Issue 2 - Volume 136

THEVERMONTCYNIC THE Issue 2 - Volume 136 | August 27, 2019 | vtcynic.com

“I believe in not

reacting

To problems but

preparing for them.”

UVM president sets his priorities ■ Suresh Garimella meets exclusively with The Vermont Cynic for his first one-on-one interview as president of UVM. Sawyer Loftus

him: “the students,” he said.

news@vtcynic.com

Suresh Garimella sat dressed in a checkered shirt, his laptop in front of him and his yellow legal notepad to his left.

He rested back in his chair becoming absorbed in the shadow of his ceremonial office, which is heavily decorated with dark wood.

Garimella leaned forward and looked down as he recalled growing up poor and traveling through a public education system from grade school to university.

It was those experiences that created a tight bond between himself and the world of public education, which is something he seeks to carry with him in his new role as the president of UVM. Two months into his new job in a new state and city, Garimella is faced with determining how to go about leading Vermont’s largest public university.

Garimella still doesn’t have a strategic plan, but he knows the priorities that will guide

facebook.com/ thevermontcynic

Diversity isn’t just color to Garimella The last two years on UVM’s campus, conversations around diversity, inclusion and social justice have at times spilled over into protests and rallies.

For Garimella, promoting diversity, social justice and making sure everyone feels welcome are key parts of the student experience and something he’s said he’d work on since the hiring process, Garimella said.

“I said during my interview I will be the chief diversity officer for UVM, but I didn’t mean Wanda Heading Grant is out of a job,” he said. “My point is you can’t have just one person appointed to be the diversity czar and then wash your hands of it.”

To Garimella, work on diversity and inclusion is work every single person at UVM needs to be a part of it, he said.

“You can’t simply have an office that does it. Every single one of us needs to be the chief diversity officer in everything we do,” Garimella said.

But diversity isn’t just about

@vermontcynic

TOP (STEPHAN TOLJAN/The Vermont Cynic): President Suresh Garimella speaks to the class of 2023 at the annual Convocation Ceremony, Aug. 25.

BOTTOM (ALEK FLEURY/The Vermont Cynic): Garimella shakes hands with various UVM community members at his first visit to campus February 14. having a variety of skin tones on UVM’s campus; it’s about having people from a wide array of experiences, backgrounds, religions and more, he said.

“It’s not just an African American hire making us all somehow feel happy about diversity, although we should do that,” Garimella said. “It’s a very broad definition to me. We all just need to be more compassionate and understanding.”

His “North Star” In the short time Garimel-

@vermontcynic

la has been president of UVM, he’s gotten to see the resources and assets available to students.

As the headwinds of higher education change, like rising costs and lower enrollment, Garimella said it’s time UVM doubles down.

“I believe in not reacting to problems but preparing for them so we don’t have to be surprised by them,” he said. “I think we all need to look ahead and figure out how to or at least address the headwinds others are facing, we’re not immune to

youtube.com/ cynicvideo

it.”

Students are his “North Star,” or guiding priority, Garimella said.

Over the last two months, he has met with student groups, faculty and other leaders.

Garimella has even gotten the chance to tour Lake Champlain on one of the University’s living laboratories, he said.

Garimella cont. on page 3

www.

vtcynic.com

NEWS

UVM and others denounce hate group Staff Report news@vtcynic.com

White nationalist stickers and posters once again surfaced throughout UVM’s campus, prompting the community to react.

UVM Police Services found multiple stickers and posters from the group Patriot Front, who were designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a “white nationalist hate group,” Aug. 27.

The stickers found around campus read “Keep America American” and “Better Dead Than Red,” according to UVM Police.

At least one sticker was found outside the Davis Center, but as students passed by they left their own messages against the group.

This isn’t the first time these stickers have shown up in Burlington or on UVM’s campus.

In February and October 2018, white supremacist posters were found across UVM and Champlain College’s campuses.

In February 2019, Patriot Front stickers were found on a Burlington synagogue and the Pride Center of Vermont, according to the Burlington Police Department.

In response, The Vermont Cynic asked UVM groups what they thought about the reemergence of stickers on UVM’s campus. Here’s what they said: NoNames For Justice: “The appearance of the white nationalist posters on our campus is simply a reminder to us all that this is not a safe campus. Every year we encounter similar issues, but we will continue to be here for the commu-

SAWYER LOFTUS/The Vermont Cynic

A scratched-out Patriot Front sticker on the back of a sign in front of the Davis Center, Aug. 27. UVM denounced the sticker, and others found around campus, according to UVM Police Services. nity, and our voices will not be silenced.”

Queer Student Union: “The QSU is disgusted by the actions of the individuals who posted white nationalist hate speech as well as Patriot Front as an organization. We recognize how painful and frightening this is for many members of our community, especially people of color, indigenous people and immigrant communities.

QSU will not stand for racism and white supremacy on our campus and in our community and insist that more action must be taken to protect students of color. It is our goal to work with other identi-

ty-based groups on campus to combat racist ideas and behaviors both in our UVM clubs and in the greater Burlington community.”

