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VOL. 133 ISSUE 10
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W E D N E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 6
Survivors Speak Out Community unites for domestic violence awareness
see page 3
Student reports bias incident abroad staff report An American student said he was spat on, called the n-word, and called a “fucking monkey,” by a UVM student while studying abroad in Ghana. Dwight Haggard, a senior at the University of Kentucky and a member of the UK Board of Appeals, addressed the incident in an Oct. 24 Facebook post which has been shared nearly 200 times. In the post, Haggard described the night he says “forced him to realize the cruelty of the world.” He said that UVM senior Elizabeth Cheli called both him and another black student the n-word numerous times. Students from both UVM and the University of Ghana showed their support for Haggard, generating a response from UVM administrators. The University is currently investigating the incident and working with the host program to determine what happened that night, an Oct. 26th joint statement from Annie Stevens,
vice provost for Student Affairs, and Wanda Heading-Grant, vice president for Human Resources, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, stated. From his room abroad at the University of Ghana, Haggard described the night the incident occurred in an interview with the Cynic. “On Sunday, Oct. 23 around 9:30 p.m. I attempted to help resolve an altercation between my friend Karmen and Cheli,” he said. “[Cheli] had called Karmen the n-word while using the washroom.” Cheli continued to call Karmen the slur when leaving the restroom, at which point Haggard stepped in, Haggard said. Cheli’s boyfriend attempted to intervene and explain that Cheli was intoxicated. A crowd began to form around them, and Cheli and her boyfriend went back into their room, Haggard said. Haggard then emptied a trash can in front of her door. “She then opened up her window and spit in my face
twice,” Haggard said. “I felt embarrassed, disgusted, and absolutely angry about the entire situation.” Cheli is an anthropology major who attends UVM on a presidential scholarship, according to a post by her alma mater, Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles, Missouri. She was named to the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s List in Fall 2015.
“
“I felt embarrassed, disgusted, and absolutely angry about the entire situation.” DWIGHT HAGGARD SENIOR, UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Cheli did not respond to requests for comment from the Cynic.
Haggard said that after browsing the reviews on UVM’s Facebook page, he saw a clear need for the Black Lives Matter movement at the institution. He said he commends UVM for standing with Black Lives Matter. “Unfortunately, for those who blindly choose to ignore the racial discrepancies clouding this world, this post will most likely go unread and another black voice will go unheard,” he said. The response from UVM students has indicated they are taking this matter seriously, Haggard said. “As for students like Liz Cheli, who decide that spitting on a person of color after calling them the n-word numerous times,” he said, “the University of Vermont as well as the University of Ghana should seek to expel Liz Cheli for her inconsiderate, racist and disgusting actions.” On Facebook students from both UVM and the University of Ghana gave their support to Haggard.
First-year Harmony Edosomwan is one of these students. Edosomwan said racism at UVM is mostly experienced through micro-aggressions. “My friends and I had a very tough time the first two months of school because of the stares, sly comments and just the feeling of being ostracized,” she said. The faculty at UVM work hard to help students of color feel welcome, Edosomwan said. “The only way to end racism on campus is to expose it and counter it with love,” she said. Senior James Ile, who came to UVM from Nigeria, said he has experienced racism at UVM as well. “I mean it’s not been obvious,” Ile said. “You see it and it’s just there.” He has experienced instances where white students chose not to engage with black students in social situations. “It’s not really a major problem but it’s definitely a concern,” Ile said.
UVM Police investigate reports of break-ins at University Heights staff report Multiple residents of University Heights South experienced break-ins over a two night period. UVM Police received reports of the break-ins during the nights of Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, according to an Oct. 26 CatAlert. While students were asleep, an individual went into unlocked rooms, looked through
their belongings and in one incident stole several items, the CatAlert stated. “Each incident occurred between 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.,” it stated. “The suspect in these cases has been described as a man with an average build and long hair, last seen wearing a yellow baseball hat and tan pants.” First-year Rachel Cohen said she lives across the hall from
students whose room was broken into. Posters and wine were stolen from the room, but the T.V. and electronics were left, Cohen said. “I mean it’s not good [that these burglaries happened],” she said. Students living in University Heights have raised concerns about security on campus. First-year Taran Rattu, a
resident of University Heights South, said he was surprised by the burglaries. “It’s bad,” he said. “It shouldn’t happen.” However, some students said they are not as concerned about the break-ins. First-year Kayla Morrison said her concerns were shortlived. “At first I was kind of nervous about it,” Morrison said. “I
really just got more aware of the fact that not everyone is completely great.” UVM Police encourage students to keep their doors locked at all times to prevent burglaries, the CatAlert stated. A burglar only needs a few minutes in an unlocked room to perform a theft, UVM Police’s website sates.
2
NEWS
Lower water levels change lake’s ecosystem By michelle phillips mphil15@uvm.edu
A recent water level drop in Lake Champlain has affected both the lake’s ecosystem and residents using the lake. On Oct. 26, the depth of Lake Champlain at the King Street Ferry Dock was 93.78 feet, a foot lower than the historical average on this date, according to the National Weather Service. Little snowfall last winter and a dry spring caused a decrease in the levels, said Laura Hollowell, resource room specialist for the Lake Champlain Basin Program. “When the water level is this low it is very noticeable on slowly sloping beaches,” she said. “Houses on the beach are much farther from the shore this year.” The program works with states surrounding Lake Champlain to coordinate efforts to maintain the lake’s water quality and wildlife. The natural bedrock dam at the north end of the lake prevents water from flowing into the lake when there isn’t enough stream water to get over the dam, geology professor Stephen Wright said. The lowest average water level on record for Oct. 26 was in 1908 at 92.81 feet. That year, Burlington experienced a
Erosion lines on rocks of the Lake Champlain waterfront show the the decrease of water levels. Water levels have dropped 10 feet since May 2011. SABRINA HOOD/The Vermont Cynic drought, Hollowell said. The UVM sailing team noticed the changes in the water depths and said it made them more cautious with their boats. Parts of the boats the team uses extend deep into the water,
sophomore Haley Brown said. “With lower lake levels, it is easier to hit and scrape the bottom of the lake with the centerboards and keels and get our boats stuck in shallow areas,” Brown said.
Low levels also have various effects on species and habitats that live near the lake, Hollowell said. “A coworker of mine took this picture of the freshwater mussels at one of the big river
Lake Champlain Water Levels
Water Levels (in feet)
105
103.27
100
95
94.28 90
0
92.61
Dec. 1908 1
May 2011 2
Oct. 2015
93.78
Oct. 2016 1 Lowest level recorded
2 Highest level recorded
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mouths,” Hollowell said. “The water levels were so low that you could see tracks in the sand of them trying to move to find water.” Students say they’ve noticed an effect on the wetlands in the surrounding area. Graduate student Matthew Kraft said a wetland in St. Albans, Vermont was all sand this year. Some migrating birds, however, benefit from the exposed beaches and sandbars. If these sites were not visible they would simply fly over, as opposed to stopping to rest, which also means that bird watching by the lake was especially good this fall, Hollowell said. Wright said the low water levels this year provide a good opportunity to study some of the rock that is newly exposed, especially in South Hero, Vermont. This year should not have any long-term detrimental effects on the Lake Champlain ecosystem, Hollowell said. “It is hard to tell if this will be a trend, because the past few years, lake levels were especially high due to Hurricane Irene,” she said.
