Vermont Cynic Spring 2015 Issue 23

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Cats place fourth at nationals

Celebrated artist sets up shop

vtcynic.com

We d n e s d a y, M a r c h 1 8 , 2 0 1 5

Vo l u m e 1 3 1 I s s u e 2 3

DISCO BISCUITS ANNOUNCED FOR SPRINGFEST

Story on page 7

Men’s hockey off to quarterfinals Catamounts prepare to play UMass-Lowell at TD Garden next week Alex Benoit

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DISCO BISCUITS

Reports of sexual assault unusually high As Women’s History month, March commemorates generations of women who have fought for gender equity and against sexual abuse. Yet, such violence continues, especially on college campuses. UVM is no exception.

This semester three sexual assaults were reported to UVM police services, along with two domestic disturbances, two reports of stalking and on 12 sponded to blue light alarms, according to the Crime and Fire Log. 138 blue light units line UVM campus, with the goal of creating a safer environment.

When pressed, the unit’s red button contacts police services line, according to the Physical Plant Department.

“It seems like there has been an increase in domestic violence on campus and it seems to be much more violent,” said Judy Rickstad, the Women’s Center’s campus victim’s advocate.

In the fall semester Rickstad assault and saw about 30 new

clients, said Sarah Warrington, the center’s director.

“This is more than we typically see by far,” Warrington said.

As students returned to campus after winter break, the

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in the Marketplace Parking Garage’s Bank Street stairwell, according to the Jan. 27 press release.

3, when a female student was groped by a “tall, thin, black

It seems like there has been an increase in domestic violence on campus and it seems to be much more violent

“

Taylor Feuss

Judy Rickstad Women’s Center campus victims advocate Burlington Police Department issued a statement regarding two incidents in which young women were followed home from downtown, a Jan. 12 press release stated.

The women reported that a “suspicious male” knocked on their door. They then found him standing outside masturbating, according to the report.

Two weeks later on the evening of Jan. 26, another woman was assaulted and robbed while

male” while walking along Main Street around 2 a.m. Feb. 1, the press release stated.

That week a Facebook post circulated among students stating “multiple” other females were attacked that weekend, however they were not reported.

The post was originally publicly shared by senior Deniz Sehovic Feb. 2, then shared another 17 times. violence, UVM will host the

Dismantling Rape Culture Conference in the Davis Center April Back the Night rally hosted by HOPE Works and the Women’s Center April 16.

While some sexual assaults are reported, many are not, Rickstad and Warrington said.

A female senior, who was sexually assaulted two weekends ago discussed why she chose not to report the incident.

The 23-year-old, who lives downtown, said she wishes to remain anonymous due to the intimate nature of the matter.

“People like to think Burlington is a much safer place than it is when it comes to these things,” she said. “But the reality is that it happens just as frequently here as it does other places. It’s a college town, you et of rape culture. I’ve met lots of women in Burlington who have experienced sexual assault in one form or another.”

The senior said she didn’t know the person who assaulted her. She met him at a bar downtown and they started talking.

However, after that her memory starts to fade — she believes she may have been drugged.

It started with 12 teams, now four remain.

Down four goals in game one of the three game series this past weekend against the Boston College Eagles, Vermont looked as if it was headed for the exit, even after scoring two goals to bring the game within two.

“It’s backs against the wall.

If we want to keep playing, we need to win two now,” head coach Kevin Sneddon said after the game.

Game two saw sophomore Brady Shaw score his 18th and od. Sophomore Brendan Bradley scored the empty net goal and senior netminder Brody saves as the Cats evened up the series.

In game three sophomore Jarrid Privitera scored the lone goal in the contest just over two minutes into the third period.

His older brother, senior Alexx Privitera, tallied the only assist. for the shutout. Including game one, where he replaced sophomore goaltender Mike around seven and a half periods of hockey. He allowed one goal. the shutout. the series, for sure,” Sneddon said. “We’ve played six games in 10 nights. That’s the heart of a lion in that locker room. I’m very proud of our guys here to-

See SEXUAL ASSAULT on page 3

Candidates announced for SGA presidential race The UVM Student Government Association will open the polls March 24 to determine the student body president and vice president for the 2015-2016 academic year. Here is a brief overview of the candidates:

Bryan O’Keefe

Jonathan Cares

Senior philosophy and political science double major running for vice president

Tyler Davis

Sophomore environmental science major running for vice president with Jason Maulucci

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T h e Ve r m o n t C y n i c

Caroline DeCunzo

Junior global studies and environmental studies double major running for president with Sam Ghazey Follow us on Instagram

@VERMONTCYNIC

Sam Ghazey

Junior natural resources major running for vice president with Caroline Decunzo

Khalil Lee

Junior history and Chinese double major running for president

Dylan Letendre

Senior political science and environmental studies double major running for president

Jason Maulucci

Junior economics major running for president with Tyler Davis

Editor’s note: Academic year is sourced from the UVM Student directory, which is based on credit hours F o l l o w u s o n Tw i t t e r

@ Ve r m o n t C y n i c

Wa t c h C y n i c V i d e o

youtube.com/cynicvideo

N ews

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

Crime Log

By Jill Vaglica March 4, 2:15 p.m.

Police received a report of stolen drill bits from a cabinet in the UVM Physical Plan.

