Issue 20, Vol. 138

THEVERMONTCYNIC ISSUE 20 - VOLUME 138 | FEBRUARY 22, 2022 | VTCYNIC.COM

1 POST 30 MINUTES HUNDREDS PROTEST on UVM’s official Instagram

until it was taken down

for survivors at UVM

Read more on pages 6-7 Photo Illustration by ELLIE SCOTT

2

NEWS UVM Black student enrollment drops 16.2%

ELLA FARRELL/The Vermont Cynic

Halsey McLaen Assistant News Editor

Enrollment of Black students at UVM dropped by 16.2% from fall 2020 to fall 2021, according to the Office of Institutional Research’s Catamount Data.

One hundred eighty-six Black students enrolled in fall 2021, down from 222 in fall 2020, according to Catamount Data. This 16.2% change is the steepest drop the University has seen in the last 10 years.

The next largest drop for Black student enrollment occurred between fall 2012 to fall 2013, falling 10.9% from 184 students to 164, according to Catamount Data.

“It came as somewhat of a surprise last year that our enrollment numbers dropped like that,” said Jay Jacobs, vice provost for enrollment management.

However, senior Koleigh Vachereau, who identifies as half Black and half white, said the drop in Black student enrollment is not surprising, considering what the experience of being Black on campus is like.

“It’s constantly feeling like an outsider and knowing your community is so small,” Vachereau said.

“Black [students say] ‘don’t come here, it’s not worth it.’”

Both Burlington and

Vermont are overwhelmingly white, fostering an environment where Black individuals often find themselves to be the only Black person in a space, Vachereau said.

Many Black students choose to go to historically Black colleges, said first-year Naia Watkins, who identifies as Black.

“Predominantly white institutions are not built for people of color,” Watkins said.

“They have systems in place to help [students of color], but they’re not built for them.”

The lack of representation at UVM is a significant shortcoming, Watkins said.

“It’s so important for students to have teachers that look like them and can share the same experiences as them,” Watkins said. “I can tell me and my teachers have lived very different lives […] it makes it a little bit harder to connect.”

This decline in Black student enrollment at UVM likely resulted from impacts of COVID-19, Jacobs said.

Research shows COVID-19 disproportionately impacted people of color. Nationally, many high schools with higher percentages of students of color had more virtual instruction than in-person, Jacobs said.

This may have caused students to miss out on

traditional college application support and guidance, he said.

Even without the complications of the pandemic, UVM has several barriers dissuading students of color from enrolling, Jacobs said.

“Every institution has a goal of increasing diversity [and students of color] are admitted to many great places and therefore have a lot of competitive offers to choose from,” Jacobs said. “Being an expensive public flagship, we have an uphill battle to climb.”

Still, this year’s decline is not indicative of larger trends of Black student enrollment at UVM, Jacobs said.

“Looking at a one-year trend is [not] the most informative,” Jacobs said. “If you look over the past 10 years, Black enrollment has experienced a natural fluctuation.”

The drop interrupted a fiveyear increasing trend starting in fall 2016, rising from 169 students to 222 in those years, according to Catamount Data.

Increasing diversity within student populations is one of the top institutional goals within the Division of Enrollment Management, as well as a University-wide priority, Jacobs said.

“We want to provide all students, regardless of how they identify, a diverse community

on campus,” Jacobs said. “It is the best thing for our students in terms of development.”

Over the next five years, the Division of Student Enrollment wants to increase the current 11% student of color population to 16%, Jacobs said.

This number is based off of benchmarks from similar New England public flagships.

Jacobs said their plans to increase recruiting include programs such as Discovering UVM, a program for prospective students from traditionally underserved populations, according to their website.

UVM plans to increase partnerships with high schools that have significant student of color populations, as well as distributing financial aid and scholarships, Jacobs said.

The Division of Enrollment Management advertises a vibrant community of students of color at UVM, by highlighting campus resources, such as the Mosaic Center for Students of Color, as well as having a diverse admissions and tour guide staff, Jacobs said.

A principal focus of UVM’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion includes increasing Black staff and faculty, said Amer Ahmed, vice provost for diversity, equity and inclusion.

“There’s a desire, usually, to find people that connect

in some way, shape or form to their experience prior to coming,” Ahmed said. “Finding those people is what creates a foundation for people to feel a level of comfort, support and ease that can unlock potential.”

The DEI dedicates a lot of energy to improving campus culture and creating initiatives based on feedback that will come from this year’s Campus Climate Survey, Ahmed said.

This will translate into increased Black student enrollment, Ahmed said.

The issue of Black identity goes beyond representation, said Phd candidate Alexander Daniels, who identifies as Black and Latinx.

“It’s not so much that I’m looking to see other Black people or other people of color necessarily,” Daniels said. “It’s about a certain climate. What I’ve found is most people are very scared about matters of race, in a superficially liberal slash progressive environment.”

Improving individual culture that directly affects students will be a significant step towards addressing diversity, Daniels said.

“It’s about setting the stage,” Daniels said. “If we create an environment where students can thrive no matter what their background is [...] then we will see diversity.”

3

NEWS

Roofies reported, investigation underway Ella Ruehsen News Editor

UVM Police Services received an anonymous report of multiple Rohypnol druggings by an unknown perpetrator at an off-campus party over the weekend, according to a Feb. 14 CatAlert.

No known reports exist of additional assaults linked to the incident, according to the CatAlert. Police obtained the report the evening of Feb. 13, UVM Police Chief Tim Bilodeau stated in a Feb. 16 email.

“First and foremost, it’s not anyone’s fault that somebody else is putting a drug in their drink,” Bilodeau said. “When you invite people to your place, there’s a certain level of civic responsibility around that.”

The report referenced an entity, but did not report an official organization. Bilodeau said he saw social media posts alluding to an unrecognized fraternity known as SHORE in relation to the incident, but declined to comment on which entity the report referenced.

SHORE was never an official fraternity, but always operated as such, according to a Sept. 6, 2021 Cynic article. The group had SGA recognition and funding at one point, before SGA understood the group’s goals and operations.

The Cynic was unable to find a way to reach SHORE to request comment. The group has no official point of contact.

When investigating

anonymous reports, UVM Police Services tends to look into any people or organizations who are called out in the report, known parties that occurred over the given weekend and claims made on social media to see what can be corroborated, Bilodeau said.

“We’re encouraging people to come forward, which is difficult because people don’t always feel safe doing that, so self-care is primary,” he said.

UVM Police Services still have an obligation to the community to investigate as best they can without causing further harm to the people impacted, Bilodeau said.

