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THE BROWN DAILY HERALD FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
VOLUME CL, ISSUE 67
WWW.BROWNDAILYHERALD.COM
Paxson releases operational plan to steer Brown’s future Plan outlines concrete steps such as faculty growth, new buildings to increase Brown’s prestige By EMMA HARRIS UNIVERSITY NEWS EDITOR
President Christina Paxson P’19 offered a preview of the changes and initiatives that will shape the University’s next decade with the release of an operational plan Thursday. The plan, “Operational Plan for Building Brown’s Excellence,” identifies four key areas that will guide Brown’s growth: integrative scholarship, educational leadership, academic excellence and campus development. A major undercurrent running through the plan is expansion, including that of the faculty, staff, buildings, programs and research. Paxson released a long-term strategic plan, “Building on Distinction,” in September 2013. The 57-page operational plan translates the goals outlined in the 11-page strategic plan into concrete actions. A capital campaign, set to launch in October, will finance the efforts. “The thrust of the plan … centers on the goals and key areas of emphasis that will require fundraising,” Paxson wrote in a community-wide email Thursday. Paxson and Provost Richard Locke P’17 will solicit community feedback on the operational plan at a community forum Monday afternoon. Attuned to the arts The plan articulates a desire for
Brown to “become the university of choice” for arts programs. One large investment will be in the Center for the Creative Arts, which will be located in the “heart of campus.” This 80,000-square-foot building will boast a design concept making it “unique in higher education,” with space for large ensemble dance, music and theater performances. Other spaces like the Perry and Marty Granoff Center for the Creative Arts will be subject to “renovations and enhancements.” The University is also launching Global Arts Hubs, a series of partnerships with arts communities all over the world that will pilot in Berlin. These partnerships will allow students and faculty members to travel abroad and work with leading scholars and artists in partnerships that could turn into degree programs. Similarly, planning for new dual degree programs is underway at the Rhode Island School of Design and local arts institutions and conservatories. The plan does not detail how these offerings would differentiate from the existing five-year Brown/RISD Dual Degree program. Watching Watson The plan calls for the transformation of the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs into a “top-five school of its kind in the U.S.” This growth encompasses new faculty hires in Watson, the Political Theory Project and Middle East Studies, as well as funds allocated for postdoctoral and graduate fellowships in centers including the Watson Institute, the Center » See PLAN, page 2
MARIANNA MCMURDOCK / HERALD
New York Times columnist Charles Blow addresses a sold-out Salomon 101 Thursday, highlighting the parallels between the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Blow decries racial inequality in America Celebrated columnist engages audience on civil rights issues and the Black Lives Matter movement By CLARISSA CLEMM STAFF WRITER
“Equality must be won by every generation because it will never be freely granted,” New York Times columnist Charles Blow told a sold-out crowd of students, faculty and community members Thursday in Salomon 101. Blow’s lecture, entitled “The New Civil Rights Movement,” addressed the implications of the Black Lives Matter movement
and the race-related discussions it has inspired. Tricia Rose, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America, provided the opening address. Blow’s visit to Brown was “welltimed,” as the “campus is engaged in discussions on race, gender, power and privilege,” Rose said. Blow framed his discussion of the movement by relating detailed histories of the deaths of Emmett Till and Tamir Rice, both of which resulted in public outcry and drew attention to race relations in the United States. Blow also drew parallels between the Civil Rights Movement championed by Rosa Parks and Martin Luther
King, Jr. and the Black Lives Matter movement. “Most of the young people now were not alive during Civil Rights — this is their Civil Rights Movement,” Blow said. He pointed out that this new movement may not be explicitly centered on religion, but is “nonetheless rooted in the morality of equality” and “often references awakening” rather than the dream of which King famously spoke. Blow said while he himself is not a member of the Black Lives Matter movement, today is “a profound moment which we would gladly bear witness to.” » See BLOW, page 3
First-year sexual assault Quick start by Friars downs lethargic Bruno education to be reevaluated Goal from Miller ’16 FIELD HOCKEY
marks lone bright spot in tough performance against crosstown foe By MATT BROWNSWORD SENIOR STAFF WRITER
After the women’s field hockey team went 2-1 in three previous one-goal games, a midweek trip to Providence College yielded an entirely different result — an extensive 6-1 defeat at the hands of Bruno’s crosstown rival was the worst loss of the season so far for the Bears. “We were probably still in school,” said Head Coach Jill Reeve. “We were three goals behind before our team was ready to hit the first ball. We need to be ready to go right from the get-go.” Bruno (2-3) started out of the gate
INSIDE
slowly, with the Friars (1-6) pouncing on an uncleared penalty corner. Goalie Katie Hammaker ’19 was able to stop the initial shot but could not successfully clear the ball, and the sharper Providence team took advantage, slotting the ball into an empty net. On the second corner of the game, Providence struck again with a well-orchestrated set play that resulted in a diving tip-in at the far post that left Bruno’s defense completely helpless. Fifteen minutes in, controversy arose when the Friars scored their third goal of the game. A corner was saved by Hammaker before bouncing around in the box a few times, only to land on a Providence stick. The shot went off the crossbar and bounced down and out of the goal, but the referee on that half called it a goal. After conferring with his colleague on the other side, the goal
call stood. A lethargic opening 20 minutes was remedied after Alexis Miller ’16 scored straight off of one of the Bears’ two main corner plays, which had struggled to produce goals in the earlier stages of the season. Emily Arciero ’16 stopped the insert and used Katarina Angus ’17 as a decoy before sliding the ball to Miller, who forcefully struck the back board to cut the deficit to two. The corner “was beautiful,” Reeve said. “Some of the corners we’re doing right now are great, and Alexis slamming it home was a great feeling for us.” Brown’s defense kept the scoreline at 3-1 for the rest of the first half, but the offense was unable to make any progress, as Providence’s midfield effectively shut down passes from defense moving forward. » See FIELD HOCKEY, page 6
Students cited humorous tone, lack of diverse voices as impetus for push to student-run training By MATTHEW JARRELL STAFF WRITER
The “Speak About It” sexual assault prevention program, a staple of firstyear orientation for the last three years, may not return to the University following widespread negative student feedback since last spring. A group consisting of members of campus advocacy groups, Residential Peer Leaders, members of the Sexual Assault Task Force and independent student activists approached the Health Promotion Office in February
2015 with concerns about the presentation’s content, recommending that a student-generated training replace it, said Nico Sedivy ’17, an independent activist who is working to replace the current program. “A student-produced program would be more relatable and potentially more thoughtful,” Sedivy said. Speak About It, produced by a company of the same name, consists of a traveling group of actors and coordinators who use “a combination of humorous yet provocative skits, interactive dialogue and powerful monologues” to address “consent, sexual assault and bystander intervention,” according to the organization’s website. The presentation was first shown to » See TRAINING, page 3
WEATHER
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
ARTS & CULTURE R&B artist The Weeknd is changing face of the genre with sophomore album
SPORTS Rookie soccer player Jack Hagstrom ’19 is named athlete of the week for game-winning goal
COMMENTARY Doyle ’18: Campuses across the country have speech codes that limit expression, including Brown
COMMENTARY Blumberg: Discourse surrounding trigger warnings and sensitivity raises questions
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UNIVERSITY NEWS PAGE 2 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
» PLAN, from page 1 for Race and Ethnicity in America and the Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice. To accommodate this growth, and the recent integration of the Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy into the Watson Institute, renovations have commenced on 59 Charlesfield St. The plan also stresses the need for a permanent home for the CSREA, which has been temporarily housed in Brown/ RISD Hillel. Scientific progress The plan outlines significant growth across scientific disciplines, accompanied by increases in the numbers of faculty members, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. A good deal of growth will arise from the Data Sciences Initiative, which could “establish Brown as a leader” in the emerging field of data sciences. This growth will include a new research program, undergraduate and master’s programs, a PhD training program and the availability of “data fluency” courses for all Brown students. The new programs demand a “physical center” for the Data Sciences Initiative, which the plan proposes will lead to “success in garnering sponsored research awards and corporate support for data science work.” To make the Brown Institute for Brain Science a “top-10 research program,” the operational plan prioritizes researching how the brain produces “complex behaviors that make us human” and treatments for brain injuries
