The Vermont
Zumbathon raises money for non-profit
CYNIC
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W e d n e s d a y, M a r c h 2 6 , 2 0 1 4 – Vo l u m e 1 3 0 I s s u e 2 3 | B u r l i n g t o n , Ve r m o n t
Khalil Lee
Ty Williams
Aya AL-Namee
SGA ELECTIONS Meet the candidates Joseph Tomlinson Staff Writer With a line out the door and the Thursday night buzz filling the room, Brennan’s turned their spotlights on the candidates for the SGA presidential debates March 21. The 2014-2015 SGA presidental candidates are juniors Ty Williams, and Aya AL-Namee and sophomore
Khalil Lee Year: Sophomore Major: History and Chinese Platform: Financial stablility, meal and faculty contracts
Khalil Lee, who was recently sanctioned by the SGA for violation of election rules. The vice president candidate is junior Andrew Bowen. “They all have different approaches,” first-year Simon McIntosh said after the debate. “I thought all of them held their ground really well, and they all seemed very passionate,” he said.
Aya AL-Namee
Ty Williams
Year: Junior Year: Junior Major: Enviromental Major: Political Science Science and History Platform: Club involvePlatform: Student ment, student experi- safety, academic advisence and diversity ing and club finances
First to take the stage with Daley was Bowen for a Q&A session for the vice president position. Bowen is a history major from Clarendon, Vt. according to his campaign platform. His past experience includes being a member of the Career Advisory Board, an SGA senator and chair of the Student Action Committee, he said throughout the debate. Bowen said he hopes to “grow the role of vice president,” and improve SGA relations with campus organizations to help them attain resources they need to prosper. After Daley’s Q&A with Bowen, the three candidates for the role of president took their seats alongside Daley. Following the debates, Lee was cited by SGA March 23 for campaigning at an SGA club sponsored event the night before. This violated rule was “explicitly
outlined” in the SGA election rules, according to the report. The SGA funded event that Lee campaigned at was Alianza Latina’s La Comida para la Gente, held in the Davis Center’s Grand Maple Ballroom, according to the report. Lee had to cease production of all “in-person, electronic and physical campaign material,” according to the sanction. Lee was also not allowed to actively discuss his candidacy with any UVM community members. These restrictions started March 24 at 3 p.m. and lasted until March 25 at noon, according to the sanction. Lee is a double major in history and Chinese. His campus involvement includes hall council, debate team, Academic Integrity Council and SGA finance committee, according to his platform. Lee highlighted financial sustain-
See ELECTIONS on page 3
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N EWS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014
UVM women honored and celebrated Taylor Delahanty Staff Writer
SADEY MIRABILE The Vermont Cynic
Author Leslie Goldman speaks about body issues and empowerment in Lafayette Hall March 20. March is Women’s History Month, a celebration first started in 1982 under the direction of Congress.
Every March the country comes together to celebrate women’s history month. “It’s important for women to support other women. We live in a culture that objectifies women in the media and movies,” said UVM Women’s Center director LuAnna Rolley. The national celebration originated in 1981, according to womenshistorymonth.gov. “Women’s history month was created to recognize women’s history and celebrate their achievements,” Rolley said. “It is critical that all women are represented and recognized. While women have made many gains, gender inequities still exist,” Rolley said. The Women’s Center at UVM, located at 34 South Williams St., plays a large part in women’s lives every month of the year. The center empowers women and allies to become active leaders in their communities, according to their mission. “It makes me proud to be at a school where women are valued, supported and can achieve great things,” senior Allie Goldberg said. “I hope someday I can make a difference in the lives of others as well.” While women have had many achievements in the past
Rolley said she believes that the struggle to be considered equal to men still exists. “I feel UVM is a conducive place for women to build confidence in what the are becoming as individuals,” senior Sara Hopkins said. “We need to understand the obstacles that we can and should overcome,” she said. Members of all genders can promote the gender equality message by volunteering at the Women’s Center. They can do so by attending any of the center’s programs, Rolley said. “I think there should be more powerful women in the world. More women leaders in the world might change the attitudes of girls in less free areas of the world,” junior Ben Mitchell said. Junior Jesse Mosello said she also agreed with the center’s mission. “I think women need to continue supporting each other and get involved,” she said. Many powerful Alumna have graduated from UVM. One of whom is Kathy Giusti who was recently named one of Fortune Magazine’s “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders,” March 25. Giusti graduated from UVM in 1980 and is now both the founder and CEO of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foun-
dation. “I think it just shows where we are as a society,” junior Nick Chappel said. “Anyone can achieve something great if they set their mind to it. Doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, black or white.” Giusti was diagnosed with an uncommon and fatal form of cancer in 1996. Two years later, she founded her foundation and now 15 years later Giusti and her organization have “spearheaded” cancer research, according to Forbes.com. “It’s not about one’s gender or race, it’s about their passion, drive and desire to become part of what they feel strongly about,” senior Emily Critchlow said. The Women’s Center also holds a Dismantling Rape Culture conference. The event is is a free, daylong event open to UVM students, staff, faculty and other community members, Rolley said. This is the ninth year of the conference, which will take place April 10. “The purpose of the conference is to provide an opportunity for training, education and awareness,” Rolley said. “Rape culture exists when prevalent attitudes, norms, practices and medias condone, normalize, excuse and encourage sexual violence,” she said.
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WALKER SULTZBACH The Vermont Cynic
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks at a UVM rally October 23, 2012.
