Vermont Cynic Fall 2014 Issue 7

The Vermont

CYNIC

The University of Vermont’s independent voice since 1883

15 Karate club kicks off

W e d n e s d a y, O c t o b e r 8 , 2 0 1 4 – Vo l u m e 1 3 1 I s s u e 7 | B u r l i n g t o n , Ve r m o n t

Deans up for review

FeelGood Feeling bad

Hannah Kearns News Editor

The student-run grilled cheese-making group experiences weight of budget cuts made by SGA Krista Cantrell Staff Writer

Photo illustration by Erin Lucey

FeelGood’s budget may not be feeling so good anymore.

SGA has put club budget cuts into action this semester.

FeelGood’s President senior Dory Coo-

Sarah Olsen Assistant News Editor

per, and Vice President senior Ali White, are working to adjust to these changes.

FeelGood is a non-profit, student-run deli that sells grilled cheese sandwiches three times a week for charity donations rather than profit.

The club’s mission is to end world hunger and extreme poverty by 2030, according to their website.

See FEELGOOD on page 3

A battle for students’ drug recovery Maggie Gallagher Cynic Correspondent UVM is getting some help in the fight against student substance abuse.

“This is an exciting time to be involved,” said Austin Brown, employee at the UVM Collegiate Recovery Community. “We’re just getting started.”

The Community has been awarded a $2,500 grant through Transforming Youth Recovery to provide assistance for students recovering from substance abuse, according to University Communications statement Sept. 17.

Transforming Youth Recovery is a non-profit that creates services to support community members, educators and parents in assisting students in recovery.

The grant will provide an

online map of recovery operations around UVM and Burlington, intended to help collaborative networks for students in recovery, according the the statement.

It will also work with the Collegiate Recovery Community to create open and supportive resources for recovering students.

The organization plans to use the grant to “decrease stigma and raise awareness” through events and connections on campus, said Amy Boyd Austin, director of the Collegiate Recovery Community.

Recently, the program held an open-house for faculty and staff to raise awareness on the issue and to help identify signs of addiction.

“There’s a reluctance by ‘grownups’ to identify a student as addicted,” Boyd Austin said.

I.J. IDRIZAJ The Vermont Cynic

Director of UVM’s Collegiate Recovery Community, Amy Boyd Austin, poses for a photo at Living Well in the Davis Center Oct. 3.

She is also launching a partnership with the LBGTQA Center to help find “underserved identities.”

Boyd Austin was invited to The White House Sept. 17 for an event celebrating the 25th

Anniversary of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, she said.

One of five Vermonters, Boyd Austin was the only Collegiate Recovery representative to attend the event.

As numerous deans at UVM are up for their third year review, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences sent a 16-page letter to the college’s faculty promoting what he believes he has accomplished in his role.

The review comes due to a University-wide policy to survey college deans in the third year in their position, according to section 301.4.2. of the University Manual.

Though typically evaluated by the Provost, according to section 301.4.2 of the University Manual, in this particular review Provost David Rosowsky will not be directly conducting the evaluations.

An outside consultant will be used to conduct reviews of the department chairs and dean’s staff, and a summary report will be provided to him, Rosowsky said.

“We have a number of deans up for review,” President Tom Sullivan said. “We have a standard three-year review, and assuming re-appointment they go into a five-year review.”

In the first page of his Sept.

9 email to faculty, Dean Antonio Cepeda-Benito urged staff to read all 16 pages of his email before providing their feedback.

In the email to faculty and staff, Cepeda-Benito noted a combination of his activity re-

See DEAN on page 3

Citizens victimized by Vt. State Police phone call scam Staff Report Some residents received suspicious phone calls Oct. 2, according to a report from Deputy Chief Tim Bilodeau.

During the calls, a person claiming to be a police officer and/or from other police agencies said they will be collecting Like us on Facebook

T h e Ve r m o n t C y n i c

money for tax fraud, according to the report.

This person then told the people he called that they would be arrested if they did not pay a specific amount, the report stated.

“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal if no one actually gave him money,” sophomore Pat-

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rick DiPalo said.

The number is showing up on calls as a Vermont State Police number, but after investigation, Bilodeau confirmed that these are not legitimate calls from Vermont State Police.

“I feel like that’s typical,” sophomore Claire Pacelli said.

F o l l o w u s o n Tw i t t e r

@ Ve r m o n t C y n i c

“It’s also very unfortunate that they posed as a police officer since many people have a bad image of police officers already.”

Police suggested that if you receive a suspicious call like this, do not give out any personal information and contact local police immediately.

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w w w. v t c y n i c . c o m

“I could see it fooling people, especially if they owed taxes or something. It is also scary that someone was doing that around the same area that we live in,” sophomore Ricky Dansereau said.

However, he feels like its a trap that most people should be able to see through and avoid.

Wa t c h C y n i c V i d e o

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2

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Want breaking news udates?

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Board delays gas pipeline John Riedel Staff Writer

4

A Vermont natural gas pipeline isn’t flowing as of now.

Last month, the Vermont Public Service Board postponed the review of phase two of Vermont Gas’ plan to build a nearly 43-mile natural gas pipeline.

This pipeline would extend from Chittenden County to Middlebury County, according to the review.

“As far as alternative fuel sources go, natural gas is a lesser evil,” first-year Henry Bilik said. “[But] given the instability of the substance I oppose the pipeline,” Bilik said.

Before Vermont Gas can begin construction of the pipeline, it must receive a certifi-

cate of public good from the Vermont Public Service Board, according to Addison County’s Regional Planning Commission’s website.

An extension of the pipeline would also connect to Vermont’s Addison County and from there to a paper mill in Ticonderoga, New York, according to the website.

Vermont Gas has made an agreement with International Paper Company of Fort Ticonderoga to supply gas to the mill, according to Addison County’s Regional Planning Commission’s website.

In exchange, the mill is paying for a portion of the project.

With the postponement, it’s uncertain whether or not Vermont Gas will be able to complete construction of the pipeline.

The burning of natural gas produces less carbon dioxide than burning coal or oil. If the gas is not burned off completely, the greenhouse gas methane, may be released into the atmosphere, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

“I do think that the fact that this pipeline would give more people access to cleaner energy outweighs the environmental impact of obtaining the gas,” first-year Alex Mastrokyriakos said.

“I believe that the construction of this pipeline is good.

Natural gas is a usable green energy source,” first-year Danny Samson said.

“I do not think that it would be good if Vermont Gas is unable to build 73092 the pipeline,” Samson said.

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CRIME LOG Sept. 26 10:54 p.m.

While assisting the Burlington Police Department on noise patrol, police services arrived at 62 Bradley St., regarding a city ordinance violation.

At the home, residents had a fire pit burning outside. Having an outdoor fire pit violates Burlington Fire Dept.’s fire code ordinance 13-3(b).

Sept. 27 9:18 p.m.

Two cases of assault were reported to police services during the Fallfest concert.

KRISTA CANTRELL The Vermont Cynic

Junior Melanie Thompson hands a grilled cheese to sophomore Katherine Amidon at the FeelGood stand in the Davis Center Oct. 3.

Thompson is a third-year FeelGood club member. FeelGood is a non-profit volunteer organization, founded in 2005 by Kristin Walter.

FeelGood

Facing recent budget cuts, FeelGood adjusts to use only local food

...continued from page 1 Last year, they sold an average of 60 sandwiches a day and raised more than $33,000, according to their website.

One hundred percent of the proceeds go toward The Hunger Project, Pachamama Alliance, Water For People and Choice Humanitarian, Cooper said.

Former SGA treasurer Joshua Barry ’14 proposed these budget cuts last semster.

Barry suggested the club use a portion of their fundraised money for supplies rather than relying on SGA to fund them, Cooper said.

“But that doesn’t really work with our FeelGood policy in general which states that every dollar that we receive, we must donate,” White said.

