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CYNIC
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W e d n e s d a y, O c t o b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 4 – Vo l u m e 1 3 1 I s s u e 8 | B u r l i n g t o n , Ve r m o n t
THE HOUSING ISSUE
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UVM grad fights for a new electoral district Taylor Delehanty Staff Writer
as strengthen student relationships with non-student residents,” he said. Davis explained how he and other students were asked to come prepared with a list of student issues in Burlington, and students’ expectations of residents to the Ward Eight Neighborhood Planning Assemblies meeting. The new eighth ward will be taken from pieces of wards one, two, three and six, and students will be its dominant population. Although a plan is in place, the new boundary lines wouldn’t go into legal effect until the 2015 elections, which are a couple months away. The new voting districts have been extremely impor-
UVM students will soon be unified under one voting district, or ward, in the community of Burlington. The eighth ward was proposed because of the unequal representation of the current wards, according to the Burlington City Council. Sophomore Tyler Davis is a student member of the steering committee for Ward Eight. “The creation of Burlington’s Ward Eight is important in that it offers the most promising chance for students to have their voices heard in city politics,” Davis said. “Resultantly, this can improve both their life as a Burlington resident as well The Housing Issue
tant to some and have gotten a lot of support from not only students but state representatives such as UVM alumna Kesha Ram’08. Ram, a state representative serves Burlington’s hill section, the University and the Old North End, and represents the Chittenden 6-4 District. “One person, one vote.” This applies to everyone who resides in Burlington, whether or not they are actually registered to vote. Students represent “significant numbers in our population,” Ram said. “Students are an important part of our city’s cultural and economic fabric. The more engaged they are, the more likely that they will have a voice in issues that affect them,” she said. Ward Eight is approximately 70 percent on-campus students, and they make up much
JENNIFER RAMIREZ The Vermont Cynic
State Representative and UVM alumna Kesha Ram’08 talks to community members on the second floor of the Davis Center Oct. 10. of the off-campus population in the ward as well, Ram said. “Hopefully, the creation of this ward leads young people to feel ownership in the Burlington community and to use that to be part of bigger solutions
to make our neighborhoods vibrant and whole,” Ram said. Students will be a part of wards one and eight when the new plan goes into effect March 3, 2015. 73092
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Smoke policy changes impact on RAs Krista Cantrell Staff Writer Residential Life has taken the reigns handling smoking violations head on. Starting this fall, UVM implemented a new smoke policy in the residential halls. “Smoking any substance or creating smoke through the use of incense or candles…is strictly prohibited in all residence halls,” according to ResLife’s Housing and Meal Plan Terms and Conditions contract. Sophomore Ian McHale is a first-year RA in the Living/ Learning halls. “The good thing about this is that students have more freedom. If smoke is not actually coming from their room, they now have the opportunity to explain their case,” McHale said. This calls for more studentto-student contact and communication, he said. The new policy calls for RA intervention instead of immediate police services intervention, said Joe Russell, associate director of Residential Education. If an RA smells any type of smoke coming from a resident’s room, they are instructed to knock on the resident’s door and inform them personally that they will issue the resident(s) a Terms and Conditions violation, Russell said.
KRISTA CANTRELL The Vermont Cynic
Resident Advisers junior Sam Nolan (left) and sophomore Ian McHale sit at the front desk of the Living/ Learning Center Oct. 8. Changes in the smoking policy allow RAs to address potential violations. First time offenders of the smoking policy are dealt a $150 violation fee, he said. Disciplinary measures continue to increase with the number of times the offense occurs thereafter. Last year, RAs were required to call police services whenever there was an odor of any type of smoke in the halls, Russell said.
Today, a smoking violation can only result in police services being called if a RA can see “a clear presence of drugs or paraphernalia in the resident’s possession,” he said. “We can hold people accountable for their actions by focusing on an administrative approach to having a smokefree policy,” Russell said. One of the reasons behind
Plans to tear down dorms Sarah Olsen Assistant News Editor Central Campus will soon get a new look. The board of trustees voted to approve the Campus Master Housing Plan Feb. 8, 2013, after it was presented to them, according to the presentation in public records. The plan involves the tearing down of what is now known as the “shoebox” residence halls. This will be the last academic year that the halls Buckham, Chittenden and Wills are lived in, said Robert Vaughan, director of capital planning and IMAGE COURTESY OF ROBERT VAUGHAN management. the dorms’ appeal. them down in conjunction with “It’s kind of cool knowing “I have only been inside the construction of the new that I am the last person to be once, but they seem sort of debuilding project for Fletcher in this space, that, no matter pressing,” Pacelli said. “I think Allen this upcoming summer,” what, my memories and my it would be nice to have nicer Vaughan said. stories will be the last ones to dorms that people really want Junior Joelle Dyer is an RA happen in these halls,” said to live in.” in Chittenden Hall, and thinks first-year Spencer Perreault, The plan is for a new resiits “really weird” that she will current resident of Chittenden. dence hall to be built on central be the last person ever living “It’s like being a part of hiscampus, Vaughan said. in her room, however she feels tory.” “We’re currently in the prothat its time for the buildings to There are $8.5 million in cess of trying to hire a developbe replaced. delayed safety renovations er to build third party housing,” “The building is just very within Buckham, Chittenden he said. “It will accommodate outdated and needs a lot of reand Wills, Vaughan 450 beds.” vamping if its going to be on said. There are not curthe same level as the residence “They’re the rently any finalized halls on Resdstone, but I know smallest rooms we plans for when or a lot of students are going to have on campus,” how the project will miss being close to classes unVaughan said. happen, Vaughan til the new residence halls are Sophomore said. completed,” Dyer said. Clare Pacelli agrees “We will tear The Housing Issue with Vaughan about
be gone and it was an improbable cause for entry. “RAs are now able to knock on the room and confront the situation head on,” Russell said. Sophomore Tasha Naula said she feels that lack of documentation was not the only problem with last year’s policy. She believes that miscommunication between RAs and residents can result in dire consequences. “One of my best friends lost his scholarship because of last year’s policy,” Naula said. The former student was unable to return to UVM this fall because of his financial burden after he was issued a smoking violation. “I don’t think it’s fair that RAs could call the police just because they thought they could smell smoke. This really blurs the fault lines,” Naula said. “I’m glad ResLife is taking less extreme measures and I hope the new policy is implemented more fairly.” The new policy is subject to change and could be considered a work in progress. There appears to be hope from both students and faculty that this new policy will be both effective and efficient.
this change is also due to an abuse of the previous system. There were many incidents where police services was called last year and residents would either leave their dorm or it would take between five minutes to an hour for police to respond. By this time, the odor would The Housing Issue
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CORY DAWSON The Vermont Cynic
Tickets being issued for “unreasonable” noise ants to make sure their behaviors don’t escalate.” Senior Patrick Murphy also received a ticket for a noise violation. The police could “hear [them] on Isham Street, which is impossible,” Murphy said. “We had more people over last weekend, and I kept going outside to check the noise,” he said. “Even then we weren’t that loud, so the idea that they could hear us from Isham is ridiculous.” Murphy said he believed his circumstance is not unusual, and that in the end he “did not do anything wrong.” Senior Sarah Richardson is an intern at the Community Justice Center. She sits on the Restorative Noise Program, a panel that overviews violation cases. When someone receives a noise violation, they have the option to reduce
Jacob Holzman Assistant Arts Editor Cory Dawson Video Editor While on her front porch, senior Emily Goldhill was speaking in a “conversational tone” with four friends when Burlington police on foot patrol showed up on the street. An hour later, the police came to her doorstep with a $300 party noise violation ticket for everybody living in the apartment, Goldhill said. She asked them questions, trying ticket. The police said, “If you can hear someone from the middle of the street after 11 o’clock, that counts as a noise violation,” she said. “I’m walking into my house at 11 o’clock — my porch goes to the street — that means you can hear me from the street, just walking into my home. Does that mean you can give me a noise violation?” Goldhill said. “Technically, yeah,” said the police
attending this panel and doing community service, she said. Roughly 95 percent of her cases have been students, Richardson said. Max Tracy, councilman for Burlington’s Ward Two, has similar issues surrounding the noise in his ward. “Noise is consistently one of the biggest issues referenced by permanent residents living in the student neighborhoods,” Tracy said. A supposed “middle ground” between students wanting to make noise and working class residents wanting quiet is “not really” possible, he said. UVM Director of Local Government
Lt. Jason Lawson of the Burlington
2000
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Pearl Street-45 South Willard Street-44 Bradley Street-41 Loomis Street-39 Colchester Ave-22
and Community Relations Joe Speidel said there is an element of subjectivity to the ordinance. “The goal is to not write tickets but neighborhood and get along,” Speidel said. happened due to students raising monShampnois, director of student and community relations. “If you have someone that reports
2013
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What does the actual noise ordiance say? The general prohibition states that it is unlawful for any person to make or cause any loud or unreasonable noise to be made. Noise shall be deemed to be unreasonable when it disturbs, injures or endangers the peace or health of another or when it endangers the health, safety or welfare of the community. Any such noise shall be considered to be a noise disturbance and a public nuisance.
Has it ever been challenged in court? Twice. First in Howard Opera House
[and] there’s nothing audible to the
issue a ticket on a sworn statement,” Lawson said. “It’s when they overstep these boundaries and really take the law into their own hands because they can is when its upsetting,” Goldhill said. “It’s really changed my feelings towards the judicial system, and its a shame.” Councilmen of Burlington’s Ward Six Norman Blias said roughly 75 percent of all complaints about noise come from non-student residents, and that the majority, roughly 80 percent of his ward, are students. “I think that you have to be careful about how what is unruly behavior could be normal behavior in what is a
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409
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Buell Street-77 South Union Street-67 Hickok Place-63 College Street-52 Isham Street-46
between ‘town and gown’ has existed forever in Burlington, in every college town.” “I don’t feel like I did anything wrong,” Murphy said. “I know countless other students [from similar situations] that don’t feel like they did anything wrong.”
