THE VERMONT
CYNIC Oct. 2, 2018
vtcynic.com
Alcohol use declines
Statistics show that alcohol use has decreased on UVM’s campus. Some students, however, haven’t noticed a difference.
An active Instagram presence can come at a cost. In this piece, one student explores a disconnected life.
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Student housing 3 / Poetry magazine 5 / Hockey returns 7
Nurses agree to new contract Sawyer Loftus swloftus@uvm.edu
After eight months of negotiating, UVM Medical Center nurses and administration have struck a lasting deal. The nurses announced the vote by union membership in favor of the contract via Facebook Sept. 27, the night before a scheduled press conference in front of the medical center. The union represents around 1,800 nurses and other medical staff that work at the medical center. The nurses were negotiating for a 28 percent salary increase over three years, but the majority of nurses in the union voted in favor of a 16-percent base pay increase over the next three years, according to the post. The nurses held a press conference Sept. 28 in front of the medical center to officially announce the results. At the press conference Molly Wallner, lead negotiator for the union, said that the new contract will go into effect immediately and will expire July 9, 2021. Wallner said that this contract reflects what the nurses are capable of and the level of care they promise to patients. “This has been a very long and difficult road for all of us.
Meg Trogolo mtrogolo@uvm.edu
Jullianne Lesch jlesch@uvm.edu
SAWYER LOFTUS/The Vermont Cynic
Molly Wallner, lead negotiator for the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, speaks at a press conference Sept. 28. “This has been a very long and difficult road for all of us. we should feel proud of what we have accomplished,” Wallner said. We should feel proud of what we have accomplished,” Wallner said. Over the next month, the nurses are set to meet with hospital administration to start working on hiring more nurses for outpatient care centers and redesigning staff grids inside
the hospital, Wallner said. Wallner said it feels “bittersweet” and “surreal” to finally have a contract after working since July without one. Sophomore nursing student Molly McKenna said that a pay increase for nurses is great, but most importantly, charge nurs-
es, the nurses who run a floor, will no longer have patients. McKenna is glad to see a contract resolution, but said that upper level administrative corruption, like what she has seen at the medical center, exists everywhere.
Students demand menstrual products Lee Hughes ehughes7@uvm.edu
Students have been working to get free pads and tampons for all restrooms across campus. The plan posed by campus activists, which is projected to be in place by the end of this academic year, would put a dispenser in all bathrooms in academic buildings and residence halls, said senior Teremy Garen, president of Planned Parenthood Generation Action. Not having assured access to pads and tampons can hurt students’ peace of mind and attendance if they get their period unexpectedly, said Michelle Paavola, acting medical director at the Center for Health and Wellbeing. “It can impact your ability to be on campus,” she said. “You might have to go back to you dorm or apartment and take
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Protestors gather near Med Center
care of things.” Junior Skylar Woodworth, who started the initiative last fall, said that the first goal is to have these products offered in residence hall bathrooms and at the front desk. She came up with the idea for this project after seeing how the Davis Center provides these supplies, she said. The Davis Center custodial staff began supplying these products using their custodial budget when the Davis Center opened, said Lina Balcom, assistant director for Davis Center operations. Senior Lilac Blau, vice president and treasurer of the Queer Student Union, said that not providing these products in the men’s room is unfair to transmasculine students QSU President junior Carter Shapiro said lack of access to these necessities makes them feel like the University does not
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Photo Illustration by ALEK FLEURY
want them here. “It’s so secondary it would make me feel like, ‘oh, I have to go out of my way again,’” they said. Sophomore Emilie Begin, a member of the SGA Student Action Committee, hopes to have
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signs in men’s rooms directing people in need of menstrual products to the nearest restroom with the products. Currently about 10 percent of bathrooms on campus have free tampons and pads, Garen said.
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Two groups of protesters gathered Sept. 26 on the sidewalks next to the UVM Medical Center’s main driveway. On one corner, members of the anti-abortion group 40 Days for Life held signs and prayed, while on the other corner, members of UVM’s International Socialist Organization and Planned Parenthood Generation Action chapters chanted in support of abortion rights. The protest happens in light of nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for the U.S. Supreme Court following allegations that he had committed multiple sexual assaults. The UVM students carried a banner reading “Free Abortion On Demand,” as well as signs opposing the Kavanaugh nomination. The anti-abortion protesters had signs opposing the UVM Medical Center’s decision to offer elective abortions. “We are here to bring awareness to what is going on with the hospital, where they are taking life when they are supposed to be all about life,” said Colchester resident Jean Osborne, who was protesting against abortion. Junior Scarlett Moore, UVM Planned Parenthood Generation Action member, said that by counter-protesting her group intended to provide an alternate viewpoint without confrontation. “Shaming people out of accessing the healthcare they have a right to is not OK,” Moore said. Members of the two groups did not interact directly with each other, instead staying on opposite corners of the driveway. The student group marched across campus to the medical center and stood next to the driveway for about an hour. When the counterprotest disbanded, some students walked silently through the anti-abortion group. Earlier that afternoon, a group of about 25 students gathered on the steps of the Bailey/Howe Library protest Kavanaugh’s nomination.