“FeelGood’s operations

Dean

were not up to our policy standards,” said senior Liz McNeil, current SGA treasurer.

“With this change, we are aiming to keep our allocations fair and consistent across all student organizations,” McNeil said.

She suggested that the nonprofit re-establish past partnerships with local suppliers.

In the end, FeelGood’s food budget was cut entirely. Partially due to rule violations of which they said they were unaware.

“The main issue was that we were breaking certain rules without knowing it,” White said.

A club is technically not allowed to receive a food budget unless it is a cultural organization.

“We had been a big exception to that rule for a while,”

White said.

Every year undergraduate students pay an SGA fee as part of their tuition.

“Since SGA was paying for our food budget they considered selling grilled cheese to be double charging students,” White said.

FeelGood previously charged students $4 per sandwich.

This is why Barry encouraged the group to begin covering their own operating costs.

“From there we came to a compromise to explicitly tell students that what they are giving is a donation,” Cooper said.

Both Cooper and White say they are disappointed and worry FeelGood may not raise as much money this year due to the cuts.

Though the two remain optimistic.

“When FeelGood first started we told people they could give ‘whatever feels good.’ We are excited to start that again,” Cooper said.

Their new donation-based policy has proven to be even more profitable. This year, the average donation has been $5.50.

Another shift is that as of this year, FeelGood provides 100 percent local food.

“We are very excited to partner with local businesses and practice what we preach about sustainability,” White said.

“The budget cuts were purely for our food budget so we are definitely looking for new donors and partners in the community so that we can have enough ingredients to last through the year,” Cooper said.

Dean sends out 16-page activity report to faculty prior to third-year review

...continued from page 1 ports from the last two years and a list of goals he has for the 2015 fiscal year.

“I hope this will help you know what I believe I have initiated and accomplished over the last two years,” Cepeda-Benito said in the email. “I hope you will read it before you provide your feedback.”

Some faculty and staff regarded the activity report as Cepeda-Benito “selling himself,” United Academics President Denise Youngblood said.

Youngblood said she believed the dean sent out the report in order to put himself in a “good light.”

First-year Emily Osisek agreed.

“If a person does a great job, it should be obvious to everyone,” she said. “Writing a 16-page letter shouldn’t be necessary. It sounds desperate and pathetic.”

Youngblood has been at

UVM for 26 years, and has witnessed many reviews.

“My problem with the whole process is that nothing seems to happen with the review one way or another,” she said. “We’re [the faculty] not convinced that anyone actually pays attention.”

Senior Katie Adams had only good things to say about dean.

“His reliance on student feedback on teaching performance to make change is something that resonates with me,” Adams said. “It makes me feel like my voice is being heard.”

Antonio Cepeda-Benito was appointed as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in fall 2012.

Cepeda-Benito said he is “satisfied” with his efforts the past three years and is “eager to continue to learn and pursue good working relationships with faculty, students, staff, administrators and alumni.”

“We’ve disagreed with some

personnel decisions that he made,” Youngblood said.

Cepeda-Benito said he hopes to receive “constructive and supportive feedback,” particularly advice that will help him be an “effective and trusted dean.”

“I was hoping the report would be a bit of a window into my perspective on things, as well as into the challenges I face and the limited degrees of freedom under which I must maneuver,” he said.

“The report was also a way to acknowledge the contributions of my team in the dean’s office, as well as the many successes of our faculty, staff and students,” Cepeda-Benito said.

“I’m seeking understanding and I want to earn their trust.”

In the email, he said he thought the document “would be helpful and informative.”

“In higher education change is slow and the product or outcomes of even dramatic changes in practices and

In the first incident the victim required hospitalization.

The suspect was arrested and cited in court for aggravated assault.

9:37 p.m.

A student was ticketed for underage possession of alcohol and having a fake ID, after failing to provide proper identification at Fallfest.

The student was reported to the Center for Student Ethics and Standards.

Sept. 28 12:46 a.m.

Police services assisted Burlington Police Department at 32 Hungerford Terrace, where multiple people were cited for underage alcohol offenses.

Students involved were referred to the Center for Student Ethics and Standards.

Sept. 29 9:49 p.m.

A student’s parent contacted police services for a welfare check after not hearing from the student in “a few days.”

Police services located the student, who was safe.

Police services has performed welfare checks on students on a much more frequent basis in recent years, usually at parental request, Lt. Laurence Magnant said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SALLY McCAY

policies often take years to emerge,” Cepeda-Benito said in his email. “This change updates the purpose of the program and will contribute to enhancing the distinctiveness and academic excellence of the college.”

The review survey was sent to faculty and staff of the college Sept. 29 and will be due Oct. 20, Rosowsky said.

Sept. 30 3:32 p.m.

Police services received a report of theft from outside of Jeffords Hall.

Twelve plants were stolen from flower pots outside the building.

—Jill Vaglica

Life

Beer festival brings German spirit Danielle Goglia Senior Staff Writer Beer, pretzels and dancing filled the tent which held Stowe’s annual Oktoberfest this past weekend.

The event marked the 18th annual fundraiser hosted by Stowe’s Rotary Club, said Ken Shumann, a member of the club.

Each year, Shumann said he dresses as the Oktoberfest Mayor called the Burgermeister.

“I speak German, I know the songs and I don’t mind acting foolish on stage. It’s a fun thing. It keeps me young,” he said. “I started when I was 59 and now I’m 77, but I’m going strong.”

UVM students, like senior Phil Mouchati also attended the day-long beer festival.

“I would definitely go back,” Mouchati said. “I liked getting a massage from the woman behind me in the conga line.”

Senior Cadence Roddy said her favorite part was the dancing.

Roddy was one of many drawn to the event for the traditional music and dancing styles.

Local Frances Grue Schoepl said her family uses the festival every year as their family reunion.

For Shoepl and her family, it’s important to include

I.J. IDRIZAJ The Vermont Cynic

People celebrate Oktoberfest with German dancing, food and assorted beers in Stowe Oct. 4. Stowe’s Rotary Club has hosted this festive fundraiser for the past 18 years, and in that time they have raised more than $1 million dollars for their organization and various charities. dancing in family reunions “to keep traditions going from generation to generation.”

“I’m the second generation in this country so all of the cousins try to keep up the tradition,” she said.

“My grandfather from Vienna was insistent that we learn how to dance properly,

so he taught us the polkas, the waltz and schuhplattling when we were very young,” Shoepl said.

She said that while there are four other Oktoberfest events to choose from they keep coming back to Stowe because of the dance floor.

The Stowe Rotary Club started their Oktoberfest

event in 1997. Since then the event has raised more than $1 million for the organization, Shumann said.

This year, a portion of the proceeds raised were donated to Lamoille Home Health and Hospice, in Morrisville, Vermont, according to the event’s website.

Attendees like Mike Par-

ent, dressed as his character the “camel” to raise awareness for Shriners Hospital for Children in Montreal, he said.

“My favorite part of the day was when the camel was dancing with us,” senior Sarah Colando said. “It cracked me up.”

Weekly Health Corner

Tummy ache blues Allison Carey

COLIN POWERS The Vermont Cynic

First-years Jessica Wolfe (left) and Kaylee Ellis talk about their college experience in their dorm Sept. 30.

The first-year transition Jackie Flynn Staff Writer The Cynic is back to check in on first-years Kaylee Ellis and Jessica Wolfe to see how they’re adjusting to college life.

We checked on the duo Sept. 17 and they were getting used to the distance between campuses.

So how are they doing since then?

They said the transition to UVM has been getting “better and better.”

“Today I got let out of class half an hour early then went to Cook [Commons],”

Wolfe said. “It was one of the best things that’s happened to me.”

As she gets more used to college life, Wolfe said she is starting to miss home less.

“I just miss my dog and New York pizza,” she said.

Ellis said she agreed.

“I wouldn’t really say that I’m homesick. I just miss my family,” she said.

