VOL. 134 ISSUE 16
The Vermont Cynic
Hate speech
Vermont court throws out ‘racist threats’ case against former UVM student Wesley Richter on page 3
JANUARY 17, 2018
a w o H y k c i st e t o n s i n e p
d e s i ra s n o i t s e u q : t u o ab • • • •
free speech student rights discipline life in the wellness environment
Blue Penis Gate sheds light on WE Cynic Staff Report A blue sticky note penis has left eight first-years fearing they will lose their housing in the Wellness Environment. It was mid-September. The students sat in their new dorm watching a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the courtyard below. They were messing around with sticky notes on the window and put them into the shape of a penis. As quickly as they’d put it up, they took it down. But they weren’t fast enough. A resident adviser came upstairs and told the students to disband. One of the students in the room reported the names of the other students to Wellness Environment staff. The next morning, the students all got an email from WE directors summoning them to talk about what they would later call “Blue Penis Gate.” The email, from Dr. Jeff Rettew, associate director of the Wellness Environment, called the students to a WE Moment, a time for WE officials to address misconduct in the dorm. Weisskopf’s punishment was to attend ten WE-sponsored events. She was told if she missed an event
she would be kicked out of her buildWE has brought UVM national ing. attention. It’s been covered by the The Wellness Environment AP, CBS, NBC and the Boston Globe. WE is the brainchild of Dr. Jim Sophomore WE resident Jackie Hudziak, founder and director. He Kho said many students joined WE envisioned a living space free of for new, nicer dorms and access to drugs and alcoamenities. hol – one where We i s s k o p f student lives said she joined were focused because she around nutriwanted to live tion, mindfulsomewhere with ness, fitness and less of a party mentorship. scene than other The program dorms. has grown since All they had to it began in 2015 do to get access from 100 to 1,100 to new dorms students, said and wellness Annie Stevens, amenities? Sign vice provost for off on a special student affairs. housing contract WE students called the WE have free access code. to a gym; they WE Code get violin lesResidents MAX MCCURDY/The Vermont Cynic of WE sons, cooking dorms demos and yoga sign a code that WE founder Dr. Jim Hudziak sits classes that the in his office Oct. 4. He runs a states that they will rest of the student unique disciplinary system in WE. follow WE rules in body doesn’t have exchange for living access to. The there. In the code, newest dorm on campus, Central students agree not bring drugs or alCampus Residence Hall - the site of cohol into the dorm, to attend a class Blue Penis Gate - is all WE housing. taught by Hudziak and participate in
Jim Hudziak d WE Creator an ief Ch d an or ct ire D ry at hi of Child Psyc of ge lle at UVM Co edical Medicine and M Center
Information from Wellness Environment website
WE Code A contract between WE students and WE staff to keep the environment suited for building healthy brains so that healthy bodies can follow
nt
the WE-defined pillars of wellness. Unlike in other dorms, WE students aren’t allowed to have shot glasses in their rooms because they’re considered neural triggers. Hudziak said that the presence of a shot glass could be a neural trigger, a stimulus that could prompt others to want to take part in activities involving drugs and alcohol. Students are asked to use their judgement in terms of what items they think could be a trigger, Hudziak said. Some students are unclear on what is considered a neural trigger. Weisskopf said her resident adviser told her not to wear a Snoop Dogg t-shirt that said “gin and juice” on it in the dorm. Weisskopf has a pair of socks with cannabis leaves on them, but doesn’t wear them outside of her Wellness Cont. on page 2
Blue Penis Gate The Wellness App The Cost of WE
Jan. 17 Feb. 6 Feb. 20
WE Relate Eve
Paraphernalia
ted to An event devo thy al he ng developi a in ps hi ns relatio entpositive, judgm t en free environm lfse and improved d an awareness confidence
Things associated with drugs or alcohol- “e.g. bongs, pipes, grinders, shot glasses, alcohol containers, bottle openers, pint glasses, etc.”