The drill bits are believed to have been stolen between Feb. 25 and March 4.

March 7, 3:10 a.m.

A student tried to get into Harris Millis, but the building was locked.

dent in front of the building, and the student asked the building because he had a no, because it was spring break.

New members join board of trustees Margaux Rioux Five new members have been appointed to the UVM board of trustees. Each member received an appointment from current state legislators.

The new members’ educational and professional backgrounds span from environmental consulting, electrical contracting, the culinary arts to accounting.

These new members are Ed Pagano, Bernard Juskiewicz, Curt McCormack and Tristan Toleno. These members will serve a six-year term on the board of trustees. Student trustee, sophomore David Brandt will serve a two-year term. graduate and student athlete, said he has been a member of

student remained at the entrance for another 30 minutes after checking surveillance cameras. The student kicks and punches the door, and took a bucket of custodial salt and threw it all over

since 2014 after working under the Obama administration as a senate liaison and assistant to the president for legislative affairs.

Pagano received his law degree from Fordham University’s School of Law and went on to receive his masters degree in

door.

Sen. Patrick Leahy as his chief of

8:30 p.m.

A burglary was reported at the Redstone Lofts, sometime between 11:30 p.m, March 6 and 1:00 a.m., March 7 or between 1:30 a.m., March 7 and 8:00 a.m, March 7.

A camera and some camera equipment were taken.

There were no signs of forced entry, and there are no suspects at this time.

March a.m.

11,

10:28

During health and safety checks, two bongs and a marijuana pipe were found in a room in Coolidge Hall.

Drug paraphernalia had also been found in Simpson and Hamilton halls, belonged to the city of Burlington.

The paraphernalia was destroyed by police, and turned to the city. Reports have been forwarded to the Center for Student Ethics & Standards.

March a.m.

12,

1:04

Police responded to an incident outside of the Davis Center.

A person noticed a red glow, and assumed that someone had been recording them. Police located the suspect, and determined the red glow came from a lit cigarette the person had been smoking.

“For me it’s an honor to be on the board,” Pagano said.

“I’ve never dealt with the board before so I believe I bring a fresh perspective to the University and to the student population and the community of Burlington.”

Bernard Juskiewicz, another board of trustees appointee shares Pagano’s idea of his position on the board. “[Being a member of the board] is something that has been on my mind for the past couple of years,” Juskiewicz said. “My wife and I are big supporters of the product that comes out of UVM and education has always been in the front of my mind.”

Juskiewicz graduated from college student.

“I look at education as a lives,” Juskiewicz said.

NATALIE WILLIAMS The Vermont Cynic Board members (from left to right) Lisa Ventriss, David Rosowsky and Bill Botzow speak during a meeting in the Davis Center Feb. 6. Five new members have been appointed to the UVM board of trustees.

Juskiewicz worked for IBM of UVM. Toleno said. in New York and said he later Tristan Toleno is a Vermont Curt McCormack representreturned to the Burlington area native who grew up in Brattle- boro and graduated high school count managing, Juskiewicz - of Representatives and also said said. tend Wesleyan University and he served as chair of the Comgraduated with a philosophy mittee on Natural Resources and Energy as well as the Joint Toleno eventually returned House and Senate Committee Vermont and received his on Energy.

I am experienced to MBA from Marlboro College in McCormack served as vice with putting things managing for sustainability in chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures as on the table and 2013.

“I currently wear three hats well as many other positions in asking the tough right now,” Toleno said. He cur- the Vermont State Legislature questions rently represents Brattleboro in according to University Comthe state legislature, serves as munications. an adjunct professor at MarlDavid Brandt, a UVM sophTristan Toleno boro Graduate School and runs omore and Vermont native Incoming trustee a small catering company, To- graduated from Mount Mansleno said.

“I’m passionate about a lot he was involved with student government according to University Communications.

I can do it.”

Brandt is pursuing a degree Juskiewicz said he was the Toleno said he is also pas- in political science.

Department of Labor manager sionate about his new position In addition to his studies for the state of Vermont from on the board of trustees. and involvement with the board “My background gives me of trustees, Brandt said he is a “It seems when you retire, perspective into the University member of The Vermont Cynic, you don’t have to look for work as a whole,” he said. “I am expe- an AdvoCat for the University’s … work looks for you”, Juskie- rienced with putting things on Undergraduate Admissions ofwicz said. the table and asking people the Juskiewicz said he looks for- tough questions.” ward to working with the stu“I want to do the work, and I reation. dents, the board and the faculty am going to make it rewarding,”

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CALS faculty receive two grants from USDA Emma Trainor UVM faculty in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences recently received two $500,000 grants from the United States Department of Agriculture to fund two separate research projects, according to University Communications.

One of the grants went to assistant professor Shoshanah Inwood from the department of community development and applied economics.

Inwood said she wrote the grant last year after putting together a team of researchers from across the country.

Inwood and other research partners conducted a national survey about the biggest long term issues farmers faced. They concluded that it was the cost of health insurance, Inwood said.

The goals of the four-year research project include undered by health care policy and how farmers’ decisions to grow and workforce vitality, development

and security regarding food and agriculture state by state, Inwood said.