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The Vermont Cynic
Oct. 2, 2018
Campus alcohol stats decline Lindsay Freed lafreed@uvm.edu
Opinion columnist Mills Sparkman refutes the claims of conservatives who defend Brett Kavanaugh and dismiss the allegations against him as a liberal conspiracy.
When senior Wesley L’Italien first came to UVM, he had high expectations for what party life in college would look like, he said. “Friends and older people [said] ‘UVM is a crazy party college,’” L’Italien said. “My expectations were lots of parties and drinking all the time, which wasn’t true for me for a while.” While living on campus, L’Italien didn’t begin drinking until his sophomore year. He started going to more parties once he moved out of the residence halls and started living off campus, he said. “Everyone I know usually drinks copious amounts at least once a week, so it’s making more of that expected scene now,” L’Italien said. Tom Fontana, who counsels students on substance use, said that the number of students that drink at UVM has actually gone down 33 percent since 2013, and is less than the national average. Student referrals for alcohol dropped from 629 in 2016 to 493 last year. Additionally, the number of students requiring medical attention for excessive drinking has dropped 50 percent, according to the office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Students. Fifty-eight percent of college students ages 18-24 reported having at least one drink in the past month, according to a
Getting to know the UVM climbing team
Climate rally advocates for student action
Meeting the writers of Burlington
A blank piece of paper holds endless possibilities for creative expression. Mickey Zadworny talks about her first open mic experience.
New art exhibition on Church Street
A new exhibition series begins at the BCA. Artists like Pete Moran will become curators as they display work that has influenced their own artistic practice.
Opinion: Kavanaugh unfit for office
The UVM climbing team is going on its second year and is a community full of dedicated athletes. Here’s an inside look at what the climbing team means to them.
UVM recieves grant for supercomputer upgrades UVM has received a grant from the National Science Foundation to upgrade the University’s supercomputer. Read the story online to find out how students are putting it to use.
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Lee Hughes ehughes7@uvm.edu
Meg Trogolo mtrogolo@uvm.edu
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Peter Welch spoke to UVM students at the Rally for Climate Action Sept. 24 in the Davis Center. Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman ’95, UVM faculty, SGA members, alumni and current students also addressed the crowd in the Grand Maple Ballroom. They spoke about how students in Vermont can get involved in climate activism. Sanders stressed the importance of young people taking political action, saying that the first step students should take to combat climate change is to vote for candidates who support renewable energy use. “You can’t sit around and think somebody else is going to do it,” Sanders said. “[Today’s young people will] have to stand up and fight back in every way that [they] can.” Junior Alexis Martinez, an environmental studies major, said she was assigned to go to the event by a professor. Martinez said she is glad she
Photo Illustration by REBECCA PORETSKY
2015 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism survey. “It’s difficult for UVM to be a ‘party school’ in the traditional sense because of the climate,” Fontana said. “You don’t want to go outside.” That doesn’t mean that students at UVM don’t drink, but it’s just not as many students as one might expect, he said. “There’s a narrative to [being] a college student, of what it means to have fun and make memories,” Fontana said. “There’s an idea that getting drunk will facilitate that.”
went, although she was upset about missing Sanders’ speech. “I’d say I learned a new perspective on things, but it didn’t necessarily tell me anything more about environmental studies that I didn’t already know,” she said. The event opened with a speech from SGA senator Jillian Scannell, a junior, and Nancy Mathews, dean of UVM’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. Senior Will Corcoran, chair of the SGA Committee on the Environment, spoke next, followed by speeches from Zuckerman, Welch and Sanders. Marlow Baines, youth regional crew director of Earth Guardians, an international climate advocacy group, spoke next about energizing younger generations to advocate for the environment. The event ended with a panel by environmental science graduate Kunal Palawat ’18, SGA Vice President Gillian Natanagara, a junior, Julie Macuha ’17, who works for the climate justice group 350Vermont and graduate student Eric Recchia, a Gund Institute employee.
First-year Sophie Spencer said that she’s noticed firstyears in her building were not hesitant to start drinking. “I think first-years are getting away from their parents and being all like, ‘oh this is the time to be me, explore and be rebellious,’ and then they drink a lot,” Spencer said. People tend to think everyone is drinking because the behavior associated with it is more visible than those associated with not drinking or going out, said Amy Boyd Austin, director of the Catamount Recovery Program.
