Vermont Cynic Spring 2014 Issue 20

The Vermont

CYNIC

Water bottle ban

Page 4

The University of Vermont’s independent voice since 1883

W e d n e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 6 , 2 0 1 4 – Vo l u m e 1 3 0 I s s u e 2 0 | B u r l i n g t o n , Ve r m o n t

New design plan for City Hall Park Elizabeth Bengel Copy Chief

VICTORIA CASSAR The Vermont Cynic

Actress and transgender activist Laverne Cox (left) and sophomore Courtney Stanley (center) embrace after a speech Cox gave in the Davis Center Feb. 21. Cox stars in the show “Orange is the New Black.”

Talking on transitions

Transgender actress Laverne Cox tells her story Alana Smith

ing to

VICTORIA CASSAR The Vermont Cynic

Actress and transgender activist Laverne Cox speaks in the Davis Center Feb. 21. The talk explored intersections of race, gender and class.

JONATHAN POLSON The Vermont Cynic

See Laverne Talks on page 6

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N EWS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Summer research on Lake Champlain Undergrads to develop local lake research Natalie Cooney While spending their summer on Lake Champlain, students will have the opportunity to both soak up the sun and participate in a new summer research program.

UVM is launching a program in which 10 undergraduate students from across the U.S. will study Lake Champlain and determine how aquatic man activities.

The impact of the lake’s conditions on Vermont’s economy will also be investigated, according to University Communications.

Most people are aware of the harmful impact humans have on Lake Champlain, such as pollution and nutrient loading, said Jason Stockwell, principal investigator of the research program and director of the Rubenstein ecosystem science laboratory.

However, they are less aware of how the health of the on the lives of people, Stockwell said.

“To better live in the place

WALKER SULTZBACH The Vermont Cynic

Associate Professor Jason Stockwell explains research that he is conducting at ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center Feb. 17. This sum-

plain Valley, we need to understand how things are connected, how they respond to each other, and how to reduce or minimize negative impacts,” Stockwell said.

Science plays a critical role in addressing these challenges,

he said.

Training the next generation of scientists in interdisciplinary thinking is therefore important for our future, Stockwell said.

“What makes me love UVM is the natural beauty and focus

on being green and healthy,” Whetzle thinks that everyone needs to be aware of the impact we have on Lake Champlain, because it is such an important and beautiful landmark of Burlington.

Prospective

participants

www.uvm.edu/~ecolab/reu.

The application deadline is March 1.

Profits fall for mail center Parking garage thief

charged in robberies

Alexander Collingsworth Underground Copy’s location is truly underground, since it is now located in the basement of Waterman Building.

“It is a big hassle to go all the way to Waterman to ship

Hannah Kearns Assistant News Editor A man suspected of stealing property from students’ cars in the Gutterson parking garage on Athletic Campus has been arrested for suspected involvement in two more local burglaries.

Zackk Trombly, a 19-yearold from Milton, Vt. was identi-

Vangala said.

Due to the move and a lack of student awareness about the Copy’s revenue has decreased about 25 percent, Rick Carlson, director of UVM’s print and mail center said.

Underground Copy moved nancial reasons, Carlson said.

The print and mail center is open 12 months a year. However, there’s a period of about three months when students are not here, Carlson said. ing to make the necessary revenue to support our expenses during non-academic periods,” he said.

The career hub now occupies Underground Copy’s previous location.

UVM administrators thought that the career hub would be a better use of the space, since it would provide an enhanced service to students, Carlson said.

“It made sense for us to re-

WALKER SULTZBACH The Vermont Cynic

Director of the Print & Mail Center Richard Carlson speaks in his

locate and to put a service in there that supports students’ needs,” Carlson said.

Lower fees for printing and mailing services is the primary move to Waterman, Carlson said. nearly all of the same services ey orders and registered mail.

While Underground Copy has saved money in relocating, it has also lost revenue, due to One of the causes of Underground Copy’s decreased revenue is that its location in the basement of Waterman is hidden away, Carlson said.

Underground Copy ran a

marketing campaign to promote its new location. The center held an open house on Oct. 31, 2013 in an attempt to get students to notice that it had relocated, Carlson said.

Nevertheless, the center’s greatest problem is still student awareness, Carlson said.

Underground Copy had a erally more of a presence at its Davis Center location, Carlson said.

“I have three things that need to be mailed, and the only reason I have not mailed them is because I have to walk through the damn cold all the Sarang Murthy said.

initial incident in the parking garage, that took place Jan. 30, Czekaj said.

Trombly was also recently linked to burglaries at Kerry’s Kwik Stop located on St.Paul St. and Radio Deli on Pearl St., according to a Burlington police department press release.