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3
NEWS
Community marches against assaults By colin bushweller cjbushwe@uvm.edu
Cold weather and icy sleet did not prevent dozens of UVM students from marching in solidarity to protest domestic violence. Steps to End Domestic Violence held their annual Candlelight Vigil and Survivor Speakout to raise awareness about domestic violence Oct. 27. Steps to End Domestic Violence, formerly know as Women Helping Battered Women, is a prevention and advocacy group that works to help victims of domestic violence. Students and residents from the Burlington area gathered together and marched up Church Street, finishing the walk at the First Unitarian Universalist Church on Pearl Street. The goal of the Candlelight Vigil and Survivor Speakout is to educate and bring the community together by acknowledging those who have been victims of domestic violence. The event has been going on for 20 years. “It’s a time when we can come together as a group to share stories, experiences and, in solidarity, say this isn’t okay and we need to keep working to end domestic violence in the community,” said Janice Santiago, one of the event’s coordinators. Santiago said an event like this has the ability to encourage people to gather and stand against an injustice. “When we are together,” she said, “our voices are stronger.” Santiago said the most important part of the event is the speakout portion, where victims have the chance to share their stories. “What is shared there stays there,” she said, “and being given a forum to share your heart is
empowering.” Two members of UVM’s Delta Delta Delta sorority were among those who attended. “Our sorority always tries to reach out to the local Burlington community and support charities or events that are happening, and just show our presence in the community,” senior Kirsten Crandall said. “Since [the march] is silent,” senior Kendell Kamansky said, “I think it’ll be a lot of time for reflection.” Before the march began, Tammy New, a survivor of domestic violence for over two decades, gave a speech in which she highlighted the struggles she lived through and showcased the optimism she has for the future after her relationship. New was in an abusive relationship for 22 years, she said. She has been out of that relationship for five years now. “I have changed,” New said. “I have come from years of isolation to transformation, rediscovering parts of my best self that I thought were changed or gone forever because of the abuse.” New said she has learned to always persevere despite the pressure of abuse. However, she cited the importance of trusting oneself and one’s judgment. At the conclusion of the speech, the group began their march up Church Street, with a Steps to End Domestic Violence banner leading the way. Once at the church, all participants entered a room to begin the speakout portion of the event. To maintain privacy and ensure the event was a safe space, members of the press were asked to refrain from attending.
Students and residents from the Burlington area gather outside of town hall and walk down Church Street Oct. 27 to raise awareness about domestic abuse. This the 20th year that the event has happened. OLIVER POMAZI/The Vermont Cynic
4
NEWS
Text
Study ties UVM to Vermont economy By chloe chaobal cchaobal@uvm.edu
UVM recently completed a study revealing UVM’s economic impact on the state. A $25,000 study found UVM generated $1.33 billion for the state by May 2015, according to a release from University Communications. The study is a great public relations tool for the University, economics professor Arthur Woolf said. Using quantitative evidence from the study, the University now has leverage when lobbying in Montpelier and the City Council, he said. “[UVM] can say, ‘this is actually how big we are — we are a $1.3 billion impact on the economy,’” Woolf said. “And then people will raise their eyebrows and say, ‘wow, that’s big.’” The study found UVM created 11,287 jobs in the state and generated $78.8 million in state and local taxes. “If you think about how an economy works, think about Vermont as it’s own country,” Woolf said. UVM brings in a lot of people who, in turn, participate in the state’s economy, he said. “UVM has a big role in exporting educational services that is, it brings in out-of-state students who pay tuition and that brings in dollars that get circulated in the state,” Woolf said. The University supports the state economy through spending, hiring businesses and bringing in students, the study
states. “The report is essentially a ‘cookbook approach’ of UVM’s spending in the economy,” he said. Purchases of goods and services by the University, its faculty, staff, students and visitors are called direct expenditures. UVM’s direct expenditures were $556.2 million, the report states UVM students also add to the economy, the study states. First-year Anna Thomas said UVM students play an important role in the Vermont economy after graduation. “UVM is important for the state of Vermont because UVM provides a higher level of education for all demographics and aspiring young professionals,” Thomas said. UVM employs 4,400 faculty, staff and students. There are also 12,815 students enrolled in courses at UVM, UVM’s website states. In addition, UVM hires equipment vendors, contractors and laborers for construction and renovation projects, according to the study. Numerous businesses in Burlington are supported by UVM indirectly by students and visitors who are attending the University, the study states. Woolf emphasized the report gives truth to an already common assumption about UVM. most people already know,” Woolf said: “that UVM is a big part of Vermont’s economy.”
Events around campus
11/2 11/3 11/3
UNH 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at Virtue Field. UVM will be hosting a landlord-tenant meet and greet from 5 to 6:30 Nov. 3 in the Frank Livak Ballroom, where students seeking housing can meet potential landlords. From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. SGA will be hosting a Board of Trustees Student Info Session where students can learn about being on the Board of Trustees. The event will be in the Jost Foundation Room.
In Vermont, UVM created an economic impact of
$1.33 billion
in direct expenditures
in indirect spending
million
million
4,400
11,287
$556.2 $770.6 faculty and staff employed by the university
jobs supported by UVM
Wash Spot Laundromat OPEN 24 HOURS 7 DAYS/WK 207 Riverside Ave, Burlington
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11/3 11/5 11/5
The Royal Tyler Theatre will be showing their production of Dracula at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3-5 and 10-12, as well as 2 p.m. on Nov. 5 and 13. Miracle Network Dance Marathon will be hosting a 5k to help Rallython raise money for The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the PFG 5K Running Loop. UVM’s women’s basketball team will compete against St. Michael’s College 4 p.m. on Saturday in Patrick Gym. The men’s team will face St. Michael’s at 7 p.m.
8 Load Washers $11.42 5 Load Washers $7.11 3 Load Washers $4.25 2 Load Washers $2.75 Wash-Dry-Fold Service FREE Wi-Fi Accepts Credit and Debit Cards thewashspot.com Email. clean@thewashspot.com
By m ph
LIFE
5
Dispelling all the common myths regarding gluten Michaela Paul
large amount of foods in one main food group, increasing the potential for nutritional deficiencies.
MTPAUL@UVM.EDU
G
luten seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue lately, which is ironic because, it’s not that we are eating more of it; it’s because we are declaring our newfound desire to go gluten-free. It’s the new fad: to be free of gluten. Just the way it rolls off the tongue makes it falsely sound healthier. According to National Public Radio’s Eating and Health podcast, The Salt, one in three Americans are trying to avoid gluten products. I even considered eating more products that were gluten-free. But after doing some digging, I’m going to dish you the 411 on the myths and facts of gluten, and whether or not you should be indulging in it.
MYTH: Going gluten-free increases the amount of vitamin and mineral intake, reducing bloating and increasing energy.
MYTH: Gluten is only found in breads FACT: Gluten is a mixture of proteins in wheat, rye and barley. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, these proteins are found in the grain’s endosperm, which is used to produce flour. It is the component responsible for the beloved chewy texture that we find among my personal favorites: breads, baked goods, pastas, pizza and bagels. Gluten also appears in other unexpected foods, such as thickeners in sauces, soups, cereal and some french fries, depending on gluten contamination from shared fryers. MYTH:
We should all go
gluten-free.
FACT:
We should make this decision based on our individual bodies’ responses to gluten, and after contacting a medical professional and nutritionist. According to nutritionist Karen Ansel at Women’s Health magazine, the individuals who
MICHAELA PAUL
should be eating gluten-free meals are those who have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. According to Beyond Celiac, approximately 1 percent of individuals in the U.S. are affected by celiac disease. Celiac is a genetic autoimmune disease, where gluten damages the small intestine, causing gastrointestinal problems and nutritional deficiencies.
Gluten sensitivity, on the other hand, is when gluten causes cramping, diarrhea and bloating without damaging the intestine. So, if you are allergic or unable to tolerate it, you should be avoiding gluten all together.
MYTH: If we don’t have allergies or intolerances to gluten, this means we should be
avoiding it too, since it has no nutritional value for us.
FACT: Although gluten doesn’t necessarily allow individuals to obtain a ton of nutritional benefits, the whole grain foods that contain gluten possess the essential nutrients iron, vitamin B and fiber. So, according to Women’s Health, giving up gluten may result in the elimination of a
FACT: Well, going gluten-free doesn’t actually reduce bloating. In fact, if bloating is reduced, it’s due to the fact that the types of gluten-free foods that we can consume are limited, meaning we are actually eating less. According to Consumer Reports, gluten-free foods aren’t necessarily healthier or contain more vitamins and minerals. These foods possess more fat and sugar to help bind them together, since they lack the gluten that would naturally create the binding, meaning it could actually result in the opposite intended effect of increased bloating and less energy. Thus, it’s critical to have the guidance of a nutritionist who can help guide you along the way if you do have celiac or are intolerant. Energy levels do increase in gluten-free individuals who are allergic or gluten intolerant because they are now avoiding the foods that make them sick. This same response does not occur in those who do not get sick from gluten. So, based on what we know so far, gluten is only an enemy to those allergic and intolerant. For those of us without these conditions who are looking to become a tad bit healthier, there are more beneficial solutions than reducing the amount of gluten intake. So please, by all means, do not be afraid to get your gluten on! It’s actually not the gluten that is harming you, after all. Michaela Paul is a senior biology major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2016.