UVM College Republicans: Editor’s Note: This is senior Tori Biondolillo on behalf of UVM College Republicans.

“This is absolutely disgusting and a reason why as chairwoman I was a chief proponent of a resolution by the CRNC [College Republican National Committee] denouncing white nationalism in the Republican Party. In short, here is my comment: I am absolutely appalled that white nationalist groups

are trying to stoke fear and hatred on UVM’s campus. It is absolutely, unequivocally unwelcome in our organization. Any person who holds these views should have no place in either party.

These views are hurtful, unproductive and un-American. Content like this is cancer on the American political discourse and downright makes students feel unsafe. I want to be clear in saying that although this may or may not be a rightwing group, I will not tolerate this in my own organization at the chapter, state or national level.”

UVM Society of Arab Students: Editor’s note: This is President Hannah Rose Arafeh, a sophomore, speaking on behalf of SAS. “It [the Patriot Front sticker] is certainly upsetting. I cannot, however, say that it totally surprises me. The University and Burlington can be very insular in their liberalism: so much so, in fact, that many white students feel that just because they attend such a ‘liberal’ university, that they are somehow absolved of their own contributions to and privileges from systems of oppression. There is an undertone of, ‘it can’t happen here.’

Not only can it happen anywhere, but it did happen here.

Several times now. Burlington and the University of Vermont are no exception to the rising wave of white supremacy and white nationalism that are coming to a zenith in recent years just because of its liberal reputation and the majority left-leaning students.

This incident should be a wake-up call that just attending this liberal University is not enough; not being racist isn’t enough. Active anti-racism and joining the fight against white supremacy is necessary to combat this.”

The University of Vermont: “The Southern Poverty Law Center has designated Patriot Front as ‘a white nationalist hate group.’ We denounce its racist ideology and tactics, which deliberately target people of color and run counter to our core values as a University community.”

Looking to rip Juul? You can’t if you’re not 21 in VT Emma Pinezich epinezic@uvm.edu

Starting Sept. 1, people under the age of 21 will no longer be able to buy tobacco products, including Juuls and vapes, in the state of Vermont.

Known as “Tobacco 21,” this law was signed into effect

by Gov. Phil Scott in May in an effort to reduce tobacco and e-cigarette use among youth in Vermont, according to the bill.

Vermont joins 17 other states who have passed legislation changing the age of sale and possession from 18 to 21.

The legislation was proposed in 2016 and 2017 but failed both times. This year’s success is likely due to increased concerns among lawmakers about vaping, according to State Sen. Philip Baruth, who sponsored the bill.

According to Baruth, e-cigarette companies have successfully targeted young people, increasing the use of vaping products among youth as opposed to traditional cigarettes.

However, this has become

a major concern because e-cigarettes are also bad for your health. “‘Your clothes smell when you smoke, your lungs deteriorate when you smoke, but vaping— look at how clean and cool it can be,’ and so there’s been a resurgence among young people in trying and staying with nicotine delivered by the vape pen,” Baruth said.

UVM has adjusted its tobacco and other drug use policy to mirror the new legislation, according to an email Dr. Harry Chen, chief public health officer, sent to the UVM community.

Almost all adult smokers start before age 25, and the increased use of e-cigarettes has led to higher rates of smoking in youth, Chen stated.

E-cigarette use itself has been associated with health problems. There have been 193 cases of severe lung disease and one death to date, according to the Center for Disease Control.

In late August, someone died in Illinois that appeared to be linked to e-cigarette use, ac-

Photo Illustration by MARY MCLELLAN/The Vermont Cynic

People under the age of 21 will no longer be able to buy tobacco products, including Juuls and vapes, in the state of Vermont as of Sept. 1. cording to an Aug. 23 New York Times article.

Last spring, Living Well created a tobacco-free student ambassador task force to provide students with resources to quit and inform the campus community about the harms of smoking, said Parker Holloway, the program coordinator of Liv-

ing Well.

“There’s really been an epidemic in vaping, specifically Juuling, among high schoolers, and high schoolers coming into college,” Holloway said.

Students who are under 21 will no longer be able to buy or possess the products many are addicted to, according to the

legislation.

Junior Mackenie Clark uses a Juul and thinks that although the legislation will be difficult for some students to handle because they won’t be able to get their fix, it will also help a lot of students quit, he said.

“I feel fantastic because I don’t want to Juul anymore, I want to quit, and that really helps because I can’t buy it anymore,” Clark said.

However, Clark thinks older students will likely start buying Juul pods to sell them to underage students at a higher price, creating an underground black market, he said.

Baruth also thinks the legislation will not eliminate all underage tobacco use due to an underground market, he said.

“There will always be people that buy beer for people who are underage, there will always be people that buy cigarettes for people who are underage,” Baruth said. “I think there’s always going to be a black market, and you can’t stop illegal activity altogether.”