NEWS
2 Wellness Cont. from page 1 room because she’s afraid she’ll land in more trouble. The WE code states that students can’t have alcohol, drugs and paraphernalia — and “their influence” — in WE residence halls. Weisskopf, Kho and senior and SGA President Chris Petrillo think the code is vague here. Banning posters and clothing that contain references to alcohol or drugs violates student free speech rights because it is restrictive on the basis of content and viewpoint, said Daniel Burnett, communications manager for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a campus free speech advocacy organization. FIRE states that these bans, by virtue of their vague wording, can be used to control protected expression. “You do sign a contract to live in the Environment,” Petrillo said. “The agreement limits some of your actions. “It’s tricky because you’re part of WE, but you’re still a student as well.” What happens when students break the WE code If they fail to follow the code, students agree that they “may be removed from [the] program and/or relocated to another residence hall.” WE has a different disciplinary process than other residence halls. Hudziak and Rettew determine on a caseby-case basis if residents have violated the code and assign punishment, Weisskopf said. Students accused of break-
ing WE code are summoned to a “WE moment,” a disciplinary meeting with a member of WE staff to talk about how the student might have violated the code, she said. If it’s the student’s first violation — with the exception of having drugs or alcohol in the residence hall — WE staff creates a “wellness plan” for the student, Hudziak said. In the case of Blue Penis Gate, Weisskopf’s wellness plan was to attend ten WE-sponsored events. Another woman in her group must attend a WE-sponsored event every week for the rest of the year. If Weisskopf misses any of those events without a good reason, she risks losing her housing in WE residence halls, she said. “They’re at super inconvenient times,” Weisskopf said. “Basically if I can’t make WE relate on Thursday, I have to go to a WE Relate Friday at 7 a.m.” The effect of WE discipline In Blue Penis Gate, it was a fellow student who reported the group of eight to WE staff, said Weisskopf. Weisskopf said this culture of peer reporting is popular in WE residence halls. “Students should not feel uncomfortable around their peers,” Petrillo said. “They should be supporting one another in a positive way. “That, to me, is an indicator of an unhealthy environment.” After her experiences this year, Weisskopf is not sure if she will live in WE next year. “There’s this constant fear that people are going to snitch on you,” she said. “I’ve been living in this heightened state.”
The Vermont Cynic
Jan. 17, 2018
can we have it? Conduct violations in ResLife vs. WE
ITEM ALCOHOL
shot glass
empty container
clothing with drug or alcohol references
smoke
RESLIFE “The University will enforce this no-alcohol policy through appropriate judicial procedures administered through Residential Life and/or through the Center for Student Conduct. Additionally, students may be referred to UVM Police Services.” - ResLife Housing Contract
“Unless there’s alcohol in it or being served in it, I can’t do anything with it” - Sophomore David Gabel, RA in L/L
“Possessing, using, distributing, or selling drug paraphernalia is strictly prohibited, and is also subject to follow-up.” - Res Life Housing Contract
“I can’t stop someone from expressing themselves within the halls with their clothing unless they’re in the nude.” - Sophomore David Gabel, RA in L/L
“Each resident of a room or suite where… smoking/smoke is found will be billed $150 (first infraction).” - ResLife Housing Contract
bong/pipe
“Possessing, using, distributing, or selling drug paraphernalia is strictly prohibited, and is also subject to follow-up.” - ResLife Housing Contract
wellness environment
“I acknowledge that I will be removed from the environment if I possess drugs or alcohol or paraphernalia associated with either (e.g. bongs, pipes, grinders, shot glasses, alcohol containers, bottle openers, pint glasses, etc).” -WE Code
“I have a Snoop Dogg shirt that says “gin and juice.” I asked my RA if I can wear this. ‘Don’t wear it where people see you,’ they told me.” -Helena Weisskopf
“I also understand that if my behavior (especially as it pertains to alcohol or other drugs use) is disruptive to the Wellness Environment community (e.g. alcohol induced vomiting, destruction of property, excessive noise, odor of cannabis, etc.), I may be removed from the program and/or relocated to another residence hall.” -WE CODE
“Well, a bong is against all university rules.” -Jim Hudziak
Friends and loved ones mourn the passing of junior Joey Waldinger Assistant News Editor All day Charlie Mufson had been in the woods of Vermont, raising money for the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. Having forgotten his rain jacket, Mufson was drenched by the summer downpour. His field manager picked him up and as the car drove off, he reached into his backpack and found his jacket buried at the bottom. Realizing his mistake he laughed, and so did all of the other fundraisers, said junior Camille Bourdin, a friend of Mufson’s. He could always get a group laughing. “He was this bubble of positivity all the time,” junior Allison McGovern said. Mufson died Dec. 17, 2017. He was an environmental studies major and involved in the Student Climate Culture, an on-campus organization that seeks to mobilize students and faculty to combat climate change, according to its website. Mufson also worked for VPIRG, a consumer and environmental advocacy nonprofit. Though always smiling and lighthearted, Mufson was a thoughtful person. He felt called to better the planet, McGovern said.
Photo credit: Facebook Charlie Mufson stands on the peak of Mount Mansfield. Mufson died Dec. 17. A memorial service was held in his name Jan. 14. “Charlie seemed sincerely interested... in contributing to our own campus sustainability through service learning,” stated Wendy Verrei-Berenback, professor of campus sustainability, in a Dec. 21 email to the UVM community.
McGovern and Mufson spent a lot of time talking about the reasons behind their involvement in SCC and environmental activism, McGovern said. “Everything he did was out of selflessness,” she said.
Mufson loved the outdoors, which is essentially a requirement for working for VPIRG, McGovern said. Mufson was always down for an adventure, Bourdin said. “He was an avid rock climber and liked to travel, she said. Traveling to Kenya was one
of Mufson’s most memorable adventures, Bourdin said. “He told us that he met a Massai warrior — that the experience was great,” she said. He was an easy person to talk to and always wanted to learn about other people, Bourdin said. These qualities made Charlie both a valued activist and friend. “He was a pleasure to work with,” Verrei-Berenback stated, noting that he would listen deeply and used his positivity to move his service learning team forward. To honor Mufson’s spirit, McGovern wants to commemorate his life rather than focus on his death. “We shouldn’t be so sad about him because he wouldn’t want that, he would want us to be happy and celebrating his life,” she said. Everyone processes grief differently and should seek support if they need it, stated Annie Stevens, vice provost of student affairs, in a Dec. 18 email. There a number of on campus offices that offer students extra support, including the Interfaith Center, Dean of Students Offices and Counseling and Psychiatry Services, she stated.