1432
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NUMBER OF NOISE TICKETS OR CALLS
“If you can hear [unreasonable noise] from the street then you can issue,” Lawson said. “When it comes to porch noise, that’s one of the big ones that gets a lot of people in trouble,” he said. “It’s going to be the responsibility of the ten-
Streets with the most noise tickets in the past four years
Burlington. In both cases, the authority of the noise ordinance was challenged, and then upheld. In Howard, the court said “unreastandard, as distinguished from the subjective “unnecessary noise.” “Unreasonable does not mean unnecessary; reasonableness is gauged by the totality of the circumstances at the time.”
What can you do if you get a ticket? You can lower the price of the ticket by $100 by attending a community justice meeting. Another $100 can be taken service. You can also attend the city council meeting at Burlington City Hall at 7
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Watch Cynic Video Visit us online to learn more about the noise ordinance.
2014 (so far)
The Housing Issue
www.youtube.com/cynicvideo
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CRIME LOG Oct. 1 1:01 p.m. A student living in the Redstone Lofts, who was previously charged with disorderly conduct via electronic means, violated her conditions of release. She had been court-ordered to cease contact with someone, yet she contacted this person again. The student has been arraigned in district court for violation of conditions of release, and a report has been sent to the Center for Student Ethics and Standards.
Oct. 2 9:50 a.m. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXANDER GOLDENBERG
Students see rise in break-ins Jill Vaglica Staff Writer Students at UVM are often excited to move off-campus after four semesters living in the dorms. What students may not realize is that their new homes are susceptible to break-ins. There’s approximately one burglary each day Burlington, the majority occurring where student populations are the most dense, said Michael Schirling, chief of the Burlington Police Department. “Burglaries are actually down from last year, by 20 percent year to date, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a concern,” Schirling said. In addition to being the
most desirable targets, stusure to include the serial numdents can also be the “easiest” bers, he said. targets for burglars, he said. Additionally, Schirling sugBurglars know the patgested students take valuables terns of students, they know with them when they leave they are at school during day. their off-campus apartments In many instances when studuring holiday breaks, times in dents are living with which the burglary multiple people, they rate rises signifioften forget to lock cantly in student doors and windows areas. or sometimes delibThe Burlington erately choose not to, Police Department as a matter of convehas a number of panience,” he said. trol and undercover The Housing Issue “Our first and street crime units most important recommendaworking to stop burglaries in tion to students is to lock all the city, but they’re not the only windows and doors,” Schirlones looking for college stuing said. “Secondly, don’t leave dents. items of value in plain view, UVM’s Office of Student even if you’re home.” Community Relations proTake a picture of any valuvides resources and support able items you own, and make to students living off-campus,
including safety measures to protect themselves and their residencies. “If students call us regarding a burglary or anything related to off-campus living, we make sure they have resources and support that they need” said Gail Shampnois, director of the Office of Student Community Relations. “I’m not too worried about somebody breaking in,” said senior Alyssa Micheli. “I’ve heard about the burglaries happening downtown, but I feel like they happen more toward the North End. I live closer to the South End and have never had a problem, even when we left the windows open basically 24/7 during the summer,” Micheli said.
UVM houses professors on campus there is not a lot of capacity for them,” Sama said. “I actually did not know that the University housed UVM isn’t just home to faculty on-campus,” first-year more than 5,500 on-campus Erin Mayou said. “It does surstudents, but to faculty and prise me a little bit. You don’t staff as well. really see it.” If you live on-campus, your Currently, there are facneighbor might just be your ulty apartments on campus in professor. Living/Learning and UniverJohn Sama, executive disity Heights North and South, rector of the Living/Learning Sama said. Center, serves as the liaison Apartments and Family for the Department of ResidenHousing, located in Colchester tial Life and works closely with and Essex, also offers residence students and faculty to develop for faculty and staff in the programs for the Living/LearnEthan Allen Apartments and ing Center. Centennial Court. Living/Learning Center, “Faculty members bring in built in 1973, was designed to an academic dimension to stuaccommodate faculty. dents in housing,” Sama said. UVM has contin“I think facued to house faculty ulty are generally on-campus, creating pretty good about communities where respecting stufaculty and students dents’ boundarlive together. ies.” he said. “Very “Some [profesrarely do we have disputes between sors] do live here. Not teachers and stua whole lot because The Housing Issue John Riedel Staff Writer
Police services received a report of a burglary in the Redstone Apartments which occurred sometime between midnight and 9 a.m. An Xbox and a pair of sneakers were taken from an unlocked apartment. There was no sign of forced entry, and no suspects have been named.
Oct. 4 12:10 p.m. A group of thieves disguised in clown suits entered the Simpson Dining Hall. In broad daylight, the clowns escaped from the dining hall with an unpaid tray of food and a pumpkin, which was later found abandoned on University Heights Road. The suspects remain at large. Stay with the Cynic for updates on the developing story.
Oct. 5 8:07 p.m. A police services officer arrived at 109 S. Prospect St. for a welfare check on a distressed possum. Someone noticed a possum inside an animal trap on the side of the road and made the call. When the officer arrived, the possum didn’t appear to be in distress, though the officer proceeded to cut up an apple to ensure that the possum ate.
10:55 p.m. SADEY MIRABILE The Vermont Cynic
Director of the Living/Learning Center, John Sama talks about professors who live on-campus near the Living/Learning Center Oct. 8. dents.” Assistant professor of French, Charles-Louis Morand Métivier, has lived in Living/ Learning B Building since last August with his wife Karen Adams and son Malo, who was born in Burlington. Métivier said that he and his family enjoy being a part of the University community, and being surrounded by students.
“I think it’s [faculty housing on campus] a good way to break the barrier between student and teacher,” he said. “With students it’s fun because we always see the same people and we feel a part of that community.” Métivier said that he doesn’t see a reason for his family to move anytime soon.
Police services received a report of sexual assault, which had occurred at approximately 2 a.m., Oct. 5 in Millis Hall. The Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations (CUSI), a special Chittenden county police unit trained to investigate sex crimes and crimes against children, is currently investigating the incident. Stay with the Cynic for updates on the developing story.
—Jill Vaglica
Life
Looking at landlords in Burlington Danielle Goglia Senior Staff Writer In a sea of landlords, downtown Burlington holds property managers of all types, some good, some bad and some barely present. For senior Ellery Garland and her roommates their landlord is notoriously absent. “We haven’t heard from our landlord in like three months,” she said. “At one point he stopped cashing our rent checks. We thought he was dead.” But others like alumna Alexandra Van Laer said she wished she had had “an absent landlord” like Garland’s. Van Laer said her “insane” and “overbearing” landlord would show up to her apartment as if she was EMMA OYOMBA The Vermont Cynic “still living in the house.” Senior Alec Donkin (left) and resident Alexandra Van Laer discuss their landlord experiences Oct. 11. “It was like having another parent around,” she said. great place for renters who “She would come and tell me know their rights, senior my room was messy and say Things to do when looking for off-campus housing Alec Donkin said. ‘does your mom know you “I think college students -Choose your roommates. Burlington Apartments and keep your room like this?’” don’t know what they can -Figure out a budget. Take Burlington Rent. In addition to the surdo,” Donkin said. “They can prise visits, Van Laer said into account utility costs, -Schedule a time to tour take their landlord to the her landlord was “overfurnishings and laundry. houses. town and to court very eascharging” rent and wouldn’t -Look at housing options. -Ask questions like how long ily like we did.” fix anything in the apartThe city of Burlington Use resources such as UVM’s does it take to make repairs? ment. has guidelines regarding the off-campus housing website, What furniture is included? “Our shower was broken responsibilities of homefor a long time, we had no owners. stove and no hot water,” she “If you know it pliance working conditions, come to your house and said. “There are ahead of time then adequate heat, sanitation check it and deem things uncertain things that maybe you won’t and prohibition of garbage fit and put pressure on your are necessary for run into probaccumulation, according to landlord,” Donkin said. “My not even comfortlems,” Donkin Chapter 18 of the city’s ordilandlord has been taken to able living — just said. nances. court by the town every year living.” Responsibili“If you go talk to the for 15 years.” Luckily, Burties include apcity of Burlington, they will Unlike Donkin’s landlington can be a The Housing Issue
Moms bond with sisters with the sorority’s house mom, Sydnee. As house manager, Wheaton said she is a “second They may not always be voice” for the house mom, seen but they are there. Behelping to coordinate things hind every UVM sorority is a like chores. house mother. Tri Delta’s house mom “I would describe a supervises 16 girls from the [house] mom as someone sorority and lives on the first who cooks you dinner and floor while the rest of the keeps the house warm and girls live upstairs. cozy,” said first-year Ivy Ar“She’s more of a cool oldnold, a sister in UVM’s Kaper sister who’s always there pa Delta sorority. for emotional supA house diport,” Wheaton rector or “mom” said. “She’s a role maintains a safe model for us.” environment in the Last year, Tri house and managDelta experienced es the budget and several break-ins daily operations, and their house The Housing Issue according to sorormom was there itymom.com. for emotional support and But house moms aren’t to help get the house back in necessarily there to disciorder, Wheaton said. pline the girls, according to Lisa Keller was the former the website. house director for UVM’s “She helps run the logisAlpha Delta Pi sorority for tics of the house, like doing two years, from August 2012 grocery shopping and coorthrough May 2014, a bond dinating meals,” junior Emwith the sisters that she said ily Wheaton said. “just clicked.” Wheaton is the house “It was important to me manager for Tri Delta sororthat I built relationships ity and works “very closely” Meghan Gessner Cynic Correspondent
with the women, and that I was someone whom the women really could come to for anything,” Keller said. She said she made it a point to always keep her door open and hang out in the common area so that she could bond with the girls. “My role was more than making sure the women were following the rules because I wanted to really get to know them and let them get to know me,” Keller said. Though Keller is no longer the house mom for the UVM sorority she said the experience was “one of the greatest and most impactful experiences” of her life. Keller said she shared “special bonds and funny stories” with the girls. “I hope we can laugh about it all now,” she said. “We learned a lot about each other, living in a gorgeous old New England house, becoming aquainted with weather and Vermont animals, cooking fun meals and ultimately becoming friends,” Keller said.