Senator Sanders to consider presidency Hannah Kearns News Editor Vermont senator Bernie Sanders has announced that he is considering running for the Presidency in 2016. Sanders is a member of the independent party. He meets with democrats in the Senate but has never joined the party, according to a March 6 article in The Nation. “People are hungering for a voice out there,” Sanders said. “It would be tempting to try to raise issues and demand discussion on issues that are not being talked about.” Such issues include inequality in wealth and trade policy, protecting the social safety net and global warming, he said. Sanders said that he be-
lieves the country is facing more serious problems than at any time since the Great Depression. “There is a horrendous lack of serious political discourse or ideas out there that can address these crises, and somebody has got to represent the workingclass and the middle-class of this country,” Sanders said. Sophomore Allie Vansickle said that she “isn’t excited” about the prospect of Sanders running for President. “I think that he is a third party candidate that will detract votes from the democratic candidate who has a chance of winning,” Vansickle said. “It is not that Sanders is a bad candidate, but our electoral system is only conducive to two parties,” she said.
n ews
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014
Busses will continue standing idle Sarah Olsen Assistant News Editor Students and residents will continue to find it difficult to travel after no agreement was made regarding the strike of Chittenden County Transit Authority (CCTA) bus drivers. Negotiations between the drivers union and CCTA remain unresolved March 22, according to the media release. After seven hours of negotiations the Union rejected the CCTA’s compromise proposal and walked out without notice, according to the media release. CCTA representatives said they were “disappointed” that they could not reach an agreement, and that “the Union’s demands continue to interfere with CCTA’s efforts to provide their passengers with a “safe transit service.” The strike, which began March 17, has left students and residents without a transit system. “Not having the buses running can be a little inconvenient,” junior Ilsa Feierabend said. “But I think that it’s important that the workers are trying to make their voices heard by management.” Other students support the Union’s efforts as well, including first-year Clare Pacelli. “I think it is very important for them to no longer have un-
The president of United Academics, UVM’s faculty union, shifted in her seat and tapped her foot as SGA members asked a series of questions on why students aren’t given prior access to professor evaluations. Junior SGA vice president Jack Birmingham pressed the Union’s president Denise Youngblood and the Union about these student concerns at the meeting March 18. Youngblood is a professor of history at UVM. Students are the ones who give the information on the professors so they should be able to see that information, Birmingham said. “In any business that you’re in, they’re [evaluations] considered to be privileged,” Youngblood said. The evaluations, done by students at the end of each semester, have “always been private,” Youngblood said. Professor evaluations was one of many issues presented to United Academics during the public forum. Youngblood started off the forum and said that United Academics wants to hear more from students. “We think of faculty and students as being natural allies,” she said. “We’re all in agreement,” SGA senator Andrew Bowen said. “But the last time you [United Academics] came in
Elections Candidates discuss goals for SGA roles ...continued from page 1
ERIN LUCEY The Vermont Cynic
Residents hold a protest in support of the CCTA bus drivers on Cherry Street March 14. The drivers began a strike March 17, which is ongoing. They are seeking better working conditions and hours. safe hours,” she said. “I support that the results are in their favor and a deal is made soon.” CCTA had already told them they wouldn’t be able to meet their demands, driver spokesperson Rob Slingerland told Seven Days. “We didn’t walk out.” “They’re stonewalling with loopholes and nitpicking. It’s
a strategy of wearing us down, and we aren’t wearing down,” Slingerland said. CCTA’s proposal included a two percent annual income increase, which is a higher rate than the cost of living, the release stated. As for workers’ hours, the release stated the Union wants the “maximum scheduled”
spread time to be 12.5 hours. As the strike enters its second week students have shown support for the drivers by organizing a panel discussion with bus drivers, union leaders and activists. The panel took place in the Aiken Center March 25 at 7 p.m.
SGA asks for clearer course descriptions Alicia Spangenberger Cynic Correspondent
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was, unfortunately, three years ago.” United Academics has “definitely let that slide,” Youngblood said. With the stage set for plans of a “stronger” relationship between SGA and UA, the public forum shifted back to address specific student issues. Birmingham stood facing Youngblood and United Academics vice president, Dennis Mahoney, and asked why students are unable to see class syllabuses before they enroll for classes each semester. Mahoney is a professor of German and Russian at UVM. “I knew that question was going to come up,” Youngblood said. There are two reasons why class syllabi are unavailable prior to registering for a class, she said. The first is that professors see the class syllabus as “intellectual property.” The second is that it is hard for professors to organize the course so far in advance as they would not be able to have set exam dates, Youngblood said. Some students feel that they should have access to the general requirements of a class, such as projects, ahead of time. This way they can plan their schedules accordingly, Birmingham said. Students should have access to this information because “students are the ones who are going to be putting in the work at that time,” he said.
ability, meal contracts and faculty contracts as the three issues facing students. “We are the students, without us an academic institution could not exist,” Lee said. AL-Namee is an environmental science major, with student government experience having spent one year as senator for the committee on diversity, equity and environmental ethics. She has also served as committee chair for the past two years, according to her platform. Williams, of South Burlington, is a double major of political science and history. He is the former president of the Interfraternity Council. Williams is also the current president of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, which he said gave him experience handling two separate budgets over $25,000, according to his platform. “Broad, idealistic goals are nice, but with one year in office, the president needs to make realistic decisions that influence long-term goals such as social justice and divestment,” Williams said.
