Disney dance
“Smart drugs”
Salsa and Swing Society hold themed dance social
Looking at the side effects of study drugs
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VOL. 132
ISSUE 27
LIFE
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W E D N E S DAY, AP R I L 2 7, 2 0 1 6
Pike rewarded by Seth Rogen by bettina cataldi bcataldi@uvm.edu
To hear the deep-belly laugh of Seth Rogen reverberate through a cinema is a privilege not many receive in their lifetime. Unless, of course, you’re a member of UVM’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Rogen, an actor, comedian, charity founder and beloved pot icon, visited Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Alpha Chi Omega sorority alongside his wife Lauren at Essex Cinema April 23. This year marks the third year in a row Pi Kappa Alpha and Alpha Chi Omega have won the Hilarity for Charity competition. They have raised $28,301 this year alone for Rogen’s Alzheimer’s foundation and over $70,000 cumulatively. Hilarity for Charity was started by Rogen and Miller after her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The organization originally started as a variety show to raise money, but has since expanded. “We started realizing that young people wanted a voice in Alzheimer’s that hadn’t necessarily been heard before,” Miller said. “So Hilarity for Charity became more than just a show - it became an organization, and
by sarah olsen solsen2@uvm.edu
Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller answer questions about their philanthropy, Hilarity for Charity, April 23. The charity raises money for Alzheimer’s disease research. PHIL CARRUTHERS/The Vermont Cynic we started this program so that young people didn’t have to feel sad and alone.” The fraternity’s interest in raising money for Alzheimer’s began three years ago when three triplets, seniors Ryan, John and Griffen Fox, lost their grandfather to the disease during their sophomore year. “We saw Seth testify before Congress and he talked about [Hilarity for Charity] and we thought it would be a great way to get involved [with the cause],”
Ryan Fox said. The fraternity frequently rents out Rasputin’s bar and charges a cover fee as a way to raise money for their team, in addition to hosting their annual talent show. Rogen described the brothers as “the Lakers of charity.” The morning, although originated for a serious cause, took a turn for the light hearted and humorous after a screening of Rogen’s AMC show “Preacher.” Members of the fraterni-
ty and sorority in the audience had an opportunity to ask Rogen an abundance of questions after the meet and greet. The Q&A session lasted almost half an hour. Rogen’s responses are reserved to the brothers and sisters who earned the opportunity to speak with him for their charitable efforts. Perhaps the most looming question is, will the brothers be able to win Hilarity for Charity for the fourth year in a row?
Burlington mall to be redeveloped by michelle phillips mphill15@uvm.edu
Students and Burlington residents may soon be able to live above the Burlington mall on Church Street. The Burlington Business Association gathered local businesses, nonprofits and organizations in front of the mall entrance on Church Street April 25 to speak about the benefits of developing downtown. The project will create at least 270 residences. Of these, 54 units will be “permanently affordable” under the City’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. An additional 110 units will be devoted to Champlain College student housing, according to the press release. Permanently affordable housing means the apartments will have fixed rents and be available to low-income families, according to Burlington’s website. Junior Jordan Leabman expressed concerns over the price of the new housing. “I bet it’s going to be fucking
Police, race topic of new UVM study
(left to right) Architect Sherida Paulsen and property owner Don Sinex present their plans for the downtown mall renovation to the city council April 25. JEN RAMIREZ/The Vermont Cynic expensive,” Leabman said. She also said she does not want the Burlington skyline to change. Senior Sandy Halbing said she supports the idea of redevelopment. “It’s about time Burlington expanded a little bit,” Hallbing said. “There’s not even close to enough housing right now.” Construction will create more than 500 temporary con-
struction jobs and 900 permanent jobs in retail and office operations, according to the press release. Some of these jobs will be supported by proposed UVM Medical Center offices. “We’re looking forward to bringing many employees to our downtown offices and their activity downtown –like going out to lunch -- that goes along with that,” said John Brahm-
stead, CEO of the College of Medicine. Vermont Interfaith Action was supportive of new housing options. “Our main purpose is to affect systemic change and lift people out of poverty,” said Debbie Ingram, Vermont Interfaith’s executive director. “Providing jobs and housing will do both. We see this as a step for justice.”
A UVM economics professor presented a study to the Burlington City Council April 11 showing disparities in how people of different races are treated by Burlington police officers. Professor Stephanie Seguino has released three previous reports on this subject for various Vermont agencies, and has been working on this report, to be released April 27, with Cornell University professor Nancy Brooks since early January, Seguino said. The study focuses on anti-black bias, she said. African Americans make up 4.5 percent of the Burlington population, but were 18.8 percent of those pulled over by police officers for investigatory stops, according to the presentation. In an investigatory stop, a police officer pulls someone over because they may be suspicious of a civil offense, but have no hard evidence before pulling them over. Brooks and Seguino focused their study on this type of stop, as it gives police officers the most freedom of whom to stop and whom to search, Seguino said. Black drivers are 2.5 times more likely to be searched than white drivers, according to Seguino’s presentation. “Racial disparities within the Burlington Police Department is particularly severe among black males,” Seguino said at the meeting. The study is mostly policy research, Seguino said. That is why it was presented to the city council, because it is an oversight institution of the police department, she said. At the city council meeting, Police Chief Brandon del Pozo was asked by council members for a general response to the presentation. He said he found the differences between drivers receiving warnings and drivers receiving summons to be most troubling. “I think a person rolling through a stop sign or changing a lane without signaling, regardless of their race, deserves a warning or ticket at an equal rate,” del Pozo said at the meeting. From 2012 to 2015 there were only 52 accounts of African American drivers being searched, he said.