lord, Jill Diemer of Diemer Properties tries to stay on top of the city’s ordinances. “We have obligations that we have to meet for the city code enforcement,” Diemer said. “We have so many things that we have to do, and if we don’t enforce them it only comes back to us ultimately. It’s important to keep a good reputation with the city and UVM,” she said. Diemer said she falls in the “neutral landlord” category. “Most of my strict rules are around safety,” she said. “If someone decides to smoke in the apartment, it will set off the fire alarm; if it sets off the fire alarm then people will get annoyed and unplug it, and if they don’t plug it back in they are in trouble.” Diemer said she doesn’t normally need to speak to tenants unless it’s regarding a safety issue. “Across the board we have awesome tenants,” she said. “The time when it starts to fall apart is when the communication breaks down within the tenants.” Diemer plans to speak at UVM’s Off-Campus Living workshop Oct. 29, organized by the Office of Student and Community Relations. The workshop will include speakers from Burlington code enforcers, landlords, off-campus students, Burlington and UVM police services and more, according to UVM’s website.
Weekly Health Corner
Fall into that spirit Carve pumpkins
Allison Carey Fall is finally here and it’s time to get in the spirit. Here are some fun things you can do with your roommates to celebrate the changing season and to strengthen your relationship.
Make apple pie Shelburne and South Hero have amazing orchards. Ask mom for her family recipe and use your apartment or residence hall kitchen to bake with your roommates. If you want the best cider donuts of all time, go to Adam’s Apple Orchard in Williston.
Whether you pick them from the vine yourself, or leave that hard work for someone else and buy them at the grocery store, you’re guaranteed to have fun carving faces and lighting candles.
Corn mazes They are still just as cool as they were when you were little. Grab your vest and some hot apple cider, and have fun getting lost together.
Movie nights On a cold night, bundle up and watch whatever silly Halloween movie is on ABC Family’s “Thirteen Nights of Halloween.” After all, “Hocus Pocus” is everyone’s favorite Halloween movie. Allison Carey is a senior English major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2014.
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Living options for upperclassmen Heather Rankine Cynic Correspondent After two years of living in the dorms, the time comes for students to choose if they wanna continue living on campus or venture off. But this isn’t necessarily an easy decision. There are some differences between the two options. On-campus, students have access to campus dining halls, including late night options like the Marché, Harris Millis and Brennan’s. On the other hand, living off-campus gives students the opportunity to buy their own groceries, maintain a budget and cook what they like at home. For junior Andrew Springer, the “privacy” of off-campus living is also a plus. “It’s a lot more relaxing and if you want to be alone, you can be,” Springer said. However, dorm life can be seen as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “I do miss living in the dorms sometimes because of how crazy it was and how there was always something going on,” he said. Sophomore Meredith Lupini and first-year Maggie Batton agreed that dorms are a “great way” to
MARISA ROSENTHAL The Vermont Cynic
Students get food on-campus at Cook Dining Hall Oct. 9. Students must live on-campus for their first two years, but then have the option of choosing off-campus living. Some students value the freedom of off-campus living, while others appreciate the experience of dorm life. meet people and bond with friends. “My best friends are from my floor last year. You can’t get that at an apartment,” Lupini said. Off-campus living can
provide both freedom and responsibility. Getting a lease, budgeting, moving into a new community and commuting are new challenges students take on when they live off-
campus. “Off-campus living makes me feel more connected to the Burlington community,” junior Ali Chipouras said.
The Housing Issue
Facing room inspection Eileen Parks Cynic Correspondent When those monthly inspection notices get posted to dorm room doors, students have 24 hours to make sure their rooms are in order. The purpose of inspections is to make sure residents are living in a “safe environment” free of fire and health hazards, said senior Kael Alberghini, a resident adviser at University Heights North. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ABBY GRANOFF The Vermont Cynic “A lot of people think we Items are scattered about in front of a dorm room door. Lack of a are deliberately looking for path to a dorm room door is one of the room inspection violations. a reason to give fines, which is not actually the case,” Almore Nicole Sweig said. Some of the items berghini said. That is the “most comThe main things RAs mon violation,” especially prohibited in the dorms look for are violations that on first inspections, Al-Multiplug adapters can lead to health or safety berghini said. -Space heaters problems, like not having On later inspections, a clear path to the door or -Candles main problems include fire plugging a refrigerator into hazards like candles or halo-Water beds a power strip. gen lamps, he said. -Fog machines Inspections are not about “I failed room inspection looking for drugs or alcobecause I had a small candle There are usually a few hol, although if an RA sees on my desk,” sophomore failures in each building, Alevidence of such substances Teresa Dotson said. “Ironiberghini said. there will be an immediate cally, it was a candle from “We all have different fine, according to the 2014convocation first year.” ways of responding,” he 15 Housing Contract. If a room fails said. “There are some [RAs] Some complain inspection, resiwho will give a TAC if they about inspections. dents will receive a see something in your room, “The main inTerms and Condieven if you’re asking them convenience is tions violation and whether it’s okay.” having to keep will have 24 hours posters six inches to fix the problem away from the before the room is ceiling,” sopho- The Housing Issue inspected again.
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Top Left: RA Austin Grant speaks with Senior RA Kaitie Bessette at the front desk in Mason-SimpsonHamilton Oct. 11. Top Right: RA Caitlin Wieland (left) speaks with a resident in the Living and Learning Center Oct. 7. Bottom Left: RA Caitlin Wieland on duty in the Living and Learning Center Oct. 7. Bottom Right: RA Austin Grant handles a phone call on Oct. 11. Photos by Jennifer Ramirez
Day-to-day of the RA Emilee Conroe & Marissa Lanoff Staff Writers What is it really like to be a resident adviser? “It is a full time job, like a mother,” said senior Amanda Meyer, an RA in Wills Hall. “It doesn’t stop at night or on the weekends. You constantly have to keep a professional appearance up.” RA’s at UVM are responsible for creating an environment that is safe, inclusive, healthy and that encourages learning, according to the UVM RA resources website. “They are necessary, but they can feel like a nuisance,” senior Brady Murphy said. “The best RAs are the ones that rule in a laissez-faire way.” The 20-hour weekly commitment consists of staff and supervior meetings, community interaction and other duties, according to the website. RAs must go through training two weeks before halls open in the fall as well as the week before dorms reopen after winter break, said junior Caitlin “Wheels” Wieland, an RA in Living/ Learning. “I’ve devoted a good two months of my life strictly to training,” Wieland said. “UVM is praised for how much training RAs get here. I could talk to you about political correctness all goddamn day.” To become an RA at UVM, students must fill out the application and go through both individual and group interviews, according
to the RA website. “Filling it out was fine, but in my group interview I showed up late and hungover. I had to leave my one-onone interview twice to boot,” Wieland said. It takes more than “just a piece of paper and a nice smile” to be a resident adviser, she said. “Extroversion helps, patience is good and you have to like people,” Wieland said. RAs handle the less glamorous issues, as well. “You have to be good at handling awkward situations, like sending someone to detox or calling the police,” Meyer said. “You deal with people your own age in a different light.” They also have to deal with student pranks, Wieland said. “My common room was egged, but it ended up just being a prank. I have had to deal with fights, a lot of sexist remarks and penis draw-
ings,” she said. year Brendan Whitney said It can be challenging and they appreciate the work the sometimes “scary and emoRAs do. tionally tiring,” Meyer said. “I like when RAs put Every RA handles these on events that let the halls responsibilities in a differmeet each other themselves, ent way, Wieland said. not force them into fake ice“RAs can absobreaker friendlutely be mean on ships,” Whitney purpose. Somesaid. times they have As for the best power trips. I saw part of the posian RA kick in a tion, both Meyer door once because and Wieland menshe thought she tioned “the comThe Housing Issue smelled pot,” she munity.” said. “The best part Wieland also said that of being an RA is the floor there is a stigma that comes community. You get really with the position. close with people,” Meyer But the position requires said. a responsibility to speak up, “All my residents teach Meyer said. me something,” Wieland “If I see something, I say said. something. It sucks, but we Although they have a have to do it. We can turn job, RAs are there to help a blind eye, but we worked students. After all, they are hard to get this position and students too. we are not going to throw it “I believe the RA proaway. Either work with us gram and my building esor against us,” Meyer said. pecially is fostering real Some students, like firstfriendships,” Wieland said.
JENNIFER RAMIREZ The Vermont Cynic
Second year RA Caitlin Wieland (center) bonds with her residents in Complex D of the Living and Learning Center Oct. 7. Wieland stresses the importance that RAs are there to make students feel safe.