“Health insurance is a really important part of workforce development and job quality rate,” she said. “If we want to have development through food and agriculture, we have to think about this.”

“I’m really interested in the health care research project, and I think it’s something that’s really important,” sophomore Katelyn Roberts said.

The second $500,000 USDA grant went to a UVM team led

by Jason Parker, assistant professor in the department of plant and soil science.

This three-year project focuses on the issue of food safety for small- and medium-sized farms in New England, which of all farms, Parker said.

The Food Safety Modernization Act, passed in 2011, sets food safety regulations appropriate for large scale farms, but many smaller farms are potentially exempt from the law, according to a March 3 University Communications article.

LYDIA KOERNER The Vermont Cynic Senior Victoria Ainsworth snaps a photo in the greenhouse March 12.

The USDA grant will help develop educational programs for farms.

“Part of being a good leader If small farms want to sell to larger groups, they have to is listening, not talking,” Parker follow some type of food safety said, explaining how part of the research included talking to regulation, Parker said.

Parker said the law is a po- both farmers and food safety experts to understand how they tential barrier for small farms.

He said that the goal of the perceive food safety.

“I feel like there’s probably project was to increase farmers’ knowledge of food safety and to adopt “good agricultural prac- help more, like better farming techniques,” junior Samantha the farm in the hope of improv- Rogers said. ing their economic stability.

N EWS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

3

DR. NAOMI FUKAGAWA

Professor granted leadership role Alexandra Shannon

VICTORIA CASSAR The Vermont Cynic Professor Jeff Dinitz, a friend of the late professor Dan Archdeacon, shares photos and memories during

Memorial held for professor Teachers, students, friends and family of professor Dan Archdeacon gathered in the Ira Allen Chapel March 10 to remember his life.

Archdeacon was a graduate of Ohio State University.

He began his career at the University of Kansas, and came according to the UVM CEMS faculty website.

He held positions in both the department of mathematics and the department of computer science, the website stated.

“It was his goal to teach ev-

in remembering his contributions to the community.

His dedication to the community was extraordinary, President Tom Sullivan said.

“

I met a different Dan in 1975, with long hair and glasses like Lennon’s , he was a total hippie.

Dr. Jeff Dinitz UVM Mathematics and Statistics Professor

“

Kelsey Neubauer

matics department and he came the closest in decades,” professor Jim Burgmeir said.

Many friends and colleagues who were in attendance joined

SEXUAL ASSAULT

like Lennon’s, he was a total professor of mathematics and statistics at UVM and a college friend of Archdeacon.

Several students who spoke at the service said he was an inspiration.

“When I learned that one of the best researchers in topological graphing was at the University of Vermont, I knew I had to come here,” said Dr. Melanie Brown, a former doctoral student of Archdeacon’s, and a current professor at Champlain College “He was brilliant,” graduate student Amelia Mattern said.

Archdeacon was one of the top researchers in topographical theory, according to a University Communications press release.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center has named a UVM medical school professor as their new director.

Dr. Naomi Fukagawa is a professor of medicine at UVM and started her career 20 years ago. Despite retiring from UVM, Fukagawa will continue to serve as professor emeritus in the College of Medicine for her current research program, she said.

The program concentrates on studying all of the possible consequences that alternative fuels could have, Fukagawa said.

“It’s about understanding what the advantages and disadvantages are on the environment, people and animals. A lot of times we only look at one fear, we don’t look at the whole living space,” she said.

As the new director, Fukagawa said she looks forward to being able to further her research, as well as implementing change in the nutrition world.

“This is an opportunity that would allow me to work in a bigger pond because it’s so close to Washington. In some ways, I can take what I’ve been trying

ference,” Fukagawa said.

Fukagawa said that her new position will involve dietary choices and enhancing human health. The Nutrition Research Center’s main goal is to understand how nutrition choices impact the quality of life, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

“I think that it is important that people have a better understanding of what a healthy diet consists of because there are so a healthy diet is and what not, that someone without an education in nutrition can get conJablonksi said.

The research center is comservice units and federal employees as well as over 60 other the Research Center, according to the United States of Department of Agriculture.

Fukagawa will be overseeing million annually, according to a March 3 press release.

“To be named director of a national center, one of the world’s premiere human nutrition research facilities, is a great honor,” UVM President Tom Sullivan said in the press release.

UVM is no exception to sexual violence

...continued from page 1

“The next thing I knew I was in a car and I didn’t know where I was going,” she said. “Then I was in a motel and he was having sex with me. I started to cry and say no but he didn’t stop.

Eventually I just let it happen because I just wanted it to be over.”

The senior said she chose not to report her assault because she is familiar with the process and that it can be “exhausting and retraumatizing.”

“Being disbelieved or blamed after that happens to you is really damaging for people, and since I had been drinking and talking to him at the bar I knew that there was a big possibility I could be victim-blamed,” she said.

“Victim blaming” is the notion that sexual assault is victim-provoked, that someone is “asking” to be assaulted due to their actions or dress, according the Women’s Center website.

No one’s behavior or dress gives another person the right to harm them, the website stated.

The senior said she doesn’t want her reasoning to not report her assault to deter others from reporting their own.

“It can be very tough and if you decide to take it on, make sure you have a lot of support and are emotionally prepared,” she said.