and disease. “Significant investment in faculty” is a necessary step to realize the BIBS expansion goal, with the operational plan calling for recruitment in the areas of molecular neuroscience, neural systems, computational neuroscience and neuroengineering. With the anticipated increase in the size of the faculty comes an associated increase in space — the plan calls for BIBS laboratories to be built in the Jewelry District and in the new engineering building currently under construction. Expanding upon the recent creation of the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, the University’s plan indicates an increase in faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate support and staff at the institute, requiring “both endowment and current-use funds.” The plan also nods toward an opportune moment following the transformation of the former Hunter Lab building into the building that houses IBES — it notes that both the institute and the building present a “significant naming opportunity.” Turning to the School of Engineering, the plan prioritizes faculty growth, focusing on increasing the diversity of faculty members — both by decreasing the gender gap and increasing the number of faculty members who identify as underrepresented minorities. Engineering graduate program sizes are expected to increase, and along with that comes an additional 80,000 square feet in the new engineering building and renovations to the Geology-Chemistry Research building. Finally, investments will be
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD concentrated in evidence-based health care, health data science, early determinants of health and global public health. Proposed initiatives stemming from these areas, in collaboration with the Alpert Medical School and other centers, include an Institute for Health Care Delivery, a Health Data Science Center, a Child Health Innovation Institute and a new master’s degree in Global Health. Emphasis on education The plan proposes to improve upon students’ educational experiences by “enhancing the undergraduate curriculum,” “catalyzing entrepreneurial innovation” and “supporting innovative doctoral education.” “Brown will make a significant investment in undergirding the acquisition of core competencies by expanding institutional support of writing, reading, data analysis, problem solving and communication skills” primarily through the Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning. The Sheridan Center currently lacks a director after Kathy Takayama stepped down from the post this summer. The Sheridan Center’s Learning Commons will serve as an educational space in which students learn skills from peers. The Sheridan Center and all its components — the Writing Center, Science Center and Tutoring Services — will be located in a renovated part of the Sciences Library. The University will continue to support digital education through flipped classrooms, blended courses and online courses, the plan states.
Investments in entrepreneurial innovation come in a few flavors — most importantly, the creation of a Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation. Though some peer institutions already have entrepreneurship centers, “the vision for the new center is unique within the constellation of entrepreneurship programs across the country.” The launch of the center will entail several new hires, including an executive director. The center will need to be situated “on or close to campus.” Last semester, graduate students — including those with the group Stand Up For Graduate Students — called for increased benefits including affordable housing, childcare, health care and dental insurance. Last spring, graduate students also protested against a perceived lack of support for sixth-year students. The plan responds to these concerns by noting that the University needs “to extend opportunities for sixth-year students … and enhance their summer stipends” as well as “offer competitive health insurance, dental care, enhanced childcare support and a funded parental leave policy.” Supporting student life On the financial aid front, the operational plan echoes the sentiments of the strategic plan, which primarily focused on increasing aid for low- and middle-income families. The University does not currently have a need-blind admission policy for international, transfer and Resumed Undergraduate applicants. Like the strategic plan, the operational plan makes no commitment to implementing
universal need-blind admission. This fall, the University is set to release a Diversity Action Plan, which will state “the University’s commitment to address the underrepresentation and barriers to broad participation of U.S. minorities (African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American and Asian American) and women across academic disciplines.” Paxson has previously pledged to double the portion of faculty members who identify as underrepresented minorities within the next decade. The plan builds off this pledge by announcing a “‘cluster hire’ of underrepresented scholars working on related topics or themes.” Following the move of several administrative offices to South Street Landing in the Jewelry District, several buildings on College Hill will need to be renovated to serve new needs. Former Provost Vicki Colvin, who stepped down June 30 after just one year in the position, named renovating the Sharpe Refectory as a priority during her tenure. The plan echoes her call for updating the facility, noting that the Ratty “no longer provides students with the dining options expected in a 21st-century university.” Looking ahead, the plan remains malleable. “It is also important to note that this is both a working document and a living document,” the plan states. “It serves as a road map for the next decade — one that allows us to be flexible and responsive to new opportunities that, like the ones contained in our plan, hold exceptional promise for Brown.”
UNIVERSITY NEWS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 • PAGE 3
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
» TRAINING, from page 1 an incoming first-year class in 2013, when Speak About It signed a twoyear commitment with the University, Sedivy said. The February 2014 discussion with Health Promotion, Sedivy added, was initiated in response to the contract’s upcoming expiration and the possibility that Speak About It could be replaced in fall 2015. After student proposals for a replacement program were deemed insufficient, the University signed a temporary commitment in April that would last for just one year, with the goal of eventually reevaulating the presentation for the fall of 2016, Sedivy added. Speak About It was most recently delivered Sept. 7 to the class of 2019. Student leaders criticized the program, and many cited its format as counterproductive. Justice Gaines ’16, a member of last year’s Sexual Assault Task Force, said the program’s use of skits and situational comedy detracted from its message. The attempts at infusing humor into a serious topic “is disconnected from what the reality of sexual assault looks like,” Gaines said. But criticisms regarding Speak About It, Gaines added, stretched
beyond inappropriate style. “A lot of survivors have been saying that it’s not properly or fully representative of survivors’ experience,” he said. The diversity of experience did not come across as genuine, and situations with LGBT individuals were not presented well, Gaines added. The Undergraduate Council of Students will support continued student initiatives to replace Speak About It, said UCS President Sazzy Gourley ’16. “There was concern about how consent was framed at the event, as being ‘sexy’ rather than necessary,” Gourley said. “Humor was used to such an extent that it detracted from the message,” he added. Many first-years with fresh memories of last week’s performance also cited concerns with the way the concept of consent was presented. The portrayal of consent as enhancing sexual experiences ignored the reality that such episodes may not proceed so smoothly, said Anna Murphy ’19. “The association (between consent and sexiness) became exclusive,” she said. “When consent stops being sexy, what happens?” Consent as an idea was presented “more lightly than was deserved”
during the presentation, said Scott Fogle ’19. The playful atmosphere, he added, assumed that everyone watching was at similar levels of comfort with the content. “It undermines the seriousness of the issue,” he said. Kyle Tildon ’19 suggested that “an honest, candid conversation about the realities of sexual assault” and healthy sexuality would serve first-years more effectively. Sedivy said that the students involved in meetings with Health Promotion — which continued from February 2015 until the April 2015 signing of the temporary commitment with Speak About It — pitched the format of a sequence of student-produced videos detailing realistic consent situations. The proposal also included a panel of student leaders who would discuss Brown campus values and how those relate to healthy sexuality. Health Promotion did not respond to requests for comment for the article. The proposal will be reintroduced later this year once it has been fully fleshed out, Sedivy said, and replacement of the current presentation remains the goal. Speak About It’s return is “hopefully not likely,” Sedivy added.