The Vermont Cynic
NEWS
Jan. 17, 2018
3
Judge dismisses former VT moves to legalize pot student hate speech case Senate sends bill to governor for approval
Brandon Arcari Assistant Breaking News Editor
Vermont courts threw out a hate speech case against former UVM student Wesley Richter. Judge David Fenster dismissed the case Jan. 2 citing lack of probable cause according to an email sent by Enrique Corredera, director of University Communications, the same day. “The court’s ruling vindicates my client’s interest,” said Richter’s attorney, Ben Luna, in a statement to the press. “This is a significant victory for free speech and the First Amendment.” Richter was accused of making racist threats in the Bailey/Howe library Oct. 1. He appeared in a court hearing that was attended by UVM students Oct. 27. Judge Fenster declined to issue a decision in October, and the police report containing what Richter was accused of saying in the library will remain sealed. Though the specific statements made by Richter were not made public, State’s Attorney Ryan Richards confirmed to the press after the hearing that the threats were made against African-American students. “I don’t understand why that speech couldn’t have been
Joey Waldinger Assistant News Editor
Photo courtesy of Ryan Mercer/ Burlington Free Press released,” junior Z McCarron said, following the October hearing. The state was disappointed by the decision to dismiss, according to State’s Attorney Sarah George, quoted in a Jan. 2 Burlington Free Press article. If the court had found probable cause to bring charges, Richter would have faced charges of disorderly conduct. Luna also leveled accusations of injury caused to Richter by the suit. “This case severely damaged my client, turning his life upside down,” Luna said. Richter is no longer enrolled at UVM, according to University Communications.
The Vermont Senate voted to legalize the possession of marijuana Jan. 10, according to a Jan. 10 Seven Days article. Governor Phil Scott still needs to approve the legislation before it becomes law, though he has said that he “would sign it into law,” according to Seven Days. “Everyone does it anyway, so just leaglize it at this point,” junior John Zambarano said, “It can be more regulated and safer for people.” In all 49 other states, citizens voted on a ballot to legalize recreational marijuana. In Vermont, it was state legislators who voted to legalize, according to a Jan. 10 Los Angeles
Times article. Vermont was the first state to take this approach. The bill H.511 is set to take effect in July. The bill states that people 21 or older can not be penalized by the state for the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, five or less grams of hashish, or two or fewer mature marijuana plants. Though slow, the process of passing this legislation has been helpful, said Robert Williams Jr., professor of community development and applied economics. The Vermont bill does not establish a system of dispensaries selling recreational marijuana like those in states like Colorado, he said. Williams said he is confident that Ver-
mont will develop a legal marijuana industry. Even if approved by Governor Scott, legalization could still be challenged by the federal government. Attorney General Jeff Sessions repealed a policy from the Obama presidency that discouraged federal prosecutors from bringing charges where the drug is legal, according to a Jan. 4 New York Times article. Cannabis legalization remains one of the few policy issues a majority of Americans agree on, Williams said. “If the feds wanna pick a fight with two-thirds of states they’re welcome [to], but it’s a fools errand,” he said.
New bill will make it legal to possess: 5 grams or less
1 ounce of marijuana
2
mature marijuana plants
of hashish
KYRA CHEVALIER
OPINION
4 The Vermont
CYNIC EXECUTIVE Editor-in-Chief Erika B. Lewy editorinchief@vtcynic.com Managing Editor Greta Bjornson newsroom@vtcynic.com OPERATIONS Advertising Manager Kaysie Smith ads@vtcynic.com Distribution Manager Brittnay Heffermehl distribution@vtcynic.com PR Manager Brooke Rubell cynicpr@gmail.com EDITORIAL Arts Bridget Higdon arts@vtcynic.com Copy Chief George Seibold copy@vtcynic.com Features Maggie Richardson bside@vtcynic.com Life Izzy Siedman life@vtcynic.com Multimedia William Dean Wertz media@vtcynic.com News Lauren Schnepf news@vtcynic.com Opinion Sydney Liss-Abraham opinion@vtcynic.com Podcasts Chloe Chaobal chloe.chaobal@uvm.edu Sports Eribert Volaj sports@vtcynic.com Video Kailey Bates video@vtcynic.com Web Connor Allan web@vtcynic.com DESIGN Layout Eileen O’Connor layout@vtcynic.com Photo Phil Carruthers photo@vtcynic.com Illustrations Genevieve Winn illustrations@vtcynic.com Assistant Editors Henry Mitchell (Opinion), Locria Courtright (Sports), Tiana Crispino (Layout), Kyra Chevalier (Layout), Katie Brobst (Life), Joey Waldinger (News) Copy Editors Brandon Arcari, Michelle Derse Lowry, Lindsay Freed, Rae Gould, Sabrina Hood, Sophia Knappertz ADVISING Faculty Adviser Chris Evans crevans@uvm.edu
The Vermont Cynic
Taking advantage of add/drop
H
Ariana Arden
ey, you. Yes, you. I have something super top secret to tell you. You should drop more classes. This may be shocking. It does not apply to everyone, but if you’re getting a B.A. in the College of Arts and Sciences, you should definitely drop more classes. Think about it. Your requirements probably fall into categories. So while you have to take one of a certain type of course, you probably don’t have to take that specific class you’re hating right now. If you hate a class on day one, there is a really good chance you’re going to hate it for the entire semester. And that benefits no one. It does not benefit you. If you hate it, you’ll put in minimal effort and probably won’t do well or get much out of it. It does not benefit your classmates or professor. Your boredom and negative energy detract from the environment. Perhaps the seat you are filling could be filled by someone who would love it. You might just decide you want to buckle down and suffer through, but your time is