The owner of Kerry’s Kwik Stop reported that at some point during the night of Jan.20, the front door window had been broken, according to the release.

After investigation, it was discovered that a large amount of cigarette cartons, beer and various food items had been stolen, according to the release.

Trombly was arrested Feb. 17 for his suspected involvement in the burglaries, according to the release.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BURLINGTON POLICE

Trombly was lodged at the Chittenden County Correctional Facility Feb. 17 with bail set at $5,000, the release stated.

The recent incidents with Trombly aren’t of too much lins, who said he generally feels safe while on campus.

“For the most part I feel safe on campus, one or two incidents does not concern me,” he said. “However, the lack of communication between UVM police services and Burlington police does scare me.”

N EWS

CRIME LOG Lauren Drasler

Feb. 14 7:03 a.m.

Police services was contacted after a vending machine was vandalized and broken into in Chittenden Hall on Central Campus.

The machine was damaged and some merchandise was missing, yet a lot of the products still remained in the machine. No one has incident.

8:47 a.m.

Police were contacted after someone discovered that a light pole in the east commuter lot on Central Campus had been knocked down. Upon investigation, there appeared to be no obvious cause for the pole to be down, as there weren’t any vehicles around it. It was thought that a snow plow knocked it over the previous night.

Feb. 15 7:21 p.m.

A student was removed from a hockey game at Gutterson Fieldhouse for being intoxicated. A person in the cer that was on-duty at the game and the student was asked to leave. The student did not go to detox, but it was clear that he/she was intoxicated.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Minorities begin new pre-med club Sarah Olsen

In an attempt to combat a lack of diversity at UVM, a group of pre-medical students formed the Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students in the spring of 2013.

With 23 members, senior Chris Veal, president of the club, said he is pleasantly surprised by how the club has grown in the last year.

“I had great plans for [the club], and I really think it brings a lot to UVM,” Veal said.

The goal of the club is to help minority students feel welcome at UVM, Veal said. By creating the club, Veal believes he has done just that. Before there was no medical club that catered to minority groups “I think that UVM does have a disparity in the amount of minorities they have at the school,” Veal said. “UVM has nority groups, but just because they target them doesn’t mean they’re going to be successful.”

This program aims to enwill want to come to this school, Veal said.

When Veal speaks of minorities, he doesn’t just mean race.

The club is open to all types of minorities.

“Our club is catering towards any and all underrepre-

ERIN LUCEY The Vermont Cynic

sented groups in the medical school,” Veal said. “These inthe lower socioeconomic status community and of course the racial minorities.”

The club is similar to that of the Premedical Enhancement Program in that it has a lot to do with networking and marketing, Veal said.

It is all about getting into medical school and helping pre-med students reach that point, he said.

“UVM is unique in that it has a hospital and a medical

school right on campus,” Veal said. “That’s something that not even Harvard has.” “[The club] is able to marthe Premedical Enhancement Program is,” he said. “We just want to use our facilities to our full advantage.”

The conferences that some club members have attended include the National Student Medical Association, which the club is a chapter of. Students

tended a conference last fall and got a job at Brown this summer as a result,” Veal said.

The group isn’t just looking for pre-medical students as members either.

“Our program is open to pre-dental and physician assistant students as well,” sophomore Fathima Sameen said.

The club expects a continued growth as they market to and expand their marketing and networking opportunities.

ferences a lot, Veal said.

“One of our members at-

BUSINESS AT RENSSELAER

Feb. 16 5:04 a.m.

An RA in Wing Hall on Redstone Campus contacted police services after smelling an odor of marijuana coming from a dorm room in the building. When police arrived, they were able to locate the source of the grinder and three grams of marijuana from the students in the room.

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police after smelling an odor of marijuana coming from one of the dorm rooms in the building. Upon police arrival the smell had gone away and the source could not be located.

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Life

Bottle bans, bubblers and BPA Mike Eaton The bottle ban might not be water under the bridge just yet.

In 2012, UVM ended the

graduation, she said.

Senior Sam Kahn-Arcangeli was an IRA member during the process, IRA is a student group that collected signatures of campus residents who supported the ban.

on campus and mandated that brought up that had if not unanimous, nearly unanimous supoptions,” according to a Feb. 2, 2012 article published by the Cynic.

Jan. 1, 2013 and after a year of implementation, some students

banned on campus.”

UVM supplemented the ban by replacing and adding new wa-

First-year SGA senator SaDREW COOPER The Vermont Cynic

that the ban does not go far enough.

Cate said. anyway but the ban on sale of bottled water was the catalyst.” purpose of this ban.”