Students warned against offensive Halloween costumes BY hannah carpino hcarpino@UVM.EDU
Preceding the weekend of dressing up and parties around college campuses nationwide, an email was sent out to the UVM student body Oct. 27. The email warned of the possibly unintended effects of certain Halloween costumes and encouraged students to be more cognizant of their clothing choices when dressing up. “Some costumes can reinforce stereotypes, ignore the deep cultural significance of certain articles of clothing, and disregard the history of marginalized groups of people,” the email states. The email, written by Sage
Ryan, chair of the SGA Committee on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, was just part of the University’s overall effort to make Halloween here a more respectful and tolerant experience. Posters hung in dorm buildings and boards created by RAs around campus reinforce this message. “It’s my culture, not a costume,” one poster featured on Redstone Campus read, followed by pictures of costumes deemed insensitive for Halloween-goers to wear. The discussion of cultural appropriation seems to be a fairly new one, but one that many institutions — particularly colleges — are latching onto in efforts to make their campus
“
There’s international cultural appropriation, like kids dresing up in Mexican costumes, and there’s domestic cultural appropriation, which goes unrecognized.
HALEY BROWN SOPHOMORE
feel safer. The University of Connecticut, the University of Utah, the University of Washington and the University of Oklahoma are all schools whose warnings to students regarding their costume choice have been highly publicized. Many of those objecting to the movement have been rallying behind the all-toocommon accusation of “[Politically correct] culture”. One student from UW, in response to the aforementioned warning, is quoted in a 2015 New York Times article as saying that cultural sensitivity around the costumes is “becoming a bigger deal than it should be.” While the topic has gained
traction and efforts from the University were visible, just how successful were they? According to sophomore Haley Brown, “there’s two types of cultural appropriatio.” “There’s international cultural appropriation, like kids dressing up in Mexican costumes, and there’s domestic cultural appropriation, which goes unrecognized,” she said. “I saw a couple of those costumes over the weekend, my friend was a farmer, and it’s not necessarily a bad costume, but it goes unnoticed that it is appropriation.”
6
LIFE
A guide for how to craft the perfect resume by camilla brocollo cbroccol@uvm.edu
Although most students are in their element and have settled into their normal routine of the school year by now, it’s also the point at which bank accounts begin to dwindle. Wallets are worn out from indulgences in concerts, brunches and off-campus lunches. Few fund their own college educations, but often are responsible for financing extra expenses. So, it’s time to find a job. Whether a student is applying for a first job or internship or is a veteran employee, there is one aspect of the process that is inescapable: crafting a resume. Here are some tips from experts to help make a resume shine:
KEEP IT CLEAN: When applying for a job, chances are an employer will be looking at multiple resumes. Thus, if a resume is disorganized or hard to read, there is a chance that it will be thrown to the bottom of the pile. “There are multiple things that make a resume good,” junior Bri Ball, a career peer mentor, said. “To name a few, the way a resume is formatted should be clear, consistent and visually appealing.” Many word processing programs like Pages and Microsoft Word have templates which can be used to build a kick-ass resume. Online templates can also make a resume stand out in a pile.
KEEP IT RELEVANT: Ball recommends only putting
GRETA BJORNSON
information relevant to the job on a resume. For example, if a student is applying to a marketing internship at an agency in New York City, the employer most likely won’t care about summer lifeguard experiences. Even if a student does not have much experience in a field, previous experience from classes relevant in the field that they are applying to are more helpful than past jobs with no connection, says Ball. “It is important that the context has relevancy to the particular job a student is applying for and that the student is really repre-
senting their strengths,” Ball said.
USE YOUR RESOURCES: The Career Center offers many resources to make resume-building easy and successful. The Career Center’s Resume Basics workshop takes place on Thursdays from 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is designed for resume beginners. “At this workshop you will learn what a resume is and its value in the real world, what to, or not to, include, etc.,” Ball said. The Hub on campus offers
drop-in hours that any student may attend. The drop-in meetings are short 15 minute appointments where a student can get help from a Career Peer Mentor to fix up a resume and get any help or advice.
LOOK IT OVER ONCE, TWICE AND OVER AGAIN: Just like an essay, it is important to look over a resume to catch any mistakes that may have been made during the writing process. “One common mistake stu-
dents often make is not proofreading their document,” Ball said. “You definitely do not want to have grammatical errors be the reason an employer turns you away after perfecting everything else.” Giving a resume to friends, roommates, siblings, parents or anyone else is a helpful way to get a second pair of eyes on it. Another resource on campus for students to utilize in writing resumes is the Writing Center, which is located on the first floor of Bailey Howe Library.
THE DAPPER VAGINA
Own your body; how to embrace your hair down there SARAH HEFT SHEFT@UVM.EDU
I
can remember the day well. I had just gotten back from dance class. As I peeled off my sweaty leotard, I noticed something mysterious. I walked up to my full length mirror to take a better look only to be confronted by three curly hairs hanging out on my vulva. Shocked, I took a step back. My copy of “The Care and Keeping of You” had prepared me well for this day. I had pubic hair. Flash forward three years and I was still as shocked and confused as I was before. What does one do with pubic hair? For the longest time I just didn’t do anything, until one day during my sophomore year, I got curious and decided I would shave it all off. I was not prepared for the itching, chafing and burning that had resulted from my freshly-shaved pubis. With a bottle of aloe vera in my hand, I swore I would leave
my dark forest alone for the rest of my days. The rest of my days lasted until I was exposed to the wide world of porn. Everybody having sex in those films was freshly shaven, without afflicting themselves with the devil’s chicken pox that is razor burn. Suddenly I was perplexed. Was I expected to weed whack my bush in order to have a cooter as cool as a cucumber? And if so, how does one exactly go about that?
ing as a barrier to the vagina and the sensitive skin surrounding it. Pubic hair reduces friction, making it less likely you will be sore and irritated down there after sex. Pubic hair can also protect against STIs that are spread via skin-to-skin contact, such as HPV. In essence, your pubic hair is your own personal TSA agent, except it won’t throw out your shampoo or racially profile you.
In essence, your pubic hair is your own personal TSA agent, except it won't throw out your shampoo or racially profile you.
The truth is, the rise of internet porn has led to a lot of shaved kittens. People watch freshly shaved porn stars and think it’s icky to have pubic hair. On the contrary, your pubes are actually pretty nifty. According to “Our Bodies, Ourselves,” pubic hair prevents bad bacteria from coming into contact with the genitals by act-
Pubic hair is just another part of owning a body. Do what is best for you and do it because you want to, not because it’s expected. Shave it, wax it, dye it, braid it, trim it or leave it—the choice is yours. Sarah Heft is a junior gender, sexuality, and women’s studies major. She has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2016.
MARISSA LANOFF
7
LIFE INTERVALE TALES
Perfecting the DIY dorm spa treatment to destress
A new use for your squash charlotte fisher
ISABELLA ALESSANDRINI
COFISHER@UVM. EDU
IALESSAN@UVM.EDU
A
t this point in the year, most students are dealing with exams coming up, essays with frighteningly close due dates and with pressure about what courses to enroll in for next semester. Unfortunately, with all of these worries often comes overwhelming amounts of stress. However, these ideas will help calm you down quickly and regain control of any stresses you may have to combat this week.
W
hy waste a dish when nature can provide you with one? It was hard to miss the large buttercup squash that was sitting in my Intervale Food Hub basket this week. This squash has a dark green skin and a bright orange flesh and is a perfect substitute for boring ceramic bowls.