A Saturday on duty
Hamilton Hall RA Kaitie Bessette walked the Cynic through a day on the job.
Saturday, Oct. 11 10 a.m. Woke up. 11:30 a.m. Went to play rehearsal. 12:45 p.m. Recieved text message from resident who was locked out of their room. 12:50 p.m. Told them to go to the front desk. 3:30 p.m. Walked back to residential hall. 4:45 p.m. Did homework with resident in study lounge. 6:30 p.m. Got ready for duty. 6:55 p.m. Went to staff room and got the duty phone. 7 p.m. Met with other RAs to go on walks. 7:35 p.m. Smelled weed emitting from a room, knocked on door, saw drug paraphanalia, called police services. 7:45 p.m. Finished community walks. 8 p.m. Sat at the front desk. 11 p.m. Finished desk duty. 11:02 p.m. Went on second community walks. 11:25 p.m. Found vomit in a hallway. 11:30 p.m. Poured vomit powder on vomit. Called RA on duty for clean-up. 11:50 p.m. Finished second community walks. 12:20 a.m. Received call from resident on the duty phone saying there is a resident, not from the building causing trouble in their hall. 12:45 a.m. After a lot of convincing, RAs got resident to leave the premise and return and their own residence hall. 1 a.m. Started third community walks. 1:10 a.m. Gave a noise warning to a room. 1:15 a.m. Room did not quiet down, gave a TAC violation. 1:25 a.m. Heard someone vomiting in the men’s bathroom, stall was locked, they stopped vomiting and passed out. 1:35 a.m. Called police services. 1:43 a.m. EMTs arrived and took barely conscious student to detox. 2 a.m. Wrote incident report. 2:30 a.m. Got call on the on duty phone from a resident who said the room next to them was being very loud. 2:35 a.m. RAs arrived, knocked on door and found alcohol present. 2:40 a.m. Had residents dump alcohol out. 3:20 a.m. Left and wrote incident report.
d i st r act i o n s
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014
The best and worst of UVM’s campuses “It seems to be more central than Central Cam pus actually is,” firstyear Adrienne Hurst said. “We have the gym and the Marché, and the Davis Center and library are right acros s the road, which is really nice.”
Athletic Campus • Easy access to Patrick Gym • Has some new buildings • Close to other campuses • Near a bunch of dining option s • Short walk to athletic events • Access to the benefits of L/L • Close to the Catholic Center
Cons Pros
• 10 to 15-minute walk to Cen tral Campus and Bailey-Howe Library • Usually busy and can be lou d
Redstone Campus Cons
• 15 to 20-minute walk to Central Campus and BaileyHowe Library • Can be loud, especially on weekends
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The Housing Issue
Pros • Close to Patrick Gym • Bustling social scene • Large green with a lot of room for activities • Access to running trails • Close to the Catholic Center
Trinity Campus Pros Cons • The “Back Five” have large rooms er from campus farth g • Livin creates a distinct community • Very quiet
• Isolated from the rest of campus • Far from downtown • About a 15-minute walk to Central Campus and Bailey-Howe Library • Limited dining options
Central Campus
Pros
• Near classes and BaileyHowe library • Closely packed residence halls make it easy to make friends • Closer to downtown than other parts of campus
“Some pros [to living on Trinity] would be having big rooms. The only con I have is that it is kind of quiet on Trinity. Not a lot of people go outside and do a lot of things, like on Redstone or Athletic Campuses,” first-year Joshua Circe said.
•
Cons
• Very busy and lou d • Notorious for havin g smallest dorm room s • Long walk to Patri ck Gym • Limited eating op tions on weekends . class, I can “If I have a 9:35 a.m . and leave my wake up at 9:20 a.m and still be on room at 9:30 a.m. if I’m feeling a time. Sometimes, ke up at 9:25 wa I little rebellious, Zacadia Nevin a.m.,” sophomore said.
•L
“Living on Central Campus has both its positives and its negatives. On the plus side, most, if not all, of your classes are right across the green, giving you a little mo re of an excuse to sleep in that extra five to 10 minutes,” sophomore Emma Pixler said. “There are also some negatives: you are far away from any people who live on Athletic or Redstone Campuses. Either way you have some walkin g to do”
Photos by Emma Oyomba
•
•
ARTS
Students find musical space Molly Duff Cynic Correspondent
Drum said. “The piano [in University Heights South] is completely broken,” she said. “Half the keys don’t work, or they’re sticky.” Senior Garrett Garcia, program director for World Music Exploration in Living/Learning, agreed saying the dorm’s pianos are “miserable” and “very out of tune.” Both Drum and Garcia said the open nature of the spaces causes the damage. However, “wear and tear is a natural thing, if things do break, they should be replaced,” Drum said. Another factor musicians must cope with is the availability of these spaces. In Living/Learning, there is only one designated practice room with a piano. Sophomore Max Mashrick, a program director for Living/ Learning’s Guitar House, said he’s
There’s space on campus to write and practice music. UVM Music Department’s Southwick Hall has 12 public practice rooms. Each have either an upright or a baby grand piano, music stands and chairs. Other practice areas across campus are in residence halls, including Living/Learning and University Heights South. Sophomore Eve Drum uses the University Heights South practice room to practice her trumpet. The room has “no music stands,” Drum said. “The only place to sit is a piano bench. Then you have to prop your music up on the piano keys.” The room does have a drum set, something other spaces don’t offer. Though the instruments are in “serious disrepair,” The Housing Issue
LUCI LOBE The Vermont Cynic
First-year Nick Vidal plays bass in a University Heights South practice room Oct. 9. Practice spaces for students who want to play instruments outside of their dorm are limited and often in poor condition. had issues with sharing the space. But, “you gotta do what you gotta do,” Mashrick said. Sophomore Caroline Dababneh, who works at Living/Learning’s front desk, said people use the residence hall’s rehearsal room because “the ones in [Southwick Hall] are filled up and really busy.” Garcia said that while not too many people use the dorm’s practice space, those
who do, use it frequently. He said the crowding leads to a feeling of a “lack of privacy.” “I always feel like I’m being watched, and that I’m disrupting people,” Garcia said. In addition, most of these practice spaces aren’t soundproof. There is one small soundproof room in Southwick Hall that is used for lessons and open to music majors and minors for rehearsal,
said D. Thomas Toner, chair of the music and dance department. Toner suggested that students work with SGA to address and fix these various issues with practice spaces. “A few years ago the hall council in Chittenden, Buckham, Wills got a new piano,” Garcia said. He said he thinks taking similar action now could lead to better spaces and equipment across campus.
Ensemble displays diversity Vt. Con looks local Cara Zhuang Cynic Correspondent
Maggie Richardson Cynic Correspondent
The classical ensemble, Sphinx Virtuosi, made up of the nation’s top black and Latino soloists, is making its way to UVM. The group is part of the Sphinx Organization, a nonprofit that seeks to diversify the classical music industry, according to its website. “Today, America’s orchestras are about 4.5 percent Black and Latino combined,” said Afa Dworkin, the program’s artistic director. Though still low, this number rose from 1.5 percent in 1997, before the organization was started, according to the organization’s website. Sphinx works to mend this demographic gap with minority-targeted competitions, mentoring opportunities and educational programs, according to the site. Their educational programs aim to inspire interest in music at a young age. “In our programs with young, elementary school aged children, we see a very pure interest,” Dworkin said. “There’s an empowerment young people feel when they’re introduced to classical music,” she said. One of their main programs is the Sphinx Competition, an event for Black and Latino young adults. “The level of talent is wonderfully high, and I’ve heard some first-class young
Comic-Con is coming to the Green Mountain State for the first time. Vermont Comic-Con prepares to join Burlington Oct. 25 to Oct. 26 at the Sheraton Hotel on Williston Road. Comic-Cons, a worldwide phenomenon, draw fans of comic books and Marvel’s latest blockbusters alike. The conventions are diverse by nature, with Burlington following the trend. “Burlington has so many different demographics, from college kids to little kids and even older folks,” said Jason Moulton, Vermont Comic-Con owner. Moulton, a businessman and “Comic-Con expert,” said he was drawn to Burlington for its “social diversity,” “artistic richness” and “welcoming spirit.” “The interest is here in the community,” he said. “The con has been incredibly well-received.” Comic-Cons can draw thousands of fans by featuring major celebrities. Vermont Comic-Con will be different, Moulton said. “We’re a smaller-medium sized convention,” he said. “I want to create a setting that is just like the community, very much on the grassroots level.” Moulton promises to keep the con’s scene local like Vermont itself. “It’s more of a commu-
PHOTO COURTESY OF NAN MELVILLE
Members of the classical ensemble Sphinx Virtuosi perform. The Sphinx Organization aims to diversify the field of classical music. players who are destined to go far in the field,” said Michael Tree, a Sphinx Competition juror. These artists go on to perform as soloists with some of the world’s top orchestras and even form ensembles of their own, according to their website. The Sphinx Virtuosi is formed from alumni of this competition. “I feel that classical music is based on a Eurocentric mindset and I’d like to see that change,” junior Khalil Lee said. “I would stand in support of any organization that looks to promote people of color in the classical arts.” Their concert programs are largely classical, but also include works by African American and Latino artists, Dworkin said. This concert series will be a tribute to American composers such as Aaron Copland, but will incorpo-
rate a variety of styles. One of the artists featured is “popular music” violinist Mark O’Connor, who specializes in bluegrass and fiddle. The program will also include a composition by Vermont native Marcus Goddard, as well as an original work by 19-year-old Sphinx Competition winner Xavier Foley. The concert will feature a piece written by one of the orchestra’s violinists, Jessie Montgomery, who commissioned the piece for the Sphinx Virtuosi. “This piece is her take on the national anthem, and it was composed with the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner,” said Karlos Rodriguez, a Sphinx cellist. The concert is part of the Lane Series and will be held at the UVM Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24.
nity event,” he said. “Every aspect of the con is about local artists and celebrities.” Local artists to be featured include Massachusetts-native and artist Scott Hamilton, Boston-based illustrator Ransom Getty and Vermont-born cartoonist James Kochalka. The con will also feature more mainstream names like Melissa Cowan of “The Walking Dead” and David Newall of “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.” “I could’ve had Dr. Who himself for insane amounts of money, but that would do a disservice to the community,” Moulton said. “I made it so that everybody wins.” “I’m going because all the big comic cons like NYC are quick to sell out and far away,” said junior Margot Gagnon, Cosplay Club president. “I love dressing up as superheroes when there are kids at conventions, because they think you’re the coolest thing, so its really heartwarming to dress up as their favorites,” Gagnon said. Moutlon said he is “incredibly thankful” for all the support from Burlington’s artistic community for accepting the con with open arms. “I give my heartfelt thanks to the community of Burlington,” he said. “There’s nothing to do but tip my cap to the community.”