The students’ push to end the sale of bottled water, led by the -

abolic disorders as well.”

BPAwful

water,” she said.

Those who support the ban concerns of plastic bottle use,

years prior to their success, ac-

The Ban in Brief

purpose in the ban as it is. plastic bottles, but can also be found on linings of cans, plastic coatings on glasses and paper receipts.

transitioned well. nicipal source is cleaner because state than bottled water, which

spread,” the National Institute of

the change and regularly bring

website stated. said.

sales came after years of student tions, support from faculty and

not smart water, it’s dumb water bottles.”

programs,” Gioia Thompson, sustainability director, said.

Thompson explained some of the many ways in which students,

nants before being sent through a treatment plant, according to

percent of its test subjects. The researchers claim this study is population.

Bubblers or Bottles

tion, Cate said. tional media paid a great deal of attention to what we accomplished and the responses were

-

As for VSTEP, they plan to

sor in the Rubenstein School,

sustainable push that the bottle ban initiated.

An intern made a fountains explaining the decision and an unteers for the art project that was displayed at the bottled water retirement party, Thompson said.

-

though associate director of ath-

health. It is a chemical found in plastic water bottles. been shown to disrupt reproducopment and is associated with

to handling water bottle waste or tles as well,” Miller said.

Miller said she plans to focus on the latter.

Some, including Vermont (VSTEP) president junior Claire

to instill sustainable practices.”

Read the full story at www. vermontcynic.com

LI FE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

5

Substantial content change for MCAT Jackie Morris Cynic Correspondent Students applying to medical school for the fall of 2016 will take a new and “improved” Medical College Admission Test, commonly known as the MCAT. The purpose of the test’s changes, taking place for the year of 2015, is to better prepare the doctors of tomorrow for challenges of the future health care system, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

As much as 50 percent of the test’s content will change and will now test students’ levels of conceptualization of information, as opposed to memorization of facts, according to Princeton Review.

“It’s mostly science and memorization, which basically involved hours a day reading and doing questions,” Gerardo Torres Flores ‘12, former pre-med club president, said.

“The new changes are good because they involve social sciences, which would involve more reasoning and rational thinking,” he said.

The current MCAT is and consists of four sections.

The sections include physical sciences, verbal reasoning, biological sciences and a writing sample, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

The MCAT will become more than seven hours long, and will include a new sec-

LYDIA SCHWARTZ The Vermont Cynic

-

tion called psychological, social and biological foundations of behavior while discontinuing the writing sample section.

The section will test aspiring medical students’ unbehavior and social interactions, as well as how people process emotions and stress, according to the Princeton Review.

The biological science section will also change to the biological and biochemical foundations of living systems, placing more emphasis on biochemistry, according to the review.

However, pre-med students applying to medical school for fall 2016 are not obligated to take the new exam.

Most medical schools

will accept scores from the past three years, according to the review.

“Medical school is extremely competitive. Taking an exam this long, especially being a slower test taker, worries me,” said Christine istry major.

Though medical school prerequisites vary, most include credits in psychology

and sociology, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Some students said they believe that the changes to the exam may, in fact, ben-

“interesting,” so taking a psychology class will be ben2016 MCAT.

Book publication inspires English majors Carter Williams

After his recent graduation, a UVM alumni made his dream of becoming a published author come true.

As a junior, Frank Smecker ‘12 began writing the manuscript of his book that is due to hit shelves May 30, 2014.

“The central premise is that objectivity is the fundamental thing that gives rise to where we as subjects go to said.

The book’s philosophical concepts can be put in the context of a student’s life at UVM, he said.

“It seems like a really intriguing study,” said Ryan Engley, a graduate teaching assistant in the English department.

“Night of the World: Traversing the Ideology of Objectivity,” published by Zero Books Publishers, is a great access point to a lot of other material written about the same topic, Frank said.

“If your sense of self is constructed externally,

NICOLE REBER The Vermont Cynic

Alumni Frank Smecker ‘12

what’s the internal? It may be an abyss—an emptiness,” he said. ly connect with it, terrify yourself with it and embrace it too,” Smecker said.

He urged students to dig

self.

“Reconstruct a subject for yourself and of yourself,” Smecker said. “Otherwise, cial life, in a sense.”

Originally Frank wrote

“Night of the World: Traversing the Ideology of Objectivity” as a paper for his class, said Todd McGowan, a professor in the English department.

McGowan was also the original editor of the manu-

script for Smecker’s book.

Frank was a voracious learner and “one of his best students” McGowan said.

When Frank handed in his paper McGowen “could not believe a student wrote [it],” he said.