NEWS

3

Deal with Army will expand research Julianne Lesch jleschi@uvm.edu

UVM has just signed an educational and research partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, creating new academic research opportunities in the future.

The deal is specifically with the Cold Region Research and Engineering Laboratory, which is located in Hanover, New Hampshire, and is run by the USACE, said Richard Galbraith, vice president of research.

An overarching agreement is the first step to connect UVM with USACE, as UVM can now work on establishing specifics about what this agreement could look like for students in terms of academics and research opportunities, Galbraith said.

The lab conducts research in multiple cold rooms and frost areas on how cold weather climates affects factors such as plants and machinery, Galbraith said.

Linda Schadler, dean of the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, said this partnership can help grow internship opportunities in CEMS at UVM. “It includes undergraduate internships which is probably the one thing that we are most excited about from a CEMS perspective,” Schadler said. “It is an area that we need for growth, and it allows [USACE] to fund research here as well.”

Reed Winter, a junior envi-

Image Source:JOHN SEVERANCE, ERDC-CRREL

Cold Region Research and Engineering Labrotory students Amanda Smith and Elyse Williamson examine an ice core from Greenland. ronmental engineering major, has spent the past four summers interning in the CRREL and thinks that this partnership will be great for other students.

“They have given me so many opportunities, and to get your foot in the door in engineering with the possibility of getting credit out of it is pretty remarkable,” Winter said.

Throughout his time interning, Winter has been able to do research, learn how to write grants and proposals and has two publications coming out, he said.

Students interning at the lab have the opportunity to receive credit for their work, according to an Aug. 14 article from UVM’s website.

Schadler said this partnership also paves the way for graduate student research and for UVM and CRREL to work on larger grants together.

Though this lab is part of the military, the purpose of this work between UVM and USACE is to further science and understanding, Schadler said.

“For example, they [Army] are doing climate research,

No deal on new dean for CALS Zoe Stern zstern@uvm.edu

UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is without a dean a year after the search began, leaving the interim dean with an overflowing plate of responsibility.

Former Dean Thomas Vogelmann announced he would retire in the summer of 2019 when a new dean was found, after 11 years on the job, according to an August 2018 email.

Under Vogelmann, CALS created degrees in food systems, brought the UVM Dairy Bar back to campus and increased enrollment in the college by 50%, former President Tom Sullivan stated in an August 2018 email.

Now, Interim Dean Jean Harvey has been dealing with the impacts of not having a replacement. She’s had extra work added to her plate and straddles the line as both a professor and now dean, she said.

“I still have a research program, I have a graduate student, I’m on a national grant review panel and I’m teaching this semester.” Harvey said, “I agreed to do all those things this year, and you don’t just say in July,

STEPHAN TOLJAN/The Vermont Cynic

Morrill Hall on UVM’s Central campus holds the office of the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Former Dean Thomas Vogelmann stepped down in May 2019. ‘oh you know those things I told you I’d do last year, I’m not gonna do those.’”

The search for a new dean began in November 2018 and didn’t bring about a new one, according to Communications Director Enrique Corredera.

The first search did bring eight potential candidates to campus. The search committee picked four to come back to UVM for an additional interview, but none were selected, Harvey said.

One candidate in specific didn’t even seem to want to

come back, Harvey said.

“I really think in the end, one of the four also didn’t really want to be here so it was a combination of us wanting them and them wanting us,” she said.

Harvey is excited to see what a new search could bring.

“I think all the deans are excited about the changes and moving ahead and there is a new administration and we’re looking forward to having things be different,” she said.

A revitalized search will start after Labor Day, according to Corredera.

while they are up there learning for the military, they are helping all of us,” Schadler said.

This new partnership has the ability to get students across various majors doing research, not just those who are engineering majors, Galbraith said.

Galbraith said he could see students interested in medicine, biology, agriculture and plant life also getting involved in the research through this partnership.

Though CRREL belongs to the army, the facilities mirror a private organization’s, though

Garimella cont. from page 1 It’s resources like the lake labrotory that UVM needs to further develop across all colleges, he said. The entire University needs to think about what is best for each student’s education.

“My top priority is the student and their success, which means that we should offer them the highest quality of education we can,” he said. “But at the same time keep it affordable and accessible.”

Currently, UVM’s estimated sticker cost for in-state students is $31,748 for those living on campus. For out-of-state students living on campus, the cost is around $56,636, according to the Department of Residential Life.

For the 2018-19 school year, Vermont had the highest average public four-year university costs for both in-state and outof-state students, according to the College Board.

Although he does not have a specific plan yet, Garimella will draw on past experiences from his last job at Purdue University, which froze tuition for seven years, he said.

What’s next for Garimella Throughout September,

security is a bit tighter, Galbraith said.

The CRREL has two other research offices in Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska.

One of USACE’s research projects in Alaska is focused on the impact of oil spills.