Ellis said that while weekdays primarily consist of attending classes and doing homework, weekends tend to be “really exciting.”

“Before my friends and I go out at night, we always get takeout delivered to the

dorm and watch a lot of Netflix,” she said.

As for academics, Ellis and Wolfe have slightly different study habits.

“I don’t get much homework except in one of my classes,” Wolfe said. “I also don’t really do homework or study, I just cram.”

Ellis is the opposite.

“I actually try very hard in school, my grades have always been good and I don’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of work,” she said.

Check in again next month to get another update on the two first-years.

When I was little, my mom would give me ginger ale to make my stomach aches go away.

Now that I’m older, I still rely on this yummy drink for when I’m not feeling so well.

If you’re like me, the stress from the first round of exams has put your stomach on edge.

If you want ginger ale, you can use this recipe from Mindbodygreen.com to make a healthy and delicious version at home ­— or in your residence hall kitchen.

4 cups of water 2 cups of sliced fresh ginger root 2 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice 2 tablespoons of honey Seltzer water Combine the water and ginger and bring it to a boil.

Lower the heat to medium/low and let it simmer for an hour with a lid on.

After an hour, remove the lid and let it simmer for another 30 minutes.

Strain out the ginger and mix in the lemon and honey while it is still warm.

It should be a syrupy consistency.

Add a 1/4 cup of ginger syrup to a glass with some ice and fill the rest with seltzer water. Enjoy!

Allison Carey is a senior English major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2014.

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Li fe

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

5

Psychology Column

What does it really mean to be bipolar?

Marissa Lanoff We’ve all heard it, “my professor is so bipolar!” Or, “I swear my roommate is bipolar!”

Well, I have some news for you. Being bipolar may not mean what you think it does.

Bipolar disorder involves experiencing a wide range of extreme moods that disturbs a person’s thoughts and behavior, according to the Journal of Medical Genetics.

Bill Falls, UVM professor of biopsychology said he believes there is a real “misconception” associated with the use of the word bipolar.

“Bipolar disorder can kind of present itself in a variety of ways, usually occurring in debilitating cycles of mania and depression,” Falls said.

He said the misconception lies in that these cycles can change from one minute to the next.

“One morning you’re one way, and by dinner you’re

“People understand anxiety and depression, but I feel that people don’t really understand what having bipolar disorder means.”

Anthony Gemma

First-year another way,” he said.

Some students, like firstyear Anthony Gemma, said a lack of knowledge on bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses is the reason why students may often use these words without caution.

“People understand anxiety and depression, but I feel that people don’t really understand what having bipolar disorder means,” Gemma said.

“Mental health disorders in general aren’t understood by the general public, bipolar disorder being a prime example,” he said.

“I feel that people forget the impact of the disease and the ripple effect it has on close family and friends,” he said.

But for some students, the real definition of bipolar doesn’t change their thoughts on how they use it.

“Mood swings versus bipolar — big difference. I hear people using it incorrectly all the time,” first-year Alexandria Adams said.

At the end of the day, it comes down to the fact that calling someone “bipolar” is insensitive to those who may know someone with the disorder but mainly the people who really struggle with the illness.

Whether you know it or not, there seems to be an unwritten list of “politically incorrect” words.

It’s time we added another word to it: bipolar.

The next time you feel like calling your roommate or a professor “bipolar,” stop and think what you’re really saying.

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

Illustraion by Olivia Oldach

UVM’s borderless charm The fight for rights Rebecca Potter Staff Writer

Marina Miller Cynic Correspondent For some students, UVM is a quick trip from home but for others the journey to college has brought them miles from home.

Why are students willing to travel long distances to come to UVM? Director of Admissions Beth Wiser provided insight into why students, especially those from far away, may have chosen UVM. “UVM comes onto the radar due to the academic programs in business and environment,” Wiser said. “[Students] are also attracted to the location.”

“I came to UVM because I wanted to experience a life that was completely different than Los Angeles,” sophomore Lily Peterson said.

For others, it was the chance to come abroad tocontinue their studies.

“I study English in Chile,” said Paola San-Martin, a continuing education student. “A friend recommended [UVM] to me and one of my teachers told me it was a really good school.”

Wiser said that for many international students the school’s ranking is an attraction.

“They see UVM, which is in the top 10 of the top 50 universities in America, and

ABBY GRANOFF The Vermont Cynic

First-year Harper Simpson discusses why she decided to come to UVM from the Midwest at the Living and Learning Center Oct. 2.

“I came to UVM because I wanted to experience a life that was completely different than Los Angeles.”

Lily Peterson Sophomore that attracts them,” she said.

For first-year and Midwesterner Harper Simpson, UVM was an opportunity to experience life elsewhere.

“I needed to come because I wanted to get out of the Midwest and away from the mentality in my town,” Simpson said.

“I loved UVM at first sight with its mountains and

beautiful landscape, but I do miss how nice people were in the midwest,” she said.

UVM currently has 9,970 undergraduate students who represent 47 states, and 358 international students from 50 countries across the world, according to UVM’s website.

Protesters couldn’t be kept silent as they voiced their support for a school in need.

More than 300 people, including UVM students, gathered at the State House in Montpelier for the Vermont Deaf Rights Save Austine School and Services Rally Sept. 27.

The event was organized in response to the closing of the Austine School for the Deaf, in Brattleboro June 17.

“It’s pretty tough to be a deaf student, especially mainstreamed,” said sophomore Katie Herron, a current American Sign Language (ASL) student.

“It’s hard to learn if the learning medium is not what you’re used to,” Herron said.

The Austine School encouraged collaborative and independent learning for students from pre-K through 12, according to its website.

The Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing also closed last month due to declining enrollment and a high cost of maintaining the aging buildings, according to a press release Sept. 8.

“The rally is not only for saving Austine, but also for

saving deaf services,” said senior Sarah Lyon, ASL club president.

The rally called for fair educational opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing students in Vermont.

“The most important thing to me is that [Vermont’s deaf and hard of hearing students] have access to their natural language,” said Alex Lynch, ASL professor and vice president of the Vermont Association for the Deaf.

“Before the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing went under, it had a program that provided educational consulting for public schools with deaf kids,” Lynch said.

“Now it’s all gone and parents now have no support for their kids in public schools. Same problem for school officials,” he said.

The Center’s goal was to break down the barriers of hearing loss through “connections between deaf and hard of hearing individuals, their families and the broader hearing community around them,” according to their website.

American Sign Language professor Shannon Fitzgerald said that the school should be state-funded, as it provides “a sense of community, belonging and identity” for members for the Vermont community.

6

d i st r act i o n s

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

How to land the perfect part-time job

Some students get part-time jobs while in school to afford attending college.

Others may just want some extra spending money to have during the school year. Either way, here are some important things to keep in mind while on the hunt for a job.

By Keely Agan, Photos by Oliver Pomazi

Find a manager that is happy to work with you and your schedule.

Remember that you’re a college student. You’re going to school so that you can someday have a fulfilling career, but someday isn’t today so try not to spread yourself too thin too early on in the semester.

Make sure that any job you apply for will fit comfortably into your schedule.

Having a job can even help with time management.

“When I have free time, I just don’t do anything. Work gives me something to do,” said first-year Caleb McLane, an employee at Hannaford’s.

Give this job 100 percent.

Your boss will only value you and want to work with you if you’re willing to give them your very best.

Even if you’re only working 10 hours a week, make sure that those 10 hours are dedicated to your job. You should feel that you deserve to earn the cash that your boss is dishing out.

“Even though my job is pretty simple, the little things we have to do are important,” said sophomore Jake Saccoccio, an employee at the Christie-Wright Patterson Fitness Center.

It may surprise you how important all that you do actually is.

Pick a job that you can enjoy.

If you are dedicating a portion of your already limited time to this job, make sure it’s something that doesn’t bore you to death and that you can connect with.