“I’m not surprised that someone took a seminar paper they wrote for [McGowan] and turned it into a book,” Engley said.

“I’m sure he helped as much as Frank asked him to along the way,” he said.

Engley said that McGowan is known for his teaching expertise in the English department.

“No matter what class he teaches, he approaches everything with the same level of theoretical and textual engagement,” he said.

Some undergraduate students are also inspired by the news of the alumni’s recent publication.

“It’s always a good thing when someone from the UVM family gets published,” sophomore English major Ben Parsons said.

“It’s inspiring to go into a book store and see UVM alumni on the shelves,” he said.

ARTS LAVERNE TALKS

“Orange is the New Black” star and transgender advocate gives speech at UVM

...continued from page 1 Cox said she knows a great deal about the struggle for selfacceptance.

She went on to speak in detail about her own attempted suicide, and described how she “hustled for worthiness as a [male] child” by focusing primarily on academics and expressing herself through performance. self as she described her struggles and obstacles that other transgender people are often faced with,” junior Katie Gardner said.

“I did feel safe in my imagination. I really believe dancing and performing saved my life as a kid.”

Laverne Cox Actress and activist club scene that Cox, dressed her “gender identity was an asIt has been 16 years since

her whole story are important.

It makes one think of new ways to look at traditional gender spaces, she said.

“Trans people of color need to be heard,” Bartelheim said.

As a male child, Cox said she did not feel safe being entirely herself.

“I did feel safe in my imagination,” she said. “I really beCox attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, Ala. After graduating, she tend Marymount Manhattan College for acting.

shot, and since then it has been a long road to celebrity. lebrity that Cox has been able to raise awareness for the issues that she feels strongly about.

Such issues include high rates of unemployment, homibullying and suicide that are taking place within the transgender community and in particular with transgender youth.

“She is a literal goddess. She is so smart, strong and beyond possibility model,” sophomore Caroline Kobetitsch said.

VICTORIA CASSAR The Vermont Cynic

-

Malone said that the crowd was “The whole crowd stood was [so] emotional to see so room,” she said.

Sophomore Benjamin Kenmodel and hero.

sion and empathy, and I pull so much strength from her,” he said.

After meeting Cox, Kennedy said it was the “highlight of [his] year.” self-determination” and wishes to change the transgender discourse from one of shame, to one of exploration.

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inspirational here,” Kobetitsch just talk about ‘Orange is the was both empowering and uplifting. the amazing, eloquent, inspirMalone said.

Non-profit puts locals on stage Michael Swain

Friends + Family brought their do-it-yourself styled concerts up a step to the secCity Arts center Feb. 22.

Friends + Family is an organization that assists musicians to put on local shows. tems, promotion and usually a basement or bar for shows, according to their website.

Students and locals alike walks to make it to Church Street for the concert.

The concert space conapartment rooms with brick

came Lifemusik mit Andre.

He is a one-man act who sings with guitar and backtracks from his iPhone plugged into the PA system.

Between songs he exchanged banter with the audience.

“This song is called Tender and Tinder. Tender like meat, Tinder like the app,” he said.

Lifemusik mit Andre engaged his audience by dancing with a machete and tak“I liked him a lot, he Carter Kolasa said.

After a set by two-man band SHTKNF, much of the audience migrated to the merchandise and danced to the music spun by the DJ. last time to the performance

wintertime decorations.

Final Frontiers opened the show, a band that consists of guitar, keyboard and usually drums, but the group went as only a two-man band on Saturday night.

Sophomore Amanda Meltsner said she liked their set, and described the group as “happy, nasally white boy punk-rock.”

Later, after a performance by electronic music

Rick Rude. center with two guitars, a bass, a trombone and drums. of rock songs, including a Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Visit www. friendsandlearn about future Friends +

A RTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

7

Opening minds one note at a time Ted Levin

The Red, Black and Green Revolutionary EcoMusic Tour made its second stop in Vermont, with a collaboration of jazz musicians both young and old.

Students and local resiSouthwick Recital Hall Feb. 20 for nearly two hours of music, theatrics and speechAmong them was civil rights activist Colia Clark.

The event was sponsored, in part, by the Honors College, Student Life, Ecosocialist Horizons and Goddard College.

Calling Vermont a “revolutionary state,” Clark introduced UVM’s jazz club as the opening act, whom she deemed worthy of “a soulsized stomp.”

She later turned the attention toward issues facing the country today.

“Vermont is very important, looking at this whole area, we have captured Mother Earth in a very negative way,” Clark said.

“Destruction of the environment and destruction of humanity is part of why I’m here tonight,” she said.