» BLOW, from page 1 The Black Lives Matter movement “prioritizes blackness in a country that marginalizes it,” he said. “It forces America to confront its flaws rather than simply wishing them away. Black Lives Matter makes America uncomfortable because it refuses to lie to itself.” People’s physical appearances should not “subtract from (their) humanity,” Blow said. “If we are all created equal, shouldn’t we be treated equally?” he asked. America “likes to hide its sins” and then wonder, “‘where does all this anger come from?’” he added. Blow concluded his talk with a Zora Neale Hurston quote: “If you are silent about your pain, they will kill you and say you enjoyed it,” walking off the stage to a standing ovation. Following the lecture, there was a brief question-and-answer session, during which Blow urged attendees to educate themselves and those closest to them. “Remember history. Be active in your sphere of influence,” he said. One audience member asked Blow whether it was possible to reverse the militarization of America’s
police forces, and if so, how this feat would be accomplished. “None of us are innocent in this — it’s the system itself,” Blow said. “It’s about the entire system designed and engineered to exact blood.” Another audience member asked Blow’s opinion on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, to which Blow responded that Trump is a “media creation.” As a journalist, Blow said he has borne witness to the way the media frames — and even manipulates — modern events. The lecture attracted numerous fans of Blow’s op-ed pieces in the Times. “I’ve known about Charles Blow since he wrote about the Trayvon Martin decision,” said Justice Gaines ’16. “He’s always talked about police brutality and anti-blackness in a personal yet political way.” “It was very powerful,” said Khalif Andre ’19, who attended Blow’s lecture after discussing Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow,” the assigned summer reading book for the class of 2019, during orientation. “I am dumbfounded and speechless,” Andre said. The lecture was presented by the Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy.
ARTS & CULTURE PAGE 4 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
The Weeknd’s mainstream breakout combines dark R&B with pop Drug-addled tales encounter new moral elements, promising mainstream appeal By EVAN BOYD STAFF WRITER
When Abel Tesfaye dropped a few tracks in 2011 under the moniker “The Weeknd,” it was at a moment when R&B had a taken a turn for the weird.
REVIEW
The sex factor so native to the genre was doubled — nay, quadrupled — in strange ballads, while any semblance of emotion was completely erased by drug-induced numbness. Yet this bleak brand of sound proved as addictive as the substances that inspired it. Tesfaye’s sweet falsetto and explicit lyricism floated perfectly above unconventional song structures, haunting hipster basement parties like a horny forlorn ghost. The Weeknd remained elusive behind a brooding haze throughout the majority of his career. Even after the release of his popular mix tape, “Trilogy,” in 2011 and his first proper album, “Kiss Land,” in 2013, the soulless R&B man lacked a public image and a larger fan base. That has all changed with the release of his second major work, “Beauty Behind the Madness” — an ambitious chart-topping collection of Goth-pop hits. For some, the pivot from dark recluse to mainstream superstar may seem sharp, but it is easy to trace his steps. There was the collaborative 2014 hit, “Love Me Harder,” with pop star Ariana Grande. Then he recorded the “50 Shades of Grey” theme song, a breakout hit called “Earned It,” which packaged his crude sex appeal in a more palatable orchestral beat. The
Weeknd also bumped up his live performances, culminating in a recent MTV Video Music Awards rendition of his latest hit this year. The moves were calculated and successful. Tesfaye is aiming for Michael Jackson-Madonna status, and he just might make it. Any ambitious star needs a team. Forgoing his signature loner status, The Weeknd recruited the best for his sophomore effort, and they delivered. Working with Max Martin, the Swedish hit-maker with 21 No. 1 tracks to his name, Tesfaye has crafted sleek, accessible pop music like “Can’t Feel My Face,” arguably his catchiest tune to date. But while he may be accepting outside influence, he also manages to stay true to his nihilistic mantra of sex, drugs and self-induced destruction. “Can’t Feel My Face” is delivered with such upbeat bounce that if you didn’t pay attention to the lyrics, you might not realize that it’s about cocaine and dying young. Another Martin-produced track, “In The Night,” reworks The Weeknd’s impressive falsetto for an eighties-era banger straight out of Michael Jackson’s anthology. But listen past the glossy sonic surface, and you’ll hear the sad tale that is The Weeknd’s trademark. In other spots, Tesfaye borders on playful. Kanye West gets involved as co-producer on “Tell Your Friends,” a coolly triumphant song powered by a soulful, boldly simplistic piano beat. The track plays like a career-long recap. But it’s more of a reminiscing boast than brood, and it is delivered in such a manner as to suggest this disaffected youth from the streets of Toronto may finally be starting to enjoy himself. But let’s not get carried away; The Weeknd doesn’t lose sight of his dark past or the style that made him popular. There is plenty of old Weeknd on the album, only now his brand of
ARJUN NARAYEN / HERALD
The cover art for The Weeknd’s second album displays his somber style and dourly self-reflective themes above the title of his most popular track. gloomy R&B production is enhanced by dramatic digital effects for mainstream “oomph.” “The Hills” oscillates between moaned verses about myriad misdeeds and a tremendous, bass-heavy chorus that blows his entire back-catalogue out of the water. On “Acquainted,” he struggles with notions of love and commitment amid booming choruses, only to sink back into poor habits and numb dejection on the tracks “Often” and “Losers.” These same old tales of heartless excess require a bit of awareness on the part of the listener, but damn if they’re not morbidly fascinating and sonically infectious. In yet other sections of the album, the pop-inspired mainstream effort is laid on too thick. Songs like “Angel”
and “Shameless” seem a little absurd, with anachronistic guitar-laden production that doesn’t suit The Weeknd’s style. Long-term Weeknd fans will cringe, especially when they hear the latter tune’s concluding guitar solo — it’s as if Slash barges in like the Kool Aid Man for a piece of the action. Moreover, these tracks come off as canned. Lyrically and thematically, they clash with The Weeknd’s cold, playboy persona. It’s hard to stick sweet sentiments like “show me your broken heart and all your scars / Baby I’ll take you as you are” and other misogynistic lyrics in the same album. And then there’s the incongruent collaboration with Ed Sheeran on “Dark Times,” a phrase that I imagine has vastly different meanings for the two artists.