W
hy aren’t we putting course evaluations online? It’s two days before classes start and my friend is still trying to get into the classes she wanted this semester. Ratemyprofessor.com is open in one tab as she flips through deciding whose section to take a major requirement with. She then asks around our suite for suggestions on a good non-lab science to take. Sound familiar? In the wake of an increasingly technological world an information asymmetry is occurring. The end of each semester is marked with this asymmetry, as piles of paper course evaluations are distributed to students. The problem lies in the fact that we never see their results, and don’t know if or how professors took constructive criticism into account. Only the highly motivated few (displeased or enthralled) take to the web to express their opinions, leaving comments for the rest of us to use in next semester’s registration. Students may appear to be bearing the brunt of the problem, however professors face costs as well. For example, poor reputations perpetuated by the web or word of mouth can lead to aversion of great courses that should have easily filled up. But without clear data on professor performance year to year, students will seek information from unreliable sourc-
WE fails to uphold our right to free speech Staff Editorial
A
lthough relatively new, the Wellness Environment has made a name for itself on
SARAH STERN
worth more than that. Need I remind you how much money you’re paying to take that awful class? Wouldn’t you rather take something you might like? If you dropped that one class and enrolled in another, you might end up taking something you really like — something that could open your mind or teach you something valuable. It’s okay to drop classes. Just because you committed on registration day doesn’t
mean you have to commit forever. Books can be returned and professors won’t be offended. If you can, just drop more classes. Take it from a senior who wishes she’d done it more. It’s worth it.
Ariana Arden is a senior English major and seasoned class-dropper. She has been writing for the Cynic since 2016.
Demand for public course evaluations Charlotte Malling
Jan. 17, 2018
es. So why can’t the university save a few trees, streamline the process for both parties, and publicize up-to-date averages for those scantron multiple choice questions (privatizing the written comments section to avoid issues such as hate speech). It’s already been executed successfully at institutions such as Columbia University and Boston University. With a public audience, professors whose teaching methods don’t work well with students might be more motivated to change them. Those who did improve from previous years would have the average data to show it, instead of the stain of old online reviews. Students would take course evaluations more seriously, with the knowledge that their
GENEVIEVE WINN
opinions are being broadcast to an audience beyond the department. Performance is critical for both parties: students want quality in exchange for thousands of dollars of debt and professors want to advance and excel in their careers. Publicizing at least some portion of evaluations would enable us to move away from untrustworthy sites like ratemyprofessor.com that were meeting a clear demand from students while demeaning professors in the process. Therefore, it only makes sense to pursue improvement of this crucial measurement.
Charlotte Malling is a junior economics major. She has been writing for the Cynic since 2018.
campus. It’s known for its focus on health and wellbeing and its new residence hall, but also infamous for the contract its members must sign upon joining. When a group of WE students crafted a penis from sticky notes and displayed it in a dorm window, they were told that they could be kicked out of their housing if they did not comply. The disciplinary measures that WE takes are unclear. There is no clear, specifically outline code for enforcement. Students are unaware of what their rights are. For many WE students, the idea that they have the right to a fair trial before being removed from housing is unusual. Their fate is left in the hands of a few administrators who assign punishments and enforce code inconsistently. Moreover, between the restrictions on clothing and personal items, students ability to express themselves is also curtailed. Regardless of whether or not students choose to live in a wellness-focused environment, their rights should be protected across campus. Students in WE may be held to a higher standard of health and safety than those in other dorms, but that should be the only distinction between them. Disciplinary incidents this semester show WE has grown to operate by its own rules. In WE, students were immediately punished for their sticky note construction, despite no mention of this as a violation in the WE Code. The Wellness Environment is built on a promising premise and was created with good intentions. It has grown, however, into a program with unclear rules and a discipline system that operates separately from the rest of the University, leading to a concerning pattern of dismissing student free speech.