Try to get a job working in what you love. If you like makeup, apply to MAC or The Body Shop. If you like clothes, apply to Hollister Co. or Gap. Located on Church Street, all of these options allow you to work with something you may be familiar with without going too far from campus.

“I know [how] the product works and I stand behind it, so conveying that to people is easy,” said sophomore Sarah Patton, an employee at The Body Shop.

Make sure school comes first.

Don’t ever feel pressured to keep a job if it is negatively affecting your schoolwork and/or extracurricular activities.

“Take a job that doesn’t affect your school work because school really is more important at this stage in our lives,” said sophomore Fernando Jimenez, an employee at the Simpson Hall front desk.

College years are meant for some self-exploration and to really figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life.

If a part-time college job will in any way hinder you from following the path to your dreams, don’t do it.

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Spectacle

a look through the lens

S p ectac le

Beer-lovers celebrated the annual Oktoberfest in Stowe Oct. 4. The Stowe Rotary Club has hosted this event for the past 18 years to raise money for charity. The festival featured Bavarian food and beer, silent auctions and Oompah bands.

PHOTOS BY I.J. Idrizaj

ARTS

Season debuts with music medley Becca Friedlander Staff Writer A former Broadway actor has brought an award-nominated musical to UVM, and there’s still time to go see it.

“I thought the artists did very well,” first-year Lexi Slobodnik said.

UVM’s Department of Theatre opened its fall season Oct. 2 with the show “A Grand Night for Singing.”

The show features an arrangement of some of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s most famous works.

“Watching the actors go through a discovery process for each song was amazing,” said junior Rachel Feins, assistant stage manager. “I always had goose bumps during each rehearsal.”

“A Grand Night For Singing,” nominated for two Tony Awards in 1994, is directed by former Broadway actor and UVM guest lecturer Craig Wells.

Though the title is taken from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “State Fair,” the show doesn’t favor one single Rodgers and Hammerstein production.

Instead, the show weaves the music and lyrics of multiple pieces together to form a completely separate show.

The show starts off by in-

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOK WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Members of the cast of “A Grand Night for Singing” perform at Royall Tyler Theatre Oct. 4. Directed by former Broadway actor and current UVM guest lecturer Craig Wells, the production showcases the most popular works of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. troducing various storylines and characters with pieces such as “We Kiss In a Shadow,” from “The King and I.” The narrative was then joined by solos and choreographed pieces such as “The Man I Used to Ben” from “Pipe Dream,” and “Kansas City,” from “Oklahoma!”

A diversity in arts Molly Duff Cynic Correspondent The art in the Allen House gallery won’t just educate you — it will question you.

Coming soon to the campus gallery is the Trans Art Matters exhibit, organized

by Roman Christiaens, director of collaborations and programs for the Center for Cultural Pluralism.

Trans Art Matters will showcase pieces created by transgender-identified artists who explore questions of gender identity in their works.

Christiaens wanted to hold the exhibit to expand the community and education goals of the Translating Identity Conference and to show that “trans art really matters,” he said.

Christiaens said he hopes the exhibit will not only educate, but also spark conversations around gender and identity.

Exploring “gender identity expression is something that everyone should do and not take for granted,” he said.

Junior Ben Kennedy, who submitted art to the exhibit, shared Christiaens’s hopes.

Kennedy’s goal for the

exhibit is that it will attract “peoples’ attention that [the Allen House] normally wouldn’t get,” Kenendy said.

This may be a difficult task considering the gallery offers limited space and the house itself isn’t very well known around campus, Kennedy said.

“The diversity offices are definitely pushed to the fringes and people definitely don’t know where they are unless they need them,” Kennedy said.

Christiaens said he would love more attention from a wider variety of exhibit-viewers, but their space doesn’t fit more than 40 people.

The Multicultural Art Gallery showcases three to four exhibits per semester.

The Center seeks work that deals with issues of identity, and cultural and social justice,” Christiaens said.

However, the artists will have another chance to feature their work as it will be on display in the Davis Center for the exhibit reception, which will take place alongside the Translating Identity Conference Nov. 1.

Trans Art Matters will be on display at the Allen House from Oct. 13 to Oct. 31.

While solos throughout showcase some of the duo’s most famous ballads, it also includes pieces where the whole cast interacts to tell the story, such as “Grand Night For Singing,” “Hello Young Lovers” from “The King and I,” and “Don’t Marry Me” from “Flower

Drum Song.”

All of the music in the show is played live, with a cellist and pianist accompanying the actors on stage.

Winning a number of awards for their productions, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s works include “The Sound of Music,” “Cin-

derella,” “The King and I,” “Oklahoma!” and “Carousel,” all of which have songs featured in the show.

The show will be at the Royall Tyler Theatre from Oct. 9 to Oct. 12.

Tickets are $10 for UVM students and $20 for faculty.

Cynical Viewer

Flix that flew under the radar Jacob Holzman The year’s almost up, but there’s a ton of fantastic films that you may have missed. Here are 2014’s five most under-hyped movies.

1. “Snowpiercer” This sci-fi/fantasy/arthouse bonanza stars Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton in a whacked-out world where the planet’s frozen over and those left alive are on a train, circling the globe.

Heavy with symbolism, “Snowpiercer” has a rocksolid script and terrific direction.

Every third frame is perfect, the acting is top-notch and even the soundtrack kills it.

2. “Locke” Tom Hardy is a middleaged construction planner with a lot on his mind. For the movie’s entire plot, he’s going to deal with his issues from the driver’s seat of his

car, and that’s it.

I’ve never been more engaged by one man’s performance. If this doesn’t earn Hardy an Oscar nomination then the universe is broken.

He commands the screen, all through a reserved and dynamic performance from within a car.

3. “Frank” Holy moly, this one’s a doozy.

Michael Fassbender is the front-man of the coolest/ worst band in the indie music scene, and always wears a giant fake head. Even in the shower.

Despite the odd premise, this movie has more heart than anything else, and comes across as strangely endearing and heartwarming.

The detail-filled script forms a creative tale of people just wanting to fit in and express themselves.

4. “The Rover” Hey, you know that guy Robert Pattinson? The “Twilight” guy? Yeah, he’s a crazy great actor. When you watch “The Rover” you’re instantly captivated by this cleverly written story.

It’s the apocalypse, but the reason isn’t given, instead we’re left with raw solitude.

Guy Pierce plays a man lacking humanity and searching for his stolen car in the desert of Australia, then Pattinson comes along as a man the thieves left behind.

Will the quest for the car satisfy them? I don’t know, probably not, it’s the apocalypse, but regardless of that, it’s a great movie.

5. “Under the Skin” This is such a good movie that I refuse to even give you a hint to the plot.

Instead, I’ll tell you things that are as awesome as this movie: a cure for cancer, world peace, Rocky Road ice cream, fresh powder and “I Want You” by The Beatles.

If you know Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” then this is a must.

It’s abstract, weird, creepy, unsettling and lots of other words and synonyms that all add up to this. Watch “Under the Skin.”

Jacob Holzman is a sophomore English major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2013.

10

A RTS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Black Milk to bring beats to Burly Sandi Omanovic Cynic Correspondent This rapper describes his sound as “Michael Jordan on the cover of a Wheaties box.”

Fans will have the chance to see him and find out just what that means at Signal Kitchen Oct. 19.

Black Milk — real name Curtis Cross — joined by Nat Turner, his one-man band, will bring his own brand of hip-hop to Burlington.

Cross and Turner have been working together for more than five years to adapt their recorded material to a live setting.

Cross’s own decade-long experience has given him a “prominent position” in the hip-hop world, having produced many of his own albums and working with a variety of other artists.

Such artists include Pharah Monch, Danny Brown, Royce Da 5 9, Sean Price, Black Thought from The Roots, Elzhi, Guilty Simpson and the late hiphop producer J Dilla.

“Danny is Danny,” Cross said of Danny Brown. “He’s serious about himself and his craft.”