“A party where there’s a drug dropped into a drink impacts, historically, young women,” Bilodeau said. “This is rare. ​​It’s disturbing all the time, but [...]

I don’t think I’ve seen this for a couple of years.”

UVM Police Services often engages with community partners in these kinds of investigations, which can include the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations and the Burlington Police Department, Bilodeau said.

Any perpetrators found guilty of this felony, a form of aggravated assault, may face up to 15 years in prison or be subject to fines up to $10,000, according to the CatAlert. Anyone found to have committed sexual assault may be dismissed from UVM. A successful outcome of a police investigation isn’t as

JOSH HARWOOD/ The Vermont Cynic The UVM Medical Center Emergency Department Entrance lights the night of Feb. 17. straightforward as finding a probable cause and bringing it to the criminal justice system, Bilodeau said. It also involves other forms of self care and community support.

“That’s a really shallow view of the world,” Bilodeau said. “I just can’t stress that enough, especially in 2022.”

Rohypnol can only be detected by a test within less than 24 hours of being administered, and lab results take between 10 days and two weeks to come back to the patient, said Raenetta Liberty, a UVM Medical Center Emergency Department nurse and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and the Clinical Coordinator for the Vermont

Forensic Nursing Program.

Liberty said she is unsure how the students who were drugged over the weekend got their test results so quickly, but said they may have gotten tested at a different site.

“We’re really fortunate because the [medical] care for sexual assault [...] is paid for by insurance, and then any copay is paid for by Vermont Crime Victim Services,” she said.

VCVS is a service that provides services to survivors of crime, according to its website.

Liberty believes UVM should also play a role in offering this kind of testing to its students, rather than just pointing people to the hospital for these services, she said.

“This is not a medical issue,” Liberty said. “I would imagine that your clinic does pregnancy tests, the COVID test; this might be something that your clinics could do, if it’s a concern for your colleagues and this is a systemic problem.”

Anyone with additional information on the Rohypnol incident looking to report it may do so by calling UVM Police Services at (802)-656-3473.

Survivors in need of support can get in contact with the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, book an appointment with Counseling and Psychiatry Services at (802)-656-3340 or HOPE Works at the 24/7 hotline (802)-863-1236.

Faculty push for representation on board of trustees Skyeler Devlin Cynic News Reporter

UVM’s faculty union, United Academics, aims to get faculty and staff representation on the board of trustees, according to a Feb. 14 email from UA communications.

UA introduced a revised version of a bill known as Senate Bill 248. If passed, nine new representatives would be added to the board of trustees, according to the revised bill.

The new seats would be reserved for four faculty members, four staff and one student, according to the bill.

“The current structure of UVM leadership, we feel, is failing us all,” UA President Eleanor Miller said. “The board of trustees has shut out the voices of faculty, staff and many students, and there is no opportunity for meaningful participation.”

In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the difficulties faculty face when trying to communicate with the board, UA Executive Director Katlyn Morris said. Due to many operations moving online, meaningful faculty and staff participation is challenging.

Miller gave a testimony Feb. 16 in front of the Vermont Senate Education Committee, during which she voiced her support for the revised bill.

Administrators feel faculty and staff already have adequate representation through committees that allow faculty to engage in University issues, according to a Feb. 18 email from Corredera.

Faculty and staff are included on the board’s three main standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Budget Finance and Investment Committee, and the Educational Policy and Institutional Resources Committee, the email stated.

“Faculty and staff already help shape day-today operations through the University’s shared governance system,” the email stated.

Still, faculty and staff feel the board negatively impacts the University’s daily operations with their decisions, Miller said.

One such decision was the sudden closure of campus childcare by the University’s administration, Miller said.

“Distinguished research universities throughout the country have robust support for young families, including a daycare center,” Miller said

in her testimony. “They have become an expectation of employment that UVM does not meet. We can do better,” The Faculty Women’s Caucus, founded in 1992, centers experiences of minority faculty at UVM and conducted a survey on women and minority faculty in April 2021, according to their survey report The survey found 81% of respondents stated recent administrative decisions had a large negative impact on campus climate and working conditions, Miller said.

Over 72% of respondents rated UVM’s treatment of women and minority faculty as fair or poor in the context of working conditions, service expectations, evaluations and promotions.

The UA shared the results with members of the board last April but they have yet to receive a response, Miller stated.

Recently, the University did not renew a faculty member’s contract with no explanation from the board after 21 years of teaching here, Morris said.

Over 50 students reached out to the UA in support of him being rehired and those emails were sent to the trustees and to the provost, Morris said.

Screenshot of Zoom meeting.

Neither the board nor the provost responded, Morris said. “[The board of trustees] is too top-down and too focused on outside experts, while not taking advantage of the knowledge and experience or the skills of the people that we have right on our campuses,” said Steve Howard, executive director of the Vermont State Employees Association.

Already, eight statewide governing boards have at least one seat represented by faculty, said Kaitlyn Vitez, a government relations officer for the AAUP. A primary concern is perceived conflicts of interest for faculty’s ability to put UVM’s long-term goals first, Vermont State Senator Virginia Lyons said.

Still, Abby Cohn, a linguistics professor at Cornell and a current representative on their board of trustees, said the first thing explained to new representatives is that they are entrusted with the responsibility to act in the best interest of the institution.

The VTSEC is now tasked with examining the bill before recommending the House on a course of action, according to Vermont’s legislative process.

If the VTSEC feels the revised bill is the right course of action for Vermont, one of their members will bring it to the House where it will then be voted on in the next several weeks and if passed become legislation, Miller stated in a Feb. 20 email.

NEWS

4

GILLIAN SYMOLON/ The Vermont Cynic Members of UVM Staff United speak at a town hall meeting Feb. 17. The meeting took place in the Jost Foundation Room in the DC.

UVM Staff United and others fight for livable wages Isabelle Tanner Cynic News Reporter

UVM’s staff union, UVM Staff United, held a Feb. 17 town hall meeting with five other supporting unions on campus to discuss the fight for livable wages, justice, equity and accountability.

Staff struggle with food insecurity, government aid needs and housing, said Annie Valentine, education and training manager in the Center for Wellbeing.

United Academics, United Electrical Workers 267, the Graduate Student Union, the union of students and the Asian Student Union joined in support at the town hall, according to a Feb. 17 email from Valentine.

“I hear these stories of people sobbing that they can’t pay their electric bills in the middle of the winter,” said Jay Hardesty, Catamount Farm program coordinator and Farmer Training Program lead instructor.

Hardesty said many staff members are on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, as well as the Electronic Benefits Transfer programs and still can’t afford food or bills.