INGREDIENTS: • • • • • • •
Olive oil 1 buttercup squash, cut in half 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced 1 medium onion, diced 1 medium apple, cored and diced 1 cup bulgur wheat, cooked Salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub the flesh of the squash halves with olive oil and place on a baking sheet, flesh side down. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until squash is tender. While squash cooks, prepare bulgur wheat according to package directions. In a medium pan, heat 1 tbsp
ZIT ZAPPER
A buttercup squash, stuffed with wheat, apple, onion and mushroom made with Intervale Food Hub’s fresh local ingredients. CHARLOTTE FISHER/The Vermont Cynic
of olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for three-to-five minutes until softened. Add mushrooms and cook until softened and browned slightly, about eight minutes. Remove from heat. Add the bulgur and apple to the mushroom mix and stir. Season with salt and pepper. Remove squash from oven and fill each half with wheat mixture. NOTE: you may have some leftover filling, perfect as a side
CHRIS' CRITIQUE
One quest to find the best VT vegan pizza chris leow CLEOW@UVM.EDU
Vegan pizza is mysterious. How can one of America’s favorite junk foods be any good without the cheese and the meat? I’m not vegan myself, but I have a dairy allergy that forces me to seek out vegan options a lot of the time when eating out. I have toured the Burlington area searching for the perfect vegan pizza pie. Thankfully,there were a surprisingly large number available. Here are the best:
Leonardo’s: Vegan Salvation This is a seriously tasty vegan pizza. Leonardo’s forgoes the classic red sauce for a delicious olive oil garlic sauce. Red onions, white mushroom, tomatoes and black olives are piled on top and mix perfectly with the melted “cheese.” You can even get this on a certified organic wheat or gluten-free crust. I have eaten an entire large pie of this by myself in
one sitting. It pairs extremely well with Sriracha.
Pizzeria Verita: I consider this place to have the best pizza in Burlington overall. It’s expensive, but so worth it for the quality ingredients and the traditional Neapolitan-style wood-fired oven perfection. Thankfully, they offer Daiya cheese, a vegan cheese substitute, as an option for any of their pizzas. Daiya cheese makes a great pizza cheese because it melts really well and, in my opinion, tastes better melted than not. C
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Pingala: This is true vegan pizza, topped with herbed tofu, scallion, buffalo sauce and tahini. This pizza is respectable because it’s not just trying to mimic pizza, it stands alone as a dish. This pizza is super flavorful, but is only served on Fridays. Chris Leow is a junior medical laboratory science major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2015.
dish. It can be served warm or cold. Intervale Food Hub delivers local food subscriptions to campus, making it easy to support Vermont farmers and food makers, and eat fresh, healthy food all semester. There is still space available to join for the College Fall season. To learn more or sign up, visit intervalefoodhub.com/college–fall. 22190CynicAdsD_finalHR.pdf
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Fresh, raw garlic has long been utilized across the world in a smorgasbord of remedies ranging from helping poor digestion to clearing colds. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, it also contains various compounds such as allicin, which, other than giving garlic its distinctive aroma, can have anti-oxidative effects on the body. The best part is that you don’t have to eat raw garlic to get rid of that pimple! Just cut one clove in half, rub it on the site of the inflammation and be amazed by how hard it will be to find tomorrow morning. Raw cloves of garlic unfor10/27/16 4:29 PM
tunately are impossible to lift from the dining halls. Unless, perhaps you make friends with one of the chefs. Thankfully, you can easily buy them at City Market or the Farmer’s Market. Plus, a head of garlic is hardly a splurge compared to the cost of whatever acne treatment you would have spent your money on.
TURN “ME TIME” INTO “WE TIME” If you know some people who could also use some destressing, why not share the self-care? Make a night of it with your roommates, floormates or best mates for some beauty bonding time together. Laughter is one of the best natural therapies there are and definitely the easiest to find. You could finally watch something on Netflix if you’ve been too swamped or even splurge on some takeout for dinner in the form of comfort food therapy. Self-care is about much more than vanity or luxury or even beauty. It’s in no way reserved only for those who can afford spa retreats, but it is an essential part of emotional health. If you take the time to love your body, your body will love you back! Isabella Alessandrini is a sophomore. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2016.
ARTS
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Scares continue after Halloween has passed By Bridget Higdon bhigdon@uvm.edu
Even after Halloween has come and gone, there is still plenty of horror to be found on campus in the coming weeks. The UVM Theater Department will be putting on a production of “Dracula” Nov. 3-5 and again Nov. 10-12 at the Royall Tyler Theatre. The script, written by Steven Dietz, was adapted from the classic 1897 novel by Bram Stoker. It follows the story of the famous vampire Count Dracula and his desire to seek out fresh blood. The stage version has all of the original novel’s recognizable characters, and plenty of thrills to go around. Theater professor Sarah Carleton is the director of “Dracula.” “I love when I can turn something classic into something new on the stage,” Carleton said. “Dracula” is certainly a timeless tale that is sure to keep its audience at the edge of their seat, she said. The play is set in the Victorian era of Stoker’s novel. “I love the Victorian period and the world the characters are living in,” Carleton said. “I love the contrast between good and evil and how they crash and clash throughout the play.” The show’s cast of 13 started rehearsing in the evening and on weekends after auditions were held in September, she
Students in the UVM theatre department rehearse for the opening night of “Dracula” Oct. 27. “Dracula” will be performed at Royall Tyler Theatre Nov. 3, 5 and 12. SABRINA HOOD/The Vermont Cynic said. Now, as opening night approaches, Carleton said the cast is hard at work practicing every day. “The show has 200 lighting and sound cues,” Carleton said, “and we change location several times.” These are the small, but important details the cast is currently working to perfect, she said. UVM production’s student designer is senior Rozy Isquith
who is working on the show as part of her senior honors project. Isquith is tasked with coming up with the look and feel of the show, Carleton said. “We’re really fortunate to be able to apply all the skills we’ve been working on for the past four years to a real text,” she said. Audience members can expect plenty of thrills from spurting blood to characters rising
out of the floor, Isquith said. These effects are possible through successful collaboration amongst students, she said. “‘Dracula’ is a really effect-heavy show,” Isquith said. “[The cast and crew have] been really flexible in making the magic happen.” The duration of the show is a little over two hours and has an intermission, Carleton said. Tickets for the show can be purchased in advance or on
the night of the event at the box office or online. Tickets are $10 with a student ID for UVM students. “Dracula” will be performed at the Royall Tyler Theatre Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances held Nov. 5 and Nov. 12 at 2 p.m.
Folk artist gets nostalgic in new project Maddy pimentel MMFREITA@UVM. EDU
Ape in Pink Marble
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n album about nostalgia, “Ape in Pink Marble,” leaves listeners longing for places they have never been to and people they have never met. “Ape in Pink Marble” is freak folk artist Devendra Banhart’s ninth studio album and features 13 tracks. It succeeds in transporting listeners to a simpler place, both in time and setting. The album is made up of instrumental soundscapes, filled with 1970s influence, that are irresistibly smooth and soulful. These experimental soundscapes are paired with Banhart’s earnest and nostalgic lyrics, creating a sense of warmth and familiarity. Banhart frequently alludes to the 70s predecessors he’s invoking. “Jon Lends a Hand” is an ode to Jonathan Richman, frontman of The Modern Lovers. Banhart sings over simple guitar chords, “Oh Jonathan, Jonathan/These are your chords.” “Souvenirs,” a song filled with lovesick longing, opens with, “Welcome to the hotel in California,” referencing The Eagles’ 1976 tune.
MICHAELA PAUL
The album ends with two slow ballads in the 70s tradition, including “Linda,” a track with slow guitar and moody lyrics. Banhart sings, “I’m a lonely woman / alone in the world / drifting through time.” Listeners can pinpoint influences and references in the instrumentals. They are given a heightened meaning when combined with Banhart’s sentimental lyrics about memory, as if he wishes to return to a specific time period of music. Two upbeat tracks that will make listeners want to dance, “Fancy Man” and “Fig in Leather,” are exceptions to the albums mellow tone.
“Ape in Pink Marble” is “thematically based on the idea of these tunes being what you’d hear at a hotel in a peculiar part of Tokyo,” Banhart said in an interview with British newspaper The Observer in 2016. Banhart takes everyday, mundane moments and makes them beautiful and worth noticing. The album will inspire listeners to find what is wonderful in the trivial. “Ape in Pink Marble” was released Sept. 23, by Nonesuch Records. Maddy Pimentel is a sophomore English major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2015.