During the 2017 fiscal year, the year data is most recently available, CCREL had $8 million in contracts in Vermont and New Hampshire, according to their website.

Garimella will travel around Vermont to learn about how UVM impacts the state.

The new president will also continue to meet with students, faculty and key stakeholders in the UVM community to better understand UVM and develop his tactics for furthering the University, he said.

Garimella is also excited to tap into the optimism he sees all over campus, he said.

“I think there is a lot of optimism here at UVM and I’m an optimist, by blood, by birth, by design, you can’t put me down,” Garimella said. “There’s just a lot of good things going on here.”

So far, Garimella has traveled all over the U.S. meeting alumni and alumni networks, in places like Washington, D.C., and New York City, he said.

Garimella’s first class Under Garimella, UVM admitted its highest achieving class to date according to the University.

Garimella lead his first class of students down Main Street during UVM’s annual convocation, Aug. 25.

“The convocation thing was amazing,” Garimella said. “It was just so great; it really fills your heart.”

OPINION

Stand against hate on campus TH ed 188 3 st

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Issue 2 - Vol. 6

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EXECUTIVE Editor-in-Chief Bridget Higdon editorinchief@vtcynic.com Managing Editor Alek Fleury newsroom@vtcynic.com

OPERATIONS Operations Manager Tim Mealey operations@vtcynic.com Marketing Daniel Felde dfelde@uvm.edu

EDITORIAL Copy Chief Liv Marshall copy@vtcynic.com Culture Sarah Robinson cynicculture@gmail.com Features Greta Rohrer cynicfeatures@gmail.com News Sawyer Loftus news@vtcynic.com Opinion Mills Sparkman opinion@vtcynic.com Podcasts David Cabrera vtcynicpodcasts@gmail.com Video Jordan Mitchell video@vtcynic.com Social Media Sam Litra socialcyniceditor@gmail.com Illustrations Noah Zhou illustrations@vtcynic.com Layout Kyra Chevalier layout@vtcynic.com Photo Stephan Toljan photo@vtcynic.com Assistant Editors Henry Mitchell (Opinion), Kate Vanni and Meilena Sanchez (Layout)

T

he fight against hate speech on our campus is never over.

Last week Patriot Front, a white supremecist group, stuck multiple stickers reading “Keep America American” around campus.

Last year in February, a rumour was spread about a Patriot Front protest taking place at the Staples Plaza.

In reaction, 250 protestors gathered there on Feb. 10, 2018.

The crowd, consisting of UVM students and Burlington residents, held signs that read “No hate in our state.”

In unison, the 250 protestors chanted sayings like “No Nazis, no KKK, no facist USA!” Patriot Front did not show where they were rumoured to.

Instead, about 10 masked Patriot Front demonstrators walked into City Hall Park, holding a sign reading “Reclaim America,” and chanting things like “Blood and Soil,” according to a Feb. 10 2018 Burlington Free Press article.

Patriot Front found out about the counterprotest and avoided confrontation by demonstrating somewhere else “leaving the counter protesters at South Burlington’s Staples Plaza with no protest to counter,” read a Feb. 16 2018 Cynic article.

According to the Anti-

Defamation League, Patriot Front is a white supremacist group that believes their ancestors conquered America and bequeathed it solely to them.

“America is our nation, passed down to us by our fathers, and so long as we live, the

enemies of our people will not stand unopposed,” stated a tweet from the Patriot Front Twitter in November of 2017.

Patriot Front likes to diguise their views as patriotism through heavy use of symbols like the American flag and the bald eagle.

However, who they are and what they stand for is the exact opposite of patriotism.

“This nation is property of the founding stock and no one else,” stated another tweet from October 2017.

The bottom line: these views do not belong on any campus anywhere, but they do exist and they exist on our campus.

We students here

NOAH ZHOU

Staff Editorial

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VERMO

at UVM sometimes feel comfortable believing we are in a bubble, free from any and every dangerous view. Patriot Front is evidence we are not.

As a group, Patriot Front members are cowards looking to incite reactions from the greater public. They are trolls.

This does not mean we should ignore them. We should continue to remove their signs. We should continue to counterprotest. We should continue to stand against their hateful, oppressive and unAmerican views.

We at The Vermont Cynic want to promote healthy debate between opposing views.

Conservative and liberal views all have a place on our campus and should be respected by all.

However, when someone’s opinion is dangerous hate speech, we need to take a stand.

The Cynic applauds those who have stood against Patriot Front in the past and want to encourage the entirety of our student body to stand against them in the future.

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. lease send letters to opinion@ vtcynic.com.

Ask Cat: answers for your UVM questions Ask Cat

Q

: I’m nervous about my workload; how can I handle it?

With the start of every new semester comes new stress.

Everyone on campus is affected by stress in some way, so don’t worry, you’re not alone.

The first thing I do when I am overwhelmed with schoolwork is to write all my due dates down from the syllabi. Trying to remember a ton of dates without writing them down rarely works.