“It is harder to find people who are not partying because what they do is a little bit more under the radar,” Austin said. “It’s quieter — it’s not throwing up publically, it’s not passing out, it’s not ruckus.” Even though substance-free communities are less prevalent on campus compared to the number of students who drink, first-year Jakob Bair said he hasn’t felt any pressure from his peers to drink. “As someone who doesn’t drink, I don’t feel a need to drink to have an active social life,” Bair said.
SAWYER LOFTUS/The Vermont Cynic
Sen. Bernie Sanders joins with UVM Medical Center nurses May 12. At the Sept. 24 Rally for Climate Action in the Davis Center, he joined Rep. Peter Welch and spoke to UVM students. Although the administration has a lot of power in making environmentally related decisions for the University, students have a role to play as well, Natanagara said. “We ultimately provide the meat of this institution,” she said, refering to the student body’s ability to influence policy. Macuga said that the most important things students can learn from the University is to
question everything. “That means questioning systems that exist,” she said. “Ask questions right here at the University.” Students have a unique opportunity to shape the University’s decisions, Recchia said. It is important to work with different groups when addressing environmental issues, Palawat said. “We are so much more powerful working together,” he said.
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EXECUTIVE Editor-in-Chief Greta Bjornson editorinchief@vtcynic.com Managing Editor Ben Elfland newsroom@vtcynic.com Operations Manager Sorrel Galantowicz operations@vtcynic.com
EDITORIAL Copy Chief Sophia Knappertz copy@vtcynic.com Culture Bridget Higdon cynicculture@gmail.com Features Caroline Slack cynicfeatures@gmail.com News George Seibold news@vtcynic.com Opinion Sydney Liss-Abraham opinion@vtcynic.com Podcasts Chloe Chaobal Kim Henry vtcynicpodcasts@gmail.com Sports Sabrina Hood sports@vtcynic.com Video Ruby Bates video@vtcynic.com
Social Media Peter Hibbeler socialcyniceditor@gmail.com Illustrations Holly Coughlan illustrations@vtcynic.com Layout Kyra Chevalier layout@vtcynic.com Photo Alek Fleury photo@vtcynic.com Assistant Editors Henry Mitchell (Opinion), Addie Beach (Culture), David Cabrera (Podcasts), Nickie Morris (Sports), Sawyer Loftus (News), Lee Hughes (News), Kian Deshler (Features), Caroline McCune (Layout) Copy Editors Liv Marshall, Alyssandra Calhoun, Tori Wilson, Fallon Clark, Lindsay Freed, Zoe Sheppard Page Designers Corttney Feldman, Lindsay Freed, Stephanie Hodel, Meilena Sanchez
Faculty Adviser Chris Evans crevans@uvm.edu
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Disagreements need discussion Staff Editorial
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his past week, the Cynic published an editorial piece by a columnist who argued in favor of Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. We try and represent all viewpoints on campus; however, publishing an article does not, in any way, mean we condone or support the viewpoint being expressed. We published the story to offer another perspective on this current event that’s captured nationwide attention. We always encourage dialogue surrounding our content. We have read and received all of the comments and understand where the negative reactions are coming from. The Cynic strives for objectivity in our reporting. Our opinion section serves as a platform for writers to express their beliefs. In this section, pieces are written either by staff writers or submitted by members of the community and signed to ensure accountability. In order to protect opinion writers from being misrepresented, we do not edit their language, except for grammar and syntax. The Cynic does not endorse any statements made in these columns, as is noted in each issue’s opinion section. The sec-
HOLLY COUGHLAN tion is a tool to foster public discussion of the issues important to our readers. In a conversation about sensitive topics like sexual assault, confronting controversial perspectives can be an uncomfortable and enraging experience. However, ignoring the perspectives of those we disagree with will not make them go away. Instead, we must face them — discussion doesn’t happen in a vaccuum. Freedom of speech is not just a political value, it is in-
strumental to the progress of our country. It is the constitutional barrier that prevents the president from silencing those who take issue with his actions. Without this freedom, we would never know Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s story. We would not be able to join together in protest to protect our moral values. As editors, we would be narcissistic to assume that we have the supreme power to judge who should and should not be heard. The only way to ensure an
unbiased discussion is to give everyone an equal voice. If you would like to join the discussion, we encourage you to send a letter to the editor at cynic@uvm.edu or drop one off at the Cynic office in the Davis Center. Staff editorials officially reflect the views of the Vermont Cynic. Signed opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily do so. The Cynic accepts letters in response to anything you see printed as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. The Cynic reserves the right to edit letters for length and grammar. Please send letters to opinion@vtcynic.com.