Presumably, moments like these are a necessary part of garnering widespread appeal. Hey, at least a few are pretty catchy. The Weeknd opens “Beauty Behind the Madness” with the line, “Tell ’em this boy wasn’t meant for lovin’ / Tell ’em this heart doesn’t stay to one.” He concludes with, “Angel, I knew you were special from the moment I saw you.” The album is certainly rife with such contradictions. Perhaps this is the result of differing opinions and creative inputs as part of a breakout mainstream project. Or maybe it is just the latest iteration of The Weeknd’s swirling moral struggles. Whatever the answer, Tesfaye does send one clear message throughout: He is hell-bent on reaching the top.
SPORTS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 • PAGE 5
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
» DEFENSE, from back to replace Russo and Giovacchini. “It will be interesting to see where their maturity goes,” Estes said. “Athletically, they are as good, but it’s a matter of experience.” “It’s a three-man rotation that the D-line really trusts behind us,” Sparber said. Two familiar names will flank the trenches at outside linebacker: Michael Walsh ’16 and Ryan MacDonald ’16. Starting for the first time last year, the linebackers had a huge year that included 92 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and an interception. The veterans could help ease the transition for their less-seasoned interior counterparts. “They’re physical, and they’ve played a lot of football for us,” Estes said. The biggest hurdle for the defense coming into this fall was the defensive backfield, Estes said. Key starters Jake Supron ’15 and Patrick O’Neill ’15 graduated, so Bruno will start two new cornerbacks. Playing in only four games in 2014, Jordan Ferguson ’17 racked up an impressive 16 tackles and will get the nod as a starter at one corner. After a strong start to last season was derailed by injury, Will Quigley ’16 made the transition from safety to cornerback to start this season. Finally, Zach Gillen ’16 will provide some much-needed experience in the secondary. The starting safety had 32
Powering the defense
Losing Giovacchini '15 and Russo '15 to graduation makes room for new starters to shine in a perennially talented defense. #47: Ryan MacDonald '16 (OLB) Flanking the inexperienced inside linebackers, MacDonald will bring stability and a nose for the ball to Bruno's second line of defense.
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#93: Zach Sparber '15.5 (DT) Sparber, the defensive captain, heads a deep group of defensive linemen that will get after the opposition's quarterback often.
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#6: Jordan Ferguson '17 (CB) After posting 16 tackles in just four games last season, Ferguson has a chance to prove he can sustain that kind of production over the course of a full season at cornerback.
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#46: William Twyman '16 (ILB) Filling the shoes of Giovacchini '15 and Russo '15 is no easy task. but Twyman, Tylki '17 and Davenport ’17 will use their speed to plug any holes in the middle.
Background image courtesy of Tomek Rakowski; Text by Alex Wainger / Herald tackles and two pass breakups last fall. Sparber said he is not worried about inexperience in the secondary, because the unit has spent the preseason lining up against Brown’s wide receivers, which are thought to
comprise one of the best receiving corps in the Ivy League. “Steel sharpens steel,” Sparber said. “If it was a question mark to start the season, it’s a strength now.” When the Bears’ defense lines up
against Bryant at Brown Stadium Saturday, it is hard to say how the new faces in the middle and backfield will adjust. But experience in the trenches and the new contributors have the potential to continue Bruno’s stingy
reputation. “It’s as strong a defense as we’ve had since I’ve been here, and there’s no question we have the talent,” Sparber said. “Now it’s just about trusting and playing together.”
SPORTS COMMENTARY PAGE 6 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
Red Sox in turmoil: What to do with an underachieving team? BY CHARLIE BLASBERG sports columnist
It is no secret that the Red Sox’s freeagent signings last winter were an enormous bust. The team’s poor record this season is a function of the underwhelming performance of its entire pitching staff and star players. Lately, though, it has turned its season around. As the team’s playoff hopes were dashed shortly after the All-Star break, General Manager Ben Cherington and Team President Larry Lucchino were both dethroned, while interim manager Torey Lovullo has committed to a pragmatic approach to building a winning lineup. So far, young talent has replaced many of the big names that hindered the lineup at the beginning of the year. Rusney Castillo and Jackie Bradley Jr. have replaced Shane Victorino and Hanley Ramirez, and along with Mookie Betts, the trio makes up the best defensive outfield in baseball.
With Bradley’s recently hot bat, all three are threats at the plate and on the basepath. Both Rick Porcello and Joe Kelly have found their grooves in the last third of the season, while rookie arms Eduardo Rodriguez and Henry Owens have impressed. Catcher Blake Swihart has emerged as a switch-hitting threat with speed on the basepath and acumen behind the plate. Lovullo has done a nice job piecing together the outfield and a six-man pitching rotation. What do we do with the Red Sox’s infield? One thing is for sure: Xander Bogaerts is staying at shortstop. His defense has vastly improved this year, as he is much more comfortable moving left or charging in to field the ball. Not to mention his team-leading batting average and propensity for driving in runners in scoring position. At third base, Pablo Sandoval has been mediocre. Though his performance has improved in the later part of the season, his sluggishness at the hot corner and his lack of discipline at the plate have plagued the Sox. Unfortunately, his contract is so
burdensome and his production so poor that no other team would pick him up. Trading Mike Napoli opened up a slot at first base for rookie Travis Shaw, who has been more than competent offensively and defensively. Shaw’s bat has cooled substantially since his initial weeks in the majors, but hitting coach Chili Davis sees a lot of potential in the young lefty’s swing. Perhaps Lovullo will try failedoutfielder Hanley Ramirez at first base, but Ramirez is nowhere near ready. He should stay on the DL for the rest of the season. At second base, Dustin Pedroia has finally returned from the DL. He has lived up to expectations when on the field, but his strained hamstring certainly adds to a list of injuries that is more than unsettling for a starting second baseman. Provided the lineup stays how it is for the rest of this season and into next season, the Red Sox will be leaving out a huge piece of their team: Brock Holt. The Red Sox’s lone AllStar this season — Holt — has been used to replace the injured Pedroia,
the underperforming Sandoval and Napoli and the odd outfielder on occasion. Holt is too good to play every other day as a utility infielder or pinch hitter. He deserves a starting spot in the lineup, but there are too many pieces and not enough positions in the infield right now. Putting Holt at third and benching Sandoval would waste the Sox’s investment in the third baseman. Plus, it may be worth giving Sandoval another season to prove himself. Inserting Holt at first base may be a viable option, but I like what I’ve seen in Shaw so far, and I’m certain he can continue performing given enough time and opportunity. Moreover, Shaw, at 6-foot-4, is a better size for a first baseman than the 5-foot-10 Holt, whose build lends itself more to playing middle infield. What I propose may not be popular among those who are wedded to seeing Pedroia finish his career in Boston, but the team is thriving on youth right now. If the Red Sox can keep this core group of young, talented players together, they may be
a consistent playoff team for years to come. Brock Holt should start at second base next year. With the return of Christian Vasquez in the spring, the Red Sox will have three catchers in him, Swihart and Ryan Hanigan. Swihart’s speed, his improvement over this season and the potential he has exhibited make him a desirable prospect for other teams. The Red Sox should start Vasquez at catcher and trade Swihart along with Pedroia for an ace. While Holt offers the Sox dependability, Pedroia remains very susceptible to injury. Swihart is a young talent who has played well this season and is useful for trade leverage, as the Red Sox are over-crowded at his position. The two keys for the Red Sox this offseason are to keep the core of young players together and to splurge for a legitimate ace. If the Sox can lock down a pitcher who can consistently pitch into the late innings and win 15 to 17 games, next season will be a completely different story than the mess that this one proved to be.