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THE VERMONT CYNIC
NEWS
W E D N E S DAY, AP R I L 27, 2016
Students join 4/20 health run by Kelsey neubauer kaneubau@uvm.edu
While clouds of marijuana smoke rose from the Redstone Green, hundreds of students and community members gathered on Virtue Field for a 5K April 20. The 4/20 event was sponsored by the Wellness Environment program and over 800 people registered, according to the event’s website. The event offered a choice to those who did not want to participate in the usual 4/20 festivities, Wellness Environment director James Hudziak said. “It’s not about judgment, it’s about options,” Hudziak said. First-year Casey Bartlett said she was excited to have these options. “There were so many people there, but I was so happy I went,” Bartlett said. Many students are excited at the prospects of having this option for years to come, said LaTasha Magee, an administrative assistant in the child psychiatry department, who ran in the race. “It was the beginning of a
Statehouse News (left to right) James Hudziak, Wellness Environment director and Mayor Miro Weinberger count down to the start of the Wellness Environment 5k April 20. KELSEY NEUBAUER/The Vermont Cynic wonderful chapter at UVM,” Magee said. The event was a family affair, and she felt comfortable bringing her children, she said. Meanwhile, students were “lighting up” on the nearby Redstone Green, first-year Zack Graham said.
The crowd was the size of two large lectures, first-year Kim Henry estimated. “I would have rather spent it in the amphitheater,” Henry said. “It would have a vibe that follows the holiday.” Police surrounded Redstone Campus, first-year Boone Wil-
Alums run for Lt. Gov position by katherine smith ksmith59@uvm.edu
Lieutenant governor candidates came to UVM to debate April 23. UVM hosted the forum in the Livak Ballroom of the Davis Center, where three candidates running for Vermont’s lieutenant governor position answered questions about issues like education and economic reform. Former state Sen. Randy Brock, state Rep. Kesha Ram ‘08 and state Sen. David Zuckerman ‘95 answered questions from moderator Meredith Niles and the audience about student debt, competing land use, affordable housing and refugees. The forum was sponsored by United Academics, UVM’s faculty union. During the debate, Brock stressed the importance of job creation and increased “economic value” in Vermont by creating a Vermont “brand,” which could be marketed outside of the state.
Executive
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Hannah Kearns editorinchief@vtcynic.com MANAGING EDITOR Hannah Morgan newsroom@vtcynic.com
son said, but he described their interactions as “pleasant.”. “It was weird that that sort of a thing could happen,” Wilson said. “Everyone seemed friendly [and] happy to be there.” Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger began the 5K with a speech about the event.
amshanno@uvm.edu
Ram focused on creating “flexible” pathways for Vermont residents to become “lifelong learners,” like making education and housing more affordable and for low-income households. She also called for cooperation between diverse groups of people on issues like expanding renewable energy programs. Zuckerman advocated for protecting in-state students from rising tuition, learning
and working together in a “holistic way,” affordable housing and lower energy use in homes. He also recommended raising the minimum wage and said he “strongly” supports a minimum of $15. When asked by Niles about possible solutions for student debt, Ram described education as “our greatest economic development and importer of talent.”
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All stories written by students in Professor Richard Watts’ Media-Policy-Action class.
New advising program to assist first-year students by Alexandra Shannon
(Left to right) Meredith Niles, Randy Brock, Kesha Ram, and David Zuckerman participate in an open debate for lieutenant governor April 23. PHIL CARRUTHERS/The Vermont Cynic
Go to statehousenews. vtcynic.com to check out what’s happening in Montpelier.
UVM will have a new tutoring program next semester for first-year students. The Academic Success Center will consist of a centrally located advising center, first-year orientation, a first-year experience program, the learning coop, Student Support Services/ TRIO and the Access office, Vice Provost of Student Affairs Annie Stevens said. The different parts of the center will be coordinated under one unit. However, each service will still have its own office in different locations, Stevens said. The advising center will be moved to the current CatCard office is in the Davis Center, she said. “They won’t all be in one physical location but they’ll all be coordinated under one organizational umbrella,” Stevens said. First-year Christina Green
said she thinks a center for firstyear students could be helpful. “I definitely think that that [Academic Success Center] would be beneficial because I had a lot of questions about my academics and it would have been helpful to have a place to go to address those questions,” Green said. Sophomore Natasha Goodwin said she thinks this center could be helpful, but students learn more from experience. “I think a lot of the transition comes from raw experiences, but resources like that can help aid your transition and make it a little smoother,” Goodwin said. Dani Comey, who is currently associate director of Student Life, will be the director of the center, Stevens said. Although some parts of the center are designed specifically for first-years, she said the advising center and other services will be available to all undergraduates.
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OPINION
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 THE VERMONT CYNIC
S TA F F E D I T O R I A L
the best of
BURLINGTON
The Best of Burlington is back in town S kinny Pancake, Henderson’s, Nectar’s: the list goes on. UVM students, staff and faculty alike all have their favorites when it comes to places where they eat, drink and live. The Cynic is in the midst of conducting our “Best of Burlington” poll to determine what the community considers the “best of the best” when it comes
to UVM and Burlington. We urge you to take five minutes out of your busy day, procrastinate (just a little) while studying for finals and let us know what your favorites are. Go to bit.do/bestofburly and vote for your favorites: look for the results in next week’s issue of the Cynic.
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.