“Working with J Dilla advanced my career and, on a personal level, he influenced my music and gave me the fire to keep going,” he said.

“Getting props from your idol, that’s a big deal.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF HEXMURDA

Hip-hop figure Curtis Cross, more commonly known as Black Milk, poses for a photo. His upcoming album “If There’s a Hell Below” will be released Oct. 28. Black Milk and his live band, consisting of Nat Turner continue their five-year collaboration at Signal Kitchen Oct. 19.

“Someone like Dilla, he’s not going to back just anyone,” Cross said.

His work ethic over the past decade has helped him produce five solo albums as well as many collaborative projects.

These studio albums include 2013’s “No Poison No Paradise,” 2010’s “Album of the Year” and 2008’s “Tronic,” what Cross calls his “must listen-to” album for understanding him.

With albums such as

these, in addition to several EP’s and production features, he is no stranger to the microphone, synthesizer, drums, turntables, keys and more.

Cross tells fans to “expect a live element of showman-

Alvvays to play free set

WRUV DJ PICKS WRUV DJ Joanna Thomas — DJ name “Joanna” — plays a variety of international music.

Her show, “No Life in the West,” runs Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

Eliza Giles Cynic Correspondent While Wikipedia can be a go-to source for many college students, you might not want to trust the page on this Canadian pop band.

“We suspect a friend has been messing with our Wikipedia page as a joke. We should really change that,” said Molly Rankin, lead singer of pop band Alvvays, who will be playing a free show at Signal Kitchen Oct. 12.

So no, bassist Brian Murphy doesn’t play the didgeridoo and drummer Phil MacIsaac doesn’t play the cowbell.

Originally from Toronto, this show will be the band’s first time performing in Burlington.

“The show on the 12th is the day before Canadian Thanksgiving so we’re hoping to cash in on some kind of diner while we’re there,” Rankin said.

The band will soon be going on to the U.K. and then a full U.S. tour.

The Burlington show date will be their last concert before the U.K. leg of their tour.

“We’re trying to avoid being in Canada for the winter and the tour will go from

ship that you can’t get from a regular hip-hop show.”

His new album, “If There’s a Hell Below,” will come out Oct. 28, according to his website.

The show will take place at Signal Kitchen Oct. 19.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GAVIN KEEN

Members of Canadian band Alvvays pose for a photo. They will perform in Burlington for the first time at Signal Kitchen Oct. 12. coast to coast,” Rankin said.

“We just want to play every night.”

In the past, the band has toured only occasionally in the states, opening for acts like Pains of Being Pure at Heart, as well as Peter Bjorn and John.

Officially formed in 2011, Alvvays began when Rankin and her childhood friend, keyboardist Kerri MacLellan, began playing music with guitarist Alec O’Hanley.

Her family is “The Rankin Family,” a popular Canadian folk group, and Rankin said she grew up around music.

Rankin said she’s been playing music “ever since I was in a onesie.”

In 2010, she released her

own solo project “She EP” and Alvvays released their self-titled debut album this past July.

The album was recorded with the help of musician Chad VanGaalen, Graham Walsh from the band Holy Fuck and John Agnello, who produced for Kurt Vile and the Violators.

Popular songs include “Marry Me Archie” and “Adult Diversion.”

Still fresh off the release of their first album, the band has plans for a follow-up project as well.

“After the tours are over we will be recording a new record,” Rankin said.

The band was recently signed to Polyvinyl Records.

Artist: Chocquibtown Song: “Alguien Como Tu” Album: “Somos Pacifico”

Artist: Dub Colossus Song: “Azmari Dub” Album: “A Town Called Addis”

Artist: Abyssinia Infinite Song: “Alesema” Album: “Zion Roots”

Artist: Luisa Maita Song: “Fulaninha” Album: “Lero-Lero”

Opinion

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ADVISING

Faculty Adviser Chris Evans crevans@uvm.edu

Time is ticking away on UVM’s contract with Sodexo, the University’s food service provider.

Although their contract expires at the end of this academic year, Sodexo does have the opportunity for contract renewal.

UVM is currently accepting other proposals for a dining services provider. This means Sodexo can continue as the provider or another vendor can step in.

Don’t worry though, your favorite dining employees will likely stick around no matter who becomes the provider.

The Cynic is pleased that we probabaly won’t have to say goodbye to Charlie’s famous Falafel Thursdays anytime soon.

Students can often be critical of the corporate nature of Sodexo.

But Vice Provost for Student Affairs Annie Stevens said that due to the 10,000-student population of UVM, a large company is the practical vendor solution.

The dining services provider

would be responsible for more than just the unlimited meal plan.

Retail locations, athletic concessions and catering are all additional services the new vendor would need to provide.

The administration’s goal is to balance healthy, local food with affordable costs for students. This is a goal that we can get on board with too.

The committee is also accepting proposals for local companies to have locations on campus.

This would offer additional options similar to New World Tortilla and Ben & Jerry’s.

The Cynic likes the idea of having more local vendors on campus.

Since we don’t have the ability to have a local company be our primary provider due to our large student population, we can at least have an increase in Burlington restaurants and stores on campus.

So keep your eyes open as the proposals start to roll in.

We’re excited to see the possible changes that could come with the new or renewed dining services contract.

A little Peppered feminism

Hannah Kearns cynicnews@gmail.com

Joey Brown cynicalopinion@gmail.com

STAFF EDITORIAL

Gaetano Martello Sam Pepper, a well-known YouTuber, has received a lot of attention lately, particularly for a video he released in which he groped women inappropriately in public.

This video is just one in a long stream in which he harasses young girls.

One video includes him handcuffing girls until they kissed him, while another involves him throwing a rope around them on the street.

Each video has received a large following, naturally producing copycat videos, and thus turning non-consensual sexual activity into a YouTube trend.

Pepper’s most recent video has blown up all over social media and has gained loads of negative attention.

He later tried to make up for it by labeling the video a “social experiment.”

But most agree that this was just nonsense he spewed in order to spare himself from more ridicule — rather unsuccessfully.

Pepper was clearly just trying to save himself and while he could have just apologized and discontinued his stream of videos, he chose to pretend it

was all for the sake of teaching influential males who signed a everyone a lesson about sexual petition to get Pepper removed assault. from YouTube, but also those Ironically, he has succeeded who made their own response in this latter point unintentionvideos, tweeted and blogged to ally. condemn sexual assault across Up until this recent frenzy, the board.

I had limited knowledge of Sam Males with influence all Pepper, his videos were the over the internet, like Youonly sexually suggestive things Tuber Chris Thompson, have I had known about. taken a nearly unified stance I recently wrote a post on against this sort of behavior, social media essentially implyand it’s the first time I’ve ever ing that he was simply a man seen it on this large of a scale. who wanted It’s common attention, and for men to think that the best that their role revenge we My feelings only in preventing could give him sexual assault changed when a is simply to rewas to deprive him of that atfrom doing friend of mine was frain tention. it.

I had no sexually assaulted.

It seems that idea who this the general atman really titude among was until anmen is to stay other video was released by a out of the domain of rape and girl in which she described her assault until they or their loved violent rape by Pepper. ones become affected by it.

This caused me to delete Seeing as 95 percent of my post, as this man’s deviance sexual assault is committed by extended far past what I had men, so they are usually not the known at that point. victims, it’s not surprising that Several other girls on Youmost males have a sort of indifTube have since testified to his ference toward the issue until sexually predatory nature. they are personally involved.

Pepper’s actions, as deI am not exempt from this. scribed through that girl’s vidFor most of my life, the only eo and multiple others, extend thoughts I ever had on rape or far past minor offenses made sexual assault were in passing. to induce comic relief. Indeed, They all consisted of the one woman has even alleged fact that I would never do it. that Pepper raped her.

My thoughts had nothing to What pleased me the most do with helping to prevent it, during this course of events was influencing males who shared not only the massive amount of in my indifference or trying to

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help solve the problem even remotely.