How ResLife is violating our human rights Mills Sparkman
Web Connor Allan web@vtcynic.com
ADVISING
OPINION
Oct. 2, 2018
NOAH ZHOU
The Vermont Cynic
msparkma@uvm. edu
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his year, I was assigned to a triple on Redstone campus. It was all that was left by the time I had a chance to select my room, and I was immediately disappointed by the outcome. Having lived in Davis hall for approximately a month, I can now conclude that living in a triple is a violation of human dignity on multiple fronts, as dictated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. A person living in a triple does not have the right to life, liberty and security of person. The only time one can be alone in one’s triple is when their roommates are in class, which could force one to skip class to gain precious alone time. This significantly damages their academic record as well as their sense of personal space. It would be advisable for UVM to pay these students’ tuition to ensure their academic achievement or offer therapy
to combat their growing sense of unease in a room never truly unoccupied. Ideally, the University would pay for both, but then it might actually be spending money in a useful fashion. As we know, this task is beyond its capacity. Article 5: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. A person living in a triple is being subjected to all of the above. When roommate number one snores as loud as a bulldozer and roommate number two is FaceTiming their entire
family, it’s impossible to sleep, study or relax in one’s room. To speak up would be to demand punishment from both roommates, who are “sorry, we thought you were cool, never mind,” and possibly from the RA who thinks you don’t play well with others (that may be true but we’re leaving it out for the purpose of this argument). Article 9: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. This is the idea that no one’s liberty can be unfairly compromised. Living in a triple, in a way, is arbitrary arrest. No one made the choice
to live there, it was forced upon them. Residential Life crammed three people in a room made for two. Because students have so little say in where they are placed despite the appearance of ‘room selection,’ this is involuntary detention. Students don’t choose to be in a triple and they have limited choice in the room they select. While there are more articles I could have highlighted, I think these show that living in a triple robs students of their dignity, choice and happiness. If you want to help the students who have been unfairly placed in this predicament, here are some ideas. Drop out, so a student in a triple can move into your room — chances are you were thinking about it, anyway. If you have a car on campus, rent it out so a student in a triple can live there. Alternatively, if you’re in a triple and have a car, what are you waiting for? If you have a tent or a large piece of cardboard, move it anywhere on campus you prefer, weather permitting. Mills Sparkman is a sophomore political science major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2017.
CULTURE
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The Vermont Cynic
Oct. 2, 2018
Grief and puppets take the stage Addie Beach cbeach2@uvm.edu
Church, grief and demonic puppets open UVM Theatre’s latest season. “Hand to God” is a dark comedy about a teenager, Jason, in a small Texas suburb who, while dealing with the aftermath of his father’s death, winds up performing in a church puppet show that soon appears to be possessed. The show was based off a twisted version of playwright Robert Askin’s experiences growing up, said director Craig Wells, a lecturer in the theatre department. The weirdness of the play is part of the appeal, Wells said. “We wanted a chance to bring something a little obscure and out-there to a Vermont audience,” he said. “Hand to God” was the most produced play of 2016 in regional theaters across the country, Wells said. “The play has always had a following and a devoted interest by people who believed it had something to say,” he said. Some of the themes, including mental health, religion, responsibility and sexuality, can be shocking, but they resonate with audiences, Wells said. UVM Theater often chooses plays that will challenge their student actors, and tackling these subject matters made the play difficult, he said. Actor Michael Daley, a senior, agreed, saying that balancing the tone was tough. “The thing about dark material [is] if it’s done well, it sends
Photo Courtesy of UVM Theatre
Juniors Caleb Chew and Kristen Brown are leads in the UVM Theatre Department’s production of “Hand To God,” running Oct. 3-7 at the Royall Tyler Theatre. “Hand to God” is a dark comedy about a teenager who winds up performing in a church puppet show that soon appears to be possessed. a message,” Daley said. “It helps the audience feel things and understand the world from a different viewpoint.” The strength of the cast was essential to making the play a success, he said. “I don’t think we would be able to get through without the strong sense of community that erupted from it,” Daley said. The play presented a number of physical challenges for the actors as well. In addition to the difficulties of acting opposite a puppet,
the actors were given intimacy coaching, Wells said. This sort of coaching involves teaching actors how to handle complex emotional scenes, often involving violence, while still being respectful of each other on stage. The training forced the students to be more aware of how they interacted, Wells said. The play takes advantage of theater’s ability to convey raw energy and emotion like no other medium, he said. “It’s a really unique experi-
ence,” Wells said. “Storytelling is happening in the moment.” Even with the grim humor, much of the play is about hope. “[It shows] that people will find a way back together, that we need to be there for each other,” Wells said. Senior Michelle Beaupre said she liked the inclusion of more out-of-the-ordinary plays at UVM. “This is right up my alley,” she said. “Hand to God” is UVM theatre department’s first production of the year. It will be fol-
lowed by “Tartuffe,” a classic comedy, and the musical “Pippin.” The department intentionally tries to keep the lineup diverse to give the actors more experience, something most theaters aren’t able to do, Wells said. This play is a good opportunity to explore a different kind of theater, Daley said. “The Burlington community is diverse in everything they do, so it’s good to a present a variety of different plays,” he said.