A new rideshare chauffeurs women to safety ariana arden AARDEN@UVM.EDU
I
magine: you’re a lady needing to get across town. The bus routes are out of the way, the cabs are too expensive and it’s definitely too far to walk. But never fear, Uber is here! You find your ride and are feeling good about this decision, right up until you enter his car. This guy makes you feel like you’re about to be on an episode of “Law and Order: SVU.” His car is dirty and smells awful; he’s got a stained T-shirt and a neck beard. He asks you weird, personal questions, and to top it off, he’s listening to Nickleback. You thankfully make it to your destination with no problems, but you’re left terrified and wondering about the possibilities. An Uber ride like this would be terrible for anyone, but there is no denying it’s particularly scary for a woman. Women face a lot of violence to which men are generally not subjected, and sexual assault during an Uber ride is, unfortunately, not uncommon. According to a March 6 Buzzfeed article, a search of Uber customer complaints including “sexual assault” or “rape” brings up a whopping 11,897 results combined. This is just the number referencing reported assaults, and there are a large number going unreported. Even if there is no physical assault, no one should go through the ride described above. Getting a ride across town should be safe. Unfortunately, there aren’t many other options out there, but there soon could be. Chariots for Women is a new rideshare organization by women, for women. The app was set to
ELISE MITCHELL
launch April 19, but was pushed back to sign up more drivers. Chariots for Women was founded by Michael Pelletz, a former Uber driver. According to the Chariots for Women website, he was struck one night by how unsafe the system can be when an incoherent, babbling man came into his car. Pelletz felt terrified. After pulling over and calling the police, he began thinking about the situation and how he would have handled it had he been a woman. He decided there had to be something safer for women everywhere. Thus, Chariots for Women was born. The service is essentially the same as Uber, but the drivers and passengers are all women (though children under 13 may ride with an adult). The top priority of the company is safety. There is an extensive background check for every driver using one of the most thorough screening systems, Safer Places. When a woman books a ride, she is given a picture of the driver, the make of the car and the license plate number.
In addition, Chariots for Women donates 2 percent of every fare to a women-based charity combating issues such as cancer and abuse. I am extremely excited about this new company. Chariots for Women has an amazing
The service is essentially the same as Uber, but the drivers and passengers are all women (though children under 13 may ride with an adult). The top priority of the company is safety. mission and is clearly trying to make women’s lives safer. Praise for them has been coming from many sources, including magazines like Cosmo and Glamour. But there are always going to be critics. The main issue people have is this violates anti-discrimination laws. “There’s nothing wrong with
advertising particularly to a female customer base. “But if a company goes further and refuses to pick up a man, I think they’d potentially run into legal trouble,” attorney Dahlia Rudavsky said in a March 28 Boston Globe article. Unfortunately, that’s true. Chariots for Women is interested in exclusion for all the right reasons, but sometimes the law doesn’t care. The passenger issue is easier to get around than the issue of employment, however. “To limit employees to one gender, you have to have what the law calls a bona fide occupational qualification. And that’s a really strict standard. “For gender, it’s not enough to say, ‘We really just want to have a female here because our customers prefer that to feel safer,’” lawyer Joseph Sulman said in the same Globe article. Unfortunately, he’s right, but there might be a way around it. Customer satisfaction cannot usually be used as a “bona fide occupational qualification,” but there are some cases of exception. Customer preference may
“be taken into account only when it is based on the company’s inability to perform the primary function or service it offers,” according to the 1972 Diaz v. Pan American World Airways case. There is a possibility this loophole could work. The primary function of Chariots for Women is to offer safe rides and safe employment to women. It could be effectively argued that the service being for women, by women is a necessary component, since it is what makes the drivers and passengers feel most safe. In Chariots for Women I see a fantastic idea many people really want to see happen. To me, the arguments against it are absurd. Women are not trying to be exclusionary to form our own secret “No Boys Allowed Club.” The exclusion is for safety purposes, purposes anyone with a brain can see are valid. Ariana Arden is a sophomore English major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2016.
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THE VERMONT CYNIC
OPINION
W E D N E S DAY, AP R I L 27, 2016
Support Israel & support equality Sophie leff
SALEFF@UVM.EDU
T
he heat of the Jerusalem summer day was finally starting to fade as our small group of Chicago-based Birthright participants found a shady spot in the park to sit. We were about to begin an activity which entailed discussing controversial topics in and about Israel. We began by talking about an Arab-Israeli soccer player who had refused to sing “Hatikva,” the Israeli national anthem, which references the nation as a homeland for Jews. He had declined to sing the anthem at the beginning of a match, saying that as a nonJew, it made him uncomfortable. For me, this topic presented a real dilemma. On one hand, Israel was founded as a homeland for Jewish people, a refuge and a future for millions. At the same time, I believe firmly, and have been taught by my progressive Jewish upbringing, that equality and justice should go hand in hand. Shouldn’t every resident of Israel, Jewish or not, feel equally a part of it? I looked around the group as others spoke up. My trip mates mostly dismissed the idea of a more inclusive anthem and went on to posit Israel should not just be a state for Jews, but also, perhaps, a state only for Jews. “Should those who did not serve in the Israeli army even be counted as citizens?” they asked. They brought up that Israel is surrounded by virulent hatred and terrorism. “Could
any of these non-Jews, inside of Israel’s borders or otherwise, be trusted?” they wondered. A belief in the equal human worth of all people forms the foundation of my ideas about justice, but in that moment I couldn’t find that inspiring and empowering confidence in equality anywhere. I weakly protested against my group mates’ broad generalizations, but my comments were mostly talked over, slapped down or ignored. In that moment, in that beautiful park on Birthright, I felt myself grasping at straws, looking for a reason to support Israel even when I could not see my deepest values, my Jewish values, represented there. Since then, I’ve learned more about the conflict in the region. Every day, new Israeli communities are constructed on land that should, according to the 1948 U.N. agreement, belong to the Palestinians already living there. The occupation violates the rights of Palestinians, robs them of their dignity and subjects them to unequal treatment under the law. Before I can, as an American Jew, be wholeheartedly proud of Israel in good conscience, this status quo has to change. But the occupation of the West Bank makes me question whether I can simultaneously love the actualization of the Jewish community that is the state of Israel and also stand up for equality. If Israel is to truly be a Jewish homeland, my homeland, a safeguard against oppression and persecution and a physical embodiment of the Jewish people, it must stand for Jewish values like justice and equality.