Page Designers Stephanie Hodel, Meilena Sanchez, Ed Taylor

ADVISING

I would recommend investing in a daily planner.

You don’t have to break your budget when buying a planner.

The UVM Bookstore sells daily planners starting at $4.99. That’s a price you can’t beat anywhere else.

Once you have your planner with all your important dates you can finally start getting work done.

I have learned the hard way not to procrastinate, and if you do, you need to accept the consequences. I noticed that when I do assignments the day before they are due I feel much more anxious and stressed.

Q

Faculty Adviser Chris Evans crevans@uvm.edu

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: How do I deal with a roommate that is different than me?

Living with someone is a skill that most people learn while at college.

The first step is getting to know them before making judgements.

There is no rule stating that you need to be friends with your roommate. The only rule of living with someone is that you have to respect each others’ space, which isn’t hard to follow.

If you want to get out of your dorm room and have some personal space, the Living/Learning Fireplace Lounge and the Cyber Cafe are my personal favorites.

My biggest piece of advice would be to join as many clubs as possible.

I know that everyone tells you to join clubs, but getting involved and staying busy actually helps you meet people with similar interests.

Wednesday, Sept. 4 is ActivitiesFest on the Andrew Harris green. This is the largest club fair UVM puts on this semester, so be sure to go and learn more about some clubs that interest you.

Q

: What are good restaurants off campus that aren’t too expensive?

For students, Burlington is an expensive place.

According to CNBC, Vermont was ranked the eighth most expensive state to live in

the U.S. Although this news is disheartening, and you may feel like going out to a restaurant isn’t affordable, don’t worry.

Here are two places sure to satisfy your food cravings and also not break your budget.

The cheap Thai eatery East West Cafe is on the corner of Pearl Street and North Winooski Avenue, located conveniently near Trinity campus.

My favorite go-to orders are the fried rice and pad thai noodles. East West Cafe also offers take out.

Al’s French Frys is a great place to get classic fast food.

Al’s is in South Burlington on Williston Road, a short walk or bike ride away.

My friends and I always get creemies and fries at Al’s.

These two cheap eats are a must try for any college student.

Questions? Scan the QR code to submit to Ask Cat:

OPINION

5

Activism must go beyond social media Emily Johnston ejohnst2@uvm.edu

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nstagram stories, posts that appear for only 24 hours, have recently been used by activists to spread awareness about political and social issues.

On social media, and especially on college campuses, students constantly feel the pressure to do something about what they believe in.

At a school like UVM, where protests and activism in general are popular in the community, it is common to see people posting online about what they believe in. This is called performative activism.

Performative activism is defined as activism that is public: a person making their stance clear through social media or other public acts, according to a March 26 Columbia Spectator article.

While it is a great thing to speak openly about the many issues globally, if someone stops their activism at posting an Instagram story, it does not help those in need.

Posting a picture of the burning Amazon rainforest with the caption, “OMG! How could Brazil let this happen?” doesn’t help restoration efforts.

It raises awareness about the issue but does not give any insight into what one can do to help.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsanaro told journalists at a weekly media breakfast: “You have to understand that the Amazon is Brazil’s, not yours.”

By this, Bolsanaro means that the U.S. must take responsiblity for its own carbon footprint before criticizing Brazil. The fires were deliberately started by Brazilian cattle farmers to clear land for beef farming,

according to an Aug. 27 LA Times editorial.

Instead of posting on social media, you could eat less beef, which will not only lower demand for Brazilian beef, but also lower your own carbon footprint.

The U.S. imports 156 million pounds of beef from Brazil each year, according to the editorial.

If this demand decreases, then less beef will be produced, and less of the rainforest will be set on fire by humans.

That will do more good for the rainforest than a post on social media.

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reaction occurred in June when an Instagram account called “Sudan Meal Project” posted an image saying that every share of the post would donate one meal to a Sudanese child. The post received over 1 million likes.

The account owners later admitted that the account’s primary promise was a scam, and they never intended to donate that many meals to Sudan.

This happened during the peak of the Mattar Blue Movement.

This movement, which spread across social media, urged people to change their profile picture to the color blue to remember activist Mohamed Hashim Mattar, who died at a protest outside military headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan.

The blue profile pictures showed solidarity with Sudan.

In order to feel like they were helping, people shared this post without fact checking it.

Performative activism has a place, but posts on social media only do so much to help.

Share links to resources people can use to either donate or further educate themselves on the topic.

Without this realization, nothing will change.

Emily Johnston is a sophomore environmental science major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2018.

Rape kit testing is crucial to ensure survivors’ justice Gabby Felitto gfelitto@uvm.edu

I

nside evidence rooms across America, about 100,000 rape kits wait to be tested for evidence, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

Many victims wait years for evidence retrieved from kits to be tested due to high costs, lack of policies for rape kit testing and poor training on how to handle a sexual assult case, according to End The Backlog, an initiative of the Joyful Hearts Foundation.

If these kits could be tested for DNA, police would be able to identify and arrest predators, allowing victims to get justice and closure.