» FIELD HOCKEY, from page 1
did. We dug ourselves a hole against a Providence team that was 0-6 and excited to get some goals on. They were a good team, and we were trying to find our way back in the game but the outcome was not what we wanted.” The Friars play in the Big East, a conference that features some of the best teams in college field hockey and are used to picking on Brown, typically outshooting and out-cornering it significantly. Last year, Providence mustered a whopping 32 shots, but were shutout by Shannon McSweeney ’15 en route to an impressive 2-0 win. The loss was the worst that the Bears have suffered since a 6-1 loss to Dartmouth last September. Playing in the middle of the week was definitely a factor in the loss, Reeve said. “But it was our first opportunity to have that experience,” she added. “So we’re going to be able to learn from that and be more prepared next time, because there is a mental preparation that you have to do between what you do in school and what you do on the field.” Bruno will look to rebound from the tough loss when it takes on Saint Joseph’s at home at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. “The younger players haven’t experienced a game like this one,” said Masini. The seniors “just wanted to tell them that this isn’t the game. We have a game against St. Joe’s, and we’re looking to show who we are. We just need to grow, build and learn.”
Reeve switched up the second half starters, inserting Katherine Kallergis ’18 and Brooke Bonfiglio ’17 in an effort to inject some energy into the game. The move worked for a couple of minutes, as the Bears were able to secure a penalty corner but were unable to convert it. Shortly after Brown’s spurt of momentum, Providence got a corner and after a few saves and deflections, the Friars were awarded a stroke when a shot hit a Brown foot right before the goal. “This season, we’ve done some incredible things already in a little amount of time,” said captain Anna Masini ’16. “It took some time to gain some momentum and get a better shift, but we needed it to last longer. Our whole bench got in the game and it was nice to see them provide a spark for us.” “We were trying to (respond well),” Reeve said. “We were drawing on some energy that we created for one another, but I don’t think it was enough against this team on this day.” The ensuing penalty stroke was coolly converted, effectively ending any chance that the Bears had of coming back. Providence ended with 12 corners to Brown’s five and 22 shots to Bruno’s five, comprehensively dominating Brown from start to finish. “We started off too slow,” Masini said. “It was our first midweek game, which shouldn’t have impacted us the way it
SPORTS
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 • PAGE 7
» OFFENSE, from back At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Rosenbauer is not easy to stop. “He’s a very valuable runner and very big and physical,” Estes said. “He gives us a nice dimension to our offense,” Fuller added. Another set of returning weapons for Fuller is his wide receiving corps. Leading receiver and All-Ivy secondteamer Brian Strachan ’15.5 brings back 56 catches for 668 yards and seven touchdowns, all of which led the Bears last season. Strachan and Fuller, who are roommates, spent the summer in Providence working together and building on their rapport. The most notable part of the summer for Strachan was his health. This summer was his first since coming to Brown in which he was fully healthy, enabling him to practice and work out without being hampered by injuries. Across from him, deep threat Troy Doles ’16 also figures to start after catching 26 balls with a team-leading 17.7yard average. But the wideout Estes is most excited about is Alex Jette ’17. An electric AllIvy kick returner as a freshman, Jette was the Bears’ fourth-leading receiver last year and seems poised to make a major leap in 2015. Jette “is just going to be a dominant player,” Estes said. “He’s terrific. He’s really come back in great shape, and he can fly. We’re going to take advantage of that.” “Jette’s going to be taking on a little bit more of a leading role in our offense,” Fuller added. He also spent the summer working with Fuller in Providence. In the trenches, the Bears return their least glamorous but most underrated performer: center John Heile ’16. Estes called the co-captain “a huge asset to us.” “He knows this offense really, really well,” Estes added. “Everybody has that safe feeling that when John’s in the game, everybody’s going to be on the right page.” “Heile knows football as well as anyone I’ve ever met,” Fuller said. Heile’s leadership in the middle will be needed as Bruno replaces both of its starting guards from last season, including first-team All-Ivy left guard Nick Codrea ’15. But new left guard Bruce Hall ’17 has starting experience, as does Andrew Terry ’16, who will share time with Clayton Eubank ’17 at right guard. The Bears will also benefit from the return of tackles Matt Girard ’17 and Dakota Girard ’17, who are not related and whom Estes expects to be “much better” this season. “Both Girards are very good, and
COURTESY OF BROWN ATHLETICS
Brian Strachan ’15.5 looks for the first down as he moves downfield. Strachan is one of several important contributors that the Brown offense will rely on this year — a list that includes fellow wide reciever Alex Jette ’17, running back Andrew Cole ’16 and quarterback Marcus Fuller ’15.5. having a year under their belts has made a big difference,” he added. Bruno also returns kicker Grant Senne ’16, who made 80 percent of his 15 field goal attempts last season, tying him for third in the Ivy League. He also hit all 29 of his extra points. Senne “did a terrific job with our field goals and extra points and was terrific with the punting,” Estes said. “The fact that we have him back this year is one less headache to think about.” Brimming with talent and experience across the board, the Bears have high expectations for 2015. “We should be one of the best offenses in the Ivy League,” Strachan said. “We have the best receivers in the Ivy League, we have the best quarterback and our offensive line’s one of the best offensive lines, so we should be putting up a lot of points every week.” “We could be very explosive,” Estes said. “There’s a few more weapons that have established themselves than what we had last year.” “All the tools are in place for us to have a lot of success,” Fuller said. Bruno’s season opens at home Saturday against Bryant.
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SPORTS
PAGE 8 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Hagstrom ’19 shines with impressive defensive effort for soccer Game-winner against nationally ranked Providence highlights strong early performances By TANEIL RUFFIN SENIOR STAFF WRITER
The men’s soccer team grabbed a big early-season victory over reigning Big East champions Providence College Sept. 11. The Bears (3-0) held their own against the powerhouse, and the squad currently boasts an undefeated record. Rookie Jack Hagstrom ’19 has been crucial to the team’s efforts this season. The first-year has started in all three of the team’s games and has quickly made his presence known. The contest against the nationally ranked Friars was tied at the end of regulation, sending the game into extra time. Hagstrom broke the stalemate when he successfully netted his first collegiate goal in the 97th minute of the nail-biter. Hagstrom has also played an instrumental role in locking down Bruno’s net, both as a center back and a defensive midfielder. Hagstrom’s recent form has propelled the team to two shutouts in three games and has earned him recognition from the Ivy League, as he was named Ivy Rookie of the Week. For his sound defending and lategame heroics, Hagstrom has also
been named The Herald’s Athlete of the Week. Herald: How did you first start playing soccer? Hagstrom: All of my older brothers played it, which got me really interested in the game. And I was just always around it growing up, and I really loved it. Why did you choose to play at Brown? Just because of the great team and because of the great academics at Brown. How did it feel to score the gamewinning goal against Providence — both a local rival and a top-ranked team? It felt great. Just because our team had worked so hard and we wanted to get something positive out of overtime. To finish the game and get a win rather than a tie or a loss was huge. ARJUN NARAYEN / HERALD
What is your favorite aspect of being a member of Brown men’s soccer? It’s a great group of guys. They are all very friendly, and I think we have good chemistry. We’re looking to have a good season together. What’s your favorite class that you’ve shopped? I really love my engineering class.