Combining social and environmental issues, the tour aims to draw attention to the

ways that citizens can work together to make the world a better place for everyone.

“There is a simultaneous attraction and revulsion to African Americans multi-instrumentalist Salim Washington said. “You cannot allow that philosophy toward life.”

The night’s musical act was centered around artist Cal Massey, whose “Black Liberation Movement Suite” was performed by the band.

Clare Dolan, another speaker for the event, said that Massey was seen as jazz.

Known for his lifelong friendship with John Coltrane, many say Cal Massey was responsible for bringing jazz music into the mainstream.

At the time of these musicians, it was strongly believed that jazz should remain in the underground as part of African Americans’ cultural heritage, Dolan said.

“Things that mark music are disproportionately country in terms of music is African American,” Washington said.

The night was concluded with a performance of re-

Cynic Picks

A taste of Vermont

tracks from Vermont artists. Her radio show “Exposure” runs every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and features local and live music.

nowned baritone saxophonist Fred Ho’s big band comRevolutionary Gardens of Harlem Suite.”

Ho, who is currently suffering from colon cancer, was honored throughout the night by his former protégés and admirers.

Ho has worked as a saxophonist, but also as an opponent to capitalism.

He additionally is a civil rights leader who petitioned for the rights of convicted murderer Russel Maroon Shoatz.

Shoatz, a member of the Black Liberation Army, was arrested for murdering a poin 1970.

He spent 23 years in solihaving a no disciplinary record.

He was released back into the prison’s general population the very night of the tour’s stop at UVM. The Red, Black and Green Revolutionary EcoMusic Tour made several other stops in Vermont, beginning with Johnson State College Feb. 19 followed by UVM the next day.

The tour will conclude with concerts in Barnard, Vt. and at Goddard College

Hearts don’t skip a beat Israeli and Palestinian music group to come to Vt. Becca Friedlander “It’s very simple when it comes to music because you get to be yourself,” Heartbeat singer Dana Herz said.

Heartbeat is a musical group made up of Israeli and their talents to share their

leased)

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SADEY MIRABILE The Vermont Cynic

Middle East.

They also work to create a message of peace through collaborating on their music.

“We want our audience to hear the musicians and open their minds and their hearts. “[We want them] to really understand the life in often not fairly portrayed in western media,” UVM alumni and Heartbeat manager Avi Salloway said.

Heartbeat will perform Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ira Allen Chapel.

The performance, sponsered by Hillel, is free for UVM students.

“We’re bringing together our most talented and dedicated musicians, using Heartbeat as a way to amplify their voices and become leaders in their communities,” Salloway said.

The musicians them-

selves range from 14 to 21 years old and have various levels of experience.

“In short, you’re going to hear some empowered voices who are calling to justice through creative means,” Salloway said.

Once admitted to a chapter of the Heartbeat program in Israel, the musicians said they grow from writing music together and performing their original work.

“Heartbeat helped me to see more opinions about er lives,” musician Moody Kablawi said. “It gave me opportunity to talk to other people and open up.”

Heartbeat’s music ranges in topics and also in language.

Many of the songs are a combination of Hebrew, Arabic and English, Salloway said.

Though Heartbeat’s music has a unique perspective, the band members said that they try to relate to their audience as much as possible.

“There is no political or religious message here, just a bunch of kids jamming together,” Hillel vice president junior Emily Goldhill said.

“UVM loves a good jam band and they are really good.”

While it is primarily a

concert, attendees are encouraged to bring their own instruments for a jam-style get together afterwards, she said.

The Heartbeat group has worked with over 100 musicians throughout Israel and Some of the members touring this year have been a part of the project from the beginning, Salloway said.

Both Herz and Kablawi commented on how amazing it has been to work with and talk to kids who are so them.

“I had no idea what to expect last year, but they were so good, that’s why I’ve taken on the project this year,” Goldhill said. “I realized how amazing and important it was.”

Heartbeat’s tour continues through Mar. 11, and includes stops throughout as well as a performance at the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C. The band’s performance on Feb. 26 will mark their second time performing at UVM. Heartbeat’s members said that they are very excited for their return to the campus.

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OPINION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

9

COLUMNISTS

Politicos and spin doctors Matthew Kunihiro I love policy but hate politics.

Sometimes I imagine myself as a congressman, helping to

Divesting part deux Joey Brown Earlier this year an organization which nobody had ever heard of, called the American Studies Association, decided to pass a resolution to boycott, sanction and divest from academic institutions in Israel.

Why? Well, if you can skim through the crumbled logic of intellectually lazy arguments— the types in which one’s enemies are compared to Nazis, South African racists or both.