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ARTS
What to see in Burlington’s South End Alex Lerose ALEROSE@UVM. EDU
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he South End of Burlington is full of hidden gems. UVM students need to venture out to this area more because, while Church Street is great, Pine Street and Flynn Avenue are home to some of the coolest shops, vintage markets, restaurants and, of course, a few favorite local craft and micro breweries outside of the mainstream. So, if you need some extra motivation to crawl out of your hibernation cave as Burlington gets colder and colder, here are some cool new places to explore. Alex Lerose is a junior community and international development major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2016.
JONAH SHECHTMAN/The Vermont Cynic
Four Corners of the Earth Deli
This tiny sandwich shop has 40 different sandwiches on their menu. It is on the pricier side, but is definitely worth it. The Jamaican Avocado sandwich and the Thai Chicken are the most popular options. This place also has craft beer, coffee and other drinks available to warm you up.
Vintage Lifestyle Market
Vintage Lifestyle Market focuses on providing people with different vintage goods and art to dig through. There’s also a ton of stuff for those who love to craft and make their own art. In May, Vintage Lifestyle Market is part of BTV Flea, Burlington’s take on Brooklyn’s flea market, which takes place in the South End.
Speaking Volumes
If you’re looking for a record store other than Burlington Records or Pure Pop, Speaking Volumes is the place to go. This old record shop is right next to Myer’s Bagels. I had no idea this place existed until I found a coupon for it inside the Seven Days “What’s Good” coupon book. They have old records, record players, antique furniture and books for sale.
Citizen Cider
Bonus spots
Battery Street Jeans Great Harvest Bread Company Myer’s Bagels Zero Gravity ArtsRiot
Mystery thriller burns up
Citizen Cider might be one of the most ubiquitous drinks around Burlington. This hard cider is made with fruit grown and harvested in Vermont. Their brewery is on Pine Street next to Four Corners of the Earth. On their website they feature special deals each week available in their tasting room, such as “Taco Tuesday” or “Hot Dog and a Can” on Thursday’s.
November arts calendar
colin kamphuis CKAMPHUIS@ UVM.EDU
11/11
Inferno
Fleming Museum 101 $2, 6 p.m.
UVM Concert Band
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espite a strong cast and experienced director, “Inferno” continues the downwards spiral in quality characteristic of recent films following a similar formula. Tom Hanks returns as Professor Robert Langdon in the film adapted from Dan Brown’s most recent novel. Like “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels and Demons,” the story revolves around protagonist Robert Langdon solving a mystery based on clues embedded in classic art and literature. Highly formulaic, “Inferno’s” story structure, themes, and events match those of its two predecessors, each movie feels like the same story. If nothing else, “Inferno” is an average thriller, with the right amount of action and mystery to earn it a place on FX in a few years. It’s a great movie to watch while cleaning the apartment or cooking dinner, but lacks anything to warrant remembrance.
UVM Cat’s Meow Stranger Sings A Cappella Show
Music Building Recital Hall Free, 7:30 p.m. KIRA BELLIS
In this sense, film adaptations of Dan Brown’s books match their source material. While Brown’s books sell like crazy, they are best suited for reading on a beach or an airplane. There is nothing particularly interesting in “Inferno’s” score or cinematography. However, the beautiful on location shooting adds a nice aesthetic value. Historical sites ranging from the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul to the Duomo cathedral in Florence present pleasing visuals, and the focus on paintings and art add much needed substance. “Inferno” earned $147.7 million in the box office on its opening weekend, against a budget of
$75 million. The movie has been met with mostly negative responses. Review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 20 percent, with 43 percent of the audience reporting that they liked it. It appears that even experienced director Ron Howard and Tom Hanks were unable to woo audiences with a shallow and overcomplicated story.
Colin Kamphuis is a senior politcal science major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2015.
11/12
Basquiat showing at Fleming
Fleming Museum Regular admission (free for students), 2 p.m.
UVM Symphony Orchestra Music Building Recital Hall Free, 7:30 p.m.
11/16
Painted Words Poetry series with Tess Taylor
11/17
University Jazz Ensemble
Fleming Museum 204 Regular admission (free for students), 3 p.m.
Music Building Recital Hall 7:30 p.m.
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OPINION
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S TA F F E D I T O R I A L
The importance of voting this election E lection Day. It’s less than a week away, which is a hard to ignore fact considering the large amount of attention the media has given it. There’s the obvious competition between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, both vying to be the next President of the United States. However; there are also important and close-knit races for Governor, Lt. Governor and congressional seats here in Vermont. Vote. If you haven’t registered already, don’t wait! Visit vote.gov to see if there’s still time to register, either in Vermont, or in your home state. If you have registered, fill out that absentee ballot that’s been sitting on your desk for a week and send it in. This election is incredibly important to the future of our nation, and we, the future of this country, need to have a say in who is representing us and making decisions on our behalf. Not only are there 44 million Millennials eligible to vote, but we are the most diverse voter constitute out there. According to Rock the Vote, “Sixty-one percent of Millennials identify as White, while 17% are Hispanic, 15% are Black and
4% are Asian.” This being said, it’s imperative that we let our voices be heard. From police brutality and gender equality to college affordability and the minimum wage-we all have at least one issue that we care deeply about. Use your right to vote in this democracy to take a stand. The policies that we are voting on today will have a tremendous influence on our post-college lives. Don’t let somebody else decide your future. Get out and vote.
Staff editorials officially reflect the views of the Vermont Cynic. Signed opinion pieces and columns do not necessarily do so. these actions are into The Cynic accepts letters in response to anything you see printed as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. The Cynic reserves the right to edit letters for length and grammar. Please send letters to opinion@vtcynic.com. EILEEN O’CONNOR
Can the moderates survive in today’s political arena? Kate lipman
KLIPMAN@UVM.EDU
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ith the presidential race on everyone’s mind, especially those of us who are finally old enough to vote for the first time, I’ve started to wonder about why the U.S. political field seems to have become so polarized. It seems that there are rarely moderate candidates who get very far in higher office, particularly in political races, because they are said to not attract enough support from either party. But why don’t moderate candidates attract support when, to both parties, they should theoretically be viewed as better than radicals on either side? This summer, I was a field representative for the senate campaign of Sen. Kelly Ayotte in New Hampshire. She is an example of a senator who is deemed by many to be a moderate. For my job, I basically knocked on doors all day long across the New Hampshire seacoast area, talking to voters and collecting data. Something that really struck me during this experience, despite an awful amount of people answering their doors in their underwear, was that it seemed like there was always someone who wasn’t happy with what a\
Ayotte was doing in Congress and in New Hampshire. Let me start by saying that Kelly Ayotte is the seventh most bipartisan senator in the United States (according to a bipartisanship study by Georgetown University), and she often reaches across the aisle to move legislation forward. In fact, this summer she worked with the other senator from New Hampshire, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, on numerous occasions. Ayotte also said she will not be voting for Donald Trump.
to improve school safety and criminalizes gun trafficking and straw purchases. Some Republicans I met while door knocking said that she was a RINO (Republican In Name Only) because of this statement and others along this line. At the same time, some Democrats who I spoke to at the door extremely dislike her because they think she is not tough enough on guns. This catch-22 Ayotte seems to be stuck in with some voters makes me really wonder if it is
It seems that there are rarely moderate candidates who get very far in higher office, particularly in political races because they are said to not attract enough support from either party. What I have found, however, is that instead of being applauded for actually getting something done compared to the gridlock that has defined Congress for years now, some people think she is either too conservative or not conservative enough. Sometimes Republicans and Democrats alike would dislike her for the same issue. One example is guns. Ayotte’s websites states that she helped introduce legislation that improves existing background checks, addresses mental health gaps in the criminal justice system, boosts resources
possible for someone to be a moderate these days in the U.S. political arena. Candidates who are in the middle do not seem to get a chance. The cause of this catch-22 Ayotte is experiencing has partly to do with the purists on the Republican side. I have met quite a few people who simply say they will not vote for anyone in the state primary because no one agrees with all of their views. Another prime example of a moderate in danger of losing his seat in the Senate this year are Mark Kirk (R) from Illinois. The idea of having a can-
ELISE MITCHELL
didate that agrees with you on everything is ridiculous, and I think this is a unity problem the GOP is frequently facing. If people focused less on what they do not agree on, and
more on what they do agree on, moderates would have more of a chance to survive. Kate Lipman is a senior Russian and Eastern European studies major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2014.