Jack Hagstrom ’19 has enjoyed great success in his first three collegiate soccer games. Starting in all three of Bruno’s games, the first-year has already scored the most exciting goal of the Bears’ young season. I just really love my professor. It’s just an interesting topic to me. What are your thoughts on the rest of the season? Well, like a lot of the team, we really want to win the Ivy championship this year and see if we can make the tournament.
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TODAY
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 • PAGE 9
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
menu
u n i v e r s i t y fa l l
SATELLITE DINING ANDREWS COMMONS
Pizza: Bacon Cheeseburger, Buffalo Chicken, Harvest JOSIAH’S
BLUE ROOM
Early Breakfast, Quesadillas
Naked Burritos, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Clam Chowder
DINING HALLS SHARPE REFECTORY LUNCH
DINNER
Cajun Pasta, Hot and Spicy Vegetable Stir-Fry, Zucchini, Squash and Tomato Stir-Fry
Italian Chicken Parmesan, Vegan Italian Vegetable Saute, Blackened Flounder
VERNEY-WOOLLEY LUNCH
DINNER
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Malibu Blend Vegetables, Vegetarian Chili Cheese Soup, Tortellini Italiano, Lentil Stew
sudoku
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Students play frisbee in front of University Hall in between classes, making the most of warmer days before cooler fall temperatures descend on College Hill.
comics Cat Ears | Najatee’ McNeil ‘17
RELEASE DATE– Friday, September 18, 2015
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle c rNorris o s sandwJoyce o rNichols d Lewis Edited by Rich ACROSS 1 *Dejected 5 *Sledding spot 10 *Waterloo 14 Enclosed in 15 Electrical component 16 Seaman’s direction 17 9-Down sensors 18 Midwestern tribe 19 Show appreciation, in a way 20 “You shall hear more __ morning”: “Measure for Measure” 21 Shows a preference 22 Amethyst source 23 Prognosticate 25 Struggling engine sound 27 Me.-to-Fla. highway 28 Freudian subject 30 ’60s radical gp. 31 *Data transfer 32 Crockett’s Waterloo 34 Annoyed moviegoer’s shout ... or what’s needed to make sense of the answers to starred clues 39 Onetime Silly String maker 40 *Faster way to fly 43 Seafarer 46 Bygone dentifrice 48 “Twelfth Night” servant 49 Deserve credit, perhaps 51 “Yes” 53 Ancient Iranians 54 Thing on a bob 55 “__ guy walks into ... “ 56 Actress Russell 57 Dinnertime attraction 59 __ stick: incense 60 Rare blood type, briefly 61 Memento 62 Fifi’s BFF 63 *1964 Grammywinning rock ’n’ roll song 64 *Decrease 65 *Musical starting point
DOWN 1 “Watch out!” 2 Spanish sherry 3 Rush hour timesaver, hopefully 4 QB’s stats 5 Feel one’s way 6 Took it easy 7 “Fate is so cruel!” 8 Peer of Trygve and Kofi 9 Looker? 10 Aspect 11 Metes out 12 Bygone pump word 13 Middle Ages colony residents 21 Sugar suffix 22 Marx of lesser repute 24 Provide, as with talent 25 Lifestyle magazine 26 Host noted for a 1960 on-air resignation 29 Was loquacious 33 Classic military text by Carl von Clausewitz 35 Legislative VIPs
36 Touristy viticultural valley 37 Indecisive comment 38 Hardly fascinating 41 Capital of Cyprus 42 Statistical matrix, e.g. 43 Cruise partnership nickname 44 L’Oréal competitor
45 Altered, as a map 47 Mental wherewithal 48 GI grub 50 Wield power 52 Endangered Sumatran 54 Mythical troublemaker 57 Compact Cadillac sedan 58 Dustup 59 Hook relative
Comic Sans | Neille-Ann Tan ‘18
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Elite Parties, Poor Voters: Social Services as Electoral Strategy in India 2:00 P.M. Watson Institute
The Refugee Crises: Reshaping Europe and the Middle East 5:30 P.M. List Art Building, Room 120
SATURDAY Knitting Workshop 1:00 P.M. J. Walter Wilson, Room 501
City of Providence Walking Tours 11:00 A.M. Swearer Center
SUNDAY Pasta Cooking Class with Chef Fitzsenry 3:00 P.M. Sharpe Refectory
How to Organize a Job Search 5:00 P.M. MacMillan Hall, Room 117
COMMENTARY PAGE 10 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Brown Bites: Sept. 12-18 BY MARCY HUANG
Time for a password change The required first-year sexual assault prevention training program this summer used virtual avatars (a la The Sims) to act out possible scenarios. Though students had mixed feelings about the new program — Preston Schwartz ’19 thought the online training “romanticized” sexual assault — Brown found the program resulted in improvements in students’ behaviors and beliefs. Unfortunately, this is not where the story ends. The training website was hacked last month, exposing first-years’ private information such as ID numbers and sexual orientations. Hopefully the hackers won’t judge how embarrassing everyone’s passwords are. The pizza of my pie For those south campus students looking for alternatives to quesadillas and Spicies With (we can’t be the only ones excited about that pluralization), PieZoni’s aims to fill the gaping hole in your stomach. PieZoni’s joins the extensive number of pizza and calzone joints on College Hill, providing a homey hangout spot with options for carnivores and vegetarians alike. Though many students are excited about Piezoni’s opening on Brook Street, many are disappointed that they never found out what the “things” were that Wings & Things was always going on about. Stackin’ up U.S. News and World Report released its college rankings last week, causing students across the country to smugly re-post the various lists on Facebook. The list from U.S. News and World Report came on the heels of several other lists by competitors like Forbes. Though Brown faired well on many lists — 14th in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities Ranking and eighth in Forbes’ America’s Top Colleges List — some universities’ rankings tend to yo-yo from list to list because each system’s calculations are different. While some lists take into account factors like academic reputation and graduation rate, others are more focused on aspects like post-grad success and student debt. According to Steven Goodman, an educational consultant and admission strategist at Top Colleges, universities care about their rankings “like teenagers care about their looks.” Don’t worry Brown; we still think you’re beautiful. You’ve got mail J. Walter Wilson made headlines with a Mail Services makeover this summer that made most upperclassmen do a double-take. The previous system of picking up packages both at JWW and Alumnae Hall has been replaced by a consolidation of the mail system — meaning students pick up both packages and letters in the same place in JWW. All student mailboxes were removed in the renovation, much to the dismay of many seniors who had finally memorized their combinations.