My feelings only changed when a friend of mine was sexually assaulted.

Unfortunately, many men who are still blind to the issue will not listen to a woman, regardless if she is making a good point.

Some men need a positive male influence in order to be open to the idea of respecting women.

I have been in too many situations where women have brought the issue up and it was set aside as “nagging.”

It would be of great benefit to the current dialogues going on, and to social perceptions in general, if more men came out in opposition to rape, sexual assault and/or misogyny.

If the idea of consent were brought up by men on a more regular basis, it’s likely that other men would not turn a deaf ear, but rather would make a change in their behavior.

If you are a male, don’t wait for you or your loved one to be assaulted to try and influence change.

Your voice may have an influence that others don’t have.

You speaking out may help to change perceptions, and may even prevent sexual assault from happening in the future.

Gaetano Martello is an undeclared sophomore. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2014.

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12

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

opinion

Economics of UVM Kevin Santamaria The world could use some new ideas — at least when it comes to how economics is taught.

Not only is everyone in society is affected by the economic conditions of the times, but also how UVM teaches economics reflects some of the economic decisions that are made at our University.

Mainstream economics advocates maximizing profits while minimizing costs at the expense of society, the environment and the future.

It promotes unlimited growth and consumption of our limited planet. It justifies wealth accumulation and wealth inequality.

For example, United Academics needs to fight tooth and nail for every penny increase in salary.

Similarly, new policies are being implemented that would require each college at our University to justify its budget.

Let’s not forget that UVM is just a smaller version of the

economic system that we live in.

As long as this is the mainstream way of thinking about economics, don’t be surprised to hear of corporations and banks doing everything possible to avoid paying taxes.

This economic ideology has tentacles in almost every corner of our planet.

So don’t be surprised by the inefficiency of Congress when money in politics is considered as an investment.

Furthermore, don’t be surprised when Wal-Mart and other multinational corporations justify paying their employees minimum wage in order to “be competitive,” while we, the taxpayers, must pick up the tab and give their employees benefits because they are not earning a livable wage.

But how are we, the economic students at UVM, able to find a new form of thinking when four out of our five required economic classes teach this classical philosophy?

We can’t break free from this monopoly when the majority of our textbooks are funded by the institutions that benefit from this form of economic thinking.

But we can change. Because there is nothing mainstream about UVM.

At this University, we are at the forefront of environmental responsibility.

By switching to alternative economics, UVM would once again be leading the ecological movement.

This University, not too big and not too small, tucked away in the Green Mountain State, would be once again leading a movement to better the world.

We must remind ourselves that UVM is not a corporation, it’s not here to make its stockholders richer.

UVM is a school that could introduce hundreds of sustainable economists into the labor market each year.

The social benefits of having economists who challenge the main form of thinking far outweigh the costs.

Economics should be about economizing resources, not just endless production and consumption.

By changing how we teach economics, we change how students view the world.

By changing how students view the world, we will have students that will change the world.

Kevin Santamaria is a senior economics major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2011.

Untied from reality Ty Williams Over the past month, multiple members of the United Academics faculty union have voiced their concerns with offers they received from the UVM administration.

These concerns stem from apparently genuine ideological differences between the faculty and the administration.

As United Academics would have us believe, the administration is focused on using students as a financial resource, while the faculty, on the other hand, are intent on crafting the perfect learning environment for students.

This argument is flawed, and it would be wrong to ignore the historical relevance of unions and the less-than-desirable tendencies that they readily exhibit.

Originally designed to empower workers against their big-business employers, unions have now effectively shifted the balance of power.

These days, unions are economic and political powerhouses, with the California Teachers Association being largely responsible for the 2010 election of Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown.

I say this because unions

weren’t formed, and don’t exist now, to serve the interests of the consumer for whom they produce a product.

Rather, they exist to protect the interests of the producers themselves, keeping good teachers from being fired unfairly and assembly-line workers from being forced to work too long for too little pay.

This role has apparently been lost on United Academics.

United Academics President and history professor Denise Youngblood spoke about fighting for a UVM that “recognizes the importance of affordable education for all students.”

Fellow history professor Felicia Kornbluh said that the goal of United Academics is to “preserve high-quality, affordable, personalized, public higher education.”

However, these representatives have also said that they are fighting for a UVM that also “offers fair compensation and job security to all its employees.”

Note that, like oil and water, job security and maximized affordability for students don’t mix.

Additionally, United Academics is negotiating for smaller class sizes, the wolfin-sheep’s-clothing of the academic world.

As put by Kornbluh, “union members have argued for smaller classes and for maintaining opportunities for professors to address their students’ educational needs

personally.”

While appearing to be for the good of students, this plea actually represents union interests.

Smaller classes mean more instructors, which means more union membership and more negotiating power.

However, no relevant and widely-accepted study has shown a relationship between class-size and student achievement.

Many studies have shown that the driving force behind academic achievement is teacher quality. Students do better if they have a good teacher in a larger class versus a bad teacher in a smaller class.

If United Academics is truly interested in the academic success of students, then it would make more sense for the faculty to abandon job security completely, instead promoting or firing based on performance.

However, that concept is utopian, and a more readily available compromise is one that gives the University more leeway to pursue the most affordable options.

United Academics, stop saying that you represent the interests of students, and publicly admit that you represent your own interests. Perhaps by doing this, the next negotiation round will be successful.

Ty Williams is a senior political science and history double major.

He has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2014.

Illustration by Ciera Libenson

Dress up but don’t offend Caroline DeCunzo It’s early October, and here is a friendly PSA about how to not be racist on Halloween.

If you’re like me, you have already started agonizing about how you don’t have a cool costume yet.

You could default to the UVM-classic marijuana fairy or lumberjack, both of which are more appropriate than the culturally insensitive nonsense that typically surfaces this time of year.

But before we get there, you might be wondering, “What is cultural appropriation?”

The Oxford Reference defines it as: “A term used to describe the taking over of creative or artistic forms, themes or practices by one cultural group from another.”

Simply put, appropriation is taking a fragment of a culture that you are not part of, to use for your own purposes.

This use sometimes results in profit, but that’s not a necessary element of cultural appropriation.

Just like any other debate, it’s important to think deeply about the negative impacts of appropriation and the harm it causes when deciding whether or not your behavior is proper.

Appropriation by definition could include everything from eating tacos to dressing like Pocahontas for Halloween.

That doesn’t mean that these behaviors are equally offensive and destructive, or that

because you criticize one, you criticize both.

Generally, dressing up as a person from a specific culture is culturally appropriative.

This includes dressing like an Indian princess, an Asian school-girl, a Mexican wearing a sombrero or any other depiction of a culture not your own.

The act of wearing blackface — when white people paint their faces black — is an example.

This racist historical tradition is tied closely, though not exclusively, to Kake Walks — which existed at UVM until 1969 and promoted caricatures and stereotypes of black people.

This “art form” has roots in slavery.

Don’t be responsible for continuing the cultural implications of slavery; you can dress up as Beyoncé without covering your face in bronzer.

Another widely cited example of cultural appropriation is Washington, D.C.’s football team’s name, which is almost unutterable: the “Redskins.”

Washington’s team name is a derogatory slur signifying the skin color of Native Americans, of which the team profits on the injustice of Native identity.

A more powerful presentation of this can be found on Youtube, in a unaired NFL commerical called “Proud to Be.” At the end of the day, a culture is not a costume. Be creative, don’t be racist and have a good Halloween.

Caroline DeCunzo is a junior environmental studies and global studies double major. She been writing for the Cynic since fall 2012

Sports

ERIN LUCEY The Vermont Cynic

Sophomore Grace Weisbecker (left), first-year James Finney (center) and junior Fletcher Hazlehurst pose for photos outside the Davis Center Oct. 3. These student-athletes balance Honors College workloads with their team commitments.