Fashion and housewares collide at Fleming Jonathan Greenberg jgreenb9@uvm.edu
Transport yourself to a bygone era by viewing ceramics painted with intricate florals and and dresses made of fine lace, without having to leave to comfort of campus. Two new exhibits opened Sept. 21 in the Fleming Museum. A reception at the museum celebrated the reveal of “From House to Home,” a completely student-run exhibit, and “The Impossible Ideal: Victorian Fashion and Femininity.” “From House and Home” displays common household objects from the Fleming’s collection that originated from around the world and that were used during their respective time periods. Some artifacts include Japanese tabi, socks that were worn indoors, and a bed key from the 1700s, a tool made to tighten ropes supporting mattresses. The museum collaborated with professor Jennifer Dickinson and students in Anthropol-
ogy 250, a course in museum anthropology, four times over the past few years, curator Andrea Rosen said. The students got to take on the role of a curator by choosing the objects and deciding on a theme for the exhibition, she said. “The students wanted to describe what makes a house into a home,” Rosen said. The students also wrote the object labels and came up with an intentional plan for the exhibition’s design, she said. Students initially wanted a mantle piece and a dining table sticking out from the wall. In the end, the museum compromised and built the mantle, Rosen said. “The Impossible Ideal” shows off dresses, vintage fashion magazine clippings and other memorabilia from the Victorian era. Such pieces include a parasol used by women to protect their “sensitive skin” and fancy gloves. There is also an engraving
ALEK FLEURY/The Vermont Cynic
The Fleming Museum’s new exhibit, “The Impossible Ideal: Victorian Fashion and Femininity,” which opened Sept. 21, shows off dresses and other memorabilia from the Victorian era. of “The Marriage of Queen Victoria” from 1844, a green ball gown, multiple corsets and a two-piece day dress, all from 1860. Because they are delicate pieces and easily damaged, the clothes need to be properly stored to to keep them in good
condition. “We stored the costumes on site in the best stable climate conditions we can manage,” Rosen said. The museum also had a textile conservator, whose job was to repair, research and preserve textiles. They spent more than a
full week setting up the dresses on the mannequins, Rosen said. “I wanted to show how the garments represent what the limitations were that were put on women’s roles at that time and how they were defined in various ways,” Rosen said. Senior Hayley Malloy said she loves old things and thinks fashion isn’t focused on enough, so she enjoyed the exhibit. Many students came to the exhibit openings for academic credit, but first-year Sadhika Hiremath was fascinated by what she saw. “I’m really happy this is here — it’s especially good for people who want to learn more about fashion,” Hiremath said. Junior Hailey Cray comes with her roomate whenever there is a new opening, she said. “It’s especially cool that the ‘House to Home’ exhibit was completely run by students,” Cray said. Both exhibits are currently open to the public until Dec. 14.
The Vermont Cynic
Oct. 2, 2018
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Penny Cluse: a breakfast heaven Ella Webster ecwebste@uvm. edu
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hen I stepped into Penny Cluse during the bustling Sunday brunch rush, I was immediately hit with the aromas of a classic American breakfast. The scents of sizzling bacon, pancakes dripping with Vermont maple syrup and eggs fresh off of the griddle welcomed me. The popular breakfast spot, nestled on 169 Cherry St., just celebrated its 20 year anniversary. Penny Cluse is a quaint but cozy Burlington gem, open 6:45 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekends. Penny Cluse gives off serious mom and pop diner vibes, all while exuding modernism— the walls are speckled with eye-catching paintings for sale. Large windows stream sunlight onto cheery breakfast goers as they sip Speeder & Earl’s coffee through green-rimmed tea cups. Despite being open for only breakfast and lunch, Penny Cluse provides a diverse menu. There are endless options here, from classic American breakfast staples like buttery pancakes, omelettes any way and sourdough french toast, to dishes like crispy fish tacos, huevos verdes and spicy chorizo and eggs. The lunch menu brings fresh salads and sandwiches to the table. Try an item like the marinated tofu salad or the Orb Weaver Vermont Farmhouse Cheese Sandwich with crispy lettuce, tomato, mayo and a tart cranberry relish. Classics like biscuits and gravy get a modern take in
“The Penny Cluse:” flaky biscuits served with eggs smothered in herb cream gravy. The expansive menu caters to vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike. Tofu scramble acts as a replacement for classic egg dishes, and the sauteed vegetable reuben on butter-griddled rye covered in swiss is a great alternative to the original pastrami. Whether you opt to chat over a Bucket-o-Spuds — a heaping mound of home fries with melted cheese, salsa, sour cream and green onions — or sip coffee with pals, Penny Cluse is a rustic home away from home, right in the heart of Burlington and just off of bustling Church Street. Although wait times can be
SAWYER LOFTUS/The Vermont Cynic
(Top) “The Penny Cluse” offers a modern take on a classic dish with flaky biscuits served with eggs smothered in herb cream gravy. (Bottom) Penny Cluse Cafe, located at 169 Cherry St., recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. lengthy since Penny Cluse does not take reservations, their breakfast is absolutely worth it. Stick it out in the long line and you won’t regret it.