At UVM, assault survivors can contact Rickstad for free and options, such as reporting to start a criminal process or reporting to the Title IX investigator to start the UVM conduct process.

“Although the system tries

COLE WANGSNESS The Vermont Cynic Senior Eric Davis discusses his role as a feminist and ally on campus March 11. He works to make UVM a safer place for women. to be victim-friendly, it’s a very want to just move on,” Rickstad said. “Also, there’s so much victim blaming that takes place it becomes easier for the victim to stay silent.”

Rickstad said it’s important to believe the survivor’s story and to validate that it was not their fault.

“Do not insist that they do things the way you might think they should do it,” she said.

“Sexual assault is about power, which is taken away from victims when the crime occurs, do not take the rest of their power away.”

Though a majority of sexual assault survivors are female, many men are standing up against such violence, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

One of them is a self-described feminist and ally, senior Eric Davis.

Throughout his years at

UVM Davis said he’s often asked by female friends to escort them home for safety concerns.

“It’s so unreasonable that someone would be brought to feeling so unsafe walking home in their own town,” he said.

Davis attributes his views to having inspirational male and female mentors.

“Guys need to have female mentors,” said Davis, who said he looks up to sociology professor Eleanor Miller.

“I’ve talked to women who claim that they’re not feminist and I ask them, ‘do you want equal rights?’ and they say ‘yeah,’ well then you’re a feminist,” Davis said.

“All it means is equality,” he said. “It doesn’t mean going out there saying ‘fuck men.’ We get a bad rep but all were asking for is equality. It’s not a women’s issue, it’s a society issue.”

Peace Corps at UVM USA-JOBS workshop With the Department of State Choose where you want to go.

Apply in one hour.

Make a difference overseas as a Peace Corps Volunteer

Tuesday, March 24 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Rosa Parks Room (Davis Center 106E) University of Vermont

Peace Corps peacecorps.gov - 855.855.1961

Life

Students talk about legalizing marijuana Senator Zuckerman’s new bill for recreational pot could mean increased tax revenue, and lower crime rates in Vermont.

Danielle Goglia Imagine April 20, the “marijuana holiday,” without the fear of being arrested.

This could happen in Vermont with a new bill that proposes the legalization of the drug.

“I think that legalizing it will make it less of a big deal,” junior Hannah Weiss said.

“It is the same thing that people say when they turn 21 about alcohol, it’s suddenly not ‘so cool,’ it’s just something that is allowed,” she said.

The bill, proposed by Sen. David Zuckerman, proposes

that marijuana be regulated and taxed like alcohol, according to Marijuana Policy Project’s Feb. 24 press release.

“There are people who use it,” said Jon Porter, the director of the Center for Health and Wellbeing. “But there is a subset that can have a real problem with it and that needs to be part of the conversation.”

Adults 21 and older would be allowed to have up to one ounce of marijuana as well as grow marijuana plants in their home, according to the press release. “[April 20] might become

MARISA ROSENTHAL The Vermont Cynic

Sophomores Dylan Funnell and James McCoy discuss the potential legalization of marijuana on the steps of Bailey Howe Library March 11.

Poll of students marijuana consumption

34 58

more of a holiday and less like ‘you’re cool if you participate,’” Weiss said. conducted by the Cynic of 92 UVM students, over 60 percent of students said they smoke pot regularly and over 90 percent said they would be in favor of legalization.

Currently, medical marijuana use for registered patients is legal in the District of Columbia as well as twenty-three other states including Vermont, according to governing.com.

The substance is also decriminalized to a certain degree in the state, meaning users are protected from being charged for possession and the conduct is treated simition , according to norml.org.

With the current restrictions on marijuana, 80,000 selves as “regular marijuana users,” according to a 2015 research report by the RAND Corporation.

Collectively, those 80,000 Vermonters consume between 15 and 25 metric tons of marijuana each year, according the report.

If marijuana was taxed and regulated like alcohol, Vermont could pull in be-

No Yes

Students opinion on bill legalizing marijuana 9 83

02

04

06

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tween $20 and $75 million per year, according to the report.

“It’s really important that the taxes are being used for something good,” sophomore James McCoy said.

“For instance, in Colorado a lot of the taxes are going toward public education which is totally awesome.

They are rebuilding schools and upping the education game,” he said.

McCoy said that if the drug was legalized, he would be against the importation of marijuana.

“I think subsidizing lo-

0

Not In Favor In Favor

100

cal farmers for marijuana would be totally cool,” he said.

In addition to subsidizing farmers, sophomore Dylan Funnell said he thinks that legalization may play a role in “toning down” marijuana’s presence in the black market and UVM student involvement in the surrounding crime.

“Hopefully it will get a campus,” Funnell said.

“I know that is something the University works toward,” he said.

Promoting food justice at UVM Heather Rankine UVM explored the topic of food justice March 11 in the Aiken Center.

“Food Justice Activism: Through a Social Justice Lense” was an intersectional food justice workshop led by Kat Yang-Stevens.

Food justice suggests that food is a right and that no one should live without enough food because of economic or societal constraints, according to growingfoodandjustice.org.

Yang-Stevens is a popular social justice speaker who works to prevent racism and promote food justice through activist strategies, according to the UVM Bored website.