Staff editorials officially reflect the views of the Vermont Cynic. Signed opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily do so. The Cynic accepts letters in response to anything you see printed as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. The Cynic reserves the right to edit letters for length and grammar. Please send letters to opinion@vtcynic.com.
The Vermont Cynic
Jan. 17, 2018
ARTS
5
Analyzing light and dark in superhero films Allie O’Connor Arts Columnist
I
want to preface this column by saying I adore superhero movies. I guess you could say I “Marvel” at the sight of them. Everything about them entices me – the sound design, the fantastical plots, the deep narratives and the wide array of characters. That being said, I walked out of “Thor: Ragnarok” more unsure than enthralled. “Ragnarok,” the third film in the god of thunder’s series, was very reminiscent of the “Guardians of The Galaxy” films, primarily in its exciting visuals and dialogue. I noticed that the “Thor” franchise had traded its monochromatic and somber landscapes for bright and vibrant alien worlds. Emotionally, “Ragnarok” was on a different plane of existence than previous “Thor” movies — the usual heavy plotline was switched for one packed with cheesy one-liners. The excessive jokes didn’t land. The movie felt hollow and thin. The emotions and meaning from previous movies hadn’t shown up. There’s a simple explanation as to why the most recent “Thor” movie was so different from its predecessors. In the eyes of many, movies are nothing if they can’t sell well, and funnier movies are
doing better when it comes to box office sales and critical evaluation. More melodramatic, action-packed flicks are paling in comparison — namely, the previous Thor movie, “Thor: The Dark World” (2013). According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, “Ragnarok” raked in $122.7 million during opening weekend, while “The Dark World” suffered, earning $85.7 million in its first three days. “Thor,” the first movie in the trilogy, earned $65.7 million in its opening weekend. “Ragnarok” was a much more lighthearted movie, whereas “The Dark World” showcased a dramatic, ancient enemy scenario wrapped up in the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe. In “The Dark World,” we saw Loki’s mischievous plots, a dark and looming villain, highstakes action, romantic drama and Chris Hemsworth’s abs — all of which are expected from a Thor movie. That being said, the movie wasn’t very well received, achieving a mere 66 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. “The Dark World’s” rating withers in comparison to “Ragnarok’s” 92 percent, as the latter film’s attempts at humor (while they are excessive in my opinion) bring new energy into the tired franchise, critic Carl Kozlowski of Pasadena Weekly said in a November 2017 review.
COLE THORNTON
That isn’t to say all dramatic superhero movies in recent memory did poorly. Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart’s rumored X-Men swan song, “Logan” (2017) had critics raving. In this film, the “X-Men” franchise traded in yellow pleather, spandex and the usual mutant favorites for severe emotional depth and a satisfy-
ingly dark subversion of usual superhero tropes. As a superhero superfan, it’s hard for me to say exactly whether or not I want these films to be campy and light or dark and gut-wrenching. I love Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” (2005, 2008, 2012) franchise in all of its gritty, dramatic and Christian
Bale-y glory. But I also adore “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017) for being the Spider-Man movie I’ve been waiting for, with its fun characters mixed into tense, sad and painfully-honest experiences (also for Zendaya, but that’s beside the point). I agree with Variety’s chief film critic Owen Gleiberman, who said, “Superhero movies should be light. And dark. And everything in between,” in a July 2017 review. Whenever Gleiberman walks into a new comic-book movie, he has, “a prejudice...a stubborn desire, and it is this: I want it to be great.” “Thor: Ragnarok” did not resonate with me, but it’s okay. It was not great, but it was a respectable third installment to the series. These movies have spurred many discussions among my friends about our definition of “great” when it comes to superhero movies. Our expectations have been molded by every lighthearted or serious superhero movie we’ve seen — the good, bad and ugly. And besides, you’ll still catch me in line for the next one. Allie O’Connor is a self-proclaimed superhero superfan. She is a first-year and has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2017.
New artists and exhibits to be celebrated at public reception Addie Beach Staff Writer Frigid weather and syllabi might dominate the first week of classes, but that doesn’t mean Burlington’s vibrant art scene can’t provide some relief. Burlington City Arts will be holding a reception to celebrate its upcoming winter exhibitions, featuring artists Dusty Boynton, Edwin Owre and Elise Whittemore Friday, Jan. 19. The 2018 Barbara Smail Award, which is given to mid-career Vermont artists, will also be presented. Heather Ferrell, curator and exhibitions director at BCA, said these artists show different aspects of art-making. “Even if you don’t like completely abstract art, there’s something else that would be appealing to you,” she said. Although unintentional, Ferrell pointed out that the artists, all over 55, provide an often overlooked perspective on contemporary art. “Artmaking isn’t just a certain period and then it’s over,” Ferrell said. “The community should be allowed to show and continue to grow in their work.”