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clipping. cuts the genre standards Anthony Dimario Cynic Correspondent Harsh noise and trap music are two genres at different ends of the musical spectrum. But Los Angelesbased group clipping. is bridging that gap. The group is also coming to Higher Ground Oct. 20 with Busdriver and Milo. Both clipping.’s debut album “Midcity” and followup “CLPPNG.” have been noted for their abrasion. However, “abrasion is not the goal,” band members said. In making music, “getting the process down is crucial,” the band said. The more they make, the “easier it becomes to make it.” They began incorporating different techniques for making noise, from blasts of feedback to more carefully composed sound collages, they said. “[We] rely on our own taste and knowledge,” the band said. Their inspiration doesn’t come from “your dad’s records.” Rather, the band draws from their musical histories to produce their sound.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SUB POP RECORDS
Members of Los Angeles-based hip-hop group clipping. pose for a photo. They will be performing their unconventional blend of harsh noise and trap music at Higher Ground with Busdriver and Milo Oct. 20. “To ignore the past is much more fraudulent,” frontman Daveed Diggs said. Band member Jonathan Snipes cites Aphex Twin, Phillip Glass and Steve Rice, among others as a part of his musical history. Common influences, from hip-hop to minimalist and experimental, drew
the band members together creatively when they first met in college, they said. The precursor to “CLPPNG.” was a remix project called “Beach Balls,” which blended pop and dance music with bursts of harsh noise. Though odd, the marriage of the two genres made a lot of sense to
Snipes. “[Nine Inch Nail’s] ‘Head like a Hole’ and [Carly Rae Jepsen’s] ‘Call Me Maybe’ are essentially the same song,” he said. “In my head, Merzbow and Katy Perry are in the same musical vein.” “Beach Balls” eventually developed into clipping. with the addition of Diggs’ raps to the collaboration be-
tween Snipes and Will Hutson. The mix of genres caused confusion among some audience members. At times they were “misread as a joke,” Diggs said. “Some people thought ‘they’re college educated, they’re too smart for trap music,’ which, for one, is racist,” he said. It also overlooks the point of all hip-hop, which Diggs said is all about “partying through the terror,” drawing upon dark situations and trying to make light of them. “Noise is a very dynamic medium for expressing this,” Hutson said. As a result, the band said they don’t know what to expect from audiences and doesn’t try to get any specific reaction out of them. “Its always exciting to see people moshing to what we think of as a slow song,” Hutson said. When asked whether any of the band members had been to Vermont before, only Diggs said that he had. “I didn’t have a bad meal there, I guess they’re known for that,” he said.
Hillel celebrates holiday with filmmaker Sam Heller Staff Writer Documentary filmmaker Jason Hutt sported a fiveo’clock shadow and a plaid shirt with the sleeves turned up at the elbows. Hutt spoke with his hands, pausing occasionally to glance back up at his listeners. “I’m rambling,” he said during a pause. “Let’s move on.” Hutt came to UVM Oct. 9 for Hillel’s screening of his latest film, “Sukkah City.” The screening was part of Hillel’s celebration of Sukkot, a Jewish holiday during which those celebrating build a temporary residence, or “sukkah,” outside of their homes. “Sukkah City” chronicles
an architectural competition hosted by New York Times bestselling author Joshua Foer. “The Sukkah as this architectural archetype has real latent meaning to it... So what [Foer] decided, which was genius, was to have all of these architects and designers take this structure and really do something creative with it,” Hutt said. Architects and engineers competed to design a sukkah to function both as a work of art and as a religious object according to biblical laws. “It needs to have three walls, [and] some sort of covering,” said senior Miles Schoenberg, Hillel president. “You need to be able to see the stars through the roof at night, there are cer-
tain height requirements,” said Sharon Silverman, Hillel’s director of Jewish Student Leadership. “It has to be temporary.” Many sukkahs were inspired by Jewish themes, Hutt said. One was built out of cardboard signs which the artist bought from homeless residents. For religious Jews, “the sukkah is a space to ceremonially practice homelessness,” Foer said. “In that sense it is an architecture of both memory and empathy.” Though Hutt said he has never built a sukkah himself, he said he was at least partially drawn to the “Sukkah City” project for spiritual reasons. “I don’t want to get super religious on you — Matt [Vogel, UVM Hillel’s executive
I.J. IDRIZAJ The Vermont Cynic
Director Jason Hutt discusses his documentary at the Davis Center Oct. 9. Hillel hosted a screening of “Sukkah City” to celebrate Sukkot. director] said this was one of the most secular public universities in the country so this will be great, when I get really Jew-y,” he said. “But there’s this idea that we create holiness, that
not everything is inherently holy,” Hutt said. “I think that’s an interesting Jewish idea and concept. It’s called Kiddush Hashem... it’s making something holy, or elevating it,” he said.
WRUV DJ PICKS
WRUV DJ senior Lev McCarthy — DJ name “Copho” — plays a variety of music from local bands and artists. His show “Exposure,” which he co-hosts with fellow DJ “Dox,” runs Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.
Artist: Attic Abasement Song: “Try to Sleep” Album: “Don’t Hate Fuck”
Artist: Connan Mockasin Song: “Forever Dolphin Love” Album: “Please Turn Me Into the Snat”
Artist: Chad VanGaalen Song: “Sara” Album: “Diaper Island”
Artist: Neutral Milk Hotel Song: “I Will Bury You In Time” Album: “Ferris Wheel on Fire”
Artist: A Sunny Day In Glasgow Song: “In Love With Useless…” Album: “Sea When Absent”
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014
Housing the arts in Living/Learning By Megan Pohle
COLE WANGSNESS The Vermont Cynic
Sophomores Russell Evans (left), Angelo Colarusso (center) and Dustin Keim play guitar together in the common area of the Living/Learning Guitar House Oct. 8.
To encourage an exploration of the arts, some Living/Learning communities are housed in suite-style living. The experience gives students the opportunity to live with others who share the same interests. Suite-style living not only provides students with a tight-knit community, but also features two private bathrooms and a common room. Each suite houses up to six people. Students in each program have made the common space all their own, said first-year Erin Smith, an Integrated Fine Arts student. From movie posters on the walls of the Moving Picture House to pottery in Clay House, each suite is unique. Suitemates play music together, embark on art projects or watch movies as a group. This learning experience creates special communiThe Housing Issue ties in each program
Integrated Fine Arts
Moving Picture House
Residing on the second floor of Living/Learning’s E Building, the Integrated Fine Arts Program houses 12 first-year students who share an enthusiasm for the arts, first-year Merritt Gleason said. While taking both theatre and photography classes this semester, these students experience small classes in which they are able to get to know their professors well. When they’re not in photo lab or at the theater, these students can be found watching “That 70’s Show” on the projector in their suite or venturing down to the Marché to get a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. “I’m really happy to be in the [Integrated Fine Arts Program] because I get to be with people of similar interests. I also like the vibes,” first-year Erin Smith said. Stacked with DVD’s and VCR’s, the Moving Picture House’s suite displays the community’s love for film with only a glance. The five members not only watch movies, but also create them. “No one takes watching movies seriously, except for Moving Picture House,” firstyear Rhea Lovell said. Every Sunday, these movie lovers gather in their suite for a screening, which includes anything from kung-fu flicks to cult classics such as “Train Spotting,” Lovell said. If the suitemates aren’t watching the latest blockbuster, they can be found at Brennan’s competing in Pub Quiz on Wednesday nights, which they have won once, she said.
Guitar House
Friday nights in the amphitheater aren’t the only time Guitar House members can be found jamming together. Classic rock, reggae and blues can be heard from behind the house’s doors as this group of musicians practice together throughout the week. The two suites that make up this community spend most of their time together linked by a shared love of playing music, house members said. Despite being open to all genders, Guitar House is made up of only first-year and sophomore males. The community feels “no pressure” to venture outside of the house for friends, members said.
Clay House
Clay House is furnished with the pottery its members make, including coat hangers, pitchers and butt sculptures. From hand building to wheel training, Clay House works with different types of clay. Each Wednesday, the community attends a zero-credit class where they receive a weekly pottery assignment and are able to explore the different ways in which clay is used, Program Director Leanna Healey said. “Pottery is a good way to relax and distract myself from homework,” Healey said.