UVM Spokesperson Enrique Corredera did not comment on the topic of staff needing WIC and EBT to afford the cost of living in his statements to the Cynic.

During the town hall, staff member Crispina Pincus, office and program support generalist in the leadership

and developmental science department, said she relies on relatives to help her keep up with living expenses.

“I have had to get a second job just to get by,” Pincus said.

“I didn’t want to work two jobs, working 13 to 15 hours a day.

I’m not a superhuman, I get tired.”

There was a 3.5% reduction for staff who make between $60,000 and $80,000 and those who make over $80,000 per year received a 5% reduction, according to the email.

All of these pay cuts were temporary and were reversed within the same fiscal year that

financial shape it has been in for a long time, according to a Feb 16. email from David Feurzeig, UA member and professor of music.

“The big picture is that the University has a substantial surplus,” Feurzeig said. “At the same time, UVM makes budget documents year after year that

“I have had to get a second job just to get by. I didn’t want to work two jobs, working 13 to 15 hours a day.

I’m not a superhuman, I get tired.”

-Crispina Pincus Office and program support generalist in the leadership and developmental science department Many staff members making below $20 an hour received a pay cut during the pandemic, Valentine said. These conditions caused a significant drop in staff morale.

Staff making less than $45,000 per year did not have a reduction in pay, according to a Feb. 20 email from Corredera.

Staff making between $45,000 and $60,000 received a cut of 2.5%.

they were implemented.

“Many of us who are in this field have chosen it because we care so deeply about student development, about the [college] experience [and] identity,” Valentine said. “How do we get to honor those and spend time when we’re all feeling really exhausted?”

Staff endures these hardships despite the University being in the best

say, ‘we don’t have enough money to pay for instruction, to pay for support, we have to cut back.’”

UVM must make sure that it closes each fiscal year with a positive fund balance, according to a Feb. 19 email from Corredera. The University also has to reserve funds for future endeavors in another fiscal year.

The University is committed

to compensating its employees fairly and competitively based on their performance, according to Corredera’s email.

UVM raised the minimum wage up to $15 an hour last year, a minimum higher than federal and state levels.

UVM also offers its employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes tuition remission for employees and dependents, medical, dental, and other benefits which increases the total compensation.

Health insurance premiums and parking permits are also based on a graduates scale pertaining to wages, according to Corredera’s email.

Staff aims to continue negotiating for a livable wage that allows them to afford the expenses that come with living in the Burlington area. UVM has more than enough money to afford the pay increase, Hardesty said.

Staff are continuing to negotiate with administration in the upcoming weeks.

Staff United is holding a Honk and Wave event, holding posters by the road, to garner awareness and support for their fight, March 3 at 4:30 p.m. outside the Davis Center.

Suresh Garimella, Patricia Prelock, provost and vice president, and Richard Cate, vice president of finance and administration, redirected the Cynic’s request for comment to Corredera.

OPINION

Support the School of the Arts

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EXECUTIVE Editor-in-Chief Kate Vanni editorinchief@vtcynic.com Managing Editor Greta Rohrer newsroom@vtcynic.com

OPERATIONS Operations Manager Emma Chute operations@vtcynic.com

IZZY PIPA

Mary Kueser

EDITORS Copy Chief Dalton Doyle copy@vtcynic.com Culture Cameron Provorny cynicculture@gmail.com Features Liz Roote cynicfeatures@gmail.com News Ella Ruehsen news@vtcynic.com Sports Matthew Rosenberg cynicalsportseditor@gmail.com Opinion Emily Johnston opinion@vtcynic.com Podcasts Paige Fisher vtcynicpodcasts@gmail.com Layout Ellie Scott layout@vtcynic.com

Opinion Columnist

I

went to a high school called School of the Arts. It was sort of like Hollywood Arts from “Victorious,” unfortunately without the cool lockers.

I spent my first two years in the theater program, and switched to the writing and literature program starting my junior year. I loved that place, and I am so grateful I received such a strong arts education.

When the Office of the Provost sent an email on Feb. 5 explaining the creation of a School of the Arts inside CAS, I immediately became excited, even though I study public communications.

Jordan Spindel Opinion Columnist

Photo Eric Scharf photo@vtcynic.com

Copy Editors Lauren Bently, Maddy Lyons, Maya Pound Pages Designers Molly McDermott, Nicole Bidol, Abby Carroll, Maddy Thorner

ADVISING Andy Elrick Inquaries email cynic@uvm.edu

to leave theater, but no chances to explore other fields.

If my high school did not expose me to different artistic disciplines, I would not be sitting here writing this column, or any columns, or poems, or books or the play I won awards for that changed my life.

With the creation of the School of the Arts, the potential for these artists to explore and experiment with their art forms grows incredibly.

There is a lot of potential for musicians to create songs dancers can choreograph, or performance art that combines the strongest parts of visual art and theater.

I remember the first time I was exposed to creative writing when my theater program worked with the writing program to help us write our own

monologues. Now, I write every day and am building my career on my writing.

Exposure to other disciplines opened my world up and allowed me to explore my interests and passions, which truly made me who I am today.

The School of the Arts has the potential to be a fantastic space for artists of every medium to grow in their practice and love of their art.

I do not know what the future of the School of the Arts holds, but I cannot wait to witness all of the amazing works the artists of UVM will make.

Mary Kueser is a sophomore public communication major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2020.

Professors should provide remote options

Illustrations Izzy Pipa cynicillustrations@gmail.com

Assistant Editors Catie Segaloff (Copy), Grace Visco (Opinion), Ella Farrell (Layout), Halsey McLaen (News), Tanner Loy (Photo)

The creation of an integrated School of the Arts within CAS creates a higher potential for arts students at UVM to be exposed to many disciplines, and work to create art that all of the UVM community will be able to enjoy.

Currently, each of the arts programs within CAS have their own department, according to the list of majors, degrees and programs on the CAS website. Art and art history is separate from dance and theater, which is separate from music.

This separation limits the amount of collaboration students can participate in across disciplines.

For a long time, I thought theater was my calling, as I had no experience in any other creative field. I had no reason

C

licking play on a lecture, a cup of coffee in hand, from the comfort of one’s own living room is an underrated comfort lost to in-person lectures.

Online courses are accessible and should be available for all classes taught, as some people have circumstances that prevent them from consistently attending in-person class.

UVM offered a completely at-home education for fall 2020, according to University communications.

They continued this offer in spring 2021, according to the At-Home FAQ. After plenty of experience with an online method of learning, I realized students should have the option to pursue their degree through online learning.

Immunocompromised students put themselves at great risk of getting COVID-19 if they attend classes in-person.