CRIME LOG Lauren Drasler Staff Writer
March 16 12:10 a.m. A police services officer on a nightly patrol spotted a student walking on East Avenue that appeared to be intoxicated. The student was taken to the emergency room by UVM rescue and was then transported to ACT for detox. No BAC was reported. WALKER SULTZBACH The Vermont Cynic
Professor Dennis Mahoney speaks at the SGA meeting in the Davis Center March 18. Mahoney is the vice president of the faculty union. “I think students should know how other students feel about the courses that they are required to take,” junior Colby Rackliff said. Mahoney asked the student body to ask their professors to put pressure on them to supply helpful course information that would not breach “intellectual property rights,” as mentioned. With course sign-ups right around the corner, advising may be on the minds of many students. Youngblood said that advising falls in the “gray area” between the faculty senate and United Academics. Students must feel like they’re “shouting into the wilderness” when they have questions about the advising system, she said. SGA senator Taylor Duch-
arme mentioned the lack of “mesh” between students and advisers, as advisers may not always have information important for a student’s desired career path. “There’s been talk about moving to professional advisers,” Youngblood said. Professional advisers would be a separate staff to advise students. Mahoney said he feels that advising is part of teaching and “is not just an afterthought.” In terms of the future relationship between SGA and United Academics, Youngblood said she “hopes for a more collective approach.” “I want to open that door to that kind of communication,” she said. “We wouldn’t exist without you, you wouldn’t come here without us.”
March 18 2:23 a.m. A report came in to police services about loud noise coming from the Redstone Apartments on Redstone Campus. When police arrived, however, no noise was detected and the cause of the complaint was listed as unfounded.
8:06 p.m. Hall staff in McCann Hall on Trinity Campus contacted police services after smelling an odor of marijuana coming from a dorm room in the building. When police arrived, they were able to locate the source of the odor and confiscated a “grinder” and six-tenths of a gram of marijuana from students in the room.
Life
Coupon your way across Vermont Katie Hickey Staff Writer A local coupon website makes it possible to have fun and support the local economy. Localvore Today is a website that offers discounts to local restaurants, shops and businesses strictly in Vermont. A typical coupon offers halfpriced vouchers to redeem at businesses. A recent coupon on the site featured a $16 meal for the price of $8 at Our House Bistro. Localvore Today functions similar to other coupon websites such as Groupon.com and LivingSocial.com, said senior Marissa Villegas, a LocalvoreToday.com employee. Localvore Today’s mission separates it from other coupon websites, Villegas said. “Those companies don’t really have a strong social mission or none at all,” she said. “A huge portion of your money [from other websites] is actually going out of state.” Localvore’s philosophy aims to keep the dollar in the local community, Villegas said. The company is committed to the growth of local businesses, according to the website. “We are really into supporting your own local community while also saving money going to your favorite spots, becoming a regular somewhere,” Villegas said. The company’s founder,
VICTORIA CASSAR The Vermont Cynic
Localvore Today founder Dan White speaks about his company in their office on Lake Street March 14. They seek to connect consumers with local businesses by offering coupons to places such as Skinny Pancake. Their business model is similar to websites such as Groupon.com. Dan White, estimates that Localvore has kept approximately $100,000 in the Vermont community, Villegas said. Localvore is a way students can live out the “buy local mantra” while staying on budget, she said.
Some students in the UVM community agree with the Localvore Today’s mission. First-year Marianna Mead said she would be willing to try Localvore Today. “Since I live in Vermont it makes sense that I use coupons
for Vermont companies,” she said. “UVM is a very progressive school and we are very conscious about what we are doing,” Villegas said. “[Localvore Today] makes it affordable.” As a student, Villegas said
she recognizes the pressure for students to save money. “We totally understand the youth culture,” Villegas said. “It’s a great way to experience the local culture and support it, otherwise it would be difficult [for students] to.”
How fresh is your food? 600 mile extension to the Vt. bike path
Charlotte Fisher Staff Writer The word “fresh” may have a skewed message when it comes to what we eat. An audience gathered in the Fleming Museum March 19 for the presentation of “Fresh Food: An Unnatural History of Freshness” with Susanne Freidberg. Freidberg is a professor and chair of the geology department at UMass Dartmouth and an author of several books. She focused her hour-long talk to the UVM community on the changes to the idea of freshness in our society. Namely, how the introduction of refrigeration influenced a society that has come to expect freshness. “I never really thought about how that changed our perception of freshness,” firstyear Lindsey Freitag said. Freidberg showed her knowledge on the subject and her sense of humor while exploring the initial resistance to technology, such as refrigeration, and its role in the beef and dairy industries. “There is nothing wrong with seeking out freshness but don’t over romanticize it,” she said. The Fleming Museum is also currently showing an exhibit titled, “Eat: The Social
Jackie Morris Cynic Correspondent
DREW COOPER The Vermont Cynic
UMass Dartmouth geology professor Susanne Freidberg speaks about the history of fresh food at the Fleming Museum March 19. Life of Food.” In this exhibit, the relationship between humans and food is explored through different cultures. Offering majors and minors in food sciences, nutrition, dietetics and food systems, UVM is no stranger to the topic of food. The real food working group, composed of both UVM faculty and students, is also embracing the idea of freshness. In 2012 the group took on the “Real Food Challenge,” senior Ani Quigley said. “The Real Food Challenge is a national organization that supports students in getting
their universities to purchase more “real” food: food that is sustainable, local, fair trade and humane,” Quigley said. The goal: shift 20 percent of the University’s food dollars to “real food.” This non-Sodexo initiative involves keeping track of all the food the University purchases and using a tool called the Real Food Calculator. “Based on the criteria of what is real, we can track whether something counts as real and tally this information to find out our total percentages,” Quigley said.