Ella Webster is a sophomore history major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2018.
Poets meet at the crossroads with new mag Anna Kolosky akolosky@uvm.edu
On a sunny day in Henderson’s, two jean jacket-clad students sat in cushy chairs as they talked excitedly. Graduate student Alexander Ellis and junior Mak Baker are editors for Crossroads magazine, an independent, student-run poetry magazine. The project began in late 2017 when Ellis and his friend Jack Wheaton ’18 were inspired by a poetry reading at the Light Club Lamp Shop, Ellis said. “We knew that there are a lot of student poets out there,” he said. “We wanted to create a literary supplement that would display their art and blend communities.” The duo soon found support for the magazine from
their friends, and before long, senior Hannah Carpino joined the team. Crossroads started with small funding from the English department, a few resources and the dream of creating a place for all poets to showcase their writing, Ellis said. The team decided to name the magazine Crossroads after a poem that is put at the end of each issue that reflects their idea of creating a community where anyone and everyone can meet at the crossroads and share their ideas and passions. The editors accept poetry submissions and publish them without making any edits. “The term ‘editors’ is a loose term — we’re more publishers,” Ellis said. “We’re simply a platform.” All works can be submitted
ALEK FLEURY/The Vermont Cynic
Graduate student Alexander Ellis and junior Mak Baker are the editors for Crossroads magazine. Crossroads is an independent, student-run poetry magazine. through their email, Instagram or Facebook. Crossroads is distributed downtown at places like Muddy
Waters, Uncommon Grounds, Pure Pop Records and the Light Club Lamp Shop, Baker said. “We accept poetry up to 500
words and accept art for the cover, spotlighting one artist and a handful of poets in each monthly issue,” Baker said. The magazine hopes to expand its influence and offer new ways for poets and artists to get involved like hosting poet podscasts and collaborating with out student organizations, Ellis said. “Other people do care about your work — you’re not an island,” Ellis said. “It takes two minutes to submit and be published by your peers.” Baker said Crossroads is dedicated to building a stronger community of poets and artists and empowering others to continue writing and creating. “To hold something in your hand that you’re a part of, it makes all the difference,” Baker said.
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The Vermont Cynic
T Disconnected. Foster Borch
fborch@uvm.edu
SOPHIE SPENCER
en years ago, Harris Millis Unlimited Dining would have buzzed with casual conversations between strangers. Now, those who eat alone are kept company by their Instagram feeds. I removed myself from Instagram over a year ago after realizing I spent too much time trying to prove how amazing my life was instead of actually living it. I was more concerned about virtual likes than real-life relationships. Instagram caters to a wide range of people looking to digitally socialize. First-year Aidan Cummings, an avid traveller and photographer, is one of them. “I use it because it is the only visually-exclusive social media app around,” he said. “[Instagram] allows you to speak with images, you can illustrate events and activities in your life solely with pictures.” The downside is that many Instagram users determine their self-worth based on interactions on the platform, such as senior Emily Piersiak, who said she used to spend a decent amount of time on the platform every day. “There were always prettier people, and I was like ‘Wow, I want to be like them, but I’m not, and that sucks,’” she said. Piersiak stopped using Instagram a couple of years ago, she said. “I realized I was spending a lot less time on it, and it was kind of a relief,” she said. For Piersiak, it seems that removing herself from Instagram was the healthy choice. Many others can’t bear the thought of missing what’s on their feed. Leaving isn’t as easy as it sounds. Senior Laura Hirsch said that if she didn’t have Instagram, she wouldn’t know what to do during five minute breaks between classes. “If I couldn’t hop on my phone ... oh my gosh, it would be so awkward,” Hirsch said. I had a bad habit of opening Instagram whenever I was bored or had a free moment. I let the app consume all of my free time. It also affected my social life. I had a fear of missing out, which would intensify if I saw a post I was not included in. Every Thursday afternoon in my Votey Hall math class, I see my former habits in my classmates. There is total silence until the professor arrives. Students keep to themselves, scrolling through their feeds until their attention is needed elsewhere. For first-year Brianna Borch, Instagram has been a crutch which she can lean on to avoid socializing. “When I get to class early, I find myself scrolling through Instagram or Twitter to kill time rather than trying to talk to someone,” Borch said. “It’s not very rewarding, and I feel anti-social when I do it.”