ACOLLING@UVM.EDU
T
here’s an old saying: “Americans will cross an ocean to spread democracy, but they won’t cross the street to vote.” That might be because our voting system has become outdated. I’m not even talking about the electoral college here, but the actual process of casting a ballot. Numerous countries much poorer than the United States have faster and more efficient systems for voting. We must prioritize voting rather than effectively disenfranchise millions of people. Voting, the foundation of our republican system, has become little more than an afterthought. In this primary cycle there have been numerous accusations of electoral fraud, and voters have routinely had to wait for hours to vote. Many Americans work two jobs and need to take care of their kids. They cannot afford to wait several hours in order to vote. Arizona had serious problems with its election back in March, and there is a good body of evidence that suggests the
Iowa caucuses were tampered with as well. In New York, about 125,000 people who were registered to vote as Democrats had their registrations mysteriously switched, preventing them from voting in the state’s closed primaries. The closed primary system has to go. It privileges a very limited number of voters who affiliate themselves with one of the two major parties in advance. In New York, people were required to register six months in advance in order to vote in this primary. There’s no reason for imposing such stringent requirements on people except when trying to limit the number of people who can vote. A lot of people don’t like either party, but are forced to vote for one of the two party’s candidates in November. Accepting that fact and allowing open primaries would mean people could vote for the candidate they want regardless of party affiliation. The function of the two parties in this country is largely to create the illusion of choice – do you want the puppet on the right or the puppet on the left? That’s why so many people don’t want to affiliate themselves with either party. I could go into detail about
Understanding the agency fees and union dues in response to last week’s piece
D
DAVID BERNIER
If I am forced to choose between my commitment to the Jewish community and my commitment to justice and equality, I will have no option but to chose the latter. I want to wholeheartedly love Israel and all it represents for the Jewish people. However, given the way the occupation of the West Bank flouts my values, both Jewish and secular, I find myself agonizingly unable to do so. This struggle is threatening to push me out of the Jewish community entirely. But I am resolved not to let it. This is why I am working to start a chapter of J Street U, a national pro-Israel, anti-occu-
pation campus organization, at UVM. It’s also why I, along with other J Street U students, am calling on Jewish community leaders like Barry Shrage, president of Boston’s Combined Jewish Philanthropies, to take a public stance opposing the occupation. Because I believe it’s possible to do both: to support Israel as a Jewish, democratic state and to also support equality and justice. Sophie Leff is a sophomore political science major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2016.
The U.S. must update voting system alexander collingsworth
Letter to the editor
Illustration by DAVID BERNIER
SEBASTIAO HUNGEBUHLER
how our “first past the post system” has created the two parties, but that’s a story for another time. Obviously, we need to bust out of the two-party system, but that’s not going to happen anytime soon. We need alternative parties that would give people more options and would also balance each other out so a new progressive party would not just be sapping voters from the Democrats, and a new center right party would not just be sapping voters from the Republicans. Lastly, there no longer seems to be a good reason why people should still have to vote in person. State governments
should increase awareness of early voting and absentee ballots. But this is the age of tinder and the drone strike. Why can’t I vote online? Maybe there are some security issues. A hacker could cast a hundred or a thousand ballots using fake social security numbers and IDs. Surely, creating a robust security apparatus to protect online voting would be one way to put the NSA to good use. Alexander Collingsworth is a senior English and history major. He has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2016.
ear editor,
I write with concern about a serious misrepresentation that appeared in the column of Joseph Brown in your latest issue (“Leftist fallacies,” April 13, 2016). Brown writes that, “unions have free reign to . . . steal money from their workers in non right-to-work states and donate it, year after year, to Democrats.” This is completely untrue. Unions have no such “reign.” Any article on union finances should point out the difference between an agency fee and union dues. Agency fees, collected from non-members, can only be used for expenses related to general union business, such as bargaining, contract administration, etc. These services are for everyone, not just members. Some major unions in the United States donate money to candidates for elected office. But when they do so, they utilize only the funds of full members who have chosen to align themselves with the philosophical and political positions of the unions. There is no theft involved. Most of the political funds raised by unions, however, come from so-called Committee on Public Education funds, to which individual members contribute as they wish on a purely personal basis. We expect Mr. Brown to correct this error in his next column.
Thank you. Sincerely, Dr. Felicia Kornbluh, President, United Academics, and Associate Professor, History and GSWS, for the Executive Council, United Academics
CORRECTIONS We are committed to accuracy in all of our work. If for some reason there is an error, please email us at corrections@vtcynic. com.