Or colonial European powers, or, again, all of the above— then it would seem to have something to do with the IsraeWell, did they pass this resolution in conjunction with others that condemn “rogue” nations?

No? Not even North Korea?

Not Sudan? Does no one care for Darfur anymore? Not China, either?

After all, Israel has no reeducation camps, but China does.

Israel has no troops in Gaza, but you can be sure that China has troops in Tibet.

Israel has elections—in which, yes, Arabs are elected— but even the concept of democracy is treasonous in North Korea.

How did the ASA come to pass this resolution? Ah, with a vote, of course.

How many people participated? 1,252, and around 66 percent of them voted to pass the resolution!

Boy, the ASA has over 800 experts on the Israeli-PalestinBut none, one supposes, who are properly equipped to acter of North Korea.

Not only does this resolution lack appropriate motives, it lacks good judgment as well.

Israel is the only country in the Middle East that Freedom House describes as “free.”

They have elections for everyone of voting age and very liberal rights, regardless of race, sex and religion.

And for the LGBT folks, Israel is one of the safest places to be in that part of the world.

Luckily, approximately 250 universities from across the United States have rejected the ASA’s boycott of Israel, including our very own UVM. It is only appropriate that, in this editorial, I extend my sincerest appreciations to UVM’s President Tom Sullivan.

In acknowledging the fault behind condemning a free nation—whose neighbors gas and butcher their own people— President Sullivan demonstrates that UVM’s values rest securely on the side of liberty, and not on the side of politics.

Joey Brown is a sophomore political science major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2012.

of Americans.

Eventually those thoughts lead me to the disheartening reality that I couldn’t possibly It’s not the penetrating scrutiny, the public speaking or even the suit and tie.

The one thing that always tears me away from the idea of getting involved in government is its inherent dishonesty.

Our representatives lie and manipulate their way into power, but that’s just good politics.

President Barack Obama is a textbook example of a great politician.

Unfortunately for Obama, debacle and repeated overreach of executive power are making trust a hard thing to rustle out of American citizens nowadays.

Like most two-term presidents, Obama’s approval ratings have seen a steep decline.

The lofty ideal that “if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor,” that Obama is a politician through and through. made a self-described “administrative” call to delay the employer mandate until past the 2016 election period.

Obama has shown a complete disregard for the constitutional breakdown of power granted to the executive branch.

It is the most recent of many delays that span back to of which Republicans argued as reasons to delay its rollout.

Assuming the order to be well-intentioned paints a picture of a blatant override of power.

Congress is in place to deliberate legislation and come to conclusions as to what should cient.

Obama, tired of dealing with an opposing majority that represents the American people, has taken it upon himself to manage the healthcare law out Obama highlights his ego, and reveals more of his disdain for the political system that has made our nation great.

The American model is built upon the idea that the people govern. designed to be dysfunctionally slow to provide solutions to national issues.

Its pace has kept our country from imploding for 230 years.

Today’s gridlock in Congress is a reaction to Obama’s attempts to fundamentally change the makeup of our system.

Next time Obama makes a promise, see him for what he is, not what he says.

undeclared major. He has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2014.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Student Climate Culture and VSTEP will not cease its calls for divestment Dear Editor, In the Feb. 12 edition of the Cynic called for activists to “Rest the calls for Divesting.” Divestment as a tactic has a strong track record of creating and demonstrating broad support for legislative action, such as limiting trade with South African companies during apartheid.

To quote Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a leader of the antiapartheid movement in South Africa, “we would not have succeeded without the help of international pressure, in particular the divestment movement of the 1980s.”

By stigmatizing the compafuel dependence, we open the

door for legislative and systemic change that will keep everyday citizens from being complicit in climate change just by turning on the lights or having a glass of milk.

Actually, the ISC’s policy states that the University “shall not preclude the consideration of moral, ethical and social criteria in determining companies in which to invest.”

The willful disruption of the world’s climate system is a moral, ethical and social issue. We cannot burn 4/5ths of proven fossil fuel reserves if we want to avoid a 2° C global temperature increase, considered the point of no return for climate change by the U.N. Another assumption that Mr. Brown makes is that there would be a negative impact to

endowment returns by divesting.

In reality, fossil fuels do not have a high rate of returns when compared to other sectors and investment opportunities. While they may be considered “stable” investments, fossil fuels carry about the same rate of returns as many others industries.

So if the ISC were to ask Cambridge Associates, the third party that really handles our investments, to divest our stocks, they would have the ability to reallocate our holdings to other investments with similar returns.

Many people dismiss divestment activists as hypocrites because we depend on fossil fuels too.