Mountain bikers across Vermont have unified as a statewide group to open biking trails throughout the state to group members. This plan was coordinated by the Vermont Mountain Bike Association. The association is a nonprofit membership organization that advocates for expanding mountain biking opportunities in Vermont. Their expansion plan will provide access to over 600 miles of mountain bike trails. “The new membership platform means all riders will pay the same for membership and have access to the full range of legal trails throughout in Vermont,” said Tom Steussy, the association’s executive director. It also means that there will be significantly more and better riding opportunities for riders, Steussy said. “My parents never drove me to activities or friends houses; they expected me to bike places,” first-year Elizabeth Rummel said. Rummel said she would describe herself as an avid moun-
“My parents never drove me to activities or friends houses; they expected me to bike places.” Elizabeth Rummel First-year tain biker. She said there are those who feel as though mountain biking accelerates erosion, kills small animals and plants on and next to the trail, and is ultimately, “unnatural.” In response to this argument, Rummel said, “I think that mountain biking is no different than hiking. “People are enjoying nature in both activities,” she said. “Mountain bikers enjoy the outdoors and nature, we have no reason to destroy it.” Statewide membership for the trails will be $49 for the riding season. To sign up for membership or to get more information visit www.vmba.org.
Li fe
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014
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Dancing to end domestic violence Hannah Lees Assistant Life Editor Memorial Auditorium in downtown Burlington was full of Zumba on Saturday. The sixth annual Zumbathon, was held to benefit the local nonprofit Women Helping Battered Women. This nonprofit is the largest service provider for domestic abuse in Vermont, according to its website. Participants, including many students, said they enjoyed taking part in this event and raising awareness for the cause. “I have always loved to participate in this annual event, junior Sarah Richardson said. “It is extremely powerful and beautiful to see so many people come together to support this cause,” Richardson said. “The energy and love that fills the room is unbelievable,” she said. Even though this event took place downtown, the enthusiasm extended to the UVM campus. UVM organizations such as the Kappa Sigma fraternity volunteered their time to help the event run smoothly. Diana Matot, Champlain College employee and member of the Zumbathon Facebook
“You literally could feel the love in the air, it was infectious.” Catherine Manning Senior
EMMA OYOMBA The Vermont Cynic
Attendees dance during the sixth annual Zumbathon in the Memorial Auditorium March 22. The event benefited the nonprofit Women Helping Battered Women. A number of UVM organizations took part. page, commented on a picture of the Kappa Sigma brothers, “These guys were great!” This was the third year that senior Catherine Manning participated in the event. However she said that it was the first year that she lead dances on stage, along with other group members.
Manning is a Zumba instructor at the YMCA in Winooski, Vt. Following the event on Saturday she requested the playlist from the performances to use in her own classes. “This event was so amazing,” she said. “You literally could feel the love in the air, it
was infectious.” This year, the Zumbathon had 400 participants and raised more than $36,000. “Just to understand that I was making a difference and raising money for Women Helping Battered Women made it so much more worthwhile,” Manning said.
The event’s cause was promoted through social media with the hashtag #WHBWgroove. The event took place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and admission was $35 at the door. “Knowing that I am directly affecting those in need gives me so much joy,” Manning said. In addition to this fun and spirited event, the Women Helping Battered Women organization also hosts a variety of programs, such as support groups and trasitional housing. There are also many other ways to donate and get involved. Visit their website for a list of volunteer training and a full events and programs calendar.
Weekly Health Corner
Spring into action Stretch It Out
Molly Ziegler Although there’s still plenty of snow on the ground, the warm weather isn’t far away. Many of us are eager to get outside and return to running once the weather permits. But after the long season of hibernation, getting back into the swing of things involves more than just slipping on your spandex and lacing up your sneakers.
Fuel Up Eating a meal that is rich in whole grains two hours before your run can help to sustain your energy levels while you’re out, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Also be sure to avoid sugary snacks prior to a run. They can give you a quick burst of energy, but will cause your blood sugar to drop, resulting in an energy crash.
The warm up and cool down are just as important as the run itself, U.S. triathlon coach Kim Schwabenbauer said. Dynamic stretches such as squats and forward lunges, pre and post-run, reduce tight muscles and overall soreness in the days following your run.
Start Slow It’s more than likely that it will take some time before you’re running your favorite five mile loop from last summer. Pick a distance that is reasonable for you and increase by 30-second intervals over time, Schwabenbauer said.
Rest Running can cause micro-tears in muscle fibers, so it’s extremely important to let them heal before hitting the pavement again. Taking a day to rest or cross train between running days can help to reduce the risk of injury. Molly Ziegler is a senior nutrition major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2014.
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ARTS
Giving a voice to Vt. in a big world Jacob Holzman Assistant Arts Editor “We just do what we want to do and we don’t give a shit what others think.” These and similar statements of rebellious attitude can be found in discussion with James Lockridge, owner and operator of Burlington-based music website Big Heavy World. Established in 1996, Big Heavy World is a site that aims to preserve Vermont’s musical history. The website creates opportunities for local artists and develops a strong local arts community, according to the Web Page. The organization is many things: a music label, a journalistic device, a Vermont music archive, a radio station and more. To Lockridge, it is simply “a resource for local artists and musicians.” He saw an opportunity within the small but growing Web market on the then newly-popular Internet back in 1996. So he partnered up with experimental technologies, such as investor Mark Cuban’s AudioNet, which became part of Broadcast.com and then Yahoo! Broadcast. The “biggest revolution” was his then never-beforeseen broadcasting of live Burlington events while they were happening, on the Internet, he said. “We were using experimental technologies – we were streaming concerts straight to the center of the Web before anyone even knew what streaming was,” Lockridge said. He said he tries to be as out-of-the-box as possible, especially when it comes to the business environment.
LYDIA SCHWARTZ The Vermont Cynic
Big Heavy World owner James Lockridge speaks during an interview March 20. Big Heavy World, which has been around since 1996, is a website that seeks to preserve Vermont musical history and tradition, as well as creating opportunities for local artists and producers. Their radio station, 105.9, The Radiator, showcases local aspiring disc jockeys, allowing them to volunteer for spots on the air. In addition, it gives room for local artists to be showcased. Sophomore Max Mashrick, lead singer and guitarist of local band Townsend Revenue, said playing on The Radiator was an enjoyable experience.