According to End The Backlog, there are 58 untested rape kits in Vermont. Vermont has not mandated testing for all rape kits and has no way to track the kits.

There is also not enough funding for testing, which costs between $1,000 and $1,500 to test just one kit.

Law enforcement should

help victims feel safer and get rapists and potential murderers off the streets by funding and creating policies around rape kit testing.

According to a Jan. 26 ABC article, the 2018 murder of 13-year-old Hania Noelia Aguilar could have been prevented. Her killer was linked to a kit taken from a 2016 case that was tested in 2017.

This DNA match gave the police probable cause to seek a search warrant, but the police didn’t follow up on this lead.

These crimes are preventable, and there is evidence and technology that will solve them.

Most of the time, it’s the investigators who decide what to do with the kits, according to End The Backlog.

If someone is raped and the police department doesn’t prioritize sexual assault, cases can be neglected.

Sexual assault teams will most likely be understaffed and underfunded, causing an inadequate investigation of the case.

Victims of sexual assault are less likely to be believed by law enforcement compared to victims of other crimes,

JULIA BLISS according to End The Backlog.

This backlog is especially terrifying to college students, because 11.2% of students will experience rape or sexual assault through violence,

according to RAINN. RAINN also reported that sexual assault is the most prevalent crime on college campuses. But only 20% of female student victims age 18-

24 report to law enforcement, and only 32% of non-female student victims the same age report it.

Students shouldn’t have to worry about their rapists being free just because their rape kit is taking years to be tested.

Not testing rape kits tells victims that they don’t matter, since no one is prioritizing their safety.

It also sends a message to repeat and future rapists that they can get away with being predators since they are not being held accountable by police.

In order to end this backlog, people should encourage elected officials to pass legislation and policies for testing rape kit.

People should also consider donating to organizations like End the Backlog and work with law enforcement to uncover untested rape kits.

Students should be worrying about their finals instead of the danger of rape.

Gabby Felitto is a sophomore CSD major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2018.

STAFF

CYNCIOCMMENDS

CULTURE

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hile adjusting to new classes and schedules, it can be difficult to find time to enjoy the little things. Plug in your headphones or grab some friends and relax with one or more of the Cynic staff’s favorites from this summer.

Album

book

Amala

i wish you all the best

camping spot green river reservoir Mills Sparkman Opinion Editor

This summer, a friend introduced me to Green River Reservoir State Park.

This hidden gem in Hyde, Vermont, is just over an hour’s drive from Burlington.

The park’s lakeside campsites are only accessible by canoe, kayak or paddleboard, so remember to bring your life jacket.

The campsites are limited in terms of daytime activities, but you can swim, kayak or canoe in the reservoir to your heart’s content and enjoy uninterrupted sunset views.

For me, the biggest perk of the campsite was seeing and hearing common loons, whose distinctive whoops and black and white markings make them a worthy sight.

podcast critical role Allie O’Connor Staff Writer

At first sight, a Dungeons and Dragons podcast may not seem like your thing. It wasn’t mine either. Though it may sound unusual, or a bit too nerdy for your tastes, if you like fantasy, improv, heartfelt character development or a mix of all three, I cannot recommend “Critical Role” enough.

Hold tight as a group of professional voice actors, led

by Dungeon Master Matt Mercer, adventure through what can only be described as an engaging mix of radio play, epic fantasy and collaborative storytelling.

Though the sheer amount of content may be daunting, the show maintains a seamless blend of comedy, action and emotion and is more than worth diving into headfirst.

Kyra Chevalier

Sarah Robinson

Layout Editor

Culture Editor

Described by author Becky Albertalli as “heartfelt, romantic, and quietly groundbreaking,” Mason Deaver’s debut novel is a shining testament to the importance of LGBT voices in fiction.

“I Wish You All the Best” follows Benjamin De Backer, a nonbinary teen who is kicked out of their home after coming out to their parents. The novel follows Ben as they navigate school and romance while coming to terms with what it means to be themself.

With its authentic representation of LGBT characters, “I Wish You All the Best” is the story that young LBGT readers need. Deaver’s characters are authentic, messy, human and the reader can’t help but fall in love with every single one.

The 23-year-old artist Amala Dlamini, known as Doja Cat, came into the spotlight with the instantly viral music video for her song “MOOO!” Despite the lack of complex lyrics, the beat and levity of the song immediately made it one of my summer jams.

Then, my favorite rapper Rico Nasty was featured on her body-positive anthem “Tia Tamera.” I was hooked instantly. Doja Cat, came out with her debut album “Amala” in 2018, though the deluxe version released in 2019 is the one with the bops.

“MOOO!”, “Tia Tamera” and the hit single featuring Tyga “Juicy” are the clear standouts of the album, but integrated with the original tracklist the album seems somehow even more complete. Let Doja guide you through this semester.

tv show russian doll Jean MacBride Staff Writer

Though “Russian Doll” may seem like Lena Dunham’s idea of “Groundhog Day”, not all is as it seems in this Netflix series. Running through the same New York City streets and bumping into the same people, Nadia must confront her relationships of the present and the buried traumas of her past.

