

The first draft of “The Bear and the Nightingale” took nine months, but the entire process took five years because Arden quickly learned revision is the most important part of writing, she said.

“The heavens don’t open up, you have to work hard,” Arden said. “You learn so much more from finishing a novel than from starting one.”

“The Bear and the Nightingale,” which according to Publisher’s Weekly is stunning and enchanting, has been interpreted in a variety of ways.

“Some readers say it’s a fairy tale,” she said, “some say it’s historical fiction, others say a feminist fable. There is not one right way to read it.”

When asked about her plans for the future, Arden said she would love to write a book series set in France. Arden could also see herself traveling to places like Sweden and Norway in the future, she said.

What’s great about being a writer is that you have the “mobility to work on the go, you can choose where and how you live,” Arden said.

Tickets for the Jan. 26 event can be purchased at Phoenix Books for $3 and will include a coupon for $5 off the book.

Bridget Higdon is a first year English major who has been writing for the Cynic since Fall 2016.

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LIFE

Clubs set out to find new members Izzy Siedman Staff Writer Upon arriving back on campus for the spring semester, students find club tables piled high with free swag, club leaders filled to the brim with information and an overwhelming array of new opportunities to become involved in.

On Jan. 25, members of UVM’s approximately 110 event registered clubs, organizations and departments will gather in the Davis Center to recruit new members, explain their clubs, and promote their organizations to the student body.

“The start of the spring semester is a great time for students to re-assess their interests,” Stango said. The host of students who will be joining the UVM community for the first time this spring can also benefit from the display of clubs.

The fair will host clubs in a range of interests, from the Ski and Snowboard and Outing Clubs to the Quidditch and Climbing teams.

It can be difficult to tackle such an enormous array of clubs, but “groups with giveaways and eye catching

11 A.M. TO 2 P.M. JANUARY 25, 2017 DUDLEY H. DAVIS CENTER 110 CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS AND DEPARTMENTS UVMBORED.COM/WINTERFEST displays always get a lot of attention,” event organizer Katherine Stango said. Keep your eye out for those free pins and stickers.

Unlike the Activities Fest in the fall, this community-building event is not open to non-UVM groups due to limited space, according to the University’s website. The sheer depth and breadth of the kickoff Activities Fest means that “students are more likely to join a club in the fall,” Nichol Brown, club affairs committee chair, said.

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, not to worry, the Winter Involvement Fair will be running from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., so there’s plenty of time to meander through the tables, stopping to talk with represen-

tative members.

“Coming in second semester, I’m a little worried everyone will have already clustered into close friend groups and I’ll feel like I missed the bus,” first-year Ryan Parker, who will begin his first semester this spring, said. Yet, he feels confident about the new opportunities and looks forward to his time at the University.

If nothing you see immediately interests you, there’s good news: about 15 new clubs are formed every year, and with motivation and a group of like-minded people at hand, it’s a simple process to turn an idea into an organization.

“I’m excited to see what spring brings,” first-year Sarah Howe said.

Photo Courtesy of UVM The Winter Involvement Fair will pack the Davis Center Jan. 25.

The fair will allow approximately 110 UVM clubs to recruit new members.

Change in seasons brings a change in mood The Health Corner

T

Michaela Paul

he snow is no longer fresh, the sunlight disappears earlier, classes are back in session and everything may suddenly appear dreary to some.

It is midwinter, and some people might have noticed a negative change in their moods and behavior.

According to the University of Vermont’s Health Network, seasonal affective disorder is a subtype of depression that occurs during specific times of the year, most commonly during the late fall and winter.

Senior Catie Wilson does not personally suffer from SAD, but has witnessed the very effects of it on a friend.

“Their natural disposition is one that is very social, happy and always kind,” Wilson said.

“However, once winter hits, they sleep a lot more, are very irritable and choose to be alone. SAD is definitely a real thing and has a major impact on those who have it and their loved ones.”

Signs and symptoms of SAD include fatigue, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, irritability, sadness and a loss of interest in socializing and other activities usually enjoyed, according to the National Organization for SAD. This non-profit organization is dedicated to discovering treatments and offering support to individuals affected

by SAD. The direct cause of SAD

MICHAELA PAUL

is not known, although many suggest that it is due to the varying intensities of sunlight during each season, according to UVM’s Health Network.

There is less sunlight in the winter months which potentially affects an individual’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter affecting the overall mood of individuals and triggering depression, Mental Health America states.

MHA is a nonprofit organization promoting mental wellness. It is committed to early prevention, identification and intervention of mental health problems with recovery as the main goal.