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“It was pretty fun, man,” he said. “We went in with our acoustic guitars and played a few songs and they asked us a few questions – and they took some cool pictures.” What Lockridge said he is most proud of is Big Heavy World’s deviation from traditional business practices, giving people freedom to create a productive and overall happy environment.
This is because the organization acts as a means for youth to participate in the music scene outside of a potentially “substance-filled” atmosphere, he said. “I know when I was a teenager I was just spending spare time burning tires and drinkin’,” Lockridge said. He added that in a sense, the way they go about business is philosophically the same, “[except] there’s no
drugs here!” Students are taking notice. First-year Catie Wilson said she feels that given the chance, she would certainly endorse the organization. “I think that local music is something that makes every town unique,” she said. You can visit bigheavyworld.com to check out the group’s projects and listen to 105.9 The Radiator.
Cynic picks
G-luv recommends a slew of jams
Senior Gindla McBee, DJ name “G-luv,” has a show on WRUV every Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. called “Frosted Tips,” where she plays a variety of urban and rock music. Here are her picks:
4:30pm to 6:30pm Dean’s Conference Room Morrill Hall
Learn more from UVM Peace Corps representative Sierra Poske! peace.corps@uvm.edu
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Song: Bank Head Artist: Kelela Album: Cut For Me (Fade to Mind)
Song: Without Artist: Sampha Album: Dual (Young Turks)
Song: Red Velvet Seat Artist: Aloe Blacc Album: Lift Your Spirit (Interscope)
A RTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014
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Local Galerie hosts an intimate concert “It had a very friendly atmosphere and there was this sweet, cozy sense of camaraderie among all of the people there. ”
Dana Burns Staff Writer Burlington’s New City Galerie opened its doors on a snowy March 19 evening for an intimate and personal night of performance. The night’s performers included Burlington artists Nora Zimmerly and Victoria Francis, as well as Bostonbased indie groups IAN and Couples Counseling. A group of music-lovers gathered in the homey, dimly-lit space, with many sitting on the floor or in folding chairs. “It was nice to be so close to the music,” first-year Elora Silver said. “It had a very friendly atmosphere and there was this sweet, cozy sense of camaraderie among all of the people there.” The show opened with Victoria Francis. She performed an experimental set on her electric guitar while video footage played on a projection screen behind her. Francis also screened a short stop-motion film that she had created. As more people funneled in; IAN, lead by Berklee College of Music student Ian Medford, took the stage to play tracks from their album, “Have You Ever Loved Anything This Much?”
Elora Silver First-year
ALEX GOLDENBERG The Vermont Cynic
Resident Nora Zimmerly performs during a show at the New City Galerie March 19. Zimmerly has been playing at a number of local venues such as Radio Bean. Victoria Francis and IAN also performed. which was released earlier this month. “I like IAN because they’re such a complex band,” first-year Claire Macon said. “Their lo-fi guitar melodies create an ethereal, dreamy sound, but with a slightly harder edge.” IAN was followed by Couples Counseling, which was comprised of fellow
Cynical Listener
Artists on the way Sarah Stickle While the Burlington music scene is rich with treasures, national acts are often sorely missed. Here are some shows to get excited for in the coming months.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops (March 28, Higher Ground): If you’ve seen them before, you know that their performances are proof of how energetic humans can be. The band is lead by Rhiannon Giddens’ gospelcountry fusion vocals, joined by fiddle leads, hand percussion and more. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 the day of.
Pilobolus (May 2, Flynn Center):
I’m not much of a dance fan, but a Pilobolus show is more like watching acrobats create the subject of great paintings. From slow-moving pieces, to throwing themselves against clear plastic walls at the front of the stage, Pilobolus tests the limits of the human body with every step. Tickets range from $15 to $55.
Bread and Puppet Theater (May 16, Flynn Center): Remember that insanely trippy scene in “Across the Universe” with the puppet circus? Bread and Puppet Theater is a lot like that. With a mission of cheap art and other political stances, Bread and Puppet Theater creates a world beyond our own. A world with towering puppets dressed in flannel, top hats and fire costumes alike. Tickets are $25. Sarah Stickle is a junior public communications major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2011.
Berklee student Virginia De La Pozas. “Couples Counseling is an eclectic mix of sounds that combines into something that meshes perfectly,” Silver said. Couples Counseling performed a sampling of songs, such as “Floating Heads” and “I hope u nevr hear this” from her recently-released
self-titled LP. The night concluded with Burlington singer-songwriter Nora Zimmerly, who, equipped with her acoustic guitar, performed a short set of original songs. Zimmerly, a West-coastnative and current Burlington resident, can be found playing at local venues such
as Radio Bean. “Zimmerly has such a strong, emotive voice,” Silver said. “I found myself very captivated by her performance. It was a great way to finish off the night.” Snow then accumulated along Church Street as concertgoers started to trickle out. It covered the brick street in a layer of white that reflected the lights hanging from nearby trees. “I left the show feeling great,” first-year Anita Para said. “The performances were beautiful, and all so unique, and it’s not all that often that a concert can feel so comfortable and relaxed.” The show was put on by PizzaFace Booking and local music collective Friends and Family, who help organize local shows that feature emerging artists from across the country.