Ferrell mentioned that two artists have ties with the UVM community. The first, Owre, served as an art professor. Owre has been making art professionally for over five decades, specializing in unique abstract sculptures that blend wood and paint, according to the BCA website. “You can’t say it’s a painting, you can’t say it’s a drawing, it’s really interdisciplinary,” Ferrell said of Owre’s work. While his work is rooted in minimalism, she pointed out that his constructions often have a playful side. In addition to his art, Owre’s time as a professor at UVM made an impact on the Vermont art scene, Ferrell said. Whittemore currently works as art director for the department of University Communications. She is a local printmaker and winner of the 2017 Barbara Smail Award. Though she draws from a variety of subjects in her work, which focuses on natural objects like pinecones, Whittemore pointed out that her attention is often on the process of printmaking itself. She noted how important the physical act of creating prints is to her final pieces, especially the contrast between the crude task of creating the blocks themselves and trans-
ferring these images onto fragile rice paper. “For me, it often involves mistakes,” she said. “Your hand slips, or you’re too rough and you see what comes of that.” Whittemore was previously involved in BCA’s relocation from Memorial Auditorium in late 2016, making this exhibit particularly meaningful for her, she said. The exhibition will also showcase the work of Dusty Boynton, who primarily exhibits in New York, according to her website. Boynton draws inspiration from her subconscious for her paintings, monoprints and reliefs. Her pieces “are similarly child-like in appearance but sophisticated in gesture and expression,” according to the BCA website. Ferrell noted that Boynton’s paintings include characters that are simultaneously funny, grotesque and relatable, which only enhance the technical quality of her pieces. “If you love painting and you love surface, you have to see her work,” Ferrell said. The opening reception will take place Jan. 19 from 6-8 p.m. with free admission. All exhibits will be open to the public at the BCA Center until April 7.
SPORTS
6
The Vermont Cynic
Jan. 17, 2018
Hockey alumni called in for 2018 Olympics Locria Courtright Assistant Sports Editor Two UVM hockey alumni have been called upon to represent the U.S. at the Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, next month. Former women’s hockey player Amanda Pelkey ‘15 was brought in for the US women’s team, while Ryan Gunderson ‘07 will represent the U.S. men. Pelkey, a native of Montpelier, has been a staple of the U.S. women’s national team over the last few years, and has represented the Stars and Stripes at two IIHF World Championships. Though she made a name for herself through her offense as a Catamount, holding the UVM program records for points (105), goals (49) and assists (56) according to UVM athletics, her role with the U.S. national team has primarily been as a bottom-six defensive forward and penalty killer. “This is such a proud day for Amanda,” said Vermont women’s head coach Jim Plumer, according to a Jan. 1 UVM athletics article. “She has worked so hard on her game since I’ve known her, and she has earned this long-time goal.” Gunderson, from Bensalem, Pennsylvania, joined UVM as a walk-on non-scholarship player out of Holy Ghost Prep. A forward when he first came to UVM, he changed positions and eventually became the Catamounts’ all-time leader in games played by a defenseman, according to the article.
GENEVIEVE WINN
After graduating, he spent two years in the ECHL with the Trenton Devils and one in the American Hockey League with the Houston Aeros before heading to Europe. He played four seasons in Sweden with Örebro HK and Brynäs IF before spending two seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League with Jokerit Helsinki and Dinamo Minsk. He returned to Brynäs in 2016 and remains there. “I could not be happier for
Ryan and his family,” said UVM men’s head coach Kevin Sneddon, according to UVM athletics. “This is an amazing story of perseverance and determination.” The National Hockey League announcement that players would not be released for the Olympics opened the door for players who had carved out careers overseas, such as Gunderson. Gunderson’s status for the Olympics is questionable,
Lacrosse ready to bounce back Nickie Morris Staff Writer The 2018 men’s lacrosse team is a deeply optimistic and committed group, despite finishing with a 5-8 record last year, their worst season since 2014. Led by two captains, senior James Leary and red shirt senior Ian McKay, the team is greatly anticipating their new season. “We’re creating a really strong championship culture here this year,” head coach Chris Feifs said. “Improving accountability throughout the program, on the field, in class and in the community is a big priority for us.” A key component of any potential success the team achieves this season is McKay’s return after he was lost last season to injury. The America East Offensive Player of the Year in 2016, McKay enters the season with a 46-consecutive-game point streak, ranked second among all current Division I players, recording a point in every game of his collegiate career. “There’s nobody else I would rather lead with than McKay,” Leary said. Coming off a season in which he had a team-best 19 turnovers, Leary said he is looking for this team to do something never done before in program history. Specifically, the team wish-
however, as he recently suffered a fractured finger and will be out 4-6 weeks, according to Brynäs IF’s website. 2018 will be the fifth straight Olympics where Catamount hockey is represented, according to UVM athletics. In 1998, John LeClair ‘91 suited up for the US. He was joined on the US by Aaron Miller ‘93 in 2002. In 2006, Martin St. Louis ‘97 represented Canada. At Vancouver 2010, Tim Thomas ‘97
Women’s hockey upsets No. 5 ranked Minnesota Locria Courtright Assistant Sports Editor
OLIVER POMAZI/The Vermont Cynic The men’s lacrosse team celebrate together after scoring a goal against Hartford, April 1, 2017. Men’s lacrosse will play their first home game March 8 against Sacred Heart University. es to beat the 2016 success in which they went deep into the playoffs and won a semifinal America East game, he said. Helping create a drive for success in the program this year is the new class of recruited first-years. With 20 first-years on the roster from all over the U.S. and Canada, according to UVM athletics, the team is rejuvenated with new members able to fill a variety of key roster spots for years to come. In addition to an athletic focus, the men’s lacrosse coaching staff notably emphasizes academic success and community service from all members of the team, coach Feifs said. “Having the highest GPA in program history this year is a big source of pride through the
whole department, ” Feifs said. The first six games will be on the road this season. Their first home game is in March. Most teams in the America East Division do not start seasons this way, but UVM tends to each year due to the wicked winters of Burlington. “It’s a point of pride for us, that people are scared to come here,” Leary said. Even in March and beyond as the snow thaws, the Catamounts often face difficulty scheduling home games due to the far distance of Burlington. “We are road warriors,” Feifs said. “The bond we gain when we travel adds to our spirit as a team.” The first home game will be March 8 against Sacred Heart University at Virtue Field.