That’s true, everyone does,

which is exactly the problem that divestment aims to address. Mr. Brown argues that you should forget about having a global perspective and just try to reduce your own carbon footprint.

Yes, individuals need to take responsibility for their own consumption, and VSTEP, Vermont Students Toward Environmental Protection, is doing a great job making that possible.

But that won’t be enough to address global climate change, when fossil fuels are tied to everything we do. The kind of inaction encouraged by Mr. Brown lets fossil fuel companies continue with their business as usual, and keeps our government from doing anything about it.

Global change has always required people to actively question power, and Student Climate Culture invites the UVM community to do just that.

Mr. Brown is right about one thing: UVM produces environmentally conscious students. And guess what they want? For their university to divest from fossil fuels.

Ruth Shafer Environmental Science/ Studio Art double major

Student Climate Culture meets Mondays at 8 p.m. in Living & Learning Commons 312

10

d i st r act i o n s

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 , 2014

Where are students going for Spring Break?

Vail, Colo.

“Spring skiing in the vail back bowls - nothing is better.”

Los Angeles “Where to start? The sun, the ocean, the sand, paddle-boarding, no snow, no snow boats, no slush, no heavy jackets, the warmth, the music.

That feeling you get when you are lying down and not a single part of your body is cold but perfectly content.”

Grace Buckles, senior

Samantha Lucas, senior

St. Petersburg, Fla. “Trying to reenact the movie ‘Spring Breakers’ … just kidding … maybe.”

Jordan Weith, junior

New Orleans “Because why wouldn’t you want to celebrate Mardi Gras in it’s birth place?”

Maddy Hunt, sophomore

Alternative Spring Break in Michigan “Cause it’s ASB and that’s pretty sick.”

Marissa Lehrman, sophomore

Savannah, Ga. “I will get to spend time with my best friends and soak up the warm southern sun!”

Hope Zabronsky, junior New York City “Wandering the sleepless streets, soaking in the city, taking pictures, eating authentic fare. What could be more awesome?”

Jonathan Lott, senior Lyndon, Vt. “MY FUCKING DOG WILL BE THERE.” Connor Daley, senior

Los Angeles “Because I’m going with two of my best girls.”

Isabelle Joseph, sophomore

Orlando, Fla. “I’m going to Disney with my boyfriend!”

Rose Chevalier, junior

Orlando, Fla. “Because it [Disney World] is the greatest place on Earth.”

Eden Pirog, senior

Orlando, Fla. “I am going with my best friends and although I am a junior, it is my last opportunity to go away for spring break. Also, my parents are coming so I am also excited to see them!”

Arielle Kaminer, junior

Sports

Club athletes set their standards high Nick White

for a three day, two night tour-

It was a Wednesday night in the single digits at UVM, but lower courts of Patrick Gymnasium.

Members of the men’s club basketball team arrived for their mid-week practice at 6:30 p.m.

The organization of the team separates them from other players just shooting around at the gym.

The players then made their way over to the far court where coach of the program at the University, and head coach School’s team.

varsity

basketball

has been able to coach his son, he enjoys playing competitively for the team.

“We have quite a bit of individual talent, so we make it work. The main reason we’ve implemented a coach is to try The club has faced local competition, such as Vermont Technical College in Randolph, Technical Institute in Concord, their mark on larger stages.

The team made a road trip

teams.

“We got snubbed a little bit,” club president Jason Paul said.

The team beat UMass-Lowell, yet moved on to face the top teams in their bracket, Yale and Penn State.

“It’s awesome to have the opportunity to play competitive basketball but the team chemistry is what really makes it worth it,” sophomore MattValenti said.

“Everyone is supportive and just out to have a good time,” he said.

Each of the team members participated in organized high school ball before coming to UVM, Paul said.

Junior Sean Witte-Meredith led the state of Connecticut in blocked shots and brought his team to a state championship during his high school career.

Demir Smajovic played for School, in New Jersey.

“I joined club basketball because it gave me the opportunity to continue playing basketball at a competitive level,” junior Jack Leclerc said. with smaller or slower defenders. edith to take advantage of his

height and mid-range jump shot, while he praised Valenti’s quick handles and “stellar court vision.”

As the club’s captain, Paul is in charge of putting together their schedule. practices and games. Come game time, he’ll be in charge other coaching obligations at ing a more serious team,” Paul said.

Team members said they look to better their squad for next season as they search for a full-time coach.

They also plan to add tournaments to their schedule as well as add new talent to the already competitive squad.