Club focuses on folk music Sam Heller Cynic Correspondent “First let’s start singing, and then we’ll figure it out,” senior Darren Schibler said in a jam session with the Folk Music Club March 21. Schibler has been president of the club since his first year at UVM in 2010. His attitude of “playing songs first and sorting out the details later” is representative of the “laid-back” culture of the Folk Music Club itself. Founded in 2008, as the Old Time Music Club, the group began with semi-regular jam sessions in which members would play and perform. Eventually it became recognized by UVM as an official club and expanded its focus from old time to folk music. “Old time music is a very specific style of southern music; [it is] string music essentially,” Schibler said. “We decided at that point to start doing less old time and more just general folk,” he said. Though the genre has changed, the club’s open jam-style format is largely the same. Schibler said weekly club meetings are like Irish music
sessions. “It’s basically a bunch of people sitting around playing whatever they feel like,” he said. “Once somebody starts something, everybody else will sing in.” Though the idea of learning a song or new instrument on the fly may seem intimidating, sophomore Renee Beneski said that the group is very accepting of novice musicians. Beneski said she has recently begun learning ukulele with the club. “Even though I don’t really play anything, it’s still very fun to come to jam sessions,” she said. “Everybody
is really welcoming and the atmosphere is really casual.” Aside from weekly jam sessions, the club organizes concerts, open mic nights and contra dances, which is a style of folk dance and instrument workshops. “I want to see the club expand so that everybody can get anything they want to out of it, and not see it as this clique of a jam session that happens every Friday,” Schibler said. To get involved with the club, warm up your singing pipes or grab the instrument of your choice and head to Living & Learning room 216 Fridays at 4 p.m.
BECCA ADAMS The Vermont Cynic
Members of the Folk Music Club play songs together during their weekly meeting and “jam session” in Living & Learning March 21.
Opinion EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Natalie Williams cynic@uvm.edu
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STAFF EDITORIAL Vermont bus drivers still feel they aren’t getting their fare share. The Chittenden County Transportation Authority bus drivers have recently been on strike and multiple contract negotiations have been discussed between the company and the workers. As the bus drivers embark upon their second week of the strike, there has been no resolution between the company and the workers. The most recent negotiations took place March 22 at the CCTA offices and did not result in an agreement between the two parties. The organizers asked that these negotiations were closed to the press. The mediators of the talks requested that both the
drivers and the company neglect to speak with the press. The Cynic was not pleased with this decision. We feel that the press should be not only allowed, but also invited to the events. The community cannot make an adequate decision about where their support rests unless they can be properly informed about every part of negotiations in regard to the matter. After the closed negotiations, the media was restricted to press releases specifically constructed from the point of views of both sides, which did not tell the full story. As a result, we feel censored in our coverage of the strike and negotiations. However, the Cynic hopes that there is a resolution that can conclude the strike and ultimately result in a fairer contract for
the drivers. There was a discussion held in Aiken yesterday evening so students could show their support for the bus drivers and listen to a panel discussion of drivers, union leaders and activists in support of the bus drivers. The flyer for the event listed the drivers’ demands as a desire for, “safe work schedules, full-time employment and an end to predatory management.” Students are standing by the CCTA bus drivers during the strike. The Cynic is curious though. If the bus drivers receive a contract that they accept, will bus fares go up and will people be willing to pay higher costs? We are excited to see what happens in the coming days and weeks. Until then, the strike must go on.
Cynic staff quick opinions “It’s not Nick Cannon’s whiteface that offends me. What bothers me is that anyone cares what that unfunny wad does.” - Jacob Holzman Assistant Arts Editor
“The highlight of my childhood: What color will Michael poop next?” - Danielle Goglia Life Editor on her brother eating crayons
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Editor’s Note: A news article in Issue 22 incorrectly stated that the GPAs of all seniors in the CDAE program were released. The article should have stated that the GPAs of only 53 seniors being considered for honors were released.
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Unsigned editorials officially reflect the views of the Cynic and its staff. All signed opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily do so. The Cynic accepts letters in response to anything you see printed as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. Send letters to cynicopinion@gmail.com
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OPINION
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 , 2014
Kiddie guru to save SGA Josh Gachette It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. It is now officially spring and the robins have retuned to their mating grounds while certain Cynic section editors anticipate the allergy season with dread. As temperatures slowly warm into the teens, SGA presidential elections have gotten under way. I am saddened by the absence of one name from the ballot: Frederick McFeely Rogers. The SGA needs Mr. Rogers now more than ever. The “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” television show begins with a brief thanks to the program’s sponsors. The screen flashes to a miniature toy town. Brightly colored buildings line well-paved streets as the camera pans right. The cameraman zooms in on a yellow house; the theme song’s whimsical piano chimes. Cut to a waving Fred Rogers opening his front door and crossing a wooden threshold. Besides being a great neighbor, Fred is quite the multitasker: he sings the theme song while swapping his blazer and dress shoes for a cardigan and sneakers. This is a deeply symbolic act, though you would not know from how he calmly seats himself and begins the program. He tacitly rejects the corporate hegemonic structure that normalizes the wearing of blazer and loafers. The next SGA president will also have to reject the corporate norm. But like Rogers, also pay lip service to our sponsors.
Young adults, too ambitious for their own good, have the unfortunate tendency of propping up “The Man’s” regime. So it goes in the real world and on this campus. Whoever is elected SGA president cannot follow in this trend — he or she must be prepared to stand against the actions of our administration. There is no denying that our community faces a crisis of confidence. Grumblings of discontent can be heard in all corridors. The SGA president-elect will be inheriting this campuswide unease. Like Mr. Rogers, they must calmly cross the threshold, made not of wood, but of rank. The concerns of faculty and staff fall by the wayside while the University’s resources are at the beck-and-call of administrative will. This columnist cannot help but feel that some members of our community see student enrichment as secondary to a profitable institution. The SGA president-elect is tasked with channeling the student body’s frustration, while remaining even-keeled enough to advance agendas on our behalf. Rogerian Zen will be key. If only Mr. Rogers himself were able to give some members of our community a stern talking to. I imagine him frowning with dissatisfaction in his trademark red sweater. He would teach the importance of sharing — University funds among all departments; and treating our neighbors fairly — by affording them a livable wage. I sincerely hope the president-elect is up to the challenge.