ARTS
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 THE VERMONT CYNIC
Students dance, create Disney magic By addie beach cbeach2@uvm.edu
UVM’s ballroom dance team wants everyone to start dancing, whether they think they can or not. The group joins the salsa and swing teams as a major branch of the University’s Salsa and Swing Society. The ballroom team held a Disney-themed dance April 22. Sophomore Sarah Senanayake, team captain, said the event consisted of a short lesson at the beginning for anyone without experience, followed by a dance social in various ballroom styles. All attendees were encouraged to dress as Disney characters. The club regularly holds dances like this, usually around two to three per semester, Senanayake said. Past events have included masquerade and Halloween themes. The dances help highlight the sport’s accessibility, something Senanayake said she hopes will attract new members. “It’s really not necessary to have any background,” she said. “We just want to make it fun and let people learn about dance.” When not hosting events, the ballroom team hones their own competitive skills. Sophomore team member Ella Attebury estimates they practice up to 15 hours a week.
SASS club members (left to right) senior Samantha Patriarca and sophomore Ella Attebury attend a ballroom social April 22. The social was Disney-themed and took place at Patrick Gym. JEN RAMIREZ/The Vermont Cynic The practices and dances help the team foster a sense of community, Attebury said. To encourage bonding, the club begins every semester with non-dance activities such as apple picking or a barbecue so members can “feel a part of the team before [they] even start dancing,” she said. This connection is espe-
cially important to the dancing partners. Once two dancers become familiar with each other’s rhythms, “you start dancing and you’re flying,” Attebury said. The team regularly travels together to competitions, especially to areas such as Boston, where there are active ballroom communities, she said. They’re currently trying to
host a competition at UVM. The goal is to draw more attention to the University’s ballroom community, as well as to show the public both watching and participating in a competition can be fun, Attebury said. While official recruitment is every fall, the club hosts weekly dance socials that require less commitment, she said.
The socials allow participants to learn basic steps and are “ideal for people who haven’t danced at all before,” Senanayake said. “[The dances are] fun and a great way to meet new people,” she said, suggesting that everyone try them at least once.
‘Huntsman:’ a good laugh Rock band offering
new sound in Burly
Siobhan o’flaherty
By Owen Gomery
SBOFLAHE@UVM. EDU
ogomery@uvm.edu
The Huntsman: Winter's War
T
he Huntsman: Winter’s War” is entertaining for all the wrong reasons. Despite the $170 million budget, the film is laughably ill-conceived and poorly executed. Even the film’s all-star cast, comprised of Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain and Liam Neeson’s narration, cannot save this disastrous movie. The film begins with sorceress Ravenna (Theron) warning her sister Freya (Blunt) about the deadly fate of Freya’s lover and newborn child. When Ravenna’s predictions are fully realized, Freya goes on a murderous grief-fueled rampage across various kingdoms and assembles an army of orphaned children along the way. Two of her adopted warrior-children, Sara (Chastain) and Eric (Hemsworth), defy Freya’s laws against love and affection, falling deeply in love over the years. The film is ridiculously disjointed and unoriginal, and it
ELISE MITCHELL
seems as though director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan made no effort to create a film that made any logical sense. The illogical nature of the film is illustrated by the jumping between different genres. “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” can be classified as a fantasy action-adventure film similar to “Lord of the Rings,” but at times is also bizarrely reminiscent of the “Hunger Games” and “Frozen.” The dialogue is equally poorly executed and as completely unpredictable as the
overall plot. Characters jump from serious introspection, to making sexual innuendos, to contemplating the meaning of motherhood and love. Ultimately, “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” lacks coherence in terms of plot and overall message. Despite the questionable quality of the film, “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” is worth seeing for a good laugh or quick distraction. Siobhan O’Flaherty is a senior political science major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2016.
One band promises to satisfy concert-goers hungry for new music. Midnight Snack, a self-described art-rock band will be hitting the stage at ArtsRiot May 4. The six-piece psych-folkrock band will stop by Burlington on their Northeast tour that kicked off April 22 in their hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. The sextet includes UVM alumna Katie Richter ’14 on trumpet and vocals, Meryll Davis on percussion and vocals and recent Berklee College of Music graduates Jack Victor on vocals and drums, Mike Johnson on guitar and keyboard, Peter Brownlee on bass and Zack Kardon on guitar. Richter previously played in Bumpy Jones, a Burlington-based band, and in the Latin Jazz Ensemble with Ray Vega and the UVM Jazz Ensemble with Alex Stewart during her time at UVM. Traditional labels like rock and folk don’t do Midnight Snack justice, Victor said. The band draws on influences ranging from dream-pop to psychrock, he said, extending their sound from the far corners of guitar driven rock to more experimental psych and dance
music, he said. The group moved from Boston to Asheville about a year ago, and has been developing their sound for their latest album, set to release this fall, Victor said. The album will be written and recorded completely in-house and will feature some mixing from Johnson and Brownlee. Victor said the band finds inspiration in many places. “We try to use an image or concept as a cohesive thread [and then go from there],” he said. The band has previously played at Burlington venues
“
We try to use an image or concept as a cohesive thread [and then go from there] JACK VICTOR MIDNIGHT SNACK
like Radio Bean and Nectar’s, but this will be their first time at ArtsRiot. Doors open at 8 p.m. and will feature opening acts from Cricket Blue and Erin Cassels-Brown. The band will also play live on WRUV’s Exposure segment from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. before heading downtown to the show.