March Madness Picks: Demir Smajovic Syracuse University Ethan Brown Kansas State University Jason Paul University of Vermont Matt Valonti Duke University Sean-Witte-Meredith Kansas State University

JONATHAN POLSON The Vermont Cynic

Alum sets records in Pacers battle Heat in East biathlon at Olympics View from the Moon Man

regular season titles, and great teams have a habit of turning it on when it counts.

Keys for Miami will bring hard work. As well as the health of Dwyane Wade, who is dealing with his typical array of injuries.

Jake Bielecki While the formality of the citement, the matchup everyLast year the Pacers took proved their bruising style can Last year’s series established Paul George as a budding superstar, this year he’s removed the budding precursor.

Defensively, he’s one of few ron in a seven game series.

That’s all you can ask for when dealing with the game’s best player. by a few games in the quest for home court advantage. has been “a long and grueling season for all of us.”

more than it will the Pacers.

For the Pacers, the stardom of Paul George is the storyline, but the emergence of Lance Stephenson is the biggest difOne of the most erratic players last season; Stephenness but followed those up with head-scratching turnovers and lapses.

This year he’s nearly doubled his point, rebound and assist averages. per game, Stephen’s also one of the best rebounders and distributors from the shooting guard position. a game.

Another addition is swingman Evan Turner, who the Pacers received in a trade for previous franchise player Danny Granger.

Granger missed all of last

season and the Pacers’ suspect bench was ultimately their downfall.

Turner provides another ball-handler who is athletic

Taking a weakness and making it a strength, the Pacers now boast one of the most exciting benches in the league.

Luis Scola provides a solid bench.

CJ Watson is a respectable backup point guard and Anesting wild card.

Greg Oden to help combat the Pacers’ advantage in the post, and he’s being brought along minutes.

The series features two of two teams that played competitwo seasons.

This series is a must-watch toss up.

For my money, give me the hungrier Indiana Pacers in seven at home.

Greg Asnis tory in the sport of biathlons since he graduated from UVM ish by a U.S. biathlete in Sochi, Feb. 13.

The biathlon is a sport that combines cross-country skiing the Team USA website.

“I just really tried to get back to the basics of what I’ve been training for and what I’ve been working on in the last two passed was that of Jeremy Teela, who placed ninth in the 10k sprint in the previous winter games in Vancouver, according to Olympic Sports Reference. ing Winter Olympic sport in which the U.S. has yet to win a medal, according to the website. political science and environmental studies at UVM, placed sprint out of 88 biathletes.

-

ute behind French gold medalist Martin Fourcade, according to the website.

The silver medal went to Erik Lesser of Germany, while Evgeniy Garanichev of Russia took home the bronze, according to the website.

After hitting only 19 of the ley received a one-minute penalty.

“I put together a race that I wanted to put together today, place I’m still happy with the result,” he said. shots, he would have made it to the podium for the bronze medal, according to the Team USA website. and if it’s a fraction of the perpian from Lake Placid, N.Y., made a comeback after placing 38th just three days prior in a Team USA website.

Three other Americans Russell Currier and Leif Nordgren.

12

S PO RTS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

UVM introduces new lifting club to students Emma Oyomba Many students may not know that among the many groups of club athletes, UVM has an Olympic weightlifting club. tracted members of the UVM community.

Head coach Stephen Groves Jr., formerly a trainer in Dallas, came to Burlington and noticed pic weightlifting.

“I love the whole concept of excellence, performance and ments ... So I wanted to get weightlifting but learn how to do the whole process properly,” Groves said. ence is not required to join.

“We have people who have never touched a barbell in their lives, all the way to people who have been actively lifting for years,” he said. ing four females.

One thing that

BECCA ADAMS The Vermont Cynic

Junior Lindsay Hoar lifts in the Gucciardi Fitness and Recreation Center Feb. 19. Hoar is a member of UVM’s Olympic weightlifting club. sonal trainer to try and help people with their lifts. ting and their form is a little

Groves

lifting is not just for men. perience are encouraged to join and better themselves in the sport as well, Groves said.

and I would give them a pointer or two,” Groves said. sistant coach Pearson King said they spread the word about the club simply by helping people at the gym.

sions at 1:30 p.m. while Groves runs the sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 a.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m.

The club is set up to help

The motto that Groves stresses is functionality over performance.

Since this is a club sport,

els.

ternal meet will be held March 16.

Next year members will

“You need to be able to do the absolute basics, if you can’t we will regress you to a level that is appropriate for you,” Groves said.

son meet in Massachusetts in addition to the New York Open.

All members do not have to compete if they don’t want to.

The club could also be just lifting purposes, Groves said.

The club costs $5 a week with all money earned going ment.

Practices typically run an hour and a half in length and meet in the free weight room located in the Gucciardi Fitness Center.

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