In 2010, more than 17 million people in the U.S. were food insecure at one PHOTO COURTESY OF CLEO CHELLO point, Yang-Stevens said.

Kat Yang-Stevens, the leader of the food justice workshop, is pictured.

“It should be ensured that all people have food secu- tal justice, according to the “We need to keep learning and stay aware.” rity regardless of where they UVM Bored page.

Yang-Stevens said the enThe workshop was intervironment is “the indigenous active to give students “tansaid.

To have food security, lands we live, work, eat and gible” ways to incorporate “new-found understandings” people need to be able to get play on.”

This includes public and into their daily lives, accordfood that is nutritionally adequate and safe, Yang-Stevens human health concerns like ing to the UVM Bored page. public housing, the border The event was run by sesaid.

The workshop used an “in- and factories in low-income nior Cleo Doley.

Doley is a part of the Rutersectional and anti-colonial communities, Yang-Stevens benstein School and its enframework” to help develop said.

“There’s a lot about food vironmental program. The students understanding and justice we don’t know,” soph- workshop is a part of her seconnections between food omore Meredith Lupini said. nior thesis, Doley said. systems and environmen-

ILLUSTRATION BY MARISSA LANOFF

Enjoying each and every bite Allison Carey

It’s time to eat your cake and enjoy it too.

We’ve all felt that pang of guilt in our stomachs when we reach for a piece of chocolate cake.

However, a study published in a March 2014 edition of Appetite magazine may make you feel better about your favorite dessert.

Men and women were asked to share weight loss goals and whether they associated chocolate cake with guilt or celebration.

Psychologists Roeline

Kuijer and Jessica Boyce of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand found that 27 percent of adults associate chocolate cake with guilt and 73 percent with celebration.

This study found people who felt guilty about eating cake had a higher body mass index and gained more weight than those who enjoyed their celebratory sweets.

In a world constantly reminding us to “eat healthy,” remember that beating yourself up over that small piece of cake may be more harmful than enjoying every bite.

Li fe

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

FADE CEO speaks out about #Yakgate Anthony Gemma One app claims to let you “share your thoughts,” as long as the posts don’t mention their competitors.

Yik Yak has added a one downvote per minute feature to any posts that contain the name of competitor apps,

5

make sense for them to do it,” he said.

Yik Yak makes it look like anonymous users are downvoting when really it’s a bot, according to the website.

“It really doesn’t make any sense that an app devoted to anonymous freedom of expression would

“

There are enough people who want to write the word FADE [on Yik Yak] that students started to notice

“

David Stewart FADE CEO according to techcrunch. com.

This includes FADE, the anonymous photo sharing app. downvotes, it will disappear.

“It’s really a policy that’s up to them,” sophomore James King said. their reputation more than anything so it might not

year Michael Cleary said. “It doesn’t even seem right that they can do that.”

The competitor app, FADE, seems to have noticed.

The FADE app now includes the company’s new “#freethefade” hashtag.

This hashtag is posted alongside various images of the Yik Yak mascot’s head photoshopped on to the

RYAN THORNTON The Vermont Cynic

A student scrolls through images on the FADE application. FADE is a popular app with college students that allows users to post anonymous photographs. Mentions of FADE on the app Yik Yak are automatically deleted. body of Kim Jong-un.

FADE allows users to share photos “with college students around you – temporarily,” according to the app’s website.

“There are enough people who want to write the word FADE [on Yik Yak] that students started to notice,” FADE CEO David Stewart said to Gigaom.com.

“Yik Yak is designed to give everyone on the app a voice and be part of a com-

HUMANS OF University of vermont Harper Simpson

In New York City, Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York roams the streets looking for hints of humanity

to intertwine us all. and Harper Simpson are here to do the same.

GREG JACOBS, New Hampshire

MIkayla VaRuNoK, New York

RobBinson DeMars, Vermont

Photos by Natalie Williams

munity without prerequisites, status, prior relationships or connections,” a Yik Yak representative said.

“In order to ensure users have a good experience on the app, we’ve put in a number of anti-spam and protective measures in place,” they said.

The representative said that the “downvoting/upvoting feature” is a part of their “anti-spam tool.”

“The app monitors con-

versations and posts, and any negative or harmful behavior will result in the respective user being blocked, or altogether banned from future use,” they said.

Whatever the reason for the bot, it seems to have drawn some attention as is made evident by the numerous posts on twitter under the hashtag #Yakgate.

“Yak Attack!

Does news’ block competitors?”

ARTS

Disco Biscuits serve fresh jams Natalie Williams

The Springfest artists have been announced and the Disco Biscuits and AlunaGeorge will grace the stage on the Redstone green next month.

UPB revealed the news by unveiling the Springfest 2015 banner at the conclusion of the 13.

“I am quite excited for the show, I’ve been at Springfest the past three years and I think this is by far the best music they have had yet,” admitted student Dan Ushkow said. “The Disco Biscuits have an incredible energy to their music and it’s going to be great having them play in Burlington.”

Doctor Rick and Loose at the Root, the two winners from the Battle of the Bands, will also perform as the opening acts.

“We will have two bands opening – they were so good we couldn’t just pick one,” UPB concerts committee member and junior Angela Russo said.

Junior Zach Santarsiero of Doctor Rick said the band is excited to get their music to new ears and shre the stage with Disco Biscuits.