Oct. 2, 2018
A lot of people pull out their phones when they feel awkward or lonely to make it look like they’re busy or have someone to talk to, Borch said. A February 2017 survey from the Royal Society for Public Health has examined the positive and negative effects of social media on young people’s health. Instagram was overwhelmingly ranked as the most detrimental, according to the study. On the RSPH website, CEO Shirley Cramer stated that “social media … is now so entrenched in the lives of young people that it is no longer possible to ignore it when talking about young people’s mental health issues.” By promoting socialization in a digital space, Instagram has been redefining how we interact in the real world. It can change human behavior and create an unhealthy relationship between users and the platform. This is evident in the daily lives of just a few UVM students. A “like” on social media can be a confidence booster. For me, it was an addictive sensation. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the number of likes go up. I would eagerly wait until my iPod touch
By promoting socialization in a digital space, Instagram has been redefining how we interact in the real world.
would buzz again, signalling another reaction to my post. Hirsch said that she turned off notifications because she noticed herself getting anxious about the likes. She felt she was missing out when she saw friends from her first year posting what they were doing, especially during the college transition. However, she has not considered removing the app. For me, removing Instagram was the way to go. The platform intensified my feelings of social isolation, which negatively impacted my mental health. I formed an unhealthy relationship with social media that had to be broken. Although it may seem impossible, I’d recommend a conscious attempt to take a break from the digital world to anyone. Give yourself the head space to step back and re-evaluate your relationship with social media and see where it leaves you. It made a world of difference for me. Foster Borch is a junior majoring in Mathematics. He has been writing for the Cynic since Fall 2018.
The Vermont Cynic
SPORTS
Oct. 2, 2018
7
Women’s Hockey opens with win Ashley Miller amille68@uvm.edu
The tension and excitement filled Gutterson Arena before UVM women’s hockey team hit the ice to commence the season. McGill, the visiting team, had a successful start to their season with four wins prior to playing UVM Sept. 29, according to UVM athletics. The Catamounts didn’t let this affect their mindset going into this game. This resulted in a 3-2 victory for their home opener. “I think all of our preseason preparation really got us ready for today,” senior defender Sammy Kolowrat said. McGill came out swinging in the first period, scoring the first goal of the game. Nevertheless, the Catamounts quickly came back with steady possession of the puck and with less than two minutes to go in the first period, senior forward Saana Valkama put one in the net for Vermont. UVM began the second period with an early power play. With a McGill player in the penalty box, the Catamounts had a one-man advantage. First-year forward Kristina Shanahan took this opportunity to score and put the Catamounts back in the lead 2-1.
PHIL CARRUTHERS/ The Vermont Cynic
Senior Saana Valkama celebrates with teammates after sophomore Kritsina Shanahan scored against McGill University Sept. 29. The team won the game 3-2. “Whenever you score a goal you always feel a kind of momentum afterwards and it was nice that we all got that boost of energy I think we needed to finish out the game,” Shanahan said. After this goal, UVM increased their heavy pressure on McGill’s defense.
“Any kind of negative either feelings or doubt that we have before that point just all disappears completely,” Kolowrat said. “It lit a fire in us for sure.” The Catamounts received two penalties towards the end of the second period, resulting in a match between three UVM players and five McGill play-
ers. Vermont’s defense and goalie Blanka Skodova fended off McGill’s offense. Based on Saturday’s game, the team will need to work on reducing the amount of penalties they receive as the season continues, head coach Jim Plummer said.
The third period began with strong offensive efforts by UVM, but McGill pushed through and scored, tying the game 2-2. The Catamounts responded to their opponent’s goal with a successful slap shot from Kolowrat, giving the lead back to UVM. “I was just having so much fun after that point,” Kolowrat said. “It introduced the season in a great way.” The game continued with increased pressure by McGill’s offense and in the last minutes, they pulled their goalie and called a time out. Stress filled the cold arena. Fans and players watched the clock counting down the final seconds. Roars of cheers from the crowd filled the arena, accompanied by enthusiastic shouts and hugs between players. “What I’m really proud of is that we had eight freshman in the lineup today and they all played,” Plummer said. “It was great to see them be able to fit in well and play at the pace we want to play and have them get their first taste of college hockey.” The Catamounts’ next game will be 5 p.m. Oct. 6 at Gutterson Arena vs. UCONN.