Another potential cause of SAD corresponds with the sleep-related hormone, melatonin, which increases in the presence of darkness, affecting sleep patterns and moods neg-

atively, according to MHA. SAD is most prevalent among individuals in their 20s, although onset of symptoms can appear earlier, the organization states. This suggests the majority of individuals in northeastern colleges are subject to this type of depression.

Severe SAD, like any depression, can be especially difficult to manage for college students, as it seriously pre-

vents individuals from performing their usual routines without continuous treatment, NOSAD states.

A mild version, sub-syndromal SAD, also exists resulting in mild discomfort and sadness, but is more manageable, NOSAD states.

Dr. Kelly Rohan recommends against self-diagnosis and treatment for SAD because depression in all forms is a critical mental health problem, she said in an interview with the American Psychological Association.

At UVM, research was conducted in the department of psychological sciences by professor Rohan’s lab.

According to Rohan’s interview with the APA, her lab found data suggesting that light therapy supervised by a qualified professional and cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions, are effective treatments for mild and severe SAD. Activities that can be combined with professional treatment include owning a plant, going outside, exercising regularly and opening blinds when indoors, according to the Mayo Clinic.

If the severe signs and symptoms sound familiar this winter, professional support can be sought by contacting UVM’s Counseling and Psychiatry Services at 802-656-3340.

Michaela Paul is a senior biology major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2016.

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LIFE

Professor brings a global perspective Maria Woolson applies varied cultural background to teaching Kate Vesely Staff Writer Is the glass half full, or half empty?

Romance language professor Maria Woolson says both.

She also says neither. To her, it depends on who is looking at this glass and from where.

“I don’t forget that there’s always somebody in the margins in a particular line of consensual scholarship or opinions because what we may understand as the right way may not be the perspective that’s accepted elsewhere,” Woolson said.

Born in Argentina, Woolson grew up in an Italian household. Italian was her first language, followed by Spanish, English, French and Portuguese later in her life.

This culturally rich upbringing affects the way she approaches her studies.

After conducting field work in environmental research throughout Latin America, she ended up at UVM in 1990

as a research assistant in the Biology department.

Woolson soon found joy in the relationship that one establishes with students… when opening doors for inquiry to grow, she said.

In the classroom, she references art and literature when analyzing scientific concepts in environmental sustainability to spark diverse dialogue in the classroom.

“When I teach, I like for students to be exposed to different perspectives,” Woolson said. “They can then chose to embrace them or not, to include them or not. But at least to know that they exist.”

Aside from teaching, Woolson enjoys being outdoors.

As a resident of Mad River, she is an avid skier; she was a ski race coach at one point, she said. Woolson also enjoys cycling with her sons and photographing how light can change the perception of a space.

When looking back on her life and career, she said she could not think of anything

“When I teach, I like for students to be

exposed

to different perspectives.

They can then chose to Photo Courtesy of Professor Woolson’s Twitter Romance language professor Maria Woolson is pictured. she wishes she had not done, she said.

“I tend not to think about the empty part of the glass,” Woolson said, “but the full part of the glass.”

embrace

them or not, to include them or not. But at least to know that they

exist.”

Inclusive panties promote happy periods Dapper Vagina

A

Sarah Heft

s someone who menstruates, I am always looking for the next device that will make riding the red tide a little less terrible.

As of right now, I am a fan of menstrual cups and cloth pads or pantiliners. This past period, however, I discovered something that I believe will change the way we all view periods: Thinx period panties.

Now hold up — I’m not talking about the high waisted-discolored-stained-maybe-ripped undies someone saves for their period because they don’t want to stain their lacy ones.

I am talking about under-

KIRA NEMETH

GRETA BJORNSON wear that comes with a special anti microbial, moisture-wicking and leak-resistant crotch that absorbs menstrual flow.

When I heard about these undies online, I immediately thought that they were a scam.

As someone who has been known to go through four

super tampons in one day, I questioned whether a piece of cloth would work to absorb all of my daily menstrual flow.

I simply had to put them to the test.

So I went online and ordered a pair of high waisted undies in black. The compa-

ny claims these bad boys can hold up to one-and-a-half regular tampons worth of blood.

By my calculations, that works itself out to be about 11.5 grams of blood. Granted, I didn’t exactly grab a scale for this one.

About a week later my undies arrived in a small envelope. Another week later my period arrived and I put them to the test. I put them on the morning of my heaviest day and wore them for a solid 12 hours.

To my surprise, I went the entire day without leaking or feeling like I was sitting in a pool of my own blood, two concerns I had before I tried them out.