The Disco Biscuits are an electronica jam band from Philadelphia. They consist of AlBrownstein on bass and vocals, Jon Gutwillig on guitar and vo-

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DISCO BISCUITS

The Disco Biscuits perform at Camp Bisco music festival. They are an electronica jam band from Philadelphia, and will be headlining Springfest April 25. Other performances include AlunaGeorge, a London-based pop duo, and the Battle of the Bands winners Doctor Rick and Loose at the Root. concerts is putting in a lot of boards and vocals, according to their Facebook page.

They have been together for 20 years and have been bringing “fresh biscuits to your door since 1995,”according to their Facebook page.

AlunaGeorge is a Londonbased pop duo composed of Aluna Francis and George Reid.

“We’re really excited, UPB

through a very long deliberation out of it, an awesome result,” Russo said. “We’re ecstatic and we hope other people are really excited too.”

Not all students share the same excitement.

“I’m actually super disappointed about who we ended up

den said. “UPB never asks the student body who they want and it’s just so upsetting that they got someone that only a fraction of the student body listens to.”

Despite the mixed opinions, UPB’s members still have more to share in the coming weeks.

“We’re going to have some surprises – we still do have some tricks up our sleeve so there’s

more to come,” Russo said.

“We’re doing something really exciting this year that I am not going to say yet since it is na Hoang, assistant director of campus programs for Student out where it is going to go.”

Tickets are on sale now and

“CHAPPiE” rating:

“Another Eternity” rating:

Lines of heaven and hell crossed Artificial Intelligence is Allie Osorno Arts Columnist In 2011 one band entered into the music scene with a sense of electric mystery to their music.

Four years later, the group Purity Ring has resurfaced with an enhanced pop-y sound to their new album, “Another Eternity.”

There has been much anticipation for the release of Purity Ring’s new album.

Due to this, it has big expectations to live up to.

Another Eternity lacks bum and adds a softer pop aspect.

It has the potential to 100.3.

“Shrines,” their debut album, unleashes all of your inner demons and gives you a sense of invincibility.

“Another Eternity,” although it has that similar feeling of empowerment, reminds you that Lucifer was an angel before he became the devil.

The vocals in their second album have slightly progressed to overpower the sound.

voice is angelic, it isn’t the only thing you want to hear.

In their last album, there was equilibrium between sound and vocals, which allows for the music to level out what can occasionally be a whiney voice.

Either way, listening to the lustful vocals of James and Corin Roddick’s exhilarating instrumentals, encumbers all conscious thoughts.

Upon listening, it’s hard to disregard the devil that sits on your shoulder.

In the past, Purity Ring has gone as far as covering James’ rap in“Grammy” is slightly more appealing to the ear. The 2011 EP is best song they’ve done yet.

Their new song, “Stranger than Earth” starts with a heavy bass and faint background cry.

The lyrics “there was a danger that seeped from my skull, oh how it dripped on us all” returns back to that lustful demonic aspect their music can exemplify.

The lyrics of their music often express qualities of sinful behavior.

Upon listening, it’s hard to disregard the devil that sits on your shoulder.

When music has the ability to take you away from reality and overpower consciousness to ignite an emotion, you know it’s worthwhile.

While their music may be captivating, their live shows take it to another level.

James transforms into a fairy on set.

She uses her magic wand to illuminate lanterns on stage while remaining in sync with the music.

As each drop or beat occurs in a song, a tap of her wand ignites a lantern.

Their sets are also engulfed in thick white smoke and as each lantern is touched, the stage illumiPurity Ring will play at Higher Ground June 4 for anyone who will be here over the summer.

It will be a show you don’t want to miss.

not what it used to be Colin Kamphuis Arts Columnist

Torn between rival gangs and his creator, the robot “CHAPPiE” struggles to realize his purpose and navigate 2016 Johannesburg, South Africa.

However, despite a promising premise, “CHAPPiE” as it’s titular robot in demonstrating meaningful character underneath a clunky, uncoordinated exterior.

Gaping plotholes and illogical motivations leave the viewer skeptical and unengaged.

The end result is that the viewer is never really drawn into the story and struggles to move past unresolved plot points. of the same story were cut and pasted together. Even the presence of big names like Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver fail to prop up a shaky narrative.

However, the movie’s focus on modern moral issues like the role of armed

machines in combat and the frightening potential of arto provoke some serious thought. tion form, “CHAPPiE” intertwines a human drama with complex technology and futuristic scenarios to ask questions about the relationship between morality and progress in a rapidly changing world.

Philosophical questions on life, death and ethics are explicitly and implicitly asked, but the viewer can only ponder these issues if they can look past the lackluster storyline.

A more watertight narrative would have given the viewer more opportunity to they weren’t so busy trying to rationalize the motivations of the characters. erated imagery is not particularly ground-breaking but is not overwhelmed by speFortunately, Hans Zimmer delivers a typically well-done music that helps compensate for an awkward narrative scattered with moral inquiry.

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Michigan jeweler comes to Burlington Katie Lazarus A new award-winning artist has arrived in Burlington.

Denise Fletcher, owner of Deda Jewelry, creates pieces

from materials such as gold, silver, pearls and gems.