Weakened immune sys-

tems cause a greater risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, according to the CDC. With the option to stay home, these students can still get an education without risking their health.

Additionally, students positive with COVID-19 cannot come to class.

Having an online option alleviates the pressure of the pandemic by promoting learning outside of a scheduled lecture time.

UVM currently offers a

variety of online courses.

“We’ve been doing online education for over 20 years as an accredited university and offer more than 500 online courses to meet the needs of students across the world,” Online and Distance Education webpage stated.

Despite offering extensive online courses, there are still many subjects that lack complete online options.

UVM’s online course option should expand from 500 courses to all courses offered at UVM.

The online format forces professors to supply course material outside of the classroom.

Students can focus more on understanding the content of class instead of just jotting it down, as all of the slides will usually be posted after or even prior to the lecture.

All classrooms supply a computer, projector, webcam and a webcam-integrated microphone, according to UVM Classroom Technology.

The technology for the successful filming of lectures is already in place, so professors can record and post their material A simple system does not work for everyone, and having multiple learning options will make UVM more accessible.

Everyone should have an equal opportunity to learn.

NICOLE BIDOL

Jordan Spindel is a senior environmental science major. He has been writing for the Cynic since spring

6

NEW

Hundreds protest sexual violence on Admitted Students Visit Day Ella Rueshen News Editor

Halsey McLaen Assistant News Editor

Hundreds gathered on Feb. 18, Admitted Students Visit Day, to protest UVM’s Feb. 17 Instagram post, which simultaneously congratulated athletics and denounced anonymous accusations of sexual assault on social media.

UVM posted on Instagram at approximately 9 p.m. to congratulate its men’s basketball team on its sixth straight America East Regular Season Title and to draw attention to the issue of sexual violence at the University.

“UVM does not tolerate sexual assault misconduct and takes such accusations seriously,” the post stated.

“Anonymous accusations on social media are not helpful to victims or to anyone impacted by sexual violence.”

THE PROTEST

Between 200 - 300 students congregated on the green at Andrew Harris Commons, said Melanie Waldbrise, sergeant for UVM Police Services. The group formed around 11:40 a.m. and officially began its demonstration at noon, brandishing signs and filling the air with chants.

“UVM appointed a

Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator approximately 18 days ago and what happened?” first-year Sofia Ferraro said. “UVM has yet again shown that they only care about protecting rapists and sexual assault perpetrators with last night’s Instagram post.”

As the protestors passed through the Davis Center, other students on the second-floor balcony stood and cheered in support of the cause.

After several speakers addressed the crowd outside, the procession marched through the Davis Center and passed Brennan’s Pub and Bistro, a site marked off with reserved seating for Admitted Students Visit Day attendees.

Many tour guides, known as AdvoCats, went on strike the day of the protest in response to UVM’s Instagram post, according to a Feb. 20 email from Director of Admissions Moses Murphy. In their absence on ASVD, admissions pivoted to offering self-guided tours.

“I explicitly informed guests that many of our students were engaging in social activism on Friday, and that AdvoCats were choosing to also engage in activism by not leading the ASV day campus tours,” Murphy’s email stated.

The last time UVM students staged a protest on an ASVD

was the 2018 Waterman Takeover, according to a Feb. 18 email from Murphy.

The Waterman Takeovers are historic UVM protest events, all of which aimed to address issues of race and racism within the UVM community, according to VTDigger’s republished edition of the Cynic’s Black History Month coverage.

This protest happening on ASVD threatens UVM’s retention of the next incoming class, which will push the

scared to go here,” junior Ali Fanger said. “If you’re going to pay a ton of money to go here, know that UVM doesn’t protect survivors.”

The protest made a significant impression on admitted student Rachael Neiberger, and was the most memorable part of her day, she said. “[This] complicates the image of the school,” Neiberger said. “[I’m] less comfortable and concerned about safety.”

“The University of Vermont congratulates its men’s basketball team on their sixth straight American East Regular Season Title.

UVM does not tolerate sexual misconduct and takes such accusations seriously. Incidents are reported through the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity where support and follow-up is provided promptly. Anonymous accusations on social media helpful to victims or to anyone impacted by sexual violence.”

- The post made by UVM’s official Instagram

University into acting, first-year Adam Franz said.

“If I was coming to admitted students day, and I saw this protest, I’d be really fucking

Sophomore Sean Cunneen said UVM’s mishandling of sexual violence shocks him. He had a friend visiting UVM for Admitted Students Visit Day,

April 27, 2021 SGA condemns UVM’s handling of sexual misconduct and calls for UVM to perform an internal investigation to address these failures in an emergency resolution.

September 23, 2020 Then-junior Kendall Ware comes forward about being raped by a member of UVM’s men’s basketball team in a Burlington Free Press article.

April 25, 2021 Then-junior Athena Headrick states they were raped by Austin Weiland in an Instagram post. Others come forward with similar allegations against Weiland.

More than 120 others share stories of sexual assault at UVM following the original post.

who was not happy to hear about this issue, Cunneen said. “[I] recommended that she doesn’t choose [UVM] as a final school,” Cunneen said. “If UVM keeps behaving this way, [...] they’re going to be losing popularity and if they want to keep getting students’ money they have to change.”

THE CAUSE FOR PROTEST

The Instagram post received 280 comments in 30 minutes, according to a post from Instagram account @shareyourstoryuvm, an account for survivors to share their stories of assault anonymously.

UVM removed its post after 30 minutes, according to a handout from the event.

The post uploaded to UVM’s Instagram account does not match the style guide they typically use for posts. Instead it matches the style guide used by @shareyourstoryuvm.

UVM’s typical statement posts are designed with a bright photo in the background and a serif typeface.

The post uploaded on Thursday night was designed with a green background, white sans serif text and logo UVM-0001, a primary athletic mark, which are all elements @shareyourstory includes in their posts.

UVM athletics faced

April 29, 2021 UVM states they will review and assess the systems in place for handling sexual misconduct, formalize sexual violence-focused committess and improve employee trauma training in an email to the UVM community.

April 29, 2021 Instagram account @shareyourstoryuvm is created.

May 3, 2021 Thousands protest UVM’s repeated mishandling of sexual assault cases on campus in a walkout across campus.

April 30, 2021 UVM Title IX Advisory Committee releases a list of 17 demands for the University.

WS backlash for protecting abusers within its institution, according to several student sources and the @shareyourstoryuvm Instagram posts. The men’s basketball team in particular is the target of a significant number of allegations.

Ten posts on @uvmshareyourstory mention the men’s basketball team, eight of which detail sexual assult, as of Feb. 18. One of these posts is a duplicate. No other sports team at UVM is mentioned this frequently on the account.