6
LIFE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 THE VERMONT CYNIC
Period drive to give products to women By JACKIE FLYNN JFLYNN3@uvm.edu
A chicken gratiem stir-fry dish served with a side of rice at Tiny Thai restaurant in Winooski. Tiny Thai is known for traditional Thai dishes as well as Thai street food. RYAN THORNTON/The Vermont Cynic
Tiny Thai worth the drive CHRIS LEOW CLEOW@UVM.EDU
T
iny Thai delivers authentic flavors and a casual dining experience to make one great meal. This small, laid-back restaurant in Winooski strives to replicate how Thai food is actually enjoyed in Thailand. The space itself is appropriately “tiny,” but manages to seat a lot of people. However, it can get quite busy with its large base of regulars – expect a wait if you arrive around dinnertime. Tiny Thai specializes in common dishes found in street
food carts and on dinner tables in Thailand. They recently created a new “genuine Thai menu,” which offers authentic Thai dishes in all their spicy glory. Little peppers are printed next to items to denote the level of spiciness, but most dishes can be adjusted to one’s liking, making the food much more approachable to those averse to extreme spice. Pad thai is a popular classic and a good benchmark for comparison. Tiny Thai doesn’t disappoint with a perfectly sweet, salty and savory sauce combined with chewy noodles, plump shrimp and crunchy bean sprouts.
The massaman curry is also an exceptionally flavorful dish. This slightly-spicy coconut curry is filled with shredded beef,carrots, big chunks of potatoes and topped with peanuts. The vegetables are perfectly cooked and paired well with the nutty spiciness of this warm and comforting curry. Tiny Thai also has a BYOB policy, so you can bring your favorite beer or wine to go with your meal. Tiny Thai is perfect for all types of adventurous eaters. Whether you’re looking for great Thai classics or something spicy you’ve never tried before, Tiny Thai will satisfy your craving for something different.
April is Sexual Violence Awareness month, and this year, women are helping other women provide for their reproductive health. Junior Alicia Gusan, in collaboration with community service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, has been collecting boxes of tampons, pads and other products to drop off to the Women Helping Battered Women shelter. Women Helping Battered Women is a community organization that provides legal advocacy for women who have been victims of sexual or domestic violence. It also provides a support shelter in an anonymous location for women to escape dangerous situations, according to the organization’s website. They supply donated products to women without access to these products. Gusan, an SGA member, was in charge of running the drive. “I read an article stating that for a lot of homeless women on their period, their budget gives them a choice between either a box of tampons or their next meal,” she said. While both are a necessity,
food tends to take precedence, but not using feminine hygiene products still leaves a woman feeling physically uncomfortable, she said. She also found out the Women Helping Battered Women shelter frequently runs out of feminine hygiene products due to such a high demand, and wanted to address this problem by giving homeless women more access, Gusan said. “This will give homeless women the ability to feel good about themselves and help move someone forward,” said junior Daniella Simpatico. “I can’t even imagine how difficult it would be to do something like go to work or go to a job interview but not feel confident because I don’t have access to a basic necessity.” “There’s a negative stigma about menstruation that makes people feel uncomfortable talking about it,” she said, “but homeless women don’t have the same access that we do, which a lot of students wouldn’t really think about.” The outcome of the donation has been a huge success with over 1,000 total individual products donated, according to Gusan.
THE DAPPER VAGINA
Brooklyn artist presents Saying ‘HillYes’ in the upcoming election on environment and arts SARAH HEFT By CAMILLA BROCCOLO CBROCCOL@uvm.edu
Imagine creating a piece of art made from everything you own, then dragging it around New York City to represent all the waste and things you carry. Mary Mattingly, an artist from Brooklyn, did exactly that. Students and the greater Burlington community filled the Livak Ballroom in the Davis Center April 21 to listen to Mattingly talk about her artwork, which she describes as “sculptural ecosystems,” according to her website. “I was familiar with her photos,” senior lecturer Cami Davis said. “As I looked further into her work, I recognized that she was a perfect for our Earth Week keynote because of the transdisciplinary nature of her work, making it relevant across campus.” First-year Dominique Boccanfuso said she was impressed with Mattingly’s work. “I found the art itself most interesting; I love how elaborate it was,” Boccanfuso said. “There were so many layers to her work and so many different elements, such as architecture and science, that contributed to her art.” Mattingly uses her artwork as an element to relate messages about sustainability and the impact humans have on the environment. Many of her projects aim to have the least environmental impact possible and to give
back to the community. Mattingly’s current project is named “Swale” and is a “floating food forest” in New York. Her goal through this project is to have a source for people in the community to use freely, and have a source of healthy, fresh food. Another piece Mattingly discussed during the event was her dome-like creation, called “The Waterpod,” in which she will live for six months. Mattingly’s initial goal was to make the barge as sustainable and habitable as possible by including features such as a garden, which could provide her with the food and resources she needed to survive. She began with the idea to solely live on what the boat could provide her. Even though Mattingly had initially decided to live solely on what was already on the barge, she realized her friends would be coming on and off, bringing things from the outside onto the installment. She decided to incorporate whatever was brought onto the barge into the installment, including trash. “The level of engagement with ideas from the audience, as well as the conversations upon leaving the Davis Center, made this event an overwhelming success,” Davis said. “I’m inspired to work on making this an annual event and would love to work on other partnerships in the future,” she said.