Cakes for a Cause
There’s a suite that combines baking with community service. Cakes with a Cause brings together a group of people who share an enthusiasm for a well-made cupcake, said senior Cora Churchill, program director. Each year the community puts on four bake sales in which they often collaborate with other campus groups. This year, the community hopes to work with the Living/Learning Youth Center. By baking and living together, this community has developed a “close bond.” “I like how we’ve all really connected. Compared to the other houses I feel we’ve developed a strong sense of community,” Churchill said.
The Spoken Word
New to the Living/Learning community, The Spoken Word unites students who share a passion for reading and finding their artistic style of writing. “The two leaders have created a safe community where we can share whatever we write,” sophomore Juli Tyson said. Every Sunday, the two suites that make up this community meet to discuss a weekly writing and reading assignment and also critique each other’s work, Tyson said. Though the group is currently focused on poetry, they will also explore many other forms of literature this year, such as short stories and plays, she said.
World Music House
With a common goal of sharing and exploring different musical tastes, the World Music Exploration House studies how music affects culture. Members of this Living/Learning community come from all different grades and spend time playing and sharing music with one another. They also host an open mic night, house members said. Each week, World Music Exploration has a meeting where they share a different genre of music, though mostly the suite mates share music less formally.
VICTORIA CASSAR The Vermont Cynic
Residents of Clay House hang out in the common area Oct. 8. Clay House attends a weekly pottery class.
COLE WANGSNESS The Vermont Cynic
Guitars on display in the common area of Guitar House. Members
COLE WANGSNESS The Vermont Cynic
DVDs are displayed in the common room area of the Moving Picture
Other Arts Initiative Houses include Japanese Visual Culture, Art of Photography, Dead Poets Society and Theatre House.
A dv ert i s em en t
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014
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The Cynic is excited that our University, which holds more As the Cynic compiled our 10,000 students, will have an opannual housing issue, we exam- portunity to participate in the loined many concerns impacting cal government. However, we urge students to students and their housing. The city’s noise ordinance, take advantage of this amazing code issues and safety were just opportunity to make an impact in the regions where we live. some of those topics. A student representative The Office of Student and would get to work with 15 other Community Relations as well as the Department of Residential city councilors to make decisions Life at UVM are excellent campus for Burlington. This new ward is comprised resources for students to handle mostly, but not entirely of stusuch housing concerns. But now, students have an- dent housing. Therefore if we don’t step other outlet to improve our comup and get involved, we are not munity and housing. An eighth city council ward guaranteed a position. Participation in the new ward was approved in March. The new ward will combine could get more young people insections from wards one, two, vested in Vermont and local issues. three and six. Imagine calling a classmate, As a result, this new ward will City Councilor. be mostly comprised That’s a pretty of student residents. cool opportunity for This will allow a an 18 to 22-year-old. student representaSo students, start tive to run for city looking into ways to council and represent get involved in lotheir ward and the cal government, esneighborhood where pecially in Ward they live. The Housing Issue Eight.
STAFF EDITORIAL
The Supreme Court announced the cases that are on their docket for the upcoming term on Oct. 6. Ranging from religion in the workplace (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc.) to bias in the housing market (Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. The Inclusive Communities Project, Inc.), the Supreme Court has taken on a diverse set of cases. However, one series of cases is conscipuously missing: those regarding same-sex marriages in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. By deciding to not hear these cases, the Supreme Court has effectively ruled in favor of lower circuit decisions, legalizing gay marriage in these states. While I do not oppose gay marriage, the decision by the Supreme Court to not hear these cases showcases a star-
tling reality. Because these cases were decided by five different federal appeals courts, presiding over five different regions of the United States, these circuit decisions have become law in all of the states in each district. Thus, Maryland, West Virginia, and the Carolinas now allow same sex marriage as per the Virginia ruling, despite the citizens never being given the opportunity to either determine their states policies or have their cases heard in the highest court of the land. This is a problem because many of the states impacted by the previous ruling. Such states include South Carolina and Kansas, had already passed marriage amendments separately defining same sex union and traditional marriage. While I personally may not agree with these laws, the fact that they passed overwhelmingly in both states (70 percent in South Carolina, 78 percent in Kansas) showcases the problem with the Supreme Court’s inaction. Not only were laws passed by the citizens of these states overturned, but they will now never have the opportunity to present their arguments in
court. The values and ideals of the citizens of South Carolina and Kansas were robbed by the Supreme Court. So much for a nation of duly enacted, just laws. Why is this a problem? After all, same sex marriage is clearly a right in the UVM bubble, so who cares what the citizens of backwards states have to say? They are the ones that are incorrect, the ones that are on the wrong side of history. However, this overlooks the founding principles of American-style democracy. If a law will be put into effect, it will need to be in accordance with the majority of beliefs of those that will have to live under it. When these laws are overturned by lifetime appointed judges, democracy is undone by the exact federalism warned against by Cato, Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry. Many law scholars point to Supreme Court decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade as the premier examples of exactly how effective the Supreme Court can be when it decides to take the decision making process into its hands.
Unsigned editorials officially reflect the views of The Vermont Cynic and its staff. All 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. Send letters to cynicalopinion@gmail.com. We are also committed to accuracy in all of our work. If for some reason there is an error, please send all letters of correction to cynic@uvm.edu. Visit our website at www.vtcynic.com.
They are the ones that are incorrect, the ones that are on the wrong side of history. However, the problem with equating this inaction to those actions is that they are inherently different. The citizens of Kansas, South Carolina and those other states affected will never have the opportunity to argue for their definition of marriage while Topeka, Kansas and Henry Wade argued their cases in Washington, D.C. In this day and age of extreme political polarization, where there is no gray, only black and white, it is crucial that these cases see the light of day in the highest court of the land. We spend so much time railing against judicial activism, and rightfully so. However, on Oct. 6, the Supreme Court demonstrated exactly how powerful judicial inactivism can be. Ty Williams is a senior political science and history double major. He has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2014.
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opinion
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014
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Silverman imparts her two cents Joey Brown In an exercise of fostering cheap laughs and poor journalism, comedian Sarah Silverman jokingly vowed on Buzzfeed to undergo a sex change in order to become equal to men in wages. I wasn’t aware Ms. Silverman had financial troubles. Or even that she was being paid less than some of her Comedy Central coworkers like, say, Daniel Tosh — although I certainly hope Tosh is better paid. I actually laugh at his jokes. But since a sex change, writes Buzzfeed, is not “realistic,” Silverman is instead embarking on a quest to raise $29 trillion to give women what they’re properly owed. When inevitably this goal isn’t reached, the money will instead go to The National Women’s Law Center — a humorous yet cynical sleight-ofhand to dupe people into giving their money to lawyers. Who knew lawyers were short for change, too? Before I continue, it’s necessary to explain why the 77 cents myth is, indeed, a myth. First, it presupposes that women work the same hours as men, when in reality men are almost twice as likely to work more than 40 hours per week than women are, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Second, marriage and children often create a larger wage
disparity between men and women. Child-care temporarily removes women from the labor force, so that when they return they generally do not possess the experience of similarly aged men. When they rejoin the work force they typically pursue jobs with flexible work hours, which by nature pay less. Remove children from the equation and you have a different story: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that single women who have never married earned 96 percent of men’s earnings in 2012. The difference is virtually erased. Third, there exists the issue of education. Women, who hold the majority of associate’s, master’s and bachelor’s degrees, typically pursue less financially fruitful studies such as sociology and liberal arts, whereas men generally receive degrees in higher paying fields such as finance, accounting and engineering. Men are also more likely to bargain over salaries than women are, according to the American Association of University Women. Lastly, there’s the risk factor: Men are more likely to work in life-threatening fields of work than women, and those fields pay higher to make dangerous work desirable. Given all of this, raving about the 77 cent myth demonstrates a sense of economic illiteracy. Indeed, if women could be paid less than men without legal repercussions, what is the benefit in hiring men at all? One supposes, then, that a successful employer is one who throws the job applications of
Illustration by Cory Dawson
men in the shredder, and creates for himself a staff — or Romney-esque binders full — of only women. This is why the myth is dangerous in the hands of politicians. President Obama — who ironically pays his female staff less than his male staff, according to a Washington Post study — vocally endorses cre-
ating channels for lawsuits for employees who feel that they’ve been cheated by their employers. And the burden of proof will fall upon those employers to prove that they haven’t discriminated. No doubt it would be the case that National Women’s Law Center would play a signif-
icant — and profitable — role in pursuing these cases. So why do they need money? For the same reason the Democratic Party needs votes: power. Joey Brown is a junior political science major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2012.
Economic undertones of product Kevin Santamaria Definition of gross domestic product: the sum total of all final goods and services that a country produces in a given year or time frame. GDP is currently the mainstream measurement of economic development and wellbeing. GDP’s constant growth is the goal of economists, politicians, lobbyists, corporations, the military-industrial complex and of course, us, the consumers. GDP is supposed to measure the well-being of a nation. GDP is supposed to tell us how rich we are in comparison to other countries. For economics students, macroeconomics is the study of how to grow GDP: increase government spending, decrease taxes, increase consumption, decrease imports and so on.