Another plus of these blood-shields is the fact that they are sleek and sexy. I didn’t feel like I was wearing a set of Depends adult diapers, but instead felt like I could walk a runway.

At the end of the day, I took them off and ran my finger over the absorbant part of the underwear. To my excitement, it was completely dry and my hand had no blood on it.

Amazing!

Another great aspect of this product is the company you

are supporting by buying these undies. For every pair of, one goes to a person in need of menstrual protection.

Thinx also recognizes that not every person who menstruates is a woman, so they keep their undies very gender neutral by offering two colors: black and beige, and skipping the lace.

Not only do these undies feel great to wear, they are completely machine washable and reusable. Not only does this reduce the vast amount of waste from disposable products, but changes how periods are viewed.

Now periods are not something wrapped up in a paper and and thrown away in shame, they are something manageable and sustainable.

The company offers a 60day money-back guarantee and discount when three pairs are purchased, as well as a promotion of $10 off the first purchase. There is nothing to lose by giving these a try, except those bulky pads and drying tampons.

Sarah Heft is a junior gender, sexuality, and women’s studies major who has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2016.

SPORTS

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Anticipating sports in the year ahead I’m looking forward to seeing how the hockey programs can build off the positive momentum of the last few weeks.

Men’s hockey gets a lot of hype, and rightfully so as they’ve surprised a lot of people this year. I saw some people penciling them in as low as No.10 in Hockey East and right now they’re No.3.

But the women have also impressed this year, including a sweep away at then-No. 10 Northeastern University and a home upset over then-No. 9 Boston University.

I’m looking forward to seeing how the men’s hockey team closes the season after their hot start in the first half of it.

Coming off a mediocre season in 2015-16, it will be interesting to see how this team reacts to their recent success, especially due to the many first-years in primary roles on the team.

Now that the team is coming into the more difficult part of the season and playing more talented opponents, it will be interesting to see whether UVM can keep up their early season success through the Hockey East tournament.

John Suozzo

Locria Courtright

As the new semester begins, there is much to be excited about around Burlington, as winter sports are in the midst of conference play.

Men’s basketball is off to a hot start, tallying two convincing wins in the America East. I think we can look forward to another deep run in the conference tournament, as well as big games from redshirt senior forward Darren Payen.

In their last game against Hartford, Payen totaled 18 points, and his ability as a steady rebounder, has catapulted him into the starting lineup.

Look for Payen and the rest of the men’s basketball team to finish as the top dogs in the America East, and to be playing in the NCAA tournament come March.

After a very impressive 2016, I’m looking forward to how senior forward Brian Wright’s soccer career progresses with the New Enlgand Revolution in the Major League Soccer.

It will also be interesting to see how the men’s soccer team adjusts after losing a wave of seniors, including Wright and his partner in crime senior forward Bernard Yeboah.

Other players graduating this year include defender Skyler Davis, midfielder Jackson Dayton and forward/midfielder Stefan Lamanna.

It will be particularly interesting to see how head coach Jesse Cormier rebuilds his team, and which players can take on leading roles with so many leaders now gone.

Eribert Volaj

Zach Falls

PHIL CARRUTHERS/The Vermont Cynic Left: First-year defenseman Matt O’Donnell controls the puck around multiple BC players Feb. 19. Right: Senior forward Bernard Yeboah attempts to score a goal off a corner kick against Hartford Oct. 15.

Team dynamic to drive or hinder ski team’s season Locria Courtright Staff Writer In pursuit of their seventh straight Eastern Intercollegiate Skiing Association title, UVM skiing prepares for a new season.

The Catamounts open the season at the St. Lawrence Carnival in the Adirondack Mountains of New York Jan. 20.

The nordic team will race at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, while the alpine team races at Whiteface Mountain.

Last season saw great amounts of success for the Catamounts. They finished first or second in every EISA meet they participated in, won their sixth straight (and 36th overall) EISA title, and finished seventh at the national championships in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Bill Reichelt, alpine coach and director of skiing, said that success this year requires not dwelling on the past.

“We put it behind us and move on,” Reichelt said.

This winter has seen an increase in the amount of natural snowfall, something that affects races, he said.

“More natural snow actually makes it more of a challenge to get a good racing surface,” Reichelt said. “But Stowe Mountain Resort and the Mt. Mansfield Ski Club do an amazing job preparing our race hill.”

According to nordic team coach Patrick Weaver, the increase in snowfall also has a psychological effect on the

Photo Courtesy of UVM Athletics Junior Cully Brown advances to the first heat of the semifinal round of the U.S. cross-country championships. Brown finished as the sixth overall American. team.