SHEFT@UVM.EDU
I
support Hillary Rodham Clinton as the next president of the United States of America. There. I said it. At first, I was “feeling the Bern.” I proudly stuck a “Bernie 2016” button on my backpack and signed up for Students Supporting Sanders. But upon careful inspection of both candidates, I feel Clinton is more qualified to be the next president and aligns well with my values surrounding Israel, gun control, reproductive justice and equal rights. My favorite line I get when I tell people I support Clinton is, “Well, you are just voting with your vagina.” That is my favorite because it assumes my tiny lady brain could not possibly handle the responsibility of democracy. And we all know upon seeing the possibility of a female president, a surge of estrogen coursed through my body, causing menstrual blood to pour from my vagina in solidarity with Hillary Clinton. Last time I checked, my vagina wasn’t a registered voter. When people tell me I am only voting for Clinton because she is a woman, I get offended. When I respond to them and tell them I am offended, they simply dismiss my anger as PMS. It’s a lose-lose situation. We really need to stop denying women their emotions, ex-
SAM WOOLFOLK
periences and political opinions because they might be on their period. Also, some women don’t get periods and some women don’t have vaginas, so assuming someone who is a woman is voting with their maybe non-existent vagina is cisnormative. The truth is, Clinton is a boss. She has remained cool and collected under rigorous criticism, her goals for the US are realistic and attainable, her experience is prime and, yes, she is a woman. Oh boy, light the torches and grab the pitchforks. If Clinton is elected, she will be the first female president, and to deny this as a factor in my choice would be a lie. Men have been calling the shots for too long, not because there ha-
ven’t been any qualified female candidates, but because institutional and societal sexism have suppressed them. Actions speak louder than words. Saying The United States supports and trusts women is one thing, but electing a qualified female candidate is putting truth into those words. Now that there is a qualified, determined female candidate willing to put up with sexist bullshit, oh #hillyes, I will support her. So go ahead and tell me I am a vagina voter. On election day my vagina and I will march proudly to the voting booth. Sarah Heft is a sophomore gender, sexuality, and women’s studies major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2016.
LIFE
THE VERMONT CYNIC
7
W E D N E S DAY, AP R I L 27, 2016
Students turning to drugs to excel in school By MICHAELA PAUL MTPAUL@uvm.edu
Have you ever found yourself panicking that you have yet to study for an exam or write your paper, due in only a few hours? If so, you’re certainly not alone. But what happens when you feel like the only option is to use “smart drugs” to get it all done? Across the U.S., college students are turning toward the use of these drugs in order to overcome their overwhelming loads of coursework. “Smart” drugs are nonprescription drugs, including ADHD medications and the new “nootropics” defined as “cognitive enhancers,” according to an April 13 Vice article. According to the University of Utah Health Care, medications like Adderall are intended to reduce attention and behavior problems in those with ADHD. When these drugs are abused by individuals who do not need the prescription, they stimulate the brain and body, temporarily increasing the ability to concentrate and reducing the need for sleep. The negative side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, as well as a decreased appetite and potential depression, especially in high doses. This abuse of the medication that others rely on to improve cognitive function fosters
Online poll conducted of UVM students on drug use was it prescribed to you? 51.3%
Adderall 39.6%
48.7%
Ritalin 23.5%
Yes
No
a stigma that reduces the seriousness of ADHD. On the contrary, nootropics improve memory, creativity, the process of thinking and are not addictive. They act similarly to supplements, since they do not possess the same regulations of other pharmaceutical drugs, such as Adderall. However, they do not come without negative side effects, especially with long term use. Long-term use and increased dosage causes the brain to become reliant on these high doses in order to think and process information clearly, while simultaneously causing headaches and sleep problems, according to the Mental Health Daily Blog. After personally surveying students on campus, a small portion of students who chose to comment either knew someone or they themselves had
Focalin 8.5%
Never had any 8.5%
19.9% used and relied on these drugs to help in critical times of cramming. My finding was the majority of students I approached for comment were reluctant to clarify whether they themselves or someone they knew used smart drugs at least once during their time in school, providing insight on how “under the rug” this issue is. This indicates there are individuals across campus using
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nonprescription drugs to try and get ahead in school and they are either ashamed of it or are aware of the negative consequences both legally and physically, and wish to remain silent. Perhaps the overall problem isn’t solely the drug abuse on the rise across college campuses, but the standards placed on students to overachieve and overwork to the point where health is no longer a priority. We are only human, and
EILEEN O’CONNOR
it appears this issue is much larger than just the mere use of nonprescription drugs to get ahead. It is a much more complex one that requires critical thought and discussion about the fact that even students aware of the consequences are choosing to neglect their health in order to achieve and impress their peers, professors and parents.
8
THE VERMONT CYNIC
SPORTS
W E D N E S DAY, AP R I L 27, 2016
Track ready to host championship by john suozzo jsuozzo@uvm.edu
The Catamounts’ track and field team has carried momentum from a successful winter season into the spring. Under the leadership of head coach Matt Belfield, the team has shown trends of improvement in his 13th season at the helm of the program. Coming off a fourth-place finish in the America East Indoor Championships – their best finish at the meet in the last 12 years – the men’s team has impressed in the outdoor season thus far. Senior distance runner Dan Moroney’s season was highlighted by his performance at the University of Massachusetts Amherst meet April 9. Moroney won the 5,000-meter race with a time of 14:45:36. With this time, Moroney was able to win the race by 36 seconds, according to UVM athletics. The men’s team has seen many contributions from underclassmen in meets this season. “We have some young guys who have a lot of potential,” Moroney said. “Taylor Kracher just had a great 800 at Dartmouth [University,]” Moroney said. Kratcher’s win in the 800-meter race with a time of 1:53:35 at Dartmouth April 16. Senior thrower Isaac de La Bruere came out on top in the
Eribert volaj EVOLAJ@UVM.EDU
T Senior Ellen Bridgman competes in the high jump at a home meet against University of Albany April 12. The team will compete in the America East Championship May 7 and 8. Photo courtesy UVM
Athletics
javelin throw at the Dartmouth Outdoor Classic April 16. De La Bruere won the throw with a best throw of 63.54 meters, a career best. This was the second-best throw in America East this season, and it was just shy of the UVM record in the event, according to UVM athletics. The women’s track and field team has also seen success as of late, with a second-place finish at the Dartmouth Outdoor Classic. Senior runner Dana Gaetani broke UVM’s 10-year record in the 400-meter race at the Duke Invitational April 22. Gaetani finished the race in 55.79 seconds, breaking the
previous UVM record by nearly one second, according to UVM athletics. The team is now nearing the end of their season, with growing anticipation for the America East Championships. Known as one of the most important meets of the season, the league championships will be held at UVM May 7 and 8. Familiarity with the track will be a huge advantage for the Catamounts, junior jumper/ sprinter Ian Weider said. “Being able to compete in the biggest meet of the year on the track that we practice on five to six days of the week will be very helpful to our team’s overall success,” Weider said.