played for the US, while Klara Myren ‘15 became the first UVM women’s player to play in the Olympics, representing Sweden. In the 2014 Olympics, St. Louis and Patrick Sharp ‘02 won gold together for Canada. The Olympic women’s hockey competition opens Feb. 10, while the men’s competition opens Feb. 14.
UVM women’s hockey went into Friday night’s game at No. 5 University of Minnesota struggling, having gone ten NCAA games without a win, but on the brink of making history. When they left the Ridder Arena ice, the streak was over and history was made. Fuelled by three points from first-year forward Alyssa Holmes, the Catamounts stunned the Golden Gophers 4-2 in Minneapolis. The win was the 71st of head coach Jim Plumer’s UVM career, pushing him past Dennis Miller for the record of most wins by a UVM women’s hockey coach. Miller coached the team from 1996 to 2006. The Catamounts opened the scoring in the first period. With senior forward Kourtney Menches and Lindsay Agnew both in the box for unsportsmanlike conduct, transfer junior defender Taylor Flaherty fired a shot past Minnesota goalie Sidney Peters to put Vermont up 1-0. Vermont doubled their lead before the end of the period. Senior defender Amanda Drobot took a shot from the point that first-year forward Eve-Audrey Picard was able to bury. Picard’s goal extended the UVM lead to 2-0. The Catamounts fur-
thered their lead to 3-0 midway through the second. First-year forward Alyssa Holmes fired a shot from a tricky angle and beat Peters for her first collegiate goal and a 3-0 UVM lead, shocking the 1,342 fans at Ridder. Holmes added a second goal four minutes later, shortly after a Minnesota power play expired. She fired a shot that went in off of the goaltender, and it was 4-0 Vermont. Minnesota didn’t go away in the third, though. After killing off a five-minute major to Agnew, the Gophers got on the board with 5:48 to go as Nicole Schammer broke up sophomore goaltender Sydney Scobee’s shutout bid on a wraparound, cutting the lead to 4-1. With 1:13 to go, Minnesota pulled Gulstene, and added a second goal through Sydney Baldwin, but it was too little, too late for the hosts. Scobee made 24 saves for the Catamounts. “It certainly is a big thrill to win a game like this at Minnesota,” Plumer said. “Scobee was stellar, Holmes broke out in a big way and our entire group contributed.” The two teams rematched Saturday at Ridder Arena, with Minnesota coming out as the winners with a 6-1 scoreline. The Catamounts are now 6-144 on the season and 3-9-3 in conference play.
The Vermont Cynic
Jan. 17, 2018
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College teaches cheating Resolve to try, even Katie Brobst Assistant Life Editor A glance at a neighbor’s test can seem like an easy way to check answers, but many students go a step beyond when it comes to cheating. Cheating, occurs in academia across the U.S., Vermont included, but students at UVM find their education system to be part of the problem. A 2015 survey by Donald McCabe, Ph.D., found roughly two thirds of students cheat on exams. “People will want to get ahead if they can. That’s just a human thing,” junior Ryan Bettie said. “Try and get the best results with the least amount of effort.” An August 2013 Boston Globe article states that the nature of college courses leads to high rates of cheating. Universities teach students to be motivated by “praise from the teacher, good grades, honors and rewards,” the article states. Bettie has witnessed cheating three or four times at UVM, usually in large lecture halls, he said. “It sucks to be someone who puts in a lot of work and sees the same outcome, grades-wise, as someone who puts in little work and cheats,” Bettie said. According to the UVM Code of Academic Integrity if a student is accused of cheating they may face a closed hearing with the Academic Integrity Council and face some form of discipline. The Code of Academic Integrity also states that students
if you don’t succeed
COLE THORNTON
Erin Powell Staff Writer
may work cooperatively, but not collude. “With take-home assignments, I don’t think cheating is bad because you are collaborating with classmates,” sophomore Cameron Smith said. Smith is critical of cheating on exams, but said it shouldn’t stop students from working together in other ways. “If someone needs help on an assignment, I’m not going to back off because it might be cheating,” he said. The presence of cheating is also a result of a school’s grading and testing methods. “If you’re able to peek over at someone else’s test and get the answer immediately I don’t think the testing is as in-depth as it should be,” Bettie said. In 1972, the first Scantron scanner, an assessment solution that uses an automated grading system, was intro-
duced, the Scantron website states. Now, 94 percent of the top 100 U.S. universities use Scantron, the website states. “It might just be ease of grading for them,” Bettie said, “but I think that the point of college is to really challenge students.” According to a March 2015 Washington Post article, tests based off of memorization yield short-term benefits. Students can memorize the correct answer without understanding the material. Testing in this way does not promote critical thinking, the article states. “You go to college to learn and explore and freely think,” Bettie said. “If you’re not willing to put in the effort towards that then you’re more likely to cheat, and then it just becomes a cycle of not learning.”