Yet, considering how important GDP is to economics, it falls short on many levels as a true measurement of development, progress and quality of life. For example, GDP cares about production and consumption but it ignores exactly what is being produced and consumed. GDP does not distinguish between growth that comes from building drones and growth that comes from building solar panels. Thus, our current measurement of development is indifferent about producing goods that could benefit society or destroy it. In addition, GDP is dependent on infinite growth to sustain itself, yet we live on a finite planet. Thus, mathematically, you cannot run an unlimited system on a finite planet forever — there will be consequences. And we are seeing these problems today. More coal and fossil fuels need to be burned into our atmosphere in order to keep pace with increasing demand. More waste contaminates our oceans and ecosystems as byproducts of our endless pro-
duction. Furthermore, GDP subtly implies that we need more to be satisfied. The GDP of the U.S. is currently $17 trillion, yet it is still not enough. The GDP model, and therefore macroeconomic classes, assume that more money, more goods and more services equate to more happiness. Researchers at the Stony Brook University School of Medicine concluded that people from high income countries reported higher symptoms of depression over their lifetime compare to people from low-income societies. The researchers also ranked the U.S. and France as the most depressed nations in their study. Yet, our economic classes disregard such studies and continue telling students that economic growth will make everyone better off. The more we use, the more we replace. The more pills we take, the more we drive, the more we bombs we build, the higher our GDP will be. Until we change our measurement of progress, our conditions will not change.
Perhaps that is why economics makes the assumption that humans are by nature selfish, greedy and always rational — not because it’s true, but because it helps the economic system run smoothly. If you are greedy and selfish, you will constantly demand more for yourself and therefore continue increasing GDP — but it will certainly not make you happy. GDP does not measure how our families are being raised, what kind of food we are eating, how clean the air we breathe is or how fresh our water supply is. This branch of economics encourages students to consume endlessly without any limitations to our natural resources. It also instills the idea that consumption is not only good for society, it is the most acceptable way to contribute to society. When our macroeconomic courses teach us about the importance and value of GDP, we have to question these assumptions. Ask what happens to GDP when growth is not possible. Ask why GDP growth is going to the top sector of society when it is supposed to be benefiting ev-
GDP does not measure how our families are being raised, what kind of food we are eating, how clean the air we breathe is or how fresh our water supply is. eryone. Ask why GDP is viewed so highly when it is clearly so deficient. Question GDP because there are alternative ways to measure progress and well-being but they are not being discussed, debated or implemented because our economic classes do not even introduce them. For more, please visit: EvolvingEcon.com Kevin Santamaria is a senior economics and political science double major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2011.
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d i st r act i o n s
The four dorm neighbors we all experience
The Housing Issue
By Jessica Brideau Illustrations by Olivia Oldach and Cory Dawson
The Hermit Sometimes, people in your hall can become great friends. But sometimes it may seem a lot better to keep to yourself. “To be honest I don’t really know anyone in my dorm,” first-year Hannah Nemiah said. “We don’t really talk to each other.” Being forced to share close quarters with strangers can
be nice for some students and a nightmare for others, and sometimes we all need time to ourselves. The Hermits have perfected the art of keeping to themselves behind dorm room walls. They’re definitely still in the building, though, you just have to open up their closed door and say ‘hello.’
The Talker Keeping in touch with family and friends from back home can make the transition to college life a lot easier and The Talkers certainly know that. They make sure to call home or Skype their friends and family as much as possible. Try taking a walk around your hall sometime around
midnight — you’re bound to find at least one student sitting on the hall floor, Skyping someone from back home. “Midnight is the best time to Skype, because then other people don’t listen in on your conversations. I’ve got to keep in touch with my mom and dad,” first-year Bailey Stokes said.
The Athlete Sports are a great way to stay fit and healthy, but with temperatures outside dropping quickly, it’s getting more uncomfortable to do them outside. The solution? Simple: practice sports indoors. With heating, carpeted floors and well-lit stretches of ground even at night, the hallways seem to be an even bet-
ter substitute for the outdoors when it comes to The Athlete. However, it does come at the price of having a confined space. “The hallway seemed a safe place to unicycle, but the water fountain-induced head trauma begged to differ,” first-year Matt Cortigiai said.
The Musician It takes a lot of dedication to maintain and improve musical skills, and The Musician knows that. These neighbors don’t let their new surroundings at college stop them. But rather they continue to practice singing, playing the guitar or any other musical skills right in their dorm room.
You can hear The Musicians practicing at all times of day and night. Giving you your own private concert. Every few weeks, they may even learn a new note. “It’s kind of amusing, because they always do the same song over and over again,” firstyear Lauren Rayson said.
Sports
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNA POHOLEK
First-year forward Travis Blanbiel skates past two Paladin Knight defenders during the Catamounts 8-0 victory over the Royal Military College of Canada. Vermont defeated their Hockey East opponent, No. 16 Northeastern University, in their first game of the season. UVM will face the Clarkson University Golden Knights at 7:05 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17.
Men’s hockey prevail in season opener
Catamounts push past No. 16 Northeastern Junior transfer adds depth to UVM defense
Alex Benoît Staff Writer
After a dominating 8-0 win over the Royal Military College of Canada Oct. 5, the Cats faced their first Hockey East opponent, Northeastern University Oct. 11, pummeling their league rivals 6-2. Senior defenseman Nick Luukko, sophomore forward Mario Puskarich, and Coach Kevin Sneddon met with the media in the Bostwick Room Oct. 7, to discuss the upcoming game. “Northeastern is going to be a hostile environment,” Luukko said. “But we’re ready to go and ready to start the new season.” Luukko, who had an assist in the game against the Paladin Knights, said he is “very impressed” by the first-years and expects them to make a “big impact.” “It’s the season opener — I don’t expect us not to make mistakes, but I’m very confident in our D-core [defensive core] and I expect us to get involved,” he said. Puskarich, who had a two-point effort against the Paladin Knights, includ-
ing a second period goal, said he expects a “very strong” power play this year. The addition of first-years Jarrid Privitera, Rob Darrar and Anthony Petruzzelli should add “a lot of depth” to the Cats’ man-advantage unit, he said. “It’s all about routine,” Sneddon said. Vermont will certainly have to find its routine quickly, as the first month of the schedule pits them against No. 16 ranked Northeastern University, Clarkson University, University of Connecticut and Notre Dame University. Junior forward Jonathan Turk registered a hat trick and an assist, leading the way against the Huskies. Captain and senior defenseman Mike Paliotta also had a four-point night, including the first Catamount goal of the season. What should Vermont fans expect from the Cats this year following a taste of the Frozen Four Tournament? After downing Northeastern the Cats look to carry their momentum into their home opener at 7:05 p.m. Oct. 17 against the Clarkson University Golden Knights.
Alex Benoît Staff Writer While a first-year skating for Boston University, Alexx Privitera scored the game-winning goal for the Terriers against UVM at Gutterson Field house. Now a junior, Privitera is skating in a different sweater. Privitera transferred to UVM this season, he cited one reason for joining the Catamounts being of the coaching staff. “I also played with [senior defenseman Mike] Paliotta with Team USA [2010] and that made me very comfortable,” he said. Privitera, who grew up playing roller hockey in New Jersey with his younger brother Jarrid, spent last year in the U.S. Hockey League as the captain of the Dubuque Fighting Saints. In addition to Boston University and the Fighting Saints, Privitera said he has spent time with the U.S. U17 and U18 teams, traveling to Canada and Slovakia representing his country. While skating against NHL stars like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmon-
Alexx Privitera Pre-game ritual: Whatever they give us! Other sports played: Baseball up until high school. Favorite sports team: New York Rangers. Any vacation in the world: Someplace warm. Been to the Dominican Republic once and loved it. ton Oilers, Privitera won the gold medal while on the U17 team. The defenseman described himself as a “mobile, offensive-minded defenseman” who wants to work to improve all aspects of his game. Despite holding a leadership role for the Fighting Saints, Privitera said “it’s not important who has a letter on their chest…it’s going to be a lead by example sort of thing.” He notched his first assist of the season against the Royal Military College of Canada Oct. 5, and picked up two more against Northeastern Oct. 11.
Feeling the heat on ice: Tales of the Zamboni driver Cam Panepinto Assistant Sports Editor During varsity hockey games at Gutterson Arena — packed with cheering fans — the players aren’t the only ones under pressure. Zamboni drivers feel the heat too. “There’s a lot of pressure for us Zamboni drivers during a game,” said Mike Little, a Zamboni driver at Gutterson Fieldhouse. “You’re literally driving a vehicle on ice while about 4,000 people are around,” Little said. The Zamboni drivers and others who help maintain the ice arrive at the rink hours before the puck drops. “We like to have at least
two hours before a game,” Little said sporting a green Catamount sweatshirt. “We’ll go over it a couple times with the Zamboni and then we go around the whole rink and get the edges ourselves.” While the drivers may not be the center of attention at games, their efforts are still noticed. “Those guys put in so much hard work throughout the season,” senior men’s hockey captain Mike Paliotta said. “We really can’t thank them enough for making Gutterson one of the best places to play in the country,” Paliotta said. Little said there are a variety of factors to consider when making the ice. “The water that goes on the
ice from the Zamboni is around 160 degrees hot and is specially treated so there aren’t any minerals in it,” he said. “We need to know the ice temperature, the rink temperature, the rink humidity, and that all changes depending on how many people are in the rink,” Little said. Gutterson is used throughout the day by many teams; from figure skating to hockey to broomball, so the ice sees a lot of use. “Figure skaters with toe picks dig into the ice when they are out there,” Little said. “Hockey players really tear it up too and if coach is mad, boy, can they make a mess.” When the Zamboni goes over the ice, it shaves it down
LUCI LOBE The Vermont Cynic
Jared Fuller resurfaces the ice after a women’s hockey practice at Gutterson Fieldhouse Oct. 10. Proper ice care is essential to rink use. with a blade in order to remove any grooves caused by skates and then pours hot water over it to create a new sheet of ice. “It’s a product we’re making,” Little said over the hum
of the Zamboni. “People rent the ice and pay money for it so when they come out I want them to have a pristine surface.”