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OPINION
Politics create new source of entertainment alexander collingsworth ACOLLING@UVM.EDU
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e no longer have to go down to the river to get water. We don’t have to farm our own crops or raise our own livestock. We have plenty. We are bored. Even if you work two jobs, you still probably spend a good amount of time watching T.V. each day. There are days that I spend longer staring at a screen than not. Is that wrong? In a society where our lives are largely divorced from material hardship, we demand entertainment. Writer David Foster Wallace said television was his main addiction. In “Infinite Jest,” one of his characters watches TV, reclined back with a tray positioned at chin level so he could eat without taking his eyes off the television. I’m in touch with this sometimes, especially after ordering wings. Reading is considered good for you. Parents sometimes restrict how much T.V. a child can watch, but no parent tells their kid, “you’ve been reading too much.” However, in the 19th century, the novel, which was just coming into its own, was considered racy, vulgar, and low-brow. Well-to-do parents did indeed restrict what their kids read. “Infinite Jest,” much like “Ulysses” by James Joyce, is pretty unreadable. Wallace said he wanted the reader to have to work. He didn’t want to make his book easy to read. I’d say, if you have a message or a story to tell, you should make it as accessible to as many people as possible. On the other hand, as one of
SEBASTIAO HUNGEBUHLER
my editors pointed out, literature might lose its value if writers made their stories too easy to understand. There’s a difference, though, between a novel being complex and a novel being unreadable. “The Sun Also Rises,” “The Grapes of Wrath,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Crime and Punishment” are all complex stories that are actually very easy to read. Sadly, less and less people read books these days. We want to be entertained and we want our entertainment to be easy to understand. On the other hand, shows like “Westworld” challenge us and make us ask questions about the nature of human existence and what it means to be conscious. Are there good forms of entertainment? Is it OK to watch
T.V. all day? Or are we guilty of the sin of sloth? I guess you have to ask yourself, “Could I be doing anything better with my time?” Or perhaps, “What am I distracting myself from?” The presidential election is something we look to for enter-
so much attention. If only Bernie had a reality show. No one has access to Trump’s psyche, but one hopes he is merely playing a character or caricature, and that the internal Trump can feel remorse, or can feel anything at all.
We want to be entertained and we want our entertainment to be easy to understand. tainment, and even catharsis sometimes. I remember when Obama was elected. My dad cried tears of joy. “Are you not entertained?” is, if anything, the refrain of this presidential campaign. Donny Drump’s entertainment value is the reason why Donny was so successful in the primaries and the reason the media gave him
Or perhaps Trump’s presentation of himself has consumed him so there is nothing left of the real Trump. This makes sense given how surreal this election feels. It feels like we are in a bad movie about an alternate reality. He brings us to the edge of our seats in frustration, fear or in a frenzy. He gives us something to talk about.
We need to elevate our politics beyond the circus we have now while making politics more accessible to people. Clinton and Trump get all the attention, but I have no idea who is running for the board of education. Another one of the dangers of our culture of entertainment is that we are distracted from important things by the deluge of Netflix shows and cat videos and, yes, by presidential politics. The presidential election, while highly entertaining, distracts from more relevant local elections that may have a more significant and more immediate effect on people’s day to day lives. Alexander Collingsworth is a senior English and history double major. He has been writing for the Cynic since spring 2016.
GUEST COMMENTARY: SGA PRESIDENT JASON MAULUCCI
Phil Scott: the right choice for Governor to move our state forward
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uring an election cycle in which the two major-party nominees for president are as unpopular as they are, it is easy for voters to become disengaged and turned off by the political process. These sentiments are especially detrimental for the many down-ballot races whose results often have the most direct impact on people’s daily lives. So while the national debate continues to rage with millions of dollars being spent attempting to bring their opponents down, it is critical for folks to look into the candidates running in their own backyards. Here in Vermont, there is a compassionate, hard-working candidate running for Governor whose issue-oriented, positive campaign should be a model for all those who seek to run for office. His name is Phil Scott. Lieutenant Governor Scott is the type of public servant Vermont needs in the governor’s office to move this state forward. He is an experienced problem solver who knows how to work with
anybody, regardless of party, in order to get things done. As Lieutenant Governor, Scott has established a reputation for being someone who puts people ahead of party, results over who gets the credit, and somebody who treats everybody with the dignity and respect that they deserve. As a small business owner, Scott also understands the hardships that so many Vermonters are facing every day just trying to get by. With fewer people working in Vermont than there were just 7 years ago, an aging population and the cost of living continuingly on the rise, Scott knows that the next governor must prioritize and focus like-a-laser on the economy. There are so many of us at UVM who have a deep affection for Vermont. We love the community, the breathtaking landscapes and the people. And, when we graduate, we’d love to stick around here, too. Yet, as we’ve seen from our friends who’ve graduated, there simply isn’t the economic opportunity here needed to attract
and retain young talent. Students, after working hard for years in college -- racking up debt from student loans -- have to leave the place they love in order to find jobs that will pay the bills. Additionally, those of us who have lived off-campus know just how expensive it is to live here. Nationally, it is recommended
Lieutenant Governor Scott is the type of public servant that Vermont needs in the governor's office to move this state forward. that one spend no more than a third of their income on housing. Here in Burlington, however, nearly 50 percent of people are spending more than 50 percent of their incomes on housing. That percentage only increases when you take a look of those under the age of 30. Scott
knows that these trends are simply unsustainable. Vermont’s population has been relatively stagnant over the past couple of decades at roughly 625,000 people. Yet, since the last census, there are nearly 30,000 fewer people in the state who are between the ages of 25 and 45. When you think about that a step further, that 25 to 45 age demographic is your workforce. They are the ones who are starting businesses, buying homes, raising families and, importantly, paying taxes. They are “us” when we graduate from UVM. When there are 30,000 fewer of them, the financial burden is spread on those who are still here in Vermont. Increasingly, those remaining to foot the bill are seniors living on fixed incomes who can no longer afford their retirement so they themselves either have to leave the state or go back to work. If we don’t enact policies that help attract businesses to the state, make Vermont more conducive to starting new companies and drive down the cost
of living, we won’t have the revenue we need to invest in important areas like higher education. We need someone in Montpelier who understands these issues and will work tirelessly with anybody to address these challenges. Phil Scott will be that governor. He has a wide range of support from both Democrats and Republicans. He doesn’t just say he’ll bring both parties together; he’s actually done it. He doesn’t just sympathize with small business owners struggling to get by; he’s been in their shoes. Phil Scott lives by the golden rule and is a true public servant. If you want to build a more affordable, economically vibrant Vermont, a place where you can stay, work and live after you graduate, and elect someone who runs their campaigns in a way that we can all be proud of, I urge you to join me and vote for Phil Scott to be our next governor Nov. 8. Sincerely, Jason Maulucci SGA President
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OPINION
Thoughts on lasting longer: a modern attention span lily spechler LSPECHLE@UVM.EDU
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hink you can make it to the bottom line of this article? Microsoft is skeptical... and so am I. My guess is you have made it to here. But if you are literate, it’s probably been less than eight seconds. According to an article written by Lizette Borrelli of Medical Daily, a study by Microsoft found that “people now generally lose concentration after eight seconds,” which is less than a goldfish’s attention span of nine seconds according to the New York Times. Microsoft’s study involved the use of electroencephalograms to monitor brain activity while different experimental groups interacted with various forms of media. Brain activity sensors were hooked up to each participant, and their brain activity was mapped at the same time that each participant’s screen interaction activity was recorded. Results were shocking, especially compared to a similar study done in 2000 that concluded an average attention span of 12 seconds. What’s worse is that researchers also noticed a distinct generational gap. Borelli reports, “77 percent of people aged 18 to 24 responded ‘yes’ when
GENEVIEVE WINN
asked ‘When nothing is occupying my attention, the first thing I do is reach for my phone,’ compared with only 10 percent of those over age 65.” I am going to teach you a very important equation that I learned from my mother at a young age: money equals power. How to obtain money? Knowledge. How to obtain knowledge? Attention.