A N G E L IA WA N G
CORRECTION An article in Thursday’s Herald (“Fifth-year master’s programs see rise in enrollment, expand to new depts.,” Sept. 17) misstated that there are 17 students in the fifth-year biostatistics program. In fact, there are 17 students total in their first year of the biostatistics master’s program, only one of whom is a fifth-year student. The Herald regrets the error. An article in Thursday’s Herald (“New mandate calls for HPV vaccination,” Sept. 17) misstated that Rhode Island law dictates that all vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control be required for entry into public schools. The Herald regrets the error.
Q U O T E O F T H E D AY
“When consent stops being sexy, what happens?” — Anna Murphy ‘19
See orientation on page 1.
Crime report College Hill has been shaken in the past few weeks by several crime incidents. A 38-year-old man was killed at Trenton and Ives Streets last weekend, marking the 12th homicide case in Providence this year. Closer to campus, Eric Nguyen ’16 encountered a man attempting to steal a laptop in his living room. Nguyen “threw him up against the wall” before grabbing a knife and dragging the burglar into his room, where he kept him until the police came.
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COMMENTARY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 • PAGE 11
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
Proud to be a Brunonian where at least my speech is free ALLIE DOYLE opinions columnist
If you’re a college student, you’ve probably already pictured dozens of ways you could get yourself kicked off campus. But here’s one you might not have considered yet: speech. Colleges across the country have begun cracking down on student and faculty speech through the means of speech codes, or policies detailing what kinds of speech are grounds for disciplinary action. Boston University, for example, has a written policy requiring students to show respect for the feelings of others while expressing any opinion. So what? Respecting the feelings of others is positive. Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple. There probably isn’t a way to effectively campaign for or against abortion rights, a legitimate issue, without offending a religious peer, a student who has undergone an abortion or anyone else with a strong belief on the topic. So a clearly well-intentioned policy technically prohibits substantive campus debate. While this type of speech is generally protected by the First Amendment, students might not realize that the Constitution might not fully protect them on campus. Since BU, like Brown, is a private institution, it is well within its rights under contract law to make its own
rules that students must agree to in order to attend. But most students, myself included, are unaware that these speech codes exist. While it is technically each of our responsibilities to thoroughly read the University’s policies, it is most likely the last thing on a nervous new student’s mind. And ultimately, if applied strictly, these speech laws could be incredibly harmful. Here at Brown, we’re lucky to have an administration that is largely supportive of free speech and our right to peacefully protest or demonstrate. Still, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education lists
nude models could be considered sexual or offensive by a student, but it would be a perfectly valid student expression dealing with such important topics as body image, sexism and more. So while harassment should indeed be a punishable offense, broadly worded policies could potentially be used to squash valid, non-targeted expression that one might simply disagree with. Still, Brown’s speech code is one of the least troubling policies found at universities that prevent free expression. While political correctness is an ever-popular debate at Brown and can easily be lumped in
punished by the university for expressing opinions outside of a mandated “free speech zone.” You heard me right. Up until a recent successful lawsuit, students at this public institution were required to sign up for a permit weeks in advance, wear a bright orange badge and stand in a designated area about the size of a parking space if they wished to express any opinion. Tomas’ case is nowhere near an isolated incident. Cal Poly Pomona is only one of a disturbingly large number of public universities that recently had or still have free speech zones. Nicole Sanders, a student
Colleges across the country have begun cracking down on student and faculty speech through the means of speech codes. Brown as a “red light” school, an institution that has one or more policies that substantially restrict free speech. The specific policy FIRE cites is meant to prevent sexual harassment, a pervasive problem at many universities. The harassment policy forbids students from posting sexual pictures or writing notes of a sexual nature that make another student uncomfortable. Once again, this is a well-intentioned policy that could be abused to limit student expression. To start, “of a sexual nature” is entirely subjective. An art project photographing partially
with the idea of speech codes, the issue is entirely different. The way in which students choose to express themselves and expect others to do the same is a separate topic from the way in which the University controls our expression. As a Brown student, an animal rights activist can pass out pamphlets on veganism on whatever part of campus he or she pleases. This wasn’t the case for one student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona — a public university entirely bound by the First Amendment. Student Nicolas Tomas was
at Blinn College, was recently told she couldn’t hold a sign advocating gun rights without special permission. Meanwhile, Merritt Burch of the University of Hawaii at Hilo was prohibited from distributing copies of the Constitution on Constitution Day outside of the school’s free speech zone. These zones are not only entirely illegal, but also harmful to the spirit of debate and learning at an institution of higher education. It isn’t automatically obvious why a public university would want to impose a free speech zone in the first
place. Clearly a process that requires students to fill out applications, wear embarrassing badges and quarantine themselves to a remote area of campus works as a deterrent for any sort of demonstration. This is a way for administrations to prevent any sort of discord that might result from differing or strong opinions. For example, students would conveniently be stopped from protesting an unpopular campus policy. If this is the case, how can they exact change? The freedom of speech we experience on our own campus is certainly not proof that Brown is an institution that is inclusive to all ideas, or even one that encourages free debate. In fact, one survey found that 30 times the number of Brown faculty members are Democrats than Republicans. Furthermore, students have been known to avoid hearing ideas they disagree with, such as in the shutdown of New York City Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly’s lecture. So Brown may not have a politically diverse campus, and some ideas may not be tolerated. Still, there is certainly something to be said for an administration that supports free expression where it does not legally have to. Our policies may benefit from some tailoring, but we should not take for granted the freedoms we are given that so many are denied.
Allie Doyle ’18 is probably at Baja’s.
Unproductive or productive harm? ROGER BLUMBERG guest columnist
Does a text written entirely in the interrogative merit a trigger warning? Is this is the sort of thing Ameer Malik ’18 was talking about when he talked about protecting students psychologically in his column in Wednesday’s Herald (“Don’t pull the trigger warning,” Sept. 17)? Perhaps you know people, as I do, who take very badly to aggressive questioning? Or am I making fun? Do Brown students have “psychological needs,” as Malik puts it, that require such careful packaging of presentations and remarks? Is it possible that someone gets through high school successfully, and gets admitted to Brown these days, who is so psychologically frail that the use of a particular word or set of words can do him or her serious unproductive harm? What do I mean by “unproductive harm”? Well, don’t students have intellectual needs as well as psychological needs? And isn’t education very often well-served by experiences that challenge the student’s so-called comfort zone?