The “home track advantage” will play a factor for Moroney. “There’s nothing better than running in front of a big home crowd,” he said. For Weider, defending America East long jump champion, competing in the America East Championships in his home state of Vermont makes the event even more important, he said. “As a native Vermonter who is attending his state school, it means the world,” Weider said. “I want more than anything to keep the long jump title in the Green Mountain state.”
Catamounts to thank fans at event by Tony clark anthony.clark@uvm.edu
On the 10th annual Fan Appreciation Day, UVM athletes will express their thanks to the fans who have supported them all year. The event will take place at Virtue Field April 30 as the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams take on Binghamton University in the last regular season home game of the year. The day will consist of the women’s game at 3 p.m and the men’s at 7 p.m, with a Fan Appreciation Day intermission starting at 6 p.m. During that time the Student Alumni Association will provide lawn games, music and giveaways. As SpringFest winds down, students and the general public can make their way from Jeffords Parking lot to Virtue Field for the day’s festivities and the men’s game at 7 p.m, according to UVM athletics. Aside from being the last home game of the year, both teams will be celebrating their veteran teammates with senior day. Players on both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams were excited to be able to share the day with the fans who have supported them this year and throughout their careers. “As a player, fan appreci-
Semifinals have strong contenders
ation is a day where we get to show how much our fans mean to us,” senior long-stick midfielder Henry Linde-Elmhirst said. “Half our season is played in February and March, which aren’t exactly the warmest months of the year, so our fans are pretty dedicated to stick it out,” Linde-Elmhirst said. “For that, they mean a lot to us.” Senior midfielder Margaret Nealon expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the chance to show the fans how much they mean to her. “It gives us [athletes] an opportunity to let our fans know how much they mean to us,” Nealon said. “We have so much respect for our fans because they are always there, despite the unbearable winter temperatures and conditions we play in,” she said.
Sophomore Cam Stafford fights for control of the ball during the Catamount’s game against Dartmouth College March 29. Photo
courtesy UVM Athletics
opportunity to attend the game with free admission. “Being able to play in front of the local high school and youth players hits home on so many levels,” Linde-Elmhirst
“
It gives us an opportunity to let our fans know how much they mean to us. WOMEN’S LACROSSE SENIOR MARGARET NEALON
In addition to being Fan Appreciation Day and Senior Day, Saturday is also Youth and High School Lacrosse Day, where Vermont’s next generation of lacrosse players have the
said. “When you grow up playing sports competitively you’re always striving to play at the next level, and being able to inspire young players to play on the
field you’re playing on is definitely something to play for.” In addition, Linde-Elmhirst said he embraced the chance to help increase the sport’s popularity within the state. “Lacrosse in Vermont still has a ton of growing room, despite its popularity in the rest of New England,” he said. “Being able to help grow the game here is a pretty special feeling as well.” Nealon discussed the value in playing in front of younger players who are interested in the game. “This is an amazing opportunity for us, and it is so rewarding to look out at the stands and see so many young, aspiring athletes,” she said.
he Champions League semifinalists have finally been determined. Atletico Madrid caused what could be considered the biggest upset, as it took advantage of Barcelona’s slump in form to come out as the winner in the all-Spanish affair. Forward Antoine Griezmann’s double was too much for the reigning champions, who could not use the 2-1 advantage from the first leg in their favor. Atletico is only one of the two Madrid sides to make the semifinals, as Real Madrid also came back from a first-leg loss to make the final four for the sixth consecutive time. Real Madrid relied on forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s magic to defeat VFL Wolfsburg. Ronaldo has accumulated an outstanding 16 goals in 10 Champions League games this season, twice as many as his closest followers: Luis Suarez, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller. Bayern Munich and Manchester City complete the final four. The German champions did just enough against Benfica, winning their home game 1-0 before a 2-2 away draw, with Bayern’s Arturo Vidal finding the net in both legs. Bayern boasts the competition’s best provider in its ranks: Kingsley Coman, who has five assists. The English side, meanwhile, relied heavily on goalkeeper Joe Hart, who denied PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the penalty spot in the first game and then again several times from free kicks in the second. Like Bayern, Manchester City managed a 2-2 draw away from home, and won 1-0 at Etihad to secure its first-ever appearance in the semifinals of the Champions League. It is very hard to make any predictions at this stage. Bayern Munich, with the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Müller, Douglas Costa and Arjen Robben, has a deadly attack. However, Atletico Madrid boasts arguably the best defense in Europe. “Los Galacticos,” as Real Madrid is famously known, will hope Ronaldo will be back on time for the clash with City. These games promise to be some of the most exciting of the season, so make sure to tune in. In the first set of games, Manchester City hosts Real Madrid April 26, while Bayern Munich visits Atletico Madrid April 27. Eribert Volaj is a sophomore business administration major. He has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2015.