Fletcher has been awarded the Best of Jewelry category in 2014 at the South Haven Arts Fair as well as the Best of Jewelry category at the Kalamazoo

Institute of Art’s Art Fair, she said.

Fletcher is bringing her original pieces to Stowe, Vermont for Spring Art on the Park from June to August. to Stowe, VT August 2014 after her husband took a job in the area.

“Vermont is such a beautiful place, and I have already had new inspiration by living here,” Fletcher said. because I can do my job anywhere, but I had to take a break from working while I found a studio,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher said she found a home for her business, Deda Jewelry, at The Generator on “Generator aims to be a community of collaboration among artists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to foster a fer-

tile environment for innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship,” according to the Generator website.

Fletcher said she began her career after taking a jewelry class just for fun.

“I thought it was going to be beads and more along the lines of arts and crafts, but instead it was a metalworking lesson,” she said. “I was surprised by what they were teaching, and even more surprised to discover I liked it.”

She later graduated from the Kalamazoo Institute of Fletcher said. necklace she made, which was stolen from the shop she was working in at the time.

“I was actually excited that my work was good enough that someone wanted to steal it,”

Fletcher said.

She produces commissioned pieces as well as ones inspired by her own creativity.

“I don’t cast or bead, but instead texture my metal and gether,” she said.

Her style is contemporary with clean lines, and her favorite technique is “to combine silver and gold, with an occasional touch of copper, and a black hue in there as well,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher said future plans include building contacts in the community and putting work in galleries in the Stowe and Burlington areas.

Deda Jewelry will be at Spring Art on the Park Thursday nights from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. from June 26 through Aug. 28.

JEN RAMIREZ The Vermont Cynic to be made into earrings on March 15. She has been making custom jewelry for over a decade, starting in 2002.

“Pronto” rating:

Rapper explores past in new EP Sandi Omanovic Arts Editor

Tupac Shakur blurred the lines between gangster rap and socially conscious rap, revealing the true struggles of a thug.

Now, many rap artists are emulating this.

Freddie Gibbs’ new EP “Pronto” is the fresh breath of crack-stained air that represents this blurring.

Gibbs released the EP last The EP only has three songs: “Pronto,” “White Range” and “Diamonds.”

While Gibbs has the style of gangster rap, he also uses a more conscious style to focus on serious social issues.

The album art displays a shirtless Gibbs, reminiscent of a similar half-shadowed picture of Shakur.

Gibbs, who is from, one of the murder capitals of the country, Gary, Indiana, opens “Pronto” by declaring that “thug life never die nigga, so bury me

a motherfuckin’ G and put my chopper by my side.”

With this one line, he validates his ability to speak on matters of the street and is refusing to leave his roots behind him.

While other rappers use the image of a gangster to help sell their albums or, worse, “sell out” to creating music that is popular in order to sell records, Gibbs doesn’t.

Gibbs refuses to “sell out,” holding Shakur’s original message of thug-life true by using the EP to spit in the face of rappers posing as thugs in order to sell records.

“I was born with no windows and a pot to piss in and that’s why a rappin’ ass nigga can’t tell me shit about grindin,” Gibbs raps in the song “Diamonds.”

He remembers “them nights when a nigga couldn’t eat that much,” and even now that he is a millionaire rap star he still can’t forget.

He admits to hustling and selling drugs to make a living but he doesn’t stop there.

Gibbs steadily jumps between gangster and socially conscious rap, unmasking the real side of a gangster breaking

PHOTO COURTESY DUNCAN WILL

capital, Gary, Indiana. His three track gangster rap EP was dropped March 9 and focuses on social issues. down under the pressure.

“Y’all said I’m too cool, but I’m broken up undercover, hide my feeling through my drug

interactions with drug addicts and drug dealers,” Gibbs admits in “White Range.”

While the EP may seem like just another gangster rap re-

cord, Gibbs is doing what he does best, building his American dream from bricks of cocaine, so be sure to check out “Pronto.”

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D i st r act i o n s

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

Weather around the world

Washington D.C. Despite seeming so much further South than us, Washington, D.C. stays pretty cold throughout the winter.

By Kate Lipman

London, U.K.

Tokyo, Japan

London is beautiful but it is also known for being rainy this time of year, so be sure to bring your rain boots.

Tokyo is one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the world, and also happens to be blessed with extremely mild winters.

55 49

When the weather reminds us that spring isn’t really coming to Burlington, sometimes imagining yourself somewhere else in the world can help. Maybe it’s time to study abroad.

47 74

55 60

78 Moscow, Russia Amazingly enough, Moscow is warmer than Burlington this time of year, with temperatures this week not dropping below the mid-forties.

Caracas, Venezuela Being close to the equator has its advantages in Caracas, Venezuela, where it stays warm year round.

Cairo, Egypt Although Egypt has certainly had its share of unrest in recent years, it’s still an amazing place to visit, especially with weather like this.

Beijing, China Beijing is best known for its heavy layer of smog, but it also can be quite warm.

Puzzle of the week: Sudoku Fill the empty squares with the numbers one through nine so each number appears only once in each row, column and box.

Opinion

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STAFF EDITORIAL By the time seniors graduate and summer rolls around, undergraduates at UVM will have a new Student Government Association president.