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S Po rts
1511 5 6 3 10 7
8 12 13 9
Where are they now?
4
1 2
UVM’s former athletes
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HOCKEY
MEN’S BASKETBALL
9. Tim Thomas’97–Dallas Stars (Texas) 10. Chelsea Furlani’10–EV Bozen Eagles (Italy) 11. Jeff Corey‘06 –Ostersunds FK Soccer (Sweden) 12. Chris McCarthy’14–New York Rangers (New York)
1. Joey Accaoui'11 – Amchit Club (Lebanon) 2. Marqus Blakely'10 – San Mig Coffee Mixers (Philippines) 3. Taylor Coppenrath'05 – Ford Burgos (Spain) 4. Chris Holm'07 – Shiga Lakestarts (Japan) 5. Clancy Rugg'14 – Musel Pikes (Luxembourg) 6. Candon Rusin’14 - Patrioti Levice (Slovakia)
SOCCER 13. Connor Tobin’08 – Carolina Railhawks (North Carolina) 14. Kyle Luetkehans ’10 – Brisbane Strikers (Australia)
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
SKIING
7. May Kotsopoulos’10–Sony-Athinaikos (Greece) 8. Courtnay Pilypaitis’10 – National Team (Canada)
15. Jonathan Nordbotten ‘14 – National Team (Norway) by Sasha Kedzie
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NFL Picks
NFL Week 7: Cynic predictions Jack Estrin Every week, members of the sports section will predict who will be victorious in their NFL match-ups.
Giants vs. Cowboys
shad Jennings will miss the next few weeks due to injury, meaning Eli Manning will be frequently handing the ball off to Andre Williams to the ground. With the return of talented rookie Odell Beckham from injury and the consistent play of Victor Cruz, the Giants will be able to find more than enough holes in the weak Cowboys secondary. Cowboys: Alex, Andrew, Armin, Cam, Colby, Dave, Freddy, Jack, Owen, Stu and Zach.
49ers vs. Broncos
The New York offense is The 49ers did not reach the clicking on all cylinders, 30-point mark through having won three their first five games of games in a row afthe season, which is ter dropping their not nearly enough offirst two. fense to keep up with In fact, during the high powered the Giants three Broncos. game winning 49ers quarterback streak, they scored Colin Kaepernick has at least 30 points in been serviceable this year, each game. With both NFL PICKS but his shaky tactics and defenses ranked outlack of a dominant running side the top 15 in the league, game will make it hard for the this game will be a shootout, 49ers to overtake the Broncos. with Eli Manning and the GiWith receiver Wes Welker’s ants coming out on top. return from suspension, Peyton Although Tony Romo and Manning is finally getting his Dez Bryant will take advantage full array of weapons healthy, of a suspect Giants defense, a scary sight for opposing dethey simply will not be able to fenses. keep up with New York’s weapThis one will stay relativeons. ly close because of the 49ers New York running back Rastrong defense, however the
Broncos will ultimately come out on top. Broncos: Alex, Andrew, Armin, Cam, Colby, Dave, Freddy, Jack, Owen, Stu and Zach.
Saints vs. Lions Coming off a bye week, Drew Brees and the Saints will come out on top against the injuryriddle Lions. With Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush battling injuries, I find it hard to believe that the Lions will be able to keep up with the highly regarded Saints offense. Detroit has found points hard to come by at times this year, scoring under 20 points in three of the first five games of the year. This is in large part due to injuries to some of the Lions’ most dynamic players, namely Bush and Johnson. With a healthy Jimmy Graham coming off a bye week, and the emergence of rookie Brandin Cooks, I fully expect the Saints to come out victorious. Saints: Armin, Colby, Owen and Jack. Lions: Alex, Andrew, Cam, Dave, Freddy, Stu and Zach. Jack Estrin is a first-year undeclared major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2014.
Alex-9-6 Andrew- 8-7 Armin- 11-4 Cam- 8-7 Colby- 8-7 Dave- 9-6 Freddy- 7-8 Jack- 8-7 Owen- 9-6 Stu- 10-5 Zach- 10-5
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014
BECCA ADAMS The Vermont Cynic
Members of the UVM women’s varsity swimming and diving team look on during their meet against America East conference rival the University of Maine Black Bears at Forbush Natatorium Nov. 9, 2013. The Cats are set to host the University of New Hampshire Wildcats for their next meet Oct. 18.
UVM CRIBS
Women’s varsity swimming and diving house
Emma Oyomba Staff Writer The Cynic sat down with varsity swimming and diving team members juniors Andie Blaser and Gabrielle Logozzo and seniors Katie Adams and Samantha Russo to get a peek into their lives and their home. Vermont Cynic (VC): Who has the best room? Andie Blaser (AB): I think Katie has the best room. It has the best color and she has a lot of closet space. It’s right next to the bathroom which Sam [Russo] thinks is an advantage. She has a balcony, deck and stairs that go outside which is cool. VC: Who is the messiest roommate? Katie Adams (KA): Andie is definitely the messiest. AB: I’m gonna go ahead and defend myself. Yes, I’m messy but I clean the kitchen often... but not that often. VC: What part of the house does everyone hang out in the most? KA: We hang out in the kitchen living room because it’s joined together. It’s a super nice area where we can all get together, eat and hang out. VC: What is the funniest thing that has happened while living in your house? Samantha Russo (SR): I maybe, almost set the house on fire. I tried making donuts one night. The oil in the pan started burning and then there was a lot of smoke. Andie was woken up out of her sleep by all of the smoke and ran out of her bedroom thinking there was a fire. We had to take the pan with the oil outside to the front lawn. I still managed to save the donuts, I had to bake them in the oven. Our house ended up smelling like a tiny restaurant that night. Gabrielle Logozzo: Um, we had a wasp problem. There were about ten wasps a day, they were huge. Katie would run around the house swatting and spraying them. Luckily, they’re gone now. VC: What made you choose this house?
ERIN LUCEY The Vermont Cynic
Senior Samantha Russo’s room. The senior lives off-campus with three of her fellow swimming and diving teammates. Russo and her roommates host various team gatherings at their off-campus home.
AB: It wasn’t originally what we wanted. We wanted something closer to downtown like the Hickok or Isham area. It was just the last pick but it ended up working out well. VC: How are the neighbors? Are there a lot of other college students that live along your street or families or both? KA: Well, right above and below us we have fellow UVMers. Our next door neighbors are two very attractive men in their early 20s who have a cute dog. And right next to them is a family. AB: We kind of have a mixture of UVM students and families and everyone in between living around here. VC: Is your place where a lot of the guys from the team come to hang out on the weekends or when there is a like a team get together? SR: We do have team gatherings here and tie dye. We had a BBQ with ERIN LUCEY The Vermont Cynic the team here. We have a big yard so Senior Katie Adams’ room is pictured. Adams’ it works our having people here. three roommates said that her room is the best. The Housing Issue
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014
Somer’s Breeze
Gender gap in athletics Somer Brown Watching hockey teams play was a big event when I was in high school. At the end of my senior year, the girls team’s final record was 10-8-2, and the boy’s was 5-19-1. Despite the female success, the boy’s team was the one that got free duffel bags, personalized helmets and more. Bottom line is boy’s teams are favored over girl’s. In 1972, Title IX was passed. This law requires gender equality in every educational program receiving federal funding, according to titleix.info. Nonetheless, my school’s boy’s hockey team was clearly receiving more money than the girl’s. This sense of female inferiority does not stop at high school. Colleges have also been under fire for attempting to escape the law. Quinnipiac violated Title IX through several “questionable practices,” including forcing
“It’s time to stop ignoring women like Jackie Mitchell...who struck out both Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, but was deemed too “fragile” for professional baseball.” female cross-country runners to also join both the indoor and outdoor track teams so they could each be counted three times, according to an April 26, 2011 New York Times article. In the 2012 London Olympics, London mayor Boris Johnson, praised the beach volleyball teams in an editorial for The Daily Telegraph, saying that they were “glistening like wet otters.” In related news, NBC’s New York affiliate used the headline “Olympic Beach Volleyball: Great Bodies, Bikinis and More” for the event. While the “glistening” volleyball players were receiving high media coverage, athletes like Charlotte Dujardin, who broke and continues to break, world records in dressage received little to no attention. Despite the fact that she was competing in one of the few sports that does not have separate men’s and women’s teams. It’s time to stop trivializing female athletics. It’s time
to stop portraying women in sports as sexual objects meant to please sleazy men. It’s time to stop ignoring women like Jackie Mitchell, a depression-era pitcher who struck out Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, but was deemed too “fragile” for professional baseball. Why should we keep teaching young girls that being “hot” is more impressive than being talented? This kind of thinking trickles down to every girl who believes she needs to be as fit as an athlete in order to get male attention. Women in sports should be an inspiration to young girls. We should not be looking up to women athletes for their flat stomachs and thin legs — we should admire their sportsmanship, their strength and their agility.
athletetweets “Universitas Viridis Montis.” Ethan O’Day - senior forward, UVM men’s basketball @eoday32 “Today was the first day I didn’t fall asleep in any of my classes since school started.” Gabrielle Logozzo - junior, UVM women’s swimming and diving @Gabbylogo
“Trying to decide whether going to Starbucks is worth losing a parking spot anywhere close to my apartment. Macchiato Monday struggles.” Breanna Pletnick - senior forward, UVM women’s soccer @brepletnick
Somer Brown is a sophomore English major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2013.
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