Graduate student Kendall Ware faced a mishandling of her sexual assault investigation as an undergrad in fall 2020, according to an Oct. 13, 2020 Cynic article on the case. Her abuser played for the men’s basketball team at the time.

“It’s just hard to see sports teams being congratulated when there are survivors at this school who are not being heard,” sophomore and survivor Sabine Love said. “And their use of the language ‘victim’ instead of ‘survivors,’ I mean, we’re not victims. We are survivors. That is very triggering.”

First-year Sofia Ferraro said she found the post tone-deaf and insensitive.

“I think them turning off [Instagram] comments is a way of protecting their reputation,” Ferraro said. “Every school has a sexual assault issue but the way UVM handles it is just so incredibly poor.”

Senior Jessie Dion said these issues need to be addressed and UVM should avoid pushing these issues under the rug.

“The posts that UVM basketball put up [were] so terrible, to say that anonymous things don’t help anybody because it does help people,” Dion said. “But that should be addressed. These players

shouldn’t be allowed to play despite their skill.”

Patricia Prelock, provost and senior vice president, addressed the UVM community in an email sent two hours after the protest, at 2:04 p.m. Feb. 18.

“Following a University post yesterday about the Men’s Basketball team, there were numerous harmful comments accusing the entire team of sexual misconduct,” the email stated. “We are aware that UVM’s post in response to these comments was not received in the way it was intended.”

handles investigating those reports independently.

“As is the case for all students, student-athletes are not sanctioned based solely on an allegation on social media or elsewhere,” Schulman stated. “We are also aware of student-athletes who are being collectively targeted with accusations simply due to their association with a particular team or group and recognize the impact of these accusations.”

UVM athletics has expanded its sexual violence prevention programming significantly

“It’s just hard to see sports teams being congratulated when there are survivors at this school who are not being heard. And their use of the language ‘victim’ instead of ‘survivors,’ I mean, we’re not victims. We are survivors. That is very triggering.”

- Sabine Love Sophomore and survivor

UVM does not tolerate sexual violence and has put significant effort and resources into prevention and support, according to the the email.

UVM athletics recognizes the harm felt by survivors and the importance of their control over if and how they choose to come forward, according to a statement from Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman, by way of a Feb. 20 email from Nich Hall, director of communications for UVM athletics.

The athletics department refers all known allegations to the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity immediately upon becoming aware, according to the statement. The AAEO then

over the past several months, according to the email and a Feb. 14 Vermont Cynic article.

This protest comes nearly 10 months after thousands of students staged a walk-out May 3, 2021. Protestors flooded the steps of Waterman to stand against UVM’s handling of sexual violence and to advocate for improved prevention and support strategies for the UVM community.

On May 3, 2021, UVM administration agreed to a set of 17 student demands, originally released April 30, 2021, according to a May 4, 2021 Cynic article.

Since that time, UVM has implemented 14 demands on the list and is in the process of

August 31, 2021 UVM announces their partnership with sexual violence crisis counseling organization HOPE Works and trauma training for UVM Police Services.

May 3, 2021 UVM states they will agree to UVMIXAC’s demands in an email to students.

July 29, 2021 UVM releases update announcing formation of Sexual Misconduct Response Team and Sexual Violence Prevention Council, creation of Coordinator of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Education position, required sexual assault prevention training for undergraduate students, and initiation of external independent review of AAEO.

implementing the final three, according to the University’s We Hear You website.

Still, UVM’s efforts since last spring have been unsatisfactory, Franz said.

“It’s not enough to say nice things, it’s not enough to post things on social media,” Franz said. “If they’re really committed to [ending] sexual violence on our campus, they need to put a lot more resources into it.”

THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT BEHIND THE PROTEST

Love first saw the idea for this protest on YikYak, an anonymous social media platform, they said. “[It] was super surprising that an anonymous social media platform was able to basically create a protest in under 12 hours, of just people saying that they were angry and they want to protest and then people came together and heard other people’s voices,” she said.

UVM Union of Students later shared details of the event on their Instagram story at 12:03 a.m., Feb. 18.

Explain the Asterisk VT, an organization that aims to end campus sexual violence, according to its website, shared the same event details on their Instagram story around 10 a.m., Feb. 18.

“My immediate reaction [to UVM’s post], I had a pit in my stomach,” first-year Clara Campbell said.

Campbell found it disgusting that the post went directly from congratulating the basketball team to what she believed was invalidating survivors, she said.

“It’s a kick in the face to [say], ‘We take this seriously, but not seriously enough to give it its own post,’” Franz said. “It’s performative and they couldn’t even get the performance right.”

WHAT IS TO COME?

7

Ferraro said although students have not distilled specific additional demands for the University to address, she is grateful to see that action is happening.

“The protest today was more about gaining momentum,” Ferraro said. “These people were so angry, like, rightfully so. There’s going to be a lot in the future that I know already people have been planning.”

Dion said they are also looking forward to seeing people bringing their attention back to this issue.

“I think it is really important to continue this work,” Dion said. “And I think that there could be more protests. And I think that the University just needs to do more.”

The University can do much better to address sexual assault on campus if more people listen and act in support, sophomore Wes Hatfield said.

Seeing student activism is encouraging, admitted student Wyatt Pole said.

“I was scared because of [the protest] but at the same time [...] I feel better that they’re being vocal about it,” Pole said.

Love and junior Abigale Szlajen said students are in the process of planning another protest, set to take place early next week.

Any survivors in need of support can access 24/7 hotline services through HOPE Works advocates at (802)-863-1236.

CAPS Counselor Laurie Brown is hosting a weekly Survivor’s Space for dropin support, Thursdays from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Women and Gender Equity Center, through the Center for Health and Wellbeing, according to UVM’s website. The Center is located at 34 South Williams St.

February 17, 2022 UVM congratulates men’s basketball team on its America East Regular Season Title and states UVM does not tolerate sexual misconduct.

February 18, 2022 Students gather on Admitted Students Day in protest of the previous day’s Instagram post.

8

CULTURE

Brennan’s hosts local restaurant pop-ups

Alicia Wolfram Culture Staff Writer

Brennan’s Pub & Bistro is hosting Burlington’s local restaurants for a taste of food fresh on campus this semester.

UVM Dining expanded retail options by introducing local restaurant pop-ups in Brennan’s on Tuesdays and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. said Melissa Zelazny, UVM Dining resident district manager.

Students can purchase the food using retail points, cash or credit cards, Zelazny said.

UVM welcomed Café Saint Paul Feb. 8-9 and Church Street Cheesesteaks Feb. 1516. Taco Truck All-Stars is on the schedule for Feb. 22-23 and Farmers and Foragers on March 2-3.