There is no scientific reason for the new year to begin when it does, but the arrival of January still holds global significance. A new year signifies a fresh slate and a chance to improve from the previous year, and is often accompanied by resolutions. Whether it is to lose the ‘freshman 15’ or to finally get organized, a promise of progress in the new year is exciting. “I usually make a resolution just for the sake of having one, so I can feel like I actually accomplished something,” sophomore Katie Bell said. “Occasionally it’s because there’s actually something in my life I want to change, and the new year gives me a reason.” Having a solid goal to reach for can result in more substantial feelings of success. “My new year’s resolution is to be more positive and more outgoing,” first-year Frankie Torcia said. Torcia attests to taking part in the culture of complaints she has noticed over the last year, she said. “I talk very negatively about my life. Even though most of the time it’s a joke, it doesn’t help to drill those stigmas into my head,” she said. “I really want to try and have a happier outlook on life.” Unfortunately new year’s resolutions are notorious for failing — a December 2008
University of Scranton study estimates that as little as 8 percent of resolutions are successful. Bell believes the best way to be successful is to set a resolution that can’t fail. “I’ve only ever broken one that I remember,” she said, “This year one of my resolutions is to go to the gym more than last year, so at least once. I’m sure that won’t be so hard.” A December 2017 New York Times article suggests that new year’s resolutions should focus less on resisting temptations and more on cultivating positive emotions about one’s current life. According to the article, goals should be specific, achievable and personally meaningful. “Reflect on what you’re grateful to have been given. Take pride in the small achievements on the path to your goals,” the article states. A positive outlook on even the smallest amounts of progress, “will help ensure that every future New Year’s Eve will have more to celebrate than to regret,” the article states. A different approach to success is to not focus on a end goal, but on improvement. “If I keep the mentality that I’m working on fixing my outlook, I can’t fail on my resolution because I’m still trying,” Torcia said.
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The Vermont Cynic
Jan. 17, 2018
‘Spilling the tea’ on the slang terms of 2017 Bernadette Higgs Life Columnist
I
f there’s one place to look for 2017’s slew of new slang words, it’s a college campus. After more than a year and a half at UVM and a few sly visits to Urban Dictionary, I’ve got a book of UVM slang. Surrounded by up-to-date students, I often heard words and phrases I didn’t recognize and familiar words used in an unfamiliar context. Aside from shyly asking friends for explanations, I also consulted the internet. Urban Dictionary is a crowdsourced online dictionary for slang words and phrases that began in 1999 as a parody of Dictionary.com by college first-year Aaron Peckham. Definitions are submitted by users, and then other users vote on their accuracy to choose top definitions. One word that popped into students’ mouths last year was “shook.� It was used to describe the feeling of being “shaken up� in either a good or bad sense. “I definitely overused ‘shook’ a bit,� sophomore Grace Powers said. “It’s a word that can be used in any situation, and it pretty much describes how I felt throughout the whole of 2017.� Another word that was particularly popular among students this year was “lit,� used to describe something crazy, exciting or cool. For example, one might say “the new ‘Star Wars’ movie was lit,� or “let’s get lit after class Friday.� “Woke� is another top slang
word of 2017. This word is used to describe someone who is politically or socially active and who stays up to date with current events. Many of these slang terms originated in the drag world. Phrases such as “throwing shade� and “spilling the tea� began in the drag communities, according to Merriam Webster. “My friends and I always talk about the ‘tea,’� first-year Ailinn Santos said. “We’ll say stuff like ‘what’s the tea’ or ‘spill the tea.’� “Tea� is another word for gossip or to stand for ‘truth,’ so phrases like “sipping the tea� or “spilling the tea� all refer to gossip, Merriam Webster states. The enormous list of 2017 slang also includes words and phrases such as “salty,� “extra,� “low-key� and “high-key,� “send it,� “tag yourself,� “rip� and “triggered.� According to a 2014 Hubspot article, this increase in the creation and spread of slang can be credited to the rise of the internet and social media. It takes a long time for language to evolve and spread, but the internet has sped up this process, allowing for more words to be created, the article states.
Bernadette Higgs is a sophomore, who according to Urban Dictionary is “dopefresh to the maaaaaxx.� She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2017.
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