Helped only by fellow déjà vu sufferer Alan, Nadia must solve the clues to get out of her “loop” or keep dying again and again forever.

Watching Nadia and Alan’s personal growth by reliving the same major life event over and over again is a satisfying journey for the viewer.

“Russian Doll” presents a stunning portrait of New York City and should not be missed by anyone with a love of psychology, fine art or both.

Sex education expert offers non-judgemental advice Marjorie McWilliams mmcwilli@uvm.edu

Honesty, humor and inclusivity are pillars of Jenna Emerson’s practice. Colorful posters covered her office as she spoke about her path to professionalism.

Emerson, Living Well’s sex education expert, first became interested in sexuality education while taking a gender and sexuality class as an undergraduate student at Seattle University.

Her interest came from the media coverage of the Jonas Brothers’ purity rings, a public symbol of virginity which was popular with teen celebrities at the time, including Brittany Spears and Miley Cyrus.

“The early 2000s were a big time of showing virginity and I began to wonder why that was and how much virginity had to do with sex itself,” Emerson said.

She channelled her curiosity into a thesis on the social construction of virginity and how that manifests in sexuality edu-

cation. She examined the issue through several lens including race, class and sex.

“Upper class white women were most likely to be taught abstinence only, which was my experience in San Jose, California, where I grew up,” she said.

“But lower class black women would learn about pregnancy prevention, HIV and the risks involved with sexual activity.”

Emerson emphasized that these different education approaches left both demographics lacking in education.

Those educated primarily in the risks of sexual activity were not taught to believe that their bodies were valuable, whereas abstinence until marriage tactics left students in the dark about practical prevention practices, she said.

Emerson will be having Sex Ed office hours on Tuesdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Living Well, where students can pop in and ask the questions they felt they couldn’t in school.

“I’m looking to teach positive, pleasure-based, anti-oppressive lens when educating

CLARA MARTORANO/The Vermont Cynic

Sex education expert Jenna Emerson poses in her office in Living Well with models of vaginas and sperm, Aug. 28. One reason Emerson’s office hours are popular is her work in comedy. Her live comedy show “Sex with Jenna” links her two professions. on sexuality,” Emerson said.

Sophomore Emma Bell said Emerson’s non-judgemental mission could make it easier for students to reach out with their questions.

“I think it’s a really good thing to have, especially with how public schools fail to teach sex education and sexuality,”

Bell said.

“I feel like it’s hard for some people to talk to people that they know directly about that kind of thing, especially if they think the questions are gonna be embarrassing for them or that they’re gonna be judged,” she said.

The idea of Sex Ed office

hours is intriguing to students like senior EJ Obaro-Best.

“I feel like everyone has sex, and everyone should be educated about things that they participate in, and that’s one of them,” Obaro-Best said. “I think that we’re paving the way for more universities and colleges to implement such things.”

Obaro-Best also said that free STD testing isn’t enough to educate students about sex and sexuality.

“We do the free testing, we do all of this, but people don’t know why those things are important,” she said. “I would definitely go, and I think I am gonna go.”

One of the reasons Emerson’s office hours are popular is because of her work in comedy. Her live comedy show “Sex with Jenna” links her two professions. She performs at various Burlington venues such as the Flynn Center.

“I use humor to get at an important topic,” she said.

Emerson will perform “Sex with Jenna” Sept. 14 at the Revelry Theater in Burlington.

CULTURE

Summervale: Meredith Rathburn mrathbur@uvm.edu

W

alking around Summervale reminded me of the classic film “Footloose,” with the rustic barn and twinkle lights, the small town energy and folk music.

With the smell of apple cider and flowers in the air, families and farmers gathered for a celebration in support of the vibrant agriculture industry of Vermont.

Summervale, held Aug. 29, hosted local vendors, performers and farmers to enjoy and celebrate the season’s harvest.

Summervale is hosted by the Intervale Center, a non-profit organization based in Burlington whose mission is to strengthen community food systems by sustaining farm land, initiating large-scale composting and more.

The Intervale aims to make sure the environment stays healthy while providing food for the community, according to their website.

The Intervale Center was founded in 1988 and is a 360acre plot of farmland located along the Winooski River in Burlington, according to their website.

Junior Julia Roy said Summervale reminded her that Burlington is more than a college town.

“It’s so nice to be around people that aren’t college students. It really gives perspective and reminds me of being around family,” Roy said.

Summervale represents the core values of the community. so there are many people involved to make sure the long-standing tradition sticks around.

Mandy Fischer, the development director for the Intervale Center, is passionate about the history of the center, she said.

“It began about 15 years ago, but it wasn’t called Summervale. It started as Thursdays at the Intervale and it was this really chill community event,” Fischer said. “It just grew and grew from there.”