The balancing act for a student-athlete Somer Brown Assistant Sports Editor Division I athletes dedicate between 40 to 50 hours a week to their sport, according to a May CNN article.

UVM athletes are no exception, especially student-athletes in the Honors College.

Students must divide their time between classes, practices, homework, additional activities and traveling for games.

In order to remain on their respective teams, students must properly balance their athletic schedules with their academic goals.

Student-athletes must achieve 90 percent of their institution’s minimum overall GPA necessary to graduate,

all by the beginning of their second year, 95 percent of the minimum GPA by the third year and 100 percent by their fourth year,” according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

At UVM, the threshold for Honors College admittance as a sophomore is a GPA of 3.4.

In order to remain in “good standing,” an Honors College student must maintain a GPA of 3.2, according to the College’s website.

This is a full 1.2 points above the NCAA minimum — the difference between a B and a C average.

“Being a member of the Honors College while participating in varsity athletics serves to heighten attention to detail and challenges an indi-

vidual’s commitment to excellence,” Matt Belfield said.

Belfield is the head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country teams as well as the men’s and women’s track and field teams.

One of his players, sophomore Grace Weisbecker, said she believes that dividing her time between the Honors College and track and field “just takes a little extra planning.”

“Rather than taking an hour between classes to just relax, I use that time to do work, or often have practice,” Weisbecker said.

While she combines athletics and academics in her athletic training major, some of her peers, including junior Fletcher Hazlehurst, a computer science major, establish more of a di-

NFL Picks

NFL Week 6: Cynic predictions Eagles hurry-up offense.

34-20 Eagles

Dave Brandt Every week, members of the sports section will predict who will be victorious in their NFL match-ups.

Eagles: Alex, Armin, Cam, Dave, Freddy, Stu and Zach Giants: Andrew, Colby, Jack and Owen

Chicago Bears vs.

Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan and the highlyranked Falcons offense have been hard to beat at home.

Philadelphia Eagles vs.

After putting up 37 points in Week One and then 56 in Week New York Giants Three, the Falcons look to conChip Kelly’s rapid-fire of- tinue the trend as they squarefense will be on full display off against a vulnerable Bears as the Eagles host the Giants squad.

I predict that Jay Cutler in this NFC East rivalry will formulate a strong matchup. response with his elite The Eagles have receiving corps. defensive struggles.

Both teams have Giving up 26 points experienced incona game. sistency this season, The pride of so expect to see a Philadelphia will close game with plenty have their work cut of lead changes. out for them against a The Falcons however, Giant’s offense that just NFL PICKS will be able to come out on put up 45 points against top with the help of their spiritthe Redskins.

Despite this momentum ed home crowd and their league from Week Four, Eli Manning’s leading offense.

They will win with a late gointerception-prone arm won’t be enough to keep up with the ahead touchdown.

24-21 Falcons Bears: Andrew, Armin, Owen and Stu Falcons: Alex, Cam, Colby, Dave, Freddy, Jack and Zach

Indianapolis Colts vs.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans don’t play well against Andrew Luck.

Since entering the league in 2012, Luck is 3-1 against the Texans while throwing nine touchdowns and just one interception.

The Colts struggled against tough competition in their first two games, but breezed past both the Jaguars and Titans.

The Texans currently sit atop the AFC South and look to be a playoff contender after a disappointing 2013 season.

Don’t expect this to be a blowout, but the Colts will pull out a solid victory. With Luck playing in midseason form, the ambitious Colts will be too much for the untested Texans to handle.

30-17 Colts.

Colts: Alex, Andrew, Armin, Cam, Dave, Freddy, Jack, Stu and Zach Texans: Colby and Owen

Alex-7-5 Andrew- 6-6 Armin- 8-4 Cam- 6-6 Colby- 8-4 Dave- 7-5 Freddy- 5-7 Jack- 7-5 Owen- 8-4 Stu- 7-5 Zach- 8-4

vide between his classes and sport.

However, Hazlehurst still found similarities between his education both on and off the field.

“The obvious things are the same, like discipline and time management, but what is great about doing both is the chance to branch out and develop new skills with different people,” he said.

Sophomore Dana Buckhorn, who plays for the women’s varsity soccer team, also found connections between athletics and academics.

“Soccer has made me a better test-taker,” Buckhorn said.

“I’m better at memorizing information for tests because I need to memorize stuff for soccer, like what plays the other

team is doing and what position I’m supposed to be in, or who I’m supposed to cover,” she said.

Buckhorn, Hazlehurst and Weisbecker all agree that being part of both varsity athletics and the Honors College require time management.

“I do homework whenever I can,” said Buckhorn, who is also a writing tutor. “I do it on my way to class, in the locker room, in hotel rooms.”

Although combining Honors College and varsity sports has proved to be a challenge, each student-athlete has found the experience rewarding.

“I like being able to consider myself an all-around student-athlete,” Buckhorn said.

“I’m here for both school and sports.”

athletetweets “Finally that time of the year again! #GameDay” Junior Yvan Pattyn UVM men’s hockey defenseman @pattyn15 “I can’t deal with people who can’t pronounce Oregon.”

Junior Diana Panish UVM women’s soccer midfielder @umakemewannaDI “Keep your head up high and make sure you keep dream chasing.”

First-year Brandon Hatton UVM men’s basketball guard @BhattO “Going for a nice long run in the morning to start your day off right is pretty counter intuitive when you step in dog crap half way through.”

First-year Jessica Silverman UVM women’s soccer midfielder @jessicaasilver

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

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Injuries threaten intramural sports Danielle Goglia Senior Staff Writer

OLIVER POMAZI The Vermont Cynic

First-year midfielder Taylor Gaines speaks about her life both on and off the field hockey turf. The British Columbia-native has started the season strong, contributing 11 points in her first 11 games.

First-year adds depth Zach Giroux Staff Writer The click-clack sound of sticks and the fast-paced movement of a white dimpled ball skidding across the turf are just a few recognizable characteristics of field hockey.

With five goals, one assist and 11 points in her first 11 games in the green and gold, first-year Taylor Gaines has established herself as a noticeable face on the women’s field hockey team.

Gaines was a recent addition to the Catamounts this fall, and according to her teammates has shown telltale signs of a successful career at UVM. Before touching the turf as a Catamount, Gaines made a name for herself in her home of Surrey, British Columbia.

At North Surrey Secondary School, she was elected captain and Most Valuable Player in both 2009 and 2011.

Since field hockey wasn’t a popular sport at home in Surrey, the first-year also played basketball, volleyball and soccer while at North Surrey Secondary.

“Field hockey was not a popular sport when I was growing up in British Columbia,” Gaines said. “It’s way smaller at home than it is here, like it’s a big deal here.”

She was introduced to field hockey while playing baseball.

“I was an outfielder and nobody could hit the ball that far, so my mom brought home a hockey stick and that’s how it all started,” Gaines said.

“I have to owe it to my mother for introducing me to the game,” she said.

Once play began on UVM’s Moulton Winder Field, Gaines graced the field with the Cat’s first goal of the season, according to UVM Athletics.

In the first weeks of the season, she also received America East Rookie of the Week Sept.

8.

However, the time commitment for a varsity sport can be consuming, especially for a first-year student.

“I would like to meet more people, either athletes or other

Taylor Gaines Pre-game ritual: Left sock inside out. Family member’s bracelet on left hand. Initials on stick and hands.

Favorite food: Everything, “I just eat.”

Favorite music: Country Favorite movie genre: Romance, “I’m a sap” people,” Gaines said.

“They’ll ask you to hangout and it’s like ‘Oh yeah I have homework because [I] have practice and other stuff.’ That’ll probably get better in the offseason, fingers crossed,” she said.

Regardless of the time commitment, Gaines said she has enjoyed her experience transitioning from British Columbia field hockey to that in the United States.

“I think because it’s very different and a lot of people call it hockey, and not a lot of people are familiar with it, so it’s kind of cool to be different,” she said.