Brennan’s did not open last semester due to staffing shortages, Zelanzy said.

These pop-ups optimize space, especially because of slow winter business for local restaurants, Zelazny said.

The pop-ups also add more dining options on campus, Zelazny said.

Last semester UVM hosted food trucks near Northside Dining on Trinity campus, but with colder weather it made sense to transition indoors while still giving more retail options, Zelazny said.

“The restaurants offer

a minimum of three menu items with at least one vegan vegetarian option,” Zelazny said.

The restaurants get a guarantee of sale volumes when coming to campus along with free publicity and advertising, Zelazny said.

“It seems like a pretty good win-win,” she said.

After receiving positive feedback from students, UVM Dining is even considering expanding the restaurant’s hours in Brennan’s, Zelazny said.

Last week’s pop-up, Church Street Cheesesteaks, serves high-quality cheesesteaks with a portobello mushroom steak option for vegans and vegetarians.

The restaurant is located on Church Street right outside local bar Red Square in the summertime and at Stowe Resort in the winter.

Owner Sandi Pasagic, said they are excited to be back serving students again.

“It’s cool to just be back with the younger crowd, the people who go out at night,” Pasagic said.

Café Saint Paul participated in the pop-up event two weeks ago as the first restaurant, known for its fresh, locallysourced sandwiches.

Due to its popularity two weeks ago, Café Saint Paul plans on returning to Brennan’s

TYLER NACHILLY/The Vermont Cynic TOP: Brennan’s Pub & Bistro began hosting local restaurants this semester and Church Street Cheesesteaks took over the week of Feb. 14.

LEFT: An employee of Church Street Cheesesteaks works behind the counter of Brennan’s on Feb. 16.

RIGHT: An employee of Church Street Cheesesteaks cooks the steaks and cheese before placing it into a buttered roll Feb. 16. in the next month, Chef James Bouffard said.

“The event was extremely beneficial in promoting the restaurant, there’s more clientele and good marketing,” Bouffard said. “My staff and I

were very happy to be there.”

The steady flow of hungry students filtering in and out of the Davis Center provides restaurants with excellent marketing and a crowd that will likely return for more.

The pop-ups will continue for the remainder of the semester and the schedule of restaurants can be found on the UVM Bored website.

9

CULTURE

UVM’s Hillel fights food insecurity Max Gerlach Culture Staff Writerr

UVM Hillel’s student-led food-based initiatives fight against food insecurity among college students, said senior Leah Kostick, Hillel Fresh director.

UVM Hillel is a Jewish organization whose mission hopes to provide a safe environment for Jewish students to express themselves, according to their website. The organization welcomes all students, no matter their religion, to get involved in Shabbat dinner and Hillel Fresh, student-led initiatives, Kostick said.

“Since COVID-19, one in three college students experienced food insecurity, so that’s a big mission for us,” she said.

Hillel Fresh began in fall 2019. Since its inception, the focal point of Hillel Fresh has been the crossroads of sustainable food and community, Kostick said.

“An older staff member who used to work here at Hillel had this idea about a program that incorporated locally sourced food and bringing students together,” Kostick said.

Hillel Fresh provides free food kits for students who wish to prepare meals with locally sourced produce, Kostick said.

Taking the time to focus on sourcing and preparing food coincides with Shabbat, which is a day of rest, Kostick said.

“It’s a day to reflect on your week and I think everyone can celebrate it differently,” she said.

UVM Hillel also holds Shabbat dinner at the Hillel building

about three times a month, said sophomore Julia Feiler, cochair of the Shabbat committee.

“It’s a good way to get student leadership and the community involved,” Feiler said.

“There’s always a big turnout and we get to make fun meals and eat together.”

UVM Hillel’s Shabbat dinner offers the chance for any students to get involved in a food-based community event, Feiler said.

“It’s usually just a collaboration of whoever’s at Hillel and is in the kitchen,” Feiler said.

Volunteering to cook Shabbat dinner is a fun, informal way for people to get involved with the UVM Hillel community, Feiler said.

Shabbat dinner is also a chance for non-Jewish people to learn more about Jewish culture and traditions, through sharing a meal with friends or meeting new people, Kostick said.

At the most recent Shabbat dinner on Friday, Feb. 18, strangers and friends mingled at their tables as volunteers passed out food from the kitchen.

Before the meal, one of Hillel’s Springboard Ezra Fellows, Mollie Leibowitz Rabin, read a passage from the Torah and explained a little bit about the tradition of Shabbat in Judaism.

While Hillel Fresh and Shabbat are separate entities within UVM Hillel, they overlap when it comes to their preparation of food for Shabbat dinner, Feiler said.

“There are potatoes for [the Shabbat dinner] tonight that are extras from Hillel Fresh,”

ELAINA SEPEDE/The Vermont Cynic UVM Hillel intern Naomi Scholder ‘25 cooks vegetables for Shabbat.

Feiler said.

Those potatoes came from one of the nine small plots of land that UVM Hillel has at the UVM Horticulture farm, Kostick said.

There they grow things like pickles and tomatoes and have the opportunity to meet with a farmer to talk about sustainability in agriculture, she said.

A pillar of both Shabbat din-

ner and the Hillel Fresh initiative is the intersection between food and community, Feiler said.

“They reach different audiences while they’re both very much about community building,” Feiler said.

On-campus students often attend Shabbat dinner and Hillel Fresh offers similar community-based food for off-campus

students, Kostick said.

Through both initiatives, UVM Hillel presents opportunities for students with a passion for sustainable food and an interest in Judaism to come together and support the UVM community.

Students can sign up for Shabbat dinners and Hillel Fresh on Hillel’s website.

Clumsily cooking in college; try not to lose any fingers Dominic Minadeo Culture Staff Writer

C

ooking a meal from scratch and carefully following steps from a recipe can be rewarding, but getting drunk and winging it is more fun.

I began a weekly tradition with my friend Peter since moving to Burlington in December: cooking for our friends every Saturday evening.

The idea came to me after taking a kitchen job for the Vermont National Country Club this fall. I used to dread the drone of tickets printing out at my station as I tried to stay out of the way of seasoned cooks barking, “Behind! Sharp!

Corner!”

Despite the chaos, I came to enjoy the hustle and found myself, both to the amusement and perhaps minor annoyance of my Chef, following him around to badger him with questions as he worked.

I absorbed what I could and took what I learned back to Peter’s apartment.

I used skills that Chef taught me, such as how to dice an onion without crying – breath through your mouth – or, which is even more useful, how to not slice the tip of my thumb off in the middle of dinner service.