After 12 years, a triumph Nickie Morris nrmorris@uvm.edu
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Field hockey stuck it out Sept. 28 for a 1-0 win against UMass Lowell. This is UVM’s first time winning a conference opener since 2006, according to UVM athletics. Head coach Kate Pfeifer expressed her excitement for the win. “It’s the first time we’ve beaten Lowell since I’ve been here, and it feels good to get a conference win so early and be in a better position for future conference games,” Pfeifer said. The Catamounts had three wins and six losses going into this game, UVM athletics stated. “This was our first shutout of the year caused by incredible defensive control,” Pfeifer said. The only goal of the game was scored halfway during the second period by junior midfielder Rachel Phillips, who received a pass from senior forward Carla Godsman. When asked about her strategy, Phillips stressed the importance of practicing plays during practice. “I was really psyched to see the whole team’s efforts pay off,” Phillips said. “Yesterday during practice Coach gave me 30 play run throughs of the
RYAN KEIL ZABEL / The Vermont Cynic
UVM field hockey celebrates after a goal in their game against UMass Amherst Sept. 2. The team beat UMass Lowell 1-0 in their most recent game Sept. 28. same exact goal, a hard hit from the corner.” The goal came in addition to a season high 12 penalty corner shots, compared to the six chances UMass had. Senior Forward Landon Warren praised the team’s progress. “Our yearly progression has been great, it’s good to see our young team gain experience,” Warren said. Last season, Warren was the team’s MVP. She is four goals short of second place in all time goals scored in UVM history, according to UVM athletics. The team is set to play their next four games against their
America East Conference opponents. “We have a challenging schedule, no team in the conference is an easy game,” Pfeifer said. “They’re all strong competition, but we feel more prepared.” With the rest of the conference games ahead, the team’s game play will increase in intensity. “It almost feels like our first game because opening conference is a new start with each game as a meaningful battle,” Pfeifer said. Their next game is Oct. 5 at the University of New Hampshire.
SPORTS
8
The Vermont Cynic
Oct. 2, 2018
Players take a hit, friendships don’t Stephan Toljan stoljan@uvm.edu
On the corner of East Avenue and Main Street, by the light of the rapidly setting sun, the UVM women’s rugby football club assembles for practice. The early evening is brisk and breezy, but head coach Doug Shimel ’87 — “Dougie” to his players — is wearing shorts and a t-shirt. The team recently beat the University of Maine 51-34 in a game where “the team played well,” Shimel said. The men’s rugby coach, Declan Connolly, recruited Shimel in the early 2000s, when he began work as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s teams, Shimel said. When the position of head coach for the women’s team became available, Shimel took it. Shimel is confident in his team’s ability to perform, he said. “We have a very athletic crop of rookies this year,” Shimel said. “If we could win every other game we would make the playoffs, no doubt.” Practice is filled with stretching, drills and running. The players are motivated by their 54-year-old coach running with some of the players on the team, he said. “There’s no doubt it has a positive impact on the team,” Schimel said. “It’s important to lead by example.” On the field, the team is also led by their captains, juniors Hollie Parks and Chris Tagge, and their president, junior Christina McLaughlin. “We have a lot of potential
STEPHAN TOLJAN/The Vermont Cynic
First-year Eleni Karabesini is tackled Sept. 29 during a drill at a UVM women’s rugby team practice. The team is preparing for their match against the United States Coast Guard Academy after their win against the University of Maine. this year,” McLaughlin said. “The team dynamic is really solid.” Rugby is carefully regulated in order to avoid serious injuries, Shimel said. “I knew a guy who played for 30 years, great player, and one match he just took a hit
the wrong way — now he’s in a chair,” Schimel said. “This is a full contact sport, that’s why I place such importance on good body position and safety.” Between drills, some players puff their inhalers then quickly return to the action. But not everything about
Featured Sports Photo
rugby is pure intensity. “Most often, the most aggressive players on the field are the kindest people off of it,” McLaughlin said. During practice, players are constantly laughing as they tell jokes and bond. “This is very much a team
sport, we hangout outside of practice because the team is your group of friends,” Parks said. “Even if you have friends outside of the team, they always join eventually.”
UVM SCOREBOARD Week of Sept. 23 - Sept. 30
L
Women’s soccer at Stony Brook
4-0 Men’s Soccer at UMBC
W 3-0
Swimming and Diving at Niagra
W 172-124
Next Week Oct. 1 - Oct. 6 Men’s soccer vs. Hartford 2 p.m. Oct. 6 Home PHIL CARRUTHERS/The Vermont Cynic
Sophomore Kristina Shanahan scores, bringing the team up 2-1 in the women’s hockey game against McGill University Sept. 28.
Men’s Hockey at Michigan 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 Ann Arbor, MI