Even as the new Cat on the block, Gaines seems to have managed to fit right in with her teammates.

“Our first-year group is really tight and good supportive group,” she said. “The upperclassmen are very helpful in teaching us and showing us the ropes.”

Gaines’ tendency to score goals and her preference to assist her fellow Cats, proves that she is a good fit for the Catamounts’ system.

“I really like to pass and I just kind of get lucky to shoot and the magic happens,” she said.

Even when practices are over Gaines shows excitement and optimism.

“I’m really excited, and I think the biggest thing is a lot of girls are saying there’s this huge improvement. We are moving forward and wins will come,” she said.

Q & A WITH SENIOR CAPTAIN ASHLEY McDONALD Q: What has Taylor brought to the team as both a player and a person?

A: Taylor is a very multi-faceted player. She has a great shot, great throw, great vision.

Q: As a captain, what is your relationship like with Taylor on and off the field?

A: Taylor is great. She is probably one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

She just asks so many questions and just wants to learn.

It’s so great to have such a young player that just wants to soak up so much information and knowledge.

Q: How does Taylor’s style of play fit the team?

A: It’s nice coming from all over because individual players bring their own style into the team. She has really good ball possession — a great player we utilize in the midfield.

Q: Could you see Taylor taking on a leadership role, like captain, in the future?

A: Absolutely, anybody that is always asking questions and always striving to get better possess a lot of leadership qualities on the team.

I think that she’s really stepping into some really important roles early on in her career that she’ll be able to master in the next few years. I think she’ll be huge for Vermont down the road.

Q: What type of impact will Taylor have on UVM’s field hockey program?

A: Taylor is really passionate about the game and I think she can offer a lot to the younger girls especially come her junior and senior years.

I’ve even learned a few things from her. I think she’s a great player and is going to do a lot of great things for the program.

Positive social interactions and healthy lifestyles are two of the main goals of intramural sports, according to their website.

But for some students, such as senior Camille Clancy, injuries have gotten in the way.

Last year, Clancy tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee while playing outdoor soccer.

“I don’t exactly remember how it happened but my knee made two popping noises,” she said.

“I felt it bend in an odd way, and then I felt the pain when I hit the floor,” Clancy said.

To repair the ligament, she required surgery.

In the 2013-2014 school year, 2,936 UVM students participated in intramural sports, said James Hinson, assistant director of Campus Recreation - Intramural Sports.

In that year, 36 injuries were reported.

“There is always going to be inherent risk with any sport you play. That is why you sign a waiver,” Hinson said.

Typical injuries that have been reported include injuries to the ankle but also range to concussions or, in Clancy’s case, an ACL tear that requires medical attention, he said.

“People get hurt because that is the nature of sport,” senior Phil Mouchati said.

“Whether it is professional, col-

legiate or intramural, it’s part of the game.”

“I don’t think injury is stopping anyone from playing unless they have a previous history of injury,” Hinson said.

In the intramural sports handbook, there is protocol that addresses how to deal with athletic injuries when they arise in intramural participation, he said.

“We try to provide supervisors that are there for risk management purposes and officials that are checking fields before to make sure there are no objects on the field,” Hinson said.

In addition, all supervisors are First Aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator certified, he said.

“We try to train them to the best of our ability within our budget,” Hinson said. “I think we do a good job in that area.”

In each sport, there are certain rules to prevent injuries.

These rules include no sliding on your knees in broomball, no slide tackling in soccer and to follow the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association’s flag football rules, he said.

Regardless of her injury, Clancy will continue to play in both the intramural soccer leagues at UVM. “I continue to play, and although I am a little more careful, I enjoy intramural just as much as I used to,” she said.

“I love my team and it is a great way to de-stress and take my mind away from school and work,” Clancy said.

Scores from last week Oct. 1- Men’s soccer vs. Dartmouth College, loss 2-1 Oct. 4- Women’s hockey vs. University of North Dakota, win 3-1 Oct. 4- Men’s soccer vs. University of Albany, loss 2-1 Oct. 5- Field hockey vs. Sacred Heart, loss 3-1

Upcoming Games Oct. 9- Women’s Soccer at UMaine, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10- Field Hockey vs. UMass Lowell, 3 p.m.

Oct. 11- Cross Country at New England Championships, noon Oct. 11- Women’s Swimming vs. Wagner, noon

Like the photos in this issue?

You can buy them!

Email CynicNewsroom@gmail.com

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

15

Club promotes ‘path to perfection’ Erik Francken Staff Writer Some graduate students are taking an alternative route to strengthening both their bodies and minds through martial arts.

Though the Karate Club at UVM may be small, members get the chance to be part of a much, much bigger family, said graduate student Bryan Dondero, the club’s president.

“Having such a small group and having everyone be very dedicated, makes for a very family-oriented experience,” said graduate student Chan Tran, a new addition to the club.

“Everyone around you feels like your brother or sister, and Sensei is our father guiding us,” Tran said.

Though new to the club, Tran is no stranger to martial arts, having a background in Taekwondo and Wing-Chun, similar forms of martial arts based on self-defense.

However, styles differ depending on where they originated and which parts of the body they use as a weapon.

Members of the club train under Sensei Jairo Blanco, a fourth degree black belt, who has been practicing karate for more than 40 years.

This includes Blanco’s time spent as a member of the Colombian national team in 1978, and the U.S. national team in 1984.

Despite his years of experience, he said every time he steps into the dojo — a place to practice martial arts — he learns something new.

“Karate is an unending path to perfection,” Blanco said.

Tran also shared what he believed the “deeper meaning” of karate to be.

“Karate is like a crutch, it helps you become physically, mentally and emotionally stronger,” he said.

Like most martial arts, karate is taught for self-defense and students are trained to never strike first.

“The meaning of the word karate is actually ‘empty hands,’” Blanco said.

The term comes from “karate-do,” which directly translates to “the way of the empty hand.”

“You must come to every session with an empty mind,” Blanco said.

Originating as a system of self-defense, karate relies on the effectiveness of the unarmed practitioner, he said.

“Karate is first hand; you may throw the first punch, but I will land the first hand,” Blanco said.

Students are taught to throw strong punches, kicks, knee and elbow strikes, as well as open-handed techniques, he said.

The art also features various blocking techniques and takedowns, for the purpose of disabling opponents.

Members of the Karate Club honor the “Bushido Code,” which loosely translates to “the way of the warrior.”

They are taught that the skills, respect and character from their training are to be extended to their daily lives, not just in the dojo, Blanco said.

Stressing respect, the club’s training is “regimented by our courtesy protocol,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter if you have to take a breather because you physically can’t

go on, you step out, bow and come back when you’re ready, no one will judge you,” he said.

For those interested gaining strength, both physically and mentally, the karate club is accepting new members.

It also doesn’t matter your gender or your fitness level, everyone is welcome to join the club. Experience is not necessary, Blanco said.

He said he hopes more people will be attracted to the club, rather than being intimidated by some higher ranked members.

Sophomore Zebulon Carney said he was “unaware” that UVM had a karate club.

However, sophomore Kenny Packie expressed interest in the club, and that he would “consider joining” if his schedule opened up.

The club is part of the Japan Karate Organization, the “largest and most prestigious” karate organization in the world, Blanco said.

The Karate Club practices Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the racquetball courts of Patrick Gym.

Top: Assistant Instructor Marcia Blanco demonstrates martial arts during a Karate Club practice Oct. 2.

Center: Sensei Jairo Blanco kneels before members of the Karate Club at the beginning of practice. Left to right: Assistant Instructor Marcia Blanco, Tech Center teacher Jim Dirmaier, Club President Bryan Dondero and graduate student Chan Tran.

Bottom: Sensei Jairo Blanco, director of the Japanese Karate Association of Vermont, demonstrates a punch during a practice Oct. 2.

Photos by Alex Goldenberg

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

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