Cooking night is a constant work in progress. When we first started, I asked Peter what kind of seasonings he had stocked for us.

“We have salt,” he said.

His kitchen is small; the dining table almost takes up the whole room and if our friends are in there with us it can be hard to move around.

The grates of the burners on the stovetop are slanted so our pans sit lopsided on them.

With no can opener, we’ve had some close calls stabbing away at canned tomatoes.

We love the unconventionality of our kitchen; it requires some serious quick thinking and adaptation.

IZZY PIPA One night I reached to add potatoes to a covered steaming pot and I realized the lid had no handle on it. Peter came to my aid by using a screwdriver to pry the lid off. It is now one of our most useful kitchen tools.

Peter and I like to play music while we cook. We sip $8 wine from plastic cups and pretend to have some semblance of class.

Other nights we blast Peter’s favorite EDM playlists.

Regardless of music, by the end of the process we’re both drunk and I usually forget to lower the heat, or Peter gets carried away with the red pepper flakes.

Our friends gather in the dining room to enjoy the meals we make, among them have been the likes of Don Angie’s Pinwheel Lasagne, chicken piccata, steak and mashed potatoes and more.

It may be a ways away from Vermont National, but it’s

not bad for a couple of college students.

We’re proud that Peter’s kitchen shelf now not only contains salt, but also pepper, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper and of course, red pepper flakes.

We even bought a can opener.

Dominic Minadeo is a junior English major. He has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2022.

SPORTS

10

Men’s lacrosse begins 2022 with 1-2 record Matthew Rosenberg Sports Editor

The UVM men’s lacrosse team enters the 2022 season looking to return to the NCAA tournament after reaching it for the first time in 2021, according to UVM athletics.

In a pandemic-shortened 2021 season, America East coaches picked the Catamounts fourth in the conference’s preseason poll. UVM tied for the regular season title and won the America East tournament for the first time, according to UVM athletics.

Head coach Chris Feifs won the New England Coach of the Year award and junior faceoff specialist Tommy Burke won the New England Player of the Year award, according to UVM athletics.

This season, coaches selected UVM first in the preseason poll, receiving all six possible first-place votes, according to UVM athletics.

The Catamounts were ranked No. 17 in the national preseason media poll.

Two Vermont players are preseason All-Americans as

chosen by Inside Lacrosse.

Senior midfielder Thomas McConvey is on the Third Team and Burke is an honorable mention, according to UVM athletics.

McConvey led UVM with 37 goals and 53 points in 2021, scoring at least a point in every game. Burke set program

Photo courtesy of Special Collections.

UVM men’s lacrosse lost to University of Utah 10-11 at the Virtue Field on Feb. 12.

Limoges and junior attacker This season, the Catamounts records for faceoffs won in a season and faceoff percentage, have a 1-2 record. They lost 15- Brock Haley each scored five 10 at No. 3 Duke University goals in the win. according to UVM athletics.

Vermont will travel to UVM returns 97% of its in their season opener and scoring from 2021, according fel 11-10 at home against the Providence to face Brown University on Feb. 26. They will to UVM athletics. Graduate University of Utah.

Vermont picked up its first return home to take on Bryant attackers Michael McCormack and Liam Limoges and senior win on Feb. 16 with a 16-10 University on March 5. attacker David Closterman join victory over Pennsylvania State University.

McConvey on offense.

UPCOMING CATAMOUNT ATHLETICS EVENTS

WEEK OF FEB. 21-27 Women’s Basketball

Women’s Hockey

Men’s Hockey

Women’s Lacrosse

vs. Binghamton 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at UVM Patrick Gym

Hockey East Quarterfinals noon Feb. 26 at UVM Gutterson Fieldhouse

vs. UMass 7 p.m. Feb. 25 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at Gutterson Fieldhouse

vs. Wagner noon Feb. 27 at UVM Virtue Field

WEEK OF FEB. 28- MARCH 6 Men’s Hockey

Women’s Lacrosse

Men’s Lacrosse

Track and Field

vs. Northeastern 5:30 p.m. March 1 at UVM Gutterson FIeldhouse

vs. Siena 2:30 p.m. March 5 Away Loudonville, NY

vs. Bryant noon March 5 at UVM Virtue Field

ECAC Championships March 5 - 6 Away Boston, MA

WEEK OF MARCH 7-13 Women’s Lacrosse

Men’s Lacrosse

Track and Field

Skiing

vs. Marist 4 p.m. March 9 Away Poughkeepsie, NY

vs. Providence 1 p.m. March 12 Away Providence, RI

NCAA Championships March 11 - 12 Away Birmingham, AL

NCAA Championships March 9 - 12 Park City Mountain Resort & Soldier Hollow Resort

FEATURES

11 IZZY PIPA

Abandon the preconceived notions you carry based on stereotypes My name is Tushar Asthana, a sophomore data science student at UVM. I am originally from the subcontinent of India and I’m a first generation immigrant. I’ve lived in Vermont for 13 years, which allows me to have a unique perspective on the issues that stem from racism. It also lets me serve as a spokesperson. I can relate aspects of my life to other Black, Indigenous, People of Color that have similar experiences to mine. This column aims to amplify their voices on UVM’s campus.

Tushar Asthana Features Staff Writer

A

stereotype is defined as a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude or uncritical judgment, according to Merriam-Webster.

The ideology that people fit into categories is extremely small-minded and concerning.

Imagine trying to force people into certain ideas in your own head, giving them no space to surprise you. There are many of these stereotypes floating around the world, and there seems to be no space for improvement or deviation.

As someone subjected to multiple stereotypes, nothing feels worse than being placed in a box by another person.

Before someone can begin to comprehend who they are, the world tells them who they’re supposed to be and who they should become.

All of this is based off of what?

Skin color, facial features, place of birth, gender and other features people have no control over. I won’t reiterate the unchanging limitations that

arise in relation to stereotypes.

I will, however, allow a chance for people to grow.

The feeling of needing to break these stereotypes also leads into the feelings of hypervisibility. I face stereotypes as an Indian, which include being good in mathematics and only becoming either an engineer or a doctor, with little to no in between.

Sticking to that thinking leaves no room for creativity and passion, removing all sense of purpose in life. I would have never discovered my passion for reading fiction or writing articles if I was still stuck in this mindset.

We can all work on changing the cycle of prejudice and stagnant thinking. A person’s physical features should not serve as a rule book for the life they live.

If everyone treated others with respect, would everyone reach their fullest potential and create great change for the world?

I am not the greatest statistician to ever live, but I feel like that probability should be pretty high.