According to the New York Times, Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, agrees with this sentiment. “‘The true scarce commodity’ of the future,” Nadella said, “will be ‘human attention.’” And if power is not what you seek, don’t worry, this article isn’t exclusive! Without focus, you probably won’t be able to find love and connection either; Why learn the ins and outs of another human when you can
just swipe right? It’s applicable to anything, really. Any skill set you wish to acquire is a lost cause without invested time. Haven’t you read “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell? No. Of course you haven’t, you damn millennial. It seems no one can resist the forbidden Apple. From Eve to the 21st century, we just can’t learn.
But anyway, since you have made it this far, I offer this token of knowledge: If you ever want to keep the attention of an empowered female like myself, you’d better last longer than eight seconds.
Lily Spechler is a senior natural resources major. She has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2016.
SPORTS
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Junior forward Jarrid Privitera fires off a shot on a fast break attempt against No. 11 seeded Michigan Oct. 29. The Catamounts would go on to beat the Wolverines 3-0. PHIL CARRUTHERS/The Vermont Cynic
Hockey knocks off ranked opponent By locria courtright ccourtri@uvm.edu
UVM men’s hockey hosted the University of Michigan in the first-ever matchup between the two teams. Backed by a hot start and a sellout crowd head coach Kevin Sneddon called “electric,” the Catamounts upset the Wolverines 3-0 at Gutterson Fieldhouse Oct. 28. Michigan entered the game ranked No. 11 in the Oct. 24 edition of the U.S. College Hockey Online poll. The Catamounts got the scoring going early. Twenty-two seconds into the game, the visitors turned the puck over in the neutral zone and senior forward Tom Forgione made them pay. Forgione’s shot from the slot off of a drop pass from first-year
forward Derek Lodermeier beat Michigan goaltender Hayden Lavigne, giving Forgione his second goal of the season and putting the Catamounts up 1-0, a lead they would not relinquish. UVM doubled their lead to 2-0 midway through the period, as junior forward Kevin Irwin used a similar drop pass to set up first-year forward Matt Alvaro. Alvaro then maneuvered around Michigan defender Cutler Martin and beat Lavigne from the edge of the left faceoff circle for his first collegiate goal. The icing on the cake would come midway through the third period. With Michigan’s Griffin Luce serving a minor penalty for tripping, senior defender Rob Hamilton took a shot from the point that beat a screened Lavigne to extend the Catamount lead to
3-0. The game would end with that scoreline.
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I think the best part was we didn’t sit back at all; we learned from our opponent last week that a two-goal lead is a tough one to sit back on. MEN’S HOCKEY COACH KEVIN SNEDDON
The Catamounts outshot the Wolverines in all three periods: 16-8 in the first, 10-7 in the second and 16-6 in the third, according to UVM athletics. Sneddon said he was impressed with the performance,
especially the team’s constant pressure even when leading. “I was very impressed with our performance tonight,” he said. “I think the best part was we didn’t sit back at all, we learned from our opponent last week a little bit that a two-goal lead is a tough one to sit back on.” Forgione said he believes that his goal provided a boost to the entire team. “I think it definitely helped,” he said. “I think that all of us really came out flying; we definitely used our speed early in the first, caused a turnover off the first dump-in and capitalized.” First-year goaltender Stefanos Lekkas stopped 21 shots for his first career collegiate shutout, while Lavigne stopped 39 for the Wolverines. Lekkas credited his success
to his teammates. “I give all the credit to them,” he said. “They bailed me out a lot tonight, they made a lot of blocked shots, our penalty kill was outstanding.” The Catamounts went five for five on the penalty kill. After the Catamounts’ 3-2 win against Northeastern Oct. 30, the team sits at 4-1-1 for the season. The Oct. 30 win was highlighted by the return of senior forwards Mario Puskarich and Brendan Bradley, senior defender Chris Muscoby and junior forward Anthony Petruzzelli from their suspensions. The team will spend their next three games on the road, starting with a Nov. 4 matchup at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Student section naming results announced by UVM By savannah nesbitt stnesbit@uvm.edu
UVM athletics has decided to name the student section in each of its facilities. The UVM athletic department has released the results of the contest they announced just three weeks ago, where students were encouraged to submit potential names for the UVM student section. In an effort to increase student engagement, the department accepted name submissions from throughout the UVM community, according to director of Fan Engagement, Nora King. Students were able to submit names from Oct. 10 through Oct. 23. “I’m really excited about how the submission process turned out,” King said. “In the end, we got over 50 distinct name suggestions.” King is collaborating with SGA on this project, she said. After all of the names had been submitted, the ideas had to be narrowed down to five finalists, King said. The top-five names were vot-
UVM students celebrate after the Men’s Hockey team scores against Michigan Oct. 29. Naming for the student section in Gutterson has been limited from 50 to 5 and voting is open to the UVM community. PHIL CARRUTHERS/The Vermont Cynic ed on by the SGA. UVM athletics wants to ensure the final name is chosen completely by students. The results from the SGA’s voting led to the following finalists for the name of the student section: The Den, The Mountain, The Summit, The Cave and
The Ice Box. Now that the final five names have been chosen, the voting has been opened up to the entire UVM community, according to King. A poll has been posted on the homepage of each student account at myuvm.uvm.edu and
students can vote for their favorite submission. Voting began Oct. 28 and will continue through Nov. 3. At this point, the votes will be counted and a title will be chosen for UVM’s student sections. The new name of the student
sections will be officially unveiled at the men’s hockey game against Boston University Dec. 9, according to King. Prior to the game, UVM athletics will be sponsoring a tailgate. The first 500 students in attendance at the game will receive a free t-shirt, which will display the winning name. T-shirts will be given out at home basketball games as well. Eventually, the chosen name will be applied to the student sections of UVM’s outdoor facilities as well. The student who submits the winning name will receive a prize for their efforts. An official UVM hockey jersey, and two tickets to every home hockey game will be presented to the victorious student. They will also be receiving a ride on the Zamboni, and a season’s pass to Smuggler’s notch. King hopes that by naming the student sections of bleachers will bring a new air of excitement to the fans and to the atmosphere of games. The Vermont Army National Guard is the sponsor of this project, King said.
15
SPORTS
Basketball hopes to avenge 2015 loss By zach falls Zachary.Falls@uvm.edu
Vermont men’s basketball had a heartbreaking end to their 2015-2016 campaign, suffering an 80-74 loss at the hands of Stony Brook University in last year’s America East Championship, according to America East records. “Last season was a very good season,” senior captain Kurt Steidl said, “although the loss [to Stony Brook] was tough, having been up 15 points at halftime.” Senior guard Dre Wills echoed Steidl and said the team is motivated by last year’s season ending loss. “It didn’t end up how we wanted it to,” Wills said. “It just added fuel to the fire.” Last year’s team was led predominately by sophomores and juniors, all of whom remain on the team this season. “Last season helped us mature and helped our team chemistry,” Steidl said. “This is the best team chemistry in my four years here.” Team manager junior Derryk O’Grady has seen this chemistry up close as he watches the Catamounts practice. “Practice has been highly competitive,” O’Grady said. “But at the end of the day, they are all unified as one.” The Catamounts are favored to win the America East, according the pre-season rankings released by the conference. Wills knows that with these high expectations, the Catamounts will not take anyone by surprise. “Knowing that the target is going to be on our back, we have to come ready to play night in and night out,” Wills said. The team has equally high expectations for themselves. “Every year, its America East Championship or bust,” O’Grady said.