(How did all this crappy therapist language sink into the ordinary discourse of higher education, by the way?) Isn’t the shock that comes with disturbing language, images, etc. very often a productive means of arriving at a new and better
memories or at least wildly good stories (even many) years later? Sure, we all want to take care of our psychological needs, or have them taken care of, but what about our intellectual needs? Don’t we want to take care of them as well, lest
Don’t students have intellectual needs as well as psychological needs? And isn’t education very often wellserved by experiences that challenge the student’s so-called comfort zone? understanding of oneself and the world? Isn’t that one of the reasons you pay the big bucks for a liberal arts education? Do you mind if I call these experiences cases of “serious productive harm”? Am I denying there are cases of unproductive harm? Why would I deny such a thing? Don’t I remember all the cases of linguistic upset and discomfort in college that didn’t seem to contribute at all to my education? Or did they? And isn’t that one of the risks we run in college, not to mention the source of important lessons,
our college years resemble an over-priced stay at a not particularly fancy hotel? And what about that wacky editorial in Monday’s Herald (“When Rosh Hashanah and shopping period overlap,” Sept. 14) about canceling classes so as keep some students from missing a few days of shopping period that others can use? Is it really not enough that the shopping period was extended to Sept. 23 this year? Have you any idea what havoc this wreaks on teaching certain courses? And what kind of meshuganah nonsense is it to somehow connect
the shopping period with respect for religious observance? (Should I have warned you about such foul-language-laden, ethnically-charged vitriol?) Does anyone really need a two-week shopping period, or is it more like the fancy foam designs that sometimes come with expensive coffee drinks? These aren’t needs, really, are they? Do I despair when I pick up the BDH and read such things? Do you? Or is no one really reading the paper outside of the staff and a few of their friends and family members? Does that matter a great deal? Isn’t this the sort of discomfort and despair we deal with all the time as People With Brains (PWB), and would we really prefer that it go away through a process of rigorous censorship (self- or otherwise)? Wouldn’t you rather tough it out and see what happens? Wouldn’t you rather suffer difficult subjects, meshuganah opinions, upsetting remarks and heated discussions — even suffer seriously, I mean — and have the sorts of experiences that help make your adult life? (And how about those students at Duke?) Need I say more?
Roger Blumberg is an adjunct lecturer of computer science.
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FOOTBALL THE BROWN DAILY HERALD
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
OFFENSE
Deep receiving corps, complementary running backs promise fireworks Retention of many skill position players has Head Coach Estes P’18 excited about upcoming season By ANDREW FLAX SPORTS EDITOR
Returning six key starters to an offense that ranked fifth in the Ivy League by both points and yards per game, the football team seems primed to take a leap after a season in which all 11 starters were new. Perhaps the most important of those returnees is the signal caller. Quarterback and co-captain Marcus Fuller ’15.5 was third in the Ivy League in passing yards and touchdowns last season. The black mark on his statistical resume is his 54.8 completion percentage, which was second-to-last among Ivy quarterbacks with at least 100 completions, but that can be explained by the Bears’ focus on the deep ball: Fuller’s 13.2 yards per completion led the league. His numbers are also skewed by his Ivy-record 71 pass attempts against Princeton, when the Bears trailed by 24 early in the second quarter and had to keep throwing to attempt a comeback. Between this season and last, “there’s a big difference in terms of how I’m seeing things and how comfortable I feel in the offense,” Fuller said. “But the big thing is not just about me. It’s about the fact that we as an offense have a ton of experience together now.” “Confidence in the game plan, confidence in the offense and, most importantly, confidence in each other is at an
Powering the offense
Powerful backfield and speedy receivers surround co-captain Fuller ’15.5 in Bruno's high-powered offense. #17: Marcus Fuller ’15.5 (QB) With a year of starting experience under his belt and an arsenal of returning weapons, co-captain Fuller is the centerpiece of a potentially explosive offense.
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#68: John Heile ’16 (C) Heile is the team's rock in the middle of the offensive line. Fuller said the three-year starter knows football "as well as anyone I’ve ever met."
#7: Alex Jette '17 (WR) Electric All-Ivy kick returner Jette will relinquish his duties on special teams this season to focus on catching passes from Fuller.
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#11: Brian Strachan ’15.5 (WR) Coming off a second-team All-Ivy selection, Strachan is healthy and poised to build on last year's team-leading totals in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
Background image courtesy of Tomek Rakowski; Text by Alex Wainger / Herald all-time high,” he added. Having Fuller back to lead the offense is “huge,” said Head Coach Phil Estes P’18. Estes said Fuller “became one of the better quarterbacks in the league” as the 2014 season went on and “could grow
leaps and bounds” this year. “He knows how to use these guys to make big plays,” Estes added. “These guys” includes a lot of familiar faces for Fuller: The Bears return both of their top running backs and three of their top four wide receivers
from 2014. In the backfield, last year’s starter Andrew Coke ’16 will share time with Seth Rosenbauer ’16, who converted from quarterback in the middle of last season and was a revelation in the backfield. Rosenbauer was limited by injuries
in the first few weeks of the season, but broke out in a big way against Penn — he rushed 30 times for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers were not skewed by a long rush or two: 12 of his 30 rushes went for at least nine yards. » See OFFENSE, page 7
DEFENSE
Experienced defensive line highlights tough Bruno defense New secondary, linebacker combinations look to impress over course of season By CALEB MILLER STAFF WRITER
The football team’s defense has developed a reputation for toughness in recent years, and the stats back it up. The unit allowed the second-fewest yards per game of any Ivy team in 2014 and the fewest in 2013. A core of returning starters has the Bruno defense primed for another year among the league’s best, but they will have to fill some key vacancies. Defensive tackle Zach Sparber ’15.5 was made defensive captain and will lead a defensive line that is the jewel of the defensive crown. The Bears, who are known for heavy substitution on the defensive line, could not ask for a deeper or more experienced interior. The starting defensive tackles — Sparber and Jake Walther ’16 — will rotate with Ludovic Richardson ’16 and Tom Kutschke ’17 to keep opponents from gaining much ground up the middle. The four seasoned vets combined for 102 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss last season. “We’re going to play hard ball,” Sparber said. “It’s going to be exciting to see.” Robert Hughes ’17 will start as
COURTESY OF BROWN ATHLETICS
The Bruno defense sacks an opposing quarterback. New defensive captain Zach Sparber ’15.5 headlines a defense that has many returning linemen but new starters at the two inside linebacker spots, which will see a three-man rotation. a defensive end for the second year in a row, looking to build off a solid sophomore campaign. The only real question mark on the defensive line is starting end Richard Jarvis ’17. Jarvis played sparingly at linebacker over the last two seasons, but he made the transition to defensive end this year and earned a spot. Head Coach Phil
Estes P’18 said Jarvis has handled the transition well and could be a breakout contributor this fall. Behind the front line, the Bears have a huge hole to fill, both literally and metaphorically, with the departure of 6-foot-5, 255-pound linebacker Xavier Russo ’15. Russo’s 80 tackles last season were almost
double the next-best total on the team. Besides Russo, fellow linebacker and captain Dan Giovacchini ’15 amassed the third-most tackles. While the graduation of both inside linebackers would seem to leave the Bears’ defense a little soft in the center, Estes said they will fill the hole with a three-man rotation of talented
upperclassmen. Will Twyman ’16, Max Tylki ’17 and Brandon Davenport ’17 each saw action in most of last season’s games and will serve interchangeably at the two inside linebacker positions. Both Estes and Sparber cited the trio’s speed as a key to their ability » See DEFENSE, page 5