Let’s look at the very real effects of stereotypes in the world. A 2004 study sent out

copies of the same resume, only differentiated by their names.

Some were stereotypically African American and some were stereotypically white.

A disproportionately large number of whites got the callbacks, while many African American applicants were rejected, according to the study.

African Americans have been of a lower socioeconomic class since the colonization of this country. That might lead an employer to think this person might be incapable of performing in the office.

“While one may have expected improved credentials to alleviate employers’ fear that African-American applicants are deficient in some unobservable skills, this is not the case in our data,” the study stated.

Due to the bias against African Americans in education, an employer may view a college degree on a their resume as less deserved than a white person’s. Again, these sentiments are not held as fact.

Stereotypes stem from a vacuum chamber of media consumed by the masses.

Conservative views still have a hold on many of us and biases haven’t been confronted.

It’s almost considered taboo in India to have any other type of profession, at least with anyone who is going into higher education. These could be used as stereotypes that don’t harm in general. Yes, based on my stereotype, I will be rich and successful.

Many uncharted routes to success exist that don’t include the monetary gratification of the job. Feeling hypervisible and afraid comes into play here.

People who don’t deal with hypervisibility almost always overlook the importance of social cues we take from other people. I look to someone older than me, like my brother or parents, when I don’t know how to act in a situation.

Imagine not having a single person look like you in school.

It feels like everything you do is wrong, and while that feeling goes away after time, there still seems to be no space for error.

I experienced this in many spaces at UVM. How many fellow students can say they’ve felt the same way?

It is that fear, of making a fool of myself, of not appearing normal, that seems to be the only real struggle I face in breaking stereotypes.

I have become so calloused

to the words of others that they simply don’t matter, and thus, the only things that would affect me are the larger themes, the fear that comes along with breaking into something.

Smaller minded people will always try to negate these feelings and make fun of others for it. But once you understand that these jabs, these words meant to hurt come from a place of insecurity, you start to pity the people that say them.

People don’t know what they want, and if they do, they often run away from the work needed to reach their goals, whether they be monetary, spiritual or mental.

There is nothing more empowering than living the life that you want outside of your skin.

Understanding small minded people, however undesirable, matters more than one might think. Seeing the roots of the problem, at least for me, has helped me understand it and in turn, neutralize its effect on me.

Tushar Asthana is a sophomore data science major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2021.

12

FEATURES

Crystal Malone’s impact on FSL at UVM

Photo courtesy of UVM: Ten Black Experiences Delaney Roy Features Staff Writer

Crystal Malone ’47 made national headlines after pledging Alpha Xi Delta, according to a 1946 Burlington Free Press article.

When Malone’s friends invited her to join Alpha Xi Delta as the sorority’s first African American member, the national board refused to allow the chapter to integrate, according to the 1946 article.

Author Jules Older ‘62, Phd wrote about the issue in UVM’s 1991 bicentennial roundup book, “The University of Vermont: The First 200 Years” in a chapter titled “Jews, Blacks and Catholics: UVMs Anomalous Minorities.”

The women of Alpha Xi Delta and their Chapter President, Patricia Pringle, refused to back down from their initial decision.

They ignored continued threats from the National President, Beverley Robinson, to punish the chapter, according to the 1991 book. “[Pringle] declared all the sorority members were proud to be friends of Miss Malone,” the 1946 article stated. “They could see no reason for punitive action by the national chapter.”

Robinson did not take the situation lightly, and did not allow the sorority to continue activities with Malone as a member. The national organization put the chapter on probation and stopped them from participating in any rush activities, according to the 1991 book.

“Life is selective, and maybe it’s just as well to learn it while we are young,” Robinson said in a May 6, 1946 Life Magazine article.

Robinson also said the probation of the sorority was due to the mishandling of letters from headquarters by the chapter president, according to the Burlington Free Press article.

These letters contained instructions for the correspondence to be read at a chapter meeting, according to the Free Press article.

Pringle decided not to acknowledge the letters because they revoked Malone’s membership and scolded the women for offering her a membership, according to the Free Press article. “[The chapter has] attempted without counsel to make a decision affecting hundreds of other members,”

stated Robinson in a 1945 letter to the chapter. “Does that seem a little presumptuous and egotistical to you? It does to me.”

The young women responded to the probation by burning their sorority charter, the founding contract the chapter was based on. This ended the conflict with the national organization and the chapter would permanently disband less than a year later, according to the 2021 article.

“It was a dramatic stand — If we can’t be Alpha Xi Delta with Crystal, there will be no Alpha Xi Delta,” the book stated.

As UVM’s Alpha Xi Delta chapter fought the national organization, the support for Malone did not stop with the sorority women. Other students at the time also spoke up on the situation, according to the 1991 book.

“When I was asked to join Alpha Xi Delta I remember being pleased — The spoken emotions and feelings after the war made me think it was possible,” Malone stated in the 1991 book.

Malone had close friends in the sorority and served as an active member of the Women’s Athletic Association

and the Modern Dance Group on campus, according to the Burlington Free Press article.

“The sickening part of the whole affair is the pathetic indifference of the administration,” stated Peter Mallett ‘47 in a 1946 letter to the Cynic. “Not taking a stand assures the maintenance of the status quo, the continuance of racial discrimination at the University of Vermont.”

The University did not take a position on the situation, asserting that the issue was not a matter of University policy, but an internal dispute between the National Sorority and the University Chapter, Older said.

“Not a great moment for UVM, a wonderful moment for the sorority and for Crystal; all of them stuck to their guns,” Older said. “The University doesn’t have a proud history of taking stands on moral issues.

They have to be pushed to it.”

Pringle’s mother, Catherine Zwick, wrote a letter to Robinson in 1946 detailing her pride in the sorority women and her shame at Robinson’s actions and responses.

“You are condemning a group of girls who refused to obey an order which they […] knew would hurt greatly a

friend who did not deserve the humiliation […] not because of any wrong act of the girl involved, but merely because of her racial background,” Zwick stated.

Despite facing adversity from Robinson and the national organization, Malone had fond memories of her time at UVM, according to the 1991 book.

“The university students, mostly girls, were young, impressionable with dreams of a better world,” stated Malone in the 1991 book. “I lived as an American coed and loved every minute.”

The chapter shut down, without withdrawing Malone’s membership and Malone went on to graduate in 1947 with a bachelor’s degree in business.

She worked as an educator for decades before retiring from Uniondale High School in New York, according to the 2021 article.

Malone married Navy Lieutenant Commander Wesley Brown in 1964. She died on Feb. 25, 2021 and is survived by three stepchildren, seven grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren, according to the 2021 article.