There are about eight Summervales each summer, occurring every Thursday, each with a new variety of musical guests and food vendors, according to the Intervale website.

Volunteer Coordinator Corey Burdick said volunteers are integral to hosting the event.

“Some come back year after year, but then this year we’ve had a ton of new people,” Burdick said. “We have people volunteering who are in their 70s and college students. It’s everyone together, and I think it’s really therapeutic.”

TAYLOR EHWA/The Vermont Cynic

TOP: A crowd of people gather in front of the Intervale Center Community Barn for the Summervale Festival, Aug. 29.

LEFT: A child dances to the performance of musical group Mister Chris and Friends.

TOP RIGHT: A group of UVM students relax on the grass at Summervale Festival, Aug. 29.

BOTTOM RIGHT: A child smiles while his picture is taken. Summervale has specific activities for children in order to bolster the feeling of community.

Vendors doled out oven-fresh pizza from American Flatbread, deep-fried broccoli from a local food truck called The Broccoli Bar and creamy ice cream from Lake Champlain Chocolates.

The festival is a reminder that the tradition of eating lo-

cally and organically is not just a lifestyle, but a culture woven into the state of Vermont.

Meredith Rathburn is a junior anthropology major.

She has been working for the Cynic since fall of 2018.

7 Fun, family and farms convene at the Intervale

FEATURE

New and old clothing collide at

old gold

Greta Rohrer grohrer@uvm.edu

I

nside of Old Gold, classic rock T-shirts hang from the ceiling, party clothes line the walls and ball gowns, wigs and vintage military jackets hang together.

Approaching the store located at 151 Cherry St., the window display filled with whimsically dressed mannequins only gives a small glimpse of the store’s personality.

Owner Karin Eisenberg describes the store as “an eclectic combination of vintage, used and new clothing.”

The store opened in 1973 under owner Ed Winant. In 1994, Eisenberg and Winant started working together, and eventually, Eisenberg bought the store.

Winant brought Eisenberg to the trade shows that have stocked Old Gold since the early ‘70s, and has taught her everything about the business.

“Our biggest intention was that Old Gold maintained being Old Gold… I didn’t want to turn it into something else, it was already what I wanted,” Eisenberg said.

Now, with 25 years of experience, she has kept Old Gold’s authenticity despite the changing fashion and pop culture trends.

“You always have to change with whatever’s going on, but the core principles will never change,” Eisenberg said.

Even though her store incorporates a lot of new retail items, vintage basics will never leave her shelves, even if they’re not “on-trend.”

“There was a period of time in the 2000s when nobody would touch vintage Levi’s…

Now we can’t get enough of them,” Eisenberg said, sitting in front of Old Gold’s massive

wall of jeans.

Sophomore Kelley Coates praises Old Gold for their jeans.

“Levi’s are what, like $100 on their website? I’ve gotten them from Old Gold for around $35... that’s a pretty good price for legitimate, good quality denim,” Coates said.

Eisenberg sees Levi’s as the “the hallmark of a solid store” when referencing vintage musthaves.

Eisenberg also emphasized the importance of ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s clothing in her store.

Burlington locals have come to know and love this unique environment of new and used clothing.

Employee Julia Andres-Murnane had been shopping at the store since she was 5, her first purchase being a leopard print cowboy hat.

“I was coming here when I

was a kid. I bought my prom dress here, I was in college here,” Andres-Murnane said.

“I think [Old Gold] just sticks with you.”

Old Gold has left a similar impact on many Burlington residents.

Startng in December 2018, the store moved from its previous location on Main Street to its current location, leaving some feeling a bittersweet sense of loss.

“A lot of people couldn’t go in when we were closed because they didn’t want to see the place emptied out,” Andres-Murnane said.

Old Gold’s original location held 45 years of inventory in the store, and an additional building and basement, Andres-Murnane said.

She said that this took months of moving and selling, but Old Gold was in need of a

STEPHAN TOLJAN/The Vermont Cynic

TOP: A gold bangle for $18 graces the wrist of a mannequin in Old Gold, a vintage clothing shop on Cherry Street, Aug. 27.

TOP LEFT: Rings, earrings and necklaces on display for customers in Old Gold.

BOTTOM LEFT: In addition to clothing, the store also has a selection of vintage shoes.

RIGHT: Jeans in all different sizes and colors have their own section in Old Gold. fresh face.

“This will always be my home,” Andres-Murnane said.

Eisenberg also emphasized the store’s impact on her life, especially in relation to the customers.

“It’s really important to me that Old Gold is a space for everybody,” Eisenberg said.

“People coming in here for a party, or for prom or even if it’s for a first date, we want to show them as good of a time getting

ready for something as when they go,” she said.

The store definitely embodies this energy.

Further emphasizing the store’s aim for authenticity, when asked about the future, Eisenberg said, “you’re looking at it.”

Greta Rohrer is the Feature editor. She is a sophomore sociology and psychology double-major.