Candidates are already starting their campaigns, and there are many qualified, capable people who could fill the position.

Candidates will be asking for endorsements from clubs, prominent individuals and perhaps even the student newspaper.

In order for us to remain an honest broker of opinion, we must be honest with our readers about our ability to remain independent.

However, the Cynic will not be endorsing a candidate for SGA president.

The tradition of newspapers endorsing political candidates is long and rich in this country.

Regardless, like many aspects of the media industry, things are changing.

Newspapers aren’t the power brokers they used to be.

Rather, they’re taking on a

slightly different, more diminished role in popular discourse.

In professional newsrooms, the editorial board is distinct from the broader newsroom in order to maintain independence between the newsgathering process and the process that decides the stance of the paper.

Logistically, that isn’t possible at a student paper like the Cynic.

People talk. Our newsroom doesn’t have any walls. We haven’t developed a mechanism to get this level of independence.

In order for us to remain an honest broker of opinion, we must be honest with our readers about our ability to remain independent.

An endorsement is a delicate practice. It can be easily interpreted as a way for the paper to do critical thinking for its readers.

Furthermore, it can easily diminish integrity.

If the Los Angeles Times supported Obama — which it did, to some criticism — is it a liberal paper?

In reality it isn’t, but nobody would fault a reader for leaving with that impression. Coflicts of interest are still conflicts if they’re merely percieved.

Your decision, your vote must be decided by you and you alone.

Our editorial page shouldn’t replace independent thought. It probably won’t, either.

More and more research suggests newspaper editorials don’t affect political campaigns to any meaningful degree.

In lieu of endorsements, during this campaign we will draw attention to issues.

Illustration by ALYSSA HANDELMAN

As Robert L. Bartley, the one-time Wall Street Journal, which a paper that hasn’t endorsed a presidential candidate since Hoover, editorial page editor said, “We’re about the issues and can talk about the issues. If that adds up to an endorsement,

so be it.’’

We look forward to a lively and productive debate about what’s best for this university we all love. It’s this vein of independent thinking the Cynic’s editorials will follow.

over the years.

He essentially made society come to terms with the actions of a rapist who happened to be a beloved celebrity at the time.

Buress helped bring a serial rap-

legal means or social activism.

Bill Cosby’s sexual assaults were no secret in the comedy and celebrity world, but were unknown to most of the public.

I believe this was because of his place in society and the popular perception of him as a wholesome household figure.

We seem to forget that even wholesome exteriors can hide disgusting behavior, something that comedy gives no quarter to.

We must put up with opinions and comments that we disagree with or find deeply offensive, because one day such opinions could be the only thing that bring truth to an injustice society is unwilling to face.

Rape jokes reveal injustice Dear Editor,

I would like to bring to your attention the dangers of censorship as they pertain to comedy, specifically how they relate to the touchy subject of rape jokes.

Comedians and feminists have almost always been at odds, and rape jokes have been a central point of this contention. I admit I am biased in this debate.

I am a fan of comedy regardless of how crude it is and I believe either everything is OK to say or nothing is.

Am I saying rape jokes should be praised or encouraged?

No, but I believe wanting to censor or discourage crude and unbelievably offensive comedy is detrimental to society.

I feel I am a minority in this opinion, and at this point most readers probably think I

am just some misogynist bigot; but an overlooked aspect of the recent scandal surrounding Bill Cosby’s repeated sexual assaults reveals a truth I hope will change your minds.

Comedians and feminists have almost always been at odds, and rape jokes have been a central point of this contention. I admit I am biased in this debate.

Cosby, a “clean” comedian, would call up-and-coming comics and reprimand them for their use of profanity in their act.

One such comedian, Hannibal Buress, made a joke that revealed the hypocrisy of Cosby’s profanity lecture by pointing out the numerous sexual assault charges brought against him

ist to justice ... with a rape joke.

As this scandal shows, context is everything in comedy, and context is something the law (and too often most activists) never fully take into account.

This is why censorship has absolutely no place in the comedy world, whether it be through

Unsigned editorials officially reflect the views of The Vermont Cynic and its staff. All signed opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily do so.

The Cynic accepts letters in response to anything you see printed as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. Send letters to opinion@vtcynic.com.

We are also committed to accuracy in all of our work. If for some reason there is an error, please send all letters of correction to cynic@uvm.edu.

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Sports MEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON IN REVIEW

Stony Brook defeats Basketball loses Vermont in semifinal veteran seniors Jack Estrin

Freddy Fields

The Catamounts had a chance to tie the game on the

“

I learned how to lead and participate in a championship caliber system

“

“

Senior Ryan Pierson

This is another opportunity to go out and play with guys we’ve been playing with for a year now

ERIN LUCEY The Vermont Cynic

“

Hector Harold Senior

Round one of Champions League wraps up Nate Frieberg Sports Columnist

have the chance to continue

The game continued in the

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

11

UVM places fourth in nation Zach Giroux

“We had some outstanding

JON POLSON The Vermont Cynic

“

It makes you that much more hungry

Bill Reichelt Alpine head coach

“

Pep band membership is on the rise David Brandt

JOE VAUTRIN The Vermont Cynic

12

S PO RTS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2015

Cats offer tribute to former captain Somer Brown

PHOTO COURTESY OF EVAN ROESER

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