Josh Gachette is a sophomore psychology major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2012.
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Campus voices How relevant has SGA and the ongoing elections been to your student experience? “Not at all.” - Sophomore Sarah Bachler “I went to the debate at Brennan’s Thursday night. Ty Williams did a great job and had great points. And it seems like SGA is doing what it can to help the student body; they seem to have good plans for the future.” - Sophomore Sarah Bloom “I have no idea what’s happening. I didn’t even know there was an election until I heard Sarah say so 30 seconds ago.” - Sophomore Casey Roohan ‘“I was recently at the classiest of all college bars — Drink — when I saw a guy in a turtleneck and my friend said,‘Oh, that’s Connor Daley.’ Now I can put a face to the SGA emails.” - Senior Lydia Kern COMIC
The Grand Burlington Doodle Brigade by John Nesbit
The Best of Burlington See the winners. Pick up the special issue, on stands April 2.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 , 2014
Fall 2014 courses from
A to Z
C F I L O R U X
Credits: 3 Professor: Katlyn Morris
This course looks at the environmental, social and economic sides of coffee production, focusing on Central America.
offe, Ecology and Livelihoods Credits: 3 Professor: Chris Vaccaro
This course is described as an overview of topics in fantasy, including Tolkien’s Middle Earth and “The Hobbit.”
antasy before Tolkien Credits: 3 Professor: Robert Erickson
This introductory course for computer science majors provides a strong foundation in web programming and design. It can be good for business, English and engineering majors alike.
ntroduction to Website Development Credits: 3 Professor: Walter Varhue Prerequisites: Math 22
This course looks at circuit elements and laws, network principles and energy-storage networks, according to the course directory.
inear Circuit Analysis Credits: 3 Professor: Jean Harvey
A D G J M P S V Y
This course looks at the causes, consequences and treatment of obesity, according to the course directory.
besity, Weight Control and Fitness Credits: 3 Professors: Noriko Matsumoto or Katrinell Davis
This course, focusing specifically on race relations in the U.S., would be a perfect fit to fill a diversity requirement.
ace Relations in the U.S. Credits: 3 Professor: Meghan Cope Prerequisite: Geog 50 or 70
This course explores the morphology, function, social structure and growth of cities, as well as why we seek them out, according to the course directory.
rban Geography Credits: 3 Professor: John Hughes Prerequisites: Geol 110 This course teaches students how to identify materials in a unique way, using a machine that shoots x-rays at objects to create scattering patterns.
-Ray Diffractometry
Credits: 4 Professors: Alex Lynch or Sandra Bearman
This courses introduces American Sign Language as well as deaf culture, according to the course directory.
merican Sign Language Credits: 3 Professor: Hilary Neroni
This course provides an introduction to film history and theory through analysis of international films from 1960 to 2000.
B E H K N Q T W Z
eveloping Motion Pictures III Credits: 3 Professor: David Isaac Cates
This non-traditional English course likely involves reading “The Wilderness,” according to the course directory.
raphic Novel Credits: 3 Professor: Kyle Ikeda
This course, offered only in the fall, examines the significance and popularity of Japanese Pop Culture, according to the course directory.
apanese Pop Culture Credits: 3 Professor: Mark Usher
This literature course looks into Greco-Roman cultural identity during the Tojan War.
yths/Legends of the Trojan War
Credits: 3 Professor: Scott Van Keuren
As a diversity course, this class looks at fossils starting from the beginning of human development, according to the course directory.
rehistoric Archaeology Credits: 3 Professor: Alice Fothergill
A basic sociology course, this class looks at developments and variations of the “family norm,” according to the course directory.
ociology of the Family Credits: 3 Professor: Jane Petrillo
This course focuses on the aesthetics and function of design in communication and marketing, according to the course directory.
isual Communication Credits: 1 Professor: John McConnell
This physical education class not only introduces students to basic yoga positions, but also teaches the history and restorative properties of yoga, according to the course directory.
oga and Mindfulness
d i st r act i o n s Credits: 1 Professor: Paula Higa
Professor Higa originated from Brazil, where she performed as a modern dancer, according to the dance program faculty directory.
razilian Dance Credits: 3 Professor: John Perry
This course looks at everything from planets and moons to stars and galaxies, according to the course directory.
xploring the Cosmos Credits: 3 Professor: Martin Thaler
This course looks at historical period costumes and their adaptations for theater, according to the course directory.
istory of Costume Credits: 1 Professor: Daniel Linde
Kickboxing combines both cardio and resistance training, and allows a full body workout, according to athleta.net.
ickboxing for Self-Defense Credits: 4 Professor: Walter Poleman
This introductory course is a great way for anyone interested in checking out the Rubenstein school.
atural History and Field Ecology Credits: 3 Professor: Paul Deslandes Prerequisites: 12 HIST hours
This course offers a history of the LGBT community and the struggles they continue to face.
ueer Lives: LGBT History Credits: 3 Professor: Shelley Warren
Though hard to get into with a class size of 14, taking an art class is definitely worth it for anyone interested. It involves quite a bit of hands-on art creation.
hree-Dimensional Studies Credits: 3 Professor: Michael Kessler and Chad Wawrzyniak This course introduces changes in animal movement and direction with some easy hiking.
ildlife Tracking Analysis Credits: 3 Professor: Patricia Erickson Prerequisites: ASCI 001
This course examines human influence on captive and wild animals.
oos, Exotics and Endagered Species
Sports
JONATHAN POLSON The Vermont Cynic
First-year forward Mario Puskarich battles with a Boston College defender as he attempts to get the puck in front of first-year goaltender Thatcher Demko against the Eagles Feb 14. The No. 16 Catamounts have earned a bid at the NCAA championship and will face-off against No. 3 Union College in Bridgeport, Conn. March 28.