“When it looks and feels like winter, it helps keeps the morale high,” Weaver said.

“We are winter outdoor athletes, so when there is natural snow on the ground, this is a good thing.”

With a number of newcomers to the nordic program, Weaver wants to keep expectations low heading into the first race of the year, he said.

“With eight new skiers on the team, we are not putting too many expectations on the first races,” Weaver said.

The team should be ready for the first carnival, Reichelt said.

Reichelt singled out alpine skiers first-year Paula Moltzan, senior William St-Germain and junior Sandy Vietze as having had large amounts of success in pre-season training.

According to Reichelt, Moltzan could have a terrific first season at UVM. “You will be hearing Paula’s name a lot this year,” he said.

“Paula will be a force this year, no doubt.”

Weaver said that the team dynamic will be key to the nordic team’s success.

“The entire team is important,” he said. “Without the support from the entire team,

the top results would not be there.”

The Cats will participate in five carnivals prior to the EISA championships, which take place in Newry, Maine, Feb. 24 and 25 and are hosted by Bates College. UVM hosts a carnival Feb. 3 and 4 at Stowe Mountain and Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe.

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SPORTS

UVM Scoreboard NCAA playoff schedule affects ratings negatively L 50-68 T 3-3

Visit vtcynic.com for more coverage and uvmathletics.com for schedules, tickets, score updates and additional information

LAST WEEK

View from the Fairway

T

John Suozzo

he NCAA needs to adjust their playoff schedule if they want to receive media coverage and television ratings comparable to those of the National Football League.

The new College Football Playoff, used to determine the NCAA national champion, is a new format which concluded its third season in 2017.

This short trial period has allowed for issues to arise with the scheduling of the semifinal and national championship

games, which have led to less impressive ratings than were originally expected by ESPN. ESPN paid over $5.5 billion to broadcast the series over the next twelve years, according to CBS Sports.

As the semi-final games of the College Football Playoff lacked a competitve edge this year, their ratings were also hampered due to the fact that they were played on the night of December 31, due to the National Football League’s games on Sunday, January 1.

In the inaugural season of the College Football Playoff, the semi-final games were played on New Year’s Day, and earned an average of a 15.4 overnight television rating, according to Sports TV Ratings.

The ratings of semi-final games on New Year’s Eve averaged a 9.9 in 2015, and a 10.5 in 2016, according to the same study.

When the playoff games fall on Dec. 31, they are often followed by non-playoff bowl games in the first days of January. This cheapens the concept of the playoff, as the playoffs should be the last series of games in a season.

It makes no sense for the intrigue around the sport to peak with the playoffs, only for insignificant games to be played in between the semi-fi-

nals and the championship.

Ratings for the College Football Playoff when it is played on New Year’s Day noticeable outpace their ratings when they are played on the night of New Year’s Eve. This could be caused by more people having plans on New Year’s Eve, or that people tend to watch the games in groups around one TV, which is essentially bad for television ratings even if the same number of people are watching the game.

The NCAA and College Football Playoff committee need to abandon the concept of playing semi-final games on New Year’s Eve unless it is necessary.

The College Football Playoff semi-finals need to take place on New Year’s Day, unless it falls on a Sunday, as the playoff games would not be able to compete against the NFL’s slate of games on a Sunday.

If ESPN and the NCAA want to make the most out of the College Football Playoff, they need to realize that semi-finals on New Year’s Eve are harmful to ratings and interest for the games.

John Suozzo is a junior History and Politicsl Science major who has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2015.

Women’s Swimming at Northeastern

Women’s Ice Hockey at Boston University

Boston, MA Jan. 14

L

Boston, MA Jan. 14

W

49-57

Women’s Basketball vs New Hampshire

71-49

Men’s Basketball at New Hampshire

Home Jan. 16

Durham, NH Jan. 16

THIS WEEK • Men’s Basketball vs UMass Lowell Home on Jan. 19 at 7p.m.

• Men’s Ice Hockey vs UConn Home on Jan. 20 at 6:05p.m.

• Women’s Ice Hockey vs Boston College Home on Jan. 20 at 1p.m. & Jan. 21 at 2p.m.

• Women’s Swimming vs Rhode Island Home on Jan. 21 at 12p.m.

RECORDS

Men’s Basketball 15-5 Men’s Hockey 15-7-2 Women’s Basketball 4-13

Women’s Hockey 10-7-7 Women’s Swimming and Diving 5-1

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