Seniors guard/forward Kurt Steidl (left) and guard Dre Willis (right) reflect on the past basketball season and look forward to this season. The Catamounts are ranked No.1 in the America East preseason rankings. PHIL CARRUTHERS/The Vermont Cynic In the last five seasons, Vermont has made three appearances in the America East Championship game, winning in 2012, according to AE records. Head coach John Becker thinks that because of the Cats’ depth, this year’s team is wellequipped to win a conference championship. “For the first time in a couple of years, we have the depth and balance to compete for a championship again,” Becker said. “We can go 11 or 12 players deep without much [of a] drop in talent,” Steidl said. A point of emphasis this year has been defense, with last season’s team ranked No.5 in the league in defense, according to
AE records. “We have a lot of guys that can score the ball, so we just have to stay together on that end of the floor and the rest will take care of itself,” Wills said. With an evolving defense, there are new faces to incorporate into the scheme this coming winter. Junior forward Payton Henson and junior guard/forward Josh Hearlihy both redshirted last season, but are now eligible to play this season. Both transferred from Tulane University to join Vermont last year, according to UVM athletics. “Josh and Payton will contribute right away,” Wills said. Wills said that the Cats’ dif-
ficult non-conference schedule will help them when conference play begins. “It prepares us for our league,” Wills said. While they are scheduled to host Eastern Michigan University and Harvard University at Patrick Gym this winter, they will be traveling to compete against a few highly-rated programs. Among these programs are Providence College, Butler University and the University of South Carolina, according to UVM athletics. The team was also invited to participate in the Gulf Coast Showcase tournament in November. They begin the tournament
with a date against Wofford College, according to UVM athletics. “[The schedule is] what we need, to prepare us for conference play,” Steidl said. Among the other teams expected to succeed in the American East are the University of New Hampshire and the University of Albany, ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in preseason polls respectively, according to AE records. The Catamounts open their season Nov. 12, in Camden, Connecticut, as they take on Quinnipiac University. Vermont welcomes Lyndon State for their home opener Nov. 19 at Patrick Gym.
NFL ratings are down this year: here is why john suozzo
JSUOZZO@UVM.EDU
N
FL television ratings have decreased during the first half of the 2016
season. Nielsen television ratings have shown nearly a 10 percent loss in viewers over the first quarter of this year’s NFL season compared to previous years. Some have chalked up the decrease in football ratings to the presidential election, where marginal sports fans have sacrificed watching NFL games to tune in to the pre-election theatrics. One Seton Hall University poll even ridiculously suggested that players protesting the national anthem has driven fans away from the league. The anthem is never televised, save for major exceptions like the Super Bowl.
Thus it cannot be the only factor that is driving away onetenth of the league’s viewers. The league’s ratings are suffering this year because the level of play is poor, the NFL is struggling to find marketable star players and because the NFL has rules in place to make the game less enjoyable to players and fans. Notable players such as Peyton Manning have retired, and there are no young stars in the league who are as marketable to non-sports fanatics. Some companies are even turning to retired NFL players to market their products because of the lack of young star players in the league today. One of these young stars, Houston defensive tackle JJ Watt, was injured early in the season, which will force him to miss the remainder of the 2016 season. Watt is one of the only players of note on the Houston Texans, and his injury makes it
harder for the organization and the league to market the team. The best teams in the NFL have all had to overcome injuries or suspensions to star players. While teams are able to adjust and adapt, losing these players has done more damage to the league and their ratings.
back Teddy Bridgewater. Both of these players suffered season ending injuries before the end of September. The Dallas Cowboys have won six straight games led by their backup quarterback Dak Prescott, who replaced often-injured quarterback Tony Romo.
It could also be argued that interest in the NFL is down this year because of the NFL's awful public image. The New England Patriots overcame Tom Brady’s fourgame suspension in the beginning of the season, as they were able to win games with a cycle of young, relatively obscure quarterbacks. The Minnesota Vikings were the last undefeated team in the NFL, even after they lost former MVP running back Adrian Peterson and franchise quarter-
These teams are overcoming the absences of star players and winning on the field. However, the NFL has not recovered like these teams have. It is hard to generate interest in your league if your most notable players aren’t on the field. It could also be argued that interest in the NFL is down this year because of the NFL’s awful
public image. There was controversy early in the season when New York Giants kicker Josh Brown was suspended for only one game for a domestic violence incident. League rules mandate a six-game suspension for a first offense, which led many to ask why Brown got off easily. The league has also come under scrutiny for asinine rules violations, such as giving out large fines for uniform violations — like wearing a custom pair of cleats — and for penalizing players for celebrating after a big play is over. The NFL can’t afford to keep up these policies unless they want to continue to drive fans away.
John Suozzo is a sophomore history and political science double major. He has been writing for the Cynic since fall 2015.
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SPORTS
Fantasy football: what to watch By nick sullivan
WHO I DON'T LIKE
MY SLEEPERS
QB, Aaron Rodgers (GB) – After throwing four touchdowns and rushing 60 yards against the Atlanta Falcons, Rodgers has earned the must start status this week. Rodgers managed to torch Atlanta’s secondary, even without Lacy, Cobb or Montgomery. A matchup against the beat-up Indianapolis Colts is very appealing.
QB, Russell Wilson (SEA) – I’m now wondering what happened to the nimble Russell Wilson. He’s barely managed to rush for over 50 yards this season, when he ran for 849 yards back in 2014. His passing threats are too shaky, and Seattle’s run game is working out. Stay away from Wilson for now.
RB, Derrick Henry (TEN) – DeMarco Murray has been more than effective in the Titans’ backfield, but the emergence of the 2016 Heisman’s increased production might be something to consider when you face six teams on bye this weekend. Look for Henry, who’s only owned 44 percent of leagues, on the waiver.
RB, Jonathan Stewart (CAR) – Since his return from injury in Week Six, Stewart has dominated the Panthers’ backfield. He’s racked up four scores in the last two games, and a matchup against the 3-4 Rams is favorable.
RB, Mark Ingram (NO) – After losing a fumble in the first quarter that resulted in a touchdown by Seattle’s defense last week, Ingram was benched. He shouldn’t be completely out of the rotation, but the Saints’ inability to stop offenses from scoring forces them to pass.
RB, Bilal Powell (NYJ) – Besides these past two weeks, Matt Forte’s slump has resulted in increased production for Bilal Powell. He’s often used as a quick pass catcher, but he’s very elusive and available in 52 percent of leagues.
nssulliv@uvm.edu
WHO I LIKE
WR, Dez Bryant (DAL) – Welcome back X-Factor! With Dak Prescott still at the helm, Bryant managed to get over 100 yards receiving and a score. Start Dez with confidence weekto-week now. TE, Tyler Eifert (CIN) – Another impressive performance by a returnee from injury rehab was Tyler Eifert. Eifert managed to haul in nine catches, for 102 yards and a touchdown. The stud tight end out of Notre Dame will look to strengthen his offense once again against the New York Giants in Week 10 after their bye.
WR, Allen Robinson (JAX) – Robinson is now going on a three game scoring drought, and just can’t seem to connect with Blake Bortles. If he doesn’t have a breakout game soon, Robinson owners should start getting nervous about his fantasy production.
WR, Jamison Crowder (WAS) – Crowder, who is only owned in 44 percent of all leagues, has been a silent killer these last four weeks. He’s on bye this week, but he should definitely add some value to your lineup these next couple of weeks. WR, Russell Shepard (TB) – If you’re really desperate this week, it seems apparent that Shepard has earned Winston’s trust. This has resulted in seven catches, 100+ yards, and two touchdowns. He’s available in 97 percent of leagues, and consider him a low end flex.
scoreboard
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LAST WEEK
W
3-0
Men’s Hockey vs Michigan
W
Men’s Soccer at UMBC
HOME Oct. 28
W
3-2
3-0
Baltimore, MD Oct. 29
W
3-2
Women’s Hockey at Maine
Men’s Hockey at Northeastern
Orono, ME Oct. 30
Boston, MA Oct. 30
THIS WEEK Men's Soccer vs New Hampshire
Men’s Hockey at UMass Lowell
HOME Nov. 2 7 p.m.
Lowell, MA Nov. 4 7:15 p.m.
Women’s Swimming at Maine
Men’s Soccer AE Quarterfinals
Orono, ME Nov. 5 12 p.m.
TBD Nov. 5 TBA
HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK:
Women’s soccer junior Coco Speckmaier won the TD Bank StudentAthlete of the Week, as she only conceded one goal in her last thre games.
RECORDS Men’s Soccer 11-5-1 Women’s Soccer 7-8-4 Field Hockey 7-12
Men’s Hockey 4-1-1 Women’s Hockey 3-4-1 Women’s Swimming 3-0