30 years of success for Hockey 1951- The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is created.
Cam Panepinto Assistant Sports Editor
1950 1961- The Eastern College Athletic Hockey Conference is established.
1975 1984- Hockey East is established with eight men’s teams.
1989- Merrimack men’s hockey joins Hockey East.
1994- UMass Amherst men’s hockey joins Hockey East.
2002- Women’s Hockey East begins play with six teams. 2005- UVM’s men’s and women’s hockey teams join Hockey East.
2000 2003- Kevin Sneddon takes over as UVM men’s head coach.
2009- UVM makes first Frozen Four and NCAA Tournament appearance.
2010- men’s hockey makes second appearance in the NCAA Tournament. 2014/15- UConn men’s hockey joins Hockey East. photos courtesy of special collections and Brian Huges
The 2014 season marks the 30th anniversary for Hockey East, a conference that, since its inception in 1984, has claimed dominance over college hockey. “Hockey East is undoubtedly the most competitive league in the country and overall fun to watch,” sophomore Dan Feldman said. Despite competing with conferences that are more than 20 years older, Hockey East has won the highestnumber of national championships. Since 1984 Hockey East teams have made 93 NCAA Tournament appearances, 38 Frozen Four appearances and have won eight National Championships. “I truly believe that Hockey East is the premier conference in college hockey,” senior forward Connor Brickley said. “At the end of the year, Hockey East’s non-conference records are greater than any other conference’s.” UVM fans echoed the same sentiments. “When I watch Hockey East I can relate to the athletes because anyone who has played hockey shares the same passion for the game,” sophomore Nick Gaudreau said. Hockey East started with seven teams, including Boston College, Boston University, UMaine, Northeastern, Providence College, UMass Lowell and the University of New Hampshire. Merrimack joined the conference in 1989, UMass Amherst in 1994 and UVM in 2005. The league is now comprised of 11 men’s teams with the addition of Notre Dame this 2014 season. Next season it will welcome UConn to the
conference. “They [Notre Dame] are a great program to join an already fantastic league,” head coach Kevin Sneddon said. Brickley, a second round draft pick by the Florida Panthers, believes that adding Notre Dame was a “big step” for Hockey East this year. “They won their conference last year and having them finish eighth in our conference this year speaks to just how hard it is to win in our league,” he said. Division I hockey has grown in recent years. This season marked the first year for the new Big 10 Conference and National Collegiate Hockey Conference, bringing the total number of conferences to six. Boston College holds the most Hockey East Championships with 11. Although UVM currently holds no conference titles, they have found recent success and have appeared in the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Tournaments, advancing to the Frozen Four in 2009. “The level of competition is greater than any other conference in college hockey,” Brickley said. “This season alone shows just how high the competition is by potentially having the most teams sent to the NCAA Tournament out of any other conference.” “It is exciting playing for the University of Vermont,” Brickley said, “Any game at the Gut is always exciting. We have the best fan base in both Hockey East and college hockey. ” The Cats hold an overall record of 20-14-3 for this 30th anniversary season and have earned a bid into this year’s NCAA Tournament as the 16th seed. This is their sixth NCAA Tournament berth. They are set to face Union College Friday at 2 p.m.
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S PO RTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014
Alternatives to the pro sports
Emma’s Sports Guide The weekly scene in Vt. recap Nick White Staff Writer
Emma Oyomba The Vermont Lake Monsters is a Minor League baseball team located in Burlington. However, they are the only professional sports team Vermont has. With a lack of professional sports in the state, residents and students tend to look elsewhere for their athletic entertainment. “I’m from Vermont so I’m used to only really getting excited about UVM hockey or basketball,” first-year Ryan Forbes said. It is no secret that UVM basketball and hockey games sell out fast. “Even before I came to UVM, I would come to the games because it’s the closest thing we have to professional sports here,” Forbes said. Gutterson Fieldhouse currently holds a capacity of 4,007 seats, and since 1987 the men’s hockey team has sold out 252 of their last 335 home games, according to UVM athletics. This isn’t just because the games are exciting to watch and they bring the school and
Boss of the week “We all know the rules for tonight, and there’s no sitting or kneeling of any kind, but I gotta make an exception real quick.” -University of Nebraska senior basketball player Mike Peltz’s surprise proposal to his girlfriend center-court on senior night.
Squid of the week “I’m ignoring Mr. Idiot Boy and all his rubbish”
city together. It’s all we have. Although Burlington has been ranked one of the best college towns in the country, one luxury the city lacks is professional sports. Universities located around cities such as Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore, Md. have multiple professional sports to root for. “I’m from Massachusetts and envy some of my friends who go to school in the Boston
area,” first-year Ben Deming said. “Not only do they have a variety of things to do already by being in a major city, they also have a variety of sporting events to go to year round,” he said. Our college sports make up for what we lack professionally, students seem to agree. “Going to school here and attending the basketball and hockey games, you forget that
we really lack professional sports teams. It makes up for it,” sophomore Luke Pessinis said. Vermont locals seem content with the current situation and will opt for an exciting UVM basketball or hockey game instead. Emma Oyomba is a first-year politcal science major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2013.
- English boxer Carl Froch on George Groves saying he is going to verbally bully Froch before their bout at Wembley Stadium in England May 31.
Illustration by Alison Staffin
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